Puzzle at a Glance
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Puzzle number in The Daily Telegraph
DT 29840 | |
Publication date in The Daily Telegraph
Tuesday, November 23, 2021 | |
Setter
X-Type | |
Link to full review
Big Dave's Crossword Blog [DT 29840]
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Big Dave's Crossword Blog review written by
Mr K | |
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
A bit of research was required to get the letters of the Latin name of the flower in the correct order.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 | Sullen Ed bashed, beaten /for/ such obstinacy (4-10) |
| 10a | Catch ruffian grabbing muzzle of revolver: // it's placed nearby to fire (6,3) |
A hearthrug[3,4,5,10] (or hearth rug[1,2,14]) is a rug laid in front of a fireplace to protect the carpet or floor.
| 11a | Wide part of foot /in/ instrument of torture (5) |
In cricket, a wide[5] (also called wide ball and denoted on cricket scorecards by the abbreviation w[5]) is a ball that is judged to be too wide of the stumps for the batsman to play, for which an extra is awarded to the batting side.
* An extra[5] is a run scored other than from a hit with the bat, credited (in most cases) to the batting side rather than to a batsman. The types of extra[7] are no ball, wide, bye, leg-bye, and penalty runs.
The wheel[5] is a large wheel used historically as an instrument of punishment or torture, especially by binding someone to it and breaking their limbs.
| 12a | This could start you off on the slippery slope (3,4) |
| 13a | Ms Farrow's mother /creating/ an unwholesome atmosphere? (6) |
Mia Farrow[7] is an American actress, activist, and former fashion model who has appeared in more than 50 films. She is also known for her extensive work as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.
| 15a | Hole in the wall? Collect stake money on the way back (4) |
The original meaning of loophole[2] was a vertical slit in a wall, functioning as a window but sometimes also used as a place where the occupants of a castle, etc could defend themselves by firing arrows, missiles, etc at their attackers without risking their own lives too much.
| 17a | I'm nude, with a gin, dancing: /that's/ unforeseen (10) |
| 18a | Lad fighting with barkeep: // could this make him stop? (5,5) |
Scratching the Surface
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| From a British perspective, barkeeper[5] (also US barkeep) is a mainly North American term for a person who owns or serves drinks in a bar. |
| 20a | Wine /could get/ adult moving -- sit! (4) |
"adult " = A [former British film classification]
The A (Adult) certificate is a former film certificate[7] issued by the British Board of Film Classification. This certificate existed in various forms from 1912 to 1985, when it was replaced by the PG (Parental Guidance) certificate. [Despite its demise in the real world, it continues to find widespread use in Crosswordland.]
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The A (Adult) certificate is a former film certificate[7] issued by the British Board of Film Classification. This certificate existed in various forms from 1912 to 1985, when it was replaced by the PG (Parental Guidance) certificate. [Despite its demise in the real world, it continues to find widespread use in Crosswordland.]
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Asti[7] (formerly known as Asti Spumante)
is a sparkling white Italian wine (show more ).
Asti is produced throughout southeastern Piedmont but production is particularly focused around the towns of Asti and Alba. Since 1993 the wine has been classified as a Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG) and as of 2004 was Italy's largest producing appellation.
Hide
Asti is produced throughout southeastern Piedmont but production is particularly focused around the towns of Asti and Alba. Since 1993 the wine has been classified as a Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG) and as of 2004 was Italy's largest producing appellation.
Hide
| 22a | Cor! Giesela holds // such wild parties! (6) |
Scratching the Surface
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Cor[5] is an informal British exclamation expressing surprise, excitement, admiration, or alarm ⇒ Cor! That‘s a beautiful black eye you’ve got!. Giesela appears to be a variant spelling of Gisela[7], a female given name of Germanic origin. |
| 23a | Beard not properly shaven: /could it be/ the last straw? (7) |
| 26a | Blank out // periods of time with ecstasy (5) |
"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
| 27a | Black-eyed Susan // crashed a red Buick (9) |
Rudbeckia[10] denotes any plant of the North American genus Rudbeckia, cultivated for their showy flowers, which have golden-yellow rays and green or black conical centres, the later (those with brown-black centres) are also known by the name black-eyed Susan[10].
| 28a | Just you watch it ... don't be a part of their game (9,5) |
Down
| 2d | Tops of unripe mangoes and melons I /used to create/ something savoury (5) |
Umami[5] is a category of taste in food (besides sweet, sour, salt, and bitter), corresponding to the flavour of glutamates, especially monosodium glutamate.
| 3d | Almost running behind time, through // this country (6) |
Latvia[5] is a country on the eastern shore of the Baltic Sea, between
Estonia and Lithuania. (show more )
Latvia was annexed by Russia in the 18th century after periods of Polish and Swedish rule. It was proclaimed an independent republic in 1918, but in 1940 was occupied by Soviet forces and incorporated into the USSR as a constituent republic. In 1991, on the break-up of the Soviet Union, Latvia became an independent republic once again.
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Latvia was annexed by Russia in the 18th century after periods of Polish and Swedish rule. It was proclaimed an independent republic in 1918, but in 1940 was occupied by Soviet forces and incorporated into the USSR as a constituent republic. In 1991, on the break-up of the Soviet Union, Latvia became an independent republic once again.
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| 4d | A way to get to the continent: // une route involved with NL? (10) |
Eurotunnel[10] is another name for the Channel Tunnel (also called Chunnel), the Anglo-French railway tunnel that runs beneath the English Channel, between Folkestone, England and Coquelles, near Calais, France that opened in 1994.
Scratching the Surface
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| "Une route" is French for 'a route'. NL[5] is the international vehicle registration symbol for the Netherlands. |
| 5d | Really enjoys // archaeological works (4) |
| 6d | Looking for water? /Get/ a boat, then give us a sea shanty, perhaps ... (7) |
Dow[1] is a variant spelling of dhow[5], a lateen-rigged* ship with one or two masts, used chiefly in the Arabian region.
* A lateen[5] is a triangular sail on a long yard at an angle of 45° to the mast.
Sea shanty[10] is another name for shanty[10] (also shantey), a song originally sung by sailors, especially a rhythmic one forming an accompaniment to work.
| 7d | ... indeed, other ditties /and/ prayers (9) |
Evensong is a prayer service observed in some Christian churches:
- In the Church of England, evensong[10] (also called Evening Prayer or vespers) is the daily evening service of Bible readings and prayers prescribed in the Book of Common Prayer.
- In the Roman Catholic Church, evensong[10] is an archaic name for vespers[10], the sixth of the seven canonical hours of the divine office*, originally fixed for the early evening and now often made a public service on Sundays and major feast days.
* the divine office[10] comprises the canonical prayers recited daily by priests, those in religious orders, etc.
| 8d | Blended ale in grand vats /to get/ a wonderful crisp taste (4,3,7) |
This is a common flavour for potato chips which, in the UK, are known as crisps[5].
| 9d | Those who draw attention to foul play: // referees, perhaps? (7-7) |
| 14d | Diplomat -- // American with business degrees -- getting unhappy with men (10) |
" American " = A[1]
" business degree(s) " = MBA(S)[2] [Master(s) of Business Administration]
| 16d | Drink providing sustenance to Ulstermen, you might say? (9) |
The clue is a cryptic definition that is a play on the homophone "Orange aid" which the setter whimsically uses to mean support or sustenance to Orangemen.
An Ulsterman[5] is a male native or inhabitant of Ulster[10], a widely-used [albeit inaccurate in the eyes of many] informal name for the UK province of Northern Ireland (NI). (show more ).
Historically Ulster was a province and former kingdom of northern Ireland which passed to the English Crown in 1461. In the 17th century, confiscated land was given to English and Scottish Protestant settlers giving rise to serious long-term conflict. Ulster was partitioned in 1921, with six counties [Antrim, Down, Armagh, Londonderry, Tyrone, and Fermanagh] forming the UK province of Northern Ireland and three counties [Cavan, Donegal, and Monaghan] becoming part of the Republic of Ireland.
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Historically Ulster was a province and former kingdom of northern Ireland which passed to the English Crown in 1461. In the 17th century, confiscated land was given to English and Scottish Protestant settlers giving rise to serious long-term conflict. Ulster was partitioned in 1921, with six counties [Antrim, Down, Armagh, Londonderry, Tyrone, and Fermanagh] forming the UK province of Northern Ireland and three counties [Cavan, Donegal, and Monaghan] becoming part of the Republic of Ireland.
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An Orangeman[5] is a member of the Orange Order[5], a Protestant political society in Ireland, especially in Northern Ireland. (show more )
The Orange Order was formed in 1795 (as the Association of Orangemen) for the defence of Protestantism and maintenance of Protestant ascendancy in Ireland. It was probably named from the wearing of orange badges as a symbol of adherence to William III (William of Orange). In the early 20th century it was strengthened in the north of Ireland in its campaign to resist the Home Rule bill and has continued to form a core of Protestant Unionist opinion since.
hide
The Orange Order was formed in 1795 (as the Association of Orangemen) for the defence of Protestantism and maintenance of Protestant ascendancy in Ireland. It was probably named from the wearing of orange badges as a symbol of adherence to William III (William of Orange). In the early 20th century it was strengthened in the north of Ireland in its campaign to resist the Home Rule bill and has continued to form a core of Protestant Unionist opinion since.
hide
| 19d | Len -- meet troubled // Al, maybe (7) |
Al[5] the chemical symbol for the element aluminum—which the British spell aluminium[5].
| 21d | Health check /from/ crank returning to take English at university (4-2) |
" English " = E[2]
In Britain, up[5] means at or to a university, especially Oxford or Cambridge ⇒
they were up at Cambridge about the same time.
I think this is meant to be a "health check" performed on an automobile.
| 24d | Coffin-bearer embracing king /and/ gang member? (5) |
" king " = K[5] [playing card or chess piece]
| 25d | Pine // part of guitar (4) |
I had some initial misgivings about whether fret and pine are truly synonyms. However, after giving the matter some considerable thought, I have reconciled myself to the idea that they mean pretty much the same thing.
Pine[5] is used in the sense of suffer a mental and physical decline, especially because of a broken heart*.
* While pining for an unrequited love or departed loved one is by far the most common context in which one finds this term being used, it may sometimes be used in other contexts ⇒
The team would perhaps spend that day pining over a match they seemed to have had in the basket!.
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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