Solved in 33 mins, which I was pretty pleased with. I didn’t have a very good time last week – three puzzles which I didn’t finish without resorting to dictionary or web.
I thought this might go well after getting the first two clues straightaway – a simple anagram and a bit of Bible knowledge. There were no obscure words (for me) and there was plenty of fun to be had along the way. I’ll try to do better this week!
I thought this might go well after getting the first two clues straightaway – a simple anagram and a bit of Bible knowledge. There were no obscure words (for me) and there was plenty of fun to be had along the way. I’ll try to do better this week!
After getting 1D, I thought there might be a theme around films – and noticing the two long down clues I thought they might be examples. And all while the after-show parties are still going on. The only winning film I’ve seen is No Country For Old Men, which I thought was really, really good.
Across
6 | BABE,L |
9 | C(IR(CL)E)D – guessed record was CD and the rest fell into place |
10 | L(EI,BN)IZ – the centre bit is “nota bene” and “id est” reversed. I had the Z from 8d, so got this from the definition before sussing out the wordplay. |
11 | RH(IN)O – slang for money – I’ve never seen it used outside of crosswords – anyone got any good examples? |
12 | LA,UNDRESS |
17 | WAG(O,NETT)E – I wondered if T=tax before I suddenly remembered that NETT was an alternative spelling of NET (after deduction for tax). |
18 | T(IT)AN – Atlas was one of the Titans in Greek mythology |
22 | ISA,AC – second Bible answer for me- I know my Bible pretty well due to a misspent youth! |
25 | CO,VET,ED |
26 | DR,AFT |
Down
1 | OS,CAR – OS=oversize |
2 | FORG(IV)ING |
3 | H(ALLOW)E,E,N – E,N are competing players in e.g. Bridge. |
4 | MIDDLE OF THE ROAD – held up shortly on this as I had mistakenly written WAGONNETE, even though I’d worked out the wordplay for that one. |
7 | BIN,GE(=EG reversed) |
8 | LAZY SUSAN – I sometimes play Scrabble on one of these – the phrase always makes me smile. |
13 | BOWL,EGGED |
15 | RET,RI(E)VER |
16 | EXTRACTOR – with the A shared by EXTRA and ACTOR. |
20 | PA,L,MA |
21 | INLET as opposed to LET IN. |
16D seems to have been partially recycled from another puzzle I solved within the past few days where the definition was “fan”. Was it in Saturday’s Times?
COD has to be 1D for its topicality. I have a feeling they occasionally try this sort of thing but then spoil it by missing the exact day.
As a quick aside, many, many thanks for the kind comments from those who have tackled the Times COD Bonus puzzle. Solution and expansive explanation list will be posted in a week or so, but I’ll keep the puzzle available for a while after that.
12a would by my COD nomination – I’m surprised it wasn’t in Anax’s bonus puzzle.
I thought my mate Penfold would have got below the 15 minute barrier on this one, but a new PB will have to do for now.
Stevo
In 1A, am I right in thinking “of” is doing double duty – cardinal sin? “Constituents” on its own doesn’t suffice as an a anagrind, but “of” (which would make it OK) is part of the fodder.
George vs the Listener Crossword is up and running, so if you want to giggle at my ineptitude on that front, check it out.
I immediately thought of Anax when I saw 16d, having enjoyed his bonus puzzle last week. And don’t know why but 12a gave me the most trouble and was last to go in. I think I’ll give that COD.
Ali
Curiously, Leibniz was the first thing I put in. Not too many philosophers have ‘liz’ in them.
I didn’t see ‘bowl’ as a cricket term, but put in ‘bow-legged’ anyway–what else could it be?
A total of 9 omissions from the blog including the OTHER easiest 15 letter answer:
1a Constituents of (fat MP – he is)* no longer important (3,3,3)
OFF THE MAP
13a Bung cheese round top of bun (5)
BRI B E. Wot no comments about top of as a first letter in an across clue?
14a (Rouses old)* hurt, though not raising a stink (9)
ODOURLESS
19a (Pint seems)* to be poured out in a vacuum (9)
EMPTINESS
24a Astronomer, girl attached to one particular constellation (7)
GAL 1 LEO
27a Fighting man (restarted)* after break (6,3)
DESERT RAT
5d Make and (sic) effort and show a leg? On the contrary (4,2,4,5)
PULL UP ONES SOCKS. The typo in the clue made it through to the digital version it seems.
6d Like a bat in the shade (5)
BLIND. Why did I put in BEIGE first – what was I thinking?
23d Younger son (acted)* badly (5)
CADET. Why is this cadet?