2024 – Page 3 – Lucian Poll's Web Ramblings (2024)

Oops. I’ve left it a little too long to write the intro to this week’s Jumbo, so I can’t remember too much about it! Let’s see if it all comes back to me in the edit, eh?

[EDIT: Nope. I got nothing. Sorry, Previous-Me. Also, don’t have all that San Miguel on Saturday. – LP]

Now that the competition deadline has passed you can find my completed grid below along with explanations of my solutions where I have them. I hope you find them helpful. If a recent Jumbo has flipped you the bird then you might find my Just For Fun page of use, where you’ll find links to solutions for hundreds of the things.

Thanks again for your patience and kind words. Till next time, batten down the hatches for whatever storm we’re up to now and stay safe, kids.

Across clues

Bore with a little alcohol: a mouse could do it (4,3,4)

Answer: DRAG AND DROP (i.e. “a mouse could do it”, referring to the computer peripheral. Drag-and-drop is a common action performed on a computer desktop). Solution is DRAG (i.e. a “bore” or source of mild annoyance) followed by AND (i.e. “with”) and DROP (i.e. informal reference to “a little alcohol”).

Classical puzzle that was solved at a stroke (7,4)

Answer: GORDIAN KNOT. Solution satisfies the clue as a whole, referring to an unsolvable knot of Ancient Greek legend. Anyone who untied the knot was supposedly destined to rule all of Asia, which seems logical. I mean, why doubt it? Just because all the hard mathematics and complex workings that went into the prophesy went up in the Great Library of Alexandria fire two centuries later doesn’t mean it never held water. You’ll be telling me Excalibur was just a sword next. Anyway, speaking of swords, Alexander the Great stuck his through said knot, thus solving the problem a different way. And you thought lateral thinking was a modern thing.

Crafty killer in bar taking pressure off grass (1-4)

Answer: U-BOAT (i.e. “crafty killer”, taking craft to be a seagoing vessel). Solution is PUB (i.e. “bar”) with the P removed (indicated by “taking pressure off” – P being a recognised abbreviation of “pressure”) and the remainder followed by OAT (i.e. a “grass”), like so: UB-OAT.

Wicket! I had gone, sadly for a duck (7)

Answer: WIDGEON (i.e. “duck”, a rare alternative spelling of WIGEON. Chambers supports it, so setter wins). Solution is W (a recognised abbreviation of “wicket” used in cricket) followed by I’D (a contraction of “I had”) and an anagram (indicated by “sadly”) of GONE, like so: W-I’D-GEON. So which came first? PIGEON or WIGEON? Either way, someone at the Official Zoological Animal Naming Society wasn’t trying very hard that day. What next? Blue gits? Lurkeys? fa*gpies? Still, as WIGEON covers “any of various ducks of the genus Anas”, I guess we should be thankful we’re not all calling them ANASES.

Material for printer is empty, rubbished along with the rest (4,5)

Answer: TYPE METAL (i.e. “material for printer”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “rubbished”) of EMPTY followed by ET AL (Latin for “along with the rest”), like so: (TYPEM)-ET-AL.

Criminal also about to tuck into some breakfast? (9)

Answer: KIDNAPPER (i.e. “criminal”). Solution is AND (i.e. “also”) reversed (indicated by “about”) and placed “into” KIPPER (i.e. “some breakfast”), like so: KI(DNA)PPER.

Walk, run, climb here (10)

Answer: STEPLADDER (i.e. “climb here”). Solution is STEP (i.e. “walk”) followed by LADDER (i.e. “run” in a pair of tights).

Financial support some needed to secure expensive car (7)

Answer: ALIMONY (i.e. “financial support”). Solution is ANY (i.e. “some”) wrapped around or “securing” LIMO (i.e. “expensive car”), like so: A(LIMO)NY.

Not so lenient as Lawrence King (7)

Answer: STERNER (i.e. “not so lenient”). Solution is “Lawrence” STERNE (novelist who wrote Tristram Shandy. Shouldn’t this have been “Laurence”, though?) followed by R (i.e. “king”, ignoring the misleading capitalisation – this is a recognised abbreviation of the Latin Rex).

More temperamental and lower when girl interrupts (7)

Answer: MOODIER (i.e. “more temperamental”). Solution is MOOER (i.e. “lower” – to low is to moo like a cow) wrapped around or “interrupted” by DI (i.e. “girl’s” name), like so: MOO(DI)ER.

With calves underwater, require to put board around (4-4)

Answer: KNEE-DEEP (i.e. “with calves underwater”). Solution is NEED (i.e. “require”) placed in or having “around” it KEEP (i.e. “board” or rent money), like so: K(NEED)EEP.

Person with an entitlement: vets resented it badly (6,8)

Answer: VESTED INTEREST (i.e. “person with an entitlement” – Chambers goes on: “an entitlement or interest under a will or a trust that is not contingent or defeasible” in Scottish law). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “badly”) of VETS RESENTED IT.

Some basic hormones classically coursing through the veins (5)

Answer: ICHOR (i.e. substance said to be “coursing through the veins” of the gods, hence the “classically” reference). “Some” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: BAS(IC HOR)MONES.

Singer in America finished with silence (6)

Answer: THRUSH (i.e. “singer” or songbird). Solution is THRU (i.e. “in America finished” – is it, though? I always thought the usage was more for words like “drive-thru”. I’m struggling to recall any usage that meant “finished”. Anyone? Or are we issuing a yellow card here?) followed by SH (i.e. “silence”).

Remarkably absorbent fleece finally found in front of cage (10)

Answer: BREASTBONE (i.e. “found in front of [rib]cage”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “remarkably”) of ABSORBENT followed by E (i.e. “fleece finally”, i.e. the last letter of “fleece”), like so: BREASTBON-E.

New arrival is something significant for a dwarf? (5,5)

Answer: HAPPY EVENT. Solution satisfies a “new arrival” or the birth of a child, and, playfully, “something significant for a dwarf”, referring to a character in the Disney film Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

Mountain region bans a small political meeting (6)

Answer: CAUCUS (i.e. a “political meeting” in the US where candidates are nominated). Solution is CAUCASUS (i.e. a “mountain region”) with the A and S (a recognised abbreviation of “small”) removed or “banned”.

Dust often associated with these trees (5)

Answer: ASHES. Solution satisfies “dust” – for which Chambers offers “the dead human body, remains” – and also some “trees”.

Back opinion by paper that shows what may come to pass (4-4,6)

Answer: REAR-VIEW MIRROR (i.e. “that shows what may come to pass”, i.e. those about to overtake you when driving). Solution is REAR (i.e. “back”) followed by VIEW (i.e. “opinion”) and MIRROR (i.e. UK daily “[news]paper”).

Considers following some current stories (8)

Answer: ACCOUNTS (i.e. “stories”). Solution is COUNTS (i.e. “considers”) placed after or “following” AC (i.e. “some current”, specifically the alternating flavour), like so: AC-COUNTS.

Time in cell, but one is not charged (7)

Answer: NEUTRON (i.e. a subatomic particle that “is not charged”). Solution is T (a recognised abbreviation of “time”) placed “in” NEURON (i.e. brain “cell”), like so: NEU(T)RON.

Edition I notice is sent back cut (7)

Answer: TOPSIDE (i.e. “cut” of meat). Solution is ED (short for “edition”), I and SPOT (i.e. “notice”) all reversed (indicated by “is sent back”), like so: TOPS-I-DE.

What some say I noticed, and wished I hadn’t? (7)

Answer: EYESORE. The solution satisfies the clue as a whole, but also comprises hom*ophones (indicated by “what some say”) of I and SAW (i.e. “noticed”).

A series of blows that may bring someone round (4,2,4)

Answer: KISS OF LIFE. Another where the solution satisfies the clue as a whole, i.e. the use of artificial respiration to revive someone who isn’t breathing.

Dropping off a sequence of letters, very fast going round (9)

Answer: SOMNOLENT (i.e. sleepy or “dropping off”). Solution is M N and O (i.e. “a sequence of letters” of the alphabet) placed in or having “round” it SO (i.e. “very”) and LENT (i.e. religious “fast”), like so: SO-(MNO)-LENT.

Senior official’s objective in processing the butter mountain? (3,6)

Answer: BIG CHEESE. Solution satisfies “senior official” and, playfully, “objective in processing the butter mountain”. I know it’s all dairy, but can you actually change butter into cheese? Both seem like final forms to me.

Greek hero in Florida? (7)

Answer: THESEUS (i.e. “Greek hero” who slew the Minotaur). When written as THE SE US the solution also playfully satisfies “Florida”, given the state is found in THE SE (a recognised abbreviation of “southeast”) of the US.

Mosaic construction where the Promenaders go initially? (5)

Answer: TORAH (i.e. a book or “Mosaic construction” in Judaism, taking “Mosaic” to mean “of or relating to Moses” (Chambers)). When written as TO RAH the solution also satisfies “where the Promenaders go initially”, specifically TO the Royal Albert Hall, venue of the BBC Proms.

Competitor at Oval streaks around, keeping back near the boundary (5,6)

Answer: SPEED SKATER (i.e. “competitor at oval”, ignoring the misleading capitalisation). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “around”) of STREAKS wrapped around or “keeping” DEEP (i.e. “near the boundary” in cricket) once reversed (indicated by “back”), like so: S(PEED)SKATER.

Part of wafer I left with one shell in drink (7,4)

Answer: SILICON CHIP (i.e. “part of wafer”, being “a thin slice of silicon on which multiple chips are formed” (Chambers)). Solution is I, L (a recognised abbreviation of “left”), I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”) and CONCH (i.e. “shell”) all placed “in” SIP (i.e. “drink”), like so: S(I-L-I-CONCH)IP.

Down clues

Downed by an aggressive vehicle? That provides a sobering experience (5,4)

Answer: DRUNK TANK (i.e. “that provides a sobering experience”, US slang for a jail cell holding those sailing three sheets to the wind). Solution is DRUNK (i.e. “downed”) followed by TANK (i.e. “aggressive vehicle”).

Advice to writers about clichés (5,4,3,6)

Answer: AVOID LIKE THE PLAGUE. Solution satisfies the clue as a whole, and is also a “cliché” in itself. I rather liked this one when it clicked.

Cavities want rapid filling (5)

Answer: ANTRA (i.e. “cavities”, plural of antrum. No, me neither). “Filling” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, occupying W(ANT RA)PID.

Retainer’s reduced earnings with staff finally cut (4,7)

Answer: DOWN PAYMENT (i.e. a “retainer”). Solution is DOWN (i.e. “reduced”) followed by PAY (i.e. “earnings”), then MEN (i.e. “staff” – sorry, ladies, it seems you’ve all been fired) and T (i.e. “finally cut”, i.e. the last letter of “cut”).

English flag has this contradictory signal for pedestrians? (3,5)

Answer: RED CROSS. Solution satisfies “English flag has this” and, playfully, a “contradictory signal for pedestrians”, given the red man signal on a pedestrian crossing is an indication to not cross.

Push free material for reporters (5,7)

Answer: PRESS RELEASE (i.e. “material for reporters”). Solution is PRESS (i.e. “push”) followed by RELEASE (i.e. to “free”).

Snaps members of the Red Headed League? (6,4)

Answer: GINGER NUTS. Solution satisfies “snaps” or a variety of biscuit, and “members of the Red Headed League”. Several years ago I took it upon myself to read the entire Sherlock Holmes in sequence. In hindsight this was a mistake as there are only a few stories that now stick in my mind, but The Red-headed League is one of them.

Carnivore from Africa, price one pound (5)

Answer: RATEL (i.e. “carnivore from Africa”). Solution is RATE (i.e. “price”) followed by L (i.e. “one pound” of weight, an abbreviation from the Latin libra).

Traps one scholar, closing part of the Parthenon (11)

Answer: IMPEDIMENTA (i.e. “traps”, a variant meaning being “personal luggage or belongings” (Chambers)). Solution is I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”) followed by MA (i.e. “scholar”, short for a Master of Arts) once wrapped around or “closing” PEDIMENT (i.e. “part of the Parthenon” – the Pediments of Parthenon are two sets of statues depicting scenes of Greek myth), like so: I-M(PEDIMENT)A. Tough bugger.

Naval officer nine places away from the PM? (6,3)

Answer: NUMBER ONE (i.e. “naval officer”). Clue plays on the Prime Minister or “PM” residing in Number 10 Downing Street. Deduct “nine” and you get the solution.

Eggs with awful smell almost picked up (4)

Answer: NITS (i.e. “eggs” of headlice). Solution is STINK (i.e. “awful smell”) with the last letter removed (indicated by “almost”) and the remainder reversed (indicated by “picked up” – this being a down clue).

Had weight disclosed (4)

Answer: TOLD. Solution satisfies “had weight” or mattered, and “disclosed”.

Enjoy love in a flowerbed? Grotesque! (4,7,2,5)

Answer: LIKE NOTHING ON EARTH (i.e. descriptive of a “grotesque”). Solution is LIKE (i.e. “enjoy”) followed by NOTHING (i.e. “love”, a zero score in tennis) and ON EARTH (i.e. “in a flowerbed”. (Makes so-so gesture.)).

With soup, regularly refresh members of union (8)

Answer: BROTHERS (i.e. “members of [trade] union”). Solution is BROTH (i.e. “soup”) followed by ERS (i.e. “regularly refresh”, i.e. every other letter of REFRESH).

Officer in command, lazy on vacation (7)

Answer: ORDERLY (i.e. “officer”). Solution is ORDER (i.e. “command”) followed by LY (i.e. “lazy on vacation”, i.e. the word “lazy” with its middle letters removed).

Flushed with anger, court is to change jury instructions (8)

Answer: REDIRECT (i.e. “change jury instructions”. I’ve heard of judges directing juries to a particular decision, but could they really redirect them? Would this be mistrial territory? Any Rumpoles out there?) Solution is RED (i.e. “flushed”) followed by IRE (i.e. “anger”) and CT (a recognised abbreviation of “court”).

Tram isn’t moving, so pass on (8)

Answer: TRANSMIT (i.e. “pass on”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “moving”) of TRAM ISN’T.

Natural to be present in pub at end of shift (8)

Answer: INHERENT (i.e. “natural”). Solution is HERE (i.e. “be present”) placed “in” INN (i.e. “pub”) and followed by T (i.e. “end [letter] of shift”), like so: IN(HERE)N-T.

Hybrid’s terrible wings came into view (3,4)

Answer: TEA ROSE (i.e. plant “hybrid”). Solution is TE (i.e. “terrible wings”, i.e. the first and last letters of “terrible” – ought to have been possessive in my view, but then the clue wouldn’t scan) followed by AROSE (i.e. “came into view”).

More articles churned out that show a measure of warmth (12)

Answer: CALORIMETERS (i.e. devices “that show a measure of warmth”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “churned out”) of MORE ARTICLES.

Snake native processed into rissole (6,5)

Answer: VIENNA STEAK (i.e. “rissole”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “processed”) of SNAKE NATIVE.

So houses with lots of land, flipping problem, something for the masses? (6,5)

Answer: SACRED MUSIC (i.e. “something for the masses”, taking mass to be a Catholic service). Solution is SIC (i.e. “so” in Latin) wrapped around or “housing” ACRED (i.e. “with lots of land”) and SUM (i.e. a mathematical “problem”) once the latter has been reversed (indicated by “flipping”), like so: S(ACRED-MUS)IC. Bloody hell, this defeated nearly all my reference books. I eventually found it listed in my Chambers Thesaurus in a list of music styles.

One who owns there is no end to decent behaviour by men (10)

Answer: PROPRIETOR (i.e. “one who owns”). Solution is PROPRIETY (i.e. “decent behaviour”) with the last letter removed (indicated by “there is no end to…”) and the remainder followed by OR (i.e. “men”, specifically the Other Ranks of the British Army), like so: PROPRIET-OR.

Having coat on, was lost to sight across river (9)

Answer: VARNISHED (i.e. “having coat on”). Solution is VANISHED (i.e. “was lost to sight”) wrapped around or placed “across” R (a recognised abbreviation of “river”), like so: VA(R)NISHED.

What Spooner does when changing the bed is a magnet for children? (9)

Answer: SWEETSHOP (i.e. “a magnet for children”). Solution is a “Spoonerism” of SHEET SWAP (i.e. “what [someone] does when changing the bed”).

Marine creature, large, eating female that’s cast up on the beach (8)

Answer: SEASHELL (i.e. “that’s cast up on the beach”). Solution is SEAL (i.e. “marine creature”) and L (a recognised abbreviation of “large”) all wrapped around or “eating” SHE (i.e. “female”), like so: SEA(SHE)L-L.

Ahead of time, run away quick (5)

Answer: FLEET (i.e. “quick”). Solution is FLEE (i.e. “run away”) followed by or being “ahead of” T (a recognised abbreviation of “time”), like so: FLEE-T.

Be less rigid, removing top regularly (5)

Answer: OFTEN (i.e. “regularly”). Solution is SOFTEN (i.e. “be less rigid”) with the first letter removed (indicated by “removing top”).

Wader seen in island twice (4)

Answer: IBIS (i.e. a bird or “wader”). Solution is I (a recognised abbreviation of “island”) followed by BIS (i.e. “twice” in musical lingo).

Curve’s highest point a page doesn’t show (4)

Answer: OGEE (i.e. an S-shaped “curve”, apparently). Solution is APOGEE (i.e. “highest point”) with the A and P removed (indicated by “a page doesn’t show”, P being a recognised abbreviation of “page”).

A medium strength Jumbo where, mercifully, the more exotic solutions were gettable from the wordplay. None of this anagramming stuff like SKA HAT MAN A VIP or A VAST PINK HAM A to get some port I’ve never heard of. All good by me!

Now that the competition deadline has passed you can find my completed grid below along with explanations of my solutions where I have them. I hope you find them helpful. If a recent Jumbo has given you the slip then you might find my Just For Fun page of use, where you’ll find links to solutions for hundreds of the things.

Thanks again for the kind words and patience. Till next time, stay safe out there kids.

Across clues

Prime Minister aboard HMS India upset sailor (10)

Answer: MIDSHIPMAN (i.e. “sailor”). Solution is PM (short for “Prime Minister”) placed in or “aboard” an anagram (indicated by “upset”) of HMS INDIA, like so: MIDSHI(PM)AN.

What tailors use to record sizes? (4,8)

Answer: TAPE MEASURES (i.e. “what tailors use”). Solution is TAPE (i.e. “record”) followed by MEASURES (i.e. “sizes”). Simple, but nicely done.

Formal surrender parade – not professional (7)

Answer: CESSION (i.e. “formal surrender”). Solution is PROCESSION (i.e. “parade”) with the PRO removed (indicated by “not professional”).

Common genus of flowers in picture (7)

Answer: PROSAIC (i.e. “common”). Solution is ROSA (i.e. “genus of flowers”) placed “in” PIC (short for “picture”), like so: P(ROSA)IC.

Peer has company – note a lot of misgiving (7)

Answer: COEQUAL (i.e. “peer”). Solution CO (a recognised abbreviation of “company”) followed by E (i.e. musical “note”) and QUALM (i.e. “misgiving”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “a lot of…”), like so: CO-E-QUAL.

Mostly silly about Ecstasy and unwilling to listen (4)

Answer: DEAF (i.e. “unwilling to listen”). Solution is DAFT (i.e. “silly”) with its last letter removed (indicated by “mostly”) and the remainder wrapped “about” E (slang name for “Ecstasy”), like so: D(E)AF.

Honey bear indeed, all empty, and cross (6)

Answer: HYBRID (i.e. “cross”). “All empty” indicates the solution is formed from HONEY BEAR INDEED once the middle letters have been removed from each word.

Make a channel carrying spring’s discharge (8)

Answer: DISPATCH (i.e. “discharge”). Solution is DITCH (i.e. “make a channel”, can be a verb in this regard as well as a noun) wrapped around or “carrying” SPA (i.e. “spring”), like so: DI(SPA)TCH.

Self-satisfied group with upsetting intimacy and amorous latitude (6,10,7)

Answer: MUTUAL ADMIRATION SOCIETY (i.e. “self-satisfied group”, or, facetiously, “a group of people or circle of friends lavish in their praise of one another” (Chambers). The book world is dreadful for this, so much so that I automatically discount the opinion of pretty much any author quoted on the cover. I mean, think about it. Where else do you see people crank out glowing reviews of their peers’ work? Do you see Damien Hirst put out another spot painting and see Tracey Emin, Jeff Koons and Banksy all scramble to heap praise on it? When you see an advert for Alice Cooper’s latest album, do you see a quote from Ozzy saying “It’s alright actually”? Weird that we accept it for books). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “upsetting”) of INTIMACY and AMOROUS LATITUDE. Very nicely worked.

Temporarily suspended – a chance there’s no returning in it (7)

Answer: ABEYANT (i.e. “temporarily suspended”). Solution is A and BET (i.e. “chance”) wrapped around or having “in it” NAY (i.e. “no”) once reversed (indicated by “returning”), like so: A-BE(YAN)T.

People who fight OAP protected by son run away finally (8)

Answer: SOLDIERY (i.e. “people who fight”). Solution is OLDIE (i.e. “OAP”) placed in or “protected by” S (a recognised abbreviation of “son”), R (ditto “run”) and Y (i.e. “away finally”, i.e. “away” with its last letter removed), like so: S-(OLDIE)-R-Y.

Design a river flat (6)

Answer: PLANAR (i.e. “flat”). Solution is PLAN (i.e. “design”) followed by A and R (a recognised abbreviation of “river”).

Student teacher? Pity one unfortunately covering nearly everything (4,10)

Answer: OPEN UNIVERSITY (i.e. “student teacher”, taken to mean a teacher of students). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “unfortunately”) of PITY ONE wrapped around or “covering” UNIVERSE (i.e. “everything”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “nearly”), like so: OPEN(UNIVERS)ITY.

Bank installing stronghold backs updated version (8)

Answer: RETROFIT (i.e. taken as a noun, an “updated version”). Solution is TIER (i.e. “bank”) wrapped around or “installing” FORT (i.e. “stronghold”), and the whole then reversed (indicated by “backs”), like so: RE(TROF)IT.

Instruction note about US vehicle trail (8)

Answer: TUTELAGE (i.e. “instruction”). Solution is TE (i.e. “note” in the sol-fa scale) wrapped “about” UTE (i.e. “US vehicle”, short for a utility truck) and LAG (i.e. to “trail”), like so: T(UTE-LAG)E.

Clue, for instance, is a curse! (4-6,4)

Answer: FOUR-LETTER WORD. Solution satisfies “clue, for instance” and “a curse” or swear word.

Prompt is visible to audience (6)

Answer: INCITE (i.e. to “prompt”). Solution is a hom*ophone (indicated by “to audience”) of IN SIGHT (i.e. “is visible”).

How one may receive holiday home which helps one slow down? (5,3)

Answer: BRAKE PAD (i.e. “which helps one slow down”). Solution is a hom*ophone (indicated by “how one may receive”) of BREAK (i.e. “holiday”) followed by PAD (i.e. “home”).

Former pope from a wealthy satellite town (7)

Answer: EXURBAN (“from a wealthy satellite town”). Solution is EX (i.e. “former”) followed by URBAN (i.e. “pope” – there have been a few Pope Urbans over the years).

A wonder of old tapestry with areas of flowers round fine little lake on (7,7,2,7)

Answer: HANGING GARDENS OF BABYLON (i.e. “a wonder of old”, or one of The Seven Wonders of the World). Solution is HANGING (i.e. “tapestry”) followed by GARDENS (i.e. “areas of flowers”), then O (i.e. “round”), F (a recognised abbreviation of “fine” used in grading pencils), BABY (i.e. “little”), L (a recognised abbreviation of “lake”) and ON.

A section of mascarpone pie, certainly not cut (3-5)

Answer: ONE-PIECE (i.e. “not cut”). “A section of” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: MASCARP(ONE PIE CE)RTAINLY.

The man carries a crash helmet in compound (6)

Answer: HALIDE (i.e. “compound” of halogen and a metal). Solution is HE (i.e. “the man”) wrapped around or “carrying” A and LID (slang for a “crash helmet”), like so: H(A-LID)E. One nailed from the wordplay.

Shady dealer with small celebrity backing (4)

Answer: SPIV (i.e. “shady dealer”). Solution is S (a recognised abbreviation of “small”) followed by VIP (i.e. “celebrity”) once reversed (indicated by “backing”), like so: S-PIV.

Opening of second of songs Mahler’s rewritten (7)

Answer: ARMHOLE (i.e. “opening” in a garment). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “rewritten”) of O (i.e. “second [letter] of songs”) and MAHLER.

One may want spread here, having a spell of good luck (2,1,4)

Answer: ON A ROLL. Solution satisfies “one may want spread here”, i.e. on a bread roll, and “having a spell of good fortune”.

American I had over one August night for starters (7)

Answer: IDAHOAN (i.e. an “American”). Solution is I followed by HAD once reversed (indicated by “over”), then O, A and N (i.e. “one August night for starters”, i.e. the first letters of “one”, “August” and “night”), like so: I-DAH-O-A-N.

Improbability of oiled hunk cooking with oil? (12)

Answer: UNLIKELIHOOD (i.e. “improbability”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “cooking”) of OILED HUNK and OIL.

Dynasty left fools – they lower the level of brightness (10)

Answer: SUNGLASSES (i.e. “they lower the level of brightness”). Solution is SUNG (i.e. Chinese “dynasty”, more commonly known as the Song dynasty) followed by L (a recognised abbreviation of “left”) and ASSES (i.e. “fools”).

Down clues

Something put on road island – a tree (9)

Answer: MACADAMIA (i.e. “tree”). Solution is MACADAM (i.e. “something put on road”, tarmac) followed by I (a recognised abbreviation of “island”) and A.

Lament mind set developing destructive action (13)

Answer: DISMANTLEMENT (i.e. “destructive action”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “developing”) of LAMENT MIND SET.

One who succeeds is regularly cheerier (4)

Answer: HEIR (i.e. “one who succeeds”). “Regularly” indicates the solution is derived from every other letter of CHEERIER.

Set on distant objects, girl cycles (5-9)

Answer: PENNY-FARTHINGS (i.e. “cycles”). Solution is FAR THINGS (i.e. “distant objects”) with PENNY (i.e. “girl’s” name) “set on” top, like so: PENNY-(FAR-THINGS).

Intention to avoid November when climbing mountain (3)

Answer: ALP (i.e. “mountain”). Solution is PLAN (i.e. “intention”) with the N removed (indicated by “to avoid November” – November being N in the phonetic alphabet) and the remainder reversed (indicated by “when climbing” – this being a down clue).

Gelatinous substance got from a fish (4)

Answer: AGAR (i.e. “gelatinous substance”, the kind of stuff you grow bacteria on). Solution is A followed by GAR (i.e. a variety of “fish”).

Eastern father keeping one of Plato’s works in desk (10)

Answer: ESCRITOIRE (i.e. a writing “desk”). Solution is E (a recognised abbreviation of “eastern”) followed by SIRE (i.e. to “father”) once wrapped around or “keeping” CRITO (i.e. “one of Plato’s works”), like so: E-S(CRITO)IRE. Tough bugger.

Arranged a Pisces maiden’s fantasy? (8)

Answer: ESCAPSIM (i.e. “fantasy”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “arranged”) of A, PISCES and M (a recognised abbreviation of “maiden” used in cricket).

Dazzling, like a mirror cat’s reflected in (11)

Answer: SPECTACULAR (i.e. “dazzling”). Solution is SPECULAR (i.e. “like a mirror” – speculum is another name for a mirror) wrapped around or having “in” CAT once reversed (indicated by “reflected”), like so: SPEC(TAC)ULAR.

Not clear cut how hunger gets resolved (5-4)

Answer: ROUGH-HEWN (i.e. “not clear cut”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “gets resolved”) of HOW HUNGER.

Meat cut up for a person (4)

Answer: SELF (i.e. “a person”). Solution is FLESH (i.e. “meat”) with the last letter removed (indicated by cut”) and the remainder reversed (indicated by “up” – this being a down clue).

File with contents of folk’s foolish nonsense (8)

Answer: FOLDEROL (i.e. “foolish nonsense”). Solution is FOLDER (i.e. “file”) followed by OL (i.e. “contents of folk”, i.e. the middle letters of “folk”).

Once more get control over historic London bus after missing out (8)

Answer: REMASTER (i.e. “once more get control over”). Solution is ROUTEMASTER (i.e. “historic London bus”) with the OUT removed (indicated by “after missing out”).

Fabled capital, unknown and fantastically covered in gold (6)

Answer: XANADU (i.e. an idyllic “fabled capital” in Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s poem Kubla Khan). Solution is X (i.e. “unknown” – setters love referring to X, Y or Z in solutions as unknowns) followed by an anagram (indicated by “fantastically”) of AND once placed or “covered in” AU (chemical symbol of “gold”), like so: X-A(NAD)U.

More stern and rising cruelty Cain rates regularly (8)

Answer: STRICTER (i.e. “more stern”). “Regularly” indicates the solution is derived from every other letter of CRUELTY CAIN RATES, while “rising” indicates the letters are reversed – this being a down clue.

Given water monster on Tweed, we got away (8)

Answer: HYDRATED (i.e. “given water”). Solution is HYDRA (i.e. mythical “monster”) followed by TWEED once the WE has been removed (indicated by “we got away”), like so: HYDRA-TED.

Making things easy, exploit perhaps minted ring (7-7)

Answer: FEATHER-BEDDING (i.e. “making things easy”). Solution is FEAT (i.e. “exploit”) followed by HERBED (i.e. “perhaps minted”) and DING (i.e. a “ring” sound).

Totally unconscious justice (8)

Answer: OUTRIGHT (i.e. “totally”). Solution is OUT (i.e. “unconscious”) followed by RIGHT (i.e. “justice”).

Customary notice on the end of the enclosure (8)

Answer: STOCKADE (i.e. “enclosure”). Solution is STOCK (i.e. “customary”) followed by AD (i.e. “notice”, short for advertisem*nt) and E (i.e. “end of the”, i.e. the last letter of “the”).

Gambling system somewhat dependent on draws (8,5)

Answer: FOOTBALL POOLS. Solution satisfies the clue as a whole, given the game asks punters to guess the score “draws” in a number of football games.

Action over vote name changer? (4,4)

Answer: DEED POLL (i.e. “name changer”). Solution is DEED (i.e. “action”) followed by POLL (i.e. “vote”).

Rule about dry ice or potassium structure (11)

Answer: LATTICEWORK (i.e. “structure”). Solution is LAW (i.e. “rule”) wrapped “about” TT (i.e. “dry”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of teetotal) and ICE. This is all then followed by OR and K (chemical symbol of “potassium”), like so: LA(TT-ICE)W-OR-K.

Reportedly what sailors would take to be compass points (6)

Answer: RHUMBS (i.e. “compass points”). Solution is a hom*ophone (indicated by “reportedly”) of RUMS (i.e. “what sailors would take”).

Broadcasting lots then dropping 50 per cent of all material (10)

Answer: BROADCLOTH (i.e. “material”). “Dropping 50 per cent of all” indicates the solution is derived from the first halves of BROADCASTING LOTS THEN.

As some maps are to deceive, not easy going (9)

Answer: CONFORMAL (i.e. “as some maps are” – over to Chambers: “(of a map) representing small areas in their true shape”, whatever that means). Solution is CON (i.e. “to deceive”) followed by FORMAL (i.e. “not easy going”).

Quiet meal, but not opening large cask as before (8)

Answer: PUNCHEON (i.e. “large cask” – I think “as before” indicates the solution is an obsolete word). Solution is P (i.e. “quiet”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of “piano” used in musical lingo) followed by LUNCHEON (i.e. “meal”) once the first letter has been removed (indicated by “not opening”), like so: P-UNCHEON.

Church service openings can be dull occasions (3-6)

Answer: NON-EVENTS (i.e. “dull occasions”). Solution is NONE (i.e. 3pm “church service”, one of the canonical hours, also known as NONES) followed by VENTS (i.e. “openings”).

What one tries to live up to as oldie struggling with age (3,5)

Answer: EGO IDEAL (i.e. “what one tries to live up to”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “struggling”) of OLDIE and AGE.

Military insignia university prohibited (4)

Answer: TABU (i.e. “prohibited”, a variant spelling of TABOO). Solution is TAB (i.e. “military insignia” “distinguishing a staff officer on the collar of his or her uniform” (Chambers)) followed by U (a recognised abbreviation of “university”).

Plant with corm – not a root shows (4)

Answer: TARO (i.e. “plant with corm”). “Shows” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: NO(T A RO)OT. One nailed from the wordplay.

Religious leader hit hard over article (4)

Answer: LAMA (i.e. Buddhist “religious leader”). Solution is LAM (i.e. “hit hard”) followed by A (i.e. “article”, being a word like a, an or the).

Regularly clued-up and ready in Europe (3)

Answer: LEU (i.e. “ready in Europe” – ready is a slang word for money; the solution is the currency of Romania). “Regularly” indicates the solution is derived from every other letter of CLUED-UP.

…and straight into another one. The Christmas and New Year period is great for getting lots of Jumbos to solve, but a bit of a bugger for my two typing fingers! Anyway, if memory serves me correctly, this was a medium strength Jumbo, though some of this was thanks to exotic solutions being clued up as anagrams. Yuck. Mercifully this didn’t happen too often.

You can find my completed grid below along with explanations of my solutions where I have them. I hope you find them helpful. If a recent Jumbo has gotten up your nose then you might find my Just For Fun page of use, where you’ll find links to solutions for hundreds of the things.

Thanks again for the warm words and encouragement. Till next time, stay safe out there kids.

Across clues

Letters from struggling lads to New Statesman (9)

Answer: William GLADSTONE (former prime minister, i.e. “statesman”). “Letters from” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: STRUGGLIN(G LADS TO NE)W.

Send kind of file for researcher (7)

Answer: POSTDOC (i.e. “researcher”, short for one in a postdoctoral role). Solution is POST (i.e. “send” a letter) followed by DOC (i.e. “kind of file”, short for a document).

More mature message mourning late monarch (5)

Answer: RIPER (i.e. “more mature”). Solution is RIP (i.e. “message mourning”, i.e. Rest In Peace) followed by ER (i.e. “late monarch”, short for Elizabeth Regina).

Royal gets salad put on bagel? It’s a current rule (4,3)

Answer: OHM’S LAW (i.e. “it’s a[n electrical] current rule”). Solution is HM (i.e. “royal”, short for His or Her Majesty) and SLAW (i.e. a cabbage “salad”) both placed “on” or after O (i.e. “bagel”, after its shape), like so: O-(HM-SLAW).

I need to think, entering attraction in London gallery (7)

Answer: VERANDA (i.e. a roofed “gallery”). Solution is ER (i.e. “I need to think”) placed in or “entering” V AND A (i.e. “attraction in London”, short for the Victoria and Albert Museum), like so: V-(ER)-AND-A.

Marine creature in autumn time round some whales (7)

Answer: OCTOPOD (i.e. “marine creature”). Solution is OCT (i.e. “in autumn time”, short for October) followed by O (i.e. “round”) and POD (i.e. “some whales”).

Citizen keeps working, dealing with current kind of art (19)

Answer: NONREPRESENTATIONAL (i.e. “kind of art” purposely meant to not look like anything recognisable). Solution is NATIONAL (i.e. “citizen”) wrapped around or “keeping” ON (i.e. “working”), RE (i.e. “dealing with” or regarding – think email replies) and PRESENT (i.e. “current”), like so: N(ON-RE-PRESENT)ATIONAL.

Greek goddess returns as character in The Oresteia? (3)

Answer: ETA (i.e. “character in The Oresteia” – I think this merely means a letter of the Greek alphabet, in this case the seventh. The Oresteia is a trilogy of Greek tragedies by Aeschylus. Of course I Googled it). Solution is ATE (i.e. “Greek goddess” of mischief) reversed (indicated by “returns”).

Foil wrapping from supermarket that is holding cored yam (6)

Answer: STYMIE (i.e. to “foil”). Solution is ST (i.e. “wrapping from supermarket”, i.e. the first and last letters of “supermarket”) and IE (i.e. “that is”, i.e. “i.e.”, from the Latin id est) all wrapped around YM (i.e. “cored yam”, i.e. the word “yam” with the middle letter removed), like so: ST-(YM)-IE. An easy get thanks to the same solution appearing in the previous Jumbo only two days earlier. Ho hum.

Prepare miners for combat in depressed region (6)

Answer: ARMPIT (i.e. “depressed region”, the hollow under one’s shoulder). When written as ARM PIT the solution playfully satisfies “prepare miners for combat”.

Extremely gloomy mounted policeman stops one spinning around (9)

Answer: GYROSCOPE (i.e. “one spinning around”). Solution is GY (i.e. “extremely gloomy”, i.e. the first and last letters of “gloomy”) followed by ROSE (i.e. “mounted” up) once wrapped around or being “stopped” by COP (i.e. “policeman”), like so: GY-ROS(COP)E.

Made new fashion navy instead, oddly (10)

Answer: MODERNISED (i.e. “made new”). Solution is MODE (i.e. “fashion”) followed by RN (i.e. “navy”, specifically the Royal Navy) and ISED (i.e. “instead, oddly”, i.e. every other letter of INSTEAD).

Instruction from journalist? Current story holds answer (11)

Answer: EDIFICATION (i.e. “instruction”). Solution is ED (i.e. “journalist”, short for an editor) followed by I (a recognised abbreviation of an electrical “current” used in physics) and A (a recognised abbreviation of “answer”, e.g. in Q&A) once placed in or “held” by FICTION (i.e. “story”), like so: ED-I-FIC(A)TION.

Provocative artist forbidding cycling (5)

Answer: Max ERNST (i.e. “provocative artist”). Solution is STERN (i.e. “forbidding”) with the letters “cycled” to the left a couple of times, like so: STERN => TERNS => ERNST. Ah, Max Ernst. It was only a matter of time before we’d see you again. I’m amazed there are any clues left to describe you.

For mum and dad, first article’s delayed before delivery (8)

Answer: PRENATAL (i.e. “before delivery” or birth). Solution is PARENTAL (i.e. “for mum and dad”) with the “first” A (i.e. “article”, being a word like a, an or the) moved a few notches to the right or “delayed”, like so: P(A)RENTAL => PREN(A)TAL.

Reported holes in old-fashioned bags (8)

Answer: BREECHES (i.e. “old-fashioned bags”, bags being slang for trousers). Solution is a hom*ophone (indicated by “reported”) of BREACHES (i.e. “holes” in a defence).

Men on board determined to follow old red vessel (5,3)

Answer: CHESS SET (i.e. “men on board” – chess pieces are sometimes referred to as men). Solution is SET (i.e. “determined”) placed after or “following” CHE Guevarra (famous Marxist guerilla leader, i.e. “red”) and SS (i.e. “vessel”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of a steamship), like so: (CHE-SS)-SET.

Time lag reforms, accepting head of institution’s regulation (3,5)

Answer: AGE LIMIT (i.e. “regulation”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “reforms”) of TIME LAG wrapped around or “accepting” I (i.e. “head of institution”, i.e. the first letter of “institution”), like so: AGEL(I)MIT.

Cheers by Sampdoria’s no.1 thus for Italian linesman (5)

Answer: Torquato TASSO (i.e. “Italian linesman”, in this case a 16th century poet). Solution is TA (i.e. thanks or “cheers”) followed by S (i.e. “Sampdoria’s no.1” letter) and SO (i.e. “thus”). One nailed solely from the wordplay, unsurprisingly.

Adopt sexist hiring policy, given time slot for meeting (11)

Answer: APPOINTMENT (i.e. “slot for meeting”). Solution is APPOINT MEN (i.e. “adopt sexist hiring policy”) followed by T (a recognised abbreviation of “time”).

Queen Mother leaves African from fabulous kingdom (10)

Answer: RURITANIAN (i.e. “from fabulous kingdom”, fabulous being another way of saying fictitious. Ruritania is a made-up central European country that features in several novels by Anthony Hope). Solution is R (a recognised abbreviation of “queen”, short for the Latin Regina) followed by MAURITANIAN (i.e. an “African”) once the MA has been removed (indicated by “mother leaves…”), like so: R-URITANIAN.

Go and nick fancy undies for cold-blooded killer (4,5)

Answer: KING COBRA (i.e. “cold-blooded killer”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “fancy”) of GO and NICK followed by BRA (i.e. “undies”), like so: KINGCO-BRA.

Test this person’s reason (6)

Answer: MOTIVE (i.e. “reason”). Solution is MOT (i.e. “test” of roadworthiness) followed by I’VE (i.e. “this person’s”, I guess a contraction of I HAVE. I don’t think this works, though, as I doubt anyone has ever abbreviated “this person has” to “this person’s”). Meh.

Perhaps keeper’s better catching header from defender? (6)

Answer: FINDER (i.e. “perhaps keeper”, from the phrase “finders keepers”). Solution is FINER (i.e. “better”) wrapped around or “catching” D (i.e. “header from defender”, i.e. the first letter of “defender”), like so: FIN(D)ER.

Group staying dry and hot? How delightful! (3)

Answer: AAH (i.e. “how delightful!”). Solution is AA (i.e. “group staying dry”, specifically Alcoholics Anonymous) followed by H (a recognised abbreviation of “hot” used on water taps).

Rogue in kindergarten began giving offence (8,3,8)

Answer: BREAKING AND ENTERING (i.e. criminal “offence”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “rogue”) of IN KINDERGARTEN BEGAN.

Bird getting behind ape in admiration (7)

Answer: EMULATE (i.e. “ape in admiration”). Solution is EMU (i.e. a “bird”) followed by LATE (i.e. “behind” time).

Mind ringing a hotel in gulf state (7)

Answer: BAHRAIN (i.e. “gulf state”). Solution is BRAIN (i.e. “mind”) wrapped around or “ringing” A and H (“hotel” in the phonetic alphabet), like so: B(A-H)RAIN.

With energy, married couple perhaps do this? (7)

Answer: EMBRACE (i.e. “married couple perhaps do this”). Solution is E (a recognised abbreviation of “energy”) followed by M (ditto “married”) and BRACE (i.e. “couple”). Nicely worked.

Return from India, packing cases for 19 and Lapland (5)

Answer: YIELD (i.e. “return” on investment). Solution is I (“India” in the phonetic alphabet) placed in or “packing” YE and LD (i.e. “cases for 19 and Lapland”, i.e. the first and last letters of both YAOUNDE (the solution to “19” down) and “Lapland”), like so: Y(I)E-LD.

Hard to climb flipping frame of Eiffel Tower! (7)

Answer: STEEPLE (i.e. “tower”, ignoring the misleading capitalisation). Solution is STEEP (i.e. “hard to climb”) followed by the first and last letters of “Eiffel” (indicated by “frame of…”) once reversed (indicated by “flipping”), like so: STEEP-LE.

Gift yours truly wrapped in blue taken into part of hospital (9)

Answer: ENDOWMENT (i.e. “gift”). Solution is ME (i.e. “yours truly”) placed “in” DOWN (i.e. “blue”) which is itself then placed “into” ENT (i.e. “part of hospital”, specifically Ear, Nose and Throat), like so: EN(DOW(ME)N)T.

Down clues

My healthy food provides it (8)

Answer: GOODNESS (i.e. “my”, both taken to be exclamations). Solution also satisfies “healthy food provides it”.

Superhero saving British Indian’s soul (5)

Answer: ATMAN (i.e. “Indian’s soul”). Solution is BATMAN (i.e. a “superhero”) with the B removed (indicated by “saving British”, B being a recognised abbreviation of “British”). A new one on me.

Plain or veldt, if seen abroad (4-7)

Answer: SELF-EVIDENT (i.e. “plain”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “abroad”) of VELDT IF SEEN.

Running down, covering area by River Forth (6)

Answer: ONWARD (i.e. “forth”, ignoring the misleading capitalisation). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “running”) of DOWN wrapped around or “covering” A (a recognised abbreviation of “area”) and R (ditto “river”), like so: ONW(A-R)D.

Spy seller I’ve thrashed, having hit record merchant (5,7)

Answer: ELVIS PRESLEY (i.e. “hit record merchant”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “thrashed”) of SPY SELLER I’VE.

Maybe spin round a cut vegetable (7)

Answer: PARSNIP (i.e. “vegetable”). Solution is PR (i.e. “spin”, or Public Relations) wrapped “round” A and followed by SNIP (i.e. “cut”), like so: P(A)R-SNIP.

Folk hero sorry that man’s imprisoned in orient following transgression (6,3,6)

Answer: SINBAD THE SAILOR (i.e. “folk hero”). Solution is BAD (i.e. “sorry” condition, for example) followed by HE’S (i.e. “that man’s”) once placed or “imprisoned in” TAILOR (i.e. to “orient” I suppose, though I’m not seeing any overlap between the two words in Chambers, Bradford’s doesn’t support it and I can’t be arsed to go upstairs to check my other dictionaries. Yellow card time?) This is all then placed after or “following” SIN (i.e. “transgression”), like so: SIN-(BAD-T(HE’S)AILOR).

Two medics claiming a triumph with hip fixing device (7,3)

Answer: DRAWING PIN (i.e. “fixing device”). Solution is DR and GP (i.e. “two medics”, one a recognised abbreviation of “doctor”, the other a General Practitioner) wrapped around or “claiming” A and WIN (i.e. “triumph”) and followed by IN (i.e. “hip” or trendy), like so: (DR-(A-WIN)-GP)-IN.

Public official moving over for Frank Sinatra? (7)

Answer: CROONER (i.e. “Frank Sinatra”). Solution is CORONER (i.e. “public official”) with one of the Os (a recognised abbreviation of “over” in cricket) “moving” a smidge, like so: C(O)RONER => CR(O)ONER.

Throw small, uncovered, tailless reptile (11)

Answer: RATTLESNAKE (i.e. “reptile”). Solution is RATTLE (i.e. “throw”) followed by S (a recognised abbreviation of “small”) and NAKED (i.e. “uncovered”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “tailless”), like so: RATTLE-S-NAKE.

Argentinian leader eats course with starter of Italian meat (9)

Answer: PEPPERONI (i.e. “meat”). Solution is Juan PERÓN (i.e. former “Argentinian leader”) wrapped around or “eating” PPE (i.e. a university “course” – not had this for a while, this is short for Philosophy, Politics and Economics) and followed by I (i.e. “starter [letter] of Italian”), like so: PE(PPE)RÓN-I.

Auditor’s studied record for bureaucratic business (3,4)

Answer: RED TAPE (i.e. “bureaucratic business”). Solution is a hom*ophone (indicated by “auditor’s”) of READ (i.e. “studied”) followed by TAPE (i.e. “record”).

Dane travelling with you in the capital (7)

Answer: YAOUNDE (i.e. “capital” of Cameroon). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “travelling”) of DANE and YOU.

Foot beginning to ache? Peasant is put out (8)

Answer: ANAPAEST (i.e. “foot”). Solution is A (i.e. “beginning to ache”) followed by an anagram (indicated by “put out”) of PEASANT, like so: A-NAPAEST. According to Chambers, the solution, in prosody, is “a foot of two short (or unstressed) syllables followed by a long (or stressed) syllable”, so a word like “interrupt” or “comprehend”. This and YAOUNDE in close succession reminded me how much I dislike exotic solutions clued as anagrams. Fume, seethe and so forth.

Ability to draw game with craft, capturing piece of 34 (15)

Answer: DRAUGHTSMANSHIP (i.e. “ability to draw”). Solution is DRAUGHTS (i.e. “game”) and SHIP (i.e. “craft”) all wrapped around or “capturing” MAN (i.e. “piece of 34” – the solution to 34a is CHESS SET, and chess pieces are sometimes referred to as “men”), like so: DRAUGHTS-(MAN)-SHIP.

Temperature in water, not good for bug (8)

Answer: IRRITATE (i.e. to “bug”). Solution is T (a recognised abbreviation of “temperature”) placed “in” IRRIGATE (i.e. to “water”) once the G has been removed (indicated by “not good” – G being a recognised abbreviation of “good”), like so: IRRI(T)ATE.

Child raised question for absent guest (2-4)

Answer: NO-SHOW (i.e. “absent guest”). Solution is SON (i.e. “child”) reversed (indicated by “raised”) and followed by HOW (i.e. “question”), like so: NOS-HOW.

South of foreign sea, spies ancient kingdom (6)

Answer: MERCIA (i.e. “ancient kingdom”). Solution is MER (i.e. “foreign sea”, basically the French for “sea”) followed by CIA (i.e. “spies”, specifically the Central Intelligence Agency). “South of” just means CIA is placed under MER, this being a down clue.

Save pop group from American hours, initially (7)

Answer: HUSBAND (i.e. “save”). Solution is US (i.e. “American”) and BAND (i.e. “pop group”) placed after H (i.e. “hours, initially”, i.e. the first letter of “hours”), like so: H-(US-BAND).

Newspaper covered MP in Barking displaying short-sightedness (12)

Answer: IMPROVIDENCE (i.e. “short-sightedness”). Solution is I (i.e. a UK “newspaper”) followed by an anagram (indicated by “barking” mad, ignoring the misleading capitalisation) of COVERED MP IN, like so: I-MPROVIDENCE.

Son and enchantress get on where callers are received (11)

Answer: SWITCHBOARD (i.e. “where callers are received”). Solution is S (a recognised abbreviation of “son”) followed by WITCH (i.e. “enchantress”) and BOARD (i.e. “get on”).

Complaint of one appearing regularly in court? (6,5)

Answer: TENNIS ELBOW (i.e. muscular “complaint” caused by overexercise). Clue plays on a tennis “court”. You get the idea.

Newly assess president adopting line that’s noteworthy (10)

Answer: REMARKABLE (i.e. “noteworthy”). Solution is RE-MARK (i.e. “newly assess”, say, coursework) followed by ABE Lincoln (i.e. former US “president”) once wrapped around or “adopting” L (a recognised abbreviation of “line”), like so: RE-MARK-AB(L)E.

Room at the Top writer has grand scene’s outline (9)

Answer: PENTHOUSE (i.e. “room at the top”, ignoring the misleading capitalisation). Solution is PEN (i.e. “writer”) followed by THOU (i.e. “grand”, both slang for a thousand) and SE (i.e. “scene’s outline”, i.e. the first and last letters of “scene”).

Paper bags clothes dealers split into pieces (8)

Answer: FRAGMENT (i.e. “split into pieces”). Solution is FT (i.e. UK “paper”, The Financial Times) wrapped around or “bagging” RAGMEN (i.e. “clothes dealers”), like so: F(RAGMEN)T.

Starts off knowing nothing, admitting really bad behaviour (7)

Answer: KNAVERY (i.e. “bad behaviour”). Solution is K, N and A (i.e. “starts off knowing nothing, admitting”, i.e. the first letters of “knowing”, “nothing” and “admitting”) followed by VERY (i.e. “really”).

Empty beer jugs for those who might fill them? (7)

Answer: BREWERS (i.e. “those who might fill [beer jugs]”). Solution is BR (i.e. “empty beer”, i.e. the word “beer” with its middle letters removed) followed by EWERS (i.e. “jugs”).

Roughly cutting wood, European gets snack (7)

Answer: TEACAKE (i.e. “snack”). Solution is CA (i.e. “roughly”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of “circa”) placed in or “cutting” TEAK (i.e. “wood”) and followed by E (a recognised abbreviation of “European”), like so: TE(AC)AK-E.

Mean, finally, to expel ambassador (6)

Answer: INTEND (i.e. “mean”). Solution is IN THE END (i.e. “finally”) with the HE removed (indicated by “to expel ambassador”, addressed often as His Excellency if you go in for all that bowing and scraping), like so: IN-T-END.

A Gershwin tune leaves a Parisian in a bad mood (5)

Answer: IRATE (i.e. “in a bad mood”). Solution is IRA (i.e. “a Gershwin”) and TUNE once the UN has been removed (indicated by “leaves a Parisian” – UN being French for “a”), like so: IRA-TE.

A relatively straightforward one to see out 2023, which is fine by me. I never mind the easier ones! There were a few well-crafted clues to enjoy too.

You can find my completed grid below along with explanations of my solutions where I have them. I hope you find them helpful. If a recent Jumbo has diddled you then you might find my Just For Fun page of use, where you’ll find links to solutions to hundreds of the things.

Thanks again for sticking with this whole delayed-solution thing. It’s a bit of a faff, isn’t it? Till next time, stay safe out there kids.

Across clues

Classic dish is extreme – duck served with rook (7)

Answer: RISOTTO (i.e. “classic dish”). Solution is IS, OTT (i.e. “extreme”, short for Over The Top) and O (i.e. “duck”, or a zero score) all placed after or “with” R (a recognised abbreviation of “rook” used in chess), like so: R-(IS-OTT-O).

Public cages chimed with a New Forest resident (5-4)

Answer: ORANG-UTAN (i.e. “forest resident” – ignoring the misleading capitalisation). Solution is OUT (i.e. “public”) wrapped around or “caging” RANG (i.e. “chimed”). This is then followed by A and N (a recognised abbreviation of “new”), like so: O(RANG)UT-A-N.

Seen in cap, driver finally gets vehicle on track (4)

Answer: TRAM (i.e. “vehicle on track”). Solution is TAM (i.e. “cap”, specifically a Tam o’ Shanter) wrapped around or having “in” R (i.e. “driver finally”, i.e. the last letter of “driver”), like so: T(R)AM.

Remarkable Parisian one backing secure catalogue (13)

Answer: UNFORGETTABLE (i.e. “remarkable”). Solution is UN (i.e. “Parisian one”, i.e. the French for “one”) followed by FOR (i.e. “backing” or favour of), then GET (i.e. “secure”) and TABLE (i.e. list or “catalogue”).

Book in at Bedouin residence, finding steward (9)

Answer: ATTENDANT (i.e. “steward”). Solution is DAN (i.e. short for Daniel, a “book” of the Old Testament of The Bible) placed “in” AT and TENT (i.e. “Bedouin residence”), like so: AT-TEN(DAN)T.

Second motif in accommodation mostly having similar function (10)

Answer: hom*oLOGOUS (i.e. “having similar function”). Solution is MO (i.e. “second”, short for a moment) and LOGO (i.e. “motif”) all placed “in” HOUSE (i.e. “accommodation”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “mostly”), like so: HO(MO-LOGO)US.

Using this, I’d somehow see a difference (11)

Answer: DISTINGUISH (i.e. “see a difference”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “somehow”) of USING THIS I’D.

Tea going with very large order? Far from it (5)

Answer: CHAOS (i.e. “order – far from it”). Solution is CHA (i.e. “tea”) followed by OS (i.e. “very large”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of outsized).

Excessively patronising encountered in the High Street? (10)

Answer: SHOPAHOLIC. Solution satisfies the clue as a whole, taking “patronising” to mean “to give one’s custom to”.

Eyesore around M1 spoiling green strategy? (6)

Answer: STYMIE (i.e. “spoiling green strategy” – one definition of STYMIE in Chambers is: “a situation on the putting green, once difficult to overcome, in which an opponent’s ball blocks the way to the hole, the rules now allowing the obstructing ball to be lifted and its position marked”). Solution is STYE (i.e. “eyesore” or eye infection) wrapped “around” M1 with the 1 replaced by its Roman numeral equivalent, like so: STY(MI)E. Nicely done.

Touring south, use horn excessively – go too far (9)

Answer: OVERSHOOT (i.e. “go too far”). Solution is OVER-HOOT (i.e. “use horn excessively”) wrapped around or “touring” S (a recognised abbreviation of “south”), like so: OVER-(S)-HOOT.

Back in parliament celebrating return (5)

Answer: ELECT (i.e. to “back” in an election). “In” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, while “return” indicates the solution has been reversed, like so: PARLIAMEN(T CELE)BRATING. Another well-worked clue.

Working method in thrill endlessly erotic (7)

Answer: AMOROUS (i.e. “erotic”). Solution is MO (i.e. “working method”, short for Modus Operandi) placed “in” AROUSE (i.e. “thrill”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “endlessly”), like so: A(MO)ROUS.

Emperor replacing his allies with ease (5,8)

Answer: HAILE SELASSIE (i.e. former “emperor” of Ethiopia). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “replacing”) of HIS ALLIES and EASE.

Grouse served on pan and dish (5,4)

Answer: ROAST BEEF (i.e. “dish”). Solution is BEEF (i.e. “grouse”, both words for a complaint) placed after or “on” ROAST (i.e. to “pan” or criticise).

Swimmer drawing in archaeologist Croft – suspect treachery? (5,1,3)

Answer: SMELL A RAT (i.e. “suspect treachery”). Solution is SMELT (i.e. “swimmer”, a variant meaning of SMELT is a variety of fish) wrapped around or “drawing in” LARA (i.e. “archaeologist Croft” from the Tomb Raider video games – this geek approves!), like so: SMEL(LARA)T.

Echo with very loud TV’s nice: see fantastic power? (13)

Answer: EFFECTIVENESS (i.e. “power”). Solution is E (“echo” in the phonetic alphabet) followed by FF (i.e. “very loud”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of “fortissimo” used in musical lingo) and an anagram (indicated by “fantastic”) of TV’S NICE SEE, like so: E-FF-ECTIVENESS.

Shock regarding reserve showing initial loss (7)

Answer: ASTOUND (i.e. “shock”). Solution is AS TO (i.e. “regarding”) followed by FUND (i.e. “reserve”) once its first letter has been removed (indicated by “showing initial loss”), like so: AS-TO-UND.

German writer needing answer: it’s an unexpected gift (5)

Answer: MANNA (i.e. “it’s an unexpected gift”). Solution is Thomas MANN (i.e. “German writer”) followed by A (a recognised abbreviation of “answer”, e.g. in Q&A).

Drug creation’s out of order (9)

Answer: NARCOTISE (i.e. to “drug”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “out of order”) of CREATION’S. Nicely worked.

Slight wind about in hot spring city (6)

Answer: BREATH (i.e. “slight wind”). Solution is RE (i.e. “about” or regarding – think email replies) placed “in” BATH (i.e. “hot spring city” – the spring water there reaches the surface at around 45°C), like so: B(RE)ATH.

Sea creature: grump on Channel Island catching it (6,4)

Answer: HERMIT CRAB (i.e. “sea creature”). Solution is CRAB (i.e. to “grump”) placed “on” or after HERM (i.e. “Channel Island”). This is all then wrapped around or “catching” IT, like so: HERM-(IT)-CRAB.

One billion stolen from dope, or grand? (5)

Answer: NOBLE (i.e. “grand”). Solution is NOBBLE (i.e. to “dope” someone or something) with one of the Bs removed (indicated by “one billion stolen from” – B being a recognised abbreviation of “billion”).

Listened to one putting up with joint in stiff condition (5,6)

Answer: RIGOR MORTIS (i.e. “stiff condition”). Solution comprises hom*ophones (indicated by “listened to”) of RIGGER (i.e. “one putting up” equipment) and MORTISE (i.e. a type of “joint” – over to Chambers: “a hole made in wood, stone etc to receive a tenon”). Nicely done.

People in country put Croatian port into magical drink (10)

Answer: POPULATION (i.e. “people in country”). Solution is PULA (i.e. “Croatian port”, and rather a pretty one too if Google Images is any judge) placed “into” POTION (i.e. “magical drink”), like so: PO(PULA)TION.

European in circles close to his capital banning a musical work (9)

Answer: RIGOLETTO (i.e. “musical work” by Giuseppe Verdi). Solution is LETT (i.e. “European”, specifically one from Latvia) placed “in” O and O (i.e. “circles”). This is all then placed after or “close to” RIGA (i.e. “his capital”, i.e. the capital of Latvia) once the A has been removed (indicated by “banning a”), like so: RIG-(O-LETT-O).

Grey-haired judge, posh worker hosting the Italian’s anniversary (6,7)

Answer: SILVER JUBILEE (i.e. “anniversary”). Solution is SILVER (i.e. “grey-haired”) followed by J (a recognised abbreviation of “judge”), then U (ditto for the upper classes, or “posh”), then BEE (i.e. “worker”) once wrapped around or “hosting” IL (i.e. “the Italian”, i.e. the Italian for “the”), like so: SILVER-J-U-B(IL)EE.

Team displaying primitive instincts in Kentish region? (4)

Answer: SIDE (i.e. “team”). Solution is ID (i.e. “primitive instincts” in psychoanalysis) placed “in” SE (i.e. “Kentish region”, or South-East England), like so: S(ID)E.

Member on foot on way in distance sees poisoner (9)

Answer: MISTLETOE (i.e. “poisoner”). Solution is TOE (i.e. “member on foot”) placed “on” or after ST (i.e. “way”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of “street”) once placed “in” MILE (i.e. “distance”), like so: MI(ST)LE-TOE.

Rapidly announce cancellation of dance? (4,3)

Answer: REEL OFF. Solution satisfies “rapidly announce” and, playfully, “cancellation of dance”.

Down clues

Soldier’s rear exposed in disorderly retreat (4)

Answer: ROUT (i.e. “disorderly retreat”). Solution is R (i.e. “soldier’s rear”, i.e. the last letter of “soldier”) followed by OUT (i.e. “exposed”).

Maybe Ipswich rowing crew said to choke (9)

Answer: SUFFOCATE (i.e. “choke”). Solution comprises hom*ophones (indicated by “said”) of SUFFOLK EIGHT (i.e. “Ipswich rowing crew”). I did chuckle when the penny dropped.

Kinky stiletto heels for burly trucker initially? Delicate creature (13,9)

Answer: TORTOISESHELL BUTTERFLY (i.e. “delicate creature”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “kinky”) of STILETTO HEELS FOR BURLY and T (i.e. “trucker initially”, i.e. the first letter of “trucker”).

Oppressive old Roman emperor starts to unnerve Senate (7)

Answer: ONEROUS (i.e. “oppressive”). Solution is O (a recognised abbreviation of “old”) followed by NERO (i.e. “Roman emperor”), then U and S (i.e. “starts to unnerve Senate”, i.e. the first letters of “unnerve” and “Senate”).

Duck before whirling tornado hit dental practice (11)

Answer: ORTHODONTIA (i.e. “dental practice”). Solution is O (i.e. “duck”, or a zero score) followed by an anagram (indicated by “whirling”) of TORNADO HIT.

American rebel keeping rickety plane makes sudden attack (9)

Answer: AMBUSCADE (i.e. “sudden attack”). Solution is AM (a recognised abbreviation of “American”) and Jack CADE (i.e. a “rebel” who headed a revolt against the government of England in 1450) all wrapped around or “keeping” BUS (i.e. slang for an old or “rickety plane”), like so: AM-(BUS)-CADE.

Insatiable desire to have browser – Google’s first up (5)

Answer: GREED (i.e. “insatiable desire”). Solution is DEER (i.e. “browser”, taking “browse” to mean “to feed on the rough shoots of plants” (Chambers)) followed by G (i.e. “Google’s first [letter]”). This is all then reversed (indicated by “up” – this being a down clue), like so: G-REED.

Radio maybe managed by sergeant major – have giggle about that? (11)

Answer: TRANSMITTER (i.e. “radio maybe”). Solution is RAN (i.e. “managed”) and SM (a recognised abbreviation of “sergeant major”) both placed in or having “about” them TITTER (i.e. “giggle”), like so: T(RAN-SM)ITTER.

Can appearing upside-down humour an idiot? (6)

Answer: NITWIT (i.e. “idiot”). Solution is TIN (i.e. “can”) reversed (indicated by “appearing upside-down” – this being a down clue) and followed by WIT (i.e. “humour”), like so: NIT-WIT.

Art style one’s introduced to province (7)

Answer: REALISM (i.e. “art style” – I’ve probably mentioned him before, but I can’t let this clue go without directing you towards the incredible work of the late Ralph Goings. His scenes of American diners and stores were simply astonishing for their realism. Don’t believe me? Check out the (rather scaled-down) example below. In fact, pop his name into Google Images and marvel at the results. You’re welcome!) Solution is I’S (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one” made possessive) placed in or “introduced to” REALM (i.e. “province”), like so: REAL(I’S)M.

Unique floor covering – length deployed in game (9)

Answer: MATCHLESS (i.e. “unique”). Solution is MAT (i.e. “floor covering”) followed by L (a recognised abbreviation of “length”) once placed or “deployed in” CHESS (i.e. “game”), like so: MAT-CH(L)ESS.

Percival and co think about saving grand, but not as managed with freehold (7,2,3,5,5)

Answer: KNIGHTS OF THE ROUND TABLE (i.e. “Percival and co”). Solution is THINK reversed (indicated by “about”) and wrapped around or “saving” G (a recognised abbreviation of “grand”). This is then followed by an anagram (indicated by “managed”) of BUT NOT AS and FREEHOLD, like so: KNI(G)HT-SOFTHEROUNDTABLE.

Garments from rococo chest – take look inside (7)

Answer: CLOTHES (i.e. “garments”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “rococo” – over to Chambers again: “florid, extravagant in style”) of CHEST wrapped around or having “inside” of it LO (i.e. “look”, as in lo and behold), like so: C(LO)THES.

Pronoun given by solitary, small and mischievous creature (7)

Answer: ONESELF (i.e. “pronoun”). Solution is ONE (i.e. “solitary”) followed by S (a recognised abbreviation of “small”) and ELF (i.e. “mischievous creature”).

Spanish wine and pork pie right for royalist (8)

Answer: CAVALIER (i.e. “royalist”). Solution is CAVA (i.e. “Spanish wine”) followed by LIE (i.e. “pork pie”, co*ckney rhyming slang thereof) and R (a recognised abbreviation of “right”).

Annul sin filling Roman writer close to Jerome (8)

Answer: OVERRIDE (i.e. “annul”). Solution is ERR (i.e. “sin”) placed in or “filling” OVID (i.e. “Roman writer”) and followed by E (i.e. “close to Jerome”, i.e. the last letter of “Jerome”), like so: OV(ERR)ID-E.

Alumnus, having feasted regularly, appears thus? (5)

Answer: OBESE (i.e. “having feasted regularly, appears thus”). Solution is OB (i.e. “alumnus”, short for Old Boy) followed by ESE (i.e. “feasted regularly”, i.e. every other letter of FEASTED).

Still at the crease – no boundaries in Perth (5)

Answer: INERT (i.e. “still” or motionless). Solution is IN (i.e. “at the crease” in game of cricket) followed by ERT (i.e. “no boundaries in Perth”, i.e. “Perth” with its first and last letters removed).

Bone hard? I’m not sure (7)

Answer: STERNUM (i.e. “bone”). Solution is STERN (i.e. “hard”) followed by UM (i.e. “I’m not sure”).

Energy invested in dubious electronic lens type? (4-3)

Answer: FISH-EYE (i.e. “lens type”). Solution is E (a recognised abbreviation of “energy”) placed or “invested in” FISHY (i.e. “dubious”) and followed by E (denotive of “electronic” in such words as email, ecommerce and so on), like so: FISH(E)Y-E.

Passionate Dicky seems put out (11)

Answer: TEMPESTUOUS (i.e. “passionate”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “dicky”) of SEEMS PUT OUT.

Two coins securing extremely rare table decoration (11)

Answer: CENTREPIECE (i.e. “table decoration”). Solution is CENT and PIECE (i.e. “two coins”) wrapped around or “securing” RE (i.e. “extremely rare”, i.e. the first and last letters of “rare”), like so: CENT-(RE)-PIECE.

Fixative used in perfume has a light colour: French grey (9)

Answer: AMBERGRIS (i.e. “fixative used in perfume”). Solution is AMBER (i.e. traffic “light colour”) followed by GRIS (i.e. “French grey”, i.e. the French for “grey”).

George in perfect place, just about, to open a packet (9)

Answer: AUTOPILOT (i.e. “George”, RAF slang thereof). Solution is UTOPIA (i.e. “perfect place”) with its last letter removed (indicated by “just about”) and the remainder placed in or “opening” A LOT (i.e. “a packet”), like so: A-(UTOPI)-LOT.

Agitated microbiologist – no stoic – creates confusion (9)

Answer: IMBROGLIO (i.e. “confusion”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “agitated”) of MICROBIOLOGIST once the letters of STOIC have been removed.

Good time in bowls game promised (7)

Answer: ENGAGED (i.e. affianced or “promised”). Solution is G (a recognised abbreviation of “good”) and AGE (i.e. “time”) both placed “in” END (i.e. “bowls game”), like so: EN(G-AGE)D.

Gas container from Scottish inventor upset government (4,3)

Answer: BELL JAR (i.e. “gas container”). Solution is Alexander Graham BELL (i.e. “Scottish inventor”) followed by RAJ (i.e. “government”, especially the British government of India 1858-1947) once the latter has been reversed (indicated by “upset”).

German fellow in German car leaving wife behind (6)

Answer: BOTTOM (i.e. one’s “behind”). Solution is OTTO (i.e. “German fellow”, and, thanks to Airplane, the one I immediately think of when autopilot is mentioned) placed “in” BMW (i.e. “German car”) once the W has been removed (indicated by “leaving wife behind” – W being a recognised abbreviation of “wife”), like so: B(OTTO)M.

Plant left unaltered when climbing (5)

Answer: SISAL (i.e. “plant”). Solution is L (a recognised abbreviation of “left”) and AS IS (i.e. “unaltered”) all reversed (indicated by “when climbing” – this being a down clue), like so: SI-SA-L.

One side not quite covering a page (4)

Answer: LEAF (i.e. “page”). Solution is LEFT (i.e. “one side” – right being the other) with its last letter removed (indicated by “not quite”) and the remainder wrapped around or “covering” A, like so: LE(A)F.

…and seamlessly into Boxing Day’s Jumbo.

This was a toughie thanks in part to it leaning a little too deeply into general knowledge for this uncultured oik. I imagine the Olav Bjortomts among you would have been fine. The clueing was mostly good, but, as you’ll see, there was the odd spelk that stung me.

You can find my completed grid below along with explanations of my solutions where I have them. I hope you find them helpful. If a recent Jumbo has had the better of you then you might find my Just For Fun page of use, where you’ll find links to solutions to hundreds of the things.

This post marks a near-consecutive run of 300 Jumbo Cryptic solutions over the last five years, which I’m rather chuffed about. Less cool is the significant drop-off in visitors since I switched to posting solutions after the competition deadline. I’d anticipated this, but it’s still a little deflating. To those of you who have stuck with me these last few weeks, and to those who have dropped by with messages of support, thank you. I’ll keep the posts going for a little while longer and see how things pan out in the new year. Till next time, stay safe out there kids.

Across clues

Skip American judge we must think not quite appropriate (4,4)

Answer: JUMP ROPE (i.e. “skip American”, or an American name for a skipping rope). Solution is J (a recognised abbreviation of “judge”) followed by UM (i.e. a noise often made when “we must think”) and PROPER (i.e. “appropriate”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “not quite”), like so: J-UM-PROPE.

Capital made out of sarcasm – a rationale we don’t wholly get (6)

Answer: ASMARA (i.e. “capital” city of Eritrea). “We don’t wholly get” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: SARC(ASM A RA)TIONALE.

Turning, you drive off briefly after function (7)

Answer: SINUOUS (i.e. wavy or “turning”). Solution is U (i.e. “you”, e.g. in textspeak) and OUST (i.e. “drive out”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “briefly”). This is all then placed “after” SIN (i.e. trigonometrical “function”, short for sine), like so: SIN-(U-OUS).

Harsh, beginner having to go in with new form of metal (7,4)

Answer: WROUGHT IRON (i.e. “form of metal”). Solution is ROUGH (i.e. “harsh”), TIRO (i.e. “beginner”) both placed between or “in” W (a recognised abbreviation of “with”) and N (ditto “new”) like so: W-(ROUGH-TIRO)-N.

Rebuff gained at home daily for speaking out (3,2,3,3)

Answer: ONE IN THE EYE (i.e. a “rebuff”). Not 100% sure on this one. I guess “for speaking out” indicates a hom*ophone, but this only seems to cover two-thirds of the clue: ONE for WON (i.e. “gained”) and THE EYE for THE I (i.e. a “daily” newspaper in the UK). IN, meanwhile, is “at home”. If this is correct then, ugh, what a dog’s dinner of a clue. Signalling that the solution comprises hom*ophones and then slapping some entirely different wordplay in the middle is poor. I wouldn’t mind the setter bending the rules if it resulted in a clue that scanned well, but the thing reads like something my washing machine would spew out if I’d fed it a dictionary. If I do have the wrong end of the stick, however, and a better explanation comes to light, then I’ll update the post.

Sanction put on that hurt junior parliamentarian? (5)

Answer: OWLET (i.e. “junior parliamentarian”, playfully referencing a parliament, the collective noun for owls). Solution is LET (i.e. to allow or “sanction”) placed “on” or after OW (i.e. “that hurt”), like so: OW-LET.

Zero per cent of staff backing appeal (3,1,3)

Answer: NOT A BIT (i.e. “zero per cent”). Solution is BATON (i.e. “staff”) reversed (indicated by “backing”) and followed by IT (i.e. “appeal”), like so: NOTAB-IT. This was an easier get thanks to a very similar clue appearing in The Times Crossword only four days earlier.

Fish, sort of cut on top, to have with wine (3,6)

Answer: RED MULLET (i.e. “fish”). Solution is MULLET (i.e. “sort of [hair]cut on top”) placed after or “with” RED (i.e. variety of “wine”).

Rivet or nut, crude (7)

Answer: ENGROSS (i.e. to hold interest or “rivet”). Solution is EN (i.e. “nut”, both printing lingo for a space half the width of an ‘m’ character) followed by GROSS (i.e. “crude”).

What can attract good fortune? (9,6)

Answer: HORSESHOE MAGNET. Clue plays on how MAGNETs “attract” certain metals, and how HORSESHOEs are believed to grant “good fortune”. You get the idea. Simple but nicely done.

Slight resistance restricts one working for solicitor (10)

Answer: PETITIONER (i.e. “solicitor”). Solution is PETITE (i.e. “slight”) and R (a recognised abbreviation of electrical “resistance”) all wrapped around or “restricting” I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”) and ON (i.e. “working”), like so: PETIT(I-ON)E-R.

Drink brought back is allowed to turn cold (6)

Answer: COGNAC (i.e. “drink”). Solution is CAN (i.e. “is allowed to”), GO (i.e. a “turn”, say, in a game) and C (a recognised abbreviation of “cold” used on water taps) all reversed (indicated by “brought back”), like so: C-OG-NAC.

Black veil must be worn (4)

Answer: EVIL (i.e. “black” – it’s valid, but let’s just say it’s not the first word I’d have reached for). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “must be worn”) of VEIL.

Sadly, tale erring: half is exaggerated (6,4,4)

Answer: LARGER THAN LIFE (i.e. “exaggerated”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “sadly”) of TALE ERRING HALF.

Repulsive boxer nursing ear, fifty years later (4-4)

Answer: PLUG-UGLY (i.e. “repulsive”). Solution is PUG (i.e. “boxer” dog) wrapped around or “nursing” LUG (slang for an “ear”). This is then followed by L (i.e. “[Roman numeral] fifty”) and Y (a recognised abbreviation of “years”), like so: P(LUG)UG-L-Y.

Gathers dance must be attraction for schoolkids (4,4)

Answer: TUCK SHOP (i.e. “attraction for schoolkids”). Solution is TUCKS (i.e. “gathers”) followed by HOP (i.e. “dance”).

End argument? Vis-à-vis league title, it might (4,10)

Answer: GOAL DIFFERENCE. The solution satisfies the clue as a whole, given how goal difference can factor into a league title if teams cannot be separated on points. The solution also comprises GOAL (i.e. “end” or aim) and DIFFERENCE (i.e. “argument”). Another nicely worked clue.

Old people’s home? Not exactly (4)

Answer: INCA (i.e. historic or “old people” of South America). Solution is IN (i.e. at “home”) followed by CA (i.e. “not exactly”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of “circa”).

What one may have seen in garden after storm and scoffed? (6)

Answer: NOSHED (i.e. “scoffed”). When written as NO SHED the solution also playfully satisfies “what one may have seen in garden after storm”. I rather liked this one when I finally twigged it.

Square in Melbourne where exhibition had finally earned money, we hear (4,6)

Answer: FAIR DINKUM (i.e. “square in Melbourne”, or an Aussie way of saying someone is very honest). Solution is FAIR (i.e. “exhibition”) followed by D (i.e. “had finally”, i.e. the last letter of “had”) and an hom*ophone (indicated by “we hear”) of INCOME (i.e. “earned money”), like so: FAIR-D-INKUM.

I don’t know what could make the guy overemote (5,3,2,5)

Answer: YOU’VE GOT ME THERE (i.e. “I don’t know”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “what could make”) of THE GUY OVEREMOTE.

Irish church worker perhaps is into refreshing brew (3,4)

Answer: ICE BEER (i.e. “refreshing brew”). Solution is IR (a recognised abbreviation of “Irish”) wrapped around or having “into” it CE (i.e. “church”, specifically the Church of England) and BEE (i.e. “worker perhaps” – other flavours of bee are available), like so: I(CE-BEE)R.

Proceed with an awkward balancing act (4,5)

Answer: ROPE DANCE (i.e. “balancing act”, another name for a tightrope walk). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “awkward”) of PROCEED and AN.

Summoning up nerve to dispense with the odd act of approval (7)

Answer: EVOKING (i.e. “summoning up”). Solution is EV (i.e. “nerve to dispense with the odd”, i.e. every other letter of NERVE) followed by OKING (i.e. “act of approval”).

Possible Italian tourist handbook with nothing for the English (5)

Answer: GUIDO (i.e. “possible Italian”, basically a bloke’s name). Solution is GUIDE (i.e. “tourist handbook”) with the E (a recognised abbreviation of “English”) swapped “for” O (i.e. “nothing”), like so: GUID(E) => GUID(O). Hey, setters, here’s an idea. After IRINA a couple of weeks ago and GUIDO this week, it’s clear many of you are too lazy to rework awkward spots in your grids. Why bother when you can just reach for a book of foreign names, right? So why not double down and crutch on some Polish forenames next time? Lots of Ks, Ys and Zs in there to bail you out of a tight spot. Even the occasional vowel if you really need it. This was at least an easier get than IRINA, but still, bloody hell.

Christian doctrine somehow thriving without turning to ridicule (6,5)

Answer: VIRGIN BIRTH (i.e. “Christian doctrine”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “somehow”) of THRIVING wrapped around or placed “without” RIB (i.e. “to ridicule”) once reversed (indicated by “turning”), like so: VIRGIN(BIR)TH.

Fish caught by pair at bridge wrapped in leaves? (11)

Answer: ENGARLANDED (i.e. “wrapped in leaves”). Solution is GAR (i.e. a variety of “fish”) and LANDED (i.e. “caught”) both placed after or “by” E and N (i.e. “pair at bridge”, the card game, being recognised abbreviations of east and north respectively), like so: (E-N)-GAR-LANDED.

Family members briefly demanding seconds behind one’s back (7)

Answer: SISTERS (i.e. “family members”). Solution is STERN (i.e. “demanding”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “briefly”) and the remainder followed by S (a recognised abbreviation of “seconds”). This is all then placed “behind” I’S (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one” made possessive) once reversed (indicated by “back”), like so: (S’I)-STER-S.

Bled once cold increased (6)

Answer: CUPPED (i.e. “bled”, specifically through the use of heated cups to draw blood to the surface of the skin). Solution is C (a recognised abbreviation of “cold”, already covered) followed by UPPED (i.e. “increased”).

Suffocating outside for hockey team visiting a resort (8)

Answer: ASPHYXIA (i.e. “suffocating”). Solution is HY (i.e. “outside for hockey”, i.e. the first and last letters of “hockey”) and XI (i.e. “team”, specifically eleven expressed in Roman numerals) both placed in or “visiting” A and SPA (i.e. “resort”), like so: A-SP(HY-XI)A.

Down clues

Strongman’s deadly weapon, essential for Churchill’s preference to war? (7)

Answer: JAWBONE. Solution satisfies “strongman’s deadly weapon” – a Biblical reference to Samson picking up a donkey’s jawbone and using it to slay a thousand men, which, I can only imagine, was because all one thousand men were milling around the edges, each politely waiting their turn to be killed one-by-one like in some 1970s Kung Fu movie. Either that or the jawbone came from one of those highly radioactive donkeys you read about in The Bible, and Samson just left it in the middle of the soldiers’ camp for a few weeks. Or maybe, just maybe, and hear me out on this one… maybe it didn’t happen. Meanwhile, the solution also satisfies “essential for Churchill’s preference to war” – a reference to a quote from his speech at The White House on 26th June 1954 (according to Brewer’s): “to jaw-jaw is always better than to war-war”, though others have suggested what he really said was, “meeting jaw-to-jaw is better than war”.

Person with two jobs: second one mostly easier (11)

Answer: MOONLIGHTER (i.e. “person with two jobs”). Solution is MO (i.e. “second”, short for a moment) followed by ONE once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “mostly”), then LIGHTER (i.e. “easier”), like so: MO-ON-LIGHTER.

OMG: T-shirt’s ripped at far end (9)

Answer: RIGHTMOST (i.e. “at far end”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “ripped”) of OMG T-SHIRT.

Make firm decision to accelerate (3,4,4,4)

Answer: PUT ONE’S FOOT DOWN. Solution satisfies “make firm decision” and “to accelerate”.

Flyer from member of Trinity finally spending term inside (8)

Answer: SONGBIRD (i.e. “flyer”). Solution is SON (i.e. “member of [Holy] Trinity”, being the Father, the Son and In The Hole He Goes) followed by G (i.e. “finally spending”, i.e. the last letter of “spending”) and BIRD (slang for “spending term inside” prison).

French film dealing with boy given egg dish but no starter (1,4,2,7)

Answer: À BOUT DE SOUFFLE (i.e. 1960 “French film” by Jean-Luc Goddard, also known as Breathless. It was remade in 1983, starring Richard Gere. I haven’t seen either, to be honest). Solution is ABOUT (i.e. “dealing with”) followed by DES (i.e. “boy’s” name) and SOUFFLE (i.e. “egg dish”) once the first letter has been removed (indicated by “but no starter”), like so: ABOUT-DES-OUFFLE.

Ace finding missing uniform narrowly avoided disaster? (1,4,5)

Answer: A NEAR THING (i.e. “narrowly avoided disaster”). Solution is A (a recognised abbreviation of “ace” used on playing cards) followed by UNEARTHING (i.e. “finding”) once the U has been removed (indicated by “missing uniform” – “uniform” being U in the phonetic alphabet), like so: A-NEARTHING.

Needs one twice as new, not dated (4,3)

Answer: SINE DIE (i.e. “not dated” in Latin). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “as new”) of NEEDS and two Is (indicated by “[Roman numeral] one twice”).

What game’s been covered by New Statesman once? (5)

Answer: Jawaharlal NEHRU (i.e. Indian “statesman”, ignoring the misleading formatting. He died in 1964, which was a bit before my time). Solution is EH? (i.e. “what”, pardon?) and RU (i.e. “game”, specifically Rugby Union) both placed “by” or after N (a recognised abbreviation of “new”), like so: N-(EH-RU).

Now history lecturer’s beginning to get close, making improper advances? (11)

Answer: OVERLENDING (i.e. “making improper [bank] advances”). Solution is OVER (i.e. “now history”) followed by L (i.e. “lecturer’s beginning [letter]”) and ENDING (i.e. “close”). For all my bellyaching over some of this week’s clues, this was very nicely worked.

Watch from gallery, following instructions (8)

Answer: SPECTATE (i.e. “watch”). Solution is TATE (i.e. a famous art “gallery”) placed after or “following” SPEC (i.e. “instructions”, short for specification), like so: SPEC-TATE.

You’ll find that in bunker golf gets played more slowly (4)

Answer: GRIT (i.e. “you’ll find that in bunker”). Solution is G (“golf” in the phonetic alphabet) followed by RIT (i.e. “played more slowly”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of the musical term “ritardando”). Another good un.

Requiring hotels for sons, go up and down Bray (6)

Answer: HEEHAW (i.e. to “bray”, ignoring the misleading capitalisation). Solution is SEESAW (i.e. “go up and down”) with the two Ss (recognised abbreviations of “sons”) swapped “for” two Hs (“hotel” in the phonetic alphabet), like so: (S)EE(S)AW => (H)EE(H)AW.

One getting back from post-war celebration in rage (7)

Answer: AVENGER (i.e. “one getting back”). Solution is VE (i.e. “post-war celebration”, specifically Victory in Europe day, 8th May 1945) placed “in” ANGER (i.e. “rage”), like so: A(VE)NGER.

Irrational, being behind old governor (6)

Answer: Pontious PILATE (i.e. “old governor” of Judaea who ordered the crucifixion of Jesus Christ). Solution is PI (an “irrational” number, being one that cannot be expressed as a numeric fraction) followed by LATE (i.e. “being behind”).

State miss “succeeded” – and recorded hit (10,5)

Answer: CALIFORNIA GIRLS (i.e. “recorded hit” by The Beach Boys). Solution is CALIFORNIA (i.e. US “state”) followed by GIRL (i.e. “miss”) and S (a recognised abbreviation of “succeeded”). Did I ever mention how annoying it is to keep seeing the same solutions again and again in Times Jumbos? No? Hmm. Maybe someone should write something about it sometime.

Gangster, sweetheart and actor keeping house in disarray (3,4,3,4)

Answer: ALL OVER THE SHOP (i.e. “in disarray”). Solution is AL Capone (i.e. “gangster”) followed by LOVER (i.e. “sweetheart”), then THESP (i.e. “actor”, short for thespian) once wrapped around or “keeping” HO (a recognised abbreviation of “house”), like so: AL-LOVER-THES(HO)P.

After vacation, liftboy chose uniform for school (6)

Answer: LYCEUM (i.e. “school”, from the Latin). “After vacation” indicates the solution is derived by removing all the middle letters of LIFTBOY CHOSE UNIFORM.

Master, not the head, meaning to grab large bible (7)

Answer: ENSLAVE (i.e. to “master” or dominate someone). Solution is SENSE (i.e. “meaning”) with the first letter removed (indicated by “not the head”) and the remainder wrapped around or “grabbing” L (a recognised abbreviation of “large”) and AV (i.e. “bible”, specifically the Authorised Version, another name for the King James Bible), like so: ENS(L-AV)E.

Hang on a minute… (scans back through clues): Virgin Birth, Samson, member of Trinity, Pontius Pilate, the Authorised Version of The Bible, and don’t think for a minute that I missed SISTERS back there either. Oh God, it’s this setter again, isn’t it? Bloody hell. I was wondering why my fingertips were scorched by the end.

Be preoccupied and worried by predicament (6)

Answer: FIXATE (i.e. “be preoccupied”). Solution is ATE (i.e. “worried”) placed after or “by” FIX (i.e. “predicament”), like so: FIX-ATE.

Rye is one to down, reportedly, with strong wines (6,5)

Answer: CINQUE PORTS (i.e. “Rye is one”. Chosen by Edward the Confessor for their defensive locations, the Cinque Ports comprised five harbours in south-east England (Sandwich, Dover, Hythe, Romney and Hastings) and two towns (Rye and Winchelsea)). Solution is a hom*ophone (indicated by “reportedly”) of SINK (i.e. “to down”) followed by PORTS (i.e. “strong wines”). Another well-worked clue.

Shares figures related to rise, ie kind falsified no longer (6,5)

Answer: NIKKEI INDEX (the Japanese stock market, i.e. “shares figures”). Solution is KIN (i.e. “related”) reversed (indicated by “to rise” – this being a down clue) and followed by an anagram (indicated by “falsified”) of IE KIND, then EX (i.e. “no longer”), like so: NIK-KEIIND-EX.

When upset, brother gets poetic rhythm out of proportion (10)

Answer: ASYMMETRIC (i.e. “out of proportion”). Solution is AS (i.e. “when”) followed by MY (i.e. “brother”, both exclamations) once reversed (indicated by “upset” – this being a down clue), then METRIC (i.e. “poetic rhythm”), like so: AS-YM-METRIC.

Character of eg hairdo quietly altered (9)

Answer: IDEOGRAPH (i.e. “character”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “altered”) of EG HAIRDO and P (i.e. “quietly”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of “piano” in musical lingo).

What I Claudius was for old entertainer (8)

Answer: Max BYGRAVES (i.e. “old entertainer”). When written as BY [Robert] GRAVES the solution also satisfies “what I Claudius was”.

Italian birds seen around late autumn (8)

Answer: GENOVESE (i.e. “Italian”, Genoa is also known as Genova). Solution is GEESE (i.e. “birds”) wrapped “around” NOV (i.e. “late autumn”, short for November), like so: GE(NOV)ESE.

The works outing in one? (7)

Answer: OMNIBUS. Solution satisfies “the works”, and, playfully, “outing in one”, referring to the old vehicle. Another good un.

Don’t take ay extra personnel to north Wales region (7)

Answer: RHONDDA (i.e. “Wales region”). Solution is ADD NO HR (i.e. “don’t take any extra personnel” – HR being short for Human Resources) all reversed (indicated by “to north” – this being a down clue), like so: RH-ON-DDA.

RAM that’s needed to operate computer disk (5)

Answer: DRIVE. Solution satisfies to “ram”, ignoring the misleading capitalisation, and also “that’s needed to operate computer disk”.

Standard bearer who gaily shows up (4)

Answer: IAGO (i.e. “standard bearer” of William Shakespeare’s Othello). “Shows” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, while “up” indicates the solution has been reversed – this being a down clue – like so: WH(O GAI)LY.

A relatively straightforward Jumbo leading into Christmas, save for the odd bit of devious misdirection. One clue a little too devious.

You can find my completed grid below along with explanations of my solutions where I have them. I hope you find them helpful. If a recent Jumbo has you buggered then my Just For Fun page might be of use, where you’ll find links to solutions for hundreds of the things.

Righto. Onto the next one in three, two, one…

Across clues

Worms regularly found next to pillar inside no frills recycling facility (7,4)

Answer: COMPOST HEAP (i.e. “recycling facility” in your garden. Also a favourite place for cats to kip, if our old family cat was any judge). Solution is OM (i.e. “worms regularly”, i.e. every other letter of WORMS) and POST (i.e. “pillar”) both placed “inside” of CHEAP (i.e. “no frills”), like so: C(OM-POST)HEAP.

Strangely proper, sweet kids may exert such an influence (6,5)

Answer: PESTER POWER (i.e. “kids may exert such an influence”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “strangely”) of PROPER SWEET.

Chat show host maybe at breaks changing celebs (17)

Answer: CONVERSATIONALIST (i.e. “chat show host maybe”). Solution is AT placed in or “breaking” CONVERSION (i.e. “changing”) and A-LIST (i.e. “celebrities”), like so: CONVERS(AT)ION-A-LIST.

Extremely rare, specialist copy (5)

Answer: REPRO (i.e. “copy”, short for reproduction). Solution is RE (i.e. “extremely rare”, i.e. the first and last letters of “rare”) followed by PRO (i.e. “specialist”).

Bad plonk, free (6)

Answer: PUTRID (i.e. “bad”). Solution is PUT (i.e. “plonk” down) followed by RID (i.e. to “free” oneself of something).

Legally acquire scribes for an auditor (2,6)

Answer: BY RIGHTS (i.e. “legally”). Solution comprises hom*ophones (indicated by “for an auditor”) of BUY (i.e. “acquire”) and WRITES (i.e. “scribes”).

Flash, loose foreign police officer (7)

Answer: MOUNTIE (i.e. “foreign police officer”). Solution is MO (i.e. “flash”, short for a moment) followed by UNTIE (i.e. “loose”).

Resolved to relive oil producer (5,4)

Answer: OLIVE TREE (i.e. “oil producer”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “resolved”) of TO RELIEVE.

Palace staff worry endlessly about protecting carriage (8)

Answer: SERVANTS (i.e. “palace staff”). Solution is STRESS (i.e. “worry”) with the last letter removed (indicated by “endlessly”) and the remainder reversed (indicated by “about”). This is then wrapped around or “protecting” VAN (i.e. “carriage”), like so: SER(VAN)TS.

Flower seen in odd places in The Fens (4)

Answer: TEES (i.e. “flower” or river, as in how a river flows). “Seen in odd places” indicates the solution is derived from every other letter of THE FENS.

Popular TV feature added to a magazine? (5)

Answer: INSET (i.e. “feature added to a magazine”). Solution is IN (i.e. “popular”) followed by SET (i.e. “TV”).

Dismal days breed animosity in the end (6)

Answer: DREARY (i.e. “dismal”). Solution is D (a recognised abbreviation of “days”) followed by REAR (i.e. “breed”) and Y (i.e. “animosity in the end”, i.e. the last letter of “animosity”).

Neglected person recalled in novel (10)

Answer: CINDERELLA (i.e. “neglected person”. Chambers goes one further, asserting “a despised and neglected person or thing”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “novel”) of RECALLED IN.

Water container covered in kind of green waste (8)

Answer: SEWERAGE (i.e. “waste”). Solution is EWER (i.e. “water container”) placed in or “covered in” SAGE (i.e. a plant or “kind of green”), like so: S(EWER)AGE.

In France, a proper source of drugs is not seized (14)

Answer: UNAPPROPRIATED (i.e. “not seized”). Solution is UN (i.e. “in France, a”, i.e. the French for “a”) followed by APPROPRIATE (i.e. “proper”) and D (i.e. “source of drugs”, i.e. the first letter of “drugs”).

Work produced by digital artist? (6,8)

Answer: FINGER PAINTING. Solution satisfies the clue as a whole, taking “digital” to mean the digits of one’s hand. Simple, but nicely done.

Takes steps to include official introductions (8)

Answer: PREFACES (i.e. “introductions”). Solution is PACES (i.e. “takes steps”) wrapped around or “including” REF (i.e. “official”, short for referee), like so: P(REF)ACES.

An elite unit lacking one injured soldier (10)

Answer: LIEUTENANT (i.e. “soldier”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “injured”) of AN ELITE UNIT once one of the Is has been removed (indicated by “lacking [Roman numeral] one”).

Simple collection of data secures account (6)

Answer: FACILE (i.e. “simple”). Solution is FILE (i.e. “collection of data”) wrapped around or “securing” AC (a recognised abbreviation of “account”), like so: F(AC)ILE.

Wow some vacuous fools (5)

Answer: GEESE (i.e. “fools”). Solution is GEE (i.e. “wow”) followed by SE (i.e. “some vacuous”, i.e. the word “some” with all of its middle letters removed).

Unyielding, dismissing son’s argument (4)

Answer: TIFF (i.e. “argument”). Solution is STIFF (i.e. “unyielding”) with the S removed (indicated by “dismissing son” – S being a recognised abbreviation of “son”).

Article kept in school: it’s inside, alarmed (8)

Answer: AGITATED (i.e. “alarmed”). Solution is A (i.e. “article”, being a word like a, an or the) followed by GATED (i.e. kept in school” – Chambers offers this for a transitive verb form of GATE: “to punish (students or schoolchildren) by imposing a curfew or by confinement to school precincts”). This is all wrapped around or having “inside” of it, IT, like so: A-G(IT)ATED.

Marx perhaps had to leave when initially attacked with a weapon (9)

Answer: HARPOONED (i.e. “attacked with a weapon”). You’re on your own here, I’m afraid. The closest I can get assumes The Times has screwed up the clue (rare, but not unheard of). I’m guessing the solution is HARPO GONE (i.e. “Marx … had to leave”) with the G or “initial” letter of GONE removed. (Does “attacked” count as a removal indicator, though?) Quite where the D comes from is anyone’s guess. If someone comes along with the actual answer then I’ll update the post. I’m not wasting any more time on it.

[EDIT: Big thanks to DM in the comments for clearing this one up. I just couldn’t see this for the life of me. The solution is HARPO (i.e. “Mark perhaps”) followed by ONED, which is OWNED (i.e. “had”) with the W removed (indicated by “to leave when initially”, i.e. the first letter of “when”). Cheers, DM! – LP]

Kitty grabbing hold of one large recoiling furry mammal (7)

Answer: POLECAT (i.e. “furry mammal”). Solution is POT (i.e. purse or “kitty”) wrapped around or “grabbing hold of” ACE (i.e. “one” on playing cards) and L (a recognised abbreviation of “large”) once these have been reversed (indicated by “recoiling”), like so: PO(L-ECA)T.

Get support acquiring piano for musician (8)

Answer: BAGPIPER (i.e. “musician”). Solution is BAG (i.e. to “get”) followed by PIER (i.e. “support” of an arch or bridge) once wrapped around or “acquiring” P (a recognised abbreviation of “piano” in musical lingo), like so: BAG-PI(P)ER.

Live around a mile beyond the eastern edge of Liverpool, still (6)

Answer: BECALM (i.e. “still”). Solution is BE (i.e. “live”) followed by CA (i.e. “around”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of “circa”) and M (a recognised abbreviation of “mile”) once the latter has been placed after or “beyond” L (i.e. “eastern edge of Liverpool”, i.e. the last letter of “Liverpool”, this being an across clue), like so: BE-CA-(L)-M.

English police officers rejected sergeant’s last order (5)

Answer: EDICT (i.e. “order”). Solution is E (a recognised abbreviation of “English”) followed by CID (i.e. “police officers”, specifically the Criminal Investigation Department) once reversed (indicated by “rejected”), then T (i.e. “sergeant’s last [letter]”), like so: E-DIC-T.

A number of people? (17)

Answer: ANAESTHESIOLOGIST. Solution satisfies the clue as a whole, taking “number” to be someone administering an anaesthetic, given how they numb. Good clue.

Get mad, then settle and come to an understanding (3,3,5)

Answer: SEE THE LIGHT (i.e. “come to an understanding”). Solution is SEETHE (i.e. “get mad”) followed by LIGHT (i.e. to land or “settle”).

Outwardly snarky new essay about revolutionary music producer (11)

Answer: SYNTHESISER (i.e. “music producer”). Solution is SY (i.e. “outwardly snarky”, i.e. the first and last letters of “snarky”) followed by N (a recognised abbreviation of “new”), then THESIS (i.e. “essay”) and RE (i.e. “about” or regarding – think email replies) once the latter has been reversed (indicated by “revolutionary”), like so: SY-N-THESIS-ER.

Down clues

Rackets created by accountant with company fraudsters (11)

Answer: CACOPHONIES (i.e. “rackets”). Solution is CA (i.e. “accountant”, specifically a Chartered Accountant) followed by CO (a recognised abbreviation of “company”) and PHONIES (i.e. “fraudsters”).

Artist requiring mostly brass and tin to start with (5)

Answer: Claude MONET (i.e. “artist”). Solution is MONEY (i.e. “brass”, slang thereof) with its last letter removed (indicated by “mostly”) and the remainder followed by T (i.e. “tin to start with”, i.e. the first letter of “tin”), like so: MONE-T.

Previous issue brought up I must introduce (3-4)

Answer: ONE-TIME (i.e. “previous”). Solution is EMIT (i.e. “issue”) reversed (indicated by “brought up” – this being a down clue). This is then placed after or “introduced” by ONE (i.e. “I”, taken as a Roman numeral).

Chore that’s beginning or ending on request (4)

Answer: TASK (i.e. “chore”). Solution is T (i.e. “that’s beginning or ending”, i.e. the first or last letter of “that”, take your pick) followed by ASK (i.e. “request”).

Basic telly never thrown out (5-5)

Answer: ENTRY-LEVEL (i.e. “basic”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “thrown out”) of TELLY NEVER.

Correspondence from someone who’s shy? (10,4)

Answer: PROMISSORY NOTE. Solution satisfies the clue as a whole, being essentially an IOU, and taking “shy” to mean being short of what’s demanded. Nicely done.

Thieves with craving for ultimately breaking into post offices (8)

Answer: POACHERS (i.e. “thieves”). Solution is ACHE (i.e. “craving”) and R (i.e. “for ultimately”, i.e. the last letter of “for”) all placed in or “breaking” POS (i.e. PO being short for “post office”, and made plural), like so: PO(ACHE-R)S.

Exclusive hotel’s abandoned southern Europeans (5)

Answer: SWISS (i.e. “Europeans”). Solution is SWISH (i.e. “exclusive”) with the H removed (indicated by “hotel’s abandoned” – “hotel” being H in the phonetic alphabet) and the remainder followed by S (a recognised abbreviation of “southern”), like so: SWIS-S.

Evaluated drug said to suppress the onsets of intense migraines (9)

Answer: ESTIMATED (i.e. “evaluated”). Solution is E (i.e. “drug”, short for ecstasy) and STATED (i.e. “said”) once wrapped around or “suppressing” I and M (i.e. “onsets of intense migraines”, i.e. the first letters of “intense” and “migraines”), like so: E-ST(I-M)ATED.

Each serving of coffee maybe reported to recover energy (4,2)

Answer: PERK UP (i.e. “recover energy”). Solution is PER (i.e. “each”) followed by a hom*ophone (indicated by “reported”) of CUP (i.e. “serving of coffee maybe”), like so: PER-KUP.

With a time inside, escapee will then possibly make a fresh start (4,3,5,5)

Answer: WIPE THE SLATE CLEAN (i.e. “make a fresh start”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “possibly”) of ESCAPEE WILL THEN wrapped around or having “inside” of it A and T (a recognised abbreviation of “time”), like so: WIPETHESL(A-T)ECLEAN.

State that is American at heart? (5,6)

Answer: RHODE ISLAND (i.e. US “state”). Clue plays on how the state’s abbreviation, RI, can be found in the middle or “heart” of AMERICAN. Another nicely worked clue.

Recalled piece about old commercial deficit (5,3)

Answer: TRADE GAP (i.e. “commercial deficit”). Solution is PART (i.e. “piece”) wrapped “about” AGED (i.e. “old”) and the whole then reversed (indicated by “recalled”), like so: TRA(DEGA)P.

Classic Christmas movie crammed in fantastic ideas of winter (3,1,9,4)

Answer: IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE (i.e. “classic Christmas movie”). Solution is FULL (i.e. “crammed”) placed “in” an anagram (indicated by “fantastic”) of IDEAS OF WINTER, like so: ITSAWONDER(FULL)IFE.

Area by train lines home to birds (6)

Answer: AVIARY (i.e. “home to birds”). Solution is A (a recognised abbreviation of “area”) followed by VIA (i.e. “by”) and RY (i.e. “train lines”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of a railway).

Bachelor drops ciggie: it’s mental exhaustion (5,3)

Answer: BRIAN fa*g (i.e. “mental exhaustion”). Solution is B (a recognised abbreviation of “bachelor”) followed by RAIN (i.e. “drops”) and fa*g (i.e. “ciggie”, both slang for a cigarette).

Floods ripped through rock formations (8)

Answer: TORRENTS (i.e. “floods”). Solution is RENT (i.e. “ripped”) placed in or “through” TORS (i.e. “rock formations” or hills), like so: TOR(RENT)S.

Bread products also found in nice shops we supply (4,10)

Answer: OPEN SANDWICHES (i.e. “bread products”). Solution is AND (i.e. “also”) placed “in” an anagram (indicated by “supply”, or being supple) of NICE SHOPS WE, like so: OPENS(AND)WICHES.

Flower garden to some extent messed up when pruned (8)

Answer: PARTERRE (i.e. “flower garden”). Solution is PART (i.e. “to some extent”) followed by ERRED (i.e. “messed up”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “when pruned”), like so: PART-ERRE. Chalk one to my Bradford’s. Trust me, I’m not a flowers guy.

Permit curbing pub singer? (6)

Answer: LINNET (i.e. “singer”, specifically a songbird). Solution is LET (i.e. “permit”) wrapped around or “curbing” INN (i.e. “pub”), like so: L(INN)ET. One nailed solely from the wordplay.

Thought advice restricts writers (4-3,4)

Answer: FELT-TIP PENS (i.e. “writers”). Solution is FELT (i.e. “thought”) followed by TIP (i.e. “advice”) and PENS (i.e. “restricts”).

Silly preset mode restricting key measuring device (11)

Answer: SPEEDOMETER (i.e. “measuring device”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “silly”) of PRESET MODE wrapped around or “restricting” E (i.e. musical “key”), like so: SPEEDOMET(E)R.

Where to find sailors working when lots of tourists are around (4,6)

Answer: HIGH SEASON (i.e. “when lots of tourists are around”). Solution is HIGH SEAS (i.e. “where to find sailors”) followed by ON (i.e. “working”).

Weird thing following everybody when it gets dark (9)

Answer: NIGHTFALL (i.e. “when it gets dark”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “weird”) of THING followed by F (a recognised abbreviation of “following”) and ALL (i.e. “everybody”), like so: NIGHT-F-ALL.

Theatre packed up in crates, e.g. at storerooms (5,3)

Answer: STAGE SET. The solution satisfies the clue as a whole. “Packed … in” also indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, while “up” indicates the solution has been reversed – this being a down clue, like so: CRA(TES E.G. AT S)TOREROOMS.

Heavy, heavy blow above American boxing ring (7)

Answer: ONEROUS (i.e. “heavy”). Solution is ONER (i.e. “heavy blow”, one that’s thrown me before, so I remembered it this time around) and US (i.e. “American”) wrapped around or “boxing” O (i.e. “ring”), like so: ONER-(O)-US.

Stop for something to drink (6)

Answer: SCOTCH. Solution satisfies to “stop” and “something to drink”. Another simple but well-worked clue.

Report about heroin and another narcotic (5)

Answer: BHANG (i.e. “narcotic”). Solution is BANG (i.e. “report” or an explosive noise) wrapped “about” H (slang name for “heroin”), like so: B(H)ANG.

First sign of tooth decay? Not the first (5)

Answer: ARIES (i.e. “first sign” of the zodiac). Solution is CARIES (i.e. “tooth decay”) with the first letter removed (indicated by “not the first”).

Lucre stashed by desperados habitually (4)

Answer: DOSH (i.e. “lucre”). “Stashed by” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: DESPERA(DOS H)ABITUALLY.

And now for something completely different.

I am an addict for new music. Lucky for me, then, that 2023 was a fine year for it! By the end of 2023 my playlist was positively groaning with hundreds of tunes plucked mostly from the All New Rock and All New Metal playlists on Spotify, along with the weekly Kerrang! chart.

Don’t worry, I’m not going to stick the whole playlist here. I’d probably blow up my homepage if I did, and I doubt many of you would want to listen to an entire day’s worth of music. Far better to cherry-pick the best bits and put them in a series of posts.

So set aside an hour and let’s take a shamelessly subjective look at some of the very best rock, metal, punk and indie released in 2023. Enjoy!

Stan Qualen by The Southern River Band

We’re starting off strong with a hard-rock banger I found via Justin Hawkins’s YouTube channel. If you liked how hard and heavy AC/DC’s Whole Lot Of Rosie gets towards the end, then you will love this!

Another Celebration at the End of the World by Mammoth WVH

Continuing in the hard-rock vein we have this juggernaut from Mammoth WVH, aka Wolfgang Van Halen, son of the late Eddie Van Halen. Mammoth WVH is the dictionary definition of a solo act as Wolf sings and plays all the instruments himself, which goes some way to explaining the surreal Multiplicity-style beginning to this video. If you want to get straight to the music, fast-forward to 2:30. Enjoy!

Dad’Algorhythm by Shaka Ponk

More hard-rock goodness, this time from French band Shaka Ponk. They’ve been going for years but this was the first time they appeared on my radar, and what a way to make an entrance! This track grabs you by the throat from the off and barely lets up for 2 and a half minutes. Glorious! Plus it features a revenant dancing herself back to life by throwing some serious shapes. What’s not to love?

Krøterveg Te Helvete by Kvelertak

The guitars. My god, the guitars! Just… just… listen to them! Don’t be put off by the Norwegian lyrics. You won’t need them. If shouty vocals aren’t your thing then, again, don’t worry because you’ve got those guitars! The riffing, the solos, the whole glorious wall of noise is tremendous. I’ve played this video so many times it’s practically burnt into my TV. My neighbours must be sick of it by now. I’m sure as hell not! Again! Again!

Divinity by High Priest

A slight change of pace now. There have been some great stoner rock offerings this year, top of the pile being this storming effort from Chicago four-piece, High Priest. Once this track gets going there’s no chance of you getting off. You’re locked in for the ride, and what a wild ride it is! If you aren’t uncontrollably headbanging and air-drumming through the chorus then check your pulse. After a couple of sporadic EPs the band released their debut album Invocation during the summer, and dammit if they don’t get the recognition they deserve. Stunning.

Superhero Dopeproof by Black Rainbows

No idea what the title means, but this is another stoner winner. Close your eyes and this tune from Italian outfit Black Rainbows wouldn’t sound out of place sandwiched between Black Sabbath and Deep Purple on a 1970s TV show like Beat-Club. Awesome stuff!

Ex-Human, Now Beast by Dozer

More stoner rock, this time from Swedish band Dozer. The thudding drive of this song is a danger to your fillings. The chorus, meanwhile, is great to scream along to, though you might want to make sure all your windows are closed. The video is nifty too, seeing the band attend a showing of their new video only to be sucked into an AI-generated Lovecraftian nightmare. Very cool.

New Beginnings by Yur Mum

Another fun video can be found below, courtesy of Brazilian duo Yur Mum. Stop-motion videos rendered in Lego aren’t a new thing, but this one is funny and very well done. I love how there’s one bloke in the toilet having the world’s longest piss, missing the whole gig. The tune itself is a barnstormer – when Anelise Kunz hollers out “what if I could go BAAAAAAAAAACK!!!!” halfway through I swear she could tear a hole in the space-time continuum. An astonishing vocal performance.

Bogus Operandi by The Hives

The Hives are back and the world is a better place for it. To say I was stoked when I first saw this video would be a serious understatement. I shoved it under the nose of everyone I could, and now it’s your turn. Bogus Operandi is high-octane perfection, and one hell of a way to announce a new album. The video, meanwhile, is a brilliant full-blooded (literally) homage to the original Evil Dead movie. It’s funny as all hell, if you have the stomach for it.

Graveyard Love by Mutoid Man

I’m in love with my gravedigger / I said hey make that hole bigger! Man, I can’t tell you how much I love this song. The goofy lyrics never fail to put a smile on my face. The song itself is a frenetic fusion of rock n’ roll, metal and psychobilly – I could lap up that chunky bassline for weeks. It’s a shame that there’s no proper video for Graveyard Love, but if this floats your boat then be sure to also check out Mutoid Man’s eye-popping video for Call Of The Void.

I Am The Lightning by Des Rocs

Another song without a proper video, but when you hear it I think all will be forgiven. What a riff! What a chorus! I love the 1950s flourish Daniel Rocco puts into his vocals, especially in such previous tracks of his as Used To The Darkness and Let Me Live / Let Me Die, but here he has hit the motherlode. What. A. Song!

Don’t Look Back by The Revivalists

Let’s round off this post with a trio of irresistible shake-your-arse tunes, if only to give your neck muscles a rest after all that headbanging. First up is New Orleans 8-piece The Revivalists. I hadn’t heard of these guys until this year, but then a couple of tracks from their latest album Pour It Out Into The Night wormed their way into my ears and I was sold. I’m a sucker for great sax, the dirtier the better, and I was well-serviced here. So to speak. I’m not kidding when I say this song is irresistible, by the way. If your toes aren’t tapping by the end then the chances are you’ve accidentally left the video on mute.

Only Wanna Dance by almost monday

And swiftly onto a song that’s precision-made to get you up and dancing. I mean, it’s right there in the title, people! almost monday are a Californian trio who’ve popped up a few times in my 2023 playlist, and this track is the best of the bunch. This is a song that always gives me a lift, and you get the impression everyone had a blast making the video.

I Feel The Love by The Heavy

Last but not least we have a proper gospel-fuelled clapper courtesy of UK’s The Heavy. The chances are you’ll have heard their 2009 monster hit How You Like Me Now – it has been used everywhere and with good reason (it’s awesome). In the spring they put out a new album, AMEN, teasing it with this track and another pearler, Stone Cold Killer. Good luck keeping still to this one!

So that was a bit of fun. If you’ve gotten this far then I hope you enjoyed this little step through a few of my musical highlights for 2023. If you have a few of your own then feel free to share them in the comments – I’m always on the hunt for new music! Till Part 2, whenever that will be, keep well and I’ll see you soon.