Just a quick post to say I intend to delay my solution to the Times Jumbo Cryptic Crossword 1645 until after the prize deadline. This will probably be the shape of things to come following word on the grapevine that The Times would prefer I didn’t give all the answers away to their prize Jumbo so quickly.

Don’t worry, I’ve not found a dead bloody dictionary in my bed or anything so dramatic. In the past, though, whenever anyone has criticised the timeliness of my solutions, I’ve always said I’d stop posting them if I found I was spoiling everyone’s fun.

I don’t think that’s quite the case here. I don’t believe many of you come here just to copy my completed grid. You’re here to clear up unknowns. You’re here to see what others thought of the Jumbo. You’re here because you glanced over the cryptic clues of a recent Jumbo and finally succumbed to their allure.

I’ve always intended for my solutions to be the kind of thing you’d read having either just completed the puzzle yourself or having given up after a bloody good try. (They’ve also been a great way for me to get help when I get stuck!)

With all that said, delayed solutions obviously present something of a change. I genuinely don’t know whether delaying solutions will kill off my posts, but I do anticipate a noticeable drop-off in engagement. I hope I’m wrong, but I’ll watch what happens over the coming few weeks with interest. I’m keen to at least post solutions up to and including Jumbo Cryptic 1650 (Boxing Day, I believe). This will mark a near-complete run of 300 Jumbo solutions. (I missed Jumbo 1532 as it was an online-only puzzle.) We’ll see what happens after that.

As ever, thank you for the kind words and input. Till next time, wrap up well and stay safe out there, kids.

LP

A medium strength Jumbo this week, and another pretty good one. I’ll skip over mentioning the repeats as I’ll have more to say on that below. You lucky, lucky people.

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 rained on your parade then you might find 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 the dust has settled. Till next time, stay safe out there kids.

LP

RBV (Repeats-By-Volume): 12.9%

Across clues

1. Big belts? (9)

Answer: STRAPPING. Solution satisfies “big” and, taken as a collective, “belts”.

6. Game to show quantity of film a film idol trimmed (7)

Answer: CANASTA (i.e. “game”). Solution is CAN (i.e. “quantity of film”) followed by A and STAR (i.e. “film idol”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “trimmed”), like so: CAN-A-STA. Appeared only a few weeks ago in grid 1639, also on odd intersecting letters. More on this later, but, in the meantime, have a meme…

10. Promotional material backing corporation statistic (5)

Answer: DATUM (i.e. “statistic”). Solution is AD (i.e. “promotional material”, short for advertisement) reversed (indicated by “backing”) and followed by TUM (i.e. “corporation”, an archaic description of a pot belly – setters love using this variant meaning, so it’s one worth keeping in mind), like so: DA-TUM. Another that appeared very recently in grid 1641, and again on odd intersecting letters. Again, more on this in a mo.

13. Repartee of comedienne, perhaps, becomes wasted (7)

Answer: WITHERS (i.e. “becomes wasted”). When written as WIT HERS the solution also playfully satisfies “repartee of comedienne, perhaps”.

14. Late, with daughter slipping out and son coming in? It’s a strain (7)

Answer: OVERUSE (i.e. “strain”). Solution is OVERDUE (i.e. “late”) with the D removed (indicated by “with daughter slipping out” – D being a recognised abbreviation of “daughter”) and S (ditto “son”) “coming in”, like so: OVER(D)UE => OVERUE => OVERU(S)E.

15. Insects not beginning to circulate disease (7)

Answer: RICKETS (i.e. “disease”). Solution is CRICKETS (i.e. “insects”) with a C removed (indicated by “not beginning to circulate”, i.e. the first letter of “circulate”).

16. Soon relieved with riddles worked out? Their successes aren’t remembered (3,8,5,3)

Answer: OLD SOLDIERS NEVER DIE (i.e. “their successes aren’t remembered” – the line is from an old army ballad, the full line being “old soldiers never die, they just fade away”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “worked out”) of SOON RELIEVED and RIDDLES.

17. Punt to end of line (3)

Answer: TOE (i.e. to “punt”). Solution is TO followed by E (i.e. “end [letter] of line”).

18. Medicine man apparently not the real article (6)

Answer: SHAMAN (i.e. “medicine man”). Solution is SHAM (i.e. “not…real”) followed by AN (i.e. “article”, being a word like a, an or the).

20. Train stops working when given to US railway (6)

Answer: DIESEL (i.e. a type of “train”). Solution is DIES (i.e. “stops working”) followed by EL (i.e. “US railway” – we’ve seen this a few times now, an “el” is apparently US slang for an elevated railway. I’ve still yet to hear or see it used).

21. Attempt to restrain tutor, heading off betrayal (9)

Answer: TREACHERY (i.e. “betrayal”). Solution is TRY (i.e. “attempt”) wrapped around or “restraining” TEACHER (i.e. “tutor”) once the first letter has been removed (indicated by “heading off”), like so: TR(EACHER)Y.

23. Query from rabbit had put cows out (5,2,3)

Answer: WHAT’S UP DOC? (i.e. “query from rabbit”, specifically Bugs Bunny). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “out”) of HAD PUT COWS.

25. Crown and money absorbing a wicked Biblical King, a tragic character (7,4)

Answer: CAPTAIN AHAB (i.e. “a tragic character” from Herman Melville’s novel Moby Dick). Solution is CAP (i.e. “crown”) followed by TIN (slang for “money”) once wrapped around or “absorbing” A. This is all then followed by AHAB (i.e. “a wicked Biblical king”), like so: CAP-T(A)IN-AHAB.

So, then: repeats. We do get quite a lot of them, don’t we? Around 10% each week, if the last six months are anything to go by. That’s quite high considering the millions of potential solutions that could make it into a Jumbo each year versus the 3,600-ish solutions that do. That’s just the way it is, I suppose. A 10% rate seems to be the norm, and no amount of bellyaching from an internet nonentity is going to change that.

This will therefore be my last week spent keeping track of repeats (don’t all cheer at once, please). As a parting shot, I thought I’d jot down some final thoughts on the matter.

Of the 6-8 repeats we get each week, the majority are, to be fair, reasonably inoffensive. Often these are mundane five or seven letter words that barely register as repeats, only coming to light once I’ve searched my various lists. Meanwhile, several other solutions appear so often in crosswords (not just Jumbos) that they are a cliché. You can almost smell the shame from any setter resorting to their use. (ORIGAMI is a prime example.) At least with these repeats one can have a little fun.

A smallish number of repeats, however, are rather suspicious. These are the faintly obscure ones, solutions that you might not expect setters to immediately reach for when starting out a grid, and so become all the more memorable when they get repeated. These solutions are like buses, seldom seen until two or three arrive in quick succession. CAPTAIN AHAB is one such suspicious solution, having also appeared barely a month ago in grid 1640. A five letter solution such as DATUM getting repeated? Fine. I can see how that can happen. A seven letter solution like CANASTA? A little less likely, but, sure, let’s give the setters the benefit of the doubt. What, then, are the chances of CAPTAIN AHAB being chosen again so soon? Somewhat narrower, don’t you think? Or how about a dirty great phrase such as THROW ONE’S HAT IN THE RING, which appeared in grids 1632 and 1638? As I’ve said before, this keeps happening in Times Jumbos and I’m curious as to why.

Over the years I’ve had a lot of fun on these pages ribbing setters for crutching on the office GridFill 4000 to get the job done. It’s a silly conspiracy theory of mine, granted, but one that’s not too far from the truth. We know that several setters use crossword solver tools to help fill their grids. The Times probably has one specifically tailored to its style guide. Maybe what is happening is a grid being approved for publication and any new solutions from it being added to the tool’s database for future use. Maybe what we are seeing is merely a new solution being added to the database and it being picked up shortly afterwards by another setter using the tool, thinking “ooh, I’ve not seen that one before, that’s a good one”. Maybe, but it still sounds a little far-fetched.

We’ll probably never know why the same solutions sometimes keep appearing in close succession. It might just be one of those things.

Still. It’s bloody annoying, though. Have a meme.

29. A pair one left for over four weeks (5)

Answer: APRIL (i.e. “over four weeks”, given April is 30 days long). Solution is A followed by PR (a recognised abbreviation of “pair”), then I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”) and L (a recognised abbreviation of “left”).

30. Flower, one adapted to the desert, to weaken after setback (8)

Answer: CAMELLIA (i.e. “flower”). Solution is CAMEL (i.e. “one adapted to the desert”) followed by AIL (i.e. “to weaken”) once this latter has been reversed (indicated by “after setback”), like so: CAMEL-LIA. One nailed solely from the wordplay.

31. Certainly needing pen to depict classic Western scene (2,6)

Answer: OK CORRAL (i.e. “classic Western scene”, referencing the site of a famous gunfight in 1881). Solution is OK (i.e. “certainly”, both affirmations) followed by CORRAL (i.e. to “pen” something).

34. Song session interrupted by a waster (8)

Answer: LAYABOUT (i.e. “waster”). Solution is LAY (i.e. a “song”) and BOUT (i.e. “session”) wrapped around or “interrupted by” A, like so: LAY-(A)-BOUT.

36. Council worker, say, finding waste outside old chemical company (8)

Answer: OFFICAL (i.e. “council worker, say”). Solution is OFFAL (i.e. “waste”) wrapped around or placed “outside” of ICI (i.e. “old chemical company”, specifically Imperial Chemical Industries, which, after a series of demergers during the 1990s, was eventually taken over in 2008), like so: OFF(ICI)AL.

37. Animated film and book having curtailed range (5)

Answer: BAMBI (i.e. “animated film”). Solution is B (a recognised abbreviation of “book”) followed by AMBIT (i.e. “range”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “curtailed”), like so: B-AMBI.

39. Tweet about more efficient way to keep Tube open? (4,7)

Answer: PIPE CLEANER (i.e. “way to keep tube open” – ignoring the misleading capitalisation). Solution is PIPE (i.e. to chirp or “tweet about”) followed by CLEANER (i.e. “more efficient”).

41. Fastener twisted round tree – a point one observes (10)

Answer: EYEWITNESS (i.e. “one observes”). Solution is TIE (i.e. “fastener”) reversed (indicated by “twisted”) and wrapped “round” YEW (i.e. “tree”). This is all then followed by NESS (i.e. a geographic “point”), like so: E(YEW)IT-NESS.

43. France formerly curtailed expression of affection in Paris – it’s socially awkward (9)

Answer: GAUCHERIE (i.e. “socially awkward”). Solution is GAUL (i.e. “France formerly”) with its last letter removed (indicated by “curtailed”) and the remainder followed by CHERIE (i.e. “expression of affection in Paris”), like so: GAU-CHERIE.

45. Nearly all soccer team appearing amongst international set (6)

Answer: INTENT (i.e. mind “set”). Solution is TEN (i.e. “nearly all soccer team”, being a team of eleven) placed in or “amongst” INT (a recognised abbreviation of “international”), like so: IN(TEN)T.

47. Entertained two Americans with edition (6)

Answer: AMUSED (i.e. “entertained”). Solution is AM and US (i.e. “two Americans”, the former being a recognised abbreviation thereof) followed by ED (a recognised abbreviation of “edition”).

49. Eggs on, very assiduously at first (3)

Answer: OVA (i.e. “eggs”). “At first” indicates the solution is derived from the first letters of ON VERY ASSIDUOUSLY.

50. Romantic comedy about sex involving four? It regularly takes over part of London (7,4,8)

Answer: NOTTING HILL CARNIVAL (i.e. “it regularly takes over part of London”). Solution is NOTTING HILL (i.e. a “romantic comedy” movie from 1999) followed by CARNAL (i.e. “about sex”) once wrapped around or “involving” IV (i.e. “four” expressed in Roman numerals), like so: NOTTING-HILL-CARN(IV)AL.

52. Cut short attempt to confiscate weapon? One can’t be serious (7)

Answer: TRIFLER (i.e. “one can’t be serious”). Solution is TRY (i.e. “attempt”, again) with its last letter removed (indicated by “cut short”) and the remainder wrapped around or “confiscating” RIFLE (i.e. “weapon”), like so: T(RIFLE)R. We had TRIFLE in grid 1635 only a couple of months ago, and TRIFLED in grid 1605 further back in March, on all occasions on odd intersecting letters, so…

53. Very long time to accept Scottish mountain plant (7)

Answer: VERBENA (i.e. “plant”). Solution is V (a recognised abbreviation of “very”) followed by ERA (i.e. a “long time”) once wrapped around or “accepting” BEN (i.e. “Scottish mountain”), like so: V-ER(BEN)A. Another repeat, this time from grid 1614 in May, on odd intersecting letters, so…

54. Jazz music with German backing is in fashion (7)

Answer: RAGTIME (i.e. “Jazz music”). Solution is MIT (i.e. “with German”, i.e. the German for “with”) reversed (indicated by “backing”) and placed “in” RAGE (i.e. “fashion”, as in being all the rage), like so: RAG(TIM)E.

55. Stop Frenchman entering company area (5)

Answer: COMMA (i.e. “stop” or punctuation mark). Solution is M and M (i.e. “Frenchmen” – M being a recognised abbreviation of the title “Monsieur”) both placed in or “entering” CO (a recognised abbreviation of “company”) and A (ditto “area”), like so: CO-(MM)-A.

56. Pedants possibly man rebuffed in places (7)

Answer: PURISTS (i.e. “pedants possibly”). Solution is SIR (i.e. “man”) reversed (indicated by “rebuffed”) and placed “in” PUTS (i.e. “places”), like so: PU(RIS)TS.

57. Ill-repute that is close to merit, embraced by committed left-winger? (9)

Answer: NOTORIETY (i.e. “ill-repute”). Solution is IE (i.e. “that is”, i.e. “i.e.”!) and T (i.e. “close to merit”, i.e. the last letter of “merit”) all placed in or “embraced by” NO TORY (i.e. “committed left-winger”), like so: NO-TOR(IE-T)Y.

Down clues

1. Wood’s supporter saying supplier of water needed around middle of April (8)

Answer: SAWHORSE (i.e. “wood’s supporter” in carpentry). Solution is SAW (i.e. a phrase or “saying”) followed by HOSE (i.e. “supplier of water”) once wrapped “around” R (i.e. “middle [letter] of April”), like so: SAW-HO(R)SE.

2. Cheers up, with Republican around, becoming valued (5)

Answer: RATED (i.e. “valued”). Solution is TA (i.e. “cheers”) reversed (indicated by “up” – this being a down clue), and placed in or having “around” it RED (i.e. “Republican”), like so: R(AT)ED.

3. Flying creature that could shift to protect lady (11)

Answer: PTERODACTYL (i.e. prehistoric “flying creature”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “shift”) of PROTECT LADY.

4. Imprisoned those who could all be on strike? (6)

Answer: INSIDE (i.e. slang for “imprisoned”). When written as IN SIDE the solution also satisfies “those who could all be on strike”, referring to a cricket team – being the active batsman is known as being “on strike”.

5. Some go and decide to change efficient structure (8,4)

Answer: GEODESIC DOME (i.e. “efficient structure” – over to Chambers: “a light strong dome made by combining a grid of triangular or other straight-line elements within a section of a sphere”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “to change”) of SOME GO and DECIDE.

6. Doubles up regarding participating in court events (7)

Answer: CREASES (i.e. “doubles up” with laughter). Solution is RE (i.e. “regarding” – think email replies) placed “in” CASES (i.e. “court cases”), like so: C(RE)ASES.

7. Lively Nice venue with soul I start to like for the food there? (8,7)

Answer: NOUVELLE CUISINE (i.e. French “food”, within the context of the clue). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “lively”) of NICE VENUE, SOUL, I and L (i.e. “start [letter] of like”).

8. Unfairly classify as not having a single-track mind? (10)

Answer: STEREOTYPE (i.e. “unfairly classify”). When written as someone being a STEREO TYPE the solution also playfully satisfies “not having a single-track mind”.

9. Cut a passage in middle of movement (7)

Answer: ABRIDGE (i.e. to “cut”). Solution is A followed by BRIDGE (i.e. “passage in middle of movement”, musically).

10. A month ultimately for key conclusion: none softening (11)

Answer: DECRESCENDO (i.e. “softening” in musical lingo). Solution is DEC (i.e. “a month”, in this case December) followed by R (i.e. “ultimately for”, i.e. the last letter of “for”), then ESC (i.e. a “key” on a computer keyboard, short for Escape), then END (i.e. “conclusion”) and O (i.e. “none”).

11. Leader in Times left the I upset? Just a fraction (9)

Answer: TWENTIETH (i.e. “just a fraction”). Solution is T (i.e. “leader in Times”, i.e. its first letter) followed by WENT (i.e. “left”) and an anagram (indicated by “upset”) of THE I, like so: T-WENT-IETH.

12. My pen’s written about former monarch, an inscrutable figure (7)

Answer: MYSTERY (i.e. “an inscrutable figure”). Solution is MY followed by STY (i.e. “pen”) once wrapped “about” ER (i.e. “former monarch”, specifically Elizabeth Regina), like so: MY-ST(ER)Y. I get why ER has elicited phrasings such as “former monarch” in clues following the death of Queen Elizabeth II last year, but isn’t this a little redundant? Does ER not also describe Queen Elizabeth I?

19. Wrong to seal off hot waste receptacle (7)

Answer: ASHTRAY (i.e. “waste receptacle”). Solution is ASTRAY (i.e. “wrong”) wrapped around or “sealing off” H (a recognised abbreviation of “hot” on water taps), like so: AS(H)TRAY.

22. Constant routine kept up in month: a critical moment (8)

Answer: JUNCTURE (i.e. “a critical moment”). Solution is C (a recognised abbreviation of “constant”) and RUT (i.e. “routine”), the latter reversed (indicated by “kept up” – this being a down clue). These are all then put “in” JUNE (i.e. “a month”), like so: JUN(C-TUR)E.

24. Beach Boys song is fair carolling when broadcast (10,5)

Answer: CALIFORNIA GIRLS (i.e. “Beach Boys song”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “when broadcast”) of IS FAIR CAROLLING.

26. Caffeine, say – help keeping all OK, if stimulated (8)

Answer: ALKALOID (i.e. “caffeine, say”). Solution is AID (i.e. “help”) wrapped around or “keeping” an anagram (indicated by “if stimulated”) of ALL OK, like so: A(LKALO)ID.

27. Island keeping temperature in cold sea (6)

Answer: BALTIC (i.e. “sea”). Solution is BALI (i.e. an “island”) wrapped around or “keeping” T (a recognised abbreviation of “temperature”) and followed by C (a recognised abbreviation of “cold”, again on water taps), like so: BAL(T)I-C.

28. Race involving everyone amongst Republicans (6)

Answer: GALLOP (i.e. to “race”). Solution is ALL (i.e. “everyone”) placed “amongst” GOP (i.e. “Republicans” in the US, known as the Grand Old Party), like so: G(ALL)OP.

32. Rebels to replace one with a ME king (7)

Answer: RAMESES (i.e. Egyptian “king”, a few thereof). Solution is RISES (i.e. “rebels”) with the I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”) “replaced” by A and ME, like so: R(I)SES => R(A-ME)SES.

33. Benefit from experience, as it happens, with large gain (4,3,5)

Answer: LIVE AND LEARN (i.e. “benefit from experience”). Solution is LIVE (i.e. “as it happens”) followed by AND (i.e. “with”), then L (a recognised abbreviation of “large”) and EARN (i.e. “gain”).

35. Composer doubling third part, obsessing over one A – wild songs etc (11)

Answer: BACCHANALIA (i.e. “wild songs etc”). Solution is Johann Sebastian BACH (i.e. “composer”) with the C or “third part” of the surname repeated or “doubled”. This is then followed by ANAL (i.e. “obsessing”), then I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”) and A, like so: BACCH-ANAL-I-A.

37. One offering account from row thirteen, possibly: a person getting on? (4,7)

Answer: BANK MANAGER (i.e. “one offering account”). Solution is BANK M (i.e. “row thirteen, possibly”, remembering that M is the thirteenth letter of the alphabet) followed by AN AGER (i.e. “a person getting on”). Appeared in grid 1594 in January, also on odd intersecting letters, so…

38. A French minister, upset, about to contradict atheist (10)

Answer: UNBELIEVER (i.e. “atheist”). Solution is UN (i.e. “a French”, i.e. the French for “a”) and REV (i.e. “minister”, short for reverend), the latter reversed or “upset” – this being a down clue. The whole is then wrapped “about” BELIE (i.e. “to contradict”), like so: UN-(BELIE)-VER.

40. Artist with a lot of inclination to participate in exclusive mingling of styles? (9)

Answer: PLURALISM (i.e. “mingling of styles”). Solution is RA (i.e. “artist”, specifically a Royal Academician) and LIST (i.e. “inclination”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “a lot of…”). This is all then placed “in” PLUM (i.e. choice or “exclusive”), like so: PLU(RA-LIS)M.

42. Praise overlooking a railway affair? (8)

Answer: ADULTERY (i.e. “affair”). Solution is ADULATE (i.e. “praise”) with an A removed (indicated by “overlooking a”) and the remainder followed by RY (a recognised abbreviation of “railway”), like so: ADULTE-RY.

43. Knowing tune’s picked up with habitual response (7)

Answer: GNOSTIC (i.e. “knowing”). Solution is SONG (i.e. “tune”) reversed (indicated by “picked up” – this being a down clue) and followed by TIC (i.e. “habitual response”), like so: GNOS-TIC.

44. Not fully a sailor, being bowled over in restrictive situation (3,4)

Answer: RAT TRAP (i.e. “restrictive situation”). Solution is PART (i.e. “not fully”) and TAR (slang for a “sailor”) all reversed (indicated by “bowled over”).

46. Instant power provided by small muscle (7)

Answer: TRICEPS (i.e. “muscle”). Solution is TRICE (i.e. “instant”) followed by P (a recognised abbreviation of “power”) and S (ditto “small”).

48. One copying standard hill climbing (6)

Answer: PARROT (i.e. “one copying”). Solution is PAR (i.e. “standard”) followed by TOR (i.e. “hill”) once the latter has been reversed (indicated by “climbing” – this being a down clue), like so: PAR-ROT.

51. Gripping item, involving old singer (5)

Answer: VOICE (i.e. “singer”). Solution is VICE (i.e. “gripping item”) wrapped around or “involving” O (a recognised abbreviation of “old”), like so: V(O)ICE. Appeared in grid 1602 back in March, also on odd intersecting letters, so…

A relatively straightforward Jumbo this week, which is fine by me! There were a few too many repeats for my liking (so what’s new?) but, again, there were a number of well-crafted clues to make up for it.

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 grief 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 sent down their pens. Till next time, stay safe out there kids.

LP

RBV (Repeats-By-Volume): 11.7%

Across clues

1. In favour of National Trust, getting round quickly (6)

Answer: PRONTO (i.e. “quickly”). Solution is PRO (i.e. “in favour of”) followed by NT (a recognised abbreviation of the “National Trust”) and O (i.e. “round”).

4. One adding type of fertilizer including iodine and gold (10)

Answer: COMPOSITOR (i.e. “one adding type”, print-wise). Solution is COMPOST (i.e. “fertilizer”) wrapped around or “including” I (chemical symbol of “iodine”) and followed by OR (“gold” in heraldry), like so: COMPOS(I)T-OR.

10. Soldier returning in vehicle in Havana? (5)

Answer: CIGAR (i.e. “Havana”, a variety thereof). Solution is GI (i.e. US “soldier”) reversed or “returned” and placed “in” CAR (i.e. “vehicle”), like so: C(IG)AR.

14. Plant I weed less is all over the place (9)

Answer: EDELWEISS (i.e. “plant”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “all over the place”) of I WEED LESS. Nicely worked, but this appeared in grid 1623 only a few months ago, and also on odd intersecting letters. Have a meme.

15. Weapon material is rank (5,8)

Answer: LANCE CORPORAL (i.e. “rank”). Solution is LANCE (i.e. “weapon”) followed by CORPORAL (i.e. “material” or having a body).

16. In part, thespian is touring player (7)

Answer: PIANIST (i.e. “player”). “In part” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: THES(PIAN IS T)OURING.

17. Overwhelm small dam (7)

Answer: SMOTHER (i.e. “overwhelm”). Solution is S (a recognised abbreviation of “small”) followed by MOTHER (i.e. “dam”, in relation to livestock – one worth keeping in mind given its frequent usage in cryptic crosswords). Appeared in grid 1601 in February, also on odd intersecting letters, so…

18. Slander about drug carrier endlessly returning by New York (7)

Answer: CALUMNY (i.e. “slander”). Solution is CA (a recognised abbreviation of “circa”, i.e. “about”) followed by MULE (i.e. “drug carrier”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “endlessly”) and the remainder reversed (indicated by “returning”). This is then all followed by NY (short for “New York”), like so: CA-LUM-NY.

19. Dull transoceanic journey where one shouldn’t get run down (10,8)

Answer: PEDESTRIAN CROSSING (i.e. “where one shouldn’t get run down”). Solution is PEDESTRIAN (i.e. “dull”) followed by CROSSING (i.e. “transoceanic journey”).

21. Booster, say, with millions put in post (4)

Answer: JAMB (i.e. “post”). Solution is JAB (i.e. “booster, say” – other flavours of vaccine are available) wrapped around or having “put in” M (a recognised abbreviation of “millions”), like so: JA(M)B.

24. Dart, perhaps, to tear the number “4” from board (5)

Answer: RIVER (i.e. “Dart, perhaps”, the River Dart is found in Devon). Solution is RIVE (i.e. “to tear”) followed by R (i.e. “the number ‘4’ from board”, i.e. the fourth letter of “board”).

26. Pounced on a doctor with uniform removed (8)

Answer: AMBUSHED (i.e. “pounced on”). Solution is A followed by MB (i.e. “doctor”, a Medicinae Baccalaureus or Doctor of Medicine), then U (“uniform” in the phonetic alphabet) and SHED (i.e. “removed”).

27. Nice grassy areas surrounded by pine (8)

Answer: PLEASANT (i.e. “nice”). Solution is LEAS (i.e. “grassy areas”) placed in or “surrounded by” PANT (i.e. to “pine” or yearn for).

29. Roman poet has sections with no page in which people fight (7,4)

Answer: MARTIAL ARTS (i.e. “in which people fight”). Solution is MARTIAL (i.e. “Roman poet” – another we’ve seen a few times in Jumbos now) followed by PARTS (i.e. “sections”) once the P has been removed (indicated by “with no page” – P being a recognised abbreviation of “page”).

30. Arranged a late lunch I imagine (11)

Answer: HALLUCINATE (i.e. “imagine”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “arranged”) of A LATE LUNCH I.

32. Drunken order for brass hats (4,7)

Answer: HIGH COMMAND (i.e. “brass hats”, military slang thereof). Solution is HIGH (i.e. “drunken”) followed by COMMAND (i.e. “order”).

35. Figure with many faces or icon heads arranged oddly (11)

Answer: ICOSAHEDRON (i.e. “figure with many faces” – 20 to be exact). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “arranged oddly”) of OR ICON HEADS.

37. Ability to work out odd menu with a spicy character (8)

Answer: NUMERACY (i.e. “ability to work out” sums). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “odd”) of MENU followed by RACY (i.e. “with a spicy character”), like so: NUME-RACY.

39. Tungsten mass perhaps gone for scrap (5,3)

Answer: WRITE OFF (i.e. to “scrap”). Solution is W (chemical symbol of “tungsten”) followed by RITE (i.e. “mass perhaps” – other religious rites are available) and OFF (i.e. “gone”).

40. Who brought us prize book in Christmas wrapping? (5)

Answer: Alfred NOBEL (i.e. “who brought us prize”). Solution is B (a recognised abbreviation of “book”) placed or “wrapped” in NOEL (i.e. “Christmas”), like so: NO(B)EL.

43. Egyptian cross at Nut, Khonsu and Horus’s origins (4)

Answer: ANKH (i.e. “Egyptian cross”). “Origins” indicates the solution is derived from the initial letters of At Nut Khonsu and Horus.

44. Main qualm that limits UK’s ability to move to the right? (7,11)

Answer: CENTRAL RESERVATION (i.e. “that limits UK [driver]’s ability to move to the right” on the road). Solution is CENTRAL (i.e. “main”) followed by RESERVATION (i.e. “qualm”).

47. Entertainer’s rubbish on seaside promenade (7)

Answer: PIERROT (i.e. a clown or “entertainer”). Solution is ROT (i.e. “rubbish”) placed “on” or after PIER (i.e. “seaside promenade”), like so: PIER-ROT.

48. Throne Chinese dynasty’s threatening (7)

Answer: LOOMING (i.e. “threatening”). Solution is LOO (i.e. “throne”, both slang words for the toilet) followed by MING (i.e. “Chinese dynasty”).

50. What are often dropped both sides of Harwich? (7)

Answer: AITCHES (i.e. “what are often dropped” in speech). Solution also satisfies “both sides of Harwich”, given the town begins and ends with H.

51. Unfortunately overrates true discoveries of value (8-5)

Answer: TREASURE TROVE (i.e. “discoveries of value”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “unfortunately”) of OVERRATES TRUE.

52. Repeated a couple of points about land free from prejudices (9)

Answer: ENLIGHTEN (i.e. to “free from prejudices”). Solution is E and N (i.e. “a couple of points” on a compass, East and North respectively) “repeated” and placed “about” LIGHT (i.e. to “land” a boat, say), like so: E-N-(LIGHT)-E-N.

53. Peevish note written by pen (5)

Answer: TESTY (i.e. “peevish”). Solution is TE (i.e. musical “note” of the sol-fa scale) followed by STY (i.e. animal “pen”).

54. Blow about past number returning penniless (5-5)

Answer: STONY-BROKE (i.e. “penniless”). Solution is STROKE (i.e. a “blow”) wrapped “about” BY (a prefix denoting something that is “past”) and NO (a recognised abbreviation of “number”) once these two have been reversed (indicated by “returning”), like so: ST(ON-YB)ROKE. Appeared in grid 1599 in February, though on that time on even intersecting letters.

55. Girl’s pretty halting initially in Scandinavian (6)

Answer: DAPHNE (i.e. “girl’s” name). Solution is P and H (i.e. “pretty halting initially”, i.e. the first letter of “pretty” and “halting”) both placed “in” DANE (i.e. “Scandinavian”), like so: DA(P-H)NE.

Down clues

1. Who took children’s dish and ladle (one’s coming a bit late) (4,5)

Answer: PIED PIPER (i.e. “who took children” in folklore). Solution is PIE (i.e. “dish”) followed by DIPPER (i.e. “ladle”) once the I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”) has been moved back a notch (indicated by “coming a bit late”), like so: PIE-D(I)PPER => PIE-DP(I)PER.

2. Man – not Charlie – rushed port repeatedly (4,3,4)

Answer: OVER AND OVER (i.e. “repeatedly”). Solution is COVE (i.e. slang for a “man”) with the C removed (indicated by “not Charlie” – Charlie being C in the phonetic alphabet) and the remainder followed by RAN (i.e. “rushed”) and DOVER (i.e. an English “port”), like so: OVE-RAN-DOVER.

3. No countrymen admit wearing formal attire outside (7)

Answer: TOWNIES (i.e. “no countrymen”). Solution is OWN (i.e. “admit”) placed in or “wearing” TIES (i.e. “formal attire”), like so: T(OWN)IES.

5. What’s green and round in its present state (5)

Answer: OASIS (i.e. “what’s green” – a bit vague, but okay). Solution is O (i.e. “round”, again) followed by AS IS (i.e. “in its present state”). Appeared in grid 1590 in December, also on odd intersecting letters, so…

6. Collie’s paws ruined bed linen (11)

Answer: PILLOWCASES (i.e. “bed linen”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “ruined”) of COLLIE’S PAWS.

7. Fault heard with plate on quiet gear system (11)

Answer: SYNCHROMESH (i.e. “gear system” – over to Chambers: “of a gear in which the speeds of the driving and driven members are automatically synchronized before coupling, so as to avoid shock and noise in gear-changing”). Solution is a homophone (indicated by “heard”) of SIN (i.e. “fault”) followed by CHROME (i.e. “plate”) and SH (i.e. “quiet”), like so: SYN-CHROME-SH. One nailed solely from the wordplay, unsurprisingly.

8. Speculate chap needs increase in pay (8)

Answer: THEORISE (i.e. “speculate”). Solution is THEO (i.e. “chap’s” name) followed by RISE (i.e. “increase in pay”).

9. Where crown may conceal trouble with origin over channel (4,5)

Answer: ROOT CANAL (i.e. “where crown may conceal trouble”, dentally speaking). Solution is ROOT (i.e. “origin”) followed by CANAL (i.e. “channel”).

10. A prune served up under copper dome (6)

Answer: CUPOLA (i.e. “dome”). Solution is A and LOP (i.e. to cut or “prune”) all reversed (indicated by “served up” – this being a down clue) and placed after or “under” (again, down clue) CU (chemical symbol of “copper”), like so: CU-(POL-A).

11. Letter about a right cold dish mostly being mixed spices (5,6)

Answer: GARAM MASALA (i.e. “mixed spices”). Solution is GAMMA (i.e. third “letter” of the Greek alphabet) wrapped “about” A and R (a recognised abbreviation of “right”). This is then followed by SALAD (i.e. “cold dish”) once the last letter has been removed (indicated by “mostly”), like so: G(A-R)AMMA-SALA.

12. Put down again for broadcast (5)

Answer: RELAY (i.e. “broadcast”). When written as RE-LAY the solution also satisfies “put down again”.

13. Queen given choice fruit (8,4)

Answer: VICTORIA PLUM (i.e. “fruit”). Solution is VICTORIA (i.e. “Queen” of England a while ago) followed by PLUM (i.e. excellent or “choice”).

20. Wild boar are left living among trees (8)

Answer: ARBOREAL (i.e. “living among trees”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “wild”) of BOAR ARE followed by L (a recognised abbreviation of “left”), like so: ARBOREA-L.

22. Bird attacked another one (7)

Answer: BITTERN (i.e. “bird”). Solution is BIT (i.e. “attacked”) followed by TERN (“another [bird]”).

23. I am inclined to follow girl from Near East region (8)

Answer: GALILEAN (i.e. “from Near East region”, in this case Galilee in Israel). Solution is I LEAN (i.e. “I am inclined”) placed after or “following” GAL (slang for “girl”), like so: GAL-(I-LEAN).

25. Pass passenger vehicle with daughter (8)

Answer: RAILCARD (i.e. a “pass” entitling the owner to lower train fares). Solution is RAILCAR (i.e. “passenger vehicle”) followed by D (a recognised abbreviation of “daughter”).

28. Policemen outside work go after nearly all drinks (8)

Answer: ALCOPOPS (i.e. “drinks”). Solution is COPS (i.e. “policemen”) wrapped “outside” of OP (i.e. “work”, short for “opus”). All this is then placed “after” ALL once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “nearly”), like so: AL-(COP(OP)S). ALCOPOP appeared in grid 1597 in January, but on that occasion it was on odd intersecting letters.

29. Fixation about house plant (7)

Answer: MAHONIA (i.e. “plant”). Solution is MANIA (i.e. “fixation”) wrapped “about” HO (a recognised abbreviation of “house”), like so: MA(HO)NIA. Another nailed from the wordplay alone.

31. Stun with Stafford stable, not streets beyond one’s pocket (12)

Answer: UNAFFORDABLE (i.e. “beyond one’s pocket”). “Not streets” indicates the solution is derived from STUN, STAFFORD and STABLE once the ST (a recognised abbreviation of “street”) has been removed from each. I liked the invention in this one.

33. Willing footballers who mind business on the park? (11)

Answer: GAMEKEEPERS (i.e. those “who mind business on the park”. You could also take a scatological slant to this if you squint hard enough. Bloody dogs…) Solution is GAME (i.e. “willing”) followed by KEEPERS (i.e. “footballers”).

34. Hide science from mistaken Margot Doyle (11)

Answer: DERMATOLOGY (i.e. “hide science”, or science of the skin). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “mistaken”) of MARGOT DOYLE.

35. Bury railway has a river between the lines (11)

Answer: INTERLINEAR (i.e. “between the lines”). Solution is INTER (i.e. to “bury”) followed by LINE (i.e. “railway”), then A and R (a recognised abbreviation of “river”). Looks like we’ve caught another setter abusing the office GridFill 4000™. This solution appeared only a couple of months ago, not once but twice, and on successive weeks no less. On all occasions the solution appeared on odd intersecting letters, so have a double meme…

36. Box of buns from waffle store (6,5)

Answer: RABBIT HUTCH (i.e. “box of buns” – a bun is a playful name for a rabbit. Also a squirrel, apparently). Solution is RABBIT (i.e. “waffle”, both slang terms for excessive chatting) followed by HUTCH (i.e. a “store”). Appeared in grid 1614 in May, also on odd intersecting letters. So tempted to stick a hat trick meme on this, but I’ll be kind.

38. Rears cute funny animals (9)

Answer: CREATURES (i.e. “animals”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “funny”) of REARS CUTE.

41. Years ago full-length trousers included inside of red (4,5)

Answer: LONG SINCE (i.e. “years ago”). Solution is LONGS (i.e. “full-length trousers”) followed by INC (a recognised abbreviation of “included”) and E (i.e. “inside of red”, i.e. the middle letter of “red”).

42. Dagger twirls oddly in fight (8)

Answer: STILETTO (i.e. “dagger”). Solution is TIL (i.e. “twirls oddly”, i.e. every other letter of TWIRLS) placed “in” SET-TO (i.e. “fight”), like so: S(TIL)ET-TO. Appeared in grid 1628 in August, also on even intersecting letters, so…

45. Iguana roaming about top of the island (7)

Answer: ANTIGUA (i.e. an “island”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “roaming”) of IGUANA wrapped “about” T (i.e. “top of the”, i.e. the first letter of “the”), like so: AN(T)IGUA. Appeared in grid 1582, also on odd intersecting letters, but just outside my threshold for a recent repeat.

46. Lively, loud and dangerous (6)

Answer: FRISKY (i.e. “lively”). Solution is F (i.e. “loud”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of “forte” used in musical lingo) followed by RISKY (i.e. “dangerous”). Another nicely worked clue.

47. What child might do to cute animal is unimportant (5)

Answer: PETIT (i.e. “unimportant” – over to Chambers again: “a form of ‘petty’, in sense of insignificant, now obsolete except in legal and other French terms”). When written as PET IT the solution also satisfies “what child might do to cute animal”.

49. Like moussaka with feta? Good smell (5)

Answer: GREEK (i.e. “like moussaka with feta”, both Greek foodstuffs). Solution is G (a recognised abbreviation of “good”) followed by REEK (i.e. “smell”).

A toughie this week, but, like last week’s Jumbo, a goodie. And like, last week’s Jumbo, this too was also riddled with recent repeats. Can’t have it all, I guess. Still, the variety of wordplay and the quality of the clues made this another winner.

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 your daisies (in November? whatever) 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): 15%.
Oof! That’s some super-strength stuff right there. Careful now.

Across clues

1. What’s becoming green in tap regularly (7)

Answer: DECORUM (i.e. “what’s becoming”). Solution is ECO (i.e. “green” or ecological) placed “in” DRUM (i.e. “tap regularly”), like so: D(ECO)RUM. A recent repeat straight off the bat, appearing in grid 1624 back in July, also on odd intersecting letters, so…

5. An officer grabbing weapon is causing panic (8)

Answer: ALARMIST (i.e. “causing panic”). Solution is A LT (i.e. “an officer”, in this case an abbreviation of lieutenant) once wrapped around or “grabbing” ARM (i.e. “weapon”) and IS, like so: A-L(ARM-IS)T.

9. Honour brief desire to produce dagger (6)

Answer: OBELUS (i.e. a typographical “dagger” symbol). Solution is OBE (i.e. “honour”, specifically the Order of the British Empire) followed by LUST (i.e. “desire”) once the last letter has been removed (indicated by “brief”), like so: OBE-LUS.

13. An obsession one has to ensure a word is initially spelled correctly? (1,3,2,4,6)

Answer: A BEE IN ONE’S BONNET (i.e. “an obsession”). Remainder of the clue plays on B (“BEE”) being the “initial” letter of BONNET. You get the idea.

14. Inquisitive on vacation after seeing that small swimsuit! (6)

Answer: COSSIE (i.e. “swimwear”, slang for a swimming costume). Solution is IE (i.e. “inquisitive on vacation”, i.e. the first and last letters of “inquisitive”) placed “after” COS (i.e. “seeing that”, or an informal form of “because”) and S (a recognised abbreviation of “small”), like so: (COS-S)-IE.

16. Kindly be inclined in good time to give out answer (8)

Answer: TENDERLY (i.e. “kindly”). Solution is TEND (i.e. “be inclined”) followed by EARLY (i.e. “in good time”) once the A has been removed (indicated by “to give out answer” – A being a recognised abbreviation of “answer”, as in Q&A), like so: TEND-ERLY. Appeared in grid 1628 in August, also on odd intersecting letters, so…

17. God, seeing Eden’s downfall, reflecting (4)

Answer: ZEUS (i.e. Greek “god”). Solution is SUEZ (i.e. Anthony “Eden’s downfall” – a reference to the Suez Crisis of 1956 – Eden was Prime Minister at the time) reversed (indicated by “reflecting”). Nicely worked.

18. Joker’s beaten partner’s king (9)

Answer: PRANKSTER (i.e. “joker”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “beaten”) of PARTNER’S and K (a recognised abbreviation of “king” used in chess).

20. German engineer, one outside Grand Hotel with a port (8)

Answer: BENGHAZI (i.e. “port” city of Libya). Solution is Carl BENZ (i.e. “German engineer”) and I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”) all wrapped “outside” of G (a recognised abbreviation of “grand”), H (“Hotel” in the phonetic alphabet) and A, like so: BEN(G-H-A)Z-I. Unsurprisingly I was straight to Bradford’s the moment I saw “port” in the clue. I have no time for filler.

21. Occasionally sitting in the veranda? No, nightly (4,3,4)

Answer: EVER AND ANON (i.e. “occasionally”). “Sitting in” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: TH(E VERANDA NO N)IGHTLY.

24. Blocks money order, leading to lack of books at high school (9)

Answer: MONOLITHS (i.e. “blocks”). Solution is MO (a recognised abbreviation of “money order”) followed by NO LIT (i.e. “lack of books”, LIT being short for literature) and HS (a recognised abbreviation of “high school”).

25. Court official is upset when getting stick (8)

Answer: TIPSTAFF (i.e. “court official” – over to Chambers: “an officer who carries [a tipstaff], a sheriff’s officer”). Solution is TIP (i.e. to “upset”) followed by STAFF (i.e. “stick”).

26. Slip passed on after it’s been returned (4)

Answer: BOOB (i.e. “slip” or error). Solution is OB (i.e. “passed on”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of obiit, Latin for died) placed “after” BO (i.e. the same reversed or “returned”), like so: BO-OB. Appeared in grid 1618 back in May, also on even intersecting letters, so…

29. Fumed after party at university put off (11)

Answer: DISCOURAGED (i.e. “put off”). Solution is RAGED (i.e. “fumed”) placed “after” DISCO (i.e. “party”) and U (a recognised abbreviation of “university”), like so: (DISCO-U)-RAGED.

31. Prince’s friend’s bloomer, caught by storm in New Zealand (11)

Answer: ROSENCRANTZ (i.e. “Prince’s friend”, a minor character in William Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark). Solution is ROSE (i.e. “bloomer” or flower) followed by C (a recognised abbreviation of “caught” in some ball games) and RANT (i.e. “storm”) once these two have been placed “in” NZ (short for “New Zealand”), like so: ROSE-(N(C-RANT)Z).

33. Realised elm needs replanting in the country (in shade) (7,4)

Answer: EMERALD ISLE (i.e. “country”, an informal reference to Ireland). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “replanting”) of REALISED ELM. The “in shade” bit probably refers to EMERALD being a colour, but I could be wrong.

36. Timid person’s exploit to speak of and celebrate (11)

Answer: MILQUETOAST (i.e. “timid person”, after a character created by American cartoonist HT Webster). Solution is a homophone (indicated by “to speak of”) of MILK (i.e. to “exploit”) followed by TOAST (i.e. “celebrate”), like so: MILQUE-TOAST. One I knew, strangely enough, thanks to a read of sci-fi website Clarkesworld’s submission guidelines several years ago, which made me wonder what on earth “Milquetoast” meant. I guess it stuck with me ever since.

38. Small piece of music, any of just six, evidently (4)

Answer: NOTE (i.e. “small piece of music”). When written as NOT E the solution also playfully satisfies “any of just six, evidently”, there ordinarily being seven musical notes: A, B, C, D, E, F and G. NOTED appeared in grid 1585 last November, and NOTES appeared in grid 1616 in May, on both occasions also on odd intersecting letters. I’m claiming them, so…

39. Boxer maybe as eyes gouged I’d condemned (5,3)

Answer: GUIDE DOG (i.e. “boxer maybe as eyes” – do boxers make good guide dogs? I genuinely don’t know). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “condemned”) of GOUGED I’D.

41. Stand for body that’s round say and containing more fat? (9)

Answer: BUTTERIER (i.e. “containing more fat”). Solution is BIER (i.e. a “stand for [dead] body”) wrapped “round” UTTER (i.e. “say”), like so: B(UTTER)IER.

44. Meeting upset good number (3-8)

Answer: GET-TOGETHER (i.e. a “meeting”). Solution is GET TO (i.e. “upset”) followed by G (a recognised abbreviation of “good”) and ETHER (i.e. “number”, taken to mean something that numbs).

45. Needle in water removing gallons for time (8)

Answer: IRRITATE (i.e. to “needle”). Solution is IRRIGATE (i.e. to “water”) with the G (a recognised abbreviation of “gallons”) swapped “for” T (ditto “time”), like so: IRRI(G)ATE => IRRI(T)ATE.

48. With full mug of coffee for knocking back after loaf (4-5)

Answer: MOON-FACED (i.e. “with full mug”, mug being slang for a face). Solution is DECAF (i.e. “coffee”, short for decaffeinated) reversed (indicated by “knocking back”) and placed “after” MOON (i.e. to “loaf” or to wander listlessly – I’d make a so-so gesture here. I’d argue loafing is a sedentary thing).

49. Leave no longer just what you want (4)

Answer: EXIT (i.e. to “leave”). Solution is EX (i.e. “no longer”) followed by IT (i.e. “just what you want”).

50. I agree to extract lead from each mine (4,4)

Answer: VERY WELL (i.e. “I agree”). Solution is EVERY (i.e. “each”) with its first letter removed (indicated by “extract lead from…”) and the remainder followed by WELL (i.e. a “mine”).

52. Mischief from The Gunners, quietly leaving trophy (6)

Answer: RASCAL (i.e. a “mischief”). Solution is RA (i.e. “The Gunners”, in this case the Royal Artillery) followed by SCALP (i.e. “trophy”) once the P has been removed (indicated by “quietly leaving”… P being a recognised abbreviation of “piano” used in musical lingo), like so: RA-SCAL.

53. Book fair after so long? Goodness! (8,2,6)

Answer: FAREWELL MY LOVELY (i.e. a “book” by Raymond Chandler). Solution is LOVELY (i.e. “fair”) placed “after” FAREWELL (i.e. “so long”) and MY (i.e. “goodness” – both exclamations).

54. Secretary receives steadfast backing, mostly, for receiving bribes (6)

Answer: PAYOLA (i.e. “bribes”. Another I knew, but it’s worth a visit to Chambers for the definition: “a secret payment or bribe to secure a favour, especially the promotion of a commercial product by a disc jockey”, supposedly this is a combination of “pay” and “Victrola”, a make of gramophone). Solution is PA (i.e. “secretary” or Personal Assistant) wrapped around or “receiving” LOYAL (i.e. “steadfast”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “mostly”) and the remainder reversed (indicated by “backing”), like so: P(AYOL)A.

55. In the midst of wrongdoing, property gets developed (8)

Answer: GESTATED (i.e. “developed”). Solution is ESTATE (i.e. “property”) placed “in” GD (i.e. “the midst of wrongdoing”, i.e. the middle letters of “wrongdoing”), like so: G(ESTATE)D.

56. Problem queen gets dispensing with formalities (7)

Answer: SUMMARY (i.e. “dispensing with formalities”). Solution is SUM (i.e. a mathematical “problem”) followed by MARY (i.e. “Queen” of Scots). Appeared in grid 1583 last November, just within my threshold for a recent repeat. It appeared on odd intersecting letters too, so…

Down clues

1. Lack of soil below delta (6)

Answer: DEARTH (i.e. “lack”). Solution is EARTH (i.e. “soil”) placed after or “below” – this being a down clue – D (“delta” in the phonetic alphabet), like so: D-EARTH.

2. Assisting actor maybe in line that needs to be spoken (6)

Answer: CUEING (i.e. “assisting actor maybe”). Solution is a homophone (indicated by “that needs to be spoken”) of QUEUING (i.e. “in line”).

3. Muddle her allies create (5,4)

Answer: RAISE HELL (i.e. to “create” trouble). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “muddle”) of HER ALLIES.

4. One not content with single job having second working barge (11)

Answer: MOONLIGHTER (i.e. “one not content with single job”). Solution is MO (i.e. a “second” or short moment) followed by ON (i.e. “working” or operational) and LIGHTER (i.e. a “barge”). MOONLIGHT appeared in grid 1603 back in March, also on odd intersecting letters. I’m claiming it, so…

5. Couple in bar turning round, making you jump (4)

Answer: AXEL (i.e. a “jump” in figure skating). Solution is AXLE (i.e. a “bar” between two wheels) with the last “couple” of letters “turned round” or reversed, like so: AX(LE) => AX(EL).

6. Short books about splitting up piloted (11)

Answer: ABBREVIATED (i.e. “short”). Solution is B and B (i.e. “books”, recognised abbreviations thereof) and RE (i.e. “about” or regarding – think email replies) all placed in or “splitting up” AVIATED (i.e. “piloted”), like so: A(B-B-RE)VIATED.

7. Vessel with big hole’s one letting water escape? (11)

Answer: MINESWEEPER (i.e. a ship or “vessel”). Solution is MINE’S (i.e. “big hole” in the ground, followed by a contraction of “is”) followed by WEEPER (i.e. “one letting water escape”).

8. Pastries dumped in freezing shower most likely to go off (9)

Answer: SLEEPIEST (i.e. “most likely to go off”). Solution is PIES (i.e. “pastries”) placed “in” SLEET (i.e. “freezing shower”), like so: SLEE(PIES)T.

10. Ordered to grasp stick as means of obstruction (8)

Answer: BLOCKADE (i.e. “means of obstruction”). Solution is BADE (i.e. “ordered”) wrapped around or “grasping” LOCK (i.e. to seize up or “stick”), like so: B(LOCK)ADE.

11. Film star also painting, for a change (4,5,2,5)

Answer: LAST TANGO IN PARIS (i.e. a 1972 “film” starring some butter. Supposedly, I mean. I wouldn’t know). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “for a change”) of STAR ALSO PAINTING.

12. Admit use of bad language hasn’t ended (5,2)

Answer: SWEAR IN (i.e. to “admit”, say, into office). Solution is SWEARING (i.e. “use of bad language”) with the last letter removed (indicated by “hasn’t ended”).

15. Nuisance having to accommodate pilots being stretched for fuel (8)

Answer: PARAFFIN (i.e. “fuel”). Solution is PAIN (i.e. “nuisance”) wrapped around or “accommodating” RAF (i.e. “pilots”, specifically the Royal Air Force) once the last letter has been repeated (indicated by “being stretched” – can’t say I’ve seen this wordplay too often), like so: PA(RAFF)IN. Appeared in grid 1592 back in December, but on that occasion it was on odd intersecting letters.

19. Planet Mercury, for instance, that’s mostly methane (5,3)

Answer: MARSH GAS (i.e. “that’s mostly methane”). Solution is MARS (i.e. “planet”) followed by HG (chemical symbol of “mercury”) and AS (i.e. “for instance”). Nicely worked.

22. Hint at the outset someone’s doing me wrong (8)

Answer: SMIDGEON (i.e. a “hint” of something). Solution is S (i.e. “at the outset someone”, i.e. the first letter of “someone”) followed by an anagram (indicated by “wrong”) of DOING ME, like so: S-MIDGEON.

23. Until you assent to otherwise, showing nothing off (16)

Answer: UNOSTENTATIOUSLY (i.e. “showing nothing off”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “otherwise”) of UNTIL YOU ASSENT TO.

27. Light year, perhaps, minus space and time: a fashionable expression (4,4)

Answer: BUZZ TERM (i.e. “a fashionable expression”). Solution is BUZZ (i.e. “light year, perhaps, minus space”, i.e. removing the space between “light” and “year” to get the surname of BUZZ Lightyear) followed by TIME (i.e. “term”).

28. Document from court cases for whenever important (4)

Answer: WRIT (i.e. “document from court”). “Cases for” indicates the solution is derived from the first and last letters of WHENEVER IMPORTANT.

30. Even things in cloakroom picked up and not put down (4)

Answer: ORAL (i.e. “not put down” in writing). “Even” indicates the solution is derived from every other letter of CLOAKROOM, while “picked up” indicates those letters are reversed – this being a down clue. Appeared in grid 1614 in May, but on that occasion it was on even intersecting letters.

32. European city’s food variable, note, and seconds revolting! (8)

Answer: SALZBURG (i.e. “European city” in Austria). Solution is GRUB (i.e. “food”) followed by Z (i.e. “variable”, setters love referring to X, Y or Z in solutions as unknowns or variables), then LA (i.e. “note” of the sol-fa scale) and S (a recognised abbreviation of “seconds”). The whole is then reversed (indicated by “revolting” or uprising – this being a down clue), like so: S-AL-Z-BURG. Another very nicely worked clue. Probably my favourite of the puzzle.

34. EU accede to reform: a throw of the dice? (5-3)

Answer: DEUCE-ACE (i.e. “a throw of the dice”, specifically a throw of two and a one). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “to reform”) of EU ACCEDE.

35. Green light, maybe, that motorist hopes to avoid? (11)

Answer: ENDORSEMENT. Solution satisfies “green light” and “what motorist hopes to avoid”, being a record of an offence on one’s driver’s licence. Appeared in grid 1602 back in March, also on odd intersecting letters, so…

36. August publication, then November, provided at minimum cost abroad (11)

Answer: MAGNIFICENT (i.e. “august”). Solution is MAG (i.e. “publication”, short for magazine) followed by N (“November” in the phonetic alphabet), then IF (i.e. “provided”, as in a conditional statement) and I CENT (i.e. “minimum cost abroad”, the I taken to mean 1).

37. Incumbent upon you, indeed, to be very busy (2,2,3,4)

Answer: UP TO THE EYES (i.e. “very busy”). Solution is UP TO THEE (i.e. “incumbent upon you”) followed by YES (i.e. “indeed”).

40. Take water from earth – dyed, curiously (9)

Answer: DEHYDRATE (i.e. “take water from”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “curiously”) of EARTH DYED. Appeared in grid 1596 in January, also on odd intersecting letters, so…

42. Fitness to chase record, the first requirement for a competitor? (5,4)

Answer: ENTRY FORM (i.e. “first requirement for a competitor”). Solution is FORM (i.e. “fitness”) placed after or “chasing” ENTRY (i.e. “record”).

43. Left party to beat up bouncer of course (4,4)

Answer: GOLF BALL (i.e. “bouncer of [golf] course”). Solution is L (a recognised abbreviation of “left”), LAB (i.e. “party”, short for the Labour Party) and FLOG (i.e. “to beat”) all reversed (indicated by “up” – this being a down clue), like so: GOLF-BAL-L.

44. Fool somersaulting over ditch is a sucker (7)

Answer: GUMDROP (i.e. “a sucker” or sweet). Solution is MUG (i.e. “fool”) reversed (indicated by “somersaulting”) and followed by DROP (i.e. to “ditch”), like so: GUM-DROP.

46. No longer nurse a lonely heart, say, if looking up old dramatist (6)

Answer: SENECA the Younger (i.e. “old dramatist”). Solution is SEN (i.e. “no longer nurse”, specifically the old State Enrolled Nurse) followed by ACE (i.e. “lonely heart, say” – other suits of playing cards are available – I loved this when I twigged it) once the latter has been reversed (indicated by “looking up” – this being a down clue), like so: SEN-ECA.

47. Like soil often put in church yard primarily (6)

Answer: CLAYEY (i.e. “like soil often”). Solution is LAY (i.e. “put”) placed “in” CE (i.e. “church”, specifically the Church of England). This is all then followed by Y (i.e. “yard primarily”, i.e. the first letter of “yard”), like so: C(LAY)E-Y. I think it’s a close race between this and BUTTERIER for the worst word I’ve seen all week.

51. Made off, following light (4)

Answer: FLED (i.e. “made off”). Solution is F (a recognised abbreviation of “following”) followed by LED (i.e. “light”, specifically a Light Emitting Diode”).