Solving Time: 40 minutes
It all began well in the NW, with some well constructed but straightforward clues (“beginner’s delight” I was thinking) but then just as quickly turned into something completely different; requiring my undivided attention. Unfortunately, the latter was split into at least three at the time. There were some novel, clever and witty clues I thought and two which I can’t properly explain.
| Across |
| 1 |
(DEMAND SHOWN)* = HAND-ME-DOWNS, straightforward but well crafted. |
| 7 |
ASH, a double definition, the day after Mardi Gras being Ash Wednesday, with the question mark alerting the solver to the omission of Wednesday. |
| 9 |
NONPAREIL = (IRON PANEL)*. Another straightforward but well crafted anagram |
| 10 |
P[Recite]OEM = PROEM, a preface. Thrown in more in hope than with any degree of certainty; I’ve never come across the term before. It’s from the Old French, via Latin and originally Greek (you can see why I’m at a disadvantage) meaning “before song”, a counting in technique typified by John Lennon at the very beginning of Give Peace a Chance. |
| 11 |
QUAcKERS = QUAKERS, the Religious Society of Friends founded by George Fox. Write that name down on a piece of paper. For those not immersed in American television, Chandler Bing is a character in the sitcom Friends. |
| 12 |
SOLIDUS = SOUS (more old coins) if you remove the LID. A nice reverse inclusion device. |
| 13 |
The resting actor might seek A PART = APART |
| 15 |
UNDERWEAR = UNDER WEAR, combinations being a combination either of a chemise and drawers (now popularly a teddy) or a vest (singlet) and long johns (now not popular, although see thermal underwear). |
| 17 |
(SHE DUG THE)* = TED HUGHES, Poet Laureate, author of “Flowers and Insects”. The “she” in question would be Sylvia Plath; some maintain the converse was true. |
| 19 |
PILOT, a cryptic definition. |
| 20 |
RICKY, for boy, outside ETon = RICKETY |
| 22 |
RAFFISH = F for female, (IF)reversed for provided backing all inside RASH for outbreak. One of my favourite words, well constructed. |
| 24 |
E for English, DI for detective inspector + CT for court = EDICT |
| 25 |
AFFLICTION = (FACT IF LED)* |
| 27 |
Deliberately omitted. Asking may reveal the answer. |
| 28 |
NON-EXISTENT = STEN for gun inside aNON (for soon heading off) next to EXIT (for leave the stage). Except how does “being held,” indicate the required inclusion? |
| Down |
| 1 |
Here And Now = HAN. Are the linked HANs a setter’s trademark? |
| 2 |
NINJA = curtaiN IN JApan. My nephews, not having grown up with Shintaro, insisted on calling them “The Engine Turtles”. |
| 3 |
MEANEST is the ultimate in shabbiness, yes. I’ve absolutely no idea who Arthur is. It’s also ES for (thou) art in MEANT. I’m still clueless. |
| 4 |
SPEED inverted + OUT for blooming + H for hot = DEEP SOUTH |
| 5 |
WALES = W for with + dALES |
| 6 |
SUPPLER = SUPPLiER |
| 7 |
A GOOD DEAL = (ADO + AGE-OLD)*. Another cracking anagram, perhaps my favourite clue today. |
| 8 |
HOME STRETCH, a double definition, the second tongue in cheek. |
| 11 |
QUARTERDECK, Double definition, the first cryptic, the second a reference to an old sea-going tradition of uncertain origin, at least to the author of this web page. |
| 14 |
ADDICTION = A [arounD] DICTION |
| 16 |
DESERT for leave + FOX (see 11ac) = DESERT FOX, Rommel’s nom de guerre |
| 18 |
trousseaU + NEATEN for groom = UNEATEN |
| 19 |
PUFFINS = UP reversed + F for fine + FINS for bits of fish. The small miracles of fluid mechanics. |
| 21 |
YARN for story about lonesomE = YEARN |
| 23 |
THISTLE without the T and H of “the” = ISTLE, a plant fibre known only to crossword compilers and solvers. |
| 26 |
Deliberately omitted. This one has been around since the beginning of time. |
Tom B.
Rob