Today being Friday only the blank clues will be posted. All those who are silent followers of the blog are requested to post answers with annotations in the comments section. In your own interest please avoid looking up the answers from the interactive version. Don't hesitate to post your annotations, in case you make a mistake someone will correct it with the right annotation.
Please note a change. Each commenter is requested to post only 5 answers till 1 PM thereby giving others also a chance to participate. Between 1 PM and 4 PM more answers may be posted in case any are remaining to be answered.
The regular blog will replace the clues at 4 PM after which anyone is free to comment.
Thanks everyone for the response. Here is the regular blog
ACROSS
1 Swinging duly, I veer to knock out middle stump? (8) DELIVERY {DuLY+I+VEER}* &lit
5 Sends unsolicited emails featuring a bit of scam by jerks (6) SPASMS {SPA{Scam}MS}
10 Story’s terribly violent! Avoid it (5) NOVEL ViOLENt*
11 Minor issues about embracing 21 Dn. in front of everyone (5-4) SMALL TIME {M}{ALL} in {EMITS<=}
12 Scotsman who doesn’t get high? (9) LOWLANDER [CD]
13 One that’s raising dough; so far collected a dollar (5) YEAST {YE{A}{S}T}
14 Extremely canny, possesses a large amount of cunning (6) CRAFTY {Cann{RAFT}Y}
15 Scrap in bar! Essentially needs this guy? (7) BOUNCER {Ba{OUNCE}R} &lit
18 Hurried back to cut under pressure! Lost wicket finally to catch (7) ENSNARE {tENS{RAN<=}E}
20 Ignore fool entering pub, disheartened and unknown (4,2) PASS BY {Pu{ASS}B}{Y}
22 Plot to take off disregarding loan (5) TRACTsubTRACT
24 Group engaged in popping Viagra to eliminate ultimately embarrassing ailment (9) VARICELLA {CELL} in {VIAgRA}*
25 Temporarily having fight in flat (9) BORROWING {BOR{ROW}ING}
26 Strangely sedate! Not a spirited horse (5) STEED SEDaTE*
27 Quits alcohol essentially! Takes a bit of strength however (4,2) EVEN SO {EVEN}{alcOhol} over {St...h}
28 Intense depression basically, despite appearances (4,4) DEEP DOWN {DEEP} {DOWN}
DOWN
1 Hang damn crook (6) DANGLE {D}{ANGLE}
2 Energetic people — Getting in touch with them could be hair-raising? (4,5) LIVE WIRES [DD]
3 Indecent figures in mathematics? (6,9) VULGAR FRACTIONS [CD]
4 Steady run-making? It was once usual in test matches (4,3) REST DAY {STEADY+R}*
6 You must make a better effort to provide superior protection to members? (4,4,5,2) PULL YOUR SOCKS UP [C&DD]
7 Story about one antelope (5) SAIGA {SA{1}GA}
9 Unknown barge around European city (6) ZAGREB {Z}{BARGE}*
16 Spanish gentleman's diabolical role at the bottom of secret plot (9) CABALLERO {CABAL}{ROLE}*
17 Make reservation at restaurant? Can be achieved (8) GETTABLE {GET}{TABLE}
19 Abandoning college, novices composed ends of ballades (6) ENVOIS NOVIcES*
20 Craft of religious rascal (7) PIROGUE {PI}{ROGUE}
hAD+MEN}* &lit
23 Accepted detailed eco-friendly accord (5) AGREE {A}{GREEn}
1 Swinging duly, I veer to knock out middle stump? (8) DELIVERY {D
5 Sends unsolicited emails featuring a bit of scam by jerks (6) SPASMS {SPA{S
10 Story’s terribly violent! Avoid it (5) NOVEL V
11 Minor issues about embracing 21 Dn. in front of everyone (5-4) SMALL TIME {M}{ALL} in {EMITS<=}
12 Scotsman who doesn’t get high? (9) LOWLANDER [CD]
13 One that’s raising dough; so far collected a dollar (5) YEAST {YE{A}{S}T}
14 Extremely canny, possesses a large amount of cunning (6) CRAFTY {C
15 Scrap in bar! Essentially needs this guy? (7) BOUNCER {B
18 Hurried back to cut under pressure! Lost wicket finally to catch (7) ENSNARE {
20 Ignore fool entering pub, disheartened and unknown (4,2) PASS BY {P
22 Plot to take off disregarding loan (5) TRACT
24 Group engaged in popping Viagra to eliminate ultimately embarrassing ailment (9) VARICELLA {CELL} in {VIA
25 Temporarily having fight in flat (9) BORROWING {BOR{ROW}ING}
26 Strangely sedate! Not a spirited horse (5) STEED SED
27 Quits alcohol essentially! Takes a bit of strength however (4,2) EVEN SO {EVEN}{
28 Intense depression basically, despite appearances (4,4) DEEP DOWN {DEEP} {DOWN}
DOWN
1 Hang damn crook (6) DANGLE {D}{ANGLE}
2 Energetic people — Getting in touch with them could be hair-raising? (4,5) LIVE WIRES [DD]
3 Indecent figures in mathematics? (6,9) VULGAR FRACTIONS [CD]
4 Steady run-making? It was once usual in test matches (4,3) REST DAY {STEADY+R}*
6 You must make a better effort to provide superior protection to members? (4,4,5,2) PULL YOUR SOCKS UP [C&DD]
7 Story about one antelope (5) SAIGA {SA{1}GA}
By Tiarescott - TerraNova, le dรฉsert de Gobi, CC BY-SA 3.0, Link
8 What astronomers do after receiving a blow to the head? (3,5) SEE STARS [DD]9 Unknown barge around European city (6) ZAGREB {Z}{BARGE}*
16 Spanish gentleman's diabolical role at the bottom of secret plot (9) CABALLERO {CABAL}{ROLE}*
17 Make reservation at restaurant? Can be achieved (8) GETTABLE {GET}{TABLE}
19 Abandoning college, novices composed ends of ballades (6) ENVOIS NOVI
20 Craft of religious rascal (7) PIROGUE {PI}{ROGUE}
By Bernard Gagnon - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, Link
21 Lacking husband, I had men in a tizzy? (6) MAIDEN {I+23 Accepted detailed eco-friendly accord (5) AGREE {A}{GREE
1 Across: Swinging duly, I veer to knock out middle stump? (8)
ReplyDeleteDelivery.
Anagram(Swinging) of Duly I veer delete(knock out) U(middle stUmp)
The whole clue reads as the definition.
21 Down: Lacking husband, I had men in a tizzy? (6)
Maiden. Another "I" clue and another & Lit
Anagram(in a tizzy) of "I had men" delete H (Lacking Husband)
2 Down: Energetic people — Getting in touch with them could be hair-raising? (4,5)
Live Wires Double definition with the second one puny and cryptic.
Loved this one. Chuckle!
8 Down: What astronomers do after receiving a blow to the head? (3,5)
See Stars.
Another DD with the second one puny & cryptic too.
More chuckles!
17 Down: Make reservation at restaurant? Can be achieved (8)
Gettable which can be achieved and if you make reservation at a restaurant you would Get Table
Perfect Srinidhi! Like father, like daughter๐
Delete+1
Delete+1 :-)
DeleteVery good!
DeleteExcellent!
DeleteThank you all. This is really encouraging.
DeleteI get about 15-20 minutes for crosswords in the morning. I solve about 6-8 clues. I write the annos in an exercise book. In the evenings if I get time I read this blog.
Summer Vacations for class XIIth begin on 29th April. Hope to devote more time then. Perhaps complete one unfinished crossword, do more puzzles.
10 ac NOVEL violent _ it
ReplyDelete26 ac STEED anagram of sedate without a
1 dn DANGLE Damn+angle (crook)
4dn REST DAY steady+Run
13ac YEAST a s (dollar) in yet(so far)
13ac YEAST
A doubt Doc about d = Damn?
DeleteYes Damn= D is listed in Chambers Crossword Dictionary Raghu. Am trying to check out the context.
DeleteApart from Chambers Crossword Dictionary, it is listed on several websites for abbreviations. I think it was used primarily to avoid using a swear word :) D! cant think of anything else!
DeleteOk. Never encountered it earlier.
Deletethe D-WORD in US Vulgar is F-WORD.
DeleteAlternative expletive?
Deleteyes sir.
DeleteExpletives in comics would be represented by stars, daggers etc๐๐
Delete5A. SPASMS. sends unsolicited emails - spams,bit of scam -s
ReplyDelete12A. LOWLANDER. Scotsman - highlander, doesn't get high-low.
26A. STEED. sedate -a *
4D. REST DAY. STEADY Run*
6D. PULL YOUR SOCKS UP. DD
Balaji, your anno of 5A needs a re-look
Delete18 a-ENSNARE= Catch
ReplyDeleteNar= ran(hurried) back
In TENSE- T(end of wicket)
25 a- BORROWING= temporarily having
ROW= fight inside BORING= flat
19D) {NOVI(-C)ES}* = ENVOIS
ReplyDelete24A) {VIA(-G)AR(CELL)A*} = VARICELLA
16D) {(CABAL)(ROLE)*} = CABALLERO
20A) P(ASS)(-U)B(Y) = PASSBY
21D) {I(-H)ADMEN}* = MAIDEN
Since 21D was already given
Delete15A) B(-A)(OUNCE)R = BOUNCER; scrap = ounce
And semi-&lit. Whole clue leads to answer.
Delete24A) extra "a" has crept in; read as
Delete{VIA(-G)R(CELL)A*}
Yes and very well solved Karthikeyan!
DeleteVaricella - aka chicken pox-- a nasty summer affliction that puts one in spots ! I had it years ago and it kept me down home-bound for one month !
DeleteTypical of the DOC X to use the medical term for this virus .
ENVOIS - CGB should know !
Satyen Nabar@9:23:+1..KPS is a seasoned solver it seems
Delete3 d- VULGAR=Indecent FRACTIONS= Figures
ReplyDeleteIn Mathematics
I think it is a CD.
DeleteWhat does CD mean?
DeleteCryptic Definition. The whole clie reads as a definition; no wordplay is involved
DeleteTypo clue
DeleteSee the list under 'Annotations' on the Left Hand Side of this page
DeleteThanks.
Deletevasant ji, but the word play does lead to answer in this case. doesnt it become semi&
DeleteNot really. If we read the whole clue there is only cryptic element involved "indecent"
DeleteOr Indecent figures in mathematics cryptically defines Vulgar Fractions
Delete14 a- CRAFTY= Cunning
ReplyDeleteRAFT= heaps inside CY= ends of Canny
Thanks Doc for a few words of my favourite game. Nice one
ReplyDeleteMy favourite game too! Thanks Raghu :)
DeleteMore specifically test cricket
DeleteFavourite for almost all of us.
DeleteSurprised at remembering the 'Rest day'!! Looks like ancient times.
Thanks Doc. for an enjoyable CW with quite a few chuckles- Stars on the heads of astronomers,to name one.
Oh yes Raghu, Cricket is Test Cricket of course. The real deal! No shorter form of the game can ever match up to the delights of the 5-day game, with or without Rest Day! .
DeleteThanks Paddy :)
+1 for all the comments here. I remember following test cricket on radio..remember hearing the commentary of the'79 test between Ind & Eng at Ovals & Gavaskar's magnificient 221..from that time to now when you get almost all matches across the globe live it continues to fascinate(like the last test between NZ & Eng..what a thrilling contest!)
Delete7 d- SAIGA= A type of antelope
ReplyDeleteSAGA= story around I= one
14a CRAFTY C{RAFT}Y = cunning. Raft = large amount in C..Y (i.e. extremely cunning)
ReplyDelete28a DEEP DOWN = inner feeling despite appearances also intense depression (DD)
7d SAIGA = Asian antelope; SAGA (story) about I(one)
9d ZAGREB = Capital City of Croatia Z (unknown) + BARGE*
20d PIROGUE = canoe in Central America (craft) PI = pious (religious) ROGUE (rascal)
28A Intense= Deep, Depression= Down
DeleteDef: Basically, despite appearances
23dn AGREE A (ccepted)gree(n)
ReplyDeleteEco-firiendly de tailed
I found this clue would work well even without 'eco-friendly'!
DeleteNot really Mr Prasad.
DeleteAccepted= A (abbrev)
Detailed= Last letter Deletion ind
Eco-friendly= Green. Gree(-n)
Accord= Agree.
Thank you, doctor. I looked at it this way. Accepted detailed (eco-friendly) accord. Accepted = agreed. De-tailed, agree.
DeleteYes I see that. In retrospect, I could have made it less ambiguous with... 'A detailed eco-friendly accord'. Thanks for the input.
DeletePerhaps but the clue as it is has a very meaningful surface story..this version is perhaps pithier
DeleteYet to be solved
ReplyDeleteAcross - 11, 22, 27
11a) Small time
ReplyDeleteEmits<= around m+all
22a) tract
ReplyDeleteSubtract- sub
Dr.X
DeleteDefn: Plot
take off =subtract
disregarding = deletion indicator
how do we get loan=sub?
Hi Karthikeyan Sub= Loan. Check at Oxford Dictionary.
DeleteSub :
BRITISH
an advance or loan against expected income.
"‘I've got no money.’ ‘Want a sub?’"
sub (noun, is a loan or advance given in leiu of expected salary usually paid or deducted in the next month wages). like the salary advance given to employees.
DeleteThanks doc; it's there in Chambers as well under "sub"
DeleteHowever sub is not listed in the word "loan";
27a) Even so
ReplyDeleteQuits- even + o(alcohol essentially)+ s
11A SMALL TIME-( MINOR) ALL (every one) 21D-M (maiden) TIES (issues) not sure if issues can be ties
ReplyDeleteissues-emits<=
Delete'Issues' is emits. See Jyotsna's anno @ 10.05
DeleteI thought the anno is mites* (issues; mite = small child or animal) around M (from Maiden 21d) + ALL (everyone) S{M}{ALL}TIME*
ReplyDeleteHi Mike. Issues= Emits. About is Reversal ind = EMITS rev = STIME. Embracing M+ALL
Deletemite is small person not necessarily child.
DeleteHe has a point as MITE = any small person or animal, especially a child that is pitied
DeleteYes I agree, but then it would become an indirect anagram Sir.
Delete1a isnt I the definition
ReplyDeleteHow can I be the definition?
DeletePrasad it is an & Lit clue: the whole clue is the defintion & all words are part of wordplay.
DeleteSwinging must be the def.
ReplyDelete(duly I veer-U)*
It is &lit clue Paddy. Swinging is the anag ind. Whole clue leads to Delivery.
DeleteThank you Doc. I got it.
Deleteswing delivery (noun) is only an example of delivery. least of all knocking out middle stump. swinging and knocking out are incidental to delivery. can it be used in such a way.
DeleteA swinging delivery might uproot the middle stump!For which reason three Australians recently find themselves in the midst of an imbroglio๐
Delete2d: live wires(dd)
ReplyDelete3d: vulgar fractions - vulgar(indecent)+fractions(numbers)
6d: pull your socks up(cd)
17d: gettable (dd)
20d: pirogue - pi(religious)+rogue(rascal)
17D is not a DD
DeleteI used to love solving this clue in the past as GETTATABLE = obtainable . Doc's variation is superb !
Delete27a: even so: evens(quits) + o(alcOhol)
ReplyDeleteHi it's EVEN+O around S.
DeleteQuits= Even
AlcOhol essentially= O
Takes= Container
A bit of Strength= S (1st letter selection ind)
However= Even so
17d: get table & gettable (cd?)
ReplyDeleteMake reservation at restaurant? = GET TABLE
DeleteCan be achieved = Defintion = GETTABLE
A stimulating puzzle , Doc ! I relate 1 down and 2 down as DANGLED WIRES that one often sees in our cities which are left uncovered dangerously for unwitting persons to get electrocuted.
ReplyDeleteRecently in Aanaikatti here , a stray elephant died due to this carelessness by the TNEB !
Can they be imprisoned for killing an animal ? If Salman Khan can, why not ? Of course, he will get free by using his megabucks for killing wild endangered bucks. I loved reading all those tweets punning merrily on his conviction. Srinidhi: PUNnING is the word that you should use and not PUNING !
Thanks Raju! :)
DeleteRaju Sir: Actually I had used Puny. I had read somewhere or someone using this cryptically as pun-y. Of course dictionaries don't define puny as pun-y(as adjective of pun.
Delete80 comments(so far) on Friday! What a participation. Reserving Friday has been a revelation.
ReplyDelete+1
Delete25A. One of the best clues I have come across. Took a while to solve it.
ReplyDeleteThanks!:)
DeleteWhile in school he was a fast bowler and almost every DELIVERY of his was a BOUNCER. He had difficulty in finding a job. EVEN SO he finally became a bouncer in a night club.
ReplyDeleteDays PASS BY...
A CRAFTY MAIDEN joins the club as a dancer. Many whistled notes and threw some to see if she was GETTABLE. No way.
DEEP DOWN she was in love with the bouncer.
Story has a nice ending.
The bouncer and the dancer AGREE to elope on a REST DAY.
๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐
DeleteLovely CGB!
DeleteNice one CGB!
DeleteJoining the crowd.
DeleteSince I always forget to update the post at 4 PM I am changing the time to 1 PM for updating with the regular blog
ReplyDeleteWelcome.
DeleteBut why update the post?Since all clues presumably would have been solved if any unsolved clue remains the regulars can solve a la Sunday puzzle
DeleteThis would give you at least one day's rest(in addition to Saturdays blogged by Ramesh)
Those wanting to look at the silutions can go through the comments section for solution.
Delete