Wednesday 4 December 2013

No 10947, Wednesday 04 Dec 2013, Arden

Some delightful clues from Arden to round off this round.

ACROSS
1   One is ready for the way bands play on the fourth of July (6,2) STANDS BY {ST}{ANDS B*}{Y}
5   Attack the beast and fall sick (6) ASSAIL {ASS}{AIL}
10 Agree to be happy getting time off for Saturday (7) CONSENT CON(-t+s)SENT
11 To err is…. anyway, make merry! (7) ROISTER* Liked this clue
12 Avoid review — indeed a very important point (5) EVADE [T<=]
13 Animals and people, I agree are different (9) MENAGERIE {MEN}{I+AGREE}*
14 Noble Queen leaves stubs (12) COUNTERFOILS {COUNT}{ER}{FOILS}
18 Crime works, derision follows (12) MANSLAUGHTER {MANS}{LAUGHTER}
21 On the ship he makes a terrific cocktail (9) ARTIFICER*
23 They may write to me, about some help (5) MEDIA {ME}{DIA<=}
24 Drink a nastier version (7) RETSINA*
25 Banal relationship within…mostly within (7) INSIPID {INSI{PI}De}
26 Party days for the French…a stroll in the park (6) DODDLE {DO}{D}{D}LE}
27 Felt really bad when San Diego was shaken (8) AGONISED*

DOWN
1   Long time carrying school bag (6) SACHET {S}{ACHE}{T}
2   Girl gets a trainee to toughen (6) ANNEAL {ANNE}{A}{L}
3   The German and the Spanish covered in dirt finding fuel (6,3) DIESEL OIL {DIE}{S{EL} OIL}
4   It is malicious, but no problem as fuel (10,4) BITUMINOUS COAL*
6   Toss a drink (5) SLING [DD]
7   Flower for Roman God rising from a heavenly body (8) ASTEROID {ASTER}{OID<=}
8   A top British College takes ages to accept writing, but shows magnanimity (8) LARGESSE {L{A{R}GES}SE}
9   Bearing superficial cost could start damaging an ideal suitor (6,8) PRINCE CHARMING {PRI{N}CE} {C}{HARMING}

PRINCE CHARMING, REALLY !

15 Release mother and child from one from the lodge (9) FREEMASON {FREE}{MA}{SON}
16 Afflicted when I have a partner (8) IMPAIRED {I'M}{PAIRED}
17 Doctor, a dentist kept in office (8) INSTATED*
19 A day suitable for school tailors (6) ADAPTS {A}{D}{APT}{S}
20 Open and shut in police department (6) CANDID {C{AND}ID}
22 Stuff having the right trim (5) FRILL {F{R}ILL}

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39 comments:

  1. Deepak Gopinath4 December 2013 at 08:30

    Extract from latest update on the IXL final.

    "Sharing details of the IXL 2013 finals, Singh said a preliminary round would be conducted. It would have questions based on quiz, aptitude and crossword clue making and solving.

    Four contenders would be eliminated in it. The top six would qualify for the grand finale.

    “The grand finale would be played in a bit different way and would be interactive in nature,” Singh said, adding that its details would be sent to participants soon. The winner of the competition would be awarded with “Mentathlete” trophy."

    ReplyDelete
  2. Gita SB4 December 2013 at 08:36

    Delightful crossword today! Good beginning to the day since I actually finished it before 8:30 am for the first time :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Padmanabhan4 December 2013 at 09:33

    Interesting, engaging CW with well crafted anagrams. Somehow I found it a little tougher today with a few gaping holes in the grid. 4th of July was a good red herring!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Mukundala Balasubramanyam4 December 2013 at 09:59

    16 Afflicted when I have a partner (8) IMPAIRED {I'M}{PAIRED}

    Is "I have" = I've accepted as I'm for I am ?

    ReplyDelete
  5. Chaturvasi4 December 2013 at 10:10

    mB

    The whole phrase "I have a partner" must be seen as "I'm paired"
    I hope I have guessed what you mean and have answered your query.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Chaturvasi4 December 2013 at 10:11

    I agree that many clues in this puzzle are excellent.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Mukundala Balasubramanyam4 December 2013 at 10:17

    Thanks, Col Sir. Yes, when read as a whole phrase "I have a partner" it does mean "I'm paired"

    ReplyDelete
  8. Chaturvasi4 December 2013 at 10:37

    Thanks to Col Sir, all these notes are possible!

    ReplyDelete
  9. VMA Nair4 December 2013 at 10:43

    Long time carrying school bag (6) SACHET {S}{ACHE}{T}

    Carrying to indicate precedes?

    ReplyDelete
  10. maradnusro4 December 2013 at 10:56

    I am not sure if 26D should be 'dawdle' in place of 'dawdle'

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Deepak Gopinath4 December 2013 at 11:20

      Doddle is correct

      Party = DO
      days = DD
      for
      the French = LE
      …a stroll in the park = {DO}{D}{D}{LE}

      Delete
    2. Mukundala Balasubramanyam4 December 2013 at 12:13

      So, "A stroll in the park" = DODDLE = "A task or an activity that is very easy" and it has nothing to do with STROLL meaning ""To walk somewhere in a slow relaxed way" ?

      May be "A stroll in the park" is an IDIOM/PHRASE. I am not sure.

      Delete
    3. Deepak Gopinath4 December 2013 at 12:31

      Yes it is
      A stroll (actually walk) in the park, Cakewalk, Piece of cake etc all mean the same

      Delete
    4. Mukundala Balasubramanyam4 December 2013 at 12:36

      Thanks, Col Sir.

      Delete
    5. maradnusro4 December 2013 at 13:13

      Thanks everybody.

      Delete
    6. Richard4 December 2013 at 14:26

      This discussion reminded me of the song Una paloma blanca...

      Sunday morning, up with the lark, I think I'll take a walk in the park, Hey, hey, hey, it's a beautiful day

      It has been a beautiful Wednesday morning, nevertheless...

      Delete
  11. thiru4 December 2013 at 10:58

    Regarding 9d
    def - ideal suitor - prince charming
    cost - price
    could start - c
    damaging - harming

    I am not sure how we get n from bearing superficial. Can someone enlighten?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Deepak Gopinath4 December 2013 at 11:18

      Compass bearings (N,S,E,W) are known as Bearings in short. Superficial is the indicator for bearing(N) being inside cost(price)

      Delete
    2. thiru4 December 2013 at 11:20

      Thanks Col

      Delete
  12. maradnusro4 December 2013 at 10:58

    Ooops! It should read as if 26D should be 'dawdle' instead of 'doddle'.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Unknown4 December 2013 at 11:25

    Very large voter turn out in Delhi, today. Long lines, already, at 8:30 am.
    Came back, after voting, then sat down to an enjoyable CW.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Padmanabhan4 December 2013 at 12:46

      Tough one, I mean the Delhi poll !! The whole country is looking at you eagerly to know the trend. No wonder there is a large turnout.

      Delete
    2. Richard4 December 2013 at 14:04

      RM: You could be a fan of Usha Uthup nee Iyer. I had posted a link to a clipping of a recent stage performance of hers in this blog on Nov 30. I am not sure if you have seen it. Just in case, check here.

      Delete
    3. Unknown4 December 2013 at 15:54

      Thanks, Richard. Yes, Usha Uthup is a great favourite. We were in Calcutta in the late 70s, and saw her on Park Street a few times. She has also performed at the Delhi Gymkhana Club, a couple of times, to great applause!

      Delete
  14. VMA Nair4 December 2013 at 11:47

    Thanks Col.
    Have booked tickets from MAS-SBC for Dec 20th night. :) to see the grand finale

    ReplyDelete
  15. David Dobson4 December 2013 at 11:48

    Have been doing crossword in the evenings so not been blogging - but got to it early today, and very good it was - always enjoy Arden

    ReplyDelete
  16. Padmanabhan4 December 2013 at 12:47

    Your comments are welcome in the evenings too.We do see a lot of comments in the evenings.

    ReplyDelete
  17. raju umamaheswar4 December 2013 at 12:48

    Hard to beat Arden -- bearded in his own den . Great crossie and thoroughly enjoyable one.

    Clues of my day: PRINCE CHARMING AND DODDLE( a new word in crossword for me -- one always learns !) Got stumped when I thought it was Bitumenised coal but won't fit in. There lies the charm of beguiling the solver !
    Sachet is a clever red herring thrown- as school bag is a satchel !

    Thanks Col for the update on the IXL 2013 finals. As I have never participated in any such contests, sounds all strange to me.

    CV: hope we have a chance to go at the online solving, post-the finals.

    ReplyDelete
  18. PKPSwami4 December 2013 at 15:34

    Nice clues.smooth surfaces. I like punch in 23a &25a.equally e.jnoyed punch in the defi.inition in26a. Its a thorough entertainer today.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Mukundala Balasubramanyam4 December 2013 at 16:00

    25 Banal relationship within…mostly within (7) INSIPID {INSI{PI}De}

    How is "relationship" linked to "PI" in the Anno please ?

    ReplyDelete
  20. Padmanabhan4 December 2013 at 16:14

    I think it is the ratio 'Pi'

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mukundala Balasubramanyam4 December 2013 at 16:31

      Thanks, Paddy. I too felt it had something to do with 'Pi' the Mathematical term, but was not sure. Now that you mentioned 'Ratio', it clearly leads to 'relationship' and thereby to 'Pi'.

      Delete
  21. Sujatha4 December 2013 at 19:25

    What about 18A? Derision is laughter. Where does the "Mans" part come from? Also, explain 1A please?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Deepak Gopinath4 December 2013 at 21:13

      18A - Mans = Works

      1A
      One is ready for = Definition = STANDS BY
      the
      way = street = ST
      bands = Anagram fodder
      play = Anagram Indicator (so bands play = {ANDSB*}
      on the
      fourth of July = Y (Fourth letter of July)

      {ST}{ANDS B*}{Y}

      Delete

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