WCFIELDS (34D. He said "I am free of all prejudice. I hate everyone equally").
-----------------
Friday, July 11, 2008
Puzzle by Barry C. Silk, edited by Will Shortz
The main feature of this Friday’s frustrating crossword appears to be initials or abbreviations combined (or not) with a word or name:
ATMCARD (1A. It can be used to get your balance);
BDALTON (37D. Barnes & Noble acquired it in 1987);
BTU (55D. Heat meas.);
DNATEST (18A. Suspect eliminator, often);
EMAGS (28A. Reads online);
GMAIL (20A. Big name in Web-based correspondence);
KCAL (10D. Heat meas.);
LBJRANCH (36A. So-called “Texas White House,“ once);
MGMLION (3D. Hollywood icon since 1924);
LLB (51A. Barrister’s deg.);
PTL (22A. Old televangelism letters);
RCRUMB (46D. Fritz the Cat’s creator);
RIN (6D. Abbr. after Sen. Richard Lugar’s name);
WCFIELDS (34D. He said “I am free of all prejudice. I hate everyone equally”).
Although the definition of pangram is an incorrect one for a crossword puzzle, the entire alphabet is represented. A pangram is a sentence that includes all the letters of the alphabet; e.g., "FORTY IRAQIS and WCFIELDS had a CAPON and BAKLAVA with a MERTZ HEXER at the LBJRANCH." A crossword puzzle by itself cannot be called a pangram, contrary to what anyone may CONTEND (58A. Argue).
The clues for “Forty Iraqis and W. C. Fields had a capon and baklava with a Mertz hexer at the LBJ Ranch.” -- 45A. Back FORTY; 40A. Natives of Umm Qasr; 4D. Stuffed and roasted entrée; 8A. It’s flaky and nutty; 27A. Old sitcom couple’s surname; 53A. Charming person? (along with 36A and 34D) -- also contain the entire alphabet, except for Z, which we can snatch from Fritz the Cat.
Other long entries across include ATABOIL (54. Very hot); BEDREST (61. Doctor’s orders); CAMPING (17. Activity in which stakes may be laid); ENDURES (60. Holds out); ELEVATES (31. Buoys); ENCODER (16. Modem, e.g.); MINUTES (59. Degree divisions); REGALIA (15. Fine trappings); UNICODE (56. Ascii alternative).
Downs of size include ADEPTAT (12. Having a knack for) ARCADIA (1. Peaceful place); ARTLESS (14. Natural); BEDAZZLE (8. Impress, and then some); IMPEDES (42D. Bars); JUGBAND (38. It might include a washboard); LAPLACE (36. “Mécanique Céleste” astronomer); SPAREST (43. Least copious); TEAPOT (2. Ones left holding the bag?); VESTIGE (13. Shadow).
The maddening remainders include ADULT, ALIT, AMANA, ANNIE, APLOT, AROW, ATIE, BLEAR, BOER, CIRCA, CLINE, DAGGER (7D. It has a sticking point), DOIN (23A. Ice), EARLE, EVEN, EVERY, EVITA, HIND, HORA, ITO, LOT, MARAT, MITE, NIE, PAGE, RECUR, RIPA, SETON, SEIZE, UMP (47A. Stay-at-home worker?) -- many of which are clued in a very wicked ways.
------------------
Click on image to enlarge.
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: 19. Hatch ___; 24. Appropriate; 25. Play to ___; 26. Early Japanese P.M. Hirobumi ___; 29. Comparable to a pin?; 33. Ranked; 35. Square; 44. Minor's opposite; 48. Beep, say; 49. Date preceder; 50. Gifford's replacement as Philbin's co-host; 52. Cloudiness. Down: 5. Put down; 9. Tony winner between "A Chorus Line" and "Ain't Misbehavin"; 11. Studio site; 21. Tiny bit; 24. Not likely to be dissuaded from; 25. Microwave option; 27. Safin who won the 2005 Australian Open; 28. Word on a prescription label; 30. ___ Wheeler, 1964-70 chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; 32. When the song "The Lady's Got Potential"; 39. Ring after exchanging rings?; 49. Singer profiled in "Sweet Dreams," 1985; 50. Come and go; 52. Great Trek figure; 53. Kind of leg; 57. When German pigs fly?
No comments:
Post a Comment