Each of seventeen clues comprises a definition part and a hidden consecutive jumble of the answer including one extra letter. The extras spell the first four words of a saying (in ODQ). The remaining seven words of the saying are supplied by 37 of the puzzle’s clues. Solvers must highlight a concealed item (six letters) which, in accordance with the saying, accounts for the presence in the grid of six unclued lights.
Across
8 Try endless cordiality (4)
12 Handsome quality in masculine threads kept by escorts (10)
13 End of event just involving women typical of urban area (6)
14 Revision two pupils emphasise (7, two words)
15 Excited once by attraction in mane (8)
18 Schedule satisfied sailor in hat (9)
19 Happy to log my hereditary derivation (9)
20 Article in revolutionary study (4)
21 Lose European employer (4)
24 Laity in work protected by goddess (6)
27 Terribly limp, carrying on examination (6)
29 Homework, yearly burden (4)
32 Expert right about base scoundrel’s forerunner (9)
34 Expensive aromatic permeation (9)
38 Amateurish spirit about zeppelin? (7)
39 Geisha held big casserole (6)
40 Lax caterer yeoman’s damning (10)
41 Exhibit nearly broken by head of mad American fool (4)
42 Swamp contained ancient urn (8)
Down
2 Burnt canoe, upsetting environmentalist (6)
3 Earl in grand drama accepted port (5)
4 Goliath fell, rare hero learning fast (14, three words)
6 Advice by dunce obstinate poet’s defied (8)
7 Tried, on roughly stopping row, for fresh launch (14)
9 Hard to follow philosophical programme, Baltic type (4)
11 Extremely drunk, stumbled, missing tee (6)
17 Ready stainer (4)
22 East wind upset magistrate (5)
23 Dummy quietly taken in by underworld parasite (8)
25 Time under rising sun wasted (4)
26 Oil increased in range on earth (8)
28 Go insane? Affair’s eternal (7)
30 Elevated king exercises measures (6)
31 There is lasting love (6)
33 Hole once badly covered by old alien (6)
35 Email director, grey (5)
36 Room, secret place for funeral (4)
A first prize of £30 for the first correct solution opened on 10 September. There are two runners-up prizes of £20 (or, for UK solvers, the latest edition of The Chambers Dictionary — ring the word ‘Dictionary’). Entries to: Crossword 2077, The Spectator, 22 Old Queen Street, London SW1H 9HP. Please allow six weeks for prize delivery.
Last week’s puzzle; 2076 Carte Blanche by Doc. To clarify — solvers are required to fill in the missing bars in the grid.
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