Solving time : 26:45 – which has to rank as one of my slowest solves ever, and I was on the verge of going and leaving this, but I have limited computer batter life and of course left my charger at home. Grumble grumble. Now this is a tour de force of a crossword – there’s some exceptionally well-hidden definitions and outstanding surface. Ye who hope to rely on definitions for some of the last few are going to be in for a shock here.
Wow… just checked and nearly an hour after it came out, I’m the only one on the crossword club leaderboard (though I’m sure a lot are solving on the new site – I prefer the old one, can’t quite get the knack of only typing in letters I haven’t entered yet), but at least I’m all-correct, phew.
We appear to be close to a pangram, I can’t seem to find a V.
Away we go…
| Across | |
|---|---|
| 1 | JUMP SHIP: or JUMPS HIP |
| 5 | PICK UP: three definitions in three words for a two word answer |
| 8 | EID: DIE(something cast) reversed |
| 9 | JET(raven)-SETTING(becoming hard) |
| 10 | URETHANE: (UNEARTH)*,E – most commonly encountered in its polymerized form |
| 11 | EILEEN: hidden reversed in nomiNEE LIEs |
| 12 | LOTS: double definition (with the question mark I was thinking cryptic definition originally, and didn’t see the easier option) |
| 14 | KICK(thrill),BOX IN(corner),G: I had the BOXING part well before the KICK part |
| 17 | CHIMNEY POT: YEN reversed in CHIMP, then OT for the bible bit |
| 20 | DAZE: sounds like DAYS |
| 23 | QUARTO: ART(drawing) in status QUO |
| 24 | SKIP(refuse container),JACK(small ball): this clue rang a bell, though there’s probably not that many ways to clue this word |
| 25 | TOWER(drag performer) BLOCK(bar): for the tall residential building |
| 26 | SKI: double definition, referencing that many Polish names end in SKI. I can say the one Pole I know well, is a Wolinski |
| 27 | IN DEEP: INDEED (for sure) with one of the D’s changed to P’s (partial decimalisation) |
| 28 | INUNDATE: U (middle of janUary) in an INN DATE |
| Down | |
| 1 | JOE PUBLIC: anagram of COUPLE and JIB |
| 2 | MIDWEST: M for motorway, then W(width) in ID EST |
| 3 | ST JOHN: ST and then JOIN(couple) with H for I |
| 4 | INTENSIFY: definition is “fan” – IN(at home) then an anagram of (FIESTY+N) |
| 5 | POTHERB: OTHER in Pb(lead) |
| 6 | C(lot)H,ILL,AXED: oh dear – it’s not in Chambers (yet), but it is in Collins – slang to rest |
| 7 | UNGREEN: the middle parts of hUNGRy tEENs |
| 13 | SAM BROWNE: SANE(all there) around M(minute),BROW(top) |
| 15 | KNOCK(slate),DOWN(blue) |
| 16 | GREEK FIRE: REEK in (GRIEF)* – a new term for me, but fortunately clear wordplay |
| 18 | HOUSTON: HOT ON surrounding US – my brother lives there |
| 19 | E,GOT,R.I.P. |
| 21 | ARAL SEA: very tricky wordplay – L in AS in AREA |
| 22 | SPOKEN: OPS reversed then KEN |
Haven’t seen a SAM BROWNE in the crossword for years – it use to turn up quite often back in the day. Liked SKIPJACK, my penultimate solution: sometimes the words “refuse” “container” just mean a refuse container! Misdirection by not misdirecting! My COD. And IN DEEP another excellent and very tricksy clue. Enjoyed ARAL SEA, GREEK FIRE, HOUSTON and TOWER BLOCK. UNGREEN a tad desperate, but then perfection is not to be found in this world.
Would have given my LOI, SPOKEN, my COD nomination if not slightly bemused by the vulgarity of the clue. No doubt the censorious Yorkshire neighbours of my childhood would have told the setter to wash his mouth out with soap.
That said, the best for some time. Thank You, Setter. More please.
Regards
Andrew K
Full marks to the setter – nothing underhand and nothing sloppy. I failed to parse “SKI”, and didn’t stop to pick apart “ARAL SEA”. I’d be hard pressed to pick a COD in this one – all were good, though no one clue leapt out at me.
Re. our blogger’s comment that he’d left his charger at home – I cannot get out of my head the image of a fully armoured knight turning up to battle on foot with the same problem.
URETHANE (at least in its foamed poly form) would have been topical a couple of weekends ago. It is very hard to believe that evolution has really been worth all the trouble, when faced with a teenager who has squirted builder’s insulating foam up his nose for a bet. If you are ever tempted to try this at home, bear in mind that (a) the foam is designed to expand about 20-fold (b) the nasal areal is (or at least was, in his case) chock full of lots of wafer-thin bones.
Today’s customers, by contrast, were a dull and predictable lot. However, the fog is closing in so I’m optimistic for the later part of tonight’s shift.