11.22.09 -- Turkey -- the Acrostic

Sunday, November 22, 2009
ACROSTIC, Puzzle by Emily Cox and Henry Rathvon, edited by Will Shortz
To the purpose of today's acrostic quotation, Meleager, King of Macedonia, brought the first turkeys into Greece. The Greeks named these birds after their prince Meleagrides. Sophocles, in one of his tragedies, introduces a chorus of turkeys bewailing the death of Meleager. Edgar Allan Poe makes sardonic note of same in his Marginalia.
The quotation: I NEVER CAN HEAR AN ITALIAN OPERA WITHOUT FANCYING MYSELF AT ATHENS LISTENING TO THAT PARTICULAR TRAGEDY BY SOPHOCLES IN WHICH HE INTRODUCES A FULL CHORUS OF TURKEYS WHO SET ABOUT BEWAILING THE DEATH OF MELEAGER.
The author’s name and the title of the work: EDGAR ALLAN POE MARGINALIA
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The defined words: A. German town where Johann Sebastian Bach was born, EISENACH; B. Adamantly unbending in the fact of attacks, DEFIANT; C. Symbol of merit or honor (2 wds.), GOLD STAR; D. State legendarily unified under Theseus, ATTICA; E. Rather irregular, somewhat crude, ROUGHISH; F. Container that’s pig Latin for its type of contents, ASHTRAY; G. Hitchcock film based on a Steinbeck story, LIFEBOAT; H. How most ballet dancers perform, LITHELY; I. Honest-to-goodness, AUTHENTIC; J. Just discovered, NEWFOUND; K. Scope of activity or responsibility, PURVIEW; L. Subaru wagon/S.U.V. plugged by Paul Hogan, OUTBACK; M. Fully realized condition, ENTELECHY; N. Symbol on Israel’s coat of arms, MENORAH; O. Aardvark, by another name (2 wds.); ANT BEAR; P. Any draft of an article after the first, REWRITE; Q. Target that it’s not fair to move, GOALPOST; R. Common locale for a canal, ISTHMUS; S. Study of the kidney, NEPHROLOGY; T. Emulator of St. Anthony, ANCHORITE; U. Undergo prolonged inactivity, become weak, LANGUISH; V. For all practical purposes (2 wds.), IN EFFECT; W. Irving Berlin standard written for his wife, ALWAYS.
Happy Thanksgiving!
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11.22.09 -- Career

Brigitte Bardot, actress
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Sunday, November 22, 2009
CAREER DAY SPEAKER SCHEDULE, Puzzle by Patrick Merrell, edited by Will Shortz
This Sunday’s interrelated group redefined career day speakers -- TICKET AGENT (23A. Career Day Speaker #1: Meter maid?); SOCIAL WORKER (28A. #2: Tea server?); DRIVING INSTRUCTOR (38A. #3: Golf pro?); BRANCH MANAGER (58A. #4: Tree surgeon?); FILE CLERK (70A. #5: Manicurist?); UNION OFFICIAL (82A. #6: Justice of the peace?); MARKETING DIRECTOR (103A. #7: Grocery store owner?); RECORD KEEPER (111A. #8: Disc jockey?); NOVEL WRITER (119A. Career of the parent who typed up the Career Day schedule?). Anecdote anyone?
Other entries of length include AGREES WITH (53D. Seconds), BROW-BEATS (118A. Bullies), TURNS RED (24D. Blushes), SABER SAW (80D. Hand-held cutter), SMOOTH OUT (25A. Unwrinkle) and TIDAL BASIN (32D. Large body in Washington, D.C.).
Seven-letter -- ACT FIVE (99D. When Juliet says “O happy dagger!”); AGITATE (52A. Perturb); BAKLAVA (4D. Honeyed pastry); EXTORTS (10D. Shakes down); PEN NAME (90A. Literary creation); REMATCH (12D. The Thrilla in Manilla, for one); SI SENOR (97D. Approval for Juan Valdez); SKEETER (95D. Pesky biter).
Six -- 64D. San ANTONE, Lone Star State city; ARABLE (50A. Growing-friendly); ASTROS (18D. Club that began as the Colt .45s); AVERSE (101D. Unwilling); BARDOT (63A. Sex symbol once married to Vadim); EGESTS (104D. Disgorges); 98A. ELAINE Chao, only cabinet member to serve through George W. Bush’s entire administration); GERBIL (100D. Animal in an exercise wheel); GRUELS (17D. Meager bowlfuls); IN SITU (11D. Untouched); IT’LL DO (105D. “I can get by with that”); KENOBI (91A. Skywalker’s cohort); LOOKIE (16D. “Hey, see what I got!”); NACRES (67A. Button materials); SEA DOG (6D. Old salt); SEDANS (45A. Many four-doors); STACKS (48D. Library section); SYSTEM (75. Gambler’s holy grail); TACOMA (102D. City in Mount Rainier’s shadow).
Five -- ARCHI, ASIDE, AVIAN, BAMBI, EDSEL, ENARM, ERMAS, ESSEX, EYERS, HANOI, HERES, ILIAD, INAIR, INLET, IREST, LEDGE, MEESE, MISUSE, MOMMA, NECCO, ONELB, ONEND, ORGAN, RATSO, REINA, SMOKE, STERS, SYSTEM, TREVI, UTILE, YEARS.
Short stuff -- ALI, AKIN, ASOF, ATOP, BIT, CEE, CIRE, DENT, EAR, ECOL, EGOS, ESC, ENS and ESS, ERST, ESTS, ETTA, EVA and EVAN, FEAR, FISH, FRAY, GAT, HARM, HRS, IDEA, IES, IRAN, ISM, ISUP, KALE, KENS and KENT, KILO, LAFF, LAT, LAUD, LEA, LGA, LII and LIL, LIMB, MIC, MSG, NEDS, NHL, ORS, OSE, RBIS, RHEA, RITT, RNS, ROLO, RONA, RYNE, SCOW, SEER, SHE, SILO, TEAM, TEEN, THIS, TIA, TIFF, VET, WAY.
Career? Driving instructor!
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Remaining clues -- Across: 1. White-tailed movie star; 6. Barbecue byproduct; 11. “Many good nights, my lord: ___ your servant”: Shak.; 16. N.Y.C. airport; 19. Literary work in which Paris is featured; 20. County abutting London; 21. Candy wafer company; 22. Hosp. workplaces; 27. Talk up; 30. Blues musician Baker; 33. Chocolate-and-caramel brand; 36. Filmmaker Martin; 37. Big bin; 44. Swan’s shape; 46. 1985-88 attorney general; 47. Toast starter; 49. Mendes of “2 Fast 2 Furious”; 50. Rap’s ___ Wayne; 57. Suffix with pant or aunt; 66 Flightless bird; 68. First landfall north of Oman; 74. Reeve or Reeves role; 78. They take the bait; 79. Warranty invalidator; 86. Long. Partner; 87. ___-wolf; 93. “No ___!”; 94. “Aunt ___ Cope Book”; 96. Play byplay; 100. Dilllinger’s derringer, e.g.; 106. 2007 Steve Carell title role; 108. I’s; 109. Job bidding figs.; 110. First of two choices; 116. “___-A-Lympics” (old TV cartoon series); 125. Conclusion for many believers?; 126. Bay, for one; 127. Sideways up; 128. Of interest to ornithologists; 129 Grazing ground; 130. Dump and road endings; 131. “Midnight Cowboy” nickname; 132 College classes. Down: 1. Iota; 2. Larter of “Heroes”; 3. Amp plug-in; 5. Start of a plan; 7. Bouillon cube ingredient, usually; 8. Sugar suffix; 9. Boy toys?; 13 Reforestation subj.; 14. Garbage hauler; 15. Emerald City visitor; 26. Over-the-wall wallops: Abbr.; 29. Glazed fabric; 30. It debuted on “E Day”; 31. Fountain in front of the Palazzo Poli; 34. Appendage; 35. 16 oz.; 39. Where Key’s bombs burst; 40. Reader of signs; 41. Wagon puller, often; 42. It’s often played on Sunday; 43. Madrid’s ___ Sofia Art Center; 51. From; 54. Many a bar mitzvah attendee; 55. First, in Frankfurt; 59. Prefix with -tect; 60. Goal-oriented org.; 61. Middle grade; 62. Impair; 65. Slight fight; 68. Leads (by); 69. Hall-of-Famer Sandberg; 71. A little over half a century in old Rome; 72. “Help!” key; 73. Unit of contraband; 76. Equip with weapons, old-style; 77. Mell Lazarus comic strip; 81. Function; 83. Cause of quailing; 84. Comparable (to); 85. Break in a building’s façade; 88. World capital once under French rule; 89. Spectators; 92. Beatty and Sparks; 96. Mounted on; 107. Parental imperative; 112. Result of 26-Down, often; 113 Lot “souvenir”; 114. Leafy vegetable; 115. Author Jaffe; 117. Skirmish; 120. One likely to have pet peeves?; 121. Dash lengths; 122. ___ Maria; 123. Human body part with vestigial muscles; 124. Hosp. V.I.P.’s.
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11.21.09 -- Abyssinia

Image from Avatar, the film by James Cameron
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Saturday, November 21, 2009
Puzzle by Gary J. Whitehead, edited by Will Shortz
The usual Saturday -- variety, mystery and sadistic duplicity.
Across: 1. Increase business, RAMP UP SALES; 12. Green line, SAVE THE PLANET; 14. Party lighting option, JAPANESE LANTERN; 16. Minister at a wedding, e.g., UNITER; 17. Took a chance, RISKED IT; 18. Brains’ gains, IDEAS; 19. Touched, BATS; 20. Local theater, slangily, NABE; 21. “The Emperor’s Snuff-Box” novelist, CARR; 22. Company dinner, MESS; 23. Sphere’s lack, EDGES; 24. World Match Play Championship champ a record seven times, ELS; 25. Kids’ greetings, BAAS; 26. Least done, RAREST; 27. Face-off place, CENTER ICE; 29. Lineup at some entrances, STILES; 32. Many a J.V. player, SOPH; 33. Cabbage roll, WAD; 36. Light-headed person?, MINER; 37. They no longer boom, SSTS; 38. “Philosophy in the Bedroom” author, 1795, SADE; 39. “Man of La Mancha” production org., ANTA; 40. Some touchdown makers, briefly, LEMS; 41. Alabama university, SELMA; 42. Roller near a derailleur, REAR TIRE; 44. Shirt attachment, TIE PIN; 45. Store something for later thought, MAKE A MENTAL NOTE; 47. Breaks while lifting, say, REST INTERVALS; 48. One of many American houses, STATE SENATE.
Down: 1. Slender stickers, RAPIERS; 2. Personification, AVATAR; 3. Egyptian king credit with founding the First Dynasty, MENES; 4. Feather: Prefix, PTER; 5. Pause fillers, UHS; 6. Some workshop critiques, PEER ASSESSMENTS; 7. Stock options, SPLITS; 8. “… in thy possession lies A LASS unparallel’d”: Shak.; 9. Rangy, LANK; 10. Hear, to Henri, ENTENDRE; 11. Horticultural practice, SEEDAGE; 12 Item of wear with a strap, SANDAL; 13. Alabama and others, TRIBES; 14. Press release?, JUICE; 15. Desert trial, for short, N-TEST; 19. Ready to turn in, BEAT; 22. Staffs, MANS; 23. A head, EACH; 25. It has a head, BEER; 26. Tatters, RIPS; 27. Like the best explanations, CLEAREST; 28. Degenerates, ROTS; 29. Oiliness, SMARM; 30. Karaoke problem, TIN EAR 31. Some air lines, INTAKES; 33. Britain’s first prime minister, WALPOLE; 34. Doesn’t turn away, ADMITS; 35. Early American diplomat, DEANE; 37. Conducive to meditation, SERENE; 38. Spotted visiting, SEEN AT; 40. Something not to go over, LIMIT; 41. Regional woodland, SILVA; 43. “Abyssinia”, TATA; 44. Mountain lake, TARN; 46. Elevator in a country club, TEE.
“Abyssinia”…
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11.20.09 -- Rara Avis

Umbrella Bird -- Artist: K. Lilly
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Friday, November 20, 2009
Puzzle by Alan Olschwang, edited by Will Shortz
A word is a word is a word…
Across: 1. Tae Bo alternative, JAZZERCISE; 11. English pop duo CHAS & Dave; 15. It’s not bad for a duffer, ONE OVER PAR; 16. Extend one’s service life, REUP; 17. Cape Cod components, GABLE ROOFS; 18. Conclusion lead-in, ERGO; 19. Fresh, ANEW; 20. Just makes, EKES OUT; 22. Only private non-American to address a joint session of Congress (1989), WALESA; 25. Sharpness gauge, IQ TEST; 26. Season opener, say, EPISODE; 28. Lions might score one, GNU; 29. Foul territory?, STY; 30. Baath party place, IRAQ; 31. Squirrel, STORE UP; 34. Net Nanny no-no, SMUT; 36. Breaking capacity, briefly, SRO; 37. Zealots’ group, maybe, SECT; 40. Dons effortlessly, as footwear, EASES ON; 43. Big mouth, TRAP; 45. Chiwere speaker, OTO; 48. Not elective: Abbr., REQ; 49. Ochlocracy, MOB RULE; 51. Baggie biggie, ZIPLOC; 53. TV neighbor of Ralph and Alice, TRIXIE; 54. Indicates that one is in, ANTES UP; 56. Ready to be played, CUED; 57. Flower genus that’s also a woman’s name, ROSA; 58. Ones who might get service calls?, RESERVISTS; 63. Barbra’s “A Star Is Born” co-star, KRIS; 64. Be forced to backpedal, EAT ONE’S HAT; 65. Full of rapture, SENT; 66. Pair for a suit, DRESS SHOES.
Down: 1. Nudge, JOG; 2. Baptist leader?, ANA; 3. “The Waltons” grandpa, ZEB; 4. A la the founder of literary naturalism, ZOLAESQUE; 5. Still, EVEN SO; 6. Proofs, say, REREADS; 7. Vaunt, CROW; 8. Bit of business news, for short, IPO; 9. First call?, SAFE; 10. 1990s White House chief of staff Bowles, ERSKINE; 11. Umbrella bird’s “umbrella”, CREST; 12. Some are decorated, HEROES; 13. Grand, AUGUST; 14. Erratic, SPOTTY; 21. 1977 Richard Burton film, EQUUS; 22. Early Chinese dynasty, WEI; 23. Loan figs., APRS; 24. Irish statesman, Cosgrave, LIAM; 27. Bibliographical abbr., ET SEQ; 28. Worker in a stable environment?, GROOM; 32. Where some parts are repaired, briefly, ORS; 33. Germs grow in it, PETRI DISH; 35. Starch sources, TAROS; 38. Central point, CRUX; 39. Anklebones, TALI; 41. Locked in, SECURED; 42. Rush hour restriction, NO TURNS; 44. Top finisher?, PEE; 45. Buffalo National River locale, OZARKS; 46. Cassiterite, e.g., TIN ORE; 47. Doesn’t decline, OPTS IN; 50. Double whole notes; BREVES; 52. Minimal, LEAST; 55. Kind of brandy, PEAR; 56. Firm wheels, for short, CEOS; 59. Suzanne, e.g.: Abbr., STE; 60. “The Tudors” airer, in brief, SHO; 61. Inits. Of a noted “Wizard”, TAE; 62. G.P.S. data, STS.
…quoth the umbrella bird!
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11.19.09 -- Z, M and W.

Thursday, November 19, 2009
Puzzle by Tyler Hinman and Jeremy Horwitz, edited by Will Shortz
Three film directors are linked in this entertaining Thursday crossword by way of their clues -- COSTA GAVRAS (17A. “Z” director, 1969), FRITZ LANG (32A. “M” director, 1931) and OLIVER STONE (51A. “W.” director, 2008). The remaining 23 letters of the alphabet are also present, the puzzle is holoalphabetic, which is neither here nor there but everywhere.
The performing arts are scattered throughout the puzzle and include DENNEHY (40D. Brian of “First Blood”); IONESCO (13D. Le Rhinocéros” playwright Eugène); IRV (7D. Hip-hop producer Gotti); JASMINE (34D. Disney princess); MEARA (9D. Anne whose real-life husband played her ex on “Rhoda”); MOONLIT (12D. Like the forest in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”); NEESON (46A. “Taken” star, 2008); REDD (49D. Comedian Foxx); STAR MAPS (44A Some Beverly Hills tourist purchases); STAX (6D. Record label whose house band was Booker T. & the M.G.’s), along with ARTSY (58A. Museum-loving) and a quote -- “YOUTH has no age”: Picasso.
Mid-size entries include ASSYRIANS (10D. Hearers of Jonah’s prophecy), CREAM SODA (30D. A&W beverage), QUARRELS (24A Spats), followed by those of seven letters -- AMBIENT (11D. All around); ANALOGS (36D. Cousins); ANOINTS (39D. Picks for a position); DRY WINE (21A. Soave, for one); GEE WHIZ (18D. “Aw, shucks”); ISOLATE (2D. Quarantine); KLEENEX (20A. Kimberly-Clark brand); LUCKIER (1D. More Irish?); MOLESTS (48A. Injuriously annoys); NOSEGAY (3D. Posy); QUIZNOS (24D. Subway alternative); REACH IN (49A. Try to steal the basketball, say); UP TO PAR (35D. Adequate for the job); WAGONER (31D. One who may be in charge of a team); WASH-OUT (38D. Complete failure).
Five- and six-letter -- APNEA (41A. Cause of an awakening); 57A. Plant A SEED (give an idea); ATLAS (45D. Titan who fetched apples for Hercules); DAZED (54A. Out of it); DEANE (5D. Silas of the Continental Congress); EASY A (47D. Breeze on a college campus); ENTERS (4D. Steps in); FRERE (32D. Partner in many a French company); GIRD UP (8D. Encircle with a belt); I AGREE (23A. “Totally”); IONIC (28A. Old Greek dialect); LINED (1A. Like some jackets); SIGMA (6A. Symbol in a Riemann sum); TRIES (15A. Doesn’t give up without a fight); UPSIZE (42D. Enlarge); U S ONE (14A. It joins I-10 in Jacksonville and I-90 in Boston); VECTOR (43D. What an arrow may represent); WANT TO (31A. “Are you game?”); WRONG (22D. Double-cross, e.g.).
Short stuff -- AMI, BON, CHAI, ERS, ETA, HAT, IPO, LEM, MOO, NAG and NEGS, REY, UOMO, VANE, VEE, WAD, WHUP.
Lights, cameras, action… the trailers for Z, M and W.
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Remaining clues -- Across: 11. Introspective question; 16. ___ juice (milk); 19. Word of praise in Paris; 25. Some honor society letters; 26. Tan; 29. Spanish chess piece; 30. Hot drink; 37. Developer’s needs, for short; 38. Big chunk of money; 42. Italy’s L’Uomo Vogue magazine; 43. Something you always need directions to use?; 50. Google had one in 2004: Abbr.; 53. Tiresome sort; 54. Out of it. Down: 27. It should go on a head; 33. NASA Moon lander; 52. Civic center?
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11.18.09 -- JACK

19th-century cartoon of Jack Frost as a United States major-general during the American Civil War.
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Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Puzzle by Paula Gamache, edited by Will Shortz
Gardena jackpots ("Jacks to open" or simply "Jackpots") is a variation of poker with a single joker in the deck acting as a bug -- the game is named after the city of Gardena, California.
With that bit of obscurity (to the non-gambler, at least) in mind, this Tuesday crossword drums up the imaginary presence of JACK at the fore of the first word of four entries -- HAMMER THROW (17A. Olympic track-and-field event); FROST/NIXON (30A. Play and film about a noted 1977 series of interviews); CHEESECLOTH (36A. Loosely woven cotton fabric); RABBIT EARS (44A. Indoor dipole antenna, colloquially), tied with JACKS TO OPEN (60A. Five-card draw variation … or a hint to 17-, 30-, 36- and 44-Across) -- long way to go for a grunt or a chuckle.
Mid-size entries include AMPERE (45D. Current measure); ARIETTA (22D. Short opera piece); ARMAGNAC (3D. Eau de vie from Gascony); ATTAIN (13D. Reach); BOY TOY (46D. Young stud); ET ALIA (21A. Latin list ender); FINITO (12D. Over and done); HIALEAH (2D. Historic racetrack site); HOT WAR (6D. Korean conflict, for one); HOUSE PET (39D. Collar wearer, often); ICHABOD (29D. Washington Irving’s Crane); LAY LOW (20A. Knock to the ground); 11D. “MAALOX moment” (ad catchphrase); MODEL AS (25D. 1903-04 cars sold only in red); NOOSES (57A. Causes of some untimely ends); PRESENT (42D. Roll call response); RANSOM (47D. Money of exchange); ROSTER (44D. Team listing); SPYDOM (54A. World of espionage).
Five-letter -- ARNEL (40A. Vintage synthetic fabric); DE-ICE (35A. Make ready for winter flight); DITTY (69A. “Mary Had a Little Lamb,” e.g.); ELENA (66A. Dementieva of tennis); HIRER (14A. Personnel director, at times); HUNAN (6A. Spicy Asian cuisine); LLAMA (24A. Beast in an Ogden Nash poem); MOOED (52D. Made low noises?); 15A. “O SOLE Mio”; OSTEO (65A. Bone: Prefix); PRELL (5D. Green shampoo brand); PSALM (51A. “The Lord is my light and my salvation …,” for one); SCRAM (68A. “Beat it!”); SHACK (33A. Humble abode); SHARP (1A. Like some cheddar); STOPS (41A. Parts of a tour).
AIT and ANT, ALOE, ASEC, AURA, CANI, CTR, ENT, ERO, KEA and KERI, MASC, MFA, NAY, NCOS, NEWT, NOR, OJOS, OMOO, PCS, PEG, REMY and REY, ROLF, ROTI, SAX and SEX, SEEP, SHH, SLOT, SOLI, TET, TIL, USH.
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Remaining clues -- Across: 11. Musician’s deg.; 16. Small island in a river; 19. Toiler on a hill; 23. Simple hanger; 27. Roasted, in Rouen; 28. Childish plea; 49. Subtle glow; 50. Melville work set in Tahiti; 53. Census datum; 59. Lunar New Year in Vietnam; 64. Leandro’s love; 67. Palacio resident. Down: 1. “Zip your lip!”; 4. “Ratatouille rat chef; 7. Escort to a seat, slangily; 8. Fish-fowl connector; 9. Soothing succulent; 10. Small salamander; 18. Massage deeply; 23. Desk toppers; 26. “Just ___!”; 31. No later than, briefly; 32. Cpls. And sgts.; 34. Actress Russell of “Waitress”; 37. “The Lord of the Rings” creature; 38. Ooze; 42. Roll call response; 43. Clarence Clemons’s instrument; 48. ___ machine; 55. Spanish eyes; 56. Opposite of fem.; 58. Star turns in music; 61. Basketball position: Abbr.; 62. Mauna ___; 63. Roll call response.
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11.17.09 -- RINGO

Ringo Starr, detail from portrait by Al Hirschfeld
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Tuesday, November 17, 2009 -- Leonid Meteor Shower
Puzzle by John Farmer, edited by Will Shortz
RINGO (52D. Rock star whose name is spelled out by the middle letters of 16-, 18-, 39-, 61- and 64-Across), DURAN DURAN (16A. With 2-Down, group with the only James Bond theme to hit #1), BLING BLING (18A. With 10-Down, flashy jewelry), TWINKLE TWINKLE (39A. With 25-Down, start of a nightime nursery rhyme), SUGAR SUGAR (61A. With 50-Down, #1 hit of 1969) and KNOCK KNOCK (65A. With 54-Down, intro to a joke) are the interrelated group of this stellar Tuesday crossword.
Nine-letter entries -- CUFFLINKS (42A. Dress shirt accessories), TIDEMARKS (7D. High and low water lines), WINE LISTS (34D. Menus with reds, whites and roses) and WIREPHOTO (34A. A.P transmission).
Seven-letter -- ELATION (3D. Great joy); ENTENTE (21A. International alliance); FROMAGE (43D. French cheese); I MEAN NO (59A. Emphatic refusal); ORATORS (19A. Ones who stand above the crowd?); ROSANNE (45D. Cash who sang “Black Cadillac”); SPUMONI (57A. Italian ice cream treat); UNLEASH (9D. Let loose).
Five -- ACURA (1D. High-end Honda division); ALERT (51A. On the ball); 65A. Flew into A RAGE (got furious); BOONE (31A. Daniel of the old frontier); ENCLS (67A. Cover ltr. Accompaniers); 14A. China’s Zhou ENLAI; EPEES (30D. Fencing weapons); ERODE (44A. Wear away); GITMO (24A. Cuban base in the news, in brief); JET LI (28D. Martial artist who starred in “Romeo Must Die”); NOVEL (22D. Orwell’s “1984” or Clarke’s “2010”); OCULI (12A. Eyelike windows); PEPSI (5D. Coke competitor); RIGEL (46A. Bright double star in Orion); SANTA (11D. Nick who comes at night); SPURT (49D. Sudden burst); UNCLE (55D. Donald Duck, to Huey, Dewey and Louie); WAVES (29A. Silent hellos and goodbyes); WIGAN (40D. City near Manchester).
Short stuff -- ADEN, AGAR, AOKS, ASO, ATM, BUC, DEBT, DELE, DUBS, EKED, ELI and ELO, ESSA and ESSO, IGER, NEW, NINO, OAF and OAR, ODOR, OJS, ONO, OSU, OWE, PET, POD, RANI, RGS, SKUA (53A. Arctic seabird), SON, SRO, TAG, TED, TREO, USA for Africa.
With a little help from his friends, here‘s RINGO!
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Remaining clues -- Across: 1. Gulf of ___, off the coast of Yemen; 5. Animal acquired from an animal shelter, say; 13. QB Manning; 17. Okra feature; 23. Eastern royal; 26. Petri dish gel; 27. IHOP drinks; 41. Not used; 47. Japanese prime minister Taro ___; 48. “Put a tiger in your tank” brand; 62. Prodigal ___; 66. License plate; 68. Smartphone introduced in 2002; 69 Sellout sign; 70. Fake at the rink. Down: 4. Bilbao boy; 6. “Do Ya” rock grp.; 8. Credit card balance, e.g.; 12. Scent; 15. 20. They line up between centers and tackles: Abbr.; 31. Tampa Bay footballer, briefly; 32. The Buckeyes, for short; 33. Klutz; 35. Lennon’s “Two Virgins” partner; 36. Newsman Koppel; 37. Run a tab; 47. 20s dispenser; 48. She, in Sicily; 56. “All systems go” signals; 58. Nabisco cookie; 60. Squeezed (by); 63. Sculling propeller.
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11.16.09 -- ...AND...

Monday, November 16, 2009
Puzzle by James Mulhern and Ashton Anderson, edited by Will Shortz
COCK AND BULL (17A. Like a story that can’t be believed), SHOCK AND AWE (27A. Military strategy during the 2003 invasion of Iraq), ROCK AND ROLL (45A. Subject of a 1950s “revolution”) and LOCK AND LOAD (61A. Prepare to use a rifle) are the interrelated group of this Monday crossword.
BLACKLIST (34D. Secretly ban from employment) and LIFESAVER (11D. Candy with a hole in the middle) are the other long entries, followed by two of seven letters, FICTION (50A. Novels, e.g.) and YES DEAR (24A. Spouse’s servile words).
Six-letter -- ANALOG (46D. Like a clock with hands); BASKET (35D. Score after dribbling, say); LADIDA (23D. “Well, look at you!”); NELSON (10D. Mandela of South Africa); OF LATE (47D. Recently); OLD PRO (6D. Veteran).
Five -- ANDES (69A. Much of Chile); AS ONE (2D. Together); BIKED (4D. Rode a Schwinn, e.g.); CLEAR (28D. Cloudless); GIMME (68A. One-footer, say, in golf); I FOLD (52D. “Too rich for my blood”); 32A. JABBA the Hutt (“Star Wars” villain); 1A. LAMBS wool (soft material); LEASE (15A. Rent); LUCKY (1D. Like a rabbit’s foot or four-leaf clover); MACES (3D. Spiked clubs); NODES (54D. Junctures); NOLTE (66A. Golden Globe winner Nick); ORATE (53D. Give a grand speech); ORBIT (65A. Spacecraft’s path); ORGAN (6A. Heart or kidney); PREXY (39A. Veep’s superior); SLEEK (22A. Streamlined); TALON (51D. Eagle’s grasper); TARDY (44A. Late); U S AIR (14A. Delta alternative, once); YALTA (55A. 1945 conference site).
Short stuff -- AAA, AFRO, ALEX, ALI, ALTO, ASL, BABY, BOAS, DARK, DEEP, DNA, ELLA, ESA, ESPY, ETAS, EXT, FUR, GAUL, ICBM (57D. Long-range weapon, for short), IRA, ISLE, IVES, JEER, KENT, KIX, KNEE, LES, LIB, LIEN, LTD, NOAH, OPAL, ORI, PANT, RAD, REBA, SKIM, SRA, TLC, TRUE, WEED, YALE.
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Remaining clues -- Across: 11. Inc., in England; 16. Lyricist Gershwin; 19. Mink or ermine; 20. It’s just below the thigh; 21. Fall birthstone; 26. Fancy items worn around the neck; 36. Ad-_)__; 37. Currier’s partner in lithography; 38. Jazzy Fitzgerald; 41. Profound; 42. Greek H’s; 43. Battery for a camera or phone; 49. Classic cigarette brand; 57. Skye, e.g.; 59. Hairstyle that may have a comb stuck in it; 60. Sports Illustrated’s Sportsman of the Century; 64. “___ Miz”; 67. Abbr. after a phone no. Down: 5. Mrs., in Madrid; 7. Singer McEntire; 8. France before it was France; 9. “Talking” done with the hands: Abbr.; 12. T on a test; 13. Gloomy; 18. Ark builder; 25. Spanish “that”; 26. Newborn; 29. Spherical cereal; 30. Marijuana, slangily; 31. Glimpse; 32. Give a Bronx cheer; 33. Midrange voice type; 39. Huff and puff; 40. “Gnarly!”; 44. Special attention for a patient, in brief; 48. Property claim; 55. Where the Clintons got law degrees; 56. Trebek who says “And the answer is …”; 58. 0% fat, say; 62. “ … ___ quit!”; 63. Code of life.
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11.15.09 -- Seven -- the Diagramless

Sunday, November 15, 2009
DIAGRAMLESS, Puzzle by Fred Piscop, edited by Will Shortz
Wordplay, the Crossword Blog of the New York Times gives the reader several pointers on solving a diagramless -- HERE. I’m partial to the number seven, so...
Across, beginning at the 9th square -- 1. Religious split, SCHISM; 7. Silent sort, CLAM; 11. Doughnut shop purchase, CRULLER; 13. “Very funny!”, HAHA; 14. There are seven … DEADLY SINS; 17. Stratford’s river, AVON; 18. One taking a cut, AGENT; 20. Neatnik’s opposite, SLOVEN; 21. There are seven … DAYS IN A WEEK; 24. “You’re ONE TO talk!”; 25. “The Gift of the Magi” device, IRONY; 26. Prefix with natal, NEO; 28. Romantic number, TWO; 29. Bubbly, as Alka-Seltzer, FIZZING; 32. Smug expression, SMIRK; 34. Letters at Indy, STP; 35. Blunted blades, EPEES; 36. Beach locale, COAST; 37. There are seven … WONDERS OF THE WORLD; 45. Gaza group, HAMAS; 46. Snack box items, OREOS; 47. Sporty British autos, MGS; 50. Makes better, CURES; 51. Primatologist Jane GOODALL; 53. Feedbag morsel, OAT; 54. “Helping doctors help patients” org., AMA; 55. Book of verses, BIBLE; 56. Move aimlessly, DRIFT; 58. There are seven … HILLS OF ROME; 64. Group of nine, ENNEAD; 66. Dull finish, MATTE; 67. Old Subway Series stadium, SHEA; 68. There are seven … LITTLE FOYS; 70. Travelers’ rests, INNS; 71. Maritime route, SEA LANE; 72. Like a busybody, NOSY; 73. Duke of Ebbets Field, SNYDER.
Down -- 1. Part of an act, SCENE; 2. Large box for shipping, CRATE; 3. Cabinet dept. since 1965, HUD; 4. Aches and pains, ILLS; 5. Devilish glance, SLY LOOK; 6. Subatomic particle, MESON; 7. Scrap in 2000 election news, CHAD; 8. Kilauea output, LAVA; 9. Salt’s call, AHOY; 10. Large, as a serving of food, MAN-SIZED; 12. Holds firmly, RIVETS; 14. A bit moist, DEWY; 15. Food packaging meas., NET WT; 16. Be a busybody, SNOOP; 18. In a bit, ANON; 19. Criminals’ collective, GANG; 22. Maya Angelou’s “Still I RISE”; 23. Potato-filled goody, KNISH; 27. Noted Harper’s Bazaar designer, ERTE; 29. Scarcely any, FEW; 30. N.Y.S.E. debut, IPO; 31. Some meditation, ZEN; 32. Vegging-out spots, SOFAS; 33. Tumblers’ surfaces, MATS; 36. “Here, boy!”, COME; 38. Baba au RHUM; 39. New York’s SARAH Lawrence College; 40. Virginia who wrote “Mrs. Dalloway”, WOOLF; 41. Calls room service, say, ORDERS IN; 42. Stephen of “V for Vendetta”, REA; 43. 13-Across, online, LOL; 44. Fast link to the WWW, DSL; 47. Runway strutter, MODEL; 48. With parsley, on a menu, GARNI; 49. Pinches pennies, STINTS; 50. Andorran’s tongue, CATALAN; 51. Main point, GIST; 52. Slender woodwind, OBOE; 55. Diner orders, briefly, BLTS; 57. Fancy dos; FETES; 59. “I’M ONE of You” (Hank Williams Jr. album); 60. Hen, but not a rooster, LAYER; 61. “Not that!”, OH NO; 62. Macy’s department, MENS; 63. “Piece of cake!”, EASY; 65. Place to get a 23-Down, DELI; 69. Craze, FAD.
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Sky

Galloway Forest Park, Scotland -- Dark Skies by James Hilder
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November’s Sky (is chill and drear), Puzzle by Fred Piscop, edited by Will Shortz
If you subscribe to The New York Times on-line Premium Crosswords, you are probably familiar with the monthly puzzle. For the month of November, the title of the crossword is November’s Sky (is chill and drear) and features "Sky" in approximately 30 clues.
Across: 1. Sky PILOT (military chaplain); 15. Head skyward, RISE; 16. Airline whose name means “skyward”, EL AL; 17. Luke Skywalker foe Darth VADER; 23. Streaker in the sky, METEOR; 27. Take to the sky, AVIATE; 30. “Blue Sky” Oscar winner Jessica LANGE; 39. Skylit lobbies, ATRIA; 42. “RED sky at night, sailor’s delight”; 44. World Sky RACE (lighter than-air airship competition); 47. “REACH for the sky!” (cry in a western); 49. Skycap, PORTER; 52. Sky KING (aviator of early TV); 53. Not in the sea or the sky, ON LAND; 62. “ABOVE us only sky” (lyrics from Lennon’s “Imagine”); 64. Drop ZONE (skydiver’s target area); 65. Robert who played Sky Masterson, ALDA; 69. Chicken Little’s falling “sky”, ACORN.
Down: 5. Site of the Rogers Centre, formerly the SkyDome, TORONTO; 6. Travel like Skylab, ORBIT; 7. Part of a rural skyline, SILO; 10. “Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds” band, BEATLES; 12. Runyon who created Sky Masterson, DAMON; 27. Much skywriting, ADS; 37. BLUE-sky (impractical); 39. Altar in the sky, ARA; 43. Pie-in-the-sky sort, DREAMER; 45. Big Sky state, MONTANA; 49. What a skycam might take, for short, PIC; 51. Target of a skyjacking, PLANE; 54. Cameron DIAZ of “Vanilla Sky”; 58. Seabird with a forked tail, TERN.
"November's sky is chill and drear, November's leaf is red and sear." -- Sir Walter Scott
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Puzzle available on the internet at
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11.15.09 -- Man of Many Words

Sunday, November 15, 2009
MAN OF MANY WORDS, Puzzle by Elizabeth C. Gorski, edited by Will Shortz
JOHNNY MERCER (Lyricist born 11/18/1909 who wrote the words to the 10 songs with asterisked clues) -- today’s crossword commemorates his 100th birthday.
Accompanied by the note “When this puzzle has been completed, connect the circled letters in order from A to N to get an appropriate image,” the puzzle, when completed vibrates with music, dominated by a roughly sketched treble clef, a music symbol with variations and an indicator of specific directions to the musician -- see HERE.
For the BROADWAY MUSICAL (42D. Many a 115-Across collaboration) and beyond, Mercer wrote the lyrics for ONE FOR MY BABY (21A. *Tony Parsons novel [1943 song]); TANGERINE (26A. *Mandarin variety [1942]); MOON RIVER (67A. *It flows into Ontario’s Georgian Bay [1961]); GREAT GUNS (108A. *Laurel and Hardy flick [1949]); JEEPERS CREEPERS (3D. *Omigosh!” [1938]); HAY RIDE (11D. *Rural jaunt [1945]); CHARADE (*Total sham [1963]); LAURA (48D. *Former first lady [1945]; EMILY (59D. *One of the Brontes [1964]); MATADOR (90D. *Toro’s target [1956]).
Remaining across -- 1. Pair of pears, ANJOUS; 7. Young socialites, DEBS; 11. “HAVA Nagila” (song title that means “Let us rejoice”) 15. Move from Los Angeles to New York, say, GO EAST; 16. Ply with liquor, BESOT; 17. Helped settle an argument, MEDIATED; 23. Source of black diamonds, COALYARD; 24. Workout count, REPS; 25. Like some valves, AORTIC; 27. Had brunch, ATE; 28. Some dogs, FIDOS; 29. Aminos, e.g., ACIDS; 31. Robert of “The Sopranos”, ILER; 32. No-good, ROTTEN; 34. Lost, AT SEA; 35. Thrice daily, on an Rx, TID; 37. Molokai and Maui: Abbr., ISLS; 38. Left-wingers, LIBS; 40. Bread box?, ATM; 41. Last non-A.D. year, ONE BC; 44. One way to put out an album, ON CD; 45. “Blah, blah, blah”, ETC ETC; 47. William OSLER, the Father of Modern Medicine; 49. Seeds might be planted in it, ROW; 51. Greek god of the north wind, BOREAS; 53. Late Saudi king, FAHD; 55. 2001 World Series winner, ARIZONA; 57. Uranium source, e.g., ORE; 58. “Mad Men” extra, STENO; 61. Stylish filmaker, AUTEUR; 64. Pink-slip, SACK; 65. Mental flashes, IDEAS; 69. Soup server, LADLE; 70. 9/, SEPT; 71. “Pretty please?”, WILL YA; 72. Glide (over), SKATE; 74. Weak-looking, WAN; 75. Girl Scout symbol, TREFOIL; 77. Revise, EDIT; 79. Nanny’s warning, BEHAVE; 81. Orch. Section, STR; 82. Attack fiercely, FLY AT; 85. Curvy-horned animals, ELANDS; 88. Took a gander at, EYED; 89. Of element #76 OSMIC; 91. Strong joe, MUD; 93. “… ERE I saw Elba”; 94. Copy job delayers, JAMS; 95. Hubbub, ADO; 96. “Are you in OR OUT?”; 98. Faux gold, ORMOLU; 100. Billing no., ACCT; 103. Beachgoer’s hair lightener, SUNIN; 104. Get 100 on a test, ACE IT; 105. Ungodliness, SIN; 111. Oil source, CANOLA; 113. Suffix with billion, AIRE; 114. Move from New York to Los Angeles, say, HEAD WEST; 117. Whenever, AS SOON AS; 118. Dr. Alzheimer, ALOIS; 119. Off the coast, INLAND; 120. Suffix with tip, STER; 121. “What’s Going On” singer, GAYE; 122. Some wraps, STOLES.
Down: 1. Greek market, AGORA; 2. Three trios, NONET; 4. Dummkopfs, OAFS; 5. Show grp., USO; 6. Narrow way, STRAIT; 7. Shopaholic’s accumulation, DEBTS; 8. Morales in movies, ESAI; 9. Texas State athlete, BOBCAT; 10. It’s a mess, STY; 12. “Garfield: A TAIL of Two Kitties” (2006 film); 13. “Les Voyages Extraordinaires” writer, VERNE; 14. Abacus user, ADDER; 16. Like “Don Juan”, BYRONIC; 17. Rachel of “Mean Girls”, MCADAMS; 18. Ages and ages, EONS; 19. Nobelist Hammarskjold, DAG; 20. Suffix with duct, ILE; 22. Vintage Ford, MODEL T; 26. Associate with, TIE TO; 28. Knox and others: Abbr., FTS; 30. See 110-Down, CSA; 33. Vintage sign word, OLDE; 34. Hollywood pooch, ASTA; 35. Start of an adage about forgiveness, TO ERR; 36. Cross inscription, INRI; 37. So that one can, IN ORDER TO; 39. Hoodwink, BEFOOL; 43. Assemblies, CONCLAVES; 44. Some Julliard students, OBOISTS; 45. Maximal ending, EST; 50. Came alive, WAKENED; 52. Stubborn sort, ASS; 54. Hwy. offense, DUI; 58. Hungarian half sister?, ZSA; 60. Cambodia’s Lon NOL; 62. Emmy winner, e.g., TV STAR; 63. Hair-raising shriek, EEK; 66. Div. of Justice, ATF; 68. Nevada’s largest county, NYE; 69. See 110-Down, LEE; 71. Ham radio catchword, WILCO; 73. Cable inits., TBS; 76. “The Wizard OF ID”; 78. “Why did I LET this happen?; 80. Get better, HEAL; 83. Comes (to), AMOUNTS; 84. Swings, TURNS; 86. Former 38-Across, NEOCONS; 87. With desperation, DIRELY; 92. “Where DO I sign?”; 94. Tittle, JOT; 97. 7-Up, with “the” UNCOLA; 99. Indiana/Michigan natives, MIAMIS; 100. Eastern titles, AGHAS; 101. Cardinal’s topper, CREST; 102. Knock it off, CEASE; 103. City rebuilt by Darius I, SUSA; 104. Photographer Leibovitz, ANNIE; 106. Peace goddess, IRENE; 107. Studious crowd, NERDS; 109. Tandem’s capacity, TWO; 110. With 69-Down, V.I.P. in the 30-Down, GEN; 112. Cry from a deck, AHOY; 113. Janis’s comic strip hubby, ARLO; 115. Sport wheels, JAG; 116. Med. Specialty, ENT.
Johnny in season -- HERE!
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For today’s cartoon, go to The Crossword Puzzle Illustrated.
Click on image to enlarge.
Puzzle available on the internet at
THE NEW YORK TIMES -- Crossword Puzzles and Games
If you subscribe to home delivery of The New York Times you are eligible to access the daily crossword via The New York Times - Times Reader, without additional charge, as part of your home delivery.
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