11.13.10 — Stone

Stone Circle (Callanish), Scotland, Outer Hebrides, Isle of Lewis, photograph by Krystian Kozerawski

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Saturday, November 13, 2010

Puzzle by Mark Diehl, edited by Will Shortz

Clues from the far side and/or far-out answers render this crossword a tough stone-cold Saturday solve bereft of delight and a tedious crawl…

Across — 1. Calisthenics for show-offs, CLAP PUSH-UPS; 12. Plaintive cry, WAH; 15. Saturn, for one, OUTER PLANET; 16. Diminutive Spanish name suffix, ITO; 17. European Neolithic monument, STONE CIRCLE; 18. Lawyer’s thing, RES; 19. Doctors, MENDS; 20. Least, PALTRIEST; 22. Pablo Neruda’s “ODES to Common Things”; 23. BOLO tie; 24. Go after, ENSUE; 25. Bit of centurion gear, SANDAL; 27. G.E. unit: Abbr., APPL; 28. Something a father may hear, PRAYER; 32. Play at recess, SKIP ROPE; 34. Coal holder, HIBACHI; 36. British form of 33-Down, SNOOKER; 37. Hint, OVERTONE; 39. Widows’ allowances, DOWERS; 40. Many a character on “The Big Bang Theory”, NERD; 41. Web site with the subheading “Merchant Services”, PAY PAL; 43. Overthrew, e.g., ERRED; 45. Samosa ingredients, PEAS; 46. Some fishing gear, BOBS; 50. Import/export business concern, TRADE LAWS; 52. Air traveling over snow?, CAROL; 54. Rental for many an apartment dweller, MINI STORAGE; 56. Freon initials, CFC; 57. Like critics, OPINIONATED; 58. “Animal Farm” locale, STY; 59. Kitschy stuffed toys, SOCK MONKEYS.

Down — 1. Red Cocktail, for short, COSMO; 2. Played some dulcet tones, LUTED; 3. Square things, ATONE; 4. Isn’t settled, PENDS; 5. U. V.I.P., PRES; 6. Supermarket lines, for short, UPC; 7. Loafer, e.g., SLIP-ON; 8. Five Norwegian kings, HARALDS; 9. Exposes, UNCLOAKS; 110. Trophy, of sorts, PELT; 11. Firewood measure, STERE; 12. Kind of wheel, WIRE SPOKE; 13. Took something in at night?, ATE SUPPER; 14. They may take you in at night, HOSTELERS; 21. Back to back, IN A ROW; 23. Engage in a bachelor party activity, BAR HOP; 25. Zen Buddhists, e.g., SECT; 26. Hamilton and Hunt, LINDAS; 28. Study making sound judgments?, PHONETICS; 29. Rapid transit?, RIVER RAFT; 30. It’s just not normal, ABERRANCY; 31. Penned in, YARDED; 33. See 36-Across, POOL; 35. Frenzied, IN A PANIC; 38. Sign meaning “Let this be our little secret”, EYE WINK; 42. Footnote word in Latin, PASSIM; 44. Shows at an expo, DEMOS; 46. P.M. before Sharon, BARAK; 47. Stand and deliver?, ORATE; 48. Menace in the air, maybe, BOGEY; 49. Moves along tirelessly?, SLEDS; 51. Middle management?, LIPO; 52. Didi of “Grease” and “Grease 2”,CONN; 55. Word accompanying “Much,” “Little” and “Late” in a 1978 #1 hit, TOO.

“Pay no attention to what the critics say.

A statue has never been erected in honor of a critic.” ~ Jean Sibelius

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Click on image to enlarge.

Puzzle available on the internet at

THE NEW YORK TIMES — Crossword Puzzles and Games.