04.01.08 -- Feel Like a Fool

Stańczyk by Jan Matejko
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Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Click here for abridged post in LARGE PRINT.
Puzzle by Manny Nosowsky, edited by Will Shortz
Appropriately, FEELLIKEAFOOL (33A); FOOLFAINT (16A); APRILFEEL (54A); NOBODYSFEEL (8D); and FOOLINGOKAY (23D) are the inter-related entries of this April Fools’ Day crossword puzzle.
Not looking at the clues, one might wonder is it STUD or STUD, SHARK or SHARK, INCHES or INCHES? -- there’s also a NAVEL that’s an INNIE -- OPIUM for QID or is it QID? Have you ever ordered a QUIRE of paper?
SWOREOFF and TOOKNOTE stand side by side as do OVERSELL and LIVEWELL. I’ve been to FARGO, not to be forgotten! Cold! Want something warmer, there are LEIS and a UKE from that Pacific paradise!
Looking for more BILGE? Is it ARKS or ARKS? ERIE or ERIE. I won't touch that KNOB! The lower left corner left me INRAGS -- MIASMA, TREADS, ATRIA, ACETO, MEDIA, ASSAY, et al.
GOOGOO, ADMIRE, IDOL, so DEF! This puzzle certainly is, so I’ll just be a fool and say I feel this April Fool puzzle’s a KAYO!
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For today’s cartoons, go to The Crossword Puzzle Illustrated.
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.

1. Dress shirt closer; 5. Four times a day, on an Rx; 8. Person who doesn’t put down roots; 13. Had on; 14. Acapulco article; 15. State as one’s view; 16. Nitwit’s swoon?; 18. Nonsense, slangily; 19. Torah holders; 20. New York tribe defeated by the Iroquois; 21. Exterior; 22. Cartoon Chihuahua; 23. On the house; 24. Respect; 25. Kind of eyes; 27. Force (open); 28. Turn one way and then back; 29. “A Tale ___ Cities”; 30. Uncompromising sort; 33. Regret some stupidity … with a hint to this puzzle’s theme; 37. Girls in the family; 38. Watergate hearings chairman Sam; 40. Univ. where “Good Will Hunting” is set; 43. Suffix with neat or beat; 44. ___ Conventions; 45. Shabbily clothed; 47. Rock star, e.g.; 49. Speed (up); 50. Vinegar: Prefix; 51. Pre-remote channel changer; 52. R.E.M.’s “It’s the End of the World __ Know It”; 53. Danger in dangerous waters; 54. Spring in the air?; 56. News groups; 57. “Tastes great!”; 58. “___ do for now”; 59. Analyze the composition of: 60. N.B.A. tiebreakers; 61. Like some orders. Down: 1. Promised to give up; 2. Was attentive; 3. Internet addresses; 4. “Excellent!,” in slang; 5. Paper quantity; 6. Type of 39-Down; 7. Movie companion maybe; 8. Vibes not being up by anyone?; 9. Painkiller since ancient times; 10. “Uncle” of early television; 11. Rages; 12. Some tractors; 16. Red River city; 17. Houston hockey player; 23. Doing credible work as a magician?; 24. Mozart’s “Madamina,” e.g.; 26. Verdon of “Damn Yankees”; 27. Top exec.; 30. Miner’s tool; 31. Hawaiian instrument, for short; 32. Pulled apart; 34. Gifts at Honolulu Airport; 35. Push too hard, as an argument; 36. Have it good; 39. Belly part; 40. Bad atmosphere; 41. “; 42. Steps (on); 44. Asian desert; 46. Places in the heart; 47. Contribution, as of ideas; 48. Buildings near some cafeterias; 51. Bout-ending slug; 52. Mennen shaving brand; 55. Shining.
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03.31.08 -- AIR

Waterloo Bridge, Effect of Fog, 1903 -- Claude Monet
The State Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg, Russia
Plein air -- a French term for "in the open air." This term describes paintings that have been made outdoors, rather than in a studio -- a key method of the Impressionists.
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Monday, March 31, 2008

Click here for abridged post in LARGE PRINT.

Puzzle by Jeff Armstrong, edited by Will Shortz

AIR (36A. Word that can precede each half of the answers to each of the eight starred clues) is the star clue in this breezy Monday puzzle. The inter-related entries are FORCEFIELD (18A. *Sci-fi barrier); DATELINE (20A. *Newspaper article lead-in); SHOWTIME (28A. *When the curtain goes up); HEADLOCK (41A. *Wrestling move that puts an arm around someone’s neck); MAILDROP (50A. *Secret communication location); SPACECRAFT (54A. *Mars Pathfinder, for one); BASEBALL (4D. *Diamond game); and SPEEDWAY (37D. *Indy 500 venue).

O.K., redundantly, air force, air field, air date, airline, air show, air time, airhead, airlock, airmail, airdrop, air space, aircraft, air base, air ball, air speed, and airway.

I was talking to my nephew while writing this, and for whatever it’s worth he called my attention to the MacBook Air, and a parody of the ad, HERE. I guess the ultimate would be to disappear into thin air!

Across: 1. Sea creature that sidles; 5. Group of eight musicians; 10. Underhanded plan; 14. Greeting in Granada; 15. Get up; 16. Toy block brand; 17. Andy’s partner in old radio; 22. Quenched; 23. Big name in audio equipment; 24. Martial artist Jackie; 25. Result of a belly flop; 32. Quiet spells; 33. Bed board; 34. Turf; 35. Kind of history; 37. Performed ballads, e.g.; 38. President pro TEM; 39. Go after bucks or ducks, say; 40. Outpouring; 44. Less bold; 45. Slick; 46. Corduroy ridge; 47. Measly; 56. Rouse from slumber; 57. Regarding; 58. Western flick, in old lingo; 59. Farm measure; 60. Abound (with); 61. One of a reporter’s five W’s; 62. Annum.

Down: 1. Punched-out part of a paper ballot; 2. Capital of Italia; 3. Plenty; 5. Like a lout; 6. Hag; 7. Become bushed; 8. PC bailout key; 9. Golfer’s opening drive; 10. Flexible; 11. Cousin of an onion; 12. Gawk at; 13. Sondheim’s “Sweeney TODD”; 19. Scratch on a diamond, e.g.; 21. Amount printed in red ink; 24. Nautical map; 25. Slow-moving mammal; 26. Blender setting; 27. South American wool source; 28. Move with one’s tail between one’s legs; 29. Actor and rockabilly crooner Chris; 30. Three-card hustle; 31. Yard worker’s tool; 33. Impertinent; 39. “Yikes!" ; 40. Hawk, as wares; 42. Business that may have gone boom and then bust in the ‘90s; 43. Pre-euro money in 2-Down; 44. MAITRE d’; 46. Eucharist disk; 47. H.S. junior’s exam; 48. Cathedral recess; 49. Tardy; 50. Corner, as a king; 51. 10K or marathon; 52. Gumbo ingredient; 53. House of Lords member; 55. Pep squad shout.

I think you’ll find that this one was a real breeze!

La Promenade, 1875. Claude Monet
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For today’s cartoon, go to The Crossword Puzzle Illustrated.

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.
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03.30.08 -- Fool -- the Acrostic

From the cover of “Fools Are Everywhere…”
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Sunday, March 30, 2008
Click here for abridged post in LARGE PRINT.
ACROSTIC
Puzzle by Emily Cox & Henry Rathvon, edited by Will Shortz
This delightful Sunday acrostic anticipates the advent of April Fools’ Day with a quotation from a paragraph of “FOOLS ARE EVERYWHERE: The Court Jester Around the World” by Beatrice K. OTTO:
“The connection between the jester and the poet worked both ways, and THE QUALIFICATIONS OF A GOOD JESTER INCLUDED THE ABILITY TO EXTEMPORIZE VERSE AND TROT OUT RHYMING RETORTS OR CRINGE-INSPIRING DOGGEREL. POETIC SKILL WAS A VITAL PART OF THE JESTER’S RAGBAG OF TRICKS AT ALL TIMES and in all places. The Elizabethan comic actor and jester Richard Tarlton was so renowned for his ability to extemporize witty verse that he gave his name to a verb, “to tarltonize,” and William Kemp, another Shakespearian clown, actor, was also known for this ability. Actors such as Kemp, needing the actual skills of the jester rather than the ability simply to play the part from a script, came very close to being jesters in their own right.”
The defined words: OAFISH (A. Crude and not very clever); TATTLED (B. Made like a blabbermouth); TAROT (C. Reading material for a cartomancer); OPERETTA (D. Lyrical form of amusement); FORECASTING (E. Weatherman’s job); OSTRACIZED (F. Banished by votes, cast on potsherds, once); OVERACT (G. Indulge in caricature); LITTLEJOHN (H. One of the Merry Men [2 wds.]); SIGHTGAG (I. Clown shoes or a fake arrow through the head, e.g. [2 wds.]); AMPLIFIED (J. Plugged in for playing; explained further); REJOINDER (K. Comeback from a wag); ESTRAGON (L. “Waiting for Godot” role for Robin Williams); EPIGRAM (M. Pearl of wisdom from Oscar Wilde or Dorothy Parker); VESTS (N. Garb often worn by magicians and jugglers); EXCALIBUR (O. Weapon thrown into a lake by Sir. Bedivere); RISIBILITY (P. Laughter, or an inclination to laugh); YORICK (Q. Fellow “of most excellent fancy,” to Hamlet); WOLFGANG (R. Puck seen on the Food Network); HUMORIST (S. Will Rogers or Ogden Nash, e.g.); ESPRIT (T. Jeu’___ [witticism]); REDSKELTON (U. Member of the first class of International Clown Hall of Fame inductees, 1989 [2 wds.]); ELOQUENT (V. Silver-tongued; expressively stated).
I wish I were a clever-enough ass to express what a wonderfully cheerful and brilliant acrostic that Emily Cox, Henry Rathvon & Will Shortz have given us -- but then how could I be taken seriously? Suffice to say that this acrostic is enormously entertaining -- and one up on the April Fool!
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.

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03.30.08 -- Mixed Feelings

Department of Psychology, HELP University
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Sunday, March 30, 2008
MIXED FEELINGS
Puzzle by Paula Gamache, edited by Will Shortz
Anagrams of the circled letters in the entries of TOENAILCLIPPERS (23A); CASEYSTENGEL (30A); TELEPHONE (52A); SLUTSKAYA (68A); THIRDGEAR (88A); POTATOMASHER (109A); SPORTS EQUIPMENT (118A); BEDROOMEYES (14D); PADDEDENVELOPE (16D); PINSTRIPEDSUIT (50D); and EMPTYHANDED (67D) provide ELATION, ECSTASY, HOPE, LUST, RAGE, SHAME, PIQUE, BOREDOM, LOVE, PRIDE, and EMPATHY.
Other mixed feelings-related entries in the puzzle include INSULTS, ATPLAY, PITY, ENRAPT, SADCASES, ILIED, FRIENDS, NODAT, GOTEM, ATHEIST, GAMUT, GUISE, EASE, SOPUP, EATOUT, ELOCUTES, and somehow SHLEPP.
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Interesting configurations of the crossword include EDEN crossing ADAM linked to EVE; ARIA linked to SOLO; YESNO crossing ISEE above SEA; AKEEM and KHAYYAM sharing a K; “YEE-haw!” alongside HIE; the crossing of ART and ARM; and the confusion of the circled T in THIRDGEAR, is it really RAGE or am I missing something?
Nonsense in the puzzle includes DOO and DAT, LAALAA, YEE, GOTEM, AAA, AABA and OGPU. The clue for EPEE, (125A. Blade of Grasse) was interesting enough. Stuff that gave me trouble was PHENOL, PURIM, AVIONIC, NITTI, and STRETTO -- all in the same area.
People in the puzzle for these mixed feelings include Casey Stengel, Toni Morrison, Fred, Little Nemo, Nia Vardalos, Irina Slutskaya, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Nitti and Capone, Omar Khayyam, Erik Satie, et al.
I don’t particularly care for having to work anagrams separately from a puzzle after the solution -- none of the anagrams in the circled letters could possibly be of any help during the solve. So, when the puzzle is completed, unless one is obsessed or finds it necessary for some reason or other to perform such a function (say for amusement or writing a blog) it’s really a big afterthought. That aside, this is an orderly Sunday puzzle, but one of which I do have mixed feelings!
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For today's cartoons, go to The Crossword Puzzle Illustrated.
Click on image to enlarge.
Puzzle available on the internet at
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.

1. Lively, in mus.; 5. 101, in a course name; 10. “Little ___ in Slumberland” (pioneering comic strip); 14. One on two feet; 19. Literature Nobelist Morrison; 20. Word on a wanted poster; 21. He’s seen on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel; 22. Serengeti grazer; 23. Pedicurist’s need; 26. Antics; 27. Zingers; 28. Toot one’s horn; 29. Scrooge’s nephew in “A Christmas Carol”; 30. Wearer of uniform #37, retired by both the Yankees and the Mets; 34. Entered pompously; 38. Clears; 39. Relating to flight technology; 41. Carnival site; 42. “Inka Dinka ___”; 43. Close overlapping of fugue voices; 45. Prince ___, Eddie Murphy film role; 47. Caboose, e.g.; 48. Frolicking; 52. Whispering party game; 54. Vardalos of the screen; 55. Diva’s delivery; 58. Holiday celebrating deliverance from Haman; 59. Narrow inlet; 60. Textile factory fixture; 62. ___ fide; 63. Lingo suffix; 64. Unfortunate development; 65. Bone-dry; 66. Divider of wedding guests; 68. Champion figure skater Irina; 72. Leaves for lunch?; 75. Author Janowitz; 77. Professor ‘iggins; 78. Picassos and Pissarros; 80. 55-Across, e.g.; 81. Bewitched; 83. Penlight battery size; 84. ___ radiation; 86. De-Mille output; 87. Early millennium year; 88. Manual transmission position; 91. French dome toppers; 93. Big shot after making a big shot, maybe: Abbr.; 94. Kind of question; 95. Peter Shaffer play based on the lives of Mozart and Salieri; 98. “___ -haw!”; 99. Make haste; 100. Like sugar vis-à-vis Equal; 102. H.S. subject; 106. Heartbreaking situations; 109. Kitchen implement used with a little muscle; 112. In the mail; 113. K.GT.B. predecessor; 115. Popular Toyota; 116. Users of 118-Across; 118. Bats, balls, gloves, etc.; 122. False appearance; 123. Capital of Italy; 124. Annie of “Ghostbusters”; 125. Blade of Grasse; 126. Lugged; 127. Zenith; 128. Company-owned building, e.g.; 129. Sch. Research papers. Down: 1. Place for a fan; 2. Writer Peggy known for the phrase “a kinder, gentler nation”; 3. Actually existing; 4. Stately dance with short steps; 5. Tempts; 6. Elite athlete; 7. Error indicator; 8. Suffix with adverb; 9. Hit TV show with the theme song “Who Are You”; 10. Port west of Monte Vesuvio; 11. Fall setting; 12. A, B and C; 13. Mantra syllables; 14. Come-hitcher look; 15. Coming-clean words; 16. Protective mailer; 17. Music producer Brian; 18. License to drill?: Abbr.; 24. Milano of “Who’s the Boss?”; 25. Carbolic acid; 29. Top-rated TV series of 2001-02; 31. Consort of 21-Across; 32. Capone henchman; 33. “They’re in my hot little hands!”; 35. BlackBerry rival; 38. Land of Ephesus; 37. Acknowledge tacitly; 40. Heads in the Pantheon?; 44. Variety; 46. Poet Omar ___; 48. Rhyme scheme of “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening”; 49. “Star Trek: T.N.G.” counselor Deanna; 50. Some business attire; 51. Yellow Teletubby; 53. Composer Satie; 57. Letters before many a state’s name; 58. Brush up on; 61. Whiteboard cleaner; 64. Subj. that deals with mixed feelings; 67. Bearing nothing; 69. Japanese eel and rice dish; 70. “King Lear” or “Hamlet”: Abbr.; 71. Boxer’s measurement; 73. Touched down; 74. Medics; 76. Nonbeliever; 79. Classic Dana fragrance for women; 81. Representations of a winged woman holding an atom; 82. Big name in skin care products; 84. Entire range; 85. Amazon parrot; 89. Opening for a crystal ball gazer; 90. Dine at a diner; 92. F equivalent; 96. Not dis; 97. Declaim; 101. Estimated: Abbr.; 103. Chemical cousin; 104. Lug: Var.; 105. Online protocol for remote log-in; 107. Discontinue; 108. Absorb; 110. Like lip-glossed lips; 111. Deserves; 114. Cause for an R, perhaps; 116. Badge holder: Abbr.; 117. Status ___; 118. Main; 119. Day ___; 120. Dawn goddess; 121. Divisions of gals.
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03.29.08 -- Earth Hour, et cetera

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Saturday, March 29, 2008
Puzzle by Mike Nothnagel, edited by Will Shortz
An angry world is reflected in this crossword puzzle with scorn, disease, teargas, steroids, fear, rot, hate mail, hard time, woe and war cry, denial, intimidation, blindness, impairment, worry, rain, fighting words, et cetera, a fitting theme for today's Earth Hour!
SWEATINGBULLETS (34A. Very worried) and BUZZLIGHTYEAR (15D. Cinematic captain of Star Command) cross in the center of this otherwise friendly Saturday puzzle, sharing their G. The four corners of the puzzle are fairly tight, with plenty of staggered spaces between for easy access from one side to another.
Upper left, down: PACECARS (1. Indy sights since 1911); STATELAW (2. Governor’s guide); HARDTIME (3. It’s done in the slammer); AXES (4. Lines on planes); WIE (5. Youngest golfer ever to win a U.S.G.A. adult event [age 13]); SARAH (6. Grandmother of Jacob). Across: PSHAWS (1. Scornful dismissals); ATAXIA (14. Symptom of nervous system impairment); CAREER (16. Sports stats specification); ETDS (18. They’re often moved back in airports: Abbr.); ALITO (26. Associate of Thomas); RAMSESII (30. Son and successor of Seti I).
Upper right, down: TOPEKA (7. Seat of Shawnee County); EST (8. Record finish?); In AWORD (briefly) (9.); RODE (10. Hounded); GRANDE (11. It’s big in Rio); ATTEST (12. Swear); SHEETS (13. It may rain in these). Across: TEARGAS (7. Cause of temporary blindness); BOSWORTH (15. Linebacker Brian banned from the 1987 Orange Bowl for steroid use); UPTODATE (17. Current); RENEE (21. Ally’s roommate on “Ally McBeal”); DST (25. It begins near the end of winter: Abbr.); SETS (29. Mounts in a frame).
Lower left, down: CAVETT (41. Gov. Lester Maddox walked off his show in 1970); ARETOO (42. Reply to someone in denial); WARCRY (43. Fighting words?); BEES (52. Producers of some storage cells); BSTAR (48. Rigel or Spica); EDU (56. Part of many schools’ addresses); REPROS (45. Dupes). Across: CAWS (41. Calls in the field); ARA (47. Neighbor of Telescopium); VERBS (51. Point and click, e.g.); ETCETERA (55. Series finale?); TOREADOR (59. Caped combatant); TOYSRUS (61. Children’s Bargain Town, today).
Lower right, down: RIGGS (49. 1939 Wimbledon winner); LOT (58. Auction offering); LUKE (54. The prodigal son is found in it); EARTOEAR (36. Very wide, in a way); TIESCORE (37. Result of getting even with someone?); SLIPINTO (38. Enter on the sly). Across: HATEMAIL (40. Form of intimidation); “DAREI ask …” (46.); TSP (50. 1/192 qt.); LOCI (54. Places); GLUEON (57. Affix, in a way); GOKART (60. Amusement park vehicle); STEREO (62. Tuner’s place).
Rounding out the center of the crossword -- Across: ADZE (19. It might help you dress in a shop); WHIZKID (23. Small wonder?); GLAM (28. Kind of rock); ROT (39. Claptrap); ARTY (44. Warholian); BREYERS (48. Brand in the freezer section); PEDI (53. Cab opener?). Down: DIGIN (20. Start putting stuff away?); “WOETO him who believes in nothing”: Victor Hugo (23.); IMOUT (24. Words said when one’s hand is shaky?); TSARS (27. Old dynasty members); SELMA (29. 1965 march setting); SITAR (31. It’s heard on the Beatles’ “Rubber Soul”); SLEDS (33. Runners’ locations); BAYED (35. Howled).
A cross crossword for a cross world, across and down -- et cetera... Lights out!
Google users in the United States will notice today that Google has "turned the lights out" on the Google.com homepage as a gesture to raise awareness of a worldwide energy conservation effort called Earth Hour.
On Saturday, March 29, 2008, Earth Hour invites people around the world to turn off their lights for one hour – from 8:00pm to 9:00pm in their local time zone. On this day, cities around the world, including Copenhagen, Chicago, Melbourne, Dubai, and Tel Aviv, will hold events to acknowledge their commitment to energy conservation.
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For today's cartoons, go to The Crossword Puzzle Illustrated.
Click on image to enlarge.
Puzzle available on the internet at
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.
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03.28.08 -- Website

Elevator shaft of the Cooper Union Foundation Building, NYC, designed by Frederick A. Peterson, construction began in 1853 and was completed six years later -- the building won immediate recognition for its round elevator shaft, Italianate brownstone exterior and basement auditorium -- The Great Hall where Lincoln, Grant, Cleveland, Taft and Theodore Roosevelt all spoke prior to becoming President, along with Presidents Woodrow Wilson and William Jefferson Clinton.
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Friday, March 28, 2008
Puzzle by Barry C. Silk, edited by Will Shortz
When commenting on the February 23rd puzzle, which was also authored by Barry C. Silk, I noted that depending upon one’s familiarity with selective areas of interest and experience, a crossword puzzle in which no word relates to another in any way, shape or fashion can be a tiresome and thankless chore. I then mentioned one entry that was of interest to me -- today, I find none.
However, the mantra at this WEBSITE (16A. A mouse may help you get there) is "the blog shall be posted." -- much like the old post office slogan "Neither rain nor snow nor sleet nor gloom of night shall stay these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds."
You’ve got mail! Word has it that SOUTHPHILLY is also known for the SOFTPRETZEL. ATHESCENE is where it’s happening, but what is “it“? It’s COMESLATER, not COMESAFTER. QUONSETHUT, only WWII, really? ONEPERCENT of genius is inspiration, 99% is perspiration, leading to WATER BORNE and SPORTSWEAR, not SPORTSGEAR. EYEFUL could be EYECUP.
ETTE (13D. Major conclusion); URSA (53D. Major start?), not DRUM. SANO, not SANE. ADHERE rather than ATTACH. NEUROSIS is not an apartment complex, THREEPM, not SEVENPM; a flea market is called a SWAPMEET if you have fleas; it’s SNERT, not SANDY. SALSAS today, and SALSA yesterday. REAL, RIAL, RIEL, RYAL RYEL, it’s so unreal!
Suddenly, I’m reminded of the WHELP (47D. Whippersnapper) of an office boy who quit his job and threw the mail cart down the open elevator shaft -- I’m sure this would include anything containing NEEDANAP, ACQUIRE, SMALLER, TMOBILE, TOURNEY, ATLANTA, THERETO, ANTENNA, SHARPEN, ROSALIA, SNIFTER, SIXTHMAN, MARINO, METRE, ABLER, GLENN, EPPIE, LSAT, LINZ, URB XES, HEF or COW.
The mail cart’s in the shaft -- call maintenance!
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For today’s cartoons, go to The Crossword Puzzle Illustrated.
Click on image to enlarge.
Puzzle available on the internet at
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.

Across: 1. Pick up; 8. Not as consequential; 15. What seeds may be found in; 17. Sprint competitor; 18. Setting for TV’s “Matlock”; 19. Layer that scratches; 20. Stadium snack; 22. She, overseas; 24. Time to burn?; 25. Winter Olympics equipment; 27. ___ Highway, old auto route from New York City to San Francisco; 28. Overwhelms, with “down”; 32. ___ Pacific Airways; 34. Drag during the day?; 37. Petroleum gases; 39. Legalese adverb; 40. Part of some complexes; 42. Person lifting; 43. “Symphony in Black” artist; 44. Strike marks; 46. Comics canine; 47. Symbol of limpness; 50. Symbols of authority; 51. Where to order a cheesesteak “wit” or “witout”; 56. Bully; 57. Six bells, nautically; 58. Reprimand lead-in; 60. Patron saint of Palermo; 61. Aid in picking things up; 62. Make a point of; 63. Brandy holder. Down: 1. Where it’s happening; 2. Follows; 3. W.W. II shelter; 4. City area, briefly; 5. “Last one ___ …”; 6. Job-related moves, for short; 7. Spectacle; 8. Cousin of a flea market; 9. Reading rhythm; 10. Less error-prone; 11. Its scores range from 120 to 180: Abbr.; 12. Capital of Upper Austria; 14. Coin on the Spanish Main; 21. Ringleaders’ nemeses; 23. Be glued (to); 26. Not loco; 28. His #13 was retired in 2000 by the Miami Dolphins; 29. How much of genius is inspiration according to Edison; 30. Like typhoid bacteria, often; 31. Gym shoes, e.g.; 33. Referendum choice; 35. Lukewarm reviews; 36. Mountain ___ (Pepsi products); 38. Best substitute on the court; 41. Bandar ___ Begawan, capital of Brunei; 45. Some dips; 48. “Silas Marner” girl; 49. One of the Mercury Seven; 51. Orch. Section; 52. Eager cry; 54. Tendon trouble; 55. Subject of Nepalese legend; 59. Mag founder of 1953.
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03.27.08 -- Crane

Janet Leigh as Marion Crane in Alfred Hitchcock’s “Psycho”
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Thursday, March 27, 2008

Click here for abridged post in LARGE PRINT.

Puzzle by Joe Krozel, edited by Will Shortz

CRANE (49D. Word defined by 20-, 36- and 51-Across); STRETCHONESNECK (20A. See 49-Down); NOVELISTSTEPHEN (36A. See 49-Down); and LARGEWADINGBIRD (51A. See 49-Down) are this Thursday puzzle’s inter-related entries.

Strangely, first to come to mind was the construction crane that fell here in New York City; and, of course, Janet Leigh’s role in Psycho as the doomed Marion Crane. Or the inimitable Ichabod!
CAMERASHY (11D. Hard to take?) sat looking at me without registering, but the electronic puzzle thing said it was correct -- Oh! Camera shy! GINNIEMAE (18A. Federally guaranteed security) is spelled out differently than I had thought. PARABOLA (38D. Graph of the equation y = ax2 + bx + c) just sort of filled itself in from the acrosses. EVERGREEN (32D. Oscar-winning song from “A Star Is Born”) is from a version of that tale I’ve never seen, I’ve only seen Judy Garland and Janet Gaynor play the role in which Barbra Streisand flopped, but won her second Oscar for authorship of the aforementioned song. ONEONONES (56A. Private chats) wanted to be tête-à-tête!
DATELINE (4D. Start of many a story), read as "news"; BALLPARK (25A. Diamond setting) which I wanted to be something more solid, like a rock on a finger; WARBRIDE (42A. Cary Grant played a male one in 1949), AZALEAS (22A. Showy shrubs); FINANCE (47A. Back); CASSINI (21D. Designer for Jackie Kennedy); and LETMEIN (27D. What “knock knock” may mean) are the remaining longer entries.
Of the shorter entries, those of six-letters include ANGLED, ANTHEM, BUGOUT, ISOLDE, LARSEN, PRENUP, SEEPED, STATEN. Five-letter, ALLAT, BETHE, DEARES, EDNAS, ELENA, FISTS, HIGHS, LOGAN, LOTTA, NIGER, PLOTZ, SALSA, SPUDS, ULTRA. Four-letter, ADEN, ANEW, ANIS, ANOX, APSE, AYES, BRAC, DELE, DIEU, DORA, ERNE, EXES, HOPE, ILER, ISNT, KENS, LODI, OLIO, PCBS, PENN, RARE, RHEE, SEEK, VOLT, WOVE. Three-letter, EAR, ERE, GUS, INS, OUR, and SHE.
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For today's cartoons, go to The Crossword Puzzle Illustrated.

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.

Across: 1. Basis of fries; 6. A good breakfast, but a bad supper, according to Francis Bacon; 10. Dumpsite pollutants, for short; 14. ___ once; 15. Robert of “The Sopranos”; 16. Bloody, so to speak; 17. Ton of; 23. Certain prayer starter; 24. Special ties; 30. Arabian Peninsula port; 33. Trickled (through); 35. “___ Cried” (1962) top 10 hit); 39. Afore; 40. It’s often played before playing; 41. Replies on the Enterprise; 44. Tin ___; 46. “Donald’s Cousin ___” (1939 Disney cartoon); 58. God, to Godard; 59. Lead-in to meter; 60. Spain’s Princess ___; 61. Lives no more; 62. Unlikely valentine swappers; 63. Skates on thin ice, e.g. Down: 1. Chip topper; 2. Faint, in slang; 3. Commercial prefix with suede; 5. ___ Island, N.Y.; 6. Weather map numbers; 7. Assortment; 8. Ivy League choice; 9. Marine eagle; 10. Engagement agreement; 12. Bric-a-___; 13. Dig for; 19. Wagner princess; 25. “This must ___ place”; 28. Korea’s Syngman ___; 29. Understands; 30. From the top; 31. Celebrated Sigmund Freud patient; 34. Abbr. accompanying a college name; 37. Perfect-game pitcher Don; 43. Leave in a hurry, slangily; 45. Maneuvered; 47. Dukes; 498. Land that’s more than 90% desert; 50. Best and Ferber; 51. City near Sacramento; 52. Black cuckoos; 53. Emulated Arachne; 54. Strong as ___; 55. Strike out.
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03.26.08 -- Menu

Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Puzzle by Michael Langwald, edited by Will Shortz
What’s on the menu? Well, TBONES (4D. Butchers’ offerings); FIGS (12D. Big Turkish export); KIWI (59D. Fuzzy fruit); SPUD (33D. Tater); ...EGGS (20A. Breakfast specialty of a rock singer?); ...STEW (39A. Lunch specialty of an Emmy-winning actor?); and ...STEAK (57A. Dinner specialty of an R&B singer?). This short-order crossword puzzle dresses up the last three items on the menu with grill men -- GLENNFREYSEGGS, PETERBOYLESSTEW, and SAMCOOKESSTEAK, a/k/a fry, boil, cook, yet no SAUTE (55D. Brown, perhaps). You can order a CAB (62D. Certain red wine, informally), however, no soup, salad, or Joe!
Sorry to eat and run, but I’m out of here!
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For today’s cartoons, go to The Crossword Puzzle Illustrated.
Click on image to enlarge.
Puzzle available on the internet at
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.

Across: 1. Came down (on); 5. Word processing command; 9. Off the wall; 14. Word before luck or cluck; 15. Cut, maybe; 16. Studio sign; 17. To boot; 18. Ill-considered; 19. Targets of some busts; 23. First name in cosmetics; 24. King of the stage; 25. Spanks hard; 29. Constant complainers; 33. Relaxing place; 36. Carry away, in a way; 38. Zebra feature; 43. Informed about; 44. Popular online magazine; 45. Part of M.Y.O.B.; 46. Topple; 49. Pass; 51. Clinton cabinet member satirized by Will Ferrell; 53. Arkansas River city; 62. Spectrum part; 63. Busy place; 64. Docent’s offering; 65. Bicker; 66. Basin go-with; 67. A law ___ itself; 68. Brute; 69. Foreboding trouble; 70. Freshman, most likely. Down: 1. Bit of wisdom; 2. Downtimes; 3. “No more, thanks”; 5. Toiler of yore; 6. Purim’s month; 7. Workbench attachment; 8. ___ alcohol; 9. Makeshift bookmark; 10. Angered and enraged, e.g.; 11. Dracula feature; 13. Mos. And mos.; 21. More recent; 22. Wall St. watchdog; 26. Priestly garment; 27. Pueblo dweller; 28. Topic for Vogue; 30. Mil. Alliance since 1949; 31. Had down; 32. Tailor-made; 34. Le Pew of cartoons; 35. Perched on; 37. Pizazz; 40. More than big; 41. LAX posting; 42. Religious offshoots; 47. It may be under your hat; 48. Brian of ambient music; 50. Sound of rebuke; 52. Expressed amazement; 54. Director Sergio; 56. Rubber hub; 57. Teed off; 58 Bit of aquarium growth; 60. “Did you ___?!”; 61. Lacking moisture.
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