Times Quick Cryptic 1942 by Oink

Introduction

7:02, with some dithering about 9 Across to take me over the seven-minute mark. I had intended a surprise for everyone: the plan was to live-stream not only the solving of the puzzle but the writing of this blog. In fact, I am live-streaming the very sentence you are reading as I write it, and you read it. No wait, probably not as you read it, unless you are following me on Twitch, which you may do here: https://www.twitch.tv/videos/1121710897. Sadly, my solve stream was interrupted after only a few minutes, but you can watch that here: https://www.twitch.tv/videos/1121701558.

In any case, I can promise that two Wednesdays hence, you can tune in for what will undoubtedly be a special and slightly boring treat.

Head to https://www.twitch.tv/plusjeremy and Follow me so you can be notified when I go live. Also consider following the esteemed blogger Verlaine, who streams at https://www.twitch.tv/opheliafailure.

Solutions

A brief summary of cryptic crosswords —feel free to skip— :

• Each clue has at least one “definition”: an unbroken string of words which more-or-less straightforwardly indicates the answer. A definition can be as simple as a one-word synonym; but it can also be a descriptive phrase like ‘I’m used to wind’ for REEL or SPOOL. A definition by example must be indicated by a phrase like ‘for example’, or, more commonly, a question mark (?). Thus ‘color’ is a definition of RED, while ‘red, for example’ or ‘red?’ are definitions of COLOR. Punctuation is otherwise irrelevant. Proper nouns will appear capitalized, but otherwise capitalization is irrelevant as well.
• Each clue may also have an unbroken string of words which indicates the answer through wordplay, such as: using abbreviations; reversing the order of letters; indicating particular letters (first, last, outer, middle, every other, etc); placing words inside other words; rearranging letters (anagrams); replacing words by words that sound alike (homophones); and combinations of the above. This is by no means an exhaustive list, but the general theme is to reinterpret ordinary words as referring to letters, so that for example ‘lion’s head’ indicates the first letter of LION: namely, L.
• Definitions and wordplay cannot overlap. The only other words allowed in clues are linking words or phrases that combine these. Thus we may see, for example: “(definition) gives (wordplay)” or “(definition) and (definition)” or “(wordplay) is (definition)”.
• The most common clues have either two definitions, or one definition plus wordplay, in either order. But a single, very misleading definition is not uncommon, and very occasionally a definition can also be interpreted as wordplay leading to the same answer. Triple definitions (and more) are also possible.

My conventions in the solutions below are to underline definitions (including a defining phrase); put linking words in [brackets]; and put all wordplay indicators in boldface. I also use a solidus (/) to help break up the clue where necessary, especially for double definitions without linking words.

Here is a Glossary of all the wordplay indicators and abbreviations in this puzzle.

Glossary

Wordplay indicators

Abbreviations and little bits

Across

7   Sikh cafe cooking your supper? (8)
FISHCAKE = anagram of SIKH CAFE

8   Reminder [of] the code word for an E (4)
ECHO = double definition

9   The Speaker’s flummoxed, displaying weakness (6)
FLAWED = homophone of FLOORED

10   Former wife finishing with Bill? Spot on (5)
EXACT = EX + ACT
Do I have it right that a bill is an example of an ACT, so that the question mark is necessary here?

11   Sad when daughter goes? [That’s] personal (3)
OWN = DOWN without D

12   Trainee in / the wrong from time to time (6)
INTERN = IN + odd-numbered letters of THE WRONG

14   Club [for] AA member? (6)
DRIVER = double definition
The question mark is necessary here because a driver need not be an AA member. (Definition by example.)

16   Woman in Madrid[’s] preposterous reason (6)
SENORA = anagram of REASON

18   Reportedly excluded / Italian, a crook (6)
BANDIT = homophone of BANNED + IT

19   Airline covering up a beastly cry (3)
BAA = B.A. around A
British Airways, that is.

20   Poet [has] house by river (5)
HOMER = HOME + R

21   Good-looking chap holding article from Copenhagen? (6)
DANISH = DISH around AN
Definition by example! I mean, Definition by example?

23   The smallest one[’s] somewhat disgruntled (4)
RUNT = hidden in DISGRUNTLED
Your Oink clue of the OSI (Oink Setter Interval).

24   Dislike analyst’s initial / interpretation (8)
AVERSION = first letter of ANALYST + VERSION

Down

1   Force [of] evil once let loose (8)
VIOLENCE = EVIL ONCE anagrammed

2   Female elephant scoffing hot dog (4)
CHOW = COW around H
Apparently, a COW is a female elephant. For me, CHOW was the only dog I could think of with an H in it.

3   What prisoner might long for, / eh? (6)
PARDON = double definition
This was my favorite clue. It might be a chestnut, but I’d never heard of it, and I was fooled until the penny dropped.

4   Fed up / with border guard (6)
DEFEND = FED reversed + END

5   Crackpot oriental aunt? (8)
RELATION = anagram of ORIENTAL
Another definition by example?!

6   Gossip [with] Jean-Paul Sartre’s feline friend? (4)
CHAT = double definition
CHAT is French for ‘cat’. Another definition by example?!?! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLgJvqyZNjs

13   Outrage [of] Tory men I abused (8)
ENORMITY = TORY MEN I anagrammed

15   Leak [from] European / delegation (8)
EMISSION = E + MISSION

17   A / body of water overseas (6)
ABROAD = A + BROAD
Chambers has the second definition of ‘broad’ (noun) as “(in East Anglia) a lake-like expansion of a river”.

18   Harry, / a character in Wind in the Willows (6)
BADGER = double definition
A plate of fried ham had just been cleared and sent back for more, when the Badger entered, yawning and rubbing his eyes, and greeted them all in his quiet, simple way, with kind enquiries for every one.

20   Beautiful woman ignoring one [for] a time (4)
HOUR = HOURI without I

22   Inquisitive boss regularly / visiting New York (4)
NOSY = every other letter of BOSS inside N.Y.