Puzzle at a Glance
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Puzzle number in The Daily Telegraph
DT 29706 | |
Publication date in The Daily Telegraph
Saturday, June 19, 2021 | |
Setter
Unknown | |
Link to full review
Big Dave's Crossword Blog [DT 29706 – Hints]Big Dave's Crossword Blog [DT 29706 – Review] | |
Big Dave's Crossword Blog review written by
Tilsit (Hints)Rahmat Ali (Review) | |
BD rating
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| Difficulty - ★★★ | Enjoyment - ★★★★ |
Falcon's experience
┌────┬────┬────┬────┬────┬────┬────┐
███████████████████████████████████ └────┴────┴────┴────┴────┴────┴────┘ | |
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Legend:
█ - solved without assistance
█ - incorrect prior to use of puzzle solving tools
█ - solved with assistance from puzzle solving tools
█ - solved with aid of checking letters provided by puzzle solving tools
█ - solved but without fully parsing the clue
█ - unsolved or incorrect prior to visiting Big Dave's Crossword Blog
█ - solved with aid of checking letters provided by solutions from Big Dave's Crossword Blog
█ - reviewed by Falcon for Big Dave's Crossword Blog
█ - yet to be solved
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Notes
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As this was a Saturday "Prize Puzzle" in Britain, there are two entries related to it on Big Dave's Crossword Blog — the first, posted on the date of publication, contains hints for selected clues while the second is a full review issued following the entry deadline for the contest. The vast majority of reader comments will generally be found attached to the "hints" posting with a minimal number — if any — accompanying the full review.
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Introduction
I believe you will find this to be a puzzle where you must "think outside the box". The puzzle is a pangram and, despite recognizing that it might be such, I neglected to confirm the fact when I had completed it. When I feel a puzzle may be a pangram, I write the missing letters on the edge of the page and cross them off as the appear. The final two letters are present in the last few clues solved and I see I failed to cross them off the list.I invite you to leave a comment to let us know how you fared with the puzzle.
Notes on Today's Puzzle
This commentary is intended to serve as a supplement to the review of this puzzle found at Big Dave's Crossword Blog, to which a link is provided in the table above.
| Markup Conventions | |
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| Click here for further explanation and usage examples of markup conventions used on this blog. | |
Across
| 1a | Distortion // according to interpretation (10) |
| 6a | Go, /having/ emptied salt -- salt! (4) |
"salt " = AB [able seaman]
Salt[3,10] is an informal term for a sailor, especially one who is old and experienced.
In the Royal Navy, according to Lexico (Oxford Dictionary of English), able seaman[5] (abbreviation AB[5]), is a rank of sailor above ordinary seaman and below leading seaman. On the other hand, Collins English Dictionary tells us that an able seaman[10] (also called) is an ordinary seaman, especially one in the merchant navy, who has been trained in certain skills.
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Salt[3,10] is an informal term for a sailor, especially one who is old and experienced.
In the Royal Navy, according to Lexico (Oxford Dictionary of English), able seaman[5] (abbreviation AB[5]), is a rank of sailor above ordinary seaman and below leading seaman. On the other hand, Collins English Dictionary tells us that an able seaman[10] (also called) is an ordinary seaman, especially one in the merchant navy, who has been trained in certain skills.
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| 9a | Seductive invitation to approach (4-6) |
One could look at this clue (as have I) as a (not very) cryptic definition in which the setter's intent is not very well disguised. I suppose that may actually be quite appropriate as the solution is a not very subtle flirtatious enticement.
On the other hand, one might look at it (as Rahmat Ali does in his review on Big Dave's Crossword Blog) as a double definition:
- Seductive // invitation to approach (4-6)
a seductive look) and the second is a noun used in a non-erotic sense. However, as he intimates, these are merely two different parts of speech referring to essentially the same thing (and I'm not convinced it constitutes a valid double definition).
| 10a | Empty rhetoric, /that's/ a blow (4) |
Wind[5] is a British term for empty, pompous, or boastful talk; in other words, meaningless rhetoric.
As the second definition, blow is used in the meteorological sense.
In his review on Big Dave's Crossword Blog, Rahmat Ali suggests that blow can also mean "insincere, pompous or boastful talk, meaningless rhetoric or declamatory [?]". While, as a verb, blow[5] is a mainly Scottish, Australian and New Zealand term meaning to boast or brag, I could not find it defined in this sense as a noun.
| 12a | Had not revealed // such wealth (6) |
The first part of the clue is a literal interpretation of a modifier that is often applied to wealth.
| 13a | He might fall for actor (8) |
A much better cryptic definition.
| 15a | Losing water to make ice first, // it's a way of preservation (6-6) |
| 18a | Butcher's bill // that's used by couples? (5,7) |
The first part of the clue is a whimsical literal interpretation of the solution.
Joint[5] is a British* term for a large piece of meat cooked whole or ready for cooking ⇒
a joint of ham.
Thus the solution could whimsically be thought of as a bill for such a piece of meat.
| 21a | Contract // to restore a convent (8) |
| 22a | Endless quest organised at home /for/ sparkly thing (6) |
| 24a | One leading 1000 very good // warriors (4) |
Pi[5] is an informal British short form for pious.
An impi[5] is a body of Zulu warriors.
| 25a | Tiny foolish person stopped short, // a Dickensian (6,4) |
Nelly[5] (also nellie) is an informal term for a silly person.
Nell Trent[7], also referred to as Little Nell, is a fictional character in the 1841 novel The Old Curiosity Shop by Charles Dickens.
| 26a | Lady's incomplete // pattern (4) |
| 27a | Powerful teacher first /is/ obstinate (10) |
In Britain, head[5] is short for headmaster*, headmistress*, or head teacher.
* Headmaster[5] (or headmistress[5]) is a British term for a man (or woman) who is the head teacher in a school.
Down
| 1d | Get better // vehicle (4-2) |
| 2d | Distant // unfinished roadside building about to start (6) |
| 3d | Raising the spirits of // excited Thai relaxing (12) |
| 4d | Place // in bedsit establishment (4) |
Scratching the Surface
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| Bedsit[5] (also bedsitter or bed-sitting room) is a British term for a one-roomed unit of accommodation typically consisting of combined bedroom and sitting room with cooking facilities. |
| 5d | Too much /of/ article included in open work (4-3-3) |
"work " = OP [opus]
In music, an opus[5] (Latin 'work', plural opuses or opera) is a separate composition or set of compositions.
The abbreviation Op.[5] (also op.), denoting opus, is used before a number given to each work of a particular composer, usually indicating the order of publication. The plural form of Op. is Opp..
Opus[5] can also be used in other contexts to denote an artistic work, especially one on a large scale ⇒
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In music, an opus[5] (Latin 'work', plural opuses or opera) is a separate composition or set of compositions.
The abbreviation Op.[5] (also op.), denoting opus, is used before a number given to each work of a particular composer, usually indicating the order of publication. The plural form of Op. is Opp..
Opus[5] can also be used in other contexts to denote an artistic work, especially one on a large scale ⇒
he was writing an opus on Mexico.
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| 7d | To be one, this administrator must have two others (8) |
In ancient Rome, a triumvir[5] was each of three public officers jointly responsible for overseeing any of the administrative departments.
I knew exactly what was required in this clue but could not think of the word (one which I have definitely seen before).
| 8d | Teasing // good for youth, presumably (8) |
The wordplay is based on the premise "the exception proves the rule". This is a legal principle that the existence of a stated exception is proof of the existence of an unstated rule. Thus the posting of a "No Parking on Sunday" sign implies that parking is permitted at any other time than Sunday (this specific situation has apparently been tested and upheld in court). In this clue, if something is "bad in age", it must therefore be "good in youth".
| 11d | Breach // in border intended to be announced (12) |
| 14d | Yours truly playing clarinet /in/ commercial (10) |
| 16d | Removal /of/ European, the first person in France to get fresh tonic (8) |
"European " = E [as in E number]
E[1,2] is the abbreviation for European (as in E number*).
* An E number[1,4,10,14] (or E-number[2,5]) is any of various identification codes required by EU law, consisting of the letter E (for European) followed by a number, that are used to denote food additives such as colourings and preservatives (but excluding flavourings) that have been approved by the European Union.
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E[1,2] is the abbreviation for European (as in E number*).
* An E number[1,4,10,14] (or E-number[2,5]) is any of various identification codes required by EU law, consisting of the letter E (for European) followed by a number, that are used to denote food additives such as colourings and preservatives (but excluding flavourings) that have been approved by the European Union.
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The first person singular French pronoun je[8] means 'I'.
| 17d | Instrumentalist going round station trapping // serpent (3,5) |
I believe trapping* is being used as the singular of trappings[5], the outward signs, features, or objects associated with a particular situation, role, or job ⇒
I had the trappings of success.
* although dictionaries show this word is used only in the plural, I think this whimsical singular usage is fair enough in a cryptic crossword
ITV[7] is a commercial TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 as Independent Television under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK.
Thus the station's logo ITV is its identifying feature (or whimsically "TV station trapping").
The pit viper[5] is a venomous snake of a group distinguished by visible sensory pits on the head which can detect prey by heat. They are found in both America and Asia.
In a comment on Big Dave's Crossword Blog, Rabbit Dave interprets "trapping" to be a link word—a usage which he questions. In reply, Gazza suggests that the definition is "trapping serpent". I actually considered—and dismissed—both of those approaches before settling on the explanation provided above.
| 19d | Tex moving round posh party /in/ formal wear (6) |
"posh " = U [upper class]
In Britain, U[5] is used informally as an adjective (in respect to language or social behaviour) meaning characteristic of or appropriate to the upper social classes ⇒
The term, an abbreviation of upper class, was coined in 1954 by Alan S. C. Ross, professor of linguistics, and popularized by its use in Nancy Mitford's Noblesse Oblige (1956).
In Crosswordland, the letter U is frequently clued by words denoting "characteristic of the upper class" (such as posh or superior) or "appropriate to the upper class" (such as acceptable).
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In Britain, U[5] is used informally as an adjective (in respect to language or social behaviour) meaning characteristic of or appropriate to the upper social classes ⇒
U manners.
The term, an abbreviation of upper class, was coined in 1954 by Alan S. C. Ross, professor of linguistics, and popularized by its use in Nancy Mitford's Noblesse Oblige (1956).
In Crosswordland, the letter U is frequently clued by words denoting "characteristic of the upper class" (such as posh or superior) or "appropriate to the upper class" (such as acceptable).
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"party " = DO
Do[5,12] is an informal British[5] or chiefly British[12] term* for a party or other social event ⇒
* Although one US dictionary (Webster’s New World College Dictionary[12]) supports the contention by Lexico (Oxford Dictionary of English)[5] that this usage is at least chiefly British, two other US dictionaries[3,11] do not.
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Do[5,12] is an informal British[5] or chiefly British[12] term* for a party or other social event ⇒
the soccer club Christmas do.
* Although one US dictionary (Webster’s New World College Dictionary[12]) supports the contention by Lexico (Oxford Dictionary of English)[5] that this usage is at least chiefly British, two other US dictionaries[3,11] do not.
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From a British perspective, tuxedo[5] is a North American term for a man's dinner jacket.
Perhaps the use of the name "Tex" in the clue can be considered to be an indication that a North American term is required. However, I must say the mental image of a "U" party in Texas is rather amusing.
| 20d | Take out // ad in support of peacekeepers (6) |
"peacekeepers " = UN
The United Nations[5] (abbreviation UN) is an international organization of countries set up in 1945, in succession to the League of Nations, to promote international peace, security, and cooperation.
The UN Security Council bears the primary responsibility for the maintenance of peace and security, and may call on members to take action, chiefly peacekeeping action, to enforce its decisions.
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The United Nations[5] (abbreviation UN) is an international organization of countries set up in 1945, in succession to the League of Nations, to promote international peace, security, and cooperation.
The UN Security Council bears the primary responsibility for the maintenance of peace and security, and may call on members to take action, chiefly peacekeeping action, to enforce its decisions.
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| 23d | No end of room /for/ horses (4) |
Stud[3] can denote not only a male animal, such as a stallion, that is kept for breeding, but also either*:
- a group of animals, especially horses, kept for breeding
- a stable or farm where these animals are kept
* I had always supposed that the latter two usages were British, but these definitions all come from an American dictionary.
A number of years ago, on a visit to Ireland, I could not resist purchasing a souvenir sweatshirt across the front of which was emblazoned the name of the establishment where it was purchased "Irish National Stud". It proved quite a conversation piece back in Canada.
What did he say?
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In his hints on Big Dave's Crossword Blog, Tilsit tells us the room isCluedo is the British name for the board game known in North America as Clue.found on a Cluedo board. |
Key to Reference Sources:
[1] - The Chambers Dictionary, 11th Edition
[2] - Search Chambers - (Chambers 21st Century Dictionary)
[3] - TheFreeDictionary.com (American Heritage Dictionary)
[4] - TheFreeDictionarycom (Collins English Dictionary)
[5] - Lexico (formerly Oxford Dictionaries Online) (Oxford Dictionary of English)
[6] - Lexico (formerly Oxford Dictionaries Online) (Oxford Advanced American Dictionary)
[7] - Wikipedia
[8] - Reverso Online Dictionary (Collins French-English Dictionary)
[9] - Infoplease (Random House Unabridged Dictionary)
[10] - CollinsDictionary.com (Collins English Dictionary)
[11] - TheFreeDictionary.com (Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary)
[12] - CollinsDictionary.com (Webster’s New World College Dictionary)
[13] - MacmillanDictionary.com (Macmillan Dictionary)
[14] - CollinsDictionary.com (COBUILD Advanced English Dictionary)
[15] - CollinsDictionary.com (Penguin Random House LLC/HarperCollins Publishers Ltd )
Signing off for today — Falcon
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