09.30.11 — K as in ...

Ancient Sound, Paul Klee 1925

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Friday, September 30, 2011

Puzzle by Joe Krozel / Edited by Will Shortz

With a streak of seven K’s running diagonally through the center, this Friday crossword offers an otherwise colorful assortment of clues and answers, evenly familiar and unfamiliar.

Across — 1. Many viviparous births, LITTERS; 8. Where many beads are formed, PORES; 13. Pretty good result for a golf round, ONE OVER; 14. Without incident, SAFELY; 15. Coyote, say, to a Western rancher; 16. Subject of the 2001 book subtitled “The Shock of the Century”, SPUTNIK; 17. Stumble, ERR; 18. Like many resorts, COASTAL; 20. Expression of praise, ODE; 21. Clouds, TAINTS; 23. Toppers popular with jazzmen, PORK PIES; 25. 1958 Pulitzer-winning novelist and family, AGEES; 26. His character had the signature line “Book ‘em, Danno”, JACK LORD; 27. Territory on a Risk board, PERU; 28. Like stools and many benches, BACKLESS; 29. Event for many a dashing young man, TRACK MEET; 31. Having been overexposed to the sun, maybe, FRECKLED; 32. Unrefined sort, BOOR; 36. Officially starts work, CLOCKS IN; 37. “Nature’s lay idiot, I taught thee to love” penner, DONNE; 38. Sea food, PLANKTON; 39. Points of view?, PIXELS; 40. “Chariots of Fire” co-star Charleson, IAN; 41. Doesn’t go away, LINGERS; 43. Things to drive off of, TEE; 44. Choices for snaps, GINGERS; 46. Like some Internet searches, BOOLEAN; 48. GREASE monkey; 49. Least desirably, AT WORST; 50. Sounds from a 3-Down, YELPS; 51. They’re far from stars, NO NAMES.

Actor Buster Keaton made thousands of pork pie hats for personal use in his films.

Down — 1. Slight show of affection, LOVE TAP; 2. Going ballistic, IN A RAGE; 3. One producing 50-Across, TERRIER; 4. Petty recording, TOM; 5. Boots, EVICTS; 6. “RENO’S Most Wanted” (“best-of” compilation of a popular TV cop show); 7. Miss hitting a piñata?: Abbr., SRTA; 8. Bauhaus artist and teacher, PAUL KLEE; 9. “OFT I had heard of Lucy Gray”: Wordsworth; 10. “La Loge” and “La Grenouillère”, RENOIRS; 11. Skipped over, ELIDED; 12. General George at Gettysburg, SYKES; 14. Performed brilliantly, SPARKLED; 16. Warehouse workers, STOCKMEN; 19. Job for some wall fixers, SPACKLING; 22. Deuterium has one, NEUTRON; 24. London letter getter, POST BOX; 26. Twenties, JACKSONS; 28. Wheelie supporter, BACK TIRE; 30. Daredevilish, RECKLESS; 31. Muleta material;, FLANNEL; 33. Four years as governor, say, ONE TERM; 34. Like most apartments, ON LEASE; 35. Minds, RESENTS; 36. Danes featured in films, CLAIRE; 37. Renounce, DISOWN; 38. Little digit?, PIGGY; 39. Prefix with type, PROTO; 42. Israel’s first U.N. delegate, EBAN; 45. Orthodontist’s concern, GAP; 47. Mauna LOA.

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09.29.11 — PLUS

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Puzzle by Ben Fish / Edited by Will Shortz

A note accompanies this Thursday crossword, “Two hints for 17- and 57-Across and 11- and 26-Down appear somewhere in this puzzle.” There appears a black-square 8x8 plus sign in the center of the crossword and four circles at the outer four corners containing the letters P L U and S, along with GRADE BONUS, MATH SYMBOL, NICE QUALITY and POSITIVE END, all clued as [See blurb].

Other — ANTIQUE, ARSENIC, AT TIMES, CUPCAKE, DESPAIR, ECSTASY, EPONYM, NOTEPAD, PEERAGE, PESTERS, PROFESS, SAUSAGE (8D. Link in the food chain?), SAVANTS, STOOGES, ROPE TOW, THE SIMS (43A. Best-selling PC game released in 2000).

Five-letter — AARON, BAKER, CSPAN, ERI TU, GINSU, HONES, IRATE, IRENE, LEVEE, MAORI, POP UP, SIMON, SNAFU, STABS, UTERO, “YES WE can”.

Short stuff — ADO, AREA, ARI, BOA (60D. Flapper wrapper), DIRE, DCIV, EIRE, ERA, ETE, FOND, ION exchange, IST, LIE and LIS, Bath MAT, MAE, MTNS, NAE, ODD duck, “The ONE L lama, he‘s a priest“, ORB and ORR, PANT, PEA, PIG, PISA, RAF, ROAR, SED and SEM and SEN, SRAS, RAF, ROAR, TIP, TRA, UND and UNDO.

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Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. Easy catch; 65. Site of some Galileo experiments; 14. Dutch princess who’s the daughter of Queen Juliana; 15. Air show sound; 16. Grievous; 19. Year St. Augustine of Canterbury died; 20. Org. with a target like mark on its flag; 21. Scholl yr. section; 23. Time for a pique-nique, maybe; 24. Honeybun; 28. Ming jar, e.g.; 30. Second bananas; 31. Kind of knife; 32. Bugs; 33. Seventh heaven; 36. N.L. West team, on scoreboards; 37. Fairy tale; 38. Reporter’s aid; 47. Hot; 48. Simple ski lift; 49. Learned ones; 51 Analgesic; 52. Scot’s negative; 53. Service award?; 54. Upper body: Abbr.; 63. Enamored (of); 64. Home for Samuel Beckett; 65. Language known to native speakers as “te reo”; 66. Reverse; 67. Esposas: Abbr.; 68. Tries. — DOWN: 1. Glutton; 2. Bomber pilot in “Catch-22”; 3. Green globule; 4. German connection; 5. British aristocracy; 6. Claim; 9. #33 on a table; 12. Baritone piece sung by Renato; 13. New Orleans sight; 18. Sondheim’s Mrs. Lovett, e.g.; 22. Range parts: Abbr.; 24. Airer of hearings; “In ___,” Nirvana album; 27. Prison staple; 29. Suffix with real or surreal; 34. One who says a lot in a game; 35. “___ can” (campaign slogan); 39. The Depression, e.g.; 40. Runners do it; 41. Occasionally; 42. Hopelessness; 43. Wrecks; 44. Puts an edge on; 45. Curie, Kelvin and Fermi; 46. But: Lat.; 49. Major mess; 50. Sorkin who wrote “The Social Network”; 56. Shakespearean stir; 58. La-la lead-in; 61. Sphere; 62. French flower.

09.28.11 — CL OUT

TKO by Eric Carter

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Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Puzzle by Steve Salitan / Edited by Will Shortz

CL OUT (or CLOUT) clued as Influence … and a hint to 20-, 26-, 46- and 56-Across, along with EAR CUT SOLUTION (20A. Iodine in barber’s first-aid kit?), ASS DISMISSED (26A. Doofus given a pink slip?), AIMS ADJUSTOR (46A. One modifying goals?) and ASH OF THE TITANS (56A. Cronus and Rhea’s barbecue remains?) constitute the interrelated group of this Wednesday crossword. That’s right, clear-cut solution, class dismissed, claims adjustor and clash of the titans …

Other — ANT FARM (39A. Hobby kit with a colony), BICOASTAL (11D. Like a New York/Los Angeles romance, CATCH-ALL (4D. Odds-and-ends category), DULLARD (36A. Dim bulb, so to speak), FORETOLD (41D. Predicted), OLD MASTER (33D. Rembrandt, notably), ON TOPIC (7D. Germane), REDD FOXX (37D. Player of a TV junkman), RUSHDIE (44D. “The Satanic Verses” novelist), SET-UP MAN (9D. Eighth-inning hurler, often).

Mid-size — ADEPT, ALERT, AMOLE, ATLAS, BOSSED, DAFOE, EMAILS, ETHAN, KOLAS (45A. Caffeine-laden nuts), NO FEE, ONE-UP, PEACE, SAHARA, SEES IN, THETA.

Short stuff — AAND, ABS, ACOW, ACRE, ACTA, ADIA, ANO and ANON, BOIS, BRER, CPA, DEMS, DEPT, DRJ, EBAY, EDO, ERR, ESAU, EZRA, ICEL, INCA, IND, MINE, MUNI, NTH, ONCE, ORDS, PATE, POLA (25A. Vamp Negri), SEA and SEN, SERA, SETT, SPA, STET, TDS, TKO (40D. End-of-fight letters), TNT, TOI, TRIM, TZE, XIII, XMEN, YEW.

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Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. 1960s “Bye!”; 6. ___ de Boulogne (Paris park); 10. Web site with a “Buy It Now” option; 14. Trip planner’s aid; 15. Way back when; 16. Miser’s cry; 17. Angle symbol, in trigonometry; 18. Mark in a margin; 19. Have ___ (lose it); 23. Ultimate degree; 24. Passbook abbr.; 31. Root used as a soap substitute; 34. Balancing pro; 35. Philosopher Mo-___; 36. Dim bulb, so to speak; 39. Hobby kit with a colony; 42. Sans affiliation: Abbr.; 43. Muff; 51. Texas ___ M; 52. One with a 6-yr. term; 53. Tokyo, to shoguns; 60. Official proceedings; 61. Municipal laws: Abbr.; 62. Like some checking accounts; 63. Title in an Uncle Remus story; 64. Unlucky number for Caesar?; 66. Anti-snakebite supplies, e.g.; 67. Superheroes of comics; 68. Well-versed. — DOWN: 1. Party spread; 2. One of the Coens; 3. Argus-eyed; 5. Son of Isaac; 6. Ordered (around); 8. Home of the Eyjafjallajökull volcano: Abbr.; 10. Many résumé submissions, these days; 12. In a bit; 13. Bow wood; 21. Results of most 100-yd. returns; 22. You, to Yves; 27. Serpent’s home; 28. Curative locale; 29. Cornell of Cornell University; 30. 2012 Charlotte conventioneers: Abbr.;31. Sarah McLachlan hit; 32. Bond that’s often tax-free, for short; 38. Hoopster Erving, to fans; 40. End-of-fight letters; 47. Much of Libya; 48. May is part of it; 49. Greets at the door; 50. What might make molehills out of a mountain?; 54. Willem of “Platoon”; 55. Best; 56. Spread unit; 57. At one’s fighting weight, say; 58. Machu Picchu builder; 59. Paving stone; 60. Gym rat’s “six-pack”.

09.27.11 — Countries

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Puzzle by Peter A. Collins / Edited by Will Shortz

COUNTRIES (34D. Sovereign lands … or what are hidden in the answers to the six starred clues), e.g., KENYA, ITALY, PERU, OMAN, MALI and CHINA, along with the six answers, constitutes the interrelated group of this odd Tuesday crossword. The six countries are found in CHICKEN YARD (17A. *Area in front of a coop), DIGITAL YEARBOOK (23A. *Modern school memento), ROPERUG (35A. *Braided floor covering), TOO MANY (37A. *More than enough), ANIMAL INSTINCTS (50A. *Elemental parts of human nature) and CATCH IN A LIE (57A. *Discover to be fibbing).

Other — AMINO, AVERSE, BERETS, DEARER, DRY EYES (7D. They may be hard to find at a tearjerker), EENSY, HEINZ, HEREON, HITTER, I-BEAMS, INURED, LEAVE, LORNA, LUCCI, MAROON, ME TIME, NEALE, PALACE, PIPIT (44A. Larklike bird), PIXIES, RIMSKY, SLIER, TEN ACRE, TODDLE, THE WALRUS (5D. Character in a Beatles song).

Short stuff — ACLU, ALEC, ALI and AMI and ARI, and also ALL, CAB and CAW, CEE, CPA, DOOR, EDS, EEO, END, ERN, ESE, ETA, EXPO, GOOP, HST, ICH, IMP, INDO, IONS, KATS, LAME, LAX and LUXE, LING (26D. When repeated, a noted panda), MAR, NAST, ODOM, OEN and ONO, REPO and ROE, RIM, RITA (36D. “Lovely“ Beatles girl), RNS, SLAV, TIS and TRIS, TRU, VAC, VIAL, YVES, ZION.

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Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. Medicine holder; 5. Walk ungracefully; 11. Nick, say; 14. Rights advocacy grp.; 15. This point forward; 16. Bon ___; 19. Grand Canyon part; 20. Cornfield call; 21. Sea eagle; 22. Some Saturns; 28. Beatle lover; 29. More clever; 30. Wee, informally; 31. Baseball’s Blue Moon; 33. O.R. figures; 34. One working with checks and balances, for short; 41. “___ the season”; 42. Play about Capote; 43. Bosnian, e.g.; 47. Ore-Ida parent company; 49. Language suffix; 53. Posh; 54. Letter from Homer?; 55. ___ v. Wade; 56. Former White House press secretary Fleischer; 62. Bee follower; 63. Opposed (to); 64. Hobbling, say; 65. Actors Burns and Wynn; 66. Guardian Angels’ toppers; 67. Even with booths. — DOWN: 1. Hoover or Oreck, for short; 2. German “I”; 3. Noted 1964 convert to Islam; 4. Susan of soaps; 6. Wine: Prefix; 8. More loved; 9. “___ Doone”; 10. Knock off; 11. Strand; 12. Some acids; 13. Composer ___-Korsakov; 18. Kit ___ (chocolate bars); 22. Metal supports in skyscrapers; 23. Opportunity, metaphorically; 24. ___-European; 25. Sticky stuff; 27. Takeback, briefly; 32. Break from responsibilities, informally; 38. Actor Baldwin; 39. Creator of the G.O.P. elephant; 40. The “Y” in Y.S.L.; 42. Like a small farm, perhaps; 44. France’s Élysée, for one; 45. Hardened; 46. Fairies; 47. One getting lots of doubles and home runs, say; 48. The Jewish people; 51. It might be taken by a sailor; 52. Author Zora ___ Hurston; 57. Request inside (or outside?) a wine bar; 58. Pres. When NATO was formed; 59. Loosey-goosey; 68. Mischief-maker; 61. Fair-hiring inits.

09.26.11 — Measure for Measure

Monday, September 26, 2011

Puzzle by David Gray / Edited by Will Shortz

BACK (67A. Word that can follow the start of 20-, 38- or 50-Across), QUARTER POUNDERS (20A. Some McDonald’s burgers), HALF BLOOD PRINCE (38A. Part of a 2005 Harry Potter title), and FULL METAL JACKET (50A. 1987 Stanley Kubrick classic) constitute the interrelated group of this Monday crossword.  Oh... wait... is that football?!

Other — ADMIRE (25A. Look up to), FAJITA (46D. Tex-Mex wrap), INFIDELITY (28D. Cheating on a spouse), IN HERE (5D. “Yoo-hoo” response), LOADED DICE (10D. Items for gamblers who cheat).

Five-letter — ABHOR, ACT IN, AUNTS, BUENO, COP TO, DENTI, DUANE, DRAYS, ELENA, FOOLS, LORNE, MELEE, OASIS, OMNIS, PLASM, RAISA, SCONE, SLASH, TACIT, TEARS, THROB, USAIN, USURP.

Short stuff — AMIS, APSE, ARIA and ASIA and ASEA, BOAR, CHIP, CRAB, DATE, DUAL, EON, ERIC, ESAI, FLU, FUDD, HAIL, HESS, HILO, HOSS, HRS, ITCH, KAMA Sutra, LADY Gaga, LAMA and LANA, LEST, NEHI, ONEI, ORLY, PAS, PERU, RARA, REED, RES, SEE, SHAQ, SORE, SPAT, STIR, TASK, TELL, TSAR, USER.

Check this out!  Fall Gala Crossword Giveaway (Elizabeth Gorsky).

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Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. Little argument; 5. Result of a mosquito bite; 9. / ; 14. Gas company famous for its toy trucks; 15.. Classic soda brand; 16. Acknowledge as true, as a crime; 17. Operatic solo; 18. Signal, as a cab; 19. Common mirage image; 23. Four-baggers: Abbr.; 24. View; 25. Look up to; 29. It might make you go “Achoo!;; 31. January 1 for the Rose Bowl, e.g.; 35. Good, in Guatemala; 36. Wild pig; 37. ___ exhaust; 41. “That’s ___ haven’t heard”; 42. Paris airport; 43. Be a cast member of; 44. Double-___ (oboe, e.g.); 45. Bus. Opposite; 46. Party south of the border; 47. Years on end; 49,. Partners for mas; 59. Lightning-fast Bolt; 60. Actor Morales; 61. ___ avis; 62. Tooth: Prefix; 63. For fear that; 64. French friends; 65. Heavy carts; 66. Tibetan priest. — DOWN: 1. N.B.A. nickname until 2011; 2. Llama land; 3. It’s north of the Indian Ocean; 4. Former Russian royal; 6. They may stream down the cheeks; 7. Chocolate-___; 8. Hawaiian port; 9. English biscuit served with tea; 10. Items for gamblers who cheat; 11. Area that may have stained-glas windows; 12. Use a teaspoon in tea, e.g.; 13. “Bonanza” brother; 21. Pulsate painfully;22. Improperly seize; 25. Despise; 26. One of the Allman Brothers; 27. Bawl; 29. April 1 victims; 32. Female relations; 33. Not said explicitly; 34. 1941 chart-topper “Maria ___’; 36. Drill a hole; 39. Michaels of “S.N.L.”; 40. Mrs. Gorbachev; 46. Tex-Mex wrap; 48. Old Dodges; 40. Ecto- or proto- ending; 50. Elmer with double-barreled shotgun; 51. Manipulator; 52. Actress Turner; 53. Explain to; 54. On an ocean voyage; 55. Creature that sidles; 57. Attorney General Holder; 58. Work to do.

09.25.11 — Bath & Math — the Acrostic

Sunday, September 25, 2011

ACROSTIC, Puzzle by Emily Cox and Henry Rathvon

Edited by Will Shortz

This Sunday’s crossword draws a quotation fron Jennifer Ouellette’s The Calculus Diaries: How Math Can Help You Lose Weight, Win in Vegas, and Survive a Zombie Apocalypse.

"If, like me, you love the neatness of calculus but never appreciated its applications or the colourful characters who have used it through history, then these diaries are well worth a read." - New Scientist, amazon.com

The quotation: ARCHIMEDES… WAS THE QUINTESSENTIAL MATH NERD… PLUTARCH TELLS HOW… (his) SERVANTS HAD TO FORCIBLY BATHE THEIR PREOCCUPIED MASTER, WHO WOULD SKETCH GEOMETRICAL FIGURES IN… OILS THAT ANOINTED HIS NAKED BODY AFTER BATH TIME.

The author’s name and the title of the work: OUELLETTE CALCULUS DIARIES

The defined words:

A. Not particularly tailored (hyph.), OFF-THE-RACK
B. Facial feature of Bert the Muppet, UNIBROW
C. Have a helping of crow (2 wds.), EAT DIRT
D. Book with columns of writing, LEDGER
E. Rotten, horrid, odious, vile, LOATHSOME
F. “ESCHEW the monumental. Shun the Epic” (Hemingway)
G. Old ballroom dance in duple meter (hyph.), TWO-STEP
H. Prince Myshkin, to Dostoyevsky (2 wds.), THE IDIOT
I. All; from A to Z (2 wds.), EVERY BIT
J. Work apt to be in the public domain, CLASSIC
K. Hampshire College site, AMHERST
L. Best-selling book series concerned with the end of the world (2 wds.), LEFT BEHIND
M. Prime minister after Brown, CAMERON
N. Particle first observed in 1968, UPQUARK
O. Gave in to despair (2 wds.), LOST HEART
P. Single, informally, UNHITCHED
Q. Impale on a rod for sorting, as a piece of paper, SPINDLE
R. “Illegitimi non carborundum,” e.g., (2 wds.), DOG LATIN
S. Where Penelope awaited her husband’s return, ITHACA
T. Joy and sorrow, or heaven and hell, ANTITHESES
U. Postgame treatment from a trainer, RUBDOWN
V. Sailor under Captain Ahab, ISHMAEL
W. Coarse, simple and natural, EARTHY
X. The farthest thing from a flop (2 wds.), SMASH HIT

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09.25.11 — Twisted

Sunday, September 25, 2011

ENTWISTED, Puzzle by Paul Hansberger / Edited by Will Shortz

The capital letter of N twisted 90 degrees to become the capital letter Z affecting a change in eight standard phrases constitutes the interrelated group of this tedious Sunday crossword.

GREAT DAZE (21A. Result of being badly beaned?)
EMPTY ZESTER (23A. Scraping kitchen gadget with nothing in it?)
MAIZE LOBSTER (45A. Pale yellow-shelled sea creature?)
SEE JUSTICE DOZE (60A. View the effects of a big lunch in court?)
HIGH-LIGHTER PEZ (67. Fluorescent candy?)
FRASIER CRAZE (92A. “Cheers” spinoff mania?)
EMPEROR ZERO (113A. Hapless Roman ruler?)
KIDZAPPER (115A. Taser for children?)

Other — AL PACINO, DISAGREE, GROUPIES, HOMEMAKERS, IT’S ALL GOOD (13D. “No worries“), POOR PEOPLE, REVERSER, ROAD HAZARD, RUMP ROAST, WHAT THE HEY (27D. “Why not!”).

Seven-letter — AS A RULE, ASSURES,ATTEMPT, CREATOR, DEBASES, FREE RUN, KEILLOR (54D. Garrulous Garrison), MASKING, SIMILAR, SOLACED.

Six — APPEAR, CAPTOR (10D. Polyphemus, to Odysseus), COLLET, GETS IN, HEARST, LIMPID, MUDCAT, SAW BIT, SENDER, SHALOM, TREATS and TREATY, URGE ON, UGLIES.

Five — A AND W, AGAZE. ALAMO, AMASS, “The only rule is that there ARE NO rules“, Hit A SOUR note, Mea CULPA, DIANA, EN LAI, ENROL, GRAVE, HEARS, HEINZ, IDEAS, INLET, LATTE, OBEYS, PITAN, RAVES, RENEE, SAY NO, SMORE, STOLE, STORK, TOE IN, TONGA, TONNE, YIKES, ZELIG, ZONES.

Short stuff — AGA, ALEE, AMMO, AMY, ANT, ATTA, AURA, CIA, DAZS, DIM, DUE, EGAD, ERAS, ETUI, EURO, EYES, GRAM, HAM, HIKE, HOTS, IAS, IOU, IRAN, JAR, KILT, LAHR, LAVA, LEVY, MANN, MAWR, MAYS, MCM, MEGA, MES and MESH, MYTH, NERD, NFL, NITE, OLAV, REAP, REAL, ROI, ROTC, SATE, SCAM, SEEP, SELF, SEVE, SPAY, SPOT, STEM, TVS, WADI, WED, WREN, YULE, ZIP (117D. Goose egg), ZSA.

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Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. Bryn ___ College; 5. Often-parched gully; 9. Goal of phishing; 13. Where the Baha’i faith originated; 17. It entered circulation in 2002; 18. “My heavens!”; 19. 1997 best seller subtitled “Her True Story”; 20. Lifted; 25. Big name in root beer; 26. Drill attachment with teeth; 28. Offered a shoulder to cry on, say; 29. Cry after a series of numbers; 32. ___ Meir Tower, Israel’s first skyscraper; 34. CBS’s “The ___ Today”; 35. “Author! Author!” star, 1982; 39 Broadly speaking; 41. Leonine movie star of old; 47. Differ; 49. Contraction before boy or girl; 50. October haul; 51. Yeaqr the Paris Metro opened; 52. Front-wheel alignment; 53. Vlasic pickles mascot; 55. That babies come from a 53-Across, e.g.; 56. Gather; 57. English weight; 58. Return address info; 63. Promise of a sort; 65. Person with a headset, maybe; 66. A bit slow; 75. Materialize; 80. Register, to a Brit; 81. It’s an imposition; 82. Show shock, in a way; 84. Land of King George Tupou V; 85. Memorable mission; 86. ___ in ink; 87. Jewelry setting; 89. Alternative to Ole or Edvard; 90. “R” card in Uno, in effect; 94. Stanch; 95. Eases the misgivings of; 97. Star-struck entourage; 98. Funny Poehler; 100. Allies have one; 102. Post-solstice celebration; 103. Kind of tape; 107 Arrives; 109. Crew; 118. Campfire treat; 120. Tiny-scissors holder; 121. Cone former; 122. Desire, with “the”; 123. “Buddenbrooks” novelist; 124. Trickle; 125. They can be prying or crying. — DOWN: 1. Very, informally; 2. Charismatic effect; 3. St. Paul’s architect; 4. Downed power lines, e.g.; 5. Bonded; 6. Turkish V.I.P.; 7. Haagen-___; 8. Things to think about; 9. Almost matching; 11. Kind of colony; 12. Giant who made “The Catch,” 1954; 14. Mil. Educators; 15. Sheltered; 16. Quiz bowl lover; 19. Corrupts; 20. Miror image; 22. Over again; 24. Daydreams, with “out”; 30. Black Watch soldier’s garb; 33. Scavenging Southern food fish; 35. Stock pile; 35. Foamy mugful; 37. Climbing aid; 38. Falls into line; 40. Clear; 43. Pittsburgh-based food giant; 44. Soprano Fleming; 46. Glut; 48. Take a whack at; 51. My, in Bretagne; 54. Garrulous Garrison; 56. Entrees sometimes prepared in crockpots; 59. Charles, e.g.; 61. Tipping point?; 62. Subj. of 2005 Pulitzer-winning book “Ghost Wars”; 64. Hags, e.g.; 67. Picks up; 69. Possible lagoon entrance; 69. Serious; 70. Unemployed persons with full-time jobs; 71. California’s ___ Castle; 72. O.T.B. conveniences; 73. Slender fish; 74. 1983 Woody Allen film; 76. Less fortunate; 77. China’s Zhou ___; 78. Visually transfixed; 79. Reviewers’ comments on book jacks, typically; 83. Distrustful; 87. God, with “the”; 88. Cut-off pants?; 91. Not consent; 92. Like some chickens; 96. Cheer for; 99. Swamp; 101. “My heavens!”; 103. Mosquito protection; 104. Cartridge filler; 105. “Great” red feature of Jupiter; 105. Fat unit; 108. The ___ Owl, “L.A. Confidential” coffee shop; 110. Fix; 111. Gold great Ballesteros; 112. Timeline segments; 114. When repeated, name in old Hollywood; 116. Outstanding.

09.24.11 — In Search of the Gist

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Puzzle by Jeremy Horwitz / Edited by Will Shortz

Across — 1. Bit of miner’s gear, HEADLAMP; 9. Go for first, PREFER; 15. Take pains, ENDEAVOR; 16. Where it’s at, LOCALE; 17. Upbeat, POSITIVE; 18. Much of Micronesia, ATOLLS; 19. Use a Zen garden, MEDITATE; 21. Gloating cry, SEE; 22. Disallowed FedEx destination, P O BOX; 25. EERO Aarnio, innovative furniture designer; 26. Put on cloud nine, SENT; 27. Spacewalks and moonwalks, briefly, EVAS; 28. Put back in order?, STET; 29. Direction for a boxer, SIC; 30. Tip for a writer, NIB; 31. Creator of many 38-Across, JOHN GRISHAM; 35. Response to “Thanks so much”, ANYTIME; 37. Once-common urban skyline sights, AERIALS; 38. Many 31-Across characters, LEGAL EAGLES; 40. Free, RID; 41. See 42-Across, OUT; 42. With 41-Across, discuss, TALK; 43. Kellogg’s brand, EGGO; 44. Wrigley sticks?, BATS; 46. Characteristic governor, GENE; 47. Bakers’ dozen, maybe?, OVENS; 48. Mars, e.g., ORB; 49. Title for Wallis Simpson, HER GRACE; 51. Opening for the wrist or the back?, SLAP ON; 53. Attend the lectures of, SIT UNDER; 57. Curve-cutting line, SECANT; 58. She played Jane in “Fun With Dick and Jane,” 2005, TEA LEONI; 59. Where traditional bloomers gather, ANKLES; 60. Aim for, ASPIRE TO.

Down — 1. Cool, once, HEP; 2. “Warszawa” instrumentalist, ENO; 3. Much e-mail, ADS; 4. Martian moon, DEIMOS; 5. Glove material, LATEX; 6. Like noisy fans, AVID; 7. Place to witness a big scene?, MOVIE THEATER; 8. What a bar mitzvah recently was, PRE-TEEN; 9. “Apology” author, PLATO; 10. Drills that can bore, ROTE; 11. Conscious beginning?, ECO; 12. Bum rap, FALSE CHARGE; 13. Astronaut Ochoa, ELLEN; 14. Fix, as ribs?, RESET; 20. Nude showers?, ART GALLERIES; 22. Kind of code, PENAL; 23. Like ones that are fleeced, OVINE; 24. Bum rap?, BABY GOT BACK; 26. Aye-aye relative?, SI SI; 28. Certain, SOME; 29. Sean Connery and Roger Moore, e.g., SIRS; 31. End it with suddenly, JILT; 32. Be mephitic, REEK; 33. Associate (with), ALIGN; 34. Kind of PC command, MS DOS; 36. Certain crosses, TAUS; 39. Ice-T or Ice Cube persona, GANGSTA; 43. Plane, e.g., EVENER; 44. Nova preceder, BOSSA; 45. Composer nominated for an Oscar for “Blues in the Night”, ARLEN; 46. Lavatory label, GENTS; 47. Circular windows, OCULI; 49. Make more efficient, HONE; 50. “A TAP at the pane”: Robert Browning; 52. Mate, PAL; 54. DOE-eyed; 55. Fictional creature whose name is Old English for “giant”, ENT; 56. Museu do Indio site, RIO.

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09.23.11 — The Equinox and Et Cetera

Autumn Equinox by Cov1ous

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Friday, September 23, 2011 — the Equinox

Puzzle by Mike Nothnagel / Edited by Will Shortz

Across — 1. It has rock bands, AGATE; 6. Pooh-pooh, SNEEZE AT; 14. SABER-toothed; 15. Informal show of approval?, STANDING O,  fine example HERE; 16. Stroll; AMBLE; 17. Factor affecting Google search results, WORD ORDER; 18. Juicer detritus, PEELS; 19. Modern proofs-of-purchase, for short, UPCS; 20. Takes for a ride, CONS; 21. Many gamblers have them, SYSTEMS; 23. Self-help book, HOW-TO; 24. Gaston who wrote “The Phantom of the Opera”, LEROUX; 25. Include as an extra, TAG ON; 28. AVON Lady (decades-old commercial creation); 29. Movie credits, usually, CRAWLS; 31. Collision sound, BAM; 34. “Dominus illuminatio MEA” (Oxford University’s motto); 35. Validate, BEAR OUT; 36. “OYE Como Va” (1971 hit); 37. It makes a lot of connections, AND; 38. Give a slant to, UPTILT; 39. Follower’s response, I SEE; 40. In many cases, OFTEN; 41. Worries, EATS AT; 43. Last report on the evening news, typically, FLUFF; 46. Deny, GAINSAY; 48. Give a good rubdown, ROLF; 49. Blue shade, TEAL; 51. Providers of directions, VANES; 53. Admitted, OWNED UP TO; 55. The Temptations’ “Since I LOST My Baby”; 56. Leisure, SPARE TIME; 57. Spitting mad, LIVID; 58. Something a drunkard is liable to hit, THE SAUCE; 59. Turns brown quickly, SEARS.

Down — 1. Before all else, ASAP; 2. Series ender, sometimes, GAME SEVEN; 3. 1969 #1 album for 11 weeks, ABBEY ROAD; 4. Betrays, in a way, TELLS ON; 5. 1974 lyric repeated after “Como una promesa”, ERES TU; 6. Plea from the self-conscious, STOP STARING AT ME; 7. One looking for a deal?, NARC; 8. Some blockers, ENDS; 9. Old Tokyo, EDO; 10. Diamond substitute, ZIRCON; 11. Grand, ENDOW; 12. 7-Down, for one, AGENT; 13. Many a sculpture, TORSO; 15. Like some Olympic races, SWUM; 22. Not counting, EXCEPT; 23. Multitude, HOST; 24. Asian spiritual guide, LAMA; 26. One who’s gone but not forgotten, AWOL; 27. Muscles strengthened by squats, GLUTEI; 31. Music style derived from samba and jazz, BOSSA NOVA; 32. Agreement from one’s mate?, AYE AYE SIR; 33. Big competition, MEET; 35. Aficionado, BUFF; 39. Phrase used to 46-Across, IT’S A LIE; 40. Proposals, OFFERS; 42. Forgers’ tools, ANVILS; 43. He famously asked “Why didn’t you burn the tapes?”, FROST; 44. Vinegar quality, LOW PH; 45. Attachments to pronator quadratus muscles, ULNAE; 47. Botanical balm, ALOE; 49. Object frequently painted by Degas, TUTU; 50. Grand, EPIC; 52. Some govt. issuances: Abbr., STDS; 54. Employer of many a 7-Down, DEA.

There is a harmony in autumn, and a luster in its sky,
which through the summer is not heard or seen,
as if it could not be, as if it had not been!
 ~ Percy Bysshe Shelley
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09.22.11 — Hello Dolly

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Puzzle by Jeff Dubner / Edited by Will Shortz

DAILY MAIL (17A. London Newspaper), DELI COUNTER (23A. Turkey’s locoation), DILLY DALLYING (33A. Taking one’s sweet time), DOLLY PARTON (44A. Singer with the hit country album “Backwoods Barbie”) and DULY NOTED (54A. “Gotcha,” formally) constitute the interrelated group of this Thursday crossword.

Other — BEN STEINS (12D. Win whose money, in a bygone game show?), BUD SELIG (13D. Basebll commissioner starting in 1992), DYNOMITE (33D. 1970s sitcom catchword), ESPERANTO (15A. It has just 16 rules of grammar), FINAL EXAM (30D. Course closer), ICE PALACE (57A. Skating venue), STAR FRUIT (1A. Vitamin C source from Southeast Asia), THE STONES (59A. After U2, highest-grossing concert band of all time, informally).

Mid-size — ALEUT, APINT, ATTLEE, Mr. FIX-IT, ITALO, ITISI, LAILA, LODES, LYTTON, MINDY, NIECE, POLYPS, RAMPED, REMAN, RAUCH, SATAN, SEDER, TSARS, UNABLE, WAMPUM, WEBBS.

Short stuff — ABS, ANA, APRS, ARM, ATL, BAIO, BAR and BRA, CARL, DADA, DIAL, DIT, EAR, ELM, ERNS, FAA, FIR, FRY, LLD, MEAT, NAT, ORAL, PASS, PBS, RELS, RIBS and RIIS, RMS, RTS, SNL, STY, TAD, TALE, TIDE, TOL, TYNE, YARN, YELP.

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Remaining clues — ACROSS: 10. Songwriter Jimmy and Senator Jim; 16. Western l language historically written in the Cyrillic alphabet; 18. Mork’s TV companion; 19. Sea eagles; 20. TV network since 1970; 21. Bomb, e.g.; 22. Alphabet trio; 27. It may be turned against you; 28. Hammer’s partner; 29. ___ Street, main thoroughfare in “Peyton Place”; 30. J.F.K. watchdog; 31. Training ___; 32. Jacob who wrote “HOw the Other Half Lives”; 33. Taking one’s sweet time; 37. Daly of “Cagney & Lacey”; 38. It’s beside a sideburn; 39. Muscles covering some 32-Down; 40. Actress Gasteyer; 41. Barrister’s deg.; 42. Credit figs.; 47. Sketch show that launched 40-Across’s career, in short; 50. Gist; 51. It’s located between two Plymouths: Abbr.; 52. Scott of “Joanie Loves Chachi”; 54. “Gotcha,” formally; 56. Author Calvino; 58. Staff up again. — DOWN: 1. Ritual in which bitter herbs are dipped; 2. Three Ivans; 3. “___ of sweat will save a gallon of blood”: Patton; 4. Fam. Members; 5. Lie in the sun with suntan oil; 6. Wheelchair-accessible; 7. No-can-do; 8. Formal acknowledgment; 9. “My mama done ___ me”; 10. Traded beads; 11. Cuban name in 2000 news; 14. Sloppy place; 23. Oven part; 4. Hall-of-Famer Yastrzemski; 25. 30-Down, sometimes; 26. Apt. parts; 27. Fisherman’s relation?; 30. Course closer; 31. It may be sandy or candy; 32. See 39-Across; 33. 1970s sitcom catchword; 34. Dog sound; 35. Pop for a young person?; 37. Wee bit; 41. English author Edward Bulwer-___; 42. Prime minister before and after Churchill; 43. Coral creatures; 45. Boxer Ali; 46. Jon ___, at 6’11:” the tallest player in Major League Baseball history; 47. Old scratch; 48. Family relation; 49. Mined finds; 52. String tie; 53. Source of some paper pulp; 54. Dah’s go-with; 55. Member of a D.C. nine.

09.21.11 — The Inner City

Inch Inner City Abstract Cityscape - Laura Carter 

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Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Puzzle by Peter A. Collins / Edited by Will Shortz

INNER CITIES [60A. Urban areas (as hinted at by the circled letters in this puzzle’s grid)], along with RENO, ENID, ERIE and TAOS found in circles within GARDEN GROVE (17A. California home of the Crystal Cathedral), OCEANSIDE (26A. California locale just south of Camp Pendleton), BAKERSFIELD (38A. California State University campus site) and SANTA ROSA (52A. California’s Sonoma County seat) constitutes the interrelated group of this Wednesday crossword.

Other — ANDRESS (13D. Ursula of “The Blue Max”), CAVED IN (12D. Collapsed), CORSETS (27D. Cousins of girdles), LUNETTES (40D. Ornamental crescents), MID-SIZE CAR (11D. Toyota Camry, e.g.), OF SORTS (41D. After a fashion), PIANIST (42D. One who deals in rags?), RUBBERNECKS (25D. Causes of some traffic slowdowns), UNDERSEA (4D. Like scuba diving).

Mid-size — AGILE, ARYANS, ENCODE, ERASER, LIES ON, NIVEA, ON EDGE, PURRS, RAMROD, RE-EDIT, REGION, RENIN (54D. Kidney secretion), STERN, SAUCES, TERSE, UPBEAT.

Short stuff — ACNE, ADO, AKA, AMIE, ARNO, ASU, BAR, CTRS, DVD, ELOI, EMUS, ENUF, ERA, ESO and ESS, ETA and ETTA, FIRS, IAN and IRAN, Home IN ON, ITEM, ITT, MART, MCA, MISS, NASH, NEC, OPE, PEA and PEU, RIC and RICO, RUMP, SAX and STAX, SHE, STD and STS, TRI, TSK, UMP, UZIS, YER, ZEBU, ZIG.

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Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. Humped ox; 5. Indo-European language speakers; 11. Longtime Elton John label; 14. “___ (So Far Away): (1982 hit by A Flock of Seagulls); 15. Cut some more, maybe; 16. “Atonement” author McEwan; 19. Something that’s burned; 20. Morlock’s counterpart in science fiction; 21. It may be felt by a blackboard; 23. Hums; 29. Flightless flock; 31. Israeli arms; 32. Positive; 34. Backside; 37. Two out of nine?; 41. “Ere Heaven shall ___ her portals …”: Byron; 43. Guy’s girl; 44. Bordelaise and others; 47. Traditional Christmas purchases; 49. They play in front of Qbs; 51. Part of rock’s CSNY; 55. Concise; 56. Wound up; 57. Shopping site; 59. Ocasek of the Cars; 66. “Naughty!”; 67. Rests atop; 68. “At Last” singer James; 69. Urban grid: Abbr.; 70. Obfuscate, in a way; 71. Pringles alternative. — 1. Turn one way before turning the other; 2. Prohibition ___; 3. Rare site during Prohibition; 5. View from the Leaning Tower; 6. Neighborhood; 7. “___ out!” (shout by a 24-down); 8. Hubbub; 9. Skin care product name; 10. Severe; 18. Trains to Wrigley; 22. Sch. In Jonesboro; 23. Little, in Lyon; 24 See 7-Down; 28. Sufficient, informally; 30. Thing; 33. Alias; 35. The Rolling Stones’ “___ You”; 36. ___-green; 39. Puerto ___; 45. Last of the Mohicans?; 48. Part of S.O.P.: Abbr.; 50. Flintlock accessory; 53. Nimble; 55. Start of some cycles?; 58. Trouble spots?; 61. Japanese supercomputer maker; 62. That, in Tabasco; 63. Cousin ___ of 1960s TV; 64. H; 65. Coltrane blew it.