Mephisto 2458/Mike Laws

Author   the_odPosted on Categories Mephisto

Solving time: 39:27

I find Mike the hardest of the Mephisto trio, and as I was feeling lazy I used Chambers from the start for a change.  The usual smattering of straightforward clues to get you going, then progressing through the spectrum to some toughies towards the end.

As always, scrupulously fair cluing, though I cannot work out what is going on in 12dn – any offers?

Across

1

DOOLALLY (LOO rev. in DALLY) – one of my favourite words, and here is where it originates from.

7

BARB (2 defs,) – I had to read the entry for BARB to discover the non-fish usage.

10

DEFEASANCE (A’S in DEFENCE) – the dash in the clue makes the cryptic reading a little awkward.

11

SEXTETTE (EXTEnT in SET*)

14

TRIMMER (MM in TRIER) – no indication of the Frenchness of the chaps in question, and I was surprised to note that Chambers does indeed “define” MM as “Gentlemen”.

17

NYALA (N + A LAY rev.) – one of the many antelopes that crossworders encounter.

20/22

SILLY BILLY (ILLY in S + BILLY) – unusual to see an answer split over two grid entries, although of course they are both words in their own right.

28

THROW ON (WON with THRO’ first) – a nicely worded definition.

29

AURAE (AU + EAR rev.)

31

GLITTERY (LITTER in GY) – it seems strange to have an abbreviation for gray, until you realise it is for the SI unit of absorbed dose.

33

EMMY (jEMMY)

 

 

                                                                       

Down

1

DUST (SUD rev. + T) – with “remains” as the definition I was trying to find a word ending in S.

2

OVERWEIGHT (OVER + W + EIGHT) – I liked the definition here.

3

LET FALL (LEFT with F demoted + ALL)

5

LETTY (LET + ToY) – one of a number of proper names in this puzzle.

6

LATRINE (LA + TRINE) – “john” with its misleading capitalization meaning toilet.

7

BARMY (B + ARMY) – I presume this is a reference to Basil Fawlty? Or am I missing something?

8

ANIMALIC (ANI + CLAIM*) – ANI is a useful little word to know.

9

BETRAYER (BET + R + AYER) – the philosopher is AJ Ayer.

12

WELLS FARGO – presumably “Mail and transport company “ is the definition, “first to supply” gives the S, and then FAR + GO, so where is WELL indicated? – what am I missing?

15

RABATINE (BAR rev. + A TINE)

21

IRKUTSK (IRK + UT + SK) – one of the largest cities in Siberia.

26

ANILA (IL in ANA) – another proper name – not one I was familiar with.

30

EYOT (TO YE all rev.)

 

2 comments on “Mephisto 2458/Mike Laws”

  1. Indeed – just asking whether anyone can explain how “well” is justified in 12 d?
    As I see that I have posted the only comment…….
    Adrian
    1. i would still like to know where well comes from. I wrote to M Law but no rpely.
      good night

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