The New York Times Crossword in Gothic: December 2009

12.31.09 -- Roast and Toast

Thursday, December 31, 2009 -- New Year’s Eve

Puzzle by Frank Longo, edited by Will Shortz

THREE LITTLE PIGS (60A. Storybook group residing in this puzzle?), along with BOAR, SOW and HOG each appearing in a single square of the across entries of CHAIRMAN OF THE [BOAR]D (17. Person making firm decisions), TO EACH HI[S OW]N (22. “Different strokes for different folks” and [HOG]AN’S HEROES (55. 1960s sitcom set at a camp) are the interrelated entries of this last-day-of-the-year Thursday crossword, along with the corresponding down entries of CO[BO AR]ENA (12. Detroit venue for sporting events and concerts), [SO W]HAT (25. “Big deal”) and QUA[HOG] (37. Thick-shelled seafood selection) -- squealingly squeezed into small crossword squares… three little pigs, literally little.

EVE (56D. Brink) is the sole possible reference to this New Year’s Eve, most likely having escaped from the crossword puzzle appearing this past Christmas Eve which featured nine squares with the word EVE crammed into one square each -- HERE. Today, we get PIGS...

Other across: 5. Vice president after Breckinridge, HAMLIN; 15A. Dreadful, old-style, UGSOME; 20. Wasn’t up, SLEPT; 21. Bobby-SOXER; 29. Vujacic of the Los Angeles Lakes, who’s nicknamed “The Machine”, SASHA; 31. Alternatives to cups, in dessert orders, CONES; 33. Something to throw on the BBQ, PATTY; 43. It’s nothing new, with “the”, USUAL; 45. Not worthless, OF USE; 50. Country statistics, AREAS; 57. Chew out, SCOLD; 59. Place to escape to, HAVEN; 67. "Niagara" star, 1953, MONROE; 70. Pachacuti’s people, INCANS.

Down: 3. Multistep process starter, PHASE ONE; 4. Green crops cultivated for fodder, SOILAGE; 5. Snorts of disdain, HUMPHS; 6. She created Hercule, AGATHA; 11. Limb bender, FLEXOR; 13. Training groups, CADRES; 19. It’s done for fun, HOBBY; 43. Cry when you’ve had enough, UNCLE; 40. Shelve for a while, PUT ON ICE; 46. What Fido “shakes hands” with, FOREPAW; 47. To a T, JUST SO; 48. Abstain from, ESCHEW; 49. Unconcerned with scruples, AMORAL; 51. “Punk’d” host, Kutcher, ASHTON; 52. Some are bituminous, SHALES.

Short stuff -- ACRE, AGOG, BONE, BRAS, DEMI, ECHO, ESTE, FCC, GRR, ICH, IMF, INC, IQS, ISP, JEAN, LEN and LON, LOA and LOO, MSN, NATS and NETS, ODE, OGOD, OTTO, OWL, PER, REC and SEC, REOS, SARA, SEA and SEE, SIPS and SIS, TACO, TKO, TRA, TSK, USMC, WERE (71A. Be in a certain mood?).

So, who’s afraid of the big bad wolf?!

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Remaining clues -- ACROSS: 1. Small drafts; 11. Govt. media monitor; 14. Return from a mountain?; 16. Mauna ___; 27. Radius, e.g.; 28. Intensely interested; 30. Cup holders?; 35. Salute in stanzas; 36. Mental figures; 39. Click of condescension; 40. On the authority of; 47. Pirate Lafitte; 53. Maestro Klemperer; 54. Parris Isl. Outfit; 66. It has a very large bed; 68. Plot piece; 69. Athena’s symbol. DOWN: 1. See 58-Down; 2. Potsdam pronoun; 7. Alternative to AOL or Juno; 8. Bath bathroom; 9. Global lending org.; 10. Cross-court items?; 18. It’s done for fun, for short; 22. ___ Bell; 23. Psalm start; 24. AOL or Juno; 26. D.C. diamond squad; 32. Granny, to a great-aunt; 34. Ref’s call; 38. Tony-winning “Spamalot” actress Ramirez; 41. City in Padua province; 42. Antique autos; 44. “Live Free or Die Hard” directed Wiseman; 58. With 1-Down, moderately sweet, to a vintner; 61. Hoops coach Kruger; 62. Magazine with an annual “500”; 63. La-la lead-in; 64. [Mumble, mumble]; 65. “Comprende?”

12.30.09 -- Tickers

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Puzzle by Adam Cohen, edited by Will Shortz

BARNES AND NOBLE (20A. Company with the stock ticker symbol BKS), GENENTECH (25A. Company with the stock ticker symbol DNA), SEALY (39A. Company with the stock ticker symbol ZZ), PAPA JOHNS (48a. Company with the stock ticker symbol PZZA) and HARLEY DAVIDSON (53A. Company with the stock ticker symbol HOG) are the interrelated group of this weary Wednesday crossword.

DOG WHISTLE (31D. Item used with high frequency?) and EFFRONTERY (3D. Chutzpah) are the other two long entries, followed by the split entry of AS YOU WERE (15A. With 68-Across, “Carry on”) and two of eight letters, ISABELLA (10D. Queen in events of 1492) and LIMERICK (38D. Often-bawdy verse).

Six-letter -- DIANNE (4D. Wiest of “Radio Days”); HOWDAH (8D. Elephant rider’s seat); MY LOVE (36A. 1973 Paul McCartney & Wings hit); OLD SAW (459D. “He who hesitates is lost,” e.g.); PSYCHE (48D. Freudian topic); STRICT (42A. Unyielding).

Five -- ACELA (61A. Amtrak debut of 11/17/2000); ALDER (30A. Tree sacred to the Druids); 29D. Grammy winner CHAKA Khan; EARTH (26D. Image on eco-friendly products); EVIAN (32D. Competitor of Aquafina); GHOST (25D. Pac-Man enemy); KEATS (51D. Colleague of Byron and Shelley); LOCHS (5A. Tay and Lomond); RENDS (33D. Rips to pieces); SERTA (67A. Competitor of 39-Across); 18A. Wallace SHAWN of “Manhattan”; SUNNI (9D. Many a Muslim); THEO C (64A. Former Fox series set in Newport Beach); THYME (47A. Herb with antiseptic properties).

Short stuff -- AGIN, AIDE, ALEC and ALEN, ALFA, ALI, A LOT, AULD, AXLE, CELL, CYAN, DEER, ELKS, EONS, ETE, HAT, HOPI, IMAX, KARO, LAP, LASS, LILA, MAUL, MYRA, NENE, ODAY, OJAI, ONO, OPEC, OREL, OSHA, OYER, SAXE, SETH, SLED, SOLI, SOW, SWAB, STYE, TEST, WAD, WICK, WIFI, VACA, XED.

Sell! Sell! Sell!

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For today’s cartoon, go to The Crossword Puzzle Illustrated.

Remaining clues -- ACROSS: 1. Iditarod vehicle; 10. Film format sometimes in 3-D; 14. Internet café offering; 16. ___-Coburg-Gotha (old British royal house); 17. Letter preceding bravo; 19. January 1 title word; 23. Strawberry Fields pilgrimage figure; 24. Page, for example; 34. Panama, for one; 35. Green of “Radio Days”; 37. Russian city on the Oka; 41. Feudin’ with; 44. Syrup brand; 46. Stash of cash; 50. Order whose members have included five U.S. presidents; 52. Rubina ___ of “Slumdog Millionaire”); 60. Many diva performances; 65A. Art Deco architect William Van ___; 66. Part of a Zippo. DOWN: 1. DNA collector, perhaps; 2. Oscar winner Kedrova; 5. Bonny gal; 6. Dept. of Labor division; 7. Printer’s color; 11. Rough up; 12. Highway toll unit; 13. Struck (out); 21. Seemingly forever; 22. Jazz swinger who took her surname from pig Latin; 27. Try to prove; 28. Time off from l’école; 36. Vidal’s “___ Breckinridge”; 40. Michael Phelps workout unit; 43. Word on a business card; 45. Ventura County’s ___ Valley; 53. Pueblo language; 54. Actor Guinness; 55. Hinds, e.g.; 56. Zillions; 57. Explorer Cabeza de ___; 58. ___ and terminer; 59. Endangered state bird; 60. Barnyard mother.

12.29.09 -- The Birds

The Birds, final scene, 1963 film by Alfred Hitchcock

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Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Puzzle by Peter A. Collins, edited by Will Shortz

BIRDS (46D. Things hidden in the answers to this puzzle’s six starred clues) and DOVE, TERN, WREN, OWL, RAVEN and HERON within ROLLED OVER (16A. *Did a dog trick), MISTER NICE GUY (22A. *One who’s often doing favors), LOW RENT (36A. *Affordable, as an apartment), TOW LINE (38A. *Tugboat rope); BRAVE NEW WORLD (46A. *Aldous Huxley novel), ANOTHER ONE (57A. *(Bar patron’s request for a refill) and NESTS (25D. Homes for 46-Down) are the interrelated entries of this Tuesday crossword.

There are two nine-letter entries, FIXED COST (33D. Salaries, e.g., to a business owner), VOLUME TWO (3D. “B,” maybe, in an encyclopedia), and two six-letter entries, AUSSIE (31A. Shrimp-on-the-Barbie eater), ICIEST (41A. Most dangerous, as winter roads), with the remainder being five letters or less.

Five -- ABODE (6D. “Humble” dwelling) and ABOVE (14A. Outranking); ALEVE (27A. Tylenol alternative); 44A. “You can’t teach AN OLD dog …”; ANCON (31D. Cornice support), a projecting bracket that is used in classical architecture to carry the upper elements of a cornice, also known as a console; AVAST (44D. Salt’s “Halt!”); AW MAN (48D. “Gimme a break!”); 12D. BETSY Wetsy (old doll); BLESS (45A. Sprinkle holy water on); CADET (5D. Officer-to-be); CAGEY (5A. Shrewd); 62A. Al DENTE (pasta order); EINEN (37D. German indefinite article); ERI TU (11D. Verdi aria); 26D. IDIOT-proof (easy to operate); IOWAN (51A. Hawkeye State native); 15D. San MATEO (Bay Area county); OCHER (50D. Autumn shade); RETAG (10D. Mark down for a sale, say); ROARS (47D. Zoo noises); SATYR (65A. Mythical lecher); SCREW (21D. Hinge holder); STATS (21A. Rebounds, shooting); UTILE (32D. Of service); WITTY (49D. Quick with the zingers).

Short stuff -- ADS, ARLO, ASTI, ATIT, BRIE, CUR, DRAT, EBON, EDW, ELSE, ENL, ETON, EVE, FOP, GOV, IBOS, ICI, IVOR, JERK, JIVE, KSU, LED, LOLL and LOON (28D. Nut case), not the bird, MERE, NEA, ONO and ONT, ONES, OXEN, PENS, RAE, RAMS, REB, REIN, ROTO, RPS, SSN, UNTO, YER.

The Birds is Coming!

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For today’s cartoon, go to The Crossword Puzzle Illustrated.

Remaining clues -- Across: 1. Hipster’s jargon; 10. Yank’s foe; 13. Black, to bards; 15. “A ___ bagatelle!”; 18. Toiling away; 19. The Wildcats of the Big 12 Conf.; 20. Took charge; 30. ___-Rooter; 33. Fancy dresser; 40. “Bed-in” participant Yoko ___; 43. Pullers in pairs; 52. “___ on parle français; 53. Mangy mutt; 56. Door-busting equipment; 61. “Dang it!”; 63. Italian wine region; 64. ID with two hyphens; 66. School attended by 007. Down: 1. So-and-so; 2. Nigerian natives; 4. Photo lab abbr.; 7. White House Web address ending; 8. Eden exile; 9. “___ out!” (ump’s call); 17. Additional; 23. Songwriter Novello; 24. Rotational speed meas.; 27. Guthrie who sang about Alice’s Restaurant; 34. Leftmost compartment in a till; 35. Parker products; 39. Lounge around; 42. Part of P.E.I.: Abbr.; 45. Creamy cheese; 54. “Render ___ Caesar …”; 55. Horse halter; 57. PC pop-ups; 58. Teachers’ org.; 59. Neighbor of Que.; 60. Singer Corinne Bailey ___.

12.28.09 -- After and Before

Asphalt Bubbles, La Brea Tar Pits, Los Angeles, California, Ming Pbase

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Monday, December 28, 2009

Puzzle by Patrick Merrell, edited by Will Shortz

COCK AND BULL (17A. One word that precedes “pit,” one that follows it), ROOM AND BOARD (27A. One word that precedes “key,” one that follows it), DOWN AND DIRTY (45A. One word that precedes “play,” one that follows it) and ROCK AND ROLL (61A. One word that precedes “hard,” one that follows it) are the interrelated group of this pleasant Monday crossword. That’s right -- cockpit, pitbull; room key, keyboard; downplay, play dirty; rock hard, hard roll.

The better-late-than-never DEAR SANTA (11D. Start of a Christmas letter) and the get-ready-to-go SEA-WORTHY (35D. Fit for sailing) are the other long entries, followed by those of seven letters -- CD RACKS (43D. Music store fixtures), PEP TALK (44A. Pregame morale builder), PRUNING (8D. Clipping, as shrubs) and VISIBLY (33A. By eyesight).

Six-letter entries include ABRUPT (26D. Sudden), ASSESS (68A. Evaluate), 56A. Buckaroo BANZAI (movie character), DENZEL (1A. Actor Washington who once played Malcolm X), DONKEY (47D. Braying animal), ICE AXE (14A. Mountain climber’s tool), KARNAK (65A. Egyptian temple site), LA BREA (7D. Famed tar pits whose name is Spanish for “the tar”), MOURNS (21A. Grieves), 28D. OBI WAN Kenobi of “Star Wars”, ONESIE (Infant bodysuit), RUSTIC (39A. Countryish).

Five -- ATLAS (52D. Book of maps), DARER (30D. Risk taker), DICED (1D. Chopped into small cubes), DUMMY (18D. Ventriloquist’s prop), ECOLI (2D. Food-poisoning bacteria), NECKS (3D. Prominent giraffe parts), OLEAN (29D. Fat substitute brand), PIZZA (44D. Order from Domino’s), ROONE (51D. TV sports broadcasting pioneer Arledge), YOLKS (53D. “Sunny” egg parts).

Short stuff -- AHS, ANKA, ANT, ARAW, ASTI, AWL, BAIT, BAKE, BIRD, BOAT, DAS, DECK, DISK, ELK, ESP, EXAM, GALS, GAR, ICH, IDAS, INCH, INTO, ITA, ITSY, KRIS, LENO, LPGA, MEI, NAE, NOD, OON, OTO, RAIL, RBI, ROZ (49A. Cartoonist Chast), RRS, SPEX, STYX (40D. Hellish river), THO and THY, TRIX, VOID, WAC, XRAY, ZAK (4D. Ringo‘s drummer son).

After the long weekend, yet before the next, it‘s just a good old blue Monday!

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For today’s cartoon, go to The Crossword Puzzle Illustrated.

Remaining clues -- Across: 7. Org. for women on the links; 11. Karl Marx’s “___ Kapital”; 14. Mountain climber’s tool; 15. Got ___ deal (was rooked); 16. Mind reader’s “gift”; 19. Had a bite; 20. Antlered animal; 22. Cereal advertised with a “silly rabbit”; 23. “Slipped” backbone part; 25. Don’t tell ___ can’t …!”; 26. Sounds during medical checkups; 36. Long-nosed fish; 37. Scottish refusal; 41. “Let’s call ___ day”; 42. W.W. II female; 48. Suffix with pont-; 49. Cartoonist Chast; 50. With 13-Down, “super power” glasses; 54. Ostrich or owl; 59. Plains tribe; 60. Insect with a queen; 63. “___ ein Berliner”; 64. Prepare cookies or chicken, e.g.; 66. “Love ___ neighbor …”; 67. ___-bitsy. Down: 5. Test; 6. NBC host Jay; 9. Guys’ mates; 10. Hole-making tool; 12. ___ Spumante (wine); 13. See 50-Across; 22. However, informally; 24. Singer Kristofferson; 31. Train track part; 32. What a swabbie swabs; 33. Invalidate, as a check; 34. Fascinated by; 46. Silent assent; 54. Worms in a can, e.g.; 55. 1/36 of a yard; 56. Gravy vessel; 57. Paul who wrote “My Way”; 58. Actress Lupino and others; 61. Slugger’s stat; 62. B&O and Reading: Abbr.

12.27.09 -- Letter -- the Diagramless

Girl reading a Letter at an Open Window, 1657 -- Johannes Vermeer

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Sunday, December 27, 2009

DIAGRAMLESS, Puzzle by Mike Nothnagel, edited by Will Shortz

LETTER OPENER (68A. Desk item … or the end of the answer to each of the six starred clues?), STATE CAPITAL (12A. * Austin or Boston), MISS SCARLET (21A. *Female Clue suspect), bad form (40a. *Unsuitable behavior), BAD FORM (40A. *Unsuitable behavior), KNOCK ‘EM DEAD (58A. *”Give the audience all you’ve got!”), CEILING FAN (9D. *Overhead air circulator) and ALBUM COVER (28D. *Where a band photo might appear) comprise the interrelated group of this tough diagramless, producing capital letter, scarlet letter, form letter, dead letter, fan letter and cover letter.

Remaining across: 1. Sword handle, HILT; 5. “Concentrate!”, FOCUS; 6. Take to the altar, WED; 9. I.B.M. and AT&T: Abbr., COS; 16. Box on a spreadsheet, CELL; 17. Broadway lyricist Richard MALTBY; 18. “Bye-bye!”, SEE YA; 19. Opera featuring Amneris and Radames, AIDA; 20A. Cop A PLEA; 23. If nothing goes wrong, AT BEST; 25. “Be young, have fun, drink PEPSI” (1990s ad slogan); 26. Farm sound, BAA; 29. Old what’s-HIS-name; 30. Hurry, HASTEN; 31. Societal woes, ILLS; 33. Second-stringers, B-TEAM; 36. Good advisers, SAGES; 39. Bar tab, e.g., DEBT; 43. Brand of nonstick cookware, TFAL; 44. Far-out place to live?, EXURB; 46. “IT’S UP to you!”; 47. Coupon word, SAVE; 48. Opponent of Chiang Kai-shek, MAOIST; 51. “LES Trois Mousquetaires”; 53. Partner of improved, NEW; 54. “She Bob” singer Lauper, CYNDI; 55. Botanist GREGOR Mendel; 61. “Dancers in Pink” artist, DEGAS; 65. Star’s blowup, NOVA; 66. In the company of, AMONG; 67. First Stuart king, JAMES I; 68. Marvin Gaye’s “Can I GET a Witness”; 71. Rocky peak, TOR; 72. Hi-RES monitor; 73. Home sweet home, ABODE; 74. Catch sight of, ESPY.

Down: 1. Throat-soothing beverage, HOT TEA; 2. Means of giving the body a rapid cool-down, ICE BATH; 3. “Peanuts” girl, LUCY; 4. Airport uniform abbr., TSA; 5. Autumn, FALL; 6. Actress Dianne WIEST; 7. Seasons when Écoles aren’t in session, ETES; 8. Retreat for a pampering, DAY SPA; 10. Shoppe description, OLDE; 11. Bed support, SLAT; 12. Little, to a Scot, SMA; 13. Faucet, TAP; 14. Omega preceders, PSIS; 15. They may be tied before a game even starts, LACES; 16. Travel needs for tots, CAR SEATS; 21. Legendary hostess Perle MESTA; 22. In ads they’re often measured in sq. ft., APTS; 24. Lettuce variety, BIBB; 26. Wait, BIDE; 27. “I’ll make it a true Daily Double, ALEX”; 30. Med. Care providers, HMOS; 32. Nomadic Persian maybe?, STRAY CAT; 34. Do some polishing, EDIT; 35. Rearward, AFT; 37. Roofer’s projected expense?, EAVE; 38. Offed, SLEW; 41. Like much notepaper, RULED; 42. Digital video file format, briefly, MPEG; 49. Faultless, IDEAL; 50. Direction in a stew recipe, SIMMER; 52. 25-Across, for one, SODA POP; 55. Courteous fellows, GENTS; 56. Craze, RAGE; 57. Fix, REMEDY; 58. Like a wool sweater, KNIT; 59. Off-limits, NO GO; 60. Shower attention (on), DOTE; 62. It can be used to pass things on to your children, GENE; 63. Enzyme suffix, ASE; 64. Round Table title, SIR; 67. Perennial campaign issue, JOBS; 70. “Norma RAE”.

Of course, there are other letters...

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Puzzle available on the internet at

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12.27.09 -- Toasting the New Year

Champagne Bubbles by fantartsy JJ

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Sunday, December 27, 2009

TOASTING THE NEW YEAR, Puzzle by Elizabeth C. Gorski, edited by Will Shortz

CHAMPAGNE BUBBLES in circles, I AM DRINKING THE STARS (25A. Purported cry from 100-Across upon discovering this puzzle’s subject), DOM PIERRE PERIGNON (100A. See 25-Across), BENEDICTINE MONK (34D. 100-Across, for one), IT’S TWELVE O’CLOCK (39D. Cry before “Happy New Year!”), CHEERS (1A. Common toast), CLINKS (12A. Sounds accompanying toasts), BOTTOMS UP (75A. Alternative to 1-Across), WINE LOVER (77A. Connoisseur of this puzzle’s subject) and SALUT (119A. Common overseas toast) are the interrelated group of this perfect salute-to-the-New-Year crossword puzzle; and what’s not to love about that lonely clueless E in the center of the puzzle!

AGN (61A. Once more: Abbr.) is a SIN (31D. Do bad) you say? Well, LAH DI DAH (59A. Hoity-toity), go HULK OUT (116A. Become enraged, as a comic book figure), this is a fine vintage crossword filled with the bubbles of words, magic and cheerful, the ROSIEST (24A. Most hopeful) of paeans to the coming of the New Year -- it’s a CHAMP (57A. Titleholder)!

Other -- ANTI-HERO (33D. Raskoinikov in “Crime and Punishment,” e.g.); ARSENAL (21A. Store); AVERAGE (80A. C); CORN COB (87D. Biodegradable pipe material); GNOCCHI (111A. Italian dumplings); GOES WEST (62A. Follows the path of 19th-century pioneers); GOOD ONE (83D. “Funny!”); GUNNED FOR (62D. Pursued tenaciously); HORSE-LIKE (60D. Equine); IN HEELS (79A. Dressed up, maybe); JUNK DNA (114A. Genetic material with no known function); LAKE ERIE (40D. Discovery of the explorer Louis Joliet); PHONIES (108A. Fakes); SISSIES (51A. Cream puffs); TOOK A CAB (32D. Skipped the subway, say); UNEASIER (41D. More restless).

Six-letter -- FAISAL, GASKET, HALLOW and HOLLIS, KEIFER, MAGNUS, LOSTTO, NEOCON, NOTNOW, QUIVER, RACEME, RONDOS, SLIGHT, SOAKER, SUNTEA.

Five -- ACEIT, ACRAB, AERIE, AGNUS, APOET, AREGO, BATED, BUNKO, BWANA, CABIN, CHOSE, ECONO, EPSOM, HAHAS, IMARI, LEADA, LINEN, MAURA, MERCE, NILES, OBIES, OILUP, ONETO (44A. 11:59 p.m., e.g.), OPENS, REBID, RUING, STABS, SWARM.

OTIC (36D. Of the ears) and OCULAR (66D. Of the eyes) lead off the echoes -- HUH and HUE, ONO and NON, LAO and OLA, NOLO and OLAN, COO and QUA, LIEN and LIMN and all the other short stuff -- ABET, AGUE, AMOK, ANSA, APO, ARFS, BAST, BET, CHA, DOOM, EDIT, ELEM, ELO, ELSA, ETAL, FIRM, HARI, ILIA, IONE, ISL, ITT, KISS (16D. New Year’s Eve action), LRON, MAD, MIDI, MOHS, NARC, NED, NGO, NLER, OAK, OFIT, OGEE, OMNI, OSHA, OWED, PEEP, PERU, PHI, PJS, RAMA, RBIS, SAGE (52D. Wise), SHE, SST, TANS, TNUT, TSO.

Happy NewYear!

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For today’s cartoons, go to The Crossword Puzzle Illustrated.

Remaining clues -- ACROSS: 7. Be ___ (constantly complain); 18. Make sacred); 19. Actress Tierney; 20. Neighborhood in Queens; 28. Bygone Dodge; 29. Vietnamese leader ___ Dinh Diem; 30. Help out in a bad way; 31. Tries; 35. “Livin’ Thing” band, for short; 37. Honor society character; 38. Prepare for a bodybuilding competition; 43. Actress Skye; 46. ___ double life; 48. Summer shades; 49. Later; 53. Joint seal; 55. Sutherland of “24”; 58. Beverage brewed naturally; 64. Nail the test; 65. Sweet talk; 67. Sine ___ non; 68. Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Eagles; 69. Person on the alert for snow?; 70. Late choreographer Cunningham; 72. Swindle; 74. Mechanic’s ___; 81. Name of seven Norwegian kings; 84. Thai’s neighbor; 85. Beatty of “Superman”; 86. Ex-lib, perhaps; 90. “___ can survive everything but a misprint”: Oscar Wilde; 91. Al dente; 92. Terriers’ warnings; 94. ___ Lodge; 95. Bad end; 96. Symbol of strength; 97. Pay back?; 99. Scientologist ___ Hubbard; 110. Restrained; 115. Japanese procelain; 117. Miss, e.g.; 118. Alcatraz, for one: Abbr.; 120. General name on menus; 121. Jump into a pool? DOWN: 1. When said three times, a dance; 2. Spy Mata ___; 3. Mrs. Albert Einstein; 4. Na, Ne, Ni or No; 5. Some Mozart works; 6. Hive mentality?; 7. Berserk; 8. Part of a plane; 9. Having certain misgivings; 10. “All systems ___”; 11. Rope fiber; 12. Went with; 13. Was beaten by; 14. 1998 Olympic figure skating gold medalist ___ Kulik; 15. D-back, e.g.; 17. Grounded flier; 22. Napkins and such; 24. Up an offer, e.g.; 26. “Frasier” role; 27. What the Laugh Factory produces; 37. Slightest protest; 42. LAX setting; 44. Due; 45. Workplace watchdog grp.; 46. Describe; 47. The chills; 50. The wonder ___ all; 54. Looped handle, in archaeology; 56. Flower arrangement; 58. Super ___ (water shooter); 59. Office PC hookup; 63. Big ___; 67. It may be taken with a bow; 70. ___ scale; 71. English Derby site; 72. Swahili honorific; 73. “The Good Earth” wife; 76. Carpentry fastener; 76. S-shaped molding; 81. “Are you ___?”; 82. Mil. Address part; 88. Lennon’s lady; 89. French vote; 91. Former Saudi king; 93. Cold-shoulder; 96. Taps, in a way; 98. “___ Dei”; 101. Skirt length; 102. Diamond stats; 103. “___ Lama Ding Dong” (1961 hit); 104. Series ender: Abbr.; 105. Arequipa is its second-largest city; 106. Make a long story short?; 107. Start of a plea; 108. Comfy evening wear; 109. “You talkin’ to me?”; 112. Shade; 113. Cousin ___ of “The Addams Family”.

12.26.09 -- I See Puzzle People

Haley Joel Osment in The Sixth Sense, 1999

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Saturday, December 26, 2009 -- Boxing Day

Puzzle by Kevin G. Der, edited by Will Shortz

Ooop! It’s Saturday, and I see puzzle people -- M NIGHT SHYAMALAN, clued as 1999 Oscar nominee for both direction and screenwriting (e.g., The Sixth Sense), his unwieldy name dripping down the center of this crossword, presides over a plethora of personages, including the JONESES (32A. Indiana and others):

The list -- ABE and MONA (31A. Homer Simpson’s dad, 44A. Homer Simpson’s mom); an ACADIAN (6D. Evangeline, e.g.); AMERICAN ME (15A. Edward James Olmos’s directorial debut, 1992); 39D. Vietnam’s BAO Dai; CHERUBIM (13D. Guardians of Eden, in Genesis); DALAI LAMAS (59A. Holy line); ELMO (56D. Must-have toy of 1996); an EMT (49A. Stretcher fetcher, briefly); 52A. “House of Dracula” director ERLE C. Kenton; EVA MARIE (36D. Saint in “Exodus”); FRED (18A. Scrooge’s nephew); IDA (57A. Operatic princess); IVES (40A. “Universe Symphony” composer); JIMI (5D. First name at Woodstock); RON (29D. Friend of Hermione at Hogwarts); a SENORA (28A. One who’s hitched, in Hidalgo); 41D. TONY DOW (41D. He played Beaver’s big brother); a TWIT (34A. Schmo); and last but not least, WACKOS (1D. Flakes).

Other long entries include BAR BRAWL (12D. Shots after shots); CLAYMATION (17A. Frames that take shape?); LIVE JAZZ (35D. Some lounge entertainment); ON A RAMPAGE (63A. Tearing); SIDE BETS (14D. Some blackjack action); TENT PEGS (37D. They’re driven around campsites); WINE COOLER (65A. Bartles & Jaymes product); WINDJAMMER (1A. Sailing ship).

Mid-size -- ANOMIE (50A. Social instability); BALMS (39A. Sunburn remedies); DOJOS (24D. Schools where students wear white); ECONO (33D. Cut-rate, commercially); EIEIO (26D. Letters after many animal names); HOT POT (45A. Chinese cuisine style); I CARE (51D. Words of empathy); I’M LIKE (2D. Start of many a comment in Valspeak); IN HEAT (25A. Like some noisy cats); JAPERY (53A. Mocking fun); LET ON (35A. Pretend); MATIN (7D. Apres-midi preceder); NEATEN (3D. Pick up around); OLD AGE (47D. Senectitude); PRIMAL (46D. Like some fears); RENTALS (10D. Some DVDs); TASTE (34D. Old cigarette ad buzzword); TEASER (48D. Viewer drawer); THERIAC (42D. Onetime snake venom antidote); TIMBRE (21A. Vocal quality); TOYOTAS (41A. Sequoias, e.g.), the carbon emitters, not the absorbers.

Short stuff -- ABCS, ACRE, AMFM, ANI, APO, AREA, CHI, DRY, EAST, EMO, IDIG, ITT, KIT, MAHI, OKED, RUB, TILT, VAN, ZEST, ZIGS.

What did he say?!

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For today’s cartoon, go to The Crossword Puzzle Illustrated.

Remaining clues -- Across: 11. Early education; 16. Split fish?; 19. Media ___; 20. “Gotcha!”; 30. Cause of rage against the machine?; 38. Acupuncturist’s energy; 43. Something to move with; 55. Siege of ___ (opening of the Third Crusade); 58. Confines; 62. Moves erratically; 64. Sorbet ingredient. Down: 4. Drink request; 9. Alternative to grunge; 11. Satellite precursor; 22. Defendant in a 1970s antitrust suit: Abbr.; 54. Near ___; 60. Gracklelike bird; 61. V-mail handler.

12.25.09 -- Ghost Story

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, Illustration by John Leech, 1843

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Friday, December 25, 2009 -- Christmas Day

Puzzle by Paul Gamache, edited by Will Shortz

A Christmas Carol (sub-titled "In Prose. Being A Ghost Story of Christmas") is a novella by English author Charles Dickens, about a miserly, cold-hearted curmudgeon Ebenezer Scrooge and his holiday conversion and redemption after being visited by four ghosts on Christmas Eve.

Looking as much like a Christmas tree as a crossword puzzle can, this delightful holiday gift features A CHRISTMAS CAROL (10D. 1843 work in five “staves”) with EBENEZER SCROOGE (53A. One who saw his name upon the stone of a neglected grave), the GHOST OF JACOB MARLEY (26A. With 32-Across, one subjected to “incessant torture of remorse”), BOB CRATCHIT (9A. One who worked in a “dismal little cell”) and TINY TIM (24A. With 35-Down, brother of Master Peter).

Christmas continues with YULE LOGS (34D. Iconic flamers), ENGEL (60A. Tannenbaum topper), JINGLERS (32D. Sleigh bells and such), VOCALS (1D. Sung parts, as of carols), LA LA LA (49A. Repeated parts of “Deck the Halls”), LAUGH (38A. “Ho, ho, ho,“ e.g.), TOY (25A. Stocking stuffer) and ELF (48A. 25-Across maker).

Other entries of length include ANTEATER (19D. Termite tormentor), BOOTLEGS (33D. Pirates), ORLANDO (4D. “As You Like It” hero), PIT CREW (46A. Quick-change artists?), SAVANNAH (14A. Georgia border river) and SOCIAL CLIMBER (12A. A-list wannabe).

Mid-size -- A BIND (2D. Trapped, after “in”), AHMET (7D. Ertegun who co-founded Atlantic Records), BOVARY (9D. Emma of fiction), DECREE (15A. Order in the court), DOSED (42A. Apportioned, as medicine), KORDA (58A. Michael who wrote “Charmed Lives”), ODING (22A. Taking too much, briefly), REINA (1D. Spanish royal), RIB CUT (8D. Club steak, e.g.), SACRO (12D. Pelvic prefix), SCALD (17A. Blanch), TEE UP (30A. Prepare to drive), TERRIF (11D. “Super!”), THINK (35A. Something to do twice?), TURIN (20A. Italy’s first capital).

Short stuff -- ACID, “The ANDY Williams Christmas Album“, BOA, DANA, DESC, DIAZ, DUI, EASY, EKE, ELS, ENYA, FAA, FULL (27D. Like Santa‘s bag on Christmas Eve), GEL and GET, GOER, GOO (59A. It’s gross) and GUCK (26D. It’s gross), GRRS, HEF, HOE, ICAN, IONA and IONS, KLEE, MEG, NRA, OAT, OHIO, PEAK, PLEA, SAAR, SLY, SOIL and SOY, SSGT and SSTS, STL, VAIO, WORE.

Here is a link to the 1910 version of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Filmed by Edison Manufacturing Company.

One hundred years later -- this is a link to the trailer for the latest Walt Disney‘s version with Jim Carrey as Scrooge.

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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.

Remaining clues -- Across: 1. Sony computer brand; 5. River of Germany; 18. “Piece” org.; 21. Canine warnings; 28. Org. with inspectors; 29. Cause for weaving, for short; 37. It may be rolled; 41. Burial place of Macbeth; 44. Noted Bauhaus teacher; 45. “Little Women” woman; 61. Gradual; 62. On the ___; 63. Tupolev Tu-144s, e.g. Down: 3. Optimistic assertion; 5. Mo. Town; 6. Kind of rock; 14. U.S.A.F. E-5; 16. “And Winter Came …” artist; 22. 1970 hit by Crosby, Sills, Nash and Young; 23. Suffix with party; 29. ___ Perino, George W. Bush’s last White House press secretary; 31. Prime; 40. Hutch’s head briefly; 42. Junot ___, 2008 Pulitzer winner for “The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao”; 43. One with an ancestor: Abbr.; 46. S O S, e.g.; 47. Sported; 52. Na+ and Cl-; 53. Manage, with “out”; 54. Fancy wrap; 55. Protein source; 56. Secure; 57. Chicago runners.

12.24.09 -- EVE

Thursday, December 24, 2009 -- Christmas Eve

Puzzle by Nancy Solomon, edited by Will Shortz

EVE in nine squares of this Christmas EVE crossword with no reference to Christmas is this puzzle’s main feature. Or is it Adam’s EVE?

Across: FOR[EVE]RAND[EVE]R (17A. In perpetuity); MAIN [EVE]NT (29A. Fight night highlight); [EVE]LKNI[EVE]L (38A. Fate-tempting motorcyclist); EL[EVE] (41A. One in the charge of un instituteur); N[EVE]RN[EVE]RLAND (59A. Pan’s place); R[EVE]LS (61A. Has a blast).

Down: CL[EVE]LAND (4D. Cavaliers’ home); CL[EVE]R (8D. Sharp); MOUNT [EVE]REST (11D. It was conquered in 1953); SLE[EVE]LESS (24D. Like tank tops); IRR[EVE]RSIBLE (28D. Impossible to change); AL[EVE] (30D. Tylenol competitor); PAR[EVE] (47D. Made without milk or meat); PE[EVE]D (52D. Put out); R[EVE]RE (53D. Midnight alarm giver).

Remaining across: 1. Light in a bad way, TORCH; 6. Emmy-winning character actor James COCO; 10. In, Amid; 14. Novelist ITALO Calvino; 15. Spanish pot, OLLA; 16. Astronomer’s sighting, NOVA; 19. Twin, DUAL; 20. Sense, FEEL; 21. Locks, HAIR; 22. Edible tubes, PENNE; 23. Concertedly, AS ONE; 25. Monopoly token, HAT; 26. How the obvious may be disguised, THINLY; 33. Green, to Goya, VERDE; 34. Go “pfffft”, STALL; 36. Dakota Indian, REE; 37. 35mm camera type, SLR; 40. Suffolk female, EWE; 42. Sources of filets mignons, LOINS; 43. “Ghosts” playwright, IBSEN; 45. Deluge, TORRENT; 47. With a saucy style, PERTLY; 48. French possessive, SES; 49. Ho-hum, BLASÉ; 51. Big pictures, EPICS; 53. Belly laugh, ROAR; 54. Monopoly token, SHOE; 58. Tony winner BEBE Neuwirth; 62. Tough trip, TREK; 63. Opposite of hindered, AIDED; 64. Olympian ODES (classical works); 65. Delilah portrayer HEDY Lamarr; 66. Relish, ENJOY.

Down: 1. Bit of a dustup, TIFF; 2. Plains Indian, OTOE; 3. Red inside, RARE; 5. 26-Down adjustment: Abbr., HOR; 6. Big name in late-night, CONAN; 7. Any song on a 78, OLDIE; 9. It may be part of a bank, OAR; 10. Like vicuñas, ANDEAN; 12. Novelist IVAN Turgenev; 13. Cartoon, chipmunk, DALE; 18. Ship-to-ship call, AHOY; 22. 2008 World Series champs, PHILLIES; 26. Tube, TV SET; 27. “Is anybody listening …?”, HELLO; 29. “MAIS oui!”; 34. “The Tonight Show” piece, SKIT; 35. Onetime C&W channel, TNN; 39. LON Chaney of “The Wolf Man”; 44. “The Gang That Couldn’t Shoot Straight” novelist BRESLIN; 46. Judge’s announcement, RECESS; 49. Feeling ho-hum, BORED; 50. Squat’s opposite, LANKY; 51. River that ends in Tarragona, EBRO; 55. Pilgrimage to Mecca, HADJ; 56. “ONE O’Clock Jump” (Basie hit); 57. Whirling water, EDDY; 59. Ultimate, NTH; 60. Scottish explorer of the Arctic, RAE.

Ring Christmas Bells!

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For today’s cartoon, go to The Crossword Puzzle Illustrated.