The New York Times Crossword in Gothic: May 2010

05.31.10 — DEEJAYS

Monday, May 31, 2010 — Memorial Day

Puzzle by Oliver Hill, edited by Will Shortz

DEE JAYS (25D. Record spinners … or a hint to 17-, 25-, 38-, 48- and 61-Across), DIRTY JOKES (17. Blue things that make some people turn red?), DESK JOBS (25A. Nine-to-five gigs, often), DON JUAN (38A. Womanizer), DOW JONES (48A. Company with an industrial average), DENIM JEANS (61A. Wrangler product) are the interrelated group of this Monday crossword.

Other — four more of ten letters, BABY BOOMER (12D. Bill Clinton was the first one elected president), FREE LOADER (28D. One who mooches), IMBROGLIOS (11D. Confused states) and THREE WEEKS (29D. How long the N.C.A.A. basketball tournament lasts).

Mid-size — AGING, “A TRIP to the Moon” (first science fiction film, 1902), DELETE (46D. Undo, on a computer), DRAPE, EAR DRUM (35D. It protects the tympanic cavity), EN BLOC (35A. As one), GAYER, HEE HAW (41A. Donkey’s sound), IONIA, IDAHO (34D. Some potatoes), JOE BLOW (18D. Ordinary fellow), MOLTS, NADER, NITRO, PESOS, PUNIEST (55A. Easiest to beat up), SEEMED (8D. Appeared to be), SKINNY (22D. Thin), STEREOS (20A. Sound systems), TIETO, UNJAM…

Short stuff — AIDS, AMAT, ASK, ATRY, BAA, BIBS, BLED, CADS, DYED, EARL, ERST, ETAT, GOIT, HAJ, HRH, IAGO, ILIE, IMA, INRE, ISEE, JOB, LEAH, Architect Maya LIN, MOS, NAB, NET, OED, “O’ER the ramparts we watched …”, OFT, OHOH, ORE, PEKE, PITA, RAE, RASP, REBA, RIOS, RUT, RYE, SAL, SNIT, SRS, TSPS, UTE.

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Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. Growing older; 6. Tool for horses’ hooves; 10. Protective wear for lobster eaters; 14. Region of ancient Asia Minor; 15. “Hmm …”; 16. Amo, amas, ___ …”; 19. “Dear ___”; 21. Actor/rapper ___ Def; 23. Seedy loaf; 24. Metal in a mountain; 27. Frequently, to Donne; 30. Ran, as colors; 32. “Othello” villain; 33. Title for a prince or princess: Abbr.; 34. Tennis’s Nastase; 35. As one; 40. “___ Loser” (Beatles song); 43. “Give it ___!”; 44. 20-vol. reference work; 45. Jacob’s first wife; 46. Not the original color; 47. Soon-to-be grads: Abbr.; 50. Relentless nine-to-five gig, e.g.; 53. “Norma ___”; 54. “My gal” of song; 59. Yemeni seaport; 63 Toy dog, briefly; 64. Coup d’ ___; 66. Formerly, in old usage; 67. Singer McEntire; 68. Sheds feathers, e.g. DOWN: 1. Helps; 2. ___ alone (have no help); 3. Concerning, in a memo; 4. Explosive compounds, in brief; 5. More festive; 6. Spanish rivers; 7. Request; 9. Cuban coins; 10. Ewe’s cry; 13. Eye woes; 26. Quick boxing punch; 27. Cry of anticipation; 36. Rascals; 39. Colorado tribe; 42. Journey to Mecca; 48. Hang loosely; 49. Perennial presidential candidate Ralph; 51. Fix, as a printer’s feeder; 52. Connect with; 55. Falafel bread; 56. ___ of Sandwich; 57. Vexed state; 58. Baking soda amts.; 60. Mesh; 62. Arrest.

05.30.10 — Full Circle

Sunday, May 30, 2010

FULL CIRCLE, Puzzle by Eric Berlin, edited by Will Shortz

Ten interrelated entries are double-clued segueing from one to the next coming to full circle:

ROAST TURKEY (22. With 24-Across, two things that are stuffed)
SCARECROW (24. With 36-Across, two things on a farm)
HAYSTACK (36. With 38-Across, two things associated with needles)
RECORD PLAYER (38. With 55-Across, two things that spin)
FERRIS WHEEL (55. With 82-Across, two things at an amusement park)
COTTON CANDY (82. With 95-Across, two things that are sticky)
RUBBER CEMENT (95. With 99-Across, two things with brushes)
MURALIST (99. With 115-Across, two things with ladders)
FIRE TRUCK (115. With 117-Across, two things that are red)
CRANBERRIES (117. With 22-Across, two things associated with Thanksgiving)

Other — ACORNS, AEOLIA, ALBERTA, ANAPESTS (51A. Some poetic feet), AYE SIR, BASED ON, BIG RIG, CREASE, DIE-CAST, GLADLY, GONDOLAS (44A. Balloonists’ baskets), I’M A LOSER (90A. Second track on “Beatles ‘65”), I MEAN IT, IN TOTAL, IONIAN, KARAOKE, LECTERN, LIOTTA, LOW-TAR, MT ETNA, NEW LINE, NITRATE, OLDISH, O’TOOLE, REGALE, REPROVAL (84A. Admonishment), RIBOSE, ROSIEST, RUEFUL, SATEENS, SCRAWLS, SEASONS, SHIELD, SMACKED, TAP INTO, TARRED, TEENIE, TERROR, THE ARTS, TIN GODS, TOCCATA (64D. Improvisatory piece of classical music), TREE SAP, UNRIPE, USO TOUR, VERILY.

Five — ARROW, BOONE, CLEON (76A. Opponent of Pericles), COMIC (121A. “Pearls Before Swine,” e.g.), CRETE, FELLA, FELON, FROTH, IMACS, INKED, ITALS, LEVAR, PISTOL, PLASM, REALM, RESOD, ROCHE, SEEPS, SKOAL, TRESS, TWEEN, UNION, VANYA, VETTE.

Short stuff — ACHE, AGRA, AIR, ALOE (81D. Rash soother), ANA, ANTS, APS and APSE, BCI, CAME, CCC, DONT, ELLA, ERA, ERGS, ERIS (114D. She threw the apple of discord), ESO and ETO, ETAT, ETTU, EWE, FLAP, HEP, IRED, IRON, ISTS, IVAN, LAY, LEG, LEST, MUCK, NORM, NYE, OFT, OLEG, OMEN, ONKP, ONT, ORAL, ORCA, PTA, RCA, RDAS, REST, RIOT, SAND, SODA, SPAT, SRA, SSE, SVU, TALC (80D. Rash soother), TIA, TILE, TNT, TRI, UPI, VOL.

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Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. City SE of New Delhi; 5. “To your health!”; 10. Cumberland Gap explorer; 15. iPod control: Abbr.; 18. Supermax resident; 19. Chekhov’s “Uncle ___”; 20. Instructional tool; 21. W.W. II command; 26. Getting up there in years; 27. Tests for college credit, briefly; 28. Domain; 29. Laugh ___; 30. Word game component, sometimes; 31. Tijuana “that”; 33. Seeing red; 35. Guy; 45. Que. Neighbor; 48. Fund-raising grp.; 49. Scientist Pavlov; 58. Believers; 59. “Hair” song with the lyric “Hello, carbon monoxide”; 60. Many a Miley Cyrus fan; 61. Speaker’s spot; 63. Sicilian tourist attraction; 66. Out of concern that; 67. Little argument; 68. Accusatory words; 71. ___ Kalugin, former K.G.B. general with the 1994 book “Spymaster”; 72. Vivacious person; 74. Annual foursome; 78. Santa ___; 79. ___ de malaise; 84. Admonishment; 87. Egg cream component; 88. Argentine aunt; 89. Edinburgh-to-London dir.; 92. “No Escape” star, 1994; 103. Bargaining group; 104. Church recess; 105. Noted period; 106. 1922 Physics Nobelist; 107. Physics units; 108. Certain Apples; 111. HDTV brand; 113 Adjective for a bikini, in a 1960 song; 119. Wire service inits.; 120. Drug company behind Valium; 122. What some titles are written in, briefly; 123. Standing need; 124. Signed; 125. “Zorba the Greek” setting; 126. Smooth. DOWN: 1. Region in ancient Asia minor; 2. With a smile; 3. Most promising; 4. Most promising; 4. Certain soldiers; 5. “Law & Order” spinoff, for short; 6. Draw of some bars; 7. Being punished, military-style; 8. “O.K., captain!”; 9. Not ecclesiastical; 10. Inspired by; 11. Deep-sea predator; 12. Spoken; 13. Usual; 14. Wooly one; 15. In truth, in Shakespeare; 18. Peter with four Golden Globes; 17. Claim in a cigarette ad; 18. Latte topper; 23. Julliard’s focus; 25. Hockey goalie’s area; 28. Scout’s job, briefly; 32. Hasty signatures; 34. Entertain; 35. To-do; 37. Use as a resource; 39. Nutritional stds.; 40. Word of warning; 41. Ending with proto-; 43. Like some metal toys; 45. Many times, in verse; 46. Studio that produced the Austin Powers movies; 47. Source of some resins; 50. American sports car, for short; 52. Shiny fabrics; 53. Small-time tyrants; 54. Mexican Mrs.; 58. Others; 57. IN the know, in old slang; 58. Counting everything; 62 Put new turf on; 65. “Enchanted” girl of children’s lit; 69. “Southland” airer; 70. Shows near the front?; 72. Target for certain athletes; 73. Actor Burton; 75. They’re nuts; 77. Scientist with multiple Emmys; 83. Fertilizer ingredient; 85. Biochemical sugar; 86. Sign; 87. Gets through slowly; 91. Kissed noisily; 93. “Honest!”; 94. Neighbor of Montana; 95. Very sorry; 96. Green, say; 97. 18-wheeler; 98. Real brat; 100. Sea between Italy and Greece; 101. Protect; 102. Long lock; 108. Monopoly token; 109. Gooey dirt; 110. Workout aftereffect; 112. Arrived; 116. Not quite quadri-; 117. XXX x X; 118. Letters in an old date.

05.29.10 — ZEROS

Saturday, May 29, 2010

Puzzle by Caleb Madison, edited by Will Shortz

I WANNA BE SEDATED (36A. Classic 1978 punk song):

Twenty - twenty - twenty four hours to go

I wanna be sedated

Nothing to do

Nowhere to go

I wanna be sedated

Just get me to the airport

And put me on a plane

Hurry hurry hurry before I go insane

I can't control my fingers

I can't control my brain

Oh no oh ho

Et cetera…

Ten-letter — AFTERTASTE (17A. It might be evaluated along with the nose), AVA GARDNER (61A. “The Snows of Kilimanjaro” co-star), BASKET CASE (15A. Nervous wreck), DOOR TO DOOR (56A. How some selling is done), MOE SZYSLAK (1A. Surly TV bartender), SORE LOSERS (63A. They’re often ticked after being licked).

Mid-size — AS GOOD AS (37D. Virtually), AYN RAND (28A. Author who wrote “Anyone who fights for the future, lives in it today”), BUG-EYED (43A. Agog), ESTATE TAX (3D. Passing burden?), KEEPSAKE (10D. Lock of hair, maybe), and STRIKE ONE (33D. First of three to be put out).

The rest — ADORNS, ARRAS, ARP, AST, AVIV, B-MOVIE and B-TEN, CEASE, DENADA, DISTAL, EDDY, Reggae artist EEK-A-Mouse, EMERGE, ESTD, EXED, EZEK, I’D SAY and I SEE, JIVES, JUMP ON, KEY, KIN, LASS and LAX, MAY I, MBA, MINOSO (52A. 1950s- ’60s left fielder selected for nine All-Star Games), MIT and SIT, NEEDY, OAF, ODDS (54A. 9 to 5, e.g.), O’ER, ONE-UPS, OVO, OXIDE, OZAWA, P DIDDY (20A. “Bad Boy for Life” performer at the 2004 Super Bowl), PERIL, PISA, POT, RATIO (30A. 9 to 5, e.g.), RESHOE (53A. Fix à la farrier), REWIND, ROAR, ROVE, RRS, SCANTY (7D. Like thongs), SCI, SKED, THORO, UNITE, URES, USENET, VELDT, WILD, YETI, YTTRIA (6D. Powder used in lasers), ZEROS (“2001” characters).

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05.28.10 — Optical Illusion

Friday May 28, 2010

Puzzle by Joe Krozel, edited by Will Shortz

OPTICAL ILLUSION (17A. Thing that may appear to be symmetrical but isn’t … like this puzzle’s grid), DOLLARS AND CENTS (56A. Considered financially), A STUDY IN SCARLET (3D. Seminal mystery of 1887) and FRIED ONION RINGS (12D. Burger accompaniment) span 15-letters each across or down in this strange Friday crossword.

The rest of it — Across: 1. Was jerky, SPASMED; 8. Stay in shape, KEEP FIT; 15. Left over, TO SPARE; 16. Support: Var., INDORSE; 19. PEUT-être (perhaps, to Pierre); 20. Melodic subject, in music, TEMA; 21. Lobster claw, CHELA; 22. Immemorial, OLDEN; 24. Hose shade, TAUPE; 26. Blocker of 1960s TV, DAN; 27. “30 Rock” creator, FEY; 28. Tolstoy’s Vronsky, ALEXEI; 30. 19th-century women’s rights advocate, MOTT; 31. Introduced surreptitiously, FOISTED; 33. TV’s Francis and others, ARLENES; 35. First name among linguists, NOAM; 36. Gas: Prefix, AERI; 37. Symbol of electromotive force, EPSILON; 40. Buffaloed, AT A LOSS; 43. Egg holder, SAC; 44. Buried INURNED; 46. Little beef, NIT; 47. Draw very uncreative, TRACE; 49. Topper, LID; 50. More likely to blow up, SORER; 52. Blade handle?, ATRA; 53. Potential pond poisoner, ALGAE; 55. See 53-Down, PISA; 59. Narrow, in a way, ONE LANE; 60. Demonstrating control?, TEAR GAS; 61. Alternative to a jumper, SET SHOT; 62. How hordes move, EN MASSE.

Down: 1. Tarry for a bit, STOP OFF; 2. One of 13 religious leaders, POPE LEO; 4. Venom, SPITE; 5. Bub, MAC; 6. “Hoc ERAT in votis”: Horace; 7. Dropped, DELETED; 8. World’s most active volcano, KILAUEA; 9. Development order: Abbr., ENL; 10. Develop, EDUCE; 11. Far from shabby, POSH; 13. Maroon, ISOLATE; 14. Flat population, TENANTS; 18. Means of seeing the big picture?, IMAX; 23. Merchant selling records, NATALIE; 25. Take the wrong way?, PIRATE; 29. One might show up in a casino, LEMON; 30. European black thrush, MERL; 32. “SO I see!”; 34. Results of “Unsolved Mysteries” airings, LEADS; 37. Chihuahua and others, ESTADOS; 38. Succession starter, PART ONE; 39. It has zero measure, in math, NULL SET; 40. Slowly scored?, ANDANTE; 41. Occasions to close up shop, SIESTAS; 42 Berlin boulevard, STRASSE; 45. European capital, RIGA; 48. Decisions on the field, CALLS; 41. Work on a grand scale, OPERA; 53. It flows through 55-Across, ARNO; 54. Starting point?, EDEN; 57. “Feels so good!”; AAH; 58. Nanny CAM.

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05.27.10 — Between the Lines

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Puzzle by Josh Knapp, edited by Will Shortz

BETWEEN THE LINES (6D. Where to look for hidden words in this puzzle’s fifth and eleventh columns), D O U B L E and S P A C E D are the interrelated group of this odd Thursday crossword.

Other — EATS DIRT (25A. Takes a spill), HELLO KITTY (17A. Japanimation character with a line of school supplies), SHE-DEVIL (47A. Total witch) and WINE CELLAR (56A. Where cabs wait?), followed by half a dozen of seven letters — EPISTLES (12D. The New Testament has 21), ETHERNET (35D. Modern means of connecting), GLORIOUS (10D. Oh-so-splendid), HOT HOUSE (34D. Breeding ground), LICORICE (11D. Food that usually comes in red or black), SMASH HIT (33D. Sellout).

Mid-size — ACTION, ADOPTS, APEMAN (2D. So-called missing link), BATAAN, CRYPT (8D. Remains here?), DATES, DIAL-UP (44D. Oldish means of connecting), DIVIDE, EDENS, EXILE, HUMAN (40A. Not perfect), IBSEN (30A. “Ghosts“ playwright), MASADA (1A. Israeli tourist attraction on the Dead Sea), MOHAWK (1D. Sighting at a punk rock concert, maybe), MOTELS, MOZART (45D. “Eine kleine Nachtmusik”), OFFED, POSES, RUN AT, SAMOA, SPRUCE, ST LUKE, SWEAR, VOWEL (49D. There’s one at the end of this clue), WAKE UP (22A. “Get a clue!”).

Short stuff — ADMS, AMU, ASK and ASL (4D. Communication system for the gorilla Koko: Abbr.), ATH, AZO, BBC, BURT, CSA, DEMO, DEN, EROS, FLIP, FOCI, HORA, HUNT, I SEE, K’NEX (26A. Tinkertoy alternative), LES, LBO, OGLE, OIL (29A. 1927 Upton Sinclair novel), OPTS, OVEN, OVID, RUM, SHEL, TETS, USES, WIS, VEX (28D. Puzzle).

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Remaining clues — ACROSS: 6. “Fawlty Towers” airer; 9. Look like a creep; 13. Withdraws, with “out”; 14. Testify in court; 16. Smart-alecky; 18. An ellipse has two; 19. ___ Darya; 20. Switch; 21. Winged Greek god; 27. Firing need; 31. Neat; 33. “The Giving Tree” author Silverstein; 36. One in a crowd; 38. Resorts to; 39. Roadside sights; 41. Part of N.C.A.A.: Abbr.; 42. Handout from an aspiring musician; 43. U.S.N. brass: Abbr.; 50. Call before shooting; 51. Bar mitzvah party staple; 52. Virgil contemporary; 54. ___ dye; 55. Event on an estate; 59. “Ahhh, O.K.”; 60. Shangri-las; 61. Reynolds of “Boogie Nights”; 62. Asian holidays; 63. Start of many French titles; 64. Takes in. DOWN: 3. Name on many a hospital; 5. “Shoot!”; 7. 1942 Philippines fighting locale; 9. Iced; 15. Mich. Neighbor; 23. 52-Across, e.g., in his later years; 24. Mannequins are in them; 31. Caramel-coconut Girl Scout cookie; 32. Barrel toward; 37. Mojito component; 42. Undergo mitosis; 46. Stifled laughs; 48. Some history memorization; 53. Opium ___; 57. Jefferson Davis’s org.; 58. Certain corp. takeover.

05.26.10 — Upgrades

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Puzzle by Anna Schechtman, edited by Will Shortz

GRADE INFLATION (56A. Modern educational phenomenon … or a hint to 20-, 29-, 38- and 45-Across) along with the replacement of the letter B with the letter A in GOES OUT ON A LIMA (20A. Chokes after bean eating?), funniest answer/clue in a crossword in ages, LAMA CHOPS (29A. Monk’s karate blows?), second funniest, VERA ENDINGS (38A. Movie finales featuring actress Miles?) and HONEY COMA (45A. Result of a sweetener overload?) are the interrelated group of this witty Wednesday crossword.

Other — BAD MOODS (11D. Peevish states), CYNTHIA (33D. “Sex and the City” actress Nixon), MAD and ALFRED E. Neuman (31D. Magazine featuring 47-Down, etc.), ON RAMPS (12D. Interstate entrances), ORDERLY (21D. Hospital attendant), ROUGH IT (42D. Camp in the wild), VINE RIPE (38D. Like some tomatoes).

Mid-size — AENEID (51A. Origin of the phrase “Beware of Greeks bearing gifts“), ALONE, ANNUM, CEDED, ELEVEN, EL TORO (63A. Fearsome wooden roller coaster at Six Flags Great Adventure), GLOVER, GROOVE, GROUP, HELGA (48A. Wife of Hägar the Horrible), INTEND, LENTIL (6D. Soup bean), crossing the LIMA line, LOITER, ON TIME, REMADE and RENAME, TRAGIC, WET ONE (2. Sloppy kiss).

Short stuff — ANN and ANY, ATE, ATTN, AVIS, BOA, CHA and CHI, DEER and DRED, DRY, DST, EEO, ELLE, EMMA, ESA and EST, ETE, HIP, HUES, INN, ISH, ITEM, LAI and LAIC, LEVI, LIEU, NAVY, NOVA, ONTO, ORE, OTOE, REEL, RENO, RPI, SHH, SOME, SRI, STE, TEL, TOLD, TONS, TWIT, VAIN.

Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. Ninny; 5. Actor Danny of “The Color Purple”; 11. Jungle menace; 14. “___ 911!” (former Comedy Central show); 15 Dub over; 16. English novelist Radcliffe; 17. Abbr. before a name in a memo; 18. Promptly; 19. Like zinfandel wines; 23. No room at the ___; 24. The Engineers of the N.C.A.A.: Abbr.; 25. Not all; 27. Gave up; 34. Business card abbr.; 36. Shade of blue; 37. When clocks are set ahead: Abbr.; 41. ___ Lanka; 43. In ___ of; 44. Fr. Holy woman; 52. Tints; 53. China’s Chou En-___; 55. Metalliferous rock; 62. The Windy City, briefly; 64. Plains Indian; 65. Cool, man; 66. Nearing midnight; 67. Johnston in 2008-09 news; 68. Broke a fast; 69. Newly fashioned; 70. Harriet Beecher Stowe novel. DOWN: 1. Like some irony; 3. Mean; 4. Lots and lots; 5. Congregation; 7. Not duped by; 8. Futile; 9. Novel on which “Clueless” is based; 10. Recite rapidly, with “off”; 12. Interstate entrances; 13. “Pick a number, ___ number”; 26. Approx. number; 28. Time off from l’ecole; 30. Per ___; 32. Alamo competitor; 35. Not of the cloth; 39. Abbr. in help-wanted ads; 40. Exclamation before “I didn’t know that!”; 41. Library admonishment; 46. That, to Juanita; 49. Hang around; 50. Pronounced rhythm, in music; 54. Unassisted; 57. ___ Xing; 58. She, in Cherbourg; 59. Twosome; 60. ___ Scotia; 61. Tattled; 62. When doubled, a dance.

05.25.10 — Soap...

Soap Bubble Nebula

-----------------

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Puzzle by Sarah Keller, edited by Will Shortz

DIAL, COAST, TONE and DOVE, brand names for SOAPS (39A. Afternoon fare … or a hint to the ends of 20-, 33-, 41- and 52-Across) at the aforementioned locations of ROTARY DIAL (20A. Keypad forerunner), GOLD COAST (33A. Ghana, once), FLESH TONE (41A. Body suit shade, perhaps) and TURTLE DOVE (52A. One of two in a Christmas song) are the interrelated group of this Tuesday crossword. A SOAP group was featured in a Times crossword a while ago with ZEST, IVORY, COAST and TONE.

Other — ARGYLE (5D. Pattern named for a Scottish county), DEMOTE (26A. Knock down in rank), EARTHY (24A. Coarse, as humor), MISLEADS (9D. Isn’t completely honest with), SALARY (45D. Job interview topic), SATEEN (45A. Glossy fabric), SPOT ON (46A. Absolutely perfect), STUNTMAN (39D. Movie double, often).

Five-letter — ABEAM, ALTAR, BIOME (43A. Community of plant and animal life), BONDS, EGRET (11D. Everglades wader), GNATS, MEARA, MOANS, NEEDY, OCALA, OKAPI, PURIM, ROSSI, SAGGY, SATYR, SNIPE, STRAD, TENET, THIGH.

Short stuff — AGHA, AIRY, ALOE and ALPE, AMC, ASTA, BALE, BLAH, BUDS, DOFF (26D. Tip, as a hat), DUST, ECOL (27D. Earth Day subj.), EDDY, EMIT, ESAI, FORD, GOOD, HBO, ILS, IRAN, MA’AM (30A. Term of address from a hat-tipper), MARE, NUKE, OBIT, OHIO, OLDS, OSLO, PIPE, RATE, SAL, SAME, SETS, SHOO, SLID, SORT, SOYA, THEN, TONY, TOSS, TRIG, TSAR, UELE (53D. River to the Ubangi), USED, VEIN, YEGG (22A. Safecracker).

Time to give the dog a bath...

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Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. Deep-six; 5. Crosswise, on deck; 10. Movie lot sights; 14. “Beat it!”; 15. Martini’s partner in wine; 16. Turkish title of old; 17. Not stuffy; 18. Pesky swarm; 19. H.S. math class; 23. They, in Thiers; 32. Seat of Marion County, Fla.; 38. Company that makes Lincoln and Mercury; 40. Eliciting a “So what?”; 44. Blossoms-to-be; 45. Glossy fabric; 46. Absolutely perfect; 50. Mineo of “Exodus”; 51. Zap in the microwave; 59. “Axis of evil” land; 60. Stiller’s partner in comedy; 61. Like thrift shop wares; 62. Snowman’s prop; 63. Vows locale; 64. Came into a base horizontally; 65. Give off; 66. Down and out; 67. Broadway honor. DOWN: 1. Peter the Great, e.g.; 2. Kent State locale; 3. Do a laundry chore; 4. ___ beans (miso ingredients); 6. Wall Street buys; 7. Morales of “La Bamba”; 8. Terrier in whodunits; 10. Lecherous figure of Greek myth; 12. Chicken piece; 13. Drooping; 21. Meter maid of song; 25. Onetime Jeep mfr.; 28. Foal’s mother; 29. Cutlass of 88; 30. Haunted house sounds; 31. Mont Blanc, par exemple; 33. Well-behaved; 34. Article that may list survivors, in brief; 35. Burn soother; 36. Common bar order with “the”; 37. “That was ___ …”; 42. “Def Comedy Jam” channel; 43. Seat at a barn dance; 46. Take potshots (at); 47. Jewish holiday when the book of Esther is read; 48. Cousin of a giraffe; 49. Basic belief; 50. Fine fiddle, for short; 54. Credit card statement figure; 55. Do some housecleaning; 56. Capital on a fjord; 57. Way to a man’s heart?; 58. Whirling water.

05.24.10 — To the Point...

Monday, May 24, 2010 — Victoria Day

Puzzle by Bob Johnson, edited by Will Shortz

Cheeseburger, e.g., BUN, TOMATO, PICKLE, CHEESE, BURGER and BUN in circled letters within BRUIN, T-FORMATION, PICK OF THE LITTER, CHERRIES JUBILEE, BUCK ROGERS and BLUNT are the interrelated group of this well-done Monday crossword. The circled letters are an afterthought of little use to a solver, and some of the clues are helpless — 5. U.C.L.A. player, 17. Football alignment named for its shape, 26. Top choice, 45. “Light” dessert?, 58. Sci-fi hero in the 25th century, 64. To the point, ironically — wasn’t looking for a cheeseburger with the works, but — “I’ll have a hamburger, for which I will gladly pay you Tuesday!”

Other — COLLATERAL (11D. Property securing a loan) and CRIME SCENE (28D. It might be marked off with police tape) clock in at ten letters each, followed by a quartet of seven — AGILITY, ARTISTE, , FORSAKE and VINEGAR (44D. The “sour” in sweet-and-sour).

Mid-size — ABOVO, ALLAH, AYEAYE, CLEATS, CREATE, ELCID, Rutherford B. HAYES, HOLDEM, JERKIN (47D. Sleeveless jacket), not the pickle, that‘s a gherkin, nor the New Boyz doin‘ it, nor 30 St. Mary Ax, nor this one who’s LOST IT, MAGPIE (38A. Heckle or Jeckle of cartoons), MYRON, OLLIE, OPIATE, RAVAGE, REPRO, RETINT, SASSY, TETHER, TO RENT, VENTI (53A. Starbucks size that’s Italian for “twenty”).

Short stuff — ACCT, ACLU, ADES, AGE, ALFA, ANI, APIA and ARIA, ARON, BOB, BRA, CALF, COTS, ETON, EYE, GORE, GRID (40D. Where to enter this puzzle’s answers), ILET, INN, ION and IRON, ISAY, LIE and LYE, LEOS, NERO, NON, OFT, OLE and OLEO, PAR, PIT, PTA, PULL, RAW, ROXY, SMEE, TENT, TRIX, UPIN, WEE (37D. Itsy-bitsy).

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Puzzle available on the internet at

THE NEW YORK TIMES — Crossword Puzzles and Games.

Remaining clues — 1. Cow’s offspring; 10. Bank no.; 14. Margarine; 15. Copy, for short; 16. What’s seen in “Saw”; 19. “___ a Song Go Out of My Heart”; 20. Impertinent; 21. Bed-and-breakfast; 22. Muslim’s God; 23. Elvis ___ Presley; 25. Drug that’s a downer; 31. Sign in a boardinghouse window; 32. “Yes, captain!”; 33. Good “Wheel of Fortune” purchase for STRING BIKINI; 34. Drano ingredient; 35. Undeveloped; 42. Lay waste to; 48. Went nuts; 49. School near Windsor Castle; 50. 11th-century conqueror of Valencia; 51. Number on a golf hole; 57. Fruity drinks; 60. Circus shelter; 61. Stan’s pal in old films; 62. Puccini’s “Nessun dorma,” for one; 63. Captain Hook’s henchman; 65. Class theater name. DOWN: 1. Foldable beds; 2. ___ Romeo (Italian car); 3. Ones born before Virgos; 4. Abandon; 5. Item under a blouse; 6. Color again, as the hair; 7. Go ___ smoke; 8. Do a post-washing chore; 9. Oui’s opposite; 10. Nimbleness; 12. Manufacture; 13. Restraining cord; 18. Ancient Athenian sculptor; 22. Samoan capital; 24. Frequent, in poetry; 25. Cheer for a bullfighter; 26. School org.; 27. Charged particle; 30. Ogle; 34. Big fib; 36. Biographical datum; 37. Itsy-bitsy; 39. Skilled entertainer; 41. Indy 500 service area; 42. Same old same old; 43. From the beginning: Lat.; 45. Shoe grippers; 46. Poker variety; 51. Word on a door handle; 52. Org. protecting individual rights; 54. Literary Wolfe; 55. “___ are for kids” (ad slogan); 56. “___, old chap!”; 58. Go up and down, as in the water; 59. On Social Security: Abbr.

05.23.10 — Word for Word

Circus Sideshow (or Parade de Cirque), 1887–88 by Georges Seurat

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Sunday, May 23, 2010

FLIP-FLOPS, Puzzle by Yaakov Bendavid, edited by Will Shortz

Moving the location of a single word in a common phrase, resulting in an uncommon phrase, constitutes the interrelated group of this Sunday crossword.

ALIEN CRAFT SPACE (23A. Where ETs do knitting and art?)

MR ROGERS HOOD NEIGHBOR (34A. Thug living next to humorist Will?)

HAND-OFF REMARK (46A. “Get that first down .. And don’t fumble”?)

POLE FLAG SITTING (67A. Watching over Warsaw’s national emblem?)

AT A STILL STAND (88A. Waiting in line for hooch?)

PSYCHOLOGICAL FARE WAR (97A. Competition among shrinks?)

WE SHALL COME OVER (119A. Visitors’ fair warning?)

Other — ACTUATE (92D. Impel), ARUGULA (50D. Salad green), BREATHS (15D. Inspirations), CONCEDE (94D. Say “I lost,” say), COSTUME (110A. Halloween purchase), NICE ONE (12D. “Good comeback!”), OTTOMAN (48D. Hassock), RHEOSTAT (32A. Current regulator), RYDER CUP (75A. Biennial golf competition), SONATINA (61A. Shortish piano piece), SONNETS (54D. Milton works), STEEPLE (28A. Bell site), TOOK NOTE (105A. Paid attention to, with “of”).

Six-letter — ASH PIT, CAESAR, DRAPER, EL NINO, ESSENE, FEMURS, FOSSIL, GOOSES, HORTON, IT’S HOT, OAKTAG, OPORTO (56A. Wine city north of Lisbon), OTELLO, OVULES, REGRET, SAPPHO (10D. Plato‘s “tenth Muse“), SEURAT (79A. “Parade de Cirque“ artist), STALED, STATUE, STINGS, SORBET (59A. Frozen dessert), TABOOS, TARAWA (57A. Pacific atoll in 1943 fighting), WAHOOS.

Five — ADREM, ARIES, ASCAP, ATE AT, BIMBO, CLARA, DEALS, ESSEX, GLACE (1A. Frozen dessert in France), IRABU, KENNY, MT APO (34D. Philippines‘ highest peak: Abbr.), NEONS, NOTRE, OBAMA, OLSEN, QUITO (121A. Capital city more than 9,000 feet above sea level), RAN ON, RIVAL, ROUTES, RUDDY, SIREN, ULNAR, UMASS.

Short stuff — ABUT, AFRO, AINT, ALAI and ALAS, ALDA, ANOD, ARTE, ASTR, AS YE, ATIT, AVIS, AVOW, BIC, CAD, CETA, CLOG, DEAF, ECON, EEN, ESTA, ETUI, FAQS, FOIL, GRAF, HEMA, IDEO, IDOL, IERE, INF, JAR, JAWS, KWAI, LAVA, LEAR, LILO and SILO, MEIR, MENU, MILK, MLVI, MSU, NAM, NEI, NINE, OWE, PGS, PVTS, RAMS, RAS, ROAM, ROSA, RRR, SEEP, SERO, SITE and STE and STET, SSNS, STOL, STY, TONE, TREX (117D. Creature in a “King Kong“ fight), WAFT, WHOS, WIZ, WTA, ULAN, ZEST.

Remaining clues — ACROSS: 6. Vise parts; 10. Personnel IDs; 14. Michelle Robinson, now; 18. Nearby school, maybe; 20. Jai ___; 21. “While you’re ___ …”; 22. First sign; 26. Country singer Chesney;27. Old fogy; 29. David, for one; 30. Give ___ (say O.K.); 42. Org. for Venus and Serena Williams; 43. Comical Johnson; 44. Keats’s nightfall; 45. Place for grain; 53. Book contents: Abbr.; 55. Home of the N.C.A.A. Spartans; 64. Home of the N.C.A.A. Minutemen; 68. Bright lights; 71. Relevant, in law; 74. Former Yankee pitcher Hideki; 81. Future seeds; 84. Verdi tragedy; 85. Ill-mannered one; 86. “Platoon” setting, for short; 91. Alan of Hollywood; 93. Pen name; 95. Skin ___; 96. Dorm V.I.P.’s; 106. Santa ___; 107. Long bones; 114. Fireplace cavity; 118. Gave heartburn, say; 122. Prefix with logical; 123. Maintain; 124. Start of the French Lord’s Prayer; 125. Temptress; 126. Relish; 127. Round of golf, informally; 128. County of Newark, N.J. DOWN: 1. Five-time U.S. Open champ; 2. Disney title character from Hawaii; 3. Hertz rival; 4. Husband of Pompeia; 5. Cause of some storms; 6. Big bump; 7. Word said with a tear, maybe; 8. Ride the breeze; 9. Web presence; 11. Lost zip; 13. Chateau ___ Michelle winery; 14. Art supply store stock; 16. “___ No Woman,” 1973 hit for the Four Tops; 17. Computer offering; 18. “___ sow …”; 24. Jam; 25. Blood fluid: Prefix; 29. Undercover jobs; 31. Not to be persuaded; 33. Ooze; 35. Blathered; 36. Growling sound; 37 [Ignore edit]; 38. Blood: Prefix; 39. Airhead; 40. Colleague of Lane and Kent; 41. No contests; 42. “___ next?”; 47. Clothier, in Cambridge; 49. Thwart; 51. Super Bowl XXXIV champs; 52. Famous movie river; 58. Observatory subj.; 60. Kick oneself over; 62. “In the,” in Italy; 63. Place to stick a comb; 65. “Charlotte’s Web” setting; 68. Pumice source; 69 Be flush with; 70. Pedestal topper; 71. Royalties org.; 72. Passes out; 73. Like some complexions; 76. “Bewitched” aunt; 77. ___ nerve; 78. Sci-fi escape vehicles; 80. They’re just not done; 82. Spanish demonstrative; 83. Small-runway aircraft, briefly; 87. Standard part of a food pyramid; 89. Like Saint-Saens’s “Urbs Roma” Symphony; 90. Norman of TV fame; 98. Dr. Seuss title animal; 99. Spurs; 100. “Boy, am I shvitzing!”; 101. Job legislation estab. In 1973; 102. Stray; 103. Dead Sea Scrolls writer; 104. Exuberant cries; 107. Recommended reading for newbies; 108. Thread holder; 109. Kiev-born Israeli P.M.; 111. ___ Bator, Mongolia; 112. 10 years before the Battle of Hastings; 113. Nobel Prize category: Abbr.; 115. A lot of mil. Personnel; 116. “Able was ___ …”; 119. Guru; 120. Fall behind.