A slightly easier one this week. Pretty good too, though ATLANTIC STANDARD TIME has left me somewhat nonplussed. [EDIT – thanks to Steve in the comments for clearing this one up in double quick time. – LP] You can find my completed solution below along with explanations of my solutions where I have them. I hope you find them helpful.

Some housekeeping: my Just For Fun page hosts solutions for the last eighty-odd Times Jumbo Cryptic crosswords should that appeal, my Reviews page is there to show this blog is occasionally about things other than crosswords, and there’s a story of mine floating around here too.

Stay safe, folks. Looks like we’re all going to be in this viral lockdown for the long haul.

LP

Across clues

1. Restricts little person that’s a bit of a jumper? (11)

Answer: CHAINSTITCH (i.e. “that’s a bit of a jumper”). When read as CHAINS TITCH, the solution also satisfies “restricts little person”.

7. A learner needing a supporter is hugged by maidens saying the wrong thing (11)

Answer: MALAPROPISM (i.e. “saying the wrong thing”). Solution is A, L (a recognised abbreviation of “learner”), A, PROP (i.e. “supporter”) and IS all placed between or “hugged by” M and M (recognised abbreviations of a “maiden” over in cricket), like so: M-(A-L-A-PROP-IS)-M.

13. Establishing standard old room in local (9)

Answer: NORMATIVE (i.e. “establishing standard”). Solution is O (a recognised abbreviation of “old”) and RM (ditto “room”) both placed “in” NATIVE (i.e. “local”), like so: N(O-RM)ATIVE.

14. No time for speech with men showing fatigue (7)

Answer: LANGUOR (i.e. “fatigue”). Solution is LANGUAGE (i.e. “speech”) with the AGE removed (indicated by “no time”) and the remainder followed by OR (i.e. “men”, specifically the Other Ranks of the British Army), like so: LANGU-OR.

15. Rows of headless corpses (5)

Answer: TIFFS (i.e. “rows”). Solution is STIFFS (i.e. “corpses”) with the initial letter removed (indicated by “headless”). If you were listening carefully around 2pm this afternoon you’d have heard me groan loudly when I finally twigged this one. Like it!

16. Soldier and reformer meeting a king (6)

Answer: HUSSAR (i.e. “solider”). Solution is Jan HUSS (i.e. “reformer” – no, me neither) followed by A and R (a recognised abbreviation of Rex, Latin for “king”).

17. Behavioural science Hoyle got wrong (8)

Answer: ETHOLOGY (i.e. “behavioural science”). “Wrong” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of HOYLE GOT.

18. Rage, having to eat a dry fish (3-4)

Answer: RAT-TAIL (i.e. “fish” – an ugly bugger too). Solution is RAIL (i.e. “[to] rage”) wrapped around or “eating” A and TT (a recognised abbreviation of teetotal, i.e. “dry”), like so: R(A-TT)AIL.

20. In Barbados, say, how you’d get the measure of the enemy? (8,8,4)

Answer: ATLANTIC STANDARD TIME (i.e. “in Barbados, say”). Don’t know what the setter’s playing at here, nor am I in much of a mood to go hunting high and low across the internet for an explanation. Sorry, peeps.
[EDIT: A nod to Steve in the comments, who highlighted that “time is the enemy” – a phrase I’ll admit didn’t spring to mind. Thanks, Steve! – LP]

23. Steps to keep the Queen uncontaminated (7)

Answer: STERILE (i.e. “uncontaminated”). Solution is STILE (i.e. “steps”) wrapped around or “keeping” ER (i.e. “the Queen”, specifically Elizabeth Regina), like so: ST(ER)ILE.

24. Pioneer crossword compiler entertains only third of solvers (7)

Answer: SETTLER (i.e. “pioneer”). Solution is SETTER (i.e. “crossword compiler”) wrapped around or “entertaining” L (i.e. “third [letter] of solvers”), like so: SETT(L)ER.

26. Research specialist only half way through stories (7)

Answer: EXPLORE (i.e. “research”). Solution is EXPERT (i.e. “specialist”) with the last half lopped off (indicated by “only half way through”) and followed by LORE (i.e. “stories”), like so: EXP-LORE.

28. Light colour of old city church to the west (4)

Answer: ECRU (i.e. “light colour”). Solution is UR (i.e. “old city” – a bit of a favourite of setters) and CE (i.e. “church”, specifically the Church of England) both reversed (indicated by “to the west”, this being an across clue), like so: EC-RU. One gotten through the wordplay.

29. Girl’s best friend in a suit? (8)

Answer: DIAMONDS. Solution satisfies “girl’s best friend” – referring to the song Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend from Gentlemen Prefer Blondes – and “in a suit [of playing cards]”.

32. Biblical tribe, possible adherents of a god of wealth, dismissing leader (9)

Answer: AMMONITES (i.e. “Biblical tribe”). Solution is MAMMONITES (i.e. “possible adherents of a god of wealth”) with the initial letter removed (indicated by “dismissing leader”). Score one for the Bradford’s here.

35. Community travel entangled after reversing set of instructions (9)

Answer: DECALOGUE, relating to the Ten Commandments in The Bible (i.e. “set of instructions”). Solution is EU (i.e. “community”, specifically the European Union) followed by GO (i.e. “travel”) and LACED (i.e. “entangled”) all “reversed”, like so: DECAL-OG-UE. Got the DECAL bit but had to brute force Chambers for the rest.

36. Papa dislikes aspects of birthday celebrations (8)

Answer: PRESENTS (i.e. “aspects of birthday celebrations”). Solution is P (i.e. “Papa” in the phonetic alphabet) followed by RESENTS (i.e. “dislikes”).

37. A guerrilla gets hurt (4)

Answer: ACHE (i.e. “hurt”). Solution is A followed by CHE Guevara (i.e. “guerrilla”).

39. Uses swearword when coming across cat (7)

Answer: CUSTOMS (i.e. “uses”). Solution is CUSS (i.e.” swearword”) wrapped around or “coming across” TOM (i.e. “cat”), like so: CUS(TOM)S.

41. Walked, bumping into Peg in the tube (7)

Answer: TETRODE (i.e. a kind of valve or vacuum “tube”). Solution is TROD (i.e. “walked”) placed or “bumped into” TEE (i.e. “peg” – ignore the misleading capitalisation), like so: TE(TROD)E. Another nod to my Bradford’s.

44. Onion in English allotment (7)

Answer: SHALLOT (i.e. “onion”). “In” indicates the solution is hidden in the clue, like so: ENGLI(SH ALLOT)MENT.

45. Like good guys supporting the LA baseball team? (2,3,4,2,3,6)

Answer: ON THE SIDE OF THE ANGELS. Solution satisfies “like good guys” and “supporting the LA baseball team”, referring to the Los Angeles Angels. Use of “the” in the clue might be stretching it a bit for any Dodgers fans out there… (puts away Cody Bellinger Dodgers shirt).

49. Something frightening, British, and not half unattractive to put up with (7)

Answer: BUGBEAR (i.e. “something frightening”). Solution is B (a recognised abbreviation of “British”) followed by UGLY (i.e. “unattractive”) with the last half removed (indicated by “not half”) and then BEAR (i.e. “to put up with”), like so: B-UG-BEAR.

50. Car well able to convey limited number, offering independence (8)

Answer: AUTONOMY (i.e. “independence”). Solution is AUTO (i.e. “car”) and MY (i.e. “well”, both expressions of astonishment) wrapped around or “conveying” ONE (i.e. “number”) with its last letter removed (indicated by “limited”), like so: AUT(ON)O-MY. You could also argue “limited number” means a recognised abbreviation of “number”, which would make the solution AUTO-(NO)-MY. I prefer the former explanation.

51. Fashionable philosopher put to rest? (6)

Answer: INHUME (i.e. “put to rest”). Solution is IN (i.e. “fashionable”) followed by David HUME (i.e. “philosopher”). A nod to Monty Python’s Philosophers Song for that one.

53. Turmoil when duke meets a divine being in India (5)

Answer: DRAMA (i.e. “turmoil”). Solution is D (a recognised abbreviation of “duke”) followed by RAMA (i.e. “divine being in India”).

54. What get hot and black: ships carrying fuel (7)

Answer: BOILERS (i.e. “what get hot”). Solution is B (a recognised abbreviation of “black” used in chess) followed by OILERS (i.e. “ships carrying fuel”).

55. Arguing about a boy, one no good (9)

Answer: REASONING (i.e. “arguing”). Solution is RE (i.e. “about” – think email replies) followed by A, then SON (i.e. “boy”), then I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”), then N (a recognised abbreviation of “no”) and G (ditto “good”), like so: RE-A-SON-I-N-G.

56. What is evident in weighty section of song (6,5)

Answer: MIDDLE EIGHT (i.e. “section of song”). “What is evident in weighty” refers to how EIGHT forms the MIDDLE of the word “weighty”.

57. Heeding Lent, possibly, being wise? (11)

Answer: ENLIGHTENED (i.e. “being wise”). “Possibly” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of HEEDING LENT.

Down clues

1. Study church with a shell-like structure (6)

Answer: CONCHA (i.e. “shell-like structure”). Solution is CON (i.e. an archaic word for “study” that setters like to use in their clues) followed by CH (a recognised abbreviation of “church”) and A. One gotten through the wordplay and a quick check in Chambers, if I’m honest.

2. Where naughty children run riskily in slum area (6,3,6)

Answer: ACROSS THE TRACKS. Solution satisfies “where naughty children run riskily” and “in slum area”.

3. A peasant organised home to be very clean and tidy (4,2,1,3)

Answer: NEAT AS A PIN (i.e. “very clean and tidy”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “organised”) of A PEASANT followed by IN (i.e. “[at] home”), like so: NEATASAP-IN.

4. Holiday mishap (4)

Answer: TRIP. Solution satisfies “holiday” and “mishap”.

5. Don’t move into these inadequate rural areas (3,6)

Answer: THE STICKS (i.e. “rural areas”). Solution is STICK (i.e. “don’t move”) placed into THESE once the last letter has been removed (indicated by “inadequate”), like so: THE(STICK)S.

6. Assist goddess with petulant expression (4,3)

Answer: HELP OUT (i.e. “assist”). Solution is HEL (i.e. Norse “goddess” of death) followed by POUT (i.e. “petulant expression”).

7. Rainy season’s coming before long in Mediterranean country? No thanks! (9)

Answer: MONSOONAL (i.e. “rainy season”). Solution is ON SOON (i.e. “coming before long”) placed in MALTA (i.e. “Mediterranean country”) once the TA has been removed (indicated by “No thanks!”), like so: M(ON-SOON)AL.

8. Envy destroying three leading characters? That’s very bad (5)

Answer: LOUSY (i.e. “that’s very bad”). Solution is JEALOUSY (i.e. “envy”) with the first three letters removed (indicated by “destroying three leading characters”).

9. Some game requiring quiet skill, game without leader (9)

Answer: PARTRIDGE (i.e. “some game [bird]”). Solution is P (a recognised abbreviation of piano, i.e. “quiet” in music lingo) followed by ART (i.e. “skill”) and BRIDGE (i.e. “game”) once its initial letter has been removed (indicated by “without leader”), like so: P-ART-RIDGE.

10. Surpassing dodgy dealers, first to last? Excellent! (12)

Answer: OUTSTRIPPING (i.e. “surpassing”). Solution is TOUTS (i.e. “dodgy dealers”) with the first letter placed at the end (indicated by “first to last”). This is then followed by RIPPING (i.e. “excellent”), like so: OUTST-RIPPING.

11. Extend home and start to fall behind schedule (7)

Answer: INFLATE (i.e. “extend”). Solution is IN (i.e. “[at] home”) followed by F (i.e. “start to fall”, i.e. the first letter of “fall”) and LATE (i.e. “behind schedule”).

12. Menu’s beginning with a cold dish, mostly spicy stuff (6)

Answer: MASALA (i.e. “spicy stuff”). Solution is M (i.e. “menu’s beginning”, i.e. the first letter of “menu”) followed by A and SALAD (i.e. “cold dish”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “mostly”), like so: M-A-SALA.

19. Male talking thus may be grumbling (8)

Answer: UTTERING. Solution is M (a recognised abbreviation of “male”) which, when placed before the solution, UTTERING, gets you M-UTTERING (i.e. “grumbling”).

21. Floridly rhetorical poet given honour, not the first (7)

Answer: AUREATE (i.e. “floridly rhetorical”). Solution is LAUREATE (i.e. “poet given honour”) with the initial letter removed (indicated by “not the first”).

22. Man joining the girl in risky enterprise that may help the rest (8)

Answer: BEDSHEET (i.e. “that may help the rest” – “rest” as in sleep). Solution is ED (i.e. “man”, i.e. a shortened form of Edward) and SHE (i.e. “the girl”) placed “in” BET (i.e. “risky venture”), like so: B(ED-SHE)ET.

23. Bird, needing drink, had to go inside (8)

Answer: SHELDUCK (i.e. “bird”). Solution is SUCK (i.e. “drink”) wrapped around or having “inside” HELD (i.e.” had”), like so: S(HELD)UCK.

25. Not, we may deduce, travelling quickly (3-2)

Answer: TON-UP (i.e. “travelling quickly”, i.e. over 100mph). “We may deduce” indicates the solution is itself a cryptic clue, describing “not”, i.e. the word “ton” in reverse (indicated by “up” – this being a down clue).

27. Political lion somehow traps you and me – it’s not what is seems (7,8)

Answer: OPTICAL ILLUSION (i.e. “it’s not what it seems”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “somehow”) of POLITICAL LION wrapped around or “trapping” US (i.e. “you and me”), like so: OPTICALILL(US)ION.

30. Prominent men wanting girl to undress (not showing bottom though) (7)

Answer: MAESTRI (i.e. “prominent men”, plural of maestro). Solution is MAE STRIP (i.e. “girl to undress”) with the last letter of STRIP removed (indicated by “not showing bottom though”), like so: MAE-STRI.

31. Old-fashioned office worker, good person one upset (5)

Answer: STENO (i.e. “old-fashioned office worker”, specifically an abbreviated form of stenographer). Solution is ST (i.e. “good person”, i.e. a recognised abbreviation of “saint”) followed by an anagram (indicated by “upset”) of ONE, like so: ST-ENO.

33. Wasn’t Emu naughty bird? (4,4)

Answer: MUTE SWAN (i.e. “bird”). “Naughty” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of WASN’T EMU. Nicely worked.

34. Secret observer won’t half yell when rumbled (3,2,3,4)

Answer: FLY ON THE WALL (i.e. “secret observer”). “When rumbled” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of WON’T HALF YELL.

38. Displaying message opposing capital punishment? (7,3)

Answer: HANGING OUT. Solution satisfies “displaying” – we’ve all been there, love – and “message opposing capital punishment”.

40. Always kept in outhouse, as car needs to be (9)

Answer: STEERABLE (i.e. “as car needs to be”). Solution is E’ER (poetic form of ever, i.e. “always”) placed or “kept in” STABLE (i.e. “outhouse”), like so: ST(E’ER)ABLE.

42. Discussion of tricky matter with Treebeard? (9)

Answer: TREATMENT (i.e. “discussion”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “tricky”) of MATTER followed by ENT (i.e. “Treebeard” – one for Tolkien fans, Ents were living trees, one of whom was called Treebeard), like so: TREATM-ENT.

43. Terrible male here should keep quiet, being “here today, gone tomorrow” (9)

Answer: EPHEMERAL (i.e. “here today, gone tomorrow”). Solution is an anagram (indicate by “terrible”) of MALE HERE wrapped around or “keeping” P (a recognised abbreviation of piano, i.e. “quiet” in music lingo), like so: E(P)HEMERAL.

45. Vigilant when a ground can get out of control (2,5)

Answer: ON GUARD (i.e. “vigilant”). “Can get out of control” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of A GROUND.

46. Expression of disgust about head’s artifice (7)

Answer: FINESSE (i.e. “artifice”). Solution is FIE (i.e. “expression of disgust”) wrapped “about” NESS (i.e. “head”, as in a geographical feature), like so: FI(NESS)E.

47. This writer’s about to wait in the same location (6)

Answer: IBIDEM (i.e. Latin for “in the same location” – if you ever see “ibid” in a footnote of some text, it’s a way of not having to repeat references to the same source all the time). Solution is I’M (i.e. “this writer’s”, i.e. a contraction of “this writer is”, or “I am” taken from the point of view of the setter) wrapped “about” BIDE (i.e. “to wait”), like so: I(BIDE)’M. Nicely done.

48. “Deeply” powerful male? (3,3)

Answer: SEA GOD (i.e. “powerful male”). The “deeply” bit qualifies this particular god to be one from the seas.

50. Imitating a sort of sound (5)

Answer: APING (i.e. “imitating”). When written as A PING the solution also satisfies “a sort of sound”.

52. Made a call, cutting row short (4)

Answer: RANG (i.e. “made a call”). Solution is RANGE (i.e. “row”) with the last letter removed (indicated by “cutting…short”).

A toughie this week. Either that or this is a setter I’m not immediately in tune with, which happens. I think I got there in the end. You can find my completed solution below along with explanations of my answers where I have them. I hope you find them helpful.

Some housekeeping before we begin. If you’ve got a recent Times Jumbo Cryptic that’s showing a gap or two then my Just For Fun page could be just the thing. I’ve also got book reviews and a free story leavening all the crossword stuff. Not much reading is getting done at the moment, sadly, as the day job has gone nuts. It’s nothing compared to the challenges faced by our incredible NHS workers, delivery drivers and everyone else keeping the country ticking over during the plague, and for whom we should all be thankful – panic-buyers especially. Still a bugger, though. To help keep me sane, I put together a Spotify playlist that’s seen some heavy clog this last week. If you’d like a gander through the music that has accompanied the production of this blog post, or if you like your music generally on the loud side, then check it out thisaway: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4CElDK4KESn0rh7oIhWMAF?si=RK4zKznCSrO45i03HJ0i3w

Anyway, on with the show. Stay well, peeps.

LP

Across clues

1. Rustic made a difference saving one tree, looking back (11)

Answer: COUNTRIFIED (i.e. “rustic”). Solution is COUNTED (i.e. “made a difference”) wrapped around or “saving” I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”) and FIR (i.e. “tree”) once they’ve been reversed (indicated by “looking back”), like so: COUNT(RIF-I)ED.

7. Care for doctor taking unexpected dip? (6)

Answer: FOSTER. Solution satisfies “care for” and “doctor taking unexpected dip”, referring to the old rhyme “Doctor Foster went to Gloucester in a shower of rain; he stepped in a puddle right up to his middle and never went there again”.

10. Stick one in a suit? (4)

Answer: CLUB. Solution satisfies “stick” and “one in a suit” of playing cards.

14. Top Liberal has resolved to bear left (7)

Answer: Herbert Henry ASQUITH, Liberal politician who served as UK Prime Minister from 1908 to 1916 (i.e. “top Liberal”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “resolved”) of HAS which is wrapped around or “bearing” QUIT (i.e. “left”), like so: AS(QUIT)H.

15. Connect English books, red or white? (7)

Answer: ENTWINE (i.e. “connect”). Solution is E (a recognised abbreviation of “English”) followed by NT (i.e. “books”, specifically the New Testament of The Bible) and WINE (i.e. “red or white”).

16. Companion, character on the right? (7)

Answer: CONSORT (i.e. “companion”). Solution is C (a recognised abbreviation of “companion”, such as a Companion of Honour which is sometimes abbreviated to CH). This is followed by SORT (i.e. “character”) once ON has been placed “on the right” of it, like so: C-ON-SORT.

17. Bold supporter about to stand up and resist (13)

Answer: SWASHBUCKLING (i.e. “bold”). Solution is SLING (i.e. “supporter”) which is wrapped around or placed “about” WASH (i.e. “to stand up [to scrutiny]”) and BUCK (i.e. “resist”, i.e. buck the trend), like so: S(WASH-BUCK)LING.

18. Good way to screen film – Billy Elliot might do it (9)

Answer: PIROUETTE (i.e. “Billy Elliot might do it”, referring to the hit film about a schoolboy who takes up ballet dancing). Solution is PI (i.e. “good”, being a recognised abbreviation of “pious” that we haven’t seen for a while) followed by ROUTE (i.e. “way”) once it has been wrapped around or “screening” ET (i.e. “film”, specifically ET: The Extra-Terrestrial), like so: PI-ROU(ET)TE.

19. Sound hooter, one squeezed (5)

Answer: NOISE (i.e. “sound”). Solution is NOSE (i.e. “hooter”) wrapped around or “squeezing” I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”), like so: NO(I)SE. For some reason this took me bloody ages to twig. Sometimes you just don’t see them.

21. i sign here? (6,4)

Answer: DOTTED LINE. Solution satisfies “sign here” and “i”, referring to how the character is formed by a vertical line dotted at the top. A relatively quick get, but I rather liked this one.

23. Turkish report leads in foreign news broadcast (6)

Answer: STREWN (i.e. “broadcast”). Solution is T and R (i.e. “Turkish report leads”, i.e. the first letter of “Turkish” and “report”) placed “in” an anagram (indicated by “foreign”) of NEWS, like so: S(TR)EWN.

25. Certain winner right after neat header in “game of two halves”, say? (8)

Answer: CLINCHER (i.e. “certain winner”). Solution is R (a recognised abbreviation of “right”) placed “after” N (i.e. “neat header”, i.e. the first letter of “neat”) once it has been placed “in” CLICHÉ (i.e. “’game of two halves’, say” – other clichés are available), like so: CLI(N)CHE-R. As examples of misdirection go, this clue was a bit of a sod!

26. Horse knocking second wife from fruit tree (10,4)

Answer: STRAWBERRY ROAN (i.e. breed of “horse”). Solution is STRAWBERRY (i.e. “fruit”) and ROWAN (i.e. “tree”) once the “second” W (a recognised abbreviation of “wife”) has been “knocked” out. One of those “I think it begins with ‘strawberry’ so let’s see what Chambers says” moments, if I’m honest.

29. Suffer junior to work (7)

Answer: UNDERGO (i.e. “suffer”). Solution is UNDER (i.e. “junior”) followed by GO (i.e. “to work”).

30. Concealing face, house flirt uncomfortable (3,2,4)

Answer: ILL AT EASE (i.e. “uncomfortable”). Solution is VILLA (i.e. “house”) with its initial letter removed (indicated by “concealing face”) and followed by TEASE (i.e. “flirt”), like so: ILLA-TEASE.

31. One going after Oscar with something fruity (5)

Answer: PAPAW (i.e. “fruity”). Solution is PAPA (i.e. “one going after Oscar” in the phonetic alphabet, “Oscar” being O, “Papa” being P) followed by W (a recognised abbreviation of “with”).

32. Piece of embroidery – officer breaking mine (5)

Answer: PICOT (i.e. “piece of embroidery”). Solution is CO (i.e. “officer”, specifically a Commanding Officer – a bit too loose for my liking, FWIW) placed in or “breaking” PIT (i.e. “mine”), like so: PI(CO)T.

34. Dealing with very minor blow, profits held by university (2,7)

Answer: UP AGAINST (i.e. “dealing with”). Solution is PAT (i.e. “very minor blow”) wrapped around or “holding” GAINS (i.e. “profits”). The whole is then placed after or “by” U (a recognised abbreviation of “university”), like so: U-PA(GAINS)T.

37. Ultimately impressive, fine story expressible in words once (7)

Answer: EFFABLE (i.e. “expressible in words”; “once” refers to how this is an archaic word). Solution is E (i.e. “ultimately expressive”, i.e. the last letter of “impressive”) followed by F (a recognised abbreviation of “fine”, used in pencil grading) and FABLE (i.e. “story”).

39. Detective in clapped-out motor, trouble for man in the street (3,4,2,5)

Answer: TOM DICK OR HARRY (i.e. “man in the street”). Solution is DICK (i.e. “detective”) placed “in” an anagram (indicated by “clapped-out”) of MOTOR and then followed by HARRY (i.e. “[to] trouble”), like so: TOM(DICK)OR-HARRY.

41. Compassionate male confronting diabolical Lucifer (8)

Answer: MERCIFUL (i.e. “compassionate”). Solution is M (a recognised abbreviation of “male”) followed by an anagram (indicated by “diabolical” – a nice touch there, setter) of LUCIFER, like so: M-ERCIFUL.

43. Pour water over some children, childishly (6)

Answer: DRENCH (i.e. “pour water over”). “Some” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: CHIL(DREN CH)ILDISHLY.

44. Line observed in theatre drama, Igor recreated after Charlie (10)

Answer: CARDIOGRAM (i.e. “line observed in [operating] theatre”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “recreated”) of DRAMA IGOR placed “after” C (“Charlie” in the phonetic alphabet), like so: C-ARDIOGRAM.

45. In having abandoning state, Artemis in Rome? (5)

Answer: DIANA (i.e. “Artemis in Rome” – over to Chambers for this one: “Artemis: the Greek virgin goddess of the moon, identified by the Romans with Diana”). Solution is INDIANA (i.e. “[US] state”) with the IN removed (indicated by “in having [been] abandoned”).

48. Something taken with a lot of money to sabotage another’s image (9)

Answer: PHOTOBOMB (i.e. “to sabotage another’s image”, often a selfie). Solution is PHOTO (i.e. “something taken”) followed by BOMB (i.e. “a lot of money”, as in something costing a bomb).

49. Point of procedure on which to put one’s foot down? (8,5)

Answer: STEPPING STONE. Solution satisfies “point of procedure” and “on which to put one’s foot down”. Also (nearly) a tremendous piece of 1970s jazz funk by Johnny Harris that you will almost certainly have heard before without perhaps knowing what it was. Here’s a YouTube link for you to strut your funky stuff: https://youtu.be/iyR6rzx6XJY

51. Those just round the corner are in home (7)

Answer: NEAREST (i.e. “those just around the corner”). Solution is ARE placed “in” NEST (i.e. “home”), like so: NE(ARE)ST.

52. Open late, not closing, church seen after one in Paris (7)

Answer: UNLATCH (i.e. “open”). Solution is LATE with the last letter removed (indicated by “not closing”) and CH (a recognised abbreviation of “church”) both placed “after” UN (i.e. “one in Paris”, i.e. the French for “one”), like so: UN-LAT-CH.

53. It’s inverted, passing flavour around using tongue (7)

Answer: TASTING (i.e. “using tongue”). Solution is IT’S reversed (indicated by “inverted”) and placed (indicate by “passing…around”) in TANG (i.e. “flavour”), like so: TA(S’TI)NG.

54. Sign of my evil nature, all kicking off (4)

Answer: OMEN (i.e. “sign”). “All kicking off” indicates the solution is derived from the initial letters of OF MY EVIL NATURE.

55. Kind of sweet (6)

Answer: PRETTY. Solution satisfies “kind of” and “sweet”.

56. Provide table for upright creature (11)

Answer: CATERPILLAR (i.e. “creature”). Solution is CATER (i.e. “provide table for”) followed by PILLAR (i.e. “upright”).

Down clues

1. Number of the French holidaymakers originally aboard vessel, relative (7)

Answer: CHANSON (i.e. “number of the French”; “number” in this case referring to a song). Solution is H (i.e. “holidaymakers originally”) placed in or “aboard” CAN (i.e. “vessel”) and followed by SON (i.e. “relative”), like so: C(H)AN-SON.

2. Complete amateur, possibly? (11)

Answer: UNQUALIFIED. Solution satisfies “complete”, as in an unqualified success, and “amateur, possibly”.

3. Bit of a chicken wanting time off (5)

Answer: THIGH (i.e. “bit of a chicken”). Solution is T (a recognised abbreviation of “time”) followed by HIGH (i.e. “off”, referring to food that’s gone off).

4. Pop success, really? (1,6,2,2,5)

Answer: I SHOULD BE SO LUCKY, a “pop success” from Stock Aitken and Waterman. (Checks notes.) Oh, and Kylie Minogue too. Solution also satisfies the sarcastically put “really?”

5. Fitting Cinderella originally, eek! It’s a lost slipper? (3,5)

Answer: ICE SKATE. Solution is an anagram (indicated by “fitting”) of C (i.e. “Cinderella originally”, i.e. the first letter of Cinderella), EEK and IT’S A. “Lost slipper” refers, I guess, to the glass slipper Cinderella loses in the fairy story. I’m wondering if it’s also referring to skate fish, which usually swim in warm waters, so an ICE SKATE could be said to be lost. I can’t readily find a reference linking skates to slippers, so I could be overthinking it.
[EDIT: Thanks to Andrew in the comments for offering a clearer explanation. “Lost” can also be an anagram indicator, which would then make “slipper” an ice skate, in that an ice skate lets you slip and slide about an ice rink. “Fitting” indicates the C of Cinderella is slotted into the anagram of EEK IT’S A, like so: I(C)ESKATE. Thanks, Andrew! – LP]

6. Damaging tooth, base of blade cut into it (11)

Answer: DETRIMENTAL (i.e. “damaging”). Solution is DENTAL (i.e. “tooth”) wrapped around or having E (i.e. “base of blade”, i.e. the last letter of “blade”) and TRIM (i.e. “cut”) placed “into it”, like so: D(E-TRIM)ENTAL.

7. Try brief relationship (5)

Answer: FLING. Solution satisfies “try” and “brief relationship”.

8. Dish stirred by spooner? (8,6)

Answer: SLEEPING BEAUTY (i.e. “dish stirred” – in the fairy story, Sleeping Beauty is brought from her eternal slumber, or “stirred”, by Prince Charming; “dish” in this instance is another word for “beauty”). I haven’t twigged the “spooner” bit. Sleeping Beauty doesn’t strike me as a title that lends itself to a Spoonerism, so there’s likely some other reference I’m missing. If I have a brainwave or some kind commenter swings by with the lowdown, I’ll update the post.
[EDIT: Thanks again to Andrew in the comments for his insight on this one. “Spooner” could be descriptive of Prince Charming, i.e. one born with a silver “spoon” in his mouth. (Tips hat Andrewards.) – LP]

9. Evidently north leads with heart again! (6)

Answer: ENCORE (i.e. “again!”). Solution is E and N (i.e. “evidently north leads”, i.e. the first letters of “evidently” and “north”) followed by CORE (i.e. “heart”).

11. Game to go up, the ladies possibly beginning to perform aerobatic stunt (4,3,4)

Answer: LOOP THE LOOP (i.e. “aerobatic stunt”). Solution is POOL (i.e. “game”) reversed (indicated by “to go up”, this being a down clue) followed by THE LOO (i.e. “the ladies possibly” – other flavours of toilet are available) and P (i.e. “beginning to perform”, i.e. the first letter of “perform”), like so: LOOP-THE-LOO-P.

12. Risk small pants in the middle splitting (7)

Answer: BETWEEN (i.e. “splitting”). Solution is BET (i.e. “risk”) followed by WEE (i.e. “small”) and N (i.e. “pants in the middle”, i.e. the middle letter of “pants”).

13. Work to find sample at bottom of river (8)

Answer: INDUSTRY (i.e. “work”). Solution is TRY (i.e. “sample”) placed after or “at bottom of” (this being a down clue) the “River” INDUS, like so: INDUS-TRY.

20. A bit cold in river, rather parky today at first (7)

Answer: EXCERPT (i.e. “a bit”). Solution is C (a recognised abbreviation of “cold”) placed in the “River” EXE and followed by the initial letters (indicated by “at first”) of RATHER PARKY TODAY, like so: EX(C)E-R-P-T.

22. Vaulted ceilings in labour exchange fitting? (5)

Answer: LEAPT (i.e. “vaulted”). Solution is L and E (i.e. “ceilings in labour exchange”, i.e. the first letters of “labour” and “exchange”) followed by APT (i.e. “fitting”).

24. Envy author over some trendy novel (5-4,7)

Answer: GREEN-EYED MONSTER (i.e. “envy”). Solution is Graham GREENE (i.e. “author”) followed by an anagram (indicated by “novel”) of SOME TRENDY, like so: GREENE-YEDMONSTER.

25. Breakfast item member found in little bottle (7)

Answer: CRUMPET (i.e. “breakfast item”). Solution is MP (i.e. “member [of Parliament]”) placed or “found in” CRUET (i.e. “little bottle”), like so: CRU(MP)ET.

27. Roosevelt’s baby, swimmer without trunks, reportedly? (3,4)

Answer: NEW DEAL (i.e. “Roosevelt’s baby”, referring to the US president’s big policies and reforms of the 1930s). “Reportedly” indicates homophone. When heard as NUDE EEL the solution also satisfies “swimmer without trunks”.

28. Cramming in five hundred, terribly irrational bus conductor (3,6,5)

Answer: SIR ADRIAN BOULT (i.e. “conductor” – a fair trawl of Wikipedia was undertaken for this one once the wordplay and sufficient intersecting letters became clear, given the guy died when I was (uses fingers: one, two, three, three and a half)… I was young, anyway). Solution is D (i.e. “[Roman numerals] five hundred”) placed or “crammed in” an anagram (indicated by “terribly”) of IRRATIONAL BUS, like so: SIRA(D)RIANBOULT.

31. Serious, as looking to cross river in Turin? (2-5)

Answer: PO-FACED (i.e. “serious”). Given that the “River” PO flows through “Turin”, the solution also satisfies “looking to cross [or FACING] river in Turin”.

33. Remember to have order on note in box (11)

Answer: COMMEMORATE (i.e. “remember”). Solution is OM (i.e. “order”, specifically the Order of Merit) and MEMO (i.e. “note”) placed “in” CRATE (i.e. “box”), like so: C(OM-MEMO)RATE.

35. Give king a lot of money bags (5)

Answer: AWARD (i.e. “give”). Solution is R (a recognised abbreviation of Rex, Latin for “king”) placed in or being “bagged” by A WAD (i.e. “a load of money”), like so: A-WA(R)D.

36. Unstable particle on top of cliff, one likely to drop off? (11)

Answer: NARCOLEPTIC (i.e. “likely to drop off” to sleep). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “unstable”) of PARTICLE ON placed ahead of or “on” (this being a down clue) C (i.e. “top of cliff”, i.e. the first letter of “cliff”), like so: NARCOLEPTI-C. A nice bit of recursion, there.

38. US showman in New York city owed money (7,4)

Answer: BUFFALO BILL (i.e. “US showman”). Solution is BUFFALO (i.e. “New York city”, as in the city of Buffalo in the state of New York) followed by BILL (i.e. “money”).

40. After wings clipped, bird with mate doing well (2,6)

Answer: IN CLOVER (i.e. “doing well”). Solution is FINCH (i.e. “bird”) with the first and last letters removed (indicated by “after wings clipped”) and followed by LOVER (i.e. “mate”), like so: INC-LOVER.

42. Surgery inspired by doctor’s passionate, delicate touch (4-4)

Answer: DROP-SHOT (i.e. “delicate touch” in tennis, making the ball drop soon after passing the net). Solution is OP (i.e. “surgery”, short for “operation”) placed in or “inspired by” DR’S (i.e. “doctor’s”) and HOT (i.e. “passionate”), like so: DR(OP)’S-HOT.

43. Draw upon horse I had mounted first (3,4)

Answer: DIP INTO (i.e. “draw upon”). Solution is PINTO (i.e. breed of “horse”) with I’D (a contraction of “I had”) reversed (indicated by “mounted” – this being a down clue) and placed before it or “first”, like so: D’I-PINTO.

46. Person seeking retribution in Newhaven, Germanic (7)

Answer: AVENGER (i.e. “person seeking retribution”). “In” indicates the solution is hidden in the clue, like so: NEWH(AVEN, GER)MANIC.

47. Chopper, one managing to collect tartar, primarily (6)

Answer: COPTER (i.e. “chopper”, both informal words for a helicopter). Solution is COPER (i.e. “one managing”) wrapped around or “collecting” T (i.e. “tartar, primarily”, i.e. the first letter of “tartar”), like so: COP(T)ER.

49. Offensive joke (5)

Answer: SALLY. Solution satisfies “[military] offensive” and “joke”.

50. Short girl eating hot Japanese food (5)

Answer: SUSHI (i.e. “Japanese food”). Solution is SUSIE (i.e. “girl”) with the last letter removed (indicated by “short”) and the remainder wrapped around or “eating” H (a recognised abbreviation of “hot”), like so: SUS(H)I.

A decent puzzle this week, which I’d have cracked sooner had I spelt FLUORESCE correctly. Oh well, there are more important things going on in the world at the moment. If you are reading this while in self-imposed exile or, worse still, suffering the effects of coronavirus, hang in there. On the other hand, if you are reading this while sitting on furniture made entirely of bags of rice and pasta because there’s literally nowhere else left in your house to stuff them, consider donating a few bags of your newfound wealth to a local food bank to even up the score a little. Score a few karma points, eh?

Okay, preachy public service announcement over. Now for some me-time. If you’ve got a recent Times Jumbo Cryptic that’s got you jiggered, then my Just For Fun page could be just the thing you need. While you’re here, I’ve got a bunch of book reviews should you suddenly find yourself with a lot of time on your immaculately clean hands. If you’d like to give an old alter-ego a boost, then I’ve also got a story of mine over thisaway.

Alrighty then. To the answers! Keep well, peeps.

LP

P.S. A big thank you to Sue and Steve, both regulars in the comments, for clearing up the mystery behind 1426’s clue for 17a. Turns out the printed clue was incorrect, and the editor was rather perplexed as to how it happened!

Across clues

1. Unreliable old man nicks tune we added (4-7)

Answer: FAIR-WEATHER (i.e. “unreliable”). Solution is FATHER (i.e. “old man”) wrapped around or “nicking” AIR (i.e. “tune”) and WE, like so: F(AIR-WE)ATHER.

7. Holland House fuel extract (6,5)

Answer: ORANGE JUICE (i.e. “extract”). Solution is ORANGE (i.e. “Holland [royal] House”) followed by JUICE (i.e. “fuel”).

13. One daughter inspires tango performed on stage (5)

Answer: ACTED (i.e. “performed on stage”). Solution is ACE (i.e. “one” in playing cards) and D (a recognised abbreviation of “daughter”) wrapped around or “inspiring” T (“tango” in the phonetic alphabet), like so: AC(T)E-D.

14. Risk grabbing Romeo’s ulcer (7)

Answer: CHANCRE (i.e. “ulcer”). Solution is CHANCE (i.e. “risk”) wrapped around or “grabbing” R (“Romeo” in the phonetic alphabet), like so: CHANC(R)E. One gotten from the wordplay and a quick brute force of my Chambers.

15. Dodging a very old paper ball (9)

Answer: AVOIDANCE (i.e. “dodging”). Solution is A followed by V (a recognised abbreviation of “very”), then O (ditto “old”), then I (i.e. “[British news]paper”) and finally DANCE (i.e. “ball”).

16. Scary spinner’s natural bent among reserves (9)

Answer: TARANTULA (i.e. “scary spinner”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “bent”) of NATURAL which is placed “among” TA (i.e. “reserves”, specifically the Territorial Army), like so: T(ARANTUL)A.

17. One large boy struggled to suppress second rash (3-7)

Answer: ILL-ADVISED (i.e. “rash”). Solution is I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”) followed by L (a recognised abbreviation of “large”), then LAD (i.e. “boy”), then VIED (i.e. “struggled”) once it has been wrapped around or “suppressing” S (a recognised abbreviation of “second”), like so: I-L-LAD-VI(S)ED.

20. Right court for controlling scrap – thanks to this (4,3)

Answer: RIOT ACT (i.e. “controlling scrap – thanks to this”). Solution is R (a recognised abbreviation of “right”) and CT (ditto “court”) wrapped around or “controlling” IOTA (i.e. “scrap”), like so: R-(IOTA)-CT.

22. Leaves after wasted meal (4,3)

Answer: HIGH TEA (i.e. “meal”). Solution is TEA (i.e. “leaves”) placed “after” HIGH (i.e. “wasted”, as in a drug high).

24. European allowed to conceal crew’s hint (7)

Answer: ELEMENT (i.e. “hint”). Solution is E (a recognised abbreviation of “European”) and LET (i.e. “allowed”) once it has been wrapped around or “concealed” MEN (i.e. “crew”), like so: E-LE(MEN)T.

25. Weakling must have very little money in principle (8)

Answer: RUDIMENT (i.e. “principle”). Solution is RUNT (i.e. “weakling”) wrapped around or “having” DIME (i.e. “very little money”), like so: RU(DIME)NT.

26. Harry Potter hurt nine, which drivers sometimes can do (5-5,4)

Answer: THREE-POINT TURN (i.e. “which drivers sometimes can do”). “Harry” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of POTTER HURT NINE.

28. What scouts do in playground before church (5)

Answer: RECCE (i.e. “what scouts do”). Solution is REC (i.e. “playground”) followed by CE (i.e. “church”, specifically the Church of England).

29. Trained pupil briefly to stop the old city slicker (6)

Answer: YUPPIE (i.e. “city slicker”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “trained”) of PUPIL once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “briefly”), which is then placed in or “stopping” YE (i.e. “the old”, as in ye olde “the”), like so: Y(UPPI)E.

30. Star Glaswegian recalled fine area around Halifax (4,6)

Answer: NOVA SCOTIA (i.e. “area around Halifax” – Halifax being its capital). Solution is NOVA (i.e. “star”) followed by SCOT (i.e. “Glaswegian”) and AI (i.e. excellent or “fine”, i.e. A1), the latter reversed (indicated by “recalled”), like so: NOVA-SCOT-IA.

33. It helps in speech to emphasise saint (6,4)

Answer: STRESS MARK (i.e. “it helps in speech”). Solution is STRESS (i.e. “to emphasise”) followed by MARK (i.e. “saint”).

35. A sample of polar Canada’s secrets (6)

Answer: ARCANA (i.e. “secrets”). “A sample of” indicates the solution is hidden in the clue, like so: POL(AR CANA)DA’S.

37. Peace advocate captivates Republican horde (5)

Answer: DROVE (i.e. “horde”). Solution is DOVE (i.e. “peace advocate”) wrapped around or “captivating” R (a recognised abbreviation of “Republican”), like so: D(R)OVE.

39. Spreading scandal, excited at telling it three times (6-8)

Answer: TITTLE-TATTLING (i.e. “spreading scandal”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “excited”) of AT TELLING IT and, T, T and T (i.e. “three times” – T being a recognised abbreviation of “time”).

41. Archipelago short of popular pineapples (8)

Answer: GRENADES (i.e. “pineapples”, given their resemblence). Solution is GRENADINES (i.e. “archipelago”) with the IN removed (indicated by “short of popular”).

44. It’s a pride issue, working with copper in library (4,3)

Answer: LION CUB (i.e. “it’s a pride issue” – a pack of lions being a “pride”, and “issue” taken to mean young offspring). Solution is ON (i.e. “working”) and CU (chemical symbol of “copper”) placed “in” LIB (a recognised abbreviation of “library”), like so: LI(ON-CU)B.

45. Intended fund without name ending in failure (7)

Answer: FIANCEE (i.e. one’s “intended” in marriage). Solution is FINANCE (i.e. “fund”) with the first N removed (indicated by “without name”, N being a recognised abbreviation of “name”) and the remainder followed by E (i.e. “ending in failure”, i.e. the last letter of “failure”), like so: FIANCE-E.

46. Cutting tree I found in British Columbia (7)

Answer: ACERBIC (i.e. “cutting”). Solution is ACER (i.e. “tree”) followed by I once it has been placed or “found in” BC (a recognised abbreviation of “British Columbia”), like so: ACER-B(I)C.

47. Like some bread with jam and seeds (10)

Answer: WHOLEGRAIN (i.e. “like some bread”). Solution is W (a recognised abbreviation of “with”) followed by HOLE (i.e. “jam”, both taken to mean bad situations) and GRAIN (i.e. “seeds”).

49. Cleaner not able initially to charge about one pound (9)

Answer: NAILBRUSH (i.e. “cleaner”). Solution is N and A (i.e. “not able to begin with”, i.e. the first letters of “not” and “able”) and RUSH (i.e. “charge”) placed “about” I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”) and LB (a recognised abbreviation of a “pound” of weight), like so: N-A-(I-LB)-RUSH.

53. Send out light roasted course: fabulous being back to eat it! (9)

Answer: FLUORESCE (i.e. “send out light”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “roasted”) of COURSE which is placed in or “eaten” by ELF (i.e. “fabulous being”) once it has been reversed (indicated by “back”), like so: FL(UORESC)E.

54. Star gets into bed for a smoke (7)

Answer: CHEROOT (i.e. “a smoke”). Solution is HERO (i.e. “star”) which is placed or “gets into” COT (i.e. “bed”), like so: C(HERO)OT.

55. Swimmer’s about to perish, heading west (5)

Answer: EIDER (i.e. “swimmer” – a little too far down the role profile for my liking, but heigh-ho). Solution is RE (i.e. “about” – think email replies) and DIE (i.e. “to perish”) both reversed (indicated by “heading west” – this being an across clue), like so: EID-ER.

56. Enthuses, perhaps evading gym and old dishes Henry left (11)

Answer: RHAPSODIES (i.e. “enthuses”). Solution is PERHAPS with the PE removed (indicated by “evading gym” – PE being a recognised abbreviation of Physical Education) and the remainder followed by O (a recognised abbreviation of “old”) and DISHES once the H has been removed (indicated by “Henry left” – H being a recognised abbreviation of “Henry”, a measurement that’s currently flavour of the month for setters), like so: RHAPS-O-DISES.

57. Ditch tongue, heading off for Happy Eater? (11)

Answer: TRENCHERMAN (i.e. “happy eater” – a trencher is a plate or platter). Solution is TRENCH (i.e. “ditch”) followed by GERMAN (i.e. language or “tongue”) with the initial letter removed (indicated by “heading off”), like so: TRENCH-ERMAN. Not a word I’m familiar with, despite my Mr Creosote-esque appetite. I like it.

Down clues

1. Note shorter, less singular person using flannel (9)

Answer: FLATTERER (i.e. “person using flannel” – an informal word for flattery). Solution is FLAT (i.e. “note”) followed by TERSER (i.e. “shorter”) once the S has been removed (indicated by “less singular” – S being a recognised abbreviation of “singular”), like so: FLAT-TERER.

2. Job for painter inside 8 (8,10)

Answer: INTERIOR DECORATION (i.e. “job for painter”). The solution to 8d is AWARD. The solution is INTERIOR (i.e. “inside”) followed by DECORATION (i.e. “award”).

3. Extra new stretch (5)

Answer: WIDEN (i.e. “stretch”). Solution is WIDE (i.e. “extra” run in cricket awarded when the bowler buggers up) followed by N (a recognised abbreviation of “new”).

4. Story by some about constant profession (11)

Answer: ACCOUNTANCY (i.e. “profession”). Solution is ACCOUNT (i.e. “story”) followed by ANY (i.e. “some”) once it has been placed “about” C (a recognised abbreviation of “constant”), like so: ACCOUNT-AN(C)Y.

5. Each had awful athlete’s foot and pain at the other end (8)

Answer: HEADACHE (i.e. “pain at the other end” of the body from the feet). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “awful”) of EACH HAD followed by E (i.e. “athlete’s foot”, i.e. the last letter of “athlete”), like so: HEADACH-E.

6. Relax here, startling boss (7,5)

Answer: ROCKING CHAIR (i.e. “relax here”). Solution is ROCKING (i.e. “startling”) followed by CHAIR (i.e. “boss” of a committee).

7. Expose what’s in envelope that’s given to the press (4,6)

Answer: OPEN LETTER. Solution satisfies “expose what’s in envelope” and “that’s given to the press”.

8. Place for nursing trophy (5)

Answer: AWARD (i.e. “trophy”). When written as A WARD the solution also satisfies “place for nursing”.

9. I love angler somehow catching large marine creature (11)

Answer: GLOBIGERINA (i.e. “marine creature”, and a little diddy one too). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “somehow”) of I, O (i.e. “love”, i.e. a zero score in tennis) and ANGLER all wrapped around or “catching” BIG, like so: GLO(BIG)ERINA. The wordplay was reasonably clear, but needed most of the intersecting letters completed and a quick brute force of Chambers to nail it.

10. Reason obscure hero hoards brilliant books? (9)

Answer: JUDGEMENT (i.e. “reason”). Solution is JUDE (“obscure hero”, Saint Jude I guess – one for the theologians) wrapped around or “hoarding” GEM (i.e. “brilliant”) and followed by NT (i.e. “books”, specifically the New Testament of The Bible), like so: JUD(GEM)E-NT.
[EDIT: Thanks to Mick in the comments for clearing up JUDE, being a reference to Thomas Hardy’s novel Jude the Obscure. – LP]

11. Where to find barmen of different types? (4)

Answer: INNS (i.e. “where to find barmen”). A guess, if I’m honest, as I can’t figure “of different types” at the moment. If I or a kind commenter has a brainwave then I’ll update the post.
[EDIT: Thanks to Mrs D and Mick for quickly clarifying this one. “Barmen” refers to barristers who are called to the English bar when they qualify and join one of the four INNS of Court. Thanks both! – LP]

12. River’s banks eroded constantly (4)

Answer: EVER (i.e. “constantly”). Solution is the “River” SEVERN with the first and last letters removed (indicated by “banks eroded”).

18. Quirky odd bureaucrat is almost silent proof of falsehood (8,2,8)

Answer: REDUCTIO AD ABSURDUM (i.e. “proof of falsehood”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “quirky”) of ODD BUREAUCRAT IS followed by DUMB (i.e. “silent”) once its final letter has been removed (indicated by “almost”), like so: REDUCTIOADABSUR-DUM. Not being a Latin scholar, this took a number of intersecting letters solving before I had enough hooks to perform another quick brute force of my Chambers.

19. Very old joke packs theatre (5,3)

Answer: STONE AGE (i.e. “very old”). Solution is ONE (i.e. “joke”, as in “did you hear the one about…”) placed in or “packing” STAGE (i.e. “theatre”), like so: ST(ONE)AGE.

21. Idle, the writer’s tucking into drink with sons (7)

Answer: AIMLESS (i.e. “idle”). Solution is I’M (i.e. “the writer is”, taken from the point of view of the setter) “tucked into” ALE (i.e. “drink”) and followed by S and S (i.e. “two sons”, S being a recognised abbreviation of “son”), like so: A(I’M)LE-S-S.

23. Software run at cricket ground’s OK (8)

Answer: APPROVAL (i.e. “OK”). Solution is APP (i.e. “software”) followed by R (a recognised abbreviation of “run” in a number of ball games) and OVAL (i.e. “cricket ground”).

27. Impressionist, perhaps one able to lift drink (8)

Answer: APERITIF (i.e. “drink”). Solution is APER (i.e. “impressionist, perhaps”, as in one who apes another) followed by I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”) and FIT (i.e. “able”) once it has been reversed (indicated by “to lift” – this being a down clue), like so: APER-I-TIF.

28. Engineers resolve to move (8)

Answer: RESETTLE (i.e. “to move”). Solution is RE (i.e. “engineers”, specifically the Royal Engineers of the British Army) followed by SETTLE (i.e. “resolve”).

31. Measure port imbibed by conservative Anglicans (7)

Answer: CADENCE (i.e. “measure”). Solution is ADEN (i.e. “port” – chalk one to my Bradfords here as there are thousands of ports to choose from) which is placed in or “imbibed by” C (a recognised abbreviation of “Conservative”) and CE (i.e. “Anglicans”, specifically the Church of England), like so: C-(ADEN)-CE.

32. Sublime climb across middle of liner in river (12)

Answer: TRANSCENDENT (i.e. “sublime”). Solution is ASCEND (i.e. “climb”) wrapped around or placed “across” N (i.e. “middle [letter] of liner”) and then itself placed “in” TRENT (i.e. “river”), like so: TR(A(N)SCEND)ENT.

34. Broken down? Police stopped, after spending hours (11)

Answer: METABOLISED (i.e. digested or “broken down”). Solution is MET (i.e. “police”, specifically the Metropolitan Police Service of London) followed by ABOLISHED (i.e. “stopped”) once the H has been removed (indicated by “spending hours” – H being a recognised abbreviation of “hours”), like so: MET-ABOLISED.

36. Answer cut from article about avoiding “hippy” type of language (4-7)

Answer: AFRO-ASIATIC (i.e. “type of language”). Solution is A (a recognised abbreviation of “answer”) followed by FROM once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “cut”), then A (i.e. “article”, such as words like ‘a’, ‘an’ and ‘the’), then SCIATIC (i.e. “hippy” type – a sneaky one, this, “hippy” referring to the area of the body – the sciatic nerve stems from the base of the spine. I’m not keen, but my Bradfords wins out on this one) once the first C has been removed (indicated by “about avoiding” – C being a recognised abbreviation of “circa”, or “about”), like so: A-FRO-A-SIATIC. Phew!

38. 150 eastern experts accepting smuggled licences (10)

Answer: CLEARANCES (i.e. “licences”). Solution is CL (i.e. “[Roman numerals] 150”) followed by E (a recognised abbreviation of “eastern”), then ACES (i.e. “experts”) once it has been wrapped around or “accepted” RAN (i.e. “smuggled”, think gun-running), like so: CL-E-A(RAN)CES.

40. Do battle to secure instruments (4,5)

Answer: LOCK HORNS. Solution satisfies “do battle” and “to lock [musical] instruments”.

42. Cash in car interpreted as sweetener (9)

Answer: SACCHARIN (i.e. “sweetener” – can be spelled with or without an ‘e’). “Interpreted” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of CASH IN CAR.

43. Head man from Krakow’s supporter in plot (8)

Answer: BEANPOLE (i.e. “supporter in [garden] plot”). Solution is BEAN (i.e. “head”, an informal name backed up by my Chambers) followed by POLE (i.e. “man from Krakow”). Not an easy one when you’ve got _E_N_O_E to work with.

48. Fancy patrons wasting time! (5)

Answer: GUESS (i.e. “fancy”). Solution is GUESTS (i.e. “patrons”) with the T removed (indicated by “wasting time” – T being a recognised abbreviation of “time”). Another win for my Bradfords as my brain could not equate “fancy” to “guess”. Still doesn’t, if I’m honest. It’s getting late, that’s my excuse.

50. Part of speech backed up English note (5)

Answer: BREVE (i.e. “[musical] note”). Solution is VERB (i.e. “part of speech”) reversed (indicated by “backed up” – this being a down clue) and followed by E (a recognised abbreviation of “English”), like so: BREV-E.

51. Starts to approach from access road a long way off (4)

Answer: AFAR (i.e. “a long way off”). “Starts to” indicates the solution is derived by taking the initial letters of APPROACH FROM ACCESS ROAD.

52. Each year involves leading intermediate stage (4)

Answer: PUPA (i.e. “intermediate stage”). Solution is PA (i.e. “each year”, being a recognised abbreviation of “per annum”) wrapped around or “involving” UP (i.e. “leading”), like so: P(UP)A.

If last week’s puzzle had a people and places mini-theme going on, this week’s seems to be flora and fauna. Well, fruits and birds. And colours. Anyway, an easier time of it was had, which made for a decidedly less grumpy alter-ego.

You can find my completed grid below along with explanations of my solutions where I have them. If you’ve got previous Jumbos that have given you grief, then my Just For Fun page might help you. I’ve got some other odds and ends knocking around, so it’s not all crosswords, crosswords, crosswords. If book reviews are your thing, then I’ve got a few over thisaway. If you’d like a story of mine to get you through a spare half hour, then head over thataway.

In the meantime, we’ll head to the answers. TTFN.

LP

Across clues

1. Singer, one acknowledging applause before time? (9)

Answer: BOWERBIRD (i.e. “singer”. It’s a bird, but I can’t see much to qualify it as a songbird.) Solution is BOWER (i.e. “one acknowledging applause”) followed by BIRD (i.e. “time [spent in prison]”).

6. Soft cheese a woman takes in bed (7)

Answer: RICOTTA (i.e. “soft cheese”). Solution is RITA (i.e. “woman”) wrapped around or “taking in” COT (i.e. “bed”), like so: RI(COT)TA.

10. Ways a girl possibly sought at first to capture hearts (5)

Answer: PATHS (i.e. “ways”). Solution is PAT (i.e. “a girl possibly”, specifically a shortened form of Patricia. The “possibly” bit indicates that Pat can also be short for Patrick, a boy’s name) and S (i.e. “sought at first”, i.e. the first letter of  “sought”) wrapped around or “capturing” H (a recognised abbreviation of “hearts” used in some card games), like so: PAT-(H)-S.

13. Vehicle I’d used to carry books? It carries blood! (7)

Answer: CAROTID (i.e. “it carries blood”). Solution is CAR (i.e. “vehicle”) and I’D wrapped around or “carrying” OT (i.e. “books”, specifically the Old Testament of The Bible), like so: CAR-(OT)-I’D.

14. Shade encountered in Milanese piazzas (5)

Answer: SEPIA (i.e. “shade”). “In” indicates the solution is hidden in the clue, like so: MILANE(SE PIA)ZZAS.

15. Old boxer given permit that’s legally transferrable (9)

Answer: ALIENABLE (i.e. “that’s legally transferrable”). Solution is Muhammad ALI (i.e. “old boxer”) followed by ENABLE (i.e. “permit”).

16. It’s unremarkable, but prep school pupils feared having it? (7,2,5,4,5)

Answer: NOTHING TO WRITE HOME ABOUT. Solution satisfies “unremarkable” and “prep school pupils feared having it”.

17. Run into pole – fast! (6)

Answer: STARVE (i.e. “fast”). Solution is R (a recognised abbreviation of “run” used in a number of ball games) placed “into” STAVE (i.e. “pole”), like so: STA(R)VE.

18. Projecting column I coated in stucco (8)

Answer: PILASTER (i.e. “projecting column”). Solution is I placed or “coated in” PLASTER (i.e. “stucco”), like so: P(I)LASTER.

19. No one’s pad in Albert Square is so disgusting (7)

Answer: NOISOME (i.e. “disgusting”). Solution is NO followed by I’S (i.e “[Roman numeral] one” made possessive) and ‘OME (i.e. “pad in Albert Square”, i.e. the word HOME with the aitch dropped like what them cock-er-neys on EastEnders do, innit?).

22. Money suitable for securing game and starchy food (10)

Answer: BREADFRUIT (i.e. “starchy food”). Solution is BREAD (i.e. “money”) followed by FIT (i.e. “suitable”) once it has been wrapped around or “securing” RU (i.e. “game”, specifically Rugby Union), like so: BREAD-F(RU)IT.

23. European woman, one coming ashore with bag (12)

Answer: NETHERLANDER (i.e. “European”). Solution is HER (i.e. “woman”) and LANDER (i.e. “one coming ashore”) placed after NET (i.e. “bag”, both words for obtaining stuff), like so: NET-HER-LANDER.

27. Place where a stripper briefly appears? (5)

Answer: LOCUS (i.e. “place”). Solution is LOCUST (i.e. “stripper”) with the last letter trimmed (indicated by “briefly appears”).

29. Caustic wordplay by man of breeding (7)

Answer: PUNGENT (i.e. “caustic”). Solution is PUN (i.e. “wordplay”) followed by GENT (i.e. “man of breeding”).

30. Prevent retiring daughter concealing her archaeological find (8)

Answer: POTSHERD, which are shards of old pottery (i.e. “archaeological find”). Solution is STOP (i.e. “prevent”) reversed (indicated by “retiring”) and D (a recognised abbreviation of “daughter”) wrapped around or “concealing” HER, like so: POTS-(HER)-D. One I remembered from a previous puzzle, making this an easier get.

32. A French lad ringing about a lack of logical thinking (8)

Answer: UNREASON (i.e. “lack of logical thinking”). Solution is UN (i.e. “A French”, i.e. the masculine form of “a” in French) and SON (i.e. “lad”) wrapped around or “ringing” RE (i.e. “about” – think email replies) and A, like so: UN-(RE-A)-SON.

34. Cooked most tropical fruit (7)

Answer: APRICOT (i.e. “fruit”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “cooked”) of TROPICAL once the last letter has been removed (indicated by “most”).

36. Strip firearm (5)

Answer: RIFLE. Solution satisfies “[to] strip” and “firearm”.

39. Vehicle thief collects favourite political candidate from afar? (12)

Answer: CARPETBAGGER (i.e. “political candidate from afar” – Donald Trump would be a good example of one, given he isn’t really seen as a Republican). Solution is CAR (i.e. “vehicle”) and BAGGER (i.e. “thief”) wrapped around or “collecting” PET (i.e. “favourite”), like so: CAR-(PET)-BAGGER.

41. Belittled and frustrated, the writer’s at home in this (10)

Answer: DIMINISHED (i.e. “belittled”). Solution is DISHED (i.e. “frustrated”, as in having outwitted or defeated an opponent) wrapped around (indicated by “…in this”) I’M IN (i.e. “the writer’s at home”, taken from the point of view of the setter), like so: D(I’M-IN)ISHED.

44. Liberal academic given employment (7)

Answer: PROFUSE (i.e. “liberal”). Solution is PROF (i.e. “academic”, specifically a shorted form of “professor”) followed by USE (i.e. “employment”).

46. The domain one abandoned sadly for Macbeth’s Cawdor? (8)

Answer: THANEDOM (i.e. “the domain… [of] …Macbeth’s Cawdor). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “sadly”) of THE DOMAIN once the I has been removed (indicated by “[Roman numeral] one abandoned”). Nicely worked.

48. Present old footballer with ring in retirement (6)

Answer: BESTOW (i.e. “present”). Solution is George BEST (i.e. “old footballer”) followed by W (a recognised abbreviation of “with”) and O (i.e. “ring”) once these latter two have been reversed (indicated by “in retirement”), like so: BEST-O-W.

50. Become agitated carelessly removing one’s clothing from washing machine? (3,4,8,2,1,5)

Answer: GET ONES KNICKERS IN A TWIST. Solution satisfies “become agitated” and “carelessly removing one’s clothing from washing machine”. Also descriptive of me most weekends when I’m putting these posts together.

53. Surprisingly happy with old car and rejected books (9)

Answer: APOCRYPHA (i.e. “rejected books”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “surprisingly”) of HAPPY, O (a recognised abbreviation of “old”) and CAR.

54. Hang about in south east resort before run (5)

Answer: HOVER (i.e. “hang about”). Solution is HOVE (i.e. “south east resort”) followed by R (a recognised abbreviation of “run” used in a number of ball games).

55. Popular view voiced by Republican, a provoker of action (7)

Answer: INCITER (i.e. “provoker of action”). Solution is IN (i.e. “popular”) followed by CITE (i.e. “view voiced”, i.e. a homophone of SIGHT) and R (a recognised abbreviation of “Republican”).

56. High-flyer changes sides – what a bore (5)

Answer: EAGRE (i.e. a “bore” or sudden rise of the tide in a river). Solution is EAGLE (i.e. “high-flyer”) with the L replaced with R (indicated by “changes sides”, L and R being recognised abbreviations of “left” and “right” respectively).

57. For a seamstress they’re not entirely unnecessary (7)

Answer: NEEDLES. Solution is NEEDLESS (i.e. “unnecessary”) with the last letter removed (indicated by “not entirely”).

58. Assuasive English gang girl that is not without heart (9)

Answer: EMOLLIENT (i.e. “assuasive”). Solution is E (a recognised abbreviation of “English”) followed by MOLL (i.e. “gang girl”) then IE (i.e. “that is”, i.e. …um… “i.e.”) and NT (i.e. “not without heart”, i.e. the word NOT with the middle letter removed).

Down clues

1. Meaty product of Berkshire philosopher? (5)

Answer: BACON. Solution satisfies “meaty product” and “Berkshire philosopher”, namely Francis BACON.

2. Best to reconnoitre plot? Nothing could be more awful (5-4,8)

Answer: WORST-CASE SCENARIO (i.e. “nothing could be more awful”). Clue plays on how “reconnoitring” something is to CASE it, and how a “plot” can be a SCENARIO. Within the context of the clue, if “nothing could be more awful” when reconnoitring a plot, it could be described as a WORST-CASE SCENARIO. Clunky, but you get the idea. Ish.

3. Recovered stored information? It’s what the Lab did? (9)

Answer: RETRIEVED. Solution satisfies “recovered stored information” and “what the Lab did”. A bit sneaky from the setter here. “Lab” is a recognised abbreviation of the Canadian region of Labrador. You also get Labrador retrievers. Join the dots.

4. Once disgraceful gibe delivered in pub (6)

Answer: INDIGN (i.e. a poetic or archaic word (indicated by “once”) for “disgraceful”). Solution is DIG (i.e. “gibe”) placed or “delivered” in INN, like so: IN(DIG)N.

5. Girl’s status and character (11)

Answer: DISPOSITION (i.e. “character”). When written as DI’S POSITION, the solution also satisfies “girl’s status”.

6. Final send-off for heretic connected with bank (8)

Answer: RIPARIAN (i.e. “connected with [river] bank”). Solution is RIP (i.e. “final send-off”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of Rest In Peace) followed by ARIAN (i.e. “heretic”). Not a word that leapt out at me. A brute force of my Chambers was needed once I’d gotten all the intersecting letters.

7. Bird identified by lieutenant, one wearing outdoor garment (4,3)

Answer: COAL TIT (i.e. “bird”). Solution is LT (a recognised abbreviation of “lieutenant”) and I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”) placed in or “wearing” COAT (i.e. “outdoor garment”), like so: COA(LT-I)T.

8. Her chap set out to secure current post at school (11)

Answer: TEACHERSHIP (i.e. “post at school”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “out”) of HER CHAP SET wrapped around or “securing” I (a recognised abbreviation of “[electrical] current”), like so: TEACHERSH(I)P.

9. A former country with popular old king? It’s what Anatolia was (4,5)

Answer: ASIA MINOR (i.e. “it’s what Anatolia was”). Solution is A followed by SIAM (i.e. “former country”), then IN (i.e. “popular”), then O (a recognised abbreviation of “old”) and R (ditto Rex, i.e. “king”).

10. Judge given notes in largely Carthaginian language (7)

Answer: PUNJABI (i.e. “language”). Solution is J (a recognised abbreviation of “judge”) and A and B (i.e. both musical “notes”) placed “in” PUNIC (i.e. “Carthaginian”) once the last letter has been removed (indicated by “largely”), like so: PUN(J-A-B)I.

11. Forbidden book, not acceptable in Chinese philosophy (5)

Answer: TABOO (i.e. “forbidden”). Solution is BOOK with the OK removed (indicated by “not acceptable”) and the remainder placed “in” TAO (i.e. “Chinese philosophy”), like so: TA(BO)O.

12. Lover demanding attention in parts of the West (10)

Answer: SWEETHEART (i.e. “lover”). Solution is EAR (i.e. “attention”) placed “in” an anagram (indicated by “parts of”) of THE WEST, like so: SWEETH(EAR)T.

17. Prophetess lives over by the lake (5)

Answer: SIBYL (i.e. “prophetess”). Solution is IS (i.e. “lives”) reversed (indicated by “over”) and followed by BY, then L (a recognised abbreviation of “lake”), like so: SI-BY-L.

20. A Scottish honour, tho Forester held it, unexpectedly (5,2,3,7)

Answer: ORDER OF THE THISTLE (i.e. “a Scottish honour”). “Unexpectedly” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of THO FORESTER HELD IT.

21. Loses footing absorbing last of info for Cambridge exam (6)

Answer: TRIPOS (i.e. “Cambridge exam”). Solution is TRIPS (i.e. “loses footing”) wrapped around or “absorbing” O (i.e. “last of info”, i.e. the last letter of “info”), like so: TRIP(O)S.

24. Secure by intimidation in text or tweet (6)

Answer: EXTORT (i.e. “secure by intimidation”). “In” indicates the solution is hidden in the clue, like so: T(EXT OR T)WEET.

25. Hate airline coming over house by river (5)

Answer: ABHOR (i.e. “hate”). Solution is BA (i.e. “airline”, specifically British Airways) reversed (indicated by “coming over”) and followed by HO (a recognised abbreviation of “house”) and R (ditto “river”), like so: AB-HO-R.

26. Lavishly supply short man with alcoholic drink (6)

Answer: REGALE (i.e. “lavishly supply”). Solution is REG (i.e. “short man”, specifically a shortened form of Reginald) followed by ALE (i.e. “alcoholic drink”).

28. Kid influenced by power or moral force, we hear (5)

Answer: SUEDE (i.e. “kid [leather]”). “We hear” indicates homophone. Solution is a homophone of SWAYED (i.e. “influenced by power or moral force”).

31. Shabby-sounding provider of starch in Scotland (6)

Answer: TATTIE (i.e. “provider of starch in Scotland”, namely a Scots word for potato). “Sounding” indicates homophone. Solution is a homophone of TATTY (i.e. “shabby”).

33. Singer’s dark period buffeted by wind (11)

Answer: NIGHTINGALE (i.e. “singer” – birds again, but at least this one is known for its song). Solution is NIGHT (i.e. “dark period”) followed by IN GALE (i.e. “buffeted by wind”).

35. Decorative work of one in hard-wearing trousers on lake (11)

Answer: CHINOISERIE (i.e. “decorative work”). Solution is I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”) placed “in” CHINOS (i.e. “hard-wearing trousers”) and followed by ERIE (one of the Great “Lakes”), like so: CHINO(I)S-ERIE. Another I remembered from a previous puzzle, if I’m honest, making this an easier get than it ought to have been.

37. Finance demise that hurt (5)

Answer: ENDOW (i.e. “finance”). Solution is END (i.e. “demise”) followed by OW! (i.e. “that hurt”).

38. Rascal initially scaring head girl? (10)

Answer: SCAPEGRACE (i.e. “rascal”). Solution is S (i.e. “initially scaring”, i.e. the first letter of “scaring”) followed by CAPE (i.e. “head”, as in the geographical feature) and GRACE (i.e. “girl”). Can’t say I’ve seen this word out in the wild. I like it!

40. British painter’s fancy brooch (9)

Answer: BREASTPIN (i.e. “brooch”). Solution is BR (a recognised abbreviation of “British”) followed by an anagram (indicated by “fancy”) of PAINTER’S, like so: BR-EASTPIN.

42. The writer would clean it out just the same (9)

Answer: IDENTICAL (i.e. “just the same”). Solution is I’D (i.e. “the writer would”, taken from the point of view of the setter) followed by an anagram (indicated by “out”) of CLEAN IT, like so: I’D-ENTICAL.

43. Books about court actions? (8)

Answer: RESERVES (i.e. “books” a table in a restaurant, for example). Solution is RE (i.e. “about” – again, think email replies) followed by SERVES (i.e. “[tennis] court actions”).

45. Disconcert peacekeepers, at no time raising resistance (7)

Answer: UNNERVE (i.e. “disconcert”). Solution is UN (i.e. “peacekeepers”, specifically the United Nations) followed by NEVER (i.e. “at no time”) once the R (a recognised abbreviation of electrical “resistance”) has been “raised” a couple of notches, this being a down clue, like so: UN-NERVE.

47. Everyone taking in salmon and strong drink (7)

Answer: ALCOHOL (i.e. “strong drink”). Solution is ALL (i.e. “everyone”) wrapped around or “taking in” COHO (i.e. a Pacific “salmon”), like so: AL(COHO)L.

49. A shade 4, changing second name to Oscar (6)

Answer: INDIGO (i.e. “a shade”). The solution to 4d is INDIGN. Solution is 4d with the “second” N (a recognised abbreviation of “name”) changed to O (“Oscar” in the phonetic alphabet), like so: INDIG(N) => INDIG(O).

51. Heavyweight key locking up husband’s skimpy beachwear (5)

Answer: THONG (i.e. “skimpy beachwear”). Solution is TON (i.e. “heavyweight”) and G (a musical “key”) wrapped around or “locking up” H (a recognised abbreviation of “husband”), like so: T(H)ON-G. I’m more of a mankini fella myself, being a little self-conscious.

52. Card call-girl carries round (5)

Answer: TAROT (i.e. “card”). Solution is TART (i.e. “call-girl”) wrapped around or “carrying” O (i.e. “round”), like so: TAR(O)T.