Friday, 26 July 2013

No.10835, Friday 26 Jul 2013, Afterdark

Afterdark has brought in some bacteria and gets 'back' at us in 12a,  in this nice puzzle ;-)

ACROSS
1 Regret taking slim hen soup for rejuvenation (13) REPLENISHMENT (REPENT outside (SLIM HEN)*)
10 Decomposed cocoon, carefully inspect grisly sources of bacteria (9) GONOCOCCI (COCOON  C I G)*
11 Artist chasing politician for a sign (5) LIBRA (LIB RA)
12 Setback following new academician’s backsides (5) NATES (N A SET<)
13 Church unorthodoxly eluded placing Pole at the top as planned (9) SCHEDULED (S CH ELUDED*)
14 Police officer gets the devious liar in a twist (6) SPIRAL (SP LIAR*)
16 Nothing odd, sailboats are plenty (1,3)  A LOT (sAiLbOaTs)
19 Drunken sot on a walkway (4) STOA (SOT* A)
20 After commencement, bursar becomes paler (6) ASHIER (cASHIER)
25 Gather last half of beer in the vessel (9) CULLENDER (CULL ENDER) Correction (CULL END  beER) See comments
26 Spore bearing cell sac collapsed on you and me (5) ASCUS (SAC* US)
27 To permit soldier inside is legal (5) LEGIT (LET outside GI)
28 Workers seem confused about tactic followed by oriental (9) EMPLOYEES (SEEM* outside PLOY E)
29 I can come up and confuse single handed (13) UNACCOMPANIED  (I CAN COME UP AND)*

DOWN
2 Nervous nineties for the scientist? (8) EINSTEIN (NINETIES*)
3 Undersecretary is behind the Colonel about the position (5) LOCUS (COL< US)
4 Most charming bizarre insect (6) NICEST (INSECT*)
5 Racist sad about losing a crumpled hankie (8) SKINHEAD (SAD around HaNKIE)
6 Instruments to produce endless harmony easily with spoilt son (9) MELODEONS (MELODy E SON*)
7 Greek character on anger is desirable (6) NUBILE (NU BILE)
8 Envoys in arguments on shortage of rum (6) AGENTS (ArGumENTS)
9 Rapidest pet escapes from attacks (5) RAIDS (RApIDeSt)

15 Confirm new eat out as genuine (9) AUTHENTIC (AUTHENTICATE -EAT*)
17 Beach, that is not half good as the city (3,5) SAN DIEGO (SAND I.E. GOod)
18 Sid went back to island unattached (8) DISCRETE (SID< CRETE)
21 Oppose others accepting Spanish approval (6) RESIST (REST outside SI)
22 Priest shelters officer from bacteria (1,4) E COLI (ELI outside CO)
23 Questionable new goals to form motto (6) SLOGAN (N GOALS)*
24 End the catastrophic war President mounted (4,2) WRAP UP (WAR* P UP)
26 Ran helter-skelter around party to decorate (5) ADORN (RAN* around DO)
After the dark of yesternight, it remained dark for The Hindu as their site was not updated even at 750 am and I would not have been able to post this puzzle if not for Bhavan. Special thanks to Bhavan for posting the puzzle on Orkut. I know not what happened after 750..., it was there at 830.

85 comments:

  1. I had the anno of 25A as {CULL}{END}{(-be)ER}

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. In fact, when I copied it from Orkut around 740 you had already posted and your anno was present. When I first posted the blog, one of your tell-tale braces was still there confirming I had pinched your anno. But, the anno got lost in the editing, though the one of the braces still lingered. Thanks.

      Delete
  2. Kishore

    I appreciate your topicality in the cartoon for RAIDS.

    Your sketches are becoming more and more finished.

    The signboard at right must bear the word ADAYAR.

    It will be apt but at the same time not causing any trouble to the cartoonist from the concerns.

    After the Dravidian parties' rise, the term Udupi has almost vanished from hotel signboards. As a young boy I have visited Braahmanaal kaapi houses.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree, an updated version is on the way. I did not even draw the buildings/ restaurants, as I started drawing at 810.

      Delete
    2. BTW, is it ADYAR or ADAYAR ? The papers seem to suggest the former.

      Delete
    3. Updated now. I remember there was one Palimar near Parry's.

      Delete
    4. Yes, I have visited it - maybe a branch - at Gemini Parsn complex where once the studios stood. That was several years ago. Didn't like the stuff and never returned to it. Don't know it it exists still.

      Delete
    5. There is one at Spur Tank road corner near WUS too.

      Delete
    6. Palimar is back in Parsn Complex. Know the guy who owns and operates it

      Delete
    7. Incidentally, Palimar is the name of a place in Udupi district. One of the eight Maths of Udupi also bears the name, since the original home of that Math is Palimar.

      Given the repute of Udupi brand of hotels all over the country and even abroad, it is possible that the chain of hotels was set up by someone from Palimar. Will someone throw some light on this?

      A friend of mine hailing from there has been running a successful business venture called Palimar Electricals in Mumbai. Hometown sentiment, you may call it.

      Delete
    8. Richard: Palimar is run by a chap called Venkat Rao (second generation) and yes I think he is from that place or thereabouts though now in Chennai. They have recently opened a branch in Pune

      Delete
    9. Sure, it is the same Palimar. For, when I was there, I could speak in Kannada to some persons of the staff. But I think the ownership had passed on, as the person at the cash desk was a Tamilian, at least outwardly. You can never tell. My father's cousin, Sukumar Rao (his brother M Umanath Rao) was an editor with Gemini Studios)was working in the Madras High Court. He lived in Madras for over 50 years, used seeval and pogilai and sported all the outward signs of the typical Tamilian. He spoke, wrote excellent Tamil and acted in several dramas. His wife was an Aiyar lady. His daughters have had arangetrams. One of his sons used to do pseudo Rajinikanth shows. Anyone meeting him would never have guessed he was a Manglorean.

      Delete
    10. Thanks, Bhala. I too guessed the founder could be a second or third-generation product from Udupi.

      Delete
    11. Kindly ignore the bracket after Umanath Rao...

      Delete
    12. Hi I was browsing and happened to see a mention about my father Mr. Sukumar Rao. He is no more but I was glat that you still remember him and took the pains of mentioning about him. Thanks once again

      Delete
    13. Hi Sujatha, I remember your name. I also remember your brother Sai. I think you had one more sister but I am unable to remember her name. I also remember your mother Kalyani mami. I hope she is doing well. I remember that I visited your house in Mylapore (East? Mada Street) when I was a kid. 'Iyerwal', as we used to call Suganamama, had a wonderful smile. Both my father and my mother are your father's first cousins. I have a vague memory of meeting you or your sister once at Citibank. My mother's father Mr G N Prabhu was in Madras for over 4 decades and used to stay on Madley St. in Mambalam. I have put this message on this public forum since I do not have your email or phone contact details. If you wish to keep in touch, please call +919845130360 or email me on kishoremrao@hotmail.com. Btw, though I do not travel much, by a coincidence, I shall be in Chennai this Sunday, 8th Feb. for a few hours.

      Delete
  3. Extra thanks to Bhavan for the cameo in the cartoon.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Re Bhavan in the cartoon.

      Appappa... naanga niniakkaadhadhu ellam ungalukku thonum. Unga veetulae ungalai eppadidhaan thaangikkaraangannu theriyalla. Sadhhaa vaarthai vilayattu.

      Delete
    2. Well, the hotel has Adyar.

      People may spell the place name as such or as Adayar - the latter may be more proper.

      Delete
    3. CV @ 846:

      Your comment reminds me of the oft used phrases in Tamil serials:
      Prachinai
      Edur pakale
      Thanga mudiyale
      Varte paduvaru

      not counting English translations of Tamil dialogue, as if the other party does not know Tamil.

      Delete
    4. For those who don't know Tamil...

      Prachinai - Problem
      Edur pakale - Didn't expect it
      Thanga mudiyale - Can't stand it!
      Varte paduvaru - He/She will regret it.

      Delete
    5. Sadhhaa vaarthai vilayattu.

      I have not met Sadhhaa...

      Delete
    6. CV 8:46 Appappa... naanga niniakkaadhadhu ellam ungalukku thonum. Unga veetulae ungalai eppadidhaan thaangikkaraangannu theriyalla. Sadhhaa vaarthai vilayattu.

      A verbatim English translation of the whole text could be a great help to the linguistically challenged ones like me, not wanting to miss the flavour.

      Delete
    7. If you meet her don't try speaking in Tamil. Despite the Dravidian parties which are saviours of Tamil, Tamil actresses don't speak Tamil. They may speak Hindi, Malayalam, Telugu or now even Irish or some such international language.

      Delete
    8. Appappa... naanga niniakkaadhadhu ellam ungalukku thonum. Unga veetulae ungalai eppadidhaan thaangikkaraangannu theriyalla. Sadhhaa vaarthai vilayattu.

      My!... Things that don't strike us will strike you. Can't guess how people at home put up with you! Wordplay all the time!

      Delete
    9. I understand she is from Ratnagiri, so I can try some Malvani.

      Delete
    10. CV - 9:26 Thanks a lot. Well said.

      Delete
    11. Can't guess how people at home put up with you!

      I guess that is why I confined to the first floor.

      Delete
    12. Do you face any putdowns often?

      Delete
    13. Frequently !

      Delete
  4. Bhavan

    At Orkut THC I forgot about the epaper. Signs of age!

    Thanks for your patience!

    ReplyDelete
  5. 18 Sid went back to island unattached (8)

    Looking forward to a follow-up clue from Afterdark later as to what Sid attached himself to on the island.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Standing in for Afterdark (Thanks to Sekhar Kausik):

      On a desolate island in the middle of nowhere, the following group of people are shipwrecked:
      2 Italian men and 1 Italian woman
      2 French men and 1 French woman;
      2 German men and 1 German woman;
      2 Greek men and 1 Greek woman;
      2 Bulgarian men and 1 Bulgarian woman;
      2 Japanese men and 1 Japanese woman;
      2 Chinese men and 1 Chinese woman;
      2 American men and 1 American woman;
      2 Indian men and 1 Indian woman;

      One month later on the same island...
      One Italian man killed the other Italian man for the Italian woman.

      The two French men and the French woman are living happily together in a menage-a-trois.

      The two German men have a strict weekly schedule of alternating visits with the German woman.

      The two Greek men are sleeping with each other and the Greek woman is cleaning and cooking for them.

      The two Bulgarian men took one long look at the endless ocean, another long look at the Bulgarian woman, and started swimming.

      The two Japanese men have faxed Tokyo and are awaiting instructions.

      The two Chinese men have set up a pharmacy, a liquor store, a restaurant and a laundry, and have got the woman pregnant in order to supply employees for their stores.

      The two American men are depressed because the American woman complains about her body, the nature of feminism, that the water tastes bad, how her last boyfriend respected her opinion and treated her nicer than they do; how her relationship with her mother is improving, and how at least it isn't raining on the island.

      The two Indian men are waiting for someone to introduce them to the Indian woman.

      Delete
    2. Now you have to decide whether Sid is Sidney or Sidharth and you will probably know your answer.

      Delete
  6. Nice one AD, seems to be a riot of anagrams

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Bhala. Counting the half anagrams it comes to 7.5. Yup 2 more than accepted count. :(

      Delete
  7. Oops! 14 anagrams. Nicely constructed puzzle.

    6 Instruments to produce endless harmony easily with spoilt son (9) MELODEONS (MELODy E SON*)

    Is E from easily? Acceptable?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. @ Richard: Harmony= ! ;-) In Mysore?

      Delete
    2. Oh OK. I thought there is half count. Maybe CV Sir can help clarifying this.

      Delete
    3. Kishore 9:37. No, in Hyderabad. ;-)

      Delete
    4. I read somewhere that partial anagrams are counted as half.

      As far as I am concerned, I count only whole word anagrams. These should not exceed five in a CWD with 28/30 clues.

      Partial anags are part of charades so I don't like to take them into consideration.

      One would do well not to have a whole word anagram next to another - which immediately gives the impression to the solver that the setter is overdoing the clue type.

      Delete
    5. Thanks Sir. :) In that scale I think this one is within acceptable limits. As you have pointed out, there are 3 full anagrams in a sequence of 4 clues. Will avoid that in future.

      Delete
    6. Raghu 10:16 You have the answer in mail sent to your personal ID>

      Delete
  8. AD,
    What is the source of E in 6 D?

    ReplyDelete
  9. Raghu, you were right in 9.32. I was waiting for the forum to tell whether Easily = E. I thought it is.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Smooth Take-Off and smooth Landing for this Trainee Pilot today ! Thanks, Afterdark !!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Thanks Mukundala Balasubramanyam

    ReplyDelete
  12. Replies
    1. Long time no hear. Everything OK? Thought it was unjust...:)

      Delete
    2. Hi Rita ma'am ,
      Back after a long time.How are you?

      Delete
  13. Am back after a long gap - wondering what has happened to Sankalak, Gridman, Neyartha?
    Hope to see them soon!
    Good day all -

    ReplyDelete
  14. Thanks Richard. All well, have returned a few days ago.
    Missed my morning crosswords, very happy Tobermory back!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Tobermory should read ' to be'!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Was reminded of Saki's story:

      http://www.eastoftheweb.com/short-stories/UBooks/Tob.shtml

      Delete
  16. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Nice, gentle one from Afterdark.

    Question on 15D Confirm new eat out as genuine (9) AUTHENTIC (AUTHENTICATE -EAT*).\

    Would this be considered a partial indirect anagram as we have to anagram eat and then remove it ?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. How is it indirect? And 'eat out' is a verb I think, but used here as a noun?

      Delete
    2. If I may comment on the clue by way of answering RameshJ's query -

      In this deletion clue, the letter sequence to be deleted is ATE. This has been indicated by new (anagrind) and EAT (anag fodder, given straight off), 'out' being the del ind.

      I don't think any indirect anagram is involved.

      A criticism that may be made is that the del fodder AUTHENTICATE and the remnant that is the solution AUTHENTIC are too close to each other.

      Should the words 'eat out' be hyphenated? If they are, the surface reading might improve, as 'eat-out' may be taken to mean an eat-out centre/joint/hotel and the sentence reads more logically.

      This is my opinion; others may have their views.

      Delete
    3. When I came here earlier, Raghunath's post was not there. It appeared as I was typing my long reply.

      Delete
  18. I too felt the fodder & ans were too close. I am not sure that I have heard the word eat-out.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I was merely suggesting a revision. 'Eat-out' by itself may not mean an eat-out restaurant. A noun is required in that sentence, I think.

      Delete
  19. Never forget three people in your life:
    1. Who helped you in your difficult time
    2. Who left you in your difficult time
    3. Who put you in your difficult time

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is all the same person for me!

      Delete
    2. Sometimes a solution is a problem and a problem becomes the solution.

      Delete
    3. Renga:

      Should be in the ascending order ! First the one who puts you into difficulty- then the one who leaves you at a difficult time and lastly the one who helps you out in difficult times, who according to me, will be remembered for ever . No CV ! They need not be all not necessarily the same person ! In our Kenya's First president's quote : Never forget but always forgive -- a dictum he himself never followed ! But my wife always doesn't agree with me . She neither forgives nor forgets! As for me: Forgive and forget them for they knew not what they did !!

      Delete
  20. Col. Saheb,
    One more member to our blog ! Now the score is 471.

    ReplyDelete
  21. CV Sir's 3.57 - I intended it to be an eat-out only. I should have hyphenated.

    Posting as a new comment and not as a reply as it somehow doesn't work in my system.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Raghu 4.02 , point noted .. Yes it is pretty close

    ReplyDelete
  23. Record number of comments to-day! 65 - and that too with no controversial clues!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aap ayee, bahaar ayee

      Delete
    2. Once or twice the tally has gone past 100 during the past years. If I am not mistaken, just a few days ago the number had gone beyond 80.

      More comments on non-crossword issues because of the camaraderie.

      Delete
    3. Aap ayee, comments baahar aaye, maybe.

      Delete
  24. Some light today after the darkness of sad singles last week:)
    Glad to relive the optimistic 20's again!
    I had 25A as Collector-(gather = collect,+er):collector=receptacle=vessel

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Usha Mayee, I had also put in the same word and even drawn a cartoon for it and then when getting the crossing word, I changed it.

      Delete
  25. A doubt about 17D-
    What is the purpose of the word 'not' in the clue? Probably the clue is still meaningful without it, and more apt too.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Usha@7.12-
    I had also done the same mistake. If it is just a vessel, it has to end in 'or' (as you have rightly said) but not 'er' as the clue indicates. Cullender ( I had known only the alt. spelling - colander) is a perforated vessel used for draining the water.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Padmanabhan 7.29 PM - Yeah the 'not' was not needed. But I felt that saying ' half good as the city' sounded a bit odd.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Wow- am in elite company!:)

    ReplyDelete
  29. Some of my replies are landing in Spam as informed by Colonel. So please don't mistake that I have not responded.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I found 4 of your replies in spam. I have just restored them

      Delete
  30. Today's After dark's presentation was pretty bright. Maybe, I'm in brightness when ye-all in India are in the dark and in the Dream Land of Nod in the luxurious Lap of goddess Lethes .

    Clue of my day: CULLENDER. A wonderful red herring thrown in place of COLLECTE(O)R which many must have chased !

    Kishore's European Union of Greeks Frenchs, Bulgarians,and Italians is a dead currency which the Americans, Japanese, Chinese and Indians would stay away from !!
    IMF would be though interested in a Special Drawing Rights with their defamed ex-President in a New York hotel !!

    ReplyDelete

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