03.31.09 -- Tuesday Tossup

Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Puzzle by Allan E. Parrish, edited by Will Shortz
Four anagrams of the letters A, B, E and R constitute the interrelated entries of this pleasant crossword -- BROCCOLI RABE (20A. Bitter-tasting vegetable); RUNNING BEAR (32A. “Young Indian brave” in a 1960 Johnny Preston #1 hit); BARE MINIMUM (41A. Least acceptable amount); REBA MCENTIRE (54A. Country singer with a hit sitcom). Inclusion of BAER, BREA and E-BAR would complete this Tuesday tossup, but enough's enough!
The next longest entries include BOREDOM (41D. Yawn inducer); IMPETUS (43D. Driving force); OPIATES (50A. Morphine and codeine, for two); PLATES (24A. Common commemorative items); PENCHANT (4D. Strong liking); RIGATONI (39D. Tubular pasta); SANDRA (48A. Actress Bullock); SAROYAN (5D. “The Human Comedy” novelist William); SASHAYS (23A. Steps nonchalantly); STABLER (9D. Less likely to collapse).
Five-letter -- AMIGO (62A. Baja buddy); ARNAZ (19A. Desilu co-founder); COREA (10D. Jazzman Chick); DREGS (49D. Bottom-of-the-barrel stuff); ELIHU (26D. Peace Nobelist Root); ERICA (52D. Author Jong); HERBS (1D. Rosemary and thyme); LIVED (57A. Dwelt); 34D. “Frost/NIXON,” 2008 nominee for Best Picture); OBOES (29D. Slender woodwinds); OCEAN (50D. Great blue expanse); OVALS (6D. Cameo shapes); RAKES (32D. Landscapers’ tools); SCUFF (9A. Shoe mark); SEEKS (53D. Is in the market for); SPASM (65A. More than a twitch); and 27D. SPERM whale; TATUM (25D. 10-year-old Oscar winner O’Neal); TIARA (2D. Princess’ topper); TIBER (51D. River of Rome); TORRE (16A. “The Yankee Years” co-writer); TRIOS (3D. The Dixie Chicks and the Dixie Cups); UTICA (33D. City in New York’s Mohawk Valley).
Short stuff -- EIRE, RAIN, AHAB (42D. Melville‘s obsessed whaler), ALA and ALP, AMFM, APIA, ATIT, AVOW, CALI, DEEM, ECO and EOE, EWER, FEZ, FRA and FRAU, GERM, HTTP, IMP, IRAS, KIX, LAS, LORI, MEG, MENS, MOET and MORE, NECK, NEIN, OBIE and ODIE, OHMS, RARE and RUHR, SOLE (5A. Shoe part), TIE, URN, VIA.
Incidentally, was that tossup with Max BAER fair?!
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Remaining clues -- 1. Internet address starter; 14. Where Donegal Bay is; 15. Declare frankly; 17. Word after “ppd.” on a sports page; 18. Like a 1943 copper penny; 28. Mobile’s state: Abbr.; 29. Garfield’s foil; 31. The Eiger, for one; 36. Even up; 37. Arguing loudly; 38. Abbr. in a help wanted ad; 39. Essen’s region; 40. “Kid-tested, mother-approved” cereal; 45. Prefix with tourism; 46. Resistance units; 47. Unit of RAM, for short; 60. ___ & Chandon Champagne; 61. Village Voice award; 63. Munich Mrs.; 64. Make out; 66. Macy’s department; 67. S&L offerings. Down: 7. Actress Loughlin of “90210; 8. Vessel by a basin; 11. Subject of a Keats ode; 12. Monk’s title; 13. Shriner’s topper; 21. Columbian city; 22. Samoan port; 30. Consider; 35. Listerine target; 44. Deutschland denial; 55. Like most car radios; 56. Oliver Twist’s request; 57. ___ Cruces, N.M.; 58. Handful for a baby sitter; 59. Itinerary word.
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03.30.09 -- Progression

Quadruple Bypass
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Monday, March 30, 2009
Puzzle by Andrea Carla Michaels, edited by Will Shortz
This back-to-work crossword features four 15-letter interrelated entries -- SINGLE OCCUPANCY (17A. Small hotel room specification); DOUBLE INDEMNITY (27A. 1944 thriller with Fred MacMurray and Barbara Stanwyck); TRIPLE LAYER CAKE (47A. Baked dessert with lemon filling, maybe); QUADRUPLE BYPASS (62A. Serious heart surgery).
Mid-size entries -- ACCEPTS (46D. Opposite of refuses); BIG BABY (4D. Chronic whiner); DECAY (32D. Go bad, as teeth); IDEAL (30D. Like a score of 10 for 10); NINJA (31D. Japanese fighter); I PLEDGE (44D. Start of a daily school recital); REASONS (10D. Deduces); SPENCER (40A. Princess Diana’s family name).
Five-letter -- 9A. ARMED and dangerous; 38A. Ad ASTRA per aspera (Kansas’ motto); 43A. Eagle’s next, AERIE; 58A. Oliver’s love in “As You Like It”, CELIA; 68A. Words to live by, CREED; 27D. Probe persistently, DIG AT; 33D. Singer Turner’s autobiography, I TINA; 16A. Late hotel queen LEONA Helmsley; 28D. Stream critter, OTTER; 20A. Modern workout system TAE BO; 34D. Drug that calms the nerves, slangily, TRANK; 29D. Wombs, UTERI; 65A. Brink, VERGE; 35D. New Haven collegian, YALIE.
Short stuff -- ALS, ANNI, ASIA and ASIS, AJAX and APEX, BOA, CLUE, DAY, EDIE, EMIL, ENCS, ESAI, ETTU, EURO, EXES, GOO, GTE, HARE, IAL, INCH, ISNT, ITTY, JAMB, JEST, KERN, LAOS, LAT, LOCI, MANE, MEOW, MONO, OMAR, QVC, RED, RENO, SAC, SEEP, SELA, SHE, SOS, SSTS, SUER, TACK, TONI, WHIR, XENA.
...and now on to those five days ahead!
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Puzzle available on the internet at
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Remaining clues -- Across: 1. Side of a doorway; 5. 1928 Oscar winner Jannings; 14. Actor Morales; 15. Western locale called the Biggest Little City in the World; 21. Fan sound; 22. “He-l-lp!”; 23. Capone and Pacino; 25. Sticky stuff; 36. ___ -bitty; 37. Falco of “The Sopranos”; 39. Former AT&T rival; 42. Suffix with president; 45. Trojan War hero; 46. Years, in Latin; 50. Partner of long. In a G.P.S. location; 51. Small pouch; 52. “___ sells seashells by the seashore” (tongue twister); 54. Bulletin board fastener; 66. Continental money; 67. Author Morrison; 69. TV’s warrior princess; 70. Former jets to J.F.K. Down: 1. Words said in fun; 2. Where India is; 3. Lion’s hair; 5. Before, poetically; 6. Cat’s plaint; 7. 1/12 of a foot; 8. Graph points; 9. Swiss peak; 11. Not stereo; 12. Letter attachments: Abbr.; 13. When the sun shines; 18. Laze about; 19. Impulse; 24. Ooze; 26. Poet Khayyam; 40. Actress Ward; 41. Old flames; 48. “___, Brute?”; 49. Bordering on pornographic; 52. Litigant; 53. Tortoise’s race opponent; 55. Peak; 56. Word in many a Nancy Drew title; 57. “Show Boat” composer Jerome; 59. Neighbor of Vietnam; 60. “Money ___ everything”; 61. Sale tag caution; 61. Shopping channel; 63. Scarlet; 64. Feathered neckwear.
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03.29.09 -- Crash! -- the Acrostic

Sold Out (1929), cartoon by Rollin Kirby depicting the repercussions of the Stock Market Crash of 1929.
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Sunday, March 29, 2009
ACROSTIC, Puzzle by Emily Cox & Henry Rathvon, edited by Will Shortz
"The Great Crash, 1929 is a book written by John Kenneth Galbraith and published in 1954; it is an economic history of the lead-up to the Wall Street Crash of 1929. The book argues that the 1929 stock market crash was precipitated by rampant speculation in the stock market, that the common denominator of all speculative episodes is the belief of participants that they can become rich without work and that the tendency towards recurrent speculative orgy serves no useful purpose, but rather is deeply damaging to an economy." -- Wikipedia. The Great Crash, 1929
The quotation: THE PRINCIPLE OF LEVERAGE IS THE SAME AS IN THE GAME OF CRACK-THE-WHIP. BY THE APPLICATION OF WELL-KNOWN PHYSICAL LAWS A MODEST MOVEMENT NEAR THE POINT OF ORIGIN IS TRANSLATED INTO A MAJOR JOLT ON THE PERIPHERY.
The author’s name and the title of the work: J K GALBRAITH THE GREAT CRASH
The defined words: A. Result of a big hit, JACKPOT; B. Spoiler among fun seekers, KILLJOY; C. Central issue for economic planners, GROWTH; D. Long-necked fish-eater of the New World also known as a water turkey, ANHINGA; E. Slow, LENTO; F. Where a lot of drilling goes on (2 wds.), BOOT CAMP; G. Photojournalist who wrote “How the Other Half Lives,” 1891, RIIS; H. Boom to bust?, ANTONYM; I. Outlay of capital in pursuit of profit, INVESTMENT; J. Proceed with caution or stealth, TIPTOE; K. Having a sharp, U-shaped bend, HAIRPIN; L. Brainwork from Pythagoras and others, THEOREMS; M. Rough and clumsy with one’s hands (hyph.), HAM-FISTED; N. Fill with juice?, ELECTRIFY; O. A kisser’s contortion, GRIMACE; P. What a baseball “fireman” provides, RELIEF; Q. It may be pushed by an artist, ENVELOPE; R. Metrical foot of “Bada-bing!”, ANAPEST; S. Food fish native to African rivers, TILAPIA; T. Problem for the financially strapped (2 wds.), CASH FLOW; U. Celebrity, RENOWN; V. Flower said to fill the plains of Hades, in Greek myth, ASPHODEL; W. Part of an ode sung while the chorus turns, STROPHE; X. Unrefined, noisy laugh, HEEHAW.
Crack-the-Whip!
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03.29.09 -- ET

Lightning strikes the Eiffel Tower on June 3, 1902, at 9:20 P.M
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Sunday, March 29, 2009
ARCHITECTURAL DRAWING, Puzzle by Elizabeth C. Gorski, edited by Will Shortz
The EIFFEL TOWER (118A. Landmark inaugurated 3/31/1889 whose shape is suggested by nine squares in this puzzle’s completed grid) will be 120 years old on Tuesday, March 31, 2009 – it was recently reported that the French, unsatisfied with the one of the most instantly recognizable structures in the world have decided to place what looks like a flying saucer atop the tower to enable larger groups of tourists to gape down on the city, ignoring the fact that everyone comes to look “at” the tower, not “from” it. Thankfully, today’s crossword does not include the unsightly platform, delightfully indicating the classic outline of the structure with the nine “connect-the-ETs” (extraterrestrials?) -- à la connect-the-dots. * See note at end of commentary!
There are several long entries related to the subject – AN AMERICAN IN PARIS (26A. 1951 Oscar-winning film whose title suggests a visitor to the 118-Across); CHATEAU LAFITE (45A. Wine enjoyed by 26-Across, maybe); THE FRENCH CONNECTION (67A. 1971 Oscar-winning film whose title is hinted at nine times in this grid); PATISSERIE (55D. Napoleon’s place, frequented by 26-Across?); CAFÉ AU LAIT (52D. Morning refreshment for 26-Across).
The entries providing the ETs – Across: AR[ET]HA (21A. 1986 self-titled album whose cover was Andy Warhol’s last work); D[ET]S (59A. Police dept. employees); [ET]ICK[ET] (74A. Modern traveler’s purchase); [ET]UDE (93A. Chopin’s “Butterfly” or “Winter Wind”); RES[ET] (94A. Adjust, as a clock); SE[ET]HE (99A. Bubble over); ONS[ET] (116A. Beginning); [ET]ONS (121A. Some collars and jackets). The necessary corresponding down entries: A[ET]NA (10D. Insurance giant); LUM[ET] (37D. “Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead” director, 2007); IC[ET] (64D. “Rhyme Pays” rapper); 65D. Work without AN[ET]; [ET]HEREAL (93D. Light); [ET]AGERES (95D. Snow globe holders); [ET]HEL (101D. Jazzy Waters); [ET]RE (117D. To be abroad); [ET]UI (121D. Pins and needles’ place).
Remaining across: 1. Electrical gizmo; 8. Umbrella locale; 13. It’s got magnetic pull; 20. Lose one’s shirt; 22. Strauss opera; 23. Achieves success; 24. Queen Mary, e.g.; 25. Makes lovable; 29. “Cinderella Man” co-star, 2005; 30. Keep an EYE ON; 31. Actress Marisa; 34. Bring at market; 40. Answers, quickly; 44. Legal org.; 50. Alley OOP; 51. Messes up; 53. “RUMOR has it …”; 54. Fruity bowlful; 56. One of Judy Garland’s girls; 57. India’s smallest state; 60. Tiny application; 61. Deuce follower; 62. Beginning; 63. Letters on a cross; 65. Mystique; 66. Binge; 73. Fine rating; 75. Sue Grafton’s “C IS for Corpse”; 76. Doomed; 81. Co. that makes A.T.M.’s; 82. How photography books are usually printed; 87. Gunwale pin; 88. York product; 91. Skating star Sonja; 92. Author Janowitz; 96. RAN A temperature (was feverish); 97. Venomous; 103. Licorice-flavored seeds; 106. Like a lace collar, maybe; 107. Geographically named S.U.V.; 108. “I’m with you!”; 109. Cock and bull; 110. Surveyor’s measurer; 112. Rev.’s address; 123. Philospher Zeno of ELEA; 114. Jockey’s wear; 122. Dirty look; 123. “Shake A TAIL Feather” (1967 hit); 124. United Airlines hub; 125. Hook-shaped parts of brains; 1236. Inventory: Abbr.; 127 Cousins of zithers; 128. Taboos; 129. Midmonth date.
Down: 1. Turkish title; 2. Palme D’OR; 3. Start of a spell; 4. “Raspberry Beret” singer; 5. Soviet comrade; 6. OKEMO Mountain (Vermont ski resort); 7. Mend, in a way; 8. Tourist haven east of Java; 9. Playwright Bogosian; 11. Julie of “The Early Show”; 12. Mata HARI; 13. Poorly drained; 14. Arms runners?; 15. “Bertha” composer; 16. Knitter’s stash; 17. Class-conscious grps.?; 18. Peace Nobelist John Boyd ORR; 19. Prof.’s helpers; 27. Dormancy; 28. NERF ball; 31. Small drum of India; 32. Orchestra member; 33. Square meal component?; 35. Suffix with election; 38. Hail; 38. Andy Capp’s wife and others; 39. Rowing trophy; 41. It may be bewitching; 43. Dog-tired; 46. Long flights; 47. In concert; 48. Words of empathy; 49. Popular vice; 58. Royal son of the comics; 60. Pester for payment; 68. MetroCard payment; 69. Comment from over the shoulder, maybe; 70. Soyuz letters; 71. Vegetable in Cajun cuisine; 72. Mrs. Addams, to Gomez; 76. Lead-in to girl; 77. Admonished; 78. Circle makers; 79. Swift-running bird; 80. Accomplished; 82. Verizon forerunner; 83. River of France and Belgium; 84. Shortly; 85. Macarena, for one; 86. Congressional assents; 89. Home in a 90-Down; 90. See 89-Down; 98. RR stop; 100. Stands before a business meeting, maybe; 102. Fictional elephant; 104. It has many arms: Abbr.; 106. Part of a pantheon; 108. Oldsmobile model; 109. Actress Celeste; 111. Way off; 113. McGregor of the “Star Wars” films; 115. Fraternity letters; 119. “Down with you!” ; 120. “You can’t fool me!”
*”Parisians can rest easy. Their iconic Eiffel Tower is in no more danger of an architectural intervention than New York's Lady Liberty or Cairo's Great Pyramid. Unfortunately, ARCHITECT reported on March 17 that a temporary addition was planned after Paris-based Serero Architects sent an e-mail touting its "new design for the restructuring of the public spaces of the Eiffel Tower" and claiming that "[t]he structure is expected to be assembled for the 120th anniversary of the tower construction."
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Puzzle available on the internet at
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03.28.09 -- Singers & Structure

Singer Building at Night, Charles Vezin (1858-1942)
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Saturday, March 28, 2009
Puzzle by Joe Krozel, edited by Will Shortz
This Saturday’s crossword features eight 15-letter entries -- four across -- INTERNAL REVENUE (15. Estate taxes, e.g.); SCARLET TANAGERS (17. Grosbeak relatives); A LOT ON ONE’S PLATE (50. Tons of work to do); PLEASURE CRUISES (53. Carnival offerings); and four down -- UNCONDITIONALLY (2. Without reservations); STAND ON ONE’S TOES (3. Try to get a better view, say); ONE MOMENT PLEASE (12. Operator’s line); EUROPEAN THEATER (13. It included the Eastern and Western fronts).
Eight-letter entries -- BISCOTTI (36A. Crunchy café treats); DINETTES (29A. Parts of some studios); NATALIES (7D. Wood and others); SIT ERECT (34D. Be no slouch in class?).
Seven-letter -- APTERAL (22D. Having no aisles, in architecture); BRAVOED (8A. Applauded with shouts); DESSERT (14D. There’s sometimes no room for it); HI SPEED (1D. Like many Net connections); HUSSEIN (1A. Big catch of 2003); IRELESS (37D. Having no spleen); SAGE TEA (39A. Herbal brew); SEA MAPS (35D. Oceanographers’ references); SINUSES (23D. Allergies often affect them); SPILL IT (26A. “Fess up!”); SYSTEMS (64A. Digestion and circulation); TASTERS (55A. Intrepid palace employees).
Six -- BE MINE (36D. Words from the heart?); BRASIL (8D. Five-time winner of the Copa do Mundo); GATORS (40D. Southern snappers, briefly); LT COLS (16D. Maj. Superiors); NO MEAT (31A. 11-Down’s request); 35A. SINGER Building, company headquarters erected in 1908 in New York City, at the time the tallest building in the world); SUSANN (34A. “Valley of the Dolls” novelist); TORIES (33A. Reactionaries).
Five -- AETAT (43D. Old tombstone abbr. meaning “at the age of”) ; 22A. Joseph ALOIS Ratzinger, birth name of Pope Benedict XVI; LAMES (44A. Disables); MATED (46A. Like shoes and socks); O’NEAL (49A. Cager who starred in “Kazaam”); PONTE (18A. Common sight in Venezia); SAMOS (20A. It’s north of the Dodecanese Islands); SERTS (4D. Some Spanish murals); STIES (26D. Major messes); TOSCA (27D. Object of Cavaradossi’s affection); UNLIT (45D. Dark); VEGAN (11D. One on a strict diet).
Four -- ANSA (42A. Looped vase handle); AVAS (10D. Prizes for video production); DOSE (47D. Recommended intake); ENDS (21A. Line pair); 5D. “Phineas Finn” character Barrington ERLE; NOPE (24A. Casual rejection); OPUS (49D. Work ID); ULEE (45A. Title apiarist of a 1997 film).
Three -- ACS (19A. Temp. reducers); EDO (25A. Nigerian native or language); EOE (38A. Want ad abbr.); ERG (30D. Dyne-centimeter); INE (6D. Serpent’s tail?; 28A. La MER Caspienne; MAO (32D. Red giant?); NUM (51D. O.T. book); PHR (41A. Sentence part: Abbr.); REN (9D. TV canine); SRA (52D. Title of respect in 8-Down: Abbr.); TIR (48A. French shooting match).
The preponderance of white squares and minimal black squares may be of interest to those concerned with the visual and statistical aspects of a crossword puzzle -- it’s actually a rather solver-friendly diagram and its’ structure will probably be seen time and again in the future.
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Puzzle available on the internet at
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03.27.09 -- Bimbo Eruption!

Monica Lewinsky by Tom Richmond / Mayan Volcano Eruption
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Friday, March 27, 2009
Puzzle by Paul Gamache, edited by Will Shortz
This Friday crossword is a self-described GRAB BAG (8A. Gallimaufry) that’s all over the place featuring a centerpiece of BIMBO ERUPTION (34A. Certain sex scandal, in slang), and twenty or so two-word entries with generally unhelpful clues.
More of the two-word-or-more entries -- ABOUND IN (13D. Crawl with); BAD JOKE (20A. It may fall flat); BLOWS ON (18A. Cools, in a way); BUST INTO (12D. Enter like a storm trooper); EGGED ON (58A. Prodded); ET VOILA (53A. Chef’s cry); FAUX FUR (50A. It’s not really mink, for example); ICE CAVES (35D. Some permafrost features); JUST RELAX (21D. “Cool your jets!”); MR FIXIT (26D. Recipient of a honey-do list); NOT MANY (24D. One or two); OIL TUBE (16A. Engine line); SEA WARS (60A. Fleet activities); SWUNG BY (1A. Detoured to pay a visit along the way); UP TO IT (3D.Game); USER FEES (36D. Tolls, essentially); YARD LINE (7D. Grid marking).
STEP-CUT (57A. Diamond-shaping choice) and BAGUETTE (34D. Diamond-shaping choice) with their Shortzesque clues are the bridge from the two-word entries to the singular.
One-word mid-size entries -- ACUATE (40D. Needle-shaped); CACAOS (37A. Their beans were used as currency by the Aztecs); CALMEST (37D. Still the most); CAPELLA (15A. One of the 10 brightest stars); CICADA (42 Shrill flier); DOYENS (44D. Ones with seniority); EDAMAME (55A. Finger food at a Japanese restaurant); ENAMOR (43D. Bewitch); GENTILE (14D. Guest at a synagogue); GOBOTS (8D. Transforming Tonka toys); LEFTIE (33A. Liberal, informally); RITZIER (17A. Having superior amenities); SCRIBE (1D. Worker who sets things down); TESTATE (59A. One way to die); WAIVES (2D. Doesn’t take advantage of).
Five-letter entries -- AGENT (39A. Instrument); BLEAK (6D. Discouraging); ESSEX (38A. Connecticut town attached by the British in the war of 1812); ESTOS (27A. These, overseas); FUDGE (47D. “Oh, phooey!”); KLUTE (25A. 1971 title role for Donald Sutherland); PETER (30D. Fizzle out); PRNDL (30A. Shifting sequence); RICED (41A. Not quit mashed); RILKE (9D. “The Book of Hours” poet); SABOT (28D. Cousin of a clog); SALUT (46D. Gallic greeting); SCARF (46A. Quaint aviation accessory); TAINT (31A. Sully).
Short stuff -- ALE and ALOE, BEIN, BTW, CAY, FICA, GLIB, IOS, ISS, IVO, LPS, LUCY, MEA and MEW, MINI, NEZ, OPT, RAGA, TINO, TUT (22A. Critical cluck).
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Remaining clues -- Across: 19. Literature Nobelist Andric; 23. Hippie happening; 26. Height of fashion?; 29. Periodical output: Abbr.; 40. Wassailing choice; 45. Sitcom character discussed in the 2003 biography “Ball of Fire”; 48. Former Yankee Martinez; 49. “Magnificat anima ___ Dominum”; 52. Bit of the Bahamas. Down: 4. Arome detector; 5. Smooth to a fault; 10. Natural treatment; 11. Start of a text-message afterthought; 32. Island SSW of Naxos; 33. Old track holders; 50. W-2 inclusion; 51. Music that influenced the Beatles’ “Norwegian Wood”; 54. Elect; 56. Cry from a litter.
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03.26.09 -- The King in Spring

Geoffrey Rush as King Berenger in “Exit the King,” by Ionesco, opening on Thursday. Sara Krulwich/The New York Times
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Thursday, March 26, 2009
Puzzle by Edward Safran, edited by Will Shortz
A LITTLE MADNESS IN THE SPRING IS WHOLESOME EVEN FOR THE KING (20A. Start of a poem by Emily Dickinson that continues “But God be with the Clown, / Who ponders this tremendous scene”) is an apt quotation for both this season of Spring, spring break, March madness, and the Broadway season, as Ionesco’s “Exit the King” opens today at the Barrymore Theatre on Broadway. Read New York Times article HERE.
When I saw that this was a puzzle with a quotation, I groaned, as quotations in crossword puzzles are my least favorite, with the exception of the acrostics which are another animal. However, if a quotation can be as apt and topical as today’s then all's well that ends well, or what you will!
Mid-size entries include ADDS TO (25A. Increases); ALARMS (47A. Sleep disturbers); ASK OUT (48D. Try to see); CELADON (46A. Chinese porcelain with a pale green glaze); DEAD SEA (28A. Refuge for David, in the Bible); 10D. Double ENTENDRE; GALLEON (5D. Shipping mainstay of the 1600s); KNOTTS (4D. Funnyman Don); MACHETE (43D. Rain forest implement); SHAKES UP (37D. Reorganizes drastically).
Five-letter -- AGNES (31D. 1985 Meg Tilly title role); ANTIC (25D. Monkeyshine); AS ONE (15A. In unison); DOWSE (26D. Divine water); DRAWL (27D. Say with two syllables where one would do, say); EMOTE (59A. Chew the scenery); ENORM (30D. Extremely large, old-style); GOLEM (5A. Dimwit, in Yiddish slang); 18A. David LLOYD George, British P.M., 1916-22; LOOMS (7D. Appears imminent); OSLER (6D. Physician William); RIVET (62A. Fix); SIXER (29D. Philly hoopster); STERE (65A. Volume unit); TIERS (23A. Levels); TROVE (50D. Antique dealer’s happy discovery); TUCKS (50A. Puts in a snug spot); UTTER (51D. Articulate).
Short stuff -- AMIS and AVIS, COMA, CORK, DEMO, ELAL, ELKE, ENYA, ERE, EVER, EXON, GRAM, HAM and HAS, IDLE, KIA, LEG and LEN, LOWS, MANO and MENU, NEAP, NOME and NONE, NOR, ODIN and ODOR, OMIT, ORAL and ORAN, PREP, RANI, TEEM, THEN, TITI, TWAS and TWIG, ULNA, VINE.
Off to madness!
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Puzzle available on the internet at
THE NEW YORK TIMES -- Crossword Puzzles and Games
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Remaining clues -- Across: 1. What you might push a pushpin in; 10. International company with the slogan “Home away from home”; 14. North African city captured by the Allies in 1942; 16. 1899 gold rush locale; 17. A la ___ (nearby: Sp.); 19. New growth; 24. Barker of the Cleveland Indians who pitched a perfect game in 1981; 32. Eur. monarchy; 36. Christmas verse starter; 38. Radio geek; 39. Former Nebraska senator James; 49. Sedona maker; 58. Warren who founded a rental car company; 60. Spray target; 64. Teacher’s before-class work; 66. Overbrim (with). Down: 1. 1977 best seller set at Boston Memorial Hospital; 2. ___ contraceptive; 3. Queen of Bollywood; 8. Singer with the 1008 gold record “And Winter Came …”; 11. He worst of times; 12. “Lucky Jim” novelist, 1954; 21. South American monkey; 22. ___ tide; 28. Promotional item; 34. In the past; 35. Is afflicted by; 41. Figure in the Edda; 44. Sommer of Hollywood; 52. Anytime; 53. Melon’s site; 54. Drop; 55. Fallow; 56. “___ But the Brave (1965 Sinatra film); 57. Elderly relative, informally; 58. Crank (up).
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03.25.09 -- TCHES!

Sneetches
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Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Puzzle by Jerry E. Rosman, edited by Will Shortz
Fun puzzle! Four interrelated across entries actually help with the solution of this crossword!
CATCHES GLITCHES (17. Debugs computer programs, e.g.); SCRATCHES ITCHES (24. Responds to rashes); PATCHES BRITCHES (41. Does some mending); MATCHES STITCHES (54. Lines up the sewing). Once one gets a couple of the TCHES, other TCHES follow easy! Alas, no LATCHES SNITCHES (Incarcerates informers)...
ARISTA (40A. Record label owned by Sony) and ARTISTA (36D. Da Vinci or Michelangelo, to Romans), JETSET (9D. Glitterati) and JESSE (9A. Heartbreaker who’s “back in town” in a 1980 Carly Simon hit), AIM HIGH (40D. Set a lofty goal) and HIGHLY (43D. To a great degree), ETCETC (10D. Blah, blah, blah, for short) add to the puzzle’s pleasant repetitiveness.
Other entries of length include 21A. San ANSELMO, Marin County and ANTIGUA (47A. One of the Leeward Islands), IN SEASON (35D. What oysters “R” during “R” months); O NEGATIVE (58A. Blood type historically considered the universal donor) and OPEN WEAVE (14A. Feature of mesh fabrics), 8D. Ethiopia’s Haile SELASSIE and WHARTON (15D. Prestigious business school).
Mid-size entries -- 36A. “What ADRAG“ (“Ho-hum“); ATOLL (57A. Coral creation); CASBAH (6D. Quarter of Algiers); CHICLE (42D. Raw material for Wrigley‘s, once); COCOA (25D. Tiramisu topper); DOPEY (59A. Only beardless Disney dwarf); ELATE (29D. Give a lift); ESTAB (27D. Business sign abbr.); ETATS (16A. The Carolinas, e.g., to the French); HARSH (28D. Like Siberian winters); INUIT (18D. Umiak passenger); REELECT (5D. Return to one‘s seat?); REVUE (39D. Florenz Ziegfeld offering); ROOST (26D. Place to rule); ROUTES (44D. MapQuest offerings); SAGAS (30D. Long tales); STUMP (24D. Speech spot); TOOHOT (31A. Like Papa Bear‘s porridge); UCONN (34A. Nutmeg State sch.).
Short stuff -- ALA, ALB and ALS, AMAD and ASEA, AVG, BAHN, BOCA, BOLE, BREA, DICT, ENC, ESSO, HIVE, ITE, LETS, MOS, NASA and NATO, NOSH, OMIT, OPAL, RCAS, REVS, RNA, SAHL, SHIA, SIT, SNO, SRA, STEM, SUET, TTOP and UHS (50A. Hesitant sounds)….
Uh?!…and then there’s The Sneetches!
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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.

Remaining clues -- Across: 1. Tree trunk; 5. Some HDTVs; 19. Two of racing‘s Unsers; 20. Neighbor of B.C.; 22. La ___ Tar Pits; 23. Bird feeder fill; 32. Collect splinters, so to speak; 33. Tuskegee‘s locale: Abbr.; 35. Ore suffix; 38. Rap sheet entries, for short; 39. Messenger ___; 45. Cellular construction; 46. Overlook; 50. Hesitant sounds; 51. Mexicali Mrs.; 60. Have a knish, say; 61. Orbiting telescope launcher. Down: 1. Florida city, for short; 2. Australian gem; 3. “Sure, why not?!”; 4. Business letter abbr.; 7. Batter’s fig.; 11. Satirist Mort; 12. Skier’s turn; 13. Gas brand in Canada; 22. Road, in the Rheinland; 37. Wordsmith’s ref.; 47. Make ___ dash; 48. Brussels-based alliance; 49. “Vette roof option; 51. Islamic sect; 52. Amps up; 53. On the main; 55. ___ -Cat (winter vehicle); 56. Doz. eggs, commonly.
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03.24.09 -- The Law

Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Puzzle by Pancho Harrison, edited by Will Shortz
POLICE (62-Across. They can be found in 20- and 55-Across and 10- and 26-Down), and the partial entries of FUZZ, COPS, THE MAN and HEAT comprise the main feature of this Tuesday crossword.
Across: 1. Wrote an ode to, LAUDED; 7. China’s Chou En-LAI; 10. Captain Hook’s henchman, SMEE; 14. Cause of weird weather, EL NINO; 15. Press worker’s stain, INK; 16. Brighton bye-bye, TATA; 17. Augments, ADDS TO; 18. Wine servers, STEWARDS; 20. Adolescent boy’s growth, PEACH FUZZ; 22. Recurring Woody Allen theme, ANGST; 23. Have a go at, TRY; 24. What oil helps dissolve, RUST; 25. “I Pity the Fool” star, MRT; 26. Brother of Little Joe on ‘60s TV, HOSS; 27. “Jingle Bells” starter, DASHING; 31. Little green man, ALIEN; 34. Soldier’s period of service, TOUR; 36. Isaac’s eldest, ESAU; 37. Cocoon occupants, PUPAE; 38. Little green men, for short, ETS; 39. Target competitor, K-MART; 40. Where a tab is inserted, SLOT; 41. Joan of the Blackhearts, JETT; 42. “Biography” network, once, A AND E; 43. King Cole was a merry one, OLD SOUL; 45. “Death in Venice” author Thomas MANN; 47. Demolition aid, TNT; 48. “The Witches” director Nicolas ROEG; 49. Some Super Bowl Sunday highlights, ADS; 52. Africa’s largest city, CAIRO; 55. Bargains for leniency, COPS A PLEA; 57. Dukakis in 1988 and Dole in 1996, ALSO-RANS; 59. (0,0) on a graph, ORIGIN; 60. Reach a high, PEAK; 61. Grampa Simpson, ABE; 63. Lap dog, informally, PEKE; 64. Window units, briefly, ACS; 65. Electrician’s alloy, SOLDER.
Down: 1. Did an axel, e.g., LEAPT; 2. Reed with catkins, ALDER; 3. It’s observed on Oct. 24, U N DAY; 4. Wink in tiddlywinks, e.g., DISC; 5. Make king or queen, ENTHRONE; 6. Goofball, DOOFUS; 7. “Hungarian Rhapsodies” composer, LISZT; 8. Animated bug film of 1998, ANTZ; 9. Clanton at the O.K. Corral, IKE; 10. Musial’s nickname, STAN THE MAN; 11. Helgenberger of “CSI”, MARG; 12. LAX postings, ETDS; 13. American League division, EAST; 21. J.P. Morgan co., U S STEEL; 25. Scratch, MAR; 26. Dehydration may help bring this on, HEAT STROKE; 27. Housecleaning aid, DUST MOP; 28. “This IS AN outrage!”; 29. Source of a fragrant oil, NARD; 30. “GUTE Nacht” (German words of parting); 31. Lhasa APSO; 32. Temporary calm, LULL; 33. Popular MP3 player, IPOD; 35. Mel in Cooperstown, OTT; 39. Emblem on the Australian coat of arms, KANGAROO; 41. Protrude, JUT; 44. ON OR about (circa); 46. AESOP’S Fables”; 48. Gift o Valentine’s Day, ROSES; 49. Chilly, ALGID; 50. Make less chilly, DE-ICE; 51. Less loopy, SANER; 52. Al who created Fearless Fosdick, CAPP; 53. Away from the wind, ALEE; 54. “Out of Africa” author Dinesen, ISAK; 55. “Fast Money” network, CNBC; 56. Dosage unit, PILL; 58. Battery size, AAA.
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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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