Puzzle at a Glance
| |
|---|---|
Puzzle number in The Daily Telegraph
DT 29829 | |
Publication date in The Daily Telegraph
Wednesday, November 10, 2021 | |
Setter
NY Doorknob aka Donnybrook (Paul Bringloe) | |
Link to full review
Big Dave's Crossword Blog [DT 29829]
| |
Big Dave's Crossword Blog review written by
2Kiwis | |
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
| |
Introduction
Today Jay takes a sabbatical as, on the date this puzzle appeared in the UK, The Daily Telegraph published his monthly Logman Toughie puzzle. In his place we have a tricky offering from NY Doorknob.I did think I might not complete this puzzle unaided. With a lot of effort, I had managed to get it down to one remaining unsolved clue (the chair covering at 14a) which seemed totally intractable. However, I made one last attempt before throwing in the towel and constructed the most improbable looking word based on the wordplay and checking letters. I was gobsmacked when I looked it up and discovered it was actually a word.
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 | Help as Brie deteriorates -- being this? (10) |
The entire clue is a (somewhat) cryptic definition in which the wordplay is embedded.
Brie[5] is a kind of soft, mild, creamy cheese with a firm white skin.
| 6a | Owed pound /in/ honourable affair (4) |
"pound " = L [British monetary unit]
The pound[5] (also pound sterling) is the basic monetary unit of the UK, equal to 100 pence. While the symbol for pound is £, it is often written as L[10].
The Chambers Dictionary defines the upper case L[1] as the abbreviation for pound sterling (usually written £) and the lower case l[1] as the abbreviation for pound weight (usually written lb) — both deriving from the Latin word libra* .
* In ancient Rome, the libra[5] was a unit of weight, equivalent to 12 ounces (0.34 kg). It was the forerunner of the pound.
hide
The pound[5] (also pound sterling) is the basic monetary unit of the UK, equal to 100 pence. While the symbol for pound is £, it is often written as L[10].
The Chambers Dictionary defines the upper case L[1] as the abbreviation for pound sterling (usually written £) and the lower case l[1] as the abbreviation for pound weight (usually written lb) — both deriving from the Latin word libra* .
* In ancient Rome, the libra[5] was a unit of weight, equivalent to 12 ounces (0.34 kg). It was the forerunner of the pound.
hide
| 10a | Pork pie and case of Grenache /for/ lord (5) |
Pork pie[10] (often shortened to porky) is mainly British and Australian rhyming slang (show more ) for a lie [in the sense of an untruth].
Rhyming slang[5] is a type of slang that replaces words with rhyming words or phrases, typically with the rhyming element omitted. For example, butcher’s, short for butcher’s hook, means ‘look’ in cockney* rhyming slang.
* A cockney[5,10] is a native of East London [specifically that part of East London known as the East End[5]], traditionally one born within hearing of Bow Bells (the bells of St Mary-le-Bow[7] church). Cockney is also the name of the dialect or accent typical of cockneys, which is characterised by dropping the aitch (H) from the beginning of words as well as the use of rhyming slang.
While one commonly sees only the shortened form of rhyming slang, pork pie is one of those cases where both the full expression and the shortened version seem to be in general use.
hide
Rhyming slang[5] is a type of slang that replaces words with rhyming words or phrases, typically with the rhyming element omitted. For example, butcher’s, short for butcher’s hook, means ‘look’ in cockney* rhyming slang.
* A cockney[5,10] is a native of East London [specifically that part of East London known as the East End[5]], traditionally one born within hearing of Bow Bells (the bells of St Mary-le-Bow[7] church). Cockney is also the name of the dialect or accent typical of cockneys, which is characterised by dropping the aitch (H) from the beginning of words as well as the use of rhyming slang.
While one commonly sees only the shortened form of rhyming slang, pork pie is one of those cases where both the full expression and the shortened version seem to be in general use.
hide
The term liege[10] can mean either a liege lord* or a liegeman**—in this clue, it is the former.
* Liege lord[10] is a historical term for a feudal lord [nobleman] entitled to allegiance and service.
** Liegeman[5] is a historical term for a vassal [holder of land by feudal tenure] who owed feudal service or allegiance to a nobleman [liege lord].
Scratching the Surface
| |
|---|---|
| Grenache[5] is a red or rosé wine made from the Grenache grape*. |
| 11a | Start to read publication that includes new // version (9) |
" new " = N[5] [in place names on maps]
| 12a | Savoury cake // politician dipped in salt pot (7) |
"politician " = MP
A cruet[5] is a small container or set of containers for salt, pepper, oil, or vinegar for use at a dining table.
A crumpet[5] is a thick, flat, savoury cake with a soft, porous texture, made from a yeast mixture cooked on a griddle and eaten toasted and buttered.
* I thought perhaps a crumpet might be what we call an English muffin but that is not the case. I discover that crumpets[5] are distinguished from similar sized muffins [such as English muffins] by being made from a batter, rather than a dough.
| 13a | Deathless // seabird observed in wild lea (7) |
The tern[5] is a seabird related to the gulls, typically smaller and more slender, with long pointed wings and a forked tail.
| 14a | Chair covering -- // not for mum? -- Charlie carried in vehicle (12) |
Charlie[5] is an informal British term for a fool ⇒
what a bunch of charlies.
An antimacassar[5] is a piece of cloth put over the back of a chair to protect it from grease and dirt or as an ornament.
Origin: anti + Macassar; Macassar[5] (also Macassar oil) is a kind of oil formerly used by men to make their hair shine and lie flat.
| 18a | For example Pancake Day // hamper? (7,5) |
Pancake Day[5] (also known, mainly in Ireland, as Pancake Tuesday) is another name for Shrove Tuesday*, when pancakes are traditionally eaten.
* Shrove Tuesday[5] is the day before Ash Wednesday. Though named for its former religious significance, it is chiefly marked by feasting and celebration, which traditionally preceded the observance of the Lenten fast.
A movable feast[5] is a religious feast day that does not occur on the same calendar date each year, in particular Easter Day and other Christian holy days whose dates are related to it.
| 21a | Beaming // princess almost taken in by traitor (7) |
The princess is Diana, Princess of Wales[5] (1961–1997), the former wife of Prince Charles. (show more )
The daughter of the 8th Earl Spencer, she married Prince Charles in 1981; the couple were divorced in 1996. She became a popular figure through her charity work and glamorous media appearances, and her death in a car crash in Paris gave rise to intense national mourning [in the UK—and beyond].
hide
The daughter of the 8th Earl Spencer, she married Prince Charles in 1981; the couple were divorced in 1996. She became a popular figure through her charity work and glamorous media appearances, and her death in a car crash in Paris gave rise to intense national mourning [in the UK—and beyond].
hide
| 23a | Fuss about vocab omitting British // fruit (7) |
" British " = B [B or B.[1]]
| 24a | Ground is stained, /so/ decontaminated (9) |
As an anagram indicator, ground is used as the past tense or past participle of the verb grind[5]. An anagram indicator is typically a word that denotes movement or transformation. Grind denotes transformation, for example, in the sense of grain being ground into flour.
| 25a | 500 on steamship // wear formal clothes (5) |
" steamship " = SS[2]
| 26a | Swear /as/ dance party beginning to end? (4) |
Although many British dictionaries still consider the term 'rave' to be British slang, the term has clearly crossed the pond to North America. One American dictionary puts it best, defining
A rave[12] is a kind of loosely organized dance party, lasting through the night, that originated in Britain in the 1980s*: a rave features techno music and typically includes the use of psychedelic drugs.
* Although the term has clearly crossed the pond to North America, many British dictionaries still consider the term 'rave' to be British slang.
| 27a | Entertainment centre // just by stadium (10) |
Ground[5] is a term [in my view, mainly British*] for an area of land, often with associated buildings and structures, used for a particular sport ⇒ (i)
a football ground; (ii)
Liverpool’s new ground is nearing completion.
* In North America, the term ground(s)[5] is commonly applied to land used for non-sport purposes ⇒ (i)
burial ground; (ii)
picnic ground. However, I would say it is rare for the term to be used for sports facilities—and, where it is used, it seems to be used in the plural. I am aware of only two such instances, the Wanderers Grounds[7] sports field in Halifax, Nova Scotia and the former Polo Grounds[7] stadium in New York City. In North America, terms such as arena or stadium are far more likely to be used for such structures.
Down
| 1d | Area within location /for/ splendid residence (6) |
" area " = A[2]
| 2d | Macaque /needs/ bringing back to life outside hospital (6) |
I found only one dictionary with an entry for resus[10], and it defines the term as another name for resuscitation room rather than a synonym for resusitate.
The macaque[5] is a medium-sized, chiefly forest-dwelling Old World monkey which has a long face and cheek pouches for holding food. There are several species, including the rhesus monkey[5] (also known as rhesus macaque), a small brown macaque with red skin on the face and rump, native to southern Asia. It is often kept in captivity and is widely used in medical research.
| 3d | Miss out on prince's appearance? (8,6) |
A cryptic definition of a young lady who is unconcious when the prince arrives.
Sleeping Beauty[7] is a classic fairy tale about a princess who is cursed to sleep for a hundred years by an evil fairy, to be awakened by a handsome prince at the end of them. The good fairy, realizing that the princess would be frightened if alone when she awakens, uses her wand to put every living person and animal in the palace asleep, to awaken when the princess does.
| 4d | Three-wheeler following parades // hit from above (3,6) |
| 5d | Spear /in/ butcher's no good (5) |
Butcher's[10] is British slang for a look.
Origin: Cockney rhyming slang (show explanation ).
A cockney[5,10] is a native of East London [specifically that part of East London known as the East End[5]], traditionally one born within hearing of Bow Bells (the bells of St Mary-le-Bow[7] church).
Cockney is also the name of the dialect or accent typical of cockneys, which is characterised by dropping the aitch (H) from the beginning of words as well as the use of rhyming slang.
Rhyming slang[5] is a type of slang that replaces words with rhyming words or phrases, typically with the rhyming element omitted. Thus butcher’s, short for butcher’s hook, means ‘look’ in cockney rhyming slang.
hide explanation
A cockney[5,10] is a native of East London [specifically that part of East London known as the East End[5]], traditionally one born within hearing of Bow Bells (the bells of St Mary-le-Bow[7] church).
Cockney is also the name of the dialect or accent typical of cockneys, which is characterised by dropping the aitch (H) from the beginning of words as well as the use of rhyming slang.
Rhyming slang[5] is a type of slang that replaces words with rhyming words or phrases, typically with the rhyming element omitted. Thus butcher’s, short for butcher’s hook, means ‘look’ in cockney rhyming slang.
hide explanation
" good " = G [g or g.[1]; perhaps a numismatic coin grade]
| 7d | Marriage is with Democrat in the end, // not Republican (8) |
In this clue, a Republican[5] is an advocate of a united Ireland.
A unionist[5] is a person, especially a member of a Northern Ireland political party, who is in favour of the union of Northern Ireland with Great Britain.
| 8d | Letter // also featured in amusing write-up? (8) |
A letter[1,5] is a person who lets [offers for rent] a room or property.
| 9d | Somewhat limited success /as/ year in Down ends badly (4,4,6) |
The phrase nine days' wonder[10] denotes a subject that arouses general surprise or public interest for a short time.
Scratching the Surface
| |
|---|---|
| Down[5] is one of the Six Counties of Northern Ireland. |
| 15d | Great soldier /brings/ cross into a famous rowing club (9) |
Leander Club[7], founded in 1818, is one of the oldest rowing clubs in the world. It is based in Remenham in Berkshire, England and adjoins Henley-on-Thames, a world-renowned centre for rowing which each summer hosts the Henley Royal Regatta.
Alexander[5] (356–323 BC) was the king of Macedon 336–323, son of Philip II; known as Alexander the Great. He conquered Persia, Egypt, Syria, Mesopotamia, Bactria, and the Punjab; in Egypt he founded the city of Alexandria.
| 16d | Heavenly grub /in/ bar: I am so excited! (8) |
Ambrosia[5] is something very pleasing to taste or smell ⇒
the tea was ambrosia after the slop I'd been suffering.
Origin: In Greek and Roman mythology, ambrosia[5] is the food of the gods.
| 17d | Support // ecstasy habit, immoral, keeping place for it? (8) |
"ecstasy " = E [the illicit drug Ecstasy]
E[5] is an abbreviation for the drug Ecstasy* or a tablet of Ecstasy ⇒ (i)
* Ecstasy[5] is an illegal amphetamine-based synthetic drug with euphoric effects, originally produced as an appetite suppressant. Also called MDMA (Methylenedioxymethamphetamine).
hide
E[5] is an abbreviation for the drug Ecstasy* or a tablet of Ecstasy ⇒ (i)
people have died after taking E; (ii)
being busted with three Es can lead to stiff penalties.
* Ecstasy[5] is an illegal amphetamine-based synthetic drug with euphoric effects, originally produced as an appetite suppressant. Also called MDMA (Methylenedioxymethamphetamine).
hide
A den[5] is a place where people meet in secret, typically to engage in an illicit activity ⇒ (i)
an opium den; (ii)
a den of iniquity.
| 19d | Cake /and/ a drink in heart of Burgundy (6) |
Gateau[5] is a British term for a rich cake, typically one containing layers of cream or fruit.
Origin: from French gâteau, 'cake'
| 20d | Euros revolutionary: regard finally /shown for/ 'woke' (6) |
Scratching the Surface
| |
|---|---|
Although my dictionary search only turned up this term as an adjective, it is almost certainly used here as a noun meaning someone who possesses the characteristic of 'wokeness' (if that be a word). Woke[5] (adjective) is an informal term denoting alert to injustice and discrimination in society, especially racism ⇒ (i) we need to stay angry, and stay woke; (ii) the West Coast has the wokest dudes. |
| 22d | Inventor // renovates large houses (5) |
Nicola Tesla[5] (1856–1943) was an American electrical engineer and inventor, born in what is now Croatia of Serbian descent. He developed the first alternating-current induction motor, as well as several forms of oscillators, the Tesla coil, and a wireless guidance system for ships.
Delving Deeper
| |
|---|---|
| Tesla[7] is best known for his contributions to the design of the modern alternating current (AC) electricity supply system. He was a key figure in the "War of Currents"[7] in the late 1880s, in which George Westinghouse and Thomas Edison became adversaries due to Edison's promotion of direct current (DC) for electric power distribution against alternating current (AC) advocated by several European companies and Westinghouse Electric, which had acquired many of the patents by Nikola Tesla. |
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.