Daily Telegraph Cryptic Monday January 2nd 2012

[sherrardk]

New to this section - having a little bit of spare time on my hands I have chosen to tackle the DT cryptic crossword (well, I've attempted two).

For 15a, Starts out in our police force, it's back breaking work (3, 4, 5) I have got 'the last straw'. Is this correct, and if so, why?

(I haven't finished it yet (still have seven left to do) but am happy with the ones I have filled in).

Thanks for any help or tips.

[writesbad]

your answer is correct;

The parsing of the clue is as follows:

anagram of "starts" inside "the law"

Hope this helps, and welcome to cryptics!

[sherrardk]

Thanks for that, but where did 'the law' come from (or does 'the law' refer to the police force)? Sorry for being so dim.

[boxtops]

Looks good - "it's the last straw which breaks the camel's back", and isn't Jack Straw Minister of Justice, in charge of the police? - the anagram completes it - a clever clue.

[writesbad]

Hi , boxtops and sherrardk
"The law" is a metonomy for "the police"
the anag. is "starts" in side this.

Jack Straw, even Jack Straw's castle, is a leap too far.

writesbad xx

[sherrardk]

Thanks both - have just googled metonymy!

[pjgriffo]

I take it you are a newcomer to cryptics.
If so stick at them and they become addictive -- in a good way.
Will provide you with hours of innocent fun, broaden your mind and are said by the medics to be good exercise for the brain (like e.g. chess or bridge) as one gets older.

[sherrardk]

Hi pjgriffo, my brain has been underused for some time now due to the children and the fact that I haven't worked for nearly five years. Now that the youngest are not quite so demanding I needed something to occupy my time and get my mind working. I did try the crossword before the eldest was born (eleven years ago) but never got very far due to my lack of patience.

[writesbad]

SH - practice makes perfect. With cryptic clues you need to read the obvious in an unobvious way. In the meantime, we're always here to try and help!
writesbad

[boxtops]

Sherrard, I haven't always cracked it but I've found that I've got a lot better at cryptics just by looking on here, trying to help others, and looking at how other people solve the clues :-)

[sherrardk]

Thanks all - I will keep at it (it's either that or some sort of sewing/craft thing - and I am truly hopeless at crafty things, did try Lego Pirates of the Caribbean on the DS but had to keep asking the three year old to help me).