04.24.11 — Use It or Lose It

The Easter-egg portrait of the Virgin Mary, by Oksana Mas, Saint Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv, the giant mosaic weighs 2.5 tons and is made out of 15,000 wooden Easter Eggs.

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Sunday, April 24, 2011 — Easter

USE IT OR LOSE IT

Puzzle by Caleb Madison and J.A.S.A. Crossword Class

Edited by Will Shortz

With or without IT, eight entries constitute the interrelated group of this Easter Sunday crossword.

• BIG APPLE CIRCUITS (23A. Electrical paths in New York City?)
• LOSE ONE’S MOJITO (33A. Spill a Cuban drink?)
• POLITE DANCER (41A. One who says “Beg your pardon” after stepping on your toes?)
• PULPIT FICTION (63A. Preachers’ lies?)
• CENTER OF GRAVY (73A. What a mashed potato serving may have?)
• LEARNER’S PERM (94A. Hairdresser’s first do?)
• CLASH OF THE TANS (102A. Author Amy’s family squabble?)
• SMOKEY AND THE BAND (117A. The Miracles?)

Other — ALI MACGRAW (19A. Steve McQueen’s ex-wife and co-star in “The Getaway”), BOTANIST (86D. Plant manager?), DIES IRAE (16D. Mass part), MOTLEY CRUE (30D. Group with the 6x platinum album “Dr. Feelgood”), RED LABEL (85D. Johnnie Walker variety), SKEETERS (17D. Bitin’ things), SLEEP TIGHT (56D. Bedtime comment), STREET CRED (123A. Homey’s rep).

Mid-size — AS IT IS, AU LAIT, C SHARP (28A. D preceder), EDUARDO, FALAFEL, GAPES AT, GET SORE, GAZEBO, I’M HERE, INURNS, KHAKIS, PEERESS, SCHOLAR, LAUGH-IN, LESHAN, MT FUJI (15D.. Volcano near Aokigahara forest), NONCOM, OBITER dictum, ORACLE, ORBITAL, PARSEC (41D. 3:26 light years), RACCOON, RAN INTO, SALAMI, SIGNETS, SNIPERS.

Five-letter — AKIRA (79D. Director Kurosawa), AMASS and ASSAM, AMUSE, ANITA, ANNAS, ASNER, BIGOT, DAB AT, DEBUG, ELATE, ELECT, ELITE, G STAR (107A. Our sun‘s type), ID TAG, L BARS, LEICA, LINUS (82D. Comics character who said “Big sisters are the crab grass in the lawn of life“), MACAO, MISHA, OASTS, ORATE, OTTO I, RAMBO, RETAG, RODDY, SCARY, SEEST, SWISS, TETES (31A. Deux of these are better than un), TIARA, TIRES, TORIC, ZEBRA.

Short stuff — “It won’t hurt A BIT“, ACRE, ADA and ADO, ALTS, ARC, ARE and ARES, ARI, BCC, BUR, CHOU, CPR, DEA and DEO, DESI, DNA, DRY, EARL, EEK, EGIS, EIS, ERE and ETE, ETC, HAE and HAT, IDIG, IFI, ISO, LAKE (82A. Superior body?), LIEF (87D. Willingly), LYE, MDSE, MOE, NFL, OARS, ODIC, OGLE, OPE, OPTS, OREO, OSIS, PAGE, RAS and SRAS, REAP, RHE, RIAL, SAHL, SHE, SOAP, SOYS, SRO, SSN, STES, TAY, TIDY, TIKI, UMA, VACA (77D. Cow, in Cádiz).

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Puzzle available on the internet at

THE NEW YORK TIMES — Crossword Puzzles and Games.

Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. Fix, as a program; 6. Water skimmers; 10. Nickname for Baryshnikov; 15. Gds.; 21. Vogue’s Wintour and others; 22. Kind of torch; 25. They’re always charged; 26. Flap; 27. Poet’s “before”; 29. Divert; 36. Shelter that’s often octagonal; 39. Housing for the homeless: Abbr.; 40. Pit crew’s supply; 47. Mordant Mort; 49. “Exodus” hero; 50. Father of Deimos and Phobos, in myth; 51. Seedcase that inspired Velcro; 52. Scot’s “own”; 53. Noblewoman; 55. Dorm heads, for short; 56. Mmes., in Iberia; 57. Speak on C-Span, say; 60. Burn cause; 61. Gentleman’s partner; 68. Get up?; 69. Subj. of modern mapping; 71. Bust planner, in brief; 72. Sly sort?; 78. “Sock it to me!” show; 80. Unbar, to the Bard; 81. High-end camera; 83. Abbr. unlikely to start of a sentence; 84. Revolutionary?; 88. Continuing plot in a TV series; 89. “___ Did It” (2007 memoir); 90. Cookie first baked in Manhattan’s Chelsea district; 91. “Confiteor ___ omnipotent” (Latin prayer starter); 92. “Understood, man”; 97. Luggage attachment; 99. Cartoon exclamation; 101. One way to serve café; 111. Baker or Loos; 112. Pizza topping; 113. FICA fig.; 115. Prefix with metric; 121. Ball boy?; 122. Like a bagel; 124. Min. stats; 125. Shakespeare’s “spot”; 126. Tofu sources; 127. Spine-tingling. — DOWN: 1. Blot with gauze, say; 2. Pass over; 3. One who sees everything in black and white?; 4. Actress Thurman; 5. Regards in wonderment; 6. Rubberneck; 7. Art, nowadays; 8. Rocky of song; 9. Tell, e.g.; 10. Asian gambling mecca; 11. Stores after cremation; 12. Long-range shooters; 13. Word after high or top; 14. Source of Indian tea; 16. Mass part; 18. ___ for elephant; 20. Red Cross course, briefly; 24. Line score inits.; 32. Backing: Var.; 33. Bent beams; 34. Some flakes; 35. Suffix with psych-; 37. Whistle-blower, in slang; 38. Facebook co-founder Saverin; 42. Sibyl, for one; 43. Writer Eda; 44. Chinese dynasty during the time of Confucius; 45. Marquess’s subordinate; 46. Sow’s counterpart; 48. Prefix with port; 54. Change the price on; 58. Neaten; 59. Season in le soleil?; 62. First German emperor of Italy; 63. Runner; 64. Mideast nosh; 65. Announcement upon arriving; 66. ___ dictum (incidental remark); 67. Sarge, e.g.; 70. CBS’s “The ___ Today”; 74. Audition (for); 75. 100 Iranian dinars; 76. Israeli seaport; 84. Keatsian, e.g.; 90. Chooses; 93. Start to boil over?; 95. Met by chance; 96. Intaglio seals; 98. If nothing changes; 100. Base wear?; 103. They have hops; 104. Choose; 105. Scotland’s Firth of ___; 106. Rake in; 108. Sash go-with; 109. “Rich Man, Poor Man” Emmy winner; 110. Actor McDowall; 113. Jeanne et Julie, e.g.: Abbr.; 114. Any boat; 116. ___ Lovelace, computer programming pioneer; 118. ___ Szyslak of “The Simpsons”; 119. Dull; 120. E-mail add-on.

04.23.11 — Proxima Centauri, Et Cetera

The surface of a fictional planet orbiting Proxima Centauri, the nearest star to our sun. This appeared in "The New Challenge of the Stars". Notable here is the Cassiopeia "W" on the right with an extra star, that star being our own sun.

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Saturday, April 23, 2011

Puzzle by Mike Nothnagel / Edited by Will Shortz

Four fifteen-letter entries are the main feature of this Saturday crossword — DON’T MOVE A MUSCLE (17A. “Freeze!”), IT’S NEVER TOO LATE (55A. Comment to a procrastinator), PROXIMA CENTAURI (14A. Second-closest star to Earth) and STOCKING STUFFER (58A. Little something in Santa’s bag).

Nine-letter — HONEST ABE (3D. President after Ten-Cent Jimmy), LOVECRAFT (31D. “The Call of Cthulhu” writer), ONE SUITER (32D. Small piece of luggage) and PROBOSCIS (2D. Insect feeder).

Mid-size — BRAVES (41A. Team that has won the World Series three times while based in three different cities), CELIAC (16. Relating to the abdominal cavity), DEAD STOP (7D. Abrupt ending), DUST MOP (7A. Dry cleaner), KIBBITZ (34A. Meddle, in a way), MORSELS (59A. Bites), OUT BOXES (42A. Temporary storage for completed work), PISTONS (36A. Things with rings), SCALPS (27A. Way overcharges for), STARES AT (24A. Regards), SUPER G (40D. Olympic event since ‘88), TEATRO (60A. Place to see “Il Trovatore,” e.g.), UP HERE (1A. “Not down there”) and ZOOM LENS (35D. Detail provider).

Five-letter — AMPAS, ANVIL, AVOWS, DIESM, ENERO, ENSOR (46D. Expressionist James), GIBBS, MARIN (53A. It‘s south of Sonoma), MUCHO, OBESE, ORLON, PIERS, SYNCS, TARTS and TASTE and TESTY and TWIST, UNMET, UPDOS, YET TO come.

Short stuff — ALBA and ALFA, ASEA, COG, CUE, DYES, EENY, EKE out a win, EMO (8D. Modern music genre), EONS, ESS, EXTS, MOUE, NLER, OLDE English, OTT, RIME, RPI, SKA (27D. Modern music genre), SLOE, SOS and YOS, SRO, STAX, STU, THOR.

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Puzzle available on the internet at

THE NEW YORK TIMES — Crossword Puzzles and Games.

Remaining clues — 18. Off-the-scale?; 20. 2011 title role for Chris Hemsworth; 21. Song in “Mamma Mia!”; 22. Difficulty increaser in diving; 23. Time immemorial; 28. Peon; 30. Relative of a cherry plum; 38. In a shell, maybe; 39. Calls between friends; 44. Turns brown, maybe; 48. Cultural org. with its HQ in Beverly Hills; 49. A shark may carry one; 51. Start of a children’s rhyme; 52. Cubbie, e.g. — DOWN: 1. Updos; 4. Company line?: Abbr.; 5. Extra layer in winter?; 8. Not satisfied; 9. Afro-sporting character on “The Simpsons”; 10. Try; 11. Lotsa; 12. 1950s sweater material; 13. Sides of slips; 15. Says with a hand in the air, perhaps; 22. Inclined to strike out; 25. Terra ___ (pulverized gypsum); 26. Sch. That awarded the first civil engineering degree in the U.S.; 29. Pro Football Hall of Fame coach Joe; 30. Record label for Booker T. & the MG’s; 33. What may come after an heir?; 37. Sign that might mean “Good play!”; 43. Some shells and their contents; 44. View espoused in Thomas Paine’s “The Age of Reason”; 47. Matches; 48. Rural block; 50. What “1” may mean, in Mexico; 53. Sulker’s expression; 54. First in a series of 26; 57. N.H.L. Senators, on scoreboards.

04.22.11 — O Mistress Mine!

The Artist's Mistress by Charles Sims, c. 1900.

In the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition of 1924, Sims exhibited his Mrs. Jeudwine and her son Wynne. It was the artist's very public acknowledgement of his mistress Vivienne Jeudwine. Our painting dates from the same period. Sims met her in 1920 and made several studies of her and her son Wynne (Sims could well have been the father). He was quite obsessed with her and her remarriage to another man in April 1928 wounded him badly, perhaps fatally. ~ Rupert Maas, The Victorian Web

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Friday, April 22, 2011

Puzzle by Ashton Anderson / Edited by Will Shortz

This is one hot little Friday crossword that will keep many a solver’s brain on ice!

Across — 1. Setting for many legends, HALL OF FAME; 11. The Bee Gees’ “HE’S A Liar”; 15. “Seriously!”, I KID YOU NOT; 16. Social workers, ANTS; 17. Big entertainment center, TINSELTOWN; 18. Pig, SLOB; 19. M.’s counterpart, MME; 20. The Promised Land, ZION; 21. Like slaloms, ALPINE; 23. Basic verse option, ABAB; 25. Black, ONYX; 27. Dipsticks, ASSES; 28. Jazzy Jones, NORAH; 30. 1930 tariff act co-sponsor, SMOOT; 32. Bit of ink, TAT; 33. Man doing light work?: Abbr., TAE; 35. Id Checker, SUPEREGO; 37. Violent concert activity, MOSHING; 41. Nail-splitting sessions, TIRADES; 42. John McCain, e.g., for over five years, INTERNEE; 44. Caesar’s following, EAN; 45. Site of many departures: Abbr., STA; 46. Begonia, Geranium or Magnolia, GENUS; 48. "THX 1138" director, 1971, LUCAS; 52. Plant once considered a source of courage, THYME; 54. 45-Across info, ETAS; 56. Imitate a hot dog, PANT; 57. Defect effect, RECALL; 59. Jazzy Jones, ETTA; 61. Elvis’s heart?, VEE; 62. Singer/songwriter MacColl, EWAN; 63. Like instant messaging, IN REAL TIME; 66. Event for which percentages may be specified, SWALE; 67. What a criminal doesn’t want to leave, PAPER TRAIL; 68. “I Could Have Danced All Night” singer, 1956, SYMS; 69. Like some software, OPEN SOURCE.

Down — 1. One erasing marks, HITMAN; 2. Like Superman’s arms, often, AKIMBO; 3. Sequential, LINEAR; 4. Its HQ are in Temple Square, LDS; 5. Bringer of order in the court, OYEZ; 6. Page number, FOLIO; 7. Versatile furniture, FUTONS; 8. Unidentified people, ANONYMS; 9. Obliterate, with “down”, MOW; 10 Blower of giant smoke rings, ETNA; 11. Features of some diaries, HASPS; 12. Like privates, ENLISTED; 13. Much simpler time, STONE AGE; 14. Old construction danger, ASBESTOS; 22. Certain pass, LATERAL; 24. Clean up, BATHE; 26. Expunge, X OUT; 29. Do glue?, HAIR GEL; 31. Bee’s charge, OPIE; 34. Gender-altering ending, ENNE; 36. Incurred, RAN UP; 37. Many a tryst participant, MISTRESS; 38. Not yet born, ON THE WAY; 39. “Nobody panic”, STAY CALM; 40. Family hand-me-down?, GENE; 43. Sister of Clio, EUTERPE; 47. Sheet material, SATEEN; 49. Blini go-with, CAVIAR; 50 Weak, ANEMIC; 51. First African-American Republican National Committee chairman, STEELE; 53. They flow along bays, MANES; 55. “My STARS!”; 58. Way to slim down, for short, LIPO; 60. Opposite of bajo, ALTO; 64. Be off guard, NAP; 65. 1989 one-man show, TRU.

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O Mistress mine, where are you roaming?

O, stay and hear; your true love's coming,

That can sing both high and low:

Trip no further, pretty sweeting;

Journeys end in lovers meeting,

Every wise man's son doth know.

What is love? 'Tis not hereafter;

Present mirth hath present laughter;

What's to come is still unsure:

In delay there lies not plenty;

Then, come kiss me, sweet and twenty,

Youth's a stuff will not endure.
 

~ O Mistress Mine, William Shakespeare

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Puzzle available on the internet at

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04.21.11 — Am I Hearing You?

Gramaphone by P. Keddie, redbubble

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Thursday, April 21, 2011

Puzzle by Julian Lim / Edited by Will Shortz

EACH ONE-WORD CLUE / IN THIS PUZZLE / IS A HOMOPHONE / OF ITS ACTUAL CLUE (17A, 25A, 42A and 56A. Solving hint) is the answer/clue for the interrelated group of this Thursday crossword. The group includes EBBS (10A. Lessons), e.g., lessens; MAKE (35A. Urn), earn; ROCK (38A. Bolder), bolder; LORE (62A. Tails), tales; RAINS (63A. Pores), pours; SPOT (8D. Add), ad; ESCAPE (10D. Flea), flee; AUCTION (23D. Sail), sale; TAKE (27D. Chews), choose; RUIN (54D. Waist), waste.

Other — AMPERE, ARARAT (45A. Dormant volcano near the Iranian border), CHEW UP, IRITIS (42D. Eye inflammation), KOOL-AID, LET IT BE (49A. #1 Beatles tune of 1970), MATURE, MEATBALL (36D. Pasta topper), SPOILER, TERRAZZO (9D. Mosaic flooring), TRIAGED, TRINARY, YALE LAW.

Five-letter — ALOHA, ATILT, BEARD, BLUER, BULGE, DIMLY, EAT IN, FREAK (1A. Carnival sideshow feature), LSATS, MATEO, REFER, RINSO, SAVOY (41D. Popular 1920s-’50s Harlem ballroom, with “the”), SUEDE.

Short stuff — AGUA, AHH, ALTI, ARTS, ASHE, COZY, CYST, EBBS, ECON, ECTO, ENCL, FREY, HELI and LEHI, HOPE, HRE, IBMS, LT YR, NATO, NCAA, NEAT (25A. “That‘s keen!”), NES, NOVO, OTRA, RAH, RIAA (2D. Org. that certifies gold and platinum), SKYE, STE, SULU, TYR, YENS, YOW, ZOE.

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Remaining clues — ACROSS: 6. Target of some surgery; 14. Classic detergent brand; 15. It stayed in Pandora’s box; 16. Shipmate of Spock; 20. Alma mater of Gerald Ford; 21. Prioritized in the emergency room; 22. Contents of un lago; 24. Subject of current thinking?; 30. Feature of most paintings of Jesus; 31. Like a warm bed on a winter night; 32. Classic game console letters; 36. San ___, Calif.; 39. Fr. Holy one; 40. Where Samson slew the Philistines; 48. Cold war force; 51. Having three parts; 58. Prefix with pad; 59. Astronomical distance: Abbr.; 60. Kind of kitchen; 61. Bachelor of ___. — DOWN: 1. “A Million Little Pieces” author James; 3. Abbr. at the bottom of a letter; 4. Athlete who posthumously won the Presidential Medal of Freedom, 1993; 5. Tang alternative; 6. Munch on; 7. “Man, that hurts!”; 11. Potbelly, e.g.; 12. More melancholy; 13. Upholstery material; 18. Horses, to bettors; 19. How nightclubs are often lit; 25. Deep Blue and others; 28. Old Eur. Realm; 29. Actress Saldana of “Avatar”; 32. De ___ (from the start); 33. Subj. with graphs; 34. Hebrides isle; 37. “Feels won-n-nderful!”; 38. Arena cry; 40. Future attys.’ hurdles; 41. Unread part of a movie review, maybe; 43. Past puberty; 44. ___ vez (again: Sp.); 45. Greeting for Obama returning home?; 46. Direct (to); 47. At an angle; 50. Prefix with -dermal; 52. March Madness inits.; 53. Some choir members; 55. Big appetites; 57. Norse god of war.

04.20.11 — Mixed Green Salad

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Puzzle by Michael Farabaugh / Edited by Will Shortz

MIXED GREEN SALAD (39A. Dieter’s fare … or a hint to 17-, 24-, 49- and 62-Across and 10- and 26-Down), along with anagrams of GREEN SALAD, e.g., SAD GENERAL, LARGE DEANS, DEAR ANGELS, DALE’S ANGER, GARDEN SALE and DEAR ANGELS constitutes the interrelated group of this Wednesday crossword.

Other — ADDED, ADMIT one, ALLIE, APRON, ARDEN, AROMA, BRAVO, DENSE, DINES, ELEVATORS (6D. Lifts, stateside), EMOTE, EULER, EVENS, FARER, GOOEY, GRAPE, IMPLY, NEONS, OASIS, OBAMA, PORTS, RESILIENT (34D. Having elastic properties), RUINS (58A. Chichén Itzá attraction), SLAIN, TERSE, TWANG, WAGON, WOVEN.

Short stuff — ADO, AMA, ANEW, ARLO, AVE, BON mot, CERT, CLOG (42A. Job for a snake), CYD, DOC, EBON and ETON, EFTS, GASP, GMC, ILL, ISLE of Man, ISMS, IVE, LAI, LAWN, MAY, MEG, NEE, NOLO, NORA, ODE, Safflower OIL, OPEN, OTRO, OXO, ROAR, SAL, SAND, SCOT, SAND and SEND, SILO, SNL, The Old SOD, SSNS, Pro TEM, WET.

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Puzzle available on the internet at

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Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. President whose first name means “one who is blessed”; 6. Young newts; 10. Show shock; 14. Eve or Elizabeth; 15. It may be manicured; 16. First name at Woodstock; 17. Lee at Appomattox, e.g.?; 19. Opening sound of an MGM film; 20. Correct ending?; 21. Like a wicker basket; 24. Portly college figures?; 26. Rob Roy, e.g.; 29. Like hot fudge; 32. Other, in Oaxaca; 35. Place to store coal, perhaps; 43. Belief systems; 44. Half a 1980s TV duo; 45. Org. with a peer-reviewed weekly journal; 49. Salutation in an Anaheim baseball fan’s letter?; 54. Allowing liquor; 57. Express indirectly; 60. N.Y.C.’s Columbus, e.g.; 61. “A Doll’s House” heroine; 62. Cowgirl Evans’s hot temper?; 64. 007’s school; 65. ___ mike (coffeehouse event); 66. Old Dodges; 67. Make rhapsodic; 68. Like some checks: Abbr.; 69. Slow on the uptake. — DOWN: 1. Place for a palm; 2. “Well done!”; 3. Thrown in; 45. Gig fraction; 5. From scratch; 6. Lifts, stateside; 7. Ending with way or sea; 8. Country sound; 9. “Weekend Update” show, for short; 10. Where to get discount flowers?; 11. Something in the air; 12. Massacred; 13. New York and New Orleans; 18. Court plea, informally; 22. Kerfuffle; 25. Like black piano keys; 26. Go out with the star ofr “The Wizard of Oz”?); 27. Dancer Charisse; 29. Big name in S.U.V.’s; 31. Maker of Good Grips kitchen tools; 36. Cook Co.’s home; 37. My ___, Vietnam; 38. Lofty tribute; 40. Composer ___ Menotti; 41. “On the Road” narrator ___ Paradise; 46. New Jersey’s Cape ___; 48. Id THEFT TARGETS; 49. Eats on a tablecloth, say; 50. Overdo it, in a way; 51. Place for a chip shot; 52. Smucker’s flavor; 53. Originator of the formula e^ix = cos x + i sin x; 54. Typically red toy; 55. Makes smooth; 56. Hardly windy; 59. Make smooth; 62. Bespectacled dwarf; 63. Alumna's bio word.

04.19.11 — B -

Capital Letter B, James Tissot

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Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Puzzle by Randall J. Hartman / Edited by Will Shortz

BBB (33D. Grp. That battles consumer fraud .. Or a hint to some much-repeated letters in this puzzle) lets on that there is an inordinate amount of the letter B in this agreeable Tuesday crossword, thirty-something, including multiples found in BUBBLE BATH, BARBARA BUSH, BEING BOBBY BROWN, BASEBALL BAT, BABY BOOMER, BEER BARREL, BAN THE BOMB, doubles in Addis ABABA, BOB, BOOB (6A. Dumb cluck), BABA, BARB, BLAB, BABAR, BIBS, B AND B and singles aplenty. Not that it matters at all, there were more-per-puzzle Bs in a crossword last August, HERE.

Other — ABOIL, ADIEU, ALEPH, ARABS (24D. Dubai denizens), BEADY (1A. Like a rat‘s eyes), BENES, BRYCE, CARBON, CREEP (22A. Sleazy sort), IDLES, LIBEL, MORAL, ORAL B, OZONE, POKED, RELAY, SANA’A (49D. Capital of Yemen), SELENA, URBAN.

Short stuff — ABA and ALBA, AMOK, APO, ARCA and AREA, BAH and BAL, BOLE, BONA fide, BOZO (54D. Dumb cluck), BRED and BRET, CAM, CUBE, DEBT, DIAM, EAST, EBAN (18D. Abba of Israel), EDEL, EDUC, “EINE kleine Nachtmusik“, ENYA, EWAN, HANA, HOLE, IRA, MBAS, NONO, OCT, Alley OOP, OPEC (63A. Cartel formed in ‘60), ORBS, RBIS, RENE, RHEE, ROMA, ROSY, SAAB, SCAT, YSL.

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Remaining clues — ACROSS: 10. Rummy cake; 14. Twiddles one’s thumbs; 15. Medieval treasure chest; 16. Biographer Leon; 17. Relaxing soak; 20. “Get lost, kitty!”; 21. Savings acct. figure; 23. First lady who wrote “Millie’s Book”; 26. Diamond, essentially; 30. Capital in Europa; 31. From the city; 32. Degrees held by many C.E.O.’s; 34. Former South Korean president Syngman ___; 38. Onetime reality show with Whitney Houston; 41. The “E” in N.L.E.; 42. The sun, moon and stars; 43. Event with batons; 44. Mandlikova of tennis; 46. 1997 Jennifer Lopez biopic; 47. Louisville Slugger, e.g.; 53. 401(k) alternative; 54. Stinging remark; 58. Taboo; 59. Gen Xer’s parent; 62. Circle meas.; 64. Upper atmosphere layer; 65. Let the cat out of the bag; 66. Tree trunk; 67. Contacted on Facebook, in a way. — DOWN: 1. Spareribs eaters’ wear; 2. N.E.A. part: Abbr.; 3. Jessica of “Good Luck Chuck”; 4. Red ink; 5. Fashion monogram; 6. Kid-lit elephant; 7. Big name in dental care; 8. United Nations Day mo.; 9. Cry from Scrooge; 10. Brewery container; 11. Parting word à Paris; 12. Elaine ____ (“Seinfeld” character); 13. Letter before beth; 22. Piece of video gear; 23. Sound from Big Ben; 25. Like Santa’s cheeks; 26. Shape for Rubik; 27. Field of study; 28. Diamond stats; 29. Anti-nuke slogan; 32. Lesson from Aesop; 35. Place for an ace; 36. McGregor of “Star Wars” films; 37. 1987 album later re-released as “The Celts”; 40. Author Harte; 45. Defunct hoops org.; 46. Volvo rival; 47. Hardly a chain hotel, informally; 48. In a tumultuous state; 50. Defame in writing; 51. Utah’s ___ Canyon; 55. Totally out of control; 56. Russo of “Major League”; 57. Raised, as cattle; 59. Short do; 60. G.I.’s address.

04.18.11 — Tennis Anyone?

Monday, April 18, 2011

Puzzle by James Tuttle / Edited by Will Shortz

Increments of tennis scoring, LOVE, FIFTEEN, THIRTY, FORTY, ending with GAME SET MATCH (57A. Tennis winner’s declaration) constitutes the interrelated group of this sporty Monday crossword — the scoring is found in LOVE TRIANGLE (20A. Tricky romantic relationship), FIFTEEN MILES (28A. Distance on the Erie Canal, in song), THIRTY-SOMETHING (38A. One approaching middle age) and FORTY THIEVES (46A. “Arabian Nights” band).

Other — BLONDE (8D. Marilyn Monroe, e.g., hairwise), DIPLOMAT (9D. Worker at the United Nations), HYENAS (48D. “Laughing” animals), “I’ll do it MYSELF”, SEATED (50D. Ushered), TOY MAKER (40D. Hasbro or Fisher-Price).

Five-letter — ALEVE, ARTOO, ASCII, “It’s A SIGN of the times”, ATARI, CREAK (61A. Sound of an unsound floor), DOJOS, ECOLI (31D. Rod-shaped bacteria), ELCID, GONER, IDEAS, IDIOT, “I HOPE you’re satisfied now!”, LEAST, LITRE, PITTS, SCRIM, SEINE, SILLS, STAFF, STELA, THANE, THROE.

Short stuff — ALGA, ARGO, Stratford-upon-AVON, CIG, DEN, DIME, DUO, ECOL, ELM, ENV, EON, ERIN, ESA, FEE, FRY, GAPE, GUN, IDLY, ISH, JET, LAN, LIES, MAE and MAY, NICE, OAT, ODIE, ROC (36A. “Arabian Nights“ bird), RHO, ROT, SALT, SIAM, SIVA (58D. One of the Hindu trinity), SSS, STAB and STAR, STL, TAI and TAM, TARA, TELL, TENT, TOS, TERI.

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Puzzle available on the internet at
THE NEW YORK TIMES — Crossword Puzzles and Games.

Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. Thailand, once; 5. Attack with a knife; 9. Karate schools; 14. How doodles are usually drawn; 15. Inform; 16. Creative thoughts; 17. Prevarications; 18. Jason’s ship, in myth; 19. English P.M. William and others; 23. Inscribed pillar; 24. Batman and Robin, e.g.; 25. Spanish “:that”; 33. Cardinals’ home: Abbr.; 37. Computer data acronym; 43 ___-Detoo (“Star Wars” droid); 44. PC linkup; 45. Room with a mounted deer’s head, maybe; 51. Finder’s charge; 52. Kentucky Derby month; 53. Minimum; 64. Well-mannered; 65. “Gone With the Wind” plantation; 68. Leprechaun’s land; 69. Dead duck; 70. NaCl; 71. Coin with a torch on the back. — DOWN: 1. Places to cool pies; 2. Dodo; 3. Excedrin alternative; 5. The sun, e.g.; 6. Actress Hatcher; 7. Bit of plankton; 10. “Garfield” dog; 11. Boeing 757, e.g.; 12. Muesli ingredient; 13. Draft org.; 21. ___ chi (martial art); 22. Item in a holster; 25. Conqueror of Valencia in 1094; 26. Paris divider; 29. Cook, as onion rings; 30. How-___ (books for handy types); 32. Kind of: Suffix; 33. Personnel; 34. Pang; 35. Petrol measure; 39. Decompose; 41. Fannie ___; 42. Card holder: Abbr.; 47. Scottish cap; 49. Tree with seeds that whirl like helicopter blades; 54. Classic name in arcades; 55. Theater backdrop; 56. Feudal baron; 57. Display awe; 59. Environmental subj.; 60. Camper’s shelter; 61. Item bummed from a pack; 62. Letter before sigma; 63. Years and years and years.

04.17.11 — Recital — Puns and Anagrams

Piccadilly Circus bei Nacht by George Hyde Pownall, 1910

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Sunday, April 17, 2011

PUNS AND ANAGRAMS, Puzzle by Mel Taub / Edited by Will Shortz

Across — Where the show begins at three, THEATRE, anagram of at three; 8. View of S. C. primate, SCAPE, S.C. ape; 13. Supports during crush, etc., CRUTCHES, anagram of crush, etc.; 14. Plotters against Asa, 50 B.C., CABALS, anagram Asa, 50 (L) B. C.; 16. Breathalyzer?, HIGH TEST, pun; 17. In morning you allow for charm, AMULET, in the A. M., you (U) let; 18. Get back in gear, REGAIN, anagram of in gear; It follows hemo, HEMP, alphabetically in dictionary; 21. OVA eating (gorging at Roman breakfast), pun; 22. Indo-European deity, ODIN, anagram of Indo; 23. Neapolitan leader, NEAP; 24. Nothing hurt him, OMAR, nothing (0) mar; 25. Fellow from 56-Down, MOE, anagram of OME; 26. Where thieves store their rials, LAIRS, anagram of rials; 28. What speakers are to do, ORATE, anagram of are to; 29. Following gunnies, ENSUING, anagram of gunnies; 31. ’50s bride was quite rude, ILL-BRED, anagram of LL (50) and bride; 33. Thunday Thelebration, MATH, lisp; 34. Mostly under-dressed, NUDE, anagram of under without the r; 35. Sift art, initially, AT FIRST, anagram of sift art; 38. Ignoring Gil and Enid, ELIDING, anagram of Gil Enid; 42. Weapons a slob might use with gauchos, BOLAS, anagram of a slob; 43. A politician uses one in a debate, ISSUE, anagram of one (1) uses; 45. Kind of gin, MAR, margin; 46. Something to read on Obama’s dog, all right?, BOOK, combination of the name of Obama’s dog Bo and OK; 47. Pres. Obama can’t win ’em over, REPS, anagram of Pres.; 48. It’s a wife of Rama, SITA, anagram of It’s a; 49. Brew the wrong way, ELA, ALE backwards; 50. Ali’s flame, LISA, anagram of Ali’s; 51. Tea spice is putrefactive, SEPTIC, anagram of T and spice; 53. What the S.A. adolescent may wear, SATEEN, combination of S.A. and teen; 55. Meeting for Col. Vance, CONCLAVE, anagram of Col. Vance; 57. Units of stereos having nothing removed, STERES, the o is removed from stereos; 58. Places where oil is master, i.e., EMIRATES, anagram of master, i.e.; 59. Get rid of a seer, ERASE, anagram of a seer; 60. Has an agent pick up steed, DEPUTES, anagram of up steed.

Down — 1. Slipped into red dress, say, TRIED ON, anagram of into red; 2. I gush, e.g., over diapers, HUGGIES, anagram of I gush, e.g.; 3. Name for a thane, ETHAN, anagram of thane; 4. A critic might rate it a C, ACT I, anagram of it a C; 5. What makes Lear learn?, THEN, the N; 6. Kind of pond, RES, respond; 7. There’s part of the Old Testament about her, ESTHER, anagram Tes and her; 8. Head of state before 9-Down, SCAMP, initial letter S and CAMP; 9. Where to see a military cop, CAMP, combination of see (C), a and cop (M.P.); 10. Disney monkey seen in cocoa butter, ABU, a and bu; 11. A California mountain or a lamp, PALOMAR, anagram of or a lamp; 12. Leave E.T. to move up, ELEVATE, anagram of Leave E.T.; 13. At car dealer, what did Homer see?, CHROME, anagram of see (C) and Homer; 15. Looked hard at trades, STARED, anagram of trades; 20. This is a sense of comfort, EASINESS, anagram of is a sense; 23. Close connections to sleepwear, NIGHTIES, combination of nigh and ties; 24. Bored with circular, ORBED, anagram of bored; 26. They deceive Sir Al, LIARS, anagram of Sir Al; 28. Classic song that led 1-0, OLDIE, anagram of led 1-0; 30. Boat arrives at U.K. 1 a.m., UMIAK, anagram of U.K. 1 a.m.; 32. Doozy that Lou repeated, LULU; 35. Big sister, ABBESS; 36. A tootle after the fact, TOO LATE; 37. It’s not fixed to the left oar, FLOATER, anagram of left oar; 39. A time it takes to copy, IMITATE, anagram of a time it; 40. Vainest inhabitants, NATIVES, anagram of Vainest; 41. Gr. Experts on mythical sisters, GRACES, combination of Gr. and aces (experts); 44. D i t s y, SPACED, ditsy with spaces between letters; 47. Erin’s next step after lather, RINSE, anagram of Erin’s; 48. Sound of Al’s tepee falling over, SPLAT, anagram of T, P and Al’s; 50. Dregs of famous Virginians, LEES, the family of Robert E. Lee; 51. Screws up, SNIP, pins reading upward; 52. Cure for shade, ECRU, anagram of cure; 54. Stat that pitchers are concerned about, ERA, anagram of are; 56. Where the ‘eart is, ‘OME.

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Puzzle available on the internet at

THE NEW YORK TIMES — Crossword Puzzles and Games.

04.17.11 — End of the Line

Sunday, April 17, 2011

END OF THE LINE, Puzzle by Matt Ginsberg / Edited by Will Shortz

Seven humorous quotations are the main feature of this wholly agreeable Sunday crossword in which the solver supplies the punch line.  LOL!

• “I used to do drugs. I STILL DO, BUT I USED TO TOO”: Mitch Hedberg
• “The car stopped on a dime. Unfortunately, the dime was IN A PEDESTRIAN’S POCKET”: Anonymous
• “I don’t want to achieve immortality through my work. I want to achieve it THROUGH NOT DYING”: Woody Allen
• “Whoever named it necking was A POOR JUDGE OF ANATOMY”: Groucho Marx
• “You know what I hate? Indian givers… NO, I TAKE THAT BACK”: Emo Philips
• “I don’t mean to sound bitter, cold or cruel but I am, SO THAT’S HOW IT COMES OUT”: Bill Hicks
• “I have the heart of a small boy. It IS IN A GLASS JAR ON MY DESK”: Stephen King

Other — ATTENDS (94D. Doesn‘t cut), CHARADE (95D. Empty pretense), PATRICE (14D. First Congolese P.M. Lumumba), RESERVOIR (29A. Dam result, often), SLOVAKS (15D. Czech neighbors), SUPERDOME (112A. Saint‘s place), TWIN JET (98D. F-15, e.g.), WET SUIT (9D. Diving duds).

Mid-size — ALTIMA, DETACH, DEWIER, EDSELS, GO BUST, HOMERS, NIMBLE, ORTEGA (106D. Daniel of Nicaragua), REST UP, SEES UP, SKIP IT, SO SOON, STERNA (111A. Breastbones), ST MALO (103D. French walled city on the English Channel), TAI CHI, TALK TO, TIERED, TOOLED, UNISON.

Five-letter — ALIEN (75A. Sci-fi film with a hatching egg on its poster), ALLEE, AXIOM, D AND D (124A. Class role-playing game, for short), DÉCOR, DEPOT, DOEST, ELSIE, ERASE, ERATO, ERODE, EZINE, GULAG, HARD G, HOMERS, INEPT, LAING, LUCIA, NEEDS, NOVAE, ON TOP, PSALM, PSEUD, SNUBS, TAROT, TE AMO, U-BOAT (57D. Battle of the Atlantic vessel), USE IT, WADES, YEOWS.

Short stuff — ALTO, ANO, AOL, ARI, ASIA Minor, ATMS, ATON, COIN, CROC, DAMP, DOUR, DOZE, EMIT, ERIK, ESAU, ESSE, ETUI, FAD, FEAT, FEN, GEL, GOT, HUSH, IDEA, INS, IRE, IRID, JEER, KENO, LADS, LEOI, LOLA, “Love ME OR leave …”, MIDI, MNO, MOET, NAAN, NOAH, OHM, ORBS, OWN, PIG, PINA, REES, ROUX, SDAK, SEUL, SIDE, SIS and SIT, SLAP, SNIP, SOPH, TIO, TONG, TSA, TURN, UBER, UNTO, URI and URL, USAR, UTIL, YET.

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Puzzle available on the internet at

THE NEW YORK TIMES — Crossword Puzzles and Games.

Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. Screen grp.?; 4. Solzhenitsyn subject; 9. Dives (into); 14. Song accompanied by a harp; 19. Huffington Post buyer in 2011; 20. Lyric muse; 21. Wear down; 22. Tree-lined path in une foret; 27. Invent; 28. Ignores; 30. Sends one out of the park; 33. Alone, in Paris; 35. Lady of Lammermoor; 42. Mexican Valentine’s greeting; 43. Madre’s hermano; 44. Recuperate; 46. Kind of diet; 49. “Never mind”; 52. Asian flatbread; 55. Mystifying Geller; 56. Biblical name meaning “hairy”; 63. Like Jack, it’s said; 66. Some doors; 67. Exploding stars; 76. Cork’s place: Abbr.; 77. More moist; 88. Affix carelessly, with “on”; 87. Crush, sports wise; 98. Whisked mixture; 89. Send continuously, as video; 92. Physicist Georg; 93. Cut off; 97. Dinner table command, with “up”; 99. Above; 109. Fool’s deck; 110. Fashionable ‘70s dress; 116. Essentials; 119. Con Ed, e.g.: Abbr.; 125. Dairy mascot; 126. Slate, for one; 127. Fooled; 128. Out-line?; 129. Perform a la Shakespeare; 130. Place for military supplies; 131. May container? — DOWN: 1. Feature of many a Jet Li film; 2. “Already?”; 3. Stanza successor; 4. Get fixed?; 5. 19-Across has a much-used one; 7. Heaps; 8. Totally fail; 10. J.F.K.’s successor; 11. Forbidding; 12. 1960s doo-wop group with an automotive name, with “the”; 13. Escorts to a second-floor apartment, say; 16. Liza Minnelli, for one; 17. First pope to be called “the Great”; 24. Like Inspector Clouseau; 25. Superlative prefix; 26. Inside look?; 31. Roger of “Cheers”; 32. Pierre is there: Abbr.; 34. Scottish psychiatrist R.D.; 37. Squirt, e.g.; 38. ‘13 grad in ‘11, e.g.; 39. Biblical patriarch “righteous in this generation”; 40. Decorative kit; 41. Become a traitor; 45. Glutton; 46. Wet lowland; 48. Wettish; 50. Crocus or freesia, botanically;51. Chinese gang; 53. “Eugene O’Neill’s “___ Christie”; 54. Palindromic time; 59. Start of a fitness motto; 60. Spot; 61. Fruit that grows in a cluster; 62. Cries of pain; 64. Bugs Bunny’s girlfriend; 65. The Phantom of the Opera; 69. Taunt; 70. A law ___ itself; 71. Venus and others; 72. Grand slam, e.g.; 73. Whence Venus?; 74. When said three times, “Of course, obviously!”; 78. Record stat; 79. Sleep precursor; 80. Gets charged up?; 81. Really liking; 82. “Quit your crying”; 83. It’s assumed; 84. Nile menace, informally; 85. Vegas attraction; 90. Cashpoints; 91. Vintner Claude; 94. Doesn’t cut; 95. Empty pretense; 96. Garage opener?; 100. Ann Landers or Ayn Ran: Abr.; 102. Drove (along); 104. Something that can’t be patented; 105. Like stadium seating; 107. Simultaneity; 108. Admonish, as a child; 112. Aspect; 113. Org. for part-time soldiers; 114. Colada fruit; 115. Latin 101 verb; 117. What you might do after retiring; 118. Fabric scrap, say; 121. Family girl; 122. 6 letters; 123. Thus far.