05.25.08 -- In England -- The Acrostic

The Enchanted Garden, John William Waterhouse

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Sunday, May 23, 2008

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ACROSTIC, Puzzle by Emily Cox & Henry Rathvon, edited by Will Shortz

This Sunday acrostic’s humorously terse quotation is drawn from To Be in England: An American Literary Man's Personal View (1969) by Richard Altick -- although I cannot immediately find the full quotation, it lives by itself quite well. An acrostic for spring as lovely as an enchanted garden! The Quotation:

AS VULGARIZERS THE BRITISH ARE INCOMPETENT IF THEY INVENT CHEAP GEWGAWS FOR PEOPLE TO TAKE HOME AS MEMENTOS OF THEIR VISIT TO THE BARDS SHRINE THEY IMMEDIATELY SALVE THEIR CONSCIENCE BY PLANTING MORE FLOWER GARDENS.

The author’s name and title of the work: RICHARD ALTICK, TO BE IN ENGLAND

The defined words: REDROSE (A. Symbol worn on St. George’s Day [2 wds.]); IVORY (B. Scrimshaw material); CAINE (C. Olivier’s co-star in “Sleuth”); HIGHTEA (D. Early evening meal [2 wds.]); AZTEC (E. Member of an empire conquered by Cortés); REGRETS (F. Negative response from an invitee); DEVONSHIRE (G. Walter Raleigh’s constituency in Parliament); AFLAME (H. Blazing, keenly excited); LOOFAH (I. Dishcloth gourd, vegetable sponge); TESTIFY (J. Speak after swearing); IMPATIENS (K. Popular shade-loving annual); CATSEYE (L. Gem with a light-reflecting band [hyph.]); KVETCH (M. Moan and groan, bellyache); TOLERANT (N. Able to endure hardship, broad-minded); OVERWHELM (O. Shock and awe, swamp); BRISTOL (P. Port on the River Avon); EPHEMERIS (Q. Table used by astrologers and navigators); IBERT (R. Jacques ___, composer for Orson Welles’s “Macbeth” ); NESTING (S. Arranged like matryoshka dolls); EPITOME (T. Quintessence, archetype); NUMBAT (U. Striped marsupial with a taste for termites); GIFTSHOP (V. Place purveying souvenirs and such [2 wds.]); LENGTHWISE (W. From stem to stern); ARCANE (X. Not for the uninitiated); NYMPH (Y. Larva of an insect, graceful young woman); DISOWN (Z. Repudiate, renounce).

Oh, to be in England!

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05.24.08 -- Gray Matter

From Michelangelo’s The Creation of Adam, with an image of the human brain depicted behind that of God, from a brain surgeon‘s Website.

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Saturday, May 24, 2008

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Puzzle by Charles Barasch, edited by Will Shortz

Opening with two Shortzesque double-clued entries GUESSER (1A. One taking a shot) and GUNMAN (1D. One taking a shot); REND (7D. Split) and DASHED AWAY (8D. Split); along with a third set, VEERED (54A. Went [off]) and ERRED (56A. Went off), and a near fourth set, ASSTDA (17A. Second in court?: Abbr.); LATTER (30A. Second); this crossword is a poser, right down to the last entry of SEERESS (57A. Girl with a future?).

In between are the intriguing entries, MARRIED WITHKIDS (18A. Like a family man); ITSLOVE (35D. Song from Bernstein’s “Wonderful Town”); QUALITYTIME (38A. What most couples try to have together); RISK (9D. Gamble); FATWALLET (15D. It’s stuffed with dough); and LEADADOUBLELIFE (46A. Be like Clark Kent) and SADDENED (11D. Brought down).

NEWSPAPER AD (23A. Pitch between columns), another oddly clued entry; HAMSALAD (55A. Deli sandwich material); OSTINATO (10D. Repeated musical phrase); and PIRSQUARED (25D. Area of interest to Archimedes) headline this ADO (39D. Tzimmes) of DROSS (8A Worthless stuff) perhaps provoking the self-doubting solver to exclaim ICANSO (35A. "Just watch me!).

Other long entries include UNSHADED (13A. Exposed); NICOTINE (16A. What some patches provide); SCHAEFER (32D. Beer brand since 1842); TAXPAYER (33D. One with a duty); CLOSEDIN (53A. Got ready to pounce); SLASHER (12D. Horror movie character) and ASTOUNDED (26D. In a daze), an apt entry.

Six-letter entries include FAISAL (15A. Mideast royal name); STARTS (32A. Cy Young had a record 815); ELWOOD (34A. One of the Blues Brothers); OFYORE (52A. Long gone); UNIATE (2D. Certain Christian); ESCROW (3D. Funds may be in it); DEWIER (14D. More innocent); SLOUCH (36D. Not be upright); INIDLE (40D. Not going anywhere?); MAFIAS (41D. They have family units); EMENDS (42D. Polishes); and a mere two five-letter entries, WISER (29A. More likely to be fresh) and SPEAR (36A. Sticker).

Four-letter entries, BLAS, DORE, EDIE, ESSE, IOWE, LEAR, LOME, SATI, SHOR, SWAN, TORT, UNDO. Three-letter, ANE, ATO, EPI, IOR, NAM, NEH, SAP, THX.

If I’ve omitted anything, it doesn’t matter -- it’s just gray matter!

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Across: 20. First volume heading starter; 21. “To you, Antonio, ___ the most”: Shak.; 22. Old Testament book: Abbr.; 28. Ending for some gases; 37. Counterpart of “pls”; 43. Slow runner in the woods; 44. Erase; 45. ‘60s theater. Down: 4. Restaurant business bigwig; 5. Coll. Entrance hurdle; 6. Real estate agent on “Desperate Housewives”; 19. Super finish?; 24. Kind of song; 31. Makings of a suit; 34. Prefix with calyx or thalamus; 47. Illustrator of “Paradise Lost” and “The Divine Comedy”; 48. Gulf of San ___ (Caribbean Sea inlet); 49. West African capital; 50. Ovidian infinitive; 51. “There was an old man…” poet.

05.23.08 -- Whatville

Friday, May 23, 2008

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Puzzle by Patrick John Duggan, edited by Will Shortz

WHOVILLE (7A. Dr. Seuss story setting), along with AUREVOIR (16A. Parting words); ISITSAFE (18A. Memorable “Marathon Man” query) start the merry-go-round of long entries in this Friday Memorial-Day-weekend puzzle. Starting from there (upper right) and continuing clockwise to lower right are THEALAMO (36D. Historic mission); SOPRANOS (38D. Crime family); UPSSTORE (38D. Popular boxing venue); to lower left with LEANONME (54A. 1989 film set in an inner-city high school); DUTYFREE (58A. Like some airport purchases); SPECTERS (60A. Spirits); and upper left, SSMINNOW (1D. It was shipwrecked in 1964 somewhere in the South Pacific); CORLEONE (2D. Crime family name); and ATTESTED (3D. Bore witness [to]).

What else?...

Across: 1. Blister; 15. “Anyway, after that…”; 17. Fop in “The Wind in the Willows”; 19. Reunion, for one; 20. One of a French literary trio; 22. National Do Not Call Registry org.; 23. 1987 Costner role; 25. Like a wet blanket; 26. Cross; 27. Untagged; 29. Bush league?; 30. Reddish-brown gems; 31. “If you shoot at mimes, should you use a silencer?,” e.g.; 33. Plane part; 34. Celebratory cry; 35. Literally, “art of softness”; 39. Animation bit; 40. Popular teen hangout, once; 41. Drives away; 44. Item on a vine; 45. Doesn’t spoil; 46. Fifth state to ratify the Constitution: Abbr.; 47. Study aid?; 49. Where you can find hammers and anvils; 50. Beginning and end of 20-Across’s motto; 51. Philosopher who coined the phrase “the best of all possible worlds”; 53. Muscle strengthened by a pulldown exercise, in brief; 56. Cheese type; 59. Charm; 61. Boot.

Down: 4. Le Duc THO (Nobel Peace Prize refuser); 5. Bucket of bolts; 6. ENDON a high note; 7. Have in prospect; 8. “Quiet!”; 9. Constellation with the star Betelgeuse; 10. Kerry and McCain, e.g.; 11. “Grey’s Anatomy” hookups; 12. Good-for-nothing’; 13. Stolen; 14. Builds up; 21. Doctor often seen on writers’ bookshelves; 24. Element used to make semiconductors; 26. Potential buyer’s question; 28. Destroyers of many castles; 30. Three-time Emmy-winning game show host; 32. Zero; 33. Mac; 35. Title girl in a 1958 hit by the Playmates; 40. Military construction crew; 41. Burns; 42. Lie low; 43. Like post midnight TV shows; 44. Furniture cover; 47. Art class; 48. Played out; 51. Converted housing; 52. Man-to-man alternative; 55. U.N.’s home; 57. Word with weather or world.

With both CORLEONE and the SOPRANOS in the same puzzle, it's AUREVOIR, and off to Whatville!

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05.22.08 -- OMEN

Smoke Rings, Dzeni, Auckland, New Zealand

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Thursday, May 22, 2008

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Puzzle by Richard Silvestri, edited by Will Shortz

The letter O -- two or three apiece for six proper names, referred to by OMEN (38D. Sign … or a description of the answers to the six starred clues?) -- constitute the inter-related entries of this Thursday thrasher: BJORNBORG (17A *Five-time Wimbledon winner); ROBMORROW (24A. *”Numb3rs” star); JOHNBROWN (51A. *Harpers Ferry raider); TOMPOSTON (64A. *”Newhart” actor); TOOTSSHOR (3D. *Famed restaurateur); DONKNOTTS (36D. *Co-star of “The Andy Griffith Show”).

O-MEN with additional non-O vowels include HARPO (7D. Silent film star); RATSO (45D. Role for Dustin Hoffman); ERNO (37D. Rubik of cube fame); MOE (47A. Howard in shorts); a TORY (43A. Winston Churchill, e.g.); 27D. : Paris :: Gardemoen : OSLO, qualifying as the Norse homonym meaning 'god' or 'divinity'; and WHOME (55D. Exclamation of feigned innocence) are lurking in the smoky shadows -- not NAMED (56D. Yclept) or set apart with an asterisk.

Where's WALDO?

Across: 1. Lively group?; 5. Volkswagen route; 9. Party to a Highland fling?; 13. Spoils; 14. “Dies IRAE”; 15. Founded: Abbr.; 19. Carnival booth; 20. “Socrate” composer; 21. Copy; 22. Start court proceedings?; 23. Reggae relative; 26. Stumpers; 29. Card game whose name is called out during play; 30. Fire proof?; 31. “Son of” story; 35. Prefix with -logue or -gram; 39. Block; 41. “The Last Supper,” e.g.; 42. College quarters; 44. Be deceitful; 46. Phoenix-to-Flagstaff dir.; 49. Append; 57. 252-gallon unit; 58. Stretches; 59. Cry while pointing a finger; 60. Part of a portfolio; 63. Parsonage; 66. Skirt features; 67. Part of E.M.T.: Abbr.; 68. Classic spy plane; 69. Catfish Row denizen; 70. Fix up; 71. Cheater’s sound during a test.

Down: 1. Priests’ garb; 2. Red, as a Spanish wine; 4. Perfect pitch; 5. Overalls part; 6. Bellowing; 8. Region of Israel: Var.; 9. Textbook division; 10. Vesta, Pallas or Hygiea; 11. “The STARR Report” (1998 reading); 12. Cannon salute; 16. Gusted; 18. Converges on; 25. Haircut that’s short on the top and sides and long in back; 26. War ender; 28. “SEMPER paratus” (motto of the U.S. Coast Guard); 32. In the capacity of; 33. WWW address; 34. Take sides?; 40. Athletes on horses; 48. Preoccupy; 50. Misbehaves; 51. Sweet spreads; 52. Toothbrush brand; 54. One of an old drive-in double feature, maybe; 61. Female whales; 62. Speed unit; 65. Practiced.

For a few more "O" men, go HERE, or HERE, or HERE!

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05.21.08 -- Make-up

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

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Puzzle by Dave Mackey, edited by Will Shortz

Make-up in the form of the inter-related entries of ROUGEETNOIR (17A. Solitaire card game); SHADOWBOXERS (24A. Pugs in gyms, at times); SOLIDFOUNDATION (37A. Good thing to build on); ATFIRSTBLUSH (50A. Initially) and LUXURYLINER (59A. Cunard fleet member), put on a good face on this smooth Wednesday crossword puzzle.

SHOWERGIFT (11D. Item from a registry, perhaps) and RELIEFMAPS (30D. They show altitude) ache to join the group -- indeed a little shower would provide relief from all that make-up. BRUSH (52D Toiletry kit item) and BRISTLE (48A. 52-Down part), could also join in, along with TRAIT (51D. Red hair or freckles), LIP (64A. Collagen target) and to top it off, WIG (4D. Go nuts, with “out”). What a FUSS (28D. Something to kick up); what an ADO (8D. Stir)!

FURIOSO (28A. Forcefully, in music) and LENTO (7D. Slowly, on a score) join a BLUR (48D. Astigmatic’s view) of long entries including NITWIT (1A. Birdbrain), CARHOP (10D. “American Graffiti” extra); ARMLET (47D. Decorative band); THETAS (6D. Certain sorority members); RUNYON (49D. “Guys and Dolls” is based on his writing); ENRICH (14A. Add value to); OAKTAG (66A. Poster stock); and NTESTS (69A. Big blasts, for short).

The five-letter group includes AIDER, AMBLE, DEEDS, ETATS, HAWED, MRMOM, ROPER, SOFTG, USEME. Four-letter, ANTS, ASIS, BEAT, BOND, EATS, EDDA, FATS, HOTL, INGE, INON, LAIC, NERO, OAST, ORGS, SIMI, TECH, TOSH, TRUE, USOC, WREN. Three-letter, AAH, ABO, AXE, BAA, ETS, GHI, HEN, HIE, HUH, ICE, IDI, IKE, LAT, ODE, ONE, RUN, SAD, SCI, TIO, TOT, UAE, and XTC.

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Across: 1. Of the flock, 1. Inferior, as excuses go; 15. Norse epic; 16. Step on it; 19. Sapphic work; 20. Wee hour; 21. Pre-K enrollee; 22. Spoke hesitatingly; 31. Busy cowpoke; 32. 1972 Bill Withers hit; 33. Brooder; 34. 4, on a phone; 42. Poli ___; 43. Response to a backrub; 44. Gentle opening?; 45. Quebec’s southern neighbors; 53. 1983 Keaton comedy; 54. Bank worry; 55. Blood-typing system; 58. Word repeated in the “Whiffenpoof Song” refrain; 65. Greasy spoon sign; 67. Saucer contents, in brief?; 68. Kind of support. Down: 1. “Quo Vadis” role; 2. Knowing, as something private; 3. Set straight; 5. It’s never in a neat order; 8. “Rise and Fall of ___ Amin” (1981 film); 12. Good Samaritan; 13. Knight’s list; 18. List-starting words; 23. Send packing; 24. ___ Valley, Calif.; 25. Worked a garden; 26. House ___; 27. Source of interest; 28. Something to kick up; 29. Summer Games org.; 33. “Come again?”; 35. Off-Broadway’s “___ Baltimore”; 36. “A Loss of Roses” playwright; 38. Dietary needs; 39. Drying kiln; 40. Tag sale proviso; 41. Peter of reggae; 46. Padre’s hermano; 50. Mosey along; 56. Ready for the sack; 57. A.A. and A.A.A., for two; 60. Mideast federation: Abbr.; 61. Band with the 1987 single “Dear God”; 62. Part of a G.P.S. reading: Abbr.; 63. Liked leader?

05.20.08 -- Menagerie

Jackalope

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Tuesday, May 20, 2008

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Puzzle by Billie Truitt, edited by Will Shortz

A very active menagerie occupies this Tuesday crossword -- STYLINGMOOSE (20A. Antlered salon employee?), MISSINGLYNX (31A. Lost bobcat?), SPANKINGGNU (45A. Wildebeest who doesn’t spare the rod?) and CRASHINGBOAR (52A. Unwelcome porcine party attendee?), inter-related entries of paronomasia, along with stand-alones ROE (66A. European deer), MYNAHS (25D. Chatty avians), STUNG (32D. Attacked by a jellyfish), OCEAN(57A. Crawfish’s home) and OINK (22D. Barnyard sound).

Humans include a HOBO (14A. Boxcar hopper), RIDER (19A. Fare payer), NIA (24A. Actress Vardalos), MOE (25A. Curly poker), a SALESMAN (40A. One with a pitch), SRS (47A. Future alums: Abbr.), ROSA(64A. Parks of Montgomery), PHDS (1D. Profs’ degs.), BLONDIE (5D. Mrs. Bumstead), a WEELAD (30D. Li’l fellow) and EXPATS (27D. Nationals living abroad, informally).

Unmammalian entries of mammalian activities, et cetera, include TAKEANAP (36A. Grab some Z’s), UNEASE (34A. Heebie-jeebies), IRED (37A. Teed off), ENRAPT (29D. Wholly absorbed), ONENESS (43D. Unity), BLAB (5A. Spill the beans), TALE (60A. Tall story), LATE (15A. After the buzzer), SEW (28A. Make darts, say), IDLE (61A. Like some chatter), BEATS (65A. Cops’ rounds), PLOW (1A. Break ground in a way), CEASE (9A. Come to an end), OBEY (3D. Toe the line), “Up and ATEM!” (7D.), ADD (11D. Throw in), SEE (12D. Comprehend), ERR (13D. Slip up), BANNISTER (38D. Something to slide on), and ODOR (54D. What wavy lines signify in the comics).

Remainders of length include BEGONIAS (8D. Showy blooms), CORSAGE (9D. Prom accessory), OLDHAT (43A. Passé), ONAPAR (26D. Even [with]), LARGOS (6D. Slow movements in music), SKIRUNS (41D. Vail trails), SUISSE (28D. Genève’s land), GRILLE (46D. It’s between the headlights), WORLD (4D. Word before class or war), ORDER (16A. “The usual,” e.g.), followed by the short stuff -- ACE, ADEN, ALSO, BOB, BUS, COAT, DOER, DROP, ELLS, ERIE, ETD, HALO, IAMS, ICI, LAND, LOOT, LUNG, MICA, NAPA, OREG, REAP, RENT, and YEA.

Oh, and TBIRD.

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Across: 18. Salem’s state: Abbr.; 23. Woodworker’s groove; 38. Train alternative; 39. Vintner’s valley; 48. Approx. takeoff hr.; 49. Here, in Haiti; 50. Broadway musical with the song ‘Will I?!; 67. Tiny amount. Down: 2. Rioter’s take; 10. Toledo’s lake; 21. Big name in pet foods; 33. Come to earth; 35. Yemeni port; 42. Easily split mineral; 44. Pulmonary organ; 51. Rival of a “Vette; 52. Fur; 53. Saintly sign; 55. As well; 56. Gather in; 57. Short do; 58. 1 or 11, in twenty-one; 59. Roll call vote.

05.19.08 -- Nothing

Monday, May 19, 2008

Puzzle by Mike Nothnagel, edited by Will Shortz

"Nothing" is featured today -- VACANTAPARTMENT (16A. Place not generating rent), EMPTYPROMISES (24A. Guarantees that mean nothing), HOLLOW VICTORY (42A. Win that brings little actual gain) and BLANKCARTRIDGES (57A. Contents of guns used in training exercises) are the inter-related entries in this Monday back-to-work crossword puzzle.

Way to start the week, a clean slate with a SYNONYM (5D. Roget's listing) quartet -- vacant, empty, hollow, blank.

Look out though, there’s a dangerous VORTEX (44D. Whirlpool or tornado) of TOPSY-turvy (18D.) doings in this one -- AMPUP (41A. Increase) the PHASER (6D. “Star Trek” weapon), REAIM (30A. Point again, as a gun) for the commute -- there’s HERDS (64A. Groups of buffalo) and a FLOCK (40D. Group watched by Little Bo Peep) all GIDDY (36A. Euphoric) and MAD (28D. Off one’s rocker) and Stubborn as AMULE (15A.) from a weekend of SWAG (8D. Booty) and a SIDECAR (49A. Brandy cocktail) or a few! PSST (6A. “Hey…over here!”) if you’re INKNOTS (19A. Feeling tied up, as a stomach) -- it won’t be ASBAD (46D. Equally awful) as DYS (62A. Bad: Prefix) or dat, but don’t Slip ACOG (blunder) (50A.) -- just heed those OMENS (43D. Black cats and broken mirrors, by tradition) and GOAS (38A. Pretend to be, as at a Halloween party) you are -- AONE (15A. Absolutely the best)!

People in the puzzle include JOEPISCOPO (10D. Portrayer of Frank Sinatra on “Saturday Night Live”), PATCHADAMS (26D. 1998 Robin Williams title role), JIM (10A. PBS newsman Lehrer), “The Cat and the Curmudgeon” author Cleveland AMORY (13A.), HOWE (14A. Inventor Elias), EDIE (53D. Actress McClurg), a GROUPIE (20A. Rock band follower); man’s best friend represented by FIDO (40A. Pal for Spot or Rover) and RIN Tin Tin (58D); a GIANT (61A. New York footballer); Eli LILLY and Company (47D.), the guy from ISPY (34D. 1960s Bill Cosby TV series); GIL (36D. Baseball great Hodges), and an OKIE (60A. Dust Bowl migrant) sitting atop GENX (63A. Baby boomers’ kids, informally).

TOMBS (1A. The pyramids, for pharaohs) opens this crossword containing the remains of sensibly clued acrosses 21. “The first NOEL, the angel did say…”; 23. Worked at, as a trade; 31. Crimped, as hair; 32. Hit CBS drama with two spinoffs; 35. Formal entrance; 39. Without a prescription: Abbr.; 46. Avis competitor; 48. Post-it, e.g.; 52. Warms up again; and 59. Offerings to the poor -- ALMS.

That brave little mongoose Rikki-Tikki-TAVI (1D.) heads the downs which include 2. Neighbor of Yemen; 3. Make fun of; 4. Kellogg’s Raisin BRAN; 7. Soak (up); 9. Ariz., e.g., before 1912; 11. Concave belly button; 12. Rationed (out); 17. Feature of many a sports car; 24. Therefore; 25. Vegetarians avoid it (actually they eschew it!); 27. Common Father’s Day gift; 29. Climbing vine; 33. Suffix with dino-; 37. Words before “You may kiss the bride”; 38. London hrs.; 41. A pair of deuces beats it; 45. Anatomical passage; 51. Clean up leaves, e.g.; 54. Food thickener; 55. Care for, with “to”; and -- what would a Monday puzzle be without it -- SSTS (56D. Fleet that was permanently retired in 2003).

That’s the LOWDOWN (22D. Scuttlebutt) on this one -- a great little nothing!

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05.18.08 -- Wizard

Sunday, May 18, 2008

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Puzzle by Brendan Emmett Quigley, edited by Will Shortz

With this puzzle's title PINBALL WIZARD as a clue, the inter-related entries of this Sunday crossword are TILTATWINDMILLS (22A. Fight imaginary foes); FLIPPERANDERSON (115A. Former L.A. Ram who holds the N.F.L. record for most receiving yards in a game [336]); BONUSQUESTION (5D. Test extras); ROLLOVERBEETHOVEN (15D. Opening track of “The Beatles’ Second Album”); SPECIALRELATIVITY (30D. Einstein subject); RAMPUPSALES (33D. Push for more business orders); BUMPERCROPS (46D. Good farming results); DRAINBOARDS (39D. Sloping surfaces next to sinks); and JACKPOTJUSTICE (53D. Awarding of huge settlements to plaintiffs, in modern lingo). This is a colorful puzzle conjured up by a real wizard!

Where I dropped the ball:

ADRIEN, I spelled ADRIAN; ANASAZI, I‘m just not up on my ancient pueblo dwellers; AZAN, so now I know; CAVER, an explorer of sorts -- of caves, I knew spelunker; DONHO, I kept insisting on Dan Ho, never saw him in anything, you see; INI, I wanted ONI; LACIE, who knows Alice’s sister’s names, and why?; NUL, I wanted CUL; SALAZAR, I’ve never paid any attention to marathons of any kind; SALTEN, now I know who wrote “Bambi“; SBARRO, there’s one of these Italian chain restaurants in Times Square, never went there, and couldn’t recall it, and why should I?; SIAN, never saw “I, Claudius”, but I did see “Rome”; ZOWIE, I had WOWIE!

My flippers worked perfectly well on such other useless trivia as ABRAM, ANION, ANTBEAR, ARIEL, ASTA, BNAI, CREST, DIAN, DIPSY, EELPOT, EMILY, INRI, IRONON, JARRE, JIVES, NANCE, NOMAD, OLIO, PCLAB, QUA, RUSSO, SFO, TENOR, TROVE, VICEROY, VOLTA.

Extra points, bonus and jackpot, et cetera for the long stuff -- ARRAYED, ASTOOP, CHECKSINTO, DESCEND, DESERTS, ENCLASP, ERNIEFORD, GOAROUND, INSISTENCE, INUNISON, PRICELIST, and REDROSE.

Oh, and I did the multiplication of VII octupled to LVI with the Arabic 7 x 8 -- is that cheating? Or should I know how to multiply using the Roman numerals -- who makes the rules here!

Tilt!

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THE NEW YORK TIMES -- Crossword Puzzles and Games

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Across: 1. Site of campus workstations; 6. Ancient pueblo dwellers; 13. Norm of “This Old House”; 18. Muse with a wreath of myrtle and roses; 19. Together; 20. Tell things?; 21. Bill formerly of the Rolling Stones; 22. Richard ___, 2002 Pulitzer winner for Fiction; 20. ___ B’rith; 27. Sylph in Pope’s “The Rape of the Lock”; 28. Pressure, of a sort; 32. “Sixteen Tons” singer, 1955; 38. Do better than; 37. In the capacity of; 38. X-ray units; 41. Nails; 42. Notch shape; 43. “Would you like to see ___?”; 45. Italian restaurant chain; 47. Game pieces; 48. Some badge holders; 49. “Alice in Wonderland” sister; 50. It’s a laugh; 51. Each; 53. “Lawrence of Arabia” composer Maurice; 54. ___-doodle; 56. Start of the names of some health care plans; 58. Daily grind; 60. Place for a vine; 61. Bent over; 63. How headings are often typed; 65. Surfing spot; 66. Immigrant’s class: Abbr.; 68. “Survivor” setting, often; 69. Blood-typing letters; 70. Fire; 72. Some M.I.T. grads: Abbr.; 73. Buster?; 75. Certain T-shirt design; 77. Sure application spot; 79. Drug-free; 80. National Chili Mo.; 81. Blue shade; 83. “Pearly Shells” singer; 85. Refrain syllables; 86. Loud laugh; 88. Take to Vegas, maybe; 90. Valuable find; 92. Mideast call to prayer; 93. Airport with a BART terminal; 95. Steer; 97. Kids; 98. Kind of score; 99. “Deadwood” figure; 100. Untouched; 101. Meaningless amount; 103. Quick stumbles; 104. Dealer’s handout; 107. Starts, as rehab; 110. Upper ___; 111. Shade PROVIDER; 114. Outplays; 119. Response to “Any volunteers?”; 123. Pretends; 124. “Back door’s open!”; 125. Explorer of sorts; 126. To date; 127. In order; 128. Post with a column. Down: 1. Missal location; 2. “Geronimo!,” e.g.; 3. Escape; 4. Defender company; 6. Electrolysis particle; 7. Match ___ (tie game, in France); 8. Aardvark; 9. ___ Phillips, who played Livia in “I, Claudius”; 10. Old film pooch; 11. “Fan-tastic!”; 12. Suffix in some pasta names; 13. Hosts; 14. To the point; 16. Cobbler’s tool; 17. Eds. Read them; 19. “No problem!”; 20. Oscar-winning Brody; 23. Jack of “Eraserhead”; 25. Good nickname for a cook?; 28. Galley marking; 29. Peripatetic sort; 31. Short-billed rail; 34. House of Lancaster symbol; 35. Jilts; 40. Pacifier; 44. Cheese ___; 48. Klinger portrayer on “M*A*S*H”; 52. ___ pro nobis; 55. Some greetings; 57. Zoologist Fossey; 59. Early anti-Communist; 62. Mix; 64. The Nutmeg State: Abbr.; 66. Hug; 67. Marathoner Alberto; 71. Control: Abbr.; 74. Actor James; 76. Indian tribe encountered by Lewis and Clark; 78. Sign of the cross; 82. “Were that so!”; 84. Plain as day; 87. Excellent debit rating; 89. Rappel down; 91. Edsel driver’s gas choice; 93. “Bambi” author; 94. Monastery figure; 96. Sovereign’s representative; 99. It’s a trap; 102. Approves; 105. Thicket; 106. Faust, e.g.; 108. Old Treasury offering; 109. National of ___; 112. Month in which Moses is said to have been born and died; 113. Aloe ___; 115. Fourth-most populous state, just after N..Y.; 116. French article; 117. Turkish title; 118. Press (for); 120. VII octupled; 121. Many a toothpaste; 122. Suffix with direct.