06.30.08

ALMS


Belisarius Receiving Alms, 1781 -- painting by Jacques-Louis David
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Monday, June 30, 2008

Puzzle by Lynn Lempel, edited by Will Shortz

Lynn Lempel, the author of today’s puzzle, is the mistress of the wisp of Monday New York Times crosswords -- PRAISE (46D. Kudos) is due, and this pleasant back-to-work crossword before the coming holiday weekend may provoke many to say IAGREE (47D. “That’s my opinion, too”).

Today, we are given ALMS (69A. Donations for the poor), amounting to FOUNDMONEY (61A. Unexpected wallet fattener … and what the circled words are) in the form of RAND, LIRA, YEN and PESO, existing within the inter-related entries of DURANDURAN (17A. British pop group with a repetitive name), MOSULIRAQ (25A. Kurdistan city on the Tigris); HIGHWAYENTRANCE (35A. On-ramp); and GRAPESODA (51A. Welch’s soft drink). Loosely related, there is also TIP (42A. Gratuity); ECU (6D. Bygone French coin); and 7. “ … NOR a lender be”.

A few links -- KEATON (4D. Buster on the silent screen); ARTURO (11D. Conductor Toscanini); CHE (40D. Fighter with Fidel); a SGTMAJ (45D. High-ranking noncom); URI (23A. Geller who claims paranormal ability); SPITZ (45A. Mark who was a swimming phenom at the 1972 Olympics); MIRO (59A. Spanish artist Joan); TOSCA (65A. Cavaradossi’s love in a Puccini opera); RCA (43A. Nipper the dog’s company); SONORA (50D. Mexican state bordering Arizona); ECOLI (15A. Meat-contaminating bacteria); NUDE (18. Like the upper half of the Venus de Milo); OREO.

END (33A. Termination)…

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For today’s cartoon, go to The Crossword Puzzle Illustrated.

For the full post, go HERE.

06.29.08

9 ½ K

Sunday, June 29, 2008

TEN GRAND SURPLUS, Puzzle by Tony Orbach and Patrick Blindauer

Nine inter-related humorous entries are featured in this Sunday puzzle by inserting ten K’s into standard phrases, et cetera --

SHOWMETHEMONKEY (22. Impatient kid’s plea at a zoo?);
TRIPLEKLUTZ (31. Worrisome type at a china shop?);
AFTERASKORT (48. Seeking the right women’s tennis attire?);
PLANKAHEAD (54. Warning sign on a pirate ship?);
WINKWINKSITUATION (61. Source of some inside humor?);
BARKTENDER (71. Tree doctor?);
AVERAGEJOKE (82. Your basic “So this guy walks into a bar …”?);
GUNKCONTROL (94. Use of steel wool, e.g.?);
INFLATABLEKRAFT (110. Cheez Whiz you could blow up?).

For the full post, go HERE.

06.28.08

Parade

Saturday, June 28, 2008

Puzzle by Byron Walden, edited by Will Shortz

ZOMBIES (1D. Corp of corpses) lead the parade of personages OFNOTE (26D. Prominent) in this Saturday stomper. The ROYALWE (12D. The “I” of Elizabeth I?) beckons the troops from their WARRENS (33A. Cramped quarters) and SASHAYS (14D. Steps lively), daring the throng to KEEPUP (44D. Not lag)...

For the complete post, go HERE!

06.27.08

Words, Words, Words...

Carlo Carrà -- Interventionist Demonstration, 1914
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Friday, June 27, 2008

Puzzle by Brad Wilber, edited Will Shortz

Words, words, words…

Featured this Friday are two columns of three ten-letter down entries -- TURNTOMUSH (12. Get all sentimental), ELMERSGLUE (13. Big sticker?), RESTAURANT (14. Where to act on a gut feeling?), and SCREENTEST (24. What a potential player must pass), COURTORDER (25. Summons, e.g.), AMISHBUGGY (26. Sight in Lancaster County, Pa.), along with two layers of three nine-letter across entries -- TIKITORCH (1. Luau lighting), IRENECARA (15. Singer who plays herself in “D.C. Cab”), DONTSHOUT (17. “Tone it down!”), and AMERICANA (56. Norman Rockwell specialty), WEARSTHIN (59. Stops being funny, say), LOMALINDA (61. San Bernardino suburb) -- and going down the center of the miscellany, two nine-letter entries, HATINHAND (9. With respectful humility) and NEWSCRAWL (32. Ticker with headlines).

Links for a few of the remaining scattered entries -- PIERROT (39D. Pining pantomime persona); JENNY (36A. With 46-Across, program pitched by Queen Latifah); CRAIG (46A. See 36-Across); HULA (37A. Activity near a 1-Across); RUDI (20A. Gernreich who invented the monokini).

Words, words, words…

06.26.08

YSL

Thursday, June 26, 2008

Puzzle by David J. Kahn, edited by Will Shortz

YVESSAINTLAURENT (7D. Legendary name in 31-Across) is the main subject of today’s crossword puzzle. Sixteen squares were required to accommodate his name, making the diagram 15x16 with four squares of the puzzle containing the initials YSL. Also part of the tribute are the entries of FASHION (31A. See 7-Down), COLOGNE (43A. Product introduced by 7-Down in 1971) and RESPECTS (56A. What may be paid when someone dies).

Utilizing the four YSL squares are CITYSLICKERS (17A. Rube’s opposite) crossed by LAYSLOW (4D. Knocks to the ground); 21A. New York’s CHRYSLER Building, tallest in the world in 1930, crossed by LADYSLIPPER (11D. Orchid variety); GALLEYSLAVE (36D. “Ben-Hur” extra) crossed by PAYSLIPS (54A. Check attachments); and KEYSLOT (53D. Lock opening) crossed by BEAUTYSLEEP (60A. Extra shuteye).

Across and Down with links -- HERE.

YSL is one of those standard fill entries of crossword puzzles that we have seen time and again -- today, it gets the royal treatment. It might be interesting to see what cluing YSL receives in the future, noting that in this puzzle SST is clued as Former fleet member. Most recently, Tuesday of this week, CYD appeared (albeit without a tribute) -- who’s next?

Lastly, I am always so amused by the fashion/fragrance industry’s utilization of exquisite human specimens for advertising purposes, sans clothing in the throes of passion, that I simply couldn’t resist brandishing one of YSL’s -- ergo, the lead advertisement of this commentary. If that’s a bit much, well…

C’est la vie!

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For today’s cartoons, go to The Crossword Puzzle Illustrated.

06.25.08

REAL LOCATION

Naiads Pool -- Anonymous engraver after a picture by Herbert James Draper
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Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Puzzle by Rob Cook, edited by Will Shortz

What would crossword puzzles do without NAIADS (8D. Nymphs of myth) and ALIENS (20A. 1986 sci-fi sequel)? Or for that matter quite a few of this puzzle’s old standards -- ah, those lovely vowels in their strange arrangement -- RERAN (47D. Played over) as often as the refrain from “Old MacDonald’s Farm” -- EIEIO!

Today, reallocation , or the real location, or just plain “parse this” is the device of the inter-related entries, indicated solely by the individual clues -- REST ORATION (17A. Talk in one’s sleep?); RED ACTION (24A. Building the Berlin Wall?); REIN HABIT (34A. Equestrian addiction?); REAR RANGE (46A. Back burner?); and READ MISSION (54A. Literacy campaign?). Without the space, of course, the two words become one. Cool! ...and here are a few of the supporting entries with links:

ETCHING (25D. Dürer work); MADEIRA (11D. Dessert wine); COGNAC (5A. Snifter filler); NEEDLE (61A. Eye site); CYNIC (10D. Ambrose Bierce, notably); 5D. Bumper CARS; IBEX (39A. Long-horned goat); NENE (62A. Protected state bird); ROAR (34D. MGM sound effect), DER, UZI .

…and finally, a rest-in-piece oration by GEORGE .

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For the full post, go HERE.

For today’s cartoon, go to The Crossword Puzzle Illustrated.

06.24.08

CYD

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Puzzle by Barry C. Silk, edited by Will Shortz

One of the crossword world's most frequently encountered three-letter fill entries,

CYD (26A. Charisse of "Singin' in the Rain") passed away last Tuesday at the age of 86. The New York Times article, June 18, 2008.

The featured inter-related entries of today's crossword are tied together with DRAW (67A. Something you can do to the starts of 17-, 21-, 37-, 53- and 60-Across) -- BATHTOWEL (17A. Hotel offering); CURTAINCALL (21A. Bow-taking occasion); BLANKEXPRESSION (37A. Poker face); PICTURESHOW (53A. Cinema offering); and GUNPOWDER (60A. Flintlock need).

For full post, click HERE.

For a tribute to Cyd Charisse, click here -- CYD.

For today's cartoon, go to The Crossword Puzzle Illustrated.

06.23.08

As Time Goes By

22A. BOGIE (“Casablanca” star, informally)
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Monday, June 23, 2008

Puzzle by Andrea Carla Michaels and Patrick Blindauer, edited by Will Shortz

Four across entries of consoling clichés are the feature of this Monday back-to-work crossword -- WINSOMELOSESOME (17. Words to a fourth runner-up), YOUDIDYOURBEST (26. Words to a third runner-up), WESTILLLOVEYOU (43. Words to a second runner-up) and CLOSEBUTNOCIGAR (58. Words to a first runner-up). Whether any one of the remarks belongs to a particular level of runner-up is of little or no practical value. In any event, this is a fine, compact and neat crossword with which to begin the week or -- as time goes by!

EATME (42A. Alice’s cake instruction); IBET (15A. “Yeah, right!”); HUSH (25D. Word to a crying child); BAA (59D. Sheep’s bleat); and 49D. “I cannot tell ALIE”, join the conversation.

CLOG (11D. What paper towels do to a toilet) and ABSORB (10D. What paper towels do), join two more Shortzesque sets of near-identical twins -- ALIEN (14A. Martian, e.g.) and ETS (9D. Martians, e.g., for short); DRILL (28D. Dentist’s tool) and RINSE (41D. Dentist’s direction).

Personages include BOGIE (22A. “Casablanca” star, informally); MIMI (12D. “La Bohème” soprano); NANA (56D. “Peter Pan” dog); GORE (50D. Al of “An Inconvenient Truth”); and SANTA (1A. Annual sleigh driver) making his first summer appearance.

Oh, and it’s always nice to have an entry/clue with which to END (46A. Finish up).

For the full post, go HERE.

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For today’s cartoons, go to The Crossword Puzzle Illustrated.

06.22.08

CHAINS

Houdini in Chains
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Sunday, June 22, 2008

CHAIN REACTION, Puzzle by Pamela Amick Klawitter, edited by Will Shortz

Ten inter-related entries are featured in this Sunday crossword, creating a word chain throughout: 23A. FOOD COURT CASECLOSED CIRCUIT BOARD; 25A. CIRCUIT BOARD FOOTLOCKER ROOM SERVICE; 43A. ROOM SERVICE ROADHAZARD LIGHT TOUCH; 55A. LIGHT TOUCH SCREENDOOR BELL PEPPER; 73A. BELL PEPPER SPRAYPAINT BRUSH FIRE; 82. BRUSH FIRE WALLSTREET SMART CAR; 104A. SMART CAR POOLPLAYER PIANO BAR; 106A. PIANO BAR GRAPHPAPER TRAILHEAD; 36D. TRAILHEAD MASTERCARD COUNTERTOP; 46. COUNTERTOP DOLLARSIGN POST OFFICE.

For the full post, go HERE.

06.22.08 -- the Acrostic

Chess

Sunday, June 22, 2008

ACROSTIC, Puzzle by Emily Cox & Henry Rathvon

Today’s quotation is from Paul Hoffman’s “King’s Gambit: A Son, a Father, and the World’s Most Dangerous Game“.

The original quote reads: “Fischer’s adversaries knew that he derived unwholesome pleasure from ravishing them. “I like to see ‘em squirm,“ he famously said. When Fischer was alone in a hotel room, psyching himself up for a tournament game, people in the hall would hear him should comic-book words -- Slam! Bam! Zowie! -- as he banged pieces down on the board.“

The quotation as it appears in the acrostic: FISCHERS ADVERSARIES KNEW THAT HE DERIVED UNWHOLESOME PLEASURE FROM RAVISHING THEM WHEN HE WAS ALONE PSYCHING HIMSELF UP FOR A GAME PEOPLE WOULD HEAR HIM SHOUT SLAM BAM ZOWIE AS HE BANGED PIECES DOWN ON THE BOARD

The author’s name and the title of the work: PAULHOFFMANKINGSGAMBIT

For the full post, go HERE.

06.21.08

T L H

T. L. Hinman, March 2, 2008. upon winning first place at the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament, photo by Donald

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Saturday, June 21, 2008

Puzzle by Tyler Lewis Hinman, edited by Will Shortz

I suppose there is really no way around it -- one needs to mention the author of this crossword puzzle. After all, the diagram has his initials emblazoned in black squares so huge that the puzzle resembles the beginning of an eye chart.

Additionally, it appears to be a FIRST IMPRESSION (44A. Something given at a meeting), or a PRIMARY ELECTION (22A. One may have many runners); with LEADING ARTICLES (9D. Front-of-magazine pieces); and TWO MINUTE DRILLS (3D. Fourth-quarter strategies) -- all indications of beginnings of sorts -- I must assume that this crossword is likely the author’s first in the New York Times, and that it is a self-celebration. and certainly, a great deal of talent is on display; however the ham-handed carving of the author’s initials renders this effort to become a grade school exercise, or a personal greeting card. Hopefully, the pendulum will swing back to the days of anonymous authors. .

SOME PEOPLE (19A. “The nerve!”), MISS THE CUT (51A. Not make it), ENEMY LINES (13D. Moles go behind them) and TOILET SEAT (24D. Can opener?) are the other long entries in this ego trip. Two eight-letter entries, CARCRASH (23D. Ending of many a chase), PACKTENT (20D. Portable shelter) follow with seven-letter entries include ARROYOS (4D. Washes); DEEPENS (5D. Gets more interesting, say); DWELLON (6D. Not get over); CAMILLE (37D. Title role for Greta Garbo); UPPSALA (38D. Swedish home of Scandinavia’s oldest university); BURSTIN (Enter suddenly).

There are really a lot of interesting entries and clues in the puzzle, none of which relate to the black-square gimmick foisted upon the solver -- a black eye upon an otherwise agreeable crossword.

Note: I read in another blog that Tyler Hinman has been published in the past, but not with his middle name...

Cheer up, it's summer!

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For today's cartoon, go to The Crossword Puzzle Illustrated.

06.20.08

DUNGEON

Friday, June 20, 2008

Puzzle by Mike Nothnagel, edited by Will Shortz

Anyone possessing enough hubris to imagine that their criticism of another’s work renders them a master is living in a very small world. We all comment upon what we see; however, I am always disturbed to read high-tea academic crossword puzzle dissertations by self-appointed adjudicators who couldn’t compose a puzzle worthy of their local ad rag. Further, many of the newly cropped-up crossword critics are merely duplicating what has been made standard practice by the poobahs of puzzledom, and now the sport of the introvert is becoming the parade of the extroverts. So, with that, I’ll be as brief as possible.

DUNGEONMASTER (15D. Underground movement leader?), MEDICINEHAT (27A. City on the Trans-Canada Highway) and SUZANNEVEGA (45A. 1990 Grammy winner for her album “Days of Open Hand”) appear to have been the first three selected entries by this puzzle’s author, followed by SPEEDITUP (4D. “I haven’t got all day!”) and SERVETIME (33D. Be in the can?).

From there, entries dwindle in size to eight-letter length: DAVERAGE (15A. 1.0); UNAWARES (17A. Without warning); MODERATE (58A. Chair); ONELINER (62A. Comic’s creation); WARLOCKS (11D. A 15-Down might have control over them); AGELIMIT (12D. Provision for holding certain jobs); ALLALONE (35D. Helplessly?) and JOYRIDES (36D. Teens’ escapades).
When the entries weren‘t arcane, the clues seemed a bit distant from the results, but all’s fair in the puzzle pit.

A few links across: 14. Head of an alley?; 19. Old-time comic Ed; 21. Gravlax ingredient; 23. A National Cartoonists Society award is named for him; 32. Carter’s second secretary of state; 34. Like dirty rice; 42. Two-time gold medal skier of the 1998 Olympics; 53. Film role for Russell in 1993 and Costner in 1994; 64. Where Covent Garden is; 65. Craft often utilizing rubber bands.

...and a few down: 1. Bench warmer; 5. Part of an even exchange; 7. Title role in a 1986 Woody Allen film; 8. Loser to Audrey for the 1953 Best Actress Oscar; 20. Dirt spreader; 38. Member of the aster family; 55. It might be baked for an appetizer; 59. “King Kong” role.

Very little was common in this crossword -- it was full of twists and turns, starts and stops, and a pure pleasure for the introvert walking through the dark passageways of the dungeon.

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For today’s cartoon, go to The Crossword Puzzle Illustrated.

06.19.08

LIES

Pinocchio by Enrico Mazzanti (1852-1910)
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Thursday, June 19, 2008

Puzzle by Joe Krozel, edited by Will Shortz

LIES, spelled out by utilizing all the black squares of this crossword, headlines and dominates this puzzle like a New York Times headline in time of war!

Good grief! Already this month, we’ve had TRUTH, and previous to that LIE-ABILITY, now just bold-faced LIES!

TEN (56A. Number of clues in this puzzle that contain factual inaccuracies) mollifies the screaming accusation to mean unintentional misinformation or bush-league intelligence (pun intended). Well, let’s see if I can find them…

1A. France’s OTTO von Bismarck -- he of Germany; 14A. NEON -- Chemical element with the symbol, s/b iron; 19. GTE, Former pharmaceutical giant; 24A. ESAU, Father of Jacob, oh, brother!; 8D. AGASSI, Golf great Andre, s/b tennis; 9D. NINEAM, Standard office-closing time; 28D. ACUTEANGLE, It’s more than 90 degrees, s/b less; 47. ELS, Tennis champ Ernie, he does what Agassi doesn't; 49. YEN, Currency of China, try Japan; 50. EST, Summer hrs. in N.Y.C.

I suspected ERIS (57A. Dwarf planet larger than Pluto), but it‘s true, unless I ERRS (17. Gets it wrong)…

The needs of the diagram (or grid), which should disturb those who insist on symmetry, result in a column to the far right of three fifteen-letter words -- CIGARETTE SMOKER (11D. One who exhibits pack mentality?), ARTUROTOSCANINI (12D. Who quipped “God tells me how the music should sound, but you stand in the way”) and DRESSFORSUCCESS (13D. Job seeker’s fashion advice).

Between the over-sized E and S of the black-square LIES lies a column of three vertical entries of ten letter lengths, HIGHTAILIT (27D. Bolt); the aforementioned erroneously clued ACUTEANGLE and the correctly clued GUESSAGAIN (29D. “Nope, still not right!”) -- hmmm!

Outside of that gigantic S is the vertical entry of SECRETCODE (30D. Writing that’s hard to read), adding further intrigue to this oddest of oddities. Separating the L and I from the E and S is the 15-letter CATCHAGLIMPSEOF (26A. Spot), which lies (there’s that word again) in such a position as to actually catch but a glimpse from the solver.

Now, after all that rigmarole ensues normalcy of sorts: Here are a few links -- ERECTOR (36A. Crane, e.g.); ENFANT (18. Terrible one?); TOREST (3D. One way to lay things); and ICU, for the rest of the lot, click here for the complete story.

Round up the usual suspects... Vincit omnia veritas!

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For today’s cartoon, go to The Crossword Puzzle Illustrated.

06.18.08

L L L

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Puzzle by Adam Fromm, edited by Will Shortz

DINNERPARTLY (24A. Appetizer, entrée or dessert?), SUGARPLUMFAIRLY (38A. Bonbon and how it should be divvied up?) and THOMASHARDLY (51A. Doubting apostle? Not by a long shot!) are the inter-related entries of this Wednesday crossword by way of an added L to the usual dinner party, sugar plum fairy, Thomas Hardy and, of course, clues justifying the three interposed L’s.

That out of the way, and good riddance, the longer entries are BOBANDRAY (4D. Old spoofing duo), CIGARETTE (37D. Winston or Salem), LOWERLIP (5D. Pouter’s protuberance), MACARENA (22A. Dance craze of the mid-’90s), MONALISA (9D. La Gioconda, familiarly); MOTORCAR (56A. Horseless carriage), RETHREAD (39D. Fix, as film on a reel) and FISHSOUP (41D. Bouillabaisse) -- are you getting excited?

O.K., then ho-hum on these middle-size entries: AMAZED (48D. Gobsmacked); ANKARA (8D. Capital south of the Black Sea); ENRAGE (20A. Bring to a boil); STEREO (59A. Two-track); -- actually, to think on it, the clues are fairly interesting -- here are with links:

Across: 14. Sequel to Melville’s “Typee”; 44. Painter of “The Naked 56-Down”; 64. Popular block game requiring nimble fingers; Down: 7. The nerdier of the “Scooby-Doo” girls; 30. 2001 Oscar nominee for Best Original Song, “May It Be”; 53. What hungry wolves do; 56. See 44-Across.

It’s always nice to have a puzzle like this one mid-week, sort of like meeting up with a bunch of friends, except that they are words -- especially, OMOO, OXEN, OVINE, IGOR, GOYA, MAJA, TONY, VELMA, ENYA, LENDL, and WELK!…and a-one and a-two and a-three….!

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Click here for full post.

For today’s cartoon, go to The Crossword Puzzle Illustrated.

06.17.08

Date and Time

Startrails around southern pole -- Date and Time : 24. June 2006
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Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Puzzle by Steven Ginzburg, edited by Will Shortz

DATEANDTIME (65A. Invitation info … or two alternate endings for the starts of the answers to 18-Across, 10-Down and 24-Down) along with DINNERTABLE (18A. Furniture within easy walking distance of the kitchen), PLAYSTATION (10D. Popular Sony product); and DOUBLEAGENT (24D. Spy who lives dangerously) imagine dinner date, dinner time, play date, play time, double play and double time.

A few links: CLOUDOVER (35A. Show signs of an impending storm); NOSEDIVED (46A. Headed straight down); GODSEND (4D. Much-needed help); DNATEST (47D. Procedure in a paternity suit); KITSCH (31A. Show of lowbrow taste); PENAL; ACHE and ANGST; SDAK.

Click here for full post.

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For today’s cartoons, go to The Crossword Puzzle Illustrated.

06.16.08

Weather

Shade and Darkness - the Evening of the Deluge -- J. M. W. Turner

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Monday, June 16, 2008

Puzzle by Ronald J. and Nancy J. Byron, edited by Will Shortz

BLOWININTHEWIND (20A. 1960s weather song by Peter, Paul and Mary), HERECOMESTHESUN (36A. 1960s weather song by the Beatles) and RHYTHMOFTHERAIN (51A. 1960s weather song by the Cascades) are the inter-related entries of this Monday back-to-work crossword puzzle. Other little bits of weather-related items are 15A. Arctic OCEAN, 54A. On the briny, ASEA, 60A. Red sky in the morning, OMEN, and well, I guess we can include 31D. Cause of some urban coughs, SMOG.

Click here for full post.

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For today’s cartoons, go to

The Crossword Puzzle Illustrated.

06.15.08

Memorandum

Sunday, June 15, 2008

TO: Solvers

FROM: Puzzle by Jeremy Newton, edited by Will Shortz

RE: Crossword puzzle titled DID YOU GET THE MEMO? with RE used as “reference” (or “again“) and miscellaneous.

REPOSSESSEDAUTO (23. Memo about Stephen King’s “Christine”?);

RELYINGONINSTINCT (32. Memo about an inveterate perjurer?);

REPAIRMANUAL (48. Memo about a dating guide?);

REPORTFORDUTY (64. Memo about where tariffs are imposed on incoming ships?);

RETAILOUTLETS (71. Memo about stores for animal appendages?);

RECONMISSION (82. Memo about a religious outpost for prisoners?);

REMOTEPOSSIBILITY (101. Memo about why to buy an air purifier?);

REVERSEENGINEER (114. Memo about a lyricist?)

The rest of this memorandum contains the usual entries in varying quantities. A Few links: CASTIRON, NIAGARA, NUTCASE, OHHENRY, ARTIST, CLARET, HOTDOG, MODELA, CONGA, CORER, DRACO, METRO, JUAN and LEE.

Regards.

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For today’s cartoons, go to The Crossword Puzzle Illustrated.