Elizabeth I: The Pelican Portrait, c1575, attributed to Nicholas Hilliard.----------------- Saturday, May 17, 2008 Puzzle by Mike Nothnagel, edited by Will Shortz The people who put crossword puzzles together (e.g., the author, or in crosswordese, constructor), along with their blogging intimates (e.g., adoring critics) are fond of the odd word, double-consonant, over-voweled or simply obscure entry, whether it be slang or sonorous academeaology, fakakta abbreviation or partial phrase indicated by blank spaces -- all of this clued by way of fourth definitions from Webster’s or street speak from Timbuktu. Current standard practice has it that the entire lot appear at the end of the week in unison on Saturday, devoid of any inter-related entries or gimmickry. Success in illusory superiority for the author occurs when a solver scans through the entire puzzle once without securing a single entry. This achievement is highly touted in the pedagogically-oriented crossword blogosphere. Semi-precious cybercells are then cavalierly squandered on vaunted assessments of the mutual experience of the aforementioned etymological cat-and-mousiness shared by the puzzlemeister and the supersolver. Ho hum! This Saturday’s arcanum is appropriately led by TOWNANDGOWN (24D. Of a university’s relationship with its surroundings) and THEDEADZONE (5D. 1979 novel, 1983 film and 2002-07 TV series), well befitting the SYMPTOMS (7D. Signs) ALLUDEDTO (33D. Intimate). Two 14-letter entries are featured in today’s crossword -- KITEEATINGTREE (22A. Dreaded victimizer of Charlie Brown) and UNREQUITEDLOVE (44A. Torch song subject). ... continued HERE. Now, how about a little plain English? ----------------- For today’s cartoon, go to The Crossword Puzzle Illustrated.
