Listener Crossword 3971: Solution Notes
Franglais by Nutmeg
Puzzle explanation
English definitions in clues (with linked French word) were Across: 12 cordial (affable) 13 amorous (fond) 14 dark (sable) 22 supporters (bras) 28 anger (rage) 29 confessed (sang) 36 sickness (mal); Down: 2 derrick (crâne) 3 select (élite) 4 name (cité) 5 delivery (articulation) 6 hollow (dent) 7 tycoon (entrepreneur) 8 trouble (pain) 9 accommodation (billet) 15 variegated (pied) 21 cake (éclair) 22 fake (fabrication) 23 unvarnished (mère) 25 stock (talon) 31 features (traits). As usual, accents have been disregarded in wordplay and grid entries, as well as comparison between the languages; they have been shown here and in the table below to specify the French words appropriately.
Clue explanations
Conventions: * = anagram, < = reversal
| No | Extra word/Ref | Answer | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Across | |||
| 1 | 5dn | ARTICULATION | TRUCIAL* + (n)ATION |
| 10 | 13ac | FOND | FOUND – U |
| 11 | 2dn | CRÂNE | RAN in CE |
| 12 | cordial | FAMOUS | FUS(s) about (A MO) |
| 13 | Amorous | MOO-COW | OOM < + COW |
| 14 | dark | ABB | A + BB |
| 16 | 25dn | TALON | TON about AL(l) |
| 17 | 22ac | BRAS | B + RAS |
| 18 | 28ac | RAGE | Hidden |
| 20 | 15dn | PIED | PI + ED |
| 22 | supporters’ | PLEASE | Homophone (pleas) |
| 24 | 21dn | ÉCLAIR | CE < + LAIR |
| 26 | 29ac | SANG | SAN + G(o) |
| 27 | 6dn | DENT | DEN + T’ |
| 28 | anger | BALU | BA + L + U |
| 29 | confessed | AGMAS | AG + MASS – S |
| 33 | 36ac | MAL | First letters |
| 34 | 9dn | BILLET | BI + (William) TELL < |
| 35 | 31dn | TRAITS | TROTS – O about AI |
| 36 | sickness | LOWER | Two definitions, one a facetious construction from “low” |
| 37 | 4dn | CITÉ | (Athl)ETIC < |
| 38 | 7dn | ENTREPRENEUR | PETER RUN* about RENÉ |
| Down | |||
| 1 | 12ac | AFFABLE | A + F-FABLE |
| 2 | derrick | TOMBAC | (CAB + MOT) < |
| 3 | select | IN ON | IN + ON |
| 4 | name | UPSTAIR | PURIST* about A |
| 5 | delivery | LIMA | MAIL* |
| 6 | hollow | ACOL | COL after A |
| 7 | Tycoon | TROOPER | REPORT < about O |
| 8 | trouble | ON ONE’S PLATE | Two definitions |
| 9 | accommodation | NEWED | Homophone (nude) |
| 10 | 22dn | FABRICATION | IN in FAB RATION |
| 15 | variegated | BRAID | Two definitions, one Scots |
| 19 | 3dn | ÉLITE | (cak)E + LITE |
| 21 | cake | HAGGLER | GG in HALER |
| 22 | fake | PUNSTER | PE TURNS* |
| 23 | unvarnished | EMULSOR | MO RULES* |
| 25 | stock | SAMITE | SAE about MIT |
| 26 | 14ac | SABLE | ELBA’S < |
| 30 | 23dn | MÈRE | WERE with W upside down, as M |
| 31 | features | ATOP | AT OP; reference surgery |
| 32 | 8dn | PAIN | PIN about A |