Puzzle by Herre Schouwerwou / Edited by Will Shortz
Five double-pun phrases, some rhyming with a first or last name, constitutes the main feature of this Thursday crossword: POEHLER BARE(19A. Naked “Parks and Recreation” star?) THOREAU FAIR (61A. Event at Walden Pond?) CHER WEAR 12D. Clothing line from an Oscar-winning singer?) BELLE HEIR (20D Offspring of Beauty?) HERR KERR (39D. The Galloping gourmet in Germany?)
Other — COPPER (1D. Conductor of note), DISROBED (7D. Stripped), EGGHEAD (4D. Brainiac), ELAINE (51D. Paige of Broadway and London’s West End), NONMETAL (41D. Any of about 18 elements on the periodic table), ROCK (27D. Wear and look great doing it), “The last thing I wanted to do was be a WAR-TIME president“: Lyndon Johnson.
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Mathematical shapes constitute the main feature of this meaningless Wednesday crossword:
RIGHT TRIANGLE (20A. ELK, geometrically, in the finished puzzle) TRAPEZOID (28A. EARL, geometrically) POLYGON (39A. ELK, EARL, LEAK or GEAR, geometrically) RECTANGLE (48A. LEAK, geometrically) PARALLELOGRAM (58A. GEAR, geometrically) VERTEX (52D. What each of this puzzle’s circled squares represents
Other — ANDRO (1D. Mixing male and female characteristics, slangily), BACK PAIN (38D. Lumbago), DOGGONE (47D. Darn), LARGELY (55A. For the most part), LAG, LADE, LENI, LIDA and the LIRR, SHAHDOM (4D. Iran, formerly), SIDE NOTE (11D. Incidental remark).
SQUARE ROOTS (34A. Math calculations exemplified 14 times in this puzzle) and ROOT in fourteen squares is the main feature of this Tuesday crossword:
Other — CABOOSE(3D. Ones back on track?), GO ON TOUR (6D. Hit the road, as a band), NOOGIE (44D. Painful bit of horseplay), PET DOOR (56A. What a dog might raise a flap about?), POOR TAX (41D. Chance card in Monopoly with a $15 fee), Vocalist ROBERTA Flack, ROOFTOPS (36D. Places to view fireworks), SET LOOSE (37D. Release, as the hounds), STROPHE (61A. Poetic stanza).
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Puzzle by Johanna Fenimore / Edited by Will Shortz
"Left speechless" is the clue for five answers in this Monday crossword: BLEW / AWAY (1A. With 66-Across, left speechless) DUMBSTRUCK (16A. Left speechless) KICKED IN THE HEAD (25A. Left speechless) KNOCKED FOR A LOOP (43A. Left speechless) GOB SMACKED (58A. Left speechless)
Other — CAESAR (44D. Roman ruler who said “The die is cast”), DO-RE-MI (5D. Start of the musical scale), GREEK GOD (37D. Hermes or Hades), HECK YES (21A. “You betcha!”), HERA and HERD (55D Wife of Zeus’63A. Group of buffalo), HOOKAH (9D. Hashish pipe), KNACK (25D. Talent), ONE SEC (45D. “Hold on …!”)
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The sound of CH or TCH becomes SH with justifying clues and some spelling changes in this ho-hum Sunday crossword:
LAST DISH EFFORT (23A. Valiant attempt to finish off a seven-course meal?) LAWN SHARES (30A. What an investor in golf courses might buy?) SHEEP THRILLS(36A. Grazing in a meadow and jumping fences, for two?) YOU BETTER WASH OUT (48A. “Be sure to lose!”?) MIX AND MASH (64A. Two blender settings?) KARATE SHOP (68A. Dojo Mart, e.g.?) MUSH TO MY SURPRISE (82A. What I unexpectedly had for breakfast?) MARSH MADNESS (92A. Swamp fever?) POKER SHIPS (100A. Floating casinos?) SHEAF INSPECTOR (112A. Reviewer of the paperwork?)
Other — BED SHEETS (6D. Sleep on it), DAMON (121A. Vic with the 1949 #1 hit “You’re Breaking My Heart”), GULPED (22A. Wordlessly indicated “uh-oh”), KEY CASES (45D. Ring alternatives), OP ARTIST (52D. Painter of illusions), REAR-ENDS (85D. Hits back?).
Of interest — CHOCOLAT (42A. 2000 film set in France that was nominated for five Academy Awards); THE DOORS (15A. 1960s-’70s band that took its name from an Aldous Huxley title); DOUBT (55D. “The beacon of the wise,“ per Shakespeare); END NOTES (12D. Notable features of David Foster Wallace books); FOODIE (18A. Gourmet);Henry FONDAand HenryVIII;LIGETI (62A: Composer György whose music was featured in Kubrick films); PETE ROSE (69A. 17-time All-Star of the 1960s-‘80s); REDDIT (3D. Website with “Ask Me Anything” interviews); RSTLNE (51D. Bonus round freebies on “Wheel of Fortune”); SCAPULAR (37D. Religious garment suspended from the shoulders); SKRILLEX (1A. Leader n electronic music with multiple Grammys); STRATEGO (35A. Capture-the-flag game); VONNEGUT (39D. Author who created the fatalistic optometrist Billy Pilgrim); YOUR CALL (64A. “It’s not my place to decide”); XS AND OS (8D Chalk talk symbols).
Eight 15-letter entries constitute the main feature of this Friday crossword: TURNED THE HEAT ON(15A. Put under pressure) STINK STANK STUNK (17A. “The three words that best describe” the Grinch, in song) OPEN TO CRITICISM (44A Not discouraging feedback) CONFERENCE TABLE (47A. Office fixture surrounded by a board? AUTOMATIC WEAPON(2D. One doing the rounds very quickly?) TRI NITRO TOLUENE (3D. Something to level with) STUCK TO ONE’S RIBS (12D. Was satisfying, as a hearty meal) CONDIMENTS AISLE (13D. What may hold the mayo)
Other — CANTON (31A. Football Hall of Fame city), CATALPA (1A. Tree with white flowers), COMERICA (31D. Bank with a landmark tower in Dallas), CONTENTS (33A. Stuff inside), CT SCANS (1D. Images of organs, often), DAMES (36A. “I Only Have Eyes for You” movie musical), OH KAY and ON KEY, POLYSCI (8A. Int’l relations is a branch of it), STRESSED (27A. Under pressure).
A quip about wordplay, YOU CAN’T TELL PUNS / TO KLEPTOMANIACS / BECAUSE THEY TAKE / THINGS LITERALLY, is the main feature of this Thursday crossword:
Other — ALUMNA (11D. Graduate of Mount Holyoke, e.g.), CELLMATE and SLAMMER (9D. 5-Down cohabitant; 5D. Pen), CIMINO (46D. Michael who directed “The Deer Hunter”), ENAMELER (38D. Cloisonné artisan),ESCHER (43D. Tessellating artist), HEINE (35A. “Die Lorelei” poet), HE’S SO SHY (33D. 1980 hit with the lyric “That sweet little boy who caught my eye”), LAKE / ERIE (39D. With 48-Down, setting for Toledo), MAUNA KEA (3D. Highest Hawaiian peak), MODISTE (26D. Couturier), MORNAY (27A. Sauce made with roux, milk and cheese), SYNERGY (43D. Hoped-for collaboration result), ZANTAC (12D. Tagamet competitor).
PAIR OF CARDS (56A. Some poker holdings … or a hint to 20-, 24-, 30- 41- and 42-Across) and CARD following both words of five entries constitutes the interrelated group of this mild Wednesday crossword:
CREDIT REPORT (20A.Equifax offering) HOLE PUNCH (24A. Three-ring binder user’s gadget) NAME CALLING (30A. Some childish insults) TRADING POST (41A. Place to deal in fur, once) HIGH SCORE (52A. Arcade achievement)
Other — BIG PAPI (40D. Baseball’s David Ortiz, to fans), DOROTHY (43D. “Over the Rainbow” singer), EYE-ROLL (7D. “Oh, puh-leeze!” facial expression), ICE-FREE (44D. Navigable in winter, say), OSH (13D. Kyrgyzstan city), SMASH-UP (46D. Major wreck), THE COPA (2D. Hangout in a Barry Manilow hit), VIP ROOM (3D. Celeb’s hangout).
Puzzle by Gerry Wildenberg / Edited by Will Shortz
Two-word alliterative vowel progression of SA, SE, SI, SO and SU constitutes the main feature of this friendly Tuesday crossword:
SATURDAY SABBATH (17A. Jewish observance) SESAME SEED (22A. Hamburger bun topper) SIMPLE SIMON (33A. Nursery rhyme character “going to the fair”) SOLID SOUTH (49A.Voting block from Reconstruction to the 1960s) SURGE SUPPRESSOR (55A. Power strip part)
LADIES FIRST (59A. Chivalrous rule obeyed in this puzzle), along with reversing the order of the names of four familiar male and female couples constitutes the main feature of this Monday crossword:
JANE AND DICK (17A. Classic learning-to-read stories) MARY AND WILLIAM (23A. Virginia university) GRETEL AND HANSEL (37A. Grimm fairy tale) JULIET AND ROMEO (52A. Shakespeare play)
Other — BUNYAN(12D. Tall Paul); “DOWNTON Abbey”; GAH (57A. Cry of frustration); IDAHO (28D. Boise’s state); Pie à la MODE; OIL (48D. What the “O” in OPEC does not stand for, surprisingly); “Mr. Jock, TV quiz PH D, bags few lynx” (classic pangram); OJIBWA (45D. Tribe traditionally living around Lake Superior); SNAP ON (72A. Affix with a click); STEAMS (13D. Prepares in a wok, as vegetables); TSK TSK (1A. “You should know better!”).
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“Double Down” Puzzle by Don Gagliardo and Zhouqin Burnikel
Edited by Will Shortz
Eight squares containing two letters each play double duty in this Sunday crossword:
DIRT[Y L]INEN and PAY PAL (22A. Private things that are embarrassing; 5D. One way to complete an online purchase)
HEAR[T-W]ARMING and NOT NOW (23A. Moving in a nice way; 12D. Later)
GOO[D-N]ATURED and MADMAN (57A. Friendly; 46D. Lunatic)
FINA[L N]OTICE and KAL-KAN (59A. Warning just before a cutoff of service; 50D. Big brand of dog food)
LAUNC[H P]ARTY and HOT POT (80A.Celebratory event for a new company or product; 82D. Asian stew often eaten with a dipping sauce)
EVENIN[G S]TAR and GET SET (83A. Venus; 85D. “Go” preceder)
STATIO[N W]AGON and NITWIT (119A. Plus-size model?; 120D. Dunderhead)
PAPE[R T]RAIL and RAGTAG (121A. Hard evidence a lawyer follows; 122D. Motley)
Other — BAA BAA (97A. “Ewe two?“) EATS ALONE (18A. Requests a table for one, say), FREE-RANGE (26A. Not caged), HOMO ERECTUS (14D. Old man?), IMPORT QUOTA (36D. Certain trade barrier), INSINUATION (42D. Sly suggestion), PRESS-UP (69A. Bit of exercise, in Britain), RE-SANDS and RE-SEEDS; RUNNING A TAB (67D. Drinking now, paying later), TACO SALAD (112A. Order at a Mexican grill), TANTARA (93D. Bit of fanfare], THIGH (13A. Mini revelation?), WHAT AM I (20D. Question ending a riddle).
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The quotation: A BLACK CAT DREAMT EVERY FOURTH GOOSE HUNTED INVISIBLE JELLYFISH. KINDLY LET MANY NICE OSTRICHES PASS QUICKLY. RATHER STUPIDLY THE UMBRELLA VOTED WHEN X-RAYING YELLOW ZEBRAS. …MAKE UP YOUR OWN CRAZY PANGRAMMATIC STORY
The author’s name and the title of the work: URSULA DUBOSARSKY, WORD SNOOP
The defined words: A. Original version, as of a musical score, URTEXT B. Vroom-maker’s activity, REVVING C. Sworn enemies of Gargamel, SMURFS D. Member of the order of newts and salamanders, URODELE E. Mandible (2 wds.), LOWER JAW F. Sort of order imposed in this puzzle’s quote, ALPHABETIC G. The opposite of parch, DRENCH H. Not pleasant to regard, UNSIGHTLY I. Derisive imitation, BURLESQUE J. Kind of fiber in technology, OPTICAL K. Create Z’s, in a comic strip, SNORE L. Burning fiercely, ABLAZE M. Improve; purify, make genteel, REFINE N. Peduncle, STALK O. Social gathering where coffee might be involved, KLATSCH P. Doo-wop hit with the admonition ”Don’t talk back” (2 wds.), ‘YAKETY YAK” Q. Last word of Eliot’s “The Hollow Men”, WHIMPER R. Crude container (2 wds.), OIL DRUM S. Joke follower in a stand-up act, RIMSHOT T. Unmoved (hyph.), DRY-EYED U. Literally, rendered fat; figuratively, sentimentalism, SCHMALTZ V. Capital city of Niger, NIAMEY W. Pigheadedness, OBSTINACY X. Augustus’ name before he was emperor, OCTAVIAN Y. Practice similar to bigamy,POLYGYNY
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Puzzle by Damon J Kaczynski / Edited by Will Shortz
Of interest — BELIEVE YOU ME(20A. “… and that’s no joke!”); Graham CRACKOS (old Kellogg’s cereal); DIRK DIGGLER (24D. “Boogie Nights” persona played by Mark Walberg); ELEANOR RIGBY (54A. Beatles song in which no Beatle plays an instrument); ETYMON (50A. Linguistic root); FIREPLACE and LOG (10D. With 12-Down, poker target); ICE-COLD BEVERAGE (17A. Refreshment on a scorching hot day);I ROBOT (44A. Classic 1950 book with the line “It’s your fiction that interests me. Your studies of the interplay of human motives and emotion”); OEDIPAL (18D. Like some unhealthy attachments); OH COME NOW (32D. “Puh-lease!”); OKEYLY-DOKELY (3D. All right, to 42-Across); ORRERY (46D. Model in a science class); PANTERA (34D. Metal band with the 1994 #1 album “Far Beyond Driven”); SOUNDS LIKE A PLAN (57A “Yes, let’s!”); TEA PARTY (33A. It runs to the right); THE CLASH (40A.Their 1982 album “Combat Rock“ went double-platinum).
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