09.30.09 -- Authors

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Puzzle by Kevin G. Der, edited by Will Shortz

CONCORD MA in circles, RALPH WALDO EMERSON (1A. With 6- and 22-Across, noted 19th century writer), NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE (24A. With 53-Across, noted 19th-century writer), LOUISA MAY ALCOTT (39A. Noted 19th-century writer) and HENRY DAVID THOREAU (70A. With 71- and 55-Across, noted 19th century writer) are the interrelated group of this Wednesday crossword.

Other -- ANIMATO (21D. Lively, on a score); EURASIA (28D. Superstate in Orwell’s “1984”); HYDRAS (5D. Many-headed serpents); ORIENTAL (10D. Monopoly avenue in the light-blue group); PLAINTS (32D. Lamentations); RELICS (23D. Tomb artifacts, e.g.); SAW TEETH (40D. Cutting-edge features); SHOWED (48D. Didn’t skip something); WILIER (34D. More artful).

Five-letter -- AKRON (12D. Goodyear’s Ohio headquarters); A PAIR (15A. It beats nothing); ATHOS (25D. Friend of Aramis); DUBAI (18A. Where Emirates Airline is based); ELMER (59A. Bull on glue bottles); E-MAIL (68A. IPhone function); HUMAN (53D. Any of us); ICILY (14A. With aloofness); JEANS (13D. Casual wear); LABEL (8D. Place for a designer’s name); LAIRS (36A. Places to hibernate); NEONS (29A. Some saloon signs); OBAMA (54D. “The Audacity of Hope” author); OCTAD (17A. The Ivies, e.g.); OTHER (50D. Alternative to this and that, with “the”); OWLET (50A. Little hooter); PLATH (4D. Sylvia who wrote “The Bell Jar”); ROWER (37D. Galley toiler); RUSSO (11D. Rene of “Lethal Weapon” movies); SPLAT (43A. Mushy snowball sound); STAIN (38D. Coffee spot); TEE UP (26D. Prepare to drive); TIARA (67A. Pope’s triple crown); WALL-E (62A. 2008 Pixar robot); WHINY (51D. Prone to complaining).

Short stuff -- ACC, ALIE, APU, ATE, CHEW, DIAM, EIN, ELD, ENG, ERR, HID, IONS, ITEM, IWO, LAV, LII and LIT, MER, NACL, PTL, RAJ and RAY, RIO, RYE, SEI, SITU, SOB, SRA and TRA, TYNE, UKE, WAD, YEOW.

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Remaining clues -- Across: 11. British rule in India; 16. Arthur Godfrery’s instrument, informally; 19. Malaga Mrs.; 20. Refrain syllable; 30. Took in; 31. In ___ (as found); 32. The Bakkers’ old ministry, for short; 33. Meditate (on); 35. Subject of a Debussy piece; 44. Tre + tre; 45. Have influence on; 46. 1945 Pacific battle site, briefly; 47. Solar wind particles; 49. “A” in German 101?; 57. ___ sister; 58 Went underground; 66. H.S. subj.; 69. Alternative to white. Down: 1. Copacabana locale; 2. Georgia Tech’s sports org.; 3. On; 6. Glob of gum; 7. TV’s Kwik-E-Mart clerk; 9. Circular meas.; 24. Table salt, chemically; 27. Bullet point; 41. “That hurts!”; 42. Daly of “Judging Amy”; 56. Get caught in ___; 60. Muff one; 63. Head of London?; 64. 52, in old Rome; 65. Days of yore, in days of yore.

09.29.09 -- AT SEA

Peace: Burial at Sea, 1842 by J. M. W. Turner

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Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Puzzle by Paula Gamache, edited by Will Shortz

AT SEA (71A. Clueless … or where the answers to this puzzle’s starred clues were all first used), LOOSE CANNON (17A. * Dangerously unpredictable sort), DEEP SIX (39A. *Junk), HARD AND FAST (61A. *Inviolable, as rules), IN THE OFFING (11D. *Likely to happen) and CHOCK A BLOCK (25D. *Jammed) are the interrelated group of this Tuesday crossword.

LEND-LEASE (8D. War aid program passed by Congress in 1941) and REBEL ARMY (33D. Insurgent group) are the other long entries, followed by two of seven letters, ADSPEAK (4D. Marketers’ “language”), LESS FAT (47D. Healthful claim on labels), and six of six -- ALLIES (58A. They’re on your side); ARTHRO (49D. Joint: Prefix), INHALE (28A. Take a breath); NO NO NO (10D. “That is completely the wrong way!”), PLACID (20A. Even-tempered); 50A. VIENNA Boys’ Choir.

Five-letter entries dominate the crossword -- ANNIE (7D. Photographer Leibovitz); ANTIS (52D. Nay sayers); ARENT (36D. Ain’t right?); AWARE (48A. Clued in); BLASS (55D. Bill of fashion); CEDAR (1A. Moth-repellent closet material); ELUDE (14A. Get around); ENERO (15A. First month in Mexico) and ECONO (30A. Commercial prefix meaning “low price”); ILIED (46A. Coming-clean declaration); INLET (57A. Entrance to a bay) and INTEL (24D. Big chipmaker); NAMES (68A. May and June, but not July); NOELS (27A. Christmas carols); OHYES (70A. “But of course!”); OLDIE (54D. Any Beatles tune, now); OTHER (21A. Last choice on a questionnaire); RAMIS (67A. Harold who directed “Groundhog Day”); SABER (51A. Cousin of a foil); SIGMA (51D. Summation symbol); STARS (13D. Roster at the Oscars); STOKE (32A. Add fuel to, as a fire); TADAS (37D. Triumphant cries); TALON (6A. Osprey’s claw); TEACH (6D. Show the ropes); VISTA (23D. Scene from a summit); VOWEL (12D. One of five different ones in “sequoia”).

Short stuff -- AAH, ABIE, ALKA, AMS, ASK, AWEE, CASE, CEL, CPI and EPI, DUO, EAR, ELO, FRA, GTO, IFAT, IVS, LED, LOBE, MIC, NOT, ORO, REAP, REEL, SEE, SGTS, SHEL, TEC, TONI, TSA and TWA, VEIN, VICE, XII.

Way hay and up she rises, early in the morning!

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Remaining clues -- Across: 11. E.R. hookups; 16. “Just kidding!”; 19. Old “Up, up and away” carrier; 23. Nasty habit; 26. Silverstein of children’s literature; 33. Harvest; 35. “___ first you don’t succeed …”; 38. Sleuth, slangily; 42. Monk’s title; 43. ___-Seltzer; 45. Irish Rose’s beau; 46. Coming-clean declaration; 53. Bottom of a 40-Down; 56. Three-stripers: Abbr.; 60. Bygone muscle car; 66. Abbr. on an input jack; 69. “___ and ye shall receive”. Down: 1. Animation frame; 2. “Evil Woman” band, for short; 3. Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, e.g.; 9. Conquistador’s quest; 18. Private eye’s project; 22. Collette of “The Sixth Sense”; 29. Set the pace; 31. Cost-of-living stat.; 34. Prefix with center or cycle; 41. Noon, on a sundial; 44. Bide-___; 50. Blood line; 59. ___ Krabappel of “The Simpsons”; 62. “That feels so-o-o good!”; 63. Morning hrs.; 64. Visit with; 65. Luggage inspection org.

09.28.09 -- Failure

Failure © 2007 Sean Hopp

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Monday, September 28, 2009

Puzzle by Lynn Lempel, edited by Will Shortz

Synonymy with failure in the guises of bomb, bust, dud, flop, turkey and perhaps tank comprises the interrelated group of this Monday gloom-and-doom crossword -- COLD TURKEY (17A. Abrupt way to quit), MILK DUD (40A. Chocolaty morsel munched at movies), CHERRY BOMB (63A. Round, red firecracker), DRUG BUST (11D. Narc’s raid); FLIP FLOP (39D. Beach wear) and maybe/maybe not TANK TOP (26D. Close-fitting sleeveless shirt). On top of it all, CRAP (16A. Losing roll in a casino) and RESIGN (67A. Quit one’s job) render this beginning-of-the-week puzzle even DIRER (18D. More grim)!

Seven-letter entries include ACROBAT (10D. Circus performer); ITALICS (44D. Type for book titles); RAMADAN (22D. Month-long Islamic observance) and ZAMBEZI (31D. Africa’s fourth-longest river and site of Victoria Falls).

Six-letter -- ADLIBS (43A. Talks off the cuff); ALINES (59A. Flared skirts); APEMEN (51D. Tarzan and kin); AZALEA (15A. Relative of a rhododendron); BATSIN (36A. Brings home for a score); ELOISE (2D. Fictional girl at the Plaza Hotel); GEEZER (8D. Old, crotchety guy); JOSHES (48D. Teases playfully); LISBON (52D. Portugal’s capital); MILLER (3D. Arthur who wrote “Death of a Salesman”); OILIER (20A. More greasy); RATON (34A. Betray by blabbing); RAWEGG (4A. Nog ingredient); RECOUP (1D. Get back, as lost money); SONORA (50D. Mexican state on the Gulf of California); USOPEN (70A. Annual tennis championship in Queens, N.Y.).

Five -- ABBOT (27A. Monk’s superior); AZURE (5D. Color of a picture-postcard sky); FLIES (57a. Gets around like Superman); LAPAZ (53A. Bolivian capital); MAUVE (33A. Purplish); 49A. NASAL congestion); PEREZ (30A. Actress Rosie of “Do the Right Thing”); SAHIB (46D. Form of address in British India); SARGE (55D. Beetle Bailey’s boss); TUNAS (45A. Bluefin and albacore); UNITE (47A. Join forces); ZEROG (21A. State of weightlessness, as in space).

Short stuff -- ADDS, ALL, ALPS, ANN, BLOC, BUN, DAD, DUET, ECRU, EDNA, ELI and ELK, ESO, ETTE, GAYE, HOPI, JOE, LYNN, MALI, MBA, OAR, OPTS, OVID, RATE, RAUL, REF, REM and REO, RIP, RUDY, SPY, TDS, TENS, “TIS better to have loved and lost …”, TOOL, USER and the WAR of 1812.

Ah, a paean to the pain of FAILURE!

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Remaining clues -- Across: 1. Sleep stage, for short; 10. Opposite of subtracts; 14. The “E” in 68-Across; 23. Consumer; 24. Suffix with cigar; 32. Boat rower; 37. B-ball official; 42. N.F.L. six-pointers; 48. V.P. Biden; 54. Chooses, with “for”; 56. Southwest Indian; 61. Saharan country south of Algeria; 66. Political coalition; 68. Classic car inits.; 69. High points of a European trip?; 71. Advice columnist Landers. Down: 4. Label G or PG, e.g.; 6. ___ of 1812; 7. Antlered animal; 9. Marvin of Motown; 12. Mom’s mate; 13. Nathan Hale, notably; 25. Hammer or saw; 28. Roman love poet; 29. Fives and ___; 35. “___ better to have loved and lost …”; 36. Hot dog holder; 37. Fidel Castro’s brother; 38. “Giant” writer Ferber; 41. Performing pair; 58. Light brown; 60. One of the Redgrave sisters; 61. Degree for a C.E.O.; 62. Entirely; 64. That, south of the border; 65. ___ Van Winkle.

09.27.09 -- Mytacism -- the Acrostic

Sunday, September 27, 2009

ACROSTIC, Puzzle by Emily Cox and Henry Rathvon, edited by Will Shortz

Barbara Wallraff is a weekly syndicated columnist for King Features and a contributing editor and words columnist at The Atlantic Monthly, where she has worked since 1983. She is the author of the nationally best-selling book "Word Court," "Your Own Words," and "Word Fugitives."

The quotation: WORDS EXIST TO DESCRIBE ALL SORTS OF IDEAS CONSIDER MISNOMER A WRONG OR UNSUITABLE NAME MNEMONIC A DEVICE SUCH ASA FORMULA OR RHYME TO ASSIST MEMORY MUMBO JUMBO GIBBERISH AND MYTACISM EXCESSIVE USE OF THE LETTER M

The author’s name and the title of the work: BARBARA WALLRAFF WORD COURT

The defined words: A. Misleading bit of advice (2 wds.), BUM STEER; B. Modern echo of a primitive trait, ATAVISM; C. Atop a mattress, maybe, RECUMBENT; D. Grumpy comrade, BASHFUL; E. Made-up; taken as dogma, ASSUMED; F. Merrymakers, REVELERS; G. Much more than chummy, AMATORY; H. Managed in the face of, WITHSTOOD; L. Muscle-building, cardiovascular regimen, AEROBICS; J. Maladroit numbskull, LUMMOX; K. Nimble; limber, LISSOME; L. Mysterious; concerning complex matters, RECONDITE; M. Military school, ACADEMY; N. Carlos Montoya’s music, FLAMENCO; O. Masterful maneuvering, FINESSE; P. Mischievous or fanciful humor, WHIMSY; Q. Mistake in itemizing, OMISSION; R. Misgivings of a malefactor, REMORSE; S. Meatball, dimwit, ninnyhammer, DINGBAT; T. Comment in a meddling way (2 wds.), CHIME IN; U. Main aim, OBJECT; V. Making much of one’s wife, UXORIOUS; W. Richard who composed “Maria,” Mimi” and “Moon of My Delight,” RODGERS; X. What some mail may come over, TRANSOM.

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09.27.09 -- Schizophrenia

The Person With Two Faces, Copyright Eugene Ivanov

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Sunday, September 27, 2009

THAT IS TWO SAY, Puzzle by Patrick Berry, Edited by Will Shortz

Thirteen squares scattered willy-nilly across this gimmick crossword contain two letters each. Read in one direction, the two letters are simply two letters -- in the other , they are to be read aloud, resulting in phonetics, e.g., CU (see you), DK (decay), SA (essay), DM (diem), ED (Edie), KT (Katy), AT (Eighty), XS (excess), EZ (easy), KC (Casey), QP (Kewpie), IV (ivy) and NV (envy).

It’s a mess!

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Across: 1. Horrify; 8. Get ready to go; 10. Leopard’s home?; 14. Club; 19. Excel; 20. Jai ___; 21. Baby carrier; 22. Sierra ___; 23. Resort region near Barcelona; 25. Drug distributor; 27. Famous Giant; 28. Country singer Gibbs; 29. Vein contents; 30. Surface films: Var.; 31. Dental problem; 33. Key sequence in a chromosome; 36. Chitchat; 37. Very noticeable; 39. Jacob who wrote “How the Other Half Lives”; 40. Praiseworthy; 42. Self-satisfied; 44. Hospital bill items; 46. Prefix with function; 47. Chianti and Beaujolais; 50. Big rush; 52. ___ Cube; 56. Authors’ aids: Abbr.; 58. ___-Japanese War; 59. Brown v. Board of Education city; 60. Music compilation marketer; 63 Pro ___; 65. Of the mouth’s roof; 68. Envision; 70. 1873 adventure novel that begins and ends in London; 73. Less popular, as a restaurant; 74. “Fer-de-Lance” mystery novelist; 75. Certain palms; 76. “WKRP in Cincinnati” role; 77. Driving surface; 79. Crown; 81. Flicka, e.g.; 82. Attacked; 83. Republic once known as Dahomey; 84. Surname of two signers of the Declaration of Independence; 85. From ___ Z; 87. Stop worrying; 90. Take part in; 93. Dipstick housing; 97. Masters piece; 99. Car make of the 1930s; 102. No. on a check; 103. American everyman; 106. Unaccented syllable; 108. It’s not to be touched; 110. Like some humor; 111. Andrea known as the liberator of Genoa; 113. “Patience ___ virtue”; 114. Ethan Frome portrayer, 1993; 116. Jealous; 118. “Sesame Street” regular; 119. It might be assumed; 120. Opera set in ancient Egypt; 121. Courtyards; 122. Baby bottle tops; 123. Tag in an antique store; 124. Med. Dose; 125. “Sailing to Byzantium” writer.

Down: 1. Dressy tie; 2. Life magazine staple; 3. Something to draw; 4. Queen’s servant, maybe; 5. Baseball coverage?; 6. Catherine who survived Henry VIII; 7. Screamer at a crime scene; 8. Pricey appetizer; 9. Maker of the Optima; 10. Wow; 11. “Real Time With Bill ___”; 12. Antismoking org.; 13. Latin catchphrase sometimes seen on sundials; 14. Casual farewell; 15. Numerical prefix; 16. Passing; 17. Closes tight; 18. Doesn’t bother; 24. Post decorations on four-posters; 28. “The ___ Love” (Gershwin song); 29. Depression-era migrant; 32. Recommendation; 34 Prestigious London hotel; 35. Fill the tank; 38. Yellow poplar; 41. Some pop-ups; 43. Singer Washington; 45. Author of the Barsetshire novels; 47. San ___ (San Francisco suburb); 48. Singer who played herself in “Ocean’s Eleven”; 49. Barbershop sights; 51. Stomach; 53. Suitable for; 54. Venerated image: Var.; 55. Units of fineness; 57. Offensive lines?; 59. Like vinaigrette; 60. “Married … With Children” actress; 61. Gloomy Milne character; 62. Flat dweller; 64. One of the Pointer Sisters; 66. Full of fear; 67. How drunks drink; 69. Dutch export; 71 Judge; 72. Guitarist Eddy; 78. One end of a digression, for short?; 80. Go aboard; 82. Flimflam; 83. Chisel face; 85. Large wardrobe; 86. “From Russia With Love” Bond girl Romanova; 88. Rejected as unworthy; 89. Mug with a mug; 91. Corrode; 92. Density symbol; 93. Pill that’s easily swallowed; 94. Driver of the Cannonball Special; 95. Excellent; 96. Flue symptom, with “the”; 98 Leaf vein; 100. “Peer Gynt” princess; 101. Bad connection, say; 104. Carny booth prize; 105. “Here Come the ___” (Abbott and Costello film set at a girls’ school); 107. Sneaker material; 109. Struck down, old-style; 112. Harvest; 115. The Great Lakes’ ___ Locks; 116. Slang for a 3-Down; 117. Suffix with favor.

09.26.09 -- Change Encounter

Saturday, September 26, 2009

Puzzle by Joon Pahk, edited by Will Shortz

Across: 1. Momentous 1960s convention, VATICAN II; 10. Transfix, RIVET; 15. “Hold your horses!”, IN A MOMENT; 16. Cooking product, AROMA; 17. Carefree, SANS SOUCI; 1. Takes out, DATES; 19. Right on, APT; 20. King TUT; 21. They may come with socks, SHINERS; 23. VERO Beach (former home of Dodgertown); 25. Team known as the Americans until 1907, RED SOX; 27. MS. Enclosure, SAE; 28. Axiom producer, ISUZU; 30. Enjoyed London or France, READ; 31. Take out, KILL; 32. Patron of barristers and notaries, ST MARK; 34. Swing set players?, BIG BANDS; 36. Capital of East London, RAND; 38. Bosom, DEAR; 39. Domain of Paul Bunyan, FOLKLORE; 43. Author of the controversial kids’ book “In the Night Kitchen”, SENDAK; 17. Flag in a garden, IRIS; 48. Pope who excommunicated Martin Luther, LEO X; 50. 1971-97 nation name, ZAIRE; 51. Abbr. for some generals, RET; 52. Nose-in-the-air types?, PLANES; 54. Particle named for a letter of the alphabet, KAON; 55. Nathaniel Hawthorne story subtitled “The Bosom-Serpent”, EGOTISM; 57. Part of an Avignon address, RUE; 59. Do without much daring?, BUN; 60. 1-Across topic, LATIN; 61. Put together, JUXTAPOSE; 64. Hard to get a reaction out of, INERT; 65. Judge’s cry, OVER-RULED; 66. Where the owl and the pussycat went, in a poem, TO SEA; 67. Cell organelle with microtubules, BASAL BODY.

Down: 1. In relation to, VIS A VIS; 2. “In the Mood,” e.g., ANAPEST; 3. Fit, TANTRUM; 4. Contacts 21st century-style, IMS; 5. Fare, e.g., COST; 6. Dijon darling, AMOUR; 7. Like it, NEUTER; 8. Business end?, INC; 9. “According to some …”, IT IS SAID; 10. Base of a number system, RADIX; 11. Bahai’s birthplace, IRAN; 12. Provides with a seat, VOTES IN; 13. May symbol, EMERALD; 14. Clothes hangers?, TASSELS; 22. His #14 was retired by the Mets, HODGES; 24. Location of the Boston Mountains and Buffalo River, OZARKS; 26. Miss throwing a ball, DEB; 29. Territory east of Ukraine on a Risk board, URAL; 31. Egyptian temple complex near Luxor, KARNAK; 33. Small rises, KNOLLS; 35. “And a Voice to Sing With” memoirist, BAEZ; 37. Worker’s ideal, DREAM JOB; 39. Romantic, perhaps, FIRE LIT; 40. Cousin of catnip, OREGANO; 41. Figure of speech like “no mean feat”, LITOTES; 42. Gigayear, EON; 44D. Game involving spinning a top on a string, DIABOLO; 45. Like a cat playing in catnip, AROUSED; 46. Successor to Powell on the Supreme Court, KENNEDY; 49. Victor at Thermopylae, 480 B.C., XERXES; 42. One of a sailing trio, PINTA; 53. Hindu maxim, SUTRA; 56. Flag, TIRE; 58. N.B.A. legend Monroe with a signature spin move, EARL; 62. It was founded by Thos. Jefferson, U VA; 63. Bath suds spot?, PUB.

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09.25.09 -- CLUING

Whisper, by Mandaly Louis-Charles

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Friday, September 25, 2009

Puzzle by Robert A. Doll, edited by Will Shortz

CLUING (1A. Informing, with “in”) is the lead entry of this Friday crossword which features three of fifteen letters -- IT’S A ZOO OUT THERE (16A. Frazzled commuter’s comment), DISTRESS SIGNALS (33A. Attempts to get help) and THE POWERS THAT BE (55A. Big decision makers) while DON’T TASE ME BRO slices down the center of the crossword with the cluing of Memorable catchphrase of 2007 -- making for a crossword cloaked in angst!

Other across: 7. St. Nicholas gives one in “A Visit From St. Nicholas”, NOD; 10. Chances, briefly, OPS; 13. Collie, e.g., HERDER; 14. Where cells don’t work, DEAD SPOT; 18. Dot follower, EDU; 19. Punk, e.g., GENRE; 20. It may be raised at a table, ANTE; 21. Flicks, FILMS; 24. Lay IT ON; 25. Tent erector’s tool, MAUL; 26. Airplane sign images, SEAT BELTS; 28. Clear, PURGE; 29. SAL ammoniac (mineral found around volcanic vents); 30. Musical featuring Nubians, AIDA; 32. There can be a ring in it or on it, EAR; 38. Nigerian native, IBO; 39. Insurance shopper’s concern, RATE; 40. Grp. that discourages dropping out, NEA; 41. Correo AEREO; 43. Q&A part, AMPERSAND; 48. Wrestling event, MEET; 49. One leaving in the spring, TREE; 40. Robert Louis Stevenson setting, SAMOA; 51. Province between Palermo and Catania, ENNA; 52. Serenades for lovers parting at dawn, ALBAS; 54. Atlas abbr., STR; 59. Take on gingerly, EASE INTO; 60. Domestic denial, NO DEAR; 61. Things often passed on: Abbr., RDS; 62. French/Belgian border river, LYS; 63. Lets have it, SCOLDS.

Down: 1. A.F.C. team that has won one Super Bowl, CHIEFS; 2. Not bring up again, as a topic, LET DIE; 3. “The Little Mermaid” villain, URSULA; 4. Oenone’s peak, IDA; 5. Part of a French face, NEZ; 6. Crew quaff, GROG; 7. Prozac might treat it, NEUROSIS; 8. Like some straw, OATEN; 9. “Silent Spring” subj., DDT; 10. Clearing, OPEN AREA; 11. Ancient Lusitania, now, PORTUGAL; 12. A.F.C. team that has won six Super Bowls, STEELERS; 15. Big name in aquatic tracks, SHAMU; 17. Part of a French face, OEIL; 22. MT ST Helens; 23. Italian fast-food chain, SBARRO; 27. Birthplace of Parmenides, ELEA; 28. They may interrupt meetings, PAGERS; 31. Enjoy a spread, DINE; 33. Ball measure, DIAMETER; 34. Gull’s cry, I BEEN HAD; 35. Ache, SORENESS; 36. They’re groomed in Hollywood, STARLETS; 37. Grp. Famous for its send-ups?, NASA; 42. L’ETAPE du Tour (annual cycling event); 44. Shepherd’s pie ingredients, PEAS; 45. Heineken brand, AMSTEL; 46. “I’m impressed man!”, NOT BAD; 47. Playground troublemakers, DARERS; 49. Like lions and tigers, TAWNY; 53. Dots on some maps: Abbr., STNS; 56. Loosen, in a way, OIL; 57. This, to Nero, HOC; 58. Rowdydow, ADO.

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09.24.09 -- EASY

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Puzzle by Brendan Emmett Quigley, edited by Will Shortz

EASY (63A. Like this puzzle … not!) seems an odd way to end a crossword, especially if one finds the solve to be easy. Nevertheless, the clues and entries for the interrelated group are a bit inane and inanity is often difficult to understand. THE BEATLESS (17A. Band without a drummer?), SO LONG ASS (24A. “See ya, idiot!”?), TRAINING BRASS (35A. Mission of an Army officers’ school?); WHO CARESS (47A. Nice touch from Roger Daltry and Pete Townshend?); SHUTTLE BUSS (54A. Playful kiss on the Discovery?) -- all that's involved is adding the letter S to the ends of The Beatles, so long as, training bras, shuttle bus, and who cares?

There are eight eight-letter entries -- ATREMBLE (37D. Quaking); BABA WAWA (4D. Classic “S.N.L.” character who spoke with rounded R’s); JET PACKS (11D. Aids for spacewalkers) or go HERE; MEATIEST (39A. Having the most substance); ONRUSHES (12D. Torrents); REMOVALS (36D. Parts of some appliance delivery jobs); TO THE END (35D. Ever faithfully); WHAT A GUY (30A. “Gotta love him!”).

Seven-letter -- DAWDLED (38D. Lallygagged); LOGGIAS (26D. Open galleries); ORANTES (1975 U. S. Open winner Manuel); SATIATE (24D. Gorge); SOUPS ON (13D. “Let’s eat!”).

Six -- ADHERE (2D. Hold fast); DEVISE (51A. Concoct); KITSCH (1D. Garden gnomes and such); LEERER (3D. Ogler); 5A. NESSIE (59A. Cryptozoology figure); SALSAS (45D. Latin dances); SERAPH (20A. Divine creature with six wings); SMOKED (62A. Beat decisively, in slang); SOAP UP (21A. Get in a lather); SOMALI (52A. Kenyan’s neighbor); TAILOR (15A. Pin-up figure?); TWISTY (46D. Mazelike); ULTIMA Thule, distance unknown land); USA USA (44D. Patriotic chant).

Five -- ARSON (10D. Subject of an insurance investigation); ASSNS (48D. Grps.); CREWS (23A. Rappers’ posses); MOSSO (9D. Rapid, to Rossini); REHEM (49D. Take up again, e.g.) and RESAW (50A. Cut again).

Short stuff -- AGE, ATMS, DDS, DOE, ECHO, ENL and ENO, EPS, JOS, HERA, IDEA, ILE, KALB, KANE (28D. Publisher of the fictional New York Inquirer), KARO, KEN, HIM, IDEA, LAT, LEA, LSAT, ROE, RUST, SCI, SLED (52D. Beloved object of 28-Down), TEAR, TIE and TIL, TRU, TSK, UBER, UTAH, UBER, USO, YRS.

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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

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Remaining clues -- Across: 1. Former “Meet the Press” moderator Marvin; 11. “___ Boys” (1886 novel); 14. Noodle product?; 16. Musician who started the Obscure Records label; 27. Goddess with a cow as an emblem; 28. Corn syrup brand; 29. Say again; 34. N.F.L. coach Whisenhunt; 38. It might go for a buck; 40. Bill producers; 42. Race; 43. Lie idle too long; 58. Full-screen picture, maybe: Abbr.; 60. Exam with a reading comprehension section, for short; 61. Orthodontist’s deg. Down: 5. Home of Arches National Park; 6. Back muscle, briefly; 7. It comes between dusk and dawn; 8. Quebec’s ___ Rouleau crater; 18. PC graphics format; 22. Life time?; 31. 1927 E.E. Cummings play; 32. Extremely, in combinations; 33. ’09, ’10, etc.; 41. “MythBusters” subj.; 50. Salmon )___; 55. “Until Every One Comes Home” grp.; 56. “Not nice!; 57. One to one, for one.

09.23.09 -- Whatever Happened to Henry Hudson?

The Halve Maen in the Hudson River

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Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Puzzle by Jonathan Gersch, edited by Will Shortz

HENRY HUDSON (55A. Explorer who sailed into 46-Across in 1609), NEW YORK HARBOR (46A. See 55-Across), HALF MOON (1A. With 69-Across ship of 55-Across), DISCOVERY (18A. Aptly named ship on a later voyage of 55-Across), ARCTIC OCEAN (20A. Body of water sailed in by 55-Across), TRANSATLANTIC (26A. Like most of the voyages of 55-Across), SPICE TRADE (67A. With 8-Across, business of 55-Across’s backers) and AMSTERDAM (61A. 55-Across’s destination when returning to Europe) are the interrelated group of this Wednesday crossword.

In 1610, Hudson, at the helm of his new ship, the Discovery, stayed to the north, reaching Iceland and the south of Greenland, then rounding the southern tip of Greenland. The expectation was that the ship had finally found the Northwest Passage through the continent. The explorers reached the Hudson Strait at the northern tip of Labrador, following the southern coast of the strait, the ship entered Hudson Bay. Hudson spent the following months mapping and exploring its eastern shores. In November however, the ship became trapped in the ice in James Bay, and the crew moved ashore for the winter.

When the ice cleared in the spring, Hudson planned to continue exploring but his crew wanted to return home. The crew mutinied and set Hudson, his teenage son John, and eight crewmen - either sick and infirm, or loyal to Hudson - adrift in a small open boat, effectively marooning them. Hudson was never seen again and his fate is not known. However, speculation that the crew killed Hudson has occurred.

Other entries across: ATEAM (37. Top players) and ELITE (63. Top players); CUTER (64. More precious); ICIER (13. Less receptive); 41. Copenhagen’s NIELS Bohr Institute; RUNTO (66. Reach in total); SEIKO (35. Citizen alternative); SEVEN (16. Sum of any two opposite faces on a standard die); YENTA (17. Gossipy type).

Down: ALEPH (28. Hebrew leader?); BAUER (49. “24” agent Jack); CONGA (21. It might produce a line at a party); FETTERS (4. Chains); HOODLUM (45. Tough); KINDER (48. German children); MARSH (39. Fen); RAISA (14. Mrs. Gorbachev); SOTHERE (43. “Told ya!”); THREW (26. Hosted); TIMOR (29. Island east of Java); TSONGAS (8. 1992 presidential aspirant Paul); UNSEAT (7. Defeat, as an incumbent).

Short stuff -- ACER, ADA and PDA, APR, ARGO, ASTI, AVER, COAX and HOAX, DERN, ENYA, ERIC, ESO, ETC, ETUI, GEL, HIYA, IKEA, IMUP, JEU, JUDO, LINC, LYE, MACS, MANN, MEA and MIA, MOHS, NEON, ONE, OPIE, OTTO, RATE, REA and REV, RUER, SAO, SET, SINO, TEC, URN, YMCA.

So, whatever happened to Henry Hudson?

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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.

Remaining across -- 5. ___ d’esprit (witty remark); 15. Part of some garden statuary; 22. Genetic letters; 23. “Quien Te Dijo __?” (2003 Latin hit); 24. Cornstarch brand); 32. ___ scale; 34. Salon supply; 36. Vernal mo.; 40. Apology starter; 44. Palm Pilot, e.g.; 45. Bigfoot photo, e.g.; 50. Pins and needles holder; 51. ___ Carlos, Brazil; 52. Wqar Stat; 65. Series enter: Abbr.; 68. Stephen of “V for Vendetta”. Down: 1. Informal greeting; 2. Expert server; 3. Nickname for someone who shares a name with the 16th president; 5. Sport with throws; 6. Attorney General Holder; 9. Excite, with “up”; 10. Declare; 1. Laura of “Jurassic Park”; 12. “A Day Without Rain singer; 19. Psychologist Jung; 25. Cosine of zero degrees; 27. Having everything needed; 30. Swedish retail giant; 31. Say “Pretty please?,” say; 32. Educator Horace; 33. Mayberry boy; 38. Nabokov title heroine; 42. Caustic substance; 47. Regretful type; 52. Bubs; 53. “You don’t need to wake me”; 54. Italian wine region; 56. Miles per gallon, e.g.; 57. “A place you can go,” in 1 1979 #2 hit; 58. ___-Tibetan languages; 59. Hall-ofFame QB Graham; 60. ___ lamp; 62. Gumshoe.

09.22.09 -- "Tough!"

This 1846 lithograph by Nathaniel Currier was entitled "The Destruction of Tea at Boston Harbor"; the phrase "Boston Tea Party" had not yet become standard. Contrary to Currier's depiction, few of the men dumping the tea were actually disguised as American Indians.

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Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Puzzle by Gail Grabowski, edited by Will Shortz

“Tough!” is the clue for three long entries -- JUST DEAL WITH IT; TOO BAD, SO SAD; and THEM’S THE BREAKS. Other negativity in the crossword includes UH OH (15A. “We’re in trouble!”); 17A. NE’ER-do-well; SKIP (32A. Problem with an old 45); ICIER (34A. More standoffish); HEAP (41A. Disorderly stack); PEEVE (56A. Source of annoyance); LEER (61A. Womanizer’s look); CON JOB (1D. Swindler’s work); SHOW ME (8D. “You’ll have to demonstrate”); TASERS (48D. Cops’ stunners); 52D. “Did you EVER?”; BEEP (55D. Sound heard during gridlock); I SWEAR (3D. “No fooling!); YELP (63A. Pound cry).

Mid-size entries include ACUMEN (28A. Keenness of mind); ALEUTS (2D. Native Alaskans); ANKLET (45D. Short sock); ANTI-SKID (11D. Like many automobile braking); DRAW ON (21D. Make use of, as experience); INTAKE (42A. Quantity consumed); LECTURN (39D. Speaker’s stand); NET PAY (43D. Take-home amount); SCOTTIE (12D. Terrier type, informally); SEABEE (44D. Navy builder); SIESTA (3D. Sonora snooze); TEA CHEST (35D. Bit of 1773 Boston Harbor jetsam).

Five-letter -- ACT ON (19A. Follow, as advise); ARENA (49A. Gladiator’s milieu); CLEAN (38A. Completely off drugs); EMERY (48D. Manicurist’s tool); ENTRY (62A. Diction word in bold type); FEAST (9A. Fit-for-a-king spread); FLATS (9D. Alternative to heels); MIDST (31D. Central spot); ORSER (59A. 1987 world figure skating champion Brian); OTTER (23 Riverbank cavorter); REALM (50D King’s domain); SPAWN (40A. Reproduce like salmon); SWAMI (33A. Hindu master); TORTE (4D. Dessert from Linz).

Short stuff -- ABLE, ACC, ALOE, BSA, CAB, CAST, CHA, EACH, ECOL, ERE, HALE, IRS, METS, MOS, OAK, OLIO, POE (56D. Who wrote “All that we see or seem / is but a dream within a dream”); RELO, SAT, SCAN, SHEA, SPA and SPR, SSTS and STS, SURE, TEN, TOLL, UMA (30D. Thurman of “Kill Bill“).

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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.

Remaining clues -- Across: 1. Playbill listing; 5. Bygone J.F.K. landers; 14. Hodgepodge; 18. Job-related move, for short; 24. Calendar pgs.; 25. Wall and Bourbon, e.g.: Abbr.; 27. Grp. That awards merit badges; 44. Took a load off; 47. Duke’s sports org.; 48. Before, to Byron; 57. Wear out the carpet, maybe; 58. Up to the job; 60. Botanical balm; METS (64A. Citi Field team). Down: 5. “You bet!”; 6. Former home of the 64-Across; 7. Payment at many a New York bridge; 10. Pricing word; 13. Half a score; 22. Accelerator bit; 26. It begins in Mar.; 29. Hired ride; 30. Thurman of “Kill Bill”; 32. Read the U.P.C. of; 33. Laundromat buy; 36. Hot springs site; 37. Cask material; 38. When doubled, a dance; 42. Org. that proceeds according to schedule?; 53. In the pink; 54. Green sci.