Non-cryptic day today.
13 - One who knows what's up in the sky (10) - ASTRONOMER [E]
23 - Vessel from India or Tashkent (5) - AORTA [T]
ACROSS
1 - You be hidden in Takshila without a king (8) - {TSHIL{U}{B}Aak*} TSHILUBA Where is the definition for this word? Kishore & Richard can have an exchange in Tshiluba today.
5 - Chatlines reveal the mythical Hun king (4) - ATLI [T]
9 - Improves the perks (8) - BENEFITS [DD]
10 - Establishment of a plant in a new habitat (6) - ECESIS [E]
12 - A secretive bird (4) - RAIL [E]
15 - An associate in a legal offence (7,2,5) - PARTNER IN CRIME [CD]
17 - To find a compromise, come out with a level of assurance (6,1,7) - STRIKE A BALANCE [CD]
21 - Start a conversation on an Arctic vessel, maybe (10) - ICEBREAKER [DD]
22 - Slightly wet (4) - DAMP [E]
25 - Brief outline revealed in the paper cut (6) - APERCU [T] New word for me
26 - Elizabeth is excited, oh! to be back with the girl in high spirits (8) - {E}{UP}{HO<-}{RIA} EUPHORIA
27 - Kate strictly undergoes the check-up (4) - TEST [T]
28 - Climb up to see a cat roaming around the lawn in front (8) - {ESCA{L}ATE*} ESCALATE Climb up or raise ?
DOWN
1 - Set aside for the French an empty red sleeveless tunic (6) - {TAB}{A}{ReD} What is French doing in the clue? TABARD
3 - Activity time (4) - LIFE [CD]
4 - Set a bit of the stitched fabric (7) - BATISTE*
6 - Lawrence is the chief finance agent dismissing the strong skilled worker (10) - {TE}{CHNICIANeeff*} Don't know how 'eeff' are deleted TECHNICIAN
7 - Someone who cannot sleep (9) - INSOMNIAC [E]
8 - Cost cutting money hoarder (5) - MISER [CD]
11 - Half an area you eye for the sheep (4) - {ARea}{U}{I} ARUI
14 - Are caskets positioned for the track events? (5,5) - STAKE RACES*
16 - A common time to hold the note on a formal contract (9) - {A}GREE{ME}NT AGREEMENT Anno pending (Addendum - {A}{GREE{ME}N}{T} - See comments)
18 - Progenitor of the human race (4) - ADAM [E]
19 - Specifically overlooking the scene on the roads (7) - {A{VENUE}S} AVENUES
20 - Latest news you taped by mistake (6) - {U}{PDATE*} UPDATE
24 - An artist, he gets trapped by the bird (4) - {R{HE}A} RHEA
Noun: common kó-mun
ReplyDeleteA piece of open land for recreational use in an urban area
"they went for a walk in the common";
- park, commons, green
16 - A common time to hold the note on a formal contract (9) - {A}GREE{ME}NT AGREEMENT Anno pending
ReplyDelete(A}{GREE(ME)N}{T}
Common - GREEN
(off topic, from yesterday)
ReplyDeleteKishore
Thanks for the youtube link.
The line reminded me of PGW because I think that sums up the theme of many a novel of his.
He had this knack of inserting quotes from famous poems without apostrophe marks (e.g., it fell to earth I know not where)
It is possible that he used the line you mentioned as well.
'common' or 'the village common' often occurs in English poetry.
ReplyDeleteE.g.,
Where, then, ah! where shall poverty reside,
To 'scape the pressure of contiguous pride?
If to some common's fenceless limits stray'd,
He drives his flock to pick the scanty blade,
Those fenceless fields the sons of wealth divide,
And even the bare-worn common is denied.
(The Deserted Village, Goldsmith)
I thought common was a common word. Maybe not.
ReplyDeleteNot to split bats with Sudalmani again. Pls read the old rules at the link I provided yesterday for 'hit wicket' and you will find that the changes are a lot more than just breaking bats. The clause e is a new addition, for example
ReplyDeleteThe word 'tabard' I met for the first time when I read Chaucer's Prologue to the Canterbury Tales:
ReplyDelete(in old English)
In Southwerk at the Tabard as I lay
Redy to wenden on my pilgrymage
To Caunterbury with ful devout corage,
---
Here, it refers to an inn, the sign of which was a tabard.
CV:
ReplyDeleteYes, he has used it at least twice as I recall it, maybe more.
6 - Lawrence is the chief finance agent dismissing the strong skilled worker (10) - {TE}{CHNICIANeeff*} Don't know how 'eeff' are deleted TECHNICIAN
Maybe strong=fortissimo=f=ef
How twice as strong? Well, you have me there.
1 - Set aside for the French an empty red sleeveless tunic (6) - {TAB}{A}{ReD} What is French doing in the clue? TABARD
Maybe French was supposed to be an adjective for the sleeveless tunic, since we have seen such ones worn by French Musketeers.
Deepak, the only Bantu language I know is Swahili, which I am forgetting for lack of conversation. I only remember a few songs now:
Hakuna Matata, Malaika, Nakupenda wewe...
Richard also knows a bit of it. However, it is a knows to knows contest as to who nose less than the other.
Hi Suresh, I did search in cricinfo (you refer to this only, na?). But cricinfo redirects me to MCC site saying that it is not supposed to publish the rules due to copyright. Could you please provide the precise URL?
ReplyDeletehttp://static.espncricinfo.com/db/ABOUT_CRICKET/LAWS/1980_CODE/
ReplyDeleteThis is the link
CV, other common refs by Plum, I recall are :
ReplyDeleteBurns, To a Mouse:The best laid plans...
Browning, Pippa Passes:The snail is on the wing ..(suitably misquoted)
Hunt, Abou ben Adhem: name led all the rest
Kipling, Gunga Din: You are a better man than I
Other than above Biblical refs to
Balaam's Ass
Shadrach, Messach and Abednego
Kishore
ReplyDeleteThat Abou Ben Adhem poem I read to my visiting granddaughter the other day and she enjoyed it. Others I read were Pied Piper of Hamelin (she knew the story but not the poem which is full of sound effects if you know what I mean) and The Owl Critic (funny, put-down on a vain animal lover and full of bombastic words).
Suresh
ReplyDeleteIn the so-called 1980 code that is there in cricinfo, see this:
A batsman is not out under this law if " the Bowler after starting his run-up or bowling action does not deliver the ball, in which case the Umpire shall immediately call and signal "dead ball". "
http://static.espncricinfo.com/db/ABOUT_CRICKET/LAWS/1980_CODE/LAW_35_HIT_WICKET.html
CV, I think you are referring to the Browning version! With your imagination, I am sure you would have produced some of those sounds.
ReplyDeleteSudalamani. Of course, provided the batsman does not do something stupid before that, is how I would interpret it. Actually we need an expert opinion.
ReplyDeleteHmmm... bad that we are still unclear...
ReplyDeleteKishore's solution says: "The Batsman is getting finicky ; and in attempting a hoist ; backs up so much that he disturbs the Bails behind : Hit Wkt ; Ball not delivered".
But the law says, if the batsman breaks the wicket before the delivery, the ball is deemed dead. Which essentially means there will be either a ball increment or a run increment (in case of no-ball) when there is a hit wicket.
So could you please point out the ambiguity in this argument? :)
Whwn the ball becomes dead,no action takes place-stupid or otherwise.Action stops.Period.No runs,no dismissals.
ReplyDeleteRecently there was an incident when the ball slipped out of the bowler's hand slowly and bounced twice,when the batsman walked out and spanked the almost dead ball and helped himself to a boundary.I say"almost dead"because,I believe,if it bounces a third time before reaching the batsman it is called as dead.
Not only is there no definition for 1a, but it is also amazing that any setter would start with a word like 'Tshiluba' when filling the grid!!
ReplyDeleteAnd with 9 E/CD clues, does it even qualify to be a Cryptic Crossie?
NJ is getting worse. Never realised that this was possible.
ReplyDeleteRight Padmanabhan. The ball as per earlier rules was live when the bowler starts his run up. If before he physically delivers the ball the batsman hits the wicket he becomes out and the ball becomes dead.
ReplyDeleteThat is until the specific amendment was introduced in 2010.
Visited DNA after hours just to watch the crossword scene.
ReplyDeleteSaw Codeword published on Wed last.
In this sort of puzzle only three letters for numbers are given. The rest we are supposed to find out.
In the codeword published in the paper, not only three letters were provided but also a second panel with all the letters revealed including the three above.
That means one has to just look at the panel and enter the relevant letters in the blanks in the grid.
If you don't want to do that you can turn the paper upside and see all the answers in the grid.
Wondering for whose benefit puzzles of this sort are published.
The ball as per earlier rules was live when the bowler starts his run up. If before he physically delivers the ball the batsman hits the wicket he becomes out and the ball becomes dead.
ReplyDeletePerhaps we are discussing this too lot (:P), but this statement of yours is wrong, Suresh. In the cricinfo link that you gave, it is mentioned as, "A Batsman is not out under this Law if" "The Bowler after starting his run-up or bowling action does not deliver the ball; in which case the Umpire shall immediately call and signal "dead ball"".
No question of giving out and then declaring the ball as dead. The former precedes and the batsman cannot be out.
CV @ 12:24,
ReplyDeleteI get the DNA but I don't even look at the after hours section especially the things conjured up by you know who
Re yesterday's post. Kishore you mean ports and sports on NJ days.
ReplyDeleteMankad is famous for breaking the stumps and Walsh for not doing so.
I retire hurt:))
ReplyDeleteI retire hurt:))
ReplyDeleteLOL. You just beat me to it ;)
We crossword solvers call ourselves to be cruciverbalists and wordsmiths. During the course of our solving of innumerable crosswords, we do come across hundreds of new words, phrases and expressions. Of what avail ? How many of the solvers have become poets and writers and authors? This has been bothering my mind and I wonder why is it that crossword solvers do not turn out to be good poets and authors. The converse may be true that many writers and poets could be crossword solvers.
ReplyDeleteHas any one done any demographic count of the number of solvers in our country? Apart from blog groups, which tend to be a bit of a ''Drones Club'', as i have observed, can we not form a formidable group to make crosswords more popular( no doubt, you are one who is doing this in your own way) and create awareness at a national level? This is by far more of an intellectual activity and hence why not it be given the same status as say, chess or that mindless money making sport called cricket? Pardon me, ye-all crocket lovers) Is there no way that one can think of to make crosswords a creative activity and foster it to give it's place in the field of fine arts?
What's your opinion? What's the opinion of our friends in the Hindu Crossword Corner and other similar blogs?
I'm curious to know.
Raju Umamaheswar
Knowing a lot of words is one thing. The skill of writing is quite another.
ReplyDeleteOne may be a good writer without knowing too many of those sesquipedalian words. A crossword solver may be conversant with many arcane words without being able to be a coherent writer.
Crossword solving is a lonely game. It is very difficult to create fellowship among a group of crossword solvers.
In the US and UK annual solving tournaments are held and there is momentary camaraderie among the entrants. Here in India I can't imagine such a tournament because there won't be a set of structured original crosswords of varying difficulty to be presented to entrants - who will not be in any significant number anyway.
In India where English is a second language, there can never be a mass following for crosswords. Dedicated solvers going on to complete a crossword will be less.
In a comment on a UK blog I read: Most of the solvers take up the crossword, solve four or five clues and then go about their daily grind. Only a few determined souls go on to complete the puz in the daily paper.
It is not different in India.
In the past five decades at work and elsewhere I have come across innumerable fellow-solvers but few of them would ever bother to complete a crossword. For them it's an engagement for a while.
CV: In the US and UK annual solving tournaments are held.
ReplyDeleteIt is worthwhile exploring the possibility of organising one in India. Similar competitions for Sudoku solvers have been organised. This will add to the interest of new entrants and whet the appetite of the veterans.
Personally I have come across many of my college mates who used to hold TH in high regard. But many stop solving after sometime due to lack of motivation. But for sure, THC is a very popular feature, AFAIK, in TN at the least.
ReplyDeleteIMHO, the fillip that TH needs is some commercialisation - something akin to the Young World Quiz or the Landmark Quiz. If some of us could persuade TH to launch such a campaign, we could gather some sponsors along the way and conduct a successful event. Such an event will surely raise the public awareness and interest in cryptic crosswords.
Maybe my idea is a bit far-fetched, but surely it is not impossible, given the humble beginnings of the other examples that I had mentioned.
CV Sir
ReplyDeleteIs it possible for you to broach this idea at TH? I think they may be interested, as it carries a lot of commercial value and advertising for their newspaper :)
Well, managed to finish my first NJ, but half of it wasn't cryptic and some of the rest were a trifle bizarre. As I have just landed, not sure where in the run we are - is there many more days left of frustration?
ReplyDeleteIt is not that I have not broached the subject of a crossword solving tournament.
ReplyDeleteSeveral wonderful suggestions of mine on crosswords were not acted upon. Do you know that long, long ago I suggested that crosswords must carry pseudonyms so solver will begin to identify the puzzle with the setter and either take it or leave it? This was not heeded. Heeded it was under peculiar circumstances about which I cannot speak.
As for a tournament I am highly sceptical whether it will be feasible. I am not suggesting that there are not enough followers but it will be very difficult to produce the right kind of puzzles and that too graded in difficulty for elimination process.
Dave
Welcome back to India.
One approach that occurs to me would be:
ReplyDeleteA virtual competition where the contest is advertised on the forums and persons interested convey their interest with emails. The puzzle is then sent out to them by email and they have to send in their entries by email by the end of the time slot giving the solution. These are marked against criteria set in advance.
I know there will be many a pitfall, but as they say, nothing attempted nothing done. Already we have sampled the challenge in the occasional contests that CV used to set for us with Times and other CWs.
The suggestion is timely.
ReplyDeleteWith the change in the Editor, the idea of CW Editor can now be broached again.
Some competitions like that done by FT on weekends will add to the popularity particularly among the new entrants. This will also boost the circulation of the paper.
Prize weekend crossword was another suggestion of mine that was not acted upon.
ReplyDeleteWhy talk about all this? A simple suggestion that a fill-in grid cannot be at the lowermost part of the page as the moving hand that writes is outside of the four-fold paper and it's difficult to write is often ignored. I think lsat week's Sunday grid was at this inconvenient position.
nothing attempted, nothing done.
ReplyDeleteI am sure Kishore will be reminded of Longfellow's famous lines
Something attempted, something done,/Has earned a night's repose.
The Village Blacksmith?
Welcome back David, you're back at the right time as tomorrow will be the last of this series with NJ
ReplyDeleteCV 1717
ReplyDeleteSimilar location and width to height perspective has been a common problem with ET. Sometimes we have clearly stretched rectangular CWs. Sometimes they run across the width, over the medial lines and what not. It is almost as if the left over space is allotted to CW. And of course, some days there is probably no left over space and hence no CW.
At least TH is printing it in an upper quadrant, though sometimes relegated to +10 page number. Anyhow, please make your attempt. Strike when the iron is hot, blacksmith. ;-)
CV Sir
ReplyDeleteI do not think we need to think a lot about gradation of difficulty. It could be a large gathering as happens in the Landmark. The puzzle could be circulated amongst all. A moderate difficulty puzzle (read Gridman's usual fare) will suffice. Spiffytrix or someone who can ramp up the difficulty can set the clues for the mega final grid involving some, say 6 teams.
When you previously made your other suggestions, you would have been alone in your pursuits. Now you have a good number of setters (surely Sp., Ne. and Cr., dunno abt the new ones) and a handful of we solvers. Moreover the other ideas were general while this bears commercial interests.
Good to see people like Kishore, Venkatesh and Raju interested in this. Hoping to see some exciting initiative taken soon :)
One of my other questions was while Sudoku is always on the main sports page, it finds a mention in the Index on the front page whereas Crossword, which does not always appear on a particular page, which is sometimes in the front section, sometimes in the back section, sometimes on a left-hand page, sometimes on a right hand page is not accorded this honour. And Sudoku began appearing long, long after the crossword. Why this prominence to a new-fangled thing but not an old institution?
ReplyDeleteAlso, why it is in all caps and blue when it is not a separate section like say Friday Page but only a feature in a page?
I am ready to take the idea further but I am not rosy about the paper buying it.
ReplyDeleteI am ready to provide any puzzles if need be (we can ask others also to contribute some) if some tournament, however small, can be arranged.
But it can't be over the Internet. It must be a live performance.
Kishore @ 1806,
ReplyDeleteThen you should see the CW in the DNA, they try to fit it into whichever spare space they find, sometimes it is rectangular, sometimes square, sometimes in the middle of the paper like today and sometimes they squeeze it so much that one needs a magnifying glass to read the clues and find it almost impossible to enter the answers into the teeny-weeny white squares.
CV@1917
ReplyDeleteThanks Sir. My kind request to you would be, as I said, to project this as a commercial event - something which could enhance the reputation and following of the paper. Also we should remind ourselves that we have an IIM student amongst us - surely Tony will be able to render some help with respect to sponsors etc :)
Comment by bj3sh29 at Mrs PP'sHUB regarding this series
ReplyDeleteQuote
And when finally the NJ craft enters earth orbit and begins to speak the language of the HUMAN RACE it will be slingshot back to its planet of origin only to return a few days later to torment us again with more of its BASHKIR and PUTONGHUA or TSHILUBA (its all GREEK to me)
HOUSTON there has been a rare UFO sighting !! Request backup from the Men In Black to take home a prized possession to SECTOR 49
Houston do you copy?
Unquote
Sorry for being completely off-topic, I have something to say about today's crossword ;-) :
ReplyDeleteColonel: I would classify 13A as a CD without a question mark, because it's hard to think of a dictionary editor who would ever allow such a sentence as the definition of the word. :-)
Oh Great.!! I'm so gratified to see such an enthusiastic and ardent response to my comments. I had sent these comments to Schuchi but there was no response from her-probably, she's very busy with her career , unlike we 'gentlemen of leisure'.In a small country like Kenya, where I spent my career time, we had a few weekly Prize crosswords,granting the winner a free one night for two full board in some exotic game reserves or to the wonderful beachside. I had the good fortune to see almost all of them by winning frequently, in the face of stiff competition from fellow-solvers- mostly settlers from the UK. So why not in a large country like India with its wonderful hospitality industry and a vibrant marketing force that caters to the corporate sector?
ReplyDeleteAs for Chat-sir's comments on crosswords being a loner's pursuit, I remember the earlier days in Nairobi where in the Coffee house, a group of Britishers used to huddle around the London papers that used to arrive at around 10 am and solve the crossword. Being new and a fledgling in that insular milieu, I used to poke in and give my 'two bit' answers to the clues and I was referred to as the 'native' from whom 'we have to learn English'..... only to become later on their friend and reference pointsperson to exchange notes. Crosswords did get me a whole lot of friends, whom I had not even seen, as those settlers were upcountry, a few of them being elderly ladies with their penchant for crossword solving.!! Did any one also notice that in the UK newspapers , most of the solvers and winners of prizes are ladies-- probably housewives?
I think we should make an effort to persuade the Hindu and other newspapers to introduce a weekly prize crossword, to begin with.
Thanks for all you out there to have responded so spiritedly.
Lastly, Chat-sir, I fulfil my writer's thirst by sending in mails and articles to the Indian press, a habit that I have had ever since I left India. Dr. Srinivasan had mentioned about JS magazine some time ago, in nostalgia. My letter took the pride of place , featuring the Airforce Gnat-pilots who heroically fought the Indo-Pak war, on their cover page in the 70's.
Raju Umamaheswar