04.23.10 — You Rang?

The bells of the St. Mary's Church, Lübeck, Germany, which fell down in 1942 during the Allied raid and the ensuing blaze, lie where they fell to this day, where they remain as a memorial.

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Friday, April 23, 2010

Puzzle by Brad Wilber, edited by Will Shortz

Across — 1. Hearty cuts, T-BONES; 7. Response of mock subservience, YOU RANG; 14. Lid, CHAPEAU; 15. The “thee” in “Get thee to a nunnery”, OPHELIA; 16. Address location, LECTERN; 17. Bad setting, GERMANY; 18. 1040 subjs., IRAS; 19. Room in Cue, STUDY; 21. Antibiotic, e.g., briefly, MED; 22. Prefix with relation, COR; 23. Finds unbearable, ABHORS; 25. “Meet Me at the COPA”; 26. Govt. org. associated with auctions, HUD; 27. Fencing action, FEINT; 28. Culmination’s opposite, NADIR; 29. Blanche Dubois’s “I have always depended on the kindness of strangers,” e.g., EXIT LINE; 31. Founder of experimental physiology, GALEN; 32. Bad marks gotten in high school?, ACNE; 33. Lizard Fuel beverage maker, SOBE; 34. Top banana, MR BIG; 36. Giant in fashion, HUGO BOSS; 40. Cardio option, TAE BO; 41. Palate stimulus, SAPOR; 42. HVAC measure, BTU; 43. Not settled, IFFY; 44. Defense attorney’s claim, DURESS; 45. Syllables sung by Figaro, LAS; 46. “Non PIU andrai” (Figaro aria); 47. 36-Down, notably, LOSER; 48. Tubes in an oven, ZITI; 49. 1886 Alcott sequel, JO’S BOYS; 51. Favorite card game of Winston Churchill, BEZIQUE; 54. In the main, AS A RULE; 55. Musical with the song “Everyone’s a Little Bit Racist”, AVENUE Q; 56. Spinner with numbers, ROLODEX; 57. Boston an Charleston, DANCES.

Down —  1. “The Great Railway Bazaar” travel writer, THEROUX; 2. Owner of Martini & Rossi, Dewar’s and Grey Goose, BACARDI; 3. Gets off the fence, OPTS; 4. It separates two names, NEE; 5. Attention, EAR; 6. Gloom’s opposite, SUNSHINE; 7. Kind of smoothie, YOGURT; 8. Pundit pieces, OP EDS; 9. Pulitzer winner for “Driving Miss Daisy”, UHRY; 10. Nocturnal cycle occurrence, REM; 11. Having gotten the scoop?, À LA MODE; 12. One standing in the back of an alley, NINE-PIN; 13. Sense of orientation, GAYDAR; 14. Chestnut, CLICHÉ; 20. Cosmetologist’s concern, TONE; 23. Org. with a handshake in its logo, AFL-CIO; 24. It’s alive, BEING; 25. Biblical scout, CALEB; 28. He played an attendant at Wally’s Filling Station in 1960s TV, NABORS; 30. Puss, TABBY; 31. “Our Lips Are Sealed” band, GOGOS; 33. 2007 hit comedy with a character who dubbed himself McLovin, SUPERBAD; 34. One who might be seen in the offing?, MAFIOSO; 35. Thumbs down, REFUSAL; 36. Famously overconfident competitor, HARE; 37. Indirect, OBLIQUE; 38. Bronzes, maybe, STATUES; 39. Final track on the Rolling Stones’ “12 X 5”, SUSIE Q; 40. Place for extra notes on a piano?, TIP JAR; 41. Area where the hoax Piltdown man was found, SUSSEX; 44. Creator of Professor Challenger, DOYLE; 47. Obstreperous, LOUD; 48. Calamine component, ZINC; 50. Dawg, BRO; 52. 2006 Bond girl EVA Green; 53. Road to enlightenment, for some, ZEN.

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04.22.10 — X Marks the Spot

"We're not renting. We're the owners, but there can be a cost to the rest of nature of our ownership.  There is an easy fix – the only fix is intelligence. Knowing that there is a problem is what will get us out of it. We're the only ones who can put our hands on the controls." -- Peter Ward, a University of Washington paleontologist

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Thursday, April 22, 2010 — Earth Day 

Puzzle by Caleb Madison, edited by Will Shortz

X MARKS (24A With 40-Across, key to the “map” of this puzzle), THE SPOT (40A. See 24-Across), JOHNNY ON X (18A. One who’s available when needed), PUT ON X (55A. Asked a hard question in public, say) and THAT HITS X (63A. “Mmm! So satisfying!”) are the interrelated group of this on-the-spot Thursday crossword.

Other — EPISODE (21A. Pilot, for one), I BEEN HAD (38D. Dupe’s shout), LADY GAGA (39D. Singer born Stefani Germanotta), LOOK AT ME (37D. Cry for attention), PENDANTS (12D. Jewelry often used in hypnosis), SEX DRIVE (13D. Libido), SHOELACE (11D. It may be on the tip of the tongue), STREAMS (58A. Flows).

All things shall perish from under the sky,
Music alone shall live
Music alone shall live
Music alone shall live, never to die.
(German folk song)

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Six-letter — ALARMS (2D. Warnings), ATONES (45A. Pays for), DELUXE (1D. Choice), KEYS IN (53A. Enters, as data), I'll skip MACRAE (34A. Gordon of “Oklahoma!“), and go for MOZART (50D. “La Clemenza di Tito” composer), ON EDGE and ON TIME (51D. Antsy, 48D. Punctual), OVULAR (26A. Like a small egg), OXEYE (52D. Sunflower-like daisies), RONDOS (9D. Parts of sonatas), TABLAS (3D. Raga accompaniers).

Five — ABCTV, ANTES, AREAR, DATED, DEPOT, DIRGE (69A. Elegiac music), ELATE, LABOR, OBAMA, ONEPM, ORATE, PSYCH, RASTA (31D. Bob Marley, e.g.), READY, USRDA, YARDS.

Short stuff — AMMO and AMOS, ANG, ATA and ATE, AXES, DEREK, EDAM, EDD, EIN, ESAS, ESE, ESSE, ESTA, ETO, HAIR and HAJI, IMHO, ISH, LIL Wayne with the platinum album “Tha Block Is Hot“, MAGI, METE, MSS, NEV, OEDS, OMOO, RANI, REM, RHEE, RTES, SOT, TIM, TRY, TSPS, URB and URL, ZEE.

Forty years after the first Earth Day, the world is in greater peril than ever. While climate change is the greatest challenge of our time, it also presents the greatest opportunity – an opportunity to build a healthy, prosperous, clean energy economy now and for the future.  Earth Day 2010

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Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. Like saddle shoes and bell-bottom pants; 6. Beehive contents; 10. Cooking amts.; 14. Send; 15. It’s found in arms; 16. Syngman ___, first president of South Korea; 17. Israeli political party; 20. Need for a link; 23. Baseball Hall-of-Famer Roush; 28. “___ quam viden” (North Carolina’s motto); 29. Rushing goal; 33. Eastern royal; 36. “One Life to Live” airer; 42. Dir. From Springfield, Mass.; 43. 2009 Peace Nobelist; 47. Hefty refs.; 48. Be ciceronian; 49. Novel subtitled “A Narrative of Adventures in the South Seas”; 53. Enters, as data; 57. Director Lee; 62. End of a series; 65. Prep; 67. Star followers; 68. Dish (out); 69. Elegiac music; 70. Dutch export; 71. Those: Sp.; 72. Nickel and dime in gaming? DOWN: 4. W.W. II inits.; 5. Zoolander of “Zoolander”; 6. Certain trekker; 7. Book after Joel; 8. Chat room opener; 10. “Give it a shot!”; 19. Battle Born State: Abbr.; 22. Demoralize, with “out”; 25. Band with the 2008 album “Accelerate”; 27. City area, informally; 30. Backward; 32. Point along a line; 35. ___ loss; 36. Nibbled away; 41. Early aft. Hour; 44. In-Box stock: Abbr.; 46. Alky; 54. Suffix with hawk; 56. Std. on food labels; 59. Delivery drivers’ assignments: Abbr.; 60. “Como ___?”; 61. Graph lines; 64. Enchanter in “Monty Python and the Holy Grail”; 68. German “a”.

04.21.10 — Parking

Cars parked diagonally along parking meters, Omaha, Nebraska. Alternative title: cars and parking meters. Photograph by John Vachon while on assignment for the Farm Security Administration, November 1938 — Library of Congress

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Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Puzzle by Peter A. Collins, edited by Will Shortz

DIAGONAL PARKING (40A. Easy way of pulling in … and a hint to the six circled words), FORD, DODGE, FIAT, AUDI, LEXUS and SAAB, are the interrelated group of this Wednesday crossword.

Other — BLUE STAR (29A. Rigel or Spica), IRREGULAR (3D. Asymmetric), PASTAS and SALAD (51D. Olive Garden dishes; 52D. Garden dish), PEE DEE (4D. River with its source in the Appalachians), RON REAGAN (6D. Liberal pundit with a conservative father), SCOOPERS (49A. Items for urban dog-walkers), SANDALS (52A. Toga go-withs), SEALERS (27A. Driveway applications), SPACES OUT (35D. Visits la-la land), TIMESHARE (37D. Vacation plan).

Five-letter — ARULE, DOLLS (14A. Voodoo accessories), ENDUP, ENRON and EXXON, EZRAS, FLEER, GEESE, 60A. “I SHOT the Sheriff” (Eric Clapton hit), MOTTS, NERDS, ONAIR and ONTAP, PEELS, PLUGS, REVUE RILES, RINSE, SATYR, SEXED, SPIES, WEEDS, YETIS.

Short stuff — ALDO, ANAT, AOL, ARAM, ARE, ATF, ATOZ, BADE, DDE, DESI, DINO, DITS, DROP, EGIS and REGIS, FDA, FLIP, FLOW, FROM, GOAD, INOR, KOI, LEEK and LURK, LOGE and LORE, LOIN, LXVI, MOT (46A. Word for word?), NEAT, NES, OGRE, OLDE, OMAR, ORI, SERB, SES, SGTS, SIT, STE and STEN, TAMO, TOMB.

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Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. Resell quickly, as a house; 5. No longer insure; 9. Native to; 13. Passed-down stories; 16. Flintstones’ pet; 17. Scary figure; 18. Conclude; 19. Med. School subj.; 20. Garden intruders; 22. Denver’s ___ University; 24. Command to Rex; 25. Ones flying in formation; 32. Therese, for one: Abbr.; 33. Pioneer in instant messaging; 34. Protection: Var.; 36. Himalayan legends; 44. 2005 documentary subtitled “The Smartest Guys in the Room”; 45. Orderly; 47. U.S. Dept. of Justice raiders; 56. Pound and others; 57. “What ___ the chances?”; 58. Day spa facial procedures; 63 Watch from a hidden position; 65. Half of a giant 1999 merger; 67. ___-shanter; 68. International shoe company; 69. Skit collection; 70. Composer Khachaturian; 71. Lucy’s love; 72. Counterparts of dahs; 73. Belgrade native. DOWN: 1. Rap component, to a rapper; 2. Special seating area; 5. Onetime White House monogram; 7. Shoppe modifier; 8. Cord ends; 9. Rx overseer; 10. Dishwasher cycle; 11. Broadcasting; 12. Big name in applesauce; 15. Black and white Mad magazine figures; 21. Paris possessive; 23. Woodland reveler of myth; 26. British submachine gun; 28. Welsh national emblem; 29. Wished; 30. Pork cut; 31. Stirs up; 38. “___ out?” (question to a pet); 39. Some cops: Abbr.; 41. Prod; 42. Ready for one; 43. One-volume encyclopedia range; 48. Topps competitor; 50. “… ___ quit!”; 53. As ___ (usually); 54. Willy Wonka Candy Company brand; 55. Determined the gender of; 59. M years before the Battle of Hastings; 61. Epps or Sharif; 62. Mausoleum; 64. Decorative pond fish; 66. Super ___ (1980s-’90s game console).

04.20.10 — Remember the...

Charlemagne by Albrecht Dürer, ca. 1512

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Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Puzzle by Paul Gamache, edited by Will Shortz

…MAGNE, …MAIN, MEIN, MAINE and MANE constitute the interrelated group of this Tuesday crossword, homophones appearing within the entries of CHARLEMAGNE (17A King who was the son of Pepin the Short), PUBLIC DOMAIN (23A. Post-copyright status), CHICKEN CHOW MEIN (37A. La Choy product), AUGUSTA MAINE (49A. Easternmost U.S. capital) and BRAIDED MANE (60A. Fancy equine coif).

Other — PRIVATE EYE (11D. Philip Marlowe or Sam Spade), PEUGEOT (46A. French carmaker), ROSE RED (26A. Sister of Snow White) and SPICE GIRLS (28D. Scary, Baby, Ginger, Posh and Sporty).

Mid-size — 1. “What did Delaware?” “I don’t know, but ALASKA” (old joke), COARSE (64A. Not polished), GET MAD (48D. Lose patience and then some), KULTUR (5D. Civilization, to Freud), 18D. Crown MOLDING, SHEPARD (33D. First American in space), STARVE (45D. Excessively fast), STRIPE (4D. Indicator of rank), SYNODS (9D. Church councils), TART UP (14A. Decorate flamboyantly, in slang) UNADON (47D. Japanese eel and rice dish) and UNDEAD (67A. Like Dracula).

Five-letter — AGAIN and AGATE, ASAHI (7D. Sapporo competitor), ATPAR, CHAUD, DACHA (41A. Russian country house), MAGIC, MAIDS, ORECK and ORBIT (20A. Electron’s path), SMARM and SWANN, TOMEI, URGES.

Short stuff — AGAR and AGR, AMSO and ANSA, APE, ARAB, ATCO, AVID, BAT, BEDE, CIAO, DIMS, EATS, ECU, ESP and ESS, GMEN, GRID, IMA, KATS, KNOT, LAHR, MCM, OHIO (21A. River that ends at Cairo), ONEI, OSE and OSHA, OWOW, PARE, PTS, RECD and REED, ROW, SAYS, SVEN, SWAT, TEL, TENS, YAO.

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Remaining clues — ACROSS: 7. “I ___ bored!”; 11. Score components: Abbr.; 15 Simon ___; 16. Noisy fight; 19. “___ Rocker” (Springsteen song); 20. Electron’s path; 22. Cinematographer Nykvist; 29. Smack hard; 30. Intuition, maybe: Abbr.; 31. Darkens; 34. Big name in vacuums; 42. F.B.I. guys; 43. Ming of the N.B.A.; 44. Puts away plates; 53. Graph paper pattern; 54. Food thickener; 55. For face value; 59. Cabinet dept. overseeing farm interests; 62. No. on a calling card; 63. Zealous; 65. Pothook shape, 66. Till compartment. DOWN: 1. Classic record label for the Bee Gees and Cream; 2. Bert who played a cowardly lion; 3. Emirate dweller; 6. Distant cousin of humans; 8. ___ Johnson; 10. Sugar suffix; 12. Actress Marisa; 13. Ex-Steeler Lynn; 22. Unctuous flattery; 24. “Venerable” monk; 25. “Geez! That stings!”; 26. Shipping dept. stamp; 27. Dept. of Labor arm; 32. Year McKinley was elected to a second term; 35. “Gotta go!”; 39. Kit ___ (candy bars); 40. “Dedicated to the ___ Love”; 49. Ornamental quartz; 50. Earnestly recommends; 51. “To repeat …”; 52. Dust busters; 56. Peel; 57. Jug handle, in archaeology; 58. Stalk in a marsh; 60. Face the pitcher; 61. Old French coin.

04.19.10 — Placing the Name

Europe at Night, Planetary Visions Ltd., Kevin M. Tildsley 

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Monday, April 19, 2010

Puzzle by Randy Sowell, edited by Will Shortz

Places/names, e.g., HAROLD ROME, ELLEN GLASGOW, IRVING BERLIN and JACK LONDON are the interrelated group of this Monday crossword, fairly clued as 17A. Broadway lyricist/composer who wrote “I Can Get It for You Wholesale”, 33A. Virginia-born Pulitzer Prize novelist of 1942, 42A “God Bless America” composer, and 61A. “The Call of the Wild” author.

Other — EPILOGUE (46D. Ends of some novels); LAMAZE (22D. Childbirth training method); PROPANE (29A. Gas log fuel); SAPPORO and SONOMA (50A. Japanese site of the 1972 Winter Olympics); 22A. California wine county); 55A. “You said it, SISTER!“; TWERPS (32D. Dweebs); WOLFMAN (5D. One who changes form during full moon).

Mid-size — ACASE, ALIST, ARCED, ARMEE (8D. French military force), ATTEST, BASIL, BROIL, Piña COLADA, Sturm und DRANG, ELICIT, ERASES, EXTENT, FROZE, GUIDE, ICE TEA, INAROW, MACAW (1A. Noisy bird), OBAMA (53D. First president born in Hawaii), OPENIT, PLUTO (14A. Ninth planet no more), STEED (71A. Pegasus, e.g.), WOOZY (7D. Mentally unclear).

Short stuff — ALA and ALTO and ATO, Amo, amas, AMAT, AMER, ANN, CLOT, CUR, DIE and DYAN, ELOI, ECHO (38A. “Anybody home? … home? … home?), GLEE, GMAC, HIRE, JAN, LAG, MARX (16A. Any brother in “Animal Crackers“), MPH, NADA, NED, NOL and NOLA, NUT, ODE and ODIN, OKRA, ONA and ONOR, ORLY, REST, SAGS, SEE, SENT, SPED, STOA, TWAS, TYRO, VAT, WATT, YELL,YORE, ZEN.

Then there’s Eyjafjallajökull… if you plan to visit there or anywhere in Eurrope soon, check this out...

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Remaining clues — ACROSS: 6. “___ the night before …”; 10. Exhilaration; 15. Days of King Arthur’s Round Table, e.g.; 20. Opposite of melted; 21. Make ___ for (advocate); 26. Whoop; 28. Buddhist sect; 31. Certify (to); 36. Actress Cannon; 37. Three ___ match; 38. “Anybody home? … home? … home?; 47. Drink that might come with a mint leaf; 51. Lon ___ of Cambodia; 52. Greek portico; 56. Elite roster; 58. Cook, as steaks in an oven; 60. Indy 500, e.g.; 66. Chief Norse god; 67. The “A” in U.S.A.: Abbr.; 68. Seeing Eye dog, e.g.; 69. Light bulb unit; 70. Nothing in Juárez. DOWN: 1. Speedometer reading: Abbr.; 2. ___ carte; 3. Dog prone to biting; 4. From ___ Z; 6. Beginner; 9. Go out with; 10. Auto financing inits.; 12. Undoes pencil marks; 13. Scope; 21. Kind of sax; 22. Hurried; 23. Paris suburb; 24. Theme song of bandleader Vincent Lopez; 25. Gift-giver’s urging; 27. Fall behind; 30. “The Time Machine” people; 34. The Beach Boys’ “Barbara ___”; 35. Is low around the waist, as pants; 39. Blood circulation problem; 40. Put on the payroll; 41. ___ off (light switch options); 43. Remainder; 44. Industrial container; 45. Pesto seasoning; 47. Lined up; 49. Bring out; 54. Followed a curved path; 57. E-mail folder; 59. Gumbo pod; 61. First mo.; 62. Hickory ___; 63. What immortals never do; 64. Shelley’s “___ to the West Wind”; 65. ___ Flanders of “The Simpsons”.

04.18.10 — Pirouette — the Spiral Puzzle

Sunday, April 18, 2010

SPIRAL, Puzzle by Will Shortz

Will Shortz, the master of the spiral word puzzle has created a brilliant little gem for aficionados of this delightful genre. STELLA Kowalski, along with a BARONESS and the former New York Times crossword editor Will WENG start us out on our inward journey to the center of the puzzle where Samuel Becket’s “Waiting for GODOT” twists itself for the way out with a fragment of Shakespeare, e.g., TO DO GRACE, which I at first parsed as “to dog race”! Woof! Well, as we race to the exit, DOCTOR SEUSS gives us a bit of wacky wisdom, CATNIP beats out a catnap, and we finally flee home free with BALLETS. Getting there is half the fun!

INWARD: 1-6. “A Streetcar Named Desire” woman, STELLA; 7-14. Noblewoman, BARONESS; 15-18. Former New York Times crossword editor Will WENG; 19-25. Capital of ancient Assyria, NINEVEH; 26-31. Tugboat, for example, TOOTER; 32-36. Frequently, OFTEN; 37-42. Presented without bias (hyph.), NO-SPIN; 43-49. Touch-related, TACTILE; 50-56. Turns quickly (through), RIFFLES; 57-63. Good things to have when you have a cold, TISSUES; 64-67. Campus military program, for short, ROTC; 68-73. Texas city next to Midland, ODESSA; 74-84. Lagging, as an e-mail (hyph.), TIME-DELAY; 85-88. Dream: Fr., REVE; 89-95. Leader of the Indianapolis 500? (2 wds.), PACE CAR; 96-100. “Waiting for GODOT”.

OUTWARD: 100-91. Reflect credit upon, in the words of Shakespeare (3 wds.), TO DO GRACE; 91-83. Island country off the African coast (2 wds.), CAPE VERDE; 82-79. School since 1701, YALE; 78-70. After-dinner serving, DEMITASSE; 69-59. Who wrote “Today is gone. Today was fun. Tomorrow is another one.” (2 wds.), DOCTOR SEUSS; 58-53. What history repeats?, ITSELF; 52-46. Like campgrounds at night, typically, FIRELIT; 45-40. It may make Frisky frisky, CATNIP; 39-34. Browning specialty, SONNET; 33-25. Incisor, FORETOOTH; 24-14. Program hosted by Brian Williams or Katie Couric (2 wds.), EVENING NEWS; 13-8. Lady abroad, SENORA; 7-1. Stage performances, BALLETS.

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The Boston Marathon

“Boston Marathon” Puzzle by Fred Piscop, edited by Will Shortz

The 114th Boston Marathon will be held on Monday, April 19, 2010 which is Patriots' Day.

If you subscribe to The New York Times on-line Premium Crosswords, you are probably familiar with the monthly bonus puzzle. For April, the title of this timely crossword is “Boston Marathon” and features "Boston" in over thirty clues.

Across: 1. Boston POST Road (early mail route); 5. Sch. With a Boston campus, UMASS; 10. Boston Red Sox pitching star BABE Ruth; 18. High-speed Boston-to Washington D.C. train, ACELA; 20. 1980 Boston Marathon “winner” ROSIE Ruiz; 22. Boston TERRIER (breed of dog); 27. Boston subway system in a Kingston Trio song, MTA; 31. Boston airport, LOGAN; 39. Sitcom set in a Boston bar, CHEERS; 41. The AMES Building (Boston’s first skyscraper); 46. Actor James of “Boston Legal”, SPADER; 53. North END (location of Boston’s Little Italy); 58. Boston’s river, CHARLES; 62. Boston, Charleston or Madison, DANCE; 72. Boston National Leaguer of old, BRAVE; 74. Boston-born college benefactor Elihu YALE; 76. 2004 Boston conventioneers, for short, DEMS.

Down: 1. Boston Fish PIER (spot on the Boston Harborwalk); 4. Freedom TRAIL (path that leads to Boston historic sites); 13. Boston’s Liberty Tree was one, ELM; 30. Boston CREAM pie; 32. Suburb 21 miles WNW of Boston, ACTON; 35. “The Bostonians” star Christopher REEVE; 36. The GREEN Monster (left-field wall at Boston’s Fenway Park); 55. Boston newspaper, GLOBE; 57. Boston BAKED beans; 58. Robin Cook thriller set in Boston’s Memorial Hospital, COMA; 59. HAIL Mary pass (miracle play by Boston College’s Doug Flutie); 66. Back BAY (upscale Boston neighborhood); 68. Boston’s Commonwealth, e.g., Abbr., AVE; and for good measure, 69. Ted Kennedy, once, Abbr., SEN.

The Boston Marathon is the world’s oldest and most prestigious annual marathon and part of the World Marathon Majors. A maximum field size of 25,000 participants begin in the rural town of Hopkinton and run the legendary course through eight cities and towns before finishing in Boston’s Back Bay, a distance of 26 miles, 385 yards (42.195 Kilometers). Here’s the full course…

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04.18.10 — IT

Clara Bow, “The It Girl” 

In 1927, Clara Bow reached the heights of her popularity with the film “It“; the film was based on a story written by Elinor Glyn, and upon the film's release, Bow became known as "The It Girl". In Glyn's story, It, a character explains what "It" really is: "It...that strange magnetism which attracts both sexes... entirely unself-conscious... full of self-confidence... indifferent to the effect she is producing and uninfluenced by others." More commonly, "It" was taken to mean sex appeal. "'It', hell ... She had those", quipped Dorothy Parker.

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Sunday, April 18, 2010

WHATS-ITS, Puzzle by Randolph Ross, edited by Will Shortz

IT at the end of eight across and eight down entries clued in italics in newsprint and with an asterisk in the electronic version constitutes the interrelated group of this Sunday crossword that's just... well... full of IT!

Across — 1. Your tongue, BITE IT; 14. Uncle, SAY IT; 23. An idea, COME TO THINK OF IT; 25. The picture, GET IT; 111. Crow, EAT IT; 112. A message, TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT; 119. The light, SEE IT; 122. Face, LOSE IT.

Down — 8. The point, STICK TO IT; 32. A deck of cards, DEAL WITH IT; 35. The aisles, ROLLING IN IT; 40. Sore loser, DON’T BET ON IT; 43. A pillow, SLEEP ON IT; 46. An abacus, COUNT ON IT; 51. Lunch, BROWN-BAG IT; 80. Snuff, NOT UP TO IT.

Other — AT A SLANT (20A. Sloping), BARKCLOTH (45A. Retro upholstery material), ENEMIES (4D. Exes, sometimes), FLAT IRON (61A. Old-fashioned clothes presser), HEMOSTAT (73A. Surgeon’s tool), 64A. California’s NAPA Valley and 110D. California’s SIMI Valley, OIL and RANCH (48A. Dressing choice, 66D. Dressing choice), OPEN AREA (71A. Expanse), OVERPAID (117A. Didn’t get a good deal), STILETTO (59A. Tool for making eyelets) , WAIST-HIGH (97A. Like cornstalks after about six weeks).

Mid-size — ATTICS, CLOVES, EASILY, GOSSIP, ICE TEAS, IN PARK (Not going anywhere?), I WANNA, ROCKY VI, BENITO, LAHORE (Home of Shalimar Gardens), LAIRDS, LEAD OUT, LOSE IT, LOW BID, METERS, MODULOS (Math operations that yield remainders), MT OSSA, Olympic discus great Al OERTER, PARTER, ROTINI, SCYTHES, SKYLAB, SPACEK, ST ELMO, THRIVES, WROUGHT (Created).

Five-letter — ABNER, ADENO, ALETA, ANNAS, ASICS (Athletic shoe brand), ATILT, BOOTH, BRAGA, CLUER (Crossword creator, at times), CROWE, ELLIE, ENNUI, ERATO (Classical sister), FORES, HIKES, IN TEN, MAFIA, NOOSE, OMNIA, ONION, RANCH, SAGET and SETAT, STIES, USTED (You, in Yucatan).

Short stuff — ADEN, ADS, ALI, ALMS, ARE and ART, ATAD and ATEE, AVE, BIC, BOLT, BSA, BULK, CITI (Field opening?), CMII, DANK, DTS, EEL, ELI, ESL, ETD, GAT, HACK, HADA, HTS, INI and INIT, ITT (Big corp. in defense contracts), not the Cousin from The Addams Family, IWON, LAG, LOEW, LSD, MESS, MOES, NAME, NAPA, NAST, NIL and NIN, OIL, OOM, OREL (City SSW of Moscow), OSO, OTB, OTOE, OUSE, PALE and PELE, Former Chinese Communist military leader Lin PIAO, RAD, RIPS, SACS, Seven SEAS, SIMI, STE, TAMA, TAO and TAP, TENS (Second place?), TOM and TOT and TOTO, TRAC, Angkor WAT (Cambodian temple), YETI (Hirsute Himalayan).

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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.

Remaining clues — ACROSS: 7. Trip preparation; 10. Early 10th-century year; 18. “Lemme!”; 20. Sloping; 22. Gland: Prefix; 28. Identify; 27. 1986 Parody of a Sylvester Stallone film series; 28. First name among the Axis powers; 31. Direct to the exit; 34. It often follows you; 36. Summer coolers; 38. Dragon roll ingredient; 39. Spots; 42. Greek high spot; 44. Gambler’s hangout, for short; 49. Contract winner, often; 52. Leave in a hurry; 53. Opera ___ (complete works: Lat.); 54. TV “Miss”; 56. Story accompanier; 57. “A Beautiful Mind” star; 63. Org. with an oath; 67. Old buffalo hunter; 69. Closed-captioning problem; 77. Kind of ring; 79. Rube of bygone funnies; 80. Common cricket score; 81. Cause of a pain in the neck; 82. Yawn producer; 83. Pouches; 84. Curly pasta; 86. Writer Anais; 89. Weapon carried in a speakeasy; 90. Accommodations with low overhead?; 92. Abbr. in many a Quebec address; 93. Fighter with a shuffle; 97. Shaker ___, oh.; 98. Field tools; 100. Moses at the Red Sea, e.g.; 102. “In the Bedroom” actress, 2001; 106. Rare announcement after balloting; 108. Slams; 116. Prince Valiant’s wife; 118. Name associated with fire; 120. Putter (around); 121. Sot’s woe. DOWN: 1. Inexpensive pen; 2. Joyful cry; 3. Author Janowitz; 5. One ___ (long odds); 6. Eastern path; 9. Like dungeons, typically; 10. Some garlic; 11. Scorsese subject; 12. ___ Kamoze of reggae; 14. Bob ___, narrator on TV’s “How I Met Your Mother”; 15. Present-day site of the ancient port city Eudaemon; 17. J. Edgar Hoover used one: Abbr.; 18. Fictional terrier; 21. 1973 NASA launch; 24. Gillette’s ___ II; 28. Major portion; 34. Not straight; 37. Announcement at a terminal, in brief; 39. Poor support; 41. Sloppy spots; 42. ___ Southwest Grill (restaurant chain); 45. Ticket site; 47. “Humpty Dumpty ___ great fall”; 52. Actress Sonia; 55. Wharf workers’ org.; 60. Water source; 61. Course calls; 62 Part of a tuba sound; 68. Spanish bear; 69. Theater mogul Marcus; 70. Kournikova and others; 72. Without breaking a sweat; 74. 2010 Denzel Washington title role; 78. River of York; 84. Far out; 85. G.O.P. elephant originator; 88. Commit a computer crime; 89. Dirt; 91. Does very well; 94. They may be fed downtown; 95. Scots with lots; 98. Tuned to; 99. Ups; 103. Washed out; 104. Suit to ___; 107. Not much; 109. Soccer immortal; 112. Nursery rhyme boy who “stole a pig, and away he run”; 113. N.Y.C.’s A, B, C or D; 114. Night sch. Class; 115. Rug rat.

04.17.10 — All in Good Time

Orloj - Astronomical Clock - Prague 

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Saturday, April 17, 2010

Puzzle by Tim Croce, edited by Will Shortz

SETS ONE’S OWN PACE (17A. Breaks from the pack, say) and GO ASK YOUR MOTHER (51A. Bit of parental diversion) is sage advice for tyros trying out this strenuous Saturday crossword boldly bearing its own critique, I LOVED IT (38A. Rave review). Note for the speed freaks… take your time!

ANSEL ADAMS and BORSTAL BOY (22A. Shooter who co-created the zone system; 42A. 1970 Tony winner for Best Play) at ten letters lead off the remaining long entries, followed by those of nine — ATE AWAY AT (15A. Really bugged), like what the clues of this crossword did, DEAD AHEAD (12D. Coming right up), ESSAYISTS (58D. Many bloggers), not me, LEMON RIND (56A. Strip in a bar), a little tease from the Old Gray Lady, MAN MONTHS (1A. Industrial time units), perhaps The Mythical Man-Month by Frederick Brooks can provide insight HERE, the straight-laced POKER FACE (31D. You’ll get nothing out of a good one) and PUPPETRY (29A. Art of manipulation?).

Other — ALINED (20A. Straight), the minimally defined AT LEAST (26A. Not under), COMES IN (40A. Isn’t blocked, as a signal), the uncrossreferenced and unfortunate CONY and STOLES (49D. Rabbit fur; 9D. Ostentatious accessories), CRAVATS (35A. Some neckwear), CROSSED (34A. Like some arms and legs), the unfair FAIRER (48A. More susceptible to burning), the terse HAS A SAY (8D. Is part of the decision-making process), the archaic IMBRUES (38D. Stains), and the cryptical OLÉ OLÉ (41D. Reinforced ring support?).

Five letter — AMEBA (16A. Slide presentation?), AMPED (11D. Hyped up), APHIS (45D. Orchard pest), A-TEAM (2D. First string), CAPRA (49A. “Meet John Doe” director, 1941), HAWKE (19A. “Snow Falling on Cedars” star, 1999) , LAKES (37A. They have large basins), LARDS (47D. Pads), MADAM (10A. House manager), MANNA (10D. Fall cuisine?), MASHA (1D. “Three Sisters” sister), 24D. El MISTI (Peruvian volcano), NET WT (3D. Packers’ stat.), NICHE (55A. Calling), PC LAB (29D. Where many students click), PLEAS (57a. They’re entered legally), REESE (32A. Candy man), SASHA (43D. Mitchell of “Step by Step”), SEEST (25D. Biblical spot?), 44D. Little TIKES (big toy company), TRENT (46D. It flows through Gainsborough), URANO (30D. Heavens: Prefix).

Short stuff — ABC, ALTE, AMT and ATL, ANE, APSE, ATRI, CARY, CLEO (35D. Fatally poisoned royal, for short), EVEN, GNP, HIE, MAE and MOA, MASK, NAN, NERD, OIL, OWOE, RAVI, RMS, ROSY, TESS, TYE, WILT.

Click on image to enlarge.

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.

Remaining clues — ACROSS: 21. Withdrawal fig.; 28. Bolt; 39. Game show purchase; 45. P.R. is found in it. DOWN: 4. It may be right in front of your eyes; 5. Shakespearean lament; 6. Indian restaurant serving; 7. Mast-to-tackle rope on a ship; 13. First string?; 14. ___ Axton, co-composer of “Heartbreak Hotel”; 18. Flag; 22. Old Hamburger?; 23. One who might celebrate Pi Day; 26. Place for some relics; 27. Jamie Lee Curtis’s “Freaky Friday” role; 32. First name in raga performance; 33. Tie up; 36. Looking up; 40. Raleigh suburb; 50. Longfellow’s bell town; 51. It has a domestic counterpart: Abbr.; 52. Joint application; 53. Suite composition: Abbr.; 54. Bygone bird.