Another relatively straightforward puzzle this week, albeit one spoiled by a couple of scruffy clues. A shame as several of the other clues were well worked. Could just be me.

You can find my completed grid below along with explanations of my solutions where I have them. I hope you find them helpful. If a recent Jumbo has pilfered your peanuts then you might find my Just For Fun page useful, where you’ll find links to solutions for the last 170+ of the things. Elsewhere there are the usual ancient book reviews and a story of mine.

Thanks once again for the kind comments and help. They are always appreciated, and it’s always interesting to hear how other solvers fared. Till next time, stay safe out there kids.

LP

With thanks to Iain MacG in the comments for fixing 47a

Across clues

1. Open to change of plan, a motorway that may be stopped (9)

Answer: AMENDABLE (i.e. “open to change of plan”). Solution is A followed by M (a recognised abbreviation of “motorway”) and ENDABLE (i.e. “that may be stopped”).

6. Wondered if icehouse is outside this building (7)

Answer: EDIFICE (i.e. “building”). “Is outside this” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: WONDER(ED IF ICE)HOUSE.

10. Little time to pursue study (5)

Answer: SCANT (i.e. “little”). Solution is T (a recognised abbreviation of “time”) placed after or “pursuing” SCAN (i.e. to “study” something), like so: SCAN-T.

13. Stay-at-home wanting run out used van freely (13)

Answer: UNADVENTUROUS (i.e. “stay-at-home”). “Freely” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of RUN OUT USED VAN.

14. Reprimand about Italian wine scandal? (9)

Answer: CASTIGATE (i.e. “reprimand”). Solution is C (a recognised abbreviation of “circa”, i.e. “about”) followed by ASTIGATE (i.e. “Italian wine scandal” – the riddly question mark acknowledges the playful use of the prefix -GATE, referencing a scandal. ASTI, meanwhile, is an “Italian wine”).

15. Loose garment needing close fastening (7)

Answer: NIGHTIE (i.e. “loose garment”). Solution is NIGH (i.e. “close” or nearby) followed by TIE (i.e. “fastening”). Nicely worked.

16. Hard lump inside a bone (7)

Answer: STERNUM (i.e. a “bone”). Solution is STERN (i.e. “hard”) followed by UM (i.e. “lump inside”, i.e. the middle letters of “lump”).

17. Warmongers regularly, I note, show an ignorance of the past (7)

Answer: AMNESIA (i.e. “ignorance of the past”, often one’s own). Solution is AMNES (i.e. “warmongers regularly”, i.e. every other letter of WARMONGERS) followed by I and A (i.e. musical “note”).

18. Personally wrapped up small brownie getting taken in (4-8)

Answer: SELF-ABSORBED (i.e. “personally wrapped up”). Solution is S (a recognised abbreviation of “small”) followed by ELF (i.e. “brownie” – over to Chambers: “a benevolent creature who may secretly help with domestic work”. Could do with a few myself), then ABSORBED (i.e. “taken in”).

20. Attachment finishes on Friday – start to cheer (10)

Answer: FRIENDSHIP (i.e. “attachment”). Solution is ENDS (i.e. “finishes”) placed “on” or after FRI (shortened form of “Friday”) and followed by HIP (i.e. “start to cheer”, as in the first word of “hip hip hooray”), like so: FRI-ENDS-HIP.

23. Stuff fish with ten capers to begin with and do well (5)

Answer: EXCEL (i.e. “do well”). Solution is EEL (i.e. “fish”) wrapped around or “stuffed” with X (i.e. “[Roman numeral] ten”) and C (i.e. “capers to begin with”, i.e. the first letter of “capers”), like so: E(X-C)EL.

24. Pearl such as the last across clue? (9)

Answer: THIRTIETH (i.e. “pearl”, traditional gift for a 30th wedding anniversary). The remainder of the clue references how there are thirty across clues in this week’s puzzle.

25. I am a fool cutting exercise in standstill (7)

Answer: IMPASSE (i.e. “standstill”). Solution is I’M (a contraction of “I am”) followed by ASS (i.e. “fool”) once it has been placed in or “cutting” PE (i.e. “exercise”, specifically Physical Education), like so: I’M-P(ASS)E.

26. Sender of message left pager there carelessly (11)

Answer: TELEGRAPHER (i.e. “sender of message”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “carelessly”) of L (a recognised abbreviation of “left”) and PAGER THERE.

28. Allied prisoner given food by English judge (11)

Answer: CONFEDERATE (i.e. “allied”). Solution is CON (i.e. “prisoner”) followed by FED (i.e. “given food”), then E (a recognised abbreviation of “English”) and RATE (i.e. to “judge”).

30. Drunken duke on floor is not expected (8-3)

Answer: UNLOOKED-FOR (i.e. “not expected”). “Drunken” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of DUKE ON FLOOR.

32. Flower mostly invaded by return of weed with couple often returning (11)

Answer: REITERATIVE (i.e. “often returning”). Solution is RIVER (i.e. “flower”, as in how it flows) with its last letter removed (indicated by “mostly”) and the remainder wrapped around or “invaded by” TARE (i.e. a kind of “weed”) and TIE (i.e. to “couple”) once these have been reversed (indicated by “return of”), like so: R(EIT-ERAT)IVE.

34. Gatecrash home rightly without key (7)

Answer: INTRUDE (i.e. “gatecrash”). Solution is IN (i.e. at “home”) followed by TRUE (i.e. “rightly”) once wrapped around or placed “without” D (i.e. musical “key”), like so: IN-TRU(D)E.

36. Band introduces person who finishes performance (9)

Answer: RENDERING (i.e. “performance”). Solution is RING (i.e. “band”) wrapped around or “introducing” ENDER (i.e. “person who finishes”), like so: R(ENDER)ING.

38. I mostly speed round motorway and drive on (5)

Answer: IMPEL (i.e. “drive on”). Solution is I followed by PELT (i.e. “speed”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “mostly”). These are then placed “round” M (a recognised abbreviation of “motorway”), like so: I-(M)-PEL.

39. Narcissistic socialite is distraught about blog’s ending (10)

Answer: EGOISTICAL (i.e. “narcissistic”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “is distraught”) of SOCIALITE wrapped “about” G (i.e. “blog’s ending”, i.e. the last letter of “blog”), like so: E(G)OISTICAL.

41. I sensed vices destroyed ability to resolve issues (12)

Answer: DECISIVENESS (i.e. “ability to resolve issues”). “Destroyed” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of I SENSED VICES.

45. Stamp I invent without head of poor queen (7)

Answer: IMPRINT (i.e. “stamp”). Solution is I followed by MINT (i.e. to “invent”) wrapped around or placed “without” P (i.e. “head of poor”, i.e. the first letter of “poor”) and R (a recognised abbreviation of Regina, Latin for “queen”), like so: I-M(P-R)INT.

46. Where wild animals live, see, with many close together (7)

Answer: DENSELY (i.e. “with many close together”). Solution is DENS (i.e. “where wild animals live”) followed by ELY (i.e. “see” or a diocese in East Anglia popular with setters).

47. Money to get in heroin using sharp runners (7)

Answer: SHAVING (i.e. “using sharp runners”). I’m not 100% on this one, so watch out. I guess the solution is SAVING (i.e. “money”) wrapped around or “getting in” H (i.e. street name of “heroin”), like so: S(H)AVING. Two things: I’d argue money ought to be “savings” not “saving”, and I believe runners refer to blades of, say, an ice skate rather than the cosmetic type. If this is indeed the solution then bleaurgh. Not keen. Alternatively, the solution could be S-HAVING with S being a recognised abbreviation of shilling or “money” and HAVING being “to get in”, but this then leaves “heroin” redundant. Alternatively alternatively, the solution could be SKATING, which then satisfies “using sharp runners”, but I can’t make the solution fit the rest of the clue. A bit of a shitshow, this one, and possibly a cock-up. If anyone swings by with a better solution then I’ll update the post.

[EDIT: Thanks to Iain MacG in the comments for clearing this one up. The solution turned out to be SKATING after all, i.e. “using sharp runners”, formed of TIN (i.e. slang for “money”) placed “in” SKAG (i.e. slang for “heroin”), like so: SKA(TIN)G. Cheers, Iain! – LP]

49. Always famous piece by Handel ends transposed and too broad? (9)

Answer: OVERLARGE (i.e. “too broad”). Solution is EVER (i.e. “always”) and LARGO (i.e. “famous piece by Handel” – I mean, it’s pleasant enough but you’re not missing much) with the “ends transposed”, like so: (E)VER-LARG(O) => (O)VER-LARG(E).

50. Stablemen worked with this organisation (13)

Answer: ESTABLISHMENT (i.e. “organisation”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “worked”) of STABLEMEN and THIS.

52. Give up bear cave and return (5)

Answer: YIELD. A quadruple header, I believe, satisfying “give up”, to produce or “bear”, to “cave” in and a “return” on investment. We had another quadruple header a few weeks ago. If this is the setters’ latest trend then I approve.

53. Get hands confused? Mix-up initially is costly putting left for right (7)

Answer: MISDEAL (i.e. “get hands [of cards] confused”). Solution is M (i.e. “mix-up initially”, i.e. the first letter of “mix-up”) followed by IS, then DEAR (i.e. “costly”) once the R has been swapped “for” L (indicated by “putting left for right”, R and L being recognised abbreviations of “right” and “left” respectively), like so: M-IS-DEA(R) => M-IS-DEA(L).

54. Jealous of three points accepted by ageing editor (5-4)

Answer: GREEN-EYED (i.e. “jealous”). Solution is EEN (i.e. “three points” on a compass, basically recognised abbreviations of East, East and North respectively) placed in or “accepted by” GREY (i.e. “ageing”) and followed by ED (a recognised abbreviation of “editor”), like so: GR(EEN)EY-ED.

Down clues

1. Former pupil from university having months in a large student body (7)

Answer: ALUMNUS (i.e. “former pupil”). Solution is U (a recognised abbreviation of “university”) and M (a recognised abbreviation of “months”) both placed “in” A, L (a recognised abbreviation of “large”) and NUS (i.e. “student body”, specifically the National Union of Students), like so: A-L-(U-M)-NUS.

2. Fervent believer calling Eve a silly (11)

Answer: EVANGELICAL (i.e. “fervent believer”). “Silly” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of CALLING EVE A.

3. What club might raise to video rise to the top (5)

Answer: DIVOT (i.e. “what [golf] club might raise”). Solution is TO and VID (shortened form of “video”) all reversed (indicated by “rise to the top” – this being a down clue), like so: DIV-OT.

4. Crazy financiers with nothing for answer (7)

Answer: BONKERS (i.e. “crazy”). Solution is BANKERS (i.e. “financiers”) with the A (a recognised abbreviation of “answer”, as in Q&A) swapped “for” O (i.e. “nothing”), like so: B(A)NKERS => B(O)NKERS.

5. Bird always present where one sees lemurs (3)

Answer: EMU (i.e. “bird”). “Always present where one sees” rather elaborately indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: L(EMU)RS. Could be I’ve missed something clever, though.

6. Work in gold, perhaps running off with a ring? (9)

Answer: ELOPEMENT (i.e. “running off with a ring”, i.e. running off to marry). Solution is OP (i.e. “work”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of “opus”) placed “in” ELEMENT (i.e. “gold, perhaps” – other chemical elements are available), like so: EL(OP)EMENT.

7. Silly eating seconds, quite mad (6)

Answer: INSANE (i.e. “quite mad”). Solution is INANE (i.e. “silly”) wrapped around or “eating” S (a recognised abbreviation of “seconds”), like so: IN(S)ANE.

8. Inhibit compiler’s yen to work for obscurity (19)

Answer: INCOMPREHENSIBILITY (i.e. “obscurity”). “To work” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of INHIBIT COMPILER’S YEN.

9. Subject redness regularly to wash (7)

Answer: ENSLAVE (i.e. to “subject”… (makes so-so gesture)). Solution is ENS (i.e. “redness regularly”, i.e. every other letter of REDNESS) followed by LAVE (i.e. “to wash”).

10. Uncovered dive, possibly with big rubbish container outside pub yard (6-3)

Answer: SKINNY-DIP (i.e. “uncovered dive”). Solution is SKIP (i.e. “big rubbish container”) placed “outside” of INN (i.e. “pub”) and YD (a recognised abbreviation of “yard”), like so: SK(INN-YD)IP.

11. Effect of drugs upset Sean taking article in eastern continent (11)

Answer: ANAESTHESIA (i.e. “effect of drugs”). Solution is SEAN reversed (indicated by “upset” – this being a down clue) and THE (i.e. “article”, i.e. a word like a, an or the) both placed “in” ASIA (i.e. “eastern continent”) like so: A(NAES-THE)SIA

12. Character of those who’d volunteer to fight? (5)

Answer: THETA (i.e. “character”, specifically the eighth letter of the Greek alphabet). When written as THE TA the solution also satisfies “those who’d volunteer to fight”, i.e. the Territorial Army.

16. Father’s rating swords forged for quality of child’s play (19)

Answer: STRAIGHTFORWARDNESS (i.e. “quality of child’s play”). “Forged” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of FATHER’S RATING SWORDS.

19. The whole lot eat a lot on getting up? Not good – rather fast (7)

Answer: ALLEGRO (i.e. “rather fast” in musical lingo). Solution is ALL (i.e. “the whole lot”) followed by GORGE (i.e. “eat a lot”) once reversed (indicated by “getting up” – this being a down clue) and one of its Gs removed (indicated by “not good” – G being a recognised abbreviation of “good”), like so: ALL-EGRO.

21. Alexander’s Feast, say, after composition with parts coming separately (9)

Answer: PIECEMEAL (i.e. “with parts coming separately”). Solution is MEAL (i.e. “Alexander’s Feast, say” – probably referencing the event itself rather than the musical work by Handel. I guess the setter fancied another reference to Handel in the puzzle) placed “after” PIECE (i.e. musical “composition”), like so: PIECE-MEAL.

22. What airlines put on for safety – one cent in the buck? (2-4)

Answer: DE-ICER (i.e. “what airliners put on for safety”). Solution is I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”) and C (a recognised abbreviation of “cent”) both placed “in” DEER (i.e. “buck”), like so: DE(I-C)ER.

23. Former partner faithfully guarding son, four, like a rock? (9)

Answer: EXTRUSIVE (i.e. “like a rock” formed from magma). Solution is EX (i.e. “former partner”) and TRUE (i.e. “faithfully”) wrapped around or “guarding” S (a recognised abbreviation of “son”) and IV (i.e. “four” expressed in Roman numerals), like so: EX-TRU(S-IV)E.

24. Swing component up over centre of retaining ring (7)

Answer: TRAPEZE (i.e. “swing”). Solution is PART (i.e. “component”) reversed (indicated by “up” – this being a down clue) and followed by the “centre” letters of BEZEL (i.e. “retaining ring”), like so: TRAP-EZE.

25. Person that’s reserved lettuce (7)

Answer: ICEBERG. Solution satisfies “person that’s reserved” and a variety of “lettuce”.

27. Run a group full of enthusiasm (6)

Answer: RARING (i.e. “full of enthusiasm”). Solution is R (a recognised abbreviation of “run” used in a number of ball games) followed by A and RING (i.e. “group”).

29. Tricky rescue set up I have to follow (7)

Answer: EVASIVE (i.e. “tricky”). Solution is SAVE (i.e. “rescue”) reversed (indicated by “set up” – this being a down clue) and followed by I’VE (a contraction of “I have”), like so: EVAS-I’VE.

31. Set fire to hospital – now a shell on which we build (11)

Answer: LITHOSPHERE (an example being the earth’s crust, or “a shell on which we build”). Another I’m not 100% about. I think this could be another cock-up. My solution, for what it’s worth, is LIT (i.e. “set fire to”) followed by H (a recognised abbreviation of “hospital”) and HERE (i.e. “now”). This leaves OSP unaccounted for, however. None of my dictionaries support HOSP as a recognised abbreviation of “hospital” and I don’t see how the clue invites solvers to cut the word “hospital” in half. Again, if anyone offers the correct solution for this then I’ll update the post.

33. Slimy recipe cooked with little attention to detail (11)

Answer: IMPRECISELY (i.e. “with little attention to detail”). “Cooked” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of SLIMY RECIPE. I mean, the irony of this solution after a couple of scruffy clues isn’t lost on me.

35. Incompetent United Nations gets head of state murdered (9)

Answer: UNSKILLED (i.e. “incompetent”). Solution is UN (i.e. “United Nations”) followed by S (i.e. “head of state”, i.e. the first letter of “state”) and KILLED (i.e. “murdered”).

37. Basic cheese the French used for a month (9)

Answer: ELEMENTAL (i.e. “basic”). Solution is EMMENTAL (i.e. “cheese”) with one of the Ms (referenced by “a month” – M being a recognised abbreviation) swapped “for” LE (i.e. “the French”, i.e. the masculine form of “the” in French), like so: E(M)MENTAL => E(LE)MENTAL.

40. Acting, I am following playwright with no pressure (7)

Answer: INTERIM (i.e. “acting”). Solution is I’M (a contraction of “I am”) placed after or “following” Harold PINTER (i.e. “playwright”) once the P has been removed (indicated by “no pressure”, P being a recognised abbreviation of “pressure”), like so: INTER-I’M.

42. Encourage one new father to carry progeny at the outset (7)

Answer: INSPIRE (i.e. “encourage”). Solution is I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”) followed by N (a recognised abbreviation of “new”) and SIRE (i.e. to “father”) once wrapped around or carrying P (i.e. “progeny at the outset”, i.e. the first letter of “progeny”), like so: I-N-S(P)IRE.

43. Sounded relieved about temperature observed (7)

Answer: SIGHTED (i.e. “observed”). Solution is SIGHED (i.e. “sounded relieved”) wrapped “about” T (a recognised abbreviation of “temperature”), like so: SIGH(T)ED.

44. A sign of some irritation with son having joints reportedly (6)

Answer: SNEEZE (i.e. “a sign of some irritation”). Solution is S (a recognised abbreviation of “son”) followed by a homophone (indicated by “reportedly”) of KNEES (i.e. “joints”), like so: S-NEEZE.

45. What’s produced by jumbo engine over years? (5)

Answer: IVORY (i.e. “what’s produced by jumbo”). Solution is IVOR (i.e. “engine”, after Oliver Postgate’s animated series, Ivor The Engine) followed by Y (a recognised abbreviation of “years”).

48. Looking sick like when losing wicket (5)

Answer: ASHEN (i.e. “looking sick”). Solution is AS (i.e. “like”) followed by WHEN once the W has been removed (indicated by “losing wicket”, i.e. W being a recognised abbreviation of “wicket” used in cricket), like so: AS-HEN.

51. Ancient fortress abandoning resistance in error (3)

Answer: BUG (i.e. “error”). Solution is BURG (i.e. “ancient fortress”) with the R removed (indicated by “abandoning resistance” – R being a recognised abbreviation of “resistance”).

A relatively easy puzzle this week, which is fine by me, especially when accompanied by some nicely worked clues. (And especially especially when said clues make the exotic solutions easier to get.)

You can find my completed grid below along with explanations of my solutions where I have them. I hope you find them helpful. If a recent Jumbo has trampled all over your flowers then you might find succour in my Just For Fun page, where you’ll find links to solutions to the last 170+ of these things. Elsewhere there are the usual ancient book reviews and a story of mine.

Thanks again for the kind words and help, folks. It’s always interesting to hear the thoughts of other solvers once they’ve set down their pens. And what’s this I see? Normal sized text in WordPress’s editor? Praise be! If anyone is in the market for a second-hand microfiche reader, let me know. Till next time, stay safe out there, kids.

LP

Across clues

1. A new coin eclipsing one from long ago (7)

Answer: ANCIENT (i.e. “from long ago”). Solution is A followed by N (a recognised abbreviation of “new”) and CENT (i.e. “coin”) once wrapped around or “eclipsing” I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”), like so: A-N-C(I)ENT.

5. This writer’s finished old painting (7)

Answer: IMPASTO (i.e. “painting” style, where you stick great gobs of the stuff onto the canvas). Solution is I’M (i.e. “this writer’s”, i.e. a contraction of “this writer is” taken from the point of view of the setter, i.e. “I am”) followed by PAST (i.e. “finished”) and O (a recognised abbreviation of “old”).

9. Yearbook article stored in a large computer (7)

Answer: ALMANAC (i.e. “yearbook”). Solution is AN (i.e. “article”, i.e. a word like a, an or the) placed or “stored in” A, L (a recognised abbreviation of “large”) and MAC (i.e. a line of “computers” manufactured by Apple, short for Macintosh), like so: A-L-M(AN)AC.

13. Head office used Rover for training course (4,7)

Answer: HORS D’OUEVRE (i.e. meal “course”). Solution is HO (a recognised abbreviation of “head office”) followed by an anagram (indicated by “for training”) of USED ROVER, like so: HO-RSDOEUVRE. If someone could hack into The Times‘ puzzle style guide and add “Thou muft indicateth the proper length of apoftrophifed folutionf verily: HORS D’OEUVRE (4,1’6)” that would be lovely, thanks.

14. Fish circles one very loud tug, an engineering marvel (6,5)

Answer: EIFFEL TOWER (i.e. “engineering marvel”). Solution is EEL (i.e. “fish”) wrapped around or “circling” I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”) and FF (i.e. “very loud”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of “fortissimo” used in musical lingo), then followed by TOWER (i.e. “tug”, a reference to how it tows other boats behind it).

15. Victor leaves club towel perhaps (5)

Answer: DRIER (i.e. “towel perhaps” – other methods of drying are available. You could stick your wet plates on a warm radiator for example. #LifeHacks). Solution is DRIVER (a golf “club”) with the V removed (indicated by “Victor leaves…” – Victor is V in the phonetic alphabet).

16. Well-known extract in English books (7)

Answer: EMINENT (i.e. “well-known”). Solution is MINE (i.e. to “extract”) placed “in” between E (a recognised abbreviation of “English”) and NT (i.e. “books”, specifically the New Testament of The Bible), like so: E-(MINE)-NT.

17. Pick up article about current distress (9)

Answer: HEARTACHE (i.e. “distress”). Solution is HEAR (i.e. “pick up”) followed by THE (i.e. “article”, as already covered) once wrapped “about” AC (i.e. a recognised abbreviation of alternating “current”), like so: HEAR-T(AC)HE.

18. Unexpectedly, Nepal is reconstructing IT hub (7,10,4)

Answer: CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT (the heart of electronic computers. You could also call it a centre of activity or “hub”. I couldn’t possibly comment). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “unexpectedly”) of NEPAL IS RECONSTRUCTING followed by IT.
[EDIT: Thanks to Natalie in the comments for repairing this one. I nearly had it. The anagram is merely of NEPAL IS RECONSTRUCTING, making the solution an “IT hub”. Cheers, Natalie! – LP]

23. Sheep enclosure by church that’s not worth much (8)

Answer: TUPPENCE (i.e. “not worth much”). Solution is TUP (i.e. a ram or “sheep” – we’ve seen this usage a couple of times in Jumbos) followed by PEN (i.e. “enclosure”), then CE (i.e. “church”, specifically the Church of England).

25. Old firm collecting tax returns book (6)

Answer: OCTAVO (i.e. “book” printed on sheets folded in such a way to produce eight leaves per sheet rather than four). Solution is O (a recognised abbreviation of “old”) followed by CO (ditto “company”) once wrapped around or “collecting” VAT (i.e. “tax”, specifically Value Added Tax) once this has been reversed (indicated by “returns”), like so: O-C(TAV)O. One cracked via the wordplay.

27. Daisy reorganised beer garden having removed study (7)

Answer: GERBERA (i.e. colourful “daisy”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “reorganised”) of BEER GARDEN once the DEN or “study” has been “removed”.

30. Fertilise a lot to protect first of lettuce (5)

Answer: MULCH (i.e. “fertilise” – can be used in verb form). Solution is MUCH (i.e. “a lot”) wrapped around or “protecting” L (i.e. “first [letter] of lettuce”), like so: MU(L)CH.

32. Old PM hugs a secretary, fluttering (7)

Answer: PITAPAT (i.e. “fluttering” – can refer to “a palpitating sensation” (Chambers)). Solution is PITT (i.e. “old PM” or Prime Minister) wrapped around or “hugging” A and PA (i.e. “secretary” or Personal Assistant), like so: PIT(A-PA)T.

33. One’s utmost – or even better! (5,4)

Answer: LEVEL BEST (i.e. “one’s utmost”). Solution is LEVEL (i.e. “even”) followed by BEST (i.e. to “better” someone). Simple, but nicely done.

35. Reportedly only Mike defends American tunes (4,5)

Answer: SOUL MUSIC (i.e. “tunes”). Solution comprises homophones (indicated by “reportedly”) of SOLE (i.e. “only”) and MIKE wrapped around or “defending” US (i.e. “American”), like so: SOUL-M(US)IC.

36. Couple arranged to house new Gallic barman (7)

Answer: Francis POULENC (i.e. French composer or “barman”, given music comprises bars and such). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “arranged”) of COUPLE wrapped around or “housing” N (a recognised abbreviation of “new”), like so: POULE(N)C. One of those to file under “made to fit”, but mercifully made easier by the wordplay.

37. A drunkard devours cold course (5)

Answer: ASCOT (i.e. “course” for horse racing). Solution is A followed by SOT (i.e. “drunkard”) once wrapped around or “devouring” C (a recognised abbreviation of “cold”), like so: A-S(C)OT.

38. Obliterate some Parisian system of weights (7)

Answer: DESTROY (i.e. “obliterate”). Solution is DES (i.e. “some Parisian”, i.e. the French for “some”) followed by TROY (i.e. “system of weights”).

40. Try to catch each cook swigging whiskey (6)

Answer: EARWIG (i.e. to eavesdrop or “try to catch”). Solution is EA (a recognised abbreviation of “each”) followed by RIG (i.e. to “cook”, manipulate or falsify) once wrapped around or “swigging” W (i.e. “whiskey” in the phonetic alphabet), like so: EA-R(W)IG.

41. Put emphasis on sweets going west (8)

Answer: STRESSED (i.e. “put emphasis on”). Solution is DESSERTS (i.e. “sweets”) reversed (indicated by “going west” – this being an across clue).

44. Instinctive broadcast that assists motorists (9,12)

Answer: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION (i.e. “that assists motorists”). Solution is AUTOMATIC (i.e. “instinctive”) followed by TRANSMISSION (i.e. “broadcast”).

48. Bans speaker backing target limits (9)

Answer: MORATORIA (i.e. “bans”). Solution is ORATOR (i.e. “speaker”) placed in or “limited” by AIM (i.e. “target”) once this has been reversed (indicated by “backing”), like so: M(ORATOR)IA.

50. Rewrite medical lecture (7)

Answer: DECLAIM (i.e. to harangue or “lecture”). “Rewrite” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of MEDICAL.

53. Heroin features in cocaine gag (5)

Answer: CHOKE (i.e. to “gag”). Solution is H (i.e. street name for “heroin”) placed or “featured in” COKE (ditto “cocaine”), like so: C(H)OKE.

54. Associate to bury china with foreign article (11)

Answer: INTERMINGLE (i.e. to “associate”). Solution is INTER (i.e. “to bury”) followed by MING (i.e. “china” or porcelain) and LE (i.e. “foreign article”, i.e. the French for “the”).

55. Like top man and his unnamed son giving cost before haggling (6,5)

Answer: ASKING PRICE (i.e. “cost before haggling”). Solution is AS (i.e. “like”) followed by KING (i.e. “top man”) and PRINCE (i.e. “his…son”, in reference to KING) once the N has been removed (indicated by “nameless” – N being a recognised abbreviation of “name”), like so: AS-KING-PRICE.

56. Colt maybe raised wretchedly by side of mountain (7)

Answer: SIDEARM (i.e. “Colt maybe” – other gun manufacturers are available). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “wretchedly”) of RAISED followed by M (i.e. “side of mountain”, i.e. the first letter of “mountain”), like so: SIDEAR-M.

57. Delay writer following our group in South Dakota (7)

Answer: SUSPEND (i.e. “delay”). Solution is PEN (i.e. “writer”) placed after or “following” US (i.e. “our group”). These are then placed “in” SD (US state abbreviation of “South Dakota”), like so: S(US-PEN)D.

58. Slander constant smoker in a city (7)

Answer: CALUMNY (i.e. “slander”). Solution is C (a recognised abbreviation of “constant”) followed by LUM (i.e. a chimney or “smoker” – we’ve also seen this usage a couple of times in Jumbos) once placed “in” between A and NY (i.e. “city”, specifically New York), like so: C-A-(LUM)-NY.

Down clues

1. A research graduate’s catching current pests (6)

Answer: APHIDS (i.e. “pests”). Solution is A followed by PHD’S (i.e. “research graduate’s”) once wrapped around or “catching” I (a recognised abbreviation of an electric “current” used in physics), like so: A-PH(I)D’S.

2. Club maybe regularly finance person with pump problem? (7)

Answer: CARDIAC (i.e. someone with cardiac disease or “person with pump problem”). Solution is CARD (i.e. “club maybe” – other suits are available) followed by IAC (i.e. “regularly finance”, i.e. every other letter of FINANCE).

3. Finish university event around north showing stamina? (9)

Answer: ENDURANCE (i.e. “stamina”). Solution is END (i.e. “finish”) followed by U (a recognised abbreviation of “university”) and RACE (i.e. athletic “event”) once wrapped “around” N (a recognised abbreviation of “north”), like so: END-U-RA(N)CE.

4. Second person once arresting male subject (5)

Answer: THEME (i.e. “subject”). Solution is THEE (i.e. “second person once”, i.e. ye olde form of “you”: first person being “I”, second person being “you”, third person being “they”) wrapped around or “arresting” M (a recognised abbreviation of “male”), like so: THE(M)E.

5. Dupe wearing mask takes in good European (8)

Answer: INVEIGLE (i.e. “dupe”). Solution is IN VEIL (i.e. “wearing mask”) wrapped around or “taking in” G (a recognised abbreviation of “good”) and followed by E (ditto “European”), like so: IN-VEI(G)L-E.

6. Part of receipt sent up with margins trimmed (5)

Answer: PIECE (i.e. “part”). Solution is RECEIPT with its first and last letters or “margins” removed or “trimmed”, and the remainder reversed (indicated by “sent up” – this being a down clue), like so: R(ECEIP)T => ECEIP => PIECE.

7. One who has doubts about filling sort of tank (7)

Answer: SCEPTIC (i.e. “one who has doubts”). Solution is SEPTIC (i.e. “sort of tank”) wrapped around or “filled” by C (i.e. “about”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of “circa”), like so: S(C)EPTIC.

8. Bid to secure article ought to be somewhat revealing (3-3-8)

Answer: OFF-THE-SHOULDER (i.e. “somewhat revealing”). Solution is OFFER (i.e. “bid”) wrapped around or “securing” THE (i.e. “article”, already discussed) and SHOULD (i.e. “ought to be”), like so: OFF(THE-SHOULD)ER.

9. State becoming older, losing energy and getting mean (9)

Answer: AVERAGING (i.e. mathematical “mean”). Solution is AVER (i.e. to “state”) followed by AGEING (i.e. “becoming older”) once the E has been removed (indicated by “losing energy” – E being a recognised abbreviation of “energy”), like so: AVER-AGING.

10. Books in opera house for choral piece (5)

Answer: MOTET (i.e. “choral piece”). Solution is OT (i.e. “books”, this time the Old Testament of The Bible) placed “in” MET (i.e. “opera house”, specifically the Metropolitan Opera House in New York), like so: M(OT)ET.

11. Where reporters gather fresh small pears (4,11)

Answer: NEWS CONFERENCES (i.e. “where reporters gather”). Solution is NEW (i.e. “fresh”) followed by S (a recognised abbreviation of “small”) and CONFERENCES (i.e. variety of “pears”).

12. County right concerning court rebuke (7)

Answer: CORRECT (i.e. “rebuke”). Solution is CO (a recognised abbreviation of “county”) followed by R (ditto “right”), then RE (i.e. “concerning” – think email replies) and CT (a recognised abbreviation of “court”).

19. Distributed precise formulae (7)

Answer: RECIPES (i.e. “formulae”). “Distributed” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of PRECISE.

20. Initially roll then twice decorate bakery item (4,5)

Answer: RICE PAPER (i.e. “bakery item”). Solution is R (i.e. “initially roll”, i.e. the first letter of “roll”) followed by ICE and PAPER (i.e. “twice decorate” – the former being to decorate a cake, the latter to decorate a room).

21. In Indian state burn primate (7)

Answer: GORILLA (i.e. “primate”). Solution is GOA (i.e. “Indian state”) wrapped around or having “in” RILL (i.e. “burn” – both being small waterways), like so: GO(RILL)A.

22. Like fine spray, so made it elsewhere (8)

Answer: ATOMISED (i.e. “like fine spray”). “Elsewhere” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of SO MADE IT.

24. Sort of fat old college with room for more students? (15)

Answer: POLYUNSATURATED (i.e. “sort of fat”). The clue plays on a POLY or polytechnic being an “old college”. The rest, I guess, playfully riffs on SAT tests and whether potential students are U-RATED, taking U to be a recognised abbreviation of “university”. UN- being a negating prefix would then suggest said POLY is lacking in suitable applicants. Something along those lines, anyway. Could be I’ve missed something devious, though.

[EDIT: As a few commenters have pointed out, the UNSATURATED part of the solution satisfies how said POLY hasn’t yet reached saturation point, or “has room for more students”. Thanks all! – LP]

26. Old king’s from day one into knitwear! (9)

Answer: ARTHURIAN (i.e. “old king’s”, taken to mean “of an old king”, specifically King Arthur). Solution is THUR (i.e. “day” of the week, short for Thursday) and I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”) both placed “into” ARAN (i.e. style of “knitwear”), like so: AR(THUR-I)AN.

28. A quiet bird you’d heard displaying flair (8)

Answer: APTITUDE (i.e. “flair”). Solution is A followed by P (a recognised abbreviation of “piano” or “quiet” in musical lingo), then TIT (i.e. “bird”) and a homophone (indicated by “heard”) of “you’d”, like so: A-P-TIT-UDE.

29. Routine chats where bulls and bears gather (5,9)

Answer: STOCK EXCHANGES (i.e. “where bulls and bears gather”, bulls and bears symbolising trading on rising and falling share prices). Solution is STOCK (i.e. mundane or “routine”) followed by EXCHANGES (i.e. “chats”).

31. Dull sound made by certain workers on cylinder (7)

Answer: HUMDRUM (i.e. “dull”). Solution is HUM (i.e. “sound made by certain workers”, in this case worker bees) followed by DRUM (i.e. “cylinder”).

34. Relinquishes duty importing a hundred tablets (7)

Answer: VACATES (i.e. “relinquishes”). Solution is VAT (i.e. “duty”, Value Added Tax again) wrapped around or “importing” A and C (i.e. “[Roman numeral] hundred”) and followed by ES (i.e. “tablets” of ecstasy, E being its street name), like so: V(A-C)AT-ES.

39. Addition to table Betty Muir designed (9)

Answer: YTTERBIUM (i.e. chemical element or “addition to [periodic] table”). “Designed” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of BETTY MUIR.

42. Bishop’s huge stone embodying saint (9)

Answer: EPISCOPAL (i.e. “bishop’s”, read as belonging to bishops). Solution is EPIC (i.e. “huge”) and OPAL (i.e. “stone”) wrapped around or “embodying” S (a recognised abbreviation of “saint”), like so: EPI(S)C-OPAL.

43. Got on British vessel in eastern sea (8)

Answer: EMBARKED (i.e. “got on”). Solution is B (a recognised abbreviation of “British”) and ARK (i.e. “vessel”) both placed “in” E (a recognised abbreviation of “eastern”) and MED (i.e. “sea”, short for Mediterranean), like so: E-M(B-ARK)ED.

44. Hairy locations where weapons are hidden? (7)

Answer: ARMPITS (i.e. “hairy locations”). The remainder plays on ARMS being a word for “weapons”. I guess you could hide them in PITS. Inactive volcano bases are another option for budding supervillains.

45. Engineers line up compensation (7)

Answer: REDRESS (i.e. “compensation”). Solution is RE (i.e. “engineers”, specifically the Royal Engineers of the British Army) followed by DRESS (i.e. to “line up” – usage I remembered from a recent puzzle, if I’m honest).

46. Metal miners employ old boy in islands (7)

Answer: NIOBIUM (i.e. “metal”). Solution is NUM (i.e. “miners”, specifically the National Union of Miners) wrapped around or “employing” OB (a recognised abbreviation of “old boy”) once this has itself been placed “in” between I and I (i.e. “islands”, I being a recognised abbreviation of “island”), like so: N(I(OB)I)UM.

47. Plant that would need IT installed to generate speed (6)

Answer: CELERY (i.e. “plant”). After IT has been “installed” within the solution you get CELER(IT)Y, another word for “speed”.

49. Land legally grabbed by Walter Raleigh (5)

Answer: TERRA (i.e. “land legally”, a comment on how the word is used in legalese). “Grabbed by” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: WAL(TER RA)LEIGH.

51. First of couturiers to flatten fashion (5)

Answer: CRAZE (i.e. “fashion”). Solution is C (i.e. “first [letter] of couturiers”) followed by RAZE (i.e. to “flatten” a building).

52. Demented bloke in charge (5)

Answer: MANIC (i.e. “demented”). Solution is MAN (i.e. “bloke”) followed by IC (a recognised abbreviation of “in charge”).

A tougher specimen this week. Can’t say I was a fan of this one at the time, but that was probably more me being a grump than anything particularly wrong with the puzzle. On another day I might say this was one of the better ones.

You can find my completed grid below along with explanations of my solutions where I have them. I hope you find them helpful. As you’ll see I’ve taken a flyer on 17a. If a kind soul furnishes me with the actual answer then I’ll update the post. In the meantime if a previous Jumbo has picked your pockets then you might find my Just For Fun page of use, where you’ll find links to solutions for the last 170+ of the things. Elsewhere there are the usual ancient book reviews and a story of mine.

Thanks as ever for the kind words and help. They are always appreciated, and it’s always interesting to read the thoughts of other solvers once they’ve put down their pens. Till next time, stay safe out there, kids.

LP

Across clues

1. Try poem about boy’s party (4,1,4,4)

Answer: HAVE A GOOD TIME (i.e. “party”). Solution is HAVE A GO (i.e. “try”) followed by ODE (i.e. “poem”) once wrapped “about” TIM (i.e. a “boy’s” name), like so: HAVE-A-GO-OD(TIM)E.

8. Swimming group: appropriate requirement for pupil? (9)

Answer: SCHOOLBAG (i.e. “requirement for pupil”). Solution is SCHOOL (i.e. “swimming group”) followed by BAG (i.e. to obtain or “appropriate”).

13. What might be prescribed by hurried medic? (1,3,1)

Answer: R AND R (i.e. “what may be prescribed”, short for Rest And Recuperation). Solution is RAN (i.e. “hurried”) followed by DR (i.e. “medic”, short for a doctor).

14. Fit for pouring? (5,2,4)

Answer: RIGHT AS RAIN (i.e. “fit”). Clue plays on how it can be said to “pour” with RAIN. You get the idea.

15. Pulse something that doctor may take, along with blood group (5)

Answer: TEMPO (i.e. “pulse”). Solution is TEMP (i.e. “something doctor may take”, short for temperature) followed by O (i.e. “blood group”).

16. A number assist, backing one’s opinion (9)

Answer: DIAGNOSIS (i.e. “opinion”). Solution is SONG (i.e. “a number”) and AID (i.e. “assist”) both reversed (indicated by “backing”) and followed by I’S (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one’s”), like so: (DIA-GNOS)-I’S.

17. Latest thing the Speaker’s cut? (4)

Answer: MODE. A guess, this, so watch out. For what it’s worth, a definition of MODE is fashionable, which you could argue represents the “latest thing”. You could also argue a “Speaker” is a moderator in the House of Commons. “Cut” away the last half(ish) of the word and you get MODE. Too flimsy for my liking, assuming this is correct.

[EDIT: Thanks to Steve in the comments for clearing this one up. The solution was right, as was the reasoning, but I couldn’t nail the wordplay. “Speaker” is a homophone indicator. The solution is a homophone of MOWED (i.e. “cut”). Cheers, Steve! – LP]

18. Film on China, about singular versifier (8)

Answer: PSALMIST (i.e. “versifier”). Solution is MIST (i.e. a “film” of moisture) placed “on” or after PAL (i.e. “China”, i.e. cockney rhyming slang for “mate”, after china plate, me old muckah, gorblimey etc) once wrapped “about” S (a recognised abbreviation of “singular”), like so: P(S)AL-MIST.

20. Scans books? They’re up for approval (6)

Answer: THUMBS. Solution satisfies “scans books”, i.e. to thumb through them, and “they’re up for approval”, i.e. putting one’s thumbs up.

21. Musical fraudster close to Thatcher? (7,2,3,4)

Answer: FIDDLER ON THE ROOF (i.e. “musical”). Solution is FIDDLER (i.e. “fraudster”) followed by ON THE ROOF (i.e. “close to thatcher” – ignoring the misleading capitalisation, a thatcher is a roof-worker).

24. Trouble man buries beneath the surface (9)

Answer: SUBMARINE (i.e. “beneath the surface” of the sea). “Trouble” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of MAN BURIES.

26. Docking port ultimately not sound (7)

Answer: TAILING (i.e. “docking” or cutting short). Solution is T (i.e. “port ultimately”, i.e. the last letter of “port”) followed by AILING (i.e. “not sound”).

27. Contrive to shade in point of access (5)

Answer: HATCH. A triple-header, satisfying “contrive”, “to shade in” and “point of access”.

29. DG unluckily lost golf knockout after unpromising start (4,8)

Answer: UGLY DUCKLING (i.e. “knockout after unpromising start”, after Hans Christian Andersen’s story). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “lost”) of DG UNLUCKILY followed by G (“golf” in the phonetic alphabet), like so: UGLYDUCKLIN-G.

31. Chap of little substance – baleful? (3,2,5)

Answer: MAN OF STRAW (i.e. “chap of little substance”). Clue plays on “bales” of STRAW. You get the idea.

33. Pancakes, sweets and ice creams (4,6)

Answer: DROP SCONES (i.e. variety of “pancakes”). Solution is DROPS (i.e. “sweets”) followed by CONES (i.e. “ice creams”). Nicely done.

35. Inherit quiet place and start functioning? (4,4,4)

Answer: COME INTO PLAY (i.e. “start functioning”). Solution is COME INTO (i.e. “inherit”) followed by P (a recognised abbreviation of “piano”, which is “quiet” in musical lingo), then LAY (i.e. to “place”).

38. Track, note, that accommodates horse: horses for courses? (5)

Answer: RHYME (i.e. “horses for courses”, an example of such). Solution is RY (i.e. “track”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of “railway”) and ME (i.e. “note” in the sol-fa notation) all wrapped around or “accommodating” H (i.e. “horse”, both street names for heroin), like so: R(H)Y-ME.

39. Fabled wolf lives for one month around Rhode Island (7)

Answer: ISEGRIM (i.e. “fabled wolf”, specifically a character from the fable Reynard The Fox. No, me neither). Solution is IS (i.e. “exists”), EG (i.e. “for one”, i.e. for example) and M (a recognised abbreviation of “month”) all wrapped “around” RI (US state abbreviation of “Rhode Island”), like so: IS-EG-(RI)-M. Chalk one to my Bradford’s, perhaps unsurprisingly.

40. Poor atheist’s close to prelate – and so is lost? (9)

Answer: HESITATES (i.e. “and so is lost”, after the phrase “he who hesitates is lost”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “poor”) of ATHEIST’S and E (i.e. “close to prelate”, i.e. the last letter of “prelate”).

42. Bon viveur Victor a fool to chase girl endlessly (9,7)

Answer: CHAMPAGNE CHARLIE (i.e. “bon viveur”). Solution is CHAMP (i.e. “victor” – ignore the misleading capitalisation) and CHARLIE (i.e. “a fool”) once the latter has been placed after or “chasing” AGNES (i.e. a “girl’s” name) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “endlessly”), like so: CHAMP-(AGNE)-CHARLIE.

44. Likeness reflected in grainy gif: female (6)

Answer: EFFIGY (i.e. “likeness”). “In” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, while “reflected” indicates the solution has been reversed, like so: GRAIN(Y GIF FE)MALE.

47. International, western screen goddess, nude (2,3,3)

Answer: IN THE RAW (i.e. “nude”). Solution is INT (a recognised abbreviation of “international”) and W (ditto “western”) wrapped around or “screening” HERA (i.e. Greek “goddess” of marriage – I guess all the cool roles had been taken by then), like so: INT-(HERA)-W.

49. Cracked when sculpted (4)

Answer: HEWN (i.e. “sculpted”). “Cracked” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of “when”.

50. Way to display adequately what flights are around? (9)

Answer: STAIRWELL (i.e. “what flights are around”). Solution is ST (i.e. “way”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of a street) followed by AIR (i.e. “to display”) and WELL (i.e. “adequately”).

52. Said pub has 90 per cent off at opening (5)

Answer: VOCAL (i.e. “said”). Solution is LOCAL (i.e. “pub”) with the “opening” L (50 as a Roman numeral) changed for V (5 as a Roman numeral), representing a “90 per cent” drop, like so: (L)OCAL => (V)OCAL.

53. After rest, copper is at home primarily eating healthier food (4,7)

Answer: LEAN CUISINE (i.e. “healthier food”). Solution is LEAN (i.e. to “rest” sideways against something) followed by CU (chemical symbol of “copper”), then IS, then IN (i.e. “at home”) and E (i.e. “primarily eating”, i.e. the first letter of “eating”).

54. Area by caption at the back of fliers (5)

Answer: AVIAN (i.e. “of fliers” or birds). Solution is A (a recognised abbreviation of “area”) followed by VIA (i.e. “by” or through) and N (i.e. “caption at the back”, i.e. the last letter of “caption”).

55. One of our best friends evidently embarrassed me (3,6)

Answer: RED SETTER (i.e. “one of our best friends”, after the phrase “a dog is man’s best friend”). Solution is RED (i.e. “evidently embarrassed”) followed by SETTER (i.e. “me” from the point of view of the setter).

56. Substandard stuff on the milk bar menu? (2,5,6)

Answer: NO GREAT SHAKES (i.e. “substandard”). Clue plays on milkshakes, and how you might not find any great ones on a menu. You get the idea.

Down clues

1. Period covered by star American historian of old (9)

Answer: HERODOTUS (i.e. “historian of old”). Solution is DOT (i.e. “period” or full stop) placed in or “covered by” HERO (i.e. “star”) and US (i.e. “American”), like so: HERO-(DOT)-US. One I remembered from a recent-ish puzzle, if I’m honest.

2. A variety of tuna – superior – found south of five Pacific islands (7)

Answer: VANUATU (i.e. “Pacific islands”). Solution is A followed by an anagram (indicated by “variety of…”) of TUNA, then U (i.e. “superior” – U denotes the upper classes. Whether one accepts they are “superior” is a matter of opinion. You can probably guess mine…). These are all then placed after or “south” of V (i.e. “[Roman numeral] five”) – this being a down clue – like so: V-(A-NUAT-U).

3. Shrub adorns a bare ground (6,5)

Answer: AARON’S BEARD (i.e. “shrub”). “Ground” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of ADORNS A BARE.

4. Charge our NHS scrapped (6)

Answer: ONRUSH (i.e. “charge”). “Scrapped” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of OUR NHS.

5. Fancy, after heading off, celebratory biscuit (9)

Answer: DIGESTIVE (i.e. “biscuit”). Solution is DIG (i.e. to like or “fancy”) followed by FESTIVE (i.e. “celebratory”) once its first letter has been removed (indicated by “after heading off…”), like so: DIG-ESTIVE.

6. Tending to cow briefly, eventually one showing its age? (12)

Answer: INTIMIDATING (i.e. “tending to cow” or to bully). Solution is IN TIME (i.e. “eventually”) with the last letter removed (indicated by “briefly”) and the remainder followed by I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”) and DATING (i.e. “showing its age”), like so: (IN-TIM)-I-DATING.

7. Be gentle, not demanding female pose (4,4,2)

Answer: EASY DOES IT (i.e. “be gentle”). Solution is EASY (i.e. “not demanding”) followed by DOE (i.e. a “female” deer) and SIT (i.e. to “pose”, say, for an artist).

8. Drunk as a skunk in the end (4)

Answer: SOAK (i.e. a “drunk”). Solution is SO (i.e “as”) followed by A and K (i.e. “skunk in the end”, i.e. the last letter of “skunk”).

9. Well, really genuine! (6-2-8)

Answer: HONEST-TO-GOODNESS (i.e. “genuine”). Another definition of the solution is out-and-out or entirely, which satisfies “well, really”. Don’t know why the setter left “well” in the clue if taking “really” to mean absolutely. (Shrugs.)

10. Using smaller base: some flat, cottage retreats (5)

Answer: OCTAL (i.e. “using smaller base”, specifically base 8. We use denary, or base 10, so octal would be smaller relative to this). “Some” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, while “retreats” indicates the solution has been reversed, like so: F(LAT CO)TTAGE.

11. Young Italian graduate doctor in love (7)

Answer: BAMBINO (i.e. “young Italian”). Solution is BA (i.e. “graduate”, specifically a Bachelor of Arts) followed by MB (i.e. “doctor” of medicine, or Medicinae Baccalaureus), then IN, and O (i.e. “love”, i.e. a zero score in tennis).

12. Make special effort to work remote (2,3,2,3,3)

Answer: GO OUT OF THE WAY (i.e. “make special effort”). Solution is GO (i.e. “to work” or operate) followed by OUT OF THE WAY (i.e. “remote”).

19. Ponder gearwheel, one that’s initially bolted down (8)

Answer: COGITATE (i.e. “ponder”). Solution is COG (i.e. “gearwheel”) followed by I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”), then T (i.e. “that’s initially”, i.e. the first letter of “that’s”), then ATE (i.e. “bolted down”).

22. European’s keeping still that produces spirit (5)

Answer: ETHOS (i.e. “spirit”). Solution is E’S (a recognised abbreviation of “European” followed by the contracted form of “is”) wrapped around or “keeping” THO (i.e. “still”, specifically a contracted form of “though”), like so: E(THO)’S.

23. One revealing plaque putting plate down on stone slab (10,6)

Answer: DISCLOSING TABLET (i.e. “one revealing plaque” on teeth after brushing. I remember being given one of these things when I was considerably younger. Worked a charm. Turns out that was the only one I’d ever get. Who knew dentists would use “the first one is always free” tactic?) Solution is DISC (i.e. “plate”) followed by LOSING (i.e. “down”) and TABLET (i.e. “stone slab”).

25. Platform with recess outside large, ancient study (7)

Answer: BALCONY (i.e. “platform”). Solution is BAY (i.e. “recess”) placed “outside” of L (a recognised abbreviation of “large”) and CON (i.e. “ancient study”, a reference to this being an archaic variant meaning of the word “con”), like so: BA(L-CON)Y.

28. Working girl allowed not much food? (7)

Answer: TARTLET (i.e. “not much food”). Solution is TART (i.e. “working girl”) followed by LET (i.e. “allowed”). This clue was brought to you courtesy of the 1970s.

29. Partial failure here ruined a CV, sadly (13)

Answer: UNDERACHIEVER (i.e. “partial failure”). “Sadly” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of HERE RUINED A CV.

30. Faithful followers of story in French about jewel (8)

Answer: LIEGEMEN (i.e. “faithful followers”). Solution is LIE (i.e. “story”) and EN (i.e. “in French”, i.e. the French for “in”) wrapped “about” GEM (i.e. “jewel”), like so: LIE-(GEM)-EN.

32. Bang travelling far after starter on engine’s backfiring (12)

Answer: BOOMERANGING (i.e. “backfiring”). Solution is BOOM (i.e. “bang”) and RANGING (i.e. “travelling far”) once the latter has been placed “after” E (i.e. “starter on engine”, i.e. the first letter of “engine”), like so: BOOM-(E)-RANGING. Nicely worked.

34. Escape grasping wife, getting clean away? (5)

Answer: SWEEP (i.e. “clean away”). Solution is SEEP (i.e. to leak or “escape”) wrapped around or “grasping” W (a recognised abbreviation of “wife”), like so: S(W)EEP.

36. Thus pants about to go in having just finished washing (3,2,6)

Answer: OUT OF BREATH (i.e. …and “thus pants”). Solution is RE (i.e. regarding or “about” – think email replies) placed “in” OUT OF BATH (i.e. “just finished washing”), like so: OUT-OF-B(RE)ATH.

37. Cleric’s cunning and largely expensive ruse (10)

Answer: ARCHDEACON (i.e. “cleric”). Solution is ARCH (i.e. “cunning”) followed by DEAR (i.e. “expensive”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “largely”), then CON (i.e. “ruse”), like so: ARCH-DEA-CON.

40. Irish lad worked with English lockkeeper (4,5)

Answer: HAIR SLIDE (i.e. “lockkeeper”, as in locks of hair). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “worked”) of IRISH LAD, followed by E (a recognised abbreviation of “English”), like so: HAIRSLID-E.

41. You two, they say, could have been one of the famous ones (9)

Answer: SPYPLANES. Clue plays on the Lockheed U-2 plane, a “famous” example of such. “They say” indicates homophone, in this case of “you two”.

43. Soldier, maybe a hero, bringing medicine (7)

Answer: ANTACID (i.e. “medicine”). Solution is ANT (i.e. “soldier, maybe” – other flavours of ant are available) followed by A and CID (i.e. a chief, captain or “hero”).

45. What mountaineer may carry in reserve: cream (3,4)

Answer: ICE PICK (i.e. “what mountaineer may carry”). Solution is ICE (i.e. “reserve”, as in possessed of an icy nature) followed by PICK (i.e. elite or “cream”).

46. Loudspeaker on marquee plainly visible (6)

Answer: PATENT (i.e. “plainly visible”). Solution is PA (i.e. “loudspeaker”, specifically a Public Address system) followed by TENT (i.e. “marquee”).

48. Girl’s oddly abandoned vehicle lies upside down (5)

Answer: ELLIE (i.e. a “girl’s” name”). “Oddly abandoned” indicates the solution is derived from the even letters of VEHICLE LIES once reversed (indicated by “upside down” – this being a down clue).

51. Fine-tune the market (4)

Answer: FAIR (i.e. “market”). Solution is F (a recognised abbreviation of “fine” used in grading pencils) followed by AIR (i.e. “tune” or song).

A fairly straightforward one this week. I don’t mind that! You can find my completed grid below along with explanations of my solutions where I have them. I hope you find them helpful. If a recent Jumbo has you in a tizz then you might find my Just For Fun page of use, where you’ll find links to solutions for the last 170+ of these things. Elsewhere there are the usual ancient book reviews and a story of mine.

Thanks once more for the kind words and help. They’re always appreciated, and it’s always interesting to hear how other solvers fared. Till next time, stay safe out there, kids.

LP

Across clues

1. Bat observed by queen, possibly, in tree (5,6)

Answer: PUSSY WILLOW (i.e. “tree”). Solution is WILLOW (i.e. cricket “bat”) placed after or “by” PUSSY (i.e. “queen”, or adult female cat).

7. Family member’s move getting visitor finally into trouble (11)

Answer: STEPBROTHER (i.e. “family member”). Solution is STEP (i.e. “move”) followed by R (i.e. “visitor finally”, i.e. the last letter of “visitor”) once placed “into” BOTHER (i.e. “trouble”), like so: STEP-B(R)OTHER.

13. Mad Finn began fiddling, swearing appallingly (6,3,8)

Answer: EFFING AND BLINDING (i.e. “swearing appallingly”). “Mad” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of FINN BEGAN FIDDLING.

14. Piece of information corporation attorney provided first (5)

Answer: DATUM (i.e. “piece of information”). Solution is TUM (i.e. “corporation” – setters love this archaic variant meaning of the word) with DA (i.e. “attorney”, specifically a District Attorney) “provided first”, like so: DA-TUM.

15. Harebrained son of spiteful disposition (6)

Answer: SCATTY (i.e. “harebrained”). Solution is S (a recognised abbreviation of “son”) followed by CATTY (i.e. “of spiteful disposition”).

16. Revolutionary figure recalled in register (8)

Answer: LENINIST (i.e. “revolutionary”). Solution is NINE (a number or “figure”) reversed (indicated by “recalled”) and placed “in” LIST (i.e. “register”), like so: L(ENIN)IST.

17. Footwear found in coach (7)

Answer: TRAINER. Solution satisfies “footwear” and “coach”.

19. Work with men broken by media tyrant (9)

Answer: OPPRESSOR (i.e. “tyrant”). Solution is OP (i.e. “work”, short for “opus”) and OR (i.e. “men”, specifically the Other Ranks of the British Army) “broken by” PRESS (i.e. “media”), like so: OP-(PRESS)-OR.

21. Like some highly flavoured cake Liberal consumed with caution (8)

Answer: GINGERLY (i.e. “with caution”). Solution is GINGERY (i.e. “like some highly flavoured cake”) wrapped around or “consuming” L (a recognised abbreviation of “Liberal”), like so: GINGER(L)Y.

23. Reportedly a female unit of heredity (4)

Answer: GENE (i.e. “unit of heredity”). “Reportedly” indicates homophone. Solution is a homophone of JEAN (i.e. “female”, basically a woman’s name).

25. Severe pain encountered in French and African state (5)

Answer: EGYPT (i.e. “African state”). Solution is GYP (i.e. “severe pain”) placed “in” ET (i.e. “French and”, i.e. the French for “and”), like so: E(GYP)T.

27. Crustacean current lawmaker found crossing Italian river? (6)

Answer: ISOPOD (i.e. “crustacean”). Solution is I (a recognised abbreviation of an electrical “current” used in physics) followed by SOD (i.e. “lawmaker” – a reference to Sod’s Law) once wrapped around or “crossing” PO (i.e. “Italian river”), like so: I-SO(PO)D.

28. Varsity athlete with courage, a member of the constabulary (10)

Answer: BLUEBOTTLE (i.e. “a member of the constabulary”). Solution is BLUE (i.e. “varsity athlete” – could be Oxford in dark blue or Cambridge in light blue) followed by BOTTLE (i.e. “courage”).

30. Unworldly woman seen around army corps area (8)

Answer: ETHEREAL (i.e. “unworldly”). Solution is ETHEL (i.e. a “woman’s” name) wrapped “around” RE (i.e. “army corps”, specifically the Royal Engineers of the British Army) and A (a recognised abbreviation of “area”), like so: ETHE(RE-A)L.

31. Omnipresence of posh bishop I left over by American cape (14)

Answer: UBIQUITOUSNESS (i.e. “omnipresence”). Solution is U (i.e. “posh” – U denotes the upper class, don’t you know, what-what-what, tallyho and so forth, old thing) followed by B (a recognised abbreviation of “bishop” used in chess), then I, then QUIT (i.e. “left”), then O (a recognised abbreviation of “over” used in cricket), then US (i.e. “American”) and NESS (i.e. “cape”, as in the geographic feature).

34. Terribly idle woman is not without depth (3-11)

Answer: TWO-DIMENSIONAL (i.e. “without depth”). “Terribly” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of IDLE WOMAN IS NOT.

35. Malicious goddess ensnaring old doctor (8)

Answer: VENOMOUS (i.e. “malicious”). Solution is VENUS (i.e. “goddess”) wrapped around or “ensnaring” O (a recognised abbreviation of “old”) and MO (i.e. “doctor” or Medical Officer), like so: VEN(O-MO)US.

38. Generous, though suffering from cardiomegaly? (3-7)

Answer: BIG-HEARTED. Solution satisfies “generous” and “suffering from cardiomegaly”.

40. Run into upholstered seat used by several in squat? (6)

Answer: CROUCH (i.e. “squat”). Solution is R (a recognised abbreviation of “run”) placed “into” COUCH (i.e. “upholstered seat”), like so: C(R)OUCH.

41. Hard man repeatedly supplying meat acceptable to Muslims (5)

Answer: HALAL (i.e. “meat acceptable to Muslims”). Solution is H (a recognised abbreviation of “hard” used in the grading of pencils) followed by AL and AL (i.e. “man[‘s name] repeatedly”).

43. Censor both sides of agreement secured by company (4)

Answer: CATO (i.e. “censor” of Roman times). Solution is AT (i.e. “both sides of agreement”, i.e. the first and last letters of “agreement”) placed in or “secured by” CO (a recognised abbreviation of “company”), like so: C(AT)O.

44. European embassy, one of those we’re trying to cut? (8)

Answer: EMISSION (i.e. “one of those we’re trying to cut” – timely given the recent COP26 summit). Solution is E (a recognised abbreviation of “European”) followed by MISSION (i.e. “embassy”).

45. Role in theatrical do for men only (4,5)

Answer: STAG PARTY (i.e. “do for men only”). Solution is PART (i.e. “role”) placed “in” STAGY (i.e. “theatrical”), like so: STAG(PART)Y.

48. Exceed allotted time with respect to race (7)

Answer: OVERRUN (i.e. “exceed allotted time”). Solution is OVER (i.e. “with respect to”) followed by RUN (i.e. “race”).

49. Pitiful way it gets knocked back in City area (8)

Answer: PATHETIC (i.e. “pitiful”). Solution is PATH (i.e. “way”) followed by IT once it has been reversed (indicated by “knocked back”) and placed “in” EC (i.e. “City [of London] area”, a reference to its postcode), like so: PATH-E(TI)C.

50. Cross about start of feisty female’s gag? (6)

Answer: MUFFLE (i.e. “gag”). Solution is MULE (i.e. “cross” between a horse and a donkey) wrapped “about” F (i.e. “start of feisty”, i.e. the first letter of “feisty”) and F (a recognised abbreviation of “female”), like so: MU(F-F)LE.

53. I visit the Hollywood area, having false notions (5)

Answer: IDOLA (i.e. “having false notions” – over to Chambers: an idol can be “a false notion or other erroneous way of looking at things to which the mind is prone as classified by Bacon in Novum Organum”. Glad that’s cleared up, then). When written as I DO LA the solution also satisfies “I visit the Hollywood area”. (cough)made-to-fit(cough)

54. Injuries shown by Scottish poet with PhD, perhaps? (6-6,5)

Answer: SECOND-DEGREE BURNS (i.e. “injuries”). Clue plays on a PhD being a SECOND DEGREE earned by postgraduates, and Robert BURNS being a “Scottish poet”.

55. Remedial treatment for cutie following censure (11)

Answer: THERAPEUTIC (i.e. “remedial”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “treatment for”) of CUTIE placed after or “following” THE RAP (i.e. “censure”), like so: (THE-RAP)-EUTIC.

56. Uncommon process involving fluorine becoming less dense (11)

Answer: RAREFACTION (i.e. of air “becoming less dense”). Solution is RARE (i.e. “uncommon”) and ACTION (i.e. “process”) wrapped around or “involving” F (chemical symbol of “fluorine”), like so: RARE-(F)-ACTION.

Down clues

1. Silence poet’s representation of a prehistoric age (11)

Answer: PLEISTOCENE (i.e. “prehistoric age”). “Representation” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of SILENCE POET.

2. Capital I invested in upholstered seat (5)

Answer: SOFIA (i.e. “capital” city of Bulgaria). Solution is I placed or “invested in” SOFA (i.e. “upholstered seat”), like so: SOF(I)A.

3. Dread losing son before sharp double bend: you must cross that river! (7)

Answer: YANGTZE (i.e. “river”). Solution is ANGST (i.e. “dread”) with the S removed (indicated by “losing son” – S being a recognised abbreviation of “son”) and followed by Z (i.e. “sharp double bend”, descriptive of the letter Z’s shape). These are then placed in or “crossed” by YE (i.e. ye olde “you”), like so: Y(ANGT-Z)E.

4. Terrible ruler’s current form of transport (4)

Answer: IVAN (i.e. “terrible ruler”, i.e. Ivan the Terrible). Solution is I (a recognised abbreviation of an electrical “current”) followed by VAN (i.e. “form of transport”).

5. New maid’s role involving old woman’s retreat? (6,4)

Answer: LADIES ROOM (i.e. “woman’s retreat”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “new”) of MAID’S ROLE wrapped around or “involving” O (a recognised abbreviation of “old”), like so: LADIESR(O)OM.

6. Western jazzman too biased at first over footwear (10,4)

Answer: WELLINGTON BOOT (i.e. “footwear”). Solution is W (a recognised abbreviation of “western”) followed by Duke ELLINGTON (i.e. “jazzman”), then TOO and B (i.e. “biased at first”, i.e. the first letter of “biased”) once these latter two have been reversed (indicated by “over”), like so: W-ELLINGTON-(B-OOT).

7. Feeling transmitted by head of Irish hospital department (8)

Answer: SENTIENT (i.e. “feeling”). Solution is SENT (i.e. “transmitted”) followed by I (i.e. “head of Irish”, i.e. the first letter of “Irish”) and ENT (i.e. “hospital department”, specifically Ear Nose and Throat).

8. Time to get upset about Conservative decree (5)

Answer: EDICT (i.e. “decree”). Solution is TIDE (i.e. “time”, poetically) reversed (indicated by “to get upset” – this being a down clue) and wrapped “about” C (a recognised abbreviation of “Conservative”), like so: EDI(C)T.

9. Beautiful girl holding a gun? A thing of little significance (9)

Answer: BAGATELLE (a trinket or “thing of little significance”). Solution is BELLE (i.e. “beautiful girl”) wrapped around or “holding” A GAT (i.e. “a gun”, short for Gatling), like so: B(A-GAT)ELLE.

10. Nightmare of French exam taken externally (6)

Answer: ORDEAL (i.e. “nightmare”). Solution is DE (i.e. “of French”, i.e. the French for “of”) placed in or having “externally” ORAL (i.e. “exam”), like so: OR(DE)AL.

11. Very angry, like a boxer on a sweltering day? (3,5,3,6)

Answer: HOT UNDER THE COLLAR (i.e. “very angry”). Clue plays on “boxers” being dogs, dogs often wear collars, you get the idea.

12. Hard-hearted note on inspector? Not so (11)

Answer: REMORSELESS (i.e. “hard-hearted”). Solution is RE (i.e. “note”) followed by MORSE (i.e. “inspector” of Colin Dexter’s novels) and LESS (i.e. “not so” much).

18. Evaluate French art this writer’s exhibited in gallery (8)

Answer: ESTIMATE (i.e. “evaluate”). Solution is ES (i.e. “French art” – we’ve seen this a couple of times now: “art” is being taken as a ye olde form of “are”; the French for “are” is ES) followed by I’M (i.e. “this writer’s” taken from the point of view of the setter, a contraction of I AM) once placed or “exhibited in” TATE (i.e. “gallery”), like so: ES-T(I’M)ATE.

20. Settle extortionate bill involving hooter? (3,7,3,4)

Answer: PAY THROUGH THE NOSE (i.e. “settle extortionate bill”). Clue plays on “hooter” being an informal name for a NOSE.

22. Rich confection English girl left unfinished (6)

Answer: ÉCLAIR (i.e. “rich confection”). Solution is E (a recognised abbreviation of “English”) followed by CLAIRE (i.e. a “girl’s” name) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “unfinished”), like so: E-CLAIR.

24. Thus otters originally plunged into river – truly (8)

Answer: FORSOOTH (i.e. “truly”). Solution is SO (i.e. “thus”) and O (i.e. “otters originally”, i.e. the first letter of “otters”) both placed “into” FORTH (i.e. “river”), like so: FOR(SO-O)TH.

26. Name one’s used to cover extremities of these insects (8)

Answer: TERMITES (i.e. “insects”). Solution is TERM (i.e. “name”) followed by I’S (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one’s”) once placed around or “covering” TE (i.e. “extremities of these”, i.e. the first and last letters of “these”), like so: TERM-I(TE)’S.

29. RAF officer “S”? (8,6)

Answer: SQUADRON LEADER (i.e. “RAF officer”). Clue plays on S being the start letter or LEADER of the word SQUADRON.

32. Become excessively agitated about eliminating round (8)

Answer: OVERHEAT (i.e. “become excessively agitated”). Solution is OVER (i.e. regarding or “about”) followed by HEAT (i.e. “eliminating round” in sports).

33. Evaluate merchandise ultimately carried in a couple of ships (6)

Answer: ASSESS (i.e. “evaluate”). Solution is E (i.e. “merchandise ultimately”, i.e. the last letter of “merchandise”) placed or “carried in” A, SS and SS (i.e. “couple of ships”, SS is a recognised abbreviation of a steamship), like so: A-SS-(E)-SS.

34. Trader’s con cost a bit, unfortunately (11)

Answer: TOBACCONIST (i.e. “trader”). “Unfortunately” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of CON COST A BIT.

36. Poor ass is lonely – nothing much happening now (5,6)

Answer: SILLY SEASON (i.e. “nothing much happening now”. Chambers offers this: “a time of year, usually late summer, when newspapers print trivial matter for lack of more newsworthy material”). “Poor” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of ASS IS LONELY.

37. Greek characters hang about, arresting duke’s malicious vilifier (10)

Answer: MUDSLINGER (i.e. “malicious vilifier”). Solution is MUS (i.e. “Greek characters” – mu is the twelfth letter of the Greek alphabet) and LINGER (i.e. “hang about”) all wrapped around or “arresting” D (a recognised abbreviation of “duke”), like so: MU(D)S-LINGER.

39. Recapture thoughts about skirts causing excitement at first (9)

Answer: REMINISCE (i.e. “recapture thoughts”). Solution is RE (i.e. regarding or “about” – think email replies) followed by MINIS (i.e. “skirts”), then C and E (i.e. “causing excitement at first”, i.e. the first letters of “causing” and “excitement”).

42. Like works of poet and philosopher briefly taking pick-me-up (8)

Answer: MILTONIC (i.e. “like works of poet”, specifically John Milton). Solution is John Stuart MILL (i.e. a “philosopher” who couldn’t handle his shandy, some might say) with its last letter removed (indicated by “briefly”) and the remainder followed by TONIC (i.e. “pick-me-up”), like so: MIL-TONIC.

46. Sound iron chest primarily containing lead (7)

Answer: PLUMBIC (i.e. “containing lead”). Solution is PLUMB (i.e. “sound” – once more to Chambers: “to sound as by a plumb line”, whatever that means) followed by I and C (i.e. “iron chest primarily”, i.e. the first letters of “iron” and “chest”).

47. A jolly girl – and fleet (6)

Answer: ARMADA (i.e. “fleet” of ships). Solution is A followed by RM (i.e. “jolly”, slang for a Royal Marine, it says here), then ADA (i.e. a “girl’s” name – names are clearly this setter’s calling card).

49. Feature of needlework originally produced in bed (5)

Answer: PICOT (i.e. “feature of needlework”). Solution is P and I (i.e. “originally produced in”, i.e. the first letters of “produced” and “in”) followed by COT (i.e. “bed”).

51. Asian language principally spoken in remote island (5)

Answer: FARSI (i.e. “Asian language”). Solution is S (i.e. “principally spoken”, i.e. the first letter of “spoken”) placed “in” FAR (i.e. “remote”) and I (a recognised abbreviation of “island”), like so: FAR-(S)-I.

52. Man once bound to take to the waves, we hear? (4)

Answer: SERF (i.e. “man once bound”). “We hear” indicates homophone. Solution is a homophone of SURF (i.e. “to take to the waves”).