11.09.11 — INN

Henry Singleton, The Ale-House Door, c. 1790

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Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Puzzle by Paula Gamache / Edited by Will Shortz

INNKEEPER (36A. Accommodating person? … or a hint to 20-, 28-, 48- and 57-Across), along with INN within WINNING FOOTED (20A. Like a successful marathoner?), FINNISH TANK (28A. Helsinki hoosegow?), SINNING SONG (48A. Call of a siren?) and GUINNESS AGAIN (57A. Jaded ale drinker’s question?) constitutes the interrelated group of this Wednesday crossword, e.g., wing-footed, fish tank, singsong and guess again…

Other — ALENÇON (3D. French city associated with lace), ANAGRAM (42D. Chemical agent for climate change), GROW DIM (1D. Darken), HARD HAT (11D. Construction worker), INAUDIBLE (63A. Like many a whisper), IT’S A BET (45D. “You’re on!”), MATILDA (46D. Title woman in a Harry Belafonte song), MOON SIGN (5D. Lesser-known astrology symbol), MOPIEST (2D. Most downcast), NOISIEST (37D. Registering the most on the applause-o-meter), OPEN TO ALL (17A. Needing no invitation), PANT SUIT (39D. Women’s business wear), SLYNESS (47D Duplicity), SOFT SHOE (9D. Tapless tap-dancing).

Mid-size — AGILE, CRAGS, DECAFS, Safety FIRST, GENIAL, GUANO (40A. Bat cave deposit), NEEDS, NONNA, OATES, OP ART, PELOSI, SOHIO, Pied-à-TERRE, UNMET.

Short stuff — AIMS, ANTI, ENNE, DNA, ENO, ERN, ETAS, GIE, GMAN, GOAD (51D. Prod), GST, HOO, IRS, ISO, LED, LEST, MSRP, MTNS, NIK, NUN, ODS and OKS, ONE, OPIE, OTOE, OTT, ROLF and ROLO, SATS, SDS, SINN Fein, STAG, SUE, TAL, TARA, TCU, TEA, TIFF, UIE, URGE (58D. Prod).

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Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. Sting figure; 5. Car dealer’s starting point: Abbr.; 9. Old Buckeye State service station name; 14. Chewy candy treat; 15. Old buffalo hunters of the Great Plains; 16. Work that gives the illusion of movement; 22. Late-night beverages; 23. 1960s teach-in grp.; 24. Bit of crying; 27. Same: Prefix; 32. Himalayas, e.g.: Abbr.; “___ me my Highland lassie, O”: Burns; 35. Pulitzer nominee for the novels “Black Water” and “Blonde”; 43. It’s part of the gene pool; 44. Intentions; 52. Chess champion Mikhail; 53. It may be green or black; 54. Seek damages; 55. Warm and comfy; 64. Rugged rocks; 65. Pro’s foe; 66. Some readouts, briefly; 67. Not realized; 68. For fear that; 69. They may be announced en route: Abbr. — DOWN: 6. Missing women?; 7. Massage deeply; 8. Longtime Democratic House leader; 10. Mayberry moppet; 12. Org. with auditors; 13. Giant legend; 18. Little slapfest; 21. Takes too muich, briefly; 25. Alternative to I, you, he or she; 26. Gives the nod to; 29. Suffix with peace; 30. Food and shelter; 31. Home in a Mitchell novel; 38. Music producer Brian; 40. Prime meridian std.; 41. Slangy reversal; 49. Many a rosary carrier; 50. Good-humored; 56. Like an acrobat; 59. Non-P.C. suffix; 60. They’re taken in high sch.; 61. Home of the Horned Frogs: Abbr.; 62. Directional suffix.

11.08.11 — BBB

Ye Boston Baked Beans, 1886, by H. E. Covill

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Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Puzzle by Scott Atkinson / Edited by Will Shortz

Four phrases with the initials of BBB, e.g., BEING BOBBY BROWN (23A. Reality show featuring Whitney Houston and her then-husband), BOUNCING BABY BOY (50A. Healthy delivery, perhaps), BONNIE BLUE BUTLER (3D. Rhett and Scarlett’s child) and BOSTON BAKED BEANS (11D. Dish often served with franks), constitute the interrelated group of this Tuesday crossword.

Other — AL DENTE (4D. Firm, as pasta), ALGEBRA (45D. “Solve for x” subject), CINDERFELLA (17A. 1960 Jerry Lewis fairy tale spoof), FLABBERGAST (57A. Bowl over), LEONINE, OFFENSE, ORBITED, ROPEWAY (12D. Suspended ore conveyor, e.g.), SHERBET (7D. Cold dessert), VOYAGER (46D. First spacecraft to reach Uranus and Neptune).

Mid-size — ATHENA, ARLES, BANANA, BARELY, BUY IT, BYE BYE, CELEBS, ENGAGE, FASCIA, HARD C, IDEATE, IDLED, OBOES, O’LEARY, RAINS, RAISA, REBID, REGREW, ULNAS, URALS.

Short stuff — AAA, ABES and ABET, ABBA, AFC, AHA, Suit to A TEE, ATF, BARS, BET, BOI, BRO and BRR, DER and DRE, EBON, ELAN, ENE and EWE, ENOS, ENT, FAR, FOOL, FRI, HEE and NEE, INTS, ITSY, KOI, OOF, OREO, RAE and REA, ROBE, ROT, RSVP, SNL, SOV, SPF, RSVP, TIL, TSP, VERT.

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Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. “Mamma Mia” singers; 5. Sheath of connective tissue; 11. Buddy, for short; 14. Object of pity for Mr. T; 15. Parthenon goddess; 16. Sock-in-the-gut reaction; 19. UV ray-blocking stat; 20. Once known as; 21. Stephen of “Still Crazy”; 28. Help pull off a crime; 29. $5 bills, slangily; 30. Radius neighbors; 31. Judge’s weaar; 32. Poppycock; 33. “Ciao for now!”; 34. NBC show with skits, in brief; 36. Mrs. Gorbachev; 37. Eurasian range; 39. M.D. concerned with tonsils; 40. Backyard pond fish; 43. Great Chicago Fire scapegoat Mrs. ___; 45. “Just as I suspected!”; 46. “Hor” neighbor, on old TVs; 47. Second offer, as on e-Bay; 48. Flair; 49. Poems of praise; 53. Some QB turnovers: Abbr.; 54. Rap’s Dr. ___; 55. Norma ___ (Sally Field role); 56. Up to, in ads; 62. Suffix with ethyl; 63. Got back, as hair by a Rogaine user; 64. Nephew of Abel; 65. ___ Bingle (Crosby); 66. Think creatively; 67. Invitation letters. — DOWN: 1. N.Y. Jets’ org.; 2. Avril Lavigne’s “Sk8er ___”; 5, A way off; 6. Antismuggling org.; 8. People profiled in People; 9. Furniture decoration; 10. Small battery; 13. Side with the ball; 18. Brain wave monitor, briefly; 22. Van Gogh’s “Sunflowers” setting; 23. Granola servings; 24. Black, in poetry; 25. With no room to spare; 26. High-pitched double-reeds; 27. Salesman’s exhortation; 33. Daiquiri fruit; 35. Corporate head?; 36 Post-op program; 38. Claude of “Casablanca”; 41. Cookie with crème in the middle; 43. Traveled like Sputnik; 44. Like Simba or Nala; 48. Cause to see red; 51. Sat; 52. Comment during a cold snap; 57. Popular party day: Abbr.; 58. Vegas action; 59. Meadow mother; 60. Part of U.S.S.R.: Abbr.; 61. Recipe amt.

11.07.11 — The First Monday in November

Boyce Thompson Arboretum, Fall Color by Robert Rice

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Monday, November 7, 2011

Puzzle by David Steinberg / Edited by Will Shortz

Seven answers with double initials, each beginning with the letter P, constitute the interrelated group of this pleasant enough Monday crossword:

• P.S. I LOVE YOU (17A. 1964 Beatles hit)
• PE CLASS (19A. Part of school that includes push-ups and situps)
• P.T. BARNUM (23A. Showman associated with the quote “There’s a sucker born every minute”)
• P.F. CHANGS (44A. Chinese restaurant chain)
• PH LEVEL (48A. Acidity or alkalinity)
• PG-THIRTEEN (52A. Rating of “Avatar”)
• PO BOXES (23D. U.S. mail holders)

Other — ARBORETUM (34D. Place where trees are studied), ITALIC (29D. Slanted type), LINDROS (39D. Retired hockey great Eric), NEBULA (25D. Part of a galaxy), RELIEF (28D. What the Red Cross provides), SKELETON (4D. Some Halloween costumes), SLOBBER (8D. Drool), STRUNG (30D. Like tennis rackets and harps), TRADER (24D. Merchant), UNITES (26D. Brings together).

Tower of Babel by Edward Sorel

Five-letter — ABLER, AMENS, AURAL, Tower of BABEL, “Et tu, BRUTE?”, CLANS, HOHUM, METER (27A. Something that‘s fed along a street), MINER, OUTGO, SCALP, SETON, SNEER, SOREL (30A. Illustrator Edward).

Short stuff — ABIT, ADO, AGEE, AILS, ALEC, Lhasa APSO, ARI, BAGS, BEE, BOAS, BUSS, EDEN, EMO, ENE, ETA, GAL and GAT, ITEM, LEI, LUXE, LYRE, MALI, MANE, NADA, OAHU, “O’ER the ramparts…”, OHNO, OLD, PAGE, PAY, PEGS, POI, RITE, ROD, SEAS, SPAS and SPAT, SWAP, TAU and TUE, TBAR, THE, USER, VEAL, VISA, WALK.

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Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. Healthful retreats; 5. Suitcases; 9. Minor quarrel; 13. Result of four balls, in baseball; 14. Ear-related; 15. Nothin’; 16. “A Death in the Family” author; 21. Hive dweller; 22. Alternative rock genre; 28. Religious observance; 31. WSW’s opposite; 32. Determined to do; 33. Ski lift; 34. Somewhat; 35. Family groups; 36. Gangster’s gun; 38. Is bedridden, say; 39. Sumptuous; 40. More fit; 41. Hawaiian souvenir; 42. Any of the Seven Dwarfs, by profession; 43. Constricting snakes; 47. Superannuated; 57. Neat; 58. Hawaiian island; 59. Expenditures; 60. Consumer; 61. Collector’s ___; 62. Seven things for a sailor; 63. Stable locks? — DOWN: 1. Exchange; 2. Call on an intercom, as a doctor; 3. Baldwin who has hosted “S.N.L.” more times than anyone else; 5. Kiss; 6. “Exodus” hero; 7. Rodeo female; 9. Expression that includes a lip curl; 10. Salary; 11. Brouhaha; 12. Sigma’s follower; 14. Lhasa ___ (dog); 18. Calf’s meat; 20. Prayer enders; 32. Where dandruff accumulates; 42. West African land; 45. Dull; 46. Cry of panic; 48. Things to hang hats on; 49. MasterCard competitor; 50. Place of bliss; 51. Bard’s instrument; 52. Hawaiian dish; 53. Gangster’s gun; 54. Article seen in many places; 55. Election day: Abbr.; 56. Pilot’s approximation, for short.

11.06.11 — The Time Machine — the Acrostic

Time Machine by Martine Roch, flickr.com

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Sunday, November 6, 2011

ACROSTIC, Puzzle by Emily Cox and Henry Rathvon

Edited by Will Shortz

This Sunday’s sensational acrostic draws a quotation from The Time Machine by H. G. Wells — a science fiction novella published in 1895 for the first time and later adapted into at least two feature films of the same name, as well as two television versions, and a large number of comic book adaptations. It indirectly inspired many more works of fiction in many media. This 32,000 word story is generally credited with the popularization of the concept of time travel using a vehicle that allows an operator to travel purposefully and selectively. The term "time machine", coined by Wells, is now universally used to refer to such a vehicle. ~ Wikipedia

The quotation: THE PECULIAR SENSATIONS OF TIME TRAVELLING… ARE EXCESSIVELY UNPLEASANT. THERE IS A FEELING… OF A HELPLESS HEADLONG MOTION. I FELT THE… ANTICIPATION… OF AN IMMINENT SMASH. … NIGHT FOLLOWED DAY LIKE THE FLAPPING OF A BLACK WING

The author’s name and the title of the work: H G WELLS THE TIME MACHINE

The defined words:

A. Period of deterioration (hyph.), HALF-LIFE
B. Mononymic castaway of fiction, GILLIGAN
C. 1906 novel written mainly from the viewpoint of its canine character (2 wds.), WHITE FANG
D. Common sights in Memphis, EGYPTIANS
E. Sinister thing in an Ursula K. Le Guin title (2 wds.), LEFT HAND
F. Independent operator (2 wds.), LONE WOLF
G. Haven or hideaway (2 wds.), SAFE HOUSE
H. Showing a downside of popularity, TOURISTY
I. Storied roller in the animal kingdom (2 wds.), HOOP SNAKE
J. Harlan with multiple Hugos, ELLISON
K. Document on file with a preset format, TEMPLATE
L. Like the classic mad scientist Griffin, INVISIBLE
M. Sci-fi parody directed by Tim Burton (2 wds.), MARS ATTACKS
N. Remove a layer of skin from; peel, EXFOLIOATE
O. Having an awfully noxious smell, MEPHITIC
P. 1909 novel by the author of this puzzle’s quote (2 wds.), ANN VERONICA
Q. Place where you might do some pitching, CAMPSITE
R. Hailed; announced; presaged, HERALDED
S. Dissension that can undo a team or party, INFIGHTING
T. Reputed sayer of “An army marches on its stomach”, NAPOLEON
U. Forces that constitute the weather, ELEMENTS

The complete paragraph of the quotation: I am afraid I cannot convey the peculiar sensations of time travelling. They are excessively unpleasant. There is a feeling exactly like that one has upon a switchback - of a helpless headlong motion! I felt the same horrible anticipation, too, of an imminent smash. As I put on pace, night followed day like the flapping of a black wing. The dim suggestion of the laboratory seemed presently to fall away from me, and I saw the sun hopping swiftly across the sky, leaping it every minute, and every minute marking a day. I supposed the laboratory had been destroyed and I had come into the open air. I had a dim impression of scaffolding, but I was already going too fast to be conscious of any moving things. The slowest snail that ever crawled dashed by too fast for me. The twinkling succession of darkness and light was excessively painful to the eye. Then, in the intermittent darknesses, I saw the moon spinning swiftly through her quarters from new to full, and had a faint glimpse of the circling stars. Presently, as I went on, still gaining velocity, the palpitation of night and day merged into one continuous greyness; the sky took on a wonderful deepness of blue, a splendid luminous color like that of early twilight; the jerking sun became a streak of fire, a brilliant arch, in space; the moon a fainter fluctuating band; and I could see nothing of the stars, save now and then a brighter circle flickering in the blue. ~ The Time Machine, H. G. Wells

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11.06.11 — Baker's Dozen

Pineapple Upside Down Cake, photo by K. S. Buehler

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Sunday, November 6, 2011

BAKER’S DOZEN, Puzzle by Elizabeth C. Gorski / Edited by Will Shortz

UPSIDE DOWN CAKES (47D. Pastry chef creations … and a hint to 12 other answers in this puzzle), TROHS (1D. Not having quite enough money), ETALOCOHC NAMREG (3D. Schokolade), DOOF LEGNA (5D. Manna, according to the Bible), MAERC ECI (12D. The “mode” of “a la mode”?), DNUOP (15D. Canine shelter), TSEROF KCALB (40D. Wooded area near the Rhine Valley), EGNOPS (50D. Squishy dish cleaner), ANANAB (61D. Word before republic or seat), REYAL (103D. Coat of paint), TEVLEV DER (84D. Girl’s holiday party dress fabric), YADHTRIB (87D. Cause for bring out candles), TEEHS (110D. Bed cover) constitute the interrelated group of this delicious Sunday crossword, compliments of the COOKS (14D. Bakers, e.g.)!

Other — ABSCISSAE (13D. Math coordinates), BOTTOMLESS (39A. Infinite), FOOTNOTES (82D. Followers of some asterisks), HALF-LIFE (27A. Radioactivity figure), HELMSLEY building, IN A MANNER (80D. So to speak), LADY LOVE (52D. Woman of one‘s heart), MANCHURIA (42D. Area known to the Chinese as Dongbei), MID-OCTOBER (97A. Peak leaf-peeping time in Pennsylvania), NONVIOLENCE (24A. Focus of Gandhi‘s philosophy), OVERCAME (114A. Subdued), PLETHORAS (9D. Huge amounts), PROGENIES (48D. Children and more children), RIOT SHIELDS (117A. Police protection).

Mid-size — ACTS UP, AGAMAS (92A. Brightly colored lizards), BIDS FOR, BROACH, CALDER (72A. “Pinwheel and Flow“ artist), CAVORT, CRISPY, DC NINE, EASIER, ET ALII, IN FOIL, IN TENS, LENSES, LESTAT, MIOSIS (88D. Constriction of pupils), NORMAN, RANSOM, RECKON, RENNET, SAID SO, SHADOW, SPARSER, SWIFTLY, VIACOM, YO-YO MA (87A. Musician who won a 2011 Presidential Medal of Freedom).

Five-letter — ADAMS, ADDIE, AESOP, ALTAR, ARNEL, BRAGA, Henry CABOT Lodge, CARNY, CIRCE (37A. “Odyssey“ temptress), DIETS, EMITS, HOLST, INCOG, LAILA, LYSIN, MONOS, ORRIS, RETRO, ROMAN, SKOAL, SNOOT, TACET, VOIDS, WHO SO.

Short stuff — ACDC, ACHE, AGHA, ALAR, ANNI, ANIS and ANS, APRS, AYEN, BAH, BETS, BONA fide, No-CAN-do, DAMN, DBA, DHL, ENE and ENNE, ERST, ESSO, EWA, “Fee, fi, fo, FUM“, GAGE, HEF, IGA, INE and INRE, LAB, LARA, LLDS, LTD and LTR, MCI, METH, MICE, MMV, MOL, NEVA, “There is NO I in team“, NRC, OER, OID and OIL, OKIE, OMAN, ORC, PAWL, PROM, RAY, RIEN, ROTI, SAL and SAR, SHO, SOUR (26A. Sweet‘s partner), SSS, STOA, STR, TOW, TRE, VERB, VWS.

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Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. Number of coins in la Fonta di Trevi?; 4. Singer Bryan; 9. Formal occasion; 13. Power option; 17. Roasted: Fr.; 19. Invader of 1066; 21. Logan of “60 Minutes”; 23. Muscat’s land; 29. Plans to lose; 30. S’pose; 32. Uppity sort; 33. Degs. From Yale and Harvard; 35. TMC competitor; 36. Fried chicken choice; 42. Chem. Unit; 43. Turkish title; 45. Mediterranean isl.; 46. Makes a scene; 49. “Humbug!”; 50. Feminine suffix; 51. And others; 53. Credit card bill nos.; 55. Wearing a wig and shades, say; 57. Marriage site; 60. Baseball’s Bando; 61. “The Boy Who Cried Wolf” storyteller; 62. Classic jetliner; 64. Old hi-fi records; 66. Accurse; 68. Big grocery store chain; 69. Tagalong; 70. On the double; 75. Ratchet bar; 77. “Cheers!”; 78. How you might get change for a twenty; 79. Perfumery rootstock; 81. PJ-clad mansion owner; 85. “Paper Moon” girl; 86. It means nothing to the French; 89. Shake, rattle or roll; 91. Poetic preposition; 94. Museum hanging; 95. It has banks in St. Petersburg; 96. Bugs, e.g.; 100. Certain antibody; 102. Raise, as a topic; 105. Part of a Q&A: Abbr.; 106. Hurt; 108. “Be silent,” in music; 111. Cheesemaker’s supply; 112. Empty spaces; 115Have ___ for (desire); 120. Dust Bowl witness; 121. English general in the American Revolution; 122. About; 123. Personal contacts?; 124 Dangerous speed; 125. Bygone spray; 126. Gets in the pool, say; 127. Like bell-bottoms or go-go pants; 128. Barbecue sound. — DOWN: 2. Circus Maximus patron; 4. Years, to Tiberius; 6. Synthetic fiber brand; 7. Year of Super Bowl XXXIX; 8. Declared; 10. Pirate’s demand; 11. “The Lord of the Rings” menace; 16. Certain huckster; 18. How Hershey’s Kisses are wrapped; 25. Anne Rice vampire; 28. P.O. box item; 31. In the past, once; 34. Corp. alias abbr.; 41. One of the Alis; 44. ___ Building, New York landmark north of Grand Central; 49. Tries to get at auction; 54. Less abundant; 56. Suffix with human; 58. Drag; 59. Cordoba cordial; 63. ___ Beach, Hawaii; 68. Spartan walkway; 67. Former call letters?; 71. Photo developer; 73. Inc., abroad; 76. “___ loves believes the impossible”: Elizabeth Barrett Browning; 90. High beam?; 93. Cheese fanciers; 95. Atomic energy oversight agcy.; 96. MTV’s owner; 98. Gambol; 99. Not so touch; 101. Orchestra section: Abbr.; 104. Russia’s ___ Bay, arm of the White Sea; 107. “The Planets” composer; 109. Sends forth; 113. FedEx rival; 115. Former U.S. gas brand; 118. Follower of Ernest or Benedict?; 119. Austin-to-N.Y.C. path.

11.05.11 — Another Fine Mess

Saturday, November 5, 2011

Puzzle by Kurt Mueller / Edited by Will Shortz

Six 15-letter answers are the main feature of this torturous Saturday crossword:

• BALTIMORE ORIOLE (14A. Relative of a bobolink)
• ON FAMILIAR TERMS (17A. Friendly)
• ANOTHER FINE MESS (55A. 1930 Laurel and Hardy film)
• SECURITY DEPOSIT (58A. What a lessee often gets back less of)
• ALFRED HITCHCOCK (3D. Creator of much suspense) 
• NORTH VIETNAMESE (11D. 1960s-’70s foe)

Other — GOLD CARD (6D. Visa offering), GRILLED / CORN (35A. With 39-Across, street fair fare), LATORTUE (36D. 2004-06 Haitian P.M.), NIELSENS (10D. TV producer’s concern), RAMSES I (37A. 19^th dynasty’s founder), ROADSIDE (37D. Shoulder holder).

Mid-size — ANAIS, ANGELA, ANNES, ANOINT, ARTOO, ATHOL, BEATEN, CLAMOR, CORNET, CREPE, DELAY, EENSIE, EL NINO (33D. Current event around Christmas?), ENTAIL, EXERTS, FAINT, FIELD, ITALIC, LEHRS, O’SHEA, POKES, SIMON, SLEPT, TEARY, TRESS, T-BOLT, WARLORD (18A. Minor despot).

Short stuff — ABOW, ACDC, AIRS, ALI (32D. KO connection maker) and ARI, ANE,ASP, CLE and CHE, EIN, ELM, EVEN, FYI, GAB, ISIS, LECT, LMN (34D. KO connection?), MIR, NANA, NEO, NOH, ORB, PEI, SES, SIE, SLA, SSTS, TIN (40A. Composition of some stars), XED.

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Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. First name in eroticism; 6. Confab; 9. Queen ___ (Maryland county); 19. It has a crosspiece for a head; 20. One in a Biergarten?; 21. Title role for Omar Sharif or Benicio Del Toro; 23. “Ulysses” star, 1967; 26. Like some outlets; 28. One is often said to be dead; 30. Not notched; 31. Plays with masks; 32. Gets out in the open; 38. Take; 41. Symposium offering: Abbr.; 42. Commuter’s annoyance; 44. Popular tech news site; 45. Massachusetts town near the New Hampshire border; 47. Like some survey boxes; 48. 1970s radical grp.; 49. Frittata alternative; 51. Options for building torpedoes; 59. Gives a “Yoo-hoo!” on Facebook; 60. Vous, over the Rhine; 61. Part of a beehive. — DOWN: 1. “Take ___” (1994 Madonna hit); 2. Family nickname; 4. Biased, in a way; 5. Kinsman of Jesus; 7. Man’s name that spells another man’s name backward; 8. Like losers; 9. Half of a sci-fi name; 12. Wahoo, for one; 13. 22-Down, in Dijon; 15. It was last inhabited in 2000; 16. 15-Down went around one; 22. Matching pair designation; 24. Wee: Var.; 25. Apply chrism to; 26. Tony’s boss on “Who’s the Boss?”; 27. Armstrong blew it; 28. Specialty; 29. Obviously not happy; 39. French key; 43. Wields; 44. Hullabaloo; 46. Glassware ovens; 48. Was quiescent; 50. Bank of China Tower designer; 52. The 4^th of November?; 53. Sister of Nephthys; 54. Former high fliers; 55. Possible cause of paralysis; 56. Liberal leader?; 57. Memo opener.

11.04.11 — The Friday Crossword

Friday, November 4, 2011

Puzzle by Patrick Berry / Edited by Will Shortz

Across — 1. Leave the pad, say, BLAST OFF; 9. Rustle up some food, FORAGE; 15. MORTIMER Brewster, beleaguered nephew in “Arsenic and Old Lace”; 16. Grammy-winning 1996 Beck album, ODELAY; 17. How some legal conversations are held, IN CAMERA; 18. Newly christen, RENAME; 19. Touch up, NEATEN; 20. African migrators, GNUS; 22. “The Amazing Race” network, CBS; 23. Born earlier, OLDER; 24. Neeson of “Taken”, LIAM; 25. Decision, CALL; 26. Some distillery products, RYES; 27. Lunchtime queuing spot, DELI; 28. Metaphorical crowd, THREE; 29. Dodges, as an obligation, WEASELS OUT OF; 32. Gets bent out of shape, DEFORMS; 35. Shirt or skirt, GARMENT; 36. R&B “drinking song” covered by Ray Charles, ONE MINT JULEP; 38. Shoots in the foot, say, LAMES; 39. Yarn unit, HANK; 40. Buddyroo, CHUM; 44. “You’ve got a deal!”, I’M IN; 45. OS X runners, MACS; 46. What a cookie cutter cuts, SHAPE; 47. Large amount, TON; 48. What stars might indicate, RANK; 49. Foul ball’s landing spot, often, STANDS; 50. The DC-10 was one, TRIJET; 52. While, AS LONG AS; 54. “Gone With the Wind” actor Howard, LESLIE; 55. 1994 sci-fi film about an alien artifact, STARGATE; 56. Controversial one-act play by Mamet, EDMOND; 57. Visited a vacation house, maybe, SUMMERED.

Down — 1. Bach’s “Mass in B MINOR”; 2. Unfrequented, LONELY; 3. Establishment with children’s quarters?, ARCADE; 4. Leading ladies?, STATESWOMEN; 5. Proctor’s need, TIMER; 6. Sign, OMEN; 7. “FER-de-Lance” (debut of Nero Wolfe); 8. Warning on a box, FRAGILE; 9. Discussion venue, FORUM; 10. High-flown tributes, ODES; 11. 1990s cartoon dog, REN; 12. Without sides, you might say, À LA CARTE; 13. Take the risk of, GAMBLE ON; 14. Marching order, EYES LEFT; 21. Shooters on the boards?, NAIL GUNS; 24. Symbol above the comma on a keyboard, LESS THAN; 25. Amount scarcely worth arguing over, CHUMP CHANGE; 27. Confounded, DAMN; 28. Ruptured, TORE; 30. Ninth-largest body known to orbit the sun, ERIS; 31. La Jolla’s SALK Institute for Biological Studies; 32. Doctor in Hugh Lofting tales, DOLITTLE; 33. Lovestruck, ENAMORED; 34. Doctrine associated with Betty Friedan, FEMINISM; 37. Contemptible fool, JACKASS; 41. Craft store?, HANGAR; 42. Bit of new info, UPDATE; 43. Blundered, with “up”, MESSED; 45. Out of the game, in chess, MATED; 46. One tracked by radar, STORM; 48. Curb, REIN; 49. Close with a bang, SLAM; 51. 2001 album featuring “Love Don’t Cost a Thing”, J LO; 53. STU Redman, hero of Stephen King’s “The Stand”.

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11.03.11 — Inquire Within

 

 

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Puzzle by Parker Lewis / Edited by Will Shortz

Four idioms, NEEDLE in a HAYSTACK, KID in a CANDY STORE, BULL in a CHINA SHOP and HELL in a HANDBASKET, with the first part of the phrase “literally” inside the second part, constitutes the interrelated group of this Thursday crossword — the NEEDLE, KID, BULL and HELL are all "within" the answer/clues, e.g., HAY NEEDLE STACK (20A. Nearly impossible target, literally), CANDY KID STORE (25A. One who’s enraptured, say, literally), CHINA BULL SHOP (46A. Inadvertently destructive sort, literally) and HAND HELL BASKET (52A. Something rapidly deteriorating goes to it, literally).

Other — AGENDA (4D. A chair usually has one), ASCENDED (5D. Rose), Grand BAHAMA Island, BEST BUDS (39D. Intimates), DO RE MI (8D. Bread), ERASED (9D. Cleared), LONGNECK (36D. Certain beer bottle), ON SALE (49D. Marked down), SQUATTER (10D. One without a title), USED UP (48D. Depleted).

Five-letter — ABODE, ADIEU, APERS (66A. Chimpersonators?), “It must be A SLOW news day”, CELLI, CLARA, DWEEB (37A. Weenie), KENYA, KNELL, MUTED, ONE-UP, SAVOR.

Short stuff — AKIN, Give A LEG up, Inter ALIA, ANTE, BALD, CASH, DON, EARS, EEL, EPIC, ETNA, EXAM, GIS, GRAS, HOPI, ICE, IMAC (31D. Jobs plan, once), JEM, JOKE, K’NEX, LASH, LAVA, LEER and LEES, LENA, LITE, MALL, MEAT, MERC (11D. Chicago exchange, informally, with “the“), MINK, OINK, OVAL, QEII (16A. Monarch moniker, for short), REAR, RYAN, SEEN, SHEA, SIRE, SMOG, TASK (22D. Job to do), TEAM, TEN, Young UNS, VERY, WARD of the state, YEW.

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Puzzle available on the internet at

THE NEW YORK TIMES — Crossword Puzzles and Games.

Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. Certain lamp goo; 5. Home; 10. Subject of an exhaustive E.P.A. study?; 15. Thoroughly enjoy; 17. Part of an equine pedigree; 18. California’s Santa ___ University; 19. Cemetery sights; 23. Apt name for a crime boss; 24. Gist; 31. Ship navigation hazard; 33. Detected; 34. Equatorial land; 35. Promenade; 40. Caboose; 43. Some jeans; 50. Mardi follower; 51. Five pairs; 59. A good one is cracked; 60. “Bye-bye, mon ami”; 61. Something that’s just for starters?; 62. “The Lord of the Rings,” e.g.; 63. Set the volume of to zero; 64. “Chocolat” actress Olin; 65. Weasel relatives; 67. Purpose of many a doctor’s visit. — DOWN: 1. Pirate’s punishment; 3. First part of an I.P. address?; 6. Treadless; 7. Like faces, typically; 12. Porcine protest; 13. Division units, for short; 21. Ages upon ages; 25. Stringed instruments; 26. Wood used in Voldemort’s wand; 27. Sound at a funeral; 28. Top; 29. Film private; 30. They may ring or have rings; 32. Convert, in a way; 38. Sushi staple; 44. 2000 World Series locale; 52. Neighbors of the Navajo; 53. Similar; 54. Having less fat; 55. Uninviting look; 56. Building toy brand; 57. Italian mount; 58. ___ U.S.A.; 59. Scout’s brother.

11.02.11 — Split Infinitives

“To boldly go where no man has gone before.” ~ "Star Trek"

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Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Puzzle by Barry Franklin and Sara Kaplan / Edited by Will Shortz

Four infinitive synonyms for the word "SPLIT" (TO DIVORCE, TO PULL UP STAKES, TO GO FIFTY FIFTY and TO SHATTER), along with SPLIT INFINITIVE (37A. Grammatical infelicity … or what 17-, 23-, 48- or 60-Across is?) constitutes the interrelated group of this witty Wednesday crossword. Not to be found in today’s crossword, however, is a split infinitive, an English-language grammatical construction in which a word or phrase, usually an adverb or adverbial phrase, comes between the marker to and the bare infinitive (uninflected) form of a verb (Wikipedia); e.g., “to boldly go…”

Other — ALLIGATOR and SHARKSKIN (33D. Pricey belt material; 11D. Shiny suit fabric), RIGATONI (9D. Pasta variety), TRIFECTA (38D. Ambitious track bet).

Mid-size — ABOUT, ACURA, ASSET, ATTIC, CSPAN, ELEVE, ERROL, GUARD, ICHAT, IONIA, LORNA, MACHU Picchu, ORION, PARIS, RASPY, RODEO, ROUTS, SARAN, SHOOT, SNUFF, SOWED, SPIRO, STOOLS, TATAS, THOSE, YASIR, YIELD.

Short stuff — AID, ALF, AFT, APO, AREA, ASAP, ASIA, ASL and ASS, BERN, CARL and CARR, COTS, DREA, ERI, HAGS, HALE, ICE, INF, KEW, LEI, LISA, OBOE, ONED, OOOH, PAPI, SEMI, S’IL (18D. Part of R.S.V.P.), SLO, SUE, TAB, THO and THU, TOFF (40D. Elegantly dressed bloke), TRAC, USDA, VOUS (41. Part of R.S.V.P.).

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Puzzle available on the internet at

THE NEW YORK TIMES — Crossword Puzzles and Games.

Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. Astronomer Sagan; 5. Final preceder; 9. Like E.T.’s voice; 14. Sounder of the tuning note at the start of an orchestra rehearsal; 15. Gillette ___ II; 16. Apple communication tool; 19. Palace employee; 20. Appeal; 21. “Aren’t you special!”; 22. Caleb who wrote “The Alienist”; 28. Provider of a jawbone to Samson; 29. G.I. address; 30. Traffic caution; 36. London’s ___ Gardens; 42. Runaways; 43. Linear, briefly; 44. “___ tu” (Verdi aria); 45. Foot soldiers: Abbr.; 46. TV extraterrestrial; 54. Neck of the woods; 55. Crones; 56. A hand; 58. Where the brain resides, slangily; 62. “Ask me anything”; 63. Part of Georgia is in it; 64. Sound; 65. “___ Doone,” 1869 historical romance; 66. Alpine capital; 67. Food safety org. — DOWN: 1. Some prison furnishings; 2. Circa; 3. Official state sport of Wyoming; 4. Wahine wear; 5. Bar lineup; 6. Weasley family owl, in Harry Potter books; 7. ___ Picchu (Inca site); 8. Put away; 10. Honda division; 12. Score to aim for; 13. Stock page abbr.; 22. Hearings channel; 24. Big ___ (nickname of baseball’s David Ortiz); 25. “We’ll always have ___” (line from “Casablanca”); 26. Student in 25-Down; 27. Planted; 31. It’s a plus; 32. Vice president Agnew; 34. Smokeless tobacco; 35. At the back of a boat; 39. Ancient Aegean region; 46. Crocheted item; 47. Simpson girl; 49. 1970s-’90s film company; 50. “Along ___ lines …”; 51. P.L.O.’s Arafat; 52. Goodbyes; 53. Cede; 57. Actress de Matteo of “The Sopranos”; 58. Communications syst. For the hearing-impaired; 59. However, for short; 60. Bar bill; 61. Fifth of seven: Abbr.

11.01.11 — Split Hairs

Splitting Hairs by photobunny

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Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Puzzle by Kristian House / Edited by Will Shortz

SPLIT / HAIRS (23A. With 51-Across, nitpick … or a hint to 17-, 37- and 60-Across), HOME REPAIR (17A. Do-it-yourselfer’s activity), HARLEM BOYS CHOIR (37A. New York singing group that last performed in 2007) and HAIL CAESAR (60A. Forum cheer) constitute the interrelated group of this fine Tuesday crossword.

Other — COALESCE (52A. Come together), HAYSEEDS (40D. TV’s Clampetts, e.g.), HEIRS (51D. Ones named in a will), PLAY PEN (45A. Tot’s enclosure), REFUSES (26A. Turns down), SOUP / NAZI (34D. With 57-Down, memorable “Seinfeld” character, with “the”), STACKS UP (21A Compares to), THE USUAL (4D. Bar habitué’s order, maybe).

Mid-size — AMASS, BOAST, CYNIC, DAY SPA, EMCEE, ENSUED, EPOXY, ECRUS, ESQUE, ISOBAR, JOCKEY, LITCHI (46D. Nutlike Chinese fruit), MEANS, NEEDLE (5D. Replaceable part of a phonograph), NOBEL, OKAPI, OPRAH, PESCI, Q AND A, REVUE, SNAPS, SOUSE, SULTAN, TEETING, YESES.

Short stuff — ANAT, AREA, ASHE, ASIA, ATMS, AUTO, CAPE, CAVA (19A. Spanish sparkling wine), DAZE, DENY, EPS, ESAU, EXIT, FIRM, GREG, IRON, I SAW, JARS, KITE (35D. Charlie Brown toy that‘s often “eaten“ by a tree), “KON-Tiki“, LAC, LYRA, MEA culpa, MUM, NEON, OMEN, OPP, RAHM, RUNT, SCAR, SEAN, SETH, SHOP, SKI, SWIG, USDA.

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Puzzle available on the internet at

THE NEW YORK TIMES — Crossword Puzzles and Games.

Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. Course in the biology dept.; 5. Prize won by Obama and Carter; 10. Pickle containers; 14. Rogen of “Knocked Up”; 15. Strong adhesive; 16. Black cloud or black cat, to some; 19. Spanish sparkling wine; 20. Came next; 25. Affirmatives; 26. Turns down; 29. Last word of “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow”; 31. Altogether it’s worth the most bonus troops in Risk; 32. Giraffe’s cousin; 34. Snowmobile part; 41. It’s “the word”; 42. Ability; 43. Digital camera mode; 44. Reminder of an old wound; 45. Tot’s enclosure; 48. Suffix with Kafka or Zola; 55. Preparing to drive, with “up”; 59. Half-pint; 62. Govt. meat-stamping org.; 63. What “O” stands for in the magazine business; 64. Knock for a loop; 65. Son of John and Yoko; 66. “GoodFellas” Oscar winner Joe; 67. Gulp from a flask. — DOWN: 1. ___ Stadium (Big Apple tennis locale); 2. Vegas gas; 3. Dinero dispensers; 6. Antonym: Abbr.; 7. Blowhard’s claim; 8. Interstate sign; 9. Vega’s constellation; 10. Big name in underwear; 11. Pile up; 12. Show with skits; 13. Alternatives to buttons; 18. Contract negotiations, for short; 22. Critic of the selfless; 24. Weathercaster’s pressure line; 26. Chicago mayor Emanuel; 27. Jacob’s twin; 28. Unwilling to budge; 29. Place for a facial; 30. Short albums, for short; 36. Steel component; 38. Show host; 44. Mideast bigwig; 47. Two-dimensional measure; 48. Hosiery shades; 49. Drunk; 50. Post-lecture session, informally; 53. Woodworking or metalworking class; 54. Superman costume part; 56. “Vidi,” translated; 58. Pitcher Maddux with four Cy Young Awards; 61. Fond du ___, Wis.