A note accompanies this crossword: The last names of eight U. S. presidents are hidden in this puzzle’s completed grid, reading across, back, up, down and diagonally, word-search style. Can you find them all? (CARTER, FORD, GRANT, NIXON, OBAMA, POLK, TAFT and TYLER).
Of interest — BOURG (31A. French market town), CHI (6A. Site of the 1968 Democratic convention), DREAM ABOUT (11D. Have fantasies about), Veal MARSALA, New ORLEANS, site of the 1988 Republican convention; OUT OF ORDER (29D. Not working), TEMPT FATE (54A. Flirt with disaster),TIRE TRACK (17A. Imprint on a dirt road).
————————
Click on image to enlarge,
or Right click and select “Open Link in New Window".
Essentially a very long palindrome wound around itself forming a spiral, this Sunday variety puzzle is the very friendly, masterful work of Will Shortz, editor of puzzles for The New York Times:
The palindrome inward: SMARTS NAMELY CREMONA DESERT RAT CARTS BAD EGG ARMOR PLATE PESO RADIATOR RACY BABYSAT SCENARIST NAÏVE DEMI MOORE KNITS
Outward: STINKEROO MIME DEVIANTS IRAN ECSTASY BABY CARROT AIDA ROSE PETAL PROM RAGGED ABSTRACT ART RESEDA NO MERCY LE MANS TRAMS
————————
Click on image to enlarge,
or Right click and select “Open Link in New Window".
“Split Ends”—Puzzle by Ellen Leuschner and Jeff Chen
Edited by Will Shortz
Splitting the ends of phrases that are normally linked by the word “or” constitutes the main feature of this Sunday crossword:
BE THERE or BE SQUARE (1A and 2D. “Everyone who’s anyone is attending”) GO BIG or GO HOME (8A and 9D. Shoot for the moon) THE LADY or THE TIGER (13A and 15D. Much-anthologized Frank R. Stockton short story) HALF FULL or HALF EMPTY (54A and 57D. Proverbial matter or perspective) IS IT LIVE or IS IT MEMOREX (60A and 61D. Question asked in classic 1970s ads) YOUR MONEY or YOUR LIFE (79A and 80D. Stickup line) SHOULD I STAY or SHOULD I GO (115A and 118D. Song by the Clash on Rolling Stone’s “500 Greatest Songs of All Time” list)
Other — DEADEYES((89D. Straight shooters?), DIARISTS (87D. Anaïs Nin and Franz Kafka, notably), DRIVEL (28D. Blather), FRAILEST (58D. Most feeble), LIE (16D. Rough position?), LOG CABINS (8D. Little houses on the prairie), MOBSTERS (90D. Family members), NANNY GOAT (78D. Female with a beard), PRITHEE (93D. Please, to a Puritan), U S NAVY (52D. Org. with the motto “Not for self but for country”), YO LA TENGO (85D. Indie band whose name means, literally, “I have it”).
Of interest — ANGRY BIRDS (12D. Top-selling app of 2010), ICE BOX CAKE (61A. Treat with pudding and graham crackers), I HAD NO IDEA (15A. “This is a surprise!“), JAVA SCRIPT (1A. Language introduced n 1995), KARATE CHOP (57A. What’s a big hit with the school board?), MAIDEN FORM (17A. Brand that supports women?), MOLESKIN (37D. Fabric used in adhesive pads), MOOED (37A. Talked bull?), NIXON TAPES (63A. They have an infamous gap), PETRIE (20A. Old sitcom family name), SERIAL PORT (13D. Where a teche hooks up), SLEEPY EYED (14D. About to crash, apparently), WAFFLE CONE (26D. Parlor product made with an iron), WHO DAT GIRL (28D. 2011 Flo Rida hit with the lyric “she ain’t no rock star, but she got groupies”).
Of interest — A-ROD (59A. Biogenesis scandal figure of ‘13), CARGO PLANE (20A. One taking things up with the crew), ECONOMY CAR (18A. Not-so-big wheels), ESOTERICA ((29D. Specialized knowledge), ETNA (60A. Zeus trapped Typhon under it), EXECRABLE (3D. No good at all), EYE DOCTOR (29A. Physician you might need to see?), HANGOVER (8D. Party followers, perhaps), IN NAME ONLY 15A. Supposedly, but not really), MOONED (16D. Shown one’s seat), OBLITERATE (51A. Wipe out), OBSESSION (33D. A lot of thought goes into it), RAT and TIGER (41A, 46D. Chinese zodiac animal), RAY LIOTTA (34D. Shoeless Joe Jackson’s portrayer in “Field of Dreams”), ROUGH RIDER (54A. First United States Volunteer Cavalry member), SKELETONS (38A. Ones hanging around med school?), STUD FARMS (1D. Breeding grounds), TEST PILOT (32D. Former job of each member of the Mercury Seven).
————————
Click on image to enlarge,
or Right click and select “Open Link in New Window".
CORNERSTONE (36A. Where one might find a date … with a hint to this puzzle’s theme), TIME CAPSULE (43A. Something found behind a 36-Across), INSCRIPTION (30A. Writing on a 36-Across) and "STONE" in the four corner squares of the puzzle constitutes the main feature of this Thursday crossword:
[STONE]WALLS with [STONE]HENGE (1A. Takes the fifth, perhaps; 1D. World Heritage Site that’s more than 4,000 years old) GEM[STONE] with [STONE]MASON (10A. Turquoise, e.g.; 13D. Foundation worker) TOUCH[STONE] with [STONE] AGE (43D. Standard of comparison; 66A. Antediluvian) GRIND[STONE] with RHINE[STONE] (49D. Part of many a mill; 68A. Part of many a country singer’s outfit)
Other — ATLANTIC (3D. Neighbor of Ventnor on a Monopoly board); EMOTICON (39D. Means of communication using dots and dashes), EMPERORS (38D. Montezuma and others), FIREARMS (8D. Second Amendment subject), GSA and GSN, ISTRIA (44D. Adriatic peninsula shared by Italy, Slovenia and Croatia), NITRO CAR (25D. Certain dragster), ZALES (23A. Big name in jewelry).
————————
Click on image to enlarge,
or Right click and select “Open Link in New Window".
ONE(47A. Chart position reached by all the albums seen in the starred clues in this puzzle), along with six misspelled musical band and group names constitutes the main feature of this Wednesday crossword:
The Beatles as THE BEETLES (18A. *”Rubber Soul” group, to an overzealous copy editor?)
Ludacris, LUDICROUS (23A. *”Chicken-n-Beer” rapper, to an overzealous copy editor?)
Boyz II Men, BOYS TO MEN (53A. *“Evolution” group, to an overzealous copy editor?)
Mötley Crüe, MOTLEY CREW (6-A. *”Dr. Feelgood” band, to an overzealous copy editor?)
Def Leppard, DEAF LEOPARD (3D. *”Hysteria” group, to an overzealous copy editor?)
Linkin Park, LINCOLN PARK (26D. *”Meteor” band, to an overzealous copy editor?)
Other — BEASTS (51D. Wild things), Suffragist Carrie Chapman CATT, CHEESES (9D. Assortment on a party platter), DARFUR (4D. Region next to Chad), MACAW (40A. Caged talker), SAPPY (57A. Too sentimental), WINO (41D. Grape nut?), YACHT (54D. Competitor for the Jules Verne Trophy).
————————
Click on image to enlarge,
or Right click and select “Open Link in New Window".
Five familiar idiomatic phrases for “ailing“, cued occupationally, constitutes the main feature of this Tuesday crossword: OUT OF SORTS(17A. The ailing postal worker was …) FEELING PUNK (24A. The ailing rock star was …) UNDER THE WEATHER (38A. The ailing meteorologist was …) WAY BELOW PAR (47A. The ailing golfer was …) IN THE DUMPS (59A. The ailing trash collector was …)
Other — ADIEU and SEE YA(11D. “Goodbye”; 22A. “Bye!“), ASTEROIDS (3D. Popular 1980s arcade game), HOME PLATES (10D. Where umpires umpire), SHOOT EM UP (35D. Typical western), STEEL BANDS (28D. Caribbean percussion groups), WASTE (47D. Garbage), WOMYN (12D. Half of humanity, to some feminists), George WYTHE who signed the Declaration of Independence.
————————
Click on image to enlarge,
or Right click and select “Open Link in New Window".
WHERE'S WALDO(58A. Popular children’s book series … whose protagonist is “hiding” in the circled letters), SUPERBOWL AD (17A. Expensive annual commercial), COLD WATER (25A. What may be poured on a bad idea), MEADOWLANDS (36A. New Jersey home to two New York teams) andSLOW DANCE (49A. Typical prom concluder) constitute the main feature of this Monday crossword.
What happens when we accept that everything we feel and think stems not from an immaterial spirit but from electrical and chemical activity in our brains? In this thought-provoking narrative—drawn from professional expertise as well as personal life experiences—trailblazing neurophilosopher Patricia S. Churchland grounds the philosophy of mind in the essential ingredients of biology. She reflects with humor on how she came to harmonize science and philosophy, the mind and the brain, abstract ideals and daily life. ~ amazon.com
The quotation: I FIND JOY IN COMMONPLACE MENTAL EVENTS, SUCH AS A MANY-FACTORED DECISION THAT I HAVE MULLED OVER FOR DAYS COMING TO CONSCIOUSNESS ONE MORNING AS I STAND IN A HOT SHOWER. MY BRAIN HAS SETTLED INTO A CHOICE… . YAY BRAIN!
The author’s name and the title of the work: CHURCHLAND, “TOUCHING A NERVE”
The defined words: A. With winds rotating around a center of low pressure, CYCLONIC B. Game with a home base, HOPSCOTCH C. Offense, UMBRAGE D. Just as soon, instead, RATHER E. What reaps, threshes and winnows, COMBINE F. Lacking manual dexterity (hyph.), HAM-FISTED G. From one of the Golden Triangle lands, LAOTIAN H. Feature of a big belt, ASTEROID L. Number named by chemist Alfred Einhorn, NOVOCAINE J. Pistol, live wire, fireball, go-getter, DYNAMO K. What draft horses may work in, TANDEM L. Apt to make a soccer ref raise a flag, OFFSIDE M. Far from dexterous, all thumbs, UNHANDY N. Where readers may turn for laughs, COMICS O. Brand associated with CupCakes and Ding Dongs, HOSTESS P. “In individuals, INSANITY is rare, but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule”: Nietzsche Q. Section of a rocket or guided missile (2 wds.), NOSE CONE R. One who may work on a lifeless horse, GYMNAST S. Deviation from the norm, oddity, ANOMALY T. Eponym of the N.H.L. trophy for best defenseman NORRIS U. Green, according to idiom, ENVIOUS V. Old TV theme song with the lyric “Rollin’, rollin’, rollin’”, “RAWHIDE” W. Whom the police inspector Javert pursues, VALJEAN X. Social snob,ELITIST
————————
Click on image to enlarge,
or Right click and select “Open Link in New Window".
“Multifacted”, Puzzle by Jeremy Newton / Edited by Will Shortz
SET IN / STONE(52D. With 59-Down, permanent … or, literally a feature of the answers to the seven starred clues) along with the seven entries containing circled letters spelling out a STONE and uncircled crossing down answers spelling out "SET", constitutes the interrelated group of this pleasant but complicated Sunday crossword:
GARNER ATTENTION (22A. Get noticed), GARNET, along with SET found in TSETSE (8D. *Biter in Niger)
CRUISES BY (40A. Easily defeats, in sports), RUBY, along with SET in CHEESE TRAY(13D. *One making the rounds at a party, perhaps),
PONY EXPRESS (47A. Enterprise for which a 14-year-old Buffalo Bill worked), ONYX, along with SET in LATE ONSET (6D. *Like puberty at age 16)
GAME THE SYSTEM (67A. Exploit a loophole, say), AMETHYST, along with SET in ROSETTA (52D. “First spacecraft to orbit a comet [2014])
POP A WHEELIE (85A. Lean back and enjoy the ride?), OPAL, along with SET inSETTLES ON(81D. *Chooses in the end)
WATERGATE (96A. Washington landmark that lent its name to a Senate committee),AGATE, along with SET inLEASE TO OWN (73D. *Car dealership option)
QUARTER-SIZE HAIL (115A. Big fall from the sky?), QUARTZ, along with SET inUPSETS (99D. *Goals for underdogs).
Other — DISSING (34A. Knocking), IN A FUNK (76A. Feeling low), LIP BALMS (106A. Sticks in a purse?), NERF GUN (84D. Zombie Strike SlingFire Blaster, for one), NOT A FAN (48D. Disapproving [of]), NYMPHOS (63D. Randy types), SILENT L (51D. What always comes in halves?), SPARSITY (5D. 5D. Short supply), ULULATION (120A. Wavering wail), YUMMIER (95D. More delish).
————————
Click on image to enlarge,
or Right click and select “Open Link in New Window".
Of interest — ALTAIR IV(30D. The planet in the sci-fi classic “Forbidden Planet”), BOB KERREY (28D. Former senator and presidential candidate who once dated Debra Winger), BROUHAHA (18A. Hurly-burly), DESI ARNAZ JR (44A. Ball boy?), EASY ACES (7A. Hit radio comedy about a bridge-playing couple), ENGINEMEN (6D. Some Navy specialists), EM DASH (49A. Part of a suspended sentence), GRABLE (1A. Ameche’s “Moon Over Miami” co-star, 1941), GRIPPE (1D. Producer of a cough and shivers), HI-LITER (34D. Avery product for note-takers), LONDON AREA (5D. Wimbledon is played in it), PERSONAL AD (22A. Where “Desperately Seeking Susan” appears in the film of that name), PH INDICATOR (19A. Red cabbage juice, in chemistry class), PIZZAS (37D. Holders of pieces of eight?), PRICE CUT (45A. Attempt to spur demand), RAZZES (47A. Rides), RUCHED (2D. Decoratively pleated and gathered, as some bridal gowns), SEA GLASS (14D. Reclaimed material used in jewelry), SNOOD (9D. Hair holder), TRIBAL NAME (26D. Madiba, for Nelson Mandela), TV DINNER (30A. Banquet offering), WEAK SPOT (29D. Foible).
A pogo stick is a device for jumping off the ground in a standing position, through the aid of a spring, or new high performance technologies, often used as a toy, exercise equipment, or extreme sports instrument. The pogo stick is currently undergoing a renaissance through its accelerated entry into the world of extreme sports via the new sport of extreme pogo or "Xpogo". ~ Wikipedia
Across — 1. “Check it out!”, LOOK AT THAT; 11. Book deals?, BETS; 15. Buoy, EXHILARATE; 16. Org chart topper, EXEC; 17. Many a collar attachment, DOG LICENSE; 18. When Romeo says he “saw true beauty” before seeing Juliet, NE’ER; 19. Like many babies at bedtime, ROCKED; 20. Players often pick it up, TEMPO; 21. The Mariners, e.g., PROBES; 23. Like many hooks, J-SHAPED; 25. Former consumer electronics company bought by Sony, AIWA; 26. Studio mixing equipment, PALETTES; 27. Comment to a card, YOU’RE TOO MUCH; 31. Pep boys product, STP; 32. It underwent a long, massive breakup, PANGAEA 33. Leader who said “It is right to rebel”, MAO; 36. Question asked modestly in response to “That looks great on you”, THIS OLD THING; 38. Burmese pythons n the Everglades, e.g., SCOURGES; 41. My reply IS NO” (Magic 8 Ball answer); 42. Everglades transport, AIRBOAT; 43. “A sentiment appropriate to the occasion of another’s superiority,” per Ambrose Bierce, HATRED; 45. Geo. Washington was the U.S.’s first, LT GEN; 46. Fencing moving that means “arrow” in French, FLECHE; 48. Sic ERAT scriptum; 49. Takes command of, SPEARHEADS; 53. Source of some fevers, MONO; 54. No turning back now!”, IT’S DO OR DIE; 55. Get the picture, SNAP; 56. “Not so hard”, EASY DOES IT. Down —1. Took command of, LED; 2. Brand name chosen for its symmetry, OXO; 3. Response to a puerile joke, OH GROW UP; 4. Metric pressure unit, KILO BAR; 5. “This the Voice of the Lobster” reciter, ALICE; 6. Changes course, TACKS; 7. Tag base, perhaps, TREE; 8. Straight, say, HAND; 9. Cadillac model that debuted in 2012, ATS; 10. It gets swung over, TEE; 11. Unworthy of, BENEATH; 12. Out of it!, EXEMPT; 13. Mobile home, TEEPEE; 14. New England delicacies, SCRODS; 20. 1960s Robert Loggia series about a burglar-turned-bodyguard, THE CAT; 21. Is beneficial, PAYS; 22. Real card, RIOT; 23. Crawford who won the 2014 Sixth Man of the Year Award, JAMAL; 24. Swung around, SLUED; 26. Dances by jumping in place, POGOS; 28. Screenwriter who knew the identity of Deep Throat before it was made public, EPHRON; 29. Region between the tundra and steppes, TAIGA; 30. Dawn, ONSET; 33. Makes out clumsily?, MISREADS; 34. Colonial heretic ANNE Hutchinson; 35. Start of some pleas, OH GOD; 36. Wear without straps, TUBE TOP; 37. Informal greeting, HI THERE; 38. Alternative to Camels, SALEMS; 39. Fruit historically used for medicinal purposes, CITRON; 40. “Star Wars” surname, ORGANA; 43. Villain in a Nativity play, HEROD; 44. Sound heard before a big blow?, ACHOO; 46. Talk, with “up”, FESS; 47. Certain noble, LADY; 49. You, overseas, SIE; 50. Natl. Congress of Mothers, today, PTA; 51. Year the Liang dynasty began, DII; 52. Radio receiver, SET.
————————
Click on image to enlarge,
or Right click and select “Open Link in New Window".
