Puzzle at a Glance
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Puzzle number in The Daily Telegraph
DT 29309 | |
Publication date in The Daily Telegraph
Thursday, March 12, 2020 | |
Setter
Unknown | |
Link to full review
Big Dave's Crossword Blog [DT 29309]
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Big Dave's Crossword Blog review written by
Kath | |
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
For some reason, this puzzle gave me more trouble than I have experienced in a very long time. I guess I just didn't get on the setter's wavelength. I needed a lot of electronic assistance to finish.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 | Female // arts graduate backing the learner (6) |
"learner " = 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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| 5a | Greedy // pig, not very good, harsh (8) |
Pi[5] is an informal British short form for pious.
| 9a | High-church type // acting, affected with alcohol (5-8) |
An Anglo-Catholic[5] is a member of an Anglo-Catholic Church*.
* Anglo-Catholicism[5] is a tradition within the Anglican Church which is close to Catholicism in its doctrine and worship and is broadly identified with High Church Anglicanism. As a movement, Anglo-Catholicism grew out of the Oxford Movement of the 1830s and 1840s. The Oxford Movement was a Christian movement started in Oxford in 1833, seeking to restore traditional Catholic teachings and ceremonial within the Church of England. It formed the basis of the present Anglo-Catholic (or High Church) tradition.
| 10a | Lost colour, // with need to be changed (8) |
| 11a | Make connection with // mug at Oxford? (4,2) |
Mug[10] is British slang for a person's face or mouth ⇒
get your ugly mug out of here!.
Dial[5] is an informal British term for a person's face ⇒
he must be one of the new batch—I haven't seen his dial before.
In British English, up[5] means at or to a university, especially Oxford or Cambridge ⇒
they were up at Cambridge about the same time.
| 12a | Men wanting a not-half clever // person to give advice (6) |
"men " = OR [other ranks]
In the British armed forces, the term other ranks[5] (abbreviation OR[5]) refers to all those who are not commissioned officers.
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In the British armed forces, the term other ranks[5] (abbreviation OR[5]) refers to all those who are not commissioned officers.
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| 14a | What could be mooniest // feelings (8) |
| 16a | Weapon // something frightening almost? I'm having it locked up (8) |
In her review on Big Dave's Crossword Blog, Kath tells us that we need "the first four of a five letter adjective meaning frightening" (i.e., SCARY). However, her parsing fails to take into account the word "something". Therefore, I think what we really need is the first four of a five letter noun meaning 'something frightening' (i.e., SCARE).
A scimitar[5] is a short sword with a curved blade that broadens towards the point, used originally in Eastern countries.
| 19a | Pleasant // information I presented to US gangster? (6) |
Gen[5] is an informal British term for information ⇒
you’ve got more gen on him than we have.
"US gangster " = AL [Al Capone]
Al Capone[5] (1899–1947), nicknamed Scarface, was an American gangster of Italian descent. He dominated organized crime in Chicago in the 1920s and was indirectly responsible for many murders, including the St Valentine’s Day Massacre* .
* The St Valentine's Day Massacre[5] was the shooting on 14th February 1929 of seven members of the rival ‘Bugsy’ Moran's gang by some of Al Capone's men disguised as policemen.
Capone[7] was born in Brooklyn (New York) and began his life of crime in New York City before moving to Chicago. Capone inadvertently insulted a woman while working the door at a Brooklyn night club and was slashed by her brother Frank Gallucio. The wounds led to the nickname that Capone loathed: "Scarface". Capone's boss, racketeer Frankie Yale, insisted that Capone apologize to Gallucio, and later Capone hired him as a bodyguard. When photographed, Capone hid the scarred left side of his face, saying that the injuries were war wounds. Capone was called "Snorky", a term for a sharp dresser, by his closest friends.
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Al Capone[5] (1899–1947), nicknamed Scarface, was an American gangster of Italian descent. He dominated organized crime in Chicago in the 1920s and was indirectly responsible for many murders, including the St Valentine’s Day Massacre* .
* The St Valentine's Day Massacre[5] was the shooting on 14th February 1929 of seven members of the rival ‘Bugsy’ Moran's gang by some of Al Capone's men disguised as policemen.
Capone[7] was born in Brooklyn (New York) and began his life of crime in New York City before moving to Chicago. Capone inadvertently insulted a woman while working the door at a Brooklyn night club and was slashed by her brother Frank Gallucio. The wounds led to the nickname that Capone loathed: "Scarface". Capone's boss, racketeer Frankie Yale, insisted that Capone apologize to Gallucio, and later Capone hired him as a bodyguard. When photographed, Capone hid the scarred left side of his face, saying that the injuries were war wounds. Capone was called "Snorky", a term for a sharp dresser, by his closest friends.
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| 21a | Keeps away from // keen son, concealing love (6) |
"love " = O [nil score in tennis]
In tennis, squash, and some other sports, love[5] is a score of zero or nil ⇒
Although folk etymology has connected the word with French l'oeuf 'egg', from the resemblance in shape between an egg and a zero, the term apparently comes from the phrase play for love (i.e. the love of the game, not for money).
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In tennis, squash, and some other sports, love[5] is a score of zero or nil ⇒
love fifteen. The resemblance of a zero written as a numeral (0) to the letter O leads to the cryptic crossword convention of the word "love" being used to clue this letter.
Although folk etymology has connected the word with French l'oeuf 'egg', from the resemblance in shape between an egg and a zero, the term apparently comes from the phrase play for love (i.e. the love of the game, not for money).
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| 23a | New unit established by Welsh woman // in African city? (8) |
Siân[7] (also Sian, Shahn) is a Welsh feminine given name, equivalent to the English Jane, Scottish Sheena or Irish Siobhán. It means “gift of God” or "God is merciful".
While the dictionary tells us that the adjective Tunisian[5] denotes relating to or characteristic of the North African country of Tunisia or its people, I expect that it can also mean relating to or characteristic of the city of Tunis* or its natives or inhabitants..
| 25a | Odd men out, sirs sadly // taken amiss (13) |
| 26a | Port // boozer knocked back after ten, getting drunk (8) |
An entrepôt[5] is a port, city, or other centre to which goods are brought for import and export, and for collection and distribution.
| 27a | Sailor returning home, good // sailor (6) |
Rating[5] is a British term for a non-commissioned sailor in the navy ⇒
the rest of the new crew was made up of naval ratings.
Origin: So named from the position or rating held by a sailor, recorded on a ship's books.
Down
| 2d | Girl /in/ early race -- that's the girl? (7) |
| 3d | Entertaining // match? (5) |
| 4d | A spot in which you'll see navy chaps // dressing up (9) |
"navy " = RN [Royal Navy]
The Royal Navy[5] (abbreviation RN) is the British navy. It was the most powerful navy in the world from the 17th century until the Second World War.
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The Royal Navy[5] (abbreviation RN) is the British navy. It was the most powerful navy in the world from the 17th century until the Second World War.
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"chaps " = MEN
Chap[3,4,11] is an informal British[5] or chiefly British[3] term for a man or boy — although a term that is certainly not uncommon in Canada. It is a shortened form of chapman[3,4,11], an archaic term for a trader, especially an itinerant pedlar[a,b].
[a] Pedlar is the modern British spelling of peddler[14] which, in most senses, is considered by the Brits to be a US or old-fashioned British spelling. The exception is in the sense of a dealer in illegal drugs which the Brits spell as drug peddler.
[b] The current meaning of chap[2] dates from the 18th century. In the 16th century, chap meant 'a customer'. The dictionaries do not explain how a shortened form of 'chapman' (pedlar) came to mean 'customer'.
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Chap[3,4,11] is an informal British[5] or chiefly British[3] term for a man or boy — although a term that is certainly not uncommon in Canada. It is a shortened form of chapman[3,4,11], an archaic term for a trader, especially an itinerant pedlar[a,b].
[a] Pedlar is the modern British spelling of peddler[14] which, in most senses, is considered by the Brits to be a US or old-fashioned British spelling. The exception is in the sense of a dealer in illegal drugs which the Brits spell as drug peddler.
[b] The current meaning of chap[2] dates from the 18th century. In the 16th century, chap meant 'a customer'. The dictionaries do not explain how a shortened form of 'chapman' (pedlar) came to mean 'customer'.
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| 5d | Terrible greed that consumes an // important person (7) |
A grandee[5] is specifically a Spanish or Portuguese nobleman of the highest rank or, more generally, any person of high rank or eminence ⇒
several City grandees and eminent lawyers.
| 6d | A Greek character proved ultimately /to be/ a pest (5) |
Phi[5] is the twenty-first letter of the Greek alphabet (Φ, φ).
| 7d | Everyone housed in home, one with a name /and/ in classical style (9) |
Pad[5] is an informal term for a person's home ⇒
the police raided my pad.
Palladian[5] is an architectural term that means relating to or denoting the neoclassical style of Andrea Palladio, in particular with reference to the phase of English architecture from c.1715, when there was a revival of interest in Palladio* and his English follower, Inigo Jones, and a reaction against the baroque.
* Andrea Palladio[5] (1508 – 1580) was an Italian architect. He led a revival of classical architecture, in particular promoting the Roman ideals of harmonic proportions and symmetrical planning. A notable example of his many villas, palaces, and churches is the church of San Giorgio Maggiore in Venice.
| 8d | Against upsetting performance /in/ part of church service (7) |
A turn[5] is 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.
In the Roman Catholic Church, nocturn[5] is a part of matins* originally said at night.
* Matins[5,10] is the first of the seven canonical hours of prayer, originally observed at or after midnight but now often recited with lauds [morning prayer] at daybreak.
| 13d | Official // order given to young lady in vehicle (9) |
"order " = OM [Order of Merit]
The Order of Merit[7] (abbreviation OM[5]) is a dynastic order recognising distinguished service in the armed forces, science, art, literature, or for the promotion of culture. Established in 1902 by King Edward VII, admission into the order remains the personal gift of its Sovereign, the reigning monarch of the Commonwealth realms, and is limited to 24 living recipients at one time from these countries plus a limited number of honorary members. The current membership includes one Canadian (former Prime Minister Jean Chrétien).
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The Order of Merit[7] (abbreviation OM[5]) is a dynastic order recognising distinguished service in the armed forces, science, art, literature, or for the promotion of culture. Established in 1902 by King Edward VII, admission into the order remains the personal gift of its Sovereign, the reigning monarch of the Commonwealth realms, and is limited to 24 living recipients at one time from these countries plus a limited number of honorary members. The current membership includes one Canadian (former Prime Minister Jean Chrétien).
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| 15d | Fixer /of/ musical instrument is getting particular note right (9) |
E[5] is the third note of the diatonic scale of C major.
A fixer[5] is a person who makes arrangements for other people, especially of an illicit or devious kind.
| 17d | The first person to turn up in Irish town, // someone from the distant past? (7) |
Cavan[5] is a town in the north of the Republic of Ireland, the county town of County Cavan.
| 18d | Once again deal with // hiding place (7) |
Retreat[2] (or re-retreat) means to treat again.
| 20d | A gang operating /in/ ditch (7) |
| 22d | Dawn /gets/ boy out of bed, we hear (5) |
Sunup (a variant spelling of sun-up[14]) is a US term for sunrise. As might be expected, the unindicated use of a US term draws attention on Big Dave's Crossword Blog (see Comment #6).
| 24d | Sturdy // person like George or David maybe on strike (5) |
Saint George[7] is the patron saint of England and Saint David[7] is the patron saint of Wales.
Key to Reference Sources:
[1] - The Chambers Dictionary, 11th Edition
[2] - Search Chambers - (Chambers 21st Century Dictionary)
[3] - TheFreeDictionary.com (American Heritage Dictionary)
[4] - TheFreeDictionarycom (Collins English Dictionary)
[5] - Lexico (formerly Oxford Dictionaries Online) (Oxford Dictionary of English)
[6] - Lexico (formerly Oxford Dictionaries Online) (Oxford Advanced American Dictionary)
[7] - Wikipedia
[8] - Reverso Online Dictionary (Collins French-English Dictionary)
[9] - Infoplease (Random House Unabridged Dictionary)
[10] - CollinsDictionary.com (Collins English Dictionary)
[11] - TheFreeDictionary.com (Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary)
[12] - CollinsDictionary.com (Webster’s New World College Dictionary)
[13] - MacmillanDictionary.com (Macmillan Dictionary)
[14] - CollinsDictionary.com (COBUILD Advanced English Dictionary)
Signing off for today — Falcon
