Crossword Clues Part 2

[SusanDoris]

Well, I don’t think so. It’s a bit of an odd clue though – the first two letters are given to you, and “on the radio” tells you that the rest sounds like something – ie, the thing they do at magic shows that comes eighth. The whole thing being a synonym for “Involved”.   

intricate? I had actually thought of that, but couldn't work out why - and still don't quite see the 'eighth' connection. I thought IN was too easy for the beginning! In a TRICE could be connected with magic ... or CAT as in 'cat out of the bag', ...   

A large group of people is a country or a …. Then you have that “say”, which in Latin abbreviated form is inside (“kept in”) the "people" part, the whole meaning “denial”.

NEGATION Yes, I should have got the NATION part. I'd thought of negative but of course it didn't fit.

Took me a while this one (I kept thinking of inspecting, which is wrong). “At home” is always the same two letters, and “midnight” is always the same one letter (ie, the middle letter in “night”).

IN for at home? SIGHTING for whole word.

Before that though you need part of a gun, the whole thing meaning “viewing”.

Ah, yes the G (middle letter of night) is the end G.
One clue left - but no help requested at the moment! I'll see what I can do. And you'll have got the answer before ouve finished reading the clue!
15 down: Outfit's shares perhaps not popular (
- E - T - E - T

[bluehillside Retd.]

Hi Susan,

intricate? I had actually thought of that, but couldn't work out why - and still don't quite see the 'eighth' connection. I thought IN was too easy for the beginning! In a TRICE could be connected with magic ... or CAT as in 'cat out of the bag', ...

It's simpler than that: said out loud “intricate” sounds like “in trick eight”…   

NEGATION Yes, I should have got the NATION part. I'd thought of negative but of course it didn't fit.

Spot on.

IN for at home? SIGHTING for whole word.

Ah, yes the G (middle letter of night) is the end G.

Yup – “at home” is always “in”, and a “sight” is part of a rifle I think. “G” from “midnight” is pretty common too.

One clue left - but no help requested at the moment! I'll see what I can do. And you'll have got the answer before ouve finished reading the clue!
15 down: Outfit's shares perhaps not popular (
- E - T - E - T

Well…

[SusanDoris]

Hi Susan,

It's simpler than that: said out loud “intricate” sounds like “in trick eight”…   

Oh dear! *shakes head ruefully*

Today's Quick has four 13-letter answers!

[SusanDoris]

I have been going methodically through the alphabet, mentally  putting letters in here and there, but can not come up with answer to 15 down (Outfit's shares perhaps not popular ( ) so would much appreciate a strong hint, please. 
I suppose it'll turn out to be one of those kick-self answers ... ... !

[bluehillside Retd.]

Hi Susan,

I have been going methodically through the alphabet, mentally  putting letters in here and there, but can not come up with answer to 15 down (Outfit's shares perhaps not popular (  ) so would much appreciate a strong hint, please. 
I suppose it'll turn out to be one of those kick-self answers ... ... !

It might just be. If you put our money into shares etc you make an…

…but as that word is “not popular”, it must be missing the part that means “popular” – possibly a two-letter part at the beginning?

And when you remove that part maybe you’ll be left for a synonym for an “outfit” or item of clothing. 

[SusanDoris]

Hi Susan,

It might just be. If you put our money into shares etc you make an…

…but as that word is “not popular”, it must be missing the part that means “popular” – possibly a two-letter part at the beginning?

And when you remove that part maybe you’ll be left for a synonym for an “outfit” or item of clothing.

Mind stayes blank ... ... phoned my neighbour about something else ... ... came back to have another think about item of clothing that fitted the letters ... and of course it is VESTMENT.

I don't think that counts as a kick-self - as I am not into investing in shares! 

Thank you for your help.

[bluehillside Retd.]

Susan,

Mind stayes blank ... ... phoned my neighbour about something else ... ... came back to have another think about item of clothing that fitted the letters ... and of course it is VESTMENT.

I don't think that counts as a kick-self - as I am not into investing in shares! 

Thank you for your help.

My pleasure 

[bluehillside Retd.]

Hi Susan - if you're online, I'm just checking that you're ok as we haven't heard from you this week.

All best

[Nearly Sane]

Hi Susan - if you're online, I'm just checking that you're ok as we haven't heard from you this week.

All best

She hasn't posted since the 16th but she was logged on yesterday morning. But echo your thought

[bluehillside Retd.]

Thanks NS

[SusanDoris]

bluehillside and NS

Thank you for your concern.  I expect you have seen my post in Topic for going off topic? I have a few more pills to take!

Right - back to work!
I have done about 8 of the clues, but a couple of helpful hints will assist, please.

6 across: Christmas favourite thing: tinsel for decorating (6,5)
Sixth letter T, but that means it can't be 'silver paper.  I'm pretty sure a similar clue has cropped up before, but I can't remember the answer.

1 down: Wallet ultimately secreted by Scrooge - that's what you'd call him (6)
Does MISER have anything to do withit?There doesn't seem to be any logical reason why it should! Presumably, ultimately means the t at the end of wallet, and that must be inside something else. Hmmm.

Help will be much appreciated as always

[bluehillside Retd.]

Hi Susan,

Thank you for your concern.  I expect you have seen my post in Topic for going off topic? I have a few more pills to take!

Not at all. I‘ve PM’s you back by the way.

Right - back to work!
I have done about 8 of the clues, but a couple of helpful hints will assist, please.

6 across: Christmas favourite thing: tinsel for decorating (6,5)
Sixth letter T, but that means it can't be 'silver paper.  I'm pretty sure a similar clue has cropped up before, but I can't remember the answer.

The “decorating” suggests an anagram, and “thing tinsel” has the requisite number of letters…

…maybe a favourite carol would be a good synonym here too?

1 down: Wallet ultimately secreted by Scrooge - that's what you'd call him (6)
Does MISER have anything to do withit?There doesn't seem to be any logical reason why it should! Presumably, ultimately means the t at the end of wallet, and that must be inside something else. Hmmm.

Help will be much appreciated as always

Yes, you’re definitely on the right lines here. And yes “miser” is there too – so what happens when you insert the “ultimate” of wallet into that word? 

[SusanDoris]

Hi Susan,

Not at all. I‘ve PM’s you back by the way.

Yes, I saw it yesterday, thank you; and for your help here. 

The “decorating” suggests an anagram, and “thing tinsel” has the requisite number of letters…

…maybe a favourite carol would be a good synonym here too?

Oh dear, I really should have thought of that! SILENT plus NIGHT.

Yes, you’re definitely on the right lines here. And yes “miser” is there too – so what happens when you insert the “ultimate” of wallet into that word?

MMISTER ...but that sounds too easy!
Anyway, I did a few more answers yesterday.

[SusanDoris]

Since laast Saturday's Cryptic was nearly complete and since it was Christmas Day yesterday, I consulted Big Dave's blog hints instead of here!   The page was sort of flickering ... there were continuous snowflakes falling down.

15 across: Seasonal good wishes, remarks inspiring leaders in pretty lacklustre institutions (11)
I had: - - M - - - I - E N - - -
I knew P, L and I had to go in but would not have got COMPLIMENTS  without the hint 'synonym of remarks'.

There are, however, a couple of answers with gaps:
Duck with orange ( - A - D - R - N
I know that 'duck' can be 0, but as there is no D in 'orange', a hint towards the answer would help please. No rush of course!!

 There is also: Particular Christmas film seen in Irish house (6)
I have D- T - I -    So I thought ET for the film, butI don't know why the answer might be DETAIL?

I have printed Monday's Cryptic and have done quite a few answers ... another Christmasy one.

[Nearly Sane]

Since laast Saturday's Cryptic was nearly complete and since it was Christmas Day yesterday, I consulted Big Dave's blog hints instead of here!   The page was sort of flickering ... there were continuous snowflakes falling down.

15 across: Seasonal good wishes, remarks inspiring leaders in pretty lacklustre institutions (11)
I had: - - M - - - I - E N - - -
I knew P, L and I had to go in but would not have got COMPLIMENTS  without the hint 'synonym of remarks'.

There are, however, a couple of answers with gaps:
Duck with orange ( - A - D - R - N
I know that 'duck' can be 0, but as there is no D in 'orange', a hint towards the answer would help please. No rush of course!!

 There is also: Particular Christmas film seen in Irish house (6)
I have D- T - I -    So I thought ET for the film, butI don't know why the answer might be DETAIL?

I have printed Monday's Cryptic and have done quite a few answers ... another Christmasy one.

For the duck clue, it's a name that a type of duck and a type of orange share. Also strong associations with part of China.


Detail is correct, the Dail is the lower house in Irish parliament.

[SusanDoris]

For the duck clue, it's a name that a type of duck and a type of orange share. Also strong associations with part of China.

Ah, right, so it is MANDARIN. I would not have thought of that, but must remember it for future occasions.

Detail is correct, the Dail is the lower house in Irish parliament.

Another one I didn't know!

thank you for your help - much appreciated.

[bluehillside Retd.]

Hi again Susan – hope you had a lovely Christmas.

Since laast Saturday's Cryptic was nearly complete and since it was Christmas Day yesterday, I consulted Big Dave's blog hints instead of here!   The page was sort of flickering ... there were continuous snowflakes falling down.

15 across: Seasonal good wishes, remarks inspiring leaders in pretty lacklustre institutions (11)
I had: - - M - - - I - E N - - -
I knew P, L and I had to go in but would not have got COMPLIMENTS  without the hint 'synonym of remarks'.

There are, however, a couple of answers with gaps:
Duck with orange (  - A - D - R - N
I know that 'duck' can be 0, but as there is no D in 'orange', a hint towards the answer would help please. No rush of course!!

 There is also: Particular Christmas film seen in Irish house (6)
I have D- T - I -    So I thought ET for the film, butI don't know why the answer might be DETAIL?

I have printed Monday's Cryptic and have done quite a few answers ... another Christmasy one.

NS beat me to it re MANDARIN, but you’re right on the other one with DETAIL. The DAIL is the Irish parliament, so putting ET inside it gives you a synonym for “particular”. 

Incidentally, was there not a bumper festive crossword this year? Various papers do it, but I'm not sure if the Telegraph is one of them. 

[SusanDoris]

Hi again Susan – hope you had a lovely Christmas.

Yes, thank you, and I hope you did too. Younger son and family in Northampton and older over  in the far west of Wiltshire, so I would have been perfectly content on my own, but  a neighbour, a few years older than I am and a very good cook!,  who was also going to be on her own invited me over for lunch yesterday and today and that has been very pleasant, as we have known each other for a long time.

NS beat me to it re MANDARIN, but you’re right on the other one with DETAIL. The DAIL is the Irish parliament, so putting ET inside it gives you a synonym for “particular”.

Ah, I hadn't seen that point.   

Incidentally, was there not a bumper festive crossword this year? Various papers do it, but I'm not sure if the Telegraph is one of them.

I don't know - I am sticking to the Quick and the Cryptic. I can manage them, printing them and using the CCTV, ,  moving the paper around from clu to grid. Also, since the DT changed - I suppose they call it 'improved' (*sigh*) -the web page, it is not so easy to get them on screen and print them!

[SusanDoris]

Saturday – crossword day again; may I ask for comments or hints, please?

Printed today’s cryptic, plodded through all the clues, thought I couldn’t do any, but then found an easy one … … I think it is my favourite setter’s … and have done quite a few already.

28 across:Baby girl might be found here enjoying perfect health (2,3,4)
IN HER PRAM? P starts the third word, but I can’t see what ‘perfect health’ has to do with it.

8 across: Stewards badly organising plant (5,8)
-   - - Y -/B – D - - - - -
-   Anagram of first two words presumably, but even if I get all the intervening letters, I doubt if I will know the plant!

[Enki]

Saturday – crossword day again; may I ask for comments or hints, please?

Printed today’s cryptic, plodded through all the clues, thought I couldn’t do any, but then found an easy one … … I think it is my favourite setter’s … and have done quite a few already.

28 across:Baby girl might be found here enjoying perfect health (2,3,4)
IN HER PRAM? P starts the third word, but I can’t see what ‘perfect health’ has to do with it.

8 across: Stewards badly organising plant (5,8)
-   - - Y -/B – D - - - - -
-   Anagram of first two words presumably, but even if I get all the intervening letters, I doubt if I will know the plant!

Hi Susan.

Think what colour little girls are supposed to wear. Then have a look again at your answer 'in her pram'. You're right. the whole thing means in tip top health.

The second is an anagram of 'stewards badly'. Clue- the dried flowers were sometimes used for stuffing matresses, especially for gentile females perhaps?

Have a good new year, Susan. I've just got a date for the first of my hip replacements.

[SusanDoris]

Hi Susan.

Think what colour little girls are supposed to wear. Then have a look again at your answer 'in her pram'. You're right. the whole thing means in tip top health.

Ah, yes of course, thank you! IN THE PINK

The second is an anagram of 'stewards badly'. Clue- the dried flowers were sometimes used for stuffing matresses, especially for gentile females perhaps?

I think that one might defeat me! However, I will try and get some more letters ... and the grid is about one third complete so far, so that's not bad for a Saturday!

Have a good new year, Susan. I've just got a date for the first of my hip replacements.

All the best for the hip op - and I am sure you will make sure you do all the physio exercises you are given to regain full movement.

[SusanDoris]

A couple more clues solved this morning. A not-too-easy hint for the following would be much appreciated:

Brief success for chef? (5,2,3,3)

- L - - -/N -/T - -/- A -  The fourth letter I think is S. With the second word beginning with N, there is very little choice as to preceding word, or following letter.  Hmmmm....

[Enki]

A couple more clues solved this morning. A not-too-easy hint for the following would be much appreciated:

Brief success for chef? (5,2,3,3)

- L - - -/N -/T - -/- A -  The fourth letter I think is S. With the second word beginning with N, there is very little choice as to preceding word, or following letter.  Hmmmm....

Are you sure that the second word isn't -N rather than N-, Susan?

[SusanDoris]

Are you sure that the second word isn't -N rather than N-, Susan?

Well the down clue is:
Polish or another language that's heard (6)
and the N of FRENCH is the letter N of the two-letter word. . The square next to it has no adjacent up.down letters.
The F and the H of FRENCH are right.
FLASH IN THE PAN ??

So I suppose FRENCH is wrong. Bother!!  Unless, of course, the setter and the DT Puzzles Editor have made a mistake!!

[bluehillside Retd.]

Hi Susan,

A couple more clues solved this morning. A not-too-easy hint for the following would be much appreciated:

Brief success for chef? (5,2,3,3)

- L - - -/N -/T - -/- A -  The fourth letter I think is S. With the second word beginning with N, there is very little choice as to preceding word, or following letter.  Hmmmm....

The second word should be - N I think, and the answer derives from what happens when the gunpowder in a flintlock pistol ignites but doesn't set off the charge to expel the bullet.