06.09.08 -- Vacation

Monday, June 9, 2008

Click here for abridged post in LARGE PRINT.

Puzzle by Paula Gamache, edited by Will Shortz

ITSATRAP (42A. Warning cry … or a hint to the beginnings of the answers to the five starred clues) is the binder for FIREPLUG (4D. *Hose company hookup), TOURISTMAP (17A. *Sightseer’s guide), SANDCASTLE (30A. *Creation made with a bucket and shovel), SPEEDDEMON (47A. *One who puts the pedal to the metal) and BOOBYPRIZE (63A. *The worst player wins it) -- FIRETRAP, TOURIST TRAP (rhyming with tourist map), SAND TRAP, SPEED TRAP and BOOBY TRAP.

Other long entries include STCROIX (21A. One of the U.S. Virgin Islands), SANGRIA (39A. Spanish wine beverage), ASPIRES (41A. Has high hopes), SHUTSUP (54A. Quits yapping), UPTICKS (15D. Slight improvements in business activity), INDOUBT (40D. Iffy) and NOTYET (49D. “Maybe later“).

Six-letter entries include CLASPS (22D. Necklace fasteners); DEACON (31D. Church official); ENTIRE (48D. Whole); KARATE (24D. Sport in which belts are awarded); MESSRS (5D. Gentlemen: Abbr.); SEDERS (20A. Passover meals); SHARKS (9D. Predatory types); TATLER (58A. British society magazine); TRADES (36D. Swaps).

Five letters: ANTIC (44A. Shenanigan); CRAMP (28D. Muscle malady); ELIHU (14A. Yale of Yale University); 52A. ENOLA Gay (W.W. II bomber); ESSE (34D. Beloved of Elizabeth I); PARKA (23A. Hooded jacket); LEERY (33D. Suspicious); MONTE (29D. Three-card scam); 27D. Grandma MOSES, American folk artist; 35A. “Are you in OROUT?”; REEKS (37A. Stinks to high heaven); STORE (46A. Mall unit); TAROT (32D. Fortuneteller’s card); TORRE (67A. Longtime Yankees skipper).

Short entries: AES, AFRO, AHAS, ALAI, ALOE, ALSO, ALT, AMOR, AFOX, ANE, BRR, COSI, EMT, EZRA (60D. Cornell of Cornell University), GONE, HALF, HATS, HOMO, HOOF, HOPI, ILK, IME, IRA, JIM (7D. Beam in a bar), LAP, LAUD, LIFE, MAJA, MCML, NEO, ORE, PEAS, PERT, POLO, REOS, SHAG, SPCA, SHAG, UPON.

With it’s sandcastle or trap, sangria, tourist map or trap, St. Croix, sharks, et al -- I’m thinking vacation!

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Puzzle available on the internet at

THE NEW YORK TIMES -- Crossword Puzzles and Games

Across: 1. 50 percent; 5. Goya’s “The Naked ___”; 9. Pet adoption org.; 13. Jai ___; 16. Where a horseshoe goes; 19. Plus; 26. Variety; 27. 1950, on a cornerstone; 37. Stinks to high heaven; 38. D.D.E.’s political rival; 43. CPR provider; 44. Shenanigan; 46. Mall unit; 50. River of Hades; 51. Opposite of paleo-; 52. ___ Gay (W.W. II bomber); 62. Arizona tribe; 66. Cupid; 67. Longtime Yankees skipper; 68. Big do; 69. Here today, ___ tomorrow; 70. Saucy; 71. “Split” soup ingredients. Down: 1. They may be thrown into the ring; 2. Skin soother; 3. Praise; 6. PC key; 8. Solvers’ shouts; 10. Ralph Lauren label; 11. Mozart’s “))) Fan Tutte”; 12. Crazy like ___; 18. Songwriter Gershwin; 25. “Wheel of Fortune” purchase; 27. Grandma ___, American folk artist; 28. Muscle malady; 29. Three-card scam; 32. Fortuneteller’s card; 33. Suspicious; 34. Beloved of Elizabeth I; 45. “___ Mine” (Beatles song); 53. Once around the track; 54. Retro cut; 55. ___ sapiens; 56. Second word in many a fairy tale; 57. Inside info; 59. Long, long sentence; 61. Vintage vehicles; 64. Valuable rocks; 65. “Man, it’s cold!”.