Listener Crossword 4017: Solution Notes
A Knotty Problem by Homer
Puzzle explanation
Answers affected by thematic treatment were Across: 21 ho(b)d(a)yi(n)g 23 sy(n)ap(s)e; Down: 1 pi(l)ow 2 i(c)e 3 Sh(e)rpa 4 e(n)sate 5 s(c)otomia 6 uro(p)ods 7 lo(r)cha 8 cam(e)o 9 tor(t)feasor 10 r(i)de shotgun 11 r(e)edy 14 g(i)gman 15 (s)allet 25 yeoman(l)y 29 abce(e) 30 sarg(o)s 31 tri(p)le 32 ado(r)n 37 pud(s)y 40 (e)an. The theme was Gretna Green marriages. ELOPERS, leaving ENGLAND behind, travel across the border to Scotland, where “licence” (row 2), “priest” (row 3) and “banns” (row 6) are not required, and where (according to Brewer’s Dictionary of Phrase & Fable) “toll-keepers” could perform marriage ceremonies. “Gretna”, just across the border, was to be highlighted in green.
Clue explanations
Conventions: * = anagram, < = reversal
| No | Answer | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Across | ||
| 1 | PEISE | E in PISÉ |
| 5 | SOUL-SCOT | (SOU + LOT) about S(ession) + C(lerk) & lit |
| 12 | ROBALO | (O + LABOR) < |
| 13 | ODORATE | (DOAT in OE) about R |
| 16 | UP TO | U + P + homophone (2) |
| 17 | DOH | Two definitions; reference Homer Simpson |
| 18 | GOLF | (LOFT – T) * after (GREEN – REEN) & lit |
| 19 | OSSA | Hidden |
| 20 | AMPLE | SAMPLE – S |
| 21 | HOBDAYING | HOPING, OP replaced by (OB + DAY) |
| 23 | SYNAPSE | SYE about NAPS |
| 24 | MONETARY UNITS | SAUNTER INTO MY * |
| 27 | EGRET | EG + RE + T (160); see “aigrette” and 33’s answer |
| 31 | TIAR | (Llanell)I in TAR (sailor) |
| 33 | TUFT | FT after TU; a “somebody” is an importanrt person |
| 35 | WEB | B(lubber) after WE |
| 36 | MART | MARK, K to (spendthrif)T & lit |
| 38 | CARIBOU | (A + RIB) in CO(g) + U(ndies); rein = reindeer |
| 39 | REDCAP | (READ – A) + CAP (Balmoral) & lit |
| 41 | SPOOKERY | (E + PORK + SOY) * |
| 42 | SENVY | N(ippy) + V(egetable) in SEY & lit |
| Down | ||
| 1 | PILOW | I in PLOW (US version of “plough”) |
| 2 | ICE | (IE + C) * & lit |
| 3 | SHERPA | HE in (ex)P(lo)R(er)S < + A(nnapurna) & lit |
| 4 | ENSATE | ENS + ATE; twist = eat |
| 5 | SCOTOMIA | (O(ld) + M(alt)) in SCOTIA (thematic reference) |
| 6 | UROPODS | Composite anagram: U + JU(neberries) + answer → SOUP DU JOUR |
| 7 | LORCHA | R in LOCH (Tay) + A |
| 8 | CAMEO | CAME + O |
| 9 | TORTFEASOR | ROOFER THAT’S * – H |
| 10 | RIDE SHOTGUN | TO HIRE GUNS * & lit |
| 11 | REEDY | REMEDY – M |
| 14 | GIGMAN | NAM(e) < after GIG |
| 15 | SALLET | ALLE(y) in ST |
| 19 | OHMMETERS | (SOME + M(easure) + E(lectrical) + R + TH(ese)) * & lit |
| 22 | DELETE | D + E + T in LEE |
| 25 | YEOMANLY | YE + OMAN + L + Y |
| 26 | KNEIPE | Composite anagram: answer + NERD – D → INNKEEPER & lit |
| 28 | TWEAK | (sa)W in TEAK |
| 29 | ABCEE | m(A)y(B)e C(r)E(w)E & lit |
| 30 | SARGOS | Alternate letters |
| 31 | TRIPLE | TR + I’ + PL + E(uro); reference bell-ringing |
| 32 | ADORN | PROMENADE * – (E + MEP) * |
| 34 | FIDO | F + “I DO” |
| 37 | PUDSY | PU + DAY, S for A |
| 40 | EAN | Hidden |