Happy New Year to all(?) my readers
This one was published on New Year’s Eve in that strange time between the bank holidays which may explain why it did not feel particularly exciting at the time. However, typing this up made me realise there are some clever clues – 12D probably the most difficult to parse. I did not record a solving time as I seldom do Jumbo crosswords with full concentration.
I am pleased to report that I was actually picked as a winner of Jumbo 1239, and the prize arrived a few days ago, so the reference part of our bookcase has had a refresh.
Apologies for typing inaccuracies – it has been a busy time at work so this has been compiled quite quickly.
| Across | |
|---|---|
| 1 HYPOCHONDRIAC – cryptic definition | |
| 8 MONT BLANC – (B(ritai)N, CALM, NOT)* | |
| 13 LANAI – I = one, ANAL = obsessed with orderliness, all reversed | |
| 14 CREATIONIST – (SO INTRICATE)* | |
| 15 DEMON – DE = of (French), MON = my (French) | |
| 16 TRAPEZIUS – U(niform) in SIZE = extent, PART = a section, all reversed | |
| 17 RISK – (b)RISK = quick | |
| 18 DOCTRINE – DO IN = polish off, around CT = court and R(ules), E(nglish) | |
| 20 SALVER – double definition, the second mildly cryptic relying on something that salves (or is comforting) being a salver | |
| 21 CORONATION STREET – COROT = French artist, around NATION’S = country’s and TREE = oak, say | |
| 24 SITUATION – NO = number, II = two, S(on), around TAUT = tense, all reversed | |
| 26 AUTOCUE – AUT = sounds like AUGHT = anything at all, O = 15th letter (sound), CUE = sounds like Q = 17th letter | |
| 27 SET-TO – S(mall), (canal)ETTO = Italian painter | |
| 29 RECOLLECTION – REFLECTION = careful thought with F(emale) replaced by COL(onel) | |
| 31 BASTARDISE – BASE = centre for operations, around TARDIS = Doctor’s craft | |
| 33 CHIMPANZEE – CHEE(tahs), around I’M, PAN = a woodland spirit, and Z = unknown | |
| 35 SPIDER MONKEY – SERMON = moral lecture, around PI = sanctimonious and D(uke), KEY = chief | |
| 38 POSER – POS(h)ER = higher class | |
| 39 BARRIER – BARRI(st)ER = lawyer, where the removal is st(umped) | |
| 40 TO A NICETY – (ACTION YET TO)* | |
| 42 OLD HABITS DIE HARD – OLD HABITS = traditional dress, DIEHARD = resolute defender | |
| 44 BIOPIC – BI(g t)OPIC = famous subject | |
| 47 APPLAUSE – APP = software, LA = note, USE = exploit | |
| 49 QUIN – (e)QUIN(e) = possibly donkey | |
| 50 ODD MAN OUT – AMOUNT is an anagram of MAN OUT | |
| 52 IROKO – IRO(n) = metal, K.O. = floor | |
| 53 OVIPOSITION – OPPOSITION = the other side, with VI = six, replacing a P(enny) | |
| 54 STEAM – S(econd), TEAM = eleven | |
| 55 GRAVESEND – GRAVE = dire, SEND = transport | |
| 56 STEPTOE AND SON – STEP = pace, TOE = kick, (h)ANDS ON = directly involved | |
| Down | |
| 1 HALITOSIS – cryptic definition where humming = smelling bad | |
| 2 PINTAIL – PINT = a beer, AIL = trouble | |
| 3 CHINESE WALL – CHIN = feature, E(astern), SEW = patch, ALL = completely, with the whole clue also acting as a definition | |
| 4 ORCHID – O.R. = men, CHID = rebuked | |
| 5 DRESS DOWN – double definition | |
| 6 INTERROGATOR – IN TERROR = consumed with dread, around GOAT* | |
| 7 CROSS-PARTY – CROMARTY = Scottish shipping area, with M(iles) replaced by SS = ship and P(arking) | |
| 8 MAIM – MA(x)IM = Gorky | |
| 9 NOT BORN YESTERDAY – double definition, the second cryptic | |
| 10 BIDET – BIDE (one’s) T(ime). I guess the T for time is the “somewhat symbolically. I think it just about works | |
| 11 ARMOIRE – A RM = room, O = love, IRE = anger | |
| 12 CONFECTIONERY – CONE = ice cream, around F(emale), CONE = another ice cream around TI = IT reverse, RY = line. Well constructed | |
| 19 PILCHARD – PILC = CLIP = cut, reversed, HARD = with vigour | |
| 22 TASER – RESAT = had another go at at pas, reversed | |
| 23 FIRE AND BRIMSTONE – F(ollowing), (SERMON, DIATRIBE)*, around N = note | |
| 25 TACTICS – TICS = uncontrolled moves, around ACT = deed | |
| 28 TWINKLE – TWIN = duplicate, KLE(e) = Swiss painter | |
| 29 RECIPROCATING – RATING = lowly person on board, around CORP = corporation and ICE = freeze, reversed | |
| 30 THEORIST – cryptic definition | |
| 32 APPREHENSIVE – A, PP = very soft, RE = about, HENS = poultry, I’VE = I have | |
| 34 PARKA – PA(int), around ARK = giant boat | |
| 36 ORIGINAL SIN – ORIGINAL = new, SIN = sine = wave function | |
| 37 RIDICULOUS – RID = free, I.C.U. = facility for those acutely ill, LOUS(y) = rotten | |
| 40 TERRORIST – T(ERR)ORIST where ERR = mistake replaces HE = man in the solution to 30D | |
| 41 YACHTSMAN – (ANY MATCH’S)8 | |
| 43 DIPLOMA – DIP = swim, LO = sounds like (in sound) LOW = deep, MA = old lady | |
| 45 PROFESS – PRESS = reporters around OF | |
| 46 ODENSE – hidden in woODEN SEntry box | |
| 48 ABODE – A B(ook), ODE = lines expressing emotion | |
| 51 MILD – MILD(ewed) = affected by plant fungus | |
I agree that if you plan to stay with a cheater don’t try to find any information. However, in my case I needed it in my state in order to file for a divorce and come out of the relationship. You can’t just say I think courts want proof or you end up spending a lot of time and money to fight it out! Finding out was hard, but I was relieved that I wasn’t crazy and it’s making my divorce go a lot smoother. He would never confess; therefore, I did the best thing for me…find out, no doubt, move on!!!contact hotcyberlord@gmail.com.. or text his phone +15402277725 he’s a professional and will surely help you out,tell him from Ninah
Found it quite tricky and needed the explanations in your excellent blog for CHINESE WALL, BIOPIC, QUIN and RIDICULOUS (I had to look at the solution for the latter two answers). Good puzzle and congrats on winning the prize.