Sunday Times 4571 (5 Jan 2014) by Jeff Pearce

Author   daveperryPosted on Categories Weekend Cryptic
Solving time: 55:04

I struggled with this one a bit, although looking back now, I’m not sure why. It took me quite a long while to get going with it. I think I was just on the wrong wavelength.

I was about to get on my high horse over 3d when I solved it, but then I realised that ‘joint’ can have other meanings! No particularly standout clues, but no quibbles either. I’m not quite sure how the last word of 5a works, but I suspect that’s me rather than the setter.

cd = cryptic def., dd = double def., rev = reversal, homophones are written in quotes, anagrams as (–)*, and removals like this

Across
1 COUNTER – dd
5 DRESSED – dd – I’m not quite sure how ‘curried’ and ‘dressed’ can be synonymous. Possibly in some sort of equine sense where curried can mean brushed, and dressed might be prepared for dressage in some way. I’m only guessing.
9 E + MP + TIES
10 PROBLEM = BeautifuL in PROEM (introduction)
11 VAUGHAN (Michael, cricket captain) + WILLIAMS (F1 Team)
12 RAG (kid) + BAG (crone)
14 PEN + ELOPE
17 SEDITION = (DIET)* in SION
18 STruggle + ITCH
21 INSECT REPELLENT = (I SELL + TEN PERCENT)*
24 GET LOST – dd
25 OSTRICH = (CHRIST)* after Ordeal
26 S(HAKE)UP
27 S(LEIGH)T – Vivien Leigh is the actress of Gone with the Wind and A Streetcar Named Desire
Down
1 CLE(A)VER
2 UN + PLUGGED
3 T + HIGH – That’s joint as in ‘cut of meat’ rather than ‘connection between bones’
4 RESENT – dd
5 DEPRIVED = (PERV DIED)*
6 EMOLLIENT = (LEMON TILE)*
7 SAL’S + A
8 DEMESNE = (SEEMED)* about londoN
13 ARTICHOKE = ART (design) + CHOKEr about I
15 O + NT + HEWING
16 DOORSTEP = PETS + ROOD all rev
17 STINGOS = (SOT + GINS)*
19 HATCHET – cd – as in ‘bury the hatchet’
20 SPOOLS = SLOOPS rev
22 S + UlTRA
23 LATTEr

7 comments on “Sunday Times 4571 (5 Jan 2014) by Jeff Pearce”

  1. Chambers has curry – to dress or treat (leather)

    I dont remember any particular difficulties with this. I know that it did not make me late to the pub but today might be different.

  2. 55 minutes but ‘doorstop’ at 16 – been out of Blighty too long…

    Dean rather overegged the pudding today, I thought. Brilliant in (most) places, over-brilliant in others.

  4. Indeed curry does = dress.. you might have heard of a curry comb? They are all the rage in equestrian circles. so curry means groom, as does dress as in, say, dressing a chicken.
    I notice that several on the crossword club website did not progress to second thoughts about the thigh issue..
    1. I was initially iffy about THIGH and even when I saw the possible alternative view, I was not able to recall an occasion when I have asked in my local butcher for a lamb/cow/pig thigh. I do however buy chicken thighs so I guess that it is OK.

      If crypticsue does todays Dean Mayer in under 10 mins, I will throw myself at her feet.

      1. I went through the same thought process, and I’m still not really happy with it. A leg of lamb is a thigh, but it’s not generally called that, and I’ve never heard anyone refer to a chicken thigh as a “joint”.

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