08.16.07 -- Ennui

Thursday, August 16, 2007

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Puzzle by Alan Arbesfeld, edited by Will Shortz

The entries FROM (10A) with STARTTOFINISH (37A) cannot be divined by their clues, nor are the inter-related entries to which they don’t actually refer and for which they supposedly provide a clue, of help in solution of those entries, which are as follows:

RUSTINMET (18A Reason to renovate an opera house?); HEATEROFWART (20A One cauterizing a skin blemish?); RAILWAYSBUST (54A Narc operation on Amtrak?); and finally, ENDEDBART (57A Dropped “The Simpsons” from the TV schedule?)

What FROM STARTTOFINISH indicates is imagining the removal of the last letter (“T”) of each of those entries and placing it at the beginning, eliciting an “oh, I see” or a “who cares?” Left hanging in the wind with no further reference are the results: TRUSTINME; THEATEROFWAR; TRAILWAYBUS; and TENDEDBAR, all without further clue or explanation.

This gimmick appeared just last week in the Wednesday The New York Sun puzzle in the guise of ARCANTONYM, ASTERHATE, RAININGBRAT, RACKSTART, and UMBERLINEN resulting in MARCANTONY, EASTERHAT, TRAININGBRA, TRACKSTART, and NUMBERLINE, with the notation "The First Shall Be Last” with the same resulting ennui.

It is nice that the center O of ABOVO (30D From the beginning) crosses and shares the center O of STARTTOFINISH resulting in an O in the exact center of the grid -- however, ATAD of DATA (yes, those are entries) more is needed for all to coalesce in a satisfactory manner -- including is there something to the fact that all the removable letters are “T”’s -- you know, if one were playing golf, and kept moving one's tee from start to finish during the game? Having never played golf, I have no idea! Then there’s ANGER (63A Tee off). Maybe the central O is the hole in which to putt. Compared to today’s Times puzzle, Alan Arbesfeld’s last puzzle was SET in stone!

The Puzzle Police will be very upset to see ENYA (6A 2001 Oscar nominee for the song “May It Be”) as an entry,deeming that entry to be highly overused. In fact, I thought I’d never heard Enya warble, but having seen the Lord of the Rings film trilogy, I guess I have -- it’s the same contingent of the Puzzle Police, aficionados of The Simpsons, who despise The Da Vinci Code, swearing eternal hatred without (at least so avowed) ever having read or viewed same, so as to their their comments on Enya -- well...more ennui!

Golem, The Lord of the Rings

QTIP (64A Wax remover) always sends shivers down my spine -- so many have punctured eardrums from packing in the wax -- try warm water and head-tilting -- there should be a warning on the Q-Tip package -- “never put anything larger than your elbow in your ear!” This goes for UVEA (62A Iris’s place) -- those poor souls blinded from contacts!

Today’s acrosses include RAISE (1.Union demand); Monkey’s UNCLE (14); BEET (15. Sugar source); OILS (16. Some artwork); STEAL (17. Super bargain); TUXEDO (22. Prom wear); ECO (23. Prefix with warrior); ESL (24. Night school subj.); OPE (27. What flowers do, in poetry); ADA (28. Abbr. On a toothpaste box); KNIGHT (31. Caballero); CASABA (33. Wrinkly-skinned fruit); ILIAD (36. Poem about Paris, in part); REALM (40. Kingdom); “When I am dead and gone, remember to AVENGE me…”: Henry VI, Part I“ (41); EXPELS (42. Throws out); OWL (44. Hieroglyphic symbol for the ancient Egyptian “M“; LOU (45. Bud‘s bud); DYE (48. Salon supply); OKS (49. Blesses); ACTOUT (51. Pantomime); Florence‘s PONTE Vecchio (60); SULA (61. Toni Morrison novel); MEND (65A Rectify); and NEEDS (66. Can‘t do without).

The downs include RUSHTO (1. Hurry in the direction of); ANTEUP (2. Make a stud payment); ICEAXE (3. Climber’s chopper); SLATE (4D Ballot listing); EELED (5D Caught congers); Battle of the EBRO, in the Spanish Civil War (6); NEUF (7. Nine, in Nantes); ’YESWE Have No Bananas” (8); ATTACK (9. War cry); FONT (10. Helvetica, for one); RIM (11. A dunker may grab it); OLE (12. Soccer cheer); MST (13. Boulder hrs.); IRONING (19. A Household chore); ROAST (21. Comical tribute); EGIS (24. Sponsorship: Var.) SHAH (25. Ruler toppled in 1979); LTD (26 Bygone Ford); DATA (29. Bank contents); “Would ILIE?” (32); CALE (33. Racer Yarborough); ARMLOAD (34. Big bag of groceries, e.g.); AFEW (35. Some); SEXY (37. Hot) TAPE (38. Marathon terminus); INLAY (39. Dental work); RED (40. Brave opponent); SKIBUM (43. Slopes devotee); LOUNGE (45. Waiting area); OUSTED (46. Given the boot); UTTERS (47. Comes out with); SLAVE (50. Work like a dog); CSPAN (52. Hearings airer); TBONE (53. Steakhouse selection); REAP (54. Bring in); WREN (55. Word with house or Carolina); ATAD (56. Slightly); ESQ (57. Atty.’s title); NUT (58. Buff); and last and least DLI (59. Mid sixth-century date).

ENDEDBART (57A Dropped "The Simpsons" from the TV schedule?)

The New York Times Crossword Puzzle solution above is by the author of this blog and does not guarantee accuracy. If you find errors or omissions, you are more than welcome to make note of same in the Comments section of this post -- any corrections found necessary will be executed promptly upon verification.

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12.21.10 — Winter

The Letter L, Erté

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Tuesday, December 21, 2010 - Winter Soltice 

Puzzle by Alan Arbesfeld, edited by Will Shortz

In this simple Tuesday crossword, moving the letter L back three spaces in panel boards, mind-boggling, Christmas carols, bottle water and Adam Sandler results in PLANE BOARDS, MIND BLOGGING, CHRISTMAS CLAROS, BLOTTED WATER and ADAM SLANDER.

Other — AT EASE (46D. Free from anxiety), CARRY-ON BAG (29D. Allotment o one, usually, for an airline passenger), DOSAGE, ICIEST, LACERATE (39D. Cut jaggedly), SECANT, THE KINKS (5D. “Lola” band), THIS IS TRUE (11D. “You’re right!”).

Five-letter — ALLAH, AMUSE, ASSES, ATSEA, BLOOM, EASYA, EMEND, EXERT, IBSEN, LANCE, LARVA, LLANO, LOESS, NOMSG, ODETS, OLORD, OPTED, PLANB and PLANK, REACT, SNAPE, TILES, WIMPY, YEARN.

Short stuff — AAS, AIR, ALAN, AMIR, ASET, BENT, BOSS, CAN, DNA, ELHI, ELLE, END, EREI, ERST, ETC, HBO, ILE and IDLE, ISM, ITAL and ITAR and TAR, KERN, LEER, MAG, Gershwin’s “The MAN I Love”, NIX, ODIC, ORB, OVA, RAN, RAPT, SGT, SPCA, TBA, TEN and TIN and TIM, TYRE, YENS.

If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind? ~ Percy Bysshe Shelley

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Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. Do a double-take, e.g.; 6. Made a choice; 11. Composition of Jack Haley’s Oz character; 14. God, to Muslims; 15. Gaucho’s plan; 16. “Six Feet Under” network; 17. F.A.A. supervisors?; 19. Belief suffix; 20. Start of a countdown; 21. Jerome who composed “Ol.’ Man River”; 22. Dolts; 24. Object to online commentary?; 27. Cosine’s reciprocal; 30. “Waiting for Lefty” playwright; 31. It’s walked on pirate ships; 32. “ … ___ saw Elba; 34. Awaiting scheduling, initially;37. Holiday smokes?; 41. Broadcast; 42. Strong desires; 43. Tickle; 44. Want badly, with “for”; 47. Least amiable; 48. Cleaned up after a spill?; 52. Tilter’s weapon; 53. _O__-Tass news agency; 54. Martinique, par exemple; 57. Heavenly body; 58. Defamation in the Garden o f Eden?; 62. Fertility clinic cells; 63. Potter’s potions professor; 64. Playing pieces in Rummikub; 65. Nat Geo, for one; 66. Snap course; 67. Wield, as power. — DOWN: 1. Totally absorbed; 2. Vogue competitor; 3. Shepard in space; 4. Pink-slip;5. “Lola” band; 6. Start of grace, maybe; 7. Fallback strategy; 8. Subject of a cigarette rating; 9. Shut down; 10. Prescription measure; 12. “The Wild Duck” playwright Henrik; 13. Chinese restaurant request; 18. Out of alignment; 23. Bilko or Friday: Abbr.; 25. Windblown soil; 26. Keatsian or Pindaric; 27. Pet advocacy org.; 28. Grades K-12; 32. Make improvements to; 33. Turned chicken; 35. One calling the shots; 36. “I’d hate to break up ___”; 38. One of four on a Rolls; 40. Mideast potentate: Var.; 45. Catchall abbr.; 46. Free from anxiety; 47. Font option: Abbr.; 48. Burst into flower; 49. Maggot or grub; 50. Hardly macho; 51. Totally lost; 54. Pink slip; 55. Lecher’s look; 56. Once, old-style; 59. Paternity suit evidence; 60. Smallish batteries; 61. Give a thumbs-down.

01.26.12 — You Can Leave Your Hat On

You'll find him in the lower level of Silk Nightclub every Saturday starting at midnight.

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Thursday, January 26, 2012 — Australia Day

Puzzle by Alan Arbesfeld / Edited by Will Shortz

Adding ST to five common phrases (ALL FOR ONE, TEXAS RANGERS, JACK THE RIPPER, RIKER’S ISLAND and ILL-AT-EASE) resulting in five odd ones, constitutes the interrelated group of this lightly-clad Thursday crossword.

• STALL FOR ONE (17A. Private quarters in a stable?)
• TEXAS STRANGERS (23A. Dallas tourists, perhaps?)
• JACK THE STRIPPER (37A. Name for a bachelorette party performer?)
• STRIKER’S ISLAND (49A. Vacation spot for some who stop working?)
• STILL AT EASE (60A. Not saluting for quite some time?)

Other — ADAPTS, AGASP and AROAR, ARRET, AT DAWN, BEAT IT, DELUXE, DIVER, DOOMS, DOSES, HAGUE, IN LOW and IN THERAPY (1D. Getting help of a sort), KATIE, LORRIE, MADE UP, NEATO, NEVER MIND (32D. “Forget it!), OSCAR (41A. Announcement that comes from an envelope), OCCURRING (30D. Going on), ODEON, PINS ON, PROTRACTS (8D. Extends), SALSA, SLAMS, SPREE, TIN EAR, TSARS, TUBER, U TUBE (44A. Horseshoe-shaped lab item).

Short stuff — AHEM, AIDE, ALF, A LOT and A MAN, ANN, BAM, BSA, CASH, CHAD, CNBC, EDU, EEN, ERG, HAS, IDS, LEAD, METE, NEST, NIL, NOT I, OHO and OJO, POST, PURE, RBI, REBS, RED, SEE, SPA, SRS, SUCH, TRUK (39D. W.W. II Pacific battle site), TVA, VASE, UTES, YDS.

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Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. Africa’s Lake ___, body of water in four countries; 5. Changes, in a way; 11. Fingers; 14. Many a staffer; 15. Moore who wrote “A Gate at the Stairs”; 16. Goose egg; 19. New Deal inits.; 20. Court site, with “The”; 21. Dole; 22. “Could we get started, please …”; 28. “Looky here!”; 31. What may give you the business?; 34. Old line in Russia; 43. Meas. of ground gained or lost; 46. What may come from a sock?; 55. Utter; “I’m ___” (Bo Diddley song); 57. Classic theater; 59. Result of bringing someone home, for short; 62 Velvet finish?; 63. Attaches, in a way; 64 Pac-12 team; 65. Bit of work; 66. Very early; 67. Mail. — DOWN: 12. Certain incentive; 2. Try to punch; 3. Saw; 4. Top-of-the-line; 5. 1980s sitcom filmed with a puppet; 6. Renders hopeless; 7. Stop over in Paris?; 9. Musical liability; 10. Date; 12. One going under; 13. Really bad-mouths; 18. Alchemy material; 22. Clearly stunned; 24. Word before or after “as”; 25. “Don’t look at me!”; 28. Facial feature for Felipe; 29. Harbors; 33. Big inits. In camping; 35. Embarrassed; 36. Alums-to-be: Abbr.; 38. Actress Holmes; 40. Civil War fighters; 45. “Take a hike!”; 47. Plenty; 48. Reconciled; 49. Tear; 50. Yam, e.g.; 51. It’s often made with peppers and onions; 52. Like trucks going up or down a steep hill; 53. “Swell!”; 54. Doctor’s orders; 58. Fit (in); 60. Kind of treatment; 61. Cape ___.

07.17.14 — BACK

Humpback What Heat Run in Tonga, photo by Tony Wu 

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Thursday, July 17, 2014

Puzzle by Alan Arbesfeld / Edited by Will Shortz

Four answers with the first word spelled backwards along with BACK implied as part of the word constitutes the interrelated group of this Thursday crossword:

[KCAB]PMUH WHALE (17A. Singer in the sea, literally). e.g., humpback whale
[KCAB]LLAF POSITION (27A. Plan B. literally), fallback position
[KCAB]RETRAUQ SNEAK (42A. Gridiron maneuver, literally), quarterback sneak
[KCAB]YGGIP RIDE (57A. Little kid’s lift, literally), piggyback ride

Other — ALL CAPS (7D. Indicator of stress), ATT and ATTY, AURORA (39A. Skylghts?), EMPTY NETS (13D. Fisherman’s bane and hockey player’s boon), ILA and IRA, LOCATIONS (11D. Spots), NORTHEAST (32D. 45 degrees), OGLE and OGRE, ON E and ONE-C, QUAYLE (43D. Bush successor), SPARE TIRE (30D. Gut), TRATTORIA (12D. Vino spot), TRUE LOVES (31D. Soul mates).

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11.08.13 — Try to See It My Way

Meerkat family standing on home,meerkat.org 

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Friday, November 8, 2013

Puzzle by Alan Arbesfeld / Edited by Will Shortz

Across — 1. African city of 4+ million whose name means, literally, “haven of peace”, DAR ES SALAAM; 12. Seeing things, CONTACT LENSES; 14. “Why such a fuss?”, WHAT’S THE BIG DEAL; 16. Start of a Jewish holiday?, ROSH; 17. Put one’s two cents in?, ANTE; 18. Arizona’s Agua FRIA River; 19. Not natural for, ALIEN TO; 21. Like Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No. 6 or 22, IN F; 24. Tilting figure: Abbr., KNT; 25. PEDRO Ximénez (dessert sherry); 26. Manipulative health care worker, OSTEOPATH; 29. Smash letters, SRO; 30. Destroy, informally, NUKE; 32. Range ridges, ARETES; 33. Classified, TOP SECRET; 35. Eatery where the Tony was born, SARDI’S; 38. Pitch, TOSS; 39. Juan’s “Hey!”, OYE; 42. Perseveres, PRESSES ON; 44. Some Deco pieces, ERTÉS  46. Lead film festival characters?, EFS; 47. Rhineland Campaign’s arena: Abbr., ETO; 48. Frito-Lay snack, CHEETOS; 50. NATE Silver of fivethirtyeight.com; 52. California city near Fullerton, BREA; 54. Author TAMA Janowitz; 55. Opening line of a 1966 #1 Beatles  hit, TRY TO SEE IT MY WAY; 59. One-hit wonder, FLASH-IN-THE-PAN; 60. Events for some antiquers, ESTATE SALES.

Ottawa chief Pontiac

Down — 1. Demonstration exhortation, DO AS I DO; 2. A bee might light on it,  ANTHER; 3. Some N.F.L.’ers,  RTS; 4. Irritate,  EAT AT; 5. Dopes, SCHNOOKS; 6. Restoration notation, STET; 7. Even though,  ALBEIT; 8. Polynesian island chain?, LEI; 9. ANG Lee with an Oscar; 10. Home row sequence, ASDF; 11. Kalahari Desert dweller, MEERKAT; 12. Irritability, CHOLER; 13. Femme canonisée, SAINTE; 14. Deli menu subheading, WRAPS; 15. Foundation for some roofing, LATHS; 20. Silence, NO NOISE; 22. Verges on, NEARS; 23. Anticipate, FORESEE; 27. Mind, SEE TO; 28. Irritable state, PET; 31. Election surprise, UPSET; 33. What some bombs result in, in brief, TDS; 34. Fanciful notions, CONCEITS; 35. Dead, SPENT; 36. Pair of boxers?, ARF ARF; 37. Give a makeover, RESTYLE; 38. Pontiac and others, OTTAWAS; 40. “Star Trek” extra, YEOMAN; 41. It’s definitely not the short answer, ESSAY; 43. “That’s that”, SO BE IT; 45. Fix a key problem?, RETYPE; 49. Kind of Yoga, HATHA; 51. Important info for people with connections, ETAS; 53. RENÉ Clément with two Oscar-winning films; 56. Düsseldorf direction, OST; 57. La la lead-in, SHA; 58. MEL Allen of play-by-play.

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09.08.09 -- DANCE

La Danse, 1910 by Henri Matisse

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Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Puzzle by Alan Arbesfeld, edited by Will Shortz

DANCE (71A. Word that can follow the ends of 17-, 21-, 36- 44-, 54- and 64-Across), CREDIT LINE (17A. Borrower’s limit), POT BELLY (21A. Joe Six-Pack’s protrusion); GARTER SNAKE (36A. Harmless-to-humans slitherer); BASEBALL FAN (44A. Typical visitor to Cooperstown); ACID RAIN (54A. One cause of deforestation); CRIMEAN WAR (64A. Conflict settled by the Treaty of Paris in 1856) are the interrelated group of this Tuesday crossword.

Other entries of length include GREEN LIGHT (28D. Go-ahead) and MAPLE LEAFS (11D. Canadiens’ rivals) followed by the mid-size entries of AMOEBA (10D. Pseudopod-forming organism), ETOILE (58A. Star, in Paris), LEOTARD (45D. Trapeze artist’s attire), MARBLE (32D. Venus de Milo material), MISUSE (24D. Apply incorrectly); SERENE (20A. Hard to rattle); SWINDLE (5D. Bernie Madoff job); TIDIES (47D. Straightens up).

Five-letter -- AGASP (26D. Visibly shocked); ANGEL (26A. Little devil’s opposite); ANTES (31D. Starts the kitty); ARENA (35D. Concert venue); BINDS (1A. Tight spots); EASYA (49A. Gut course); INLAW (14A. Family tree member); MACHO (51D. Like many a Clint Eastwood character) and NACHO (27D. Cheesy snack); 41A. NUTRI-Grain; POETS (9D. Keats and Horace, for two); 46A. PONTE Vecchio (Florence landmark); REOIL (68A. Use more 3-in-One on); SALSA (33A. Chips go-with); SATAY (34D. Skewered Asian fare).

Short stuff -- ACED, AMAJ and AMAT, ANNO, AOL, ASAP, ASHE, AXEL, BASE, BEAR, BICS, CASE, DADE, DAM, EAR, EGO, ERLE, ESL, ETD, FATE, FLA, GEE, HELP, IAM, INRE, IRED, IWON, JETS, KIA, LAIC, LIAM, MAGI and MAXI, MPS, NILE, NLER, ODES, OHNO, ONEA, OPEN, RNA, SABE, SHE, SHIP, TEA, TINY.

…and then there‘s this guy!

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Remaining clues -- Across: 6. “Pronto!”; 10. Part of a Latin 101 conjugation; 15. “Yikes!”; 16. Ankle-length, maybe; 19. Up-front; 23. Lake former, perhaps; 25. Kemo ___ (the Lone Ranger); 30. “___ a Rock”; 39. It may be floppy or pointy; 40. Hit a serve past; 42. You can’t escape it; 43. “That’s all ___ wrote”; 48. Night sch. Class; 50. Neeson of “Kinsey”; 52. Self-importance; 63. Visitors to the manger; 66. Queens tennis stadium; 67. 1965 Beatles song or movie; 69. “West Side Story” gang; 70. Works of 9-Down. Down: 1. Popular ballpoints; 2. Concerning, on a memo; 3. Pirate or Padre, for short; 4. Miami-___ County; 6. Co. offering a Buddy List; 7. Send via DHL, say; 8. Cornerstone word; 12. Jump on the ice; 13. Facetious nickname for a giant; 188. Samovar beverage; 22. Military site; 29. J.F.K. posting: Abbr.; 37. Genetic letters; 38. Sedona and Sorento automaker; 42. Atlantic state in two time zones: Abbr.; 44. Put up with; 53. “I didn’t know that!”; 54. Key with three sharps: Abbr.; 55. Item on a docket; 56. Ticked off; 57. Aswan’s river; 59. Fit to serve; 60. Lottery player’s cry of elation; 61. Of the flock; 62. Writer ___ Stanley Gardner; 65. “M*A*S*H” cops, for short.

03.22.12 — Mixing It Up

Casse-tête mécanique conçu par W. Altekruse, 1890

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Thursday, March 22, 2012

Puzzle by Alan Arbesfeld / Edited by Will Shortz

Mixed-up phrases with sound-alike endings constitute the main feature of this Thursday crossword: BELMONT STEAKS (19A. Entrees for one of Dion’s backup singers?), PARKING BREAKS (30A. Discounts at garages?), CHOPPED STAKES (36A. Severely reduced wagers?) and SERVICE BRAKES (52A. What mechanics may do as part of a tuneup?).

Other — AILERON (17A. Wing part), ATLASES (18A. Their images are out of this world), BOWED TO, COLLEEN, DIG INTO, DUELERS, ELLIPSE, EROTICA, GOES MAD, GRADUAL, GRATING, MISS USA, OHM’S LAW (38D. Current principle), ON ALERT, RAN WITH, SANTINI (7D. “Great” part for Duval), SHAKE UP, SPRITES, THE EDGE (41D U2 member).

Mid-size — CONAN, Zhou ENLAI, ITEMS, “I THEE wed”, IT IS I, Nita NALDI, OATES, OPERAS (46D. Met expectations?), OVERT, PRIEST, RASSLE, SEABEE, TOGAE, TREED.

Short stuff — APPS, ATE, “Bramble BRAE“, BURL, COB and COG, CROP, DHS, ECON, ELLE, ESTS, ETO, GEM, HOE and HOR, IRS, NAPA Valley, OKIE, ONO, OOHS, POI, RAKE, RAT, REAL, STAN, SWAK, Casse-TÊTE, TIRO, TSAR, UZI, ZAK.

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Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. The Rhinemaidens in the “Ring” cycle, e.g.; 8. Cracks up; 15. Hot stuff; 16. Went for on a gut feeling; 21. Ballpark figs.; 22. “Who’s there?” reply; 23. Weapon in some raids; 26. W.W. II arena; 27. Late-night TBS show; 29. Old royal; 34. Laulau side dish; 35. Singer; 43. Circus sounds; 45. Like a line whose slope is zero: Abbr.; 48. Sweetheart; 49. Forum garb; 56. Irish lass; 58. Ones requesting seconds?; 59. Primed; 60. Not so fast; 61. Showed reverence for, in a way; 62. Orbital figure. — DOWN: One making camp?; 2. White-collar worker; 3. Antique desk feature; 4. Celebrity couples, usually; 5. Rookie: Var.; 6. Big campaign topic: Abbr.; 7. “Great” part for Duvall; 8. Danger for wearers of high-heel shoes; 9. O. Henry Award winner for “In the Region of Ice” (1967) and “The Dead” (1973); 10. China’s Zhou ___; 11. Valentine letters?; 12. Wearer of a crown since 1952; 13. Absorbed the cost of; 14. Some A.L. batters; 20. “South Park” boy; 24. Ringo’s drumming son; 25. Grp. With a complex code; 27. Shorten; 28. 1930s migrant; 29. Casse-___ (French brainteaser); 31. Many downloads; 32. “Bramble ___” (book of Robert Bridges poems); 33. Casino collector; 36. Certain tooth; 37. Flat-headed tool; 39. Start chowing down; 40. Opposite of legato: Abbr.; 42. Disturb; 47. Brawl in the backwoods; 49. In a tough spot; 50. Plain; 51.
Silents star Nita; 53 Palindromic magazine title; 54. Small knot; 55. Very, informally; 56. Ear piece?; 57. Celebrity widowed in 1980.

03.16.11 — Home Run!

Star Pitcher Earl Wilson Hurling Ball to Batter During Washington Against Detroit Game.  Photograph by Bob Gomel from the archives of LIFE magazine first appearing on September 29, 1967, art.com 

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Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Puzzle by Alan Arbesfeld, edited by Will Shortz

FULL COUNT / PITCH (59A. With 61-Across, follower of the five starred clues), GREAT TIME (17A. *Ball), WORK STOPPAGE (24A. *Strike), LAVISH PARTY (29A. *Ball), BOWLER’S COUP (40A. *Strike), TV COMEDIENNE (46A. *Ball) constitutes the interrelated group of this Wednesday crossword, resulting in a home run!

Other — COERCE (44D. Arm-twist), Amicus CURIAE (friend of the court), HONEST (21A. “I swear!”), METHODS (5D. Techniques), ON TAPE (10D. Like some audio books), SENECAS (43D. New York tribe members).

Five-letter — AISLE, ARENA, CHEST, CHUTE, DUFFY, EERIE, EILAT, EPEES, HARD C (26A. What‘s in carrots but not celery?), IN INK, IRULE, MOPSY, PANAM, PAULA, RENAL, SEDER, SNAPE, SPRIG, TAUPE, UHURA, U-TURN, V-CHIP, YENTE.

Short stuff — ACHE and ACRE, AHS, AIRS, ALA, ALIT and ATIT, ALLY,ANNE, ATL, AVID, BUM, CUP, EGG, ELOI, ESC, ETA, FLA, GLUE, GYP, HAS, HATE, HUED, INC, LAX, MSU, NAH, NSEC, OLE and ORE, OPEC, PAGE, PEW, PLY, RAE, STAR, TOOT, WRIT, XED, YET (65A. Still and all).

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Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. Former TWA rival; 6. Ltd., here; 9. Beatrix Potter bunny; 14. Supermarket part; 15. Fuhgeddaboudit!”; 16. Hogwarts potions professor; 19. Reversal of policy; 20. Upper-left key; 23 Came down; 28. Ring encouragement; 33. Frittata need; 36. Bickering; 37. Subj. of a pilot’s announcement; 38. Get together; 39. Voted, in a way; 44. Many a trophy; 45. Like Rod Serling stories; 52. Masseur’s target; 54. Suffers from; 57. Kirk subordinate; 62. Marco Island locale: Abbr.; 63. Tournament venue: 64. Pentathletes’ weapons; 66. Meal with the Four Questions. — DOWN: 1. Call for; 2. They may be put on; 3. Minuscule part of a min.; 4. Like; 5. Techniques; 6. Indelibly written; 7. When doubled, gets specific; 8. Booty holder; 9. The Spartans of the N.C.A.A.; 11. Journalist Zahn; 12. Garnish unit; 13. “Fiddler on the Roof” matchmaker; 18. Arsonist, slangily; 22. Tugboat’s call; 24. Habeas corpus, e.g.; 25. Veneer layer; 26. Show enmity toward; 27. Like die-hard fans; 29. Far from harsh; 30. Nave seat; 31. N.L. East city; 32. “Norma ___”; 33. Morlocks’ victims in an H.G. Wells story; 34. Bond former; 35. Swindle; 38. Zoning unit, maybe; 40. Spare change seeker; 41. Cartel acronym; 42. Kidney-related; 44. Arm-Twist; 46. Hosiery shade; 47. Modern screening device; 48. Water park feature; 49. Julia of “Designing Women”; 50. “That was awesome of me!”; 51. Israeli seaport; 54. Tinted; 55. Writer Rice; 56. Headliner; 58. Sounds of satisfaction; 60. Extracted stuff.

07.19.12 — Adding In In

Cain with Pigeon, Paris

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Thursday, July 19, 2012

Puzzle by Alan Arbesfeld / Edited by Will Shortz

Adding IN to eight common words to form anagrammed words is the gimmick for this Thursday crossword (or something like that):

RETINAE (17A. ARETE)
LINEAGE (18A. EAGLE)
CO-INSURING (23A. SCOURING)
TINPLATE (34A. PLATTE)
LANDINGS (43A. GLANDS)
RE-INSPECTS (52A. SPECTRES)
FINALES (61A. ALEFS)
MINTIER (63A. TIMER)

Other — FILM NOIR (8D. “The Maltese Falcon,” e.g.), I GUESS SO (40D. “Uh, probably”), LAND MINES (33D. Hidden dangers), STENGEL (11D. Casey at the bat, once), TRADE NAME (12D. Listing in a business registry).

Mid-size — ASSISI, DEPRESS, DIE OUT, DISTEND and DISTANT, ESTONIA, FIESTAS, GESTAPO (68A.“Casablanca“ villains), IT’S TRUE, LOOSEN, ON EARTH, ONENESS, SPED UP, STATUE (6D. Many a pigeon‘s perch), STYMIE.

Five-letter — A-LINE, AUGUR, CLINE, DEFOG, DORIC, DUE TO, ELITE, ENDUE, ENERO, NAMED, PETRI, PULPY, SEE’EM, SHEAR, STRAD, TIE-IN.

Short stuff — ATE, AUK, AVA, DAMS, EGO, ERN, ESNE, ESP, GERM, GONE, IRR, “What was IT I was saying?”, LIT, MOI, MUG, NAP, NTS, ON OR about, RA I, REE, SILT, SRAS, STIR, TASM, TOT and TUT, UKE.

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THE NEW YORK TIMES — Crossword Puzzles and Games.

Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. Bring down; 8. Big dos; 15. You are here; 16. “No fooling!”; 19. Sale item, maybe: Abbr.; 20. Isl. Off the coast of Australia; 22. Provide; 27. Seed; 28. Put away; 29. Ease up on; 31. Like some orange juice; 37. Gardner of “The Barefoot Contessa”; 38. Miss Piggy retort; 41. Mr. ___ (old detective game); 42. Profile picture; 46. Because of; 48. Go extinct; 49. Arctic diver; 50. Blockades, of a sort; 57. Like the Green Berets; 59. Many telenovela viewers: Abbr.; 60. Plastered; 68. Tenet of Taoism; 67. It broke from Russia in 1920; 69. Swell. — DOWN: 1. Column style; 2. When to celebrate Dia de Reyes; 3. Kind of dish; 4. Thor Heyerdahl craft; 5. Coastal flier; 7. Cut; 10. Feudal laborer; 13. Presage; 14. “Now you ___ …” (magician’s comment about disappearing cards); 21. Bed liner?; 24. Recover from an all-nighter, say; 25. Block; 26. Spent; 30. Hit the accelerator; 31. Bud; 32. The Cavaliers’ sch.; 35. When repeated, a mild reproach; 36. Something big on the campaign trail?; 40. “Uh, probably”; 44. Aloof; 45. Big whoop; 47. Luau accompaniment; 49. Birthplace of St. Francis; 50. Clear for better viewing; 51. Dior design of the 1950s; 53. Appointed; 54. Patsy who sang “Walkin’ After Midnight”; 55. Connection; 56. Expensive strings, familiarly; 58. Zeno’s home; 62. Medium strength?; 64. Some Windows systems; 65. For whom a sitter sits.

02.08.09 -- PJ's

Sunday, February 8, 2009

PAJAMA PARTY, Puzzle by Alan Arbesfeld, edited by Will Shortz

TITLE (53D. “Pajama Party,” e.g.).

This Sunday’s crossword features nine two-word entries, the first starting with the letter P and the second, J -- 23A. PETROLEUM JELLY, 33A. PARACHUTE JUMP, 52A. PRACTICAL JOKE, 70A. PICKLE JAR, 90A. PETER JENNINGS, 105A. POETIC JUSTICE, 122A. PINEAPPLE JUICE, 42D. PAPA JOHNS, and 49D. PLAIN JANE (Hardly a beauty queen).

Other entries of length include ANAISNIN, ARSONIST, DRONESON, ELECTRIC, ELEMENT, ELILILLY, ENFAMILLE, JAYLENO, LEASERS, MDDEGREE, MONEYMEN, NEARERTO, ONALERT, OOLALA, PENPALS, PSYCHOS, SLURPED, STAREAT, TALLORDER, TRIBECA, TROLLEY, UNSPENT (69D. Like money in the bank).

Mid-size entries -- AFTRA, AMENRA, ASHIER, AWOKE, BANJO, CROON, ELIDE, ELIHU, EMPTY, ESSEN, ESTEE, FARER, FELLOW, GETAT, ICHOR, INEPT, IPODS, JEERS, LATINI, MARITA, MOSES, NAVAL, NITERY, NOLAN, NONAME, OFNOTE, OLMEC, ONSETS, OPART, ORTON, OTERA, PEPYS, PRECIP, PULPS, RACER, RELIC, REMOP, SEIZE, SHARE, SNERT, SOPHIE, SOURS, STEINS, SWAMP, TAMMI, TERRE, TOTEM, TYPOS, VCHIPS, YPRES (26A. W.W. I battle site in Belgium).

Short stuff -- AARP, AJA, ALGA, ANN, AOL, APSE and APPS, BIND, BLUR, DAW, DEWY, DOPE, EADS, EPA and EPI, ELEE and ELS, EZER, HEM, HIHO, HUT, ICI, JOAD and JOCK, JAL and JAM, JAL and JUL, KEY, LIMB, LIT, MAAM, MASK, MOES, NCAA, NEBR, NEW, NIL, OEDS, OKS, OOHS, PIAF, PROP, RNS, ROES, RON, SALA, SCH, SERT, SHA, SIT, SLR and SML, SSRS, SYST, TEAK, UPS, YAYS (130A. Triumphant cries).

Whoopee…

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THE NEW YORK TIMES -- Crossword Puzzles and Games

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Across: 1. “La Vie en Rose” singer; 5. Hastings, ___ where Kool-Aid was invented: Abbr.; 9. Powerful D.C. lobby; 13. Geneses; 19. At home, abroad; 21. Homer’s hangout; 22. Chap; 23. ChapStick alternative; 25. Airport where 91-Down flies; 26. W.W. I battle site in Belgium; 27. Sing “The Moon Got in My eyes,” e.g.; 28. Blood of the gods, in Greek myth; 30. Clothes line; 31. Ogle; 33. Bygone Coney Island attraction; 36. Red states?: Abbr.; 38. Cousin of a crow; 39. Price production; 40. Computer programs, for short; 44. Onetime Ritz rival; 46. Initials, perhaps; 48. Printerr’s misteaks?; 52. Trick; 56. Track runner; 58. Oscar-winning role for Meryl Streep; 59. Backers and bankers; 61. ___ Bridge, historic 1874 span across the Mississippi; 62. Org. with an Office of Water; 63. Manhattan area next to Chinatown; 66. One with a burning desire; 68. Start of the third qtr.; 70. Deli receptacle; 73. “Hellboy” star Perlman; 74. Talks monotonously; 77. Mercury, e.g.; 79. Tie-up; 82 Circus cries; 83. Residency requirement, for some; 86. “Hubba hubba!”; 88. Foreign correspondents?; 90. One of the former Big Three in news; 93. German city whose name means “to eat”; 94. Invitation to a visitor; 95. Room in una residencia; 96. Deck material; 97. Maritime; 100. “Barbara ___”; 103. Life partner?; 105. Comeuppance; 110. Some car shoppers; 115. Good times; 116. Cut; 117. Motown singer Terrell; 119. Christopher who directed “The Dark Knight”; 120. Where “amo, amas, amat” is learned; 122. Dole offering; 125. Rain, briefly; 126. Former Israeli president Weizman; 127. Challenge; 128. Bass holders, maybe; 129. Moist; 130. Triumphant cries; 131. Noted Spanish muralist. Down: 1. 1666 London fire chronicler; 2. Klutzy; 3. Broadcast worker’s union; 4. Ending with way or sea; 5. Goose egg; 6. Exciting; 7. Confuse; 8. Wash again, as the floor; 9. Egyptian god of the universe; 10. Co. with a triangular logo; 11. You can dig it; 12. Whack jobs; 13. Significant; 14. Closer by; 15. Canon type, in brief; 16. Grant’s first secretary of state ___ Washburne; 17. Symbol on a pole; 18. Overwhelm; 20. Exodus figure; 24. Fictional Tom; 29. March word; 32. More pallid; 34. Came to; 35. “Headlines” presenter; 37. Doo-wop syllable; 40. Recess at Notre Dame; 41. Set piece; 42. Pizza Hut competitor; 43. Auburn, e.g.: Abbr.; 43. Ancient Mexican people; 47. Significant; 49. Hardly a beauty queen; 50. They start A-B, C, D-E etc.; 51. Part of CBS: Abbr.; 53. “Pajama Party,” e.g.; 54. Musclehead; 55. Ready for action; 56. Land at Orly?; 57. “ER” extras, for short; 60. Word said while tipping one’s hat; 64. Receivers of some downloads; 65. Tie up; 67. “Loot” playwright; 69. Like money in the bank; 71. Robt. ___; 72. Pans in comedy clubs; 74. Info; 75. Some deer; 76. Tee sizes, on signs; 78. Average Joe, e.g.; 80. Aquatic organism; 81. Jim Carrey film, with “The”; 84. Dermal opening?; 85. Intimate; 87. Soused; 89. Who wrote “The only abnormality is the incapacity to love”; 91. Flier to 25-Across, for short; 92. Prozac maker; 94. Didn’t drink daintily; 98. Means of parental control; 99. 1977 double-platinum jazz-rock album; 101. Bistro, informally; 102. College World Series org.; 104. Hand-picked thing; 105. Dime novels and such; 106. Eye-popping canvases; 107. Popular women’s fragrance; 108. Stop working, as an engine, with “up”; 109. Meaningless; 111. Some whiskey drinks; 112. Pass over; 113. Indy entrant; 114. Hagar’s dog; 118. Film-rating org.; 121. Where you are on a Metro map?; 122. Just out; 124. Dallas center?