07.31.11 — Imponderables — the Acrostic

Sunday, July 31, 2011

ACROSTIC, Puzzle by Emily Cox and Henry Rathvon

Edited by Will Shortz

This Sunday’s delightful acrostic draws a quotation from Do Penguins Have Knees? by David Feldman, the sixth in a series of "Imponderables" books by Feldman. Most questions in this volume have been posed by readers of the previous volumes, and the author asks his reading public to submit questions for future books. Experts in the various fields are either quoted or paraphrased in the answer along with commentary from the author. The final section of the book is devoted to Frustables unanswerable "imponderables") -- new, updated, and those that "will not die." The index is thorough and useful; however, reference librarians would find a cumulative index extremely helpful. (unanswerable "imponderables")-- new, updated, and those that "will not die." ~ Amazon.com

The quotation: USING ALL CAPS, CARTOONISTS CAN ALLOCATE THEIR SPACE… MORE EASILY. SMALL LETTERS NOT ONLY VARY IN HEIGHT BUT A FEW… [SWOOP] BELOW OR ABOVE… OTHER LETTERS (L’S MAKE A’S LOOK LIKE MIDGETS, AND P’S AND Q’S DIVE BELOW MOST LETTERS)

The author's name and the title of the work: FELDMAN, DO PENGUINS HAVE KNEES

The defined words:

A. Like some moccasins and cowboy shirts, FRINGED

B. Giving according to need?, ELASTIC

C. James Hilton's Shangri-La, e.g, LAMASERY

D. County on England's Jurassic Coast, DORSET

E. Beverage touted as a digestive aid (2 wds.), MINT TEA

F. Frank admission, declaration, AVOWAL

G. Get snug as a bug in a rug, NESTLE

H. Finding based on Archimedes' "eureka" insight, DENSITY

I. Coiner of "Oldspeak" and "doublethink", ORWELL

J. Place where some litter may be picked up (2 wds.), PET SHOP

K. Sleepy John of country blues, ESTES

L. Krypton or xenon, among others (2 wds.), NOBLE GAS

M. James Taylor album featuring "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)", GORILLA

N. Where to find the Adirondacks in New York, UPSTATE

O. Meteorologist's line of work?, ISOBAR

P. Harding's postwar campaign promise, NORMALCY

Q. Cry fowl?, SQUAWK

R. Direct; frontal (hyph.), HEAD-ON

S. Novelist with the famous opening line "Christmas won't be Christmas without any presents", ALCOTT

T. Student athlete at N.Y.U.; pansy, VIOLET

U. Decorate in relief, EMBOSS

V. Polish version of the name Smith, KOWALSKI

W. Form for "A Christmas Carol" or "Billy Budd", NOVELLA

X. Beanpole, by W.H. Sheldon's classification, ECTOMORPH

Y. Highest mount of the Rockies, ELBERT

Z. Flaky sort of stone, SCHIST

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07.31.11 — Separate Checks

View of Toledo, c 1597, El Greco

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Sunday, July 31, 2011

SEPARATE CHECKS, Puzzle by Pamela Klawitter

Edited by Will Shortz

Not sure how the title of this sly Sunday crossword properly defines the interrelated group, but the puzzle is fun and witty. Circled letters in sequence divided by a black square (or two) correspond to entries that define the divided words in the circles.

• DIVIDED HIGHWAY (27A. See circled letters in 76-/109 Down), e.g., HIGH and WAY.
• FALLEN APART (44A. … in 119-/120-Across), FALL and EN
• TORN ASUNDER (64A. … in 116-/117-Across), TO and RN
• BANANA SPLIT (88A. … in 39-/60-Down), BAN and ANA
• FRACTURED SKULL (103A. … in 17-/43-Down), SKU and LL
• CRACKED WINDOW (14D. … in 1-/4-Across), WIN and DOW
• BROKEN PROMISE (56D. … in 12-/35-Down), PRO and MISE

Other — ANATOLE (60D. France from France), ARM BONES, BEAR PIT, DEVELOP, DIRT BIKER, EL GRECO (87D. “View of Toledo“ artist), EMPOWERS, HOT ROLL, INANITY, IN PERIL, I REPEAT, RETOTAL, SALES ROOM (15D. Pitcher‘s place), SLOVENS, STAGGERS, TALK TO ME, TEN PINS, TOSS-UPS.

Six-letter — ACUMEN, AVOWED, BOATEL, BORGIA (95A. Enemy of a Medici), ERMINE, HARASS, LATE TO, LATINS, PICKER, SMIRKS, SNIVEL, TORIES.

Five — ADAPT, AFTRA, Buenos AIRES, ALDAS, AMEND, ATTYS, AWAIT, BEADS, BLESS, CAROL, CURIE, DOWNS, EAT AT, EBOLA, ENDER, GIGLI, GOT ON, HIDER, INUIT, I SING, Lake LEMAN, LIMES, LUNNS, MISER, MOTTO, NAÏVE, ODE TO, OF ALL, ORTON, PACER, PC LAB, Uncle REMUS, RHODA, SEVER, STEAL, STEVE, SUSAN, SWORD, TARSI, TESSA, VOTRE, WARDS.

Short stuff — ALOU, ANAS, ASA, AUF, AVES, BAN, BOAC, CSIS, DATE, DOLL (50A. Sweetheart), DOOR and DORA, DST, ENDE, ERA and ERG, ETTE, ETUI, EVIL, FLAB (44D. Inches for pinches), GEE, HEAT, HIGH, IDOL, ILRE, INOR, ION, KEY, LASS (49A. Sweetheart), LIE, LLDS, LSAT, NISI, OAK, ONA, OWED, PIS (47D. Some tails, for short), PRO, RAIL, RANK, RETD, RNAS, ROME, RUIN, SKU (17D. Merchandise ID), SNO, SSS, TIVO, UDON, WASH, WAY, WIKI, WIN, YORE.

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Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. When repeated, advantageous to both sides; 4. 71 answers in this puzzle; 9. Get used to it; 14. Several CBS dramas; 18. “___ Story: A Journey of Hope” (Jenna Bush best seller); 20. Expect; 21. French toast piece?; 22. It might be pulled; 23. Pompeii, e.g.; 24. Bride in “The Gondoliers”; 25. What the Butler Saw” playwright, 1969; 26. Noted diamond family name; 30. Restless walker; 32. Title character in a 2009 Sandra Bullock crossword film; 33. “Well, I’ll be!”; 34. “Told ya so!” looks; 38. “Fear is pain rising from the anticipation of ___”: Aristotle; 39. Wampum, e.g.; 41. Endangered; 51. Part of a pack?; 52. Panamanians and Peruvians; 53. 1960 Olympics host; 54. Duel tool; 55. Radii, e.g.; 57. Cut; 58. Some drink garnishes; 59. Place for some animal baiting; 60. Sharpness; 62. Bit of physics; 63. Hostess’s ___ Balls; 67. Summer letters; 70. Enter, for one; 72. Give a hard time; 73. Check, as one’s numbers; 76. Huntee in a game; 79. Mounted; 80. Authorizes; 81. “Of thee” followers; 82. Michael Jordan, e.g.; 83. Conservative side; 85. Comparison’s middle; 86. T.S. of literature; 87. Neither more no less, in France; 90. Item in a restaurant basket; 92. Virus named for a river; 94. French CD holder; 97. Composition of many a cask; 98. Techie’s hangout; 102. It may have sand in it; 109. User-edited Web site; 110. Words on a sandwich board; 112. Emerson’s “___ Beauty”; 113. “The Neverending Story” writer; 114. Upper class?; 115. First woman to teach at the Sorbonne; 118. “Think” or “Think different”; 117. They’re stranded, briefly; 118. Times past; 119. Best ___; 120. Rear’s rear?; 121. Radiator sound. — DOWN: 1. Hospital wings; 2. Language akin to Kalaallisut; 3. Like Gomer Pyle; 4. See; 5. Had a balance; 6. Dry’s partner; 7. Not yet final, at law; 8. Leaves a crooked trail; 9. Owned up to; 10. ___ Marquez, Nickelodeon cartoon girl; 11. ___-at-law: Abbr.; 12. Master; 13. Game with a setter; 16. “___ out?” (poker query); 19. Cowardly sound; 28. Unfold; 29. Miami squad; 31. Dada figure; 38. Tightfisted sort; 37. Silliness; 39. Missing, as the start of a party; 39. The U.N.’s ___ Ki-moon; 40. Definitely not Felix Unger types; 42. “___ Pastore” (Mozart opera); 43. Honorary law degs.; 44. Inches for pinches; 46. Lake ___, Switzerland/France separator; 49. Add to, perhaps; 54. Brief word of caution; 57. Pulitzer-winning Sheehan; 61. “Do You Hear What I Hear?,” e.g.; 62. “In case you didn’t hear me …”; 65. 1970s TV spinoff; 65. Wrap for a queen; 68. Big bargain; 69. Ankle supports; 71. Piece of work?; 74. Even chances; 75. A perfect score on it is 180: Abbr.; 76. Daily weather datum; 77. Aoki of the World Golf Hall of Fame; 78. Off-road specialist; 79. 2003 Affleck/Lopez flick; 80. Century 21 competitor; 83. “I’m listening”; 84. ___ leash; 88. U.K. carrier, once; 89. Word with cherry or cotton; 91. Rush igniter; 93. Offshore accommodations; 98. Actors’ grp.; 99. Sally __ (teacakes); 100. Show-biz father and son; 101. Graceful word?; 102. Program coordinator?; 104. Vituperate; 105. Japanese noodle; 108. Part of AARP: Abbr.; 107. Small: Suffix; 103. Outlet; 109. Mode; 111. Strauss’s “Ariadnne ___ Naxos”.

07.30.11 — Stumper

Eye Superimposed on Egyptian Hieroglyphics,

© AllPosters.com. All rights reserved

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Saturday, July 30, 2011

Puzzle by Patrick Berry / Edited by Will Shortz

Standard Saturday stumper…

Across — 1. Another name for hardtack, SHIP BISCUIT; 12. Do Not Call Registry org., FTC; 15. Often-retractable car part, AUTO ANTENNA; 16. Can of Prince Albert?, LOO; 17. Selfish, SMALL-MINDED; 18. Acknowledge, OWN; 19. Something seen on a pad, HELICOPTER; 20. Italian bread, PANE; 21. Two teaspoons, e.g., DOSE; 22. Recover from a nap, STRETCH; 24. Lilac or rose, SCENT; 26. Nickname popularized by a New York Morning Telegraph sportswriter in the 1920s, with “the”, BIG APPLE; 27. Adamantine, STONY; 28. Name that means “princess” in Hebrew, SARAH; 29. What “the lowing herd wind slowly o’er” in a Thomas Gray poem, LEA; 30. Like cranberries, TART; 31. Detective work, CASES; 32. Determine the age of, in a way, CARD; 33. Hieroglyphic symbol, EYE; 34. Legally binding, VALID; 35. They make up a chapter, MONKS; 36. Medicated lozenge, PASTILLE; 38. Rolling landscape features, VALES; 39. Source of most of the names in “The Lion King”, SWAHILI; 40. Italian seaport that’s home to Saint Nicholas’s relics; BARI; 41. “I wasn’t expecting that!”, OH MY; 42. Chats at a high-school reunion, maybe, REMINISCES; 47. Wee drink, NIP; 48. Earlier, SOME TIME AGO; 49. Unkindly, ILL; 50. Site of the War of 1812 Museum, PLATTSBURGH; 51. Ball point?, TEE; 52. Spot treatment?, FLEA SHAMPOO.

Down — 1. Part of a legionnaire’s costume, SASH; 2. Fox News political commentator, HUME; 3. Proofreading abbr., ITAL; 4. Something to clean one’s teeth with, maybe, POLIDENT; 5. Common condo feature, BALCONY; 6. Central, INMOST; 7. Mushroom stem, STIPE; 8. Flying Eagle, for one, CENT; 9. Regrettable, as consequences, UNDESIRED; 10. It’s hard to get a reaction out of it, INERT GAS; 11. Smidge, TAD; 12. Aircraft that doesn’t need a runway, FLOAT PLANE; 13. Officials who may issue licenses, TOWN CLERKS; 14. TV family that popularized the term “parental unit”, CONEHEAD; 20. Animation, PEP; 23. Cry that’s often tripled, RAH; 24. “Sit yourself down”, STAY AWHILE; 25. What a stratigraphist might take, CORE SAMPLE; 26. “Goin’ to Chicago Blues” songwriter, BASIE; 27. Picks up the pace, STEPS ON IT; 28. Lending “lady”, SALLIE MAE; 31. See who’s there, say, CALL ROLL; 32. Big sports venue, COLISEUM; 34. The first manned Apollo mission, VII; 35. Guatemala’s national instrument, MARIMBA; 37. Word used three times in the first four lines of the Lord’s Prayer, THY; 38. Beat it, VANISH; 40. Towlines are tied around them, BITTS; 43. Self-referential, informally, META; 44. Find fault to a fault, CARP; 45. Brand with Toaster Swirlz, EGGO; 46. Loft-y place?, SOHO; 48. No. on a bottle, maybe, SPF.

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07.29.11 — An Arm and a Leg

Jane Avril Dancing, 1893, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec

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Friday, July 29, 2011

Puzzle by Paula Gamache / Edited by Will Shortz

Eight 15-letter answers constitutes the main feature of this Friday crossword.

• TAILGATE PARTIES (17A. Pregame rituals, for some)
• TOULOUSE LAUTREC (33A. Capturer of fin-de-siècle Paris)
• AUDITOR’S REPORTS (40A. Opinions about books)
• CHERRY CHAPSTICK (58A. It can make for fruity kisses)
• EDIBLE UNDERWEAR (3D. Tasteful bedclothes?)
• INTEREST RATE CAP (6D. Borrower’s protection)
• BY POPULAR DEMAND (8D. How some things are brought back)
• TRICK OR TREATING (11D. Activity of some ghosts)

Other — CO-WRITE, IN ERROR, MOUNTER (54A. Tire shop employee, at times), NOT A LOT, OIL SEAL, ONE ACRE, OPEN-TOE, SUBSIDE.

Five-letter — A CAST, AT LAW, CARDS, DEBUT, DUROC (28D. Hardy red hog), LIMBS (5A. 22- and 38-Across [LEG and ARM]), NERTS, ON RYE, OP EDS, PAINT, SOEUR, TARES.

Short stuff — ABE, ARM and ART, ASEA, AUDI, BEA, BOSE (13D. Giant in audio equipment), BUS, CATS, CCCL, CHAO, CLEO, ECTO, EGOS (65A. They‘re subject to inflation and deflation), FIR, GIG, HIE and TIE, LEG and LEN, LIRR, LOAD, LUAU, MLK, MRE, NTSB, OAT, OHHI, ONTO, OONA, OPTS, PEST, RAP, REF and REM, RKOS, SEAN, SEER, SRI, TRA, TYPO, WREN, UMP.

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Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. Lethally poisoned ruler, familiarly; 5. 22- and 38-Across; 10. Pipeline accident investigator: Abbr.; 14. Saab competitor; 15. How deli meat may be served; 16. Item in a “lick race”; 20. Opposite of swell; 21. What some lawns cover; 22. Ham’s place; 23. Kind of sheet; 25. Jan. honoree; 26. Like many salts; 28. Introduction; 30. Princess ___ (Disney duck); 36. Barker who pitched a perfect game in 1981; 37. Field of 33-Across; 49. Twist-___; 50. “___ man!”; 51. Compose together; 60. Elaine ___, first female Asian-American cabinet member; 61. Brush up on?; 62. Lock or luck follower; 63. Line from Penn Sta.; 64. Some columns. — DOWN: 1. Tigers, e.g.; 2. Occasion to use a cooking pit; 4. Engine leakage preventer; 5. Washer/dryer unit; 7. Field fare, briefly; 9. Parker who was one of the original faces at Facebook; 10. Chicken feed; 12. One reading signs; 18. Player’s job; 19. Dreamer’s activity; 24. Old ___ (Civil War eagle mascot); 26. Counselor-___; 27. French sister; 29. Weight factors; 31. Quaint complaint; 32. With ___ of thousands; 34. Straw source; 35. Maker of calls; 41. Off; 42. What a guru might be called; 43. Showing some polish?; 48. Provider of material for some wreaths; 50. One going to school?; 51. Mid-century year; 52. “I wasn’t expecting you!” lead-in; 53. Unlucky strike?; 55. Doesn’t decline, with “in”; 56. Prefix with -morph; 57. Bygone theaters; 59. Move it.

07.28.11 — Going UP

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Puzzle by Alan Arbesfeld / Edited by Will Shortz

Seven down answers read up, e.g., PA[UP]ER, [UP]ON, PREN[UP], [UP]SETS, S[UP]T, SO[UP]S and WH[UP], appearing as RE[UP]AP (3D. Prince’s partner), NO[UP] (13D. Over), [UP]NERP (27D. Union requirement, maybe?), STES[UP] (35D. Bothers), T[UP]S (36D. Overseer of schools: Abbr., S[UP]OS (59D. Tomato and vegetable) and [UP]HW (60D. Beat and how!) in this upbeat Thursday crossword.

Across, the answers with squares containing UP play it straight — GO [UP] IN SMOKE (17A. Fizzle), TOP [UP] (19A. Refill when you don’t really need to), MEASURED [UP] (24A. Met the qualifications), SIT [UP] FOR (39A. Pay sudden attention to), STANDS [UP] TO (50A. Confronts), [UP] DOS (60A. Some hairstyles) and COME [UP] SHORT (62A. Prove lacking).

Other — A CUT ABOVE (33D. Slightly better than), BRITTLE, GRATES ON (20A. Irks), IT’S A TRAP (58A. Warning often shouted too late), LET IN ON (30A. Shared with, as a secret), PATINAS (46A. Films, of a sort), SATIRIC, SINUSES, TOP THIS (45D. Daredevil‘s challenge), WHOLE NOTE (11D. It may be the only thing in a bar).

Mid-size — ADORE, ALERO, ALOFT, ALONE, APTED, BLIPS, BOGGS, ÉCOLE élémentaire, ERODE, HI MOM, IN USE, NAXOS (68A. Greek island where Zeus was said to be raised), OPERA, OTERO, OUTER, RAREE show, RUN AT, SENDS, SEPTA, SHALT, SILAS, TIMEX.

Short stuff — AHSO and ASTO and ESTO, ASP, BARB, BRAE, BOAS, BUSH (57A. Amateurish), DAY, HAVE, HBO, IDEE, “Mighty LAK’ a Rose”, LTR, LUC (38A. Director Jacquet of “March of the Penguins“), NEAT, ODER, OLA, OOH, RAI, SEED, SSSS, “SWAN Lake“, TERP, TOIL, TOR (41A. Actor Johnson of “Plan 9 From Outer Space“), WYES (67A. Pygmy couple?).

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Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. Dig; 5. Ten Commandments verb; 14. Baltic Sea feeder; 15. Villainous monk in “The Da Vinci Code”; 16. “Now I get it,” facetiously; 21. Hoe and weed, e.g.; 23. Anatomical dividers; 28. Env. Enclosure; 31. Scottish hillside; 34. Regarding; 41. Actor Johnson of “Plan 9 From Outer Space”; 42. Taken; 44. This, in Toledo; 45. A.C.C. athlete; 46. Films, of a sort; 48. “Curb Your Enthusiasm” shower; 53. Record store section; 64. Suffer from; 65. Old Olds; 66. Starting point for un inventeur; 69. Starting point. — DOWN: 1. Five-time A.L. batting champ; 2. Like a great deal; 4. Peanutty candy; 5. Indication of deflation; 6. Message on many a stadium sign; 7. How Rubik’s Cube is best solved; 9. Airborne African menace; 10. Like the Harvard Lampoon; 12. Crawling African menace; 18. Peachy; 22. Peripheral; 25. Flying; 26. Sadness; 29. Thor Heyerdahl craft; 31. Little things on screens; 32. Quickly approach; 39. Ships; 40. “Good one!”; 43. They may be cleared with a spray; 47. Trash receptacle; 49. Fancy wraps; 51. Citizen rival; 52. New Mexico county; 54. Wear down; 56. Michael who directed the Bond film “The World Is Not Enough”; 61. Time piece?; 63. Pay back?

07.27.11 — NO EL

Train wreck, 9th Avenue El, New York City, September 1905.

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Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Puzzle by Bill Thompson / Edited by Will Shortz

NOELS (37A. Seasonal songs … or a hint to 17-, 25-, 46- and 59-Across), WEDDING CHAP (17A. Groom?), PAN DISCUSSION (25A. Verbal exchange about a harsh review?), THROW IN THE TOW (46A. Demand during a roadside negotiation?) and MOD TRAIN SET (59A. Stylish Lionel?) is the interrelated group of this wicked Wednesday crossword.

Other — ABRAHAM, ASPIRIN (10D. Trademark forfeited by Bayer under the Treaty of Versailles), ELISION, FENCES IN, GRAMMAR (42D. The problem with these clue?), NEAR THE TOP 2(7D. In second place, say), OOH LA LA, RATIONS OUT (11D. Distributes stingily), REROOFS, SCIENCE, SITS BACK, THE OMEN.

Mid-size — ADDEND, ALARIC (52A. Visigoth king who sacked Rome), ALOOF, EDUCES, ELANDS, FEDORA, IN AIR, KAHLO (36D. Mexican artist Frida), NESTS, OCHERS, O’HARA, OLE OLE, OTTER, REALES, RESEEK, SCRAG, SHARI, SOOEY, UTERI, WANDAS, YARNS.

Short stuff — AEON, ALA and ALE and ALEC, Singer India.ARIE, AVEC, BAMA,BOWS, CFO, DION, DUC, EDGE, ERO, HSIA, LIN (38D. Architect Maya), MIDI, MTNS, NAE, OVID, PATS, RAP and RAY, RIFT, RIIS, SAL, SANS, SKEW, TAT, TEAK, TRE, TRIO, TOR, UIE, YORK (40A. City at the confluence of the Ouse and Foss).

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Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. Univ. with the cheer “Roll Tide!”; 5. Indiana Jones accouterment; 11. Rachael on the Food Network; 14. “Ars Amatoria” poet; 15. Draws out; 16. Like; 19. Rocky peak; 20. “___ is nothing but perception”: Plato; 21. Will-o’-wisp feature; 23. “Capain! The engines canna take ___ more!” (line from Scotty on “Star Trek”); 24. Installs new thatch on, maybe; 30. Bottle marked “XXX” in the comics; 31. Separation; 32. Homes for some colonies; 35. Water-resistant wood; 41. Skiunny sort; 43. Muckraker Jacob; 45. One-eighty; 50. “Fa-a-ancy!”; 52. “My gal” of song; 53. Eerie 1976 movie with an Oscar-winning score; 54. Biblical name meaning “father of many”; 58. “I tawt I taw a putty ___”; 61. Leandro’s love, in a Handel cantata;  63. “Runaround Sue” singer: 1961; 64. Grandmaster Flash’s music; 65. Pursue again, as a elected position; 66. French word whose opposite is 2-Down. — DOWN: 1. Things to draw; 2. French word whose opposite is 66-Across; 3. Certain skirt; 4. Number next to a +; 5. Encloses; 6. Nose (out); 7. French nobleman; 8. Autumn colors; 9. Old Spanish silver coins; 12. Detached; 13. Paul Bunyan tales, e.g.; 18. Where Francis Scott Key saw bombs bursting; 22. “Here, piggies!”; 25. Super Bowl XXXVI champs, to fans; 26. Actor Guinness; 28. Overseer of corp. accts.; 29. Gestation locations; 33. Wynken, Blynken and Nod, e.g.; 34. Slant; 39. Relaxes, in a way; 44. Emmy-winning Lewis; 47. Flamenco cheer; 48. Stand-up comic Sykes and others; 49. Safari antelopes; 50. Boon’s “Animal House” buddy; 51. Maureen of “Miracle on 34^th Street”; 55. First Chinese dynasty; 56. Very long time; 57. The Dolomites, e.g.: Abbr.; 60. Uno + due.

07.26.11 — Signs

 

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Puzzle by Michael Black / Edited by Will Shortz

Do I need to be reminded that I got a speeding ticket this month! Oh, well… SPEED LIMIT [White], DEER XING [Yellow], EXIT [Green], STOP [Red], HOSPITAL [Blue] and MEN WORKING [Orange] constitutes the interrelated group of this slick Tuesday crossword.

Other — ASTUTE, BREMEN, BY A HAIR, DIET SODA, EVE PLUMB (44A. Jan Brady player on “The Brady Bunch“), HARKED, LONE STAR, MAKE A BET, OPEN END, SEVENS, SHOALS, TORQUE, TWANGS, UTOPIA.

Five-letter — AMASS, ANEAR, BABAR and BAKER, DARED, EAT AT, ESTEE, FADER, IRONS, LENTO, NOMAD, ODORS, PONTE Vecchio, STARE, TOMEI, TRIBE.

Short stuff — AER Lingus, AMP, APEX, AQUA, DEAD, DECI, DEEP, EPA, EZRA, FORE, GAD, IZE, JAMB, JOS, LUTE, MAE (3D. West of Hollywood), MSN, MUST, NIKE, NOVA, NRA, ODIE and OPIE, OHMY, OMAR, ORT, PARR, PEN (22A. Tool for a confident solver), POLK, REC, SEER, STEW, STUB, SWAN, TEAK, TERP, TIL, TOTS, TRAD, VEIL, XMAS.

Any man who can drive safely while kissing a pretty girl is simply not giving the kiss the attention it deserves. ~ Albert Einstein

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Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. Doorframe part; 5. ___ Vecchio (Florence landmark); 10. Can’t-miss event; 14. Bridge maven Sharif; 15. What some sprays eliminate; 16. Bouillabaisse, e.g.; 19. PBS science series; 20. Put down some chips; 23. Sound engineer’s control; 28. With a time limit, as a contract; 31. Bring together; 32. DVR button; 33. No-calorie drink; 39. Richards of the Stones; 47. Emissions watchdog, for short; 48. Long look; 51. Just barely; 57. Professional with an apron; 58. Table scrap; 59. Texas flag feature; 62. Water; 68. Troubadour’s instrument; 69. Patronize, as a restaurant; 70. Rock’s Better Than ___; 71. Professor Marvel in “The Wizard of Oz,” e.g.; 72. Dungeon hardware; 73. In need of recharging. — DOWN: 1. “___ Boys” (Louisa May Alcott book); 2. Hearing aid?; 4. German port on the Weser; 5. President after Tyler; 6. Jim Davis cartoon dog; 7. One without a permanent address; 8. Cleveland Indians nickname, with “the”; 9. Cosmetician Lauder; 10. Yahoo! Competitor; 11. Perfect place; 12. Most common dice rolls; 13. Jew’s-harp sounds; 18. Had the guts; 21. Like much folk music: Abbr.; 23. Links alert; 24. Very top; 25. Tenth: Prefix; 27. Present time, briefly; 29. “Swoosh” company; 30. How a quarterback may throw a ball; 34. Up to, in ads; 35. Ballgame souvenir; 36. “Good golly!”; 38. U. of Maryland player; 4. Furniture hardwood; 42. Early Ron Howard role; 43. Henry VIII’s sixth, Catherine ___; 45. Bit of bridal attire; 46. Kid-lit elephant; 48. Lighthouse locales; 49. Rotational force; 50. Sharp as a tack; 52. Listened, old-style; 54. Marisa of “My Cousin Vinny”; 55. Close to, in poetry; 56. Slowly, on a score; 60. Bird in a bevy; 61. Preschoolers; 65. Suffix with moral or popular; 66. Gun lobby org.; 67. Roam (about).

07.25.11 — A Little Something Extra

Monday, July 25, 2011

Puzzle by Nina Rulon-Miller / Edited by Will Shortz

ORANGE SLICE (17A. Whiskey sour garnish), PICKLED ONION (27A. Gibson garnish), PIMENTO OLIVE (47A. Martini garnish) and CELERY STICK (62A. Bloody Mary garnish) constitute the interrelated group of this dizzy little hung-over Monday crossword.

Other — AFFILIATE, I MEANT IT (40D. “That wasn‘t an empty threat!”), MINCE PIE, PRIMROSES, SLURRED (45D. Couldn’t shpeak shtraight [hic]?), SORE LOSER, SPLIT ENDS (32D. Hair woe).

Mid-size — ALIASES, ATELIER (21D. Artist‘s studio), AT STAKE, DOGCART (20A. Horse-drawn vehicle often mentioned in Sherlock Holmes stories), HOODLUM, LEONARD, NIACIN (49D. B vitamin), RAIN HAT (58A. Shower cap?), SPEEDO and SPREAD, WRITER.

Five-letter — ACADS, Take out for A SPIN, ATOMS, EMERY, FACET, INURE, MINEO (66A. Actor Sal), NOMAD, OSAGE (3D. Missouri river or tribe), RHINE (54D. German river whose valley is known for wine), ROSIE, STETS, TOROS, TULIP.

Short stuff — ALI, ARF, AROD, ASA and ASAP, ASH, CUL-de-sac, DDE, DICT, DOLL, DOT, EON, ERA of Good Feelings, ERIC, ESSO, FOE, FRA, “HEAR no evil …”, IAMS and ISMS, INA and INS, “I SAY, old chap!“, LIDO, LON, MLS, MOP, NARY, OHMS, OPUS, OSS, RENO, REV, “SEE no evil …”, SEGA Genesis, TKOS, TROI.

“I drink too much. The last time I gave a urine sample it had an olive in it." ~ Rodney Dangerfield

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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. Parts of molecules; 6. Schools for cadets: Abbr.; 11. Tip of a Tiparillo, e.g.; 14. Funnywoman O’Donnell; 15. Flower from Holland; 16. Enemy; 19. Robert Browning’s “___ Lippo Lippi”; 24. Pet food brand; 26. Raggedy Ann, e.g.; 31. Take out for ___ (test-drive); 34. Old U.S. gas brand with a tiger symbol; 35. Quiet ___ mouse; 36. Mayo or cream cheese; 38. Journalist, e.g.; 41. Heavyweight champ after Liston; 42. Resistance units; 46. Kind of board at a nail salon; 51. U.S.S. Enterprise counselor; 52. Musical work; 53. Sound at a kennel; 56. Conductor Bernstein; 61. ___ and outs; 64. Prez before J.F.K.; 65. Accustom; 67. C.I.A. forerunner; 68. Wanderer; 69. Opposite of deletes, in typesetting. — DOWN: 1. Nickname of a Yankee with a $275 million contract; 2. Bulls in bullfights; 4. Popular Christmas dessert; 5. ___ Genesis (old video game console); 6. Being risked; 7. ___-de-sac (dead-end street); 8. Noms de plume; 9. Webster’s, e.g.: Abbr.; 10. Big name in small swimwear; 11. Station that’s part of a TV network; 12. Sour grapes type; 18. Attorney General Holder; 22. Actor Chaney; 25. Org. with the New York Red Bulls and Los Angeles Galaxy; 28. Once ___ lifetime; 20. ___ Jones Industrials; 30. Not any; 31. P.D.Q.; 33. Flowers on a proverbial path; 37. .; 39. Title for Mike Huckabee: Abbr.; 43. Gangster; 44. Swab, as a floor; 48. Long time; 55. Side of a diamond; 56. Adriatic resort near Venice; 57. Nevada city near Lake Tahoe; 59. Beliefs; 60. Bout enders, for short.

07.24.11 — Nine of Diamonds

The American National Game of Baseball, 1866, 

 a Currier & Ives lithograph depicting an early baseball game  

played at Elysian Fields, Hoboken, New Jersey 

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Sunday, July 24, 2011

NINE OF DIAMONDS, Puzzle by Kurt Mueller / Edited by Will Shortz

An enead of baseball terminology takes a hit with this winning Sunday crossword featuring nine clues that give those nine phrases of the game of the diamond a whole different meaning.

• BOX SCORES (23A. Cuts in a cardboard container?)
• CALLED OUT AT FIRST (31A. Yelled initially?)
• FAIR BALL (44A. So-so formal dance?)
• WALKED IN A RUN (46A. Went far too slowly during the 10K?0
• SWING FOR THE FENCES (63A. Piece of black-market playground equipment?)
• BATTING ORDER (83A. Wool or cotton purchase request?)
• FOUL TIPS (85A. Disgusting advice?)
• BOTTOM OF THE FIFTH (98A. Whiskey bottle dregs?)
• FULL COUNT (113A. Nobleman after a banquet?)

Ha, ha!

Other — A LITTLE (47D. Not much), ARTERY, AT LAST, BELIEF, CANADA, CHALET, DRY OFF, ENFIELD (77A. Northernmost borough of London), HARASS, IDEOGRAM (84D. Emoticon, e.g.), LOOPHOLE (27A. Tax lawyer’s find), NO EVIL, NOT OFTEN (14D. Seldom), OPEN IT, ORISON, O’TOOLE, RASCAL, REALTORS (109A. People whose jobs include giving tours), RESCUE, RENEWS, RUBS IT IN (51D. Adds insult to injury, say), SHIRTS, SLENDER, SMOOCH, SPEWERS, STOOP TO, STRIDE, TEENSY, TIME SLOT (39D. Schedule opening).

Five-letter — “I don’t give A DARN!”, ALOOF, AMBLE, ANTSY, AREEL, ARETE, ASCAP, ASTER and ASTOR, ATEAT, ATTYS, AVOIR, BRAGG, CARLA, CLANG, COBRA, CORAL, CROON, ELIOT, ENORM, ERNIE, EXXON, FED IN, FIEFS, FRUIT, GILDA (114A. Rita Hayworth‘s femme fatale title role of 1946), GLEEM, INANE, LEILA, LILAC, LOUTS, MISTS, NISEI, NOAHS, NOSSER, OBAMA, O’NEAL, OPRAH, PIN-ON, REORG, SHALT, SMART, SPLAT, TAPIR, TELLA, TETRA.

Short stuff — ACE, AMIN, APB, ASCH, CAPE, CEO, DOOR, EIN, ELMS, ENNE, ERI, FAS, FEZ, “What FOR?“, ICE, INK, IONA, KGS, LECH, LEE and LIE and LIP, “Use the Force, LUKE,” MAO, MRX, NANU, NAPA, NGO, ODE, ODOR, PDA, PLEA, PTS, RED and REED, ROPE, SALE, SER and SET, SOB, STAG, STEP, TIE, WAH, YEST.

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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. Crackerjack; 4. Org. fighting pirates; 9. Pink shade; 14. Wyle and Webster; 19. Many of mystery; 20. Stylish; 21. Mountain ridge; 22. Hit TV show that ended in 2011; 25. American-born Japanese; 26. Prefix with meter or ethylene; 28. Heel; 29. 7’1” former N.B.A. star; 30. Feminine suffix; 34. Nursery noise; 36. Empty; 27. 26 of the 44 U.S. presidents: Abbr.; 38. Instruction part; 40. Beach site, maybe; 42. It might be skipped; 54. State symbols of North Dakota and Massachusetts; 58. Leader who said “All reactionaries are paper tigers”; 48. Arizona is the only state to have one; 59. Attach to; 61. “Rocks”; 62. Certain helicopter; 69. Cousin of keypunch; 71. ___ for life; 72. Purple shade; 73. Press; 78. It comes out in the wash; 81. Freud’s one; 82. Antlered animal; 87. Way out; 88. 24 hrs. ago; 90. Isle of the Inner Hebrides; 91. Brown-___; 94. New York’s historic ___ Library; 97. Top of a ladder?: Abbr.; 103. Courtroom entry; 107. Corporate shake-up, for short; 108. Beyond ___; 111. To have, in Le Havre; 115. Effects of many waterfalls; ; 116. Felt bad; 117. Bind; 118. Toothpaste brand once advertised as having the secret ingredient GL -70; 119. Not settled; 120. Hits and runs; 121. Rev.’s address. — DOWN: 1. Mosey; 2. Perform Hawaiian music, say; 3. Shell alternative; 4. “Uncle Moses” novelist Sholem; 5. Smack; 6. French first lady __ Bruni-Sarkozy; 7. Staggering; 8. Game tally: Abbr.; 9. It was invaded in the War of 1812; 10. Prayer; 11. Airlift, maybe; 12. Really bugged; 13. Orphan girl in Byron’s “Don Juan”; 14. Seldom; 15. Urging at a birthday party; 16. I-5 through Los Angeles, e.g.; 17. Heckle, e.g.; 18. Thou followers?; 24. Some volcanoes; 25. Doesn’t stop, in a way; 32. Pitcher part; 33. Animal with a snout; 38. Urgent transmission, for short; 38. Result of a pitch, perhaps; 40. Trolley sound; 41. Distant; 42. Side in checkers; 43. Metered praise; 44. Tasseled topper; 46. Leader exiled in 1979; 47. Not much; 48. Nobelist Walesa; 49. Queen’s request, maybe; 50. Skin cream ingredient; 52. Land on the Sea of Asov: Abbr.; 53. Cultural org.; 59. Stomach area; 60. Deferential denial; 62. Junk bond rating; 64. Something on a hog?; 65. Stalk by a stream; 66. Feudal lands; 67. Ex-governor Spitzer of New York; 68. When repeated, a TV sign-off; 69. Kind of story; 70. Hi-tech organizer; 74. Sonoma neighbor; 75. Metric wts.; 77. Vast, in verse; 78. Vietnam’s ___ Dinh Diem; 80. Towel; 82. Reach at a lower level; 86. See 102-Down; 89. “___ tu” (Verdi aria); 91. Words following see, hear and speak; 92. 1972 Best Actor nominee for “The Ruling Class”; 93. Winning length in a horse race; 94. Finally; 95. Side in a pickup game; 98. Minute; 97. Swiss quarters?; 98. Confederate general who won at Chickamauga; 99. Noted 1991 Harvard Laaw grad; 100. Supplied, as data; 101. Slot machine symbols, often; 102. With 86-Down, what Washington purportedly could not do; 104. Boors; 105. Banks who was known as Mr. Cub; 106. Late bloomer; 110 Some notebook screens, for short; 113. Fourth notes.