04.28.08

NECKING

Monday, April 28, 2008
Puzzle by Gary Disch, edited by Will Shortz
NECKING (41A. Making out … or a hint to this puzzle’s four hidden articles of clothing), along with ROOMSTOLET (17A. Boardinghouse sign); NOVASCOTIA (64A. Halifax’s home); ANTIELITE (11D. Favoring common folk) and NASCARFAN (34D. Daytona 500 enthusiast), are this Monday back-to-work crossword inter-related entries.
Whoa! This is certainly minimal clothing -- stole, ascot, tie, scarf -- sounds like formal wear at a nudist colony. Other articles of “clothing” (or the lack of it) in the puzzle include
SASH (1A. “Miss America” might be printed on one); LOADS (57D. Laundry units) and naturally, NUDE (41D. Michelangelo’s David, e.g.).
The
TANGLE (25A. Snarled mess) of the Monday commute could easily lead off this puzzle’s rubber- NECKING plethora of crosswordese with the six-letter group including NEPALI (23A. Katmandu resident); PREVUE (35A. Sneak peek: Var.); UNSEAL (44A. Open, as an envelope); ACETIC (50A. Vinegary); THRALL (54A. Slave); BEAGLE (10D. Snoopy, for one); ICEAGE (47D. Time of advancing glaciers); preceded by two seven-letter entries: HYMNALS (4D. Church songbooks) and PERGOLA (45D. Shaded passageway).
Five-letter entries include ALTAR,
ANIME, AROSE, ASONE, CAPOS, COVEN, GRECO, INPEN, IGLOO, IVORY, LOIRE, LUCID, OMEGA, PILOT, RELAX, SARAN, SETON, STOOP, SYNOD, TANGS, UNLIT.
Four-letter: ALFA, ALTO, ANON, ARES, ARTY, ASPS, ATOP, AVOW, BABA, BOON, CARE, CASH, CHIC, ENOS, GINS, GREG, HONE,
LANA, LARD, LICE, NOGO, PEAL, PEAS, PUNS, SELA, STAG, URDU, VIAL, WACO.
Three-letter: ADS, CAT, EKE, ERA, ISM, SOD and
TEA.
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For today’s cartoon, go to
The Crossword Puzzle Illustrated.