05.31.09 -- Nuts Over Crosswords!

Sunday,
May 31, 2009
ODD ONE OUT, Puzzle by Kelsey Blakley, edited by Will Shortz
A note accompanies today’s crossword: Every letter in the answer to each asterisked clue appears an even number of times in that answer … except one. Altogether, these eight unpaired letters can be arranged to spell the answer to 68- and 70-Across.
Some people are NUTS OVER crosswords is the 68/70-Across entry/clue. Not much of a clue, but the down entries are friendly enough to yield the across answer. The second part of this crossword is an anagrammatic afterthought; the note provided is of no help with the solution of the puzzle per se, being merely instructions for anyone who is truly nuts over crosswords that there is more to do. I gathered all the stray letters and still didn’t catch on until the mavens and ravens were rolling their eyes over my denseness. On the other hand, I’m not fond of look-ma-no-hands gimmicks that are of no help in the solution and require one to further dwell upon the crossword. I’m just saying…
N is the odd one out in STRENUOUS EFFORT (46D. *Real work); U in INSUFFICIENCIES (102A. *Deficits); T in UNITARIAN CHURCH (23A. *Religious affiliation of John Adams and William Howard Taft); S in GOES UNDERGROUND (86A. * Hides out); O in TATTERED AND TORN (116A. *Ragged); V in PRIVATE PRACTICE (3D. *Not firm work?); E in ANTIPERSPIRANTS (33A. *You raise your arms for these); R in HIPPOCRATIC OATH (49A. *Physician’s promise).
Across -- 1. End of a footrace; 5.
Creator of Princess Ozma; 9. Satellite org.; 13 State below Lower Saxony; 18. “The Pearl of ORRS Island” (Stowe novel); 19. Opposing;; 20. Technological debuts of 1998; 22. Mountain, in Hawaiian; 26. Cry from the bench; 27. Foe; 28. Ascension Day, e.g.: Abbr.; 29. Sword material; 31. Serve notice; 32. Manila pact grp., 1954; 36. Cultivate; 38. Men of La Mancha; 39. Big Apple subway line, with “the”; 40. Do, re, mi; 42. Sailor’s realm; 44. Business partner, sometimes; 45. French word before and after “à”; 46. Busch Stadium locale: Abbr.; 55. “Gloria PATRI” (hymn); 57. Prefix with -naut; 58. Primeval; 59. Oregon city, with “The”; 60. King of England, 946-55; 61. Challenge for H.S. juniors; 62. Film that lost the Best Picture Oscar to “Chariots of Fire”; 64. Hogwarts professor Trelawney, e.g.; 65. Montana Indians; 66. Pilot’s E; 72. Paint choice; 73. Illinois city; 74. Ring; 78. Form of acetyl acetone; 78. Corona; 80. Scenic fabric; 81. Narrow furrows; 83. Maine coon, e.g.; 84. You name it; 85. Reduces to bits; 89. Schooner’s contents; 90. Pack away; 92. Travel plan: Abbr.; 93. Trifling amount; 94. Ocean’s reflection; 95. Boston’s Liberty Tree, e.g.; 96. Lack of faith; 100. Jaw site; 107. Jack Sprat’s dietary restriction; 110. Comes out of one’s skin; 112. Quod ERAT faciendum; 113. EFFIE White, one of the girls in “Dreamgirls”; 114. Given; 119. Class; 120. Bunches; 121. Something to play; 122. Raises the hackles of; 123. Impressionist Degas; 124. Scorched; 125. SWEE’ Pea; 126. Peut-ETRE (maybe, in Marseille).
Down: 1. Hitches; 2. Golf’s Palmer, to friends; 4.
Dead giveaway; 5. Honky-tonk; 6. Hill of Hill hearings; 7. The Osmonds, e.g.; 8. Least; 9. Fed. Med. Research agency; 10. Jester, e.g.; 11. Refuser of a 1964 Nobel Prize; 12. Tap into; 13. Managed care grp.; 14. Swab’s target; 15. Nubian Desert locale; 16. Comics canine; 17. Pulls in; 21. Common name for a working dog; 24. Explorer ALONSO Álvarez de Pineda, first European to see the Mississippi; 25. Sea lily, e.g.; 30. LILI Marlene” (W.W. II love song); 34. Plains Indians; 35. 1967 #1 hit whose lyrics begin “What you want / Baby, I got it”; 37. Style of furnishing; 40. Fellow; 41. Semi fill-up; 43. Democrat Specter; 45. Beta blocker?; 47. It may be tapped; 48. Toppers; 50. Driving hazard; 51. Total; 52. Nondairy product in the dairy section; 53. Popular pain reliever; 54. Ancient playwright who originated the phrase “While there’s life, there’s hope”; 56. Italian Renaissance composer Banchieri; 63. Firewood unit; 67. Personal identity; 69. Je ne SAIS quoi; 71. Laughs one’s head off; 73. Razor brand; 75. Supermodel Hutton; 77. State V.I.P.: Abbr.; 79. Tennis’s Roddick; 81. Towser, e.g., in “Catch-22”: Abbr.; 82. Siren; 87. Those with yens; 88. Shot; 91. AMFM radio; 95. Author Welty; 96. Mercedes-Benz model; 97. Whit; 98. Prynne of “The Scarlet Letter”; 99. Lark’s home; 101. Pushover; 102. Persona; 103. Canceled; 104. Primitive weapon; 105. Whit; 106. Banal; 108. Telecaster; 109. Cliff-hanging; 115. French 42-Across; 117. She can be polled; 118. Born overseas.
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05.31.09 -- Spiral, the Diagramless

Chambered Nautilus Sea Shell
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Sunday, May 31, 2009
Diagramless Puzzle by Francis Heaney, edited by Will Shortz
This diagramless is 18 squares wide by 15 squares deep and has an asymmetrical pattern resembling a chambered nautilus shell.
Across: 1.
NICK FALDO, Three-time Masters winner who’s now a TV golf analyst; 10. DANIEL BOONE, Eponym of a Kentucky national forest; 12. NAUTILUS SHELL, Source of an osmena pearl; 14. MUNRO, Short-story writer Alice; 15. SKIM, Go over quickly; 17. KUDZU, Comic strip that shares a name with an invasive plant; 18. PURGED, Got rid of; 24. ONYX, Traditional July birthstone; 26. ASIA, Where Tibet is; 27. RAGNAROK, Cataclysmic event in Norse myth that inspired Götterdämmerung”; 29. KEMP, Dole’s 1996 running mate; 31. PIS, Tecs; 32. CEPHALOPOD, Creature in a 12-Across, for one; 34. YEA; Senate affirmative; 35. PCT, %: Abbr.; 36. BAR, Prevent; 37. SERA, Hospital injections; 38. END, Wind up; 39. ABC, “All My Children” airer; 40. SPIRAL, Shape of a 12-Across; 44. FEY, Tina who played Sarah Palin; 45. SOAP, “All My Children,” e.g.; 47. SKATE, Glide (over); 48. IAN, English novelist McEwan; 49. XMAS, Big shopping season, for short; 51. APEX, Tiptop; 52. ENE, Hydrocarbon suffix; 53. PROF, T.A. someday, maybe; 55. RNS, I.C.U. workers; 56. CHAMBERED, Like a 12-Across; 61. OCTOPUS, Kind of 32-Across; 62. EVIAN, Spring water brand.
Down: 1.
NAURU, Micronesian national once called Pleasant Island; 2. Call INTO question; 3. CII, Caesar’s 102; 4. KEL, Kenan’s TV pal; 5. Swine FLU; 6. ABS, Parts of a washboard; 7. LOS, The “L” in L.A.; 8. DOH, “I’m a moron!”; 9. ONES, Singles; 10. DANZA, “Taxi” co-star; 11. ELKO, Nevada city; 12. NUDIST CAMP, Vacation spot for people who like to pack light; 13. LINK, Chain part; 14. MUSIC BOX, Portable player that has only one song; 16. MY EYE, “Nonsense!”; 17. KAPPAS, Some sorority women; 18 PAPRIKA, Goulash spice; 19. UGH, “Gross!”; 20. RNA, Genetic stuff; 21. GAL, Gas station meas.; 22. EROS, Boy with a bow; 23. DOPE FIEND, Candidate for rehab; 25. XMEN, Magneto’s enemies; 27. REAPS, Harvests; 28. KOREANS, Most Hyundai employees; 30. PAD, Place to set a hot dish; 32. CBS, Radios for good buddies; 33. Singer Taylor DAYNE; 41. RAP, Grammy genre; 42. ATE, Fed.; 43. LEX, Latin law; 46. PARC, Picnicking place, in Paris; 50. SOHO, Neighborhood north of TriBeCa; 54. FACE, Confront; 55. RES, Dwelling: Abbr.; 57. MTV, Network that owns Comedy Central; 58. OutKast member Big BOI; 59. EPA, Eco-friendly org.; 60. RUN, Baseball score.
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05.30.09 -- Zzzzzzzzzzzz!

Sleeping Beauty Thomas Ralph Spence
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Saturday,
May 30, 2009
Puzzle by Matt Ginsberg, edited by Will Shortz
The
letter Z gets a work-out in this Saturday crossword with an even dozen.
The Z-infected words in numerical order across -- 16. JACUZZI ,“Water that moves you” sloganeer; 17.
CHORIZO, Spanish pork sausage; 19. YITZHAK, Shimon’s predecessor; 45. ZOG, Planet visited by Spaceman Spiff in “Calvin and Hobbes”; 49. OZARK, County in Missouri or county seat in Arkansas; 55. ZAG, Turn sharply; 56. GIN FIZZ, Drink with lemon juice; 58. SEIZING, Appropriation; 60. ESTEVEZ, Brat Pack member; 62. HAZED, Initiated unpleasantly.
The second-hand use of the Z (the downs) -- 5. MAZY, Tangled and interwoven; 6.
ELZIE, Cartoonist Segar; 11. BAZAARS, Some charity events; 20. ZOOS, Sites of some exhibits; 35. PIZZAZZ, Flair; 41. AMAZING, Not just great; 49. OOZED, Fell though the cracks?; 57. FEZ, Casablanca wear; and last but not least, 59. ZED, Lack of organisation? (my spell-check keeps changing the "s" to a "z"!).
Z-less entries of seven and eight letters, alphabetically -- DRAGGED (43D. Never seemed to end); DRIVE-UP (10D. Convenient kind of window); HOAXING (53A. April Fools’ Day activity);
JOJOBAS (1D. Southwestern shrubs yielding a cosmetic oil), word of the day; MOOCHED (23D. Sponged); ONE HALF (12A. Just over a minority); POLENTA (38D. Staple of northern Italy) and POMATUM (25D. Fragrant hair dressing); ROMANCE (42D. Court); SAMPRAS (14A. Sports star who wrote the 2008 best seller “A Champion’s Mind); SCHLOCK (14D. Junk), tempting word; SCRIMPS (32A. Is hardly extravagant); SECLUDE (3D. Screen); SLOWISH (37D. Larghetto); SPHERIC (37A. Round); TERENCE (61A. Ancient Roman writer of comedies); UNAWARE (2D. Not with it).
Five and six -- ARDOR (26A. Spirit); 29A.
BAHAI (7D. Believer advocating universal brotherhood); B AND B (7A. Travel mag listing); DODGED (63A. Hemmed and hawed); ECOLI (24A. Cause of some food recalls); 13D. Clyde FITCH, “Beau Brummell” playwright, 1890; FIVER (29D. Fin); 29A. All FOURS (card game); GRIST (46D. Mill fill); JUST ME (1A. Response to “Is anyone else here?”); KNEED (50D. Hit below the belt); PETARD (40A. Gate-breaching bomb); RULES (27D. Is way cool); RUMOR (47A. It’s often unfounded); SEE OUT (30A. Complete, as a task); SLOES (44A. Sour fruit); SOCKS (15D. Belts); and because "sewage" wouldn’t fit, SWAGE (44D. Metalworking tool), word of the day runner-up.
Three and four -- AMOK (8D. Uncontrollably); AWE (52A. Floor);
BAUM (22A. “Mother Goose in Prose” author, 1897) ; CLAP (34A. Summon a servant, maybe); COAX (39D. Urge); GIRO (54D. Big name in cycling helmets); HIVE (53D. Queen’s quarters); HOO (28A. Sob syllable); KAVA (36A. Polynesian libation); 51A. “MAMA Said” (1961 hit); NPR (9D. D.C.-based news org.); OWL (18A. Nighttime noisemaker); PEAK (25A. Busiest); RAP (33D. Criticize); TAR (31D. Cap’n, say); THU (4D. Day “Cheers” was on: Abbr.); VAC (21A. Sucker, quickly); and due to "world" being too long, WOLD (48A. Chain of treeless rolling hills), yet another runner-up for word of the day.
Freedom lives! We are free to Z it up in America, the letter was banned in Greece as the popular protest slogan "Ζει", meaning "he lives", the title of the film
by Costa Garvas -- here’s the trailer for the film, Z.
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05.29.09 -- Nonsense!

Nipper
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Friday,
May 29, 2009
Puzzle by Randolph Ross, edited by Will Shortz
Equal, essentially is the clue for ASPARTAME and likewise ARTIFICIAL. Pops is DEAR OLD DAD and beneath is INFERIOR TO“Lost” category is PAST TENSE (verb, not TV) while from this moment on is ANY LONGER. IN ONE SENSE (29D. From a particular perspective) this crossword puzzle may appear homeostatic, e.g., IN BALANCE; however, initial STARES (44A. Some are blank) are guaranteed.
What kind of clues are those? Producers of bold words produces TYPE FACES, long while is a
DOG’S AGE accompanied by WOOFING (39A. Kennel clamor); memorable is REDLETTER, while the Sir Francis Drake discovery of 1579 is not California, but the GOLDEN GATE.
Solid ground is had somewhat with
RCA VICTOR (18A. Introducer of 45’s in ‘49), HENRY VIII (52A. Charlton Heston’s “The Prince and the Pauper” role), SALERNO (33A. Allied landing site of September 1943) and CONGRESSES (30D. Meetings of delegates). Throw in a SEAHORSE (24D. Cousin of a stickleback) and a few entertainment names, e.g., HEATON (36A. “Everybody Loves Raymond” Emmy winner Patricia), LIN Manuel Miranda, “In the Heights” Tony winner; TRITT (10D. Singer of the #1 country hit “Foolish Pride”), a little literature, NATE (12D. With 20-Down kiddie-lit counterpart of Sherlock Holmes) THE GREAT along with columnists Molly IVINS and Herb CAEN (26D. Columnist who wrote “Don‘t Call It Frisco,” 1953).
If one ATTUNES (37A. Gets in sync), and to be HONEST (23A. Like some opinions), CENTRE (26A. Middle of the British Isles?) is of no help in doing so, one may pass PART ONE (6D. Series kickoff) with the non-horse derby dry-goods dealer, a DRAPER, and discover ALDERS to be charcoal wood sources, smile bemusedly at ENOTE atop AFLAT (Online message / G neighbor), wince at SPARERS being those that let people off and choke on THE GO (21A. What busy people are on).
Remains of the day -- ARLES, ASCENT, DIGIT, DOER, DRYICE, EERO, ETCH, FER, FILA, ITALO, LAIC, LEAF (One that‘s stalked), LEASE, LEOS, ONBY, OREO (Ice cream mix-in), PENN, SHIA, SLATING, SMOG, SPOUT, SPUR, STYLO, TAV as in Torah, TETE, URAL, WAVER, WEEPIER (Comparatively maudlin), WISE, VAN (
It‘ll help you make your move).
Nonsense!
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Remaining clues: Across: 1. Place holder?; 27. Congregational; 40. Action figure; 43. Backwoods pro?; 45. Oracular; 46. Jet; 56. Flat piece of paper?; 58. Where some sunflowers were painted. Down: 4. Ethnic prefix; 5. Head of Notre Dame; 6. Series kickoff; 7. Way up; 11. Prepare a plate perhaps; 13. Cause of a bad air day?; 14. Finnish pent athlete Lehtonen; 34. Some July arrivals; 44. Parisian pen; 45. Not stick to one’s guns; 46. Ayatollah, e.g.; 47. State-founding Friend; 48. “Walk ___” (1964 hit); 49. The Ilek is one of its tributaries; 51. Adidas alternative.

05.28.09 -- GET over IT

The Crying Boy by Bruno Amadio
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Thursday,
May 28, 2009
Puzzle by Gary Cee, edited by Will Shortz
GET OVER IT (36A. Advice for the brokenhearted … or one of four arrangements found literally in this puzzle) is an entry/clue that is of little or no use in the solution of this crossword -- it is more or less an afterthought. The hidden word GET lies OVER the hidden word IT in four places in the crossword.
PAGE TURNER (17A. Something that’s hard to close?) over IMITATE (20A. Mirror); ROGETS (21A. Editor’s resource) over SUITOR (26A. George Knightley, to Emma Woodhouse); BEGETS (50A. Fathers) over BITMAP (55A. Certain computer image format); SAGE TEA (57A. Herbal beverage) over INQUISITOR (60A. One in search of heretics).
Other -- ADORES (28A. Prizes); AEROSTAR (9D. Ford’s first minivan);
ALAMEDA (2D. Tree-lined avenue); BRAISE (49D Cook, in a way, as beef); BRETON (49A. Dweller on the Bay of Biscay); CAPITAL (1D. Financing); ICE BEER (40D. Brew introduced in the 1990s); INWARDS (46D. Toward the center); IRREGS (38D. Discount store offerings, for short); LEG IRON (3D. Houdini escape device); 41D. MAGILLA Gorilla, 1960s cartoon title character); OUTSOLE (12D. Shoe part that touches the floor); SAUTES (5D. Browns); SERVE UP (25D. Produce and present); 45D. Gershwin’s “SOMEONE to Watch Over Me”; STUTTER (44D. Sound before “That’s all, folks!”); TALESE (18D. “The Kingdom and the Power“ author, 1969); THE SAINT (37D. 1960s Roger Moore TV series); WRITTEN (11D. Set down).
Etcetera -- ALEE and AGREE, ARUT, ASURE, BELA and BREA, BMI, BOON, CALM, EFTS, EIRE and ERES, ELI, ETATS, FEED, GUS, HOED, IRAS, LANES, LESS, LIMO, LOB, MEET and MELT, MENU, MTM, NEARS, OCA
, OGRES, ONEG, OTOE, PARE, PNEU, QAT, REGO, REND, RIG, ROSSI, SEER, SOUSA, STE, TAKEI, TER, TUTEE, TWOS, UMW, URN.
Get over it!
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Remaining clues -- Across: 1. Not having big waves; 5. Bandmaster from 1880 to 1931; 10. The animals for Noah’s Ark came in these; 14. “Hard ___!” (captain’s order); 15. Match; 16. Stuck, after “in”; 19. Relative of a hawk; 23. Three times, in prescriptions; 24. Nothing ___; 30. Small amphibians; 32. ___ Broad College of Business; 33. What road hogs hog; 34. City in Orange County, Calif.; 35. Force felt on earth; 39. Wedding rental; 42. Like many a garden; 47. Mozart’s “L’___ del Cairo”; 48. It may start with “Starters”; 52. Skin; 54. Diggers’ org.; 59. Hungarian Communist leader ___ Kun; 62. Go weak at the knees; 63. Verges on; 64. Split; 65. Personal reserve funds, for short; 68. Eliza Doolittle in “Pygmalion,” e.g.; 67. “___ Tu” (1974 hit). Down: 4. Where races are run; 7. Ossuary, maybe; 8. Samuel, e.g., in the Bible; 10. George of “Star Trek”; 13. Marthe or Marie: Abbr.; 22. Director Van Sant; 27. Teamster’s transport; 29. ___ Park, N.Y.; 31. Barn sackful; 34. Blessing; 35. Tribe met by Lewis and Clark; 39. High pitch; 48. “70s TV production co.; 51. Les ___-Unis; 53. “It’s ___ bet!”; 56. French tire; 58. The Chieftains’ home; 59. Songwriters’ grp.; 61. African plant whose leaves are chewed as a stimulant.

05.27.09 -- In Other Words...

Houses of Parliament, London, Sun Breaking Through the Fog, 1904 by Claude Monet
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Wednesday,
May 27 , 2009
Puzzle by Corey Rubin, edited by Will Shortz
Four long entries are featured in this Wednesday crossword -- KEEP ON LORRYIN (20A. Words of encouragement to a Brit?), think “keep on truckin"; CONGA QUEUE (29A. Group of dancing Brits?), conga line; WISE BLOKES (48A. British smart alecks?), wise guys; CATCH SOME ZEDS (56A. Sleep like a Brit?), catch some z-z-z-z-z-z…
Mid-size entries -- ALIENS (2D. Vulcans and Romulans); BERETS (3D. Left Bank toppers); go round (7D. Bout); EKES OUT (44D. Just manages); IDEALS (50D. Worthy principles);
IN DRAG (8D. Clad like some Halloween paraders); JACK UP (1D. Hike, as a price); MEDLEY (51D. This-and-that concert performance); MIX IT UP (10D. Have a tussle); MUSIC BOX (37D. It may have a spinning ballerina) ; OCHRES (48D. Earth tones); POSITS (52D. Puts forth); TEENIEST (11D. Hardest to see, perhaps); TENABLE (43D. Like a solid argument).
Five-letter -- ALOUD, AMTOO, AROLL, BIERS, BOARD, COBOL,
CORGI, ELUTE, EUROS, EXUDE, HUBBA, ODEON, OXEYE , PIXEL, ROTOR, STONE, UNTIL, UPSET, VERSE, VIDEO.
Short stuff -- ABOY, ACE, ALE and ALIE, ALI and AMI, AXE, CIR, COP, CUED, ELIZ, HAM and HAP, HEWN, JAB, LAC, LET, LIMP, LOEB,
MOON, MUS, NEIN, ODON, OPT / OUT, ORY, OSE, OTRO, PITA, PSST, QUID , REAL, SETS, SYS, TALL, TDS, TICS, UAE, URI.
Bob's your uncle!
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Remaining clues -- Across: 1. One-two part; 4. Cattle-herding breed; 9. Playground retort; 14. Draft pick?; 15. Keats title starter; 16. Stands at wakes; 17. Diam. x pi; 18. Get on; 19. Daisy type; 23. Up to; 24. Abu Dhabi’s fed.; 25. Little jerks; 28. “Hey, over here!”; 34. Dark horse’s win; 35. Eggs Benedict need; 38. With 30-Edown, kind of clause; 39. Aramis, to Athos; 41. Causes for stadium cheers, for short; 42. Extract with a solvent; 44. Give off; 49. Favor one side perhaps; 53. Dresden denial; 54. Sail through; 55. Wedding memento; 60. When doubled, a wolf’s call; 62. Turbine part; 63. Sacha Baron Cohen character ___ G; 64. On ___ (hot); 65. Money in la banque; 66. Net judge’s call; 67. iPhone display unit; 68. Piece in the game of go; 69. Method: Abbr. Down: 5. Take too much of briefly; 6. True-to-life; 9. Bernstein/Sondheim’s “__ Like That”; 12. Direct conclusion?; 13. Sugar suffix; 21 Hummus holder; 22. “The Crying Game” Oscar nominee; 26. Like some actors going on stage; 27. Things some designers design; 29. Friday, notably; 30. See 38-Acoss; 31. British pound, informally; 33. Leopold’s partner in a sensational 1924 trial; 35. Rough-___ (unfinished); 36 Get caught in ___; 39. Pink-slip; 40. Lambda followers; 45. Monarch crowned in 1558: Abbr.; 47. Geneva’s ___ Leman; 55. Chapter’s partner; 57. Seven-foot, say; 58. Other, in Oaxaca; 59. Provide with a rear view?; 60. Chance, poetically; 61. Ocean State sch.

05.26.09 -- It's a Deal

Free Trade -- Angel Ortiz
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Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Puzzle by Mike Nothnagel, edited by Will Shortz
SWAP (1A. With 67-Across, an appropriate title for this puzzle?) and MEET (67A. See 1-Across), along with TRADE SCHOOL (17A. Where to learn a vocation), BARTER SYSTEM (28A. Basis for a moneyless economy), EXCHANGE RATE (44A. Two dollars per pound, say) and SWITCH PLATE (58A. “On/off” surrounder) are the interrelated entries of this Tuesday crossword.
DOT MATRIX (10D. Early printer type) and NANCY DREW (35D. Character who first appeared in “The Secret of the Old Clock”) are followed by eight mid-sized entries -- BILL NYE (9D. TV’s Science Guy); DECLAW (14D. Remove the nails from, as a cat); DRONER (26D. One who goes on and on); MARKS UP (42D. Annotates, as a manuscript); NEW AGE (48A. Yanni’s music genre); 24A. “Remington STEELE” of 1980s TV; STEEPS (43D. Soaks in hot water, as 19-Across); TWINGE (29D. Sudden, sharp pain).
Five-letter -- ANAME and AWAKE, LOMAN, DANZA and DIANA, DIDOK, ERASE and EGEST, GOTME, ITISI and IKNOW, MANSE, PANGS, PARTB, ROWED, SAMMS, SIXAM, SRTAS, UBOAT, WORST and WROTE and YORKE.
Short-stuff -- ACT, ANKH, AREA, ASK, ATHS, AWE, CUSS, DOR, DAM, DANK, DDAY, EBON, EDDA, HOO, ION, IOWA, ISLE, KPAX, LAN, LOAM, MAIM, MEAN, NOG (56.A. Drink with Christmas cookies), ORE, OZS, PED, PICS, RDA, RIO, SAKE (54A Drink with sushi), SPAN, STAG, TEA (19A. Earl Grey, for one), TSO, VIDI, VIEW, WBA, YAW (65A. Go off course).
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Remaining clues -- Across: 5. Second of two sections; 10. Beaver’s project; 13. Competed in a regatta; 15. Formal answer to “Who’s at the door?”; 16. Vein contents; 19. Earl Grey, for one; 20. Set as a price; 21. Ornery sort; 25. “Who’s the Boss?” co-star; 33. When repeated, exuberant student’s cry; 36. Put pen to paper; 37. Vitamin bottle info, for short; 38. Go across; 39. Artemis’ Roman counterpart; 40. “Veni, ___, vici”; 41. Intraoffice PC hookup; 42. Stately home; 43. When some morning news programs begin; 47. Radiohead singer Thom; 52. Got a C, say; 57. Palme ___ (Cannes prize); 62. Completely impress; 63. Torpedo launcher; 64. Emma of “Dynasty”; 66. Guilty feelings, e.g. Down: 1. Spanish counterparts of mlles.; 2. Beat in a match; 3. Open-eyed; 4. ___ xing; 5. Snaps; 6. Sports players: Abbr.; 7. Carnaval city; 8. General on a Chinese menu; 11. Realm; 12. Intend; 18. Plaintiff; 23. Parts of lbs.; 25. Black, in verwse; 27. Nick and Nora’s pooch; 29. Sudden, sharp pain; 30. Render blank, as a floppy disk; 31. Old Norse work; 32. Incapacitate; 33. Tropical vacation spot; 34. Title planet in a 2001 Kevin Spacey movie; 39. Like dungeons, typically; 40. Feature of a house in the hills; 45. “Yoo-___!”; 46. Egyptian cross; 49. “What’s in ___?”; 50. “Dunno”; 51. Discharge; 52. “It’s now or never” time; 53. Home of the Hawkeyes of the Big Ten; 54. How some people go to a party; 55. Romans preceder; 59. Org. for heavyweights; 60. Chloride, for one; 61. On the ___ (fleeing).

05.25.09 -- TREE

Boys Climbing a Tree, 1790-92,
Francisco Jose de Goya y Lucientes
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Monday,
May 25, 2009 -- Memorial Day
Puzzle by Peter A. Collins, edited by Will Shortz
Nothing special here for Memorial Day. This is an odd little puzzle shy a vertical column of squares, making it 14x15, with three movie titles each containing the name of a three-letter
TREE (64A. Thing hidden in each of the movie names in this puzzle) within circles -- STEEL MAGNOLIAS (19A. 1989 Sally Field/Dolly Parton/Shirley MacLaine movie); BIG MOMMAS HOUSE (35A. 2000 Martin Lawrence movie); PRELUDE TO A KISS (50A. 1992 Alec Baldwin/Meg Ryan film). Hidden trees occurred in song titles in the New York Times crossword of Sunday, May 4, 2008.
There are a few more long entries --
BAGGY JEANS (26D. Hip-hop wear); BOOM BOOM (5D. Classic John Lee Hooker song of 1962); LOVING CUPS (10D. Some trophies); STEROIDS (37D. Shots taken by some athletes) -- but no more trees.
Mid-size -- ADAPTOR (32A. Electrical device for foreign travelers); GROPES (42A. Seeks blindly); OTELLO (44D. Verdi hero married to Desdemona); REDACT (43D. Edit);
SONNET (D. One of Shakespeare’s begins “Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?”); STOPPER (40A. Cork); TOASTS (27A. “Here’s to you!” and others); WEIGHS (7D. Puts on a scale).
HE-MAN and SLAB share the clue of Hunk.
JANET and RENO are linked with the clue John Ashcroft’s predecessor as attorney general. Other five-letter entries are ALLOT (47D. Apportion) and LOTTO (20D. Game with a $100 million prize, maybe); HOSEA (38D. Old Testament prophet); IDIOM (25D. “Knock it off” or “get it on,” e.g.); 24D. “Star Wars” villain JABBA the Hutt; OSTER (4D. Blender maker); OTERI (31D. Onetime “S.N.L.” player Cheri); SKIRT (49D. Mini or tutu); 9D. Milan’s La SCALA; TASER (30D. Police stunner).
Short stuff -- ALAI, AMY, ANNO, ARM, ARIA, ASP, AVID, AXES, BOGS and BOWS, BEDS, CLOD, CORE, EXIT, GNU, GTO, INLA and INOR, JIB, MOST, OLEO and OLLA and OLIN, OMS and PMS, PINT, PRAM, REAL, RENE and RENO, RES, ROB, ROOF, SAFE, SCAT, SLOE, SOP, SRI, TAOS and TOSS, ZAPS and ZERO.
Remember the true meaning of Memorial Day!
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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. Home (in on); 5. Arrow shooters; 13. Lumberjacks’ tools; 14. Margarine; 15. Uneaten part of an apple; 16. Small milk carton capacity; 17. Ken of “thirty something”; 18. Eager; 22. Hold up; 24. Foresail; 29. Old Pontiac; 34. “Git!”; 39. Swamps; 41. Novelist Tan; 45. ___ Lanka; 48. Legal matter; 56. Not imaginary; 57. Jai ___; 58. “To Live and Die ___”; 60. Lunkhead; 61. Santa’s landing place; 62. Part of M.V.P.; 63. Pitch. Down: 1. Microwaves; 2. Stage direction after an actor’s last line; 3. Philosopher Descartes; 6. Earthenware pot; 11. Diva’s number; 12. They have headboards and footboards; 21. Meditation syllables; 28. One of an octopus’s octet; 33. Evenings, briefly; 34. Soak (up); 36. Egyptian cobra; 42. Bearded beast; 50. Nanny’s vehicle; 52. New Mexico resort; 53. “Are you ___ out?”; 54. Gin flavoring; 55. Not out.

05.24.09 -- Discovery -- the Acrostic

Frontis -- H.M.S. Beagle in Straits of Magellan. Mt. Sarmiento in the distance.
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Sunday, May 24, 2009
ACROSTIC, Puzzle by Emily Cox & Henry Rathvon
This Sunday’s fine acrostic features a quotation from Charles Darwin’s “The Voyage of the Beagle, a title commonly given to the book written by Darwin published in 1839 as his Journal and Remarks. The title refers to the second survey expedition of the ship HMS Beagle, which set sail from Plymouth Sound on December 27, 1831 under the command of captain Robert FitzRoy. More HERE.
It is 200 years since Charles Darwin, one of the world's most creative and influential thinkers, was born, February 12, 1809 (the same day as Abraham Lincoln). Darwin's thoughts and theories about the natural world hold true today. More on the Darwin Bicentennial HERE.
The quotation: A STRONG DESIRE IS ALWAYS FELT TO ASCERTAIN WHETHER ANY HUMAN BEING HAS PREVIOUSLY VISITED AN UNFREQUENTED SPOT A BIT OF WOOD WITH A NAIL IN IT IS PICKED UP AND STUDIED AS IF IT WERE COVERED WITH HIEROGLYPHICS
The author’s name and the title of the work: DARWIN THE VOYAGE OF THE BEAGLE
The defined words: A. One allure of exploration, DISCOVERY; B. Another allure of exploration, ADVENTURE; C. A perhaps less noble allure of exploration, REWARD; D. River explored by David Livingstone (2 wds.), WHITE NILE; E. Keen sagacity; knowledge not taught, INTUITION; F. Organism’s place in its community, NICHE; G. Island reached by captains Cook and Bligh, TAHITI; H. Ship wrecked on “the reef of Norman’s Woe”, HESPERUS; I. Integration of life forms and environment, ECOSYSTEM; J. Author of “From the Earth to the Moon”, VERNE; K. Dark material formed by the cooling of molten lava, OBSIDIAN; L. “I sound my barbaric YAWP over the roofs of the world” (Walt Whitman); M. Course of evolution, ADAPTATION; N. Philip GLASS, music composer for the film “Koyaanisqatsi”; O. Of or relating to the soil, EDAPHIC; P. Equip, as a vessel for a journey, OUTFIT; Q. Pursuit of a piscator, FISHING; R. Sap-sucking bug unchanged in the plural, THRIPS; S. Sound from a startled tortoise, HISS; T. Of affairs from ass to zebra?, EQUINE; U. Dog, in baby talk, BOW WOW; V. Cry of one suddenly illuminated, EUREKA; W. Not in control of one’s marine course, ADRIFT; X. Vexer of livestock; persistent critic, GADFLY; Y. TV drama set on a remote tropical island, LOST; Z. Browser with spiral horns, ELAND.
The full paragraph of the quotation: A strong desire is always felt to ascertain whether any human being has previously visited an unfrequented spot. A bit of wood with a nail in it, is picked up and studied as if it were covered with hieroglyphics. Possessed with this feeling, I was much interested by finding, on a wild part of the coast, a bed made of grass beneath a ledge of rock. Close by it there had been a fire, and the man had used an axe. The fire, bed, and situation showed the dexterity of an Indian; but he could scarcely have been an Indian, for the race is in this part extinct, owing to the Catholic desire of making at one blow Christians and Slaves. I had at the time some misgivings that the solitary man who had made his bed on this wild spot, must have been some poor shipwrecked sailor, who, in trying to travel up the coast, had here laid himself down for his dreary night.
Click on image to enlarge.
Puzzle available on the internet at
THE NEW YORK TIMES -- Crossword Puzzles and Games
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05.24.09 -- INFINITY

Sunday, May 24, 2009
PERPETUAL MOTION, Puzzle by Elizabeth C. Gorski, edited by Will Shortz
This Sunday crossword is accompanied by the note, “When this puzzle is done, start at the end of 57-across; then, beginning counterclockwise, connect the circles in one continuous line to identify a figure invented by 29-Down. The answers to the five asterisked clues will provide a hint to the figure.”
Connecting the circles as instructed identifies a figure that can already be seen without working the crossword; however, upon completion of that portion of the puzzle, spelled out in the circles is S Y M B O L O F
I N F I N I T Y.
No hint needed, but there are five -- WORLD
WITHOUT END (21A. *2007 Ken Follett novel); DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER (25A. “Bond film that’s a real gem?”); HOPE SPRINGS ETERNAL (100A. *Alexander Pope phrase appropriate to the start of a sports season); EVERLASTING LOVE (104A. *1974 Carl Carlton hit); ALWAYS MINE (47D. *Song by Tejano singer Selena). JOHN WALLIS (29D. See note), 114A. Arthur WYNNE, inventor of the crossword puzzle, and the highly inventive imagination of Elizabeth C. Gorski are this puzzle’s progenitors, along with the magician of crosswords, editor Will Shortz.
Eight letter entries --
BLESSING (86A. Grace, basically); CLINGS TO (72D. Won’t let go of); EXEGESES (79D. Biblical interpretations); HALF STEP (63D. C to C#, e.g.); IN HEAVEN (36A. Where “thy will” will be done, partly); INSANEST (81D. Most ready for commitment?); OPERA FAN (26D. Met regular, e.g.); OVEREATS (10D. Has thirds or fourths, say); RAINIEST (35D. Wettest); SELECTOR (13D. Computer switch); WORST OFF (20D. Most in need of help); YELLOWED (52D. Noticeably old, as paper).
Seven -- ARNETTS (34A. Newsman Peter and others); BASE TEN (86D. Common thing to count in);
COLD ONE (4D. Brewski) and HOT OVEN (6D. Baking need); PENTADS (88A. Fivesomes); 87D. Thick-SKULLED; TRIGGER (92A. Set off); UPSCALE (31A. Affluent).
Six -- AFRAID (46A. Craven); AMATIS (94A. Classic Cremona family); ARREST (89D. Stop); ASWARM (50A. Teeming); ENJOYS (27A. Relishes); ETHNIC (7D. Like some food); FITS IN (90D. Conforms with); HADFUN (12D. Lived it up);
HALVAS (14D. Turkish sweets); IDOTOO (18A. “Same here”); IGUESS (8A. “Perhaps…”); INESSE (75A. Real); 78A. In and of ITSELF; JAMESI (45A. England’s first Stuart king); ORIELS (110A. Victorian home features); PIPING (88D. Slipcover item); WISHES (80A. They often come in threes); VISAGE (30A. Kisser, so to speak).
Five -- 67A.
Roman ACLEF; AHEMS (5A. Attention getters); ARIEL (15D. Sylvia Plath’s last book of poetry); 96D. Do ASLOW burn; ASSET (73A. Plus); DEERE (16D. Caterpillar rival); EDGES (77D. Lips); ELIZA (27D. “My Fair Lady” lady); ENTER (85A. A.T.M. button); EXIST (103A. Be alive); ITINA (58A. Turner autobiography); JESSE (45D. James or Jackson); MANTA (39A. Big ray); MINEO (108A. “Exodus” actor); MOODS (8D. They can swing); NINES (28D. Good “Dancing With the Stars” scores); OLLIE (24A. North of Virginia); ROXIE (93D. “Chicago” song); SINES (76D. Trig ratios); SOUSA (9D. The March King); TEARY (97D. About to cry); THEME (92D. Composer’s creation); TREES (59D. Nursery sights); 20A. “Here WEARE!”; YECCH (52A. “That’s disgusting!”).
Four -- ABOO, ADIM, AMSO, ANTS, ASET, CHIC, CINE, CLEO, DARK, DONT, ECCE, FACE, FAST, FESS, HALO and HALS, HOPI, IBIS, INNS, IONE, IVAN, IWAS and IWIN, KNEE, LION, MACS, NEHI, NUFF, OAST, OSLO, REIN, RILE, SHAD, UNIT, YEST and YSER.
Three -- ABA, ANY, CAW, EEK, FAX, GAG, HMO, IRE, ISR, LBO, MID, MLX, MRT, OCA and OCH, PEI and PEC and PEN, ROO, SAS, SHE, TIN, TNT, VCR, VIA and VIM, XIS, ZEN.
Times up!
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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. Smart; 10. Scot’s exclamation; 13. The fish in John McGhee’s “The Founding Fish”; 17. “I ___ sorry!”; 19. By way of; 32. Literary ___; 33. Bench presser’s muscle, briefly; 42. Down Under critter; 43. Buddhist school; 44. Cookie store; 53. “___ said!”; 55. Wall St. deal; 56. Legal org.; 57. Own (up); 60. “Victory!”; 61. Overhead light?; 63. Descartes portraitist; 64. Carriage driver’s need; 65. Kiln for hops; 66. Knesset : Jerusalem :: Storting : ___; 69. 24 hrs. ago; 70. Whatever; 71. Mile High Center designer; 72. Jazzy Laine; 82. Clubber Lang portrayer in “Rocky III”; 83. Term opener?; 84. Greek consonants; 90. ___ number; 91. Gonitis locale; 109. An original Star Alliance airline; 111. “Behold!,” to Pilate; 112. Brain tests, for short; 113. Volatile stuff; 115. Chocolate choice. Down: 1. Cornfield sound; 2. Med. Care option; 3. Country whose national anthem’s title means “The Hope”; Abbr.; 5. Take ___ view of; 11. Cannes subject; 18. “___ framed!”; 22. Handyman’s letters; 23. Price point?; 33. Corral; 37. Razor brand; 38. Energy; 39. OS X users; 40. Film buff’s channel; 41. Certain pop; 48. Cousin of a stork; 49 “Cut it out!”; 51. Peek-___; 54. Platoon, e.g.; 57. Makeup target; 60. Actress Skye; 61. Southwest tribe; 62. “Win ___ of …” (contest come-on); 68. Cut off all intake; 69 River of Flanders; 70. Tiny scurriers; 74. “Ain’t ___ Sweet”; 75. Temper; 82. Si years before the Battle of Hastings; 95. Boss: Abbr.; 98. Quaint stopovers; 99. [Awful!]; 101. Tolstoy’s “The Death of ___ Ilyich”; 102. Vex; 105. South American tuber; 06. Clicker target; 107. Animator’s shriek.