*=anag, []=dropped, <=reversed, hom=homophone, CD=cryptic def, DD=double def, sp=spoonerism
Across | |
---|---|
1 | Palisade: Pal i.e. around sad. |
5 | Berber: Ber[i]ber[i]. |
9 | Enthrone: (Nero then)*. |
10 | Swains: (A w(ife)< in sins. |
11 | Thorn: Thor + N. I was a bit puzzled by the definition, thinking it somehow referred to old people being a bit thorny. But after looking up thorn, I see that there is a Runic character called thorn. |
12 | Imran Khan: I man around rank + h(ard). Referring to the fast bowler-turned-politician. |
14 | Development: (Devon temple)*. |
18 | Prepandial: Prep(=homework) + ran + laid<. |
21 | Retailing: Railing around ET, the crossword compiler’s favourite film, although I think the proper title is “E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial”. |
23 | Bling: B(lack) + ling. |
24 | Region: Niger< around o(=duck). |
25 | Untangle: (Gent ulna)*. |
26 | Banish: Bash around NI (Northern Ireland = Province). |
27 | Etchings: E(astern) things around c[upboard]. | Down |
1 | Presto: Presto[n]. |
2 | Lotion: “Liquid in place about to evaporate”. Apart from liquid=lotion, I don’t see this one at all. |
3 | Serenader: Near* in Seder. Seder seems to be part of the Jewish Passover festival. |
4 | Don Giovanni: Doing* + ova + inn<. |
6 | Edwin: Labour would like to see Ed (Miliband) win. Edwin was a King of Northumbria in the 7th Century. |
7 | Blighter: B(ishop) + ligher. |
8 | Resonate: (Notes are)*. |
13 | Rolling in it: Roll + in(=home) + gin + it. |
15 | Palm Beach: (Blame chap)*. |
16 | Spare Rib: ([Femal]e rip bras)*. |
17 | Pentagon: Pen + tag + on. |
19 | Virgin: Vi + grin*. |
20 | Egrets: [R]egrets. |
22 | Irons: Ron with is around. Def=clubs. |
Thanks NealH and Quixote.
Quite easy, but good as always.
2 down is LOCATION minus C(irc)A.
Thanks, NealH, for the blog and Quixote for the puzzle. The usual, accessible, fair and entertaining Quixote puzzle, which I too found on the easy side.
Good sound puzzle, as one expects from Quixote.
Thanks, NealH and MaleficOpus, for blog and comment; there were a few that I got without being able to parse and 2d defeated me completely.
THORN (or þorn) is more than a runic character; it was widely used in old English and the Scandinavian languages and survives in Icelandic today. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thorn_%28letter%29
Many thanks Neil H & Quixote. This was very enjoyable.
However, I do have to report a typo on 18a:
PREPRANDIAL is the correct 11-letter solution.
Do I get a reward?
Looking forward!
2 down
Lotion = location – ca (about)