A to Z
Friday, July 11, 2008
Puzzle by Barry C. Silk, edited by Will Shortz
The main feature of this Friday’s frustrating crossword appears to be initials or abbreviations combined (or not) with a word or name:ATMCARD (1A. It can be used to get your balance); BDALTON (37D. Barnes & Noble acquired it in 1987); BTU (55D. Heat meas.); DNATEST (18A. Suspect eliminator, often); EMAGS (28A. Reads online); GMAIL (20A. Big name in Web-based correspondence); KCAL (10D. Heat meas.); LBJRANCH (36A.
So-called “Texas White House,“ once); MGMLION (3D. Hollywood icon since 1924); LLB (51A. Barrister’s deg.); PTL (22A. Old televangelism letters); RCRUMB (46D. Fritz the Cat’s creator); RIN (6D. Abbr. after Sen. Richard Lugar’s name); WCFIELDS (34D. He said “I am free of all prejudice. I hate everyone equally”).Although the definition of
pangramis an incorrect one for a crossword puzzle, the entire alphabet is represented. A pangram is a sentence that includes all the letters of the alphabet; e.g., "FORTY IRAQIS and WCFIELDS had a CAPON and BAKLAVA with a MERTZ HEXER at the LBJRANCH." A crossword puzzle by itself cannot be called a pangram, contrary to what anyone may CONTEND (58A. Argue).
The clues for “Forty Iraqis and W. C. Fields had a capon and baklava with a Mertz hexer at the LBJ Ranch.” -- 45A.
Back FORTY; 40A. Natives of Umm Qasr; 4D. Stuffed and roasted entrée; 8A. It’s flaky and nutty; 27A. Old sitcom couple’s surname; 53A. Charming person? (along with 36A and 34D) -- also contain the entire alphabet, except for Z, which we can snatch from Fritz the Cat.
Today's linkage: ENCODER (16A. Modem, e.g.); UNICODE (56A. Ascii alternative); ARCADIA (1D. Peaceful place); BEDAZZLE (8D. Impress, and then some); LAPLACE (36D. “Mécanique Céleste” astronomer); CLINE; EARLE and MARAT.
Oh, and speaking of initials -- T.G.I.F.!
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For today’s cartoon, go to
The Crossword Puzzle Illustrated.
For the complete post, go HERE.
