11.19.11 — MCWHO?

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Puzzle by Allan E. Parrish / Edited by Will Shortz

The odd octad of MCGWIRE, MCCAREY, MCOURT, MCMANUS, MCQUEEN, MCLAREN, MCBRIDE and MCMAHON constitutes the main feature of this strugglesome Saturday crossword.

Across — 1. Cardinal making many round trips, MCGWIRE; 8. “Going My Way” Best Director winner, MCCAREY; 15. Depreciate, CHEAPEN; 16. Pattern of highs and lows, CLIMATE; 17. “CARSON’S Comedy Classics” (syndicated TV series); 18. Pompadour and others, MADAMES; 19. Not procrastinating, ON IT; 20. Brand of literature, ETHAN; 22. Like some divorce decrees, NISI; 23. Unmitigated, UTTER; 25. Astronomical stretch, EON; 26. “Enough already!”, CAN IT; 27. Flying Cloud maker, REO; 28. Producer of a chilling effect, ICE CUBE; 31. Sea bream, in a sushi bar, TAI; 32. Severe Allergy brand, TYLENOL; 34. Service charges?, SERMONS; 36. Ballpark fig., MGR; 37. First character to appear in “Carmen”, CEE; 38. The King of Cool, MCQUEEN; 42. Martina with five #1 country hits, MCBRIDE; 46. Actor Gulager, CLU; 47. Track team member?, RAILCAR; 49. Important seat occupant: Abbr., SEN; 50. Fruitcakes, LOONS; 52. Treadmill setting, GYM; 53. Hope for, AWAIT; 55. AS NO other (uniquely); 56. Bundle, SHEAF; 58. Old record holder, HIFI; 59. Fatal error follower, often, RESTART; 61. Like Baal Shem Tov’s sect, HASIDIC; 63. Never wrapping up, ETERNAL; 64. Run, OVERSEE; 65. Tough, NOT EASY; 66. Bottom-line problem, NET LOSS.

Down — 1. 1997 Pulitzer-winning memoirist, MCCOURT; 2. Sea air?, CHANTEY; 3. Alternative to One A Day, GERITOL; 4. Extravagance, WASTE; 5. Co. milestone, IPO; 6. Lacoste of tennis, RENE; 7. Make hard and strong, ENSTEEL; 8. George MCMANUS, ’Bringing Up Father” cartoonist; 9. Feud side, CLAN; 10. Alfonso VI exiled him, with “the”, CID; 11. Dryer option, AMANA; 12. Butt, RAM INTO; 13. Like some annual Mediterranean winds, ETESIAN; 1. “Indeed so”, YES IT IS; 21. Post HOC; 24. Faux amateurs, RINGERS; 26. Think pieces?, CEREBRA; 29. 1978 Grammy winner for the jazz album “Friends”, COREA; 30. Daughter on ABC’s “Life Goes On”, BECCA; 33. Noted six-foot runner, EMU; 35. Ionienne, e.g., MER; 38. Formula One racing legend Bruce, MCLAREN; 39. By, CLOSE TO; 40. Old shippable shelter, QUONSET; 42. Like many newscasts, NIGHTLY; 42. “For Laughing Out Loud” memoirist, MCMAHON; 43. Frequent declaration after “Because”, I SAID SO; 44. More than adores, DEIFIES; 45. Draws, ENTICES; 48. Burning stuff, LYE; 51. NOTRE Père (Parisian prayer); 54. Stab, WHIRL; 56. Some dramas: Abbr., SRAS; 57. Pet, informally, FAVE; 60. Get AN A (excel); 62. Having everything one needs, SET.

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11.18.11 — The Friday Crossword

Friday, November 18, 2011

Puzzle by Joe DiPietro / Edited by Will Shortz

Across — 1. Certain chip feature, RIDGE; 6. Billboard once named her “Female Entertainer of the Century”, DIANA ROSS; 15. Food item with layers, ONION; 16. “Here’s what they said …”, AND I QUOTE; 17. “Dum spiro, SPERO” (“While I breathe, I hope”: Lat.); 18. Veal dish, SCHNITZEL; 19. Partner of ciencias, ARTES; 20. Second person in the Bible, THEE; 21. Second person in the Bible, EVE; 22. Old man, POPS; 23. Bull: Prefix, TAUR; 24. MS. Dos?, SASES; 26. Part of A.S.T.: Abbr., ATL; 27. Deceitful ones, SERPENTS; 29. Behind, REAR END; 31. Moving like hummingbirds, DARTING; 35. Pollux and Aldebaran, K STARS; 36. Certain fisherman, SEINER; 37. Capone portrayer, 1959, STEIGER; 39. What’s hot, THE RAGE; 40. Flags, TIRES OUT; 42. Cry repeated in “The Whiffenpoof Song”, BAA; 43. It causes many people to scratch, LOTTO; 46. Big maker of consoles, SEGA; 47. Big East team, PITT; 48. Cortés’s quest, ORO; 49. Kind of film, STAG; 50. “MAKIN’ It,” 1979 top 10 hit; 51. Missed curfew, say, GOT IN LATE; 54. Still in the game, ALIVE; 55. Simple golf putt, ONE-FOOTER; 56. Appeal of New York, e.g.?, RENEW; 57. Something transparent, NO MYSTERY; 58. CRISS-cross.

Down — 1. Onetime boycott instigator, ROSA PARKS; 2. How 1-Down’s act was conducted, IN PROTEST; 3. Reduced fare?, DIET PLATE; 4. Runs through, GORES; 5. Grandson of 21-Across, ENOS; 6. Sneak, DASTARD; 7. Increase slowly, INCH UP; 8. Stuck, ADHERED; 9. Start of a call for help NINE; 10. Environmental datum of concern to asthmatics, for short, AQI; 11. Place to get stuck, RUT; 12. Radiates, as confidence, OOZES; 13. Either co-founder of Apple, STEVE; 14. 1991-92 U.S. Open winner, SELES; 23. Wound tighter, TENSER; 24. Easy STREET; 25. Showing life, ASTIR; 27. SERGIO Valente (clothing line); 28. 1955 Belmont and Preakness winner that shared its name with a U.S. city, NASHUA; 30. “Love Sneakin’ Up on You” singer, 1994, RAITT; 32. How some calorie counters eventually want to look good, IN A BIKINI; 33. Demerits, negatives; 34. Lead-in to an exciting announcement, GREAT NEWS; 38. Paraphrase, RESTATE; 39. Duds, TOGGERY; 41. Usher, e.g., SEATER; 43. Visit, as a site, with “to”, LOG ON; 44. Hockey East town, ORONO; 45. Venerated symbol, TOTEM; 47. More chalky, PALER; 49. Schedule, SLOT; 50. Fashion designer Jacobs, MARC; 52. Suffix with solid, IFY; 53. Rejections, NOS.

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11.17.11 — Letter Sorting

Alphabet Soup by Wosene, 2004

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Thursday, November 17, 2011

Puzzle by Patrick Merrell / Edited by Will Shortz

LETTER SORTING (35A. “Stronger title” for this puzzle), OUT OF ORDER (17A. Roof detour), ALL MIXED UP (28A. Duplex mail), REARRANGED (49A. Rear garden) and ANAGRAMMED (57A. Mad manager) constitute the interrelated group of this fine Thursday crossword.

Other — DROP CLOTH (4D. Painter’s appurtenance), EMPANADA (36D. Savory turnover from south of the border), ESTUARY (29D. Chesapeake Bay, e.g.), EXCITES (22D. Gets going), ROSEBUD (47A. Spring opener), STRAINER (9D. Item that’s mostly mesh), TIME LIMIT (34D. Certain cut-off point), WALLEYE (28A. Game fish in northern lakes and streams).

Anne Boleyn in the Tower by Edouard Cibot, 1835

Mid-sized — ABDEL, AERATE, AFORE, BOLEYN (53A. House of Tudor Woman), CANADA, CREEPY, DICTUM, ETHAN, FENDS, GNATS, HUMAN (40A. Rarity on the other end of a help line, nowadays), KILOS, LAURA, NAOMI, ORBITS, PAROLE, PEKOE, PEORIA, REAGAN, RESTS, TALENT, “USE IT in good health“, ZIPPO.

Short stuff — ABUT, ACDC, AMY, API, ASEC, ASSN, AWK, DATA, DON, DUE, EAU, ELLE, EPA, FAIR, FLO Rida, GLUT, INC, IRES, LSTS, MAZE, MISO, MPH, NAS, NIBS, NUT, ODOR, OKAY, ONCE, OPT, PADS, RAIN, SAFE, SATS, TINT, USN, YDS.

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Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. Repulses, with “off”; 6. Bruise preventers; 10. Kind of converter; 14. Opinionated Dr. ___; 15. Lie next to; 16. Like a pro rata division, say; 19. Without following up, say; 20. Tea-grading term; 21. Gas up?; 23. One mo; 30. Co. follower sometimes; 31. Girl’s name meaning “loved”; 32. They’re not as heavy as stones; 41. “See ___ Play,” classic Pink Floyd song; 43. Pick, with “for”; 46. Bee: Prefix; 52. D-Day refuges for the wounded, for short; 53. House of Tudor woman; 54. Watts of “21 Grams”; 56. Makes sore; 62. Glare preventer; 63. Figures; 64. Lighter choice; 65. They have 225-min. 34-Downs; 66. Part of N.E.A.: Abbr.; 67. A Coen brother. — DOWN: 1. Rapper ___ Rida; 2. French word that sounds like a letter of the alphabet; 3. Flake; 5. Untouchable?; 6. Release, in a way; 7. Egypt’s Gamal ___ Nasser; 8. Kind of date for a woman; 10. Ere; 11. Bilingual country; 12. Authoritative pronouncement; 13. Halloween-ish; 18. “I suppose”; 23. Parrot’s cry; 24. Yachting need; 25. Magazine that serialized Simone de Beauvoir’s 1967 “La femme rompue”; 27. Sendai seasoning; 33. Seal’s grp.; 37. Puddle source; 38. Penpoints; 39. Overfill; 42. Two of these make a fathom: Abbr.; 43. Runs rings around?; 44. Average Town, U.S.A.; 45. On-air personalities, in the biz; 47. The 40^th since 1789; 48. Something lost in the wash?; 50. Recesses; 51. Swarms of them are called clouds; 55. Building plan with many doors, say; 58. “Illmatic” rapper; 59. Dashboard fig.; 60. Cleanup org.; 61. “The Godfather” title.

11.16.11 — Beer

Édouard Manet's The Waitress showing a woman serving beer

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Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Puzzle by Gary Cee / Edited by Will Shortz

BEER CHASER (62A. Shot follower, often … and a hint to the starts of 17-, 23-, 39- and 48-Across), BOTTLENECK (17A. Common result of a lane closing), GARDEN PARTY (23A. Outdoor affair), BARREL OF MONKEYS (39A. Large, fun quantity, in a saying) and BELLY DANCER (48A. Performer with sinuous moves) constitute the interrelated group of this Wednesday crossword.

Other — APPLAUD (24D. Heap kudos on), BATMAN (10D. Penguin’s nemesis), EL NINO (45D. Phenomenon named for the infant Jesus), LAPTOP (26A. Computer for one who’s on the go), MATSUI (43A. Baseball star nicknamed Godzilla), NICOISE (25d. Kind of salad made famous by Julia Child), PREACH (32A. Address the flock), SAYS NO (46. Gives a thumbs-down).

Five-letter — AGAZE, AMBLE, ARENA, BICEP, BREAD, CARET, CAROL, CHART, EMMYS, ERODE, IRONS, LEERY, LOCKE, LOSES, MANOR, NEEDS, NASTY, OCHER, SMEAR, Warren SPAHN, UNDER, WHEAT penny.

Short stuff — ACE and ACHE, ALAI and ALAN, AMU and EMU, ARCH, ASIA, AWOL, BABA (1D. Cake with a kick), BUN, BOWL, BVDS, COSI, CRY, DATA, EDEN, EFS, ELK, FATE, HALF, IAN, KAY, LEGO, LINE, LOBO, LYON, OAK, OLEO, ONE, OSLO, PERE Noël, PESO, PEWS, PLO, REA, RENT, ROT, SITZ bath, THEE and TREE, TOR, VLOG.

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Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. Some undies; 5. Go unhurriedly; 10. January 1 game; 14. Half court game?; 15. Joyful tune; 16. Ibuprofen target; 19. Pronoun in hymns, 20. Looking intently; 21. Symbol of sturdiness; 22. Vilify; 30. Nationality suffix; 31. Nondairy dairy aisle item; 36. Abbas’s grp.; 42. Word that appears eight times on a dollar bill; 44. Missing roll call, say; 45. Avian source of red meat; 54. Some golf clubs; 55. Stephen of “V for Vendetta”; 56. Reach the Top 40, say; 61. Mozart’s “___ Fan Tutte”; 64. Blissful spot; 65. Anesthetized; 66. Singles bar delivery; 67. What’s tender in Mexican restaurants?; 68. Mean-spirited; 69. Writing on the wall. — DOWN: 2. Journal on YouTube, maybe; 3. Flash drive filler; 4. ___ bath (therapeutic treatment); 5. Breeze through; 6. Lord’s home; 7. Slicer input; 8. Social contract theorist John; 9. Fraternal member; 11. Earthy tone; 12. ___ penny (pre-1959 cent); 13. Smelling a rat; 18. Building block brand; 22. Warren ___, baseball’s winningest lefty; 26. Timber wolf; 27. ___ Freed, 1960s payola figure; 28 ___ Noël (French Santa Claus); 29. Rocky hill; 33. Go to seed; 34. Abysmal grades; 35. ___ Darya (river of central 58-Down); 36. Hymnals’ storage spots; 37. City on the Rhône; 38. Nobel Institute city; 40. TV honors; 41. Bandleader Kyser; 47. Keystone’s place; 48. Muscle strengthened by curls, informally; 49. Chip away; 50. Shakes, so to speak; 51. Kind of football with eight-player teams; 52. Requisites; 53. Insertion indicator; 57. Soccer segment; 58. See 35-Down; 59. Monopoly payment; 60. Lineage depiction; 62. Hamburger helper?; 63. Get blubbery.

11.15.11 — Fishermen

Fishermen, a painting by Georges Seurat.

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Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Puzzle by Gareth Bain / Edited by Will Shortz

FISHERMEN (58A. What the answers to the four starred clues are?), LANCE BASS (18A. *Former “N Sync member), ALDO RAY (37A. *Bygone Hollywood star known for tough-guy roles), ZEBULON PIKE (3D. *Explorer of the Rockies) and JULIAN BREAM (25D. *Classical guitarist with four Grammys) constitutes the interrelated group of this Tuesday crossword.

Other — AVERAGE, CESARIO (21A Olivia’s love in “Twelfth Night”), CRIMEA (19D. “The Charge of the Light Brigade” war zone), FLAVOR, HORNBY (51A. English novelist Nick who wrote “About a Boy”), IN A JAM, LATHER, PET SHOP, PT BOATS, RAN FREE, SKETCH, SLEEP IN (53A. Not wake until noon, say).

Five-letter — Li’l ABNER, ABORT, ACCTS, ACE OF spades, ALEVE, ALOOF, A-PLUS, ARENA, ATE IN, BARAK, CLEFT, DEAN’S list, GROUT, HINDI, Elia KAZAN, MEESE, ORATE, PALER, ROBED, SEMIS, TEMPT, T-TOPS, YANNI.

Short stuff — ADS, AGUE, ALAS, ALE and ALI, CAP, COE, CRIP, EDGE, EIRE and ERIE, EMMA, FAT and FRAT, GEM, ICE, IRS, JON and JUAN, KART, Mauna LOA, MED and NED, OGEE, PAX Romana, PEEL, SEM, SLOE gin fizz, SSS, TAKE, Itar-TASS, TET, TOUR de France, TUBE, UPS, VERA Cruz, XENA, YOUR.

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Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. Elia ___, “East of Eden” director; 9. 100; 14. Bayer anti-inflammatory; 15 Ginger ___; 16. Sports car extras; 17. Like a boxer before a fight; 22. Ice cream specification; 24. Stuck; 28. S-shaped molding; 29. It might be examined with a loupe; 31. Macaroni’s form; 32. Li’l ___ (comics guy); 34. Pennsylvania port; 36. Limit, as a salary; 40. Where many Apr. checks are sent; 41. L.A. gangster; 43. Malarial fever; 44. Spout forth; 46. Assume; 47. Vietnam War’s ___ offensive; 48. Follower of Don o r San; 49. “MADtv” bit; 56. Group that rushes; 61. Chariot race locale; 63. Size between sm. And lg.; 65. Do the devil’s work?; 66. Will Smith title role; 67. They follow quarters. — 1. Child’s racing vehicle; 2. Cold; 4. C-rated; 5. Flanders of “The Simpsons”; 6. More ghostlike; 7. “Sadly …”; 8. TV heroine in a leather skirt; 9. Dined at home; 10. Small craft of W.W. II; 12. Increases; 13. Frying-butter sound; 21. Country music’s David Allan ___; 23. ___ Cruz (name on old Mexican maps); 26. Stop in midstream; 27. Ed in Reagan’s cabinet; 29. Tile-setter’s bucketful; 30. Land west of England; 32. Bank holdings: Abbr.; 33. Sharon’s predecessor as Israeli P.M.; 34. Helpful kind of piece for a jigsaw puzzle doer; 38. Barber’s supply; 39. “___ Song” (Elton John hit); 42. Lab supply source?; 45. Roamed without restriction; 48. Lil ___ (rapper who popularized crunk); 50. Like some chins; 51. Official language of India; 52. One-named New Age musician; 54. Mrs. 55-Down on “The Avengers”; 55. See 54-Down; 57. Itar-___ news agency; 58. Budget add-ons; 59. “Rocks”; 60. Religious sch.; 61. Commercials.

11.14.11 — Bowling

Monday, November 14, 2011

Puzzle by Mark Feldman / Edited by Will Shortz

BOWLED OVER (61A. Absolutely amazed), STRIKE GOLD (17A. Acquire sudden riches), SPARE SOME CHANGE (29A. Help out a panhandler) and SPLIT THE JACKPOT (44A. What multiple winners of a lottery must do) are the interrelated group of this Monday crossword, e.g., bowled, strike, spare and split … and then too, gold, change and jackpot.

Other — APPLE PIE (37D. Symbol of Americanism), IT’S A BOY (42D. Birth announcement for babies with blue caps), MAKING IT (12D. Achieving success), OCARINAS (11D. Flutelike instruments), OLD NICK (9D. Satan), PRE-TEENS (13D. Fifth and sixth graders, typically), SILICONE (38D. Polymeric compound in breast implants), WASSAILS (36D. Christmas drinks).

Mid-size — ALAMO, AMEND, ARENA, ASSAYS, DAMASK (28D. Table linen fabric), EASTS, EUCLID (40D. The Father of Geometry), EUREKA, Tincture of IODINE, ISLET, JOB LOT (46D. Odds and ends for sale), KARENS, LEGATO, MILNE, NABOB, O’KEEFE, OREOS, PELVIC, PETAL, REPAID, SATRAP (2D. Minor despot), SLIDES, TETRIS, WASPS, YENTA.

Short stuff — ACES, ADIN, AEC, APE, APIA, ASEA, ATOM, Chesapeake BAY, BORE, BUS, DES, DOH, EKE and ENE and ERE, ESA, FIFI, ION, IPOD, IRK, LINE, MAIN, MALE, OLE, OOH, OWEN OYL, “POMP and Circumstance”, PST, SAUD, SCAR, SEES, SOFA, RIT and RUT, TAKE, TEN, USE, YAK.

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Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. Sailing; 5. “Remember the ___!” (Texan’s cry); 14. Mideast royal name; 15. “She loves me, she loves me not …” flower part; 16. Memento of an old wound; 19. Capture; 20. Boxing venue; 21. Alter, as the Constitution; 23. Slowing, in music: Abbr.; 24. Talk, talk, and talk some more; 25. Grove; 33. Suffix with ethyl; 34. Make peeved; 35. Central street name; 36. Big stingers; 29. Cheer for a toreador; 40. Bridge positions; 41. Capital of Samoa; 42. Charged particle; 43. Greyhound, e.g.; 50. Equipment next to swings and seesaws; 51. Popeye’s Olive ___; 52 ___ out a living; 53. Old nuclear regulatory org.; 54. Bigwig; 57. Florida key, e.g.; 59. Portable product for music lovers; 61. Absolutely amazed; 63. Queue; 64. Black-and-white cookies; 65. Classic name for a French poodle; 66. Observes; 67. Busybody; 68. One-spot cards. — DOWN: 1. Tests, as ore; 3. “I’ve got it!”; 4. Deuce follower, in tennis; 5. Human’s hairy cousin; 6. Smooth, in music; 7. Proton’s place; 8. Y chromosome carrier; 10. Winter clock setting in L.A.; 18. Actresses Allen and Black; 22. Cry from Homer Simpson; 26. Apply; 30. Made good on, as a loan; 31. “Winnie-the-Pooh” writer; 32. Before, poetically; 39. “How exciting!”; 45. X; 47. Relating to the lower part of the upper body; 48. Michael of “Caddyshack”; 49. Popular computer game with geometric shapes; 55. Make yawn; 56. Actor Wilson; 58. Davenport; 60. ___ Moines, Iowa; 62. That: Sp.

11.13.11 — Either Way

Perseus and Medusa, ca. 510 BC, The J. Paul Getty Museum

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Sunday, November 13, 2011

EITHER WAY, Puzzle by Jeremy Newton and Tony Orbach

Edited by Will Shortz

Eight palindromes are the main feature of this pleasant Sunday crossword:

• PUPILS SLIP UP (22A. Students err?)
• PERSEUS SUES REP (31A. Medusa killer takes his agent to court?)
• BUTTRESSED DESSERT TUB (46A. Reinforced ice cream container?)
• SUBPAR RAP BUS (58A. Inferior tour vehicle for Snoop Dogg?)
• WARSAW WAS RAW (68A. Recollection from a winter tourist in Poland?)
• DEROGATIVE EVITA GORED (78A. Disparaging Argentine leader badly injured?)
• GIGOLO’S SOLO GIG (97A. One-on-one job for a ladies’ man?)
• XERXES SEX REX (110A. “Son of Darius, please confirm my dog is male”?)

Other — BEACH BABE (28A. “10“ in a bikini), BLOOPERS, ERASER, ETAGERES, EXPOSE TO, GO UNSAID and GO POSTAL (9D. Not be spoken about; 81D. Completely flip), NO HEART, NORMANS, OPULENT, ORIENTAL, OVERLAY, PROCEED, PROCURER, SCENE SHOP, SO LAST YEAR, SUPERBAD (8D. 1970 #1 R&B hit for James Brown), WANT OUT, WHAT A SHAME (69. “Too bad!”), VENTURE, YES LET’S.

Mid-size — ABBES, AGEIST, ANTSY, ARISEN, AUNTS, AU PAIR (41A. Foreign tender), AW GEE, BAR BET, ELBOW, EL TORO, EQUIP, EXTRAS, JOSEPH, LASED, LIBRA, LOSERS, MICROS, NASSAU, O’MEARA, OYERS, SENTRA, SOLES, SPOTS, STAMEN, STUPID, TASER, UGSOME.

Short stuff — ADA, AHA, AITS and ASTI, ALL, AQUA, ARE, ASP, ATH, AT IT, AXED, BAIT, BAS, BLUE, BORN, BTW, BUT, DENT, DIME, DO PR, DUOS, DVR, EIRE, EMO and ENO, EPEE, EST, EWE, FEET, GASP, GTE, HIT, INXS, IRA, ITES, LAP and LAPD, LEIA, LENZ, LES, MAO, MOS, MRI, NOPE, NUTS, OBJ, ODES, ONE, OSHA, OVUM, OWLS, PAPA, PBS, PEZ, POP, REPO, RPS, RSVP, SAPS, SGT, SOS, SSN, Big SUR, SYST, TAME, TRA and TWA, TREE, TRUE, TSP, UFO, UMA and UNA and UPA, URBS, URGE, URLS, USNA, VEAL, WEBB, WERE, XIS, XTC.

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Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. Followers of William the Conqueror; 8. ___ Pepper; 11. African menace; 14. Part of a sentence: Abbr.; 17. Tracing paper, e.g.; 18. Twosomes; 19. Partner of raised; 21. Who said “Learn from the masses, and then teach them”; 24. Bonus reel fodder; 26. Punk offshoot; 27. Pistil complement; 29. Oklahoma city; 33. Feel that one’s had enough, say; 37. Temptation; 38. Singsong syllable; 30. Part of N.C.A.A.: Abbr.; 40. Rig; 44. Open hearings in courts; 51. What Eng. majors pursue; 52. Kay of “Rich Man, Poor Man”; 53. “That’s it!”; 54. Info on modern business cards; 58. Just sort, supposedly; 63. One side in a bullfight; 65. Em and Bee, e.g.; 67. Up; 71. Cut, in a way; 73. It serves a duel purpose; 74. Flip of a flop; 75. Bit of progress; 76. One encountered in a close encounter; 87. Ads; 88. Perks; 89. “Shucks!”; 90. Actress Thurman; 93. With 65-Down, stuck; 94. The old man; 95. “We totally should1”; 102. Spin meas.; 103. Place to buy stage props; 104. Stanza alternative; 108. Former J.F.K. line; 109. Rug type; 113. Hip-hop’s ___ Def; 114. Rein in; 115. Denizens: Suffix; 116. Risk; 117. Approx.; 118. Guitar great Paul; 119. Emergency broadcast; 120. “Do it!”. — DOWN: 1. “Don’t think so!”; 2. Ooplasm locale; 3. Take back; 4. Picture of health, for short?; 5. Best effort; 6. Long Island county west of Suffolk; 7. Part of GPS: Abbr.; 10. Rx qty.; 11. French clergymen; 12. Way passé; 13. One who gets things; 14. 1998 Masters champion Mark; 15. It may be settle dover beers; 16. Nativity figure; 18. Stopping point? 20. A lack of compassion; 23. Come full circle; 25. “Reading Rainbow” network; 28. “That … can’t be …”; 29. Busy; 30. Send out press releases, e.g.; 32. The Auld Sod; 33. Former N.B.A. star Spud; 34. A pastel; 35. “Shoot!”; 36. It’s stunning; 42. Pres. Carter’s alma mater; 43. Candy company whose first flavor was Pfefferminz; 44. Federal org. with inspectors; 45. Cry with a forehead slap, maybe; 47. Pipe fitting; 48. Drains; 49. Cities, informally; 50. Down in the dumps; 55. Dashed fig.; 58. They may be sore after a game; 57. Nest egg option, briefly; 59. Italian article; 60. Start of an aside, to tweeters; 61 Jah worshiper; 62. Total; 63. Hampshire mother; 64. SoCal squad; 65. See 93-Across; 66. Italian vineyard region; 70. River islands; 71. Whom Han Solo calls “Your Worship”; 72. Constantly shifting; 75. TiVo, for one; 7. They may be metric … or not; 78. Dedicated offerings; 80. Deluxe; 82. Scaloppine, usually; 83. Show, as something new; 84. Curio displayers; 85. Sound dumbfounded; 86. Their necks can turn 270 degrees; 90. Repulsive; 91. Skirts smaller than minis; 92. Having a policy of reverse seniority?; 94. Top 40 fare; 96. Lead’s counterpart; 98. Wedded; 99. Producers of scuff marks; 100. “New Sensation” band, 1988; 101. Former Telco giant; 105. Get back to; 106. “That’s a fact”; 107. “#1” follows it; 108. Given the heave-ho; 110. Sorority letters; 111. Roxy Music co-founder; 112. A street drug, for short.

11.12.11 — The Saturday Crossword

Manhattan in 1966, when smog engulfed the city.

Neal Boenzi, The New York Times

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Saturday, November 12, 2011

Puzzle by Barry C. Silk / Edited by Will Shortz

Across — 1. Musical great whose grave went unmarked for nearly 150 years, J S BACH; 7. Bombing, e.g., ACT OF WAR; 15. Pôrto ALEGRE, Brazil; 16. One whose crush was caped, LOIS LANE; 17. Frank, WIENER; 18. Player of the evil Blofeld in “Never Say Never Again”, VON SYDOW; 19. Make more efficient, STREAMLINE; 21. All-inclusive, WIDE; 22. All targets, STAINS; 23. Troubled, BESET; 24. Pulitzer-winning sports reporter Berkow, IRA; 27. Sight-seeing need in Spain?, OJO; 28. What a weaver may be guilty of, briefly, DUI; 29. Inner city, e.g., CONCRETE JUNGLE; 35. Words of betrayal, ET TU; 36. Cheese STEAK; 37. Eat, HAVE; 39. 495, CAPITAL BELTWAY; 42. It’s cut and dried, HAY; 43. One often seen in drag, BOA; 44. Dir. From Gramercy Park to Central Park, NNE; 45. Stage part, APRON; 48. One side in a 1960s civil war, BIAFRA; 51. Record producer Talmy SHEL; 52. People who see what you’re saying?, LIP READERS; 56. Didn’t approve, SAID NO TO; 58. Some dishwashers, AMANAS; 59. Prescription proviso, AS NEEDED; 60. Herald, RING IN; 61. Quaint introduction, DEAR SIRS; 62. Picks up, LEARNS.

Francisco Guilledo 

Down — 1. Awesome parts of a Museum of Natural History display, JAWS; 2. Cut, SLIT; 3. See 24-Down, BEER; 4. Georgia’s AGNES Scott College; 5. Tyra Banks, vis-à-vis “America’s Next Top Model”, CREATOR; 6. Lead-in to some royal names, HER MAJESTY; 7. All-Star Dark of the 1950s Giants, ALVIN; 8. Masked scavengers, COONS; 9. Sticker on a plate, TINE; 10. “Inglourious Basterds” org., OSS; 11. Boxing class, FLYWEIGHT; 12. Relatives of arroyos, WADIS; 13. Part of an ignitron, ANODE; 14. Keep from drying out, REWET; 20. 2005 Emmy winner for “ER”, LIOTTA; 23. 17-Across supporter, BUN; 24. With 3-Down, Bud product, ICE; 25. Coll. elective, ROTC; 26. Broadway acronym, ANTA; 28. The “me” in “nothing can stop me now,” in a 1962 #1 hit, DUKE OF EARL; 30. Place for some car fluid, CUP HOLDER; 31. Shocker, perhaps, EEL; 32. Al-JABBAR (one of the names of God in Islam); 33. Grass roots development?, LAWN; 34. Form of “John”, EVAN; 41. North Platte feeder, LARAMIE; 45. Name of father-and-son world leaders, ASSAD; 46. Period, PHASE; 47. Palacio resident, REINA; 48. Junkyard dog, probably, BITER; 49. They may help people tune out conversations, IPODS; 50. Turkish city or province, ADANA; 52. California wine locale, LODI; 53. Many a Lockheed Martin employee: Abbr., ENGR; 54. Pavement pounder, RAIN; 55. ID theft targets, SSNS; 57. Video game letters, NES.

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Puzzle available on the internet at

THE NEW YORK TIMES — Crossword Puzzles and Games.

11.11.11 — 11.11.11

American Marines Raising American Flag 

on Mount Suribachi, Iwo Jima, 1945, Joe Rosenthal

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Friday, November 11, 2011 — Veterans Day

Puzzle by Alex Vratsanos / Edited by Will Shortz

That big numeral 11 formed by black squares in the center of this singular Friday crossword stands by itself (today’s date is 11/11/11) as the answers and clues are completely oblivious to the image. Six fifteen-letter down answers are the supporting feature of the puzzle — ROAD TO SINGAPORE (2D. 1940 Crosby/Lamour/Hope comedy), IN FITS AND STARTS (3D. Irregularly), CRIMINALIZATION (6D. Outlawing), SURGEON GENERALS (7D. Medical bigwigs), correctly, “surgeons general“, AMERICAN IN PARIS (10D. Carnegie Hall debut of 1928, with “An”), SPINKLER SYSTEM (1D. Building safety feature).

Remaining downs — 1. Year the first Rose Bowl was played, MCMII; 4. It might make you jump, BOO; 5. Rotary Club members, BUSINESSMEN; 8. Place for a pad, KNEE; 9. Wanted letters?, AKA; 12. Befuddled, AT SEA; 14. Familia member, TIO; 16. Wipes out, ERADICATES; 21. It’s not a dream, ACTUALITY; 27. Recuse oneself from, say, sit out; 29. Some services, MASSES; 31. Layer of green eggs, EMU; 34. “Concentration” pronoun, EWE; 44. Flat ones are not good, COLAS; 47. Wrangles (with), SPARS; 52. Glamour types, for short, EDS; 53. Gift on a string, LEI; 54. Prefix with car, ECO; 56. LOC cit. (footnote abbr.); 57. Dickensian cry, BAH; 58. Record label inits, EMI.

Across — 1. MRI scan; 4. Media inits. Since 1927, BBC; 7. Music genre of the Mighty Mighty Bosstones, SKA; 10. Solid rock center?, AS A; 13. It’s shown on a topographical map, CONTOUR; 15. Disheveled, UNKEMPT; 17. Family members, MAFIOSI; 18. Parents, e.g.; 19. Prefix with -matic, IDIO; 20. Google search object, IMAGE; 22. First name in auto racing, ARIE; 23. Cousin ITT; 24. “Well done!:, NICE; 25. Actress DINA Merrill; 26. Bygone espionage org., OSS; 28. Biology div., ENTOM; 30. Cry of repugnance, ICK; 31. ESAI Morales of “Gun Hill Road”; 32. Hot spot, SAUNA; 33. First name in auto racing, CALE; 35. Philadelphia landmark, MINT; 36. Denigrates, in British slang, SLAGS; 37. Over, ANEW; 38. Reverse, UNDO; 39. Things gotten with a credit card often, MILES; 40. Get beat, TIRE; 41. Atlanta sch. With 30000+ students, GSU; 42. Publication that clicks with readers?, EZINE; 43. “Star Trek” extra: Abbr., ENS; 44. Carrie Chapman CATT, founder of the League of Women Voters; 45. Buttocks, NATES; 46. 197 Gould/Sutherland spoof, SPYS; 48. W.W. II rationing org., OPA; 49. Norse equivalent of Mars, TYR; 50. Death on the Nile cause?, ASP; 51. Female charmer of myth, LORELEI; 55. Montana neighbor, ALBERTA; 59. Rockefeller Center is built in it, ART DECO; 60. More rich, as soil, LOAMIER; 61. Meeting, SESSION; 62. Breaks, SCHISMS.

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Puzzle available on the internet at

THE NEW YORK TIMES — Crossword Puzzles and Games.

11.10.11 — An I for an L

Counting Sheep by Judith G. Secco

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Thursday, November 10, 2011

Puzzle by Tim Croce / Edited by Will Shortz

CAPITAL LETTER (55A. Feature replaced in four clues in this puzzle) heads the interrelated group of this tame Thursday crossword wherein the initial letter of four clues begin with a lowercase “l”, but may appear to begin with a capital “I“ — LAKE IN SPANISH (20A. lago), ACTOR CHANEY (26A. lon), FLEES FROM PRISON (35A. lams, say) and PASTURELAND (47A. lamb’s place).

Other — OYSTER BED (60A. Locale for some diving), SHAG RUGS (39D. Hard-to-clean floor covers), UNCLOTHE (3D. Strip), WEAK LINKS (18A. Vulnerable parts).

Mid-size — ABUTS, ADOPT, ALONE, DOSED, EXCEL, EXTANT, INUIT, IN WITH, KINDA, “Compromise is the best and cheapest LAWYER” (saying attributed to Robert Louis Stevenson), NAG AT, NITRO, PLINY (10D. Roman writer who originated the phrase “with a grain of salt”), POPS IN, SLAYER, STRAP, TACOMA, TALKER, TYSON, USED TO, WYLIE.

Short stuff — AH ME (43A. “Such is life”), ARGO and ARNO, CALF, CIO, DIAL, EBAY, END, ESC and ESP, “Alea Iacta EST": Julius Caesar, FRA, GAIT, GIS, ICAL, IDEA, IKE, IS TO, LAHR and LBAR, LEIS, LENA, MEIR, NEDS, NEIN, NIX, NOM, OMNI, ON KP, ORES, OR SO, PSIS, RAS, RIT, SEEN, SIX, STN, TAO, TIAS, TSP.

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Puzzle available on the internet at

THE NEW YORK TIMES — Crossword Puzzles and Games.

Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. Snowmen and snowwomen?; 6. Analogy words; 10. Fraternity characters; 14. Word akin to “-ish”; 15. “Absolut nicht!”; 16. River to the Arctic Ocean; 17. Get an A, say; 22. Half of a 1955 merger, for short; 25. Poet Elinor; 31. Wind up; 32. “If I were king of the forest …” singer; 33. Gave pills, e.g.; 42. It might hold you back; 44. Med. Unit; 51. “In bad company,“ per Ambrose Bierce; 53. Boxcar; 54. Ones getting base pay; 61. Touches; 64. “My Life” autobiographer, 1975; 65. Clip; 66. Trouble; 67. The Ponte Vecchio spans it; 68. Approximately; 69. Cicely of “Roots”. — DOWN: 1. Dollar coin figure before Susan B. Anthony, familiarly; 2. “Ain’t gonna happen!”; 4. Dome light?; 5. One may be smooth; 6. A part of, as a gang; 7. Comprehended; 8. Mexican kin; 9. Cleaning a mess in a mess, maybe; 11. Beyond reason?; 12. Fills, as black squares; 13. Like many windows; 21 PC key; 22. Roping target; 23 Myth ending; 27. Things picked out of the earth; 28. Take in; 29. Passeport info; 30. Picking up things?; 34. Call; 36. Spring break locale, casually; 37. Order member; 38. They may do write-ups, for short; 40. Big name in luxury hotels; 41. “___ Declassified School Survival guide”; 44. City on Commencement Bay; 45. Assassin; 46. Comes calling unexpectedly; 48. Experienced with; 49. Gradually slowing, in mus.; 50. Still around; 52. “Explosive” roller coaster at Six Flags Great Adventure; 56. Mythical ship with a speaking oak beam; 57. Angle iron; 58. Hawaiian handouts; 59. Where Al Yankovic bought a “Dukes of Hazzard” ashtray, in song; 62. “The way”; 63. Depot: Abbr.