Tuesday, 8 October 2013

No 10898, Tuesday 08 Oct 2013, Aspartame

Aspartame taking us for a ride today :-) . Stumped by 19D.

Note: Starred clues have no definitions but share a common theme
ACROSS
9* Broadcast trade, broadcast trade (8,7) AIRCRAFT CARRIER {AIR}{CRAFT} {CARRIER}[Addendum - {AIR}{CRAFT} {CARRIER}(~career)]
10 The French own the leading restaurant in this city (2,5) LE HAVRE {LE} {HAV{R}E}
12 XXXXXL garment (7) OUTSIZE [CD]
13 Time of the year to pack things? (6,3) BOXING DAY [CD]
14 Beginners study history of Japan in the years when Tsuchimikado was emperor (5) SHOJI {S}{H}{O}{J}{I}
15 Another stunted learner (7) STUDENT*
18 Baggy measure? (7) SACKFUL [CD]
21 Centre has Sao Paulo customers seated inside (5) LOCUS [T]
23 Addition of resin into mould (9) INSERTION*
25 Nearly follow a guy entering an air duct (7) TRACHEA {TRACe}{HE}{A}
26 Crude meal has no starter available for consumption (7) UNCOUTH {lUNC{OUT}H} 'Available' and 'out'?
29 Canteen raviolis served during conscription (8,7) NATIONAL SERVICE*

DOWN
1* Retrospective technique needs bit of learning (4) YAWL {YAW<=-}{L}
2   Such an enemy is crooked (4) ARCH [DD]
3   Show briefly incorporated into the district (8) PROVINCE {PROV{INC}E}
4   Distant, exotic life found during these times (6) AFIELD {A{LIFE*}D}
5   So, can Mr. Yadav start creating things that are easier to remember? (8) ACRONYMS (SO+CAN+MR+Y}*
6   Soldiers protect spy without expecting anything in return (6) GRATIS {G{RAT}IS}
7   One-fifth to mingle and get along (3,2,3) HIT IT OFF {1+FIFTH+TO}*
8   Open desire to be in a state having no constraints (4,4) FREE WILL {FREE} {WILL}
11* Online surfer? (1-4) E-BOAT
15 A hair problem, like chapped lips, requires time to vanish (5,3) SPLIT END {SPLIT} {END} (Addendum - {LIPS*}{T} {ENDS} - See comments)
16 Immoral for leaving cash fortune in ruins (8) UNCHASTE {CASH+forTUNE}*
17* Animal climbs up to enter moving train (8) TRIMARAN {TRI{MAR<=}AN*}
19* Central motor unit to be elevated (8) C?R?C?R? ? (Addendum - CARACORE {CAR}{A}{CORE} - See comments)
20* Snake going into Delhi, maybe (1-4) U-BOAT {U-{BOA}T}
22 Train a group of sea mammals (6) SCHOOL [DD]
24 Pumpkin juice (6) SQUASH [DD]
27 Open source software Linux didn’t boot and crashed (4) UNIX lINUX
28 Suppress a blackguard (4) HEEL [DD]

Posted by at
Labels: ,

80 comments:

  1. raju umamaheswar8 October 2013 at 08:37

    Is there any connection between Orkut and Telengana and Seemandhra? Power black out at the Orkut resulting in a dark blank square staring at me in mockery !! Cles are ok and I DON't like cold solving !! Will wait until tomorrow to see through the comments and be content. One crossie less solved this day. Ugh !!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Shrikanth8 October 2013 at 08:45

      Could be because of a flaw in the grid . There are 2 empty whites. They should have been voids.

      Delete
  2. Anonymous8 October 2013 at 08:40

    I too was stumped by 19d. Based on the initial crossing letters and the * mark, CORALCES (in the plural, that too) came to mind but that clashes with NATIONAL SERVICE, which is, no doubt, correct.

    Aspartame is not taking us for a ride, he is taking us on a voyage ...

    Small typo in 20d anno

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Deepak Gopinath8 October 2013 at 08:54

      I insist he is taking us for a ride in his fleet :-)

      Delete
    2. Anonymous8 October 2013 at 08:56

      Wat(ev)er :-)

      Delete
  3. Anonymous8 October 2013 at 08:42

    17a reminded me of Murasoli, Dayanidhi and Kalanidhi

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Chaturvasi8 October 2013 at 08:57

      Ugh...You mean 17d.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous8 October 2013 at 09:01

      Yup, sorry

      Delete
    3. VJ8 October 2013 at 15:56

      Considering their wealth, in fact all the starred clues should remind us of them.

      Delete
  4. maradnusro8 October 2013 at 08:44

    When I saw the stars I was afraid of a bad day at solving. Thanks
    Aspartame, for the tasty stuffing in the deep fried
    Samosa.


    ReplyDelete
  5. SandhyaP8 October 2013 at 08:45

    19* Central motor unit to be elevated (8) C?R?C?R? ?

    C({A}{RAC},-}ORE
    A light vessel or proa used by the people of Borneo, etc., and by the Dutch in the East Indies.(Freedict)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SandhyaP8 October 2013 at 08:46

      Typo: C({A}{RAC}<-}ORE

      Delete
    2. Anonymous8 October 2013 at 08:48

      Wow! I did not see it when I was in Borneo ...

      Delete
    3. Shrikanth8 October 2013 at 08:49

      Where is A from ?

      Delete
    4. SandhyaP8 October 2013 at 08:51

      A = unit

      Delete
    5. Shrikanth8 October 2013 at 08:53

      Then the container indicator?

      Delete
    6. SandhyaP8 October 2013 at 08:54

      CENTRAL is on double duty.

      Delete
    7. Shrikanth8 October 2013 at 08:57

      Sorry for belabouring on this point. Then motor unit elevated ideally should be RAC A ?

      Delete
    8. Deepak Gopinath8 October 2013 at 09:01

      Word play doesn't gel

      Delete
    9. Deepak Gopinath8 October 2013 at 09:02

      'Central motor unit elevated within or inside' would have been much better

      Delete
    10. SandhyaP8 October 2013 at 09:06

      I think the anno is: {CAR}{A}{CORE}

      Delete
    11. Raghunath8 October 2013 at 09:56

      Still doesn't add up. How CAR A go above CORE?

      Delete
    12. SandhyaP8 October 2013 at 10:10

      CAR A is elevated (raised) above CORE

      Delete
  6. Venkatesh8 October 2013 at 08:46

    20d {U-(BOA)T} BOA in UT

    ReplyDelete
  7. Shrikanth8 October 2013 at 08:46

    Very smooth and enjoyable crossie.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. maradnusro8 October 2013 at 09:21

      My dear Shrikanth
      This is not to do with CW. Congratulations for the breezy read of your book on MGR. I bought the kindle edition and read it in one
      unputdownable session. Thank you.

      Delete
    2. Shrikanth8 October 2013 at 10:45

      Wow, thank you very much. :) I am glad you feel so. I was a bit worried as I didn't get to see the final edited version and I am unable to be buy in India also. :( I am so thrilled. :)

      Delete
    3. Shrikanth8 October 2013 at 11:25

      It is now available. Just bought one to check. :)

      Delete
  8. Anonymous8 October 2013 at 08:51

    Asp as inluded a boa in 20d. Asp, could you please send me a mail at kishoremrao@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hemuji8 October 2013 at 08:53

    19D perhaps CORNCORD

    ReplyDelete
  10. Anonymous8 October 2013 at 09:03

    Even though the Germans used the term S-boot and not E-boat, I elected to use the latter because it was clued in this crossie. Of course, K boats were definitely not welcome

    ReplyDelete
  11. Chaturvasi8 October 2013 at 09:17

    To answer a query by RajuU yesterday -

    As far as I know (exact distance not calculated), there has been no collection of cryptic puzzles by any single Indian setter or a team of the ilk.

    It is a pity that TH which has a hoary tradition and which publishes stuff such as brochure for wedding event ads and holds events and is a media partner for ad-oriented, sponsor-crowded programmes has for long ignored my suggestion for a compendium. Even a 'how to solve THC' booklet given free one day would perk up some interest. But as it might not attract ads for fairness creams and absorbent pads, they have been ignoring the suggestion.

    Penguin once brought out a collection of big-sized, lengthwise rectangular crosswords - but these were science-themed straightforward.

    However, there have been some books on crosswords by Indians - but none of them is in my library. You may accuse me of favouritism towards foreigners, you may say that I still have hangover from the British Raj, but there it is.

    Yesterday I was at a pleasant book launch - of a book on Anglo-Indians in the Indian Railways. I smiled at and exchanged a word with a total stranger - an elderly gentleman. Later, as I riffled through the pages of the just-bought book, I saw a photo and recognised him from the gentleman whom I had just bumped into. I turned back at the rear row to sort-of confirm myself when he smiled and said: "I knew you would turn..." I asked him to autograph on the blank space beside the photo and he did so gladly. He is 86 years old.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous8 October 2013 at 18:18

      Talking of Anglo Indians in the services, civil and defence, reminds me that today is Airforce Day. IAF was formed on 8 Oct 1932 and its first base was set up in 1933 at Drigh Road, Karachi. The No.1 squadron flew Westland (doesn't that name sound familiar juxtapositioned with Agusta) Wapitis. This base, which was earlier an RAF base, had Lawrence (of the Arabia fame) as a mechanic there in 1927-28. The force had several Anglo Indians touching the skies with glory. The present Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal NAK 'Charlie' Browne is also an Anglo Indian.

      Delete
    2. sebu8 October 2013 at 20:00

      You mean Air Chief Marshal NAK 'Charlie' Browne.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous8 October 2013 at 21:29

      Correct, my bad

      Delete
    4. sebu8 October 2013 at 22:16

      This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
    5. sebu8 October 2013 at 22:22

      Kishore,
      My first posting, way back in 1976, was to No. 1 Sqn as 'EO' in a God-forsaken place called Hasimara (West Bengal). The Sqn was operating Gnats of the 1971-war fame. Later we moved to Srinagar and the Gnats were upgraded to the indigenous version 'Ajeet'. My association with the Sqn ended in the early 1980's when I left for specialisation. Subsequently in 1986, I again had the opportunity to be associated with the Sqn for 5 yrs at Gwalior when the Sqn was converted to Mirages - IAF's first Fighter Sqn with dedicated EW role. My heartfelt thanks to you for taking me down this memory lane on this great day.

      Delete
  12. Padmanabhan8 October 2013 at 09:32

    Thank you aspartame for the nice boat rides, though I could not get all. I dread when I see * in CW. But Aircraft carrier gave ne a good start.
    I had heard of U boats, but e boats were new.So was trimaran (Kishore nicely split it into 3 marans!)

    ReplyDelete
  13. Padmanabhan8 October 2013 at 09:41

    Shrikanth,

    Does not the * cover aspects like container indicator etc.in19D? (under common theme)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Raghunath8 October 2013 at 09:47

    Don't like starred clues, Not easy.

    Anno for 1 A is not clear. Is CARRIER: Broadcast trade?
    Thought 25 had TRACK for follow

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SandhyaP8 October 2013 at 09:52

      I too felt it should be TRACK.

      Delete
    2. Chaturvasi8 October 2013 at 10:10

      On a translucent paper might I not trace (follow) the outline of a design?

      Delete
    3. Raghunath8 October 2013 at 10:24

      We are all familiar with Trace, having done it during schooldays. But Track came readily to mind and probably is more apt.

      Delete
    4. Deepak Gopinath8 October 2013 at 11:04

      I have corrected the anno for 1A

      Delete
    5. SandhyaP8 October 2013 at 11:19

      Makes sense now :)

      Delete
    6. Mukundala Balasubramanyam8 October 2013 at 11:27

      ...you mean 15 Dn Sir ?

      Delete
    7. Mukundala Balasubramanyam8 October 2013 at 11:33

      Now I get it , Sir, I think the correction you meant was for 9Ac.

      Delete
  15. Nadathur Rajan8 October 2013 at 09:59

    5 Down (S+CAN+MR+Y}*
    O missing in Annotation - (SO+CAN+MR+Y}*

    ReplyDelete
  16. VMA Nair8 October 2013 at 10:02

    15 A hair problem, like chapped lips, requires time to vanish (5,3) SPLIT END {SPLIT} {END}

    SPLI* T END

    ReplyDelete
  17. Raghunath8 October 2013 at 10:03

    15 A hair problem, like chapped lips, requires time to vanish (5,3) SPLIT END {SPLIT} {END}

    Should be: (SPLI*)(T), END
    Vanish : END

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Suresh8 October 2013 at 10:06

      That is one hair problem I do not have

      Delete
    2. SandhyaP8 October 2013 at 10:08

      :P

      Delete
    3. Anonymous8 October 2013 at 10:09

      As indicated in the clue, it has vanished with time ...

      Delete
    4. Mukundala Balasubramanyam8 October 2013 at 10:27

      Ajeesh and Raghunath had no (hair)problems with the SPLIT END anno !

      Delete
  18. Mukundala Balasubramanyam8 October 2013 at 10:11

    A puzzle with starred clues ? Not my cup of tea :( Enjoyed solving most of the non starred clues. From starred clues, could get only Aircraft carrier and u-boat.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Padmanabhan8 October 2013 at 10:37

    Only those with hair can split them. I join the Suresh bandwagon!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Mukundala Balasubramanyam8 October 2013 at 10:53

    I joined Suresh bandwagon long long ago !!

    ReplyDelete
  21. SandhyaP8 October 2013 at 11:20

    @Colonel & Kishore: Raghunath has posted the clues for The Statesman crossword.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Shrikanth8 October 2013 at 11:29

    @Sandhya 11.20 - Where can one see that? Is it on invitation?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SandhyaP8 October 2013 at 11:49

      http://xwordsolutions.wordpress.com/2013/10/08/ts-25921/#comments

      You need to sign up on WordPress.com account - Bhavan sent me the invite initially. Currently, Raghunath is moderating the blog - may be he can add you.

      Delete
    2. Ajay8 October 2013 at 13:15

      hi how does one et an invitation for the statesman blog please?

      Delete
    3. SandhyaP8 October 2013 at 15:04

      Will let you know ASAP. What is your mail id?

      Delete
  23. VMA Nair8 October 2013 at 11:43

    * missing in 27 D anno

    ReplyDelete
  24. Unknown8 October 2013 at 11:43

    Artificial sweetener not working for me, specially after such a long gap! Need some sugar for energy!! Happy Navratra to all my fellow bloggers. Was in Kenya for 3 weeks, was there during the terrorist attack. Kenyans rallied wonderfully, but wild animals in the game parks are much safer than the attackers in Nairobi.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Shrikanth8 October 2013 at 11:58

    Oh OK , the same one. I already have an invite ... Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  26. Raghunath8 October 2013 at 12:08

    1 A: CARRIER does not sound like CAREER?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Richard8 October 2013 at 12:38

      thefreedictionary gives the pronunciation of 'career' s k-rîr

      Delete
    2. Richard8 October 2013 at 12:38

      Read the end of the sentence as 'career' as...

      Delete
    3. Raghunath8 October 2013 at 13:03

      I listened to audio (British) on thefreedictionary.com and it's said differently.

      Delete
    4. Richard8 October 2013 at 14:28

      In fact, I was supporting your point.

      Delete
    5. Suresh8 October 2013 at 15:09

      The American audio of Carrier in freedictionary sounds much like career

      Delete
  27. VMA Nair8 October 2013 at 12:12

    or carry air ? :) just kidding

    ReplyDelete
  28. Anonymous8 October 2013 at 18:19

    AP's power problems seem to have spilled over here too. Just got back power after nearly 6 hours.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Mukundala Balasubramanyam8 October 2013 at 19:02

    28D : Suppress a blackguard (4) HEEL [DD]

    Blackguard (N) = HEEL (N), Suppress(V) = HEEL (N or V) ? I'm not getting how 'suppress' = 'heel' = 'blackguard'

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Deepak Gopinath8 October 2013 at 19:07

      From Free Dictionary,

      Oppression; tyranny: under the heel of Stalinism; the heel of an autocrat.

      Delete
    2. Mukundala Balasubramanyam8 October 2013 at 19:18

      Thanks, Col.Sir.

      Delete
  30. raju umamaheswar8 October 2013 at 20:20

    Thanks, CV for the detailed reply for my query on books of crosswords. I cannot blame you for being partial. We the natives, as Indo-anglians, are as good as, nay, even better than the English themselves in compiling and solving crosswords. Surely, with the prolific number of compilers and solvers, it should be possible for some Indian publisher (forget about the Hindu or the TOI ) to oblige? Do the newspapers who publish the crosswords have any exclusive or partial rights against it? Who gets the copy rights ?

    With the enormous amount of knowledge and step by step and stage by stage imparted by our bliog here and Shuchi elsewhere, why should it not be possible for any one to make a compendium and publish a book '' How to solve cryptic crosswords? '' Compilers of India here in this blog can together and do this? It will be such a great service and educative exercise for posterity and to popularize this brain game? At some later stage, it can also become a subject in the schools and colleges and even graduation ? WHY NOT? How much does the education department in governments encourage crosswords as a subject? I'd be interested in knowing !

    Shuchi, on her part, with the Colonel, can be the authors for the book spelling out the methodology ? They have enough material to be drawn out of the blogs they run?

    Some one,somewhere, has to bell the cat and be a vanguard for this.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Navneeth8 October 2013 at 22:54

    Unix proper is famously NOT open source software. Otherwise we probably wouldn't have Linux today.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. raju umamaheswar8 October 2013 at 23:18

      ????? In what context? Please elucidate ! Thanks

      Delete
    2. Navneeth9 October 2013 at 00:21

      Essentially Linus Torvalds wanted a Unix-like OS, the source code of which would be available to anyone who wanted to look at it, modify it to their needs, re-distribute it in a modified way and what not, without legal repercussions.

      More here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Linux

      There are however certain derivatives of Unix which are F/OSS.

      Delete

deepakgita@gmail.com

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)