The New York Times Crossword in Gothic: February 2009

02.28.09 -- ELECTRIC BLUE

Saturday, February 28, 2009

Puzzle by Frank Longo, edited by Will Shortz

ELECTRIC BLUE (27. Hue similar to cyan), ON LEAVE (36. Off for a stretch), and ALEC GUINNESS (38. Oscar winner for “The Bridge on the River Kwai”) are the only connections between the four corners of a quadrupuzzle crossword.

Upper left puzzle -- Across: 1. Hindenburg’s predecessor as German president, EBERT; 6. Cousin of an alewife, SHAD; 14. Drive participant, DONOR; 15. Heads of Italy, CAPI; 17. Place for a tie, GARBAGE BAG; 20. Summer cooler, ITALIAN ICE; 22. Manages to get through, NEGOTIATES; 24. Multiplied, GREW. Down: 1. The rough vis-à-vis a green, EDGING; 2. Summer headgear, BOATER; 3. Bring to the boiling point, ENRAGE; 4. 2001 Emmy nominee for “The West Wing”, ROB LOWE; 5. Quality, TRAIT; 6. Elaborate solo vocal composition, SCENA; 7. It might be kicked after being picked up, HABIT; 8. With celerity, APACE; 9. Like some tracts, DIGESTIVE; 18. Cheerful, in Chalôns, GAI.

Upper right -- Across: 10. Longtime name in news-gathering, TASS; 16. Gifford’s talk-show replacement, RIPA; 19. Magnitogorsk’s river, URAL; 21. Biblical trial word, ECCE; 23. Roger of “Cheers”, REES; 25. One doing fitting work, TAILOR; 37. Brand of octane booster, STP. Down: 10. Sternum attachment, TRUE RIB; 11. Alveoli, e.g., AIR CELLS; 12. Enter la-la land, SPACE OUT; 13. Spiel preparer, SALES REP; 26. Sports winners, ACES.

Lower left -- Across: 33. Miss at a rodeo, GAL; 41. Water-skiing variety, SLALOM; 46. Credit report tarnisher, briefly, REPO; 53. Calls for passage, AYES; 55. Origination point, NODE; 57. Toe trouble, GOUT; 60. Dr. Foreman’s portrayer on “House”, EPPS. Down: 28. Stationery topper, LOGO; 33. Burner locale, GAS RANGE; 34. Court crowd-pleaser, ALLEY OOP; 35. Executed part of a 34-Down, LEAPED UP; 39. Shuts up, CLOSETS.

Lower right -- Across: 42. She, to Schiaparelli, ESSA; 47. First holder of the title Supreme Governor of the Church of England, ELIZABETH I; 54. Governing group, RULE MAKERS; 56. Epithet coined for the 2002 State of the Union address, AXIS OF EVIL; 58. Recommend highly, TOUT; 59. Toy with tassels, TRIKE; 61. Title aunt in a 1979 best seller, ERMA; 62. Plant A SEED. Down: 29. Count, ENUMERATE; 40. Group with the 1967 #2 hit “Georgy Girl,” with “the”, SEEKERS; 43. English poet Smith, STEVIE; 44. Butcherbird or woodchat, SHRIKE; 45. Like supermarkets, AISLED; 48. Locale of Theban ruins, LUXOR; 48. Part of the body next to the sacrum, ILIUM; 50. Ritz rival, ZESTA; 51. Catullus’s “Odi et AMO”; 52. U.K. equivalent to an Oscar, BAFTA, and Guinness won that too!

Here’s an electric blue most dread!

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02.27.09 -- Opinions

Hell mouth, as figured in the Roxburghe Ballads. University of Victoria Library.

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Friday, February 27, 2009

Puzzle by Joe DiPietro, edited by Will Shortz

Puzzle features six 15-letter across entries -- THE STARS AND BARS (1. Bygone flag); HAVE AN OPINION ON (16. Think a certain way about); USE THE TELEPHONE (17. Make a call); BANANA REPUBLIC (50. Much of Central America, once); IVE NEVER TRIED IT (54. “This would be a firs for me”); GENERAL MANAGERS (55. Trading posts?).

Remaining across: 18. New York’s Bear MTN: Abbr.; 19. Ballyhooed new product of 1998, IMAC; 20. Name repeated in a nursery rhyme; 21. Short dog, for short, POM; 22. It’s nothing, NIL; 23. Before the races, PREMEET; 25. Kind of depth finder, SONIC; 27. Bit of noise pollution, BLARE; 28. B and O figures: Abbr., ATNOS; 29. Brilliant moves, COUPS; 30. Roll, WAD; 33. Bubbly name, MOET; 34. Loosens (up), WARMS; 35. Big copper exporter, PERU; 36. Cover girl, e.g.?, SPY; 37. Laid-back, TYPEB; 38. Time being, NONCE; 39. Mammonism, GREED; 40. “Something to Talk About” singer, 1991, RAITT; 41. 1960s-’70s; 41. Words starting a simple request, ALLIASK; 44. 1960s-’70s touchdown maker, LEM; 45. Mission statement part, AIM; 47. First name in conducting, SEIJI; 48. Actress Mazar, DEBI; 49. Lab subj., SCI.

The Worship of Mammon by Evelyn De Morgan, 1909

Down: 1. Beat but good, THUMP; 2. Can’t continue, HASTOSTOP; 3. A tossup, EVENMONEY; 4. Not hurting for cash, SET; 5. Pastes in Mideastern cooking, TAHINIS; 6. Hardly hearty, ANEMIC; 7. Relating to wheels, ROTAL; 8. You might not get paid while working on it, SPEC; 9. Hurt, AIL; 10. Dayton-to-Toledo dir., NNE; 11. Ladles, DIPPERS; 12. “Scenes de la Vie de BOHEME” (novel on which a Puccini opera is based); 13. Make ANOTE of it; 14. Actress Blakley, RONEE; 15. Comics dog, SNERT; 23. Downright, PLUMB; 24. Emulates Eve, RAPS; 26. With 41-Down, shrunken, NOT; 27. Yet to be engaged?, BORED; 28. Early times, for short, AMS; 29. “The Insect Play” playwright, CAPEK; 30. Withdrew quietly, WENTASIDE; 31. It’s a little over 65 degrees: Abbr., ARCTICCIR; 32. Deserved, DUE; 34. Things that open and close yearly?, WYES; 35. Maui mouthful, POI; 37. Coach, TRAINER; 38. Home of Walvis Bay, NAMIBIA; 39. 1997 Demi Moore flick, GIJANE; 40. Co-firing technique used to reduce pollution from electrical power plants, REBURN; 41. See 26-Down, ASBIG; 42. Furlough, LEAVE; 43. Chambermaid’s charge, LINEN; 44. Pennies : dollar :: LEPTA : drachma; 46. Producers of sunbows, MISTS; 48. Skin: Suffix, DERM; 51. Palindromic girl’s name, AVA; 52. Bill of rights subj., REL; 53. Kicker, LEG.

No opinion.

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02.26.09 -- ZAP!

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Puzzle by Brendan Emmett Quigley, edited by Will Shortz

The letter-string of INGQU appears to be the main feature of this Thursday crossword -- LIVING QUARTERS (20A. Residence); BURNING QUESTION (25A. It has to be asked); HOMECOMING QUEEN (43A. Alumni weekend V.I.P.); STRING QUARTETS (48A. Many Haydn compositions). The puzzle is holoalphabetic, almost twice, being short of one F and one Z.

BROUGHAM (38D. Closed carriage with the driver outside in front); DATA SETS (9D. Records for computer processing); ELEVEN AM (4D. Matinee showing time, maybe) and SAUCEPAN (39D. Its home is on the range) are the other long entries.

Mid-size entries rule the day -- 61A. Finnish architect Alvar AALTO; 18A. “Conversation is AN ART in which a man has all mankind for his competitors”: Ralph Waldo Emerson; ATE AT (34A. Troubled); BATCH (25D. Bake sale display); BEAT IT (10D. “Vamoose!”); BOATS (38A. Common origami figures); ELIXIR (44D. Alchemist’s concoction); ERASE (41A. Clean, in a way); GARSON (45D. She played Mrs. Miniver in “Mrs. Miniver); GLOAM (28D. Twilight, old-style); HURLS (57A. Casts); ILENE (31D. “The L Word” creator/producer Chaiken); 15A. Poet Federico Garcia LORCA; LUSTY (35A. Like Petruchio’s wench in “The Taming of the Shrew”; MY SON (64A. Words repeated after “O Absalom” in the Bible); NIKON (33D. Coolpix camera maker); OXEYE (32D. False sunflower); PLAN ON (5D. Have in mind); PLIED (5A. Worked regularly at); QUASI (29D. Somewhat); REAIM (27D. Adjust, as a satellite dish); SANYO (42A. Consumer electronics giant); US TEN (30D. Old hwy. from Detroit to Seattle); 26D. “In UTERO” (1993 #1 album).

Short stuff abounds -- ACES, AFC, ALEE, ALTO, AURA, AXLE, BAJA, CRI, ECON, ECRU, EMO, EVIL, EXEC, IMIT, IRAQ, JEER and JOKE, JEW, KIRI, LOCI, LONG, LOU, LXI, NEAP, ODOR, OVAL, PREZ, QUAY, RICO, ROSY, SEEK, SERA, SOI, SQFT, STLO, TEAM, TRUE, TWIX, TWOD, URLS, WARE, ZAP (59D. Delete in one quick stroke).

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Remaining clues -- Across: 1. Toastmaster’s offering; 10. Home of Ensenada, informally; 14. “The ___ of Frankenstein” (Peter Cushing film); 16. Acct. ___; 17. Delft, e.g.; 19. “Hard ___!” (captain’s order); 23. Some music on the Warped Tour; 24. “___ see!”; 36. Middle year of Nero’s reign; 37. Santa’s reindeer, e.g.; 39. Ask for; 40. ___ de coeur; 46. 1961 Top 10 hit “Hello Mary ___”; 47. Texans’ grp.; 56. It comes from Mars; 58. Firm honcho; 60. Centers of activity; 62. Ambiance; 63. Something in the air; 65. Occurrence in the moon’s first quarter. Down: 1. Wandering ___; 2. Eyeglass lens shape; 3. ___ Davis, “A Girl Like Me” documentarian; 6. Pants spec; 7. Modern home of the ancient Akkadian empire; 8. It’s similar to cream; 11. Part of a wheelset; 12. Raspberry; 13. Reno’s AAA baseball team; 21. “You’re looking at your guy!”; 22. Upbeat; 41. Capital subj.; 2. Carpet meas.; 48. French town of W.W. II; 49. Lacking depth; 50. Opposite of pobre; 51. Unloading site; 52. They may be bookmarked; 53. Certain casato; 54. Legitimate; 55. “Buona ___”.

02.25.09 -- SPIKED

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Puzzle by Kelly Browder, edited by Will Shortz

SPIKED (48D. (21- and 52-Across and 3- and 31-Down might be), along with NEWS STORIES (21A. Pulitzer Prize entries), VOLLEY BALLS (52A. They may be served at the beach), IRON FENCES (3D. Some ornamental barriers), and PUNCH BOWLS (31D. Party servers) are this Wednesday crossword’s interrelated entries -- as for SPIKED, a dozen other uses of the word are possible.

The next longest entries are of seven letters and include LECTERN (37A. Stand that a speaker might take), POLARIS (42D. Star in Ursa Minor), SPINNER (39A. Randomizing device), TIPSTER (7D. One with the inside track at the track?).

Six letter entries -- ADAPTS (29A. Makes evolutionary changes), ADORES (17A. Is nuts for), ARAWAK (61A. Indian encountered by Columbus), FERULE (35D. Schoolmaster’s rod), ICETEA (9D. Summer cooler), LAREDO (14A. U.S./Mexico border city), MORALE (47D. It may need boosting), NOFEAR (34A. Brand of clothing or energy drink), ORDAIN (23D. Make a father of), PAYOLA (44D. Radio no-no), PICNIC (42A. Meal on a blanket), 1D. “PLATOS Republic”, PRIMER (1A. Base coat), RADIAL (2D. Michelin offering), SASSED (68A. Dissed verbally), 65A. “STILLE Nacht” (German carol), TOSSUP (43A. Even chance).

Five-letter -- AMNIO (30D. Prenatal test, for short), AMUSE (36A. Tickle), DOTES (27D. Spoils, with “on”), IBEAM (50D. Construction girder), LAILA (49A. Muhammad’s pugilistic daughter), MOIST (8D. Like a towelette), OTTER (25A. Web-footed animal), SISAL (39D. Rope fiber), STEER (41A. Burgers on the hoof), WOMAN (22D. John’s ode to Yoko).

Short stuff -- AER, AIS, AME and AMS, ATOM, BOP, CARR, CEDE, DONE, EDEN, EMTS, ETAS, ETO, ETUI, IOC, LAI, LARA, LASS, LST and LSAT, MER, OAF, OER, OHMS, ORI, OSS, OTOE, PCS, PIE, ROSE, RUNT, SEAT, SER, SLED, SRTA, TIN, TMI, TORA, TSE, VETS (52D. Checks out thoroughly).

In more ways than one, spiked!

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Remaining clues -- Across: 1. “More than I need to know,” in modern lingo; 10. Turn over; 15. Games org.; 16. Tiny bit; 18. Chart shape; 19. Littlest sucker; 24. Big lug; 26. Ride with runners; 28. ___ Zion Church; 45. Old spy org.; 46. Resistance units; 51. Some jazz; 58. “… ___ quit!”; 59. ORD or LAX figs.; 60. Above, to bards; 63. When tripled, a 1970 war film; 64. My ___, Vietnam; 66. Boarding pass datum; 67. Pro-___ (some tourneys). Down: 4. Fruits de ___ (menu heading); 5. Scene of a fall; 6. Sommelier’s selection; 10. Singer Vikki; 11. Place for a thimble; 12 Reading to serve; 13. Rescue crew, briefly; 28. ___ Lingus; 32. Philosopher Lao- ___; 33. Sun. speech; 37. W.W. II transport: Abbr.; 38. Arena where 37-Downs were used: Abbr.; 40. CD burners; 53. Oklahoma tribe; 54. Zhivago’s love; 55. Aspiring atty.’s exam; 56. Bonny one; 57. Mex. Miss; 62. Grafton’s “ ___ for Alibi”.

02.24.09 -- Of a Feather

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Puzzle by Stephen Edward Anderson, edited by Will Shortz

Light as a feather, this crossword crosses birds and verbs with ease -- CRANE ONES NECK (21A. Strain to see over the top); SWALLOW ONES PRIDE (41A. Eat humble pie); HAWK ONES WARES (59A. Be a street peddler) -- well, except that an extra line of vertical squares were required to accommodate the long center entry, you know, the one about the humble pie.

Other long entries include ALL DONE (48A. “That’s it for now!”), LEOPARDS (42D. They’re spotted in tall grass), NIAGARA (34A. Honeymooners’ destination), PAPER TIGER (65A. Toothless enemy), TIE CLASP (10D. Haberdashery accessory), and WIGGLE ROOM (19A. Margin to maneuver).

Six-letter entries include AT WILL (29D. Whenever your heart desires); ERODES (26D. Wears away); ESKIMO (50D. One for whom Nome may be home); GAMERS (27D. Arcade fans); LADIES (25D. Part of L.P.G.A.); 9D. Filet MIGNON;

MISHAP (28D. Fender bender, e.g.); 30D. PEARLY white; SAW OUT (52D. Walked to the door); ZONERS (5D. Land-use regulators).
Five-letter entries -- AGING (4D. Cause of some wrinkles); AMIGO (15.Friend in a sombrero); ANGST (8D. Unfocused dread); CAPOS (72A. Mafia dons); FJORD (69A. Norwegian coast feature); HIREE (45A. Company newbie); IONIA (17A. Ancient region with an architectural style named after it); LATIN (18A. Root of all Romance languages); ONE NO (68A. Terse bridge bid); ORTHO (22d. Big name in lawn products); SODOM (40A. City God destroyed with fire and brimstone); SSGTS (44D. U.S.M.C. noncoms); TOAST (74A. “Here’s to …,’ e.g.); TOGAS (56D. Forum attire); TOPAZ (1A. Birthstone for most Scorpios); TWERP (10A. Insignificant type); UDDER (71A. Milk dispenser); X AND O (58D. Tic-tac-toe alternatives).

Four-letter -- AMIE (7D. Friend who’s française); ENES (63D. Hydrocarbon suffixes); ERNO (61D. Professzor Rubik); GORP (35D. Hiker’s snack); HERO (59D. Key to the city recipient, maybe); HOBO (38A. Bum); ITES (36A. Social finishes?); LEOI (20D. First in a string of 13 popes); MAAM (6A. Sir’s complement); MAIN (70A. Street that may be a U.S. highway); MOWN (6D. Like golf greens, frequently; NEIL (60D. Singer Sedaka); NEWT (49D. Politico Gingrich); OMAR (2D. Five-star Bradley); OMNI (16A. 1970s-’0s Dodge); ON KP (39D. Preparing hash for G.I. Joe, say); OSLO (73A. Capital on a 69-Across); PEGS (51A. Hard throws to first base, say); PEER (47A. One’s equal); PEST (55A. Real pill); RED A (62D. Stigma borne by Hester Prynne); SLED (37D. Musher’s carrier); SORT (64D. Type); STYX (31A. River of Hades); TALC (1D. 1 on the Mohs scale); TOOL (24A. Hammer or tongs); XKES (46A Classic Jags); WORK (11D. Slacker’s bane) ; 33D. XBOX 360.
Three -- AJA, EEE, ENO, GRR, LEG, MAP, PAM, PFC, PLY, POP, RIO, SSS, TAX, YOW (32D. “Ouch!”).
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02.23.09 -- B*ND

Monday, February 23, 2009

Puzzle by Alan Arbesfeld, edited by Will Shortz

Band, bend, bind, bond and bund are the binding elements of today’s interrelated entries -- RUBBER BAND (17A. Stretchable holder); AROUND THE BEND (23A. Loony); THE TIES THAT BIND (35A. Strong family connections, idiomatically); MUNICIPAL BOND (47A. Tax-free investment); CUMMERBUND (57A. Tux go-with).

HIRED GUNS (32D. Armed thugs) and WEBMASTER (3D. Internet guru) are the remaining long entries, followed by the mid-sized entries of ASSISTS (27A. Stats in hockey and basketball); BARRELS (44A. OPEC units); BLIMPS (44D. Hoverers over sports stadiums); CABINS (6D. Mountain retreats); CELEBS (10D. OK! Magazine topics); HITTER (43D. One getting a single or a double, e.g.); ROARER (46D. One guffawing); STENOS (5D. Dictation takers).

Five-letter entries -- 51A. Aids and ABETS; ALEUT (14A. Alaskan native); AMMAN (50D. Jordan’s capital); ECARD (13D. Modern-day birthday greeting); 62A. Country singer Tennessee ERNIE Ford; FAWNS (1A. Offspring of bucks and does); HOARD (7D. Stockpile); LIVEN (12D. Animate); MATES (47D. Chess endings); NERVE (49D. Chutzpah); ORATE (11. Talk bombastically); PETER (22A. Lose steam, with “out”); RASPS (65A. Talks like Don Corleone); UBOAT (48D. W.W. II Atlantic lurker).

Short stuff -- ABLE, ACRO, ADES, ALUM, ANN, ANTS, AONE, ARTY, CHAW, COLE, CSI, EAVE, EDYS, EERS, ELHI, ERIC, FARM, GSA, HAHA, HERA, HIE, INTL, IONS, LAVA, MILA, MLLE, MMM, NATO, NOIR, NUB, RIOT and ROUT, SAHL, SLAP and SNAP and SNIP, SLR, STER, TECH, TORT, UNO, WED.

Have a good week!

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02.21.09 -- Eye to Eye

Eye (Oog) M. C. Escher, 1946

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Saturday, February 21, 2009

Puzzle by Mike Nothnagel and Byron Walden, edited by Will Shortz

SYMMETRIC MATRIX (23A. Rectangular array that’s identical when its rows and columns are transposed, as this puzzle’s grid) and REFLECTED IMAGES (5D. They may be seen on a lake’s surface) are the main entries of this Saturday crossword which dispenses with the usual layout of a symmetric square in favor of a symmetric diamond on edge. It was slightly disorienting, but setting it upright, it looks just fine.

Two nine-letter entries ASIAMINOR (8D. Turkey setting) and CHEWINGON (40A. Pondering, informally) are followed by a half-dozen eight-letter entries -- CREPEPAN (33D. Specialty cookware item), ELICITED (18A. Provoked), ESCAPADE (31D. Dido), HESALIVE (16A. Cry of relief at an accident scene), SCHRODER (32D. German chancellor, 1998-2005), and TRAVELER (6A. One who may have connections).

Seven-letter -- ACETONE (38D. Polish stripper) and ASININE (57A. Cockamamie), ADPAGES (53A. Magazine sales), DEAREST (56A. Honey), EARCLIP (27A. Stud alternative), ERNESTO (58A. Automaker Maserati), ESCHERS (31A. Some collectible Dutch prints), EVELINE (12D. Title woman of a story from James Joyce’s “Dubliners”), FEEDBIN (37D. Trough), JURYBOX (55A. Courtside seats?), LITERAL (11D. Completely straightforward), REDOXES (13D. Electron-transferring reactions, briefly), 15D. Country music’s STATLER Brothers, THEVIPS (6D. 1963 Elizabeth Taylor/Richard Burton drama); WEEONES (59A. Tots), and XEROXES (39D. Some dupes).

Six-letter -- ANAKIN (25D. Obi-Wan’s apprentice), AZODYE (2D. Methyl orange or Congo red) and AZURES (14A. Certain blues), GOESTO (42D. Doesn’t skip) and GOLEFT (17A. “Haw”), INSANE (28A. Fruity), ISAYNO (44D. Self-response to “Must we put up with this?”), LATVIA (20A. NATO member since 2004), MOONED (46A. Revealed the end to?), MRSHOW (24D. 1990s HBO sketch comedy series), NAPLES (30A. Where pizza originated), NOPEST (41D. Brand of insecticide strips), READTO (51A. Lecture, in a way), and ZULEMA (3D. Woman’s name meaning “peace”).

Five-letter -- DRUSE (47D. Believer in al-Hakim as the embodiment of God), NIECE (43A. Many a goddaughter), RAGAS (1D. Hindu musician’s source material for improvisation), RAZOR (1A. Item with clear face value?), RELIC (7D. Dinosaur, so to speak), SCROD (35A. Split and boned entrée), STEMS (29A. Fruit salad waste), TRIMS (21D. Prunes).

Short stuff -- ADE and ARE, ARP and APES, ERIE, ELI and ELO, FAX, JAW, ORE, POE, SARI and SEER, SONS, TSPS, VAC, WANE, WOKS.

I think we‘re seeing eye to eye!

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Remaining clues -- Across: 19. Roadside stand offering, 22. Grp. With the debut single “10538 Overture”, 34. Round-bottomed vessels, 36. A choli is worn under it, 37. Kind of paper, 45. “Collage With Squares Arranged According to the Laws of Chance” artist, 48. One involved in future deals?, 49. Who wrote “I dwelt alone / In a world of moan, / And my soul was a stagnant tide”, 50. Some early “astronauts”. Down: 4. Elementary stuff, 9. A little cleaner?, 10. “Hostel” director Roth, 26. Some are heaping: Abbr., 34. Drop off, 36. End of many business names, 52. Home of Presque Isle Downs racetrack, 54. Be a different way?, 55. Wrench part.

02.20.09 -- Spelunk!

The Cave of the Storm Nymphs Sir Edward John Poynter

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Friday, February 20, 2009

Puzzle by Paula Gamache, edited by Will Shortz

Hmm… thinking about spelunking!

This cave of treasures features a half-dozen eleven-letter entries headlined by WEASEL WORDS (1A. Aids in artful deception) and includes an ALUMINUM CAN (53A. Recyclable), HEAT SENSORS (55A. Components of some alarms), plenty of INCOHERENCE (17A. Babble) even if RIGHT SIDE UP (15A. Correctly positioned); and importunes one to KISS MY GRITS (49A. 1970s-’80s sitcom put-down/catchphrase).

With that, the following is numerical/alphabetical…

Ten -- AIR CARRIER (27D. American, for one); APGAR SCORE (25D. Measure of a newborn’s health, named for its developer); CIRCLE LINE (13D. Big Apple excursion operation); HASHES OVER (14D. Reviews repeatedly); SCOTTIE DOG (12D. Pet with short legs and a hard coat, informally); SHORE COVER (26D. Extension of the terms of a marine insurance policy).

Eight -- DUCK CALL (10D. Decoy accompanier); REAR EXIT (38A. Back out?); SHANTIES (28A. Crude dwellings); TAX EXILE (33D. Wealthy Cayman Islands resident, maybe).

Seven -- ETHICAL (5D. Like straight shooters); REBEKAH (36D. One of Judaism’s four matriarchs); RIOT GUN (37D. It can be a stunner); SCRIBED (41A. Wrote); SCUTTLE (24A. Sink) hand in hand with SPELUNK (11D. Cave) as illustrated!

Six -- AS A MAN (25A. How Viola is disguised in “Twelfth Night”); CORTEX (43A. Center of learning); KLATCH (21A. Gabfest); L SEVEN (6D. Square, in 1950s slang, indicated visually by a two-hand gesture); SHAYNE (40D. Private detective Mike of Brett Halliday novels); SINGER (40A. One may be backed up).

Five -- ACRID (30D. Bitter); 30A. Go for A WALK; 29A. PHIAL of Galadriel (gift to Frodo Baggins); RAREE (36A. Street show); ROONE (37A. 2003 memoir of a TV executive); SHALE (24D. Slate, originally); SEMIS (42D. Round of four); SWEET (28D. “Nice!”); T CELL (33A. Antigen attacker); WIRED (7D. High on amphetamines).

Four -- AGCY (3D. Part of 16-Across: Abbr.); BEAT (44A. Switch); BSMT (44D. Real-estate ad abbr.); CDIV (34A. Year of the last known Roman gladiator competition); CONE (34D. Juniper product); 2D. Strauss’s “EINE Nacht in Venedig”; GORY (32A. Like some details): ICED (23A. Hit); I MAY (23D. Words after “if” or before “as well”); IVES (20A. Big Daddy player on 1950s Broadway); ODES (8D. Dedicated compositions); 45D. PICO Rivera, Calif.; SHOE (42A. Something fit to be tied?); SSNS (47D. Hyphenated IDs); STAR (46D. Lead); WRIT (1D. Baliff’s concern).

Three -- ARC (35A. Plot line); ATT (22D. Court figure: Abbr.); CIA (16A. Org. in the 1982 film “Enigma”); ELO (31A. “Livin’ Thing” group, in brief); ERR (54A. Not be on target); ORS (18A. Where people wear gowns, for short); OVI (48A. Duct opening?); PSS (45A. Followers of closings: Abbr.); 52A. Loch REE, on the River Shannon; REN (9D. TV pooch); RIT (39D. Slowing, in mus.); RMS (51D. Real-estate ad abbr.); SCH (12A. Knowledge base?: Abbr.); 52A. SHO (4D. “The Tudors” airer, briefly); 50D. SUA sponte (of its own accord, at law).

Off to spelunk!

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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

02.19.09 -- Wormhole

Illustration depicting a wormhole

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Thursday, February 19, 2009

Puzzle by Kevin G. Der, edited by Will Shortz

There’s another world at the end of this crossword. Adding an extra letter in front of five entries constitutes today’s interrelated group of entries -- an extra E, X, T, R and A, heralded by EXTRA EXTRA (57A. Old street cry, or what’s in 18-, 23-, 34-, 42- and 51-Across). Left alone, those entries would read bay window, ray of hope, urban legend, adios amigos, and Wes Craven, but instead (with justifying clues) -- EBAY WINDOW (18A. What might have the heading “Collectibles” or “Toys & Hobbies”?); XRAY OF HOPE (23A. Optimistic scan at the dentist’s?); TURBAN LEGEND (34A. Story of Ali Baba?); RADIOS AMIGOS (42A. Transmit’s a message to Pancho and pals?); AWES CRAVEN (51A. Amazes a horror film director?). After completing the puzzle, I still had no idea what was extra -- it’s one of those!

And down into the wormhole of negativity we go -- OH JOY (9A. “That’s great … not!”); HUHS (22A. Confused responses); TOADY (41A. Sycophant); URGENT (45A. Pressing); MY BAD (64A. “Sorry, I did it”); SLAP (68A. Unfortunate date ending); MEAGRE (2D. Thin, overseas); MOB (6D. Kind of scene); YOW (13D. “That hurt!”); VETOERS (33D. Nay sayers); NEINS (36D. Dortmund denials); BARE (38D. Not decent); STARE (43D. Unsettling look); AVULSE (47D. Tear off forcefully); MEAN IT (48D. Be serious); and ending with ASP (62D. “Poor venomous fool,” to Shakespeare).

It’s also holoalphabetic -- e.g., all the letters of the alphabet are included, not to be confused with a pangram which is a sentence of every letter of the alphabet. Now, to FOCUS ON (21D. Pay strict attention to) the rest of the crossword, the remaining six-letter entries are ARREAR (3D. Amount of debt, old-style); ENDASH (49D. Long hyphen); EVOKED (32A. Conjured up);TJMAXX (1D. Marshalls competitor); URGENT (45A. Pressing).

Passing at warp, the five-letter entries -- AGEOF (20A. Words with innocence or consent); AQUAS (54D. Water colors); BUENO (16A. It’s good for Juan); CBERS (37A. Many truckers); EXTOL (53D. Honor); HABLA (25D. Speak in Spanish); IDAHO (7D. Home of the City of Rocks National Reserve); LAYUP (8D. Easy two points); LOGOS (26D. Racecar adornments); NIMOY (4D. “I Am Spock” autobiographer); OZAWA (67A. Conductor noted for wearing turtlenecks); SQUAD (56A. Starters and more); TRIES (34D. Essays); WAXES (52D. Becomes fuller); WHEEL (19D. Prop on “The Price Is Right”).

Making even shorter shrift of the short stuff -- AIM and AME, ASIS, BARE, CIA, CRUZ, DADA, DRAX, EDDY, EDGE, EMIL and EMO, EONS, EYE, FIR, GNC, HUN, IKEA, JED and JERI, LIVE, MARM, MOB, NNE, OBIS, ONO, RAW, RNA, SETH, SLAP, TBA, TMAN, ULNA, VEND, XER, XYZ, YODA (15A. Film character who says “Named must your fear be before banish it you can”), YOW, ZEES.

If you like crosswords written by a computer that seems to slither out of a, well... wormhole, this one‘s for you! No LIE (40A. One may be caught in it)!

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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.
Remaining clues -- Across: 1. One of the Untouchables; 5. Disney’s “___ and the Detectives”; 14. Ryan of “Star Trek: Voyager”; 26. Not recorded; 30. Boomer’s kid; 31. Org. in the Bourne series; 46. Naut. Heading; 47. Letters on some churches; 50. Scrabble 10-pointers; 55. Bond villain in “Moonraker”; 63. Bone meaning “elbow” in Latin; 65. A seeming eternity; 66. Sale caveat; 68. Unfortunate date ending; 69. Dickens’s Mr. Pecksniff. Down: 5. Socket filler; 6. Kind of scene; 9. They have bows; 10. Ancient pillager; 11. President Bartlet on “The West Wing”; 12. “Wedding Album” recording artist; 24. Center of holiday decorations; 27. Furniture chain; 28. Deal in; 29. Swirl; 35. Second part of a three-part command; 37. “Volver” actress, 2006; 38. Not decent; 39. Advantage; 44. Health supplement store; 55. Precursor to Surrealism; 57. Rock genre; 58. Series finale; 59. ? On a sched.; 60. Not even rare; 61. Code carrier.