Puzzle at a Glance
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Puzzle number in The Daily Telegraph
DT 29870 | |
Publication date in The Daily Telegraph
Wednesday, December 29, 2021 | |
Setter
Jay (Jeremy Mutch) | |
Link to full review
Big Dave's Crossword Blog [DT 29870]
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Big Dave's Crossword Blog review written by
2Kiwis | |
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
At the risk of sounding like a broken record, this is the usual enjoyable offering from Jay. There are a couple of new British terms that I had to look up to confirm.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 | Defender must hold line -- sees // areas of potential danger (5,5) |
A back[5] is a player in a team game who plays in a defensive position* behind the forwards ⇒
their backs showed some impressive running and passing.
* except, of course, in North American football where there are both offensive backs and defensive backs
Black spot[5] is a British term denoting a place or area marked by a particular trouble or concern ⇒
an unemployment black spot.
| 6a | Light mainly /needed for/ metal band (4) |
A torc[5] (also torque) is a neck ornament consisting of a band of twisted metal, worn especially by the ancient Gauls* and Britons** .
* The Gauls[5] were a Celtic people who inhabited a region of Europe corresponding to modern France, Belgium, the southern Netherlands, south-western Germany, and northern Italy. The area south of the Alps was conquered in 222 BC by the Romans, who called it Cisalpine Gaul. The area north of the Alps, known as Transalpine Gaul, was taken by Julius Caesar between 58 and 51 BC.
** The Britons[5] were a Celtic people who inhabited of southern Britain before and during Roman times.
Torch[10] — in addition to its historical meaning — is the British name for a flashlight*.
* To Brits, flashlight[5] is a North American term.
| 10a | Excuse /from/ politician sitting in first-class (5) |
"politician " = LIB [member of a nearly extinct British political party]
The Liberal Party[5] (abbreviation Lib.[5] or L[2])* in Britain emerged in the 1860s from the old Whig Party and until the First World War was one of the two major parties in Britain. In 1988 the party regrouped with elements of the Social Democratic Party to form the Social and Liberal Democrats, now known as the Liberal Democrats.
However, a small Liberal Party still exists (founded in 1989 by members of the original Liberal Party opposed to its merger with the Social Democratic Party) although it has never held a UK, Scottish or European parliamentary seat, though it has had representation on local councils.[7]
* Although Lib.[5] may be the more common abbreviation for the Liberal Party in Britain — likely to distinguish it from the the Labour Party[5] (abbreviation Lab.[5]) — Chambers 21st Century Dictionary indicates that L[2] may also be used.
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The Liberal Party[5] (abbreviation Lib.[5] or L[2])* in Britain emerged in the 1860s from the old Whig Party and until the First World War was one of the two major parties in Britain. In 1988 the party regrouped with elements of the Social Democratic Party to form the Social and Liberal Democrats, now known as the Liberal Democrats.
However, a small Liberal Party still exists (founded in 1989 by members of the original Liberal Party opposed to its merger with the Social Democratic Party) although it has never held a UK, Scottish or European parliamentary seat, though it has had representation on local councils.[7]
* Although Lib.[5] may be the more common abbreviation for the Liberal Party in Britain — likely to distinguish it from the the Labour Party[5] (abbreviation Lab.[5]) — Chambers 21st Century Dictionary indicates that L[2] may also be used.
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"first-class " = AI [originally a ship classification (A1)]
| 11a | Come down to earth, // a little depressed (5,4) |
Like several readers of Big Dave's Crossword Blog, I was surprised to see the same word appear in both the clue and the answer.
| 12a | A judge in Chelsea perhaps // without shoes (8) |
A Chelsea boot[5] is an elastic-sided boot, typically with a high heel.
Delving Deeper
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| Chelsea boots[7]
are close-fitting, ankle-high boots with an elastic side panel. They
often have a loop or tab of fabric on the back of the boot, enabling the
boot to be pulled on. The boot dates back to the Victorian era, when it was worn by both men and women. The design is credited to Queen Victoria's shoemaker Joseph Sparkes-Hall who patented the design in 1851. Chelsea boots and some of its variants were considered an iconic element of the 1960s in Britain, particularly the mod scene. In the 1950s and '60s, Chelsea boots became popular in the UK – and their association with the King's Road* set of Swinging London – worn by everyone from the Rolling Stones to Jean Shrimpton – is believed to explain how the name "Chelsea" became attached to the boot. * a street in Chelsea and Fulham in inner western London |
| 13a | Extent /of/ leak by head of security (5) |
| 15a | Daughter wrong on question one -- // sitting pretty! (5,2) |
" daughter " = D [d[2]; genealogy]
Quids in[5] is an informal British expression meaning in a position where one has profited or is likely to profit from something.
| 17a | One may vote /in/ English reader (7) |
" English " = E[2]
A lector[5] is a reader, especially someone who reads lessons* in a church service.
* A lesson[5] is a passage from the Bible read aloud during a church service, especially either of two readings at morning and evening prayer in the Anglican Church ⇒
he went up to read the first lesson.
| 19a | Cover not needed for smartest // relations! (7) |
Smart[5] is used in the sense (with respect to clothes) attractively neat and stylish.
| 21a | Mysterious // burial chamber with rich interior (7) |
| 22a | Looking at, // for example, protecting dark part of Chinese symbol (5) |
Yin and yang[10] are the two complementary principles of Chinese philosophy: Yin is negative, dark, and feminine, Yang positive, bright, and masculine. Their interaction is thought to maintain the harmony of the universe and to influence everything within it.
| 24a | Clothing // line worn by a lover troubled by son (8) |
" line " = L [l.[5]; in textual references ⇒
l. 648]
" son | sons " = S [s[5]; genealogy]
Here and There
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| In Britain, the term overalls[4] encompasses a wider range of garments than it does in North America, including not only garments with a bib front and shoulder straps (as in North America) but also those having a jacket top. This latter garment is also known as a boiler suit[5] in the UK and would be called coveralls[3] in North America. |
| 27a | Leaving fine leg antagonised /will be/ awkward (9) |
I find the containment indicator "leaving" to be a bit awkward. I suppose the rationale for it is that to obtain the solution a collection of letters must be taken from or leave the fodder.
| 28a | Find out // king's name (5) |
King Lear*[7] is a tragedy written in 1605 or 1606 by English playwright William Shakespeare (1564–1616). (show more )
The title character descends into madness after disposing of his estate between two of his three daughters (Goneril, Regan and Cordelia) based on their flattery, bringing tragic consequences for all.
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The title character descends into madness after disposing of his estate between two of his three daughters (Goneril, Regan and Cordelia) based on their flattery, bringing tragic consequences for all.
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* Lear[5], a legendary early king of Britain, is mentioned by the 12th century Welsh chronicler Geoffrey of Monmouth in his Historia Regum Britanniae (circa 1139; first printed in 1508), an account of the kings of Britain.
" name " = N [n or n.[1]]
| 29a | Listeners will have time for right // food (4) |
" time " = T [t[1]; symbol used in physics]
| 30a | A backward view // of troublesome reports etc (10) |
Down
| 1d | Dress up /and/ lay it on thick (4) |
| 2d | I'm in a state, /seeing/ spirit (9) |
| 3d | This should cut // knot, with partner losing weight (5) |
" knot " = KN [kn.[2]; nautical unit of speed]
" weight " = W [w[2]]
| 4d | Record // crush (3,4) |
Crush as one would a rebellion.
| 5d | Administrator /is/ bound to be heard here occasionally (7) |
| 7d | Australia working with energy /and/ gas (5) |
Oz[5] is an informal Australian and New Zealand term for Australia ⇒
he spent the last few years in Oz.
" energy " = E[2] [symbol used in physics]
Ozone[5] is a colourless unstable toxic gas with a pungent odour and powerful oxidizing properties, formed from oxygen by electrical discharges or ultraviolet light. It differs from normal oxygen (O₂) in having three atoms in its molecule (O₃).
| 8d | Collusion /of/ sanctimonious blue supporting Tories (10) |
Pi[5] is an informal British short form for pious.
"Tory " = CON [Conservative member of British (or Canadian) political party] thus by cryptic crossword logic " Tories " = CONS
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.
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| 9d | Innocently // hurry in case of call on unknown (8) |
"unknown " = Y [algebraic symbol]
In mathematics (algebra, in particular), an unknown[10] is a variable, or the quantity it represents, the value of which is to be discovered by solving an equation ⇒
In mathematical formulae, unknowns are typically represented symbolically by the letters x, y and z.
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In mathematics (algebra, in particular), an unknown[10] is a variable, or the quantity it represents, the value of which is to be discovered by solving an equation ⇒
3y = 4x + 5 is an equation in two unknowns.
In mathematical formulae, unknowns are typically represented symbolically by the letters x, y and z.
hide
| 14d | City // look cheerful as soldiers must be accommodated (6,4) |
The conjunction qua[5] is a formal term meaning 'in the capacity of' or 'as being' ⇒
shareholders qua members may be under obligations to the company.
The term "the City[5]" [or, here, simply "City"] is short for the City of London[5] (a borough of—and not to be confused with—the city of London). (show explanation
).
It is colloquially known as the Square Mile, as it is 1.12 sq mi (2.90 km2), in area. Both of these terms are also often used as metonyms for the United Kingdom's trading and financial services industries, which continue a notable history of being largely based in the City. This is analogous to the use of the terms Wall Street and Bay Street to refer to the financial institutions located in New York and Toronto respectively.
The City of London[7] is a city and ceremonial county within London. It constituted most of London from its settlement by the Romans in the 1st century AD to the Middle Ages, but the conurbation has since grown far beyond the City's borders. The City is now only a tiny part of the metropolis of London, though it remains a notable part of central London. It is one of two districts of London to hold city status, the other being the adjacent City of Westminster.
It is widely referred to simply as the City (often written as just "City" and differentiated from the phrase "the city of London" by capitalising "City").
hide
It is colloquially known as the Square Mile, as it is 1.12 sq mi (2.90 km2), in area. Both of these terms are also often used as metonyms for the United Kingdom's trading and financial services industries, which continue a notable history of being largely based in the City. This is analogous to the use of the terms Wall Street and Bay Street to refer to the financial institutions located in New York and Toronto respectively.
The City of London[7] is a city and ceremonial county within London. It constituted most of London from its settlement by the Romans in the 1st century AD to the Middle Ages, but the conurbation has since grown far beyond the City's borders. The City is now only a tiny part of the metropolis of London, though it remains a notable part of central London. It is one of two districts of London to hold city status, the other being the adjacent City of Westminster.
It is widely referred to simply as the City (often written as just "City" and differentiated from the phrase "the city of London" by capitalising "City").
hide
| 16d | Singular sort of English // affliction (8) |
" singular " = S [s[5]; grammar]
| 18d | Tease // a little bit, upset, having lost book (9) |
" book " = B [b or b.[1]; likely in textual references]
| 20d | Amount charged for holding // silver in stock (7) |
The symbol for the chemical element silver is Ag[5] (from Latin argentum).
| 21d | City street full of good humour? The opposite! (7) |
Chester[5] is a city in northwestern England, the county town of Cheshire.
| 23d | Still // at home -- finally leave for appointment (5) |
| 25d | Book /found by/ a sailor travelling north (5) |
| 26d | Join // fool for audition (4) |
Nit[5,10] (short for nitwit) is an informal British term for a foolish person ⇒
you stupid nit!.
Knit[5] is used in the sense of to unite or cause to unite ⇒
disparate regions had begun to knit together under the king.
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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