Puzzle at a Glance
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Puzzle number in The Daily Telegraph
DT 29786 | |
Publication date in The Daily Telegraph
Tuesday, September 21, 2021 | |
Setter
X-Type | |
Link to full review
Big Dave's Crossword Blog [DT 29786]
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Big Dave's Crossword Blog review written by
Mr K | |
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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Introduction
I found this puzzle to be a nice, light diversion that left me lots of time to catch up on some of the long list of neglected tasks screaming for attention.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 | Pass Yuri notes on vacation, scrambled, to reach me? (7,3) |
The entire clue provides a descriptive definition* in which the wordplay is embedded.
* I call it a descriptive definition because the clue describes a scenario from which the solver must infer the solution, as compared to a precise definition (one that might be found in a dictionary) or a cryptic definition (a whimsical play on words).
Yuri[7], the Slavic form of the masculine given name George, is a name commonly found in Russia.
| 6a | Types of protection /from/ backing dodgy scheme (4) |
Mac[5] is an informal name for a mackintosh[5], a British term for a full-length waterproof coat ⇒
Those planning to go to Blackpool or North Wales for the bank holiday are most likely to need their macs and umbrellas with the coast and hills favourites for a shower.
| 9a | Officer journalist // managed (5) |
| 10a | Landmark // developing slime, note (9) |
| 12a | Seizing the moment, // redeployed troops with Putin in charge (13) |
Scratching the Surface
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| Vladimir Putin[5] is a Russian statesman, President 2000-2008 and 2012 to present, Prime Minister 2008–2012. With Russian troops currently massed menacingly on the Ukrainian border, this clue may be even more topical now than when it appeared in The Daily Telegraph in September. |
| 14a | Peacekeepers having time and particular approach // to sort things out (8) |
"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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| 15a | On the radio, ongoing saga // that's produced by farmers (6) |
| 17a | Bussed -- // only just made contact (6) |
| 19a | Creatures // go to river, sick with arsenic (8) |
As a charade indicator, the word to[10] is used in the sense of against, upon, or onto ⇒ (i)
put your ear to the wall; (ii)
shoulder to the wheel; (iii)
nose to the grindstone.
The symbol for the chemical element arsenic is As[5].
| 21a | Plan European run, following light // aircraft's journey? (7,6) |
"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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"run " = R [cricket notation]
| 24a | Everything is about some girl: // Lily? (9) |
The amaryllis[10] (also called belladonna lily) is a plant native to southern Africa that has large lily-like reddish or white flowers.| 25a | Passport, maybe, on British island, /showing/ particular expression (5) |
The Isle of Man[5]
(abbreviation IOM[5])
is an island in the Irish Sea (show more ).
The island is a British Crown dependency having home rule, with its own legislature (the Tynwald) and judicial system. It was part of the Norse kingdom of the Hebrides in the Middle Ages, passing into Scottish hands in 1266 for a time, until the English gained control in the early 15th century. Its ancient language, Manx, is still occasionally used for ceremonial purposes.
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The island is a British Crown dependency having home rule, with its own legislature (the Tynwald) and judicial system. It was part of the Norse kingdom of the Hebrides in the Middle Ages, passing into Scottish hands in 1266 for a time, until the English gained control in the early 15th century. Its ancient language, Manx, is still occasionally used for ceremonial purposes.
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| 26a | Rather dull // chap (4) |
Matt[5] (British spelling) denotes:
- (adjective) (of a colour, paint, or surface) dull and flat; without a shine
- (noun) a matt paint or finish
- (verb) give a matt appearance to (something)
The Story Behind the Picture
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| The cartoons in Mr K's review are the work of Matt[7], The Daily Telegraph's resident cartoonist. |
| 27a | Fruit /obtained from/ eco-friendly measures (not universal) (10) |
A greengage[5] is a sweet greenish fruit resembling a small plum.
Down
| 1d | Right cold stuff: // sort of 15 (4) |
The
numeral "15" is a cross
reference indicator pointing to clue 15a (show more ).
To complete the clue, a solver must replace the cross reference indicator with the solution to the clue starting in the light* identified by the cross reference indicator.
The cross reference indicator may include a directional indicator but this is customarily done only in situations where there are both Across and Down clues originating in the light that is being referenced.
* light-coloured cell in the grid
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To complete the clue, a solver must replace the cross reference indicator with the solution to the clue starting in the light* identified by the cross reference indicator.
The cross reference indicator may include a directional indicator but this is customarily done only in situations where there are both Across and Down clues originating in the light that is being referenced.
* light-coloured cell in the grid
hide
| 2d | Stand /and/ drink strong wine (7) |
"drink " = SUP
As a verb, sup[5] is a dated or Northern English term meaning to take (drink or liquid food) by sips or spoonfuls ⇒ (i)
As a noun, sup[5] means
As a verb, sup[5] is a dated or Northern English term meaning to take (drink or liquid food) by sips or spoonfuls ⇒ (i)
she supped up her soup delightedly; (ii)
he was supping straight from the bottle.
As a noun, sup[5] means
- a sip of liquid ⇒
he took another sup of wine
- (in Northern England or Ireland) an alcoholic drink ⇒
the latest sup from those blokes at the brewery
"strong wine " = PORT
| 3d | Denny piled ten awkwardly, // without assistance (13) |
| 4d | Items found on a face, // miners taking ages left inside (8) |
The National Union of Mineworkers[7] (NUM) is a trade union for coal miners in Great Britain,
| 5d | Type of 1 Down, // first of all planted in Latin America: Uruguay (5) |
Just as the clue at 1d referenced the one at 15a, this clue references the clue at 1d.
Pilau[5] is a Middle Eastern or Indian dish of rice (or sometimes wheat) cooked in stock with spices, typically having added meat or vegetables.
| 7d | Follower /getting/ a job with the French (7) |
"the French " = LE [French definite article]
| 8d | Maybe autocue not working -- // unable to talk (10) |
If the autocue were to fail, the speaker at the lectern would be left this.
Autocue[5] (British trademark) is the British name for a teleprompter[5].
| 11d | Singing in pelt: awfully // exciting! (5-8) |
| 13d | Fortunate spell -- brought on by this? (5,5) |
Similar to 1a, the entire clue provides a descriptive definition* in which the wordplay is embedded.
| 16d | Dignity /of/ knight with zero honour, last to capitulate (8) |
"knight " = N [chess notation]
A knight[5] is a chess piece, typically with its top shaped like a horse’s head, that moves by jumping to the opposite corner of a rectangle two squares by three. Each player starts the game with two knights.
N[5] is the abbreviation for knight used in recording moves in chess [representing the pronunciation of kn-, since the initial letter k- represents 'king'].
As an aside, it is interesting to note that the Chambers 21st Century Dictionary defines:
On the other hand, both The Chambers Dictionary and the Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary list K or K.[1,11] as an abbreviation for knight without specifying the specific context in which this abbreviation is used. However, the context may well be in an honours list rather than in a game of chess. In the UK, for instance, KBE[5] stands for Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire.
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A knight[5] is a chess piece, typically with its top shaped like a horse’s head, that moves by jumping to the opposite corner of a rectangle two squares by three. Each player starts the game with two knights.
N[5] is the abbreviation for knight used in recording moves in chess [representing the pronunciation of kn-, since the initial letter k- represents 'king'].
As an aside, it is interesting to note that the Chambers 21st Century Dictionary defines:
- K[2] as an abbreviation used in chess for knight.
- K[2] is a symbol used in chess to represent a king.
- N[2] is a symbol used in chess to represent a knight.
On the other hand, both The Chambers Dictionary and the Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary list K or K.[1,11] as an abbreviation for knight without specifying the specific context in which this abbreviation is used. However, the context may well be in an honours list rather than in a game of chess. In the UK, for instance, KBE[5] stands for Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire.
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| 18d | Two creatures together // that might stop leaks (7) |
| 20d | Permitting // the renting of properties (7) |
As a noun, letting[5] is a British term meaning:
- the action of renting out a property ⇒
the renovation of houses for letting
; (ii)she arranged lettings
- a property that is let or available to be let ⇒
large houses were subdivided into multiple lettings
| 22d | One in charge /giving/ good measure? (5) |
| 23d | Member within is /showing/ wicked things (4) |
In folklore, an imp[5] is a small, mischievous devil or sprite.
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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