Jumbo 1298

Author   sghansonPosted on Categories Jumbo Cryptic
Nothing too contentious in this one, although there seem to be more double definition type clues than normal, and most of them are not particularly cryptic.

44A was an unknown that I needed help to confirm, although I was fairly certain with the wordplay.

Happy New Year to all the readers and fellow bloggers.


Across
1 MACBETH – MATH = subject for an American, around C.B.E. = gong
5 EMBRYONIC – COMBINE* around RY = line
10 TIFF – (s)TIFF = hard
14 GONE TO THE DOGS – double definition
15 SPOKEN FOR – cryptically FOUR (pair of braces) sounds like FOR when spoken
16 STRAVINSKY – STRAIN = theme, around (prokofie)V, SKY = something to look up to
17 STONES THROW – (NORTHWEST SO)*
18 SABLE – SALE = exchange around B(lack)
19 TIE-BREAKER – TIE sounds like THAI = from Phuket, BREAKER = wave
21 RETORT – double definition
23 DEEP SPACE – DEEPS = SPEED = tempo, reversed then PACE = tempo in the right direction
25 POSER – hidden reversed in proceduRE SO Pretentious
26 ABETTER – A, BETTER = cap
28 SQUARE-BASHING – SQUARE = fossil, BASHING = pummelling
31 WHOOP IT UP – WIT = comedian, around HOOP = circle, UP = happy
33 STRIP CLUB – STRIP = cartoon, CLUB = stick
35 FORTUNE-TELLER – FORTUNE = a great deal, TELLER = person counting
37 PIG IRON – P = soft, ORIGIN*
38 LUNGS – initial letters of Lit Up No Great Shakes
40 CONFESSED – (SCENES OF)* (bloodshe)D
42 EASTER – EATER = apple, around S(alt)
44 BANANAQUIT – BANANA = fruit (used in split), QUIT = left. This one was my last one in and I had to check it as I had never heard of the bird before.
46 BIDET – BIDE = stay, (apartmen)T. The definition “Place for squatter” is inventive
48 BITE THE DUST – double definition
50 ON THE ROCKS – double definition
52 TRICOLOUR – TOUR = travel, around R.I. = Rhode Island and COL = pass
53 CLEAR THE DECKS – double definition, the first very mildly cryptic
54 RIGA – RIG = doctor, A
55 LADYS MAID – (DISMAL DAY)*
56 DESISTS – DEISTS = believers, around S(econd)

Down
1 MEGA – final letters of suM gonE shoppinG extravaganzA
2 CONSTABLE – double definition, the second very mildly cryptic
3 EXTRASENSORY PERCEPTION – the central letters of shakESPeare are the normal abbreviation for the solution
4 HIT LIST – cryptic definition
5 EVEN-STEVENS – EVEN = like (the number) two, SEVENS = numbers, around T(emperature). Took a little working out for the wordplay
6 BOOBY TRAP – PARTY = social, BOOB = gaffe, all reversed
7 YESES – YE = you, then the initial letters of See Endless Subterfuge
8 NO-SCORE DRAW – (REASON CROWD)*
9 COOLER – COOER = dove (for example), around L(arvae). The “bird” in the definition refers to a prison sentence
11 INFERNO – IN, FERN = plant, O(xygen)
12 FIREWATER – FIRE, WATER are the two elements required
13 GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES – double definition, the second mildly cryptic
18 SADISTS – SAD = down, IS, TS = ST = saint = good man, reversed
20 ALSAGER – hidden in officiALS A GERman
22 NAPOLEON – double definition, the second cryptically referring to Animal Farm
24 AMBULANT – A, M.B. = doctor, U(ndo) L(int), ANt = soldier
27 TOTAL – double definition, the second using TOTAL and waste as synonyms for destroy
29 UNRIG – RUIN*, G(alleon)
30 INFANTA – IN = popular, FAN = lover, TA = thanks
32 PERIDOT – POT = prize, around ERID = DIRE = frightful, reversed
34 BELEAGUERED – (A DEGREE, BLUE)*
36 UNCLUTTERED – UNCL(e) = relation, UTTERED = delivered
37 PRESBYTER – (BERRY, PEST)*
39 SOAP OPERA – (PROPOSE A)*, A(rea)
41 SIDEKICKS – double definition, the second mildly cryptic and leading to SIDE KICKS
43 SETTING – double definition
45 TEETHED – TEE = peg, THE, D(aughter)
47 RECOIL – R(ecover), ECOIL = E COLI = bacteria, with the last two letters reversed
49 TACKS – sounds like TAX = try
51 ISIS – IS = exists, twice

3 comments on “Jumbo 1298”

  1. I solved this one on paper, having printed it out to keep me occupied while I waited in JCUK AAU for the ultrasound scan on my leg, which fortunately showed that the swelling wasn’t a new DVT. I have some untidy scribbling at 5d, 27d and 31a where EVEN NUMBERS, STEAL and WHOOP DE DO gave way to the correct answers. I guess I spent well over an hour on it as I still had some to do after I got home. I then typed my entries into the Club Site in a leisurely 14:02. The BANANAQUIT was a new one to me, but the cryptic led there. Thanks setter and SG.
  2. Just like you SG,guessed BANANASPLIT from def then a quick google confirmed it.Still laughing re ‘place of squatter’ he he he.
    Happy new year to all.
    Ong’ara,
    Nairobi,
    Kenya.

Comments are closed.