Solving Time: Offline, about 25 minutes
Quite an easy one by Dean’s standards, but enjoyable as always. Lots of natural surface readings.
I’m not sure that 9d really works – surely an oath is a swear word, which is a four-letter word, and OATH has four letters, so when is it not? I don’t get it. But, that aside, a good crossword. Nothing particularly stands out enough individually for a COD, although I lliked the simplicity and misdirection of 13d.
cd = cryptic def., dd = double def., rev = reversal, homophones are written in quotes, anagrams as (–)*, and removals like this
Across | |
---|---|
1 | PE(TIT)E – ‘to go’ is PEE, a very Anax opener |
4 | A FAIR COP = (AFRICA)* + OP |
10 | SUPERNOVA = (SUAVE PORN)* |
11 | S(P)LIT |
12 | ROADWORTHINESS = (WASHER SO NO DIRT)* |
15 | CHAUFFEUR = “SHOW FOR” – more or less, hence ‘casually’ |
16 | AR(O)M + A |
17 | ONSET – rev hidden |
18 | TAROT CARD = DRAT about ACTOR all rev |
19 | THE VIRGIN QUEEN – cd, a virgin being someone who ‘hasn’t done it’ |
22 |
|
23 | O(BE + DIE)NCE |
25 | HACIENDA = (HAD A NICE)* |
26 | MYRTLE = TRY in ELM all rev |
Down | |
1 | PA’S + TRY + CO + OK |
2 | TIP – dd |
3 | THREW A FIT = (WITH + AFTER)* – 22a being AFTER |
5 | FEAT + HERB + RAINED |
6 | I(BSE)N |
7 | COLD STORAGE = (GLAD SCOOTER)* |
8 | PAT + H |
9 | FOUR-LETTER WORD – I’m not sure I get this – surely an oath often is a four-letter word. |
13 | ANAESTHETIC = (I CAN SEE THAT)* |
14 | JARDINIERE = JAR + DIN + (ERE + I) rev |
16 | ANTIQUITY = IT rev + QUIT all in ANY |
20 | V + ERSE |
21 | OATH = OH (I’m disappointed) about (A + T) |
24 | NUT – dd – National Union of Teachers |
I can’t help with 9dn.