07.05.08 -- Opæl

MOONSTONE (15A. Opal alternative)

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Saturday, July 5, 2008

Puzzle by Karen M. Tracey, edited by Will Shortz

Standard Saturday stumper with more than a few interesting references, clever clues and a couple of gems (self-explanatory and/or with further explanation) -- the countdown:

Eleven-letter: GALAXYQUEST (24A. 1999 comedy featuring aliens called Thermians) and TOMANDJERRY (42A. Duo first seen in “Puss Gets the Boot” 1940).

Ten-letter: QUIZMASTER (26D. One who asks a lot?) and SOLDIERSON (8D. Perseveres).

Nine-letter: AFFIDAVIT (4D. Court evidence, at times); ALGERIANS (30D. Modern dwellers in ancient Numidia); MOONSTONE (15A. Opal alternative); IDLEHANDS (18A. Supposed tools of the devil); SEMIERECT (57A. Less than upstanding); SKYROCKET (31D. Zoom); TRAVELERS (3D. Big name in insurance); UPANDATEM (54A. Morning cry).

Eight-letter: DILATORY (23A. Dawdling) and SABERSAW (45A. Portable power tool).

Seven-letter: ADRIANI (34A. Pope during the reign of Charlemagne); ASTRIDE (35D. On both sides of); AURICLE (51A. Earlike organ), CLERICS (50A. Father figures?); DAIRIES (21A. Supermarket suppliers); NOVISAD (19A. Serbian provincial capital on the Danube); SHIATSU (16D. Acupuncture alternative); SKULKED (36A. Stole).

Six-letter: JERBOA (44D. Leaping desert rodent); ONEALS (9D. Father-and-daughter actors); OSCARS (43D. Honors for top scorers?); SUSSEX (5D. Domestic chicken breed).

Five-letter: 46. Rhône-ALPES (French region); ARYAN (20D. Nordic); ASTRA (61A. Opel model); BAKER (56A. Puffy hat wearer); BEAME (47D. 1970s Big Apple mayor); CORFU (14A. Greek port); 12. Bitter-ENDER; ERNIE (48D. Keebler’s chief elf); ESTAS (1A. Spanish 101 conjugation part); KUDZU (37D. Invasive Japanese import); MASTS (38A. Clipper trio); MESSY (13D. Unpleasant); SCUSI (45D. Italian apology); OLAFS (17A. Lemony Snicket’s count and one of Snoopy’s brothers); ONEAM (58A. A Stroke might indicate it); SASHA (29A. One of the Obama girls); START (10D. Possible result of a gunshot); TONIO (11D. Fool in “Pagliacci”).

ALSO, three and four letter entries of ADAY, AIDA, AMID, AMTS, AUER, DUE, ECO, ECON, EDER, ERMA, GLAM, GYRA, HAW, HERR, ISEE, LEAR, LIVE, LOD, SOLO, SROS, STEM, ZERO, ZHOU.

My Aunt Opal passed away this week at the age of 97 -- I had just visited her in South Dakota this last November. How unusual that both “opal” and “opel” appear in today’s crossword. I believe we all experience a little reminder in the puzzle from time to time of the reflections and echoes that are everywhere! Please indulge my noting a personal event, but as she was so dear to us all, it just seemed that the coincidence in today’s puzzle compels me to share.

Have a good and a safe holiday weekend.

Click on image to enlarge.

Puzzle available on the internet at

THE NEW YORK TIMES -- Crossword Puzzles and Games

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Search information: Across: 6. Further; 10. Staunch; 22. Pulitzer-winning critic Richard; 27. “Glengarry Glen Ross” Tony winner Schreiber; 28. Zimbalist’s violin teacher; 39. Hua succeeded him; 41. “Morning Dance” band Spyro ___; 49. Much-repeated part of binary code; 59. “Right”; 60. Shared-bath accommodations, briefly. Down: 1. Monopoly subj.; 2. Stand-out performance; 6. In; 7. City near Ben-Gurion airport; 23. Due; 24. Rock type; 25. 2000 musical that won four Emmys; 32. Foreign address; 33. Diurnally; 40. Oxcart driver’s shout; 51. Acct. numbers; 52. “A Book of Nonsense” author, 1846; 53. First name in humor; 55. Prefix with tour.