Listener Crossword 4484: Solution Notes
Quiet Guests by Schadenfreude
Puzzle explanation
The alphabetic sums of initial letters of extra words and answer to the clues containing them spelt out “sequence of prime numbers”. Clashing letter groups (in symmetrically disposed cells) combined to form the surnames of the prime-numbered US Presidents, namely: 2 ADA/MS, 3 JEFF/ERSON, 5 MONRO/E, 7 JACK/SON, 11 POL/K, 13 FILL/MORE, 17 JOHN/SON, 19 HA/YES, 23 HARRI/SON, 29 HAR/DING, 31 HO/OVER, 37 NI/XON, 41 and 43 B/USH. The title cryptically indicates P+RESIDENTS.
Clue explanations
Conventions: * = anagram, < = reversal
| No | Extra word | Answer (clashes) | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Across | |||
| 1 | PAI(K) | AI in PK | |
| 4 | (MONRO)VIA | MONA around IVOR < | |
| 7 | BARP(ERSON) | BARON around (PER + S) | |
| 11 | Nobody | EMMYS | EMYS around M |
| 12 | ENCAL(MS) | C in (LE MANS) * | |
| 14 | micro-organisms | REAGIN | (A + G) in REIN |
| 15 | merchant | DROMON | D + (NO MOR(e)) < |
| 16 | (JOHN) BULL | JOHN + BULL | |
| 17 | (B)URNING | BURNS − S + ING | |
| 19 | Timor | ARTISTES | STRAITS * around E |
| 21 | seldom | LISTENER | LIST + RENÉ < |
| 23 | Tipsy | TORTE | TO + RTE |
| 25 | A(XON)S | A + ON in (X + S) | |
| 27 | normal | OMLAH | L in OMAHA − A |
| 31 | surfing | LETTABLE | LET + TABLE |
| 33 | unions | TEESSIDE | TEES + SIDE |
| 35 | NETHER(MORE) | N + ETHER + MORE | |
| 37 | HIGH(JACK) | HIGH + JACK | |
| 38 | attractive | ERICAS | ERIC + AS |
| 39 | Dancers | LICHEE | (LIE + (fatigu)E) around CH |
| 40 | (HAR)AMBEE | HARAM + BEE | |
| 41 | zone | REARS | REAR + (Rus)S(ian) |
| 42 | (HARRI)DANS | (ARR + I + D + A + N) in HS | |
| 43 | EST(OVER) | SET * + OVER | |
| 44 | (HA)STE | (c)HASTE(n) | |
| Down | |||
| 1 | PER(SON)ALTY | (R’S + O) in PENALTY | |
| 2 | Zealous | IMAUMS | (A + MUSLIM − L) * |
| 3 | (POL)YGLOTT | POLY + LOT in GT | |
| 4 | (E)SILE | ENSILE − N | |
| 5 | quiet | VENTANA | EN in (V + TANA) |
| 6 | INR(USH) | RUINS * + H | |
| 7 | café | BARRICO | C in BARRIO |
| 8 | moved | ALONSO | ALON(e) + SO |
| 9 | echo | PHONE CALL | ONCE * in (P + HALL) |
| 10 | (JEFF)ING | JEFF + IN + G(ang) | |
| 13 | (ADA)MITE | ATE around (D + AMI) | |
| 18 | Windows | PIONEERED | ONE-ER in (PI + ’D) |
| 20 | RE(NI)ED | RED around (EN + I’) | |
| 22 | CHER(SON)ESE | CHER + SON + SEE * | |
| 24 | Whaler | ENSEAMS | SEAMEN * + S |
| 26 | last | STEMLET | STEM + TEL < |
| 28 | MAGIC E(YES) | (CE + (closel)Y) in IMAGE * + S | |
| 29 | BETI(DING) | BE + T + I + DING | |
| 30 | qualification | ASH-CAN | ASH + CAN |
| 32 | Quaker | BIGHAS | BIG + HAS |
| 34 | CHI-R(HO) | CHI(t) + RH + O’ | |
| 35 | NEL(SON) | NEON around (L(oaded) S(hip)) | |
| 36 | (FILL)IES | FLIES around IL | |