06.30.11 — Initialism, Etc.

Thursday, June 30, 2011

Puzzle by David Poole / Edited by Will Shortz

The initialisms of ICBM, QED, DDT, URL and KGB are each presented as a homophonic ACRONYM (50D. Basis of the answer to each starred clue, commonly), e.g., I SEE, BE EM (16A. *“Got it! You want me to play Dorothy’s aunt!”), QUEUE EYDIE (25A. *“Get in line, Ms. Gorme!”), DEDEE TEA (40A. *“Ms. Myers, shall I pour?”), YOU ARE ELLE (56A. *”Supermodel Macpherson, I presume?”) and CAGEY BEE (71A. *”Sly insect!”) in this crafty Thursday crossword.

Other — ALAN BALL (64A. “Six Feet Under“ creator), ALTERED, BLENDER, EASEFUL, LARAINE, LEAD DOG, LILA and LILAC, MARS BARS, NAIVETE, SAUSAGE (45D. Chorizo or merguez), SPAMALOT (7A. 2005 Tony winner for Best Musical), UNSHORN, USER NAME.

Mid-size — ABBEYS, BLUFFS, EDITH (28A. Head of costume design), ELM ST, ENROL, ERSATZ, HAVANA, LANDAU, LILAC, MARNER, MESNE (10D. Intermediate, at law), MIRREN (69A. “The Queen“ Oscar winner), REESE, RENOIR (35A. “The Rules of the Game“ filmmaker, 1939), filmmaker Jean Renoir was the son of impressionist Pierre-Auguste Renoir, ROBYN, SLEETY, SUZY Q, TANDEM.

Short stuff — ABA, ACU, ADAM (51A. To whom God said “You are dust, and to dust you shall return“), ADO, AER Lingus, AVIS, BALD (33A. Unlocked?), DIOR, DLI, DUPE, EAT, EVO, FATS, FDA, GMT, HAS and HAY, “I’LL bite“, ISM, LAS, LEE and LEM, LIEN, LILA, NAH, NED, NEUF, OER, PSA, REN, ROOD, SEIS, SIM, SOSA, SPUD, SRO, STIR, SUB, SYS, TMS, ULEE.

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Puzzle available on the internet at

THE NEW YORK TIMES — Crossword Puzzles and Games.

Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. They may be called; 15. Horse-drawn vehicle; 17. Artificial; 18. Chocolaty treats; 19. Slangly turndown; 20. Federal Reserve, e.g.: Abbr.; 22. Beatty of “Superman”; 23. A-line creator; 31. Register; 34. Cub #21 of the 1990s-2000s; 37. Uno y dos y tres; 39. Certain world std.; 43. Is down with; 46. Nine, in Nice; 47. Good smoke; 533. Peeler’s target, informally; 55. Whitman’s dooryard bloomer; 59. Ruckus; 60. 1966 gold album by Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass; 63. Bolivian president Morales; 72. Like some winter weather; 73. Surfer’s handle; 74. Oxen may pull plows in this. — DOWN: 1. Bartender’s appliance; 2. Newman of early “S.N.L.”; 3. Still woolly; 4. Its approval is often sought: Abbr.; 5. Domino, e.g.; 6. Snack cake since 1961; 7. Noted Scrooge portrayer; 8. “Don’t do drugs!” ad, e.g., for short; 11. Sisters’ homes; 12. Sled head; 13. Thomas Moore’s “Come ___ the Sea”; 14. They often accompany logos: Abbr.; 21. Backup; 24. Crucifix; 26. Affording rest; 27. 1997 Oscar-nominated title role; 29. Doctrine; 30. Tuck away; 32. Property lawyer’s concern; 36. Kyle ___, “The Terminator” hero; 38. Bin Laden hunter; 41. Con; 42. Alamo rival; 43. Allergy source; 44. Ruckus; 48. Let out, perhaps; 49. Greenness; 52. Eliot’s Silas; 54. Mid sixth-century year; 57. Rocker Hitchcock; 58. Horror movie locale, for short; 62. Reader’s Digest co-founder ___ Wallace; 64. Prefix with puncture; 65. ___ Noticias (New York Hispanic paper); 66 Law grp.; 67. Old NASA vehicle; 68. Actor Bruce; 70.Stimpy’s TV pale.

06.29.11 — U for O

Markus Mayer Gnome Skull Figure / Statue Dark Art

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Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Puzzle by Tony Orbach / Edited by Will Shortz

Exchanging the sound of a short U for that of a long O transforms “come on over“, Jamaican rum, “don’t play dumb” and “numbskull” into COMB ON OVER (17A. Balding person’s directive to a barber?), JAMAICAN ROAM (27A. Meandering trip from Kingston to Montego Bay?, DON’T PLAY DOME (43A. Covered stadium that’s off-limits to bands?) and GNOME SKULL (57A. Protection for a fairy-tale dwarf’s brain?) in this grim Wednesday crossword.

Other — BALEEN (52A. Whalebone), DEEMED, EPITAPH (48A. Famous last words?), HANG LOOSE (11D. Chill), I MISSED (42D. “Oops!,” to a shooter), IMPAIR, LOIN CLOTH (33D. Ascetic’s wear), MARS BARS (9D. Alternatives to Butterfingers), RATATAT, SALINGER (37D. “A Perfect Day for Bananafish” writer), SCAGGS (22A. “Lido Shuffle” singer Boz), SHORT A (6D. January 2^nd?), THE WHO (44D. “Tommy” rockers), TWO-STAR.

Five-letter — ABOIL, ABUSE, ADMIT, CHOIR (47A. Kapellmeister‘s charge), DIEGO, EASEL, ENDOW, ENOLA (2D. “Waterworld“ girl), HELLO, IBEAM, IXNAY, LEANT, LECAR, PELEG, SANDS, SOLAR.

Short stuff — ABET, ACED, AJAR and AJAX, ALI and ALIA and ASIA, AVEC (53A. Tours “with“), AVOW, AYE, BABE, BAJA, BEE, BETH, BPOE, CONS, ECHO, EYRE, HOYA, IHOP, “Lord, is IT I?”, Chiang KAI-shek, Henry KNOX, LEIS (54A. Strings of islands?), LORD, MAAM, MALL (16A. Chambers of commerce?), NOAM, NOB, NYU, OLA, OLEG, ONTO, OPIE, PLUS, RUDD, SKID, SORE, SWAM, WOVE, XERS.

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Puzzle available on the internet at

THE NEW YORK TIMES — Crossword Puzzles and Games.

Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. Inclined; 6. Didn’t sink; 10. Place to order a stack, say; 14. Fund; 15. Georgetown athlete; 19. French tire; 24. Knocking sound; 26. Like geysers; 31. Green option; 34. Boomers’ followers; 35. Commercial suffix with Cray-; Henry ___, first secretary of war; 37. Bygone Las Vegas casino; 39. ___-Pacific; 41. State bordering the Pacific, informally; 42. Construction piece; 55. Drone, e.g.; 56. Acknowledge; 60. “Little Women” woman; 61. “Jane ___”; 62. Canvas holder; 63. Bounce back; 64. Paul who co-starred in “I Love You, Man”; 65. Argentine soccer hero Maradona. — DOWN: 1. Old Renault; 3. Open a door to; 4. Head, slangily; 5. Somewhere between excellent and poor, as a restaurant; 7. Didn’t go straight; 8. When repeated, a cry at sea; 10. Damage; 12. Cassini of fashion; 13. “Not only that …”; 18. First name in linguistics; 23. Bamboozles; 25. “Iliad” figure; 26. Breezed through; 28. “No siree!”; 29. Inter ___; 30. Sir’s counterpart; 31. Kind of mark; 32. Not tricked by; 38. A little open; 39. Help with a job; 41. Fraternal grp.; 45. Considered; 46. Bullying, e.g.; 50. Pequod co-owner; 51. “You there?”; 52. Honey; 54. One “a-leaping” in a Christmas song; 58. Big Apple sch.

06.28.11 — By the Numbers

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Puzzle by Tom Baring / Edited by Will Shortz

This Tuesday crossword features four answers clued by numbers, e.g., PI APPROXIMATION (17A. 3.14159), ABSOLUTE ZERO (26A. 273.15°C), SPEED OF LIGHT (42A. 299,792,458 meters/second) and AVOGADRO’S NUMBER (55A. 6.022 x 10^23).

Other — BREAST BONE (27D. Sternum), NAIL POLISH (11D. Manicurist’s supply), REISSUED (38D. Released again on CD, say), TOP SCORE (5D. It’s first on the leader board).

Mid-size — AIELLO, AIRARM, ATBAT, BRENT, CRETE, DALLY, EIEIO, ENOLA Gay, EXTANT, FEVER, FLASKS, INANE, LANES, LENIN, MAIZE, ORALB, PERSIA, PLAIN, PRIMO, REALM, REBATE, REORG, ROILS, SATUP, SENOR, SHORTU (6D. There‘s one in “puzzle“), TANGO, VEXED.

Short stuff — ABEL, ACE and ACS, AGIN, AIRE, AMP, ANT and ANTE, APPS, ARK, ASA, BIAS, CAT, DAIS, DECO, DIS, DORA, ELSA, GAS, HEN, LAS, MEDI, MNO, NEIL (53D. Moonmate of Buzz), OFT, PAR, RAG, SERT, SEAU, SLIT, SOS, STU, TEXT, TRIO and TROY, UNI, VEG, XXI.

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Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. Opportunity to hit; 6. Disco ___ of “The Simpsons”; 9. Pool divisions; 14. Top-quality; 15. Coop resident; 16. Nonsensical; 20. “Send help!’; 21. Spanish muralist Jose Maria ___: 22. Danny of “Do the Right Thing”; 23. Jazz aficionado; 24. Talk trash about; 25. 72, at Pebble Beach; 31. Military aviators, collectively; 2. Sail through; 33. “Born Free” lioness; 36. Island of the Minotaur; 37. Phone letters for 6; 38. Muddies; 39. Former N.F.L. great Junior ___; 40. Laze, with “out”; 41. Source of fine rugs; 45. Frost’s “The ___-Repeated Dream”; 47. Amendment that repealed prohibition; 48. ___ Cruces, N.M.; 49. Manufacturer’s payback; 51. Lectern’s locale; 52. Creature with elbowed antennae; 58. October Revolution leader; 59. Ararat lander; 60. Kids’ song refrain; 61. Spiner of “Star Trek: T.N.G.”; 62. Home heating option; 63. Dawdle. — DOWN: 1. iPhone programs; 2. The Stooges, e.g.; 3. Pollster’s worry; 4. Part of a public address system; 7. It’s dangerous to do while driving; 8. Prefix with dimensional; 9. Be a go-between; 10. Minimum poker loss; 13. Sir, abroad; 18. King’s domain; 19. Polenta grain; 24 Retro art style; 26. Suffix for the wealthy; 28. Partner of “took notice”; 29. “Dancing With the Stars” dance; 30. Corporate shuffle, for short; 31. Window units, briefly; 34. Knife incision; 35. Cool ___ cucumber; 37. Health plan prefix; 38. Released again on CD, say; 40. In a pique; 41. Nothing fancy; 43. Not extinct; 44. Chemistry lab vessels; 45. Power Flosser brand; 46. Flu symptom; 50. Not “fer”; 51. Explorer of kiddie TV; 52. Genesis brother; 54. “Iliad” locale; 56. Use for an old T-shirt; 57. Farrow of “Rosemary’s Baby”.

06.2711 — Mix Tape

Tape Recording © Mmeeds | Dreamstime.com

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Monday, June 27, 2011

Puzzle by Joseph Samulak / Edited by Will Shortz

MIXTAPE or MIX TAPE (37A. Homemade music compilation … or a hint to the circled letters), along with PEATS, EATP, TEAP and EPTA found within THREE PEATS (20A. 1990s runnings of the Bulls?), SWEAT PANTS (53A. Some gymwear), TEAPARTIES (11D. Groups battling big government) and KEEP TABS ON (29D. Watch) comprise the interrelated group of this Monday crossword.

Other — AROUSES (45A. Wakens), GO-KARTS (27A. Kids’ vehicles on tracks), PINE TAR (4D. Application to improve a batter’s grip), RUN AWAY (43D. Escape).

Mid-size — ADALE, AESOP, ALASKA, ALIENS, Crazy as A LOON, AMONG, AROAR, ARTES, CREATE (25A. Manufacture), ECLAT, IDOLS, ISABEL, KNEAD, LASER, LEECH, MINTS, MUPPET, RED SEA, ROTTEN, SCRAP, SHERE Khan, TACOS, TREND.

Short stuff — AHA and ALA and ALE, ANTS, ASEA, ASST, AUDI, BAIT, BOOP, EAST, ERR, GUAM, ICON and ION, “You have no IDEA!”, MAKE (5A. Manufacture), MICE, MOP, NASA, ODOR, Alley-OOP, OSLO, OUCH, PHAT, PIES, PTA, REST, RGS, ROSE and ROTE, SPAN and SPAR, STAN, TIER, TRA-la-la, ULNA, USER, WAIT, WAYS, YARN, YOKE, XES.

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Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. Betty of comics; 9. ___ liberales (studies at universidades); 14, Car whose logo has four rings; 15. Forearm bone; 16. Parasite; 17. Che Guevara or Lady Gaga; 18. Desserts akin to cobblers; 19. Allan- ___ (Robin Hood compadre); 23. Practice boxing; 24. General tendency; 30. Loud, as a crowd; 31. Manual’s intended reader; 32. Excellent, in dated slang; 36. Word after ginger or brown; 40. Charged particle; 41. Implement you might wring;43. Leftover part; 44. Sandwiches that may have sour cream and salsa; 49. Queen who financed Columbus, to the Spanish; 52. Bawls; 58. Cutting-edge technology?; 60. Aide: Abbr.; 61. “Hold your Horses!”; 62. Honor ___ thieves; 63. Harness for oxen; 64. Where sailors go; 65. After-dinner candies; 66. Bridge; 67. Ball material for a cat. — DOWN: 1. Worms and such, to a fisherman; 2. “That hurt!”; 3. Stench; 5. Bert or Ernie; 6. Martians and Venusians; 7. Work, as dough; 8. Direction after Near, Middle or Far; 9. Chicken ___ king; 10. One end of the Suez Canal; 12. Brilliance; 13. ___ Khan (“The Jungle Book” tiger); 21. Mess up; 22. Leftover part; 26. Memorization; 27. U.S. territory in W.W. II fighting; 28. Norway’s capital; 32. School open house organizer: Abbr.; 34. Kennedy matriarch; 35. Tidbits for aardvarks; 37. Runners in lab mazes; 38. Winners of some televised singing competitions; 39. Deletes, with “out”; 45. Not present; 46. “Sarah Palin’s ___” of 2010-11 TV; 47. No-good; 40. Ayatollah’s faith; 50. “Me too!”; 51. “The Fox and the Grapes” storyteller; 54. House ___ and Means Committee; 55. Cape Canaveral org.; 56. Level; 57. Kyl and Kenny's friend on "South Park"; 59. Some N.F.L. linemen.

06.26.11 — T Mobility

The Minuet or Carnival Scene, 1779,

Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo, Musée Du Louvre, Paris, France

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Sunday, June 26, 2011

T MOBILE, Puzzle by David Levinson Wilk / Edited by Will Shortz

In this pleasant Sunday crossword, the letter T switches places with the letter next to it in eight words (minute, bets, feet, boots, cats, coast, great and marital, resulting in MINUET, BEST, FETE. BOOST, CAST, COATS, GRETA and MARTIAL), the mobility giving a title to the puzzle, along with a humorous change in familiar phrases:

• NEW YORK MINUET (23A. Dance seen in a Lincoln Center performance of “Don Giovanni”?)
• ALL BEST ARE OFF (33A. “None of the leading sales people came in today”?)
• FETE OF CLAY (40A. Celebration after a 1964 heavyweight championship?)
• COWBOY BOOST (55A. Stirrup?)
• CAST PAJAMAS (71A. Decide to sleep in the nude?)
• IVORY COATS (81A. What whitewashers apply?)
• NO GRETA SHAKES (88A. Response to the query “Does Ms. Garbo first-bump?”?)
• PREMARTIAL SEX (102A. Love before war?)

Other — ALLEY OOP (33D. With 98-Across, showy play), ALTOONA, ATTENDS and WAS AT (80D. Doesn’t miss; 70D. Didn’t miss), ASCRIBE, BASSIST (109A. Sting, e.g.), BROAD AX, DREAM OF (2.D. Imagine), ENSNARE, FASCIST, GORGES ON (6D. Stuffs oneself with), HELICAL, ICE POPS, IMPENDS, INKIEST, I REMEMBER (42D. “You don‘t need to remind me“), LET’S DANCE (79A. 1983 #1 hit with the lyric “Put on your red shoes“), LOW NOTE, MAIDENS, OCCUPIED, OIL PALM (14D. Tree whose two-word name, when switched around identifies its product), ONE NAME, RATTLES, RUNTIER, SIERRAN, STOPS IT, TOP DOGS.

Six-letter — ADJUST, ARRIVE, ASTORS, CITRIC acid, COAXES, DENNYS, DOTERS, ELMORE, IN PLAY, KARRAS, K D LANG, KONRAD, MOO SHU, PENNER, O ROMEO, Country star SHELBY Lynne, SONANT, TASING.

Five — Sodium AMIDE, CAKES, DRONE, ELBOW, ETRES, EVENI, FEZES, FREUD, FT LEE, GANEF (18D. Thief, in Yiddish), GRIPS, HAPPY, HEPTA, HOSED, IRWIN, JENGA (72D. Game whose name is derived from Swahili), KATIE, KAZAN, KNITS, LORNA, Southwest Africa’s NAMIB Desert, ORAMA, ORONO, PETER, RIDES, SAXES, SCION, SCOTS, SLILY, SNARF, SPOIL, TAE BO, TAKEN, TAPED, TEMPE, TIERS, TOTES, “Cosi fan TUTTE“.

Short stuff — ALE, ALTA, AMO and AMMO, AMYS, ANO, CAL and DAL, ELO, DOI, ENTS, ESPN, FEN, GEO, GOYA, HEW, IVIE, JON, JUL, KAVA, KEN, KLMN, LIAR, LEO, LTDS, MIR, MOON, NEO, ORGS, RANS, SIP, SST, TAR, TERI, TGI Friday‘s, TOE, TRIB, TSA, WARE, YSER.

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Puzzle available on the internet at

THE NEW YORK TIMES — Crossword Puzzles and Games.

Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. 1988 Grammy winner for “Crying”; 7. Tweak; 13. Bosses; 20. Cry from a balcony; 21. ___ pork; 22. Many a Nevada resident; 25. Penn State campus site; 26. Also-___ (losers); 27. Prefix with caching; 28. Baja’s opposite; 30. Author; 31. “Hang on ___!”; 32. Locale for a cattail; 36. Grandparents, typically; 38. With a wink, say; 39. Berkeley campus nickname; 48. Not so big; 49. Tampa paper briefly with “the”; 50. Blackmore heroine; 51. Washed (down); 54. Female co-star in “Love Crazy,” 1941; 57. Tolkien creatures; 58. 41-Down was named after one: Abbr.; 59. Scarlett O’Hara’s real first name; 60. Voiced; 61. Summer sign; 62. Little dipper?; 63. Claimed; 64. Chop; 65. The Mavericks, on scoreboards; 68. Up for grabs, as convention delegates; 68. Shriners’ headwear: Var.; 69. Gob; 70. Ending with soft or spy; 73. Drink with one’s pinkie up, say; 74. Some cats blow on them; 76. “Around the Horn” cable channel; 77. Summer treats; 85. Interlocks; 94. Summer mo.; 95. “Rock ’n’ Roll is King” band, 1983; 96. Make it; 97. Actress Polo; 98. See 33-Down; 99. Polynesian potable; 100. They’re often said to be fair; 106. Looms; 107. Shocking, in a way; 108. Leonard of literature; 110. Team that once played at Enron Field; 111. Bob Evans rival. — DOWN: 1. Former German chancellor Adenauer; 3. One hit by a tuba; 4. Singer Grant and others; 5. Prefix with -lithic; 7. Shot, e.g.; 8. Question that may be answered “And how!”; 9. Garfield’s owner; 10. For the most part; 113. Agcy. With a list of prohibited items; 15. A Fonda; 16. Plane over Yemen, maybe; 17. College town just off Interstate 95; 19. Wolf (down); 24. When doubled, a number puzzle; 29. Credit; 32. “Totem and Taboo” writer; 34. Story teller; 35. Judo-like exercises; 37. French beings; 38. Offspring; 41. Town on the Hudson R.; 42. Filmmaker Allen; 43. Pipe shape; 44. Apollo target; 45. Bygone hand weapon; 46. Catch; 49. Lugs; 51. Like a corkscrew; 52. What Cher Bono, e.g., goes by; 53. Ceases; 55. Soap units; 56. River to the North Sea; 58. Artist Francisco; 59. Director of the major film debuts of James Dean and Warren Beatty; 62. Not live; 63. Home to Sun Devil Stadium; 64. Tickled; 67. Old Fords; 68. Like Mussolini; 69. Ranks; 73. Sean Connery and others; 74. Turn brown, maybe; 77. Jazz singer Anderson; 78. Busy; 81. Most murky; 82. It’s worst when it’s high; 83. High and softly resonant; 85. Alex of “Webster”; 87. Sweet-talks; 89. Commercial name suffix; 90. Handles; 91. Lifts; 92. “___ could have told you that!”; 93. Seven: Prefix; 94. Speck; 98. Assns.; 99. Alphabet string; 101. Retired flier; 103. It landed in the Pacific Ocean on 3/2/01; 104. Yucatan year; 105. Drink with a head.

06.25.11 — Smooth As Silk

Marlene Dietrich in the 1930 film of “Der blaue Engel” by Josef Von Sternberg

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Saturday, June 25, 2011

Puzzle by Barry C. Silk / Edited by Will Shortz

Across — 1. Adroitness, EASE; 5. 22-Across product, LAGER; 10. English Leather alternative, AFTA; 14. Interjections from the obtuse, DUHS; 15. Searches for signs in a hospital, EXAMS; 16. Queen with a degree from Princeton, NOOR; 17. IROC-Z; 18. Its shadow is often cast, DOUBT; 19. Decoration, TRIM; 20. “Gnarly waves, dude!”, COWABUNGA; 22. Pabst brand, PIELS; 23. Foil, TRIP UP; 24. Like some exchange rates, UNPEGGED; 26. Less like nuts?, SANER; 27. Where to get a citation while surfing, WIKIQUOTE; 28. Like two Kennedy brothers, SLAIN; 30. Portions, QUANTA; 31. Hang-up, RUB; 34. Watt-hour fraction, ERG; 35. Small team, DUO; 36. You might get a charge out of it, EEL; 37. Secure the aid of, ENLIST; 39. They’re lined up on a neck, FRETS; 41. Kind of test associated with the null hypothesis, CHI-SQUARE; 43. Practice with the Wheel of the Year, WICCA; 47. 27-Across, e.g., RESOURCE; 48. Wet behind the ears, CALLOW; 49. Directive obeyed by Alice, EAT ME; 50. City where “Smokey and the Bandit” begins, TEXARKANA; 52. Fit to finish?, A TEE; 53. Like many dreamers, IN BED; 54. Pap’s son, in literature, HUCK; 55. La., e.g., once, TERR; 56. Like la nuit, NOIRE; 57. Scored together?, ADUE; 58. Brand that has Dibs, EDYS; 59. Telecom giant headquartered in Denver, QWEST; 60. Fork-tailed flier, TERN.

Down — 1. Subjects are expected to follow them, EDICTS; 2. Polar region phenomenon, AURORA; 3. Great and seat, SHOW IN; 4. Things some cons are pros at, ESCAPES; 5. Preceded, with “to”, LED UP; 6. Impulse carrier, AXON; 7. Van Gogh threatened him with a razor blade, GAUGUIN; 8. Keep from spilling over, in a way, EMBANK; 9. U leaders?, RST; 10. St. John’s is its capital, ANTIGUA; 11. Like some conclusions, FOREGONE; 12. Grooming routine, TOILETTE; 13. Missiles may be delivered in one, ARMS DEAL; 21. Tom Stopper’s “Travesties,” e.g., BURLESQUE; 22. Chief Sassacus led one side in it, PEQUOT WAR; 25. Nettle, PIQUE; 27. Easily changeable locks, WIG; 29. Pianist Schnabel, ARTUR; 31. Play, RECREATE; 32. Like many swimming pools, UNHEATED; 33. Severely sunburned, say, BLISTERY; 35. Producer for 50 Cent, familiarly, DRE; 38. Atomically related compounds, ISOMERS; 39. Prize in Cracker Jacks, e.g., FREEBIE; 40. Part of morning dress, SILK HAT; 42. Ad imperative, ACT NOW; 44. Rains in a studio, CLAUDE; 45. Go along (with), CONCUR; 46. Arouse, AWAKEN; 48. Massachusetts Maritime Academy student, e.g., CADET; 51. MTV generation, XERS; 53. It may be judicial: Abbr., INQ.

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06.24.11 — Act Casual

 

Friday, June 24, 2011

Puzzle by Milo Beckman / Edited by Will Shortz

Commands, complaints, conditions and connivance dominate this otherwise casual Friday crossword.

Across — 1. “Try not to stand out”, ACT CASUAL; 10. Call A HALT to (stop); 15. Words after an insult, NO OFFENSE; 16. Jason who directed 2011’s “Arthur”, WINER; 17. Beatles song with a complaining title, I’M SO TIRED; 18. Utah State athlete, AGGIE; 19. I.M. Pei’s alma, MIT; 20. War hero who killed himself with a onetime rival’s sword, AJAX; 21. Rapid descent on skis, SCHUSS; 22. Hail A CAB; 24. Where purchases cost 69¢, 99¢ or $1.29, ITUNES PLUS; 26. Burdened, LADED; 28. French waters, EAUX; 29. “Bloody”, RARE; 30. Ticket, SLATE; 31. Honorary deg. For many a writer, DLIT; 32. They’re found in rock bands, ORES; 33. End of a flick?, ASH; 35. Letters at the beach, SPF; 37. Absorbed, RAPT; 40. “Here comes trouble!”, UH OH; 44. Some stars, DIVAS; 48. Plot segment, ACRE; 49. Tons of, MANY; 50. Cover, ALIBI; 51. Words accompanying an arrow, THIS SIDE UP; 54. Kind of twin, EVIL; 55. Like some glasses, TINTED; 56. Professor ‘iggins, ‘ENRY; 58. Gray, AGE; 59. Admit, LET IN; 60. Prepared, MADE A PLAN; 62. Levels, EVENS; 63. “Told you so!”, I CALLED IT; 64. Suit material, SERGE; 65. Remedy for a tizzy, CHILL PILL.

Down — 1. Some cracker shapes, ANIMALS; 2. Wacky, COMICAL; 3. Fiesta food item, TOSTADA; 4. $$$ head, CFO; 5. Old Spice rival, AFTA; 6. Conductor Ozawa, SEIJI; 7. Like a first-time tournament player, usually, UNRATED; 8. Type of reproduction, ASEXUAL; 9. Was up, LED; 10. AWACS plane; 11. Very recognizable, HIGH PROFILE; 12. Bony, as a face, ANGULAR; 13. Work’s opposite, LEISURE; 14. Locks, TRESSES; 21. Titillating transmissions, SEXTS; 23. One stage of development, BETA TESTING; 25. Rapa NUI (Easter Island); 27. “Der Ring DES Nibelungen”; 34. Moist, HUMID; 36. Smartphone, e.g., PDA; 37. Discombobulates, RATTLES; 38. Carry out, ACHIEVE; 39. Press user, PRINTER; 41. Cheated, HAD; 42. Rule for free samples, ONE EACH; 43. Sonata maker, HYUNDAI; 45. Composer known as the Red Priest, VIVALDI; 46. First name of two first ladies, ABIGAIL; 47. Calf part, SILENT L; 52. Detect, SENSE; 53. Old “Go from flat to fluffy” sloganeer, PRELL; 60. Open MIC; 61. Fire, PEP.

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06.23.11 — OIL

Oil well gusher at Campina-well 45, Steaua, Romana, 1906

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Thursday, June 23, 2011

Puzzle by Ian Livengood / Edited by Will Shortz

The word OIL in six squares, along with CLEAN UP (70A. Response to 40-Across … or what can be done to 12 answers in this puzzle without affecting their clues?) constitutes the interrelated group of this clever Thursday crossword.

• [OIL] TANKER (1A. Persian Gulf sight) with [OIL] CAN (1D. Garage container)
• [OIL] TYCOON (8A. Getty, e.g.) with [OIL] PAINT (8D. Canvas coat)
• [OIL] RUB (27A. Day spa offering) with [OIL] PUMP (27D. Crankcase part)
• FISH [OIL] (32A. Fatty acid source) with [OIL] SKIN (35D. Outer-layer protection)
• [OIL] SPILLS (40A. Environmental woes) with [OIL] RIG (40D. Gulf of Mexico sight)
• SESAME[OIL] with OLIVE [OIL] (48D. Greek salad ingredient)

Other — ACADIAN (17A. Early French settler in North America), AIRDATE, ALPINES (18A. Plants native to mountain summits), CABOOSE (15A. Rear end), CHIME IN, GRANOLA (44D. It‘s often found in bars), MATILDA (46. Young Roald Dahl title character), MOLOTOV (63A. Eponymous associate of Stalin), NO DOUBT, PIEHOLE (16A. Trap), PRALINE (67A. Nutty confection), REALITIES (21D. Stone-cold truths), UNHAT and TOP (29D. Take a 31-Down off, in a way).

Mid-size — AGILE, ENSUE, HEELS and HESSE, HILTS, IS ONE, KOING (5D. Leveling in a ring), MEAGRE, NOT ON, PETRI, PLIED, PONIES, RESEE, SHIRE, SILAS (33D. Albino in “The Da Vinci Code“), TILES.

Short stuff — Like A BAT out of hell, AIL, ALAS, ASSN, DST, ERIE, ESA, Ministre d’ ETAT, IMAC, LAS, LEK, LOAN, LORE, MALI, MAST, NEST, OISE, OLES, OONA, PENT, RENE, SISI, Pine-SOL, STEP, TACO, Mai TAI, TUTU, UFOS, UGH, ULAN Bator, UMPS, USH, YEP.

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Puzzle available on the internet at

THE NEW YORK TIMES — Crossword Puzzles and Games.

Remaining clues — ACROSS: 19. Off; 20. City that’s home to the U.S. Brig Niagara; 22. Flag support; 23. [I’m not happy about doing this]; 25. Result; 36. Locked (up); 38. Some bettors bet on them; 39. Do some theater work, informally; 42. Albanian money; 43. Scanty, in Salisbury; 46. Country where Bambara is the main spoken language; 47. Kind of dish; 48. Seine feeder; 49. Part of N.C.A.A. Abbr.; 50. Like a ballerina; 52. “Spring forward” hrs.; 57. “You bet!,” south of the border; 59. Dagger parts; 65. Send; 68. Time for a show; 69. Asian cooking staple. — DOWN: 2. Kind of shell; 5. Leveling in a ring; 6. Spanish “that” 7. ___ Furterer, line of French hair products; 9. Hearth decorations; 10. “I reckon”; 12. Wife of Charlie Chaplin; 13. World Cup sounds; 14. Fit (inside); 24. “Steppenwolf” novelist; 26. Astounding Stories subjects; 28. Take in again; 33. Albino in “The Da Vinci Code”; 34. They may give you a life; 35. Outer-layer protection; 38. Work steadily at; 41. ___ Piedras, P.R.; 51. “That ___ for the record books”; 53. County abroad; 54. Calls a game; 55. Handed-down wisdom; 58. “Ah, well …”; 58. Apple product; 60. There may be great interest in this; 61. Article to take a pin in?; 62. Part of a flight; 64. Tebow who won the 2007 Heisman Trophy; 66. Not do well

06.22.11 — A to Z

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Puzzle by Tim Croce / Edited by Will Shortz

THE FIRST LETTERS OF EACH CLUE GO FROM A TO Z IN ORDER (21A. Including 38-, 41- and 60-Across, a description of this puzzle’s theme) is this agreeable Wednesday crossword’s raison d'être.

Other —ABCS (51A. Z is that last of them), ADORNING (12D. Xmas tree activity), END LATE, FLURRIED, IT ISN’T SO, MANTRAS (7D. Sacred words repeated in prayer), NET ZERO, ODOR FREE, RUN OVER, TAXI STAND, VERTEBRAE (66A. Facet joints connect them).

Mid-size — ANTES, ARISEN, ARTOIS (28A. Historical region of France), BAD RAP, CATTLE, CREATE, ETHIC, HAS IT, IN THAT, ISSUES, LAXEST, LEAD TO, LEARN, MATHIS (29A. “No Love (But Your Love)” singer, 1958), NOTRE (5D. Québécois‘s “our“), OMAHAN, OMASUM (6D. Ruminant’s third stomach), SCREED, SEDONA, SEES IN, SEISM, SEURAT (24A. Kröller-Müller Museum artist), SHIRTS, SPRAIN.

Short stuff — AMAS, ANNA, ARC, ASIF, ASS, COLA, EDA and ESA, ENTS, ERR, ERTE, “It must’ve been something I ATE“, ICES, ISLE, ITS, LAS, LDL, LTD, LYE, MALI, NEIN, NOME, NOS, NNE, NSA, OMAN, OSSO, PERT, RATE, RBIS, ROSS, SLAT, SIS, SMUT, SPED, STE, TMI, TOE, Xavier Cugat film “YOU Were Never Lovelier“.

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Puzzle available on the internet at

THE NEW YORK TIMES — Crossword Puzzles and Games.

Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. Aerated beverage; 5. Bering Sea port; 9. Common ankle injury; 15. Domitian’s “you love”; 16. Eastern sultanate; 17. Forerun; 22. Jalisco article; 25. La.-to-Mich. Dir.; 27. Middle-earth creatures; 32. Often-misused possessive; 33. Pa. accident site of 1979; 36. Quake; 37. “Red Storm Rising” grp.; 38. Second part of the description; 43. Under 100 mg per deciliter of this is considered optimal; 44. Verse oneself in; 47. When to take off: Abbr.; 49. YM or Us output; 55. Act humanly; 56. Because; 59. Curve; 60. Description’s end; 65. Emerged; 67. Greets at the door; 68. Harper’s Bazaar illustrator of the 1910s-’30s; 70. John McCain ranch locale; 71. Katharine of “The Graduate”; 72. Lost no time. — DOWN; 1. “Moo” makers; 2. Native Nebraskan; 3. Overpermissive to the extreme; 4. “Pshaw!,” to a Valley girl; 8. Take too long; 9. Unit for a chairmaker; 10. Vivacious; 11. Words per minute, e.g.; 13. “You’re wrong!”; 14. ZIP codes, e.g.: Abbr.; 19. Auntie, to Mom; 22. Body of principles; 26. Conductor ___-Pekka Salonen; 28. Dominique, e.g.: Abbr.; 30. Elba, for one; 31. Filth; 34. Guinea’s neighbor to the northeast; 35. Hot-weather treats; 38. Incapable of being detected, in a way; 39. Just left a dusting, say; 40. Knows the answer; 42. LeShan who wrote child-care books; 43. More common name for caustic soda; 45. Not stay within the allotted time; 46. Online option since 1998; 50. Polos, e.g.; 52. Quite an injustice; 53. Result in; 54. Speech that harangues; 57. Throws in a chip; 58. Ungulate’s hoof, essentially; 61. Veal dish ___ bucco; 62. Words after let or count; 63. “X-Men” actress Paquin; 64. Yount had 1,406 of them; 65. Zebra relative.

06.21.11 — It's Summertime!

Tuesday, June 21, 2011 — Summer Solstice

Puzzle by Kelsey Boes / Edited by Will Shortz

Swapping the first and last words of familiar phrases, e.g.,CONTROLS THE JAM (20A. Directs rush-hour traffic?), FLAMES THE FAN (25A. Posts abusive comments about a team supporter?), WHIP THE CRACK (43A. Blend an illegal street drug?) and QUESTION THE POP (52A.Ask “Is this really diet soda?,” for instance?) constitutes the interrelated group of this sunny Tuesday crossword.

Other — CUPOLAS (5D. Cathedral toppers), EASTMAN (42D. George who founded Kodak), EILEEN (42A. Astronaut Collins), SOAP OPERA (17A. “Dallas,” e.g.), SWIM SUITS (58A. Beachwear).   

Mid-size — APIAN, APSES, AURAL, DEVILS (31A. New Jersey hockey squad), ETHIC, Keep an EYE ON, HERON, HEY JOE (10D. Jimi Hendrix’s first single), IBOOK, ORALLY, PLANS, PRE-AMP, PRELIM, RAINY, RICOHS, RIZZO, RUN-INS, SHARI, SHEESH, SIGMA, STEPS, TESLAS (45D. Magnetic induction units), Explorer VASCO da Gama, “À VOTRE santé!”.

Short stuff — ABLE, ACC, ADO, ADZE, ALI, AREA, ASS and ASSN, AVA, CPOS, DRAW, EACH, EURO, FAZE, FIN, HITS, ILK, ISLA, ISO, LENA (60A. “Stormy Weather” singer Horne), No ROOM at the INN, NOON, OARS, OKS, ONES, PIE, PHD, QUIT, RARE, REA, SEPT, SLAT, SID, TIS, URAL, URGE, USO, VICI, VIPS, WHAT, WII.

“Summer is the time when one sheds one’s tensions with one’s clothes, and the right kind of day is jeweled balm for the battered spirit. A few of those days and you can become drunk with the belief that all’s right with the world.” ~ Ada Louise Huxtable

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Puzzle available on the internet at

THE NEW YORK TIMES — Crossword Puzzles and Games.

Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. Limo-riding sorts; 5. Noncom naval personnel; 9. Puppeteer Lewis, 14. Adept; 15. Russia’s ___ Mountains; 16. Bird that flies with its neck restracted; 22. Green-lights; 23. “Aladdin” prince; 24. Prefix with metric; 34. “Angela’s Ashes” follow-up; 35. Hubbub; 36. Like days when you forget to take an umbrella, all to often?; 37. Woodrow Wilson is the only U.S. president to have one; 38. Betty ___ (“Grease” role); 40. Duke’s athletic grp.; 41. Source of lots of living-room arm-waving; 42. Astronaut Collins; 47. Stephen of “V for Vendetta”; 48. G.I.’s entertainment provider; 49. Gardner of “The Night of the Iguana”; 57. Hearing-related; 59. Summation signifier, in math; 61. Like a total solar eclipse; 62. They’re often taken in rehab; 63. Part of Y.M.C.A.: Abbr.; 64. Rightmost column is an addition. — DOWN: 2. Old Apple; 3. Schedules; 4. Mo. Of Mexican Independence Day; 6. Event before the main event; 7. Scull propellers; 8. Airplane wing component; 9. “You’ve got to be kidding!”; 11. Base times height, for a rectangle; 12. No ___ at the 13-Down; 13. See 12-Down; 18. By mouth; 21. Web site visits; 25. Feature of many a 1950s car; 26. Work ___; 27. Grauman of Grauman’s Theater; 28. Discombobulate; 29. Woodworking tool; 30. Lunchtime, often; 31. Inconclusive outcome; 32. Every one; 33. Part of Caesar’s boast; 37. Crusty dish; 38. Some cameras; 39. Kind; 41. “Come again?”; 44. Roadie’s tote; 46. Confrontations; 49. Beelike; 52. Throw in the towel; 53. Desire; 54. Cuba, por ejemplo; 55. Is in the red; 56. Coin with a map on its back; 57. Animal present at Jesus’ birth, in tradition.