Everyman crossword No 3,568

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Hello all,

Firstly, apologies for the lateness of this post. Holiday-induced brainfade. Thanks to Gaufrid for alerting me to my oversight.

Secondly, and related, apologies for both the curtness of the post and the limited formatting – hopefully it is still clear enough.

Across

INSIDE JOBS : INSIDE = behind bars, JOBS = pieces of work. But whence ‘damaging’?

SCAR : scare (alarm) with no end

LENDS A HAND: a farm labourer = a hand, loans = lends

INCA : IN = home, CA. Is an Inca an indian? Hmmmmmmmm

REPRESENTATIVE : Double definition, with a healthy dose of wishful thinking on the second

IBERIAN : Liberian. Definition by example, according to all portugese?

STEWART : we backwards (upset) during launch (start), for Jackie Stewart

LA PALMA : Is this ALMA (girl) with PAL backwards at the start? The order seems a little bit tricky to me.

PIERROT: ERROr in PIT (part of theatre)

MASON DIXON LINE : Straightforward charade of Perry Mason, George Dixon, with LINE (course)

DOOR : Nice simple clue – reversal (over) of ROOD (crucifix)

CAPITALIST : Moscow, say, is a capital. IS T(ense)

NOTE : reversal of ETON

PAPER TIGER : PAPER = daily, TIER = row, around G

 

 

Down

IDLE : I + LED* (astray)

SINCE (seeing that) RE (about)

DESERT ISLAND : anagram (unfortunately) of LIES STRANDED

JOHNSON : JOHN (gospel) SO (very) N (new)

BANANAS : Double definition

CANTINA : CANT (insincere talk) IN A

REAL ESTATE : REAL (official) ESTATE (car)

BAKEWELL TART : Interesting use of the imperative voice (“Cook so” = bake well) keen = tart? Not sure if I really like this clue or think it doesn’t quite work. Maybe I’m missing something

SILLY MID-ON : SILLY (foolish) M (male) I (one) DON (fellow)

PASS OUT : PASS = narrow defile, OUT = abroad

ALI BABA : Anagram (jumping) of BAIL, AB = seaman, A

PROFILE : FILE (papers) PRO (professional)

RANKING : RAN = showed, KING = card

STAR :  STARR

14 comments on “Everyman crossword No 3,568”

  1. No comments yet? Wow.

    In doing this puzzle, I learned for the first time that “flan” means different things in British and American English. Here, “flan” is always Latin American-style egg custard (or a variation thereof); thus, describing a Bakewell tart as a flan would be confusing here.

    But yes, “keen” = “tart” as in pungent flavors.

    Also, here where F1 is a fooreign language, a racecar driver named Stewart would be NASCAR’s Tony—who honestly isn’t enough of a household name to wind up in a crossword puzzle, except maybe down in NASCAR-land (i.e., south of the MASON-DIXON LINE). I actually had to check that one via Google to ensure that there really was a prominent F1 driver named Stewart.

  2. Thanks, Matt, I needed your explanation to understand that it was an imperative in 11d.
    You learn things by doing puzzles, but also by reading the comments. I didn’t know that the word “flan” for Americans has the same meaning as here in France. Thanks, mrpenney!

  3. in Bakewell they will tell you it is Bakewell Pudding and Bakewell Tart is a relatively recent (and incorrect) name. Try Googling Bakewell Pudding for more details

  5. Cookie,

    “Cantina” is one of those words that is extremely common here–again, thanks to American English’s ready adoption of Spanish words.

    Actually, that was one clue I had a quibble with: There is no reason on earth why a cantina must be rural. “Mexican bar” is probably enough to define the word fairly.

  6. Thanks Matt.

    As an Englishman who has had a Bakewell Pudding from the Bakewell Pudding Shop, I wouldn’t describe it as a “flan” – which I also would think of as containing egg-custard.

  8. I find Bakewell and La Palma a bit dodgy as well although I got both. Also remember Dixon of Dock Green and Perry Mason although younger fellow kiwis may struggle.

    “Damaging” does seem aimless fodder in 1a. Can anyone else explain?

    Rood was new to me as was Pierrot – the latter odd as I do Theatre although I think he was primarily a mime artist.

    Thanks Matt and Everyman. And do we dare to believe tomorrow? Well, why not?

  9. Why not indeed, keep the faith, Barrie. This morning was an enjoyable romp, I stupidly spelt capatilist wrongly which meant the only one that foiled me wans profile.(I putin an a instead of an i). Had to check Pierrot, but apart from that the no electronic device was necessary. Thanks Everyman and Matt.
    GO THE BLACK CAPS

  10. Policeman George Dixon of Dock Green – how obscure is that? An old TV series from 1955 to 1976 – I’ve never heard of it before. Google comes up with George Dixon, boxer, bantamweight from Canada, world #1, who died in 1909 after 800 bouts and the effects of alcoholism and fast living.
    The Black Caps beat the Aussies at Eden Park on February 26. The Black Caps will beat them again tomorrow at the MCG. Ross Taylor is overdue for a top score.
    Thanks for explaining the crossword, it was beyond me, mostly.

  11. No quandaries today but I agree with Barrie (and Matt) in the inclusion of “damaging” in1a. I managed 11d through the crossers and the SE corner gradually took shape. My wife and I had our honeymoon in The Canaries (in 1968) so 16a, 21a and 15a were within living memory! Some intriguing clues today (I tend to like them all when I don’t have to resort to electronic support!).

    It’s difficult for those of us to focus on anything else in this neck of the woods other than tomorrow’s final-thank goodness the crossword has provided some momentary distraction.
    Thanks Everyman and Matt.
    I’ve stocked up with some malt and chocolate. Cheers all and here’s hoping tomorrow’s game is played in the same spirit as earlier in the week.

  12. Tend to agree with the comments for 1ac. Cantina was a new word for me today. Have heard of ‘rood’ and ‘Pierrot’ though. Enjoyed 21ac and 13 d particularly with its cricket reference.

    Tomorrow is going to be a big day for most of us here in NZ. Will we or won’t we? That is the question. Whatever, it is sure to be an enjoyable game.

  13. No major difficulties with today’s one. Agree about uncertainty with the LA PALMA clue.

    Go the Black Caps!

  14. go the black caps
    theyve won our hearts even tho some of us still dont understand the first thing about cricket, we just love that we are good sports and have dignity no matter what we are playing
    oh yes enjoyed the crossword too this week and got everything except one even without elec help this time

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