06.30.12 — Spare the Details

The Confessional, 1712, Giuseppe Maria Crespi

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Saturday, June 30, 2012

Puzzle by Tim Croce / Edited by Will Shortz

Beyond absurd clueing, the main feature of this rather solemn Saturday crossword consists of six fifteen-letter answers:

ONE-FINGER SALUTE (1A. Bird)
CALIFORNIA GIRLS (16A. Hawaiian island dolls’ superiors, in song)
A FIGHTING CHANCE (17A. What every honest competitor deserves)
EMOTIONAL OUTLET (61A. Many a stress reliever)
MOMENT OF INERTIA (66A. Classical mechanics concept introduced by Euler)
SPARE THE DETAILS (67A. Not subject someone to a blow-by-blow)

Other — MINERAL SALT (33A. What a water softener removes), MY DARLING (49A. Sugar substitute?), PERSIAN CATS (43A. Some longhairs), SACROILIAC (10D. Strong pelvic joint), SAM ELLIOTT (30D. He played Virgil Earp in “Tombstone,“ 1993), TACO SALAD (23A. Entrée whose “bowl” is often consumed).

Mid-size — AGHAS, ATE IT, COATI, DOLES, ELISA, ENNEADS (8D. Baseball lineups, e.g.), GELID, GRIST, ICILY, LEROI, LIANAS, LOTTA, MR MOM, NAFTA, NAIAD, NOT AS, OCALA, O’NEIL, RCA DOME, REINE, SANTA FE, SOLTI, TIE A TIE (40A. What you don’t have to do on casual Friday), VASTER.

Short stuff — AAAS, ACAI, CONE, CSA, DO I, EASE, EMS, ESE, FIG and RIG, “IF HE can do it …”, IS ON, “Aloha nui LOA“, LTS, MII, MOP, NOH, NOTA, OLAV, OMA, ONO, RAN, SEI, SOTO, SUED and SUET, TECS and TENS, TEL, TLC, TRA, UPS, URN.

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Remaining clues — ACROSS: 18. Fuzz and Flap, in the comics: Abbr.; 19. Let up; 20. Really moved; 21. Remote fillers, maybe; 28. Jumping ability, in hoops lingo; 31. “Heck, yeah!”; 32. “Licence to Kill” Bond girl Talisa; 38. ___ quel (as is, in Arles); 39. Lucas Oil Stadium replaced it; 42. Early millennium year; 46. Johann ___ Koss, speed skater with four Olympic golds; 48. “The Bonnie Blue Flag” org.; 52. Airs; 56. Three dues?; 57. Hammer or Spade types; 60. “Spec of Dust” singer, 1982. — DOWN: 1. Southern city called the Horse Capital of the World; 2. Deal opposed by Perot; 3. Donovan of “Clueless”; 4. Trivial amount; 6. Part of N.B.; 7. Ammunition; 9. What a roughneck works on; 11. Ottoman commanders; 12. Jungle growth; 13. Barista’s container; 14. CrazySexyCool” R&B trio; 15. Computer peripheral?; 22. Like some copyright infringers; 24. Cousin of a kinkajou; 25. Bunch of, casually; 26. Bit the dust; 27. Passes (out); 29. Holdup?; 33. Michael Keaton title role; 34. Very unfriendly way to respond; 35. Aquatic dragonfly larva; 36. “The Toilet” playwright Jones; 37. XXX; 41. Antioxidant berry; 44. Terminus of a 19^th-century “Trail”; 46. More like space;50. One on le trône; 51. Frosty; 53. Eight-time Best Opera Recording Grammy winner; 54. Buck in Cooperstown; 55. Less; 58. Dairy product container; 59. Material for some soapmakers; 61. 911 letters; 62. One whose head may be stuck in a bucket; 63. German granny; 64. Plays accompanied by hayashi; 65. Carefree syllable.

06.29.12 — Of the Forest

Orangutan at Berlin Zoo, Germany, April 2009 —

Although orangutans may consume leaves, shoots,

and even bird eggs, fruit is the most important part of their diet.

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Friday, June 29, 2012

Puzzle by Patrick Berry / Edited by Will Shortz

Across — 1. Inelegance, BAD TASTE; 9. One form of the Egyptian god Set, HIPPO; 14. Yanks, AMERICANS; 16. Light bulb, maybe, ONION; 17. 1970s-’80s band whose debut album was the soundtrack to a Richard Pryor film, ROSE ROYCE; 18. Die down, ABATE; 19. Group of stars, DREAM TEAM; 20. Doesn’t just glance, GAZES; 21. The friends on “Friends,” e.g., SEXTET; 22. Like “sissies”, SIBILANT; 24. Pill bottle recommendation, DOSE; 26. Inspire, LEAD TO; 27. Something to chew on, COCA; 30. Factory-inspecting org., OSHA; 32. Genre spoofed by “The Cheap Detective”, NOIR; 33. HAROLD’S Chicken Shack (Chicago-based restaurant chain); 35. “Make yourself scarce!”, AMSCRAY; 37. “The Good Earth” wife, O-LAN; 38. Obama’s birthplace, OAHU; 40. Newman’s “Hud” co-star, NEAL; 41. Daft, MENTAL; 43. Brand once pitched by Lorne Greene, ALPO; 45. Tendency to push the envelope, EDGINESS; 47. Going up, ABLAZE; 52. Harass nonstop, HOUND; 53. Stranded motorists’ aids, CALL BOXES; 55. Type in, ENTER; 56. Some Monopoly holdings, UTILITIES; 57. Former NPR host Hansen, LIANE; 58. Event worth celebrating, MILESTONE; 59. They have two legs, PANTS; 60. As much as possible, TO THE MAX.

Down — 1. Medieval entertainers, BARDS; 2. Casanova’s love, AMORE; 3. Fix, DESEX; 4. Get the tab, TREAT; 5. Military decoration that depicts a flying eagle, AIR MEDAL; 6. Callas contemporary, SCOTTO; 7. “Private Practice” actor Diggs, TAYE; 8. Packs protectively, ENCASES; 9. Long lunch?, HOAGIE; 10. Not tipping to either side, IN BALANCE; 1. 1982 Razzie winner for “Butterfly”, PIA ZADORA; 12. Latent greatness, POTENTIAL; 13. Like ranch houses, ONE STORY; 15. Opening half?, SEMI; 23. Gunfight sound effect, BLAM; 25. Six-time Silver Slugger winner, SOSA; 27. Scotland, to poets, CALEDONIA; 28. Literally, “man of the forest”, ORANGUTAN; 29. Big piece of crust?, CONTINENT; 31. Transport, HAUL; 33. Shut-in’s caregiver, in Britain, HOME HELP; 34. Company whose mascot is Bobby Banana, DOLE; 36. High-hat, SNOBBISH; 39. Attacks a project vigorously, HAS AT IT; 42. Guitarist Segovia, ANDRES; 44. Shipping base, PALLET; 46. Disgusting film, SCUM; 48. Werther’s love in a Goethe novel, LOTTE; 49. Self-evident proposition, AXIOM; 50. Ethan Frome’s sickly wife, ZEENA; 51. Robert Devereaux’s earldom, ESSEX; 54. Title character of a 2002 Disney film, LILO.

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06.28.12 — Time Frame

Rene Lalique "Naiades" colorless glass clock frame;

 engraved 'R. Lalique, France'

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Thursday, June 28, 2012

Puzzle by Elizabeth C. Gorski / Edited by Will Shortz

TIMEFRAME (34A: Window, of sorts ... or a hint to completing 10 answers in this puzzle), along with 10 answers, half-phrases without “TIME”, form a frame about the puzzle constituting the interrelated group of this clever Tuesday crossword

• HARD (1A. You might give this to someone you don't like)
• SNACK (5A. When to have a nosh)
• HALF (10A. Football break)
• FEEDING (13D. When the zookeeper makes the rounds with a bucket)
• QUALITY (44D. Focused face-to-face contact)
• PLAY (64A. School recess)
• NIGHT (63A. Dark hours)
• LEAD (62A. Period for preparation)
• ARRIVAL (37D. Flight board listing)
• HARVEST (1D. Autumn, typically)

Other — KARENINA (9D. 1935 Garbo role), MANDOLIN (35D. Instrument in a Picasso painting), PAPER PLATE (18A. Floppy disk?), RINSINGS (45A. Steps in a salon), SNITCH ON (29A. Betray, in a way),VANILLA ICE (56A. Singer with the 1990 #1 album “To the Extreme”).

Mid-size — ALOOFLY, ANTONIA, ARAPAHO, BAR BQ, BARETTA, CHEAT (30D. Con), ELOPED, GATEAU (47A. French cake), GO WEST, I DO TOO, IMACS, LEDGE, NOAH’S Ark, POTTS, RETINOL, ROLL-TOP, SLOPES, SOFAS, ST PAT’S, TISDALE, TO SEA, TYPOS, UNARM, YECCH.

Short stuff — ADAM, AHS, “A LIE gets halfway around the world …”, ALOU, “AM I Blue?”, AMP, ANTI (58A. Con), ARI, ASPS, Rat-A-TAT, CEE, DDE, DESI, DEW, DIAG, DTS, DUET, EFT, HILO, HONG Kong, IDOL, IRAE, LOAN, MBAS, MOTT, PLOT, RAMP, RIEL, ROLE, RST, TRA, UNO, VOLT, YOS.

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Remaining clues — ACROSS: 14. Baseball brothers; 15. Out of port; 16. Requiem Mass word; 17. Part; 20. General Motors product; 21. Understanding responses; 22. Joined in secret; 23. Pond youngster; 24. Rehab problem; 25. Cardinal of Rome?; 26. “Exodus” figure; 27. Calculus calculations; 31. Letters that should never be published?; 32. Temporary gift; 40. Sistine Chapel chap; 41. Good grilling?; 48. Alphabet trio; 49. Presidential inits.; 50. Casual greetings; 51. Chorus line kickoff?; 52. “Same here!”; 54. Some condensation; 55. Cambodian cash; 60. Apple sales; 61. Applesauce eponym. — DOWN: 2. Without much warmth; 3. Desk cover; 4. “I Got You Babe,” e.g.; 5. Cathedral facing New York’s Rock Center; 7. Egyptian lowlife?; 8. Can opener?; 10. University of Hawaii campus locale; 11. Wyoming tribe; 12. Eventually; 19. Map (out); 24. Lucy’s man; 25. Render harmless; 28. Mrs. ___, “Beauty and the Beast” character; 29. Sectionals, e.g.; 32. Dove’s perch; 36. Some Wharton alums; 38. Actress Ashley of “High School Musical”; 39. Willa Cather title heroine; 42. Eye cream additive; 43. 1970s cop show; 46. Poster subject, maybe; 47. Advice heeded by a pioneer; 50. “Bleah!”; 54. TV screen meas.; 55. Up, with “up”; 57. Ethel Waters’s “___ Blue?”

06.27.12 — Pentominoes

A standard pentomino puzzle is to tile a rectangular box with the pentominoes, i.e. cover it without overlap and without gaps. Each of the 12 pentominoes has an area of 5 unit squares, so the box must have an area of 60 units. Possible sizes are 6×10, 5×12, 4×15 and 3×20. The avid puzzler can probably solve these problems by hand within a few hours. A more challenging task, typically requiring a computer search, is to count the total number of solutions in each case. ~ Wikipedia

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Wednesday, June 27 2012

Puzzle by Mike Buckley / Edited by Will Shortz

PENTOMINOES (37A. Complete set of 12 shapes formed by this puzzle’s black squares), the aforementioned black squares, along with LACKING SYMMETRY (15A. Descriptive of this puzzle’s grid) and NON-INTERLOCKING (54A. Like this puzzle’s 37-Across) constitutes the interrelated group of this unusual double-duty Wednesday crossword.

Other — ELSINORE (38D. “Hamlet” castle), EMITTER (34D. Radio tower, for one), IMPINGE (44D. Encroach), LOADERS (25A. Stevedores, say), NORELCO (39D. Electric shaver brand), ONE-TRACK MIND (58A. A monomaniac has it), PRAIRIE (14D. Flat land), STORM IN A TEACUP (7A. Much ado about nothing), TIGER RAG (35D. Pioneering jazz standard of 1917), UTOPIAN (13D. Pie-in-the-sky).

The Platform Before the Palace of Elsinore - Hamlet, Horatio, Marcellus and the Ghost (Shakespeare's Hamlet Prince of Denmark, Act I, Scene IV), Robert Thew, 1796

Mid-size — ALCOA, ANGORA, ARENA, BIG OX, CARET, GO LONG, MARSHY, OCCULT, OH ROB, PINTO, RASHAD, ROUND (45D. “Row, Row, Row Your Boat,” e.g.), SINAI, SINEW, SKINT (53D. Penniless, in Pennington), STASH, STYMIE, TALONS.

Short stuff — ACNE, AIRS, ANTE, CEL, CMON, DRS (22D. J and No), ETRE, ETTA, EWE, HEM, IRA, LOAM, LSAT, MIA and MIN, MOO, NASA, NENE, OHM, OKLA, Run-ONS, OTIS, OXI, PIC, RAID, RKO, SIZE, SNL, SONG (46D. “Row, Row, Row Your Boat,” e.g.) SPUN, TERI, TILE, TOON, YAM, YMCA, YOU, ZANE.

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Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. Like areas where cattails thrive; 17. Its symbol is AA on the New York Stock Exchange; 18. Volt/ampere; 19. Potting material; 20. Whom Uncle Sam wants; 21. Go commando?; 23. Jack Kerouac’s last novel; 24. Long-running NBC staple, for short; 28. Good name for an investment adviser?; 29. Secret supply; 31. Mount in Exodus; 33. “Put it there” indicator; 36. Novelist Grey; 41. Game piece; 42. Oaf; 43. Runs; 48. Hatcher of a “desperate” plot?; 49. Call to a calf; 50. 2011 Grammy-winning song by Jay-Z and Kanye West; 52. To be in France?; 53. Twirled; 59. Sports venue; 60. What a wide receiver or an Oscar broadcast might do; 61. Milk source; 62. Gambler’s stake. — DOWN: 1. One sweep of a hand: Abbr.; 2. Breed of cat, goat or rabbit; 3. Phylicia of “The Cosby Show”; 4. Block; 5. Haw’s partner; 6. Verb from Popeye; 7. Dispatches; 8. Bird claws; 9. Like arts taught at Hogwarts; 10. Studio that made nine Astaire/Rogers films; 11. Soccer great Hamm; 12. What framed Roger Rabbit; 16. Many a gym locale; 25. Future D.A.’s hurdle; 26. Repeated Laura Petrie line on “The Dick Van Dyke Show”; 27. Economy-___; 30. Neutrogena target; 32. Mariner’s org.; 37. Former Ford subcompact; 40. Commercial prefix with Clean; 41. Donald or Daffy Duck; 51. Bone-muscle connector; 52. Singer James; 55. Hawaiian goose; 56. It’s between Kan. and Tex.; 57. “Let’s get going’!”

06.26.12 — Dead Man's Hand

The dead man's hand is a two-pair poker hand, namely "aces and eights". This card combination gets its name from a legend that it was the five-card-draw hand held by Wild Bill Hickok, when he was murdered on August 2, 1876, in Saloon No. 10 at Deadwood, South Dakota. ~ Wikipedia

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Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Puzzle by Mike Torch / Edited by Will Shortz

THE DEAD MAN’S HAND (38A. What 17-, 26-, 46- and 57-Across’s beginnings represent), ACE VENTURA, ACE HARDWARE, EIGHT MEN OUT and EIGHT-TRACK constitute the interrelated group of this Tuesday crossword.

Other — ADAM WEST, EMERGE, EERIE and ERIE, GOES ON, MADOFF, PEA GREEN, STATUTES, THE DOW, THE HAGUE.

Five-letter — AARON, ACT UP, ADOBE, ADULT, ALLAN, A RUSH, ASKEW, DEPTS, EDIFY, ETHAN, GELID, HDTVS, HELEN, “I HAVE my reasons“, JONAH, KNIFE, LET ME, LHASA, MAYOR, NAG AT, OCHRE, OMAHA, PALAU, SHIMS, SHONE, SPRAY, TORII.

Short stuff — ABLE, AJA, ALMS, ARR, Tel AVIV, BMI, CIA, DOC and DOH, “Whatcha DOIN’?”, GAB, GTO, HALT, IPO, KAYO, KEY, LAMP, LAVS, LED, MIR, MUTT, NEDS, NEY, NICE, “Hmm, that’s ODD”, RADS, SAKE, SANS, SHAH, SHOD, SPAR, TOTE, UNE.

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Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. XXX; 6. Easy chair accompanier; 10. Charity; 14. Hill in Hollywood; 15. The Maumee flows northeast to this lake; 16. Old Iranian leader; 17. Jim Carrey title role; 19. Send to the canvas; 20. Leveling wedges; 21. Doesn’t shut up; 23. Homer Simpson outburst; 26. Company for which John Madden was once pitchman; 28. Come out of hiding; 30. Put the first cad down; 31. Island group east of the Philippines; 32. Up to the task; 34. Benefit; 41. Without: Fr.; 43. Shinto temple gateway; 44. Talk, talk, talk; 45. Bernard with a Ponzi scheme; 48. Film about the 1919 Black Sox sandal; 52. Napoleonic marshal; 53. Economic barometer; 54. Misbehave; 56. Stop; 57. Old tape format; 63. Sail support; 64. Like some coincidences; 65. Beatty and Flanders; 66. Carry; 67. Turn a hose on. — 1. Double-platinum Steely Dan album; 2. Sawbones; 3. French article; 4. Loos; 5. Where Dutch royals live; 6. “I can help”; 7. Hurriedly, after “in”; 8. Former Russian space station; 9. Colored like the boat in Edward Lear’s “The Owl and the Pussycat”; 10. Crooked; 11. Tibet’s capital; 12. 984 best-selling Ed Koch memoir; 13. Glimmered; 18. Pleasing; 23. Cabinet units: Abbr.; 24. ___ Steaks; 25. Hayes of the theater; 27. The “A” in E.A. Poe; 20. X-ray units; 32. Brick material; 33. Inits. On most Rolling Stones records; 34. Like plow horses; 35. Moses’ brother; 36. Piece in a place setting; 37. Enlighten; 39. Batman portrayer; 40. Laws; 44. “Yeah, yeah, little ___” (1964 song refrain part); 46. Mongrel; 46. One of filmdom’s Coen brothers; 48. Very cold; 49. They hang on walls nowadays; 50. Pester; 51. Yellow shade; 59. SAT course, e.g.; 58. 2012 Facebook event, in brief; 59. Flight board datum: Abbr.; 60. Covert org.; 61. Critical.

06.25.12 — Quickly!

Monday, June 25, 2012

Puzzle by Nancy Kavanaugh / Edited by Will Shortz

TWINKLING EYES (20A. Santa Claus facial feature), FLASH BULB (35A. Aid for night photos, once), JIFFY LUBE (41A. Oil change chain) and INSTANT COFFEE (58A. Drink made with crystals) constitute the interrelated group of this Monday crossword.

Other — AMNESTY, BIG NAME, DREAMY, EARFLAP, FATIGUE, INVITE, MALTEDS, MISS YOU, RESEALS, SECANT, SESAME, SMELLY, UNAWARE, UTENSIL.

Five-letter — ARLES, AS YET, BOTCH, CIVIL, C NOTE, ETHAN, EVERT, MITER, MYTHS, OMAHA, ROMAN, SCUBA, TRENT, YACHT.

Short stuff — ADA, AMFM, AMOR, ANNO, ARTE, ASH, ASIF, BERG, BRUT, EAT, ESL and ESO, FDA, FINS, FOUR, GEAR, GEES, IDO, ILLS, ILSA, IMAC, “I’M SO sorry“, JAB, KIM, LAVA, LBS, LOGO, LSAT, MAZE, MET, MUIR, NATL, ORK, OSU, RIDE, RNS, ROAN, SEES, SKEE, SLO-mo, SPYS, TORI and TORT, TUB, ZETA.

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Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. California’s ___ Woods; 5. Equipment for deep diving; 10. Radio switch; 14. The “A” of A.D.; 15. Kind of saw in a workshop; 16. Tilt-A-Whirl or bumper cars; 17. Volcano output; 18. Tennis great Chris; 19. Exam for an aspiring atty.; 23. Have a meal; 24. Misfortunes; 25. Until now; 28. Like an idol for a teen girl, say; 30. Apple computer; 33. The Cowboys of the Big 12 Conf.; 34. Goes out with; 40. Actress Catherine___-Jones; 45. First, second or reverse; 49. Toothpaste-evaluating org.; 50. Doughnut shapes; 51. Seed on many a bun; 53. Mess up; 55. Pop music’s Bee ___; 57. E.R. workers; 62. Golden arches for McDonald’s, e.g.; 64. Nebraska city o r tribe; 65. ___ Lund of “Casablanca”; 66. Very dry, as Champagne; 67. Cicero or Caesar; 68. Mets’ league: Abbr.; 69. ___-Ball (arcade game); 70. English river through Nottingham; 71. 1974 Sutherland/Gould spoof. — DOWN: 1. Fountain treats; 2. Paying no attention; 3. Private party attender; 4. Gray-sprinkled horse; 5. Reeking; 6. Well-mannered; 7. Fork or spoon; 8. Titanic’s undoing; 9. Johnson of ”Laugh-In”; 10. French city where van Gogh painted; 11. 1978 Rolling Stones hit; 12. Medicine-approving org.; 13. Ran into; 21. Actress Basinger; 22. Millionaire’s boat, maybe; 26. Class for newcomers to America, for short; 27. Place for a soak; 29. “Yeah, like that’ll ever happen”; 31. Labyrinth; 32. Enzyme suffix; 35. Quartet number; 36. Luggage; 38. Yeti and the Loch Ness monster; 41. Elbow poke; 42. Wedding words; 43. Tiredness; 44. Headliner; 46. One of two on a winter cap; 47. Forgiveness; 48. Closes tightly again; 51. Trigonometric ratio; 52. That: Sp.; 54. 10 sawbucks make one; 56. Actor Hawke; 59. Libel or slander; 60. Caesar’s love; 61. Fish propellers; 62. Ozs. And ozs.; 63. Home planet of Mindy’s mate in an old sitcom.

06.24.12 — Spiral

Sunday, June 24, 2012

SPIRAL, Puzzle by Will Shortz

Brilliant!

INWARD: 1-4. Photocopier function, SORT; 5-9. Prophetess, SIBYL; 10-14. Musical with the song ”Oh What a Circus”, EVITA; 15-23. Polite type, GENTLEMAN; 24-29. Womb, UTERUS; 30-35. Sweet drink, NECTAR; 36-39. Camp and hospital furnishings, COTS; 40-48. Short-tempered, IRASCIBLE; 49-55. Percussion instruments, MARACAS; 56-61. Woman in Oaxaca, SENORA; 62-67. Racetrack habitué, BETTOR; 68-73. 2011 Inductee into the International Tennis Hall of Fame, AGASSI; 74-81. Georges LEMAITRE, astronomer who proposed the Big Bang theory; 82-90. Like human pregnancies (hyph.), NINE-MONTH; 91-94. Telepathy or clairvoyance, so to speak, GIFT; 95-100. ACETIC acid.

OUTWARD: 100-97. Mention, CITE; 98-89. Bitter dispute, CATFIGHT; 88-84. “Julius,” e.g., in Gaius Julius Caesar, NOMEN; 83-77. Subject of Newton’s first law of motion, INERTIA; 78-70. Singer Etheridge, MELISSA; 69-63. Strangulation device (var.), GAROTTE; 62-54. Titled lady of Italy, BARONESSA; 53-47. Chewy candy, CARAMEL; 46-43/ Inexpensive pens. BICS; 42-33. Blue blood, ARISTOCRAT; 32-26. Strong reproof, CENSURE; 25-18. Popular diner sandwich (2 wds.), TUNA MELT; 17-8. How numbers below zero are expressed, NEGATIVELY; 7-1. Nightclubs, BISTROS.

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06.24.12 — Element of Surprise

Sunday, June 24, 2012

ELEMENT OF SURPRISE, Puzzle by Elizabeth C. Gorski

Edited by Will Shortz

An "afterthought" clue/answer/direction, CARBON FOOTPRINT (42D. Global warming calculation whose shape is suggested by connecting 14 squares in this puzzle in a closed loop based on the appropriate 23-Across), along with ATOMIC SYMBOL (23A. Every chemical element has one), heads the interrelated group of this Sunday crossword. Try as I might, connecting the Cs (atomic symbol for Carbon), I couldn’t get a footprint that looks like what I think a footprint looks like… but, hey!, it’s the thought that counts.

OZONE HOLES (40A. Worrisome Arctic and Antarctic developments)
SAVE WATER (69A. Conservationist’s catchphrase)
PLANT A TREE (94A. Arborist’s catchphrase)
CONSERVE FUEL (117A. Environmentalist’s catchphrase)
GREENHOUSE GASES (14D. Atmospheric worries)
THROW-AWAY (44D. Kind of society that is careless of the environment)

Other — CELERIES, CONCERN, GALLEON, IS IT ART, NECTARS, NIAGARA (74A. Falls for married women?), NOMINAL, ON A DATE, ONE LITER, PETER II, RENOIRS, SCREEDS, SPANIEL, SPIRALS, ST BARTS, THUS FAR, TINACTIN, TSARIST, YELL FIRE.

Six-letter — ASLEEP, ASST DA, ATONAL, BALERS, CLARET, DELANO, ECOCAR, ERASED, IDEATE, INNATE, KOREAN, LADLES, LEER AT, LOWEST, LUANDA, NELLIE, PASTES, PETITE, PT BOAT, REMARK, SPARED, SPLASH, SPHERE, SUFFIX, THANK U, TRIUNE, TULIPS, VIXENS.

Five — AISLE, AMOCO, DELTS, ECONO, ELEMI, ERICK, EUROS, GAZED, GRADE, LAVAL, PLAN B, POSIT, RAN TO, SCOUR, SCRAG, SELLS, SHEEP, SIGNS, SPATS, SPRAT, STARK, TATAS.

Short stuff — ACDC. ADO, AGE. ALS, ANDS, ARKS, ASK, BANG, BENT, BIC, COR, DATA, DEP, DICT, DIS, EAR, “ECCE homo“, ELK, ENTS, EROS, GAO, GAYE, GORE, I AS in igloo, IGER, LVOV, MOMA, NDAK, OAT, “O IS for Outlaw”, OKS, ONUS, ORCA, OWE, PAT, PCBS, PDA, PUZO, RAH, RILE, RKO, ROSH, SAC and SAN, SCH, SEM, SIP, SNAP, SOWS, SOT, SPED, STK, TAN, TED, TERM, THX, TARO and TORO, TRA, XENA, YNEZ.

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Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. Went easy on; 7. Went 90, say; 1. Pop’s relative?; 15. Nurse; 18. 18^th-century Russian emperor; 21. Media executive Bob; 22. Mobile info organizer; 25. Stalks in a soup kitchen; 27. “Tough-actin’ medication; 28. Ginger cookie; 30. Eye salaciously; 31. Bare; 32. 2012 Mark Wahlberg comedy; 34. Load to bear; 36. Present from birth; 37. Antlered animal; 38. Goggled; 42. ___ anglais (English horn); 43. Congratulations indicator; 45. Have loans; “Sue Grafton’s “___ for Outlaw”; 47. Popular Caribbean destination, informally; 51. “___ 1138” (1971 sci-fi film); 53. Search with a fine-tooth comb; 55. Realm; 56. Sommelier’s pick; 59. Drapery adornments; 63. Backup procedure; 64. Chorus line leader?; 65. Seeing someone socially; 67. Fan sound; 68. Cost; 71. Slope; 73. Pose; 76. Roker and Pacino; 77. Supermarket datum; 78. To date; 80. Like puns among all forms of humor, it’s said; 82. In the arms of Morpheus; 83. Place; ___ Diego; 86. Harangues; 88. Arm of the U.S. Cong.; 89. Big tippler; 91. Financial page abbr.; 93. Some nods; 98. Gemini and Virgo; 100. Exchange purchase: Abr.; 103. Dutch exports; 104. Sight on an Alaskan cruise; 106. Animal pouch; 107. Transnational cash; 109. Farm machines; 110. N.Y.C. home of van Gogh; 112. Cause panic in a theater, perhaps; 114. Seltzer bottle capacity; 119. Hubbub; 120. Neighbor of Sask.; 12. Band with a juiced-up name?:; 122. Tokenish; 123. Vacation acquisition, maybe; 124. Edible root; 125. ___ Hashana; 126. Flirtatious lot. — DOWNS: 1. Tiffs; 2. Tiny; 3. Like much avant-garde music; 4. Comment; 5. Dampier of the N.B.A.; 6. Webster’s ref.; 7. Theological inst.; 8. Potential landfill pollutants, for short; 9. Car opener?; 10. Presidential middle name; 11. Signature piece?; 12. Century, say; 13. Nervous ___; 15. Pasta shapes; 16. Brainstorm; 17. Wallops; 19. Question to a museum visitor; 24. California’s Santa ___ Mountains; 26. “Girl With a Hoop” and “The Umbrellas”; 29. “The Last Don” author; 33. Bank statement abbr.; 35. Farm females; 38. 45^th American vice president; 39. Processed material; 41. Fruity drinks; 47. Eclat; 48. 1998 Alanis Morissette hit; 49. Out of line?; 50. Beanpole; 52. Woman warrior; 54. Nibble for Dobbin; 55. Jack who’s a picky eater; 57. Montreal suburb; 58. Farewells; 60. Cleared; 61. Soup servers; 62. Followers; 64. Like pre-1917 Russia; 66. Shoulder muscles, in gym-speak; 70. Love personified; 72. Antagonize; 79. Droopy-eared pet; 81. Tolkien forest creatures; 82. Scroll holders; 84. One frequently being waved at; 87. Worry; 88. Part of the Spanish Armada; 90. Semester, e.g.; 92. Put down; 94. Mosquito fleet vessel; 95. Angola’s capital; 96. “Law & Order” figure: Abbr.; 97. Green vehicle; 99. Marvin who sang “Let’s Get It On”; 100. Follow-up letters?; 101. Father, Son and Holy Spirit; 102. Seoul soul; 106 Old brand whose logo featured a torch; 107. Varnish ingredient; 108. Unloads; 111. English connections; 113. Ukrainian city, formerly; 115. Bud holder; 116. “King Kong” studio; 118. Educ. Facility.

06.23.12 — Eye on Saturday

Saturday, June 23, 2012

Puzzle by Laura Sternberg / Edited by Will Shortz

Across — 1. Lower one’s racket, QUIET DOWN; 10. Establish, ERECT; 15. 1 + 1, SNAKE EYES; 16. Disperse again, RESOW; 17. Realized in the end, CAME TO SEE; 18. Emcee’s delivery, INTRO; 19. Have mastery over, OWN; 20. Part of a suite no., EXT; 21. Asian soup ingredients, WONTONS; 23. Some antique buses, REOS; 25. Wrangler’s assent, YEP; 27. Setting for many early online discussions, USENET; 28. 1999 Ron Howard bomb, ED TV; 29. Aunt or uncle’s leader?, GREAT; 31. Honk off, RILE; 32. They’re found in orbits, EYEBALLS; 35. Feature of many an Italian skyline, ALP; 36. Evoker of 1950s nostalgia, SHA NA NA; 39. What some vaccinations prevent, TETANUS; 41. Knock, PAN; 42. Person trying to move things?, MARKETER; 44. Certify, AVER; 46. “The TSAR’S Bridge” (Rimsky-Korsakov opera); 47. Terminal division, GATE; 51. What gums might do, RECEDE; 53. Cause of a messy breakup?, TNT; 54. Where the John Day R. flows, OREG; 55. One might do a countdown, RADIO DJ; 7. Engadget’s co., AOL; 59. Coll. administration, GRE; 60. Common desktop clutter, ICONS; 61. Fascinates, INTRIGUES; 64. Like some kids’ shoelaces, NO-TIE; 65. Most carefree, BREEZIEST; 66. Journalist Ifill and others, GWENS; 67. Gumbo seasoning source, SASSAFRAS.

Down — 1. Measure of popularity, Q SCORE; 2. Like someone who couldn’t care less, UNAWED; 3. Response to an accusation, I AM NOT; 4. Wring (out), EKE; 5. What les cheveaux grows on, TETE; 6. Like blood coursing through one’s veins, DE-OXYGENATED; 7. On-site shucking sites, OYSTER BARS; 8. Dwarf, WEE; 9. Compass letters, NSEW; 10. Sportscaster Andrews and others, ERINS; 11. Thrifty customer, e.g., RENTER; 12. Like the developers of Skype, ESTONIAN; 13. Big Red, in the N.C.A.A., CORNELL U; 14. Dances country-western style, TWO STEPS; 22. They were traditionally attached, OUTLET STORES; 24. Ren’s cousin of cartoon down, SVEN; 26. PEA-brained; 30. Disappointed Olympic team members, maybe, ALTERNATES; 33. Nigerian food staple, YAM; 34. Fr. Place name starter, STE; 36. Not all-out battle, SPARRING; 37. Freak, HAVE A COW; 38. Toast lead-in, at times, ANECDOTE; 40. Vessel protected by Hera, ARGO; 43. “2 Broke Girls” costar Dennings, KAT; 45. Curb, REIN IN; 48. Trial attorney, e.g., ARGUER; 49. Wright with an Oscar, TERSA; 50. Discharges, EGESTS; 52. Hospital units, DOSES; 56. Yacht parts, JIBS; 58. "LIZA of Lambeth” (Maugham novel); 62. Its fist pres. Was Gen. Burnside, NRA; 63. Picture the suffix, GIF.

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Puzzle available on the internet at

THE NEW YORK TIMES — Crossword Puzzles and Games.

06.22.12 — S.O.S.

November 1990 saw the release of Madonna’s first “greatest hits” album 'The Immaculate Collection'. It featured two new singles, 'Rescue Me' and 'Justify My Love'. Co-written by Lenny Kravitz, the latter song featured a video directed by Jean-Baptiste Mondino which included nudity, simulated group sex and a bit of good old sadomasochism and bondage. It was banned by MTV.

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Friday, June 22, 2012

Puzzle by Josh Knapp / Edited by Will Shortz

Across — 1. Party pooper, BUZZKILL; 9. Tree related to the ylang-ylang, PAPAW; 14. Local money?, UNION DUES; 16. Zombie’s craving, FLESH; 17. Gridded display, STREET MAP; 18. Tourist buy in Mexico, CARTA; 19. Foible, TIC; 20. Moolah, WAMPUM; 22. RIOT Act; 23. Ancient rival of Judah, EDOM; 25. “Growing Up GOTTI” (2004-05 A&E reality show); 26. “MONA Lisa”; 27. Relatives of newtons, DYNES; 29. Algebraic unknowns, X AND Y; 31. “Savvy?”, DIG; 32. “Well, DUH!”; 34. Literally, “pick me up, TIRAMISU; 36. Beverage substitute, CREAMER; 40. Too cute, say, KITSCHY; 41. Johnnie Walker blend, RED LABEL; 43. It’s made every day, BED; 44. Parliament’s end?, ASH; 45. Dogma, CREED; 47. German leader?, SOFT G; 51. One crossing a line, SCAB; 53. Richard of NBC News, ENGEL; 55. King who consulted the Witch of Endor, SAUL; 56. Chuck, HURL; 57. “The Pianist” setting, WARSAW; 59. Knoxville-based org., TVA; 60. Breakers ahead, PERIL; 62. Sweet spot, COOKIE JAR; 64. Serotonin, E.G., AMINE; 65. Hierarchy, TOTEM POLE; 66. Classroom units, DESKS; 67. Captain of the Nebuchadnezzar, in “The Matrix”, MORPHEUS.

Down — 1. Cry when exposing something secret, BUSTED; 2. Out of order, UNTIDY; 3. December birthstone, ZIRCON; 4. Actress Caldwell, ZOE; 5. “I KNEW it!”; 6. Accessory to a case, ID TAG; 7. Foozler, LUMMOX; 8. Eagerly accepted, LEAPT AT; 9. Forrest Gump’s rank: Abbr., PFC; 10. Cell phone function, ALARM; 11. Intermittent, PERIODIC; 12. Stagger, ASTONISH; 13. “Gotta love him!”, WHAT A GUY; 15. Traveler in 1957 news, SPUTNIK; 21. Main vein, MIDRIB; 24. There might be one on a hero, MEDAL; 28. Tree whose leaves were once smoked by Indians, SUMAC; 30. David who directed the final four Harry Potter films, YATES; 33. 55-Across, e.g., HEBREW; 35. Operations were once commonly performed in thi, MSDOS; 36. Resting place, informally, CRASH PAD; 37. 1991 Madonna hit, RESCUE ME; 38. “Apollo 13” actor, ED HARRIS; 39. Simulate, in a way, RE-ENACT; 42. Subject of an air traveler’s complaint, LEG ROOM; 46. Old Chrysler make, DESOTO; 48. “All or Nothing” rapper, 2005, FAT JOE; 49. Second-smallest member of the United Nations, by population, TUVALU; 50. Bad looks, GLARES; 52. Flip one’s lid?, BLINK; 54. Staples Center player, LAKER; 58. Wuss, WIMP; 61. Article in L’Express, LES; 63. Book before Phil., EPH.

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Puzzle available on the internet at

THE NEW YORK TIMES — Crossword Puzzles and Games.

06.21.12 — By the Numbers

Jack Benny, 1975, Al Hirschfeld

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Thursday, June 21, 2012

Puzzle by Caleb Emmons / Edited by Will Shortz

A note accompanies this Thursday crossword: Parts of six answers have been entered in the grid for you. Those answer-parts are 4, 19, 21, 33, 18 and 57, the numbers of the answers/clues, e.g., HORSEMEN (4D. Apocalyptic figures), EIGHTY-FOUR (19D. A dystopian novel), JUMP STREET (21D. 1980s-’90s police drama), YEARS OLD (39D. Like Jack Benny, as he always said), HOLE ROUND (18A. Standard golf outing) and VARIETIES (57A. Heinz offering).

Other — ARGYLE (49A. It’s full of diamonds), FIERCE, HEY MOM, IT WAS I, LEGLESS (41D. Like worms), MAHARAJA (29A. Literally, “great king”), ORATES, PORTRAY (9D. Play), SAYING, SHOWER, TESSERAE (44A. Mosaic squares), TRUE UP.

Five-letter — ABORT, ADAPT, ALOES, ALOHA, DAWGS, ELVIS, ERASE, ETHEL, H TEST, IRONS, JOYCE, MAJOR, En MASSE, OH GEE, OZARK, PASTY, POLKA, PSALM, SISSY, YURTS.

Short stuff — AGES, AGUA, ALVA, Running AMOK, ARK. ATTY, AVID, AXL Rose, BOL, EARN, EAST, EPA, ELUL, GAR, GEEK, GROW, IRAS, IRR, IVS, JEN, KEYS, LAZE, LENS, LTRS, LOU, MEDI, OATS, OGRE, OJAY, PEA, PION, PURR, RARA avis, SASE, SKIP, SKY, SST, TIX, VET, YOYO.

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Puzzle available on the internet at

THE NEW YORK TIMES — Crossword Puzzles and Games.


Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. HI hi; 6. Federal org. issuing standards; 9. One begins “The king shall joy in the strength”; 14. Big-time; 15. Passes for a flick, say; 16. “So sad”; 17. City in Arkansas or county in Missouri; 20. Jingle-janglers; 21. “Dawson’s Creek” girl; 22. Dramatic confession; 23. Hebrew month; 25. Monster; 26. Greeting often made just before asking for something; 33. Align; 34. J.D. holder; 35. S.A. land; 36. Make; 37. Macho he’s not; 39. One being put to sleep?; 40. Bygone travel option, informally; 41. U.S.P.S. deliveries; 42. Badgerlike; 46. Appeals to the masses?; 47. A long time; 48. Say sexily; 52. Fish whose name comes from the Old English for “spear”; 53. Autograph collecting aid, for short; 59. Weird Al Yankovic specialty; 60. Dungeon gear; 61. Do a background check on; 62. 1956 million-selling album; 63. Cleveland Browns fans; 64. Jupiter’s domain, in myth; 65. Heed the adage “When in Rome …”. — DOWN: 2. Veg out; 3. Any of the singers of the 1973 hit “Love Train”; 5. Flood beater; 6. A Kennedy; 7. Subatomic particle; 9. Play; 10. Postgame ritual; 11. Sed quencher; 12. Periscope part; 13. Lead-in to care; 21. 24. TV/radio host Dobbs; 25. Bay filler; 26. Cloud producer, informally; 27. Clear; 28. Mongolian dwellings; 30. Scrub; 31. Author of “The Dead”; 32. Burn soothers; 38. Some tax shelters, for short; 43. Non-std.; 45. Adage; 48. Sickly white; 49. All fired up; 51. Balloon; 52. Many a Comicon attendee; 54. Edison’s middle name; 55. Pass over; 56. Bridge hand; 58. Some R.N. setups; 59. Imp’s ammo.