The New York Times Crossword in Gothic: September 2008

09.30.08 -- Assignation

The Assassination of President Lincoln at Ford’s Theatre, April 14, 1865

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Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Puzzle by Allan E. Parrish, edited by Will Shortz

JOHNWILKESBOOTH (36A. “Sic semper tyrannis!” crier) dashes across today’s crossword, landing smack-dab in the center of the grid, upstaging the interrelated entries of GEIGERCOUNTER (20A. Particle-detecting device) and PERIODICTABLE (54A. Chemistry class poster, perhaps) with the counter and table joining his booth as choices of seating at a restaurant.

Nighthawks, Edward Hopper

Others lurking in the puzzle include 1. “AMAHL” and the Night Visitors”; ANI (52. Singer DiFranco); ASCH (23A. “The Nazarene” novelist Sholem); 52D. Journalist ADELA Rogers St. Johns; a CZAR (58A. Winter Palace figure); IMPS (55D. Little mischief-makers); IRA (34A. Glass of public radio); IRVIN (17A. Wide receiver Michael nicknamed “the Playmaker); MEDEA (14A. Jason jilted her); MMES (60A. Fr. Ladies); NERDS (51D. Dweebs); OMAR (16. Baseball exec Minaya); a SOPH (27D. Jayvee player, maybe); and RIORITA (21D. Abbott and Costello movie based on a Ziegfeld musical).

Longer entries -- AMARETTO (11D. Almond-flavored liqueur); HEIGHTENS (4D. Grows more intense); HYDEPARK (38D. Franklin D. Roosevelt’s birthplace); STETSON (28A. Western topper); MASONIC (31D. Like Knights Templars); 35D. Zero TOLERANCE; and UNDERGO (46A. Be subjected to).

Middle-size -- ACRES (64A. The 40 of “the back 40”) and AREAS (25A. Polygon calculations); ADVICE (3D. “Dear Abby” offering); AMIGAS (1D. Early Commodore computers); ENOLS (61A. Organic compounds); FALCON (6D. Atlanta gridder); GALLEY (48D. Shipboard kitchen); GHENT (50A. Belgian treaty city); KENYA (67A. Home of Barack Obama’s father); MEREST (2D. Most trifling); ODESSA (49D. Ukrainian port city); POWER (10D. Word before tie or lunch); REBORN (47D. Having new vigor); UNION (7D. Bargainer at strike talks); and UNISEX (46D. For all, as a salon).

The remains -- AHOT, ANI and ANTI, BID, CAR and CAW, CHI, CTR, EAR and ERE, EMU, ETD, FUEL, HERD, IKE and INKS, ION, JPEG, LANE and LIEN, LITE, LOW, OATH, OIL, OMIT, PACT, PAYS, PILE, READ, SAW, SOPH, STAX, TAU and TOE, THO, TRY, TTOP, WARY, ZEN.

…and finally, ETTU (8D. Caesarean rebuke), a phrase to please the ear of assassins!

Morte di Giulio Cesare (Death of Caesar) by Vincenzo Camuccini

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09.29.08 -- Word for Word

Monday, September 29, 2008

Puzzle by Sharon Delome, edited by Will Shortz

This Monday back-to-work crossword features four examples of homographs -- SEWERSEWER (18A. One who embroiders a waste conduit?); DRAWERDRAWER (26A. Sketcher of a bureau compartment?); SHOWERSHOWER (47A. Presenter of a bathroom stall?); TOWERTOWER (60A. One pulling a tall structure?). A homograph is one of a group of words that share the same spelling but have different meanings. When spoken, the meanings are sometimes, but not necessarily, distinguished by different pronunciations. In today’s case, the duplicated words are pronounced differently.

TYRANTS (24A. Despots) lead(s) off the people in the puzzle which include an ALEUT (12D. Native on the Bering Sea); an AMEER (55A. Mideast chief: Var.); CEOS (38D. Corporate V.I.P.’s); a HERR (48D. München mister); HOWE (39D. Hockey legend Gordie); LEWIS (53D. Annual telethon host Jerry); MATTS (51D. Actor Damon and others); MINEO (68A. Sal of “Rebel Without a Cause”); ROMAN (30A. Caesar or Cicero); a SCHOLAR (37A. Ph.D. recipient); SHEPARD (10D. Astronaut Alan); TORI (17A. Actress Spelling); ETAL (54A. And others: Abbr.).

Other entries of length include the phonetically similar 51A. “The MALTESE Falcon” and MOLESTS (46D. Bothers); and the very dissimilar ESTEEMS (43D. Holds in high regard); ICEBERGS (56A. Shipping hazards in the North Atlantic); OKINAWA (4D. Pacific island in major W.W. II fighting); and STUNGUNS (20A. Police weapons that immobilize suspects).

Mid-size entries include ABIDE (65A. Put up with); AMORE (52D. Love Italian-style); IONIC (5A. Charged, as particles); EMOTE (45A. Ham it up); GLENS (21D. Secluded valleys); ISSUER (5D. Main bank vis-à-vis currency); OPENED (6D. Unlocked); OPIUM (22A. Drug that’s smoked in a pipe); RECEDE (49D. Many men’s hairlines do this); REHAB (40D. Get-off-drugs facility); RHONE (29D. French wine region); SPELT (15A. Said letter by letter, British-style); STEREO (50D. Not mono); TERMS (13D. Contract provisions); TOWIN (11D. Bring, as a disabled car to a garage).

Plenty of little stuff -- ALEE, ATE, CTR, DATA, DRAG, ECRU, EON, GENE and GONE, HIC, HOLE, ILE, IWIN, NEWS, OBI, OPTS, OREO, PICK, RIOT, ROOK, ROTE, SESS, SKEW, SOOT, SORE, STAT, STEW, TAIL, TAM, TONE, VAC, YWCA, and AMEN (28D. “You said it, brother!”).

Word for word, that’s that!

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09.28.08 -- 'Twas Puzzling

Mosaic, the Letter T

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Sunday, September 28, 2008

‘TWAS PUZZLING, Puzzle by Cathy Allis Millhauser, edited by Will Shortz

Well, I just laughed out loud at several of the following -- THETWITCHINGHOUR (23A. When jerks come out?); DESSERTTWINE (38A. String around a cake box?); THETWEAKERSEX (53A. Men or women who pinch?); THESOULOFTWIT (78A. Nerd’s essence?); FLIPONESTWIG (95A. Roast the other side of the marshmallow?); YOUCANTTWINEMALL (113A. Discouraging comment to a cloner?); TWEEDKILLER (36D. Moth, perhaps?); LIVINGTWILL (41D. Fabric that really breathes?).

This is a delightful Sunday crossword puzzle, full of sensible entries and fair clues with enough twists and turns to be a joyous challenge. Liked seeing WIGWAM (97D. Native American home) instead of the usual TEPEE -- other stuff, TOWNIE (45D Off-campus local); COLORFAST (82A. Unlikely to run); SNOWS (15D. Bamboozles); SKINNY (62A. Dope) -- take your pick.

ESTAS (57D. These, to Juan) atop ESTATES (92D. Subjects of many legal battles); GLORYBE (108A. “Praise the Lord!”) in the same corner with 124A. “Land SAKES!”; ANGELINA (47A. Texas county, river or forest that’s a girl’s first name) and ADELAIDE (89A. Capital of South Australia); and then there’s BLTS (34A. Nonkosher sandwiches) and DIPS (33A. Some people or food at parties).

People and other beings in the puzzle include AMIS (6A. Some foreign pen pals); ARLO (77A. One of Woody’s stock at Woodstock); a BRAT (34D. Uncouth youth); DARRYL (43D. Strawberry of note); DINO (33D. The Flintstones’ pet); DIOR (58A. “New Look” designer of 1947); ELIE (111D. “Night” author Wiesel); EVAN (119A. “Almighty” title role for Steve Carell); INGA (102A. Teri Garr’s “Young Frankenstein” role); ITT (74D. Addams family cousin); KOUFAX (63D. Pitcher of a perfect game, 9/9/65); LDS (116D. Mormons, initially); LEANN (91D. Rimes with the 1996 hit “Blue”); LECH (35D. Poland’s Walesa); MATE (50D. Outback buddy); NALA (22A. “The Lion King” lioness); a NEWBIE (29A. Novice); NORA (31A. “A Doll’s House” wife); PHIL (104D. Dr. with advice in O magazine); a PRIEST (104A. Certain celebrant); a RAJAH (55D. Nagpur noble); ROXIE (19A. Song sung by Gwen in Broadway’s “Chicago”); STAUB (61D. Rusty on the diamond); TESH (20A. Radio host/pianist John); and TRU (13D. Play about Capote).

The remains across: 1. Butcher shop purchase; 10. Photo paper option; 15. [How dare you!]; 21. Greek market of old; 26. X out; 27. Pertinent to the discussion; 28. Kind of dialysis; 32. Wishes undone; 44. Moistens again; 46. Once-in-a-lifetime exchange, maybe; 49. Vinegar: Prefix; 50. AOL alternative; 52. Bridge; 59. Charity’s urging; 60. Orbital point; 64. Appeal to; 66. Penseur’s thought; 67. Speck; 68. Prefix with -crat; 70. Hair stuff; 71. Mushroom stalks; 73. Dress-up costume piece; 75. Month in a Faulkner title; 87. Legal eagles’ org.; 88. Come up; 90. French Polynesia constituents; 93. Lauds; 94. Thrice, in prescriptions; 99. Novelist’s need; 100. W.W. II gun; 101. “Let’s just leave ITAT that”; 107. Legislative assemblies; 112. A leveret is a young one; 117. IZOD Center, home of the New Jersey Nets; 118. Pertaining to hair; 120. Caustic; 121. Eye part; 122. Desirable places; 123. Kind of difference oxymoronically.

Down: 1. Monitor type, for short; 2. Jolly laugh; 3. Yak pack; 4. Big East Conference team, for short; 5. Attach, as a patch; 6. Invitation information specification; 7. Gathering points; 8. Suffix with book; 9. Like some eggs or cloth; 10 They’re attractive, but not necessarily to each other; 11. Shocked; 12. Awl, for one; 14. Salary; 16. Gyro meat; 17. “Others” in a Latin phrase; 18. Crown; 24. Apple pocketfuls; 25. Transmitter starter?; 30. Fencing swords; 37. Altercation; 39. Trig ratio; 40. Sun Tzu’s “The Art of WAR”; 42. Low tie; 48. City near Milan; 51. Shooting sport; 52. Second-century year; 54. St. Louis’s EADS Bridge; 56. Fern germ; 62. Utah’s lily; 64. “Vigilant ASACAT to steal cream”: Falstaff; 65. Walked with a purpose; 69. Wahine’s dance; 72. Shooting game; 76. Spaghetti STRAP; 79. Hops kiln; 80. Analogy phrase; 81. Battery part; 83. A large number; 84. JPEG or text; 85. Score just before victory, maybe; 86. Fall mo.; 90. Weeping; 93. Goad; 96. Garage container; 98. Waiting at the bank, say; 100. Beginnings; 103. Localities; 105. Level; 106. Monopoly game token; 107. Whine; 109. Place to play b-ball; 110. Give orders like a drill sergeant; 114. Fact finisher; 115. Hydroelectric org.

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09.28.08 -- Vanity -- the Acrostic

“All is Vanity“ by C. Allan Gilbert

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Sunday, September 28, 2008

ACROSTIC, Puzzle by Emily Cox & Henry Rathvon, edited by Will Shortz

Today’s quotation is by Margaret Halsey (1910-1997), an American writer. Her 1938 best-selling book With Malice Towards Some grew from her experiences in the United Kingdom where she lived for a short time. The New York Times compared her as a writer Dorothy Parker and H. L. Mencken.

The Quotation: HUMILITY IS NOT MY FORTE (and) WHENEVER I DWELL FOR ANY LENGTH OF TIME ON MY OWN SHORTCOMINGS, THEY (gradually) BEGIN TO SEEM MILD, HARMLESS, RATHER ENGAGING LITTLE THINGS, NOT AT ALL LIKE THE STARING DEFECTS IN OTHER PEOPLE’S CHARACTERS.

The author’s name and the title of the work: (Margaret) HALSEY “WITH MALICE TOWARD SOME”

The defined words: HERSHEY (A. Town whose main street is Chocolate Avenue); ALIGHT (B. Settle down; burning); LEGLIFTS (C. Exercises for developing six-pack abs [2 wds.]); SAMSON (D. Biblical riddler and lion slayer); ENLIST (E. Secure for some cause); YEMEN (F. Country on the Red Sea); WHETSTONE (G. Accessory for slicers and dicers); INLOVE (H. Head over heels, maybe [2 wds.]); THERMOS (I. Dewar flask for domestic use); HITCH (J. Thumb; term of service); MERINO (K. Breed of sheep yielding fine wool); ADAGIO (L. Slow section of a pas de deux); LORGNETTE (M. Handled glasses); IRTYSH (N. Chief tributary of Siberia’s Ob River); CALYPSO (O. Jacques Cousteau’s research vessel); ERICKNIGHT (P. Author who created Lassie [2 wds.]); TWELFTH (Q. Final grade); OROGENY (R. Process of building mountains); WORSHIP (S. Idolize, put on a pedestal); AMBLING (T. At a leisurely gait, on a stroll); REGIMENT (U. Group under a colonel’s command); DULCET (V. Mellifluous, euphonious); STIFLE (W. Put a lid on; choke); ONDRAFT (X. Served from a keg [2 wds.]); MANTRA (Y. “Om mani padme hum,” for one); ELEMENT (Z. Honda crossover S.U.V.).

Anyone you know?

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09.27.08 -- Saturday

Alan Ladd and Brandon DeWilde, “Shane”, 1953

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Saturday, September 27, 2008

Puzzle by Karen M. Tracey, edited by Will Shortz

Don’t have a lot to say about this Saturday’s crossword -- the countdown:

Ten-letter entries -- DONQUIXOTE (31A. When the expression “mum’s the word”) and GARDENSPOT (40A. Green patch).

Nine-letter -- ALONGSIDE (17A. How a towpath proceeds vis-à-vis a canal); EARLHINES (62A. Louis Armstrong’s “Weather Bird” collaborator); HOLEINONE (15A. Driving ambition?); INTESTATE (64A. Not willful?); JOINHANDS (11D. Unite [with]); QUIVERFUL (34D. Supply of arrows); SPARTACUS (1A. Third Servile War leader); STOUTNESS (59A. Courage).

Eight-letter -- TIGERCUB (5D. Den delivery) and UNEARTHS (38D. Turns up).

Seven-letter -- ALEKSEI (41D. Soviet premier Kosygin); COINBOX (7D. Part of a pinball machine); DISTORT (43D. Skew); RARITAN (42D. New Brunswick’s river); SEESOUT (9D. Stays until the end of); UNDERGO (8D. Endure).

Six-letter -- APEMEN (24D. Ancestors from long, long ago); BROACH (23A. Bring up); CLOGUP (25A. Jam); EASERS (46A. Assuaging agents); ELAINE (45A. Half-sister of Kin Arthur); IVTUBE (36A. Med. Supplier?); LIEGES (26D. Vassals); MUDPIE (37A. Chocoholic’s dessert).

Five-letter -- ABZUG (61A. Former congresswoman nicknamed Mother Courage); ADAGE (47D. Sometime sampler stitching); ALOFT (3D Not grounded?); ASSAM (48A. Black tea from India); ASSET (51D. Thing worth keeping); CHORD (53A. Ninth, e.g.); DOYLE (63A. David who played Bosley on TV’s “Charlie’s Angels”); INSET (21A. Certain blowup); LOOFA (58A. Shower accessory); MASSE (52D. Tricky shot); NOFEE (19A. Credit card come-on); OJAYS (10A. 1970s R&B trio in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, with “the”); 10D. OPTIC disk (blind spot); POBOY (16A. Hero); POLOS (2D. Golf attire); RAISA (57A. First lady of the 1980s); RENEE (4D. Richards with a racket); SANIT (49D. Municipal dept.); SHANE (1D. Oscar-nominated western); SIENA (50D. Touristy Tuscany town); TICKS (18A. Indication of time passing).

Three- and four-letter -- ABCS, ACED, ANS, CAPP, CLAD, DIET, DIKE, EDTV, EZIO, HOBO, KIT, KIWI, NAZI, NES, NTWT, OOZY, OVID, SYST, ULE, YOKE.

Later.

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09.26.08 -- No Sweat

Richard Harris in "A Man Called Horse", 1970

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Friday, September 26, 2008

Puzzle by Barry Silk, edited by Will Shortz

Five fifteen-letter across entries are the main feature of this Friday crossword:

NOBELPEACEPRIZE (15. King’s honor);

CIAHEADQUARTERS (17. Where moles may try to dig?);

STATIONARYORBIT (34. An artificial satellite may have one);

AMANCALLEDHORSE (55. Film about an aristocrat captured by the Sioux);

PIZZAMARGHERITA (58. Dish named for the queen consort of Italy’s Umberto I).

Devious clues abound, e.g., 10D. Roll top?, SPREAD; 14D. Kite flying destination?, NEST; 24A. Ones at home on the range?, BAKERS; 24D. Beat badly, BASTE; 26D. Sluggish tree dweller, KOALA; 28D. Passing remark, NOBID; 32D. Game stopper?, SNARE; 49D. Deconstruct?, RAZE; 54D. One doing school work?, ELBE (18A. Hamburger's course?); DEAN -- take your pick, there are others.

EREI and ERIE are newly dressed as 22D. “A special laurel EREI go”: Whitman; and 52D. War of 1812 siege site. Shortzesque clues are given to adjacent entries of OWED (36D. Was shy) and RANSHORT (37D. Was shy). Odd initials/letter-groupings occur with AQI (16D. Smog stat.); WII (19A. Xbox 360 Competitor); ABAB (3D. Like many of Shakespeare’s rhymes), 23A. Den HAAG, Nederland, joining the usual quota of fill -- ANCE, EMIT, ESTE, EZRA (13D. Book concerned with the end of the Babylonian captivity), HAPS (47D. Occurrences), HEED, HEX, ICU, ILE, LAD (56D. Sprout), MENA (21A. Actress Suvari), OHS, PIER, RARE, 32A. Muralist Jose Maria SERT; SIN, SLR, TIL, TADS, and appropriately, VARY (39A. Modulate).

ATAVISM (1A. Reversion to an earlier type), surely a showy useless word for conversation, leads the remaining entries which include ASONE (31A. Integrated); ASTIN (25D. John of Freaky Friday”); BRONZE (42D. Like the Colossus of Rhodes); CHIVE (29D. Vichyssoise garnish); ENABLERS (41A. “Friends” who aren’t really being helpful); ESTER (30D. Vegetable oil e.g.); GANDHI (44D. Leader who said “There is no god higher than truth”); GENDER (44A. Basis of some discrimination); HARRY (23D. Plague); HEROIC (47A. Stout); ITSOPEN (8A. Shout after a knock); LAICAL (43D. Flock-related); 7D. MEDIA circus; 11D. Katherine ORTEGA, 1983-89 Treasurer of the United States; OVERCAME (35D. Mastered); PEERAT (20A. Attempt to make out); SIXTEEN (60A. It’s a square); SPAWNS (6D. Generates); STEELED (59A. Ready for the bad news); TEAPARTY (9D. Occasion to serve light refreshments); TIEGS (46D. Model who wrote “The Way to Natural Beauty”); WAIVE (40A. Yield); VEHEMENT (4D. Very strong); WARDANCE (27A. Victory celebration, of sorts); and WEARS (27D. Models).

All in all, a bit gnarly, but no TOIL (2D. Sweat)!

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09.25.08 -- Draw!

A depiction of the duel between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr on July 11, 1804. Hamilton intentionally missed Burr, but Burr's shot wounded Hamilton, who died the next day. Library of Congress
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Thursday, September 25, 2008

Puzzle by Victor Fleming, edited by Will Shortz

“Draws” is the clue for eight entries in today’s crossword -- 17A. RECEIPTS; 26A. GETSCARDS; 49A. PULLSAGUN; 58A. SKETCHES; 4D. TIEGAMES; 11D. INFERS; 37D. ATTRACTS; and 46D. CLOSES.

Several seven-letter entries ensue -- ALUMNUS (28A. Graduate); LASTING (41D. Kind of impression); OPTICAL (9D. Kind of scanner); SWATTER (48A. Pest eradicator).

The bulk of the puzzle is of six-letter entries -- ARTERY (42A. Angiogram sight); AUBURN (45D. The Tigers of the Southeastern Conference); CAREER (32A. Law or medicine, e.g.); ENSIGN (65A. Annapolis graduate); GREASE (20A. 1972 musical with the song “Summer Nights”); 62A. GRETNA Green, Scottish town famous for runaway weddings; HONEST (13D. Square); IDTAGS (6D. Attaché attachments); OPENTO (16A. Not necessarily rejecting); POLISH (8A. Shoeboy’s offering); RUSHIN (56A. What fools do, per an adage); SEESAW (27D. Board with a couple of seats); SNAKED (48D. Took a twisty path); SPARTA (54A. Old Athenian ally against Persia); SPURGE (44D. Poinsettia’s family); STANDS (12D. Politicians take them); STEFAN (19A. Edberg who won two Wimbledons); URSULA (29D. Villainess in “The Little Mermaid”).

The remains: ABBE, ALE, BETA, BRET, EEG, ESAI, ETHER, EVE, EYRE, GURU, IDA, HEA and HEEL, HIP and HIS, ILENE and IRENE, IRATE, LAHTI, LEELA, LUIS, NAN, OLAN, ONUS, PASSE, PER, POS, PUTT, RAITT, REGS, RIP and RIPE, SAC, SOD, SPED, STIRS, UBOAT, TAC and TACO, TDS, TIEGS, TIVO, TOGAE, UBOAT, UPSET, and 2D. “What’s the USE?”.

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Xword search information -- Across: 1. Fifth stroke, often; 5. Tatter; 14. Tony player on “NYPD Blue”; 15. Home of the Clearwater Mtns.; 22. Actress Graff; 23. Ancient Romans’ attire; 30. “Isn’t ___ bit like you and me?” (Beatles lyric); 31. Retired barrier breaker, for short; 33. Sole support; 34. Weight; 35. Awakens; 37. Sermonizer in France; 41. Tiant in the Red Sox Hall of Fame; 44. Pollen holder; 47. Porter, e.g.; 52. Having steam come out of the ears, say; 53. W.W. II blockade enforcer; 63. Head lines, in brief?; 64. What may ensure the show goes on?; 66. Gridiron stat.; 67. Hightailed it. Down: 1. By means of; 3. Middle X, say; 5. Rather smelly; 7. Hardly in; 8. Like some poles: Abbr.: 21. One on it may be out of it; 23. Sonora snack; 24. “The Good Earth” mother; 25. Wise one; 33. 1961 Elvis hit “___ Latest Flame”; 36. Supermodel Cheryl; 38. Key letter; 39. Harte of fiction; 40. Bronte heroine; 43. John ____, Doris Day’s co-star in “The Pajama Game”; 50. Emmy winner Christine; 51. It’s news in sports; 55. Rules, for short; 57. A Bobbsey twin; 59. Turning point?; 60. When day is done, briefly; 61. This may be sold by the yard.

09.24.08 -- Humming

Humming Bird - Karin Kuhlmann

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Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Puzzle by Lynn Lempel, edited by Will Shortz

HUMMINGBIRD (17A. One of the “dumbest dumb animals,“ according to 60-Across), ITSREALLYTIMEHE (27A. Start of the reason the 17-Across is one of the “dumbest dumb animals”) LEARNEDTHEWORDS (46A. End of the reason) and GEORGEBURNS (60A. See 17-Across) constitute this crossword’s interrelated entries. While there are plenty of quotes attributed to Burns, I ran out of patience in a search to find today‘s; however, there are many cartoons in reference to same (see link at end of commentary).

Other long entries are HOLYTERROR (11D. Imp plus); SIRGALAHAD (29D. “Le Morte d’Arthur”); BUMMERS (4D. Lousy breaks); and FORSURE (45D. Definitely).

Six-letter -- ORIOLE (5D. Orange-and-black flier) and AVIARY (8D. Home for a 5-Down, maybe); DAYONE (48D. The beginning); ENDEAR (47D. Make lovable); MARMOT (9D. Rockies rodent); NAMATH (18D. M.V.P. of Super Bowl III); SLEEVE (39D. Elbow locale); WEEBIT (49D. Tad).

Five-letter -- ALAMO (6A. Battle to remember, with “the”); AMOUR (14A. Frequent Jacques Brel song subject); BARED (35A. Shown in full); BIMBO (1A. Empty-headed sort); EDGAR (41A. Award for Best Novel won three times by Dick Francis); EDGES (32D. Outer reaches); HEADS (37A. Chairs); HEARD (31D. Found out); IMPEL (27D. Force); IRATE (65A. Steaming); LIANA (50A. Tropical vine); MANIA (64A. Craze); NAVAL (15A. Like the Battle of Trafalgar); ROBOT (25A. Unpaid factory worker); SAMOA (20A. Polynesian land); TEPEE (68A. Conical home); TRADE (28D. Vocation); TREKS (67A. Wilderness walks); VESTA (56A. Goddess of home and family).

Three- and four-letter -- ANG, ANTE, BAH, BIB, DAHL, DYE, ELMS, ERIK, FORE, GAS, GMT, HOW, IMUS, JOAD, JOWL, LABS, LEER, LID, LSD, MOMA and ROMA, MRIS, ODE and ODIE, OLD, OOH and OOPS, PAL and PAR, RAG, RYES, SAM, SEE, SLOE and TOE, TRAP, WEDS, WPA.

Off-topic, Googling George Burns, I came across THIS!

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Xword search information -- Across: 11. “And ___!”; 16. Work by Gray or Spenser; 19. Eye protector; 21. Walton who founded Wal-Mart; 22. Some Jim Beam quaffs; 23. Classic Main Street liners; 33. Pics for docs; 34. Corn locale; 36. Course number; 40. Car wash item; 51. Unpleasant look; 52. “The Grapes of Wrath” surname; 54. Easter egg brightener; 59. “Golly!”; 63. F.D.R. employment initiative; 66. Trip provider? Down: 1. “Humph!”; 2. ___ in the Morning”; 3. Guggenheim alternative in N.Y.C.; 6. Taiwanese-born director Lee; 7. Where many cultures thrive; 10. Out of vogue; 12. Jon’s comics canine; 13. Ends an engagement; 22 Home of the Galleria Borghese; 24. Gin flavoring; 26. Something to drool over?; 38. “Fantastic Mr. Fox” author; 42. Perennially parched; 43. Protein-producing substance; 52. Bloodhound feature; 53. Bungler’s cry; 55. “CHiPs” actor Estrada; 57. Decoy; 58. Start to date?; 60. Clock setting at 0 degrees longitude: Abbr.; 61. Fuel on the range; 62. Witness.

09.23.08 -- Hot Water

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Puzzle by Richard Chisholm, edited by Will Shortz

INHOTWATER (61A. Where 17-, 29-, 38- and 44-Across often wind up) is a connecting entry for LAWBREAKER (17A. One risking arrest); TEALEAVES (29A. Some seers read them); DIRTYDISHES (36A. Sink items); and SPAGHETTI (44A. Trattoria offering), the main featured entries of this little Tuesday potboiler of a puzzle.

ASWARM (3D. Teeming, as with bees) with activity, this crossword is full of conversation and emotion -- ASIDO (56A. “Like me”); IDOTOO (49D. “Same goes for me”); 10A. “INA pig’s eye!”; JEER (66A. Razz); GAZE (10A. Intent look); RIOT (16A. Barrel of laughs); CLASH (25D. Lock horns); WRING (48A. Twist, as a wet cloth or a neck); WALLOP (52A. Beat but good); LOLL (65A. Stretch out on a sofa, say); MOOD (59A. Frame of mind); NAES (8D. Glasgow denials); 26. “SEX sells”; HOWNOW (38D. Query to a brown cow); with a splash of SPAM (1A. In-box clogger) on the AIRWAVES (11D. Radio hosts’ medium) and a final DIALTONE (36D. Sound after a hang-up).

People in the puzzle include an ADMAN (28A. Madison Ave. worker); ANNE (63A. Author Rice); ARI (31D. “Exodus” hero); a CPA (41D. Balancer of the books, for short); EDW (22A. One of eight Eng. Kings); ELKE (7D. Actress Sommer); 5. Painter El GRECO; IAN (61D. Author McEwan); IDIOTS (47D. Numbskulls); a MAJ (59D. Capt.’s superior); the MOB (4D. Group with enforcers, with “the”); ONE (60D. Unnamed person); REA (42A. Stephen of “Michael Collins”); the oldest living recipient of an Academy Award at 98 years, RAINER (18D. Two-time Oscar winner Luise); and the brilliant ZOE (12D. Actress Caldwell).

Remaining longer entries -- CREASE (25A. Trousers feature); DINEDON (53A. Had for dinner); GLIDER (45D. Quiet aircraft); GNARLY (51D. Very cool, in slang); GRADEA (10D. First-class); LEARNT (6D. Found out, British-style); NOVELS (50D. Dickens output); PLANED (2D. Made smooth); SALIVA (1D. Drool, basically); VERSION (23A. The “V” in K.J.V.).

The rest -- ACRES, ALP, ALSO, ANITA, ANNO, AREA, CPA, EIRE and ERE, ETA, EXT, GLENS, HOI and HOP, IDTAG, INA, NOMSG, NRA, OVA, POSY, RELAY, RES, SARI, SCI, SHIM (57D. It keeps things on the level), SSW, STREP, SYR, TIP, YET, and ENDAT (30A. Conclude by).

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Xword search information -- Across: 5. Secluded valleys; 14. To boot; 15. Race with handoffs; 19. Environs; 21. Farm size measure; 32. In medias ___; 34. Gun lobby org.; 35. Phone no. abbr.; 40. Geol. Or astron.; 55. Part of an iceberg that’s visible; 58. Egg cells; 64. Santa ___ Derby (annual horse race); 67. Note on a Chinese menu; 68. Nosegay. Down: 9. Neighbor of Isr.; 13. When a flight is due in: Abbr.; 22. Bard’s “before”; 24. Calcutta wrap; 27. Superlative finish; 33. Throat ailment; 37. So far; 39. Home of County Clare; 40. N.Y.C.-to-Miami dir.; 41. Balancer of the books, for short; 46. Bygone school dance; 54. Dog collar attachment; 56. ___ Domini; 57. It keeps things on the level; 62. Peak seen from Zurich.