Times Jumbo Cryptic Crossword 1654

Oops. I’ve left it a little too long to write the intro to this week’s Jumbo, so I can’t remember too much about it! Let’s see if it all comes back to me in the edit, eh?

[EDIT: Nope. I got nothing. Sorry, Previous-Me. Also, don’t have all that San Miguel on Saturday. – LP]

Now that the competition deadline has passed 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 flipped you the bird 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 your patience and kind words. Till next time, batten down the hatches for whatever storm we’re up to now and stay safe, kids.

LP

Across clues

1. Bore with a little alcohol: a mouse could do it (4,3,4)

Answer: DRAG AND DROP (i.e. “a mouse could do it”, referring to the computer peripheral. Drag-and-drop is a common action performed on a computer desktop). Solution is DRAG (i.e. a “bore” or source of mild annoyance) followed by AND (i.e. “with”) and DROP (i.e. informal reference to “a little alcohol”).

7. Classical puzzle that was solved at a stroke (7,4)

Answer: GORDIAN KNOT. Solution satisfies the clue as a whole, referring to an unsolvable knot of Ancient Greek legend. Anyone who untied the knot was supposedly destined to rule all of Asia, which seems logical. I mean, why doubt it? Just because all the hard mathematics and complex workings that went into the prophesy went up in the Great Library of Alexandria fire two centuries later doesn’t mean it never held water. You’ll be telling me Excalibur was just a sword next. Anyway, speaking of swords, Alexander the Great stuck his through said knot, thus solving the problem a different way. And you thought lateral thinking was a modern thing.

13. Crafty killer in bar taking pressure off grass (1-4)

Answer: U-BOAT (i.e. “crafty killer”, taking craft to be a seagoing vessel). Solution is PUB (i.e. “bar”) with the P removed (indicated by “taking pressure off” – P being a recognised abbreviation of “pressure”) and the remainder followed by OAT (i.e. a “grass”), like so: UB-OAT.

14. Wicket! I had gone, sadly for a duck (7)

Answer: WIDGEON (i.e. “duck”, a rare alternative spelling of WIGEON. Chambers supports it, so setter wins). Solution is W (a recognised abbreviation of “wicket” used in cricket) followed by I’D (a contraction of “I had”) and an anagram (indicated by “sadly”) of GONE, like so: W-I’D-GEON. So which came first? PIGEON or WIGEON? Either way, someone at the Official Zoological Animal Naming Society wasn’t trying very hard that day. What next? Blue gits? Lurkeys? Fagpies? Still, as WIGEON covers “any of various ducks of the genus Anas”, I guess we should be thankful we’re not all calling them ANASES.

15. Material for printer is empty, rubbished along with the rest (4,5)

Answer: TYPE METAL (i.e. “material for printer”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “rubbished”) of EMPTY followed by ET AL (Latin for “along with the rest”), like so: (TYPEM)-ET-AL.

16. Criminal also about to tuck into some breakfast? (9)

Answer: KIDNAPPER (i.e. “criminal”). Solution is AND (i.e. “also”) reversed (indicated by “about”) and placed “into” KIPPER (i.e. “some breakfast”), like so: KI(DNA)PPER.

17. Walk, run, climb here (10)

Answer: STEPLADDER (i.e. “climb here”). Solution is STEP (i.e. “walk”) followed by LADDER (i.e. “run” in a pair of tights).

20. Financial support some needed to secure expensive car (7)

Answer: ALIMONY (i.e. “financial support”). Solution is ANY (i.e. “some”) wrapped around or “securing” LIMO (i.e. “expensive car”), like so: A(LIMO)NY.

22. Not so lenient as Lawrence King (7)

Answer: STERNER (i.e. “not so lenient”). Solution is “Lawrence” STERNE (novelist who wrote Tristram Shandy. Shouldn’t this have been “Laurence”, though?) followed by R (i.e. “king”, ignoring the misleading capitalisation – this is a recognised abbreviation of the Latin Rex).

24. More temperamental and lower when girl interrupts (7)

Answer: MOODIER (i.e. “more temperamental”). Solution is MOOER (i.e. “lower” – to low is to moo like a cow) wrapped around or “interrupted” by DI (i.e. “girl’s” name), like so: MOO(DI)ER.

25. With calves underwater, require to put board around (4-4)

Answer: KNEE-DEEP (i.e. “with calves underwater”). Solution is NEED (i.e. “require”) placed in or having “around” it KEEP (i.e. “board” or rent money), like so: K(NEED)EEP.

26. Person with an entitlement: vets resented it badly (6,8)

Answer: VESTED INTEREST (i.e. “person with an entitlement” – Chambers goes on: “an entitlement or interest under a will or a trust that is not contingent or defeasible” in Scottish law). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “badly”) of VETS RESENTED IT.

28. Some basic hormones classically coursing through the veins (5)

Answer: ICHOR (i.e. substance said to be “coursing through the veins” of the gods, hence the “classically” reference). “Some” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: BAS(IC HOR)MONES.

29. Singer in America finished with silence (6)

Answer: THRUSH (i.e. “singer” or songbird). Solution is THRU (i.e. “in America finished” – is it, though? I always thought the usage was more for words like “drive-thru”. I’m struggling to recall any usage that meant “finished”. Anyone? Or are we issuing a yellow card here?) followed by SH (i.e. “silence”).

30. Remarkably absorbent fleece finally found in front of cage (10)

Answer: BREASTBONE (i.e. “found in front of [rib]cage”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “remarkably”) of ABSORBENT followed by E (i.e. “fleece finally”, i.e. the last letter of “fleece”), like so: BREASTBON-E.

33. New arrival is something significant for a dwarf? (5,5)

Answer: HAPPY EVENT. Solution satisfies a “new arrival” or the birth of a child, and, playfully, “something significant for a dwarf”, referring to a character in the Disney film Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

35. Mountain region bans a small political meeting (6)

Answer: CAUCUS (i.e. a “political meeting” in the US where candidates are nominated). Solution is CAUCASUS (i.e. a “mountain region”) with the A and S (a recognised abbreviation of “small”) removed or “banned”.

37. Dust often associated with these trees (5)

Answer: ASHES. Solution satisfies “dust” – for which Chambers offers “the dead human body, remains” – and also some “trees”.

39. Back opinion by paper that shows what may come to pass (4-4,6)

Answer: REAR-VIEW MIRROR (i.e. “that shows what may come to pass”, i.e. those about to overtake you when driving). Solution is REAR (i.e. “back”) followed by VIEW (i.e. “opinion”) and MIRROR (i.e. UK daily “[news]paper”).

41. Considers following some current stories (8)

Answer: ACCOUNTS (i.e. “stories”). Solution is COUNTS (i.e. “considers”) placed after or “following” AC (i.e. “some current”, specifically the alternating flavour), like so: AC-COUNTS.

44. Time in cell, but one is not charged (7)

Answer: NEUTRON (i.e. a subatomic particle that “is not charged”). Solution is T (a recognised abbreviation of “time”) placed “in” NEURON (i.e. brain “cell”), like so: NEU(T)RON.

45. Edition I notice is sent back cut (7)

Answer: TOPSIDE (i.e. “cut” of meat). Solution is ED (short for “edition”), I and SPOT (i.e. “notice”) all reversed (indicated by “is sent back”), like so: TOPS-I-DE.

46. What some say I noticed, and wished I hadn’t? (7)

Answer: EYESORE. The solution satisfies the clue as a whole, but also comprises homophones (indicated by “what some say”) of I and SAW (i.e. “noticed”).

47. A series of blows that may bring someone round (4,2,4)

Answer: KISS OF LIFE. Another where the solution satisfies the clue as a whole, i.e. the use of artificial respiration to revive someone who isn’t breathing.

49. Dropping off a sequence of letters, very fast going round (9)

Answer: SOMNOLENT (i.e. sleepy or “dropping off”). Solution is M N and O (i.e. “a sequence of letters” of the alphabet) placed in or having “round” it SO (i.e. “very”) and LENT (i.e. religious “fast”), like so: SO-(MNO)-LENT.

53. Senior official’s objective in processing the butter mountain? (3,6)

Answer: BIG CHEESE. Solution satisfies “senior official” and, playfully, “objective in processing the butter mountain”. I know it’s all dairy, but can you actually change butter into cheese? Both seem like final forms to me.

54. Greek hero in Florida? (7)

Answer: THESEUS (i.e. “Greek hero” who slew the Minotaur). When written as THE SE US the solution also playfully satisfies “Florida”, given the state is found in THE SE (a recognised abbreviation of “southeast”) of the US.

55. Mosaic construction where the Promenaders go initially? (5)

Answer: TORAH (i.e. a book or “Mosaic construction” in Judaism, taking “Mosaic” to mean “of or relating to Moses” (Chambers)). When written as TO RAH the solution also satisfies “where the Promenaders go initially”, specifically TO the Royal Albert Hall, venue of the BBC Proms.

56. Competitor at Oval streaks around, keeping back near the boundary (5,6)

Answer: SPEED SKATER (i.e. “competitor at oval”, ignoring the misleading capitalisation). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “around”) of STREAKS wrapped around or “keeping” DEEP (i.e. “near the boundary” in cricket) once reversed (indicated by “back”), like so: S(PEED)SKATER.

57. Part of wafer I left with one shell in drink (7,4)

Answer: SILICON CHIP (i.e. “part of wafer”, being “a thin slice of silicon on which multiple chips are formed” (Chambers)). Solution is I, L (a recognised abbreviation of “left”), I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”) and CONCH (i.e. “shell”) all placed “in” SIP (i.e. “drink”), like so: S(I-L-I-CONCH)IP.

Down clues

1. Downed by an aggressive vehicle? That provides a sobering experience (5,4)

Answer: DRUNK TANK (i.e. “that provides a sobering experience”, US slang for a jail cell holding those sailing three sheets to the wind). Solution is DRUNK (i.e. “downed”) followed by TANK (i.e. “aggressive vehicle”).

2. Advice to writers about clichés (5,4,3,6)

Answer: AVOID LIKE THE PLAGUE. Solution satisfies the clue as a whole, and is also a “cliché” in itself. I rather liked this one when it clicked.

3. Cavities want rapid filling (5)

Answer: ANTRA (i.e. “cavities”, plural of antrum. No, me neither). “Filling” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, occupying W(ANT RA)PID.

4. Retainer’s reduced earnings with staff finally cut (4,7)

Answer: DOWN PAYMENT (i.e. a “retainer”). Solution is DOWN (i.e. “reduced”) followed by PAY (i.e. “earnings”), then MEN (i.e. “staff” – sorry, ladies, it seems you’ve all been fired) and T (i.e. “finally cut”, i.e. the last letter of “cut”).

5. English flag has this contradictory signal for pedestrians? (3,5)

Answer: RED CROSS. Solution satisfies “English flag has this” and, playfully, a “contradictory signal for pedestrians”, given the red man signal on a pedestrian crossing is an indication to not cross.

6. Push free material for reporters (5,7)

Answer: PRESS RELEASE (i.e. “material for reporters”). Solution is PRESS (i.e. “push”) followed by RELEASE (i.e. to “free”).

7. Snaps members of the Red Headed League? (6,4)

Answer: GINGER NUTS. Solution satisfies “snaps” or a variety of biscuit, and “members of the Red Headed League”. Several years ago I took it upon myself to read the entire Sherlock Holmes in sequence. In hindsight this was a mistake as there are only a few stories that now stick in my mind, but The Red-headed League is one of them.

8. Carnivore from Africa, price one pound (5)

Answer: RATEL (i.e. “carnivore from Africa”). Solution is RATE (i.e. “price”) followed by L (i.e. “one pound” of weight, an abbreviation from the Latin libra).

9. Traps one scholar, closing part of the Parthenon (11)

Answer: IMPEDIMENTA (i.e. “traps”, a variant meaning being “personal luggage or belongings” (Chambers)). Solution is I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”) followed by MA (i.e. “scholar”, short for a Master of Arts) once wrapped around or “closing” PEDIMENT (i.e. “part of the Parthenon” – the Pediments of Parthenon are two sets of statues depicting scenes of Greek myth), like so: I-M(PEDIMENT)A. Tough bugger.

10. Naval officer nine places away from the PM? (6,3)

Answer: NUMBER ONE (i.e. “naval officer”). Clue plays on the Prime Minister or “PM” residing in Number 10 Downing Street. Deduct “nine” and you get the solution.

11. Eggs with awful smell almost picked up (4)

Answer: NITS (i.e. “eggs” of headlice). Solution is STINK (i.e. “awful smell”) with the last letter removed (indicated by “almost”) and the remainder reversed (indicated by “picked up” – this being a down clue).

12. Had weight disclosed (4)

Answer: TOLD. Solution satisfies “had weight” or mattered, and “disclosed”.

18. Enjoy love in a flowerbed? Grotesque! (4,7,2,5)

Answer: LIKE NOTHING ON EARTH (i.e. descriptive of a “grotesque”). Solution is LIKE (i.e. “enjoy”) followed by NOTHING (i.e. “love”, a zero score in tennis) and ON EARTH (i.e. “in a flowerbed”. (Makes so-so gesture.)).

19. With soup, regularly refresh members of union (8)

Answer: BROTHERS (i.e. “members of [trade] union”). Solution is BROTH (i.e. “soup”) followed by ERS (i.e. “regularly refresh”, i.e. every other letter of REFRESH).

21. Officer in command, lazy on vacation (7)

Answer: ORDERLY (i.e. “officer”). Solution is ORDER (i.e. “command”) followed by LY (i.e. “lazy on vacation”, i.e. the word “lazy” with its middle letters removed).

23. Flushed with anger, court is to change jury instructions (8)

Answer: REDIRECT (i.e. “change jury instructions”. I’ve heard of judges directing juries to a particular decision, but could they really redirect them? Would this be mistrial territory? Any Rumpoles out there?) Solution is RED (i.e. “flushed”) followed by IRE (i.e. “anger”) and CT (a recognised abbreviation of “court”).

27. Tram isn’t moving, so pass on (8)

Answer: TRANSMIT (i.e. “pass on”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “moving”) of TRAM ISN’T.

28. Natural to be present in pub at end of shift (8)

Answer: INHERENT (i.e. “natural”). Solution is HERE (i.e. “be present”) placed “in” INN (i.e. “pub”) and followed by T (i.e. “end [letter] of shift”), like so: IN(HERE)N-T.

31. Hybrid’s terrible wings came into view (3,4)

Answer: TEA ROSE (i.e. plant “hybrid”). Solution is TE (i.e. “terrible wings”, i.e. the first and last letters of “terrible” – ought to have been possessive in my view, but then the clue wouldn’t scan) followed by AROSE (i.e. “came into view”).

32. More articles churned out that show a measure of warmth (12)

Answer: CALORIMETERS (i.e. devices “that show a measure of warmth”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “churned out”) of MORE ARTICLES.

34. Snake native processed into rissole (6,5)

Answer: VIENNA STEAK (i.e. “rissole”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “processed”) of SNAKE NATIVE.

36. So houses with lots of land, flipping problem, something for the masses? (6,5)

Answer: SACRED MUSIC (i.e. “something for the masses”, taking mass to be a Catholic service). Solution is SIC (i.e. “so” in Latin) wrapped around or “housing” ACRED (i.e. “with lots of land”) and SUM (i.e. a mathematical “problem”) once the latter has been reversed (indicated by “flipping”), like so: S(ACRED-MUS)IC. Bloody hell, this defeated nearly all my reference books. I eventually found it listed in my Chambers Thesaurus in a list of music styles.

38. One who owns there is no end to decent behaviour by men (10)

Answer: PROPRIETOR (i.e. “one who owns”). Solution is PROPRIETY (i.e. “decent behaviour”) with the last letter removed (indicated by “there is no end to…”) and the remainder followed by OR (i.e. “men”, specifically the Other Ranks of the British Army), like so: PROPRIET-OR.

40. Having coat on, was lost to sight across river (9)

Answer: VARNISHED (i.e. “having coat on”). Solution is VANISHED (i.e. “was lost to sight”) wrapped around or placed “across” R (a recognised abbreviation of “river”), like so: VA(R)NISHED.

42. What Spooner does when changing the bed is a magnet for children? (9)

Answer: SWEETSHOP (i.e. “a magnet for children”). Solution is a “Spoonerism” of SHEET SWAP (i.e. “what [someone] does when changing the bed”).

43. Marine creature, large, eating female that’s cast up on the beach (8)

Answer: SEASHELL (i.e. “that’s cast up on the beach”). Solution is SEAL (i.e. “marine creature”) and L (a recognised abbreviation of “large”) all wrapped around or “eating” SHE (i.e. “female”), like so: SEA(SHE)L-L.

48. Ahead of time, run away quick (5)

Answer: FLEET (i.e. “quick”). Solution is FLEE (i.e. “run away”) followed by or being “ahead of” T (a recognised abbreviation of “time”), like so: FLEE-T.

50. Be less rigid, removing top regularly (5)

Answer: OFTEN (i.e. “regularly”). Solution is SOFTEN (i.e. “be less rigid”) with the first letter removed (indicated by “removing top”).

51. Wader seen in island twice (4)

Answer: IBIS (i.e. a bird or “wader”). Solution is I (a recognised abbreviation of “island”) followed by BIS (i.e. “twice” in musical lingo).

52. Curve’s highest point a page doesn’t show (4)

Answer: OGEE (i.e. an S-shaped “curve”, apparently). Solution is APOGEE (i.e. “highest point”) with the A and P removed (indicated by “a page doesn’t show”, P being a recognised abbreviation of “page”).