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Middle of the month (well, just past) ... so a medium-difficulty puzzle. This 3/5 rating should up the ante from last weekend, yet still be solvable over one one cup of tea. Well, maybe a mug!
And a reminder ... the Sunday slot is still open for anyone who wants to post his or her own, original crossword. Just contact me and I will help you with the mechanics of compiling and posting.
Across
1 There's no rum after last month, making for a good order (7)
5 In taking a little taste, I would find it quite bland (7)
9 The composer went to court for a decision (7)
11 Certain, after the French one was duty-free (7)
12 Vet "V" (3)
13 A cross that's not found in Ulster (4)
14 Alters this and it's safer to go back on in his (10)
15 It often follows, dear, the second one is right (3)
16 Get angry with Edward the Soothsayer (3,3)
17 Reminders for me and the guys to stop-start (8)
19 Not just bailed out the French island (3)
20 Explosive has a short fuse (50-50) ... can I see? (8)
21 Order surgical removal of the US ... and yes, it stinks (6)
23 A bad back seems awfully fishy (3)
24 Ludicrous, ludicrous, ludicrous about one. (10)
26 Nothing but holds for wrestlers (4)
27 ... because the four doesn't include you! (3)
28 Sort of put it about the star is someone objectionable (7)
29 Quite a fuss after the copper goes into the emergency room in South America (7)
30 Like this shirt under that jumper? There's one left, and yes, it's red (7)
31 It's even more clear when she takes both queens (7)
Down
1 Splits up Desmond, Diane and Violet, not necessarily in that order (7)
2 Where talc is used in gymnastics? (9)
3 Drops what's top-notch in the Queen's navy (4)
4 I hear that hospital in Dublin, it occupies some space (6)
5 Doomed to flail around, Edward? (3-5)
6 Exotic food with high iron content? (5,5)
7 A place you get to almost out of the system (5)
8 The S.S. medic upstairs cleans the wound (7)
10 Men use Form D, where there's room for the family (3)
14 It's clear the director gets overturned (3)
15 A corrupt cashier takes Daniel for a ride (5,5)
17 A big sandwich and an apple (3)
18 It's very difficult to find six-foot Jesuits, say (4,5)
19 William got a lien, then Edward told the soldiers where to stay (8)
20 Simulated violet ultra-chaotically (7)
21 Grabs nothing, even when it's funny (3)
22 Maybe someone at the wedding wrapped the car around the tree in a tizzy? (7)
23 Pressure to fit you into a dress (6)
25 Here's 500, then you put the pigs there, that field, but after spring (5)
26 Be around a snake (3)
27 Get us an iron container for the igniter (4)
Here is each clue alongside its answer, with an explanation of the link between clue and answer. I hope it all makes sense! As always, I welcome feedback via comment and/or email. I’m particularly interested in hearing about clues that were too obvious or easy, and clues that were annoying or perhaps caused frustration. But, I’ll listen to all suggestions on how to make my puzzles more challenging and more fun!
Across
1 There's no rum after last month, making for a good order (7)
DEC-O-RUM
After last month (DEC) there's no rum (O RUM) making for a = DECORUM: good order.
5 In taking a little taste, I would find it quite bland (7)
IN-SIP-I'D
In (IN) taking a little taste (SIP) I would (I'D) find it = INSIPID: quite bland.
9 The composer went to court for a decision (7)
VERDI-CT
The composer (VERDI) went to court (CT) for = VERDICT: a decision.
11 Certain, after the French one was duty-free (7)
LE-I-SURE
After the French one (LE I) certain (SURE) was = LEISURE: duty-free.
12 Vet "V" (3)
TEN
In Latin, "V et V" (5 and 5) = TEN
13 A cross that's not found in Ulster (4)
DOWN
A-cross, that's not = DOWN: found in Ulster.
14 Alters this and it's safer to go back on in his (10)
REFAS-HI(ON)S
It's "safer" to go back (REFAS) "on" in "his" (H-ON-IS) = REFASHIONS: alters.
15 It often follows, dear, the second one is right (3)
SIR
The second (S) one (I) is right (R) = SIR: it often follows "dear", as in Dear Sir.
16 Get angry with Edward the Soothsayer (3,3)
(SEE R)ED
The soothsayer (SEER) with Edward (ED) = SEE RED: get angry.
17 Reminders for me and the guys to stop-start (8)
ME-MEN-TO-S
Me (ME) and the guys (MEN) to (TO) s-top start (S) for = MEMENTOS: reminders.
19 Not just bailed out the French island (3)
BAD
ba-ILE-d "out" the French island (ILE) = BAD: not just.
20 Explosive has a short fuse (50-50) ... can I see? (8)
V-O-L-CAN-IC
50 (V-O) 50 (L) can I see (CAN IC) = VOLCANIC: explosive, has a short fuse.
21 Order surgical removal of the US ... and yes, it stinks (6)
GARLIC
SU-rgical "removal" of the US (RGICAL) order = GARLIC: and yes, it stinks.
23 A bad back seems awfully fishy (3)
DAB
A "bad" back = DAB: seems awfully fishy.
24 Ludicrous, ludicrous, ludicrous about one. (10)
RID(I)CULOUS
Ludicrous "ludicrous" (RID-CULOUS) about one (I) = RIDICULOUS: ludicrous.
26 Nothing but holds for wrestlers (4)
B(O)UT
But (B-UT) holds nothing (O) = BOUT: for wrestlers.
27 ... because the four doesn't include you! (3)
FOR
The fo-U-r doesn't include you (U) = FOR: because.
28 Sort of put it about the star is someone objectionable (7)
UP(STAR)T
Sort of "put" (UP-T) it about the star (STAR) is = UPSTART: someone objectionable.
29 Quite a fuss after the copper goes into the emergency room in South America (7)
E(CU-ADO)R
Into the Emergency Room (E-R) goes the copper with quite a fuss (CU ADO) = ECUADOR: in South America.
30 Like this shirt under that jumper? There's one left, and yes, it's red (7)
L-AYE-RED
There's one left (L) and yes (AYE) it's red (RED) = LAYERED: like this shirt under this jumper.
31 It's even more clear when she takes both queens (7)
SHE-ER-ER
When she (SHE) takes both queens (ER ER) it's = SHEERER: even more clear.
Down
1 Splits up Desmond, Diane and Violet, not necessarily in that order (7)
DI-VI-DES
Desmond, Diane and Violet (DES-DI-VI) not necessarily in that order (DI-VI-DES) = DIVIDES: splits up.
2 Where talc is used in gymnastics? (9)
CARTWHEEL
"Where talc" is used = CARTWHEEL: in gymnastics.
3 Drops what's top-notch in the Queen's navy (4)
R(AI)N
In the Queen's navy (R-N) what's top-notch (A-I) = RAIN: drops.
4 I hear that hospital in Dublin, it occupies some space (6)
MATTER
That hospital in Dublin (MATER) I hear = MATTER: it occupies some space.
5 Doomed to flail around, Edward? (3-5)
ILL-FA-TED
To "flail" around (ILL-FA) Edward (TED) = ILL-FATED: doomed.
6 Exotic food with high iron content? (5,5)
SHISH KEBAB
Exotic food with an iron skewer through it.
7 A place you get to almost out of the system (5)
PL-U-TO
A place (PL) "you" get "to" (U-TO) = PLUTO: almost out of the (Solar) System.
8 The S.S. medic upstairs cleans the wound (7)
DR-ESSES
The medic upstairs, on top (DR) S.S. (ESSES) = DRESSES: cleans the wound.
10 Men use Form D, where there's room for the family (3)
D-EN
M-en, use for "m" a "d" (D-EN) = DEN: where there's room for the family.
14 It's clear the director gets overturned (3)
RID
The director (DIR) gets overturned = RID: it's clear.
15 A corrupt cashier takes Daniel for a ride (5,5)
SE(DAN) CHAIR
A corrupt "cashier" (SE-CHAIR) takes Daniel (DAN) for = SEDAN CHAIR: a ride.
17 A big sandwich and an apple (3)
MAC
A Big MAC is a big sandwich, and a MAC is a computer made by Apple.
18 It's very difficult to find six-foot Jesuits, say (4,5)
TALL ORDER
Six-foot (TALL) Jesuits, say (ORDER) to find = TALL ORDER: it's very difficult.
19 William got a lien, then Edward told the soldiers where to stay (8)
BILL-ET-ED
William (BILL) got a-lien (ET) then Edward (ED) = BILLETED: told the soldiers where to stay.
20 Simulated violet ultra-chaotically (7)
VI-RTUAL
Violet (VI) "ultra" chaotically (RTUAL) = VIRTUAL: simulated.
21 Grabs nothing, even when it's funny (3)
GAS
g-R-a-B-s nothing even (drop the even letters, R & B) = GAS: when it's funny.
22 Maybe someone at the wedding wrapped the car around the tree in a tizzy? (7)
CA(TERE)R
Wrapped the car (CA-R) around the "tree" in a tizzy (TERE) = CATERER: maybe someone at the wedding.
23 Pressure to fit you into a dress (6)
D(U)RESS
Into a dress (D-RESS) to fit you (U) = DURESS: pressure.
25 Here's 500, then you put the pigs there, that field, but after spring (5)
D-U-STY
Here's 500 (D) then you (U) put the pigs there (STY) = DUSTY: Springfield (that field but after spring).
26 Be around a snake (3)
B-O-A
Be (B) a-round (O) a (A) = BOA: snake.
27 Get us an iron container for the igniter (4)
F(US)E
An "iron" container (F-E) for us (US) for = FUSE: the igniter.
Reveal-An-Answer
Need just one answer to get things moving? Here is the solution to today's puzzle, in a hidden format. To reveal any particular answer, highlight the whole line under the relevant clue.
Across
1 There's no rum after last month, making for a good order (7)
DEC-O-RUM
5 In taking a little taste, I would find it quite bland (7)
IN-SIP-I'D
9 The composer went to court for a decision (7)
VERDI-CT
11 Certain, after the French one was duty-free (7)
LE-I-SURE
12 Vet "V" (3)
TEN
13 A cross that's not found in Ulster (4)
DOWN
14 Alters this and it's safer to go back on in his (10)
REFAS-HI(ON)S
15 It often follows, dear, the second one is right (3)
SIR
16 Get angry with Edward the Soothsayer (3,3)
(SEE R)ED
17 Reminders for me and the guys to stop-start (8)
ME-MEN-TO-S
19 Not just bailed out the French island (3)
BAD
20 Explosive has a short fuse (50-50) ... can I see? (8)
V-O-L-CAN-IC
21 Order surgical removal of the US ... and yes, it stinks (6)
GARLIC
23 A bad back seems awfully fishy (3)
DAB
24 Ludicrous, ludicrous, ludicrous about one. (10)
RID(I)CULOUS
26 Nothing but holds for wrestlers (4)
B(O)UT
27 ... because the four doesn't include you! (3)
FOR
28 Sort of put it about the star is someone objectionable (7)
UP(STAR)T
29 Quite a fuss after the copper goes into the emergency room in South America (7)
E(CU-ADO)R
30 Like this shirt under that jumper? There's one left, and yes, it's red (7)
L-AYE-RED
31 It's even more clear when she takes both queens (7)
SHE-ER-ER
Down
1 Splits up Desmond, Diane and Violet, not necessarily in that order (7)
DI-VI-DES
2 Where talc is used in gymnastics? (9)
CARTWHEEL
3 Drops what's top-notch in the Queen's navy (4)
R(AI)N
4 I hear that hospital in Dublin, it occupies some space (6)
MATTER
5 Doomed to flail around, Edward? (3-5)
ILL-FA-TED
6 Exotic food with high iron content? (5,5)
SHISH KEBAB
7 A place you get to almost out of the system (5)
PL-U-TO
8 The S.S. medic upstairs cleans the wound (7)
DR-ESSES
10 Men use Form D, where there's room for the family (3)
D-EN
14 It's clear the director gets overturned (3)
RID
15 A corrupt cashier takes Daniel for a ride (5,5)
SE(DAN) CHAIR
17 A big sandwich and an apple (3)
MAC
18 It's very difficult to find six-foot Jesuits, say (4,5)
TALL ORDER
19 William got a lien, then Edward told the soldiers where to stay (8)
BILL-ET-ED
20 Simulated violet ultra-chaotically (7)
VI-RTUAL
21 Grabs nothing, even when it's funny (3)
GAS
22 Maybe someone at the wedding wrapped the car around the tree in a tizzy? (7)
CA(TERE)R
23 Pressure to fit you into a dress (6)
D(U)RESS
25 Here's 500, then you put the pigs there, that field, but after spring (5)
D-U-STY
26 Be around a snake (3)
B-O-A
27 Get us an iron container for the igniter (4)
F(US)E
6 comments:
Hi Bill,
Enjoyed your puzzle very much and finished it this time for a change.
However it took two jugs of morning coffee and some welcome assistance from better half, Vera before we broke the back of it.
Some of your anagrams were well disguised like CARTWHEELS and SEDAN CHAIR
Also interesting how RIDICULOUS is virtually an anagram of Ludicrous and has the same meaning.
I loved the Dusty Springfield clue. She'd be a fine selection for a Sunday Aria.
Also loved the Roman numeral clues Vet 'V' and 50-50. Clever.
Overall I found it a little easier than last week but wife's assistance probably accounts for that.
Forgot to wish you well with your Crosaire run next week. I hope to keep the pressure on if Monday is kind.
Mike
Hi Bill and Mike...and welcome able-assistant Vera!
Another satisfied (non-paying) customer here! Nice puzzle Bill...and even after a very late night-out, managed to negotiate the WEB without too much grief this morning!
Like Mike, I enjoyed your '5 and 5' and '50/50' clues...
Other favourites for me today were REFASHIONS, SEE RED, BAD, GARLIC, SHEERER, ILL FATED, PLUTO, RID and DUSTY.
See you're still heavy on the old meat there Bill...with the SHISH KEBABS and BIG MAC's!!...but I'm sure VE-GAN rest assured you'll right that soon!!
Thanks again Bill for giving shape to my Sunday brunch!
Liz
Hi there, Mike.
Apologies for the delay in acknowledging your comment. I have been running ragged for the past couple of days, and am just beginning to catch up.
That's great news, that you solved the whole puzzle this week (and a thank you from me to your wife, Vera, for taking a look!). The goal for me is to puzzle, not frustrate!
I try to limit the number of "complete anagrams" in a puzzle, as they are hard to disguise, so I am delighted to hear that you appreciate the false beard and wigs that I put on the anagrams that I do include.
I too was pleased to spot the "ludicrous + I" - RIDICULOUS connection. It allowed for a pretty quirky clue, possibly my favorite of the day.
I am a big fan of Dusty too. I haven't gone as a far as adding a Sunday Aria (hard to do without giving an extra hint!), but she is in the Crosaire Aria collection at least once, maybe twice.
With regard to difficulty, it looks like today's 3/5 label was a bit harsh, for a puzzle that was more friendly. Means I'm upping the ante for the coming weekend to make sure sure the puzzle is worthy of a 4/5 finish to the month.
Thanks again for checking out the puzzle, Mike, and to Vera.
Hi Liz,
Apologies to you too, for the tardy reply. The real world sometimes get out of control, as you well know!
It does look like this puzzle was a little "light" for a 3/5 rating. I think I know how to fix that though. Must do better!
Glad you liked the Vet V clue. It's tough to come up with clues for 3-letter words (TEN), and I ended with way too many 3-letter answers today when I finished the answer grid design. Probably over-the-top in the 3-letter word area!
Going to have to watch the meaty answers too. I should be promoting my vegan lifestyle, not working against it! Going have to get the veggies into a puzzle soon.
Thanks for the feedback, Liz. Next weeks will be tougher, I guarantee it!
Hi Bill,
Better late than never I'm getting back to you on yet another very enjoyable web crossword. I did it on Sunday and left it somewhere 'safe' with all my smileys and comments but now cant find it. Definitely for me the Vet V clue was clue of the day. Once again it was the 3 letter words that came slowest with RID and SIR the last to go in. Knew they had to be right but took me a while to cop on to 'dear sir...'Also loved RIDICULOUS,GAS,DURESS, DUSTY,BOA and FUSE.
Keep them coming...
Martina
Hi Martina,
Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. As you know, I am a sucker for encouragement!
TEN (Vet "V") seems to have been a fave of the say. I came up with the clue somewhat out of desperation. So as M. Crosaire said the other day, necessity is indeed the mother of invention.
You keep doing 'em, Martina, and I'll keep setting 'em :)
Thank you so much!
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