06.18.13 — R and D

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Puzzle by Tim Croce / Edited by Will Shortz

R AND D (40A. Corporate division, informally … or a hint to the eight starred clues), along with eight two-word answers beginning with R and D constitutes the interrelated group of this Tuesday crossword:

RODEO DRIVE (18A. *Beverly Hills shopping district)
RAY DAVIES (20A. *Lead singer of the Kinks)
RAIN DELAY (37A. *It might stretch a seventh-inning stretch)
RING DANCE (42A. *Hora, e.g.)
ROALD DAHL (59A. *”James and the Giant Peach” author)
RIVER DELTA (62A. *Fertile area where a stream empties into an ocean)
RAW DATA (4D. *Numbers fed into a computer)
RED DAWN (46D. *1984 Patrick Swayze film set in the cold war)

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06.17.13 — POP-UP

The prairie dog may be losing a long battle to survive, threatened constantly by the changing Western landscape and everything from fleas to the bubonic plague to its own kinfolk. It turns out there is a nasty side to the story of a highly social animal known for public displays of affection and cooperation. ~ Lee Dye, ABC World News, March 17, 2013

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Monday, June 17, 2013

Puzzle by Johanna Fenimore and Andrea Carla Michaels

Edited by Will Shortz

POP-UP (69A. Easy-to-catch hit … or what 1-, 21-, 26-, 48- and 55-Across all do), along with TOAST (1A. Breakfast bread),  PRAIRIE DOG (21A. Plains animal that tunnels), JACK-IN-THE-BOX (26A. Fast-food rival of Wendy’s), CAR DOOR LOCKS (48A. Vehicular antitheft devices) and INTERNET AD (55A. Purchase from Google) constitute the interrelated group of this Monday crossword.

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06.16.13 — On Fatherhood — the Acrostic

Sunday, June 16, 2013

ACROSTIC, Puzzle by Emily Cox and Henry Rathvon

Edited by Will Shortz

This Sunday’s timely and pleasant acrostic draws a humorous quotation from On Fatherhood by Bill Cosby.

In this collection of ruminations, anecdotes, and vignettes, the actor/ comedian covers the paternal gamut from the first child's birth to the challenges of raising teenagers and the ambivalence of watching kids leave home. ~ Google Books 

The quotation: MY FATHER DID TRY … NOT TO CURSE … HAVING TO SQUELCH THE PROFANITIES … REDUCED HIM TO SAYING SUCH THINGS AS, ‘IF YOU EVER … BECAUSE YOU’RE A … AND I SWEAR I’LL …” FOR MANY YEARS … I THOUGHT MY FATHER WAS … UNABLE TO COMPLETE A SENTENCE.

The author’s name and the title of the work: 
BILL COSBY, ON FATHERHOOD

The defined words:

A. Subject to a change of view, BRAINWASH

B. Bias, unfairness, INEQUITY

C. Drift apart, as friends might (2 wds.), LOSE TOUCH

D. Prone to turn on the waterworks, LACHRYMOSE

E. One serving a function, CATERER

F. Facility called a “dunny” in Australia, OUTHOUSE

G. 640-acre chunk of land, out West, SECTION

H. 1961 doo-wop hit written by Rodgers and Hart, “BLUE MOON”

I. Sport that may be wind-assisted, YACHTING

J. Pack more than you should, OVERSTUFF

K. Cablevision media purchase of 2008, “NEWSDAY”

L. Emanation from Tinker Bell’s want (2 wds.), FAIRY DUST

M. Beef up, expand, add to, AUGMENT

N. Molière play about a pious hypocrite, “TARTUFFE”

O. Built like Santa Claus, HEAVYSET

P. Place for a bibliophile (2 wds.), EASY CHAIR

Q. Style heard in the soundtrack for “The Sting”, RAGTIME

R. Target when planning for a strike, HEADPIN

S. Workers who harvest by raking beds, OYSTERMEN

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06.16.13 — TEETH

Sunday, June 16, 2013 — Father’s Day 

QUESTION BOX, Puzzle by Mel Rosen / Edited by Will Shortz

This clever but cumbersome Sunday crossword displays the following note:  ABOUT THIS PUZZLE — When this puzzle is done, take the answers to the 10 starred clues and arrange them across and down in crossword fashion in the central 5x5 box. Due to software limitations, Across Lite and our other apps can only accept one solution, but two possibilities exist. The resulting five-letter word spelled out diagonally by the circles will answer the question asked at 23-, 34-, 91- and 107-Across.

The trivia question is contained on four across lines — IF A GIRAFFE HAS FOURTEEN MORE THAN A WALRUS AND A SQUIRREL HAS HALF AS MANY AS A PIG, WHAT ARE THEY?  With that yawning non-quote, short answers rendered by vague clues, divided areas of solve, meager passage from one to the other rife with nooks and crannies and the unnumbered box in the center, it’s a long way to go for the finale, TEETH.

Other — ARAPAHO (65A. Rocky Mountain tribe), ARGUING, BY A MILE, ELOPERS, FRINGES (78D. Features of some cowboy shirts), GIFT TAG, India’s MALABAR Coast, RATS OUT, RESPIRE, SIBERIA (52A. Symbol of remoteness), SPIKE TV, THROATY (80D. Guttural).

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For Father's Day...

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06.15.13 — The Saturday Crossword

Baobab tree at sunset, Africa

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Saturday, June 15, 2013

Puzzle by Ned White / Edited by Will Shortz

Across — Place to pick vegetables, SALAD BAR; 9. With 25-Across, it has a huge trunk, BAOBAB; 15. C-worthy, ADEQUATE; 16. Ancient abstainer, ESSENE; 17. Buzzer sounded during a match, VUVUZELA; 18. Small house of the Southwest, CASITA; 19. Whence Parmenides, ELEA; 20. Bubkes, ZILCH; 22. See 23-Across, ON IT; 23. With 22-Across, quits dragging, STEPS; 25. See 9-Across, TREE; 27. Special recognition?, ESP; 28. They result when solidly hit baseballs are caught, LOUD OUTS; 31. Royale maker, REO; 32. Major cleanups follow them, DISASTERS; 35. Starting catcher in every All-Star Game from 1964 to 1967, TORRE; 37. Name meaning “God is with us”, EMANUEL; 38. Go, HEAD OUT; 40. Four French quarters?, ANNEE; 41. They’re likely to result in broken limbs, ICE STORMS; 43. Claptrap, ROT; 44. Prey for gray wolves, MULE DEER; 46. It has a Bridges and Tunnels div., MTA; 47. “Home away from home” sloganeer, ELAL; 48. “Until next time”, SEE YA; 52. Vindictive Quaker of fiction, AHAB; 54. Like unabridged dictionaries, THICK; 57. Angel, e.g., for short, ALER; 58. Wonder Lake’s national park, DENALI; 60. It stays the same, CONSTANT; 62. Site of a 1944 British Army defeat, ARNHEM; 63. Nourishing stuff, ALIMENTS; 64. Treating badly, MEAN TO; 65. “S.N.L.” segment, SATURDAY.

Samson and Delilah by Guercino, 1654 (Musée des Beaux-Arts de Strasbourg)

Down — 1. Takes into account?, SAVES; 2. No longer in the minority, ADULT; 3. Bad thing to be breached, LEVEE; 4. Water board, AQUAPLANE; 5. Old brand that promised “white white washes without red hands”, DUZ; 6. Guthrie’s follower at Woodstock, BAEZ; 7. Hun king, in myth, ATLI; 8. Frequent tour guide, REALTOR; 9. Saxophone great Sidney BECHET; 10. White sheet insert?, AS A; 11. Fêmur, por exemplo, OSSO; 12. Goof, BE IN ERROR; 13. Herpetologist’s supply, ANTISERUM; 14. Six Gallery reading participants, BEAT POETS; 21. Like some garlic and egos, CRUSHED; 24. “I goofed … big whoop”, SO SUE ME; 26. Heir restoration targets?, ESTATES; 29. Gas hog, briefly, UTE; 30. Lock remover of old?, DELILAH; 32. Formal opening, DEAR MADAM; 33. Answering machine notification, I’M NOT HERE; 34. 1836 siege leader, SANTA ANNA; 38. Sole mate?, ODOR EATER; 39. Journal ender, ESE; 42. Some Toyotas, CELICAS; 45. Last month, ULTIMO; 49. Ethiopian grazer, ELAND; 50. Gossip girl, YENTA; 51 Like craft fairs, ARTSY; 53. German way, BAHN; 55. Buzz on “The Simpsons,” e.g., COLA; 56. Use a ball winder, KNIT; 59. Cry from some judges, LET; 61. Conference USA member, for short, SMU.

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06.14.13 — The Friday Crossword

Charles DeGaulle illustration by Bernard Buffet

Man of the Year, Time Magazine, Jan. 5, 1959

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Friday, June 14, 2013

Puzzle by Patrick Berry / Edited by Will Shortz

Four 15-letter answers constitutes the main feature of this Friday crossword:

CHARLES DE GAULLE (16A. His death prompted Georges Pompidou to say “France is a widow”)
COMMERCIAL BREAK (19A. Show stopper)
YOU CAN’T WIN ‘EM ALL (45A. Words after “oh well”)
EVERYTHING BAGEL (48A. Loaded roll)

Other — BREACHING; CALAMARI (33D. Fried appetizer); “Debts and LIES are generally mixed together”; IDLED AWAY;  LENIN (17D. Survivor of two 1918 assassination attempts); NORMA RAE (4D 1979 film based on the life of Crystal Lee Sutton);  PHAR LAP (23A. Celebrated racehorse nicknamed “The Red Terror”); VENEZUELA (27D Only founding member of OPEC not located in the Mideast); WHAT’S THAT; YECCH (1D. Less polite way of saying “no thanks” to offered food).

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06.13.13 — Windows

James Stewart in Rear Window, 1954

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Thursday, June 13, 2013

Puzzle by David Steinberg / Edited by Will Shortz

WINDOWS 8 (65A. 2012 software release … or a hint to the starts of the answers to the starred clues), e.g., CAR, REAR, POP-UP, BAY, OVAL, TICKET, OPEN and CRACKED constitutes the interrelated group of this Thursday crossword:

CAR TRIPS (17A. *Some vacation travel)
REAR END (41A. *Caboose)
POP-UP TOASTER (6D. *What makes bread rise?)
BAY OF FUNDY (11D. *Area with the world’s highest tides)
OVAL OFFICE (12D. *Bushes were once found there)
TICKET TO RIDE (22D. *1965 hit that ends “My baby don’t care”)
OPEN SOURCE (29D. *Like Linux)
CRACKED ICE (30D. *Frozen daiquiri ingredient)

Other — DÉJÀ VU (16A. Eerie phenomenon), EGOYAN (19A. Atom who directed “The Sweet Hereafter”), I ROBOT (2004 sci-fi film based on a 1950 book), OCCULT (68A. Understood by few), SARTRE (58A. He wrote “Hell is other people”), SNOOKI (35A. Nicole Polizzi, familiarly).

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06.12.13 — Scoops

 

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Puzzle by Todd Gross / Edited by Will Shortz

A single scoop, double scoop and triple scoop, COOKIES AND CREAM, VANILLA MINT CHIP and LIME LEMON ORANGE constitute the interrelated group of this refreshing Wednesday crossword.

Other — COCO CHANEL (17A. Fashion designer with a signature scent), KATE SMITH (32A. Singer who said “Thanks for listenin’”), JOHN DENVER (56A. “Annie’s Song” singer), SEE NO EVIL (39A. Part of a three-monkey phrase).

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06.11.13 — Mixed BAG

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Puzzle by Pete Muller / Edited by Will Shortz

MIXED BAGS (62A. Assortments … or what you’ll find in 17-, 25-, 30-, 44- and 50-Across?), DRUG ABUSE (17A. Reason for rehab), LAG BEHIND (25A. Trail), PUB GAMES (30A. Darts and snooker), BIG BANDS (44A. Sinatra backers, sometimes) and CRAB GRASS (50A. Groundskeeper’s bane) constitute the interrelated group of this perfectly pleasant Tuesday crossword.

Other — ABRIDGE (22D. Condense), ATTA BOY (46D. “Good going!“), BARBARIAN (32D. Conan, for one), I’M SORRY (28D. 1960 #1 Brenda Lee hit), LET ME GO (9D. Prisoner’s lament), OED and ZED (40A. Ref. work that took 70 years to complete; 35D. Final section o f the 40-Across), PERDITION (11D. Hell), TAGALOG (4D. Philippine tongue), TUG BOAT (43D. Maritime rescuer).

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06.10.13 — PA PA

Monday, June 10, 2013

Puzzle by Zhouqin Burnikel / Edited by Will Shortz

COME TO PAPA (59A. Casino cry … or a hint for 16-, 23- 37- and 45-Across), PAT PAULSEN (16A. Comedian with a mock 1968 presidential campaign), PART PAYMENT (23A. Money that doesn’t completely satisfy a debt), PARALLEL PARKING (37A. Tricky task in a driver’s test) and PAJAMA PARTY (45A. Event that might have a pillow fight) constitute the interrelated group of this Monday crossword.

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06.09.13 — Fast One

Secretariat (March 30, 1970 – October 4, 1989) 

was an American Thoroughbred racehorse that in 1973 

became the first U.S. Triple Crown champion in 25 years. ~ Wikipedia 

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Sunday, June 9, 2013

Fast One, Puzzle by Elizabeth C. Gorski / Edited by Will Shortz

SECRETARIAT (64A. 95-Across who made the covers of Time, Newsweek and Sports Illustrated in the same week), CELEBRATED (31A. Like 64-Across, in sports annals), SUPERHORSE (95A. Time and Newsweek’s cover description of 64-Across), ALL-TIME RECORDS (13D. What 64-Across holds in the three legs of 46-Down), HOME STRETCH (37D. Straightaway for 64-Down), SIRE (98A. Bold Ruler, to 64-Down), THE TRIPLE CROWN (46D. What 64-Across won on June 9, 1973), forty years ago to the day, and WREATH (90D. Victory wear for 64-Across), constitute the interrelated group of this winning Sunday crossword.

A note accompanies the puzzle:  Complete the puzzle.  Then connect the circled leters alphabetically from A to S to get an image related to the puzzle’s theme.  Doing so produces a remarkable silhouette (or outline, if you will) of the head of a horse, think Secretariat.

Other — ACHILLE Lauro (hijacked ship of 1985), CARPACCIO (60A. Raw meat dish), DIPLOMA (84D. Academic paper?), TIRED OUT (12D. Wearied), TIRE MARKS (67A. They may be left by the side of the road).

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Remaining clues — ACROSS:  1. Insect’s feeler; 5. Double-platinum Steely Dan album; 8. Kitten’s sound; 11. Sharp as ___; 16. Like some stimuli; 17. Participated in a derby; 18. One of several Louises; 21. Fountain site; 22. Slightest idea; 24. Temple in Hollywood; 25. Colorless sort; 27. Parts of un archipel; 28. Polite helper’s question; 30. Coup d’___; 33. Keep thinking about, as a victory; 34. Bette Midler, e.g.; 35. Assessor; 36. Nevertheless, briefly; 37. Lift; 38. Biblical dry measure; 39. Rises up on two legs; 41. Frankfurt’s river; 42. Like some Braten; 44. Lassie and Marmaduke, e.g.; 48. Circus employees; 50. Super Bowl div.; 51. Home of Odysseus; 52. Star in the Swan constellation; 53. ___ neutrino; 55. Parapsychological subj.; 58. Pan handlers; 59. Crosses; 63. Not duped by; 66. CD-___; 69. Like marshes; 70. Pats on the back, maybe; 71. Grade school subj.; 72. Now or never: Abbr.; 73. Some woods greenery; 74. Move like a penguin; 75. The Eagles, on a scoreboard; 77. Charlene who played Lucy on “Dallas”; 79. Stereotypical neighbors; 80. Third base coach’s urging, maybe; 82. “Ben-Hur,” for one; 83. “Catch you later”; 85. Jazz trumpeter Baker; 86. Lack; 88. “Regrets, ___ had a few” (“My Way” lyric); 89. Tit for tat?; 93. Bridge feature; 94. Set pieces?; 99. Those, to Jorge; 100. Mort who said “My life needs editing”; 101. Most preeved; 102. Out of this world?; 104. Morale-boosting il. Event; 107. Bull or Celtic; 108. Units of force; 109. “Marry ___ Little” (Sondheim song); 110. Actress Thurman; 111. “Same here”; 112. “Like it ___ …”; 113. Prominent part of Mickey Mouse; 114. Hardly a knockout; 115. Bonn exclamations.  —   DOWN: 1. Dumbwaiter part; 2. Fit to be tilled; 3. Less industrious; 4. Alternative; 5. Name that’s Hebrew for “lion”; 6. Key employee?; 7. Lowdown joint?; 8. Drs. May order them; 9. Many a doctor’s office wait, seemingly; 10. Expert with locks?; 11. Yellowfin tuna, on menus; 12. Wearied; 14. One on the chopping block; 15. Hybrid musical instrument with a shoulder strap; 16. Quickly; 19. “___ wish”; 20. Smoke detector sounds when the battery runs low; 23. Was winning; 26. Taco sauce brand; 29. Declares; 32. Puzzle solvers’ cries; 33. Backtrack?; 39. Giants of the sky, in myth; 40. Turns this way and that; 43. A pastel; 44. Embroidery loops; 45. Italian or Irish; 47. “Daybreakers” actor Willem; 49. Not post-; 52. Really wallop; 53. Dumbwaiter item; 54. On point; 56. “No sweat!”; 57. Rp stars often have them; 59. “Jeopardy!” creator Griffin; 60. Richard of Rambo movies; 61. Teleprompters, for speakers; 62. It needs refinement; 64. Sorry; 65. Commercial prefix with postale; 68. Cleaner; 70. Some dictators’ proclamations; 73. Moves like a moth; 74. Beaus; 76. Until now; 77. Words from a Latin lover; 78. “Supposedly”; 79. Baloney; 80. Certain templegoer; 81. Enter stealthily; 85. Game involving matching cards on the table; 87. Some bridge players; 89. ___ acid (food preservative); 91. They’re worth something; 92. ___-Canada (northern gas station chain); 95. Flier to Bergen; 96. “Yep”; 97. Passport producer; 100. Rise rapidly; 103. Ending with spam; 105. Briny; 106. Jokester.

06.08.13 — Saturday Exercise

Arnold Schwarzenegger in 1976. 

Starting in 1970 he won the Mr Olympia bodybuilding title 

six years in a row. Photograph: Everett Collection/Rex Feature

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Saturday, June 8, 2013

Puzzle by David Quarfoot / Edited by Will Shortz

Across — 1. One was first purchased in 2008, I PHONE APP; 10. Big top features?, D CUPS; 15. Title for Schwarzenegger, MR OLYMPIA; 16. Half of a TV duo, ERNIE; 17. One going through the exercises?, P E TEACHER; 18. Leader of the Silver Bullet Band, SEGER; 19. Silence fillers, UMS; 20. One might be apparent, HEIR; 21. See, DATE; 22. Bit, MITE; 24. “Toast of the Town” host, ED SULLIVAN; 28. Grunt, PEON; 29. 1991 International Tennis Hall of Fame inductee, NASTASE; 30. Cliff dweller, ERNE; 31. Ambulance supply, SPLINTS; 34. Game with points, DEER; 35. Tired, TRITE; 36. Outfielder who was a member of baseball’s All-Century Team, COBB; 40. Digs, with “on”, GROOVES; 42. OPAL glass; 43. 1955 doo-wop hit ONLY YOU; 46. Peace Nobelist RENE Cassin; 47. Crooked bones?, LOADED DICE; 51. Trix alternative?, ENNE; 52. Construction support, I BAR; 53. Drying device, OAST; 55. 2012 Seth MacFarlane comedy, TED; 58. Sound, VALID; 58. Oath, CURSE WORD; 60. Impala relative, ELAND; 61. Crisp salad ingredient from across the Pacific, ASIAN PEAR; 62. Satisfy, SLAKE; 63. Child support payer, in modern lingo, BABY DADDY.

Down — 1. “Can’t wait!”, I’M PUMPED; 2. Opening, PREMIERE; 3. Item used in an exotic massage, HOT STONE; 4. Cheer with an accent, OLE; 5. When doubled, a taunt NYAH; 6. Host, EMCEE; 7. Horticultural headache, APHID; 8. Some landings, PIERS; 9. 6 is a rare one, PAR; 10. From overseas?, DES; 11. Lending figure, CREDIT SCORE; 12. Northern Quebec’s UNGAVA Peninsula; 13. Some Vatican art, PIETAS; 14. Still, SERENE; 23. Athlete’s booster, ENERGY DRINK; 25. Ally, UNITE; 26. Race assignments, LANES; 27. W.W. II inits., LST; 31. Rose, STOOD; 32. Full of oneself, PROUD; 33. Roman numeral that’s also a name, LIV; 37. Like most sandals, OPEN TOED; 38. Moneymaker topping a Web site, BANNER AD; 39. Milk and milk and milk, BLEED DRY; 41. Common cocktail component, OLIVES; 44. Cricket violation, NO BALL; 45. Yellow Teletubby, LAA LAA; 48. 2008 documentary about the national debt, I O U S A; 49. Antilles native, CARIB; 50. Bacon product, ESSAY; 54. Mind, TEND; 57. W.W. II inits., DDE; 58. Meter site, CAB; 59. New Deal program, for short, WPA.

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