Here’s this week’s Times Jumbo Cryptic Crossword for any crossword nuts out there, along with explanations of my solutions. This was a noticeably easier puzzle than the previous few. It’s either that or I’ve found a setter I’m in tune with. This sometimes happened when I used to do The Guardian cryptic crossword during lunch breaks, back when I used to have such things as lunch breaks. Some setters’ puzzles I could do in the space of three cigarettes, back when I used to smoke such things as cigarettes. The fondly-remembered Araucaria, however, was a setter who would stump me every time – I’d be lucky to solve more than a handful of his clues. The Times don’t seem to credit their setters, which is a shame.

Anyway, enough misty-eyed blathering. Herewith my solution.

Across clues

1. Smash-hit person who sells more albums than anyone else, say? (6-7)

Answer: RECORD-BREAKER. As you can see, the solution satisfies the hints in the clue.

8. Withdraws bad marks (9)

Answer: SCRATCHES. Solution satisfies both “withdraws” and “bad marks”.

13. Flap, being emotional in extremis after drink (5)

Answer: LAPEL (i.e. “flap”). Solution is EL (i.e. “emotional in extremis”, i.e. the first and last letters – the extremes – of the word “emotional”) preceded by (i.e. “after”) LAP (i.e. “drink”), like so: LAP-EL.

14. Men going round part of church taking time, as one might normally expect (2,7)

Answer: ON AVERAGE (i.e. “as one might normally expect”). Solution is OR (i.e. “men”, specifically “other ranks” in the military… I can hear the internet sharpening their knives already) surrounding (i.e. “going round”) NAVE (i.e. “part of church”), then followed by (i.e. “taking”) AGE (i.e. “time”), like so: O(NAVE)R-AGE.

15. Order the whole lot to go to battle site (7)

Answer: SUMMONS (i.e. “order”). Solution is SUM (i.e. “the whole lot”) followed by MONS (i.e. “battle site” – The Battle of Mons was an early battle of the First World War)

16. Club prices to change – it’s an element of economic management (6,6)

Answer: PUBLIC SECTOR (i.e. “an element of economic management”). “Change” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of CLUB PRICES TO.

17. Goods in cube, wrapped in cheap paper, in iron case (10)

Answer: FREIGHTAGE (i.e. “goods”). Solution is EIGHT (i.e. “cube”, i.e. a cube number, in this case 2 x 2 x 2 = 8) surrounded by (i.e. “wrapped in”) RAG (i.e. “cheap paper”, as in a cheap newspaper) which is itself surrounded by FE (i.e. “in iron case”, Fe is the chemical symbol of iron), like so: F(R(EIGHT)AG)E. A valid, albeit slightly overengineered clue.

18. Fire ultimately provided in one prison when it’s very cold (3,3)

Answer: ICE AGE (i.e. “when it’s very cold”). Solution is E (i.e. “fire ultimately”, i.e. the last letter of the word “fire”) placed in (i.e. “provided in”) I CAGE (i.e. “one prison”) like so: IC(E)AGE.

19. After prayer, maybe render hymn that’s well liked (8)

Answer: PLEASING (i.e. “well liked”). Solution is PLEA (i.e. “prayer”) followed by SING (i.e. “render hymn” – I guess not many words ended with “hum-hum-hum” or “stare at the stained glass windows”).

21. Not connected to e.g. Oxford? (6)

Answer: UNSHOD. The solution hangs on Oxford being a type of shoe, and so to not be connected to an Oxford is to be “unshod”.

24. Audacity? It is, briefly, to nick vehicle for jaunts (10)

Answer: GALLIVANTS (i.e. “jaunts”). Solution is GALL (i.e. “audacity”) followed by IT’S (i.e. “it is, briefly”) wrapped around (i.e. “to nick”) VAN (i.e. “vehicle”), like so: GALL-I(VAN)TS.

26. Fanciful description of Ramanujan is unexpected period of flourishing (6,6)

Answer: INDIAN SUMMER. Solution satisfies both “Fanciful description of Ramanujan” and “unexpected period of flourishing”. Srinivasa Ramanujan was an Indian mathematician who lived during the British Rule of India, making him an “Indian summer”. I’ve only just looked that up, and I admit it made me smile. I thought my puns were bad.

29. Benefit through work finally (4)

Answer: PERK (i.e. “benefit”). Solution is PER (i.e. “through”) followed by K (i.e. “work finally”, i.e. the last letter of the word “work”).

30. One paid to get channels for items to be sold? (8)

Answer: PRODUCTS (i.e. “items to be sold”). Solution is PRO (i.e. “one paid”) followed by DUCTS (i.e. “channels”). For some reason, despite having the letters P_O_U_T_, it took me longer to figure this one out than most of the other clues.

31. A steerer out of control, someone grabbed by the cops? (8)

Answer: ARRESTEE (i.e. “someone grabbed by the cops”). “Out of control” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of A STEERER.

34. Mischievous like Conservative in political gathering? (8)

Answer: RASCALLY (i.e. “mischievous”). Solution is AS C (i.e. “like Conservative” – C is a recognised abbreviation of the Conservative Party) slotted in RALLY (i.e. “political gathering”) like so: R(AS-C)ALLY. Only when typing this blog did I realise my first attempt, “rascable” was not only incorrect, but it wasn’t even a word. No wonder I couldn’t get the clue to fit!)

35. Nothing right in the country? That’s one sort of view? (8)

Answer: PANORAMA (i.e. “one sort of view”). Solution is O R (i.e. “nothing right”) slotted into PANAMA (i.e. “country”), like so: PAN(O-R)AMA.

36. Seen among them, utter idiot (4)

Answer: MUTT. “Seen among” indicates the solution is hidden in the clue, i.e. THE(M UTT)ER.

39. Travel unresolved – get agitated? (2,2,2,3,3)

Answer: GO UP IN THE AIR. Solution satisfies both “travel unresolved” (i.e. “travel” – GO – followed by “unresolved” – UP IN THE AIR) and “get agitated”.

40. Cover protecting the female after protest is broken up (10)

Answer: DEMOLISHED (i.e. “broken up”). Solution is LID (i.e. “cover”) surrounding (i.e. “protecting”) SHE (i.e. “the female”) and preceded by (indicated by “after”) DEMO (i.e. “protest”), like so: DEMO-LI(SHE)D.

43. Group for the favoured few that may be a pest (6)

Answer: INSECT (i.e. “that may be a pest”). Solution is IN-SECT (i.e. “group for the favoured few”, which is riffing on the term “in-crowd”).

44. Anger facing blokes in television that’s about financial transaction (8)

Answer: VIREMENT, which is an accountancy term meaning an “authorised transference of a surplus to balance a deficit under another heading”. Don’t say I never learn you nuffink. Solution is IRE (i.e. “anger”) followed by (i.e. “facing”) MEN (i.e. “blokes”) surrounded by VT (i.e. “television that’s about”, i.e. the abbreviation TV reversed), like so: V(IRE-MEN)T.

45. Figures protecting university’s prestige (6)

Answer: STATUS (i.e. “prestige”). Solution is STATS (i.e. “figures”) wrapped around (i.e. “protecting”) U (a recognised abbreviation of “university”) like so: STAT(U)S.

49. A city endlessly lauded sadly filled with bitterness (10)

Answer: ACIDULATED (i.e. “filled with bitterness” – this seems a little at odds with my Chambers, which suggests the word means “to make slightly acid”.) “Sadly” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of A, CIT (i.e. “city endlessly”, i.e. the word “city” with the last letter removed) and LAUDED.

51. Eat these – gain energy attending functions (12)

Answer: PROFITEROLES (i.e. “eat these”, indicating food). Solution is PROFIT (i.e. “gain”) followed by E (a recognised abbreviation of “energy”) and ROLES (i.e. “functions”).

53. Full of endless craving, I was first to be exploited (3-4)

Answer: ILL-USED (i.e. “exploited”). Solution is I LED (i.e. “I was first”) wrapped around (i.e. “full of”) LUS (i.e. “endless craving”, i.e. the word “lust” with the last letter removed), like so: IL(LUS)ED.

54. Performance has elegance, we hear – one will get folk into an arena (9)

Answer: TURNSTILE (i.e. “one will get folk into an arena”). Solution is TURN (i.e. “performance”) followed by STILE (i.e. “elegance, we hear”, i.e. a homophone of “style”).

55. A community in Herts is well-informed (5)

Answer: AWARE (i.e. “well-informed”). Solution is A followed by WARE (i.e. “community in Herts”, the town of Ware is located in Hertfordshire).

56. Trade union woman, leader of Left, dealing with figures (9)

Answer: NUMERICAL (i.e. “dealing with figures”). Solution is NUM (i.e. “trade union” – specifically the National Union of Mineworkers, which is still a thing if in vastly reduced form) followed by ERICA (i.e. “woman”) and L (i.e. “leader of Left”, i.e. the first letter of “Left”).

57. Lack of elegance that is evident when no thanks are offered for meal? (13)

Answer: GRACELESSNESS. Solution satisfies both “lack of elegance” and “that is evident when no thanks…” – i.e. no saying of grace – “…are offered for meal”.

Down clues

1. Having less colour coming up, grass is getting worse (9)

Answer: RELAPSING (i.e. “is getting worse”). Solution is RELAP (i.e. “having less colour coming up”, i.e. the word PALER reversed) followed by SING (i.e. “grass”, as in to grass someone up).

2. Accomplished office assistant housed in tower (7)

Answer: CAPABLE (i.e. “accomplished”). Solution is PA (i.e. “office assistant”, i.e. a personal assistant) placed in (i.e. “housed in”) CABLE (i.e. “tower”), like so: CA(PA)BLE. I’m not 100% about this one as I cannot see how a tower can be a cable or vice versa.

3. One helps cook stretch out part of the food supply (7, 3)

Answer: ROLLING PIN. Solution satisfies both “one helps cook stretch out” and “part of the food supply”. I’m guessing the latter means a rolling pin on a conveyor belt.

4. Black parasite found in garment (6)

Answer: BLOUSE (i.e. “garment”). Solution is B (a recognised abbreviation of “black” used in chess) followed by LOUSE (i.e. “parasite”).

5. I’m one captain at sea – some hope for the slaves! (12)

Answer: EMANCIPATION, the act of setting free from restraint, i.e. “some hope for the slaves”. “At sea” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of I’M ONE CAPTAIN.

6. University maiden may be sounding faint (4,4)

Answer: KEEL OVER (i.e. “faint”). Solution is KEEL (i.e. “university…may be sounding”, i.e. a homophone of Keele University in Staffordshire) followed by OVER (i.e. “maiden” – a maiden over in cricket is one where the batting team scores no runs).

7. Old coin not counterfeit (4)

Answer: REAL. Solution satisfies both “old coin” (a real was an old Spanish coin) and “not counterfeit”).

8. Formally admitting wickedness, inwardly sporting (8,2)

Answer: SWEARING IN (i.e. “formally admitting”). Solution is SIN (i.e. “wickedness”) with WEARING (i.e. “sporting”) placed inside (i.e. “inwardly”), like so: S(WEARING)IN.

9. Country game needing short pole (6)

Answer: RUSTIC (i.e. “country”). Solution is RU (i.e. “game”, specifically Rugby Union) followed by STIC (i.e. “short pole”, i.e. the word “stick” with the final letter removed). This was the last clue I solved, and for a while I was teetering between “rustic” and “Russia” as both fitted the given letters and “country”. It only clicked when I finally figured out what “RU” stood for.

10. US magazine given award in accordance with well-established tradition (4-8)

Answer: TIME-HONOURED (i.e. “in accordance with well-established tradition”). Solution is TIME (i.e. “US magazine”) followed by HONOURED (i.e. “given award”).

11. One house and another being erected – a commotion (3-2)

Answer: HOO-HA (i.e. “commotion”). Solution is HO (a recognised abbreviation of “house”) followed by OH (i.e. “and another [house] being erected”, i.e. HO reversed) and A, like so: HO-OH-A.

12. Let Ben dress up unconventionally – wearing this, in drag? (9,4)

Answer: SUSPENDER BELT, an item of clothing a person in drag might wear. “Unconventionally” indicates anagram. Solution is a neat anagram of LET BEN DRESS UP.

20. Contains nuts, OK?

Answer: SANCTION (i.e. to “OK”). “Nuts” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of CONTAINS.

22. Passionate woman grabs this person to present unpalatable fact (4,5)

Answer: HOME TRUTH (i.e. “unpalatable fact”). Solution is ME (i.e. “this person”) wrapped in (inferred by “grabs”) HOT RUTH (i.e. “passionate woman”), like so: HO(ME)T-RUTH.

23. Hotel obstruction after pop politician presents brochure (8)

Answer: PAMPHLET (i.e. “brochure”). Solution is H (i.e. “hotel”, which is the letter H in the phonetic alphabet) and LET (an archaic word for “obstruction”) preceded by (i.e. “after”) PA (i.e. “pop”, both terms for “father”) and MP (i.e. “politician”), like so: PA-MP-H-LET.

25. Incentive to delve into birds and plants (9)

Answer: LARKSPURS (i.e. “plants”). Solution is SPUR (i.e. “incentive”) placed in (i.e. “to delve into”) LARKS (i.e. “birds”), like so: LARK(SPUR)S.

27. Reporter Rex rushed up a hill (8)

Answer: NARRATOR (i.e. “reporter”). Solution is R (i.e. “Rex”, another word for king, abbreviated) and RAN (i.e. “rushed”) reversed (indicated by “up”) and then followed by A TOR (i.e. “a hill”), like so: NAR-R-A-TOR.

28. Escape from trouble? One man up for breaking law (3,1,4)

Answer: RUN A MILE (i.e. “escape from trouble”). Solution is I MAN (i.e. “one man”) reversed (indicated by “up”) and placed in (i.e. “breaking”) RULE (i.e. “law”), like so: RU(NAM-I)LE.

29. Wandering of person half lost, say, traveller finally joining one country (13)

Answer: PEREGRINATION (i.e. “wandering”). Word of the week for me, and one where I got the solution some significant time before I got the wordplay that led to it. Here goes! Solution is PER (i.e. “person half lost”, i.e. the word “person” with the latter half removed) followed by EG (i.e. “say”, i.e. “for example”), then R (i.e. “traveller finally”, i.e. the last letter of “traveller”) and then I NATION (i.e. “one country”), like so: PER-EG-R-I-NATION. Phew!

32. Manoeuvring bear in circus – a sort of craft (5,7)

Answer: CABIN CRUISER (i.e. “a sort of craft”). “Manoeuvring” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of BEAR IN CIRCUS.

33. Government bureau not working, restricted by obvious formality (6,6)

Answer: PATENT OFFICE (i.e. “government bureau”). Solution is OFF (i.e. “not working”) placed in (i.e. “restricted by”) PATENT (i.e. “obvious”) and ICE (i.e. “formality”, i.e. a coldness of manner), like so: PATENT(OFF)ICE.

37. King, say, one mad about fighting unit (10)

Answer: REGIMENTAL (i.e. “about fighting unit”). Solution is R (i.e. “king” – another word for king, as noted earlier, is “Rex”, which can be abbreviated to “R”) followed by EG (i.e. “say”, i.e. “for example”) then I (i.e. “one”) and MENTAL (i.e. “mad”).

38. Past masters? (10)

Answer: HISTORIANS. Solution satisfies the hint dropped in the clue, i.e. people who are rather knowledgeable about the past.

41. Terrible mishaps when rubbish is dumped on plants (9)

Answer: DISASTERS (i.e. “terrible mishaps”). Solution is DIS (i.e. to “rubbish” something – both “dis” and “diss” are recognised words meaning to disrespect or to treat with contempt) followed by (i.e. “dumped on”) ASTERS (i.e. “plants”).

42. Mostly modern dance music gathers support in part of America (8)

Answer: NEBRASKA (i.e. “part of America”). Solution is NE (i.e. “mostly modern”, i.e. the word “new” with the last letter removed) and SKA (i.e. “dance music”) with BRA (i.e. “support”) in between (indicated by “gathers”), like so: NE(BRA)SKA.

46. Work on the land as prisoner wearing hat (7)

Answer: TILLAGE (i.e. “work on the land”). Solution is LAG (i.e. “prisoner”) surrounded by (i.e. “wearing”) TILE (i.e. “hat” – a tile is a slang word for a hat – not one I am familiar with, I would add), like so: TIL(LAG)E.

47. Poet’s pub – order outsiders to leave (6)

Answer: BARDIC, another word for a poetaster, or a petty “poet”. Solution is BAR (i.e. “pub”) followed by DIC (i.e. “order outsiders to leave”, i.e. the word “edict” with the first and last letters removed.)

48. Chemical drug followed by the same again (6)

Answer: ETHENE (i.e. “chemical”). Solution is E-THEN-E… E being an abbreviation of the drug “Ecstasy”, THEN the same again, E.

50. Form of belief conveyed by rabbi’s lamentation (5)

Answer: ISLAM (i.e. “form of belief”). “Conveyed by” indicates the solution is hidden in the clue, like so: RABB(I’S LAM)ENTATION.

52. Vessel burning with characters regularly escaping (4)

Answer: BRIG, a two-masted “vessel”. Solution is derived by removing regular letters from the word “burning” like so: BURNING.

Right, that’s all for now. And, yes, I know, I really, really, really should be writing.

LP.

[EDIT 24/09/2022: This Jumbo was republished in The Times Jumbo Cryptic Crossword Book 21 as grid 45. I’ve added edits to this post where clues have been changed, and where obscure clues have been solved. – LP]

Following last week’s post, here’s my completed grid for this week’s Times Jumbo Cryptic Crossword, along with explanations for the solutions where I have them. As ever with these things there were a few WTF solutions in there and a couple of clues that still leave me scratching my head, but overall this was easier than last week’s puzzle. At least it didn’t keep me up until 1am trying to solve it. And to think there are crossword kings and queens out there who can crack these things in an hour or two. Sheesh!

Across clues

1. Unfunny art park regularly shows something outstanding in white (7)

Answer: NUNATAK, a point of rock appearing above a surface of land ice, (i.e. “something outstanding in white”). If you ever needed proof that everything has to have a name, there it is. Solution is derived by removing every other letter (i.e. “regularly”) from UNFUNNY ART PACK.

5. Father’s returned with little desire for food? (8)

Answer: APPETITE (i.e. “desire for food”). Solution is AP (i.e. “father’s returned”, i.e. “pa” reversed) followed by PETITE (i.e. “little”).

9. Chap has shortly to cut weight (6)

Answer: GRAHAM, (i.e. “chap”). Solution is HA (i.e. “has shortly”, i.e. the word “has” with the last letter removed) inserted into (inferred by “to cut”) GRAM (i.e. “weight”), like so: GRA(HA)M. As noted in last week’s post, I’m never keen when the setter has to rely on given names to get the job done. It’s even worse when the entire solution is a given name.

13. Physics device compresses matter in a strange way (4, 13)

Answer: MASS SPECTROMETER (i.e. “physics device”). “In a strange way” indicates an anagram. Solution is rather a neat anagram of COMPRESSES MATTER.

14. Woody material needs straightening with edges removed (6)

Answer: LIGNIN, “a complicated mixture of substances deposited in the thickened cell walls of plants, making them rigid”, i.e. (“woody material”). So another everyday word then! The solution is ALIGNING (i.e. “straightening”) with the first and last letters removed (i.e. “with edges removed”). Needless to say this is one of those solutions I got from the wordplay rather than a deep knowledge of… er… “woody material”.

16. Dutiful round patient’s place in hospital that is not empty (8)

Answer: OBEDIENT (i.e. “dutiful”). Solution is O (i.e. “round”) followed by BED (i.e. “patient’s place in hospital”) then IE (i.e. “that is”) and finally NT (i.e. “not empty”, i.e. the word “not” with its middle letter removed).

17. An objection over a large orchestral piece? (4)

Answer: TUBA (i.e. “large orchestral piece”). Solution is A BUT (i.e. “an objection”) reversed (inferred by “over”).

18. I flirt awfully after tea – something that could get one suspended? (9)

Answer: CHAIRLIFT (i.e. “something that could get one suspended”). Solution is IRLIFT (an anagram of I FLIRT, as indicated by “awfully”) preceded by (inferred by “after”) CHA (i.e. “tea”).

20. Form of soya planted in river that’s no longer running? (3, 2, 3)

Answer: OUT OF USE (i.e. “no longer running”). Solution is TOFU (i.e. “form of soya”) inserted into (i.e. “planted in”) OUSE (i.e. “river” – the River Ouse in North Yorkshire), like so: OU(TOFU)SE.

21. Public speaker, warm and adept (11)

Answer: TOASTMASTER (i.e. “public speaker”). Solution is TOAST (i.e. “warm”, as in “as warm as toast”) followed by MASTER (i.e. “adept”).

24. Not giving in, city guards survive one (9)

Answer: INELASTIC (i.e. “not giving”). Not entirely sure about the solution for this one, but I reckon it’s IN (as in the “in” in the clue, if you get what I mean) followed by the letters EC (i.e. “city” – though quite which city I couldn’t say) wrapped around (inferred by “guards”) LAST (i.e. “survive”) and I (i.e. “one”), like so: IN-E(LAST-I)C.

25. Taking on a lecturer without work – half time (8)

Answer: ADOPTION (i.e. “take on”). Solution is A DON (i.e. “a lecturer”) wrapped around (inferred by “without”) OP (i.e. “work” – “op” being a recognised abbreviation for operator or operation) and TI (i.e. “half time”, i.e. the first half of the word “time”), like so: AD(OP-TI)ON.

26. Crack bringing head of safety into aircraft (4)

Answer: JEST (i.e. “crack”, as in a wisecrack). Solution is S (i.e. “head of safety”, i.e. the first letter of “safety”) placed into JET (i.e. “aircraft”), like so: JE(S)T.

29. Philharmonic took in composer audibly a lover of French timbres? (11)

Answer: PHILATELIST, a stamp collector. Solution satisfies the wordplay in both “Philharmonic took in composer” and “a lover of French timbres”. Regarding the former, the solution reads PHIL-ATE-LIST, i.e. Phil (short for “Philharmonic”) ate (i.e. “took in”) list (i.e. a homophone (inferred by “audibly”) of composer Franz Liszt’s surname). Regarding the latter, the French for stamp is “timbre”, so solution is a lover of stamps.

31. Notes country is keeping one Conservative and tame (11)

Answer: DOMESTICATE (i.e. to “tame”). Solution is DO and ME (i.e. “notes”, taken from the do-re-me-fa-so-la-te scale – your spellings may vary from those of the setter!) followed by STATE (i.e. “country”) wrapped around (inferred by “keeping”) I (i.e. “one”) and C (i.e. “Conservative”, C being a recognised abbreviation of the Conservative Party), like so: DO-ME-ST(I-C)ATE.

33. Get annoyed with aim for decoration (11)

Answer: NEEDLEPOINT (i.e. “decoration”). Solution is NEEDLE (i.e. “get annoyed”) followed by POINT (i.e. “aim”).

36. Leave – it holds wild panic for one who’s involved (11)

Answer: PARTICIPANT (i.e. “one who’s involved”). Solution is PART (i.e. “leave”) followed by IT wrapped around an anagram of PANIC (i.e. “it holds wild panic”), like so: PART-I(CIPAN)T.

38. Twisting old street in Paris – and what one needs to buy there (4)

Answer: EURO, the currency used in France. Solution is an anagram (indicated by “twisting”) of O (a recognised abbreviation of “old”) and RUE (i.e. “street in Paris” – the French for street is “rue”).

39. Overstep the mark and move twelve inches back, right? (2, 3, 3)

Answer: GO TOO FAR (i.e. “overstep the mark”). Solution is GO (i.e. “move”) followed by TOOFA (i.e. “twelve inches back”, i.e. the letters of “a foot” reversed) and then R (a recognised abbreviation of “right”), like so: GO-TOOFA-R.

41. American male working where ships unload in remote country (9)

Answer: BOONDOCKS, a slang North American term describing wild or remote country. Solution is BO (i.e. “American male”, “bo” being an American slang word for a man) followed by ON (i.e. “working”) and DOCKS (i.e. “where ships unload”).

44. Sportsman leapt the net excitedly (11)

Answer: PENTATHLETE (i.e. “sportsman”). “Excitedly” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of LEAPT THE NET.

45. Memorise poem for discussion (8)

Answer: CONVERSE (i.e. “discussion”). Solution is CON (an archaic word meaning “study”) followed by VERSE (i.e. “poem”).

48. Crossing a line in pursuit of writer of farces (9)

Answer: TRAVERSAL (i.e. “crossing”). Solution is A and L (i.e. “a line”, “l” being a recognised abbreviation of “line”) following (i.e. “in pursuit of”) TRAVERS (i.e. “writer of farces”, specifically Ben Travers).

49. Word no peacekeepers needed (4)

Answer: NOUN, a naming “word”. Solution is NO and UN (i.e. “peacekeepers”, i.e. the United Nations). Tsk. It seems there’s nothing the Russians won’t hack these days.

50. Heaven is being trapped in a row of shops (8)

Answer: PARADISE (i.e. “heaven”). Solution is IS inserted into PARADE (i.e. “is being trapped in a row of shops”), like so: PARAD(IS)E.

52. A bachelor told to go away (6)

Answer: ABSENT (i.e. “away”). Solution is A and B (i.e. “a bachelor”, “B” being a recognised abbreviation of bachelor) followed by SENT (i.e. “told to go”).

53. I sing idiot patter, arranging conjuring tricks (16)

Answer: PRESTIDIGITATION, a sleight of hand (i.e. “conjuring tricks”). “Arranging” indicates an anagram. Solution is an anagram of I SING IDIOT PATTER. I had to dig the Chambers out for this one, though I suspected it would start with something like “prestige” thanks to the Christopher Priest novel. A great word!

54. Worker in house or outbuilding (4-2)

Answer: LEAN-TO, a shed or suchlike propped up against the side of a property (i.e. “outbuilding”). Solution is ANT (i.e. “worker”, as in a worker ant) surrounded by LEO (i.e. “house”, i.e. a division of the horoscope more often called a sign), like so: LE(ANT)O.

55. Old soldier about to finish Territorial Army feud (8)

Answer: VENDETTA (i.e. “feud”). Solution is VET (i.e. “old soldier”, short for “veteran”) wrapped around (indicated by “about”) END (i.e. “to finish”) and then followed by TA (i.e. “Territorial Army”), like so: V(END)ET-TA.

56. Colour of a red elm when worked (7)

Answer: EMERALD (i.e. “colour”). “When worked” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of A RED ELM.

Down clues

1. Some variation, perhaps, in bedroom – both upside down? (6)

Answer: NIMROD, specifically Variation IX of Elgar’s Enigma Variations. You’ll know it when you hear it. Solution is a reversal of both IN and DORM (i.e. “in bedroom”) as indicated by “both upside down”.

2. New monster turned up, killing English military designer (6)

Answer: Major Peter Norman NISSEN, who invented prefabricated huts of corrugated steel (i.e. “military designer”). Solution is N (a recognised abbreviated form of “new”) followed by ISSEN (i.e. “monster” – Nessie – “turned up” – i.e. reversed – “killing English” – i.e. remove end “E”).

3. A routine gets to be fixed over singer’s vocal range (9)

Answer: TESSITURA (i.e. “singer’s vocal range”). This was another solution I got from the wordplay rather than actually knowing the word. Solution is A RUT (i.e. “a routine”) followed by IS SET (i.e. “to be fixed”) and the whole lot then reversed (indicated by “over”).

4. Unfortunately it’ll betoken a four-dimensional concept (5, 6)

Answer: KLEIN BOTTLE (i.e. “a four-dimensional concept” – trust me, it is). “Unfortunately” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of IT’LL BETOKEN.

5. Singer taking part in abysmal Tosca (4)

Answer: ALTO, a high falsetto male voice (i.e. “singer”). “Taking part in” suggests the solution is hidden in the clue, like so: ABYSM(AL TO)SCA.

6. Sticking out in favour of underground rave (11)

Answer: PROTUBERANT (i.e. “sticking out”). Solution is PRO (i.e. “in favour of”) followed by TUBE (i.e. “underground”, specifically the London Underground rail network) and RANT (i.e. “rave”).

7. Final statement is exam – at least as far as these clues go? (3, 4, 4)

Answer: THE LAST WORD (i.e. “final statement”). As for the rest of the clue, I haven’t the foggiest idea what the setter is going on about! Anyone?

[EDIT 24/09/2022: The clue has not been edited for Book 21, but I can see the solution to this one now I’m revisiting it. The remainder of the clue is playing on how the word “exam” is THE LAST WORD of this puzzle’s clues, found at the end of 51 down. – LP]

8. Cutting song after resistance during number (9)

Answer: TRENCHANT (i.e. “cutting”). Solution is R (a recognised abbreviation for electrical resistance) with TEN wrapped around it (i.e. “during number”) and followed by CHANT (i.e. “song”), like so: T(R)EN-CHANT.

10. American line is to complain bitterly with Republican over a Democrat (8)

Answer: RAILROAD (i.e. “American line”). Solution is RAIL (i.e. “to complain bitterly”) followed by recognised abbreviations of the remaining words, i.e. “Republican Over A Democrat”.

11. Be uncertain with short tapestry on a zodiac subject (4, 2, 3, 7)

Answer: HANG IN THE BALANCE (i.e. “Be uncertain”). Solution is HANGIN (i.e. “short tapestry”, i.e. the word “hanging” with the final letter removed) followed by THE BALANCE (i.e. “a zodiac subject”, specifically Libra, the scales).

12. Check up on men having second egg to begin with (7)

Answer: MONITOR (i.e. “check”). This is another clue that has me shrugging my shoulders. I’m guessing that “men having second egg” means replacing the second letter of “men” with an O, but, frankly, after that the setter has lost me.

[EDIT 24/09/2022: Again, the clue has not been edited for Book 21, but I can see the solution now I’m revisiting this post. The answer is MONITOR (i.e. “check up on”), the solution being OR (i.e. “men”, specifically the Other Ranks of the British Army) placed after or having “to begin with” MO (i.e. “second”, short for a moment) and NIT (i.e. louse “egg”), like so: (MO-NIT)-OR. – LP]

15. Careful with parking for university being critical (8)

Answer: CAPTIOUS (i.e. “being critical”). Solution is CAUTIOUS (i.e. “careful”) with U (for “university”) replaced by P (for “parking”).

[EDIT 24/09/2022: A minor edit was made for Book 21. The clue now reads “Careful with parking for university becoming critical”. – LP]

19. Vegetable with unknown feature put in dutchie regularly (8)

Answer: ZUCCHINI, a courgette (i.e. “vegetable”). Solution is Z (i.e. “unknown” – the letters X, Y, and Z are often referred to as “unknown” in clues) followed by CHIN (i.e. “feature”) placed in UCI (i.e. “dutchie regularly”, i.e. every other letter of DUTCHIE), like so: Z-UC(CHIN)I.

22. VIP’s a bit out of date? (8)

Answer: SIXPENCE. Solution satisfies the wordplay of both “VIP” and “a bit out of date”. Regarding the latter, a “bit” is another name for a coin (e.g. a “threepenny bit”), and a sixpence is a coin no longer in circulation, i.e. “a bit out of date”. As for “VIP”, it took me ages to realise the setter had used Roman numerals, i.e. VI-p => 6p => sixpence. Well played.

23. Name eater associated originally with sardine? (13, 3)

Answer: MEDITERRANEAN SEA. And so from a great clue in 22d we come to one that is somewhat woollier. “Originally” indicates an anagram. Essentially the solution is an anagram of NAME EATER and SARDINE.

27. Surprise event is had with European paper (8)

Answer: TREATISE (i.e. “paper”). Solution is TREAT (i.e. “surprise event”) followed by IS and then E (i.e. “European”).

28. Bird seen in sky, big owl? Tit? (4)

Answer: KIWI. Solution is derived from the middle letters (i.e. “seen in”) of SKY, BIG, OWL and TIT.

[EDIT 24/09/2022: Another edit made for Book 21, seemingly to make this one a little easier. The clue now reads “Bird in sky, big owl? Tit? Always hiding wings!” The latter sentence now indicates how the first and last letters are to be hidden from the aforementioned words. – LP]

30. Rod has beer around ten (4)

Answer: AXLE (i.e. “rod”). Solution is ALE (i.e. “beer”) wrapped around X (i.e. “ten”), like so: A(X)LE.

32. Dying to tease in bank? (8)

Answer: MORIBUND (i.e. “dying”). Solution is RIB (i.e. “to tease”) inserted into MOUND (i.e. “bank”), like so: MO(RIB)UND.

34. Rugby player – he’s unknown to see forwards (8)

Answer: PROPHESY (i.e. “see forwards”). Solution is PROP (i.e. “rugby player”) followed by HE’S and then Y (i.e. “unknown” – as mentioned earlier, setters like to use “unknown” to represent the letters X, Y or Z).

35. Fees often do upset snobbish (6-5)

Answer: TOFFEE-NOSED (i.e. “snobbish”). “Upset” indicates an anagram. Solution is an anagram of FEES OFTEN DO.

36. Skydiver has ruined haircut in times gone by (11)

Answer: PARACHUTIST (i.e. “skydiver”). Solution is PAST (i.e. “times gone by”) wrapped around an anagram (indicated by “ruined”) of HAIRCUT like so: PA(RACHUTI)ST.

37. Not working in musical show I have to follow troupe’s lead (11)

Answer: INOPERATIVE (i.e. “not working”). Solution is IN OPERA (i.e. “in musical show”) followed by T (i.e. “troupe’s lead”, i.e. the first letter of “troupe”) and I’VE (a contraction of “I have”), like so: IN-OPERA-T-IVE.

40. Rather obese on account of swilling lager (9)

Answer: OVERLARGE (i.e. “rather obese”). Solution is OVER (i.e. “on account of”) followed by an anagram (indicated by “swilling”) of LAGER, like so: OVER-LARGE.

42. Scorn girl’s passion after a year (9)

Answer: DISPARAGE (i.e. “scorn”). This is another clue where I’m not on the same page as the setter. I’m guessing “girl’s” is DI’S, “passion” could be RAGE and PA is “a year”, as in “per annum”, but it doesn’t feel right.

[EDIT 24/09/2022: The clue has not been edited for Book 21, but I can see the solution now, namely DI’S (i.e. “girl’s” name made possessive) followed by RAGE (i.e. “passion”) once the latter has been placed “after” P/A (i.e. “a year” or Per Annum), like so: DI’S-(P/A)-RAGE. – LP]

43. Obscure large cask turning up for fruit (8)

Answer: HAZELNUT (i.e. “fruit”). Solution is HAZE (i.e. “obscure”) followed by both TUN (i.e. “cask”) and L (recognised abbreviation for “large”) reversed (indicated by “turning up”), like so: HAZE-L-NUT.

44. Difficulty is mine, following everything (7)

Answer: PITFALL (i.e. “difficulty”). Solution is PIT (i.e. “mine”) followed by F (recognised abbreviation of “following”) and ALL (i.e. “everything”).

46. Compound’s a mix of calcium, sulphur, lithium and iodine (6)

Answer: SILICA (i.e. “compound”). “A mix of” indicates an anagram. Solution is an anagram of CA (chemical symbol for calcium), S (sulphur), LI (lithium) and I (iodine).

47. Wrote how sheep are sometimes treated (6)

Answer: PENNED. Solution satisfies both “wrote” and “how sheep are sometimes penned”.

51. Girl taking a university exam (4)

Answer: VIVA, a type of university exam students can take if they are on the brink of achieving a particular grade. Solution is VIV (i.e. “girl”) followed by (i.e. “taking”) A.

[EDIT: This Jumbo was republished in The Times Jumbo Cryptic Crossword Book 21 as grid 44. I’ve added edits to this post where clues have been changed. If you were wondering how on earth 13a works in Book 21, then you’re not going mad. They buggered up the clue. All will be revealed below. – LP]

I’m always keen to improve my vocabulary. It helps me make fewer visits to the dictionary when a writer slips a weird and wonderful word into their work, plus it helps to save me from embarrassing moments of catachresis (he says, slipping a weird and wonderful word into his work).

One way to improve one’s vocab is to indulge in word puzzles. My particular poison is the cryptic crossword. I’m as fascinated by the many weird and wonderful techniques setters use to misdirect and generally baffle their victims solvers as I am astonished by the variety and number of bizarre and seldom-used words and phrases that pepper their grids.

In recent weeks I’ve made serious attempts at completing the Times Jumbo Cryptic Crossword, instead of sacking it off the moment I feel I’ve done as much as my aching brain can handle. So here’s this week’s Times Jumbo Cryptic, along with my solutions and explanations, where I have them. If you’ve ever wondered how cryptic crosswords work then perhaps this post can help. Just watch you don’t become addicted too!

So here are the clues, along with my explanations of my answers:

Across clues

1. Vivacity initially held back mischief maker (6)

Answer: SPRITE, an imp or impish person (i.e. “mischief maker”). Solution is ESPRIT (another word for “vivacity”) with its initial letter E placed at the end.

5. Artist’s medium discomfort after short illness (7)

Answer: GOUACHE, an opaque watercolour-like paint (i.e. “artist’s medium”). Solution comprises GOU (“short illness”, i.e. GOUT with the final letter removed) followed by ACHE (“discomfort”).

9. Meandering soldiers put in charge (8)

Answer: INDIRECT (i.e. “meandering”). Solution is RE (“soldiers”, specifically Royal Engineers) placed in INDICT (another word for “charge”), like so: INDI(RE)CT. I spent way too long thinking “meandering” was an anagram indicator. (Shakes fist at the setter.)

13. It’s evident prison transmuted a modern criminal (4, 4, 13)

Answer: QUOD ERAT DEMONSTRANDUM, or, in English, “which was to be demonstrated”, (i.e. “it’s evident”). Solution is QUOD (another name for “prison” – no, me neither) followed by an anagram (indicated by “criminal”) of TRANSMUTEDAMODERN. One’s Chambers came in handy here.

[EDIT 24/09/2022: Seems the republished version of this Jumbo has messed up this particular clue, which now reads “It’s evident prison reformed a modern criminal”. It seems someone thought “reformed” was a cleaner word than “transmuted” without realising it’s part of an anagram. If you were wondering what the hell the setter was playing at, then I hope this clears it up. LP]

14. Chinese finally sought after car dealer (8)

Answer: MERCHANT (i.e. “dealer”). Solution is HAN (i.e. “Chinese”) and T (i.e. the last letter of “sought”) placed after MERC (i.e. “car”), like so: MERC-HAN-T.

15. Satellite rattles when blown about (7)

Answer: TELSTAR, a satellite that was launched in the 1960s. “When blown about” indicates an anagram. Solution is anagram of RATTLES.

[EDIT 24/09/2022: Another edited clue for the Times Jumbo Cryptic Book 21. The clue now reads “Satellite rattles when damaged”. – LP]

16. Sweet nothing with husband being ace (6)

Answer: NOUGAT (i.e. “sweet”). Solution is NOUGHT (i.e. “nothing”) with the letter H (a recognised abbreviation of “husband”) replaced by the letter A (“ace” as it appears on a playing card).

17. Sharp stuff from fault-finder having delayed resistance with drug (6,4)

Answer: CITRIC ACID (i.e. “sharp stuff”). Solution is CRITIC (i.e. “fault-finder”) with the letter R (a recognised abbreviation for electrical resistance) put back a few places (i.e. “having delayed resistance”), followed by ACID (i.e. “drug”).

20. Tense one working and failing (12)

Answer: IMPERFECTION (i.e. a “failing”). I can’t say for certain how the setter has arrived at this clue. I’m guessing the idea is something like “I am” (tense one) and “perfection” (working). If so, this is weak. Just because something works doesn’t mean it’s perfect. If that was the case, I’d be typing this on a Windows 1.0 PC running Netscape Navigator.

[EDIT 24/09/2022: The clue hasn’t been changed for Book 21 but I can see the solution now. The solution is IMPERFECT (i.e. grammatical “tense”) followed by I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”) and ON (i.e. “working” or operational). – LP]

23. Evens out site of a portico (4)

Answer: STOA, an ancient Greek portico or covered colonnade. Solution is derived by taking the even letters out of SITE OF A.

[EDIT 24/09/2022: Another clue that was changed for Book 21. The clue now reads “Regularly visited site of a portico” – LP]

24. River bird one’s seen on a ship (8)

Answer: TAFFRAIL, a rail seen around the stern of a ship. Solution is TAFF (a river in Wales) followed by RAIL (a variety of bird). This is one of those handy words I wish I’d known earlier.

26. Sacked on Thursday, was very sore? (8)

Answer: THROBBED, (i.e. “was very sore”). Solution is TH (a recognised abbreviation of “Thursday”) followed by ROBBED (i.e. “sacked”).

29. Totter up with beer, welcoming old musical style (12)

Answer: COUNTERPOINT, a melody that is added to another (i.e. “musical style”). Solution is COUNTER (i.e. “totter up”) followed by PINT (“beer”) with O (recognised abbreviation of “old”) placed inside, like so: COUNTER-P(O)INT.

30. School subject one grasped by quiet determination (12)

Answer: RESILIENCE (i.e. “determination”). Solution is RE (i.e. “school subject”, specifically Religious Education) followed by SILENCE (“quiet”) with I (“one”) placed in the middle, like so: RE-SIL(I)ENCE.

32. Man stops erring by a crude vice (10)

Answer: DEBAUCHERY (i.e. “vice”). Solution is HE (i.e. “man”) placed in the middle of (indicated by “stops”) an anagram (indicated by “erring”) of BYACRUDE, like so: DEBAUC(HE)RY.

34. Riding train, the setter’s giving nothing away (12)

Answer: INEXPRESSIVE (i.e. “giving nothing away”). Solution is IN EXPRESS (i.e. “riding train”) followed by I’VE (as in “belonging to the setter of the puzzle”).

36. Bit by bit, returned animals with good sense (8)

Answer: STEPWISE (i.e. “bit by bit”). Solution is PETS reversed (i.e. “returned animals”) followed by WISE (“good sense”), like so: STEP-WISE.

38. Referred to broadcast, ignoring one’s daughter (8)

Answer: ADVERTED (i.e. “referred to”). Solution is ADVERTISED (i.e. “broadcast”) with IS removed (i.e. “ignoring ones”), and then followed by D (a recognised abbreviation of “daughter”).

39. Ball and function from the right country club (4)

Answer: NATO, the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (i.e. “country club”). Solution is O (i.e. “ball”, because the letter O looks like a ball) followed by TAN (i.e. “function”, specifically tangent, a trigonometrical function). The letters are then reversed (i.e. “from the right”).

41. For high tea, do supply alcohol (4, 2, 3, 3)

Answer: HAIR OF THE DOG, which is to cure a hangover by drinking more booze. A sneaky solution this, as the anagram indicator “high” (i.e. gone off) is part of the anagram itself. Solution is an anagram of FORHIGHTEADO.

43. Fake news to support a leaderless country (10)

Answer: PROPAGANDA (i.e. “fake news”, the spreading of often false information to help bring about change). Solution is PROP (i.e. “to support”) followed by A and then GANDA (i.e. “leaderless country”, specifically UGANDA with the leading letter removed.), like so: PROP-A-GANDA. (I spent way too long thinking this was going to end in ARANCE.)

44. He won’t accept obsolete coin (6)

Answer: DENIER. Solution has a double-meaning, satisfying both “he won’t accept” (being one who denies) and “obsolete coin” (being an old small French silver coin).

46. Live in perfect tower (7)

Answer: MINARET, a mosque tower. Solution is ARE (i.e. “live”) placed in MINT (i.e. “perfect”), like so: MIN(ARE)T.

48. On the point of retirement, cut expenditure (8)

Answer: OUTGOING. Solution has a double-meaning, satisfying both “on the point of retirement” and “cut expenditure” (cut=out; going=expenditure). Expenditure is also referred to as an outgoing.

50. Very effusive towards semiotician, with hard journey nearly done (3, 4, 3, 3, 8)

Answer: ALL OVER BAR THE SHOUTING, i.e. (“nearly done”). Solution is ALL OVER (i.e. “very effuse”), followed by BARTHES (i.e. Roland BARTHES, a French philosopher and semiotician – what do you mean, “Who?!”), then H (a recognised abbreviation of “hard”, used in grading pencils) and finally OUTING (i.e. “journey”).

51. French novel all told briefly after the beginning (8)

Answer: GERMINAL, a 19th century French novel by Emile Zola. No, I’ve not read it either. Solution is INAL (i.e. IN ALL with final letter removed, i.e. “all told briefly”) preceded by GERM (i.e. “the beginning”, e.g. the germ of an idea).

52. Article by poet is going slowly (7)

Answer: ANDANTE, a musical term – because it wouldn’t be a Times crossword without including at least one of approximately 20,000 musical terms – meaning to move slowly. Solution is AN (i.e. “article”, specifically the indefinite article used before vowel sounds) followed by DANTE (i.e. “poet”, specifically the ever-cheery Dante Alighieri).

53. Revealing hypocrisy in empty society (6)

Answer: SCANTY (i.e. “revealing”). Solution is CANT (i.e. “hypocrisy”) placed in the middle of S and Y (i.e. “empty society”, being the word “society” with its middle letters removed), like so: S(CANT)Y.

Down clues

2. Announcer’s maximum annoyance (5)

Answer: PIQUE. Solution is a homophone of “peak” (i.e. “announcer’s maximum”), being PIQUE (i.e. “annoyance”).

3. Press impatient with a current political barrier (4, 7)

Answer: IRON CURTAIN, a political barrier between the former Soviet bloc and the West. Solution is IRON (i.e. “press”) followed by CURT (i.e. “impatient”), then A (“with a”), then IN (i.e. “current”).

4. Agreed to don rotten cheat’s pirate garb? (8)

Answer: EYEPATCH (i.e. “pirate garb”). Solution is an anagram of CHEAT (i.e. “rotten cheat”) with YEP (i.e. “agreed”, informally) placed inside (i.e. “to don”), like so: E(YEP)ATCH.

5. President with the heart for angry demagogy (5)

Answer: GRANT, i.e. Ulysses S. Grant, the eighteenth President of the United States. Solution is G (i.e. “heart for angry”, i.e. the middle letter of the word “angry”) followed by RANT (another word for “demagogy”). This is comfortably my favourite clue of this puzzle. Very fitting and well played!

6. Modernised vans from urban parade went out together (7)

Answer: UPDATED (i.e. “modernised”). Solution is U and P (i.e. “vans from urban parade” – van is a recognised abbreviation of vanguard, i.e. at the forefront, so we want the initial letters of “urban parade”) followed by DATED (i.e. “went out together”).

7. Appeal in protest, offering help (11)

Answer: COMPLAISANT (i.e. “offering help”). Solution is SA (i.e. “appeal”, specifically “sex appeal”. No, I can’t say I’ve seen it written like that either) placed in the middle of COMPLAINT (i.e. “protest”).

8. Artist is in Paris, taking in Rodin on vacation (5)

Answer: ERNST, i.e. Max Ernst, a prolific surrealist artist of the 20th century. Solution is EST (i.e. “is in Paris” – the French for “is” is “est”) with RN placed in the middle (i.e. “Rodin on vacation”, being “Rodin” with the middle letters removed, or “vacated”), like so: E(RN)ST.

9. Pen triter works to read (9)

Answer: INTERPRET (i.e. “to read”). “Works” indicates an anagram. Solution is an anagram of PENTRITER.

10. Dog’s head drops down (5)

Answer: DRAIN. I’m guessing here that the clue is “down”, as if to down a drink, i.e. drain it. Solution is D (i.e. “Dog’s head”, i.e. the first letter of “dog”) followed by RAIN (i.e. “drops”).

11. Increase housing bill, inspiring fear (11)

Answer: REDOUBTABLE (i.e. “inspiring fear”). Solution is REDOUBLE (i.e. “increase”) with TAB (i.e. “bill”) placed inside (i.e. “housing”), like so: REDOUB(TAB)LE.

12. Recalled old party host holding English stringed instrument (7)

Answer: CEMBALO, being an alternative name for a harpsichord (i.e. “stringed instrument”). Bear with me here. Solution is O (i.e. a recognised abbreviation of “old”), followed by LAB (i.e. “party”, i.e. the Labour Party) then MC (i.e. “host”, specifically Master of Ceremonies) with E (i.e. “English”) in the middle (inferred by “holding”). The whole lot is then reversed (i.e. “recalled”), like so: C(E)M-BAL-O. You’re welcome.

18. A shy person, traveller stops between races (9)

Answer: INTROVERT (i.e. “a shy person”). Solution is ROVER (i.e. “traveller”) placed in the middle of (i.e. “between”) IN and TT (i.e. “races”). I know that TT is the Isle of Man TT motorcycle race. I’m guessing that IN is the Indy 500, but I could be wrong.

19. Fish caught by one in paper, wriggling (7)

Answer: CRAPPIE, a small sunfish found in North America. Not exactly a name that whets the appetite. Solution is C (a recognised abbreviation of “caught” used in cricket) followed by an anagram (indicated by “wriggling”) of PAPER with I (i.e. “one”) included, like so: C-RAPP(I)E.

21. Animal in parable, or in another form (5, 4)

Answer: POLAR BEAR (i.e. “animal”) “In another form” indicates an anagram. Solution is an anagram of PARABLEOR.

22. Recruiter in French car (8)

Answer: ENROLLER (i.e. “recruiter”). Solution is EN (i.e. “in French” – the French for “in” is “en”) followed by ROLLER (i.e. “car”, specifically a Rolls Royce).

25. Female to get around breezy, fantastic place (9)

Answer: FAIRYLAND (i.e. “fantastic place”). Solution is AIRY (i.e. “breezy”) surrounded by F (i.e. a recognised abbreviation of “female”) and LAND (i.e. “to get”), like so: F(AIRY)LAND.

27. Old wine unruly adolescent brought up (9)

Answer: EXCAVATED (i.e. “brought up”). Solution is EX (i.e. “old”) followed by CAVA (i.e. “wine”) and TED (i.e. “unruly adolescent”, specifically a Teddy Boy).

28. Covering king and a couple of leaders (8)

Answer: KERCHIEF, a square piece of cloth worn over the head, i.e. “covering”. Solution is K (i.e. “king”) followed by ER and CHIEF (i.e. “a couple of leaders”, specifically ER, or Elizabeth Regina, and… er… a chief.)

31. Boss has drink, on second (7)

Answer: SUPREMO (i.e. “boss”). I’m not sure how the setter has arrived at this. I get that “sup” covers “has drink”, but if REMO is supposed to be a type of drink (i.e. “on second”) I’ve not heard of it. I see there’s a San Remo cocktail, but, frankly, any bartender can knock up a cocktail and slap a name on it.

[EDIT 24/09/2022: The clue hasn’t changed in Book 21, but I can see how this one works now I’ve had nearly four years’ distance from it. Solution is SUP (i.e. “drink”) followed by RE (i.e. “on” or regarding – think email replies) and MO (i.e. “second”, short for a moment). – LP]

33. According to girl I don’t know, this is a sprinkler (11)

Answer: ASPERGILLUM, a holy-water sprinkler. So now you know. Solution is AS PER (i.e. “according to”) followed by GILL (i.e. “girl”, as in a girl’s name – yeah, I never like it when they drop first names into solutions either) and then UM (i.e. “I don’t know”).

34. Lively home by Spanish city esteemed highly (11)

Answer: INVIGORATED (i.e. “lively”). Solution is IN (i.e. “home”), VIGO (i.e. “Spanish city”) and RATED (i.e. “esteemed highly”).

35. Visitor for Christmas day, one around US resort (5, 6)

Answer: SANTA MONICA (i.e. “US resort”). Solution is SANTA (i.e. “visitor for Christmas”) followed by MON (i.e. “day”, “Mon” being a recognised abbreviation of Monday), I (i.e. “one”) and CA (i.e. “around”, i.e. “ca” being a recognised abbreviation of circa.)

37. Passing border in record time, heading for Laos (9)

Answer: EPHEMERAL (i.e. “passing”). Solution is HEM (i.e. “border”) placed among EP (i.e. “record”, an Extended-Play single – ask your parents), ERA (i.e. “time”) and L (i.e. “heading for Laos”, i.e. the initial letter of Laos), like so: EP-(HEM)-ERA-L.

40. Trust man to train pets (8)

Answer: TANTRUMS, another word for pets or huffs. “To train” indicates an anagram. Solution is an anagram of TRUSTMAN.

42. Mean, say, to be getting on (7)

Answer: AVERAGE (i.e. “mean”). Solution is AVER (i.e. to assert, or “say to be”), followed by AGE (i.e. “getting on”).

43. Technique for selling new design (7)

Answer: PATTERN (i.e. “design”). Solution is PATTER (i.e. “technique for selling”) followed by N (a recognised abbreviation of “new”).

45. Flier’s welcome in armed service (5)

Answer: RAVEN (i.e. “flier”, or a bird). Solution is AVE (i.e. “welcome”, or an archaic form of address) placed in the middle of RN (i.e. “armed service”, specifically the Royal Navy).

47. US cities hosting a creature from Africa (5)

Answer: NYALA, a South African antelope. Solution is A being placed between NY and LA (i.e. “US cities hosting a”).

48. Missile launch site shelters right in the shade (5)

Answer: OCHRE, an earthy colour (i.e. “shade”). Solution is R (i.e. a recognised abbreviation of “right”) placed amid OCHE (i.e. “missile launch site”, being the line behind which darts players must stand when throwing). This clue made me smile when I got it.

49. Almost time for parting word (5)

Answer: NIGHT (i.e. “parting word”, shortened form of “goodnight”). Solution is NIGH (i.e. “almost”) followed by T (i.e. recognised abbreviation of “time”).

So there we have it. This puzzle was a bit of a stinker with a few clues I’m still unsure about. If anyone can clue me in on the reasoning behind 20a (IMPERFECTION) and 31d (SUPREMO) that would be lovely.

Oh, and, yes, it’s been a while. Hello again, world!

LP