Friday, October 26, 2007
Click here for LARGE PRINT.
Puzzle by David Quarfoot, edited by Will Shortz
Using a nearly identical grid as the ones he used for the NYTIMES (64A Crossword source since 1942: Abbr.) on May 5, 2007; May 18, 2007; and with Brendan Emmett Quigley on October 6, 2007, this puzzle's constructor seems to be getting the hang of it. His signature negativism, liberal use of initials, and the inclusion of a minimum of one unpleasant personality, in this case YOKOONO (2D Poem reader at the 2006 Olympics opening ceremony) crossed by TOTO (22A Miss Gulch biter), has at least taken on a bit of humor.
NETFLIX (39D Modern rental option) returns from October 6th, then clued as Blockbuster alternative; sharing its X with NEXTEL (63A Sprint acquisition of 2005) and joining other corporate entries, the previously noted NYTIMES, along with PGATOUR (19A Driving distance is a concern in it); TGI Friday’s (60D); ETICKET (61A Terminal timesaver); and MYSPACE (1A News Corporation-owner Web site that’s one of the 10 most visited sites in the world) -- if that’s not an advertisement, what is?
Initializations, including the above ETICKET, NYTIMES, PGATOUR, and TGIFriday’s, are VCR (46A Taper); KRATION (59A Former field food); SILENTC (11D Center of Connecticut); UCLA (40D Sch. whose colors are “true blue” and gold); and SWF (10D Abbr. in personal ads). Abbreviation -- STDENIS (44D Burial place of many French kings) and MRSLATE (38D Cartoon boss working at a quarry).
Negativity -- MISSTEP (1D Slip); SMITTEN (3D Gaga); INAPILE (12D All thrown together, say); GOSSIP (8A Dirt on a person); SKIPOUT (16A Abscond); ENEMY (26A Hostile); SNIT (25A Pet); TROUNCES (32A Buries); IMNOTYOU (37A “Let me live my own life!”); CREPT (48A Was sluggish?); BELOW (50A Reporting to); ARID (52A Vapid); WORRY (51D Trouble); and HASACOW (54A Flips) (that’s the humorous one).
Clever cluing -- “Cab,” e.g. (15A REDWINE); What the key of D minor has (17A ONEFLAT); Driving distance is a concern in it (19A PGATOUR); Get a handle on? (29A TITLE); Gives a little, say (41A TITHES), even though 10% is not just a “little”; Wedding concern (45A DRESS); Little women (13D PETITES); It’s value is in creasing (62A ORIGAMI); Ones paid to conceive? (37D IDEAMEN); and Not yet 58-Down (55A WAIT) along with See 55-Down (58D ACT). A clue for clue’s sake is He wrote “It’s certain that fine women eat / A crazy salad with their meat” (27D YEATS).
IOMOTHS (14A Yellow fliers with large eyespots); MALAISE (57A Not-so-good feeling); EPITOME (43D Beau ideal); and LOVESET (35D Lopsided court result) are double-take entries, along with the more conversational OMIGOSH (23D “Heavens!”); ROCKON (47D “Way to go, dude!“); HEREIAM (42D Cry upon arriving); and the non-identical twins, ERE and ETE.
Other clues include 18A Sponge; 21A Dermal opening?; 24A Height and such; 28A In advance of; 30A They’re played at the track; 34A Brass; 36A Walled city of the Mideast; 49A Old Testament book: Abbr.; 53A 1980s sitcom title role; 56A Hiver’s opposite; 4D With 20-Down, waffle alternative; 20D See 4-Down (POP TART); 5D Capping; 6D Finishes quickly, in a way; 7D Groundskeeper’s charge; 8D Family group; 9D ODER-Neisse Line; 15D Cheering section; 29D Alb coverer; 33D Meal source; 50D Bernoulli family birthplace; 54D Raise; and 31D Sharp (SLY) -- oh, and 25D 1963 Academy Awards host -- SINATRA.
-----------------
For today’s cartoon, go to The Crossword Puzzle Illustrated.
The New York Times Crossword Puzzle solution above is by the author of this blog and does not guarantee accuracy. If you find errors or omissions, you are more than welcome to make note of same in the Comments section of this post -- any corrections found necessary will be executed promptly upon verification.
Puzzle available on the internet at
THE NEW YORK TIMES -- Crossword Puzzles and Games
If you subscribe to home delivery of The New York Times you are eligible to access the daily crossword via The New York Times - Times Reader, without additional charge, as part of your home delivery subscription.
8 comments:
I do enjoy the visuals at your blog-easier to see some things you don't know like Ms. Gulch, IO Moths,
Mr. Slate, and News Corp. My husband
recognized the Wizard of Oz soundtrack and Frank Sinatra immediately but asked what the strange noises were right before Yoko ended. HADACOW was a hoot as was the cartoon. Thanks for an enjoyable read!
Smitten is so positive! Why do you call it negative!
luigi
You're welcome -- I don't know, however, what noises, except perhaps it was "singing"? Ha!
It's reassuring to hear the links are being used -- it takes a bit of time, search, review, etc.
Thanks for your note!
anonymous
Well -- smitten is a past participle of smite -- smite is variously defined as "to hit or strike hard", "to defeat, punish, destroy, or kill", "to strike or attack with powerful or disastrous effect", "to disquiet mentally; distress" -- however, I see that the 5th definition of smite is "to strike or impress favorably, inspire with love", so I see the point.
"Smitten in love" however, can be quite a compromising situation for one who's love is not returned -- I believe that is the intent of the phrase. Whatever -- these days when something is good, it's said, "that's bad, man!"
So...
i checked out all the links. the yoko video is sooo horrible. thanks a lot. (i must admit i love the album, "double fantasy," with lennon.)
the sponge visual cracks me up, too. looks like i'm gonna have to start reading this blog more often. very cool.
cornbread hell
It's work, links -- glad you check them out.
Do you mind the very tardy posts? (Six weeks behind, here!)
Mark me down as an idiot for not *getting* that taper referred to a VCR. I had it in there this morning and didn't *get* it until tonight.
quuidnunc108:
Not at all. It's expected. The major portion of readers is from the syndicated Times puzzle -- so I check the six-week behind on the day it appears for lost links and comments, etc.
Taper got me too!
Donald
Post a Comment