Times Quick Cryptic No 378 by Joker – Sum fun!

Solving time: Reasonable.

We have Joker along today with a pleasant balanced puzzle that didn’t prove too troublesome. lots of clues of the type I call Wordsums (definition below).

Off on my jollies tomorrow to the Lake District, I think I have asked for cover next Thursday already.

See you in a fortnight!

ACROSS

1 INFORMATION We start with a double definition where one half is cryptic. Knowledge is the ‘straight’ definition with the remainder of the clue a clue to a two word phrase which when joined together gives the answer as well.
9 ASCOT A similar clue to the first one. This time, racecourse is the definition and the remainder points at a person from the very north of the UK.
10 CHATTER Definition is ‘general conversation’. C (Caught) + HATTER (famous organiser of a fictional tea party).
11 EXONERATE This is a type of clue I describe as a Wordsum, where the answer = A + B + c.
Here EX (former) + ONE (unit) + RATE (judge) = a word meaning absolve from blame.
13 PEN Writer is the definition. PE is ’empty’ PROSE, i.e. P E without its contents! + N (new).
14 ADORATION This type of Wordsum is a subtraction! ADORATION (deep love) minus ADO gives a word meaning share.
16 STASIS Last week someone commented about these puzzles having difficult words. As a setter, it is difficult sometimes when you paint yourself into a corner and can’t avoid having something obscure. I sometimes set the General Knowledge Jumbo in a rival paper and have virtually had to go back to a blank grid on more than one occasion when I have found myself with – Z – P – H in a corner! However I suspect the rule here is that if you do find yourself having to use a difficult or unusual word, then the clue should be almost blindingly obvious. Here, if you have online software like TEA, a really good online solving aid [others are available] and enter – T – S – S, you only get a choice of two words and their plurals. There’s PTOSIS (er… what?) and STASIS (much loved by sci-fi writers). The latter is here and the clue is a double definition with the word referring to the Secret Police, i.e. STASI’S.
17 CUE The alternate letters of CRUDE (indicated by regularly) gives a sign used by actors in a play.
18 DISCREDIT Today’s LOI and today’s slap on the forehead when I realised how it worked. It’s a Wordsum. DISC (CD for example) + R (right) + EDIT (change) = DISCREDIT (make unbelievable).
21 EYEBALL And another. EYE (inspect) + BALL (grand dance) = EYEBALL (organ of the body).
23 AGATE Semi-precious stone is the definition. AG (silver) after ATE (finished off). Think I would have liked ‘earlier’ in the clue to show it went before.
24 HARDY ANNUAL This time a double definition clue, where both halves are cryptic. Quite a tough one for this type of puzzle, but it did make me smile. A year book (ANNUAL) alongside an English author (HARDY) is something you might take to (a flower) bed!

DOWN
2 NACHO Hidden in ‘SCORN A CHOCOLATE’ gives the equivalent of a chip in Mexican cuisine.
3 ON THE ROAD Another double definition. A phrase meaning where traffic can be found is also what you say when someone travels from place to place.
4 MOCHA Coffee is the definition and it is the first letters of Morning One Can Hate Awful.
5 TEA Occasionally I run workshops showing chums how to solve cryptic, and this is is a clue I use to introduce anagrams. Meal is the definition it’s an anagram (shown by unusual) of ATE.
6 OCTOPUS Another amusing cryptic definition in a wordsum clue. Something that may be said to have plenty of grip capability in the ocean is found by taking the name of a month OCT + OPUS (musical work).
7 SAFE CRACKER And another Wordsum. SAFE (harmless) + CRACKER (Xmas table item) = One who steals.
8 TRENDSETTER Encore une fois. TR (first letters of TRIES REALLY) + END (kill) + SETTER (me) = a purveyor of new ideas.
12 ENTERTAIN An anagram (in disarray) of INTERNET around (about) A gives you a word meaning to host.
15 THERESA A girl’s name is the definition. THERE’S (In that place is) + A
19 SALSA An anagram (reeling) of A LASS gives the name of a dance.
20 DRAMA Play is the definition. D (start of Diwali) + RAMA (Hindu God).
22 AID We finish with a subtraction wordsum. AIDA (Verdi opera) minus A = aid (help).

See you in a fortnight!