ACROSS
1 - Hold a tailless grouse (4) - GRIP
3 - Casablanca's English seat of power? (5,5) - WHITE HOUSE [DD]
9 - Excitement initially lacking in party (7) -
11 - Element's acceptable as a substitute for carbon in the skull (7) - (-c+u)URANIUM
12 - That padre got drunk at an unsafe place (9) - DEATHTRAP*
13 - Couple adopts a writer (5) - {TW{A}IN}
14 - Reveal chest containing gold for officer (3,9) - {AIR} {COMMOD{OR}E}
21 - Leaders from America said absolutely nothing about this position (5) - {A}{S}{A}{N}{A}
24 - Officer sounded belligerent (7) - MARSHAL ? Anno pending (Addendum - MARSHAL (~martial) Still iffy)
25 - Conclude that cancer may be inactive (4,3) - {SIGN} {OFF} Nice one
26 - Bump off suitor taken inside for a bit of necking (10) - {PR{OTRUSI*}O}{N} PRO meaning professional side? A bit far fetched to imagine (Addendum - PRO from for - See comments)
27 - Not married — like 11 and others (2,2) -
DOWN
1 - Relative's excellent lawyer died (8) - {GRAND}{DA}{D}
2 - Working adroitly for admiration (8) - IDOLATRY*
4 - Perhaps Captain Ahab lost weight to become fitter (5) -
5 - Baseless to blast fool — totally baseless (7-2) - {TRUM{PED U*}P} (Addendum - {TRUMPE
6 - Earth may be moving (13) - {HEART}{BREAKING}
7 - John said you are not starting last (6) - {U}{R}{
8 - Queen's stock of fur (6) - {ER}{MINE}
10 - Either master or mistress prepares chocolates with her (13) - SCHOOLTEACHER*
15 - Spooner's hit the shopping centres for non-veg. koftas (9) - {MEATBALLS}(~beat malls)
16 - Place to defeat a swimmer (3,5) - {SEA T}{ROUT} Nice one
19 - Prepare to become more animated (4-2) - WARM-UP [CD]
20 - Waves or bangs on the head? (6) - HAIRDO [CD]
23 - No ideal location for club (5) - DISCO ? Anno pending (Addendum - DISCO
Namaste THC
ReplyDeleteMany cleverly set clues. A few baffling, with anno not clear. I clearly foresee an animated discussion on hyphenation and 'one-word-or-two-words?'.
The pick of the day, IMO, is WHITE HOUSE, followed by ASANA. DEATHTRAP, GRANDDAD,HEARTBREAKING, SCHOOLTEACHER, HAIRDO, SEA TROUT were quite tricky.
Any guesses on the formation of the pseudonym SPIFFYTRIX, partly iffy and partly tricks? Just kidding. :-)
ReplyDelete24 - Officer sounded belligerent (7) - MARSHAL ? Anno pending
ReplyDeleteMARSHAL is homophone of MARTIAL, belligerent.
27 - Not married — like 11 and others (2,2) - mET AL ?
ReplyDelete11across = uranium = metal
Good morning Colonel
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't call the clues 'iffy', I think they're innovative! Once the anno is worked out I can't find anything wrong with them.
Incumbent government lost a developed state (5,7)
Incumbent government - UPA
lost A => UP(-a)
Developed => expand UP
No ideal location for club (5)
No - Deletion ind; ideal - VERY Location - DISCOVERY
=> DISCO(-very)
In fact I thought this even better than yesterday's puzzle. A very promising addition to The Hindu's stable, Spiffytrix.
Colonel, for 5D I had the anno as,
ReplyDeleteblast = TRUMPET
baseless = truncation indicator, thus TRUMP
fool = DUPE
I admit I don't see any anagram indicator for DUPE.
26 - Bump off suitor taken inside for a bit of necking (10) - {PR{OTRUSI*}O}{N} PRO meaning professional side? A bit far fetched to imagine
ReplyDeleteoff suitor = OTRUSI*
for = PRO
taken inside = PR(OTRUSI*)O
bit of necking = N
For TRUMPED UP, I have suggested an anno that is different from Col Deepak's and Satya, the solver's, but more acceptable. It is in the Orkut community THC Solutions.
ReplyDeleteBump off suitor taken inside for a bit of necking (10) - {PR{OTRUSI*}O}{N} PRO meaning professional side?
ReplyDeletePRO = for
(SUITOR)* in PRO (for) N[ecking]
Shuchi,
ReplyDeleteAgreed some may be innovative but I stand by my statement of some iffy ones.
The present setter is a highly skilled, talented, careful, conscientious person.A couple of other setters have to be worried about the contrast that is more obvious now than before.
ReplyDeleteBaseless to blast fool — totally baseless (7-2)
ReplyDeleteblast = TRUMPET, fool = DUPE
totally baseless => remove the ends of both words
Colonel, Which ones do you think are iffy?
My anno for 5d and 23d are exactly the same as Shuchi's.
ReplyDeleteIf not for the welcome addition of Spiffytrix, whose turn was it originally ?
ReplyDeleteDeepak, looks like your breakfast will be delayed.;-)
ReplyDelete3A, 18A, 20D, 23D in my view
ReplyDeleteBhavan @ 0849,
ReplyDeleteIt was Sankalak's turn.
Thanks Colonel.
ReplyDeleteDo we know the intended duration of this setter? To repeat what a few said here already, Spiffytrix is turning out to be a +1 in the good setters column.
We would not know the duration of the present setter unless at least one turn is complete.
ReplyDeleteSome iffy clues from Spiffytrix today, cluing is not an easy job. Getting used to style of a setter takes time.
ReplyDeleteSeems to take the same time for you Colonel. 8:30 it was
I don't consider 3a iffy.
ReplyDeleteCasablanca's English seat of power? (5,5)
'Casablanca' is Spanish for 'white house', 'casa' meaning 'house' and 'blanca' meaning 'white'. 'English' suggests 'render it in English' which is WHITE HOUSE, the def. being 'seat of power'.
The surface reading is also convincing. As Casablanca is the name of a person, we can think of him having an English seat of power.
All-in-all, absolutely correct!
Thanks CVasi, I was asking in case anyone had inside info ! At least if the editors stick to the expected order, the day this setter's ends, it will be Sankalak, not ...
ReplyDeleteI do not find any of the clues iffy. Solving has certainly become much more enjoyable with Spiffy's trix
ReplyDeleteI don't consider those clues iffy either. The annos might not strike one immediately, but they are well worth the effort of working them out and don't leave one scratching the head after the answer is known, as [edited so as not to offend a certain commenter in these parts :P]'s do.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed 18a very much!
Touche
ReplyDeleteI liked 6A. Is it a reverse anagram? Looks like it to me.
ReplyDeleteWhen I started today's puzzle and was stuck for annos, what struck me was similar to what the Col. said - that clues may be spiffy but the annos were iffy..but while working them out, they were on solid ground I think. But, the setter's use of the language is more like what CVasi Sir sometimes describes word associations for synonyms - quite frequently they were two or three circles out, IMHO. Also, I think the setter is trying to challenge / outsmart the solvers with devious cluing, both in words and the enu as well, I think (the "spiffy" part?). They all are correct, only not quite intuitive for me. Quite interesting and a challenge - the style of the setter seems like one other crossword I have done of a hobbyist setter some time ago.
ReplyDelete(THC + NJ) + Spiffytrix = (THC + Spiffytrix) ?
ReplyDeletePlease say it is so. Please.
Satya,
ReplyDeleteWe'll have to wait and see, I too wish the same.
Good morning all
ReplyDeleteI clearly go with the comment "it takes time". Whether shuchi accepted or not i scratched my head a lot today and certainly needs time to acclimatise with this setter. As Richard rightly pointed out the double word or hyphenated words are still eluding me. Because I tend to look for other words though the answer presents itself in surface reading.
Come on spiffytrix let us face...
Let me see how much time i actually require...
Good day
Mathu
Excellent CWs by the new setter over the last two days. This really raises the bar for the current setters. A really welcome change. Congratulations, Spiffytrix.
ReplyDeleteThe advent of the new setter has also seen increased activity from Shuchi in explaining the annos. Coincidence?
Our CCE is yet to clarify on the following clue from yesterday's CW:
14 - What a driver may face when his swindle's unravelled (10) - WINDSHIELD* How did one S become a D
Two words I pick out from the comments as most pertinent are: 'challenge' and 'acclimatise'! And do I read a clue to the setter's identity in one comment???
ReplyDelete@Venkatesh: Not a coincidence. With other setters, either there are no gaps in Colonel's post or the other commenters have filled them in before me, or I don't have satisfactory explanations for the pending clues myself.
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting to see a new setter on THC, with a different style.
I clearly go with the comment "it takes time". Whether shuchi accepted or not i scratched my head a lot today and certainly needs time to acclimatise with this setter.
I agree with that, loveable mad. I just don't agree the clues are iffy.
One of my professors had this quaint habit of saying, "Either of you three come here."
ReplyDeleteHe used to think in Hindi and speak in English. One of his favourite expressions was, "There is only a nineteen-twenty difference."
Venkatesh, I don't think Shuchi would use words like "promising addition" and "innovative" to describe her own puzzles.
ReplyDeleteAnywho, I wouldn't be surprised if the setter's know to her. Looks like she's his/ her biggest fan. Look out for her next article. It's gonna be a tribute to Spiffytrix.
@Venkatesh: If only your prof. he had used the three in the form "(either A or B), or C", he'd have been safe from the grammar Nazis.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy mixing language of metaphors too. "19-20 difference" is one for keeps.
I don't think Shuchi would use words like "promising addition" and "innovative" to describe her own puzzles.
What? Was I on the list of "suspects" for setting this puzzle?
I wouldn't be surprised if the setter's know to her. Looks like she's his/ her biggest fan.
That's some jumping to conclusions. I hope this is a joke; it'd be rather sad that if you seriously believe that my clarifications on the clues come out of personal interest.
Shuchi, that was a presumption.... I thought Venkatesh was hinting at it - well, with all this talk goin' on 'bout this setter being a known solver.
ReplyDeleteAs regards jumping to conclusions.... well I was just going by the golden rule you know. Well it goes like.... if you come outta nowhere and start defending a setter (justified or otherwise), you're somehow connected to the setter....
VJ,
ReplyDeleteOnce bitten twice shy....
Like a mystery novel, the setter is known to all in the blog but is the one who one would least expect to be it?
ReplyDeleteI agree with Mathu@11.26. It takes time to understand any new setter's line of thinking . Though I could not solve quite a lot, I did enjoy the cluing after seeing the annos.With NJ also it is the same (VJ to my rescue please!) though most others won't agree.
ReplyDeleteQuite enjoyable- the puzzle as well as the comments here.
"if you come outta nowhere and start defending a setter (justified or otherwise), you're somehow connected to the setter"
ReplyDeleteI have praised good clues and criticized bad clues always, that's all I do on my blog! I have not come "outta nowhere" to speak for good clue-setting today.
Pretty surprised that my appreciation of the setter's work and participation in the comment space here would be interpreted in such ways.
Agree with Suchi. This setter is better than all the rest in THC. We hope the standard is set for the others too
ReplyDeleteVJ I think your comments are not fair
ReplyDeleteWhoever Spifftrix may be, going by the two crosswords, he is going to present a serious competition to our affable Gridman. Besides being as meticulous as ever, Gridman may perhaps need to pull out some new tricks!
ReplyDeleteShuchi, I think you're reading too much into what I wrote.
ReplyDeleteBTW, I was wrong. You ain't the biggest fan of this setter. You got competition in the form of Suresh.
More than trying to solve the crossword,looking up to THC for completing it, I enjoy the thrusts and counterthrusts of the bloggers.
ReplyDelete@Shyam: I don't think Gridman will ever be fazed by another setter's work. If at all any one has to worry, it should be NJ.
ReplyDelete@SandhyaP: I will prefer no NJ to an improved NJ :P
ReplyDeleteI find it difficult to believe that NJ keeps track of our comments herein. It has been more than a year and a half since this blog was started and she has never defended herself even once.
Hi all
ReplyDeleteWhats this talk about favourite setter and all...i believe we never seem to spare any setter plus or minus we discuss every thing under the sky leave alone the setters.
It is true everyone enjoys a particular setter only because they feel comfortable solving them and a feeling of elation on success. When someone like NJ or Neyartha frustrates it applies the same logic.
i am happy if the discussions are directed on setters and clues rather than the solvers and members.
I agree with shuchi and fully go with her points.
Come on all...lets enjoy solving...as ever
Good evening
Mathu
Shyam @ 16:14,
ReplyDeleteThat just goes to prove NJ's utter lack of interest in trying to improve herself in her profession.
Madhu, OMG, sometimes I get this feeling that I'm the blog's official villain. LOL
ReplyDeleteShuchi didn't have to defend herself the way she did. Well I was just pullin' her legs. On here, it's pretty difficult to communicate the tone of your comments perfectly.
hi VJ
ReplyDeleteThe contest is wide open. so dont assume the responsibility of a villain too soon. these kind of spiffytrix will not work here..
See you all
Mathu
VJ,
ReplyDeleteYou became official villain the day you started off in NJ's defence.
Deepak, if the "devil"'s advocate is a villain, what's the devil?
ReplyDeleteVJ,
ReplyDeleteYou yourself proclaimed yourself to be the official villain, I only seconded the motion ;-)
Deepak, thanks for the vote of confidence. :)
ReplyDeletePavalamani pragasam, I was just going through your blog. You got nice poems there. Good work!! "Thaen" was short and sweet. Not quite used to the dialect that you've used in Meenakshi, but I liked it
ReplyDeleteAre we not missing Kishoreji in this fun?
ReplyDeleteYes we are missing Kishore. Hope he is getting better
ReplyDeleteOne last reminder:
ReplyDeleteClarification is still awaited on the following clue from yesterday's CW:
14 - What a driver may face when his swindle's unravelled (10) - WINDSHIELD* How did one S become a D
Shuchi who dissects each clue dispassionately {"always") has apparently chosen to pass this by.
VJ @20:11
ReplyDeleteShe has used the colloquial register of Tamil. It seems to be about the Chittirai festival in Meenakshi Amman temple of Madurai esp., the Meenakshi kalyanam. Azhagar (i.e., kaLLazhagar of the hill variously known as tirumalirum solai, irunkunRam) comes to Madurai bringing some dowry type stuff as befits a brother's visit to his sister's wedding. Azhagar probably enters the city of Madurai during the Pournami so that's what is being refered to there. The 'aatta' in the last line refersn to Meenakshi herself.
Pavalamani Pragasam: Please correct me if I'm wrong.
Nice poem. Is வெள்ளந்தியா perhaps Madurai usage?
Mrs. PP - I visited your blog, wish I could understand the poems. Would love to read translations if you have them.
ReplyDeleteVenkatesh - You have apparently chosen to pick on each word I write, so let me point out: "...I don't have satisfactory explanations for the pending clues..." [11:45]
Did I say something to annoy, to invite this sort of sarcasm? I don't get it otherwise.
@Shuchi: I am usually a silent spectator of this blog. This time I feel forced to reply on comments being made by various people.
ReplyDeleteJust my 2c.
It's best for you to ignore people like Venkatesh, VJ. You will find such trolls everywhere on the web.
Carry on the good work you have been doing!
Thanks so much for your words of support, Ankur. The flame-baiting had saddened me; I guess I need to develop a thicker skin to handle the ways of virtual communities. Thanks again.
ReplyDelete