Jumbo 893

Author   sghansonPosted on Categories Jumbo Cryptic
I always concentrate harder on the Jumbo when I need to write up a blog entry, but even so I found this very straightforward, finishing in under 15 minutes. Perhaps it was the cup of espresso I drank just before I started, or perhaps a couple of the longer clues (19A, 46A) were easier due to my finance background.

The solutions to 48A and 34A have appeared recently in other crosswords I have solved.

There are a couple of clues where I don’t think I have fully understood parts of the wordplay (48A, 34D) – please comment if you can provide further enlightenment.

Across
1 DEVELOPER – double definition  
6 CAT BURGLAR – CAR = vehicle, around (BRUTAL,G(ang))*  
12 ASSAULT – sounds like A SALT  
13 REPUBLISH – RELISH = enjoyment around PUB = bar  
14 TORCH – hidden in lofT OR CHimney  
16 deliberately omitted, please ask if necessary  
17 DIALECTICS – D = 500 = hundreds, 1, ALEC = smart guy, TICS = jerks  
19 WORKING CAPITAL – WOKING = dormitory town, around R(ight), CAPITAL = excellent  
22 MALAYSIA – A LAY = a place, in SIAM*  
24 ON CALL – ONC(e) = at any time, ALL = completely  
25 TANGENTIAL – cryptic definition  
26 HEARD – HARD = diligently, around E(nglish)  
29 TUTU – sounds like TOO TOO = exquisite  
30 QUIETUDE – QUI = “who” in French, ETUDE = piece of music  
32 LEARNEDLY – ARNE = composer, D(uke), all inside LELY = painter  
34 STAVANGER – VATS = vessels, reversed, ANGER = put out  
35 SET PIECE – SET = placed, PIECE = rook. Corner as in football.  
36 KNEW – KEW = garden suburb, around N(ame)  
39 TOKYO – OK = acceptable, Y(en), all inside TO  
40 RESEARCHER – SEER*, ARCHER = sign (of the Zodiac)  
42 FINIAL – FINAL around 1  
44 SCISSORS – referring to an old style of high jump technique  
46 PROMISSORY NOTE – (POST MONEY SIR OR)*. A technical term for a means of payment such as a cheque  
48 INDIAN CLUB – double definition  
49 WICKETKEEPER – double definition, although I am not sure of the “proverbial” reference. A wicket is a type of gate.  
53 DREAD – D(emocrat),READ or D(R(epublican))EAD. A clever clue, although not difficult  
54 INSOLVENT – INSOLENT = rude, around V(essel)  
55 ASTRIDE – A, ST = way, RIDE = go on horseback  
56 FLORENTINE – double definition    
57 SAY CHEESE – cryptic definition  
 
Down
1 DISCO – IS, C(onservative) in DO  
2 VAUDEVILLE – (LIVE VALUED)*  
3 LETHARGY – GREATLY* around H(usband)  
4 PURGE – P(ressure),URGE = encourage  
5 REPORTING – E(uropean), PORT=wine, all inside RING = cartel  
6 CUBA – A BUC(k) reversed  
7 TRIVIA – TRIA(l) with IV = four or VI = six inserted in the appropriate place  
8 UNHOLY ALLIANCE – double definition  
9 GATECRASHING – G(uest), ATE = dined, CRASHING = falling asleep  
10 AIRMISS – AIR = publish, MISS = young woman  
11 NARROWBOAT – cryptic definition  
15 HUSBANDRY – H(ours), US, BAN = bar, DRY  
18 FAINTEST – FA = note,IN TEST  
20 RACETRACK – RACE = people, TRACK = follow  
21 AMATEURISH – (A TRUE)* in AMISH = sect  
23 VILLAINESS – (EVIL LASS IN)*  
27 ANDANTINO – A,(ANTONIN, D(vorak))*  
28 VULGAR FRACTION – VULGAR = rude, FACTION = group, around R(ing)  
31 UPSTAIRS – (PUTS)*, AIRS = broadcasts  
33 JACOBS LADDER – JACOBS = sheep, LADDER = run. A plant I heard of.  
34 SATISFIED – double definition, although I may be missing something as the second does not seem very precise  
37 WELL-EARNED – WE LEARNED around L = money. It is “we learned” as the monarch is using the Royal “we” for “I”  
38 CITY CENTRE – double defiition, the second cryptic as “it” is the centre of “city”  
41 COMPILERS – CO = firm, (SIMPLER)*  
43 FOOTPATH – FOOT = base, PAT = conveniently, H(ospital)  
45 INDWELL – IN = at home, D(aughter), WELL = comfortably  
47 deliberately omitted, please ask if necessary  
50 KITTY – double definition  
51 POISE – POSE = model, around 1  
52 CLUE – there are 60 (= three score) clues in this crossword  

10 comments on “Jumbo 893”

  1. I don’t normally bother timing jumbos, but I found this very straightforward too, finishing in one sitting. The only problem I had was getting the thing to print out on a single page..
  2. Enjoyable puzzle, a little on the tough side for Times Jumbo, 63 mins. I’d the same query as you re SATISFIED, it was only when I got SCISSORS I knew it could not be SATIATED. I agree with you about INDIAN CLUB. The other query I had was 29A, TUTU, I can’t seem to find too-too meaning exquisite, rather it seems to mean ‘excessive’.
    1. I found the following “beyond bounds of good taste: exaggeratedly and artificially refined or elegant ( informal humorous )” (Encarta online) which just about fits with exquisite, although the more mocking use of the word.
  3. It seems that you are giving alternatives for this. With the first one(D(emocrat),READ) where does the Republican come in? And with the second one (D(R(epublican))EAD) where is the Democrat?

    Clever clue it may be; too clever for me. I put the answer in as Peter Biddlecombe says wfuow or something like that.

    1. This clue (along with 7D) differs from the norm in that it includes the definition and two alternative forms of wordplay, so you use either D(emocrat) and READ = indicated, or DEAD = numb around R(epublican), not both, to get a word meaning fear.
      1. I can see that there are apparently two different ways of interpreting the wordplay. My point is that neither of them seems to work. Seems to me, anyway. What I was hoping for was an explanation of how they do actually work.
  4. I thought it was clear enough once I’d twigged there were two separate wordplay elements to go with the definition, fear.
  5. Thanks nms for pointing out that the definition is ‘fear’; my mistake was to think that it was ‘numb fear’.
  6. A query remains about 34d, SATISFIED. At the table you might say “I’m satisfied” if you’ve had enough to eat. But the clue seems to contain two definitions that are essentially the same. And a joke told twice isn’t twice as funny. So I assume you have to read the first part (well catered for) in the non-food sense and only the latter part (second helping) as a reference to eating.
    1. Reading the clue again, and with a few weeks hindsight, I wonder whether the “second helping” is a reference to a second assisting in a duel, and the satisfaction is the settlement of the dispute.

      Still rather vague for my liking.

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