An accessible crossword with samosas flying off the plate.
The solved grid
The solved grid
Across
9 Place
to grow fruit or fish (7) ORCHARD - OR CHARD (fish)
10 Kingdom's
monthly payment tariff (7) EMIRATE - EMI (monthly payment) RATE (tariff)
11 Compound
for ammunition of National Investigation Agency (7) AMMONIA -AMMO (ammunition) NIA
*The first of three-letter acronym/abbr as a component in wordplay. Look for other such components elsewhere.
*The first of three-letter acronym/abbr as a component in wordplay. Look for other such components elsewhere.
12 Interactive
demon in copper vehicle (7) INCUBUS - IN (in) CU (copper) BUS (vehicle)
13 I
checked a flying bird (9) CHICKADEE - Anag. of ICHECKEDA
15 Extinct
birds -B8B8? (5) DODOS - Anno to be provided by any reader
*Birds are flocking together, it seems.
*Birds are flocking together, it seems.
16 Take
one and three fourth of a south Indian pancake on a back to back sofa (3,1,3) DOS-À-DOS[a]
*Sometimes I ask my wife to give me half a dosa for a subsequent serving. Have you ever tried three-fourths of a dosa? In self-service hotels, the dosa is always folded unevenly and is served in such a way that the bigger side is on top: never double it in imagination of the size!
**BTW, should the term be three-fourths?
***This is a seat on which the users sit back to back. This French phrase literally 'means back to back'.
**** Ignoring SA, those dead birds are here!
For a nice pic visit
BACK TO BACK
ANOTHER TAKE
**BTW, should the term be three-fourths?
***This is a seat on which the users sit back to back. This French phrase literally 'means back to back'.
**** Ignoring SA, those dead birds are here!
For a nice pic visit
BACK TO BACK
ANOTHER TAKE
19 Bloodsuckers mutilated testes around beginning of summer (7) TSETSES - S (beginning of summer) inserted in TSETES Anag. of TESTES
*Whose we don't know.
***The positioning of two lights with two three-letter strings in them in the same row must have been deliberate on the part of the setter.
*Whose we don't know.
***The positioning of two lights with two three-letter strings in them in the same row must have been deliberate on the part of the setter.
20 Interpret:
Long distance is a little short (5) PARSE - Anno to be provided by any reader
21 Bird has temperature? That's surprising (9) STARTLING - T (temperature) in STARLING (bird)
*Three birds on hand are worth six in the bush.
21 Bird has temperature? That's surprising (9) STARTLING - T (temperature) in STARLING (bird)
*Three birds on hand are worth six in the bush.
25 X
can be sound (7) TENABLE - TEN (X) ABLE (can)
26 Charges
a lot for pelts (7) FLEECES - Two meanings :: Charges a lot / pelts
28 Hurt
girl with a sword (7) CUTLASS - CUT (hurt) LASS (girl)
29 Note:
Craft is in front of performer (7) ARTISTE - ART (craft) IS (is) TE (musical note)
*Art and craft, they say. What is art? What is craft? Is an arty person crafty too?
*Art and craft, they say. What is art? What is craft? Is an arty person crafty too?
Down
1 Design
of shredded chamois without heat (6) MOSAIC - Anag of CAMOIS after deleting H (heat) from CHAMOIS
2 Set
up tent in South India and get seafood (6) SCAMPI - CAMP (tent) in SI (South India)
3 Thank
Royal Navy for the lake (4) TARN - TA (thank) RN (Royal Navy)
*'Ta' is an exclamation that means 'Thank you' or 'Thanks'. Not sure if mere 'thank' (v.) can give Ta.
*'Ta' is an exclamation that means 'Thank you' or 'Thanks'. Not sure if mere 'thank' (v.) can give Ta.
4 Setter
and priest have transport document (2,4) ID CARD - CAR (transport) in I (setter) and DD (priest)
*Is the definition quite apt? ID cards are not always for transport.
*Is the definition quite apt? ID cards are not always for transport.
5 Sorry,
write "one encampment" (8) PENITENT - PEN (write) I (one) TENT (encampment)
*Setter seems to be out picnicking a lot, pitching camp here and there.
*Setter seems to be out picnicking a lot, pitching camp here and there.
6 Mate
ground beef, for example (6,4) MINCED MEAT -This will give 'MATE".
*I think this is a reverse anagram.
*I think this is a reverse anagram.
7 Slithering
boas encircle bachelor in the grip of retired doctor in island (8) BARBADOS - Insertion of BA (bachelor) in DR (reversal of DR(doctor) which is inserted in BAOS (anag, of BOAS)
*Double container-content with a good anag signal. :: It can't be Ireland.
*Double container-content with a good anag signal. :: It can't be Ireland.
8 Indian
Star-trekker takes saint back and continues (8) PERSISTS - PERSIS (Indian star-trekker) TS (reversal of ST (saint))
*The reference is to Persis Khambatta, model, actor and author. She had a role in the film Star Trek.
*The reference is to Persis Khambatta, model, actor and author. She had a role in the film Star Trek.
14 Rajma,
for instance, baked in Eastern New York, maybe (6,4) KIDNEY BEAN - Anag of BAKEDINENY
*Does it taste differently there?
*Does it taste differently there?
16 Instrument
immerses insect (8) DIPSTICK - DIPS (immerses) TICK (insect)
17 Power
to rebuild primary Government High School in Trent (8) - STRENGTH - Anag. of GHSTRENT
18 Doubt
South American enclosure's source of energy (8) SUSPENSE - S (South) US (American) PENS (enclosure's) E (source of energy)
22 A
couple of females, with light, fight (6) AFFRAY - A FF(a couple of females) RAY (light)
*Thank God, they didn't use beams.
*Thank God, they didn't use beams.
23 Nicest
sort of crime committed by close relatives (6) INCEST - Anag. of NICEST
*Actually, it is most horrific crime.
*Actually, it is most horrific crime.
24 Rubber
ring in Muruga's kettle (6) GASKET - Hidden in MuruGAS KETtle
*Gaskets are not always of rubber; they could be of metal or plastic.
*Gaskets are not always of rubber; they could be of metal or plastic.
27 Newts
initially excited fish tank shark (4) EFTS - Stringing together first letters of "excited fish tank shark"
An analysis of clue types
Key: Cha - charade, Anag - anagam, CC - container-content, DD - double definition - Rev - reverse
No. of Instances
14 Cha
5 Anag
4 CC
2 Not classified
1 Telescopic
1 Rev anag
1 Double CC
1 DD
1 Acrostic
The puzzle appears to be balanced in the use of clue types. In any puzzle, charades are apt to be preponderant. Acrostic, DD, Telescopic are not overdone. Anagrams too are well within the limit.
An analysis of clue types
Key: Cha - charade, Anag - anagam, CC - container-content, DD - double definition - Rev - reverse
| Across | Down | ||
| 9 | Cha | 1 | Anag |
| 10 | Cha | 2 | Cha |
| 11 | Cha | 3 | Cha |
| 12 | Cha | 4 | C/C |
| 13 | Anag | 5 | Cha |
| 15 | Not classified | 6 | Rev Anag |
| 16 | Cha | 7 | Double CC |
| 19 | CC | 8 | CC |
| 20 | Not classified | 14 | Anag |
| 21 | CC | 16 | Cha |
| 25 | Cha | 17 | Anag |
| 26 | DD | 18 | Cha |
| 28 | Cha | 22 | Cha |
| 29 | Cha | 23 | Anag |
| 24 | Telescopic | ||
| 27 | Acrostic |
14 Cha
5 Anag
4 CC
2 Not classified
1 Telescopic
1 Rev anag
1 Double CC
1 DD
1 Acrostic
The puzzle appears to be balanced in the use of clue types. In any puzzle, charades are apt to be preponderant. Acrostic, DD, Telescopic are not overdone. Anagrams too are well within the limit.
GRID | |||||||||
After a long break, thought of trying out Incognito today for some adventure since he always has bouncers in his quiver.
ReplyDeleteWith Google's help for 12A and 13A, had 100% success. What a word, this CHICKADEE!
Liked many clues. Not sure of the anno for 15A. DOS-A-DOS was quite filling - the grid, that is - and DODOS - dead sure of it - was interesting.
19A - Ahem... Incognito can get away with murder. 25A was well clued. So were 29A, 1D, 5D, 7D, 14D, 24D and many others.
8D - Setter's tribute to Miss India 1965, the Khambatta girl who went on to bag a role in Startrek.
20A Interpret: Long distance is a little short (5) PARSE(-c)
ReplyDeleteExa: Congrats on your podium place in the latest DIY COW contest.
ReplyDeleteCongrats Exa! :)
DeleteCongrats Exa. Birthday present?
DeleteCongratulations and many happy returns, Aakash
DeleteCongrtas Exa. Blog participants continue to make waves.Great!
DeleteThanks CV Sir , Kishore, Sandhya, Col and Paddy... I guess I got lucky after a long while .. : P
DeleteB8B8 has me stumped
ReplyDeleteSomebody, please crack this sooooon!
DeleteSomebody other than the setter.
DeleteSandy, I was hoping you would crack it! I know that at least one member of our ensemble knows it, though I have not shared the clue with that person.
DeleteCertainly,CV. May be a hint around 10.30 but not the answer
DeleteIf Sandy has not been able to crack it, then it must the ultimate...
DeleteI thought this was far fetched:
DeleteB as II pos in Across and 8th pos in the column covers D O. Repeating that however becomes DO DO. Doesn't give the S.
I can also deduce, though I have not shared the anno with him, that CV knows what's cooking ...
DeleteThe GenX uses the SMSese like 'gr8' for 'great'. Hence is B8 is a 'bait' we are all ready with gaping mouths...
DeleteThe second sentence should read, 'Hence if B8 is a 'bait'...'
Delete8D - Setter's tribute to Miss India 1965, the Khambatta girl who went on to bag a role in Startrek.
ReplyDeleteThat reminds me, Richard, that recently I came across some photos of Ms Jennifer Webb, who had won the Miss Angel Face title in Bangalore in 1966 and had occasion to electronically interact with her. She was one of the contestants sent for the Miss India title that year, which was won by Rita Faria.
Persist=DO (8D). That makes it 'dodo'. maybe in plural-'dodos'. But B? 'B'eyond me!
ReplyDeleteI am not able to decide which is more enjoyable- the CW or the in-depth analysis. In any case both are priceless.
ReplyDeleteIn addition to samosa there were dosas too (For a long time I was struggling to fit in idli) making it a sumptuous breakfast!
16A & Dn.were the last to fall along with B8.
Take B8B8
ReplyDeleteLunge a sword through the above horizontally midway..
You get
DODO
DODO
These are extinct birds.
Idhu eppadi irukku?
Wow!
DeleteIf it indeed the answer, it is ingenious. Credit to you too, CV.
DeleteIt was only recently that I sent Alia Bhatt jokes to a few friends. Once of them mentions her answering the question, 'What to you get when you divide 8 into two?'. Her reply was number 3 vertically and 0 horizontally. Wonder how I missed it when relating it here.
Typo: What do you get...
DeleteThat looks like the Hara-Kiri action from yesterday. How in heavens do we indicate the annotation for that?
DeleteThat, indeed, is the answer. Kudos to CV! His remark when blogging made it clear that he knew what was happening. This clue is based on a puzzle by Lloyd King and the idea is used with his permission.
DeleteCol.
DeleteCall it DD. Solution doubled in clue!!
Can we call it a Rebus.
DeleteOnly because I had solved some of Lloyd King's puzzles (though I may not have completed any set and submitted any entry) and only because I have seen many wordgame puzzle books, this idea struck me. But, quite honestly, I had no idea of the anno when I left it to the readers (of course, not always do I invite readers because I am stumped).
DeleteI am glad I got it!
However, I would have expected B8B8 halved (or some such indication) for the operation of division.
As it is my classification "Not classified" seems to be apt for this clue! For, it's not a typical crossword clue.
But I have no problem with such occasional forays.
Well cracked CV! :)
DeleteWhen one stares at B8B8 long enough, it looks like one DODO written upon/under another. That's two of them DODOS
DeleteImagination at its best. Maybe this IS the solution?
ReplyDeleteLooking at the completed grid put up by CZ, I see Richard, who has no ego, In the first row across
ReplyDeleteReading between the lines...
DeleteI'm much elated. Very entertaining & easy-to-crack type of puzzle.Really a week end bonanza for people like us.Thank you Incog.
ReplyDeleteIt would have been a sad day if the setter himself had to come to provide the anno for a clue.
ReplyDeleteI am happy that I was able to get it - it was only because I stared hard at B8B8 I got the idea of one bird mounting another, though both are dead.
But I must admit that before that I was trying to connect with Column/Row in the grid (as Raghunath did).
I was also looking at DOSADOS for long. If you remove 'it' (SA) from that term, you get DODOS.
Indeed, that would have been sad. Suresh is a regular at Lloyd King's site and, no doubt, might remember his puzzle, but presently he (Suresh) is involved in matrimonial affairs (not what you think). One DODO may be mounted on another in a taxidermic way too ...
DeleteIs the date you mentioned somewhere else to do with what Suresh is involved in now?
DeleteGood deduction
DeleteIf I had been unable to get that anno, I might have said, O Richard, one is lost!
ReplyDeleteWell cracked, however.
DeleteUff - was beginning to feel the lack of samosas! Thank Heavens for this most enjoyable CW! Samosas, dosas, the lot!
ReplyDeleteStill don't get the anno for 20A, though.
Interpret = Definition = PARSE
DeleteLong distance = PARSEC
is a little short = PARSE(-c)
20A Interpret//: Long distance is a little short (5)
ReplyDeletePARSEC is a unit of length used to measure the astronomically large distances to objects outside the Solar System
Defn: Interpret PARSE(-c)
A samosa day sure! What with Richard opening the batting after a long time & a superb blog by the maestro.
ReplyDeleteAfter a long time, got samosas. Thank you Incognito.
ReplyDeleteCV Sir's remark on half-dosa (16 ac) - In my home, when I ask for half dosa, I get a small dosa - almost with half-radius of normal dosa
ReplyDeleteProbably what is served as part of what they call here mini- tiffin.(3/4 items with a sweet trown in)
ReplyDeleteTalking of dosas, I am reminded of a joke-
Once someone mentioned 'continental dosa'. I became curious thinking of continental variation of our own dosa. Finally it turned out to be dosa made by a beginner- not round or oval, but of odd shapes!
Lol
DeleteThanks for your comments, folks. Good night...
ReplyDeleteEarly to bed, early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise
DeleteB8B8 is awesome!
ReplyDeleteB8B8: DODO-- Can this be classified in parsing with two other clues that had been seen earlier in this blog, as SYMBOLIC --" One is : ! (exclamation mark) and --- .( full stop ) which were so short and pithy? Com[piers can comeup with many more?
ReplyDeleteWhy dosas are called roast in Coimbatore when they are oil-pan fried?
Is Uthapam a condensed form of Ulundu appam?