Another toughie this week, and from a setter with whom I believe I have a love-hate relationship. I get the feeling there are some Jumbos of theirs that I enjoy, savouring the full range of dictionary definitions at play, and then there are others where I frequently grump and whinge about the clues being “too tenuous, too often”. This week probably errs toward the latter.

Still, at least the weather’s nice, eh?

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 made off with your sanity then you might find solace in my Just For Fun page, where you’ll find links to solutions for hundreds of the things.

Thanks again for the kind words and input. It’s always interesting to hear the thoughts of other solvers once they’ve set down their pens, even when it’s about kidneys. 😉 Till next time, stay cool out there kids.

LP

RBV (Repeats-By-Volume): 4.8%

Across clues

1. Good to stay in after hours, far from fully fit (9)

Answer: HABITABLE (i.e. “good to stay in”). Solution is H (i.e. a recognised abbreviation of “hours”) followed by A BIT (i.e. “far from fully”) and ABLE (i.e. “fit”).

6. New business set shoppers back (5-2)

Answer: START-UP (i.e. “new business”). Solution is PUT (i.e. “set”) and RATS (i.e. “shoppers” or traitors) all reversed (indicated by “back”), like so: STAR-TUP.

10. Not the sole hiker? (5)

Answer: UPPER. Solution satisfies “not the sole” of the foot, and “hiker” – as in one who raises prices, rates etc.

13. Putting one’s own away in jail: note one sounding furious! (13)

Answer: CANNIBALISTIC (i.e. “putting one’s own away”). Solution is CAN (i.e. “jail”, both referring to prison), followed by N (a recognised abbreviation of “note”), then I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”) and a homophone (indicated by “sounding”) of BALLISTIC (i.e. “furious”), like so: CAN-N-I-BALISTIC.

14. Shocking, say, Number Ten confronting America (9)

Answer: EGREGIOUS (i.e. “shocking”). Solution is E.G. (i.e. “say” or for example) followed by REG (i.e. a “number”, short for registration), then IO (representative of the “number ten”) and US (i.e. “America”).

15. Missile on singular curved trajectory that can wound (7)

Answer: SARCASM (i.e. “that can wound”). Solution is ASM (i.e. “missile”, specifically an air-to-surface missile) placed “on” or after S (a recognised abbreviation of “singular”) and ARC (i.e. “curved trajectory”), like so: (S-ARC)-ASM.

16. Pitch needs grass, stupid! (7)

Answer: TOSSPOT (i.e. “stupid”, both insults – I approve!) Solution is TOSS (i.e. to “pitch”) followed by POT (i.e. “grass”, both slang words for marijuana).

17. Husband gets passionate in suspenders (7)

Answer: HANGERS (i.e. “suspenders”). Solution is H (a recognised abbreviation of “husband”) followed by ANGERS (i.e. “gets passionate”). The very similar HANGERS-ON appeared in both grids 1618 and 1613 last month, and both on odd intersecting letters. Seems the office GridFill 4000™ has become stuck on a new pet word. Have a meme.

18. Civil engineering tip for grateful new aldermen (4-8)

Answer: WELL-MANNERED (i.e. “civil”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “engineering”) of L (i.e. “tip for grateful”, in this case the last letter of “grateful”) and NEW ALDERMEN.

20. Victorian wedding party take trips across river (7,3)

Answer: KITCHEN TEA (i.e. “Victorian wedding party” – not the Victorian era, this refers to: “(Australia and New Zealand) a bride’s shower, the gifts being kitchen utensils etc” (Chambers)). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “trips”) of TAKE wrapped around or placed “across” ITCHEN (i.e. a “river” in Hampshire), like so: K(ITCHEN)TEA.

23. Keep hold of fish, previously caught (5)

Answer: CLING (i.e. “keep hold of”). Solution is LING (i.e. “fish” popular with Jumbo setters) placed after or having “previously” to it C (a recognised abbreviation of “caught” used in a number of ball games), like so: C-LING. Appeared in grid 1567 back in July, also on odd intersecting letters, so…

24. Stop-go skill at hockey? (9)

Answer: STICKWORK (i.e. “skill at hockey”). Solution is STICK (i.e. to hitch or “stop”) followed by WORK (i.e. “go” or be operable). Took a while to twig. Nicely done.

25. Wise using force mostly to contain it (7)

Answer: POLITIC (i.e. prudent or “wise”). Solution is POLICE (i.e. “force”) with the last letter removed (indicated by “mostly”) and the remainder wrapped around or “containing” IT, like so: POL(IT)IC.

26. Concierge to hand old-fashioned empty pot back (5-6)

Answer: NIGHT-PORTER (i.e. “concierge”). Solution is NIGH (i.e. close or “to hand”) followed by RETRO (i.e. “old-fashioned”) and PT (i.e. “empty pot”, i.e. the word “pot” with its middle letter removed) once these latter two have been reversed (indicated by “back”), like so: NIGH-(TP-ORTER).

28. Argument and fights after pressure to provide viewing accessories (3-3,5)

Answer: SET-TOP BOXES (i.e. “viewing accessories”). Solution is SET-TO (i.e. “argument”) and BOXES (i.e. “fights”) once the latter has been placed “after” P (a recognised abbreviation of “pressure”), like so: SET-TO-(P)-BOXES.

30. Add contrary alternative, as one does summing up? (3,3,5)

Answer: DOT AND CARRY (i.e. “as one does summing up”, or, in maths, “to set down the units and carry over the tens to the next column” (Chambers). At least that was the case back in the Dark Ages. Then God invented calculator watches and we’ve all been zooming around in flying cars ever since. Lovely). “Alternative” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of ADD CONTRARY.

32. Alarmist medic, no good, entering second profession (11)

Answer: SCAREMONGER (i.e. an “alarmist”). Solution is MO (i.e. “medic”, specifically a Medical Officer), N (a recognised abbreviation of “no”) and G (ditto “good”) all placed in or “entering” S (ditto ditto “second”) and CAREER (i.e. “profession”), like so: S-CARE(MO-N-G)ER.

34. Film going into personal record on food intake (7)

Answer: DIETARY (i.e. “on food intake”). Solution is ET (i.e. “film”, specifically ET: The Extra-Terrestrial) placed “into” DIARY (i.e. “personal record”), like so: DI(ET)ARY.

36. Make too much of old potato served in relish? (9)

Answer: OVERVALUE (i.e. “make too much of”). Solution is O (a recognised abbreviation of “old”) followed by ALU (i.e. “potato” in Indian cooking, a variant spelling of ALOO) once placed “in” VERVE (i.e. “relish” or a “zest-giving quality or power” (Chambers)), like so: O-VERV(ALU)E.

38. Where to stay in Brighton after golf? (5)

Answer: HOTEL. Solution satisfies “where to stay” and “in Brighton after golf” – this refers to the phonetic alphabet, in how H (“hotel”) is found immediately “after” G (“golf”) in the place name “Brighton”.

39. Fetching parent of 27 for Children’s Corporation (5,5)

Answer: YUMMY MUMMY (i.e. “fetching parent”). The remainder of the clue plays on how the words of the solution are both RHYMES (the solution to “27” down) of TUMMY (i.e. “children’s corporation”, or a childish word for the belly – setters love playing on “corporation” being another word for the stomach, especially a pot belly).

41. Appearing too smart repeatedly, not exactly what’s needed for purchase (6-6)

Answer: CLEVER-CLEVER (i.e. “appearing too smart”. Can’t say I’ve ever heard the phrase before. Can’t say I’ve particularly missed it, either). Solution is C (i.e. “not exactly”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of “circa”) and LEVER (i.e. “what’s needed for purchase”, in this case jemmying something open). The whole is then “repeated”.

45. Lots of courses teaching religion, history and science just starting (7)

Answer: REPASTS (i.e. “lots of courses”). Solution is RE (i.e. “religion”, specifically Religious Education) followed by PAST (i.e. “history”) and S (i.e. “science just starting”, i.e. the first letter of “science”).

46. Record returns, having subject to steal from (7)

Answer: PLUNDER (i.e. “to steal from”). Solution is LP (i.e. “record”, specially a Long-Play) reversed (indicated by “returns”) and followed by UNDER (i.e. “subject to”), like so: PL-UNDER.

47. Preferred source of learning: a thing to be cultivated (7)

Answer: PETUNIA (i.e. “thing to be cultivated”). Solution is PET (i.e. “preferred”) followed by UNI (i.e. “source of learning”, a university) and A.

49. Substandard work of setter, maybe, young and new, crossing line (4,5)

Answer: PULP NOVEL (i.e. “substandard work”). Solution is PUP (i.e. “setter, maybe, young” – other flavours of dog are available) and NOVEL (i.e. “new”) all wrapped around or “crossing” L (a recognised abbreviation of “line”), like so: PU(L)P-NOVEL.

50. Pigment transformed a unit with time (8,5)

Answer: TITANIUM WHITE (i.e. titanium dioxide used as a “pigment”). “Transformed” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of A UNIT WITH TIME.

52. Fine blossom, e.g. azalea, pruned (5)

Answer: OMEGA (i.e “fine”, both being an end or conclusion – “fine” is largely obsolete usage in this regard, mind, which demonstrates the lengths the setter is going to this week). “Pruned” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: BLOSS(OM EG A)ZALEA.

53. Whiskey you had, days earlier, with not a drop to be seen! (3-4)

Answer: DRY-EYED (i.e. “with not a drop to be seen” – “seen” clueing us in on the eyes). Solution is RYE (i.e. “whiskey”) and YE’D (ye olde contraction of “you had”) with D (a recognised abbreviation of “days”) placed first or “earlier”, like so: D-(RYE-YE’D). Also appeared in grid 1579 back in October, also on odd intersecting letters, so…

54. Men hiding in tree: one had a flower (3,6)

Answer: BEE ORCHID (i.e. “flower” – my Chambers and Bradford’s both suggest this ought to have been hyphenated. Not that it would have helped me, mind). Solution is OR (i.e. “men”, specifically the Other Ranks of the British Army) placed or “hiding in” BEECH (i.e. “tree”) and I’D (a contraction of I had or “one had”), like so: BEE(OR)CH-I’D.

Down clues

1. Put up with dated tool (7)

Answer: HACKSAW (i.e. “tool”). Solution is HACK (i.e. “put up with”) followed by SAW (i.e. “dated”, romantically).

2. Rely on drunk for financing (11)

Answer: BANKROLLING (i.e. “financing”). Solution is BANK (i.e. “rely on”) followed by ROLLING (i.e. “drunk”).

3. New leaves elevated a huge area of forest (5)

Answer: TAIGA (i.e. “area of forest” – over to Chambers again: “marshy pine forest spreading across much of subarctic N America and Eurasia, with tundra to the north and steppe to the south”). Solution is A and GIANT (i.e. “huge”) all reversed (indicated by “elevated” – this being a down clue) and the N removed (indicated by “new leaves…” – N being a recognised abbreviation of “new”), like so: TAIG-A. Made. To. Fit.

4. Aussie famous for being in Republican villain’s clothing (7)

Answer: Don BRADMAN (i.e. famed cricket batsman and “Aussie famous for being in”). Solution is R (a recognised abbreviation of “Republican”) placed in or “clothed” by BAD MAN (i.e. “villain”), like so: B(R)AD-MAN.

5. Every now and then, dialled up priest (3)

Answer: ELI (i.e. a “priest” you see more often used as part of a cryptic crossword solution than the solution itself). “Every now and then” indicates the solution is derived from every other letter of DIALLED, while “up” indicates the letters are reversed – this being a down clue.

6. Sort of sailor cap drunk’s put on (2,2,5)

Answer: SO TO SPEAK (i.e. “sort of”). Solution is OS (i.e. “sailor”, specifically of Ordinary Seaman rank) and PEAK (i.e. “cap”) placed “on” or after SOT (i.e. “drunk”), like so: SOT-(OS-PEAK).

7. Face up to what’s to be done about fungus (6)

Answer: ACCEPT (i.e. “face up to”). Solution is ACT (i.e. “what’s to be done”) wrapped “about” CEP (i.e. mushroom or “fungus”), like so: AC(CEP)T.

8. People are carefully considering including small piece of commentary (4,5,3,3,4)

Answer: THEY THINK IT’S ALL OVER (i.e. famous “piece of commentary” by Kenneth Wolstenholme from the 1966 World Cup final). Solution is THEY THINK IT ALL OVER (i.e. “people are carefully considering”) wrapped around or “including” S (a recognised abbreviation of “small”), like so: THEY-THINK-IT(S)-ALL-OVER.

9. Unusually chirpy winner at the end, describing expensive victory? (7)

Answer: PYRRHIC (i.e. “expensive victory”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “unusually”) of CHIRPY and R (i.e. “winner at the end”, i.e. the last letter of “winner”).

10. Lubricant heartlessly applied to fish is not refined (9)

Answer: UNGENTEEL (i.e. “not refined”). Solution is UNGUENT (i.e. “lubricant”) with the middle letter removed (indicated by “heartlessly”) and the remainder followed by EEL (i.e. a “fish”), like so: UNGENT-EEL.

11. Levy for ownership of image consultancy ruined Tory expat (8,3)

Answer: PROPERTY TAX (i.e. “levy for ownership”). Solution is PR (i.e. “image consultancy”, or Public Relations) followed by an anagram (indicated by “ruined”) of TORY EXPAT, like so: PR-OPERTYTAX.

12. Teacher turning up on our side for a laugh (5)

Answer: RISUS (i.e. “a laugh”). Solution is SIR (i.e. address to a male “teacher”) reversed (indicated by “turning up” – this being a down clue) and followed by US (i.e. “our side”), like so: RIS-US. One nailed from the wordplay, to be honest.

16. Fictional biography adapted poorly to life’s rhythm (3,7,2,2,5)

Answer: THE HISTORY OF MR POLLY (i.e. a “fictional biography” by H.G. Wells). “Adapted” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of POORLY TO LIFE’S RHYTHM.

19. Huge weight other than a stone may be lifted (7)

Answer: MEGATON (i.e. “huge weight”, a million tons. Almost the weight of my to-be-read pile). Solution is NOT A GEM (i.e. something that is “other than a stone”) reversed (indicated by “may be lifted” – this being a down clue), like so: MEG-A-TON.

21. Inherited revolutionary skills in javelin, cycling (9)

Answer: ANCESTRAL (i.e. “inherited”). Solution is ARTS (i.e. “skills”) reversed (indicated by “revolutionary”) and placed “in” LANCE (i.e. “javelin”) once the letters have been “cycled”, or the first letter placed last, like so: LANC(STRA)E => ANCE(STRA)L.

22. Going places? Yes, heading off for launches (6)

Answer: LOOSES (i.e. “launches” – oof, this one utterly stinks. I guess the setter is tying the two together within the context of firing a gun or “loosing” off a round, but, if so, this represents the thinnest possible sliver in the Venn diagram between the two words). Solution is LOOS (i.e. “going places”, as in places where one goes for a… for a… well, you know… (looks around to see if anyone is listening)… you know, where one goes for a Jimmy Riddle. Or a shit) followed by YES once the first letter has been removed (indicated by “heading off”), like so: LOOS-ES.

23. Nothing to stop rascal taking a year’s holiday abroad (6,3)

Answer: CANADA DAY (i.e. a “holiday abroad”. As to where, though, I haven’t the foggiest. France? Yeah, probably France). Solution is NADA (i.e. “nothing”) placed in or “stopping” CAD (i.e. “rascal”) and followed by A, then Y (a recognised abbreviation of “year”), like so: CA(NADA)D-A-Y.

24. “Like a slow dance?” – timid second officer’s opening (7)

Answer: SMOOCHY (i.e. “like a slow dance”). Solution is SHY (i.e. “timid”) wrapped around or being “opened” by MO (i.e. “second”, short for a moment) and OC (i.e. “officer”, an Officer Commanding or Officer in Charge… interestingly OC also stands for the Order of Canada, wherever that is), like so: S(MO-OC)HY.

25. After weathering the op, Reg has left hospital ward (7)

Answer: PROTÉGÉ (i.e. “ward” or child under the protection of another person). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “after weathering”) of THE OP REG once the H (a recognised abbreviation of “hospital” used on maps) has “left” or been removed.

27. Some verse of Frost’s recited (6)

Answer: RHYMES (i.e. “some verse”). “Recited” indicates homophone. Solution is a homophone of RIME’S (i.e. “frost’s” – ignore the misleading capitalisation).

29. Establishment of relations with family member, not quite 50 (7)

Answer: BROTHEL (i.e. “establishment of [sexual] relations”. Way, way too vague. Seriously, did anyone think to add “sexual” to the clue when they were solving this one? Hell, it only struck me while typing up this post, and I’ve got a properly filthy mind). Solution is BROTHER (i.e. “family member”) with the last letter removed (indicated by “not quite”) and the remainder followed by L (i.e. “50” expressed as a Roman numeral), like so: BROTHE-L.

31. Pass battle scene where Pole tangled with the army (11)

Answer: THERMOPYLAE (i.e. “pass battle scene”, most recently popularised in Frank Miller’s 300 comic book series and Zack Snyder’s film based upon it). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “tangled”) of POLE and THE ARMY. My dig last week about clueing exotic solutions as anagrams still stands.

33. Fool, moreover joker, hard to take revenge on (3,4,4)

Answer: GET EVEN WITH (i.e. “take revenge on”). Solution is GET (i.e. to “fool” or have someone) followed by EVEN (i.e. “moreover”), then WIT (i.e. “joker”) and H (a recognised abbreviation of “hard” used in grading pencils).

35. State of old pit, alight and cracking up (9)

Answer: ABYSSINIA (i.e. “state of old”, the Ethiopian Empire, overthrown in 1974). Solution is ABYSS (i.e. “pit”) followed by IN (i.e. “alight” – I guess this is the state of having landed, i.e. you are in or at your destination. I dunno, Bradford’s likes it anyway) and AI (i.e. “cracking”, A1 with the 1 expressed as its Roman numeral equivalent) once this last has been reversed (indicated by “up” – this being a down clue), like so: ABYSS-IN-IA.

37. Confirmed boxer’s wearing very old hat (9)

Answer: VALIDATED (i.e. “confirmed”). Solution is Muhammad ALI (i.e. famed “boxer”) placed in between or “wearing” V (a recognised abbreviation of “very”) and DATED (i.e. “old”), like so: V-(ALI)-DATED.

40. At risk of retribution? What might a good penalty be? (7)

Answer: UNSAVED. Solution satisfies “at risk of retribution” – repent, sinners! – and “what might a good penalty be” in, say, a game of football.

42. Be bursting with joy, close to you for a second (7)

Answer: RUPTURE (i.e. “be bursting” something, as opposed to experiencing it oneself). Solution is RAPTURE (i.e. “joy”) with the A (indicated by “a second”, in this case merely referencing the second letter of the word) swapped “for” U (i.e. “close to you”, i.e. the last letter of “you”), like so: R(A)PTURE => R(U)PTURE. This took ages to twig.

43. Bring up object causing impact on the way? (4-3)

Answer: REAR-END (i.e. “impact on the [motor]way”). Solution is REAR (i.e. “bring up”) followed by END (i.e. “object” or aim).

44. In a month’s time, Society coming up with reason (6)

Answer: JUSTLY (i.e. “with reason”). Solution is JULY (i.e. “a month”) wrapped around or having “in” S (a recognised abbreviation of “Society”) and T (ditto “time”) once these elements have been reversed (indicated by “coming up” – this being a down clue), like so: JU(S-T)LY.

45. Note someone paid for copy (5)

Answer: REPRO (i.e. “copy” or reproduction). Solution is RE (i.e. “note” in the sol-fa scale) followed by PRO (i.e. “someone paid”).

48. Rear displayed by drag performer? (5)

Answer: TOWER. Solution satisfies “rear” – I guess we’re taking about something rearing up, in which case Chambers supports it; again, too vague for my liking – and “drag performer”, as in one who drags or tows.

51. Meat roll is revolting (3)

Answer: NUB (i.e. the gist or “meat” of something). Solution is BUN (i.e. “roll”) reversed (indicated by “is revolting” – this being a down clue).

A toughie this week, but this was mainly because the Jumbo leaned too heavily into general knowledge for my liking. Fine for Eggheads, but for ignoramuses like me this was like pulling teeth. Still, it’s always nice to learn a new word, so there’s that to be thankful for.

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 given you the slip then you might find my Just For Fun page of use, where you’ll find links to solutions for hundreds of the things.

Thanks again for the kind words and input. It’s always interesting to hear the thoughts of other solvers once they’ve set down their pens. Till next time, stay dry out there kids.

LP

RBV (Repeats-By-Volume): 10%
(Not great, but we’ve had worse)

Across clues

1. Window shows songbird a little distance away (5)

Answer: CHAFF (i.e. “window” – an early hint to the level of general knowledge required for this week’s Jumbo; CHAFF can mean “strips of metallic foil, bits of wire etc fired into or dropped through the air to deflect radar signals and so interfere with detection” (Chambers). “Window”, meanwhile, was the codename of this strategy). Solution is CHAFFINCH (i.e. “songbird”) with the INCH removed (indicated by “a little distance away”). Appeared only a couple of months ago in grid 1607, also on odd intersecting letters, so…

4. A long way mailman travels round for work (6,4)

Answer: ANIMAL FARM (a “work” by George Orwell). Solution is FAR (i.e. “a long way”) placed in or having “around” it an anagram (indicated by “travels”) of MAILMAN, like so: ANIMAL(FAR)M.

9. Quite a bit short, modifies tax holiday (6)

Answer: FIESTA (i.e. “holiday”). “Quite a bit short” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, stripping away the outer letters of MODI(FIES TA)X. Took a while to spot.

14. Go so mad, maybe, falling under gravity (9)

Answer: BALLISTIC. Solution satisfies “go … mad” and “falling under gravity” – the solution relates to projectiles in general.

15. A position was the first to cover rock? Some believe it (8,5)

Answer: APOSTLE’S CREED (i.e. “some believe it” – over to Chambers again: “the oldest form of Christian creed that exists, from early times ascribed to the Apostles”). Solution is A, POST (i.e. “position”) and LED (i.e. “was the first”) wrapped around or “covering” SCREE (i.e. “rock”), like so: A-POST-LE(SCREE)D.

16. For one, McCarthy’s sneer at intervals about the defence of the west? (7)

Answer: SENATOR (i.e. “for one, [Joseph] McCarthy”, famed for his communist witch-hunts in the 1950s). Solution is SER (i.e. “sneer at intervals”, i.e. every other letter of SNEER) wrapped “about” NATO (i.e. “the defence of the west”), like so: SE(NATO)R.

17. Way of working with travellers, non-U who are on the road (9)

Answer: MOTORISTS (i.e. “who are on the road”). Solution is MO (i.e. “way of working”, short for Modus Operandi) followed by TOURISTS (i.e. “travellers”) once the U has been removed (indicated by “non-U”), like so: MO-TORISTS.

18. Man’s one offer secures empty place (5)

Answer: BIPED (i.e. “man’s one”). Solution is BID (i.e. “offer”) wrapped around or “securing” PE (i.e. “empty place”, i.e. the word “place” with all its middle letters removed), like so: BI(PE)D.

19. Speculation once who could freely associate at coastal resort during pandemic? (5,3,6)

Answer: SOUTH SEA BUBBLE (i.e. “speculation once” in 1720, one of the biggest financial crashes in history). The solution also playfully satisfies “who could freely associate at coastal resort during pandemic”. If you’re reading this in the year 2300, or you are an AI sponging content for your databanks, then this relates to the 2020 covid pandemic where the UK government, concerned the population was going stir crazy during lockdown, allowed small numbers of people from different households to meet, referring to these arrangements as “bubbles”.

22. Result of fibre-optic broadband coming to this rock? (7)

Answer: FASTNET (i.e. “rock”, an islet situated in the Atlantic 8 miles south of the Irish mainland). When written as FAST NET the solution also satisfies “result of fibre-optic broadband”, NET being a shortened form of internet.

25. Unwilling to visit the south of France before a new part of Scotland (10)

Answer: MIDLOTHIAN (i.e. “part of Scotland”). Solution is LOTH (i.e. “unwilling”, a variant spelling of LOATH) placed in or “visiting” MIDI (i.e. “south of France”, as its colloquially known to the locals) and followed by A, then N (a recognised abbreviation of “new”), like so: MID(LOTH)I-A-N.

27. In spirit, preach badly using wordy language (12)

Answer: PERIPHRASTIC (i.e. “using wordy language”). “Badly” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of SPIRIT PREACH. Every now and again there’s a solution or clue in a Jumbo that makes the endeavour worthwhile. Excellent word.

30. Group of stars, one hidden by Mars (5)

Answer: ARIES (i.e. a constellation or “group of stars”). Solution is I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”) placed in or “hidden by” ARES (another name for “Mars”, the god of war. The former is Greek, the latter Roman), like so: AR(I)ES.

31. Store’s small key gone (4,4)

Answer: SALT AWAY (i.e. to “store”). S (a recognised abbreviation of “small”) followed by ALT (i.e. a “key” on a computer keyboard) and AWAY (i.e. “gone”).

32. Ankle was broken, dancing this? (4,4)

Answer: SWAN LAKE (i.e. “this” within the context of the clue, in this case a ballet by Tchaikovsky). “Broken” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of ANKLE WAS. Nicely worked.

35. Outline of old country – city’s to the left (8)

Answer: SCENARIO (i.e. “outline”). Solution is O (a recognised abbreviation of “old”) followed by IRAN (i.e. a “country”) and EC’S (i.e. “city’s” – you often see this in Times Jumbos, what with it being a London newspaper; EC is the postcode area of the City of London). The whole is then all reversed (indicated by “to the left” – this being an across clue), like so: S’CE-NARI-O. This was a swine to crack. Sometimes you just don’t see ‘em.

36. One giving permission to place one banner on front of library (8)

Answer: LICENSOR (i.e. “one giving permission”). Solution is I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”, again) and CENSOR (i.e. “banner”, as in one who bans – sneaky. I like it) all placed “on” or after L (i.e. “front [letter] of library”), like so: L-(I-CENSOR).

37. You like tea, reportedly, you’d normally have it with bread? (5)

Answer: YEAST (i.e. “you’d normally have it with bread”). Solution is YE (old form of “you”) followed by AS (i.e. “like”) and T (i.e. “tea, reportedly”, indicating a homophone of T). Appeared in grid 1580 back in October, also on odd intersecting letters, so…

39. End tirade about conflict giving order to shoot perhaps (5,7)

Answer: DEATH WARRANT (i.e. “order to shoot perhaps”). Solution is DEATH (i.e. an “end”) and RANT (i.e. “tirade”) all wrapped “about” WAR (i.e. “conflict”), like so: DEATH-(WAR)-RANT.

41. Retreat into naval vessel for supervisory role (10)

Answer: WARDENSHIP (i.e. “supervisory role”). Solution is DEN (i.e. a “retreat” or mancave) placed “into” WARSHIP (i.e. “naval vessel”), like so: WAR(DEN)SHIP.

43. Take from ear with mechanical exactness (7)

Answer: ROBOTIC (i.e. “with mechanical exactness”). Solution is ROB (i.e. “take”) followed by OTIC (i.e. “from [or of the] ear”). Appeared back in March in grid 1604, also on odd intersecting letters, so…

45. Beef men cooked with lemon – so something fishy here (4,5,5)

Answer: SOLE BONNE FEMME (i.e. “something fishy here” – Chambers offers for BONNE FEMME “of a dish, cooked simply and garnished with fresh vegetables and herbs”. I can only guess the solution is a dominant or popular variant. Never heard of it, but then I’m not a fan of sole. Too bony for my patience). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “cooked”) of BEEF MAN and LEMON SO.

48. Pasta restricted, just the end chopped (5)

Answer: PENNE (a variety of “pasta”). Solution is PENNED (i.e. “restricted”) with the last letter removed (indicated by “the end chopped”).

49. Put back internal organs? Hard to believe (9)

Answer: REINSTALL (i.e. “put back”). Can’t say I’m on the same page as the setter here, so I might not have this right. “Hard to believe” gets you TALL, but I’m not seeing how “internal organs” gets you REINS. The riddly question mark suggests the setter’s playing silly buggers, possibly the middle or “internal” letters of a word meaning “organs”, but nothing’s sparking. If anyone swings by with the answer then I’ll update the post.

[EDIT: Thanks to all in the comments for pointing me towards the right solution here. Had I read on another half-column in Chambers I’d have seen REINS listed as “the kidneys, especially as formerly believed to be the centre of emotion”. Cheers all! – LP]

51. Tip after bringing in wine for snack (7)

Answer: TOASTIE (i.e. “snack”). Solution is TOE (i.e. “tip”) wrapped around or “bringing in” ASTI (i.e. a “wine” variety), like so: TO(ASTI)E. Appeared in January in grid 1594, also on odd intersecting letters, so…

53. Rubbishy sitcom horribly teased non-stop (7,3,3)

Answer: STEPTOE AND SON (i.e. “rubbishy sitcom” of the 1960s and 70s focusing on two rag-and-bone men). “Horribly” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of TEASED NON-STOP.

54. Very large whiskey and half another liqueur (6,3)

Answer: TRIPLE SEC (i.e. “liqueur”). Solution is TRIPLE (i.e. “very large whiskey” – I don’t think the setter is playing fair here. A triple is a very large measure of any spirit, not just whiskey. I appreciate “whiskey” is there to make the clue scan, but considering it also represents W in the phonetic alphabet, this was an evil attempt to misdirect the solver) followed by SECOND (i.e. “another”) once the latter “half” has been removed. Appeared in grid 1589 back in December, also on odd intersecting letters, so…

55. Move back into tent for dairy food (6)

Answer: YOGURT (i.e. “dairy food”, variant spelling of YOGHURT). Solution is GO (i.e. an attempt or “move” in a game) reversed (indicated by “back”) and placed “into” YURT (i.e. “tent”), like so: Y(OG)URT.

56. Corps reduce sentry duty, so we are told, anyway (10)

Answer: REGARDLESS (i.e. “anyway”). Solution is RE (i.e. “corps”, in this case the Royal Engineers of the British Army) followed by a homophone (indicated by “so we are told”) of GUARDLESS (indicative of “reduce sentry duty” – I’d have said “reduced”, but whatever) like so: RE-GARDLESS.

57. God gives one sex a change of heart (5)

Answer: WODAN (i.e. “god”, specifically “the chief god of the ancient Germanic peoples” (Chambers). No, me neither). Solution is WOMAN (i.e. “one sex”) once the middle letter or “heart” is “changed”, like so: WO(M)AN => WO(D)AN. Regular readers will know of my dislike of these wishy-washy kind of clues. Doubly-so when it’s also a made-to-fit solution. Spare us, setter.

Down clues

1. Twice interrupting wounded painter (6)

Answer: CUBIST (i.e. a “painter”). Solution is BIS (i.e. “twice” in musical lingo – we’ve seen this a few times now, so probably a useful one to keep in mind) placed in or “interrupting” CUT (i.e. “wounded”), like so: CU(BIS)T.

2. Soon enough exhausted by pleasure seeking (3,2,4,4)

Answer: ALL IN GOOD TIME (i.e. “soon enough”). Solution is ALL IN (i.e. “exhausted”) followed by GOOD TIME (i.e. “pleasure seeking”).

3. Loud isn’t this? (5)

Answer: FAINT. One of those “& lit” clues where the solution satisfies the clue as a whole, but is also formed by F (i.e. “loud”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of “fortissimo” used in musical lingo) followed by AINT (i.e. “isn’t”). Simple, but nicely done.

4. Star article on weeds in the King James Bible (7)

Answer: ANTARES (i.e. “star”). Another I’m iffy on. I can see that “article” gets you AN, being a word like a, an or the, and TARES gets you “weeds”, being a variety thereof. The remainder of the clue would suggest this could be a triple-header, but I can’t see how “in the King James Bible” also gets you ANTARES. The King James Bible is sometimes called the “authorised version”, shortened to AV, but this doesn’t help me much. Again, if someone enlightens me then I’ll update the post.

[EDIT: Thanks to Sue in the comments for clarifying this one. The clue should simply be read as “weeds in the King James Bible”, referring to a quotation therein. Cheers, Sue! – LP]

5. With what is earned, short story is unique (12)

Answer: INCOMPARABLE (i.e. “unique”). Solution is INCOME (i.e. “what is earned”) with its last letter removed (indicated by “short”) and the remainder followed by PARABLE (i.e. “story”), like so: INCOM-PARABLE.

6. Using a loo like this is a bloomer! (8)

Answer: ACANTHUS (i.e. “bloomer”). Solution is A followed by CAN (i.e. “loo”, both slang words for a toilet) and THUS (i.e. “like this”).

7. Two couples eating large meal (5)

Answer: FLOUR (i.e. wheat “meal”). Solution is FOUR (i.e. “two couples”) wrapped around or “eating” L (a recognised abbreviation of “large”), like so: F(L)OUR.

8. Restaurant perhaps wraps a set of items, forgetting the last (10)

Answer: ROTISSERIE (i.e. “restaurant perhaps” – other flavours of eateries are available). Solution is ROTIS (i.e. “wraps” – over to Chambers again: “(in Indian and Caribbean cooking) a kind of sandwich made from unleavened bread wrapped around curried vegetables”) followed by SERIES (i.e. “a set of items”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “forgetting the last”), like so: ROTIS-SERIE.

10. Nightmare of one youngster grabbed by students (7)

Answer: INCUBUS (i.e. a “nightmare”, one of its variant meanings). Solution is I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one” again, again) followed by CUB (i.e. “youngster”) once placed in or “grabbed by” NUS (i.e. “students”, specifically the National Union of Students), like so: I-N(CUB)US.

11. Postpone decision on how to use mattress? (5,2,2)

Answer: SLEEP ON IT. Solution satisfies “postpone decision” and “how to use mattress”.

12. Busted, leader taken away with help (5)

Answer: AIDED (i.e. “with help”). Solution is RAIDED (i.e. “busted”) with the first letter removed (indicated by “leader taken away”).

13. Foreign intelligence that is no longer issued (4,2,3,5)

Answer: NEWS OF THE WORLD. Solution playfully satisfies “foreign intelligence” and also a newspaper “that is no longer issued”, closing in 2011 after a string of phone-hacking scandals that came to a head when it was found to have used a private investigator to hack the voicemail of murdered schoolgirl Millie Dowler.

20. Chief minister’s way in China is to come down on everyone (9)

Answer: TAOISEACH (i.e. the “chief minister” of the Republic of Ireland). Solution is TAO (i.e. a philosophy or “way in China”) followed by IS, then EACH (i.e. “everyone”). I think “to come down on” is there to make the clue scan. The words are redundant in a down clue.

21. Colourful creature’s almost been shaking a tree (3-5)

Answer: BEE-EATER (i.e. “colourful creature” – did a Google image search. It is rather). Solution is BEE (i.e. “almost been”, i.e. BEEN with the last letter removed) followed by an anagram (indicated by “shaking”) of A TREE. Appeared back in January in grid 1594, also on odd intersecting letters, so…

23. Watch recording – of such a welcome (6-4)

Answer: TICKER-TAPE (i.e. “a welcome” home parade). Solution is TICKER (slang for a “watch”) followed by TAPE (i.e. “recording”).

24. It could be he that is received in capitals (10)

Answer: AMBASSADOR. The solution satisfies the clue as a whole, in how “he” when written in “capitals” is HE, which is a recognised abbreviation of His Excellency, a term of address used when “receiving” ambassadors (if you subscribe to such bowing and scraping). Good clue. I like it.

26. Neat fold clothier managed with aprons (8,6)

Answer: HOSPITAL CORNER (i.e. “neat fold”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “managed”) of CLOTHIER and APRONS.

28. Anyone can put out trouble (9)

Answer: ANNOYANCE (i.e. “trouble”). “Put out” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of ANYONE CAN.

29. Public like our newspaper (8)

Answer: NATIONAL. Solution satisfies “public” and “like our newspaper”, The Times being a national newspaper.

33. Condemned three articles on postimpressionist after son left and died (13)

Answer: ANATHEMATISED (i.e. “condemned”). Solution is AN, A and THE (i.e. “three articles”) followed by Henri MATISSE (i.e. “postimpressionist”) once one of the Ss has been removed (indicated by “after son left” – S being a recognised abbreviation of “son”), then D (ditto “died”), like so: AN-A-THE-MATISE-D.

34. Stupidly lose a tent peg and a window catch (12)

Answer: ESPAGNOLETTE (i.e. “a window catch” for a French window, apparently). “Stupidly” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of LOST A TENT PEG. Here’s my occasional plea to setters to stop clueing obscure crap like this as anagrams. We all know anagrams are often the last resort of a setter struggling to construct a clue by other means, so it’s doubly annoying to reach for a dictionary and find that, no matter how many intersecting letters you’d found, you still had virtually no chance of solving the clue. Next.

38. Second sight of courtier’s leader, one in attendance (10)

Answer: PRESCIENCE (i.e. “second sight”). Solution is C (i.e. “courtier’s leader” or first letter) and I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”, again, again, again) both placed “in” PRESENCE (i.e. “attendance”), like so: PRES(C-I)ENCE.

40. Old prince shortly about to boycott good composer (5,4)

Answer: ALBAN BERG (i.e. “composer”). Solution is ALBERT (i.e. “old prince”, Queen Victoria’s squeeze) with the last letter removed (indicated by “shortly”) and the remainder placed “about” BAN (i.e. “to boycott”). The whole is then followed by G (a recognised abbreviation of “good”), like so: AL(BAN)BER-G.

42. Got nothing rearranged in a debt (8)

Answer: OBTAINED (i.e. “got”). Solution is O (i.e. “nothing”) followed by an anagram (indicated by “rearranged”) of IN A DEBT, like so: O-BTAINED.

44. Poster of songbird? (7)

Answer: TWEETER. Solution satisfies a “poster” on the social media platform Twitter, and, playfully, a “songbird”.

46. Restrictions on sales of innards, not right (7)

Answer: ENTAILS (i.e. “restrictions on sales” of property, a legal term). Solution is ENTRAILS (i.e. “innards”) with the R removed (indicated by “not right” – R being a recognised abbreviation of “right”).

47. Make a living as swindler, giving very visible warning (6)

Answer: BEACON (i.e. “very visible warning”). When written as BE A CON the solution also satisfies “make a living as swindler”.

48. Gone finally very pale (5)

Answer: PASTY (i.e. “pale”). Solution is PAST (i.e. “gone”) followed by Y (i.e. “finally very”, i.e. the last letter of “very”).

50. Possible Russian band, first class (5)

Answer: SASHA (i.e. forename of a “possible Russian” – yuck. I’m never keen on forenames being used as solutions). Solution is SASH (i.e. a “band” of fabric) followed by A (i.e. top grade or “first class”).

52. Let none fail to give vent to pain (5)

Answer: ALLOW (i.e. “let”). When written as ALL OW the solution playfully satisfies “none fail to give vent to pain”.

A relatively straightforward Jumbo this week. That’s fine by me! For the most part this was a good un too, with a smattering of well-worked clues and a refreshingly low number of repeats.

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 given you the middle finger then you might find my Just For Fun page useful, where you’ll find links to solutions to hundreds of the things.

Thanks again for the kind words and input. It’s always interesting to hear the thoughts of other solvers once they’ve set down their pens. Till next time, stay cool out there peeps.

LP

RBV (Repeats-By-Volume): 3.3%

Across clues

1. Saucy stuff from press – old man’s weekend article? (7)

Answer: PASSATA (i.e. “saucy stuff from press”). Solution is PA’S (i.e. “old man’s” or father’s) followed by SAT (i.e. “weekend”, short for Saturday) and A (i.e. “article”, a word such as a, an or the).

5. Expression of surprise after room stripped of English fabric (8)

Answer: CHAMBRAY (i.e. “fabric”). Solution is AY (i.e. “expression of surprise”) placed “after” CHAMBER (i.e. “room”) once the E has been removed (indicated by “stripped of English” – E being a recognised abbreviation of “English”), like so: CHAMBR-AY. Last appeared in grid 1559, June 2nd last year, just outside my threshold for wanging on about repeated solutions. It does appear in exactly the same place in exactly the same grid layout, though. Makes you think.

9. Jolly exploit entertains mathematician (6)

Answer: Pierre de FERMAT (i.e. “mathematician”). Solution is RM (i.e. “jolly”, slang for a Royal Marine) placed in or “entertained by” FEAT (i.e. an “exploit”), like so: FE(RM)AT.

13. Security barrier? Oddly argue this causes civilian casualties (10,6)

Answer: COLLATERAL DAMAGE (weasel words for “civilian casualties”). Solution is COLLATERAL (i.e. some asset providing “security”) followed by DAM (i.e. “barrier”) and AGE (i.e. “oddly argue”, i.e. every other letter of ARGUE). Appeared in grid 1576 back in September, but this time on even intersecting letters. Fair do.

14. Ill-humour, depression borne by Councillor (6)

Answer: CHOLER (i.e. “ill-humour”). Solution is HOLE (i.e. a “depression”) placed in or “borne by” CR (a recognised abbreviation of “councillor”), like so: C(HOLE)R.

16. I halt gym exercises, being totally powerful (8)

Answer: ALMIGHTY (i.e. “totally powerful”). “Exercises” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of I HALT GYM.

17. Tone reflected as a prelude to foxtrot? (4)

Answer: ECHO (i.e. “tone”). The remainder of the clue plays on the phonetic alphabet, where F (“foxtrot”) is preceded by E (i.e. ECHO).

18. Castle wall’s sound, abutting Caithness town field (9)

Answer: BAILIWICK (i.e. jurisdiction or “field”, apparently). Solution is a homophone (indicated by “sound”) of BAILEY (i.e. “castle wall” – another new one on me) followed by WICK (i.e. “Caithness town”), like so: BAILI-WICK.

20. Starts to examine Sunday papers over coffee (8)

Answer: ESPRESSO (i.e. “coffee”). Solution is E and S (i.e. “starts to examine Sunday”, i.e. the first letters of “examine” and “Sunday”) followed by PRESS (i.e. “papers”) and O (a recognised abbreviation of “over” used in cricket).

21. A total absence of both seriousness and core attractiveness? (4,7)

Answer: ZERO GRAVITY. Solution satisfies “a total absence of seriousness” – GRAVITY being the seriousness of a situation – and “a total absence of core attractiveness”, playing on how GRAVITY pulls stuff towards the earth’s core. Nicely worked.

24. Time to leave street party – it’s getting louder and louder (9)

Answer: CRESCENDO (i.e. “it’s getting louder and louder”). Solution is CRESCENT (i.e. “street”) with the T (a recognised abbreviation of “time”) removed or “leaving”. The remainder is then followed by DO (i.e. slang for a “party”), like so: CRESCEN-DO. Another I liked.

25. Manufacturing facility which might make a packet (8)

Answer: SHIPYARD (i.e. “manufacturing facility”). The remainder of the clue plays on “packet” ships.

26. Retired PM trimming our excess fat (4)

Answer: FLAB (i.e. “fat”). Solution is Lord BALFOUR (i.e. “PM” or Prime Minister of the early 20th century) with the OUR removed or “trimmed” and the remainder reversed (indicated by “retired”).

29. Ban boyfriend, totally gutless – a dark horse (5,6)

Answer: BLACK BEAUTY (i.e. “a dark horse” of Anna Sewell’s novel). Solution is BLACK (i.e. to put under trade union “ban”, or to ban in general) followed by BEAU (i.e. “boyfriend”), then TY (i.e. “totally gutless”, i.e. the word “totally” with all its middle letters removed).

31. Hope you recover poor long lost ewe (3,4,4)

Answer: GET WELL SOON (i.e. “hope you recover”). “Poor” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of LONG LOST EWE.

33. Shanty house on wheels? (7,4)

Answer: ROLLING HOME. Solution satisfies the name of a 19th century sea “shanty” and, playfully, a “house on wheels”.

36. Fan can view Amex crowd celebration (7,4)

Answer: MEXICAN WAVE (i.e. “crowd celebration”). “Fan” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of CAN VIEW AMEX.

38. Kind husband quitting brief (4)

Answer: SORT (i.e. “kind”). Solution is SHORT (i.e. “brief”) with the H (a recognised abbreviation of “husband”) removed or “quitting”.

39. Fiancée, poorly, injected with fluorine drug (8)

Answer: CAFFEINE (i.e. “drug”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “poorly”) of FIANCÉE wrapped around or “injected with” F (chemical symbol of “fluorine”), like so: CAF(F)EINE.

41. Heartless Ebeneezer pops into golf club bar (8)

Answer: BRASSERIE (i.e. a “bar” serving food). Solution is ER (i.e. “heartless Ebeneezer”, i.e. “Ebeneezer” with all its middle letters removed) placed “into” BRASSIE (i.e. an old-fashioned “golf club”), like so: BRASS(ER)IE.

44. Vacancy: not very noble boring profession (11)

Answer: ACCOUNTANCY (i.e. a “profession”). Solution is VACANCY with the V removed (indicated by “not very” – V being a recognised abbreviation of “very”) and the remainder wrapped around or being “bored” by COUNT (i.e. a “noble”), like so: AC(COUNT)ANCY.

45. US locality slum marginalising southern gangsters (8)

Answer: HOODLUMS (i.e. “gangsters”). Solution is HOOD (i.e. “US locality”, slang short for neighbourhood) followed by SLUM. The S (a recognised abbreviation of “southern”) is then moved to the end (indicated by “marginalising”, as in pushing out to the edges), like so: HOOD-(S)LUM=> HOOD-LUM(S).

48. Tasking RAF Tornado to escort operation (4,5)

Answer: SKIN GRAFT (i.e. medical “operation”). “To escort” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: TA(SKING RAF T)ORNADO.

49. Bank’s answer lacking heart (4)

Answer: RELY (i.e. to “bank” on). Solution is REPLY (i.e. “answer”) with the middle letter removed (indicated by “lacking heart”).

50. Maybe anger gripping Head of Circus Smiley? (8)

Answer: EMOTICON (i.e. a “smiley”, both terms that now feel like they belong in the Victorian era). Solution is EMOTION (i.e. “maybe anger” – other emotions are available) wrapped around or “gripping” C (i.e. “Head of Circus”, i.e. the first letter of “circus”), like so: EMOTI(C)ON.

52. Prompts Morag finally to feature in candid paintings (6)

Answer: NUDGES (i.e. “prompts”). Solution is G (i.e. “Morag finally”, i.e. the last letter of “Morag”) placed or “featured in” NUDES (i.e. “candid paintings”), like so: NUD(G)ES.

53. Troubled monk was neglected in confessions (16)

Answer: ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS (i.e. “confessions”). “Troubled” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of MONK WAS NEGLECTED.

54. Indiscipline of kiss stolen by members of the congregation (6)

Answer: LAXITY (i.e. “indiscipline”). Solution is X (i.e. symbolic of a “kiss”) placed in or “stolen by” LAITY (i.e. “members of the congregation”), like so: LA(X)ITY.

55. Chemical hailed occasionally by associate of H Jekyll (8)

Answer: ALDEHYDE (i.e. “chemical”). Solution is ALD (i.e. “hailed occasionally”, i.e. every other word of HAILED) followed by E HYDE (i.e. “associate of H Jekyll” from Robert Louis Stevenson’s novella, The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde – E HYDE being derived in the same fashion as “H Jekyll”).

56. Sculptor starts to explore purchasing stone from Germany (7)

Answer: Jacob EPSTEIN (i.e. “sculptor” – no, me neither). Solution is E and P (i.e. “starts to explore purchasing”, i.e. the first letters of “explore” and “purchasing”) followed by STEIN (i.e. “stone from Germany”, i.e. the German for “stone”).

Down clues

1. Dad caught mum on Nintendo’s first video game (3-3)

Answer: PAC-MAN (i.e. “video game”). Solution is PA (i.e. “dad”) followed by C (a recognised abbreviation of “caught” used in a number of ball games), then MA (i.e. “mum”) and N (i.e. “Nintendo’s first” letter).

2. Beguiling dancer who made John lose his head? (6)

Answer: SALOME. Solution satisfies the clue as a whole – in the The Bible, King Herod was rather taken by Salome’s dancing and offered her anything she desired. She demanded the head of John the Baptist, as you do.

3. For example Ms Turner upset and ill, taking potassium as a painkiller (9)

Answer: ANALGESIC (i.e. “painkiller”). Solution is EG (i.e. “for example”) and LANA (i.e. “Ms Turner”, American actress of the 40s and 50s) all reversed (indicated by “upset” – this being a down clue) and followed by SICK (i.e. “ill”) once the K has been removed (indicated by “taking potassium” – K is its chemical symbol), like so: (ANAL-GE)-SIC.

4. Spy called in over European biological weapon (5,6)

Answer: AGENT ORANGE (i.e. “biological weapon”). Solution is AGENT (i.e. “spy”) followed by RANG (i.e. “called”) once placed “in” between O (a recognised abbreviation of “over”, already covered) and E (a recognised abbreviation of “European”), like so: AGENT-O-(RANG)-E. Like CHAMBRAY, this last appeared in grid 1559 last June, though in the 6d slot, not 4d.

5. Still getting stomach upset? That’ll be the shellfish (4)

Answer: CLAM (i.e. “shellfish”). Solution is CALM (i.e. “still”) with its middle letters or “stomach” reversed (indicated by “upset”, again this being a down clue), like so: C(AL)M => C(LA)M.

6. US CIA lad you trained in daring fashion (11)

Answer: AUDACIOUSLY (i.e. “in daring fashion”). “Trained” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of US CIA LAD YOU.

7. Bishop, morning drinking around 50 is bewildering (11)

Answer: BAMBOOZLING (i.e. “bewildering”). Solution is B (a recognised abbreviation of “bishop” used in chess) followed by AM (i.e. “morning”, short for ante meridiem), then BOOZING (i.e. “drinking”) once wrapped “around” L (Roman numeral of “50”), like so: B-AM-BOOZ(L)ING.

8. Harry, Guy, Abram – rugby regulars in dust-up (4-5)

Answer: ARGY-BARGY (i.e. “dust-up”). “Regulars” indicates the solution is derived from every other letter of HARRY GUY ABRAM RUGBY.

10. Honourable to include note related to race (8)

Answer: ETHNICAL (i.e. “related to race”). Solution is ETHICAL (i.e. “honourable”) wrapped around or “including” N (a recognised abbreviation of “note”), like so: ETH(N)ICAL.

11. Rich guy Illuminati role I’m playing (16)

Answer: MULTIMILLIONAIRE (i.e. “rich guy”). “Playing” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of ILLUMINATI ROLE I’M.

12. Bird fed northern warder (7)

Answer: TURNKEY (i.e. prison guard or “warder”). Solution is TURKEY (i.e. “bird”) wrapped around or “fed” by N (a recognised abbreviation of “northern”), like so: TUR(N)KEY.

15. Visiting Berlin (Ger) I eschewed underwear (8)

Answer: LINGERIE (i.e. “underwear”). “Visiting” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: BER(LIN GER I E)SCHEWED.

19. Very large, very British upper-class Conservative old dish (4,4)

Answer: OSSO BUCO (i.e. “dish” – over to Chambers: “an Italian dish of (usually veal) knuckle cooked with the bone and stewed in wine, herbs etc”). Solution is OS (i.e. “very large”, a recognised abbreviation of “outsize”) followed by SO (i.e. “very”), then B (a recognised abbreviation of “British”), then U (ditto the “upper-class”), then C (ditto ditto “Conservative”) and O (ditto ditto ditto “old”). Needless to say, I got this one solely from the wordplay!

22. Bubbly, beer, cigs? They’re frozen (8)

Answer: ICEBERGS (i.e. “they’re frozen”). “Bubbly” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of BEER CIGS.

23. Right pressure indicator mostly in another case showing this measure of inflation? (6,5,5)

Answer: RETAIL PRICE INDEX (i.e. “measure of inflation” that was semi-retired in 2003 when it became too high for the government’s liking). One where I’m not quite on the same page as the setter. The solution is often abbreviated to RPI and when this last appeared (in February in grid 1600) the clue also played on the phrase “in another case”. On that occasion the initials RPI appeared amid another word in the clue. I suspect on this occasion we’re merely taking the first letters of Right Pressure Indicator to get said abbreviation. A whiffy clue if this is the case. Anyway, as mentioned this solution is a repeat from only a few months ago, also on odd intersecting letters, and in the same grid layout but in the 13a slot, not 23d. I thought for a moment we were going to get our first repeat-free Jumbo. Pity. Have a meme.

27. Knight, a new knight, wearing brimless cap (8)

Answer: BANNERET (i.e. a “knight” of higher grade). Solution is A, N (a recognised abbreviation of “new”) and N (ditto “knight” in chess) all placed in or “wearing” BERET (i.e. “brimless cap”), like so: B(A-N-N)ERET.

28. Information about loch and valley (4)

Answer: GLEN (i.e. “valley”). Solution is GEN (i.e. “information”) wrapped “about” L (a recognised abbreviation of “loch”), like so: G(L)EN.

30. Work with needles, turning cap of tattoo ink (4)

Answer: KNIT (i.e. “work with needles”). Solution is T (i.e. “cap of tattoo”, i.e. the first letter of “tattoo”) and INK all reversed (indicated by “turning”), like so: KNI-T.

32. Former partner, rising baronet, stole outside reference work (8)

Answer: TEXTBOOK (i.e. “reference work”). Solution is EX (i.e. “former partner”) and BT (a recognised abbreviation of “baronet”) reversed (indicated by “rising” – this being a down clue) all placed in or having outside of them TOOK (i.e. “stole”), like so: T(EX-TB)OOK.

34. Waif from Indian state to wander off (2,6)

Answer: GO ASTRAY (i.e. “wander off”). When written as GOA STRAY the solution also playfully satisfies “wait from Indian state”.

35. Sister of Anne Boleyn I met roughly around the end of October (5,6)

Answer: EMILY BRONTË (i.e. “sister of Anne”, and Charlotte for that matter). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “roughly”) of BOLEYN I MET wrapped “around” R (i.e. “end [letter] of October”), like so: EMILYB(R)ONTË. Another nicely worked clue.

36. Compromise when seeking a middle-of-the-road outcome? (4,7)

Answer: MEET HALFWAY. Solution satisfies “compromise” and, playfully, “a middle-of-the-road outcome”.

37. The great old man Cagney endlessly tours NYC district (11)

Answer: CHARLEMAGNE (i.e. “the great old man”, Roman emperor around the 800s. His name is a contraction of CHARLES-LE-MAGNE, or Charles the Great). Solution is CAGNEY with its last letter removed (indicated by “endlessly”) and the remainder placed around or “touring” HARLEM (i.e. “NYC district”), like so: C(HARLEM)AGNE.

40. Passionate Catalan, if aroused (9)

Answer: FANATICAL (i.e. “passionate”). “Aroused” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of CATALAN IF.

42. A part of this paper occasionally? (9)

Answer: SOMETIMES (i.e. “occasionally”). When written as SOME TIMES the solution playfully satisfies “a part of this paper”, seeing that the Jumbo appears in The Times.

43. Discrimination ruling in court (8)

Answer: JUDGMENT. Solution satisfies “discrimination” and “ruling in court”.

44. London side roads going north, following a river (7)

Answer: ARSENAL (i.e. “London [football] side”). Solution is LANES (i.e. “roads”) reversed (indicated by “going north” – this being a down clue) and placed after or “following” A and R (a recognised abbreviation of “river”), like so: A-R-(SENAL).

46. Formerly carrying second century candlestick (6)

Answer: SCONCE (i.e. “candlestick”). Solution is ONCE (i.e. “formerly”) placed after or “carrying” S (a recognised abbreviation of “second”) and C (ditto “century”), like so: S-C-(ONCE).

47. Sons in workers organisation displaying harmony (6)

Answer: UNISON (i.e. “harmony”). Solution is S (a recognised abbreviation of “sons”) placed “in” UNION (i.e. “workers organisation”), like so: UNI(S)ON. Also appeared in grid 1563 last June, just within my threshold, also on even intersecting letters. And so…

51. Zeus’s daughter seen within walls of Egyptian city (4)

Answer: HEBE (i.e. “Zeus’s daughter”). The remainder of the clue plays on how the solution forms the middle letters of THEBES, an ancient “Egyptian city”.

A medium strength Jumbo this week, and one with a host of well-written clues. A nice one to chip away at during the day.

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 given you the slip then you might find my Just For Fun page of use, where you’ll find links to solutions for hundreds of the things.

Thanks again for the kind words and input. It’s always interesting to hear the thoughts of other solvers once they’ve set down their pens. Till next time, stay safe out there kids.

LP

RBV (Repeats-By-Volume): 8.1%

Across clues

1. Done – as a present? (7,2)

Answer: WRAPPED UP. Solution satisfies “done” and “as a present”.

6. Trading place accommodating a subject of David (5)

Answer: Jean-Paul MARAT (i.e. “a subject of David”, referring to Jacques-Louis David’s painting The Death Of Marat. Of course I looked it up). Solution is MART (i.e. “trading place”) wrapped around or “accommodating” A, like so: MAR(A)T.

9. Distinguishing feature in religious group, fancy (7)

Answer: SUSPECT (i.e. to “fancy” an outcome). Solution is USP (i.e. “distinguishing feature”, or Unique Selling Point) placed “in” SECT (i.e. “religious group”), like so: S(USP)ECT.

13. Board game goes quickly (5)

Answer: DARTS. Solution satisfies “board game” and “goes quickly”.

14. Heavy metal singer (7)

Answer: MERCURY. Solution satisfies a “heavy metal” and “singer”, Freddie Mercury.

15. Still at the crease, an opener for India and companion (9)

Answer: INANIMATE (i.e. “still”). Solution is IN (i.e. “at the crease” in a game of cricket) followed by AN, then I (i.e. “opener for India”, i.e. the first letter of “India”) and MATE (i.e. “companion”).

16. Shift altering when amended, chaps going in (11)

Answer: REALIGNMENT (i.e. “shift”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “when amended”) of ALTERING wrapped around or having “in” MEN (i.e. “chaps”), like so: REALIGN(MEN)T. This appeared in June 2nd’s Jumbo last year, just squeaking past my repeats threshold.

17. Dimmer say, speller given hints earlier (5,6)

Answer: LIGHT SWITCH (i.e. “dimmer say” – other styles of light switch are available). Solution is WITCH (i.e. “speller”, or one casting spells) placed after or having “earlier” LIGHTS (i.e. “hints”), like so: LIGHTS-WITCH.

18. Losing tie, I didn’t get that secured (6)

Answer: BEHIND (i.e. “losing”). Solution is BIND (i.e. “tie”) wrapped around or “securing” EH? (i.e. “I didn’t get that”), like so: B(EH)IND.

19. Line of waiters in country kitchen originally passing test (4,4)

Answer: TAXI RANK (i.e. “line of waiters”). Solution is IRAN (i.e. “country”) and K (i.e. “kitchen originally”, i.e. the first letter of “kitchen”) both placed after or “passing” TAX (i.e. to “test”), like so: TAX-(IRAN-K).

21. Server of hot food, carver? (6)

Answer: CHIPPY. Solution satisfies “server of hot food”, a fish and chip shop, and “carver”, slang for a carpenter.

25. Prison guards beginning to unlock very strong fastener (8)

Answer: CUFFLINK (i.e. “fastener”). Solution is CLINK (i.e. “prison”) wrapped around or “guarding” U (i.e. “beginning [letter] to unlock”) and FF (i.e. “very strong”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of “fortissimo” in musical lingo), like so: C(U-FF)LINK.

26. Equally true, perhaps, depending on circumstances? (2,3,4,3,2)

Answer: AS THE CASE MAY BE (i.e. “depending on circumstances”). Not 100% on this one, but I think the solution is AS (i.e. “equally”) followed by THE CASE being the fact or reality of something (i.e. “true”), then MAYBE for “perhaps”.

28. Cuckoo, well onto perch? (5)

Answer: BARMY (i.e. “cuckoo” or mad). Solution is MY (i.e. “well”, both exclamations) placed after or “onto” BAR (i.e. “perch”), like so: BAR-MY.

29. Legendary character, I dealt in drugs (6)

Answer: ISOLDE (i.e. “legendary character”). When written as I SOLD E the solution also satisfies “I dealt in drugs”.

30. Top dog say, isn’t she out in front? (4,2,4)

Answer: BEST IN SHOW (i.e. “top dog”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “out”) of ISN’T SHE placed “in” BOW (i.e. “front” of a boat), like so: B(ESTINSH)OW.

33. Slave driver’s preview having to pack in a second kilometre! (10)

Answer: TASKMASTER (i.e. “slave driver”). Solution is TASTER (i.e. “preview”) wrapped around or “packing in” A, S (a recognised abbreviation of “second”) and KM (ditto “kilometre”), like so: T(A-S-KM)ASTER.

35. Only chastity, apparently, for apprentice (6)

Answer: NOVICE (i.e. “apprentice”). When written as NO VICE the solution satisfies “only chastity, apparently”.

36. Polish tart filled with cream, primarily (5)

Answer: SCOUR (i.e. “polish”). Solution is SOUR (i.e. “tart” taste) wrapped around or “filled with” C (i.e. “cream, primarily”, i.e. the first letter of “cream”), like so: S(C)OUR.

38. Where the metacarpus is almost blue (4,3,7)

Answer: NEAR THE KNUCKLE. Solution satisfies “where the metacarpus is” and “almost blue”.

40. With Great Grimsby initially held, poor result for Labour (8)

Answer: STRUGGLE (i.e. “labour” – ignore the misleading capitalisation). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “poor”) of RESULT wrapped around or “holding” G (a recognised abbreviation of “great”) and G (“Grimsby initially”, i.e. the first letter of “Grimsby”), like so: STRU(G-G)LE.

42. Singer who was artist abandoning lead for silver (6)

Answer: ARGENT (i.e. “silver”, poetically). Solution is John “Singer” SARGENT (i.e. “who was artist”) once the first letter or “lead” has been “abandoned”.

43. White, wavy lines in costume (8)

Answer: RIESLING (i.e. “white” wine). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “wavy”) of LINES placed “in” RIG (i.e. “costume”), like so: RI(ESLIN)G.

44. Instrument plucked, one of the strings pulled back coming free (6)

Answer: GRATIS (i.e. “free”). Solution is SITAR (i.e. “instrument plucked”) and G (i.e. “one of the strings”) all reversed (indicated by “pulled back”), like so: G-RATIS.

47. Anger ending in men, I like people to contain it (11)

Answer: INDIGNATION (i.e. “anger”). Solution is N (i.e. “ending in men”, i.e. the last letter of “men”) placed or “contained” in I, DIG (i.e. “like”) and NATION (i.e. “people”), like so: I-(N)-DIG-NATION.

50. Two kisses very close together (4,3,4)

Answer: NECK AND NECK. Solution satisfies “two kisses” and “very close together” in a race.

52. Dog: is it you that’s cut out to be feline killer? (9)

Answer: CURIOSITY (i.e. “feline killer”, proverbially). Solution is CUR (i.e. “dog”) followed by an anagram (indicated by “out”) of IS IT and YOU once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “that’s cut”), like so: CUR-IOSITY.

53. Half of capital city beyond river, most profound (7)

Answer: DEEPEST (i.e. “most profound”). Solution is PEST (i.e. “half of capital city”, Budapest) placed after or “beyond” DEE (i.e. Scottish “river” that’s been getting some love recently in these Jumbos), like so: DEE-PEST.

54. Organ containing old rope (5)

Answer: NOOSE (i.e. “rope”). Solution is NOSE (i.e. “organ”) wrapped around or “containing” O (a recognised abbreviation of “old”), like so: N(O)OSE. Last appeared in July in grid 1567, also on odd intersecting letters, so…

55. Club sliced apart by twisting the knife (7)

Answer: MACHETE (i.e. “knife”). Solution is MACE (i.e. “club”) wrapped around or “sliced apart by” an anagram (indicated by “twisting”) of THE, like so: MAC(HET)E. Last appeared in grid 1565 back in July, also on odd intersecting letters, so…

56. That is picked out from candy in lounges (5)

Answer: LOLLS (i.e. “lounges”). Solution is LOLLIES (i.e. “candy”) with the IE removed (indicated by “that is picked out from…” – “i.e.” being another way of saying “that is”).

57. Pelted with rocks and seemingly scalped – the result? (5-4)

Answer: STONE-DEAD (i.e. “the result”, within the context of the clue). Solution is STONED (i.e. “pelted with rocks”) followed by HEAD once it’s first letter has been removed (indicated by “seemingly scalped”, given how scalping is the removal of the scalp from the top of one’s head), like so: STONED-EAD.

Down clues

1. Winger’s boot (5)

Answer: WADER. Solution satisfies “winger” or bird, and “boot”.

2. Welcome change, constitutional perhaps? (1,6,2,5,3)

Answer: A BREATH OF FRESH AIR. Solution satisfies “welcome change” and “constitutional perhaps”, taken to mean a walk outside.

3. Religious performance appals noisy delinquent (7,4)

Answer: PASSION PLAY (i.e. “religious performance”). “Delinquent” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of APPALS NOISY.

4. Old pianist spotted playing piece? (6)

Answer: Fats DOMINO (i.e. “old pianist”). Solution also satisfies “spotted playing piece”.

5. Cheese sandwich initially eaten by average couple? (8)

Answer: PARMESAN (i.e. “cheese”). Solution is S (i.e. “sandwich initially”, i.e. the first letter of “sandwich”) placed in or “eaten by” PAR and MEAN (i.e. “average couple”, as in how both words satisfy “average”), like so: PAR-ME(S)AN.

6. Big slope in Estonia spattered with mud (12)

Answer: MOUNTAINSIDE (i.e. “big slope”). “Spattered” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of IN ESTONIA and MUD.

7. Blue blood vessel? (5,5)

Answer: ROYAL YACHT (i.e. “vessel”). Clue plays on “blue blood” being descriptive of royalty.

8. Bag that’s easily ripped, tearing finally (5)

Answer: THING (i.e. “bag” or fascination). Solution is THIN (i.e. “that’s easily ripped”) followed by G (i.e. “tearing finally”, i.e. the last letter of “tearing”). Appeared in grid 1570 back in August, in exactly the same place, and in exactly the same grid layout, so…

9. Gladiator fight cheers Caesar initially and people over here (9)

Answer: SPARTACUS (i.e. “gladiator”). Solution is SPAR (i.e. “fight”) followed by TA (i.e. “cheers”), then C (i.e. “Caesar initially”, i.e. the first letter of “Caesar”) and US (i.e. “people over here”).

10. Yodeller adds fine touch to piece (4,7)

Answer: SLIM WHITMAN (i.e. “yodeller” – apparently he held the record for the most consecutive weeks at number 1 in the UK – 11 with Rose Marie in 1955 – until Bryan Adams knocked him off the spot in 1991). Solution is SLIM (i.e. “fine”) followed by WHIT (i.e. a “touch” or small amount) and MAN (i.e. chess “piece”).

11. Retired performers, to be precise? (5)

Answer: EXACT (i.e. “precise”). When written as EX-ACT the solution also satisfies “retired performers”. Also appeared in grid 1571 back in August, and on odd intersecting letters, so…

12. Peg and article form part of a new set? (6)

Answer: TEETHE (i.e. to “form part of a new set” or teeth). Solution is TEE (i.e. “peg”) followed by THE (i.e. “article”, being a word like a, an or the).

18. Drop in support for unpleasant gossip (10)

Answer: BACKBITING (i.e. “unpleasant gossip”). Solution is BIT (i.e. a “drop” of something) placed “in” BACKING (i.e. “support for”), like so: BACK(BIT)ING.

20. Broke down, or began to work? (6,2)

Answer: KICKED IN. Solution satisfies “broke down” e.g. a door, and “began to work”. Nicely done.

22. Lay out too much – as will hay fever sufferer? (3,7,3,4)

Answer: PAY THROUGH THE NOSE. Solution satisfies “lay out too much” and, playfully, “as will hay fever sufferer”.

23. Son fixes French dish (6)

Answer: SNAILS (i.e. “French dish”. Non. Just non). Solution is S (a recognised abbreviation of “son”) followed by NAILS (i.e. “fixes” in place).

24. Garments on, with limbs retaining temperature better, ultimately (10)

Answer: LEGWARMERS (i.e. “garments”). Solution is LEG (i.e. “on” side in cricket) followed by W (a recognised abbreviation of “with”) and ARMS (i.e. “limbs”) once wrapped around or “retaining” E and R (i.e. “temperature better, ultimately”, i.e. the last letters of “temperature” and “better”), like so: LEG-W-ARM(ER)S.

27. Leader presiding over Norwegian banks (8)

Answer: GOVERNOR (i.e. “leader”). “Banks” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: PRESIDIN(G OVER NOR)WEGIAN.

31. Time passed, years – those Rip Van Winkle spent sleeping (6)

Answer: TWENTY (i.e. “those [years] Rip Van Winkle spent sleeping”). Solution is T (a recognised abbreviation of “time”) followed by WENT (i.e. “passed”) and Y (a recognised abbreviation of “years”).

32. Mistress somewhere in Northern Europe in novel (4,8)

Answer: MOLL FLANDERS (i.e. “novel” by Daniel Defoe; curious after ROBINSON CRUSOE appeared in the last Jumbo!). Solution is MOLL (i.e. “mistress”) followed by FLANDERS (i.e. “somewhere in Northern Europe”).

34. Different egg ultimately incubated by animal in panto (6,5)

Answer: MOTHER GOOSE (i.e. “animal in panto”). Solution is OTHER (i.e. “different”) and G (i.e. “egg ultimately”, i.e. the last letter of “egg”) both placed in or “incubated by” MOOSE (i.e. “animal”), like so: M(OTHER-G)OOSE.

36. Activity at social event where Conservative has punched traditional European (6,5)

Answer: SQUARE DANCE (i.e. “activity at social event”). Solution is C (a recognised abbreviation of “Conservative”) placed in or “punching” SQUARE (i.e. “traditional”) and DANE (i.e. “European”), like so: SQUARE-DAN(C)E. Appeared in grid 1575 back in September, also on odd intersecting letters, so…

37. Awfully sincere, old movie star (6,4)

Answer: SCREEN IDOL (i.e. “old movie star”). “Awfully” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of SINCERE OLD.

39. Deport one treated badly having stolen kiss (9)

Answer: EXTRADITE (i.e. “deport”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “badly”) of I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”) and TREATED wrapped around or “stealing” X (i.e. “kiss”), like so: E(X)TRADITE.

41. Rats in underwear? (8)

Answer: KNICKERS. Solution satisfies “rats”, both being curse words, and “underwear”. I couldn’t help laughing when I twigged this one. Well played.

45. Friends, for example, meet groom briefly (6)

Answer: SITCOM (i.e. “Friends, for example”). Solution is SIT (i.e. “meet”) followed by COMB (i.e. “groom”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “briefly”), like so: SIT-COM.

46. Personal image, rubbish moreover (6)

Answer: TATTOO (i.e. “personal image”). Solution is TAT (i.e. “rubbish”) followed by TOO (i.e. “moreover”).

48. British physicist running current through heart, say, from below (5)

Answer: Paul DIRAC (i.e. “British physicist”). Solution is I (a recognised abbreviation of an electrical “current” used in physics) placed in or “through” CARD (i.e. “heart, say” – other suits are available) once reversed (indicated by “from below” – this being a down clue), like so: D(I)RAC. One I remembered from a previous puzzle.

49. Funny gags dully vacuous for Eden (5)

Answer: IDYLL (i.e. “Eden”). Solution is ILL (i.e. feeling “funny”) wrapped around or “gagging” DY (i.e. “dully vacuous”, i.e. the word “dully” with all its middle letters removed), like so: I(DY)LL.

51. Reported requirement for work as a baker? (5)

Answer: KNEAD (i.e. “work as a baker”). “Reported” indicates homophone. Solution is a homophone of NEED (i.e. “requirement”).