i Cryptic Crossword 3270 by Dutch
July 31, 2021
A terrific crossword from Dutch I thought – quite a bit easier than the last few days, but packed with clever ideas to sustain the interest. Loads of candidates for Clue of the Day – the first four across clues were all entertaining, I loved the Keeps till/ KEEP STILL gag at 17d, 4d PLOUGHMEN and 7d HARD TIMES were both outstanding, but my nomination goes to this one with its smooth surface containing a three-part charade:
15d Poser with Spanish and German liquor (9)
The grid convinced me there had to be a hidden theme somewhere but no, this was the exception to prove the rule, because Dutch had re-used a grid from an earlier themed crossword – for reasons he explains in the comments below Duncan’s 2017 blog. Click this link for that and all the answers:
Independent 9545 / Dutch
Borodin
batarde
Saboteur
flashling
jonofwales
Cornick
sprouthater
uiytjhgmj
willow1235
idothei 
Well, give thebargee a coconut! Finally managed to finish one, and thoroughly enjoyed from beginning to end. Got off to a flying start as 1a and 1d went straight in, and progress was fairly swift after that. Not that it was all plain sailing, my LOI was 18a and I stared at that final letter for some time before the penny dropped – clever misdirection I thought.
There were lots of smiles along the way, I liked 23a, 33a and 8d, plus of course those mentioned by Cornick. It was a pleasant change to feel I was on the setter’s wavelength, but maybe that’s just because it was an easier solve😉
A nice straightforward puzzle with plenty of amusing clues. As well as 15d and 17d I enjoyed 1a, 14a and 12a (bonus for avoiding the usual meaning of EVENING), but my favourite for pure silliness was 10d. I imagined someone shouting “Shut up, U NIT!”
My last one in was 33a – curiously, I was pulled up by that “B” = “Britain” thing that I alluded to yesterday. I think I can honestly say that I have never seen this abbreviation in actual use; “GB” = “Great Britain” of course, but on its own “B” = “Belgium” (as an international vehicle registration, at any rate). The COED backs me up on this.
Otherwise, all good!
Yup. Britain, like British, is a stand-alone abbreviation in Chambers. G for great isn’t though!
Does Chambers say in what context B is used for “Britain” or “British”? I’ve been racking my brains furiously and I can’t think of one.
Likewise BA and BT. If “airways” were clued with “A” or “telecom” with “T” then I doubt anyone would be very happy.
Not sure. Something financial perhaps? Or to do with passports? Don’t know! But consider BBC for example, you couldn’t clue a B with ‘broadcasting’.
Great fun. A pleasure to solve from beginning to end, with lots of nice touches. My favourite was KEEP STILL.
I did find it surprisingly easy to tune into the setter’s wavelength, rather like thebargee, I guess. A relatively gentle end to a good crosswording week.
I have just finished this, after having spent almost two days on yesterday’s puzzle. Both were very enjoyable in their different ways, but I must say it was something of a relief to find today’s was quite a lot easier. All clues were very thoughtfully compiled – many thanks!
Yup – smooth and enjoyable and done over a slow, late breakfast. I had “nice” written alongside 17, so guess that’d be my COD.