This seemed like a harder crossword than a standard Dac. Looking back I can’t quite see why though although three words being new to me slowed me down (1ac, 27ac, 20d)
| Across | |
|---|---|
| 1 | CALASH – CA(LA)SH |
| 4 | SPANKING – definition with a pun on smart (as in “spanking new” as well as a stinging pain) |
| 10 | PLUMPEST – PLUM + PEST, curiously satisfying! |
| 12 | CHLORINATE – (IN CLEAR HOT)* |
| 15 | OPERA SINGERS – (IGNORE A PRESS)* |
| 18 | SIX OF THE BEST – My last clue. I’d thought crackers (as in nuts, bananas etc) was the definition right until the end but it’s the sound of a cane strike by the look of it. |
| 22 | PACE BOWLER – ACE BOWLER after P(LAY) |
| 24 | LEGAL AID – LEG + A + LAID &lit |
| 25 | MADRAS – (DRAMAS)* Chennai nowadays isn’t it? |
| 26 | POUNDAGE – double definition |
| 27 | PLUTON – P(L)UT ON Another new word to me. Gathering is, I think, part of the definition which made it a little harder to break down |
| Down | |
| 1 | CHOW-CHOW – double definition. |
| 3 | SATURNALIA – SAT + URN + ALIA |
| 5 | PULL TOGETHER – PULL + TO GET HER, very neat |
| 11 | INVIGORATING – IN VIGO + RATING Thank heavens for football. I’ve heard of Celta Vigo but not the city in any other context |
| 16 | CELLARET – C(LE<=)LARET |
| 19 | FILLIP – sounds like Philip. |
| 20 | CONGOU – CONGO + U. I’ll have to ask if that’s what they serve at my local caff! |
| 23 | ALED – AL(ARM)ED Got the answer before the explanation and spent a while putting weapons before ALED to try and find a word for worried. DAGGERALED, CLUBALED … had to stop when I got to ASSEGAIALED |
I too found it harder than usual for Dac – some slightly unfamiliar words. In PLUTON took gathering … round as a container with put on = staged
Re SIX OF THE BEST, I took best = crackers (top quality)
Definitely a bit trickier – the last three I filled in were the ones you mentioned in your intro. We have a tea shop (think Starbucks but for tea) near where I work but they don’t sell 20D.