Times Quick Cryptic No 248 by Teazel

Author   macavity123Posted on Categories Quick Cryptic
Solving time: Above average

Morning all

Apologies for missing last week. Some very kind contractors were removing some tree roots from the car park of the sheltered housing complex I live in and severed a power cable or two. This meant a whole day without power and suchlike. Thanks to Chris for stepping in at next to no notice.

Teazel is here today with some elegant and clever clues. I think one or two may encounter a difficulty or two as there are a couple of slightly challenging constructs. Overall very enjoyable and a nice solve over breakfast.

Across
7 HASTEN – Definition is in a hurry. HAS (Reaches) TEN (double figures).
8 ATHENS – If you literally had to spell “as”, you would do so this way. This reveals a capital city that is also an anagram of 7!
9 BOUT – Fight is the definition. B (British) + OUT (Unconscious)
10 MALINGER – Exaggerate illness is the definition. MA (parent) + LINGER (hang on)
11 ESPOUSED – Adopted is the definition. An anagram (curious) of POSE + USED (exhausted).
13 SKIP – A double definition, a word meaning to jump around and a large container for rubbish.
15 SLOT – The definition is coin fits here. S (SMALL) + LOT (chance).
16 FUTILITY – Uselessness is the definition. F (fine) + UTILITY (type of room).
19 MANEATER – Cannibal is the definition. MA (AM – about, i.e. rversed). + NEATER (smarter).
20 ACNE – Sports is the definition. An anagram (being wielded) of CANE.
21 COURSE – If something is said to be “Of this”, it means naturally.
22 AVENUE – Road is the definition. A + VENUE (meeting-place).

Down
1 CAROUSEL – Luggage carrier is the definition. CAROL (girl) with USE (employment) inside, indiciated by secures.
2 STATE OF THE ART – A double definition clue with part cryptic. A way of describing condition of artwork is the same as a phrase that means cutting-edge or up to date.
3 ANIMUS – Hostility is the definition. If you reverse a word meaning add, SUM + IN + A, you get the answer.
4 BALLAD – Song is the definition. BALL (dance) + AD (notice).
5 CHINESE LEAVES – A type of cabbage, a vegetable I have never got on with. CHINESE (citizen of Beijing) + LEAVES (won’t eat).
6 ANNE – You’re looking for the name of a queen. It’s hidden inside (shown by “detained”) POLICEMAN NEVER.
12 EMU – The name of a notable currency project is that of a bird that can’t fly.
14 ISTANBUL – City is the definition. An anagram (a mess) of BLUNT IS A.
16 FITTER – The name for a gas man or mechanic is a word that can also mean they are in better shape, healthier.
17 TARTAN – Design for clan is your definition. TART (cutting, as in a remark) + A + N (new).
19 AMOK – If you asked someone how they are doing, you may get this response. When joined together the two words mean running wild.

13 comments on “Times Quick Cryptic No 248 by Teazel”

  1. 13 minutes. I agree there was some quite tricky stuff going on here, and I was held up particularly in the NW by ANIMUS and ESPOUSAL neither of which turn up that often from day to day.

    I also lost time at 19 thinking that “report” was a homophone indicator as it appears so often in that role, but of course it wasn’t on this occasion.

    I’m convinced I have seen “A THEN S” before and not that long ago, but I can’t find it by searching. Maybe it was in an Everyman.

  3. Lots of interruptions today so no time but I would agree that this was above average difficulty. Stand out wordplay deceptions in 1dn, 6dn, 19dn. LOI 21ac which I had to think long and hard about and have rationalised it to myself (whether right or wrong) as a double definition of ‘naturally’ = course being a shortened form of ‘of course’, and ‘of this duration’ = a continuous progression from one point to the next in time – e.g. the course of life.
    Although a struggle, I agree it was highly enjoyable – certainly sharpened up the little grey cells.
  4. Had ECU here – a currency unit pre-Euro which didn’t last long. No points I guess.

    Satisfying variety today, much enjoyed.

    Philip

  5. This definitely felt trickier than normal, and I finished back in the NW with the CAROUSEL/ESPOUSED crossers.
  6. The type of clues seemed different and more challenging today compared to earlier in the week but once I had got into a new mindset I managed to complete it which was very pleasing. Quite a few answers made up of two consecutive words (7ac, 16ac, 22ac, 19d). I thought ATHENS and AMOK were very clever and got held up for a time with CAROUSEL. LOI was ESPOUSED. Thanks for the blog.
  7. Very difficult to get going on this and resorted to phone app for some words. I also had ECU for the abortive currency project but now appreciate that more wordplay is needed.
  8. Definitely a knotty puzzle to break into and certainly not straightforward; it seemed to take longer than it in fact had.
    Originally I too had ECU until the more rational part of my brain took over. LOI COURSE, but it was more in hope than anything else.
  9. A tricky and very enjoyable puzzle, so many thanks to Teazel and for the blog Macavity. For a while wondered if a DNF was on the cards but, with a bit more examination of the worldplay, an answer always seemed forthcoming. Lots of very enjoyable clues e.g., 7ac, 8ac, 2dn and 19dn. LOIs were FUTILITY and EMU, in that order.

    I have to say that someone who uses Chinese LEAF/CABBAGE quite regularly in cooking (excellent in noodle dishes and Thai salads), I was at first confused as to what the answer was for 5dn. I had Chinese in mind immediately, but cabbage was in the clue and leaf clearly didn’t fit. Eventually twigged it was leaves….

  10. Too tough for me today. Didn’t get 8a or 6d. Still not sure I understand the parsing of Athens.
    Still a very enjoyable puzzle and it was good to have to work very hard to get some of the answers.
    Doh – the parsing of 8 across just clicked – great clue.
  11. Too tough for me today. Didn’t get 8a or 6d. Still not sure I understand the parsing of Athens.
    Still a very enjoyable puzzle and it was good to have to work very hard to get some of the answers.
    Doh – the parsing of 8 across just clicked – great clue.
  12. Way too difficult for a quick cryptic. No enjoyment whatsoever. I wish the Times crosswords editor would try and keep a fairly even standard. It’s been an enjoyable week until today.

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