Puzzle at a Glance
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Puzzle number in The Daily Telegraph
DT 29800 | |
Publication date in The Daily Telegraph
Thursday, October 7, 2021 | |
Setter
Giovanni (Don Manley)
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Link to full review
Big Dave's Crossword Blog [DT 29800]
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Big Dave's Crossword Blog review written by
Miffypops | |
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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* The BD Rating may be meaningless as Miffypops has frequently stated that he never changes it from its default value (***/***). In cases where the BD Rating on his reviews has been changed from the default value, it has been done by someone else such as Big Dave or crypticsue. | |
Introduction
Miffypops sums up this puzzle pretty well in the introduction to his review on Big Dave's Crossword Blog. The only point on which I might differ is his statementI didn’t find much satisfaction in [the solve]. He does seem to be not in the best of humour—perhaps he got out of bed on the wrong side.
I noted with interest that Giovanni employs the same cryptic device—an anagram where a single letter is removed from the fodder—in three clues (at 10a,16a and 27a).
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
| 9a | Heartless custom associated with India /or/ another country (5) |
| 10a | Schemer // recruiting criminal about to be found out (9) |
An intriguer[5] is someone who intrigues* ⇒
There one sees what Shakespeare saw: the absolute power of the tyrant, the courtiers, the flatterers, the jesters, the cunningly ambitious intriguers.
* Intrigue[5] means to make secret plans to do something illicit or detrimental to someone ⇒
Henry and Louis intrigued with the local nobles.
| 11a | Member of family /in/ trouble, right to be locked in (7) |
| 12a | Good 'uns getting angry -- // one's been fired (7) |
| 13a | Animal/'s/ extreme idleness (5) |
A sloth[5] is a slow-moving tropical American mammal that hangs upside down from the branches of trees using its long limbs and hooked claws.
| 14a | Dread terrible wickedness /when/ reckless person /appears/ (4-5) |
The words "when ... appears" constitute a split link phrase between the wordplay and defintion.
| 16a | Wit's formula, so sad, spouted with one passing away? (6,4,5) |
This is an &lit. clue[7] (or, as they prefer to call it on Big Dave's Crossword Blog, an all-in-one clue) in which the entire clue is a cryptic definition as well as wordplay.
What did he say?
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In his review on Big Dave's Crossword Blog, Miffypops statesThe anagram indicator is "spouted" and the entire clue is the definition. As for the portion of the clue he has underlined, it forms both part of the wordplay and part of the definition.I’m not sure which is the anagram indicator or where the definition lies. The definition is certainly cryptic—and then some. I think we are expected to interpret it to imply "something said by someone while passing away". I had to smile at Miffypops' comment on Big Dave's Crossword Blog in which he states "I thought [the whole clue might be both definition and wordplay] but I’m scared to suggest all in ones in case I get found out on a Canadian crossword blog". Touché.. |
| 19a | Chaps in the wrong newspaper boss // harassed (9) |
"chaps " = MEN
Chap[3,4,11] is an informal British[5] or chiefly British[3] term for a man or boy — although a term that is certainly not uncommon in Canada. It is a shortened form of chapman[3,4,11], an archaic term for a trader, especially an itinerant pedlar[a,b].
[a] Pedlar is the modern British spelling of peddler[14] which, in most senses, is considered by the Brits to be a US or old-fashioned British spelling. The exception is in the sense of a dealer in illegal drugs which the Brits spell as drug peddler.
[b] The current meaning of chap[2] dates from the 18th century. In the 16th century, chap meant 'a customer'. The dictionaries do not explain how a shortened form of 'chapman' (pedlar) came to mean 'customer'.
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Chap[3,4,11] is an informal British[5] or chiefly British[3] term for a man or boy — although a term that is certainly not uncommon in Canada. It is a shortened form of chapman[3,4,11], an archaic term for a trader, especially an itinerant pedlar[a,b].
[a] Pedlar is the modern British spelling of peddler[14] which, in most senses, is considered by the Brits to be a US or old-fashioned British spelling. The exception is in the sense of a dealer in illegal drugs which the Brits spell as drug peddler.
[b] The current meaning of chap[2] dates from the 18th century. In the 16th century, chap meant 'a customer'. The dictionaries do not explain how a shortened form of 'chapman' (pedlar) came to mean 'customer'.
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| 21a | A broken bit /in/ tall building (5) |
| 23a | Feeling bad -- // at rock bottom? (4,3) |
| 25a | Frenzied // female in charge full of bluster (7) |
| 27a | Expert /finds/ more faults, sadly -- nothing missed (9) |
| 28a | City // children (not just one of them) outside old university (5) |
"old " = O [linguistics]
In linguistics, O[12] is the abbreviation for Old ⇒ (i)
However, a second entry from this same source shows o (lower case) meaning old (not capitalized) suggesting that the use of this abbreviation may not necessarily be confined to the field of linguistics.
Another possibility arises from the British abbreviation OAP[5] standing for old-age pensioner.
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In linguistics, O[12] is the abbreviation for Old ⇒ (i)
OFr[Old French]; (ii)
OE[Old English].
However, a second entry from this same source shows o (lower case) meaning old (not capitalized) suggesting that the use of this abbreviation may not necessarily be confined to the field of linguistics.
Another possibility arises from the British abbreviation OAP[5] standing for old-age pensioner.
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Rouen[5] is a port on the River Seine in northwestern France, capital of Haute-Normandie. Rouen was in English possession from the time of the Norman Conquest until captured by the French in 1204, and again 1419–49; in 1431 Joan of Arc was tried and burnt at the stake there [thus while the territory was under English rule!].
Down
| 1d | Trainee hangs round hospital? // That's fishy (4) |
The chub[5] is a thick-bodied European river fish with a grey-green back and white underparts.
| 2d | Kipling's boy has on old garment (6) |
Kim[7] is a novel by Nobel Prize-winning English author Rudyard Kipling published in 1901. The title character—an orphan whose Irish parents have both died in poverty—lives a vagabond existence in India under British rule in the late 19th century.
The abbreviation for old makes a quick return to the stage after its first appearance at 28a.
| 3d | What domestic arsonist may do? // One gives a warning (10) |
| 4d | In a row, // angry, after inconclusive result (6) |
| 5d | See great new // items of furniture (8) |
An etagere[5] (also étagère) is a piece of furniture with open shelves for displaying ornaments.
| 6d | Omen /of/ wickedness -- there's little good in it (4) |
The abbreviation for good returns for an encore, having appeared previously at 12a. This time the abbreviation is indicated by including a modifier ("little good") whereas in the first instance the abbreviation was implied.
| 7d | Drink up and hang around /for/ a piece of cake (8) |
"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
| 8d | Treated cruelly /in/ short conversation -- upset about it (10) |
Bruise[5] is used in the sense of to hurt (someone's feelings)* ⇒
I will admit that my pride was bruised by his comment.
* or, as The Chambers Dictionary puts it, to hurt by unkind words[1].
| 13d | Flames apt to get out of control? Colliery finally introduced ____! (6,4) |
The entire clue is a cryptic definition of a sort in which the wordplay is embedded and the solution is the missing word that the solver must fill in.
A safety lamp[5] is a miner's portable lamp with a flame protected, typically by wire gauze, to reduce the risk of explosion from ignited methane (firedamp) first introduced in the early 19th century.
| 15d | Not up? But you may be up if you are here! (10) |
| 17d | Most convivial // male monarch, one in repose (8) |
"monarch " = ER [regnal cipher of Queen Elizabeth]
The regnal ciphers (monograms) of British monarchs are initials formed from the Latin version of their first name followed by either Rex or Regina (Latin for king or queen, respectively). Thus, the regnal cipher of Queen Elizabeth is ER[5] — from the Latin Elizabetha Regina.
* A cipher[5] (also cypher) is a monogram[5] or motif of two or more interwoven letters, typically a person's initials, used to identify a personal possession or as a logo.
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The regnal ciphers (monograms) of British monarchs are initials formed from the Latin version of their first name followed by either Rex or Regina (Latin for king or queen, respectively). Thus, the regnal cipher of Queen Elizabeth is ER[5] — from the Latin Elizabetha Regina.
* A cipher[5] (also cypher) is a monogram[5] or motif of two or more interwoven letters, typically a person's initials, used to identify a personal possession or as a logo.
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| 18d | Wicked woman // posing Spooner's question about existence (4,4) |
In the Bible, Lot[5] is the nephew of Abraham, who was allowed to escape from the destruction of Sodom (Gen. 19). His wife, who disobeyed orders and looked back, was turned into a pillar of salt.
What did he say?
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In his review on Big Dave's Crossword Blog, Miffypops relates a story involving a lost wife—in fact, two lost wives.The strory is quite amusing but I did have to wonder what it had to do with the solution to the clue. If you read through the comments on Big Dave's Crossword Blog, you will discover that Miffypops had originally posted the solution as LOST WIFE rather than LOT'S WIFE. |
| 20d | Pollute // narrow passage (6) |
A defile[5] is a steep-sided narrow gorge or passage (originally one requiring troops to march in single file*) ⇒
the twisting track wormed its way up a defile to level ground.
* As a verb, defile[5] means (of troops) to march in single file ⇒
we emerged after defiling through the mountainsides.
| 22d | Dramatically represent // a cold solicitor (3,3) |
A tout[10] is a person who solicits business in a brazen way.
What did he say?
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In his review on Big Dave's Crossword Blog, Miffypops describes the solicitor asIn addition to the meaning given above, tout[5] (also ticket tout) is the British term for scalper[5], a person who buys up tickets for an event to resell them at a profit.a seller of tickets on the black market perhaps. |
| 24d | Rod very briefly disappearing /with/ nasty look (4) |
"very briefly [abbreviation] " = V [context uncertain]
The abbreviation* v (or v.)[1,2,5,10] stands for very.
* Although this abbreviation is found in most of my British dictionaries, it does not appear in any of my American dictionaries. Unfortunately no explanation is given as to the specific context in which one might encounter this usage. One possibility is when combined with G as a grade of VG (very good) on school tests or assignments. A second might be in the grading scale for numismatic coins where VG and VF are the codes for 'Very Good' and 'Very Fine' respectively.
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The abbreviation* v (or v.)[1,2,5,10] stands for very.
* Although this abbreviation is found in most of my British dictionaries, it does not appear in any of my American dictionaries. Unfortunately no explanation is given as to the specific context in which one might encounter this usage. One possibility is when combined with G as a grade of VG (very good) on school tests or assignments. A second might be in the grading scale for numismatic coins where VG and VF are the codes for 'Very Good' and 'Very Fine' respectively.
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| 26d | Insincere talk // when philosopher is given a hearing (4) |
The homophone indicator is "when ... given a hearing".
Immanuel Kant[5] (1724–1804) was a German philosopher. (show more )
In the Critique of Pure Reason (1781) he countered Hume's sceptical empiricism by arguing that any affirmation or denial regarding the ultimate nature of reality (‘noumenon’) makes no sense. All we can know are the objects of experience (‘phenomena’), interpreted by space and time and ordered according to twelve key concepts. Kant's Critique of Practical Reason (1788) affirms the existence of an absolute moral law—the categorical imperative.
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In the Critique of Pure Reason (1781) he countered Hume's sceptical empiricism by arguing that any affirmation or denial regarding the ultimate nature of reality (‘noumenon’) makes no sense. All we can know are the objects of experience (‘phenomena’), interpreted by space and time and ordered according to twelve key concepts. Kant's Critique of Practical Reason (1788) affirms the existence of an absolute moral law—the categorical imperative.
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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
I was surprised at so many of the comments complaining of the difficulty and unfairness of today’s puzzle. I completed it in **1/2 time without recourse to hints or electronic aid. I did know the word for the hated 5d but it took the checking letters for me to solve.
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