Puzzle at a Glance
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Puzzle number in The Daily Telegraph
DT 29845 | |
Publication date in The Daily Telegraph
Monday, November 29, 2021 | |
Setter
Campbell (Allan Scott) | |
Link to full review
Big Dave's Crossword Blog [DT 29845]
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Big Dave's Crossword Blog review written by
pommers | |
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 failed to parse the wordplay in one clue; how that happened is beyond me.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
| 5a | Working with ordinary couple of females, // intermittently (2-3-3) |
"ordinary " = O [British academic qualification]
Historically, in the UK (with the exception of Scotland), O level[5] (short for ordinary level[5]) was a qualification in a specific subject formerly taken by school students aged 14-16, at a level below A (advanced) level. It was replaced in 1988 by the GCSE[5] (General Certificate of Secondary Education).
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Historically, in the UK (with the exception of Scotland), O level[5] (short for ordinary level[5]) was a qualification in a specific subject formerly taken by school students aged 14-16, at a level below A (advanced) level. It was replaced in 1988 by the GCSE[5] (General Certificate of Secondary Education).
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| 8a | Slowly describing a // type of shed (4-2) |
Lento[5] is a musical term that means:
- (adverb) (especially as a direction) slowly ⇒
the song opens lento and pianissimo
- (adjective) played slowly ⇒
the slow lento movement highlights the quartet's individual excellence
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(noun) a passage or movement marked to be performed slowly ⇒
The final lento illustrates the ‘becoming’ principle most clearly.
The word ''describing" is used as a containment indicator. (show more )
The use of the word "describe(s)" (or variations thereof such as "describing" or "described by") as either a containment indicator or a hidden word indicator is a common cryptic crossword device which relies on describe[1,2,12] being used in the sense of to trace out or delineate [in other words, form a boundary around] ⇒
* Although, to be precise, it is the tracks left by the skaters' blades that describe the circles.
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The use of the word "describe(s)" (or variations thereof such as "describing" or "described by") as either a containment indicator or a hidden word indicator is a common cryptic crossword device which relies on describe[1,2,12] being used in the sense of to trace out or delineate [in other words, form a boundary around] ⇒
skaters describing circles on the ice*.
* Although, to be precise, it is the tracks left by the skaters' blades that describe the circles.
hide
| 10a | A Parisian's help // not declared (6) |
"a Parisian " = UN
| 11a | Got up to deliver // decorated dish as a prize, maybe (8) |
Deliver[5] is used in the sense of to launch or aim (a blow, ball, or attack) [in particular, to bowl a cricket ball].
In cricket, bowl[5] means (for a bowler) to propel (the ball) with a straight arm toward the wicket defended by a batsman, typically in such a way that the ball bounces once.
A rosebowl[1,10] (alternative spelling rose bowl[5]) is a decorative bowl for displaying cut roses. Apparently, rosebowls (or rose bowls) are commonly awarded as a prize in competitions (I found examples not only in the UK but also in Canada).
Delving Deeper
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| In his review on Big Dave's Crossword Blog, pommers illustrates this clue with a picture of the Rose Bowl, the stadium in Pasadena, California where the annual New Year's Day Rose Bowl college football game is played. However, note the spelling discrepancy. The stadium and football game are spelled Rose Bowl whereas this clue specifies rosebowl. As pommers notes in his review on Big Dave's Crossword Blog "We had this answer with a different clue ... four weeks ago." He is referring to DT 29821 which appeared on the Monday Diversions page in the Saturday, February 5, 2022 edition of the National Post. On that occasion, the clue was: Stood up on pitch getting trophy? (8) In my review of that puzzle, I commented: "Despite finding nothing in my usual reference
sources to support the supposition, I could only conclude that a rosebowl may be commonly awarded
as a trophy in the UK. However, some comments on Big Dave's Crossword Blog would seem to support my theory." I went on to say: "I even investigated whether there might be such a trophy awarded in the
annual Rose Bowl US college football game. Apart from the spelling
discrepancy, the winner of that game is awarded the Leishman Trophy (which bears no resemblance whatsoever to a rosebowl)." A variation of this clue also appeared in DT 27859 published in the National Post on Monday, December 21, 2015. At that time, the clue was phrased as: 10a Sprang up to deliver receptacle for flowers, as trophy? (8) |
| 12a | Ate bun doubtfully during golf club // spread (6,6) |
| 15a | Exploited // American Democrat following first of elections (4) |
" Democrat " = D[5] [member or supporter of the US Democratic Party]
| 17a | Appraise // organ aloft (3,2) |
Eye up[14] is an informal British expression meaning to look at a person in a way that shows that the person doing the looking considers the other person attractive ⇒
He is a slob who eyes up the women and makes lewd comments.
| 18a | Eagle // inhabiting Alderney (4) |
Erne[5] is a literary name for the sea eagle[5], a large Eurasian fish-eating eagle that frequents coasts and wetlands.
Scratching the Surface
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Alderney[5], the third largest of the Channel
Islands, is
an island in the English Channel to the north-east of Guernsey. (show more ).
The Channel Islands[5] (abbreviation CI[5]) are a group of islands in the English Channel off the northwestern coast of France, of which the largest are Jersey, Guernsey, and Alderney. Formerly part of the dukedom of Normandy, they have owed allegiance to England since the Norman Conquest in 1066, and are now classed as Crown dependencies. hide |
| 19a | Fully briefed, // as one chosen by casting director may be? (2,3,7) |
The second part of the clue is a literal interpretation of the idiomatic expression that is the solution to the clue.
| 22a | Support very large gangster/'s/ suggestion (8) |
"very large " = OS [outsize; British clothing size]
"gangster " = AL [Al Capone]
Al Capone[5] (1899–1947), nicknamed Scarface*, was an American gangster of Italian descent. He dominated organized crime in Chicago in the 1920s and was indirectly responsible for many murders, including the St Valentine’s Day Massacre**.
* Capone[7] was born in Brooklyn (New York) and began his life of crime in New York City before moving to Chicago. Capone inadvertently insulted a woman while working the door at a Brooklyn night club and was slashed by her brother Frank Gallucio. The wounds led to the nickname that Capone loathed: "Scarface". Capone's boss, racketeer Frankie Yale, insisted that Capone apologize to Gallucio, and later Capone hired him as a bodyguard. When photographed, Capone hid the scarred left side of his face, saying that the injuries were war wounds. Capone was called "Snorky", a term for a sharp dresser, by his closest friends.
** The St Valentine's Day Massacre[5] was the shooting on 14th February 1929 of seven members of the rival ‘Bugsy’ Moran's gang by some of Al Capone's men disguised as policemen.
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Al Capone[5] (1899–1947), nicknamed Scarface*, was an American gangster of Italian descent. He dominated organized crime in Chicago in the 1920s and was indirectly responsible for many murders, including the St Valentine’s Day Massacre**.
* Capone[7] was born in Brooklyn (New York) and began his life of crime in New York City before moving to Chicago. Capone inadvertently insulted a woman while working the door at a Brooklyn night club and was slashed by her brother Frank Gallucio. The wounds led to the nickname that Capone loathed: "Scarface". Capone's boss, racketeer Frankie Yale, insisted that Capone apologize to Gallucio, and later Capone hired him as a bodyguard. When photographed, Capone hid the scarred left side of his face, saying that the injuries were war wounds. Capone was called "Snorky", a term for a sharp dresser, by his closest friends.
** The St Valentine's Day Massacre[5] was the shooting on 14th February 1929 of seven members of the rival ‘Bugsy’ Moran's gang by some of Al Capone's men disguised as policemen.
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| 24a | Sounds produced by this // cat round a queen (6) |
"queen " = R [Regina]
Queen may be abbreviated as Q, Qu. or R.
Q[5] is an abbreviation for queen that is used especially in describing play in card games and recording moves in chess.
Qu.[2] is another common abbreviation for Queen.
In the United Kingdom and the other Commonwealth realms*, Regina[5] (abbreviation R[5]) [Latin for queen] denotes the reigning queen, used following a name (e.g. Elizabetha Regina, Queen Elizabeth — often shortened to ER) or in the titles of lawsuits (e.g. Regina v. Jones, the Crown versus Jones — often shortened to R. v. Jones).
* A Commonwealth realm[7] is a sovereign state that is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations and shares the same person, currently Elizabeth II, as its head of state and reigning constitutional monarch, but retains a crown legally distinct from the other realms. There are currently sixteen Commonwealth realms, the largest being Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom with the remainder being smaller Caribbean and Pacific island nations.
Thus Queen Elizabeth signs her name as 'Elizabeth R' as seen here on Canada's paint-stained constitution[7].
hide
Queen may be abbreviated as Q, Qu. or R.
Q[5] is an abbreviation for queen that is used especially in describing play in card games and recording moves in chess.
Qu.[2] is another common abbreviation for Queen.
In the United Kingdom and the other Commonwealth realms*, Regina[5] (abbreviation R[5]) [Latin for queen] denotes the reigning queen, used following a name (e.g. Elizabetha Regina, Queen Elizabeth — often shortened to ER) or in the titles of lawsuits (e.g. Regina v. Jones, the Crown versus Jones — often shortened to R. v. Jones).
* A Commonwealth realm[7] is a sovereign state that is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations and shares the same person, currently Elizabeth II, as its head of state and reigning constitutional monarch, but retains a crown legally distinct from the other realms. There are currently sixteen Commonwealth realms, the largest being Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom with the remainder being smaller Caribbean and Pacific island nations.
Thus Queen Elizabeth signs her name as 'Elizabeth R' as seen here on Canada's paint-stained constitution[7].
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| 25a | A grand finale associated with ace // programme (6) |
G as an abbreviation for grand is one North American usage that the Brits would appear to have embraced (show more ).
While the abbreviation G for "grand" is deemed by British dictionaries to be an Americanism, it seems to be one that is well known to Brits — undoubtedly from American gangster films. It is frequently seen in British crossword puzzles and never seems to garner the abuse that usually greets the appearance of American terms.
Grand[5] is an informal term for a thousand dollars or pounds ⇒
G is defined in various British dictionaries as follows:
While the abbreviation G for "grand" is deemed by British dictionaries to be an Americanism, it seems to be one that is well known to Brits — undoubtedly from American gangster films. It is frequently seen in British crossword puzzles and never seems to garner the abuse that usually greets the appearance of American terms.
Grand[5] is an informal term for a thousand dollars or pounds ⇒
he gets thirty-five grand a year. While the term "grand" itself would seem to be commonly used in the UK, the informal abbreviation G[5] meaning grand appears to be regarded as a North American usage ⇒
I was up nine Gs on the blackjack tables.
G is defined in various British dictionaries as follows:
- Oxford Dictionaries: (North American informal) abbreviation for grand, a thousand dollars)[5].
- Chambers 21st Century Dictionary: (North American slang) abbreviation for a grand, 1000 dollars[2].
- Collins English Dictionary: (mainly US slang) a symbol for grand (a thousand dollars or pounds)[4,10].
" ace " = A[5] [in card games]
| 26a | Manage, at a later time, // to set off in pursuit (3,5) |
Down
| 1d | Batting streak, reportedly // to no avail (2,4) |
In cricket, a player who is batting is said to be in[5]. Conversely, a player
who is fielding is said to be out[5]. The ins and outs of cricket are explained in thisexplanation of cricket for a foreigner (which may well leave you unsure whether you are coming or going—therefore, I have also provided a translation).
CRICKET: AS EXPLAINED TO A FOREIGNER...Now, should you have not quite followed that explanation, here is my attempt to clarify the "ins" and "outs" of cricket:
You have two sides, one out in the field and one in. Each man that's in the side that's in goes out, and when he's out he comes in and the next man goes in until he's out. When they are all out, the side that's out comes in and the side that's been in goes out and tries to get those coming in, out. Sometimes you get men still in and not out.
When a man goes out to go in, the men who are out try to get him out, and when he is out he goes in and the next man in goes out and goes in. There are two men called umpires who stay out all the time and they decide when the men who are in are out. When both sides have been in and all the men have been out, and both sides have been out twice after all the men have been in, including those who are not out, that is the end of the game.
Simple!
You have two sides [teams], one out in the field and one in [batting]. Each man that's in the side [in Britain, one says "in a side" rather than "on a team"] that's in [batting] goes out [I believe this means that he forgoes the cucumber sandwiches in the clubhouse in order to go out to the playing area to bat], and when he's out [dismissed] he comes in [returns to the clubhouse for more cucumber sandwiches] and the next man goes in [bats] until he's out [dismissed]. When they are all out [all players (but one) on the batting side are dismissed], the side that's out [fielding] comes in [bats] and the side that's been in [batting] goes out [fields] and tries to get those coming in [to bat], out [dismissed]. Sometimes you get men still in [batting] and not out [Since batsmen must always bat in pairs, the team is dismissed once ten of the eleven players have been dismissed, leaving no partner for the lone remaining player. Although the team is "out" (dismissed), the eleventh player is said to be "not out".].hide
When a man goes out [from the clubhouse to the playing area] to go in [bat], the men who are out [fielding] try to get him out [dismissed], and when he is out [dismissed] he goes in [returns to the clubhouse] and the next man in [scheduled to bat] goes out [from the clubhouse to the playing area] and goes in [bats]. There are two men called umpires who stay out [on the playing area] all the time [(they never get to eat cucumber sandwiches)] and they decide when the men who are in [batting] are out [dismissed]. When both sides have been in [batted] and all the men have been out [dismissed], and both sides have been out [dismissed] twice after all the men have been in [batted], including those who are not out [the eleventh player who has batted but not been dismissed], that is the end of the game.
Note: In cricket, the division of play is called an 'innings', rather than an 'inning' as in baseball. The word "innings' (like the words 'fish' or 'sheep') can be either singular or plural. A cricket match consists of four innings* (or sometimes two innings) with ten "outs" (dismissals) per innings. In cricket, each team's at bat is called an innings whereas, in baseball, each team's at bat constitutes a half inning. Thus, in baseball, the visiting team bats in the top of each inning and the home team bats in the bottom of each inning. In cricket, one side bats in the first and third innings and the other team bats in the second and fourth innings.Simple! (although the remarks concerning the cucumber sandwiches may not be entirely accurate)
What did he say?
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In his review on Big Dave's Crossword Blog, pommers tells us to start withWhen batting, a cricket player is said to be 'at the crease*' much as a batter in baseball would be said to be 'at the plate'.A word to describe someone who is batting, as in at the crease. * In cricket, a crease[10] is any of three lines (bowling crease, popping crease, or return crease) near each wicket marking positions for the bowler or batsman. The expression 'at the crease' specifically relates to the popping crease, a line four feet in front of each wicket behind which a batsman stands when batting. |
| 2d | Setter barking after spy /leaves/ Tube station (4,6) |
The word "leaves" in the clue denotes that after executing the wordplay the solver is left with the solution.
As an anagram indicator, barking[5] is used in an informal British sense meaning completely mad or demented ⇒ (i)
we are all a bit barking; (ii) [as submodifier]
has she gone completely barking mad?.
James Bond[5] (known also by his code name 007) is a fictional British secret agent in the spy novels of English author Ian Fleming (1908–1964). Bond[7] is an intelligence officer in the Secret Intelligence Service, commonly known as MI6.
The Tube[5] (British trademark) is the underground railway system in London ⇒
a cross-London trek on the Tube.
Bond Street[7] is a London Underground station in Mayfair, in the West End of London.
| 3d | Luxurious hotel's withdrawn // credit (4) |
" hotel " = H[5] [NATO Phonetic Alphabet[7]]
| 4d | Crowd supported Egypt's leader /in/ rally (8) |
| 6d | Folly /of/ new and old bridge partners seen playing (8) |
" new " = N[5] [in place names on maps;
N Zealand]
" old " = O[12] [linguistics;
OFr(Old French),
OE(Old English)]
In the card game bridge, North[5] (N) and South[5] (S) comprise one partnership and play against East[5] (E) and West[5] (W) who form the other partnership.
| 7d | Large sum of money bank employee /gives/ palm reader? (7-6) |
| 9d | After tango, enjoy // Blackpool, say (4) |
" tango " = T[5] [NATO Phonetic Alphabet[7]]
Blackpool[5] is a seaside resort in Lancashire, north-western England.
What did he say?
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In his review on Big Dave's Crossword Blog, pommers suggests the clue isAt the close of the 19th century, Blackpool appears to have been a hotbed of ballroom dancing with at least two major venues in operation. The Empress Ballroom[7]—built in 1896—is located within the Winter Gardens, a large entertainment complex in the town centre. However, pommers is likely referring to the Tower Ballroom[7]—built between 1897 and 1898—which is located in the Blackpool Tower tourist complex on the town's waterfront. The Tower Ballroom—built in response to the opening of the Empress Ballroom—replaced the venue's original smaller ballroom. When the Blackpool Tower[7] complex opened in 1894, the tower from which the complex takes its name was the tallest man made structure in the British Empire.An allusion to the famous ballroom perhaps. As for the video clip that pommers includes in his review, the BBC series Come Dancing was televised from the Tower Ballroom for many years; it has also hosted editions of BBC's successor programme Strictly Come Dancing[7]. The format of the latter show has been exported to 60 other countries—under the title Dancing with the Stars. |
| 13d | What superstar expects // ringing about one after lead? (3,7) |
" lead " = PB [Pb[5] ; chemical symbol (from Latin plumbum)]
Post Mortem
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| The solution was obvious from the definition and checking letters. However, for the life of me, I could not see the wordplay. Clearly, I suffered a mental block as, in hindsight, it seems so obvious. |
| 14d | Access /for/ transport (8) |
| 16d | Fat /got from/ ducks, originally -- excellent (8) |
Ripping[5] is a dated, informal British expression meaning splendid or excellent ⇒
Make your speech a ripping good tale.
Dripping[5] is the term used in Britain for fat that has melted and dripped from roasting meat, used in cooking or eaten cold as a spread.
North American term: according Lexico (Oxford Dictionaries), drippings; however. US dictionaries are less definitive, characterizing the usage of drippings as merely often[3,11,15] or usual[12]
| 20d | List of charges, /the result of/ squabble about artist turning up (6) |
| 21d | Go slowly /in/ tug (4) |
| 23d | Problem /with/ head of shire horse (4) |
The shire horse[10] is a large heavy breed of carthorse with long hair on the fetlocks.
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
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