Times Cryptic 27974

63 comments on “Times Cryptic 27974”

1. I somehow knew ELASTOMER, and worked back from that to the wordplay. I wondered about ‘dinghy’, but assumed LASER was a type of one; bad enough if it was, but a trademark? Flung in TOAD from the hyphens, not understanding the clue, and not knowing beforehand what kind of dish it is. DNK ‘chuck it down’. I liked LOI LUSTRE.
2. No problems. I biffed ELASTOMER and so never bothered to check the wordplay, although I have been in a laser many decades ago, so I knew it. I biffed TOAD-IN-THE-HOLE from “battered bangers” so another I didn’t bother to decode in detail.
3. Mostly straightforward, but I felt lucky to know MEET, ELASTOMER, and TOAD-IN-THE-HOLE, if not others. Special thanks to Jack for parsing the last two, as I’d never have heard of a LASER dinghy or a ‘hoarding’ in that sense.
4. …and, like everyone else, I biffed toad-in-the-hole and elastomer. They should really retire toad-in-the-hole, it is just too obvious from the enumeration.

   I had to think a little about cenotaph, expectant, and teem – I was fooled by the literals for the last two.

   1. CENOTAPH actually came up a month or two ago and caused a DNF for me I believe.
5. Indeed easy, made harder by typing in BBUCKETLOD without noticing. Knew both elastomer and Laser (though not that it was a trademark), but couldn’t parse TOAD – even as a keen golfer. I’d say expecting rather than expectant, but the cryptic was definitive. We have “with” cluing “and” twice in the same puzzle. COD destroyer, though I can’t imagine it needed much repair.
   Thanks setter and blogger.

   Edited at 2021-05-11 02:58 am (UTC)

   1. I had GULP confidently entered for 8D (a plug is a fitting, after all), so bunged in EXPECTING without a pause, then wondered why 7D and 10A refused to yield! All became clear when I revisited 4A and looked for the soldier. Gill D
6. This seemed it might be quick for me when VIA and EGG went straight in then I was immediately able to get OVOID. It was somewhat of a biff-fest from then on, even for the one slightly unusual word in ELASTOMER. I’m in the camp that knew laser as a boat though the dinghy threw me slightly as I’ve always thought of dinghies as small inflatable things and so it always takes a mental leap to remember they are not necessarily so — I note now that the inflatable and the more general small boat are separate definitions in Chambers.
7. Slower than others at 27 minutes. Luckily ELASTOMER jumped out at me from the grid once the crossers were in, otherwise I would have spent ages staring at those unfilled lights. I thought the same thing might happen with TEEM, my LOI, but again the gods were smiling and saved me from an alphabet trawl.

   I like the word VISITATIONS with its biblical overtones. As for 4d, maybe now is the time for a new ERIC; ‘the Red’ perhaps?

   Thanks to setter and Jack

8. 13.13 so a bit niftier than yesterday. Initially put in expecting rather than expectant and sloppily thought that gave gulp at 8 dn. Fortunately, recognised my folly early enough to keep the momentum going. 27 ac reminded me of the Liverpool docker nickname The Destroyer- who was always looking for a sub. And hey presto, there it was surrounding the knight at 19 ac!

   Thanks setter and blogger.

9. I imagined that Laser was a class in Olympic dinghy racing. Worked it out anyhow.
10. 17 minutes with LOI ELASTOMER fully parsed when I remembered that a LASER was also a dinghy. I’ll not sell much ice cream going at that speed. No other hold ups in what was a pleasant if unmethodical solve. COD to ECCENTRIC. I like(d) TOAD-IN-THE-HOLE too. Thank you Jack and setter.
11. A freshening Lustre mellow,
    Through all the long green fields has spread,
    His first sweet evening yellow.

    15 mins. Bunged in Toad-in-the-hole from battered bangers — but then parsed it and had a MER at Turn Over = TO. Surely we are not so impolite?
    Thanks setter and J.

    1. I had to check TO = Turn Over but it’s in some of the usual sources if not all. I think I stopped looking when I had found it in two.
12. Many biffs and a rapid bottom-up solve that stalled for quite a while at TEEM, trying to force an upside down IT into the answer. Nice to see my home making an appearance in 17D; meanwhile contemplating the childhood comfort food TOAD IN THE HOLE has made breakfast doubly enticing. COD to ITCHY for the cunning surface. Thanks setter and Jack.

    I have just discovered the Neutrinos page on the SNITCH site, which contains detailed individual breakdowns of every solver, not just the neutrinos. My admiration for Starstruck’s programming and design skills has grown by orders of magnitude. This thing is awesome, and I use the word in its fullest, non-American sense. I can now see my fastest-ever time (and anyone else’s) as well as my personal regression graph and lots more. Thanks Starstruck for a tool that is so complex and yet so simple to use — and so fascinating!

13. 14′ 02″, no problems, slowed down by not getting the right ending for ACCELER…..

    A visitor to the UK might be confused by battered bangers — in a chip shop you’d get a surprise if expecting TOAD-IN-THE-HOLE.

    Thanks jack and setter.

14. I’ve been teaching myself how to solve cryptic thanks to this fantastic blog and after a couple of years can normally finish the quick cryptic in a bout 20/30 minutes. I saw that this was apparently ‘easy’ – so thought I’d give it a go!
    I did find it very tough – but with a fair amount of assistance from the blog I completed the whole puzzle albeit. So a massive thank you to the blog writers – and huge respect to all you expert solvers.
    1. Congratulations! The first steps on a rewarding journey that never ends…
    2. Welcome to the 15×15, vexetque, it’s always good to hear from QC-ers who have found the blogs helpful in moving across. Hope you will attempt more of them now.
15. Pretty much like all the rest
    I found this a reasonable test
    Nothing too obscure
    And no birds for sure
    DESTROYER the clue I liked best
16. Excuse me but what does DBE mean?
    1. Definition by example, not the most popular clue format here.
    2. Definition by example.
       There is a glossary you can get to by clicking something up top.
       On an IPad I think you need to go to Categories, then Links from the top Times-Xwd menu if that makes sense.

       Edited at 2021-05-11 07:09 am (UTC)

       1. I’m sure the Glossary is there staring me in the face, but I can’t find it (you’d think it would be under ‘About this blog’, but that doesn’t get me there). I’ve found out some very interesting things, but wanted to say something about DBEs and wasn’t sure if it had already been said.

          It seems that people use the term whether it is indicated or not. I have always understood that so long as it is indicated (by ‘maybe’ or ‘perhaps’ or some such) then that’s fine; if it isn’t indicated then that’s a Bad Thing.

          1. Found it now. Yes it was obvious enough.

             I quite agree with what it says, but perhaps if people use the term DBE they ought to say whether or not the setter is breaking what some regard as the rules.

             1. Rules! What rules? The whole beauty of Crosswordland is there are no rules. No constitution. I have been participating for nigh on sixty-years and the setters ever push the boundaries. And why ever not!?
                No product names, no anagrams of foreign words, no persons extant, no VAR, no enjoying oneself! The ref is rarely heard from except on Sundays when Mr. Riddlecombe turns up on occasion.
                It really is what you will!
                1. I knew that if I said ‘the rules’ then a lot of people would complain, so I was careful to say ‘what some regard as the rules’. But I don’t think that stretching the boundaries is quite the same thing as enjoying oneself. There are plenty of excellent setters who provide enjoyment without going against convention.
17. ….failed to spell BUCKETLOAD correctly and didn’t check afterwards.

    Otherwise, only a few unfamiliarities — ELASTOMER, meet (as fitting)

18. 37 mins so easyish today. Held up by ROGUE, although I was sure it had to be, I could not see why. COD to the IKEA (thanks Horryd) -like clue BUCKETLOAD, which, if applied to rain, we have in spades at present. I was unsure about ELASTOMER too but worked it out from the wp. Thanks Jack and setter.
19. 6:58. No problems today. I’m not any kind of sailing fan but for some reason I remember Ben Ainslie dominating the Laser class at the Sydney Olympics over twenty years ago.
20. …. and entered correctly.

    Initially I had accelerendo but before submitting I took the trouble to check the wordplay. And lo, I spotted how close I had come to being skewered by a bad end. So I came here to gloat over the undoubted carelessness of less forensic solvers who had not shown my fastidious attention to detail. And how many of you have I counted that were snared by the pitfall I so skilfully avoided? Answer came there — none!

    1. I did have accelerated for a few seconds, before toad in the hole came along, if that helps at all?
       Still has an A not an E where it counts, though ..
21. Very quick today. I have sailed laser dinghies in the past so no problems there. Yes it is a trademark, but so are most sailing yacht classes.
22. I’m terribly sorry, I didn’t parse either ELASTOMER or TOAD-, so probably shouldn’t comment. Nevertheless, I rather think Laser is by now as much of a trademark as Hoover, though I note (from Wiki) there has been much legislation on the matter by the original designer.
    Otherwise 13.20 for a pleasant enough puzzle. My entry for ROGUE started as ROUGE, which might be considered non-standard for a plant. And I spent quite a while wondering why I might be expected to know what the German for “restless” was and how I would fit etwasligkeit into the space available.
    Does a BEVELed edge slope? I suppose it does.
    Fine blog, full of wise saws and modern instances
23. 10:52. LOI LUSTRE. A pleasant start to the day. I liked STABLEMATE for the chess piece preventing the draw.
24. My response – 8dn (Cats & Dogs) Like Jack, I gained from the ultimate line of the Sursum Corda – (from the BCP) to give it its proper name. My Time was 32 mins.

    FOI 6dn CENOTAPH

    LOI 20dn VELOUR

    COD 7dn ACCELERANDO what a lovely word – opposite to RALANTANDO and RITARDANDO. Any more, Jack?

    WOD LASER, prevalent on The Norfolk Broads. Like ‘Hoover’ the trade mark element has long gone. Designed c. 1970 by Ottawan Bruce Kirby of Bruce Kirby Marine. Occam’s Razor – Kirby’s Laser!

    Rose, I did not invent IKEA – I believe the Great Lord Galway did? Jack? (IKEA delivered unto to me new ‘Billie’ shelves on the week-end.)

    Edited at 2021-05-11 09:08 am (UTC)

25. With the wife jabbering in the background – so you can take five minutes off that! I saw battered bangers and knew the answer was toad-in-the-hole without reading the rest. That’s biffing. Elastomer was a guess, but I knew of the Lasers. My Dad built a Mirror dinghy back in the 70s, from a kit promoted by the daily mirror I think. Not quite in the same league, but a good starter-boat.
    1. Oh these wives, they will jabber. Actually husbands do it too although mine is well-trained!
26. 20 mins
    Another pleasant solve.
    Thanks, jack.
27. I was about to go to bed last night when I realised I hadn’t done yesterday’s puzzle, and as it was Monday, I thought it wouldn’t keep me up too long. Although it did, indeed, only take 10 minutes, I was still surprised to discover I was 4th on the leaderboard, which suggested either a faulty clue or a very unexpected over-achievement on my part. Sadly the mundane truth was that I’d accidentally been really early for this puzzle instead of very late for yesterday’s…anyway, it was a perfectly pleasant solve with nothing to keep me awake once I put my head down
28. I prefer to say ‘unsociable’ for ‘withdrawn’ To me, ANTISOCIAL means ASBO-candidate, the opposite of withdrawn.
    1. I’m with you Joe, but after debating this with a friend last year I found out that it can now also mean unsociable. Thus proving that if enough people use a word wrongly it becomes right 🤷
       1. I’m both. Therefore doubly blessed. Mr Grumpy
29. 
    Oh,THAT Whitehall edifice!

    Fairly gentle Somehow dredged up Laser from the deep and this got me ELASTOMER. Several nice clues but COD was the elegantly economical LUSTRE.

    Thanks to Jack and the setter.

30. I began via VIA, and then put in a BUCKETLOAD of answers in ACCELERANDO mode. I was EXPECTANT of a reasonably quick time and was ITCHY to submit and find out whether I had any ROGUE entries. Fortunately the grid was TEEMing with green squares. 17:56. Thanks setter and Jack.
31. Kept expecting the catch but it didn’t come. Several biffs like ELASTOMER and TOAD IN THE HOLE didn’t bother to parse.
32. No unknowns and a frictionless solve from BEVEL to EGG in 11 mins, which is about as fast as I go.
33. A gentle Tuesday, very slightly under 5 minutes. TOAD IN THE HOLE is my favourite meal, so I’m always delighted to see it in a crossword – although it has now made me hungry.
34. …with slow keyboard, so must have been pretty easy. Indeed, found it straightforward enough. Give shout out for the neat IRON MEN in the middle of the green word. Thanks to blogger and setter.
35. Raced through this getting excited that it could be a personal best (i.e. under about 35 minutes) which it was until I was left with 8dn which, even after an alphabet trawl for both vacant lights, I just could not see. Entered tied because it had an upside down ‘it’.
    Had heard of laser even though not a sailor. Had not heard of nacre consciously but was sure it was in there somewhere. No idea of the parsing of toad in the hole so thanks for that and all the others.
36. 13.37. Not too much thought required to put this one away. A pretty much top-to-bottom solve. LOI the unfamiliar elastomer but when tom went in the rest seemed to suggest itself, probably from a combination of polymers and elastic.
37. 25m today, but oddly it felt like a longer solve than that. A few hesitations over the buttons and the rubber but overall a very pleasant puzzle. Thank you, setter, more please! Thanks, Jack, for the enlightenment as ever.
38. but didn’t feel as easy as it should have been. Or something.

    Got a bit held up by ENVIRONMENTAL, and I had bunged in COIN from “Firm” and “cash”, which made DESTROYER take longer than it should. I liked FREE SPIRIT.

    17:26.

39. Finished before lunch; 17:41 online after a few minutes on paper. Less than 30 minutes in all.
    LOI was ISLANDER where I struggled not knowing Orcadian and nearly bunging in OLEANDER, a group of letters I know means something. ELASTOMER a confident biff.
    A fun puzzle.
    David
40. Well, the scary Spam message made me finally sign up for an account, after several years of only reading the blog.

    And on my debut – nothing to complain about! All those times I’ve shouted at the screen “HOW IS ANYONE MEANT TO KNOW THAT???”, and today I understood it all (even laser).

    Hopefully tomorrow will be full of Victorian philosophers and Greek playwrights and Italian lakes, so you can see what a moany git I really am.

41. 50 mins which may seem long but is a good time for me so I’m delighted! It was fairly straightforward really but the penny does take time to drop.
42. No major problems although I had to pick up the dictionary to check the meaning of “Nacre”.
    It’s a word that I’ve heard before — probably in crossword-land — but I had no Idea what it meant. No doubt it will slosh around uselessly in the dark recesses of my mind until it appears in another crossword one fine day.
    Thanks for the blog.
43. Straightforward after yesterday’s debacle. Like others, I took a small leap of faith on ELASTOMER, but what else could it have been? Thanks to setter and blogger.
44. ….ELASTOMER, and also ROGUE because I didn’t know the horticultural reference (I should have thought “Lonely Little Petunia in an Onion Patch” I suppose !)

    FOI EXPECTANT
    LOI LUSTRE
    COD BUCKET LOAD *
    TIME 6:56

    * How many bucketloads make a shedload I wonder !

45. FOI: 4A EXPECTANT
    LOI: 16D ELASTOMER

    Started this morning before work and forgot to ‘Pause’ on the clock, so I already had hours recorded on the clock by the time I realised my oversight. I had NHO NACRE but trusted the wordplay early on, VELOUR took a small age towards the end and again I trusted wordplay on ELASTOMER.

    Thank you, jackkt and the setter

46. How does V = See?
    1. v – vide (Latin), see, refer to
47. I’m envious of all the folk who thought this was easy peasy, as my brain just couldn’t find its groove. DNF, and left with 11ac, which I should have seen but never would have parsed; 8d – NHO MEET in this sense though I’m annoyed I didn’t see TEEM, which it’s doing outside right now; and blanks at 12d, 16d and 20d. Not helped by going for CORONA ERA for 25ac’s current period! Biffed TOAD IN THE HOLE – got it but no idea why! But hopefully, again, have absorbed something instructional from jackkt’s explanations, and Wednesday is another day. Thank you.

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