Times Quick Cryptic No 114 by Mara – Nudge Nudge Wink Wink

Author   macavity123Posted on Categories Quick Cryptic
Solving time: Fairly straightforward.

One that will raise a few smiles today with one or two clues with the air of the seaside postcard about them and would probably never make the daily puzzle.

Top right corner held me up while I thought about the answer to 6 down and I hadm’t heard of 7 down as one word so was side-tracked a little but otherwise a relatively straightforward solve. An abundance of double definitions in today’s puzzle, becoming a staple of this genre of puzzle methinks!

Thanks to the setter for an enjoyable work-out. Incidentally, if any of the other bloggers have a template where I can add the clues without disrupting the format, please let me know!

Across
1 HALLUCINATORY – We start with a straightforward anagram. Delusional is the definition and the answer is an anagram (indicated by obstreporous) of RHINO ACTUALLY.
8 WOLVES – Double definition clue. The name of a famous Midlands soccer club is that of a group of creatures that hunt in a pack.
9 CURACY – Clergyman’s office is the definition, with CU (odd bits of CLUE) + RACY (exciting).
10 STAR – Another double definition clue. This time a word that means both a celebrity and something that shines brightly.
11 PHARMACY – This is what is called “a container and contents clue” in all the old manuals. PACY (quick) has HARM (abuse) inside it (shown by ‘to hide’).
12 CATER – Quite a clever clue. A word that means to provide food can be broken down into two words that both mean queen. The first is the sort of animal whose female may be called a queen and the second is the abbreviation for she who lives in Buck House (and is prob the only living person allowed in the Times Crossword – a perk that’s in her job description!)
13 INTER – Another double definition. Something that can mean to bury (as in a funeral) and is also the first half of one of the two teams from Milan, and sometimes how it is just known.
15 WELL DONE – Two definitions that again mean the same thing. A way of cooking a steak and an expression used as a way of congratulating someone.
17 PECK – The surname of a matinée idol named Gregory is also a word meaning to kiss.
19 ENIGMA – Something that means a puzzle or riddle is an anagram (tricky) of GAME IN.
20 DEEJAY – The name for a person who plays records is the name of a Scottish or Welsh river, plus the name of a bird from the crow family.
21 FEATHER DUSTER – Something that could be used as (and by) a cleaner is an anagram (could be) of DRAT! THE REFUSE.

Down
2 ALOFT – An anagram (off) of FLOAT means up in the air.
3 LEVERET – The definition here is leggy young runner, in the animal not the naughty magazine sense. Another ‘container and contents’ jobbie with a word meaning permit containing (shown by ‘to box’) something that means still, when used in a temporal sense.
4 COS – The name of a Greek island (or a lettuce) is shown by reversing (looking north – this can only be used in a down clue to show a reversal) of SO (very) + C (cold).
5 NECTARINE – Fruit is your definition. An anagram (mixed) of ENTIRE CAN.
6 THRUM – The definition here is to play the guitar, say, so you are looking for a way of playing it. This was my last one in (LOI) today, as it’s a slightly unusual word. The word for a digit on your hand, but without its last letter (shown by ‘short’), with R (right) inside.
7 RACECAR – Probably the clue is liked least today, though it was a minor grumble. A word for a vehicle that goes fast (I couldn’t find it as one word in Chambers) that is also a palindrome. Once I had the checking letters I could fill it in. it’s probably a personal thing, but I dislike clues that you have to rely on the grid to help you, rather than the wordplay. Discuss, if you like!
11 PARSONAGE – Another container and contents clue. A part of a newspaper, i.e. one sheet, (PAGE) has a type of crime (ARSON) inside it.
12 CLEANSE – The abbreviation for the Church (of England) has something that means props (up) (LEANS) inside to give a word meaning purify.
14 TOPLESS – The definition here is how you are if you wear only pyjama bottoms, and it’s an anagram (badly) of SLEPT SO.
16 LIGHT – Back to the double defintions. Something that means easy to carry is also another word for a torch.
18 CRAVE – The definition here is yearn. C (Conservative) + RAVE (party).
20 DAD – Another appearance of the palindrome. This time, like for like. A word that you could use when calling someone ‘pop’is also a palindrome.

26 comments on “Times Quick Cryptic No 114 by Mara – Nudge Nudge Wink Wink”

  1. ER also stands for Edward Rex, not to mention the first Elizabeth, so the Times haven’t really broken their rule.
  2. 5 mins. I would have been faster had I been able to see 1ac straight away, but it ended up being my LOI after I finally got THRUM for 6dn where I had wasted time trying to make “strum” work, which was very stupid as there wasn’t an “s” in the anagram fodder for 1ac. An enjoyable QC.
  3. Didn’t like it much. I expect I’m too rusty. The Z8ry today was a curate’s duck egg. I should have asked less & trusted my own judgement.

    26 mins wasn’t that bad I suppose. COD was DAD cos I got it really fast. LOI FEATHER DUSTER.

    Thanks, Macavity, for a lovely clear blog 🙂

    I’ve just signed up for some more marking so I could be EAR today & gone tomorrow. (Sic – in-joke)

    Edited at 2014-08-14 09:36 am (UTC)

  4. I strongly object to 7dn, a word that does not exist so far as any of the usual sources are concerned. It has no place in a Quickie, nor in the main puzzle for that matter.

    Aside from the distractions of thinking about that one I solved this in 12 minutes.

    1. It is in the OED but as two words. Shown in several online dictionaries but mainly American.

      Edited at 2014-08-14 09:39 am (UTC)

  5. I went up several garden paths today. With 1a was not sure which word was the definition and which was the anagram indicator so spent quite some time looking for a synonym of obstreperous without success. 6d I was looking for a small digit rather than a digit with a letter removed. 7d went in on word play, I thought it was 2 words, it was my LOI.

    Managed to finish over a couple of sittings so no time. Liked WELL DONE.

    1. Having read comments on the 15×15 blog about wanting the blog earlier in the day, I think I shall step down from the roster and let someone else do it.

      Thanks all for the support and best wishes to my successor.

      Edited at 2014-08-14 01:05 pm (UTC)

      1. This blog appeared at 10:19am according to the top of the page, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. My recommendations are and always have been “by lunchtime if possible”, and just because some people prefer to stay up, solve and blog just after midnight doesn’t mean everyone has to.

        I hope you’ll reconsider and carry on as you are.

          1. Thanks all.

            Perhaps I was being a bit thin-skinned and tetchy. Not having the best of days for several reasons and I probably should have taken a deep-breath and swore.

            Consider it forgotten. 😉

      2. Although I wasn’t the person who raised the issue, I understand that my flippant response on the matter was insensitive and uncalled for. I can only apologise to Macavity and hope that he continues to blog. I have written separately to him and to linxit about this.

        Edited at 2014-08-14 03:10 pm (UTC)

    2. No I did the same. Managed most of the rest but the Conservative party clue led me down the wrong road…. AnonK
  7. I got stuck on 8 across as I put in Hearts – a well known Scottish football team and found in a pack of cards. The wrong sort of pack.
  8. Another Hearts here but quickly saw the error so not much of a problem. VERY much disliked RACECAR as it relied on checkers too much. I even toyed with a RACOCAR which I think sounds exciting. Otherwise really enjoyed the puzzle especially CATER.
    Regarding macavity’s comment above, I have not read the 15X15 blog yet as I have not yet had time to tackle the crossword as I have 22 shirts to iron first. However, if it refers to another moan about the time of posting, I suggest that that person stops using this site. All the people who decipher and explain these crosswords have my undying gratitude and admiration as they provide endless help, entertainment and interesting comments. You have helped me macavity and I thank you.
    1. Thanks – it’s rather sad that one of the by products of these blogs is allowing people to post as ‘anonymous’. Usually these people are either dishing out abuse or grumbling unreasonably.
      1. I know it’s late in the day, but I couldn’t not put my twopennyworth in.
        So your blog is later than some people want – tough!
        Blogging answers is a thankless task and almost anyone with an ounce of decency appreciates how difficult it can be and how dedicated you have to be. Please do not be put off by a minority of naysayers who hide behind a blanket of anonymity.
        We are blessed by having some superb bloggers explaining the answers in lucid and entertaining ways and you are definitely in that class.
        Please keep up the good work.
  9. Confidence restored but had rotator for 7d which caused 11a to be playmate! However much happier today. Thanks too for blogs – Invaluable. Sarah
  10. At the top of the site on the left there is a tool to join and set up an account. It did take me a few goes as there was a hiccup on the site but I got there in the end and most people seem to find it even more straight forward than I did.
  11. Please do not stop blogging the QC. It gives us beginners a chance! I would like to leave a name but can’t find how to sign in?
  12. I supposed it might count as an easy one – certainly one I managed to finish; nice after a couple of dispiriting days… Have no problem with 7d as obviously a palindrome and with one or two letters available, it seemed simple enough. Also 8a once I had 2d. At a bit of a loose end now with no puzzle into the evening. These blogs are really helpful, would hate to lose access the experience contributed by you all – Andrew
  13. But if I make a comment from my iPad, it says my name is anonymous! How do I get a name? Thanks for the blog!

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