I solved all but one clue in 10 minutes but then lost another 2 trying to work out the last one in at 10ac. That’s the only unfamiliar word, I think, though there is a somewhat obscure meaning in another answer (3dn) that may give pause for thought. This is Joker’s second puzzle within the last five, which is somewhat unusual for any setter.
definitions {deletions} [indicators]
|
Across |
|
|---|---|
| 1 | Isn’t editor after power – or after being decorated? (7) |
| PAINTED – P (power), AIN’T (isn’t – slang), ED (editor) | |
| 7 | Fish seen in a circle is staggering (7) |
| REELING – EEL (fish) inside RING (circle) | |
| 9 | Because religious education is genuine (7) |
| SINCERE – SINCE (because), RE (Religious Education) | |
| 10 | Remove expert content from job in workplace badly (7) |
| DESKILL – DESK (workplace), ILL (badly). This is not a word that came readily to mind so it was my last one in and responsbile for missing my 10 minute target. | |
| 11 | Communist points as delivered in broadcast (4) |
| MARX – Sounds like [as delivered in broadcast] “marks” (points) | |
| 12 | Cereal can go rotten in space (9) |
| CLEARANCE – Anagram [go rotten] of CEREAL CAN | |
| 14 | Created a cross to bury right in plot (9) |
| INTERBRED – INTER (bury), R (right) inside BED (plot). ‘Cross’ as in crossbreed or hybrid. | |
| 16 | Visit clubs with everybody (4) |
| CALL – C (clubs – cards), ALL (everybody) | |
| 17 | Pair invested in one mint stamp (7) |
| IMPRINT – I (one), then PR (pair) inside MINT | |
| 20 | Where performance needs watching in great heat recently (7) |
| THEATRE – Hidden inside {grea}T HEAT RE{cently} | |
| 21 | Takes turning after motorway in error (7) |
| MISTAKE – M1 (motorway), anagram [turning] of TAKES | |
| 22 | Dish up more ice (7) |
| RESERVE – Double definition, the first being cryptic and possibly requiring a hyphen | |
|
Down |
|
| 1 | Dim Tories’ MEP working for PM (4,8) |
| POST MERIDIEM – Anagram [working] of DIM TORIES’ MEP gives us the Latin term for afternoon | |
| 2 | Topless Italian male worker is lacking in awareness (8) |
| IGNORANT – {s}IGNOR (topless Italian male), ANT (worker) | |
| 3 | Fall heavily? Proper to get up (4) |
| TEEM – MEET (proper) reversed [to get up]. This meaning of ‘meet’ may not be familiar to all. I first came across it in a response in The Book of Common Prayer, ‘For it is meet and right so to do’. On edit: Having read the first comment below perhaps I should have added re ‘fall’ = ‘teem’ that this is a UK usage with reference to the flow of water, and in particular, rain which can ‘teem’ or even ‘teem down’. | |
| 4 | Drive on verge to clear mud (6) |
| DREDGE – DR (drive), EDGE (verge) | |
| 5 | Made sure rough is restrained (8) |
| MEASURED – Anagram [rough] of MADE SURE | |
| 6 | I’m moving backwards in reversing car (4) |
| MINI – I’M reversed, IN reversed | |
| 8 | Turn learner and study, do what Jason wanted (6,6) |
| GOLDEN FLEECE – GO (turn), L (learner), DEN (study), FLEECE (do – as in ‘swindle’), with reference to the Greek myth in which Jason and his Argonauts set out to find this symbol of authority and kingship. | |
| 12 | Cold – like to be dressed in Aran knitwear (8) |
| CARDIGAN – C (cold), then DIG (like) inside [dressed in] ARAN | |
| 13 | It’s unimportant what would be left if the universe disappeared (2,6) |
| NO MATTER – Two meanings, the second being cryptic | |
| 15 | Rat takes tail off another riverside creature (6) |
| ROTTER – {another}R [tail off], OTTER (riverside creature). I always like this word as it conjures up memories of the great Terry-Thomas. | |
| 18 | Happen to approve soccer move (4) |
| PASS – Triple definition | |
| 19 | Result of missing order in army canteen (4) |
| MESS – Two meanings, the first being cryptic | |
A good workout and there’s always a satisfaction to actually completing it (shade under 15 minutes).
Oh well better luck tomorrow, when hopefully my brain will be working properly!
The mountain sheep are sweeter
But the valley sheep are fatter
And so we deem’d it meeter
To carry off the latter.
In a mad moment I thought I would try the main crossword and was amazed to find I could get all the answers bar one (8 down)though admittedly I had to check a few obscure words on Google. So like everything it seems it does get easier with practice and when you know the ‘rules’.
I’ll be following in lisiate16 footsteps, as I’ve yet to try my luck with the 15×15 today. I’ve been finishing a few of late (though in well short of the times set by the “pros”), so it will interesting to see what happens.
All but one, today. Didn’t know TEEM or meet, so very glad for the explanation, thanks!