It’s taken a while but the corpse-like stench of grid 1630 has finally cleared. For a moment there I thought it would never go away. Even now, weeks on, I’m having flashbacks to what a joyless chore it was. Ugh. And yet here I am, back for more.

But why? you might ask. Why return to something that gobbles up hours of time every weekend when, oh, I dunno, an equally compelling timesink like Starfield is imminently due to launch (to pick an example entirely at random).

Why indeed. Could it be an

addiction (n) the state of being addicted; a habit that has become impossible to break

(Chambers 12th Edition)

“Impossible to break”? Blimey, that’s a bleak way of putting it. The prospect of posting solutions to the Times Jumbo Cryptic 4000 and beyond is positively chilling. At that age I’d hope to be knocking back cocktails of statins, stem cells, Southern Comfort and cocaine, all in the back of my flying limo.

Let’s try again.

exhibitionism (n) extravagant behaviour aimed at drawing attention to oneself; perversion involving public exposure of one’s sexual organs

(Chambers 12th Edition)

Okay, getting warmer. I’d say that’s at least half-right.

One more go…

obstinate (adj) blindly or excessively firm; unyielding; stubborn; not easily subdued or remedied

(Chambers 12th Edition)

Ah, yes, that’ll be it. Sheer bloodymindedness. It’s usually the way with me.

Anyway, as mentioned, I’m back – hello again! – so let’s get some housekeeping done. First up, the solution to last Saturday’s Jumbo. This, for me, was a medium strength effort that was pleasant enough to chip away at while tackling my laundry pile. The only fly in the ointment was the sheer number of repeated solutions. Michael Palin’s ears will be burning by the end of this post.

You can find my completed grid below along with explanations to my solutions where I have them. I hope you find them helpful. If a recent Jumbo gave you the shivers 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 kind words while I was away. I’m glad to hear it wasn’t just me who’d had quite enough of last week’s setter’s shenanigans. Thanks also to the mysterious She for netting me the Jumbos in my absence. All being well, I’ll be back shortlyish with the next one. Till then, TTFN.

LP

RBV (Repeats-By-Volume): 18.3%

Across clues

1. Pledge made by leftist leader in Hanoi (5)

Answer: TROTH (i.e. a formal or archaic word for “pledge”). Solution is TROT (i.e. “leftist”, short for a Trotskyite) followed by H (i.e. “leader in Hanoi”, i.e. the first letter of “Hanoi”).

4. A jazzy ensemble gathering ace ratings (4,6)

Answer: ABLE SEAMEN (i.e. “ratings” – a rating is “the class of any member of a crew” and also “a sailor of such a class” (both Chambers)). Solution is A followed by an anagram (indicated by “jazzy”) of ENSEMBLE once wrapped around or “gathering” A (a recognised abbreviation of “ace” used on playing cards), like so: A-BLESE(A)MEN.

9. Buffoonish, irrational boss goes around (6)

Answer: STUPID (i.e. “buffoonish”). Solution is PI (an “irrational” number in mathematics, “a real number that cannot be expressed as a fraction whose denominator and numerator are both integers” (Chambers again)) placed in or having “around” it STUD (i.e. a projecting knob, “boss” or pin), like so: STU(PI)D. Appeared in grid 1592 on New Years Eve, also on even intersecting letters, so…

14. Articles about small, extinct bovid in reference work (9)

Answer: THESAURUS (i.e. “reference work”). Solution is THE and A (both “articles”) wrapped “about” S (a recognised abbreviation of “small”) and followed by URUS (i.e. an aurochs or “extinct bovid” apparently last seen in the 17^th century. Pffff, give over, setter), like so: (THE-(S)-A)-URUS. Appeared in grid 1585 back in November, also on odd intersecting letters, so…

15. This confirms what criminals do in my address (13)

Answer: CORROBORATION (i.e. “this confirms”). Solution is ROB (i.e. “what criminals do”) placed “in” between COR (i.e. “my”, both exclamations) and ORATION (i.e. “address”), like so: COR-(ROB)-ORATION.

16. Reportedly cut grass and dig soil? I’m resigned to it (5-2)

Answer: HEIGH-HO (i.e. expressive of “I’m resigned to it”). “Reportedly” indicates homophone. Solution comprises homophones of HAY (i.e. an amount of “cut grass”) and HOE (i.e. to “dig soil”). Appeared in grid 1595 back in January, also on odd intersecting letters, so…

17. Shown two wines which a Yankee tucks into (9)

Answer: PORTRAYED (i.e. “shown”). Solution is PORT and RED (i.e. “two wines”) wrapped around or having “tucked in” A and Y (“Yankee” in the phonetic alphabet), like so: PORT-R(A-Y)ED.

18. Ardent knight’s not seen in splendid clothes (5)

Answer: FIERY (i.e. “ardent”). Solution is FINERY (i.e. “splendid clothes”) with the N (a recognised abbreviation of “knight” used in chess) removed or “not seen”.

19. Cool star caught English composer in a stew (6,3,5)

Answer: CHILLI CON CARNE (i.e. “stew”). Solution is CHILL (i.e. “cool”) followed by ICON (i.e. celebrity or “star”), then C (a recognised abbreviation of “caught” used in some ball games) and Thomas ARNE (i.e. “English composer”).

22. Flirted and got together with daughter at first (7)

Answer: DALLIED (i.e. “flirted”). Solution is ALLIED (i.e. “got together”) “with” D (a recognised abbreviation of “daughter”) placed “at first”, like so: D-ALLIED.

25. As Spooner says, that lady disturbs cabinet-making procedures (10)

Answer: RESHUFFLES (i.e. “cabinet-making procedures”, politically). Solution is a “Spoonerism” of SHE RUFFLES (i.e. “that lady disturbs”).

27. Travelling Aussies bring cultivation on a large scale? (12)

Answer: AGRIBUSINESS (i.e. “cultivation on a large scale”). “Travelling” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of AUSSIES BRING.

30. Ornamental fabric I had appended to underwear (5)

Answer: BRAID (i.e. “ornamental fabric”). Solution is I’D (a contraction of “I had”) placed after or “appended to” BRA (i.e. “underwear”), like so: BRA-I’D.

31. Visiting South Bank attraction entertains the setter’s friend (8)

Answer: INTIMATE (i.e. a “friend”). Solution is IN TATE Gallery (i.e. “visiting South Bank attraction”) wrapped around or “entertaining” I’M (i.e. “the setter’s”, i.e. a contraction of I AM from the point of view of the setter), like so: IN-T(I’M)ATE.

32. Kind of letter from a person using a postbox, we hear (8)

Answer: ASCENDER (i.e. “kind of letter”, a printing term for a letter such as b, d, h or k, apparently). Solution is A followed by a homophone (indicated by “we hear”) of SENDER (i.e. “person using a postbox”), like so: A-SCENDER.

35. When texting, you are, in conclusion, going on and on (8)

Answer: ENDURING (i.e. “going on and on”). Solution is UR (i.e. “when texting, you are” – not me, guv. I’m a gr8 believer in writing things out in full) placed “in” ENDING (i.e. “conclusion”), like so: END(UR)ING.

36. Soldier welcoming group of fliers with appropriate tags (8)

Answer: GRAFFITI (i.e. “tags”, slang thereof – I think the tag is the signature or identifying mark of the artist rather than the graffiti itself, but I could be wrong). Solution is GI (i.e. US “soldier”) wrapped around or “welcoming” RAF (i.e. “group of fliers”, the Royal Air Force) and FIT (i.e. “appropriate”), like so: G(RAF-FIT)I.

37. Man, perhaps on line, providing fine, strong material (5)

Answer: LISLE (i.e. “fine, strong material”). Solution is ISLE (i.e. “Man, perhaps” – other isles are available) placed “on” or after L (a recognised abbreviation of “line”), like so: L-ISLE. Appeared in grid 1616 back in May, also on odd intersecting letters, so…

39. Lunatic reliably defending role for outdated politicians (7,5)

Answer: LIBERAL PARTY (i.e. “outdated politicians” – the Liberal Party ceased in the late 1980s). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “lunatic”) of RELIABLY wrapped around or “defending” PART (i.e. “role”), like so: LIBERAL(PART)Y.

41. One’s perhaps served left-leaning 39’s popular goal (6,4)

Answer: TENNIS BALL (i.e. “one’s perhaps served”). Solution is L and LAB’S (i.e. “39’s” – the solution to 39a is LIBERAL PARTY: L is a recognised abbreviation of “Liberal”, while LAB is a recognised abbreviation of “Labour”, another political PARTY. Setters usually place an indicator in the clue when some cryptic translation is required. Not on this occasion, it seems. A bit naughty), followed by IN (i.e. “popular”) and NET (i.e. “goal”) all reversed (indicated by “left-leaning” – this being an across clue), like so: TEN-NI-S’BAL-L.

43. Men who might have trunks down? (7)

Answer: FELLERS. Solution satisfies “men” and “who might have trunks down”, referring to tree fellers.

45. Living beside town, heard vagrant’s good in a fight (5,2,3,4)

Answer: QUICK ON THE DRAW (i.e. “good in a [gun] fight”). Solution is QUICK (i.e. “living”, archaically or Biblically speaking) followed by an anagram (indicated by “vagrant”) of TOWN HEARD.

48. Learner in top class is unique (5)

Answer: ALONE (i.e. “unique”). Solution is L (a recognised abbreviation of “learner”) placed “in” A ONE (i.e. “top class” or A1), like so: A-(L)-ONE.

49. Fix sets of computer data? Digitally, these may smooth things out (9)

Answer: NAILFILES (i.e. “digitally, these may smooth things out”). Solution is NAIL (i.e. to “fix” in place) followed by FILES (i.e. “sets of computer data”).

51. Nice area has German figure breaking into flipping song (7)

Answer: RIVIERA (i.e. “Nice area”, Nice being a French city). Solution is VIER (i.e. “German figure”, specifically the German for four) placed or “breaking into” AIR (i.e. “song”) once reversed or “flipped”, like so: RI(VIER)A. Appeared in grid 1604 back in March, also on odd intersecting letters, so…

53. After Sprite, kid’s given plum – it’s this or nothing (7,6)

Answer: HOBSON’S CHOICE (i.e. “it’s this or nothing” – over to Brewer’s for this one: “the saying derives from Thomas or Tobias Hobson (c. 1544-1631), a Cambridge carrier well known in his day (John Milton commemorated him in two epitaphs), who refused to let out any horse except in its proper turn”). Solution is HOB (i.e. “sprite”, e.g. Robin Goodfellow) followed by SON’S (i.e. “kid’s”) and CHOICE (i.e. “plum” or thing of excellence).

54. Sitting at home, lying about going missing (9)

Answer: INCUMBENT (i.e. “sitting”). Solution is IN (i.e. “at home”) followed by RECUMBENT (i.e. reclining or “lying”) once the RE has been removed (indicated by “about going missing”, taking RE to be regarding or “about” – think email replies), like so: IN-CUMBENT.

55. Group’s second degree, not the last from Princeton (6)

Answer: SEXTET (i.e. “group” of six). Solution is S (a recognised abbreviation of “second”) followed by EXTENT (i.e. “degree”) once the N has been removed (indicated by “not the last from Princeton”, the last letter of “Princeton” being an N), like so: S-EXTET.

56. One who’s still growing a bouquet pockets hand-out (10)

Answer: ADOLESCENT (i.e. “one who’s still growing”). Solution is A and SCENT (i.e. “bouquet”) wrapped around or “pocketing” DOLE (i.e. “hand-out”), like so: A-(DOLE)-SCENT. Appeared in grid 1618 back in May, also on even intersecting letters, so…

57. Satisfied scripture from the east shows symbolic item (5)

Answer: TOTEM (i.e. “symbolic item”). Solution is MET (i.e. “satisfied”) and OT (i.e. “scripture”, specifically the Old Testament of The Bible) all reversed (indicated by “from the east” – this being an across clue), like so: TO-TEM. Appeared in grid 1587 back in December, also on odd intersecting letters, so…

Down clues

1. Your old clothing and so on is unpleasantly short (6)

Answer: TETCHY (i.e. “unpleasantly short”). Solution is THY (i.e. “your old”, or ye olde “your”) wrapped around or “clothing”) ETC (i.e. “and so on”, short for et cetera), like so: T(ETC)HY.

2. Fling bottle finally in place of bedside light? (3-5,5)

Answer: ONE-NIGHT STAND (i.e. “fling”). Solution is E (i.e. “bottle finally”, i.e. the last letter of “bottle”) placed “in” ON NIGHT STAND (i.e. “place of bedside light”), like so: ON-(E)-NIGHT-STAND.

3. Tory leader no longer has to entertain European (5)

Answer: Edward HEATH (i.e. former “Tory leader”). Solution is HATH (i.e. “no longer has”, or ye olde “has”) wrapped around or “entertaining” E (a recognised abbreviation of “European”), like so: H(E)ATH. Appeared in grid 1575 back in September, also on odd intersecting letters, so…

4. Theoretically, troops must be engaged by 11/04 (1,6)

Answer: A PRIORI (i.e. “theoretically”). Solution is OR (i.e. “troops”, specifically the Other Ranks of the British Army) placed in or “engaged by” APR II (i.e. “11/04”, with 11 expressed as two consecutive Roman numeral Is), like so: APR-I(OR)I.

5. Where mislaid items are thrown, fitting Tony’s jacket (4,8)

Answer: LOST PROPERTY (i.e. “where mislaid items are”). Solution is LOST (i.e. “thrown”, usually losing deliberately) followed by PROPER (i.e. “fitting”) and TY (i.e. “Tony’s jacket”, i.e. the first and last letters of “Tony”).

6. Dismiss people in activity for bounders (4,4)

Answer: SACK RACE (i.e. “activity for bounders”, given you can’t do much else racing with one’s legs in a sack). Solution is SACK (i.e. “dismiss”) followed by RACE (i.e. “people”).

7. More attractive female’s left clothes horse (5)

Answer: AIRER (i.e. “clothes horse”). Solution is FAIRER (i.e. “more attractive”) once the F has been removed (indicated by “female’s left”, F being a recognised abbreviation of “female”).

8. What may create a strong bond, before admitting rotten crime (5,5)

Answer: EPOXY RESIN (i.e. “what may create a strong bond”). Solution is ERE (i.e. poetic form of “before”) wrapped around or “admitting” POXY (i.e. “rotten”) and followed by SIN (i.e. “crime”), like so: E(POXY)RE-SIN.

10. Sad time, given ticking off (7)

Answer: TEARFUL (i.e. “sad”). Solution is T (a recognised abbreviation of “time”) followed by EARFUL (i.e. “ticking off”). Appeared in grid 1608 back in April, also on odd intersecting letters, so…

11. Prepare to screen film with one million viewers expected now? (5,4)

Answer: PRIME TIME (i.e. “one million viewers expected now”). Solution is PRIME (i.e. “prepare”) wrapped around or “screening” ET (i.e. “film”, specifically ET: The Extra Terrestrial), I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”) and M (a recognised abbreviation of “million”), like so: PRIM(ET-I-M)E.

12. Lacking light boat, wanting horse (5)

Answer: DINGY (i.e. “lacking light”). Solution is DINGHY (i.e. “boat”) with the H removed (indicated by “wanting horse”, “horse” and H being slang terms for heroin).

13. Rich adventure I go on, oddly, is a kind of trap (6,8)

Answer: LOADED QUESTION (i.e. “a kind of trap”). Solution is LOADED (i.e. “rich”) followed by QUEST (i.e. “adventure”), then I and ON.

20. Cleaner city south of Ecuador’s borders (9)

Answer: LAUNDERER (i.e. “cleaner”). Solution is LA (i.e. “city”, specifically Los Angeles) followed by UNDER (i.e. “south of”) and ER (i.e. “Ecuador’s borders”, i.e. the first and last letters of “Ecuador”).

21. Immediately meriting a tick and meriting a cross (5,3)

Answer: RIGHT OFF (i.e. “immediately”). Solution is RIGHT (i.e. something correct or “meriting a tick”) followed by OFF (i.e. something incorrect or “meriting a cross”).

23. Associate of drunk detective, crafty concealing rank (10)

Answer: DISORDERLY (i.e. “associate of drunk” in the phrase “drunk and disorderly”). Solution is DI (i.e. “detective”, in this case a Detective Inspector) followed by SLY (i.e. “crafty”) once wrapped around or “concealing” ORDER (i.e. “rank”), like so: DI-S(ORDER)LY.

24. Rebel felt bothered about first of contracts staff sign (6,4)

Answer: TREBLE CLEF (i.e. “staff sign”, taking “staff” to mean the lines upon which musical notes are hung). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “bothered”) of REBEL FELT wrapped “about” C (i.e. “first [letter] of contacts”), like so: TREBLE(C)LEF.

26. New stuffing cooked by bar head being sadly unaccompanied (14)

Answer: FRIENDLESSNESS (i.e. “being sadly unaccompanied”). Solution is N (a recognised abbreviation of “new”) placed in or “stuffing” FRIED (i.e. “cooked”) and followed by LESS (i.e. “bar” or except for) and NESS (i.e. “head”, the geographic feature), like so: FRIE(N)D-LESS-NESS.

28. Thought a lot of trade is covered by newspaper editor (9)

Answer: IDEALISED (i.e. “thought a lot of”). Solution is DEAL (i.e. “trade”) and IS placed in or “covered by” I (a British “newspaper”) and ED (short for “editor”), like so: I-(DEAL-IS)-ED.

29. Little cherubs in capital keeping extra dry (8)

Answer: AMORETTI (i.e. cupids or “little cherubs”). Solution is AI (i.e. “capital”, excellent, i.e. A1 with the 1 written as its Roman numeral equivalent) wrapped around or “keeping” MORE (i.e. “extra”) and TT (i.e. “dry”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of teetotal), like so: A(MORE-TT)I.

33. Knocking shop emptied in Reading with team deployed (13)

Answer: DISPARAGEMENT (i.e. “knocking”). Solution is SP (i.e. “shop emptied”, i.e. the word “shop” with all its middle letters removed) placed “in” an anagram (indicated by “deployed”) of READING and TEAM, like so: DI(SP)ARAGEMENT.

34. Moving in readiness, catching husband’s rousing remark (4,3,5)

Answer: RISE AND SHINE (i.e. “rousing remark”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “moving”) of IN READINESS wrapped around or “catching” H (a recognised abbreviation of “husband”), like so: RISEANDS(H)INE.

38. Overcome, queen was no longer seen going outside (10)

Answer: VANQUISHED (i.e. “overcome”). Solution is QU (a recognised abbreviation of “queen”) with VANISHED (i.e. “no longer seen”) placed “outside” of it, like so: VAN(QU)ISHED. VANQUISHING appeared in grid 1574 back in September, but on odd intersecting letters on that occasion.

40. British assign part of pitch into which a cross may go? (6,3)

Answer: BALLOT BOX (i.e. “into which a cross may go”, taking a cross or X to mean a vote). Solution is B (a recognised abbreviation of “British”) followed by ALLOT (i.e. “assign”) and BOX (i.e. “part of [football] pitch”).

42. Pans theatre performances without lines and energy (8)

Answer: SKILLETS (i.e. “pans”). Solution is SKITS (i.e. “theatre performances”) wrapped around or placed “without” LL (i.e. “lines”, L being a recognised abbreviation of “line”) and E (a recognised abbreviation of “energy”), like so: SKI(LL-E)TS.

44. Start to embezzle deposit? After fine, I won’t appeal! (7)

Answer: EYESORE (i.e. “I won’t appeal”). Solution is E (i.e. “start [letter] to embezzle”) and ORE (i.e. “deposit”) once the latter has been placed “after” YES (i.e. “fine”, both words of agreement or acceptance), like so: E-(YES)-ORE. Appeared in grid 1588 back in December, also on odd intersecting letters, so…

46. Hard fruit, not soft French food (7)

Answer: HARICOT (i.e. “French food”, specially the French bean or kidney bean). Solution is H (a recognised abbreviation of “hard”) followed by APRICOT (i.e. “fruit”) once the P has been removed (indicated by “not soft”, P being a recognised abbreviation of “piano” or quietly in musical lingo), like so: H-ARICOT.

47. Noise made by blow catching six-footer, a boxer (6)

Answer: BANTAM (i.e. “a boxer”). Solution is BAM (i.e. “noise made by blow”) wrapped around or “catching” ANT (an insect or “six-footer”), like so: B(ANT)AM. I rather liked this clue when I twigged it.

48. Taking day off, runs a series of tests (5)

Answer: ASHES (i.e. “a series of [cricket] tests” between England and Australia). Solution is DASHES (i.e. “runs”) with the D removed (indicated by “taking day off”, D being a recognised abbreviation of “day”).

50. Flounce or run wearing stuff (5)

Answer: FRILL (i.e. “flounce”). Solution is R (a recognised abbreviation of “run” used in some ball games) placed in or “wearing” FILL (i.e. to “stuff”), like so: F(R)ILL. Appeared in grid 1599 back in February, also on odd intersecting letters, so…

52. Raised some subject I’m overexcited to bring up (5)

Answer: VOMIT (i.e. “to bring up”). “Some” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, while “raised” indicates the solution has been reversed – this being a down clue – like so: SUBJEC(T I’M OV)EREXCITED.

Stinker time! And what a horror show this was. Trash solutions all over the place, overly-mechanical word salads for clues, and an overreliance on the most arcane, archaic and exotic words to get the job done. Ugh, spare us, please.

37d is an obvious indicator of the setter’s intentions with this Jumbo, but I think he or she forgot that these things are also supposed to be fun. I’m not kidding when I say I was utterly bored by the halfway point. The only reason you are reading this post is through a combination of sheer bloodymindedness, a desire to not let people down, and the mostly unbroken run of Jumbo solutions I’ve previously posted. Otherwise that’d be it. I’d be out of here. If you got more than a tingle from this week’s Jumbo then bully for you, but for me this felt like a complete waste of my weekend.

So, on that note, I’m taking a break. I’ll be away from my keyboard next weekend getting sloshed with family and friends. We’ll see what happens when I return.

Anyway, setting all that unpleasantness aside, you can find my completed grid below along with explanations of my solutions where I have them. I hope you find them helpful, or at least once you look past my bellyaching. If a recent Jumbo has given you gyp 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 kind words and input. It’s always interesting to hear the thoughts of other solvers once they have set down their pens. As ever, stay safe out there, kids.

LP

RBV (Repeats-By-Volume): 9.7%

Across clues

1. Brief wrongly, maligned at first performs well now (9)

Answer: MISINFORM (i.e. “brief wrongly”). Solution is M (i.e. “maligned at first”, i.e. the first letter of “maligned”) followed by IS IN FORM (i.e. “performs well now”).

6. Anon book, evidently not anon, going around (2-3-2)

Answer: BY-AND-BY (i.e. “anon” or in due course. My Chambers suggests this ought to have been unhyphenated, but no biggie). I guess the rest of the clue plays on two meanings of BY, being “book, evidently not anon” – if work is ascribed to someone then it can’t be said to have been done anonymously – and “going around”. I’m not feeling it, though. I’ll update the post if someone enlightens me, otherwise I’m not wasting any more energy here.

10. Strongly recommended return of American serving in bar (3,2)

Answer: BIG UP (i.e. “strongly recommend”). Solution is GI (i.e. “American [soldier] serving”) placed “in” PUB (i.e. “bar”) and the whole reversed (indicated by “return of”), like so: B(IG)UP.

13. Little people do will initially save king, sadly (7)

Answer: DWARVES (i.e. “little people”). Solution is DW (i.e. “do will initially”, i.e. the first letters of “do” and “will”) followed by an anagram (indicated by “sadly”) of SAVE and R (i.e. “king”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of the Latin Rex), like so: D-W-ARVES. Poor quality clue. I mean read it back as an entire sentence. It’s garbage! What on earth is the setter trying to convey here? That a dwarven shindig is going to somehow spare or redeem a king in some way? What does any of that even mean?! And this isn’t the only word salad this week, by the way. Far from it. Read the clue for 1a and tell me it makes a lick of sense. It’s as if ChatGPT has had a hand in writing some of the clues. Now, I can hear some of you flexing your fingers ready to tell me how I’m being much too harsh on the setter, that I’m being too negative, cheer up it may never happen etc, so I’ll try to rein it in for the rest of this post. But, seriously, this has to have been the poorest quality stinker for some years.

14. What might be cultivated verse in Latin I release (5,2)

Answer: LEAVE GO (i.e. “release”, or an informal way of saying “let go”. That nobody says). Solution is LEA (i.e. “what might be cultivated”, or meadow) followed by V (a recognised abbreviation of “verse”) and EGO (i.e. “in Latin I”, or the Latin for I).

15. Ways of greeting information broadcast (7)

Answer: AVENUES (i.e. “ways”). Solution is AVE (i.e. “greeting”) followed by a homophone (indicated by “broadcast” or spoken) of NEWS (i.e. “information”), like so: AVE-NUES.

16. Bury agreement about putting up with different beliefs (19)

Answer: INTERDENOMINATIONAL (i.e. “with different beliefs”). Solution is INTER (i.e. “bury”) followed by DEAL (i.e. “agreement”) wrapped “about” NOMINATION (i.e. “putting up”), like so: INTER-DE(NOMINATION)AL. Appeared in grid 1578 back in October, also on odd intersecting letters, in exactly the same position of the exact same grid layout. Still, at least the clue was different. Have a meme…

17. Character of old tree remains (3)

Answer: ASH. A triple-header, this, satisfying “character of old”, being a variant spelling of æsc, which is the rune ᚫ or the letter æ in Old English; also “tree”, and “remains”.

18. Community links plan backing second church with a priest, primarily (6)

Answer: ECOMAP (i.e. “community links plan” – over to Chambers: “a diagrammatic representation of a person’s or family’s interactions with other individuals and groups in the community”). Solution is MO (i.e. a “second” or short space of time) and CE (i.e. “church”, specifically the Church of England) all reversed (indicated by “backing”) and followed by A and P (i.e. “priest, primarily”, i.e. the first letter of priest), like so: (EC-OM)-A-P. Another overly complicated word salad, this time leading to a solution only social workers seem to know. Yay! Actually, no, not yay. Brute forcing my Chambers for the solution was about as much fun as flossing with barbed wire. What a waste of my time. Oh, wait. Didn’t I say I was going to rein in the criticism? Oops. My bad.

20. Passed girl buried in large wordbook (6)

Answer: OKAYED (i.e. “passed”). Solution is KAY (i.e. “girl’s” name) placed “in” OED (i.e. “large wordbook”, specifically the Oxford English Dictionary), like so: O(KAY)ED.

21. When speaking limit what’s boring in pedestrian procedure (4,5)

Answer: KERB DRILL (i.e. “pedestrian procedure”, or “stop, look and listen”, that kind of thing). Solution is a homophone (indicated by “when speaking”) of CURB (i.e. to “limit”) followed by DRILL (i.e. “what’s boring”).

23. Healthy way to go! (4,3,3)

Answer: GOOD FOR YOU. Solution satisfies “healthy” and “way to go”, a phrase of encouragement over in the US.

25. Adapting easily to UK, I work, play (2,3,4,2)

Answer: AS YOU LIKE IT (i.e. “work, play”, specifically one by William Shakespeare). “Adapting” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of EASILY TO UK I.

29. Result – of successful pay negotiations? (5)

Answer: ARISE (i.e. to “result”). When written as A RISE the solution also satisfies “result of successful pay negotiations”.

30. Exaggerate in describing remaining attraction (8)

Answer: OVERDRAW (i.e. to “exaggerate” in drawing or storytelling). Solution is OVER (i.e. “describing”) followed by DRAW (i.e. “attraction”).

31. What goes on to madden dumfounded hosts (8)

Answer: ADDENDUM (i.e. “what goes on”). “Hosts” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: M(ADDEN DUM)FOUNDED. Appeared back in December in grid 1591, also on even intersecting letters, so…

34. Do some beer, maybe almost all for relations? (8)

Answer: CONJUGAL (i.e. marital “relations”). Solution is CON (i.e. to “do” someone) followed by JUG (i.e. “some beer, maybe” – other jug-filling substances are available) and ALL once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “almost”), like so: CON-JUG-AL.

36. Primate shot holding Polish off (5,3)

Answer: GREAT APE (i.e. “primate”). Solution is GRAPE (i.e. “shot” – grapeshot are clusters of iron blasted from a gun) wrapped around or “holding” EAT (i.e. “polish off”, ignoring the misleading capitalisation), like so: GR(EAT)APE.

37. Straddling sharp double bend, lay a stop sign in Riyadh (5)

Answer: HAMZA (i.e. “stop sign in Riyadh”, or a glottal stop sign in Arabic – Riyadh being the capital of Saudi Arabia). Solution is HAM (i.e. inexpert or “lay”) and A wrapped around or “straddling” Z (i.e. a “sharp double bend” character), like so: HAM-(Z)-A. It’s in the dictionary, so fair enough, but this is a solution so made-to-fit it risks pinging back out of the grid again. Safety goggles on, everybody.

39. Statement from working cashier having bother finding drink (11)

Answer: AMONTILLADO (i.e. “drink”). Solution is a homophone (indicated by “statement”) of I’M ON TILL (i.e. statement “…from cashier”) followed by ADO (i.e. “bother”), like so: AMONTILL-ADO. Turn back two pages in this week’s Saturday Review pullout and you’ll find this solution also appeared in the cryptic Jumbo two weeks ago. This is sadly rather commonplace, and much the inspiration behind the Déjà vu memes. You may have seen a comment from burleypab a couple of months ago regarding the tools of the trade employed by Times setters. If not, to summarise, they essentially use a crossword solver to help them fill their grids, presumably one sanctioned or developed by The Times. While this is somewhat less romantic than a leaky, hand-cranked machine that spins a few cogs and spits out a grid, I would argue that this solver-based approach, used across enough setters, allows their biases to lead them to the same solutions. Presented with a list of potential solutions for their grid, setters will naturally err towards those with intersecting letters that frequently occur in other words. The more “friendly” intersecting letters in the word, the better. However, setters will also be inextricably drawn to any such solutions that can give their grid a bit of pzazz. (This week’s setter, as you’ve seen, rather overdid it.) 90% of the time the solver-based approach is fine, and even when repeats do occur they will often go unnoticed by solvers, but it’s this practice that can see lesser-used words like RAITA or Max ERNST appear again and again, and they stick out like a sore thumb. Could the same accusation be levied toward AMONTILLADO? I’ll leave that up to you to decide, but it almost makes me wish there was an actual GridFill 4000. Meanwhile, have another meme…

41. Likes room to manoeuvre, taking left turn in boat (6,4)

Answer: ESKIMO ROLL (i.e. “turn in boat”). “To manoeuvre” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of LIKES ROOM wrapped around or “taking” L (a recognised abbreviation of “left”), like so: ESKIMORO(L)L.

43. Mix, briefly, by fireside (9)

Answer: COMMINGLE (i.e. “mix”). Solution is COMMA (i.e. “,”) with the last letter removed (indicated by “briefly”) and the remainder followed by INGLE (i.e. Scots word for a “fireside”), like so: COMM-INGLE. Despite all my criticisms about this week’s Jumbo, I must say that this was a good clue.

45. Parrot quietly nesting in tree a kilometre back (6)

Answer: KAKAPO (i.e. “parrot”, and a big bugger too). Solution is P (i.e. “quietly”, i.e. a recognised abbreviation of “piano” used in musical lingo) placed or “nestling in” OAK (i.e. “tree”), A and K (a recognised abbreviation of “kilometre”) all reversed (indicated by “back”), like so: K-A-KA(P)O.

47. Watch outside broadcast from the right pavilion (6)

Answer: GAZEBO (i.e. “pavilion”). Solution is GAZE (i.e. “watch”) followed by OB (a recognised abbreviation of “outside broadcast”) once the latter has been reversed (indicated by “from the right” – this being an across clue), like so: GAZE-BO.

49. Leaves, since informal function curtailed (3)

Answer: COS. Another three-letter triple-header, this time satisfying “leaves” (being a variety of lettuce), “since informal” (being an informal variant of “because”), and “function curtailed” (being a shortened form of the trigonometrical function cosine).

50. Russian once in charge of think tank with no on-screen broadcast (10,9)

Answer: KONSTANTIN CHERNENKO (i.e. “Russian once in charge”, albeit briefly. He was the third Russian leader to die in as many years and was succeeded by Mikhail Gorbachev). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “broadcast”) of THINK TANK and NO ON-SCREEN.

52. Recreation facility specially devised by US pal (7)

Answer: PLAYBUS (i.e. a mobile “recreation facility”). “Specially devised” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of BY US PAL.

53. Get to river crossing close to east Siberian city (7)

Answer: IRKUTSK (i.e. “Siberian city”). Solution is IRK (i.e. “get to”) followed by USK (a “river” in Wales) once wrapped around or “crossing” T (i.e. “close to east”, i.e. the last letter of “east”), like so: IRK-U(T)SK.

54. Short excursion on yours truly’s old boat (7)

Answer: TRIREME (i.e. “old boat”). Solution is TRIP (i.e. “excursion”) with the last letter removed (indicated by “short”) and the remainder followed by RE (i.e. “on” or regarding – think email replies) and ME (i.e. “yours truly”), like so: TRI-RE-ME.

55. You can take it from me, I do sympathise! (5)

Answer: THERE. Solution satisfies “you can take it from me”, imagine someone saying “there” when handing you something, and “I do sympathise”, as in someone saying “there, there” to comfort someone.

56. Chemical analyst in role of speaker (7)

Answer: ASSAYER (i.e. “chemical analyst”, one determining the metal content of ore). When written as AS SAYER the solution also satisfies “in role of speaker”.

57. Singular credit given to detectives for measure (9)

Answer: YARDSTICK (i.e. “measure”). Solution is S (a recognised abbreviation of “singular”) and TICK (i.e. “credit” or delayed payment, as in the phrase “on tick”) both placed after or “given to” YARD (i.e. “detectives”, slang for Scotland Yard), like so: YARD-(S-TICK).

Down clues

1. Delivery agents turned up with obscure US composer (8)

Answer: MIDWIVES (i.e. “delivery agents”). Solution is W (a recognised abbreviation of “with”) and DIM (i.e. “obscure”) all reversed (indicated by “up” – this being a down clue) and followed by Charles IVES (i.e. “US composer”), like so: (MID-W)-IVES.

2. Bare study in need of table, unfit? (5)

Answer: SCANT (i.e. “bare”). Solution is SCAN (i.e. “study”) followed by TABLE once the ABLE has been removed (indicated by “unfit” – “fit” being taken to mean ABLE), like so: SCAN-T. Like AMONTILLADO, SCANTY also appeared in the Jumbo a fortnight ago, and on odd intersecting letters. I’m claiming it, so…

3. Defiant words from snowbound queen, eg, and princess (5,3,3)

Answer: NEVER SAY DIE (i.e. “defiant words”). Solution is NÉVÉ (i.e. “snow”, specifically “the granular snow, not yet compacted into ice, lying on the upper end of a glacier” (Chambers). No, me neither) wrapped around or “binding” ER (i.e. “queen”, Elizabeth Regina), SAY (i.e. “e.g.” or for example) and DI (i.e. “princess”, Diana Spencer), like so: NÉV(ER-SAY-DI)É.

4. Gambling person’s pecuniary limits (2,4)

Answer: ON SPEC (i.e. “gambling” – spec being a shortened form of speculation). “Limits” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: PERS(ON’S PEC)UNIARY.

5. Not seemly, kin running amok in town (6,6)

Answer: MILTON KEYNES (i.e. “town”). “Running amok” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of of NOT SEEMLY KIN.

6. Delight with visit, providing money, finally (7)

Answer: BEATIFY (i.e. “delight”). Solution is BE AT (i.e. “visit”) followed by IF (i.e. “providing” that) and Y (i.e. “money, finally”, i.e. the last letter of “money”).

7. London venue’s porter getting cross – and blame falling on a doctor (9,6)

Answer: ALEXANDRA PALACE (i.e. “London venue”). Solution is ALE (i.e. “porter”, a dark ale) followed by X (i.e. “cross”), then AND, then RAP (i.e. “blame”), then A and LACE (i.e. to “doctor”, say, a drink).

8. US gadgets have no function? Game’s using one for nothing (10)

Answer: DOOHICKEYS (i.e. “US gadgets”). Solution is DO O (i.e. “have no function”, i.e. do nothing, with O representing nothing) followed by HOCKEY’S (i.e. “game’s”) once the O (i.e. “nothing”) has been swapped “for” I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”), like so: DO-O-(H(O)CKEY’S) => DO-O-(H(I)CKEY’S).

9. Poor Greer, no good any longer (7)

Answer: YEARNER (i.e. “longer” or one who longs for something). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “poor”) of GREER once the G has been removed (indicated by “no good”, G being a recognised abbreviation of “good”) and ANY.

10. Initiative to support pound is a dicey affair! (6,5)

Answer: BEETLE DRIVE (i.e. “a dicey affair”, being “a game in which a drawing of a beetle is made up gradually from its component parts, body, head, etc, according to the throw of dice, the object being to produce a completed drawing” (Chambers). Again, me neither). Solution is DRIVE (i.e. “initiative”) placed after or “supporting” – this being a down clue – BEETLE (i.e. to “pound” – a variant meaning of BEETLE is a heavy mallet. My Oxford supports its use as a verb).

11. Amino acid in excess: a rich source (9)

Answer: GLUTAMINE (i.e. an “amino acid”). Solution is GLUT (i.e. “excess”) followed by A and MINE (i.e. “rich source”).

12. A school chum comes round for Easter (7)

Answer: PASCHAL (i.e. “Easter”, an archaic reference apparently). Solution is A and SCH (a recognised abbreviation of “school”) placed in or having “round” it PAL (i.e. “chum”), like so: P(A-SCH)AL.

19. With kiss between hugs, grandmother embraces one college member (7)

Answer: OXONIAN (i.e. “college member”). Solution is X (i.e. “kiss”) placed “between” O and O (i.e. both “hugs” – apparently this is a US thing, where hugs and kisses are sometimes expressed at the end of messages as XO or XOXO. I’ve seen the usage on social media but, when it comes to Jumbos, I would prefer to have it backed up by a reference book. Sadly this defeated my Chambers, my Oxford, my Collins Concise, my Bradford’s, my Cassell’s dictionary of slang and my Brewer’s. Maybe it has been included in later editions) and followed by NAN (i.e. “grandmother”) once wrapped around or “embracing” I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”), like so: O(X)O-N(I)AN.

22. Simple track taking very little time, note, or trouble (8)

Answer: MONORAIL (i.e. “simple track”). Solution is MO (i.e. “very little time”, short for a moment) followed by N (a recognised abbreviation of “note”), then OR, than AIL (i.e. “trouble”).

24. Cavorting drunkenly round a deck, getting imprisoned (5,4,3,3)

Answer: UNDER LOCK AND KEY (i.e. “imprisoned”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “cavorting”) of DRUNKENLY, O (i.e. “round”) and A DECK.

26. Made turn, surprisingly, that’s not fancied (8)

Answer: UNDREAMT (i.e. “not fancied”). “Surprisingly” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of MADE TURN.

27. Host poking spot on pet (6)

Answer: TOMCAT (i.e. “pet”). Solution is MC (i.e. “host” or Master of Ceremonies) placed in or “poking” TO A T (i.e. “spot on”), like so: TO-(MC)-A-T. Appeared back in September in grid 1574, also on odd intersecting letters, so…

28. Band turning up almost sure to meet agents (6)

Answer: FASCIA (i.e. “band” or any bandlike structure). Solution is SAFE (i.e. “sure”) with its last letter removed (indicated by “almost”) and the remainder reversed (indicated by “turning up” – this being a down clue). This is then followed by CIA (i.e. “agents” of the Central Intelligence Agency), like so: FAS-CIA.

32. Producer of half measure of material once brought up (2,5)

Answer: Cecil B DEMILLE (i.e. movie “producer” – not wanting to make this stinker any harder, but ought this not have been a seven letter solution? There is no space in the name, written DeMille). Solution is DEMI (i.e. “half”) followed by ELL (i.e. “measure of material once”, now obsolete) once reversed (indicated by “brought up” – this being a down clue), like so: DEMI-LLE.

33. One pressed to retreat supports step by major (9,3)

Answer: BACKSPACE KEY (i.e. on a typist’s keyboard, “one pressed to retreat”). Solution is BACKS (i.e. “supports”) followed by PACE (i.e. “step”) and KEY (i.e. “major” or important).

35. Outrageous perhaps fat cabbage containing trace of blight (11)

Answer: UNTHINKABLE (i.e. “outrageous”). Solution is UNTHIN (i.e. “perhaps fat”) followed by KALE (i.e. “cabbage”) once wrapped around or “containing” B (i.e. “trace of blight”, i.e. the first letter of “blight”), like so: UNTHIN-KA(B)LE. Another silly clue.

37. Demanding a lounger’s callous! (4,2,5)

Answer: HARD AS NAILS (i.e. “callous”). Solution is HARD (i.e. “demanding”) followed by A and SNAIL’S (i.e. “lounger’s”). Yes, setter. We get it. Have a biscuit.

38. Records judges for hangings (10)

Answer: TAPESTRIES (i.e. “hangings”). Solution is TAPES (i.e. “records”) followed by TRIES (i.e. “judges”).

40. Crossing motorway, I’m wise, following line (2,7)

Answer: ON MESSAGE (i.e. “following [the party] line”). Solution is ONE’S (i.e. “I’m”, or a contraction of ONE IS) wrapped around or “crossing” M (a recognised abbreviation of “motorway”) and followed by SAGE (i.e. “wise”), like so: ON(M)E’S-SAGE.

42. Open lock for releasing sort of collar (4-4)

Answer: POLO-NECK (i.e. “sort of collar”). “For releasing” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of OPEN LOCK.

43. Be punished for holding barrister up in compartment (7)

Answer: COCKPIT (i.e. “compartment”). Solution is COP IT (i.e. “be punished”) wrapped around or “holding” KC (i.e. “barrister” or King’s Counsel) once this has been reversed (indicated by “up” – this being a down clue), like so: CO(CK)P-IT. Appeared back in May in grid 1612, also on odd intersecting letters, so…

44. Glaswegian goes, lifting Cockney’s hat and hood (7)

Answer: GANGSTA (i.e. “hood” – more US slang. Is that the sharpening of knives I can hear back there?) Solution is GANGS (i.e. “Glaswegian goes” – gang can be a Scots form of go) followed by HAT once the H has been removed (indicated by “Cockney” as in how they’re always droppin’ their bleedin’ aitches, gawblessem, apples and pears, and all that palaver) and the remainder reversed (indicated by “lifting”, again this being a down clue), like so: GANGS-TA.

46. One chasing ball of wool maybe raising new jumper finally (7)

Answer: KNITTER. The solution satisfies the clue as a whole, albeit somewhat unsatisfactorily, and comprises KITTEN (i.e. “one chasing ball of wool maybe”) once the N (a recognised abbreviation of “new”) has been shifted up or “raised” a few notches – this again being a down clue. This is then followed by R (i.e. “jumper finally”, i.e. the last letter of JUMPER), like so: KITTE(N)-R => K(N)ITTE-R.

48. Almost nothing, from Le Monde, is put in shredder (6)

Answer: ZESTER (i.e. “shredder”). Solution is ZERO (i.e. “nothing”) with its last letter removed (indicated by “almost”) and the remainder wrapped around or having “in” EST (i.e. “from Le Monde, is”, i.e. the French for “is”, Le Monde being a French newspaper), like so: Z(EST)ER.

51. Marks appearing evenly on paper veil (5)

Answer: NAEVI (i.e. birth “marks”). “Appearing evenly” indicates the solution is found in every other letter of ON PAPER VEIL.

A toughie this week, and along the spectrum between teeth-pullingly contrived and maddeningly brilliant this lies squarely in the middle. I was happy to chip away at it during the day, loving some of the inventiveness on show, but come HEPTAD, AUNTIE and the bottom left in general I’d had quite enough.

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 ground your gears 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.

LP

RBV (Repeats-By-Volume): 6.7%

Across clues

1. Support one position taken by fool up front (10)

Answer: ASSISTANCE (i.e. “support”). Solution is I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”) and STANCE (i.e. “position”) placed after or having “up front” ASS (i.e. “fool”), like so: ASS-(I-STANCE).

6. Part of PR for harbour island lacked initially (12)

Answer: PROPORTIONAL (i.e. “part of PR”, taking the initials to be Proportional Representation). Solution is PRO (i.e. “for” or in favour of) followed by PORT (i.e. “harbour”), then IONA (i.e. an “island” of Scotland) and L (i.e. “lacked initially”, i.e. the first letter of “lacked”).

14. Sun’s leader moved then taken out as amateurish (9)

Answer: UNSKILLED (i.e. “amateurish”). Solution is SUN’S with the first letter removed (indicated by “leader moved”) and the remainder followed by KILLED (i.e. “taken out”), like so: UN’S-KILLED.

15. What makes setter and solver mature? Practice (5)

Answer: USAGE (i.e. “practice”). Solution is US (i.e. descriptive of “setter and solver”) followed by AGE (i.e. “mature”).

16. Close-fisted, half-hearted boxing in practice (7)

Answer: SPARING (i.e. tight or “close-fisted”). Solution is SPARRING (i.e. “boxing in practice”) with one of the middle Rs removed (indicated by “half-hearted”).

17. Balance between sides that’s characteristic of noughts and crosses (9,8)

Answer: BILATERAL SYMMETRY (which is “symmetry about a single plane” (Chambers), i.e. “characteristic of noughts and crosses” – in this case I think the setter is referring to a zero character ‘0’ rather than a circle, the latter of course having an infinite number of lines of symmetry). BILATERAL means having two “sides”, while SYMMETRY can mean “balance”. You get the idea.

18. Bottle that’s drunk on either side of Philadelphia (5)

Answer: PHIAL (i.e. “bottle”). The remainder plays on how an anagram (indicated by “that’s drunk”) of the solution can be found at “either side” of (PHILA)DE(LPHIA). While I wasn’t keen on the Jumbo as a whole, this clue stood out for me. Clever. I like it.

19. Step up pressure within dysfunctional family (7)

Answer: AMPLIFY (i.e. “step up”). Solution is P (a recognised abbreviation of “pressure”) placed “within” an anagram (indicated by “dysfunctional”) of FAMILY, like so: AM(P)LIFY.

21. Surrounded by a weather feature in which Land’s End can be seen (6)

Answer: AMIDST (i.e. “surrounded by”). Solution is A and MIST (i.e. “weather feature”) wrapped around or “in which … can be seen” D (i.e. “Land’s End”, i.e. the last letter of “land”, ignoring the misleading capitalisation), like so: A-MI(D)ST.

22. Middle section of theatre’s our central facility (8)

Answer: RESOURCE (i.e. “facility”). “Middle section of” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: THEAT(RE’S OUR CE)NTRAL. Good grief this took ages to spot!

24. I show embarrassment about new cut (7)

Answer: IGNORED (i.e. “cut”). Solution is I followed by I GO RED (i.e. “I show embarrassment”) once wrapped “about” N (a recognised abbreviation of “new”), like so: I-G(N)O-RED.

26. Church member has central point deleted from innocent article (8)

Answer: ANGLICAN (i.e. “Church member”). Solution is ANGELIC (i.e. “innocent”) with the middle letter removed or “central point deleted” and the remainder followed by AN (i.e. “article”, being a word like a, an or the), like so: ANGLIC-AN.

27. Support for shooting party returning after expedition (6)

Answer: TRIPOD (i.e. “support for shooting” or photography). Solution is DO (i.e. “party”) reversed (indicated by “returning”) and placed “after” TRIP (i.e. “expedition”), like so: TRIP-OD.

30. Clear line in female’s news that’s hellish (11)

Answer: NETHERWORLD (i.e. “that’s hellish”). Solution is NET (i.e. “clear” of taxation, also spelled NETT) followed by L (a recognised abbreviation of “line”) once placed “in” HER WORD (i.e. “female’s news”), like so: NET-(HER-WOR(L)D).

32. A thorntree’s damaged in wind (11)

Answer: NORTHEASTER (i.e. “wind”). “Damaged” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of A THORNTREE’S.

33. Protest with explicit section of population (11)

Answer: DEMOGRAPHIC (i.e. “section of population”). Solution is DEMO (i.e. “protest”) followed by GRAPHIC (i.e. “explicit”).

35. Unreasonable non-attendance upset best man, I see (11)

Answer: ABSENTEEISM (i.e. “unreasonable non-attendance”). “Upset” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of BEST MAN I SEE.

37. A free source of news and entertainment, so-called (6)

Answer: AUNTIE. If I have this right then the solution satisfies the clue as a whole, referring to the nickname (indicated by “so-called”) of the BBC, though “a free source of news and entertainment” is one hell of a misleading description. Or am I the only idiot still paying their TV licence? Poor show…

[EDIT: Thanks to Michael EI in the comments for clearing this one up. The solution is correct, but the indicator is “source of news and entertainment, so-called”, and comprises A and UNTIE (i.e. to “free”). Cheers, Michael! – LP]

38. Teller of traveller’s tale that’s blunt, nothing held back (8)

Answer: FRANKLIN (i.e. “teller of traveller’s tale”, referring to The Franklin’s Tale in Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales). Solution is FRANK (i.e. “blunt”) followed by NIL (i.e. “nothing”) reversed (indicated by “held back”), like so: FRANK-LIN.

39. Lose thread, pointlessly sewing inside of frock (7)

Answer: DIGRESS (i.e. “lose thread”). Solution is SEWING with all points of the compass, in this case SEWN, removed (indicated by “pointlessly”) and the remainder placed “inside of” DRESS, like so: D(IG)RESS. Another I liked once it clicked. Appeared in grid 1614 a few months ago also on odd intersecting letters, so…

42. Duck, getting caught after not scoring (8)

Answer: NOTCHING (i.e. “scoring”). Solution is NOTHING (i.e. “duck” or zero score) wrapped around or “getting” C (a recognised abbreviation of “caught”), like so: NOT(C)HING. Another well-worked clue.

44. Point about exercise for small Rugby team, say (6)

Answer: HEPTAD (i.e. “small Rugby team, say”, referring to a group of seven, in this case rugby sevens). Solution is HEAD (i.e. “point”, as in the geographical feature) wrapped “about” PT (i.e. “exercise”, specifically Physical Training), like so: HE(PT)AD. This was an utter sod to nail, especially given only _E_T_D to work with.

46. Mary mysteriously abandoned keyboard instrument (7)

Answer: CELESTE. Solution satisfies “Mary mysteriously abandoned”, the Mary Celeste, and “keyboard instrument” – a voix céleste is “an organ stop producing a soft tremulous sound” (Chambers), so “instrument” is referring to the stop itself.

[EDIT: I should have read the entry above CELESTE in my Chambers. Turns out CELESTE is also a variant name of CELESTA, a “keyboard instrument”. Cheers to Sue in the comments for clearing this one up. – LP]

48. Cook’s odd selections from statuettes (5)

Answer: SAUTE (i.e. to “cook”). “Odd selection from” indicates the solution is derived from every other letter of STATUETTES.

49. Keep record of Ireland’s importance for combatting rebels (17)

Answer: COUNTERINSURGENCY (i.e. “combatting rebels”). Solution is COUNT (i.e. “keep record of”) followed by ERIN’S (i.e. the female personification of “Ireland” to the Irish, made possessive) and URGENCY (i.e. “importance”).

51. Composer who sounds like his compatriot (7)

Answer: Benjamin BRITTEN (i.e. British “composer”). The remainder of the clue plays on the surname being a homophone (indicated by “who sounds like”) of BRITON (i.e. “[Britten’s] compatriot”).

52. Fish from West side of Thames, adjacent to Waterloo (5)

Answer: TROUT (i.e. “fish”). Solution is T (i.e. “west side of Thames”, i.e. the first letter of Thames – this being an across clue) followed by ROUT (i.e. “Waterloo” or final and decisive defeat). Appeared in grid 1593 back in January also on odd intersecting letters, so…

53. Refused to accept what may come with a catch? (9)

Answer: DISMISSAL. Solution satisfies “refused to accept” and “what may come with a catch” in several bat-and-ball games.

54. Eg turns on TV broadcast as inner ear test (12)

Answer: ENTERTAINERS (i.e. “e.g. turns on TV”, taking turns to be acts and artists – nicely disguised). “Broadcast” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of INNER EAR TEST.

55. Distant, like the islands of Tonga? Just the opposite (10)

Answer: UNFRIENDLY (i.e. “distant”). Clue plays on Tonga being referred to as the “Friendly Islands” after Captain Cook landed there and was well met by the natives. “The opposite” being… well, I’m sure you can work it out for yourself. One solely for the Olav Bjortomts out there.

Down clues

1. Overshadowing in a non-speaking part (11)

Answer: ADUMBRATION (i.e. “overshadowing”). Solution is A followed by DUMB (i.e. “non-speaking”) and RATION (i.e. “part”).

2. Material for rope or line unaltered when turned over (5)

Answer: SISAL (i.e. “material for rope”). Solution is L (a recognised abbreviation of “line”) and AS IS (i.e. “unaltered”) all reversed (indicated by “when turned over”), like so: (SI-SA)-L.

3. Less sinful, isn’t commonly detected in small untruth, right? (9)

Answer: SAINTLIER (i.e. “less sinful”). Solution is AIN’T (i.e. “isn’t commonly”) placed “in” S (a recognised abbreviation of “small”), LIE (i.e. “untruth”) and R (a recognised abbreviation of “right”), like so: S-(AIN’T)-LIE-R.

4. Largely mistreated aversion (7)

Answer: ALLERGY (i.e. “aversion”). “Mistreated” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of LARGELY. Appeared in grid 1612 a few months ago also on odd intersecting letters, so…

5. In French script, it underlies one character being soft-spoken (7)

Answer: CEDILLA. Solution satisfies the clue as a whole, referring to the little Z-like mark beneath the ‘c’ of Français.

7. Interpret assignment as another chance for student (11)

Answer: READMISSION (i.e. “another chance for student”). Solution is READ (i.e. “interpret”) followed by MISSION (i.e. “assignment”).

8. Fairly fair (6)

Answer: PRETTY. Solution satisfies “fairly” and “fair”.

9. Part of flower in Burgundy cut in different fashion (8)

Answer: RESTYLE (i.e. “cut in different fashion”). Solution is STYLE (i.e. “part of flower”, specifically “the slender part of the pistil of a flower connecting the stigma and the ovary” (Chambers). Glad that’s cleared up) placed “in” RED (i.e. “Burgundy”, a red wine), like so: RE(STYLE)D.

10. Not fitting in pocket (13)

Answer: INAPPROPRIATE (i.e. “not fitting”). Solution is IN followed by APPROPRIATE (i.e. to “pocket” or steal).

11. Bizarre ironies more obvious to listeners (7)

Answer: NOISIER (i.e. “more obvious to listeners”). “Bizarre” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of IRONIES.

12. Money and support an uncle, say, provided – about time! (5,6)

Answer: LEGAL TENDER (i.e. “money”). Solution is LEG (i.e. table “support”) followed by A LENDER (i.e. “an uncle, say”, slang for a pawnbroker) once wrapped “about” T (a recognised abbreviation of “time”), like so: LEG-(A-L(T)ENDER).

13. Makeshift reason for mistrial? (4-6)

Answer: JURY-RIGGED (i.e. “makeshift”). When written as JURY RIGGED the solution also playfully satisfies “reason for mistrial”.

20. Fold part of flower on plant (9)

Answer: PENSTEMON (i.e. “plant” – can’t say I’ve heard of them, but then I’m hardly Percy Thrower). Solution is PEN (i.e. enclosure or “fold”) followed by STEM (i.e. “part of flower”) and ON.

23. Old-fashioned way to contradict him upset 19th century president (8)

Answer: William Henry HARRISON (i.e. “19th century president” of the United States). Solution is NO SIRRAH (i.e. “old-fashioned way to contradict him” – SIRRAH being an old form of SIR often used in anger or contempt) all reversed (indicated by “upset” – this being a down clue), like so: HARRIS-ON.

25. Hanging skin friend hitched up (6)

Answer: DEWLAP (i.e. “hanging skin”). Solution is PAL (i.e. “friend”) and WED (i.e. “hitched”) all reversed (indicated by “up” – again, this being a down clue), like so: DEW-LAP.

26. Heard broadcast covering kind of horse or cow (8)

Answer: AYRSHIRE (i.e. breed of “cow”). Solution is a homophone (indicated by “heard”) of AIR (i.e. “broadcast”) followed by SHIRE (i.e. “kind of horse”), like so: AYR-SHIRE.

28. Brevity of speech in which you can see the spin is doctored (9)

Answer: PITHINESS (i.e. “brevity of speech”). “Doctored” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of THE SPIN IS.

29. Verbally communicated what doctor may have written about individual (6)

Answer: PHONED (i.e. “verbally communicated”). Solution is PHD (i.e. “what doctor may have”) “written about” ONE (i.e. “individual”), like so: PH(ONE)D.

31. Puzzle creator of this island breed (7,6)

Answer: ENGLISH SETTER. Solution playfully satisfies “puzzle creator of this island” – The Times being an English newspaper – and a “breed” of dog.

33. Set up island air support open to identification (11)

Answer: DIAGNOSABLE (i.e. “open to identification”). Solution is ELBA (i.e. an “island” of Italy), SONG (i.e. “air”) and AID (i.e. “support”) all reversed (indicated by “set up” – again, this being a down clue), like so: DIA-GNOS-ABLE.

34. One who gets Brahms and Liszt and pays for it, facing the music? (11)

Answer: CONCERTGOER. Solution satisfies the clue as a whole. I recall a few years ago there was another Jumbo that played on Brahms and Liszt being cockney rhyming slang for being pissed. Maybe it was from the same setter. Anyway, I hadn’t heard the phrase back then and, in the intervening years, still haven’t. It’s either a phrase that has travelled poorly beyond the M25 or a mass Mandela effect fooling cockneys into believing the rest of us all talk like thieves. Only kidding, cockneys! I love you all really. Please don’t nick my stuff.

35. Everyone repeats what Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck do (10)

Answer: ALLITERATE (i.e. “what Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck”, as in how both characters’ names repeat the same initial letter). Solution is ALL (i.e. “everyone”) followed by ITERATE (i.e. “repeats”).

36. Religious work the writer’s changed partly? Yes (7,4)

Answer: MYSTERY PLAY (i.e. “religious work” or a play depicting the life of Christ, where each week the audience is asked to deduce which apostle is going to betray the big man. Probably). Solution is MY (i.e. “the writer’s” from the point of view of the setter) followed by an anagram (indicated by “changed”) of PARTLY YES.

40. Explosive, for example, turned over coal (9)

Answer: GELIGNITE (i.e. “explosive”). Solution is EG (i.e. “for example”) reversed (indicated by “turned over”) and followed by LIGNITE (a type of “coal”), like so: GE-LIGNITE.

41. A prisoner put inside as well as a snake (8)

Answer: ANACONDA (i.e. variety of “snake”). Solution is A and CON (i.e. “prisoner”) both “put inside” AND (i.e. “as well as”) and A, like so: AN(A-CON)D-A. Appeared in grid 1611 back in April, also on even intersecting letters, so…

43. Holidaymaker in French city – it wraps up the final part (7)

Answer: TOURIST (i.e. “holidaymaker”). Solution is TOURS (i.e. “French city”) with the S or “final part” “wrapped” in IT, like so: TOUR(I(S)T).

45. Sand piled up on middle of ridge in Pacific port (7)

Answer: DUNEDIN (i.e. “Pacific port” of New Zealand). Solution is DUNE (i.e. “sand piled up”) followed by D (i.e. “middle [letter] of ridge”) and IN. Chalk one to my Bradford’s here, which will come as no surprise to regular readers. My disdain of ports being used as crossword solutions is endless, legendary and by now worthy of its own Wikipedia page. (Seriously, someone, get on that.) I mean, what is the point of them? They’re the equivalent of those loose polystyrene Wotsits that surround your online shopping. They’re filler, nothing more. They are never worth the effort to solve so why do setters bother writing a clue? They may as well just scribble down “45a. The answer is DUNEDIN. You’re welcome” and move along. Still, at least I’ve heard of DUNEDIN. Next week it’ll probably be QYZYK, Madeupistan’s 34th largest port.

46. Lots of boatmen heard on river in leisure craft (7)

Answer: CRUISER (i.e. “leisure craft”). Solution is a homophone (indicated by “heard”) of CREWS (i.e. “lots of boatmen”) followed by R (a recognised abbreviation of “river”), like so: CRUISE-R.

47. Save large weight that’s worth very little (6)

Answer: BUTTON (i.e. “that’s worth very little”). Solution is BUT (i.e. “save” or except for) followed by TON (i.e. “large weight”).

50. Proceeded with caution and replaced one’s diamonds (5)

Answer: NOSED (i.e. “proceeded with caution”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “replaced”) of ONE’S followed by D (a recognised abbreviation of “diamonds” used in card games), like so: NOSE-D.

A medium-strength Jumbo to chip away at during a soggy August weekend. I rather liked this one. There was a decent dollop of misdirection that didn’t rely too much on arcane definitions of well-known words. The geek in me also appreciated a few techie clues and solutions, e.g. APPLET and COMPUTER LANGUAGE. 4d also made me smile.

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 the dust has settled. Till next time, stay dry out there, kids.

LP

RBV (Repeats-By-Volume): 8.3%

Across clues

1. Excellent lesson leads to improved coursework (7)

Answer: CLASSIC (i.e. “excellent”). Solution is CLASS (i.e. “lesson”) followed by I and C (i.e. “leads to improved coursework”, i.e. the first letters of “improved” and “coursework”).

5. English composer working with us going left false impression (8)

Answer: DELUSION (i.e. “false impression”). Solution is Frederick DELIUS (i.e. “English composer”) and ON (i.e. “working”) once the US of DELIUS has been moved one notch to the “left”, like so: DELI(US)-ON => DEL(US)I-ON. Appeared in grid 1569 last August, just within my threshold for recent repeats, and also on odd intersecting letters, so…

9. Mind games involving vacuous silly children (6)

Answer: PSYCHE (i.e. “mind”). Solution is PE (i.e. “games”, specifically Physical Education) wrapped around or “involving” SY (i.e. “vacuous silly”, i.e. the word “silly” with its middle letters removed) and CH (a recognised abbreviation of “children”), like so: P(SY-CH)E.

13. Suspect permit endlessly checks faculty’s composure (16)

Answer: IMPERTURBABILITY (i.e. “composure”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “suspect”) of PERMIT followed by CURBS (i.e. “checks”) once its first and last letters have been removed (indicated by “endlessly”), then ABILITY (i.e. “faculty”), like so: IMPERT-URB-ABILITY.

14. What’s written in court to cover end of affair? (6)

Answer: PRENUP, short for a prenuptial agreement. Solution satisfies the clue as a whole.

16. Hunters dislike turning in game for the most part (8)

Answer: CHEETAHS (i.e. “hunters”). Solution is HATE (i.e. “dislike”) reversed (indicated by “turning”) and placed “in” CHESS (i.e. “game”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “for the most part”), like so: CHE(ETAH)S.

17. Harsh sound of donkey having its tail docked (4)

Answer: BURR (i.e. “harsh sound”, e.g. to whisper hoarsely). Solution is BURRO (i.e. a “donkey”, from the Spanish) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “having its tail docked”).

18. Soldier rounded on marauding sailor (9)

Answer: PRIVATEER (i.e. “marauding sailor”). Solution is PRIVATE (i.e. “soldier”) followed by RE (i.e. “on” or regarding – think email replies) once reversed (indicated by “rounded”), like so: PRIVATE-ER.

20. Hard line adopted by patrician cast (5,3)

Answer: THROW OFF (i.e. to “cast”). Solution is H (a recognised abbreviation of “hard” used when grading pencils) and ROW (i.e. “line”) both placed in or “adopted by” TOFF (i.e. “patrician”), like so: T(H-ROW)OFF.

21. What draws a line between fiction and non-fiction? (3,8)

Answer: LIE DETECTOR. Another solution that satisfies the clue as a whole, given how the “line” drawn by a polygraph can supposedly help detect when someone strays from the truth. I rather liked this one when I twigged it. Appeared in grid 1614 back in May, though, also on odd intersecting letters, so…

24. Italian team involved in something bent set about Italian gang (7)

Answer: CAMORRA (i.e. “Italian gang” – no, me neither). Solution is ROMA (i.e. “Italian [footie] team”) placed or “involved in” ARC (i.e. “something bent”) and the whole then reversed (indicated by “set about”), like so: C(AMOR)RA. I rather swore when I finally found the sod in my Chambers. Not fun.

25. Scoff as blood-covered person dies after dropping ecstasy (10)

Answer: GORMANDISE (i.e. “scoff”). Solution is GORE (i.e. “blood”) wrapped around or “covering” MAN (i.e. “person”) and DIES once the E has been removed (indicated by “after dropping ecstasy” – E being a slang term for the drug), like so: GOR(MAN-DIS)E.

26. Maintain women’s reproductive cells with revolutionary treatment (4)

Answer: AVOW (i.e. “maintain”). Solution is W (a recognised abbreviation of “women”) and OVA (i.e. “reproductive cells”) all reversed (indicated by “with revolutionary treatment”), like so: AVO-W.

29. Part of weapon found in boot erupted unexpectedly (7,4)

Answer: TORPEDO TUBE (i.e. “part of weapon”). “Unexpectedly” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of BOOT ERUPTED.

31. Exactly what must be written on envelope containing rent? (2,3,6)

Answer: TO THE LETTER. Solution satisfies “exactly” and, playfully, “what must be written on envelope containing rent”, a letter being a landlord.

33. Computer, like an android, holding one’s description of diet (11)

Answer: MACROBIOTIC (i.e. “description of diet”, supposedly one designed to prolong life). Solution is MAC (i.e. “computer”, short for an Apple Macintosh) and ROBOTIC (i.e. “like an android”) once wrapped around or “holding” I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”), like so: MAC-ROB(I)OTIC.

36. US colony is beginning to criticise founders on purpose (11)

Answer: CONSCIOUSLY (i.e. “on purpose”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “founders”) of US COLONY IS and C (i.e. “beginning [letter] to criticise”).

38. Dupe old relative (4)

Answer: NANA. Solution satisfies “dupe” – both can refer to one deceived – and “old relative” or grandmother.

39. Problem with corruption in China? (3,7)

Answer: TEA SERVICE (i.e. “china” – ignore the misleading capitalisation). Solution is TEASER (i.e. “problem”) followed by VICE (i.e. “corruption”). Another excellent clue.

41. Suspend commercial by paper: a line has been removed (7)

Answer: ADJOURN (i.e. “suspend”). Solution is AD (i.e. “commercial”) followed by JOURNAL (i.e. “paper”) once the A and L (a recognised abbreviation of “line”) have been “removed”.

44. Drink and moan about work trouble (11)

Answer: AMONTILLADO (i.e. “drink”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “about”) of MOAN followed by TILL (i.e. “work” the land) and ADO (i.e. “trouble”), like so: AMON-TILL-ADO. Appeared in grid 1575 back in September, also on odd intersecting letters, so…

45. Plant is removed from French port before strike (8)

Answer: CALABASH (i.e. “plant”). Solution is CALAIS (i.e. “French port”) with the “IS removed” and the remainder followed by BASH (i.e. “strike”), like so: CALA-BASH.

48. List reporter’s record of karate moves? (9)

Answer: CATALOGUE (i.e. “list”). “Reporter’s” indicates homophone, in this case of KATA (i.e. “karate moves”) and LOG (i.e. “record”).

49. Mountain states eliminating borders (4)

Answer: PEAK (i.e. “mountain”). Solution is SPEAKS (i.e. “states”) with the first and last letters removed (indicated by “eliminating borders”).

50. Interrupt mostly when drunk and salacious (8)

Answer: PRURIENT (i.e. “salacious”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “when drunk”) of INTERRUPT once the last letter has been removed (indicated by “mostly”). Appeared in grid 1584, back in November, also on even intersecting letters, so…

52. Spare toilet in filthy place (6)

Answer: SCANTY (i.e. “spare”). Solution is CAN (slang for a “toilet”) placed “in” STY (i.e. “filthy place”), like so: S(CAN)TY.

53. Ada or Ruby possibly swearing next to PC? (8,8)

Answer: COMPUTER LANGUAGE (i.e. “Ada or Ruby possibly”. I guess Perl would have been stretching it a little too far.) Solution is LANGUAGE (i.e. “swearing”) placed after or “next to” COMPUTER (i.e. “PC”).

54. Lump from figure in plastic surgery (6)

Answer: DOLLOP (i.e. “lump”). Solution is DOLL (i.e. “figure in plastic”) followed by OP (i.e. “surgery”, short for operation). Another good un.

55. Popular taunt about French article is unworthy (5,3)

Answer: INFRA DIG (i.e. “unworthy”, short for the Latin infra dignitatem). Solution is IN (i.e. “popular”) and DIG (i.e. “taunt”) wrapped “about” FR (a recognised abbreviation of “French”) and A (i.e. “article”, a word like a, an or the), like so: IN-(FR-A)-DIG. One I recalled from a previous puzzle.

56. Long broadcast about missing hotel stationery (7)

Answer: NOTELET (i.e. “stationery”). Solution is TELETHON (i.e. “long broadcast”) with the H removed (indicated by “missing hotel” – hotel being H in the phonetic alphabet) and the remainder reversed (indicated by “about”).

Down clues

1. Drive home from medical centre after one’s left hospital (6)

Answer: CLINCH (i.e. to “drive home”, say, an argument). Solution is CLINIC (i.e. “medical centre”) with the I removed (indicated by “after [Roman numeral] one’s left”) and the remainder followed by H (a recognised abbreviation of “hospital” used, say, on maps), like so: CLINC-H.

2. Tech company finally adopt program (6)

Answer: APPLET (i.e. a small computer “program”). Solution is APPLE (i.e. a “tech company”) followed by T (i.e. “finally adopt”, i.e. the last letter of “adopt”).

3. Means of conveying sick distortion of the truth (9)

Answer: STRETCHER. Solution satisfies “means of conveying sick” and a “distortion of the truth”.

4. Media viewer with sluggish performance? (5,6)

Answer: COUCH POTATO. Another where the solution satisfies the clue as a whole, being “a person whose leisure time is spent sitting shiftlessly in front of the television or video” (Chambers).

5. Inverted time plot used to establish growth in arrears (4)

Answer: DEBT (i.e. “arrears”). Solution is T (a recognised abbreviation of “time”) and BED (i.e. “plot used to establish growth” of plants) all reversed (indicated by “inverted”), like so: DEB-T.

6. Human Resources in favour of charging work colleague on vacation (6,5)

Answer: LABOUR FORCE (i.e. “Human Resources”). Solution is FOR (i.e. “in favour of”) placed in or “charging” – think of one filling or charging their glasses for a toast – LABOUR (i.e. “work”) and CE (i.e. “colleague on vacation”, i.e. the word “colleague” with all its middle letters removed), like so: LABOUR-(FOR)-CE.

7. Develop filter lanes capable of autonomous operation (4-7)

Answer: SELF-RELIANT (i.e. “capable of autonomous operation”). “Develop” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of FILTER LANES.

8. Extend available odds indicated (9)

Answer: OUTSPREAD (i.e. “extend”). Solution is OUT (i.e. published or “available”) followed by SP (i.e. “odds”, in this case the Starting Price) and READ (i.e. to register or “indicate”).

10. Runner wanting any form of coverage? (8)

Answer: STREAKER. Another where the solution satisfies the clue as a whole, playing on how streakers run onto pitches in the altogether.

11. Link copy-editor’s statement and vital personal material? (10,6)

Answer: CONNECTIVE TISSUE (i.e. “vital personal material”). Solution is CONNECT (i.e. “link”) followed by I VET ISSUE (i.e. “copy-editor’s statement”), taking ISSUE to be an edition of a newspaper or magazine. Appeared in grid 1604 back in March, but on that occasion on even intersecting letters.

12. Politician implicated in key mistake following loss of second leader (7)

Answer: EMPEROR (i.e. “leader”). Solution is MP (i.e. “politician” or Member of Parliament) placed or “implicated in” E (i.e. a musical “key”) and ERROR (i.e. “mistake”) once its “second” letter has been “lost”, like so: E-(MP)-EROR.

15. Auteur’s biopic in East End, somewhat scaled down (8)

Answer: CINEASTE (i.e. “auteur”). “Somewhat scaled down” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: BIOPI(C IN EAST E)ND.

19. Yearn to match outstanding quality (4,4)

Answer: LONG SUIT (i.e. a talent or “outstanding quality”). Solution is LONG (i.e. “yearn”) followed by SUIT (i.e. “to match”). Appeared in grid 1584 back in November, though on that occasion on odd intersecting letters.

22. National examination covers most ground (8)

Answer: SCOTSMAN (i.e. “national”). Solution is SCAN (i.e. “examination”) wrapped around or “covering” an anagram (indicated by “ground”) of MOST, like so: SC(OTSM)AN.

23. Be of calm and rational resolve to make sport (8,8)

Answer: AMERICAN FOOTBALL (i.e. “sport”). “Resolve” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of BE OF CALM and RATIONAL.

27. Upsetting argument about call involving unknown quantity (8)

Answer: WORRYING (i.e. “upsetting”). Solution is ROW (i.e. “argument”) reversed (indicated by “about”) and followed by RING (i.e. “call”) once wrapped around or “involving” Y (i.e. “unknown quantity” – setters love referring to X, Y or Z in solutions as unknowns), like so: WOR-R(Y)ING.

28. Champion horse losing at home (4)

Answer: HERO (i.e. “champion”). Solution is HEROIN (i.e. “horse”, slang thereof) once the IN (i.e. “at home”) has been removed or “lost”.

30. Rare form of wood partly responsible for brittle bones (4)

Answer: EBON (i.e. “rare form of wood”). “Partly responsible for” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: BRITTL(E BON)ES.

32. Proposal disheartened lady with a delicate manner (8)

Answer: TENDERLY (i.e. “with a delicate manner”). Solution is TENDER (i.e. “proposal”) followed by LY (i.e. “disheartened lady”, i.e. the word “lady” with its middle letters removed).

34. Good yield almost changed particular way of thinking (8)

Answer: IDEOLOGY (i.e. “particular way of thinking”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “changed”) of GOOD YIELD once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “almost”).

35. Cream, after separating at one point, might represent this reproductive material (6,5)

Answer: CARBON PAPER (i.e. “reproductive material”). The solution also satisfies the clue when “cream” is “separated at one point” like so – C REAM, “C” being the chemical symbol of CARBON and “ream” being a bundle of PAPER.

36. Gossiped about problem and nasty trends regularly (11)

Answer: CHITCHATTED (i.e. “gossiped”). Solution is C (i.e. “about”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of “circa”) followed by HITCH (i.e. “problem”) and ATTED (i.e. “nasty trends regularly”, i.e. every other letter of NASTY TRENDS).

37. Officer having gun compartment set down (11)

Answer: CHAMBERLAIN (i.e. “officer”). Solution is CHAMBER (i.e. “gun compartment”) followed by LAIN (i.e. “set down”).

40. Reduce the amount of coverage for fish and fowl (5,4)

Answer: SCALE DOWN (i.e. “reduce the amount”). Solution comprises “coverage for fish” (SCALE) and the same for “fowl” (DOWN).

42. Perfect, if only in one direction? (4,5)

Answer: JUST RIGHT. Solution satisfies “perfect” and, playfully, “only in one direction”.

43. Broken toilets blocked by tip of this shoe (8)

Answer: STILETTO (i.e. “shoe”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “broken”) of TOILETS wrapped around or “blocked by” T (i.e. “tip of this”, i.e. the first letter of “this”), like so: S(T)ILETTO.

44. Person charged after sending up record company outside America (7)

Answer: ACCUSED (i.e. “person charged”). Solution is DECCA (i.e. a “record company”) reversed (indicated by “sending up” – this being a down clue) and wrapped “outside” of US (i.e. “America”), like so: ACC(US)ED.

46. Disrupt Queen opening parliament (6)

Answer: DERAIL (i.e. “disrupt”). Solution is ER (i.e. “Queen”, Elizabeth Regina) placed in or “opening” DAIL (i.e. “parliament” in the Republic of Ireland), like so: D(ER)AIL.

47. Give evidence during trial (6)

Answer: ATTEST (i.e. “give evidence”). Solution is AT (i.e. “during”) followed by TEST (i.e. “trial”). Appeared in grid 1616 a couple of months ago, also on even intersecting letters, so…

51. What may impede defender’s comeback after leaving United? (4)

Answer: DRAG (i.e. “what may impede”). Solution is GUARD (i.e. “defender”) reversed (indicated by “comeback”) once the U (a recognised abbreviation of “United”, e.g. Man U) has been “left” out.

A mixed bag of a Jumbo this week. For the most part it was relatively straightforward, but there were a few spicy clues in there to make my eyes roll. A low number of repeats was welcome, though.

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 hit you for six 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.

LP

RBV (Repeats-By-Volume): 4.8%

Across clues

1. Teacher bowled over by American composer’s perfume ingredient (9)

Answer: AMBERGRIS (i.e. “perfume ingredient” originating in whales’ intestines. Lovely). Solution is SIR (term of address for a male “teacher”) reversed (indicated by “bowled over”) and placed “by” or after AM (a recognised abbreviation of “American”) and Alban BERG (i.e. “composer”), like so: (AM-BERG)-RIS.

6. Fruit-bearing plant university included among sale items (5)

Answer: LOTUS (i.e. “fruit-bearing plant”). Solution is U (a recognised abbreviation of “university”) “included among” LOTS (i.e. “sale items” at an auction), like so: LOT(U)S. Appeared in grid 1577 back in September, also on odd intersecting letters, so…

9. Marine organism filling children with wonder (7)

Answer: SEAWEED (i.e. “marine organism”). Solution is SEED (i.e. “children”) wrapped around or “filled with” AWE (i.e. “wonder”), like so: SE(AWE)ED.

13. Very quietly crosses border to spruce up (5)

Answer: PRIMP (i.e. “spruce up”). Solution is PP (i.e. “very quietly”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of pianissimo in musical lingo) wrapped around or “crossing” RIM (i.e. “border”), like so: P(RIM)P.

14. Alloy identified by publication monk brought back (7)

Answer: AMALGAM (i.e. “alloy”). Solution is MAG (i.e. “publication” or magazine) and LAMA (i.e. Buddhist “monk”) all reversed (indicated by “brought back”), like so: AMAL-GAM. Appeared in grid 1573 back in August, also on odd intersecting letters, so…

15. In back street criticising ornamental accessories (9)

Answer: TRAPPINGS (i.e. “ornamental accessories”). Solution is ST (a recognised abbreviation of “street”) reversed (indicated by “back”) and wrapped around or having “in” RAPPING (i.e. “criticising”), like so: T(RAPPING)S.

16. Land with rowing crew of little substance (11)

Answer: LIGHTWEIGHT (i.e. “of little substance”). Solution is LIGHT (i.e. to “land”) followed by W (a recognised abbreviation of “with”) and EIGHT (i.e. “rowing crew”).

17. Heavy-handed with regard to deportment (11)

Answer: OVERBEARING (i.e. “heavy-handed”). Solution is OVER (i.e. “with regard to”) followed by BEARING (i.e. “deportment”).

18. Extract from Camelot, a hit in a Pacific Island (6)

Answer: TAHITI (i.e. “a Pacific island”). “Extract from” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: CAMELO(T A HIT I)N.

19. Sully name of British hotel riven by violent crimes (8)

Answer: BESMIRCH (i.e. “sully name of”). Solution is B (a recognised abbreviation of “British”) and H (“hotel” in the phonetic alphabet) wrapped around or “riven by” an anagram (indicated by “violent”) of CRIMES, like so: B-(ESMIRC)-H.

21. A match for Zoroastrian writings? (6)

Answer: AVESTA (i.e. “Zoroastrian writings”). When written as A VESTA the solution also satisfies “a match”. Chalk one to my Bradford’s here.

25. A hot pie I cooked in the country (8)

Answer: ETHIOPIA (i.e. “country”). “Cooked” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of A HOT PIE I.

26. Stock expedition helper, one who carries the flag (8-6)

Answer: STANDARD-BEARER (i.e. “one who carries the flag”). Solution is STANDARD (i.e. “stock”) followed by BEARER (i.e. “expedition helper”).

28. Clumsily handles two-handed hammers (5)

Answer: MAULS. Solution satisfies “clumsily handles” and heavy “two-handed hammers”.

29. Unmarried son to left of fireplace (6)

Answer: SINGLE (i.e. “unmarried”). Solution is S (a recognised abbreviation of “son”) followed by INGLE (i.e. Scots word for a “fireplace”).

30. He can putter endlessly about, producing set of biblical books (10)

Answer: PENTATEUCH (i.e. “biblical books” – the first five books of the Old Testament). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “about”) of HE CAN and PUTTER once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “endlessly”).

33. Seabird Tyler introduced to woolgatherer? (10)

Answer: SHEARWATER (i.e. “seabird”). Solution is WAT (i.e. “Tyler” – had to Google this one, Wat Tyler was the leader of the Peasant’s Revolt in 1381. A bit before my time) placed in or “introduced to” SHEARER (i.e. “woolgatherer”), like so: SHEAR(WAT)ER.

35. Arrival of current viral disease, an unknown quantity (6)

Answer: INFLUX (i.e. “arrival”). Solution is IN (i.e. “current” or trendy) followed by FLU (i.e. a “disease”) and X (i.e. “an unknown quantity” – setters love referring to X, Y or Z in solutions as unknowns).

36. Large shallow dish, a benefit the drunk may say? (5)

Answer: ASHET (i.e. “large shallow dish”). The remainder of the clue plays on how a “drunk may say” ASSET (i.e. “benefit”), slurring their speech.

38. Supervisors gripped by new idea not referred to previously (14)

Answer: AFOREMENTIONED (i.e. “referred to previously”). Solution is FOREMEN (i.e. “supervisors”) placed in or “gripped by” an anagram (indicated by “new”) of IDEANOT, like so: A(FOREMEN)TIONED.

40. Neckerchief displayed by girl with music group (8)

Answer: BANDANNA (i.e. “neckerchief” – can be spelled with single or double n). Solution is ANNA (i.e. “girl’s” name) placed after or “with” BAND (i.e. “music group”), like so: BAND-ANNA.

42. Allow some clergymen a blessing (6)

Answer: ENABLE (i.e. “allow”). “Some” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: CLERGYM(EN A BLE)SSING. Appeared in grid 1613 a couple of months ago, though on that occasion on odd intersecting letters.

43. Debauchee transfixed by Latvian gambling game (8)

Answer: ROULETTE (i.e. “gambling game”). Solution is ROUE (i.e. “debauchee”) wrapped around or “transfixed by” LETT (i.e. “Latvian”, Latvia has apparently been called all sorts of things over the years, from Lettland to Letonia, from Lettigallia to Lethia), like so: ROU(LETT)E.

44. Container for drink giving us courage (6)

Answer: BOTTLE. Solution satisfies “container for drink” and “courage”.

47. Clarify girl’s viewpoint about a medical specialism (11)

Answer: DISENTANGLE (i.e. “clarify”). Solution is DI’S (i.e. “girl’s” name, possessive) and ANGLE (i.e. “viewpoint”) all wrapped “about” ENT (i.e. “a medical specialism”, specifically Ear, Nose and Throat), like so: DI’S-(ENT)-ANGLE.

50. Radio message from Italian chap at border going west (11)

Answer: MARCONIGRAM (i.e. a wireless “radio message”, as invented by Guglielmo Marconi). Solution is MARCO (i.e. “Italian chap’s” name) followed by MARGIN (i.e. “border”) once the latter has been reversed (indicated by “going west” – this being an across clue), like so: MARCO-NIGRAM.

52. Surviving longer than dated benefice (9)

Answer: OUTLIVING (i.e. “surviving longer than”). Solution is OUT (i.e. “dated” or unfashionable) followed by LIVING (i.e. “benefice” – over to Chambers: “a church living, an area from which an income is obtained, especially in return for the spiritual care of its inhabitants”).

53. A new senior officer cutting teetotal function (7)

Answer: TANGENT (i.e. a trigonometrical “function”). Solution is A, N (a recognised abbreviation of “new”) and GEN (i.e. “senior officer”, short for general) all placed in or “cutting” TT (a recognised abbreviation of “teetotal”), like so: T(A-N-GEN)T.

54. Extortion originally unknown in American transport system (5)

Answer: USURY (i.e. “extortion”). Solution is U (i.e. “originally unknown”, i.e. the first letter of “unknown”) placed “in” US (i.e. “American”) and RY (i.e. “transport system”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of “railway”), like so: US-(U)-RY.

55. Figure of horse visible in middle of day (7)

Answer: NONAGON (i.e. nine-sided shape or “figure”). Solution is NAG (i.e. “horse”) placed “in” NOON (i.e. “middle of day”), like so: NO(NAG)ON.

56. It reflected a source of light, like some roofs (5)

Answer: TILED (i.e. “like some roofs”). Solution is IT reversed (indicate by “reflected”) and followed by LED (i.e. “a source of light”, specifically a Light Emitting Diode), like so: TI-LED.

57. Revolutionary with irregular pulse guarding king’s burial mound (9)

Answer: SEPULCHRE (i.e. “burial ground”). Solution is CHE Guevarra (i.e. “revolutionary”) placed after or “with” an anagram (indicated by “irregular”) of PULSE. This is all then wrapped around or “guarding” R (i.e. “king”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of the Latin Rex), like so: SEPUL-CH(R)E.

Down clues

1. Horrify a man like Revere when speaking (5)

Answer: APPAL (i.e. “horrify”). Solution is A followed by a homophone (indicated by “when speaking”) of PAUL (i.e. “a man like Revere” – Paul Revere was “an American silversmith, engraver, folk hero, early industrialist, Sons of Liberty member, and Patriot” (Wikipedia). He also married twice and had 16 children. Liked to keep himself busy, then), like so: A-PPAL. APPALLED appeared in grid 1578 back in October, also on odd intersecting letters, but I’ll let it slide.

2. Win rapturous applause, as demolition workers might? (5,3,5,4)

Answer: BRING THE HOUSE DOWN. Solution satisfies “win rapturous applause” and “as demolition workers might”.

3. Tedious about little French promissory notes (11)

Answer: REPETITIOUS (i.e. “tedious”). Solution is RE (i.e. “about” or regarding – think email replies) followed by PETIT (i.e. “little French”, i.e. the French for “little”) and IOUS (i.e. “promissory notes”).

4. University lecturer is back, carrying keys (6)

Answer: READER (i.e. “university lecturer”). Solution is REAR (i.e. “back”) wrapped around or “carrying” D and E (i.e. musical “keys”), like so: REA(D-E)R.

5. Sequins originally symbolising primitive settlers (8)

Answer: SPANGLES (i.e. “sequins”). Solution is S and P (i.e. “originally symbolising primitive”, i.e. the first letters of “symbolising” and “primitive”) followed by ANGLES (i.e. fifth century “settlers” of Northumbria, Mercia and East Anglia).

6. Run away? I’m in a cathedral city – justifiably! (12)

Answer: LEGITIMATELY (i.e. “justifiably”). Solution is LEG IT (i.e. “run away”) followed by I’M AT and ELY (i.e. “cathedral city” in Cambridgeshire).

7. Instrument ultimately safe under pulpit in Italian city (10)

Answer: TAMBOURINE (i.e. “instrument”). Solution is E (i.e. “ultimately safe”, i.e. the last letter of “safe”) placed after or “under” – this being a down clue – AMBO (i.e. “pulpit” or “an early Christian raised reading-desk” (Chambers) – no, me neither) once placed “in” TURIN (i.e. “Italian city”), like so: T(AMBO)URIN-E.

8. French composer’s link with South Africa (5)

Answer: Erik SATIE (i.e. “French composer”). Solution is TIE (i.e. “link”) placed after or “with” SA (short for “South Africa”), like so: SA-TIE.

9. Brilliant management – it’s a mariner’s right! (9)

Answer: STARBOARD (i.e. “it’s a mariner’s right”). Solution is STAR (i.e. “brilliant”) followed by BOARD (i.e. “management”).

10. Pacification of our primitive ancestors collecting vegetables on time (11)

Answer: APPEASEMENT (i.e. “pacification”). Solution is APEMEN (i.e. “our primitive ancestors”) wrapped around or “collecting” PEAS (i.e. “vegetables”) and followed by T (a recognised abbreviation of “time”), like so: AP(PEAS)EMEN-T.

11. Listlessness in French university involving new intake primarily (5)

Answer: ENNUI (i.e. “listlessness”). Solution is EN (i.e. “in French”, or the French for “in”. Ooh la la, tres Français all of a sudden! At this rate I’ll be reverting back to my “I’m French!” meme…) and U (a recognised abbreviation of “university”) wrapped around or “involving” N (ditto “new”). This is then followed by I (i.e. “intake primarily”, i.e. the first letter of “intake”), like so: (EN-(N)-U)-I.

12. Swindle over wise man’s prescribed amount of medicine (6)

Answer: DOSAGE (i.e. “prescribed amount of medicine”). Solution is DO (i.e. “swindle” someone) followed by SAGE (i.e. “wise man”).

18. Rubbish found under mother’s damaged heat regulator (10)

Answer: THERMOSTAT (i.e. “heat regulator”). Solution is TAT (i.e. “rubbish”) placed at the end of or “under” – this being a down clue – an anagram (indicated by “damaged”) of MOTHER’S, like so: THERMOS-TAT.

20. Supernatural cure unknown to protect archdeacon (8)

Answer: HEAVENLY (i.e. “supernatural”). Solution is HEAL (i.e. “cure”) and Y (i.e. “unknown”, discussed earlier) wrapped around or “protecting” VEN (i.e. an “archdeacon’s” honorific prefix, short for venerable), like so: HEA(VEN)L-Y.

22. Reportedly made more than one projection? Completely (7,3,7)

Answer: THROUGH AND THROUGH (i.e. “completely”). Solution plays on a homophone (indicated by “reportedly”) of THREW (i.e. “projected”) repeated (indicated by “more than one”).

23. Writing about English initially attending Spanish carnival (6)

Answer: FIESTA (i.e. “Spanish carnival”). Solution is FIST (an informal word for “[hand]writing”, apparently) wrapped “about” E (a recognised abbreviation of “English”) and followed by A (i.e. “initially attending”, i.e. the first letter of “attending”), like so: FI(E)ST-A. Appeared only last month in grid 1621, also on even intersecting letters, so…

24. Moulding academician put up disturbed the vicar (10)

Answer: ARCHITRAVE (i.e. “moulding”). Solution is RA (i.e. “academician”, specifically a Royal Academician) reversed (indicated by “put up” – this being a down clue) and followed by an anagram (indicated by “disturbed”) of THE VICAR, like so: AR-CHITRAVE.

27. Creative type in Isle of Wight resort withholding name (8)

Answer: INVENTOR (i.e. “creative type”). Solution is IN followed by VENTNOR (i.e. “Isle of Wight resort” – again, me neither) once the second N (a recognised abbreviation of “name”) has been removed or “withheld”, like so: IN-VENTOR.

31. Revenue collector finally caught feller from Atlanta? (6)

Answer: TAXMAN (i.e. “revenue collector”). Solution is T (i.e. “finally caught”, i.e. the last letter of “caught”) followed by AXMAN (i.e. “feller from Atlanta”, playfully referencing the US spelling of AXEMAN).

32. Weakened without sources of transmittable energy? That’s not established (12)

Answer: UNDETERMINED (i.e. “that’s not established”). Solution is UNDERMINED (i.e. “weakened”) wrapped around or placed “without” T and E (i.e. “sources of transmittable energy”, i.e. the first letters of “transmittable” and “energy”), like so: UNDE(T-E)RMINED.

34. Bird house ultimately surrounded by colourful flags (4,7)

Answer: REED BUNTING (i.e. “bird”). Solution is E (i.e. “house ultimately”, i.e. the last letter of “house”) placed in or “surrounded by” RED BUNTING (i.e. “colourful flags”), like so: RE(E)D-BUNTING. A win for my Bradford’s, here.

36. I avoid usual changes involving hearing and sight (11)

Answer: AUDIOVISUAL (i.e. “involving hearing and sight”). “Changes” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of I AVOID USUAL.

37. Huge, like some masons? (10)

Answer: MONUMENTAL (i.e. “huge”). Clue plays on how some “masons” may sculpt monuments. You get the idea.

39. Joy about European advertiser’s third promotion (9)

Answer: ELEVATION (i.e. “promotion”). Solution is ELATION (i.e. “joy”) wrapped “about” E (a recognised abbreviation of “European”) and V (i.e. “advertiser’s third” letter), like so: EL(E-V)ATION.

41. Appetisers for race officials? (8)

Answer: STARTERS. Solution satisfies “appetisers” and “race officials”.

45. Meet girl in commercial at home (6)

Answer: ADJOIN (i.e. “meet”). Solution is JO (i.e. “girl’s” name) placed “in” between AD (i.e. “commercial”) and IN (i.e. “at home”), like so: AD-(JO)-IN. Also appeared in grid 1567 on even intersecting letters, but this is just outside my threshold for recent repeats.

46. Send off work after surgical procedure (4-2)

Answer: POST-OP (i.e. “after surgical procedure”). Solution is POST (i.e. to “send off”) followed by OP (i.e. “work”, short for “opus”).

48. Demonstrated closely woven fabric (5)

Answer: SATIN (i.e. “closely woven fabric”). When written as SAT-IN the solution also satisfies “demonstrated”.

49. Joint of meat obtained by serviceman abroad (5)

Answer: GIGOT (i.e. a leg of mutton or “joint of meat”, another new one on me). Solution is GOT (i.e. “obtained”) placed after or “by” GI (i.e. US army type, or “serviceman abroad”), like so: GI-GOT.

51. Yankee born in West, perhaps (5)

Answer: MAYBE (i.e. “perhaps”). Solution is Y (“Yankee” in the phonetic alphabet) and B (a recognised abbreviation of “born”) both placed “in” MAE (i.e. “West” – probably more likely “West, perhaps” with a spot of recycling), like so: MA(Y-B)E.

Another medium strength Jumbo to while away a soggy Saturday afternoon. I rather liked this one – there were a few good clues in there to chip away at, though it did take me ages to twig AIR-COOL. Sometimes I just don’t see ’em.

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 43-ed you, then you might find my Just For Fun a handy resource, where you’ll find links to solutions for hundreds of the things.

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

LP

RBV (Repeats-By-Volume): 6.7%

Across clues

1. Shamelessness of some musicians (5)

Answer: BRASS. Solution satisfies “shamelessness” and “some musicians”.

4. New student having more leeway to keep quiet (7)

Answer: FRESHER (i.e. “new student”). Solution is FREER (i.e. “having more leeway”) wrapped around or “keeping” SH (i.e. “quiet”), like so: FRE(SH)ER.

8. Seasonal gift for one includes plant, say (6,3)

Answer: EASTER EGG (i.e. “seasonal gift”). Solution is EG (i.e. “for one”, or for example) wrapped around or “including” ASTER (i.e. a “plant”) and EG (i.e. “say”, or for example again), like so: E(ASTER-EG)G.

13. Accomplished horses, we gather, eat too much grass (9)

Answer: OVERGRAZE (i.e. “eat too much grass”). Solution is OVER (i.e. “accomplished” or done) followed by a homophone (indicated by “we gather”) of GREYS (i.e. variety of “horses”), like so: OVER-GRAZE.

14. Well-informed child detailed her exact present (2-2-3-6)

Answer: UP-TO-THE-MINUTE (i.e. “present”). Solution is UP (i.e. “well-informed”) followed by TOT (i.e. “child”), then HER with its last letter removed (indicated by “detailed” – imagine it written as de-tailed) and MINUTE (i.e. “exact”).

15. Grill served food on the counter (loaded with cheese) (7)

Answer: DEBRIEF (i.e. to “grill” someone). Solution is FED (i.e. “served food”) reversed (indicated by “on the counter”) and wrapped around or “loaded with” BRIE (i.e. “cheese”), like so: DE(BRIE)F.

16. Guy departing one Northern city for another (7)

Answer: CHESTER (i.e. “another” (“Northern city”)). Solution is MANCHESTER (“Northern city”) with the MAN (i.e. “guy”) removed or “departing”.

17. Left nothing for cutting in allotment (7)

Answer: PORTION (i.e. “allotment”). Solution is PORT (i.e. “left” in shipspeak) followed by O (i.e. “nothing”) once first placed in or “cutting” IN, like so: PORT-I(O)N.

18. Irish folk tune, fleshed out with a hefty intro (3,6,2,7)

Answer: THE FIELDS OF ATHENRY (i.e. “Irish folk tune” – not one I know, but millions of views on YouTube would speak of its popularity). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “out”) of FLESHED and A HEFTY INTRO.

21. Give up position in tournament, reportedly (4)

Answer: CEDE (i.e. “give up”). “Reportedly” indicates homophone. Solution is a homophone of SEED (i.e. “position in tournament”).

23. Designated European vessel protected by having weapons (9)

Answer: EARMARKED (i.e. “designated”). Solution is E (a recognised abbreviation of “European”) followed by ARK (i.e. a “vessel”) once placed in or “protected by” ARMED (i.e. “having weapons”), like so: E-ARM(ARK)ED.

25. Primate eating primarily fruit (6)

Answer: ORANGE (i.e. “fruit”). Solution is ORANG (i.e. “primate”, recognised shortened form of orang-utan) followed by E (i.e. “eating primarily”, i.e. the first letter of “eating”).

26. Paper under discussion has no leader (6)

Answer: TISSUE (i.e. “paper”). Solution is AT ISSUE (i.e. “under discussion”) with the first letter removed (indicated by “has no leader”).

28. Three damaged crackers were deemed passable (4,3,5)

Answer: MADE THE GRADE (i.e. “were deemed passable”). “Crackers” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of THREE DAMAGED.

30. Nutritionists stop working with certain red meats in the end (10)

Answer: DIETITIANS (i.e. “nutritionists”). Solution is DIE (i.e. “stop working”) followed by TITIAN (i.e. a striking “red” – I guess “certain” in this respect is another word for “absolute”, but I could be missing something clever) and S (i.e. “meats in the end”, or the last letter of “meats”).

33. Nash occasionally messed around with geometry and strategical analysis (4,6)

Answer: GAME THEORY (i.e. “strategical analysis”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “messed around”) of AH (i.e. “Nash occasionally”, i.e. every other letter of NASH) and GEOMETRY.

34. Where marathon contestants excel, ultimately (2,3,4,3)

Answer: IN THE LONG RUN. Solution satisfies “where marathon contestants excel” and “ultimately”. Also appeared in grid 1606 back in April, although on that occasion it was on odd intersecting letters.

37. One trying to get clean requires, on reflection, time in detox centre (6)

Answer: BATHER (i.e. “one trying to get clean”). Solution is T (a recognised abbreviation of “time”) placed “in” REHAB (i.e. “detox centre”) once reversed (indicated by “on reflection”), like so: BA(T)HER. Very nicely worked.

39. Drunk most of jug chilled (6)

Answer: JUICED (i.e. slang for being “drunk”). Solution is JUG with its last letter removed (indicated by “most of…”) and the remainder followed by ICED (i.e. “chilled”), like so: JU-ICED.

40. Woman acquiring a thousand feathers for makeshift bed (9)

Answer: SHAKEDOWN (i.e. “makeshift bed”). Solution is SHE (i.e. “woman”) wrapped around or “acquiring” A and K (short for a “thousand”) and followed by DOWN (i.e. “feathers”), like so: SH(A-K)E-DOWN.

42. Empty lagoon bordering a wide, green expanse (4)

Answer: LAWN (i.e. “green expanse”). Solution is LN (i.e. “empty lagoon”, i.e. the word “lagoon” with all its middle letters removed) wrapped around or “bordering” A and W (a recognised abbreviation of “wide” used in cricket), like so: L(A-W)N.

43. Hand over written form and sneak off? (4,7,3,4)

Answer: GIVE SOMEONE THE SLIP. Solution satisfies “sneak off” and, playfully, “hand over written form”.

46. Popular hotel alongside river using own staff (2-5)

Answer: IN-HOUSE (i.e. “using own staff”). Solution is IN (i.e. “popular”) followed by H (“hotel” in the phonetic alphabet) and OUSE (i.e. “river”).

47. Having got divorced, some people initially showed elation (5,2)

Answer: SPLIT UP (i.e. “having got divorced”). Solution is SP (i.e. “some people initially”, i.e. the first letters of “some” and “people”) followed by LIT-UP (i.e. “showed elation”).

48. Drinks maker first installed in counter area (7)

Answer: BARISTA (i.e. “drinks maker”). Solution is IST (i.e. “first”, with 1 represented by its Roman numeral equivalent) placed or “installed in” between BAR (i.e. “counter”) and A (a recognised abbreviation of “area”), like so: BAR-(IST)-A.

50. A motif recalled in new title dealing with sci-fi travel (13)

Answer: TELEPORTATION (i.e. “sci-fi travel”). Solution is A and TROPE (i.e. “motif”) all reversed (indicated by “recalled”) and placed “in” an anagram (indicated by “new”) of TITLE. This is all then followed by ON (i.e. regarding or “dealing with”), like so: TEL(EPORT-A)TI-ON.

51. Distinguished nurse filling in for vast sum of money (9)

Answer: PROMINENT (i.e. “distinguished”). Solution is EN (i.e. “nurse”, in this case an Enrolled Nurse) placed in or “filling in” PRO (i.e. “for”) and MINT (i.e. “vast sum of money”), like so: PRO-MIN(EN)T.

52. Recordings of comedian’s debut benefit set going round (9)

Answer: CASSETTES (i.e. “recordings”). Solution is C (i.e. “comedian’s debut”, i.e. the first letter of “comedian”) followed by ASSET (i.e. “benefit”) and SET reversed (indicated by “going round”), like so: C-ASSET-TES.

53. Large wine bottles always once stacked in rows? (7)

Answer: LAYERED (i.e. “stacked in rows”). Solution is L (a recognised abbreviation of “large”) and RED (i.e. “wine”) wrapped around or “bottling” AYE (i.e. “always”), like so: L-(AYE)-RED.

54. Military VIP in charge of coded material (5)

Answer: GENIC (i.e. “of coded material”). Solution is GEN (i.e. “military VIP”, short for a General) followed by IC (a recognised abbreviation of “in charge”).

Down clues

1. Untidy bedrooms with endlessly stale circulation (11)

Answer: BLOODSTREAM (i.e. “circulation”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “untidy”) of BEDROOMS and TAL (i.e. “endlessly stale”, i.e. the word “stale” with its first and last letters removed).

2. Bitter is great with occasional bits of grub (5)

Answer: ACERB (i.e. “bitter”). Solution is ACE (i.e. “great”) followed by RB (i.e. “occasional bits of grub”, i.e. every other letter of GRUB).

3. Has heartless gentrification upset one half of a partnership? (11,5)

Answer: SIGNIFICANT OTHER (i.e. “one half of a partnership”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “upset”) of HS (i.e. “has heartless”, i.e. the word “has” with its middle letter removed) and GENTRIFICATION.

4. Quaking in one’s boots following reprimand (7)

Answer: FEARFUL (i.e. “quaking in one’s boots”). Solution is F (a recognised abbreviation of “following”) followed by EARFUL (i.e. “reprimand”). Appeared in grid 1616 a couple of months ago, also on odd intersecting letters, so…

5. Trained duty doctors principally covering emergency room (9)

Answer: EXERCISED (i.e. “trained”). Solution is EXCISE (i.e. “duty”) and D (i.e. “doctors principally”, i.e. the first letter of “doctors”) all wrapped around or “covering” ER (short for “emergency room”), like so: EX(ER)CISE-D.

6. Place where members are entitled to sit? (5,2,5)

Answer: HOUSE OF LORDS. Solution satisfies the clue as a whole, playing on the “entitled” members, or lords and ladies, that attend. You get the idea.

7. Knock junk items presented by artist (at Tate, mostly) (3-1-3-3)

Answer: RAT-A-TAT-TAT (i.e. “knock”). Solution is TAT (i.e. “junk items”) placed after or “presented by” RA (i.e. “artist”, specifically a Royal Academician) and followed by AT TATE once the last letter has been removed (indicated by “mostly”), like so: RA-(TAT)-AT-TAT.

8. Key hub in San Francisco fails to open (5)

Answer: ENTER (i.e. “key” on a computer keyboard). Solution is CENTER (i.e. “hub in San Francisco”, or anywhere in the US really – we’re after the US spelling of CENTRE) with its first letter removed (indicated by “fails to open”). Appeared in grid 1580 back in October, also on odd intersecting letters, so…

9. They defend small people who are visibly upset (8)

Answer: SWEEPERS (i.e. “they defend” in a game of football). Solution is S (a recognised abbreviation of “small”) followed by WEEPERS (i.e. “people who are visibly upset”). Appeared in grid 1609 back in April, but on that occasion on even intersecting letters.

10. Person leaving country before catching plane (6)

Answer: ÉMIGRÉ (i.e. “person leaving country”). Solution is ERE (poetic form of “before”) wrapped around or “catching” MIG (Russian fighter “plane”), like so: E(MIG)RE.

11. Online firm that is about to bring in transport head (1-8)

Answer: E-BUSINESS (i.e. “online firm”). Solution is IE (i.e. “that is”, from the Latin id est) reversed (indicated by “about”) and wrapped around or “bringing in” BUS (i.e. “transport”). This is all then followed by NESS (i.e. “head”, geographical features both), like so: E(BUS)I-NESS.

12. Commandos with little experience introducing risks protecting monarch (5,6)

Answer: GREEN BERETS (i.e. “commandos”). Solution is GREEN (i.e. “with little experience”) followed by BETS (i.e. “risks”) once wrapped around or “protecting” ER (i.e. “monarch”, specifically Elizabeth Regina), like so: GREEN-B(ER)ETS.

19. Privileged position of each Republican and Liberal party male (7)

Answer: EARLDOM (i.e. “privileged position”). Solution is EA (a recognised abbreviation of “each”) followed by R (ditto “Republican”), then L (ditto ditto “Liberal”), then DO (i.e. “party”) and M (a recognised abbreviation of “male”). Only appeared a couple of months ago back in grid 1616, also on odd intersecting letters, so…

20. Language hinges loosely around rules, at heart (7)

Answer: ENGLISH (i.e. “language”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “loosely”) of HINGES wrapped “around” L (i.e. “rules, at heart”, i.e. the middle letter of “rules”), like so: ENG(L)ISH. Also appeared in grid 1611 back in April, also on odd intersecting letters, so…

22. Gain credentials, possibly taking new virtual courses? (8,8)

Answer: DISTANCE LEARNING (i.e. “virtual courses”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “possibly”) of GAIN CREDENTIALS wrapped around or “taking” N (a recognised abbreviation of “new”), like so: DISTA(N)CELEARNING. Another nicely worked clue. Nearly a hat trick of repeats, this having last appeared in grid 1566 – only just outside my 1-year threshold. To be fair, it appeared then on odd intersecting letters so wouldn’t have counted anyway.

24. Banks perhaps hold closures for one year (6)

Answer: KEEPER (i.e. Gordon “Banks perhaps” – other goalkeepers are available). Solution is KEEP (i.e. “hold”) followed by E and R (i.e. “closures for one year”, i.e. the last letters of “one” and “year”).

27. Female gambler’s giveaway is hidden by it (6)

Answer: STELLA (i.e. “female’s” name). Solution is TELL (i.e. “gambler’s giveaway”) placed in or “hidden by” SA (i.e. “it”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of Sex Appeal), like so: S(TELL)A.

29. Divert soldiers east after defeat (7)

Answer: REROUTE (i.e. “divert”). Solution is RE (i.e. “soldiers”, specifically the Royal Engineers of the British Army) followed by E (a recognised abbreviation of “east”) once first placed “after” ROUT (i.e. “defeat”), like so: RE-(ROUT)-E.

31. Show supported by hip fan, maybe (3-4)

Answer: AIR-COOL (i.e. to “fan, maybe”). Solution is AIR (i.e. to “show”) followed by COOL (i.e. “hip” and happening, daddios).

32. Negligence at commercial space on outskirts of city (12)

Answer: INADVERTENCY (i.e. “negligence”). Solution is IN (i.e. “at”) followed by ADVERT (i.e. “commercial”), then EN (i.e. “space”, a printers term for a space that is half the width of a letter m – not seen this one for a while) and CY (i.e. “outskirts of city”, i.e. the first and last letters of “city”).

33. I call bigots misguided and get very mad (2,9)

Answer: GO BALLISTIC (i.e. “get very mad”). “Misguided” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of I CALL BIGOTS. BALLISTIC on its own appeared only last month in grid 1621, also on odd intersecting letters and using a not entirely different clue. So tempted to count this as a repeat…

35. Action plans designed for harmful by-product of packaging? (11)

Answer: NANOPLASTIC (i.e. “harmful by-product of packaging”). “Designed” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of ACTION PLANS.

36. A young lady who has class? (10)

Answer: SCHOOLGIRL. Another of those where the solution satisfies the clue as a whole, this time playing on “classes” at school. You get the idea.

38. Individual hospital overshadowed by high, singular public buildings (4,5)

Answer: TOWN HALLS (i.e. “public buildings”). Solution is OWN (i.e. “individual”) and H (a recognised abbreviation of “hospital” used on maps) all placed in or “overshadowed by” TALL (i.e. “high”). This is all then followed by S (a recognised abbreviation of “singular”), like so: T(OWN-H)ALL-S.

40. Abrasive son also starts to exclaim rudely about father briefly (9)

Answer: SANDPAPER (i.e. “abrasive”). Solution is S (a recognised abbreviation of “son”) followed by AND (i.e. “also”), E and R (i.e. “starts to exclaim rudely”, i.e. the first letter of “exclaim” and “rudely”). This is all then wrapped “about” PAPA (i.e. “father”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “briefly”), like so: S-AND-(PAP)-E-R.

41. Dismiss spoiled child displaying insect (8)

Answer: FIREBRAT (i.e. “insect” that looks a little bit like a silverfish). Solution is FIRE (i.e. to sack or “dismiss”) followed by BRAT (i.e. “spoiled child”).

44. Label on top including nothing sensationalist (7)

Answer: TABLOID (i.e. “sensationalist”). Solution is TAB (i.e. “label”) followed by LID (i.e. “top”) once the latter has been wrapped around or “including” O (i.e. “nothing”), like so: TAB-L(O)ID.

45. Disorder created by politician in government (6)

Answer: RUMPLE (i.e. “disorder”). Solution is MP (i.e. “politician”, specifically a Member of Parliament) placed “in” RULE (i.e. “government”), like so: RU(MP)LE. Another good clue.

47. Big pieces of stone in testing site on board ship (5)

Answer: SLABS (i.e. “big pieces of stone”). Solution is LAB (i.e. “testing site”) placed in or “on board” SS (i.e. “ship”, in this case a recognised abbreviation of a “steamship”), like so: S(LAB)S.

49. American writer seen as a mug in Germany? (5)

Answer: Gertrude STEIN (i.e. “American writer”). The remainder of the clue plays on STEIN being a “mug” in German.

A medium strength Jumbo this week. Can’t say I was too much of a fan of this one. To me the setter relied a little too hard on made-to-fit trash to get the job done. The lowish number of repeats was welcome, though.

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

Thanks again for 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.

LP

RBV (Repeats-By-Volume): 5%

Across clues

1. Reconsidered a processed flavour enhancer (9,4)

Answer: CORIANDER SEED (i.e. “flavour enhancer”). “Processed” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of RECONSIDERED A.

8. That woman cooks hot wraps, giving tip (9)

Answer: BAKSHEESH (i.e. a “tip” or gratuity in various Asian countries). Solution is SHE (i.e. “that woman”) placed or “wrapped” up in BAKES (i.e. “cooks”) and H (a recognised abbreviation of “hot” used on taps), like so: BAK(SHE)ES-H.

13. Heavy metal piece from The Smiths? (5)

Answer: ANVIL, a “heavy metal piece” upon which “smiths” work – ignoring the misleading capitalisation.

14. Make popular display one’s instilled in old car (11)

Answer: DEMOCRATISE (i.e. “make popular” or of the people). Solution is DEMO (i.e. “display” or demonstrate) followed by I’S (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one’s”) once placed “in” CRATE (i.e. “old car”, informally), like so: DEMO-CRAT(I’S)E.

15. Bore medic with symptoms (5)

Answer: DRILL (i.e. “bore”). Solution is DR (i.e. “medic”, short for a doctor) followed by ILL (i.e. “with symptoms”). Appeared back in February in grid 1598, also on odd intersecting letters, so…

16. Fruit in a lot of muesli monk distributed (9)

Answer: MUSKMELON (i.e. “fruit”, my Chambers and Oxford would have this as two words, while those buggers at Collins list it as a single word). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “distributed”) of MUESLI once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “a lot of”) and MONK.

17. Spaniard’s words for the lady (4)

Answer: ELLA (i.e. a “lady’s” name). When written as EL and LA the solution also satisfies “Spaniard’s words for ‘the’”.

18. Protested about working, given a little work (8)

Answer: SONATINA (i.e. “a little work”, a short sonata). Solution is SAT-IN (i.e. “protested”) wrapped “about” ON (i.e. “working”) and followed by A, like so: (S(ON)AT-IN)-A. A swine when all you have to work with is _O_A_I_A.

20. Character left out of neutral ground (6)

Answer: NATURE (i.e. “character”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “ground”) of NEUTRAL once the L (a recognised abbreviation of “left”) has been removed or taken “out”.

21. Large volume of metal found in day by keen competitors (5,11)

Answer: DAVID COPPERFIELD (a “large volume” or book by Charles Dickens). Solution is COPPER (i.e. “metal”) placed “in” D (a recognised abbreviation of “day”), AVID (i.e. “keen”) and FIELD (i.e. “competitors”), like so: D-AVID-(COPPER)-FIELD. Also appeared in grid 1584 back in November with much the same clue, although this time on odd intersecting letters. DAVID COPPERFIELD was also in grid 1559 June last year (again with a similar clue). While this is a little too long ago for me to count as a recent repeat, it does make you wonder just how many books some of these setters have read. Come on, boys and girls, widen your reading a little.

24. Greedy king of an enormous size losing face (9)

Answer: RAPACIOUS (i.e. “greedy”). Solution is R (a recognised abbreviation of “king”, after the Latin Rex) followed by CAPACIOUS (i.e. “of an enormous size”) once its first letter has been removed (indicated by “losing face”), like so: R-APACIOUS.

26. Fancy receiving education in modern language (7)

Answer: SWEDISH (i.e. “modern language” – apparently Standard Swedish took shape around the turn of the twentieth century. Interesting). Solution is SWISH (i.e. “fancy”) wrapped around or “receiving” ED (short for “education”, as in higher ed or co-ed), like so: SW(ED)ISH.

27. Moulding, very large, interspersed with spheres (5)

Answer: OVOLO (i.e. “moulding” – over to Chambers: “a moulding with the rounded part composed of a quarter of a circle, or of an arc of an ellipse with the curve the greatest at the top”. I’m glad to have cleared that up for you). Solution is V (a recognised abbreviation of “very”) and L (ditto “large”) “interspersed with spheres”, or the letter O, like so: O(V)O(L)O. Made. To. Fit.

29. Is a teacher at Hogwarts perhaps in anorak? (12)

Answer: TRAINSPOTTER (i.e. an “anorak”, specifically one with obsessive interest in trains). When written as TRAINS POTTER, the solution also satisfies “is a teacher at Hogwarts perhaps”, referencing the school in J.K. Rowling’s series of Harry Potter books.

31. Hurry to catch a film I will leave playing (3,1,4,2)

Answer: GET A MOVE ON (i.e. “hurry”). Solution is GET (i.e. “to catch”) followed by A, then MOVIE (i.e. “film”) once the I has been removed (indicated by “I will leave”) and ON (i.e. performing or “playing”).

33. Corrupt MP, alas, with urge for sweetener (5,5)

Answer: MAPLE SUGAR (i.e. “sweetener”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “corrupt”) of MP ALAS and URGE.

35. One surprisingly got up in a bad mood with furniture item (5-7)

Answer: CROSS-DRESSER (i.e. “one surprisingly got up” – an interesting description). Solution is CROSS (i.e. “in a bad mood”) followed by DRESSER (i.e. “furniture item”).

38. November in the past or current period (5)

Answer: NONCE (i.e. “current period”). Solution is N (“November” in the phonetic alphabet) followed by ONCE (i.e. “in the past”).

39. Superior feeling policeman’s ace, stopping racket (7)

Answer: DISDAIN (i.e. “superior feeling”). Solution is DI’S (i.e. “policeman’s”, specifically a Detective Inspector) followed by A (a recognised abbreviation of “ace” used on playing cards) once placed in or “stopping” DIN (i.e. noise or “racket”), like so: DI’S-D(A)IN.

40. After whiskey, eat fish sandwiches, being rude (9)

Answer: BAWDINESS (i.e. “being rude”). Solution is W (“whiskey” in the phonetic alphabet) and DINE (i.e. “eat”) both placed in or being “sandwiched” by BASS (i.e. a variety of “fish”), like so: BA(W-DINE)SS.

42. Unfortunately Cinderella got fat whilst transgressing (9,7)

Answer: FLAGRANTE DELICTO (i.e. “whilst transgressing”, Latin for ‘while the crime is blazing’ apparently). “Unfortunately” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of CINDERELLA GOT FAT.

44. Investigated no amateur teacher (6)

Answer: PROBED (i.e. “investigated”). Solution is PRO (i.e. “no amateur”, short for professional) followed by BED (i.e. “teacher”, in this case a BEd or Bachelor of Education).

47. Understood about number in sum (8)

Answer: TOGETHER (i.e. the “sum”). Solution is GOT (i.e. “understood”) reversed (indicated by “about”) and followed by ETHER (i.e. a “number” or anaesthetic), like so: TOG-ETHER. Took a while to twig, especially when crossed with ANGEVIN for 43d.

49. Either end of terrific old necklace (4)

Answer: TORC (i.e. “old necklace”). When written as T OR C the solution also satisfies “either end of [the word] ‘terrific’”.

50. Passage in French performance intended for the radio (9)

Answer: ENACTMENT (i.e. “passage” of a bill into law). Solution is EN (i.e. “in French”, or the French for “in”) followed by ACT (i.e. “performance”) and a homophone (indicated by “for the radio”) of MEANT (i.e. “intended”), like so: EN-ACT-MENT.

52. Little fish constantly circling lake (5)

Answer: ELVER (i.e. “little fish” or young eel). Solution is EVER (i.e. “constantly”) wrapped around or “circling” L (a recognised abbreviation of “lake”), like so: E(L)VER.

53. Almost begrudge tough guys time in living space (11)

Answer: ENVIRONMENT (i.e. “living space”). Solution is ENVY (i.e. “begrudge”) with the last letter removed (indicated by “almost”) and the remainder followed by IRON MEN (i.e. “tough guys”) and T (a recognised abbreviation of “time”), like so: ENV-IRON-MEN-T.

54. Sailor also called for port where sake’s served? (5)

Answer: OSAKA (i.e. Japanese “port where sake’s served”, playfully). Solution is OS (i.e. “sailor”, specifically of Ordinary Seaman rank) followed by AKA (i.e. “also called”, or Also Known As).

55. Carol revealed one’s footloose and fancy-free (9)

Answer: SINGLETON (i.e. “one’s footloose and fancy-free”). Solution is SING (i.e. to “carol”) followed by LET ON (i.e. “revealed”).

56. Exposure to current kind of blue and white clothing succeeded (8,5)

Answer: ELECTRIC SHOCK (i.e. “exposure to current”). Solution is ELECTRIC (i.e. “kind of blue”) and HOCK (a “white” wine) all wrapped around or “clothing” S (a recognised abbreviation of “succeeded”), like so: ELECTRIC-(S)-HOCK.

Down clues

1. Labourer, one making money receiving lots of charity (4,5)

Answer: COAL MINER (i.e. “labourer”). Solution is COINER (i.e. “one making money”) wrapped around or “receiving” ALM (i.e. “lots of charity”), like so: CO(ALM)INER.

2. Newly examine gun, is that right? (7)

Answer: REVISIT (i.e. “newly examine”). Solution is REV (i.e. to hit the accelerator or “gun” a car) followed by IS IT (i.e. “is that right”).

3. Call a marine out, which is ideal across the ocean (3-8)

Answer: ALL-AMERICAN (i.e. “ideal across the ocean”). “Out” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of CALL A MARINE.

4. Comedian with case of lemonade for picnic (6)

Answer: DODDLE (i.e. a “picnic” or easy task). Solution is Ken DODD (i.e. “comedian”) followed by LE (i.e. “case of lemonade”, i.e. the first and last letters of “lemonade”).

5. Europeans who could come from San Marino (9)

Answer: ROMANIANS (i.e. “Europeans”). “Could come from” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of SAN MARINO. Excellent clue.

6. Book fancy sites around area in Manchester town (12)

Answer: ECCLESIASTES (a “book” of the Old Testament of The Bible). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “fancy”) of SITES wrapped “around” A (a recognised abbreviation of “area”). This is all then placed “in” ECCLES (i.e. “Manchester town”), like so: ECCL(ESI(A)ST)ES.

7. Unable to move without resistance like a Rastafarian (10)

Answer: DEADLOCKED (i.e. “unable to move”). Solution is DREADLOCKED (i.e. “like a Rastafarian”) with the R removed (indicated by “without resistance”, R being a recognised abbreviation of “resistance”).

8. Jingoistic colonel missing Mass is an aberration (4)

Answer: BLIP (i.e. “aberration”). Solution is BLIMP (i.e. “jingoistic colonel”, a satirical cartoon character created by David Low) with the M removed (indicated by “missing mass” – M being a recognised abbreviation of “mass” – ignoring the misleading capitalisation).

9. Avoid trouble with drink – remain calm at first (4,4,4,4)

Answer: KEEP ONE’S HEAD DOWN (i.e. “avoid trouble”). Solution is DOWN (i.e. to “drink”) with KEEP ONE’S HEAD (i.e. “remain calm”) placed “first”.

10. Monster shrubs with flower clusters half cut (5)

Answer: HYDRA (i.e. legendary “monster”). Solution is HYDRANGEAS (i.e. “shrubs with flower clusters”) with the latter “half cut”.

11. Hendrix, regularly loud, rocks building (7)

Answer: EDIFICE (i.e. “building”). Solution is EDI (i.e. “Hendrix, regularly”, i.e. every other letter of HENDRIX) followed by F (i.e. “loud”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of “forte” in musical lingo) and ICE (i.e. “rocks”, informally speaking).

12. Secretive husband and old, legendary lover pinching ear? (4-3-6)

Answer: HOLE-AND-CORNER (i.e. “secretive” – a phrase I’m not familiar with). Solution is H (a recognised abbreviation of “husband”), O (ditto “old”) and LEANDER (i.e. “legendary lover” of Hero in Greek mythology) once wrapped around or “pinching” CORN (i.e. “ear” or part of a cereal plant containing the seeds – I get the gist, but I’m not entirely convinced they’re interchangeable), like so: H-O-LEAND(CORN)ER.

19. Swag bags extortioner emptied, giving clues to plot (8)

Answer: SPOILERS (i.e. “clues to plot”). Solution is SPOILS (i.e. “swag”) wrapped around or “bagging” ER (i.e. “extortioner emptied”, i.e. the first and last letters of “extortioner”), like so: SPOIL(ER)S.

22. Tolkien character following ring, clutching staff (5)

Answer: FRODO (i.e. “Tolkien character”). Solution is F (a recognised abbreviation of “following”) and O (i.e. “ring”) wrapped around or “clutching” ROD (i.e. “staff”), like so: F-(ROD)-O.

23. Business concern banking millions with sterling financial reward (8,8)

Answer: COMPOUND INTEREST (i.e. “financial reward”). Solution is CO (i.e. “business”, short for “company”) and INTEREST (i.e. “concern”) all wrapped around or “banking” M (a recognised abbreviation of “millions”) and POUND (i.e. “sterling”), like so: CO-(M-POUND)-INTEREST.

25. What dramatist may do, cycling in safe enclosure (7)

Answer: PLAYPEN (i.e. “safe enclosure”). Solution is PEN PLAY (i.e. “what dramatist may do”) with the words “cycled” around.

28. Run faster than the speed of light, we hear (7)

Answer: OVERSEE (i.e. “run” or manage). “We hear” indicates homophone. Solution is OVER C (i.e. “faster than the speed of light” – C representing the speed of light in physics). Appeared in grid 1615 back in March, also on odd intersecting letters, so…

29. Misanthrope to skip around with skinny birds only? (5,2,6)

Answer: TIMON OF ATHENS (i.e. “misanthrope” of ancient Greece). Solution is OMIT (i.e. “to skip”) reversed (indicated by “around”) and followed by NO FAT HENS (i.e. “with skinny birds only”), like so: TIMO-NO-FAT-HENS.

30. Move faster, travelling around head of Niger River (8)

Answer: TRANSFER (i.e. “move”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “travelling”) of FASTER wrapped “around” N (i.e. “head of Niger”, i.e. the first letter of “Niger”) and followed by R (a recognised abbreviation of “river”), like so: TRA(N)SFE-R.

32. Open nark’s Yuletide gift (12)

Answer: FRANKINCENSE (i.e. a “Yuletide gift”). Solution is FRANK (i.e. “open”) followed by INCENSE (i.e. to annoy or “nark”).

34. Muslim VIP – poet’s always around this person (5)

Answer: EMEER (i.e. “Muslim VIP”, a variant spelling of EMIR). Solution is E’ER (i.e. “poet’s always”) wrapped “around” ME (i.e. “this person” from the point of view of the setter), like so: E(ME)ER.

36. Supply air time with song for departures (11)

Answer: EMIGRATIONS (i.e. “departures”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “supply”) of AIR TIME and SONG.

37. Bolt part of meal in Doncaster or York? (10)

Answer: RACECOURSE (i.e. “Doncaster or York”, both examples thereof). Solution is RACE (i.e. to “bolt”) followed by COURSE (i.e. “part of meal”). Appeared in grid 1606 back in April, also on even intersecting letters, so…

40. Most resentful German’s request to take it easy (9)

Answer: BITTEREST (i.e. “most resentful”). Solution is BITTE (i.e. “German’s request”, i.e. the German for “please”) followed by REST (i.e. “take it easy”).

41. Perhaps left dog, getting lead off elsewhere (9)

Answer: SIDETRACK (i.e. to “lead off elsewhere”). Solution is SIDE (i.e. “perhaps left”. Other sides are available) followed by TRACK (i.e. to “dog” something).

43. E.g. King John’s treasure mostly foreign wine (7)

Answer: ANGEVIN (i.e. “e.g. King John” – Wikipedia has “The Angevins were a royal house of Anglo-French origin that ruled England and France in the 12th and early 13th centuries”. King John was one, with Richard I and Henry II before him). Solution is ANGEL (i.e. “treasure”, both terms of affection) with the last letter removed (indicated by “mostly”) and the remainder followed by VIN (i.e. “foreign wine”, in this case the French for “wine”), like so: ANGE-VIN.

45. Look after grouse, a source of meat (7)

Answer: BEEFALO (i.e. “source of meat”, specifically a cross between a cow and a buffalo). Solution is LO (i.e. “look”, as in lo and behold) placed “after” BEEF (i.e. “grouse” or complaint) and A, like so: (BEEF-A)-LO.

46. Heard what’s around my neck is a rum concoction (3,3)

Answer: MAI TAI (i.e. “rum concoction”). “Heard” indicates homophone. Solution is a homophone of MY TIE (i.e. “what’s around my neck”).

48. Briefly ordered to have year in Innsbruck region (5)

Answer: TYROL (i.e. “Innsbruck region”). Solution is TOLD (i.e. “ordered”) with the last letter removed (indicated by “briefly”) and the remainder wrapped around or “having” YR (a recognised abbreviation of “year”), like so: T(YR)OL. Another solution that’s made to fit. Curious how a lot of them tend to be five letters long, isn’t it?

51. Terrible autocrat hiding diamonds in sofa (4)

Answer: IVAN (i.e. “terrible autocrat”, referring to Ivan the Terrible). Solution is DIVAN (i.e. “sofa”) with the D removed (indicated by “hiding diamonds” – D being a recognised abbreviation of “diamonds” used in some card games).

A relatively straightforward Jumbo this week. I don’t mind that. As for my views on the number of repeats, well I’m sure you can guess.

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

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

LP

RBV (Repeats-By-Volume): 10%
(plus a few near-misses)

Across clues

1. Beaming People’s Princess nearly captured by traitor (7)

Answer: RADIANT (i.e. “beaming”). Solution is DIANA Spencer (i.e. “People’s Princess”) with the last letter removed (indicated by “nearly”) and the remainder placed in or “captured by” RAT (i.e. “traitor”), like so: RA(DIAN)T.

5. Tips one might digest when secretary has love returned (9)

Answer: ASPARAGUS (i.e. “tips one might digest”). Solution is AS (i.e. “when”) followed by PA (i.e. “secretary” or Personal Assistant) and SUGAR (i.e. “love”, both terms of endearment) once this latter has been reversed (indicated by “returned”), like so: AS-PA-RAGUS.

10. Spots unwanted expert touring north (4)

Answer: ACNE (i.e. “spots unwanted”). Solution is ACE (i.e. “expert”) wrapped around or “touring” N (a recognised abbreviation of “north”), like so: AC(N)E.

14. Legal alien sheltered in small wood? Exactly what’s needed (4,3,6)

Answer: JUST THE TICKET (i.e. “exactly what’s needed”). Solution is JUST (i.e. “legal”) followed by ET (i.e. “alien” or Extra-Terrestrial) once placed or “sheltered in” THICKET (i.e. “small wood”), like so: JUST-TH(ET)ICKET.

15. Blow against commerce? (9)

Answer: ANTITRADE (i.e. “blow” or “a wind that blows in the opposite direction to the trade wind” (Chambers)). Solution is ANTI (i.e. “against”) followed by TRADE (i.e. “commerce”).

16. Deceptive statements from hotel woman accessing shoddy flats (4-6)

Answer: HALF-TRUTHS (i.e. “deceptive statements”). Solution is H (“hotel” in the phonetic alphabet) followed by RUTH (i.e. “woman’s” name) once placed in or “accessing” an anagram (indicated by “shoddy”) of FLATS, like so: H-ALFT(RUTH)S. We had HALF-TRUTH only a few months ago in grid 1607, but on that occasion it was on odd intersecting letters.

17. Carbon English modified for housing plug with satellite transmitter (5,6)

Answer: RADIO BEACON (i.e. “transmitter”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “modified”) of CARBON and E (a recognised abbreviation of “English”) wrapped around or “housing” AD (i.e. a “plug” or advertisement) and IO (i.e. “satellite”, specifically a moon of Jupiter), like so: R(AD-IO)BEACON. Appeared in grid 1570 back in August, also on odd intersecting letters, so…

18. Philosophical sort almost shut in thus (5)

Answer: STOIC (i.e. “philosophical sort” – over to Chambers again: “a disciple of the philosopher Zeno, who taught in the Stoa Poikile (Painted Porch) at Athens”). Solution is TO (i.e. as in a door that is “almost shut”) placed “in” SIC (i.e. Latin for “thus”), like so: S(TO)IC. Appeared in grid 1586 back in November, also on odd intersecting letters, so…

19. Cold tea endlessly agreeable taken during repast (10)

Answer: MECHANICAL (i.e. “cold” or emotionless). Solution is CHA (i.e. “tea”) and NICE (i.e. “agreeable”) once this latter has had its last letter removed (indicated by “endlessly”), both placed in or “during” MEAL (i.e. “repast”), like so: ME(CHA-NIC)AL.

21. Regale with story again about legendary Swiss marksman? (6)

Answer: RETELL (i.e. “regale with story again”). Solution is RE (i.e. “about” – think email replies) followed by William TELL (i.e. “legendary Swiss marksman”).

23. Save artist given partially digested food article and fish (9)

Answer: BARRACUDA (i.e. “fish”). Solution is BAR (i.e. “save” or except for) followed by RA (i.e. “artist”, specifically a Royal Academician), then CUD (i.e. “partially digested food”) and A (i.e. “article” or a word like a, an or the).

25. One on force retiring becomes suspicious (5)

Answer: FISHY (i.e. “suspicious”). Solution is I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”) placed “on” or after F (a recognised abbreviation of “force”) and followed by SHY (i.e. “retiring”), like so: (F-I)-SHY.

26. Virgin Trains carrying boy past Oxford University (3,4)

Answer: OUR LADY (i.e. the “Virgin” Mary). Solution is RY (i.e. “trains”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of a “railway”) wrapped around or “carrying” LAD (i.e. “boy”). This is all placed after or “past” OU (short for “Oxford University”), like so: OU-R(LAD)Y.

28. Pound involved in rewrite of last lyric: that facilitates conveying an image (6,7)

Answer: LIQUID CRYSTAL (i.e. “that facilitates conveying an image”). Solution is QUID (i.e. slang for a “pound” currency) placed or “involved in” an anagram (indicated by “rewrite”) of LAST LYRIC, like so: LI(QUID)CRYSTAL.

31. Something to sustain enthusiast: old poetry books? (9)

Answer: NUTRIMENT (i.e. “something to sustain”). Solution is NUT (i.e. “enthusiast”) followed by RIME (i.e. “old poetry”, a ye olde word for rhyme) and NT (i.e. “books”, specifically the New Testament of The Bible).

33. Change tutors with one leaving without speaking (9)

Answer: TRANSMUTE (i.e. “change”). Solution is TRAINS (i.e. “tutors”) once the I has been removed (indicated by “with [Roman numeral] one leaving”) and the remainder followed by MUTE (i.e. “without speaking”), like so: TRANS-MUTE.

35. Migrant, old female with visa featured in Times? (4,2,7)

Answer: BIRD OF PASSAGE (i.e. “migrant”). Solution is O (a recognised abbreviation of “old”), F (ditto “female”) and PASS (i.e. “visa”) all placed or “featured in” BIRD and AGE (i.e. both “times” – ignore the misleading capitalisation, we’re referring to “time” and BIRD being both slang terms for a prison sentence, and “time” and AGE being a period of time), like so: BIRD-(O-F-PASS)-AGE.

37. Short account about Channel Island current (7)

Answer: THERMAL (i.e. “current”). Solution is TALE (i.e. “account” or story) with the last letter removed (indicated by “short”) and the remainder placed “about” HERM (i.e. a “Channel Island”), like so: T(HERM)AL. Appeared only a couple of months ago back in grid 1615, also on odd intersecting letters, and with the same clue to boot, so…

38. Very big we hear is better? (5)

Answer: EXCEL (i.e. to “better”). “We hear” indicates homophone. Solution is a homophone of the letters XL, which often denotes “very big” on clothing labels.

40. Man goes after pharaoh twice expressed disapproval (3-6)

Answer: TUT-TUTTED (i.e. “expressed disapproval”). Solution is ED (i.e. “man’s name”, short for Edward) placed “after” TUT and TUT (i.e. “pharaoh twice”, specifically Tutankhamun), like so: (TUT-TUT)-ED.

42. Offence taken outside public house by mysterious person (6)

Answer: SPHINX (i.e. “mysterious person”). Solution is SIN (i.e. “offence”) wrapped “outside” of PH (a recognised abbreviation of “public house”) and followed by X (i.e. “by”, as in the multiplication symbol), like so: S(PH)IN-X.

44. Keep firm grasp in wrestling (10)

Answer: STRONGHOLD (i.e. “keep”). Solution is STRONG (i.e. “firm”) followed by HOLD (i.e. “grasp in wrestling”).

46. What’s unfortunately seen as valuable about the Jumbo? (5)

Answer: IVORY. One of those “& lit” cases where the solution satisfies the clue as a whole, taking “jumbos” to be elephants, referencing the wretched trade in which they are hunted for their ivory. Appeared in grid 1590 back in December, also on odd intersecting letters, so…

48. Practical and realistic – so grounded? (4-2-5)

Answer: DOWN-TO-EARTH. Solution satisfies “practical and realistic” and “grounded”.

50. White on top, having succeeded, and immediately beaten (4-6)

Answer: SNOW-CAPPED (i.e. “white on top”). Solution is S (a recognised abbreviation of “succeeded”) followed by NOW (i.e. “immediately”) and CAPPED (i.e. “beaten”). This appeared in grid 1564 last July, but just outside my threshold for repeats.

52. Untouched as plant in midwinter? (9)

Answer: INVIOLATE (i.e. “untouched”). Solution is VIOLA (i.e. a “plant”) placed “in” INTE (i.e. “midwinter”, i.e. the middle letters of “winter”), like so: IN(VIOLA)TE.

53. Running repairs put in and returned (13)

Answer: UNINTERRUPTED (i.e. “running”). “Repairs” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of PUT IN and RETURNED.

54. Kangaroo or rhino one may pass in Greece? (4)

Answer: EURO. Solution satisfies a large “kangaroo” and “rhino one may pass in Greece” – “rhino” being an old slang word for money.

55. Strikes linked with each London district (9)

Answer: BATTERSEA (i.e. “London district”). Solution is BATTERS (i.e. “strikes”) followed by EA (short for “each”).

56. Fog to accompany beginnings of rain and light wind (7)

Answer: MISTRAL (i.e. more “wind”). Solution is MIST (i.e. “fog”) followed by RAL (i.e. “beginnings of rain and light”, i.e. the first letters of “rain”, “and” and “light”).

Down clues

1. Eastern leader open to an extent when coming north (4)

Answer: RAJA (i.e. “eastern leader”). Solution is AJAR (i.e. of a door “open to an extent”) reversed (indicated by “coming north” – this being a down clue).

2. Officer with delight in arresting female finds opprobrium (9)

Answer: DISFAVOUR (i.e. “opprobrium”). Solution is DI (i.e. “officer”, specifically a Detective Inspector) followed by SAVOUR (i.e. “delight”) once wrapped around or “arresting” F (a recognised abbreviation of “female”), like so: DI-S(F)AVOUR.

3. Planting seed on Italian farm incites one repeatedly to work (10,12)

Answer: ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION (i.e. “planting seed”, playfully speaking). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “to work”) of ON ITALIAN FARM INCITES and II (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one repeatedly”).

4. Today’s compiler brought up with the Golden Rule? (7)

Answer: THEOREM (i.e. “rule”). Solution is ME (i.e. “today’s compiler” from the point of view of the setter) reversed (indicated by “brought up”) and placed after or “with” THE and OR (i.e. “golden” in heraldry), like so: (THE-OR)-EM.

5. Heartless character is given to Conservative blue elite (11)

Answer: ARISTOCRACY (i.e. “elite”). Solution is AIR (i.e. “character”) with its middle letter removed (indicated by “heartless”) and the remainder followed by IS, then TO, then C (a recognised abbreviation of “Conservative”) and RACY (i.e. “blue”), like so: AR-IS-TO-C-RACY.

6. Handle fish on small Welsh river (9)

Answer: PIKESTAFF (i.e. “handle” of a pike). Solution is PIKE (i.e. “fish”) followed by S (a recognised abbreviation of “small”) and TAFF (i.e. “Welsh river”).

7. Spinner runs over to fielder at the close (5)

Answer: ROTOR (i.e. “spinner”). Solution is R (a recognised abbreviation of “runs” used in a number of ball games) followed by O (ditto “over”, this time in cricket), then TO and R (i.e. “fielder at the close”, i.e. the last letter of “fielder”).

8. America’s Great Depression? (5,6)

Answer: GRAND CANYON. Clue plays on a canyon being a “depression” in the landscape, while the solution can be found in “America”. You get the idea.

9. Useless IT company the setting for this amusing drama? (6)

Answer: SITCOM (i.e. “amusing drama”). “The setting for” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: USELES(S IT COM)PANY. Also appeared last month in grid 1619, but on even intersecting letters.

11. Risk clamping King’s ulcer (7)

Answer: CHANCRE (i.e. “ulcer”, specifically “a hard nodular swelling, especially one that develops in the primary stage of syphilis” (Chambers)). Solution is CHANCE (i.e. “risk”) wrapped around or “clamping”) R (i.e. “king”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of the Latin Rex), like so: CHANC(R)E.

12. Dissuade where daughter leaves new partner for good (9)

Answer: ETERNALLY (i.e. “for good”). Solution is DETER (i.e. “dissuade”) with the D removed (indicated by “where daughter leaves” – D being a recognised abbreviation of “daughter”) and the remainder followed by N (a recognised abbreviation of “new”) and ALLY (i.e. “partner”), like so: ETER-N-ALLY. Also appeared a couple of months ago in grid 1615, also on odd intersecting letters, so…

13. Britain’s ruin, per vote, grates with us – time problems arrive all at once! (2,5,5,3,2,5)

Answer: IT NEVER RAINS BUT IT POURS (i.e. “problems arrive all at once”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “grates”) of BRITAIN’S RUIN PER VOTE, US and T (a recognised abbreviation of “time”).

18. Secondary story in Red October perhaps, vessel circling loch (7)

Answer: SUBPLOT (i.e. “secondary story”). Solution is SUB (i.e. “Red October perhaps”, referencing Tom Clancy’s thriller novel The Hunt For Red October) followed by POT (i.e. “vessel”) once wrapped around or “circling” L (a recognised abbreviation of “loch”), like so: SUB-P(L)OT.

20. Narrow-minded snub ignoring conclusion by a Republican (7)

Answer: INSULAR (i.e. “narrow-minded”). Solution is INSULT (i.e. “snub”) with the last letter removed (indicated by “ignoring conclusion”) and the remainder followed by A and R (a recognised abbreviation of “Republican”), like so: INSUL-A-R.

22. Weakness not hard to see (4,4)

Answer: SOFT SPOT (i.e. “weakness”). Solution is SOFT (i.e. “not hard”) followed by SPOT (i.e. “to see”).

24. Monsieur et Madame in divorce? (8)

Answer: UNCOUPLE (i.e. “divorce”). When written as UN COUPLE the clue also playfully satisfies “Monsieur et Madame”, taking UN to be French for “a”.

27. Knight comes into region creating scene of conflict (5)

Answer: ARENA (i.e. “scene of conflict”). Solution is N (a recognised abbreviation of “knight” used in chess) placed “into” AREA (i.e. “region”), like so: ARE(N)A. Also appeared in grid 1589 back in December, also on odd intersecting letters, so…

29. Shudder as weakened at heart (5)

Answer: QUAKE (i.e. “shudder”). Solution is QUA (i.e. in the capacity of or “as” in Latin) followed by KE (i.e. “weakened at heart”, i.e. the middle letters of “weakened”).

30. Italian navigator set up firm, establishing plant (7)

Answer: TOBACCO (i.e. “plant”). Solution is John CABOT (i.e. “Italian navigator” – no, me neither) reversed (indicated by “set up” – this being a down clue) followed by CO (short for “company”), like so: TOBAC-CO.

32. Period potentially used to stock Scots river (7)

Answer: TUESDAY (i.e. “period”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “potentially”) of USED placed in or “packing” TAY (i.e. “Scots river”), like so: T(UESD)AY.

34. For example, an F-15’s emergency propeller? (7,4)

Answer: EJECTOR SEAT, an “F-15” being a fighter jet and the solution being something that would “propel” the pilot from the craft in an “emergency”. We had EJECTION SEAT in grid 1615 only a couple of months ago, also on odd intersecting letters. Sorely tempted to meme this.

36. Dental practice in road – tooth needing to be fixed (11)

Answer: ORTHODONTIA (i.e. “dental practice”). “Needing to be fixed” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of IN ROAD and TOOTH.

37. Shot in cricket match leading to first run? (4,5)

Answer: TEST DRIVE (i.e. “first run”). Solution also playfully satisfies a “shot in cricket match”.

39. One shortened twig stopping firewood delivery arrangements (9)

Answer: LOGISTICS (i.e. “delivery arrangements”). Solution is I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one” again) and STICK (i.e. “twig”) once the latter has had its last letter removed (indicated by “shortened”), both placed in or “stopping” LOGS (i.e. “firewood”), like so: LOG(I-STIC)S.

41. Company car? (3-6)

Answer: TWO-SEATER (i.e. “car”). The first part of the clue plays on the phrase “two’s company, three’s a crowd”.

43. We should dip into float, nevertheless (7)

Answer: HOWEVER (i.e. “nevertheless”). Solution is WE placed or “dipped into” HOVER (i.e. “float”), like so: HO(WE)VER.

45. Grace period before New Year with no booze (7)

Answer: DECORUM (i.e. “grace”). Solution is DEC (i.e. “period before New Year”, short for December) followed by O (i.e. nothing or “no”) and RUM (i.e. “booze”).

47. Smear pallet with gold and black (6)

Answer: BEDAUB (i.e. “smear”). Solution is BED (i.e. “pallet”) followed by AU (chemical symbol of “gold”) and B (a recognised abbreviation of “black” used in chess).

49. Tidy garden accommodates American family (5)

Answer: HOUSE (i.e. “family”). Solution is HOE (i.e. to “tidy garden”) wrapped around or “accommodating” US (i.e. “American”), like so: HO(US)E.

51. Hero from Left ending possible response in union ceremony? (4)

Answer: IDOL (i.e. “hero”). Solution is L (a recognised abbreviation of “left”) placed at the end of or “ending” I DO (i.e. “response in union ceremony”, referring to a wedding), like so: (I-DO)-L. Also appeared in grid 1569 back in August, but on odd intersecting letters.

A medium strength Jumbo this week, and a nice one to dip into during the day. There were some very good clues to decipher, too; it was just a shame there were a couple of double-repeats. Time to take EARNEST and RESIN out of the GridFill™ 4000’s word pool, setters!

As ever 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 nightmares 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.

LP

RBV (Repeats-By-Volume): 10.3%

Across clues

1. Engineers haul back shell (6)

Answer: TRACER (i.e. a bullet or “shell” that leaves a detectable trail). Solution is RE (i.e. “engineers”, specifically the Royal Engineers of the British Army) and CART (i.e. to “haul”) all reversed (indicated by “back”), like so: TRAC-ER.

5. Small amount of liquid food put before prisoner (7)

Answer: SOUPCON (i.e. a “small amount”). Solution is SOUP (i.e. “liquid food”) followed by CON (i.e. “prisoner”).

9. A racket precedes wild riot in slaughterhouse (8)

Answer: ABATTOIR (i.e. “slaughterhouse”). Solution is A, then BAT (i.e. a “racket” in some sports) and an anagram (indicated by “wild”) of RIOT, like so: A-BAT-TOIR.

13. The very antithesis of Lethe as a literary device (6,2,13)

Answer: STREAM OF CONSCIOUSNESS (i.e. “literary device”, also known as bad writing). Clue plays on the River Lethe in Greek mythology, one of the five rivers of Hades, where those who drank from it suffered complete forgetfulness. Nicely worked.

14. A lot of covet and run to get hitched? That gives cover (8)

Answer: ENVELOPE (i.e. “cover”). Solution is ENVY (i.e. “covet”) with its last letter removed (indicated by “a lot of…”) and the remainder followed by ELOPE (i.e. “run to get hitched” or married), like so: ENV-ELOPE.

15. Very serious musical ability where birds live (7)

Answer: EARNEST (i.e. “very serious”). Solution is EAR (i.e. “musical ability”) followed by NEST (i.e. “where birds live”). A popular solution this, having previously appeared in grid 1589 back in December and again in 1612 a couple of months ago in May, all on odd intersecting letters. Have a double meme…

16. European authorised to bring out (6)

Answer: ELICIT (i.e. “to bring out”). Solution is E (a recognised abbreviation of “European”) followed by LICIT (i.e. “authorised”).

17. Who might find ore of sort with copper for smelting? (10)

Answer: PROSPECTOR (i.e. “who might find ore” – prospecting is often associated with panning for gold). “Smelting” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of SORT and COPPER. Another nicely worked clue. We’ve had a couple of PROSEPECTUSes this last year, but this is different enough to let slide.

20. Indecisive and daft girl twice accepting hearts (12)

Answer: SHILLYSHALLY (i.e. “indecisive” – not sure I agree here. Chambers supports the solution as a noun, but not the word “indecisive”. “Be indecisive”, yes, but not the word merely on its own). Solution is SILLY (i.e. “daft”) and SALLY (i.e. “girl’s” name) both or “twice” wrapped around or “accepting” H (a recognised abbreviation of “hearts” used in card games), like so: S(H)ILLY-S(H)ALLY.

23. Bullets retained by retiring commandos (4)

Answer: AMMO (i.e. “bullets”). “Retained by” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, while “retiring” indicates the solution has been reversed, like so: C(OMMA)NDOS.

24. Repudiate record sounding weak (8)

Answer: DISCLAIM (i.e. “repudiate”). Solution is DISC (i.e. “record”) followed by a homophone (indicated by “sounding”) of LAME (i.e. “weak”), like so: DISC-LAIM.

26. Problem breaks revolutionary northern English yarn (8)

Answer: CHENILLE (i.e. “yarn” – over to Chambers: “a thick, velvety cord or yarn of silk or wool resembling a woolly caterpillar”). Solution is ILL (i.e. “problem”) placed in or “breaking” CHE Guevara (i.e. “revolutionary” popular with cryptic crossword setters), N (a recognised abbreviation of “northern”) and E (ditto “English”), like so: CHE-N-(ILL)-E. One nailed from the wordplay alone.

29. Constantly changing sequence of cabbage I cook with range (12)

Answer: KALEIDOSCOPE (i.e. “constantly changing sequence” of colour). Solution is KALE (a variety of “cabbage”) followed by I, then DO (i.e. “cook”) and SCOPE (i.e. “range”).

30. Perhaps unsettle disturbed oldies once (10)

Answer: DECOLONISE (i.e. “perhaps unsettle”, a play on settlements). “Disturbed” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of OLDIES ONCE.

32. Character actor’s words have singular sympathy (10)

Answer: KINDLINESS (i.e. “sympathy”). Solution is KIND (i.e. “character”) followed by LINES (i.e. “actor’s words”) and S (a recognised abbreviation of “singular”).

34. Study backed name and identity of birds from the north (12)

Answer: SCANDINAVIAN (i.e. “from the north”). Solution is SCAN (i.e. to “study”) followed by N (a recognised abbreviation of “name”) and ID (short for “identity”) once these latter two have been reversed (indicated by “backed”). This is all then followed by AVIAN (i.e. “of birds”), like so: SCAN-(DI-N)-AVIAN.

36. Utensil for lifting nits and parasites (3,5)

Answer: EGG SLICE (i.e. “utensil”). Solution is EGGS (i.e. “nits”, the eggs of headlice) followed by LICE (i.e. “parasites”).

38. Failing to start barrier around pit in area of raised land (8)

Answer: EMINENCE (i.e. an “area of raised land”). Solution is FENCE (i.e. “barrier”) once its first letter has been removed (indicated by “failing to start”) and the remainder wrapped “around” MINE (i.e. “pit”), like so: E(MINE)NCE.

39. Priest’s relation of thing hard to pass through needle in sermon? (4)

Answer: LAMA (i.e. a Buddhist “priest” in Tibet). The rest of the clue plays on a Bible quote “it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God”, taking LLAMA to be a relative of the camel. “In sermon” indicates we’re looking at a homophone of LLAMA, given sermons are usually delivered verbally.

41. Novel garment tailored as befitting minister’s function (12)

Answer: GOVERNMENTAL (i.e. “as befitting minister’s function”). “Tailored” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of NOVEL GARMENT.

43. With less hair, pelt is rubbish (10)

Answer: BALDERDASH (i.e. “rubbish”). Solution is BALDER (i.e. “with less hair”) followed by DASH (i.e. to “pelt”). Another well-worked clue.

44. Language of British English – right English used in Britain? (6)

Answer: BERBER (i.e. “language” of “the Muslim peoples of N Africa” (Chambers)). Solution is B (a recognised abbreviation of “British”), E (ditto “English”), R (ditto, ditto “right”), E (“English” again) all placed “in” BR (a different recognised abbreviation of “British”), like so: B(E-R-B-E)R.

46. Laundering capital is out of fashion (7)

Answer: WASHING (i.e. “laundering”). Solution is WASHINGTON (i.e. “capital” of the United States, commonly) with the TON removed (indicated by “out of fashion” – a variant meaning of TON being fashion. I keep seeing it in Jumbos but never in real life).

48. Projection starting price has to shoot up (8)

Answer: SPROCKET (i.e. “projection”, or “a tooth on the rim of a wheel or capstan for engaging the chain” (Chambers)). Solution is SP (a recognised abbreviation of “starting price”, the odds on a horse when a race begins) followed by ROCKET (i.e. “to shoot up”).

50. Possibly lip-read chronic emotion? An aid to eavesdropping (11,10)

Answer: DIRECTIONAL MICROPHONE (i.e. “an aid to eavesdropping” – the image of paranoic 70s spy movies was strong here). “Possibly” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of LIP-READ CHRONIC EMOTION.

51. Steamship has loaded bananas first in a profitless venture (4,4)

Answer: DEAD LOSS (i.e. “profitless venture”). Solution is SS (a recognised abbreviation of “steamship”) placed after or having “first” an anagram (indicated by “bananas”) of LOADED, like so: DEADLO-SS.

52. Film I and others back (7)

Answer: WESTERN (i.e. variety of “film”). Solution is WE (i.e. “I and others”) followed by STERN (i.e. “back” of a boat).

53. Lines in recipe tending not to give milk (6)

Answer: DRYISH (i.e. “tending not to give milk”). Solution is RY (i.e. “lines”, in this case a recognised abbreviation of a “railway”) placed “in” DISH (i.e. “recipe”), like so: D(RY)ISH.

Down clues

2. Manufacture singles – that uses vinyl, perhaps (5)

Answer: RESIN (i.e. “vinyl, perhaps”). “That uses” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: MANUFACTU(RE SIN)GLES. Another doubler, this time from October in grid 1580 and grid 1618 at the end of May, all on odd intersecting letters, so have another couple of memes…

3. Turns on cast foundation (11)

Answer: CORNERSTONE (i.e. “foundation”). Solution is CORNERS (i.e. “turns”) followed by TONE (i.e. “cast”, or “an overall shade or tinge of colour” (Chambers)).

4. Considered a red nose funny (8)

Answer: REASONED (i.e. “considered”). “Funny” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of A RED NOSE. We did have REASON in grid 1570 back in August, but on even intersecting letters.

5. Pinched part of foot around top of toe (5)

Answer: STOLE (i.e. “pinched”). Solution is SOLE (i.e. “part of foot”) wrapped “around” T (i.e. “top of toe”, i.e. the first letter of “toe”), like so: S(T)OLE.

6. Vague relative needs care at heart (7)

Answer: UNCLEAR (i.e. “vague”). Solution is UNCLE (i.e. “relative”) followed by AR (i.e. “care at heart”, i.e. the middle letters of “care”). Appeared in grid 1605 back in March, also on odd intersecting letters, so…

7. Secret agent upset to become the focus of attention (6,5)

Answer: CENTRE STAGE (i.e. “focus of attention”). “Upset” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of SECRET AGENT. Excellent clue, best of the lot.

8. Suitable position in life is fine without husband (5)

Answer: NICHE (i.e. “suitable position in life”). Solution is NICE (i.e. “fine”) wrapped around or placed “without” H (a recognised abbreviation of “husband”), like so: NIC(H)E.

9. A Pole, regularly godly, in charge of the papacy (9)

Answer: APOSTOLIC (i.e. “of the papacy”). Solution is A followed by POST (i.e. “pole” – ignore the misleading capitalisation), then OL (i.e. “regularly godly”, i.e. every other letter of GODLY) and IC (a recognised abbreviation of “in charge”).

10. Division in church exists in the middle of Wales (5)

Answer: AISLE (i.e. “division in church” – nicely disguised). Solution is IS (i.e. “exists”) placed “in” ALE (i.e. “middle [letters] of Wales”), like so: A(IS)LE.

11. Fearful agitation of idiot parent being given the runaround? (11)

Answer: TREPIDATION (i.e. “fearful agitation”). “Given the runaround” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of IDIOT PARENT.

12. Drop in at home as in the past (7)

Answer: INSTILL (i.e. to “drop in”). Solution is IN (i.e. “at home”) followed by STILL (i.e. “as in the past”).

18. Calling after sheep running wild (9)

Answer: RAMPAGING (i.e. “running wild”). Solution is PAGING (i.e. “calling” – ask your doctor, kids) placed “after” RAM (a “sheep”), like so: RAM-PAGING. Appeared in grid 1601 back in February, also on odd intersecting letters, so…

19. Attempts something before do in Italian city (7)

Answer: TRIESTE (i.e. “Italian city”). Solution is TRIES (i.e. “attempts”) followed by TE (i.e. “something before do” in the sol-fa notation: do, re, mi, fa, sol, la, ti, do. Te is a variant spelling thereof).

21. Most urgent – one minute to intervene in a dispute (9)

Answer: IMMEDIATE (i.e. “most urgent”). Solution is I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”) followed by M (a recognised abbreviation of “minute”) and MEDIATE (i.e. “intervene in a dispute”).

22. Suggesting what shops do about parking (8)

Answer: SPELLING (i.e. “suggesting”). Solution is SELLING (i.e. “what shops do”) wrapped “about” P (a recognised abbreviation of “parking” used on signage), like so: S(P)ELLING.

25. Place to brood after constant tiffs – see enemies all round here (5,4)

Answer: CROW’S NEST (i.e. “see enemies all round here”, a position high up on a sailing ship). Solution is NEST (i.e. “place to brood”) placed “after” C (a recognised abbreviation of “constant”) and ROWS (i.e. “tiffs”), like so: (C-ROWS)-NEST.

27. Girl seen around Mallorcan city or Canaries one (3,6)

Answer: LAS PALMAS (i.e. “Canaries [city]”, capital of Gran Canaria). Solution is LASS (i.e. “girl”) wrapped “around” PALMA (i.e. “Mallorcan city”), like so: LAS(PALMA)S.

28. Try-out taking days for the second new member of group (8)

Answer: ADDITION (i.e. “new member of group”). Solution is AUDITION (i.e. “try-out”) with the “second” letter swapped “for” D (a recognised abbreviation of “days”), like so: A(U)DITION => A(D)DITION.

31. Most of legal party caught overturning supplement to will (7)

Answer: CODICIL (i.e. “supplement to will”). Solution is LICIT (i.e. “legal”) with the last letter removed (indicated by “most of…”) and the remainder followed by DO (slang for a “party”) and C (a recognised abbreviation of “caught” used in a number of ball games) all reversed (indicated by “overturning”), like so: C-OD-ICIL.

33. Duke is parliamentarian editor tore to pieces? (11)

Answer: DISMEMBERED (i.e. “tore to pieces”). Solution is D (a recognised abbreviation of “duke”) followed by IS, then MEMBER (i.e. “parliamentarian”) and ED (short for “editor”).

34. Unwise passages in sound in area of Cornwall (6,5)

Answer: SCILLY ISLES (i.e. “area of Cornwall”). “In sound” indicates homophone. Solution comprises homophones of SILLY (i.e. “unwise”) and AISLES (i.e. “passages”). An easier get in light of 20a and 10d.

35. Valley police department set up conservative saying goodbye (11)

Answer: VALEDICTORY (i.e. “saying goodbye”). Solution is VALE (i.e. “valley”) followed by CID (i.e. “police department”, the Criminal Investigation Department) once the latter has been reversed (indicated by “set up” – this being a down clue). This is all then followed by TORY (i.e. “Conservative”), like so: VALE-DIC-TORY.

37. European rambling sees wild plant in the Alps (9)

Answer: EDELWEISS (i.e. “plant in the Alps”). Solution is E (a recognised abbreviation of “European”) followed by an anagram (indicated by “rambling”) of SEES WILD, like so: E-DELWEISS.

40. Having several feet oddly part-toed (8)

Answer: TETRAPOD (i.e. “having several feet”). “Oddly” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of PART-TOED. Appeared in grid 1566 back in July, but on odd intersecting letters.

42. At least three in Italy could be late (7)

Answer: OVERDUE (i.e. “late”). When written as OVER DUE the clue also playfully satisfies “at least three in Italy”.

43. Attract worker holding a lot of responsibility (7)

Answer: BEGUILE (i.e. “attract”). Solution is BEE (i.e. “worker”) wrapped around or “holding” GUILT (i.e. “responsibility”) once the last letter has been removed (indicated by “a lot of…”), like so: BE(GUIL)E.

45. Page taken from directory (5)

Answer: RECTO (i.e. the right-hand “page” of an open book in printing lingo). “Taken from” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: DI(RECTO)RY. This was rather etched into my mind when it kept appearing in previous Jumbos. Not seen it for a while, though.

47. Tendon with supporting function (5)

Answer: SINEW (i.e. “tendon”). Solution is W (a recognised abbreviation of “with”) placed after or “supporting” – this being a down clue – SINE (i.e. a trigonometric “function”), like so: SINE-W.

48. Father has new and attractive woman (5)

Answer: SIREN (i.e. “attractive woman”). Solution is SIRE (i.e. to “father”) followed by N (a recognised abbreviation of “new”).

49. Odds of rugby game not starting (5)

Answer: EVENS (i.e. betting “odds”). Solution is SEVENS (i.e. “rugby game”) with the first letter removed (indicated by “not starting”).

Another toughie this week, and from a setter with whom I believe I have a love-hate relationship. I get the feeling there are some Jumbos of theirs that I enjoy, savouring the full range of dictionary definitions at play, and then there are others where I frequently grump and whinge about the clues being “too tenuous, too often”. This week probably errs toward the latter.

Still, at least the weather’s nice, eh?

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 made off with your sanity then you might find 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 other solvers once they’ve set down their pens, even when it’s about kidneys. 😉 Till next time, stay cool out there kids.

LP

RBV (Repeats-By-Volume): 4.8%

Across clues

1. Good to stay in after hours, far from fully fit (9)

Answer: HABITABLE (i.e. “good to stay in”). Solution is H (i.e. a recognised abbreviation of “hours”) followed by A BIT (i.e. “far from fully”) and ABLE (i.e. “fit”).

6. New business set shoppers back (5-2)

Answer: START-UP (i.e. “new business”). Solution is PUT (i.e. “set”) and RATS (i.e. “shoppers” or traitors) all reversed (indicated by “back”), like so: STAR-TUP.

10. Not the sole hiker? (5)

Answer: UPPER. Solution satisfies “not the sole” of the foot, and “hiker” – as in one who raises prices, rates etc.

13. Putting one’s own away in jail: note one sounding furious! (13)

Answer: CANNIBALISTIC (i.e. “putting one’s own away”). Solution is CAN (i.e. “jail”, both referring to prison), followed by N (a recognised abbreviation of “note”), then I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”) and a homophone (indicated by “sounding”) of BALLISTIC (i.e. “furious”), like so: CAN-N-I-BALISTIC.

14. Shocking, say, Number Ten confronting America (9)

Answer: EGREGIOUS (i.e. “shocking”). Solution is E.G. (i.e. “say” or for example) followed by REG (i.e. a “number”, short for registration), then IO (representative of the “number ten”) and US (i.e. “America”).

15. Missile on singular curved trajectory that can wound (7)

Answer: SARCASM (i.e. “that can wound”). Solution is ASM (i.e. “missile”, specifically an air-to-surface missile) placed “on” or after S (a recognised abbreviation of “singular”) and ARC (i.e. “curved trajectory”), like so: (S-ARC)-ASM.

16. Pitch needs grass, stupid! (7)

Answer: TOSSPOT (i.e. “stupid”, both insults – I approve!) Solution is TOSS (i.e. to “pitch”) followed by POT (i.e. “grass”, both slang words for marijuana).

17. Husband gets passionate in suspenders (7)

Answer: HANGERS (i.e. “suspenders”). Solution is H (a recognised abbreviation of “husband”) followed by ANGERS (i.e. “gets passionate”). The very similar HANGERS-ON appeared in both grids 1618 and 1613 last month, and both on odd intersecting letters. Seems the office GridFill 4000™ has become stuck on a new pet word. Have a meme.

18. Civil engineering tip for grateful new aldermen (4-8)

Answer: WELL-MANNERED (i.e. “civil”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “engineering”) of L (i.e. “tip for grateful”, in this case the last letter of “grateful”) and NEW ALDERMEN.

20. Victorian wedding party take trips across river (7,3)

Answer: KITCHEN TEA (i.e. “Victorian wedding party” – not the Victorian era, this refers to: “(Australia and New Zealand) a bride’s shower, the gifts being kitchen utensils etc” (Chambers)). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “trips”) of TAKE wrapped around or placed “across” ITCHEN (i.e. a “river” in Hampshire), like so: K(ITCHEN)TEA.

23. Keep hold of fish, previously caught (5)

Answer: CLING (i.e. “keep hold of”). Solution is LING (i.e. “fish” popular with Jumbo setters) placed after or having “previously” to it C (a recognised abbreviation of “caught” used in a number of ball games), like so: C-LING. Appeared in grid 1567 back in July, also on odd intersecting letters, so…

24. Stop-go skill at hockey? (9)

Answer: STICKWORK (i.e. “skill at hockey”). Solution is STICK (i.e. to hitch or “stop”) followed by WORK (i.e. “go” or be operable). Took a while to twig. Nicely done.

25. Wise using force mostly to contain it (7)

Answer: POLITIC (i.e. prudent or “wise”). Solution is POLICE (i.e. “force”) with the last letter removed (indicated by “mostly”) and the remainder wrapped around or “containing” IT, like so: POL(IT)IC.

26. Concierge to hand old-fashioned empty pot back (5-6)

Answer: NIGHT-PORTER (i.e. “concierge”). Solution is NIGH (i.e. close or “to hand”) followed by RETRO (i.e. “old-fashioned”) and PT (i.e. “empty pot”, i.e. the word “pot” with its middle letter removed) once these latter two have been reversed (indicated by “back”), like so: NIGH-(TP-ORTER).

28. Argument and fights after pressure to provide viewing accessories (3-3,5)

Answer: SET-TOP BOXES (i.e. “viewing accessories”). Solution is SET-TO (i.e. “argument”) and BOXES (i.e. “fights”) once the latter has been placed “after” P (a recognised abbreviation of “pressure”), like so: SET-TO-(P)-BOXES.

30. Add contrary alternative, as one does summing up? (3,3,5)

Answer: DOT AND CARRY (i.e. “as one does summing up”, or, in maths, “to set down the units and carry over the tens to the next column” (Chambers). At least that was the case back in the Dark Ages. Then God invented calculator watches and we’ve all been zooming around in flying cars ever since. Lovely). “Alternative” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of ADD CONTRARY.

32. Alarmist medic, no good, entering second profession (11)

Answer: SCAREMONGER (i.e. an “alarmist”). Solution is MO (i.e. “medic”, specifically a Medical Officer), N (a recognised abbreviation of “no”) and G (ditto “good”) all placed in or “entering” S (ditto ditto “second”) and CAREER (i.e. “profession”), like so: S-CARE(MO-N-G)ER.

34. Film going into personal record on food intake (7)

Answer: DIETARY (i.e. “on food intake”). Solution is ET (i.e. “film”, specifically ET: The Extra-Terrestrial) placed “into” DIARY (i.e. “personal record”), like so: DI(ET)ARY.

36. Make too much of old potato served in relish? (9)

Answer: OVERVALUE (i.e. “make too much of”). Solution is O (a recognised abbreviation of “old”) followed by ALU (i.e. “potato” in Indian cooking, a variant spelling of ALOO) once placed “in” VERVE (i.e. “relish” or a “zest-giving quality or power” (Chambers)), like so: O-VERV(ALU)E.

38. Where to stay in Brighton after golf? (5)

Answer: HOTEL. Solution satisfies “where to stay” and “in Brighton after golf” – this refers to the phonetic alphabet, in how H (“hotel”) is found immediately “after” G (“golf”) in the place name “Brighton”.

39. Fetching parent of 27 for Children’s Corporation (5,5)

Answer: YUMMY MUMMY (i.e. “fetching parent”). The remainder of the clue plays on how the words of the solution are both RHYMES (the solution to “27” down) of TUMMY (i.e. “children’s corporation”, or a childish word for the belly – setters love playing on “corporation” being another word for the stomach, especially a pot belly).

41. Appearing too smart repeatedly, not exactly what’s needed for purchase (6-6)

Answer: CLEVER-CLEVER (i.e. “appearing too smart”. Can’t say I’ve ever heard the phrase before. Can’t say I’ve particularly missed it, either). Solution is C (i.e. “not exactly”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of “circa”) and LEVER (i.e. “what’s needed for purchase”, in this case jemmying something open). The whole is then “repeated”.

45. Lots of courses teaching religion, history and science just starting (7)

Answer: REPASTS (i.e. “lots of courses”). Solution is RE (i.e. “religion”, specifically Religious Education) followed by PAST (i.e. “history”) and S (i.e. “science just starting”, i.e. the first letter of “science”).

46. Record returns, having subject to steal from (7)

Answer: PLUNDER (i.e. “to steal from”). Solution is LP (i.e. “record”, specially a Long-Play) reversed (indicated by “returns”) and followed by UNDER (i.e. “subject to”), like so: PL-UNDER.

47. Preferred source of learning: a thing to be cultivated (7)

Answer: PETUNIA (i.e. “thing to be cultivated”). Solution is PET (i.e. “preferred”) followed by UNI (i.e. “source of learning”, a university) and A.

49. Substandard work of setter, maybe, young and new, crossing line (4,5)

Answer: PULP NOVEL (i.e. “substandard work”). Solution is PUP (i.e. “setter, maybe, young” – other flavours of dog are available) and NOVEL (i.e. “new”) all wrapped around or “crossing” L (a recognised abbreviation of “line”), like so: PU(L)P-NOVEL.

50. Pigment transformed a unit with time (8,5)

Answer: TITANIUM WHITE (i.e. titanium dioxide used as a “pigment”). “Transformed” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of A UNIT WITH TIME.

52. Fine blossom, e.g. azalea, pruned (5)

Answer: OMEGA (i.e “fine”, both being an end or conclusion – “fine” is largely obsolete usage in this regard, mind, which demonstrates the lengths the setter is going to this week). “Pruned” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: BLOSS(OM EG A)ZALEA.

53. Whiskey you had, days earlier, with not a drop to be seen! (3-4)

Answer: DRY-EYED (i.e. “with not a drop to be seen” – “seen” clueing us in on the eyes). Solution is RYE (i.e. “whiskey”) and YE’D (ye olde contraction of “you had”) with D (a recognised abbreviation of “days”) placed first or “earlier”, like so: D-(RYE-YE’D). Also appeared in grid 1579 back in October, also on odd intersecting letters, so…

54. Men hiding in tree: one had a flower (3,6)

Answer: BEE ORCHID (i.e. “flower” – my Chambers and Bradford’s both suggest this ought to have been hyphenated. Not that it would have helped me, mind). Solution is OR (i.e. “men”, specifically the Other Ranks of the British Army) placed or “hiding in” BEECH (i.e. “tree”) and I’D (a contraction of I had or “one had”), like so: BEE(OR)CH-I’D.

Down clues

1. Put up with dated tool (7)

Answer: HACKSAW (i.e. “tool”). Solution is HACK (i.e. “put up with”) followed by SAW (i.e. “dated”, romantically).

2. Rely on drunk for financing (11)

Answer: BANKROLLING (i.e. “financing”). Solution is BANK (i.e. “rely on”) followed by ROLLING (i.e. “drunk”).

3. New leaves elevated a huge area of forest (5)

Answer: TAIGA (i.e. “area of forest” – over to Chambers again: “marshy pine forest spreading across much of subarctic N America and Eurasia, with tundra to the north and steppe to the south”). Solution is A and GIANT (i.e. “huge”) all reversed (indicated by “elevated” – this being a down clue) and the N removed (indicated by “new leaves…” – N being a recognised abbreviation of “new”), like so: TAIG-A. Made. To. Fit.

4. Aussie famous for being in Republican villain’s clothing (7)

Answer: Don BRADMAN (i.e. famed cricket batsman and “Aussie famous for being in”). Solution is R (a recognised abbreviation of “Republican”) placed in or “clothed” by BAD MAN (i.e. “villain”), like so: B(R)AD-MAN.

5. Every now and then, dialled up priest (3)

Answer: ELI (i.e. a “priest” you see more often used as part of a cryptic crossword solution than the solution itself). “Every now and then” indicates the solution is derived from every other letter of DIALLED, while “up” indicates the letters are reversed – this being a down clue.

6. Sort of sailor cap drunk’s put on (2,2,5)

Answer: SO TO SPEAK (i.e. “sort of”). Solution is OS (i.e. “sailor”, specifically of Ordinary Seaman rank) and PEAK (i.e. “cap”) placed “on” or after SOT (i.e. “drunk”), like so: SOT-(OS-PEAK).

7. Face up to what’s to be done about fungus (6)

Answer: ACCEPT (i.e. “face up to”). Solution is ACT (i.e. “what’s to be done”) wrapped “about” CEP (i.e. mushroom or “fungus”), like so: AC(CEP)T.

8. People are carefully considering including small piece of commentary (4,5,3,3,4)

Answer: THEY THINK IT’S ALL OVER (i.e. famous “piece of commentary” by Kenneth Wolstenholme from the 1966 World Cup final). Solution is THEY THINK IT ALL OVER (i.e. “people are carefully considering”) wrapped around or “including” S (a recognised abbreviation of “small”), like so: THEY-THINK-IT(S)-ALL-OVER.

9. Unusually chirpy winner at the end, describing expensive victory? (7)

Answer: PYRRHIC (i.e. “expensive victory”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “unusually”) of CHIRPY and R (i.e. “winner at the end”, i.e. the last letter of “winner”).

10. Lubricant heartlessly applied to fish is not refined (9)

Answer: UNGENTEEL (i.e. “not refined”). Solution is UNGUENT (i.e. “lubricant”) with the middle letter removed (indicated by “heartlessly”) and the remainder followed by EEL (i.e. a “fish”), like so: UNGENT-EEL.

11. Levy for ownership of image consultancy ruined Tory expat (8,3)

Answer: PROPERTY TAX (i.e. “levy for ownership”). Solution is PR (i.e. “image consultancy”, or Public Relations) followed by an anagram (indicated by “ruined”) of TORY EXPAT, like so: PR-OPERTYTAX.

12. Teacher turning up on our side for a laugh (5)

Answer: RISUS (i.e. “a laugh”). Solution is SIR (i.e. address to a male “teacher”) reversed (indicated by “turning up” – this being a down clue) and followed by US (i.e. “our side”), like so: RIS-US. One nailed from the wordplay, to be honest.

16. Fictional biography adapted poorly to life’s rhythm (3,7,2,2,5)

Answer: THE HISTORY OF MR POLLY (i.e. a “fictional biography” by H.G. Wells). “Adapted” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of POORLY TO LIFE’S RHYTHM.

19. Huge weight other than a stone may be lifted (7)

Answer: MEGATON (i.e. “huge weight”, a million tons. Almost the weight of my to-be-read pile). Solution is NOT A GEM (i.e. something that is “other than a stone”) reversed (indicated by “may be lifted” – this being a down clue), like so: MEG-A-TON.

21. Inherited revolutionary skills in javelin, cycling (9)

Answer: ANCESTRAL (i.e. “inherited”). Solution is ARTS (i.e. “skills”) reversed (indicated by “revolutionary”) and placed “in” LANCE (i.e. “javelin”) once the letters have been “cycled”, or the first letter placed last, like so: LANC(STRA)E => ANCE(STRA)L.

22. Going places? Yes, heading off for launches (6)

Answer: LOOSES (i.e. “launches” – oof, this one utterly stinks. I guess the setter is tying the two together within the context of firing a gun or “loosing” off a round, but, if so, this represents the thinnest possible sliver in the Venn diagram between the two words). Solution is LOOS (i.e. “going places”, as in places where one goes for a… for a… well, you know… (looks around to see if anyone is listening)… you know, where one goes for a Jimmy Riddle. Or a shit) followed by YES once the first letter has been removed (indicated by “heading off”), like so: LOOS-ES.

23. Nothing to stop rascal taking a year’s holiday abroad (6,3)

Answer: CANADA DAY (i.e. a “holiday abroad”. As to where, though, I haven’t the foggiest. France? Yeah, probably France). Solution is NADA (i.e. “nothing”) placed in or “stopping” CAD (i.e. “rascal”) and followed by A, then Y (a recognised abbreviation of “year”), like so: CA(NADA)D-A-Y.

24. “Like a slow dance?” – timid second officer’s opening (7)

Answer: SMOOCHY (i.e. “like a slow dance”). Solution is SHY (i.e. “timid”) wrapped around or being “opened” by MO (i.e. “second”, short for a moment) and OC (i.e. “officer”, an Officer Commanding or Officer in Charge… interestingly OC also stands for the Order of Canada, wherever that is), like so: S(MO-OC)HY.

25. After weathering the op, Reg has left hospital ward (7)

Answer: PROTÉGÉ (i.e. “ward” or child under the protection of another person). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “after weathering”) of THE OP REG once the H (a recognised abbreviation of “hospital” used on maps) has “left” or been removed.

27. Some verse of Frost’s recited (6)

Answer: RHYMES (i.e. “some verse”). “Recited” indicates homophone. Solution is a homophone of RIME’S (i.e. “frost’s” – ignore the misleading capitalisation).

29. Establishment of relations with family member, not quite 50 (7)

Answer: BROTHEL (i.e. “establishment of [sexual] relations”. Way, way too vague. Seriously, did anyone think to add “sexual” to the clue when they were solving this one? Hell, it only struck me while typing up this post, and I’ve got a properly filthy mind). Solution is BROTHER (i.e. “family member”) with the last letter removed (indicated by “not quite”) and the remainder followed by L (i.e. “50” expressed as a Roman numeral), like so: BROTHE-L.

31. Pass battle scene where Pole tangled with the army (11)

Answer: THERMOPYLAE (i.e. “pass battle scene”, most recently popularised in Frank Miller’s 300 comic book series and Zack Snyder’s film based upon it). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “tangled”) of POLE and THE ARMY. My dig last week about clueing exotic solutions as anagrams still stands.

33. Fool, moreover joker, hard to take revenge on (3,4,4)

Answer: GET EVEN WITH (i.e. “take revenge on”). Solution is GET (i.e. to “fool” or have someone) followed by EVEN (i.e. “moreover”), then WIT (i.e. “joker”) and H (a recognised abbreviation of “hard” used in grading pencils).

35. State of old pit, alight and cracking up (9)

Answer: ABYSSINIA (i.e. “state of old”, the Ethiopian Empire, overthrown in 1974). Solution is ABYSS (i.e. “pit”) followed by IN (i.e. “alight” – I guess this is the state of having landed, i.e. you are in or at your destination. I dunno, Bradford’s likes it anyway) and AI (i.e. “cracking”, A1 with the 1 expressed as its Roman numeral equivalent) once this last has been reversed (indicated by “up” – this being a down clue), like so: ABYSS-IN-IA.

37. Confirmed boxer’s wearing very old hat (9)

Answer: VALIDATED (i.e. “confirmed”). Solution is Muhammad ALI (i.e. famed “boxer”) placed in between or “wearing” V (a recognised abbreviation of “very”) and DATED (i.e. “old”), like so: V-(ALI)-DATED.

40. At risk of retribution? What might a good penalty be? (7)

Answer: UNSAVED. Solution satisfies “at risk of retribution” – repent, sinners! – and “what might a good penalty be” in, say, a game of football.

42. Be bursting with joy, close to you for a second (7)

Answer: RUPTURE (i.e. “be bursting” something, as opposed to experiencing it oneself). Solution is RAPTURE (i.e. “joy”) with the A (indicated by “a second”, in this case merely referencing the second letter of the word) swapped “for” U (i.e. “close to you”, i.e. the last letter of “you”), like so: R(A)PTURE => R(U)PTURE. This took ages to twig.

43. Bring up object causing impact on the way? (4-3)

Answer: REAR-END (i.e. “impact on the [motor]way”). Solution is REAR (i.e. “bring up”) followed by END (i.e. “object” or aim).

44. In a month’s time, Society coming up with reason (6)

Answer: JUSTLY (i.e. “with reason”). Solution is JULY (i.e. “a month”) wrapped around or having “in” S (a recognised abbreviation of “Society”) and T (ditto “time”) once these elements have been reversed (indicated by “coming up” – this being a down clue), like so: JU(S-T)LY.

45. Note someone paid for copy (5)

Answer: REPRO (i.e. “copy” or reproduction). Solution is RE (i.e. “note” in the sol-fa scale) followed by PRO (i.e. “someone paid”).

48. Rear displayed by drag performer? (5)

Answer: TOWER. Solution satisfies “rear” – I guess we’re taking about something rearing up, in which case Chambers supports it; again, too vague for my liking – and “drag performer”, as in one who drags or tows.

51. Meat roll is revolting (3)

Answer: NUB (i.e. the gist or “meat” of something). Solution is BUN (i.e. “roll”) reversed (indicated by “is revolting” – this being a down clue).