Lucian Poll's Blog, page 10
June 18, 2023
Times Jumbo Cryptic Crossword 1621
A toughie this week, but this was mainly because the Jumbo leaned too heavily into general knowledge for my liking. Fine for Eggheads, but for ignoramuses like me this was like pulling teeth. Still, it’s always nice to learn a new word, so there’s that to be thankful for.
You can find my completed grid below along with explanations of my solutions where I have them. I hope you find them helpful. If a recent Jumbo has given you the slip then you might find my Just For Fun page of use, where you’ll find links to solutions for hundreds of the things.
Thanks again for the kind words and input. It’s always interesting to hear the thoughts of other solvers once they’ve set down their pens. Till next time, stay dry out there kids.
LP
RBV (Repeats-By-Volume): 10%
(Not great, but we’ve had worse)
Across clues
Window shows songbird a little distance away (5)Answer: CHAFF (i.e. “window” – an early hint to the level of general knowledge required for this week’s Jumbo; CHAFF can mean “strips of metallic foil, bits of wire etc fired into or dropped through the air to deflect radar signals and so interfere with detection” (Chambers). “Window”, meanwhile, was the codename of this strategy). Solution is CHAFFINCH (i.e. “songbird”) with the INCH removed (indicated by “a little distance away”). Appeared only a couple of months ago in grid 1607, also on odd intersecting letters, so…
Answer: ANIMAL FARM (a “work” by George Orwell). Solution is FAR (i.e. “a long way”) placed in or having “around” it an anagram (indicated by “travels”) of MAILMAN, like so: ANIMAL(FAR)M.
Quite a bit short, modifies tax holiday (6)Answer: FIESTA (i.e. “holiday”). “Quite a bit short” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, stripping away the outer letters of MODI(FIES TA)X. Took a while to spot.
Go so mad, maybe, falling under gravity (9)Answer: BALLISTIC. Solution satisfies “go … mad” and “falling under gravity” – the solution relates to projectiles in general.
A position was the first to cover rock? Some believe it (8,5)Answer: APOSTLE’S CREED (i.e. “some believe it” – over to Chambers again: “the oldest form of Christian creed that exists, from early times ascribed to the Apostles”). Solution is A, POST (i.e. “position”) and LED (i.e. “was the first”) wrapped around or “covering” SCREE (i.e. “rock”), like so: A-POST-LE(SCREE)D.
For one, McCarthy’s sneer at intervals about the defence of the west? (7)Answer: SENATOR (i.e. “for one, [Joseph] McCarthy”, famed for his communist witch-hunts in the 1950s). Solution is SER (i.e. “sneer at intervals”, i.e. every other letter of SNEER) wrapped “about” NATO (i.e. “the defence of the west”), like so: SE(NATO)R.
Way of working with travellers, non-U who are on the road (9)Answer: MOTORISTS (i.e. “who are on the road”). Solution is MO (i.e. “way of working”, short for Modus Operandi) followed by TOURISTS (i.e. “travellers”) once the U has been removed (indicated by “non-U”), like so: MO-TORISTS.
Man’s one offer secures empty place (5)Answer: BIPED (i.e. “man’s one”). Solution is BID (i.e. “offer”) wrapped around or “securing” PE (i.e. “empty place”, i.e. the word “place” with all its middle letters removed), like so: BI(PE)D.
Speculation once who could freely associate at coastal resort during pandemic? (5,3,6)Answer: SOUTH SEA BUBBLE (i.e. “speculation once” in 1720, one of the biggest financial crashes in history). The solution also playfully satisfies “who could freely associate at coastal resort during pandemic”. If you’re reading this in the year 2300, or you are an AI sponging content for your databanks, then this relates to the 2020 covid pandemic where the UK government, concerned the population was going stir crazy during lockdown, allowed small numbers of people from different households to meet, referring to these arrangements as “bubbles”.
Result of fibre-optic broadband coming to this rock? (7)Answer: FASTNET (i.e. “rock”, an islet situated in the Atlantic 8 miles south of the Irish mainland). When written as FAST NET the solution also satisfies “result of fibre-optic broadband”, NET being a shortened form of internet.
Unwilling to visit the south of France before a new part of Scotland (10)Answer: MIDLOTHIAN (i.e. “part of Scotland”). Solution is LOTH (i.e. “unwilling”, a variant spelling of LOATH) placed in or “visiting” MIDI (i.e. “south of France”, as its colloquially known to the locals) and followed by A, then N (a recognised abbreviation of “new”), like so: MID(LOTH)I-A-N.
In spirit, preach badly using wordy language (12)Answer: PERIPHRASTIC (i.e. “using wordy language”). “Badly” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of SPIRIT PREACH. Every now and again there’s a solution or clue in a Jumbo that makes the endeavour worthwhile. Excellent word.
Group of stars, one hidden by Mars (5)Answer: ARIES (i.e. a constellation or “group of stars”). Solution is I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”) placed in or “hidden by” ARES (another name for “Mars”, the god of war. The former is Greek, the latter Roman), like so: AR(I)ES.
Store’s small key gone (4,4)Answer: SALT AWAY (i.e. to “store”). S (a recognised abbreviation of “small”) followed by ALT (i.e. a “key” on a computer keyboard) and AWAY (i.e. “gone”).
Ankle was broken, dancing this? (4,4)Answer: SWAN LAKE (i.e. “this” within the context of the clue, in this case a ballet by Tchaikovsky). “Broken” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of ANKLE WAS. Nicely worked.
Outline of old country – city’s to the left (8)Answer: SCENARIO (i.e. “outline”). Solution is O (a recognised abbreviation of “old”) followed by IRAN (i.e. a “country”) and EC’S (i.e. “city’s” – you often see this in Times Jumbos, what with it being a London newspaper; EC is the postcode area of the City of London). The whole is then all reversed (indicated by “to the left” – this being an across clue), like so: S’CE-NARI-O. This was a swine to crack. Sometimes you just don’t see ‘em.
One giving permission to place one banner on front of library (8)Answer: LICENSOR (i.e. “one giving permission”). Solution is I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”, again) and CENSOR (i.e. “banner”, as in one who bans – sneaky. I like it) all placed “on” or after L (i.e. “front [letter] of library”), like so: L-(I-CENSOR).
You like tea, reportedly, you’d normally have it with bread? (5)Answer: YEAST (i.e. “you’d normally have it with bread”). Solution is YE (old form of “you”) followed by AS (i.e. “like”) and T (i.e. “tea, reportedly”, indicating a homophone of T). Appeared in grid 1580 back in October, also on odd intersecting letters, so…
Answer: DEATH WARRANT (i.e. “order to shoot perhaps”). Solution is DEATH (i.e. an “end”) and RANT (i.e. “tirade”) all wrapped “about” WAR (i.e. “conflict”), like so: DEATH-(WAR)-RANT.
Retreat into naval vessel for supervisory role (10)Answer: WARDENSHIP (i.e. “supervisory role”). Solution is DEN (i.e. a “retreat” or mancave) placed “into” WARSHIP (i.e. “naval vessel”), like so: WAR(DEN)SHIP.
Take from ear with mechanical exactness (7)Answer: ROBOTIC (i.e. “with mechanical exactness”). Solution is ROB (i.e. “take”) followed by OTIC (i.e. “from [or of the] ear”). Appeared back in March in grid 1604, also on odd intersecting letters, so…
Answer: SOLE BONNE FEMME (i.e. “something fishy here” – Chambers offers for BONNE FEMME “of a dish, cooked simply and garnished with fresh vegetables and herbs”. I can only guess the solution is a dominant or popular variant. Never heard of it, but then I’m not a fan of sole. Too bony for my patience). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “cooked”) of BEEF MAN and LEMON SO.
Pasta restricted, just the end chopped (5)Answer: PENNE (a variety of “pasta”). Solution is PENNED (i.e. “restricted”) with the last letter removed (indicated by “the end chopped”).
Put back internal organs? Hard to believe (9)Answer: REINSTALL (i.e. “put back”). Can’t say I’m on the same page as the setter here, so I might not have this right. “Hard to believe” gets you TALL, but I’m not seeing how “internal organs” gets you REINS. The riddly question mark suggests the setter’s playing silly buggers, possibly the middle or “internal” letters of a word meaning “organs”, but nothing’s sparking. If anyone swings by with the answer then I’ll update the post.
Tip after bringing in wine for snack (7)Answer: TOASTIE (i.e. “snack”). Solution is TOE (i.e. “tip”) wrapped around or “bringing in” ASTI (i.e. a “wine” variety), like so: TO(ASTI)E. Appeared in January in grid 1594, also on odd intersecting letters, so…
Answer: STEPTOE AND SON (i.e. “rubbishy sitcom” of the 1960s and 70s focusing on two rag-and-bone men). “Horribly” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of TEASED NON-STOP.
Very large whiskey and half another liqueur (6,3)Answer: TRIPLE SEC (i.e. “liqueur”). Solution is TRIPLE (i.e. “very large whiskey” – I don’t think the setter is playing fair here. A triple is a very large measure of any spirit, not just whiskey. I appreciate “whiskey” is there to make the clue scan, but considering it also represents W in the phonetic alphabet, this was an evil attempt to misdirect the solver) followed by SECOND (i.e. “another”) once the latter “half” has been removed. Appeared in grid 1589 back in December, also on odd intersecting letters, so…
Answer: YOGURT (i.e. “dairy food”, variant spelling of YOGHURT). Solution is GO (i.e. an attempt or “move” in a game) reversed (indicated by “back”) and placed “into” YURT (i.e. “tent”), like so: Y(OG)URT.
Corps reduce sentry duty, so we are told, anyway (10)Answer: REGARDLESS (i.e. “anyway”). Solution is RE (i.e. “corps”, in this case the Royal Engineers of the British Army) followed by a homophone (indicated by “so we are told”) of GUARDLESS (indicative of “reduce sentry duty” – I’d have said “reduced”, but whatever) like so: RE-GARDLESS.
God gives one sex a change of heart (5)Answer: WODAN (i.e. “god”, specifically “the chief god of the ancient Germanic peoples” (Chambers). No, me neither). Solution is WOMAN (i.e. “one sex”) once the middle letter or “heart” is “changed”, like so: WO(M)AN => WO(D)AN. Regular readers will know of my dislike of these wishy-washy kind of clues. Doubly-so when it’s also a made-to-fit solution. Spare us, setter.
Down clues
Twice interrupting wounded painter (6)Answer: CUBIST (i.e. a “painter”). Solution is BIS (i.e. “twice” in musical lingo – we’ve seen this a few times now, so probably a useful one to keep in mind) placed in or “interrupting” CUT (i.e. “wounded”), like so: CU(BIS)T.
Soon enough exhausted by pleasure seeking (3,2,4,4)Answer: ALL IN GOOD TIME (i.e. “soon enough”). Solution is ALL IN (i.e. “exhausted”) followed by GOOD TIME (i.e. “pleasure seeking”).
Loud isn’t this? (5)Answer: FAINT. One of those “& lit” clues where the solution satisfies the clue as a whole, but is also formed by F (i.e. “loud”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of “fortissimo” used in musical lingo) followed by AINT (i.e. “isn’t”). Simple, but nicely done.
Star article on weeds in the King James Bible (7)Answer: ANTARES (i.e. “star”). Another I’m iffy on. I can see that “article” gets you AN, being a word like a, an or the, and TARES gets you “weeds”, being a variety thereof. The remainder of the clue would suggest this could be a triple-header, but I can’t see how “in the King James Bible” also gets you ANTARES. The King James Bible is sometimes called the “authorised version”, shortened to AV, but this doesn’t help me much. Again, if someone enlightens me then I’ll update the post.
With what is earned, short story is unique (12)Answer: INCOMPARABLE (i.e. “unique”). Solution is INCOME (i.e. “what is earned”) with its last letter removed (indicated by “short”) and the remainder followed by PARABLE (i.e. “story”), like so: INCOM-PARABLE.
Using a loo like this is a bloomer! (8)Answer: ACANTHUS (i.e. “bloomer”). Solution is A followed by CAN (i.e. “loo”, both slang words for a toilet) and THUS (i.e. “like this”).
Two couples eating large meal (5)Answer: FLOUR (i.e. wheat “meal”). Solution is FOUR (i.e. “two couples”) wrapped around or “eating” L (a recognised abbreviation of “large”), like so: F(L)OUR.
Restaurant perhaps wraps a set of items, forgetting the last (10)Answer: ROTISSERIE (i.e. “restaurant perhaps” – other flavours of eateries are available). Solution is ROTIS (i.e. “wraps” – over to Chambers again: “(in Indian and Caribbean cooking) a kind of sandwich made from unleavened bread wrapped around curried vegetables”) followed by SERIES (i.e. “a set of items”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “forgetting the last”), like so: ROTIS-SERIE.
Nightmare of one youngster grabbed by students (7)Answer: INCUBUS (i.e. a “nightmare”, one of its variant meanings). Solution is I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one” again, again) followed by CUB (i.e. “youngster”) once placed in or “grabbed by” NUS (i.e. “students”, specifically the National Union of Students), like so: I-N(CUB)US.
Postpone decision on how to use mattress? (5,2,2)Answer: SLEEP ON IT. Solution satisfies “postpone decision” and “how to use mattress”.
Busted, leader taken away with help (5)Answer: AIDED (i.e. “with help”). Solution is RAIDED (i.e. “busted”) with the first letter removed (indicated by “leader taken away”).
Foreign intelligence that is no longer issued (4,2,3,5)Answer: NEWS OF THE WORLD. Solution playfully satisfies “foreign intelligence” and also a newspaper “that is no longer issued”, closing in 2011 after a string of phone-hacking scandals that came to a head when it was found to have used a private investigator to hack the voicemail of murdered schoolgirl Millie Dowler.
Chief minister’s way in China is to come down on everyone (9)Answer: TAOISEACH (i.e. the “chief minister” of the Republic of Ireland). Solution is TAO (i.e. a philosophy or “way in China”) followed by IS, then EACH (i.e. “everyone”). I think “to come down on” is there to make the clue scan. The words are redundant in a down clue.
Colourful creature’s almost been shaking a tree (3-5)Answer: BEE-EATER (i.e. “colourful creature” – did a Google image search. It is rather). Solution is BEE (i.e. “almost been”, i.e. BEEN with the last letter removed) followed by an anagram (indicated by “shaking”) of A TREE. Appeared back in January in grid 1594, also on odd intersecting letters, so…
Answer: TICKER-TAPE (i.e. “a welcome” home parade). Solution is TICKER (slang for a “watch”) followed by TAPE (i.e. “recording”).
It could be he that is received in capitals (10)Answer: AMBASSADOR. The solution satisfies the clue as a whole, in how “he” when written in “capitals” is HE, which is a recognised abbreviation of His Excellency, a term of address used when “receiving” ambassadors (if you subscribe to such bowing and scraping). Good clue. I like it.
Neat fold clothier managed with aprons (8,6)Answer: HOSPITAL CORNER (i.e. “neat fold”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “managed”) of CLOTHIER and APRONS.
Anyone can put out trouble (9)Answer: ANNOYANCE (i.e. “trouble”). “Put out” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of ANYONE CAN.
Public like our newspaper (8)Answer: NATIONAL. Solution satisfies “public” and “like our newspaper”, The Times being a national newspaper.
Condemned three articles on postimpressionist after son left and died (13)Answer: ANATHEMATISED (i.e. “condemned”). Solution is AN, A and THE (i.e. “three articles”) followed by Henri MATISSE (i.e. “postimpressionist”) once one of the Ss has been removed (indicated by “after son left” – S being a recognised abbreviation of “son”), then D (ditto “died”), like so: AN-A-THE-MATISE-D.
Stupidly lose a tent peg and a window catch (12)Answer: ESPAGNOLETTE (i.e. “a window catch” for a French window, apparently). “Stupidly” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of LOST A TENT PEG. Here’s my occasional plea to setters to stop clueing obscure crap like this as anagrams. We all know anagrams are often the last resort of a setter struggling to construct a clue by other means, so it’s doubly annoying to reach for a dictionary and find that, no matter how many intersecting letters you’d found, you still had virtually no chance of solving the clue. Next.
Second sight of courtier’s leader, one in attendance (10)Answer: PRESCIENCE (i.e. “second sight”). Solution is C (i.e. “courtier’s leader” or first letter) and I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”, again, again, again) both placed “in” PRESENCE (i.e. “attendance”), like so: PRES(C-I)ENCE.
Old prince shortly about to boycott good composer (5,4)Answer: ALBAN BERG (i.e. “composer”). Solution is ALBERT (i.e. “old prince”, Queen Victoria’s squeeze) with the last letter removed (indicated by “shortly”) and the remainder placed “about” BAN (i.e. “to boycott”). The whole is then followed by G (a recognised abbreviation of “good”), like so: AL(BAN)BER-G.
Got nothing rearranged in a debt (8)Answer: OBTAINED (i.e. “got”). Solution is O (i.e. “nothing”) followed by an anagram (indicated by “rearranged”) of IN A DEBT, like so: O-BTAINED.
Poster of songbird? (7)Answer: TWEETER. Solution satisfies a “poster” on the social media platform Twitter, and, playfully, a “songbird”.
Restrictions on sales of innards, not right (7)Answer: ENTAILS (i.e. “restrictions on sales” of property, a legal term). Solution is ENTRAILS (i.e. “innards”) with the R removed (indicated by “not right” – R being a recognised abbreviation of “right”).
Make a living as swindler, giving very visible warning (6)Answer: BEACON (i.e. “very visible warning”). When written as BE A CON the solution also satisfies “make a living as swindler”.
Gone finally very pale (5)Answer: PASTY (i.e. “pale”). Solution is PAST (i.e. “gone”) followed by Y (i.e. “finally very”, i.e. the last letter of “very”).
Possible Russian band, first class (5)Answer: SASHA (i.e. forename of a “possible Russian” – yuck. I’m never keen on forenames being used as solutions). Solution is SASH (i.e. a “band” of fabric) followed by A (i.e. top grade or “first class”).
Let none fail to give vent to pain (5)Answer: ALLOW (i.e. “let”). When written as ALL OW the solution playfully satisfies “none fail to give vent to pain”.
June 10, 2023
Times Jumbo Cryptic Crossword 1620
A relatively straightforward Jumbo this week. That’s fine by me! For the most part this was a good un too, with a smattering of well-worked clues and a refreshingly low number of repeats.
You can find my completed grid below along with explanations of my solutions where I have them. I hope you find them helpful. If a recent Jumbo has given you the middle finger then you might find my Just For Fun page useful, where you’ll find links to solutions to hundreds of the things.
Thanks again for the kind words and input. It’s always interesting to hear the thoughts of other solvers once they’ve set down their pens. Till next time, stay cool out there peeps.
LP
RBV (Repeats-By-Volume): 3.3%
Across clues
Saucy stuff from press – old man’s weekend article? (7)Answer: PASSATA (i.e. “saucy stuff from press”). Solution is PA’S (i.e. “old man’s” or father’s) followed by SAT (i.e. “weekend”, short for Saturday) and A (i.e. “article”, a word such as a, an or the).
Expression of surprise after room stripped of English fabric (8)Answer: CHAMBRAY (i.e. “fabric”). Solution is AY (i.e. “expression of surprise”) placed “after” CHAMBER (i.e. “room”) once the E has been removed (indicated by “stripped of English” – E being a recognised abbreviation of “English”), like so: CHAMBR-AY. Last appeared in grid 1559, June 2nd last year, just outside my threshold for wanging on about repeated solutions. It does appear in exactly the same place in exactly the same grid layout, though. Makes you think.
Jolly exploit entertains mathematician (6)Answer: Pierre de FERMAT (i.e. “mathematician”). Solution is RM (i.e. “jolly”, slang for a Royal Marine) placed in or “entertained by” FEAT (i.e. an “exploit”), like so: FE(RM)AT.
Security barrier? Oddly argue this causes civilian casualties (10,6)Answer: COLLATERAL DAMAGE (weasel words for “civilian casualties”). Solution is COLLATERAL (i.e. some asset providing “security”) followed by DAM (i.e. “barrier”) and AGE (i.e. “oddly argue”, i.e. every other letter of ARGUE). Appeared in grid 1576 back in September, but this time on even intersecting letters. Fair do.
Ill-humour, depression borne by Councillor (6)Answer: CHOLER (i.e. “ill-humour”). Solution is HOLE (i.e. a “depression”) placed in or “borne by” CR (a recognised abbreviation of “councillor”), like so: C(HOLE)R.
I halt gym exercises, being totally powerful (8)Answer: ALMIGHTY (i.e. “totally powerful”). “Exercises” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of I HALT GYM.
Tone reflected as a prelude to foxtrot? (4)Answer: ECHO (i.e. “tone”). The remainder of the clue plays on the phonetic alphabet, where F (“foxtrot”) is preceded by E (i.e. ECHO).
Castle wall’s sound, abutting Caithness town field (9)Answer: BAILIWICK (i.e. jurisdiction or “field”, apparently). Solution is a homophone (indicated by “sound”) of BAILEY (i.e. “castle wall” – another new one on me) followed by WICK (i.e. “Caithness town”), like so: BAILI-WICK.
Starts to examine Sunday papers over coffee (8)Answer: ESPRESSO (i.e. “coffee”). Solution is E and S (i.e. “starts to examine Sunday”, i.e. the first letters of “examine” and “Sunday”) followed by PRESS (i.e. “papers”) and O (a recognised abbreviation of “over” used in cricket).
A total absence of both seriousness and core attractiveness? (4,7)Answer: ZERO GRAVITY. Solution satisfies “a total absence of seriousness” – GRAVITY being the seriousness of a situation – and “a total absence of core attractiveness”, playing on how GRAVITY pulls stuff towards the earth’s core. Nicely worked.
Time to leave street party – it’s getting louder and louder (9)Answer: CRESCENDO (i.e. “it’s getting louder and louder”). Solution is CRESCENT (i.e. “street”) with the T (a recognised abbreviation of “time”) removed or “leaving”. The remainder is then followed by DO (i.e. slang for a “party”), like so: CRESCEN-DO. Another I liked.
Manufacturing facility which might make a packet (8)Answer: SHIPYARD (i.e. “manufacturing facility”). The remainder of the clue plays on “packet” ships.
Retired PM trimming our excess fat (4)Answer: FLAB (i.e. “fat”). Solution is Lord BALFOUR (i.e. “PM” or Prime Minister of the early 20th century) with the OUR removed or “trimmed” and the remainder reversed (indicated by “retired”).
Ban boyfriend, totally gutless – a dark horse (5,6)Answer: BLACK BEAUTY (i.e. “a dark horse” of Anna Sewell’s novel). Solution is BLACK (i.e. to put under trade union “ban”, or to ban in general) followed by BEAU (i.e. “boyfriend”), then TY (i.e. “totally gutless”, i.e. the word “totally” with all its middle letters removed).
Hope you recover poor long lost ewe (3,4,4)Answer: GET WELL SOON (i.e. “hope you recover”). “Poor” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of LONG LOST EWE.
Shanty house on wheels? (7,4)Answer: ROLLING HOME. Solution satisfies the name of a 19th century sea “shanty” and, playfully, a “house on wheels”.
Fan can view Amex crowd celebration (7,4)Answer: MEXICAN WAVE (i.e. “crowd celebration”). “Fan” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of CAN VIEW AMEX.
Kind husband quitting brief (4)Answer: SORT (i.e. “kind”). Solution is SHORT (i.e. “brief”) with the H (a recognised abbreviation of “husband”) removed or “quitting”.
Fiancée, poorly, injected with fluorine drug (8)Answer: CAFFEINE (i.e. “drug”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “poorly”) of FIANCÉE wrapped around or “injected with” F (chemical symbol of “fluorine”), like so: CAF(F)EINE.
Heartless Ebeneezer pops into golf club bar (8)Answer: BRASSERIE (i.e. a “bar” serving food). Solution is ER (i.e. “heartless Ebeneezer”, i.e. “Ebeneezer” with all its middle letters removed) placed “into” BRASSIE (i.e. an old-fashioned “golf club”), like so: BRASS(ER)IE.
Vacancy: not very noble boring profession (11)Answer: ACCOUNTANCY (i.e. a “profession”). Solution is VACANCY with the V removed (indicated by “not very” – V being a recognised abbreviation of “very”) and the remainder wrapped around or being “bored” by COUNT (i.e. a “noble”), like so: AC(COUNT)ANCY.
US locality slum marginalising southern gangsters (8)Answer: HOODLUMS (i.e. “gangsters”). Solution is HOOD (i.e. “US locality”, slang short for neighbourhood) followed by SLUM. The S (a recognised abbreviation of “southern”) is then moved to the end (indicated by “marginalising”, as in pushing out to the edges), like so: HOOD-(S)LUM=> HOOD-LUM(S).
Tasking RAF Tornado to escort operation (4,5)Answer: SKIN GRAFT (i.e. medical “operation”). “To escort” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: TA(SKING RAF T)ORNADO.
Bank’s answer lacking heart (4)Answer: RELY (i.e. to “bank” on). Solution is REPLY (i.e. “answer”) with the middle letter removed (indicated by “lacking heart”).
Maybe anger gripping Head of Circus Smiley? (8)Answer: EMOTICON (i.e. a “smiley”, both terms that now feel like they belong in the Victorian era). Solution is EMOTION (i.e. “maybe anger” – other emotions are available) wrapped around or “gripping” C (i.e. “Head of Circus”, i.e. the first letter of “circus”), like so: EMOTI(C)ON.
Prompts Morag finally to feature in candid paintings (6)Answer: NUDGES (i.e. “prompts”). Solution is G (i.e. “Morag finally”, i.e. the last letter of “Morag”) placed or “featured in” NUDES (i.e. “candid paintings”), like so: NUD(G)ES.
Troubled monk was neglected in confessions (16)Answer: ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS (i.e. “confessions”). “Troubled” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of MONK WAS NEGLECTED.
Indiscipline of kiss stolen by members of the congregation (6)Answer: LAXITY (i.e. “indiscipline”). Solution is X (i.e. symbolic of a “kiss”) placed in or “stolen by” LAITY (i.e. “members of the congregation”), like so: LA(X)ITY.
Chemical hailed occasionally by associate of H Jekyll (8)Answer: ALDEHYDE (i.e. “chemical”). Solution is ALD (i.e. “hailed occasionally”, i.e. every other word of HAILED) followed by E HYDE (i.e. “associate of H Jekyll” from Robert Louis Stevenson’s novella, The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde – E HYDE being derived in the same fashion as “H Jekyll”).
Sculptor starts to explore purchasing stone from Germany (7)Answer: Jacob EPSTEIN (i.e. “sculptor” – no, me neither). Solution is E and P (i.e. “starts to explore purchasing”, i.e. the first letters of “explore” and “purchasing”) followed by STEIN (i.e. “stone from Germany”, i.e. the German for “stone”).
Down clues
Dad caught mum on Nintendo’s first video game (3-3)Answer: PAC-MAN (i.e. “video game”). Solution is PA (i.e. “dad”) followed by C (a recognised abbreviation of “caught” used in a number of ball games), then MA (i.e. “mum”) and N (i.e. “Nintendo’s first” letter).
Beguiling dancer who made John lose his head? (6)Answer: SALOME. Solution satisfies the clue as a whole – in the The Bible, King Herod was rather taken by Salome’s dancing and offered her anything she desired. She demanded the head of John the Baptist, as you do.
For example Ms Turner upset and ill, taking potassium as a painkiller (9)Answer: ANALGESIC (i.e. “painkiller”). Solution is EG (i.e. “for example”) and LANA (i.e. “Ms Turner”, American actress of the 40s and 50s) all reversed (indicated by “upset” – this being a down clue) and followed by SICK (i.e. “ill”) once the K has been removed (indicated by “taking potassium” – K is its chemical symbol), like so: (ANAL-GE)-SIC.
Spy called in over European biological weapon (5,6)Answer: AGENT ORANGE (i.e. “biological weapon”). Solution is AGENT (i.e. “spy”) followed by RANG (i.e. “called”) once placed “in” between O (a recognised abbreviation of “over”, already covered) and E (a recognised abbreviation of “European”), like so: AGENT-O-(RANG)-E. Like CHAMBRAY, this last appeared in grid 1559 last June, though in the 6d slot, not 4d.
Still getting stomach upset? That’ll be the shellfish (4)Answer: CLAM (i.e. “shellfish”). Solution is CALM (i.e. “still”) with its middle letters or “stomach” reversed (indicated by “upset”, again this being a down clue), like so: C(AL)M => C(LA)M.
US CIA lad you trained in daring fashion (11)Answer: AUDACIOUSLY (i.e. “in daring fashion”). “Trained” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of US CIA LAD YOU.
Bishop, morning drinking around 50 is bewildering (11)Answer: BAMBOOZLING (i.e. “bewildering”). Solution is B (a recognised abbreviation of “bishop” used in chess) followed by AM (i.e. “morning”, short for ante meridiem), then BOOZING (i.e. “drinking”) once wrapped “around” L (Roman numeral of “50”), like so: B-AM-BOOZ(L)ING.
Harry, Guy, Abram – rugby regulars in dust-up (4-5)Answer: ARGY-BARGY (i.e. “dust-up”). “Regulars” indicates the solution is derived from every other letter of HARRY GUY ABRAM RUGBY.
Honourable to include note related to race (8)Answer: ETHNICAL (i.e. “related to race”). Solution is ETHICAL (i.e. “honourable”) wrapped around or “including” N (a recognised abbreviation of “note”), like so: ETH(N)ICAL.
Rich guy Illuminati role I’m playing (16)Answer: MULTIMILLIONAIRE (i.e. “rich guy”). “Playing” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of ILLUMINATI ROLE I’M.
Bird fed northern warder (7)Answer: TURNKEY (i.e. prison guard or “warder”). Solution is TURKEY (i.e. “bird”) wrapped around or “fed” by N (a recognised abbreviation of “northern”), like so: TUR(N)KEY.
Visiting Berlin (Ger) I eschewed underwear (8)Answer: LINGERIE (i.e. “underwear”). “Visiting” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: BER(LIN GER I E)SCHEWED.
Very large, very British upper-class Conservative old dish (4,4)Answer: OSSO BUCO (i.e. “dish” – over to Chambers: “an Italian dish of (usually veal) knuckle cooked with the bone and stewed in wine, herbs etc”). Solution is OS (i.e. “very large”, a recognised abbreviation of “outsize”) followed by SO (i.e. “very”), then B (a recognised abbreviation of “British”), then U (ditto the “upper-class”), then C (ditto ditto “Conservative”) and O (ditto ditto ditto “old”). Needless to say, I got this one solely from the wordplay!
Bubbly, beer, cigs? They’re frozen (8)Answer: ICEBERGS (i.e. “they’re frozen”). “Bubbly” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of BEER CIGS.
Right pressure indicator mostly in another case showing this measure of inflation? (6,5,5)Answer: RETAIL PRICE INDEX (i.e. “measure of inflation” that was semi-retired in 2003 when it became too high for the government’s liking). One where I’m not quite on the same page as the setter. The solution is often abbreviated to RPI and when this last appeared (in February in grid 1600) the clue also played on the phrase “in another case”. On that occasion the initials RPI appeared amid another word in the clue. I suspect on this occasion we’re merely taking the first letters of Right Pressure Indicator to get said abbreviation. A whiffy clue if this is the case. Anyway, as mentioned this solution is a repeat from only a few months ago, also on odd intersecting letters, and in the same grid layout but in the 13a slot, not 23d. I thought for a moment we were going to get our first repeat-free Jumbo. Pity. Have a meme.
Answer: BANNERET (i.e. a “knight” of higher grade). Solution is A, N (a recognised abbreviation of “new”) and N (ditto “knight” in chess) all placed in or “wearing” BERET (i.e. “brimless cap”), like so: B(A-N-N)ERET.
Information about loch and valley (4)Answer: GLEN (i.e. “valley”). Solution is GEN (i.e. “information”) wrapped “about” L (a recognised abbreviation of “loch”), like so: G(L)EN.
Work with needles, turning cap of tattoo ink (4)Answer: KNIT (i.e. “work with needles”). Solution is T (i.e. “cap of tattoo”, i.e. the first letter of “tattoo”) and INK all reversed (indicated by “turning”), like so: KNI-T.
Former partner, rising baronet, stole outside reference work (8)Answer: TEXTBOOK (i.e. “reference work”). Solution is EX (i.e. “former partner”) and BT (a recognised abbreviation of “baronet”) reversed (indicated by “rising” – this being a down clue) all placed in or having outside of them TOOK (i.e. “stole”), like so: T(EX-TB)OOK.
Waif from Indian state to wander off (2,6)Answer: GO ASTRAY (i.e. “wander off”). When written as GOA STRAY the solution also playfully satisfies “wait from Indian state”.
Sister of Anne Boleyn I met roughly around the end of October (5,6)Answer: EMILY BRONTË (i.e. “sister of Anne”, and Charlotte for that matter). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “roughly”) of BOLEYN I MET wrapped “around” R (i.e. “end [letter] of October”), like so: EMILYB(R)ONTË. Another nicely worked clue.
Compromise when seeking a middle-of-the-road outcome? (4,7)Answer: MEET HALFWAY. Solution satisfies “compromise” and, playfully, “a middle-of-the-road outcome”.
The great old man Cagney endlessly tours NYC district (11)Answer: CHARLEMAGNE (i.e. “the great old man”, Roman emperor around the 800s. His name is a contraction of CHARLES-LE-MAGNE, or Charles the Great). Solution is CAGNEY with its last letter removed (indicated by “endlessly”) and the remainder placed around or “touring” HARLEM (i.e. “NYC district”), like so: C(HARLEM)AGNE.
Passionate Catalan, if aroused (9)Answer: FANATICAL (i.e. “passionate”). “Aroused” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of CATALAN IF.
A part of this paper occasionally? (9)Answer: SOMETIMES (i.e. “occasionally”). When written as SOME TIMES the solution playfully satisfies “a part of this paper”, seeing that the Jumbo appears in The Times.
Discrimination ruling in court (8)Answer: JUDGMENT. Solution satisfies “discrimination” and “ruling in court”.
London side roads going north, following a river (7)Answer: ARSENAL (i.e. “London [football] side”). Solution is LANES (i.e. “roads”) reversed (indicated by “going north” – this being a down clue) and placed after or “following” A and R (a recognised abbreviation of “river”), like so: A-R-(SENAL).
Formerly carrying second century candlestick (6)Answer: SCONCE (i.e. “candlestick”). Solution is ONCE (i.e. “formerly”) placed after or “carrying” S (a recognised abbreviation of “second”) and C (ditto “century”), like so: S-C-(ONCE).
Sons in workers organisation displaying harmony (6)Answer: UNISON (i.e. “harmony”). Solution is S (a recognised abbreviation of “sons”) placed “in” UNION (i.e. “workers organisation”), like so: UNI(S)ON. Also appeared in grid 1563 last June, just within my threshold, also on even intersecting letters. And so…
Answer: HEBE (i.e. “Zeus’s daughter”). The remainder of the clue plays on how the solution forms the middle letters of THEBES, an ancient “Egyptian city”.
June 4, 2023
Times Jumbo Cryptic Crossword 1619
A medium strength Jumbo this week, and one with a host of well-written clues. A nice one to chip away at during the day.
You can find my completed grid below along with explanations of my solutions where I have them. I hope you find them helpful. If a recent Jumbo has given you the slip then you might find my Just For Fun page of use, where you’ll find links to solutions for hundreds of the things.
Thanks again for the kind words and input. It’s always interesting to hear the thoughts of other solvers once they’ve set down their pens. Till next time, stay safe out there kids.
LP
RBV (Repeats-By-Volume): 8.1%
Across clues
Done – as a present? (7,2)Answer: WRAPPED UP. Solution satisfies “done” and “as a present”.
Trading place accommodating a subject of David (5)Answer: Jean-Paul MARAT (i.e. “a subject of David”, referring to Jacques-Louis David’s painting The Death Of Marat. Of course I looked it up). Solution is MART (i.e. “trading place”) wrapped around or “accommodating” A, like so: MAR(A)T.
Distinguishing feature in religious group, fancy (7)Answer: SUSPECT (i.e. to “fancy” an outcome). Solution is USP (i.e. “distinguishing feature”, or Unique Selling Point) placed “in” SECT (i.e. “religious group”), like so: S(USP)ECT.
Board game goes quickly (5)Answer: DARTS. Solution satisfies “board game” and “goes quickly”.
Heavy metal singer (7)Answer: MERCURY. Solution satisfies a “heavy metal” and “singer”, Freddie Mercury.
Still at the crease, an opener for India and companion (9)Answer: INANIMATE (i.e. “still”). Solution is IN (i.e. “at the crease” in a game of cricket) followed by AN, then I (i.e. “opener for India”, i.e. the first letter of “India”) and MATE (i.e. “companion”).
Shift altering when amended, chaps going in (11)Answer: REALIGNMENT (i.e. “shift”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “when amended”) of ALTERING wrapped around or having “in” MEN (i.e. “chaps”), like so: REALIGN(MEN)T. This appeared in June 2nd’s Jumbo last year, just squeaking past my repeats threshold.
Dimmer say, speller given hints earlier (5,6)Answer: LIGHT SWITCH (i.e. “dimmer say” – other styles of light switch are available). Solution is WITCH (i.e. “speller”, or one casting spells) placed after or having “earlier” LIGHTS (i.e. “hints”), like so: LIGHTS-WITCH.
Losing tie, I didn’t get that secured (6)Answer: BEHIND (i.e. “losing”). Solution is BIND (i.e. “tie”) wrapped around or “securing” EH? (i.e. “I didn’t get that”), like so: B(EH)IND.
Line of waiters in country kitchen originally passing test (4,4)Answer: TAXI RANK (i.e. “line of waiters”). Solution is IRAN (i.e. “country”) and K (i.e. “kitchen originally”, i.e. the first letter of “kitchen”) both placed after or “passing” TAX (i.e. to “test”), like so: TAX-(IRAN-K).
Server of hot food, carver? (6)Answer: CHIPPY. Solution satisfies “server of hot food”, a fish and chip shop, and “carver”, slang for a carpenter.
Prison guards beginning to unlock very strong fastener (8)Answer: CUFFLINK (i.e. “fastener”). Solution is CLINK (i.e. “prison”) wrapped around or “guarding” U (i.e. “beginning [letter] to unlock”) and FF (i.e. “very strong”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of “fortissimo” in musical lingo), like so: C(U-FF)LINK.
Equally true, perhaps, depending on circumstances? (2,3,4,3,2)Answer: AS THE CASE MAY BE (i.e. “depending on circumstances”). Not 100% on this one, but I think the solution is AS (i.e. “equally”) followed by THE CASE being the fact or reality of something (i.e. “true”), then MAYBE for “perhaps”.
Cuckoo, well onto perch? (5)Answer: BARMY (i.e. “cuckoo” or mad). Solution is MY (i.e. “well”, both exclamations) placed after or “onto” BAR (i.e. “perch”), like so: BAR-MY.
Legendary character, I dealt in drugs (6)Answer: ISOLDE (i.e. “legendary character”). When written as I SOLD E the solution also satisfies “I dealt in drugs”.
Top dog say, isn’t she out in front? (4,2,4)Answer: BEST IN SHOW (i.e. “top dog”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “out”) of ISN’T SHE placed “in” BOW (i.e. “front” of a boat), like so: B(ESTINSH)OW.
Slave driver’s preview having to pack in a second kilometre! (10)Answer: TASKMASTER (i.e. “slave driver”). Solution is TASTER (i.e. “preview”) wrapped around or “packing in” A, S (a recognised abbreviation of “second”) and KM (ditto “kilometre”), like so: T(A-S-KM)ASTER.
Only chastity, apparently, for apprentice (6)Answer: NOVICE (i.e. “apprentice”). When written as NO VICE the solution satisfies “only chastity, apparently”.
Polish tart filled with cream, primarily (5)Answer: SCOUR (i.e. “polish”). Solution is SOUR (i.e. “tart” taste) wrapped around or “filled with” C (i.e. “cream, primarily”, i.e. the first letter of “cream”), like so: S(C)OUR.
Where the metacarpus is almost blue (4,3,7)Answer: NEAR THE KNUCKLE. Solution satisfies “where the metacarpus is” and “almost blue”.
With Great Grimsby initially held, poor result for Labour (8)Answer: STRUGGLE (i.e. “labour” – ignore the misleading capitalisation). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “poor”) of RESULT wrapped around or “holding” G (a recognised abbreviation of “great”) and G (“Grimsby initially”, i.e. the first letter of “Grimsby”), like so: STRU(G-G)LE.
Singer who was artist abandoning lead for silver (6)Answer: ARGENT (i.e. “silver”, poetically). Solution is John “Singer” SARGENT (i.e. “who was artist”) once the first letter or “lead” has been “abandoned”.
White, wavy lines in costume (8)Answer: RIESLING (i.e. “white” wine). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “wavy”) of LINES placed “in” RIG (i.e. “costume”), like so: RI(ESLIN)G.
Instrument plucked, one of the strings pulled back coming free (6)Answer: GRATIS (i.e. “free”). Solution is SITAR (i.e. “instrument plucked”) and G (i.e. “one of the strings”) all reversed (indicated by “pulled back”), like so: G-RATIS.
Anger ending in men, I like people to contain it (11)Answer: INDIGNATION (i.e. “anger”). Solution is N (i.e. “ending in men”, i.e. the last letter of “men”) placed or “contained” in I, DIG (i.e. “like”) and NATION (i.e. “people”), like so: I-(N)-DIG-NATION.
Two kisses very close together (4,3,4)Answer: NECK AND NECK. Solution satisfies “two kisses” and “very close together” in a race.
Dog: is it you that’s cut out to be feline killer? (9)Answer: CURIOSITY (i.e. “feline killer”, proverbially). Solution is CUR (i.e. “dog”) followed by an anagram (indicated by “out”) of IS IT and YOU once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “that’s cut”), like so: CUR-IOSITY.
Half of capital city beyond river, most profound (7)Answer: DEEPEST (i.e. “most profound”). Solution is PEST (i.e. “half of capital city”, Budapest) placed after or “beyond” DEE (i.e. Scottish “river” that’s been getting some love recently in these Jumbos), like so: DEE-PEST.
Organ containing old rope (5)Answer: NOOSE (i.e. “rope”). Solution is NOSE (i.e. “organ”) wrapped around or “containing” O (a recognised abbreviation of “old”), like so: N(O)OSE. Last appeared in July in grid 1567, also on odd intersecting letters, so…
Answer: MACHETE (i.e. “knife”). Solution is MACE (i.e. “club”) wrapped around or “sliced apart by” an anagram (indicated by “twisting”) of THE, like so: MAC(HET)E. Last appeared in grid 1565 back in July, also on odd intersecting letters, so…
Answer: LOLLS (i.e. “lounges”). Solution is LOLLIES (i.e. “candy”) with the IE removed (indicated by “that is picked out from…” – “i.e.” being another way of saying “that is”).
Pelted with rocks and seemingly scalped – the result? (5-4)Answer: STONE-DEAD (i.e. “the result”, within the context of the clue). Solution is STONED (i.e. “pelted with rocks”) followed by HEAD once it’s first letter has been removed (indicated by “seemingly scalped”, given how scalping is the removal of the scalp from the top of one’s head), like so: STONED-EAD.
Down clues
Winger’s boot (5)Answer: WADER. Solution satisfies “winger” or bird, and “boot”.
Welcome change, constitutional perhaps? (1,6,2,5,3)Answer: A BREATH OF FRESH AIR. Solution satisfies “welcome change” and “constitutional perhaps”, taken to mean a walk outside.
Religious performance appals noisy delinquent (7,4)Answer: PASSION PLAY (i.e. “religious performance”). “Delinquent” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of APPALS NOISY.
Old pianist spotted playing piece? (6)Answer: Fats DOMINO (i.e. “old pianist”). Solution also satisfies “spotted playing piece”.
Cheese sandwich initially eaten by average couple? (8)Answer: PARMESAN (i.e. “cheese”). Solution is S (i.e. “sandwich initially”, i.e. the first letter of “sandwich”) placed in or “eaten by” PAR and MEAN (i.e. “average couple”, as in how both words satisfy “average”), like so: PAR-ME(S)AN.
Big slope in Estonia spattered with mud (12)Answer: MOUNTAINSIDE (i.e. “big slope”). “Spattered” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of IN ESTONIA and MUD.
Blue blood vessel? (5,5)Answer: ROYAL YACHT (i.e. “vessel”). Clue plays on “blue blood” being descriptive of royalty.
Bag that’s easily ripped, tearing finally (5)Answer: THING (i.e. “bag” or fascination). Solution is THIN (i.e. “that’s easily ripped”) followed by G (i.e. “tearing finally”, i.e. the last letter of “tearing”). Appeared in grid 1570 back in August, in exactly the same place, and in exactly the same grid layout, so…
Answer: SPARTACUS (i.e. “gladiator”). Solution is SPAR (i.e. “fight”) followed by TA (i.e. “cheers”), then C (i.e. “Caesar initially”, i.e. the first letter of “Caesar”) and US (i.e. “people over here”).
Yodeller adds fine touch to piece (4,7)Answer: SLIM WHITMAN (i.e. “yodeller” – apparently he held the record for the most consecutive weeks at number 1 in the UK – 11 with Rose Marie in 1955 – until Bryan Adams knocked him off the spot in 1991). Solution is SLIM (i.e. “fine”) followed by WHIT (i.e. a “touch” or small amount) and MAN (i.e. chess “piece”).
Retired performers, to be precise? (5)Answer: EXACT (i.e. “precise”). When written as EX-ACT the solution also satisfies “retired performers”. Also appeared in grid 1571 back in August, and on odd intersecting letters, so…
Answer: TEETHE (i.e. to “form part of a new set” or teeth). Solution is TEE (i.e. “peg”) followed by THE (i.e. “article”, being a word like a, an or the).
Drop in support for unpleasant gossip (10)Answer: BACKBITING (i.e. “unpleasant gossip”). Solution is BIT (i.e. a “drop” of something) placed “in” BACKING (i.e. “support for”), like so: BACK(BIT)ING.
Broke down, or began to work? (6,2)Answer: KICKED IN. Solution satisfies “broke down” e.g. a door, and “began to work”. Nicely done.
Lay out too much – as will hay fever sufferer? (3,7,3,4)Answer: PAY THROUGH THE NOSE. Solution satisfies “lay out too much” and, playfully, “as will hay fever sufferer”.
Son fixes French dish (6)Answer: SNAILS (i.e. “French dish”. Non. Just non). Solution is S (a recognised abbreviation of “son”) followed by NAILS (i.e. “fixes” in place).
Garments on, with limbs retaining temperature better, ultimately (10)Answer: LEGWARMERS (i.e. “garments”). Solution is LEG (i.e. “on” side in cricket) followed by W (a recognised abbreviation of “with”) and ARMS (i.e. “limbs”) once wrapped around or “retaining” E and R (i.e. “temperature better, ultimately”, i.e. the last letters of “temperature” and “better”), like so: LEG-W-ARM(ER)S.
Leader presiding over Norwegian banks (8)Answer: GOVERNOR (i.e. “leader”). “Banks” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: PRESIDIN(G OVER NOR)WEGIAN.
Time passed, years – those Rip Van Winkle spent sleeping (6)Answer: TWENTY (i.e. “those [years] Rip Van Winkle spent sleeping”). Solution is T (a recognised abbreviation of “time”) followed by WENT (i.e. “passed”) and Y (a recognised abbreviation of “years”).
Mistress somewhere in Northern Europe in novel (4,8)Answer: MOLL FLANDERS (i.e. “novel” by Daniel Defoe; curious after ROBINSON CRUSOE appeared in the last Jumbo!). Solution is MOLL (i.e. “mistress”) followed by FLANDERS (i.e. “somewhere in Northern Europe”).
Different egg ultimately incubated by animal in panto (6,5)Answer: MOTHER GOOSE (i.e. “animal in panto”). Solution is OTHER (i.e. “different”) and G (i.e. “egg ultimately”, i.e. the last letter of “egg”) both placed in or “incubated by” MOOSE (i.e. “animal”), like so: M(OTHER-G)OOSE.
Activity at social event where Conservative has punched traditional European (6,5)Answer: SQUARE DANCE (i.e. “activity at social event”). Solution is C (a recognised abbreviation of “Conservative”) placed in or “punching” SQUARE (i.e. “traditional”) and DANE (i.e. “European”), like so: SQUARE-DAN(C)E. Appeared in grid 1575 back in September, also on odd intersecting letters, so…
Answer: SCREEN IDOL (i.e. “old movie star”). “Awfully” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of SINCERE OLD.
Deport one treated badly having stolen kiss (9)Answer: EXTRADITE (i.e. “deport”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “badly”) of I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”) and TREATED wrapped around or “stealing” X (i.e. “kiss”), like so: E(X)TRADITE.
Rats in underwear? (8)Answer: KNICKERS. Solution satisfies “rats”, both being curse words, and “underwear”. I couldn’t help laughing when I twigged this one. Well played.
Friends, for example, meet groom briefly (6)Answer: SITCOM (i.e. “Friends, for example”). Solution is SIT (i.e. “meet”) followed by COMB (i.e. “groom”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “briefly”), like so: SIT-COM.
Personal image, rubbish moreover (6)Answer: TATTOO (i.e. “personal image”). Solution is TAT (i.e. “rubbish”) followed by TOO (i.e. “moreover”).
British physicist running current through heart, say, from below (5)Answer: Paul DIRAC (i.e. “British physicist”). Solution is I (a recognised abbreviation of an electrical “current” used in physics) placed in or “through” CARD (i.e. “heart, say” – other suits are available) once reversed (indicated by “from below” – this being a down clue), like so: D(I)RAC. One I remembered from a previous puzzle.
Funny gags dully vacuous for Eden (5)Answer: IDYLL (i.e. “Eden”). Solution is ILL (i.e. feeling “funny”) wrapped around or “gagging” DY (i.e. “dully vacuous”, i.e. the word “dully” with all its middle letters removed), like so: I(DY)LL.
Reported requirement for work as a baker? (5)Answer: KNEAD (i.e. “work as a baker”). “Reported” indicates homophone. Solution is a homophone of NEED (i.e. “requirement”).
May 29, 2023
Times Jumbo Cryptic Crossword 1618
Ah, a Bank Holiday stinker. It’s been a while. Today’s puzzle also represents a Greatest Hits celebration of Jumbos gone by, with a whopping 25% of the solutions recycled from the past year. Given this setter strives to use every letter of the alphabet in their grids, it’s surprising to discover they are by some distance the biggest offender when it comes to abusing the office GridFill 4000TM. If it wasn’t for their varied and inventive clueing then I’d have felt sorely cheated, having done a decent chunk of the Jumbo already.
Aaanyway, as ever you can find my completed grid below along with explanations of my solutions where I have them. I hope you find them helpful. If a recent Jumbo has defeated you then you might find succour in my Just For Fun page, where you’ll find links to solutions for hundreds of the things.
Thanks again for the kind words and input. It’s always interesting to hear the thoughts of solvers once they’ve set down their pens. Till next time, stay safe out there kids.
LP
RBV (Repeats-By-Volume): 25%
Wow. Just wow.
Across clues
Extraordinary achiever, ultimately faithful and gallant (9)Answer: CHEVALIER (i.e. a knight or “gallant”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “extraordinary”) of ACHIEVER and L (i.e. “ultimately faithful”, i.e. the last letter of “faithful”). Straight out the traps with a repeat, this one from only last month in grid 1606. This also appeared on odd intersecting letters, so:
Answer: COW-PARSLEY (i.e. “plant”). Solution is COW (i.e. to subdue the spirit of, or “put down”) followed by S (a recognised abbreviation of “small”) and LEY (i.e. “pasture”, a variant spelling of lea) once these latter two have been placed “on” or after PAR (i.e. “level”), like so: COW-(PAR)-S-LEY. PARSELY appeared a couple of weeks ago, but I guess this is sufficiently different to warrant a meme.
Like a belief that has died, first one held (7)Answer: DEISTIC (i.e. “like a belief”). Solution is DEC (i.e. “died”, short for deceased) wrapped around or “holding” IST (i.e. “first”, taking 1 to be its Roman numeral equivalent) and I (i.e. Roman numeral “one” again), like so: DE(IST-I)C.
Exercises serve my needs most of the time: measure of my progress? (9)Answer: PEDOMETER (i.e. “measure of my progress” within the context of the clue). Solution is PE (i.e. “exercises”, specifically Physical Education) followed by DO ME (i.e. “serve my needs”) and TERM (i.e. a period of “time”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “most of”), like so: PE-DO-ME-TER.
Appropriate uniform on French page (5)Answer: USURP (i.e. to forcefully take possession of, or to “appropriate”). Solution is U (“uniform” in the phonetic alphabet) followed by SUR (i.e. “on French”, i.e. the French for “on”) and P (a recognised abbreviation of “page”).
Four lovable OAPS primarily out for pleasure, purely? (6,2,4)Answer: LABOUR OF LOVE (i.e. “for pleasure, purely”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “out”) of FOUR LOVABLE and O (i.e. “OAPS primarily”, i.e. the first letter of “OAPS”).
Brochure for goggles to be worn by group of workers (10)Answer: PROSPECTUS (i.e. “brochure”). Solution is PRO (i.e. “for”) followed by SPECS (i.e. “goggles”) once wrapped around TU (i.e. “workers”, specifically a Trade Union), like so: PRO-SPEC(TU)S. Appeared in grid 1582 back in October, also on even intersecting letters, so…
Answer: SENTIMENTALIST (i.e. “emotional person”). Solution is SENT (i.e. in an ecstatic state or “full of joy”) followed by I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one” again), then MENTAL (i.e. “using head”) and an anagram (indicated by “different”) of IT’S, like so: SENT-I-MENTAL-IST. SENTIMENTAL also appeared in grid 1590 on New Year’s Eve on odd intersecting letters, so…
Answer: ETHELRED (i.e. “king once” around the turn of the (first) millennium). Solution is L (i.e. “originally legally”) placed “in” E (a recognised abbreviation of “eastern”) and THE RED (i.e. “bankrupt state”), like so: E-THE-(L)-RED. ETHELRED THE UNREADY appeared only a few weeks ago, but on odd intersecting letters. A similar clue too, at least for the ETHELRED bit. Made this an easier get, at least once I’d had a few letters filled in.
Cut out for duty? (6)Answer: EXCISE. Solution satisfies “cut”, and a “duty” or tax.
Band of rock found in sea? Elaborate! (4,6)Answer: DEEP PURPLE (i.e. “band of rock” – I heartily approve! (Insert devil horns emoji here)). Solution is DEEP (i.e. the “sea”) followed by PURPLE (i.e. “elaborate” or overly-ornate writing).
Rumour of some preconditions (2,3)Answer: ON DIT (i.e. “rumour”). “Of some” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: PREC(ON-DIT)IONS. Another repeat, and another from only last month, this time from grid 1607. It was on odd intersecting letters too, so:
Answer: TOSH (i.e. “rot” or rubbish). Solution is TO (i.e. “shut”, as in a door closed to) followed by SH (i.e. “pipe down” or shush).
Poet’s singular book on drink, so short (8)Answer: Allen GINSBERG (i.e. “poet”). Solution is S (a recognised abbreviation of “singular”), B (ditto “book”) both placed “on” or after GIN (i.e. “drink”) and followed by ERGO (i.e. therefore or “so”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “short”), like so: GIN-(S-B)-ERG. You’ll probably know him well as he was only here two days ago in the last Jumbo, also on even intersecting letters. Wow, these memes are really starting to mount up, aren’t they?
Answer: TWO-LEGGED. Solution satisfies “as a man” usually, and “like ties often”, referring to matches played over home and away legs.
Split kebab containing first class spread (2,1,6)Answer: DO A RUNNER (i.e. “split”). Solution is DONER (i.e. “kebab”) wrapped around or “containing” A (i.e. “first class”) and RUN (i.e. “spread”), like so: DO(A-RUN)NER. Appeared back in June in grid 1562, also on odd intersecting letters, so…
Answer: GADGETRY (i.e. “devices”). Solution is TRY (i.e. a “go”) placed “after” EG reversed (indicated by “turning”) once this has itself been placed “on” or after GAD (i.e. “my”, both exclamations), like so: GAD-GE-TRY.
Pupils no longer putting heads together making error (4)Answer: BOOB (i.e. “error”). Solution is OB (i.e. a “pupil no longer”, specifically an Old Boy), two OBs placed “heads together” getting you BO-OB.
Staunch flow to bypass patient’s glands: every second counts! (5)Answer: LOYAL (i.e. “staunch”). “Every second counts” indicates the solution is derived from the second letters of FLOW TO BYPASS PATIENT’S GLANDS. Appeared back in August in grid 1570, also on odd intersecting letters, so…
Answer: MONOPOLIST (i.e. “powerful salesperson”). Solution is MO (i.e. “flash” or short period of time) followed by NOT once wrapped around or “stopped by” POLIS (i.e. “Glasgow police”, or a Scots form of “police”. Also Irish, apparently), like so: MO-NO(POLIS)T.
Reportedly, need to pay does maybe shame (2,4)Answer: OH DEAR (i.e. “shame”). “Reportedly” indicates homophone. Solution comprises homophones of OWE DEER (i.e. “need to pay does maybe” – a “doe” being a female deer). Also appeared only last month in grid 1609, also on even intersecting letters, so…
Answer: HIRAGANA (i.e. “Japanese writing” – over to Chambers: “the more widely used of the two Japanese systems of syllabic writing (the other being katakana)”). Solution is HI (i.e. “welcome”) followed by RAG (i.e. slang for a “newspaper”) and ANA (i.e. “anecdotes”, being “a collection of someone’s table talk or of gossip, literary anecdotes or possessions” (Chambers) – we’ve seen this a few times in Jumbos now. One worth keeping in mind). One nailed solely from the wordplay.
Novel mug excited connoisseur (8,6)Answer: ROBINSON CRUSOE (i.e. “novel” by Daniel Defoe). Solution is ROB (i.e. to “mug”) followed by an anagram (indicated by “excited”) of CONNOISSEUR. Nicely done.
Number of hooters perhaps around one as traffic is queuing? (4,2,4)Answer: NOSE TO TAIL (i.e. “as traffic is queuing”). Solution is NOSE TOTAL (i.e. “number of hooters perhaps”) wrapped “around” I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one” again), like so: NOSE-TOTA(I)L.
What’s done to cow’s carcass, etc: it’s awful (5,7)Answer: SCARE TACTICS (i.e. “what’s done to cow” – recall COW from 6a). “Awful” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of CARCASS ETC IT.
Spitfire having right to open vintage display (5)Answer: SHREW (i.e. “spitfire” or hot-tempered woman). Solution is R (a recognised abbreviation of “right”) placed in or “opening” SHEW (i.e. “vintage display”, or an archaic form of “show”), like so: SH(R)EW.
Loving to add to volume, becoming noisy (9)Answer: CLAMOROUS (i.e. “noisy”). Solution is AMOROUS (i.e. “loving”) “added” to the end of CL (i.e. “volume”, in this case a centilitre), like so: CL-AMOROUS.
Expert on old card game subject to sanction (2,5)Answer: ON APPRO (i.e. “subject to sanction”). Solution is PRO (i.e. “expert”) placed “on” or after O (a recognised abbreviation of “old”) and NAP (i.e. “old card game”, short for Napoleon apparently), like so: (O-NAP)-PRO.
Site of monastery one’s visiting announced quite secure (4,6)Answer: HOLY ISLAND (i.e. “site of monastery”, Lindisfarne). Solution is I’S (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one’s”) placed in or “visiting” a homophone (indicated by “announced”) of WHOLLY (i.e. “quite”) and LAND (i.e. to “secure”), like so: HOLY-(I’S)-LAND.
Wind up in hospital with child and dependants (7-2)Answer: HANGERS-ON (i.e. “dependants”). Solution is ANGER (i.e. “wind up”) placed “in” H (a recognised abbreviation of “hospital” used on maps) and SON (i.e. “child”), like so: H-(ANGER)-SON. Already appeared this month in grid 1613, also on odd intersecting letters, so…
Down clues
Traces of clay left in model built to scale (5)Answer: CLIMB (i.e. “scale”). “Traces of” indicates the solution is derived from the initial letters of CLAY LEFT IN MODEL BUILT. Also appeared in February in grid 1601, also on odd intersecting letters, so…
Answer: ENTHUSIAST (i.e. “buff”). Solution is EN (i.e. “gent, unclothed”, i.e. the word “gent” with its first and last letters removed) followed by THUS (i.e. “so”), then I, then AS (i.e. “like”) and T (a recognised abbreviation of “time”).
Once hard, melting fast (8)Answer: ANCHORED (i.e. held “fast”). “Melting” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of ONCE HARD.
Big map we all used off and on for drive (5)Answer: IMPEL (i.e. “drive”). “Off and on” indicates the solution is derived from every other letter of BIG MAP WE ALL.
Republican first lady turned politician is convert (9)Answer: REDEVELOP (i.e. “convert”). Solution is RED (i.e. “republican” colour, e.g. in the US) followed by EVE (i.e. “first lady”, if The Bible is to be believed) and POL (short for “politician”) once this latter has been reversed (indicated by “turned”), like so: RED-EVE-LOP.
Tease band releasing second disc (4)Answer: COMB (i.e. to “tease” fibres or hair into place). Solution is COMBO (i.e. “band”) once the “second” O or “disc”, referring to its shape, is removed or “released”.
Alert when keeping note of liquid? (6)Answer: WATERY (i.e. “of liquid”). Solution WARY (i.e. “alert”) once wrapped around or “keeping” TE (a “note” of the sol-fa scale, i.e. your doh-ray-me etc), like so: WA(TE)RY.
Comprehensive answer put out by directors (6-3-5)Answer: ACROSS-THE-BOARD (i.e. “comprehensive”). Solution is A (a recognised abbreviation of “answer”, as in Q&A) followed by CROSS (i.e. “put out”) and THE BOARD (i.e. “directors” of an organisation).
Music-makers got in fights with girlfriend? (7-5)Answer: SQUEEZE-BOXES (i.e. “music-makers”, accordions). Clue playfully satisfies “fights with girlfriend”, SQUEEZE being slang for a girlfriend.
Circle line is failing even at peak (7)Answer: EQUATOR (i.e. imaginary “circle” around the earth). Solution is EQUAL (i.e. “even”) with the L removed (indicated by “line is failing…” – L being a recognised abbreviation of “line”) and the remainder followed by TOR (i.e. “peak”), like so: EQUA-TOR.
Youth with a mean statement from NY benefit office? (10)Answer: ADOLESCENT (i.e. “youth”). When written as A DOLE’S CENT the solution also playfully satisfies “a mean statement from NY benefit office” – cents being US currency.
Seen to go with the job, as cheque might be? (9)Answer: POSTDATED (i.e. “as cheque might be”). Solution is DATED (i.e. “seen”, amorously) placed after or “with” POST (i.e. “job”), like so: POST-DATED.
Relieved seeing that wise daughter protects you (8)Answer: ASSUAGED (i.e. “relieved”). Solution is AS (i.e. “seeing that”), SAGE (i.e. “wise”) and D (a recognised abbreviation of “daughter”) all wrapped around or “protecting” U (“you” – not something I can immediately see supported in my Chambers, but you do see it often enough in brand names, e.g. Phones 4u, Spudulike etc), like so: AS-S(U)AGE-D.
Moving scenery as required (9)Answer: NECESSARY (i.e. “required”). “Moving” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of SCENERY AS. Appeared in grid 1587 back in December, also on odd intersecting letters, and using most of the same clue too, so…
Answer: TREASURING (i.e. “saving”). Solution is T (i.e. “ultimately not”, i.e. the last letter of “not”) followed by REASSURING (i.e. “inspiring confidence”) once one of the Ss is removed (indicated by “when Society’s lost” – S being a recognised abbreviation of “society”), like so: T-REASURING. Like GINSBERG, TREASURE appeared only two bloody days ago, also on odd intersecting letters, so have another meme…
Answer: APOTHEOSIS (i.e. “highpoint”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “resort”) of IS TEASHOP and O (i.e. “opening on the front”, i.e. the first letter of “opening”). One I knew mostly from the second sentence of Stephen King’s The Gunslinger (the first book of his Dark Tower series), mostly because I had to get off my fat arse to get a dictionary to find out what an apotheosis was.
Well they mean to follow instructions – with one difference (2-7)Answer: DO-GOODERS (i.e. “well they mean”. Indeed, wise Yoda). Solution is DOG (i.e. “to follow”) followed by ORDERS (i.e. “instructions”) once subjected to “one difference”, like so: DOG-O(R)DERS => DOG-O(O)DERS. This kind of vague, hand-wavy wordplay is rarely satisfying. Meanwhile, DO-GOODER appeared in 1605 (like CHEVALIER) but on even intersecting letters.
Flavoursome stuff from old poet at battle scene, seconds later (8,6)Answer: CINNAMON STICKS (i.e. “flavoursome stuff”). Solution is Helvius CINNA (i.e. “old poet” of the late Roman Republic) followed by MONS (i.e. “battle scene” of the First World War) and TICKS (i.e. “seconds”).
What’s laid on the table? That’s also what it’s for (3,5)Answer: EGG SPOON. One of those “& lit” things where the solution satisfies the clue as a whole. The solution could also comprise EGG (i.e. “what’s laid” by a hen) and SPOON, however the latter is derived. I thought a dictionary might list “table” as a shortened form of “tablespoon”, but nothing immediately jumped out at me. Bradford’s likes the usage, but I’d like to know why. As ever, if anyone offers up a satisfactory solution then I’ll update the post, otherwise I’m getting on with what remains of the day.
Make hot and spicy one, starter for guests, a brown colour? (12)Answer: MULLIGATAWNY. Another unsatisfactory clue. I guess the solution is referring to a “hot and spicy” soup, recycling part of the clue to get MULL (i.e. “make hot and spicy”), then I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”, yet again), then G (i.e. “starter [letter] for guests”), then A and finally TAWNY (i.e. “brown colour”). Alternatively, the setter might be trying to pass off MULLIGATAWNY as a “colour”, but none of my dictionaries support it.
Stars using key to open public house across the pond (9)Answer: DELPHINUS (i.e. “stars” – a win for my Bradford’s. As regular readers know, I can’t be hacked with made-to-fit trash, so this got short thrift the moment I had enough letters). Solution is DEL (i.e. “key”) followed by PH (i.e. a recognised abbreviation of “public house” – I guess “to open” is referring to initial letters thereof and is there only to help make the clue scan) and IN US (i.e. “across the pond”, referring to the United States).
As unaccompanied group, one might keep Pole outside? (10)Answer: BARBERSHOP (i.e. “an unaccompanied group”, referring to a barbershop quartet). The remainder of the clue plays on how many barbers will have a stripy “pole” outside their place of business. Ignore the misleading capitalisation.
Evidently inferior charts slid off the wall (5-5)Answer: THIRD-CLASS (i.e. “evidently inferior”). “Off the wall” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of CHARTS SLID. Nicely worked.
Male garment and watch included with eighth sale item? (9)Answer: LOINCLOTH (i.e. “male garment”). Solution is LO (i.e. “watch” or see, as in lo and behold) followed by INC (short for “included”) and LOT H (which playfully satisfies “eighth sale item”, H being the eighth letter of the alphabet). Appeared in grid 1605 back in March, also on odd intersecting letters, so…
Answer: ONE-TO-ONE (i.e. “personal”). “Hosts” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: CHAPER(ONE-TOO-NE)AR.
Before ten, mostly unusual to consume very large port (7)Answer: ROSARIO (i.e. “port” in Argentina – for made-to-fit constellations see also made-to-fit ports. Treat all such solutions with the contempt they deserve). Solution is IO (i.e. “ten” – I’m sure you can see why). “Before” this is placed RARE (i.e. “unusual”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “mostly”) and the remainder wrapped around or “consuming” OS (i.e. “very large”, a recognised abbreviation of “outsize”), like so: (R(OS)AR)-IO.
Rogue agents have pinched bug with drone (6)Answer: CICADA (i.e. “bug with drone”). Solution is CAD (i.e. “rogue”) placed in or “pinched” by CIA (i.e. “agents”, specifically the Central Intelligence Agency of the US), like so: CI(CAD)A. Also appeared in grid 1595 back in January, also on even intersecting letters, so…
Answer: RESIN (i.e. “sticky stuff”). Solution is RE (i.e. “touching” on or regarding – think email replies) followed by SIN (i.e. “what’s potentially deadly”, referring to the seven deadly sins). Also appeared in grid 1580 back in October, also on odd intersecting letters, so…
Answer: IPPON (i.e. a “winning move” in judo or karate). Solution is I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one” again, again, again, again, again, again, again) followed by PP (i.e. “very quietly”, i.e. a recognised abbreviation of “pianissimo” used in musical lingo) and ON (i.e. “performing”). Another nailed solely from the wordplay.
Not exactly getting on, being unfriendly (4)Answer: COLD (i.e. “unfriendly”). Solution is C (i.e. “not exactly”, i.e. a recognised abbreviation of “circa”) followed by OLD (i.e. “getting on”).
May 27, 2023
Times Jumbo Cryptic Crossword 1617
A medium-strength Jumbo to see in another Bank Holiday weekend, and a pleasant enough fill. The relatively low number of repeats was welcome too (though one was a repeat we see all the time!).
You can find my completed grid below along with explanations of my solutions where I have them. I hope you find them helpful. If a recent Jumbo has escaped your ken then you might find my Just For Fun page of use, where you’ll find links to solutions for hundreds of the things.
Thanks again for the kind words and input. It’s always interesting to hear the thoughts of other solvers once the dust settles. Till next time, stay safe out there kids.
LP
RBV (Repeats-By-Volume): 5%
Across clues
Unusual Scots MP fibbed about Siamese perhaps being not involved (13)Answer: UNCOMPLICATED (i.e. “not involved”). Solution is UNCO (i.e. “unusual Scots”, or a Scots word meaning “unusual”. A new one on me, but I like it) followed by MP, then LIED (i.e. “fibbed”) once wrapped “about” CAT (i.e. “Siamese perhaps”), like so: UNCO-MP-LI(CAT)ED.
I teach juggling with set principle of style (9)Answer: AESTHETIC (i.e. “principle of style”). “Juggling” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of I TEACH and SET.
Discourage animal eating turnip’s top (5)Answer: DETER (i.e. “discourage”). Solution is DEER (i.e. “animal”) wrapped around or “eating” T (i.e. “turnip’s top”, i.e. the first letter of “turnip”), like so: DE(T)ER.
Inferior cheese is months old – consume with gin, perhaps? (9)Answer: MOUSETRAP (i.e. “inferior cheese”). Solution is M (a recognised abbreviation of “months”) followed by O (ditto “old”), then USE (i.e. “consume”) and TRAP (i.e. a variant meaning of “gin”).
Chap keeping Swiss canton’s travel business (7)Answer: TOURISM (i.e. “travel business”). Solution is TOM (i.e. “chap’s” name) wrapped around or “keeping” URI’S (i.e. “Swiss canton’s” – no, me neither), like so: TO(URI’S)M.
Musician playing in recitals includes Tippett’s last two pieces (12)Answer: CLARINETTIST (i.e. “musician”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “playing”) of IN RECITALS wrapped around or “including” TT (i.e. “Tippett’s last two pieces” or letters), like so: CLARINE(TT)IST.
Leader’s alarm perhaps with state of climate? But there’s no answer (10)Answer: BELLWETHER (i.e. a “leader”). Solution is BELL (i.e. “alarm perhaps”) followed by WEATHER (i.e. “state of climate”) once the A has been removed (indicated by “but there’s no answer”, A being a recognised abbreviation of “answer”, e.g. in Q&A), like so: BELL-WETHER.
Consternation of saint hugged by two girls (6)Answer: DISMAY (i.e. “consternation”). Solution is S (a recognised abbreviation of “saint”) placed between or “hugged by” DI and MAY (i.e. “two girl’s” names), like so: DI-(S)-MAY.
Puzzle of a wrong mark and right mark for oral presentation (8)Answer: ACROSTIC (i.e. “puzzle”). Solution is A followed by homophones (indicated by “for oral presentation”) of CROSS (i.e. “wrong mark”) and TICK (i.e. “right mark”), like so: A-CROS-TIC.
Give a sermon with power and range of influence (6)Answer: PREACH (i.e. “give a sermon”). Solution is P (a recognised abbreviation of “power”) followed by REACH (i.e. “range of influence”).
Slow treacle flowing in a river (10)Answer: DECELERATE (i.e. to “slow”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “flowing”) of TREACLE placed “in” DEE (i.e. “a river” in Scotland), like so: DE(CELERAT)E.
Strong declaration in favour of those abandoning the centre position (12)Answer: PROTESTATION (i.e. “strong declaration”). Solution is PRO (i.e. “in favour of”) followed by TE (i.e. “those abandoning the centre”, i.e. the word “those” with all its middle letters removed) and STATION (i.e. “position”).
Horse galloped around ring (4)Answer: ROAN (i.e. a type of “horse”). Solution is RAN (i.e. “galloped”) wrapped “around” O (i.e. “ring”), like so: R(O)AN.
Tricked out of diamonds after tea dance (8)Answer: CHACONNE (i.e. a “dance”). Solution is CONNED (i.e. “tricked”) with the D removed (indicated by “out of diamonds” – D being a recognised abbreviation of “diamonds” used in card gamers) and the remainder placed “after” CHA (i.e. “tea”), like so: CHA-CONNE. One nailed from the wordplay.
Educated people fired by it are coming back (8)Answer: LITERATI (i.e. “educated people”). Solution is LIT (i.e. “fired”) followed by IT ARE reversed (indicated by “coming back”), like so: LIT-(ERA-TI)
Support alcoholic drink? Nearly all not drinking (8)Answer: TEETOTAL (i.e. “not drinking”). Solution is TEE (i.e. “support” for a golf ball) followed by TOT (i.e. a small amount of “alcoholic drink”) and ALL once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “nearly…”), like so: TEE-TOT-AL.
Short-lived insect – he mates initially in record time (8)Answer: EPHEMERA (i.e. “short-lived insect”, or anything short-lived for that matter). Solution is HE and M (i.e. “mates initially”, i.e. the first letter of “mates”) placed “in” between EP (i.e. “record”, specifically an Extended Play) and ERA (i.e. “time”), like so: EP-(HE-M)-ERA.
Send a telegram with anger (4)Answer: WIRE (i.e. “send a telegram”). Solution is W (a recognised abbreviation of “with”) followed by IRE (i.e. “anger”). Appeared in grid 1584 back in November, also on even intersecting letters, so…
Answer: EVEN-TEMPERED (i.e. “calm”). Solution is N (a recognised abbreviation of “northern”) and TEMPE (i.e. “valley of great beauty” – over to Chambers: “the valley of the Peneus in Thessaly, praised by the ancient poets for its unsurpassed beauty”) placed “in” between EVE (i.e. “poetic [form of] evening”) and RED (i.e. “sunset colour”), like so: EVE-(N-TEMPE)-RED.
Fish with a nice wild sparkle (10)Answer: BRILLIANCE (i.e. “sparkle”). Solution is BRILL (i.e. a variety of “fish”) followed by an anagram (indicated by “wild”) of A NICE, like so: BRILL-IANCE.
Fuss about name surrounded by female and male enthusiasts? (6)Answer: FANDOM (i.e. “enthusiasts”). Solution is ADO (i.e. “fuss”) wrapped “about” N (a recognised abbreviation of “name”) and the whole then placed between or “surrounded by” F and M (recognised abbreviations of “female” and “male” respectively), like so: F-(A(N)DO)-M.
Alcoholic drinks with a lot of ice beat writer (8)Answer: Allen GINSBERG (i.e. “beat writer”). Solution is GINS (i.e. “alcoholic drinks”) followed by BERG (i.e. “a lot of ice”).
What’s in a can of beer? Weight I would gain (6)Answer: WIDGET (i.e. “what’s in a can of beer”). Solution is W (a recognised abbreviation of “weight”) followed by I’D (a contraction of “I would”) and GET (i.e. “gain”).
What newspapers want academic craft? (10)Answer: READERSHIP. Solution satisfies “what newspapers want” and “academic craft”.
Madly irate lunatic with unclear speech (12)Answer: INARTICULATE (i.e. “with unclear speech”). “Madly” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of IRATE LUNATIC.
National poet’s got backing in India more than once (7)Answer: ISRAELI (i.e. a “national”). Solution is Edward LEAR’S (i.e. “poet’s”) reversed (indicated by “got backing”) and placed in I and I (i.e. “India more than once” – “India” being I in the phonetic alphabet), like so: I(S’RAEL)I. Following my comments in grids 1604 back in March and 1595 back in January, I knew setters would eventually find ways of clueing up ISRAELI without using DISRAELI, or vice versa. Well done. It can’t be easy for them, especially considering how often their grid-filling software keeps picking ISRAELI as a solution. And so, predictably…
Answer: CHARLATAN (i.e. “fraud”). Solution is CHARLIE AND TANYA once the last two letters have been removed from each word (loosely indicated by “consistently left short”).
One having to complain about girl (5)Answer: NAOMI (i.e. “girl’s” name). Solution is I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”) and MOAN (i.e. “to complain”) all reversed (indicated by “about”), like so: NAOM-I. Another one the office GridFill 4000TM likes to pick, last appearing in grid 1575 back in September, also on odd intersecting letters, so…
Answer: MONOTREME (i.e. the oldest living order of “mammal”, apparently. It appeared a few years ago in grid 1456, and I didn’t know what one was back then either). Solution is MO (i.e. a “second” or short space of time) followed by NOTRE DAME (i.e. “French cathedral”) once the D and A have been removed (indicated by “throws out daughter with a” – D being a recognised abbreviation of “daughter”), like so: MO-(NOTRE-ME).
Chambers perhaps with entries for second and note optional (13)Answer: DISCRETIONARY (i.e. “optional”). Solution is DICTIONARY (i.e. “Chambers perhaps” – I’d have been disappointed if I hadn’t twigged this one) wrapping separately around or being “entered” by S (a recognised abbreviation of “second”) and RE (i.e. a “note” in the sol-fa scale), like so: DI(S)C(RE)TIONARY.
Down clues
Open University took chances during study that’s set up (9)Answer: UNDECIDED (i.e. “open”). Solution is U (a recognised abbreviation of “university”) followed by DICED (i.e. “took chances”) once it has been placed “during” DEN (i.e. “study”) and this latter bit all reversed (indicated by “that’s set up” – this being a down clue), like so: U-(N(DECID)ED).
Weapon category including uranium and tritium primarily (7)Answer: CUTLASS (i.e. “weapon”). Solution is CLASS (i.e. “category”) wrapped around or “including” U (chemical symbol of “uranium”) and T (i.e. “tritium primarily”, i.e. the first letter of “tritium”), like so: C(U-T)LASS.
Slightly spoil spirit for the whole year (10)Answer: MARGINALLY (i.e. “slightly”). Solution is MAR (i.e. “spoil”) followed by GIN (i.e. alcoholic “spirit”), then ALL (i.e. “the whole”) and Y (a recognised abbreviation of “year”).
Allowed to hold naughty child, one clinging on forcefully (6)Answer: LIMPET (i.e. “one clinging on forcefully”). Solution is LET (i.e. “allowed”) wrapped around or “holding” IMP (i.e. “naughty child”), like so: L(IMP)ET.
Where to hear major Roman poet supporting emperor’s retinue? (5,7)Answer: COURT MARTIAL (i.e. court held by the armed forces, or “where to hear major”). Solution is MARTIAL (i.e. “Roman poet” – he popped up in Jumbo 1599 back in February, but it took me ages to remember him) placed after or “supporting” COURT (i.e. “emperor’s retinue”).
Prize short willow, perhaps on a southern river (8)Answer: TREASURE (i.e. “prize”). Solution is TREE (i.e. “willow, perhaps”) with its last letter removed (indicated by “short”) and the remainder followed by A, then S (a recognised abbreviation of “southern”) and URE (i.e. an English “river”), like so: TRE-A-S-URE.
A place for the rest of pupils either end of dining-room (4)Answer: DORM (i.e. “a place for the rest of pupils” at a boarding school). When written as D OR M the solution also satisfies “either end [letters] of dining-room”. Chambers would disagree, treating dining room as two separate words, but then it does its case no good by hyphenating dining-hall and dining-car. But not dining table. I give up.
Be sensitively aware of increase in price (10)Answer: APPRECIATION. Solution satisfies “be sensitively aware of” and “increase in price”.
Item of furniture’s alight (6)Answer: SETTLE. Solution satisfies “item of furniture” – specifically “a long-highbacked bench” (Chambers) – and to “alight”.
Height on river wave – such a one could damage locks (12)Answer: HOUSEBREAKER (i.e. “one could damage locks”). Solution is H (a recognised abbreviation of “house”) followed by OUSE (another English “river”) and BREAKER (i.e. a kind of “wave”).
Perhaps piece of chicken’s off with temperature going over (5)Answer: THIGH (i.e. “perhaps piece of chicken”). Solution is HIGH (i.e. gamy or “off”) with T (a recognised abbreviation of “temperature”) placed ahead or “over” it, like so: T-HIGH.
Remove pinches rum in school (13)Answer: COMPREHENSIVE (i.e. “school”). “Rum” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of REMOVE PINCHES.
Rage after Sir takes time for one more rum (8)Answer: STRANGER (i.e. “more rum” – lots of booze in this week’s Jumbo. Bottoms up!) Solution is ANGER (i.e. “rage”) placed “after” SIR once the I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”) has been swapped “for” T (a recognised abbreviation of “time”), like so: S(I)R-ANGER => S(T)R-ANGER.
I am appearing in a country film (9)Answer: ANIMATION (i.e. “film”). Solution is I’M (a contraction of “I am”) placed “in” A and NATION (i.e. “country”), like so: A-N(I’M)ATION.
Announce concert including the French in Channel Islands (8)Answer: PROCLAIM (i.e. “announce”). Solution is PROM (i.e. “concert”) wrapped around or “including” LA (i.e. “the French”, i.e. the French for “the”) once it has first been placed “in” CI (a recognised abbreviation of “Channel Islands”), like so: PRO(C(LA)I)M. Appeared in grid 1570 back in August, but on odd intersecting letters.
Cold meat on sale finally with Christmas coming up is a slow mover (9)Answer: CHAMELEON (i.e. “a slow mover” – come on, setter. The clue scans nicely, but that’s a bit of a leap for solvers to make). Solution is C (a recognised abbreviation of “cold”) followed by HAM (i.e. “meat”), then E (i.e. “sale finally”, i.e. the last letter of “sale”), then NOEL (i.e. “Christmas”) once this latter has been reversed (indicated by “coming up” – this being a down clue), like so: C-HAM-E-LEON.
Fitting garment with the necessary skill (8)Answer: SUITABLE (i.e. “fitting”). Solution is SUIT (i.e. “garment”) followed by ABLE (i.e. “with the necessary skill”).
Company representative has residence and second pad (8)Answer: COMPRESS (i.e. to “pad”). Solution is CO (a recognised abbreviation of “company”) followed by MP (i.e. “representative”, specifically a Member of Parliament), then RES (short for “residence”) and S (a recognised abbreviation of “second”).
An element of resistance with King Arthur’s father taking girl into marketplace (13)Answer: RUTHERFORDIUM (i.e. “an element”). Solution is R (a recognised abbreviation of “resistance”) followed by UTHER Pendragon (i.e. “King Arthur’s father”), then DI (i.e. “girl’s” name) once placed in FORUM (i.e. originally a “marketplace”, it seems), like so: R-UTHER-FOR(DI)UM.
Opponents met wrangling for delay (12)Answer: POSTPONEMENT (i.e. “delay”). “Wrangling” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of OPPONENTS MET.
What aids preservation for rare tiger all over the place (12)Answer: REFRIGERATOR (i.e. “what aids preservation”). “All over the place” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of FOR RARE TIGER.
House band only making one side of an LP? (10)Answer: SEMICIRCLE (i.e. “one side of an LP”, or Long-Play record. I get what the setter is playing at here, given LPs are usually round in shape… I just don’t agree. A circle has no sides, let alone two. Instead a circle has a circumference. Yes, I’m fun at parties). Solution is SEMI (i.e. “house”, short for semi-detached) followed by CIRCLE (i.e. “band”).
Indistinct slur concealing a new instruction to musicians (10)Answer: DIMINUENDO (i.e. “instruction to musicians” to pipe it down a bit). Solution is DIM (i.e. “indistinct”) followed by INNUENDO (i.e. “slur”) once one of the Ns (a recognised abbreviation of “new”) has been removed or “concealed”, like so: DIM-INUENDO. This was a swine to get when only given the even intersecting letters. Bradford’s came to the rescue in the end, at least for the INNUENDO part.
End of English eleven one short with time up in test (9)Answer: EXTREMITY (i.e. an “end” of something). Solution E (a recognised abbreviation of “English”) followed by X (i.e. “eleven one short”, or the Roman numeral for ten), then TIME once reversed (indicated by “up” – this being a down clue) and placed “in” TRY (i.e. to “test”), like so: E-X-TR(EMIT)Y.
Who painted only at sea in shades like crimson and scarlet? (8)Answer: Joshua REYNOLDS (i.e. 18th century portrait “painter”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “at sea”) of ONLY placed “in” REDS (i.e. “shades like crimson and scarlet”), like so: RE(YNOL)DS.
Cereal managed in Angola without key nitrogen (7)Answer: GRANOLA (i.e. “cereal”). Solution is RAN (i.e. “managed”) placed “in” ANGOLA once the A and N have been removed (indicated by “without key nitrogen” – A being a musical note; N being the chemical symbol of nitrogen), like so: G(RAN)OLA.
Rise high like magpie circling rook (6)Answer: ASPIRE (i.e. “rise high” – Chambers offers “to tower up”, and for tower “to soar up high so as to swoop on quarry”). Solution is AS (i.e. “like”) followed by PIE (i.e. a variant meaning being a “magpie”) once wrapped around or “circling” R (a recognised abbreviation of “rook” used in chess), like so: AS-PI(R)E.
Note good trap needed for seal (6)Answer: SIGNET (i.e. “seal”). Solution is SI (i.e. another of those sol-fa “notes”, the seventh – apparently this was later superseded by TI) followed by G (a recognised abbreviation of “good”) and NET (i.e. a “trap”).
Island a Republican managed (5)Answer: ARRAN (i.e. a Scottish “island”). Solution is A followed by R (a recognised abbreviation of “Republic”) and RAN (i.e. “managed”).
Boy eats right sort of fat (4)Answer: LARD (i.e. “sort of fat”). Solution is LAD (i.e. “boy”) wrapped around R (a recognised abbreviation of “right”), like so: LA(R)D.
May 20, 2023
Times Jumbo Cryptic Crossword 1616
A relatively straightforward one this week. As regular visitors know, I don’t mind the easier ones! A low number of recent repeats was also a welcome factor. Let’s hope this trend continues.
You can find my completed grid below along with explanations of my solutions where I have them. I hope you find them helpful. If a recent Jumbo has been giving you gyp then you might find my Just For Fun page of help, where you’ll find links to solutions for hundreds of the things.
Thanks once again for the kind words and input. It’s always interesting to hear the thoughts of other solvers once they’ve set down their pens. Till next time, stay safe out there kids.
LP
RBV (Repeats-By-Volume): 3.3%
Across clues
Place to drink in west Peru unfortunately overrun by bachelors (7)Answer: BREWPUB (i.e. “place to drink”, or a pub that serves its own wacky brews). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “unfortunately”) of W (a recognised abbreviation of “west”) and PERU all placed in or “overrun by” BB (i.e. “bachelors” – B being a recognised abbreviation thereof), like so: B(REWPU)B.
Runs after insect close to some other creatures (9)Answer: ANTELOPES (i.e. “creatures”). Solution is LOPES (i.e. “runs”) placed “after” ANT (i.e. “insect”) and E (i.e. “close to some”, i.e. the last letter of “some”), like so: (ANT-E)-LOPES. We had ANTELOPE only last month in grid 1608, also on odd intersecting letters, so…
Answer: TWIG. Solution satisfies “grasp” or understand, and “a bit of wood”.
Winner angry about sixth in javelin getting a medal (8,5)Answer: VICTORIA CROSS (i.e. “medal”). Solution is VICTOR (i.e. “winner”) and CROSS (i.e. “angry”) all wrapped “about” I (i.e. “sixth [letter] in javelin”) and A, like so: VICTOR-(I-A)-CROSS.
Canonises extraordinary biblical event (9)Answer: ASCENSION (i.e. “biblical event”). “Extraordinary” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of CANONISES. Nicely worked.
Stop working with Conservative friend, suppressing one little article (4,2,1,3)Answer: CALL IT A DAY (i.e. “stop working”). Solution is C (a recognised abbreviation of “Conservative”) followed by ALLY (i.e. “friend”) once wrapped around or “suppressing” I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”), TAD (i.e. a “little”) and A (i.e. “article”, being a word like a, an or the), like so: C-ALL(I-TAD-A)Y.
High society venerating Venus at times (7,4)Answer: EVENING STAR (i.e. “Venus at times” – can also be Mercury, apparently). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “high”) of S (a recognised abbreviation of “society”) and VENERATING.
Is angry girl finally ejected from rides? (5)Answer: FUMES (i.e. “is angry”). Solution is FLUMES (i.e. “rides” in amusement parks) with the L (i.e. “girl finally”, i.e. the last letter of “girl”) removed or “ejected”.
Swooped to arrest Harry’s pal, it’s said (10)Answer: PRONOUNCED (i.e. “said”). Solution is POUNCED (i.e. “swooped “) wrapped around or “arresting” RON Weasley (i.e. “Harry [Potter]’s pal”), like so: P(RON)OUNCED.
Certify a temperature check (6)Answer: ATTEST (i.e. “certify”). Solution is A followed by T (a recognised abbreviation of “temperature”) and TEST (i.e. “check”).
One receiving item of clothing found in a river (9)Answer: ADDRESSEE (i.e. “one receiving item”). Solution is DRESS (i.e. “item of clothing”) placed “in” A and DEE (i.e. Scottish “river”), like so: A-D(DRESS)EE.
Vicar finished – prepare to move? (3,2)Answer: REV UP (i.e. “prepare to move” motor vehicle). Solution is REV (i.e. “vicar”, short for reverend) followed by UP (i.e. “finished”).
Switch positions to get beer regularly discounted (2,5)Answer: ON OFFER (i.e. “discounted”). Solution is ON OFF (i.e. electrical “switch positions”) followed by ER (i.e. “beer regularly”, i.e. every other letter of BEER).
Visionary bank employee is after loads of money (7-6)Answer: FORTUNE-TELLER (i.e. “visionary”). Solution is TELLER (i.e. “bank employee”) placed “after” FORTUNE (i.e. “loads of money”). FORTUNE-TELLING appeared back in January in grid 1597, but on even intersecting letters.
Conservative position on playing fields? (5-4)Answer: RIGHT-WING. Solution satisfies “Conservative” and “position on playing fields”.
Look – African country’s backed abandoning island test site (3,6)Answer: LOS ALAMOS (i.e. atomic bomb “test site” in New Mexico). Solution is LO (i.e. “look”, as in lo and behold) followed by SOMALIA’S (i.e. “African country’s”) once the I has been removed (indicated by “abandoning island” – I being a recognised abbreviation of “island”), like so: LO-S’ALAMOS.
Criminal fetches pie, I go for some coins (6,2,5)Answer: PIECES OF EIGHT (i.e. “some coins”). “Criminal” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of FETCHES PIE I GO.
Old Arab wins a race, newcomer admits (7)Answer: SARACEN (i.e. “old Arab”). “Admits” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: WIN(S A RACE N)EWCOMER.
Range of addresses covering area (5)Answer: URALS (i.e. mountain “range”). Solution is URLS (i.e. web “addresses”, short for Uniform Resource Locators) wrapped around or “covering” A (a recognised abbreviation of “area”), like so: UR(A)LS.
Turner finished study at last in solitary setting? (6,3)Answer: LONDON EYE (i.e. a famous big wheel or “turner”). Solution is DONE (i.e. “finished”) and Y (i.e. “study at last”, i.e. the last letter of “study”) all placed “in” LONE (i.e. “solitary”), like so: LON(DONE-Y)E.
Something unique I do away with (3-3)Answer: ONE-OFF (i.e. “something unique”). Solution is ONE (i.e. “I”) followed by OFF (i.e. kill or “do away with”).
Unconventional sort of complimentary booze (4,6)Answer: FREE SPIRIT (i.e. “unconventional”). Solution is FREE (i.e. “complimentary”) followed by SPIRIT (i.e. “booze”).
For example, A&E records (5)Answer: NOTES. Solution satisfies “for example, A&E” – both musical notes – and “records”.
Race brother frantically to become leader (11)Answer: TORCHBEARER (i.e. “leader”). “Frantically” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of RACE BROTHER.
Hamming it up and going too far not concerning (10)Answer: OVERACTING (i.e. “hamming it up”). Solution is OVERREACTING (i.e. “going too far”) with the RE removed (indicated by “not concerning” or regarding – think email replies).
Poet briefly following an elected official, at first quite slowly (9)Answer: ANDANTINO (i.e. “quite slowly” in musical lingo). Solution is DANTE Alighieri (i.e. “poet”) with its last letter removed (indicated by “briefly”) and the remainder placed after or “following” AN. This is all then followed by IN (i.e. “elected”) and O (i.e. “official, at first”, or the first letter of “official”), like so: AN-(DANT)-IN-O.
Place for child beginning to be mature has food and game equipment (8,5)Answer: CRIBBAGE BOARD (i.e. “game equipment”). Solution is CRIB (i.e. “place for child”) followed by B (i.e. “beginning to be”, i.e. the first letter of “be”), then AGE (i.e. “mature”) and BOARD (i.e. “food”, as in room and board).
Fruit chopped near a city (4)Answer: LIMA (i.e. capital “city” of Peru). Solution is LIME (i.e. “fruit”) with the last letter removed (indicated by “chopped”) and the remainder followed by A, like so: LIM-A.
Dossier contains lady with a grand bird of prey (4,5)Answer: FISH EAGLE (i.e. “bird of prey”). Solution is FILE (i.e. “dossier”) wrapped around or “containing” SHE (i.e. “lady”), A and G (a recognised abbreviation of “grand”), like so: FI(SHE-A-G)LE.
Queen put on a lot of perfume approaching unknown landscape (7)Answer: SCENERY (i.e. “landscape”). Solution is ER (i.e. “queen”, specifically Elizabeth Regina) placed “on” or after SCENT (i.e. “perfume”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “a lot of…”). This is all then followed by Y (i.e. “unknown” – setters love referring to X, Y or Z in solutions as unknowns), like so: SCEN-(ER)-Y.
Down clues
Reportedly drink a bunch (4)Answer: BEVY (i.e. “a bunch”). “Reportedly” indicates homophone. Solution is a homophone of BEVVY (i.e. slang for a “drink”, short for beverage). That said, BEVY is an acceptable spelling, so the homophone wasn’t particularly needed.
Old flame – extremely critical pointed and shouted (9)Answer: EXCLAIMED (i.e. “shouted”). Solution is EX (i.e. “old flame”) followed by CL (i.e. “extremely critical”, i.e. the first and last letters of “critical”) and AIMED (i.e. “pointed”).
Country’s crazy public school fee in paper (7,8,2,5)Answer: PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA (i.e. “country”). “Crazy” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of PUBLIC SCHOOL FEE IN PAPER.
Description of a city is hyped (5-2)Answer: BUILT-UP. Solution satisfies “description of a city” and “hyped”.
Choices read out for church district (11)Answer: ARCHDIOCESE (i.e. “church district”). “Out” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of CHOICES READ.
Fellow reportedly in favour of boxing with piece of wood (3-2-4)Answer: TWO-BY-FOUR (i.e. “piece of wood”). Solution is TOBY (i.e. “fellow’s” name) followed by a homophone (indicated by “reportedly”, again) of FOR (i.e. “in favour of”) wrapped around or “boxing” W (a recognised abbreviation of “with”), like so: T(W)OBY-FOUR.
Man perhaps following large thread (5)Answer: LISLE (i.e. a type of “thread”). Solution is ISLE (i.e. “Man perhaps”, other isles are available) placed after or “following” L (a recognised abbreviation of “large”), like so: L-ISLE.
Song perhaps heard by footballer who’s trying to stop a fight (11)Answer: PEACEKEEPER (i.e. “who’s trying to stop a fight”). Solution is a homophone (indicated by “heard”) of PIECE (i.e. “song”) followed by KEEPER (i.e. “footballer”), like so: PEACE-KEEPER. Also appeared in grid 1570 back in August, also on odd intersecting letters, so…
Answer: SICKIE. One of those “& lit” clues where the solution satisfies the clue in general. The clue plays on “complaint” being an illness, rather than a grievance.
Stretch outside street, making a high-pitched noise (7)Answer: WHISTLE (i.e. “high-pitched noise”). Solution is WHILE (i.e. “stretch” or length of time) wrapped around or placed “outside” of ST (a recognised abbreviation of “street”), like so: WHI(ST)LE.
Military officer at peak time cuts power source (9)Answer: GENERATOR (i.e. “power source”). Solution is GEN (i.e. “military officer”, short for a General) and TOR (i.e. “peak”) wrapped around or “cut” by ERA (i.e. another length of “time”), like so: GEN-(ERA)-TOR.
He thinks of battleground prepared for old warriors (7,2,3,5,5)Answer: KNIGHTS OF THE ROUND TABLE (i.e. “old warriors”). “Prepared” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of HE THINKS OF BATTLEGROUND.
Scared of loud tirade (7)Answer: FEARFUL (i.e. “scared”). Solution is F (i.e. “loud”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of “forte” in musical lingo) followed by EARFUL (i.e. “tirade”).
Vehicle heading north uncovered barren region of Spain (7)Answer: NAVARRE (i.e. “region of Spain”). Solution is VAN (i.e. “vehicle”) reversed (indicated by “heading north” – this being a down clue) and followed by ARRE (i.e. “uncovered barren”, i.e. the word “barren” with its first and last letters removed), like so: NAV-ARRE.
Cow with no hair scratching head underneath pine (8)Answer: LONGHORN (i.e. “cow”). Solution is SHORN (i.e. “with no hair”) with its first letter removed (indicated by “scratching head”) and the remainder placed after or “underneath” – this being a down clue – LONG (i.e. to yearn or “pine” for), like so: LONG-HORN.
Irate with sons joining forces (8)Answer: STEAMING (i.e. “irate”). Solution is S (a recognised abbreviation of “sons”) followed by TEAMING (i.e. “joining forces”).
Chuck’s brief liaison (5)Answer: FLING. Solution satisfies to “chuck” and “brief liaison”.
Part of staircase in skyscraper is erected (5)Answer: RISER (i.e. “part of staircase”). “In” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: SKYSCRAPE(R IS ER)ECTED.
US city home for French mathematician (7)Answer: Pierre Simon LAPLACE (i.e. “French mathematician”). Solution is LA (i.e. “US city”, Los Angeles) followed by PLACE (i.e. “home”).
Estimate includes time left to make chicken (7)Answer: GUTLESS (i.e. “chicken”). Solution is GUESS (i.e. “estimate”) wrapped around or “including” T (a recognised abbreviation of “time”) and L (ditto “left”), like so: GU(T-L)ESS.
Certain figures having uncool origins (6,5)Answer: SQUARE ROOTS (i.e. “figures”). Solution is SQUARE (i.e. “uncool”) followed by ROOTS (i.e. “origins”).
Learn beagle is changing – it’s not as big as it could be! (11)Answer: ENLARGEABLE (i.e. “it’s not as big as it could be”). “Is changing” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of LEARN BEAGLE.
Minor accident producing deficit (9)Answer: SHORTFALL (i.e. “deficit”). When written as SHORT FALL the solution also satisfies “minor accident”.
Take a drink, perfecting way of removing liquid (9)Answer: SIPHONING (i.e. “way of removing liquid”). Solution is SIP (i.e. “take a drink”) followed by HONING (i.e. “perfecting”).
Lessen the impact of a university from the south interrupting a degree (English) (9)Answer: EXTENUATE (i.e. “lessen the impact of”). Solution is A and U (a recognised abbreviation of “university”) reversed (indicated by “from the south” – this being a down clue) and placed in or “interrupting” EXTENT (i.e. “a degree” of). This is all then followed by E (a recognised abbreviation of “English”), like so: EXTEN(U-A)T-E.
Title of organ recital ultimately upset music fan (7)Answer: EARLDOM (i.e. “title”). Solution is EAR (i.e. “organ”) followed by L (i.e. “recital ultimately”, i.e. the last letter of “recital”) and MOD (i.e. “music fan”) once this latter has been reversed (indicated by “upset” – this being a down clue), like so: EAR-L-DOM.
Drink last of liquor, slump over, and cry due to this? (4,3)Answer: TEAR GAS (i.e. “cry due to this”). Solution is TEA (i.e. a “drink”) followed by R (i.e. “last [letter] of liquor”) and SAG (i.e. “slump”) once this latter has been reversed (indicated by “over”), like so: TEA-R-GAS.
Sculpture is a consolation (6)Answer: RELIEF. Solution satisfies “sculpture” and “consolation”.
Look around park and castle on vacation (5)Answer: RECCE (i.e. “look around”, military slang for reconnaissance). Solution is REC (i.e. “park”, short for recreation) followed by CE (i.e. “castle on vacation”, i.e. the word “castle” with all its middle letters removed).
Toy losing head in whirlpool (4)Answer: EDDY (i.e. “whirlpool”). Solution is TEDDY (i.e. “toy”, a teddy bear) with its first letter removed (indicated by “losing head”).
May 14, 2023
Times Jumbo Cryptic Crossword 1615
Another relatively straightforward Jumbo this week, though one spiced up with a couple of exotic anagrams. I often find these underwhelming – you could have all the intersecting letters and still be none the wiser – but I did rather like the construction of 23a. There were relatively fewer repeats compared to recent weeks, too, which was welcome.
You can find my completed grid below along with explanations of my solutions where I have them. I hope you find them helpful. If a recent Jumbo is giving you night sweats then you might find my Just For Fun page of use, where you’ll find links to solutions for hundreds of the things.
Thanks again for the kind words and input. It’s always interesting to hear the thoughts of solvers once they’ve set down their pens. Till next time, stay safe out there kids.
LP
RBV (Repeats-By-Volume): 8.3%
(With thanks to Stephanie in the comments for correcting 1d)
Across clues
Chemical process? Whip article away from critical study (9)Answer: CATALYSIS (i.e. “chemical process”). Solution is CAT (i.e. “whip”, specifically a cat-o-nine-tails) followed by ANALYSIS (i.e. “critical study”) once the AN has been removed (indicated by “article away from…” – an article being a word like a, an or the), like so: CAT-ALYSIS.
MD’s style? With energy, MD needs brain activated to work (7,6)Answer: BEDSIDE MANNER (i.e. “MD’s style”, an MD being a Doctor of Medicine or Medicinae Doctor). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “activated to work”) of E (a recognised abbreviation of “energy”) and MD NEEDS BRAIN.
Simplistic North America likely to shock, ousting leader (5)Answer: NAÏVE (i.e. “simplistic”). Solution is NA (short for “North America”) followed by LIVE (i.e. “likely to shock”, e.g. a live electrical wire) once its first letter has been removed (indicated by “ousting leader”), like so: NA-IVE.
Recalled musical success with theatre adopting right authority (11)Answer: PREROGATIVE (i.e. “authority” or “right arising out of one’s rank, position or office” (Chambers)). Solution is EVITA (i.e. a “musical”) followed by GO (i.e. a “success”, informally) and REP (i.e. “theatre”, short for a repertory theatre) once wrapped around or “adopting” R (a recognised abbreviation of “right”). The whole is then reversed (indicated by “recalled”), like so: P(R)ER-OG-ATIVE.
Urban greenery needing a warm coat (5)Answer: PARKA (i.e. “warm coat”). Solution is PARK (i.e. “urban greenery”) followed by A.
Paid me back: old character’s considered good about that (11)Answer: REMUNERATED (i.e. “paid”). Solution is ME reversed (indicated by “back”) and placed in or having “about” it RUNE (i.e. “old character”) and RATED (i.e. “considered good”), like so: R(EM)UNE-RATED.
Strength in the lashes when fluttering (11)Answer: HEALTHINESS (i.e. “strength”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “when fluttering”) of IN THE LASHES.
Secretary receiving an expert cure (7)Answer: PANACEA (i.e. “cure”). Solution is PA (i.e. “secretary” or Personal Assistant) wrapped around or “receiving” AN and ACE (i.e. “expert”), like so: P(AN-ACE)A.
Item of poetry allowed after masterstroke (7)Answer: COUPLET (i.e. “item of poetry”). Solution is LET (i.e. “allowed”) placed “after” COUP (i.e. “masterstroke”), like so: COUP-LET.
Military leader to be heading for Rome in a month (7)Answer: OCTOBER (i.e. “month”). Solution is OC (i.e. “military leader”, an Officer Commanding or Officer in Chief) followed by TO BE and R (i.e. “heading for Rome”, or the first letter of “Rome”). Appeared in grid 1568 back in July, also on odd intersecting letters, so…
Answer: TRAIN A GRANDE VITESSE, abbreviated to TGV, is France’s intercity train service. The solution therefore satisfies the clue as a whole, but is also formed from an anagram (indicated by “brought about”) of ARDENNES A GREAT VISIT. A very nicely worked clue, granted, but with the number of setters keen to squeeze French phrases and such into their grids I do wonder whether The Times should launch a French crossword. They already do one for Latin, so why not?
Minute almost needed to get ready (3)Answer: TIN (i.e. “ready”, both slang for money). Solution is TINY (i.e. “minute”) with its last letter removed (indicated by “almost”).
Holy man blocking temptation shows distinction (6)Answer: LUSTRE (i.e. “distinction”). Solution is ST (i.e. “holy man”, short for a saint) placed in or “blocking” LURE (i.e. “temptation”), like so: LU(ST)RE.
Legal statement is flexible, one having been moved back (6)Answer: PLAINT (i.e. “legal statement”). Solution is PLIANT (i.e. “flexible”) with the I or Roman numeral “one” “moved back” a notch, like so: PL(I)ANT => PLA(I)NT.
Flag put back before lecture is to disappear (9)Answer: EVAPORATE (i.e. “disappear”). Solution is PAVE (i.e. to “flag”) reversed (indicated by “put back”) and followed by ORATE (i.e. “lecture”), like so: EVAP-ORATE.
Animal secretion increasingly seen to rotate in ring (9)Answer: PHEROMONE (i.e. “animal secretion”). Solution is MORE (i.e. “increasingly”) reversed (indicated by “seen to rotate”) and placed “in” PHONE (i.e. to “ring”), like so: PH(EROM)ONE.
Leg mostly surrounded by other legs is shining (6)Answer: GLEAMS (i.e. “is shining”). Solution is LEG with its last letter removed (indicated by “mostly”) and the remainder placed in or “surrounded by” GAMS (i.e. “other legs” – GAM has several variant meanings, one being slang for “a human leg, especially female” (Chambers)), like so: G(LE)AMS. You could make an argument for GLEAMY, as GAMY can mean spirited or lively or having “legs”, but I think GLEAMS is a stronger candidate.
Stop recalling passion in case (6)Answer: PERIOD (i.e. a full “stop”). Solution is IRE (i.e. “passion”) reversed (indicated by “recalled”) and placed “in” POD (i.e. “case”), like so: P(ERI)OD.
Some further airtime for African music (3)Answer: RAI (i.e. “African music” – over to Chambers again: “a modern, N African form of popular music, blending traditional Arabic and Spanish with Western dance rhythms”). “Some” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: FURTHE(R AI)RTIME.
Indication of closure, as pilfering female pinching article confesses (4,3,3,4,5)Answer: WHEN THE FAT LADY SINGS (i.e. “indication of closure”). Solution is WHEN (i.e. “as”), THEFT (i.e. “pilfering”) and LADY (i.e. “female”) all wrapped around or “pinching” A (i.e. “article”, already covered above). This is all then followed by SINGS (i.e. “confesses”), like so: (WHEN-THEF(A)T-LADY)-SINGS.
Mysterious shout still perhaps observed around tango (7)Answer: CRYPTIC (i.e. “mysterious”). Solution is CRY (i.e. “shout”) followed by PIC (i.e. “still perhaps” or photograph) wrapped “around” T (“tango” in the phonetic alphabet), like so: CRY-P(T)IC.
Brief comment about Minister held back team (7)Answer: EVERTON (i.e. a football “team”). Solution is NOTE (i.e. “brief comment”) reversed (indicated by “about”) and wrapped around or “holding” REV (i.e. “Minister”, short for reverend) once this has also been reversed (indicated by “back”), like so: E(VER)TON.
Herb ungrateful daughter planted in rings (7)Answer: OREGANO (i.e. “herb”). Solution is REGAN (i.e. “ungrateful daughter” of William Shakespeare’s King Lear) “planted in” between O and O (both “rings”), like so: O(REGAN)O. Appeared in grid 1564 back in July, also on odd intersecting letters, so…
Answer: UNFORGOTTEN (i.e. “still retrievable”). “Trampled” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of TURF NOT GONE.
Not something you can see being developed by rival outlet (11)Answer: ULTRAVIOLET (i.e. “not something you can see”). “Being developed” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of RIVAL OUTLET.
A lot of shadows behind one house in the North (5)Answer: IGLOO (i.e. “house in the North” or up in the Arctic). Solution is GLOOM (i.e. “shadows”) with its last letter removed (indicated by “a lot of…”) and the remainder placed “behind” I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”), like so: I-GLOO. Appeared in grid 1578 back in October, also on odd intersecting letters, and using a very similar clue, so…
Answer: PURPLE PATCH. Solution playfully satisfies “lavender bed”, and also “it may be excessively flowery” – Chambers offers: “a passage of fine, or (often) over-ornate, writing”.
Thai people live in Bangkok and Yangon ultimately (5)Answer: KAREN (i.e. “Thai people”). Solution is ARE (i.e. “live”) placed “in” between K and N (i.e. the last or “ultimate” letters of Bangkok and Yangon respectively), like so: K-(ARE)-N. Bradford’s to the rescue here.
American novel’s representation of sheltered year (3,10)Answer: THE DEERSLAYER (i.e. “American novel” by James Fenimore Cooper – no, me neither). “Representation of” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of SHELTERED YEAR.
Several years without unpleasantness, not seeing one rotting (9)Answer: DECADENCE (i.e. “rotting”). Solution is DECADE (i.e. “several years”) followed by NICE (i.e. “without unpleasantness”) once the I has been removed (indicated by “not seeing [Roman numeral] one”), like so: DECADE-NCE.
Down clues
Shifted intercept on a line moving to the middle (11)Answer: CENTREPITAL [EDIT: Thanks to Stephanie in the comments for correcting this one. Seems I’ve been making up words, which was rather presumptuous of me! The solution ought to have been CENTRIPETAL. The construction of the solution remains the same. Cheers, Stephanie! – LP] (i.e. “moving to the middle”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “shifted”) of INTERCEPT followed by A and L (a recognised abbreviation of “line”), like so: CENTREPIT-A-L.
Answer: THIAMIN (i.e. “vitamin”). Solution is I AM (i.e. “the writer is”, from the point of view of the setter) placed in or “restricted by” THIN (i.e. “lacking”), like so: TH(I-AM)IN.
Extra bedtime story for a particular group? (3-2)Answer: LIE-IN (i.e. “extra bedtime”). Solution is LIE (i.e. “story”) followed by IN (i.e. “a particular group” – could be a sporting reference, or might mean those in office. Most definitions focus on IN being membership of a group rather than the group itself, so I’m not quite sure what the setter is playing at here).
Transport boss to drink, thus requiring impounding of vehicle (10)Answer: SUPERCARGO (i.e. “transport boss”). Solution is SUP (i.e. “to drink”) followed by ERGO (i.e. “thus”) once wrapped around or “impounding” CAR (i.e. “vehicle”), like so: SUP-ER(CAR)GO.
One doubts church can take part, as originally presented externally (7)Answer: SCEPTIC (i.e. “one doubts”). Solution is CE (i.e. “church”, specifically the Church of England) and PT (short for “part”) both placed in or having “externally” around them SIC (i.e. “as originally presented”), like so: S(CE-PT)IC.
Terrifying family appearing with daughter in winter sport (13)Answer: BLOODCURDLING (i.e. “terrifying”). Solution is BLOOD (i.e. kin or “family”) followed by D (a recognised abbreviation of “daughter”) once placed “in” CURLING (i.e. “winter sport”), like so: BLOOD-CUR(D)LING.
Had vigil arranged to enshrine end of supreme impresario (9)Answer: Sergei DIAGHILEV (i.e. ballet “impresario” – again, me neither). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “arranged”) of HAD VIGIL wrapped around or “enshrining” E (i.e. “end [letter] of supreme”), like so: DIAGHIL(E)V.
Copying it involves chap securing it (7)Answer: IMITANT (i.e. “copying”). Solution is IT wrapped around or “involving” MAN (i.e. “chap”) once this has itself been wrapped around or “securing” IT, like so: I(M(IT)AN)T.
Judge ousting Liberal in vote: constituency’s source of sudden exit (8,4)Answer: EJECTION SEAT (i.e. “source of sudden exit”). Solution is ELECTION (i.e. “vote”) with the L (a recognised abbreviation of “Liberal”) replaced or “ousted” by J (ditto “judge”). This is then followed by SEAT (i.e. “constituency”), like so: E(L)ECTION-SEAT => E(J)ECTION-SEAT.
Person with job application having nothing in support (9)Answer: APPOINTEE (i.e. “person with job”). Solution is APP (short for “application” or program) followed by O (i.e. “nothing”), then IN and TEE (i.e. “support” for a golf ball).
Take care of note, money-bag not opening (5)Answer: NURSE (i.e. “take care of”). Solution is N (a recognised abbreviation of “note”) followed by PURSE (i.e. “money-bag”) once its first letter has been removed (indicated by “not opening”), like so: N-URSE.
Development of US careers brought about a new peace of mind (11)Answer: REASSURANCE (i.e. “peace of mind”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “development of”) of US CAREERS wrapped “about” A and N (a recognised abbreviation of “new”), like so: REASSUR(A-N)CE. Appeared in grid 1602 a couple of months ago, also on odd intersecting letters, so…
Answer: CON BRIO (i.e. “lively” in musical lingo). Solution is COB (i.e. a short-legged “horse”) wrapped around or “crossing” N (a recognised abbreviation of “north”) and followed by RIO (i.e. “Mexican river” – I think this is Spanish for “river” rather than a reference to the Rio Grande), like so: CO(N)B-RIO.
Club rugby player receiving cheers making squad (9)Answer: BATTALION (i.e. “squad”). Solution is BAT (i.e. “club”) followed by TA (i.e. “cheers”) and LION (i.e. “rugby player” of the British & Irish Lions rugby union team).
Australian effrontery, dismissing me in hard times (9)Answer: AUSTERITY (i.e. “hard times”). Solution is AUS (short for “Australian”) followed by TEMERITY (i.e. “effrontery”) once the ME has been removed (indicated by “dismissing me”), like so: AUS-TERITY. AUSTERE appeared in grid 1589 back in December, also on odd intersecting letters, so…
Answer: AILMENT (i.e. “complaint”). Solution is AI (i.e. “excellent”, or A1 with the 1 replaced by its Roman numeral equivalent) followed by MEN (i.e. “blokes”) once placed in or “probing” LT (i.e. “officer”, specifically a lieutenant), like so: AI-L(MEN)T.
Most of story about Channel Island is describing rising heat (7)Answer: THERMAL (i.e. “rising heat”). Solution is TALE (i.e. “story”) with its last letter removed (indicated by “most of…”) and the remainder wrapped “about” HERM (a “Channel Island” between Guernsey and Sark), like so: T(HERM)AL.
Mural in convent: reworked that less nearer the ceiling (3,4,6)Answer: THE LAST SUPPER (i.e. “mural in Convent” of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “reworked”) of THAT LESS followed by UPPER (i.e. “nearer the ceiling”), like so: THELASTS-UPPER.
What superintended should do, no longer bothered by religious office (7)Answer: OVERSEE (i.e. “what superintendent should do”). Solution is OVER (i.e. “no longer bothered by”) of SEE (i.e. “religious office”).
Be avoiding shift to wheat-farming, perhaps and fail (4,1,7)Answer: COME A CROPPER (i.e. “fail”). Solution is BECOME A CROPPER (i.e. “shift to wheat-farming, perhaps”) with the BE removed (indicated by “be avoiding…”).
Air-stunt chap leaving rear of zeppelin, possibly? (11)Answer: PARACHUTIST. The solution satisfies the clue as a whole (sometimes referred to as an “& lit” clue). Solution is also an anagram (indicated by “possibly”) of AIR-STUNT CHAP once the N has been removed (indicated by “leaving rear [letter] of zeppelin”).
Misbehaving is unnoticed? Stop (11)Answer: DISCONTINUE (i.e. “stop”). “Misbehaving” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of IS UNNOTICED.
Mostly stupid old man, mostly stupid in an individual way (10)Answer: IDIOPATHIC (i.e. “in an individual way”). Solution is IDIOT (i.e. “stupid”) with its last letter removed (indicated by “mostly”) and the remainder followed by PA (i.e. “old man”, both informal references to one’s father) and THICK (i.e. “stupid”) once this too has had its last letter removed (also indicated by “mostly”), like so: IDIO-PA-THIC.
Swallowed river in entire oasis (5-4)Answer: WATER-HOLE (i.e. “oasis”). Solution is ATE (i.e. “swallowed”) and R (a recognised abbreviation of “river”) both placed “in” WHOLE (i.e. “entire”), like so: W(ATE-R)HOLE.
English agree to retain English naval force for ever (9)Answer: ETERNALLY (i.e. “for ever”). Solution is E (a recognised abbreviation of “English”) followed by TALLY (i.e. “agree”) once wrapped around or “retaining” E (again, “English”) and RN (i.e. “naval force”, the Royal Navy), like so: E-T(E-RN)ALLY.
Is French or Italian article seen in luxury resort? (7)Answer: ESTORIL (i.e. “luxury resort” in Portugal, apparently). Solution is EST (i.e. “is French”, i.e. the French for “is”) followed by OR, then IL (i.e. “Italian article”, i.e. the masculine form of “the” in Italian).
Marked down as absent from Eastern delta (7)Answer: NOTATED (i.e. “marked down”). Solution is NOT AT (i.e. “absent”) followed by E (a recognised abbreviation of “Eastern”) and D (“delta” in the phonetic alphabet).
Feel bad, with bird losing foremost flying aid (7)Answer: AILERON (i.e. “flying aid” on an aircraft’s wing). Solution is AIL (i.e. “feel bad”) followed by HERON (i.e. “bird”) once its first or “foremost” letter has been removed or “lost”, like so: AIL-ERON.
River’s ending in lake? Not so (5)Answer: FALSE (i.e. “not so”). Solution is FAL’S (i.e. “river’s” – in this case a river in Cornwall followed by a contraction of “is”) followed by E (i.e. “ending [letter] in lake”).
Avoided abandoning Mum in a distressed state (5)Answer: IRKED (i.e. “in a distressed state”). Solution is SHIRKED (i.e. “avoided”) with the SH removed (indicated by “abandoning Mum” – keeping Mum being another way of saying to keep quiet).
May 8, 2023
Times Jumbo Cryptic Crossword 1614
Another relatively straightforward run-out for Bank Holiday Monday, and another with a smattering of well-worked clues. I liked it except for… well, I’m sure you can guess by now.
You can find my completed grid below along with explanations of my solutions where I have them. I hope you find them helpful. If a recent Jumbo has gotten up your nose then you might find my Just For Fun page of use, where you’ll find links to solutions for hundreds of the things.
Thanks again for the kind words and input. It’s always interesting to hear the thoughts of other solvers once they’ve set down their pens. Till next time, stay safe out there kids, and Happy Motörhead Day!
LP
RBV (Repeats-By-Volume): 18.3%
(Cringe.)
Across clues
Stand in place with islands immersed in river (8)Answer: DEPUTISE (i.e. to “stand in”). Solution is PUT (i.e. “place”) and IS (I is a recognised abbreviation of “island”, the S makes it plural) both “immersed in” DEE (i.e. “river” in Scotland), like so: DE(PUT-IS)E.
Ocean floor beginning to enshroud sailor (6)Answer: SEABED (i.e. “ocean floor”). Solution is SEED (i.e. “beginning”) wrapped around or “enshrouding” AB (i.e. “sailor”, one of Able-Bodied rank), like so: SE(AB)ED.
Layer one’s rolled back in warehouse (7)Answer: DEPOSIT (i.e. “layer”). Solution is I’S (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one’s”) reversed (indicated by “rolled back”) and placed “in” DEPOT (i.e. “warehouse”), like so: DEPO(S’I)T. Appeared in grid 1608 only last month, also on odd intersecting letters, so…
Answer: GERM WARFARE (i.e. “threat to life”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “worried”) of FARMER GREW wrapped “about” A (a recognised abbreviation of “area”), like so: GERMW(A)RFARE.
Prompt attention securing scutched fibres for such clothes? (5-2-4)Answer: READY-TO-WEAR (i.e. “clothes”). Solution is READY (i.e. “prompt”) and EAR (i.e. “attention”) wrapped around or “securing” TOW (i.e. “scutched fibres”, a variant meaning of the word), like so: READY-(TOW)-EAR.
Comfort Labour’s leader drawing support (5)Answer: EASEL (i.e. “drawing support”). Solution is EASE (i.e. “comfort”) followed by L (i.e. “Labour’s leader”, i.e. the first letter of “Labour”). Appeared in grid 1593 in January, also on odd intersecting letters, so…
Answer: TRESTLE (i.e. a type of “bridge”). Solution is ST (a recognised abbreviation of “stone”) and L (i.e. “initially laid”, i.e. the first letter of “laid”) both placed “into” TREE (i.e. “box perhaps” – other varieties of tree are available), like so: TRE(ST-L)E. Appeared in grid 1583 back in November, also on odd intersecting letters, and also in exactly the same place, so…
Answer: HEADDRESS (i.e. “turban for example”). When written as HE ADDRESS the solution also playfully satisfies “speech by ambassador” – HE being a recognised abbreviation of “His Excellency”, if you observe such things.
Prodigal son coming first, being submissive (7)Answer: SLAVISH (i.e. “submissive”). Solution is LAVISH (i.e. “prodigal”) placed after or having “first” S (a recognised abbreviation of “son”), like so: S-LAVISH. If I’m not mistaken this marks a solution being repeated from the previous grid for the third time in the last four puzzles. This also intersected on odd letters, so…
Answer: CHOCOLATE MOUSSE (i.e. “sweet”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “bananas”) of SAUCE, COL (i.e. “not quite cold”, i.e. “cold” with its last letter removed) and SOME HOT.
Where standards may be set to be observed? (4,6)Answer: ROSE GARDEN. Clue plays on “standards” being “a fruit tree or other tree grafted and trained so as to have an upright stem without branches” (Chambers). That’s about it, unless I’m missing something clever.
Place for Cologne firm located within baker’s base? (6)Answer: FLACON (i.e. “place for cologne” – ignore the misleading capitalisation, a flacon is a perfume bottle). Solution is CO (i.e. “firm”, short for “company”) placed “within” FLAN (i.e. “baker’s base”), like so: FLA(CO)N.
Religious portrait the writer does? (4)Answer: ICON (i.e. “religious portrait”). When written as I CON the solution playfully satisfies “the writer does” from the point of view of the setter, taking “do” to mean to swindle someone.
Site for oil and rubber industry? (7,7)Answer: MASSAGE PARLOUR. Clue plays on “oil” used in massages, and massages being “rubs”. You get the idea. A very good clue.
Eccentric American avoiding press and public (2,6)Answer: IN CAMERA (i.e. in private or “avoiding press and public”). “Eccentric” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of AMERICAN.
Lines on child’s foot (8)Answer: INFANTRY (i.e. “foot” soldiers). Solution is RY (i.e. “lines”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of a railway) placed “on” or after INFANT (i.e. “child”), like so: INFANT-RY. INFANTRYMAN appeared in grid 1598, but I’ll let it slide.
Corruptly helping rich to bank smallest amount, duke with impeccable morals? (4-10)Answer: HIGH-PRINCIPLED (i.e. “with impeccable morals”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “corruptly”) of HELPING RICH wrapped around or “banking” IP (i.e. “smallest amount”, in this case 1 penny) and followed by D (a recognised abbreviation of “duke”), like so: HIGHPRINC(IP)LE-D.
Soothing lotion taken from royal residence for test (4)Answer: ORAL (i.e. “test”). Solution is BALMORAL (i.e. “royal residence”) with the BALM (i.e. “soothing lotion”) “taken from” it.
Reputation British sailors have around east (6)Answer: RENOWN (i.e. “reputation”). Solution is RN (i.e. “British sailors”, the Royal Navy) and OWN (i.e. “have”) wrapped “around” E (a recognised abbreviation of “east”), like so: R(E)N-OWN.
Mugs people in street for an amount to be paid (10)Answer: ASSESSMENT (i.e. the tax or “amount to be paid”). Solution is ASSES (i.e. “mugs”) followed by MEN (i.e. “people”) once placed “in” ST (a recognised abbreviation of “street”), like so: ASSES-S(MEN)T. Appeared in grid 1590 back in December, also on even intersecting letters, so…
Answer: OBSTRUCTIVENESS (i.e. “getting in the way”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “in lather”) of EU BOSS CENTRIST and V (i.e. “[Roman numeral] five”).
Girl crossing mountain to find plant (7)Answer: VERBENA (i.e. “plant”). Solution is VERA (i.e. “girl’s” name) wrapped around or “crossing” BEN (i.e. Scots or Irish “mountain”), like so: VER(BEN)A. One nailed from the wordplay.
Really old man needing time to follow a TV show (4,5)Answer: SOAP OPERA (i.e. “TV show”). Solution is SO (i.e. “really”) followed by POP (i.e. “old man”, both slang for one’s father) and ERA (i.e. “time”) once these latter two have been placed “following” A, like so: SO-(A-(POP-ERA)).
Dave’s outside, sitting in coach to make deal (5-2)Answer: TRADE-IN (i.e. “deal”). Solution is DE (i.e. “Dave’s outside”, i.e. the first and last letters of “Dave”) “sitting in” TRAIN (i.e. “coach”), like so: TRA(DE)IN.
Written in Sanskrit, he takes letter to Greeks (5)Answer: THETA (i.e. “letter to Greeks”). “Written in” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: SANSKRI(T HE TA)KES. Appeared in grid 1605 back in March, also on odd intersecting letters, so…
Answer: TUTTI FRUTTI (i.e. “Little Richard hit”). I’m guessing the solution is TUTTI (i.e. “all the musicians” in musical lingo) followed by FRUTTI, “a rhyme for [TUTTI]”. Given the letters of TUTTI are found on the outside of the solution, and that the clue contains the word “having”, I wouldn’t be surprised if I’m missing something clever. Appeared in grid 1575 back in September, and again in grid 1607 only last month, both on odd intersecting letters, so have a double meme…
Answer: RABBIT HUTCH (i.e. “no spacious dwelling”). Solution is RAB (i.e. “Butler say” – my Bradford’s liked it, but it needed a dip in my Brewer’s to explain why, being “the popular initialism of R.A. Butler (1902-82), Conservative minister of education in the Second World War”. Everyday knowledge, then) followed by BITCH (i.e. “Mrs Barker”, playfully referencing a female dog) once wrapped “round” HUT (i.e. “cabin”), like so: RAB-BIT(HUT)CH.
Plant science’s leading character featured in talk (7)Answer: PARSLEY (i.e. “plant”). Solution is S (i.e. “science’s leading character”, or first letter of “science”) “featured in” PARLEY (i.e. “talk”), like so: PAR(S)LEY.
Communist swallowing fish eye (6)Answer: REGARD (i.e. observe or “eye”). Solution is RED (i.e. “communist”) wrapped around or “swallowing” GAR (a kind of “fish” you often see used in cryptic crosswords, along with ide and ling), like so: RE(GAR)D.
Popular female, lightly cooked, died – it’s the radiation (8)Answer: INFRARED (i.e. “radiation”). Solution is IN (i.e. “popular”) followed by F (a recognised abbreviation of “female”), then RARE (i.e. “lightly cooked”) and D (a recognised abbreviation of “died”). Gruesome and nicely worked!
Down clues
Wander like engineers on ship (7)Answer: DIGRESS (i.e. “wander”). Solution is DIG (i.e. “like”) followed by RE (i.e. “engineers”, specifically the Royal Engineers of the British Army) and SS (i.e. “ship”, short for a steamship).
Rhythmic motion for each one – it’s lass dancing! (11)Answer: PERISTALSIS (i.e. “rhythmic motion” of the alimentary canal). Solution is PER (i.e. “for each”) followed by I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”) and an anagram (indicated by “dancing”) of IT’S LASS, like so: PER-I-STALSIS.
Terry’s thoroughly at home wearing brief Roman garment (9)Answer: TOWELLING (i.e. “terry”, a type thereof). Solution is WELL (i.e. “thoroughly”) and IN (i.e. “at home”) both placed in or “wearing” TOGA (i.e. “Roman garment”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “brief”), like so: TO(WELL-IN)G.
Brick carrier one to ensure patient progress? (9-6)Answer: STRETCHER-BEARER (i.e. “one to ensure patient progress”). Solution is STRETCHER (i.e. “brick” – one I weirdly remembered from an old Jumbo, this is a brick “laid horizontally with others in the forming of a wall” (Chambers)) followed by BEARER (i.e. “carrier”).
King excluding MP from immunity in vigorous action (8)Answer: EXERTION (i.e. “vigorous action”). Solution is R (i.e. “king”, a recognised abbreviation of the Latin Rex) replacing or “excluding” the “MP” “from” EXEMPTION (i.e. “immunity”), like so: EXE(MP)TION => EXE(R)TION. For a long time my smutty mind couldn’t look past ERECTION, but I… uh… couldn’t get a grip on it.
Amusing character all for bear-hugs when sloshed (6,2,6)Answer: BARREL OF LAUGHS (i.e. “amusing character”). “When sloshed” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of ALL FOR BEAR-HUGS. Nicely worked.
Lookout killing first crawler (10)Answer: DEATHWATCH (i.e. “crawler”, apparently a kind of beetle). Solution is WATCH (i.e. “lookout”) with DEATH (i.e. “killing”) placed “first”.
Supervision at certain times, or 24-hour protection? (3,4)Answer: DAY CARE. Solution satisfies “supervision at certain times”, if you take DAY to be the daylight hours, or, playfully, “24-hour protection” if you take DAY to be a period of 24 hours.
Dig to cover radioactive metal projecting slightly (5)Answer: PROUD (i.e. “projecting slightly” from a plane surface). Solution is PROD (i.e. “dig”) wrapped around or “covering” U (i.e. “radioactive metal”, the chemical symbol of Uranium), like so: PRO(U)D.
3D-viewer to see crop circles in southeast (11)Answer: STEREOSCOPE (i.e. “3D-viewer”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “circles”) of TO SEE CROP placed “in” SE (a recognised abbreviation of “southeast”), like so: S(TEREOSCOP)E. Another well-worked clue.
News boss after party severely punished (8)Answer: THRASHED (i.e. “severely punished”). Solution is ED (i.e. “news boss”, short for editor) placed “after” THRASH (slang for a “party”, apparently), like so: THRASH-ED.
Unclothed English seen after pub (4)Answer: BARE (i.e. “unclothed”). Solution is E (a recognised abbreviation of “English”) placed “after” BAR (i.e. “pub”), like so: BAR-E.
Contemporary army officer embracing Signora Peron? (6)Answer: COEVAL (i.e. a “contemporary”). Solution is COL (i.e. “army officer”, short for colonel) wrapped around or “embracing”) EVA (i.e. “Signora Peron”), like so: CO(EVA)L.
Eastern art fiddle old Parisian chum conceals (7)Answer: ORIGAMI (i.e. “eastern art”). Solution is RIG (i.e. “fiddle”) placed in or “concealed” by O (a recognised abbreviation of “old”) and AMI (i.e. “Parisian chum”, i.e. the French for “friend”), like so: O-(RIG)-AMI. Another double-repeat, first from grid 1589 back in December and again in March in grid 1604, both intersecting on odd letters, so have yourself another double meme…
Answer: REMAIN (i.e. “stay on”). Solution is MA (i.e. “graduate”, specifically a Master of Arts) placed “in” REIN (i.e. “control”), like so: RE(MA)IN.
Poor vintner not one in for abstinence on a national scale? (15)Answer: NONINTERVENTION (i.e. “abstinence on a national scale”, or not getting involved in the affairs of other countries). “Poor” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of VINTNER NOT ONE IN. My Chambers has this as a hyphenated word, which is a bit naughty of the setter.
Freestyle swimmer seen with tired wife on break (3-2,9)Answer: ALL-IN WRESTLING (i.e. “freestyle” wrestling). Solution is LING (i.e. “swimmer”, or a type of fish – as mentioned earlier, this is another that is popular with cryptic crossword setters) placed after or “with” ALL-IN (i.e. “tired”), W (a recognised abbreviation of “wife”) and REST (i.e. “break”), like so: (ALL-IN-W-REST)-LING.
Outlaw in Paris said to be gang member (6)Answer: BANDIT (i.e. “gang member”). Solution is BAN (i.e. to “outlaw”) followed by DIT (i.e. “in Paris said”, i.e. the French for “said”). BANDITOS appeared literally two days ago, again on even intersecting letters. I let INFANTRYMAN slide earlier, but won’t this.
Answer: ANNULAR (i.e. “ring” shaped). Solution ANNUL (i.e. “scrap”) and R (a recognised abbreviation of “right”) all wrapped around or “boxing” A (a recognised abbreviation of “area”), like so: ANNUL-(A)-R.
Emergency primarily concerning river: one in Oxford? (6)Answer: CRISIS (i.e. “emergency”). Solution is C (i.e. “primarily concerning”, i.e. the first letter of “concerning”) followed by R (a recognised abbreviation of “river”), then ISIS (i.e. “[river] in Oxford”, an alternative name for the Thames).
Arsonist needing wood works in compound (11)Answer: FIRESTARTER (i.e. “arsonist”). Solution is FIR (i.e. tree or “wood”) followed by ART (i.e. “works”) once placed “in” ESTER (i.e. “compound”), like so: FIR-EST(ART)ER.
One finding romance? (3,8)Answer: LIE DETECTOR. Clue plays on “romances” traditionally being works of fiction or wonder, i.e. LIES. You get the idea.
An old lady having giggle about mysterious substance (10)Answer: ANTIMATTER (i.e. “mysterious substance”). Solution is AN followed by MA (i.e. “old lady”, both slang for mother) once placed inside of or “having…about” it TITTER (i.e. “giggle”), like so: AN-TI(MA)TTER.
Rake perhaps one betraying revolutionary in Senior Common Room (9)Answer: SCRATCHER (i.e. “rake perhaps”). Solution is RAT (i.e. “one betraying”) and CHE Guevara (i.e. “revolutionary”) both placed “in” SCR (short for “Senior Common Room”), like so: SC(RAT-CHE)R.
Employment found in sweltering work where roofer operates? (8)Answer: HOUSETOP (i.e. “where roofer operates”). Solution is USE (i.e. “employment”) placed “in” HOT (i.e. “sweltering”) and OP (i.e. “work”, short for “opus”), like so: HO(USE)T-OP.
One able to fix broken marriages? (8)Answer: REPAIRER (i.e. “one able to fix”). The clue also plays on “marriages” being PAIRS, and one fixing a broken marriage could be said to be a RE-PAIRER. Another I rather liked.
150 – very old without doubt (7)Answer: CLEARLY (i.e. “without doubt”). Solution is CL (i.e. “150” in Roman numerals) followed by EARLY (i.e. “very old”).
Ace assaulted and embarrassed (7)Answer: ABASHED (i.e. “embarrassed”). Solution is A (a recognised abbreviation of “ace” used on playing cards) followed by BASHED (i.e. “assaulted”).
Four? Five? All regularly seen in window (5)Answer: ORIEL (i.e. a type of “window”). “Regularly” indicates the solution is derived from every other letter of FOUR FIVE ALL. ORIEL WINDOW appeared in grid 1562 back in June, but this is sufficiently different to let slide.
Flower at first looks black in central Greece (4)Answer: ELBE (i.e. “flower”, in this case a major river of Europe, as in how a river flows). Solution is L (i.e. “at first looks”, i.e. the first letter of “looks”) and B (a recognised abbreviation of “black” used in chess) both placed “in” EE (i.e. “central [letters of] Greece”), like so: E(L-B)E.
May 6, 2023
Times Jumbo Cryptic Crossword 1613
A reasonably straightforward one for the Coronation weekend. It was pleasant enough to chip away at with some nicely worked clues, though there were a couple of scruffy ones to contend with. Nothing outrageous, though.
You can find my completed grid below along with explanations of my solutions where I have them. I hope you find them helpful. If a recent Jumbo has given you the slip then you might find my Just For Fun of use, where you’ll find links to solutions to hundreds of the things.
Thanks again for the kind words and input. It’s always interesting to hear the thoughts of other solvers once they’ve set down their pens. Till next time, stay dry out there kids. If you can.
LP
RBV (Repeats-By-Volume): 18.3%
A new record! Not sure that’s something to celebrate, though.
Across clues
Material exploited the wrong way (5)Answer: DENIM (i.e. “material”). Solution is MINED (i.e. “exploited”) reversed (indicated by “the wrong way”).
Clergyman has strength around good mate (2,5)Answer: MR RIGHT (i.e. “good mate”). Solution is RR (i.e. “clergyman”, specifically a Right Reverend) placed in or “having…around” it MIGHT (i.e. “power”), like so: M(RR)IGHT.
Parasites in hotel are an irritation for child (7-2)Answer: HANGERS-ON (i.e. “parasites”). Solution is H (“hotel” in the phonetic alphabet”) followed by ANGER (i.e. “are an irritation” – I would say this ought to be ANGERS given the phrasing) and SON (i.e. “child”).
Common promo on Sierra car component (5,4)Answer: SPARK PLUG (i.e. “car component”). Solution is PARK (i.e. “common”) and PLUG (i.e. “promo”) both placed “on” or after S (“Sierra” in the phonetic alphabet), like so: S-(PARK-PLUG).
It attracts traveller with grand after tax return at first (13)Answer: ELECTROMAGNET (i.e. “it attracts”). Solution is ROMA (i.e. “traveller”), G (a recognised abbreviation of “grand”) and NET (i.e. “after tax”) all placed after or having “at first” ELECT (i.e. “return” – think returning officers in elections), like so: ELECT-(ROMA-G-NET). ELECTROMAGNETIC appeared in grid 1597 back in January, also on odd intersecting letters, so…
Answer: REAL ALE (i.e. “drink”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “excited”) of ALL ARE followed by E (a recognised abbreviation of “energy”), like so: REALAL-E.
Craftsman has big fan not supplied with power (7)Answer: ARTISAN (i.e. “craftsman”). Solution is PARTISAN (i.e. supporter or “big fan”) with the P (a recognised abbreviation of “power”) removed (indicated by “not supplied with…”).
Writer’s window of time, going over play (7)Answer: Leo TOLSTOY (i.e. “writer”). Solution is SLOT (i.e. “window of time”) reversed (indicated by “going over”) and followed by TOY (i.e. “play”), like so: TOLS-TOY. He appeared in grid 1559 back in June, also on odd intersecting letters, so…
Answer: ETHELRED THE UNREADY (i.e. “king” of the English 968-1013, and again 1014-16). Solution is E (a recognised abbreviation of “European”) followed by L (ditto “left”) once placed “in” THE RED (i.e. “indebted state”). I can’t help feeling the word “the” has been erroneously cut somewhere, as the rest of the clue would suggest we’re putting UN (i.e. “a French”, i.e. the French for “a”) in between or “cutting” THE and READY (i.e. “cash”), like so: E-(THE-(L)-RED)-(THE-(UN)-READY). If a better solution comes to light then I’ll update the post.
African farmer’s dog, no cross (4)Answer: BOER (i.e. “African farmer”). Solution is BOXER (i.e. breed of “dog”) with the X removed (indicated by “no cross”). Simple, but nicely worked all the same.
Kind of devil cheers with crazed passion in case of sin (9)Answer: TASMANIAN (i.e. “kind of devil”). Solution is TA (i.e. “cheers”) followed by MANIA (i.e. “crazed passion”) once placed “in” SN (i.e. “case of sin”, i.e. the first and last letters of “sin”), like so: TA-S(MANIA)N. Appeared in grid 1610 – you can literally go back two pages in the Saturday Review supplement and see it there in the grid, so…
Answer: STUFFY (i.e. “lacking air”). Solution is U (i.e. “heard you”, i.e. a homophone of “you”) and FF (i.e. “very noisily”, i.e. a recognised abbreviation of “fortissimo” in musical lingo) both placed in or “entering” STY (i.e. “grotty place”), like so: ST(U-FF)Y.
Like member of extremist group, a loathsome person (6)Answer: INSECT (i.e. “loathsome person”). When written as IN SECT the solution also satisfies “like member of extremist group”.
Thought French composer refused second helping (12)Answer: DELIBERATION (i.e. “thought”). Solution is Léo DELIBES (i.e. “French composer” – me neither) with the S removed (indicated by “refused second” – S being a recognised abbreviation of “second”) and the remainder followed by RATION (i.e. “helping”), like so: DELIBE-RATION.
Scandalously old American in any film that’s out (10)Answer: INFAMOUSLY (i.e. “scandalously”). Solution is O (a recognised abbreviation of “old”) and US (i.e. “American”) both placed “in” an anagram (indicated by “that’s out”) of ANY FILM, like so: INFAM(O-US)LY.
Hard to bear chorus with two notes (10)Answer: BURDENSOME (i.e. “hard to bear”). Solution is BURDEN (i.e. “chorus” – over to Chambers for a variant meaning of BURDEN: “the part of a song repeated at the end of every stanza, a refrain”) followed by SO and ME (i.e. “two notes” of the sol-fa notation).
Father figure with discipline, one delivering the goods (7,5)Answer: FREIGHT TRAIN (i.e. “one delivering the goods”). Solution is FR (a recognised abbreviation of the title “Father”) followed by EIGHT (i.e. “figure” or number) and TRAIN (i.e. “discipline”).
Help musician after opening note fades away (6)Answer: ASSIST (i.e. “help”). Solution is BASSIST (i.e. “musician”) with the B removed (indicated by “after opening note fades away”). Appeared in grid 1597 back in January, also on odd intersecting letters, so…
Answer: ATHENA (i.e. “wise female”, the Greek goddess of wisdom). Solution is THEN (i.e. “subsequently”) placed “among” AA (i.e. “problem drinkers”, Alcoholics Anonymous), like so: A(THEN)A.
Student of life drawing finally is in kind of book group (9)Answer: BIOLOGIST (i.e. “student of life”). Solution is G (i.e. “drawing finally”, i.e. the last letter of “drawing”) and IS both placed “in” BIO (i.e. “kind of book”, short for biography) and LOT (i.e. “group”), like so: BIO-LO(G-IS)T.
Equipment close to antique plane (4)Answer: KITE (i.e. “plane”). Solution is KIT (i.e. “equipment”) followed by E (i.e. “close to antique”, i.e. the last letter of “antique”). Appeared in grid 1584 in November, also on odd intersecting letters, so…
Answer: FAIR CRACK OF THE WHIP (i.e. “decent opportunity”). Solution also playfully satisfies “[political] party enforcer’s so-so joke”.
High-ranking journalist no longer holds key (7)Answer: EXALTED (i.e. “high-ranking”). Solution is EX-ED (i.e. “journalist no longer”) wrapped around or “holding” ALT (i.e. “key” on a computer keyboard), like so: EX-(ALT)-ED. Appeared in grid 1602 back in March, also on odd intersecting letters, so…
Answer: COLLARD (i.e. a kind of “cabbage”). Solution is CO (i.e. “firm”, short for “company”) followed by L (a recognised abbreviation of “large”) and LARD (i.e. “fat”).
Troops to the west of area of land withdraw (7)Answer: RETRACT (i.e. “withdraw”). Solution is RE (i.e. “troops”, the Royal Engineers of the British Army) placed “to the west of” – this being an across clue – TRACT (i.e. “area of land”).
Rick may be such a nuisance (4,2,3,4)Answer: PAIN IN THE NECK. Solution satisfies “rick” and “a nuisance”.
Hard to make more beautiful equipment for a groom (9)Answer: HAIRBRUSH (i.e. “equipment for a groom”). Solution is H (a recognised abbreviation of “hard” used in grading pencils) followed by AIRBRUSH (i.e. “make more beautiful”).
Illegal traffickers having lead? They’ll get silver (7-2)Answer: RUNNERS-UP (i.e. “they’ll get silver”). Solution is RUNNERS (i.e. “illegal traffickers”) followed by UP (i.e. “having [the] lead” in a game).
Free to get into act that’s talked down (7)Answer: DERIDED (i.e. “talked down”). Solution is RID (i.e. “free”) placed “into” DEED (i.e. “act”), like so: DE(RID)ED.
Put away a goal, coming back after Derby’s second (5)Answer: EATEN (i.e. having “put away” some grub). Solution is A and NET (i.e. “goal”) once this latter has been reversed (indicated by “coming back”). This is all then placed “after” E (i.e. “Derby’s second” letter), like so: E-(A-TEN).
Down clues
Lost in desert, I’d moved around, drinking nothing (11)Answer: DISORIENTED (i.e. “lost”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “moved around”) of IN DESERT I’D wrapped around or “drinking” O (i.e. “nothing”), like so: DIS(O)RIENTED.
African native in area between two US cities (5)Answer: NYALA (i.e. “African native”, a flavour of antelope). Solution is A (a recognised abbreviation of “area”) placed “between” NY and LA (i.e. “two US cities”, New York and Los Angeles), like so: NY-(A)-LA. Appeared in grid 1605 back in March, also on odd intersecting letters, so…
Answer: MAKE A CLEAN BREAST (i.e. fully confess or “keep nothing back”). Solution is MAKE (i.e. “cook”) followed by A, then C (a recognised abbreviation of “cold” used on taps), then LEAN (i.e. “fat-free”) and BREAST (i.e. “cut of meat”).
Extra inspiring story is a source of drama (7)Answer: MOLIERE (i.e. French playwright of the 17th century, or “a source of drama”). Solution is MORE (i.e. “extra”) wrapped around or “inspiring” LIE (i.e. “story”), like so: MO(LIE)RE.
Not keen about penning good Latin American music (9)Answer: REGGAETON (i.e. “Latin American music”). Solution is NOT and EAGER (i.e. “keen”) reversed (indicated by “about”) and wrapped around or “penning” G (a recognised abbreviation of “good”), like so: REG(G)AE-TON. Appeared in grid 1605 back in March, also on odd intersecting letters, so…
Answer: GREAT RED SPOT (i.e. “heavenly sight” found on Jupiter). Solution is GREAT (i.e. “ace”) and POT (i.e. “snooker shot”) wrapped around or “pocketing” REDS (i.e. snooker “balls”), like so: GREAT-(REDS)-POT.
As we see it, admitting motive is criminal (10)Answer: TREASONOUS (i.e. “criminal”). Solution is TO US (i.e. “as we see it”) wrapped around or “admitting” REASON (i.e. “motive”), like so: T(REASON)O-US. TREASON appeared on grid 1568 back in July, also on odd intersecting letters, so…
Answer: HIT ON (i.e. “try to sweet talk”). Solution is H (a recognised abbreviation of “husband”) followed by I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”) and TON (i.e. “weight”).
Regularly tried to bore nobody when lunch may be? (8)Answer: NOONTIDE (i.e. “when lunch may be”). Solution is TID (i.e. “regularly tried”, i.e. every other letter of TRIED) placed in or “boring” NO-ONE (i.e. “nobody”), like so: NO-ON(TID)E.
Allow bishop to enter route to the north east (6)Answer: ENABLE (i.e. “allow”). Solution is B (a recognised abbreviation of “bishop” used in chess) placed in or “entering” LANE (i.e. “route”) once reversed (indicated by “to the north” – this being a down clue). The whole is then followed by E (a recognised abbreviation of “east”), like so: ENA(B)L-E. ENABLER appeared in grid 1561 back in June, also on odd intersecting letters, so…
Answer: SUNSTROKE (i.e. “problem in summer”). Solution is SUN (i.e. “[news]paper”) followed by R (i.e. “round’s beginning”, i.e. the first letter of “round”) once placed in or “during” STOKE (i.e. to “fuel”), like so: SUN-ST(R)OKE.
Basic facts, possibly lousy, shown with stark realism (5-6)Answer: NITTY-GRITTY (i.e. “basic facts”). Solution is NITTY (i.e. “possibly lousy”) followed by GRITTY (i.e. “with stark realism”).
Ruthless manoeuvring hasn’t succeeded for con artist (7)Answer: HUSTLER (i.e. “con artist”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “manoeuvring”) of RUTHLESS once one of the Ss has been removed (indicated by “hasn’t succeeded” – S being a recognised abbreviation of “succeeded”).
Rogue fed with fine Turkish gent (7)Answer: EFFENDI (i.e. “Turkish gent”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “rogue”) of FED and FINE. I rather enjoyed the gruesomeness of this clue!
Certain turbos periodically installed by cool car (16)Answer: INCONTROVERTIBLE (i.e. “certain”). Solution is TRO (i.e. “turbos periodically”, i.e. every other letter of TURBOS) placed in or “installed by” IN (i.e. “cool”) and CONVERTIBLE (i.e. “car”), like so: IN-CON(TRO)VERTIBLE. Nicely worked.
Inundation from home above waterside grass (6)Answer: INRUSH (i.e. “inundation”). Solution is IN (i.e. at “home”) followed by RUSH (i.e. “waterside grass”).
Keep reading about a quiet Afghan (6)Answer: PASHTO (i.e. “Afghan”). Solution is PTO (i.e. “keep reading”, short for Please Turn Over) wrapped “about” A and SH (i.e. “quiet”), like so: P(A-SH)TO. Appeared in grid 1603 back in March, although that time it was on even intersecting letters. Shame the setter plumped for virtually the same clue…
Answer: TEMPTER (i.e. “enticing sort”). Solution is T (a recognised abbreviation of “time”) followed by EMPTIER (i.e. “more deserted”) once the I has been removed (indicated by “island’s lost” – I being a recognised abbreviation of “island”), like so: T-EMPTER.
Head of state, liberal lacking originality (7)Answer: SLAVISH (i.e. “lacking originality”). Solution is S (i.e. “head of state”, i.e. the first letter of “state”) followed by LAVISH (i.e. “liberal”).
Charlie leaves peach and biscuit (5,7)Answer: CREAM CRACKER (i.e. “biscuit”). Solution is C (“Charlie” in the phonetic alphabet) followed by REAM (i.e. “leaves” of paper) and CRACKER (i.e. “peach”, both descriptive of excellent things).
British are short of vigour and sport, right? This may spice things up (5,6)Answer: BLACK PEPPER (i.e. “this may spice things up”). Solution is B (a recognised abbreviation of “British”) followed by LACK (i.e. “are short of”), then PEP (i.e. “vigour”), then PE (i.e. “sport”, or Physical Education), then R (a recognised abbreviation of “right”).
Worse than unacceptable clothing article given repair (3,1,5,2)Answer: NOT A PATCH ON (i.e. “worse than”). Solution is NOT ON (i.e. “unacceptable”) wrapped around or “clothing” A (i.e. “article”, i.e. a word like a, an or the) and PATCH (i.e. “repair”), like so: NOT-(A-PATCH)-ON.
Favourite golfer finally holed a shot, a big driver (10)Answer: PETROLHEAD (i.e. “a big driver”). Solution is PET (i.e. “favourite”) followed by R (i.e. “golfer finally”, i.e. the last letter of “golfer”) and an anagram (indicated by “shot”) of HOLED A, like so: PET-R-OLHEAD.
Being full from day one, a vessel circling round (9)Answer: SATIATION (i.e. “being full”). Solution is SAT (i.e. “day”, short for Saturday), then I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”), then A and TIN (i.e. “vessel”) once wrapped around or “circling” O (i.e. “round”), like so: SAT-I-A-TI(O)N.
Violence from e.g. gents in shell of burned building (9)Answer: BLOODSHED (i.e. “violence”). Solution is LOO (i.e. “e.g. gents” – other loos are available) placed “in” BD (i.e. “shell of burned”, i.e. the first and last letters of “burned”) and followed by SHED (i.e. “building”), like so: B(LOO)D-SHED.
Toper I’d arrest after flipping bunch of crooks (8)Answer: BANDITOS (i.e. “bunch of crooks”). Solution is SOT (i.e. drunkard or “toper”), I’D and NAB (i.e. “arrest”) all reversed (indicated by “after flipping”), like so: BAN-D’I-TOS.
Tested frames painter turned up and hung around (7)Answer: TARRIED (i.e. loitered or “hung around”). Solution is TRIED (i.e. “tested”) wrapped around or “framing” RA (i.e. “painter”, specifically a Royal Academician) once reversed (indicated by “turned up” – this being a down clue), like so: T(AR)RIED.
Right back welcomed by team showing pace (6)Answer: STRIDE (i.e. “pace”). Solution is RT (a recognised abbreviation of “right”, e.g. Rt Hon) reversed (indicated by “back”) and placed in or “welcomed by” SIDE (i.e. “team”), like so: S(TR)IDE.
Sound made by warbler, say, for a song on the radio (5)Answer: CHEEP (i.e. “sound made by warbler, say”). “On the radio” indicates homophone. Solution is a homophone of CHEAP (i.e. going for “a song”).
Mature female having an affair when half-cut (5)Answer: ADULT (i.e. “mature”). Solution is ADULTERESS (i.e. “female having an affair”) with the last “half cut”.
May 1, 2023
Times Jumbo Cryptic Crossword 1612
A mostly straightforward Jumbo though uneven in places, particularly around the bottom-right of the grid. As for those pesky repeats, you’ll see there are rather a lot of them. So many in fact that I felt I ought to add a fourth rule to be fairer to setters.
To recap, my rules for flagging repeated solutions are:
1) repeats older than a year don’t count
2) partial repeats don’t count, unless they’re in the same grid, and
3) derivative or variant forms of the same word or phrase do count.
I’ll add: 4) a repeat will not count if the intersecting letters differ to those of its previous appearance.
So if ANIMATE appears in one grid as A_I_A_E and as _N_M_T_ in another then I won’t count it as a repeat. On this occasion, this reduces the number of repeats from 9 to 7, which is still rather excessive. Carry on like this and I’ll have Michael Palin’s agent bending my ear.
Anyway, back to the script. You can find my completed grid below along with explanations of my solutions where I have them. I hope you find them helpful. If a recent Jumbo has given you grief then you might find solace in my Just For Fun page, where you’ll find links to solutions for hundreds of the things.
Thanks again for the kind words and input. It’s always interesting to hear the thoughts and opinions of solvers once they’ve set down their pens. Till next time, stay safe out there kids.
LP
RBV (Repeats-By-Volume): 11.7%
Across clues
Former press baron enthralled by light rustic composition (9)Answer: PASTORALE (i.e. “rustic composition”). Solution is David ASTOR (i.e. “former press baron” – he used to edit The Observer during the 50s and 60s, apparently) placed in or “enthralled by” PALE (i.e. “light”), like so: P(ASTOR)ALE.
English youth cutting borders in Florida marshes (10)Answer: EVERGLADES (i.e. “Florida marshes”). Solution is E (a recognised abbreviation of “English”) followed by LAD (i.e. “youth”) once placed in or “cutting” VERGES (i.e. “borders”), like so: E-VERG(LAD)ES.
Part of plane where feathers once flew? (7)Answer: COCKPIT. Solution satisfies “part of plane” and “where feathers once flew”, at least until the sport was outlawed.
Retired worker involved in dealing with mail after delivery (9)Answer: POSTNATAL (i.e. “after delivery” of child). Solution is ANT (i.e. “worker”) reversed (indicated by “retired”) and placed in or “involved in” POSTAL (i.e. “dealing with mail”), like so: POS(TNA)TAL.
House built by Republican in Galician port (5)Answer: VIRGO (i.e. “house” – signs of the zodiac are sometimes called houses). Solution is VIGO (i.e. “Galician port” – straight to Bradford’s here. Regular readers will know I can’t be arsed when setters crutch on ports and place names to get the job done) wrapped around or having “in” R (a recognised abbreviation of “Republican”), like so: VI(R)GO.
Questioner initially rather near riot got roughed up (12)Answer: INTERROGATOR (i.e. “questioner”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “roughed up”) of R (i.e. “initially rather”, i.e. the first letter of “rather”) and NEAR RIOT GOT.
Incarceration of hospital doctor (name concealed by police) (10)Answer: INTERNMENT (i.e. “incarceration”). Solution is INTERN (i.e. “hospital doctor”) followed by N (a recognised abbreviation of “name”) once placed in or “concealed by” MET (i.e. London “police”), like so: INTERN-ME(N)T.
Reptile crook of sterner disposition reportedly stole first (3,11)Answer: BOA CONSTRICTOR (i.e. “reptile”). Solution is CON (i.e. “crook”) and a homophone (indicated by “reportedly”) of STRICTER (i.e. “of sterner disposition”) both placed after or having “first” BOA (i.e. “stole”, garment), like so: BOA-(CON-STRICTOR).
Athlete from south runs into English dramatist (8)Answer: SPRINTER (i.e. “athlete”). Solution is S (a recognised abbreviation of “south”) followed by R (a recognised abbreviation of “runs” used in some ball games) once placed “into” Harold PINTER (i.e. “English dramatist”), like so: S-(P(R)INTER).
Introduce batting, however briefly (6)Answer: INSTIL (i.e. “introduce”). Solution is IN (i.e. “batting” in some ball games) followed by STILL (i.e. “however”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “briefly”), like so: IN-STIL.
Water bear’s slow step heard (10)Answer: TARDIGRADE (i.e. “water bear” – no, me neither). Solution is a homophone (indicated by “heard”) of TARDY (i.e. “slow”) and GRADE (i.e. “step”), like so: TARDI-GRADE.
Operatic princess with house in northwestern state (5)Answer: IDAHO (i.e. “northwestern state” of the US). Solution is IDA (i.e. “operatic princess”, from the comic opera by Gilbert and Sullivan) followed by HO (a recognised abbreviation of “house”).
Inappropriate reaction of daughter finally involved in mother’s ruin! (4)Answer: GRIN (i.e. “inappropriate reaction”). Solution is R (i.e. “daughter finally”, i.e. the last letter of “daughter”) placed “in” GIN (i.e. “mother’s ruin”, slang thereof), like so: G(R)IN.
Get on well round the rightful Duke of Milan (8)Answer: PROSPERO (i.e. “rightful Duke of Milan” from Shakespeare’s play The Tempest). Solution is PROSPER (i.e. “get on well”) followed by O (i.e. “round”).
Stunt paid for refurbishment, one argues (9)Answer: DISPUTANT (i.e. “one argues”). “For refurbishment” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of STUNT PAID.
Kentish port’s very steep headland (9)Answer: SHEERNESS (i.e. “Kentish port”). Solution is SHEER (i.e. “very steep”) followed by NESS (i.e. “headland”).
Boards in French schools (8)Answer: ENTRAINS (i.e. “boards” a train). Solution is EN (i.e. “in French”, i.e. the French for “in”) followed by TRAINS (i.e. “schools”).
Smile broadly, supporting member perhaps (4)Answer: BEAM. Solution satisfies “smile broadly” and “supporting member” of a structure.
Obtained hotel accommodation at first in Thuringian town (5)Answer: GOTHA (i.e. “Thuringian town”). Solution is GOT (i.e. “obtained”) followed by H (“hotel” in the phonetic alphabet) and A (i.e. “accommodation at first”, i.e. the initial letter of “accommodation”). One nailed from the wordplay.
Reader worried by European voters (10)Answer: ELECTORATE (i.e. “voters”). Solution is LECTOR (i.e. “reader” at a church service) and ATE (i.e. “worried”, as in what’s eating you?) both placed after or “by” E (a recognised abbreviation of “European”), like so: E-(LECTOR-ATE).
Superficial façade always associated with cleric (6)Answer: VENEER (i.e. “superficial façade”). Solution is E’ER (poetic form of “always”) placed after or “with” VEN (i.e. “cleric”, short for the honorific “venerable”), like so: VEN-E’ER. A repeat from grid 1595 back in January, also intersecting on even letters, so…
Answer: PRACTICE (i.e. “routine”). Solution is ACT (i.e. “move”) placed in or “dividing” PRICE (i.e. “cost”), like so: PR(ACT)ICE.
Ill-fated priest’s unexpected ally is crowned outside area (8,6)Answer: CARDINAL WOLSEY (i.e. “ill-fated priest” who felt Henry VIII’s wrath after failing to negotiate an annulment of Henry’s marriage to Catherine of Aragon). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “unexpected”) of ALLY IS CROWNED wrapped around or placed “outside” of A (a recognised abbreviation of “area”), like so: CARDIN(A)LWOLSEY.
Lacking formal tuition damaged the fat slug! (4-6)Answer: SELF-TAUGHT (i.e. “lacking formal tuition”). “Damaged” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of THE FAT SLUG.
Duke in West Indies standing by a big tree (12)Answer: WELLINGTONIA (i.e. “big tree”, a sequoia). Solution is ELLINGTON (i.e. “Duke”, famed jazz composer) placed “in” WI (short for “West Indies”) and followed “by” A, like so: W(ELLINGTON)I-A.
Powered brake mechanism installed in lesser Volvos (5)Answer: SERVO (i.e. “powered brake mechanism”). “Installed in” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: LES(SER VO)LVOS.
Male animal in box, possibly, by front of this siege engine (9)Answer: TREBUCKET (i.e. “siege engine” – my Chambers and Oxford don’t support this variant spelling of trebuchet, but, surprise, surprise, my Collin’s Concise is more than happy to back this one up). Solution is BUCK (i.e. “male animal”) placed “in” TREE (i.e. “box, possibly” – other flavours of tree are available) and followed by T (i.e. “front of this”, i.e. the first letter of “this”), like so: TRE(BUCK)E-T.
Solitary person’s responsibility, in East End principally (7)Answer: EREMITE (i.e. “solitary person”, or hermit). Solution is REMIT (i.e. “responsibility”) placed “in” E (a recognised abbreviation of “east”) and E (i.e. “end principally”, i.e. the first letter of “end”), like so: E-(REMIT)-E.
Old office requisite – sort more suitable for auditors? (10)Answer: TYPEWRITER (i.e. “old office requisite”). Solution is TYPE (i.e. “sort”) followed by a homophone (indicated by “for auditors”) of RIGHTER (i.e. “more suitable” – the question mark is a tacit admission from the setter that you’re not exactly going to find this in the dictionary, or at least under this definition).
Provided with glosses – and at Eton, somehow (9)Answer: ANNOTATED (i.e. “provided with glosses” – a variant meaning of gloss is “an explanation given in a margin or between lines, e.g. of an obscure or unusual word” (Chambers)). “Somehow” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of AND AT ETON.
Down clues
Mine includes firm loops in ornamental edging (5)Answer: PICOT (i.e. “loops in ornamental edging”). Solution is PIT (i.e. “mine”) wrapped around or “including” CO (i.e. “firm”, short for company), like so: PI(CO)T. A repeat from grid 1576 back in September, also intersecting on odd letters, so…
Answer: SUPERTONIC (i.e. musical “note” – over to Chambers: “the second degree of the diatonic scale, e.g. D in the scale of C”). Solution is SUPER (i.e. “police officer”, short for superintendent) followed by TO, then N (i.e. “man ultimately”, i.e. the last letter of “man”) and IC (a recognised abbreviation of “in charge”). This would have been a repeat from grid 1557, but on that occasion it intersected on even letters.
Shed you once observed engulfed by river (8)Answer: OUTHOUSE (i.e. “shed”). Solution is THOU (i.e. “you once”, i.e. ye olde “you”) placed in or “engulfed by” OUSE (i.e. “river”), like so: OU(THOU)SE.
Record held by a hospital, a mark of high achievement (5)Answer: ALPHA (i.e. “a mark of high achievement”). Solution is LP (i.e. “record”, specifically a Long Play) placed in or “held by” A, H (a recognised abbreviation of “hospital” used on maps) and A, like so: A-(LP)-H-A.
Firmly settled aim to keep clubs in doughy cake (9)Answer: ENSCONCED (i.e. “firmly settled”). Solution is END (i.e. “aim”) wrapped around or “keeping” C (a recognised abbreviation of “clubs” used in card games) once first placed “in” SCONE (i.e. “doughy cake”), like so: EN(SCON(C)E)D.
Energy used by soldier, possibly, climbing mountain (4)Answer: ETNA (i.e. “mountain”). Solution is E (a recognised abbreviation of “energy”) followed by ANT (i.e. “solder, possibly” – other varieties of ant are available) once the latter has been reversed (indicated by “climbing” – this being a down clue), like so: E-TNA.
Surviving former partner beat time (6)Answer: EXTANT (i.e. “surviving”). Solution is EX (i.e. “former partner”) followed by TAN (i.e. to “beat”) and T (a recognised abbreviation of “time”).
Info about elderly rustic housing horse and bird (6,8)Answer: GOLDEN PHEASANT (i.e. “bird”). Solution is GEN (i.e. “info”) wrapped “about” OLD (i.e. “elderly”) and followed by PEASANT (i.e. “rustic”) once this is itself wrapped around or “housing” H (i.e. “horse”, both slang for heroin), like so: G(OLD)EN-P(H)EASANT.
Appearing unexpectedly in church season, it promises to pay (12)Answer: ADVENTITIOUS (i.e. “appearing unexpectedly”). Solution is ADVENT (i.e. “church season”) followed by IT and IOUS (i.e. “promises to pay”).
Fellow accepting a down payment (7)Answer: EARNEST (i.e. “down payment” – a variant meaning is “payment given to confirm a contract” (Chambers)). Solution is ERNEST (i.e. “fellow’s” name) wrapped around or “accepting” A, like so: E(A)RNEST. A repeat from grid 1589 back in December, also intersecting on odd letters, so…
Answer: SCRIBBLING (i.e. “writing carelessly”). Solution is S (a recognised abbreviation of “son”) followed by CRIBBING (i.e. “copying”) once wrapped around or placed “outside” of L (i.e. “back of school”, i.e. the last letter of “school”), like so: S-CRIBB(L)ING. SCRIBBLE appeared in grid 1609 last month, but on odd intersecting letters.
Tom’s route travelling farthest from the centre (9)Answer: OUTERMOST (i.e. “farthest from the centre”). “Travelling” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of TOM’S ROUTE.
Pine club lying around old ship’s vessel (8)Answer: LONGBOAT (i.e. “ship’s vessel”, specifically the “largest and strongest boat of a ship” (Chambers)). Solution is LONG (i.e. “pine” or yearn) followed by BAT (i.e. “club”) once wrapped “around” O (a recognised abbreviation of “old”), like so: LONG-B(O)AT.
Teetotal surgeon in a hospital department carrying can (9)Answer: ABSTINENT (i.e. “teetotal”). Solution is BS (i.e. “surgeon”, specifically a Bachelor of Surgery) placed in or “carried” by A and ENT (i.e. “hospital department”, specifically Ears, Nose and Throat), once these are also wrapped around or having “in” TIN (i.e. “can”), like so: A-(BS)-(TIN)-ENT. A repeat from grid 1583 back in November, also intersecting on odd letters, so…
Answer: REASSESSED (i.e. “again evaluated”). Solution is ASSES (i.e. “beasts of burden”) placed in or “kept in” an anagram (indicated by “ground”) of DEER’S, like so: RE(ASSES)SED. REASSESS appeared in grid 1571 back in August, also intersecting on odd letters, so…
Answer: SAND MARTIN (i.e. “one possibly sheltering on river bank”). Solution is SAND (i.e. “polish”) followed by MARTIN (i.e. a “saint”).
Insight of a retired nurse once dividing goods for sale (9)Answer: AWARENESS (i.e. “insight”). Solution is A followed by SEN (i.e. “nurse once”, specifically a State-Enrolled Nurse) reversed (indicated by “retired”) once placed in or “dividing” WARES (i.e. “goods for sale”), like so: A-WARE(NES)S.
Film made by barrister in Parisian bar (5,9)Answer: BRIEF ENCOUNTER (i.e. 1945 “film”). Solution is BRIEF (i.e. “barrister”) followed by EN (i.e. “in Parisian”, i.e. the French for “in”) and COUNTER (i.e. “bar”).
Ultimate opening grabbed by English university man (8)Answer: EVENTUAL (i.e. “ultimate”). Solution is VENT (i.e. “opening”) placed in or “grabbed by” E (a recognised abbreviation of “English”), U (ditto “university”) and AL (i.e. a “man’s” name), like so: E-(VENT)-U-AL.
Swimming movement of animal crossing river with oarsman? (12)Answer: BREASTSTROKE (i.e. “swimming movement”). Solution is BEAST (i.e. “animal”) wrapped around or “crossing” R (a recognised abbreviation of “river”) and followed by STROKE (i.e. “oarsman”), like so: B(R)EAST-STROKE.
Indicators of wrongdoing restricting good jobs (9)Answer: SIGNPOSTS (i.e. “indicators”). Solution is SIN (i.e. “wrongdoing”) wrapped around or “restricting” G (a recognised abbreviation of “good”) and followed by POSTS (i.e. “jobs”), like so: SI(G)N-POSTS.
Arrive at bar at last, supporting tipsy reveller (10)Answer: MERRYMAKER (i.e. “reveller”). Solution is MAKE (i.e. “arrive”, probably best followed with “it”) and R (i.e. “bar at last”, i.e. the last letter of “bar”) both placed after or “supporting” – this being a down clue – MERRY (i.e. “tipsy”), like so: MERRY-(MAKE-R).
Extradite soldiers at front of this carriage (10)Answer: DEPORTMENT (i.e. “carriage” or demeanour). Solution is DEPORT (i.e. “extradite”) followed by MEN (i.e. “soldiers”) and T (i.e. “front of this”, i.e. the first letter of “this”).
Plant from brook in Airedale primarily associated with tailless fish (9)Answer: RUDBECKIA (i.e. “plant” – another swift visit to Bradford’s was made here. I have the same disdain for plants as I do place names when it comes to Jumbos. They are seldom worth your time). Solution is BECK (i.e. “brook” or stream) and IA (i.e. “in Airedale primarily”, i.e. the first letters of “in” and “Airedale”) both placed after or “with” RUDD (i.e. a variety of “fish”, apparently) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “tailless”), like so: RUD-(BECK-IA). What on earth is this doing in a comparatively straightforward Jumbo? Entirely valid, yes, but this is the kind of trash you’d normally see in a stinker.
Mournful brass hat visiting factory (8)Answer: PLANGENT (i.e. resounding “mournfully”). Solution is GEN (i.e. “brass hat”, specifically a general) placed in or “visiting” PLANT (i.e. “factory”), like so: PLAN(GEN)T.
The whole work unit overcomes variable hypersensitivity (7)Answer: ALLERGY (i.e. “hypersensitivity”). Solution is ALL (i.e. “the whole”) followed by ERG (i.e. “work unit”, apparently 10-7 joules. Not much work, then!) and Y (i.e. “variable” – setters more often refer to X, Y or Z in solutions as unknowns, but this works too).
Risk onset of hail disrupting outing, perhaps (6)Answer: THREAT (i.e. “risk”). Solution is TREAT (i.e. “outing, perhaps” – I’d say it was a stretch, but my Bradford’s supports it) wrapped around or being “disrupted” by H (i.e. “outset of hail”, i.e. the first letter of “hail”), like so: T(H)REAT.
Tongue served in hotel at Inverness (5)Answer: LATIN (i.e. “tongue” or language). “Served in” indicates the solution has been hidden in HOTE(L AT IN)VERNESS.
Start to need help capturing a water nymph (5)Answer: NAIAD (i.e. “water nymph”). Solution is N (i.e. “start to need”, i.e. the first letter of “need”) and AID (i.e. “help”) wrapped around or “capturing” A, like so: N-AI(A)D. And for the second Jumbo running we have a repeat from the previous puzzle. And you wonder why I despair. Looks like NAIAD is another one to file alongside ERNST, RAITA and ELFIN. As this also appeared in grid 1569 back in August, have a double meme…
Answer: PURR (i.e. “make contented noises”). Solution is RR (i.e. “rights”, R being a recognised abbreviation of “right”) and UP (i.e. “at university”) all reversed (indicated by “setting up” – this being a down clue), like so: PU-RR.
