The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/28786.
So many splendid clues, not a dud in sight; I nominate 9A TRUE LOVE as the best of the bunch.
| ACROSS | ||
| 1 | MAKE A NIGHT OF IT |
Reportedly bestow the title of ‘sir’ on Picaroon? Time to party till dawn! (4,1,5,2,2)
|
| This parsing requires a little care: sounds like (‘reportedly’) MAKE A KNIGHT OF (‘bestow the title of ‘sir’ on’) plus I (‘Picaroon’; of course, the nominative does not match the previous expression, so must not be seen as part of it) plus T (‘time’) | ||
| 8 | GRAIL |
Sought-after item from good pork pie manufacturer returned (5)
|
| A charade of G (‘good’) plus RAIL, a reversal (‘returned’) of LIAR (‘pork pie manufacturer’). | ||
| 9 | TRUE LOVE |
The one rule broken in rigged vote (4,4)
|
| An envelope (‘in’) of RUEL, an anagram (‘broken’) of ‘rule’ in TOVE, an anagram (‘rigged’) of ‘vote’. Excellent clue. | ||
| 11 | NAIL BAR |
After new trouble, save digital enhancements here (4,3)
|
| A charade of N (‘new’) plus AIL (‘trouble’) plus BAR (‘save’ “they all escaped bar/save one”). | ||
| 12 | TITANIA |
Answer on most of epic Faerie Queen (7)
|
| A charade of TITANI[c] (‘epic’, James Cameron’s film) minus the last letter (‘most of’) plus A (‘answer’). | ||
| 13 | RABBI |
Scholar in fresh air catching bees (5)
|
| An envelope (‘catching’) of BB (‘bees’) in RAI, an anagram (‘fresh’) of ‘air’. | ||
| 15 | MANGETOUT |
On isle, leave healthy food (9)
|
| A charade of MAN (‘isle’) plus GET OUT (‘leave’), for the sugar snap pea (or snow pea). | ||
| 17 | TELEGENIC |
Appealing on set or stage, entice running around (9)
|
| An envelope (‘around’) of LEG (‘stage’) in TEENIC, an anagram (‘running’) of ‘entice’. | ||
| 20 | DOYEN |
Elder statesman from Germany with zero cash abroad (5)
|
| A charade of D (IVR, ‘Germany’) plus O YEN (‘zero cash’ if you happen to be in Japan). | ||
| 21 | OVATION |
Acclaim novel method when scrubbing inn (7)
|
| A subtraction: [inn]OVATION (‘novel method’) minus (‘when scrubbing’) ‘inn’. | ||
| 23 | ALLEGES |
Claims member tucked into alcoholic drinks (7)
|
| An envelope (‘tucked in to’) of LEG (‘member’) in ALES (‘alcoholic drinks’). | ||
| 25 | SUNDRESS |
What female tanner may put on small strip (8)
|
| A charade of S (‘small’) plus UNDRESS (‘strip’). | ||
| 26 | INURE |
Harden cover son’s left out (5)
|
| IN[s]URE (‘cover’) minus the S (‘son’s left out’). | ||
| 27 | PRESENT PERFECT |
Perhaps have received ideal offer at first (7,7)
|
| A charade of PRESENT (‘offer’) plus PERFECT (‘ideal’), for a grammatical construct of which ‘have received’ is an example. | ||
| DOWN | ||
| 1 | MY GENERATION |
Single quantity of DNA that I’m allocated? (2,10)
|
| Double definition, the first being a reference to the song by The Who.
What I passed off as the second “definition” is better described as wordplay MY GENE RATION. |
||
| 2 | KHAKI |
Thousands round hotel area head for interior shade (5)
|
| A charade of KHAK, an envelope (’round’) of H (‘hotel’) plus A (‘area’) in K K (‘thousands’); plus I (‘head for Interior’). | ||
| 3 | AD-LIBBING |
Winging it in promo, politician to throw away £1,000 (2-7)
|
| A charade of AD (‘promo’) plus LIB (‘politician’) plus BIN (‘throw away’) plus G (£1,000′). | ||
| 4 | INTERIM |
Out of school holidays, engaging one caretaker (7)
|
| An envelope (‘engaging’) of I (‘one’) in IN TERM (‘out of school holidays’). | ||
| 5 | HOUSTON |
Almost home, not from South American city (7)
|
| A charade of HOUS[e] (‘home’) minus the last letter (‘almost’) plus TON, a reversal (‘from south’, in a down light) of ‘not’. | ||
| 6 | OWLET |
The Parisian punching couple around hooter (5)
|
| An envelope (‘punching’) of LE (‘the Parisian’) in OWT, a reversal (‘around’) of TWO (”couple’). | ||
| 7 | INVENTORY |
List what fibbers do endlessly, one such as Boris (9)
|
| A charade of INVEN[t] (‘what fibbers do’) minus the last letter (‘endlessly’) plus TORY (‘one such as Boris’). | ||
| 10 | PAST ONES BEST |
Character blocking ball by old footballer in decline (4,4,4)
|
| An envelope (‘blocking’) of TONE (‘character’) in PASS (‘ball’) plus BEST (‘old footballer’, George being the most prominent). | ||
| 14 | BELEAGUER |
Trouble right behind English in Second Division (9)
|
| A charade of BELEAGUE, an envelope (‘in’) of E (‘English’) in B LEAGUE (‘second division’); plus R (‘right’). | ||
| 16 | EID-AL-FITR |
Supply airlifted for end of fast festivity (3,2-4)
|
| An anagram (‘supply’) of ‘airlifted’. | ||
| 18 | NANKEEN |
Newspaper’s lead article has sharp material (7)
|
| A charade of N (‘Newspaper’s lead’) plus AN (indefinite ‘article’) plus KEEN (‘sharp’). | ||
| 19 | CHATS UP |
Tries to win over bowlers, say, in competition (5,2)
|
| An envelope (‘in’) of HATS (‘bowlers, say’) in CUP (‘competition’). | ||
| 22 | INDUS |
What Asian banks hold from half of factories etc (5)
|
| INDUS[tries] (‘factories etc’) minus its second ‘half’. | ||
| 24 | GAUGE |
Judge, say, goes north round part of the summer (5)
|
| An envelope (’round’) of AUG (August, ‘part of summer’) in GE, a reversal (‘goes north’ in a down light) of EG (‘say’). |
Thanks Picaroon and PeterO. I parsed 1d as definition by example (“single”) + cd (“my gene ration” being the quantity of DNA allocated to me) rather than a dd, but perhaps that’s the same thing.
Picaroon was on my “don’t attempt” list, but I was feeling brave today and solved the lot. Enjoyed it too. The old footballer was my only sticking point. Will have to revise my list …
With you on 1d, verbose. Can’t see it as a dd.
I loved 6D owlet after wasting far too much time trying to think of synonyms for nose!
Nice puzzle, not one of Picaroon’s hardest, nice blog, although I agree with others above re: 1d.
Mrs. Dr. W would say that MANGETOUT is not exactly the epitome of healthiness, being quite carby, but to me anything green fits the bill.
Thanks Picaroon for another joyous crossword. Even though I had to reveal 14d, 15a, and 16d it did not affect the fun I had working this puzzle. TRUE LOVE is my clue of the week — the surface reading is just outstanding. HOUSTON, OVATION, and so many others were top notch. Thanks PeterO for the blog.
[Geoff Down Under @2: Please take Picaroon/Buccaneer/Rodrigez off your “don’t attempt” list and put him on your “must do” list. You won’t regret it.]
Also had my gene ration for MY GENERATION which was my favourite. I also liked SUNDRESS.
verbose@1
My gene ration: I am on the same page with you.
PAST ONES BEST:
I was thinking of ‘ball’ in baseball among other things. A ball in baseball isn’t exactly a pass. It leads to a pass.
Is the reference in the clue to any other pass/ball? Can’t be soccer. Right? I am missing something.
Or this pass/ball has nothing to do with sports at all?
KVa @8&9: it is soccer – but could be rugby or hockey too. (Maybe others) In either of those sports, a pass could be referred to as a ball. “S/he delivered a perfect ball …”
I completely agree with PeterO’s summary of this little Friday morning gem; no duffers in this one. TRUE LOVE is super and deserves the praise it’s getting already. I’d add GRAIL for the liar, RABBI for the bees, OVATION for the deletion and SUNDRESS for the surface. Of the downs, whilst I do like MY GENERATION, I’d nominate KHAKI and INTERIM for the surfaces and PAST ONE’S BEST for the neat charade. OWLET gave me my biggest lol moment and HOUSTON my biggest pdm.
Thanks Picaroon and PeterO
Charlton and Best are about the only old greats I know, which worked ok for today (and yes, Kva, it is a soccer pass I thought of, tho it could be any team ball game). Mangetout isn’t much used here (= snow peas), so it took all crossers plus an alphabet trawl for the g before I remembered it. Otherwise a ploblem-free solve with a lot of nice clues. 1d had me hearing it (.. talkin bout ma gehneration..) and thinking Who sang that? D’oh. And yes, def my gene ration. All fun, ta PnP.
When the first pass reveals very little, but it all solves neatly and steadily it’s very satisfying. Lots of great clues, and I’ve also got an earworm of MY GENERATION. There were lots of references to AD LIBBING, inventing Tories, liars (GRAIL), etc, which after Guite’s resignation yesterday feels apposite.
… and the grammar shift in 1ac (make a knight of I) had me wondering whether Geordies still do it, like Bella Seaton in When The Boat Comes In saying “It’s the shop that feeds we, and feeds we well”.
A nice dip into the 60s with George and The Who
“England swings like a pendulum DOES
But whatever you do dont get nicked by the fuzz”
A peach to end the week.
So attuned have I become to theme-spotting, wasted time searching for other Who numbers.
NANKEEN like tar is one of those words seldom used outside crosswordland.
Personal favourite PRESENT PERFECT.
An enjoyable offering with plenty of wit, but not too challenging.
Another vote for TRUE LOVE but also liked MY GENERATION, MANGETOUT, and EID AL FITR
Thanks Picaroon and PeterO
I agree this was excellent. My only struggle was the last few clues at the bottom of the grid. 1 dn was an early solve so I was hoping for a Who theme but sadly not. Loved 9 and 25 across. Thanks to Picaroon and Andrew. Now I can go and enjoy the sunshine!
Did you mean Geidt, Shanne @12, as in Lord Geidt who just resigned?
Thanks Picaroon and PeterO
A very slow start – for a long time I just had RABBI – but after seeing MY GENE RATION (me too) it flowed nicely. My favourite out of a good lot was INTERIM.
Tiny quibble: “small hooter” in 6d would be more accurate, as I don’t think baby owls hoot. (I Googled “owlet” and got pages and pages of baby monitor hits. Modifying the search found that some diminutive owl species are called “owlets”, but I can’t find that they hoot either!)
Another belter from Picaroon.
Yes, a lovely puzzle without a duff clue in sight, though I’m not entirely convinced by “supply” as an anagram indicator (doesn’t really matter because it’s clear what is intended) and muffin @19 makes a good point about owlets (though again, it doesn’t really matter because it’s clear what’s intended). Favourites were TELEGENCI and PAST ONE’S BEST, but it is all good.
Anything that is rude about Alexander de Piffle, as in the clue to INVENTORY, lifts the spirits slightly in the dreadful times in which we live.
Like Shanne @12 I have an earworm of MY GENERATION, which of course contains an ingenious double entendre arising from the way Roger Daltrey stutters the last word of the line, as “Why don’t we just f-f-f-fade away?”. Apparently the song was written in anger after a vintage hearse belonging to Pete Townshend was towed away at the request of the Queen Mother (you couldn’t make it up!) and the implicit “Why don’t you just f-f-f-f…” was deliberate.
Yes, Alexander de Piffle, why don’t you?
Grateful thanks to Picaroon and PeterO
My first two were RABBI and EID-AL-FITR, so expected a religious theme, but soon disabused. I liked SUNDRESS and PRESENT PERFECT
NeilH @21
“Supply” as an anagram indicator derives from “supple” or “bendy”!
For whatever reason this sunny morning I was totally on Picaroon’s wavelength and this slipped in smoothly with nary a pause. Wondered for a while whether MY GENERATION, solved very early on, might presage some kind of musical theme. Barely a stutter thereafter, however, with LOI MANGETOUT. It’s been a long time since I was trying to remember what tense PRESENT PERFECT is/was…
Yet another lovely puzzle from Picaroon. I wholeheartedly second Tony’s advice @6 to GDU @2.
I go along with all the favourites listed ( I had ten ticks and there could have been more). A special mention for TRUE LOVE and EID AL-FITR – I always love to see ‘supply’ as an anagram indicator.
Many thanks to Picaroon and PeterO. (Now for Goliath in the FT: it feels like my birthday come early. 😉 )
Oops, I thanked Andrew instead of PeterO. Apologies!
Supply is in the list of anagram indicators (anagrinds) at The Clue Clinic so it’s OK with me.
A pleasant experience with a quick start of write-ins followed by a nicely chewy middle portion, finishing with a few that I stared at until they yielded.
NANKEEN was new to me and only made sense from wordplay until I looked it up. INDUS was also new to me (geography is not my forte) and I only got it with the help of crossword helper app, which when you’ve only got two blank squares is pretty much full-on cheating. Might have well revealed it!
I loved TRUE LOVE and MAN GET OUT made me chuckle. And add me to the list who thought MY GENE RATION was wordplay not definition.
Good end to the week, thanks both.
Lovely – thanks Picaroon & PeterO.
TRUE LOVE and RABBI probably my favourites (couldn’t help but think of Daniel Day-Lewis as Cecil Vyse).
Also enjoyed seeing MANGETOUT crossing with EID AL-FITR for the eat-all-you-can buffet breakfast!
[Apologies if this is the wrong place to post, but I’ve been having technical problems for the last two days – the G’s crossword page keeps crashing out on my iPad. I’ve restarted it (multiple times), checked the version is up-to-date, and cleared the history & website data in Settings, but still it crashes …. Is anyone else having the same problem, and can anyone advise me?]
P.S. Despite problems, enjoyed the puzzle – thanks Picaroon & PeterO
Thanks, muffin @23. As you rightly point out, supply as a derivative of supple rather than a turning on of a tap works fine.
Very enjoyable puzzle.
Liked OWLET, TRUE LOVE, GAUGE, PRESENT PERFECT, BELEAGUER.
DId not parse 10d apart from footballer George BEST.
Thanks, both.
Like Rob T @28 I had a little chuckle at MAN GET OUT – perhaps an alternative to “Why don’t you all f-f-f-fade away”? Last one in was GAUGE – it’s a word I always have trouble with because the pronunciation is so far removed from the orthography, so G_U_E had me looking at JUN and JUL before AUG even entered my head!
Thanks to Picaroon and PeterO.
A cracking week of puzzles and a nice finish. MY GENERATION and GRAIL worth the entrance fee but both in good company.
Thanks muffin@23 for explaining “supply”. I was scratching my head too.
[GrannyJ@30 – I’ll make a few suggestions in the General Discussions]
Phew, a return to a semblance of form after yesterday’s feeble performance.
It would be churlish to pick out a favourite as there were so many good clues, but if you insist…8a.
Never studied AMSND, but 12a was a well known fairy.
Oh, that sort of TANNER, doh, thanks Peter.
And thanks Picaroon.
Thanks, that explains 1d, spooky, I only listened to The Who Live At Leeds just yesterday.
Yes, another faultless performance from Picaroon.
I found the top half went in smoothly but I slowed down considerably with the bottom half. I, too, thought the surface for TRUE LOVE was outstanding. I also liked SUNDRESS for the play on strip, INTERIM for the ‘out of school holiday’, and the Second Division in BELEAGUER (with also a misleading definition).
Thanks Picaroon and PeterO.
Great stuff.
Top notch
Thanks, PeterO. I couldn’t work out the “it” part of 1a.
Never heard of a NAIL BAR or the Who song or PASS= “ball.” I had, now that you mention it, heard of George Best, though I forgot about him.
Solving this in a shady garden spot gave me my most satisfying an enjoyable hour of the week, especially welcome after yet another example of pure political vindictiveness from our abominable Home Secretary.
Am I shoehorning too much in to suggest that there may have been an extension of the Johnsonian theme? The fibbing reference is certainly picked up with the admirable “pork pie manufacturer” and the reversal of ‘liar’, in GRAIL, whilst “MAKE A NIGHT OF IT” could serve as the mantra of Partygate. Bestowing “the title of ‘sir'” on his cronies is a classic indicator of Prime Ministerial corruption, and BELEAGUER, ALLEGES, PAST ONE”S BEST, AD LIBBING, and CHATS UP all have a Pfeffalian ring to them. Contrariwise Tories may wish to claim TELEGENIC, DOYEN and OVATION as indicative of his supposed qualities.
Whatever, this was a lovely puzzle with almost every clue a little gem. Thanks to both Picaroon and PeterO
Mangetout reminded me of Del Boy and his “sophisticated” ways which included a Tia Maria and Lucozade cocktail.
Thanks PeterO, like you I enjoyed scrutinising a few of these to spot exactly what was going on.
Hatter@33 hope you appreciated the “say” in 19d as much as I did!
Eileen@25 thanks for link yesterday and having tripped up on “supply” a couple of times when I was getting into this I was pleased to spot it today as it feels like awhile since I saw it last.
AtlantaDave@42 likewise, another crème de la menthe puzzle so thanks Picaroon.
Any allusion to the mighty George (Best) is a happy day in Bhoyo Towers. But my favourite was CHATS UP.
Gazzh@43 – bonnet de douche, Gazzh, bonnet de douche!
What a week for memories of Brucie, TELEGENIC DOYEN of Saturday NIGHT viewing, and seemingly never PAST his BEST. GENERATION today rounds it off nicely.
I shared Rob T’s and sh’s appreciation of MANGETOUT = MAN GET OUT. I don’t know if that’s been done before, but it was new to me, and delightful, like the whole puzzle. Thanks P & P.
Atlanta Dave / Gazzh – someone’s got to do a mangetout link 😉
For Granny J at 30
I had the same problem and switched to Google chrome which solved it
Thanks for the blog, MY GENERATION was quite neat , I have inherited the 1965 album on the Brunswick label. I suppose I should be grateful that at least there was no theme .
Sensationally good crossword. Witty and pleasurable. No strained word mincing. The kind of clues that make you look at words afresh. Thank you.
[Roz @48: haven’t tried this yet nor had time to look, as playing golf all day in sweltering heat, but it took me all week to suddenly appreciate your joke about the theme that everyone missed. Just had a doh moment. (Just hoping you weren’t serious)] 🙂
Gazzh @43. I did indeed, but forgot to mention it. Thanks for jogging my elbow!
Sorry AlanC it was my satire on themes after we had had eight in a row. A meta-theme of Guardian themes.
Themes should be an occasional novelty not a relentless torrent.
I much prefer your made-up bands/songs/albums themes to the “real” ones , and your themes do not affect the quality of the clues.
Roz, no apology necessary, just wish I’d appreciated your deviousness at the time and once again thanks for the praise. I try not to make up my own tiresome themes anymore, as tempted as I am
[Thanks essexboy, shamefully I think Delboy’s vocabulaire is bigger than mine these days.]
Any theme
I’d have thought “mangetout” might have been clued as “whole food”!
AlanC @53, keep making them up, I am sure nobody minds and if they do it is tough.
Real themes are all very nice but I prefer puzzles to be a bit nasty, like the Fed and Imogen this week , no theme nasty clues.
I will not even comment on the Picaroon blog today ( from last Saturday ) , ” Nice Video , Shame About the Song ) .
Thanks Picaroon and PeterO. Recently returned to cryptics and this was a perfect mix of a little light thinking and brain fudge
Nice crossword. Don’t know why INTERIM is caretaker though?
tim the late toffee @59
At one stage I did consider adding a nudge for that one, but it did not happen. ‘caretaker’ as an adjective, for example a caretaker government.
Thanks PeterO. Should have seen that from interim football managers.