09.01.08 -- Shhhh!

Monday, September 1, 2008

Puzzle by Andrea Carla Michaels, edited by Will Shortz

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.