03.26.15 — Rinse Cycle

Thursday, March 26, 2015

Puzzle by Byron Walden / Edited by Will Shortz

Mixing up the word "RINSE” (across and down) constitutes the main feature of this Thursday crossword:

SLYTHERINS (19A. Draco Malfoy’s housemates in the Harry Potter books)

NOSE RINGS (27A. Some punk accessories)

INTENSE RIVALS (36A. Red Sox and Yankees, e.g.)

SPIN SERVE (43A. Tricky way to put a ball in play)

RINSE CYCLE (57A. Part of washing … or what’s exhibited by the circled letters from top to bottom).

Other — ABU DHABI (7A. Mideast capital), ANYHOO (5D. “Moving right along …“), Swimmer Matt BONDI who won eight Olympic gold medals; BOTOX (13D. Shot in the crease?), GIMPS (47D. Hobbling gaits), ISRAELIS (39D. Haaretz readers), LAYLA (2D. 1971 rock classic inspired by a 12th-century Persian poem), MALE NUDE (60A. “David” or “The Thinker”), PHONE SEX (63A. Activity on a hotline?), SANTA HAT (65A. Yuletide topper), TOILETTE (18A. Personal grooming), YMCA (59D. Where “you can hang out with all the boys,” in song).

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Puzzle available on the internet at

THE NEW YORK TIMES — Crossword Puzzles and Games.