12.22.11 — Shapeshifting

Thursday, December 22, 2011 — The Winter Solstice

Puzzle by Kristian House / Edited by Will Shortz

SHAPESHIFTER (55A. Werewolf, e.g. … or the one responsible for 20-, 34- and 41-Across?), ARCTIC SQUARE (20A. Uncool Eskimo?), TIMES TRIANGLE (34A. Percussion instrument owned by a New York newspaper?) and BERMUDA CIRCLE (41A. Close-knit group at a popular island destination?) constitute the interrelated group of this Wednesday crossword.

Other — DIORAMA (9D. Kid’s art project), DISCUS THROW (3D. Olympic event dating back to ancient Greece), RAM HOME (44D. Make forcefully, as a point), SNO-CONE (5D. Carnival treat), UP AHEAD (42D. In the near future), VAGUE NOTION (26D. Inkling).

Mid-size — ADONIS, ASPEN, CALVIN, CSI NY, DAMASK, DEUCE, EXCEL, FIONA, Pink FLOYD, ICED IN, IXNAY, KASDAN, KELSO, LOW-CALL, OCHRE, OLDIE, OMERTA, STRADA, STOCK.

Short stuff — ABEL, ACAI, ACNE, AIDA, ALY, AMI and AMIR, ANNA, ASHE, CAR, CDII, DELA, Per DIEM, DODD, Scooby-DOO, DRAT, EGO, “… ERE I saw Elba“, EXEC, EXPO, EYE, FAVA, ILLS, IMAM, IRAQ, LIL, MESA, MOO, NERO, NET, OCT, OFF, OLAF, OUST, PETA, PERK, POE, SEAM, SEGO, SKIT, SPAR, STU, TEEM, TOFU, UNH, VOID.

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Puzzle available on the internet at

THE NEW YORK TIMES — Crossword Puzzles and Games.

Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. ___-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, 2010; 5. Playlet; 9. Small spade, maybe; 14. Mideast bigwig: Var.; 15. 1951 historical role for Peter Ustinov; 16. “Nope!”; 17. Beaut of a butte?; 18. Minnesota’s St. ___ College; 19. Autumn shade; 23. Original Beatles bassist Sutcliffe; 24. Sound on Old MacDonald’s farm; 25. Title cartoon boy; 29. “The Big Chill” director; 31. Part of a baseball; 33. Khan married to Rita Hayworth; 37. 7/5/75 winner over Connors; 39. Who wrote “It was many and many a year ago, / In a kingdom by the sea ..”; 40. Depose; 46. Topic of Objectivism; 47. Company car, maybe; 48. Aphrodite’s love; 51. Lite; 53. Champagne chum; 54. Mo. Of the hunter’s moon; 59. “Shine On, Harvest Moon,” e.g.; 62. Fair; 63. Opera that premiered on “Christmas Eve of 1871; 64. Red-haired ogress of film; 65. Brim; 66. Nothingness; 68. It can make the face red; 69. Early Beatles tune subtitled “Go to Him”. — DOWN: 1. Reversible fabric; 2. Code of silence; 4. “Phooey!”; 5. Carnival treat; 6. Chief of medicine on “Scrubs”; 7. “The Hurt Locker” locale; 8. Food that wiggles; 10. Shine; 11. The Wildcats of the America East Conf.; 12. Roller coaster part; 13. Cyclone part; 21. Worship leader; 22. Popular source of antioxidants; 27. Drugs and crime, e.g.; 28. Security Council vote; 31. Soup base; 35. Go at it; 36. Court plea, for short; 37. Biblical brother; 38. State symbol of Utah; 42. In the near future; 43. Writer Francois ___ Rochefoucauld; 45. Year of the Battle of Pollentia; 49. Immobilized by a storm, maybe; 50. Italian road; 52. Hit TV series tarring Gary Sinese; 53. Part of a mountain forest; 56. Sponsor of ads famous for nudity; 57. Not jud. Or leg.; 58. Kind of bean; 59. Slightly askew; 60. Wee.

12.21.11 — No "L"

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Puzzle by Ron and Nancy Byron / Edited by Will Shortz

NOEL (69A. Seasonal song .. Or a phonetic hint to 18-, 23-, 37, 52- and 59-Across), THE BIG SEEP (18A. Movie about La Brea Tar Pits’ formation?), THE ION KING (23A. Movie about a Nobel-winning chemist?), CASH OF THE TITANS (37A. Movie about Wall Streeters’ excesses?), PUP FICTION (52A. Movie about the early life of Lassie?) and WAYNE’S WORD (59A. Movie about the memoirs of the Duke?) constitute the interrelated group of this pleasant-enough Wednesday crossword. Four years ago, a Sunday Times crossword presented Dead Man Waking, The Santa Cause, Pup Fiction, The Seventh Sea, The God Rush, Snakes on a Pane, War of the Words, Men in Back, Anima House and The Big Seep, clued by NOEL NEILL, HERE.

Other — BOYCOTT (21D. Certain protest), CRESSIDA (11D. Bygone Toyota sedan), EAT DIRT (31A. Humble oneself), SYNONYMS (39D. Prim and proper, e.g.), THIN ICE (32D. Precarious place, metaphorically), TIN STAR (44A. Wild West badge).

Six-letter — DINERO, EMCEED, NICENE Creed, O’NEILL, RINSES, RUNWAY, SABINE, SOIREE, STRATA, TAI CHI.

Five — ACERB, ARMED, AS YET, CHERI, EENIE, ENCLS, HESSE, HODAD (36A. Surfer wannabe), KOREA, MAORI, ONE NO (43A. Bridge bid, briefly), PEONS, SCRIM, TENON.

Short stuff — AID, ANTE, APES, “Chances ARE”, ASH, ASIA, CATS, CEDE, DER, DO TO death, DSO, EKGS, ENUF, INES, INGA, KNIT, LEE, LTDS, MHO, NERF and NERI, NOSE, ORAN, OREL, OSHA, RICO, RTE, SACS, SAO and SAP, SHES, SOL and SOT, STEM, TAMA, TERI, URI, WAH, YEN, YSER.

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Puzzle available on the internet at

THE NEW YORK TIMES — Crossword Puzzles and Games.

Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. Hold back; 5. Egg pouches; 9. Bus. Cards in commercial mailings, e.g.; 14. Janowitz who wrote “Slaves of New York”; 15. Dept. of Labor agency; 16. “M*A*S*H” setting; 17. “Little Caesar” gangster; 20. Sharp-tongued; 22. Does a post-meal chore; 26. Our sun; 29. Word after Farm or Live; 30. Craving; 34. Curtain material; 42. So far; 47. William Tell’s canton; 48. Brit. Military honor; 51. ___ Tomé; 55. ___ Creed of A.D. 325; 58. Nonsense word said while pointing a finger; 63. Saint Philip ___; 64. Packing heat; 65. The “a” in a.m.; 66. Baseball analyst Hershiser; 67. “Siddhartha” author; 68. River through Belgium. — DOWN: 1. Geologic layers; 2. Meditative exercises; 3. Acted the host; 4. New Zealand native; 5. Boozehound; 6. Bat wood; 7. “S.N.L.” alum Oteri; 8. Texas/Louisiana border river; 9. Ticker tests, for short; 10. Snoop (around); 12. Jeans brand; 13. Syrup base; 19. “Young Frankenstein” woman; 21. Certain protest; 24. Soft ball brand; 25. Put in stitches; 27. “The Plague” setting; 28. Bygone Fords; 33. ___ death (overwork); 34. Dams and does; 35. Unit now known as a Siemens; 37. Musical with Mungojerrie and Jennyanydots; 38. Home to billions; 40. Plenty, informally; 41. Garr who played 19-Down; 45. Knuckle draggers; 46. Takeoff site; 48. Do-re-mi; 49. Evening affair; 50. “The Iceman Cometh” playwright; 53. Lowly laborers; 54. Mortise’s mate; 56. Supermodel Sastre; 57. Hand over; 59. Cartoon baby’s cry; 60. “Chances ___,” 1957 #1 hit; 61. Address abbr.; 62. ___ Spiegel.

12.20.11 — Split Peas

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Puzzle by Julian Lim / Edited by Will Shortz

SPLIT PEA (36D. Kind of soup … or a hint to the answers to the five starred clues), HOPE AGAINST HOPE (20A. *Wish desperately), SLEEP EASY (28A. *Be worry-free), ROPE-A-DOPE (43A *Muhammad Ali ring tactic), LANDSCAPE ARTIST (53A. *John Constable or Camille Pissarro) and LOP-EARED (4D. *Like some bunnies and puppies) constitute the interrelated group of this Tuesday crossword. TYPE A’S (22D. “Go, go, go” sorts), sans star, is/are excluded.

Other — EXCERPT (30A. Sample passage), HOSANNA (41D. Christian word of exultation), MYSPACE (42A. Facebook competitor), PIONEER (8D. Davy Crockett, e.g.).

Mid-size — ADAPTS, ALIAS, AREOLA, ASSURER, ATE OUT, CASAS, CORONA, ELDEST, GO GIRL, HOWL AT, MCPHEE (10D. Writer John who won a Pulitzer for “Annais of the Former World“), NASCAR, NO IDEA, ON AUTO, ONE LB, PAPAYA, PENNER, ROLL UP, SANCTI, SEEP IN, SHADES, SUPPLE, TAMELY, TANGS, TRUTH, YENTL.

Short stuff — ACE, ALPS, ANY, AUST, BAA, CAY, CODA, CRAB, EENY, GOP and GPA, HASH, HRH, ICI, IPOD, “Clair de LUNE“, LYES, MCAT, MENE (42D. Word on a biblical wall), OIL, OREO, OXO, PARD, PORT, PRAM, REE and RES, RNA, SEN, SLUE, SOIR, TETS, UTES, WEEP.

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Puzzle available on the internet at

THE NEW YORK TIMES — Crossword Puzzles and Games.

Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. Serenade, as the moon; 7. 4.0 is a good one; 10. Exam for a future dr.; 14. Colored part of the iris; 15. Contents of some wells; 16. Final measures?; 17. Enter via osmosis; 18. Dems’ foe; 19. Baby buggy, to Brits; 23. Guarantee; 24. 1983 Barbra Streisand musical drama; 25. Evening for Yves; 30. Sample passage; 33. “Riddle-me-___”; 34. “You got me there”; 35. Org with the Sprint Cup Series; 40. Letters for a prince or princess; 48. Caustic cleansers; 49. .454 kg.; 50. Holy, in Latin phrases; 59. Cell messenger; 60. Like an acrobat’s limbs; 61. Indians who gave their name to a state; 62. Whichever; 63. Had dinner at a restaurant; 64. Left at sea; 65. Ovine call; 66. Wear on a sunny day. — DOWN: 1. Dinner from previous dinners; 2. Modern ice cream flavor; 3. Partner of “read ‘em”; 5. Not the real name; 6. Zesty flavors; 7. “You can do it!”; 9. Terrain of northern italy; 11. Popular Mexican beer; 12. Conforms as needed; 13. Without excitement; 21. Down Under land: Abbr.; 25. D.C. legislator; 26. Kitchen gadget brand; 27. Here, to Hugo; 29. Start of a playground rhyme; 31. Fixes up, as an old house; 32. Fellow cowboy; 37. Many an island in the Bahamas; 38. Good card in blackjack; 39. ___ ipsa loquitur; 43. Furl; 44. Acting without thinking; 45. Writer; 46. First in line to the throne; 47. Tropical fruit; 51. Homes, to José; 52. “The ___ is out there” (catchphrase on “The X-Files”), 54. Shore dinner staple; 55. Destination for many a music download; 56. Turn on a pivot; 57. Holidays in Hanoi.

12.19.11 — 'Wē

Monday, December 19, 2011

Puzzle by Richard Chisholm / Edited by Will Shortz

WEE LASSIES (18A. Young girls in Glasgow), WE THE PEOPLE (26A. First words of the Constitution), OUI MONSIEUR (43A. Polite assent in Paris) and WII CONSOLE, (54A. Piece of Nintendo game equipment), four answers beginning with the homophone “'wē “, constitute the interrelated group of this Monday crossword.

Other — CONDONE (40D. Overlook, as something that’s illegal), FAN LETTERS (29D. Items filling a star’s mailbox), GIVE IT A TRY (3D. Encouragement after “Go on”), NOSIREE (9D. “Fuhgeddaboudit!”), NOTE PADS (33A. Stenographer), PORK CHOP (39A. Homer Simpson‘s favorite meat item).

Mid-size — ADIEU, ADMAN, ADULTS, ALLEE, ASNER, DIETS, EBOOK, GEESE, IBARS, INCAS, ISLAM, MEET ME, NINETY, NOBEL, ONE PM, ORATE, By land OR SEA, OTELLO, PALIN, RANDI, SHREK, STEPS, TISNT, UNWRAP, WIMPS.

Short stuff — ADE, AIME, ALES, Have AN IN with, APOP, ARTS and crafts, ASST, ASTO, AURA, AVID, BAIT, BENT, BOIL, EMIT, ETES, FAA, INTL, JIVE, LES, LIMO, MOTE, NERO, PLOY, PRES, PRIM, RAGU, RAJA, RIDE, SEMI, SKY, SOL, SPA, STP, TEL Aviv, TILT, TOIL, UMPS, USE, WAG.

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Puzzle available on the internet at

THE NEW YORK TIMES — Crossword Puzzles and Games.

Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. Prego alternative; 5. Officials who cry “Steee-rike!”; 9. Prize won by Roosevelt, Wilson, Carter and Obama; 14. Hertz rival; 15. Emperor said to have fiddled while Rome burned; 16. Speechify; 17. Jazz jargon; 20. Commercial suffix with Gator; 22. Cuts calories; 23. Religion of the Koran; 25. Ambience; 29. Air safety org.; 32. Letter-shaped construction pieces; 35. Speck of dust; 36. Stair parts; 41. Tree-lined way, in France; 42. Cloud’s locale; 46. The “I” in I.B.M.: Abbr.; 47. Quaint denial; 48. “Amazing magician; 50. Not straight; 56. 18-wheeler; 57. Madison Avenue exec; 58. Pinball game ender; 59. Overly demure; 60. Pond swimmers; 61. Stratagem; 62. Concerning. — DOWN: 1. Indian prince; 2. Fervent; 4. Function; 5. Open, as a present; 6. What to do “in St. Louis,” in an old song; 8. Note after fa; 11. Worms, in fishing; 12. Summers in France; 13. ___ Brown and His Band of Renown; 19. Grown-ups; 21. Pub offerings; 234. Ogre in Love with Princess Fiona; 25. Each; 26. Wusses; 27. Kindle download; 28. End of lunchtime, often; 30. Formal goodbye; 31. Ed of “The Mary Tyler Moore Show”; 34. Politico Sarah; 36. Confined; 37. Drudgery; 41. Aide: Abbr.; 44. Verdi opera based on a Shakespeare play; 45. The number XC; 46. Ancient Andeans; 48. Hitchhike, e.g.; 49. “Je t’___” (French words of affection); 50. Heat to 212°; 52. Radiate; 53. “Stretch” car; 54. Joker; 55. Racecar fuel additive; 56. Where folks get into hot water.

12.18.11 — Lives of the Trees — the Acrostic

Unlike most pines that are familiar to Midwesterners, the Norfolk Island pine is far too tender to plant outdoors in our climate and, in fact, is not a true pine at all. But the good news is that it makes an elegant houseplant when given proper care. It also makes a terrific living Christmas tree; its lush green twigs of soft needles provide a lovely backdrop for festive holiday ornaments. ~ B. Rosie Lerner, Horticulturist, Purdue University

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Sunday, December 18, 2011

ACROSTIC, Puzzle by Emily Cox and Henry Rathvon

Edited by Will Shortz

This Sunday’s acrostic draws a quotation from Lives of the Trees: An Uncommon History by Diana Wells.

The quotation: THE NORFOLK ISLAND PINE… IS MOST OFTEN… SOLD AS A PERFECT LITTLE INDOOR CHRISTMAS TREE. … IF YOU KEEP IT FOR TOO MANY CHRISTMASES YOU MAY HAVE TO MAKE A HOLE IN YOUR CEILING. IN THE WILD IT CAN REACH TWO HUNDRED FEET HIGH.

The author’s name and the title of the work: DIANA WELLS, LIVES OF THE TREES

The defined words:

A. Walk unsteadily, tremble as one moves, DODDER
B. In principle; to a T, IDEALLY
C. Without delay (2 wds.), AT ONCE
D. One who’s a pain in the rear, NUDNIK
E. “Spring” topping on a “four seasons” pizza, ARTICHOKE
F. Add to the conversation (2 wds.), WEIGH IN
G. Beseech, implore, ENTREAT
H. Potential cutback consequence, LAYOFF
I. Crass and ill mannered, Neanderthal, LOUTISH
J. Show with a laugh track, SITCOM
K. Restrained, subdued (hyph.), LOW-KEY
L. Platform for the game Angry Birds, IPHONE
M. Ardent apostle; worshiper, VOTARY
N. Willing to wear another’s shoes, EMPATHIC
O. Bob, prune or crop, SHORTEN
R. Long, serpent like giant of the deep, OARFISH
Q. True-to-life replica, FACSIMILIE
R. Bill with the phrase “We the People” (hyph.), TEN-SPOT
S. Painter of “A Rake’s Progress”, HOGARTH
T. Terrible offense; outrageousness, ENORMITY
U. Representative, as a distinctive mark of a clan or group, TOTEMIC
V. Writer in the style of Tolstoy or Flaubert, REALIST
W. Snarl in a retiary device, ENMESH
X. Ancient name for the Po River, ERIDANUS
Y. Food item whose name literally means “blown up”, SOUFFLE

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Because trees make so many more aspects of our lives possible and pleasurable than we realize, Wells felt compelled to reintroduce us to these miraculous sentries, companions, and providers, entities that make the earth both bountiful and beautiful. Long considered sacred by diverse cultures, trees are crucial in this time of accelerated climate change, thanks to their ability to counteract the deleterious impact of carbon emissions. Trees offer shade, shelter, and quiet; medicine and food; and building materials for everything from houses to books. Trees are wreathed with lore and continue to yield scientific discoveries, yet, Wells observes, “We can even live on a street named for a particular tree and not be able to identify the tree itself.” To rectify this loss of invaluable knowledge, Wells portrays 100 trees, beginning with acacia and ending with yew, in a tree album containing lovely drawings and pithy essays. Cinnamon, ginkgo, “small and spiny” frankincense, mahogany, Osage orange, sycamore—all are succinctly described and celebrated in this warmly informative, fun-to-browse book of colorful tree histories. ~ Donna Seaman, Booklist

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Puzzle available on the internet at

THE NEW YORK TIMES — Crossword Puzzles and Games.

　

12.18.11 — Gaining an A

An original copy of the King James Bible, from its first printing in 1611

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Sunday, December 18, 2011

AGAIN?, Puzzle by Patrick Merrell / Edited by Will Shortz

Gaining an A in nine common phrases resulting in new phrases constitutes the interrelated group of this solver-friendly Sunday crossword.

• KING JAMES AVERSION (22A. Dislike of the son of Mary, Queen of Scots?)
• RUNAWAY MODEL (31A. Catwalk no-show?)
• GENTLE AMEN (45A. Soft-spoken prayer ending?)
• AMASS MEDIA (48A. Building a publishing empire?)
• PEPPER ACORN (66A. Practical joke used on squirrels?)
• TONY AROMAS (87A. What sweaty dancers create at an annual awards show?)
• DART ABOARD (90A. Rush to get on the train?)
• AROUND ROBINS (103A. Where worms don’t last long?)
• ANABOLIC ASTEROIDS (116A. What black holes swallow to bulk up?)

Other — ARTISAN, CLIMATES, DEVOURS, DENTIST, ENAMELED, ESOTERICA (26A. It‘s hard to understand), MASSEUR (108A. Rubber man?), MR APRIL (28A. Springtime calendar hunk), NO PROBLEM, OVER-RATED, POTTERY, RED ROSES, ROARED AT, SPECTRUM (6D. A to Z, e.g.), TOYS R US (72D. Geoffrey the Giraffe‘s store), TRUCKED.

Six-letter — ABBOTS, ADORNS, ALCOTT (33A. March sisters‘ creator), BAT BOY (101A. “Lumber“ collector in a park), BROLLY (17A. Brit‘s bumbershoot), EASIER, ERASER, HAMPER, INJECT, Pablo NERUDA, PRETTY, ROSINS, ST JOES, THREAD, WEIRDO, ZANIES (41D. Marx Brothers, e.g.).

Five — AD REP, ASHEN, CURIE, DOPEY, DUNED, EDENS, HALVE, IDOLS, IVORY, “LET IT ride“, MAORI, NEALE, NEONS, NOMAR (122A. Former Red Sox star Garciaparra), OPINE, OPTIC, RAINY, RARER, RYDER, SAUTE, SCOUT, SHIVA, SIZES, STAMP, SYRIA, TACIT, TEN AM, UNITY, WE MET, ZUNIS (41A. Southwest natives).

Short stuff — AARP, AAS, AIDA, ALGA, AS IS, Trapped like A RAT, BARE, BIN, BLT, BOOT, CANT and CATT, CIA, D-DAY, DUDE, EAR and EARP, EDAM, EEN and EON, EMER, ERNE and ERNO, ESP, ETAS, Mein HERR, IDES, ISO, KALB, LEAP, LEER, LIMA, LSU, “Look MA NO hands!“, MAKE, MARC, MILL, MSN, MSRP, NAPE, NAZI, NORA, NUB, OH NO, OMIT, ONES, OPTS, ORE, OUR, OUST, PISA, PSI, PUMA, REGT, RIJN, ROAD, RRS, SPUD, SRI, TAIS, TORY, ULNA and UNA, UNTO, WAWA, WEB, YEAH (“I suppose so“).

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Puzzle available on the internet at

THE NEW YORK TIMES — Crossword Puzzles and Games.

Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. Natives of the land known as Aolearoa; 6. One with eyes for a cook?; 10. Implied; 15. Silken construction; 18. Pasty; 19. Share a view; 20. Split; 21. Plant’s grain-bearing part; 25. Prefix with bar; 27. Heavy metal rock?; 30. Suffragist Carrie Chapman ___; 37. Threatened ferociously; 39. Conservative; 40. Take the plunge; 42. “No introduction needed” phrase; 53. Mosaicist, e.g.; 54. First Arab country to have sanctions imposed on it by the Arab League; 56. Poet Pablo; 57. Radioactivity unit; 59. Mag space seller, e.g.; 62. Golf cup name; 63. Not juust my; 70. Things may be picked up with this; 71. Cohesion; 74. Brown, maybe; 75. Highlighter colors, often; 78. Catholic university in Philly; 80. County on one side of the Golden Gate Bridge; 83. Hauled, in a way; 92. Jewish mourning period; 93. Dwarf with a purple hat; 94. Arm part; 98. Like some cookware; 106. It’s found between the shoulders; 109. Lunch inits.; 110. “Consider it done!”; 115. Air pump setting: Abbr.; 119. “Horatio, thou art ___ as just a man…”; 121. 10E and 40 long, e.g.; 123. Lines with crossings: Abbr.; 124. Utopias; 125. Mai ___ (drinks); 126. Purchase that’s canceled. — DOWN: 1. Fashion; 2. “No guarantees”; 3. “Yikes!”; 4. Mil. Unit below a division; 5. Give a shot; 7. University of ___, where Andrea Biocelli earned a law degree; 8. Italian article; 9. Engulfs; 10. It may get stuck in an eye; 11 Small batteries; 12. Desert and rain forest; 13. Material in old mah-jongg sets; 14 Common break hour; 15. Kook; 16. Less stressful; 19. Neglect; 24. Shore bird; 29. Some terra cotta; 31. Precipitating; 32. Drink for a toddler; 33. Unwanted swimming pool bit; 34. What rakes may do; 35. Tilt; 36. Kind of disc; 38. Unidentified people; 43. Yahoo! Alternative; 44. FEMA part: Abbr.; 46. The Tigers of the N.C.A.A.; 47. Tombstone figure; 48. 2000 musical with the song “Every Story Is a Love Story”; 49. Singer Anthony; 50. Bro; 51. 13^th, at times; 52. 40 million-member org. founded in 1958; 55. Not so prevalent; 58. Cleanup org.; 60. Gigayear; 61. Fairly; 63. Unseat; 64. “For ___ us a child …”; 65. Rembrandt van ___; 67. Shoe named for a cat; 68. LAX data; 69. Romance novelist Roberts; 76. Core; 77. Paid sports spectator; 79. Title of veneration; 81. Justin Bieber and others; 82. Ponytail locale; 84. Newsman Marvin or Bernard; 85. Cube creator Rubik; 86. When Juno and Gold Beach were assaulted; 88. Think too much of; 91. They’re often sold by the dozen; 93. One who works with canines; 95. Hold back; 96. It gets the lead out; 97. Prepares a bow, with “up”; 99. Monastery heads; 100. Casting locale; 101. Naked; 102. Festoons; 104. Writer Zora ___ Hurston; 105. Like much of Fire Island’s shore; 107. Decides; 110. Foe in the first Indiana Jones film; 111. Unseat; 112. Certain bean; 113. Dutch cheese town; 114. Car sticker letters; 117. Coal container; 118. “Three Days of the Condor” org.

12.17.11 — Solemn Saturday

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Puzzle by Tom Heilman / Edited by Will Shortz

Gnarly and thorny, this solemn Saturday crossword yields its mediocre answers from aloof clues with seeming regret and grudge.

Across — 1. Spicy blend, SALSA DIP; 9. Building supports, JOISTS; 15. One who works with combs, APIARIST; 16. Secret target, ARMPIT; 17. Potential result of a 56-Across, REVERSAL; 18. Kind of pants, PAJAMA; 19. Sack, AXE; 20. Winner over NYY in the 2001 World Series, ARI; 21. Like suckers, DELUDED; 22. Black and white, SQUAD CAR; 25. Have a heated phone exchange?, SEXT; 26. Old Testament outdoorsman, ESAU; 28. Make unfathomable, ENCRYPT; 30. “There’s no hope!”, ALL IS LOST; 32. With 60-Across, Michelle Kwan or Michelle Wie, ASIAN; 36. Slow exercises, TAI CHI; 37. Record achievement, GRAMMY; 38. John SPEKE, English explorer who named Lake Victoria; 39. Fax forerunners, TELETYPES; 42. “Go! Go! Go!, FLOOR IT; 44. Heroine of Bulwer-Lytton’s “The Last Days of Pompeii”, IONE; 45. Bit of emotional damage, SCAR; 48. Outdoor dining place, MESS TENT; 50. Like stocking caps, TAPERED; 52. Lowest number on a clock, SIX; 53. TV title lawyer Stone, ELI; 56., Legal action, APPEAL; 57. Rum-flavored desserts, TORTONIS; 59. “Prego” preceder, GRAZIE; 60. See 32-Across, AMERICAN; 61. Still, SILENT; 62. Time for crisis management, RED ALERT.

Down — 1. Actress Rue of “Rules of Engagement”, SARA; 2. Culmination, APEX; 3. Denies who one really is, LIVES A LIE; 4. Bill accompanier: Abbr., SAE; 5. Pianist Claudio ARRAU; 6. Powerful friend of Queen Victoria, DISRAELI; 7. Reiterated refusal, I SAID NO; 8. Scandalous 1980s inits., PTL; 9. Jests, JAPERY; 10. Kind of rinse, ORAL; 11. “That’s my two cents”, I’M JUST SAYIN’; 12. One in a dark suit, SPADE; 13. Durable ticker?, TIMEX; 14. German town, STADT; 21 Feathered flier, DART; 23. Way to preserve food freshness, QUICK FREEZE; 24. Mails a dupe, CCS; 26. Manducates, EATS; 27. Response to an affront, SLAP; 29. Break up, PART; 31. Author Silverstein, SHEL; 33. Weakness, IMPOTENCE; 34. “Exactly right!”, AMEN; 35. Where Loews is “L”, NYSE; 37. Run down, GET TIRED; 39. Drove diagonally, TOED; 40. Stretcher settings: Abbr., ERS; 41. Easily bent, LISSOME; 43. Diner order, OMELET; 45. Dos for dudes, STAGS; 45. Kind of pants, CAPRI; 47. Dismay, in Dover, APPAL; 49. Spare, EXTRA; 51. Pour, RAIN; 54. One guilty of pseudo logia, LIAR; 55. “Who ISN’T?”; 57. Pine product, TAR; 58. Pine product, OIL.

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Puzzle available on the internet at

THE NEW YORK TIMES — Crossword Puzzles and Games.

12.16.11 — The Friday Crossword

Friday, December 16, 2011

Puzzle by Doug Peterson and Barry C. Silk / Edited by Will Shortz

Across — 1. Like Celsius, SWEDISH; 8. Alchemist’s goal, PANACEA; 15. Appalachian crossers, CONESTOGA WAGONS; 17. Like friendly acquaintances, ON SPEAKING TERMS; 18. Google Maps offering, ROUTE; 19. Prepare for gardening, maybe, KNEEL; 20. Last article in the Constitution, VII; 21. Striking things about rec rooms, CUES; 22. Creature on the New York coat of arms, EAGLE; 23. They’re grounded when they’re misbehaving, JETS; 24. Columbia HTS, Minn.; 25. Betrays one’s blue state, CRIES; 26. Four front?, PETIT; 27. Rat race remedy, briefly, R AND R; 28. Pariahs and others, CASTES; 29. Where to make tracks, STUDIO; 31. Drops for dirty clothes, CHUTES; 32. “Les Mots” autobiographer,1964, SARTRE; 33. Pieces for grilling, COALS; 36. Option for a seal, WAX; 39. Taiwan Strait city, AMOY; 40. Ascribe to, PIN ON; 41. Questionnaire info, DATE; 42. Big mouth, YAP; 43. Tons, A HEAP; 44. One may clash with another, COLOR; 45. Effect used to measure astronomical distances, STELLAR PARALLAX; 48. It does a body good, AEROBIC EXERCISE; 49. Galore, TO SPARE; 50. What brains do well on, IQ TESTS.

Down — 1. Leave a black mark on, say, SCORCH; 2. Carried the day, WON OUT; 3. Goes after, ENSUES; 4. Treas. And the like, DEPT; 5. “Ah”, I SEE; 6. Point on a line: Abbr., STA; 7. Japanese island, HOKKAIDO; 8. Triptych trio, PANELS; 9. “Well, golly”, AW GEE; 10. Fed., NATL; 11. Questionnaire info, AGE; 12. “Route 66” car, CORVETTE; 13. Rancors, ENMITIES; 14. Goal facilitators, ASSISTS; 16. Teriyaki ingredient, GINGER; 22. Orange half of a TV duo, ERNIE; 23. Cuts up, JESTS; 25. Training unit, CADRE; 26. “The Alchemist” novelist Coelho, PAULO; 27. Rough to drive on, perhaps, RUTTY; 28. Staples, e.g., CHAIN; 29. Daly City’s county, SAN MATEO; 30. Smokeys, so to speak, TROOPERS; 31. Volcano south of Quito, COTOPAXI; 32. Occupies, STAYS AT; 33. Cocktail party bite, CANAPE; 35. Kansas-Nebraska Act signer PIERCE; 36. Simpson who was Time’s first Woman of the Year, WALLIS; 37. Start of some salutes, A TOAST; 38. Loser at Salamis and Plataea, XERXES; 40. Rocker Liz PHAIR; 41. Sweet in music, DOLCE; 43. ALBA Longa, ancient city founded by the son of Aeneas; 44. Trolley, CART; 46. Cut back, LOP; 47. Like some univ. courses, REQ.

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Puzzle available on the internet at

THE NEW YORK TIMES — Crossword Puzzles and Games.

12.15.11 — Location, Location...

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Puzzle by Jim Hilger / Edited by Will Shortz

This Thursday crossword is accompanied by the note, “Parts of 15 answers in this puzzle are missing, in a manner for you to discover.” The missing parts are four words describing location of answers in the crossword to be included as part of the those answers, e.g., “TOP”, ”MIDDLE“, BOTTOM“ and “SIDE”.

• TOP (Across):  1. Company’s numero uno, BANANA; 7. Bit of dance attire for Fred Astaire, HAT; 10. Elite, TIER.
• MIDDLE (Across):  38. Oil source, EAST; 39. Midnight to 4 a.m., at sea, WATCH; 41. In the 40s?, AGED.
• BOTTOM (Across): 67. Often-flooded locale, LAND; 68. Hit a low point, OUT; 69. Starfish or sea cucumber, e.g., FEEDER.
• SIDE (Down): 1. Writing in a box, BAR; 23. Drug drawback, EFFECT; 53. Tire part, WALL; 13. Way less traveled, ROAD; 33. One way to ride a horse, SADDLE; 63. Brandy cocktail, CAR.

Other — ALL-TIME (27D. Like the highest high), ENJOYED (21A. Reveled in), REPERTOIRE (17A. Arsenal, so to speak), SALT / TALKS (29A. With 30-Across, tey started in 1969), STARBOARD (35D. Port alternative), SUPERSONIC (59A. Boom-causing, perhaps), TACO SALAD (10D. Dish often served in a shell), WET ONES (53A. Trademarked sanitary wipes).

Mid-size — ABUSER, Following A LEAD, ARREST, AVALON, BIG RED, CODDLE, CREAMS, EPODE, EVADE, FEDORA, GEESE, GOSEE and GESSO, KNEELS, LEGREE, MR SULU, NORSE, OTTAWA, SELENA, TASTES, TERRE verte, TRENT, VOLARE.

Short stuff — ALMA, ASST, ASTO, CARA, DRED, ELIA, ELL, FLUS, Key FOB, HOI polloi IOU, IRE, JETE, LIAR, LOOP, MEIN, MMDI, NOD, ORR, OWL, POT, Feng SHUI, SLO-pitch, SOWS, TMAN.

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Puzzle available on the internet at

THE NEW YORK TIMES — Crossword Puzzles and Games.

Remaining clues — ACROSS: 14. Toyota sedan; 15. Recipient of three consecutive Hart Trophies; 16. About; 19. Opening word of many an Italian letter; 20. Kind of coach: Abbr.; 23. Bypass; 26. Bitter and sweet; 34. Some shot targets; 36. User of night vision; 37. One-named pop star; 38. Oil source; 39. Midnight to 4 a.m., at sea; 41. In the 40s?; 42. Whups; 44. Debt doc; 45. Harriet Beecher Stowe novel; 46. ___ verte (green earth pigment); 47. Early 26^th-century year; 48. Certain joint; 49. Wrigley product; 51. Certain gifts in “The 12 Days of Christmas”; 53. Trademarked sanitary wipes; 58. Word with belt or tape; 58. Michigan college; 64. Fabulist; 66. What Cowboy legend Tom Landry sported. — DOWN: 2. Many a Monopoly property: Abbr.; 3. Pile; 5. Like the origin of the names for some days of the week; 6. Pantry problem; 8. Check; 9. Nottingham’s river; 11. “My word!”; 12. To be, at the Louvre; 18. Capital whose name comes from an Algonquin word for “to trade”; 22. Jump on a stage; 24. 1958 hit that won the first-ever Grammy for Song of the Year; 25. Rehab candidate; 29. Disseminates; 31. Fictional plantation owner; 32. Kowtows, say; 40. Overindulge; 43. Words after count or let; 47. “Star Trek” helmsman; 50. Painter’s preparation; 51. “Check it out”; 52. Lyric poem; 54. “The South-Sea House” essayist; 55. No friend of the bootlegger; 57. “Carmina Burana” composer; 60. What a big hand often grabs?; 61. Make a little mistake; 62. Source of heat.

12.14.11 — Q, More or Less...

Capital Letter Q by James Tissot

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Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Puzzle by Tim Croce / Edited by Will Shortz

In this Wednesday crossword, adding a Q to the familiar phrases of traditional IRA, uneven bars, county fair and Atari computers results in TRADITIONAL IRAQ (20A. Mesopotamia?), UNEVEN BARQ’S (28A. Inconsistent brand of root beer?), COUNTY FAQIR (45A. Local ascetic) and QATARI COMPUTERS (53A. Some Mideast laptops?).

Other — ANTIGUA (5D. Barbuda’s island partner), AROUSED (44D. Wakens), HIT A SNAG (9D. Run into unexpected trouble), JOHN MAYER (35D. “No Such Thing” blues rocker), OLEIC ACID (10D. Soapmaking compound), PHYSIQUE (39D. Mr. America’s pride).

Mid-size — ADELA Quested, AMARNA (14A. Cuneiform discovery site), BRODY, BRONC, EIEIO, GASTON (6D. Alphonse‘s comics partner), IN PORT, LONG U (27D. “Rude“ sound), MANBAG (1A. Metrosexual‘s tote), OSPREY (63A. Fish-eating raptor), P AND G, QUELL, REAGAN, REPOTS, RIOJA (34A. Red wine of Spain), ROSES, SPEAR, ST PAT, T STOPS, VANYA.

Short stuff — AEF, AMER, ANA, ARNO, BEL, CENT, COUP (37A. Qaddafi‘s rise to power, e.g.), EBON, END, ERGO, ETS, EZRA, HEY, INRE and IRE, ISEE, JOT, LAB, LATH, MART, MAS, MEH, MOJO, NAPA, NIGH, OBI, ODDS, OENO, OROS, OTRA, POOR, QED, QUM (47D. Holy city of Iran), QTIP, RAZR, REAP, SAC, SHAQ, SLR, SYNS, TAR, TORO, TROY, UND, UNOS, YGOR.

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Puzzle available on the internet at

THE NEW YORK TIMES — Crossword Puzzles and Games.

Remaining clues — ACROSS: 7. Doesn’t thrill me”; 10. Top awards at los Juegos Olimpicos; 15. Geisha’s tie; 16. Backing strip; 17. Transplants, in a way; 18. Make note of, with “down”; 19. Cornell of Cornell University; 23. Role in “Son of Frankenstein”; 24. Kind of fly, informally; 25. ___ Paes cheese; 36. Santa ___, Calif.; 38. Vintners’ prefix; 39. Consumer products giant, briefly; 41. “Gotcha!”; 42. Close by, in poems; 43. “Yoo-hoo!”; ___ Quested, woman in Forster’s “A Passage to India”; 49. Camera type, in brief; 50. Barker and Kettle; 51. Pizzeria chain, informally; 61. Helen’s city; 62. “Proved!” letters, 65. “Hansel ___ Gretel”; 66. President who said “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!”; 67. Like a D-; 68. U.F.O. crew; 69. Movie camera settings. — DOWN: 1. Trade center; 2. C.S.A. part: Abbr.; 3. Vintners’ valley; 4. Adrien of “The Pianist”; 7. Voodoo charm; 8. Black, to bards; 11. Motorola cell phone brand; 12. ___ vez (again: Sp.); 13. Hoopster with six rap albums, for short; 21. Ill temper; 22. “Chocolate” dog; 25. Horse to be broken; 26. Sequence sung by kids; 29. Chekhov uncle; 30. Put the kibosh on; 31. Pasadena posies; 32. Put down, as a riot; 33. Hurled weapon; 40. W.W. I mil. group; 46. Sealer’s stuff; 47. Holy city of Iran; 48. At a cruise stop, say; 52. Annual parade honoree, informally; 53. Popular swab; 54. The New Yorker cartoonist Peter; 55. Ring foe of Manolete; 56. Euro fraction; 57. They may be even, ironically; 58. Descartes’ “therefore”; 59. Get, as profits; 60. “Cease” and “desist,” e.g.: Abbr.