Guardian Cryptic 29,072 by Jack

by

The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/29072.

Jack, in a step down from his Genius level, has produced a puzzle which is not too complex, provided that you keep an eye out for the misdirections. Very enjoyable, with many well-crafted clues and fine surfaces.

ACROSS
1 DOWN IN THE MOUTH
Fed up and ready to spit feathers? (4,2,3,5)
Definition and literal interpretation.
8 LEVER
Revolutionary party that can impart pressure to overcome resistance (5)
A reversal (‘revolutionary’) of REVEL (‘party’).
9 DEPUTIES
University charges department that is first to send delegates (8)
A charade vof DEPUT, an envelope (‘charges’) of U (‘university’) in DEPT (‘department’); plus IE (id est, ‘that is’) plus S (‘first to Send’).
11 BORSTAL
What attempted to correct young virtuous person in book exam (7)
An envelope (‘in’) of ST (saint, ‘virtuous person’) in B (‘book’) plus ORAL (‘exam’).
12 RECITAL
Reading article in need of editing (7)
An anagram (‘in need of editing’) of ‘article’.
13 REHAB
What boozer, on reflection, must welcome? (5)
An envelope (‘must welcome’) of EH? (‘what’) in RAB, a reversal (‘on reflection’ in an across light) of BAR (‘boozer’), with an &lit definition.
15 DIRT CHEAP
Poor chap tried going for almost nothing (4,5)
An anagram (‘poor’) of ‘chap tried’.
17 TRIMESTER
One term is confused with another shorter one (9)
You might say that ‘term’ is doing triple duty: an anagram (‘confused’) of ‘term is’ plus ‘ter[m]’ minus its last letter (‘another shorter one’).
20 ULTRA
Extremist partly responsible for dreadful tragedy (5)
A hidden answer (‘partly responsible for’) in ‘dreadfUL TRAgedy’.
21 ON PAPER
What is hypothetically supported by the Guardian? (2,5)
A charade of ON (‘supported by’) plus PAPER (‘the Guardian’).
23 BIT PART
Lead would not be used for this drill component (3,4)
A charade of BIT (‘drill’) plus PART (‘component’). In the definition, ‘lead’ refers to a principal actor.
25 DERELICT
Crude relic that’s not entirely ruined (8)
A hidden answer (‘not entirely’) in ‘cruDE RELIC That’s’.
26 HEAVE
Keep taking ecstasy and be sick (5)
An envelope (‘taking’) of E (‘ecstasy’) in HAVE (‘keep’).
27 VENTURE CAPITAL
Tentatively offer excellent financial backing (7,7)
A charade of VENTURE (‘tentatively offer’) plus CAPITAL (‘excellent’, ” a capital idea”).
DOWN
1 DELIBERATION
Helping to support criminal belied careful thought (12)
A charade of DELIBE, an anagram (‘criminal’) of ‘belied’ plus RATION (‘helping’).
2 WAVER
Hesitate to state women must come first (5)
A charade of W (‘women’) plus AVER (‘state’).
3 IRRITABLE
Short-tempered Blairite upset about what finishes off Starmer (9)
An envelope (‘about’) of R (‘what finishes off StarmeR‘) in IRITABLE, an anagram (‘upset’) of ‘Blairite’.
4 TODDLED
Made uncertain progress close to indistinct and strange light source (7)
A charade of T (‘close to indistincT‘) plus ODD (‘strange’) plus LED (light emitting diode, ‘light source’).
5 EMPEROR
City uprising captures a former leader thereof (7)
An envelope (‘captures’) of PER (‘a’, “take one pill per day”) in EMOR, a reversal (‘uprising’ in a down light) of ROME (‘city’). In the definition, ‘thereof’ refers to ROME.
6 OPTIC
Reporter’s credit follows work associated with the Observer (5)
A charade of OP (‘work’) plus TIC, sounding like (‘reporter’s’) TICK (‘credit’).
7 TREATMENT
Handling of patient’s request ends in open court (9)
A charade of TREAT ME (‘patient’s request’) plus NT (‘ends in opeN courT‘).
10 ELEPHANT SEAL
Great swimmer‘s way of stopping water getting into trunks? (8,4)
Definition and (somewhat bizarre) literal interpretation.
14 HAIRPIECE
Dome’s coverage of scene from musical? (9)
A charade of HAIR (‘musical’) plus PIECE (‘scene’).
16 COURTSHIP
Royal household’s popular sequence of dates? (9)
A charade of COURT’S (‘royal household’s’) plus HIP (‘popular’).
18 TERRIER
Dog is tense and more likely to stray by the look of it (7)
A charade of T (‘tense’) plus ERRIER, which might be seen (‘by the look of it’), if the construct existed, as meaning ‘more likely to stray’
19 ROBOTIC
Steal from IT company’s distribution like Android? (7)
A charade of ROB (‘steal’) plus OTIC, an anagram (‘distribution’) of ‘IT’ plus CO (‘company’).
22 PLEAT
Place to have food and gather (5)
A charade of PL (‘place’) plus EAT (‘have food’).
24 ADAPT
Change plug fitting (5)
A charade of AD (advertisement, ‘plug’) plus APT (‘fitting’).

picture of the completed grid78

74 comments on “Guardian Cryptic 29,072 by Jack”

  1. I quite liked this, but I felt that on some occasions the setter was trying too hard (to be cute) or was stretching belief a bit too much. The definition of LEVER, the pun in TERRIER (comparative of ERR-Y), the strangeness of ELEPHANT SEAL, the behaviour of term in TRIMESTER, all a little short of entirely satisfactory, for me. That TRIMESTER didn’t have a standard structure (definition+wordplay, or &lit.), but came close – was this poor or advanced, I can’t make up my mind.

    I did like HAIRPIECE.

    Thanks J&P

  3. Errier, indeed! I’m still deciding whether to chuckle or groan.

    This all was very enjoyable, and it’s not often that I can report that I have no “Huh?” list scrawled down the side. No obscurities, although I had to check what a borstal was. Plenty of smiles, especially COURTSHIP & ELEPHANT SEAL. Thanks Jack & PeterO.

  4. Tanks PeterO and Jack.

    Following Andrew’s advice from Jack’s appearance on April 17th Jack’s alter egos’ puzzles are known for including a theme or Nina, so I was on the lookout for something here… I looked for a Nina but failed to spot one.

    One of the better clues for DOWN IN THE MOUTH I remember from the 1960s was something like What the dejected young shaver got? (Thanks Andrew, from a comment in SHED Aug 24 2012 #25,723)

  7. Thanks Jack for a brilliant crossword. I had many favourites — LEVER, RECITAL, TRIMESTER, the beautifully hidden ULTRA, BIT PART, HEAVE (great surface), IRRITABLE (another great surface), TODDLED, EMPEROR, COURTSHIP, PLEAT (nice misdirection), and ADAPT. I was beaten by ELEPHANT SEAL. I looked for a Serpentine nina but did not find one. Thanks PeterO for the blog.

  8. Thanks both. The sealed elephant and errier were quirky and fun. Only done a handful of geniuses, not sure if any were Jack’s, might look out for one.

  10. I don’t think I’ve met Jack before, but I’m glad I have now. I think quirky sums it up. Like GDU I don’t know whether to laugh or groan at T ERRIER. I think I’m inclined to laugh
    Thanks both.

  12. Mostly enjoyed this, particularly ELEPHANT SEAL. Dr Whatson @1 raises some interesting thoughts. I’d also like to add BIT PART to that list. Surely the bit is part of the drill not the drill itself. It’s frequently referred to as a drill bit. Thanks to Jack and PeterO.

  13. Possibly my quickest solve of a Guardian puzzle; I seemed to think along Jack’s lines right from the off and only needed to return to the – very well hidden – DERELICT and HAIRPIECE which I did not recognise as a charade. I’d agree with nicbach’s ‘quirky’ description. Favourites were ELEPHANT SEAL and COURTSHIP.

    Thanks Jack and PeterO

  14. Took me a while to get a handle on Jack’s quirky style, but enjoyed it once I did.

    I understand the points made by DrW @1 but, for this plodder, innovative techniques and styles are what single out crosswords in The Graun.

    Bravo, Jack, thanks for the fun.

  16. I was in Jack’s wavelength and sailed through this – which means I didn’t have to think that hard about the clues and missed any quibbles. Slight pause for BORSTAL which haven’t been called that since I was at school – they were abolished in 1982. Having been involved in schools and youthwork for ever, I have YOI, young offenders institute, stuck in that bit of my brain.

    Thank you Jack and PeterO

  17. My only encounter with “borstal” was in Fawlty Towers — “This is a hotel, not a borstal.”

  18. I agree with DrW @ 1 re TRIMESTER and TERRIER and thought ROBOTIC was a strange indirect anagram.

    I found I solved a lot from crosses and then parsed which is not so satisfying – not on the wavelength I fear.

    Liked COURTSHIP, TODDLED, EMPEROR, IRRITABLE

    Thanks Jack and PeterO

  20. Perhaps a bit on the Quiptic side but, nonetheless, a thoroughly enjoyable puzzle from a setter I have not previously encountered. It’s a long time since I tackled a Genius puzzle.

  24. Very enjoyable puzzle. I really like the style of clueing and I hope to see Jack’s puzzles here more often in the future.

    Favourites: TREATMENT, COURTSHIP, EMPEROR, TODDLED, BIT PART, ADAPT, PLEAT. Also TERRIER got a chuckle.

    Thanks, both.

    Re BORSTAL – I know this word from British TV dramas.

  26. FA @18&29. I had a similar experience in the Graun today (under a different name). It was at least 5 minutes before the comment appeared.

  27. Lots of fun. Thanks, Jack. I don’t think anyone’s mentioned ADAPT among their favourites but I found it outstanding.

  28. Crispy@12
    I agree with you regarding the drill bit. A bit is not a drill, it is just a part of a drill.
    Maybe Chambers has something in defense of BIT=DRILL.

  29. A nice challenge. I had to look up a list of seals to find the elephant in the puzzle, but the clue seems fair enough to me. I don’t care much whether a clue follows particular rules as long as there are at least two ways to get to the answer so trimester didn’t bother me.
    Quibbles: I didn’t like 8 much. The wordplay is OK though a bit vague, the definition is rather strained to get a smooth surface. I didn’t like the &lit definition of rehab either.

  30. Isn’t “drill component” the definition for BIT PART? I assumed the actor bit was the wordplay

  31. bodycheetah@29
    (29 was allocated to one of those disappearing/disappeared messages of Fiona Anne) 🙂

    BIT PART as a small role in a play/movie is the definition, I think (a cryptic def).
    ‘drill component’ is the wordplay.

  32. Was a BIT “PART DOWN IN THE MOUTH” upon first pass and not much solved, but soon got into it.

    Wonder what Susie Dent of ( British TV ) Countdown would make of “errier” as a word !

    Thanks Bodycheetah@15 for the Amy Winehouse. Here’s my earworm/Hairpiece, especially since my star sign is Aquarius

    https://youtu.be/BTZArvbmG_o

    Thank you Jack and PeterO.

  33. I liked this. Favourites include the sea mammal and BIT PART. Regarding the latter, my take was that a bit is indeed part of a drill, and a bit part is part of a bit, and therefore also part of a drill.
    Thanks PeterO and Jack.

  34. I’m not familiar with Jack but thought this was superb. Loved ELEPHANT SEAL, DOWN IN THE MOUTH, ADAPT and HIARPIECE.

    More please!

  35. Similarly, I ve not tried a Jack crossword before but his cluing is very elegant indeed . As others have highlighted 10 and 24 down are superb.

  36. The app today didn’t give the nom de plume of the setter (at least on my smartphone. This often happens on Monday, but it’s unusual later in the week). So I went through the puzzle trying to guess the author – unsuccessfully!

    Not too tricky, and quirky in places, as others have said. Pleasant groans for ‘eerier’ and ELEPHANT SEAL. Favourites were DIRT CHEAP, ULTRA, ADAPT. LOI was DERELICT – well hidden in a clue that read like an anagram.

    BIT PART didn’t quite work for me – a bit is a drill part, rather than vice versa. TRIMESTER is unconventionally constructed, but it didn’t stop mr from solving it.

    Fiona Allen – I had the same problem a few days ago. I thought it was because something in my post had inadvertently been caught by the spam filter, but perhaps it’s just a gremlin.

    Thanks to S&B

  37. Well, my paper version did give the pseudonym of the setter, which made me think I didn’t have a chance with this, as I’ve always been daunted by the fact that Serpent’s / Basilisk’s practically always feature a Nina, which I fail to get, along with quite fiendishly difficult clues. My attempt at Jack’s first puzzle was a disaster.

    I was amazed to discover that, like PostMark @13 and Shanne @16, I was on the wavelength from the outset, helped greatly by getting the familiar 1ac immediately and the friendly grid giving lots of initial letters. I loved the quirkiness of the clues and ended up with a big smile on my face.

    I shall not let today’s experience lull me into a false sense of security but I shall now tackle Jack’s (and maybe even Basilisk’s and Serpent’s) puzzles with more confidence.

    Many thanks to Jack and to PeterO.

  38. Beaulieu @32. Fine, except that a bit doesn’t have parts, unless you’re going to the level of molecules etc.

  39. Those objecting to “bit part” as a drill component obviously don’t have a set of those really neat drill bits for making countersunk holes that come in two parts, with a countersink attachment that can be moved up and down the shaft. Not only do they remove the need to keep switching implements, but they guarantee that all the holes are the same correct depth. Recommended if you do a lot of woodwork and are fed up with the boring bits.

  40. I’m not familiar with Jack but I didn’t like ERRIER at all. The rest was good however, if a bit Mondayish in parts.

  41. The last sentence of PeterO’s prologue sums up exactly what I thought about this crossword

    Thanks to him and Jack

  43. I thought it was ‘down in the dumps’ but too Paulean I guess.

    iked the puzzle, fresh and amusing. Ta for the blog.

  44. A virtual write-in for me, aided by 1a and 1d being familiar.

    I liked COURTSHIP. Don’t fully understand about the elephant, but the answer was clear.

    Thanks Jack and PeterO

  45. Just back from the allotment and my (three – all the same) messages have not appeared.

    Wonder if this one will. Can’t be bothered to write my comment yet again…..

  46. Very enjoyable with accurate cluing, although I thought the ‘one’ in the clue for TRIMESTER was a bit misleading and could have been omitted (?), if I understood it properly.

    I liked the definition for DOWN IN THE MOUTH (I put dumps at first), TREATMENT for the patient’s request, the ELEPHANT SEAL with his dry trunk, and the well-hidden DERELICT.

    Fiona Anne @44; I suspect you have used some word that has triggered the spam filter. You could try rewording if you can be bothered.

    Thanks Jack and PeterO.

  47. Dave Ellison@4, I see the blog you reference mentions a related Everyman example from The Art of the Crossword. One of my earliest penny-drop memories (late 60s) is of an actual Ximenes clue much like yours – “How a careless young shaver might feel?” I think.

    Thanks to Jack and PeterO for today’s entertainment.

  48. My fastest solution maybe – the clues seemed to suggest the answer which a CHECK showed was correct so often.
    I do not spend log parsing a correct answer, preferring to use 225 afterwards.

    I am not expert at solving cryptic clues , and Jack gets credit for deceiving me all over the place. I missed most of the embedded answers, and some of the subtle uses of a single word made me smile! e.g. keep/have , plug/ad and fitting/apt

    Irrespective of the setter I miss these single words so often!

    I look forward to Jack’s next puzzle now I am familiar with some of his tricks.

  49. One for those who like a nice surface and some humour rather than a thorny puzzle. ADAPT was so neat that you feel it must have been done before.

  50. Interesting how differently we solvers can see a crossword. I had precisely one answer after my first trawl through (DELIBERATION) and the IES for 9a, and almost gave up there and then. However, I decided to look at the acrosses from the one I had, and – gradually at first, but then more quickly – managed to complete it. Virtually no wavelength there at all. Thanks, Jack and PeterO.

  51. I am (a bit) surprised at all the convoluted comments on drills – multiple online dictionaries confirm the usage and my paper one refers to a tool for creating holes, which encompasses both the bit and the brace/power tool/handle etc used to drive it.

    However, beyond all that, it is absolutely common usage in any workshop I’ve ever been in (which is a few). You talk about a box of drills, a wood drill, tile drill etc. The website UKdrills.com happily sells you drill sets, core drills and so forth.

    So yes that means the same thing can be called a drill (which is also the thing that drives it), a bit and a drill bit. No-one ever said English was logical, and if it were we would not have splendid crosswords like this to solve.

    Hence drill = bit and component = part which is the least convoluted interpretation of the clue. I’ll let William of Ockham take up the argument from there…

  52. I think, and google confirms, that “down in the mouth” means sad, not “fed up,” which is more ilke exasperated.

    In REHAB, “boozer” means “bar” in the wordplay but “drunkard” in the definition. Is that fair?

    I couldn’t think what PER was diong in EMPEROR — thanks, PeterO.

    blaise@38 Your link takes me to a site telling me in French to signify my preference for cookies (apparently “cookies” is French for “cookies” in webspeak.) To bad, I was curious about the adjustable countersink bits, since I’ve only seen the try-it-and-see-if it’s-deep-enough sort.

    Thanks, Jack and PeterO.

  53. Petert@48. Yes, the clue for adapt was neat. When I first read ‘change plug fitting’ I immediately thought of ADJUST, and only when I was about to write it in did I realise the light was only five spaces, not six!

  54. Valentine@50. “boozer” means “bar” in the wordplay but “drunkard” in the definition. I think this is fair – it often happens that a word acts as a noun in the wordplay but a verb in the definition. In this case it’s two nouns with linked meanings, so I don’t think it’s unfair. Eye-opening, certainly.

  55. Like Robi@45 I nearly dashed in DOWN IN THE Dumps, until I realised that that might mean feathers reappearing at the other end of the human alimentary canal…

  56. paddymelon@41. I think Jason Crampton has delivered here in spades, humour first and foremost. Totally agree. When I first tackled Jack a few weeks ago I found it a bit too hard, not really getting on the setter’s wavelength. This one seemed to be much more accessible, which others have also found.

    Some have taken a dislike to ERRIER, but to me it’s very similar to when Paul makes an adjective out of a noun by adding a Y. The word may not exist, but we understand what it would mean if it did. And the ELEPHANT SEAL joke was very funny too.

    Thanks to Jack and PeterO.

  57. Valentine@50 & me @52. Another example is at 23a where ‘lead’ in the surface is the metal, chemical symbol Pb, pronounced “led” but in the definition it’s a principal actor, pronounced “leed”. It’s deliberately misleading (sorry), but certainly not unfair.

  58. Valentine @50. If you’re in the UK this link should take you somewhere more useful (screwfix.com). I just googled something like “countersink drill bits for wood” and took the first link that came up with decent pictures (regretted later that I was giving amazon a freebie). Oddly enough, I’m off to drill holes in someone’s wall in an hour or so.

  59. Valentine@50. I think that fed up can mean sad as well as irritated by. The word sad is etymologically from the same source as sated; so someone sad or sated could be described as literally fed up.

  60. Sheffield hatter @ 54, I too found Jack’s first offering too hard and put him in my “don’t attempt” list. But I did attempt, and today moved him to my “good” list. I look forward to his next one.

  61. Thanks both,
    I thoroughly enjoyed this and it was all over too soon. I had ‘deliberating’ for one down with a dubious rating=helping. And ‘no paper’ for 21a which I took as a reference to our beloved organ’s environmental ambitions.

  62. Thanks for the blog , good set of clues, I did not get loads when cold solving but once I put the Downs in it collapsed very quickly. Maybe the grid was a little too helpful . I did prefer the debut puzzle from this setter.

  63. Fiona Anne & jack of few trades
    Your posts ended up in the spam queue for reasons unknown quaquaquaqua. I attempted to restore them to their rightful place here, but they seem to have vanished off the face of the earth.

  64. Here is my attempt at a copy of Fiona Anne’s posts:

    I agree with DrW @ 1 re TRIMESTER and TERRIER and I thought ROBOTIC was a strange indirect anagram.
    I got quite a lot from crosses and then parsed which is not so satisfying – not on the wavelength I fear.
    Liked EMPEROR, TODDLED, COURTSHIP, IRRITABLE
    Thanks Jack and PeterO

    Sorry jack of few trades, I lost your comment.

  65. I thought that was just great – Goldilocks in fact. Lots of entertainment with a cascade of pdms. ADAPT was 2LOI and so satisfying to get after too long staring at all the crossers and LOI ELEPHANT SEAL had me slapping my thigh – what fun.

    Thanks both.

  66. [GDU @58: If you like Jack try your hand at Serpent in the Indy. I think he produces his best work under that moniker.]

  68. PeterO @63 not to worry…errare humanum est so at least we know you have not been secretly replaced by a generative pre-trained transformer 🙂

    My point was surprise at people’s convoluted attempts to justify the word drill for the thing you put in the chuck of a drill as it is both backed up by dictionaries but also standard usage in every workshop I’ve been in. You get twist drills, tile drills, wood drills, core drills etc. Yes they are also called bits. And drill bits. And the driver is sometimes called a drill, when it isn’t a brace. Isn’t English wonderful? If it weren’t crosswords would be nowhere near as much fun as this excellent outing from Jack.

    I’d get out more but I’m too busy down the shed arranging my drills and other bits and pieces.

  69. JOFT @66 – I’m bemused at some of the comments. Drill = BIT, component = PART. Not sure why people are trying to make it more complicated.

    Anyway, smashing puzzle. I wholly agree with paddymelon @41. ELEPHANT SEAL made me laugh out loud. Yes, it was all a lot less fearsome than we expect from this setter, but still with all the same wit and invention as usual.

    Thanks, Jack and PeterO.

  70. (Congratulations to Kev, who at 3.17 pm today UK completed the Monday Cryptic by Matilda, the first one he has completed. perseverance pays.)

  71. Many thanks to PeterO for the excellent blog and to everyone who has taken the time to comment. I’m delighted the puzzle has gone down so well.

  72. Thanks for the puzzle Jack and the blog PeterO. On the whole I like ERRIER.
    (And still fingers crossed Sheffield Hatter)

  73. blaise@58 That link also took me to a site which demanded that I accept cookies. Maybe it’s because I’m not in the UK but in the US. I don’t see the point in accepting cookies for a site that I’m not going to visit again. I’m cluttered up enough already.

    Roman@59 An etymologically stretchy pun!

  74. Finally finished this, a day late. Still pleased with myself though. I was trying to find an anagram of ‘offer excellent’ for 27a for ages, and ‘one term is’ for 17a too. I also had ‘hairspray’ for a while. DOWN IN THE MOUTH made me chuckle.

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