Puzzle at a Glance
| |
|---|---|
Puzzle number in The Daily Telegraph
DT 29836 | |
Publication date in The Daily Telegraph
Thursday, November 18, 2021 | |
Setter
Giovanni (Don Manley) | |
Link to full review
Big Dave's Crossword Blog [DT 29836]
| |
Big Dave's Crossword Blog review written by
crypticsue | |
BD rating
| |
| Difficulty - ★★★ / ★★★★ | Enjoyment - ★★★ |
Falcon's experience
┌────┬────┬────┬────┬────┬────┬────┐
███████████████████████████████████ └────┴────┴────┴────┴────┴────┴────┘ | |
|
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
| |
|
Notes
| |
This puzzle appears on the Monday Diversions page in the Saturday, February 26, 2022 edition of the National Post. | |
Introduction
I had little trouble solving 27a as not only had the musical instrument appeared in a recent puzzle but there were numerous mentions last week to the crowd control measure specifically not being used during the recent police action in Ottawa. The decision not to use the tactic was reportedly based on the disastrous results when it was used at the 2010 G20 Toronto summit protests[7].In case anyone is still interested, I have posted a review of DT 29822 which has languished unposted in draft status for a week or two. You may recall that the National Post skipped two puzzles earlier this month. On the day this puzzle appeared in the National Post, I mistakenly posted a review of one the skipped puzzles.
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 | |
|
|
| Click here for further explanation and usage examples of markup conventions used on this blog. | |
Across
| 1a | Looking after oldies // good? It is with carer being special (10) |
" good " = G [g or g.[1]; a grade of numismatic coin perhaps[7]]
| 6a | Something starchy // in this pudding (4) |
| 9a | Result of golf club disturbance? (5) |
A cryptic definition of the disturbance created by a golf club striking the turf.
| 10a | Change /in/ class of people with non-binary gender? (9) |
The wordplay is TRANS (people with non-binary gender) + FORM (class [in school]). (The meaning becomes more clear when the entire wordplay is read as a phrase.)
In Britain, a form[5] is [or, perhaps more correctly,was] a class or year in a school, usually given a specifying number. This is somewhat similar to the North America concept of a grade although the numbering system for forms and grades are vastly different. (show more )
The term "form" seems to have become passé as Miffypops in his review of DT 28163 on Big Dave's Crossword Blog refers to "sixth-former" as "What a schoolchild would be during the year before university back in the old days. This would now be known as year 13 or 14." Furthermore, Wikipedia (see table below) characterizes the term "form" as an "alternative/old name".
A form[7] is a class or grouping of students in a school. The term is used predominantly in the United Kingdom, although some schools, mostly private, in other countries also use the title. Pupils are usually grouped in forms according to age and will remain with the same group for a number of years, or sometimes their entire school career.
Forms are normally identified by a number such as "first form" or "sixth form". A form number may be used for two year groups and differentiated by the terms upper and lower [in general, this would seem to apply primarily for the sixth form]. Usually the sixth form is the senior form of a school [although this apparently does not hold true for New Zealand where they would appear to have a seventh form]. In England, the sixth form is usually divided into two year groups, the lower sixth and upper sixth, owing to the 3-year English college/university system. In Scotland or North America, the 6th form is usually a single year, owing to the 4-year college/university system. If there is more than one form for each year group they will normally be differentiated by letters, e.g., "upper four B", "lower two Y". Schools do not follow a consistent pattern in naming forms [in the foregoing quotation witness Miffypops' reference to "year 14", a term which does not appear in the table below].
Wikipedia would appear to be at best ambiguous and at worst inconsistent on the relationship between the British and American systems of naming school years. The article from which the table below is excerpted shows that the British first form is equivalent to the American 6th grade. On the other hand, the article cited above states "In North America, the 1st Form (or sometimes 'Form I') is equivalent to 7th Grade." However, this latter statement may in fact be a comparison between the few North American schools to use the form system and the vast majority of North American schools that don't rather than a comparison between British and American schools.
hide
The term "form" seems to have become passé as Miffypops in his review of DT 28163 on Big Dave's Crossword Blog refers to "sixth-former" as "What a schoolchild would be during the year before university back in the old days. This would now be known as year 13 or 14." Furthermore, Wikipedia (see table below) characterizes the term "form" as an "alternative/old name".
A form[7] is a class or grouping of students in a school. The term is used predominantly in the United Kingdom, although some schools, mostly private, in other countries also use the title. Pupils are usually grouped in forms according to age and will remain with the same group for a number of years, or sometimes their entire school career.
Forms are normally identified by a number such as "first form" or "sixth form". A form number may be used for two year groups and differentiated by the terms upper and lower [in general, this would seem to apply primarily for the sixth form]. Usually the sixth form is the senior form of a school [although this apparently does not hold true for New Zealand where they would appear to have a seventh form]. In England, the sixth form is usually divided into two year groups, the lower sixth and upper sixth, owing to the 3-year English college/university system. In Scotland or North America, the 6th form is usually a single year, owing to the 4-year college/university system. If there is more than one form for each year group they will normally be differentiated by letters, e.g., "upper four B", "lower two Y". Schools do not follow a consistent pattern in naming forms [in the foregoing quotation witness Miffypops' reference to "year 14", a term which does not appear in the table below].
Wikipedia would appear to be at best ambiguous and at worst inconsistent on the relationship between the British and American systems of naming school years. The article from which the table below is excerpted shows that the British first form is equivalent to the American 6th grade. On the other hand, the article cited above states "In North America, the 1st Form (or sometimes 'Form I') is equivalent to 7th Grade." However, this latter statement may in fact be a comparison between the few North American schools to use the form system and the vast majority of North American schools that don't rather than a comparison between British and American schools.
Naming of School Years (British System vs American System)[7]
| |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Age Range | British System | American System | |
| Name | Alternative/Old Name | Name | |
| 11-12 | Year 7 | First form | 6th grade |
| 12-13 | Year 8 | Second form | 7th grade |
| 13-14 | Year 9 | Third form | 8th grade |
| 14-15 | Year 10 | Fourth form | 9th grade |
| 15-16 | Year 11 | Fifth form | 10th grade |
| 16-17 | Year 12 | Lower sixth form | 11th grade |
| 17-18 | Year 13 | Upper sixth form | 12th grade |
hide
| 12a | Travel to and fro with one out /to offer/ friendly greeting (4,9) |
| 14a | Cardinal maybe going round part of church // showed sign of life (8) |
| 15a | Epsom's leading character, say, repeatedly backing // a horse (3-3) |
Gee-gee[5] (in children's use or in racehorse betting) is an informal British term for a horse ⇒ (i)
Even as the wrapping paper was ripped off, he worried whether his choice of choo-choos over gee-gees was the right one; (ii)
Betters can also wager on other major sports, including golf, tennis and rugby, as well as the gee-gees.
Scratching the Surface
| |
|---|---|
| Epsom[5] is a town in Surrey, south-eastern England. Epsom Downs* racecourse[7] [which most certainly would often be referred to informally simply as Epsom] is located nearby.
The course is best known for hosting the Derby Stakes (popularly known
as the
Epsom Derby), the United Kingdom's premier thoroughbred horse race. * The "downs" referred to in the name are part of the North Downs, a ridge of chalk hills in south east England. A down[5] (usually downs) is a gently rolling hill. |
| 17a | Power and honour in short supply // ahead of conflict (3-3) |
" power " = P[2] [physics]
| 19a | Bishop treated badly, // looking 'tired'? (8) |
| 21a | Provisions for those who stop having to pay (7,6) |
Cryptic definition of a device provided to allow motorists to pay for the privilege of stopping their vehicle in a particular spot for a period of time.
| 24a | Number by river meeting arts benefactor, // a big noise (9) |
The Po[7] is a river that arises in the Cottian Alps and flows eastward across northern Italy entering the Adriatic Sea through a delta near Venice.
In 1897, sugar manufacturer Sir Henry Tate (1819–1899) founded the Tate Gallery[5] (commonly known simply as the Tate) in London to house his collection of modern British paintings, as a nucleus for a permanent national collection of modern art.
Big noise is an informal British term[14] for an important person[10] or a person who is famous in a certain sphere[5] ⇒
But he bragged that in the criminal world, he is a big noise and other crooks come to him for help.
Equivalent term: big name[5]
| 25a | Passengers finally emerging from hit // vehicle (5) |
| 26a | Rolling in it /is/ preposterous (4) |
The informal phrase be rolling in it (also be rolling in money[5]) means to be very rich.
Rich[5] is used informally to describe a remark that causes ironic amusement or indignation ⇒
But it's a bit rich to carry on as if no decent person would ever do what you yourself were doing just a few days before.
| 27a | Like a mob being controlled with strange // instrument (10) |
Kettle[5] means (for the police) to confine (a group of demonstrators or protesters) to a small area, as a method of crowd control during a demonstration ⇒
The demonstration was to begin at noon but even before all the protesters had gathered the police suddenly swooped in and kettled them.
Rum[5] is a dated informal British term meaning odd or peculiar ⇒
it’s a rum business, certainly.
A kettledrum[5] (also collectively called timpani) is a large drum shaped like a bowl, with a membrane adjustable for tension (and so pitch) stretched across.
Down
| 1d | People of great esteem, // elevated in status, do good (4) |
| 2d | Artist taking very very long time // effects destructive action (7) |
" very " = V [v or v.[2]]
| 3d | Aha, I run riot, excitedly accepting thanks // as a dictator! (13) |
Ta[5] is an informal British exclamation signifying thank you ⇒
‘Ta,’ said Willie gratefully.
| 4d | Goes back over // sporting events, having retired earlier (8) |
| 5d | Effortlessly move // a little son into his bed (5) |
" little son " = " abbreviation for son " = S [s[5]; in genealogies]
In Britain, a small bed with high barred sides for a baby or very young child is known as a cot[5] rather than a crib[5].
| 7d | Presumably not favouring short // stretch (7) |
| 8d | I'm undone, I'd fancy, /and/ fading away (10) |
Diminuendo[5] is a direction to perform a passage of music with a decrease in loudness.
| 11d | Rate the setter 'fantastic' /for providing/ a form of entertainment (6,7) |
| 13d | What can help plotter to get things written down (5,5) |
| 16d | The way // dad joins chaps entertained by medical specialist (8) |
Pavement[5] (the British name for sidewalk[5]) is defined as a raised paved* or asphalted path for pedestrians at the side of a road ⇒ (i)
he fell and hit his head on the pavement; (ii)
a pavement cafe.
* In Britain, pave[5] means to cover (a piece of ground) with flat stones or bricks — rather than asphalt ⇒
the yard at the front was paved with flagstones.
| 18d | Unreliable // traitor held by top lady in charge (7) |
The phrase "top lady" is a reference to Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II and is being used to clue her regnal cipher "ER" (show more ).
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 spelled 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.
hide
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 spelled 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.
hide
" in charge " = IC [i/c[2]]
| 20d | One could make you securer (7) |
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 (somewhat) cryptic definition as well as wordplay.
| 22d | From what we hear, certain horses // eat in the field (5) |
| 23d | Glide /or/ slide over top of mountain (4) |
References
Key to Reference Sources:
[1] - The Chambers Dictionary, 11th Edition
[14] - CollinsDictionary.com (COBUILD Advanced English Dictionary)
[15] - CollinsDictionary.com (Penguin Random House LLC/HarperCollins Publishers Ltd )
Signing off for today — Falcon
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.