A really enjoyable crossword from a new setter (at least to me). I got going pretty quickly, but was slowed up by 5d, 22a and 8a, last ones in in that order, with a few made up words along the way. I put in 18d then took it out again, as it didn’t seem right, before twigging, and still need some explanation for 5d. COD jointly 3d and 22a.
Thank you to Felix
Thank you to Felix
| Across | |
| 1 | The end of Greater Prussia Jack made into film: JURASSIC PARK Anagram (made into) of R (last letter of greater), with PRUSSIA JACK. I was sure this was an anagram but the solution didn’t immediately leap out, even when I had the J. |
| 8 |
Tips of the French politicians: DUMPS French for of = DU, politicians = MPS. This one held me up; so sure it had to be DE (it usually is) that I convinced myself of the word DEMPS meaning finger tips. Ah well, sometimes the words you make up turn out to be right! On edit, see comments below, DU is French for ‘of the’ |
| 9 |
Irritated, not having done any correctly: ANNOYED Anagram (not having correctly) of DONE ANY. A nice way of indicating the anagram. |
| 10 | Australian bird starts on expensive merlot, unfortunately: EMU Initial letters (starts), and one for me and my blogging name! |
| 11 | I act and I perform songs after large hero-worshipping: IDOLISING I act = I DO, large = L, I perform songs = I SING |
| 13 | Score cannot change, only partially: NOTCH Hidden word |
| 14 |
Fellow is backed by girl, mostly: SILAS Is backed = SI, girl mostly = LAS(s) |
| 16 | Extraordinary green site for African National Park: SERENGETI Anagram (extraordinary) of GREEN SITE |
| 17 | Something for breakfast, say, good: EGG Say = for example = EG, good = G |
| 19 | Good Queen holding Cockney’s cloak, what is more: BESIDES Good Queen = BESS, including Cockney’s cloak – cloak = HIDE, and the setter’s dodge for indicating the dropping of the initial h of a word, is to assign it to a Cockney |
| 21 | Give out much, from what we hear: ALLOT Homophone (what we hear), of much = A LOT |
| 22 |
Where purchases are made without obligation?: DUTY-FREE SHOP Cryptic definition |
| Down | |
| 1 | Girl in Taipei dojo turned upside down: JODIE Reversed (upside down) hidden word |
| 2 | Odd bishop, say, producing sauce for Christmas?: RUM BUTTER Odd = RUM, bishop = B, say = UTTER. I’m more used to brandy butter, but I’m sure this also exists! |
| 3 | This Sat’s windy, possibly – we hope it won’t be wet!: ST SWITHIN’S DAY Anagram (possibly) of THIS SATS WINDY, with a cryptic definition for 15th July, since, by legend, the following forty days will have the same weather |
| 4 | Running or involved at Henley?: IN A ROW Double definition, as in three days’ running |
| 5 |
Old procurator’s heard request for thump from airman: PONTIUS PILATE I thought Pilate was a prefect, but Wikipedia tells me he was originally thought to be a procurator, so that’s sorted out. Homophone (heard) of pilot (airman) is clear, but I’d be grateful for help on the rest of the clue. On edit – see many comments below on pronunciation of Pontius. |
| 6 | Fish one of those sunbather catches: RAY Double definition, one cryptic, and a fishy favourite for cryptic crosswords |
| 7 | More than one saying publicity is maturing: ADAGES Publicity = AD, maturing = AGES |
| 12 | One left the hall, staggering, being poorly: ILL-HEALTH One = I, left = L, anagram (staggering) of THE HALL. I’m not sure this is the same part of speech so I’d be happy if someone could clarify if I’m missing something |
| 13 | Battle refusal to go outside South East Britain at first: NASEBY Refusal = NAY, outside South East = SE, Britain = B |
| 15 |
Hot spring? Yes, unusually, in Germany (not many!): GEYSER Anagram (unusually) of YES, in GER(many) |
| 18 |
Raise unusual costume?: GET-UP Double definition |
| 20 | Tart mostly finding very little money: SOU Tart mostly = SOU(r) |
I probably agree with you about 12a, but it’s clear enough so possibly not worth quibbling about.
I found this a middling difficulty puzzle, so not so bad once I got into it.
I thought you’d be pleased with 10a!
Other than that aberration (or bit of fun, if one likes that sort of thing) this was enjoyable and a little tougher, I thought, than the four previous Quickies this week. At 13 minutes it was the first to take me over my 10 minute target anyway.
At a rough count Felix has set us around 16 puzzles starting in Week 5 and appearing most recently before today on March 2.
Edited at 2016-04-22 04:41 pm (UTC)
PONTIUS sounds like PUNCH US, a bit. I thought this was a bit of a weak clue compared to the rest. I thought this was the toughest of the week with some great anagrams especially 3d. THanks to Felix and emu for 15d I had it as GER as an abbreviation for Germany, emu’s explanation is much better.
Tyro Tim
Setter requires a good thump!
Fairly spoilt my day – although PP did spoil a lot of other people’s days as well.
fyi there is a St. Swithin’s Lane in London EC4
8.15
horryd Shanghai
And that’s how my dad, a minister of the church, always pronounced it so I reckon if it was good enough for them 🙂
Edited at 2016-04-22 09:48 am (UTC)
As for our anon friend, I don’t think it’s unreasonable to expect anon contributors to take a glance at what others have already said before commenting on a direct query raised in the blog. I was trying to be constructive but I guess these things are subjective.
Edited at 2016-04-22 10:49 am (UTC)
Edited at 2016-04-22 04:42 pm (UTC)
Chris
I was always taught de = of, du= of the….
Only clue that went in easily for me
Dave the Diver