Puzzle at a Glance
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Puzzle number in The Daily Telegraph
DT 29855 | |
Publication date in The Daily Telegraph
Friday, December 10, 2021 | |
Setter
silvanus | |
Link to full review
Big Dave's Crossword Blog [DT 29855]
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Big Dave's Crossword Blog review written by
Deep Threat | |
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
In the intro to his review on Big Dave's Crossword Blog, Deep Threat suggests thatperhaps another * should be addedto his two-star difficulty rating. I would second that.
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 | Little // goldfinch regularly guarded by parent (7) |
Mum[3,4,11] is a chiefly British term for mother.
| 5a | Court frees at last silly // opportunist (7) |
In England, the Chancery[10] (or Chancery Division) denotes the Lord Chancellor’s court, now a division of the High Court of Justice.
Chancer[5] is an informal British term for a person who exploits any opportunity to further their own ends ⇒
The novel features a cast of expat chancers looking for a second bite of the cherry in sundry banana republics.
| 9a | Complete change of opinion // concerning performer (5-4) |
Turn[5] can mean either:
- a short performance, especially one of a number given by different performers in succession ⇒ (i)
Lewis gave her best ever comic turn
; (ii)he was asked to do a turn at a children’s party
- a performer giving a short performance ⇒
Malton’s comedy turn, Mark Poole, takes to the stage tonight in Cinderella
| 10a | Text Mark // about visiting Tom? (5) |
A tom[5] is the male of various animals, especially a domestic cat.
| 11a | Inverted box, essential to trap // rodent (7) |
An ark[5] (short for Ark of the Covenant*) is a chest or cupboard housing the Torah scrolls in a synagogue.
* The Ark of the Covenant[5] (also Ark of the Testimony) was the wooden chest which contained the tablets of the laws of the ancient Israelites. Carried by the Israelites on their wanderings in the wilderness, it was later placed by Solomon in the Temple at Jerusalem.
| 12a | Oriental // flower fills small space (7) |
In printing, the en[5] is a unit of measurement equal to half an em and approximately the average width of typeset characters, used especially for estimating the total amount of space a text will require.
| 13a | US President, // loser with vote collapsing (9) |
While the solution could be either of two US Presidents, the solution to 18a gives a clear hint as to which one is intended. Should there be any doubt, the setter himself confirms his intent in Comment #18 on Big Dave's Crossword Blog.
Theodore Roosevelt[5] (1858–1919) was an American Republican statesman, 26th president of the US 1901–9; known as Teddy Roosevelt. (show more )
He was noted for his antitrust laws and successfully engineered the American bid to build the Panama Canal (1904–14). He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1906 for negotiating the end of the Russo-Japanese War.
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He was noted for his antitrust laws and successfully engineered the American bid to build the Panama Canal (1904–14). He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1906 for negotiating the end of the Russo-Japanese War.
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Franklin D. Roosevelt[5]
(1882–1945) was an American Democratic statesman, 32nd president of
the US 1933–45; full name Franklin Delano Roosevelt; known as FDR. (show more )
His New Deal of 1933 helped to lift the US out of the Great Depression, and he played an important part in Allied policy during the Second World War. In 1940 he became the first American president to be elected for a third term in office and he subsequently secured a fourth term.
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His New Deal of 1933 helped to lift the US out of the Great Depression, and he played an important part in Allied policy during the Second World War. In 1940 he became the first American president to be elected for a third term in office and he subsequently secured a fourth term.
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| 16a | Believe // compliance is occasionally ignored (5) |
| 17a | Satisfied about books /for/ choral composition (5) |
"books " = OT [Old Testament]
In Crosswordland, the term "books"—sometimes (although not today) accompanied by a modifier—is commonly used to clue either the Old Testament (OT) or the New Testament (NT).
Today, as is often the case, the clue provides no indication whether the reference is to the former or the latter.
hide
In Crosswordland, the term "books"—sometimes (although not today) accompanied by a modifier—is commonly used to clue either the Old Testament (OT) or the New Testament (NT).
Today, as is often the case, the clue provides no indication whether the reference is to the former or the latter.
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A motet[5] is a short piece of sacred choral music.
| 18a | American abandons broken eBay-traded // toy (5,4) |
" American " = A[1]
Linkage to 13a
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| The teddy bear[5] got its name from the nickname of US President Theodore Roosevelt, an enthusiastic bear-hunter. |
| 21a | Geordie great inspiring British // sport (7) |
Geordie[5] is an informal British term for a person from Tyneside* or for the English dialect or accent typical of people from Tyneside*. As an adjective, it means relating to Tyneside, its people, or their accent or dialect ⇒
Geordie humour.
* Tyneside[5] is an industrial conurbation on the banks of the River Tyne, in northeastern England, stretching from Newcastle upon Tyne to the coast.
" British " = B [B or B.[1]]
Netball[5] is a seven-a-side game in which goals are scored by throwing a ball so that it falls through a netted hoop. By contrast with basketball, a player receiving the ball must stand still until they have passed it to another player. Netball[7] is most popular in Commonwealth nations, specifically in schools, and is predominantly played by women.
| 22a | Giving autographs, // player team has acquired (7) |
Signing[5] is a British term* for a person who has recently been recruited, especially to join a professional sports team or record company.
* despite what Lexico thinks, I wouldn't say the term is particularly British
| 25a | Hug // cold student having drunk gin (5) |
" cold " = C [c or c.[1]; symbol found on water taps]
"student " = L [driver under instruction]
The cryptic crossword convention of L meaning learner or student arises from the L-plate[7], a square plate bearing a sans-serif letter L, for learner, which must be affixed to the front and back of a vehicle in various jurisdictions (including the UK) if its driver is a learner under instruction.
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The cryptic crossword convention of L meaning learner or student arises from the L-plate[7], a square plate bearing a sans-serif letter L, for learner, which must be affixed to the front and back of a vehicle in various jurisdictions (including the UK) if its driver is a learner under instruction.
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| Automobile displaying an L-plate |
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| 26a | Getting on for ninety perhaps? (9) |
| 27a | Extremely brave team succeeded // as well (7) |
"team " = SIDE
Side[5] is a British term for a sports team ⇒
* Note that, in Britain, a player is said to be "in a side" or "in a team" rather than "on a team" as one would say in North America.
In North America, the term side[3] is used in a very general fashion that can denote one of two or more opposing individuals, groups, teams, or sets of opinions. While this same general usage is also found in the UK, the term side[5] is also used there in a much more specific sense to mean a sports team, as we can clearly see from the following usage examples ⇒ (i)
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Side[5] is a British term for a sports team ⇒
there was a mixture of old and young players in* their side.
* Note that, in Britain, a player is said to be "in a side" or "in a team" rather than "on a team" as one would say in North America.
In North America, the term side[3] is used in a very general fashion that can denote one of two or more opposing individuals, groups, teams, or sets of opinions. While this same general usage is also found in the UK, the term side[5] is also used there in a much more specific sense to mean a sports team, as we can clearly see from the following usage examples ⇒ (i)
Previous England rugby sides, and England teams in many other sports, would have crumbled under the weight of such errors.; (ii)
They'll face better sides than this Monaco team, but you can only beat what's put in front of you.
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| 28a | Canon agonising to maintain // figure (7) |
A nonagon[5] is a plane figure with nine straight sides and nine angles.
Scratching the Surface
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| A canon[2] is a member of the clergy* attached to a cathedral. * in rank, below a dean |
Down
| 1d | Army man runs // country (7) |
Myanmar[5]
(official name the Union of Myanmar; prior to 1989, known as Burma) is
a country in southeast Asia, on the Bay of Bengal. (show more )
Annexed by the British during the 19th century, the country was occupied by the Japanese from 1942 to 1945 and became an independent republic in 1948. In 1962 an army coup led by Ne Win overthrew the government and established an authoritarian state. The National League for Democracy (NLD) won the election held in May 1990, but the military regime did not relinquish power, and held it until the general elections of 2015, at which the NLD won a majority. The military took power again through a coup in 2021.
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Annexed by the British during the 19th century, the country was occupied by the Japanese from 1942 to 1945 and became an independent republic in 1948. In 1962 an army coup led by Ne Win overthrew the government and established an authoritarian state. The National League for Democracy (NLD) won the election held in May 1990, but the military regime did not relinquish power, and held it until the general elections of 2015, at which the NLD won a majority. The military took power again through a coup in 2021.
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Scratching the Surface
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A army man does run this country, the military having overthrown the democratically elected government through a coup in 2021. Therefore, the entire clue could serve as the definition or as Deep Threat suggests in his review on Big Dave's Crossword Blog Given the state of that country, the clue is also an all-in-one. |
| 2d | Refuse // sleep when crossing river (5) |
Doss[5] is an informal British term meaning to sleep in rough accommodation or on an improvised bed ⇒
he dossed down on a friend’s floor.
" river " = R [R or R.[2]; on maps]
| 3d | Provide food, // grub Pole is lacking (5) |
| 4d | Police officer // that is after rise (7) |
Here and There
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Rise[5] is the British term* for an increase in salary or wages ⇒ non-supervisory staff were given a 5 per cent rise. |
| 5d | Arrogance // from Tory-held constituency reportedly (7) |
"Tory " = CON [Conservative]
A Tory[10] is a member or supporter of the Conservative Party in Great Britain [or, for that matter, in Canada].
The abbreviation for Conservative may be either C.[10] or Con.[10].
The Conservative Party[5] is a major right of centre British political party promoting free enterprise and private ownership that emerged from the old Tory Party* under Sir Robert Peel in the 1830s and 1840s.
* Historically, a Tory[10] was a member of the English political party that opposed the exclusion of James, Duke of York from the royal succession (1679–80). Tory remained the label for subsequent major conservative interests until they gave birth to the Conservative Party in the 1830s.
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A Tory[10] is a member or supporter of the Conservative Party in Great Britain [or, for that matter, in Canada].
The abbreviation for Conservative may be either C.[10] or Con.[10].
The Conservative Party[5] is a major right of centre British political party promoting free enterprise and private ownership that emerged from the old Tory Party* under Sir Robert Peel in the 1830s and 1840s.
* Historically, a Tory[10] was a member of the English political party that opposed the exclusion of James, Duke of York from the royal succession (1679–80). Tory remained the label for subsequent major conservative interests until they gave birth to the Conservative Party in the 1830s.
hide
| 6d | Additional // individual abetting criminal (9) |
What did he say?
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In his review on Big Dave's Crossword Blog, Deep Threat describes the first definition asIn his comment, he has implied the solution to be a noun. However, in the clue, accessory[10] is used as an adjective denoting supplementary, additional, or subordinate. Therefore, to be precise, one might better sayan additional piece of kit. an adjective denoting something as being an additional piece of kit. There are at least a couple of senses in which he might have used the word "kit":
the kit includes five special purpose knives together with an accessory sharping tool. |
Accessory[10] (adjective) denotes supplementary, additional, or subordinate ⇒
first-aid kit; shaving kit; drum kit; model airplane kit.
| 7d | Time Clare trained /to be/ nun (9) |
A Carmelite[5] is a friar or nun of a contemplative Catholic order founded at Mount Carmel* during the Crusades and dedicated to Our Lady.
* Mount Carmel[5] is a group of mountains near the Mediterranean coast in north-western Israel, sheltering the port of Haifa. In the Bible it is the scene of the defeat of the priests of Baal by the prophet Elijah (I Kings 18).
| 8d | Defensive unit errors somewhat upset // followers (7) |
| 14d | Leaves behind // old-fashioned sports kits (9) |
Kit[5] is a British* term for the clothing used for an activity such as a sport ⇒
a football kit.
* an outfit that would generally be called a uniform on this side of the pond
Strip[5] is a British term* denoting the identifying outfit worn by the members of a sports team while playing ⇒
the team’s away strip is a garish mix of red, white, and blue.
* in North American parlance, a uniform
| 15d | Sadly sergeant and daughter /becoming/ alienated (9) |
" daughter " = D [d[2]; genealogy]
| 17d | Taxi, // iconic vehicle around Bristol originally (7) |
Mini[7] is an automobile brand, currently owned by BMW, but originally introduced as a model under the Austin and Morris marques by the now defunct British Motor Corporation (BMC).
" about " = CA [ca[2]; circa (Latin)]
Minicab[10] is a British term for a small saloon car [sedan] used as a taxi. In addition to being smaller than regular taxis, a minicab[5] may be booked in advance but is not licensed to pick up passengers who hail it in the street.
Scratching the Surface
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| Bristol[5] is a city in southwestern England. Situated on the River Avon about 10 km (6 miles) from the Bristol Channel, it has been a leading port since the 12th century. |
| 18d | Bank staff, // they cannot keep secrets? (7) |
| 19d | Stand up floppy // cleaning implement (7) |
| 20d | Detailed army unit // diet programme (7) |
| 23d | Naive // politician (5) |
The term green[5] (usually Green) denotes a member or supporter of an environmentalist group or party ⇒
A Green party[7] is a formally organized political party based on the principles of Green politics, such as social justice, grassroots democracy, nonviolence, and environmentalism. Green parties exist in nearly 90 countries around the world; many are members of Global Greens, an international network of Green parties and political movements that works to implement the Global Green Charter. In the UK, there are separate Green parties for Scotland, Northern Ireland, and England and Wales.
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the Greens' remarkable 15 per cent vote. (show more )
A Green party[7] is a formally organized political party based on the principles of Green politics, such as social justice, grassroots democracy, nonviolence, and environmentalism. Green parties exist in nearly 90 countries around the world; many are members of Global Greens, an international network of Green parties and political movements that works to implement the Global Green Charter. In the UK, there are separate Green parties for Scotland, Northern Ireland, and England and Wales.
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| 24d | Omitting small line carving // cake decoration (5) |
" small " = S[5] [clothing size]
" line " = L [l.[5]; in textual references ⇒
l. 648]
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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