02.28.11 — Out of One's Gourd

Monday, February 28, 2011

Puzzle by Mike Buckley, edited by Will Shortz

GAGA, DADA, TATA, MAMA, YAYA, BABA, NANA and HAHA comprise the interrelated group of this Monday crossword, e.g., GAGA (1A. Out of one’s gourd), DADA (10A. Father, to a baby), TATA FOR NOW (18A. “Till next time!”), MAMA CASS ELLIOT (26A. “Heavyweight of 1960s folk/pop), YAYA SISTERHOOD (43A. Group in a hit 2002 film with “divine secrets”), BABA AU RHUM (56A. Liquor-soaked cake), NANA (63A. Grandmother, affectionately), 65A. “Funny strange or funny HAHA?”

Other — ANYPLACE (4D. Wherever you like), DO RE MI (10D. Start of the musical scale), ED AMES (46D. One of four singing brothers of the 1950s),ELATES (6D. Makes very, very happy), LAH DI DAH (39D. Highfalutin), NYMPHETS (20A. Nubile maidens), RATED A (5D. First-class), TEAR INTO (52A. Rip open), YAMAHA (44D. Kawasaki competitor).

Five-letter — ABACK, ABBEY, ALIVE, BALSA, ENEMY, GO APE, HEART, HEISS, JAILS, MALTA, OCULO, O HOLY, REFER, SLIMS, TANYA, TORSO.

Short stuff — ABLE, ANNA, ANTZ, ARCH, ARIZ, ATWT, AWAY, BRER, COB, DIOR, EBAN and EBON, EVA, FITS, GERM, GOWN, HOCK, IDED, JEST, LADY, LODE and LORE, LURE, MAAM, MET, NAPA, NORA, OLDS, ONIT, OPAH, OSHA, OWEN, REF, ROE, TECH, TERM, THAI, UGH, ZEAL, ZOOM.

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Remaining clues — ACROSS: 5. Send somewhere else; 14. Wilson “Starsky & Hutch,” 2004; 15. ___ and kicking; 16. Words after step or sleep; 17. Suspicious; 22. Valentine symbol; 23. Rich supply of ore; 24. When doubled, a Mazda catchphrase; 32. Taken ___ (surprised); 33. Gent’s partner; 34. What corn kernels attach to; 36. Up to the job; 37. Prisons; 39. What catnip is to a cat; 40. Citi Field player; 41. Four years, for a president; 42. Buoyant wood sometimes used in rafts; 47. Animated 1998 film set in Central Park; 48. Fingered, for short; 49. Lex Luthor, to Superman; 59. “Mares eat oats and ___ eat oats”; 60. Sashimi fish; 61. Flip out; 62. Bridge shape; 64. Five-time world champion figure skater Carol. — DOWN: 1. Wedding dress, e.g.; 2. Not at home; 3. It may be what ails you; 5. First-class; 6. Makes very, very happy; 7. Conniptions; 8. Actress Longoria; 9. Official in a striped shirt; 11. Fashion style-setter Wintour; 12. Fashion designer Christian; 13. No. on a periodic table; 19. “___ Night” (Christmas carol); 21. Take to a pawnshop; 24. Ardor; 25. Automaker Ransom Eli; 26. Sir’s counterpart; 27. Westminster ___; 28. Its coat of arms has a cross, but no falcon; 29. Successfully diets; 30. Eye: Prefix; 31. Neck-to-waist area; 35. Bit of wampum; 37. Pull one’s leg; 38. Phoenix’s home: Abbr.; 39. Highfalutin; 41. Country singer Tucker; 42. ___ Rabbit; 44. Kawasaki competitor; 45. Gridlocks; 49. Dark black; 50. California wine valley; 51. Nonmusical Abba; 52. Bangkok citizen; 53. Nick’s partner in “The Thin Man”; 54. Word after Georgia or Virginia in school names; 55. Job conditions agcy.; 57. “Blech!”; 58. ___ v. Wade.

02.27.11 — In a Manner of Speaking... — the Cryptic

Colin Firth in the film The King’s Speech

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Sunday, February 27, 2011

Cryptic Crossword by Brian Greer, edited by Will Shortz

If one is inclined to garner trivia in the world of cinema awards, that knowledge may or may not be of help in the solution of this more-alien-than-cryptic puzzle seemingly contrived to be so obscure as to ignore all logic of which it appears there is no limit.

Across — 7. Damage produced by river getting into shack (4), HURT; 8. Old chess champion exchanging pawn for second in this African city (10), CASABLANCA; (11. Repaired ancestral royal house in England (9), LANCASTER; 12. In which cars disastrously hit! (5), CRASH; 13. It ain’t awfully compact, to begin with - it’s colossal (7), TITANIC; 15. Republication in charge many diminished as liberated type (7), FREEMAN; 16. [What all the other Across answers have in common]; (7,6); 19. Philosophical pioneer running military unit (7), PLATOON; 21. Smart answer -0 leave for my kind of town, going by air? (7), CHICAGO; 24. Little time left from main contents o acceptance speeches for lots of yarns (5), HANKS; 25. Man facing a lion, maybe, is ‘appy ‘e devoured that woman, we ‘ear (9),; GLADIATOR; 27. Saw nothing odd in city and state being on opposite sides (10), WASHINGTON; 28. Quaker leader making minimal change? Not quite (4), PENN.

Down — 1. First or second part of dance allowed in mountain dwelling (6), CHALET; 2. Mona Lisa, for one, producing main impact around Louvre, ultimately (6), BRUNET; 3. Role in “Spartacus” (4), PART; 4. Hot tune in musical (4O), HAIR; 5. Close-fitting hat silly silly Chloe put over her head (6), CLOCHE; 6. Husband entering without a weapon, safe and sound (8), ASHEN; 9. Deadly pale, like female apt to brood (5), PANNED; 10. Used revolutionary filming technique, heavily criticized (6), CUMIN; 14. From capsicum, Indians extract curry seasoning (5), FRANC; 17. Tending to be exclusive, tavern’s set up amidst confrontation (8), CLANNISH; 18. Excuses a large bird (6), ALIBIS; 19. Expression of irritation from Irish-born author under pressure (5), pshaw; 20. Stuff in bone that makes strange noises (6), OSSEIN; 22. Piece of patriotic music the man composed (6), ANTHEM; 23. A place for fighting with nothing on, having a row (6), OARING; 25. Popular movie of 1958 seen in private, perhaps, more than once (4), GIGI; 26. Characters in front of queue, we hear, in document position (4), ATOP.

I am… well… speechless!

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02.27.11 — V-2

Capital Letter V by James Tissot

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Sunday, February 27, 2011

V-2, Crossword by Peter A. Collins, edited by Will Shortz

The letter V takes center stage in this vibrant Sunday crossword with seven double-V answers, two V’s formed by black squares, two stand-alone single-box white squares containing the letter V and a little something else here or there.

VIETNAM VETS (27A. John McCain and John Kerry)
VINCE VAUGHN (73A. “Wedding Crashers” co-star, 2005)
VESTAL VIRGINS (107A. Keepers of the flame?)
VICE VERSA (4D. The other way around)
VINCA VINE (16D. Plant with purple flowers)
VILLAGE VOICE (59D. Weekly since 1955, with “The”)
VARICOSE VEIN (63D. Vessel seen just below the surface?)

Other — CO-ANCHORS (79A. Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, once, on “S.N.L.“), ELEMENTS (18D. Gold and silver, but not bronze), ENAMELED (11D. Covered, as cookware), INNOCENT (17D. Name of 13 popes), IRONWOOD (9D. Tree with very hard timber), LOVED ONES (95A. Those near and dear), MT ARARAT (3D. Post-flood locale), PLATELET (67D. Clotting agent), RUNNERS-UP (80D. #2’s), STAND-INS (71D. Subs), TIDED OVER (78D. Satisfied, for a while at least), UNEARTHS (2D. Discovers), WHITENESS (98A. Quality of new-fallen snow).

Seven — CHARLES (42A. River crossed by the Longfellow Bridge) , CHIPS IN, CHIVIED (13A. Annoyed with persistent petty attacks), COSSACK, DROOLED, EDGED IN, ENTITLE, FATUOUS, FLY INTO, FRENCH’S, GO AHEAD, HUMVEES, MATTERS, NON-USER, OUT IN LA, RE-ENTER, SALVOES (12D. Some gunfire), SARCASM, SATANIC (43D. Infernal), SLIDE ON, SPANNED, TEACHER, TEL AVIV, TENDONS, TUITION (90D. What may help one live and learn?).

Mid-size — A FLAT, AGATES, ARENA, AT REST, AVATAR, BEAT IT, COSTS, DUNCAN, ELEVON (91A. Aircraft control surface), FEED ME, GARNER, HATED, ICEMAN, LIMAS, MCCABE, MESAS, MIXES, OGRES, RAIMI, REPOT, SEVENS, SLASH, SERIF (7D. Letter‘s end?), SKEINS, SLAVE, SOLES, SPENT, SSGTS, SUNNIS, THE FED, TONAL,WIRED (98D. Overly caffeinated).

Short stuff — ACE and AEC, CELL, COME, DAD and DADE, DENT, EDE and EDU, EEG, ELD, ELEV, ELLA, EONS, ESL, ESTS. ETH and HETH, EULE, EUR, FER, FIAT, FIVE (104. V), FLEW, FRI, GAS, GRR, March HARE, HUPS, INT, LAW, MRI and MRS, MTV, NAP, NEET, NOM, NSA, NTS and NTSB, OLAV, OSU, PVC, RACE and RAVE, REY, ROD, RUR, SHAG, SOB and SOV, SSE, TIVO, TREE, VAT, VIS, WET, XENA (10D. TV title character who said “I‘m not an Amazon“).

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Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. Desert Storm transports; 8. Is sociable; 20. Qualify; 21. Contest site; 22. 1994 Red Hot Chili Peppers album); 23. Rabbi or mullah; 24. Like most Western music; 25. Went over completely; 30. Dog command; 31. Gig for a dejay; 33. Sped; 34. For-EV-er; 35. Steeplechase, e.g.; 36. Idle; 38. Emulated a hungry wolf; 40. Common rolls; 44. Clogs at the bottom?; 45. Arrive at by air; 46. Repair shop figs.; 47. British P.M. after Lloyd George; 49. Ward, to the Beaver; 50. Payday, often: Abbr.; 51. Crash-investigating org.; 52. Striped stones; 55. What Arf! Arf!” or Meow!” may mean; 57. “The Real World” airer; 60. 2009 hit film with subtitled scenes; 62. Earn; 63. Word on either side of “a”; 66. Contributes; 68. Transfer, as at a nursery; 70. “The Charge of the Light Brigade” figure; 72. Block component; 73. “Wedding Crashers” co-star, 2005; 76. Evolutionary chart; 77. Key of Chopin’s “Polonaise-Fantaisie”; 80. “Spider-Man” director; 81. “Get lost!”; 83. Ft. Collins setting; 84. Abbr. on a currency exchange board; 85. Toy company behind yo-yos; 86. Entered carefully; 88. Canyonlands National Park features; 90. Bands on the run?; 93. Good name for a surveyor?; 94. Some Muslims; 101. “___ Pieces” (Peter and Gordon hit); 102. Congolese river; 104. Nondemocratic rule; 105. Short answers?; 106. Kind of scan, for short; 107. Keepers of the flame?; 111. E.R. readout; 112. Old nuclear watchdog: Abbr.; 113. Dutch city ESE of Utrecht; 114. Toil; 115. The Beavers of the N.C.A.A.; 116. QB’s miscue; 117. Newcastle-to-London dir.; 118. Play that introduced the word “robot”; 119. Anathematic; 120. Break, of a sort; 121. Some Windows systems. — DOWN: 1. Eighth Hebrew letter; 5. Old verb ending; 6. About 16,900 ft., for 3-Down; 8. The situation; 13. Overhead ___; 14. Cadence syllables; 15. “Let’s make ___ true Daily Double”; 19. ___ City, Fla.; 28. Antiquity, poetically; 29. Demise; 32. Course for new U.S. arrivals; 35. King on un trono; 36. A-one service?; 37. Setting for part of 2005’s “Munich”; 39. Royal name in Norway; 40. Use for skating; 41. Break down; 45. Big name in mustard; 48. Sloppy, as a kiss; 50. Sword: Fr.; 53. ___-X; 54. “Oh, joy!,” e.g., typically; 55. Inane; 56. ___ Miller (Julie Christie title role with 57-Down); 57. Warren Beatty title role with 56-Down; 58. Group with a board of governors; 61. Type in again, as a password; 62. “After you”; 64. Hired gun, in gang slang; 65. Coils; 69. Plastic used in piping; 71. Subs; 74. Marcel Marceau, e.g.; 75. [This makes me mad!]; 82. Home recorder; 85. Repair shop job; 87. Teetotaler; 89. U.S.S.R. part: Abbr.; 92. Classic hair removal brand; 94. Catch some flies; 95. Some beans; 96. Meanies; 97. Hack; 99. Pooped; 100. Some NCOs; 103. “___ Enchanted” (2004 film); 108. U.R.L. ender; 109. Brewhouse fixture; 110. Code-breaking grp.

02.26.11 — The Very Spice of Life

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Puzzle by Bob Peoples, edited by Will Shortz

Nothing wrong with this Saturday crossword that a good cup of morning wake-up and a pencil with a generous eraser cannot cure — variety has been said to be the spice of life and, if that is so, then this little slice of life has spice.

Across — 1. Glamorous, high-profile pair, IT COUPLE; 9. Group worshiping at a teocalli, AZTECS; 15. Make airtight, in a way, HEAT SEAL; 16. Shut in, COOP UP; 17. Light pop, EAR CANDY; 18. Remove some strips from, UNTAPE; 19. Ham preserver?, ARK; 20. Red flag for the I.R.S., FALSE RETURN; 22. Some deer, ROES; 24. Olympus rival, LEICA; 25. Big Red rivals, ELIS; 26. Goofballs, YOYOS; 28. Italian possessive adjective, SUA; 29. Gregor’s sister in “The Metamorphosis”, GRETE; 30. Lager brand, AMSTEL; 32. Band with the 1985 #1 hit “Broken Wings”, MR MISTER; 34. California river, EEL; 36. Not too sharp, DIM; 37. Shoot for the stars, THINK BIG; 42. Amphibious W.W. II vehicle, AMTRAC; 47. Decorating do-overs, for short, RENOS; 48. Pal, BUB; 50. Longtime classical music label, ERATO; 51. Class with many makeup exams?: Abbr., ANAT; 52. Avifauna, ORNIS; 54. Routing aid: Abbr., ATTN; 55. “She’s as headstrong as an allegory on the banks of Nile” speaker, MRS MALAPROP; 58. Documentarian Burns, RIC; 59. Potpourri collection, PETALS; 60. Ex, OLD FLAME; 62. Many a homeowner, LIENEE; 63. Having a flush, RED-FACED; 64. “The Diary of Anne Frank” Oscar nominee, ED WYNN; 65. Optician’s offer, TRY THESE.

Down — 1. “Amen, bro!”, I HEAR YA; 2. Spot for a spot, TEA ROOM; 3. Set for driving, CAR KEYS; 4. Needing no script, OTC; 5. Ace’s setting: Abbr., USAF; 6. Like some laws, PENAL; 7. Big dippers, LADLES; 8. Perfectly happy state, ELYSIUM; 9. Maker of the ZDX crossover, ACURA; 10. Man-to-man alternative, ZONE; 11. Is close to failure, TOTTERS; 12. Fringe holder, EPAULET; 13. Certain red ore, CUPRITE; 14. One-named fictional detective, SPENSER; 21. Wishes one can get on a PC?, ECARD; 23. Inveterate brown-bagger, SOT; 27. Bird-dogs, SEEKS; 29. Curt command, GIMME; 31. Country with a tree on its flag: Abbr., LEB; 33. Italian possessive adjective, MIA; 35. Hydra’s neighbor, LIBRA; 37. Crush, TRAMPLE; 38. He played Laszlo in “Casablanca”, HENREID; 39. All anxious, IN A STEW; 40. Two, say, NOT MANY; 41. Opening for firing, GUNPORT; 43. Melodic bit, TRA; 44. Exhausting thing to run, RAT RACE; 45. Intermittently, AT TIMES; 46. Accept as valid, CONCEDE; 49. Competitive lumberjack, BIRLER; 52. Cub reporter of comics, OLSEN; 53. Like some outfields, SODDY; 56. Chrysler Building architect William Van ALEN; 57. Indication of a dud, PFFT; 61. LAH-di-dah.

“Variety's the very spice of life, That gives it all its flavor”

~ William Cowper

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02.25.11 — Assembly

Martin Luther before Emperor Charles V at the Diet of Worms, April, 1521, painting by Anton von Werner, 1900

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Friday, February 25, 2011

Puzzle by Henry Hook, edited by Will Shortz

THE DIET OF WORMS (19A. 16th-century assembly) and IT’S FOR THE BIRDS (44A. Detractors’ comment concerning 19-Across?), along with two more cross-referenced pairs, CATCHER and PLATE (36D. Bench, for example; 41A. 36-Down’s locale) and LOUIS with FIST (21A. Winner of a famous 1938 rematch; 47D. Weapon for 21-Across) are featured in this nifty Friday crossword, essentially divided into a half-dozen small sections with an acceptable pathway between the six.

Other — CANARSIE (32A. Brooklyn neighborhood), MAGNETIC (39A. Attractive), NOTRE DAME (42A. Site of Napoleon I’s coronation), OUTERMOST (20D. As far from the heart as possible), SLAVE ANTS (22A. Colonial captives).

Mid-size — ANEMONE (14A. Pasqueflower, e.g.), “ANGELA’S Ashes“, AVOCADO, COLOSSI (55A. Enormous statues), DANNON, ESTONIA, EVACUEE, GRIEVED, MASALA (1A. Spice mix used in Indian cuisine), MODELED, NEREID (42D. Calypso, e.g.), RADICAL, RAMFIS (7D. High priest in “Aida”), REALISE, REJOICE, SHEETED, STRINGS.

Five-letter — AGITA and AKIRA (37A. 1988 animated action film set in 2019 Tokyo), ANITA and AVILA, AVOWS, CHAPS, CRANE, ERASE (26D. Indulge in character assassination?), HIKED, LAVAL (23D. Montreal suburb), MATES, PESCI and POSSE, PURIM, RIGUP, SCAMP, SPACE, VALET.

Short stuff — ADES, AMID, ANTH, ARC, BAJA, CALM, DECO, DODO, ICER, ICON, Architect IEOH Ming Pei, LOD, LONI, MAST, RCS, RUIN, SEEN, SERE, SLOE, TALE.

The trumpet of a prophecy! O Wind,
If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind?
~ Percy Bysshe Shelley
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Remaining clues — ACROSS: 7. “Far out!”; 16. Shade of green; 17. Conditions; 18. Proved to be quite a poser?; 27. Becomes cracked; 33. Construct; 34. Kansas City university; 35. Plot line; 38. “The Newlywed Game” contestants; 43. “Raging Bull” co-star; 53. Convert to pounds?; 54. One who’s withdrawn; 56. Say “Hallelujah!”; 57. Short-___; 58. Choice in bottled water. — DOWN: 1. Canvas holder; 2. Lit. collection; 3. Drought-stricken; 4. In; 5. 1970s pinup name; 8. Swears; 9. Dummy; 10. Champagne bucket; 11. 0 on the Beaufort scale; 12. Vitamin C providers, maybe; 13. City near Ben-Gurion Airport; 15. Member of the U.N. since 1991 and the E.U. since 2004; 22. Roguish sort; 24. Novelist Brookner; 25. Jeeves, for one; 27. Washington Irving character; 28. Followed a trail, maybe; 29. Gut reaction?; 30. Adar festival; 31. Opportunity for privacy; 40. Mourned; 43. Entourage; 45. Account; 46. Liqueur flavor; 48. North American peninsula; 49. Screen figure; 50. Bankruptcy; 51. Retro style; 52. Discovered; 53. Alternatives to Pepsis.

02.24.11 — Going Commando!

Adam and Eve, Peter Paul Rubens, 1629

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Thursday, February 24, 2011

Puzzle by Gary Cee, edited by Will Shortz

NO UNDERWEAR (35A. Fashion rule for the liberated … or one of four arrangements found literally in this puzzle), along with the letters NO under the letters WEAR in four locations constitutes the interrelated group of this crafty Thursday crossword — NOTATE (23A. Mark up) under WE ARE DEVO (20A. End of a 1978 new-wave album title), PHENOL (24A. Embalming chemical) under WEARY (22A. Beat), NOTUS (54A. God of the south wind) under 50A. “The WEARIN’ o’ the Green” (old Irish ballad), and GOLD PIANO (55A. Elvis instrument now in the Country Music Hall of Fame) under I SWEAR (52A. “Really!”). So, we’re going commando!

Other — AVIATION (3D. F.A.A. center), CAMPARI (26A. Italian bitters), GROWN UP (1D. Big, now), IN A WHILE (9D. Shortly), NAME ONE (2D. “Give me an example”), PEANUTS (41D. Brown strip), REHEARSE (38D. Run through), ROSS SEA (46A. Body of water named for an English explorer), STROBES (42D. Balls at balls?), UPRISING (36D. Rebellion).

Mid-size — AFIRE, AIRES, ARIANA (11D. Afghanistan‘s national airline), AWNING, EIDERS, INAPT, IVANI, GIING (64A. Cleaning, as if for military inspection), GRADEA (6D. It may be skimmed over), LEOVII, MODUS, NIKON, NOFEE, NORAH, ORIOLE, PARROT (12D. Quote by rote), PATAKI, PRESS, RUNON, SPOUSE, TETRA, THEY’LL, WIDEN.

Short (ahem) stuff — AKIN, ALP and ASP, AVIV, ATL, DINO, DRUB, EAR, ESTE, ETC, GLAD, GNAT (1A. Zapper‘s casualty), GONG, GYMS, HET, LAKE, LOAM, NEAR, NESS, NOON, NOS, OBEY and OBOE, OMIT, PEON, PROW, RAVE and RAVI, REPS, UNI.

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Remaining clues — ACROSS: 5. Rodgers and Hart’s “___ to Be Unhappy”; 9. Malapropos; 14. Event starting at 2 a.m., maybe; 15. Shankar who played at the Concert for Bangladesh, 1971; 16. Newswoman O’Donnell; 17. Pass over; 18. Blood-related; 19. Lit; 22. Beat; 23 Mark up; 25. Single at the beginning?; 30. QE2’s domain: Abbr.; 31. Low jack?; 33. Met’s 1969 World Series rival; 39. Other half; 40. The “20” in “Drop and give me 20!”; 43. Lötschberg Tunnel locale; 49. Dithery, with “up”; 58. Muscovite prince known as “Moneybag”; 59. Instrument for Johann Jacob Bach; 60. Shellac; 61. Word on a lens cap; 62. Hereabout; 63. House of ___ (European princely dynasty); 65. Recess sites, at times; 66. Storied loch. — DOWN: 4. Vampire ___ (fanged fish); 5. Tops; 7. Tel ___; 8. Natural history museum exhibit, for short; 10. Apartment ad come-on; 13. “___ never know”; 21. Abbr. for those who didn’t make the list; 24. Ferry’s front; 27. ___ Vivendi; 28. Imperative in an automated telephone message; 29. Buenos ___; 32. Directory listings: Abbr.; 34. Bud’s place; 36.37. XII, maybe; 38. Run through; 42. Balls at balls?; 43. Overhang; 44. 10th-century pope interred at St. Peter’s Basilica; 45. New York governor before Spitzer; 47. Ducks for cover?; 48. Guido Reni painting “Cleopatra With the ___”; 51. Ramble; 53. Dilate; 55. Sound heard at the end of “Bohemian Rhapsody”; 56. Not rock the boat; 57. Gardener’s bagful.

02/23/11 — Chances Are...

Notre Dame de Paris, Albert Lebourg

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Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Puzzle by Barry C. Silk, edited by Will Shortz

OUTSIDE CHANCE (54A. Remote possibility … or a hint to 20-, 29- and 44-Across), along with CHAN/CE, CHA/NCE, and CH/ANCE found in CHANTILLY LACE (20A. Big Bopper hit), CHAINLINK FENCE (29A. Barrier with a diamond pattern) and CHURCH OF FRANCE (44A. Group overseeing Notre Dame Cathedral) are the interrelated group of this Wednesday crossword.

Other — GOTHIC (2D. Notre Dame’s architectural style), HOME IN ON and LOOK INTO, LEASH LAW (40D. Ordinance aimed at pet owners),NEUROSIS (38D. Phobic disorder, e.g.), POST TIME (5D. When racehorses are at the gate), TONY SNOW (8D. Press secretary under George W. Bush).

Mid-size — ABHOR, AGASP, ALECS, ARLEN, ARFARF, ASSET, ATTACH, AUGER, BLINI, CANDLE, CATSIT, ELIAN, ETTAS, EXCEED FAMED, FLEXOR, HILLEL (6D. Jewish campus group), LADEN, LENNY, LINED, LOTTO, MASTS, RANGE, ROONE, WEEDY.

Short stuff — AARE, ACNE, ALS, AOK, ASHE, AWOL, AXL, BOAC, DIKE, HAT, HER, IAN, IONA, ISEE, IWO, Mauna KEA, KROC, LIKE, LON and LONE, LOS and LOW, MBA, MOE, NEED, NIX, OER, OHOS, Admit ONE, OOF, RED, RICH, SIC and SIR, STAN, TKO, TOE, UMA, UTNE.

Chances are…

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Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. Audibly in shock; 6. Rack item; 9. Can’t stomach; 14. State-run revenue source; 15. 1945 flag-raising site, briefly; 16. Arledge who pioneered Monday night football; 17. Grammy winner James and others; 18. Horror film star Chaney; 19. Widely known; 23. [as printed]; 24. Common gout site; 25. Title for Paul McCartney; 26. Actor McShane of “Deadwood”; 33. Thurman of film; 34. Baseballer-turned-spy Berg; 35. Unaccompanied; 36. Place to get a bucket of balls; 39. In a funk; 40. Like some paper and coats; 41. “Understood”; 42. Sock-in-the-gut reaction; 49. H.M.S. part; 50. Just fine; 51. California town name starter; 52. Rock’s ___ Rose; 58. Yawl’s pair; 60. “No dice!”; 61. Weighed down; 62. Russian pancakes; 63. First Liston/Clay fight result, in brief; 64. Republican-turned-Democrat Specter; 65. It’s a plus; 66. Anthen contraction; 67. Like a neglected lawn. — DOWN: 1. Smart guys?; 3. Tack on; 4. Satirist Freberg; 7. M.P.’s quarry; 8. Press secretary under George W. Bush; 9. Kennel outburst; 10. Old U.K. carrier; 11. Follow a signal to; 13. Badly chafed; 21. Inner Herbrides isle; 22. ___ button (Facebook icon); 27. Oxy 5 target); 28. ___-to-know basis; 30. Boring tool; 31. “Bye for now!; 32. ___ Gonzalez affair of 2000; 36. Rolling in it; 37. 1975 Wimbledon winner; 39. Check out; 42. Shouts of surprise; 43. Ray who built McDonald’s into a giant; 45. Watch a kitty; 46. Limb-bending muscle; 47. Thing to snuff; 48. Go over; 53. 1974 title role for Dustin Hoffman; 55. ___ Reader (alternative magazine); 56. Flood barrier; 57. Rhine feeder; 58. Wharton deg.; 59. Capp and Capone.

02.22.11 — Magazines

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Puzzle by Ian Livengood, edited by Will Shortz

MAGAZINES (61A. What the starts of the answers to the eight starred clues are), ELLE WOODS (17A. *Reese Witherspoon’s role in “Legally Blonde”), STAR WARS (21A. *Highest-grossing film of 1977), JET SKI (23A. *Lakeside vacation), TIME SHARE (33A. *Purchase for a vacation, maybe), SPIN OUT (40A. *Lose control of a car), SELF WORTH (43A. *Personal esteem), MAD MEN (56A. *Emmy-winning AMC series set in the 1960s) and MONEY PIT (57A. *House that drains finances, slangily) constitutes the interrelated group of this Tuesday crossword.

Other — FREEZES (44D. Goes absolutely still), GUESS SO, HOGWASH (10D. “Nonsense!”), HOODIE (5D. Top with a top), IMPALA (48A. Cousin of a gazelle), RED WINE, SIBERIA, ULYSSES (28A. 1922 novel with a Dublin backdrop).

Five-letter — ADIEU, AGUAS, ALARM (36D. Morning device you might want to take a hammer to), BLAZE, CHURL, DRESS, EATEN, ELATE and ENATE, EMBED, ETHAN, HI MOM, HOSEA, JUKES, LASSO, MIDST, PESTO, POLAR, POPUP, REARS, ROSIE, STAVE, TYROL (2D. Snowy region of Austria), USUAL.

Short stuff — BAEZ, CHAR, DDE, DIEU, Rapper Snoop DOGG, DST, EDO and ETO, ELI, EPEE, EXIT, GAG, GEL, HEMP, IDS, INT, KARO, LOT, MEGA, MOHS scale, NILE, NIX, ODIE, OIL, OVAL, RASH, REP, SET, SOD and TOD, STIR, SWE, UHS, WOKS, YENS.

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Click on image to enlarge.

Puzzle available on the internet at

THE NEW YORK TIMES — Crossword Puzzles and Games.

Remaining clues — ACROSS: 5.Rope material; 9. Rude sort; 14. “___ et mon droit” (British monarch’s motto); 15. Pooch in a Jim Davis cartoon; 16. Book between Daniel and Joel; 19. Spanish rains; 20. Groundskeeper’s supply; 26. Browning who directed “Dracula,” 1931; 27. “And one more thing …”; 30. Fingers, in a way; 32. Syrup brand; 39. 1-Down’s W.W. II command; 42. Auction listing; 45. Heedless; 46. Gymgoer’s unit; 47. Neighbor of Irkutsk on a Risk board; 50. “Touching” Olympic event; 53. Address lapses?; 59. Parishioner’s place; 60. Bonfire; 66. Consumed; 67. Like many lockets; 68. Setting for an Agatha Christie mystery; 69. Apply a bandage to; 70. ___ Millions (lottery); 71. Sign near a stairway. — DOWN: 1. 39-Across commander; 2. Masseur’s supply; 3. Solidify; 4. “I suppose …”; 6. Tokyo, once; 7. Central position; 9. Blacken; 11. Bar order, with “the”; 12. Fannies; 13. It may be thrown from a horse; 18. Rice holders; 22. “Goodbye, Luc!”; 23. Diner fixtures, informally; 24. Make happy; 29. Hubbub; 31. “Spring forward” to this: Abbr.; 34. QB’s statistical blemish; 37. Perez with a nasally voice; 38. Patriot Allen; 40. Eur. Country with a king; 41. Easy catch in the infield; 45. Port, for one; 49. Woodstock folk singer; 50. Bury (in); 51. Arctic; 52. Maternally related; 54. Handmade sign for TV cameras; 55. Avert , with “off”; 58. Strong desires; 62. Kind of gift; 63. Quash; 64. Roth of “Inglourious Basterds”; 65. Solidify.

02.21.11 — After a Zig!

Monday, February 21, 2011 — Presidents Day

Puzzle by Ed Sessa, edited by Will Shortz

N S E W (64A. Compass points seen spelled out in 20-, 26-, 43- and 53-Across), PHINEAS T BARNUM (20A. He’s famous for the words “There’s a sucker born every minute”), UNITED WE STAND (26A. Words of solidarity), GROSS-OUT HUMOR (43A. Feature of many Judd Apatow films) and HONOR THY FATHER (53A. 1971 Gay Talese title derived from one of the Ten Commandments) constitutes the interrelated group of this quick, direct and very pleasant Monday crossword.

Other — AQUATICS and SPORTS (37D, 45D. Water polo and synchronized swimming), BUS FARE (42D. Money for a trip across town, say), GO-KARTS (5D. Kiddie racers), PRO-BOWLS (8D. Annual games for football’s elite), STOP OVER (36D. Pay a visit), UNDULANT (11D. Like a wave).

Mid-size — ABUSE, “ADESTE Fideles”, ALOHA, ANDES, ARROW, ATARIS, BLEST, BONNET, CERTS, COVER, DESILU, DIDST, EMITS, HEY MAN (46D. “Yo!”), ORIEL, PAPUA, REHEMS, SANEST, TAMPA, TONER, TOTES, VERNE, WARPS, ZESTS.

Short stuff — ADS, ALEC, ARES, ART, BAR, CBC, CZAR, DTS, ERR and HERR, ESP, ERS and ETS, EVA, GARP, HAZY, HOLE, HOUR, HQS, IAMA and IMNO, ILS, KENO, MRT, NAE and NAT and NET, ODER, ORO, RENT, ROSA, SAL, SCAN, SEEM, “Auld Lang SYNE“, THIN, WADS, ZAG (34D. Move after a zig).

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Click on image to enlarge.

Puzzle available on the internet at

THE NEW YORK TIMES — Crossword Puzzles and Games.

Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. Fistfuls of money; 5. “The World According to ___”; 9. Mistreat; 14. Baldwin of “30 Rock”; 15. Polish/German border river; 16. Ink for a laser printer; 17. Civil rights pioneer Parks; 18. Game akin to bingo; 19. Mountains in Chile; 23. My Gal ___”; 24. Mohawked actor of “The A-Team”; 25. Bay window; 31. Non-earthlings, for short; 32. They: Fr.; 33. Turner who led a slave rebellion; 34. Flavorful citrus parts; 37. Commercials; 38. Carries; 40. “But is it ___?”; 41. Mil. Command centers; 42. “Cheers” setting; 48. ___ New Guinea; 49. Paranormal letters; 50. A Gabor sister; 56. Tarp, e.g.; 57. Simon & Garfunkel’s “___ Rock”; 58. Mister, in Münster; 59. Fortunate, old-style; 60. Ruler toppled by the Bolsheviks; 61. “___ expert, but …”; 62. Alternative to Tic Tacs. — DOWN: 1. Gets bent out of shape; 2. Hi from Don Ho; 3. 1950s-’60s TV studio; 4. Read, as a U.P.C. symbol; 7. Landlord’s check; 9. Some old computers; 10. Baby’s headgear; 12. Appear; 13. Hosp. sites for dire cases; 21. Gives off, as an odor; 22. Mars : Roman :: ___ : Greek; 27. Human cannonball catcher; 28. Performed, biblically; 29. Scot’s refusal; 30. Drunk’s affliction, for short; . Make a wrong move; 38. Home of the N.F.L.’s Buccaneers; 39. Pizarro’s gold; 41. 60 minutes; 44. Least batty; 47. Does more tailoring on, as a skirt; 51. Jules who pioneered in science fiction; 52. -> or <-; 53. Puncture; 54. Having a bit of smog; 55. Skinny; 56. Toronto-based TV network.

02.20.11 — Wunderbar!

Sunday, February 20, 2011

WUNDERBAR!, Puzzle by Elizabeth C. Gorski, edited by Will Shortz

Eleven three-block black squares each forming a... well, “bar” substituting for the word... “BAR”... that's right, "BAR"... for twelve entries is the spine of this stiff of a Sunday crossword. Cool, okay, fine, pure gold... but, tough stuff for a Sunday, I'm a little irked, yet I helplessly admit it’s no secret that the brilliant Elizabeth C. Gorski is my favorite crossword constructor and can do no wrong!

[BAR]NAKED LADIES (26. Band whose 1998 song “One Week” was #1 for one week)
[BAR]TLETT (46A. Pear variety)
CHOCOLATE [BAR] (48a. Milky Way, for one)
PABLO ESCO[BAR] 58A. Onetime head of the Medelin drug cartel), sharing a BAR with
[BAR]BIE AND KEN (69A. Mattel announced their breakup in 2004)
[BAR]ROOM BRAWL (84A. Classic western slugfest)
SPACE[BAR] (It’s just below a B)
BELLY UP TO THE [BAR] (109a. Plan on ordering a drink, say)
[BAR]KED AT (27D. Sharply reprimanded)
[BAR]ELY (28D. Just)
TIE[BAR] (99D. Cravat holder)
PIANO [BAR] (88D. Lounge in many a hotel)

Other — APPEALS TO, ARIETTA, AT LARGE, BALALAIKAS (100. Three-stringed instruments), CAMPIER, DEAD-SET, DELIVER US, DOG HANDLER (37A. Lab instructor?), EMIRATE, ISOLATORS (81D. Quarantine advocates), IT’S GREAT (15D. “I love this!”), KEILLOR, OCTOMOM, OH DEAR ME, PAPER HATS (4D. New Year‘s Eve wear), RESOLDER, SADISTIC (12D. Really mean), SASHIMI (25A. Food often dipped in soy sauce), SOMALIA, STORMER.

Mid-size — AD REPS, AMEN RA (5D. Egyptian god of the universe), ARDENT and ARENDT, ARRANGE, AS TALL, AT HOME, 1950s pinup queen BETTIE Page, BORDER, BOURNE, BRINES, DEL RIO (114A. Actress Dolores of the silent era), DYNAMO, EVENER, GLIDER, GO AHEAD, GODSEND, LAUREN, MAKE HAY, MAMBAS (89D. Fearsome snakes), MINTED, NEEDLE, PALMED, PASSED, PEORIA, PESETA, RISERS, ROLLER, SLOPED, SMURFS (121A. Blue boys?), STORMER, TIDILY, THE END (41D. Finis), U S ARMY, YOU PAY.

Five — ALAMO, ANITA, ANTIC, ATALE, BELLA, BOSSY, COATI (79D. South American animal with a snout), EASES, EBERT and EBOAT, EIEIO. ELIAN, ERMAS, GORAN, LEBON, LEONI, LOMAN, LYLES, OMARR, ONRED, PIPER, QUODS, RIKKI, SABIN, SLYER, SPACE, STEEL, TANGY, TVSET.

Short stuff — AGO, ALT, BLU, COIL, CRIB and CRI and CRO, DRE, EAST and ERST, EBEN, EFT and EMT and EST, GEN, GOL, ITA, KEG, LARD, LEVI, LOME, MAE, MII and MIT and MOT, NEWT, NGOR, NOHO, NSA, ODS and OKS, OMNI, OYL, PIED, QTY, RCA, RENU, RST, SHED, STOA, SUI generis, TBSP, TSO, UNO, YDS, YODA (6D. “Star Wars“ guru).

Oh what the hell, check this out!

Click on image to enlarge.

Puzzle available on the internet at

THE NEW YORK TIMES — Crossword Puzzles and Games.

Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. Words before a discounted price; 7. TV network force; 13. Pickle juices; 19. Go-getter; 20. Hometown of old radio’s Fibber McGee and Molly; 21. Noted parent in tabloids; 23. Not level; 24. Did sleight of hand with; 29. Tennis’s Ivanisevic; 30. Astrologer to the rich and famous; 33. Softens; 34. More furtive; 38. PC key; 39. Reduced amount?; 42. Spartan walkway; 43. Bridge position; 45. “After you”; 50. Didn’t accept, with “on”; 53. One way for drivers to turn; 55. NASA recruiting site; 56. In the past, once; 60. “Give ___ rest!”; 61. ___-ray Disc; 63. Gift from above; 65. Shreve who wrote “The Pilot’s Wife”; 71. Name in 2000 headlines; 72. Set up; 76. Alphabet trio; 77. Tapping site; 78. Big name in lens care; 79. Dernier ___; 80. Sandler’s “Spanglish” co-star; 82. With good order; 89. Really use an opportunity well; 92. CPR pro; 93. Slinky, e.g.; 94. Togo’s capital; 98. Writer/philosopher Hannah; 99. General name on a menu?; 102. Roman 1,002; 103. Children’s song refrain; 105. “Death of a Salesman” role; 106. Best Buy buy; 107. Wars, in ancient Rome; 112. Loose; 115. Brand advertised with a cow; 119. Member of an assaulting party; 120. Leveling tool; 122. Fervid; 123. Choir supports; 124. Currency replaced by the euro. — DOWN: 1. Rushing stat: Abbr.; 2. Popeye’s gal; 3. Juan’s one; 7. Beseeches; 8. Resolved; 9. Suitcase convenience; 10. “Aunt ____ Cope Book”; 11. Multicolored; 13. Giving orders; 14. Pioneer in quadraphonic records; 16. Big Apple neighborhood; 17. Gulf state; 18. Civil war locale beginning in 1991; 22. Made, as money; 30. Takes too much; 31. Witty saying; 32. Fifth word of the Gettysburg Address; 35. W.W. II craft; 38. Etui item; 39. Jails, in British slang; 44. Drop; 45. Quiet transportation; 47. Simon of Duran Duran; 48. ___-Magnon; 49. Present opener?; 50. Parade tootler; 51. Dickens title opener; 52. Vaccine pioneer; 54. “The Killing Fields” actor Haing S. ___; 57. “___-Tikki-Tavi”; 58. Word with plate or plant; 59.Like grapefruit juice; 62. Grp. Whose seal has the words “This we’ll defend”; 64. Irving Bacheller novel ___ Holder”; 65. Caper; 67. Ralph ___ ne Lifshitz; 68. Steal; 70. Equal in height; 73. Avis alternative; 74. Lizard look-alike; 75. Football score abroad; 83. Part of the next-to-last line of the Lord’s Prayer; 85. “My stars!”; 86. Mend, in a way, as a metal joint; 88. Lounge in many a hotel; 90. Mozart’s “Un Bacio di mano,” e.g.; 91. Garrison in Minnesota; 93. More like Bette Midler stage shows; 96. Green lights; 96. Common middle name for a girl; 97. Biblical verb ending; 100. Recurring Matt Damon title role; 101. Not out; 104. “The Great Movies” author; 105. Actor Waggoner and others; 108. Product of fatback; 110. Italian author Primo; 1121. Recipe abbr.; 113. Brig. ___; 116. Rap’s Dr. ___; 117. Little amphibian; 118. Hush-hush grp.