11.09.12 — Between Poles

 

 

Friday, November 9, 2012

 

Puzzle by Barry C. Silk / Edited by Will Shortz

Across — 1.He said “I don’t want my album coming out with a G rating. Nobody would buy it”, OSMOND; 7. Bomb’s opposite, SMASH HIT; 15. It typically has a ribbon around its crown, BOATER; 16. Fudge ingredient in “The Alice B. Toklas Cookbook”, HASHEESH; 17. Temporary spear, ICICLE; 18. Wave recipient?, OUTER EAR; 19. See 61-Down, TIN; 20. Encumbered, LADEN; 22. Places for stumpers, PODIA; 23. Fox Sports reporter Oliver and others, PAMS; 25. They have flat tops, MESAS; 27. Radio host Boortz, NEAL; 28. Pribilof Islands resident, ALEUT; 30. Aid in planning a 35-Across, ATLAS; 32. DHL Express (intl. shipper); 33. India leads the world in its production, GINGER; 35. See 30-Across, ROUTE; 37. Where chromosomes gather between poles during mitosis, EQUATORIAL PLANE; 42. Like X, XX or XXX, ROMAN; 43. Hanger at a graduation, TASSEL; 4. French vineyard, CRU; 47. Greeting to a rider, maybe, NEIGH; 49. One-named actor from Tel Aviv, TOPOL; 50. Be a drifter, ROVE; 52. How actors come in, ON CUE; 54. Title French orphan of film, LILI; 55. Carry A TUNE; 57. Conspiracy, CABAL; 59. Copy from CD to PC, RIP; 60. Top place to get sunburned?, BALD SPOT; 62. Wordsmith’s resource, ROGETS; 64. Einstein, BRAINIAC; 65. Can’t take, LOATHE; 66. Dentist’s #6 and #11, EYE TEETH; 67. Give some relief, EMBOSS.

 

Down — 1. Where to find departure info?, OBIT PAGE; 2. Low figure for nerd, SOCIAL IQ; 3. Starting point of a phone tree, MAIN MENU; 4. Like many drugs, briefly, OTC; 5. Dudley’s love, in cartoons, NELL; 6. What an alarm may interrupt, DREAM; 7. Fielder’s dramatic play, SHOESTRING CATCH; 8. Hawaiian smoker, MAUNA LOA; 9. Bermuda setting: Abbr., AST; 10. “Old SHEP” (country music classic); 11. Wading fisher, HERON; 12. Like many warnings, HEEDED; 13. “Unto us a son is given” source, ISAIAH; 14. Bondage, THRALL; 21. Weed eliminator, for short?, DEA; 24. Toots, SUGAR; 26. River waterfall, SAULT; 29. Montana or Idaho river, TETON; 31. Green dresser’s honoree, briefly, ST PAT; 34. Letter after Quebec in a radio alphabet, ROMEO; 367. EL SOL de Mexico (Mexico City daily); 38. It may be worn in the shower, RAIN COAT; 39. Seek, ASPIRE TO; 40. Stone Age tools, NEOLITHS; 41. Some quotation marks, ELLIPSES; 44. Athlete-turned actor Buster CRABBE; 45. Like old-fashion phones, ROTARY; 46. Hangers near tongues, UVULAE; 48. Many a layover locale, HUB; 51. Split, END IT; 53. Combs of Murderers’ Row, EARLE; 56. Bygone laborer, ESNE; 58. Machine worked in “Norma Rae”, LOOM; 61. With 19-Across, item for many cobblers, PIE; 63. Rap, GAB.

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11.08.12 — The Twelfth Man

 

Texas A&M's E. King Gill

during the 1921–1922 season, the original Twelfth Man  

 

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Thursday, November 8, 2012

 

Puzzle by Damon J. Kaczynski / Edited by Will Shortz

MAN in twelve squares constitutes the main feature of this Thursday crossword:

[MAN] OH [MAN] with [MAN]AGE, [MAN]LY [MAN] and ELI [MAN]NING (1A. “Holy smokes!”; 1D. Get by; 4D. Macho type; 20A. QB who was twice a Super Bowl M.V.P.)

[MAN] TO [MAN] with [MAN]TELS and [MAN]RAY (10A. Direct, in a way; 10D. Trophy sites; 13D. Contemporary of Marcel Duchamp)

ADA[MAN]T with [MAN]ETS, AR[MAN]DO and [MAN]EATERS (26A. Unyielding; 26D. TV director Iannucci; 29D. “Olympia” and others; 38A. Femmes fatales)

[MAN]TA with [MAN] CAVE (31A. Devilfish; 31D. Guy’s private area)

[MAN]ES with AR[MAN]I SUITS (43A. Long mops; 35D. Parts of a fashionable “Collezioni”

[MAN]EUVER with I LOVE YOU [MAN] (45A. Zigzag, e.g., 9D. 2009 bromance film)

TAX[MAN] with LE [MAN]S (54D. Beatles song with the lyric “There’s one for you, nineteen for me”; 67A. Annual June race)

TWELFTH [MAN] with [MAN]QUE (55A. Home-field advantage in football … or what the last square of the answer to this clue represents in this puzzle; 59D. Having failed aspirations)

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Remaining clues — ACROSS: 5. “Sweetheart” of “Jersey Shore”; 14. Asia’s ___ Sea; 15. In conflict with; 16. What a Realtor may give; 17. U.S. Steel was once its biggest employer; 18. “N.F.L. Live” host Trey; 19. Mrs. Albert Einstein; 22. Hollow;24. How some military personnel serve; 30. “A Day Without Rain” artist; 34. Artist with whom an exiled Leon Trotsky once lived; 36. Head for a pub; 37. Heroin, in slang; 40. Part of a city street; 42. “The Godfather” figures; 46. Commonly; 47. It’s flaky; 48. Shades in the London sky, often; 49. Deter; 52. “Le ___” (Matisse piece); 60. Even: Fr.; 61. Trap during winter, perhaps; 63. 23000s service site; 64. Poshness; 65. Awkward years, for many; 66. In ___ (naturally positioned); 68. Marsh growth; 69. Cheat, in slang. — DOWN: 2. Like some surgery; 3. Mata ___; 5. 2007 horror film; 6. Walk ___ line; 7. Tramp, e.g., in “Lady and the Tramp”; 8. Pull a face; 11. Ring; 12. Yorkshire river; 21. Dame’s lead-in?; 23. Best, in some rating systems; 25. High-hatter; 27. Succumb to; 28. ___-garde; 32. Chief justice in the Dred Scott case; 33. New ___ (modern spiritualists); 37. Epithet; 39. Jiffs; 41. 9-Down co-star Jason; 44. Prepared, as some mushrooms; 47. Wasikowska of “Alice in Wonderland,” 2010; 49. Editing marks; 50. Knocking the socks off of; 51. Like a copse; 52. Collar attachment; 53. Flu symptom; 56. Go for a bite?; 57. The Jonas Brothers, e.g.; 58. Roles, figuratively; 62. Head of compliance?

 

11.07.12 — The Blues

 

The Blues, Angu Walters

 

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Wednesday, November 7, 2012

 

Puzzle by George Fitzgerald and Nancy Salomon

Edited by Will Shortz

 

THE BLUES (59A. Something to sing … or a hint to 17-, 23-, 31-, 40- and 45-Across’s starts), BABY TALK (17A. Nonsensical syllables, maybe), ROYAL FLUSH (23A. Unbeatable hand), NAVY SEALS (31A. Elite military group), SKY DIVING (40A. Sport for high jumpers?) and STEEL DRUMS (45A. Some Caribbean percussion) constitute the interrelated group of this winsome Wednesday crossword.

 

Other — ABBA EBAN (14A. Israel‘s first representative to the United Nations), BAY LEAVES (4D. Flavorings for some stews), DABBLES (8D. Acts the dilettante), ERASABLE (61A. Like some compact discs), SHIELD LAW (35D. Statute that protects journalists‘ sources), SIDE ARM (40D. Pistol, for one).

 

Six-letter — ADRIFT and ADROIT, BALLAD (21D. Many a love song), BRIDES, DAUNTS, DEBBIE, ESKERS, GLINDA (43D. Baum’s good witch), INSEAM, MT ETNA, RATED R, SIESTA.

 

Mosaic of St. Uriel by James Powell and Sons, at St John’s Church, Boreham, Wiltshire.

 

Five — ABACI, ABBOT, AD REP, AMUSE, APSES, ARUBA, DOMED, ECOLE, ESTEE Lauder, Phil MAHRE, Cam NEELY, NONET, ON KEY, SABER, STUNG, THONG, UPTON Sinclair, URIEL (10D. Archangel of the Apocrypha), UTTER, WALDO.

 

Short stuff — ABS, ACE, AMY / TAN (34A. With 56-Down, “The Joy Luck Club“ author), CYD Charisse, DOGS, EAT, ETS, GES, GIE, HANG, IRS, LANA, LET, MRI, NOD, ONUS, PTA, RAE, RET, RITE, SAABS, STS, STUN, TBA, TIE, TWO, WAYS.

 

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Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. Automaker with the slogan “Born from jets”; 5. Wee hour; 8. Fazes; 16. Far from klutzy; 18. They may be followed by trains; 19. French place of learning; 20. Reynolds who sang “Tammy”; 22. Bris or baptism; 27. Part of a 23-Across; 29. Find a tenant for;30. Educ. Supporter; 35. Phaser setting; 36. Like the Capitol; 37. Wee, to Burns; 38. Revealing beachwear; 39. So-called “albatross”; 42. Some appliances; 43. Bestow, to Burns; 44. Arctic explorer John; 49. Superboy’s sweetie; 53. Nap in Nogales; 54. Madison Ave. figure; 55. Sicilian smoker 60. For mature audiences, say; 61. Like some compact discs; 62. Jeans measure; 63. On Soc. Sec., often; 64. Methods. — DOWN: 1. Something that may be rattled; 2. Early adders; 3. Prior’s superior; 4. Flavorings for some stews; 5. Not yet filled: Abbr.; 6. Well-hidden fellow of children’s books; 7. Well-pitched; 8. Acts the dilettante; 9. Floating aimlessly; 11. Signal approval; 12. Reason for a 10^th inning; 13. Luke, John and others: Abbr.; 15. Season after printemps; 23. Object in court; 24. Sinclair who wrote “The Jungle”; 25. Smarted; 26. Pal around (with); 28. Charisse of Silk Stockings”; 31. Large combo; 32. Tickle the funny bone; 33. Glacial ridges; 36. Follows persistently; 38. Dam agcy.; 40. Pistol, for one; 41. Form letters?; 46. Lauder of cosmetics; 47. Out-and-out; 48. 1984 Olympic slalom champ Phil; 50. Resort isle near Curacao; 51. Hockey great Cam; 52. Some recesses; 54. Crunch targets; 55. CAT scan alternative; 56. See 34-Down; 57. Sci-fi figures; 59. Do lunch.

 

11.06.12 — Election Day 2012

 

 

Tuesday, November 6, 2012 — Election Day

 

Puzzle by Erik Agard / Edited by Will Shortz

SECRET / BALLOT (1A. With 74-Across, voting system that affords anonymity .. Or the theme of this puzzle?), OBAMA / BIDEN and ROMNEY / RYAN in circled letters, found within GOD BLESS AMERICA (17A. Song sung by a patriotic politician), BEHIND THE SCENES (36A. How a director of campaign advertising works), RIGHT ON THE MONEY (45A. Exactly … like a conservative’s plan to lower taxes?) and PRESBYTERIANISM (65A. Religious believe of eight U.S. presidents) constitute the interrelated group of this timely Tuesday crossword.

 

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Remaining clues — ACROSS: 7. Game in which the orange ghost is name Sue, not Clyde; 15. “Seinfeld” woman; 16. Heated disputes; 9. Jungle swinger; 20. F.D.R. or L.B. J.: Abbr.; 21. Vice president Gore and others; 22. And others, for short; 25. Stridex target, informally; 27. Blue stone; 31. Singer Damone; 33. ___ Party; 35. Old Italian coin; 41. Sought-after rock; 42. Rap’s Dr. ___; 43. However, briefly; 44. Turn-___; 49. Possible cause of brain freeze; 50. It’s seen off la cote de la France; 51. Subject of many a political scandal; 52. Rooms in una casa; 54. ___ Mahal; 56. College org. with a Color Guard; 59. The Cowboys, on scoreboards; 61. React with extreme disgust; 63. Louis XIV, e.g.; 71. Like no stone, for the meticulous; 72. Grand ___ Island; 73. Nuisance that keeps returning, in metaphor. — DOWN: 1. Genesis maker; 2. Alter altar plans, maybe; 3. Space ___; 4. Tease; 5. Blowup: Abbr.; 6. Cheesed (off); 7. James Stewart title character who goes to Washington; 8. ___ Na Na; 9. Mountain cat; 10. “Does that ring ___?”; 11. Event in which you may drive a hard bargain?; 12. Hosp. test; 13. This Week” airer; 14. Intelligence org.; 18. “___ who?!”; 23. Bird: Prefix; 24. Fancy chocolatier; 26. Choppers; 28. Assign, as blame; 29. Memorable 2011 hurricane; 30. Mouthing off; 32. PC insert; 34. Hearth residue; 38. London mayor Johnson; 37. Writer Jong; 38. German philosopher who wrote “The true is the whole”; 39. Fundamental belief; 40. One of the way up; 46. Fore!”; 47. “Julius Caesar,” for one; 48. Kitchen brand; 53. Buffalo player; 55. Pickle holder; 57. What a plea bargain obviates; 58. Vogue competitor, for short; 60. Loretta who sang Coal Miner’s Daughter”; 62. Pop’s Brothers ___, 64. “___ my wit’s end”; 65. Darts venue; 66. Biol. Class topic; 67. Tarmac fig.; 68. Number of years between censuses; 69. Like some baseball teams; 70. Senators’ org.

 

11.05.12 — Trio

 

Monday, November 5, 2012

 

Puzzle by Andrea Carla Michaels / Edited by Will Shortz

TRIO (Threesome ... or a hint to this puzzle's theme), Wynken’s fishing buddies, BLYNKEN AND NOD, Moe’s slapstick pals, LARRY AND CURLY, Huey’s fellow nephews, DEWEY AND LOUIE and Snap’s cereal mates, CRACKLE AND POP, constitute the interrelated group of this Monday crossword.

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Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. Brad of “Moneyball”; 5. Ibuprofen brand; 10. Zoom up; 14. 5-Across target; 15. U.S. 1’s northern terminus; 16. “Alas!”; 17. Fishing line holder; 18. Crime started with a match; 19. Gas in commercial lights; 23. French friend; 25. Poem whose title might start “To a …”; 26. Brings in, as money; 32. Sound portion ofa broadcast; 33. Ayn who wrote “Atlas Shrugged”; 34. Bit of smoke; 35. In the know; 37. Concordes, e.g., for short; 41 More than a quiz; 42. Secret stash; 47. Dictation expert; 49. Yvette’s “yes”; 50. “Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds” subject, supposedly; 56. Make over completely; 57. In base eight; 58. Great Salt Lake site; 61. “Well, did you ___?!”; 62. Humiliate; 63. Big Apple neighborhood; 64. Burgundy or Bordeaux; 65. “Spider-Man” star Maguire; 66. Threesome … or a hint to this puzzle’s theme. — DOWN: 1. Golfer’s goal; 2. Freezer tray contents; 3. Hitchcock thriller set in California; 4. Relate, as a story; 5. Actress Blake; 6. Shade in; 7. Tool with a rotating handle; 8. Privy to; 9. “Stormy Weather” singer Horne; 10. Flip-flop, e.g.; 11. “The Gift of the Magi” writer; 12. “___ for the Misbegotten (O’Neill play); 13. Tears apart; 21. Toy you can do tricks with; 22. Unlikely prom king; 23. “There oughta be ___”; 24. Island next to Molokai; 28. Embarrassing sound when one bends over; 29. “Law & Order,” e.g.; 30. Jaguar or Impala; 31. Quebec article; 35. Lumberjack’s tool; 36. Path; 37. ___ Paulo, Brazil; 38. Michelangelo or Rodin; 39. “Get a load of ___!”; 40. Kernel; 41. Jedi’s furry friend; 42. Cut out, as coupons; 43. Desensitize; 44. “More! More!”; 45. Like a generic brand; 46. “Bedazzled” actor Moore; 47. Fastener that turns; 48. Rome’s ___ Fountain; 52. Befuddled; 53. Yodel’s comeback; 54. Run ___ (drink on credit); 55. Give the heave-ho; 59. Hawaiian tuna; 60. Yoo-___ (chocolate drink).

 

11.04.12 — Politics — the Acrostic

 

Sunday, November 4, 2012

 

ACROSTIC, Puzzle by Emily Cox and Henry Rathvon

Edited by Will Shortz

This Sunday’s timely acrostic draws a quotation from The WPA Guide to Mississippi, known as Mississippi, The WPA Guide to the Magnolia State, compiled and written by the Federal Writers' Project of the Works Progress, first published in 1938.

 

The quotation: [POLITICS] IS … FOOTBALL, BASEBALL, AND TENNIS ROLLED INTO ONE. WE ENJOY IT; WE WILL HITCH UP AND DRIVE FOR MILES IN ORDER TO HEAR AND APPLAUD THE VITRIOLIC PHRASES OF A CANDIDATE WE HAVE ALREADY RECKONED WE’LL VOTE AGAINST.

 

Source of the quotation: THE WPA GUIDE TO MISSISSIPPI

The defined words:

A. Forum for questioning citizens (2 wds.), TOWN HALL
B. Possible factor in a loss of power (2 2ds.), HEAT WAVE
C. Medicine made palatable with honey or jam, ELECTUARY
D. Dense and not very bright body (2 wds.), WHITE DWARF
E. Long-term office assignment, PROJECT
F. Penn State campus near Horseshoe Curve, ALTOONA
G. Go full speed, GALLOP
H. Show for the first time, UNVEIL
I. National Historic Trail known for an epic race, IDITAROD
J. A.T.M. maker involved in a 2004 controversy, DIEBOLD
K. Spectacles, shades and such, EYEWEAR
L. Rushmore companion of Abraham, THEODORE
M. Strain preceding some face-offs (2 wds.), “O CANADA”
N. Deceive, bamboozle, MISLEAD
O. California home of the Ayn Rand Institute, IRVINE
P. Favor both sides of an issue, STRADDLE
Q. Party whose official color is green (2 wds.), SINN FEIN
R. Call upon; put into use, as a law, INVOKE
S. Long and tiresome journey, SCHLEP
T. Creature able to regrow a lost limb, STARFISH
U. Text showing a list, ITALICS
V. Offered as a public serve (2 wds.), PRO BONO
W. Accomplices in the audience, PLANTS
X. Permanent; never to be forgotten, INDELIBLE

 

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11.04.12 — Frankly Speaking

 

Sunday, November 4, 2012

 

FRANKLY SPEAKING, Puzzle by Brendan Emmett Quigley

Edited by Will Shortz

Ten words in French and/or English, along with clues to justify a change in the meaning of common phrases due to the duality, constitute the interrelated group of this sluggish Sunday crossword:

• MERE MORTALS (25A. Marseille mothers who are not goddesses?)
• TRAINING BRAS (40A. Working on one’s biceps and triceps in Toulon?)
• YELLOW FIN (59A. Cowardly end in Cannes?)
• ONE OF OURS (80A. Bordeaux bear cub?)
• INTERNET CHAT (94A. Online feline in Lyon?)
• OFFICE TEMPS (113A. Nine to five, generally, in Grenoble?)
• ROMAN GLADIATOR (3D. Prizefighter in a Parisian novel?)
• THE ARTIST (5D. Expert at brewing oolong in Orleans)
• PAIN MANAGEMENT (54D. Overseeing of a Bayonne bakery?)
• CRIME PAYS (82D. French-speaking country where illegal activity runs rampant?)

That’s right, Mère/mother; bras/arm; fin/end; ours/bear; chat/cat; temps/time; roman/novel; the/tea; pain/bread; pays/country.

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Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. One to take a complaint to: Abbr.; 4. It can get the blood flowing; 9. Like calves at a rodeo; 16. Crush, e.g.; 19. Some soft words; 20. Lost deliberately; 21. Wave receiver; 22. Card game with stakes; 23. Subject of three Oliver Stone films, informally; 24. Fixed-term agreement; 27. Half-court game?; 29. Sailing; 31. Barber’s challenge; 32. Hawaiian coffees; 33. Back-to-school purchase; 35. Sense; 37. Hot ___; 38. “Easy”; 43. On the up and up; 44. Soldier under Braxton Bragg, for short; 45. Female suffix; 46. Org. with badges; 48. Country whose name means “he that strives with God”; 50. [That’s awful!]; 52 Quality that produces taste; 57. Stinging insect; 62. Innocent one; 63. Issue (from); 64. Tiara component; 65. It may contain traces of lead; 66. Tony winner Schreiber; 67. Less refined; 69. Like an infant’s fingers, typically; 71. Matisse masterpiece; 73. Actress Bosworth; 74. Pathetic group; 76. The limbo, once; 78. Turkey’s third-largest city; 79. John Maynard Keynes’s alma mater; 82. Indians’ shoes; 83. “Phooey!”; 85. Fiji competitor; 86. Cosa ___; 88. Nevada county; 89. Spy, at times; 91. With 98-Down, “Mad Money” host; 92. First capital of Alaska; 100. Who said “I owe the public nothing”; 103. Dead ringers?; 104. ___ Inn; 106. Home of Gannon Univ.; 107. Short-tailed weasel; 108. Crib side part; 110. First college frat to charter a chapter in all 50 states; 112. Environmental portmanteau; 116. Certain work of subway art; 118. Word with salad or roll; 119. Mauna ___ Observatory; 120. Surround with shrubbery; 121. Rocks for Jocks, most likely; 122. Eleanor Roosevelt ___ Roosevelt 123. Take a wrong turn; 124. “What’s it gonna be”; 125. What to wear; 126. Healy who created the Three Stooges. — DOWN: 1. QB Donovan; 2. Net guard; 4. The Rams, on sports tickers; 5. Expert at brewing oolong in Orleans?; 5 Q.E.D. part; 7. Mysterious Scottish figure, informally; 8. Many an “iCarly” fan; 9. Hasty flight; 10. Weakness; 11. Layers of clouds; 12 On TV, say; 13. “Got a Hold ___” (1984 top 10 hit); 14. “Lux” composer Brian; 15. Lost time?; 16. Two-dimensional; 17. “De-e-eluxe!”; 18. Entourages; 26. Indiana Jones venue; 28. ___ fixe; 30. Comic Dave; 34. Ramjets, e.g., 36. Populous area; 37. Country music channel; 39. Paper size: Abbr.; 41. Some foam toys; 42 Area close to home; 44. Put on the job again; 46. Large fern; 47. Toothed; 49. 58-Down 29-Across; 50. “Star Trek” villains; 51. Not present at; 53. Flaming; 55 Issue for Michelle Obama; 56. R in a car; 58. Go-ahead; 60. Showed, as a seat; 61. Org. for big shots?; 64. Family nickname; 68. That, to Tomas; 70. Tucson school, briefly; 72. Eye surgeon’s instrument; 76. Was concerned (with); 77. Cretin; 81. QB legend nicknamed the Golden Arm”; 84. Elastic; 87. It’s more than a pinch: Abbr.; 90. Interview seg.; 91. What a photocopier light may indicate; 93. “American Idol” winner Allen; 94. Relief for plantar fascitis; 95. Against; 96. Outside of walking distance, say; 97. Actor Morales; 98. See 91-Across; 99. Millinery item; 100. Operating system between Puma and Panther; 101. Most distant point; 102. Rode hard; 105. Nickel-and-___; 108. E.P.. issuances: Abbr.; 109. Kind of brick; 111. The language Gaidhlig; 114. Shoe width; 115, ___-Seal (leather protector); 117. ___ Palmas, Span.

 

11.03.12 — Mission

 

Frame from the film “2001: A Space Odyssey” —

Dave hears HAL say “This mission is too important for me to allow you to jeopardize it.”

 

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Saturday, November 3, 2012

 

Puzzle by Milo Beckman / Edited by Will Shortz

A fairly fair and friendly crossword with a little something for everyone constitutes the fare for the frequently forlorn Saturday solver…

 

Across — 1. Sarcasm indicator, AIR QUOTES; 10. Rating org., MPAA; 14. It may give you a final answer, CHEAT SHEET; 16. Baseball’s Eddie who was nicknamed “The Walking Man, YOST; 17. Real head-turners, HOT TAMALES; 18. Vino place, ASTI; 19. Antagonistic org. in “The Simpsons Movie”, EPA; 20. Speaker of the film line “This mission is too important for me to allow you to jeopardize it”, HAL; 21. Libertine’s opposite, PURITAN; 23. Spanish cardinal, SEIS; 25. Fall sensation, NIP; 27. Activity studied in on mastics, NAMING; 28. Currently playing, ON NOW; 30. Brandy or whiskey, AQUA VITAE; 32 What a monkey may see or hear, NO EVIL; 34. “Groundhog Day” director, RAMIS; 35. Groups of three, TRINES; 37. Nuclear WINTER; 40. Discharge, EGEST; 42. Season finale?, SERIES; 44. Electrical room device, WATTMETER; 48. Probed, DUG AT; 49. Not likely to judge, AMORAL; 50. First of 50: Abbr., DEL; 52. Jennifer of the BBC production “Pride and Prejudice”, EHLE; 53. Capital Hill sight, ROTUNDA; 5. Young hunk, say, FOX; 57. Cyrillic letter between kha and che, TSE; 58. Desert mount, ARAB; 59. Union in 1999 news, EXXON MOBIL; 62. Kind of tower, CELL; 63. Modify an order?, REORGANIZE; 64. Forum being, ESSE; 65. Is clearly #1, DOMINATES.

 

United States Capitol Rotunda with silhouette of the statue of George Washington

 

Down — 1. Dean of the Truman cabinet, ACHESON; 2. “That would be bad!”, I HOPE NOT; 3. Legal tender?, RETAINER; 4. Chewable Mideast stimulant, QAT; 5. Hexagon on a map, UTAH; 6. 13^th-century empire founder, OSMAN; 7. Muse of comedy, THALIA; 8. Smoked delicacy, EEL; 9. Slip through the cracks, SEEP; 10. Elvis Costello’s debut album, MY AIM IS TRUE; 11. Tacky yellow thing, POST IT; 12 Kazakhstan’s capital, ASTANA; 13. Not much, colorwise, A TINGE; 15. Great swells, TSUNAMIS; 22. Showing severe erosion, maybe, RAVINED; 24. Coin featuring a hammer and sickle, SOVIET RUBLE; 26. What may follow “NO”, PQR; 29. Lead pilot’s support, WINGMAN; 31. A.F.L.-C.I.O. affiliate, UAW; 33. First African-American golfer to play in the Masters, LEE ELDER; 36. Retired boomer, SST; 38. Like some old gaming consoles, EIGHT BIT; 39. Not reduced or enlarged, REAL SIZE; 41. “Better Off TED” (former ABC sitcom); 43. Politico Michael and others, STEELES; 44. Decorated pilot, WAR ACE; 45. Ovid opus, AMORES; 46. Wrecks, TOTALS; 47. 1990s party name, REFORM; 51. Sound of silence?, LONG I; 54. Reduced drastically, AXED; 56. Cyclops, e.g., in comic books, X-MAN; 60. Unhelpful noughts-and-crosses line, XOO; 61. ON A mission.

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The other Elvis… check out the close-up!

 

 

 

 

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11.02.12 — Easy There, Tiger!

 

 

Piranha Red (Serrasalmus nattereri)

 

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Friday, November 2, 2012

 

Puzzle by Derek Bowman / Edited by Will Shortz

Across — 1. With 10-Across, “Down, boy!”, EASY THERE,TIGER; 15. Something that’s hardly fitting?, SQUARE PEG; 16. High-culture work, OPERA; 17. Crush, say, PUPPY LOVE; 18. Drive home, BAT IN; 19.Grp. Organizing booster shots, NASA; 20. Like some sweaters, EXERCISING; 22. Very insignificant, TINY; 24. Have legs, LAST; 25. Leather variety, ELK; 28. Piranhas, CARIBES; 31. No-goodnik, RAT; 34. Model quality, POISE; 36. “Paint the Sky With Stars” singer, ENYA; 37. “Written in the Stars” musical, AIDA; 38. Battle of good versus evil, e.g., ENDLESS STRUGGLE; 41. Like many batters, EGGY; 42. Neighbor of Lat., LITH; 43. Place to get clean, REHAB; 44. SEA legs; 45. Western phenomena, SUNSETS; 47. Barrio kinsman, TIO; 48. Very short note, LINE; 50. Bogus, SHAM; 52. 1990s girl group member with a tongue piercing, SCARY SPICE; 56. IPSE dixit; 60. Voiced admiration, OOHED; 61. They’re measured in 55-Downs, SNOWFALLS; 63. Astrologer JEANE DIXON; 64. Be extremely conspicuous, SCREAM OUT; 65. With 66-Across, like water that’s behind you?, UNDER THE BRIDGE.

 

Down — 1. “1^st and 10” airer, ESPN; 2. 44-Across shade, AQUA; 3. Doesn’t merely snack, SUPS; 4. Lecture, say, YAP AT; 5. Whirl, TRY; 6. Capital along Interstate 15, HELENA; 7. It forms a strong bond, EPOXY RESIN; 8. Topic de Freud, REVE; 9. Hungarian city that has hosted two World Puzzle Championships, EGER; 10. “This Boy’s Life” author TOBIAS Wolff; 11. “Not for me”, I PASS; 12. Not make a mistake on something, GET IT RIGHT; 13. Land o’ blarney, ERIN; 14. Was like a bell, RANG; 21. Like a bell, CLEAR; 23. Drink brand with a polar bear mascot, ICEE; 25. Equipment for pentathletes, EPEES; 26. Eraser head?, LONG E; 27. 1962 film starring Elvis Presley as a boxer, KID GALAHAD; 29. R&D locales: Abbr., INST; 30. In droves, BY THE SCORE; 32. Estes was his 1956 running mate, ADLAI; 33. Once-faddish aerobics regimen, TAE BO; 35. Apt to artifice, SLY; 37. It’s always increasing, AGE; 39. Turns sharply, SLUES; 40. Constellation animal, URSA; 45. Tom of “Tomorrow”, SNYDER; 46. What’s used for site-seeing?, THE WEB; 49. The “you” in the lyric “I’ll see you in my dreams”, IRENE; 51. Heat source?, MIAMI; 52. Korean liquor similar to sake, SOJU; 53. Either director of 2010’s “True Grit”, COEN; 54. Nudge alternative, PSST; 55. See 61-Across, INCH; 57. Lumber, PLOD; 58. Hard punch, SLUG; 59. Toward the Atlantic, in Mexico, ESTE; 62. A ways away, FAR.

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Click on image to enlarge.

 

Puzzle available on the internet at

THE NEW YORK TIMES — Crossword Puzzles and Games.

　
 

11.01.12 — All at C

 

The Ice Man - Home Ice Company - Sloan Gallery

 

In American culture, many bawdy jokes focus on wives who commit adultery with a mailman, milkman, plumber, traveling salesman, or any other man who knocks on the front door while the husband is away. In 1912, the year in which The Iceman Cometh is set, one of the deliverymen who stopped frequently at homes was the iceman. He delivered blocks of ice used to refrigerate food. Like milkmen and traveling salesmen, icemen became characters in these bawdy jokes. —

Study guide for Eugene O’Neill’s The Iceman Cometh by Michael J. Cummings

 

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Thursday, November 1, 2012

 

Puzzle by George Barany and Victor Barocas / Edited by Will Shortz

 

Ushering in the month of November, six 15-letter across entries with the hidden letter C upon a black square (or behind, take your choice) constitute the interrelated group of this toilsome, tough and tedious Thursday crossword:

 
1. With 4- & 9-Across, sports news of 1919, BLACK SOX SCANDAL
17. With 18- & 19-Across, Toys “R” Us, ELECTRONIC GAMES
4. With 37- & 39-Across, Fredric March’s last film, THE ICEMAN COMETH
45. With 47- & 48-Across, like some student activities, EXTRA-CURRICULAR
64. With 67- & 69-Across, role that garnered 12 consecutive unsuccessful Emmy nominations, 1985-96, JESSICA FLETCHER
73. With 74- & 75-Across, “invisible” part of a distribution list … or a hint to this puzzle’s theme, BLIND CARBON COPY.
 

Other across — 14. Part of E.N.T., EAR; 15. Stand for a sitting EASEL; 16. Part of a waste reduction strategy, RE-USE; 20. Figure in Raphael’s “The School of Athens”, PLATO; 22. Painter’s aid, LADDER; 24. Drawer at a doctor’s office?, SYRINGE; 26. Not moved from the original location, IN SITU; 30. Lib DEM (U.K. party member); 31. Times or Century, FONT; 33. Some French?, DES; 41. RENE Gallimard, protagonist of “M. Butterfly”; 42. Something to contemplate, NAVEL; 44. Tributary of the High Rhine, AARE; 49. Third of November?, VEE; 50. Like bright red cardinals, MALE; 52. Egyptian headdress figure, ASP; 54. Children of ISRAEL (descendants of Jacob); 56. Goldsmith, for one, ARTISAN; 60. Like “Wedding Crashers” or “Bridesmaids”, R-RATED; 63. A current flows into it, ANODE; 70. Brother of Moses, AARON; 71. Beauty pageant judging criterion, POISE; 72. Iraq war danger, for short, IED.

 

 

The School of Athens is one of the most famous frescoes by the Italian Renaissance artist Raphael. It was painted between 1510 and 1511 as a part of Raphael's commission to decorate with frescoes the rooms now known as the Stanze di Raffaello, in the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican.

 

Down — 1. Urban cacophony, BEEPS; 2. LALLY column (construction piece); 3. Toward the back, AREAR; 4. Organic compound, KETONE; 5. Isl. South of Corsica, SAR; 6. “O Sole MIO”; 7. Princess known as the Defender of the Elijans, XENA; 8. Declined, as stocks, SLID; 9. Composer Dominick whose name means “silver” in Italian, ARGENTO; 10. Almost reaches, NEARS; 11. Musical syllable before and after “da”, DUM; 12. Enzyme suffix, ASE; 13. “LES Miz”; 21. Comparatively neat, TIDIER; 23. Racket, DIN; 25. Feds, G-MEN; 27. Model, IDEAL; 28. Aquarium fish, TETRA; 29. Program presenter, USHER; 31. N.F.L. record-holder for consecutive starts, FAVRE; 32. Embarassing spelling mistake?, ONE R; 34. Fountain name, TREVI; 35. Spells, HEXES; 36. Sign with an arrow, ENTER; 38. Mangle, MAUL; 40. “Tales of the City” novelist, MAUPIN; 43. Make-up person?, LIAR; 46. Ute or Cree, AMERIND; 51. What’s put before the carte?, A LA; 53. New York’s STATEN Island; 55. “Backdraft” crime, ARSON; 56. Wing it, AD LIB; 57. Bygone gas brand, SOHIO; 59. Uncool, NERDY; 61. Spanish appetizer, TAPA; 62. Get an E FOR effort; 64. Get one’s point across?, JAB; 65. Suffix with arbor or ether, EAL; 66. SRI Lanka; 68. “ESO Beso”.

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Click on image to enlarge.

 

Puzzle available on the internet at

THE NEW YORK TIMES — Crossword Puzzles and Games.