Listener Crossword 4136: Solution Notes
Cross-reference by Nudd
Puzzle explanation
The front halves of the two answers from each double clue were combined, facing in opposite directions, to form the grid entries, following the example of the pushmi-pullyu (formed from the front halves of a unicorn and a gazelle) in the Doctor Dolittle books by Hugh Lofting. Corrections to misprints in clues spelt out “H. Lofting animal” and PUSHMI-PULLYU was to be highlighted in one of the diagonals.
Clue explanations
Conventions: * = anagram, < = reversal
| No | Misprint | Answer(s) | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Across | |||
| 1 | (H)orse | ARAB | A + BAR < |
| 4 | COLD-BOOT | Spoonerism of BOLD COOT | |
| PANSTICK | PANS + TICK | ||
| 9 | DECENTLY | RECENTLY with D for R | |
| SESAMOID | (SOME SAID) * | ||
| 11 | mi(L)es | HOUR | O in (H + UR) |
| 13 | p(O)inting | AGED | DEGA(s) < |
| 15 | (F)ish | GARROTTE | GAR + ROTTE(n) |
| 16 | HEAL | HEAP with L for P | |
| 17 | ELMIER | MILER * after E | |
| 19 | SMUDGE | MUD in EGGS * − G | |
| 20 | no(T) | DAINTIES | AIN’T in DIES |
| 22 | CATALYSE | (ITALY − I) in CASE | |
| SAPLINGS | PASS * around LING | ||
| 29 | ALALIA | A + LA + AIL < | |
| MURMUR | (RUM + RUM) < | ||
| 30 | D(I)d | MADE DO | (OD + EDAM) < |
| 31 | (N)ame | CALL | C + ALL |
| 33 | SUBLATED | (BLASTED + U) * | |
| DEMIREPS | SIMPERED * | ||
| 35 | (G)rab | BRAG | GRAB * |
| 36 | He(A)ring | OYER | (f)OYER |
| 37 | ESCAPIST | SETS * around CAPI | |
| ETALAGES | (AS LEGATE) * | ||
| 38 | UNDERARM | (MURDER AN) * | |
| 39 | EKED | E + KED | |
| Down | |||
| 1 | ADAMIC | ADC around AMI | |
| SEGGAR | BEGGAR with S for B | ||
| 2 | REGALE | GAL in REE | |
| 3 | DIRDAM | MADRID < | |
| BEDUNG | BEDU + NG | ||
| 4 | DEODAR | ADORED * | |
| CANAPE | (A(llowing) + NAP) in CE | ||
| 5 | LENT | LENT(o) | |
| 6 | SHAH | HASH * | |
| 7 | NOSELITE | (u)N(i)O(n)S + ELITE | |
| EVIDENCE | E(ton) + (VICE DEN) * | ||
| 8 | PROPER | PRO + PER | |
| SELDOM | MODELS * | ||
| 10 | PARROT | ARR in POT | |
| SATEEN | ’AT in SEEN | ||
| 12 | USAGE | U + SAGE | |
| 14 | NEMN | MEN < + N (noon) | |
| 18 | sto(N)es | METALLED | MEED around TALL |
| 21 | S(I)am | IAMBIC | (S)IAM BIC(entenary) |
| 22 | CACHOU | CA’ + CHOU | |
| 23 | (M)issing | ALARY | SALARY − S |
| 24 | depr(A)ved | LUST | SLU(m) * + T |
| 25 | SALAAM | LA in SAAM | |
| 26 | ELBOWS | BOSWEL(l) * | |
| EDITOR | E(mbalm) + DIOR around T | ||
| 27 | IDEATE | TIDE * around EA | |
| 28 | DEGAGE | AGE after DEG | |
| BODACH | BACH around OD | ||
| 32 | Col(L) | LARE | (Col)L ARE(a); ref. Hebridean island |
| 34 | URSA | R(ecorded) in USA | |