Times Jumbo Cryptic Crossword 1589

A medium strength Jumbo this week, and another I could happily chip away at during the day. A good ‘un, then. I might not have thought the same a couple of years ago, but I’m a little wiser now to some of the obscure stuff that crops up in these things.

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 got your goat then you might find my Just For Fun page of use, where you’ll find links to solutions for hundreds of ’em.

Thanks again for the kind words and input. It’s always interesting to hear the thoughts of other solvers once they’ve set down their pens. I’ll be away from the keyboard over Christmas but, all being well, I’ll be back before the New Year. Till then have a Merry Christmas, wrap up well and stay safe out there, kids.

FBV (French-By-Volume): 1.7%

Across clues

Fabric cut in back and put on view (6)

Answer: MOHAIR (i.e. “fabric” – can cover the goat hair or the material eventually made from it). Solution is HOME (i.e. “in”) with the last letter removed (indicated by “cut”) and the remainder reversed (indicated by “back”). This is then followed by AIR (i.e. “view”), like so: MOH-AIR.

Vase from Parma smashed outside little house (7)

Answer: AMPHORA (i.e. “vase”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “smashed”) of PARMA wrapped around or placed “outside” of HO (i.e. “little house”, i.e. a recognised abbreviation of “house”), like so: AMP(HO)RA.

Performance tribal leader captured initially in recording (3,5)

Answer: TAP DANCE (i.e. “performance”). Solution is DAN (i.e. “tribal leader”, referring to the Tribe of Dan, one of the twelve tribes of Israel. Took a while to remember this from a previous Jumbo) and C (i.e. “captured initially”, i.e. the first letter of “captured”) both placed “in” TAPE (i.e. “recording”), like so: TAP(DAN-C)E.

Individual in grotty aerodrome who contrived to be short-lived (4,5,4,8)

Answer: HERE TODAY GONE TOMORROW (i.e. “short-lived”, unlike Sir John Nott’s response to the line). Solution is ONE (i.e. “individual”) placed “in” an anagram (indicated by “contrived”) of GROTTY AERODROME WHO, like so: HERETODAYG(ONE)TOMORROW.

Retired Hull partner’s holding tax for return (8)

Answer: EMERITUS (i.e. “retired”). Solution is EMU’S (i.e. “Hull partner’s”, referring to Rod Hull and Emu. I made a dig a few weeks ago about how popular culture for Times setters seemed to end in the 1970s. I take it all back) wrapped around or “holding” TIRE (i.e. to “tax” or burden upon) once reversed (indicated by “for return”), like so: EM(ERIT)U’S.

Love doctor, Nancy’s friend, modelling in paper (7)

Answer: ORIGAMI (i.e. “modelling in paper”). Solution is O (i.e. “love”, a zero score in tennis) followed by RIG (i.e. to “doctor” something) and AMI (i.e. “Nancy’s friend”, i.e. the French for “friend”; Nancy is a city in France).

Quarrel coming after fine for litter (6)

Answer: FARROW (i.e. a “litter” of pigs). Solution is ARROW (i.e. “quarrel” – a variant meaning is a square-headed arrow, apparently) placed “after” F (a recognised abbreviation of “fine” used in grading pencils), like so: F-ARROW.

Visits duke declined (4,2,4)

Answer: GOES TO SEED (i.e. “declined”). Solution is GOES TO SEE (i.e. “visits”) followed by D (a recognised abbreviation of “duke”).

Ridiculously lively press surrounding English or US icon (5,7)

Answer: ELVIS PRESLEY (i.e. “US icon”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “ridiculously”) of LIVELY PRESS wrapped around or “surrounding” E (a recognised abbreviation of “English”), like so: ELVISPR(E)SLEY.

Wine in a small container any number refused (4)

Answer: ASTI (i.e. “wine”). Solution is A followed by S (a recognised abbreviation of “small”) and TIN (i.e. “container”) once the N has been removed (indicated by “any number refused” – in maths, n is used to represent any number), like so: A-S-TI.

One active in small hours close to lough, drinking whiskey (5,3)

Answer: NIGHT OWL (i.e. “one active in small hours”). Solution is NIGH (i.e. “close”), TO and L (a recognised abbreviation of “lough”, loch or lake) wrapped around or “drinking” W (“whiskey” in the phonetic alphabet), like so: NIGH-TO-(W)-L.

Assess empty learner replacing academic at last (8)

Answer: EVALUATE (i.e. “assess”). Solution is EVACUATE (i.e. to “empty”) with L (a recognised abbreviation of “learner”, e.g. L-plates) “replacing” C (i.e. “academic at last”, i.e. the last letter of “academic”), like so: EVA(C)UATE => EVA(L)UATE.

Spice received by South American celebrity (6,6)

Answer: GINGER ROGERS (i.e. “American celebrity”). Solution is GINGER (i.e. “spice”) followed by ROGER (i.e. acknowledged or “received” in radio comms lingo) and S (a recognised abbreviation of “south”).

Opposition from MI6 on a new tax (10)

Answer: ANTITHESIS (i.e. “opposition”). Solution is SIS (i.e. “MI6”, also known as the Secret Intelligence Service) placed “on” or after A, N (a recognised abbreviation of “new”) and TITHE (i.e. “tax”), like so: (A-N-TITHE)-SIS.

CIA ensnaring fool, minor poet occasionally following stars (10)

Answer: CASSIOPEIA (i.e. “stars” or constellation). Solution is CIA wrapped around or “ensnaring” ASS (i.e. “fool”) and IOPE (i.e. “minor poet occasionally”, i.e. every other letter of MINOR POET), like so: C-(ASS-IOPE)IA. One nailed from the wordplay, unsurprisingly.

Eventually stop throat gland twitching – after one’s swallowed? (5,2,1,4)

Answer: GRIND TO A HALT (i.e. “eventually stop”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “twitching”) of THROAT GLAND once wrapped around or “swallowing” I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”), like so: GR(I)NDTOAHALT.

Changes appearance of tyres given new tread (8)

Answer: REMOULDS. Solution satisfies “changes appearance” and “tyres given new tread”.

Conservative having to accept Liberal’s acting the fool (8)

Answer: CLOWNING (i.e. “acting the fool”). Solution is C (a recognised abbreviation of “Conservative”) and OWNING (i.e. “having”) all wrapped around or “accepting” L (a recognised abbreviation of “Liberal”), like so: C-(L)-OWNING.

Not seen: heard in fog (4)

Answer: MIST. Solution satisfies a homophone (indicated by “heard”) of MISSED (i.e. “not seen”), and also satisfies “fog”.

Story always having to go round for cheque’s intended recipient (7,5)

Answer: ACCOUNT PAYEE (i.e. “cheque’s intended recipient”). Solution is ACCOUNT (i.e. “story”) and AY (i.e. poetic form of “always”) once placed in or “having…round” PEE (i.e. “to go”), like so: ACCOUNT-P(AY)EE.

Avoidance, or non-appearance, to include time at home? (10)

Answer: ABSTINENCE (i.e. “avoidance”). Solution is ABSENCE (i.e. “non-appearance”) wrapped around or “including” T (a recognised abbreviation of “time”) and IN (i.e. “home”), like so: ABS(T-IN)ENCE.

Endlessly dreadful meat that makes change in Casablanca? (6)

Answer: DIRHAM (i.e. “change in Casablanca”, or Moroccan currency). Solution is DIRE (i.e. “dreadful”) with its last letter removed (indicated by “endlessly”) and the remainder followed by HAM (i.e. “meat”), like so: DIR-HAM.

Egyptian god leaving horse outside pub with eastern bard (7)

Answer: ORPHEUS (i.e. “bard” of Greek myth). Solution is HORUS (i.e. “Egyptian god”) with the H removed (indicated by “leaving horse” – H and “horse” are both slang references to heroin) and the remainder placed “outside” of PH (i.e. “pub”, specifically Public House) and E (a recognised abbreviation of “eastern”), like so: OR(PH-E)US.

Important way alpha male does twirl wearing women’s clothes (4,4)

Answer: MAIN DRAG (i.e. “important way” or the main street of a town, mainly a US thing). Solution is A (“alpha” in the phonetic alphabet) and M (a recognised abbreviation of “male”) reversed (indicated by “does twirl”) and followed by IN DRAG (i.e. “wearing women’s clothes” within the context of the clue), like so: M-A-(IN-DRAG).

Easiest way Allies often organised underground fighters (4,2,5,10)

Answer: LINE OF LEAST RESISTANCE (i.e. “easiest way”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “organised”) of ALLIES OFTEN followed by RESISTANCE (i.e. “underground fighters”).

Lock spring breaks to give uninvited access (8)

Answer: TRESPASS (i.e. “uninvited access”). Solution is TRESS (i.e. “lock” of hair) wrapped around or “broken” by SPA (i.e. water “spring”), like so: TRES(SPA)S.

On about knight buried in card player’s grave (7)

Answer: EARNEST (i.e. over-serious or “grave”). Solution is RE (i.e. “on” or regarding – think email replies) wrapped “about” N (a recognised abbreviation of “knight” used in chess) and the whole placed “in” EAST (i.e. “card player” in a game of bridge), like so: EA(R(N)E)ST.

Debauched son initially hooked on strong Levantine booze (6)

Answer: RAKISH (i.e. “debauched”). Solution is S (a recognised abbreviation of “son”) and H (i.e. “initially hooked”, i.e. the first letter of “hooked”) both placed “on” or after RAKI (i.e. “strong Levantine booze”), like so: (RAKI)-S-H.

Down clues

Celtic characters in hotel try rolls before noon (5)

Answer: OGHAM (i.e. “Celtic characters” or alphabet). Solution is H (“hotel” in the phonetic alphabet) and GO (i.e. attempt or “try”) all reversed (indicated by “rolls”) and followed by AM (i.e. “before noon”), like so: (OG-H)-AM. One remembered from a previous puzzle, if I’m honest.

Sailor in a hurry to accommodate Irish, improving image (11)

Answer: AIRBRUSHING (i.e. “improving image”). Solution is AB (i.e. “sailor”, specifically one of Able-Bodied rank) and RUSHING (i.e. “in a hurry”) all wrapped around or “accommodating” IR (a recognised abbreviation of “Irish”), like so: A(IR)B-RUSHING.

Run over by Hulot’s creator on cycle (8)

Answer: ROTATION (i.e. “cycle”). Solution is R (a recognised abbreviation of “run” used in a number of ball games), O (ditto “over”, this time in cricket), then Jacques TATI (i.e. “Hulot’s creator”) and ON.

Vikings heading down to the middle Peak District (5)

Answer: ANDES (i.e. “peak district” – ignore the misleading capitalisation). Solution is DANES (i.e. “Vikings”) with the D (its “heading”) placed “down to the middle”, like so: (D)ANES => AN(D)ES.

Board has power replacing leading trio in film industry (7)

Answer: PLYWOOD (i.e. “board”). Solution is P (a recognised abbreviation of “power”) “replacing” HOL (i.e. “leading trio in film industry”, i.e. the first three letters of HOLLYWOOD), like so: (HOL)LYWOOD => (P)LYWOOD.

Pleasant-smelling rose our Fido chewed (11)

Answer: ODORIFEROUS (i.e. “pleasant-smelling”). “Chewed” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of ROSE OUR FIDO.

Stories about sappers in scene of conflict (5)

Answer: ARENA (i.e. “scene of conflict”). Solution is ANA (i.e. “stories” – over to Chambers: “a collection of someone’s table talk or of gossip, literary anecdotes or possessions”. A useful one to keep in mind as it crops up from time to time in cryptic clues) wrapped “about” RE (i.e. “sappers”, in this case the Royal Engineers of the British Army), like so: A(RE)NA.

Disagreed also with a thousand children (4,5)

Answer: TOOK ISSUE (i.e. “disagreed”). Solution is TOO (i.e. “also”) followed by K (i.e. “a thousand”, short for “kilo”) and ISSUE (i.e. “children”).

Page covering mathematical sequence (5)

Answer: PROOF (i.e. “mathematical sequence” – oof, just had a flashback to A-level calculus. I could have done without that…) Solution is P (a recognised abbreviation of “page”) followed by ROOF (i.e. “covering”).

Surprise with ear affected when this changes? (3,8)

Answer: AIR PRESSURE. The solution satisfies the clue taken as a whole, but also comprises an anagram (indicated by “affected”) of SURPRISE and EAR.

Ranch hand from old west quietly immersed in drink (7)

Answer: COWPOKE (i.e. “ranch hand” over in the US). Solution is O (a recognised abbreviation of “old”), W (ditto “west”) and P (ditto-ish “quietly”, being “piano” in music lingo) all placed or “immersed in” COKE (i.e. “drink”), like so: C(O-W-P)OKE.

Stubborn stain to be treated (9)

Answer: OBSTINATE (i.e. “stubborn”). “Treated” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of STAIN TO BE.

Example chapter taken from long story book (7)

Answer: EPITOME (i.e. “example”). Solution is EPIC (i.e. “long story”) with the C (a recognised abbreviation of “chapter”) “taken away” and the remainder followed by TOME (i.e. “book”) like so: EPI-TOME.

Philistine victory over European initially reduced (9)

Answer: VULGARIAN (i.e. “philistine”). Solution is V (a recognised abbreviation of “victory”, e.g. in V-day; weirdly, Chambers doesn’t explicitly support V on its own for “victory”) followed by BULGARIAN (i.e. “European”) once its first letter has been removed (indicated by “initially reduced”), like so: V-ULGARIAN.

Editor’s job to conceal Democrat opposition to political change (8)

Answer: REACTION (i.e. “opposition to political change” – again, not explicitly supported by Chambers, but falls under a more general definition of “an action or change in an opposite direction”). Solution is REDACTION (i.e. “editor’s job”) with the D (a recognised abbreviation of “Democrat”) removed or “concealed”.

Superior-sounding structure unknown in priesthood (9)

Answer: HIERARCHY (i.e. “priesthood”). Solution is a homophone (indicated by “sounding”) of HIGHER (i.e. “superior”) followed by ARCH (i.e. “structure”) and Y (i.e. “unknown” – setters love referring to X, Y or Z in clues as unknowns), like so: HIER-ARCH-Y.

Drink repercussions disheartened sleuth must accept (6,3)

Answer: TRIPLE SEC (i.e. “drink”). Solution is RIPPLES (i.e. “repercussions”) with the middle letter removed (indicated by “disheartened”) and the remainder placed in or “accepted” by TEC (i.e. “sleuth”, short for “detective”), like so: T(RIPLES)EC.

Bear left turning for city and borough there? (8)

Answer: BROOKLYN (i.e. “borough” of New York). Solution is BROOK (i.e. to “bear”) followed by L (a recognised abbreviation of “left”) and NY (a recognised abbreviation of “New York”, the “city” in question) once the latter has been reversed (indicated by “turning”), like so: BROOK-L-YN.

News items Henry substituted with primitive thoughts (7)

Answer: TIDINGS (i.e. “news”). Solution is THINGS (i.e. “items”) with the H (a recognised abbreviation of “Henry”, a unit of measurement that’s proven popular of late among setters) “substituted with” ID (i.e. “primitive thoughts” in the realm of psychology), like so: T(H)INGS => T(ID)INGS.

Vote to have cards on display? (4,2,5)

Answer: SHOW OF HANDS. Solution satisfies “vote” and, playfully, “have [playing] cards on display”.

Board game – single punter to excel (2,3,6)

Answer: GO ONE BETTER (i.e. “to excel”). Solution is GO (i.e. “board game”) followed by ONE (i.e. “single”) and BETTER (i.e. “punter”).

Composer one carrying can ultimately appearing in Private Eye (11)

Answer: Engelbert HUMPERDINCK (i.e. “composer”). Solution is HUMPER (i.e. “one carrying”) followed by N (i.e. “can ultimately”, i.e. the last letter of “can”) once placed “in” DICK (i.e. “private eye” – ignore the misleading capitalisation, both are informal references to private investigators), like so: HUMPER-DI(N)CK.

Playwright parking in London area, indications centrally ignored (9)

Answer: SOPHOCLES (i.e. ancient Greek “playwright”). Solution is P (a recognised abbreviation of “parking” used in signage) placed “in” SOHO (i.e. “London area”) and followed by CLUES (i.e. “indications”) once its middle letter has been removed (indicated by “centrally ignored”), like so: SO(P)HO-CLES.

Left for Romans, most of Greek wine is revolting (8)

Answer: SINISTER (i.e. “left for Romans”, i.e. the Latin for “left”). Solution is RETSINA (i.e. “Greek wine”) with its last letter removed (indicated by “most of”) and the remainder followed by IS. The whole is then reversed (indicated by “revolting”, as in an uprising – this being a down clue), like so: SI-NISTER.

German poet loses head, seeing horror film (7)

Answer: CHILLER (i.e. “horror film”). Solution is Friedrich SCHILLER (i.e. “German poet”) with the first letter removed (indicated by “loses head”).

True: sea can be cold (7)

Answer: AUSTERE (i.e. “cold” and unforgiving). “Can be” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of TRUE SEA.

Low note in brass (5)

Answer: MOOLA (i.e. “brass”, both slang terms for money). Solution is MOO (i.e. “low”, or the noise a cow makes) followed by LA (a “note” in the sol-fa notation).

Silver penny no longer in circulation? (5)

Answer: PLATE (i.e. “silver”). Solution is P (a recognised abbreviation of “penny”) followed by LATE (i.e. deceased or “no longer in circulation”, playfully referencing one’s circulatory system).

First and second swapping places, getting damp (5)

Answer: MOIST (i.e. “damp”). Solution is IST (i.e. “first”, with the 1 replaced with its Roman numeral equivalent) and MO (i.e. “second”, short for a “moment”) “swapping places”, like so: MO-IST.

States not entirely hostile (5)

Answer: AVERS (i.e. “states”). Solution is AVERSE (i.e. “hostile”) with its last letter removed (indicated by “not entirely”).

Times Jumbo Cryptic Crossword 1588

A toughie after last week’s stinker, and seemingly one for the culture vultures. Despite the at-times aching worthiness of some of the clues and solutions, this was a pretty good Jumbo offering for the most part the kind of steady progression I like. Except for the bottom-middle (SHIFT KEY, ISTHMUS and AMNESTY). That bit was a swine.

You can find my completed grid below along with explanations of my solutions where I have them. I hope you find them helpful. If a recent Jumbo has given you the slip then you might find my Just For Fun page of use, where you’ll find links to solutions for hundreds of the things.

Thanks for the comments and help. It’s always interesting to hear the thoughts of other solvers once they’ve set down their pens. Till next time, wrap up well and stay safe out there kids.

FBV (French-By-Volume): 3.2%

Across clues

Left-leaning character supports corporal punishment (9)

Answer: BACKSLASH (i.e. “left-leaning character” on a keyboard). Solution is BACKS (i.e. “supports”) followed by LASH (i.e. “corporal punishment”).

Some of the French match that we hope to avoid (7)

Answer: DESPAIR (i.e. something “that we hope to avoid”). Solution is DES (i.e. “some of the French”, i.e. the word “some” in French) followed by PAIR (i.e. to “match”).

Start of first introduction in garden (still unchanged on reflection) (5)

Answer: MADAM. Clue plays on the famous palindrome MADAM I’M ADAM (playfully, what could be the “first introduction in [the] Garden” of Eden; Adam and Eve and all that Bible stuff) taking the “start” of it. The solution is itself a palindrome (hence the “still unchanged on reflection” bit).

Error by defence – rotting in gaol now (3,4)

Answer: OWN GOAL (i.e. “error by defence” in a game of football). “Rotting” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of GAOL NOW.

Second contest for Ali or Rocky, say (5)

Answer: MOVIE (i.e. “Ali or Rocky, say” – other boxing movies are available). Solution is MO (i.e. “second”, short for “moment”) followed by VIE (i.e. “contest”).

Hero, for example, meddles with heroine in Wessex (9)

Answer: PRINCESS (i.e. “Hero, for example”, referring to a character in William Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing). [EDIT: Scratch that. I’d misread this one in the time between completing the grid and writing it up. The solution is PRIESTESS. In Greek mythology, she was a priestess of Aphrodite. Thanks to all in the comments for flagging this! – LP] Solution is PRIES (i.e. “meddles”) followed by TESS (i.e. “heroine in Wessex”, this time referring to the lead character in Thomas Hardy’s Tess Of The D’Urbervilles).

Shakespearean duo in scene of Romeo and Juliet (3,3,9,2,6)

Answer: THE TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA (i.e. titular “Shakespearean duo”). “Romeo and Juliet”, meanwhile, is set in Verona, so I guess there’s a scene in the play between Romeo and some other bloke. Shakespeare tends to bring me out in a rash – blame it on a disastrous and fist-bitingly awful attempt to make us all read The Merchant of Venice at school – so I’ll leave this one at that.

Like voyage in storm (6)

Answer: ASSAIL (i.e. to attack or “storm”). Solution is AS (i.e. “like”) followed by SAIL (i.e. “voyage”).

French scorer’s side grabbing point in return (8)

Answer: Jules MASSENET (i.e. “French scorer” or composer). Solution is TEAM (i.e. “side”) wrapped around or “grabbing” NESS (i.e. “point”, both geographic features). The whole is then reversed (indicated by “in return”), like so: MA(SSEN)ET. One nailed from the wordplay.

Reform repeals act that made thing worse again (7)

Answer: RELAPSE (i.e. “that made thing worse again”). “Reform” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of REPEALS.

Old vehicle with new driver exposed as public nuisance (6,4)

Answer: LITTER LOUT (i.e. “public nuisance”). Solution is LITTER (i.e. “old vehicle”) followed by L (i.e. “new driver”, referring to L-plates), then OUT (i.e. “exposed”).

Info, including something to do with key and pitch for instrument (12)

Answer: GLOCKENSPIEL (i.e. “instrument”). Solution is GEN (i.e. “info”) wrapped around or “including” LOCK (i.e. “something to do with key”) and followed by SPIEL (i.e. “pitch”), like so: G(LOCK)EN-SPIEL.

Capital single person, we hear (5)

Answer: SEOUL (i.e. “capital” of South Korea). “We hear” indicates homophone. Solution is a homophone of SOLE (i.e. “single person”). Possibly SOUL. You could make an argument for either.

European’s in danger in that situation (7)

Answer: THEREAT (i.e. “in that situation”). Solution is E (a recognised abbreviation of “European”) placed “in” THREAT (i.e. “danger”), like so: TH(E)REAT.

Use prior not in order as head of religious house (8)

Answer: SUPERIOR (i.e. “head of religious house”). “Not in order” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of USE PRIOR.

With a single alteration, roomy? Not true (8)

Answer: SPECIOUS (i.e. “not true”). Solution is SPACIOUS (i.e. “roomy”) with “a single alteration”, in this case changing the A to an E, like so: SP(A)CIOUS => SP(E)CIOUS.

Tool prodigal female returned (7)

Answer: FRETSAW (i.e. “tool”). Solution is WASTER (i.e. “prodigal”) and F (a recognised abbreviation of “female”) all reversed (indicated by “returned”), like so: F-RETSAW.

Face Republican in Georgia or Alabama, say (5)

Answer: FRONT (i.e. “face”). Solution is R (a recognised abbreviation of “Republican”) placed “in” FONT (i.e. “Georgia or Alamaba, say” – other typefaces are available. That said, I had to Google Image search Alabama. Not a font I recognise. Maybe it’s a Mac thing), like so: F(R)ONT.

Force largely destroyed accommodation for journalists (5,7)

Answer: PRESS GALLERY (i.e. “accommodation for journalists”). Solution is PRESS (i.e. “force” or urge) followed by an anagram (indicated by “destroyed”) of LARGELY.

Finish after short day with vessel, something mates enjoy (10)

Answer: FRIENDSHIP (i.e. “something mates enjoy”). Solution is END (i.e. “finish”) placed “after” FRI (i.e. “short day”, in this case a short form of “Friday”) and followed by SHIP (i.e. “vessel”), like so: ((FRI)-END)-SHIP.

One that slips easily into operas performing dance (7)

Answer: REELING (i.e. “performing dance”). Solution is EEL (i.e. “one that slips easily”) placed “into” RING (i.e. “operas” – I’m not seeing anything deep into the definitions, so I’m assuming the setter is referring to Richard Wagner’s Ring Cycle here. Is RING on its own enough, though?), like so: R(EEL)ING.

It’ll transform us into a superpower (5,3)

Answer: SHIFT KEY. Clue plays on how one could use a shift key on a keyboard to “transform” “us” into the upper-case “US” (i.e. “a superpower”, specifically the United States).

Person taking a lot of interest in you, reportedly less unreliable (6)

Answer: USURER (i.e. “person taking a lot of interest”). Solution is a homophone (indicated by “reportedly”) of U (i.e. “you”) followed by SURER (i.e. “less unreliable”).

Toast for campers with goals, virtually (2,3,7,3,8)

Answer: TO ALL INTENTS AND PURPOSES (i.e. “virtually”). Solution is TO ALL IN TENTS (i.e. “toast for campers”) followed by AND (i.e. “with”) and PURPOSES (i.e. “goals”).

Church’s assent required before one joins services (9)

Answer: AMENITIES (i.e. “services”). Solution is AMEN (i.e. “church’s assent”) followed by I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”) and TIES (i.e. “joins”).

Feature of poetry when recited – it’s read (5)

Answer: METER (i.e. “it’s read”). “When recited” indicates homophone. Solution is a homophone of METRE (i.e. “feature of poetry”).

Heard I’m a highflier, with different stress? Not a pretty sight (7)

Answer: EYESORE (i.e. “not a pretty sight”). “Heard” indicates homophone. Solution comprises homophones of I and SOAR (i.e. “I’m a highflier”). “With different stress” leaves me cold. As far as I’m concerned, there’s no way of saying I SOAR without also saying EYESORE. Could be a tense thing. It might yet be a phonological thing, but after my swing-and-a-miss in this area last week I’m leaving this part well alone!

Relating to part of limb or part of organ (5)

Answer: PEDAL. Solution satisfies “relating to part of limb” in this case the foot, and “part of organ”, the musical instrument.

Free home featured in fourth of March issue (7)

Answer: AMNESTY (i.e. “free”). Solution is NEST (i.e. “home”) placed or “featured in” AMY (i.e. “fourth of March issue”, a reference to the character Amy March in Louisa May Alcott’s novel Little Women, Amy being the youngest of the four March sisters), like so: AM(NEST)Y.

Newcomer to society replacing front of clothing that’s exclusive (9)

Answer: DEBARMENT (i.e. “exclusive”, or the act of exclusion). Solution is DEB (i.e. “newcomer to society”, short for “debutante”) which “replaces” the first letter or “front” of GARMENT (i.e. “clothing”), like so: (G)ARMENT => (DEB)ARMENT.

Down clues

Cure a disease of livestock (5)

Answer: BLOAT. Solution satisfies to “cure” or dry fish, and a “disease of livestock”.

Focus of discussion, changing clothes at announcement of truce (12,5)

Answer: CONVERSATION PIECE (i.e. “focus of discussion”). Solution is CONVERSION (i.e. “changing”) wrapped around or “clothing” AT and followed by a homophone (indicated by “announcement of”) of PEACE (i.e. “truce”), like so: CONVERS(AT)ION-PIECE.

Ring is in news, with awfully “woke” princess (4,5)

Answer: SNOW WHITE (i.e. “’woke’ princess”, referring to how in the fairy tale she is brought out from her poisoned-apple-induced slumber by Prince Charming). Solution is O (i.e. “ring”) placed “in” an anagram (indicated by “awfully”) of NEWS WITH, like so: SN(O)WWHITE.

Flip two parts of legal point, making claim (6)

Answer: ALLEGE (i.e. “claim”). Solution is LEGAL with the last “two” letters or “parts” “flipped” to the front and the whole then followed by E (i.e. “point” of the compass, short for “east”), like so: LEG(AL)-E => (AL)LEG-E.

German writer with a short act kept in shade: influence on our acting (5,6)

Answer: HUMAN NATURE (i.e. “influence on our acting”). Solution is Thomas MANN (i.e. “German writer”), A and TURN (i.e. “act”) once the latter’s last letter has been removed (indicated by “short”). This is all then placed “in” HUE (i.e. “shade”), like so: HU(MANN-A-TUR)E.

Indeed, evil is hidden herein (8)

Answer: DEVILISH. The solution satisfies the clue as a whole, but “herein” also indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: INDEE(D EVIL IS H)IDDEN.

Angler letting first two go, in general (7)

Answer: William SHERMAN (i.e. famed “general” of the US Civil War). Solution is FISHERMAN (i.e. “angler”) with the “first two” letters removed or “gone”.

Climber’s helpers in Nepal mishandled punishing situation (11)

Answer: ALPENSTOCKS (i.e. “climber’s helpers” – over to Chambers: “a mountain traveller’s long spiked staff”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “mishandled”) of NEPAL followed by STOCKS (i.e. “punishing situation”), like so: ALPEN-STOCKS. One nailed with a little help from my Chambers.

Check behind church’s buttress (9)

Answer: REINFORCE (i.e. “buttress”). Solution is REIN (i.e. to “check” or restrict) followed by FOR (i.e. “behind” or in favour of) and CE (i.e. “church”, specifically the Church of England).

Married ladies stirred up trouble for people holding hands (7)

Answer: MISDEAL (i.e. “trouble for people holding hands” of cards). Solution is M (a recognised abbreviation of “married”) followed by an anagram (indicated by “stirred up”) of LADIES, like so: M-ISDEAL.

Because of work one can’t perform, nothing ensues (3,2)

Answer: DUE TO (i.e. “because of”). Solution is DUET (i.e. “work one can’t perform”) followed by O (i.e. “nothing”). Very nicely played.

In error, not clear about broken ankle (10)

Answer: MISTAKENLY (i.e. “in error”). Solution is MISTY (i.e. “not clear”) wrapped “about” an anagram (indicated by “broken”) of ANKLE, like so: MIST(AKENL)Y.

Finally cut world record? (5)

Answer: ATLAS (i.e. “world record”, playfully). Solution is AT LAST (i.e. “finally”) with its last letter removed (indicated by “cut”), like so: AT-LAS.

False prophet – he is no loss as maker of miraculous conversions? (12,5)

Answer: PHILOSOPHERS STONE (i.e. “maker of miraculous conversions”; legend had it the thing could convert metals into gold). “False” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of PROPHET HE IS NO LOSS.

Part of job lot – tomatoes, canned or pickled (6)

Answer: BLOTTO (i.e. “canned or pickled”, all slang words for “drunk”). “Part of” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: JO(B LOT TO)MATOES.

Coffee – third of morning, or second (6)

Answer: LATTER (i.e. the “second” of two things). Solution is LATTE (i.e. “coffee”) followed by R (i.e. “third [letter] of morning”).

Refinement of character is inspiring when taken up (5)

Answer: SERIF (i.e. “refinement of character”, referring to the decorative feet stuck on the ends of characters in some typefaces). Solution is FIRES (i.e. “is inspiring”, as in firing someone up) reversed (indicated by “taken up” – this being a down clue).

One of the herd, person needing will to succeed without extra teaching (6)

Answer: HEIFER (i.e. “one of the herd”, a young cow). Solution is HEIR (i.e. “person needing will to succeed”) wrapped around or placed “without” FE (i.e. “extra teaching”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of Further Education), like so: HEI(FE)R.

Danger to crops when temperature’s dropped in place (5)

Answer: LOCUS (i.e. “place”). Solution is LOCUST (i.e. “danger to crops”) with the T removed (indicated by “when temperature’s dropped” – T being a recognised abbreviation of “temperature”).

Cosmetic daughter kept in cube, for example (6)

Answer: POWDER (i.e. “cosmetic”). Solution is D (a recognised abbreviation of “daughter”) placed “in” POWER (i.e. “cube, for example”, being a number to the power of 3), like so: POW(D)ER.

Representative having small drinks for each boy (11)

Answer: SALESPERSON (i.e. “representative”). Solution is S (a recognised abbreviation of “small”) followed by ALES (i.e. “drinks”), then PER (i.e. “for each”) and SON (i.e. “boy”).

Conceded blunder when upset in split (11)

Answer: SURRENDERED (i.e. “conceded”). Solution is ERR (i.e. “blunder”) reversed (indicated by “when upset” – this being a down clue) and placed “in” SUNDERED (i.e. “split”), like so: SU(RRE)NDERED.

Nocturnal mammal I caught in diabolical trap (5)

Answer: TAPIR (i.e. “nocturnal mammal”). Solution is I placed or “caught in” an anagram (indicated by “diabolical”) of TRAP, like so: TAP(I)R.

It illuminates page after page in terrible mistrial (6,4)

Answer: SPIRIT LAMP (i.e. “it illuminates”). Solution is P (a recognised abbreviation of “page”) placed “after” P (ditto) once it has been put “in” an anagram (indicated by “terrible”) of MISTRIAL, like so: S(P)IRITLAM-P.

Run into spy in a foreign country (9)

Answer: ARGENTINA (i.e. “foreign country” – unless you’re reading this in Argentina, of course). Solution is R (a recognised abbreviation of “run” used in a number of ball games) placed “into” AGENT (i.e. “spy”) and followed by IN A, like so: A(R)GENT-IN-A.

Since I had turned up, pianos and organ fade away (9)

Answer: DISAPPEAR (i.e. “fade away”). Solution is AS (i.e. “since”) and I’D (a contraction of “I had”) all reversed (indicated by “turned up” – this being a down clue). This is then followed by P and P (“pianos” – P being a recognised abbreviation of “piano” used in musical lingo), and EAR (i.e. “organ”), like so: (D’I-SA)-PP-EAR.

Bargain with what used to be your secret (8)

Answer: STEALTHY (i.e. “secret”). Solution is STEAL (i.e. “bargain”, as in something being an absolute steal) followed by THY (i.e. “what used to be your”, i.e. ye olde form of “your”).

Start of my statement of intent repeated after woman’s animosity (3,4)

Answer: ILL WILL (i.e. “animosity”). Solution is I’LL (i.e. “start of my statement of intent”, a contraction of I WILL) which is “repeated” after W (a recognised abbreviation of “woman”), like so: I’LL-(W)-I’LL.

Ideology so affected by mass movement in Panama, say (7)

Answer: ISTHMUS (i.e. “Panama, say” – an isthmus is a narrow strip of land connecting two larger bodies of land. Panama is situated on the isthmus between North and South America). Solution is ISM (i.e. “ideology”) and THUS (i.e. “so”) once the M (a recognised abbreviation of “mass”) has been “moved”, like so: IS(M)-THUS => IS-TH(M)US.

Magnificent, this owl watched by millions in US? (6)

Answer: SUPERB (i.e. “magnificent”). Clue plays on SUPERBOWL (i.e. a sporting event “watched by millions in US”) being written as SUPERB “OWL”, getting you the “this” of the clue. Interesting wordplay.

A point each, otherwise leading (5)

Answer: AHEAD. A triple-header, I believe, satisfying “a point” when written as A HEAD, “each” again when written as “A HEAD” and “leading” when written as AHEAD.

Fish detected under bridge? (5)

Answer: SMELT (i.e. a kind of “fish”). The remainder of the clue plays on the solution being the past tense of SMELL, and the “bridge” being part of one’s nose.

Times Jumbo Cryptic Crossword 1587

Stinker time! This wasn’t among the best – there were a few repeats and one too many made-to-fit solutions for my liking – but a generous helping of excellent clueing made up for a lot of this.

You can find my completed grid below along with explanations of my solutions. I hope you find them helpful. If a recent Jumbo has given you night sweats then you might find succour in my Just For Fun page, where you’ll find links to solutions for hundreds of the things.

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

FBV (French-By-Volume): 5%

(With thanks to Mick Scott in the comments for fixing 51a)

Across clues

Vexed question, so one you’ll address yourself? (9)

Answer: SOLILOQUY (i.e. “address yourself” or the act of talking to oneself). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “vexed”) of Q (a recognised abbreviation of “question”), SO, I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”) and YOU’LL.

Man with the minimum required to make it (8,5)

Answer: SKELETON STAFF. Solution satisfies the clue as a whole, but also plays on the verb form of “man” being to “staff” an organisation. That’s about it, I guess, unless I’m missing something clever.

A red or white mark intended to deceive (5)

Answer: MACON (i.e. “a red or white” wine). Solution is M (a recognised abbreviation of “mark”, the former German currency) and A CON (that which is “intended to receive”).

Preserving substance of books ten and eleven penned by a poet (abridged) (11)

Answer: ANTIOXIDANT (i.e. “preserving substance”). Solution is NT (i.e. “books”, specifically the New Testament of The Bible), IO (i.e. “ten”, as in the resemblance of the letters to the number 10), XI (i.e. “eleven” expressed in Roman numerals) all placed in or “penned by” A and DANTE Alighieri (i.e. “poet”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “abridged”), like so: A-(NT-IO-XI)-DANT.

Western moral theory oddly dismissed (5)

Answer: OATER (i.e. “western”, a US slang word apparently). “Oddly dismissed” indicates the solution is derived from every other letter of MORAL THEORY.

Farm worker unexpectedly passes empty sheds here (11)

Answer: SHEPHERDESS (i.e. “farm worker”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “unexpectedly”) of PS (i.e. “passes empty”, i.e. the word “passes” with all its middle letters removed) and SHEDS HERE.

Staggered start by journalist, very slow at first (11)

Answer: DUMBFOUNDED (i.e. “staggered”). Solution is FOUND (i.e. to “start”, e.g. a company) and ED (i.e. “journalist”, short for editor) with DUMB (i.e. “very slow” on the uptake) placed “at first”, like so: DUMB-(FOUND-ED).

One thus about to flee from a certain belief (7)

Answer: ISLAMIC (i.e. “from a certain belief”). Solution is I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”) followed by SIC (i.e. “thus” in Latin) once wrapped “about” LAM (i.e. “to flee”), like so: I-S(LAM)IC.

Special buckets perhaps for wrenches (7)

Answer: SPRAINS (i.e. “wrenches”). Solution is SP (a recognised abbreviation of “special”) followed by RAINS (i.e. “buckets”).

Hotel axes description of some compounds (7)

Answer: HYDROXY (i.e. “description of some compounds”). Solution is HYDRO (i.e. “hotel”, short for hydropathic establishment: “a hotel (with special baths etc, and often situated near a spa) where guests can have hydropathic treatment” (Chambers)) followed by X and Y (both “axes” of a graph).

To prepare for major conflict, he’d flog water pistols, ridiculously (3,4,3,4,2,3)

Answer: LET SLIP THE DOGS OF WAR (i.e. “to prepare for major conflict”, in this case a quote from William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar). “Ridiculously” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of HE’D FLOG WATER PISTOLS.

Supporter with cups boasting endlessly (3)

Answer: BRA (i.e. “supporter with cups”). Solution is BRAG (i.e. “boasting”) with its last letter removed (indicated by “endlessly”).

Pet in need of attention, cast to the margins (6)

Answer: DEARIE (i.e. “pet”, both terms of endearment). Solution is EAR (i.e. “attention”) with DIE (i.e. a “cast” or stamp) wrapped around it or placed “to the margins”, like so: D(EAR)IE.

Sound amplifier leaves: very quiet without it! (6)

Answer: PREAMP (i.e. “sound amplifier” – a little disappointing the indicator is rather similar to the solution, but I guess there was no better way of phrasing it). Solution is REAM (i.e. “leaves” of paper) with PP (i.e. “very quiet”, or a recognised abbreviation of pianissimo in musical lingo) wrapped around or placed “without it”, like so: P(REAM)P.

Good bread to have with wine – fancy, and white? (9)

Answer: GHOSTLIKE (i.e. “white”). Solution is G (a recognised abbreviation of “good”) followed by HOST (i.e. “bread to have with wine” during the Eucharist) and LIKE (i.e. “fancy”).

Paddy with a note for Clement (9)

Answer: TEMPERATE (i.e. “clement” – ignore the misleading capitalisation). Solution is TEMPER (i.e. “paddy”) followed by A and TE (i.e. “note” in the sol-fa notation, i.e. doh-ray-me etc).

What’s essential to take to neutralise chemical substance (6)

Answer: KETONE (i.e. “chemical substance”). “What’s essential to” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: TA(KE TO NE)UTRALISE.

Alive? No colder (6)

Answer: ASWARM (i.e. “alive” with activity). When written as AS WARM the solution also satisfies “no colder”, comparatively speaking.

Doctor has tip for Aunt Sally (3)

Answer: MOT (i.e. “sally”, both witty remarks or retorts). Solution is MO (i.e. “doctor” or Medical Officer) followed by T (i.e. “tip for Aunt”, i.e. the last letter of “Aunt”. I’m rarely a fan of this wordplay. How often do you call the back end of something the “tip”?). There are numerous variant meanings of MOT, it seems, but the one in play here is from the French, so you know what that means…

PM passing on work (5,2,3,9)

Answer: DEATH IN THE AFTERNOON (i.e. a “work”, in this case a non-fiction book by Ernest Hemingway). Clue plays on “PM” referring to THE AFTERNOON and “passing” being another word for DEATH.

Pressure to pursue key for return of property once (7)

Answer: ESCHEAT (i.e. “return of property once” – over to Chambers: “property that falls to the feudal lord or to the state for lack of an heir or by forfeiture”). Solution is HEAT (i.e. “pressure”) placed after or “pursuing” ESC (i.e. “key”, specifically the Escape key of a computer keyboard), like so: ESC-HEAT. One remembered from a previous puzzle, if I’m honest.

Help a councillor with a backward rural region (7)

Answer: ARCADIA (i.e. “rural region” of Greece). Solution is AID (i.e. “help”), A, CR (a recognised abbreviation of “councillor”) and A (again), all reversed (indicated by “backward”), like so: A-RC-A-DIA.

Upright and sensible, chasing ambition (7)

Answer: ENDWISE (i.e. “upright”). Solution is WISE (i.e. “sensible”) placed after or “chasing” END (i.e. aim or “ambition”), like so: END-WISE.

Shops conveniently situated by one: small row (11)

Answer: PATISSERIES (i.e. cake “shops”). Solution is PAT (i.e. “conveniently”) followed by I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”), then S (a recognised abbreviation of “small”) and SERIES (i.e. “row”). “Hmm, do we have sufficient patisseries here in Blighty to avoid another French meme?” Mr Poll 1-acrosses. To meme or not to meme; to meme or… Wait. Didn’t Patisserie Valerie shut down their shop in Norwich? That settles it.

An appetiser and an inspiration: it hurts, to be without that (5-6)

Answer: AMUSE-BOUCHE (i.e. “an appetiser”). Solution is A MUSE (i.e. “an inspiration”) followed by OUCH (i.e. “it hurts”) once placed in or having “without” BE, like so: A-MUSE-B(OUCH)E. Mon dieu! Here we go again!

Finish best at regatta, perhaps, or almost (5)

Answer: OUTDO (i.e. “finish best”). Solution is OUTDOOR (i.e. “at regatta, perhaps” – other outdoor sporting events are available) with the last couple of letters removed (indicated by “almost”). Another minor gripe of mine is when trim indicators are used to remove multiple end-letters. It’s legitimate, granted, but can make it harder to work forwards from a clue than it would be working backwards from a possible solution.

[EDIT: Scratch that. Thanks to Mick Scott in the comments for providing a better answer, being OUTRO (i.e. a “finish” to, say, a musical piece). Solution is OUTROW (i.e. “best at regatta, perhaps”) with its last letter removed (indicated by “or almost”). Cheers, Mick! – LP]

Dull, if hot, and fine – a curiously predictable spring (3,8)

Answer: OLD FAITHFUL (i.e. “predictable spring” in Yellowstone National Park in the United States). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “curiously”) of DULL IF HOT, F (a recognised abbreviation of “fine” used in grading pencils) and A.

Bill’s father maintaining position (5)

Answer: FLIER (i.e. “bill”, also spelled flyer). Solution is FR (a recognised abbreviation of the title “Father”) wrapped around or “maintaining” LIE (i.e. “position”), like so: F(LIE)R.

Daniel and Nathaniel do make one, however not Gwen and Jen (8,5)

Answer: FEMININE RHYME, apparently. Chambers has this: “a two-syllable rhyme, the second syllable being unstressed”. A cursory search on Google turns up examples like “ocean and motion” or “measles and weasels”. Coming back to the clue, I guess the setter is playfully referring to how the male names quoted satisfy the solution, while, ironically, the female names quoted do not. Trouble is “Nathaniel” is three syllables, no matter how you say it. Can’t say I’ve heard of feminine rhymes before, so I can’t crow too much, but this feels like a goof all the same.

Layer of rocks, to the left near large plant (5,4)

Answer: ROYAL FERN (i.e. “large plant”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “rocks”) of LAYER OF followed by NR (a recognised abbreviation of “near”) once reversed (indicated by “to the left” – this being an across clue), like so: ROYALFE-RN.

Down clues

Houses rendered late, as workers not fully trained? (11)

Answer: SEMISKILLED (i.e. “as workers not fully trained”). Solution is SEMIS (i.e. “houses”, short for semi-detached) followed by KILLED (i.e. “rendered late” – late being another word for “deceased”).

Briefly need hot drink and litre of milk (7)

Answer: LACTEAL (i.e. “of milk”). Solution is LACK (i.e. “need”) with its last letter removed (indicated by “briefly”) and the remainder followed by TEA (i.e. “hot drink”) and L (a recognised abbreviation of “litre”), like so: LAC-TEA-L.

Some fare well, uncharacteristically, after downsizing (5)

Answer: LUNCH (i.e. “some fare”). “After downsizing” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, removing the outer letters of WEL(L UNCH)ARACTERISTICALLY.

One extending leg, taking bike, tears around church (10)

Answer: QUADRICEPS (i.e. a muscle, specifically “one extending leg”). Solution is QUAD (i.e. “bike”) followed by RIPS (i.e. “tears”) once wrapped “around” CE (i.e. “church”, specifically the Church of England), like so: QUAD-RI(CE)PS.

Star, yet to explode, releases gas (7)

Answer: YATTERS (i.e. “releases gas” or talks a lot). “To explode” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of STAR YET.

Charity event: boy very evidently embarrassed when pennies collected go missing (9,4)

Answer: SPONSORED WALK (i.e. “charity event”). Solution is SON (i.e. “boy”) and SO RED (i.e. “very evidently embarrassed”) all wrapped around or “collecting” P (i.e. “pennies”, short for “pence”). This is all then followed by WALK (i.e. “go missing”), like so: (S(P)ON-SO-RED)-WALK.

After revolution, survive murder and onset of great wickedness (9)

Answer: EVILDOING (i.e. “wickedness”). Solution is LIVE (i.e. “survive”) reversed (indicated by “after revolution”) and followed by DO IN (i.e. “murder”), then G (i.e. “onset of great”, i.e. the first letter of “great”), like so: EVIL-DO-IN-G.

Old scholar featuring in The Times letters (7)

Answer: Desiderius ERASMUS Roterodamus (i.e. “old scholar”). Solution is ERAS (i.e. “the times” – ignore the misleading caps and italics) followed by MUS (i.e. “letters”, specifically the twelfth letter of the Greek alphabet made plural).

With fuel exhausted, article locked in safe (3,2,3,4)

Answer: OUT OF THE WOOD (i.e. “safe” – both “wood” and “woods” in the phrase are recognised). Solution is OUT OF WOOD (i.e. “with fuel exhausted”) wrapped around or “locking in” THE (i.e. “article”, being a word like a, an or the), like so: OUT-OF-(THE)-WOOD.

Flood that’s to be expected, one may hear? (4,5)

Answer: SNOW UNDER (i.e. to “flood”). “One may hear” indicates homophone. Solution comprises homophones of [THAT]‘S NO WONDER (i.e. “that’s to be expected”).

Did something about rearing delinquent youth (5)

Answer: ACTED (i.e. “did something”). Solution is CA (i.e. “about”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of “circa”) reversed (indicated by “rearing” – this being a down clue) and followed by TED (i.e. “delinquent youth” of the 60s, short for a Teddy Boy), like so: AC-TED.

Female with a light cape in a storm finding protection against lightning (7,4)

Answer: FARADAY CAGE (i.e. “protection against lightning”). Solution is F (a recognised abbreviation of “female”) followed by A, DAY (i.e. “light” time) and C (a recognised abbreviation of “cape”, the geographic feature) once all placed “in” A RAGE (i.e. “a storm”), like so: F-A-R(A-DAY-C)AGE.

Complaint he conveys when entertaining one (7)

Answer: MALAISE (i.e. “complaint”). Solution is MALE (i.e. “he”) wrapped around or “conveying” AS (i.e. “when”) once this has itself been wrapped around or “entertaining” I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”), like so: MAL(A(I)S)E.

Essential to play one close to All Blacks in NZ region, on reflection (9)

Answer: OBBLIGATO (i.e. “essential to play” in music lingo). Solution is I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”), L (i.e. “close to All”, i.e. the last letter of “All”) and B and B (i.e. both “blacks” – B being a recognised abbreviation of “black” used in chess) all placed “in” OTAGO (i.e. “NZ region”). This is all reversed, like so: O(BB-L-I)GATO. I’m surprised setters are still finding new ways to clue this solution considering how often variant forms of it appear in Jumbos. Third time this year, ed. Just saying.

A cut arm: it might turn out so? (9)

Answer: TRAUMATIC. The solution satisfies the clue as a whole, but is also an anagram (indicated by “might turn out so”) of A CUT ARM IT.

Ultimately tough, a type of rugby mostly representative of E Wales town (7)

Answer: HARLECH (i.e. “Wales town”). Solution is H (i.e. “ultimately tough”, i.e. the last letter of “tough”) followed by A, then RL (i.e. “type of rugby”, in this case Rugby League), then ECHO (i.e. “representative of E” in the phonetic alphabet) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “mostly”), like so: H-A-RL-ECH. If you hadn’t heard of it, don’t worry. You weren’t alone. Its population was 1,447 at the last count. Put another way, you could put 50 Harlech’s in the Millennium Stadium. Its castle was supposedly the site of a seven-year siege during the Wars of the Roses, which the setter will probably claim qualifies its entry in this Jumbo. I’m sure it’s a lovely place to live and visit too, but this is made-to-fit rubbish pure and simple.

Yellow strip lined with new sort of material (7)

Answer: ORGANZA (i.e. “sort of material”). Solution is OR (i.e. “yellow” or gold in heraldry) followed by GAZA (i.e. “strip”, housing around 2m Palestinians) once wrapped around or “lined with” N (a recognised abbreviation of “new”), like so: OR-GA(N)ZA.

Wound that bled, etc, after constant fighting (7,6)

Answer: PITCHED BATTLE (i.e. “constant fighting”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “wound”) of THAT BLED ETC placed “after” PI (i.e. a mathematical “constant”), like so: PI-TCHEDBATTLE.

Rested up before dawn of day, stunned (7)

Answer: TASERED (i.e. “stunned” by a taser, a device delivering an electric shock to its target). Solution is SAT (i.e. “rested”) reversed (indicated by “up” – this being a down clue) followed by ERE (poetic form of “before”) and D (i.e. “dawn of day”, i.e. the first letter of “day”), like so: TAS-ERE-D.

Gesture in vain, indicating place to park the Rover? (3,2,3,4)

Answer: BAY AT THE MOON. Solution satisfies “gesture in vain” and, playfully, “place to park the [Lunar] Rover”. A very similar version of this appeared a few months ago in grid 1556, also a stinker. I hope the same setter wasn’t behind both, otherwise that’d be a bit rubbish.

Finally got confession from American culprit, covering against theft? (6-5)

Answer: TAMPER-PROOF (i.e. “against theft”). Solution is T (i.e. “finally got”, i.e. the last letter of “got”) followed by AM PERP (i.e. “confession from American culprit”) and ROOF (i.e. “covering”).

European national entering sneakily, a day earlier (11)

Answer: MONTENEGRIN (i.e. “European national”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “sneakily”) of ENTERING placed after or having “earlier” MON (i.e. “a day”, in this case a short form of Monday), like so: MON-TENEGRIN.

English friend outside, present in spirit? (10)

Answer: ETHEREALLY (i.e. “in spirit”). Solution is E (a recognised abbreviation of “English”) and ALLY (i.e. “friend”) all wrapped around or placed “outside” of THERE (i.e. being “present”), like so: E-(THERE)-ALLY.

Be not quite as smart in rebuke (5,4)

Answer: DRESS DOWN. Solution satisfies “be not quite as smart” and “rebuke”.

Means to use scenery, as ordered (9)

Answer: NECESSARY (i.e. “means”, both referencing money). “As ordered” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of SCENERY AS.

Indian manager taking a 34 across a river (7)

Answer: AMILDAR (i.e. “Indian manager” – a new one on me). Solution is A followed by MILD (i.e. “34 across” – the solution to this is TEMPERATE), then A and R (a recognised abbreviation of “river”). Another made-to-fit solution.

Rock formation shaking, but with vibration removed (7)

Answer: AQUIFER (i.e. “rock formation” bearing water). Not 100% on this one. I guess the setter is transforming AQUIVER (i.e. “shaking”) to AQUIFER, but I don’t see how changing V to F is “with vibration removed”. My Chambers doesn’t offer many recognised abbreviations of V or F that would fit the bill. “Removed”, on the other hand, could suggest we’re removing something from an existing word to get AQUIFER, but nothing is sparking. If anyone swings by with the solution to this one then I’ll update the post.

[EDIT: A big thank you to Sue in the comments for clearing this one up. It seems the setter is playing phonological games here, in how the V of AQUIVER is a voiced consonant and how the F of AQUIFER is a voiceless consonant, the difference in pronunciation between the two being the vibration applied by the lower lip against the teeth. So “with vibration removed” gets you from V to F in the clue. Good grief, setter. Don’t play that one again! Cheers Sue! – LP]

Maybe italicise letters following US company policy (7)

Answer: INCLINE (i.e. “maybe italicise letters”). Solution is INC (i.e. “US company”, short for Incorporated) followed by LINE (i.e. “policy”).

Symbol depicting bear trampling maiden (5)

Answer: TOTEM (i.e. “symbol”). Solution is TOTE (i.e. to “bear”) followed by M (a recognised abbreviation of “maiden” used in cricket).

Rubbish left by old earth excavator (5)

Answer: OFFAL (i.e. “rubbish”). Solution is L (a recognised abbreviation of “left”) placed after or “by” King OFFA of Mercia (i.e. “old earth excavator”, referring to Offa’s Dyke), like so: OFFA-L.

Times Jumbo Cryptic Crossword 1586

A medium strength puzzle this week, and one enjoying a generous dollop of well-written clues. A good un, then, and somewhat welcome after grinding through a couple of duffers.

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

FBV (French-By-Volume): 1.33%

Across clues

Tailored coat mum’s altered, done without lining (6-4)

Answer: CUSTOM-MADE (i.e. “tailored”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “altered”) of COAT MUM’S followed by DE (i.e. “done without lining”, i.e. the word “done” with its middle letters removed), like so: CUSTOMMA-DE.

What people pour into gardens with a cane and string for lashing (8,4)

Answer: WATERING CANS (i.e. “what people pour into gardens”). Solution is W (a recognised abbreviation of “with”) and A followed by an anagram (indicated by “for lashing”) of CANE and STRING, like so: W-A-TERINGCANS.

Intimate audition for Court Theatre? (4,5)

Answer: SHOW TRIAL (i.e. “court theatre”, playfully. A show trial is “a trial at which the opportunity to expose the accused to public opprobrium is given priority over the impartial prosecution of justice” (Chambers)). Solution is SHOW (i.e. to “intimate”) followed by TRIAL (i.e. “audition”).

Work at including queen in abstract piece (2,3)

Answer: OP ART (i.e. “abstract piece”). Solution is OP (i.e. “work”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of “opus”) followed by AT once wrapped around or “including” R (i.e. “queen”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of the Latin Regina), like so: OP-A(R)T.

Job involving a large American choir (7)

Answer: CHORALE (i.e. “American choir”). Solution is CHORE (i.e. “job”) wrapped around or “involving” A and L (a recognised abbreviation of “large”), like so: CHOR(A-L)E.

Elected Conservative party scold head for lack of respect (17)

Answer: INCONSIDERATENESS (i.e. “lack of respect”). Solution is IN (i.e. “elected”) followed by CON (short for “Conservatives”), then SIDE (i.e. team or “party”), then RATE (i.e. to “scold”) and NESS (i.e. “head”, in this case the geographical feature).

New York has speed and spirit (5)

Answer: NYMPH (i.e. “spirit”). Solution is NY (a recognised abbreviation of “New York”) followed by MPH (i.e. “speed”, specifically Miles Per Hour).

Dog grips part of leg, exerting pressure (7)

Answer: PUSHING (i.e. “exerting pressure”). Solution is PUG (i.e. “dog”) wrapped around or “gripping” SHIN (i.e. “part of leg”), like so: PU(SHIN)G.

Closed Civil Service during alarm (6)

Answer: TOCSIN (i.e. an “alarm”). Solution is TO (i.e. “closed”, as in a door closed to) followed by CS (short for “Civil Service”) and IN (i.e. “during”). One nailed from the wordplay and a shufti in Chambers. It’s from the French, so you know what that means…

Wrong spring put into lock (8)

Answer: TRESPASS (i.e. “wrong”). Solution is SPA (i.e. “spring”) “put into” TRESS (i.e. “lock” of hair), like so: TRES(SPA)S.

I am having beans? This will get one going (7)

Answer: IMPULSE (i.e. “this will get one going”). Solution is I’M (a contraction of “I am”) followed by PULSE (i.e. “beans”).

Financially embarrass senator holding property (8)

Answer: STRAITEN (i.e. “financially embarrass”). Solution is SEN (short for “senator”) wrapped around or “holding” TRAIT (i.e. attribute or “property”), like so: S(TRAIT)EN.

We should be away from fires (4,2)

Answer: LET’S GO (i.e. “we should be away”). When written as LETS GO the solution also satisfies “fires” from a job.

They can up the tension to go round bends (11)

Answer: TURNBUCKLES (i.e. “they can up the tension”). Solution is TURN (i.e. “to go round”) followed by BUCKLES (i.e. “bends”).

A stone? Queen and king, say, after millions for jewel in the crown (11)

Answer: MASTERPIECE (i.e. “jewel in the crown”). Solution is A, ST (a recognised abbreviation of “stone”), ER (i.e. “queen”, specifically Elizabeth Regina) and PIECE (i.e. “king, say” – other chess pieces are available) all placed “after” M (a recognised abbreviation of “millions”), like so: M-(A-ST-ER-PIECE).

Kindly don outraged to be disturbed (4-7)

Answer: GOOD-NATURED (i.e. “kindly”). “To be disturbed” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of DON OUTRAGED.

Protest loudly about circuit crash (11)

Answer: THUNDERCLAP (i.e. a “crash” of thunder). Solution is THUNDER (i.e. “protest loudly”) followed by C (i.e. “about”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of “circa”) and LAP (i.e. “circuit”).

Extremely clever solver’s got this (4,2)

Answer: EVER SO (i.e. “extremely”). “Got this” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: CL(EVER SO)LVER.

Annoying person is in touch (8)

Answer: NUISANCE (i.e. “annoying person”). Solution is IS placed “in” NUANCE (i.e. “touch”), like so: NU(IS)ANCE.

Attach payment: a bit off Sunday roast? (7)

Answer: SUBJOIN (i.e. “attach”). Solution is SUB (i.e. “payment”) followed by JOINT (i.e. “Sunday roast”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “a bit off”), like so: SUB-JOIN.

As some wild animals ate English lamb unfortunately (8)

Answer: TAMEABLE (i.e. “as some wild animals are”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “unfortunately”) of ATE, E (a recognised abbreviation of “English”) and LAMB.

Show off floor National Trust inlaid with gold (6)

Answer: FLAUNT (i.e. “show off”). Solution is FL (a recognised abbreviation of “floor”) and NT (ditto “National Trust”) wrapped around or “inlaid with” AU (chemical symbol of “gold”), like so: FL-(AU)-NT.

Aperture in very large copper chimney up north (7)

Answer: OSCULUM (i.e. “aperture”, specifically “an exhalant aperture in a sponge” (Chambers)). Solution is OS (i.e. “very large”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of “outsize”) followed by CU (chemical symbol of “copper”) and LUM (i.e. “chimney up north”, a Scots word). One nailed from the wordplay, unsurprisingly.

Ruminant – I had three finally in compound (5)

Answer: OXIDE (i.e. “compound”). Solution is OX (i.e. “ruminant”) followed by I’D (a contraction of “I had”) and E (i.e. “three finally”, i.e. the last letter of “three”).

Much action with bombers flying in which fuel catches fire (10,7)

Answer: COMBUSTION CHAMBER (i.e. “in which fuel catches fire”). “Flying” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of MUCH ACTION and BOMBERS.

Underlying theme of message from HMS Vanguard? (7)

Answer: SUBTEXT (i.e. “underlying theme”). When written as SUB TEXT the solution playfully satisfies the remainder of the clue, “HMS Vanguard” being a submarine and TEXT being an informal name for an SMS message.

Mend incomplete iron blade (5)

Answer: KNIFE (i.e. “blade”). Solution is KNIT (i.e. “mend”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “incomplete”) and the remainder followed by FE (chemical symbol of “iron”), like so: KNI-FE.

Poisonous plant of the underworld Persephone finally brought forth (9)

Answer: HELLEBORE (i.e. “poisonous plant”). Solution is HELL (i.e. “the underworld”) followed by E (i.e. “Persephone finally”, i.e. the last letter of “Persephone”) and BORE (i.e. “brought forth”). Another nailed from the wordplay. Nicely worked, though.

Walk in sounding weary, something unprepared players may do (5-7)

Answer: SIGHT-READING (i.e. “something unprepared players may do”, being “someone who can read or perform music at first sight of the notes” (Chambers)). Solution is TREAD (i.e. “walk”) placed “in” SIGHING (i.e. “sounding weary”), like so: SIGH(TREAD)ING.

Crucial batsman’s actions – these could be character forming (10)

Answer: KEYSTROKES (i.e. “these could be character forming”, as in typed characters on paper or a screen). Solution is KEY (i.e. “crucial”) followed by STROKES (i.e. “batsman’s actions” in cricket).

Down clues

Specific example of something in milk and nought in beer? (4,2,5)

Answer: CASE IN POINT (i.e. “specific example”). Solution is CASEIN (i.e. “something in milk”, a protein used in the production of cheese) followed by O (i.e. “nought”) once placed “in” PINT (i.e. “beer”), like so: CASEIN-P(O)INT.

Philosopher – one in short supply (5)

Answer: STOIC (i.e. “philosopher” – a Stoic is “a disciple of the philosopher Zeno, who taught in the Stoa Poikilē (Painted Porch) at Athens” (Chambers). It can also relate to said Stoics or their philosophy. Try as I might, I can’t twist any of this to make a “philosopher”. The clue seems to imply that disciples of a philosopher are philosophers themselves, which might explain why there are so many of them). Solution is I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”) placed “in” STOCK (i.e. “supply”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “short”), like so: STO(I)C.

Endless game in old California lasting a number of years (9)

Answer: OCTENNIAL (i.e. “lasting a number of years”, in this case eight). Solution is TENNIS (i.e. “game”) with its last letter removed (indicated by “endless”) and the remainder placed “in” O (a recognised abbreviation of “old”) and CAL (ditto “California”), like so: O-C(TENNI)AL.

Intend to break pottery, causing damage (7)

Answer: MAIMING (i.e. “causing damage”). Solution is AIM (i.e. “intend”) placed in or “breaking” MING (i.e. “pottery”), like so: M(AIM)ING.

United playing with learner, tending to reduce concentration (7)

Answer: DILUENT (i.e. “tending to reduce concentration” of a substance). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “playing”) of UNITED and L (a recognised abbreviation of “learner”).

Trained medics aim to follow a constant and formal way of teaching (11)

Answer: ACADEMICISM (i.e. “formal way of teaching”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “trained”) of MEDICS AIM placed after or “following” A and C (a recognised abbreviation of “constant”), like so: A-C-ADEMICISM.

Take selection from Keith? Eric? Keith or Eric? (6)

Answer: EITHER (i.e. “Keith or Eric”, an inference that EITHER person would satisfy the first half of the clue. The riddly question mark at the end unnecessarily confuses things in my less-than-humble opinion). “Take selection from” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: K(EITH ER)IC.

Cutters in navy can inflict sinkings on raiding subs from the outset (8)

Answer: INCISORS (i.e. teeth that are “cutters”). “From the outset” indicates the solution is derived from the initial letters of In Navy Can Inflict Sinkings On Raiding Subs.

US park worker crushed small ring (13)

Answer: GROUNDSKEEPER (i.e. “US park worker”). Solution is GROUND (i.e. “crushed”) followed by S (a recognised abbreviation of “small”) and KEEPER (i.e. a guard “ring” – I recalled this from a previous Jumbo).

Cell deficiency of a new blood group English intend going over (7)

Answer: ANAEMIA (i.e. “cell deficiency”). Solution is A followed by N (a recognised abbreviation of “new”), then A (i.e. “blood group”), then E (a recognised abbreviation of “English”) and AIM (i.e. “intend”) once the latter has been reversed (indicated by “going over”), like so: A-N-A-E-MIA.

Leave it on hospital round? Possibility for this? (11)

Answer: STETHOSCOPE (i.e. “this” within the context of the clue, inferring a piece of medical equipment). Solution is STET (i.e. “leave it”, i.e. an editor’s note to ignore changes made and retain the original text, after the Latin for “let it stand”) followed by H (a recognised abbreviation of “hospital”), then O (i.e. “round”) and SCOPE (i.e. “possibility”). Very nicely worked.

Frank put on trousers as a means of expression (5,5)

Answer: VOCAL CORDS (i.e. “a means of expression”). Solution is VOCAL (i.e. “frank”) followed by CORDS (i.e. “trousers”).

Great attitude to get on? (9)

Answer: SUPERPOSE (i.e. “to get on” top of another). Solution is SUPER (i.e. “great”) followed by POSE (i.e. an assumed “attitude”).

Concerned with fool leading river rally (8)

Answer: REASSURE (i.e. to “rally” another). Solution is RE (i.e. “concerned with” – think email replies) followed by ASS (i.e. “fool”) and URE (i.e. a “river”).

Nearly left somewhere without key in move (6)

Answer: EXCITE (i.e. to “move”). Solution is EXITED (i.e. “left”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “nearly”) and the remainder wrapped around or placed “without” C (i.e. a musical “key”), like so: EX(C)ITE.

Notes one found in odd room with beds and lamps (8)

Answer: SOLARIUM (i.e. “room with beds and [tanning] lamps”). Solution is SO and LA (both “notes” in the sol-fa notation) followed by I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”) once placed “in” RUM (i.e. “odd”), like so: (SO-LA)-R(I)UM.

Cleaner reported to run off with fleece (5,4)

Answer: STEEL WOOL (i.e. “cleaner”). Solution is a homophone (indicated by “reported”) of STEAL (i.e. “run off with”) followed by WOOL (i.e. “fleece”).

Hollow rocks of granite, ovoid, excrescences on the outside (6)

Answer: GEODES (i.e. “hollow rocks”). “On the outside” indicates the solution can be derived from the first and last letters of GranitE, OvoiD and ExcrescenceS.

Riverside’s gallery chaps need time for financial report (4,9)

Answer: BANK STATEMENT (i.e. “financial report”). Solution is BANK’S (i.e. “riverside’s”) followed by TATE (i.e. London art “gallery”), then MEN (i.e. “chaps”) and T (a recognised abbreviation of “time”).

Pensions, perhaps, you once got in speculations (11)

Answer: GUESTHOUSES (i.e. “pensions, perhaps” – a variant meaning of the word is a continental boarding house). Solution is THOU (i.e. “you once”, i.e. ye olde form of “you”) placed “in” GUESSES (i.e. “speculations”), like so: GUES(THOU)SES.

Maya chasing daughter is let down (11)

Answer: DISILLUSION (i.e. “let down”). Solution is ILLUSION (i.e. “maya” – a new one on me) placed after or “chasing” D (a recognised abbreviation of “daughter”) and IS, like so: D-IS-(ILLUSION).

Dumb part of shoe done up like laces (6-4)

Answer: TONGUE-TIED (i.e. struck “dumb”). Solution is TONGUE (i.e. “part of shoe”) followed by TIED (i.e. “done up like laces”).

Mammals, marine, wild – tons kept in enclosures (4,7)

Answer: PINE MARTENS (i.e. “mammals”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “wild”) of MARINE and T (a recognised abbreviation of “tons”) all “kept in” PENS (i.e. “enclosures”), like so: P(INEMAR-T)ENS.

Raised youngster has the ability always to be a reckless adventurer (9)

Answer: BUCCANEER (i.e. “reckless adventurer”). Solution is CUB (i.e. “youngster”) reversed (indicated by “raised” – this being a down clue) followed by CAN (i.e. “has the ability to”) and E’ER (i.e. poetic form of “always”), like so: BUC-CAN-E’ER.

British have no restraint in formal wear (5,3)

Answer: BLACK TIE (i.e. “formal wear”). Solution is B (a recognised abbreviation of “British”) followed by LACK (i.e. “have no”) and TIE (i.e. “restraint”).

Post holder initially makes trouble over sack (7)

Answer: MAILBAG (i.e. “post holder”). Solution is M (i.e. “initially makes”, i.e. the first letter of “makes”) followed by AIL (i.e. “trouble”) and BAG (i.e. “sack”).

Foot regularly started outside darts players’ mark (7)

Answer: TROCHEE (i.e. “foot” in poetic terms. Again to Chambers: “a foot of two syllables, a long followed by a short”). Solution is TRE (i.e. “regularly started”, i.e. every other letter of STARTED) placed “outside” of OCHE (i.e. “darts players’ mark”), like so: TR(OCHE)E.

Hides from view round leader of crazy sects (7)

Answer: OCCULTS (i.e. “hides from view”). Solution is O (i.e. “round”) followed by C (i.e. “leader of crazy”, i.e. the first letter of “crazy”) and CULTS (i.e. “sects”).

Fumed as a small donkey died (6)

Answer: SMOKED (i.e. “fumed”). Solution is S (a recognised abbreviation of “small”) followed by MOKE (slang for a “donkey”, apparently) and D (a recognised abbreviation of “died”).

Stream runs inside reserve (5)

Answer: BROOK (i.e. “stream”). Solution is R (a recognised abbreviation of “runs” used in a number of ball games) placed “inside” of BOOK (i.e. to “reserve”), like so: B(R)OOK.

Times Jumbo Cryptic Crossword 1585

Another grind, pretty much the same as last week. I mean, look at some of the trash in the grid. Pff. I might think differently tomorrow, or at least be more forgiving, but for now I’m just glad to have this one out of the way.

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

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

FBV (French-By-Volume): 3.3%

Across clues

Youngster initially enthused by Indonesian climber (5)

Answer: CUBEB (i.e. “Indonesian climber” – Chambers offers this: “the dried berry of Piper cubeba, an Indonesian climbing pepper shrub, formerly used as a drug to treat infections of the urinary tract”). Solution is CUB (i.e. “youngster”) followed by E and B (i.e. “initially enthused by”, i.e. the first letters of “enthused” and “by”). Made-to-fit rubbish.

Struck, holding wife inside animal shelter (7)

Answer: COWSHED (i.e. “animal shelter”). Solution is COSHED (i.e. “struck”) wrapped around or “holding” W (a recognised abbreviation of “wife”), like so: CO(W)SHED.

Stew made by shy Liverpudlian (9)

Answer: LOBSCOUSE (i.e. “stew” – and again to Chambers: “a stew or hash with vegetables or biscuit, a sea dish”). Solution is LOB (i.e. “shy” or throw) followed by SCOUSE (i.e. “Liverpudlian”). Never heard of it.

Book of words governor’s kept in house (9)

Answer: THESAURUS (i.e. “book of words”). Solution is HE’S (i.e. “governor’s”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of His Excellency, if you go in for all that bowing and scraping) placed “in” TAURUS (i.e. “house” or sign of the zodiac), like so: T(HE’S)AURUS.

Where courses may be provided along certain lines (10,3)

Answer: RESTAURANT CAR. Clue plays on railway “lines” and a train carriage in which food is served. That’s about it, I guess.

Owns gallery shaped like a spear (7)

Answer: HASTATE (i.e. “shaped like a spear”). Solution is HAS (i.e. “owns”) followed by TATE (i.e. an art “gallery” in London). A new one on me. Apparently from the Latin hasta, meaning spear.

British soldiers given pay for preparing drinks (7)

Answer: BREWAGE (i.e. “preparing drinks”). Solution is B (a recognised abbreviation of “British”) followed by RE (i.e. “soldiers”, specifically the Royal Engineers of the British Army) and WAGE (i.e. “pay”).

Happiest, surprisingly, when son leaves grave message (7)

Answer: EPITAPH (i.e. “grave message”, or tombstone inscription). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “surprisingly” of HAPPIEST once the S has been removed (indicated by “when son leaves” – S being a recognised abbreviation of “son”).

Face a hard task? As a popular journalist one might (4,4,4,3,3)

Answer: HAVE ONE’S WORK CUT OUT. Solution satisfies “face a hard task” and “as a popular journalist one might”, referring to press cuttings.

Tyneside graduate goes west? So be it (4)

Answer: AMEN (i.e. “so be it”). Solution is NE (i.e. “Tyneside”, or the North-East of England) and MA (i.e. “graduate”, specifically a Master of Arts) all reversed (indicated by “goes west” – this being an across clue), like so: AM-EN.

Sailor originally involved in Beds town’s cleaning process (9)

Answer: ABLUTIONS (i.e. “cleaning process”). Solution is AB (i.e. “sailor”, specifically one of Able-Bodied rank) followed by I (i.e. “originally involved”, i.e. the first letter of “involved”) once placed “in” LUTON’S (i.e. “Beds town’s”), like so: AB-LUT(I)ON’S.

Extend downward dimension of enclosure by river (6)

Answer: DEEPEN (i.e. “extend downward dimension”). Solution is PEN (i.e. “enclosure”) placed after or “by” DEE (i.e. “river”), like so: DEE-PEN.

Medic swallowed by big fish in Arctic territory (6)

Answer: TUNDRA (i.e. “Arctic territory”). Solution is DR (i.e. “medic”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of “doctor”) placed in or “swallowed by” TUNA (i.e. “big fish”), like so: TUN(DR)A.

Broken hearts originally haunting a ruler of great importance (12)

Answer: EARTHSHAKING (i.e. “of great importance”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “broken”) of HEARTS followed by H (i.e. “originally haunting”, i.e. the first letter of “haunting”), then A and KING (i.e. “ruler”), like so: EARTHS-H-A-KING.

Final Greek poet beheaded in confines of bare cell (10)

Answer: BLASTOMERE (i.e. “cell” – and to Chambers once more: “one of the cells formed in an early stage of the cleavage of a fertilized ovum”. Another everyday word, then). Solution is LAST (i.e. “final”) and HOMER (i.e. “Greek poet”) once its first letter has been removed (indicated by “beheaded”) all placed “in” BE (i.e. “confines of bare”, i.e. the first and last letters of “bare”), like so: B(LAST-OMER)E.

Give excessive work to old priest returning cross (10)

Answer: OVERBURDEN (i.e. “give excessive work to”). Solution is O (a recognised abbreviation of “old”) followed by REV (i.e. “priest”, in this case a shortened form of “reverend”) reversed (indicated by “returning”), then BURDEN (i.e. “cross”, as in one’s cross to bear), like so: O-VER-BURDEN.

Endless moral rectitude concerning ship’s owner (12)

Answer: PROPRIETRESS (i.e. “owner”). Solution is PROPRIETY (i.e. “moral rectitude”) with its last letter removed (indicated by “endless”) and the remainder followed by RE (i.e. “concerning” – think email replies) and SS (i.e. “ship”, a recognised abbreviation of a steamship), like so: PROPRIET-RE-SS.

Partner finally secures employment on European river (6)

Answer: SPOUSE (i.e. “partner”). Solution is S (i.e. “finally secures”, i.e. the last letter of “secures”) followed by USE (i.e. “employment”) once it has first been placed “on” or after PO (a “river” in Italy), like so: S-(PO)-USE.

Property in East, say (6)

Answer: ESTATE (i.e. “property”). Solution is E (a recognised abbreviation of “east”) followed by STATE (i.e. “say”).

European prince, carrying cape, left social venue (9)

Answer: DANCEHALL (i.e. “social venue”). Solution is DANE (i.e. “European”) and HAL (i.e. “prince” – a reference to Shakespeare’s portrayal of a young King Henry V. This is a useful one to keep in mind because short obscure word + Shakespeare reference = catnip for cryptic crossword setters) all wrapped around or “carrying” C (a recognised abbreviation of “cape”, the geographic feature). This is all then followed by L (a recognised abbreviation of “left”), like so: (DAN(C)E-HAL)-L

Relax, having letters read aloud (4)

Answer: EASE. Solution satisfies “relax” and “having letters read aloud”, in this case a homophone of plural E.

Part of US which briefly employs leaders in Denver, Colorado (8,2,8)

Answer: DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA (i.e. “part of US”, these days better known as Washington D.C.). The remainder of the clue plays on how the initials D.C. are also the “leaders in Denver, Colorado”, or the first letters of “Denver” and “Colorado”.

Reportedly regret dig in simulated conversation (7)

Answer: RHUBARB (i.e. “simulated conversation”, referring to a word extras mutter in the background of film or TV scenes in lieu of actual conversation). Solution is a homophone (indicated by “reportedly”) of RUE (i.e. “regret”) followed by BARB (i.e. “dig” or criticism), like so: RHU-BARB.

Verse in ancient language also inspiring a NE European (7)

Answer: LATVIAN (i.e. “NE European”). Solution is V (a recognised abbreviation of “verse”) placed “in” LATIN (i.e. “ancient language”) along with, separately, (indicated by “also inspiring”) A, like so: LAT(V)I(A)N.

Officers with notices, in French to begin with (7)

Answer: ENSIGNS (i.e. army “officers”). Solution is SIGNS (i.e. “notices”) with EN (i.e. “in French”, i.e. the French for “in”) placed “to begin with”, like so: EN-SIGNS.

French writer, chap with castle at end of wood (13)

Answer: François-René de CHATEAUBRIAND (i.e. “French writer”). Solution is BRIAN (i.e. “chap’s” name) placed after or “with” CHATEAU (i.e. “castle”) and followed by D (i.e. “end of wood”, i.e. the last letter of “wood”), like so: CHATEAU-BRIAN-D. Never heard of him, nor anything in his oeuvre, but I guess it helps the setter meet the minimum French quota this week. Wait, did I say “oeuvre” just then in my withering dig at the Frenchness of Jumbos? Zut alors! L’ironie…

Plotter, one who fascinates? (9)

Answer: INTRIGUER. Solution satisfies “plotter” and “one who fascinates”.

Modern way to dip into coffee? Certainly (6-3)

Answer: LATTER-DAY (i.e. “modern”). Solution is RD (i.e. “way”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of a “road”) placed “into” LATTE (i.e. “coffee”) and AY (i.e. “certainly”, poetically), like so: LATTE-(RD)-AY.

US city taking ages to accept a British monarch (7)

Answer: YONKERS (i.e. “US city” in New York State). Solution is YONKS (i.e. “ages”) wrapped around or “accepting” ER (i.e. “a British monarch”, specifically Elizabeth Regina), like so: YONK(ER)S.

Perceived as only a subsidiary journalist? (5)

Answer: NOTED (i.e. “perceived”). When written as NOT ED the solution playfully satisfies “only a subsidiary journalist”, i.e. not the editor.

Down clues

Net wears thin, we hear? It’s something often delivered (11)

Answer: CATCHPHRASE (i.e. a saying that’s “often delivered”). Solution is CATCH (i.e. to “net”) followed by a homophone (indicated by “we hear”) of FRAYS (i.e. “wears thin”).

Consecrate land originally held by good queen (5)

Answer: BLESS (i.e. “consecrate”). Solution is L (i.e. “land originally”, i.e. the first letter of “land”) placed in or “held by” BESS (i.e. “good queen”, Good Queen Bess being a byname of Elizabeth I, apparently), like so: B(L)ESS.

Prevaricate, but attend a fight over the Aussie outback (4,5,3,4)

Answer: BEAT ABOUT THE BUSH (i.e. “prevaricate”). Solution is BE AT A BOUT (i.e. “attend a fight”) followed by THE BUSH (i.e. “Aussie outback”).

Funeral procession my sheep ultimately impede (7)

Answer: CORTEGE (i.e. “funeral procession”). Solution is COR (i.e. “my”, both exclamations) followed by TEG (a “sheep” in its second year, apparently) and E (i.e. “ultimately impede”, i.e. the last letter of “impede”).

Used to be game, installing hotel’s facilities for 23 (9)

Answer: WASHBOWLS (i.e. “facilities for 23” – the solution to 23a being ABLUTIONS). Solution is WAS (i.e. “used to be”) and BOWLS (i.e. “game”) all wrapped around or “installing” H (“hotel” in the phonetic alphabet), like so: WAS-(H)-BOWLS.

Hard bargaining involving Arabs and Andalusians, perhaps? (5,7)

Answer: HORSE-TRADING (i.e. “hard bargaining”). Clue plays on “Arabs” and “Andalusians” being breeds of horses. The latter is also a chicken, so make sure you’ve got the correct riding gear before mounting one.

Underworld boss having quick fix is bumped off (10)

Answer: DISPATCHED (i.e. “bumped off”). Solution is DIS (i.e. “underworld boss”, also known as Pluto. Another useful one to keep in mind because short obscure word + classics reference = Viagra for cryptic crossword setters. Well, the male ones anyway…) followed by PATCHED (i.e. “having quick fix”).

Give up holiday (5)

Answer: LEAVE. Solution satisfies “give up” and “holiday”.

Pub sign covering live outdoor meal (8)

Answer: BARBECUE (i.e. “outdoor meal”). Solution is BAR (i.e. “pub”) and CUE (i.e. “sign”, theatrically speaking) all wrapped around or “covering” BE (i.e. “live”), like so: BAR-(BE)-CUE.

Plain as peel may be, releasing energy (6)

Answer: CANDID (i.e. “plain”). Solution is CANDIED (i.e. “as peel may be”) once the E has been removed (indicated by “releasing energy” – E being a recognised abbreviation of “energy”).

Object taken in by pawnbroker, note, awaiting applicant (9)

Answer: UNCLAIMED (i.e. “awaiting applicant”). Solution is AIM (i.e. “object”) placed “in” UNCLE (slang for a “pawnbroker”) and D (a musical “note”), like so: UNCL(AIM)E-D.

Turbulent weather near pottery (11)

Answer: EARTHENWARE (i.e. “pottery”). “Turbulent” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of WEATHER NEAR.

Woman heading for vessel on a large lake (7)

Answer: VALERIE (i.e. “woman’s” name). Solution is V (i.e. “heading for vessel”, i.e. the first letter of “vessel”) followed by A, then L (a recognised abbreviation of “lake”) and ERIE (one of the Great “Lakes” of North America).

Part of pedal pilot used going north round City (7)

Answer: TOECLIP (i.e. “part of [bicycle] pedal” designed to keep the foot in place). Solution is PILOT reversed (indicated by “going north” – this being a down clue) and wrapped “round” EC (i.e. “city”, basically the postcode area for the City of London. Another useful one to keep in mind for future as obscure short word + London reference = cocaine for Jumbo setters, given The Times is predominantly a London newspaper), like so: TO(EC)LIP.

Impossible? Not in the search I mount regularly (3,2,3,8)

Answer: OUT OF THE QUESTION (i.e. “impossible”). Solution is OUT OF (i.e. “not in”) followed by THE, then QUEST (i.e. “search”), then I and ON (i.e. “mount regularly”, i.e. every other letter of MOUNT).

Neat woman’s daughter, an animal minder (6)

Answer: OXHERD (i.e. “animal minder”). Solution is OX (i.e. “neat”, a variant meaning of the word is an archaic term for livestock) followed by HER (i.e. “woman’s”) and D (a recognised abbreviation of “daughter”).

A function for the speaker to fix (6)

Answer: ASSIGN (i.e. “to fix”). Solution is A followed by a homophone (indicated by “for the speaker”) of SINE (i.e. a trigonometric “function”).

Joints English rejected, laid for foreign parliament (7)

Answer: KNESSET (i.e. “foreign parliament”, specifically of Israel). Solution is KNEES (i.e. “joints”) with one of the Es removed (indicated by “English rejected” – E being a recognised abbreviation of “English”) and the remainder followed by SET (i.e. “laid”), like so: KNES-SET.

Prize possession we associated with English essayist (3-4)

Answer: EWE-LAMB (i.e. “prize possession” of a pauper, apparently a Biblical reference). Solution is WE placed after or “associated with” E (a recognised abbreviation of “English”) and followed by Charles LAMB (i.e. “essayist”), like so: E-(WE)-LAMB.

Fisherman’s club freed study dominated by ministers (6-6)

Answer: PRIEST-RIDDEN (i.e. “dominated by ministers”). Solution is PRIEST (i.e. “fisherman’s club” or mallet for killing fish – a new one on me, but interesting) followed by RID (i.e. “freed”) and DEN (i.e. “study”).

Like the treatment of those expecting somehow to steal crib (11)

Answer: OBSTETRICAL (i.e. “like the treatment of those expecting” babies). “Somehow” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of TO STEAL CRIB.

Confident lasses Freud mismanaged (4-7)

Answer: SELF-ASSURED (i.e. “confident”). “Mismanaged” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of LASSES FREUD.

Wise men initially supporting female law administrators collectively (10)

Answer: MAGISTRACY (i.e. “law administrators collectively”). Solution is MAGI (i.e. “wise men”) followed by S (i.e. “initially supporting”, i.e. the first letter of “supporting”) and TRACY (i.e. “female’s” name).

Alumni blunt about an opposer of enlightenment (9)

Answer: OBSCURANT (i.e. “opposer of enlightenment”). Solution is OBS (i.e. “alumni”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of Old Boy made plural) followed by CURT (i.e. “blunt”) once wrapped “about” AN, like so: OBS-CUR(AN)T.

Protective of duck crossing eastern marshes (9)

Answer: DEFENSIVE (i.e. “protective”). Solution is DIVE (i.e. “duck”) wrapped around or “crossing” E (a recognised abbreviation of “eastern”) and FENS (i.e. “marshes”), like so: D(E-FENS)IVE.

Detectives certain to be removed from cover (8)

Answer: DISBOUND (i.e. “removed from cover” in relation to books – not a word explicitly supported by Chambers but Oxford backs it up). Solution is DIS (i.e. “detectives”, specifically Detective Inspectors) followed by BOUND (i.e. “certain”, as in “bound to be” some outcome).

Mycenaean prince of old relaxes, conserving energy (7)

Answer: ORESTES (i.e. “Mycenaean prince” of Greek mythology, son of Agamemnon). Solution is O (a recognised abbreviation of “old”) followed by RESTS (i.e. “relaxes”) once wrapped around or “conserving” E (a recognised abbreviation of “energy”), like so: O-REST(E)S.

Flower cluster European male kept in stock (7)

Answer: RACEME (i.e. “flower cluster” – and to Chambers once more: “an inflorescence in which stalked flowers are borne in acropetal succession on a main stalk or lateral branches”. Glad that’s been cleared up, then). Solution is E (a recognised abbreviation of “European”) and M (ditto “male”) both placed “in” RACE (i.e. “stock” – Chambers supports it, albeit deep into its definitions), like so: RAC(E-M)E.

Truck, possibly, taking parrot across river (5)

Answer: LORRY (i.e. “truck”). Solution is LORY (a kind of “parrot”) wrapped around or placed “across” R (a recognised abbreviation of “river”), like so: LO(R)RY.

Scrawny relative holding up beginning of game (5)

Answer: GAUNT (i.e. “scrawny”). Solution is AUNT (i.e. “relative”) placed after or “holding up” G (i.e. “beginning [letter] of game”), like so: G-AUNT.

Times Jumbo Cryptic Crossword 1584

A toughie this week. While this had a decent dollop of inventive wordplay and sneaky misdirection, I’m reluctant to call it a stinker due to the prevalence of exotic solutions. It’s just too easy for a setter to stuff a grid with esoterica in order to boost its difficulty. If you’re the kind of solver who likes to flex their general knowledge then fair enough, but, for me, by the end, this was done solely to get it done.

Anyway, bellyaching aside, you can find my completed grid below along with explanations of my solutions where I have them. I hope you find them helpful. If a recent Jumbo has given you the slip then you might find succour in my Just For Fun page, where you’ll find links to solutions for hundreds of the things.

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

FBV (French-By-Volume): 5%

Across clues

No tough guy, Mike’s given kind of concession (7)

Answer: MILKSOP (i.e. “no tough guy”). Solution is M (“Mike” in the phonetic alphabet) followed by ILK (i.e. type or “kind”) and SOP (i.e. “concession”).

Hesitation backing scams in political campaigning (8)

Answer: HUSTINGS (i.e. “political campaigning”). Solution is UH (i.e. “hesitation”) reversed (indicated by “backing”) and followed by STINGS (i.e. “scams”), like so: HU-STINGS.

Sacred instrument up to now has captured hearts (6)

Answer: SHOFAR (i.e. “sacred instrument” – and so to Chambers for the first of many visits this week: “a wind instrument made from a ram’s horn, blown in Jewish religious ceremonies and in ancient times as a call to battle, etc”). Solution is SO FAR (i.e. “up to now”) wrapped around or “capturing” H (a recognised abbreviation of “hearts” used in card games), like so: S(H)O-FAR. A win for my Bradford’s, it may come as no surprise. I’d grown rather bored of this Jumbo by the time I reached the top-right corner of the grid.

Day PC stops keen hunters giving fictional account (5,11)

Answer: DAVID COPPERFIELD (i.e. “fictional account”, or a novel by Charles Dickens). Solution is D (a recognised abbreviation of “day”) followed by COPPER (i.e. “PC”) once it has been placed in or “stopping” AVID (i.e. “keen”) and FIELD (i.e. “hunters”), like so: D-(AVID-(COPPER)-FIELD).

Zero tax returns in company book (6)

Answer: OCTAVO (i.e. “book” – and to Chambers again. Pick the bones out of this lot: “adjective: having eight leaves to the sheet; (conventionally) of a size so obtained, whether so folded or not. noun: a book printed on sheets so folded; (conventionally) a book of such a size…”). Solution is O (i.e. “zero”) followed by VAT (i.e. “tax”, specifically Value-Added Tax) once reversed (indicated by “returns”) and placed “in” CO (a recognised abbreviation of “company”), like so: O-C(TAV)O. One I remembered from a previous puzzle, if I’m honest.

Prior and head of abbey inside, saving face (8)

Answer: ANTERIOR (i.e. before or “prior”). Solution is A (i.e. “head of abbey”, i.e. the first letter of “abbey”) followed by INTERIOR (i.e. “inside”) once its first letter has been removed (indicated by “saving face”), like so: A-NTERIOR.

Telegraph lowbrow’s right wing rage (4)

Answer: WIRE (i.e. “telegraph”). Solution is W (i.e. “lowbrow’s right wing”, i.e. the last letter of “lowbrow”) followed by IRE (i.e. “rage”).

He or I, say, without work, running off (9)

Answer: ELOPEMENT (i.e. “running off”). Solution is ELEMENT (i.e. “He or I, say”, in this case the symbols of chemical elements helium and iodine) wrapped around or placed “without” OP (i.e. “work”, i.e. a recognised abbreviation of “opus”), like so: EL(OP)EMENT.

Authorised rubbish tours here in Provence (8)

Answer: OFFICAL (i.e. “authorised”). Solution is OFFAL (i.e. “rubbish”) wrapped around or “touring” ICI (i.e. “here in Provence”, i.e. the French for “here”), like so: OFF(ICI)AL.

Leftist put off after brief time in game (6,2,3)

Answer: CHEMIN DE FER (i.e. “game” – and to Chambers again: “a variety of baccarat”). Solution is CHE Guevara (i.e. “leftist”) and DEFER (i.e. “put off”) once the latter has been placed “after” MIN (i.e. “brief time”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of a minute), like so: CHE-(MIN)-DEFER. Another win for the Bradford’s. The moment I saw the middle word began with ‘D’ was when I knew not to waste any more time on it.

Enchanting figure, entering bank, is less relaxed (9)

Answer: TWITCHIER (i.e. “less relaxed”). Solution is WITCH (i.e. “enchanting figure”) placed in or “entering” TIER (i.e. “bank”), like so: T(WITCH)IER.

Charlie never on rocking chair (8)

Answer: CONVENER (i.e. “chair” of a meeting). Solution is C (“Charlie” in the phonetic alphabet) followed by an anagram (indicated by “rocking”) of NEVER ON.

Auntie going back and forth? (4)

Answer: BEEB (i.e. “Auntie”, both nicknames of the BBC). The remainder of the clue plays on how the solution is a palindrome.

Wanting bottle, paid for peanuts (7,4)

Answer: CHICKEN FEED (i.e. “peanuts”, both informal references to low pay). Solution is CHICKEN (i.e. cowardly or “wanting bottle”) followed by FEED (i.e. “paid” – the verb form means to pay a fee).

One showing property of say a boring English fellow (6,5)

Answer: ESTATE AGENT (i.e. “one showing property”). Solution is STATE (i.e. “say”) and A placed in or “boring” E (a recognised abbreviation of “English”) and GENT (i.e. “fellow”), like so: E-(STATE-A)-GENT.

Reason I’m going to start to imitate street artist (11)

Answer: POINTILLIST (i.e. “artist” painting in dots). Solution is POINT (i.e. “reason” – Chambers offers “a clearly defined aim, object, or reason” deep into its definitions) followed by I’LL (i.e. “I’m going to”, i.e. a contraction of “I will”), then I (i.e. “start [letter] to imitate”) and ST (a recognised abbreviation of “street”).

Calling up troops with little sense (11)

Answer: REMINISCENT (i.e. recollecting or “calling up”). Solution is RE (i.e. “troops”, specifically the Royal Engineers of the British Army) followed by MINI (i.e. “little”) and SCENT (i.e. a trace or “sense” of something).

Reported section of fork in river (4)

Answer: TYNE (i.e. “river”). “Reported” indicates homophone. Solution is a homophone of TINE (i.e. “section of fork”).

Grams not working as a unit of measurement (8)

Answer: ANGSTROM (i.e. “unit of measurement” of wavelengths). “Working” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of GRAMS NOT.

Finish second, then second again, in rallies (9)

Answer: COMEBACKS (i.e. “rallies”). Solution is COME (i.e. “finish”, as in coming first, second, etc) followed by BACK (i.e. to “second” a proposal) and S (a recognised abbreviation of “second”).

Steer cars, let in English region (11)

Answer: OXFORDSHIRE (i.e. “English region”). Solution is OX (i.e. “steer”) followed by FORDS (i.e. make of “car” made plural) and HIRE (i.e. “let”, as in a To Let sign).

Knight, rider lacking height, is a medieval invader (8)

Answer: NORSEMAN (i.e. “medieval invader”). Solution is N (a recognised abbreviation of “knight” used in chess) followed by HORSEMAN (i.e. “rider”) once the H has been removed (indicated by “lacking height” – H being a recognised abbreviation of “height”), like so: N-ORSEMAN.

Giving out piece scoffing sandwiches (9)

Answer: EMANATING (i.e. “giving out”). Solution is MAN (i.e. chess “piece”) placed in or “sandwiched” by EATING (i.e. “scoffing”), like so: E(MAN)ATING.

Maybe a saxophone key with round shape (4)

Answer: ALTO (i.e. “maybe a saxophone” – other instruments are available). Solution is ALT (i.e. “key” on a computer keyboard) followed by O (i.e. “round shape”).

Little piece of grass, possibly sleek tip (8)

Answer: SPIKELET (i.e. “little piece of grass”). “Possibly” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of SLEEK TIP.

Nothing left over in wine-producing area (6)

Answer: OPORTO (i.e. “wine-producing area”, probably better known as Porto. I’ll have to take the setter’s word for it. A cursory gawp at Google seems to suggest the actual winey parts are a distance away from the place). Solution is O (i.e. “nothing”) followed by PORT (i.e. “left” in shipspeak) and O (a recognised abbreviation of “over” used in cricket). Cough!-(made-to-fit-rubbish)-Cough!

Maybe glamping staycation in town with mud opera star organised (11,5)

Answer: PORTMANTEAU WORDS (i.e. “maybe glamping [and] staycation”, both examples of such contractions). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “organised”) of TOWN and MUD OPERA STAR.

Meat packing sector ultimately provides revelatory career! (6)

Answer: STREAK (i.e. a “revelatory career”, playfully describing nuddy folk running onto sports pitches). Solution is STEAK (i.e. “meat”) wrapped around or “packing” R (i.e. “sector ultimately”, i.e. the last letter of “sector”), like so: ST(R)EAK.

Sensible having Democrat ousted by Republican, one of a salacious nature (8)

Answer: PRURIENT (i.e. “of a salacious nature”). Solution is PRUDENT (i.e. “sensible”) with the D removed (indicated by “Democrat ousted” – D being a recognised abbreviation of “Democrat”) and replaced by R (ditto “Republican”) and I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”), like so: PRU(D)ENT => PRU(R-I)ENT.

Rejecting tango dancing, shun cute, ineffectual types (7)

Answer: EUNUCHS (i.e. “ineffectual types”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “dancing”) of SHUN CUTE once the T has been removed (indicated by “rejecting tango” – “tango” being T in the phonetic alphabet).

Down clues

Place where Muslims learn, briefly, to make spicy food (6)

Answer: MADRAS (i.e. “spicy food”). Solution is MADRASA (i.e. “place where Muslims learn”) with its last letter removed (indicated by “briefly”).

Appeal to block tax, showing good cheer (6)

Answer: LEVITY (i.e. “good cheer”). Solution is IT (i.e. popularity or “appeal”, as in having “it”) placed in or “blocking” LEVY (i.e. “tax”), like so: LEV(IT)Y.

Men in south of France providing case of ipecac or diaphoretic (9)

Answer: SUDORIFIC (i.e. “diaphoretic”, descriptive of causing one to sweat. Everyday words, then!) Solution is OR (i.e. “men”, specifically the Other Ranks of the British Army) placed “in” between SUD (i.e. “south of France”, i.e. the French for “south”), IF (i.e. conditional upon or “providing”) and IC (i.e. “case of ipecac”, i.e. the first and last letters of “ipecac”), like so: SUD-(OR)-IF-IC. One nailed solely from the wordplay. If only I’d looked up “diaphoretic” in my Chambers, as the solution was sitting right next to it!

Possible spin by party out of office, lacking power, it’s suggested (11)

Answer: PROPOSITION (i.e. “it’s suggested”). Solution is PR (i.e. “spin”, short for Public Relations) followed by OPPOSITION (i.e. political “party out of office”) once one of the Ps has been removed (indicated by “lacking power” – P being a recognised abbreviation of “power”), like so: PR-OPOSITION.

Market, upon vacation, holiday games (4)

Answer: HYPE (i.e. to “market” a product). Solution is HY (i.e. “upon vacation, holiday”, i.e. the word “vacation” with all its middle letters removed) followed by PE (i.e. “games”, specifically Physical Education).

Proper quality extremely special plates served well (6-5)

Answer: STRAIT-LACED (i.e. prim and “proper”). Solution is TRAIT (i.e. “quality”) placed in or “plated” by SL (i.e. “extremely special”, i.e. the first and last letters of “special”) and followed by ACED (i.e. “served well” in a game of tennis), like so: S(TRAIT)L-ACED.

I travel about amid landscape having shifting colours (11)

Answer: IRIDESCENCE (i.e. “having shifting colours”). Solution is I followed by RIDE (i.e. “travel”), then C (i.e. “about”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of “circa”) once placed “amid” SCENE (i.e. “landscape”), like so: I-RIDE-SCEN(C)E.

Duck spinning bit of timber with hole I picked up (9)

Answer: GOLDENEYE (i.e. a variety of “duck”). Solution is LOG (i.e. “bit of timber”) reversed (indicated by “spinning”) followed by DEN (i.e. animal home, often a “hole”) and a homophone (indicated by “picked up”) of I, like so: GOL-DEN-EYE. Another win for the Bradford’s.

Fencing off nice ground, possessed a large house (8)

Answer: HACIENDA (i.e. “large house” in Spain). Solution is HAD (i.e. “possessed”) and A both wrapped around or “fencing off” an anagram (indicated by “ground”) of NICE, like so: HA(CIEN)D-A. Another remembered from a previous puzzle.

What gives RE basic criteria for judgment (5,2,9)

Answer: FRAME OF REFERENCE (i.e. “criteria for judgment”). The first half of the clue plays on how the solution cryptically satisfies “RE”, i.e. being the first and last letter or FRAME of the word REFERENCE.

Male boxer’s ending with another jab, losing head (7)

Answer: ROOSTER (i.e. “male” bird). Solution is R (i.e. “boxer’s ending” letter) followed by BOOSTER (i.e. “another jab” or hypodermic injection) once its first letter has been removed (indicated by “losing head”), like so: R-OOSTER.

Chirpy Antipodean ex-president in new role, given time (8)

Answer: LORIKEET (i.e. “chirpy Antipodean” bird). Solution is Dwight D. Eisenhower, nicknamed IKE (i.e. “ex-president”) placed “in” an anagram (indicated by “new”) of ROLE and followed by T (a recognised abbreviation of “time”), like so: LOR(IKE)E-T. The wordplay was reasonably obvious but I still reached for the Bradford’s the moment I figured this was going to be a bird. Made-to-fit solutions aren’t worth anyone’s time, least of all mine.

Statesman departs with countryman? (8)

Answer: Benjamin DISRAELI (i.e. “statesman”, former Prime Minister of Great Britain). Solution is D (a recognised abbreviation of “departs”) followed by ISRAELI (i.e. “countryman”).

What a drug dealer might do, getting kitchen item (8)

Answer: STOCKPOT (i.e. “kitchen item”). When written as STOCK POT the solution also satisfies “what a drug dealer might do”.

Papers written up on party’s view for working arrangement (8,2,6)

Answer: DIVISION OF LABOUR (i.e. “working arrangement”). Solution is ID (i.e. identity “papers”) reversed (indicated by “written up” – this being a down clue) and followed by VISION OF LABOUR (i.e. political “party’s view”), like so: DI-(VISION-OF-LABOUR).

Something of no value: drug ingested in worst trial (4-4)

Answer: BETA-TEST (i.e. “trial”). Solution is TAT (i.e. “something of no value”) and E (i.e. “drug”, slang for ecstasy) both placed or “ingested in” BEST (i.e. “worst” – over to Chambers: “to get the better of in a contest; to defeat”. I can confidently say I’ve never heard anyone say “Ha! I completely worsted you”, but there you go), like so: BE(TAT-E)ST.

Quantity of harissa’s served in sauce from the US (4)

Answer: SASS (i.e. lip or “sauce from the US”). “Quantity of” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: HARIS(SA’S S)ERVED.

One’s flown east with equipment earlier (4)

Answer: KITE (i.e. “one’s flown”). Solution is E (a recognised abbreviation of “east”) with KIT (i.e. “equipment”) placed before it or “earlier”, like so: KIT-E.

What convict does with joker, one getting punched (8)

Answer: TIMECARD (i.e. “one getting punched”). Solution is TIME (i.e. “what convict does”) followed by CARD (i.e. “joker”).

Strength of pine on part of deck (4,4)

Answer: LONG SUIT (i.e. talent or “strength” – a new one on me). Solution is LONG (i.e. to yearn or “pine”) followed by SUIT (i.e. “part of deck” of cards).

With energy dropping in that place, control ship (5-6)

Answer: THREE-MASTER (i.e. “ship”). Solution is THERE (i.e. “that place”) with the first E “dropped” a notch – E being a recognised abbreviation of “energy” and this being a down clue – followed by MASTER (i.e. “control”), like so: TH(E)RE-MASTER => THR(E)E-MASTER.

What protesters do right before topless show (11)

Answer: REMONSTRATE (i.e. “what protesters do”). Solution is R (a recognised abbreviation of “right”) followed by DEMONSTRATE (i.e. “show”) once its first letter has been removed (indicated by “topless”), like so: R-EMONSTRATE.

Feeling less pressure, old Reg is found here (11)

Answer: NUMBERPLATE (i.e. “reg is found here” – ignore the misleading capitalisation). Solution is NUMBER (i.e. “feeling less”) followed by P (a recognised abbreviation of “pressure”) and LATE (i.e. “old”, as in the phrase “of old”).

With jazzy style, note covers from Oliver! entrance (5,4)

Answer: SWING DOOR (i.e. “entrance”). Solution is SWING (i.e. “jazzy style”) followed by DO (i.e. “note” in the sol-fa notation, also spelled ‘doh’) and OR (i.e. “covers from Oliver!”, i.e. the first and last letters of “Oliver”).

Bishop hasn’t white pen, perhaps (5,4)

Answer: BLACK SWAN (i.e. “pen, perhaps” – a pen is a female swan). Solution is B (a recognised abbreviation of “bishop” used in chess) followed by LACKS (i.e. “hasn’t”) and WAN (i.e. “white”).

Maiden brought in to make a light repast (5,3)

Answer: CREAM TEA (i.e. “light repast”). Solution is M (a recognised abbreviation of “maiden” used in cricket) placed or “brought in to” CREATE (i.e. “make”) and followed by A, like so: CREA(M)TE-A.

Demanding responsibility, saving deposit up (7)

Answer: ONEROUS (i.e. “demanding”). Solution is ONUS (i.e. “responsibility”) wrapped around or “saving” ORE (i.e. “deposit”) once reversed (indicated by “up” – this being a down clue), like so: ON(ERO)US.

One’s part of cloth weaving circle (6)

Answer: CLERIC (i.e. “one’s part of the cloth”, an informal reference to the clergy). “Weaving” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of CIRCLE.

Society led by police state ruling out change (6)

Answer: STASIS (i.e. a constant state or “ruling out change”). Solution is S (a recognised abbreviation of “society”) placed after or “led by” STASI (i.e. “police state”), like so: STASI-S.

Ace flier doing that activity (2,2)

Answer: AT IT (i.e. “doing that activity”, fnar, fnar). Solution is A (a recognised abbreviation of “ace” used in playing cards) followed by TIT (i.e. bird or “flier”, also fnar, fnar).

Times Jumbo Cryptic Crossword 1583

A medium strength offering with a couple of snaggy clues holding up proceedings. Setting those aside, and the occasional odd phrasing, this was a pretty good un.

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

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

Across clues

Simple bit of comeback for those who love Legolas etc (7)

Answer: SNAFFLE (i.e. “simple bit” for horses). Solution is ELF FANS (i.e. “those who love Legolas etc” – Legolas being an elf in JRR Tolkien’s Lord Of The Rings books) reversed (indicated by “comeback for…”), like so: SNAF-FLE.

Junior reporter left in cool office space? (7)

Answer: CUBICLE (i.e. “office space”). Solution is CUB (i.e. “junior reporter”) followed by ICE (i.e. “cool”) once wrapped around or having “in” L (a recognised abbreviation of “left”), like so: CUB-IC(L)E.

Get right through one’s last run and see notice in gym (7)

Answer: PERVADE (i.e. “get right through”). Solution is E (i.e. “one’s last”, i.e. the last letter of “one”), R (a recognised abbreviation of “run” used in several ball games), V (i.e. “see”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of the Latin vide) and AD (i.e. “notice”, short for advertisement) all placed “in” PE (i.e. “gym”, or Physical Education), like so: P(E-R-V-AD)E.

I’ll squeeze old ruler that contains mark of error, wrong unit in two forms (11)

Answer: EXTORTIONER (i.e. “I’ll squeeze”). Solution is ER (i.e. “old ruler”, specifically Elizabeth Regina – it’ll be interesting to see if “old” is kept in this clue by the time it gets republished in the annual Jumbo book) wrapped around or “containing” X (i.e. “mark of error”), TORT (i.e. “wrong”) and both I and ONE (i.e. “unit in two forms”, in this case 1 expressed as a Roman numeral and in word form), like so: E(X-TORT-I-ONE)R.

In no way depends on installing Nan’s first and second vacuum (11)

Answer: NOTHINGNESS (i.e. “vacuum”). Solution is NOT (i.e. “in no way”) and HINGES (i.e. “depends on”) wrapped around or “installing” N (i.e. “Nan’s first” letter). This is all then followed by S (a recognised abbreviation of “second”), like so: NOT-HING(N)ES-S.

Capital has some regressive decision ahead (5)

Answer: HANOI (i.e. “capital” city of Vietnam). “Some” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, while “regressive” indicates the solution has been reversed, like so: DECIS(ION AH)EAD.

Supporter allowed to take a break after cycling (7)

Answer: TRESTLE (i.e. “supporter”). Solution is LET (i.e. “allowed”) with the last letter placed first (indicated by “after cycling”, i.e. LE(T) -> (T)LE) and wrapped around or “taking” REST (i.e. “a break”), like so: T(REST)LE.

A pita isn’t out of place for snacks (9)

Answer: ANTIPASTI (i.e. “snacks”). “Out of place” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of A PITA ISN’T. A recent repeat, making this an easier get.

Misfit awkwardly cornered? (6,3,2,1,5,4)

Answer: SQUARE PEG IN A ROUND HOLE (i.e. “misfit”). The rest of the clue plays on the “corners” of a SQUARE. That’s about it, I guess.

The guy succeeded according to American star of Twilight (8)

Answer: HESPERUS (i.e. “star of twilight” – or the evening star, specifically the planet Mercury or Venus reflecting the sun in the evening). Solution is HE (i.e. “the guy”) followed by S (a recognised abbreviation of “succeeded”), then PER (i.e. “according to”) and US (i.e. “American”). One nailed solely from the wordplay.

Returning home, one’s to use a specific case in house (6)

Answer: GEMINI (i.e. “house” or astrological sign). Solution is IN (i.e. “home”), I’M (i.e. “one’s”, a contraction of I AM) and EG (i.e. “to use a specific case”, i.e. for example) all reversed (indicated by “returning”), like so: GE-M’I-NI.

Shock of singular small filled pastry left unfinished (7)

Answer: STARTLE (i.e. “shock”). Solution is S (a recognised abbreviation of “small”) followed by TART (i.e. “filled pastry”) and LE (i.e. “left unfinished”, i.e. the word “left” with the last couple of letters removed). “Singular” seems superfluous in the clue, and wordplay such as “unfinished” nearly always suggests the removal of a single letter from the end of a word, so I might not have this one 100% right.

Rocket consumes last of fuel, using sustainable power (5)

Answer: SOLAR (i.e. “sustainable power”). Solution is SOAR (i.e. to “rocket”) wrapped around or “consuming” L (i.e. “last [letter] of fuel”), like so: SO(L)AR.

Usual dithering about mean heartless old boy (7)

Answer: ALUMNUS (i.e. “old boy”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “dithering”) wrapped “about” MN (i.e. “mean heartless”, i.e. the word “mean” with all its middle letters removed), like so: ALU(MN)US.

Not taking drink away, keeping can (9)

Answer: ABSTINENT (i.e. “not taking drink”). Solution is ABSENT (i.e. “away”) wrapped around or “keeping” TIN (i.e. “can”), like so: ABS(TIN)ENT.

Somewhat timeless series of clues, still (9)

Answer: QUIESCENT (i.e. “still”). Solution is QUITE (i.e. “somewhat”) with the T removed (indicated by “timeless” – T being a recognised abbreviation of “time”) and the remainder followed by SCENT (i.e. “series of clues” in an investigation), like so: QUIE-SCENT.

Something with pith and a little weight on record (7)

Answer: EPIGRAM (i.e. “something with pith” – Chambers offers “condensed substance, essence” for “pith”, while an EPIGRAM is “any concise and pointed or sarcastic saying”. Too wishy-washy for my liking). Solution is I GRAM (i.e. “little weight”, i.e. 1g) placed “on” or after EP (i.e. “record”, in this case an Extended Play), like so: EP-(I-GRAM).

Brush tones lacking colour for the ears (5)

Answer: GRAZE (i.e. to “brush” against). “For the ears” indicates homophone. Solution is a homophone of GREYS (i.e. “tones lacking colour”).

Letter printer provides ruler (7)

Answer: EMPRESS (i.e. “ruler”). Solution is EM (i.e. the “letter” m in speech) followed by PRESS (i.e. “printer”).

Place long recalled as starting point of boat race (6)

Answer: PUTNEY (i.e. “starting point of boat race” each year between Oxford and Cambridge universities). Solution is PUT (i.e. “place”) followed by YEN (i.e. to “long” for or yearn) once reversed (indicated by “recalled”), like so: PUT-NEY.

Actors to keep line out of score, which may provoke a reaction (8)

Answer: CATALYST (i.e. “which may provoke a reaction”). Solution is CAST (i.e. “actors”) wrapped around or “keeping” TALLY (i.e. “score”) once one of the Ls has been removed (indicated by “line out of…” – L being a recognised abbreviation of “line”), like so: CA(TALY)ST.

Without commitments, descriptions of change in (of/to) reef (9,3,5-4)

Answer: FOOTLOOSE AND FANCY-FREE (i.e. “without commitments”). The remainder of the clue plays on the solution cryptically satisfying how FOOT and FREE are anagrams (indicated by LOOSE and FANCY respectively) of “of/to” and “reef”. What a bizarrely worded clue.

Run, everyone, after some deliveries go too far (9)

Answer: OVERREACH (i.e. “go too far”). Solution is R (a recognised abbreviation of “run”, covered earlier) and EACH (i.e. “everyone”) both placed “after” OVER (i.e. “some deliveries” in cricket), like so: OVER-(R-EACH).

Reversal of intention to stop widespread lunacy (7)

Answer: MADNESS (i.e. “lunacy”). Solution is END (i.e. “intention”) “reversed” and placed in or “stopping” MASS (i.e. “widespread”), like so: MA(DNE)SS.

Sons stand to emulate troopers? (5)

Answer: SWEAR (i.e. “emulate troopers”, after the phrase “swearing like a trooper”). Solution is S (a recognised abbreviation of “sons” – Chambers supports singular and plural) followed by WEAR (i.e. to bear or “stand”).

Turning over vermouth, vent and take place inside pub, being sozzled (11)

Answer: INEBRIATION (i.e. “being sozzled”). Solution is O (a recognised abbreviation of “over” used in cricket), IT (short for Italian “vermouth” – an easier get after the same wordplay was used a few weeks ago), AIR (i.e. “vent”) and BE (i.e. “take place”) all reversed (indicated by “turning”) and placed “inside” INN (i.e. “pub”), like so: IN(EB-RIA-TI-O)N.

Mother moves without agency, accepting article’s core subject (11)

Answer: MATHEMATICS (i.e. “core subject”). Solution is MAMA (i.e. “mother”) and TICS (i.e. “moves without agency”) all wrapped around or “accepting” THE (i.e. “article”, as in a word like a, an or the), like so: MA(THE)MA-TICS.

Twitchy condition of failed UN state (7)

Answer: TETANUS (i.e. “twitchy condition”). “Failed” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of UN STATE.

Quizzical archer? (7)

Answer: EYEBROW. Clue plays on how one arches an eyebrow when being inquisitive. A proper groaner that took a brute force of my Chambers to nail.

Doctor wraps right side for bottom scraper (7)

Answer: DREDGER (i.e. river “bottom scraper”). Solution is DR (a recognised abbreviation of “doctor”) “wrapped” around R (a recognised abbreviation of “right”) and EDGE (i.e. “side”), like so: D(R-EDGE)R.

Down clues

Boil or spot next to be reduced (6)

Answer: SEETHE (i.e. “boil”). Solution is SEE (i.e. “spot”) followed by THEN (i.e. “next”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “to be reduced”), like so: SEE-THE.

A nondrinker stops and comes to (7)

Answer: ATTENDS (i.e. “comes to”). Solution is A followed by TT (i.e. “nondrinker”, short for teetotaller), then ENDS (i.e. “stops”).

Guts misshaped red outfit (9)

Answer: FORTITUDE (i.e. “guts”). “Misshaped” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of RED OUTFIT.

Are southern breaks way out? (5)

Answer: EXIST (i.e. “are”). Solution is S (a recognised abbreviation of “southern”) placed in or “breaking” EXIT (i.e. “way out”), like so: EXI(S)T.

Tory to invite disrespect (8)

Answer: CONTEMPT (i.e. “disrespect”). Solution is CON (short for “Conservative”) followed by TEMPT (i.e. “to invite”).

Loose lid stripped without force? (5)

Answer: BERET (i.e. “loose lid”, lid being slang for a hat). Solution is BEREFT (i.e. “stripped”) with the F removed (indicated by “without force” – F being a recognised abbreviation of “force”).

As soon as in credit, taking on new business (7)

Answer: CONCERN (i.e. “business”). Solution is ONCE (i.e. “as soon as”) placed “in” CR (a recognised abbreviation of “credit”) and followed by N (ditto “new”), like so: C(ONCE)R-N.

Heading north, before crossing Iowa, northern Idaho, shout: Texas is outstanding (14)

Answer: EXTRAORDINAIRE (i.e. “outstanding”). Solution is ERE (poetic form of “before”) wrapped around or “crossing”) IA (US state abbreviation of “Iowa”), N (a recognised abbreviation of “north”), ID (US state abbreviation of “Idaho”), ROAR (i.e. “shout”) and TX (US state abbreviation of “Texas”). This is all then reversed (indicated by “heading north” – this being a down clue), like so: E(XT-RAOR-DI-N-AI)RE.

Head of research keen on cutting phrases for paper copies (9)

Answer: PRINTOUTS (i.e. “paper copies”). Solution is R (i.e. “head of research”, i.e. the first letter of “research”) and INTO (i.e. “keen on”) both placed in or “cutting” PUTS (i.e. “phrases”), like so: P(R-INTO)UTS.

Patch together little dog one runs over (3,2)

Answer: RIG UP (i.e. “patch together”). Solution is PUG (i.e. “little dog”), I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”) and R (a recognised abbreviation of “runs”, already covered) all reversed (indicated by “over”), like so: R-I-GUP.

Negative conditioning, a type someone nonbinary is about to criticise (8,7)

Answer: AVERSION THERAPY (i.e. “negative conditioning”). Solution is A followed by VERSION (i.e. “type”), then THEY (i.e. pronoun of “someone nonbinary”) once wrapped “about” RAP (i.e. “to criticise”), like so: A-VERSION-THE(RAP)Y.

Result takes in sexual activity connected to bedroom (2,5)

Answer: EN SUITE (i.e. “connected to bedroom”). Solution is ENSUE (i.e. “result”) wrapped around or “taking in” IT (i.e. “sexual activity”), like so: ENSU(IT)E.

Menu item available after scrolling? (7)

Answer: ROULADE (i.e. dish or “menu item”). I think the clue is playing on ROUL being an obsolete word for “roll” or “scroll” and -ADE being a suffix expressing the result of an action. (Chambers offers masquerade and lemonade as examples.) In this case, the solution is playfully describing the result of scrolling. Can’t say I was keen on this one.

Dan’s inferior defence against sprawl? (5,4)

Answer: GREEN BELT. Solution satisfies “dan’s inferior” in martial arts grading, and “defence against [urban] sprawl”.

Sketch en travesti is a triumph (7)

Answer: DRAWING (i.e. “sketch”). I guess en travesti is another way of saying “in drag” in another language (Spanish?), so the clue is effectively saying “in drag is a triumph”, in this case WIN placed “in” DRAG, like so: DRA(WIN)G.

Constitution of champagne, I’m afraid to say (8)

Answer: PHYSIQUE (i.e. “constitution”). “To say” indicates homophone. Solution comprises homophones of FIZZ (i.e. informal word for “champagne”) and EEK! (i.e. “I’m afraid”).

Small mischievous pair roam with guys, not ultimately becoming better (4-11)

Answer: SELF-IMPROVEMENT (i.e. “becoming better”). Solution is S (a recognised abbreviation of “small”) followed by ELF and IMP (i.e. “mischievous pair”), then ROVE (i.e. “roam”), then MEN (i.e. “guys”) and T (i.e. “not ultimately”, i.e. the last letter of “not”).

Notwithstanding retreat of enemy, warns part of UK (2,5,2)

Answer: IN SPITE OF (i.e. “notwithstanding”). Solution is FOE (i.e. “enemy”) followed by TIPS (i.e. “warns”) and NI (i.e. “part of UK”, specifically Northern Ireland). This is all then reversed (indicated by “retreat of”), like so: IN-SPIT-EOF.

Request admission, to dine inside (8)

Answer: ENTREATY (i.e. “request”). Solution is ENTRY (i.e. “admission”) wrapped around or having “inside” EAT (i.e. “dine”), like so: ENTR(EAT)Y.

Product of top quality with limited options (8-6)

Answer: MULTIPLE-CHOICE (i.e. “with limited options”). Solution is MULTIPLE (i.e. mathematical “product”) followed by CHOICE (i.e. “top quality”).

Republican America to win acceptance of British philosopher (7)

Answer: Bertrand RUSSELL (i.e. “British philosopher”). Solution is R (a recognised abbreviation of “Republican”) followed by US (i.e. “America”) and SELL (i.e. “to win acceptance”, as in selling an idea to someone).

Brief report of hot weather on radio (7)

Answer: SUMMARY (i.e. “brief report”). “On radio” indicates homophone. Solution is a homophone of SUMMERY (i.e. descriptive of “hot weather”).

People looking for a secret passage? (9)

Answer: STOWAWAYS. Solution satisfies the clue as a whole, taking “passage” to mean a journey. I’m not often a fan of riddly clues, but I rather liked this one.

Aviation industry and beyond love boarding quickly (9)

Answer: AEROSPACE (i.e. “aviation industry and beyond”). Solution is EROS (i.e. god of “love”) placed in or “boarding” APACE (i.e. “quickly”).

Low current turned off with zero watts (8)

Answer: UNDERTOW (i.e. “low current”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “off”) of TURNED followed by O (i.e. “zero”) and W (a recognised abbreviation of “watts”), like so: UNDERT-O-W.

Run joint without any women’s bloomers supplied by me (7)

Answer: FLORIST (i.e. “bloomers supplied by me”). Solution is FLOW (i.e. “run”) and WRIST (i.e. “joint”) both with their Ws removed (indicated by “without any women” – W being a recognised abbreviation of “women”), like so: FLO-RIST.

Has-been, I’m one in part up as Oscar candidate? (7)

Answer: NOMINEE (i.e. “Oscar candidate”). “In part” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, while “up” indicates the solution has been reversed – this being a down clue – like so: HAS-B(EEN I’M ON)E.

Late PM’s unlimited revenge, staying elected (7)

Answer: EVENING (i.e. “late PM”). Solution is EVENG (i.e. “unlimited revenge”, i.e. the word “revenge” with its start and end letters removed) wrapped around or “staying” IN (i.e. “elected”), like so: EVEN(IN)G.

When signature’s ending in slip, use this? (6)

Answer: ERASER (i.e. “this”, within the context of the clue, i.e. something you’d use to rub out an error). Solution is AS (i.e. “when”) and E (i.e. “signature’s ending”, i.e. the last letter of “signature”) both placed “in” ERR (i.e. to “slip”), like so: ER(AS-E)R.

Leading couple in repertory theatre season’s show again (5)

Answer: RERUN (i.e. “show again”). Solution is RE (i.e. “leading couple in repertory”, i.e. the first two letters of “repertory”) followed by RUN (i.e. “theatre season”).

Below delta there’s uncapped bone object (5)

Answer: DEMUR (i.e. to “object”). Solution is D (“Delta” in the phonetic alphabet) followed by FEMUR (i.e. “bone”) once its first letter has been removed (indicated by “uncapped”), like so: D-EMUR.

Await settlement after small outlay (5)

Answer: SPEND (i.e. “outlay”). Solution is PEND (i.e. “await settlement”) placed “after” S (a recognised abbreviation of “small”), like so: S-MALL.

Times Jumbo Cryptic Crossword 1582

A medium strength puzzle this week after a couple of toughies. Not much I can add to this one, really. Some good clues, steady progression, a pleasant enough diversion.

You can find my completed grid below along with explanations of my solutions where I have them. I hope you find them helpful. If a recent Jumbo has given you grief then you might find my Just For Fun page of use, where you’ll find links to solutions for hundreds of the things.

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

FBV (French-By-Volume): 1.7%

Across clues

River quietens with injection of hydrogen (6)

Answer: THAMES (i.e. “river”). Solution is TAMES (i.e. “quietens”) wrapped around or “injected” with H (chemical symbol of “hydrogen”), like so: T(H)AMES.

Gosh! Pound will get a good picnic accessory (4,3)

Answer: COOL BAG (i.e. “picnic accessory”). Solution is COO (i.e. “gosh!”) followed by LB (a recognised abbreviation of “pound” weight, after the Latin libra), then A and G (a recognised abbreviation of “good”).

Confident males, modest, relinquishing power (8)

Answer: COCKSURE (i.e. “confident”). Solution is COCKS (i.e. “males”) followed by PURE (i.e. “modest”) once the P has been removed (indicated by “relinquishing power” – P being a recognised abbreviation of “power”), like so: COCKS-URE. Fnar fnar!

Unhappy end darkens this cartoon film (4,6,3,8)

Answer: KIND HEARTS AND CORONETS (a 1949 Ealing comedy starring Alec Guinness and Alec Guinness and Alec Guinness and Alec… you get the idea. Anyway, “film”). “Unhappy” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of END DARKENS THIS CARTOON. Nicely worked.

Tracery to move agitatedly after corrosion (8)

Answer: FRETWORK (i.e. “tracery” or a fine decorative pattern). Solution is WORK (i.e. “move agitatedly” or convulsively; ‘of features’ apparently, though I had to go deep into Chambers’ definitions for it) placed “after” FRET (i.e. “corrosion”, one of its variant meanings), like so: FRET-WORK.

Understand, when tucking into meat, about greens (7)

Answer: VEGETAL (i.e. “about greens”). Solution is GET (i.e. “understand”) placed “into” VEAL (i.e. “meat”), like so: VE(GET)AL.

Clubs possibly hosting Frenchmen for conference (6)

Answer: SUMMIT (i.e. “conference”). Solution is SUIT (i.e. ” clubs possibly” – other suits in a pack of cards are available) wrapped around or “hosting” M and M (i.e. “Frenchmen” – M is a recognised abbreviation of “monsieur”), like so: SU(M-M)IT.

Experts favoured our group to receive first of college course lists (10)

Answer: PROSPECTUS (i.e. “course lists” – should that be singular?) Solution is PROS (i.e. “experts”), PET (i.e. “favoured”) and US (i.e. “our group”) all wrapped around or “receiving” C (i.e. “first [letter] of college”), like so: PROS-PE(C)T-US.

One in disgrace, Mother got on with kind son (7,5)

Answer: DAMAGED GOODS (i.e. “one in disgrace”). Solution is DAM (i.e. “mother” – a variant meaning of dam relating to cattle that we’ve seen in a few Jumbos now) followed by AGED (i.e. “got on”), then GOOD (i.e. “kind”) and S (a recognised abbreviation of “son”).

Patch of land I almost killed off (4)

Answer: ISLE (i.e. “patch of land”). Solution is I followed by SLEW (i.e. “killed off”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “almost”), like so: I-SLE.

Disparaging after extracting iodine around ring of bark? (8)

Answer: CORTICAL (i.e. “of bark”, derivative form of ‘cortex’). Solution is CRITICAL (i.e. “disparaging”) with one of the Is removed (indicated by “after extracting iodine” – I being its chemical symbol) and the remainder wrapped “around” O (i.e. “ring”), like so: C(O)RTICAL. One nailed from the wordplay, if I’m honest.

Church canon with a new description of the heavens? (8)

Answer: CERULEAN (i.e. a shade of blue, or “description of the heavens”). Solution is CE (a recognised abbreviation of “church”) followed by RULE (i.e. “canon”), then A and N (a recognised abbreviation of “new”). The X-Files episode ‘Pusher’ may have had a hand in me solving this one.

Food item to elevate film shot at Acapulco finally (6,6)

Answer: JACKET POTATO (i.e. “food item”). Solution is JACK (i.e. “to elevate”) followed by ET (i.e. “film”, specifically ET – The Extra Terrestrial), then POT (i.e. snooker “shot”), then AT and O (i.e. “Acapulco finally”, i.e. the last letter of “Acapulco”).

A cover gardener finally brought in to treat flower (6,4)

Answer: DAMASK ROSE (i.e. “flower”). Solution is A, MASK (i.e. “cover”) and R (i.e. “gardener finally”, i.e. the last letter of “gardener”) all placed or “brought in to” DOSE (i.e. “treat”), like so: D(A-MASK-R)OSE.

How to get sent fishing equipment? (6,4)

Answer: TANGLE NETS (i.e. “fishing equipment”). Clue plays on the solution cryptically satisfying “how to get sent”, i.e. an anagram (indicated by “TANGLE”) of NETS.

Palace throne resited in part of Westminster (7,5)

Answer: ANOTHER PLACE (i.e. “part of Westminster”, referencing the House of Lords from the point of view of those in the House of Commons, or vice versa. I always thought they were saying “the other place”, but then my hearing isn’t great. Every day’s a school day). “Resited” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of PALACE THRONE.

Stopped to embrace second member, being placated (8)

Answer: DISARMED (i.e. “placated”). Solution is DIED (i.e. “stopped”) wrapped around or “embracing” S (a recognised abbreviation of “second”) and ARM (i.e. “member” or bodily extremity), like so: DI(S-ARM)ED.

Pile of farm produce has way to keep years (8)

Answer: HAYSTACK (i.e. “pile of farm produce”). Solution is HAS and TACK (i.e. “way”) all wrapped around or “keeping” Y (a recognised abbreviation of “years”), like so: HA(Y)S-TACK.

Bottle of great importance, lacking central element (4)

Answer: VIAL (i.e. “bottle”). Solution is VITAL (i.e. “of great importance”) with the middle letter removed (indicated by “lacking central element”).

Group admitting Danish writer ignoring one English fantasy creature (12)

Answer: BANDERSNATCH (i.e. “fantasy creature”). Solution is BATCH (i.e. “group”) wrapped around or “admitting” Hans Christian ANDERSEN (i.e. “Danish writer”) once one of the Es has been removed (indicated by “ignoring one English” – E being a recognised abbreviation of “English”), like so: B(ANDERSN)ATCH.

One on board often depressed: restraint vital (7,3)

Answer: CONTROL KEY (i.e. “one on [computer key]board often depressed”). Solution is CONTROL (i.e. “restraint”) followed by KEY (i.e. “vital”).

University learners coming in to secure passage (6)

Answer: GULLET (i.e. “passage”). Solution is U (a recognised abbreviation of “university”), L and L (ditto “learners” – plural, so there are two) both placed “in” GET (i.e. “to secure”), like so: G(U-L-L)ET.

Poison very twisted individual injected into ailing men (7)

Answer: ENVENOM (i.e. to “poison”). Solution is V (a recognised abbreviation of “very”) and ONE (i.e. “individual”) once reversed (indicated by “twisted”) both placed “into” an anagram (indicated by “ailing”) of MEN, like so: EN(V-ENO)M.

Pepper’s appearance rooted in stone, initially odd (8)

Answer: PIMIENTO (i.e. variety of “pepper”). Solution is MIEN (i.e. “appearance”) placed or “rooted in” PIT (i.e. fruit “stone”) and followed by O (i.e. “initially odd”, i.e. the first letter of “odd”), like so: PI(MIEN)T-O.

Wan desultory ambition stirred, receiving a comment on extended construction times (4,3,3,5,2,1,3)

Answer: ROME WAS NOT BUILT IN A DAY (i.e. “comment on extended construction times”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “stirred”) of WAN DESULTORY AMBITION wrapped around or “receiving” A.

Looking ravaged, allowed element of challenge (8)

Answer: GAUNTLET (i.e. “element of challenge”). Solution is GAUNT (i.e. “looking ravaged”) followed by LET (i.e. “allowed”).

Caribbean island not supporting Pacific island? Not entirely (7)

Answer: ANTIGUA (i.e. “Caribbean island”). Solution is ANTI-GUAM (i.e. “not supporting Pacific Island”, playfully) with its last letter removed (indicated by “not entirely”), like so: ANTI-GUA.

Charge excluding a German house-guest (6)

Answer: LODGER (i.e. “house-guest”). Solution is LOAD (i.e. to “charge”) with the A removed (indicated by “excluding a”) and the remainder followed by GER (a recognised abbreviation of “German”), like so: LOD-GER.

Down clues

Price rise beginning to rile rambler (5)

Answer: HIKER (i.e. “rambler”). Solution is HIKE (i.e. “price rise”) followed by R (i.e. “beginning to rile”, i.e. the first letter of “rile”).

Little risk for speaker in a quick meal (6,5)

Answer: MINUTE STEAK (i.e. “quick meal”). Solution is MINUTE (i.e. “little”) followed by a homophone (indicated by “for speaker”) of STAKE (i.e. to “risk”).

Vessel more readily allowing first couple of children on board (8)

Answer: SCHOONER (i.e. “vessel”). Solution is SOONER (i.e. “more readily”) wrapped around or “allowing…on board” CH (i.e. “first couple [of letters] of ‘children’”), like so: S(CH)OONER.

Family spook finally producing sound of chains? (5)

Answer: CLANK (i.e. “sound of chains”). Solution is CLAN (i.e. “family”) followed by K (i.e. “spook finally”, i.e. the last letter of “spook”).

Gutted contralto picked up items on score, but not opening sequences of notes (7)

Answer: OCTAVES (i.e. “sequences of notes”). Solution is CO (i.e. “gutted contralto”, i.e. the word “contralto” with all its middle letters removed) reversed (indicated by “picked up” – this being a down clue) and followed by STAVES (i.e. “items on [musical] score”) once the first letter has been removed (indicated by “but not opening”), like so: OC-TAVES.

Country upset about newspaper trouble – I will probe company bluster (11)

Answer: BRAGGADOCIO (i.e. “bluster”). Solution is GB (i.e. “country”, specifically Great Britain) reversed (indicated by “upset” – this being a down clue) and wrapped “about” RAG (slang for “newspaper”). This is then followed by ADO (i.e. “trouble”) and I once placed in or “probing” CO (a recognised abbreviation of “company”), like so: B(RAG)G-ADO-C(I)O.

Leave and spot someone expected to appear? (5)

Answer: GODOT (i.e. “someone expected to appear”, referencing Samuel Beckett’s play Waiting For Godot). Solution is GO (i.e. “leave”) followed by DOT (i.e. “spot”).

Poor justification to produce firewood, say, before a lot of cold weather (9)

Answer: CHOPLOGIC (i.e. false reasoning or “poor justification” – my Chambers and Oxford both disagree, listing this as a two-word phrase and not a single nine-letter word. My Collins Concise, meanwhile, doesn’t list it at all.) Solution is CHOP LOG (i.e. “produce firewood, say”) followed by ICE (i.e. “cold weather”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “a lot of…”), like so: (CHOP-LOG)-IC.

It’s hard to carry, making you grumpy (5)

Answer: CROSS. Solution satisfies “it’s hard to carry”, as in someone’s “cross to bear”, and “grumpy”.

Slow-moving vehicle covering each mile with walker (11)

Answer: STEAMROLLER (i.e. “slow-moving vehicle”). Solution is EA (a recognised abbreviation of “each”) and M (ditto “mile”) both placed in or “covered” by STROLLER (i.e. “walker”), like so: ST(EA-M)ROLLER.

Cancel escape, having cut skin (7)

Answer: RESCIND (i.e. “cancel”). Solution is ESC (a recognised abbreviation of “escape”, a key on a computer keyboard) placed in or “cutting” RIND (i.e. “skin”), like so: R(ESC)IND.

Runs a wildlife tour, retaining time for religious figure (3,6)

Answer: RAS TAFARI (i.e. “religious figure”, specifically revered former emperor of Ethiopia, Haile Selassie). Solution is R (a recognised abbreviation of “runs” used in a number of ball games) followed by A and SAFARI (i.e. “wildlife tour”) all wrapped around or “retaining” T (a recognised abbreviation of “time”), like so: R-A-S(T)AFARI.

Book containing revolutionary plant item (7)

Answer: TWOSOME (i.e. couple or “item”). Solution is TOME (i.e. “book”) wrapped around or “containing” SOW (i.e. “plant” seeds) once reversed (indicated by “revolutionary”), like so: T(WOS)OME.

Notice Eire investing in whiskey: that’s awkward (9)

Answer: MALADROIT (i.e. “awkward”). Solution is AD (i.e. “notice”, short for advertisement) and ROI (i.e. “Eire”, or Republic Of Ireland) both placed or “invested in” MALT (i.e. “whiskey”), like so: MAL(AD-ROI)T.

Is nothing in part of Northern Ireland of little significance? (8)

Answer: DERISORY (i.e. “of little significance”). Solution is IS and O (i.e. “nothing”) both placed “in” DERRY (i.e. “part of Northern Ireland”), like so: DER(IS-O)RY.

It’s all over a statement of the obvious about pronoun (5,4)

Answer: THAT’S THAT. Solution satisfies “it’s all over” and “a statement of the obvious about pronoun”.

Redevelopment of seacoast involving one couple (9)

Answer: ASSOCIATE (i.e. to “couple” or join). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “redevelopment of”) of SEACOAST wrapped around or “involving” I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”), like so: ASSOC(I)ATE.

River boat’s gone round, displaying flag (8)

Answer: STREAMER (i.e. “flag”). Solution is R (a recognised abbreviation of “river”) placed in or having “round” STEAMER (i.e. “boat”), like so: ST(R)EAMER.

Hairstyle? Complain about yokel getting trimmed (7)

Answer: MOHICAN (i.e. “hairstyle”). Solution is MOAN (i.e. “complain”) wrapped “about” HICK (i.e. “yokel”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “getting trimmed”), like so: MO(HIC)AN.

African currency acquired by American banker, a respected figure (5,3,3)

Answer: GRAND OLD MAN (i.e. “a respected figure”). Solution is RAND (i.e. “African currency”) placed in or “acquired by” Marcus GOLDMAN (i.e. “American banker”), like so: G(RAND)OLDMAN.

Trace of nudity in naughty bit broadcast? Certainly not (8,3)

Answer: ANYTHING BUT (i.e. “certainly not”). Solution N (i.e. “trace of nudity”, i.e. the first letter of “nudity”) placed “in” an anagram (indicated by “broadcast”) of NAUGHTY BIT, like so: A(N)YTHINGBUT.

Led after stage of game, being very controlled (5-6)

Answer: LEVEL-HEADED (i.e. “being very controlled”). Solution is HEADED (i.e. “led”) placed “after” LEVEL (i.e. “stage of (video) game” – this nerd approves!).

Effort to acquire new Irish plates etc (6,3)

Answer: DINNER SET (i.e. “plates etc”). Solution is DINT (i.e. “effort”) wrapped around or “acquiring” N (a recognised abbreviation of “new”) and ERSE (i.e. “Irish”), like so: DIN(N-ERSE)T.

US state securing border in getting crook (8)

Answer: CRIMINAL (i.e. “crook”). Solution is CAL (i.e. “US state”, short for California) wrapped around or “securing” RIM (i.e. “border”) and IN, like so: C(RIM-IN)AL.

Vocal music around pier curtailed marine displays (7)

Answer: AQUARIA (i.e. “marine displays”, plural of aquarium). Solution is ARIA (i.e. “vocal music”) wrapped “around” QUAY (i.e. “pier”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “curtailed”), like so: A(QUA)RIA.

On holiday? Feeling glum, missing love, beside borders of China (7)

Answer: CAMPING (i.e. “on holiday”). Solution is MOPING (i.e. “feeling glum”) with the O removed (indicated by “missing love” – “love” being a zero score in tennis) and the remainder placed after or “beside” CA (i.e. “borders of China”, i.e. the first and last letters of “China”), like so: CA-MPING.

Drying agent tails off excessively? (5)

Answer: TOWEL (i.e. “drying agent”). Solution is TOO WELL (i.e. “excessively”) with the last letter removed from each word (indicated by “tails off”), like so: TO-WEL.

Shakespearean character going by catching start of one line (5)

Answer: VIOLA (i.e. “Shakespearean character”, from ~~The Merchant Of Venice~~ Twelfth Night). Solution is VIA (i.e. “going by”) wrapped around or “catching” O (i.e. “start [letter] of ‘one’”) and L (a recognised abbreviation of “line”), like so: VI(O-L)A.

[EDIT: Thanks to Sue in the comments for the correction re: Twelfth Night. I was getting my Portias and Violas mixed up. Cheers, Sue! – LP]

Historic city has taken up recording revolutionary creative work (5)

Answer: PETRA (i.e. “historic city”). Solution is EP (i.e. “recording”, short for Extended Play) reversed (indicated by “taken up” – this being a down clue) followed by ART (i.e. “creative work”) also reversed (indicated by “revolutionary”), like so: PE-TRA.

Fragrant plant no longer for the solver and setter (5)

Answer: THYME (i.e. “fragrant plant”). Solution is THY (i.e. an archaic form, indicated by “no longer”, of “for the solver”, i.e. “your”) followed by ME (i.e. “setter”), both taken from the point of view of the setter.

Times Jumbo Cryptic Crossword 1581

A toughie this week and one that dipped too deeply into general knowledge for my liking. I mean, just look at some of the stuff in the grid. Oof. Still, there were several well-crafted clues to enjoy so it wasn’t too bad in the end. Kudos too for including a modern hit novel in the grid.

Speaking of which, 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 the kind words and input. It’s always interesting to hear the thoughts and opinions of other solvers once their pens are silenced. Till next time, stay safe out there kids.

FBV (French-By-Volume): 8.3% – a fruity Cassel with a slightly acidic aftertaste. Short of a full-bodied Depardieu, but a pokey little number nonetheless. Serve with fish or white meat, and preferably a Gauloises.

Across clues

Vessel recently found complete united country without force (9)

Answer: ENDURANCE (i.e. “vessel recently found”, referring to Sir Ernest Shackleton’s ship, the finding of which made the news a few months ago. It’s unusual to find a time-sensitive clue in a Jumbo. I wonder if the ship’s discovery will be as memorable and as relevant in a few years’ time when this puzzle gets republished in the annual Jumbo Cryptic book). Solution is END (i.e. “complete”) followed by U (a recognised abbreviation of “united”) and FRANCE (i.e. “country”) once the F has been removed (indicated by “without force” – F being a recognised abbreviation of “force”), like so: END-U-RANCE.

Vicious perhaps to return letter showing no consideration (10)

Answer: DISMISSIVE (i.e. “showing no consideration”). Solution is SID (i.e. “Vicious perhaps” – other Sids are available) reversed (indicated by “to return”) and followed by MISSIVE (i.e. “letter”), like so: DIS-MISSIVE.

Gold rush associated with area in city (7)

Answer: AUGUSTA (i.e. “city” in the US state of Georgia). Solution is AU (chemical symbol of “gold”) followed by GUST (i.e. “rush” of wind) and A (a recognised abbreviation of “area”).

Stay with European supporter in residence (9)

Answer: LODGEPOLE (i.e. “supporter in residence”, in this case a pole used in a Native American lodge). Solution is LODGE (i.e. “stay with”) followed by POLE (i.e. “European”). One solved from the wordplay, to be honest.

Indispensable as in pen that’s disposable? (5)

Answer: BASIC (i.e. essential or “indispensable”). Solution is AS placed “in” BIC (i.e. “pen that’s disposable”, or a Bic biro), like so: B(AS)IC.

Old actress banking money woman needed for anniversary (12)

Answer: TERCENTENARY (i.e. 300th “anniversary”). Solution is Dame Ellen TERRY (i.e. “old actress” – no, me neither. Chalk this one to my Bradford’s. She has appeared in Jumbos before, but not since 2018) wrapped around or “banking” CENT (i.e. “money”) and ENA (i.e. “woman’s” name), like so: TER(CENT-ENA)RY.

Simple stone containing ash say in comfortable position (4,6)

Answer: EASY STREET (i.e. “comfortable position”). Solution is EASY (i.e. “simple”) followed by ST (a recognised abbreviation of “stone” weight) once wrapped around or “containing” TREE (i.e. “ash say” – other trees are available), like so: EAST-S(TREE)T.

Cardinal interrupting terribly stubborn ass commits irrevocably (5,4,5)

Answer: BURNS ONE’S BOATS (i.e. “commits irrevocably”, a variant form of ‘burns one’s bridges’). Solution is ONE (i.e. “cardinal” – basically a number) placed in or “interrupting” an anagram (indicated by “terribly”) of STUBBORN ASS, like so: BURNS(ONE)SBOATS.

Express affection introducing fancy bun to Wine Society (3,5)

Answer: RUB NOSES (i.e. how Eskimos “express affection”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “fancy”) of BUN placed in or “introduced…to” ROSÉ (i.e. variety of “wine”) and S (a recognised abbreviation of “society”), like so: R(UBN)OSÉ-S.

Native British soldiers needing hotel accommodation? (6)

Answer: INBORN (i.e. “native”). Solution is B (a recognised abbreviation of “British”) and OR (i.e. “soldiers”, specifically the Other Ranks of the British Army) both placed in or “accommodated by” INN (i.e. “hotel”), like so: IN(B-OR)N.

Journey quickly to France – via a number of stations? (7-3)

Answer: CHANNEL-HOP. Solution satisfies “journey quickly to France” and “via a number of [TV or radio] stations”.

One tooth Queen wanted out? GP was seen here (5)

Answer: IMOLA (i.e. “GP was seen here”, the solution being a race track in Italy and a GP being Grand Prix). Solution is I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”) followed by MOLAR (i.e. “tooth”) once the R has been removed (indicated by “Queen wanted out” – R being a recognised abbreviation of the Latin Regina), like so: I-MOLA.

Nothing fixes a fixer (4)

Answer: NAIL (i.e. “fixer”). Solution is NIL (i.e. “nothing”) wrapped around or “fixing” A, like so: N(A)IL.

Dead? He died alone, note (8)

Answer: OBSOLETE (i.e. “dead”). Solution is OB (i.e. “died”, i.e. a recognised abbreviation of the Latin obiit) followed by SOLE (i.e. “alone”) and TE (i.e. “note” in the sol-fa notation, i.e. doh-ray-me etc).

Island within French sea board having value (9)

Answer: MERITABLE (i.e. “having value”). Solution is I (a recognised abbreviation of “island”) placed “within” MER (i.e. “French sea”, i.e. the French for “sea”) and TABLE (i.e. “board”, “a table around which committee meetings are held” (Chambers)), like so: MER-(I)-TABLE.

Smooth and white – a plant undergoing tests? (9)

Answer: ALABASTER (i.e. “smooth and white”). When written as A LAB ASTER the solution also playfully satisfies “a plant undergoing tests”.

Perhaps a Floridian can? (8)

Answer: RESTROOM. Clue plays on “can” being slang for the toilet, and how Americans call their toilets “restrooms”. That’s about all, I guess.

Prejudice shown in twice concealing answer (4)

Answer: BIAS (i.e. “prejudice”). Solution is BIS (i.e. “twice” in musical lingo) wrapped around or “concealing” A (a recognised abbreviation of “answer”), like so: BI(A)S.

Idea from police about seize heroin and ecstasy (5)

Answer: THEME (i.e. “idea”). Solution is MET (i.e. “police”, short for the London Metropolitan Police) reversed (indicated by “about”) and wrapped around or “seizing” H (slang name for “heroin”). This is all then followed by E (ditto “ecstasy”), like so: T(H)EM-E.

Meal Spartan’s taken round lake or region by river (10)

Answer: FLOODPLAIN (i.e. “region by river”). Solution is FOOD (i.e. “meal”) and PLAIN (i.e. “spartan” – ignore the misleading capitalisation) wrapped or “taken round” L (a recognised abbreviation of “lake”), like so: F(L)OOD-PLAIN.

Girl invited to garden embraces academician Harry (6)

Answer: MARAUD (i.e. to plunder or “harry” – again, ignore the misleading capitalisation). Solution is MAUD (i.e. “girl invited to garden” – apparently a reference to Alfred, Lord Tennyson’s poem Maud, containing the line: “Come into the garden, Maud”. Again, me neither) wrapped around or “embracing” RA (i.e. “academician”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of a Royal Academician), like so: MA(RA)UD. Another win for the Bradford’s.

Negative decisions on row involving city backed (8)

Answer: REFUSALS (i.e. “negative decisions”). Solution is RE (i.e. “on” or regarding – think email replies) and FUSS (i.e. “row” or bother) wrapped around or “involving” LA (i.e. “city”, specifically Los Angeles) once reversed (indicated by “backed”), like so: RE-FUS(AL)S.

Work that’s current seen in West London landscape? (6,8)

Answer: ACTION PAINTING (i.e. “work” – specifically the kind of thing Jackson Pollock did). Solution is I (a recognised abbreviation of an electrical “current” used in physics) placed “in” ACTON (area of “West London”) and PAINTING (i.e. “landscape”), like so: ACT(I)ON-PAINTING.

Language of actor, sober, unusually (5-5)

Answer: SERBO-CROAT (i.e. “language”). “Unusually” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of ACTOR SOBER.

Put a message about India’s holy day (12)

Answer: SEPTUAGESIMA (i.e. “holy day”, supposedly the third Sunday before Lent. I distinctly remember WH Smiths being fresh out of Septuagesima cards this year, so that’s them damned for all eternity). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “out”) of PUT A MESSAGE wrapped “about” I (“India” in the phonetic alphabet), like so: SEPTUAGES(I)MA. Sounds more like a nasty skin infection to me.

Small instrument not in tune (5)

Answer: SHARP (i.e. “not in tune” – over to Chambers: “high in pitch, or too high (music)”, among other definitions). Solution is S (a recognised abbreviation of “small”) followed by HARP (i.e. “instrument”).

Swamp predator stopped by boy – one brave fighter (9)

Answer: GLADIATOR (i.e. “brave fighter”). Solution is GATOR (i.e. “swamp predator”, short for alligator) wrapped around or “stopped by” LAD (i.e. “boy”) and I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”), like so: G(LAD-I)ATOR.

Eccentric learner one in Paris with a nervous twitch (7)

Answer: LUNATIC (i.e. “eccentric” – I mean, okay, but that word is having to do some serious heavy-lifting in this clue. Call a serial killer ‘lunatic’? Sure, why not, they’re nuts. Call them ‘eccentric’? Well, I suppose it’s possible they might spend a weird amount of effort arranging all the human heads in their fridge so their noses touch, but surely first principles would apply here?! Anyway…) Solution is L (a recognised abbreviation of “learner”) followed by UN (i.e. “one in Paris”, i.e. the French for “one”), then A and TIC (i.e. “nervous twitch”).

Bargain rates for exchange in large company (5-5)

Answer: HORSE-TRADE (i.e. to “bargain”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “for exchange”) of RATES placed “in” HORDE (i.e. “large company”), like so: HOR(SETRA)DE.

Compensates and changes gear? (9)

Answer: REDRESSES. Solution satisfies “compensates” and “changes gear”.

Down clues

Dying bird deserted by large rook (5)

Answer: EAGER (i.e. “dying” or yearning). Solution is EAGLE (i.e. “bird”) with the L removed (indicated by “deserted by large” – L being a recognised abbreviation of “large”) and the remainder followed by R (a recognised abbreviation of “rook” used in chess), like so: EAGE-R.

Medical provider from Galashiels at last writes in Daily Record (10)

Answer: DISPENSARY (i.e. “medical provider”). Solution is S (i.e. “Galashiels at last”, i.e. the last letter of “Galashiels”) and PENS (i.e. “writes”) both placed “in” DIARY (i.e. “daily record” – ignore the misleading capitalisation), like so: DI(S-PENS)ARY.

Course ends prematurely with smart lecture (8)

Answer: ROASTING (i.e. a telling-off or “lecture”). Solution is ROAD (i.e. “course”) with the last letter missing (indicated by “ends prematurely”) and the remainder followed by STING (i.e. “smart” or hurt), like so ROA-STING.

Only worked with new material (5)

Answer: NYLON (i.e. “material”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “worked”) of ONLY followed by N (a recognised abbreviation of “new”), like so: NYLO-N.

Colour that is reflected on blue cover (9)

Answer: EIDERDOWN (i.e. bed “cover”). Solution is RED (i.e. “colour”) and IE (i.e. “that is”, i.e. “i.e.”!) both reversed (indicated by “reflected”) and followed by DOWN (i.e. “blue”), like so: (EI-DER)-DOWN.

Bottomless river with source in Pennines? (4)

Answer: DEEP (i.e. “bottomless”). Solution is DEE (i.e. “river”) followed by P (i.e. “source in Pennines”, i.e. the first letter of “Pennines”).

Labour worker can’t finish campaign line (6)

Answer: SLOGAN (i.e. “campaign line”). Solution is SLOG (i.e. “labour”) followed by ANT (i.e. “worker”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “can’t finish”), like so: SLOG-AN.

What was that personal request for absolution? (1,3,4,6)

Answer: I BEG YOUR PARDON. Solution satisfies “what was that” and, playfully, “personal request for absolution”.

Give support for healthy, mostly those on vacation (12)

Answer: SUBSTANTIATE (i.e. “give support for”). Solution is SUBSTANTIAL (i.e. “healthy” or considerable) with the last letter removed (indicated by “mostly”) and the remainder followed by TE (i.e. “those on vacation”, i.e. the word “those” with all its middle letters removed), like so: SUBSTANTIA-TE.

Service scooters from Italy as discussed? (7)

Answer: VESPERS (i.e. evening “service”). “As discussed” indicates homophone. Solution is a homophone of VESPAS (i.e. a brand of “scooters from Italy”).

Spanish speaker is unable to answer very naughty boy? (10)

Answer: CANTABRIAN (i.e. “Spanish speaker” – Cantabria is a region of north Spain). Solution is CAN’T (i.e. “is unable to”) followed by A (a recognised abbreviation of “answer”, as in Q&A) and BRIAN (i.e. “very naughty boy”, a reference to the famous line from Monty Python’s Life Of Brian – I very much approve!)

Attic style not left out in Carthage? (4,5)

Answer: CITY STATE (i.e. “Carthage” – I’ll take the setter’s word for it. I’ve had my fill of general knowledge for this week). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “out”) of ATTIC STYLE once the L has been removed (indicated by “not left” – L being a recognised abbreviation of “left”).

Metropolis ultimately associated with the glass? (2,6)

Answer: ST HELENS (i.e. a “metropolis”, being the administrative centre of the Metropolitan Borough of St Helens). Solution is S (i.e. “metropolis ultimately”, i.e. the last letter of “metropolis”) followed by THE and LENS (i.e. “glass”).

Scottish poet keeping books outside a religious office (9)

Answer: RABBINATE (i.e. “religious office”). Solution is RABBIE Burns (i.e. “Scottish poet”) wrapped around or “keeping” NT (i.e. “books”, specifically the New Testament of The Bible) once this has itself been wrapped around or placed “outside” A, like so: RABBI(N(A)T)E.

Here one learns son in space retains height (10)

Answer: SCHOOLROOM (i.e. “here one learns”). Solution is S (a recognised abbreviation of “son”) followed by COOL (i.e. “in” or popular) and ROOM (i.e. “space”) all wrapped around or “retaining” H (a recognised abbreviation of “height”), like so: S-C(H)OOL-ROOM.

Story involving astronauts that remain, somehow (3,7)

Answer: THE MARTIAN (i.e. “story involving astronauts”, being a 2011 science fiction novel by Andy Weir that was turned into a hit 2015 movie directed by Ridley Scott and starring Matt Damon. Respect to the setter here. I was getting fed up with how each novel featured in a Jumbo was usually some dusty old thing from over a hundred years ago, as if setters all thought the author had to be dead before they could reference their work. This was therefore rather refreshing to solve. More, please! Obviously I’ll beat the drum for more genre fiction bestsellers, but there’s decades of literary prize-winning chin-strokers that could feature too). “Somehow” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of THAT REMAIN.

Essential passages in blog a bit rambling, indulged at first (9)

Answer: OBBLIGATI (i.e. “essential passages” in musical lingo). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “rambling”) of BLOG A BIT followed by I (i.e. “indulged at first”, i.e. the first letter of “indulged”), like so: OBBLIGAT-I.

First person to succumb saved by a radiant, alluring individual (1,3,2,3,5)

Answer: A BIT OF ALL RIGHT (i.e. “alluring individual”). Solution is I (i.e. “first person” – “I” being first person, “you” being second person, “they” being third person), TO and FALL (i.e. “succumb”) both placed in or “saved by” A and BRIGHT (i.e. “radiant”), like so: A-B(I-TO-FALL)RIGHT.

Regret after sending up chance to protect unknown wife snake bit (8)

Answer: EURYDICE (i.e. “wife snake bit” in Greek mythology. A recent repeat from grid 1562, so I won’t repeat myself here). Solution is RUE (i.e. “regret”) reversed (indicated by “after sending up” – this being a down clue) along with DICE (i.e. “chance”) all wrapped around or “protecting” Y (i.e. “unknown” – setters love referring to X, Y or Z in solutions as “unknowns”), like so: EUR-(Y)-DICE.

Writ has to integrate Lincoln with another Oxford college? (6,6)

Answer: HABEAS CORPUS (i.e. a “writ” “to a jailer to produce a prisoner in person, and to state the reasons for detention” (Chambers)). Solution is HAS wrapped around or “integrating” ABE (i.e. “Lincoln”) followed by CORPUS (i.e. “Oxford college”, informal name of Corpus Christi), like so: H(ABE)AS-CORPUS. While it’s tempting to make fun of such a rah-rah-rah clue, I have to admit this was very nicely worked.

Skier sat in a daze, beginning to see stars (9)

Answer: ASTERISKS (i.e. “stars”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “in a daze”) of SKIER SAT followed by S (i.e. “beginning to see”, i.e. the first letter of “see”), like so: ASTERISK-S. Another excellent clue.

Angular look two men for example introduced (4,6)

Answer: SIDE GLANCE (i.e. “angular look”). Solution is SID and LANCE (i.e. “two men’s” names) wrapped around or “introducing” EG (i.e. “for example”, after the Latin exempli gratia), like so: SID-(EG)-LANCE.

Mown area with slip catch that turns game (4,6)

Answer: LAWN TENNIS (i.e. “game”). Solution is LAWN (i.e. “mown area”) followed by SIN (i.e. “slip” or error) and NET (i.e. “catch”) once these latter two have been reversed (indicated by “that turns”), like so: LAWN-(TEN-NIS).

Take oblique look round cool street in city (9)

Answer: LEICESTER (i.e. “city”). Solution is LEER (i.e. “take oblique look”) wrapped “round” ICE (i.e. “cool”) and ST (a recognised abbreviation of “street”), like so: LE(ICE-ST)ER.

Common people using hammer to open cold beer? (8)

Answer: CANAILLE (i.e. “common people”, and not an especially kindly reference). Solution is NAIL (i.e. “using hammer”) placed in or “opening” C (a recognised abbreviation of “cold” used on taps) and ALE (i.e. “beer”), like so: C-A(NAIL)LE. One remembered from a previous puzzle if I’m honest. It’s from the French too, so you know what that means…

Variety of stuff from newspaper appearing in Algarve city (7)

Answer: FARRAGO (i.e. “variety of stuff”). Solution is RAG (i.e. “newspaper”) placed “in” FARO (i.e. “Algarve city”), like so: FAR(RAG)O.

Prospect with gold disappearing in country with canal (6)

Answer: PANAMA (i.e. “country with canal”). Solution is PANORAMA (i.e. view or “prospect”) with the OR removed (indicated by “with gold disappearing” – OR being “gold” or yellow in heraldry).

Ready to drop on coming in half-drunk (5)

Answer: TIRED (i.e. “ready to drop”). Solution is RE (i.e. “on” – already covered in 44 across) placed or “coming in” TIDDLY (i.e. “drunk”) once the last “half” has been chopped off, like so: TI(RE)D.

Stroke, fantastic cut, is making boundary (5)

Answer: ICTUS (i.e. “stroke” or sudden attack, medically). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “fantastic”) of CUT placed in or having as it’s “boundary” IS, like so: I(CTU)S. Another that had me rolling my eyes initially – Times setters sure love their Latin – but, again, I have to admit this was another well-crafted clue.

Price increase in March? (4)

Answer: HIKE. Solution satisfies “price increase” and “march” – ignoring the misleading capitalisation.

Times Jumbo Cryptic Crossword 1580

Another toughie this week. For the most part this was an enjoyable one to chip away at during the day, though I did think the setter would run out of homophone indicators at one point! A couple of clues also relied on definitions that could be described as “distant cousins” of their solutions at best. Still, taken as a whole this one was pretty good.

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 left you scratching your head then you might find my Just For Fun page of use, where you’ll find links to solutions for hundreds of the things.

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

FBV (French-By-Volume): 3.3%

Across clues

In vain, still awaiting service from bartender, allowing round character to push in? (9)

Answer: POINTLESS (i.e. “in vain”). Solution is PINTLESS (i.e. “still awaiting service from bartender”) wrapped around or having O (i.e. “round character”) “push in”, like so: P(O)INTLESS.

Reservists accessing land from the East after deposing leader in country (5)

Answer: QATAR (i.e. “country”). Solution is TA (i.e. “reservists”, specifically the Territorial Army) placed in or “accessing” IRAQ (i.e. “land”) once reversed (indicated by “from the East” – this being an across clue) and it’s first letter removed (indicated by “after deposing leader”), like so: QA(TA)R.

A doctor getting around predicament, gallant (7)

Answer: ADMIRER (i.e. “gallant”). Solution is A and DR (a recognised abbreviation of “doctor”) wrapped “round” MIRE (i.e. “predicament”), like so: A-D(MIRE)R.

Odd bits removed from boiled rice, wrinkly (5)

Answer: OLDIE (i.e. “wrinkly”). “Odd bits removed from” indicates the solution is derived from every other letter of BOILED RICE.

Scene I love in theatrical piece (7)

Answer: DIORAMA (i.e. “scene”). Solution is I and O (i.e. “love”, a zero score in tennis) both placed “in” DRAMA (i.e. “theatrical piece”), like so: D(I-O)RAMA.

Communicate anger initially in rage (3,6)

Answer: GET ACROSS (i.e. “communicate”). Solution is A (i.e. “anger initially”, i.e. the first letter of “anger”) placed “in” GET CROSS (i.e. “rage”), like so: GET-(A)-CROSS.

Criminal, harmless beauty (11)

Answer: SAFECRACKER (i.e. “criminal”). Solution is SAFE (i.e. “harmless”) followed by CRACKER (i.e. “beauty”).

One revealing all as tapestries unravelled, beginning on reconstruction (11)

Answer: STRIPTEASER (i.e. “one revealing all”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “unravelled”) of TAPESTRIES followed by R (i.e. “beginning [letter] on reconstruction”), like so: STRIPTEASE-R.

Maestro in control, by the sound of it? (6)

Answer: George Frideric HANDEL (i.e. “maestro”). “By the sound of it” indicates homophone. Solution is a homophone of HANDLE (i.e. “control”).

Idyllic Scottish isle inspiring painting by Pissarro, originally (8)

Answer: UNSPOILT (i.e. “idyllic”). Solution is UNST (i.e. “Scottish isle” – no, me neither) wrapped around or “inspiring” OIL (i.e. “painting”) once first placed after or “by” P (i.e. “Pissarro, originally”, i.e. the first letter of “Pissarro”), like so: UNS(P-OIL)T.

African really, African land (6)

Answer: SOMALI (i.e. “African”). Solution is SO (i.e. “really”) followed by MALI (i.e. “African land”).

Avian selection from menu: that chicken? (8)

Answer: NUTHATCH (i.e. bird or “avian”). “Selection from” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: ME(NU THAT CH)ICKEN.

Note, I falter after passing motorway (14)

Answer: DEMISEMIQUAVER (i.e. musical “note”). Solution is I and QUAVER (i.e. “falter”) both placed “after” DEMISE (i.e. “passing”) and M (a recognised abbreviation of “motorway”), like so: (DEMISE-M)-I-QUAVER.

Fermentation ingredient for instance fuelling still (5)

Answer: YEAST (i.e. “fermentation ingredient”). Solution is AS (i.e. “for instance”) placed in or “fuelling” YET (i.e. “still”), like so: YE(AS)T.

Cub that is beside man (6)

Answer: ROOKIE (i.e. “cub”, both referring to beginners). Solution is IE (i.e. “that is”) placed after or “beside” ROOK (i.e. “man” – sometimes chess pieces are referred to as men), like so: ROOK-IE.

Through taking leave, work at getting around puzzlement (10)

Answer: PERPLEXITY (i.e. “puzzlement”). Solution is PER (i.e. “through”) followed by EXIT (i.e. “leave”) once placed in or “getting around” it PLY (i.e. “work at”), like so: PER-PL(EXIT)Y.

Quick way golden tortilla stuffed with last of cheddar (10)

Answer: AUTOSTRADA (i.e. “quick way”, or a motorway in Italy). Solution is AU TOSTADA (i.e. “golden tortilla” – AU being the chemical symbol of gold) wrapped around or “stuffed with” R (i.e. “last [letter] of cheddar”), like so: AU-TOST(R)ADA. Chalk one to my Bradford’s here. I couldn’t think beyond taco for “tortilla”.

Month before king of France backed youth (6)

Answer: JUNIOR (i.e. “youth”). Solution is JUN (i.e. “month”, short for June) followed by ROI (i.e. “king of France”, i.e. the French for “king”) once reversed (indicated by “backed”), like so: JUN-IOR.

In declaration, acquire land (5)

Answer: GHANA (i.e. “land”). “In declaration” indicates homophone. Solution is a homophone of GARNER (i.e. “acquire”).

Blow that may have loosened dentures? (4,2,3,5)

Answer: KICK IN THE TEETH (i.e. “blow”). Solution also satisfies the clue as a whole.

One couldn’t translate last part of poem, too long for translation (8)

Answer: MONOGLOT (i.e. “one couldn’t translate” – a monoglot is someone who only knows one language). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “for translation”) of M (i.e. “last part of poem”, i.e. the last letter of “poem”) and TOO LONG.

Leading to end of obstruction, mostly healthy (6)

Answer: LETHAL (i.e. “leading to end”). Solution is LET (i.e. “obstruction”, a variant meaning of the word we’ve seen in a couple of Jumbos) followed by HALE (i.e. “healthy”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “mostly”), like so: LET-HAL.

Animal’s oink best neglected (8)

Answer: STEINBOK (i.e. “animal”). “Neglected” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of OINK BEST. A brute force of my Chambers was needed here.

Spring when fellow overheard? (6)

Answer: GEYSER (i.e. “spring”). “When…overheard” indicates homophone. Solution is a homophone of GEEZER (i.e. “fellow”).

As, for example, planes run well during first minutes of flight? (11)

Answer: ARBORESCENT (i.e. tree-like, or “as, for example, planes” – one of the definitions of “plane” is a kind of tree). Solution is R (a recognised abbreviation of “runs” used in some ball games) and BORE (i.e. “well”) both placed “during” ASCENT (i.e. “first minutes of flight”), like so: A(R-BORE)SCENT.

Token: give fourth out, banking first of cash (4,7)

Answer: GIFT VOUCHER (i.e. “token”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “out”) of GIVE FOURTH wrapped around or “banking” C (i.e. “first [letter] of cash”), like so: GIFTVOU(C)HER.

Socially distancing in a fog (6,3)

Answer: SPACED OUT. Solution satisfies “socially distancing” and mentally “in a fog”.

Girl wearing old fifties garment (7)

Answer: OVERALL (i.e. “garment”). Solution is VERA (i.e. “girl’s” name) placed in or “wearing” O (a recognised abbreviation of “old”) and LL (i.e. “fifties” – L being the Roman numeral for fifty), like so: O-(VERA)-LL. I rather liked this one.

Stout or plonk? (5)

Answer: PLUMP. Solution satisfies “stout” or to “plonk”.

Doing a twirl in dress, it amuses artist (7)

Answer: Henri MATISSE (i.e. “artist”). “In” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, while “doing a twirl” indicates the solution has been reversed, like so: DR(ESS IT AM)USES.

Sticky stuff, make error again? (5)

Answer: RESIN (i.e. “sticky stuff”). When written as RE-SIN the solution also satisfies “make error again”.

Care when mate tumbles into river (9)

Answer: TREATMENT (i.e. “care”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “tumbles”) of MATE placed “into” TRENT (i.e. “river”), like so: TRE(ATME)NT.

Down clues

Churchgoing liberal missing company initially (5)

Answer: PIOUS (i.e. “churchgoing”). Solution is COPIOUS (i.e. “liberal”) with the CO removed (indicated by “missing company” – CO being a recognised abbreviation of “company”).

What might be an incident I felt I messed up, having trapped organ (10,7)

Answer: INDEFINITE ARTICLE (i.e. “what might be ‘an’”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “messed up”) of INCIDENT I FELT I wrapped around or “having trapped” EAR (i.e. “organ”), like so: INDEFINIT(EAR)TICLE.

Sweet nurse containing spillage of claret (7,4)

Answer: TREACLE TART (i.e. “sweet”). Solution is TREAT (i.e. “nurse”) wrapped around or “containing” an anagram (indicated by “spillage of…”) of CLARET, like so: TREA(CLETAR)T.

Draw? Result needing attention (6)

Answer: ENDEAR (i.e. to appeal to, or “draw”). Solution is END (i.e. “result”) followed by EAR (i.e. “attention”). I originally had this as LUSTRE, being an anagram of “result”. It didn’t help, as you can imagine.

Awful taking belt out to constrict part of leg (8)

Answer: SHOCKING (i.e. “awful”). Solution is SING (i.e. “belt out”) wrapped around or “constricting” HOCK (i.e. “part of leg” in quadrupeds, apparently), like so: S(HOCK)ING.

As subversive on pier had, seaside picture (12)

Answer: QUADROPHENIA (i.e. “seaside picture”. The film depicts the dust-ups between the mods and rockers on Brighton beach). Solution is QUA (i.e. “as” in Latin – an indicator would have been nice) followed by an anagram (indicated by “subversive”) of ON PIER HAD.

In conversation pour liquor, as unifying resolution (4,6)

Answer: TEAM SPIRIT (i.e. “unifying resolution”). Solution is a homophone (indicated by “in conversation”) of TEEM (i.e. to “pour” – Chambers allows it with and without “down”) followed by SPIRIT (i.e. “liquor”).

I’ve got that man (5)

Answer: ROGER. Solution satisfies “I’ve got that” in radio communications, and a “man’s” name.

Pour in an Italian drink for starters (9)

Answer: ANTIPASTI (i.e. “starters”). Solution is TIP (i.e. “pour”, or to empty by tilting) placed “in” AN and ASTI (i.e. “Italian drink”), like so: AN-(TIP)-ASTI.

Audio equipment important, computer accessory unimportant (6,5)

Answer: MICKEY MOUSE (i.e. “unimportant”). Solution is MIC (i.e. “audio equipment”, short for microphone) followed by KEY (i.e. “important”) and MOUSE (i.e. “computer accessory”).

Cultural identity courses discussed? (5)

Answer: ROOTS (i.e. “cultural identity”). “Discussed” indicates homophone. Solution is a homophone of ROUTES (i.e. “courses”).

Place for break from teaching bible class (6)

Answer: RESORT (i.e. “place for break”). Solution is RE (i.e. “teaching bible”, short for Religious Education) followed by SORT (i.e. “class”).

Something up sleeve, natural killer initially charging money for mischief (5-5)

Answer: HANKY-PANKY (i.e. “mischief”). Solution is HANKY (i.e. “something up sleeve” – if you do this, kindly keep away from me) followed by N and K (i.e. “natural killer initially”, i.e. the first letters of “natural” and “killer”) once both placed in or “charging” PAY (i.e. “money”), like so: HANKY-PA(N-K)Y.

Unusual instrument just spinning in gossamer (8)

Answer: THEREMIN (i.e. “unusual instrument”). Solution is MERE (i.e. “just”) reversed (indicated by “spinning”) and placed “in” THIN (i.e. “gossamer” – can be used as an adjective for light and flimsy), like so: TH(EREM)IN.

Be vulnerable to damage by stick – as might be tomato plant? (4,2,1,5,5)

Answer: LIVE IN A GLASS HOUSE. Solution satisfies “be vulnerable to damage” and “as might be tomato plant”. “By stick” feels superfluous, so I might not have this completely right.

Recorder, one making music? (6)

Answer: SCORER. Solution satisfies “recorder”, or one keeping score, and, playfully, “one making music”.

Common sense to carry weight under horse (4,6)

Answer: GREY MATTER (i.e. “common sense”). Solution is MATTER (i.e. “weight”) placed after or “under” – this being a down clue – GREY (i.e. a kind of “horse”).

My nutritional value (8)

Answer: GOODNESS. Solution satisfies the exclamatory “my” and “nutritional value”.

Copy the sixth of Henry’s books (6)

Answer: PARROT (i.e. “copy”). Solution is Catherine PARR (i.e. “the sixth of Henry’s”, referring to the wives of Henry VIII) followed by OT (i.e. “books”, specifically the Old Testament of The Bible).

Placing coin, there’s a hole in it (7,5)

Answer: PUTTING GREEN (i.e. “there’s a hole in it”). Solution is PUTTING (i.e. “placing”) followed by GREEN (i.e. “coin” – green is slang for money, though I would argue it’s really more to do with folding money than for coins).

Little bits present in mess tin, gone off (11)

Answer: SMITHEREENS (i.e. “little bits”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “gone off”) of MESS TIN wrapped around or having “in” HERE (i.e. “present”), like so: SMIT(HERE)ENS.

Entertainer on hand? (5,6)

Answer: GLOVE PUPPET. Solution satisfies the clue as a whole.

Cryptic inspected, filled with old tricks (10)

Answer: DECEPTIONS (i.e. “tricks”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “cryptic”) of INSPECTED wrapped around or “filled with” O (a recognised abbreviation of “old”), like so: DECEPTI(O)NS.

Concertina reflecting instrument? (9)

Answer: TELESCOPE (i.e. “reflecting instrument”). Sorry, but I really don’t think a concertina and a telescopic action are the same thing. Fold back and forth along a strip of paper and you get a concertina effect. A telescope, meanwhile, is “to collapse part in part” (Chambers), like an old school radio aerial. There’ll no doubt be some dictionary that bails the setter out, but this still feels jarringly wrong to me.

Style in Versailles, period trousers unfashionable after revolution (8)

Answer: BOUFFANT (i.e. “style in Versailles”). Solution is BOUT (i.e. spell or “period”) wrapped around or “trousering” NAFF (i.e. “unfashionable”) once reversed (indicated by “after revolution”), like so: BOU(FFAN)T. The clue was very nicely worked, but utterly evil to be given only the even letters to work with.

Reportedly fine coach (6)

Answer: HANSOM (i.e. “coach”). “Reportedly” indicates homophone. Solution is a homophone of HANDSOME (i.e. “fine”).

Sophisticated Soviet letter, every other part redacted (6)

Answer: SVELTE (i.e. “sophisticated” – another not really backed up by my Chambers, but there’s probably a looser dictionary out there that allows it. Either way, I still disagree). “Every other part redacted” indicates the solution is derived by taking every other letter of SOVIET LETTER.

Devil, since secured by stake (5)

Answer: BEAST (i.e. “devil”). Solution is AS (i.e. “since” or because of) placed in or “secured by” BET (i.e. “stake”), like so: BE(AS)T.

Key – what to do with it? (5)

Answer: ENTER. Solution satisfies “key” on a computer keyboard, and also the clue as a whole.

Again, plant that’s lush coming up (5)

Answer: REPOT (i.e. “again, plant”). Solution is TOPER (i.e. “lush” or drunk) reversed (indicated by “coming up” – this being a down clue).