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Greetings, all! I wasn't quite as zippy going through today's puzzle, but I did emerge victorious, so that always puts me in a good mood (I am so easily pleased!). Had to think long and hard until MOTHERLY came to me, and then I put in a hesitant POLICE to stop the clock at 20m 27s. And now I am at a very scary r5ow.
Today's Crosaire Aria
17A: OYSTER
Somehow the seventies rock band Blue Oyster Cult got right by me when I was a young lad. I only discovered their big 1976 hit (Don't Fear) The Reaper on the soundtrack of a video game would you believe, about 10 years ago? I love the minimalist feel of the song with the recurring guitar riff, and the driving tempo is almost hypnotic. You know, their sound reminds me somewhat of Horslips. Anyway, I found an Aria that plays off OYSTER ... quite an achievement I'd say! This is another clip that needs the speakers turned right up. It should get the kids out of bed of a morning.
The Clue of the Day
4A: The only small number I had in current use (8)
M. Crosaire provides us today with a nice and precise "physi-clue", the trademarks of puzzles by our own physics Teacher, Tommy, and our own physics student, Mark (who has been in hiding of late, working towards his finals). The only (SOLE) small number (NO) I had (I'D) = SOLENOID: in current use.
The Lookup of the Day10A: AFFLATUS
AFFLATUS is a Latin term that we have lifted directly from the writings of Cicero, the Roman philosopher and statesman. Just as "inspiration" comes from the word "inspire", to draw in the breath, AFFLATUS comes from afflare, "to blow upon". So inspiration comes to us, we breathe it in, whereas with AFFLATUS the idea is blown at us, by a divine wind. AFFLATUS is more than the gathering of an idea that can inspire, it is more mystical and overwhelming. Interesting ...
Here are my answers. As always, I welcome comments and explanations. Thanks!
Across
1: SAMPAN
4: SOLE-NO-I'D
The only (SOLE) small number (NO) I had (I'D) = SOLENOID: in current use.
Nice one, and a physi-clue for Tommy ...
9: ANTICS
10: A-F-FLAT-US
Such a loud (A F) apartment (FLAT) with us (US) = AFFLATUS: what a divine inspiration to have.
AFFLATUS is divine communication of knowledge, it says here ...
12: LIEGE ... anagram of "glee I".
A LIEGE is a feudal lord, and a city in Belgium ...
13: GYRATIONS ... anagram of "stingy" and "oar".
15: NUN
No could be better than she (NONE) by the sound of it = NUN: sister.
16: RELIT ... anagram of "litre".
17: OYST(E)R
In a story (OYST-R) is 'e ('E) = OYSTER: "shelley" perhaps.
22: LYCEUM ... anagram of "my clue".
A LYCEUM is just that, a hall for public performances of various ilks ...
24: TREAT
27: MAR
A sheep (RAM) by turning it on its back = MAR: spoil.
Nice one ...
28: A-FORE-TIME
When there's a warning, of (golf) course (A FORE TIME) = AFORETIME: previously.
31: ABE-LE
Little Abraham (ABE) with the French (LE) but also = ABELE = POP-u-LAR without little you = poplar.
ABELE is the Old English name for the white poplar, as we saw in a Lookup of the Day back in August of last year ...
32: PR(IN-C)ESS
In the press (PR-ESS) in a hundred (IN C) = PRINCESS: for the palace.
33: STRAND
A string (STAND) along the shore (STRAND) for a banana (STRAND).
Banana is associated with the STRAND in London, from the lyrics “Let’s all go down the Strand (‘ave a banana) …”, as we've seen before ...
34: THE PLATE
A plate can be awarded as a prize, and it's flat.
35: ED-I-TED
Between Edward 1 (ED-I) and Edward 11, a second Edward (TED) = EDITED: got it for a change.
I think that's it. Anyone see anything different?
Down
1: SMALL FRY
2: M(OTHER-L)Y
My (M-Y) that's about the different half-century (OTHER L) = MOTHERLY: that's parental.
3: AN(CIENTL)Y
In any circumstances (AN-Y) the client (CIENTL) for = ANCIENTLY: as of old.
5: OFF-'ER
One is no longer keen on (OFF) her ('ER) = OFFER: tender.
6: E(C)LAT
In a "late" way (E-LAT) see (C) = ECLAT: what a fuss there is.
An ECLAT is demonstration of admiration, applause ...
7: OPTION ... anagram of "potion".
8: DE(SIS)T
Ted getting up (DE-T) about his little sister (SIS) = DESIST: stop.
11: IGNORE
"Not 2, no" ... sounds like (NOT TO KNOW) = IGNORE.
14: ART
"Are" you are they used to put it = ART (thou).
18: SUMMER
A totter is one who sums up things (SUMMER) and SUMMER comes before the season of fall/autumn.
19: EXTRACTED
I think this was meant to be an anagram of "tax" and "creed", but it isn't. Anyone?
20: RE(LEVA)NT
In the rent (RE-NT) the vale (LEVA) = RELEVANT: that applies.
21: A-TT-ENDED
A teetotaller (A TT) was no longer there (ENDED) = ATTENDED: all there.
23: CAT
The "line" of the "fee" (FEE LINE) sounds like (FELINE) = CAT: gets the nine of the livings (has nine lives).
25: TAP-PET
Little knock (TAP) for CAT (PET) = TAPPET: in the engine.
The TAPPETS are the levers that open and close the valves, I think!
26: PO-LICE
The lousy (-LICE) is the "last" part of the answer = POLICE: have they re-gard (guard), or are they watching, perhaps? Anyone?
29: EXCEL
To go one better (EXCEL) before Lent (LENT) = EXCELLENT: would be all for the best.
30: INS('E)T
During this month (INS-T) 'E ('E) = INSET: is included.
Reveal-An-Answer
Need just one answer to get things moving? Here is my solution to today's puzzle, in a hidden format. To reveal any particular answer, highlight the whole line containing the relevant clue number.
Across
1: SAMPAN
4: SOLE-NO-I'D
9: ANTICS
10: A-F-FLAT-US
12: LIEGE
13: GYRATIONS
15: NUN
16: RELIT
17: OYST(E)R
22: LYCEUM
24: TREAT
27: MAR
28: A-FORE-TIME
31: ABE-LE
32: PR(IN-C)ESS
33: STRAND
34: THE PLATE
35: ED-I-TED
Down
1: SMALL FRY
2: M(OTHER-L)Y
3: AN(CIENTL)Y
5: OFF-'ER
6: E(C)LAT
7: OPTION
8: DE(SIS)T
11: IGNORE
14: ART
18: SUMMER
19: EXTRACTED
20: RE(LEVA)NT
21: A-TT-ENDED
23: CAT
25: TAP-PET
26: PO-LICE
29: EXCEL
30: INS('E)T
