Digits
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Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Puzzle by Tim Wescott, edited by Will Shortz
HINT (65A. “The first word of the answer to each of the six starred clues describes the number of that clue,” e.g.) is the tie-in entry/clue for six interrelated entries of this mystifying mid-week crossword:
EVENTENOR (4D. *Balance in personality); PERFECTGAME (6D. *Pitcher’s dream); ODDMENOUT (11D. *they don’t belong); SQUAREKNOTS (25D. *Basic Scout ties); REALMCCOY (33D. *It’s no fake); and PRIMETIME (37D. *It follows the evening news).Well, yes, 4 is an even number, 11 an odd, but only two of many that are so -- same with 6 as a perfect number, 25 as a square number, 33 as a real number, and 37 as a prime number. There is so much overlap in the possible definition of a number that attaching the even, odd, perfect, square, real and prime labels could strike one as fairly weak and confusing, leaving a strange aftertaste to this otherwise agreeable crossword.
A few links -- ANTITANK (59A. Like some missiles); KINESIS (53A. Stimulus response); SYSTOLE (24A. Part of a heartbeat); “That’s AMORE!”; 1D. Jawbone of ANASS (biblical weapon); CADET (23D. Citadel student); 63A. “The Secret Life of Walter MITTY”; SKYES (56D. Some terriers); SNIPE (39D. Marsh bird); 42A. Long (for), YEARN; ETTU; JOSE; TYRA.
"There was a young fellow from Trinity/ Who took the square root of infinity/ But the number of digits/ Gave him the fidgets/ He dropped Maths and took up Divinity."
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For today’s cartoons, go to The Crossword Puzzle Illustrated. For the complete post, go HERE.
