Puzzle at a Glance
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Puzzle number in The Daily Telegraph
DT 29891 | |
Publication date in The Daily Telegraph
Saturday, January 22, 2022 | |
Setter
Chalicea (Shirley Curran) | |
Link to full review
Big Dave's Crossword Blog [DT 29891 – Hints]Big Dave's Crossword Blog [DT 29891 – Review] | |
Big Dave's Crossword Blog review written by
Tilsit (Hints)crypticsue (Review) | |
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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Notes
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As this was a Saturday "Prize Puzzle" in Britain, there are two entries related to it on Big Dave's Crossword Blog — the first, posted on the date of publication, contains hints for selected clues while the second is a full review issued following the entry deadline for the contest. The vast majority of reader comments will generally be found attached to the "hints" posting with a minimal number — if any — accompanying the full review.
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Introduction
Chalicea is known for her gentle workouts – and this is surely among her least taxing creations. In her review on Big Dave's Crossword Blog, crypticsue points out that clue 10d was used by Chalicea in DT 29844 (which appeared in the National Post on March 10, 2022). However, this was of no help to me as I failed to recognize it as a repeat.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 | OTT for film stars in a muddle // throughout (4,5,2,4) |
Scratching the Surface
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OTT[5] (short for over the top) is an informal British expression denoting excessive or exaggerated ⇒ presenting him as a goalscoring Superman seems a bit OTT. |
| 8a | Escape // return of some dreaded aversion (5) |
| 9a | In retrospect, validate // second romantic partner (4-4) |
| 11a | Fail actors, // like some models? (3-4) |
Die-cast[5] (describing a metal object) denotes formed by pouring molten metal into a reusable mould.
| 12a | American-Irish company with ordinary line to control temperature (3-4) |
" American " = A[1]
" Irish " = IR [Ir.[10]]
Co (also Co.)[5] is the abbreviation for Company [in particular, in the name of a business].
"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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" line " = L [l.[5]; in textual references ⇒
l. 648]
| 13a | Wander but not at first /in/ leisurely walk (5) |
As nouns, the fodder and the solution have virtually the same meaning which would explain why Tilsit and crypticsue chose different parts of this clue as the definition; Tilsit going for "leisurely walk" and crypticsue opting for "wander". I am siding with Tilsit. The fodder in the wordplay is RAMBLE (wander) and the solution is AMBLE (leisurely walk).
Ramble[10] means
- verb to stroll about freely, as for relaxation, with no particular direction
- noun a leisurely stroll, especially in the countryside
Amble[10] means:
- verb to walk at a leisurely relaxed pace
- noun a leisurely walk
| 15a | Armistice -- // constant calm following fury (9) |
In mathematics, C[5] (or c) is a symbol used to represent either the third fixed constant to appear in an algebraic expression, or a known constant. (show more ) Specifically in physics, c[5] is the symbol for the speed of light in a vacuum (which is a constant).
In mathematics, a constant[5] is a quantity or parameter that does not change its value whatever the value of the variables, under a given set of conditions.
In physics, a constant[5] is a number expressing a relation or property which remains the same in all circumstances, or for the same substance under the same conditions.
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In mathematics, a constant[5] is a quantity or parameter that does not change its value whatever the value of the variables, under a given set of conditions.
In physics, a constant[5] is a number expressing a relation or property which remains the same in all circumstances, or for the same substance under the same conditions.
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| 17a | Close-fitting // kit -- things adjusted (9) |
Kit[10] is an informal British term for clothing in general, especially in the phrase get one's kit off[5] meaning to take off all one's clothes.
| 20a | Great ledges partly receding /in/ river estuary (5) |
| 21a | Such a team, say, of top performers, // can all also start with no restraints (3-4) |
What did she say?
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In her review on Big Dave's Crossword Blog, crypticsue lamentsOn the other hand, the appearance of "all" in the clue might be deemed to be misdirection. I certainly spent a great deal of time trying to incorporate it into the wordplay before the penny dropped.such a shame that the ALL needed for the solution appears in the clue!. |
| 23a | 70 per cent of French island // drink (7) |
Martinique[5] is an island in the Caribbean, in the Lesser Antilles group. It is an overseas department of France.
A Martini[5] is a cocktail made from gin (or vodka) and dry vermouth, typically garnished with an olive or a twist of lemon.
| 25a | Desert animal has trouble going round // bush (8) |
The camellia[5] is an evergreen East Asian shrub related to the tea plant, grown for its showy flowers and shiny leaves.
| 26a | Order 51 // signs (5) |
"order " = OBE
OBE[5] is the abbreviation for Officer of the Order of the British Empire.
The Order of the British Empire[5] is an order of knighthood applicable to the United Kingdom and certain Commonwealth realms which was instituted in 1917 and is divided into five classes, each with military and civilian divisions. The classes are: Knight or Dame Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire (GBE), Knight or Dame Commander (KBE/DBE), Commander (CBE), Officer (OBE), and Member (MBE). The two highest classes entail the awarding of a knighthood.
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OBE[5] is the abbreviation for Officer of the Order of the British Empire.
The Order of the British Empire[5] is an order of knighthood applicable to the United Kingdom and certain Commonwealth realms which was instituted in 1917 and is divided into five classes, each with military and civilian divisions. The classes are: Knight or Dame Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire (GBE), Knight or Dame Commander (KBE/DBE), Commander (CBE), Officer (OBE), and Member (MBE). The two highest classes entail the awarding of a knighthood.
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An obelus[5] (plural obeli) is a symbol (†) used as a reference mark in printed matter, or to indicate that a person is deceased.
| 27a | NATO triennially reassembled // involving many different countries (15) |
Down
| 1d | Flash Daimler constructed /for/ top military officer (5,7) |
Scratching the Surface
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| I believe the clue refers to the British motor vehicle manufacturer The Daimler Company Limited[7] rather than German auto maker Daimler AG. The company, founded in 1896 as The Daimler Motor Company Limited, was acquired by Jaguar Cars in 1960. The Silver Flash[7] was not a production automobile but a show car built by Daimler for display at the British International Motor Show in 1953. |
| 2d | Speak pompously /of/ ordinary degree (5) |
The O level qualification from 12a makes a reappearance.
| 3d | Fuss at first about each man // who is under no compulsion (4,5) |
" each " = EA [ea.[2]]
| 4d | Like a Dalek's voice? (7) |
The Daleks[5] are a race of hostile alien machine-organisms [cyborgs] which appear in the BBC television science fiction series Doctor Who.
| 5d | Music /created by/ jazz aficionado wearing new coat (7) |
Cat[5] is an informal North American term (especially among jazz enthusiasts) for a man.
A toccata[5] is A musical composition for a keyboard instrument designed to exhibit the performer's touch and technique.
| 6d | Arrangement /of/ ornamental edging removing top (5) |
| 7d | Typical of writer, // dreadful hot air interrupting a university student (9) |
" university " = U [U or U.[1]]
"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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| 10d | Mutableness /of/ shifting bilaterality (12) |
| 14d | Splendid // fish pursued by one worker (9) |
The brill[5] is a European flatfish that resembles a turbot.
"worker " = ANT
The terms "worker" and "social worker" are commonly used in cryptic crossword puzzles to clue ANT or BEE.
A worker[5] is a neuter or undeveloped female bee, wasp, ant, or other social insect, large numbers of which do the basic work of the colony.
In crossword puzzles, "worker" will most frequently be used to clue ANT and occasionally BEE but I have yet to see it used to clue WASP. Of course, "worker" is sometimes also used to clue HAND or MAN.
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The terms "worker" and "social worker" are commonly used in cryptic crossword puzzles to clue ANT or BEE.
A worker[5] is a neuter or undeveloped female bee, wasp, ant, or other social insect, large numbers of which do the basic work of the colony.
In crossword puzzles, "worker" will most frequently be used to clue ANT and occasionally BEE but I have yet to see it used to clue WASP. Of course, "worker" is sometimes also used to clue HAND or MAN.
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| 16d | Cover // that is turned over with red put up above blue (9) |
Eiderdown[5] is a British term for a quilt filled with down (originally from the eider [a northern sea duck]) or some other soft material.
| 18d | Call I roguishly returned, discovering // great ape (7) |
As a hidden word indicator, discover[5] is used in the archaic sense of divulge.
| 19d | Almost shy describing rubbish // drums (7) |
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] ⇒
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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.
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Rubbish[4,5] (verb) is used in an informal British sense meaning to criticize severely and reject as worthless ⇒
he rubbished the idea of a European Community-wide carbon tax.
Timpani[5] (also spelled tympani) is another name for kettledrums, especially when played by one musician in an orchestra.
| 22d | Liars regularly chasing article // belonging to them (5) |
| 24d | Dream /of/ trade supporting India (5) |
" India " = I[5] [NATO Phonetic Alphabet[7]]
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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