10.31.12 — Toil and Trouble


 
The Three Witches from MacBeth, 1827, Alexandre-Marie Colin
 
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Wednesday, October 31, 2012 — Halloween
 
Puzzle by Stu Ockman / Edited by Will Shortz

WITCHES’ BREW (64A. “Macbeth” recipe), TOOTH OF WOLF, SLIPS OF YEW, BLIND WORM’S STING and LIZARD’S LEG constitutes the interrelated group of this delightful current event (e.g., Halloween) crossword.
 
Other — AT RISK, BISHOPIRIC (37D. Seat of a Catholic official), Playwright Bertolt BRECHT, DARWIN, EASE UP, ENFOLD, Eve ENSLER, ESPRIT, LOLITA, LOOSEN, PROBOSCIS (3D. Notable nose), RITUAL, SASHAY, STABLE.
 
Five-letter — ADOPT, AD REM, ALCOA, APSES, ASTER, AZTEC, BITES, FLOAT, LLAMA, “Goodbye, NORMA Jean …”, OBAMA and OZAWA, OLIVE, RAWLS, TANYA, ZOWIE (7D. “Fantabulous!”).
 
Short stuff — AAH, ABOU Ben Adhem“, ADO and ADZ, ALSO, APBS, BETH, DIDO, EATS, ELBA, ERO, ESC, FLY (18D. It may be embarrassing if it’s open), Peter GELB, GTO, HEH, IDEO, ISH, Cousin ITT, Capt. Jean-LUC Picard, NILS, NORA, NRA, NULL, OAR, ODIN, ONE-ARDS, REED, SABU (20A. “Elephant Boy“ boy), SEL, SNAG, SOO and SOR, STOA, SWAT, TAO, TKOS, UGLY, UMS, VEE, YET, Billy ZANE of “Titanic“.

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Puzzle available on the internet at
 
Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. Quick wit; 11. “Eternally nameless” Chinese principle; 14. In harm’s way; 15. Ruler of Asgard; ; 6. Tool with a curved head; 17. 64-Across ingredient; 19. “From my cold dead hands!” sloganeer; 21. 64-Aqcross ingredient; 23. Bireme or trireme tool; 25. “On the other hand …”; 26. Andean wool source; 27 Eve who wrote “The Vagina Monologues”; 30. Commotion; 32. Relax; 40. 64-Across ingredient; 43. “Wait! There’s more …”; 44. Relax; 45. French seasoning; 46. GPS display features: Abbr.; 48. Strut one’s stuff, say; 50. Illinois senator who became president; 53. Jacuzzi sigh; 56. Muscle car in a 1964 song; 57. 64-Across ingredient; 60. Some calls to smokeys; 63. Cousin ___ of ‘60s TV; 66. Flock formation; 67. Prefix with -logical; 66. Banned book of 1955; 69. PC key; 70. “A Doll’s House” wife. — DOWN: 1. Snacks on; 2. Greek colonnade; 4. Fraternity initiation, e.g.; 5. Roughly: Suffix; 6. Some referee calls, for short; 8. Take up, as a cause; 9. Zeros, in soccer; 10. Wrap around; 11. Tucker who sang “Delta Dawn”; 12. Pertinent, in law; 13. Conductor Seiji; 22. Rose Parade entry; 24. Bassoon part in two pieces; 27. Isle of exile; 28. Lacking value; 29. Singer of 1976’s “You’ll Never Find Another Love Like Mine”; 30. Church recesses; 33. The Great Lakes’ ___ Locks; 34. Suffix with ranch; 35. Stalling-for-time syllables; 38. Draft-ready; 39. Hard on the yes; 42. Grab onto; 47. Australian city named after a naturalist; 49. Hospital condition; 50. Antipasto bit; 51. What fishermen hope for; 52. Member of an empire ruled by the Mexica; 53. Cousin of a daisy; 54. Name in kitchen foil; 55. Villain’s chuckle; 58. Lover of Aeneas; 59. Peter ___, general manager of the Met; 61. Aleph follower; 62. Police jacket letters; 65. College women’s grp.

 

10.30.12 — Where Was I?

 

 
 
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Tuesday, October 30, 2012
 
Puzzle by Alex Vratsanos / Edited by Will Shortz
 
Where have I been? In the middle of Hurricane Sandy, a/k/a Frankenstorm, 28-hour blackout, unable to go outside and at night in the dark like a caveman waiting for the sunrise…
 
Catching up… RADICAL, LIBERAL, MODERATE, CONSERVATIVE and REACTIONARY in circled letters reading down from left to right constitutes the main feature of this topical Tuesday crossword. It matters not what entries contain the circled letters; nonetheless, this is a clever crossword full of variety and interest.
 
Interesting stuff — ALAMO and ANZIO (6D. 1836 battle site; 52D. 1944 battle site), COYER and SLYNESS, HOAXES (49A. “The Hitler Diaries” and others), MASTIC (22A. Resin in varnish) which is name of the Long Island hamlet where this writer spent the hurricane, ODESSA (26A. City in Ukraine or Texas), ORION crossing ORSON, POOR LAW (45D. Old welfare measure).
 
With a nod to Cal Ripken, in the seven years resulting in ten million hits that I’ve been blogging The New York Times Crossword, I’ve never missed a day; however, this is the first time I’ve been late to the plate! I had better post this now — no telling!

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Puzzle available on the internet at

Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. Singer Lou; 6. Latin 101 word; 10. Mystery writer John Dickson ___; 14; Bubbling over; 15. ___ Ness; 16. Double curve; 17. Competition for 3-year-olds; 18. Together, musically; 19. “The Lion King” lioness; 20. Breastbones; 22. Resin in varnish; 24. Prefix with -batics; 25. Supplicate; 29. Gourmand; 30. Roy G. ___; 31. Haughty response; 33. Something that makes stops on the ocean?; 327. Frozen drink brand; 39. Mythical hunter; 41. “The Time Machine” race; 42. Medicinal plant; 44. ___ throat; 46. Rock genre; 47. Pear variety; 51. Subgroup; 54. Gator’s cousin; 55. Strong spate; 56. Like many eighth graders; 60. White House policy honcho; 61. Out; 63 Grammy winner Ronstadt; 64. Sanyo competitor; 65. Staff member?; 66. To have, to Henri; 67. Veg out; 68. Poetic adverb; 69. O. Henry Award winner for “Livvie is Back” — DOWN: 1. Units of a dangerous dosage; 2. Aid’s partner; 3. Sported; 4. Some fall babies; 5. Craft; 7. Certain ‘60s teens; 8. Prefix with puncture; 9. Venue where Toscanini conducted; 10. Be green, in a way; 11. Marble material; 12. Archaeologist’s find; 13. Get through to; 21. Heavens: Prefix; 23. Where Billy Budd went in “Billy Budd”; 25. Ulan ___, Mongolia; 26. Some warps; 27. Backgammon needs; 28. Like certain odds, paradoxically; 29. Verdi aria; 32. Director Welles; 34. Quizmaster Trebek; 35. A portion of; 36. Madre’s brothers; 38. F flat equivalent; 40. Jacket style; 43. Spanish liqueur; 45. Old welfare measure; 48. Composer Strauss; 50. Not retired; 51. Kind of point; 53. Rush hour speed; 54. More coquettish; 56. It may be tempted; 57. Carbon compound; 58. Do some paper work; 59. ___ a soul; 62. Trial.

 

10.29.12 — Animal Antics

 
 

European Red Squirrel, Image Credit: Freubel Art
 
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Monday, October 29, 2012
 
Puzzle by Gareth Bain / Edited by Will Shortz

Animal nouns used as verbs in common phrases ending in directional prepositions, e.g., WOLF DOWN (17A. Devour), MONKEY AROUND (24A. Waste time playfully), PONY UP (39A. Pay what’s due), PIG OUT (41A. Eat, eat, eat), SQUIRREL AWAY (49A. Hoard) and BEAR UPON (63A. Pertain to) constitute the interrelated group of this Monday crossword.
 
Other — APIARISTS (34D. Beekeepers), NOMINEE (35A. Choice of a political party), PETUNIA (42A. Porky’s porcine sweetie), ROPE-A-DOPE (8D. Muhammad Ali strategy).
 
Mid-size — ADORN, ALIBIS (47D. They may fall apart under cross-examination), ASPEN (12D. “Quaking“ tree), ENACTS, GRADER, HERETO, INFAMY (4D. Criminal renown), ISUZU, LASED, NO FAIR, ODESSA (16A. Old Soviet naval base site), POP-UPS, QURAN. RACIST, RADIAL, REAGAN, REMIX, SHARE (49D. Not hoard), SYRUPY (48D. Too sentimental), TUNER, UTICA, WHAM-O, ZANIER (7D. More madcap).
 
Short stuff — ABE, ADO and ADZ, AER Lingus, AGED, AMEN, CAPP (28D. Al who created Joe Btfsplk), Buffalo Bill CODY, CYAN, DEA and DEP and DEW, DENT, DIO, EAR, EPEE, EST, Coup d’ ETAT, EURO, Goldie HAWN, HOPI, HUT, “Don’t you know who I AM?”, ICE, IDI Amin, KGB, NO NO, NRA, OBOE, OMOO, ONUS, ORIG, PELF, PERU, Tyrannosaurus REX, RNA, SIC, SOOT, SRO, TAB, TORN, YENS, YURI Gagarin, Tappan ZEE.

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If you don't find a post here tomorrow, this may be why!
 

 
 
 
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Puzzle available on the internet at
Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. Indian tribe with a rain dance; 5. Wood-shaping tool; 8. Ind of tire; 14. The answer to a preacher’s prayers?; 15. Org. with sniffing dogs; 19. Some online ads; 20. “You cheated!”; 21. Cooler contents; 23. New York’s Tappan ___ Bridge; 31. Teacher after a test, e.g.; 32. “Honest” prez; 33. File folder projection; 45. Right-to-bear-arms org.; 46. Carter’s successor; 48. Chimney sweep coating; 54. Crude home; Uganda’s ___ Amin; 56. Attached ___ (legalese phrase); 60. Crops up; 65. Like Jim Crow laws; 67. Lima’s land; 68. Makes into law; 69. Boffo show sign; 70. Hankerings. — DOWN: 1. “The First Wives Club” actress Goldie; 2. Melville opus; 3. Ill-gotten wealth; 4. Criminal renown; 5. Deck out; 6. Pasture moisture; 9. “Much ___ About Nothing”; 10. Withdrawal’s opposite: Abbr.; 11. Japanese truck maker; 13. Erased a tattoo, say; 18. God, in Italian; 22. Blue shade; 25. Spy grp. Dissolved in 1991; 26. Many a song at a dance club; 27. Not a photocopy: Abbr.; 29. Instrument with metal keys; 30. Tin can blemish; 33. One doing piano repair; 36. It’s taboo; 37. Continental coin; 40. Space race hero Gagarin; 43. Superannuated; 44. Genetic material; 50. Imam’s holy book; 51. New York city with a name from antiquity; 52. Company that originated Frisbees and Boogie Boards; 57. Sporting sword; 58. Ripped; 59. Big burden; 61. [not my mistake]; 62. Superlative suffix; 64. What a headphone goes over.

 

10.28.12 — What THE ...


 
Sunday, October 28, 2012
 
WHAT THE … Puzzle by Caleb Madison and Michael Sharp
Edited by Will Shortz
 
Adding “THE” to common phrases to form new phrases loosely defined by the puzzle’s vexatious clues constitutes the interrelated group of this Sunday crossword:
 
LATHE LADY LATHE (23A. “Come on, woman, shape that wood!”?)
CAPTAIN BLITHE (38A. Cheerful superhero?)
WAIT AND SEETHE (52A. Take a patient approach to revenge?)
TITHE BREAKERS (71A. Ones who stop giving to their church?)
BREATHE CHEESE 89A. Softly exhale cheap sentiment?)
WRITHE NEW YORK (101A. Mad scientist’s sadistic exclamation upon attacking the Empire State?)
SCYTHE OF RELIEF (119A. What the Grim Reaper’s backup carries?)
SO SOOTHE ME (15D. “If you don’t like my anger, do something about it!?)
LOATHE BLOW (76D. Hate coke?)
 
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Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. Auckland native; 5. Surmounting; 9. Dude ranch handle; 19. Setting for the 2012 film “Argo”; 20. Title partner of “the Swan” in a Yeats poem; 21. “___ Her Standing There”; 22. Creed of the “Rocky” series; 26. Brighter; 27. Start of a choosing rhyme; 28. Uploaded pic, often; 29. Go weak in the knees; 31. In the past; 32. Jack ___; 34. Dry white wines; 36. Some protests; 41. Facts of life?; 42. Oklahoma birthplace of Oral Roberts; 43. “___ surprised as you are!”; 44. Cases for E.M.T.’s; 46. Onetime U.N. leader; 50. Guard dog’s target; 56. Benefit; 57. Abandon; 59. “Mamma ___!”; 60. Sleeper agent; 61. Sallie ___; 63. Barbaric; 65. Some electrical workers; 68. Stand offering, briefly; 74. Future grads: Abbr.; 75. Emaciated; 77. “Hoarders” airer; 78. ___ loss; 80. Hombre, formerly; 81. Everyone’s bets; 83. Ford sedan; 85. T.A.’s overseer; 93. Tenacious sort; 95. San Antonio mayor Julian, keynote speaker at the 2012 Democratic convention; 96. 1978-79 CBS detective drama; 97. Fool; 98. Big bygone bird; 99. ___ Kong; 106. “Popsicle,” in Fifty Shades of Grey,” for one; 110. Anatomical ring; 111. Like a 12-Down; 112. First-floor apartment, maybe; 113. Rake; 115. Ain’t correct?; 116. Canon fodder?; 117. Rime minister of 1945; 124. Evan-___ (women’s clothing brand); 125. Its alphabet has 44 consonants; 126. Log time; 127. Sailors’ saint; 128. Ends of Alaska?; 129. Farm females; 130. Macho man; 131. 1,000 years before the coronation of Queen Elizabeth I. — DOWN: 1. Metric distance: Abbr.; 2. Author Levin; 3. Summer recreation area; 4. Ready to mate; 5. Confederate; 6. Genteel gathering; 7. Tasks around the house; 8. Web site with a “Send Money” tab; 9. Psychologist Jean; 10. P.R. hours; 11. First name in Chicago politic; 12. Weenie; 13. Coach for dancing?; 14. Wall St. opening; 16. Black in country music; 17. Vote in; 18. Results of lying too much?; 24. Involve; 25. ___ Johnston, former fiance of Bristol Palin; 30. London facilities; 32. Replacement refs, maybe?; 33. “The Taming of the Shrew setting; 34. Backbeat component, often; 35. Drink to throw back; 37. Recognize as a source; 39. Cry on arrival; 40. Big wheel at a reception?; 45. Snide response; 47. Smithereens; 48. Red Wing or Blackhawk; 49. Cold temps; 51. Bijou; 52. “___ #1!”; 53. Carnival Cruise Lines stop; 54. Go over again; 55. Christine ___, “The Phantom of the Opera” girl; 58. Junk; 62. Killed a hero?; 64. Horne and Olin; 66. It’s measured in cups; 67. W.W. II craft: Abbr.; 68. “Your Business” airer; 69. Director Kurosawa; 70. Family inheritance; 72. Finish line, often; 73. Together, in music; 79. “Dragnet” message, for short; 82. Spring phenomenon; 64. Winning by a small margin; 86. Dirt spreader; 87. Psalm starter; 88. Unreliable; 90. Suppose, to Shakespeare; 91. They’re often toasted; 92. Cornell who founded Western Union; 94. Off-campus local; 97. Really sing; 100. Miracle-___; 102. It might cause photophobia; 103. “One World” musician John; 104. Flatters; 105. Hollered; 106. Wet bars?; 107. Prankster-like; 108. “Get on the stick!”?); 109. Tidies up, in a way; 114. Come back; 116. Durst of Limp Bizkit; 118. Disney doe; 120. Deviate from the course; 121. Bird ___; 122. Owner of Abbey Road Studios; 123. Babe.

 

10.27.12 — Ancient Manuscript

 
 
Christian Bible as Codex
 
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Saturday, October 27, 2012
 
Puzzle by Joon Pahk / Edited by Will Shortz
 
Across — 1. Allies who are also rivals, FRENEMIES; 10. Park permit, sometimes, DECAL;15. It may be shown to a superior, REVERENCE; 16. Send out of state?, EXILE; 17. Ephemeral decorative structure, ICE CASTLE; 18. Major key that uses all five black keys on a piano, D FLAT; 19. Fails utterly, TANKS; 20. “Out of Sync” autobiographer, 2007, LANCE BASS; 22. “Ill be right with you”, ONE SEC; 2. First female skater to land a triple/triple jump combination in competition, ITO; 25. Like some verbs: Abbr., INTR; 26. Like certain versions of the Bible: Abbr., STD; 27. Iroquoian people, HURONS; 30. Means to enlightenment, TAO; 31. Gets down quickly, CHUGS; 33. CEDRIC Diggory, rival of Harry Potter; 35. Spinner’s spot, DJ BOOTH; 38. When repeated, a Las Vegas casino, NEW YORK; 39. Five-term Mexican president, JUAREZ; 40. Gymnastics staple, HORSE; 41. Home of Sault Ste. Marie: Abbr., ONT; 42. Dash, SPRING; 44. Modern storage, RAM; 47. Talking car on “Knight Rider”, KITT; 49. Patch Media owner, AOL; 50. Show some major respect?, SALUTE; 53. Some magicians gear, OPERA HATS; 56. Something seen after hours?, COLON; 57. Buyable, in a way, VENAL; 58. “Excuse me?”, DO YOU MIND; 60. She outwitted Sherlock, IRENE; 61. Major museum expense, INSURANCE; 62. Ancient manuscript, CODEX; 63. No longer on speaking terms, ESTRANGED.
 
Down — 1. Four-cornered chips, FRITOS; 2. Make an abjuration, RECANT; 3. Leveled, EVENED; 4. Gets to first base, NECKS; 5. Clear, ERASE; 6. Cuatro semanas, roughly, MES; 7. Not domestic: Abbr., INTL; 8. Desserts not for the calorie-conscious, ECLAIRS; 9. Taken care of, SEEN TO; 10. DEDE Dinah” (1958 hit); 11. Like some private eyes, EX-FBI; 12. Burrito flavoring, CILANTRO; 13. British sci-fi author, Reynolds, ALASTAIR; 14. “It’s showtime”; LET’S ROCK; 21. Big gigs, CONCERTS; 23. Cheek, CHUTZPAH; 28. What a stuck-out tongue may mean, UGH; 29. Works on shifts, say, SEWS; 31. French horn, COR; 32. Plot devices?, HOES; 24. Make the highlights?, DYE; 35. 2011 Wimbledon champion, DJOKOVIC; 36. California’s JUNIPERO Serra Peak; 37. Fastened tightly, with “down”, BATTENED; 38. Refusal of Paris, NON; 40. Family of Paris, HILTONS; 43. One bringing a speaker onstage, maybe, ROADIE; 44. Case outcome, RULING; 45. “And step on it!”, AT ONCE; 46. Got better, MENDED; 48. Sax great, to fans, TRANE; 51. Legend, for one, ACURA; 52. Iconic Broadway role for Cobb, LOMAN; 54. “A Clockwork Orange” protagonist, ALEX; 55. Interstate hwy. SYST; 59. Start of many church names, OUR.
 
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10.26.12 — The Friday Crossword

 
Friday, October 26, 2012
 
Puzzle by Peter A. Collins / Edited by Will Shortz
 
Across — 1. Potential misfit, SQUARE PEG; 10. Darken, BEDIM; 15. Iranian export, TURQUOISE; 16. Actress ERICA Hubbard of “Akeelah and the Bee”; 17. Abbot’s attribute, PIOUSNESS; 18. Goliath’s master of old TV, DAVEY; 19. Showiness, ECLAT; 20. Private chat, TÊTE-À-TÊTE; 22. Ref’s call, TKO; 23. Secret rival, BAN; 24. Santa Maria’s chain, AZORES; 25. Number retired for Steve Largent and Jerry Rice, EIGHTY; 28. One hanging in una iglesia, CRUZ; 30. Truncated parlor piece?, TAT; 31. Some costume cutouts, EYE HOLES; 33. Figure in red, LOSS; 35. Sitcom mom of Cheyenne and Kyra, REBA; 36. There’s nothing in it, VOID; 38. “I have had a perfectly wonderful evening, but this wasn’t it” speaker, MARX; 40. Kewpie doll features, TOPKNOTS; 44. What a brat might throw, FIT; 45. Display some guns, FLEX; 47. Fen frequenters, EGRETS; 49. Painting the town red, ON A JAG; 51. Crack at a contract, BID; 53. It can be felt on felt, NAP; 54. Things placed during a political campaign, ROBOCALLS; 56. Two-time Italian prime minister Giuliano AMATO; 58. Filler of some cavities, GROUT; 59. Short, curly hairdo, POODLE CUT; 61. Eye: Prefix, OCULO; 62. Heyday, GOLDEN ERA; 63. Four-bagger, TATER; 64. Ready to be posted, say, ADDRESSED.
 
Down — 1. Home to Tropicana Field, familiarly, ST PETE; 2. Rush job, QUICKIE; 3. Detrol prescriber’s field, UROLOGY 43. Relative of cerulean, AQUA; 5. Body shop concern, RUST; 6. Big stretch, EON; 7. Passion portrayal, PIETA; 8. Spirit, ESSENCE; 9. Tale of derring-do, GEST; 10. Really brilliant, BEDAZZLING; 11. Lyre holder of myth, ERATO; 12. Shifts, DIVERTS; 13. Lemons are often squeezed into them, ICE TEAS; 14. Shakespearean might, MAYEST; 21. EAU de Lourdes; 23. Abbr. often preceding 29-Down, BYOB; 26. Many a Berliner, HERR; 27. Competition TV series with versions in over 30 countries, THE X FACTOR; 29 Abbr. often following 23-Down, RSVP; 32. Fashionable, some say, LATE; 34. Radon’s lack, ODOR; 37. Let pass, OKED; 38. Mahon is its largest city, MINORCA; 39. When it’s approximately, AT ABOUT; 41. Dark reddish brown, OXBLOOD; 42. Some bridge holdings, TEN ACES; 43. Reputation, STATURE; 44. Left behind, FORGOT; 46. N.Y.C. luggage tag letters, LGA; 48. Thing placed during a political campaign, SPOT AD; 50. Work measure, JOULE; 52. “ … despite not thy mother when she IS OLD”: Proverbs 23:22; 55. Green org. for women?, LPGA; 56. Out of harm’s way, in a way, ALEE; 57. MEN’S Journal (magazine); 60. E. Germany, before 1990, SSR.
 
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Puzzle available on the internet at

10.25.12 — TETRIS

 
 
Thursday, October 25, 2012
 
Puzzle by Caleb Rasmussen / Edited by Will Shortz

TETRIS in descending circled letters, DO NOT LET THE / FALLING BLOCKS / REACH THE TOP (16A. With 34- and 54-Across, basic instruction or [circled letters]) constitutes the interrelated group of this Thursday crossword.
 
Other — AGLISTEN, AT A COST, END NOTE, FIG TREE, FILLMORE (34D. Big Whig), GLISSANDO (44A. Musical effect that‘s simple for a trombone), GONE DARK (10D. Closed, as a theater), LAY READER (25A. Congregation member authorized by a bishop to conduct part of a service), OIL RESERVE (28D. The Gulf of Mexico has a big one), ORESTES (40A. Brother of Electra), PROTECTS, ST MARKS (12D. Venice tourist attraction), THERE’S MORE (9D. Infomercial phrase).
 
Mid-size — Buenos AIRES, Slippery as AN EEL, BATTY, BROOCH, DNA LAB, EILEEN Collins, ENESCO (50A. “Romanian Rhapsodies“ composer), ENVOIS (42D. Ends of ballades), FIGARO, I’LL BE, NEATO, OBSESS, OEUVRE, PUNTED, SISTER, SMARTS, STACK, STAPES (43D. Smallest human bone), TEETHE, TO DATE, TRURO (38A. Town on Cape Cod), TUSHIE, TYPE AB, USEER, YEOMEN Warders.
 
Short stuff — AMT and ART, ASH, BELS, BUT, DSC, EEN, ELO, ERE, ESS, ETA and EVA and EVO, HUB, NOM, GPS, ORT, OTTO Octavius, ROT, SGT, SLUR, TEED, TENT, TMS, TRIO, TSA, VET.
 
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Puzzle available on the internet at

Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. Category at some banks; 7. Start of an excuse; 10. Car rental add-on; 13. Everything Bach composed, e.g.; 14. Contents of a flick?; 15. Leftover bit; 19. Grammatical case: Abbr.; 20. Lb. or oz.; 21. One with a habit; 22. It might be announced over a P.A.; 23. Ready to be driven; 27. Place for additional ino; 30. IHOP order; 33. Savvy; 37. Opera character who sings “Largo al factotum”; 39. Expression of amazement; 48. Fair sight; 49. Logos, e.g.: Abbr.; 52. Senora Peron; 53. Malarkey; 57. Poetic preposition; 58. One who frequently sees Spots, for short; 59. Bottom; 60. Poetic time of day; 61. “Evil Woman” grp.; 62. Have a fixation. — DOWN: 1. So far; 2. ___ Warders (Tower o f London figures); 3. Like some footballs and boats; 4. Bolivian president Morales; 5. “The only way to run away without leaving home,” per Twyla Tharp; 6. Units of sound; 7. Crackers; 8. One walking down an aisle, say; 11. Shields; 17. ___ Collins, first female space shuttle commander; 18. Kind of screening, for short; 24. Where police look for matches; 26. Not for nothing; 29. Snap, Crackle and Pop, e.g.; 32. Snorkel, e.g.: Abbr.; 33. Musical line; 35. Shining; 36. Jewelry box item; 37. Part of a Mideast orchard; 41. Raise canines?; 46. Cool; 47. Mil. Hero’s award; 51. Spider-Man villain ___ Octavius; 55. Turning point; 56. Big section of the dictionary.
 

10.24.12 — Oh, G ...


 
 
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Wednesday, October 24, 2012
 
Puzzle by Ian Livengood / Edited by Will Shortz

GLOSS, or G LOSS (37A. Some makeup … or a hint to 17-, 26-, 43- and 58-Across), ROUND CHUCK (17A. Actor Norris, after gaining weight?), RAIN ALCOHOL (26A. What a tosspot fantasizes the clouds would do?), RAVE ROBBERS (43A. Thieves at an all-night dance bash?) and HOST WRITER (58A. Someone responding to a party R.S.V.P.?) constitute the interrelated group of this Wednesday crossword.
 
Other — BIG TOE, FRAT ROW, IN A STIR, MANDELA (23A. 1993 Peace Nobelist), PAY PHONES (11A. There used to be a lot more of these on corners), RADAR GUNS (32D. Items for baseball scouts and highway patrol officers), REDHEAD, SPEECH, TEHRAN, VISTAS.
 
Five-letter — A-BOMB, AHORA, ANGST (52A. Emo emotion), BEGOT, BRUIN, FISHY, HARES, ISERE, LURID, OPERA, RERAN, SABER, SEPAL, STROM, THROE (14A. Spasm), TOTEM, WOMEN.
 
Short stuff — ALPO, AGRA, AGUE, ASAP, “That’s all I ASK“, AXEL, BAY, BEEP, BOLO, CALI, DOCS, DRIP, EDNA, EGOS, EON, ENOW, ESPN, EYRE, GORE (37D. Reason for an R rating), HAT in hand, ICES, IPO, ITCH, LASH, LES and LESS, LAW, LOO, MESA, MISS, NAB, NODE, “… OR I quit!”, OSE, PAGE, REEL, RISE, SPAR, STOP, TADA, TONE, USER, WED, X OUT, ZEST, ZOOM.
 
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Puzzle available on the internet at


Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. Cavalry weapon; 6. “And there it is!”; 10. Argue (with); 15. Hollywood has some big ones; 16. Summon; 19. Attendee of the fictional Lowood Institution for girls; 21. Symbols of speed; 22. Flower part; 25. Hankering; 30. Designed to a pique interest, say; 33. Toot; 34. Collar; 36. “Hurry!”; 39. Badlands feature; 40. Unite; 41. Whoosh!; 42. A bit questionable; 47. Show some respect to a judge; 48. All riled up; 54. Conceived; 56. Sugar ending; 57. Strike; 60. ___ Krabappel, Bart Simpson’s teacher; 61. Boxer’s fare?; 62. Kind of glasses; 63. Dieter’s amount; 64. Paint swatch choice; 65. Common door sign. — DOWN: 1. Longtime senator Thurmond; 2. Now, in Nogales; 3. Bobby Orr, notably; 4. Impatient person’s wait, seemingly; 5. Conan O’Brien, e.g.; 6. Mideast capital; 7. Bad fit; 8. Entries in two Oscar categories, slangily; 10. Address; 12. Indian tourist locale; 13. Country dance; 18. District of Colombia?; 22. Knock off; 24. Stalactite producer; 25. Knocks off; 27. Manhattan Project result, informally; 28. Guitarist Paul; 29. Shipboard punishment; 30. Bar topic; 31. PC operator; 35. Triple Crown winner Citation or Gallant Fox; 38. Back of a public house, maybe; 39. Get wrong; 41. Spice; 42. Where many Greeks are found; 44. Outlooks; 45. Part that may be pinched; 46. Sufficiently, in poetry; 49. Tribal figure; 50. Rhône tributary; 51. Put on again; 52. Jump on the ice; 53. Intersection point; 54. Western accessory; 55. N.F.L. broadcaster; 59. Subj. of a Wall Street Journal story.

 

10.23.12 — Mail


 
Pony Express Statue, St. Joseph, Missouri
 
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Tuesday, October 23, 2012
 
Puzzle by Jules P. Markey / Edited by Will Shortz

USPS (5A. Org. suggested b the starts or `7-, 31-, 41- and 62-Across), MAIL (70A. 5-Across’s business), FIRST CLASS CABIN (17A. Pricey accommodations on a ship), REGISTERED NURSE (31A. Ward worker), PRIORITY SEATING (41A. What disabled people are entitled to on a subway) and EXPRESS CHECK-OUT (62A. Quick way to pay) constitute the interrelated group of this Tuesday crossword.
 
Other — ALIGNED, BARISTA (23A. One who knows his beans?), FACTION, LET’S SEE, Bodice-RIPPERS, SASHIMI (4D. Menu item often accompanied by wasabi), STEEPLE, TEST KIT.
 
Five-letter — ABFAB, ABIDE, ALOHA, ANENT, ARUBA, ASSTS, ATTIC, BAYER, CUBAN, EASEL, ELTON, ELUDE, EPSOM, ERROR, ESPYS, FOCAL, IT ALL, LANED, “I MEANT what I said“, SAONE, SASHA, SETTE, SHEBA, SOLID, TASES, TEXAS, TEYS, VOILA.
 
Short stuff — AAA, ACTA, DE, AVES, BEG, Tora BORA, EAR, EEL, EGG, ETE, GAI, GNU, HES, HOI polloi, INDO, ION, MAIL, NEA, ORA, OTOE, OWE, PAPA, PDAS, RAP, RBI, RET, SEN, TAT, TEEN, USC.

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Click on image to enlarge.
 
Puzzle available on the internet at


Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. Mediterranean and Baltic, in Monopoly: Abbr.; 9. Kind of point; 14. Tora ___ (Afghan area); 15. Pop; 16. One of the Dutch Antilles; 10. HI hi; 21. Kaput; 22. Fruit drink; 26. In a row; 30. “+” thing; 38. Like some highly-rated bonds; 39. Grant-giving org.; 40. Dog command; 41. What disabled people are entitled to on a subway; 46. Mich./Minn. Separator; 49. Sei + uno; 50, Bell site; 54. “Hmmm …”; 58. “___ be-a-ack!”; 59. Hemingway’s nickname; 61. Words after hang or dash; 66. Maker of Aleve; 67. Western tribe; 68. Prefix with European; 69. Little helpers?; 71. Olympic female gymnast, typically. — DOWN: 1. ‘90s-’00s Britcom; 2. “Ta-da!”; 3. Overthrowing a base, e.g.; 5. Pac-12 school, for short; 6. Roman sun god; 7. Droids, e.g.; 8. Obama girl; 9. Group within a group; 10. Man-mouse link; 11. Like the rumba, originally; 12. Tolerate; 13. Like interstates; 18. Shocks, in a way; 19. Sphere or pyramid; 24. Bit o body art, informally; 25. Regarding; 27. Beast with a beard; 29. Low poker holdings; 31. Jay-Z’s genre; 32. Musician’s asset; 33. Moo goo ___ pan; 34. Hotel meeting room amenity; 35. Hitter’s stat; 36. Statehouse worker: Abbr.; 37. A snake may swallow one whole; 42. Part of i.o.u.; 43. Bodice-___ (old fashioned romance novels); 44. Puerto Rico y La Espanola; 45. Summer on the 55-Dopwn; 46. High level?; 47. Do-it-yourself diagnostic tool; 50. Biblical land on the Arabian Peninsula; 51. ___-size (big); 52. Awards won by LeBron James and David Beckham; 53. British racetrack site; 55. Rhone feeder; 56. Avoid; 57. Rocker John; 60. Court records; 63. Like many seniors: Abbr.; 65. Wriggly fish.

 

10.22.12 — Undercover




Monday, October 22, 2012
 
Puzzle by Joel Fagliano / Edited by Will Shortz

UNDERCOVER COP (60A. Sting cooperative .. Or a hint to 20-, 24-, 39- and 55-Across), PUBLC OPINION (20A. It’s measured by polls), PECO PARK (24A. Home of the San Diego Padres), FRANCICO PIZARRO (39A. Conqueror of the Incas) and MACO POLO (55A. Traveler to Cathay) constitute the interrelated group of this well-behaved Monday crossword.
 
Other — ALCOTT, AVIATES, CROUCH, DEEPEN, ESCAPEES, HASBRO (3D. Company that makes Scrabble), IN PAIN, JUSTIN (8A. Bieber with the 2010 hit “Baby”), OCCURS, OOMPA / LOOMPA (58D. With 53-Down, Willy Wonka employee), OUTMODE, NAPOLI, SIT PAT, SPINAL, SUN CHIPS, SUPPOSE, TANNER, THOMAS, TRUMAN, UNTIMED.
 
Five-letter — AESOP, “AS PER our agreement …”, C-NOTE, COLOR, ITALO Calvino, JUNIO, Willy LOMAN, ODDER, UP TOP (9D. Slangy request for a high-five).
 
Short stuff — ACCT, ACHE, ACRO, ALA, ANNA, ARF, “CAN’T Take My Eyes Off You“, CON, ECON, ENDS, EPEE, EPIC, EZRA Pound, FCC, IRA Gershwin, ISE, Deborah KERR, KILN, LEAD, LEES, LEVI, LIKE, NAH, NED Beatty, OAT Bran, OMEN, REAR, ROAM, RPI, SAN Andreas fault, SCH, SFO, SHIA, SLRS, TACO, TARS, TIN, TOM and TOS, TPED, UMA and UVA, VEER, VISE.

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Click on image to enlarge.
 
Puzzle available on the internet at

Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. Acad. Or univ.; 4. Starring role; 14. Lyricist Gershwin; 15. Olympic event with electrified equipment; 16. Presume; 17. Lean-___ (temporary shelters); 18. Squeezing tool; 19. Not checked for speed; 23. Height: Prefix; 27. Tank engine of children’s fiction; 30. “Never mind”; 31. Some jeans; 33. Hurt; 35. Be fond of; 38. Dog’s bark; 40. Pro-s opposite; 45. Mexican snack; 46. Some cameras, for short; 47. Frankie Valli’s “___ Take My Eyes Off You”; 40. Alphabetically first state: Abbr.; 51. Seaport SE of Roma; 59. Supply-and-demand subj.; 63. Make obsolete; 66. Portent; 67. Actress Thurman; 68. Files; 69. Festooned with bathroom tissue, informally; 70. Campus in Troy, N.Y.; 71. Leather worker; 72. Sailors. — DOWN: 1. Decide against making any changes; 2. Catcher’s stance; 3. Company that makes Scrabble; 4. Jeans maker Strauss; 5. Awesome, in slang; 6. Fable writer; 7 Get worse, as losses; 8. Month after mayo; 9. Slangy request for a high-five; 10. Kind of cord or column; 11 Male turkey; 12. Suffix with expert; 123. Beatty of “Charlie Wilson’s War”; 16. Frito-Lay product once sold in a 100% compostable bag; 21. The salesman in “Death of a Salesman”; 22. Author Calvino; 25. Rump; 26. Deborah of “The King and I”; 28. Bank holding: Abbr.; 29. Sunni rival; 32. California’s second busiest airport, after LAX; 34. Fugitives; 36. Pottery oven; 37. Poet Pound; 39. Media monitoring grp.; 40. Move aimlessly; 41. 26-Down’s role in “The King and I”; 42. 1950s TV innovation; 48. Whom “Dewey Defeats” in a classic Chicago Tribune headline; 50. “Little Women” author; 52. Takes place; 53. See 58-Down; 54. Hurting; 56. Bill worth 100 smackers; 57. More peculiar; 61. Swerve; 62. Finales; 63. Kellogg’s Crackin’ ___ Bran; 64. The Cavaliers of the A.C.C.; 65. It’s atomic symbol is Sn.