tuesday, february 05, 2008
peter a. collins / will shortz
ny times online premium crossword puzzle
difficulty factor: another "in the pocket" puzzle
theme: as stated at 39A things hidden in 17-. 23-, 49- and 57-across HERBS...
17A DILL
23A MINT
49A SAGE
57A THYME
=================================================
in the "notes of record" category
=================================================
=================================================
in the "most googled" category
=================================================
=================================================
in the "cool mutiple word answer" category
=================================================
=================================================
in the "abbreviations, truncations, etc." category
=================================================
=================================================
in the "other" category
=================================================
=================================================
in the "damn-brand-new-t'-me" category
=================================================
=================================================
in the "your mileage may vary" category
=================================================
keep on keepin' on...
dann
all elements of the puzzle (grid layout, clues, and answers), NYT, NY Times, and The New York Times logo are ©2008 The New York Times
1. ashen5. decorative molding9. yellow shade14. gen. robt. _15. "look both ways before crossing," e.g.16. lax17. in front of a hydrant, say20. notice for late ticket-buyers, maybe21. "waking _ devine" (1998 film)22. ignited23. "uh-oh"27. cool, to a cat30. they might be near i.c.u.'s31. hair removal product32. tic-tac-toe loser33. atlanta university 36. fran of "the nanny"38. school lady39. things hidden in 17-. 23-, 49- and 57-across41. pawn42. loch ness monster, e.g.44. dictatorial45. umberto who wrote "the name of the rose"46. 1998 song by the goo goo dolls that was #1 for 18 weeks47. part of m.p.g.48. aurora's greek counterpart49. publicists54. nafta signatory55. opposite of post-56. only super bowl won by the new york jets57. business sessions that drag63. seed-to-be64. israel's abba65. french seas66. mythological reveler67. hair line68. zebras, to lions1. "taste that beats the others cold" sloganeer, once2. morning waker-upper3. "vive _!"4. "horrors!"5. directives6. father _ sarducci, longtime "s.n.l" character7. pipe joint8. epitome of slipperiness9. home of the casbah10. castle defense11. ex-hoopster manute _12. course for a recent emigre: abbr.13. king in un palacio18. contestant's mail-in19. the oscars of magazine publishing24. _ jean (marilyn monroe, affectionately)25. disrobe26. zinger27. ding dongs competitor28. board members, for short29. looney tunes pig33. maker of introductions34. _ polo35. snacks dipped in milk37. dusting or taking out the garbage39. "yippee!"40. lake _, outlet of the maumee river43. racetrack tout44. father 47. father, e.g.50. stab51. forty-_52. un gato grande53. girlish boy54. hard on the eyes57. _ lobos58. tv's longoria59. kook60. opposite of "naw"61. wall st. hire62. little troublemaker
Tuesday
Monday
monday, february 04, 2008
dave & tracy mackey/ will shortz
ny times online premium crossword puzzle
difficulty factor: none to speak of
theme: parting niceties...
17A DON'T BE A STRANGER
37A STOP IN ANY TIME
59A Y'ALL COME BACK NOW
=================================================
in the "notes of record" category
=================================================
dave and tracy, this was a great monday breeze!
=================================================
in the "most googled" category
=================================================
=================================================
in the "cool mutiple word answer" category
=================================================
=================================================
in the "abbreviations, truncations, etc." category
=================================================
=================================================
in the "other" category
=================================================
=================================================
in the "damn-brand-new-t'-me" category
=================================================
=================================================
in the "your mileage may vary" category
=================================================
keep on keepin' on...
dann
all elements of the puzzle (grid layout, clues, and answers), NYT, NY Times, and The New York Times logo are ©2008 The New York Times
1. "_ upon a time ..."5. like a score of 10 out of 1010. speedy14. "star wars" princess15. dated yet trendy16. knowing of17. "see you again!"20. longtime cbs and nbc newsman roger21. touchdown destination22. blacktops 25. tricky curves27. bud's partner in comedy28. had dinner29. _ b'rith30. coarse file31. "veni, vidi, vici" speaker 34. the "r" of npr 37. "see you again!"41. henry blake's rank on "m*a*s*h": abbr.42. many im recipients44. letterhead design47. "_ green" (kermit the frog song)49. snooze50. in the style of51. mah-jongg pieces 53. domineering 55. the dole 57. chief norse deity 59. "see you again!"64. suffix with sock65. ship-related66. lawman wyatt67. former cub _ sandberg68. entrap69. where "you can do whatever you feel," in a hit 1978 song1. outdated2. recent: prefix3. the reds, on scoreboards4. words on a wonderland cake5. steamed6. muffle, as a sound7. u.f.o. fliers8. kind of well9. michaels of "saturday night live"10. "happy days" cool cat, with "the"11. country north of namibia12. dictation takers13. shredded18. greyhound vehicle19. tv spots22. grp. funding 19-down in campaigns23. just slightly24. swerve26. "nobody doesnt like" her, in a slogan29. _-a-brac30. stir up32. lindbergh's classic flight, e.g.33. fitting35. actress cannon36. "how was _ know?"38. duke or earl39. restroom door word40. chapters in history43. austin powers, e.g.44. perry mason, e.g.45. clinton cabinet member hazel46. gasoline unit 48. weather map line51. tic-_-toe52. cattle branding tools53. lighter and pen maker54. perfectly pitched56. a polar bear might be found on one58. valley60. actress mendes61. 60's conflict site62. tolkien creature63. f.d.r. initiative
Sunday
matt ginsberg / will shortz
just follow directions
ny times online premium crossword puzzle
difficulty factor: there were a few brief moments with this where i was not very well-behaved.
theme: it really couldn't be any simpler... as the title says... JUST FOLLOW DIRECTIONS...
11A UPSIDE (DOWN) CAKES
29A PICKED (UP) SPEED
83A EASE ON (DOWN) THE ROAD
109A SETTING (UP) SHOP
113A STAND (UP) COMIC
34D TWO (LEFT) FEET
35D ALL (RIGHT) ALREADY
41D EXTREME (RIGHT) WING
54D OUT IN (LEFT) FIELD
=================================================
in the "notes of record" category
=================================================
in the end, matt, the only thing i was remotely uneasy about was the lack of symmetry in the themed answers...
=================================================
in the "most googled" category
=================================================
13D Na2CO3 SODA ASH... will be right up there with... 64D disco term meaning "galore" -A-GO-GO
=================================================
in the "cool mutiple word answer" category
=================================================
5A totally accurate DEAD ON
11A pineapple desserts UPSIDE (DOWN) CAKE
22A 1974 mocedades hit ERES TU
23A careful consideration HARD LOOK
24A men's fashion accessories TIE CLIPS
26A cork shooter POP GUN
28A "biography" network A AND E
29A accelerated PICKED (UP) SPEED
30A threw off the scent MIS-LED
50A magneto's adversaries, in comic books X-MEN (the x-men were founded by the paraplegic telepath professor charles francis xavier [a.k.a. professor x]. the team's is a reference to the "'x' factor" - an unknown gene that causes mutant evolution. co-creator artist stan lee devised the series title after marvel comics publisher martin goodman turned down the initial name, "the mutants". in addition to this "official" explanation, the x-men are widely regarded, within the marvel universe, as well as by the readers of the series, to have been named after xavier himself... this is just not true! in uncanny x-men #309, lee - through character xavier - states that "the name 'x-men' was never intended to be a self-tribute)
67A become part of JOIN IN
81A repeated john gielgud role KING LEAR
83A popular song from broadway's "the wiz" EASE ON (DOWN) THE ROAD
103A 1997 jim carrey film LIAR LIAR
104A what a man and a woman become in marriage ONE FLESH
109A establishing a business SETTING (UP) SHOP
112A mary tyler moore co-star ED ASNER
113A seinfeld, for one STAND (UP) COMIC
1D sainted pope of a.d. 683 LEO II
10D mathematical sequence of unknown length N-TUPLE
13D Na2CO3 SODA ASH (sodium carbonate)
34D bad dancer's handicap TWO (LEFT) FEET
35D "enough!" ALL (RIGHT) ALREADY!
41D reactionary EXTREME (RIGHT) WING
54D quite wrong OUT IN (LEFT) FIELD
64D disco term meaning "galore" -A-GO-GO
69D "_____ angel,"1933 film "I'M NO..."
=================================================
in the "abbreviations, truncations, etc." category
=================================================
28A "biography" network A AND E (arts and entertainment)
32A canonized mlle. STE. (sainte)
34A third word of "america" 'TIS (my country 'tis of thee...)
35A blue devils' and tigers' org. A.C.C. (college's.... atlamtic coast conference)
86A titanic message SOS (in international morse code, three dits [dots] form the letter 's', and three dahs [dashes] are the letter 'o'. 'sos' is the commonly used description for the international morse code distress signal (..._ _ _ ...), however, 'sos' is only part of the signal. used properly, the distress signal actually consists of a continuous sequence of three-dits/three-dahs/three-dits, all run together without letter or word spacing. so... does it mean... "save our ship" or "save our souls" or "save our seafarers"? worldwide, it is mostly commonly known by "save our souls"... but... these are all "backronyms" - phrases coined long after the initial development of the device or operation in question)
101A prefix with -zoic PALEO- (greek, very old; prehistoric, or primitive)
7D hydrocarbon suffix -ANE
10D mathematical sequence of unknown length N-TUPLE ('n' being "any possible, as of yet unknown" number)
18D u.r.l lead-in H.T.T.P. (hyper-text transfer protocol)
27D neighbor of switz. GER. (germany)
43D hero maker DELI (delicatessen)
61D geom. figure CIR. (circle)
69D "_____ angel,"1933 film "I'M NO..."
92D imagine, informally S'POSE (suppose)
102D relig. title MSGR. (monsignor)
105D anchorage-to-fairbanks dir. E.N.E. (east northeast... hmmm.. 58pacer [in "comments" below] and google maps both have a problem with this answer... they seem to agree that the direction is N.N.E.!)
=================================================
in the "other" category
=================================================
i'm takin' the rest of t'day... and most of monday off...
=================================================
in the "damn-brand-new-t'-me" category
=================================================
42D flower also called a naked lady AMARYLLIS
=================================================
in the "your mileage may vary" category
=================================================
deterge? such an archaic medical reference in a sunday puzzle... who knew? be honest...
keep on keepin' on...
dann
all elements of the puzzle (grid layout, clues, and answers), NYT, NY Times, and The New York Times logo are ©2008 The New York Times
1. artist's digs, maybe 5. totally accurate11. pineapple desserts18. "_, gorgeous!" (fanny brice's comment to herself when looking in the mirror)19. one of wine's gallo brothers20. autobiographical short story by edgar allan poe21. marisa of "what women want"22. 1974 mocedades hit23. careful consideration24. men's fashion accessories 26. cork shooter28. "biography" network29. accelerated30. threw off the scent31. checklist?32. canonized mlle.33. more encouraging34. third word of "america"35. blue devils' and tigers' org. 38. contact lens solutions 40. they're better than one 45. elton's johns47. blind element48. stereotypical reaction to elvis50. magneto's adversaries, in comic books51. lugs53. spread in a spread55. -56. passe57. -59. classic toyota sports cars61. _ bradshaw, "sex and the city" role62. wynken, blynken and nod, e.g.63. turf, as opposed to surf64. dancer alvin65. malodorous67. become part of68. imp71. place to get dates?72. fronded plant73. fictional submariner75. civil rights march site, 196576. family77. -78. wise80. -81. repeated john gielgud role83. popular song from broadway's "the wiz"86. titanic message87. arctic diver88. runs90. eponymous german electrophysicist92. begets96. things on strings97. deterge101. prefix with -zoic102. sitcom title role for brandy norwood103. 1997 jim carrey film104. what a man and a woman become in marriage 106. two-wheeled covered carriage108. hops-drying kilns109. establishing a business110. hero of bellini's "i puritani"111. anticipate112. mary tyler moore co-star113. seinfeld, for one114. feast1. sainted pope of a.d. 6832. ancient mexican people3. evidence of dandruff4. facilities5. -6. slips7. hydrocarbon suffix8. execrate9. bone formation10. mathematical sequence of unknown length11. _ bator12. a pop13. na2c0314. dental filling15. literature's lorna16. lose little by little17. -18. u.r.l lead-in20. israeli p.m. olmert25. they may be funny or bright27. neighbor of switz.30. educator maria31. subatomic particle that is a nuclear binder33. mideast money34. bad dancer's handicap35. "enough!"36. collected37. mistress39. bridges in hollywood40. the "ten" in "hang ten"41. reactionary42. flower also called a naked lady43. hero maker44. old dirk 46. unblemished48. lineage49. failings52. breezes (through)54. quite wrong56. business position58. word before and after "after"60. cross product61. geom. figure64. disco term meaning "galore"65. punch66. french sudan, today67. raspberry69. "_ angel,"1933 film70. scratch sheet listings72. slams74. fannie _ (securities)77. jupiter or mars79. _ gay.w.w. ii bomber82. ointment ingredient83. subject of the book "last flight"84. setting for "driving miss daisy"85. -88. call, or call on89. turkish pooh-bahs91. lake _, third-largest lake in africa92. imagine, informally93. sectioned, as a window94. prince valiant's wife95. tapestry threads96. -97. -98. month before lyar99. "socrate" composer100. first, in frankfurt102. relig. title103. lady's man105. anchorage-to-fairbanks dir.107. great ball of fire
Friday
natan morel last / will shortz
ny times online premium crossword puzzle
difficulty factor: i didn't get stung too badly here, thanks to some very good guesses!
theme: none
=================================================
in the "notes of record" category
=================================================
natan, another great puzzle!
=================================================
in the "other" category
=================================================
no time t'day!
keep on keepin' on...
dann
all elements of the puzzle (grid layout, clues, and answers), NYT, NY Times, and The New York Times logo are ©2008 The New York Times
1. "the county chairman" playwright, 1903 4. hershey brand 8. tree14. spinners, for short15. southern university whose campus is a botanical garden16. interstice17. having the most pizazz19. cap and bells wearer20. convict22. meter readers?23. kind of batting stance24. nos.25. reddish-brown26. al-_27. big bang creator28. fifth qtrs.29. enforce the rules31. italian mine32. has as a foundation33. "rugrats" dad36. easter-related37. "_ now the very witching time of night": hamlet38. norm of "this old house"41. coup d'_ (survey made with a glance)42. part of a moonscape43. no longer under consideration44. tetris objectives45. like clayware46. seemingly silent types49. burns50. "she's gonna blow!"52. ferris bueller's girlfriend53. spoils54. where the utricle is55. like haunted houses, compared to ordinary houses56. good-looker57. the wildcats of the big 12 conf.1. hoelike cutting tool2. neighbor of somalia3. brewed drink4. checks5. two-time figure-skating olympic gold medalist protopopov6. snapped7. ecstatic8. option for wings9. smeltery input10. paraphrase, say11. a jiffy12. decides13. least spotted18. british p.m. when the u.s. constitution was signed21. quality that's hard to express22. event for a king and queen26. father of harmonia27. former giant robb _ 30. gymnastics move32. butt33. 1979 film with sequels ii to vi34. prophet of thebes, struck blind by athena when he accidentally saw her bathing35. drew on36. popular dish in an asian cuisine38. guide39. zyzzyva, e.g.40. malignity42. protein-rich paste44. certain softball pitch45. amendment that prevents being subjected to double jeopardy47. oscar-winning french film director _ clement48. article in hoy51. robert morse tony-winning role
doug peterson / will shortz
ny times online premium crossword puzzle
difficulty factor: i got roughed-up pretty badly over this one!
theme: none
=================================================
in the "notes of record" category
=================================================
doug, i had a love/hate thing goin' on with this one... i loved most of the long/multi word answers... and i hated that my first guesses were way off!
=================================================
in the "your mileage may vary" category
=================================================
51. tickled the most PINKEST... funny stuff!
8. ape wrestlers GRAPPLE... GROAN! to ape [mimic] wrestlers
keep on keepin' on...
dann
all elements of the puzzle (grid layout, clues, and answers), NYT, NY Times, and The New York Times logo are ©2008 The New York Times
1. temper8. ape wrestlers15. be negative about17. hobbes in "calvin and hobbes"18. went to a lower level19. prefix with 6-down20. body part above la bouche21. frames found in frames22. clubs: abbr.23. senora's step24. "a little _ the mightiest julius fell": shak.25. actress kimberly of "close to home"26. give away27. intimate28. tahini base29. well activity32. domesticates33. dramatic beginning34. with 44-down, cajun dish with giblets35. polynomial components36. subject of some conspiracy theories37. prez's first name on "the west wing"40. shot near the green41. little piggies?42. staff note43. ad follower44. playboy's plea?45. she's dangerously fascinating46. they're not easily overturned49. stereotypically smarmy sorts50. without much wind51. tickled the most?1. for one2. not at all sunny3. fit to be tried?4. id output5. mordant6. suffix with 19-across7. going by8. fred of "the munsters"9. hosts10. brand in a bathroom11. linguist mario12. before being delivered13. unfrequented14. chief goals? 16. smart22. exclusively23. british meat pie25. actress gray and others26. _-crowd (attendance booster)27. make like pac-man28. they're bound to work29. "heads up!"30. it stocks blocks31. less lax32. prepare for a shower, maybe 34. foundations, often36. aggressively ambitious37. basso hines38. hosts39. "who _?"41. august42. belarus's capital44. see 34-across45. longtime columnist who coined the term "beatnik"47. cloverleaf composition: abbr.48. second-century year
Thursday
paula gamache / will shortz
ny times online premium crossword puzzle
difficulty factor: not bad at all, except for the southwest corner
theme:
BREAK...
16A ...BREAD
22A ...OPEN
37A ...WIND
49A ...RANKS
59A ...APART
10D ...FREE
33D ...EVEN
=================================================
in the "notes of record" category
=================================================
the past three days have been full of lawyers, doctors and aggravation for me, but paula, this was a very bright spot in my week! thank you!
=================================================
in the "most googled" category
=================================================
hmm... maybe... 20. n.b.a. center who has pitched for mcdonald's, pepsi and visa YAO MING or... 37D WAHINES (the maori and hawaiian word for "women") or... 58A "ich LIEBE dich" (which is german for "i love you")
=================================================
in the "cool mutiple word answer" category
=================================================
16A * not just stupid BRAIN DEAD
19A kerosene LAMP OIL
20A n.b.a. center who has pitched for mcdonald's, pepsi and visa YAO MING
22A * setting in sherlock holmes's "the man with the twisted lip" OPIUM DEN
37A * perplexed state WIT'S END
49A * informers RAT FINKS
59A * dessert made from a product of a 10-down APPLE TART
3D "ditto" SO AM I
4D blunders SLIP-UPS
5D "well, _!" LA-DI-DA
33D * fairy tale meanie EVIL QUEEN
42D cigarette box feature FLIP TOP
46D "how foolish _!" ...OF ME
53D squelch SIT ON
=================================================
in the "abbreviations, truncations, etc." category
=================================================
9A homes for mil. planes A.F.B'S (air force bases)
13A object of a manhunt, maybe A.W.O.L. (absent without leave)
14A score just before winning AD-IN (in tennis... advantage in [-court], or server's advantage)
36A daily or weekly, e.g.: abbr. ADV. (they are both... adverbs!)
39A 1970's polit. cause E.R.A. (equal rights amendment)
45A co. with a triangular logo AOL (america online)
65A major rtes. HWYS. (highways)
66A ivy league school in philly PENN (pennsylvania state university)
as fly-away-girl was quick
to note... in a comment posted in yesterday's blog... that should be the university of pennsylvania... thanks for the heads-up, fly-away... and you've earned your "attention to detail" merit badge!
27D they replaced c rations M-R-E'S (meal, ready-to-eat)
30D short holiday? X-MAS (Christmas... i loathe this truncation!)
34D put back in STET (latin, "let it stand"... used by proofreaders to instruct the writer to disregard a change the editor had previously marked)
keep on keepin' on...
dann
all elements of the puzzle (grid layout, clues, and answers), NYT, NY Times, and The New York Times logo are ©2008 The New York Times
1. throw5. it may be found in a cone9. homes for mil. planes13. object of a manhunt, maybe14. score just before winning15. skylit courts16. * notjust stupid18. where william the conqueror died19. kerosene20. n.b.a. center who has pitched for mcdonald's, pepsi and visa 22. * setting in sherlock holmes's "the man with the twisted lip"24. the hots25. snow _26. les trois mousquetaires, e.g.28. strain31. "eat at _"34. shopaholic's delight35. canyon part36. daily or weekly, e.g.: abbr.37. * perplexed state39. 1970s polit. cause40. early sixth-century year41. partner of aids42. come clean, with "up"43. slippery swimmer44. "the _ report," 1976 best seller45. co. with a triangular logo47. grill49. * informers54. seven sisters grads57. major italian tourist site58. "ich _ dich" (german words of endearment)59. * dessert made from a product of a 10-down61. satyric looks62. sleeper _63. this and that64. "finnegans wake" wife65. major rtes.66. ivy league school in philly1. cellist casals2. "that's _!" (director's cry)3. "ditto"4. blunders5. "well, _!"6. _ hugo, 1975 isabelle adjani role based on a real-life story7. through8. granatelli of auto racing9. bits10. * orchard part11. "tres _"12. did a number15. stimulated17. 1890s gold rush city21. completely strange23. music download source27. they replaced c rations29. pretense30. short holiday?31. shade of green32. garfield's housemate33. * fairy tale meanie34. put back in37. some luau dancers38. resort island ese of valencia 42. cigarette box feature45. ocean rings46. "how foolish _!" 48. planetary shadow50. be in force, as a rule51. author zora _ hurston52. popular japanese beer53. squelch54. milan's teatro _ scala55. collateral option56. individually 60. church perch
Wednesday
Monday
monday, january 28, 2008
michael blake / will shortz
ny times online premium crossword puzzle
difficulty factor: things managed t' take care of themselves t'day!
theme: 55. singing group suggested by the starts of 20-, 28- and 48-across THE CHIPMUNKS are indeed:
20A ALVIN
29A SIMON
48A THEODORE
=================================================
in the "notes of record" category
=================================================
michael, i loved the theme!
=================================================
in the "most googled" category
=================================================
hmmm...
=================================================
in the "cool mutiple word answer" category
=================================================
=================================================
in the "abbreviations, truncations, etc." category
=================================================
=================================================
in the "other" category
=================================================
=================================================
in the "your mileage may vary" category
=================================================
keep on keepin' on...
dann
all elements of the puzzle (grid layout, clues, and answers), NYT, NY Times, and The New York Times logo are ©2008 The New York Times
1. baby's first word, in italy 6. commercials 9. touches14. skip _ (lose tempo)15. tennis do-over16. katmandu's land17. _ firma18. mai _ (tropical drink)19. "yum!"20. "future shock" author23. prefix with -lithic24. wetland25. antique restorer's efforts, for short 28. late hunter of nazi war criminals34. comedian philips35. aria singer36. brewing coffee produces one37. designer christian 39. semesters42. muslim holy man43. shake hands (on) 45. former senator trent47. _ dye (chemical coloring)48. "sister carrie" author52. airport schedule abbr.53. the 1919 treaty of versailles concluded it: abbr.54. directional suffix55. singing group suggested by the starts of 20-, 28- and 48-across 61. dragon ball z game company64. _ solo of "star wars"65. actress papas or ryan66. thesaurus author67. superlative suffix68. girlish laugh69. bullwinkle, for one70. letter between pi and sigma71. actress falco and namesakes1. _hari2. brother of cain and seth3. "_ griffin's crosswords"4. dolphins qb dan5. finished6. choir voice7. like most users of sign language8. cadavers, slangily9. insect or radio part10. yogi, for one11. fedex competitor12. tit for _13. crafty21. namely22. former auto executive lacocca25. clarence of the supreme court26. kind of class for expectant mothers27. noisy shouting28. anesthetize, say29. "put me down as a maybe"30. tied down, as a boat31. "_ changed my mind"32. country rocker steve33. prefix with lateral 38. old olds car40. "the _ squad" of b0s-70s tv41. throat problem44. first american to walk in space46. orkin target49. be in the red50. wealthier51. accustomed55. _ chic56. corned beef concoction57. absorbed by58. soda pop brand59. thigh/shin connector60. understands61. slot machine part62. excessively63. in the past
Sunday
SUNDAY, january 27, 2008
mike nothnagel / will shortz
i need my space
ny times online premium crossword puzzle
difficulty factor: i stumbled... i picked myself up and brushed myself off... i stumbled... i picked myself up...
theme: a common expression is left slightly askew with the addition of a little "room"
24A AFRAID OF THE DARK ROOM
39A BRINGS HOME ROOM THE BACON
53A POWDER ROOM KEG
72A THE BALL'S IN YOUR COURT ROOM
92A GREEN ROOM PARTY
107A NO REST ROOM FOR THE WICKED
125A DAVY JONES' LOCKER ROOM
and there was plenty o' room left for me t' screw up time and again as well!
=================================================
in the "notes of record" category
=================================================
mike, i thought we were headed to the world of cyber networking when i first saw the title... wrong!
oh, and i was in danger of hating this puzzle... til the theme revealed itself... and... in the end, i liked it a lot!
=================================================
in the "most googled" category
=================================================
maybe 49D host of public radio's "this american life" IRA GLASS... i dunno... maybe 100D "le misanthrope" playwright MOLIERE... 89D dict. listings SYNS. [dictionary... synonyms]...
=================================================
in the "cool mutiple word answer" category
=================================================
6A. succeeded in WON AT
31A. imported by plane FLOWN IN
82A. give _____ of hope A RAY
84A. 1977 george burns film OH GOD!
117A. short-hop plane AIR TAXI
131A. handily defeated ACED OUT
3D. laredo or nuevo laredo BORDER TOWN
10D. 1976 horror film whose score won an oscar THE OMEN
18D. seldom-used golf club ONE IRON
19D. over AT AN END
39D. offer to buy at auction BID ON
49D. host of public radio's "this american life" IRA GLASS
50D. cubs' protector DEN MOTHER
58D. attempt to trick PUT-UP JOB
60D. analogy part ...IS TO...
67D. rap enthusiast, in slang B-BOY
85D. "right place wrong time" singer, 1973 DR. JOHN
99D. prescription phrase ...ONE A DAY...
101D. place for an elbow ARM REST
105D. singer with the #1 country album "80's ladies" K.T. OSLIN
110D. "this one's _____!" ON ME
112D. "now it's clear!" I SEE!
=================================================
in the "abbreviations, truncations, etc." category
=================================================
23A. suffix with absorb -ENT
36A. wally's tv brother, with "the" BEAV (from the tv show... 'leave it to beaver')
44A. part of a. a. r. p.: abbr. ASSN. (the organization was originally named "american association of retired persons", but to reflect that its focus has become broader than retirees - which is no longer a requirement- in 1999 it officially changed its name to just "AARP" [pronounced one letter at a time, "a-a-r-p"])
45A. first word of "jabberwocky" 'TWAS... (it was...)
57A. extremely inept person, slangily SPAZ (colloqi=uialism for 'spastic')
69A. it may charge you a fee A.T.M. (automated teller machine)
79A. esq. ATTY. (attorney)
87A. letter addenda, for short P.S.S. (post-script script)
90A. band with the 1989 hit "stand" R.E.M.
104A. ring stats T.K.O.'S (technical knock-outs)
11D. talks from a rev. SERS. (sermons)
12D. toll hwy. TPK. (turnpike)
36D. jaguar alternatives BMW'S (as in... vehicles from the bavarian motor works)
65D. kind of hall REC (recreation)
67D. rap enthusiast, in slang B-BOY (it this a stutter sound... or something worse?!)
75D. "_____ my fault!" IT'S... (it is...)
83D. turnaround, slangily U-EY (as in... a "u"-turn)
89D. dict. listings SYNS.
91D. brothers FRAS.
105D. singer with the #1 country album "80's ladies" K.T. OSLIN
126D. gridiron units: abbr. YDS. (football... yards)
=================================================
in the "other" category
=================================================
=================================================
in the "damn-brand-new-t'-me" category
=================================================
=================================================
in the "your mileage may vary" category
=================================================
132A church support TITHE... i liked this one!
keep on keepin' on...
dann
all elements of the puzzle (grid layout, clues, and answers), NYT, NY Times, and The New York Times logo are ©2008 The New York Times
i. literary elephant 6. succeeded in 11. hot17. drag show accessory20. _ stadium, home of the university of hawaii warriors21. baseball hall-of-famer edd22. admonish23. suffix with absorb24. like a useless photo lab employee?27. stephen of "breakfast on pluto"28. dejected29. trespasses30. lineage31. imported by plane 33. tv oil baron35. "let's go, miguel!"36. wally's tv brother, with "the"38. take on39. offers breakfast to students before first period?43. marriage _44. part of a. a. r. p.: abbr.45. first word of "jabberwocky"46. put a rider on, e.g.47. it may be false48. game stopper 50. place for a panel52. director anderson53. beer sources for genteel guests? 57. extremely inept person, slangily 59. sharp turn62. _ arbor63. through64. cartoonist bil65. sauce thickener66. name in a hymn67. worthless talk, in slang69. it may charge you a fee70. casino surface71. mattress brand72. reminder to a forgetful judge on bowling night?78. early invader of britain79. esq.80. sette minus quattro81. utter82. give _ of hope83. functions84. 1977 george burns film86. fix87. letter addenda, for short90. band with the 1989 hit "stand"91. own (up)92. what talk show guests have before the broadcast?95. yowl96. playboy's look97. sloops' headsails98. sported99. poker game with four hole cards 102. see26-down 104. ring stats106. guest beds, often107. sign outside a church lavatory?113. stately trees114. work units115. satirical paper, with "the"116. they may be scattered117. short-hop plane119. potential hangar buildup120. on the safe side121. music with jazzlike riffs124. ruby _125. where a monkee changes after a game?130. "_ poetica"131. handily defeated132. church support133. 1964 quinn role134. still135. tasty bit136. pc key137. beginning1. barnyard calls2. _-romeo3. laredo or nuevo laredo4. "now it's clear!"5. cereal topping6. torts7. responses to punches8. crackpot9. religious retreats10. 1976 horror film whose score won an oscar11. talks from a rev.12. toll hwy.13. sports legend whose #4 was retired14. day spa accessories15. unfold16. "finding _,"2003 film17. eccentric friend on "designing women"18. seldom-used golf club19. over22. 1969 oscar-nominated film role25. little job for a body shop26. with 102-across, dashboard warning light 32. loud hits34. exert, as influence35. _ 1, yuri gagarin's spacecraft36. jaguar alternatives37. seventh-brightest star in a constellation39. offer to buy at auction40. meteorological effect41. steam shovel inventor william42. guthrie's follower at woodstock43. tv host kelly48. diva's effect49. host of public radio's "this american life"50. cubs' protector51. survey info52. increase, in away54. poland spring competitor55. owen _, john irving character56. "a maid with hair of gold," in an old song57. goes it alone58. attempt to trick59. "beetle bailey" soldier60. analogy part61. u.s. possession since 189865. kind of hall66. schmo67. rap enthusiast, in slang68. rob of'melrose place"70. damager of the ozone layer71. pouting person's action72. bygone leader73. fabled race loser74. reason for an office visit75. "_ my fault!"76. impulse77. paper purchases83. turnaround, slangily84. bauxite, e.g.85. "right place wrong time" singer, 197387. seminar leaders88. expensive strings 89. dict. listings 91. brothers92. beginning, as of an idea93. seine tributary94. stirred up, as memories95. blanket holder96. golden triangle country99. prescription phrase100. "le misanthrope" playwright101. place for an elbow102. one pulling in103. road bend104. italian province or its capital105. singer with the #1 country album "80's ladies"106. playful movement108. company with a star logo109. source110. "this one's _!"111. physical therapy equipment112. "now it's clear!"118. the first prophet of god, in islam119. awful120. feel compassion122. kind of beef123. part of a latin 101 conjugation126. gridiron units: abbr.127. java128. giant born in louisiana129. 1989 gold glove winner darling
Saturday
saturday, january 26, 2008
karen m. tracey / will shortz
ny times online premium crossword puzzle
difficulty factor: this was a
pleasure for a saturday morning!
theme: none
in the "notes of record" category
=================================================
karen, this puzzle had it all! a yin/yang of equal number of across and down clues... some very familiar, some very obscure... a few smile-causers, a few groan-inducers... and a pangram t' boot! what a treat... very nice!
in the "most googled" category
=================================================
=================================================
in the "cool mutiple word answer" category
=================================================
1A cash cache, often COOKIE JAR
21A determined to execute SET ON
27A green vehicle ECO-CAR
30A it's prohibited by the telephone consumer protection act of 1991 JUNK FAX
57A what kids might roll down HILL SIDES
62A blues guitarist vaughan STEVIE RAY
7D peer group setting? JURY BOX
9D dwarf, maybe RED STAR
12D potential canine saver ROOT CANAL
13D personal manager MAJOR DOMO
30D "the thiefs journal" author JEAN GENET (jean genet was a prominent, controversial french writer and later political activist. early in his life he was a vagabond and petty criminal; later on he wrote novels, plays, poems, and essays, including 'querelle de brest', 'the thief's journal', 'our lady of the flowers', 'the balcony', 'the blacks', and 'the maids')
31D review unfairly, maybe UNDER-RATE
32D tops NUMBER ONE (not 'numero uno, dann!)
=================================================
in the "abbreviations, truncations, etc." category
=================================================
16A liner threat, once U-BOAT (u-boat is the anglicized and abbreviated version of the german word unterseeboot 'undersea boat', and usually refers to military submarines operated by the german military world war I and II)
44A sr.'s test G.R.E. (college seniors, who wish to persue post-graduate studies, take the graduate record examination which is a standardized, computer-based exam that is an admissions requirement for many graduate schools in english speaking countries. created and administered by the educational testing service [ets], the exam is primarily focused on testing abstract thinking skills in the areas of math, vocabulary, and analytical writing. The GRE is typically administered only at select, qualified testing centers)
3D ibid, relative OP. CIT. (op. cit. (latin, short for "opus citatum"/"opere citato," meaning "the work cited/from the cited work") is the term used to provide an endnote or footnote citation to refer the reader to an earlier citation. to find the op. cit. source, one has to look at the previous footnotes to find the relevant author)
11D drama honor OBIE (the obie awards, ["off-broadway theater awards"] are annual awards bestowed by the newspaper the village voice on off- and off-off-broadway theater artists performing in new york city. [the tony awards are given to broadway productions])
in the "other" category
=================================================
19A "isaac's storm" author larson ERIK (erik larson is an american author. "isaac's storm" is about the experiences of isaac cline during the galveston hurricane of 1900)
20A player of the queen mother in "the queen," 2006 SYMS (sylvia sims)
22A wanton type SATYR (satyrs appear predominantly in greek
29A they don't stay hot for very long FADS (some of the more memorable fads of the last century include: flagpole sitting [1920's]; (stamp collecting, goldfish swallowing [1930's]; poodle skirts, and bobby sox [1940's]; the hula hoop, phonebooth stuffing, and panty raids [1950's]; the twist, troll dolls, and yo-yos [1960's]; lava lamps, and tie-dye [late 1960's- early 1970's]; pet rocks, streaking, [1970's]; trivial pursuit, hacky sack, rubik's cube, cabbage patch dolls, garbage pail kids, "... on board" signs [1980's]; grunge, fanny packs, beanie babies, tickle-me elmo, roller blades, furbys [1990's]; and atkins diet, fantasy leagues, lo-rise jeans with rhongs, p2p file sharing, reality shows, plastic 'cause' wristbands, energy drinks, phone texting, sudoku [2000's])
37A kind of party PAJAMA (each year in march, the town of guerneville, ca. holds a big pajama party and pajama contest with prizes in categories such as best of show, pets, theme, couples, kids, groups, sexiest, and more. [bonus points for fuzzy slippers, curlers, face-packs, teddy bears, etc.] it's pretty bizarre!)
40A "new york city rhythm" singer MANILOW (listen/view here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P94c9BcPo-U)
41A bills NEBS (a neb is a beak, bill, nose, or snout)
42A "turandot" composer ferruccio _____ BUSONI (dante michelangelo benvenuto ferruccio busoni was an italian composer, pianist, teacher of piano and composition, music theorist, and conductor)
45A dad's rival BARQ'S (not pet food, dann!)
51A weasley family's owl, in harry potter books ERROL
53A breaking sticks CUES
55A minnelli of broadway LIZA
1D they're seedy CORES
2D glass work OPERA (philip glass is a three-time academy award-nominated american composer. He is considered one of the most influential composers of the late-20th century and is widely acknowledged as a composer who has brought art music to the public. he is a prolific composer: he has written ensemble works, operas, symphonies, concertos, film scores, and solo works)
5D hip-hop producer gotti IRV (irving "irv" domingo lorenzo, jr. is a prominent african-american/dominican hip hop and r&b record producer and is the head of the inc. record label [formerly murder inc.]... he is better known by his stage surname... gotti)
28D honeydew alternative CASABA
32D tops NUMBER ONE (noy 'numero uno, dann!)
33D cheryl's "charlie's angels" role KRIS (born cheryl jean stoppelmoor)
47D six-time grammy winner mary j. _____ BLIGE (listen/view: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QAN7NOqXX4)
49D hyundai sedan AZERA
=================================================
in the "damn-brand-new-t'-me" category
=================================================
=================================================
in the "your mileage may vary" category
=================================================
keep on keepin' on...
dann
all elements of the puzzle (grid layout, clues, and answers), NYT, NY Times, and The New York Times logo are ©2008 The New York Times
1. cash cache, often 10. no surprise outcomes15. happy16. liner threat, once17. well again18. spanish table wine19. "isaac's storm" author larson20. player of the queen mother in "the queen," 200621. determined to execute22. wanton type24. please, to pachelbel26. shout across the seine?27. green vehicle29. they dont stay hot for very long30. it's prohibited by the telephone consumer protection act of 1991 34. vitamin a36. toughens37. kind of party38. general equivalent40. "new york city rhythm" singer41. bills42. "turandot" composer ferruccio _44. sr.'stest45. dad's rival46. iranian filmmaker kiarostami51. weasley family's owl, in harry potter books53. breaking sticks55. minnelli of broadway56. biblical woman who renamed herself mara57. what kids might roll down59. old lab items akin to bunsen burners60. darkroom equipment61. cold weather62. blues guitarist vaughan1. they're seedy2. glass work3. ibid, relative4. crackpot5. hip-hop producer gotti6. "vous _ ici"7. peer group setting?8. peaked9. dwarf, maybe10. ill-prepared worker?11. drama honor12. potential canine saver13. personal manager14. playwright/painter wyspianski23. direct25. mine shaft tool28. honeydew alternative29. the yasawa islands are part of it30. "the thiefs journal" author31. review unfairly, maybe32. tops33. cheryl's "charlie's angels" role35. _ raymonde, player of alex rousseau on "lost"39. reels40. light white wine 43. look askance 45. rapture47. six-time grammy winner mary j. _48. patient one49. hyundai sedan50. fresh52. it has an exclave on the strait of hormuz54. pomeranian or dalmatian58. asian honorific
Friday
friday, january 25, 2008
david quarfoot / will shortz
ny times online premium crossword puzzle
difficulty factor: moderately tough, but maximally satisfying
theme: none
=================================================
in the "notes of record" category
=================================================
david, just seeing your name gave me pause, but my fleeting trepidation was largely unfounded... this was a really good friday puzzle!
=================================================
in the "other" category
=================================================
i must attend the funeral of a very dear friend's father-in-law... he was a great fella...
time for only one elaboration t'day...
43D swee' pea's creator E.C. SEGAR (after taking a $20 correspondence course in cartooning - twenty lessons at a buck a piece - elzie crisler segar [SEE-gar, like the colloquial pronunciation of the cylindrical tobacco contrivance] created his newspaper comic strip "thimble theater," in 1919. the oyl family - dad 'cole' and mom 'nana', 'olive' and brother 'castor', and their friend ham gravy were the comic's leads for the first decade of its run. the rest of olive's kin included cousin 'sutra' oyl, her uncles 'lubry kent' and 'otto' oyl, and her niece 'deezil' oyl. it wasn't until 1929, when castor oyl needed a mariner to navigate his ship to dice island, that he picked up a funny-lookin' old salt down by the docks named 'popeye'. and the rest, as they say, is history! the popeye character "stole the show" and became the permanent featured character. some of the other notable characters segar created include 'j. wellington wimpy', 'eugene the jeep', and 'swee' pea' who is popeye's adopted son... the tyke arrived in popeye's mail in an express package on july 24, 1933... and is christened almost a month later "by the names of 'SCOONER seawell georgia washenting, christiffer columbia, daniel boom'"... hmmm... not a 'swee' pea' in sight! read more about naming swee' pea at: http://www.popeyespoopdeck.com/sweepea.htm)
=================================================
in the "your mileage may vary" category
=================================================
call me quirky, but i really loved 2D it forbids religious tests for political office ARTICLE VI [of the united states costitution: "... no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the united states]
keep on keepin' on...
dann
all elements of the puzzle (grid layout, clues, and answers), NYT, NY Times, and The New York Times logo are ©2008 The New York Times
1. war-torn baghdad suburb 9. 23-across and others15. one and only16. weather channel topic17. fleet runner of myth18. key that doesnt include 58-across19. up to20. ape22. habit23. shade shade25. biblical miracle setting26. powerful piece27. boarding spot29. call from home31. 1936 n.l leader in slugging percentage33. brooklynese pronoun34. pilot's place37. part of manhattan's alphabet city39. "be honest"41. onetime serbian capital42. show some spunk44. drops in a theater45. japanese model sold from 1970 to 200647. meccan pilgrim48. some speakers 51. abbr. before a date53. underhand?54. zip55. spotter's confirmation57. polit. label58. it's almost a b, scorewise 60. pilot's place62. apple application63. fancy haberdashery item64. no longer in65. judge of films1. henry clay or william jennings bryan2. it forbids religious tests for political office3. versatile actors may play them4. person found in a tree: abbr.5. buck6. corinthian alternative7. it might hold a couch potato's potato8. really hoped to get, with "for"9. it can be drafted10. _ bark beetle11. stuck12. 11 1/2" soldier13. online memo14. archaeologist david who found the lost roman city of kourion21. made some waves?24. word in some british place names26. put out28. school exercises30. zoo de madrid beasts32. shade of blue34. enter gently35. head of state known to his people as "dear leader"36. "of course"38. exclamations40. piehole43. swee' pea's creator45. edmond rostand hero46. calm48. composed49. direccion sailed by columbus50. british poet tate52. track-and-field equipment55. _ dixit56. 1982 film title role for bruce boxleitner 59. traffic stopper 61. school dept.
