02.05.08 -- The Sweet Smell of Success

Detail from the
Eduardo Fausti painting entitled Bees’ Trek with the plant names represent the healing aspects of nature. This painting has applied etchings with the English name of familiar healing herbs used in the West. A layer of transparent bees' wax covers the list.
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Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Click here for LARGE PRINT.
Puzzle by Peter A. Collins, edited by Will Shortz
This “Fat Tuesday” crossword asks the solver to UNDRESS (25D. Disrobe) HERBS (39A. Things hidden in 17-, 23-, 49- and 57-Across), which are PARKEDILLEGALLY (17A. In front of a hydrant, say); IMINTROUBLE (23A. “Uh-oh”); PRESSAGENTS (49A. Publicists); and LENGTHYMEETINGS (57A. Business sessions that drag) -- perhaps for a little Cajun cooking?!
For the parade of souls, we have a SATYR (66A. Mythological reveler) and a SISSY (53D. Girlish boy); Gen. Robt. ELEE (14A.); DRESCHER (36A. Fran of “The Nanny”); a BOSSY (44A. Dictatorial) MARM (38A. School lady); a CREATURE (42A. Loch Ness monster, e.g.); ECO (45A. Umberto who wrote “The Name of the Rose”); IRIS (46A. 1998 song by the Goo Goo Dolls that was #1 for 18 weeks); EOS (48A. Aurora’s Greek counterpart); EBAN (64A. Israel’s Abba); “Vive LEROI!” (3D) and REY (13D. King in un palacio); Father GUIDO Sarducci, longtime “S.N.L.” character (6D); Ex-hoopster Manute BOL (11D.); NORMA Jean (Marilyn Monroe) (24D.); PORKY (29A. Looney Tunes pig); EXECS (28D. Board members, for short) and an EMCEE (33D. Maker of introductions); MARCO Polo (34D.); a TIPSTER (43D. Racetrack tout); a Forty-NINER (51D.); a PARENT (47D. Father, e.g.) to BEGET (44D. Father) an IMP (62A. Little troublemaker); EVA (58D. TV’s Longoria); a NUT (59 Kook); an MBA (61D. Wall St. hire); and PREY (68A. Zebras, to lions) -- Mardi Gras, HURRAH (39D. “Yippee!”)!
And then there’s that other parade -- up Broadway in NYC, the Giants! Our puzzle today makes note of III (56A. Only Super Bowl won by the New York Jets) -- 39 years ago -- EEK (4D. “Horrors!”) -- that’s a long time ago!
Our herbs are nicely balanced by junk food, including HOHOS (27D. Ding Dongs competitor); OREOS (35D. Snacks dipped in milk); and PEPSI (1D.”Taste that beats the others cold” sloganeer, once).
LOOSE (16A. Lax) ends include PALE and AMBER; RULE and ORDERS; HEP and YEP; EEL, ELL and ESL; LIT and LOS; OXO and ORS; PRE, PER and PART; and plenty an ENTRY (18D. Contestant’s mail-in) at the end of the parade -- ALGIERS (9D. Home of the Casbah); ALARM, BARB, CHORE, ELLIES, EMORY, ERIE, HOCK, MERS, MOAT, NAIR, OVULE, TIGRE, UGLY, and on and on -- this parade is SRO!
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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
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Across: Ashen; 5. Decorative molding; 9. Yellow shade; 15. “Look both ways before crossing,” e.g.); 22. Ignited; 27. Cool, to a cat; 30. They might be near I.C.U.’s; 31. Hair removal product; 32. Tic-tac-toe loser; 33. Atlanta university; 41. Pawn; 47. Part of m.p.g.; 48. Aurora’s Greek counterpart; 54. Nafta signatory; 55. Opposite of post-; 63. Seed-to-be; 65. French seas; 67. Hair line. Down: 2. Morning waker-upper; 5. Directives; 7. Pipe joint; 8. Epitome of slipperiness; 10. Castle defense; 12. Course for a recent émigré: Abbr.; 19. The Oscars of magazine publishing; 26. Zinger; 37. Dusting or taking out the garbage; 40. Lake ___, outlet of the Maumee River; 50. Stab; 52. Un gato grande; 54. Hard on the eyes; 57. ___ Lobos; 60. Opposite of “naw”.

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