Solving Time: 35:59
Quite a straightforward puzzle this week, but not one of Jeff’s best. Lots of cryptic definitions which I’m not generally a huge fan of.
Anyway, I’m blogging this from a holiday in Portugal at the moment, so on with the answers…
cd = cryptic def., dd = double def., rev = reversal, homophones are written in quotes, anagrams as (–)*, and removals like this
Across | |
---|---|
1 | EAST BERLIN = (T BLAIR SEEN)* |
6 | S + CAM |
9 | S + HORN |
10 | PRESS GANG – dd |
12 | MUSICAL CHAIRS – cd |
14 | HEN PARTY = (HENRY + PAT)* – semi-&lit |
15 | EDITOR = (RIDE TO)* – 10 being a reference to PRESS GANG |
17 | RAM + JET – I got this one wrong. I’d pencilled in RAMMER but never liked it. I’d intended to go back and revisit it but forgot. |
19 | TURNSPIT – turn SPIT to get TIPS (gratuities) |
21 | LANCE CORPORAL = (COLONEL CAR PAR |
24 | APART + MEN + T |
25 | UNCLE |
26 |
|
27 | CITY CENTRE – a way to describe ‘IT’, i.e. the centre of |
Down | |
1 | ELS + E |
2 | SNOWMAN – cd |
3 | BANK STATEMENT – cd |
4 | RAPACITY = (A + PAR) rev + CITY |
5 | IDE + A + L |
7 | CHAR(I + O)T |
8 | MA + GIST + RATE |
11 | SCHADENFREUDE = (SEND A RUDE CHEF)* |
13 | SHORE LEAVE – cd |
16 | PUPPETRY – cd |
18 | MAN + DATE |
20 | POLE + CAT |
22 | O + B + ELI |
23 | FE(T)E |
I didn’t know RAM JET or the golfer. I don’t really understand what “domestic” is doing in 3dn as bank statements aren’t limited to home finance, and I would dispute “unconvincing” in 16dn as that would depend on the skill and artistry of the performer and the receptiveness of the audience.
Edited at 2014-04-06 09:58 am (UTC)
If I had done so I would have found the exact definition in Collins from which I gather it is more of a figurative meaning than a literal one which seeks to denigrate the entire performance skill and its practitioners.
Nice to see the homage to the Big Easy. A ‘different golfer’, indeed, and by all accounts a smashing fellow.