11.30.14 — That's Disgusting — the Acrostic


A lobster in the sand on a beach…

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Sunday, November 30, 2014

ACROSTIC, Puzzle by Emily Cox and Henry Rathvon
Edited by Will Shortz

This Sunday’s informative and somewhat humorous acrostic draws a quotation from That’s Disgusting: Unraveling the Mysteries of Repulsion by Rachel Herz.


Why do we watch horror movies? What is the best way to persuade someone to quit smoking? Why are we more likely to buy a given item if an attractive person has just touched it? And what on earth is the appeal of competitive eating?

Combining lucid scientific explanations and fascinating research with a healthy dose of humor, That’s Disgusting illuminates issues that are central to our lives: love, hate, fear, empathy, prejudice, humor, and happiness. Amazon.com

The quotation:  LOBSTERS… WERE CONSIDERED AQUATIC VERMIN… BY EUROPEAN COLONISTS.  THIS SEA PESTILENCE, WHICH LITTERED THE SHORES OF NEW ENGLAND, WAS USED AS FISH BAIT AND FERTILIZER… .  EXCESSIVE SERVING OF THIS "JUNK" FOOD LED SLAVES… TO REBEL.

The author’s name and the title of the work:  RACHEL HERZ, “THAT’S DISGUSTING”

A. Action without conscious intent, REFLEX
B. Free from germs, ASEPTIC
C. Drink choice for Hannibal Lecter, CHIANTI
D. Mix it up verbally (2 wds.), HAVE WORDS
E. Toss, as a player, EJECT
F. Scum of the earth, slime ball, LOWLIFE
G. He described life as “solitary, poor, rusty, brutish and short!”, HOBBES
H. What a haruspex reads to foretell the future, ENTRAILS
.I. Suffused with a distinctive smell, REDOLENT
J. Minced oath like “Sblood!”, ZOUNDS
K. Backdrop for “West Side Story” or “Rent”, TENEMENTS
L. Shockingly grim and ghastly, HORRIFIC
M. Unfavorably disposed, loath, AVERSE
N. Incense burner swung in church, THURIBLE
O. “For Esme — With Love and SQUALOR” (Salinger story)
P. Prophesy; excellent, informally, DIVINE
Q. Overrun, as with bugs, INFESTED
R. Target for some muckraking, SWEATSHOP
S. What makes hair or quills stand on end, GOOSEFLESH
T. Get ready for bed or a sauna, UNDRESS
U. Plates exercise, done prone, with rocking (2 wds.), SWAN DIVE
V. Period when pterosaurs first appeared, TRIASSIC
W. Awful, nasty, repulsive, ICKY
X. Sky-high, like seats far from the action, NOSEBLEED
Y. Boolean logic devices, GATES

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