03.23.11 — No ET TU Today!

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Puzzle by Will Nediger, edited by Will Shortz

The Ides of March slipped by unnoted this crossword season, but today’s gives a couple quotes from better times in ancient Rome.  JULIUS CAESAR (54A. Speaker of the Latin quote hidden in the answers to starred clues … and the English-language quote hidden in the answers to the double-starred cues), e.g., VENI, VIVI, VICI found in EVENING DRESS (20A. * Soiree attire), VIVID IMAGE (27A. * Indelible picture in the mind), SID VICIOUS (48A. *Bandmate of Johnny Rotten) and THE DIE IS CAST found in THEIR (14A. **”His/her” alternative), ADIEU (16A. ** Parting word), VISIT (64A. **Sojourn), CASTE (6A. **Social grouping), constituting the interrelated group of this mad little Wednesday crossword.

Other — A SNAP (1A. Child’s play), ATM and ENTER (1D. Device with a 69-Across key), PERCHANCE (36D. Possibly), PROVIDENT (5D. Forward-thinking, in a way), SWIM CAPS (39D. Some pool attire), TEENAGER (8D. One sexting, maybe).

Mid-size — ADIEU, ADORNS, One of A KIND, AMIGOS, DEVIL (18D. Participant in a Faustian bargain), DIPSO, DRAG ON, DUE TO, ELITE, ENTER, EPONYM, ETHNO, EVOKED, GOT OUT, KAREN, MALTS, MAZDA, MILANO (23D. Home to da Vinci’s “L’Ultima Cena”), ODENSE (33D. Danish city where Hans Christian Andersen was born), O LEVEL, OVER-DO, REIN IN, VEERED, ZONED.

Short stuff — AIRE, AKIO Morita, ALAN, DOOR, EDOM, EMO, END, EPH, EST, GLEE, HST, ITE and IVE and IVY, JIVE, KEEP, LAI, LASH, LINE, MOD, NET, OER, OSOS, PEE and PIE , ROAN, SAGO, SEMI, SHE and STE, SIR, SOD, SUDS, TEES, TOWN, UNIT.

No ET TU today!

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Puzzle available on the internet at

THE NEW YORK TIMES — Crossword Puzzles and Games.

Remaining clues — ACROSS: 6. Guinness Book suffix; 9. Fountain items; 15. Cue preceeder; 17. Site of Super Bowl XXVI; 19. Like most urban land; 22. Modern rock genre; 25. Brown wall covering; 26. Mathematician Turing; 3. Starchy foodstuff; 34. Onetime exam in British schools; 35. Not spoil; 37. Hip, in the mid-’60s; 38. Actress Allen of “Raiders of the Lost Ark”39. “My dear ___”; 40. Like the service academies; 42. Doom; 43. It may have a square in the middle; 45. Seem to last forever; 46. Opportunity metaphorically; 50. Ancient land in modern Jordan; 5. Book after Galatians: Abbr.; 53. Jeanne d’ Arc, e.g.: Abr.; 50. Half-witted; 60. City of Invention; 65. Chart type; 67. Prefix with centric; 68. It may turn up at a golf course. — DOWN: 2. “___ walks in beauty, like the night …”: Byron; 3. Rear of a hockey goal; 4. Suffix with zillion; 5. Forward-thinking, in a way; 6. The Earl of Sandwich, for one; 7. Hard-to-park vehicle; 9. RX-8 carmaker; 10. Embellishes; 11. y = 3x + f representation, e.g.; 12. Concert souvenirs; 134. Head; 21. Merriment; 22. Called to mind; 24. Exaggerate; 28. “___ got it!”; 31. Buds; 32. Was released; 41. China’s Chou En-___; 44. Spanish bears; 45. Souse; 47. Check; 49. Went off at an angle; 51. On account of; 54. Nonsense; 55. Cadre, e.g.; 56. Pirate’s punishment; 57. Sony co-founder Morita; 58. Equine color; 61. Pres. When NATO was founded; 62. Ore name suffix; 63. Poetic contraction.

03.22.11 — FATE

Fate by Joe Scorsone and Alice Drueding

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Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Puzzle by Albert R. Picallo, edited by Will Shortz

TWIST OF FATE (35A. Unexpected development … or what the answer to each starred clue contains?), along with the eight sets of circled letters, AFET, ATFE, AFTE, EFTA, TEAF, FEAT, FETA and ATEF constitutes the interrelated group of this fine Tuesday crossword. The circled letters are contained in C[AFET]ERIA (18A. * Dining area), FL[AT FE]ET (21A. *Result of collapsed arches), [AFTE]R ALL (53A. *Nevertheless), L[EFT A]LONE (56A. *Didn‘t disturb), [TEA F]OR TWO (4D. *Song from “No, No, Nanette“), [FEAT]S (21D. *Daredevils), ST[ATE F]AIR (34D. *“It Might as Well Be Spring” musical) and [FETA]L (35D. *Kind of position).

Other — ASTERS, DHARMA, EXILED, HI-TECH, MENACE, OMERTA (3D. Code of silence for 35-Down) and THE MAFIA (35D. Tony Soprano‘s group), ON TASK, ORPHAN, PLANED, PORTHOLE, RAMONE (48A. Dee Dee, Tommy, Joey or Johnny of punk), RATED A, SLIDER, TOTEMS, TV TIME.

Five-letter — ARIES, ASPEN, ATE AT, CLERK, ISAAC (7D. English theologian Watts), LIMES, NIECE, OFTEN, Jacques Tati’s “Mon ONCLE“, PHOTO, PRANK, RAN ON, SALAD, STEEP, STOLE.

Short stuff — ADO, ANA, APE, CPA, DAFT and DEFT, DRS, EAR, ECHO and ECTO, EEC, Get an E FOR effort, ELI, ERR, EXEL, FINI, INK, I TRY, LAP, MOA (33D. Emu‘s extinct cousin), MVI, NEA and NEW, NERF, NOR, NSA, OID, ONE, ORY, OST, RCA, REEL, RONI, SLAW, SNO.

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Puzzle available on the internet at

THE NEW YORK TIMES — Crossword Puzzles and Games.

Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. ID card feature; 6. Suffix with human or planet; 9. Colorado skiing mecca; 14. Some bar wedges; 15. Code-cracking org.; 16. Ripped off; 17. Bothered no end; 20. Soft ball brand; 22. Outer: Prefix; 23. Former Common Market inits.; 24. Annie of the comics, e.g.; 27. Greg’s sitcom mate; 29. O.R. workers; 30. E’s value, in Scrabble; 31. Period following homework completion, perhaps; 34. Picnic dish; 38. Something a yodeler may hear; 40. Considered good by Moody’s; 41. Big lug; 42. Jazz trombonist Kid ___: 44. Tribal emblems; 50. Nipper’s co.; 52. Former N.B.A. star Nick Van ___; 55. Artist’s “Done!”; 58. Dish prepared with tongs; 59. Sign of spring; 60. Fish-fowl link; 61. Caroline Kennedy, to Ted; 62. Short-sheeting or T.P.’ing; 63. Printer’s supply; 64. “And that’s an ___!” — DOWN: 1. Made smooth; 2. Continuing state-of-the-art gadgetry; 5. Sunrise direction, in Berlin; 8. Off one’s rocker; 9. Fall bloomers; 10. Sharply inclined; 11. Window with an ocean view; 12. QB Manning; 13. Museum-funding org.; 25. Santa ___ winds; 26. Just out; 28. 1,006, in old Rome; 29. Nimble-fingered; 32. Modest response to praise; 37. Hubbub; 38. Makeshift pencil holder; 39. E-file preparer; 42. Focused, at work; 43. Fiddler’s tune; 45. Banished to Siberia, say; 46. Threat; 47. Small burger; 49. Quite a lot; 50. Yakked away; 51. Bob Cratchit, for one; 54. Rice-A-___; 56. Swimmer’s workout unit; 57. Blow it; 58. ___-Cat.

03.21.11 — Absolutely!

Monday, March 21, 2011

Puzzle by Patrick Blindauer and Steve Salitan, edited by Will Shortz

Spring has arrived in the Northern Hemisphere! Yes!… and “Absolutely!” is the clue for the interrelated group of YOU BETCHA, BY ALL MEANS, RIGHT ON BROTHER, AIN’T IT THE TRUTH, DARN TOOTIN’ and SURE THING… absolutely, a very agreeable Monday crossword.

Other — ANTONY (46A. Marc who loved Cleopatra), A-TESTS (29A. Some global treaty subjects, informally), GET BEAT (5D. Lose the game), IN A TRAP (42D. Snared), LEAGUE (23A. The “L“ in N.L. or A.L.), NEW AGE (50A. Enya‘s kind of music), TENNERS (44D. They‘re worth twice as much as fins), WARMS TO (9D. Becomes more fond of).

Five-letter — AGLOW, AMORE, ANKHS, ASIAN, BRIAR, EAGLE, ENERO (66A. Month when Chile is far from chilly), GENIE, LEASH, LEONA, LOYAL, POSES, PROBE, RIGID, SASSY, SAT UP (68A. Stopped lying?), SCUBA, WATER, WHALE.

Short stuff — ABBA, AIL and ALE, AMIE, APP, AREA and ASEA, BAA and BAG, BEET, BESO, DBLS, EIS, ERIN, “ET TU Brute?”, “Born This Way” singer Lady GAGA, GOTO, GOUT, IRES, ISN’T, LACY, LIAR (22D. When doubled, cry before “pants on fire”), LPS, NANU, NEE, ORC (14A. Tolkien monster), OSHA, REDS, REIN, RIOT, RTE, SHOT, SRS, STET, TESH, TOGA, TOSS, TOY (64D. Tinker with, with “with”), TUNA, TYPO, UGH, UKE.

Spring is nature's way of saying, "Let's party!"

 ~ Robin Williams

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Puzzle available on the internet at

THE NEW YORK TIMES — Crossword Puzzles and Games.

Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. The Stones’ “Sticky Fingers” and “Tattoo You,” e.g.; 4. Like lit lanterns; 9. H2O; 15. Dog strap; 16. Dean Martin’s “That’s ___”; 19. Stiff; 20. “I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do” group; 25. Winter Autobahn hazard; 38. Spanish for “kiss”; 39. Luau instrument, informally; 40. Chuck; 47. Mark meaning “no change”; 48. Smartphone download, briefly; 61. Offshore; 62. ___ patch (Uncle Remus setting); 65. Helmsley who had hotels; 67. Feel under the weather; 69. Impertinent; 70. Word before a maiden name in wedding announcements. — DOWN: 1. True-blue; 2. Exploratory spacecraft; 3. Diver’s gear; 4. Pub drink; 6. Frilly, as lingerie; 7 Org concerned with workplace injuries; 8. Blubber source; 10. French girlfriend; 11. Festive “Animal House” wrap; 12. St. Paddy’s land; 13. Cincinnati squad; 18. Baseball base; 24. “Gross!”; 27. Joint woe that afflicted Benjamin Franklin; 28. Egyptian crosses; 31. Amount in a whiskey glass; 32. John who once co-hosted “Entertainment Tonight”; 33. Sophs., two years later; 34. Bridle strap; 35. “Freedom ___ free”; 36. Attend, as a party; 37. Underground vegetable with edible greens; 38. Ewe’s plaint; 43. Printing goof; 45. Hwy.; 49. Does some modeling; 51. Crib cry; 52. Like the eastern part of Russia; 53. Spirit in a bottle; 54. “The ___ has landed”; 55. Two-base hits: Abbr.; 56. Vicinity; 57. Bottle-throwing occasion; 58. When repeated, a classic sitcom sign-off; 59. Bluefin, e.g.; 60. Angers.

03.20.11 — CHICK LIT

Black billed cuckoo by John James Audubon, 1828

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Sunday, March 20, 2011

CHICK LIT, Puzzle by Brendan Emmett Quigley, edited by Will Shortz

A perfectly nice idea for an interrelated group is ruined with clues that lay an egg in this flightless Sunday crossword. Does anyone on this planet memorize publication dates in relation to titles that include the names of bird species? Or is there really a list of same numbered from 1 to 8? No. The clues for the group might just as well, read “Clue,” or on the positive, why not a clue that makes a tiny peck of sense. This crossword leaves the nest empty, abandoning it to a small band of squirrels overly-enamored of their own dexterity at some nut-gathering. Additionally, the clues for the crosses, which could (and should) be of help in revealing the avian group across answers are even more cloy. Is The Times publishing crosswords for its readers or for a small clique congratulating themselves at their expertise at obfuscation? There’s a point where clever becomes weary. There was little to like in this turkey!

• THE PELICAN BRIEF; 23A. Chick lit book #1 (1992)
• UGLY DUCKLING; 33A. Chick lit book #2, with “The” (1843)
• THE STERILE CUCKOO; 39A. Chick lit book #3 (1965)
• SIX DAYS OF THE CONDOR; 59A. Chick lit book #4 (1974)
• TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD; 69A. Chick lit book #5 (1960)
• THE MALTESE FALCON; 87A. Chick lit book #6 (1930)
• LONESOME DOVE; 95A. Chick lit book #7 (1985)
• WHERE EAGLES DARE; 109A. Chick lit book #8 (1967)

Other — ALP (91D. Locale for many a gondola), BRUITED (116A. Spread, as rumors), ELIOT (46A. “A Cooking Egg” poet), ESPNEWS (119A. Game highlights shower), EXCULPATE (77D. Clear of charges), HALOS (117A. Some church overhead?), HAM ON RYE (83D. Classic sandwich), LAP (4D. Down, with “up”?), LARCH (95D. Conifer with durable wood), NOH (82A. Theater with fans), OSSEOUS (118A. Bony), OTHER THAN (2D. Besides), PETE (1D. Rose high in some people’s estimation), POT LUCK (1A. Dinner party), RAMPAGE (30A. A nut might go on one), THE LATEST (3D. Gossip fodder), WAR CLOUD (11D. First horse to compete in all three Triple Crown), WOOD SCREW (78D. Carpentry fastener).

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Puzzle available on the internet at

THE NEW YORK TIMES — Crossword Puzzles and Games.

Remaining clues — ACROSS: 8. Accompanied on a ticket; 15. ___ Works; 20. Biofuel option; 21. Size of a football field, roughly; 22. “Wyoming Outlaw,” e.g.; 25. Italy’s longest river; 26. ___ Pie Island (artist commune on the Thames); 27. Turned right; 28. The Browns, on sports tickers; 29. Headline; 36. Bear witness; 37. ___ Franco (watch brand); 38. “Down with thee!”; 44. ___ D. Young (Time’s Man of the Year in 1929); 48. Two-time N.B.A. M.V.P. Steve); 49.Kerfuffles; 50. Emphatic acceptance; 5. Italian city where pizza was invented; 53. Mich. Neighbor; 54. Clumsy handler; 56. P. R. locale; 58. Brand introduced by Philip Morris in 1975; 64. Iron Man coo-creator; 67. Where 76-Across may be worn; 68. Affixes on; 74. “A Dog of Flanders” writer; 75. Pip of “Great Expectations,” e.g.; 76. 67-Across jewelry; 77. Fold member; 80. Says; 84. Political commentator Colmes; 85. Nerve cell projection; 86. Opponent of Napoleon; 92. Start to production?; 93. Tel Aviv’s ___ Park; 94. Refer (to); 101. Group in “Sex and the City,” e.g.; 103. Some washers and dryers; 104. Wine container; 105. Philadelphia’s ___ Whiteman Bridge; 108. Environmental pollutant for short; 108. Snarl; 114. Bracelet attachment; 115. Christmas or Yom Kippur; 116. Spread, as rumors. — DOWN: 6. School in the Patriot League; 7. Stage light; 8. Artery; 9. True-crime writer Rule; 10. Home of Agate Fossil Beds Natl. Monument; 12. With cold feeling; 13. Stuck; 14. Famous bathrobe wearer, informally;15. Folk guitarist Leo; 16. 1988 Indy 500 winner; 17. Wombs; 18. O___ the Short, early king of the Franks; 19. Power cord feature; 24. Chess opening?; 29. “What moves you” sloganeer; 31. Mosquito protection; 32. Reno setting: Abbr.; 33. 180s; 34. Vitamin and supplement chain; 35. Night light?; 36. ___ time (never); 37. Old or morning follower; 40. Harsh treatment; 41. “If at first, the ___ is not absurd, there is no hope for it”: Einstein; 42. Ulster or Norfolk; 43. Friends and neighbors; 44. Broached; 45. A quarrel; 47. Dodge S.U.V.; 52. Affairs; 54. Part of a support group; 55. Skating maneuver; 57. Femur or tibia; 59. Rock singer Dee; 60. “Just a ___”; 61. Bookcase material; 62. When most movies open: Abbr.; 63. YouTube selection; 64. Bar selection; 65. Hypes; 68. Dog named after a Japanese prefecture; 70. Werewolf feature; 71. Lakers star Lamar; 72. Flame, e.g.; 73. Impersonate, in a way; 79. -ess alternative; 81. 2005 World Series team, for short; 84. End in ___; 85. Part of many ristorante dish names; 88. Shift’s end?; 89. Book before Num.; 90. Hesitates; 92. Whence the phrase “I will both lay me down in peace and sleep”; 96. Home of ConAgra; 97. Seagoing; 98. Dia de los Reyes month; 99. Group think?; 100. Pacers’ contests?; 101. [blech!]; 102. “Let’s ___ There” (old NBC slogan); 105. Maze choices; 107. Tanning salon fixtures; 109. Doctor ___ from the planet Gallifrey; 110. Samurai’s home; 111. Evian, e.g.; 112. “Yo!”; 113. Hue and cry.

03.19.11 — Saturday

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Puzzle by Joe DiPietro, edited by Will Shortz

The usual Saturday crossword, rife with sinuous and tenuous clues bordering on the totally useless; however, in this case a bit of humor can be found in the resulting alienation.

Across — 1. Lead follower, SLEUTH; 7. They make vehicles very volatile, CAR BOMBS; 15. Item removed before showering, TOUPEE; 16. “See!”, I TOLD YOU; 17. Locations for many pipes, ORGANS; 18. Where many people fall asleep at the wheel, REST STOP; 19. Pablo Neruda’s “ODES to Opposites”; 20. 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 …, e.g., SERIES; 22. Naval inits., HMS; 23. Reason to wear earplugs, DIN; 24. Underweight delivery, maybe, RUNT; 25. “Lemme AT ‘EM!”; 27. Resin used in varnishes, MASTIC; 29. Spout, JET; 32. Keeps in order, POLICES; 34. Away, in a way, ON LEAVE; 36. Heads off, AVERTS; 37. Borderline fare?, TEXMEX; 38. Strategy game with disks, REVERSI; 40. Unwilling to stay in line, DEFIANT; 41. Shot, TRY; 42. Used a knight stick on?, LANCED; 44. It can be bought without money, TIME; 45. Big ball, GALA; 46. Rockling, e.g., COD; 47. See 48-Down, AIR; 50. Whence Romeo, VERONA; 52. Basilica di San Nicola locale, BARI; 53. Cookware item with low sides, CREPE PAN; 55. Carmine’s cousin, CLARET; 57. It’s between 90 and 100, A AVERAGE; 58. 1951 title role for Mario Lanza, CARUSO; 59. To a very great degree, IN SPADES; 60. Shake, TREMOR.

Down — 1. Distinguished oneself, STOOD APART; 2. Act like the master of, LORD IT OVER; 3. 2003 Grammy winner for “A Mighty Wind”, EUGENE LEVY; 4. Dress UP AS (look like); 5. It may be hung on a board, TEN; 6. BP competitor, HESS; 7. It’s white and wispy, CIRRUS; 8. Depleted, ATE INTO; 9. Optimistic, ROSE TINTED; 10. They’re listed near clubs, BLTS; 11. Shows no moderation, briefly, ODS; 12. One often dispelled, MYTH; 13. Business owner’s delight, BOOM; 14. More than noshes, SUPS; 21. Geologic succession, ERAS; 26. Plowing problem, MIRE; 27. Item next to a phone, MESSAGE PAD; 28. Pitch setter, CLEF; 29. Spirit of the Caribbean, JAMAICA RUM; 30. In yet a greater way, EVEN MORE SO; 31. Something to paste in, TEXT EDITOR; 33. Abbr. associated with certain shortcuts, CTRL; 35. Tollbooth site, EXIT; 39. Burning up, IN A RAGE; 40. Certain disciplinarian, DEAN; 43. Matchmaker’s output?, CLONES; 47. ACAI palm; 48. With 47-Across, it stopped flying to New York in 1979, IRAN; 49. Prepares for dragging, REVS; 50. Bea Arthur’s “Mame” role, VERA; 51. Thing pulled up in a bank: Abbr., ACCT; 52. Stripped, BARE; 54. Bounce, PEP; 56. “Knots Landing” actress LAR Park Lincoln.

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Puzzle available on the internet at

THE NEW YORK TIMES — Crossword Puzzles and Games.

03.18.11 — EQUINOX, Etc.

Spring Equinox at Stonehenge photo by Josh Gurner

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Friday, March 18, 2011

Puzzle by Patrick Merrell, edited by Will Shortz

Spring gets a polite nod at the end of this crossword with EQUINOX (62A. Semiannual event) and none too soon for the Northern Hemisphere!

There hasn’t been A SLOW NEWS DAY (6D. When there’s nothing doing) as of late, — AKIHITO (16A. He succeeded to the Chrysanthemum Throne in 1989) made a rare appearance on Japanese television but a few days ago. BAGHDAD IRAQ (26D. Home to more than 5 ½ million Arabs) has been calm, but the rest of the Middle East is certainly news. Charlie Sheen appears to be HIGH AS A KITE (24D. Wasted), while a judge KEELHAULS (29A. Severely rebukes) Lindsay Lohan. THRILLERS (11D. Games that go into overtime, say), MISSISSIPPI (12D. United States divider) SEA ANIMALS (42A. Dolphin, e.g.) and RENEWABLE (32D. Like wind and solar energy) round out the long entries of this Friday crossword.

Other — “AM I BLUE” (52A. Standard with the lyric “Ain’t these tears in my eyes telling’ you?“), AMHERST, BEST MAN, CHARIOT (38A. Part of an ancient procession), IRONS OUT, LEANED ON, LEERS AT, LEG RESTS, MAFIOSI, RAT-LIKE, RAW FISH (1A. Carpaccio base, maybe), SENATOR, SNEEZED, TRA LA LA (15A. “I haven’t a care in the world”).

Mid-size — “… A TALE told by an idiot”: Macbeth, AURAL (22D. Like something you’ve heard); BEARS, BELIED, BRAWNY, CRÈME and FLANS (4D. 23-Down caramel desserts), DISPEL, EURAIL (27D. Kind of pass), GENII, HARARE (7D. City known as Salisbury until 1982), KOREAN, NEW AGE, NOTED, RATITE, REGROW, REMAIN, ST LEO, TOE-IN.

Short stuff — ACHS, ARE, BALE, “EEK A mouse,” and EKE, GALL, GINO, HEC, “Must’ve been something I ATE”, ISLE, LIZ, NED, NIN, NRA, OON, PIE, REED, RTS, SIE, TIX, TOFU, TON, UKE (54D. Marilyn Monroe played one in “Some Like It Hot“), URI, USO, WAN.

One swallow does not make a summer, but one skein of geese,

cleaving the murk of March thaw, is the Spring. ~ Aldo Leopold

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Click on image to enlarge.

Puzzle available on the internet at

THE NEW YORK TIMES — Crossword Puzzles and Games.

Remaining clues — ACROSS: 8. Rite aide; 17. Certain committee member; 18. Surveys, usually with negative responses; 19. Music genre; 21. Barbados, e.g.; 22. Worms cries; 25. Ulysses S. Grant was its eighth pres.; 26. Refuted; 28. State sch. In Kingston; 31. What mown lawns do; 33. Wheelchair attachments; 36. Home of Hampshire College; 39. Pressured; 41. Get rid of; 44. Organizational figure; 45. Strapping; 47. Jules Verne harpooner ___ Land; 48. Singer Vannelli of 1970s-’80s pop; 50. Flightless bird; 55. Smooth; 59. Beady-eyed and sneaky; 60. Criminal types; 61. Was irritated and made some noise about it? — DOWN: 1. Some linemen: Abbr.; 2. What may be coming after you; 3. Not ruddy; 8. Farm delivery; 9. Accomplish by economy, with “out”; 10. You: Ger.; 14. “Got it”; 20. Rancor; 29. Ethnic cuisine; 30. ___ Crighton Trophy (Canada’s Heisman-like award); 34. Wheel alignment; 35. Pope with a Nov. 10 feast day; 37. Gob; 40. Pretty ballerina in an Abba song; 43. Respite from dependents and everyone else; 45. Some circus performers; 46. Bring back to full strength, as a staff; 48. Guardian spirits; 50. Papyrus, e.g.; 51. Some soft white blocks; 53. La ___ (Hollywood nickname); 56. Suffix with bass; 57. Operation Mail Call grp.; 58. B.O. buys.

03.17.11 — Α, Β, Π and Ω

Thursday, March 17, 2011 — St. Patrick's Day

Puzzle by Anna Schechtman, edited by Will Shortz

IT’S ALL GREEK TO ME (41A. Totally confused response), along with four squares containing a Greek letter constitutes the interrelated group of this Thursday crossword. The four Greek letters and their entries — [ALPHA]BET SONGS (17A. Educational musical pieces for kindergarteners) with OR[AL PHA]SE (1D. First part of psychosexual development, [BET A]WARD (19A. Annual prize won multiple times by Beyoncé and LeBron James) with TI[BETA]N MONK (9D. Devout Lhasan, say), WHOO[PI] (63A. First name on “The View”) with LIGHT[PI]NK (42D. Color of many nurseries) and H[OME GA]ME (70A. What players don’t have to travel far for) with INC[OME GA]P (57D. Difference between the rich and the poor).

Other — AUDIENCE (22D. Nielsen measure), CRISIS, ENLIST, ESTEEM, HASSLE, IN A FOG (39. Dazed), MALLOMAR (24D. Chocolate-coated treat), STREETCAR (66A. People might make tracks for this), STRING, STUDIO (44A. Painter’s base), SUSANS (21A. Single Boyle and others).

Five-letter — ARGUS, AT TEN, ATOMS, BEGET (28D. Father), CAN’T I, DEFOE, ENTRE nous, EVENT, IONIA, KORAN, LATHE, LISPS, NOBIS, SETAE, SINAI, SPORK, STAMP, TRAMP steamer, USUAL.

Short stuff — ANA, ATF, DAB and DAD (36D. Father), DOG, ECO and EDO, EPPS, EST, ETE and EWE, FEST, GAD and PAD, GMC, GRIN, GRO, HARE, HOP, IRIS, LAUD, LOG, MIR, NORA, ONCE and ONES, ORO, OWN, PEA, ROVE, ROWS, SENT, SIEG, SLUM, SNL, SOAK, TONS, UNO, UTAH, WKS.

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Puzzle available on the internet at

THE NEW YORK TIMES — Crossword Puzzles and Games.

Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. Kind of column; 5. “Big Love” setting; 14. Politico with the memoir “Courage and Consequence”; 15. The “doll” in Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House”; 16. Ancient land on the Aegean Sea; 20. Old Testament peak; 23. Prize; 25. Jacob Riis subject; 26. Smidgen; 29. Gallivant; 31. Tokyo’s ___ Castle; 32. Setting for Seurat’s “Un dimanche après-midi à l'île de la Grande Jatte”; 33. Extol; 37. Record; 45. Have; 46. Big celebration; 47. Salad tidbit; 48. Big iits. In Detroit; 50. Green: Prefix; 52. ___ Digital Short; 53. Lion : pride :: ___ : husk; 55. Beat the draft?; 60. Kiting need; 62. Last words of “Over the Rainbow”; 68. When the line “God sufficeth me: there is no God but He”; 69. 1998 Goo Goo Dolls hit; 71. KFC offering; 72. Directed; 73. Omar of “House”. — DOWN: 2. Dona ___ pacem” (Catholic Mass phrase); 3. Affair; 4. Bristles; 5. Game with command cards; 6. Truckloads; 7. Hundred-eyed monster of myth; 8. Inconvenience; 10. Melees; 11. Carrier to Tokyo; 12. Satellite launched in 1986; 13. Digs; 18. German “victory”; 26. “Moll Flanders” author, 1722; 27. Smidgens; 30. Closely follow; 33. Problems for orators; 34. “News ___”; 35. Everyday; 38. Miracle- ___; 40. Justice Dept. division; 43. Dolly, e.g.; 49. Major crossroads; 51. Long ago; 56. Shop staple; 58. Corner piece?; 59. Firestones, e.g.; 60. Skyrocket; 61. Beam; 63. Calendar units: Abbr.; 64. Hip adjoiner?; 65. Conquistador’s loot; 67. Any fig. ending in “or so”.

03.16.11 — Home Run!

Star Pitcher Earl Wilson Hurling Ball to Batter During Washington Against Detroit Game.  Photograph by Bob Gomel from the archives of LIFE magazine first appearing on September 29, 1967, art.com 

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Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Puzzle by Alan Arbesfeld, edited by Will Shortz

FULL COUNT / PITCH (59A. With 61-Across, follower of the five starred clues), GREAT TIME (17A. *Ball), WORK STOPPAGE (24A. *Strike), LAVISH PARTY (29A. *Ball), BOWLER’S COUP (40A. *Strike), TV COMEDIENNE (46A. *Ball) constitutes the interrelated group of this Wednesday crossword, resulting in a home run!

Other — COERCE (44D. Arm-twist), Amicus CURIAE (friend of the court), HONEST (21A. “I swear!”), METHODS (5D. Techniques), ON TAPE (10D. Like some audio books), SENECAS (43D. New York tribe members).

Five-letter — AISLE, ARENA, CHEST, CHUTE, DUFFY, EERIE, EILAT, EPEES, HARD C (26A. What‘s in carrots but not celery?), IN INK, IRULE, MOPSY, PANAM, PAULA, RENAL, SEDER, SNAPE, SPRIG, TAUPE, UHURA, U-TURN, V-CHIP, YENTE.

Short stuff — ACHE and ACRE, AHS, AIRS, ALA, ALIT and ATIT, ALLY,ANNE, ATL, AVID, BUM, CUP, EGG, ELOI, ESC, ETA, FLA, GLUE, GYP, HAS, HATE, HUED, INC, LAX, MSU, NAH, NSEC, OLE and ORE, OPEC, PAGE, PEW, PLY, RAE, STAR, TOOT, WRIT, XED, YET (65A. Still and all).

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Puzzle available on the internet at

THE NEW YORK TIMES — Crossword Puzzles and Games.

Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. Former TWA rival; 6. Ltd., here; 9. Beatrix Potter bunny; 14. Supermarket part; 15. Fuhgeddaboudit!”; 16. Hogwarts potions professor; 19. Reversal of policy; 20. Upper-left key; 23 Came down; 28. Ring encouragement; 33. Frittata need; 36. Bickering; 37. Subj. of a pilot’s announcement; 38. Get together; 39. Voted, in a way; 44. Many a trophy; 45. Like Rod Serling stories; 52. Masseur’s target; 54. Suffers from; 57. Kirk subordinate; 62. Marco Island locale: Abbr.; 63. Tournament venue: 64. Pentathletes’ weapons; 66. Meal with the Four Questions. — DOWN: 1. Call for; 2. They may be put on; 3. Minuscule part of a min.; 4. Like; 5. Techniques; 6. Indelibly written; 7. When doubled, gets specific; 8. Booty holder; 9. The Spartans of the N.C.A.A.; 11. Journalist Zahn; 12. Garnish unit; 13. “Fiddler on the Roof” matchmaker; 18. Arsonist, slangily; 22. Tugboat’s call; 24. Habeas corpus, e.g.; 25. Veneer layer; 26. Show enmity toward; 27. Like die-hard fans; 29. Far from harsh; 30. Nave seat; 31. N.L. East city; 32. “Norma ___”; 33. Morlocks’ victims in an H.G. Wells story; 34. Bond former; 35. Swindle; 38. Zoning unit, maybe; 40. Spare change seeker; 41. Cartel acronym; 42. Kidney-related; 44. Arm-Twist; 46. Hosiery shade; 47. Modern screening device; 48. Water park feature; 49. Julia of “Designing Women”; 50. “That was awesome of me!”; 51. Israeli seaport; 54. Tinted; 55. Writer Rice; 56. Headliner; 58. Sounds of satisfaction; 60. Extracted stuff.

03.15.11 — Ode to Joy

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Puzzle by Jeremy Newton, edited by Will Shortz

BEETHOVEN (16A. Composer of 20-Across), ODE TO JOY (20A. Work by 16-Across), IN C MAJOR (57A. How the circled letters of 20-Across are played), PIANO KEYS (62A. Items you might play 20-Across on) and the circled letters, E E F G G F E D C C D E E D D, constitute the interrelated group of this Tuesday crossword.

Other — CEASELESS (34D. Unending), DESPISE (22A. Can’t stomach), HAZIEST (54A. Lease clear, as a memory), MASONITE (9D. Composite board material), SIC ‘ EM BOY (38D. Order to Rex) , TSE TSE FLY (3D. Small biter in Niger).

Mid-size — A GAME, C CUPS, DELTS, DOUBT, EGG ON, ESPYS, EVENS, INLAW, IN PJS, LT COL, MY BAD (1D. “Whoops!”), MYOPIA, OMAHA, ORZOS, RANAT, REECE, RETELL, SANDED, SAY HI, SCUZZ, SEEDY, TELLY, TREATS, TRY IT, TYSON (56D. He said about an opponent “My main objective is to be professional but to kill him”).

Short stuff — ACTV, ADD and ADJ, ALA king, CLAY, CRAM, DALI, DOH, DOWD (45A. Pulitzer winner Maureen), DUZ, EEK and EELS, EMO, ENNE, EVA, HER, IGO, IDOL, ITSY, LAV, LAZY, LOCH, LSD, MAYO, MIMI, MRT, NAM, NORA, OFNO, OKD and OLD, OWE, PICK, RING, “SHO ‘nuff!”, SIN, SOFT, THEO, TVPG, VET, VHF, YES, YWCA.

Click on image to enlarge.

Puzzle available on the internet at

THE NEW YORK TIMES — Crossword Puzzles and Games.

Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. Actor whose original name was Laurence Tureaud; 4. Some muscles or sorority women, informally; 9. Actress Rogers; 13. Green light; 14. Sioux adversary; 15. Blitzed; 18. Annual athletic awards; 19. When Othello kills himself; 26. 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, etc.; 27. Prod; 28. “Still Life - Fast Moving” atist; 29. Band with low numbers, in brief; 31. ___ use (worthless); 33. U.S.A.F. rank; 37. They’re difficult to grasp; 39. What to watch the Beeb on; 42. Alarmed squeals; 43. “Here, have one”; 47. Tendency for one’s mind to wander, for short; 48. Learn fast, maybe; 51. Midsize bra features; 53. Dilapidated; 60. Ali, before he was Ali; 61. No ___!” (“Of course!”); 66. Rice-sized pastas; 67. Acquired relative; 69. Slothful; 70. Best competitive effort, informally; 71. Do something wrong. — DOWN: 2. Volleyball champion/model Gabrielle; 4. “I am an idiot!”; 5. Rock music genre; 6. John; 7. TV’s Kojak; 8. Smoothed, as wood; 10. Dressed for bed, briefly; 11. Month after abril; 12. Not big at al, informally; 15. Share again, as a story; 17. Rating for most episodes of “The Simpsons”; 21. Actress ___ Marie Saint; 23. “Where did ___ wrong?”; 24. Downy; 25. -trix alternative; 29. Dog doc.; 30. Every other hurricane; 32. So last year; 34 Unending; 35. Green-lit; 36. Trip producer; 40. Fishing spot for Scots; 41. Feminine org. since the 1850s; 44. Dog biscuits, e.g.; 46. “Eazy-___-It” (double-platinum album by Eazy-E); 49. Small, medium or large: Abbr.; 50. Shortsightedness; 52. Horse on a ticket; 53. Dirt, slangily; 55. Give a greeting; 57. Fox hit since 2002, informally; 58. Writer Ephron; 59. Circus or wedding staple; 64. Ho Chi Minh Trail locale, for short; 65. Have bills.

03.14.11 — Monday Melt, etc.

Ran (乱?, "chaos" or "revolt") is a 1985 film written and directed by Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa. It is a jidaigeki (Japanese period drama) depicting the fall of Hidetora Ichimonji, an aging Sengoku-era warlord who decides to abdicate as ruler in favor of his three sons. The story is based on legends of the daimyo Mōri Motonari, as well as on the Shakespearean tragedy King Lear. ~ Wikipedia

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Monday, March 14, 2011

Puzzle by Andrea Carla Michaels, edited by Will Shortz

MALT, MELT, MILT, MOLT and MULT (second letter vowel progression), constitutes the interrelated group of this marvelous Monday crossword, aforesaid found in the across entries of MALTED MILK (18. Fountain treat), MELT IN ONE’S MOUTH (23. What M&M’s do), MILTON BRADLEY (37. Company that produced Twister and Candy Land), MOLTEN CHOCOLATE (50. Hershey’s vatful) and MULTIPLIER (56. The “3” in “6 x 3 = 18”). Forget about the vatful of Hershey’s Chocolate or the M&M’s, e.g., MELT and MOLT!

Other — ADDAMS, AERIAL, ATOLL (16A. Bikini Island, e.g.), BEHIND, CANALS, CRAZES, EARTHA (32A. Singer Kitt), ITALIA, HEM and HAW (5- and 29-Down, hesitate), LITTLE, Puccini’s “MADAMA Butterfly“, SCALES, SEXIST, ULTRAS.

Five-letter — AKIRA (63A. “Ran” director Kurosawa), AZTEC, BLURT, C CLEF, CIVET (21D. Spotted cat), DETOX, DEVIL (66A. Hell of a guy?), DRANO, HEIDI, LABEL, LET BE, MARIE, UPSET, OLINS, ORALS, UPSET, XANAX (55A. Antianxiety drug with a palindromic name).

Short stuff — ABAA, ACLU, ANEW, ATM, “BALI Ha’i” (“South Pacific” song), CIS, DATS, DRIP, EASE, EDGE, EGG, ELIS, ELK, ERIE, FIGS, HTML, I’LL, INTL, LIV, LSAT, MAD, MELO, MENU, MUM, NBC, NET, NOHO, RACE, RES, ROI, SSE, THEY, TRA and TRI, UKE, UTNE, VOL.

Come not between the dragon and his wrath. ~ King Lear, 1. 1

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Click on image to enlarge.

Puzzle available on the internet at

THE NEW YORK TIMES — Crossword Puzzles and Games.

Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. Grp. Defending individual rights; 5. WWW letters; 9. France’s ___ Antoinette; 14. What icicles do; 15. Buffalo’s county or lake; 17. Jamie Foxx’s “Yep ___ Me”; 20. Early Mexican; 22. Simple rhyme scheme; 30. Opposite of NNW; 31. W-Z, e.g., in an encyc.; 33. Lagging; 36. All over again; 41. Restaurant handout; 42. Libra’s symbol; 43. Extremists; 46. Basketball rim attachment; 47. “___ for Cookie” (“Sesame Street” song); 54. Indy 500, e.g.; 64. Rim; 65. Yale students; 67. Mediterranean fruit trees; 68. Exam for a wannabe atty. — DOWN: 1. Gomez or Morticia; 2. Manias; 3. Wee; 4. Overturn; 6. La la lead-in; 7. “The Last Supper” city; 8. Do not disturb; 10. 24-hr. banking convenience; 11. Louis XIV, par exemple; 12. “___ Never Fall in Love Again”; 13. Antlered animal; 19. Comfort; 24. Area west of the Bowery; 25. Actors Ken and Lena; 26. Ph.D. exams; 27. ___ Reader (eclectic bimonthly); 28. Place to swim and play b-ball, say); 33. Say impulsively; 34. “30 Rock” network; 35. Liquid-Plumr rival; 37. Prefix with drama; 38. The “I” in IHOP: Abbr.; 39. “30 Rock” co-star Baldwin; 40. Program for getting clean; 41. Not saying a thing; 44. Pre-cable TV adjunct; 45. Crackle and pop’s partner; 47. Venice attractions; 48. Home of Venezia; 49. Like male chauvinists; 51. Musical staff sign; 52. Supermodel Klum; 53. File folder stick-on; 56. Alfred E. Neuman’s magazine; 57. “Tip-Toe Thru’ the Tulips With Me” instrument; 58. Actress Tyler of “Armageddon”; 59. Cycle starter?; 60. “Which came first?” choice; 61. Home phone number abbr.

03.13.11 — Thief of Time — the Acrostic

Al-Jazari’s elephant water clock, 1206

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Sunday, March 13, 2011

ACROSTIC, Puzzle by Emily Cox and Henry Rathvon, edited by Will Shortz

This Sunday’s acrostic draws a quotation from Thief of Time by Terry Pritchett — Jeremy, a young clockmaker who has always managed to stay just this side of insanity (except for once) finds that he has been enlisted to build a clock that measures time perfectly. He and his assistant Igor attack the problem with zest, never realizing that this perfect clock will stop time forever.

The quotation: IT WAS THREE O’CLOCK. AND EVERY CLOCK STRUCK IT AT ONCE. CUCKOOS CUCKOO’D… HOUR PINS FELL OUT OF THE CANDLE CLOCK, THE WATER CLOCKS GURGLED AND SEESAWED BACK AS THE BUCKETS EMPTIED, BELLS CLANGED, GONGS BANGED, CHIMES TINKLED… .

The author’s name and the title of the work: TERRY PRATCHETT, THIEF OF TIME

The defined words:

A. High point in horology, TWELVE
B. Editor of two volumes of “Das Kapital”, ENGELS
C. Accessory sold at many an army surplus store, RUCKSACK
D. Be convincing … as Big Ben? (2 wds.), RING TRUE
E. Plant bearing New Mexico’s state flower, YUCCA
F. Feast among Northwest Indians marked by lavish distribution of gifts, POTLATCH
G. Tactic used to snare a suspect, ROADBLOCK
H. City with a large Maori population, AUCKLAND
I. Ambulate unsteadily, TODDLE
J. Party in India headed by Sonia Gandhi, CONGRESS
K. WrestleMania tag-team partner of Mr. T (2 wds.), HULK HOGAN
L. Drawing from many styles or philosophies, ECLECTIC
M. Accept, as a challenge or duty (2 wds.), TAKE ON
N. Duds donned by the donnish, TWEEDS
O. College town where Rosa Parks was born, TUSKEGEE
P. Applesauce or baloney, HOGWASH
R. Author and protagonist of “Murder on 34th Street” (2 wds.), ED KOCH
S. Hysterical, climbing the walls, FRANTIC
T. Marsupial unfazed by rattlesnake bites, OPOSSUM
U. Weak; irresponsible, FECKLESS
V. Stuff for making snuff, TOBACCO
W. “The greatest genius is the most INDEBTED man” (Emerson)
X. Pitch with a frequency of 261,626 hertz (2 wds.), MIDDLE C
Y. In Britain, kind of cake filled with currants, ECCLES

More HERE.

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Click on image to enlarge.

Puzzle available on the internet at

THE NEW YORK TIMES — Crossword Puzzles and Games.