Guardian 24,434 (Rufus)

by
Across
7 FLAWLESS: F + LAWLESS
9 E-BOATS: anagram of TO BASE
10 STYE: STYLE less L (Roman numeral)
11 KICKED BACK: The back who was kicked, retaliated
12 CARAFE: A RAF in CE
14 ABRASION: A BRA + IS (reversed) + ON
17 EDUCATE: DUCAT in EE
20 ALACRITY: A LA + R in CITY
22 BUST-UP: double definition
23 WELLINGTON: Duke of Wellington, Wellington point (Brisbane or Smyrna)
24 LIFT: double definition
25 HOSTEL: anagram of THOSE + L
26 MALINGER: &Lit
Down
1 FLAT RACE: anagram of FERAL CAT; classic flat races include the 1,000 Guineas and the Derby
2 TWEE: in beTWEEn
3 HECKLE: &Lit
4 DEFERRED: FED (reversed) + ERRED
5 BOBBY SOCKS: BOBBY (copper) + SOCKS (hose)
6 STUCCO: CUTS (reversed) + CO
8 SOCIAL: double definition
13 ARTICULATE: double definition
16 FRIENDLY: &Lit
18 TRUFFLES: T + RUFFLES
19 SYSTEM: as in betting system
21 LIE LOW: double definition
22 BUNGLE: BUNG + LE

6 comments on “Guardian 24,434 (Rufus)”

  1. Eileen
    #1 - Mon 7th Jul 08, 08:47

    23ac: I read this as W ELLINGTON [two ‘dukes’]

    I liked 5dn

  2. Andrew
    #2 - Mon 7th Jul 08, 10:02

    23ac – I thought this was WELLINGON/W-ELLINGTON too. I’m sure I’ve seen this happy coincidence of Dukes used before, but it raised a smile anyway.

  3. Paul B
    #3 - Mon 7th Jul 08, 13:22

    You have.

  4. Rob Roy
    #4 - Mon 7th Jul 08, 14:44

    The good residents of sleepy little Wellington Point in my home-town of Brisbane would be thrilled to think that they had made it into the Guardian crossword but I’m afraid I’ll have to go with my fellow commentators and plump for W (point) and (DUKE) ELLINGTON as the “one duke”.
    Another mini-masterpiece of wit and precision from Rufus where he manages to commit to his understanding with the editors by entertaining the “old hands” while at the same time enticing and encouraging the less experienced.

  5. Val
    #5 - Tue 8th Jul 08, 12:22

    20ac – What’s the def? Expedition? I don’t see how that gives ALACRITY.

  6. Eileen
    #6 - Tue 8th Jul 08, 15:15

    Val: ‘expedition’ is the definition and can mean ‘promptness, the quality of being expedite’ [OED]

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