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----------------- Friday, January 30, 2009 Puzzle by Brendan Emmett Quigley, edited by Will Shortz Any puzzle containing the MIASMAS(1D. Noxious vapors) of VON and AVON, PAS and PERS, JAR and JIF, SOB and SOP, RAF and RAJ, DAB and DAR, LDS and LTS, MAV and MOTH, ONAN and OREM, ACCT and DATA, along with ALOG, BAO, INRI or SERE, is usually composed of longer entries meant to be as puzzling as possible, never mind the resulting aforementioned SCREE(45A. Cliffside detritus). Evil chortling emanates from somewhere in the dank, dark dungeon of the DIGERATI (34D. Computer-savvy crowd) gleefully declaiming 47D. “WE DID it!” (cry of accomplishment), taking delight in hearing the wails of WERE DOOMED (47A. Cry when you don’t think you’ll make it), as solvers disappear into the abyss of an etymological morass. AXOLOTL(35D. Salamander variety) is a common name of but one of approximately 500 species of amphibians -- although it has appeared somewhere in a crossword in the past, how many times will we ever see it again? VENTURA(36D. Classic Pontiac)? Bonneville, Catalina, Chieftain, Firebird, Fiero, Gran Prix, GTO, LeMans, Safari, Silver Streak, Star Chief, Streamliner, Super Chief, Tempest, Trans Am, all predate the Ventura -- so what’s so classic? For the love of literature, how many Pontiacs do we need to know! SENECA(44D. “Phoenissae” playwright) as a dramaturge is far less known for the clued title than Euripides, which title by the way is far better known as “The Phoenician Women“. Also, an ACTOR(5D. Person in an apron) is more likely to tread on an apron than in one, as the apron of a stage is not an enclosure, but a platform. SETH LOW(19A. Early 20th-century New York City mayor),MATT DRUDGE(23A. Journalist with a widely read “Report”);LARRY DAVID(58A. 1993 Emmy winner for “Seinfeld”) along with the hiccups of ATT, CARR, HITE, LEN, TIRO(25A. Newbie: Var.) are the other people in the puzzle. Entries of activity and/or condition include AS A JOKE(14D. Facetiously);ASTRIDE(12D. One way to sit on a chair); AVERS(26A. Maintains); the cross-clued DINED (48D. Had a 31-Across, e.g.) on RIBEYE (31A. Steakhouse order);DREW UPON (6D. Tapped);IN A STIR (37D. Excited);IN RAGS (8D. Destitute-looking);ON LEAVE(2D. Ashore, maybe); REDEEMS (42D. Saves);REENTER (41D. Verify, as a password); the discretely defined RIPS ONE (51A. Hits a line drive); SKATE (9D. Work on one’s figure, say).ADDIS ABABA (5A. City at the foot of Mount Entoto) -- said mount densely covered by eucalyptus trees, it’s more akin to a hill. TERRA COTTA(18A. Brownish orange) is better known as “baked earth”. Other long entries with, of course, vague clues -- CRANK CASES(16D. Sludge buildup sites);HIGH TREASON (4D. It has made many people lose their heads); OUTSIDE MAN (52A. Gardener or landscaper);TOBACCO SHOP (25D. Briar locale); TRIPLICATE (56A. Some forms are filled out in it). The remains of the day include ARMOIRE (40D. Dresser alternative);BETA RAY(13D. Tritium output); 28A. KODAK moment; TROTTER (3D. Horse in harness); XENON(43A. 1980s Big Apple nightclub with a chemical name). In the future, I suppose one will now need be on the look-out for variations on AXOLOTL -- AJOLOTE, AMBYSTOMA MEXICANUM, MUDPUPPIES, NEOTENIC MOLE, UPA RUPA, WATERDOGS, WOOPER ROOPER, or any other damn slimy thing that creeps out of the crossword constructor’s cranium! 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Octopus Attacking the Nautilus -- Édouard Riou
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Remaining clues -- Across: 1. Woolly bear, eventually; 15. Cross letters; 17. Like falling off ___; 21. Many a defender: Abbr.; 22. Rule that ended in 1974; 27. Not overseas; 29. Not at all wet; 30. Be visibly disconsolate; 32. Foundation maker; 34. It may be mined; 38. Peter Pan rival; 39. “The Emperor’s Snuff-Box” novelist John Dickson ___; 44. Mattress problem; 46. ___ outing; 49. Some linemen: Abbr.; 50. ESPN analyst Pasquarelli; 55. “Women and Love” writer; 57. City south of West Jordan on I-15; 59. Asian lang. Down: 7. ___ el Beida (Casablanca, to its natives); 10. A.T.M. receipt abbr.; 11. ___ Dai (last emperor of Vietnam); 20. Denom. with elders; 24. Touch; 28. Young fox; 30. 911 call, e.g.; 31. Org. involved with the gulf war; 33. From, in some names; 38. Big bump; 45. Offering of appeasement; 50. Asparagus’s family; 53. May days?: Abbr.; 54. Big D cager.
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Thursday, January 29, 2009
Puzzle by Barry C. Silk, edited by Will Shortz
BAR (66A. Word defined by 17-, 25-, 35-, 45- and 58-Across),LEGAL PROFESSION, BANISH BY DECREE, TAP ROOM, UNIT OF PRESSURE, MUSICAL NOTATION (all defined as See 66-Across) and LAW(60D. 66-Across topic) are the interrelated entries of this Thursday crossword.
ICAME(51A. Start of Caesar’s boast),IMAX(51D. Big film shower),IPASS(21A. Bridge declaration),IPHONE(15A. Time magazine’s 2007 Invention of the Year),IPODS(43A. Products once pitched by U2 and Eminem) are another group, all beginning with a set-apart letter I.
The remaining longer entries are AIRSPEED (20A. Cockpit datum); AMARILLO (54A. Texas panhandle city); MYSPACE (10D. News Corporation acquisition of 2005); MISTRALS (38D. Cold northerly winds of southern France); OILPAINT (4D. Artist’s application); STAMINA (41D. Endurance).Mid-size -- ALIBI(26D. Out); ASONE (18D. In harmony); BARON (25D. Captain of industry); BORER (27D. Hole-making tool); 47D. “Get Shorty” novelist ELMORE Leonard; EVADE (Duck); GALEN (31A. Influential Greek physician); OUTWIT (4A. Best in mental combat);PATROL (62A. Soldiers may be on it); 44D. “PUTIT down!” (“Drop the gun!”);RAZOR (28D. Shadow remover); SEATON (48D. George who directed “Miracle on 34th Street”);THRESH (6D. Separate the wheat from the chaff);TWEENS (65A. Sixth graders, e.g.); UPPERS 5D. Amphetamines, e.g.).Short stuff -- AKIN, APSE, APT, ASIN, ARFS, AVIA, CEOS, CUKE, EAVE, EEKS, ENGR, GIZA, GURU, GYRO, IDEO, INF, IZE, IOLA, LETT, LIMB, LOMA, MACS, MME, OARS, ONER, OPEC, ORE, OWN, POPE, ROBS, ROE, SSNS, TEE, URI, XENA, YVES, ZWEI. ----------------- For today’s cartoon, go to The Crossword Puzzle Illustrated.Click on image to enlarge.Puzzle available on the internet atTHE NEW YORK TIMES -- Crossword Puzzles and Games
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Remaining clues -- Across: 1. Suffix with social; 10. Some rain gear; 14. Hold one’s ___; 16. Jacques Cousteau’s middle name; 22. They’re inserted in locks; 23. City on the Nile; 32. 1/100 of a krone; 33. Roof projection; 34. Sch. With a Providence campus; 39. Ringo’s drummer son; 40. Plunders; 42. Some eggs; 49. Basilica part; 50. Riga resident; 61. Related; 63. Abbr. in French mail; 64. TV heroine who wielded a chakram as a weapon. Down: 1. Seat of Allen County, Kan.; 2. Deux : France :: ___ : Germany; 3. Technician: Abbr.; 7. Golf club; 8. Like Beethoven’s Sixth Symphony; 9. Place to start a hole; 11. New Balance competitor; 12. Business honchos; 13. I.R.S. data: Abbr.; 19. Tag info; 23. Greek restaurant offering; 24. Logical introduction?; 30. Mice might elicit them; 31. Wise guy; 36. Pet sounds; 37. The Swiss Guards guard him; 46. Crude letters?; 52. Salad veggie; 53. Q ___ queen; 54. Chip without dip?; 55. An arm or a leg; 56. ___ Linda, Calif.; 57. Humdinger; 59. Fitting.
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Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Puzzle by Michael Langwald, edited by Will Shortz
CHILDSTOYS(60A. Bearers of a phrase suggested by saying the starts of 17-, 24-, 38- and 49-Across), along with MAIDMARIAN(17A. Robin Hood’s love),INNKEEPER (24A. One at the front desk, perhaps),TIEGAME(38A. Nail-biter, perhaps) and JUANPERON (49A. Leader deposed in 1955) constitute a paronomastic conglomeration of interrelated homophonic-first-word entries -- the main feature of this Wednesday crossword. In plain English, “Maid Inn Tie Juan.”People in the Puzzle:EDNA(56D. Novelist Ferber) and ERNO(13A. Puzzlemaker Rubik); EMMAPEEL (1960s role for Diana Rigg); the eponymous HANES (14A. Big name in briefs); INO (54A. Rescuer of Odysseus); LEANN (8D. Rimes of country music) and LIAM (59A. Writer O’Flaherty); MEL (23A. Blanc who voiced Porky Pig); MORE (67A. Thomas who wrote “Utopia”); NILS (48D. Rock’s Lofgren); RENEE (11D. Zellweger of “Nurse Betty”); RODGERS (4D. “Blue Moon” composer); STPAT (33A. Parade honoree, familiarly);TINYTIM(44D. Dickens lad); TRAPP (38D. “The Sound of Music” family name); and an UNNAMED (42D. Like a ghostwriter) SUSPECT (9D. Any character in Clue).Mid-size entries --AWNINGS (47A. Storefront shaders); 56A. ELYSEE (French president’s home); ENIGMATIC (3D. Tough to figure out); HEARTEN (25A. Cheer up);ONASPREE (21A. Frolicking); PEGGED (20A. Identified); PIANOSOLO (34D. "Layla" has one). .Five-and-less-letter entries -- AGOG(35D. Totally wowed) and AMAZE (51D. Totally wow); BEECH(46D. Nut producer); EDGER (12D. Neatening tool); HAVEN (63A. Safe place); INTEL (24D. Major chipmaker);JELLO (49D. Molded fare); OCCUR (41A. Come to mind); OLIVE (53D. Place for pimiento); REHAB (52D. Dry out, in a way); SARAN (32D. Wrap in a roll);SENSE (22D. Pick up on);SNAKE (15D. Plumber’s tool; UMIAK (50D. Eskimo boat); UNION7D. Men in blue); and USURP(10D. Take forcibly).Short stuff --AGO(and AGOG), ALTS, BETA, ELEC, ENC, EPI, ESSE, EYER, HALO, IGO, ILES, IRAE, LAZE, LEI and LET, LORE, MEW, NAB, OAR, OKED, PTAS(and STPAT), SOUL, SUNG, SURE, TAOS and TOSS, TEMP, TIER, USED(16A. Played for a cat‘s-paw).Toy of the day -- HERE!
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Remaining clues -- Across: 1. Level; 5. Record store section; 9. “Natch!”; 19. Like some telegrams; 28. Business letter abbr.; 29. Relief map figs.; 30. Some fund-raising orgs.; 37. Ring around the collar?; 43. It’s handed down; 44. Pueblo dweller; 45. Catch in the act; 62. Kick back; 64. Specks in the Seine; 65. Gave the nod; 66. Test version. Down: 1. Fill-in; 2. “Dies ___”; 6. Galley need; 25. Symbol of goodness; 26. It may be D.C.; 27. Prefix with center; 31. Way back when; 36. Deep-six; 39. Copy cats?; 57. One who’s “just looking”; 58. Latin 101 verb; 61. Rent out.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009 Puzzle by Jim Hyres, edited by Will Shortz MILLE BORNES(17A. Game with “Out of Gas” cards);JASON BOURNE (58A. Robert Ludlum protagonist); FIRSTBORN (11D. Heir to a throne, typically), andWIND-BORNE (33D. Like the dust in a dust storm) are this Tuesday crossword’s interrelated entries. DEDICATE(38D. Devote wholly) ENERGIES (9D. Vigorous feelings),PULL RANK (4D. Exert one’s superiority) and TANTRUMS (39D. Rugrats’ outbursts) also belong together. Get out the AIR TASER (21A. High-voltage weapon). Another group -- PROWL CAR(53A. Cop’s cruiser),RAG TOPS (49A. Convertibles, informally) and SEDAN (45A. Alternative to a station wagon or convertible). Also, TESTERS(10D. Lab personal) are familiar with a BELL JAR (41D. Sylvia Plath novel with “The”). People in the puzzle: an AGENT(25A. Word with double or free); ALOU (14A. Baseball’s Moises or Felipe); 26. Furrier John Jacob ASTOR; 61A. Former British P.M. Clement ATTLEE; CAPP (1A. Li’l Abner creator Al); DEMS (31D. G.O.P. rivals); ERIK (37A. Composer Satie); MAGOO (42D. Myopic Mr.); MIZE (62A. Larry who won the 1987 Masters);ORRIN (50D. Sen. Hatch of Utah);RAMIS (27D. Harold of “Ghostbusters”); SONIA (8D. Braga of film); a USER (13D. Tech’s customer); and ZALES (34A. Big name in retail jewelry), along with the eponymous PONZI scheme (51D.) and fringe-human,I ROBOT (28A. Classic Isaac Asimov short-story).ACT ONE(15A. Play starter) leads off the remaining mid-sized entries followed by ANKLES (20A. Spots for spats), BORROW (56A. Check out of a library, e.g.),DABBED(46D. Applied gently) and YEARNED(23A. Had a yen). Also, RESEED (64A. Start over with, as a lawn) and SODDED (43A. Like newly laid lawns) have a commonality. Sharing their initial letter, TABSET(5D. Typewriter formatting feature) and TEASET(5A. China shop purchase) are separated but by a single letter from being anagrams. Five-letter -- ALINE (2D. Flared dress); BELIE (47A. Contradict); BENIN (41A. Nation once known as Dahomey); CAMAY (1D. Bar soap brand); DEMOS (38A. Some mailings to record execs); DOWNY (31A. Popular fabric softener); DOZEN (24D. Dunkin’ Donuts order); EASTS(48D. Some bridge seats); 18D. EENSY-weensy; LONER (35D. Asocial sort); MANES (42A. Horses’ locks); POLKA (3D. Oompah band tune); SWEEP (52D. Remove dust bunnies). Short stuff -- ANO, ATRA, DEW, EAR, ECO, FSU, ITS, MSN, NEE, ODE, OKIE and OKS, ORSO and PESO, RAID, ROLE, RYE and STYE, SNIP and TRIP and 60A. Ugly asSIN.
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Remaining clues -- 11. Seminoles’ sch.; 16. “___ only money!”; 19. Certain whiskey; 36. Gives the thumbs-up; 39. Go sprawling; 40. AOL alternative; 57. Place for a plug; 63. Poem of Sappho. Down: 6. Prefix with system or sphere; 7. Gillette razor; 12. Eyelid woe; 22. “I’ll take that as ___”; 29. Depression-era migrant; 30. Recipe amts.; 32. Guesstimate phrase; 44. Mountain ___ (soda); 53. Colombian cash; 54. Drug bust, e.g.; 59. Bridal bio word.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Puzzle by Timothy Powell and Nancy Salomon, edited by Will Shortz
LETS NOT GO THERE(20A. “Bad idea!”);YOU MUST BE JOKING (“Bad idea!”); I DIDN’T HEAR THAT (52A. “Bad idea!”) are this Monday crossword’s interrelated entries. The puzzle continues in the same vein with 63A. “You’re something ELSE!“ and a FUROR (14A. Lots of screaming and shouting) with an occasional HE HE (15A. Gleeful giggle). Opening with NAG AT(1A. Bother persistently) and closing with PESKY (67A. Bothersome), in between we have LEERY(17A. Distrustful) VETOES (9D. Presidential noes) and SAY OK(25D. Give the go-ahead), NADA (10A. Zilch),SLY(61D. Wily) KIBITZ (44A. Offer advice from around a card table) and NERTS (21D. “Phooey!”).BLIND DATES(31D. Social arrangements that don’t always work out) with a GREEN THUMB (3D. Gardener’s gift) and NOAHS ARK(10D. Two-by-two vessel) on the MAIN DRAG(39D. Central street) are the other long entries. Six-letter entries include AORTAS(4D. Arterial trunks); ETHANE(47D. Flammable gas);SEABED(30A. Sunken ship’s locale); SUNTAN(35D. Beachgoer’s acquisition); TREMOR(22D. Cause of a low Richter reading);ZITHER(45D. Instrument with 30+ strings).
Five-letter -- DEGAS (33D. Edgar who painted ballerinas); ECOLI(26D. Undercooked meat danger); 32D.EENSY-weensy;JETER(40D. Shortstop Derek);MRLEE (37A. “My sweetie” in a 1957 hit for the Bobbettes);OATES(60A. Hall’s singing partner); 41A.“OLMANRiver” (song from “Show Boat”);ONEAL(64A. Center Shaquille);FHOLE (49D. Cello feature); SEDER(42D. Passover meal);STAIR(35A. Steps between floors); STOOP(51D. Bend to go through a doorway, say … or what may be in front of the door);THIGH(8D. Chicken piece);TRYST(5D. Romantic rendezvous);VIBES(29D. Aura, informally).
Short stuff -- ACH, ALAN, ANNE, AUEL, AXEL and AXED, DEAR and DIOR, DISH, EASE, EATS, EDYS, ESTA and ESTD, HERS, HOAX, IDES, IOTA, NAIF, NATE, NEWT, NFL, NSA, ONTV, OXEN, REDO, REED, REV, SETS, SHAG, SOT, SWIT, TEAK(57A. Wood for shipbuilding) -- or gopher!
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Remaining clues -- Across: 6. Airing; 16. Plow team; 18. Loretta of “M*A*S*H”; 19. Alda of “M*A*S*H”; 23. Archibald or Thurmond of the N.B.A. 24. His and ___; 25. 6-1, 3-6 and 7-5, in tennis; 27. Race, as an engine; 34. “Oh!” in Osterreich; 43. Hush-hush org.; 46. Barfly; 47. Ice cream brand; 48. Babe in the woods; 50. Cornerstone abbr.; 58. Couturier Christian; 59. Elaborate April fool; 62. Are, in Argentina; 65. Kind of carpet; 66. Woodwind item. Down: 1. Org. for Patriots and Packers; 2. Jean who wrote “The Clan of the Cave Bear”; 7. Small salamander; 11. Car bar; 12. Letter starter; 13. One of the Bronte sisters; 28. Has dinner; 36. Work over; 52. Fateful day in March; 53. Satellite signal receiver; 54. Letter after theta; 55. Lighten, as a burden; 56. Pink-slipped.
----------------- Sunday, January 25, 2009 FIDDLE DEE DEE, Puzzle by Michael Torch, edited by Will Shortz In this Sunday crossword, substituting DD for TT results in the interrelated entries of UDDER NONSENSE(22A. Dairy frivolity?);PUDDIN ON THE RITZ (40A. Creamy dessert atop a cracker, informally?);CADDY REMARKS (56A. Advice for golfers?);SHUDDER SPEED (61A. Measure of reaction to horror?);LADDER DAY SAINTS (80A. Guardians of a house painters’ celebration?);ONLINE BEDDING(102A. Linens purchased through a Web site?);BIDDER COLD (2D. Why the eBay user was laid up?);FADDY ACIDS (69D. Trendy lab hazards?). None of the remaining entries in the puzzle are more than eight letters.Across: 1.Objects of core workouts, ABS; 4. Carousing,ONASPREE; 12. Certain audio download, PODCAST; 9. Goof,SLIP; 20. Landlord’s schedule,RENTROLL; 21. Refrigerator compartment, CRISPER; 24. Extra, TOSPARE; 25. Default subjects, BADLOANS; 26. “Scrubs” actor Braff, ZACH; 28. LivingLARGE; 29. Dakota du Nord et du Sud, par exemple, ETATS; 30. Mekong River locale, LAOS; 32. Chosen, ANOINTED; 35. Moved with purpose, STRODE; 37. Cardinal, MAIN; 38. Creep around,SNEAK; 39. Place, LOCUS; 46. “How could INOT?”; 47. Labyrinth parts, WALLS; 48. Root of government, ELIHU; 49. Gen. Robt. ELEE; 50. Guy’s date, GAL; 51. Monkey, pony or alligator, DANCE; 52. QB Rodney, PEETE; 53. Leading, AHEAD; 54. Source of the word “clan”,OLDIRISH; 58. Home of the Excelsior Mts., NEV; 59. New York town with Playland amusement park, RYE; 60. Swamp, FEN; 67. Succeeding, GOINGFAR; 72. Smoothed, EASED; 73. Sushi supplier, EELER; 74. With 78-Across, stated desire of many a Miss America, WORLD; 75. Home to Ohio Northern University,ADA; 76. “Zip-ADEE-Doo-Dah”; 77. Overused, BANAL; 78. See 74-Across,PEACE; 79. Vitamin amts., RDAS; 83. Evade; DODGE; 84. Where races are won and lost, MEETS; 85. Some TV screens, LCDS; 86. Acted like an ass, BRAYED; 87. Red carpet affair, PREMIERE; 91. Adobe material, CLAY; 92. “TOORA-Loo-Ra-Loo-Ral”; 93. Support, as an embankment, REVET; 94. Losing admiral in the Battle of the Falkland Islands, 1914, SPEE; 96. Disposable bathroom item,DIXIECUP; 99. Tipped off, ALERTED; 105. Actress Beverly who played Patsy Cline in “Coal Miner’s Daughter”, DANGELO; 106. Avoid, as a sleeping dog, maybe, STEPOVER; 107. Annexes, ADDS; 108. Chose to participate, OPTEDIN; 109. Sponges, TOSSPOTS; 110. General on Chinese menus, TSO. Down: 1. Pierce player on TV, ALDA; 3. Clarified, in England, SPELTOUT; 4. Plain’s opposite, ORNATE; 5. Some signs, NEONS; 6. St. ANNS Head Lighthouse (Welsh landmark); 7. Blvds., STS; 8. Historic leader?,PRE; 9. Pasta brand, RONZONI; 10. Style expert Klensch and others, ELSAS; 11. Engineering subj.,ELEC; 12. Part of A.P.R.: Abbr., PCT; 13. Conquistador’s plunder, ORO; 14. Aversion, DISLIKE; 15. “Washington Journal” airer, CSPAN; 16. Separated,APART; 17. Suit material, SERGE; 18. In a tough position, TREED; 19. Hero, SUB; 23. Pikes, e.g., ROADS; 27.Fox News opinionator, HANNITY; 30. Dish out, LADLE; 31. Assists, AIDS; 33. Infernal, NETHER; 34. Home of Wheeler Army Airfield, OAHU; 35. County next to Mayo, SLIGO; 36. Like the Chinese language, TONAL; 37. Gardener’s bagful,MULCH; 38. Having a bottom, SOLED; 40. Oil receptacles, PANS; 41. Obligatory, NEEDED; 42. Put back up, REHANG; 43. Robert of “The Sopranos”,ILER; 44. Patio furniture wood, TEAK; 45. Snore symbols in England, ZEDS; 47. Relinquish, WAIVE; 51. Judge DREDD, Stallone title role; 52. Check writer,PAYER; 53. Alter, AMEND; 56. Anglers’ baskets, CREELS; 57. Submit tax returns via the Net, EFILE; 61. Circus performer, SEAL; 62. We HADA ball!”; 63. New’s opposite, USED; 64. Schoolbook, READER; 65. Deliberative bodies,SENATES; 66. Halfback option and Hail Mary, PLAYS; 67. Sources of milk for chèvre cheese, GOATS; 69. Tolkien monsters, ORCS; 70. Saw, ADAGE; 71. Demolished, in Essex, RASED; 74. Fast-food eponym, WENDY; 77. “Desperate Housewives” role, BREE; 78. 12-point type, PICA; 70. Really enjoyed, as a joke,ROAREDAT; 81. Put out, EMITTED; 81. Genotype determinants, ALLELES; 83. Intelligent bot, DROID; 86. Some underwear, BOXERS; 87. Place to see Goyas, PRADO; 88. Pass once more, RELAP; 89. Schedule listing, EVENT; 90. Sign near a freeway entrance, MERGE; 91. Italian 100, CENTO; 92. “The roof of the world”, TIBET; 95. Assignment, POST; 96. Rock group whose members wear red flowerpots on their heads, DEVO; 97. Take back, UNDO; 98. Some film ratings, PGS; 100. Clockmaker Terry, ELI; 101. Dress in, DON; 103. Tape player spec: Abbr. IPS; 104. Alphabet trio, NOP. Fiddle dee dee, INDEED (55D. “Definitely!”)…
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----------------- Sunday, January 25, 2009 ACROSTIC, Puzzle by Emily Cox & Henry Rathvon, edited by Will Shortz This Sunday’s acrostic utilizes a quotation from Steve Martin’s Born Standing Up. A review of the book by NPR states in part: Steve Martin gave up stand-up comedy in 1981, at the height of his fame, moving on to acting and writing. Martin calls his new book Born Standing Up a biography rather than an autobiography of a guy he used to know. In the beginning, there was a string of small, quirky stages like the drive-in movie theater, where the audience honked at the punch lines. In the end, there were giant arenas and a life suffused, as he puts it, with a "freakish celebrity aura."The quotation: MY MOST PERSISTENT MEMORY OF STAND-UP IS OF MY MOUTH BEING IN THE PRESENT AND MY MIND BEING IN THE FUTURE THE MOUTH SPEAKING THE LINE WHILE THE MIND IS OBSERVING ANALYZING WORRYING AND THEN DECIDING WHAT TO SAY NEXT The author’s name and the title of the work: STEVE MARTIN BORN STANDING UP The defined words: SHEBANG(A. Structure or contrivance in its entirety);TERMITE (B. Undermining force in the housing industry); ENDGAME (C. Lead-up to checkmate); VESTIGE (D. Footprint; survivor);EYETEST(E. Occasion for a Snellen chart [2 wds.]);MANHUNT (F. Attempt to find a fugitive);ALTHING (G. Assembly first convened in A.D. 930);RHYMING (H. Prominent feature of rap lyrics); THINKER (I. Sculpture in front of Columbia University’s Philosophy Hall, with “The”); IMHOTEP (J. Boris Karloff’s role in “The Mummy”); NUMBERS (K. Book covering a Sinai-to-Moab journey); BRUXISM (L. Grinding one’s teeth in one’s sleep); OPPIDAN (M. Of a town; townsman) ; RHIZOME (N. Edible part of ginger, e.g.);NIGHTLY (O. How Leander swam to Hero); SHERIFF (P. Job that evolved from “shire reeve”); TIMOTHY (Q. Grass grown mainly for fodder); ACIDITY (R. Soil condition favorable to azaleas);NOSWEAT(S. “Shouldn’t be a problem” [2 wds.]); DENTIST (T. Sadistic “Little Shop of Horrors” figure); INANITY (U. Complete lack of sense);NEWMOWN (V. Like hay in the song “On the Banks of the Wabash, Far Away” [hyph.]); GODSEND (W. Just what you need when you don’t expect it);UNFUNNY (X. Like a gag that bombs);POODLES (Y. Curly contestants for Best in Show). The full quote: I did stand-up comedy for eighteen years. Ten of those years were spent learning, four years were spent refining, and four were spent in wild success. My most persistent memory of stand-up is of my mouth being in the present and my mind being in the future: the mouth speaking the line, the body delivering the gesture, while the mind looks back, observing, analyzing, judging, worrying, and then deciding when and what to say next. Enjoyment while performing was rare—enjoyment would have been an indulgent loss of focus that comedy cannot afford. After the shows, however, I experienced long hours of elation or misery depending on how the show went, because doing comedy alone onstage is the ego's last stand. A few thorny defined words, including oppidan, rhizome and bruxism, plus a less than memorable quotation and my lack of interest in Steve Martin’s career, made this a solemn solve. However, there‘s no accounting for taste -- that‘s why they have menus in restaurants! Click on image to enlarge.Puzzle available on the internet at THE NEW YORK TIMES -- Crossword Puzzles and Games
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Relativity by MC Escher
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Puzzle available on the internet at
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