04.08.11 — 1961

Parade for the 40th anniversary of the Russian Revolution, Red Square, Moscow

————————

Friday, April 8, 2011

Puzzle by Joe Krozel / Edited by Will Shortz

An ungainly grid confronts the solver of this clever, yet grim and tedious (that‘s a positive), trifurcated (that’s a negative) Friday crossword. The house-organ blog of The New York Times, Wordplay, gushingly explains that the black squares of the grid outline the year 1961, continuing on with the usual extraordinary and elaborate high praise of any crossword composed for the Grey Lady. The duad of dead-serious hubristically self-appointed critics of the cold little crossword blogosphere are less pleased — The Fiend declaring the puzzle “a glut of black squares” much in agreement with Rex Parker, e.g., “insane… squatty… look-at-me grid, far too many black squares…” — thereupon, both indulge in the usual grave analysis of how the crossword (or any crossword for that matter) should have been (or should be) constructed, accompanied by the relating of personal trials and tribulations in solving and peeks into their respective private lives. It’s all kind of cool, isn’t it!  KENNEDY (7D. 1961 leader), SOVIETS (34D. Adversaries of 7-Down), COLD / WAR (9A. With 44-Down, conflict between 7-Down and the 34-Down) and FENCE (27D. The Berlin Wall started as one in 1961) are the handful of interrelated entries justifying the grotesque black-letter “1961” imposed upon the puzzle. No, honestly, it’s cool!

Berlin Wall, 1961

Four fifteen-letter entries run two left and two right, NATURAL DISASTER (1D. Earthquake, e.g.), ELEVATOR BUTTONS (2D. They may be hard-pressed to work), TAKE A BACK SEAT TO (5D. Have lower priority than) and SLEEVELESS DRESS (6D. Jumper, for one).

Other — AT ONE’S FEET (25A. In a person’s immediate vicinity), BARE BONES (3D. No extras), DISALLOWS, DULCET, FACE MASKS (35A. Umpires’ wear), FASTEN, HE-MAN, LEICESTER (11D. English Midlands city that is home to the largest outdoor covered market in Europe), LONELIEST, SIT AT HOME (26D. Not go out), RABID, RILED, SMILE (19A. Cry before someone snaps), SPRAINED (4D. Twisted in a bad way), STOWE, THE UN, VALIANCE (33D. Bravery), WATER GLASS (38A. Pitcher’s catcher?).

Soviet tanks face US tanks at Checkpoint Charlie,

on October 27, during the Berlin Crisis of 1961

Short stuff — ALAP and ALAR, ASH, AVE, BED, CCS and CTS and CWTS, DALY, DEL, DRED, EEN, ESOS, ETO, IST, KEN, MGR, NEBS, NERD, NEST, NOTE, OHM, OSU, SIBS, SRS, TEN, TERR, TNT, TSK, UVEA, VAT, VICE (33A. It’s just wrong), WASH.

END (45D. This, for example, with “the”).

————————

Click on image to enlarge.

Puzzle available on the internet at

THE NEW YORK TIMES — Crossword Puzzles and Games.

Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. Beaks; 5. “You shouldn’t have!”; 8. Gain ___ on; 13. It may take a few hops; 14. Louisiana ___: Abbr.; 15. One of its official languages is Eng.; 17. Thriller author Follett; 18. Place for an iris; 20. Poet’s time of day; 21. Raging; 23. Solution amts.; 24. St. Bernard in New Orleans, e.g.: Abbr.; 28. It’s made every day; 30. Original “What’s My Line?” host John; 31. 1856 antislavery novel; 32. Contents of some charges; 34. Ones sharing a branch of a tree; 37. Seven-time Rose Bowl winner, in brief; 39. Winery fixture; 40. It’s all burned up; 41. All burned up; 42. Column addition?; 43. Write of 31-Across; 46. Banned fruit spray; 47. Onetime D.D.E. command; 48. Atlas, e.g.; 49. “Consider …”; 50. What a king may be worth; 51. Unlikely prom king; 52. Shipping units: Abbr.; 53. Promgoers, typically: Abbr.; 54. Those south of the border. — DOWN: 9. Price abbr.; 10. Unit of resistance; 16. Egg holder; 22. One of the 13 orig. colonies; 36. Store person: Abbr.; 38. Basketful of clothes.

04.07.11 — THE

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Puzzle by Henry Hook / Edited by Will Shortz

The phrase “with “The’” is a common notation in a crossword clue to indicate that the definitive article won’t appear in the answer — this Wednesday crossword the THE is to be added to THE-less answers of [The]IR FINEST HOUR (19A. Churchill subject with “The”), [The]RE’S A SMALL HOTEL (30A. Rodgers and Hart song, with “The”), [The]Y MIGHT BE GIANTS (36A. George C. Scott movie with a rock band namesake, with “The”) and [The]LMA AND LOUISE (48A. Hit movie of 1991, with “The”). Cute, clumsy and confusing; however, there's plenty to chew on in the rest of the crossword.

Other — ANTONIO (14A. Original “Spy vs. Spy“ cartoonist Prohias), ARSENIC (16A. Straight As in chemistry?), ATTUNES, BAHAMAS (37D. Its coat of arms include a marlin and a flamingo), BONBONS (55A. Chocolate treats), CARRY / ONS (43D. With 11-Down, flight crew concerns), DORSEYS (58A. Big Band brothers), GOODBAR (39D. “Mr.” at the candy counter), OLESTRA (56A. Fat substitute), POTSDAM (6D. Capital of Brandenburg), RETASTE, SEAPORT, SIDEARM, SIGHTLESS (32D. Blind), TAR HEEL (7D. A.C.C. athlete), TEARS DOWN (10D. Razes), TORTONI (7A. Rum-enhanced dessert) .

Mid-size — ALERS, AGONY, End of AN ERA, ASNER, ASWIRL, BASIC, EDITS, GESSO, HIT IT (24D. “Let‘s go!”), LIONS (45D. They have their pride), MEDICS, ODILE (29A. “Swan Lake“ role), OH SAY (29D. Key’s opener), OREOS (8D. Topic of Weird Al Yankovic‘s “The White Stuff“), REMUS, RUTHS, SACHS, SPARE (27A. Success on a second attempt, of a sort), STAFF.

Short stuff — ANON, ASP, ASST, BAS, Pousse-CAFÉ (multicolored drink), CHOO, DER, DYES, EGON, FLAG, FUBU (44D. Clothing company since 1992), ICE, ILO, LAIN, LOTI, Running MATE, MYRA, NIT, ONTO, OPIE, PSST, RIO, RSTU, SHAW, SIRE, SOD, SRO, TYRA, WELL (26A. Utterance from Reagan mimics).

Well…

Click on image to enlarge.

Puzzle available on the internet at

THE NEW YORK TIMES — Crossword Puzzles and Games.

Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. Undergrad degs.; 4. Source of venom; 17. Longshoreman’s venue; 18. Try again?; 22. Changes the locks?; 23. Bernard formerly of CNN; 34. Triage site workers; 35. Eddying; 40. ___ Chris Steak House; 41. Anguish; 42. Paralegal, for example: Abbr.; 43. When repeated, a train sound; 44. Tire; 52. Revolver, e.g.; 57. Synchronizes; 59. “That Night in “___” (1941 film); 60. Full house indicator. — DOWN: 1. Computer language from 1964; 3. Scepter; 4. Like most proverbs, for short; 5. Term for a crown; 9. Queue after Q; 12. Minor criticism; 13. Lemieux mileu; 15. Mayberry moppet; 20. Banks on a Sports Illustrated cover; 25. Jays ad Rays; 26. Utterance from Reagan mimics; 27. Goldman partner; 28. It may precede a tip; 30. Harris’s uncle; 31. Takes out of context?; 33. Reposed; 34. Name in a Gore Vidal title; 38. Painter Schiele; 46. Actor who played himself in 1988’s “Moon Over Parador”; 47. Bas-relief material; 50. Pierre who wrote “Pêcheur d’Islande”; 51. Words after catch or hang; 52. Ground cover; 53. U.N. workers’ grp.; 54. Aachen article.

04.06.11 — Double-HEADers

Amoeba after dividing © Oxford Scientific

————————

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Puzzle by Gareth Bain / Edited by Will Shortz

DOUBLE-HEADERS (34A. Once-common baseball events … and a hint to 16-, 24-, 46- and 57-Across), THUNDER GOD (16A. Thor, for one), WAR BRIDES (24A. Ones often marrying in a hurry), STEEL DRUM (46A. Calypso instrument) and DEAD LETTER (57D. It’s undeliverable), two-word phrases where both words can precede the word HEAD, constitutes the interrelated group of this lackluster Wednesday crossword.

Other — ARM RESTS (11D. Pair on a couch), CLASSES (12D. Business and tourist), DENTURES (34D. Stereotypical glass fillers), MASCARA (38D. It might run in the rain), MULE DEER (10D. Yellowstone forager) , ORDER OUT (35D. Not have a home-cooked meal, maybe).

Six-letter — ASTRAL, BLONDE (54A. Like Mrs. Bumstead), DIMPLE, DNA LAB, ELUDED, GO HOME, INDENT, RODENT (19A. Porcupine, e.g.), SAILOR, SOAK IN, STEREO, WANTON.

Five — AMEBA (23A. Creature on a slide), ANDRE, AROAR, DENEB (4D. Summer Triangle star), DOGMA, DUDES, ELIOT, IBSEN, LOTTO, MAORI, OBESE, PLANT, REALM, REELS, SIDE B, SUCRE, USAIR, WILES.

Short stuff — AGED, AIL, ALMA, AKA, AROD, ASTI, BLT, CUR, DOS, DPI, ERS, FURL, IFA, IMAC, LAI and LAM, LED, MAES, MERC, MET, OHO, ONTO, PAR, PDAS, REUP, SETS, SOLE amandine, SRO, SSRS, SUES, TONE, WIS.

————————

Click on image to enlarge.

Puzzle available on the internet at

THE NEW YORK TIMES — Crossword Puzzles and Games.

Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. Kept in a cellar, perhaps; 5. Droids, iPhones, etc.; 9. Non-PC computer; 14. Language that gave us “kiwi”; 15. Roll up, as a sail; 18. Michigan college town; 20. Actresses West and Clarke; 22. Hosp. areas; 26. Took by the hand; 27. My ___, Vietnam; 29. Needing a seat belt extender, say; 30. Shore leave taker; 33. Collectors’ completions; 38. Chicago exchange, for short; 39. Absorb thoroughly; 40. Agassi of tennis; 42. Beat it; 43. It borders two Great Lakes: Abbr.; 53. Seeks redress; 55. Yankee nickname starting in 2004; 59. Extend one’s tour; 60. “The Waste Land” poet; 61. Shape (up); 62. Piedmont city; 63. Cold war-era lands: Abbr.; 64. Not taken in by. — DOWN: 1. Kind of projection; 2. “Beat it!”; 3. Got away from; 5. Links figure; 6. Set of beliefs; 7. Like crowds in the heat of a match; 8. 45 half; 9. “___ tree falls …”; 14. Shook hands, say; 17. Paternity testing locale; 21. B.O. sign; 24. Bits of cunning; 25. “Peer Gynt” playwright; 28. Have a bug; 30. A capital of Bolivia; 31. “Caught you!”; 32. Queendom, e.g.; 36. Wanted-poster abbr.; 37. Part of a golf ball; 41. Golf’s Big Easy; 43. Far from demure; 44. Set right; 45. Word on many Lps; 47. Fancy dressers; 48. Walks like a tosspot; 49. Carrier renamed in 1997; 51. Pick 6, e.g.; 54. Short-order lunch; 56. Print resolution meas.; 58. Galas.

04.05.11 — RAIN

Rainbow Guard photograph by linh.ngân

————————

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Puzzle by E. J. Masicampo / Edited by Will Shortz

NIMBUS / CLOUDS (1. With 7-Across, sources of the circles words), RAIN, RAIN, RAIN and RAIN in circles and PITTER / PATTER (63. With 64-Across, sound of the circled words) are the interrelated group of this fine Tuesday crossword. Providing the RAIN are STRAINERS (6D. Spaghetti makers’ implements), UKRAINIAN (10D. Like the Chernobyl nuclear power plant), BRAINIEST (31D. Like the class valedictorian, perhaps) and TRAIN STOP (33D. “All aboard!” place).

Other — ADORNER, CREEP UP, HAZIEST (13A. Least clear), HIRSUTE, FERTILIZER (32A. Yield booster), NBA ALL-STAR (40A. Court V.I.P.), ORANGES (62A. Ones getting squeezed before breakfast?), OVER-RAN (17A. Infested), RANKING, RETABLE, TIRADES (59A. Angry lectures), WARRIOR.

Mid-size — ALEVE, ARARAT (45D. Biblical landfall), BENDER, CROSS (7D. Shape on an altar), DIRAC (11D. 1933 Physics Nobelist Paul), FIERCE, JADED, MIRES, REFOLDS, SCRIP, SERIES, SLANT, SNARK (12D. Lewis Carroll creature), TAPER, TONERS, UTERI.

Short stuff — AARP, ACH, ACT I (51A. When Caesar is told to beware), APSE (19A. Church recess), ARAB, CATS, CUTE, DAWN, DDS, DRAB, EDGE, ELMO (35D. Patron saint of sailors), ESS, FEN (29A. Bog), GNP, HAJ, IED, ILES, IRA, NADA, NAME, ONE, PEER, PELT (24D. What hailstones do), PUT, REED (36D. Plant in a bog), RENE, Costa RICA, ROD, SARA, SUNS, TROT, USE, VEER, Z-BAR.

————————

Click on image to enlarge.

Puzzle available on the internet at

THE NEW YORK TIMES — Crossword Puzzles and Games.

Remaining clues — ACROSS: 14. Position in a college sports poll; 16. Decorator; 18. Having a “Ho-hum, I’ve seen that already” attitude; 21. 50+ org.; 22. “The Office” or “House”; 24. Item for a guitarist or a prospector; 25. One whose work is filling?: Abbr.; 28. Painter Magritte; 30. Part of U.A.E.; 37. Golden State athlete; 39. Postpone again; 42. Specify; 43. Roadside bomb, for short; 46. Angler’s need; 47. Lies on the beach; 49. Photocopying supplies; 52. Jazz devotees; 53. Advil alternative; 57. Rise gradually; 61. Hairy. — DOWN: 1. Zippo; 2. Polo alternative; 3. Bogs down; 4. Drinking spree; 5. Try to profit from; 8. Bathe; 9. Washington bill; 13. Leon Uris novel, with “The”; 15. Econ. Figure; 20. Use binoculars, say; 23. Neaten, as shirts at a men’s store; 25. Sunup; 26. Lackluster; 27. “___ Smile,” first hit for Hall & Oates; 29. Savage; 34. Letter-shaped beam; 38. Réunion and others; 41. Bring (out); 47. Money substitute; 48. Wombs; 49. Narrow; 50. Point of view; 51. Essen exclamation; 52. Like a baby with dimples, say; 54. Upper hand; 55. Shift direction; 56. Skier’s turn; 58. Place; 60. $$$ set aside for later years.

04.04.11 — Anatomy of a Monday

Anatomy Painting by Jeff DOttavio 

————————

Monday, April 4, 2011

Puzzle by Lynn Lempel / Edited by Will Shortz

Anatomical rhymes, BRAIN DRAIN (17A. Mass exodus of expertise), BACKPACK (25A. Hiker’s carryall), HANDSTAND (37A. Upside-down maneuver), HAIR CARE (53A. Salon work) and HEART SMART (63A. Recommended by cardiologists), are the interrelated group of this well-built Monday crossword.

Other — ASHAMED (40D. Conscience-stricken), BANSHEE (25D. Gaelic spirit whose wailing portends death), BRAIDED (3D. In cornrows), CONFABS (11D. Chatty discussions), CUTICLE (12D. Manicurist’s target), EARLY ON (2D. Toward the beginning), HEISMAN (42D. Trophy for a great college gridder), IRON AGE (45D. When bronze was supplanted in tool making), LONG RUN (46D. Period extending well into the future), SWAHILI and ENG (41D. Language of Kenya; 62D. Language of Kenya: Abbr.), TRINKET (13D. Doodad).

Mid-size — AKRON, ARABLE, ASHES, ASPCA, CLONE (55A. Biological duplicate), DANES, ESTEE, EVITA, LIKE SO, LIMAS, ONSET, OUTING, PANDA (26D. “Bear“ that‘s not really a bear), REESE, RYDER, SACHET, SENECA (9D. Iroquois tribe for which one of the Finger Lakes is named), SHEER, SPIKE, SWEEPS, TEEMS, VERVE.

Short stuff — AARP, ACCT, ACE and ATE, ACTS, AERO, AGUA, AHS, AILS, ANY, ASA, DAB, DEBS, DING, DVDS, ELAN, ENDS, ENYA, FIN, IONS, KIN, NERO, NRA, OKRA, OREM (59D. City near Provo), RODS, ROE and RTE, SEE, SEND, SHUN and STUN, SOUR, TAD, TEA, TOE, UTES (60D. Tribe once in the Provo area).

————————

Click on image to enlarge.

Puzzle available on the internet at

THE NEW YORK TIMES — Crossword Puzzles and Games.

Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. U.S. labor leader Eugene; 5. Hamlet and Ophelia, by nationality; 10. Bank no.; 14. Lobbying org. for seniors; 15. Pep; 16. Like unripe apples; 19. Opposed; 20. “In just this way”; 21. Lipton drink; 23. Park of a shark seen above the water; 24. Golf’s ___ Cup; 27. Sock part; 28. Gumbo vegetable; 31. Good for farming; 32. Discontinues; 34. Charged particles; 36. Beginning; 40. Fireplace residue; 43. Avoid; 44. Feels lousy; 48. Wins every game in a series; 50. One-named Irish Grammy winner; 52. ___ v. Wade; 55. Top-notch; 59. Pleasant excursion; 61. Performer who doesn’t say a word; 66. Distinctive style; 67. Cosmetician Lauder; 68. Water, in Juarez; 69. Tiny bell sound; 70. Swarms (with); 71. Transmit. — DOWN: 1. Smidgen; 4. Really high heel; 5. VHS tape displacers; 6. Aviation-related prefix; 7. Org. that sticks to its guns?; 8. Argentina-based musical; 10. Quick ___ flash; 18. Tyrannical Roman emperor; 22. Ohio tire city; 24. Road no. 29. Relatives; 30. Curtain hangers; 33. See-through; 35. Stupefy; 38. Org. that runs shelters for dogs and cats; 39. Unspecified number; 47. Visualize; 49. Scented bag in a dresser drawer; 51. Is in a play; 54. Pee Wee who befriended Jackie Robinson; 56. Some beans, informally; 64. Gobbled down; 65. Small amount.

04.03.11 — Shifting Gears — the Diagramless

Sunday, April 3, 2011

DIAGRAMLESS, Puzzle by Fred Piscop / Edited by Will Shortz

Finding the right gears to solve this well-tuned diagramless is easy as they are placed in the order of a standard automatic — PARK PLACE (13A. $350 Monopoly property), REVERSE SPLIT (25A. Corporate action that reduces a shareholder’s number of shares), NEUTRAL GROUND (39A. Where there’s no home-field advantage), DRIVE-THROUGH (56A. Part of many a fast-food restaurant). LOW BUDGET (67A. Made on a shoestring, say), and away we go!

Other — BASSINET, CAVORTS, DRONING, EL CHEAPO and EL GRECO (64A.”View of Toledo“ painter), LEAD TIME, LED UP TO, RIGATONI, RITALIN, SANDMAN, URGINGS, SAPPORO (38D. 1972 Winter Olympics site).

Mid-size — ALCOVE, ALIBI, ARLES and ARIES, BUSONI, ENROL, ERATO, EWERS, GO NOW, GROPES, GUILE, Hoops great Kareem Abdul-JABBAR, LYING, MILAN, NIBBLE, O’NEILL (71A. “The Hairy Ape“ playwright), ORIOLE, ORLON, REESE, ROACH, ROLEO, SEGAR, SERGE, SLURPS, SONATA, TAUNTS, TRENT Reznor, Oscar winner for scoring “The Social Network“, TROUGH, WINGS.

Short stuff — ARPS, BIL, BOA, CIG, DAG, DUDE, EDGE, EMS, ENYA, EPA, GER, IDLE, “Deed I DO“ (Ruth Etting tune), IRE, ISH, JOKE, MEWL, MOS, NCO, NETS, NOR, OPIE, OPT, ORS, OSU, PAUL and PULL, RIP, SSGT, TABS, TEST, TRIP, ULT.

————————

Click on image to enlarge.

Puzzle available on the internet at

THE NEW YORK TIMES — Crossword Puzzles and Games.

Remaining clues — ACROSS: 7. Whimper like a baby; 11. Baseball cap bird; ___ Taylor, 1960s TV role; 16. Sleep inducer; 20. A fire sign; 21. Columbus sch.; 23. Artful deception; 24. Last: Abbr.; 29. Job scheduling concern; 32. Eur. Tongue; 33. They’re kept on suspects; 34. Rude sounds at dinner; 35. Ribbed past; 38. Piece that may contain a rondo; 44. Seeks blindly; 45. Word between here and there; 46. Shoddy item, slangily; 49. Bygone copies; 52. Singer with the album “The Celts”; 53. 72-Across, e.g.: Abbr.; 54. Nursery fixture; 59. Ill temper; 60. 1965 Moody Blues hit; 61. Where scrubs are worn: Abbr.; 62. Signs of engine trouble; 70. Make a misstep; 72. U.S. Army E-6; 73. Sign of interest, as in an offer. — DOWN: 1. One-liner, e.g.; 2. Some Dadaist works; 3. Cartoonist Keane; 4. Constrictor; 5. Breakfast area; 6. Baseball’s Pee Wee; 7. Perps’ patterns; 8. Superfund org.; 9. Spicy bar fare; 10. Set the stage for; 13. One of the Fab Four; 14. Town on the Rhone; 15. Drug for the hyperactive; 17. City with a twice-yearly fashion week; 18. It’s good when airtight; 19. Brings home; 22. Exhortations; 25. Job for a tailor; 26. 911 responder, for short; 27. Popeye creator Elzie; 28. Sister of Clio; 30. Weekend rancher, maybe; 31. Slop holder; 35. Lumberjacks’ contest; 36. Talks trash to; 41. Exterminator’s target; 42. Words of denial; 43. Emulating a boring professor; 46. Sign up; 47. Telling stories; 48. Rollicks; 49. Nobelist Hammarskjold; 50. “Sorta” suffix; 51. Suit material; 52. Competitive leg up; 54. “Doktor Faust” composer; 55. Word repeated before “1, 2, 3”; 57. Still-life pitchers; 58. Wool-like material; 62. Political asset; 63. Just chilling; 65. Smoke; 66. Make a choice; 68. Bug trapper; 69. Park of overalls.

04.03.11 — Triple Bonds

Dumb blonde model reading book upside down, photograph Caridee at Hane Hassan

————————

Sunday, April 3, 2011

TRIPLE BONDS, Puzzle by Oliver Hill and Eliza Bagg / Edited by Will Shortz

In this playful Sunday crossword nine three-word across entries possess a touch of nonsense on their own each having three clues (divided with a / ) and each with three words that combine into three distinct pairs:

• GREEN TEA PARTY (23. Chinese restaurant offering / Wonderland affair / Group on the left?), e.g., green tea, tea party, green party
• CRAB CAKE WALK (27. Baltimore specialty / Effortless task / Move on all fours with the belly up), crab cake, cake walk, crab walk
• LOW CUT CLASS (43. Plunging / Play hooky / Vulgar), low-cut, cut class, low class
• AIR CANADA DRY (52. Northern flier / Mixer maker / Put on the line), Air Canada, Canada Dry, air-dry
• DIRTY BLONDE JOKE (67. Yellowish brown / Bit of “dumb” humor / Many a forwarded e-mail), dirty blonde, blonde joke, dirty joke
• HEAD COLD CASE (87. Cause of congestion / Detective’s challenge / Loony), head cold, cold case, head case
• HONEY POT PIE (94. Winnie-the-Pooh possession / Baked entrée / Sweetie), honey pot, pot pie, honey pie
• CAT FOOD FIGHT (106. Fancy Feast product / Cafeteria outburst / “Mean Girls” event), cat food, food fight, cat fight
• BLUE STATE BIRD (119. Democratic territory / Cardinal, e.g. / “Over the Rainbow” flier), blue state, state bird, blue bird

Other — ADDED ON (61D. Appended), ANAGRAM (26A. Neo, for one), ANORAKS (114A. Hooded jackets), AVIATOR sunglasses, BON JOVI (21A. “Livin’ on a Prayer” band), COPYREAD (91D. Check, as text), ENDEMIC (25A. Indigenous), HAIR TIES (47A. Scrunchies), LANGLAUF (5D. Cross-country skiing), MESTIZO (122A. Biracial Latin American), NAIL FILE (51A. Tip reducer), OF COURSE, (93A. “Naturally!”) STAPLER (41D. Desk item), SZECHWAN (90A. Style of chicken) and YAWPS (77D. Barks).

I too am not a bit tamed, I too am untranslatable,

I sound my barbaric YAWP over the roofs of the world.

~ Walt Whitman, “Song of Myself” Leaves of Grass

Six-letter — ALIBIS, ANTHEM (7A. Something that might get a rise out of people?), CATHAY (28D. Polo locale), CONDOR (54D. Creature worshiped by the Incas), ENBLOC, ESTATE, FIASCO, GAG LAW (99D. Speech blocker), I AGREE (123A. “Ditto!”), IDES OF, LA MESA, MAYBES, ODESSA (128A. “The Battleship Potemkin“ setting), O’TOOLE, REPLAN and REPORT, RIPEST, SAGEST, SWORDS, TAIPAN.

Five — ALACK (73D. Old cry of dismay), ALAMO, Indo-ARYAN, AWAIT, CALLS, CDROM, CLINT (45A. Black in a cowboy hat), CRAZY, ENTRE, ETHAN, GOTTO, HOAGY, IBEAM, I WISH (34D. “If only!), JAZZY, LADLE, LETON, LEROY, NENES, OATES, PRIOR, PSSTS, SIREN, TIDAL, TOAST, ULNAE, UTICA, YOYOS (58A. Idiots).

Short stuff — ABIE, ANA and ANO, ARD, ASS (55A. Buffoon), AVEC plaisir, AWE, CAMS, CCL, CEOS, COLA, CONK, CUI, DNA, EAT, ENDE, ERAS, EVIL eye, FAT and FAST, HERR, Bklyn. HTS, HUGO, ICE, “This IS AN outrage!”, JEW, KIPS, KNIT, LAP and NAP, LARA, LIEF, NIL, NON, NRA, NTH, OLEA, OOZE, OPEN, ORA and ORG, OTIS, PAAR, PAN, POP, PSI (38D. Reciprocal Fibonacci constant), RLS, RYAN, SCH, SED and SEM and SEW, “SHE Bangs“ (Ricky Martin hit), SOMA, SRAS, SYR, TEAM, TERA and TERR, THO, TIS and TISH (108D. “Oh, pooh!”), TMAC, WICK, YEP (“Uh-huh”).

————————

Click on image to enlarge.

Puzzle available on the internet at

THE NEW YORK TIMES — Crossword Puzzles and Games.

Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. Henry II player in “Becket”; ?; 13. Clinch; 16. Clinch, with “up”’ 19. Arrange again; 20. Suburb of San Diego; 29. Admit; 31. Skins, e.g.; 32. Ancient city NW of Carthage; 36. Most red, maybe; 39. Firmly fixed; 58. Lure; 59. “Up to ___,” 1952 game show; 60. ___ Hunt, Tom Cruise’s character in “Mission: Impossible”; 63. Sénat vote; 64. God of shepherds; 65. Dials; 72. Hot cider server; 74. Seat for toddlers; 75. Time, in Torino; 80. Item for a mason; 81. Previous; 86. Wonderment; 96. Grow together; 97. Best to follow, as advice; 100. Attention getters; 101. It’s no good when it’s flat; 102. Hero; 124A. 1966 best seller set in Hong Kong; 125. See 126-Across; 126. Half a 125-Across year: Abbr.; 127. They might be crossed. — DOWN: 1. Alternative to gov; 2. Trillion: Prefix; 3. Word with French or U.S. 4. Olive genus; 6. ___ deux âges (middle-aged: Fr.); 7. John Wayne western, with “The”; 8. Toddler’s need; 9. Nickname for a seven-time N.B.A. All-Star; 10. Frau’s partner; 11. Billionaire’s home, maybe; 12. Halfhearted R.S.V.P.’s; 13. Letter-shaped support; 14. Bean; 15. German finale; 16. “Brave New World” drug; 18. Lit part; 22. Ashkenazi, for one; 24. Take in; 30. New Deal inits.; 32. They turn on hinges; 33. A goner; 35. Third-century year; 39. Bomb; 40. Suffix with drunk; 42. Kind of wave; 44. “___ the season ..”; 46. “Sleigh Ride” composer Anderson; 48. Enero starts it; 49. Times to remember; 50. Med. Land; 53. Cornelius who wrote “A Bridge Too Far”; 57D. As one; 62. Zip; 64. 101-Across, e.g.; 66. Alias initials; 68. Bit of homework; 69. Actress ___ Flynn Boyle; 70. Rub out; 71. Stimulating; 72. Gladly; 78. Anticipate; 79. Yucatán youth; 80. Howe’er; 82. “Treasure Island” inits.; 83. Words before any month’s name; 84. Fortune profilees, for short; 88. ___ bono (for whose benefit?: Lat.); 95. Kind of power, in math; 98. Outs; 101. One going into a drive; 103. Hall’s partner; 104. Santa ___; 105. Bugged; 106. They take vids; 109. Butcher’s trimmings; 110. Soulful Redding; 111. Slime; 112. Venezuela’s Chávez; 113. Colonial land: Abbr.; 115. Rose’s beau; 116. ___ Bay (Manhattan area); 117. Sp. Titles; 120. But: Lat. 121. Some evidence.

04.02.11 — Are You Kidding Me?

The Cardiff Giant being exhumed in October 1869

————————

Saturday, April 2, 2011

Puzzle by Mark Diehl / Edited by Will Shortz

ARE YOU KIDDING ME (7D. “Really?!”), THE CARDIFF GIANT (34A. New York “find” of 10/16/1869) and RUSE (21A. 34-Across, e.g.) fit together nicely in this benumbing Saturday crossword.

Other — AIRMAN and U S MARINE (43D. Ace, e.g.; 3D. Devil dog), not MATE but BAIT (26A. Chum, at sea) could be confusing — however, FOUR PM (1A. Start of a dogwatch) makes a proper nod to the navy. There are two diverse nine-letter entries, COURSE FEES (28A. Tuition portion) and EAST OF EDEN (42A. Steinbeck novel). “O’ER the Water to Charlie” (old ballad) gives the crossword the tune of a lost Prince.

Four groups of three eight-letter entries are featured in the corners adding up to a tough quartet — Upper left, FUNGO BAT (1D. Pop-up generator), ON A LEASH (2D. Restrained) and U S MARINE. Upper right, ADAM’S RIB (7A. 1949 comedy about husband-and-wife lawyers on opposing sides of a murder case), RAKEHELL (16A. Libertine) and EVITABLE (18A. Not foreordained). Lower left, AMENDING (57A. Editorial work), SALE ITEM (60A. Irregular, often), ENERGIZE (62A. Rev up). Lower right, ABOVE PAR (37D. Good), NO CHEESE (38D. Whopper request) and TWO-SPEED (39D. Like some Schwinns).

Engraving of Kilroy on the WWII Memorial in Washsington, DC

The remaining six-letter group — BLEEDS, DOODLE (24D. Kilroy, e.g.), ENCASE, GLASER, I’LL SEE (13D. “Maybe“), METRIC, NAME IT (17A. “Price be damned!”), NESTOR (46D. Sage), ON BASE, RAFAEL, REBUKE, SHARIF, STEELE and STREEP, TEENER, UNSURE (15A. Easily shaken).

Et cetera — AKIN (9D. Sharing common alleles), ASNER, BEIGE, BIKED, CREE and TEPEE (52A. Dweller in a 59-Across; 59A. Home for a 52-Across), DAVE, DIDO, DIG, ELBOW, ILES (49A. Wallis and Futuna), ILL, INEZ, LOCO, MET (10D. Sat), NITER, OKAPI (33A. Animal whose tongue is long enough to clean its eyelids and ears), PRIED, RAZOR, REBA, REF, RUES and RUSE, SPF, STENO, VHS, YEN, ZELDA, ZIN (53A. Cab alternative) and ZITI (53D. Tubes in an oven).

"Really?!"

————————

Click on image to enlarge.

Puzzle available on the internet at

THE NEW YORK TIMES — Crossword Puzzles and Games.

Remaining clues — 19. Soul’s 1970s TV co-star; 20. Itch; 23. “Thank You” singer, 2001; 25. Competed in the Giro d’Italia; 31. Voice of Fredricksen in “Up”; 40. “The Legend of ___”; 41. Push aside; 47. Way off; 48. Atacama Desert export; 49. Wallis and Futuna; 51. DVD precursor; 55. “Doubt” co-star, 2008; 61. Not yet home; 63. Split the eardrums. — DOWN: 4. Ways of Charles de Gaulle?; 5. Got some leverage on; 6. Standard; 8. Writer Eggers; 11. Guevara portrayer; 12. Call on the carpet; 14. Runs over; 25. Like desert sand; 27. Sue Grafton’s Kinsey Milhone, e.g.; 29. San ___, Calif.; 30. Cover letters?; 32. You might purchase this with cream; O.E.D., e.g.; 36. Bad; 37. Good; 42. Surround; 43. Ace, e.g.; 44. 1980s TV private eye; 45. “American Bandstand” viewer; 50. One who keeps padded accounts?; 54. Destructive 1966 hurricane; 56. “Pee-wee’s Playhouse” mail lady; 58. Really enjoy.

04.01.11 — You've Got To Be Kidding!

The Appian Way in Rome, photograph by Paolo Cipriani

April Fools' Day is celebrated all around the world on the April 1 of every year. Sometimes referred to as All Fools' Day, April 1 is not a national holiday, but is widely recognized and celebrated as a day where everyone plays all kinds of jokes and foolishness. The day is marked by the commission of good humoured or funny jokes, hoaxes, and other practical jokes of varying sophistication on friends, family members, teachers, neighbors, work associates, etc. ~ Wikipedia

————————

Friday, April 1, 2011 — April Fools’ Day

Puzzle by Elizabeth A. Long / Edited by Will Shortz

In this humorously psychotic April Fools’ Day crossword, MIDDLE OF THE ROAD (7D. Conventional) divides the grid between the normal ONCOMING TRAFFIC (4D. Passing preventer) on the left and the surreal SENAL DNUOBHTRON (10D. Half of almost any odd-numbered Interstate highway) on the right, e.g., NORTHBOUND LANES, atlas-wise. You’ve got to be kidding!

The other “reversed” down entries — 8. Lincoln, maybe, RAC NWOT (TOWN CAR); 9. Yen for, EVARC (CRAVE); 10. SENAL DNUOBHTRON; 11. Bow, CRA (ARC); 12. Southeastern Conf., USL (LSU); 13. Date, EES (SEE); 26. OCAT Bell (TACO); 27. 2002 Katherine Frank political biography, ARIDNI (INDIRA); 28. Helmsley and others, SANOEL (LEONAS); 29. Some schoolwork, SYASSE (ESSAYS); 40. Twain hero, informally, KCUH (HUCK); 43. Spare items in garages, SNAC SAG (GAS CANS); 52. About, ER NI (IN RE); 54. Love overseas, ROMA (AMOR); 55. Some bread, ATIP (PITA); 56. Gait, PETS (STEP).

Other down, to the left of MIDDLE OF THE ROAD — 1. Look (over), GAZE; 2. First: Abbr., ORIG; 3. Hammer accompanier, GONG; 4. ONCOMING TRAFFIC; 5. They’re subject to rapid inflation, AIR BAGS; 6. Plenteous, RIFE; 24. IN AN instant; 30. Go around for rounds?, BARHOP; 31. Brand in the frozen food section, OREIDA; 32. Rob on a set, REINER; 39. Everything, A TO Z; 42. It starts “Tell me muse, of the man of many resources”, ODYSSEY; 48. Trunk part, LATCH; 57. Econ. Figure, GNP; 58. Salmon ROE; 59. Org. with a Seal of Acceptance, ADA.

Across — 1. “Get out of here! Fast!”, GO GO; 5. Ready, ARM; 8. Free, RESCUE; 14. Elvis follower, ARON; 15. Article of the Constitution that defines treason, III; 16. Not at all eager, AVERSE; 17. Major Peruvian export, ZINC; 18. Mail letters, in the past, RFD; 19. Lock holders, CANALS; 20. Brand in the frozen food section, EGGO; 21. Place for a spring, BED; 22. Range grp., NRA; 23. Hip-hop singer with the 2008 hit Paper Planes”, MIA; 25. Hardly blue-blooded, LOW-CLASS; 30. Dead, so to speak, BORING; 33. Green: Prefix, ECO; 34. Utility cart, DRAY; 35. Circus sites, ARENAS; 36. OAT bread; 37. English novelist Bawden, NINA; 38. Rule, REIGN; 39. Behind, AFT; 40. Praise, KUDOS; 41. Spill a little?, HINT; 42. Giant #4, OTT; 43. Serving in John Betjeman’s poem “How to Get on in Society”, SCONES; 44. Baltic feeder, ODER; 45. Head-slapper’s cry, DOH; 46. Available, in a way, NUBILE; 47. Disable, PARALYZE; 49. “That’s the spot!”, AHH; 50. Scale notes, FAS; 51. Kind of center, REC; 53. Door without a knob, say, TRAP; 57. Transplants, surgically, GRAFTS; 60. “Grey’s Anatomy” locales, for short, ORS; 61. Repetition, ROTE; 62. “Uh-uh!”, NO DICE; 63. Japan Airlines competitor, ANA; 64. Drop, OMIT; 65. Hunky-dory, PEACHY; 66. Go for, DIG; 67. Refreshers, NAPS.

Seriously?!

————————

Click on image to enlarge.

Puzzle available on the internet at

THE NEW YORK TIMES — Crossword Puzzles and Games.