When I discover that I am to review a Quiptic by Orlando I know that I am going to enjoy the task, and I certainly wasn’t disappointed today. This puzzle contains a good selection of different types of clue, and none of them should prove too difficult for the newer solver, which is precisely the remit for a Quiptic. I particularly liked the surface readings in 18 across and 25 across. I note that it’s a double pay-day for Orlando as the regular cryptic is also one of his.
If you haven’t already seen Orlando’s “Best for Puzzles” site then it is well worth a look, especially for the comprehensive and up-to-date Crossword Who’s Who of crossword setters, editors, bloggers, solvers and other puzzling people (he’s even included yours truly!).
Across
1a Flower, say, in black container (9)
BUTTERCUP – to get this bright yellow flower put a word meaning to say between B(lack) and a small bowl-shaped container used for drinking
6a Extra snake almost died (5)
ADDED – an adjective meaning extra is created from most of a common British snake and D(ied)
9a Be pleased with those who applaud quickly (4,3,8)
LIKE THE CLAPPERS – this phrase could indicate being pleased with those who applaud, but is often preceded by “go” and actually means quickly
10a Insect that used to be quiet (4)
WASP – this insect is a charade of a verb meaning used to be and the musical notation for quiet or soft
11a Initially Evening Standard journalists love coffee (8)
ESPRESSO – start with the the initial letters of Evening Standard and then add a collective word for journalists and O (love / a score of zero in tennis) to get this type of coffee
14a Something one has to have when pro is in a mess? (9)
OWNERSHIP – when you have something you have this! – it’s an anagram (in a mess) of WHEN PRO IS
15a Wrong end of Dundee cake (5)
TORTE – combine a legal wrong and the final letter (end) of DundeE to get this rich sweet cake
16a Giant bird a non-starter (5)
TITAN – this mythological giant is a charade of a small bird, A from the clue and the initial letter (starter) of Non
18a Garfunkel recording that’s seen in gallery? (4,2,3)
WORK OF ART – this could be a recording made by Paul Simon’s partner, but is actually something that is seen in a gallery
20a I mention sound or vision (8)
EYESIGHT – split as (3,5) this sounds like I and a word meaning to mention, but is actually the ability to see
21a Walk with difficulty, having wilted? (4)
LIMP – a double definition
25a New boots lift chap up — they’re made for walking! (6,9)
PUBLIC FOOTPATHS – an anagram (new) of BOOTS LIFT CHAP UP gives a route made for walking – the surface reading alludes to the Nancy Sinatra song “These Boots Are Made for Walkin’”
26a Subject of article by Orlando (5)
THEME – this subject is a charade of the definite article and the objective pronoun that would be used by Orlando, today’s setter, to describe himself
27a Where university education may lead? Not entirely (2,1,6)
TO A DEGREE – the first part of this double definition clue is gently cryptic
Down
1d Feel miserable when not on deck? (5)
BELOW – a double definition – this time it’s the second part that is gently cryptic
2d Provides accommodation for kids (5,2)
TAKES IN – another double definition – kids in this context is a verb meaning deludes
3d Grub for which Cockney uses microwave? (4)
EATS – this colloquial word for food or grub could be what a Cockney (who traditionally drops his aitches) does when he uses a microwave
4d Ship’s company sounded cocky? (4)
CREW – another double definition in which the second part, sounded like a cockerel, is gently cryptic
5d Very different — like those in Cracow and those in Gdansk? (5,5)
POLES APART – a phrase meaning very different could describe someone living in Cracow and someone else living in Gdansk
6d Cherished desire possibly revealed to Parisian (10)
ASPIRATION – this cherished desire is an anagram (revealed) of TO PARISIAN
7d One putting clothes on kitchen sideboard (7)
DRESSER – another double definition – one putting clothes on, say, an actor and a kitchen sideboard
8d Gorgeous creature taking one’s temperature is deceptive (9)
DISHONEST – a charade of a gorgeous or attractive person, ONE’S from the clue and T(emperature) gives a word meaning deceptive or fraudulent
12d Having an object, I have to follow Ford van (10)
TRANSITIVE – a term used in grammar to indicate that a verb has an object is created by putting the abbreviation of I have after a Ford van
13d Jack Sprat wouldn’t talk (4,3,3)
CHEW THE FAT – something that Jack Sprat wouldn’t do means to talk or gossip
14d Photo sent out immediately (2,3,4)
ON THE SPOT – an anagram (out) of PHOTO SENT gives a word meaning immediately
17d Quaver from end of anthem held by singer (7)
TREMBLE – a word meaning to quaver is created by putting the final letter (end) of antheM inside (held by) a singer with a high-pitched voice
19d Airman coming from Scandinavia to Russia (7)
AVIATOR – this airman is hidden inside (coming from) the last three words of the clue
22d Thrash tense European (5)
PASTE – a 12d verb meaning to thrash or defeat heavily is constructed from a grammatical tense followed by E(uropean)
23d Firm American lawyer closing bars (4)
CODA – combine the two-letter abbreviations of a firm or business and an American lawyer to get the closing bars of a piece of music
24d Part of church any parishioners should examine at first (4)
APSE – this part of a church is derived from the initial letters (at first) of four words in the clue
As a very long time solver of cryptics, I am quite often surprised by the struggle I have with the Quiptics, particularly given the remit. No such problems today. A very nice start to Monday morning, thanks to Orlando and BD too.
Perfect example of a puzzle for beginners. Thanks to setter and blogger.
Yes, very good. Spot on from setter and blogger.
Very enjoyable puzzle with some lovely surfaces. Thank you, Orlando, and thank you also for the rather difficult (for me) cryptic on the same day.
And many thanks to Big Dave for the excellent blog, pictures too!