Apologies for the brevity of this blog- am very rushed today. Not the easiest quick cryptic I thought, I struggled a bit to blog it, hopefully my explanations are clear. Worth trying the Times Crossword qualifying puzzle today- probably a little easier than the standard cryptic (although a bit more challenging than past qualifying puzzles have been in my opinion).
Across |
1 |
BUSINESS CARD – a concern can mean a BUSINESS (as in going concern) with CARD being the substantial paper. Def = hand-out for executive. |
8 |
APART – an out of work actor would welcome ‘ A PART’ which also means divorced. A neat double definition |
9 |
MARIMBA – ‘RI’ is right one, inside (stuffing is a containment indicator) ‘MAMBA’ (a highly venomous snake) to give ‘MARIMBA’ (a percussion instrument). RI is often clued as ireland (republic of ireland) or less commonly Rhode Island (a US state) |
10 |
EWE – ‘E’ is the end of the linE, followed by WE. Def = creature |
11 |
EASTER EGG – EASTER EGG is an anagram of ‘gets eager’. The anagrind is ‘excitedly’. My kids have been given 4 already, which will mostly be consumed by their parents. Def = gift of chocolate |
13 |
PIANO – a hidden clue within ‘EthioPIAN Orthodox’.’Used by’ suggests that the clue is part of the phrase. Def = musical instrument |
14 |
STAVE – I thought this was another musical term, but actuallly it refers to a barrel stave ( a wooden strip that forms part of the sides of a barrel). Vats are the ‘large tubs’ reversed (returned) to give ‘STAV’ next to (by) an ‘E’ (European). Def = part for barrels |
16 |
THEREFORE – ‘THE REF’ is ‘the referee’ followed by ‘O’ (round) and ‘RE’ (concerning) to give ‘THEREFORE’ (So). I suppose the ‘finds a’ in the clue refers to ‘THEREF’ finding ‘ORE’ to give ‘THEREFORE’. Not the easiest clue to justify, but hopefully you buy it. Def = So |
17 |
ICE – ‘IE’ is Id Est (‘that is’ in Latin) ‘containing’ ‘C’ , the first letter of Calcium (‘primarily’). A nice clue with misdirection, Hard water here is solid water rather than water containing a lot of minerals. Def = Hard Water |
19 |
INFLICT – to ‘INFLICT’ can mean to lay upon or visit (as unwelcome relatives might). Here ‘flint’ is rearranged (‘moving’ is the anagrind) to give ‘INFLT’ which is placed ‘around’ ‘IC’ (in charge) to give ‘INFLICT’. Def = Visit |
21 |
PLACE – ‘PACE’ is to ‘step’ around (‘across’) ‘L’ to give ‘PLACE’. A place in an Olympic event is a position in the top three or a medal. Def = position in |
22 |
UNDERCURRENT – UN and DER are the German articles followed by ‘CURRENT’ (‘present’). Def = Latent Suspicion |
Down |
1 |
BRAKE – ‘B’ (bishop in chess notation) followed by ‘RAKE’ (libertine). Def = slow down |
2 |
STALEMATE – ‘STALE MATE’ is the partner who’s past their best, and also an indecisive position in chess. Def = position on board |
3 |
NOT BEFORE TIME – A dual definition. Committed drinkers don’t stop drinking until NOT BEFORE TIME, which can also mean None too Soon |
4 |
SAMOSA – ‘SAMOS’ is a Greek Island, followed by ‘A’. Def = type of fried pastry |
5 |
CARPET SWEEPER – An anagram of ‘scrape pewter’ and ‘e’ (symbol for energy) to give ‘CARPET SWEEPER’. Def = cleaner |
6 |
RUM – ‘RU’ is Rugby Union followed by ‘M’ (‘twickenhaM’s ultimate’ – ie it’s last letter) to give seamen’s favourite tipple. Def = spirit |
7 |
TANGLE Tons (T) try to catch fish ‘ANGLE’ (try to catch fish) gives ‘TANGLE’ (a coarse seaweed) |
12 |
ERADICATE – ERADICATE is an anagram of ‘date’, ‘rice’ and ‘a’. Mixture is the anagrind. Def = finish off |
13 |
PUTRID – ‘DIRT’ (filth) followed by ‘UP’ (at university) to give DIRTUP which is then reversed (‘on the rise’) to give ‘PUTRID’. Def = Very unpleasant |
15 |
COPTIC – ‘COP’ is the Policeman, followed by (leading to) ‘TIC’ (‘a habitual response’) to give an Egyptian language. |
18 |
ERECT – ‘ERE’ is before, combined with ‘CT’ (Court). Def = being upstanding |
20 |
FUN – ‘FUND’ is to pay for, chopped off (endless) gives ‘FUN’ (amusement) |
This was Joker’s 3rd outing. STAVE of a barrel didn’t come readily to mind but I think it was hiding there somewhere. The wordplay was clear enough anyway.
I’m sure your explanation of 16 is correct Allan, at least it’s the same as mine though I lost time trying to make it a partial anagram.
Eurc.
LOI and COD was 2dn, stalemate which Z8 ain’t. 🙂 His contributions are further lessening but I’m still too chicken to try tightrope walking without a safety net. 22mins appears to be my sort of standard solving time at present.
THEREFORE worked fine for me, but I was less happy with CARD as “substantial paper” – bit odd, I reckon. Anyway, overall a very nice puzzle and good blog – thanks Allan.