Listener Crossword 3985: Solution Notes
Yes by Lato
Puzzle explanation
Thematic entries were linked with post-war prime ministers at Downing (depressing) Street (place in Somerset), using their first, last or nicknames and the extra words in clues. The details, in chronological order, are shown in the second table below. Blair Witch (26ac film, Tony) and the remaining name, Eden (Anthony), both link to “Project” which had to appear under the grid. The title was suggested by the TV series Yes, Prime Minister.
Clue explanations
Conventions: * = anagram, < = reversal
| No | Extra word | Answer | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Across | |||
| 1 | DEPRESSING | Special clue DRESSING about EP | |
| 9 | RUIN | RUN about I’ | |
| 10 | ANDORRA | SANDRA (Bullock) about OR – S | |
| 12 | PEKE | Homophone (PIQUE) | |
| 13 | cockatoo | TIER | Homophone (TEAR) |
| 15 | KNEELING | (ELI + N) in GENK <; n = natus, for “born”, is in Collins English Dictionary | |
| 18 | DOSE | DOE about S | |
| 22 | PAEAN | R in NEEP < | |
| 24 | CHEEKY | CHEESY, K for S(tory) | |
| 25 | SCLIM | ’S + CLIMATE – ATE | |
| 26 | film | OHIO | OHO about I; Columbus is city therein |
| 29 | Worthless | SAMP | SAP about M |
| 31 | singer | EVIL | LIVE < |
| 34 | EOSIN | (IS ON (tabl)E)* | |
| 35 | PLACE | Special clue P + LACE | |
| 36 | Professor | RUMBLES | MB in RULES |
| 37 | know-all | TRY | TORY – O |
| 38 | IN SOMERSET | Special clue MET SENIORS* | |
| Down | |||
| 1 | DROP | DR + O’ + P(hilosophy) | |
| 2 | EUGE | EUGENE – N – E | |
| 3 | EGALLY | LARGELY* – R | |
| 4 | tenders | SECT | SET about C(ontractor) |
| 5 | INTEGRA | TEARING* | |
| 6 | GO MAD | DOG < about MA & lit | |
| 7 | ARRIS RAIL | A + R + R + ISRAEL, I for E | |
| 8 | YATTER | (RE + T’ + TAY) < | |
| 10 | AKIN | A + KIN(g); reference chess | |
| 11 | ADOS | SODA < | |
| 14 | song | RASP | RAS + P |
| 16 | NEIGHBOUR | (O + EDINBURGH)* – D | |
| 17 | pudding | ETCH | (f)ETCH |
| 19 | USK | DUSK – D | |
| 20 | EACH | TEACH – T | |
| 21 | REMAKES | K in SEAMER < | |
| 23 | ELEVENS | EVENS about LE | |
| 24 | Grouse | CITS | C + IT + S |
| 25 | SCRAPE | SCRAP + E | |
| 27 | ORIBI | (I’ + BIRO) < | |
| 28 | IMPS | PIMP’S – P | |
| 30 | PLUM | LUMP, P to start | |
| 32 | IDÉE | IDE(m) about E | |
| 33 | Fruit | LAST | Two definitions |
Thematic Information
| Entry | Extra word | “Answer” | Prime Minister |
|---|---|---|---|
| INES | Fruit (33dn) | Clementines | Clement Attlee |
| ROBERT | Professor (36ac) | Robert Winston | Winston Churchill |
| — | — | (Eden Project) | Anthony Eden |
| NURSES | tenders (4dn) | Macmillan nurses | Harold Macmillan |
| SMART | know-all (37ac) | smart Alec | Alec Douglas-Hume |
| PICKETT | singer (31ac) | Wilson Pickett | Harold Wilson |
| HENS | Grouse (24dn) | heath hens | Edward Heath |
| CRACK | Worthless (29ac) | jimcrack | Jim Callaghan |
| MAY | song (14dn) | Maggie May | Maggie Thatcher |
| MITCHELL | cockatoo (13ac) | Major Mitchell | John Major |
| WITCH | film (26ac) | Blair Witch (Project) | Tony Blair |
| BETTY | pudding (17dn) | Brown Betty | Gordon Brown |