Liked 1a and 10a immensely. 1a is possibly an Utopian dream ...
ACROSS
1 Government isn't corrupt, held in high esteem (14) ADMINISTRATION (ISN'T* in ADMIRATION)
9 Call one to pose after victory (5) VISIT (V 1 SIT)
10 Thin slice of meat and fish with 1 ml essence of olive oil for starter (9) CARPACCIO (CARP A C.C. I O)
11 Dance till break, romantic! (9) CANDLELIT (DANCE TILL)*
12 Cheers and outburst in Oval after end of innings (5) SALVO (OVAL* after S)
13 Sound coming from inlet, a squeak (5) CREAK (~CREEK)
15 Surprisingly showing up (6) RISING (T)
Surprisingly this answer shows a contentious creek rising up. Yes, Sir, it does so ...
18 Point essentially about Veda’s source (6) ORIGIN (OIN about RIG)
19 Provide entertainment (5) TREAT 2
22 Instrument to peel off layers (5)SHAVE CD? I initially thought PLANE, but decided to wait for crossings. SCALE 2 See comments
23 As it is, universe expanding by day (9) UNREVISED (UNIVERSE* D)
26 Apparently, a dad with time for daytime TV show (4,5) SOAP OPERA (SO A POP ERA)
No longer restricted to the daytime ...
27 Come close to being naked — girl’s top comes off (5) NUDGE (NUDE around G)
Cartoon by Bhargav
28 It tells you which is what (8,6) RELATIVE CLAUSE CD,
A bit obscure I thought, though I liked the pun on relative ...
Cartoon by Rishi
DOWN
1 A democrat’s failing idea (6) ADVICE (A D VICE)
2 Guy’s so into becoming a builder (5) MASON (SO in MAN)
3 Ms. Portman leaving, to be precise, to a place in South Africa (5) NATAL (NATALie)
4 Versatile chisel and utility knives primarily of the same kind (8) SUCHLIKE (CHISEL U K)*
5 Right, equality, first off, is something uncommon (6) RARITY (R pARITY)
6 Partner is itching to come out (9) TRANSPIRE (PARTNER IS)*
7 Believer in supernatural powers, mysterious stoic attracts followers (9) OCCULTIST (STOIC* around CULT)
8 Area of tunnel, say (7) BOROUGH (~BURROW)
13 Dishes from meat containing part of backbone — struggle to cut in (9) CHINAWARE (WAR in???
Anno not clear CHINE) See comments
14 England’s short distance runner and writer (5,4) EMILE ZOLA (E MILE??? Anno not clear ZOLA) See comments
16 Have a group of friends over on weekend (7) POSSES (POSSE over SS for Saturday and Sunday)
17 Look into the sky and dream (8) STARGAZE (CD,DD)
ACROSS
1 Government isn't corrupt, held in high esteem (14) ADMINISTRATION (ISN'T* in ADMIRATION)
9 Call one to pose after victory (5) VISIT (V 1 SIT)
10 Thin slice of meat and fish with 1 ml essence of olive oil for starter (9) CARPACCIO (CARP A C.C. I O)
11 Dance till break, romantic! (9) CANDLELIT (DANCE TILL)*
12 Cheers and outburst in Oval after end of innings (5) SALVO (OVAL* after S)
13 Sound coming from inlet, a squeak (5) CREAK (~CREEK)
15 Surprisingly showing up (6) RISING (T)
Surprisingly this answer shows a contentious creek rising up. Yes, Sir, it does so ...
18 Point essentially about Veda’s source (6) ORIGIN (OIN about RIG)
19 Provide entertainment (5) TREAT 2
22 Instrument to peel off layers (5)
23 As it is, universe expanding by day (9) UNREVISED (UNIVERSE* D)
26 Apparently, a dad with time for daytime TV show (4,5) SOAP OPERA (SO A POP ERA)
No longer restricted to the daytime ...
27 Come close to being naked — girl’s top comes off (5) NUDGE (NUDE around G)
28 It tells you which is what (8,6) RELATIVE CLAUSE CD,
A bit obscure I thought, though I liked the pun on relative ...
DOWN
1 A democrat’s failing idea (6) ADVICE (A D VICE)
2 Guy’s so into becoming a builder (5) MASON (SO in MAN)
3 Ms. Portman leaving, to be precise, to a place in South Africa (5) NATAL (NATAL
4 Versatile chisel and utility knives primarily of the same kind (8) SUCHLIKE (CHISEL U K)*
5 Right, equality, first off, is something uncommon (6) RARITY (R pARITY)
6 Partner is itching to come out (9) TRANSPIRE (PARTNER IS)*
7 Believer in supernatural powers, mysterious stoic attracts followers (9) OCCULTIST (STOIC* around CULT)
8 Area of tunnel, say (7) BOROUGH (~BURROW)
13 Dishes from meat containing part of backbone — struggle to cut in (9) CHINAWARE (WAR in
14 England’s short distance runner and writer (5,4) EMILE ZOLA (E MILE
16 Have a group of friends over on weekend (7) POSSES (POSSE over SS for Saturday and Sunday)
17 Look into the sky and dream (8) STARGAZE (CD,DD)
20 Exhume ribs buried with other bones of the body (6) HUMERI (T)
21 Stick a notice in this place (6) ADHERE (AD HERE)
24 Grafting exists in even Alaska (5) VENAL (T) should it have been just graft, not -ing?
25 Holy man is depressed and upset, much frequently (5) SADHU (SAD
14 Down:
ReplyDeleteE Mile'z OLA ?
I still don't get it.
DeleteThis is a stunning puzzle. One of the best THCs I have solved this year.
ReplyDeleteYes, the surface reading of some clues is superb.
DeleteHow the very first ac. clue lifts the crossword to an enviable level.
Someone who has glanced at it is most likely to enter the arena and try to be engaged with it.
* * *
The second clue also has a good surface. But is
call = visit?
I called my parents ysterday.
I called on my parents last week.
Isn't there a difference?
Chambers lists call (n) = visit. I suppose it works:
DeleteThe doctor made a call
The doctor made a visit
Wholly agree with CV on the 1a (that's why I specially mentioned it). It is a real appetiser. B's illustration of call is perfect.
DeleteBhavan
DeleteThanks for your illustrative-substitution sentences. Looked at the clue, tht way, the def works.
In surface reading 'call' is a v. But as def for word reqd. it is n. = visit.
Thanks for your expln.
I should have thought harder before raising the doubt.
+1 for Bhavan's original comment.
DeleteSome absolutely brilliant surfaces (In particular, A-1,10,11,12,15,23,26, D-1,2,6,7,20) and near-flawless constructions.
Regarding 27A: How does "girl's top comes off" indicate insertion of G, as opposed to deletion?
PIE called on a visit on HUMBLENESS and told: Eat me !! A TRIP is NOT a FALL as one Minister quipped in Kenya !!
Delete22 Instrument to peel off layers (5) SHAVE CD? I initially thought PLANE, but decided to wait for crossings.
ReplyDeleteSCALE (DD) . See the 2nd entry under Scale 2 (verb) here
14 England’s short distance runner and writer (5,4) EMILE ZOLA (E MILE ??? Anno not clear
Runner = Zola Budd
Thanks, Bhavan
Delete16A POSSESS Missed an s
ReplyDeleteMaybe,weekend is 'SS' (referring to Sat. & Sun)
Delete13 Dishes from meat containing part of backbone — struggle to cut in (9) CHINAWARE (WAR in???
ReplyDeleteCHINE around A WAR
Thanks, Bhavan. I was absolutely unaware of that word.
DeleteCandlelit is a single word? I thought it was a compound word with hyphen in between.
ReplyDeleteDash it ! Whatdoes a hyphen matter when the candle is lit on a romantic night ?
DeleteAt first glance, I did not expect to do as much as I did. Had to think hard for many clues. Glad I was able to get 1A. satisfying.
ReplyDeleteIf I remember right Zola Budd was the one involved in a much discussed 'running in'. Yes, the ref. contains the incident.
16D- 'Have' as Def. to be highlighted.
ReplyDeleteKishore's & Barghav's cartoons on 'the top' coming off is 'relative'ly different.
ReplyDeletePlease read:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.dramadose.com/the-yogi-and-the-dancer/#comment-30471
Shuchi, Sreekanth, Gita and I saw this play yesterday. A mini impromptu S&B also took place discussing the new setters, among other things.
Jagriti productions and shows there are class, don't get the same variety here, missing out and envy you folks. btw a girl we know, Indu Venu was in the cast of yesterday's play, don't know what her role was though
DeleteDelectable crossie
ReplyDelete+1, though I did not get some of it on my own. Rare to see ranger making a comment on a crossword !
Delete27 Come close to being naked — girl’s top comes off (5) NUDGE (NUDE around G)
ReplyDelete"Come close to" be highlighted as Def. Pl.
Thanks for the nudge
Delete:)
DeleteHeartfelt condolences on behalf of all members of THCC to Gita Iyer on the loss of her father.
ReplyDelete+1. At her request not sending msg on fb or email now
DeleteHeartfelt condolences to Gita on the bereavement.
DeleteSaw Gita Iyer's post on FB. Heartfelt condolences to Gita on the loss of her father
DeleteTough going today but managed to solve all but two, 27 Ac(Nudge) and 22Ac(Scale). I filled in 'Spade' ! Couldn't parse 'CARPACCIO". On the whole, a tricky and brain teasing puzzle from Vulcan.
ReplyDeleteThank you Vulcan. I enjoyed solving this CW. :)
Addendum : Failed to parse CHINAWARE too!
Delete24 Grafting exists in even Alaska (5) VENAL
ReplyDelete---
'Venal' is an adj. and its meaning is "dishonest and ready to do anything in order to get money"
'Graft', in the same sense, is a noun.
'Grafting' is a verb in -ing form or may be regarded as a noun like 'booking', 'ruling' etc.
But as a noun it might mean only the act of union of one plant with another.
So I think the blogger is right in raising a query about this clue.
I think 'grafting' was used as an adjective, similar to say 'scheming' (a scheming person). Not sure if that usage exists, but quite possible
DeleteBhala,
DeleteThanks for your reply.
Yes, we talk of scheming person, running mate, jumping Jack - where all those -ing words are adj, I think.
We can also talk of the grafting technique of a successful mango cultivator.
Can we think of any similar phrase where the venal sense of graft of is applicable? I am not sure.
As per Collins Thesaurus, "grafting" is one of the informal words defining "venal."
DeleteMaybe it works like "He was a grafting politician" or something like that.
Good to be back after a long gap.
ReplyDeleteFound Vulcan very intimidating, at first, but managed to solve most. I did not get 28A and 23A.
Tough but enjoyable!
Good morning all.
Excellent crossword..
ReplyDeletewonder how everyone falls under the cliche 21d trap
Welcome after a break.
ReplyDeleteMohsin and others
ReplyDeleteRe 27 Come close to being naked — girl’s top comes off (5) NUDGE
I too paused over this for a moment.
I think the expln is:
Come close - NUDGE
to being naked — - for NUDGE to become a word meaning naked
girl’s top - G
comes off - is deleted.
Does it work for you now?
That ought to work
DeleteAn excellent crossie form Vulcan, with very many vulnerable places to burrow through the tunnel. A RARITY indeed ! Not for those who STARGAZE!
ReplyDeleteIsn't CARPACCIO pronounced the same as in CAPPUCCINO ? Double CC as a chi? Got stuc with this and BOROUGH .
Brilliant puzzle, thanks Vulcan
ReplyDeleteSad to hear of Gita Iyer's father's demise ! On Father's day?if so, sadder still. Hearfelt condolences. Inexorable are the ways of God !
ReplyDeleteAS
ReplyDeleteHere are three clues in which the clue-writer had not fallen into the trap that you mention:
Stick had broken before (6)
Stick on! The lawyer will rise in this place! (6)
Roughly heard notice’s last to stick (6)
- All previously published in CWDs by Gridman, attributed to him or otherwise.
I fell into the trap taking 'notice' to be 'ad' and lost the way before I noticed the Anind. Today's clue seems very direct.
DeleteHahaha, yes. Nice variety there.
Delete,
Hi, Sorry for this off-topic post. We were discussing this riddle with a couple of friends and got nowhere. I badly need some help. It looks like one of those popular riddles, so wanted to check if anybody here had this resolved.
ReplyDelete----
A lady buys goods worth Rs.200 from a shop and the shopkeeper sells it without any profit. The lady gives him Rs.1000 bill. The shopkeeper gets the change from the next shop and keeps Rs. 200 for himself and returns Rs.800 to the lady. Later the shopkeeper of the next shop comes with the Rs. 1000 bill claiming it is "duplicate" and takes his money back. How much loss did the shopkeeper face?
-----
Thanks
Total loss is Rs. 1800( goods worth 200+ Rs 800 returned to the lady.
DeleteRs. 1000-200 = 800 returned to the next shop owner
There is a quid pro quo for every transaction of shopkeeper, so no loss or profit arises, on those transactions, if the note was genuine. The only loss is the value of the fake note i.e.1000, which the shop keeper is left holding.
Delete1000
DeleteThe transactions with the next door guy can be ignored. He was given a (fake) note and gave 1000 and the transaction was reversed.
So, no profit or loss.
The lady passed off a 1000 note=0 and got goods worth 200 + change 800, hence gain is 1000
The shopkeeper gave goods of 200 +change 800 for a note worth 0. Hence, loss is 1000
It is a zero sum game, as illustrated below, with each persons' profit or loss:
Next door shopkeeker Nil
Lady 1000+
Shopkeeper 12000-
Total Nil
All other computations have fallacies in them. It reminds me of a chap who went to a shop and asked for a vest. After taking the vest and before paying for it, he wanted it changed to a pair of briefs. Taking the briefs he started walking out without paying. On being accosted by the shopkeeper about the price for the briefs, he said that he had got them in exchange for the vest. On being asked for the price of the vest, he said he had not taken it, so why was he to pay for it ?!
1) The lady had a duplicate note of 1000; she exchanged it for a goods worth Rs 200 and Rs 800 original money. Thus, she has gained Rs 1,000 in the whole deal.
Delete2) The neighbouring shopkeeper, suffered no loss and no profit as he gave the duplicate note back, and took original notes from the shopkeeper.
3) Our shopkeeper suffered a loss of Rs 1,000.
Initially, he had goods worth Rs 200, and 0 rupees with him. Then ,he gave those goods to the lady. He kept Rs 200 and gave Rs 800 to the lady.
Now, he has Rs 200 and no goods.
So, no loss no profit till now.
Now, neighbouring shopkeeper comes and takes back Rs 1,000 from him. So, he suffered a loss of Rs 1,000 only.
He gave Rs 800 to lady and Rs 1,000 to shopkeeper. But, it is evident that this Rs 800 is not his own money. He took that from neighbouring shopkeeper. So, this cannot be included in the loss.
I had it down as Rs. 1000 too, but Rs. 2000 happened to be the popular answer, so wanted more ideas. Now, Rs. 1000 looks more convincing.
DeleteTypo in my 556, please drop the 2 in 1000 ie:
DeleteIt is a zero sum game, as illustrated below, with each persons' profit or loss:
Next door shopkeeker Nil
Lady 1000+
Shopkeeper 1000-
Total Nil
Have come across the puzzle quite a few times. The fallacies in the non-1000 answers:
DeleteRanger --- the 800 returned to the other shop-owner was claimed earlier in the form of genuine 1000 rupees (of which 200 was given to the lady). So, the net loss is, as your first statement claims, 200+800
Bhargav's first comment --- The 200 he has realised by way of sale also had to be paid to the other shopkeeper (he took 200+800 initially, in exchange for the counterfeit note, and then had to return 1000).
Raghunath --- "he gives the other guy 1000 (loss no. 2)" --- he'd taken 1000 from the other guy earlier (in exchange for the counterfeit note). So, now he just returns the 1000. No loss here.
"And 1000 as he's stuck with it" -- No idea where this came from
Bhargav's second comment --- Like you said, he's only temporarily duped the other keeper. His monetary loss is 800, but he's also lost a product worth 200.
Richard's comment (via Bhargav)--- If he'd confront the woman, she'd just take back the 1000 and give a genuine Rs 1000 note (she has 800 in cash and a product worth 200 with her. There's no reason she'd pay more than 800+200). Or she could give back the 800 she was given as change + the product worth 200. Either way, that's a net of 1000.
The easiest way to see it is: The only reason the shopkeeper incurs a loss is because of a fake note worth Rs X. Now, since the lady's gotten rid of the note, and the other shopkeeper's expectedly reclaimed his due, the first shopkeeper must have incurred a loss of X. Like Kishore said, it's a zero-sum game
Thanks, Mohsin, for analysing the fallacies. Did not have the patience ti type all that stuff. Between the sailor, airconditioner, Mr Walker and the ex-banker, they managed to create quite a few answers!
DeleteI wanted to say Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, but then we don't have a tinker and tailor and the soldier did not answer. And the spy?, you ask? The Official Secrets Act applies ...
DeleteIts 1800
DeleteTowards the end Shopkeeper 1 gave Rs.200 goods + Rs.800 cash to Lady = Rs.1000 loss
He also gave the duplicate Rs.1000 note to Shopkeeper 2 and then had to return real Rs.1000 = Loss of Rs.1000 again
But in the middle when Shopkeeper 1 gave real Rs.800 to the lady he kept with himself real Rs.200 with himself that he took from Shopkeeper 2. Therefore, Loss of Rs.1000 (Lady) + Loss of Real Rs. 1000 (Shopkeeper II) - Rs. 200 (that he got from Shopkeeper 2) = Rs. 1800
If the note were to be good, he would have made : Nil loss
ReplyDeleteSince the note is bad: He has to shell out Rs.1000 from his pocket.
But he has realised Rs.200 by way of a sale for Rs.200.
Therefore his loss would be: Rs.1000 minus sale realisation of Rs.200 = Rs.800
I don't know but Kishore might say that the monetary loss is Rs.800 whereas the book loss is Rs.1000 !!
ReplyDeleteThis is becoming curiouser and curiouser !!
Assuming the woman gave the CFT. note, loss no. 1 to seller is 200 for the book. He gives the other guy 1000 (loss no. 2). He returned 800 to woman, which is loss no. 3. Totally he's lost 2000. Add 1000 as he's stuck with it. 3000 in all.
DeleteBit of a jumble, as posting from Mobile
DeleteVery nice puz from Vulcan.
ReplyDeleteCV's spot on with his expln. for NUDGE.
(1) End of the day, he is left with one counterfeit Note: Loss is Rs.1000
ReplyDeleteFULL STOP. His loss is Rs.1000.
But then, by temporarily duping the next door shop wallah he has realised Rs.200 by way of a transaction in which there was neither loss nor profit.
So, his actual monetary loss would be Rs.800 only.
Excellent puzzle from Vulcan. Enjoyed solving this one immensely.
ReplyDeleteThanks to Richard Lasrado, who could not post in this blog, but gave me the answer as Rs.1200 loss.
ReplyDeleteI did not understand at that time.
Now I shall proceed to explain:
The next door shop keeper gave 1000 change and took back 1000 change. (This is a googly entry in the puzzle).
The woman gives 1000 fake note and gets Rs.800 plus goods for Rs.200.
Suppose the shopkeeper were to trace her and she accepts and rectifies,
what would she do:
Take back the the 1000 Note and give Rs.1000 back and also give another Rs.200 for the goods.
This not having happened, the loss would be Rs.1000 plus Rs.200: Rs.1200 in all.
It is already mentioned that in the Rs.200 sale there is no loss or profit.
Thanks Richard.
The variety of above answers would convince anyone how a committee works.
ReplyDeleteI am one who counts anything twice but never reach the correct figure. I drop notes, sometimes I might give two where one was needed to be given, sometimes I might return a note mistakenly confusing myself that I had received two - that is why I did not attempt to provide any answer to the puzzle.
ReplyDeleteLet anyone lose, let anyone gain
I will rest content without any pain.
As they say in KannaDa, "Yaara appana yenu ganTu hogutte" whimsically translated into English as "Whose father what knot goes?"
DeleteExtraordinary proof for Rs.1000:
ReplyDeleteRanger's answer 1800
CGB (first answer) 1000
Richard via CGB 1200
CV N.A.
Total for 4= 4000
Average 1000, which is correct !
See committees do work, you just need to know how to make them work!
Addition of NR's solution to the above proof does not change it ;-)
DeleteNet loss 200 worth goods and 800 cash, total 1000. Period.
DeleteIn Tamil there is a colourful proverb, which, translated, is: Why should we drag into our loincloth the garden lizard that crawls on the fence?
ReplyDeleteIf that lizard is a chameleon, one may end up with colourful Moods ...
DeleteSometimes we talk of maximum anagrams that may be used in a typical 15x15 standard cryptic puzzle.
ReplyDeleteHere is some useful info from a UK setter of repute.
Visit and read relevant post.
http://www.ukpuzzle.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=638&p=21632#p21632
CV Sir @11.25-Can 'grafting' also be a Gerund?
ReplyDeleteSolving THC after an extremely long time and couldn't have found a better one to start with. There are so many gems in just one grid that it's too difficult to pick one out. Wonderful work, Vulcan.
ReplyDeletePS: Just so that I don't appear like a complete fanboy, I'll nitpick a little. The grid skeleton could have been a little more connected. It was almost like solving 2 separate crosswords (the top half and the bottom half). But that's only a minor quibble, immensely enjoyed the grid.
If from one cell on one side of the grid, top or left, we are able to trace a line through white cells to another on another side, bottom or right, the grid is not actually divided in halves. That we are able to do here.
ReplyDeleteAlso, every other cell in every slot is checked.
In this grid you solve 1ac or 28ac and you get the opening letters of several down slots. So the question of any problem arising out of a cut-off part does not seem to arise.
This is my opinion just as others may have theirs.
@Chaturvasi Sir
ReplyDeleteOf course it's not literally cut off from the bottom half, I just meant there weren't too many crossings to start out with.
Time for Germany vs. Portugal!
ReplyDeleteAt Half Time (remember the clue a few days back from KKK 5 Break in a football game is two-thirds of the tie (4-4)). Muller's got in 2. And between the two, gott in Hummels !
DeleteRemembered Anarche in the Indy:
Delete1d Break me? (4-4)