Times Jumbo Cryptic Crossword 1679

A medium strength Jumbo this week that didn’t do too much for me, sadly. There were some good clues to be had, but I can’t recall too much more about it. Your mileage may have varied.

Much more interesting to me was the article in the main paper today (22nd June as I write this) acknowledging, among other things, that The Times’ crosswords have become rather dated – something I’ve brought up a few times in these posts. While the focus in the article was on certain elements of wordplay becoming too obscure for newbie solvers (knowing that Herbert Tree was an actor back in the 1800s for example), I’d extend that criticism to the cultural references in general.

Modern popular culture doesn’t seem to be prohibited by the style guide – we’ve occasionally seen Douglas Adams’ work make it into a Jumbo, or novels such as The Martian… even Public Enemy made a hippety-hoppety appearance a few weeks back – so the reluctance to include more of it in Jumbos baffles me. I can only imagine most Times setters feel it is beneath them. The upshot of this after documenting 330-ish Jumbo solutions over the last five or so years is that I am bored out of my tiny mind with setters trying to impress Stephen Fry every week. I am about done.

So let’s see if this indeed marks a tonal shift in The Times crossword as intimated in the article, or whether it’s all just a load of navel-gazing. I know there is a pipeline of Jumbos still to be published, meaning there’s a load more fuddy-duddyness still to come, so let’s give it, say, another 20 Jumbos before I hang up my black biro. If there is a noticeable shift toward the modern, then lovely. If not, then 350 Jumbos ain’t a bad knock, but I’ll probably be off the pavilion.

Anyway, 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 ran off with the last of the toilet roll wrapped around its middle, bounding about the place like some demented Andrex puppy, then you might find my Just For Fun page of use, though you’ll need to print it off a couple of times to get the full benefit. You can also find links there for solutions to hundreds of Jumbo Cryptics.

Thanks again for your patience and input. Till next time, stay safe out there kids.

Across clues

Criticise Dame blocking demands for way to identify comedian? (3,3,5)

Answer: CAP AND BELLS (i.e. “way to identify comedian”, specifically “the insignia of a professional jester” (Chambers)). Solution is PAN (i.e. “criticise”) and DBE (i.e. “Dame”, specifically a Dame of the British Empire) both placed in or “blocking” CALLS (i.e. “demands”), like so: CA(PAN-DBE)LLS. One remembered from its previous appearance, if I’m honest.

Divide part that’s got dry on the inside (6)

Answer: BISECT (i.e. “divide”). Solution is BIT (i.e. “part”) with SEC (i.e. “dry” in respect of booze) placed “inside” of it, like so: BI(SEC)T.

Abandon some surgery led by doctor (4)

Answer: DROP (i.e. “abandon”). Solution is OP (i.e. “some surgery”, short for operation) placed after or “led by” DR (a recognised abbreviation of “doctor”), like so: DR-OP.

German article on learner in school, not the brightest one? (7)

Answer: PLODDER (i.e. “not the brightest one”). Solution is DER (i.e. “German article”, specifically the German for “the” – an article being a word like a, an or the) placed “on” or after L (a recognised abbreviation of “learner”, e.g. on L-plates) once this has been placed “in” POD (i.e. “school”, e.g. a pod of whales), like so: (P(L)OD)-DER.

Flowering plant Paul replanted around border (7)

Answer: PRIMULA (i.e. “flowering plant”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “replanted”) of PAUL placed “around” RIM (i.e. “border”), like so: P(RIM)ULA.

Bitter passion involving Bishop recalled in account (7)

Answer: ACERBIC (i.e. “bitter”). Solution is IRE (i.e. “passion”) wrapped around or “involving” B (a recognised abbreviation of “bishop” used in chess). This is all then reversed (indicated by “recalled”) and placed “in” ACC (a recognised abbreviation of “account”), like so: AC(ER(B)I)C.

Impoverished adherent unfortunately inconsolable (6-7)

Answer: BROKEN-HEARTED (i.e. “inconsolable”). Solution is BROKE (i.e. “impoverished”) followed by an anagram (indicated by “unfortunately”) of ADHERENT, like so: BROKE-NHEARTED.

Perceived welcoming old woman back as an imposition on staff (5,4)

Answer: TENOR CLEF (i.e. “imposition on staff” in music). Solution is FELT (i.e. “perceived”) wrapped around or “welcoming” CRONE (i.e. “old woman”). This is all then reversed (indicated by “back”), like so: T(ENORC)LEF.

That man about to get taken aback for a time (5)

Answer: EPOCH (i.e. “that man”). Solution is HE (i.e. “that man”) wrapped “about” COP (i.e. “to get”) all reversed (indicated by “taken aback”), like so: E(POC)H.

He or I perhaps will lead a railway – that’s obvious (10)

Answer: ELEMENTARY (i.e. “obvious”). Solution is ELEMENT (i.e. “He or I perhaps”, in this case chemical symbols for helium and iodine respectively – very nicely disguised) followed by A and RY (a recognised abbreviation of “railway”).

Crazy mother backing murderer (6)

Answer: MANIAC (i.e. “crazy”). Solution is MA (informal word for “mother”) followed by CAIN (i.e. biblical “murderer”) once reversed (indicated by “backing”), like so: MA-NIAC.

Head of monastery, settlement not given initial precedence (8)

Answer: PRIORITY (i.e. “precedence”). Solution is PRIOR (i.e. “head of monastery”) followed by CITY (i.e. a “settlement”) once its first letter has been removed (indicated by “not given initial”), like so: PRIOR-ITY.

“PROHIBITIONIST CHAP WITH COMMERCIAL POLICY”? (6,8)

Answer: BANNER HEADLINE, as in how such are often written in capital letters, like the clue, especially in tabloid newspapers. Solution is BANNER (i.e. “prohibitionist”) followed by HE (i.e. “chap”), AD (i.e. “commercial” or advertisement) and LINE (i.e. “policy”).

Depressing experience? Try another way (4-3)

Answer: TURN-OFF. “Try another way” suggests the solution satisfies the first half of the clue in more than one way: 1) descriptive of a downer, and 2) the depressing of a switch to turn it off.

One chronicling chap’s century, suppressing regressive attitude (9)

Answer: HISTORIAN (i.e. “one chronicling”). Solution is HIS TON (i.e. “chap’s century”, say, in a game of cricket) wrapped around or “suppressing” AIR (i.e. “attitude”) once this has been reversed or “regressed”, like so: HIS-TO(RIA)N.

Very good joke recalled, something worth displaying? (3-2)

Answer: PIN-UP (i.e. “something worth displaying”). Solution is PI (i.e. “very good”, short for pious) followed by PUN (i.e. “joke”) once reversed (indicated by “recalled”), like so: PI-NUP.

Clumsy person near to where MPs vote (5)

Answer: LOBBY (i.e. “where MPs vote” in the House of Commons). Solution is LOB (i.e. a “clumsy person”, apparently) followed by BY (i.e. “near to”).

Bachelor, one in post with English sweetheart (9)

Answer: COLUMBINE (i.e. the “sweetheart” of Harlequin in pantomime, according to Chambers). Solution is B (a recognised abbreviation of “bachelor”) and I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”) both placed “in” COLUMN (i.e. “post”) and followed by E (a recognised abbreviation of “English”), like so: COLUM(B-I)N-E.

American writer’s sense of smell repulsed, taking in sea at Calais (7)

Answer: Ralph Waldo EMERSON (i.e. “American writer”). Solution is NOSE (i.e. “sense of smell”) reversed or “repulsed” and wrapped around or “taking in” MER (i.e. “sea at Calais”, i.e. the French for “sea”), like so: E(MER)SON.

Broadcast left disharmony, dismissing writer’s latest lightweight stories (7,7)

Answer: AIRPORT FICTION (i.e. “lightweight stories”). Solution is AIR (i.e. “broadcast”) followed by PORT (i.e. “left” in shipspeak), then FRICTION (i.e. “disharmony”) once the R has been removed (indicated by “dismissing writer’s latest”, i.e. the last letter of “writer”), like so: AIR-PORT-FICTION.

Government: source of some anger on the golf course? (8)

Answer: STEERAGE (i.e. “government”). Solution is S (i.e. “source of some”, i.e. the first letter of “some”) followed by TEE RAGE (i.e. “anger on the golf course”, playfully).

Redirection of fishing gear starts to catch hundreds – smelt, is it? (6)

Answer: STENCH (i.e. “smelt, is it?” – rather well played given smelt is also a variety of fish). Solution is NETS (i.e. “fishing gear”) reversed (indicated by “redirection of…”) and followed by CH (i.e. “starts to catch hundreds”, i.e. the first letters of “catch” and “hundreds”), like so: STEN-CH.

Unexpected fish, a lone catch at sea (10)

Answer: COELACANTH (i.e. “unexpected fish” – over to Chambers: “any of a group of primitive crossopterygian fishes all of which were thought to be extinct until 1938”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “at sea”) of A LONE CATCH. A good anagram, but not much help to solvers who aren’t familiar with primitive crossopterygian fishes.

Content of quite a challenging lecture (5)

Answer: TEACH (i.e. “lecture”). “Content of” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: QUI(TE A CH)ALLENGE.

One not going out after retirement (9)

Answer: INSOMNIAC. Solution satisfies the clue as a whole, taking “going out” to mean nodding off and “retirement” to mean going to bed.

Crows: “Bequests published! You can’t escape the truth!” (6,4,3)

Answer: MURDER WILL OUT (i.e. “you can’t escape the truth”). Solution is MURDER (i.e. a collective noun for some “crows”) followed by WILL (i.e. legal “bequests”) and OUT (i.e. “published”).

Slightly crazy orbit, perhaps incomplete? Mine wasn’t (7)

Answer: Yuri GAGARIN (i.e. “orbit, perhaps incomplete? Mine wasn’t” – he was the first man in space, completing an orbit of earth in 1961). Solution is GAGA (i.e. “slightly crazy”) followed by RING (i.e. “orbit”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “incomplete”), like so: GAGA-RIN.

Official weather forecast possibly a burden (7)

Answer: REFRAIN (i.e. “burden”, a variant meaning being “the part of a song repeated at the end of every stanza, a refrain” (Chambers)). Solution is REF (i.e. “official”, short for referee) followed by RAIN (i.e. “weather forecast possibly”).

Rugby people may be mostly moving single set of rugby posts? (7)

Answer: ENGLISH (i.e. “rugby people may be mostly”. If this indeed the definition then good lord it clunks harder than a Tin Man orgy). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “moving”) of SINGLE followed by H (i.e. “set of rugby posts”, given the shape of the letter H), like so: ENGLIS-H.

Techie recalled study involving basic element of education? (4)

Answer: NERD (i.e. “techie” – yeah, sure, we’re nerds until you suddenly need all that pornography removed from your work laptop). Solution is DEN (i.e. “study”, a room) reversed (indicated by “recalled”) and wrapped around or “involving” R (i.e. “basic element of education”, referring to the idiotically-named Three R’s: reading, riting and rithmetic), like so: NE(R)D.

Line I understand, provided by one modern composer (6)

Answer: György LIGETI (i.e. “modern composer”). Solution is L (a recognised abbreviation of “line”) followed by I, then GET (i.e. “understand”), then I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one” again). Made. To. Fit.

Require large European vessel to show embroidery (11)

Answer: NEEDLECRAFT (i.e. “embroidery”). Solution is NEED (i.e. “require”) followed by L (a recognised abbreviation of “large”), then E (a recognised abbreviation of “European”) and CRAFT (i.e. “vessel”).

Down clues

Efficient secretary blocking message (7)

Answer: CAPABLE (i.e. “efficient”). Solution is PA (i.e. “secretary”, specifically a Personal Assistant) placed in or “blocking” CABLE (i.e. “message”), like so: CA(PA)BLE.

Furious policeman receiving nothing in support – one’s a source of repeated documents (11)

Answer: PHOTOCOPIER (i.e. “one’s a source of repeated documents”). Solution is HOT (i.e. “furious”) and COP (i.e. “policeman”) wrapped around or “receiving” O (i.e. “nothing”). This is all then placed “in” PIER (i.e. “support”), like so: P(HOT-(O)-COP)IER.

Prompt, say, with plague on the rise (5)

Answer: NUDGE (i.e. “prompt”). Solution is EG (i.e. “say” or for example, from the Latin exempli gratia) and DUN (i.e. to “plague” or harass – a variant meaning) all reversed (indicated by “on the rise” – this being a down clue), like so: NUD-GE.

Delivery documentation variously bathetic and terrific (5,11)

Answer: BIRTH CERTIFICATE (i.e. “delivery documentation”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “variously”) of BATHETIC and TERRIFIC.

Sprang around most of field, like many rabbits? (3-5)

Answer: LOP-EARED (i.e. “like many rabbits”). Solution is LOPED (i.e. “sprang”) wrapped “around” AREA (i.e. “field”, e.g. of expertise) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “most of…”), like so: LOPE(ARE)D.

Be prepared for a row or this phrase goes awry (4,3,4)

Answer: SHIP THE OARS (i.e. “be prepared for a row”, or to bring the oars into the boat). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “goes awry”) of OR THIS PHRASE.

Secured maximum value from statistics? (5)

Answer: BOUND. Solution satisfies “secured” and “maximum value from statistics”.

Frivolous, dissipated, welcoming British drizzle (14)

Answer: SCATTERBRAINED (i.e. “frivolous”). Solution is SCATTERED (i.e. “dissipated”) wrapped around or “welcoming” B (a recognised abbreviation of “British”) and RAIN (i.e. “drizzle”), like so: SCATTER(B-RAIN)ED.

Careful to limit river breach, albeit minor (6)

Answer: CRANNY (i.e. “breach, albeit minor”). Solution is CANNY (i.e. “careful”) wrapped around or “limiting” R (a recognised abbreviation of “river”), like so: C(R)ANNY.

Indecently humorous as BA airline flounders (11)

Answer: RABELAISIAN (i.e. “indecently humorous”, supposedly after François Rabelais, a 16th century French writer). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “flounders”) of AS BA AIRLINE. For COELACANTH, see also RABELAISIAN. Le sigh.

Literary genre initially lacking in motion, mostly calm (7)

Answer: PACIFIC (i.e. “calm”). Solution is SCI-FI (i.e. “literary genre”) with its first letter removed (indicated by “initially lacking”) and the remainder placed “in” PACE (i.e. “motion”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “mostly”), like so: PA(CI-FI)C.

Not at the front, a runner’s last to secure prize? On the contrary (8)

Answer: REARWARD (i.e. “not at the front”). Solution is A and R (i.e. “runner’s last” letter) placed in or “secured” by REWARD (i.e. “prize”), like so: RE(A-R)WARD. The “on the contrary” bit reverses the wordplay in the clue, which would have seen REWARD placed in A-R.

Damage unknown following on agreement (7)

Answer: HARMONY (i.e. “agreement”). Solution is HARM (i.e. “damage”) and Y (i.e. “unknown” – setters love referring to X, Y or Z in solutions as unknowns) once placed after or “following” ON, like so: HARM-(ON-Y).

Dance round after smack (5)

Answer: TANGO (i.e. a “dance”). Solution is O (i.e. “round”) placed “after” TANG (i.e. a “smack”, tinge or hint), like so: TANG-O.

Check opening article with list and come up with nothing new (8,3,5)

Answer: REINVENT THE WHEEL (i.e. “come up with nothing new”). Solution is REIN (i.e. to curb or “check”) followed by VENT (i.e. “opening”), then THE (i.e. “article”, being a word like a, an or the), then W (a recognised abbreviation of “with”) and HEEL (i.e. to “list” or lean).

A bowman piercing old man in part of leg (7)

Answer: PATELLA (i.e. “part of leg”). Solution is A and William TELL (i.e. legendary “bowman”) both placed in or “piercing” PA (i.e. “old man”, both informal references to one’s father), like so: P(A-TELL)A.

European moving into region without a cost (7)

Answer: EXPENSE (i.e. “cost”). Solution is EXPANSE (i.e. “region”) with the A removed (indicated by “without a”) and with E (a recognised abbreviation of “European”) “moving into” its place, like so: EXP(A)NSE => EXP(E)NSE.

Prominent figure with concern about end of luncheon after cold dish (6,3,5)

Answer: CHILLI CON CARNE (i.e. “dish”). Solution is HILL ICON (i.e. “prominent figure”, taking “prominent” to mean something sticking out or projecting – crikey, and I thought the clueing for ENGLISH in 53a was weak) followed by CARE (i.e. “concern”) once wrapped “about” N (i.e. “end [letter] of luncheon”). This is all then placed “after” C (a recognised abbreviation of “cold” used on water taps), like so: C-(HILL-ICON-CAR(N)E).

Strasbourg’s ready with external, dubious rationale (7)

Answer: PRETEXT (i.e. “dubious rationale”). Solution is PRET (i.e. “Strasbourg’s ready”, i.e. the French for “ready”, as in Pret a Manger) followed by EXT (short for “external”).

Quantity of chocolate surely transformed with a good piece of confectionery (6,5)

Answer: BARLEY SUGAR (i.e. “piece of confectionery”). Solution is BAR (i.e. “quantity of chocolate”) followed by an anagram (indicated by “transformed”) of SURELY, A and G (a recognised abbreviation of “good”), like so: BAR-LEYSUGAR.

Small amount left in accommodation (5)

Answer: MOTEL (i.e. “accommodation”). Solution is MOTE (i.e. “small amount”) followed by L (a recognised abbreviation of “left”). Good grief. This appeared only a couple of weeks ago in grid 1676, and it appears again in next week’s grid. That’s three MOTELs in the space of 5 Jumbo cryptics. I mean, I don’t want to start wanging on about the office GridFill 4000™ getting stuck on repeat again, but when crap like this happens it’s hard not to.

Barrier to communication worried court in Iran (4,7)

Answer: IRON CURTAIN (i.e. “barrier to communication” between the former Soviet bloc and the West during the Cold War). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “worried”) of COURT IN IRAN.

Greek food spread on a knockout type of bread (11)

Answer: SPANAKOPITA (i.e. “Greek food”, a kind of cheesy spinach pastry). Solution is SPAN (i.e. “spread”) followed by A, then K.O. (short for “knockout”) and PITA (i.e. “type of bread”). Well, at least it wasn’t an anagram.

Filmed willing American entering borders of Canada (2,6)

Answer: ON CAMERA (i.e. “filmed”). Solution is ON (i.e. ready or “willing”) followed by AMER (a recognised abbreviation of “American”) once placed in or “entering” CA (i.e. “borders of Canada”), like so: ON-C(AMER)A.

Stake reputation ultimately on no Scottish radio equipment (8)

Answer: ANTENNAE (i.e. “radio equipment”). Solution is ANTE (i.e. gambling “stake”) followed by N (i.e. “ultimately on”, i.e. the last letter of “on”) and NAE (i.e. “no Scottish”, or the Scots form of “no”).

A bit sozzled to start with, partway through drink (7)

Answer: SMIDGIN (i.e. “a bit”). Solution is S (i.e. “sozzled to begin with”, i.e. the first letter of “sozzled”) followed by MID (i.e. “partway through”) and GIN (i.e. “drink”).

Maestro’s laughter interrupted by start of tense silence (7)

Answer: HOTSHOT (i.e. “maestro”). Solution is HOOT (i.e. “laughter”) wrapped around or “interrupted by” T (i.e. “start of tense”, i.e. the first letter of “tense”) and SH (i.e. “silence”), like so: HO(T-SH)OT.

Wagner opera: nothing to a Frenchman and almost nothing to an American (6)

Answer: RIENZI (i.e. “Wagner opera”). Solution is RIEN (i.e. “nothing to a Frenchman”, i.e. the French for “nothing”) followed by ZIP (i.e. “nothing to an American”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “almost”), like so: RIEN-ZI. Frankly, it’s nothing to me too.

I will follow Manchester United football team initially in civilian gear (5)

Answer: MUFTI (i.e. “civilian gear”). Solution is I placed after or “following” MUFT (i.e. “Manchester United football team initially”, i.e. the first letters of “Manchester United Football Team”), like so: MUFT-I.

Sense dull person’s in charge (5)

Answer: LOGIC (i.e. “sense”). Solution is LOG (i.e. “dull person” – a new one on me) followed by IC (a recognised abbreviation of “in charge”).

Times Jumbo Cryptic Crossword 1678

A medium strength Jumbo, and another with a solid showing of fine clueing. Seems we’re on a good little run of these.

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 darkened your day then, well, that could just be the weather. I mean, have you not been outside at all these last nine months? “Biblical” doesn’t even cover it. (…he says, editing this a week later sitting in glorious sunshine. I’ll take it.) Anyway, if you’re a bit stuck then you might want to take a butchers at my Just For Fun page, where you’ll find links to solutions for hundreds of the things.

Thanks again for your patience and input. Till next time, stay safe out there kids.

With thanks to Dr John in the comments for fixing 28d

Across clues

Dependable pudding – and its eating? (9)

Answer: FOOLPROOF (i.e. “dependable”). Solution is FOOL (i.e. “pudding”) followed by PROOF (i.e. “and its eating”, a play on the phrase “the proof of the pudding is in the eating”).

Keen servant to cross stone wall once confining him? (4,6)

Answer: EAST GERMAN (i.e. Berlin “Wall once confining him”). Solution is EAGER (i.e. “keen”) and MAN (i.e. “servant”) all wrapped around or “crossing” ST (a recognised abbreviation of “stone” weight), like so: EA(ST)GER-MAN.

Small turtle eschewing soft ground (7)

Answer: TERRAIN (i.e. “ground”). Solution is TERRAPIN (i.e. “small turtle”) with the P (i.e. “soft”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of “piano” in musical lingo) removed or “eschewed”.

Beginning to think, philosopher provides clothing collection (9)

Answer: TROUSSEAU (i.e. “clothing collection” – Chambers has: “the clothes…collected by a bride for her marriage”). Solution is T (i.e. “beginning [letter] to think”) followed by Jean-Jacques ROUSSEAU (i.e. 18th century “philosopher”).

Oceanid trapping men in the underworld (5)

Answer: DORIS (i.e. “oceanid”, specifically “a genus of nudibranchiate gastropods, shell-less molluscs with a plumy tuft of gills on the back” (Chambers). Well, there you go, Dorises. Now you know). Solution is OR (i.e. “men”, specifically the Other Ranks of the British Army) placed “in” DIS (i.e. “underworld” – we’ve seen this a few times in Jumbos; Chambers has: “a name for the god Pluto, hence, the infernal world”), like so: D(OR)IS.

Dunce securing prize thus for science branch (12)

Answer: ASTROPHYSICS (i.e. “science branch”). Solution is ASS (i.e. “dunce”) wrapped around or “securing” TROPHY (i.e. “prize”) and SIC (i.e. “thus” in Latin), like so: AS(TROPHY-SIC)S.

One breaking promise backed goddess to bring new life (10)

Answer: REGENERATE (i.e. “bring new life”). Solution is RENEGER (i.e. “one breaking promise”) reversed (indicated by “backed”) and followed by ATE (i.e. Greek “goddess” of mischief), like so: REGENER-ATE.

Top of the Bill? (5,9)

Answer: CHIEF CONSTABLE. Solution satisfies the clue as a whole, taking “the Bill” to be slang for the police.

Respect sappers guarding position, so to speak (2,2,4)

Answer: AS IT WERE (i.e. “so to speak”). Solution is AWE (i.e. “respect”) and RE (i.e. “sappers”, slang for the Royal Engineers of the British Army) all wrapped around or “guarding” SIT (i.e. “position”), like so: A(SIT)WE-RE.

Influence result (6)

Answer: EFFECT. Solution satisfies “influence” and “result”.

Anagram at start to clue terribly old document (5,5)

Answer: MAGNA CARTA (i.e. “old document”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “terribly”) of ANAGRAM AT and C (i.e. “start [letter] to clue”).

Puzzle concerned with public transport (5)

Answer: REBUS (i.e. picture “puzzle”). Solution is RE (i.e. “concerned with”) followed by BUS (i.e. “public transport”).

Brussels refusal to adopt right language (4)

Answer: NORN (i.e. “language” – over to Chambers again: “the old Norse dialect of Orkney and Shetland”). Solution is NON (i.e. “Brussels refusal” – the pedant in me would say there are a few languages spoken in Brussels, but French seems to be the lingua franca) wrapped around or “adopting” R (a recognised abbreviation of “right”), like so: NO(R)N.

Butcher’s service fantastic, baker finally admitted (8)

Answer: MASSACRE (i.e. “butcher”). Solution is MASS (i.e. religious “service”) followed by ACE (i.e. “fantastic”) once wrapped around or “admitting” R (i.e. “baker finally”, i.e. the last letter of “baker”), like so: MASS-AC(R)E.

Energy seen in a race – about one mile (9)

Answer: ANIMATION (i.e. “energy”). Solution is A and NATION (i.e. “race”) wrapped “about” I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”) and M (a recognised abbreviation of “mile”), like so: A-N(I-M)ATION.

Rearrest upper-class criminal – club’s accountant? (9)

Answer: TREASURER (i.e. “club’s accountant”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “criminal”) of REARREST and U (a recognised abbreviation of “upper-class”).

Pilot in bar given nothing you say? (8)

Answer: AERONAUT (i.e. “pilot”). Solution is AERO (i.e. chocolate “bar”) followed by a homophone (indicated by “you say”) of NAUGHT (i.e. “nothing”), like so: AERO-NAUT.

Exploited émigrés initially housed in Bucks? (4)

Answer: USED (i.e. “exploited”). Solution is E (i.e. “émigrés initially”, i.e. the first letter of “émigrés”) placed or “housed in” USD (i.e. “bucks” – ignoring the misleading capitalisation, this is a recognised abbreviation of the US dollar, “bucks” being slang thereof), like so: US(E)D.

Pipe up? (5)

Answer: RISER. Solution satisfies the clue as a whole, being a vertical pipe in a building.

On pole, sea-girt, with sun seen from east in city (3,7)

Answer: LOS ANGELES (i.e. “city”). Solution is LEG (i.e. “on” side in cricket) and N (i.e. “pole”, in this case a recognised abbreviation of “north”) both placed in SEA (indicated by “sea-girt”, a poetic way of describing being surrounded by the sea – not one I knew before, but I rather like the usage) and followed by SOL (i.e. another name for the “sun”). This is all then reversed (indicated by “from east” – this being an across clue), like so: LOS-A(N-GEL)ES.

Horse leading man home (6)

Answer: HEROIN (i.e. “horse”, slang thereof). Solution is HERO (i.e. “leading man”) followed by IN (i.e. “home”).

Removal of water from shower in day time (8)

Answer: DRAINAGE (i.e. “removal of water”). Solution is RAIN (i.e. “shower”) placed “in” D (a recognised abbreviation of “day”) and AGE (i.e. “time”), like so: D-(RAIN)-AGE.

Abbey left as not demolished where Fairfax triumphed (6,2,6)

Answer: BATTLE OF NASEBY (i.e. “where Fairfax triumphed” in 1645, inflicting upon the Royalists a heavy defeat and thus putting into motion the end of the First English Civil War). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “demolished”) of ABBEY LEFT AS NOT.

Cuts courses involving bunk? (10)

Answer: ENTRECOTES (i.e. “cuts”, specifically “a steak cut from between two ribs” (Chambers)). Solution is ENTRÉES (i.e. dinner “courses”) wrapped around or “involving” COT (i.e. bed or “bunk”), like so: ENTRÉ(COT)ES.

Folk performer and comedians working with Three Rs? (6,6)

Answer: MORRIS DANCER (i.e. “folk performer”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “working”) of COMEDIANS and RRR (i.e. “Three Rs”).

Jumblies’ craft is returned the night before (5)

Answer: SIEVE (i.e. “Jumblies’ craft”, referring to Edward Lear’s poem in which the Jumblies went to sea in a sieve). Solution is IS reversed or “returned” and followed by EVE (i.e. “the night before”), like so: SI-EVE.

Plain ties with green buckles (9)

Answer: SERENGETI (i.e. a “plain” in Tanzania). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “buckles”) of TIES and GREEN.

Foreign banker a common character? (7)

Answer: ~~ORINICO~~. [EDIT: Oops. This, of course, ought to have been ORINOCO. Thank you to the mysterious She for the typo fix. – LP] Solution satisfies “foreign banker”, “banker” being a playful reference to a river – the Orinoco is the fourth largest river in the world, flowing through Colombia and Venezuela. Solution also satisfies “a common character”, in this case one of the Wombles wot lived on Wimbledon Common.

Delightful deity embodying love all right (6,4)

Answer: PRETTY GOOD (i.e. “all right”). Solution is PRETTY (i.e. “delightful”) and GOD (i.e. “deity”) wrapped around or “embodying” O (i.e. “love”, a zero score in tennis), like so: PRETTY-G(O)OD.

Drunken idiot sounded very much together (5-4)

Answer: TIGHT-KNIT (i.e. “very much together”). Solution is TIGHT (i.e. “drunken”) followed by a homophone (indicated by “sounded”) of NIT (i.e. “idiot”).

Down clues

Duke crossing river before all others (5)

Answer: FIRST (i.e. “before all others”). Solution is FIST (i.e. “duke”, slang thereof, as in putting up one’s dukes) wrapped around or “crossing” R (a recognised abbreviation of “river”), like so: FI(R)ST.

Eggs parasites laid outside high chief’s chamber (4,6)

Answer: OVAL OFFICE (i.e. “chief’s chamber” in the White House). Solution is OVA (i.e. “eggs”) followed by LICE (i.e. “parasites”) once wrapped around or “laid outside” of OFF (i.e. “high” or tainted), like so: OVA-L(OFF)ICE.

Is it Manx cat sitting atop monument? (8)

Answer: PANTHEON (i.e. “monument”, specifically “a temple of all the Gods, especially the rotunda erected by Hadrian at Rome” (Chambers). Can be used more generally to describe “a general burial place or memorial of the great dead” (Chambers again)). Solution is PANTHER (i.e. a big “cat”) with its last letter removed (playfully indicated by “Manx”, a variety of cat with no tail – I liked this a lot when I twigged it) and the remainder followed by ON (i.e. “atop”), like so: PANTHE-ON.

Doomed Antarctic explorer fed on exceptionally large seals? (5)

Answer: Captain Lawrence OATES (i.e. “doomed Antarctic explorer” who sacrificed himself, uttering the famous last words “I am just going outside and may be some time”). Solution is ATE (i.e. “fed on”) placed in or “sealed” by OS (i.e. “exceptionally large”, a recognised abbreviation of “outsize”), like so: O(ATE)S.

Lunch for example comes before tea in pecking order (4,5)

Answer: FOOD CHAIN (i.e. nature’s “pecking order”). Solution is FOOD (i.e. “lunch for example”) followed by or placed “before” CHA (i.e. “tea”) and IN. Nicely worked.

Language Beardsley used occasionally (4)

Answer: ERSE (i.e. “language”, “formerly, and still occasionally, the name given by Lowland Scots to the language of the people of the West Highlands, as being of Irish origin” (Chambers)). “Used occasionally” indicates the solution is derived from every other letter of BEARDSLEY.

Spit in the food? (6)

Answer: SKEWER. Solution satisfies the clue as a whole, taking “spit” to be another word for SKEWER. Another clue I rather liked.

Muscle, too much shown by English-American gladiator? (7,7)

Answer: GLUTEUS MAXIMUS (i.e. bum “muscle”). Solution is GLUT (i.e. “too much”) followed by E (a recognised abbreviation of “English”), US (ditto “American”) and MAXIMUS (i.e. central character of the film “Gladiator”. Again, very cool).

Special occasion when message arrives from China? (3-6,3)

Answer: RED-LETTER DAY (i.e. “special occasion”). The clue also satisfies “when message arrives from China”, playing on LETTER being a “message” and RED being the colour associated with communism, the Chinese Communist Party being the sole ruling party of “China”. You get the idea.

Flying home, atmosphere foul (7)

Answer: AIRBASE (i.e. a “flying home”, or a site in which aircraft is housed). Solution is AIR (i.e. “atmosphere”) followed by BASE (i.e. “foul”).

Randomly select a man to freshen up the carpets? (5-5)

Answer: STEAM-CLEAN (i.e. “to freshen up the carpets”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “randomly”) of SELECT A MAN.

Writer’s point supportive of saint, nevertheless (9)

Answer: Robert Louis STEVENSON (i.e. “writer”). Solution is N (i.e. compass “point”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of “north”) placed at the end or “supportive of” – this being a down clue – ST (a recognised abbreviation of “saint”) and EVEN SO (i.e. “nevertheless”), like so: ST-(EVEN-SO)-N.

ARP signal everyone understood (3,5)

Answer: ALL CLEAR (i.e. “ARP signal”, ARP being a recognised abbreviation of “air-raid precautions”). Solution is ALL (i.e. “everyone”) followed by CLEAR (i.e. “understood”).

Playing well, accompanying King’s Singers (9)

Answer: INFORMERS (i.e. “singers” or grassers). Solution is IN FORM (i.e. “playing well”) followed ER’S (i.e. “king’s”, specifically Edwardus Rex made possessive).

Sewer in Main Street runs through dining-room (10)

Answer: SEAMSTRESS (i.e. “sewer”). Solution is SEA (i.e. “main”, ignoring the misleading capitalisation – this is another word for the high sea) followed by ST (a recognised abbreviation of “street”) and R (a recognised abbreviation of “runs” used in a number of ball games) once both placed in or “through” MESS (i.e. military “dining-room”), like so: SEA-M(ST-R)ESS.

Female relative, super-polite, concealing enmity at first (5-5)

Answer: GREAT-NIECE (i.e. “female relative”). Solution is GREAT (i.e. “super”) and NICE (i.e. “polite”) all wrapped around or “concealing” E (i.e. “enmity at first”, i.e. the first letter of “enmity”), like so: GREAT-NI(E)CE.

Yellow butterfly is absolutely filled with colour (9)

Answer: BRIMSTONE (i.e. “yellow butterfly”, quite common apparently). Solution is BRIMS (i.e. “is absolutely filled with”) followed by TONE (i.e. “colour”).

Socialise with ugly Romeo, cavorting in irreverent manner (14)

Answer: ~~SACRELIGIOUSLY~~ [EDIT: Oops, spelling fail. Should be SACRILEGIOUSLY. Thanks to Dr John in the comments for the correction. – LP] (i.e. “in irreverent manner”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “cavorting”) of SOCIALISE, UGLY and R (“Romeo” in the phonetic alphabet).

Bond dated, but powerful feller (8)

Answer: CHAINSAW (i.e. “powerful feller” of trees). Solution is CHAIN (i.e. “bond”) followed by SAW (i.e. “dated” romantically).

38 of 47s perhaps appearing in Alien (12)

Answer: ESTRANGEMENT (i.e. “38”, the solution to 38d being SEPARATION). Solution is STRANGE MEN (i.e. “47s”, the solution to 47d being WEIRDO) all placed “in” ET (i.e. “alien”, ignoring the misleading formatting, this is a recognised abbreviation of “extra-terrestrial”), like so: E(STRANGE-MEN)T.

Current temperature raised with inflammation and fatigue (9)

Answer: TIREDNESS (i.e. “fatigue”). Solution is I (i.e. being a recognised abbreviation of an electrical “current” used in physics) and T (a recognised abbreviation of “temperature”) all reversed (indicated by “raised” – this being a down clue) and followed by REDNESS (i.e. “inflammation”), like so: (T-I)-REDNESS.

Explore northern city and tolerate rowdy brawl (10)

Answer: DONNYBROOK (i.e. “rowdy brawl”, taken from the fair at Donnybrook, Dublin, which ran from the 13th century to the mid-19th century). Solution is DO (i.e. “explore”) followed by N (a recognised abbreviation of “northern”), then NY (i.e. “city”, specifically New York) and BROOK (i.e. “tolerate”).

Wrecked on a sea trip in Split (10)

Answer: SEPARATION (i.e. “split”, ignoring the misleading capitalisation). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “wrecked”) of ON A SEA TRIP.

Sociable old pirate brought in abstaining totally (9)

Answer: EXTROVERT (i.e. “sociable”). Solution is EX (i.e. “old”) followed by ROVER (i.e. “pirate”) once first placed “in” TT (i.e. “abstaining totally”, a recognised abbreviation of “teetotal”), like so: EX-T(ROVER)T.

Derivative and tasteless film-making process? (8)

Answer: OFFSHOOT (i.e. “derivative”). Solution is OFF (i.e. “tasteless”) followed by SHOOT (i.e. “film-making process”).

Nocturnal creature with an illness that needs attention? (3,4)

Answer: ANT BEAR (i.e. “nocturnal creature”, another name for a giant aardvark). Solution is AN followed by TB (i.e. “illness”, specifically tuberculosis) and EAR (i.e. “attention”).

Odd fish in barrier across river as before (6)

Answer: WEIRDO (i.e. “odd fish”). Solution is WEIR (i.e. “barrier across river”) followed by DO (i.e. “as before”, a variant form of “ditto”).

Sorry about official decision barring learner (5)

Answer: RUING (i.e. “sorry”). Solution is RULING (i.e. “official decision”) with the L removed (indicated by “barring learner” – L being a recognised abbreviation thereof, e.g. on L-plates).

Conservative hooligan showing political muscle? (5)

Answer: CLOUT (i.e. “political muscle”). Solution is C (a recognised abbreviation of “Conservative”) followed by LOUT (i.e. “hooligan”).

Mabinogion character: sup up! (4)

Answer: ENID (i.e. “Mabinogion character”, from Geraint and Enid, one of the Three Welsh Romances of the Mabinogion, a collection of medieval Welsh stories). Solution is DINE (i.e. “sup” – can be taken as a shortened form of “supper”) reversed (indicated by “up” – this being a down clue).

Times Jumbo Cryptic Crossword 1677

Stinker time, and a goodie to boot. I believe this is the setter who likes to use all the letters of the alphabet in the grid and nearly every trick in the book when writing the clues. Can’t knock the effort, there. Some of the misdirection was top-notch too: clueing OF FEET as “pedal”, for example, or COL as “Mustard”, after a certain character in Cluedo. Very cool.

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 you jiggered 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 input. Till next time, stay safe out there kids.

Across clues

Pedal across river in pursuit of cold-drink container (9)

Answer: COFFEE POT (i.e. “drink container”). Solution is OF FEET (i.e. “pedal”) wrapped around or placed “across” PO (a “river” in Italy popular with Jumbo setters). This is all then placed after or “in pursuit of” C (a recognised abbreviation of “cold” used on water taps), like so: C-(OF-FEE(PO)T).

Sportsman I hit when running who’s been put off his race? (13)

Answer: MISANTHROPIST (i.e. someone “who’s been put off his race”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “when running”) of SPORTSMAN I HIT.

Put back, in touching scene (5)

Answer: RESET (i.e. “put back”). Solution is RE (i.e. “touching” or regarding – think email replies) followed by SET (i.e. “scene”, e.g. a movie set).

Food fanatic hurt by obstruction (3,6)

Answer: NUT CUTLET (i.e. “food”). Solution is NUT (i.e. “fanatic”) followed by CUT (i.e. “hurt”) and LET (i.e. “obstruction”, an archaic variant meaning).

Setter must have say, reflecting where ego comes from? (7)

Answer: GELATIN (i.e. a “setter” or “glue, prepared from albuminous matter, e.g. bones and hides” (Chambers)). Solution is EG (i.e. “say” or for example, from the Latin exempli gratia) reversed (indicated by “reflecting”) and followed by LATIN (i.e. “where ego comes from”), like so: GE-LATIN.

Acknowledgement that doctor’s up in his practice? (3,4,2,7,6)

Answer: YOU KNOW MY METHODS WATSON. The solution satisfies the clue as a whole, being a quote from a number of Sherlock Holmes stories. “Up”, on this occasion, is another word for being versed or well-informed. That’s about it, I guess.

Living death, say, of old fool consuming variable amounts (8)

Answer: OXYMORON (i.e. “living death, say”, the solution being a phrase of contradictory terms). Solution is O (a recognised abbreviation of “old”) and MORON (i.e. “fool”) all wrapped around or “consuming” X and Y (i.e. “variable amounts” – setters love referring to X, Y or Z in solutions as variables or unknowns), like so: O-(X-Y)-MORON.

Turn to trivial attraction? Yes, if NY ultimately overrated somehow (8)

Answer: DISNEYFY (i.e. “turn to trivial attraction”, after a fashion. Chambers has this, if it’s any clearer: “to present or process the history of, or facts concerning (a site, etc) by means of video films or other visual aids, especially simplistically for the convenience of the tourist, instead of encouraging exposure to the actual environment”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “somehow”) of YES IF NY and D (i.e. “ultimately overrated”).

The end of cabbage-moth, its wings clipped back (5)

Answer: OMEGA (i.e. “the end” or conclusion, after the last letter of the Greek alphabet). “Its wings clipped” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, removing the outer letters of CABB(AGE-MO)TH, while “back” indicates the solution has been reversed.

Awkward, with tennis shot rebounding short (6)

Answer: BOLSHY (i.e. “awkward”). Solution is LOB (i.e. “tennis shot”) reversed (indicated by “rebounding”) and followed by SHY (i.e. “short” of the required amount), like so: BOL-SHY.

Do you understand article extracted from ancient bit of Morse code? (6)

Answer: GEDDIT (i.e. “do you understand”). Solution is AGED (i.e. “ancient”) with the A removed (indicated by “article extracted from…” – an article being a word like a, an or the) and the remainder followed by DIT (i.e. “bit of Morse code”), like so: GED-DIT.

Celebrate with band, having relations over (5,2,2)

Answer: WHOOP IT UP (i.e. “celebrate”). Solution is W (a recognised abbreviation of “with”) followed by HOOP (i.e. “band”), then IT (i.e. “having relations”, a euphemism for nookie, congress, the beast with two backs, getting one’s oats, playing hide-the-sausage, having a knee-trembler and generally the whole of Monty Python’s Nudge, Nudge sketch. If you’re still in the dark then ask your parents) and UP (i.e. “over” or finished).

Wages to take in combination with one’s printed currency (5,5)

Answer: PAPER MONEY (i.e. “printed currency”). Solution is PAY (i.e. “wages”) wrapped around or “taking in” PERM (i.e. “combination”, short for permutation) and ONE, like so: PA(PERM-ONE)Y.

Wryneck is a curse for one in the audience? (4)

Answer: JYNX (i.e. “wryneck”). Solution is a homophone (indicated by “for one in the audience”) of JINX (i.e. “a curse”). This was made somewhat easier by me asking “okay, what the hell is a wryneck?”, looking it up in my Chambers and seeing it is “a member of a genus of small birds (genus Jynx)”. I’m not going to look a gift horse in the mouth.

Religious court to risk row involving husband (4,3)

Answer: BETH DIN (i.e. “religious court”). Solution is BET (i.e. “to risk”) and DIN (i.e. “row”) all wrapped around or “involving” H (a recognised abbreviation of “husband”), like so: BET-(H)-DIN.

Violent storm nearly closed navy yard? Not regularly (7)

Answer: TORNADO (i.e. “violent storm”). Solution is TO (i.e. of a door “nearly closed”) followed by RN (i.e. “navy”, specifically the Royal Navy) and ADO (i.e. “yard not regularly”, i.e. every other letter of YARD NOT).

Round, empty space a copper’s left for cell (4)

Answer: OVUM (i.e. reproductive “cell”). Solution is O (i.e. “round”) followed by VACUUM (i.e. “empty space”) once the A and CU (chemical symbol for “copper”) have been removed or “left”, like so: O-VUM.

Assiduously if cheesily punned? (10)

Answer: CAERPHILLY, a variety of “cheese”. Clue plays on the solution being a homophone of CAREFULLY (i.e. “assiduously”).

Later round mine fails to explode (9)

Answer: SEMIFINAL (i.e. “later round”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “to explode”) of MINE FAILS.

Is French star briefly producing Godless book? (6)

Answer: ESTHER (i.e. “Godless book” – apparently the Book of Esther is one of only two books of The Bible that doesn’t mention Him Upstairs). Solution is EST (i.e. “is French”, i.e. the French for “is”) followed by HERO (i.e. “star” of the story) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “briefly”), like so: EST-HER.

Host needing bedsit around Notting Hill for one (6)

Answer: ROMCOM (i.e. “Notting Hill for one” – other romantic comedies are available, so I’m told). Solution is MC (i.e. “host” or Master of Ceremonies) with ROOM (i.e. “bedsit”) placed “around” it, like so: RO(MC)OM.

Old priest cheated when clinching game (5)

Answer: DRUID (i.e. “old priest”). Solution is DID (i.e. “cheated”, as in doing someone) wrapped around or “clinching” RU (i.e. “game”, specifically Rugby Union), like so: D(RU)ID.

Old jail is empty, indeed (8)

Answer: HOLLOWAY (i.e. “old jail”, closed in 2016). Solution is HOLLOW (i.e. “empty”) followed by AY (i.e. “indeed” or aye).

Bill’s partner often eliminates cross females in culinary contests (4-4)

Answer: COOK-OFFS (i.e. “culinary contests”). Solution is COO (i.e. “bill’s partner often” after the phrase “bill and coo”, an informal phrase describing lovers’ intimate talking and kissing) followed by K.O.S (i.e. “eliminates” or Knocks Out) once wrapped around or “crossing” F and F (both recognised abbreviations of “female”), like so: COO-K.O.(FF)S.

Picture Greek going as a result of it? (3,7,2,4,6)

Answer: THE MADNESS OF KING GEORGE (i.e. “picture”, in this case a 1994 movie starring Nigel Hawthorne). The remainder of the clue plays on how KING GEORGE is an anagram (indicated by “THE MADNESS OF”) of “Greek Going”.

Port from military canteen not available after one (7)

Answer: MESSINA (i.e. an Italian “port”). Solution is MESS (i.e. “military canteen”) followed by N/A (i.e. “not available”) once first placed “after” I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”), like so: MESS-(I-N/A).

Work that’s both hard and I bet shattering (3,6)

Answer: THE HOBBIT (i.e. “work”, in this case a novel by J.R.R. Tolkien). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “shattering”) of BOTH, H (a recognised abbreviation of “hard” used in grading pencils) and I BET.

One from the Middle East, not long back (5)

Answer: OMANI (i.e. “one from the Middle East”). Solution is IN A MO (i.e. “not long”) once reversed (indicated by “back”).

Be alert! The first hunter possibly has returned? (5,4,4)

Answer: WATCH ONE’S BACK (i.e. “be alert”). Solution also playfully satisfies “the first hunter possibly has returned” – a hunter being a type of watch protected by a metal case, the ‘S in the solution becoming a contraction of “is”.

Hear about girlfriend holding party after film triumph (3,4,2)

Answer: GET WIND OF (i.e. “hear about”). Solution is GF (a recognised abbreviation of “girlfriend”) wrapped around or “holding” DO (i.e. slang for a “party”) once this has been placed “after” ET (i.e. “film”, our old friend ET: The Extra-Terrestrial) and WIN (i.e. “triumph”), like so: G((ET-WIN)-DO)F.

Down clues

One preparing The Trotters, perhaps, to go through at end of season? (5,4)

Answer: CURRY COMB (i.e. “one preparing the trotters, perhaps”, specifically “a plastic or rubber brush used for currying horses” (Chambers), playing on a variant meaning of CURRY. Chambers also suggests this ought to have been a single word, not that it would have helped!) Solution is COMB (i.e. trawl or “go through”) placed after or “at end of” CURRY (i.e. “season”).

Pilots conceal error in method of achieving height (7,4)

Answer: FOSBURY FLOP (i.e. “method of achieving height” pioneered by Dick Fosbury, an American high jumper who revolutionised the sport with this technique). Solution is FOS (i.e. “pilots” or Flight Officers) followed by BURY (i.e. “conceal”) and FLOP (i.e. “error”).

Tidy last of autumn leaves, with none remaining? (5)

Answer: EATEN (i.e. “with none remaining”). Solution is NEATEN (i.e. “tidy”) with the first N (i.e. “last [letter] of autumn”) removed or “leaving”.

Longed to hold court when making deal? (8)

Answer: PINEWOOD (i.e. “deal” – a variant meaning being “a fir or pine board of a standard size” (Chambers)). Solution is PINED (i.e. “longed”) wrapped around or “holding” WOO (i.e. to “court” someone), like so: PINE(WOO)D.

Grumpy’s spurned by cold nymph (6)

Answer: TETHYS (i.e. sea “nymph” of Greek myth). Solution is TETCHY’S (i.e. “Grumpy’s”, read as “Grumpy is”) with the C (a recognised abbreviation of “cold” already covered in 1a) removed or “spurned”, like so: TETHY’S.

Unruly mob issued Republican fliers (10)

Answer: MOUSEBIRDS (i.e. “fliers”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “unruly”) of MOB ISSUED and R (a recognised abbreviation of “Republicans”).

Writer from NZ, honestly, is rubbish (12)

Answer: Aleksandr SOLZHENITSYN (i.e. “writer”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “rubbish”) of NZ HONESTLY IS.

Remarkably, if periodically on foot, few delays (7)

Answer: NOTEDLY (i.e. “remarkably”). “Periodically” indicates the solution is derived from every other letter of ON FOOT FEW DELAYS.

Malpractice taking a heavy toll? (7,7)

Answer: HIGHWAY ROBBERY. Solution satisfies the clue as a whole, taking “toll” to mean a tax paid to drive along a section of road.

Having no siblings? What’s more jolly! (4,3)

Answer: ONLY TOO (i.e. “jolly” or very). Solution is ONLY (i.e. “having no siblings”) followed by TOO (i.e. additionally or “what’s more”).

Preface, extremely short, chap’s withdrawn (11)

Answer: INTROVERTED (i.e. “withdrawn”). Solution is INTRO (i.e. “preface”) followed by VERY (i.e. “extremely”) with its last letter removed (indicated by “short”), then TED (i.e. “chap’s” name), like so: INTRO-VER-TED.

Heavily defeat, causing upset in tie (4)

Answer: TONK (i.e. “heavily defeat”). Solution is KNOT (i.e. “tie”) reversed or “upset” – this being a down clue.

Amphetamine around a displaced person is something unwelcome (3,5)

Answer: BAD PENNY (i.e. “something unwelcome”). Solution is BENNY (slang for an “amphetamine” tablet) wrapped “around” A and DP (a recognised abbreviation of “displaced person”), like so: B(A-DP)ENNY.

The Dutch maybe with a life to envy! (5,4)

Answer: OTHER HALF (i.e. “the dutch” – ignoring the misleading capitalisation, this is Cockney rhyming slang for a wife, supposedly short for Duchess of Fife. We’ve seen this a few times in Jumbos, but not for a little while). Solution also satisfies someone “with a life to envy”, as in how the other half live.

Pole, one travelling around in pursuit of good breeding stock (4,4)

Answer: GENE POOL (i.e. “breeding stock”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “travelling around”) of POLE ONE placed after or “in pursuit of” G (a recognised abbreviation of “good”), like so: G-ENEPOOL.

Waterproof cover to get bigger daily (3,5)

Answer: WAX PAPER (i.e. “waterproof cover”). Solution is WAX (i.e. “get bigger”) followed by PAPER (i.e. “daily”).

Field attack often using knight’s primitive weapon (9)

Answer: PITCHFORK (i.e. “primitive weapon”). Solution is PITCH (i.e. “field”) followed by FORK (i.e. “attack often using knight” – over to Chambers again: “in chess, to attack (two pieces) simultaneously”).

To be received on board coach, he had to be wasted! (2,4,3,5)

Answer: GO DOWN THE DRAIN (i.e. “to be wasted”). Solution is GO DOWN (i.e. “to be received”, as in going down a storm) followed by TRAIN (i.e. “coach”) once wrapped around or having “on board” HE’D (a contraction of “he had”), like so: GO-DOWN-T(HE’D)RAIN.

Confined to bed, I sat upright, lifting cast off (3,5)

Answer: PUT ASIDE (i.e. “cast off”). “Confined to” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, while “lifting” indicates the solution has been reversed – this being a down clue –like so: B(ED I SAT UP)RIGHT.

He worked with one fine Basque ruler’s famous visitor (5,2,5)

Answer: QUEEN OF SHEBA (i.e. “ruler’s famous visitor”, the ruler being King Solomon). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “worked”) of HE, ONE, F (a recognised abbreviation of “fine” used in grading pencils) and BASQUE.

Lodger when speaking knows Italian, apparently (6,3,2)

Answer: RUMOUR HAS IT (i.e. “apparently”). Solution is a homophone (indicated by “when speaking”) of ROOMER (i.e. “lodger”) followed by HAS (i.e. “knows”) and IT (a recognised abbreviation of “Italian”).

Second row to result from security at hospital? (4,7)

Answer: LOCK FORWARD (i.e. “second row” in a rugby scrum). When written as LOCK FOR WARD the solution playfully satisfies “security at hospital”.

After end of tea break catch folk not fully prepared (2,4-4)

Answer: AT HALF-COCK (i.e. “not fully prepared”). Solution is A (i.e. “end [letter] of tea”) with an anagram (indicated by “break”) of CATCH FOLK placed “after” it, like so: A-THALFCOCK.

Wrong opinion one’s to contradict, interrupting rather loudly (9)

Answer: MISBELIEF (i.e. “wrong opinion”). Solution is I’S (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one’s”) and BELIE (i.e. “to contradict”) both placed in or “interrupting” MF (i.e. “rather loudly”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of mezzo-forte used in musical lingo), like so: M(I’S-BELIE)F.

Behind can be rested on twig? No chance! (6,2)

Answer: FORGET IT (i.e. “no chance”). Solution is FOR (i.e. “behind” or in favour of) followed by GET IT (i.e. “twig” or realise).

Reservoir I’m disgusted to find almost dry? (7)

Answer: DAMPISH (i.e. “almost dry”). Solution is DAM (i.e. “reservoir”) followed by PISH (i.e. “I’m disgusted”).

Reflecting determined, true character of Hamlet (7)

Answer: LAERTES (i.e. “character of Hamlet”. If you know it, you know it). Solution is SET (i.e. “determined”) and REAL (i.e. “true”) all reversed (indicated by “reflecting”), like so: LAER-TES.

Tall touring basketball players refuse to go there (3,3)

Answer: BIN BAG (i.e. “refuse to go there”). Solution is BIG (i.e. “tall”) wrapped around or “touring” NBA (i.e. “basketball players”, the National Basketball Association of the US), like so: BI(NBA)G.

Mustard perhaps in that is revolting cause of illness (1,4)

Answer: E-COLI (i.e. “cause of illness”). Solution is COL (i.e. “Mustard perhaps”, referring to Colonel Mustard in a game of Cluedo) placed “in” IE (i.e. “that is”, i.e. “i.e.”, from the Latin id est). The whole is then reversed (indicated by “revolting” or uprising – this being a down clue), like so: E(COL)I.

Duck sounds like cat with its tail up (4)

Answer: SMEW (i.e. a sea “duck”, apparently). Solution is MEWS (i.e. “sounds like a cat”) with the last letter or “tail” moved “up” to the beginning – this being a down clue – like so: MEW(S) => (S)MEW.

Times Jumbo Cryptic Crossword 1676

Another Bank Holiday Jumbo. (May is such a cruel month for my poor typing fingers, all two of them.)

While the previous Jumbo was a hard act to follow, I must highlight and show my appreciation for the setter’s effort in filling the grid with so many long single-word solutions. Indeed, the only phrases you’ll find in the grid occupy the two longest solutions. Very cool.

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 had its wicked way with you 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 input. Till next time, stay safe out there kids.

Across clues

Reportedly assume lupine identity in ancient English poem (7)

Answer: BEOWULF (i.e. “ancient English poem”). Solution comprises homophones (indicated by “reportedly”) of BE A WOLF (i.e. “assume lupine identity”).

Flexible mould used by cobblers in film (7)

Answer: PLASTIC (i.e. “flexible”). Solution is LAST (i.e. “mould used by cobblers”, a variant meaning notably used in grid 1646 in a clue yielding THE LAST OF THE MOHICANS) placed “in” PIC (i.e. “film”, short for picture), like so: P(LAST)IC.

Become tense when argument goes in several different directions (7)

Answer: STIFFEN (i.e. “become tense”). Solution is TIFF (i.e. “argument”) placed “in” S E and N (i.e. “several different directions”, recognised abbreviations of south, east and north respectively), like so: S(TIFF)EN.

In front at last, hungry for such an injection? (11)

Answer: INTRAVENOUS (i.e. variety of “injection”). Solution is IN followed by T (i.e. “front at last”, i.e. the last letter of “front”) and RAVENOUS (i.e. “hungry”).

Readers initially commit a sin, somehow identifying Byron’s style (11)

Answer: ROMANTICISM (i.e. “Byron’s style”). Solution is R (i.e. “readers initially”, i.e. the first letter of “readers”) followed by an anagram (indicated by “somehow”) of COMMIT A SIN, like so: R-OMANTICISM.

Good entertainer, one writing for another (5)

Answer: GHOST (i.e. “one writing for another”). Solution is G (a recognised abbreviation of “good”) followed by HOST (i.e. “entertainer”).

Dutch navigator engaging quiet chap once working in bar (7)

Answer: TAPSMAN (i.e. “chap once working in bar” – all my dictionaries would beg to differ, suggesting the solution would instead be a TAPSTER. Chambers has for TAPSMAN “a servant in overall charge of others; chief of a company of drovers”, which doesn’t sound the same). Solution is Abel TASMAN (i.e. “Dutch navigator”) wrapped around or “engaging” P (i.e. “quiet”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of “piano” in musical lingo), like so: TA(P)SMAN.

Engraver using illegal aid in most of added material (9)

Answer: INSCRIBER (i.e. “engraver”). Solution is CRIB (i.e. “illegal aid”, or copying another’s work) placed “in” INSERT (i.e. “added material”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “most of”), like so: INS(CRIB)ER.

Story originally read during specific game at Hampstead location? (3,7,2,3,6)

Answer: THE CRICKET ON THE HEARTH (i.e. “story” by Charles Dickens). Solution is R (i.e. “originally read”, i.e. the first letter of “read”) placed “during” THE (i.e. “specific”), CRICKET (i.e. “game”) and ON THE HEATH (i.e. “at Hampstead location”), like so: THE-CRICKET-ON-THE-HEA(R)TH.

Further evaluate soldiers taking a couple of ships round East (8)

Answer: REASSESS (i.e. “further evaluate”). Solution is RE (i.e. “soldiers”, specifically the Royal Engineers of the British Army) followed by A, SS and SS (the latter two “a couple of ships”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of “steamship”) once these have been wrapped “round” E (a recognised abbreviation of “east”), like so: RE-A-SS-(E)-SS.

Basic device for securing electric cable, say (6)

Answer: STAPLE. Solution satisfies “basic” and “device for securing electric cable, say”.

First-class addition to dessert, perhaps (7)

Answer: TOPPING. Solution satisfies “first-class” and “addition to dessert, perhaps”.

Hoard of money picked up by listeners (5)

Answer: CACHE (i.e. “hoard”). Solution is a homophone (indicated by “picked up”) of CASH (i.e. “money”).

Stole across border, one in a former country (7)

Answer: BOHEMIA (i.e. “former country”). Solution is BOA (i.e. “stole” or garment) wrapped around or placed “across” HEM (i.e. “border”) and I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”), like so: BO(HEM-I)A.

Woman in Holy Writ displaying sagacity? Not so (9)

Answer: OTHERWISE (i.e. “not so”). Solution is HER (i.e. “woman”) placed “in” OT (i.e. “Holy Writ”, basically the Old Testament of The Bible) and WISE (i.e. “sagacity”), like so: OT-(HER)-WISE.

Admiral finally leaves River Plate, manoeuvring armed vessel (9)

Answer: PRIVATEER (i.e. “armed vessel”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “manoeuvring”) of RIVER PLATE once the L (i.e. “Admiral finally”, i.e. the last letter of “Admiral”) has “left”.

Financiers swapping area for love? That’s crazy! (7)

Answer: BONKERS (i.e. “crazy”). Solution is BANKERS (i.e. “financiers”) with the A (a recognised abbreviation of “area”) “swapped for” O (i.e. “love”, a zero score in tennis), like so: B(A)NKERS => B(O)NKERS.

Singer mostly dressing formally? (5)

Answer: ROBIN (i.e. “singer” or songbird). Solution is ROBING (i.e. “dressing formally”) with the last letter removed (indicated by “mostly”).

When a milk supplier is most essential to begin with? (7)

Answer: TEATIME. The solution satisfies the solution as a whole, taking TEA to be a cuppa, but also comprises TEAT (i.e. “milk supplier”), I M and E (i.e. “is most essential to begin with”, i.e. the first letters of “is”, “most” and “essential”).

Lamb, so-called, following American girl (6)

Answer: AMELIA (i.e. “girl’s” name). Solution is ELIA (i.e. “Lamb, so-called”, an alias of 19th century poet and essayist Charles Lamb) placed after or “following” AM (a recognised abbreviation of “American”), like so: AM-ELIA.

Liqueur, a new one, prepared for a speaker (8)

Answer: ANISETTE (i.e. “liqueur”). Solution is A followed by N (a recognised abbreviation of “new”), then I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”, again) and a homophone (indicated by “for a speaker”) of SET (i.e. “prepared”), like so: A-N-I-SETTE.

Lions turn up at end of a summer: a warning against vanity (5,5,6,1,4)

Answer: PRIDE COMES BEFORE A FALL (i.e. “a warning against vanity”). Solution is PRIDE COMES (i.e. “lions turn up”) followed by BEFORE A FALL (i.e. “at end of a summer”, FALL being another word for autumn).

Circus performer’s two-wheeled vehicle unknown in new site (9)

Answer: TRAPEZIST (i.e. “circus performer”). Solution is TRAP (i.e. “two-wheeled vehicle”) followed by Z (i.e. “unknown” – setters love referring to X, Y or Z in solutions as unknowns) once placed “in” an anagram (indicated by “new”) of SITE, like so: TRAP-E(Z)IST.

Eccentric group concealing drug in Arthur’s place (7)

Answer: CAMELOT (i.e. King “Arthur’s place”). Solution is CAM (i.e. “eccentric” – funny how this comes round like buses. I can’t be bothered to go into it again so excuse me while I copy and paste this lot from grid 1670 last month. Chambers has: “in mechanics, an irregular projection on a revolving shaft or rotating cylinder, shaped so as to transmit regular movement to another part”. “Eccentric” meanwhile is “with the axis to one side, not at the centre”) and LOT (i.e. “group”) all wrapped around or “concealing” E (i.e. “drug”, slang name of ecstasy), like so: CAM-(E)-LOT.

Tragic lover, Aussie native, touring Maine (5)

Answer: ROMEO (i.e. “tragic lover” of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet). Solution is ROO (i.e. “Aussie native”, informal name for a kangaroo) wrapped around or “touring” ME (US state abbreviation of “Maine”), like so: RO(ME)O.

Perplexing male acting a lie? That’s out of order (11)

Answer: ENIGMATICAL (i.e. “perplexing”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “that’s out of order”) of M (a recognised abbreviation of “male”) and ACTING A LIE.

Disloyal educator muzzling Republican round America (11)

Answer: TREACHEROUS (i.e. “disloyal”). Solution is TEACHER (i.e. “educator”) wrapped around or “muzzling” R (a recognised abbreviation of “Republican”) and followed by O (i.e. “round”), then US (i.e. “America”), like so: T(R)EACHER-O-US.

Some metropolitan trickery to do with sacred writings (7)

Answer: TANTRIC (i.e. “to do with sacred writings”). “Some” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: METROPOLI(TAN TRIC)KERY.

Portrait painter keeps young lady, as permitted by law (7)

Answer: LEGALLY (i.e. “as permitted by law”). Solution is Peter LELY (i.e. 17th century “portrait painter”) wrapped around or “keeping” GAL (i.e. “young lady”), like so: LE(GAL)LY.

Like fatty substance primarily located deep in Scottish river (7)

Answer: TALLOWY (i.e. “like fatty substance”). Solution is L (i.e. “primarily located”, i.e. the first letter of “located”) and LOW (i.e. “deep”) both placed “in” TAY (i.e. “Scottish river”), like so: TA(L-LOW)Y.

Down clues

Newlywed collecting last of stuffing for game (6)

Answer: BRIDGE (i.e. card “game”). Solution is BRIDE (i.e. “newlywed”) wrapped around or “collecting” G (i.e. “last of stuffing”, i.e. the last letter of “stuffing”), like so: BRID(G)E.

Detached settlement’s blooming mail! (7)

Answer: OUTPOST (i.e. “detached settlement”). Solution is OUT (i.e. of flowers, “blooming”) followed by POST (i.e. “mail”).

Unsuitability of steps a nun contrived (9)

Answer: UNAPTNESS (i.e. “unsuitability”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “contrived”) of STEPS A NUN.

Fast-moving naval task force (5)

Answer: FLEET. Solution satisfies “fast-moving” and “naval task force”.

Likelihood programme of courses will exclude you and me (8)

Answer: PROSPECT (i.e. “likelihood”). Solution is PROSPECTUS (i.e. “programme of courses” at, say, a university) with the US removed (indicated by “exclude you and me”).

A service sent up for tea (5)

Answer: ASSAM (i.e. Indian “tea”). Solution is A followed by MASS (i.e. religious “service”) once the latter has been reversed (indicated by “sent up” – this being a down clue), like so: A-SSAM.

City taken in by conductor on tour (7)

Answer: TORONTO (i.e. “city”). “Taken in by” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: CONDUC(TOR ON TO)UR.

Ladies in panel carry out supporter with sign (14)

Answer: COMMITTEEWOMEN (i.e. “ladies in panel”). Solution is COMMIT (i.e. “carry out”) followed by TEE (i.e. golf ball “supporter”), W (a recognised abbreviation of “with”) and OMEN (i.e. “sign”).

Ageing nurse once looking down on eastern perfume (9)

Answer: SENESCENT (i.e. “ageing” – one I knew from casually researching a silly story idea. There’s a small jellyfish, turritopsis dohrnii, that is technically immortal in that it has the ability to revert to its polyp form when sick, old or exposed to some degree of stress. Through the wonders of modern science, a secret government gene-splicing operation hidden in RAF Marham, a dash of radioactive waste and a generous suspension of belief this would inevitably lead to the UK being overrun by immortal Lovecraftian Godzillas or something. I’ll accept my Booker now, thank you). Solution is SEN (i.e. “nurse once”, specifically a State Enrolled Nurse) followed by E (a recognised abbreviation of “eastern”) and SCENT (i.e. “perfume”).

More distant old firm supported by former monarch (5)

Answer: ICIER (i.e. “more distant”). Solution is ICI (i.e. “old firm”, Imperial Chemical Industries) followed by ER (i.e. “former monarch”, Elizabeth Regina).

Frivolous person initially finds freedom, we hear, before gallows (15)

Answer: FLIBBERTIGIBBET (i.e. “frivolous person”). Solution is F (i.e. “initially finds”, i.e. the first letter of “finds”) followed by a homophone (indicated by “we hear”) of LIBERTY, then GIBBET (i.e. “gallows”), like so: F-LIBBERTI-GIBBET.

Ancient Egyptian leader upset about demonstration (7)

Answer: NOMARCH (i.e. “ancient Egyptian leader” – cheers, Bradfords! Chambers has: “the governor of a nome”, a nome being “a province or department, especially one in ancient Rome or modern Greece”) Solution is ON (i.e. “about” or regarding) reversed (indicated by “upset” – this being a down clue) and followed by MARCH (i.e. “demonstration”).

Ridiculous anger gripping little brother or sister (7)

Answer: RISIBLE (i.e. “ridiculous”). Solution is RILE (i.e. to “anger”) wrapped around or “gripping” SIB (i.e. “little brother or sister”, i.e. a shortened form of “sibling”), like so: RI(SIB)LE.

English fellow in dark fur, worthy of respect (9)

Answer: ESTIMABLE (i.e. “worthy of respect”). Solution is E (a recognised abbreviation of “English”) followed by TIM (i.e. “fellow’s” name) once placed “in” SABLE (i.e. “dark fur”), like so: E-S(TIM)ABLE.

Capital raised to keep a monarch (7)

Answer: EMPEROR (i.e. “monarch”). Solution is ROME (i.e. “capital” of Italy) reversed (indicated by “raised” – this being a down clue) and wrapped around or “keeping” PER (i.e. “a”, as in lottery tickets being two pounds a pop), like so: EM(PER)OR.

Nutter taking two addictive drugs (8)

Answer: CRACKPOT (i.e. “nutter”). When written as CRACK and POT the solution also satisfies “two addictive drugs”.

Adjustment at Italian comic’s ground (15)

Answer: ACCLIMATISATION (i.e. “adjustment”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “ground”) of AT ITALIAN COMIC’S.

Initiator of action involving port authority in dispute (9)

Answer: PLAINTIFF (i.e. “initiator of [legal] action”). Solution is PLA (i.e. “port authority”, specifically the Port of London Authority) followed by IN and TIFF (i.e. “dispute”).

Chap protecting eagle circling small island (8)

Answer: GUERNSEY (i.e. “island”). Solution is GUY (i.e. “chap”) wrapped around or “protecting” ERNE (i.e. a sea “eagle”) once this has itself been wrapped around or “circling” S (a recognised abbreviation of “small”), like so: GU(ERN(S)E)Y.

Chap involved with a true claim relating to drugs (14)

Answer: PHARMACEUTICAL (i.e. “relating to drugs”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “involved”) of CHAP and A TRUE CLAIM.

Raised bar? This person’s hard to pin down (7)

Answer: EVASIVE (i.e. “hard to pin down”). Solution is SAVE (i.e. “bar” or excepting) reversed (indicated by “raised” – again, this being a down clue) and followed by I’VE (i.e. “this person’s”, i.e. a contraction of I HAVE), like so: EVAS-I’VE.

Exclamation of praise from woman holding up book (7)

Answer: HOSANNA (i.e. “exclamation of praise”). Solution is ANNA (i.e. “woman’s” name) placed after or “holding up” – down clue again – HOS (i.e. “book”, in this case a recognised abbreviation of the Book of Hosea in The Bible), like so: HOS-ANNA.

Self-centred, became accepted in swinging cities (9)

Answer: EGOTISTIC (i.e. “self-centred”). Solution is GOT (i.e. “accepted”) placed “in” an anagram (indicated by “swinging”) of CITIES, like so: E(GOT)ISTIC.

Look thoroughly for listeners where flights are accommodated (9)

Answer: STAIRWELL (i.e. “where flights are accommodated”). Solution is a homophone (indicated by “for listeners”) of STARE WELL (i.e. “look thoroughly”).

Jesting duke unknown to keep luxury car (8)

Answer: DROLLERY (i.e. “jesting”). Solution is D (a recognised abbreviation of “duke”) and Y (i.e. “unknown”, already covered in 48a) all wrapped around ROLLER (i.e. “luxury car”, slang for a Rolls Royce), like so: D-(ROLLER)-Y.

Forbearing person in doctor’s waiting room? (7)

Answer: PATIENT. Solution satisfies “forbearing” and “person in doctor’s waiting room”.

Given support, register build-up of work (7)

Answer: BACKLOG (i.e. “build-up of work”). Solution is BACK (i.e. “support”) followed by LOG (i.e. “register”).

Move falteringly over river, one in SE Africa (7)

Answer: LIMPOPO (i.e. “river, one in SE Africa”). Solution is LIMP (i.e. “move falteringly”) followed by O (a recognised abbreviation of “over” used in cricket) and PO (i.e. a “river” in Italy – a spot of recycling).

Like keen equestrians losing heart in N London district (6)

Answer: HORSEY (i.e. “like keen equestrians”). Solution is HORNSEY (i.e. “N London district”) once the middle letter or “heart” has been “lost”.

Man in army corps climbing round back of hill (5)

Answer: ELMER E. Fryar (i.e. “man in army corps” notable for being posthumously awarded the US Medal of Honor during World War II). Solution is REME (i.e. “army corps” – more recycling – these are the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers of the British Army) reversed (indicated by “climbing”, down clue yada yada yada) and wrapped “round” L (i.e. “back of hill”, i.e. the last letter of “hill”), like so: E(L)MER.

Roadside accommodation army doctor hired going north (5)

Answer: MOTEL (i.e. “roadside accommodation”). Solution is MO (i.e. “army doctor”, or Medical Officer) followed by LET (i.e. “hired”) once reversed (indicated by “going north”, down clue etc), like so: MO-TEL.

Time to do something about India, it’s implied (5)

Answer: TACIT (i.e. “implied”). Solution is T (a recognised abbreviation of “time”) followed by ACT (i.e. “to do something”) once wrapped “about” I (“India” in the phonetic alphabet), like so: T-AC(I)T.

Times Jumbo Cryptic Crossword 1675

A rather enjoyable Jumbo this week, I thought, and one featuring a good number of well-worked clues. Probably the best Jumbo we’ve had for a while, in my less-than-humble opinion.

Thanks again for your patience and input. Till next time (i.e. in a minute or two, given this was a Bank Holiday) stay safe out there kids.

Across clues

Toast last drink (7,2)

Answer: BOTTOMS UP (i.e. “toast”). Solution is BOTTOM (i.e. “last”) followed by SUP (i.e. “drink”).

“The Greatest” wingers from Goodison stand in a row (5)

Answer: ALIGN (i.e. “stand in a row”). Solution is Muhammad ALI (i.e. “The Greatest”, so he’d claim) followed by GN (i.e. “wingers from Goodison”, i.e. the first and last letters of “Goodison”).

Stay twenty four hours in Paris, very new surroundings (7)

Answer: SOJOURN (i.e. to “stay twenty-four hours”). Solution is JOUR (i.e. “twenty four hours in Paris”, i.e. the French for “day” – a spot of recycling there) placed in or “surrounded” by SO (i.e. “very”) and N (a recognised abbreviation of “new”), like so: SO-(JOUR)-N.

Iceberg rolls, killing one Cape diver (5)

Answer: GREBE (i.e. “diving” bird). Solution is ICEBERG reversed (indicated by “rolls”) and with the I and C removed (indicated by “killing one Cape” – I being Roman numeral “one”; C being a recognised abbreviation of “cape”).

Vivid chart recalled Channel Islands (7)

Answer: GRAPHIC (i.e. “vivid”). Solution is GRAPH (i.e. “chart”) followed by CI (a recognised abbreviation of “Channel Islands”) once reversed (indicated by “recalled”), like so: GRAPH-IC.

Wandering in pursuit of black bird (9)

Answer: BRAMBLING (i.e. “bird”). Solution is RAMBLING (i.e. “wandering”) placed after or “in pursuit of” B (a recognised abbreviation of “black” used in chess), like so: B-RAMBLING.

Cheap accommodation ultimately dodgy, the loo shut off (5,6)

Answer: YOUTH HOSTEL (i.e. “cheap accommodation”). Solution is Y (i.e. “ultimately dodgy”, i.e. the last letter of “dodgy”) followed by an anagram (indicated by “off”) of THE LOO SHUT, like so: Y-OUTHHOSTEL.

Bar nicely renovated hosting European male hip hop act (6,5)

Answer: PUBLIC ENEMY (i.e. “hip hop act” – it’s always refreshing to see something more modern in Jumbos. It shows it doesn’t have to be Rachmaninoff or Berlioz every week). Solution is PUB (i.e. “bar”) followed by an anagram (indicated by “renovated”) of NICELY once wrapped around or “hosting” E (a recognised abbreviation of “European”) and M (ditto “male”), like so: PUB-LICEN(E-M)Y.

Republican lodged in a bogus religious retreat (6)

Answer: ASHRAM (i.e. “religious retreat”). Solution is R (a recognised abbreviation of “Republican”) placed or “lodged in” A and SHAM (i.e. “bogus”), like so: A-SH(R)AM. Seen this a few times in Jumbos now, making this an easier get.

Subjects against abandoning senses of rights and wrongs? (8)

Answer: SCIENCES (i.e. “subjects”). Solution is CONSCIENCES (i.e. “senses of rights and wrongs”) with the CON (i.e. “against”) removed or “abandoned”.

Senior churchman once a reformed character (3,3)

Answer: NEW MAN (i.e. “reformed character”). When the solution is written as John Henry NEWMAN the solution also satisfies “senior churchman once”. Seriously though? You stick this guy in when you could have had Paul frickin’ NEWMAN in your Jumbo?! Cool Hand Luke, man, come on! Jeez, what a waste.

Brilliant Independent covering church feature (8)

Answer: INSPIRED (i.e. “brilliant”). Solution is IND (a recognised abbreviation of “independent”) wrapped around or “covering” SPIRE (i.e. “church feature”), like so: IN(SPIRE)D.

Somehow thinks wife cheated, invoking puzzled query (4,3,7)

Answer: WHAT THE DICKENS (i.e. “puzzled query”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “somehow”) of THINKS, W (a recognised abbreviation of “wife”) and CHEATED.

Some Rt Hon gentleman getting minimal coverage down under (5)

Answer: THONG (i.e. “minimal coverage down under”, and something you do not want to see me in. Nor I for that matter. Eew). “Some” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: R(T HON G)ENTLEMAN.

Empty beer jug for tea maker (6)

Answer: BREWER (i.e. “tea maker”). Solution is BR (i.e. “empty beer”, i.e. the word “beer” with all its middle letters removed) followed by EWER (i.e. “jug”). This clue has been lifted almost wholesale from grid 1652 back in January. Disappointing, but seemingly a trend now with Jumbos.

Book of verse, indeed, just opened by idiot (6,4)

Answer: VANITY FAIR (i.e. “book” by William Makepeace Thackeray). Solution is V (a recognised abbreviation of “verse”), AY (i.e. “indeed”, shortened form of “aye”) and FAIR (i.e. “just”) all wrapped around or “opened by” NIT (i.e. “idiot”), like so: V-A(NIT)Y-FAIR.

Cover tip of finger in fresh guacamole (10)

Answer: CAMOUFLAGE (i.e. “cover”). Solution is F (i.e. “tip of finger”, i.e. the first letter of “finger”) placed “in” an anagram (indicated by “fresh”) of GUACAMOLE, like so: CAMOU(F)LAGE. Nicely worked.

Cave reached when crossing river (6)

Answer: GROTTO (i.e. “cave”). Solution is GOT TO (i.e. “reached”) wrapped around or “crossing” R (a recognised abbreviation of “river”), like so: G(R)OT-TO.

I must visit doctor, working somewhere in the field (3-2)

Answer: MID-ON (i.e. “somewhere in the field” in a game of cricket). Solution is I placed in or “visiting” MD (i.e. “doctor”, specifically a Doctor of Medicine or Medicinae Doctor) and followed by ON (i.e. “working”), like so: M(I)D-ON.

Strangle Will in chaotic hand-to-hand combat (3-2,9)

Answer: ALL-IN WRESTLING (i.e. “hand-to-hand combat”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “chaotic”) of STRANGLE WILL IN.

Blood sport, day one: endless avarice (8)

Answer: PEDIGREE (i.e. “blood”). Solution is PE (i.e. “sport” or Physical Education) followed by D (a recognised abbreviation of “day”), I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”, again) and GREED (i.e. “avarice”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “endless”), like so: PE-D-I-GREE.

Walked daintily around ground (6)

Answer: MINCED. Solution satisfies “walked daintily around” and “ground”, say, meat.

Greek god sat for artist, covering one leg (8)

Answer: POSEIDON (i.e. “Greek god” of the sea). Solution is POSED (i.e. “sat for artist”) wrapped around or “covering” I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”, again, again) and followed by ON (i.e. “leg” side in cricket), like so: POSE(I)D-ON.

Formal accessory page Henry wears fitting perfectly (3,3)

Answer: TOP HAT (i.e. “formal accessory”). Solution is P (a recognised abbreviation of “page”) and H (ditto “Henry”, a unit of measurement) both placed in or “wearing” TO A T (i.e. “perfectly”), like so: TO-(P-H)-A-T.

Inspirational sister moved priest with task (11)

Answer: TERPSICHORE (i.e. “inspirational sister”, one of the nine muses of Greek mythology). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “moved”) of PRIEST followed by CHORE (i.e. “task”), like so: TERPSI-CHORE.

Teller of tellers? (4,7)

Answer: BANK MANAGER. Clue plays on two definitions (one playful) of “teller”: one being a bank worker, the other being someone telling another what to do. Another nicely worked clue.

Four opening large uniform chest producing a lot of money (9)

Answer: LUCRATIVE (i.e. “producing a lot of money”). Solution is IV (i.e. “four” in Roman numerals) placed in or “opening” L (a recognised abbreviation of “large”), U (“uniform” in the phonetic alphabet) and CRATE (i.e. “chest”), like so: L-U-CRAT(IV)E.

Under control, remove phosphorous and boron from copper zinc alloy (2,5)

Answer: IN CHECK (i.e. “under control”). Solution is PINCHBECK (i.e. “copper zinc alloy”) with the P and B removed (indicated by “remove phosphorous and boron from…” – P being the chemical symbol of phosphorous and B being that of boron). Blimey, it’s like this week’s setter saw me comment last month that using HEMISTICHES to help hide EUPHEMISTIC in a clue was flexing, this after a previous setter managed to hide MAHATMA GANDHI in a clue, and they thought “Oh, yeah? That’s nothing. Watch this…” In a weird way – especially considering how quickly I reach for the pitchforks whenever an exotic solution pops up – I’m rather loving all this cruciverbal showboating.

Idiot stealing article from continental port (5)

Answer: TWERP (i.e. “idiot”). Solution is ANTWERP (i.e. “continental port”) with the AN removed (indicated by “stealing article from…” – an article being a word like a, an or the).

Continue film franchise (5,2)

Answer: CARRY ON. Solution satisfies “continue” and “film franchise”.

Element of technical language judge dismissed (5)

Answer: ARGON (i.e. chemical “element”). Solution is JARGON (i.e. “technical language”) with the J removed (indicated by “judge dismissed” – J being a recognised abbreviation thereof).

Deeply troubled auditor men tediously cut down to size (9)

Answer: TORMENTED (i.e. “deeply troubled”). “Cut down to size” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, removing the outer letters from AUDI(TOR MEN TED)IOUSLY.

Down clues

Loose goods stored in compartment (5)

Answer: BAGGY (i.e. “loose”). Solution is G and G (both a recognised abbreviation of “good”) placed or “stored in” BAY (i.e. “compartment”), like so: BA(G-G)Y.

Treating Sheffield chums to a classic performance at The Crucible? (3,7,2,5)

Answer: THE DUCHESS OF MALFI (i.e. a Jacobean tragedy by John Webster, and hence potentially a “classic performance at The Crucible”, a theatre in “Sheffield”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “treating”) of SHEFFIELD CHUMS TO A. Another well-worked clue.

Maybe sweaty husband enters having too much on his plate? (11)

Answer: OVERHEATING (i.e. “maybe sweaty”). Solution is H (a recognised abbreviation of “husband”) placed in or “entering” OVEREATING (i.e. “having too much on his plate”), like so: OVER(H)EATING.

In America, civilians perhaps turning up to register for the dole (4,2)

Answer: SIGN ON (i.e. “register for the dole”). Solution is NON-GIS (i.e. “in America, civilians perhaps”, i.e. those not in the army) all reversed (indicated by “turning up” – this being a down clue), like so: SIG-NON.

Complain about neckwear Charlie’s wearing in rehearsal (8)

Answer: PRACTICE (i.e. “rehearsal”). Solution is CARP (i.e. “complain”) reversed (indicated by “about”) and followed by TIE (i.e. “neckwear”) once wrapped around or “wore by” C (“Charlie” in the phonetic alphabet), like so: PRAC-TI(C)E.

Vulnerable area which mother didn’t bathe? (8,4)

Answer: ACHILLES HEEL. Solution satisfies the clue as a whole. In Greek mythology, Thetis dunked the infant Achilles in the river Styx in an attempt to make him immortal, but didn’t think about the bit she was holding.

Legal disqualification of secretary in Machu Picchu? (10)

Answer: INCAPACITY (i.e. “legal disqualification”). Solution is PA (i.e. “secretary” or Personal Assistant) placed “in” INCA CITY (i.e. “Machu Picchu”), like so: INCA-(PA)-CITY.

Arrest former pupil, a rich and powerful man (5)

Answer: NABOB (i.e. “a rich and powerful man”). Solution is NAB (i.e. “arrest”) followed by OB (i.e. “former pupil” or Old Boy).

Said to include one working in position (9)

Answer: STATIONED (i.e. “in position”). Solution is STATED (i.e. “said”) wrapped around or “including” I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”, again, again, again) and ON (i.e. “working”, again), like so: STAT(I-ON)ED.

A wry BBC joke turned out to be a bit of nonsense (11)

Answer: JABBERWOCKY (i.e. “a bit of nonsense” from Lewis Carroll). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “turned out”) of A WRY BBC JOKE.

Join a trade union (5)

Answer: UNITE. Solution satisfies “join” and “a trade union” of the UK.

City of Northern Aragon’s premier painter? (6)

Answer: NAGOYA (i.e. Japanese “city”). Solution is N (a recognised abbreviation of “northern”) followed by A (i.e. “Aragon’s premier”, i.e. the first letter of “Aragon”) and Francisco GOYA (i.e. “painter” who was indeed from Aragon). One nailed solely from the wordplay, but I did quite like this one.

Helen’s lover to box out of bounds nobleman (10)

Answer: ARISTOCRAT (i.e. “nobleman”). Solution is PARIS (i.e. “Helen’s lover” in Greek myth) TO and CRATE (i.e. “box”) with the first and last letters removed from the phrase as a whole (indicated by “out of bounds”), like so: ARIS-TO-CRAT.

Quiet whiskies reportedly bringing on sentimentality (8)

Answer: SCHMALTZ (i.e. “sentimentality”). Solution comprises homophones (indicated by “reportedly”) of SH! (i.e. “quiet”) and MALTS (i.e. “whiskies”).

Old king wildly threatened with large axe briefly (9,3,5)

Answer: ALEXANDER THE GREAT (i.e. “old king”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “wildly”) of THREATENED, LARGE and AXE once the latter has had its final letter removed (indicated by “briefly”).

Coarse abuse upset labour clergyman (6)

Answer: VERBAL (i.e. “coarse abuse”). Solution is LAB (a recognised abbreviation of the “Labour” party) and REV (i.e. “clergyman”, short for reverend) all reversed (indicated by “upset” – this being a down clue), like so: VER-BAL.

Sharp alpha male, whimsical Australian mostly on the inside (10)

Answer: ASTRINGENT (i.e. “sharp”). Solution is A (“alpha” in the phonetic alphabet) and GENT (i.e. “male”) all wrapped around or having “on the inside” STRINE (i.e. “whimsical Australian”, or “a jocular name given to Australian English in terms of its vernacular pronunciation” (Chambers), supposedly after how an Aussie would pronounce “Australian”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “mostly”), like so: A-(STRIN)-GENT.

Considers sounding out routes to the summit (6,2)

Answer: WEIGHS UP (i.e. “considers”). Solution is a homophone (indicated by “sounding out”) of WAYS UP (i.e. “routes to the summit”).

In my opinion, low-down character of Shakespeare’s work (6)

Answer: IMOGEN (i.e. “character of Shakespeare’s work”, namely Cymbeline). Solution is IMO (shortform for “in my opinion”) followed by GEN (i.e. “low-down” or information). Another I got from the wordplay alone. Shakespeare leaves me stone cold.

African on CBS rubbished English philosopher (7,5)

Answer: FRANCIS BACON (i.e. “English philosopher”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “rubbished”) of AFRICAN ON CBS.

Wasteful convent initially failing to collect tax by first of April (11)

Answer: UNNECESSARY (i.e. “wasteful”). Solution is NUNNERY (i.e. “convent”) with the first letter removed (indicated by “initially failing”) and the remainder wrapped around CESS (i.e. obsolete UK word for a “tax”, remembered from a couple of weeks ago) and A (i.e. “first [letter] of April”), like so: UNNE(CESS-A)RY.

Met Estonian’s renovated split-level home (11)

Answer: MAISONNETTE (i.e. “split-level home”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “renovated”) of MET ESTONIAN.

Penny and Heather admitting Daisy is laying it on a bit thick, perhaps (10)

Answer: PLASTERING (i.e. “laying it on a bit thick”). Solution is P (a recognised abbreviation of “penny”) and LING (i.e. “heather”, ignoring the misleading capitalisation) all wrapped around ASTER (i.e. “daisy”, ditto), like so: P-L(ASTER)ING.

Cut sauce which has been thickened (9)

Answer: REDUCTION. Solution satisfies “cut” and “sauce which has been thickened”.

Dismal signal from conductor (8)

Answer: DOWNBEAT. Solution satisfies “dismal” and “signal from conductor”.

Style of writing with a tendency to lean to the right? (6)

Answer: ITALIC. Solution satisfies the clue as a whole, given italics are slanted characters.

One likes to drag small donkey over river (6)

Answer: SMOKER (i.e. “one likes to drag” on a ciggie). Solution is S (a recognised abbreviation of “small”) followed by MOKE (i.e. slang for a “donkey”) and R (a recognised abbreviation of “river”).

Competitive driver, one in fancy car (5)

Answer: RACER (i.e. “competitive driver”). Solution is ACE (i.e. “one” as a playing card) placed “in” RR (i.e. “fancy car”, in this case a Rolls Royce. Presumably this is after their logo but none of my dictionaries list it), like so: R(ACE)R. Solution appeared back in September in grid 1634 along with a very similar clue, making this an easier get.

Last character used to symbolise the resistance? (5)

Answer: OMEGA. Solution satisfies “last character” of the Greek alphabet, and “used to symbolise … resistance” in physics.

Quick police operation featuring Robocop finally (5)

Answer: RAPID (i.e. “quick”). Solution is RAID (i.e. “police operation”) wrapped around or “featuring” P (i.e. “Robocop finally”, i.e. the last letter of “Robocop”), like so: RA(P)ID.

Times Jumbo Cryptic Crossword 1674

A medium strength Jumbo that was okay but didn’t leave too much of a lasting impression on me, other than being another one of those ISRAELI/DISRAELI Jumbos. How tedious. More on that later.

Thanks again for your patience and input. Till next time, stay safe out there kids.

Across clues

Expert in family trees got lineages mixed up (11)

Answer: GENEALOGIST (i.e. “expert in family trees”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “mixed up”) of GOT LINEAGES.

Tribute in vacuous Hello! publication by European (6)

Answer: HOMAGE (i.e. “tribute”). Solution is HO (i.e. “vacuous hello”, i.e. the word “hello” with all the middle letters removed) followed by MAG (i.e. “publication”) and E (a recognised abbreviation of “European”).

Difficulties of a couple in Spain? (4)

Answer: ADOS (i.e. “difficulties”). Solution is A followed by DOS (i.e. “couple in Spain” or the Spanish for “two”).

Useful information on public profile (7)

Answer: OUTLINE (i.e. “profile”). Solution is LINE (i.e. “useful information”, informally – Chambers supports it deep into the definitions) placed “on” or after OUT (i.e. made “public”), like so: OUT-LINE.

Short frame cut mostly from a certain metal (7)

Answer: STANNIC (i.e. “from a certain metal”, or “relating to tin in its quadrivalent state” (Chambers). Ah, of course. It was on the tip of my tongue). Solution is STAND (i.e. “frame”) with its last letter removed (indicated by “short”) and the remainder followed by NICK (i.e. “cut”) once the last letter has also been removed (indicated by “mostly”), like so: STAN-NIC.

Possible requirement for sad story being discussed (2,5)

Answer: AT ISSUE (i.e. “being discussed”). When written as A TISSUE the solution also satisfies “possible requirement for sad story”.

Collected works by author abridged for festival (6,7)

Answer: CORPUS CHRISTI (i.e. “the ‘festival’ in honour of the Eucharist” (Chambers)). Solution is CORPUS (i.e. “collected works”) followed by Agatha CHRISTIE (i.e. “author”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “abridged”).

Something prompting you to grab a rest (9)

Answer: REMAINDER (i.e. the “rest”). Solution is REMINDER (i.e. “something prompting you”) wrapped around or “grabbing” A, like so: REM(A)INDER.

Regularly on it, managed to get drunk (5)

Answer: OILED (i.e. slang for being “drunk”). Solution is OI (i.e. “regularly on it”, i.e. every other letter of ON IT) followed by LED (i.e. “managed”, say, a team).

Queen welcomes in philosopher supported by old politician (4,6)

Answer: MARK ANTONY (i.e. “old politician” of the Roman Empire). Solution is MARY (i.e. a “queen”) wrapped around or “welcoming” Immanuel KANT (i.e. “philosopher”) along with ON (i.e. “supported by”, positionally), like so: MAR(KANT-ON)Y.

Finally, stir in fizzy tonic and lemon flavouring (6)

Answer: CITRON (i.e. “lemon flavouring”). Solution is R (i.e. “finally stir”, i.e. the last letter of “stir”) placed “in” an anagram (indicated by “fizzy”) of TONIC, like so: CIT(R)ON.

Wearing suit a lot (2,6)

Answer: IN SPADES (i.e. “a lot”). Solution is IN (i.e. “wearing”) followed by SPADES (i.e. “suit” in a deck of playing cards).

Making products from oil – some pretty rich, possibly (14)

Answer: PETROCHEMISTRY (i.e. “making products from oil”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “possibly”) of SOME PRETTY RICH.

Have groups of friends succeeded? (7)

Answer: POSSESS (i.e. “have”). Solution is POSSES (i.e. “groups of friends”) followed by S (a recognised abbreviation of “succeeded”).

Outgoing former partner fought to drop last of charges, right? (9)

Answer: EXTROVERT (i.e. “outgoing”). Solution is EX (i.e. “former partner”) followed by STROVE (i.e. “fought”) once the S has been removed (indicated by “to drop last [letter] of charges”). This is all then followed by RT (a recognised abbreviation of “right”, as in Rt Hon), like so: EX-TROVE-RT.

Writer of poetry in rhyme, primarily (5)

Answer: HOMER (i.e. ancient Greek “writer of poetry”). Solution is HOME (i.e. “in”) followed by R (i.e. “rhyme primarily”, i.e. the first letter of “rhyme”).

Bookish PhD beset by desire to make a comeback (5)

Answer: NERDY (i.e. “bookish”). Solution is DR (i.e. “PhD” or Doctor of Philosophy) placed in or “beset by” YEN (i.e. “desire”) once reversed (indicated by “to make a comeback”), like so: NE(RD)Y.

Doctor rules out taking diazepam in the end for shaking (9)

Answer: TREMULOUS (i.e. “shaking”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “doctor”) of RULES OUT wrapped around or “taking” M (i.e. “diazepam in the end”, i.e. the last letter of “diazepam”), like so: TRE(M)ULOUS.

Small note accompanying love letter from overseas (7)

Answer: OMICRON (i.e. “letter from overseas”, specifically the Greek alphabet). Solution is MICRO (i.e. “small”) and N (a recognised abbreviation of “note”) both placed after or “accompanying” O (i.e. “love”, a zero score in tennis), like so: O-(MICRO-N).

Hacks maybe look forward to lectures (14)

Answer: EXPECTORATIONS (i.e. “hacks” or coughs). Solution is EXPECT (i.e. “look forward to”) followed by ORATIONS (i.e. “lectures”).

Gifted show-off’s debut incorporating extravagant dances (8)

Answer: GAVOTTES (i.e. “dances”). Solution is GAVE (i.e. “gifted”) and S (i.e. “show-off’s debut”, i.e. the first letter of “show-off”) all wrapped around or “incorporating” OTT (i.e. “extravagant” or Over-The-Top), like so: GAV(OTT)E-S.

Extremely dry sandwiches are not pleasant to eat (6)

Answer: DAINTY (i.e. “pleasant to eat”). Solution is DY (i.e. “extremely dry”, i.e. the first and last letters of “dry”) wrapped around or “sandwiching” AINT (i.e. “are not”), like so: D(AINT)Y.

Boar about to eat insect and a large bear (5,5)

Answer: GIANT PANDA (i.e. “large bear”). Solution is PIG (i.e. “boar”) reversed (indicated by “about”) and wrapped around or “eating” ANT (i.e. “insect”). This is all followed by AND A, like so: GI(ANT)P-AND-A.

Workers sited principally alongside river (5)

Answer: STAFF (i.e. “workers”). Solution is S (i.e. “sited principally”, i.e. the first letter of “sited”) followed by TAFF (i.e. a “river” in Wales).

Very notable time period inspiring each TV serial (4,5)

Answer: SOAP OPERA (i.e. “TV serial”). Solution is SO (i.e. “very”) and ERA (i.e. “notable time period”) all wrapped around or “inspiring” A POP (i.e. “each”), like so: SO-(A-POP)-ERA.

Texan law enforcer let a greenhorn off (3,4,6)

Answer: THE LONE RANGER (i.e. “Texan law enforcer” of American TV). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “off”) of LET A GREENHORN.

Healthier-looking police officer in more uncivilised surroundings? (7)

Answer: RUDDIER (i.e. “healthier-looking”). Solution is DI (i.e. “police officer”, specifically a Detective Inspector) placed “in” or “surrounded” by RUDER (i.e. “more uncivilised”), like so: RUD(DI)ER.

Former PM, heading away from Haifa, perhaps (7)

Answer: ISRAELI (i.e. “from Haifa, perhaps”). Solution is Benjamin DISRAELI (i.e. “former PM”) with the first letter removed or “heading away”. Poor helmsmanship from the puzzle editor again. You can literally go back two pages in the Saturday Review and see DISRAELI in the grid from a couple of weeks ago, achieved through the inverse of this clue. We’ve had this whole lazy ISRAELI <= => DISRAELI construction so many times since I started writing these posts it seems we’re just going to have to put up with it until all the other Times setters have had a go.

One digging a verse about Roman goddess (7)

Answer: MINERVA (i.e. “Roman goddess” of wisdom). Solution is MINER (i.e. “one digging”) followed by A and V (a recognised abbreviation of “verse”) once the latter two have been reversed (indicated by “about”), like so: MINER-(V-A).

Mythical Queen accomplished nothing (4)

Answer: DIDO (i.e. “mythical queen” and founder of Carthage). Solution is DID (i.e. “accomplished”) followed by O (i.e. “nothing”).

Cleaner emptied out sluice harbouring nasty smell (6)

Answer: SPONGE (i.e. “cleaner”). Solution is SE (i.e. “emptied out sluice”, i.e. the word “sluice” with all its middle letters removed) wrapped around or “harbouring” PONG (i.e. “nasty smell”), like so: S(PONG)E.

Person hunting for a certain gift? (6,5)

Answer: TALENT SCOUT. Solution satisfies the clue as a whole. Not much else to say about this one, unless I’m missing something clever.

Down clues

Endlessly bad-tempered old comedian (7)

Answer: GROUCHO Marx (i.e. “comedian”). Solution is GROUCHY (i.e. “bad-tempered”) with its last letter removed (indicated by “endlessly”) and the remainder followed by O (a recognised abbreviation of “old”), like so: GROUCH-O.

Botany experts – people barely seen around a lake (11)

Answer: NATURALISTS (i.e. “botany experts”). Solution is NATURISTS (i.e. “people barely seen”) wrapped “around” A and L (a recognised abbreviation of “lake”), like so: NATUR(A-L)ISTS.

So long as deception’s ingrained, everything’s unclear at first (5)

Answer: ADIEU (i.e. “so long”). “At first” indicates the solution is derived from the first letters of “As Deception’s Ingrained Everything’s Unclear”.

Economist working with a proven means of excessive counterbalancing (16)

Answer: OVERCOMPENSATION (i.e. “excessive counterbalancing”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “working”) of ECONOMIST and A PROVEN.

They protect popular web browsers without using force (8)

Answer: INSURERS (i.e. “they protect”). Solution is IN (i.e. “popular”) followed by SURFERS (i.e. “web browsers”) once the F has been removed (indicated by “without using force” – F being a recognised abbreviation of “force”), like so: IN-SURERS.

Obvious mum or dad can support tutors lacking faith at heart (11)

Answer: TRANSPARENT (i.e. “obvious”). Solution is PARENT (i.e. “mum or dad”) placed after or “supporting” – this being a down clue – TRAINS (i.e. “tutors”) once the I has been removed (indicated by “lacking faith at heart”, i.e. removing the middle letter of “faith”), like so: TRANS-PARENT.

Rough indication partly showing where dinghy comes from (5)

Answer: HINDI (i.e. “where dinghy comes from” – Hmm. I don’t think I’ve seen etymology used in a clue before). “Partly showing” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: ROUG(H INDI)CATION.

American chose fresh European pasta dish (8,6)

Answer: MACARONI CHEESE (i.e. “pasta dish”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “fresh”) of AMERICAN CHOSE followed by E (i.e. “European”, already covered in 7a).

Good stuff, I say, gets an award (6)

Answer: GRAMMY (i.e. “an award” in pop music circles). Solution is G (a recognised abbreviation of “good”) followed by RAM (i.e. “stuff”) and MY (i.e. “I say”, both exclamations).

Requisite bit of info about English team close to disaster (11)

Answer: DESIDERATUM (i.e. “requisite” – I don’t think there’s enough overlap here. Chambers has the solution as “something desired or much wanted”, and the clue as “required; needed; indispensable”. They’re not the same. Other dictionaries may differ, of course). Solution is DATUM (i.e. “bit of info”) wrapped “about” E (a recognised abbreviation of “English”), SIDE (i.e. “team”) and R (i.e. “close to disaster”, i.e. the last letter of “disaster”), like so: D(E-SIDE-R)ATUM.

Formally admit sport is overcome by greed? (5,2)

Answer: SWEAR IN (i.e. “formally admit”). Solution is WEAR (i.e. to “sport”) placed in or “overcome by” SIN (i.e. “greed”, an example thereof), like so: S(WEAR)IN.

Hot sauce seeing one tear up multiple times (4-4)

Answer: PIRI-PIRI (i.e. “hot sauce” – yum!) Solution is I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”) and RIP (i.e. “tear”) reversed (indicated by “up” – this being a down clue) and repeated (i.e. “multiple times”), like so: (PIR-I)-(PIR-I).

Self-introduction from journalist in sarcastic, seriously funny programme? (7)

Answer: DRAMEDY (i.e. “seriously funny programme” – oof, could this be the apotheosis of awful portmanteau words? I mean, “ginormous” has squatted for so long in the English language that it’s almost become acceptable. “Chillax”, meanwhile, has thankfully gone the way of the dinosaurs. “Sheeple”, while bad, at least serves a purpose as it quite often says more about the person using the word than the word itself. Oh, wait, I forgot about “edutainment” (immediately throws up)). Solution is AM ED (i.e. “self-introduction from journalist”, specifically an editor) placed “in” DRY (i.e. “sarcastic”), like so: DR(AM-ED)Y.

Body revealed by some actors on stage (5)

Answer: TORSO (i.e. “body”). “Revealed by some” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: AC(TORS O)N. A little untidy this. When hiding the solution in clues, setters don’t often leave straggler words (in this case “stage”). A minor quibble.

Play dealing with rep coming to an end? (5,2,1,8)

Answer: DEATH OF A SALESMAN (i.e. “play” by Arthur Miller). Another where the solution satisfies the clue as a whole. Nothing much else to say, really.

Instant message notification sound able ultimately to have an effect (7)

Answer: IMPINGE (i.e. “to have an effect”). Solution is IM (a recognised abbreviation of “instant message” – ask your parents, kids) followed by PING (i.e. “notification sound”) and E (i.e. “able ultimately”, i.e. the last letter of “able”).

Basic undergarments are what you and yours have! (1-6)

Answer: Y-FRONTS (i.e. “basic undergarments”). The remainder of the clue plays on how “you” and “yours” are both FRONT-ed by Ys.

Sweeping statement is inelegant, or contrived to conceal answer (14)

Answer: GENERALISATION (i.e. “sweeping statement”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “contrived”) of IS INELEGANT OR all wrapped around or “concealing” A (a recognised abbreviation of “answer”), like so: GENER(A)LISATION.

Awful building largely embodies design only occasionally used (7)

Answer: HEINOUS (i.e. “awful”). Solution is HOUSE (i.e. “building”) with the last letter removed (indicated by “largely”) and the remainder wrapped around or “embodying” EIN (i.e. “design only occasionally used”, i.e. every other letter of DESIGN), like so: H(EIN)OUS.

Soldiers briefed to accept also being shouted at (11)

Answer: REPRIMANDED (i.e. “being shouted at”). Solution is RE (i.e. “soldiers”, specifically the Royal Engineers of the British Army) followed by PRIMED (i.e. “briefed”) once wrapped around or “accepting” AND (i.e. “also”), like so: RE-PRIM(AND)ED.

Where students learn about where they can get cheap drinks? (5)

Answer: UNION (i.e. “where [students] can get cheap drinks”). Solution is UNI (i.e. “where students learn”) followed by ON (i.e. “about” or regarding).

Upset during second show is all-pervasive (11)

Answer: OMNIPRESENT (i.e. “all-pervasive”). Solution is IN (i.e. “during”) and MO (i.e. “second” or a short time, short for a moment) all reversed (indicated by “upset” – this being a down clue) and followed by PRESENT (i.e. to “show”), like so: (OM-NI)-PRESENT.

Little bounder took a rag and ran out (3-8)

Answer: RAT-KANGAROO (i.e. “little bounder”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “out”) of TOOK A RAG and RAN.

Liberal cleric on vacation’s caught attending colourful festival (8)

Answer: CATHOLIC (i.e. without capitalisation, “liberal”, as in “opposite to exclusive” (Chambers) No, me neither). Solution is CC (i.e. “cleric on vacation”, i.e. the word “cleric” with all its middle letters removed – a bit of a penchant for this week’s setter) wrapped around or “catching” AT HOLI (i.e. “attending colourful festival” – Holi is the one where they all chuck coloured powder around), like so: C(AT-HOLI)C.

Cousin unexpectedly starts to appear less withdrawn (8)

Answer: UNSOCIAL (i.e. “withdrawn”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “unexpectedly”) of COUSIN followed by A and L (i.e. “starts to appear less”, i.e. the first letters of “appear” and “less”), like so: UNSOCI-AL.

Wanted gentleman caught in act (7)

Answer: DESIRED (i.e. “wanted”). Solution is SIR (i.e. “gentleman”) placed or “caught in” DEED (i.e. “act”), like so: DE(SIR)ED. Strange to have this and 11d in the same grid.

Suitable clothing in respect of an insect that bites (4,3)

Answer: FIRE ANT (i.e. “insect that bites”). Solution is FIT (i.e. “suitable”) wrapped around or “clothing” RE (i.e. “in respect of” – think email replies) and AN, like so: FI(RE-AN)T.

The French going on journey behave without restraint (3,3)

Answer: LET RIP (i.e. “act without restraint”). Solution is LE (i.e. “the French”, i.e. the French for “the”) followed by TRIP (i.e. “journey”).

Carry across final slice of ginger cake (5)

Answer: TORTE (i.e. “cake”). Solution is TOTE (i.e. “carry”) wrapped around or placed “across” R (i.e. “final slice of ginger”, i.e. the last letter of “ginger”), like so: TO(R)TE.

Relatives from Northern Territory – in Australia! (5)

Answer: AUNTS (i.e. “relatives”). Solution is NT (a recognised abbreviation of “Northern Territory”) placed in AUS (ditto “Australia”), like so: AU(NT)S.