09.01.08 -- Shhhh!

Monday, September 1, 2008
It may be that SILENCEISGOLDEN (17A. “Shhhh!” prompter), MUMSTHEWORD (37A. “Shhhh!”) and MYLIPSARESEALED (59A. “Shhhh!” response), but there should be no secret that this is a delightful crossword puzzle!
Incidentally, there is more conversation in the crossword than “Shhhh” and its variations, including 15. ETTU, Brute?”; 3D. “Ecce homo!” utterer Pontius PILATE; NORUSH (34A. “Take your time”); LISTEN (53A. “Pay attention!”); 7D. “How sweet ITIS!”; PSHAW (31D. “I don’t believe it!”); 60D. “See YOU!” and 63A. What’s Love GOTTO Do With It” (Tina Turner #1 hit).
Brutus, Pontius Pilate and Tina Turner are kept company in the puzzle by ALPERT (32A. Herb who played “Tijuana Taxi”); AVA (41D. Actress Gardner); GINA (19D. Actress Lollobrigida); 64A. Rock’s IGGY Pop; LTS (61D. U.S.N. officers); MIA (25A. Actress Farrow); MINEO (16A. Actor Sal of “Exodus”); a NONCOM (18D. Sarge, for one); REVERE (48D. Paul with a midnight ride); SOTS (45D. Drunkards) and TARS (23D. Old salts).
Six-letter entries include ADIDAS (2D. Nike competitor); AMORAL (9D. Unconcerned with ethics); CITRUS (55A. Like oranges and tangerines); LATENT (22A. Present but not visible); NOSALE (1D. Key on an old register); ONEDGE (49D. Antsy); STOLEN (47D. Like some kisses and bases); TARIFF (42A. Tax paid at port); TRIPOD (44D. Camera stand); TSHIRT (21A. Top to go with shorts); and TVSETS (43A. Idiot boxes).
The short of it: ADANO, ALIVE, ATE, BERG, CAMP, CITE, CLOVE, DRAIN, ELSE, EON, ESE, HERO, INA, IND, IRS, LILT, MAID, MELD, MGM, MIST, MTS, MUSED, MUTT, NAPS, NEAR, NUDE, PEC, PERF, PSIS, ODIC, ROD, SAT, SCENE, SEGA, SLABS, SNEE, SRO, STET, SUSHI, SYR, VEE, WILL, WOLF and URGE.
Forget about work and the OFFICE (39D. Place to work) and have a wonderful Labor Day!
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Puzzle available on the internet at
THE NEW YORK TIMES -- Crossword Puzzles and Games
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Xword search information -- Across: 1. Siestas; 5. Greek letters that resemble pitchforks; 9. Vibrant; 14. Lyrical, like a Pindar poem; 20. Hersey’s “A Bell for ___”; 24. Words before fix or flash; 28. 180 degrees from WNW; 29. Kitschy; 36. Otherwise; 40. Bride’s ___ of honor; 42. Tax paid at port; 46. Three Little Pigs’ foe; 47. Sign of a hit show; 50. Precollege hurdle, for short; 51. Fishing stick; 58. Piece of garlic; 65. Ice in the sea; 66. Pondered; 67. Close to; 68. Snick and ___. Down: 4. Where it’s happening; 5. Chest muscle, for short; 6. Leave in, to an editor; 8. Japanese food; 10. Light tune; 11. Not Rep. or Dem.; 12. Victory sign; 13. Ages and ages; 25. Blend; 26. 1040 org.; 27. Had something; 30. Mixed breed; 33. B-way showing; 34. Naked; 35. Sandwich that requires two hands; 37. “Gorillas in the ___”; 38. Not just might; 40. Rushmore and Rainier: Abbr.; 52. Sink outlet; 54. Hunks of concrete; 55. Refer to; 56. Prod; 57. Nintendo rival; 59. “Grand Hotel” studio; 62. Damascus’s land: Abbr.

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