08.13.10 — Foursome

Friday, August 13, 2010 — International Left Handers Day

Puzzle by Manny Nosowsky, edited by Will Shortz

With four heavy-handed crucifixes as dividers, this fearsome Friday crossword is actually a foursome of crosswords (a/k/a, a quadrupuzzle) with a smattering of connective issue tied together by TEE and TEX in a fragile center crossing.

Puzzle 1, Upper Left — Across: 1. Homo found in 1891, JAVA MAN; 15. Noted password user, ALI BABA; 17. Deceive, CROSS UP; 19. “Cheri” novelist, 1920, COLETTE; 21. One of its groups is rec.puzzles, USENET;23 Alternatives to Civics, SENTRAS; 26. Fangorn Forest race, ENTS; 27. What may make you bats?, LATHE. Down: 1. 1898 Émile Zola letter, J’ACCUSE; 2. 1953 A.L. M.V.P. who played for the Indians, AL ROSEN; 3. Wroth, VIOLENT; 4. Withdraws (oneself), ABSENTS; 5. Be able to nail, MASTER; 6. Adjacency, ABUTTAL; 7. It’s often cleaned up by a barber, NAPE; 24. Like some bedding, SATIN.

Puzzle 2, Upper Right — Across: 8. Mother who never had a delivery?, ADOPTER; 16. Start of a form to fill out, LINE ONE; 18. Extras, ADDENDA; 20. Foments, STIRS UP; 22. Have covered, INSURE; 25. Dirty campaigner, SMEARER; 29. Literary title character called “a pure woman”, TESS. Down: 8. Preceder of a bit of bad news, ALAS; 9. Was a joint tenant?, DID TIME; 10. 1939 Giraudoux play, ONDINE; 11. Tries to make out, PEERS AT; 12. Clerical clipping, TONSURE; 13. Gets through, ENDURES; 14. Combing workers, REAPERS; 25. Unit for 14-Down, SHEAF.

Puzzle 3, Lower Left — Across: 31. Alarmist’s topic, DOOM; 35. Midpoint of morning watch, SIX AM; 41. Empty, at a port, say, UNLADEN; 45. Brown, then red, then brown again, maybe, REDYED; 47. One not seated?, ALSO RAN; 50. Meat curer, NITRITE; 52. Like tractors, TREADED; 54. Like many seals, EARLESS. Down: 31. Entertainer with the gag reply “What elephant?”, DURANTE; 32. A pound of Turkey?, ONE LIRA; 33. Person getting way up there?, OLDSTER; 34. Kind of campaign, MAYORAL; 35. Calms down, SEDATES; 42. Put down, DERIDE; 48. ABC newsman Potter and others, NEDS.

Puzzle 4, Lower Right — Across: 37. Port container, CASK; 43. As a welcome change, FOR ONCE; 46. Use for support, RELY ON; 49. Start up, as electronic equipment, POWER ON; 51. Get moving, ANIMATE; 53. Stole, PIRATED; 55. Trees, hills, etc., SCENERY. Down: 36. Dumb, MORONIC; 37. Company whose logo is a lantern, COLEMAN; 38. Whatever happens, after “at”, ANY RATE; 39. Two-wheeler, SCOOTER; 40. Castro’s “enemy to whom we have become accustomed”, KENNEDY; 44. Make some new connections with, REWIRE; 49. Dads, in dialect, PAPS.

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Remaining clues — 30-Across, Ball-bearing article. 28-Down, Handle on a ranch.

08.13.10 — All That's Left

Creation of Man, Sistine Chapel, Michelangelo —
The right hand of God nearly touching the left hand of Adam.

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International Left Handers Day,
Puzzle by Fred Piscop, edited by Will Shortz

If you subscribe to The New York Times on-line Premium Crosswords, you are probably familiar with the monthly bonus puzzle. For the month of August, the title of this dedicated crossword is “International Left Handers Day” featuring three dozen clues with the word “left“.

August 13th is designated International Lefthanders Day by Lefthanders International. It was first observed 13 August 1976. As its name suggests, it is meant to promote awareness of the inconveniences facing left-handers in a predominantly right-handed world. It celebrates their uniqueness and difference, who are from seven to ten percent of the world's population.

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Across — 1. Sport you can’t play left-handed, POLO; 12. To the left, at sea, APORT; 14. “CAFÉ on the Left Bank” (Wings tune); 20. Left-leaning, politically, LIBERAL; 25. Left with nothing to do, IDLE; 27. Audio setup with left and right channels, STEREO; 30. Left-hand page, VERSO; 34. To the left or right of the goalposts, WIDE; 39. Edgar who painted “Seated Woman, Wiping Her Left Side”, DEGAS; 44. “Concerto for the Left Hand” composer Maurice RAVEL; 48. Leftists, REDS; 52. Personality test image that might exhibit left/right symmetry, INK BLOT; 56. Sharp left from Ali, e.g., JAB; 61. Cubs left-fielder Moises who was involved in the Bartman incident, ALOU; 62. To the left or right, ASIDE; 64. Two left FEET (klutz’s attribute); 65. Walking BASS (left-hand part for a jazz pianist); 66. Left-handed tennis great Rod LAVER; 69. Left, on a map, WEST.

Down — 1. McCartney, the left-handed Beatle, PAUL; 3. Be left behind in a race, LOSE; 5. Left shoe, to the right, MATE; 9. Two-time N.L. batting champ Lefty O’DOUL; 10. Left Bank river, SEINE; 11. Eldest HAND (player to the left of the dealer); 24. Left-BRAINED (analytical); 26. Figure to the left of a decimal point, often, DOLLARS; 37. Like left-hand page numbers, EVEN; 48. “Walk Away RENEE”(1966 Left Banke hit); 49. “The Left Bank” playwright Rice, ELMER.

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08.12.10 — S.O.S.!

The Sinking of the Titanic — Drawn by Henry Reuterdahl from Wireless Description

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Thursday, August 12, 2010

Puzzle by Barry Boone, edited by Will Shortz

SOS (73A. See 38-Across), DIT DIT DIT DAH DAH DAH DIT DIT DIT (38A. 73-Across, in 17-Across), MORSE CODE (17A. See 38-Across) and CARPATHIA (65A. Responder to 38-Across on 4/15/1912) are the interrelated group of this Thursday crossword. The sender of the message infamously descended to the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean and is nowhere to be found in this crossword puzzle either. Explore the RMS Titanic HERE.

DITs and DAHs in the downs — EDITS (33. Cuts and splices film, e.g.), DITKA (39. Longtime Chicago Bears coach), ADDITIONS (28. New wings), DOO DAH (24. Part of the “De Camptown Races” refrain), IDAHO (35. Snake’s place), DAHLIA (40. Mexico’s national flower), EXPEDITED (22. Rushed), END IT (30. Terminate a relationship) and EDITH (37. Mrs. Woodrow Wilson).

Other — ASIAN / ELEPHANT (9A. Like some 21-Acrosses; 21A. Certain stampeder), ZEROES IN (61A. Focuses [on]), and a dozen seven-letter entries: ABASHES, ATONING, DERIVED, EXOTICA (2D. Strange things), EYE EXAM, INHALER, JAZZ AGE (41D. “The Great Gatsby“ setting), NATTILY, RAMADAS, SAID I DO (47D. Married), TEA ROSE (43D. Flower named for its smell), THREATS.

Six-letter — AMELIA (8D. Joni Mitchell song with the lyric “She was swallowed by the sky”), CHEESY (4D. Rinky-dink), ENERGY (36A. Life), ESPAÑA (53D. Neighbor of Francia), JET SKI (41A. Vacation vehicle), LAICAL (51D. Like some church matters).

Five — Indo-ARYAN, “Give it A SHOT” and “A TIME to Kill”, AXONS, Caffè CREMA, DIVAS, EMERY (71A. What might do a foul tip?), GASES, HI MOM (15A. Stadium sign), LEEZA, LONER, MODEL, PAS DE deux, SANTA, SASHA, SNARE (58D. Catch), STAIR (59A. Well feature).

Short stuff — ACE and APE and AXE, ALII, AOL, ASAP, AYE, BAH, DLIX, DOI, EDT, EMO, ENL, ESSY, HAST, IDE, NASA, OLE, PAZ, RED (1A. Stop on it), RIC, RYE (66D. Catcher‘s place?), SMA, TAT, YAO, ZEAL (55A. Fire).

SOS or CQD? — read Wordplay.

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Remaining clues — ACROSS: 4. Caffè go-with; 14. Headbanger’s instrument; 16. Traveler who carries his own bag; 20. “___ to Kill” (Sandra Bullock movie); 23. Agents’ handfuls; 24. Mid sixth-century year; 26. Starting pitcher; 27. Ming on the N.B.A.; 29. Common costume for a costume party; 31. Lab blowup: Abbr.; 32. Top 10 singer born in Nigeria; 34. Question before “And how!”; 44. ___ Christiansen, founder of the Lego company; 45. Verb with “thou”; 49. Reply to Captain Kirk; 50. Quantum Computer Services, today; 52. Chemical suffix; 54. “Phooey!”; 57. Cong. Established it in 1958; 64. Transmission conduits, of a sort; 68. Rightmost column in the periodic table; 70. The Yankees play on it during the summer: Abbr.; 72. Talk show host Gibbons. DOWN: 5. Singer Ocasek of the Cars; 6. Rock genre; 7. Runway user; 9. “On the double!”; 10. White House girl; 18. Scot’s “wee”; 42. Prerequisite for many a prescription; 48. Ultimatums, say; 51. Like some church matters; 53. Neighbor of Francia; 56. Typical Clint Eastwood role; 60. Many a gang symbol, for short; 62. Swedish actress Persson; 66. Catcher’s place?; 67. Goal of las Naciones Unidas.

08.11.10 — Monocles

Charlie McCarthy, Wilkins Micawber, Lord Peter Wimsey and Mr. Peanut

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Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Puzzle by Edward Sessa, edited by Will Shortz

MONOCLES (68A. Items worn by 14-, 23-, 39- and 52-Across), MR PEANUT (14A. Nattily dressed ad figure), WILKINS MICAWBER (23A. Dickens character who says “Something will turn up”), CHARLIE MCCARTHY (39A. Wisecracking dummy of old radio) and LORD PETER WIMSEY (52A. Dorothy L. Sayers’s bon vivant sleuth) are the interrelated group of this Wednesday crossword.

Other — BANDANNA (9D. Part of many a bank robber’s outfit), CHOWLINE (42D. Mess queue), INFINITI (5D. G37 automaker), LEAPFROG (40D. Jumping game), TWITTERY (62A. Giggling nervously), YEARN FOR (17A. Want badly).

Six-letter — ABSCAM (8A. F.B.I. operation involving a nonexistent sheik), APIECE (8D. Pricing word), IN A RUT (18A. Going nowhere, jobwise), PALACE (16A. Queen’s Guard workplace), SATIRE (60A. Colbert or Stewart specialty), SELENE (47D. Greek moon goddess), STOOGE (69A. Any of a comedic trio), TRITON (67A. Moon of Neptune).

Five — ACUTE (12D. Sharp), ANVIL (15D. Smithery sight), ATLAS (36D. Big name in tires), CARIB (11D. Native encountered by Columbus), CHORE (37D. Milking the cows, e.g.), CRIED (32D. Sang the blues), EAT ME (55D. Wonderland cake words), HOWIE (43A. Mandel of “Deal or No Deal”), IDAHO (24D. Home to part of Yellowstone Park), LA LAW (25D. Steven Bochco TV drama), LASTS (52D. Hangs in there), LIE TO (50D. Be dishonest with), MATCH (56D. Success on TV’s “Concentration”), MERCK (4D. Maker of Zocor and Fosamax), METER (13D. It’s fed at curbside), NAACP (35A. Jim Crow-fighting org.), OP ART (53D. Some eyeball benders), PYGMY (38D. Tiny tribesman), RATIO (54D. Track odds, e.g.), STRUM (7D. Play lightly), WEARS (27D. Is tiresome), WITCH (23D. Broom-Hilda, for one).

Short stuff — AHEM, AMY, AOL, APA, ARM, CHAR, CVI, EASE, ELI, EPA, ETE and EWE, FLEA and LEA, HILL, HRE, IDA, IQS, ITE and ITO, LIL, PMS, Status QUO, REL, RENE, SHH, SIR, SLA, SLOE and SLOG, TALC, TOP, USED, WOW, YSL.

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Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. “Attention please …”; 5. Mensa figs.; 19. Early second-century year; 20. Took advantage of; 22. Suffix with bleacher; 28. Lupino of “High Sierra”; 29. Dogpatch diminutive; 30. Philosopher Descartes; 31. Mineral in tailor’s chalk; 33. Toy with an axis; 44. “Stifle!”; 45. Plod along; 46. Lessen, as difficulties; 49. Yahoo! Competitor; 51. Shirt part; 57. Therapists’ org.; 58. Kind of color; 59. Bucolic setting; 70. 59-Across grazer; 71. One of a Roman septet. DOWN: 1. First daughter of 1977-81; 2. Charlemagne’s realm: Abbr.; 3. DDT-banning org.; 10. 1974 kidnap org.; 21. Title for Mick Jagger; 26. Plumlike fruit; 34. Meir and Rabin, briefly; 41. Blacken; 48. Saison on the Seine; 61. “Am ___ believe …”; 63. Blow the socks off; 64. New Haven student; 65. Fam. Member; 66. Fashion monogram.

08.10.10 — Alchemy

The Alchemist c. 1645 David Teniers

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Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Puzzle by Peter A. Collins, edited by Will Shortz

ALCHEMY (39A. Activity associated with the word ladder formed by 1-, 10-, 70- and 72-Across), TRANSMUTATION (20A. Goal of 39-Across), PSEUDOSCIENCE (57A. 39-Across, for one) and LEAD to LOAD to GOAD to GOLD are the interrelated group of this rich little Tuesday crossword.

Other — ADORNS (53A. Decorates); BOOSTS (24A. Gives a leg up); COME TO PAPA (28D. Dice roller’s exclamation); DOWN PAT (4D. Rehearsed perfectly); DULUTH (6D. Lake Superior port); 33A. HOOTIE & the Blowfish; the immodest and initial-laden stage name denoting Ladies Love Cool James, L L COOL J (10D. Rapper born James Todd Smith), yes and here he is "Doin' It"; OPEN STANCE (11D. Batting position); RATED PG (47D. Like most of the Harry Potter films); SALTY and SOILED (25D. Dirty; 26D. Dirty); TRIERS (25D. Judges and juries); URSINE (51D. Bearlike); WAR CRY (46A. Battlefield shout); WORSTED (44D. Wool variety).

Five-letter — ACTED, ADDUP, ANIME (5D. Manga-like art form), an example: 鋼の錬金術師, EELED, ETHYL alcohol, “HASTA luego“, ILLER, IRENE, NUEVA, PART B, SONIA Braga of Hollywood (here she is doing a little housekeeping), “The World of SUZIE Wong”, TETON, ULTRA, YANNI, ZIP IT (65A “Shut up!”).

Short stuff — AGE, AIM, AMAT, ANG, ASEA, BLU, BMW (36D. Audi alternative), CAB, CEES (19A. Broccoli centers?), COAL, “DAS Kapital”, DELT, DIRE, DOOS, ELK, ENTR ‘acte, ESTD, Not IN SO many words, HES, IOU, JAIL, KAY, LIST, LPGA, MOO, NAES, NET, NNE, NOLO, NOPE, OPEL (59D. Audi alternative), PLAT, POET, RANT, SCAN, SLEW and STEW, SUE, TUB, UVEA (8D. Sclera neighbor).

The science of alchymy I like very well, and indeed, 'tis the philosophy of the ancients. I like it not only for the profits it brings in melting metals, in decocting, preparing, extracting and distilling herbs, roots; I like it also for the sake of the allegory and secret signification, which is exceedingly fine, touching the resurrection of the dead at the last day. — Martin Luther's Table talk

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Finally, for what it‘s worth, I stumbled across this anime Iron Man trailer — it's, uh... pure gold!

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Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. Male ballroom dancer, traditionaly; 5. Total; 10. Laundry unit; 15. ___ Granada (old Spanish colony in the Americas); 16. Org. for Annika Sorenstam; 17. Oyster ___; 18. Cooler, to a hip-hopper; 23. Whitman or Whittier; 27. Swipe at the store; 29. Bucks and rams; 32. Extreme; 35. Part of a jug band; 37. Lockup; 38. Objective; 42. What a swish shot swishes; 43. Ton; 45. Mary ___ of cosmetics; 48. Grand ___ National Park; 50. ___-ray Discs; 52. Glasgow negations; 55. Tirade; 63. Latin lover’s word?; 66. Ski-___ (snowmobiles); 67. “Not a chance”; 68. Ryan of “The Beverly Hillbillies”; 69. Subdivision map; 70. Incite; 71. Sniggled, 72. Olympic prize. DOWN: 1. Tilt; 3. Between ports; 7. Shoulder muscle, briefly; 8. Schera neighbor; 9. Second section; 12. AARP membership concern; 22. Letters from a short person?; 31. Litigate; 34. Lodge member; 40. Trucker’s place; 41. Greek New Age musician; 49. Havana-to-Miami dir.; 56. Wasn’t passive; 58. Ominous; 60. Part of a plea; 61. Mine find; 62. Abbr. on a city limit sign; 63. Oscar-winning director Lee; 64. Jersey greeting?

08.09.10 — Idioms and the Iceman

The Ice Man - Home Ice Company - Sloan Gallery  

In American culture, many bawdy jokes focus on wives who commit adultery with a mailman, milkman, plumber, traveling salesman, or any other man who knocks on the front door while the husband is away. In 1912, the year in which The Iceman Cometh is set, one of the deliverymen who stopped frequently at homes was the iceman. He delivered blocks of ice used to refrigerate food. Like milkmen and traveling salesmen, icemen became characters in these bawdy jokes. — Study guide for Eugene O’Neill’s The Iceman Cometh by Michael J. Cummings

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Monday, August 9, 2010

Puzzle by David Poole, edited by Will Shortz

Four idioms utilizing the digestive system, BITE THE BULLET (20A. Accept an inevitable hardship), CHEW THE SCENERY (27A. Ham it up), SWALLOW THE BAIT (43A. Fall for a flimflam) and DIGEST THE NEWS (51A. Understand what’s happening) are the interrelated group of this amusing Monday crossword, but alas with nothing to eat but CRABMEAT (3D. Stuffed sole stuffing), tempting empty TINS (33A. Sardine containers) and ALES (41D. Pub quaffs) for SOTS (34A. Boozehounds).

ANAIS NIN (38D. “Delta of Venus” author) receives full billing today and leads the people parade — ATTLEE (10D. Churchill’s predecessor and successor), CYRUS (5A. “Hannah Montana” star Miley), DEB (37D. Society girl, for short), EZRAS (35A. Poet Pound and others), GERE (42D. Richard of “Chicago”, HENSON (47D. Jim who created Kermit the Frog), HOPI (4D. Indian doll maker), 13D. Clifford ODETS, “Awake and Sing!” dramatist, OTT (25A. Giants great Mel), RUTH (7D. Babe with a bat), SETH (40D. Actor Rogen of “Knocked Up”, 46D. “THELMA & Louise,” 1991 film, ULEE (8D. Beekeeper in a 1997 film), YVETTE (6D. Actress Mimieux of  “The Time Machine” ).

“The Iceman COMETH” and “Comin’ THRO the Rye” bring on the mid-size group including ALAMO, ARETES (45D. Craggy mountain ridges), COOLER (11D. Hoosegow), GENRE, METER, ODIUM, O’HARE, OVULE, REEDS and REELS, REMEDY (12D. Cure), SEDAN, SHINTO (43D. Japanese for “the way of the gods”), STREW, TRADE, WAGONS (44D. Conestogas, e.g.).

Short stuff — ACRO, ACTS, ALOE, ATM, CIA, CLAP, DAIS, ELI and ELL, ENS, HEAD, HER, INC, INOT, IRISH, ISH, ITCH (1A. Something to scratch), KNIT, MOSS, ONUS, RIPE, SET, TEL and TELE, TOED, TOME, TRAS, UPI, URNS, UTNE, WDS, WORK and Dr. Seuss’ “If I Ran the ZOO“.

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Remaining clues — ACROSS: 10. Height: Prefix; 16. ___ the line (obeyed); 17. Applaud; 18. Taxi’s ticker; 19. Any volume of the Oxford English Dictionary; 23. Source of after-hours $$$; 26. Clarinet, oboe and saxophone; 32. Swap; 33. Sardine containers; 34. Boozehounds; 37. Emcee’s spot; 41. Succulent houseplant; 42. Comedy, sci-fi or romance; 48. Site of many Chicago touchdowns; 49. The other woman; 50. Suffix like -like; 56. “How could ___?”; 57. Film vault collection; 58. Burden; 61 ___ Reader (alternative magazine); 62. Davy Crockett died defending it, with “the”; 63. Fully red, as a raspberry; 64. Peat source; 65. Alternative to a convertible; 66. Furrow, as the brow. DOWN: 1. Abbr. at the end of a company’s name; 2. ___ Aviv; 4. Indian doll maker; 21. Carry; 22. Vases; 23. Is a cast member; 24. “Comin’ ___ the Rye”; 28. Vocabulary: Abbr.; 29. Toss (about); 30. “Alias” org.; 31. Warrant officer’s superior: Abbr.; 35. Building wing; 39. What the white of an eye surrounds; 41. Pub quaffs; 52. Chorus syllables; 53. The “T” in TV; 54. President; 55. Cry made while cracking a whip, maybe; 59. Wire service inits.; 60. “Quiet on the ___!”

08.08.10 — At the Bottom of a Letter — Puns & Anagrams

Sunday, August 8, 2010

Puns and Anagrams, Crossword by Mel Taub, edited by Will Shortz

Across — 1. Length of a very long movie about fish baskets, CREELS; 7. One a cop might arrest at a peep show, STARER; 13. Rotten bit of batting advice, FOUL TIP; 14. Oppothite of a thaint, THINNER; 18. Leave Essen in bondage, ENSLAVE; 17. What to do if you see tart again, RETASTE; 18. Car in Leeds, EDSEL; 19. See two gulf states for seafood, CLAMS; 21. Charlton Heston ran for president of this: Abbr., NRA; 22. What Brooklyn students do, LOIN; 23. She’s with Edna, I gather, DIANE; 24. RAIL whey (B&O dairy product); 25. Mel follows her, ENA; 26. Reticent to say, upon reflection, “D—! I’m it!”, TIMID; 27. Maxim of Mr. Lao Tzu, MORAL; 28. Any wonder it’s celebrated?, RENOWNED; 30. Laymen, that is to say, NAMELY; 31. “U.S. Grant,” i.e., at the bottom of a letter, SIGNATURE; 33. Capital by Alan, ALBANY; 36. Anti-loan American, e.g., NATIONAL; 40. Move ahead in favor of General Electric, FORGE; 41. Start for five-and-ten in Pa., PENTA; 42. Woman in Havana, AVA; 43. Run away from Mr. Bailey, FLEE; 44. Jeez, why do I want this little canine?, DOGGY; 45. Workers with headless fastener, CREW; 46. Cry in Toledo, OLE; 47. Gee, is this any way to win a battle?, SIEGE; 48. Old Mr. Attrick, JERRY (Geriatric); 49. Like Ray and Rita, RADIANT; 51. A one-ten infant, say, NEONATE; 53. Dr. Lawn Tool, DREDGER; 54. Service that lets you write “tease” to friends, TWITTER; 55. Like the Dry Era, to drinkers, DREARY; 58. D’s seen or heard, SENSED.

Down — C [on] D [on] E, CONDONE; 2. In U.S.S.R, a citizen, RUSSIAN; 3. Two letters read aloud for a girl, ELLEN; 4. Up late, ETAL; 5. Woman of 54, LIV; 6. Example of M & N pieces, SPECIMEN; 7. Desert R, S and T, STRAND; 8. It tells me the subject, THEME; 9. 888 islands, AITS; 10. Bernard’s heart, genetically, RNA; 11. Arrange an erne’s capture, ENSNARE; 12. Later R.I. prosecution, RETRIAL; 13. Tentative proposal from ref Lee, FEELER; 15. No kidding, as to friend, REALLY; 20. Badly lagged, in a showbiz way, LAID AN EGG; 23. Dull-colored, with lots of dents, DINGY; 24. Mr. Moore, ROMEO; 26. Rope I went for, TWINE; 27. For Irma, a girlfriend, MARIA; 29. River that goes a long way through Missouri, OSAGE; 30. Why you with TNT would be crazy, NUTTY; 32. Male lifeguards, typically, TANGENTS; 33. A H-Henry or a H-Harrison, AFFORD (a F-Ford); 34. One who praised the Lord all the time, LOLLARD; 35. Stallion that could turn beer red, BREEDER; 37. What a ranter might do to a story, NARRATE; 38. Rte. Dave avoided, AVERTED; 39. Wearily I may leave the court, LAWYER; 41. Some literature to print or type, POETRY; 44. E D R, DINER (D in ER); 45. See tens of coins, CENTS; 47. A gas on the rise, SAGA; 48. Enlist in banjoing, JOIN: 50. Keep under one’s ‘at, 'IDE; 52. Farm animal you heard, EWE.

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08.08.10 — 3 X 8

Sunday, August 8, 2010

3 X 8, Puzzle by Pam Klawitter, edited by Will Shortz

Eight sets of 3 circled letters are the cross-reference clues for eight entries in this Sunday crossword:

• TELEPATH’S GIFT (22A. See circled letters in 96-Down), ESP in ESTOP (96D. Prevent)
• WEB GIGGLE (39A. … in 79-Down), LOL in LOLL (79D. Laze)
• LOST NETWORK (61A. … in 13-Down), ABC in ABACI (13D. They can always be counted on)
• RN SPECIALTY (70A. … in 62-Down), TLC in TALCS (62D. Rash remedies)
• CASH CACHE (88A. … in 89-Down), ATM in ATOMIC (89D. Wee)
• CRIME FIGHTERS (111A. … in 1-Across), FBI in FABIAN (1A. One-named teen idol of the late ‘50s/early ‘60s)
• PROMISSORY NOTE (16D. … in 65-Across), IOU in PIOUS (65A. Very reverent)
• ESPIONAGE GROUP (50D. … in 46-Down), CIA in MARCIA (48D. Cross of “Desperate Housewives”)

Seven-letter — BARRONS (24A. Dow Jones publication), DIORITE (109A. Igneous rock), ECUADOR (114A. Home to Mount Chimborazo), ELASTIC (49D. Bland composition), EMBARKS (35D. Sets off), LAPTOPS (117A. Some carry-on items), MADE PAR (12A. Came out even, in a way), METERS (48A. People holding signs at airports), NESTLES (54D. Candy giant, informally), OBVERSE (21A. Heads), PROTEST (65D. Boycott, e.g.), SOONEST (83A. At the earliest opportunity).

Six — AL HIRT (59D. Jazz great nicknamed Jumbo), ALSACE (55A. Noted wine region), APEXES (2D. Climbers’ goals), APOLLO (19A. God who killed the dragon Python four days after his birth), ASNERS (17D. Actor Ed and family), BOLERO (3D. 1928 musical composition originally called “Fandango”), CAPERS, CASTER and CATERS (90D. Heists; 80A. Furniture mover; 88D. Works a wedding, maybe), CHIEFS (86D. Arrowhead Stadium team), DILLON (33D. TV marshal who frequents the Long Branch Saloon), EGGNOG (8D. Drink from a bowl), EUNICE (116A. One of the Kennedys), HIRE ON (26A. Join the crew), ISAACS (72D. Jason who plays Lucius Malfoy in Harry Potter films), MOBILE (12D. Art installation), MONICA (87D. One of the friends on “Friends”), NAME IT (92D. “Anything you say!”), OPERAS (106A. Gluck works), PLATER (78A. Flatware finisher), RAMROD (32A. Demanding overseer), RASTAS (31D. Some Jamaicans, for short), REASON (53A. Why), RESORB (7D. Soak back in), SANDAL (74D. It has a bottom but no top), 93D. “Make yourself SCARCE”, SHERRI (83D. Shepherd of “The View), SITTERS (119A. Tot tender), STAIRS (97A. Inside flight), TAPIRS (115A. Brachyodont perissodactyls), TEGRIN (20A. Bygone shampoo brand), THE MET (20D. Lincoln Center institution), TRAWLS (23D. Bottom-fishes).

Five — AAMES, ASICS, CAPOS, CATCH, CHILD, COUPS, DEARE, FATAH, FIDEL, FOLIC, GEESE (40D. Silly ones), IMACS, INNER, KYSER, LOSER, NOAIR, PASSE, POLES (51A. Dwellers on the Baltic), RESET, RETRO, ROOMY, SAGES, SPILT, STATS, SWATS.

Short stuff — ACTI, AIN and AIT, ALPH, AXE, BARE, BOCA, CSI, DBLS, DRAM, DVR, EERS, ELS, ERAT, FOG, GEER, GTS, HERR, IDO, ILE and ILIE, , IPA, IRE and INRE, IRT, ITO, LACK, LANS, LETT (46A. Dweller on the Baltic), LILT, MAY, MESS and MEWS, NTH, ONES, ONTO, OPTS, POI, RAPS, REA, RIFF, SHUI, SEW, SMEE, SOAR and SOAS and SOS, SOLI, SPEC, TEAR, TNT, TRI, YSL.

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THE NEW YORK TIMES — Crossword Puzzles and Games.

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Remaining clues — ACROSS: 7. Fashionably nostalgic; 25. Can; 27. Kind of acid found in spinach; 29. Hook’s right-hand man; 30. Frankfurt term of address; 34. Tennis’s Nastase; 36. New York subway inits.; 37. In order (to); 42. Teen’s room, stereotypically; 44. Like some proverbial milk; 47. Two-baggers: Abbr.; 56. Underworld bosses; 57. Take off;58. Stephen of “The Musketeer”; 60. Does some freestyling; 63. Big letters in fashion; 64. CBS show with Laurence Fishburne; 67. “Charles in Charge” co-star; 68. Mathematical ordinal; 69. “What was ___ think?”; 74. Star turns; 76. River to the Rhone; 76. ___ place; 77. New Balance competitor; 82. On-base percentage and others; 84. Will of “The Waltons”; 85. Florida city for short; 86. Word with love or honey; 87. Row of stables, in Britain; 91. Telecom hookups; 94. Highway hazard; 95. Spree; 101. Concerning; 103. Lieu; 108. Spider-Man’s aunt; 118. Apple purchases. DOWN: 4. Quebec’s Grosse-___; 9. Cycle attachment?; 10. Jazz phrase; 11. Aware of; 14. TiVo, for one in brief; 15. Relative of -ists; 18. Microwave button; 28. Melodic speech; 38. Job detail; 41. Some sporty cars; 43. P.G.A.’s Ernie; 45. Heat source?; 47. “The Wreck of the Mary ___”; 51. Not in; 53 Like a successful dieter’s clothes; 56. Brilliant successes; 57. Goes for, as a fly; 61. #2 or #3; 66. ___ peace; 71. “Coming at you!”; 78. Don Ho fan fare?; 781. Singers do it; 82. “Mamma Mia!” song; 85. Unadorned; 86. Arrowhead Stadium team; 94. Leader succeeded by his brother Raul; 98. Wise ones; 100. Orchestra leader Kay; 102. Part of Q.E.D.; 104. Theater opening; 105. 60 grains; 107. Feng ___; 110. Swear words in a swearing-in; 112. Pronunciation guide std.; 113. Cause of a big bang.