Hi everyone. I’m sorry for being late on parade today. Had an early appointment at the hospital that overran because of IT problems.
Time taken was a little over 12 minutes. A nice pleasant solve today with some friendly clues that should please the newer solvers, and one or two clever cryptic definitions. For the sheer effrontery, 1 down gets my vote as clue of the day, and I am sure a certain Mr Delfin in New York will be a bit outraged at our setter’s description of his orchestra!
Across | |
1 | HILLSIDE – ILL (Harm) + S (self, initially) inside HIDE (skin) – The definition is where you’d find a downward path! |
5 | CHIC – A word that seems to be appearing a lot in the puzzles I’m tackling at the moment. CHICKEN (creature) – KEN (Ken ignored) = something that means smart. |
8 | SLIPPERY – As I have previously mentioned, a question mark in a clue doesn’t always mean it’s an answer that’s required. It’s usually a way of telling you that the answer is unusual and that you need to think outside the box. Here’s a good example. We have a double definition with one part, the first being cryptic. A word that means ‘not giving you a proper foothold’ is a way of describing a certain type of footwear. An eraser may be say to be rubbery and here … |
9 | CUTE – The definition here is ‘appealing’ and you need at word that means a reduction (in price, for example) CUT and add E, (the end of sale). |
11 | ANGER – Definition is ‘strong emotion’. (D)ANGER (peril with head off. |
12 | VERSION – V (very) + an anagram (mistaken) of SENIOR gives you a word that means translation. |
13 | DARNED – A word used as a mild curse (more often in the US) can also mean having repaired your socks. |
15 | PUPILS – A double definition clue. A word that can mean parts of the human eye and people who learn |
18 | PATTERN – PATTER(the spiel used by a salesman) + N (new) gives you a word for model or template of something. |
19 | DEVON – This held me up for longer than it probably should have done. D (DIED) + evon (November, half and reversed [over]) gives the name of a place, indicated by ‘here?’ |
21 | TUNA – A NUT (an aficionado, brough back, i.e. reversed) Note the “A” used in both clue and indications. Definition is ‘fish’ ( |
22 | MARMOSET – An anagram (ruined) of MORE MATS gives you the name of a member of the monkey family. |
23 | HEAT – This is a cryptic definition for the type of wave that you get , weatherwise, during the summer. |
24 | SPINSTER – Definition here is ‘old maid’. A name (again more known in the US, I think) for ‘hair grips; PINS 9forgive me as I’ve never used them!) goes inside STER(N) [almost, i.e.e incomplete, word mening severe). |
Down | |
1 | HUSBAND – I think teazel may be getting some pretty strong mail from across the Atlantic if he or she thinks of the New York Philharmonic as a US BAND. It is, in crosswordland, of course, especially with the ‘for example’ after it. Put H (hot) in front of it, and you get the name for a (marital) partner. |
2 | LYING – A double definition here. What you possibly do if you are resting, and telling little porkies…. |
3 | SUPERSEDED – An anagram (badly) of USED SPEED with R (right) within (on the inside) gives a word that means ‘getting overtaken’. |
4 | DERIVE – Inside DRIVE (private road) goes E (final letter of LEAVE) to produce a word meaning to obtain. |
6 | HOUDINI – A simple cryptic definition for the surname of the master escapologist. |
7 | CLEAN – Double definition time again. A word which can mean completely, as in a getaway or a break; as well as being free from dirt. |
10 | GROUNDSMAN – G (good) + ROUNDSMAN (delivery driver, as in a milkman). Definition is one who works on (a) pitch in a sporting sense rather than a musical one. |
14 | ROTUNDA – Another cryptic definition – what type of building won’t have corners? |
16 | SENATOR – A hidden answer, indicated by taking part. The name of someone who sits in an Assembly, is hidden in CHOSEN, A TORY. |
17 | ENCAMP – Definition here is ‘pitch tents in’ ENC (enclosure) + AMP (a little electricity). |
18 | PATCH – C (abbreviation for about, from the Latin circa) goes inside (to enter) PATH (track) to give you a small bit of land. |
20 | VISIT – VI (a number in Rome) + SIT (take exam) gives something that means to call. |
Thanks to Teazel for a lovely solve. Today’s 15×15 wasn’t too tough today either, so you may like to have a look at that.
I’m off to wrestle with an Open University essay that was due a week ago. Thank heavens for lovely friendly, supportive tutors. See you next week!
This one was straightforward though – 13 minutes.
Biorhythms must be in tune!
Haven’t been able to access the TfTT site for most of today – is there a capacity issue?
As for the 15×15 – I’ve got most of the NW and SE but have ground to a halt.
I’ve decided that my meagre abilities are supplemented by a positive mental attitude, so having read the comments from today’s main xword, I’ll give it a miss!