Jumbo 679/Jan 13th – the first “compact” Jumbo

Author   the_odPosted on Categories Jumbo Cryptic

Solving time: 42:38

Apologies for the second consecutive late Jumbo posting.  As you know the idea had been mooted to scrap them, but the consensus emerged to keep them going in a reduced format.  Consequently, I did not want there to be a gap in the series so here we go…

…so, this is supposed to be the first “compact” Jumbo report – maybe I have still covered too many clues!  However, if there are still any clues not covered that any of you would like explanations for, please post your queries.  Let’s hope the new format evokes a bit more discussion!

A bit above my average solving time for a Jumbo.  Nothing really that difficult, but I got stuck in the NE corner, having just PLAINTIFF and CHIANTI in the grid for quite a while.  The two 4-letter answers at 11D and 12D were not that forthcoming for me (in fact the last answers entered) so I had to thrash out the longer answers first.

 

Across

1

MICROSCOPIC (MICROS + CO + PICk) – as always seems to happen in Jumbos 1A got me off to a good start.

13

LEMUR (EMU in L + R) – well worked definition to fit the surface of the clue.  I think “that’s worth” to mean “equals” is OK as a link between wordplay and definition.

22

BACCHUS (“BACK US”)

25

NOWADAYS (WA in NO + “DAZE”)

41

TRAGICAL (T + CIGAR rev. + AL)

47

SECOND-BEST – so footballers can aspire to greatness by hoping to be the second Best !  Favourite clue because it had me scratching my head for a while.

49

RUSHLIGHT (RUSH LIGHT) – “wicked” is one of those words in clues that always rings alarm bells – yes, it is going to mean “with a wick” rather than “evil”

53

ILL HUMOUR (ILL + HUMOUR) – there is almost always at least one of my pet hate clues like this in a Jumbo – i.e. wordplay simply reflects the actual make-up of the answer.

57

ELECTROTYPE (ELECT + POETRY*) – for a while I was fooled into thinking that “choice poetry” was the anagram fodder, completely failing to notice that it was one letter too long!

 

Down

2

COMMON-LAW MARRIAGES – very good anagram & lit.

6

CHARGE-CAPPED – again wordplay simply reflects the two components of this hyphenated word.  CAPPED is not the first word that springs to mind when describing an England cricketer at the moment!

8

ERGOT (TO + GREy all rev.)

12

TERM (TEAM with A replaced by R) – cleverly worded clue that held me up for good while.

18

KNICKERBOCKER GLORY (KNICKERBOCKERs + GLORY) – a typical example of a long answer that can be got immediately from the definition and enumeration.  Not that the wordplay is convoluted though!

19

MISSOURI (MISS + OUR I [=our one])

22

SHAMROCK (AM + R in SHOCK)

28

PASSWORD (PA + ‘S [=has] + SWORD)

32

LIFE SENTENCE – is there any significance to the “life” described in a “sentence” of this clue being Gideon’s?  Or is it just to add to the biblical context of Judges so as to deflect from the judges that may pass a life sentence?

38

MONUMENTAL (NUMEN in MO + TALe)

40

HOUSE RULE (USE + RU in HOLE) – Rugby Union being the sport

42

LAPSTRAKE (PARTS* in LAKE) – new word for me this one

43

STARGAZE (G + AZ in STARE) – AZ = an A to Z map, and a semi & lit clue.

51

LIMB (LIMe + B) – nice little & lit clue.

One comment on “Jumbo 679/Jan 13th – the first “compact” Jumbo”

  1. I read the first bit as a “life” sentence, sort of a cryptic definition. Also Gideon appears in the Book of Judges, so “Judges may confirm such” can be read two ways, either “look in the Bible” or “that’s what judges do”

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