Solving time: Medium
If you are in need of a crossword fix on Christmas Day, you’ll be pleased to know there are three on-line only puzzles just for today. A 15×15, a Jumbo and this festive offering from someone whom I suspect will only make an annual appearance. If you are really desperate for more, there are also a collection of online only puzzles at the Telegraph website.
I am somewhat battered by the number of seasonal offerings around this year, but this is certainly one of the better ones.
I shall not be around for the New Year’s Day Quickie, but will be back a fortnight today. Enjoy the rest of the holidays, and see you next year!
| Across | |
| 1 | CRACKERS – We start with a double definition clue, the second half of which is cryptic. Something that means mad could also refer to crossword solvers or people who crack crosswords. The exclamation mark indicates something is ‘slightly dodgy’ about the second half of the clue. |
| 5 | SNOW – Definition here is Cold shower and the answer hidden in CLOTHES? NO WAY! |
| 8 | PRESENTS – The definition is ‘what Santa brings’. The remainder of the clue points to a homophone of a word that refers to things here and now. |
| 9 | TREE – Ash, maybe is the definition.The abbreviation in Latin for a monarch goes inside the name of a peg used in golf. |
| 11 | ROAST – The definition is “what’s on the table today?”, to which the answer is R (right) + OAST (oven) |
| 12 | TOURIST – An anagram (indicated by travelling) of TUTOR IS will reveal what a travelling tutor could be seen as. |
| 13 | DEMOBS – The definition is a military word that refers to leaving an armed service. B (bishop) goes inside something that means types of protest. |
| 15 | DASHER – The name for one of a certain gentleman’s reindeer troupe is found by making an anagram (smudges) of HAS RED. |
| 18 | BASSOON – Definition is musical instrument, and it’s BA’S (graduates) + SOON (before long). |
| 19 | TOKYO – Definition is “You’ll find it in the Far East”. KY (Kentucky) inside TOO (also). |
| 21 | STAR – Celebrity is your definition, and it’s START minus its last letter. |
| 22 | SHEPHERD – A double cryptic definition. Someone who tends lambs who also gives his name to a pie. |
| 23 | MAGI – The name for the people in the Bible who followed a 21 across. MAG (small, i.e. abbreviated name for a periodical) + I. |
| 27 | CAROLLER – Singer is the definition. C (first letter of choristers) + A + ROLLER (type of wave). |
| Down | |
| 1 | CAPERED – Frolicked is the definition. CAPE (CLOAK) + RED (colour of a seasonal visitor’s coat). |
| 2 | ARENA – Theatre is the definition. AREA (neighbourhood) with N (new). |
| 3 | KEEP TABS ON – Definition is monitor and it’s an anagram (upset) of POKES A BENT. |
| 4 | ROTATE – Be like Turner is your nice definition for this splendid clue. OR (reversed) + TATE (gallery). |
| 6 | NORWICH – Another lovely, but sadly inaccurate clue. City is your definition. NO + R (river) +W (with) + I (one) + CH (church). |
| 7 | WHEAT – Corny stuff is the droll definition! W (source, i.e. first letter of wild) + HEAT (passion). |
| 10 | PUT A STOP TO – To scotch is your definition. An anagram (drunken) of POP AT STOUT. |
| 14 | MUSTANG – Horse is the definition. MUG (rob) with STAN (Ollie’s companion, as in Laurel and Hardy). |
| 16 | REORDER – Make fresh demand is the definition. R.E. (Religious education) + ORDER (class). |
| 17 | ANTHEA – Girl is the definition. Made up of three different direct/indirect articles. |
| 18 | BOSOM – Bust is the definition with the opposite to it in an economic sense (BOOM) with S (last letter of Riches) inside. |
| 25 | KNEEL – Prepare to pray with the word being a homophone of a boy’s name (NEIL). |
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