An enjoyable crossword, so first, thanks to Sleuth. We had almost finished doing the blog when there was a power cut and we feared we’d have to re-enter the lot. We should have known better. Our thanks to PeeDee for yet another great feature of the utility.
Very much a crossword of two halves (or three quarters and another quarter) in terms of challenge. Everything went straight in until we got to the lower right-hand corner, which had us sweating for a minute. There’s no cheat function with the FT, so no safety net. Two of the neatest clues were there, as compensation.
| Across | ||
| 1 | DIATRIBE |
Bitter attack a bit dire when reviewed (8)
An anagram (reviewed) of A BIT DIRE |
| 5 | CICADA |
A lawyer behind military bigwig, chirpy type (6)
CIC (commander in chief) A DA (District Attorney). Brings back memories of Perry Mason and DA Burger |
| 9 | PROSPECT |
A possible customer survey (8)
A salesperson may refer to a potential customer as a prospect. Prospect may also be used as a verb or a noun synonymous with survey. |
| 10 | SPROUT |
Gush about end of winter offering new growth (6)
SPOUT around R, the final letter (end) of WINTER |
| 11 | SABOTAGE |
Disruptive conduct got a base in trouble (8)
An anagram (in trouble) of GOT A BASE |
| 12 | ESCORT |
Put a lot of film music in film guide (6)
All but the last letter of SCORE (film music) inserted into ET (the title of a very popular film) |
| 14 | IMMATERIAL |
Tiny measure taken by second of defendants in a hearing unimportant (10)
I MM (one millimetre, a tiny measure) A TRIAL (hearing), with E (second letter of DEFENDANTS) inserted |
| 18 | MOTORMOUTH |
Chatterbox in saloon, say, by part of river (10)
A saloon is one type of car or MOTOR (as in, ”‘Ullo John! Gotta New Motor?” ) MOUTH (part of a river where it meets the sea |
| 22 | CALLER |
Visitor making request for medical help in US? (6)
Someone needing medical help in America might ask someone to CALL ER (acronym of emercency room). |
| 23 | HOMESPUN |
Unadorned verbal wit of an ex- PM? (8)
This one was neat. Alec Douglas-HOME (pronounced as in Cheadle Hulme) is the prime minister concerned. Add the possessive S and PUN for verbal with and you have the answer. |
| 24 | BEACON |
Serve inside, perhaps, as a shining light (6)
Or BE A CON (slang for covict, who serves time inside, in prison argot) |
| 25 | WISEACRE |
Comedian right to probe outstanding know-all (8)
WISE (as in Morecanbe and ) ACE (outstanding) with R inserted (probing). |
| 26 | ESTEEM |
Admire English hunting events being withdrawn (6)
E for English a reversal (witdrawn) of MEETS (hunting events) |
| 27 | STURGEON |
Fish scientist gutted beside egg (8)
We liked this one as well. The first and last letters of ScientisT (scientist gutted) URGE ON (encourage or egg on). Some might quibble about whether it should be “egg” or “egg on”, but not us. |
| Down | ||
| 1 | DEPOSE |
Remove letter with a lot of correspondence enclosed (6)
DEE (letter D) with all but the last letter of POST inserted (enclosed) |
| 2 | AMOEBA |
A second site for selling goods curtailed? It’s parasitic (6)
A MO (second, or moment) EBA (Ebay curtailed, or without its final letter). We think of an amoeba as a single-celled organism. Are all amoebas parasitic? If not, some might take issue with this clue. On the other hand, it’s pretty clear what the setter is getting at. |
| 3 | REPUTE |
Standing salesman with pick-up truck (6)
REP used for salesman followed by UTE – Australian slang for a utility vehicle or pick-up. A person’s “repute” or reputation may also be referred to as his public standing |
| 4 | BACKGAMMON |
Support gent oddly taking rounds in game (10)
BACK for support plus G and N, the odd letters of gent, surrounding AMMO (as in rounds of ammunition) |
| 6 | IMPOSTER |
Young offender misled store in fraud (8)
IMP for young offender followed by an anagram (misled) of STORE. |
| 7 | APOLOGIA |
Explorer in a private area requires defence (8)
The explorer is (Marco) POLO inserted into A GI (as in GI Joe, an American soldier (not necessarily a private but it would be churlish to quibble) A for area. To be honest, we aren’t keen on one-letter abbreviations such as A for area or E for English (they might be technically acceptable but they seem a little facile), but we seem to have woken in a mellow mood today. |
| 8 | ASTUTELY |
A style that’s developed about working group in wise fashion (8)
Anagram (or development) of STYLE about TU short for Trade Union (working group). |
| 13 | CARTOONIST |
Bell, perhaps, in vehicle also isn’t working (10)
A marriage of CAR (vehicle) plus TOO (also) plus an anagram or working of ISN’T. Steve Bell is a cartoonist possibly most famous for his series of “If” cartoons. |
| 15 | AMICABLE |
Friendly Welsh politician, independent, supported by Liberal Democrat (8)
AM for Assembly Member (as in Welsh Assembly) plus I (independent) plus CABLE as in Vince Cable the Liberal Democrat MP. |
| 16 | STALWART |
Resolute person broke law in beginning (8)
START (beginning) surrounding the letters of LAW which are “broke”. Colllins allows that a resolute and firm person may be termed a stalwart. |
| 17 | GRUESOME |
Macabre morgue’s demolished close to home (8)
An anagram of MORGUE’S and E which is the close or last letter of HOME. |
| 19 | METEOR |
Note singer pouring out heart, dazzling phenomenon (6)
ME (a musical note) followed by TENOR (singer) minus the central letter N. Meteors are also commonly known as shooting stars. |
| 20 | APACHE |
Helicopter quickly seen round hospital (6)
APACE (quickly) surrounding H (hospital). An Apache is a multi role combat helicopter. |
| 21 | INTERN |
Trainee professional, one after another heard (6)
A common term which when spoken aloud sounds like “in turn” or one after another. |
Enjoyable thank you Sleuth. The SE corner was nearly my downfall too. Thanks to D&L.
Thanks Sleuth and D&L, a very enjoyable puzzle and a helpful blog.
I had not heard of Steve Bell. STURGEON and BACKGAMMON, among others, were good.
Most amoebae are not parasites, but 2d seems OK clued that way round.
Thanks Sleuth and D&L
Good crossword with a bit of work required on most clues, but as you allude to, particularly in the SE corner which is where I ended as well.
I only realised on coming here that I hadn’t parsed DEPOSE. Thought that HOMESPUN, WISEACRE STURGEON were all very good.