This is my dissection of the Gemini Cryptic that appeared yesterday, in the Thursday 23 July 2015 edition of The Canberra Times.
As ever, clue definitions are underlined, apart from in cryptic definition clues (where there isn’t a clear definition), and double definition clues (where the whole clue is definitions).
ACROSS
1. He has a job to discover the facts (10) = RESEARCHER
Cryptic definition, of sorts. Doesn’t feel like such a cryptic definition to me, though.
8. Mother has a look back for a girl (5) = MARIA
Charade + reversal. Mother = MA + look = AIR (as in ‘an air of defiance’), reversed or run back = RIA.
9. Double over and collapses (5,2) = FOLDS UP
Double definition, but really the two definitions are very similar.
10. Rowdy new trio love America (7) = RIOTOUS
Charade + anagram. The first part is new trio. New is the anagram indicator, and trio is the fodder. RIOT is the combination needed here. Love = O (zero score in tennis) + America = US, for the United States.
11. More than one ghost writer (5) = IBSEN
What? I hear you cry. I know. This one tripped me up too. Cryptic definition, and really hard and obscure (or maybe my education about Norwegian playwrights is dismal). Ibsen was the writer of a play called ‘Ghosts’ in 1881. More than one ghost = Ghosts. How many of us knew that? I sure didn’t.
12. Team the French enter late in the day (6) = ELEVEN
Container clue. A good old cricket clue, here. There are ELEVEN players on a cricket team.You need to put the French (LE) inside (enter) a word for late in the day (EVEN – an archaic/literary term). E-LE-VEN.
14. Give a slight cut (6) = IGNORE
Cryptic definition, with cut meaning to ignore someone in public, not to physically cut anyone.
17. Very close to being drunk (5) = TIGHT
Double definition, with very close and being drunk both being definitions for TIGHT, one formal, and one informal.
19. The democratic process makes one cross (7) = ELECTOR
Cryptic definition (the Gemini Cryptics always have a lot of these!). Always easy to cross with politics and elections, isn’t it?
21. It reminds men to put me first (7) = MEMENTO
A rather sweet little easy charade, with a twist. All the letters to be used are in the clear, no synonyms needed. Put ME first, in front of MEN + TO.
22. Like books after printing and before censorship? (5) = UNCUT
Double definition / cryptic definition. After printing books need to be trimmed, or cut. And if a book is censored, it gets cut. So just after printing, and just before censorship, they are UNCUT. So there.
23. Very promising students of astronomy? (4,6) = STAR PUPILS
Cryptic definition. Students of stars, and top quality students.
DOWN
2. The listener holds it in suspense (7) = EARLOBE
Cryptic definition. An old-fashioned pose, holding your earlobe. Does anyone do that any more?
3. It takes a long time to muse (5) = ERATO
Charade. It takes a long time = ERA + TO. Erato is the Greek muse of lyric poetry.
4. Don’t accept that it ought to be thrown away (6) = REFUSE
Double definition. Don’t accept that is to REFUSE, as a verb. And it ought to be thrown away is REFUSE (rubbish), as a noun.
5. Matter in hand may be stocks and shares (7) = HOLDING
Double definition. Matter (or stuff) in your hand is what you’re HOLDING. And stocks and shares are also called HOLDINGS. The second definition probably ought to be singular not plural, though. I guess that may be in the clue indicates a little latitude.
6. They are used to water these flowers (5) = ROSES
Double definition. ROSES are the perforated heads on showers, watering cans, and hoses — all used to water. As well as ROSES as flowers, of course.
7. Everyone knows it begins with the dissolution of Crete (4,6) = OPEN SECRET
Charade + anagram. Begins = OPENS. Then add on an anagram (indicated by dissolution) of Crete = ECRET.
8. Drilled without progress for a noticeable period (6,4) = MARKED TIME
Double definition. I think drilled here refers to military drills, where MARK TIME is a step, marching on the spot. And a noticeable period is also MARKED TIME.
13. Baltic country resort one is at (7) = ESTONIA
Nice anagram clue. Resort means re-sort here — it’s the anagram indicator! The fodder here is one is at.
15. Topical version relating to what may be seen (7) = OPTICAL
Anagram. A new version of topical.
16. About to take successful action to recover (6) = RECOUP
Charade. About = RE + successful = COUP.
18. They’re contested in talk about the Middle East (5) = GAMES
Container. Talk = GAS. Run it about or around ME (Middle East). GA-ME-S.
20. Appoint in a fit of pique (5) = EQUIP
An anagram of pique. Indicated by in a fit.
Header image: Blossom Pink Roses And Bokeh Background by samuiblue. FreeDigitalPhotos.net
