11.21.07 -- Flix Flak

USO movie in mess hall, 1942.

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Wednesday, November 21, 2007

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Puzzle by Kelsey Blakley, edited by Will Shortz

More space was needed? Guess so -- however, the 16-space entry MAJMOTIONPICTURE (41A Big studio release, in the army?) is less interesting than it’s two shorter inter-related entries, PVTSCREENING (21A Film showing for V.I.P.’s, in the army?) and GENADMISSION (59A Common ticket category, in the army?) -- not that it should be, just that one would think it would be -- and in this case, “not!” Deviation from the standard daily format of 15x15 is usually caused by an entry which needs sixteen spaces due to its importance in the scheme of things, so one would assume the entry would be a very good excuse for breaking the rule. No.

Without abbreviated military designations (indicated by the question mark), MATINEES (28D Shows with lower-priced seats, usually); EJECTIONS (37D Bouncers’ tasks); RAINEDOUT (12D Postponed, in a way); FLOPS (1D Lays an egg); and NOSHOW (50D Standby’s salvation) beg to be included with the above.

Two long entries give a false start -- due to their length, they seem likely to be part of the movie business, but instead BUYERSGUIDE (19A Consumer Reports offering) and SMOKESIGNAL (64A Means of communication) make one think of a fire sale.

People in the puzzle are ABRAM (5A Presidential middle name); LAMA (15A Priest in an Ogden Nash verse); ORIN (18A “Little Shop of Horrors” dentist); NED (23A Ludd, the original Luddite); KANSAN (4D Bob Dole, by birth); RAYE (7D Comic Martha); TONIO (31D “Pagliacci” clown); RANI (36D Sari-clad royal); LIEGE (54D Feudal lord); ANDER (56D Florida congressman Crenshaw); and for the kids, KEN (65D Classic Mattel doll). Not likely that they’ll CARPOOL (38A Use the H.O.V. lane, say), but they could POLKA (53A Oktoberfest music)!

Places include INDIANA (45A Gary’s home); CHACO Canyon (Pueblo cultural area) (22D); ERIN (29D Yeats‘s land, poetically); OPAL (39D Nevada gemstone); OMNI Hotels (luxury chain) (58D); and AGRA (60D Indian tourist city). SNOWLINE (20A Demarcation affected by warming) and CAMPS (43D Roughs it) are probably too fluctuating to be included.

Spoken-word-related entries include FLAK (1A Harsh criticism); VERBS (10A Active vocabulary?); EMAIL (17A It may include a cc or bcc list); SAYAH (24A Doctor’s request); “Chances ARE” (35A); FORE (40A Driver’s warning); SOLEMN (49A Like many oaths); TISNT (70A Quaint denial); and AMEN (8D Final word).

Fabric gets a twirl today with TOILE de Jouy (fabric) (25A) and Queen ANNES lace (67A); and maybe the Sari-clad royal (36A RANI) -- or MANE (62A Lippizaner’s locks)?

Now that the longer entries have been WEEDED (32A Worked the garden) out, it’s time to KICKIN (47A Add to the kitty), with the leftovers, ending on a positive note in the interest of AMITY (3D Cordial quality).

Across: BLAME (16. Point a finger at); NAMEIT (27. Carte blanche offer); ONEA (44. Fit to serve); TSP (46. Med. Unit); TONES (51. Shapes up); POI (57. Islands fare); HEAD (66. Foam); PRANK (68. Bit of monkey business); OGLE (69. Give a come-hither look); and EASES (71. Lets up).

Down: LARVA (2D Maggot, e.g.); BLUE (6. Smurf-colored): MERIT (9. Scholarship criterion); VEGGIE (10. Meatless, informally); EMU (11. Outback runner); BIDE (13. Patiently wait); SLED (14. Inuit’s ride); LEFT (26. Not right); IPODS (30. Popular MP3 players); ERRS (33. Slips up); DEEP (34. Tough to fathom); AMOK (35. In a frenzied way); MAKO (42. Cousin of a hammerhead); INGEST (48. Consume); SNIPE (52. Take potshots); KOALA (55. “Bear” that’s not a bear); PSAT (57. Jr.’s exam); DNAS (61. Double-helix molecules); and ILKS (63. Kinds).

There’s just nothing much else in the way of ordinary to cram into this eclectic crossword -- reminding one of preparations for a holiday which always WEAR (72A Get tiresome). So much going on with nothing to write home about!

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11.20.07 -- Team

Gridiron football team at Dartmouth College, 1901

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Tuesday, November 20, 2007

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Puzzle by Larry Shearer, edited by Will Shortz

I’m guessing you’ve got to love football to make up a puzzle like this Tuesday’s crossword. Alternating each line in sequence with AFC/NFC, v.v. NFC/AFC, etc. --

American Football Conference, National Football Conference, both under the National Football League -- so that not only can teams play AFC against NFC as they would in reality, but evenly distributing home field advantage among the four entries -- GIANTBILL with a faux clue (17A Big spender’s woe?); COLTPACKER (25A Revolver toter?); CARDINALCHARGER (37A MasterCard-carrying ecclesiastic?); and CHIEFSAINT (45A Peter?), all with an eye on the SUPERBOWL (56A Where this puzzle’s theme pairs would like to meet).

Team members available from this crossword are Paula Abdul, Spiro Agnew, Carol Alt, Isaac Asimov, Lorne Green, Teamster Jimmy Hoffa (it's said he's buried under Giants Football Stadium built on the site of a former swamp in New Jersey), Reggie Jackson, Frankie Laine, the Mayo brothers, Ronnie Milsap, R. E. Olds, David Oreck, Saint Peter, Barbra Streisand, an alto, a hag, and a yenta. Further, Kal-El, Superman's birth name is disclosed, and Spock's father is revealed as a Vulcan. Also here are Ernie and the Ewings from TV.

A dog, RIN TIN TIN; a lion, LEO; and an elephant, BABAR are the mascots.

Across: 1. Missing Jimmy; 6. Hit the slopes; 9. General feeling; 14. Paula of “American Idol”; 15. Chum; 16. Take forcibly; 19. “Mule Train” singer, 1949; 20. Bete NOIRE; 21. Gum Arabic-yielding tree; 22. Where to find the headings Books, Dolls & Bears, and Collectibles; 27. The Ewings soap; 30. Letter-shaped support; 31. Huge expanses; 33. Clinic name;

40. New York home of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute; 41. Give the boot to; 43. Mark, as a ballot square; 51. Deck wood; 53. Quick Pick game; 55. Worse than bad; 60. Chain unit; 61. Reproductive cells; 62. Condor’s nest; 63. Tender spots; 64. Prickly husk; 65. Pasta sauce brand.

Down: 1. Witchy woman, 2. Sapporo sash; 3. Rx watchdog; 4. 1975 Barbra Streisand sequel; 5. Chorus voice; 6. Richard’s first vice president; 7. Superman’s birth name; 8. Under the weather; 9. Spock, on his father’s side; 10. Asimov of sci-fi; 11. LaCrosse carmaker; 12. Bert’s Muppet pal; 13. Pickle portion; 18. Some ballpoints; 21. Imitative in a silly way; 22. Papal bull, e.g.; 23. Kiddie lit elephant; 24. Olds discontinued in 2004; 26. Developer’s plot; 28. “AMI Blue?”; 31. Spa feature; 32. Overhead trains; 33. Reggie Jackson nickname; 34. Think alike; 35. Buttinsky; 36. Vacuum maker; 38. Library no-no; 39. Supermodel Carol; 43. “Trust No One” TV series with “The”; 44. Sermon ending? 45. Lacking couth; 46. Self-help category; 47. Due to get, as punishment; 48. Toughen; 49. Romantic message, in shorthand; 50. Without face value; 54. Pipe section; 56. Cry out loud; 57. Seam material; 58. Rug, of a sort; 59. Zodiac beast.

ETCETC (44A “Blah, blah, blah …”).

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11.19.07 -- Wisp

Monday, November 19, 2007

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Puzzle by Lynn Lempel, edited by Will Shortz

This crossword puzzle opens with a WISP (1A Bit of smoke) and a WAFT (1D Blow gently) and closes with MEET (61D Assemble) and NEAT (71A Spiffy) -- for what more could one ask?

Extra! Read all about it! In the center is PAPER (40A Where you may find the ends of 17-, 23-, 52- and 63- Across) tying together four long across entries -- FIFTHCOLUMN (17A Subversive group); TOILETARTICLE (23A Soap or lotion, say); SCARLETLETTER (52A Notorious stigma); and BESTPICTURE (63A Coveted film honor).

Weaving into the four long entries are PAULA (8D Newswoman Zahn) crossing FIFTH COLUMN; and there’s SOFTTOUCH (3D One who’ll easily lend money for a hard-luck story), which is also a trade name for beauty products, intersecting TOILET ARTICLE; TOSCA (55D Puccini opera) with an ARIA (60D Met highlight), appropriately emanating from SCARLET LETTER, with SIN (10D What it is “to tell a lie“) at safe distance; and OPTIC (46D Eye-related) meeting BEST PICTURE.

Pairs abound -- a near miss for Smith & Wesson with SMITH (52D Suffix with black or silver) and HESTON (51D Charlton of The Ten Commandments), long-time head of the NRA. More odd couples, with HAILS & HAIRY; VILE & VIALS; ILIE & ODIE; ELI & ILE; ROE & TOE; INLET & LETON; SEDGE & SAGES; ROOT & RIOT; BUB (63D Fella) and PAL (19A Buddy) paring up to give a certain music to this Monday back-to-work puzzle.

Perhaps hoping the weekend was a SERENE (49D Calm) INTERLUDE (35D Period between) from TGIF to today, this puzzle exclaims CRIPES (5A “Jeepers!”), maybe when looking at the cost of PETROL (4D Fuel by the litre), or joining the MELEE (13D Fracas) headed to their destinations of employment -- while on the TOPIC (11D Subject of discussion), the car radio may give us news of ISLAM (59A Mullah’s teaching), Britney’s latest UNCOOL (67A Hardly hip) escapade, a SNUB (42A Social slight) for a politician; or perhaps a new siting of the LOCH Ness monster (38A) from a CANOE (53D It gets a paddling).

People in the puzzle are TIM (11A Burton who produced The Nightmare Before Christmas); ELI (21A QB Manning); AVA (29A Gardner of Hollywood); ETHAN (43A Actor Hawke); ILIE (2D Tennis champ Natase); ELMIRA (9D New York city where Mark Twain is buried); EDGAR (25D Ventriloquist Bergen); BURR (36D Jefferson’s first vice president); among others.

Loose stitches in the weave, INALL (12D With everything counted), are no less interesting -- DENALI (15A Native name for Mount McKinley); ALIBI (34A Suspect’s excuse); GOPHERS (50A Furry burrowers); and BEANIE (70A Freshman’s topper). Our TETRA (20A Four: Prefix)- letter words today include ALOE, LEAP, TILE, IBIS, while ANNEX (54D Building add-on) stands alone.

Finally, as I TROLLED (27A Searched) the entries, I found MANY (57A Umpteen) three-letter entries, including HEX, ONE, POI, IFS, TRI, INN, a dozen already mentioned, and the initials of EPA, NFL, TVA, IOU, CDC and REO, all old friends of crossword solvers.

A very pleasant wisp of a puzzle for Monday!

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11.18.07 -- One L

Sunday, November 18, 2007

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WORLD PAY (WORD PLAY)

Puzzle by Patrick Berry, Edited by Will Shortz

This is a frigid November crossword puzzle, ruled by a single letter -- L. All else reads as slave fill, while the switching of the L is perfunctory and frozen. Further, none of the inter-related entries helps much in the solution of the next with each entry coming at the tedious expense of time and the laborious uncovering of same.

Eleven inter-related entries are involved in this monotonous filing chore, provoking thought of so many better places to stick these L’s.

23A Run away from chewing tobacco users? - FLEE SPITTERS (FEE SPLITTERS);

25A Alexander the Great's ambition? - TO SLAY THE EAST (TO SAY THE LEAST);

15D Oil spill? - SEEPING SLICKNESS (SLEEPING SICKNESS);

37A Problem for a sweaty-handed Tarzan? - VINY SLIDING (VINYL SIDING);

56A One who's crazy for a sharp-dressed man? - FOP LOVER (FLOP OVER);

66A Shakespearean prince who's handsome and muscular? - STUDLY HAL (STUDY HALL);

78A Fish-worshiping groups? - COD CULTS (COLD CUTS);

92A What a magician might do with a big saw? - HALVE THE GAL (HAVE THE GALL);

36D Macho beer-drinker's outerwear? - COAT OF MANLY COORS (COAT OF MANY COLORS);

107A How to avoid getting tipsy on hard liquor? - PACE YOUR BELTS (PLACE YOUR BETS);

113A Designed jeans? - PLOTTED PANTS (POTTED PLANTS)

Other entries are an odd lot and seem motivated purely by the basic mechanics of where in the hell to place the L?

Hanging from the eaves are KINCAID, OGALLALA, EROTICA, CASTLED, MUZAK, ORSON, NUANCE, YODA, UNISOM, HIMOM, MOMUS, WANDA, MISTI, SENNETT, POLITICAL, DINESIN, TIREIRON, LEADSON, HECTOR BERLIOZ, IMPASTO, FRERE, ORIENTAL, LEONE, BABYISH, STAYS, ANGER, SANDBLIND, POKILY and ONANDON..

This one left me cold.

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1A immature 8A "_____ at large," 2003 fox sitcom 13A el _____ (peruvian volcano) 18A like kashmir rugs 20A for all to hear 21A one-dimensional 22A nebraska town, named after an indian tribe, featured in "lonesome dove" 23A run away from chewing-tobacco users? 25A alexander the great's ambition? 27A leading the field 28A _____ admin (computer techie, for short) 29A revolution-era loyalist 30A black and tan ingredient 31A mental acuity 34A glinting flecks in granite 37A problem for a sweaty-handed tarzan? 41A trawler's trailer 42A much of anats nin's work 45A quite often 46A one of the five stages of grief 48A leaves in hot water 49A _____ de guerre 50A oil company in a 1999 merger 53A technique involving thickly applied paint 55A crumb carrier 56A one who's crazy for a sharp-dressed man? 58A moved two chessmen in one turn 59A early collaborator with eastwood 61A islamic chieftain 62A drug _____ 64A bring on board 65A stole, perhaps 66A shakespearean prince who's handsome and muscular? 68A membranous structure 69A sportswear brand 71A weekly service 72A creditor's collection 73A some hieroglyphic characters 76A at great length 78A fish-worshiping groups? 81A insect egg 82A novelist jamaica _____ 83A you might hear it going up and down 84A backup singer's syllable 85A tridactyl bird 86A scotland's summer _____ 87A market pessimist 89A beguiles 91A powell's "the thin man" co-star 92A what a magician might do with a big saw? 98A theories 99A 1978 disco hit 101A say what isnt so 102A "good gracious!" 103A bass part 105A mr. bean 107A how to avoid getting tipsy on hard liquor? 113A designed jeans? 116A barograph reading 117A dvd box set, possibly 118A "ready _____ ..." 119A flat remover 120A boxed-off map section 121A ladies and gentlemen of the jury 122A producer of the keystone cops films 1D part offirefighter attire 2D ship launched from lolcus 3D favoritism 4D dresses down 5D tabletop decoration 6D good news for some prisoners 7D parade-ground command 8D thin and crisp 9D soothes 10D they're not positive 11D performance that takes a second 12D some web site banners 13D paw 14D following behind 15D oil spill? 16D sealant 17D schedule-keeping org. 19D christine of "chicago hope" 21D eton collar material 24D "man is by nature a _____ animal": aristotle 26D long, long time 30D excitement 32D show signs of falling 33D took a big step 34D bad stuff to microwave 35D one of the forsytes in "the forsyte saga" 36D macho beer-drinker's outerwear? 37D seductress 38D place to hole up 39D not feeling 100 percent 40D breaks 43D gather 44D sweet talk 47D lane on broadway 50D greek god of ridicule 51D contemporary of virgil 52D see 94-down 54D do damage to 57D "_____ dance" (david bowie album) 60D perceptive person's detection 62D throw out 63D pitts of silent film 66D unable to see much 67D little green man 68D figure skater cohen 69D at a slow pace 70D popular sleep aid 71D "excusez-_____!" 74D words mouthed to a camera 75D leaves gasping 77D telegraphy signal 78D short-spoken 79D take up the entire sofa 80D nail holder 83D ginnie _____ 88D iconic anne baxter role 90D gets one's food on a tray, say 93D fleshy-leaved shrubs 94D with 52-down, "symphonic fantastique" composer 95D discharges 96D party to many a civil union 97D begin using 100D bandleader shaw 103D french business partner, maybe 104D "peer gynt" playwright 106D what a line of dots may signify 107D peel 108D charles lindbergh's wife 109D author of "trinity" 110D draw in 111D brisk step 112D posted 113D esp, remote viewing, and such 114D hall-of-famer dawson 115D music genre

11.17.07 -- Puzzler

Patent Puzzler #1. The National Archives, Washington, DC

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Saturday, November 17, 2007

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Puzzle by Brad Wilber, edited by Will Shortz

If puzzles are meant to puzzle (and by the best of information, they are) then it's apropos this puzzle puzzles. DRAZIZ (46D Character on trial in “A Passage to India”) and MARIA (11D Musical character who sings “My Favorite Things”), I knew. I also came up with CRAZYHORSE (64A Big name in Dakota history) because that’s my home state, and I had Aziz' Zs. Well, after that, it was helter-skelter back-and-forth, in-and-out, up-and-over and back again until finally it was only a toss-up between is it ici ETIA or ici ETLA (here and there, to Therese) (31A) -- and why not clue ILE (57A Project wrap-up?) as something to do with Therese, too?

Crazy Horse

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Ergo, between never-said and seldom-used-or-seen words as entries, coupled with coy clues, this crossword was a bit brittle. Seen by themselves without their separation, especially in part (remove a couple letters), such entries as CAMPHOROIL, IPODNANO, FELICITOUS, TESTACY, INAKNOT, OATCAKE, MCHALE, don’t flesh out easily -- and then to get 6D Like a bad spray-on tan, ORANGEY -- well!..and get a load of Farrah!

The obvious was unobvious, RATATATTAT, TRALALA, ONEORTWO, etc. are given vague clues, e.g., 17. Rap; 42. Syllables to skip by; and 33. Not many -- just as an example. Could-be-anything clues such as 15A Presidents Adams, Fillmore and Taft; 20A Put down some chips?; 21A Minute buzzer; 36A Imprecise; 39A You may get into it while shopping; 53A Characteristic quality; 54A Direct; 61A Quarter division; 5D Occupiers of top spots, 48D People person?; and 50D Goon’s last words -- were of no help either.

I'm tempted to recommend that BLATS, TER, ENT, NEI, ENNE, REFI, TYRE, and yes, FLY, should be severely admonished by The Nitpickers!

The four corners of the crossword are packed tight with the join toward center nicely rippled with black squares yielding a very odd center-piece of a seven-unit thing I can’t recall seeing in a crossword before -- it is, of course, just accidental black fill. No matter. I just keep seeing it every time I look back at the page as I write this, and more and more it looks like a clumsy diva twisting her ankle while taking a bow center stage.

I’m rambling, and that’s Dann’s forte!

The Grand Canal, Venice, Claude Monet 1908,

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Other across: 1. Liniment ingredient; 11. Certain copier; 16 “… on the head of APIN?”; 18. “The Man Who Fell to Earth” director; 19. Make a scene?; 22. Detail on some tickets; 24. Its banks are lined with nearly 200 palaces, GRANDCANAL; 26. Cousin of -trix; 27. “Giuliani: Nasty Man” author, EDKOCH; 28. Booster of a rock band; 29. Tackle box item; 32. “in the’, in Italy; 33. Nostalgia elicitor; 38. Alma mater of Albert Sabin and Jonas Salk: Abbr.; 43. RX specification; 44. Sinusitis studier’s specialty: Abbr.; 100 centimes, in Haiti; 47. Like the Chrysler Building; 62. Nightspots where the attraction is simply a gas, OXYGENBARS; 55. Makes a raucous noise; 58. Rolls roller; 59. National Historic Landmark in Manhattan, PLAZA HOTEL; 62. Apropos, FELICITOUS; 63. Pablo Neruda’s “ODES to Common Things”.

Lynx

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Down: 1. Parish leader; 2. Its ads once showed hammers inside the head; 3. One of a protective pair; 4. Org. addressing class conflict; 7. Score direction: Abbr.; 8. Scottish cereal staple; 9. Snarled; 10. “Saving Private Ryan” craft, for short; 12. Player in a shirt pocket; 13. Anticlimactic court outcomes; 14. Lemony meringue concoction, ANGELPIE; 21. Celtic Kevin with a retired jersey #32; 23. Bank offering, briefly; 25. Seventh-century year; 30. It can help you keep your balance; 33. Not many; 34. Keen of vision, LYNXEYED; 35. Like some airport shopping, DUTYFREE; 37. Novus ORDO seclorum (Great Seal phrase); 40. It goes on and on; 41. Drinking fountain, BUBBLER; 43. Willful state?; 49. Mint-family plant with bright-colored leaves and blue flowers; 52. Unlikely prom kings; 56. “SHIH Ching” (classic book of Chinese poetry); 59. U.S.M.C. #-2; 60. Ear: Prefix.

This puzzle puts the puzzle back in puzzle -- it's a perfect puzzler!

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Puzzle available on the internet at

THE NEW YORK TIMES -- Crossword Puzzles and Games

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11.16.07 -- Nitpickers Anonymous

Isoda KORYUSAI (fl. c 1764-1788) -- A rare chuban showing a female monkey grooming a youngster, a waterfall behind. Saru, "Ape" from a set of "Twelve Elegant Signs [ of the Zodiac ] ". Koryusai produced some of the most exquisite kacho of the eighteenth century. Published c 1780.

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Friday, November 16, 2007

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Puzzle by Chuck Deodene, edited by Will Shortz

Back-and-forth and nitpicking -- QANDA and QUIBBLES -- sound familiar?

That’s right -- your friendly local Comments section -- enjoy!

Across: 1. Back-and-forth, QANDA; 6. One at the helm, STEERSMAN; 15. ‘USEAS directed”; 16. Product identifier, TRADENAME; 17. Apple storage devices, IPODS; 18. It maintains a proper attitude, AUTOPILOT; 19. “Western Star” poet, BENET; 20. Mount TAI, sacred Chinese site; 21. Sunder, PART; 22. Source of support, BRA; 23. Fragrant, SCENTED; 27. Bbl. fraction, GAL; 28. LITE rock (radio format); 30. Bills are in it: Abbr., AFC; 31. Deal-killing words, NOSALE; 33. Bibliographical abbr., ETAL; 34. Venue of many Richard Petty wins, DAYTONA; 36. First-class handouts?, SYLLABI; 38. Herd-thinning menace, RUSTLER; 42. Semirural, say, EXURBAN; 44. Time magazine Person of the Year, 2005, BONO; 45. One working on a board, IRONER; 48. Party in Pretoria: Abbr., ANC; 49. Poses in a studio?, YOGA; 50. Photographer Goldin, NAN; 51. Town on the Long Island Rail Road, SYOSSET; 54. Sprout, KID; 55. Channel blocker, SILT; 57. Letters before a street name, AKA; 58. “I’ll give you AHINT …”; 60. Colloquial, IDIOMATIC; 63. Newswoman Poussaint, RENEE; 64. Logic’s counterpart, SENTIMENT; 65. Rich spreads, PATES; 66. Trunk accumulation, TREERINGS; 67. Common dog name, SPORT.

Down: 1. Nitpicking, QUIBBLES; 2. Harshness, ASPERITY; 3. Relating to babes, NEONATAL; 4. DADE City, seat of Pasco County, Fla.; 5. Right hands: Abbr., ASSTS; 6. 1945 film musical with the song “It Might As Well Be Spring”, STATEFAIR; 7. Cutting out?, TRUANCY; 8. Suffer a loss, slangily, EATIT; 9. Shogunate capital, EDO; 10. Mouthpiece, REP; 11. Scissor, SNIP; 12. Costa del Sol port, MALAGA; 13. Unprincipled, AMORAL; 14. Green stinger, NETTLE; 24. Crème Egg maker, CADBURY; 25. Proclaim, ENOUNCE; 26. Underbosses’ bosses, DONS; 29. 1990s sitcom, ELLEN; 32. Didn’t get involved, SATBY; 35. Does, as business, TRANSACTS; 37. Choppers, AXES; 39. Probe, LOOKINTO; 40. Bring about with some effort, ENGINEER; 41. Cavalier evaluation?, ROADTEST; 43. On the sundeck, BASKING; 45. Not yield, INSIST; 46. Corporate shark, RAIDER; 47. Seeing the sites, ONLINE; 52. Like muesli, OATEN; 53. Diamond protectors, TARPS; 56. Lug, TOTE; 59. Jalopy, HEAP; 61. It was deorbited in 2001, MIR; 62. “Bel-AMI” (Maupassant novel).

For today’s Comments go to:

Rex Parker (Michael Sharp) Does the NYT Crossword Puzzle

Diary of a Crossword Fiend (Amy "Orange" Renaldo)

Linda G at Madness--Crossword and Otherwise

dannmann's NYT crossword puzzle ramblings

See you there!

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Puzzle available on the internet at

THE NEW YORK TIMES -- Crossword Puzzles and Games

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11.15.07 -- HUH?

Drawing Hands, M.C. Escher

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Thursday, November 15, 2007

Click here for LARGE PRINT.

Puzzle by Joe Krozel, edited by Will Shortz

Seven palindromic entries are the main feature of this Thursday crossword --

MUSTSAVEVASTSUM (17A Palindromic thought about preparing to pay down massive debt); PAGEGAWKSATTASKWAGEGAP (combined entries -- 24A With 47-Across, palindromic Senate worker looks with amazement upon job payment inconsistency -- 47A See 24-Across); AERATEPIPETAREA (61A Palindromic plan for freshening part of a lab); KAYAK (28D Vessel in icy waters); ESSE (11D Latin 101 verb); EMME (27D One-named supermodel); and TET (46A Asian holiday).

Some ridiculous palindromic sentences have been constructed and some very good ones -- “Must save vast sum” and “Aerate pipe area” are fairly good, while “Page gawks at task wage gap” falls somewhere in the convoluted area of fabrication for fabrication’s sake.

For more of this nonsense, see HERE, then HERE, and maybe HERE

The four single-word palindromes are ones frequently seen in crossword puzzles, along with the likes of AHA, BIB, BOB, BOOB, CIVIC, DAD, DEED, DID, DUD, DVD, EKE, ERE, EVE, EWE, EYE, GAG, GIG, HAH, HUH, KOOK, LEVEL, MA’AM, MADAM, MOM, MUM, NOON, NUN, PAP, PCP, PEEP, PEP, PIP, POP, PUP, RACECAR, RADAR, REDDER, REFER, REPAPER, REVIVER, ROTATOR, ROTOR, SAGAS, SEES, SEXES, SHAHS, SIS, SOLOS, SOS, STATS, TAT, TENET, TIT, TNT, TOT, TOOT, TUT, WOW, and ZZZ.

The better-known palindrome sentences use fairly common words -- “Madam, in Eden I’m Adam,“ “Able was I ere I saw Elba,“ and “Was it a rat I saw?“ After those are exhausted, we’ll encounter the likes of “Mr. Owl ate my metal worm” or “Neil, a trap! Sid is part alien!“

For those and everything else possible it seems, go HERE

Even Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart gets into the act:

Lord help us if we get too many more of these, we’ll all look like post-war Studebakers!

1947 Studebaker -- many people joked that they could not tell whether this car was coming or going.

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Other stuff: GAMUT (26D Range) and FROMATOZ (52A Completely); ISTHATSO (37D “Really?“) lightly intersected with IGUESS (41A “Um … sure”); LOSEATURN (14A Unlucky board game square) and ABSENTEE (9D Like some ballots); STAREAT (5D Ogle) crossing the GAWK part of (24A); the backward/forward words SMART (50D Feel the pain) (“Trams“); Play to ADRAW (18D) (“Ward A”); NEO (21A Prefix with natal) sharing it’s O with “New O”, a backward OWEN (22D Wilson of “Wedding Crashers”), hope he’s feeling better; REPO (53D Defaulter’s concern) (“Oper.“); EDAM (32A Cheese in a ball) (“Made”); and PSI (62D Tire meas.) (ISP -- Internet Service Provider).

The rest across: 1. Eventful times; 5. Gin flavor; 9. Prince Valiant’s wife; 16. Intoxicate; 19. It might set off a light; 20. Extra winning opportunities; 23. Sea flier; 29. “Is that someone I should know?”; 33. Lemon TEA; 34. Annoy; 36. 1960s singer Terrell; 38. It has M.S.G. in it; 40. Group-mailing aid; 43. Hot tub reaction; 45. Line starter in “Hot Cross Buns”); 50. Seal; 51. Ukraine was one: Abbr.; 56. Michigan is part of it; 63. Boxes; 64. Meeting.

Down: 1. Landmark Newport mansion, with “the”; 2. Womanizer; 3. A.A.A. member?”: Abbr.; 4. Preceders of spikes in volleyball; 6. Cutesy letter closer; 7. Some bank deposits; 8. Is green?; 10. Not bother; 12. Talk up; 13. 20 places?; 15. “ASONG to Remember,” biopic on Frederic Chopin; 24. Minor, at law; 25. Bit of old wisdom; 29. Squeeze out; 31. Ready; 35. Soother; 39. Harsh cries; 42. Cook in a skillet, maybe; 44. Star no more; 48. Drop by; 49. Breakfast serving; 50. Feel the pain; 52. How a painkiller should act; 54. Algerian port; 55. Fan’s publication; 58. Small combo; 59. Fair-hiring org.; 60. Certain iPod -- plus the strangely bracketed clue for 57. [Oh… my … God!] -- it’s GASP…

Yesterday we were regaled with “Whoso diggeth APIT shall fall therein”: Proverbs -- today, 30. Whence the line “They have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind” -- HOSEA.

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For today's cartoon, go to The Crossword Puzzle Illustrated

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 subscription.

11.14.07 -- No

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Click here for LARGE PRINT.

Puzzle by Jim Page, edited by Will Shortz

JUSTSAYNO (36A Slogan popularized in the 1980s ... and a hint to 17-, 25-, 28-, 48-, 51- and 60-Across) along with HOLDSBARRED (17A A la a free-for-all), BRAINER (25A Really easy decision), GOODNIK (28A Bum), FLYZONE (48A Restricted airspace), HITGAME (51A Pitcher's coup), and GREATSHAKES (60A Mediocre), are the inter-related entries of today's Wednesday wonder.

Well, I hope everyone’s day turns out to be a little more cheerful than today’s EDITION (40D Bibliophile’s concern) of the crossword. Joining the parade of negativity is ESTOPS (5A Prevents, in legal speak); DAM (11A Dental device); BOOHOO (15a Blubber); KNOT (21A Granny, for one) (I know, I know); TIREOF (23A Become bored by); “Whoso diggeth APIT shall fall therein”: Proverbs (58A); EROSION (2D Wind and rain cause it); LODGED (4D Stuck) and EBB (5D Fall back); SOAK (Overcharge); TORN (7D Of two minds); YAH (39D Derisive word); and SMARMY (47D Excessively flattering). There’s even AMMO (55A BB’s and shells) and an ARMS race (68A). "No." -- the shortest sentence in the English language!

For the positive there is DÉTENTE (11D Warming, of sorts); To the NTH power (1A); POETRY (9D “The bill and coo of sex” per Elbert Hubbard); SAFE (42A Call at home); and somewhere in between -- TOTALLY (41D 100 percent). Hang in there!

Venus and Adonis -- Francois Lemoyne, 1729

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Plenty of people in the puzzle including NPR host NEAL Conan (1A) YVETTE (30A Mimieux of “Where the Boys Are”) (she comes to mind when the puzzle presents us with ELOI); ADONIS (46A Hunky sort); AMELIA (64A Suffragist Bloomer); TERI (65A Hatcher of film); LYRICS (67A Hal David output); OHROB (8D “The Dick Van Dyke Show” catchphrase); an ATHLETE (12D Wheaties box adorner); Singer Ella MAE Morse (13D); DIEGO (22D Muralist Rivera); ONETERM (44D Like Carter’s presidency); ZAPATA (50D 1952 Brando role); EMEER (52D Mideast V.I.P.); GAL (60A Hoedown partner); and SIS (62D Family nickname), with or without a MONIKER (43D Handle). Creatures include KITS (29D Little foxes) and YETIS (39A Fabled “snowmen”).

More across: 16. When to get to the airport to pick someone up: Abbr.; 19. It’s definite; 20. Western lily; 22. DEL Rio, Tex.; 31. “Newhart” setting; 32. World Series prize; 35. Double curves; 43. Unruly do; 53. Good horseshoe toss; 54. Eastern “path”; 59. Museum hanging; 63. Mag. Info; 66. Whatever amount.

More down: 3. Wing part; 10. Lawn base; 18. Shortly; 24. TGI Friday’s; 24. Holiday trees; “AVON calling!”; 27. Hi RES monitor; 33. Code-cracking org.; 34. Large fishing hook; 36. Self-professed ultrapatriotic; 37. Old Voice of America org.; 38. “Gimme a C …!,” e.g.; 45. PER diem; 49. Repeated word in “She Loves You! ”; 56 Saharan land; 57. Ear-related; 59. Things in tubes; 61. Airline to Oslo.

The Y’s have it today with YVETTE, YETIS, YELL, YEAH and YAH.

All in all, after all is said and done, a fun puzzle -- YES?!

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For today’s cartoon, go to The Crossword Puzzle Illustrated.

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 subscription.