Introduction
Welcome to the North American Daily Telegraph Cryptic Crossword Forum.Although the National Post has ceased publishing cryptic crosswords, those of us addicted to them can continue to get our daily fix direct from The Daily Telegraph. In addition to various subscription options offered by the newspaper itself (the online edition of the paper, the Telegraph Puzzles website, as well as Android and Apple apps), The Daily Telegraph is also available via PressReader which is available not only by subscription but also as a free service provided to members by many public libraries.
In addition to having a new name, the blog will appear once a week on Saturday instead of daily. The format will also change. Rather than review each puzzle in detail, I plan to comment on selected clues focusing on Briticisms that are likely to be unfamiliar to North American solvers. I also invite readers to request explanations for any clues they are struggling with.
I didn't manage to include all of this weeks puzzles, running out of time before deadline.
Leave a comment to tell what you think of the new direction and format.
Statement From the National Post
I am sure we were all shocked and disappointed by the demise of cryptic crosswords in the National Post. I also did not appreciate the replacement puzzle being described in an article published on October 15 as not "the
diabolical British-style [cryptic] puzzles that include references
to Latin prefixes, obscure nymphs from Greek mythology and lines
from Milton’s Paradise Lost. This is — many will be relieved to hear
— not what is in store with the Universal daily and weekend
puzzles."
This prompted me to write the following to Rob Roberts, the Editor in Chief:
I have been a subscriber to the National Post since day one, having had my Financial Post subscription converted to a National Post subscription when the paper was launched. For many years I have been an avid fan of the cryptic crosswords carried by the National Post, both the weekday Daily Telegraph puzzle as well as the weekend Cox and Rathvon puzzle.
Your decision to discontinue these features is deeply disappointing. To add insult to injury, I found the gratuitous, disparaging remarks about cryptic crosswords made in the article published on October 15 introducing the replacement puzzle to be extremely insulting.
I have therefore cancelled my subscription.
to which he replied:
Hello, thanks for your note.
We understand your displeasure. Those features have been very popular among our readers for a very long time, and we’ve heard from a lot of people since this change was made.
There were a suite of puzzle and comics changes made for financial reasons across the Postmedia Network. Each paper exchanged their own collection of offerings for a unified collection from a single provider.
It saved us a lot of money. And as we transition our legacy media company to a leaner, digital-oriented company we need to find any savings we can, especially those that spare us other, more painful cuts. We hope you find new favourites among these new puzzles and features.
We continue to work very hard to create a newspaper you continue to find worth subscribing to. I hope you change your mind.
Rob
Emily and Henry: Not Adieu but Au Revoir
I have also been in touch with Emily and Henry who seem to have been equally blindsided by this move by the National Post. I am sure they will not mind if I share some of their remarks with readers:
What's New At Big Dave's Crossword Blog
We saw the last DT Cryptic published by the National Post in the Friday, October 13, 2022 edition of the paper. It was DT 30005 which had appeared in The Daily Telegraph on Saturday, June 4, 2022. Those of you switching your source of puzzles to The Daily Telegraph will find yourself at DT 30120 which was published by the DT on Monday of this week.A lot happened at Big Dave's Crossword Blog between June and October. In late August a bit of drama occurred when a reader took exception to the tone of some comments directed toward him by Miffypops. Some senior reviewers supported the reader's position and called out Miffypops resulting in Miffypops deciding to leave the blogging team followed by a few other bloggers in sympathy with him. This occasioned a shakeup in blogging assignments.
Expect to find pommers and myself sharing responsibility for Monday reviews, Mr K has moved to Thursday with a new blogger, Twmbarlwm, replacing him, the 2Kiwis retain their Wednesday slot, Senf has replaced Deep Threat on Friday, and crypticsue is now handling the hints on Saturday while continuing to split reviewing duty for that puzzle with Rahmat Ali.
Notes on This Week's Puzzles
Publication date
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Puzzle number
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Setter
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Monday, October 17, 2022 | DT 30120 |
Campbell (Allan Scott) |
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Link to review
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Reviewer
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Difficulty
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Enjoyment
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DT 30120 – Review | Falcon | ★★★ | ★★★ |
Across
1a Robber /in/ gang, Italian (6)
12a Jellyfish // petrifying woman (6)
21a Tension /caused by/ lover hiding note (6)
Some Brits appear to have had trouble with this clue, likely since, in the UK, the anglicized spelling me for this musical note seems to be more prevalent than the Italian spelling mi with which we are familiar in North America. |
23a Daily, one's mother /makes/ personal appeal (8)
26a Member of the clergy, // American patriot, approaching North Dakota (8)
Down
5d Duck taken by each female // thief (3,4)
The word duck in the wordplay might mislead UK solvers who are
apt to interpret it as a cricket term. In British puzzles, "duck" is
commonly used to
indicate the letter "O" based on the resemblance of the digit "0" to
this letter. In cricket, a duck[5] (short for duck's egg) is a batsman’s score of nought [zero] ⇒ he was out for a duck. This is similar to the North American expression goose egg[5] meaning a zero score in a game. |
6d Snare // wild ones crossing over (5)
15d Performer, // stripper, removing top after short time (3-6)
If you peruse the comments on Big Dave's Crossword Blog, you will find that some readers were rather shocked by what happens in the back rooms of strip clubs. |
17d Object // the Parisian found under lorry (7)
Publication date
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Puzzle number
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Setter
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Tuesday, October 18, 2022 | DT 30121 | Anthony Plumb (Unconfirmed) | |||
Link to review
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Reviewer
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Difficulty
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Enjoyment
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DT 30121 – Review | Twmbarlwm | ★★ | ★★★★ |
Across
1a Athletes who get the highest // value petrol annoyed with Shell initially (4-8)
12a Fool European maiden by holding large // meeting (8)
13a Hard interrupting Italian novelist, editor // reflected (6)
15a Egg on sandwiches Mussolini, perhaps, // made (8)
18a Old fogey // ruins a do, dancing (8)
Notable quote: "I object most strongly to dinosaurs being equated with old fogeys. The dinosaurs dominated our planet for some 200 million years and finally disappeared through no fault of their own. I cannot see the human race getting anywhere near such an achievement." (Grammarian on Big Dave's Crossword Blog) |
19a Feature // a page penned by religious school (6)
26a This writer is one day behind rear of coconut // shy (5)
Shy[5]
is a dated term meaning (as a noun) an act of flinging or throwing
something at a target or (as a verb) to fling or throw (something) at a
target ⇒ he tore the spectacles off and shied them at her. |
27d Ford maybe // parking next to hotel guest (9)
Down
1d Meaty food -- // this might go on one's crumpet (4,3)
In the surface reading, crumpet[16B] refers to a light soft yeast cake full of small holes on the top side, eaten toasted and buttered which is popular in Britain. They somewhat resemble English muffins but are made from batter rather than dough. |
2d Actress, say, removing soft // coat (5)
4d In jail, guard picked up // something to eat (4)
5d Tense about a certain // prize (8)
6d Journey around grand // upland area (5)
22d Loaded // gun's first removed from convict hideout (5)
both old lags were sentenced to ten years' imprisonment.
Publication date
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Puzzle number
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Setter
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Wednesday, October 19, 2022 | DT 30122 | Unknown | |||
Link to review
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Reviewer
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Difficulty
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Enjoyment
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DT 30122 – Review | 2Kiwis | ★★★ | ★★★ |
Across
1a Believer // a bit wet? Not the fellow being imprisoned (10)
Wet[5] is an informal British term meaning (as an adjective) showing a lack of forcefulness or strength of character ⇒ they thought the cadets were a bit wetor (as a noun) a person exhibiting such characteristics ⇒ there are sorts who look like gangsters and sorts who look like wets. In British political circles, the name wet[5] is applied to a Conservative with liberal tendencies ⇒ the wets favoured a change in economic policy. It is a term that was frequently used by former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher for those to the left of her in the British Conservative Party [which must have been just about everyone]. |
6a Desdemona's husband maybe /in/ a desolate place (4)
15a Saw // agent dressed in brown (6)
16a A gee-gee pinned by the German // weapon (6)
Gee-gee[5] (in children's use or in racehorse betting) is an informal British term for a horse ⇒ (i) Even as the wrapping paper was ripped off, he worried whether his choice of choo-choos over gee-gees was the right one; (ii) Betters can also wager on other major sports, including golf, tennis and rugby, as well as the gee-gees. |
20a Country // almost liberated with introduction of political party? (6)
Down
1d I am upset, your setter? // I am speechless! (4)
2d Heads? // Crazy people (4)
4d One using brain is engaged by boffin // who works in the lab? (15)
7d Like mode of transport // traversing sporting venue? (10)
a football ground; (ii)
Liverpool’s new ground is nearing completion.
13d Short period imbibing champagne substitute /that's/ more flavoursome? (7)
14d Guards // so large doing turns (7)
20d Repair // fine kitchen vessel without its lid (6)
23d Garment // is taken up for a queen to wear (4)
Publication date
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Puzzle number
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Setter
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Thursday, October 20, 2022 | DT 30123 | silvanus | |||
Link to review
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Reviewer
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Difficulty
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Enjoyment
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DT 30123 – Review | Mr K | ★★★★ | ★★★★ |
Across
9a Airline service cross about // supposedly unmissable target? (4,4)
10a Skill /of/ primarily kind old doctor in Cumbrian area (4-3)
11a Greek character visits second // gravestone, possibly (8)
12 Little old man retired, lacking in desire (6)
15a Rum, maybe /from/ Italy, son left half-finished (4)
m 1991; one s one d.
16a Entering southern strait, Norman occasionally /is/ sleepy (9)
21a Got a load of // fish, we're told (4)
24a Issue // anaesthetic (6)
27a Caught golfer /making/ embarrassing error (7)
the minister had dropped a massive political clanger*.
* To drop a clanger[10] means to make a very embarrassing mistake.
28a Took over from // daughter behind console (8)
Henry m. Georgina 1957, 1s 2d.
Down
2d Tripe // small number in Essex noshed regularly (8)
you do talk tripe sometimes.
* "Formally", tripe is the first or second stomach of a cow or other ruminant used as food.
5d PM over /in/ Irish county (4)
7d Understands it's stated patient individual /requires/ cosmetic surgery (4,3)
In dealing with this series of difficult circumstances, she displayed the patience of Job.
11d City // Spice Girl barely missed (9)
14d Prime student to limit pressure before American // exam (6-4)
18 Respectful // First Lady has tear succeeding Republican (8)
* not to mention Seth and her other sons and daughters [Gen 5:4]
19d Cook recipe accessed by upper-class // gourmet (7)
U manners.
20d Play /and/ series of books attracting magazine (7)
Publication date
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Puzzle number
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Setter
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Friday, October 21, 2022 | DT 30124 | proXimal (Steve Bartlett) | |||
Link to review
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Reviewer
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Difficulty
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Enjoyment
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DT 30124 – Review | Senf | ★★★/★★★★ | ★★★/★★★★ |
Across
1a King having // coronation (8)
The regnal ciphers (monograms) of British monarchs are initials formed from the Latin version of their first name followed by either Rex or Regina (Latin for king or queen, respectively). Thus, the regnal cipher of King Charles is CR[5] – from the Latin Carolus Rex if tradition be followed. However, the Royal Mint is issuing coins with the inscription Charles III so perhaps Latin really is a dead language (or half-dead language) and King Charles will be known as Charles Rex.
5a Decline // accompanying soldiers in retreat (6)
11a Superhuman removing leader // of ancient people (5)
12a Simple // game with short cue (6)
13a Neighbourhood // against chains being put on little space (8)
22a Perhaps Poirot's // man given many tasks (8)
26a Bung // kid stuck in empty bottle (5)
In the surface reading, bung[16B] denotes a stopper, especially of cork or rubber, for a cask, piece of laboratory glassware, etc. |
27a Fellow nurses worn-out // continued at length (7,2)
28a Overindulge /in/ Greek island group (6)
My mother indulges the children dreadfully.Thus, overindulge[2] must mean to pamper or spoil someone excessively.
29a Good man eyed new // moon (8)
[a] Collins English to Spanish Dictionary
I will return later with the Down clues.
Publication date
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Puzzle number
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Setter
|
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Saturday, October 22, 2022 | DT 30125 | {TBD} | |||
Link to review
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Reviewer
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Difficulty
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Enjoyment
|
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DT 30125 – Hints DT 30125 – Review |
{TBD} | {★★★★★} | {★★★★★} |
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. |
Commentary on the Saturday puzzle will be added later.
Symbols and Markup Conventions | |
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Click here for further explanation and usage examples of the symbols and markup conventions used on this blog. |
References
Key to Reference Sources:
Good morning to you Falcon and to the rest of the Saturday morning cryptic club of former National Post subscribers. The new NP puzzles are rubbish. But the news from Emily and Henry is very welcome. I subscribed (see 1d in today's DT) to the DT and am doing the daily puzzles online. I found this past week's selection to be quite tough. I did not take notes so I don't have anything in particular to highlight. I'll try to do so in the coming weeks. I hope everyone is still with us and is keeping well.
ReplyDeletePeter
Sal has posted a comment this morning but he left it on the other blog entry. I've taken the liberty of posting a copy here:
ReplyDeleteFalcon, I hope you know how much pleasure your blog has given. And C&R of course. I will not buy the NP any more, after having dropped the OC for the same reason several years ago. I guess I'll give the G&M a try and look for the DT on line. Farewell fellow bloggers. Sal.
Good day Falcon and friends,
ReplyDeleteIn case you missed it, there is a Cox and Rathvon puzzle posted on the WSJ today and it is free! Here is the link: https://s.wsj.net/public/resources/documents/SatPuz10222022.pdf
MG
Hi, MG. This link is great! Thank you.
DeleteI also wanted to say that I am honoured to have shared a love of mountain stories and a mutual MAC experience with you ( congratulations on your additional degrees - always a significant life accomplishment ) and I wish you all the best. I certainly related to your "farewell" message where you talked about carrying the C&R paper puzzle around all week with you as you mastered the language of cryptics; I did exactly the same. I don't know that I will get there with the DT ones but I will try. In the meantime, let's hope that we will have a wonderful reunion when C&R launch their website.
Take care and all my very best.
Heather
I too have subscribed to the online version, need to get myself a working printer, much prefer a paper copy than a little screen. And as a bonus I get the quick crossword as well
ReplyDeleteGoodness, this is disappointing. I can only hope for a happy ending from Emily and Henry.
ReplyDeleteGood Sunday morning to everyone from a soon to be rainy NYC.
ReplyDeleteFalcon, thank you for keeping the light on here and the thorough updates.
While we anxiously await the launch of C&R's website, I have a few thoughts and questions.
I haven't as yet given the DT cryptics a go. As a threshold matter, I didn't see how to print the puzzle once I accessed it through PressReader. Any suggestions?
I have taken to solving the Sunday cryptic in the Guardian which is set each week by Everyman. It's available at no cost online. His puzzles seem to be generally accessible to we non-Brits. Any thoughts on how his cryptics compare to the DT's? Which has the steeper learning curve for us non-Brits?
My best to all,
Richard
Richard,
DeleteGlad to see you haven't deserted us.
Re printing from Pressreader, here is what I do:
These instructions are for a PC (Apple may differ)
Note: In the original posting of this comment (which I have deleted and hope you didn't see), I mixed up the left and right mouse buttons.
Position the puzzle so all of it is visible on screen (left click on the puzzle once or twice to enlarge the image -- it may or may not take two clicks, subsequent clicks toggle the size larger and smaller; press and hold the left mouse button and drag the puzzle to a different position if necessary; F11 toggles full screen mode which also helps; you can also increase and decrease the size of the image with the scroll wheel on the mosue);
Right click on the puzzle and a menu window opens;
Select Print and another menu window opens;
Select Print Custom Area and a selection indicator appears (green dotted outline);
Drag the two round dots in the corners so the box outlines the area you want to print;
Click the green print button (upper right corner) and a Print window opens;
If necessary, make any desired selections and click the green Print button;
You are now in your normal local printer process
Let me know if this works for you.
Re Everyman:
Following a bit of sleuthing, I have been able to determine that Everyman is not the pseudonym of a single setter but an identity assumed by whoever currently sets the Everyman puzzle. The puzzle appears in The Observer, the Sunday sister paper to The Guardian (which publishes Monday through Saturday). However, you will find the Everyman puzzle on The Guardian website.
Here is what I have pieced together about Everyman from various sources:
The Everyman crossword in The Observer goes back as far as 1945. It has been set by various people over the years, including none other than the great D.S. MacNutt (aka Ximenes) whose book The Art of the Crossword is a must-read for all cruciverbalists.
Dorothy Taylor, who died in 2009, aged 98, was for 30 years compiler of the Everyman crossword, a task that she shared with her friend and colleague Alec Robins.
Allan Scott (aka Ascot in The Times, The Spectator and The Listener), Falcon in the Financial Times and Campbell in Toughie crosswords in The Daily Telegraph) began setting the Everyman crossword in 1994. He apparently was still setting them in April 2013 when he posted a comment on Big Dave's Crossword Blog as Everyman.
From January 2019, I found the following report: "Most recently the setter of the Everyman Crossword has been Colin Gumbrell ... Sadly I hear that Colin has been forced by ill health to stop composing crossword puzzles. I’m told that the 20th January [2019] puzzle (No. 3771) is to be his last."
I have not been able to determine who currently sets the Everyman puzzle.
On Cryptipedia (Click here), you can find a listing of British cryptic crossword puzzles with difficulty ratings, as well as other information such as whether access is free or by subscription and links to the puzzles and reviews.
It rates the Sunday Everyman puzzle as Easy, the weekday Guardian puzzles (various setters) as Easy-hard and The Daily Telegraph Cryptic Crossword (various setters) as Easy/medium.
The difficulty level of the Cryptic Crossword in The Daily Telegraph roughly increases from Monday to Friday. Allan Scott (Campbell), a former setter of the Everyman puzzle, sets the Monday puzzle and his puzzles are generally at the lower end of the difficulty scale. I share reviewing duty for his puzzles on Big Dave's Crossword Blog and find that it is not uncommon for him to use North American terms in his puzzles (great for me but such references sometimes baffle British solvers).