11.30.08 -- Uh-Oh!

“Uh-Oh” -- Minami-ke Okawari
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Sunday, November 30, 2008
UH-OH, Puzzle by Richard Silvestri, edited by Will Shortz
Substituting the sound of “oh” for that of “uh” is this Sunday crossword’s playfulness, resulting in the following entries: THERES THE ROBE (29A. Helpful comment to a judge?); PEACH FOES (47A. Fruit flies?); LOAM AND ABNER (62A. Dirty radio sitcom?); ARE WE HAVING PHONE YET (67A. Jokey question to a Verizon technician?); PERSIAN ROGUE (82A. Darius the Scamp?); FRIAR TOKE (88A. Pot-smoking cleric?); PAIN IN THE BOAT (105A. Result of excessive rowing?), reminding me of a faux pas, as with Japanese phonology, for a pain in the…!
Joining the personages of Friar Tuck and Lum and Abner in the crossword are ALAN (89D. Mathematician Turing); AMELIA (121A. Henry Fielding novel and heroine); a DOLT (110D. Dummkopf) DEODATO (39A. “Also Sprach Zarathustra” hitmaker, 1973); EARTHA (48D. Singer Kitt); ELIOT (21A. Economist Janeway); ESTELLA (90D. Miss Havisham’s ward in “Great Expectations”); EVANS (75A. Cowgirl Dale); EVITA (5D. 1979 Broadway hit with the song “On This Night of a Thousand Stars”); 115A. GWEN Torrence, American sprinter who won three gold medals at the 1992 and 1996 Olympics; ITT (113. Hairy TV cousin); LENORE (66D. Poe poem that ends “From grief and groan to a golden throne beside the King of Heaven”); a MEDIC (101A. One who may give you a shot in the arm); RAMIS (32A. “Stripes” actor, 1981);16A. Adolphe SAX, musical instrument inventor; a STAR (112D. Celeb); YUL (26A. Brynner of stage and screen); and OGOD (77D. Hymn start).
Pairings include a SLOB (37D. No neatnik) with a SAAB (38D. Volvo rival); COVET (104D. Desire) crossing CAVORT (117A. Make merry); LINE A (123A. Form beginning) and A LIST (12D. Celebs as a group); EVEN (64D. On a plane?) and ODDS (74A. Line at a track) with its’ Shortzesque partner, RUT (30D. Line at a track).
Entries longer than six letters usable in daily language include DECODES (109A. Makes clear); DEVELOP (11D. Evolve); ECOLOGIC (83D. Environment-related); GRADED (1A. Like tests and dirt roads); LATEDATE (10D. Point near the deadline); LAYSLOW (60D. Knocks down); LETTER (125A. Beth, for one); RASSLE (61A. Do some grappling’); REBATES 927A. Sale sweeteners); SALONS (73A. Beauty spots); SCOLDED (94A. Read the riot act to); STRETCHY (15D. Like Spandex); ROLLAWAY (84. Bed on wheels); TROPICAL (81D. Kind of storm).
Less likely to be used in day-to-day conversation are ABBACY (57A. Monastery office); ATONIC (23A. Not accented); IMARETS (44D. Turkish inns); LANARK (63D. Historical Scottish county); MACAWS (45D. Cousins of cockatiels); MENHADEN (9D. Herringlike fish); NOJIVE (19A. “Honestly, man!”); OOLONG (76A. Chinese brew); PARASOL (41D. Tropical drink embellishment); SHAVUOT (62D. Spring Jewish holiday); depending, of course, on one’s pursuits.
Five-letter entries -- ADULT (34A. Imago, e.g.); AIDED (87D. Backed up); ANDOR (67D. Compound conjunction); ANENT (72A. With regard to); ARRAS (58A. Polonius’s hiding place); ARUBA (17D. One o f the ABC Islands); ATOLL (119A. Set of keys?); CATER (98D. Provide the spread); CLAIM (43A. Insurance paperwork); COATI (91A. Raccoon relative); CORAL (114A. Shade of pink); DAMPS (11A. Deadens); DECAL (102D. Windshield attachment); DECEM (6D. X); DINAR (4D. Libyan money); 46A. Snowy EGRET; ELECT (50D. Send to the Hill, say); EWOKS (92 Endor inhabitants); GNATS (71A. Summer swarm); ICAME (103D. Part of Caesar’s boast); KNITS (65A. Makes a muffler, e.g.); LANCE (66A. Weapon in the Charge of the Light Brigade); OPINE (49D. Voice a view);RADII (68D. R’s, in math); RITZY (99D. Posh); SCRAP (7A. Donnybrook); SHALE (100D. Fossil-yielding rock); SIDED (28D. Joined forces with); SPIFF (97D. Spruce up); SPYON (16D. Watch furtively); STALL (100A. Engine problem); TENAM (35A. Brunch time); VISOR (25A. Poker player’s wear); XYLEM (18D. Plant circulatory tissue).
Three- and four-letter -- ACTS, AJOB, AREA, ARTY, CAB, CYTE, DET, EATS, ERIE, FEZ, FRY, GEST, GNAR (1D. Sound like an angry dog), GOLF, HAW, HTML, IANA, INSP, ITEM, KNT, LOI, LOST, MIST, NAE, NOON, NOTI, NUKE, NYSE, ORB, PACE, POOH, PLY and PRY, RANG, REEF, RIPS, ROTE, SAD, SEGA, SYNE, TAUR, TENT, TRON and TROT, USS, WONT (24A. Will’s opposite).
Uh-Oh!
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Xword search information -- Across: 7. Web programmer’s medium; 20. It may be gray; 22. Open someone else’s e-mails, maybe; 36. Maine, e.g.: Abbr.; 4. A cadet might be asked to pick it up; 55. Given to show affectation; 56. Put to use; 80. Output of une legislature; 81. Bull: Prefix; 93. The story of the aftermath of Oceanic Flight 815; 96. The Tigers, on scoreboards; 118. Casbah wear; 120. Suffix for a collection; 122. Fix, as fritters; 124. Cell suffix. Down: 2. Saying again and again; 3. “Get ___” (doo-wop classic); 7. Turn to the left; 8. Home-run run; 13. Drops in the air; 14. “Fiddlesticks!”; 33. Genesis creator; 40. Scepter topper; 42. Variety show lineup; 51. Lang follower; 53. Big Board: Abbr.; 54. Tolled; 59. Criticizes in no uncertain terms; 65. Chess piece: Abbr.; 69. P.D. rank; 70. When shadows are shortest; 71. Green activity; 75. Grub; 78. Microwave; 79. Adventurous deed; 85. In the dumps; 86. Inventory unit; 95. Fleet member; 106. “Don’t look at me”; 107. 1982 Disney film; 108. Setting for many a reception; 111. War of 1812 battle site; 116. Paisley denial.

11.29.08 -- Symmetry

Vitruvian Man by Leonardo da Vinci, often used as an implied symbol of the essential symmetry of the human body, and by extension, to the universe as a whole.
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Saturday, November 29, 2008
Puzzle by Barry C. Silk, edited by Will Shortz
A dozen ten-letter entries in sets of three each with a tag-along nine-letter entry in the four corners constitutes the bulk of this Saturday crossword, graced by a very friendly center allowing pleasant passage from one set to the other in a crossword of beautiful symmetry!
Upper left across --
LITMUS TEST (1. Sole deciding issue); OCEAN LINER (15. The United States, for one); CONSCIENCE (17. Angel on one’s shoulder); INTERPRET (19. Construe) -- with downs of LOCI; ICON (2. Elvis, e.g.); TENT; MASER (4. Electromagnetic wave enhancer); UNCROSS (5. Remove from the lotus position); SLIPON (6. Get into easily); TIER; ENNE; SECTS; TRE.
Upper right down --
ABDICATOR (11. King Edward VIII, e.g.); REEXAMINED (12. Like cold cases for which new evidence arises); PACESETTER (13. Leader); STORM DOORS (14. Added protection against winter weather) -- with acrosses ARPS; BEAT; DECO; SIXER; SARCASM (22. It might drip from a crack); ROAMED (30. Was vagarious); TITO; ONTO; GREER; DRS.
Lower left down --
MADAGASCAR (24. “The eighth continent,” to ecologists); AM I TO BLAME (25. Question that may be answered “No, you’re not responsible”); NECTARINES (26. Smooth-skinned fruit); SENTIMENT (32. Feeling) -- with acrosses MAN (24. “Phew!”); 31. Elvis’s “A MESS of Blues“; DICE; ATTN; GOATEE (42. The devil is often depicted with one); ABRIDGE (47. Cut down); SLIMY (51. Vile); CANE; AMEN (60. Period of prayer?); REST.
Lower right across --
MINESHAFT (52. What takes a pit crew down?); ACCESSIBLE (59. Easy to get into); BEER COOLER (61. Container at many a cookout); SELDOM SEEN (63. Rare) -- with downs ABS; EMCEE; ICEL; NERD; ENESCO (45. “Oedipe” opera composer, 1936); GRISSOM (41. Second American to fly in space); CHIOS (50. Greek island in the Aegean); ABLE; FLEE; TERN.
The center of the crossword contains seven across entries: ROO, SNAP, RIOT,
DIZZY (37. Swimming), RAZZ, AYER and NIC (49. Actor Cage, informally) -- always thought Nicolas abbreviated to Nick! A group of four Z’s sits off- center. The center entries down: SRO, ARTY, ARIA, PIZZA, OZZY, DREG and EDY (43. Last name in ice cream) -- no “s” today for Edy’s!
Save the “s” for Silk, Shortz and symmetry!
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Xword search information -- Across: 11. The sculptures “Cloud Shepherd” and “Coquille Crystals”; 16. Ready to crash; 18. Like the Empire State Building; 20. Net rival; 21. Bush jumper, informally; 27. Polaroid; 31. Elvis’s “___ of Blues”; 33. Comic who kills; 35. Defier of Stalin; 36. Shooter’s equipment; 37. Swimming; 38. Not taken by; 39. Letter routing abbr.; 40. Heckle; 41. 20-Across in the Hall of Fame; 44. Philosopher who promoted logical positivism; 46. Many members of prestigious faculties: Abbr.; 58. Means of support; 62. Break. Down: 1. Points; 2. Elvis, e.g.; 3. Safari setup; 7. Arena ticket specification; 8. Cousin of -trix; 9. Some offshoots; 10. Middle of the afternoon, in Milan; 20. Exceeding capacity, briefly; 23. Like many indie films; 28. “William Tell” component; 29. Kind of oven; 34. “The Osbournes” dad; 37. Small remnant; 48. One making introductory remarks; 53. Place to find fjord explorers: Abbr.; 54. Square type; 55. Au fait; 56. Cut out; 57. Arctic ___; 59. Trunk supporters.

11.28.08 -- Leftovers

Friday, November 28, 2008
Puzzle by Joe Krozel, edited by Will Shortz
Ten 15-letter entries are the main dish of this Friday crossword:
SHIVER ME TIMBERS (16A. Cry on a corsair); CREATIVE LICENSE (22A. Something exercised by artists); THE COST OF LIVING (34A. It’s high in Manhattan); PENTATONIC SCALE (44A. Music theory subject); STING OPERATIONS (52A. Plans to nail suspects); CRIME PREVENTION (2D. Goal of a neighborhood watch); SERVICE STATIONS (5D. Island locales); THERES NO I IN TEAM (6D. Coaching cliché); CRITICAL ACCLAIM (8D. Great all-around reviews); DOESNT GIVE A HOOT (10D. Is totally apathetic).
All those long entries result in a dozen mid-size bland entries: ATIVE (40A. Talk ender); IHOPE (31D. Wishful thinking?); IMBUE (9D. Fill [with]); IMGONE (59A. “Later!”); IRENE (31A. Ryan of “Pippin”); MINTY (62A. Like some toothpaste); LENNY (47D. Montana who played Luca Brasi in “The Godfather”); OCHOS (1A. Spanish figure eights); ONHER (1D. Part of O.H.M.S.); SAONE (26D. River through Mâcon); TONTO (45D. Fictional faithful friend); UNROBE (13A. Strip)…
Followed by the usual leftovers: ANNO, ASEC, CASE, EMAG, ESSE, IDOL, ITAS, LEIF, MACY, MORE, PSEC, RIOT, SANG, SARI, SECY, TARO, TAUS, TONI, TTOP, USMC, VISC…
And scraps: HOV, OBE, HUT, ORR, LES, MCV, PEA, SRA, TIN, TMI, IGN, THC, HUR, VCR, MEM, TAM, NIA, GOA, TOV, TAI, OPE, TEL, HES, NEA, SAM.
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Xword search information -- Across: 6. It makes pot potent: Abbr.; 9. Fan favorite; 14. Judah’s house, in a Lew Wallace title; 15. Thirds, e.g.; 19. Part of a grp.; 20. Camcorder component; 21. St. Anthony’s crosses; 28. Tiny fraction of a min.; 29. Dept. head; 30. Topper around a loch; 32. Actress Peeples; 33. State whose capital is Panaji; 38. Yom ___; 39. Laotian language group; 41. Expos’d; 42. Bollywood cover-up; 43. Look over before holding up; 49. ___ Twins (pair in old ads for home perm kits); 50. Rolodex abbr.; 51. Gents; 57. Potential lockdown preceder; 58. Classy org.?; 60. 365 giorni; 61. Friend of Frodo. Down: 3. ___ lane; 4. Honour for J.K. Rowling; 7. Rough housing; 11. His #4 was retired; 12. “___ Sylphides” (ballet); 13. Commandant’s outfit: Abbr.; 17. Year Emperor Henry IV was dethroned; 18. Department store chain founder; 23. “Be there in ___”; 24. ___’clock; 25. First name in New World exploration; 27. Hi-tech read; 34. Sports car option; 35. Hawaiian staple; 36. “But I must also feel ___ a man”: Macduff; 37. Baron’s superior: Abbr.; 42. Ratted; 46. Occupational suffix; 48. Verb from which “sum” is derived; 52. Tabasco title: Abbr.; 53. Plate material; 54. Part of a shell game; 55. 1979 nuclear accident site: Abbr.; 56. Engine starter: Abbr.

11.27.08 -- ANAGRAM/A RAGMAN

RHYME (50D. Have common ends, in a way).
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Thursday, November 27, 2008
Puzzle by Patrick Berry, edited by Will Shortz
Recycling? Seven entries with half of the squares containing circles to emphasize that the last half of the entry is the first half anagrammed constitute the interrelated entries of this Thursday crossword puzzle. The dead-tree copy provides shaded squares rather than circles for the second half of each entry.
STUCK ONE/SNECK OUT (7D. Took a risk with recycling) requires 16 letters, consequently enlarging the standard vertical dimension of the grid. A better fit is had by INTES/TINES (3D. Digestive system parts with recycling?); BEST/BETS (5D. Most promising options with recycling?); REAP/PEAR (10D. Come back with recycling?); HORSE/SHOER (33D. Livery blacksmith with recycling?); LEGA/L AGE (41D. Imposition on drinking with recycling?); TEAM/MATE (43D. Sporting colleague with recycling?).
Other long entries, sans recycling of their halves --
ASIA MINOR (61A. Location of two of the classical Seven Wonders); AUSTRALIA (18A. Country that has won the most Cricket World Cups); CHEMISTS (54A. Formula formulators); FAST BUCK (23A. Day trader’s wish); GINGER NUT (65A. Spicy biscuit served at English teas); 42A. “I couldn’t RESIST!”; SECEDE (37A. Break away); STARTED UP (15A. Established).
Five-letter entries dominant the crossword -- ABODE (63A. Domicile); ADLAI (11D. Two-time loser to Ike); 59D. Prince AKEEM, Eddie Murphy’s role in “Coming to America”; BASIL (52D. So-called “king of herbs”);
BRAHE (52A. Contemporary of Kepler); CANOE (14A. Rapids transit); CANES (25D. Victorian gents’ accessories); CCLEF (1D. Symbol seen on viola music); CLIMB (1A. Attain new heights; CUPID (25A. He brings people together); EARLY (69. Before sunrise); ERNIE (38D. Naively optimistic Muppet); ESSAY (47A. Op-ed piece); GRIPE (49A. Bellyache); GUILD (12D. Craft union of old); HERTZ (55D. Enterprise rival); ICEUP (31D. Put on a winter coat?); ISAAC (6D. Son of Sarah); LAURA (2D. 1944 film noir by Preminger); LUTES (17A. Troubadours carried them); OPALS (22A. Export of 18-Across); ORATE (27A. Stand and deliver); PAULY (58A. Actor Shore); RODIN (28D. “The Age of Bronze” artist); RUINS (53D. Mayan pyramids, e.g.); SEEDY (57D. Poorly kept); TIDAL (56D. Like some currents); TRACT (20A. Parcel of land); TREAD (66A. Sole pattern); TROUT (16D. Freshwater catch); TWIXT (29A. Between).
Three- and four-letter recyclables -- AHAB,
ANNA (59D. Ballerina Pavlova), ART, ASEA, AXEL, BEVY, BRA, ELSE, ERE, HAN, HIE, INON, IRK, ISLA, KATZ, LAST, MOE, NUNN, NYSE, PAGE, RAGS (10A. Castaway’s clothing); REV, ROSE, RUM, SKI, SPAS, TEEM, TEX, THAN, WAKE and WAXY, WEE.
Happy Thanksgiving!
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Xword search information -- Across: 6. Chile’s ___ de Pascua; 19. Poetic preposition; 26. Abound; 31. Zero ___; 3. King in I Kings; 36. Dynasty in which Confucianism became dominant; 39. Attained new heights; 40. Jump that may be doubled; 44. Accelerate; 45. Org. with a National Historic Landmark building in lower Manhattan; 46. Ex-senator Sam; 51. Danger for small craft; 60. Step on it; 67. Cannonball Adderley’s “Something’ ___”; 68. Dr. ___, 1990s TV therapist. Down: 4. Baseball’s Berg; 8. Caboose’s place; 9. Upscale office décor; 13. Rest spots; 21. Ingredient in a Bahama Mama; 24. La. Neighbor; 29. Comparative follower; 30. Like Stilton cheese; 34. Like pirates; 35. Large group; 48. Kind of run; 51. Lilliputian; 58. Ask for by name; 59. Ballerina Pavlova; 62. Discommode; 64. Sports ___.

11.26.08 -- Ode to Ye Ole OLE!

Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Puzzle by Harvey Estes, edited by Will Shortz
The omnipresent crossword entry of OLE (57D. 49-Across, in this puzzle); along with THE LAST HURRAH (49A. 1968 Spencer Tracy film … and a hint to 20-, 30- and 39-Across); HOLY GUACAMOLE (20A. “Zounds!”); PETER OTOOLE (30A. Eight-time Best Actor nominee); FILET OF SOLE (39A. Boneless entrée) are the unlikely components of today’s interrelated entries. OLE is not something one hears in the Spencer Tracy film, nor would one expect to hear Peter O’Toole declaim same after losing out on the Academy Award eight times, and it would certainly be an odd thing to declare when one is served fish -- but it is the last three letters of those entries. “Zounds!” may be the closest to “Ole!” but without a “Hurrah!” and the resulting “Holy Guacamole!” brings one to wonder why an exclamation involving an avocado recipe is paired with the blaspheming of God‘s wounds!
People in the puzzle are headlined by MANDELA (23A. “Long Walk to Freedom” writer) and WALESA (44D. Non-head of state who addressed a 1989 joint session of Congress) and includes a BAGMAN (10D. Mob’s money collector); BESS (10A. Gershwin heroine); KLEE (37D. Swiss abstractionist); ORRIN (48D. Sen. Hatch); PRMEN (62A. Image crafters); RENE (63A. Russo of “Ransom”); SIBYL (5D. Prophetess of legend); a SOWER (27D. Farmer, in the spring); TINA (8D. Funny Fey); and a TSAR (51D. Old Russian despot).
Mid-size entries -- ADHERE (42D. Show allegiance, as to a cause); ASAFAVOR (35D. Expecting no payment);
BLOODRED (4D. Vivid valentine color); EUROPE (11D. Part of the West); GOAFTER (47A. Chase); MASHNOTE (3D. Billet-doux); NOTTHERE (36D. Missing); PEERAT (43D. Watch intently); SOBERS (13D. Dries out, with “up”); STALER (12D. Less up-to-date); TAPWATER (41A. Meaning of “one on the city,” in diner lingo); TITHES (41D. Church contributions).
Five-letter -- ADORE (26A. What fans do); BAWLS (34A. Cries one’s eyes out); BERNE (18A. City on the Aar); CAPER (25A. Bank job, e.g.); EATER (45A. One in a mess?);
GUIDE (47D. Sacagawea, for one); IDEAL (46A. Nonpareil); IMHIP (156A. Beatnik’s “Understood”); 59. MARDI Gras; OMEGA (6D. Alphabet ender); SOTTO (5A. Under, in Umbria); USAIR (54A. Jetliner name until 1997).
The remainders: ACNE, ALSO, ANKH, APO, AUTO, COLT, ERAS,
FALA and FEAR, GRAB, HARM, HERE and HERR, LAMB and LEER, LOS, MAPS, OBIT, OPAL and ORAL, SEED and SETA, SOSO, SUMP, TALE, TAN, THRU, VETO and “Zip ADEE-Doo-Dah“!
And, of course, shining bright among the galaxy of three-letter entries, that crossword star --
OLE!
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Xword search information -- Across: 1. Part of a gyro; 10. Gershwin heroine; 14. Stone for many Libras; 18. It’s chopped in a chop shop; 17. Fair; 19. Capture the attention of; 33. Feeder filler; 35. Cross with a loop; 53. “Take one”; 55. Bill killer; 58. Big times; 60. Spoken; 61. Bristlelike part; 63. Russo of “Ransom”. Down: 1. Acapulco article; 2. G.I. address; 7. By way of, briefly; 9. Intl. price-setting group; 21. Prurient look; 23. War room items; 28. Stable youngster; 29. As well; 31. Passing notice; 32. Fisherman’s whopper?; 37. Swiss abstractionist; 38. Frau’s mate; 39. F.D.R. dog; 40. Cause of some quaking; 50. Drainage pit; 52. Perniciousness; 56. Whip but good.

11.25.08 -- Vowel Movement

Double Eagle Anagrams, c.1890 McLoughlin Bros., New York, NY
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Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Puzzle by Caleb Madison, edited by Will Shortz
With the exchange of vowels between two words, anagram adjective-noun combinations of PENAL PANEL (17A. Trial jury?); CELLAR CALLER (23A. Wine telemarketer?); TEXAS TAXES (30A. Lone Star State duties?); CONAN CANON (40A. Late-night talk show host’s principles?); TIC TAC TACTIC (49A. Slyly popping a breath mint, e.g.?); DAVIS DIVAS (61A. Sammy’s backup singers?) are the interrelated entries of this Tuesday crossword. Nice!
Six- and seven-letter entries include ALLWET (5D. Totally mistaken); AMEXES (47A. Some charge cards, informally); ANTFARM (41D.
Myrmecologist’s box); MIDDAY (48D. Noon); MRMOTO (25A. Detective played by Peter Lorre); TRIPLEA (10D. Not quite in the majors).
Five-letter -- 12D. “Welcome to my humble ABODE; ACURA (65A. Honda division); ADVIL (53D. Tylenol rival); ALOFT (55A. In the air); CLINE (54D. “Crazy” singer Patsy); COREA (51d. Grammy-winning pianist Chick); EMAIL (14A. Something you click to open); FLEER (8D. Old maker of baseball cards and bubble gum); IDLED (56A. Kept the engine running); 50D. “ILOVE Lucy”; KAFKA (1A. “Amerika” novelist); NATES (44D. Hoopsters Archibald and Thurmond); PARER (13D. Tool for someone on KP duty); PILOT (18D. Test for a sitcom); QANDA (7D. Session after a lecture, informally); REGAL (11D. Kingly);
SPADE (22A. Heart beater in bridge bidding); STALL (6D. Bathroom division); TACOS (49D. Mexican restaurant orders); TIARA (52D. Miss America headwear); WILDE (21A. Writer Oscar); YUMMY (68A. “Mmm-mmm!”).
Four -- AMEN, CORA, EASE, ERIN, FANS, HARM, IGOR, KEPI, MAIN, MALE, MRSC, NEAT, OSAY, OVER, OVUM, REBA, RIAL, RICO, ROSE (45A. American Beauty, for one), SALT, SEAM, SHES, SQFT, TALE, TRAP, XBOX.
Three -- APO, BAH, CDC, COL and COS, DEM (61D. Barack Obama, e.g.: Abbr.), EVA, ICU, INS, KIA,
NED, OHO, OLE, REC, SCI, TEL, VIP, XIN (32D. Mark, as a ballot).
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Xword search information -- Across: 6. Apt. area measurement; 10. “Shut your ___!”; 15. “Treasure Island,” e.g.; 16. Singer McEntire; 19. “Young Frankenstein” hunchback; 20. ___ and outs; 28. Word before Miss or Opry; 29. Iranian money; 37. Ecol. Or biol.; 38. Kind of pass that might get you backstage; 39. Should from Scrooge; 46. ___ Flanders, neighbor of Homer Simpson; 57. “What have we here?!”; 60. Mrs. Dithers of “:Blondie”; 63. Radioer’s word; 64. Land o’ the Irish; 66. Line from the ankle to the waist, say; 67. Stage or stallion. Down: 1. Hat for a French soldier; 2. “You said it, brother!”; 3. Ones waiting for autographs, e.g.; 4. Sedona maker; 9. ___ Aviv; 23. Sanders, Klink or Mustard: Abbr.; 24. Dow Jones listing: Abbr.; 25. Richie’s mom, to the Fonz; 26. Puerto ___; 27. Primary; 31. Stowe heroine; 33. Mil. Address; 34. GameCube competitor; 35. Simplicity; 36. The Rolling Stones’ “___ a Rainbow”; 442. “Very cool!”; 43. Atlanta-based federal health org.; 45. VCR button; 57. Egg, biologically; 58. Damage; 59. “The Star-Spangled Banner” start; 62. Site of an oxygen tent, in brief.

11.24.08 -- The Hand

Study of a Hand -- Leonardo da Vinci
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Monday, November 24, 2008
Puzzle by Billie Truitt, edited by Will Shortz
GREEN
THUMB (17A. Gardener’s gift); MISERYINDEX (24A. Measure of national economic health); MEETINGINTHEMIDDLE (39A. Come to a compromise); GIVEMEARING (51A. “Call sometime”); HINKYPINKY (64A. Rhyming word game) are the interrelated entries of this Monday back-to-work crossword puzzle.
Six- and seven-letter entries -- EATOUT (57A. Dine at a restaurant); EMBRYO (8D. Womb occupant);
GOATEES (49A. Chin beards); HOTONE (30D. Definitely a day for air-conditioning); LAMARR (7D. Hedy of “Samson and Delilah”); MACHETE (27A. Cane cutter); Mr. MOONEY (Lucy’s TV boss); NEEDNT (26D. Has no obligation to); SATIRE (47D. Giggle); SENSOR (20A. Electric eye, e.g.); TEEHEE (47D. Giggle); TRITON (18D. Spiral seashell).
Five letter -- ADORE (11D. Love to bits); AGAPE (50D. Yawning or visibly astonished); BRUTE (6D. No gentleman); ENTER (68A. Go inside);
GARBO (51D. Reclusive actress Greta); GNOME (14D. Garden statuette); IDEAL (52D. Just right); ITEMS (40D. Agenda details); JAWED (10D. Chatted); PIUSI (22D. First of 12 popes with a religious-sounding name); RANIN (54D. Arrested); RELAX (12D. “Stop worrying!”); SCOOT (43A. Skedaddle); SEEMS (35A. Appears to be); UNPEG (13A. Remove wooden pins from; VOILA (53D. “There!”).
Three- and four-letter -- ABLE, ACH, ADO, AJAR, AMA, ASEC, AWOL, BALE, CLEO, CRAM,
EDIE (36D. Actress Falco), EENY, ERA, ERIE, EXGI, EXO, KEY, INRE, MADE, MLLE, MOMS, NETS, NEV, NILE, OLAV and OSLO, ONS, ONTO, OPEN, REIN, RIOT, ROUE, RUGS, SEES, SENT, SETA, SHE, SOSO, REIN, RIOT, ROUE, RUGS, TARP, TEES, TINS, TYRO, UKES.
This one deserves a big hand!
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X-word information -- Across: 1. Event involving burning and looting; 5. Competent; 9. Not completely shut, as a door; 15. Study just before a test; 16. Created; 19. Military no-show; 21. Rain cover; 23. Big slice of history; 31. Don Juan type; 32. Norway’s capital; 33. Walk-___ (small parts); 44. Outer: Prefix; 45. River near the Sphinx; 46. Butterfly catchers; 55. Brouhaha; 56. ___ good example; 62. Halter attachment; 66. Hay bundle; 67. Buffalo’s lake; 69. Norway’s patron saint; 70. Starting of a counting-out rhyme; 71. Blah. Down: 1. Toupees, slangily; 2. Memo starter; 3. Ready for business; 4. Summer shirts, informally; 5. Alas, in Augsburg; 9. Doctors’ grp.; 25. Shipped off; 27. Pops’ partners; 28. “Wait just ___!”; 29. Queen of the 45-Across, for short; 34. “That’s all ___ wrote”; 37. French miss: Abbr.; 38. Envisions; 41. Veteran, perhaps; 58. Old-fashioned food containers; 59. Not fooled by; 60. Maui music makers; 61. Newbie; 63. Carson City’s home: Abbr.; 65. Ignition starter.

11.23.08 -- Picture This

Le Bateau, Henri Matisse, 1953, as displayed at the Museum of Modern Art in 1961
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PICTURE THIS, Puzzle by David J. Kahn, edited by Will Shortz
LEBATEAU (25A. Title of a work by 23-Across), WATERMEDIA (46D Styles of 25-Across and the like), PAINTING (120A. 25-Across, e.g.), HENRIMATISSE (23A. Leader of the Fauvist movement), FRENCHARTIST (122A. 23-Across, e.g.), UPSIDEDOWN (41D. How 25-Across appeared at a 6-Down in 1961), MOMAEXHIBITION (6D. N.Y.C. cultural event); MFAS (116D. Some 6-Down curators: Abbr.), FORTYSEVENDAYS (55D. How long 25-Across was 41-Down before being noticed and fixed).
Note (Appearing in print): "When this puzzle is done, read the circled letters clockwise starting with the last letter of 66-Across; and read the shaded letters clockwise starting with the second letter of 77-Across"; e.g., a SAILBOAT REFLECTION. The circles, if connected, give a rough visual of Le Bateau itself.
The remaining clues:
Across: 1. Dr. Seuss character with a red hat; 7. Train stop?; 12. Not useless, as clothing; 20. British noble, for short; 21. Football Hall-of-Fame coach Greasy NEALE; 22. Earmarked (for); 26. Publicity; 27. Fictional spread; 28. Hip in the ’60s; 29. Hideout; 30. Agcy. Overseeing reactor safety; 31. It’s deep; 33. Winter protection; 35. Metric weight; 36. Vegetable with yellow pods; 38. Nurse; 39. Intense aversions; 44 Somewhat reduced; 47. Academic area; 50. Debate (with); 51. Whirling; 53. Nabokov novel; 54. Flying grp. Since 1918; 56. OSLO Accords of 1993; 57. Workout target; 58. “On&On” singer Erykah BADU; 61. Special OPS; 63. Say “Final answer,” say; 65. Will be now?; 66. Double-layer breads; 67. First name in spydom; 69. Paris’s RUEDE la Paix; 70. Supplies of greetings; 73. What Ramona wore in a 1966 Chuck Berry song; 76. Year Super Bowl XXXVII was played; 77. Ziegfeld Follies designer; 79. Scuffles; 80. Morning deposit; 81. Individual; 83. Al Kaline, in uniform; 84. Son, at the Sorbonne; 85. It’s cultivated in the Andes; 86. Stone in a 2008 Olympic medal; 87 Rejections; 89. Invoice amount; 91. Carted off; 93. Auspices: Var.; 94. Cushion user?; 98. Brags about; 99 More cool; 102. Canterbury can; 103. Boardinghouse boarders; 105. Florence attraction; 107. Musical for which Ben Vereen won a Tony; 108. Those, to Munoz; 112. See 106-Down; 115. Nobelist Pavlov; 116. Big D player; 117. Visiting the U.S. capital; 119. Sportage maker; 125. Factor in a restaurant rating; 126 Skylit areas; 127. Like the return of swallows to Capistrano; 128. Cupid, e.g.; 129. Fiber-yielding plant; 130. Volleyball position.
Down: 1. Old term of respect; 2. Concert venue; 3. Otter cousins; 4. Home of the Ramon Crater: Abbr.; 5. Scuffling; 7. Brightest star in Scorpius; 8. Tiki bar offering; 9. Devil’s home?; 10. Onetime political columnist Joseph; 11. Sax player’s need; 12. Cleanup hitter, e.g.; 13. Like the earliest Olympic festivals; 14. Animal oddity; 15. Had a big laugh; 16. Long-distance letters; 17. Revolutionary 1930s bomber; 18. Duke of Cornwall’s father-in-law, in Shakespeare; 19. Part of H.E.W.: Abbr.; 24. Show horse; 32. Like the mathematician Euler; 34. Fond du LAC, Wis.; 35. Personal quirk; 37. Horned viper; 38. Reply to irritably; 40. Compound variant; 42. Kipling short story, with “The”; 43. Low-cost accommodations, briefly; 44. Reddish purple; 45. Angrily crusading; 46. Styles of 25-Across and the like; 48. Ancient land near the Dead Sea; 49. Pouch; 52. Spain joined it in 1982; 59. Be bold enough; 60. Web browsers; 62. Unreasonable pricewise; 64. Oozy mixtures; 66. Fraternity letters; 68. Prefix with chemical; 71. Most urgent; 72. Well-oiled; 74. Concert venue; 75. Brings around; 78. Brad and 86-Down, e.g.; 82. San Francisco’s NOB Hill; 86. Touch off; 86. See 78-Down; 88. “The Laughing Man” author; 90. Prospering ones; 92. DAR es Salaam; 95. Make a slip; 96. “Alley OOP”; 97. Current; 100. Worked on a Life sentence?; 101. Coulee; 104. Ho Chi MINH; 106. With 112-Across, Okla military area; 107. First installment; 109. Get around; 110. Bridal path; 111. Butterfly variety; 112. On APAR with (equal to); 113. Celebrity; 114. Andersson of “Wild Strawberries”; 118. Canadian natives; 121. “Ladders to Fire” writer; 123. Long in films; 124. Make lace.
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Puzzle available on the internet at
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11.23.08 -- 杂碎 -- the Acrostic

ACROSTIC, Puzzle by Emily Cox & Henry Rathvon, edited by Will Shortz
A synopsis on the Barnes & Noble site for “Fortune Cookie Chronicles: Adventures in the World of Chinese Food” by Jennifer 8 Lee, the source of today’s quotation, reads “If you think McDonald's is the most ubiquitous restaurant experience in America, consider that there are more Chinese restaurants in America than McDonalds, Burger Kings, and Wendys combined. New York Times reporter and Chinese-American (or American-born Chinese). In her search, Jennifer 8 Lee traces the history of Chinese-American experience through the lens of the food. In a compelling blend of sociology and history, Jenny Lee exposes the indentured servitude Chinese restaurants expect from illegal immigrant chefs, investigates the relationship between Jews and Chinese food, and weaves a personal narrative about her own relationship with Chinese food. The Fortune Cookie Chronicles speaks to the immigrant experience as a whole, and the way it has shaped our country.”
The quotation: CHOP SUEY IS THE GREATEST CULINARY PRANK ONE CULTURE HAS EVER PLAYED ON ANOTHER EVEN ITS NAME IS AN INSIDE JOKE WHAT AMERICANS ONCE BELIEVED TO BE THE NATIONAL DISH OF CHINA TRANSLATES TO ODDS AND ENDS IN CANTONESE
The author’s name and the title of the work: LEE FORTUNE COOKIE CHRONICLES
The defined words: LITCHI (A. Nutlike Far Eastern fruit); ENJOY (B. Word from a server to a diner); ELEVATED (C. Taken to another plane); FROST (D. “After Apple-Picking” poet); ORIENT (E. Pearl of extraordinary luster); REEDY (F. Like Lincoln’s voice, per his biographers); TENS (G. King beaters in pinochle); USAINBOLT (H. Aptly surnamed man of speed [2 wds]); I. “All NATURE is but art, unknown to thee” (Pope); EASYASPIE (J. Not at all challenging [3 wds]); CHOPSTICKS (K. Piece typically executed with indexes); OVERDOIT (L. Go too far [2 wds]); OATES (M. Author of the 2008 collection “Wild Nights!”); KNEADED (N. Like dough and some tired muscles); INNOCENT (O. Person free of sin; simpleton); EMPATH (P. One who knows how you feel); CUMBIA (Q. Traditional dance music of Colombia); HAVANA (R. Capital founded by conquistadors around 1515); RAWDEAL (S. Unfair price for sushi? [2 wds]); ODEON (T. Ancient Greek theater); NONSENSE (U. A lot of hooey); ISLAND (V. Feature of some modern kitchens); CHEERS (W. Where Sam served Norm); LUTHERAN (X. Like many believers in Lake Wobegon); ETHNIC (Y. Like Italian or Thai food); SHENANIGANS (Z. Monkeyshines).
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Puzzle available on the internet at
THE NEW YORK TIMES -- Crossword Puzzles and Games
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