07.16.08 -- Taking Liberties

Liberty Leading the People -- Eugene Delacroix

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Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Puzzle by Joe Krozel, edited by Will Shortz

This crafty Wednesday crossword is prefaced with the note: The eight two-letter answers in this puzzle are all state postal abbreviations, representing (in some order) the Beaver State, Beehive State, Big Sky Country, Heart of Dixie, Pine Tree State, Show Me State, Sunflower State and Volunteer State -- resulting in OR, UT, MT, AL, ME, MO, KS and TN as identified by 62D, 56A, 20A, 11D, 63D, 6D, 47A, 27A all clued as (See note) and of absolutely no help in the solution of the puzzle.

It is unusual for crosswords to contain two-letter entries in the full grid format, and some crossword “critics” absolutely forbid same and most likely will have their arms in the air over this one. O.K., we’ll spend no time on that matter! The real bulk of the puzzle is elsewhere.

Eight 15-letter entries at the edges of this unusual crossword are the story. At the top, across -- THREEMENINABOAT (1. 1889 Jerome K. Jerome comedy novel) and HORNSOFADILEMMA (16. Undesirable alternatives). At the bottom, across -- CHOCOLATEMOUSSE (61. Dessert not for the calorie-conscious) and HONORARYDEGREES (64. Some awards for accomplishment). At the left, down -- THUMBNAILSKETCH (1D. Outline) and HORTONHEARSAWHO (2. Whence the line “A person’s a person, no matter how small”). To the right, down -- AMATTEROFCOURSE (14. Something customary) and, appropriately for the format of this crossword puzzle, TAKINGLIBERTIES (15. Pushing beyond proper limits).

With eight 15-letter and eight two-letter entries, the central portion of the puzzle is a puzzle by itself, sporting as it’s longest entries a meager two of eight-letters,

INNEREAR (22D. Superior canal locale) and STILETTO (26D. Heel style) followed by small groups with less.

Seven -- CATERTO (45A. Indulge); DEPOSIT (35A. Bank book entry); ENSTATE (29A. Put into office: Var.); ESSAYED (5D. Made an effort); MERRIER (41A. More, it’s sometimes said); ROADHOG (42D. One who won’t move over).

Six -- LEARNS (25D. Overhears, perhaps); RAISES (21A. Office rewards); REMAIL (33D. Forward); TAILOR (49A. One who knows what’s suitable?).

Five -- 32D. Light ASAIR; BEBOP (12D. Swing alternative); 1973 War hit “The CISCO Kid”; EATIN (51A. Alternative to “take out”) ENURE (4D. Accustom [to]); HOURI (59A. Beautiful woman of paradise); 50D. “God ISOUR refuge” (start of Psalm 46); PONTI (23A. Carlo who married Sophia Loren); SPURT (30D. Short burst); TORRE (31D. Joe who was twice A.L. Manager of the Year); URSUS (17A. Bear, in old Rome); and placed dead center is the destination for some of those postal abbreviation, RURAL (38A. Like a certain route).

Four -- BEAK, CITY, EFTS, IDES, MCAN, NAME, OMEN, OPIE, PIET, REED, SPAR, TMEN, TOON, TWOS.

Three -- AHA, AFB, CAR, ERL, ICE, IER, LAN, MOI, NIN, NNE, OLA, REG, RRS, SIP, SRS, USE.

Two -- as mentioned.

One -- I await the day!

I do! I like seeing a little bending of the “rules” although conservative crossword solvers may not --aw, come on folks, after all -- rules are made to be broken!

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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.

Search information -- Across: 18. Some feds; 19. Bill; 26. Not guzzle; 28. New Orleans-to-Indianapolis dir.; 33. Gas pump abbr.; 34. Cry interrupting a prank; 36. Schubert’s “The ___ King”; 37. Comparative suffix; 39. “You mean me?” 40. Telecom setup; 43. Langley, e.g.: Abbr.; 44. Yearbook div.; 46. Something with this is not neat; 48. Game piece in Hasbro’s The Game of Life; 57. Jefferson bills; 58. Classic TV role for Ronny Howard. Down: 3. Purview of the I.C.C.; 7. Certain newts; 8. Finger; 9. Time of danger; 10. “Delta of Venus” author; 13. Warning sign; 23. Painter Mondrian; 41. Footwear giant Thom ___; 52. Pixar drawing; 53. Not really fight; 54. Part of a mileage rating; 55. Shoot in a swamp; 58. Pay extender?; 60. Service.