09.03.08 -- Gold

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Puzzle by David J. Kahn, edited by Will Shortz

MICHAELPHELPS (36A. Subject of this puzzle); The Baltimore BULLET(nickname of 36-Across); WORLDRECORDTIME (4D. What each of seven 36-Across events at the 2008 Olympics ended in); EIGHTGOLDMEDALS (7D. Singular achievement by 36-Across at the 2008 Olympics); BUTTERFLYSTROKE (10D. One technique used by 36-Across) and SPEEDO (6D. Brand name associated with 36-Across) are the interrelated entries of this Wednesday crossword puzzle.

There are six eight-letter entries -- BEHEMOTH (21A. Colossus); CORNDOGS (28A. Carnival food on sticks); EMBOSSES (45A. Raises, as a surface design); INCHEDUP (11D. Increased slowly); IRONSOUT (37D. Smooths over); STATEDLY (54A. As expressly said).

Six-letter entries include BEDLAM (21D. Madhouse); ERODED (47D. Like some banks); OCEANO (3D. El Atlántico, por ejemplo); SHEENA (25A. Singer Easton); SOLOED (48D. Performed without help); TACTIC (2D. Ploy); THEORY (34D. Something to be tested) and TUNDRA (49A. Treeless area).

Five-letter: ACERS (17A. Providers of excellent service?); ATEIN (50D. Didn’t do takeout); DEITY (53D. Saturn or Venus); ORDER (31A. Law partner?); 63. SKEET shooting; SNORE (43A. More men do this than women, studies show); SODOI (60A. “Same here”); STAIR (1D. It may lead to a landing); STOWE (1A. Legree’s creator); TACOS (14A. They may crunch when you bite into them); TEDDY (66A. Bit of sleepwear) and TERMS (9D. Provisions).

The fill: ALES, ARE, BAUM, BINS, BYTE, EBB, EDT, EEE and EEL, EGER, ELAL, ELOI, ELS and ELSE, ELY, ERA, ESS, EUR, FUSE, HERO, HST, ISLE, ITAL, LAY, MED, MENU, NEH, NESS and NEST, NIB, OAT, OHO, PILE, RIND, SAP, SEAT, SST, STY, TCBY, TROD and UNIT.

Huzzah!

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Xword search information -- Across: 6. Pants part; 10. Grain containers; 15. Pile; 16. One; 18. Hungarian city known for its thermal baths; 19. Frozen dessert chain since 1981; 20. Printer’s type: Abbr.; 23. Part that’s cut off and thrown away; 24. Conn. Summer hours; 32. Coral reef dweller; 33. ___ flakes (cereal); 35. It may be found in a box in the basement; 40. Subway fare?; 41. Club ___; 42. Cathedral city near Cambridge; 51. Part of E.U.: Abbr.; 52. Walked; 56. Macbeth or Lady Macbeth; 57. Beautiful race in an H.G. Wells novel; 59. Israeli flag carrier; 59. Israeli flag carrier; 61. Author L. Frank __; 62. Jamaica or Barbados; 64. Word often prefixed with kilo-0; 65. Snipers’ place. Down: 5. Tee preceder; 8. Protected from the wind; 12. Pen point; 13. Pen; 22. Comment of surprise; 26. Tight end?; 27. Go for, in price; 29. O.T. book; 30. Chump; 36. List of alternatives; 38. Wide shoe spec; 39. Chicago carriers; 40. Pres. Elected in ‘48; 44. Procter & Gamble detergent; 55. “Anything ___?”; 57. Decline; 58. Set (down); 60. Bygone aircraft, briefly.