Listener Crossword 4089: Solution Notes
Vive la Différence by Kevin
Puzzle explanation
When clashes were resolved, the corresponding cells displayed an X made up of “TIMES” (twice) and a 3 made up of “LISTENER”. These symbols were to be interpreted as “X (10) to the power of 3”, ie, 1000, marking this puzzle as the 1000th Listener crossword to appear in The Times. Highlighting of the clashing cells was optional. The title reflects the subtraction used to resolve the clashes, the subtraction 4089 − 3089 (the number of the last puzzle to appear in The Listener magazine before its “departure” on January 3, 1991), and a “cheer” for the Times Listener series.
Highlighting was not made a requirement because it would not have been fair to assume all solvers would be aware of the background for the occasion being celebrated. In any case, it wouldn’t have proved anything: it appears that some solvers who did highlight X³ were unaware of its significance.
Clue explanations
Conventions: * = anagram, < = reversal
| No | Answer | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Across | ||
| 3 | TRINITY TERM | TR + (TRYIN(g) TIME) * |
| 11 | LAHORE | HAL < + ORE |
| 13 | PROVOSTRY | PROVOS + TRY |
| 15 | LIES | LIONS − O, N to E |
| 16 | SYRINGE | SINGE about YR |
| 17 | TAMALE | MAT < + ALE |
| 19 | DRAW-GEAR | (RAW + G) in DEAR |
| 21 | RHYTINA | (THIN + RAY) * |
| 23 | NASUTE | NAS + UTE |
| 25 | INDENT | D for first T in INTENT |
| 26 | RABBLER | RABBLE + R(iot) |
| 27 | DISARRAY | (I + S + ARR) in DAY |
| 29 | AKEDAH | AKE + HAD < |
| 31 | FOILING | FAILING, A replaced by O |
| 33 | NODE | NOD + E |
| 34 | JAYWALKER | WEAKLY * in JAR |
| 35 | KREESE | SEEK < about (he)R + E |
| 36 | SUPERSCRIPT | (STIRRUP CUP’S * − U) about E |
| Down | ||
| 1 | ALPS | SPLA(y) < |
| 2 | BARYSHNIKOV | (BY + N + KIROV + HAS) * |
| 3 | THORNED | TED about HORN |
| 4 | IRON-MINE | (MI + N + E) after IRON |
| 5 | INTERTRAFFIC | A from (CERTAIN + TARIFF) * |
| 6 | TARTANA | TARTAN A(rmy) |
| 7 | YAMA | Hidden rev semi & lit |
| 8 | THUMBSTALL | (THUS + TALL) about MB |
| 9 | ELITE | TILE < + (checkmat)E |
| 10 | MISERERE | SERE in MIRE |
| 12 | BELATEDNESS | BEL + ATE + D + NESS |
| 14 | VIETNAMESE | VIE about (ET + NAMES) |
| 18 | ERIDANUS | (SUN + AD + IRE) < |
| 20 | CAGLIARI | AIL < in CIGAR * |
| 22 | NORMANS | (Le) MANS after NOR |
| 24 | GLAIKET | GET about LAIK; the confusion with GLAIKIT was unintentional, but The Chambers Dictionary doesn’t clearly define GIT as a brat |
| 28 | SEX UP | SUP about EX |
| 30 | AJAR | A + JAR |
| 32 | GREW | GREY + W − Y; passing = omitting |