05.18.09 -- CR

Monday, May 18, 2009

Puzzle by Billie Truitt, edited by Will Shortz

Four two-word alliterative phrases utilizing CR (the symbol for Chromium) are the main feature of this Monday back-to-work crossword -- CRUMB CRUST (17A. Graham cracker pie shell); CREEPY CRAWLY (26A. Spider or worm); CREDIT CRUNCH (44A. Lending crisis); CRAB CREOLE (58A. Cajun seafood dish). The hard-C, double-K sound, sans the R, continues with the entries of CACTI (1D. Prickly plants) and KUKLA (61A. Friend of Fran and Ollie) -- poor soft C is left with ICE (37A. Freezer cubes).

Mid-size entries -- ART DECO (9D. Style of the 1920s and ‘30s); ATTACKS (41D. Blitzes); BANANA (52A. Fruit for a monkey); DECRIES (5D. Criticizes openly); DRAGON (45D. Fire-breathing beast); DWIGHT (21A. President who followed Harry); ENJOYS (31A. Delights in); ENRAGE (6D. Infuriate); FAJITA (10D. Tex-Mex treat); RAW ONION (55A. Common burger topper); SAUTES (42A. Pan-fries); TEMPERAS (20A. Poster paints); USABLE (46D. Functional).

Five-letter -- ACRES (2D. Real estate units); ACTOR (43D. Cast member); BERRY (18D. Fruit on a bush); DEBRA (5A. Winger or Messing); ENTER (15A. Go inside); INEPT (51D. Bumbling); STEEP (64A. Exorbitant); PACER (27D. Harness racer), soft-C ICE‘s down partner in the crossword; POLOS (50D. Collared pullovers); RIOTS (49D. Mob scenes); SLUMP (3D. Batter’s dry spell).

Short stuff -- ACLU, AGED, AGOG, AMIE, ATOM and ATOP, BARE, BEAT and PEAT, BTUS, BYTE, COT, CASH, DATA, DUH, EDEN, EMAG, EPIC, FEST, HUE, HUMP, IAN, ICE, INCH, ISP, JAGS, JANE and LANE, LION, LUTE, NEAP and NEAR, NODE, PSST, RAKE, REDO, RES, RIG, ROTH, RPI, RUT, SIGH, SOT, TEST, WARM, WHAT, YEAS.

Hey, why not do the ICE CUBE C WALK on the way to work! Here’s how!

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Puzzle available on the internet at

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Remaining clues -- Across: 1. “___ or charge?”; 10. Suffix with song or slug; 14. Rights org.; 16. Parisian girlfriend; 19. Binges; 23. AOL or MSN: Abbr.; 24. 18-wheeler; 25. Exhausted; 34. Molecule part; 35. Tint; 36. Bog material; 37. Freezer cubes; 38. Spreadsheet contents; 39. Bond creator Fleming; 40. Lois of the Daily Planet; 47. ___ I.R.A. (savings plan for old age); 48. Tippler; 49. Engineering sch. In Troy, N.Y.; 57. All in a twitter; 60. Make over; 62. At the peak of; 63. Garden of ___; 65. “Hey, you!”. Down: 4. Camel feature; 7. A/C measures; 8. Hi-___ monitor; 11. Online ‘zine; 12. Sound of relief; 13. Try out; 22. Toasty; 25. Computer memory measure; 26. Foldaway bed; 28. One of the five W’s; 29. Minstrel’s instrument; 30. Votes opposite the nays; 31. The “Odyssey” or “Beowulf”; 32. Close by; 33. Tarzan’s love; 37. Ruler division; 38. “Well, that’s obvious!”; 40. Cowardly resident of Oz; 52. Like Mother Hubbard’s cupboard; 53. Ripened; 54. Bump on a branch; 55. Autumn tool; 56. Twice-a-month tide; 59. Dirt road feature.