Lucian Poll's Blog, page 3
September 21, 2024
Times Jumbo Cryptic Crossword 1689
A medium-strength Jumbo and one of the better ones thanks to a good helping of creative clues. There was also a refreshing lack of stuffy Times crossword clichés, so I’ll stay the countdown a week, meaning there are still 12 Jumbos to go before I wrap up these posts.
Now that the competition deadline has long since past you can find my completed grid below along with explanations of my solutions where I have them. I hope you find them useful. If a recent Jumbo has dunked its biscuits in your tea 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 your patience and input. Till next time, stay safe out there kids.
LP
The case for the prosecution
Across clues
Tussore worked with gold for the bottom drawer (9)Answer: TROUSSEAU (i.e. “the bottom drawer” – Chambers makes no mention of this, offering merely: “the clothes … collected by a bride for her marriage”, or “a bundle”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “worked”) of TUSSORE followed by AU (chemical symbol of “gold”), like so: TROUSSE-AU. Time was I would class this as an exotic solution, or at least certainly not an everyday term. This is the fourth time TROUSSEAU has appeared in Jumbos in four years, however, the last only a couple of months ago, making this an easier get.
Unlit playing area has defender crossing line (5-5)Answer: PITCH-BLACK (i.e. “unlit”). Solution is PITCH (i.e. “playing area”) followed by BACK (i.e. “defender” in a number of sports) once wrapped around or “crossing” L (a recognised abbreviation of “line”), like so: PITCH-B(L)ACK.
Hear wrongly about account – key problem for the listener? (7)Answer: EARACHE (i.e. a complaint or “problem for the listener”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “wrongly”) of HEAR wrapped “about” AC (a recognised abbreviation of “account”) and followed by E (i.e. musical “key” or note), like so: EAR(AC)H-E.
Officer, one sometimes preceding general (9)Answer: INSPECTOR. Solution satisfies police “officer” and also “one sometimes preceding general”, an Inspector General being an equivalent within the military.
Glasses with bits of dust detected (5)Answer: SPECS (i.e. “glasses”, short for spectacles). Solution is a homophone (indicated by “detected” – loosely!) of SPECKS (i.e. “bits of dust”).
Dresses too little for what they cover (12)Answer: UNDERCLOTHES. Clue plays on how “dresses … cover” such things, being one’s smalls. It also playfully satisfies “dresses too little”. Nicely worked.
Thought the settling of disputes is about time (10)Answer: MEDITATION (i.e. “thought”). Solution is MEDIATION (i.e. “the settling of disputes”) wrapped “about” T (a recognised abbreviation of “time”), like so: MEDI(T)ATION.
A university citation then redrafted a task for a notary (14)Answer: AUTHENTICATION (i.e. “task for a notary”). Solution is A followed by U (a recognised abbreviation of “university”) and an anagram (indicated by “redrafted”) of CITATION THEN, like so: A-U-THENTICATION.
Attila perhaps reportedly fears veteran divisions (8)Answer: HUNDREDS (i.e. “veteran divisions”, “veteran” being taken to mean old, a hundred can be “a division of a county in England originally supposed to contain a hundred families” (Chambers)). Solution is HUN (i.e. “Attila perhaps”) followed by a homophone (indicated by “reportedly” of DREADS (i.e. “fears”), like so: HUN-DREDS.
Appalling court order (6)Answer: DIRECT (i.e. “order”). Solution DIRE (i.e. “appalling”) followed by CT (a recognised abbreviation of “court”). Another nicely worked clue.
Getting into stocks for one in official garment (10)Answer: INVESTMENT (i.e. “getting into stocks” – “for one” can be read as “for example”, as one can invest in other assets). Solution is IN followed by VESTMENT (i.e. “official garment”).
Nothing once purchased loses billions (5)Answer: OUGHT (i.e. “nothing once” – a variant meaning of OUGHT is “a non-standard corruption of naught”. And we wonder why English is a tricky language to learn). Solution is BOUGHT (i.e. “purchased”) once the B has been removed (indicated by “loses billions”, B being a recognised abbreviation of “billions”).
Love? Halo? These in essence may appear so (4)Answer: OVAL. Solution satisfies the clue as a whole if “love” is taken as a zero score in tennis, but the solution also comprises OV and AL, the “essences” or middle letters of LOVE and HALO. Another well-worked clue.
What may track down renegade changing sides in fight? (8)Answer: DETECTOR (i.e. “what may track down”). Solution is DEFECTOR (i.e. “renegade”) with the F swapped or “changed” for T (i.e. the “sides in fight”, F and T being the left- and right-hand sides of the word “fight”), like so: DE(F)ECTOR => DE(T)ECTOR. Another creative clue. Good stuff!
To us, nurse is working hard (9)Answer: STRENUOUS (i.e. “hard”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “working”) of TO US NURSE. Another good un.
No longer watch out after second run for free program (9)Answer: SHAREWARE (i.e. “free program”). Solution is WARE (i.e. “no longer watch out”, i.e. an archaic word for “to beware”) placed “after” S (a recognised abbreviation of “second”) and HARE (i.e. to “run” around), like so: (S-HARE)-WARE.
Gold found in dry French river, a slow runner (8)Answer: TORTOISE (i.e. “a slow runner”). Solution is OR (i.e. “gold” in heraldry) placed “in” TT (i.e. “dry”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of teetotal) and followed by OISE (i.e. “French river”), like so: T(OR)T-OISE. I usually grumble when setters stray over the channel, and today is no exception:
Answer: ZEAL (i.e. “this can get one fired” up). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “about”) of LAZE.
Turner starts on representation of rocky hill (5)Answer: ROTOR (i.e. “turner”). Solution is RO (i.e. “starts on representation of”, i.e. the first letters of “representation” and “of”) followed by TOR (i.e. “rocky hill”).
Commit to fire one new film judge (10)Answer: INCINERATE (i.e. to “commit to fire”). Solution is I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”) followed by N (a recognised abbreviation of “new”), then CINE (i.e. “film”) and RATE (i.e. to “judge”).
Collection including extinct group (6)Answer: SEXTET (i.e. “group”). Solution is SET (i.e. “collection”) wrapped around or “including” EXT (a recognised abbreviation of “extinct”), like so: S(EXT)ET.
Act decently in drama festival (4,4)Answer: PLAY FAIR (i.e. “act decently”). Solution is PLAY (i.e. “drama”) followed by FAIR (i.e. “festival”).
Jumbo next to jumbo, very close together (6-2-6)Answer: BUMPER-TO-BUMPER (i.e. “very close together”). Solution is BUMPER (i.e. “jumbo” or something big) next TO BUMPER again. You get the idea.
What’s useful for getting into cold sheets? (10)Answer: ICEBREAKER. Solution satisfies the clue as a whole, taking “cold sheets” being ICE. I’m not immediately seeing anything else, but I could be missing something clever.
Part of pop song put round with The Boxer, perhaps? (12)Answer: MIDDLEWEIGHT (i.e. “boxer”). Solution is MIDDLE EIGHT (i.e. “part of pop song”) wrapped “round” W (a recognised abbreviation of “with”), like so: MIDDLE-(W)-EIGHT.
Italian tenor, large one closing live performance (5)Answer: Beniamino GIGLI (i.e. “Italian tenor”). Solution is L (a recognised abbreviation of “large”) and I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”) both placed after or “closing” GIG (i.e. “live performance”), like so: GIG-(L-I). Theatre and opera stars are ten-a-penny in Times crosswords, so have a demerit.
Answer: INELEGANT (i.e. “awkward”). “To remove outer parts” indicates the solution is derived by taking the first and last letters away from LINES, ELEGY and DANTE.
Men led by characteristic backstabber (7)Answer: TRAITOR (i.e. “backstabber”). Solution is OR (i.e. “men”, specifically the Other Ranks of the British Army) placed after or “led by” TRAIT (i.e. “characteristic”), like so: TRAIT-OR.
Programme editor dropping duke in favour of knight’s forebear (10)Answer: PROGENITOR (i.e. “forebear”). Solution is PROG (a recognised abbreviation of “programme”) followed by EDITOR once the D (a recognised abbreviation of “duke”) has been removed or “dropped” and replaced by (indicated by “in favour of”) N (a recognised abbreviation of “knight” used in chess), like so: PROG-E(D)ITOR => PROG-E(N)ITOR.
Trade chip circuits at a very low price (4-5)Answer: DIRT-CHEAP (i.e. “at a very low price”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “circuits”) of TRADE CHIP.
Down clues
Exhausted member of the Dáil broken by Ireland (5)Answer: TIRED (i.e. “exhausted”). Solution is TD (i.e. “member of the Dáil”, specifically a Teachta Dála or Deputy to the Dáil – hands up anyone else who tunes out the moment a news story strays into Irish politics. Could just be me) wrapped around or “broken by” IRE (a recognised abbreviation of “Ireland” – my Chambers and Oxford don’t want to know, but it’s backed up by my Collins Concise), like so: T(IRE)D.
Company set up a lot of ongoing church event (10)Answer: OCCURRENCE (i.e. “event”). Solution is CO (a recognised abbreviation of “company”) reversed or “set up” – this being a down clue. This is then followed by CURRENT (i.e. “ongoing”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “a lot of”), then CE (i.e. “church”, specifically the Church of England), like so: OC-CURREN-CE.
Measure introduced by country, spreading from the centre (8)Answer: STELLATE (i.e. “spreading from the centre” – a new one on me). Solution is ELL (i.e. a “measure” we’ve seen a few times in Jumbos now, being “a varying measure of length originally taken from the arm” (Chambers)) placed in or “introduced by” STATE (i.e. “country”), like so: ST(ELL)ATE.
Order used in some dictionaries (5)Answer: EDICT (i.e. “order”). “Used in” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: SOM(E DICT)IONARIES.
Uncover second butterfly in centre of sand hills (9)Answer: UNSHEATHE (i.e. “uncover”). Solution is S (a recognised abbreviation of “second”) and HEATH (i.e. a type of “butterfly” apparently – the lepidopterist escaped me here) both placed “in” UNE (i.e. “centre of sand hills”, i.e. the middle letters of DUNES), like so: UN(S-HEATH)E.
Be very nosy about closure of stone quarry (4)Answer: PREY (i.e. “quarry”). Solution is PRY (i.e. “be very nosy”) wrapped “about” E (i.e. “closure of stone”, i.e. the last letter of “stone”), like so: PR(E)Y.
Beginning to turn fish catcher’s reel (6)Answer: TOTTER (i.e. to “reel”). Solution is T (i.e. “beginning [letter] to turn”) followed by OTTER (i.e. “fish catcher”).
One often on the job in bed? (14)Answer: HORTICULTURALIST. Taking “bed” to be somewhere to plant flowers and such, the solution satisfies the clue as a whole. I appreciate the naughtiness of this one. Oh-la-la!
Having abandoned property plot located round Old Street (4-3-5)Answer: LOST-AND-FOUND (i.e. an area “having abandoned property”). Solution is LAND (i.e. “plot”) and FOUND (i.e. “located”) all wrapped “round” O (a recognised abbreviation of “old”) and ST (ditto “street”), like so: L(O-ST)AND-FOUND.
Crack core voice, withdrawing over and over again (7)Answer: CREVICE (i.e. “crack”). Solution is CORE VOICE with the Os removed (indicated by “withdrawing over and over again” – O being a recognised abbreviation of “over” used in cricket). Another inventive clue. A thumbs-up here.
Drive rig with energy (3-2-3-2)Answer: GET-UP-AND-GO (i.e. “drive”). Solution is GET-UP (i.e. “rig”) followed by AND (i.e. “with”) and GO (i.e. “energy”).
Source of radiation is up – it’s a problem for airways (9)Answer: SINUSITIS (i.e. “it’s a problem for airways”). Solution is SUN (i.e. “source of radiation”) and IS all reversed (indicated by “up” – this being a down clue) and followed by IT IS (i.e. “it’s”), like so: (SI-NUS)-IT-IS.
User of rack perhaps right to be fitted in large open-top car (8)Answer: TORTURER (i.e. “user of rack perhaps”). Solution is RT (a recognised abbreviation of “right”, as in the title Rt Hon) placed or “fitted in” TOURER (i.e. “large open-top car”), like so: TO(RT)URER.
Name a good insect for shrew (9)Answer: TERMAGANT (i.e. a “shrew” or scolding woman). Solution is TERM (i.e. “name”) followed by A, then G (a recognised abbreviation of “good”) and ANT (i.e. “insect”).
Meeting one against Liszt, perhaps English (10)Answer: CONFERENCE (i.e. “meeting”). Solution is CON (i.e. “one against”, as in pro and con) followed by FERENC (i.e. “Liszt, perhaps”, being his first name – other Ferencs are available) and E (a recognised abbreviation of “English”).
Exercises with a small warning such as might get child puffing? (10)Answer: PEASHOOTER (i.e. a toy “as might get child puffing”). Solution is PE (i.e. “exercises” or Physical Education) followed by A, then S (a recognised abbreviation of “small”) and HOOTER (i.e. “warning”).
Parade of geese irregularly chased by returning doggy? (5-4)Answer: GOOSE-STEP (i.e. “parade”). Solution is GOOSES (i.e. “geese irregularly”, i.e. an incorrect plural of goose) followed by PET (i.e. “doggy”) once reversed (indicated by “returning”), like so: GOOSES-TEP.
Heron with tail and tibia broken gets healing treatment (14)Answer: REHABILITATION (i.e. “healing treatment”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “broken”) of HERON, TAIL and TIBIA.
Metal satellite – one with edges of Uranium (8)Answer: TITANIUM (i.e. “metal”). Solution is TITAN (i.e. moon or “satellite” of Saturn) followed by I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one” again, again) and UM (i.e. “edges of Uranium”, i.e. the first and last letters of “Uranium”).
Changing environment sounded alarm for old Chinese rulers (12)Answer: TERRAFORMING (i.e. “changing environment”). Solution is a homophone (indicated by “sounded”) of TERROR (i.e. “alarm”) followed by FOR and MING (i.e. “old Chinese rulers”).
Young one succeeded with expedition over heather (9)Answer: STRIPLING (i.e. “young one”). Solution is S (a recognised abbreviation of “succeeded”) followed by TRIP (i.e. “expedition”) and LING (i.e. “heather”).
Letters illuminated with tare and rue interwoven (10)Answer: LITERATURE (i.e. “letters”). Solution is LIT (i.e. “illuminated”) followed by an anagram (indicated by “interwoven”) of TARE and RUE, like so: LIT-ERATURE.
Repeat cure afresh and get better (10)Answer: RECUPERATE (i.e. “get better”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “afresh”) of REPEAT CURE. Nicely worked.
Rate of SA currency holding record edge (9)Answer: REPRIMAND (i.e. to “rate”, a variant meaning to berate or scold). Solution is RAND (i.e. “SA currency”) wrapped around or “holding” EP (i.e. “record”, specifically an Extended Play) and RIM (i.e. “edge”), like so: R(EP-RIM)AND.
Private medics to get new deal (8)Answer: DOMESTIC (i.e. “private”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “get new deal”) of MEDICS TO.
Collector of rubbish street cleaner at first missed. Peel, perhaps (7)Answer: AVENGER (i.e. “Peel, perhaps” – Steed being another, a reference to characters in the old TV series The Avengers). Solution is SCAVENGER (i.e. “collector of rubbish”) once the S and C have been removed (indicated by “street cleaner at first missed”, i.e. the first letters of “street” and “cleaner”).
Rue not seeing later king about name for the future George IV (6)Answer: REGENT (i.e. “the future George IV”). Solution is REGRET (i.e. “rue”) with the second R removed (indicated by “not seeing later king” – R being a recognised abbreviation of “king” after the Latin Rex) and the remainder wrapped “about” N (a recognised abbreviation of “name”), like so: REG(R)ET => REGET => REGE(N)T.
Prevent wild animals eating them, destroying the border (5)Answer: DETER (i.e. “prevent”). Solution is DEER (i.e. “wild animals”) wrapped around or “eating” THEM once the HEM has been removed (indicated by “destroying the border”), like so: DE(T)ER.
Outfit with, initially, geese, emus and sheep (3-2)Answer: GET-UP (i.e. “outfit”). Solution is GE (i.e. “initially, geese, emus”, i.e. the first letters of “geese” and “emus”) followed by TUP (i.e. “sheep”, specifically another name for a ram).
Bring up the tail end (4)Answer: REAR. Solution satisfies “bring up” and “the tail end”.
September 15, 2024
Times Jumbo Cryptic Crossword 1688
A toughie Jumbo, one for the Olav Bjortomts than us mere mortals. I did find it amusing that feedback from this Jumbo made it into the main paper today (14 Sept 2024). I’ll quote the article here, guest written by Mick Hodgkin, puzzles editor of The Times:
Plea against polymaths
How wide a vocabulary and how much general knowledge should be expected of a cryptic crossword solver? Geraldine Lloyd cried foul after struggling through Cryptic Jumbo 1688, writing to complain: “Your compiler seems to demand that readers are polymaths who have more than a working knowledge of: 5th-century Roman history (Ostrogoth), biological science (sterol), subclassification of snakes (ophidia), Italian terms for marine phenomena (fata morgana), medical terms (epicardial), turtle shell composition (plastron) and Arab guerrillas (Feyadeen). Phew! That’s just one puzzle.”
I must admit this did tickle me when I read it. I know some of you like it when Jumbos lean hard into general knowledge. I would too if the solutions were interesting. But some of the trash in this grid was beyond dull. “I don’t know how I ever got to this stage of my life without learning the parts of a turtle shell, but I’m so glad I know now. My life is enriched!” …is a phrase nobody is going to say. Ever.
The article continues:
Solvers of advanced cryptics like Mephisto and Listener accept that some answers may be unknown words that they must deduce from the wordplay and confirm in the more obscurity-friendly Chambers Dictionary, but we try to limit such things in regular cryptics.
All seven words can be found in Collins and all have helpful wordplay. But are we guilty of showing off? “May I suggest your compiler rein back the on the fruits of his/her no doubt very expensive private education”, Geraldine continued, “and give us products of a mere grammar school a bit of a chance?”
I think most readers of my recent posts could guess what I thought when Mick asked “are we guilty of showing off?” I wouldn’t be presenting my cases for the prosecution each week if you weren’t, Mick.
As for his wider point I’m going to politely highlight something that seems to have escaped him in that, of the seven words cited by Geraldine, all bar one of them are clumped close together in the bottom-left-hand quadrant of the grid. (And above them is AVOIRDUPOIS – hardly a common-or-garden word itself.) Such a concentration of exotic solutions can make it significantly harder to deduce the others around them from their intersecting letters.
What interests me is how these situations arise. Is this a case of the setter not giving a toss, to hell with solvers, let them gasp at the dexterity of my clueing, let them sweat over my magnificent breadth of knowledge? Or is it something I often call poor grid-awareness, i.e. putting any old trash in there, caring more about achieving a grid-fill than making the puzzle fun? We all know exotic solutions are deployed to fill awkward spaces. What checks and balances exist to rein in a setter who overdoes it?
Mick continues:
I take issue with the assumption that all crossword compilers must have had a privileged education. The compiler of this puzzle told me the closest he got to private school was playing the drums in gigs at Bedales and Winchester College, the latter in a Led Zeppelin tribute band.
A fellow graduate of the comprehensive system, he says that after being “tortured, rather than schooled”, he “started studying off my own bat, having realised that I was headed for the jobcentre long term if things didn’t change. But I did learn to read somewhere along the line, which has helped.”
As a fellow graduate of the comprehensive system too, I’m going to take issue with the setter’s incredibly sniffy attitude to the education they received. Look, I’m not going to pretend that every comprehensive school is A1, but, in the large majority of them, you’re going to get out of an education the effort and degree of interest you put in. “Tortured, rather than schooled”? Jesus wept, just listen to yourself. Fine, so you weren’t interested in the curriculum. You wanted to read wider. It didn’t mean you were on a one-way journey to the dole if you hadn’t. Get over yourself.
To close:
A wide vocabulary does help when solving crosswords, but doing crosswords is also a great way to widen your vocabulary. And we do try to make most answers words most solvers might actually know.
I would generally agree with the first half of this but I would argue the issue isn’t solvers’ vocabularies as such, so much the assumed breadth of their knowledge. One is a significantly smaller pool than the other. A lot more people are going to know about a fata morgana than know its name. And often it doesn’t matter that the word is present in a dictionary. There are probably 300 different varieties of trees dotted throughout Chambers, but 1) I’m only going to know a fraction of them and 2) I’m somewhat unlikely to remember another thanks to some crossword.
As for his closing sentence, I can only refer Mick again to my comments about poor grid-awareness. Yes, you could say if seven solutions were tough bastards then there are still another fifty-odd that are gettable, but your chances of getting them are somewhat lessened by them being connected to a cluster of exotic solutions.
Anyway, an interesting article, I thought. On with the show. Now that the competition deadline is long gone 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 gave you bother 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 comments and input. Till next time, stay safe out there kids.
LP
P.S. And oh wow the Times crossword clichés in this one! Perhaps unsurprisingly given all the above. There are now 12 more Jumbos to go before I wrap up these posts.
The case for the prosecution
Across clues
Also chasing university place in Pennines? (6)Answer: UPLAND (i.e. “Pennines”, one such example of a hilly region). Solution is AND (i.e. “also”) placed after or “chasing” U (a recognised abbreviation of “university”) and PL (ditto “place”), like so: (U-PL)-AND.
Hurried to gobble crackers before a fasting period (7)Answer: RAMADAN (i.e. Muslim “fasting period”). Solution is RAN (i.e. “hurried”) wrapped around or “gobbling” MAD (i.e. “crackers”, informally) and A, like so: RA(MAD-A)N.
Mushroom where batter needs to stand? (8)Answer: INCREASE (i.e. to “mushroom”). When written as IN CREASE the solution also satisfies “where batter needs to stand” in a game of cricket.
Flying squadron tutored madmen that needed proving (4,4,13)Answer: QUOD ERAT DEMONSTRANDUM (i.e. “that needed proving” in Latin, often abbreviated to QED). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “flying”) of SQUADRON TUTORED MADMEN. This has appeared twice before while I’ve been writing these posts, and always in this particular grid layout. In grid 1351 the clue was “It’s evident prison transmuted a modern criminal” i.e. QUOD followed by an anagram of TRANSMUTED A MODERN. When it came to be reprinted in the Times Jumbo Cryptic Crossword Book 21 (puzzle 44) the clue was for some reason changed to “It’s evident prison reformed a modern criminal”. Good luck to anyone trying to solve that one. Also, oh look, a Latin phrase in a Times crossword! You don’t see that every week. Most weeks, yes, but not every week.
Answer: NEUROSIS (i.e. “obsession”). Solution is EURO (i.e. “money”, currency of a number of European countries) placed “in” N (i.e. “undefined amount” in mathematics) and SIS (i.e. “MI6”, or the Secret Intelligence Service), like so: N-(EURO)-SIS.
SLR shot captures wingless bird and those lingering (7)Answer: LURKERS (i.e. “those lingering”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “shot”) of SLR wrapped around or “capturing” TURKEY (i.e. “bird”) once its first and last letters have been removed (indicated by “wingless” – nice disguise), like so: L(URKE)RS.
This was capital offence – leader denied motive (6)Answer: REASON (i.e. “motive”). Solution is TREASON (i.e. “this was capital offence”) with its first letter removed (indicated by “leader denied”).
Circle of PC gurus may form research panel (5,5)Answer: FOCUS GROUP (i.e. “research panel”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “may form”) of O (i.e. “circle”) and OF PC GURUS.
Liquid gold is enough for private home (7,5)Answer: LODGING HOUSE (i.e. “private home”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “liquid”) of GOLD IS ENOUGH.
German foundation leaving bishop millions (4)Answer: OTTO (i.e. “German” name – forenames as solutions are ugh; foreign ones are mega-ugh). Solution is BOTTOM (i.e. “foundation”) with the B and M (recognised abbreviations of “bishop” (in chess) and “millions” respectively) removed or “left”.
Solidly-built pupils lacking in academic promise? (5-3)Answer: THICK-SET (i.e. “solidly-built”). When written without a hyphen then the solution playfully satisfies “pupils lacking in academic promise”.
Gold found in crazily loaded place invading Spaniards sought (2,6)Answer: EL DORADO (i.e. “place invading Spaniards sought”). Solution is OR (i.e. “gold” in heraldry) placed or “found in” an anagram (indicated by “crazily”) of LOADED, like so: ELD(OR)ADO.
Cheered about one touch from the right for United (12)Answer: CONSOLIDATED (i.e. “united”). Solution is CONSOLED (i.e. “cheered” up) wrapped “about” I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”) and TAD (i.e. a “touch” or hint of something) once the latter has been reversed (indicated by “from the right” – this being an across clue), like so: CONSOL(I-DAT)ED.
Artist returned with long face, related to structure close to the heart (10)Answer: EPICARDIAL (i.e. “related to structure close to the heart”). Solution is RA (i.e. “artist”, specifically a Royal Academician) reversed (indicated by “returned”) and placed after or “with” EPIC (i.e. “long”). This is all then followed by DIAL (i.e. “face”), like so: (EPIC-AR)-DIAL.
Short story involving short Scottish prosecutor that’s appropriate (10)Answer: CONFISCATE (i.e. to take or “appropriate”). Solution is CONTE (i.e. “short story” – from the French, apparently) wrapped around or “involving” FISCAL (i.e. “Scottish prosecutor”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “short”), like so: CON(FISCA)TE.
For whom getting back to work should be a professional priority? (12)Answer: CHIROPRACTOR. Clue plays on how they work on people’s backs. Relatively straightforward, but this still raised a smile when I twigged it.
Articles drawn from Cairo and Tehran reversed artificial expression (8)Answer: RHETORIC (i.e. “artificial expression”). Solution is CAIRO and TEHRAN with the A removed from CAIRO and AN removed from TEHRAN (indicated by “articles drawn from…” – articles being words like a, an or the). The remainder, CIRO and TEHR, is then all “reversed”, like so: RHET-ORIC.
Letters central to belief in tract showing faith (8)Answer: RELIGION (i.e. “faith”). Solution is LI (i.e. “letters central to beLIef”) placed “in” REGION (i.e. “tract”), like so: RE(LI)GION.
Weak husband opening airtight container (4)Answer: THIN (i.e. “weak”). Solution is H (a recognised abbreviation of “husband”) placed in or “opening” TIN (i.e. “airtight container”), like so: T(H)IN.
Former empire’s vulgar riches? (12)Answer: COMMONWEALTH (i.e. “former empire”). Solution is COMMON (i.e. “vulgar”) followed by WEALTH (i.e. “riches”).
Go to bed with upper-class lodger – army officer (10)Answer: LIEUTENANT (i.e. “army officer”). Solution is LIE (i.e. “go to bed”) followed by U (a recognised abbreviation of the “upper-class”) and TENANT (i.e. “lodger”).
Initially sober, then learning about solid alcohol (6)Answer: STEROL (i.e. “solid alcohol”). Solution is S and T (i.e. “initially sober then”, i.e. the first letters of “sober” and “then”) followed by LORE (i.e. “learning”) once reversed (indicated by “about”), like so: S-T-EROL.
Sat after collapse in a wine store, choose not to drink (7)Answer: ABSTAIN (i.e. “choose not to drink”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “after collapse”) of SAT placed “in” A and BIN (i.e. “wine store”), like so: A-B(STA)IN. Nicely worked.
Goddess to protect party associated with NEC – that’s the narrative (8)Answer: ANECDOTE (i.e. “narrative”). Solution is ATE (i.e. Greek “goddess” of mischief) wrapped around or “protecting” DO (i.e. “party”) once it has been placed on or after or “associated with” NEC, like so: A(NEC-DO)TE. I’ve been punishing the use of Greek mythology, and today is no different (although ATE is quite often found in cryptic crosswords).
Answer: A WATCHED POT NEVER BOILS (i.e. proverb illustrating “anxious waiting has no effect”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “corrupt”) of LET SHADOW CABINET PROVE.
News boss indeed entering marshy land sees Arab fighters? (8)Answer: FEDAYEEN (i.e. “Arab fighters”, especially ones involved in the conflict against Israel. Not sure if that’s the setter nailing his colours to the mast there.) Solution is ED (i.e. “news boss”, short for an editor) and AYE (i.e. “indeed”) both placed in or “entering” FEN (i.e. “marshy land”), like so: F(ED-AYE)EN. One worked out from the wordplay for me, perhaps unsurprisingly.
An eminent Florentine’s unhurried pace? (7)Answer: ANDANTE (i.e. “unhurried pace” in musical lingo). Solution is AN followed by DANTE Alighieri (i.e. “eminent Florentine” – good grief, could you not have just called him a poet?). Dante is well-known so I won’t apply a demerit there, but musical lingo is ten-a-penny in Times crosswords, so here comes angry Beethoven…
Answer: ENDURE (i.e. “bear”). Solution is URE (i.e. Yorkshire “river”) placed after or “following” END (i.e. “death”), like so: END-URE.
Down clues
Offence taken: Greek character quite expressing it (5)Answer: PIQUE (i.e. “offence taken”). Solution is PI (i.e. “Greek character”, specifically the sixteenth letter of the Greek alphabet) followed by QUITE once the IT has been removed or “expressed”, like so: PI-QUE.
Duck, upon removing tail, is around right weight (11)Answer: AVOIRDUPOIS (i.e. “weight”, specifically one “in which the pound (lb) equals 16 ounces (oz)” (Chambers) and one widely used in English-speaking countries). Solution is AVOID (i.e. “duck”), UPON with its last letter removed (indicated by “removing tail”) and IS. This is all then wrapped “around” R (a recognised abbreviation of “right”), like so: AVOI(R)D-UPO-IS. I’ll admit I’ve never heard the word before, so you can imagine the swearing that spouted forth over here.
Groom on time as horse moves? (8)Answer: DRESSAGE (i.e. “horse moves”). Solution is DRESS (i.e. “groom”) followed by AGE (i.e. “time”).
Studies concerned with first note from the sign (5)Answer: READS (i.e. “studies”). Solution is RE (i.e. “concerned with” – think email replies) followed by A (i.e. “first [musical] note”) and DS (i.e. “from the sign” – apparently this is a recognised abbreviation of “dal segno”, musical lingo instructing a performer to return to a specific point). Wait, what was that? Musical lingo again? Good grief, setter, what are you like? Here’s angry Beethoven again.
Answer: MUDFLAP (i.e. “that reduces deposits on estate” car). Solution is a “Spoonerism” of FLOOD MAP (i.e. “tide guide”). Nicely done.
Dispirited? Practical lesson one’s put into action (11)Answer: DEMORALISED (i.e. “dispirited”). Solution is MORAL (i.e. “practical lesson”) and I’S (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one’s”) both placed “into” DEED (i.e. “action”), like so: DE(MORAL-I’S)ED.
Present time, or at some time after noon (5)Answer: NONCE (i.e. “present time”). Solution is ONCE (i.e. “at some time”) placed “after” N (a recognised abbreviation of “noon”), like so: N-ONCE.
Some guts needed to help win Test in England (9)Answer: INTESTINE (i.e. “some guts”). “Some” also indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: W(IN TEST IN E)NGLAND. I think “needed to help” is there solely to make the clue scan.
Key locks office (5)Answer: CHAIR (i.e. “office”). Solution is C (i.e. musical “key”) followed by HAIR (i.e. “locks” or tresses).
Doctor Evadne rued nothing – made determined effort (11)Answer: ENDEAVOURED (i.e. “made determined effort”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “doctor”) of EVADNE RUED and O (i.e. “nothing”).
Problem with battle order (7)Answer: SUMMONS (i.e. court “order”). Solution is SUM (i.e. mathematical “problem”) followed by MONS (i.e. “battle” of the First World War popular with crossword setters).
Theodoric, perhaps ridiculously short, having to go back inside (9)Answer: OSTROGOTH (i.e. “Theodoric, perhaps”, referring to Theodoric the Great, leader of the Ostrogoths. No, me neither). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “ridiculously”) of SHORT wrapped around or “having…inside” TO GO once this has been reversed (indicated by “back”), like so: OSTR(OG-OT)H. Oh, this very much qualifies for a History Today demerit!
Answer: OPHIDIA (i.e. “snakes” – literally all of them). Solution is HID (i.e. “concealed”) placed “in” UTOPIA (i.e. “ideal state”) once the UT has been removed (indicated by “as Roman leaves” – the Latin for “as” being UT), like so: OP(HID)IA. Latin can always get stuffed for my money. Have another demerit.
Answer: DITHERING (i.e. “indecisive”). Solution is DI (i.e. “People’s Princess”) followed by THE and RING (i.e. “syndicate”).
Spirit died, endlessly blessed in churchyard (4,4)Answer: GOD’S ACRE (i.e. “churchyard”). Solution is GO (i.e. “spirit” or va-va-voom) followed by D (a recognised abbreviation of “died”) and SACRED (i.e. “blessed”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “endlessly”), like so: GO-D-SACRE.
Church medic visiting animal to restore to good condition (9)Answer: CATHEDRAL (i.e. “church”). Solution is DR (i.e. “medic”, short for doctor) placed in or “visiting” CAT (i.e. “animal”) and HEAL (i.e. “to restore to good condition”), like so: CAT-HE(DR)AL.
Harsh one with no heart maybe brought up a name (9)Answer: DRACONIAN (i.e. “harsh”). Solution is I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”), NO and CARD (i.e. “heart maybe” – other playing card suits are available) all reversed (indicated by “brought up” – this being a down clue). This is all then followed by A and N (a recognised abbreviation of “name”), like so: (DRAC-ON-I)-A-N. My copy of the Jumbo also had some trash text after this clue: “avoiding repetition of”. These Jumbos can be difficult enough at the best of times without such shenanigans confusing everything!
Penny possibly closing the show devours rook and turtle part (8)Answer: PLASTRON (i.e. “turtle part”). Solution is P (a recognised abbreviation of a “penny”) followed by LAST ON (i.e. “possibly closing the show”) once wrapped around or “devouring” R (a recognised abbreviation of “rook” used in chess), like so: P-(LAST-(R)-ON). You must forgive me if I lack intimate knowledge of a turtle’s anatomy. Good grief.
Elemental form is uppermost in Phoebe’s heart (7)Answer: ISOTOPE (i.e. “elemental form”). Solution is IS followed by TOP (i.e. “uppermost”) once placed “in” OE (i.e. “PhOEbe’s heart”), like so: IS-O(TOP)E.
A small horse gypsies reared under substantial illusion (4,7)Answer: FATA MORGANA (i.e. “illusion” – over to Chambers again: “a striking kind of mirage seen most often in the Strait of Messina”, the kind that can make it look like a ship is floating some distance above the horizon). Solution is A, NAG (i.e. “small horse”) and ROMA (i.e. “gypsies”) all reversed (indicated by “reared” – this being a down clue) and placed after or “under” – down clue again – FAT (i.e. “substantial”), like so: FAT-(AMOR-GAN-A). One eventually nailed by the wordplay, but it took a fair few intersecting letters to help get it.
Electra and Priscilla are so unsympathetic (4-7)Answer: COLD-HEARTED (i.e. “unsympathetic”). Clue plays on how C (a recognised abbreviation of “COLD” used on water taps) is at the HEART of “EleCtra” and “PrisCilla”.
Two things hair stylist did as arranged (3,3,5)Answer: CUT AND DRIED. Solution satisfies “two things hair stylist did” and “as arranged” or decided in advance.
Section’s second district in French city (9)Answer: CAESAREAN (i.e. “section”, commonly referred to as a C-section). Solution is S (a recognised abbreviation of “second”) and AREA (i.e. “district”) both placed “in” CAEN (i.e. “French city”). Never heard of CAEN, but it looks nice. It’s French, though, of course, and we should know by now that Times setters nurse semis for all things French. Have a meme…
Answer: ATREMBLE (i.e. “quavering lyrically”). Solution is M (a recognised abbreviation of “maiden”) placed “in” A and TREBLE (i.e. “high-pitched voice”), like so: A-TRE(M)BLE.
Old Tuareg sullied in scandal (7)Answer: OUTRAGE (i.e. “scandal”). Solution is O (a recognised abbreviation of “old”) followed by an anagram (indicated by “sullied”) of TUAREG.
Large insect regularly nearing light (7)Answer: LANTERN (i.e. “light”). Solution is L (a recognised abbreviation of “large”) followed by ANT (i.e. “insect”) and ERN (i.e. “regularly nearing”, i.e. every other letter of NEARING).
Philosopher’s topless fellow outside clubs (5)Answer: John LOCKE (i.e. English “philosopher” of the seventeenth century). Solution is BLOKE (i.e. “fellow”) with the first letter removed (indicated by “topless”) and the remainder wrapped “outside” of C (a recognised abbreviation of “clubs” used in some card games), like so: LO(C)KE. Philosophers are a magnet for Times setters, much like composers. Have a demerit.
Answer: SEPIA (i.e. “reddish-brown shade”). Solution is I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”) placed in or “among” APES (i.e. “parrots” or imitates) once reversed (indicated by “ascending” – this being a down clue), like so: SEP(I)A.
Alpine ridge periodically observed in fair weather (5)Answer: ARÊTE (i.e. “alpine ridge”). “Periodically observed in” indicates the solution is derived from every other letter of FAIR WEATHER. Easy only if you know it.
Boomerang was tested again? Shocking weapon (5)Answer: TASER (i.e. “shocking weapon”). Solution is RE-SAT (i.e. “was tested again”) reversed or “boomeranged”.
September 8, 2024
Times Jumbo Cryptic Crossword 1687
Another late one. (Oops.) This Jumbo was okay, albeit a tad mechanical. I didn’t sense this at the time, to be fair, but writing this post was a bit of a slog, with what felt like a lot of beginning and end letters to document, along with umpteen insertions and deletions. The Times crossword clichés were out in force too, so there are 13 Jumbos to go before I wrap up these posts.
On those clichés, it’s interesting to note that The Times no longer requires people to be dead before they can feature in cryptic crosswords. Apparently this change has been in place a couple of months now, but we’ve yet to see it filter into the Jumbo cryptic. Well, it’s a start. If they’re easing up on that requirement then surely there can be no argument against including more modern cultural references in their crosswords too? We’ll see…
Anyway, now that the competition deadline has long since past, 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 kept you up all night 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 your patience and input. I appreciate the desire some have to keep this blog going after I hang up my black biro, maybe with a blank post each week for everyone to comment and collaborate upon, but I’m not sure that that would work in practice. I would imagine there are other sites better suited to that. Whatever happens, till next time, stay safe out there kids.
LP
The case for the prosecution
Across clues
Excellent meal, but requiring no repetition (5)Answer: SUPER (i.e. “excellent”). Solution is SUPPER (i.e. “meal”) with the repeated P removed (indicated by “but requiring no repetition”).
Money received of those people, having acquired a promenade? (4,3,3)Answer: TAKE THE AIR (i.e. “promenade” or walk for pleasure). Solution is TAKE (i.e. “money received”) followed by THEIR (i.e. “of those people”) once wrapped around or “acquiring” A, like so: TAKE-THE(A)IR.
Learned person positioned to accept leading figures (6)Answer: SAVANT (i.e. “learned person”). Solution is SAT (i.e. “positioned”) once wrapped around or “accepting” VAN (i.e. “leading figures”, short for a vanguard), like so: SA(VAN)T.
Ready to accept unimaginative cut in revised course (9)Answer: CREDULOUS (i.e. “ready to accept”). Solution is DULL (i.e. “unimaginative”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “cut”) and the remainder placed “in” an anagram (indicated by “revised”) of COURSE, like so: CRE(DUL)OUS.
Duffers upset with this society after time, old fogeys (7,6)Answer: STUFFED SHIRTS (i.e. “old fogeys”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “upset”) of DUFFERS and THIS, followed by S (a recognised abbreviation of “society”) once placed “after” T (ditto “time”), like so: STUFFEDSHIR-T-S.
Club second to enter sports venue beside lake (7)Answer: ARSENAL (i.e. football “club”). Solution is S (a recognised abbreviation of “second”) placed in or “entering” ARENA (i.e. “sports venue”) and followed by L (a recognised abbreviation of “lake”), like so: AR(S)ENA-L.
Love cricket club to capture trophy, an ultimately quality possession (9)Answer: OCCUPANCY (i.e. “possession”). Solution is O (i.e. “love”, a zero score in tennis) followed by CC (a recognised abbreviation of “cricket club”) once wrapped around or “capturing” CUP (i.e. “trophy”) and AN. This is all then followed by Y (i.e. “ultimately quality”, i.e. the last letter of “quality”), like so: O-C(CUP-AN)C-Y.
Precipitous cliff alongside right-hand edge of railway – alarming (5)Answer: SCARY (i.e. “alarming”). Solution is SCAR (i.e. “precipitous cliff”) followed by Y (i.e. “right-hand edge of railway”, i.e. the last letter of “railway”).
Important measures having impact, limiting female work at night (9,5)Answer: GRAVEYARD SHIFT (i.e. “work at night”). Solution is GRAVE (i.e. “important”) followed by YARDS (i.e. “measures”) and HIT (i.e. “impact”) once wrapped around or “limiting” F (a recognised abbreviation of “female”), like so: GRAVE-YARDS-HI(F)T.
Diplomacy is hedging about means to achieve end (7)Answer: TACTICS (i.e. “means to achieve end”). Solution is TACT (i.e. “diplomacy”) followed by IS once wrapped around or “hedging” C (i.e. “about”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of “circa”), like so: TACT-I(C)S.
Daring problem linked to uranium, say, on the radio (10)Answer: METTLESOME (i.e. “daring”). Solution comprises homophones (indicated by “on the radio”) of SUM (i.e. a mathematical “problem”) and METAL (i.e. “uranium, say”). “Linked to” indicates SOME is placed on or after METTLE, like so: METTLE-SOME.
Where doctors work – distribute The Lancet here? Mostly (6,6)Answer: HEALTH CENTRE (i.e. “where doctors work”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “distribute”) of THE LANCET HERE once the last letter has been removed (indicated by “mostly”).
One Greek character attached to … a burning wheel, apparently (5)Answer: IXION. The solution satisfies the clue as a whole. In Greek myth, Ixion was punished by Zeus by being bound to a winged fiery wheel spinning for all time. The solution also comprises I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”), XI (i.e. “Greek character”, specifically the fourteenth letter of the Greek alphabet) and ON (i.e. “attached to”). Clever, yes, but Greek mythology is a massive Times crossword cliché, so have a demerit.
Answer: ACADEMIC (i.e. “speculative” – Chambers offers “theoretical only, of no practical importance or consequence”). Solution is ACC (a recognised abbreviation of “account”) wrapped around or “taking in” an anagram (indicated by “broadcast”) of MEDIA, like so: AC(ADEMI)C.
Formalities favouring Conservative in contrivance (8)Answer: PROTOCOL (i.e. “formalities”). Solution is PRO (i.e. “favouring”) followed by C (a recognised abbreviation of “Conservative”) once placed “in” TOOL (i.e. “contrivance”), like so: PRO-TO(C)OL.
Italian composer lost his grip around finale of piece (8)Answer: Ottorino RESPIGHI (i.e. “Italian composer”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “lost”) of HIS GRIP once wrapped “around” E (i.e. “finale of piece”, i.e. the last letter of “piece”), like so: R(E)SPIGHI. The wordplay was fairly obvious once you got a couple of intersecting letters, but, let’s face it, you’re only nailing this one if you know the guy. Needless to say, Bradford’s was deployed toot bloody sweet. I’m not willing to waste any more time on clues like this. Also, composers are another massive Times crossword cliché, so let’s say hello to angry Beethoven.
Answer: ATHLETIC (i.e. “soccer team” – there are a few Athletic football clubs to choose from. Not quite so many sedentary ones). Solution is HOLE (i.e. “difficult situation”) with the O removed (indicated by “nothing less”) and the remainder placed in or “accepted by” ATTIC (i.e. “Athenian”, referring to an ancient region called Attica), like so: AT(HLE)TIC. More ancient Greek cobblers, so…
Answer: NGAIO (i.e. “New Zealand tree”). Solution is N (a recognised abbreviation of “no”) and G (ditto “good”) followed by AI (i.e. “excellent”, i.e. A1 with the 1 written as its Roman numeral equivalent) and O (a recognised abbreviation of “old”). Made to fit, though perhaps made less exotic through novelist Ngaio Marsh. It’d be a bit mean of me to punish exotic solutions that are obviously there to fill an awkward space – it’s a cliché that’s hardly exclusive to Times crosswords. Still, it would have amused me to have the “suits you” tailors from The Fast Show here.
Examine Bill, initially lacking a certain hormone (12)Answer: TESTOSTERONE (i.e. “hormone”). Solution is TEST (i.e. “examine”) followed by POSTER (i.e. “bill”, ignoring the misleading capitalisation) once its first letter has been removed (indicated by “initially lacking”). This is all then followed by ONE (i.e. “a certain”), like so: TEST-OSTER-ONE.
USA misrepresented by one in individual novel (10)Answer: PERSUASION (i.e. “novel” by Jane Austen). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “misrepresented”) of USA and I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”) both placed “in” PERSON (i.e. “individual”), like so: PERS(UAS-I)ON.
Another artist included in most of Michaelangelo’s work (2,5)Answer: Leonardo DA VINCI (i.e. “artist”). Solution is INC (a recognised abbreviation of “included”) placed “in” DAVID (i.e. “Michaelangelo’s work”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “most of”), like so: DAV(INC)I. Like composers, artists are another whacking great Times crossword cliché, so…
Answer: SPECIAL EFFECTS (i.e. “cinematic illusions”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “various”) of PLACES wrapped around or “retaining” I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”). This is then followed by EFFECTS (i.e. belongings or “property”), like so: SPEC(I)AL-EFFECTS.
Public meeting supporting everything except the leader (5)Answer: FORUM (i.e. “public meeting”). Solution is FOR (i.e. “supporting”) followed by SUM (i.e. “everything”) once its first letter has been removed (indicated by “except the leader”), like so: FOR-UM.
Damaging time – very exciting after head quits – finally you will be involved (9)Answer: TRAUMATIC (i.e. “damaging”). Solution is T (a recognised abbreviation of “time”) followed by DRAMATIC (i.e. “very exciting”) once its first letter has been removed (indicated by “after head quits”) and the remainder has been wrapped around or having “involved” the last or “final” letter of “you”, like so: T-RA(U)MATIC.
Acquire records covering end of Prince with no mention of Queen (7)Answer: ACHIEVE (i.e. “acquire”). Solution is ARCHIVE (i.e. “records”) with the R removed (indicated by “no mention of Queen” – R being a recognised abbreviation of the Latin Regina) and the remainder wrapped around or “covering” E (i.e. “end [letter] of Prince”), like so: ACHI(E)VE.
Governor having message from bank being put back (13)Answer: REINSTATEMENT (i.e. “being put back”). Solution is REIN (i.e. “governor” or something that controls) followed by STATEMENT (i.e. “message from bank”).
Sound science? A backing for science entails University investing in expense (9)Answer: ACOUSTICS (i.e. “sound science”). Solution is A and SCI (a recognised abbreviation of “science”, e.g. in sci-fi), the latter reversed (indicated by “backing”). This is all then wrapped around or “entailing” U (a recognised abbreviation of “university”) once first placed “in” COST (i.e. “expense”), like so: A-(CO(U)ST)-ICS.
Sharpens tip of lancet, to make true (6)Answer: HONEST (i.e. “true”). Solution is HONES (i.e. “sharpens”) followed by T (i.e. “tip of lancet”, i.e. the last letter of “lancet”).
Stop blokes seizing attention – start of tender message of love (10)Answer: ENDEARMENT (i.e. “message of love”). Solution is END (i.e. “stop”) and MEN (i.e. “blokes”) all wrapped around or “seizing” EAR (i.e. “attention”). This is all then followed by T (i.e. “start [letter] of tender”), like so: (END-(EAR)-MEN)-T.
Dimension not initially given for cube (5)Answer: EIGHT (i.e. “cube” of two, i.e. 2 x 2 x 2). Solution is HEIGHT (i.e. “dimension”) with the first letter removed (indicated by “not initially”).
Down clues
Party in charge in Asian country after uprising (6)Answer: SOCIAL (i.e. an informal “party” or gathering of a club or other organised group). Solution is IC (a recognised abbreviation of “in charge”) placed “in” LAOS (i.e. “Asian country”) and the whole reversed (indicated by “after uprising” – this being a down clue), like so: SO(CI)AL.
Request certain suggestions about river journeys offering a good time (8,5)Answer: PLEASURE TRIPS (i.e. “journeys offering a good time”). Solution is PLEA (i.e. “request”) followed by SURE (i.e. “certain”) and TIPS (i.e. “suggestions”) once wrapped “about” R (a recognised abbreviation of “river”), like so: PLEA-SURE-T(R)IPS.
Profligate vacation’s ending in French city (5)Answer: ROUEN (i.e. “French city”). Solution is ROUE (i.e. “profligate”) followed by N (i.e. “vacation’s ending” letter). Times setters can’t help themselves when it comes to anything French. It’s like cocaine for them. Have a meme.
Answer: TROLLEY. Clue plays on the phrases “off one’s rocker” and “off one’s trolley”, both “equivalent” phrases describing madness. TROLLEYS, meanwhile, can be described as “roller” on account of them having wheels. You get the idea.
Delivery chap who’s peckish? (9,3)Answer: KISSOGRAM MAN. Clue plays on “peck” being an informal word for a KISS. Another where you get the idea.
It’s provocative carrying stone clubs, for example (4,4)Answer: TEST CASE (i.e. “example”). Solution is TEASE (i.e. “it’s provocative”) wrapped around or “carrying” ST (a recognised abbreviation of “stone” weight) and C (a recognised abbreviation of “clubs” used in card games), like so: TE(ST-C)ASE.
Prepare Parisian who will cut recording (5)Answer: EQUIP (i.e. “prepare”). Solution is QUI (i.e. “Parisian who”, i.e. the French for “who”) placed in or “cutting” EP (i.e. “recording”, specifically an Extended Play), like so: E(QUI)P. Mon dieu! More French, eh? Well, have another meme then.
Answer: INFINITELY (i.e. “to a great extent”). Solution is IN FINE (i.e. “to sum up” – Latin, donchaknow) wrapped “about” IT (i.e. “computers, etc”, short for Information Technology) and followed by LY (i.e. “lately disheartened”, i.e. the word “lately” with all its middle letters removed, like so: INFIN(IT)E-LY. Latin is another big draw for Times setters. One can forgive abbreviations, e.g. R for Rex (king) or Regina (queen), as these are often used in cryptic crosswords, but Latin phrases? Come off it. Latin wonks have got a whole crossword for that in the main paper. Have another classics demerit.
Answer: APHASIC (i.e. “unable to make speech”). Solution is A (a recognised abbreviation of “American”) followed by P (i.e. “President initially”, i.e. the first letter of “President”), then HAS and ICY (i.e. “chilly reception”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “reduced”), like so: A-P-HAS-IC.
A passion arising in celebrity circus performer (9)Answer: AERIALIST (i.e. “circus performer”). Solution is A followed by IRE (i.e. “passion”) reversed (indicated by “arising” – this being a down clue). This is all then followed by A-LIST (i.e. “celebrity”), like so: A-ERI-A-LIST.
Impressive tango? Rash going topless (5)Answer: TASTY (i.e. “impressive”). Solution is T (“tango” in the phonetic alphabet) followed by HASTY (i.e. “rash”) once its first letter has been removed (indicated by “going topless”), like so: T-ASTY.
Comedy film that’ll have you thinking of better activities? (1,3,2,3,5)Answer: A DAY AT THE RACES (i.e. 1937 “comedy film” starring the Marx Brothers). Clue plays on “betters” being punters at a racecourse. While I’m a fan, it’s not lost on me that ancient movies are another Times crossword staple. Some might say that this is to ensure the puzzle stands the test of time. Setting aside the somewhat grand assertion there, are you seriously telling me the big-hitting Oscar-winning films of the last 25 years are all going to be forgotten within a generation? I doubt it. Have a demerit.
Answer: Rudolph VALENTINO (i.e. “old film star”). Solution is A (a recognised abbreviation of “answer”, as in Q&A) and LENT (i.e. “provided”) both placed or “tucked into” VINO (i.e. “Orvieto”, a white wine from Italy), like so: V(A-LENT)INO. Fine if you know what an Orvieto is, but then I’m no wine expert.
Not to be swallowed, even after removing first couple of crusts (8)Answer: INEDIBLE (i.e. “not to be swallowed”). Solution is INCREDIBLE (i.e. also “not to be swallowed” in a different sense) with the CR “removed”, being the “first couple [of letters] of crusts”. For all my grousing, this was nicely worked.
Very absorbed by period leading to spring (10)Answer: SPELLBOUND (i.e. “very absorbed”). Solution is SPELL (i.e. “period”) followed by BOUND (i.e. to “spring” or leap).
Two were annoying about Frenchmen having moved in (10)Answer: IMMIGRATED (i.e. “moved in”). Solution is II (i.e. “two” expressed as Roman numerals) and GRATED (i.e. “were annoying”) all wrapped “about” MM (i.e. “Frenchmen”, M being a recognised abbreviation of “Monsieur”), like so: I(MM)I-GRATED. No need for the French meme this time – M is often clued as a Frenchman in cryptic crosswords.
Lots of strands and upturned components in feature of dress (9,5)Answer: SPAGHETTI STRAP (i.e. “feature of dress”). Solution is SPAGHETTI (i.e. “lots of strands”) followed by PARTS (i.e. “components”) once the latter has been reversed (indicated by “upturned” – this being a down clue).
Excuse an ex-tutee freaking out (9)Answer: EXTENUATE (i.e. “excuse”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “freaking out”) of AN EX-TUTEE.
Outcome of trial? Exiled to that place in parts of London (8)Answer: SENTENCE (i.e. an “outcome of trial”). Solution is SENT (i.e. “exiled”) followed by HENCE (i.e. “to that place”) once the H has been removed (indicated by “in parts of London”, as in ‘ow all ‘em cockneys’re always droppin’ their bleedin’ aitches inney?), like so: SENT-ENCE.
Encouraging to receive a great success in old sport (13)Answer: CHARIOTEERING (i.e. “old sport”). Solution is CHEERING (i.e. “encouraging”) wrapped around or “receiving” A and RIOT (i.e. “great success”), like so: CH(A-RIOT)EERING.
Expensive rental to secure church? There are obstacles to participating in this (12)Answer: STEEPLECHASE (i.e. “there are obstacles to participating in this”). Solution is STEEP (i.e. “expensive”) followed by LEASE (i.e. “rental”) once wrapped around or “securing” CH (a recognised abbreviation of “church”), like so: STEEP-(LE(CH)ASE).
Surface on a sea yielding zero for lobster or similar (10)Answer: CRUSTACEAN (i.e. “lobster or similar”). Solution is CRUST (i.e. “surface”) followed by A and OCEAN (i.e. “sea”) once the O has been removed (indicated by “yielding zero”), like so: CRUST-A-CEAN.
Majestic display fed by complete source of electricity (9)Answer: SOVEREIGN (i.e. “majestic”). Solution is SIGN (i.e. “display”) wrapped around or “fed by” OVER (i.e. “complete” or finished) and E (i.e. “source of electricity”, i.e. the first letter of “electricity”), like so: S(OVER-E)IGN.
Tyrant upheld nonsense to support suppressing court (8)Answer: DICTATOR (i.e. “tyrant”). Solution is ROT (i.e. “nonsense”) and AID (i.e. “to support”) all reversed (indicated by “upheld” – this being a down clue) and wrapped around or “suppressing” CT (a recognised abbreviation of “court”), like so: DI(CT)A-TOR.
A lot of fresh confusion after invasion by one deadly opponent (7)Answer: NEMESIS (i.e. “deadly opponent”). Solution is NEW (i.e. “fresh”) with its last letter removed (indicated by “a lot of”) and the remainder followed by MESS (i.e. “confusion”) once wrapped around or “invaded” by I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”), like so: NE-MES(I)S.
Salesman in Florida working at top speed (4,3)Answer: FLAT OUT (i.e. “working at top speed”). When written as FLA TOUT the solution also satisfies “salesman in Florida” – FLA being a recognised abbreviation of “Florida”.
County’s attraction – cheap accommodation? (6)Answer: BEDSIT (i.e. “cheap accommodation”). Solution is BEDS (i.e. “county” – short for Bedfordshire) followed by IT (i.e. physical “attraction”).
River mouth pollution requiring switch to other side (5)Answer: FIRTH (i.e. “river mouth”). Solution is FILTH (i.e. “pollution”) with the L swapped for or “switched to” R (indicated by “to other side”, i.e. from left to right), like so: FI(L)TH => FI(R)TH.
Minute articles from the past? I don’t believe it (2,3)Answer: MY EYE (i.e. “I don’t believe it”). Solution is M (a recognised abbreviation of “minute” followed by YE and YE (i.e. “articles from the past”, i.e. ye olde form of “the”).
Negative feeling surrounding small expedition (5)Answer: HASTE (i.e. “expedition”). Solution is HATE (i.e. “negative feeling”) wrapped around or “surrounding” S (a recognised abbreviation of “small”), like so: HA(S)TE.
September 1, 2024
Times Jumbo Cryptic Crossword 1686
Good grief, this one is rather late, isn’t it? Oops. Sorry about that. As for the Jumbo itself, I can’t say I was a fan. Too many clichés were triggered (though mercifully no Billy Bloody Shakespeares), so there are 14 Jumbos to go before I wind up these posts.
Now that we have (long since) passed the competition deadline here is my completed grid along with explanations of my solutions where I have them. I hope you find them helpful. If a recent Jumbo has flipped you the bird then you might find my Just For Fun page of use, where you’ll find links to solutions to hundreds of the things.
Thanks again for your patience and input. Till next time, stay safe out there kids.
LP
The case for the prosecution
Across clues
Explorer heads across the Atlantic heading for China: boat lost! (4,5)Answer: JOHN CABOT (i.e. Italian “explorer” gadding about toward the end of the fifteenth century. We saw him used in a Jumbo clue about a year ago (see grid 1624) but his appearance wasn’t especially noteworthy). Solution is JOHN (i.e. “heads across the Atlantic” – slang for a toilet in the US; “head” meanwhile is nautical slang for a toilet, often in plural apparently) followed by C (i.e. “heading for China”, i.e. the first letter of “China”) and an anagram (indicated by “lost”) of BOAT, like so: JOHN-C-ABOT. Wow, a Times cliché straight out the box. I think that’s a new record. Well done, setter! Now, which cliché demerit to apply? History or Who’s Who? History or Who’s Who? Why not both, eh?
Answer: ATTIC (i.e. “storage space”). Solution is AT (i.e. “costing”) followed by TI (i.e. “this oddly”, i.e. every other letter of THIS) and C (i.e. “a hundred” expressed as a Roman numeral).
Loss is assigned to the past, time and time again (7)Answer: WASTAGE (i.e. “loss”). Solution is WAS (i.e. “assigned to the past”) followed by T (a recognised abbreviation of “time”) and AGE (i.e. “time” – “again” indicating we’re after a different word this time).
Stunner published, revered work (5)Answer: KORAN (i.e. “revered work”). Solution is KO (i.e. “stunner”, short for a knock-out) followed by RAN (i.e. “published”).
Game, chirpy little thing (7)Answer: CRICKET. Solution satisfies “game” and “chirpy little thing”.
Unlikely to chill, no brief garment (9)Answer: LOINCLOTH (i.e. “brief garment”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “unlikely” – a bit ropey IMLTHO) of TO CHILL NO.
Value of eg real estate, real precise after negotiation (6,5)Answer: RESALE PRICE (i.e. “value of eg real estate”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “after negotiation”) of REAL PRECISE.
Inappropriate as an idle pageboy? (8-3)Answer: UNCALLED-FOR. Solution satisfies “inappropriate” and, playfully, “as an idle pageboy”.
Music genre, grime about right (6)Answer: GRUNGE (i.e. “music genre”). Solution is GUNGE (i.e. “grime”) wrapped “about” R (a recognised abbreviation of “right”), like so: G(R)UNGE.
Drawing clear, one clarified originally after publication (8)Answer: MAGNETIC (i.e. “drawing” or attractive). Solution is NET (i.e. “clear” of tax), I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”) and C (i.e. “clarified originally”, i.e. the first letter of “clarified”) all placed “after” MAG (i.e. “publication”, short for magazine”), like so: MAG-(NET-I-C).
Warhol’s colour frames in photos so indistinct? (6)Answer: GRAINY (i.e. of “photos so indistinct”). Solution is GRAY (i.e. “Warhol’s [hair] colour”) wrapped around or “framing” IN, like so: GRA(IN)Y.
Punch consumed, a drink (5,3)Answer: CHINA TEA (i.e. “drink”). Solution is CHIN (i.e. to “punch”) followed by ATE (i.e. “consumed”) and A.
Plant can drink gallon that’s drained into land (8,6)Answer: STINGING NETTLE (i.e. “plant”). Solution is TIN (i.e. “can”), GIN (i.e. “drink”), GN (i.e. “gallon that’s drained”, i.e. the word “gallon” with all its middle letters removed) all placed “into” SETTLE (i.e. to “land”), like so: S(TIN-GIN-GN)ETTLE.
Nectar collector briefly on blossom, perhaps (5)Answer: MAYBE (i.e. “perhaps”). Solution is BEE (i.e. “nectar collector”) with its last letter removed (indicated by “briefly”) and the remainder placed “on” or after MAY (i.e. recognised shortening of may “blossom”), like so: MAY-BE.
Boy in blue and reddish-brown (6)Answer: COPPER. Solution satisfies “boy in blue” – both slang for policemen – and “reddish-brown”.
Rabbit and larger animal found on small islands back-to-back, eating tons (7-3)Answer: YACKETY-YAK (i.e. to “rabbit” or talk a lot). Solution is YAK (i.e. “larger animal”, relative to a rabbit) placed “on” or after CAY and KEY (i.e. “small islands”, both variant spellings for a small island formed on the surface of a coral reef) once these have been placed “back-to-back” and wrapped around or “eating” T (a recognised abbreviation of “tons”), like so: (YAC-KE(T)Y)-YAK.
A grotesque slur, due to cheating (10)Answer: ADULTEROUS (i.e. “cheating”). Solution is A followed by an anagram (indicated by “grotesque”) of SLUR DUE TO, like so: A-DULTEROUS.
Duty company recalled with dispersal of riot (6)Answer: OCTROI (i.e. “duty” – over to Chambers: “formerly, and still in some European countries, a commercial privilege, eg of exclusive trade”). Solution is CO (a recognised abbreviation of “company”) reversed (indicated by “recalled”) and followed by an anagram (indicated by “dispersal of”) of RIOT, like so: OC-TROI. Easy if you know it. Made-to-fit trash if you don’t. Guess which pot I fall in? No penalty, though, because at least this is a word and not some obscure port or plant or some such.
Contraption is breaking my back (5)Answer: GISMO (i.e. “contraption”). Solution is IS placed in or “breaking” OMG (i.e. “my”, both exclamations, the latter short for Oh My God) once this latter has been reversed (indicated by “back”), like so: G(IS)MO.
A rigged trial? (5,9)Answer: DRESS REHEARSAL. The solution satisfies the clue as a whole, taking “rig” to mean “an outfit; garb” (Chambers).
Big deal in scrap, a dandy cut into it (4,2,2)Answer: WHAT OF IT (i.e. “big deal”, both dismissive phrases). Solution is WHIT (i.e. “scrap” or tiny amount) wrapped around or having “into it” A and TOFF (i.e. “dandy”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “cut”), like so: WH(A-TOF)IT.
Score’s ultimately showing it? (6)Answer: RESULT (i.e. “score”). “Showing it” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: SCO(RE’S-ULT)IMATELY.
Tablets not really working, boy almost entirely covered in spots (8)Answer: PLACEBOS (i.e. “tablets not really working”). Solution is BOY with its last letter removed (indicated by “almost entirely”) and the remainder placed or “covered in” PLACES (i.e. “spots”, e.g. beauty spots), likes so: PLACE(BO)S.
Stadium reduced to dust? (6)Answer: GROUND. Solution satisfies “stadium” and “reduced to dust”.
Previously abuse someone applauding Conservative rule (11)Answer: CLAPPERCLAW (i.e. “previously abuse”, “previously” indicating the solution is an archaic word – over to Chambers again: “(archaic) to claw or scratch; to scold or abuse”). Solution is CLAPPER (i.e. “someone applauding”) followed by C (a recognised abbreviation of “Conservative”) and LAW (i.e. “rule”).
Settler in Croatia upset about Jack residing in Dudley (11)Answer: ADJUDICATOR (i.e. “settler”, in this case one who settles an argument). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “upset”) of CROATIA wrapped “about” J (a recognised abbreviation of “jack” used in some card games) once this has first been placed “in” DUD (shortened form of “Dudley”), like so: A(D(J)UD)ICATOR.
Skim over a strategy in a crusade that saint’s forsaken (9)Answer: AQUAPLANE (i.e. “skim over”). Solution is A and PLAN (i.e. “strategy”) both placed “in” A and QUEST (i.e. “crusade”) once the ST has been removed (indicated by “that saint’s forsaken” – ST being a recognised abbreviation of “saint”), like so: A-QU(A-PLAN)E.
European port tastes terrible, no stomach for it… (7)Answer: TRIESTE (i.e. “European port”). Solution is TRIES (i.e. “tastes”) followed by TE (i.e. “terrible, no stomach for it”, i.e. the word “terrible” with all its middle letters removed). Time was you couldn’t move from week to week in Jumbos without some port or other plugging an awkward gap. Thankfully Jumbos aren’t quite so bad these days, but ports are still a cliché for Times setters, so have a demerit.
Answer: ITALY (i.e. “it’s here”, the ellipses at the beginning of the clue and at the end of the previous clue meaning we are referring to the previous solution, TRIESTE, which is a port in Italy). Solution is IT followed by A and LY (i.e. “lady discontented”, i.e. the word “lady” with all its middle letters removed).
Zero transported by flier from Los Angeles further down the line (5,2)Answer: LATER ON (i.e. “further down the line”). Solution is O (i.e. “zero”) placed in or “transported by” LA TERN (i.e. “flier from Los Angeles”, tern being a bird), like so: LA-TER(O)N.
Small show, little one (5)Answer: SPROG (i.e. slang for a child or “little one”). Solution is S (a recognised abbreviation of “small”) followed by PROG (i.e. “show”, informal shortening of programme).
Tree, even hedges run through border (9)Answer: EVERGREEN (i.e. “tree”). Solution is E’EN (a poetic contraction of “even”) wrapped around or “hedging” R (a recognised abbreviation of “run” used in a number of ball games) once first placed in or “through” VERGE (i.e. “border”), like so: E’(VERG(R)E)EN.
Down clues
Card in card game, jack for opener in pontoon (5)Answer: JOKER (i.e. playing “card”). Solution is POKER (i.e. “card game”) with the P (i.e. “opener in pontoon”, i.e. the first letter of “pontoon”) swapped “for” J (a recognised abbreviation of “jack” in some card games), like so: (P)OKER => (J)OKER.
I’m hurling insults at one looking in good health! (5,3,2,4,3)Answer: HERE’S MUD IN YOUR EYE (i.e. “good health” – both toasts). The remainder of the clue plays on MUD being another word for “insult” and an EYE being “one looking”. You get the idea.
Study standard cost for light (11)Answer: CONFLAGRATE (i.e. “light” or set fire to). Solution is CON (an archaic word for to “study” only ever used in cryptic crosswords these days) followed by FLAG (i.e. “standard”) and RATE (i.e. “cost”).
British venture I set up for powerful contractor? (6)Answer: BICEPS (i.e. a muscle or “powerful contractor”). Solution is B (a recognised abbreviation of “British”) followed by SPEC (i.e. bet or “venture”, short for speculation) and I once these last two have been reversed (indicated by “set up” – this being a down clue), like so: B-(I-CEPS).
Island where three houses sound upside down (8)Answer: TRINIDAD (i.e. “island”). Solution is TRIAD (i.e. “three”) wrapped around or “housing” DIN (i.e. “sound”) once reversed (indicated by “upside down” – this being a down clue), like so: TRI(NID)AD.
God knows namesake Thor is furious! (3,2,7)Answer: ASK ME ANOTHER (i.e. “God knows”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “is furious”) of NAMESAKE THOR.
No good supporting old king, everyone together expressing disapproval (3-7)Answer: TUT-TUTTING (i.e. “expressing disapproval”). Solution is N (a recognised abbreviation of “no”) and G (ditto “good”) all placed at the end of or “supporting” – this being a down clue – TUT (i.e. “old king”, short for Tutankhamun) and TUTTI (i.e. “everyone together” in musical lingo), like so: (TUT-TUTTI)-N-G. Musical lingo is another Times cliché, and TUTTI appears a lot, so have an angry Beethoven…
Answer: COLIC (i.e. “something painful”). “Written in” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, while “up” indicates the solution has been reversed – this being a down clue – like so: PEN(CIL OC)CASIONALLY.
Top insect (9)Answer: WHIRLIGIG. Solution satisfies a toy or spinning “top”, and “insect”, specifically a water beetle.
Green cat set out to get mole (6,5)Answer: SECRET AGENT (i.e. “mole”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “out”) of GREEN CAT SET.
Ladies or gents aboard raft when naked, cold (5)Answer: ALOOF (i.e. “cold”). Solution is LOO (i.e. informal name for a toilet or “ladies or gents”) once placed in or “aboard” RAFT once its first and last letters have been removed (indicated by “naked”), like so: A(LOO)F.
Urge in old flame burning, lover finally bedded (6)Answer: EXHORT (i.e. “urge”). Solution is EX (i.e. “old flame”) followed by HOT (i.e. “burning”) once wrapped around or “bedding” R (i.e. “lover finally”, i.e. the last letter of “lover”), like so: EX-HO(R)T.
Forget bottom gear trooper, you can do it! (2,8)Answer: GO COMMANDO. Solution satisfies going out without underwear, or “forget bottom gear”, and, playfully, “trooper, you can do it!”.
I’m into drink, time an illusion (8)Answer: CHIMAERA (i.e. “an illusion” or any wild or idle fancy). Solution is I’M placed “into” CHA (i.e. “tea”) and followed by ERA (i.e. “time”), like so: CH(I’M)A-ERA.
Like something off the sweet trolley – or off one’s own? (5,2,1,9)Answer: NUTTY AS A FRUITCAKE (i.e. “off one’s [trolley]”). Solution also playfully satisfies “like something off the sweet trolley”.
Antifreeze essential initially in chopper (6)Answer: DEICER (i.e. “antifreeze”). Solution is E (i.e. “essential initially”, i.e. the first letter of “essential”) placed “in” DICER (i.e. “chopper”), like so: D(E)ICER.
Take a hike, as might granny? (3,7)Answer: GET KNOTTED (i.e. “take a hike” – both dismissive phrases). The remainder of the clue plays on “granny” knots.
Pretty tree ahead (6,2)Answer: SPRUCE UP (i.e. to “pretty”). Solution is SPRUCE (i.e. “tree”) followed by UP (i.e. “ahead”).
Piece to hear when nocturne played? (6)Answer: KNIGHT (i.e. chess “piece”). Solution is a homophone (indicated by “to hear”) of NIGHT (i.e. “when nocturne played”).
Force not creating a measure of ability to withstand compression (6,6)Answer: OCTANE RATING (i.e. “measure of ability to withstand compression” – I’ll have to take your word for it, setter; meanwhile Chambers offers: “the percentage by volume of so-called iso-octane in a mixture with normal heptane which has the same knocking characteristics as the motor fuel under test”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “force”) of NOT CREATING A. I have to admit I laughed my arse off when this one dropped. As readers know, I’m not slow in pulling setters up on the obscure shit they stuff into their grids, but this was another level! Are you seriously suggesting this is knowledge held by a sufficient proportion of solvers to warrant its inclusion here? Like bollocks it is. This smacks of the GridFill
4000 dropping something into the grid and the setter saying “oh hell, how am I going to clue that?!” Comical. Have a demerit.
Answer: TISSUE PAPER (i.e. “thin material”). Solution is ISSUE (i.e. “difficulty”) and P (a recognised abbreviation of “pressure”) both placed in or “cutting” TAPER (i.e. to “narrow”), like so: T(ISSUE-P)APER.
Go and prepare a frittata? (3,8)Answer: GET CRACKING. Solution satisfies “go” and “prepare a frittata”, or at least it would if you knew a frittata was an Italian dish similar to an omelette. I guess “omelette” was too common for the average Times reader, eh…
Answer: TREAD WATER (i.e. “just stay afloat”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “swimming”) of A TAD WET wrapped “round” R (a recognised abbreviation of “river”) and followed by ER (i.e. “um”, both expressions of hesitation), like so: T(R)EADWAT-ER.
Register cheers in delight (9)Answer: ENTERTAIN (i.e. “delight”). Solution is ENTER (i.e. “register”) followed by TA (i.e. thanks or “cheers”) and IN.
Little piece has nailed simply perfect thing to say (3,5)Answer: MOT JUSTE (i.e. “perfect thing to say”). Solution is MOTE (i.e. “little piece”) followed by JUST (i.e. “simply”), like so: MOT(JUST)E. It’s a French phrase, and Times setters can’t help themselves when it comes to all things French, so you know what that means…
Answer: SCRAWL (i.e. “sloppily inscribe”). Solution is S (a recognised abbreviation of “second”) followed by CRAWL (i.e. swimming “stroke”).
Fresh head on stick (6)Answer: ADHERE (i.e. to “stick”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “fresh”) of HEAD followed by RE (i.e. “on” or regarding – think email replies), like so: ADHE-RE.
Mature gorgonzola tempted you all right, every last bit (5)Answer: ADULT (i.e. “mature”). “Every last bit” indicates the solution is derived from the last letters of GORGONZOLA TEMPTED YOU ALL RIGHT.
United team is a goal up, reportedly? (5)Answer: LEEDS (i.e. “United team”, in football). Solution is a homophone (indicated by “reportedly”) of LEADS (i.e. “is a goal up”).
Fibre in light illuminated (5)Answer: RAYON (i.e. “fibre”). Solution is RAY (i.e. “light”) followed by ON (i.e. of a light “illuminated”).
August 13, 2024
Times Jumbo Cryptic Crossword 1685
A relatively straightforward Jumbo this week. Much like last week this Jumbo didn’t suffer too many Times Crossword clichés, except for the biggie. Oh yes, here’s another setter that can’t help themselves when it comes to Billy Shakespeare, literally history’s only playwright. Jesus H. The clueing also lacked imagination: an overreliance on forenames to get the job done, or just outright repeating the same wordplay over and over. I’ll admit I didn’t twig this when solving the Jumbo, but it soon got boring when writing it up. 15 Jumbos to go.
Now that the competition deadline has passed 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 screaming ab-dabs 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 your patience and input. I know this has been even later than usual but there have been good reasons for it. Well, good for me, anyway. 
Till next time, stay safe out there kids.
LP
The case for the prosecution
Across clues
Tycoon in Asian river experiment is German (13)Answer: INDUSTRIALIST (i.e. “tycoon”). Solution is INDUS (i.e. “Asian river”) followed by TRIAL (i.e. “experiment”) and IST (i.e. “is German”, i.e. the German for “is”).
Bloke securing drink knocked back by Irish singer (9)Answer: BOWERBIRD (i.e. “singer”, specifically a bird). Solution is BOD (i.e. “bloke” – I’m going to so-so this. BOD is a contraction of BODY. It doesn’t necessarily mean a “bloke”) wrapped around or “securing” BREW (i.e. “drink”) once reversed (indicated by “knocked back”) and IR (a recognised abbreviation of “Irish”), like so: BO(WERB-IR)D.
Surpass American state and European island (5)Answer: CAPRI (i.e. “European island”). Solution is CAP (i.e. “surpass”) followed by RI (i.e. “American state”, abbreviation of Rhode Island).
Bar key painting? That’s a slip (11)Answer: COUNTERFOIL (i.e. “slip”). Solution is COUNTER (i.e. “bar”) followed by F (i.e. musical “key”) and OIL (i.e. “painting”).
Racecourse record thus misrepresented at first (5)Answer: EPSOM (i.e. “racecourse”). Solution is EP (i.e. “record”, specifically an Extended Play) followed by SO (i.e. “thus”) and M (i.e. “misrepresented at first”, i.e. the first letter of “misrepresented”).
Quiet Hampshire arts master disturbed by a ghostly vision (9)Answer: PHANTASMA (i.e. “ghostly vision”). Solution is P (i.e. “quiet”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of “piano” in musical lingo), HANTS (shortened form of “Hampshire”) and MA (i.e. “arts master”, or Master of Arts) all wrapped around or “disturbed by” A, like so: P-HANT(A)S-MA.
The last word in armaments! (4)Answer: AMEN (i.e. “the last word”). “In” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: ARM(AMEN)TS.
Hired ruffian’s year stalking male cricketer (8)Answer: MYRMIDON (i.e. “hired ruffian” – over to Chambers: “(without capital) a member of any ruffianly band under a daring leader; someone who carries out another’s orders without fear or pity”). Solution is YR (a recognised abbreviation of “year”) placed in or “stalking” M (a recognised abbreviation of “male”) and MID-ON (i.e. “cricketer”, a position in the field), like so: M-(YR)-MID-ON.
Cleric entering cathedral city in a calm manner (6)Answer: EVENLY (i.e. “in a calm manner”). Solution is VEN (i.e. “cleric”, short for the title Venerable) placed in or “entering” ELY (i.e. a “cathedral city”), like so: E(VEN)LY.
Very early way to keep trees: get your priorities right (5,6,5)Answer: FIRST THINGS FIRST (i.e. “get your priorities right”). Solution is FIRST THING (i.e. “very early”) followed by ST (i.e. “way”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of “street”) once wrapped around or “keeping” FIRS (i.e. “trees”), like so: FIRST-THING-S(FIRS)T.
Waterproof fabric a Republican chap stored in container (9)Answer: TARPAULIN (i.e. “waterproof fabric”). Solution is A, R (a recognised abbreviation of “Republican”) and PAUL (i.e. “chap’s” name) all placed or “stored in” TIN (i.e. “container”), like so: T(A-R-PAUL)IN.
Craftsman finally becoming less active (7)Answer: GLAZIER (i.e. “craftsman”). Solution is G (i.e. “finally becoming”, i.e. the last letter of “becoming”) followed by LAZIER (i.e. “less active”).
Brightest star principally associated with sacred river (5)Answer: ALPHA (i.e. “brightest star” of a constellation). Solution is A (i.e. “principally associated”, i.e. the first letter of “associated”) placed “with” or after ALPH (i.e. “sacred river”, specifically one from Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s poem Kubla Khan, representing the boundary between the real and supernatural world), like so: ALPH-A. I’m not 100% sure of this one as “with” doesn’t usually equate with “place after” in a cryptic crossword clue, but I can’t think what else it could be. Also, come on, how many people are going to know the river in Kubla Khan? In fact, how many people will have read Kubla Khan in the first place? Have a poetry demerit.
Answer: RETRENCHMENT (i.e. “cutting off”). Solution is MEN (i.e. “chaps”) placed “in” RE (i.e. “army corps”, specifically the Royal Engineers of the British Army) and T (a recognised abbreviation of “time”) once these latter two have been wrapped around or “crossing” TRENCH (i.e. “ditch”), like so: RE-(TRENCH)-(MEN)-T.
Female Latvian opposed to dabblers (10)Answer: DILETTANTI (i.e. “dabblers”). Solution is DI (i.e. “female” name) followed by LETT (i.e. “Latvian”) and ANTI (i.e. “opposed to”).
Failure to settle on mat Penny repaired (10)Answer: NONPAYMENT (i.e. “failure to settle”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “repaired”) of ON MAT PENNY.
Fashionable inference to finish with (2,10)Answer: IN CONCLUSION (i.e. “to finish with”). Solution is IN (i.e. “fashionable”) followed by CONCLUSION (i.e. “inference”).
Comparatively inactive fish seen round lake and river (5)Answer: IDLER (i.e. “comparatively inactive”). Solution is IDE (i.e. variety of “fish”) wrapped “round” L (a recognised abbreviation of “lake”) and followed by R (ditto “river”), like so: ID(L)E-R.
Nanny trains where plants are reared (7)Answer: NURSERY (i.e. “where plants are reared”). Solution is NURSE (i.e. “nanny”) followed by RY (i.e. “trains”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of a railway). I’ll leave it up to you to debate whether a railway comprises the rolling stock that use it. (I’d say not.)
Unacceptable corollaries for mounted escorts (9)Answer: OUTRIDERS (i.e. “mounted escorts”). Solution is OUT (i.e. “unacceptable”) followed by RIDERS (i.e. “corollaries”, specifically “a clause or corollary added to an already complete contract or other legal document” (Chambers)).
Old timer’s impressive face captivating stout woman (11,5)Answer: GRANDFATHER CLOCK (i.e. “old timer”). Solution is GRAND (i.e. “impressive”) and CLOCK (slang for a “face”) all wrapped around or “captivating” FAT (i.e. “stout”) and HER (i.e. “woman”), like so: GRAND-(FAT-HER)-CLOCK.
Restore theatre before broadcast (6)Answer: REPAIR (i.e. “restore”). Solution is REP (i.e. “theatre”, specifically a reparatory one) followed by AIR (i.e. to “broadcast”).
Note about wild partygoers makes us cross (8)Answer: TRAVERSE (i.e. to “cross”). Solution is TE (i.e. “note” in the sol-fa scale, sometimes written as TI) wrapped “about” RAVERS (i.e. “partygoers”), like so: T(RAVERS)E.
Photograph game (4)Answer: SNAP. Solution satisfies “photograph” and a card “game”.
Eastern girl’s shoulder piece (9)Answer: EPAULETTE (i.e. “shoulder piece”). Solution is E (a recognised abbreviation of “eastern”) followed by PAULETTE (i.e. “girl’s” name).
Set fire to church by rocky peak (5)Answer: TORCH (i.e. “set fire to”). Solution is CH (a recognised abbreviation of “church”) placed after or “by” TOR (i.e. “rocky peak”), like so: TOR-CH.
Stylish fellow I arranged to meet – and terrorised! (11)Answer: INTIMIDATED (i.e. “terrorised”). Solution is IN (i.e. “stylish”) followed by TIM (i.e. “fellow’s” name), then I and DATED (i.e. “arranged to meet”).
River, one featuring in folk legend (5)Answer: LOIRE (i.e. a “river” in France, the longest apparently). Solution is I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”) placed “in” LORE (i.e. “folk legend”), like so: LO(I)RE. Times setters can’t help themselves when it comes to all things French, so here’s a meme.
Answer: HAMPSTEAD (i.e. “N London suburb”). Solution is HEAD (i.e. “leader”) wrapped around or “limiting” A, MP’S (i.e. “politician’s”, specifically a Member of Parliament made possessive) and T (a recognised abbreviation of “time”), like so: H(A-MP’S-T)EAD.
Lacking individuality, unlike Hamlet for example (13)Answer: CHARACTERLESS (i.e. “lacking individuality”). The remainder of the clue plays on how the play Hamlet has characters in it. Like every other play then. But, like anything French, Times setters can’t help but crowbar Billy Shakespeare in at every given opportunity. It’s embarrassing really.
Down clues
Just beginning nice pint I ordered (9)Answer: INCIPIENT (i.e. “just beginning”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “ordered”) of NICE PINT I.
Corrupt fellow holding record on river (7)Answer: DEPRAVE (i.e. “corrupt”). Solution is DAVE (i.e. “fellow’s” name – getting bored of all these names now) wrapped around or “holding” EP (i.e. “record”, already covered in 15a. This week’s setter does seem a little one-track) and R (a recognised abbreviation of “river”), like so: D(EP-R)AVE.
Sparkle misplaced in Tallis etc (11)Answer: SCINTILLATE (i.e. “sparkle”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “misplaced”) of IN TALLIS ETC.
Secluded place for a break (6)Answer: RECESS. Solution satisfies “secluded place” and “break”.
Fawning grown-up penning article on Scottish island mostly (9)Answer: ADULATION (i.e. “fawning”). Solution ADULT (i.e. “grown-up”) wrapped around or “penning” A (i.e. “article”, i.e. a word like a, an or the). This is all then followed by IONA (i.e. “Scottish island” and a favourite of cryptic crossword setters everywhere) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “mostly”), like so: ADUL(A)T-ION.
Uncompromising senior officer being conveyed around (12)Answer: INTRANSIGENT (i.e. “uncompromising”). Solution is GEN (i.e. “senior officer”, short for a General) placed in or having “around” it IN TRANSIT (i.e. “being conveyed”), like so: IN-TRANSI(GEN)T.
Pouring rain let rot spread (10)Answer: TORRENTIAL (i.e. “pouring”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “spread”) of RAIN LET ROT.
Express disapproval of king’s literary work (4)Answer: BOOK (i.e. “literary work”). Solution is BOO (i.e. “express disapproval”) followed by K (a recognised abbreviation of “king” used in chess).
Town with Welshman spreading danger: extremely canny about it (6,6,4)Answer: WELWYN GARDEN CITY (i.e. “town” in Hertfordshire, population around 50,000. Sorry, Welwyners, I’ve not heard of you). Solution is W (a recognised abbreviation of “with”) followed by ELWYN (i.e. “Welshman’s” name – seriously yawn now), then an anagram (indicated by “spreading” – again, just used two clues ago) of DANGER, then CY (i.e. “extremely canny”, i.e. the first and last letters of “canny”) once wrapped “about” IT, like so: W-ELYWN-GARDEN-C(IT)Y.
Discharge explosive substance in Hebridean island (5)Answer: RHEUM (i.e. gooey “discharge”). Solution is HE (i.e. “explosive substance”, specifically High Explosive) placed “in” RUM (i.e. “Hebridean island”), like so: R(HE)UM.
Cool drink, we hear, for one in the know (7)Answer: INSIDER (i.e. “one in the know”). Solution is IN (i.e. “cool” or fashionable) followed by a homophone (indicated by “we hear”) of CIDER (i.e. “drink”), like so: IN-SIDER.
Skilful person given post covering Republican rally (13)Answer: DEMONSTRATION (i.e. protest or “rally”). Solution is DEMON (i.e. “skilful person”) followed by STATION (i.e. “post” or job) once wrapped around or “covering” R (a recognised abbreviation of “Republican”), like so: DEMON-ST(R)ATION.
Half-hearted boost popular with old Asian islander (8)Answer: FILIPINO (i.e. “Asian islander”). Solution is FILLIP (i.e. “boost”) with one of the middle Ls removed (indicated by “half-hearted”) and the remainder followed by IN (i.e. “popular”) and O (a recognised abbreviation of “old”), like so: FILIP-IN-O.
Blowout in tyre ultimately disturbing at speed (5)Answer: FEAST (i.e. “blowout”). Solution is E (i.e. “tyre ultimately”, i.e. the last letter of “tyre”) placed in or “disturbing” FAST (i.e. “at speed”), like so: F(E)AST.
Old county councillors initially want luxury food and new horse (16)Answer: CLACKMANNANSHIRE (i.e. “old county” in Scotland that was abolished in 1975). Solution is C (i.e. “councillors initially”, i.e. the first letter of “councillors”) followed by LACK (i.e. “want”), then MANNA (i.e. “luxury food”), then N (a recognised abbreviation of “new”) and SHIRE (a variety of “horse”).
Like part of organ in later construction? (7)Answer: RETINAL (i.e. “like part of organ”, specifically the retina of the eye). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “construction”) of IN LATER. A repeat solution from two weeks ago. Never change, Times, never change.
Thoughtful writers originally illustrating victory in Europe (7)Answer: PENSIVE (i.e. “thoughtful”). Solution is PENS (i.e. “writers”) followed by I (i.e. “originally illustrating”, i.e. the first letter of “illustrating”), then VE (a recognised abbreviation of “Victory in Europe” day).
Athletic little chap crossing sierra: seamstresses may use it (7,6)Answer: RUNNING STITCH (i.e. “seamstresses may use it”). Solution is RUNNING (i.e. “athletic”) and TITCH (i.e. “little chap”) all wrapped around or “crossing” S (“sierra” in the phonetic alphabet), like so: RUNNING-(S)-TITCH.
Month attorney finally framed acceptable system of rule (8)Answer: MONARCHY (i.e. “system of rule”). Solution is MARCH (i.e. “month”) and Y (i.e. “attorney finally”, i.e. the last letter of “attorney”) all wrapped around or “framing” ON (i.e. “acceptable”), like so: M(ON)ARCH-Y.
Doctor coped nicely, given a reference book (12)Answer: ENCYCLOPEDIA (i.e. “reference book”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “doctor”) of COPED NICELY followed by A, like so: ENCYCLOPEDI-A.
Caustic account delivered (5)Answer: ACRID (i.e. “caustic”). Solution is AC (a recognised abbreviation of “account”) followed by RID (i.e. “delivered”, as in deliver us from evil).
Like protozoans, extremely unusual in college wine store (11)Answer: UNICELLULAR (i.e. “like protozoans”). Solution is UL (i.e. “extremely unusual”, i.e. the first and last letters of “unusual”) placed “in” UNI (i.e. “college”, short for university) and CELLAR (i.e. “wine store”), like so: UNI-CELL(UL)AR.
Common rite broadcast strictly in time (10)Answer: METRONOMIC (i.e. “strictly in time”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “broadcast”) of COMMON RITE.
Odd in Scotland, keeping box for players (9)Answer: ORCHESTRA (i.e. music “players”). Solution is ORRA (i.e. “odd in Scotland” – another easier get after its recent use in another Jumbo. Isn’t it odd how often that happens?) wrapped around or “keeping” CHEST (i.e. “box”), like so: OR(CHEST)RA.
Charming woman taking uniform from supply on ship (9)Answer: SORCERESS (i.e. “charming woman”). Solution is SOURCE (i.e. “supply”) with the U removed (indicated by “taking uniform from” – “uniform” being U in the phonetic alphabet) and the remainder followed by RE (i.e. “on” or regarding – think email replies) and SS (a recognised abbreviation of “steamship”), like so: SORCE-RE-SS.
What racing tipster is in relation to starting price (7)Answer: ANAGRAM. Solution satisfies the clue as a whole, given RACING TIPSTER is an anagram of STARTING PRICE.
Way to enter a bridle path, seated thus? (7)Answer: ASTRIDE (i.e. “seated thus”, within the context of the clue, i.e. on a horse). Solution is ST (i.e. “way”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of “street”) placed in or “entering” A and RIDE (i.e. “bridle path” – Chambers offers within its definitions: “a road for horse-riding, especially one through a wood”), like so: A-(ST)-RIDE.
Robber’s daughter taking vermouth, propping up bar (6)Answer: BANDIT (i.e. “robber”). Solution is D (a recognised abbreviation of “daughter”) and IT (i.e. “vermouth” – another recent repeat of obscure wordplay, this being a recognised abbreviation of Italian vermouth) both placed after or “propping up” – this being a down clue – BAN (i.e. to prohibit or “bar”), like so: BAN-(D-IT).
English chap rejecting mother’s code of beliefs (5)Answer: ETHOS (i.e. “code of beliefs”). Solution is E (a recognised abbreviation of “English”) followed by THOMAS (i.e. “chap’s” name, again, again, again etc) once the MA (short for “mother”) has been removed or “rejected”, like so: E-THOS.
Breeding establishment set at last in south of France (4)Answer: STUD (i.e. “breeding establishment”). Solution is T (i.e. “set at last”, i.e. the last letter of “set”) placed “in” SUD (i.e. “south of France”, i.e. the French for “south”), like so: S(T)UD.
August 2, 2024
Times Jumbo Cryptic Crossword 1684
Another medium strength Jumbo, but at least this one didn’t touch on quite so many Times Crossword clichés. But – and this is a massive but – can you all just stop crowbarring Billy Shakespeare in at every bloody opportunity? Oh my giddy aunt. 16 Jumbos to go.
Now the competition deadline has passed 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 you flummoxed then my Just For Fun page might be of use, where you’ll find links to solutions for hundreds of the things.
Thanks again for your patience and input. Till next time, stay safe out there kids.
LP
The case for the prosecution
Across clues
Passes such practical training (5-2)Answer: HANDS-ON (i.e. “practical training”). When written without a hyphen the solution also satisfies “passes”.
Mistake to engage feeble reactionary (8)Answer: BLIMPISH (i.e. “reactionary”, after the uber-conservative character Colonel Blimp, created by cartoonist David Low). Solution is BISH (i.e. a “mistake”) wrapped around or “engaging” LIMP (i.e. “feeble”), like so: B(LIMP)ISH.
A pig died on the train (6)Answer: ABOARD (i.e. “on the train”). Solution is A followed by BOAR (i.e. “pig”) and D (a recognised abbreviation of “died”).
On principle, feigned forbearance with which I answer Middle East expert (8,2,6)Answer: LAWRENCE OF ARABIA (i.e. “Middle East expert”). Solution is LAW (i.e. “principle”) followed by an anagram (indicated by “feigned”) of FORBEARANCE, then I and A (a recognised abbreviation of “answer”, as in Q+A), like so: LAW-RENCEOFARAB-I-A.
Book a benefit for stupid oaf (6)Answer: BABOON (i.e. “stupid oaf”). Solution is B (a recognised abbreviation of “book”) followed by A and BOON (i.e. “benefit”).
See you as well swallowing endlessly large amounts (6-2)Answer: TOODLE-OO (i.e. “see you”). Solution is TOO (i.e. “as well”) wrapped around or “swallowing” OODLES (i.e. “large amounts”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “endlessly”), like so: T(OODLE)OO.
Performing couple warmer at night? Not very (4)Answer: DUET (i.e. “performing couple”). Solution is DUVET (i.e. “warmer at night”) with the V removed (indicated by “not very” – V being a recognised abbreviation thereof).
Unprofitable? This joint succeeded, for one (9)Answer: THANKLESS (i.e. “unprofitable”). Solution is THIS with the I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”) swapped “for” ANKLE (i.e. a “joint”) and S (a recognised abbreviation of “succeeded”), like so: TH(I)S => TH(ANKLE-S)S.
For very big performance an endless check (8)Answer: GIGANTIC (i.e. “very big”). Solution is GIG (i.e. “performance”) followed by AN and TICK (i.e. “check”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “endless”), like so: GIG-AN-TIC.
I am frugally treated in miscellaneous gathering (11)Answer: GALLIMAUFRY (i.e. “miscellaneous gathering”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “treated”) of I AM FRUGALLY.
A touch frantic, not cold and listless (9)Answer: APATHETIC (i.e. “listless”). Solution is A followed by PAT (i.e. to “touch”) and HECTIC (i.e. “frantic”) once the middle C has been removed (indicated by “not cold”, C being a recognised abbreviation thereof, as used on water taps), like so: A-PAT-HETIC.
Chap taking a risk cut tongue (8)Answer: MANDARIN (i.e. “tongue” or language). Solution is MAN (i.e. “chap”) followed by DARING (i.e. “taking a risk”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “cut”), like so: MAN-DARIN.
Be aware of master of trivia’s return (4)Answer: KNOW (i.e. “be aware of”). Solution is WONK (i.e. “master of trivia”) reversed (indicated by “return”).
Destroy books, trashy magazines and film (4,7)Answer: PULP FICTION. A triple-header, this, being to “destroy books”, “trashy magazines” and a 1994 “film”.
Attend to his desperate cry of failure (5,4,2)Answer: THAT’S DONE IT (i.e. “cry of failure”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “desperate”) of ATTEND TO HIS.
In races on slope beside river these are taken off balance (4,7)Answer: BANK CHARGES (i.e. “these are taken off balance”). Solution is CHARGES (i.e. “races”) placed “on” or after BANK (i.e. “slope beside river”).
Sellers say first to engage punter is to gain advantage (2,3,6)Answer: GO ONE BETTER (i.e. “gain advantage”). Solution is GOON (i.e. Peter “Sellers, say” – other Goons were available) followed by E (i.e. “first [letter] to engage”) and BETTER (i.e. “punter”).
A little heterosexual love personified (4)Answer: EROS (i.e. “love personified”). “A little” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: HET(EROS)EXUAL.
Craft group regularly full on up to start of autumn (8)Answer: FLOTILLA (i.e. “craft group”, basically a bunch of ships). Solution is FLO (i.e. “regularly full on”, i.e. every other letter of FULL ON) followed by TILL (i.e. “up to”) and A (i.e. “start [letter] of autumn”).
Put out about mistake getting such lengthy exposure (4-5)Answer: TIME-LAPSE (i.e. photography of “such lengthy exposure”). Solution is EMIT (i.e. “put out”) reversed (indicated by “about”) and followed by LAPSE (i.e. “mistake”).
It may be on the bed against the window (11)Answer: COUNTERPANE (i.e. “it may be on the bed”). Solution is COUNTER (i.e. “against”) followed by PANE (i.e. “window”).
Virtually daily event is no more, sadly (8)Answer: MOONRISE (i.e. “virtually daily event”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “sadly”) of IS NO MORE.
Record increases, not much at first, lead to offers of savings (9)Answer: DISCOUNTS (i.e. “offers of savings”). Solution is DISC (i.e. “record”) followed by MOUNTS (i.e. “increases”) once the M has been removed (indicated by “not much at first”, i.e. the first letter of “much”), like so: DISC-OUNTS.
Dress Cleopatra’s maid put back (4)Answer: SARI (i.e. “dress”). Solution is IRAS (i.e. “Cleopatra’s maid” from Billy Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra. The real-life IRAS seemed to begin with EI-, not I-) reversed or “put back”. These Times setters can’t seem to help themselves when it comes to the bard, can they? Squeezing him in at every opportunity, almost as if it’s the sodding law or something. How utterly dull. Have a Shakespeare demerit.
Answer: PARTERRE (i.e. flower “beds”). Solution is PARTNER (i.e. “colleague”) with the N removed (indicated by “nameless” – N being a recognised abbreviation thereof) and the remainder followed by REALLY once the ALLY has been removed (indicated by “missing helper”), like so: PARTER-RE. Not a word I’m familiar with, but equally not a word I’m liable to remember.
A sometimes prominent feature too big for trousers (6)Answer: CHINOS (i.e. “trousers”). Solution is CHIN (i.e. “a sometimes prominent feature”) followed by OS (i.e. “too big”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of “outsize”).
From censor that “No” outrageous: lid put on popular play (3,2,1,3,3,4)Answer: CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF (i.e. 1955 “play” by Tennessee Williams). Solution is CATO (i.e. a “censor” from the Roman empire) followed by an anagram (indicated by “outrageous”) of THAT NO. This is then followed by ROOF (i.e. “lid”) once first placed “on” or after IN (i.e. “popular”), like so: CATO-NAHOTT-(IN-ROOF). Given my gripes about a general aversion to modern culture within Jumbos I perhaps ought to grumble about a near-70-year-old play being in this week’s grid. Weirdly I’m fairly ambivalent about this one.
Extension – does one go on at it? (6)Answer: LENGTH. Solution satisfies “extension” and “does one go on at it”.
Made available free (8)Answer: RELEASED. Solution satisfies “made available” and “free”.
With November moving on a bit, longed for December (4,3)Answer: YEAR END (i.e. “December”). Solution is YEARNED (i.e. “longed”) with the N (“November” in the phonetic alphabet) “moved on a bit”, like so: YEAR(N)ED => YEARE(N)D.
Down clues
Slaves sneaked up after a horse (6)Answer: HELOTS (i.e. “slaves” – over to Chambers: “one of a class of serfs among the Spartans, deliberately humiliated and liable to massacre”). Solution is STOLE (i.e. “sneaked”) reversed (indicated by “up” – this being a down clue) and placed “after” H (i.e. “horse”, both slang names for heroin), like so: H-ELOTS. One remembered from its previous appearance (eventually). Hmm. Which cliché to apply? Classics or history? Classics or history?
Answer: Sir Isaac NEWTON (i.e. “lawgiver”, referring to assorted laws of physics he came up with, e.g. his laws of motion). Solution is NEW (i.e. “original”) followed by TON (i.e. “weight”). I won’t apply a who’s-who demerit here, as I would expect most solvers to know who Newton was.
Crabby types, drunkenly egocentric in speech (9)Answer: SHELLFISH (i.e. “crabby types”). Solution is a homophone (indicated by “in speech”) of SELFISH (i.e. “egocentric”) once slurred a bit (indicated by “drunkenly”).
Devilishly enchanting concertina playing Mike interrupts (11)Answer: NECROMANTIC (i.e. “devilishly enchanting”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “playing”) of CONCERTINA wrapped around or “interrupted” by M (“Mike” in the phonetic alphabet), like so: NECRO(M)ANTIC.
For old chemist, too bad not to have these days back (4)Answer: John BOOT (i.e. “old chemist”, founder of Boots the Chemist). Solution is TOO BAD with the AD removed (indicated by “not to have these days”, i.e. Anno Domini) and the remainder reversed (indicated by “back”). Again, probably not worth a who’s-who demerit given most solvers will be familiar with Boots.
Leader of worship welcomes wife with an ironically disbelieving expression (2,1,8)Answer: I’M A DUTCHMAN (i.e. “ironically disbelieving expression”). Solution is IMAM (i.e. “leader of worship”) wrapped around or “welcoming” DUTCH (rhyming slang for “wife” supposedly after the Dutchess of Fife – we’ve seen this a few times in Jumbos now) and followed by AN, like so: IMA(DUTCH)M-AN.
The sole catlike creature in the house (11)Answer: PLANTAGENET (i.e. Royal “house” in England between 1154 and 1485). Solution is PLANTA (i.e. “the sole” of the foot, anatomically speaking) followed by GENET (i.e. “catlike creature”, remembered from its relatively recent appearance in a Jumbo). Ah, history again. Have a demerit.
Answer: SCINTILLATE (i.e. “flash”). Solution is STILL (i.e. “without moving”) wrapped around or “grabbing” C (i.e. “bit of chocolate”, specifically its first letter – I wasn’t especially keen on this wordplay) and IN, and followed by A, like so: S(C-IN)TILL-A.
Winger, British, to go without international selection (8)Answer: BLACKCAP (i.e. “winger” or bird). Solution is B (a recognised abbreviation of “British”) followed by LACK (i.e. “to go without”) and CAP (i.e. symbolic of “international selection” in sports).
Where one has a subject mastered, makes up suggestions to drink a measure of spirits (2,4,10)Answer: AT ONE’S FINGERTIPS (i.e. “where one has a subject mastered”). Solution is ATONES (i.e. “makes up”) and TIPS (i.e. “suggestions”) all wrapped around or “drinking” FINGER (i.e. “a measure of spirits”), like so: ATONES-(FINGER)-TIPS.
Ruling line under empty diary, not pleasant (7)Answer: DYNASTY (i.e. “ruling line”). Solution is DY (i.e. “empty diary”, i.e. the word “diary” with all its middle letters removed) followed by NASTY (i.e. “not pleasant”).
What may be nuclear force covers a great distance to protect island (8)Answer: FAMILIES (i.e. “what may be nuclear”). Solution F (a recognised abbreviation of “force”) followed by A and MILES (i.e. “great distance”) once wrapped around or “protecting” I (a recognised abbreviation of “island”), like so: F-A-MIL(I)ES.
Clock sounds after seconds not moving (8)Answer: STICKING (i.e. “not moving”). Solution is TICKING (i.e. “clock sounds”) placed “after” S (a recognised abbreviation of “seconds”), like so: S-TICKING.
Obvious mate approaching White capturing bishop (8)Answer: PALPABLE (i.e. “obvious”). Solution is PAL (i.e. “mate”) followed by PALE (i.e. “white”) once wrapped around or “capturing” B (a recognised abbreviation of “bishop” used in chess), like so: PAL-PA(B)LE.
Query order to appear for examination (4,4,8)Answer: CALL INTO QUESTION (i.e. “query”). When written as CALL IN TO QUESTION the solution also satisfies “appear for examination”.
When initially a peerage cropped up, did one sleep on it? (8)Answer: WATERBED (i.e. “one [can] sleep on it”). Solution is W (i.e. “when initially”, i.e. the first letter of “when”) followed by A and DEBRETT (i.e. “peerage”) once the latter has had its last letter removed (indicated by “cropped”) and the remainder reversed (indicated by “up” – this being a down clue), like so: W-A-TERBED.
The lowdown from inside grand opera… (4)Answer: DOPE (i.e. “the lowdown”). “From inside” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: GRAN(D OPE)RA.
…a piece of information following part of one (4)Answer: FACT (i.e. “a piece of information”). Solution is F is a recognised abbreviation of “following” followed by ACT (i.e. “part of one” within the context of the previous clue, as indicated by the ellipses – in this case referring to an opera).
As OAP, I don’t fancy taking on children (8)Answer: ADOPTION (i.e. “taking on children”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “fancy”) of OAP I DON’T.
Everyone you said to call is seductive (8)Answer: ALLURING (i.e. “seductive”). Solution is ALL (i.e. “everyone”) followed by U (i.e. “you said”, or a homophone of “you”) and RING (i.e. to “call”).
Put weight behind reflective backing track (11)Answer: SILVERSTONE (i.e. racing “track”). Solution is STONE (i.e. “weight”) “put…behind” SILVER (i.e. “reflective backing” of a mirror), like so: SILVER-STONE.
Language students finally losing memory spoil one answer (11)Answer: GRAMMARIANS (i.e. “language students”). Solution is G (i.e. “finally losing”, i.e. the last letter of “losing”) followed by RAM (i.e. computer “memory”, specifically the Random Access kind), then MAR (i.e. “spoil”), then I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”) and ANS (a recognised abbreviation of “answer”).
Mainly regret I abandoned rewritten film (5,6)Answer: ELMER GANTRY (i.e. 1960 “film” – can’t say it’s been on my radar). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “abandoned”) of MAINLY REGRET once the I has been removed or “abandoned”.
Explain reason for delayed arrival? Not I (9)Answer: TRANSLATE (i.e. “explain”). Solution is TRAIN’S LATE (i.e. “reason for delayed arrival”) with the I removed (indicated by “not I”).
At uni, sail horribly fateful vessel (9)Answer: LUSITANIA (i.e. “fateful vessel”, a British ocean liner sunk by a German U-boat off the coast of Ireland in 1915). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “horribly”) of AT UNI SAIL.
Was not one of the crowd plucky to arrest old con? (5,3)Answer: STOOD OUT (i.e. “was not one of the crowd”). Solution is STOUT (i.e. “plucky”) wrapped around or “arresting” O (a recognised abbreviation of “old”) and DO (i.e. to “con” someone), like so: STO(O-DO)UT.
Willing extra fish in frozen condition to be docked (7)Answer: CODICIL (i.e. “willing extra”, or a supplement to a will). Solution is COD (i.e. “fish”) followed by ICILY (i.e. “in frozen condition”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “to be docked”), like so: COD-ICIL.
Nothing in copse to show track (6)Answer: GROOVE (i.e. “track”). Solution is O (i.e. “nothing”) placed “in” GROVE (i.e. “copse”), like so: GR(O)OVE.
Having gathered sail, put off returning across centre of Med (6)Answer: REEFED (i.e. “having gathered sail”). Solution is DEFER (i.e. “put off”) reversed (indicated by “returning”) and wrapped around or placed “across” E (i.e. “centre [letter] of Med”), like so: R(E)EFED.
Without hesitation think about garden feature (4)Answer: POND (i.e. “garden feature”). Solution is PONDER (i.e. “think about”) with the ER removed (indicated by “without hesitation”).
July 28, 2024
Times Jumbo Cryptic Crossword 1683
A medium strength Jumbo peppered with some well-written clues and some spicy solutions. It’s a shame several of the exotic solutions came from anagrammy clues, though. Yuck. There were also sufficient Times crossword clichés to knock another from the countdown, so there are now 17 Jumbos to go.
Now that the competition deadline has passed, here is my completed grid along with explanations of my solutions where I have them. I hope you find them helpful. If a recent Jumbo has piddled on your chips 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 your patience and input. Till next time, stay safe out there kids.
LP
The case for the prosecution
Across clues
Deluded father jogged round with one athletic club (9)Answer: PARANOIAC (i.e. “deluded”). Solution is PA (i.e. “father”) followed by RAN (i.e. “jogged”), then O (i.e. “round”), then I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”) and AC (a recognised abbreviation of “athletic club”).
Bad quality insulin sent as ordered (13)Answer: UNSAINTLINESS (i.e. “bad quality” – speak for yourself, setter). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “ordered”) of INSULIN SENT AS.
Received a name (5)Answer: ROGER. Solution satisfies “received” in radio comms, and “a name”.
One making review cut pay increase in public relations (11)Answer: REAPPRAISER (i.e. “one making review”). Solution is REAP (i.e. “cut”) followed by RAISE (i.e. “pay increase”) once placed “in” PR (a recognised abbreviation of “public relations”), like so: REAP-P(RAISE)R. Nicely worked.
Full fruit pie that is consumed (5)Answer: PLUMP (i.e. “full”). Solution is PLUM (i.e. “fruit”) followed by P (i.e. “pie that is consumed”, i.e. the word PIE with the IE (i.e. “that is”, or i.e.) removed or “consumed”).
Neglected Saturn, say, because of interest by Newton (11)Answer: GODFORSAKEN (i.e. “neglected”). Solution is GOD (i.e. “Saturn, say” – other gods are available) followed by FOR (i.e. “because of”), then SAKE (i.e. an “interest”, vested or otherwise, in something) and N (a recognised abbreviation of “newton”, ignoring the misleading capitalisation – this is a unit of force in physics).
Very good quick look round protected by fellow UN soldier (11)Answer: PEACEKEEPER (i.e. “UN soldier”). Solution is ACE (i.e. “very good”) and PEEK (i.e. “quick look”), the latter reversed (indicated by “round”) and both placed in or “protected by” PEER (i.e. “fellow”), like so: PE(ACE-KEEP)ER.
Hideous newborn’s masculine when undressed (7)Answer: ABYSMAL (i.e. “hideous”). Solution is BABY’S (i.e. “newborn’s”) and MALE (i.e. “masculine”) once the first and letters have been removed from the whole phrase (indicated by “when undressed”), like so: ABY’S-MAL.
Genuine about element of part of the eye (7)Answer: RETINAL (i.e. “of part of the eye”). Solution is REAL (i.e. “genuine”) wrapped “about” TIN (i.e. chemical “element”), like so: RE(TIN)AL. Stay tuned in a couple weeks to see this solution repeated again. You stay you, Times.
Attentive hospital required removing third of fingers (7)Answer: HEEDFUL (i.e. “attentive”). Solution is H (a recognised abbreviation of “hospital” used on maps and stuff) followed by NEEDFUL (i.e. “required”) with the N removed (indicated by “removing third [letter] of fingers”), like so: H-EEDFUL.
Workers in group sadly get meaner pay deal (10,9)Answer: COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT (i.e. “pay deal”). Solution is COLLECTIVE (i.e. “workers in group”) followed by an anagram (indicated by “sadly”) of GET MEANER.
North African pop with a lot of attack (3)Answer: RAI (i.e. “North African pop” music, specifically a form of Algerian folk music dating back 100 years. No, me neither). Solution is RAID (i.e. “attack”) with its last letter removed (indicated by “a lot of…”).
Wordy part for actor lacking English in pictures (6)Answer: PROLIX (i.e. “wordy”). Solution is ROLE (i.e. “part for actor”) with the E removed (indicated by “lacking English”, E being a recognised abbreviation thereof) and the remainder placed “in” PIX (informal abbreviation of “pictures”), like so: P(ROL)IX.
Artist dividing using shade (6)Answer: WRAITH (i.e. “shade”, both spectres). Solution is RA (i.e. “artist”, specifically a Royal Academician) placed in or “dividing” WITH (i.e. “using”), like so: W(RA)ITH.
Consume copper in coppery bust (9)Answer: PREOCCUPY (i.e. “consume”). Solution is CU (chemical symbol of “copper”) placed “in” an anagram (indicated by “bust”) of COPPERY, like so: PREOC(CU)PY.
Join with unappreciative person penning note (9)Answer: INTEGRATE (i.e. “join with”). Solution is INGRATE (i.e. “unappreciative person”) wrapped around or “penning” TE (i.e. “note” in the sol-fa scale, sometimes written as TI), like so: IN(TE)GRATE.
Army finally advance at regular intervals (6)Answer: YEARLY (i.e. “at regular intervals”). Solution is Y (i.e. “army finally”, i.e. the last letter of “army”) followed by EARLY (i.e. “advance”).
Enjoy following live act (6)Answer: BEHAVE (i.e. “act” in a particular manner). Solution is HAVE (i.e. “enjoy”, like an estate agent telling you a property enjoys floors, while perhaps also describing it as “bijou”) placed after or “following” BE (i.e. to “live”), like so: BE-HAVE.
Odd bishop banned from Birmingham (3)Answer: RUM (i.e. “odd”). Solution is BRUM (informal name of “Birmingham”) with the B removed (indicated by “bishop banned from…”, B being a recognised abbreviation of “bishop” used in chess).
Strain of bird, assumed to be a boiler? (5,3,3,6,2)Answer: POLLY PUT THE KETTLE ON (i.e. “strain” or musical piece). The rest of the clue plays on POLLY being an informal name for a parrot (i.e. a “bird”) and with KETTLE being “a boiler”. You get the idea.
A port cased by five United States divers (7)Answer: VARIOUS (i.e. “divers”, an archaic word for “sundry; several; more than one” (Chambers), a variant form of DIVERSE). Solution is A and RIO (i.e. “a port”, Rio De Janeiro) both placed in or “cased by” V (i.e. “[Roman numeral] five”) and US (i.e. “United States”), like so: V-(A-RIO)-US. Another well-worked clue.
Regret disrespectful talk holds objective back (7)Answer: SADNESS (i.e. “regret”). Solution is SASS (i.e. “disrespectful talk”) wrapped around or “holding” END (i.e. “objective”) once it has been reversed (indicated by “back”), like so: SA(DNE)SS.
Most risky district French company’s invested in (7)Answer: DICIEST (i.e. “most risky”). Solution is DIST (a recognised abbreviation of “district”) wrapped around or having “invested” CIE (i.e. “French company”, a recognised abbreviation of Compagnie – pfffffff! Give over, setter. Have a French meme), like so: DI(CIE)ST.
Answer: CONTRETEMPS (i.e. “disagreement”). Solution is CONCRETE (i.e. “actual”) and MPS (i.e. “politicians”, specifically Members of Parliament) with the T (a recognised abbreviation of “time”) swapped “for” C (ditto “constant”), like so: CON(C)RETE-MPS => CON(T)RETE-MPS.
Composer’s mass I know rewritten across unknown years (11)Answer: Karol SZYMANOWSKI (i.e. “composer”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “rewritten”) of MASS I KNOW wrapped around or placed “across” Z (i.e. “unknown” – setters love calling X, Y or Z in solutions unknowns) and Y (a recognised abbreviation of “years”), like so: S(Z-Y)MANOWSKI. Good grief I’m so over composers in Jumbos. And, let’s face it, this solution is over 80% anagrammed, a big bugbear of mine for exotic solutions. Look out, here comes angry Beethoven.
Answer: BANYA (i.e. “Russian bath”, a sauna of sorts). Solution is B (a recognised abbreviation of “book”) followed by ANY (i.e. “some”) and A (a recognised abbreviation of “area”). It’s in the dictionary, so I guess I can’t grumble too much. I’m still calling Senator McCarthy on this pinko ratbastard clue, though.
Answer: ENLARGEMENT (i.e. blow-up “photo”). Solution is LARGE (i.e. “generous”) and MEN (i.e. “chaps”) all placed “in” E (a recognised abbreviation of “English”) and NT (ditto “National Trust”), like so: E-N(LARGE-MEN)T.
Rebellious tribe in America kill unit deprived of cover (5)Answer: ICENI (i.e. “rebellious tribe” led by Queen Boudicca against the Romans). Solution is ICE (i.e. “in America[,] kill”) followed by UNIT once its first and last letters have been removed (indicated by “deprived of cover”), like so: ICE-NI.
Extreme sun unfortunately limiting red French wine (5-4-4)Answer: ENTRE-DEUX-MERS (i.e. “French wine”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “unfortunately”) of EXTREME SUN wrapped around or “limiting” RED, like so: ENT(RED)EUXMERS. Oh, this definitely warrants its French meme. And mostly clued as an anagram too? Be thankful I’m not doubling the penalty.
Answer: THRALLDOM (i.e. “slavery”). Solution is HR (i.e. “human resources”), ALL (i.e. “entirely”) and D (a recognised abbreviation of “died”) all placed in or “during” TOM (i.e. “male” cat, for example), like so: T(HR-ALL-D)OM.
Down clues
Headgear chap praying could perhaps provide (8,3)Answer: PHRYGIAN CAP (i.e. “headgear”, the kind you’d see on a garden gnome). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “could perhaps provide”) of CHAP PRAYING.
Fiddle lazily and with a stiff style (7)Answer: RIGIDLY (i.e. “with a stiff style”). Solution is RIG (i.e. to “fiddle”) followed by IDLY (i.e. “lazily”).
Drug smuggler’s refusal to carry Arabian cocaine at first (5)Answer: NARCO (i.e. “drug smuggler”). Solution is NO (i.e. “refusal”) wrapped around or carrying AR (a recognised abbreviation of “Arabian”) and C (i.e. “cocaine at first”, i.e. the first letter of “cocaine”), like so: N(AR-C)O.
Hesitating? Sure loiter about (10)Answer: IRRESOLUTE (i.e. “hesitating”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “about”) of SURE LOITER.
What’s pulled wife out of bad car wreck? (7)Answer: CRACKER (i.e. “what’s pulled” at Christmas. Or in August if you’re odd). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “bad”) of CAR WRECK once the W has been removed (indicated by “wife out of…” – W being a recognised abbreviation of “wife”).
Bad timing relating to a point in harmony (13)Answer: UNPUNCTUALITY (i.e. “bad timing”). Solution is PUNCTUAL (i.e. “relating to a point” in mathematics) placed “in” UNITY (i.e. “harmony”), like so: UN(PUNCTUAL)ITY.
Cards cheat takes in two bridge players – it gives an edge (9)Answer: SHARPENER (i.e. “it gives an edge”). Solution is SHARPER (i.e. “cards cheat”) wrapped around or “taking in” E and N (i.e. “two bridge players”, recognised abbreviations of “east” and “north” respectively), like so: SHARP(EN)ER.
Instant everything is set in position (7)Answer: INSTALL (i.e. “set in position”). Solution is INST (a recognised abbreviation of “instant”) followed by ALL (i.e. “everything”).
Confused about European banker’s small car (5-7)Answer: THREE-WHEELER (i.e. “small car”). Solution is THREW (i.e. “confused”) wrapped “about” E (a recognised abbreviation of “European”) and followed by HEELER (i.e. “banker” – I think this is in the sense of something listing or leaning to one side), like so: THR(E)EW-HEELER.
Execute one parliamentarian – permit having fellows enter (9)Answer: IMPLEMENT (i.e. to “execute”). Solution is I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”), MP (i.e. “parliamentarian”, already covered in 47a) and LET (i.e. “permit”) all wrapped around or “having” MEN (i.e. “fellows”) “enter”, like so: I-MP-LE(MEN)T.
Entertainer’s beginning with joke outfit (5)Answer: EQUIP (i.e. to “outfit”). Solution is E (i.e. “entertainer’s beginning” letter) followed by QUIP (i.e. “joke”).
Excess cool – illness unknown after it? (11)Answer: SUPERFLUITY (i.e. “excess”). Solution is SUPER (i.e. awesome or “cool”) followed by FLU (i.e. “illness”) and Y (i.e. “unknown” – already covered in 49a) once this latter has been placed “after” IT, like so: SUPER-FLU-(IT-Y).
Gathering rising support within imperial dynasty (7)Answer: MEETING (i.e. “gathering”). Solution is TEE (i.e. “support” for a golf ball) reversed (indicated by “rising” – this being a down clue) and placed “within” MING (i.e. Chinese “imperial dynasty”), like so: M(EET)ING.
Plan beneficial to drug smuggler concealing a ton (9)Answer: FORMULATE (i.e. “plan”). Solution is FOR (i.e. “beneficial to”) followed by MULE (i.e. “drug smuggler”) once wrapped around or “concealing” A and T (a recognised abbreviation of “ton”), like so: FOR-MUL(A-T)E.
Hero trained with resistance, one presenting with pride (4-5)Answer: LION-TAMER (i.e. “one presenting with pride”, the collective noun for lions being a “pride”). Solution is LION (i.e. “hero”) followed by TAME (i.e. “trained”) and R (a recognised abbreviation of “resistance”).
Class diversity in music-hall entertainment (7)Answer: VARIETY. A triple-header, I believe, with the solution satisfying “class” or category, “diversity” and “music-hall entertainment”.
Expel former heart-throb? (7)Answer: EXPULSE (i.e. “expel”). Solution is EX (i.e. “former”) followed by PULSE (i.e. “heart-throb”).
Male with natural head for cruelty (13)Answer: HEARTLESSNESS (i.e. “cruelty”). Solution is HE (i.e. “male”) followed by ARTLESS (i.e. “natural”) and NESS (i.e. “head”, or a headland).
Watson’s colleague lacking potassium about to have a bite of meat (7)Answer: CREATIC (i.e. “of meat”). Solution is Francis CRICK (i.e. James “Watson’s colleague” in discovering DNA – took a quick Google to confirm once I began to suspect what the solution would be) with the K removed (indicated by “lacking potassium” – K being the chemical symbol thereof) and the remainder wrapped “about” EAT (i.e. “to have a bite”), like so: CR(EAT)IC. A decidedly stinkerish clue in an otherwise non-stinkery Jumbo.
Elephant alas is transformed goddess (6,6)Answer: PALLAS ATHENE (i.e. “goddess” – Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “is transformed”) of ELEPHANT ALAS. The classics always feature in Times Jumbos, so have a demerit.
Answer: IRREVOCABLE (i.e. “predetermined”). Solution is I followed by R (a recognised abbreviation of “run”), then OVER reversed (indicated by “returning”), then CABLE (i.e. “guy, perhaps”), like so: I-R-REVO-CABLE.
Mine uranium in site for processing radioactive element (11)Answer: EINSTEINIUM (i.e. “radioactive element”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “for processing”) of MINE, U (chemical symbol of “uranium”) and IN SITE.
Intelligence and excellence about one restaurant worker (10)Answer: HEADWAITER (i.e. “restaurant worker”). Solution is HEAD (i.e. “intelligence”) followed by WATER (i.e. “excellence”, apparently after phrases such as “…of the first water”) once wrapped “about” I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”), like so: HEAD-WA(I)TER.
Have children, supporting area in Greek island (9)Answer: PROCREATE (i.e. “have children”). Solution is PRO (i.e. “supporting”) followed by A (a recognised abbreviation of “area”) once first placed “in” CRETE (i.e. “Greek island”), like so: PRO-CRE(A)TE.
Fail to justify a lot of insufficient aid (9)Answer: UNDESERVE (i.e. “fail to justify”). Solution is UNDER (i.e. “insufficient”) with its last letter removed (indicated by “a lot of…”) and the remainder followed by SERVE (i.e. “aid”), like so: UNDE-SERVE.
Computer game Place Exodus allowing going only one way (7)Answer: SIMPLEX (i.e. “allowing going only one way”). Solution is SIM (i.e. “computer game”, short for simulation) followed by PL (a recognised abbreviation of “place”), then EX (ditto the Book of “Exodus”, biblically speaking).
Astronomer finally was the only prof we ever met (7)Answer: Carl K SEYFERT (i.e. American “astronomer” – (Googles his name…) Yeah, I don’t understand word one of that. I do wonder the thought process when a setter immortalises someone in their grids. Of course, it could just be made to fit). “Finally” indicates the solution can be derived from the last letters of WAS THE ONLY PROF WE EVER MET. The parsing was mercifully straightforward, but Who’s Who is another Times Jumbo cliché. Have a demerit.
Answer: EAST END (i.e. “where H is often missed”, wordplay that is not often missed by cryptic crossword setters). Solution is ED (short for “editor”) wrapped around or “penning” A, S (a recognised abbreviation of “second”) and TEN (i.e. “X”, Roman numeral thereof), like so: E(A-S-TEN)D.
What involves some number – one over eight, ultimately? (5)Answer: NONET (i.e. “what involved some number”, taking “number” to be a piece of music. A nonet can be a group of nine musicians). Solution is N (a recognised abbreviation of “number”) followed by ONE, then T (i.e. “eight, ultimately”, i.e. the last letter of “eight”). “One over eight” also gets you nine, which also ties in. Nicely done.
Gold that is pounds light (5)Answer: ORIEL (i.e. a window or “light”). Solution is OR (i.e. “gold” in heraldry) followed by I.E. (i.e. “that is”, after id est in Latin) and L (a recognised abbreviation of “pounds” weight or sterling).
July 21, 2024
Times Jumbo Cryptic Crossword 1682
A medium strength Jumbo with enough stuffy Times Crossword clichés to knock another from the countdown. 18 Jumbos to go.
Now that the competition deadline has passed here is my completed grid along with explanations of my solutions where I have them. I hope you find them helpful. If a recent Jumbo has done your nut 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 input and patience. Till next time, stay safe out there kids.
LP
The case for the prosecution
Across clues
Robust compilers are going to do our job (4-3)Answer: WELL-SET (i.e. “robust”). When written as WE’LL SET the solution also satisfies “compilers are going to do our job”, from the point of view of the setter.
Mixed drink prior to winning fight (5-2)Answer: PUNCH-UP (i.e. “fight”). Solution is PUNCH (i.e. “mixed drink”) followed by UP (i.e. “winning”, as in being 1-0 up in football).
Kelly, in films, gets a lot of credit dealing with make-up (7)Answer: GENETIC (i.e. “dealing with make-up” of one’s DNA). Solution is GENE (i.e. “Kelly, in films”) followed by TICK (i.e. “credit”, or delayed purchase) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “a lot of…”), like so: GENE-TIC.
Eating around 6, party first in restaurant sent back staff to find water (8,3)Answer: DIVINING ROD (i.e. “staff to find water”). Solution is DINING (i.e. “eating”) wrapped “around” VI (i.e. “6” expressed in Roman numerals). This is then followed by DO (i.e. “party”) and R (i.e. “first [letter] in restaurant”) once these have been reversed (indicated by “sent back”), like so: DI(VI)NING-(R-OD).
Place for rolls of cash head of bank takes out (11)Answer: BREADBASKET (i.e. “place for rolls”). Solution is BREAD (slang for “cash”) followed by B (i.e. “head of bank”, i.e. the first letter of “bank”), then an anagram (indicated by “out”) of TAKES, like so: BREAD-B-ASKET.
Match about to occupy a long time (5)Answer: AGREE (i.e. “match”). Solution is RE (i.e. “about” or regarding – think emails) placed in or “occupying” AGE (i.e. “a long time”), like so: AG(RE)E.
Under most stress, and kind of cross before ordeal (7)Answer: TAUTEST (i.e. “under most stress”). Solution is TAU (i.e. “kind of cross”, specifically a T-shaped one – thank you, Chambers) followed by TEST (i.e. “ordeal”).
Embroider an accessory worn by son after little drink (9)Answer: DRAMATISE (i.e. to “embroider” or add fictitious detail to). Solution is A TIE (i.e. “an accessory”) wrapped around or “worn by” S (a recognised abbreviation of “son”). This is all then placed “after” DRAM (i.e. “little drink”), like so: DRAM-(A-TI(S)E).
Player, who, to resolve a pay dispute, made the issue vanish? (3,4,5,2,7)Answer: THE PIED PIPER OF HAMELIN. Solution satisfies the clue as a whole, taking “issue” to mean children. In the story, the Pied Piper plays his pipe to lure rats away from the town of Hamelin. When he is not paid for his work, he takes revenge by playing his pipe to lure the kids away too.
Periodically scratched plain carpet is free (8)Answer: LIBERATE (i.e. “free”). Solution is LI (i.e. “scratched plain”, i.e. every other letter of PLAIN) followed by BERATE (i.e. to “carpet” or reprimand).
Is it wrong to oust leaders in firm? (6)Answer: STRONG (i.e. “firm”). Solution is IS IT WRONG once the first letters or “leaders” of each word have been removed or “ousted”.
Make invalid discern changes (7)Answer: RESCIND (i.e. “make invalid”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “changes”) of DISCERN.
Accountants beside old tree (5)Answer: CACAO (i.e. a variety of “tree”). Solution is CA and CA (i.e. “accountants” both, short for Chartered Accountant) followed by O (a recognised abbreviation of “old”).
From Virginia, book somewhere to stay in Florida (7)Answer: ORLANDO. Solution satisfies “from Virginia [Woolf], book”, and a city or “somewhere to stay in Florida”. Was tempted to slap a classic novel demerit against this, but the clue does at least offer multiple paths to the solution.
The writer’s letter has no information – it may provoke a defensive reaction (9)Answer: IMMUNOGEN (i.e. “it may provoke a defensive reaction”). Solution is I’M (i.e. “the writer’s”, taken to be a contraction of “the writer is” rather than a possessive – from the point of view of the setter this equates to I AM, the contraction thereof being I’M) followed by MU (i.e. twelfth “letter” of the Greek alphabet), then NO and GEN (i.e. “information”).
Doctor loves catching European opera (9)Answer: RIGOLETTO (i.e. “opera” by Giuseppe Verdi). Solution is RIG (i.e. to manipulate or “doctor”) followed by O and O (both “loves”, being zero scores in tennis) once these have been wrapped around or “catching” LETT (i.e. a “European”, specifically one from Latvia), like so: RIG-O(LETT)O. Okay, this is exactly what I mean when I say I’m bored of Times setters’ general refusal to accommodate more modern culture in their grids. Do you want to know how often RIGOLETTO has been an answer in Jumbo Cryptics? Try grid 1651, back at the start of the year. Or grid 1516. Or grid 1500. “Oh, come on, Mr Poll”, I hear you saying. “That’s only four times over three years.” Okay, how about LA DONNA È MOBILE, an aria from said opera? Grid 1591 and grid 1564 before it, in case you were wondering. Look, I get it. It’s a famous opera. You’ve got hard-ons for this stuff. I don’t. I prefer to get my rocks off in other, far cooler ways. Have a music demerit. Beethoven is very, very disappointed in you.
Answer: ABETTER (i.e. “one helping criminal”). I’m not 100% sure what the setter is playing at in the remainder of the clue, but the traditional Irish alphabet has 18 letters and is called aibítir, which is quite similar. (Pats Google on the head. There’s a good Google.)
Punch yobbo roughly to start with (5)Answer: CLOUT (i.e. “punch”). Solution is LOUT (i.e. “yobbo”) with C (i.e. “roughly”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of “circa”) placed “to start with”, like so: C-LOUT.
Making fast run beset by sound of farm animals (7)Answer: MOORING (i.e. “making fast”). Solution is R (a recognised abbreviation of “run”) placed in or “beset by” MOOING (i.e. “sound of farm animals”), like so: MOO(R)ING.
Car in front of Escort, say (6)Answer: ESTATE (i.e. “car”). Solution is E (i.e. “front of Escort”, i.e. the first letter of “Escort”) followed by STATE (i.e. “say”).
Somewhere sailors may be, smuggling ecstasy and crack (3-5)Answer: ONE-LINER (i.e. “crack” or joke). Solution is ON LINER (i.e. “somewhere sailors may be”) wrapped around or “smuggling” E (slang name of the drug “ecstasy”), like so: ON-(E)-LINER.
Child holding new suit strangely ends cartoon film (4,6,3,8)Answer: KIND HEARTS AND CORONETS (i.e. 1949 “film”). Solution is KID (i.e. “child”) wrapped around or “holding” N (a recognised abbreviation of “new”) and followed by HEARTS (i.e. “suit” in a deck of cards). This is all then followed by an anagram (indicated by “strangely”) of ENDS CARTOON, like so: KI(N)D-HEARTS-ANDCORONETS. I’m going to feel shitty doing this as I do love me some Ealing comedy – The Man In The White Suit is one of my favourite films – but if I’m railing against Times setters resolutely ignoring modern popular culture then a 75-year-old film is going to attract my Eye of Sauron. Demerit time.
Answer: NUMBER ONE (i.e. “hit song”). Solution is NUMBER (i.e. “feeling less”) followed by E (a recognised abbreviation of “energy”) once first placed “after” ON (i.e. “playing”), like so: NUMBER-(ON-E).
Fought in ring: asked to absorb pressure (7)Answer: OPPOSED (i.e. “fought”). Solution is O (i.e. “ring”) followed by POSED (i.e. “asked”) once wrapped around or “absorbing” P (a recognised abbreviation of “pressure”), like so: O-P(P)OSED.
Targeting property of popular American rock band (2,3)Answer: IN REM (i.e. against a thing, or “targeting property”). Solution is IN (i.e. “popular”) followed by REM (i.e. “American rock band”). Good to see something a little more up-to-date in the Jumbo. What a pity then that Latin is another tired Times cliché. Have another demerit.
Answer: PASSING SHOT (i.e. “court winner”, referring to a shot that defeats a tennis opponent). Solution is PASSING (i.e. “being successful” or making the grade) followed by SHOT (i.e. “attempt”).
Vague insinuations heard – they get harder to hear (11)Answer: DIMINUENDOS (i.e. “they get harder to hear” in musical lingo). Solution is DIM (i.e. “vague”) followed by a homophone (indicated by “heard”) of INNUENDOS (i.e. “insinuations”), like so: DIM-INUENDOS. Musical lingo is another cliché in Jumbos, so here comes angry Beethoven again.
Answer: NUCLEON (i.e. “particle”). Solution is UCL (i.e. “London university”, specifically University College London) placed in or “splitting” NEON (i.e. “gas”), like so: N(UCL)EON.
Arrive earlier than partner, gutted by online assignation? (7)Answer: PREDATE (i.e. “arrive earlier than”). Solution is PR (i.e. “partner, gutted”, i.e. the word “partner” with all its middle letters removed) followed by E-DATE (i.e. “online assignation”, playfully speaking, as in how e- is often a prefix used to denote something online. An assignation, meanwhile, is “an appointment to meet, used chiefly of clandestine meetings between lovers and mostly with disapproval” (Chambers)).
Flamboyant winger and token supporter of match (4,3)Answer: BEST MAN (i.e. “supporter of match”, referring to a wedding). Solution is George BEST (i.e. “flamboyant winger” formerly of Manchester United) followed by MAN (i.e. “token” or playing piece).
Down clues
1980s band welcoming a day in Oxford college (6)Answer: WADHAM (i.e. “Oxford college”). Solution is WHAM (i.e. “1980s band” – being a child of the 80s I’d count this as modern popular culture, so credit where it’s due) wrapped around or “welcoming” A and D (a recognised abbreviation of “day”), like so: W(A-D)HAM.
Small, fast runner always obstructed by obstacle (7)Answer: LEVERET (i.e. “small, fast runner” – a young hare). Solution is EVER (i.e. “always”) placed in or “obstructed by” – I can’t help this ought to have been “obstructing” – LET (i.e. “obstacle”, an archaic variant meaning seen in a few Jumbos now), like so: L(EVER)ET.
Location of websites grasped by visionary poet (9)Answer: SONNETEER (i.e. “poet”). Solution is ON NET (i.e. “location of websites”) placed in or “grabbed by” SEER (i.e. “visionary”), like so: S(ON-NET)EER.
Doctrine unaffected by revolution? (5)Answer: TENET (i.e. “doctrine”). The rest of the clue plays on how the solution is a palindrome.
Coax salesman over petition to limit publicity (8)Answer: PERSUADE (i.e. “coax”). Solution is REP (i.e. “salesman”) reversed (indicated by “over”) and followed by SUE (i.e. to “petition”) once wrapped around or “limiting” AD (i.e. “publicity”), like so: PER-SU(AD)E.
Jog, say, with horse heading north (5)Answer: NUDGE (i.e. “jog” or to push with one’s elbow). Solution is EG (i.e. “say”, after the Latin exempli gratia) and DUN (i.e. a dun-coloured “horse”) all reversed (indicated by “heading north” – this being a down clue), like so: NUD-GE.
Colour lines somewhat regular (7)Answer: HABITUÉ (i.e. a “regular”, say, at a pub). Solution is HUE (i.e. “colour”) wrapped around or “lining” A BIT (i.e. “somewhat”), like so: H(A-BIT)UE.
Point legal duty out – one may do so in court (5,3,6)Answer: PLEAD NOT GUILTY (i.e. “one may do so in court”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “out”) of POINT LEGAL DUTY.
Rising mist round delta area by the River Don (9)Answer: GODFATHER (i.e. “don”, both slang descriptions of Mafia bosses). Solution is FOG (i.e. “mist”) reversed (indicated by “rising” – this being a down clue) and wrapped “round” D (“delta” in the phonetic alphabet). This is then followed by A (a recognised abbreviation of “area”), then THE and R (a recognised abbreviation of “river”), like so: GO(D)F-A-THE-R.
Nearly ignoring nobleman recalling sight seen on safari? (5)Answer: NYALA (i.e. “sight seen on safari”). Solution is NY (i.e. “nearly ignoring nobleman”, i.e. the word NEARLY with the EARL removed) followed by A LÁ (i.e. “recalling” or in the manner of, from the French).
Swallow vermouth, dishonest over drink? Don’t object (4,2,5,4)Answer: TAKE IT LYING DOWN (i.e. “don’t object”). Solution is TAKE IT (i.e. “swallow vermouth” – “It” is a recognised abbreviation of Italian vermouth) followed by LYING (i.e. “dishonest”) and DOWN (i.e. to “drink”).
Caught heron hiding head in wooden box with strings (7)Answer: CITTERN (i.e. “wooden box with strings”, a stringed instrument. If you thought this was a rubbish descriptor, you weren’t alone. Do a Google image search. Doesn’t look very boxy, does it?) Solution is C (a recognised abbreviation of “caught” used in some ball games) followed by BITTERN (i.e. “heron”) once its first letter has been removed (indicated by “hiding head”), like so: C-ITTERN.
One books trio playing religious music (7)Answer: INTROIT (i.e. “religious music”, specifically “the anthem sung at the beginning of Mass” (Chambers)). Solution is I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”) followed by NT (i.e. “books”, specifically the New Testament of The Bible) and an anagram (indicated by “playing”) of TRIO, like I-NT-RIOT. Religion is another Jumbo cliché I’d quite happily ridicule, but given some adherents get a little, er… touchy, shall we say?… then I’m probably better to leave it alone.
Official not losing heart after mean answer (9)Answer: INTENDANT (i.e. “official”). Solution is NT (i.e. “not losing heart”, i.e. the word “not” with its middle letter removed) placed “after” INTEND (i.e. “mean”) and A (a recognised abbreviation of “answer”, as in Q&A), like so: (INTEND-A)-NT.
Like some lodges with family members in charge (7)Answer: MASONIC (i.e. “like some lodges”). Solution is MA and SON (i.e. “family members” both) followed by IC (a recognised abbreviation of “in charge”).
Return strange material for jewellery (8)Answer: ELECTRUM (i.e. “material for jewellery”, specifically an alloy of gold and silver). Solution is ELECT (i.e. to “return” an MP to office) followed by RUM (i.e. “strange”).
What creates atmosphere in stadium: header for Man United saved by defender thus (10,5)Answer: BACKGROUND MUSIC (i.e. “what creates atmosphere”). Solution is GROUND (i.e. “stadium”), M (i.e. “header for Man”, i.e. the first letter of “Man”) and U (a recognised abbreviation of “united”) all placed in or “saved by” BACK (i.e. “defender”) and SIC (i.e. “thus” in Latin), like so: BACK-(GROUND-M-U)-SIC.
Solo number coming up – do badly with notes (2,4,3)Answer: ON ONE’S TOD (i.e. “solo”). Solution is NO (short for “number”) reversed (indicated by “coming up” – this being a down clue) and followed by an anagram (indicated by “badly”) of DO and NOTES, like so: ON-ONESTOD.
Alter tune – dare to get a remix (8)Answer: DENATURE (i.e. “alter” or “remix”, you could make an argument for both). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “alter” or “remix”, ditto) of TUNE DARE.
After a couple of litres, that man’s in public dance in a state (3,4,3,4)Answer: ALL OVER THE SHOP (i.e. “in a state”). Solution is A and LL (i.e. “a couple of litres”, L being a recognised abbreviation thereof). This is then followed by HE’S (i.e. “that man’s”, a contraction of that man is or HE IS) once first placed “in” OVERT (i.e. “public”) and HOP (i.e. “dance”), like so: A-LL-OVERT-(HE’S)-HOP.
Time off work for Otto I, hosting king with great natural resources (3-4)Answer: OIL-RICH (i.e. “with great natural resources”). Solution is TOIL (i.e. “work”) with the T removed (indicated by “time off” – T being a recognised abbreviation of “time”). This and ICH (i.e. “for Otto I”, i.e. the German for “I”) are then wrapped around or “hosting” R (a recognised abbreviation of “king”, after the Latin Rex), like so: OIL-(R)-ICH.
Battle knight – try to follow horse (7)Answer: MARENGO (i.e. 1800 “battle” between France and Austria). Solution is N (a recognised abbreviation of “knight” used in chess) and GO (i.e. a “try” or turn) both placed after or “following” MARE (i.e. “horse”), like so: MARE-(N-GO). Battles are ten-a-penny in Jumbos, so have a History Today meme.
Answer: GLAMORGAN (i.e. “Welsh area”). Solution is GLAM (i.e. “type of rock” – again, I’ll take that as being a bit more modern) followed by OR (i.e. “gold” in heraldry) and NAG (i.e. “jade”, a variant meaning being a worn-out horse – a new one on me) once reversed (indicated by “around”), like so: GLAM-OR-GAN.
Large, unnerving character showing caution (9)Answer: LEERINESS (i.e. “caution”). Solution is L (a recognised abbreviation of “large”) followed by EERINESS (i.e. “unnerving”).
Eating tonnes occasionally, like French soup (8)Answer: CONSOMME (i.e. “soup”). Solution is COMME (i.e. “like French”, i.e. the French for “like”) wrapped around or “eating” ONS (i.e. “tonnes occasionally”, i.e. every other letter of TONNES), like so: C(ONS)OMME. Tsk. I have a hard enough time with English let alone French. Have a meme.
Answer: KINGPIN (i.e. “maybe one’s bowled”, in this case a pin prominently placed at the front in a game of ten-pin bowling). Solution is KIN (i.e. “family”) followed by GP (i.e. “doctor”, specifically a General Practitioner) and IN (i.e. “case of indigestion”, i.e. the first and last letters of “indigestion”).
Job secured by potentially stout supporter (7)Answer: APOSTLE (i.e. “supporter”). Solution is POST (i.e. “job”) placed in or “secured by” ALE (i.e. “potentially stout” – other ales are available), like so: A(POST)LE.
Bondage deforms elastic (7)Answer: SERFDOM (i.e. “bondage”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “elastic”) of DEFORMS.
Smoke swirling over new elementary particle (1-5)Answer: K-MESON (i.e. “elementary particle”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “swirling”) of SMOKE followed by N (a recognised abbreviation of “new”), like so: KMESO-N. Made. To. Fit.
English team upset the Spanish one away from home (5)Answer: EXILE (i.e. “one away from home”). Solution is E (a recognised abbreviation of “English”) followed by XI (i.e. “team”, Roman numerals for eleven) and EL (i.e. “the Spanish”, i.e. the Spanish for “the”) once reversed (indicated by “upset” – this being a down clue), like so: E-XI-LE.
Vow to turn up dressed in secretary’s platforms (5)Answer: PODIA (i.e. “platforms”). Solution is I DO (i.e. “vow”) reversed (indicated by “to turn up” – this being a down clue) and placed in or “dressed in” PA (i.e. “secretary” or Personal Assistant), like so: P(OD-I)A.
Star turn keeping finale of routine up (5)Answer: DENEB (i.e. a “star” in the constellation of Cygnus. Search me). Solution is BEND (i.e. “turn”) wrapped around or “keeping” E (i.e. “finale of routine”, i.e. the last letter of “finale”). This is all then reversed (indicated by “up” – again, this being a down clue), like so: D(E)NEB. Another that’s made to fit.
July 13, 2024
Times Jumbo Cryptic Crossword 1681
A toughie Jumbo that didn’t do too much for me. I was pretty much set against it the moment I realised the setter was nursing a semi for Billy Shakespeare. With sufficient Times Crossword clichés to tip me over the edge, I’m taking one off the countdown. 19 Jumbos to go.
Now that the competition deadline has passed 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 willies 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 your comments and input. I appreciate the disappointment some of you will feel in my intention to end these posts, but the truth is my life has changed during the last couple of months. I’m single again for the first time in a really long while (like, since Google was barely a thing) and I would like the space to deal with that. If you knew how much time I’ve spent solving and writing up Jumbo solutions over the years then I think you’d feel the same, or at least appreciate how every Jumbo Cryptic that bores me or annoys me makes it harder to continue. I may be back – I’ve said before that Jumbos are a hard habit to break – but once the countdown reaches zero I’d like to focus on me for a while.
Anyway, I’ll leave you with the answers. I’m off to make myself presentable for the singles scene. Do they still call it a ‘scene’ these days? Christ, I’m old. Till next time, stay safe out there kids.
LP
The case for the prosecution
Across clues
Limiting volume, I sounded like a nag was ranting (9)Answer: INVEIGHED (i.e. “was ranting”). Solution is I and NEIGHED (i.e. “sounded like a nag” or horse) all wrapped around or “limiting” V (a recognised abbreviation of “volume”), like so: I-N(V)EIGHED.
I have a craft – it’s coming in from islands off Ireland (7)Answer: ARTISAN (i.e. “I have a craft”). Solution is TIS (i.e. “it’s”, ye-olde-stylee) placed “in” ARAN (i.e. “islands off Ireland”), like so: AR(TIS)AN.
Flood market primarily in exchange (5)Answer: SWAMP (i.e. “flood”). Solution is M (i.e. “market primarily”, i.e. the first letter of “market”) placed “in” SWAP (i.e. “exchange”), like so: SWA(M)P.
Translucent material admits brief check of lenses etc (7)Answer: OPTICAL (i.e. “of lenses etc”). Solution is OPAL (i.e. “translucent material”) wrapped around or “admitting” TICK (i.e. “check”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “brief”), like so: OP(TIC)AL.
One hundred and four at large in Greek city (5)Answer: CORFU (i.e. “Greek city” on the island of the same name). Solution is C (i.e. “one hundred” as a Roman numeral) followed by an anagram (indicated by “at large” – Chambers offers “at random” as one of the definitions, so fair enough) of FOUR, like so: C-ORFU.
Punter’s song, festive one in plain setting (9)Answer: BARCAROLE (i.e. a gondolier or “punter’s song”). Solution is CAROL (i.e. “festive one”) placed or “set” “in” BARE (i.e. “plain”), like so: BAR(CAROL)E. I was tempted to mark this one down as a musical cliché, but at least the solution was interesting.
I appreciate the cameo line before Hamlet enters (3,4,6,4,6)Answer: FOR THIS RELIEF MUCH THANKS (i.e. “line before Hamlet enters” – Oh good. Billy Shakespeare, history’s only playwright it seems. Imagine my joy). Solution satisfies “I appreciate the cameo”, taking a cameo to be a head or bust carved in relief. Shakespeare gets his own special demerit, the amount of times he features in Jumbos. Here you go.
Answer: WON TON (i.e. “Chinese snack”). Solution is NOT NOW (i.e. “later”) all reversed (indicated by “sent back”).
The man’s doughnut-shaped and of a certain age (8)Answer: HISTORIC (i.e. “of a certain age”). Solution is HIS (i.e. “the man’s”) followed by TORIC (i.e. “doughnut-shaped”).
Give reasons for land that’s lost its flatness? (7)Answer: EXPLAIN (i.e. “give reasons for”). When written as EX-PLAIN the solution playfully satisfies “land that’s lost its flatness”.
Greek king’s unnatural russety hue (10)Answer: EURYSTHEUS (i.e. ancient “Greek king”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “unnatural”) of RUSSETY HUE. Boring. Also, rubbish to have it clued as an anagram. Have a classics demerit.
Answer: SCRIPTWRITER (i.e. “film developer”). Solution is SC (a recognised abbreviation of “scene” – my Chambers and Oxford don’t want to know, but my Collins Concise backs it up) followed by RIP (i.e. “rough cut”) and a homophone (indicated by “in audition”) of TRITER (i.e. “more overused”).
Thanks to the end of Spanish snacks, getting some Italian? (5)Answer: PASTA (i.e. “some Italian” food, within the context of the clue). Solution is TAPAS (i.e. “Spanish snacks”) with the TA or “thanks” at the front moved “to the end”, like so: (TA)PAS => PAS(TA).
For Magritte, this recalled 18 without emotion (3-4)Answer: ICE-COLD (i.e. “without emotion”). Solution is CECI (i.e. “for Magritte, this”, or the French for “this” – good grief, setter, have another demerit) reversed (indicated by “recalled”) followed by OLD (i.e. “18” – the solution to 18a being HISTORIC), like so: ICEC-OLD.
Answer: EMBOLDEN. Solution satisfies “put in heavy type” and “to give encouragement”.
Nun’s supervisor’s earlier attempts half-forgotten (8)Answer: PRIORESS (i.e. “nun’s supervisor”). Solution is PRIOR (i.e. “earlier”) followed by ESSAYS (i.e. “attempts”) once its last “half” has been “forgotten”, like so: PRIOR-ESS.
Something thorny or horny? (7)Answer: DILEMMA. The clue plays on two senses of the word, the first being a situation where no course of action is desirable, the second referring to the phrase “horns of a dilemma”, for which Chambers offers: “a form of argument in which the maintainer of a certain proposition is committed to accept one of two propositions each of which contradicts his or her original contention (the argument was called a ‘horned syllogism’, and the victim compared to a man certain to be impaled on one or other of the horns of an infuriated bull, hence the horns of a dilemma)”. Knowing how often things get repeated in Jumbos, it’s almost certain I’ll be copying and pasting that little lot again in the coming weeks!
Leftover rice left in a mess (5)Answer: RELIC (i.e. “leftover”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “in a mess”) of RICE and L (a recognised abbreviation of “left”).
Waste of resources potentially nice? Nice and iffy (12)Answer: INEFFICIENCY (i.e. “waste of resources”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “potentially”) of NICE NICE and IFFY.
Fifty per cent of not proven cases debunk sceptic (10)Answer: UNBELIEVER (i.e. “sceptic”). Solution is UNVERIFIED (i.e. “not proven”) with the back half removed (indicated by “fifty per cent of…”) and the remainder wrapped around or “casing” BELIE (i.e. “debunk”), like so: UN(BELIE)VER.
Work statement on leaving prison? (7)Answer: CANTATA (i.e. musical “work”). When written as CAN TA-TA the solution playfully satisfies “statement on leaving prison”, CAN being slang thereof. Another where I was tempted to award a musical cliché demerit. I probably would have done if the solution was a recent repeat.
A time to tease in long rant (8)Answer: DIATRIBE (i.e. “rant”). Solution is A, T (a recognised abbreviation of “time”) and RIB (i.e. “tease”) all placed “in” DIE (i.e. desire or “long”, as in dying for a pint), like so: DI(A-T-RIB)E.
Fixes this before PM starts (6)Answer: AMENDS (i.e. “fixes”). When written as AM ENDS the solution satisfies “before PM starts”.
Hero’s description of uncle, heading off understanding by quiet inner areas of desert? (1,4,2,6,3,7)Answer: A KING OF SHREDS AND PATCHES (i.e. “hero’s description of uncle” – from Hamlet again. I can imagine the setter feeling pretty pleased that they managed to find two 23-letter quotes from the same play, and, to be fair, that is quite impressive, but Shakespeare is anathema to me. This was always going to draw my ire). Solution is MAKING OF (i.e. “understanding”) with its first letter removed (indicated by “heading off”) and the remainder followed by SH (i.e. “quiet”), then RED (i.e. “inner” – I think this refers to an archery ring immediately outside the bull, coloured red) and SAND PATCHES (i.e. “areas of desert”), like so: AKING-OF-SH-RED-SAND-PATCHES.
Answer: GLISSANDI (i.e. “they’re sliding”, plural of the musical term GLISSANDO). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “in composition”) of SLIDING AS. I’m not usually a fan of musical lingo, but this was a good clue. That said, it is a big ol’ Times cliché, so have another demerit.
Solution: IAMBI (i.e. “feet”, a division of a line of poetry; an IAMBUS is “a foot of two syllables, a short followed by a long, or an unstressed by a stressed” (Chambers) – prosody is another tired Times cliché. Another demerit). Solution is I (a recognised abbreviation of “island”) followed by BAMBI (i.e. “deer animated”, referring to the Walt Disney film) once its first letter has been removed (indicated by “scratching head”), like so: I-AMBI.
Answer: EMBROIL (i.e. “implicate”). Solution is EMBER (i.e. “remnant”) with the latter E removed (indicated by “loss of energy in…” – E being a recognised abbreviation of “energy”) and the remainder followed by OIL (i.e. “petroleum”), like so: EMBR-OIL.
Inflexible belief of one who’s dropped litter? (5)Answer: DOGMA (i.e. “inflexible belief”). When written as DOG MA the solution playfully satisfies “one who’s dropped litter”, taking MA to be an informal reference to a mother.
Some echo the advice for a Spitfire (7)Answer: HOTHEAD (i.e. “spitfire”, ignoring the misleading capitalisation). “Some” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: EC(HO THE AD)VICE.
Turn decorated piece of wood after cutting a flower (9)Answer: GOLDENROD (i.e. a variety of “flower”). Solution is GO (i.e. “turn” or attempt) followed by LADEN (i.e. “decorated”) and ROD (i.e. “piece of wood”) once the A of LADEN has been removed (indicated by “after cutting a”), like so: GO-(LDEN-ROD).
Down clues
Type of pot, after a glance at the table (2-3)Answer: IN-OFF. Solution satisfies the clue as a whole, referring to a snooker or pool shot where the white gets potted after striking another ball. Not seeing anything else more than that.
Who’d need nurse on a tiger, very sick? (10,7)Answer: VETERINARY SURGEON. Another where the solution satisfies the clue as a whole, but is also an anagram (indicated by “sick”) of NURSE ON A TIGER VERY. For all I’ve been wailing on this week’s setter, I have to say this was very well worked.
Conspiratorial old Central American is having a laugh? (2,7)Answer: IN CAHOOTS (i.e. “conspiratorial”). Solution is INCA (i.e. “old Central American”) followed by HOOTS (i.e. “is having a laugh”).
Lives in a tree, getting altogether better? (6)Answer: HOLISM (i.e. the practice of “getting altogether better”, or trying to heal something bodily rather than focusing on a problematic area). Solution is IS (i.e. “lives”) placed “in” HOLM (i.e. “tree”, shortened form of holm-oak, apparently), like so: HOL(IS)M.
Infirmity developed, climbing round about base of stomach? (11)Answer: DECREPITUDE (i.e. “infirmity”). Solution is EDUCED (i.e. “developed”) reversed (indicated by “climbing” – this being a down clue) and wrapped “round” RE (i.e. “about” or regarding – think email replies) and PIT (i.e. “base of stomach”), like so: DEC(RE-PIT)UDE.
Rescues by plane runs across 17 yards? (8)Answer: AIRLIFTS (i.e. “rescues by plane”). Solution is AIRS (i.e. “runs” or broadcasts) wrapped around or “across” LI FT (i.e. “17 yards”, or 51ft expressed as Roman numerals, there being three feet to a yard), like so: AIR(LI-FT)S.
Weds follower with nothing for engagement as yet (4,3)Answer: THUS FAR (i.e. “as yet”). Solution is THUR (i.e. “Weds follower”, shortened form of Thursday) wrapped around or “engaging” SFA (i.e. “nothing”, short for Sweet Fanny Adams among other things), like so: THU(SFA)R.
Secured by loan one has, junior court were often used in it? (11)Answer: SUBJUNCTIVE (i.e. “‘were’ often used in it”. One for the grammarians, this is playing on how the past subjunctive form of ‘be’ is “often” “were”, i.e. I were, you were, and so on. Whoo-hoo, ain’t grammar fun? Anybody? Guys? Hello? Bueller?) Solution is SUB (i.e. a “loan”) and I’VE (a contraction of I have, i.e. “one has”) all wrapped around or “securing” JUN (a recognised abbreviation of “junior”) and CT (ditto “court”), like so: SUB-(JUN-CT)-I’VE.
Went short, roughly between 10 and 11 o’clock? (9)Answer: NORTHWEST (i.e. positionally “between 10 and 11’o clock”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “roughly”) of WENT SHORT.
Wreck wee drink with form of potato in it (5,2)Answer: SMASH UP (i.e. “wreck”). Solution is SUP (i.e. “wee drink”) wrapped around or having “in it” MASH (i.e. “form of potato”), like so: S(MASH)UP.
A name written around my nut (5)Answer: ACORN (i.e. “nut”). Solution is A and N (a recognised abbreviation of “name”) all “written around” COR (i.e. “my”, both exclamations), like so: A-(COR)-N. The clue as a whole also describes what I would imagine is a fairly painful tattoo. Ouch.
Agreeable remark reduced rent in food store (10)Answer: PLEASANTRY (i.e. “agreeable remark”). Solution is LEASE (i.e. “rent”) with its last letter removed (indicated by “reduced”) placed “in” PANTRY (i.e. “food store”), like so: P(LEAS)ANTRY.
Give birth with assistance (5)Answer: WHELP (i.e. “give birth”). Solution is W (a recognised abbreviation of “with”) followed by HELP (i.e. “assistance”).
Almost too late when 48, nearly? (2,3,8,4)Answer: AT THE ELEVENTH HOUR (i.e. “almost too late”). Solution also satisfies “when 48, nearly”, referring to 48a when written as AM ENDS.
Bird’s piercing call with a final inversion (6)Answer: SHRIKE (i.e. “bird”). Solution is SHRIEK (i.e. “piercing call”) once the “final” two letters have been swapped or “inverted”, like so: SHRI(EK) => SHRI(KE).
Copper with top off, unusually good for hugs (6)Answer: CUDDLY (i.e. “good for hugs”). Solution is CU (chemical symbol of “copper”) followed by ODDLY (i.e. “unusually”) once its first letter has been removed (indicated by “with top off”), like so: CU-DDLY.
Monarch associated with unbending line? (5)Answer: RULER. Solution satisfies “monarch” and “associated with unbending line”.
Scandi and not American detective lacking conclusion (6)Answer: NORDIC (i.e. “Scandi”). Solution is NOR (i.e. “and not”) followed by DICK (slang for an “American detective”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “lacking conclusion”), like so: NOR-DIC.
Cold sponge’s bottom needs to be on top (5)Answer: ALOOF (i.e. “cold”). Solution is LOOFA (i.e. a rough “sponge”) with the A or “bottom” letter placed “on top” – this being a down clue – like so: LOOF(A) => (A)LOOF.
What might be uplifting religion without shame (6)Answer: BRAZEN (i.e. “without shame”). Solution is BRA (i.e. “what might be uplifting”) followed by ZEN (i.e. “religion”).
Wasteful species destroy most of the division (11)Answer: SPENDTHRIFT (i.e. “wasteful”). Solution is SP (a recognised abbreviation of “species”) followed by END (i.e. “destroy”), then THE once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “most of…”), and finally RIFT (i.e. “division”), like so: SP-END-TH-RIFT.
Complex fix improving when leads are crossed (4-7)Answer: MIND-BENDING (i.e. “complex”). Solution is BIND (i.e. “fix”) and MENDING (i.e. “improving”) once the first letters of each, or “leads”, “are crossed”, like so: (B)IND-(M)ENDING => (M)IND-(B)ENDING.
Heart in sound body (5)Answer: CORPS (i.e. a “body” of soldiers, or, more generally, any people with a common interest). Solution is a homophone (indicated by “in sound”) of CORE (i.e. “heart”).
Record difficult to hold up for example is released (10)Answer: DISCHARGED (i.e. “released”). Solution is DISC (i.e. “record”) followed by HARD (i.e. “difficult”) once wrapped around or “holding” EG (i.e. “for example”, from the Latin exempli gratia) reversed (indicated by “up” – this being a down clue), like so: DISC-HAR(GE)D.
Singer very loud in linked series – the long and short of it (9)Answer: CHAFFINCH (i.e. “singer” or songbird). Solution is FF (i.e. “very loud” in musical lingo, short for fortissimo) placed “in” CHAIN and CH (i.e. both “linked series”, the latter being the “shortened” form of the former), like so: CHA(FF)IN-CH.
Changeless Malibu met changes (9)Answer: IMMUTABLE (i.e. “changeless”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “changes”) of MALIBU MET.
Taken for granted, carry on after intermission in Palladium (8)Answer: PRESUMED (i.e. “taken for granted”). Solution is RESUME (i.e. “carry on after intermission”) placed “in” PD (chemical symbol of “palladium” – ignoring the misleading capitalisation), like so: P(RESUME)D.
Dignified area in Georgian city (7)Answer: AUGUSTA (i.e. “Georgian city”, referring to the US state of Georgia, not the country). Solution is AUGUST (i.e. “dignified”) followed by A (a recognised abbreviation of “area”).
Brutish games, sporting similar (7)Answer: APELIKE (i.e. “brutish”). Solution is PE (i.e. “games”, specifically Physical Education) placed in or “sporting” ALIKE (i.e. “similar”), like so: A(PE)LIKE.
News agency ring for request (6)Answer: APPEAL (i.e. “request”). Solution is AP (i.e. “news agency”, specifically Associated Press) followed by PEAL (i.e. “ring”).
Somewhat calorific in general, in addition to cake (5)Answer: ICING (i.e. “addition to cake”). “Somewhat” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: CALORIF(IC IN G)ENERAL.
Daughter unfortunately upended dish of vegetables (5)Answer: SALAD (i.e. “dish of vegetables”). Solution is D (a recognised abbreviation of “daughter”) and ALAS (i.e. “unfortunately”) all reversed (indicated by “upended” – this being a down clue), like so: SALA-D.
July 6, 2024
Times Jumbo Cryptic Crossword 1680
A medium strength Jumbo this week, but a good un with some stand-out clues and a welcome lack of stuffiness.
On that latter point, as mentioned last week, I’ve given it 20 Jumbo Cryptics before chucking in these posts as I’ve grown bored of all the stuffy clichés, particularly around cultural references. I don’t think I could care any less now about Billy Shakespeare, Greek mythology and a host of long-dead composers, poets, artists and philosophers. That said, let’s be fair to those setters who weren’t born in the 1800s. Let’s make it 20 more dull Jumbos before I walk into the sunset. Too many stuffy clichés and – tick! That’s one week closer to the end. It would be unfair to start the countdown on this week’s Jumbo, so the counter still stands at 20. Next week’s Jumbo, however? (Makes so-so gesture.)
Anyway, now that the competition deadline has passed 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 flimflammed you then you might find my Just For Fun page of use, where you’ll find links to hundreds of the things.
Thanks again for your patience and input. Till next time, stay safe out there kids.
LP
Across clues
Got longer articles to spread popular beliefs (9)Answer: INCREASED (i.e. “got longer”). Solution is AS (i.e. “articles”, basically A made plural – an article being a word like a, an or the) placed in or “spreading” IN (i.e. “popular”) and CREED (i.e. “beliefs”), like so: IN-CRE(AS)ED.
Sound – that of ceremony? (5)Answer: RIGHT (i.e. “sound” or correct). Solution is a homophone (also indicated by “sound”) of RITE (i.e. “ceremony”).
Corrupts spy brought back to safeguard lives (7)Answer: POISONS (i.e. “corrupts”). Solution is SNOOP (i.e. “spy”) reversed (indicated by “brought back”) and wrapped around or “safeguarding” IS (i.e. “lives” or exists), like so: PO(IS)ONS.
Acknowledge passage of mine contains start of message (5)Answer: ADMIT (i.e. “acknowledge”). Solution is ADIT (i.e. an opening into a mine or “passage of mine” – we’ve seen this a couple of times in recent Jumbos) wrapped around or “containing” M (i.e. “start of message”, i.e. the first letter of “message”), like so: AD(M)IT.
Former state comprising capital of Poland and part of Soviet Union (7)Answer: PRUSSIA (i.e. “former state”, dissolved in 1871). Solution is P (i.e. “capital of Poland”, i.e. the first letter of “Poland”) followed by RUSSIA (i.e. “part of Soviet Union”).
Being in exile forfeits right to go into details (9)Answer: EXPATIATE (i.e. “go into details”). Solution is EXPATRIATE (i.e. “being in exile”) with the R removed (indicated by “forfeits right” – R being a recognised abbreviation thereof).
Most of teaching unit is rehashed for mock (11)Answer: INAUTHENTIC (i.e. “mock”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “rehashed”) of TEACHING once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “most of…”) and UNIT.
Onset of fear when entering dramatic location? (5,6)Answer: STAGE FRIGHT. The solution satisfies the clue as a whole but is also F (i.e. “onset of fear”, i.e. the first letter of “fear”) placed in or “entering” STAGE RIGHT (i.e. “dramatic location”), like so: STAGE-(F)-RIGHT.
Pull again and screw around (6)Answer: REDRAW (i.e. “pull again”). Solution is WARDER (i.e. “screw”, slang thereof) reversed (indicated by “around”).
Constructive activity gradually getting more intense (8)Answer: BUILDING. Solution satisfies “constructive activity” and “gradually getting more intense”.
Stupefying work I put away (6)Answer: OPIATE (i.e. “stupefying”, taking the solution as an adjective). Solution is OP (i.e. “work”, short for opus) followed by I and ATE (i.e. “put away”).
Named suspect in photo creating widespread disorder (8)Answer: PANDEMIC (i.e. “widespread disorder”, taking disorder to mean a disease). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “suspect”) of NAMED placed “in” PIC (i.e. “photo”), like so: P(ANDEM)IC.
Divine alien? (3,2,4,5)Answer: OUT OF THIS WORLD. Solution satisfies “divine” and “alien”.
Support for individuals with bills to settle (5)Answer: ROOST. Solution satisfies the clue as a whole, taking “individuals with bills” to mean birds. Nicely disguised.
Demonstrator in disreputable group (6)Answer: SHOWER. Solution satisfies “demonstrator”, as in one who shows, and “disreputable group”.
Itchy feet could be symptomatic of this condition (10)Answer: WANDERLUST. Solution satisfies the clue as a whole, taking “itchy feet” to mean a desire to move on.
Initially investigated if de facto changes performed authorized role (10)Answer: OFFICIATED (i.e. “performed authorized role”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “changes”) of I (i.e. “initially investigated”, i.e. the first letter of “investigated”) and IF DE FACTO.
Surge of immigrants possibly belonging to unstable state (6)Answer: INFLUX (i.e. “surge of immigrants possibly” – a rather specific definition, but fitting within the context of the clue). Solution is IN (i.e. “belonging to”) followed by FLUX (i.e. “unstable state”).
Shudder at minor injuries inflicted during attack by men (5)Answer: ABHOR (i.e. “shudder at”). Solution is ABH (i.e. “minor injuries inflicted during attack”, or Actual Bodily Harm) followed by OR (i.e. “men”, specifically the Other Ranks of the British Army).
Put in new order for remix of Memories on disc (14)Answer: RECOMMISSIONED (i.e. “put in new order”, say, for a work of art). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “remix”) of MEMORIES ON DISC.
Essential blow phased out computer device (3,5)Answer: KEY PUNCH (i.e. “phased out computer device”). Solution is KEY (i.e. “essential”) followed by PUNCH (i.e. a “blow”).
Make a mistake with message (6)Answer: ERRAND (i.e. a verbal “message”, an archaic definition apparently). Solution is ERR (i.e. “make a mistake”) followed by AND (i.e. “with”).
Folk on social media in what way entertaining spectacle with restricted view (8)Answer: PEEPSHOW (i.e. “entertaining spectacle with restricted view”). Solution is PEEPS (i.e. “folk on social media”) followed by HOW (i.e. “in what way”).
First class spinner follows helpful advice (6)Answer: TIPTOP (i.e. “first class”). Solution is TOP (i.e. old skool toy, a “spinner”) placed after or “following” TIP (i.e. “helpful”), like so: TIP-TOP.
Peach skin’s flipping lovely nap? (6,5)Answer: BEAUTY SLEEP (i.e. “lovely nap”). Solution is BEAUTY (i.e. a “peach”, slang thereof) followed by PEEL’S (i.e. “skin’s”) once reversed (indicated by “flipping”).
Support for light punishment of cruel bad man (11)Answer: CANDELABRUM (i.e. “support for light”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “punishment”) of CRUEL BAD MAN.
For Americans, exactly where one might find visual aids? (2,3,4)Answer: ON THE NOSE. Solution satisfies “for Americans, exactly” and “where one might find visual aids”.
Iditioic ideas in inefficient stores (7)Answer: ASININE (i.e. “idiotic”). “Stores” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: IDE(AS IN INE)FFICIENT.
Northerners instinctively know to give up first time (5)Answer: INUIT (i.e. far “northerners”). Solution is INTUIT (i.e. “instinctively know”) with the “first” T (a recognised abbreviation of “time”) removed or “given up”.
Talking out line of rubbish clogging up entrance (7)Answer: GAROTTE (i.e. “taking out line” – “taking out” being slang for killing). Solution is ROT (i.e. “rubbish”) placed in or “clogging up” GATE (i.e. “entrance”), like so: GA(ROT)TE.
Great man’s relations inhibited by effect of The Sun’s coverage (5)Answer: TITAN (i.e. “great man”). Solution is IT (i.e. sexual “relations”) placed in or “covered” by TAN (i.e. “effect of the sun”), like so: T(IT)AN.
Soldiers stationed in hamlet developed product that’s full of holes (9)Answer: EMMENTHAL (i.e. cheese, a “product that’s full of holes”). Solution is MEN (i.e. “soldiers” – outdated wordplay now, surely) placed “in” an anagram (indicated by “developed”) of HAMLET, like so: EM(MEN)THAL.
Down clues
National anthem’s introduction bores two hosting King and Queen (5)Answer: IRAQI (i.e. “national”). Solution is A (i.e. “anthem’s introduction”, i.e. the first letter of “anthem”) placed in or “boring” II (i.e. “two” expressed in Roman numerals) once these have first been wrapped around or “hosting” R (i.e. “king”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of the Latin Rex) and Q (a recognised abbreviation of “queen” used in chess), like so: I(R(A)Q)I. Nicely worked.
Head of unit’s integrated circuit included in authoritative proposal (10,7)Answer: COMMANDING OFFICER (i.e. “head of unit”). Solution is IC (a recognised abbreviation of “integrated circuit”) placed or “included in” COMMANDING (i.e. “authoritative”) and OFFER (i.e. “proposal”), like so: COMMANDING-OFF(IC)ER.
He helps move each man around country (6,5)Answer: ESTATE AGENT (i.e. “he helps move”). Solution is EA (a recognised abbreviation of “each”) and GENT (i.e. “man”) all wrapped “around” STATE (i.e. “country”), like so: E(STATE)A-GENT.
Royal Engineer’s draining job? (6)Answer: SAPPER. Solution satisfies a slang term for a “Royal Engineer”, and also a “draining job”.
Suspect unlikely to take part (8)Answer: DOUBTFUL. Solution satisfies “suspect” and “unlikely to take part”.
Unrealistically positive representation of decorous role (4-8)Answer: ROSE-COLOURED (i.e. “unrealistically positive”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “representation of”) of DECOROUS ROLE.
I’m astonished about papers supporting rat’s abandoned wife (5,5)Answer: GRASS WIDOW (i.e. “abandoned wife” – a new one on me). Solution is WOW (i.e. “I’m astonished”) wrapped “about” ID (i.e. identification “papers”) and the whole then placed after or “below” – this being a down clue – GRASS (i.e. traitor or “rat”), like so: GRASS-W(ID)OW.
Article ending in Saint Paul’s Second Letter to The Corinthians (5)Answer: THETA (i.e. “letter to The Corinthians”, specifically the eighth letter of the Greek alphabet). Solution is THE (i.e. “article”, already covered in 1a) followed by T (i.e. “ending [letter] in saint”) and A (i.e. “Paul’s second letter”).
Riddle about source of Italian pizza topping (9)Answer: PEPPERONI (i.e. “pizza topping”). Solution is PEPPER (i.e. to “riddle” with) followed by ON (i.e. “about” or regarding) then I (i.e. “source of Italian”, i.e. the first letter of “Italian”).
Individual questioning position adopted by dodgy rentier (11)Answer: INTERVIEWER (i.e. “individual questioning”). Solution is VIEW (i.e. “position”) placed in or “adopted by” an anagram (indicated by “dodgy”) of RENTIER, like so: INTER(VIEW)ER.
Animal with a varied diet consisting mainly of fruit (5)Answer: ORANG (i.e. “animal with a varied diet”, shortened form of orang-utan). Solution is ORANGE (i.e. “fruit”) with its last letter removed (indicated by “mainly”).
Who might investigate elaborate hustle? (6)Answer: SLEUTH (i.e. “who might investigate”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “elaborate”) of HUSTLE. Another nicely worked clue.
Dazzling display on a revolutionary English company’s range of work (10)Answer: REPERTOIRE (i.e. theatre “company’s range of work”). Solution is RIOT (i.e. “dazzling display”), RE (i.e. “on” or regarding – think email replies) and PER (i.e. “a”, e.g. some beers being five pounds a pint) all reversed (indicated by “revolutionary”) and followed by E (a recognised abbreviation of “English”), like so: (REP-ER-TOIR)-E.
Understand board is ready for acquisition (8)Answer: GETTABLE (i.e. “ready for acquisition”). Solution is GET (i.e. “understand”) followed by TABLE (i.e. a panel or “board”).
Connected with cast’s broadcast completely (7,3,7)Answer: THROUGH AND THROUGH (i.e. “completely”). Solution is THROUGH (i.e. “connected”, as in “putting you through now, caller” – ask your parents, kids), followed by AND (i.e. “with”) and a homophone (indicated by “broadcast”) of THREW (i.e. “cast”).
Toxic atmosphere found among academia’s managers (6)Answer: MIASMA (i.e. “toxic atmosphere”). “Found among” indicates the solution can be found in ACADE(MIA’S MA)NAGERS.
Reversed trend, heading off praise for position taken by journalist? (10)Answer: EDITORSHIP (i.e. “position taken by journalist”). Solution is TIDE (i.e. “trend”) “reversed” and followed by WORSHIP (i.e. “praise”) once its initial letter has been removed (indicated by “heading off”), like so: EDIT-ORSHIP.
Clears head raising matter concerning supervisor finishing early (6,2)Answer: SOBERS UP (i.e. “clears head”). Solution is PUS (i.e. biological “matter”), RE (i.e. “concerning” – again, think email replies) and BOSS (i.e. “supervisor”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “finishing early”). This is all then reversed (indicated by “raising” – this being a down clue), like so: SOB-ER-SUP.
Discourage drinking by right (6)Answer: DEXTER (i.e. “right”, from the Latin). Solution is DETER (i.e. “discourage”) wrapped around or “drinking” X (i.e. “by”, or the multiplication symbol), like so: DE(X)TER.
Meeting lays to rest notice following reorganization (12)Answer: INTERSECTION (i.e. “meeting”). Solution is INTERS (i.e. buries or “lays to rest”) followed by an anagram (indicated by “following reorganisation”) of NOTICE, like so: INTERS-ECTION.
Chamber piece inspired by observation (11)Answer: COMPARTMENT (i.e. “chamber”). Solution is PART (i.e. “piece”) placed in or “inspired by” COMMENT (i.e. “observation”), like so: COM(PART)MENT.
Software industry (11)Answer: APPLICATION. Solution satisfies “software” and “industry”. Excellent clue! Best for quite a while.
Might scheme finish off bankrupt energy supplier? (5,5)Answer: POWER PLANT (i.e. “energy supplier”). Solution is POWER (i.e. “might”) followed by PLAN (i.e. “scheme”) and T (i.e. the “finish off bankrupt”, or the last letter of “bankrupt”).
Put off key deficiency in Asian country’s attitude (9)Answer: INDISPOSE (i.e. “put off”). Solution is INDIA’S (i.e. “Asian country’s”) with the A removed (indicated by “[musical] key deficiency”) and the remainder followed by POSE (i.e. “attitude”), like so: INDI’S-POSE.
Agree method of eliminating change? (8)Answer: COINCIDE (i.e. “agree”). The solution also playfully satisfies “method of eliminating change”, as in how the suffix -CIDE, meaning the killing of someone or something, has been tacked on the end of COIN, or some “change”. I’ll admit this did raise a titter when I twigged it. Another excellent clue.
Old on-line journal includes name of slender figure? (6)Answer: OBLONG (i.e. “slender figure” or shape). Solution is O (a recognised abbreviation of “old”) followed by BLOG (i.e. “on-line journal”, short for weblog) once wrapped around or “including” N (a recognised abbreviation of “name”), like so: O-BLO(N)G.
Free to think again seemingly (6)Answer: REDEEM (i.e. “free”). When written as RE-DEEM the solution playfully satisfies “to think again seemingly”, taking DEEM to mean “think”. You get the idea.
Revise warning as a result of temperature rising (5)Answer: ALTER (i.e. “revise”). Solution is ALERT (i.e. “warning”) with the T (a recognised abbreviation of “temperature”) brought back a few notches (indicated by “rising” – this being a down clue), like so: ALER(T) => AL(T)ER.
Employ specialist denied position originally (5)Answer: EXERT (i.e. “employ”). Solution is EXPERT (i.e. “specialist”) with the P removed (indicated by “denied position originally”, i.e. the first letter of “position”).
Second unsatisfactory service upset driver using this establishment (5)Answer: MOTEL (i.e. “driver using this establishment”). Solution is MO (i.e. “second”, short for a moment) followed by LET (i.e. an “unsatisfactory service” in tennis) once the latter has been reversed (indicated by “upset” – this being a down clue), like so: MO-TEL.
