Deal Me Out!
Alice and the pack of cards, by Arthur Rackam
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Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Puzzle by Peter A. Collins, edited by Will Shortz
Today's main entries consist of SHUFFLE (40A. With 42-Across, prepare to play cards [and a hint to this puzzle's circled letters]) THEDECK (42A. See 40-Across) -- accompanied by four long entries each with four circled letters containing the shuffled word DECK -- HARDBACKEDITION (17A Library copy of a book, commonly); BAKEDCAKES (24A. Prepared some desserts); DUCKDECOYS (52A. Hunting aids); BUICKDEALERSHIP (64A. Place to get an Electra, once). It's not written in stone anywhere that a "hint" should be of use in the solution of a crossword, but in this instance it is simply useless -- an after-the-fact, see-how-clever, I-get-it moment obtained at the finale. So CLEAR (55D. Word that may go before 42-Across) the deck!
DUKAKIS (7D. 1988 presidential candidate) hangs in the center of the crossword, perhaps reminding one of the lame debate between the current candidates last night -- where are the great men when we need them? We'll just have to do it ourselves! PLAYBALL (5D. Umpire's shout)!
A few links -- TOOTALL (46D. Nickname for former N.F.L.'er Ed Jones); AVA (21A. Gardner of "The Barefoot Contessa"); CICERO (26D. Roman who originated the phrase "While there's life, there's hope"); FIRPO (3D. Dempsey's 1923 opponent); SHARI (28A. Puppeteer Lewis); RLESS (72A. Like non-oyster months); CAIRO (54D. Africa's most populous city); OSPREY (20A. Coastal raptor); SPADS (4D. W.W. I French fighter planes); WOO (47A. It may be pitched).About that debate -- what could be worse than the last hand dealt!
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For today's cartoons, go to The Crossword Puzzle IllustratedFor the complete post, go HERE.
