Solving time: None recorded
I solved this one while on holiday, so I didn’t do it against the clock. It seemed quite straight-forward at the time with some good clues.
There was what can only be a mistake by the setter at 55a with an anagrist that doesn’t quite match the solution, but no other problems.
cd = cryptic def., dd = double def., rev = reversal, homophones are written in quotes, anagrams as (–)*, and removals like this
1 | PAN + DEMON + |
7 | STAFF OF LIFE – dd |
13 | CENTRE OF ATTENTION – The centre of |
14 | AF(O/O)T |
15 | U + |
16 | ASPERITY = A + SPY about TIRE rev |
17 | ACT + AEON – He was a hunter in Greek mythology who was transformed into a stag by the Gods and torn apart by his own hounds. |
19 | E + MA + NATION |
21 | SAN(CT)ITY |
23 | DATA = A TAD rev |
25 | AR + ABS |
27 | DRIPPY = HIPPY with H replaced by DR |
28 | N + IN + C(O + MP)OOP |
30 | DE(FEAT)ED |
31 | BREATHING SPACE = (BEER’S A NIGHTCAP)* |
34 | CURRENT ACCOUNT – dd |
35 | FREE PORT |
38 | ROLLED GOLD – The central feature of |
40 | BREECH = R |
41 | SCH + MO |
43 |
|
44 | DO + NATIVE |
45 | MORATORIA = AIM rev about ORATOR |
48 | P |
49 | DECADE + N |
50 | LA(VI)SH |
53 | PROMO = PRO (for) + MO (Medical Officer, someone to provide a health service) |
54 | GREGORIAN CALENDAR = (GIRL ONCE ARRANGED A)* |
55 | RESPECTABLE = (A PLEB RECAST)* – at least I’m sure that’s what it’s supposed to be, but there are too many As and not enough Es. |
56 | ELEPHANTINE = (HELPIN |
Down | |
---|---|
1 | PICTURE + CARD |
2 | NONE + S |
3 | ETRURIA = ET + RU + AIR rev |
4 | OBOL = O + LOB rev |
5 | IN ABSENTIA = (A BIT INSANE)* |
6 | MOTHER SUPERIOR – cd |
7 | SENTI |
8 | AMITY = A + MY! (goodness) about IT |
9 | F(ANT + ASTI)C |
10 | FLATT |
11 | IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER – dd |
12 | EATING APPLE – dd – a reference to the Fall of Adam & Eve in the Garden of Eden |
18 | WILD WEST – a ‘Wordplay in solution’ type of clue, stew = (WEST)* |
20 | A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS – dd |
22 | TAICHI = AI (Excellent) + CH (children) all in TI |
24 | SMASHERS = MASHER (old dandy) in S x2 – I hadn’t come across this meaning of ‘masher’ before. It would appear to be a sort of male sexual predator, which isn’t quite the same as a dandy, but maybe the definition has changed. |
26 | SPA + CEMEN |
29 | BANNER HEADLINE – cd |
32 | NORTHERN = NORTH + E |
33 | SCILLA = ALL IS rev about C |
34 | CARBON PAPER – cd |
36 | TROJAN HORSE – A ‘hack’ is an old horse, and a Trojan Horse is a type of virus that a computer hacker might create. |
37 | P(ER + MAN)ENCE |
39 | GOOD + |
42 | DISC + LOSE |
46 | TRADE-IN = ED rev in TRAIN |
47 | ST + ROBE |
49 | DWEEB = BEE + W |
51 | INDRI = INDI |
52 |
|
* It appeared in January’s Club Monthly but clearly didn’t satisfy the unfathomable criteria my brain uses for determining what to remember.
> ETRUREA. I had to figure out the wordplay to get this one, so it must have been a typo. As the country was only very vaguely familiar to me the mis-spelling didn’t leap out at me when I checked my answers.
> GREGORIAN CALENDER. This obviously didn’t leap out at me either, although it certainly should have done. Nul points.
Edited at 2014-04-19 07:56 pm (UTC)
Well spotted with the clue for RESPECTABLE – it certainly looks wrong to me, but I’d missed the error until I read your blog entry.
Also I’m sure you’re right about FLATTY: ODO defines “court shoe” as “a woman’s plain, lightweight shoe that has a low-cut upper, no fastening, and typically a medium heel”; and if you google images of court shoes, there are practically none without very definite heels.
Edited at 2014-04-20 11:43 pm (UTC)