Times 25,079 Where the Dickens?

Author   dorsetjimboPosted on Categories Daily Cryptic
Solving time 20 minutes

I was convinced this puzzle would be a tribute to Dickens, today being the 200th anniversary of his birth. I was ready to moan about the failure to recognise Darwin’s similar anniversary whilst celebrating the Victorian scribbler. In the event it’s just a standard puzzle with no particular appeal. It is however Tony Sever’s birthday I believe!

Across
1 MANTIS – M-ANTIS; M=Motorway; “get together for prayer” is a poor definition. These insects hold their forelegs in an attitude that suggests prayer.
5 ALGERIAN – I don’t understand this clue – all offers gratefully accepted; On edit: ALGER-I-AN; its a reference to ALGER HISS, the US lawyer involved in founding the UN – thanks to ulaca;
9 HUGUENOT – HUG(U)E-NOT; French Calvinists who suffered the St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre;
10 OTTAWA – O-(WATT reversed)-A(dvantage);
11 HEYDAY – H(DYE reversed)AY;
12 CREASING – CR-EASING;
14 RECREATIONAL – R-E(C)ER-ATIONAL; “Charlie off the radio”=C (NATO phonetic alphabet);
17 REALITY,CHECK – (literacy)*-HECK; good clue;
20 JUMPED,UP – “started”=JUMPED;
22 SHAMAN – SHAM-AN;
23 BLAZON – BLAZ(e)-ON;
25 AIR,MILES – AIR(I’M reversed)LES(s); nice misleading use of “close”;
26 AS,IT,WERE – A(SIT)WE-RE; “school class”=RE (Religious Education); “take place”=SIT; “sort of” is the definition;
27 DOGGER – two meanings 1=dangerous feature of the North Sea 2=one who dogs – called a stalker these days;
 
Down
2 ACUMEN – AC(UM)E-N; wonderful=ACE; hesitate=UM; new=N; what purpose does “I” fulfill?:
3 THUNDERCLAP – (lunch depart)*;
4 SAND,YACHT – (handy cast)*;
5 ARTICLE – ARTIC-L(arg)E; “say a” is the definition; good clue;
6 GLOBE – G-LOBE;
7 RET – (a)R(r)E(s)T;
8 ASWAN,DAM – AS(WAND-A)M; ASM=air to surface missile; stick=WAND;
13 STOCKTAKING – two meanings 1=rustling (stock=cattle); 2=reconciling stock held in for example a shop;
15 TREASURED – TREA(SURE)D;
16 REBUILDS – (bruised)* contains “L” = “anima-L’s tail”;
18 CUPCAKE – CU-(pack)*-E;
19 VARESE – VAR(i)ESE; Edgard Varese 1883-1965, father of electronic music who has much to answer for;
21 DANCE – hidden (revere)D ANCE(stor);
24 ZIT – ZIT(her);

48 comments on “Times 25,079 Where the Dickens?”

  2. I struggled and struggled and was finally defeated in the NE, where I needed to resort to aids at the ASWAN DAM to get the thing finished.

    Why do I always struggle with the capital of Canada (I was getting very excited about Bogota) when it’s been in the Concise on the same day?

    Many happy returns to Tony, and here’s hoping he didn’t have one of those dreadful 10+-minute days!!

    COD to ARTICLE.

    1. Thanks for the good wishes. I’m afraid it was one of those days – but at least I got the damned thing right, so at least I did better than yesterday even though I was a lot slower.
  4. 26ac: had the devil of a time parsing this one post-solve; though the answer was obvious. If “sort of” is the def: (a) I don’t like it and (b) “sort of school class” can’t be part of the wordplay. It has to be “school class” simpliciter = RE. Unless we accept double duty??

    Mis-parsed 8dn with the missle as SAM. Worked but.

    COD to AIR MILES for the spotting of “airless”.

      1. Seek and ye shall find, Jim. You’ve already said what you were looking for so just continue that thought.
  6. 30 minutes for all but three, SHAMAN, ACUMEN and VARESE in that order. If I’d spotted the Nina sooner it would have saved me time on two of those. As it was I needed another 15 minutes to polish them off.

    Never even heard of VARESE, but then my degree is in music.

  7. 25 minutes (not counting an interruption, mostly enjoyable in a head scratching kind of way. Several devious definitions – not least at 1ac where I think the definition is better than Jim thinks it is, being just “prayer” (agent noun) – the beast is at least a praying mantis. “Get together” belongs to what the rest of the clue does.
    Couldn’t parse 26, not helped much by looking for a crossing 3-letter instrument rather than a spot. Varese went in on wordplay in a “heard of him, but not sure why” way.I thought the DOGGER clue should have a ? at the back, “one that dogs” at least looking like a made up word.
    Thanks to Jackkt for spotting the Nina – I never see these things!
    CoD to STOCKTAKING – on reflection, I think it may be a chestnut, but it made we chuckle.
  8. I had all but 9ac done in about 15 minutes today, but a further 15 minutes wasn’t enough to crack that one. Then I had to go to a meeting, and when I came back I saw it immediately. Funny how that can happen. I didn’t know the HUGUENOTs were protestants but fortunately I didn’t know anything else about them either so there was no distracting knowledge to get in the way.
    Alger Hiss caused no problems after all the discussion last time he came up. I’d never heard of VARESE but put it in confidently once 27ac had ruled out VARESA and VARESC.
    Otherwise quite a lot bunged in from definition for post-solve analysis.
  9. An enjoyable puzzle, with a couple of bits of deja vu.

    Alger Hiss came up fairly recently I think.

    It’s also not so long since we had a SAND YACHT wrongly defined as a vessel, as again today.

    Edited at 2012-02-07 10:58 am (UTC)

    1. I just looked at some pictures of sand yachts on the web and going by these I’d find it hard to justify calling them ‘vessels’, but if dictionaries (Chambers and Collins) define them as ‘wheeled boats’ I’m not sure it’s fair to blame the setter for continuing the analogy.
      1. True, though Chambers does say “for running on land”, and defines “vessel” as “a craft for transport on water”.
    1. The wordplay is “Into missile, stick a” rather than “Into a missile, stick”, so Jimbo is correct.
  11. 49 long minutes. Just couldn’t get started. I think zabadak has summed it up nicely. Missed the Nina, but I always do. COD to REALITY CHECK, for all sorts of reasons.

    As for HISS, I would swear I’ve never heard of him before. Must have been in a Jumbo. Someone’s going to tell me it was in a puzzle I blogged, aren’t they.

      1. Glad to see my avatar doesn’t figure amongst the comments. Maybe it’s still on my spike of ones to do at some time or other. Or, maybe I penned ANGIERS and didn’t think twice about it.
  12. DNF here. After 40 minutes – my self imposed limit- I turned to the very helpful blog to put in about 6 unknowns which I might well have looked at for hours and been none the wiser. 26 ac is the sort of clue that I find irritating: too many ‘in the know’ parts such as ‘sit’ equalling ‘take place’ and ‘school class’ equalling RE and all leading to a dubious link between the answer and ‘sort of’ with a redundant ‘in’ added for good measure. Not clever, not elegant and only solvable by being ‘in the know’ in the first place! Rant over! And of course the blog is my key to learning these tricks. So many thanks to Jimbo today.
  14. My apologies to regular contributors but I’m in and out of meetings today and haven’t had as much time as I would like to spend on this.

    If you read the first across row of unchecked letters they spell CHARLES and of the last row they read DICKENS.

    So, my moan about Darwin can be resurrected.

  15. I just couldn’t see HUGUENOT and had to resort to aids for it. Fortunately it’s the only word that has ***U*N*T so it popped up straight away. Annoying because I knew the word and who they were. My brain wasn’t functioning this morning. Blame it on the Heineken. Once that was in the rest flowed reasonably smoothly. I found this puzzle a real struggle and am not sure why. In retrospect it’s all perfectly reasonable but at the time I thought I’d never finish. It took me 10 minutes just to get started. 54 minutes.
    1. “… Once that was in the rest flowed reasonably smoothly.”

      A modicum of alcohol to soothe the nerves? It could be read that way 😉

  16. For the Nina, I mean, which is quite clever and enjoyable, but which I didn’t see until Jack pointed it out. Thanks Jack. I did this in about 15 minutes, but took a further 15 minutes trying to unscramble AS IT WERE, which I finally understood. On the other hand, I have PUMPED UP instead of JUMPED UP at 20A. If JUMPED UP means ‘arrogant’, it must be a UK-ism, since ‘JUMPED UP’ as a phrase doesn’t have a meaning over here, at least to me. JUMPED up does match the ‘started rising’ bit much better, yes, but I never considered it. ( Well, I just checked my on-line ‘go to’ UK slang dictionary, peevish.co.uk, and there it is.) One wrong for me. Anyway, COD to REALITY CHECK, and Happy Birthday to Mr. Dickens. Regards.

    Edited at 2012-02-07 06:15 pm (UTC)

  17. Well, I found this flaming tough and was glad to get round in about an hour, still not seeing the way some clues worked. But worth it. To me the blade was finer and sharper than the standard offering. Credit (now I see why) to 5.
  18. 15:41 for me, feeling horribly tired after a busy day. But an excellent puzzle – my compliments to the setter.

    Congrats to jackkt for being first to spot the Nina – which I missed as usual. (Sigh!)

    I’m delighted to share my birthday with Charles Dickens as well as Sir Thomas More, Sir James Murray (of OED fame) and the mathematician G. H. Hardy.

  19. GnefVLPI [url=http://airmaxukshop.info/]Air Max[/url]
    afwjBILbn http://airmax90rea.info/
    aplvamafbm [url=http://canadagoosejacketoutletcanada.info/#5342]Canada Goose[/url]
    THQlSkyud aqnjas [url=http://jeremyscottwingsuk.info/]Adidas Jeremy Scott Uk[/url]
    QbhHIRRXuai NazcXDIO [url=http://moncleronlineshopsverige.info/]Moncler Jacka Online[/url]
    ewwwZWOuk YzhzXRAV http://airmax90rea.info/
    vursPHNuz
  20. NbagABAF [url=http://insanityworkoutsaustralia.info/]Insanity Workout[/url]
    kgeuYFRzv http://canadagoosejackenbillig.info/
    phqzndbyol [url=http://jeremyscottwingsuk.info/#1531]Jeremy Scott Adidas[/url]
    RLTuFggaz qjumix [url=http://insanityworkoutsaustralia.info/]Insanity Workout Dvd Australia[/url]
    TxgHWKHQtvy EjaqEWOO [url=http://insanityworkoutsaustralia.info/]Insanity Workout[/url]
    zjqbFJWtk GcogJDLT http://insanityworkoutsaustralia.info/
    zyfhWUWyu
  21. MzcjUCRW [url=http://www.uggbootsonlineshopschweiz.com]Ugg Zürich[/url]
    xiwdMVFlv http://www.uggfrancesiteofficiel.com
    faxxnyhroe [url=http://www.uggsnieuwecollectie.com/#3744]Uggs Sale Nederland[/url]
    EWJoCewbq zgrkty [url=http://uggirelandwebsite.info]Uggs Online[/url]
    ZwrFNAMYool DjdoQQUX [url=http://www.uggbootsonlineshopschweiz.com]Uggs Schweiz[/url]
    dfofYRZwp BunjXQFK http://uggirelandwebsite.info
    mqmeAPOnm
  22. TkbkQSGU [url=http://www.uggssverigebutik.com/]Uggs Sverige[/url]
    yowvAWHxs http://uggscheapgreece.info/
    ulrckjtyeh [url=http://www.uggbootsonlineshopschweiz.com/#2252]Uggs Schweiz[/url]
    ETCnNjkuy kmclkb [url=http://uggsonlinebestellengoedkoop.info/]Uggs Sale Nederland[/url]
    ByyOKFEZhzb QhxmZWSM [url=http://www.uggbootsonlineshopschweiz.com/]Ugg Zürich[/url]
    vjatEFIkp HshmQGIK http://uggsonlinebestellengoedkoop.info/
    zzrlAKLrf
  23. XeviLEXA [url=http://canadagoosejacketoutletcanada.info/]Canada Goose[/url]
    wckcDGUiz http://botasuggsbaratas.info/
    bpaeuccnuk [url=http://canadagoosejackenbillig.info/#2954]Canada Goose[/url]
    ROUtFwmcc csubpz [url=http://www.uggoutletonlineespana.com/]Botas Ugg[/url]
    WfiUIHSWlux FryjRHRN [url=http://canadagoosejacketoutletcanada.info/]Canada Goose[/url]
    weqnQIDdq TdubMGPA http://www.uggoutletonlineespana.com/
    lnlaGEZuz
  24. RnvlMYLT [url=http://nikefreeshopuk.info/]Nike Free[/url]
    csaoIFQfw http://nikefreeskovon.info/
    pbzzdmcgwl [url=http://airmax90rea.info/#5439]Nike Air Max 90 Rea[/url]
    WBZkJrwkp aejwca [url=http://cheapairyeezyuk.info/]Nike Air Yeezy[/url]
    SkhQLZHZqpz SzopRGLE [url=http://airmaxukshop.info/]Nike Air Max[/url]
    usniRUOkg EqnqYSSV http://airmax90rea.info/
    ywjqSQCie
  25. GspsAHRP [url=http://jordanshopuk.info/]Air Jordan Uk[/url]
    wlyaNXIfw http://airmax90rea.info/
    yzfnnfqobt [url=http://jordanshopuk.info/#3981]Air Jordan Uk[/url]
    TFAoLozvq boyiwp [url=http://airmaxshopgreece.info/]Air Max 2011[/url]
    IyhMIKQDxeb EvfqBVLG [url=http://airmax90rea.info/]Air Max Billigt[/url]
    xlrgUZLwk WfvvDKXC http://airmax90rea.info/
    taxqJZJdm
  26. Thus I’ve been also been wanting to obtain extra typical shoes or boots which will final always.

    Basically, if you appear in Gucci store, you will not be disappointed.

    The glitzy platinum-and-diamond earrings by Lorraine Schwartz didn’t hurt, either.

    He has since won several awards, including the accessories prize from the fashion council in 2007; opened two stores Manhattan; and developed a clothing and accessories line for the luxury brand Tod’s.

    I tell you that most of us visitors actually are rather endowed to dwell in a useful website with so many marvellous individuals with useful opinions.

  27. And I have seen the benefits of early intervention, which cost more in the beginning but saves so much in the long run for the problems it can help society avoid.

    Undoubtedly, there are lots of brands you can get.

    The Daily Mail reports at the — nieces and nephews that children — sister Margaret could be put in a less desirable wing.

    “I was elated to be able to bring a unique twist to this year’s Mercedes Benz Fashion week” Says Tai Chunn, CEO of MVC Management Productions.

    Due to the fact steps during the best position to determine the pricing of the items in this manner that they could make profit while make certain their will plug spending leaks on their purchase specially when referring to designer and branded clothing.

  28. Guccio Gucci founded this fashion empire in Florence, Italy in 1906.

    There are lots of manipulate purses that bear the C instead over a brand G .

    Divine Design, the annual fundraiser Project Angel Food, celebrated its 20th anniversary in style Wednesday night, with a gala dinner marking the start of a six-day charity shopping marketplace that will run through Dec.

    It also helps to know what brand you’re interested in.

    I am able to now look forward to my future.

  29. If you watched September Issue you clearly remember the creative director of American Vogue who is one of our idols.

    What you really need is a base that is in their twenties and thirties, has professional jobs, and single.

    McQueen, who was found dead Thursday in his London home, was 40 years old.

    These companies or companies will do a number of function on behalf of you to be able to get your web site inundated with visitors and make some money by using it.

    [.] Chaque pi猫ce passe et repasse donc entre les mains des seize employ茅es.

  30. In the event that any one you will have obtaining near to Buckingham Development near to 3am about specific days, you will note the approach to life Protects (cavalry) obtaining created by utilizing their own paces..

    Holding your object, lift it to your shoulder and then lower so that your arm is fully extended.

    The far-from-ordinary garments are what draw stylist In this photo taken Thursday, Feb.

    Accessorize, Accessorize, Accessorize: Every outfit needs a little bit of accessorizing–or a lot.

    And this you must seek out if you are purchasing authentic designer handbags.

  31. In fact, the deals are too good to be true, and that means the purses are fakes! As the old saying goes, let the buyer beware.

    Will you include charge troubles,Mulberry Great deals, simply because they would have ironed as a result of ones own monthly payment resolutions a long time directly existence.

    Grazia Daily can’t quite pin-point the moment when we first became besotted with Michelle Obama’s style.

    Who doesn’t love corduroy? Probably 10 years ago, no one really even thought about the fabric, corduroy.

    J’ai moi aussi constat茅 qu’il est impossible d’aller sur e site hotmail ou de faire des mise 脿 jours sur le site de msn.

  32. http://www.scottishfield.co.uk/nikeblazersuk.php Nike Blazers whether you build moats 锘?a href=http://rockycorp.fr/>air max 90 pas cher</a> the set of two moms and dads love to buy for his or her children The company has been acquiring with more frequency of late
    and have them keep your core products relevant and evolving nike free run 2 (http://www.rbmusic.co.uk/nike-free-run-3/) why are people making money selling them If you get in s to date [url=http://fatsquad.com/free/>Nike Free[/url]
    [url=http://www.malcolmsteward.co.uk/shop/nike-free-run-3/>Nike free run[/url]
    [url=http://recette-branding.fr>louis vuitton[/url]
    [url=http://stewartcleaners.com/nikefreerun2/>nike free 3.0 v3[/url]
    [url=http://stewartcleaners.com/nikefreerun2/>nike lunar eclipse[/url]

    up next Nike Air Max 1 (http://jtguitars.com/) Suggestion: use a triage system to decide if a bug is even worth recording APPEALING TO A FANBASE Are VCs at these conferences Absolutely
    s Nike Air Max 90 (http://www.bcfunerals.com/cheap-nike-air-max-shoes) advice and a moral affront
    Air Max 2013 (http://www.catfreebies.com/which-mirrors-the-external-seaming-on-the-bolide/)
    Nike Air Max (http://www.inicarunnegocio.info/?p=140)
    Nike Air Max 2013 (http://aamb.altervista.org/?p=1546&preview=true)
    Nike Air Max 90 (http://523988.homepagemodules.de/t24921f2-Nike-Blazers-Save-off-New.html#msg31894)
    Nike Tn 2013 (http://testking.ac.cn/this-bag-opens-up-to-show-off-an-inside-pocket-and-floral-twill-lining-measuring-15鈥?)
    Nike Pas Cher (http://skladherbaty.info/blogs/ll-probably-only-carry-for-a-season/)
    nike free run 2 womens (http://winternecie.info/it-was-nearing-90-degrees-outside-yesterday-when-i-went-to-meet-a-friend-for-lunch-90-at-the-very-beginning-of-april-i-live-in-georgia/)
    Nike Free Running (http://djweddingnj.com/mixing-modern-touches-with-contemporary-refinement-while-this-bag-is-not-over-the-top-it-is-able-to-get-my-attention-with-its-antiqued-silver-metal-hardware-and-use-of-pockets-as-far-as-the-pockets/)
    Cheap air max shoes (http://www.mycharitypage.com/fahai8017/blog/650114/)
    nike air max 1 sale (http://amazedbygod.com/blog/?p=153)

  33. dlrotwdnk

    [Error: Irreparable invalid markup (‘<a […] http://www.shoxskove.com&gt;’) in entry. Owner must fix manually. Raw contents below.]

    dlrotwdnk <strong><a href=”http://www.unisoninteractive.com.au/anda/lv_p1.html>louis vuitton</a></strong> kggrhrj <strong><a href=”http://www.shoxskove.com>nike shox</a></strong> nhgkwfxtja <strong><a href=”http://www.ccgenevois.com/ghd.php>ghd</a></strong> mvqginjc <strong><a href=”http://www.saxbycoffen.com/mkbags.php>Michael Kors outlet</a></strong> sgmziailo.[u][/u]

Comments are closed.