We talked recently about indirect references and the need for them to be obvious to allow solvers a reasonable chance of working out the association BEFORE finding the solution. I mentioned a couple of different types of indirect references, but I left one out as I believe it simply shouldn’t be used even though it turns up in published crosswords every now and then. This one I call “guilt by association”, where a word is expanded, or a synonym is used, to define a word that is used in a completely different way to the original word. Here is an example: “Go first” = LEAD = PB (chemical symbol for lead). Here is another: (a little less removed this time, but the same concept) “Cop” = COPPER = CU (chemical symbol of copper). “Cop” could just as easily be “policeman”, but either way I’m not a fan – just too much to do for the solver. Imagine the overhead of having to translate and map out potentially every word of a clue in this way? These kinds of devices are simply setters showing off, giving the average solver little chance of using wordplay to reach the answer.
| Across | Answers and Clues | Explanations |
| 1 | DEPRESSING | |
| Black record covered in protective material (10) | EP inside DRESSING | |
| 6 | OBEY | |
| Carry out demented boy in possession of ecstasy (4) | Anagram of BOY outside E | |
| 9 | LARGE | |
| Broad area of molecular genetics (5) | molecuLAR GEnetics | |
| 10 | AUTHENTIC | |
| Faithful relative embracing the one heading to court (9) | AUNT outside THE + I + (C)OURT | |
| 12 | TROPICAL | |
| Hot current separated by river (8) | TOPICAL outside R | |
| 13 | A TREAT | |
| One below scattered feed extremely well? (1,5) | Anagram of RAT (answer to next clue) + EAT | |
| 15 | RAT | |
| Teller reduced charge (3) | (RAT)E | |
| 16 | SHOOTING | |
| Frightening cry can start to generate gunfire (8) | SHOO + TIN + (G)ENERATE | |
| 19 | MEMORIAL | |
| European capital sent back in mail – breaking record (8) | ROME reversed inside anagram of MAIL | |
| 20 | TIN | |
| Slices of meat inside can (3) | meaT INside | |
| 23 | ADORED | |
| Really liked a suit a light colour? (6) | A + DO + RED | |
| 24 | MYSTIQUE | |
| My bizarre quest punctuated by one fascination (8) | MY + anagram of QUEST outside I | |
| 26 | HARMONICA | |
| Lay a finger on a coin forged with instrument (9) | HARM + anagram of A COIN | |
| 27 | BLAST | |
| Criticise building’s opening and closing (5) | (B)UILDING + LAST | |
| 28 | DOES | |
| Looks after issues of axis, say? (4) | Double Definition | |
| 29 | BELL-WETHER | |
| “Live well”, restated the king and leader (4-6) | BE + anagram of WELL + THE + R | |
| Down | Answers and Clues | Explanations |
| 1 | DILATORY | |
| Cover up by a conservative Englishman given to procrastination (8) | LID reversed + A + TORY | |
| 2 | PAR FOR THE COURSE | |
| Typical fellow punching drunken superhero actor (3,3,3,6) | F inside anagram of SUPERHERO ACTOR | |
| 3 | EMETIC | |
| Call me about a drug that causes vomiting (6) | (CITE + ME) reversed | |
| 4 | SEAMANSHIP | |
| Join vessel admitting an ability to sail (10) | (SEAM + SHIP) outside AN | |
| 5 | NOTE | |
| No. 10 shortened official communication in writing? (4) | NO + (TE)N | |
| 7 | BUTTERNUT SQUASH | |
| Bowled over, say, fanatics to crush vegetable (9,6) | B + UTTER + NUTS + QUASH | |
| 8 | YACHTS | |
| Chain breaking nautical brace capsized craft (6) | CH inside (STAY reversed) | |
| 11 | ENTITY | |
| Thing, one stored in tent, unsettled youngster initially (6) | I inside anagram of TENT + (Y)OUNGSTER | |
| 14 | VOLLEY-BALL | |
| Lovely, organised social game (6-4) | Anagram of LOVELY + BALL | |
| 17 | BOLERO | |
| Revised edition of rule-book not including UK national dance (6) | Anagram of RULE BOOK minus UK | |
| 18 | INVENTOR | |
| Architect replaced iron around outside of opening (8) | Anagram of IRON outside VENT | |
| 21 | BATHED | |
| Had a wash at hospital in bed (6) | (AT + H) inside BED | |
| 22 | STABLE | |
| Bishop engaged by old firm (6) | B inside STALE | |
| 25 | LIKE | |
| Enjoy story about Facebook’s inception? Just the opposite! (4) | LIE outside FACEBOO(K) |
First class. I had not met a butternut squash, but knew about the pumpkin. Same family, so I was happy there. I am one of those included in this clue.
I promised Richard I would expand on 28a after the answer was revealed. I had some trouble with “does” for “looks after”. However I remembered the English film “Ladies who do”. It was about some charladies who “did” the offices of some high flying investment advisers. They gathered all the scrap paper and started investing, After a few hilarious events they each made a fortune with one driving to work in a RR.
I am of two minds. Do I want this week to be as challenging, or do I want a brain break.
It’s up to you David.
Thanks for the blog. I would not have made the connection in lead=pb. I am struggling with copper. It is frustrating when setters are too clever and show it.
I tested the waters with Crucible (Guardian 27096). It was a theme, which was not obvious to me until I read the comments after the event. Too many references to slang and English terms which are unlikely to be known or understood outside the UK. One example Flyers get stuck in this cockney prison. Answer Birdlime. Google confirms Birdlime is cockney for Prison in a convoluted way. But in this universal world, how is a poor Aussie supposed to get that?
Of course you are right, Arthur, and the answer is probably related to where the centre of the cryptic universe is: the UK . I try to write an international cryptic, but it’s hard if I can only use terms, abbreviations etc known across the whole English-speaking world. It seriously reduces the size of my toolbox. The best UK puzzle for overseas solvers is definitely the Financial Times (FT) that has more of a global audience and focus. The FT’s crosswords are freely available online. I can feel a blog post coming on…
Checked the movie Arthur. 1963, obscure tho’ a good plot. Don’t think I’ve seen it.
Quite a cast. Most women only vaguely familiar except Dandy Nicholls, but some very famous names amongst the men – Robert Morley, Harry H. Corbett to name but two .
I went with DEER by the way. Incorrect of course, only 50% of DoubleD.
Bit of Trivia David & Arthur re 18a.
Original (green/yellow) ComBank Money Box was modelled on Pitt St & Martin Place building opposite old GPO. I worked in that ComBank building 1970’s & again 1980’s.
Also have a 1950’s Photo taken by one of the street photographers who used to operate those days – of my Maternal Grandparents taken outside the Martin Place door.