Solving time: Two sessions totalling about 1 hour 50 minutes, albeit with numerous interruptions.
Nothing particularly stood out in this puzzle, and I found it a steady solve. I probably could have done it faster, but I was quite tired when I attempted it, and it was as much as I could do to prevent myself from nodding off halfway through. Overall, a very dull puzzle, with very few standout clues.
As usual, there were some words that were new to me, namely FLANERIE, MASTERSINGER, ILLUMINE, AD HOMINEM & MEAN TONE, but I managed to construct them all from the wordplay.
I’ve omitted some of the more straightforward clues, but if I’ve omitted one that’s puzzling you, let me know.
cd = cryptic def., dd = double def., rev = reversal, homophones are written in quotes, anagrams as (–)*, and removals like this
| Across | |
|---|---|
| 1 | AGGRANDISE = (A GI + DANGERS)* |
| 6 | MASTERS IN GER. – These poets were certainly arty, but were they crafty? |
| 14 | HUELESS = HUSS about ELE |
| 15 | W(ARR)I + OR |
| 16 | S(I + F)TING |
| 17 | M + ATE |
| 18 | TINPOT = “TEA” + IN POT |
| 20 | AUTHORED = (A HOT RUDE)* |
| 25 | MAESTRI = “MY” + STRIP no P |
| 27 | WIND + OW |
| 31 |
|
| 34 | I’LL + U |
| 36 | BACHELOR OF ARTS = (FOR A BET SCHOLAR)* |
| 39 |
|
| 41 | A(US)TRIA + N |
| 43 | PULL-IN + G |
| 47 | CREPERIE = (RECIPE)* about RE |
| 49 | L |
| 54 | NARROWS = ROWS after RN rev about A |
| 56 | IS + R + A + ELI |
| 57 | INSTRUCTRESS = IN + STRESS about CUR rev + |
| Down | |
| 1 | AD HOMINEM = (I HAND MEMO)* |
| 4 | DISTINGUISHING = DI + (USING INSIGHT)* |
| 7 |
|
| 8 | TH(ROUGH)OU + T |
| 10 | IN + FOR + MAT(IV)E |
| 11 | GUILD + FOR + D |
| 13 | ORAT(OR)IO |
| 19 | POOLSIDE = (LIDO POSE)* |
| 21 | H |
| 23 | S(TE(WAR)D)S |
| 28 | ASTROPHYSICIST = SIC + I’S after TROPHY in A + ST |
| 29 | WRITE OFF = W + (FORFEIT)* |
| 30 | MEANT + ONE |
| 33 | F + LANE + R + IE> |
| 38 | QUE + STI(ONE)R |
| 40 | ATROCIOUS = (ACTOR’S)* about IOU |
| 44 | GE (e.g. rev) + STATION |
| 45 | BALEARIC = LEAR + I in CAB rev |
| 50 | GI + GI |
| 51 |
|
| 52 | GRAN |
| 55 | SO + U |
“Cryptic Jumbo Saturday 6th March, 50 d.: Musical version of Privates On Parade? (4)
My wife and I were both convinced the answer ought to have been “HAIR” but the actual solution is much duller”
I did respond, pointing out that even if the Times would allow clues based around such content, it is arguable that HAIR does not put the privates on parade, so much as it conceals them. It appears that my reply was deemed too near the knuckle to be printed!