Listener Crossword 4024: Solution Notes
An Additional Symmetry by Waterloo
Puzzle explanation
Clues, non-explicitly in groups of four, are given as across or down with respect to their clue numbers which, although allocated in normal grid order can be in any corner as if the cell has been rotated. Thus a Down clue with an upside-down number actually runs upwards, etc. Grid numbers reflected the direction of entry. Four entries may be read both ways, eg, the normal entry PORTED (1ac) and the right-to-left entry DE TROP (2dn).
Clue explanations
Conventions: * = anagram, < = reversal
| No | Answer | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Across | ||
| 1 | PORTED | SPORTED – S(ubjects) |
| 3 | PETARD | (a)PE + TARD(y) |
| 5 | RUNG | RUN + (son)G |
| 6 | DRAWER | Two definitions, one facetious as singular of pants = drawers |
| 7 | LEAF | FLEA, F to end |
| 8 | FREE-RIDER | DIRE < in (FREE + R) |
| 11 | GARRYOWEN | (CARRY ON, G for C) about WE(ek) |
| 12 | SEAME | SAME about E; reference to Shakespearean use |
| 14 | CRIME | C(oleridge) + RIME; reference The Rime of the Ancient Mariner |
| 15 | MEGILP | (EG + I + L) in MP |
| 22 | OSMOSE | OSWALD MOS(E)LEY – WALD – LEY. The Editors (and setter) apologise for the error in the spelling of Mosley. The clue cannot be easily salvaged, though the intended wordplay should be clear once OM is identified. |
| 23 | ALPHA | A + LP + HA(p); upper case α is written A |
| 25 | SNAGS | NAGS after S(ugar) |
| 26 | STELLATED | STELLA + TED |
| 29 | TRENCHARD | TREND about CHAR |
| 30 | STOT | STOAT – A |
| 31 | RENNET | RENNES, T for S |
| 32 | EKES | EMES, M changed to K |
| 34 | SAUCER | SAUSAGE – SAGE + CEREAL – (m)EAL |
| 36 | ELIDES | EL + IDEAS – A(ndalusia) |
| Down | ||
| 2 | DE TROP | DP about (RETRO – R) |
| 4 | ALPACAS | ALP + ACAS |
| 9 | ORMOLU | COLOUR * with M(auve) for C(erise) |
| 10 | IGARAPE | I + GAR + A + SPEAR – S…AR |
| 12 | SWALE | SW + ALE |
| 13 | AMARACUS | MARACA, A first + US |
| 14 | CACHE | CACHET – T’ |
| 16 | ARMCHAIR | MARCH * + AIR |
| 17 | INGEST | GETS * after IN |
| 18 | REWARD | HEREWARD (the Wake) – HE |
| 19 | TENNER | TENNÉ + (ea)R |
| 20 | HOMAGE | HO + MAGE |
| 21 | DAYLIGHT | AY in DELIGHT – (d)E(pression) |
| 23 | ADAGE | A + DAG + E(ntertainment) |
| 24 | MYRIOPOD | (MY + I + O + POD) about R |
| 25 | STILE | STILETTO – OTT < |
| 27 | OSTRICH | IC in SHORT * |
| 28 | UNHOOK | UN + HOOK |
| 33 | COTTAGE | TAG in COTE |
| 35 | SEDILE | SEE about LID < |