Times Jumbo Cryptic Crossword 1665

A toughie this week, but only because the setter relied too much on obscure trash throughout to get the job done. All valid, certainly, but interest for me evaporated shortly after the halfway point, so this week’s post has largely been written to keep the run going. A pity as some of the clueing was top notch.

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 put you in thumbscrews then you might find some relief in my Just For Fun page, where you’ll find links to solutions for hundreds of the things.

Thanks again for your comments and patience. I’ll be along presently with the next one.

LP

Across clues

1. Gave funds due after death (7)

Answer: ENDOWED (i.e. “gave funds”). Solution is OWED (i.e. “due”) placed “after” END (i.e. “death”), like so: END-OWED. Simple, but nicely worked.

5. Matter about buffs showing self-assertive behaviour (9)

Answer: PUSHINESS (i.e. “self-assertive behaviour”). Solution is PUS (i.e. “matter”) wrapped “about” SHINES (i.e. “buffs”), like so: PU(SHINES)S.

10. Old and regularly unsteady (4)

Answer: USED (i.e. “old”). “Regularly” indicates the solution is derived from every other letter of UNSTEADY.

14. Sabotage drink mixed for sports activity (13)

Answer: SKATEBOARDING (i.e. “sports activity”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “mixed”) of SABOTAGE DRINK.

15. Friend grabbing horse to annoy marsupial (9)

Answer: PHALANGER (i.e. “marsupial”, probably not one to get into a staring contest with). Solution is PAL (i.e. “friend”) wrapped around or “grabbing” H (i.e. “horse”, both slang terms for heroin) and followed by ANGER (i.e. “to annoy”), like so: P(H)AL-ANGER.

16. Who’ll study DNA of cat found next to one burial chamber (10)

Answer: GENETICIST (i.e. “who’ll study DNA”). Solution is GENET (i.e. a gimpy-looking “cat”) followed by I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”) and CIST (i.e. a basic “burial chamber” formed of stone slabs).

17. Chartreuse drunk with round can be risky (11)

Answer: TREACHEROUS (i.e. “risky”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “drunk”) of CHARTREUSE and O (i.e. “round”). Another well-worked clue.

18. Dictator is human, no saint (5)

Answer: Juan PERÓN (i.e. Argentinian “dictator”). Solution is PERSON (i.e. “human”) with the S removed (indicated by “no saint”, S being a recognised abbreviation of “saint”, not just ST).

19. It’s old Piglet running around in a flap (10)

Answer: EPIGLOTTIS (i.e. anatomical “flap”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “running around”) of IT’S, O (a recognised abbreviation of “old”) and PIGLET.

21. Capital provided by lender, Saudi, perhaps (unlimited) (6)

Answer: ANKARA (i.e. “capital” of Turkey). Solution is BANK (i.e. “lender”) and ARAB (i.e. “Saudi, perhaps”), joined together and with the first and last letters removed (indicated by “unlimited”), like so: ANK-ARA.

23. Scotland’s odd about case for players (9)

Answer: ORCHESTRA (i.e. “players”). Solution is ORRA (i.e. “Scotland’s odd” – interesting seeing this only a couple of weeks after UNCO, another Scots word for odd) wrapped “about” CHEST (i.e. “case”), like so: OR(CHEST)RA.

25. Own up to hiding millions in part of mine (5)

Answer: ADMIT (i.e. “own up to”). Solution is M (a recognised abbreviation of “millions”) placed “in” ADIT (i.e. “part of mine”, specifically its opening – it was about this point in the puzzle I lost all patience and decided to sack the rest of it off), like so: AD(M)IT.

26. Keen to make out in popular nightclub (3,4)

Answer: HOT SPOT (i.e. “popular nightclub”). Solution is HOT (i.e. “keen”) followed by SPOT (i.e. “to make out” or see).

28. Angel perhaps trapping Devil, which might provide relief (13)

Answer: BACKSCRATCHER (i.e. “which might provide relief”). Solution is BACKER (i.e. “angel” in a financial sense) wrapped around or “trapping” SCRATCH (a nickname for the “Devil”), like so: BACK(SCRATCH)ER.

31. Agreed to change society for tons raising no objection? (9)

Answer: CONTENTED (i.e. “raising no objection”). Solution is CONSENTED (i.e. “agreed”) with the S (a recognised abbreviation of “society”) swapped “for” T (ditto “tons”), like so: CON(S)ENTED => CON(T)ENTED.

33. What can be used to conceal cigarette smell by doctor (5,4)

Answer: SMOKE BOMB (i.e. “what can be used to conceal”). Solution is SMOKE (i.e. slang for “cigarette”) followed by BO (i.e. “smell”, or Body Odour) and MB (i.e. “doctor”, specifically a Bachelor of Medicine or Medicinae Baccalaureus).

35. A feature of Jamaica to regularly squander heaps on a large scale? (4,9)

Answer: BLUE MOUNTAINS (i.e. “a feature of Jamaica”). I’m going to assume that there has been a cock-up here and that “regularly” ought to have been the homophone indicator “reportedly”. The solution would then be a homophone of BLEW MOUNTAINS, which would then satisfy the latter half of the clue. Ish. Ideally you’d have some past tense in there, which makes me suspect I’m missing something astoundingly clever. If they have made another Henry Halls of another tough Jumbo, though, then I’ve got a right old rant set aside for a future post.

37. Approve of sellers, not very European (7)

Answer: ENDORSE (i.e. “approve of”). Solution is VENDORS (i.e. “sellers”) with the V removed (indicated by “not very” – V being a recognised abbreviation of “very”) and the remainder followed by E (a recognised abbreviation of “European”), like so: ENDORS-E.

38. Work with convulsive twitch of the eye (5)

Answer: OPTIC (i.e. “of the eye”). Solution is OP (i.e. “work”, a recognised abbreviation of “opus”) followed by TIC (i.e. “convulsive twitch”).

40. Company supply outside idiot dealing with knowledge acquisition (9)

Answer: COGNITIVE (i.e. “dealing with knowledge acquisition”). Solution is CO (a recognised abbreviation of “company”) followed by GIVE (i.e. “supply”) once wrapped “outside” of NIT (i.e. “idiot”), like so: CO-G(NIT)IVE.

42. Female pointer to produce litter (6)

Answer: FARROW (i.e. a “litter” of pigs). Solution is F (a recognised abbreviation of “female”) followed by ARROW (i.e. “pointer”).

44. Fed up with mousetrap, perhaps, remove (7,3)

Answer: CHEESED OFF (i.e. “fed up”). Solution is CHEESE (i.e. “mousetrap, perhaps” – other varieties are available; mousetrap tends to describe any inferior cheese) followed by DOFF (i.e. “remove”, e.g. one’s cap).

46. Egyptian’s spirit stated to be broken (5)

Answer: KAPUT (i.e. “broken”). Solution is KA (i.e. “Egyptian spirit”, specifically one’s soul) followed by PUT (i.e. “stated”).

48. Not secret, MP being involved in dispute (11)

Answer: CONTRETEMPS (i.e. “dispute”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “being involved”) of NOT SECRET MP.

50. Who’ll do a lot to deliver domestic energy? (10)

Answer: POWERHOUSE (i.e. “who’ll do a lot”). When written as POWER HOUSE the solution also playfully satisfies “to deliver domestic energy”.

52. Backing prison to hold Arab narcissist (9)

Answer: EGOMANIAC (i.e. “narcissist”). Solution is CAGE (i.e. “prison”) reversed (indicated by “backing”) and wrapped around or “holding” OMANI (i.e. “Arab”), like so: EG(OMANI)AC.

53. The responsibility of tiny ones is far from past (2,2,3,6)

Answer: UP TO THE MINUTE (i.e. “far from past”). The solution also playfully satisfies “the responsibility of tiny ones”.

54. Red wine’s having great effect, knocking out petty officer (4)

Answer: TENT (i.e. Spanish “red wine” we’ve seen a few times in Jumbos). Solution is POTENT (i.e. “having great effect”) with the PO removed (indicated by “knocking out petty officer”, PO being a recognised abbreviation of “petty officer”).

55. Communication system that’s great help when working (9)

Answer: TELEGRAPH (i.e. “communication system”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “when working”) of GREAT HELP. Another good clue.

56. Road split by a grand little plant (7)

Answer: RAGWEED (i.e. “plant”). Solution is RD (a recognised abbreviation of “road”) wrapped around or “split by” A, G (a recognised abbreviation of “grand”) and WEE (i.e. “little”), like so: R(A-G-WEE)D.

Down clues

1. Smallest, not large bearing (4)

Answer: EAST (i.e. “bearing”). Solution is LEAST (i.e. “smallest”) with the L removed (indicated by “not large”, L being a recognised abbreviation of “large”).

2. Awful matricide is completely opposed (9)

Answer: DIAMETRIC (i.e. “completely opposed”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “awful”) of MATRICIDE.

3. Book big attraction all the same for the foolish? (5,6,4,2,5)

Answer: WHERE ANGELS FEAR TO TREAD (i.e. “book” by E.M. Forster). The remainder of the clue plays on a quote from Alexander Pope’s An Essay on Criticism (1711) from which the title is taken: “Fools rush in where angels fear to tread”. There’s probably more to it beyond that, but I can’t be arsed digging much further.

4. Novice upset to be nipped by device for cutting rock (7)

Answer: DIORITE (i.e. “rock” – this was another solution that confirmed this week’s Jumbo wasn’t worth the effort. I’m quite content getting to this stage in my life without knowing every kind of rock or mineral in existence). Solution is TIRO (i.e. “novice”) reversed (indicated by “upset” – this being a down clue – and placed in or “nipped by” DIE (i.e. “device for cutting”), like so: DI(ORIT)E.

5. Parking truck, one long part of the operation? (11)

Answer: PARTICIPANT (i.e. “part of the operation”). Solution is P (a recognised abbreviation of “parking” used on maps and signage) followed by ARTIC (i.e. “truck”, short for articulated), then I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”) and PANT (i.e. to yearn for or “long”).

6. Suspicion of serious error with steering gear reported (9)

Answer: SCINTILLA (i.e. a trace or “suspicion of”). Solution comprises homophones (indicated by “reported”) of SIN (i.e. “serious error”) and TILLER (i.e. “steering gear” on a boat).

7. Valuable brick home acquired (5)

Answer: INGOT (i.e. “valuable brick”). Solution is IN (i.e. at “home”) followed by GOT (i.e. “acquired”).

8. Wrote up hemistiches in part avoiding strong words (11)

Answer: EUPHEMISTIC (i.e. “avoiding strong words”). “In part” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: WROT(E UP HEMISTIC)HES. A few weeks ago a setter managed to hide MAHATMA GANDHI in a clue. It’s as if this week’s setter saw that and said: “Hold my beer”. Seriously, though, hemistiches? Wow. Someone’s flexing.

9. Thoroughly explore musical ability in school (6)

Answer: SEARCH (i.e. “thoroughly explore”). Solution is EAR (i.e. “musical ability”) placed “in” SCH (a recognised abbreviation of “school”), like so: S(EAR)CH.

11. Notice ring – right on a married woman (7)

Answer: SIGNORA (i.e. Italian “married woman”). Solution is SIGN (i.e. “notice”) followed by O (i.e. “ring”), then R (a recognised abbreviation of “right”) and A.

12. Partly refurbished arms TA’d test in place (9)

Answer: DARMSTADT (i.e. “place”, specifically the fiftieth largest city in Germany – it was just as well the wordplay made this easy to spot otherwise I’d have properly kicked off. Again). “Partly” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: REFURBISHE(D ARMS TA’D T)EST.

13. Be wrong working mine having no Thatcher OK? (4,7,5,6)

Answer: HAVE ANOTHER THINK COMING (i.e. “be wrong”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “working”) of MINE HAVING NO THATCHER OK.

18. The Sun reported charge on public transport (7)

Answer: PHOEBUS (i.e. “The Sun”, removing the misleading capitalisation, this is another name for Apollo, the Greek sun god). Solution is a homophone (indicated by “reported”) of FEE (i.e. “charge”) followed by BUS (i.e. “transport”).

20. Buffalo in river area for all to see (7)

Answer: TAMARAU (i.e. “buffalo”. If you wanted to know just how desperate this week’s setter was to impress then this solution would give you a good idea, being “a small wild buffalo native to Mindoro in the Philippines” (Chambers). Pffffff, jog on). Solution is TAMAR (i.e. English “river” forming much of the border between Devon and Cornwall) followed by A (a recognised abbreviation of “area”) and U (i.e. “for all to see”, being a U film certificate).

22. Fabric sun hat turned out no good (8)

Answer: SHANTUNG (i.e. a rough Chinese silken cloth or “fabric” – in case TAMARAU didn’t convince you just then). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “turned out”) of SUN HAT followed by N (a recognised abbreviation of “no”) and G (ditto “good”).

24. Money taken by shop for pastry (8)

Answer: TURNOVER. Solution satisfies “money taken by shop” and “pastry”.

27. Old diva wanting bread but no tea (5)

Answer: Adelina PATTI (i.e. “old diva”, an 19th century Italian soprano – no, me neither. See TAMARAU and SHANTUNG for my enthusiasm here). Solution is CHAPATTI (i.e. “bread”) with the CHA removed (indicated by “but no tea”).

29. Clubs – noisy and dim (5)

Answer: CLOUD (i.e. to “dim”). Solution is C (a recognised abbreviation of “clubs” used in card games) followed by LOUD (i.e. “noisy”).

30. Regular patron of some in cast (7)

Answer: HABITUÉ (i.e. “regular patron”, from the French. As with TAMARAU, SHANT… look, you get the idea. Good grief). Solution is A BIT (i.e. “some”) placed “in” HUE (i.e. tint or “cast”), like so: H(A-BIT)UE.

32. Give up on eating small sweet (7)

Answer: DESSERT (i.e. “sweet”). Solution is DESERT (i.e. “give up on”) wrapped around or “eating” S (a recognised abbreviation of “small”), like so: DE(S)SERT.

34. Like action of yeast in French loaf with mineral left right out (11)

Answer: BIOCHEMICAL (i.e. “like action of yeast”). Solution is BRIOCHE (i.e. “French loaf”), MICA (i.e. “mineral”) and L (a recognised abbreviation of “left”) with the R removed (indicated by “right out” – R being a recognised abbreviation of “right”), like so: BIOCHE-MICA-L.

36. Computer’s hex device (11)

Answer: MICROSWITCH (i.e. “device”). Solution is MICRO’S (i.e. “computer’s”) followed by WITCH (i.e. a “hex”).

37. In effect one is organised and methodical (9)

Answer: EFFICIENT (i.e. “methodical”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “organised”) of IN EFFECT and I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”).

39. A pectoral fashioned for monarch (9)

Answer: CLEOPATRA (i.e. ancient Egyptian “monarch”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “fashioned”) of A PECTORAL.

41. One million letters are with university for a swindle (9)

Answer: IMPOSTURE (i.e. “a swindle”). Solution I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”) followed by M (a recognised abbreviation of “million”), then POST (i.e. “letters”), then ‘RE (a contraction of “are”) once first placed after or “with” U (a recognised abbreviation of “university”), like so: I-M-POST-U-‘RE.

43. In a poor state, narrowly losing at cricket? (3,4)

Answer: RUN DOWN. Solution satisfies “in a poor state”, and, playfully, “narrowly losing at cricket”.

45. Refrain initially featuring our Rupert and Pooh? (7)

Answer: FORBEAR (i.e. “refrain” from). Solution is FOR (i.e. “initially featuring our Rupert”, i.e. the first letters of “featuring”, “our”, “Rupert”) followed by BEAR (i.e. Winnie the “Pooh”).

47. Reduced manoeuvre in street is hard (6)

Answer: STRICT (i.e. “hard”). Solution is TRICK (i.e. “manoeuvre”) with the last letter removed (indicated by “restricted”) and the remainder placed “in” ST (a recognised abbreviation of “street”), like so: S(TRIC)T.

49. Tons in solar radiation get initially attacked by a wasp (5)

Answer: STUNG (i.e. “attacked by a wasp”). Solution is T (a recognised abbreviation of “tons”) placed “in” SUN (i.e. “solar radiation”) and followed by G (i.e. “get initially”, i.e. the first letter of “get”), like so: S(T)UN-G.

51. Ordinary black curtains (4)

Answer: BEND (i.e. an “ordinary” in heraldry: a BEND is “a parallel band crossing a shield diagonally from top left to bottom right”, while an “ordinary” is “one of a class of armorial charges, figures of simple or geometric form, conventional in character” (both Chambers)). Solution is B (a recognised abbreviation of “black” used in chess) followed by END (i.e. “curtains” or death).