02.28.09

ELECTRIC BLUE

Saturday, February 28, 2009

Puzzle by Frank Longo, edited by Will Shortz

ELECTRIC BLUE (27. Hue similar to cyan), ON LEAVE (36. Off for a stretch), and ALEC GUINNESS (38. Oscar winner for “The Bridge on the River Kwai”) are the only connections between the four corners of a quadrupuzzle crossword.

Links: 1A. Hindenburg’s predecessor as German president, EBERT; 2D. Summer headgear, BOATER; 9D. Like some tracts, DIGESTIVE; 10A. Longtime name in news-gathering, TASS; 11D. Alveoli, e.g., AIR CELLS; 41A. Water-skiing variety, SLALOM; 57A. Toe trouble, GOUT; 28D. Stationery topper, LOGO; 34D. Court crowd-pleaser, ALLEY OOP; 35D. Executed part of a 34-Down, LEAPED UP; 47A. First holder of the title Supreme Governor of the Church of England, ELIZABETH I; 56A. Epithet coined for the 2002 State of the Union address, AXIS OF EVIL; 59A. Toy with tassels, TRIKE; 44D. Butcherbird or woodchat, SHRIKE; 48D. Locale of Theban ruins, LUXOR; 51D. Catullus’s “Odi et AMO”; 52D. U.K. equivalent to an Oscar, BAFTA, and Guinness won that too!

Here’s an electric blue most dread!

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

For the complete post, go HERE.

02.27.09

Opinions

Hell mouth, as figured in the Roxburghe Ballads. University of Victoria Library.

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Friday, February 27, 2009

Puzzle by Joe DiPietro, edited by Will Shortz

Puzzle features six 15-letter across entries -- THE STARS AND BARS (1. Bygone flag); HAVE AN OPINION ON (16. Think a certain way about); USE THE TELEPHONE (17. Make a call); BANANA REPUBLIC (50. Much of Central America, once); IVE NEVER TRIED IT (54. “This would be a firs for me”); GENERAL MANAGERS (55. Trading posts?).

Links: 39A. Mammonism, GREED; 5D. Pastes in Mideastern cooking, TAHINIS; 11. Ladles, DIPPERS; 15. Comics dog, SNERT; 31. It’s a little over 65 degrees: Abbr., ARCTICCIR; 38. Home of Walvis Bay, NAMIBIA; 51. Palindromic girl’s name, AVA.

No opinion.

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

For the complete post, go HERE.

02.26.09

ZAP!

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Puzzle by Brendan Emmett Quigley, edited by Will Shortz

The letter-string of INGQU appears to be the main feature of this Thursday crossword -- LIVING QUARTERS (20A. Residence); BURNING QUESTION (25A. It has to be asked); HOMECOMING QUEEN (43A. Alumni weekend V.I.P.); STRING QUARTETS (48A. Many Haydn compositions). The puzzle is holoalphabetic, almost twice, being short of one F and one Z.

Links of the day: BROUGHAM (38D. Closed carriage with the driver outside in front); 61A. Finnish architect Alvar AALTO; GARSON (45D. She played Mrs. Miniver in “Mrs. Miniver); ILENE (31D. “The L Word” creator/producer Chaiken); OXEYE (32D. False sunflower); 26D. “In UTERO” (1993 #1 album), AFC, KIRI, TWIX and ZAP (59D. Delete in one quick stroke).

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

For the complete post, go HERE.

02.25.09

SPIKED

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Puzzle by Kelly Browder, edited by Will Shortz

SPIKED (48D. (21- and 52-Across and 3- and 31-Down might be), along with NEWS STORIES (21A. Pulitzer Prize entries), VOLLEY BALLS (52A. They may be served at the beach), IRON FENCES (3D. Some ornamental barriers), and PUNCH BOWLS (31D. Party servers) are this Wednesday crossword’s interrelated entries -- as for SPIKED, a dozen other uses of the word are possible.

Links of the day: POLARIS, ARAWAK, FERULE, NOFEAR (34A. Brand of clothing or energy drink), AMNIO, LAILA, OTTER, WOMAN (22D. John’s ode to Yoko), AIS, AME and AMS, ETUI.

In more ways than one, spiked!

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

For the complete post, go HERE.

02.24.09

Of a Feather

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Puzzle by Stephen Edward Anderson, edited by Will Shortz

Light as a feather, this crossword crosses birds and verbs with ease -- CRANE ONES NECK (21A. Strain to see over the top); SWALLOW ONES PRIDE (41A. Eat humble pie); HAWK ONES WARES (59A. Be a street peddler) -- well, except that an extra line of vertical squares were required to accommodate the long center entry, you know, the one about the humble pie.

A few links -- NIAGARA (34A. Honeymooners’ destination); MISHAP (28D. Fender bender, e.g.); SODOM (40A. City God destroyed with fire and brimstone); ERNO (61D. Professzor Rubik); MAIN (70A. Street that may be a U.S. highway); RED A (62D. Stigma borne by Hester Prynne); STYX (31A. River of Hades).

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

For the complete post, go HERE.

02.23.09

B*ND

Monday, February 23, 2009

Puzzle by Alan Arbesfeld, edited by Will Shortz

Band, bend, bind, bond and bund are the binding elements of today’s interrelated entries -- RUBBER BAND (17A. Stretchable holder); AROUND THE BEND (23A. Loony); THE TIES THAT BIND (35A. Strong family connections, idiomatically); MUNICIPAL BOND (47A. Tax-free investment); CUMMERBUND (57A. Tux go-with).

A few links: BLIMPS (44D. Hoverers over sports stadiums); AMMAN (50D. Jordan’s capital); RASPS (65A. Talks like Don Corleone); UBOAT (48D. W.W. II Atlantic lurker).

Have a good week!

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

For the complelte post, go HERE.

02.22.09

The List

Sunday, February 22, 2009

THE CRUCIVERBALIST, Puzzle by Barry C. Silk & Doug Peterson, edited by Will Shortz

This Sunday’s crossword is self-concerned -- BRAINSTORM THEME IDEAS (26A. Cruciverbalist’s Step 1); DEVELOP BEST ENTRIES (39A. Step 2); CONSTRUCT SUITABLE GRID (59A. Step 3); RESEARCH AND WRITE CLUES (66A. Step 4); SEND PUZZLE TO EDITOR (85A. Step 5); SEE BYLINE IN NEWSPAPER (105A. Step 6 [the payoff]).

So what else? Well, lots of small entries with easier-than-usual clues to make up for the clue-less shop talk. The pay-off? Well, sure, “See byline in newspaper,” but Google your byline -- the crossword bloggers have immortalized it in the world of electronic communication!

Have a blast at the Tournament!

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

For the complete post, go HERE.

02.21.09

Eye to Eye

Eye (Oog) M. C. Escher, 1946

Saturday, February 21, 2009

Puzzle by Mike Nothnagel and Byron Walden, edited by Will Shortz

SYMMETRIC MATRIX (23A. Rectangular array that’s identical when its rows and columns are transposed, as this puzzle’s grid) and REFLECTED IMAGES (5D. They may be seen on a lake’s surface) are the main entries of this Saturday crossword which dispenses with the usual layout of a symmetric square in favor of a symmetric diamond on edge. It was slightly disorienting, but setting it upright, it looks just fine.

A few more links -- ASIAMINOR; CREPEPAN; SCHRODER;
ESCHERS; REDOXES; THEVIPS; ANAKIN; AZODYE; INSANE; LATVIA; ZULEMA; DRUSE.

I think we‘re seeing eye to eye!

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

For the complete post, go HERE.

02.20.09

Spelunk!

The Cave of the Storm Nymphs Sir Edward John Poynter

Friday, February 20, 2009

Puzzle by Paula Gamache, edited by Will Shortz

Hmm… thinking about spelunking!

This cave of treasures features a half-dozen eleven-letter entries headlined by WEASEL WORDS (1A. Aids in artful deception) and includes an ALUMINUM CAN, HEAT SENSORS, plenty of INCOHERENCE, even if RIGHT SIDE UP; and importunes one to KISS MY GRITS (49A. 1970s-’80s sitcom put-down/catchphrase).

Random linkage -- APGAR SCORE; SCOTTIE DOG; SHORE COVER; DUCK CALL (10D. Decoy accompanier); TAX EXILE (33D. Wealthy Cayman Islands resident, maybe); REBEKAH (36D. One of Judaism’s four matriarchs); RIOT GUN (37D. It can be a stunner); AS A MAN (25A. How Viola is disguised in “Twelfth Night”); CORTEX (43A. Center of learning); L SEVEN (6D. Square, in 1950s slang, indicated visually by a two-hand gesture); 29A. PHIAL of Galadriel (gift to Frodo Baggins); ROONE (37A. 2003 memoir of a TV executive); T CELL (33A. Antigen attacker); BEAT (44A. Switch); CONE (34D. Juniper product); IVES (20A. Big Daddy player on 1950s Broadway); ELO (31A. “Livin’ Thing” group, in brief); 52A. Loch REE, on the River Shannon.

Off to spelunk!

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

For the complete post, go HERE.

02.19.09

Wormhole

Illustration depicting a wormhole

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Thursday, February 19, 2009

Puzzle by Kevin G. Der, edited by Will Shortz

There’s another world at the end of this crossword. Adding an extra letter in front of five entries constitutes today’s interrelated group of entries -- an extra E, X, T, R and A, heralded by EXTRA EXTRA (57A. Old street cry, or what’s in 18-, 23-, 34-, 42- and 51-Across). Left alone, those entries would read bay window, ray of hope, urban legend, adios amigos, and Wes Craven, but instead (with justifying clues) -- EBAY WINDOW (18A. What might have the heading “Collectibles” or “Toys & Hobbies”?); XRAY OF HOPE (23A. Optimistic scan at the dentist’s?); TURBAN LEGEND (34A. Story of Ali Baba?); RADIOS AMIGOS (42A. Transmit’s a message to Pancho and pals?); AWES CRAVEN (51A. Amazes a horror film director?). After completing the puzzle, I still had no idea what was extra -- it’s one of those!

It’s also holoalphabetic -- e.g., all the letters of the alphabet are included, not to be confused with a pangram which is a sentence of every letter of the alphabet.

If you like crosswords written by a computer that seems to slither out of a, well... wormhole, this one‘s for you! No LIE (40A. One may be caught in it)!

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

For the complete post, go HERE.

02.18.09

Transmission

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Puzzle by Susan Gelfand, edited by Will Shortz

SHIFT (8A. With 61-Across, a possible title for this puzzle) GEARS (61A. See 8-Across), along with PARK CITY UTAH (19A. Home of the Sundance Film Festival), REVERSE SPLIT (28A. Corporate action that increases the par value of its stock), NEUTRAL SHADE (41A. Bone, for one) and DRIVE ME CRAZY (50A. 1999 Melissa Joan Hart movie) are the interrelated entries of this Wednesday crossword.

The transmission is running smoothly.

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

For the complete post, go HERE.

02.17.09

BROKENHEARTED

February 17, 2009

Puzzle by Kristian House, edited by Will Shortz

Gee! I had no idea! I hope I wasn’t too flip about it all…let me check -- Valentine’s Day crossword puzzle NY Times 02/14/09 -- no, not really. Other than saying there was nothing very romantic about it, which was the truth. Perhaps no heart is safer than a broken heart! Better late than never, today’s crossword gives us BROKENHEARTED (53A. Sad, like 20-, 28- and 46-Across?), along with RICHEARTHTONE (20A. Umber or chocolate brown); THEARTOFWAR (28A. Military treatise by Sun Tzu); NOWHEARTHIS (46A. Captain’s “Listen up!”) -- yup, those are today’s melancholy late-Valentine’s Day interrelated entries -- like half-eaten chocolates or wilted flowers!

REDHOTS (5D. Candy that makes your mouth burn) might as well lead off the remaining links -- REVAMPED; AMVET; AVATAR; CHURN; EVITA; MAGOO; MAKER; REEDY; TORME.

I hold it true, whate'er befall; / I feel it, when I sorrow most; / 'Tis better to have loved and lost / Than never to have loved at all. -- from Alfred Lord Tennyson's poem In Memoriam:27, 1850

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

For the complete post, go HERE.

02.16.09

Snap! Crackle! Pop!

Monday, February 16, 2009

Puzzle by David Kwong, edited by Will Shortz

Snap! Crackle! Pop! RICE KRISPIES (55A. Breakfast brand since 1928 that hints at the starts of 20-, 33- and 43-Across), along with SNAP DECISION (20A. What a person in an emergency might have to make), CRACKLEWARE (33A. Some glazed pottery) and POP MUSICIAN (43A. Any of the Jonas Brothers, e.g.) are the interrelated entries for this crossword of MON (13D. Tue. preceder), President’s Day!

A few more links -- OCTUPLET; BRONTE; DANTE; ELIOT; HELIO; MACAO; PRISM; TARPIT; and here's one for PRESIDENT’S DAY.

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

For the complete post, go HERE.

02.15.09

Double O

Double-O Arch, Stefan Gebenus, Photography -- Arches National Park

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Sunday, February 15, 2009

DOUBLE-O SEVEN, Puzzle by Jim Leeds, edited by Will Shortz
Featured in this Sunday crossword are seven entries where a single O has increased to two effecting a “humorous” change accompanied by a justifying clue -- BOOB FOR APPLES (23A. Numbskull who likes Macintosh); T BOONE STEAK (33A. Entrees for oilman Pickens?); SIXTEEN TOONS (63A. Between a dozen and a score of Disney creations?); PHOTO OOPS (68A. Overexposure or redeye?); TEAM ROOSTERS (71A. South Carolina Gamecocks?); TOYS FOR TOOTS (101A. Kids’ whistles and horns?); ROADSIDE STOOP (114A. Place to sit by the highway?).

The remainder of the puzzle is business as usual, very usual. A few links:

Across: 13. Poetry movement of Ezra Pound, IMAGISM; 1992-93 World Series champs, TORONTO; 26. Irish patriot Robert EMMET; 28. Reddish-orange creatures, EFTS; 41. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, e.g.: Abbr., MUS; 43. Who said “It gets late early out there”, BERRA; 56. A lot of the Bahamas, CAYS; 108. Dürer, for one, ETCHER; 109. Saint ANNE, mother of the Virgin Mary; 110. Fox News anchor Pemmaraju, UMA; 119. Shelby who wrote “The Content of Our Character”, STEELE.

Down: 3. Navy officers, YEOMEN; 10. Novelist Carr, CALEB; 12. Counselor to the Greeks at Troy, NESTOR; 15. Bing Crosby’s ARENT You Glad You’re You?”32. Home of Caterpillar, PEORIA; 50. Largest of the Cyclades, NAXOS; 94 Joseph who wrote “Nostromo”, CONRAD; 103. Manhattan Project scientist, FERMI.

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

For the complete post, go HERE.

02.15.09 -- the Acrostic

Smile!

Sunday, February 15, 2009

ACROSTIC, Puzzle by Emily Cox & Henry Rathvon, edited by Will Shortz

"The King of Hollywood" is the subject of this post-Valentine's Day acrostic, courtesy of Loos, Cox, Rathvon & Shortz.

The quotation: I ADMIRED CLARK GABLE FOR HIS LACK OF VANITY ONE DAY I HAPPENED ON HIM AT A FAUCET WHERE HED STOPPED TO WASH HIS DENTURE CLARK GRINNED POINTED TO HIS MOUTH AND SAID WITH AN EXAGGERATED LISP LOOK AMERICAS THWEETHEART

The author’s name and the title of the work: ANITA LOOS KISS HOLLYWOOD GOODBYE

The defined words (A through X): LIGHTS; OLDHAT; OUTWARD; SINATRA; KARAKUM; INTIFADA; STEINER; SPACEWALK; HIGHNOTE; OXPECKER; LIFTED; LATHER; YARDMAN; WHITEPINE; OVERHAND (P. Like some volleyball serves); DROPSEAT; GASOHOL; OPIUMDEN; OMNIFIC; DEADWEIGHT; BEACHES; YPRES; EDITHHEAD.

Smile!

For the complete post, go HERE.

02.14.09

Love Takes a Holiday

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Puzzle by Joe Krozel, edited by Will Shortz

Nothing very romantic about today’s Saturday stumper comprised of six 15-letter entries -- RELUCTANT DRAGON (5D. 1941 Disney film based on a Kenneth Grahame story, with “The”); FOOT LONG HOT DOGS (6D. They’re sold in oversize rolls); FIVE AND TEN STORE (7D. Bygone emporium); MAN TO MAN DEFENSE (32A. Aggressive guarding option); ONCOMING TRAFFIC (37A. Bad thing to drive into); ROLL ON THE GROUND (38A. What some dogs and flaming daredevils do).

Other long entries -- GREAT UNCLE (3D. Lionel to Drew Barrymore); ON FURLOUGH (29D. Away, in a way); PLEASE GO ON (53A. “Tell me more …”); REFOCUSES (28D. Shakes off new distractions); TAKE A TOLL (14D. Result in serious damage); and the sole bow to Valentine’s Day, I LOVE PARIS (18A. “Can-Can” song).

Happy Valentine’s Day!

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

For the complete post, go HERE.

02.13.09

Gallimaufry

A visible light image of the Andromeda Galaxy.

Friday, February 13, 2009

Puzzle by Doug Peterson, edited by Will Shortz

In this Friday the 13th crossword, the ZIEGFELD FOLLIES (32A. Big draw of early Broadway) crosses the ANDROMEDA GALAXY (8D. Locale of Krypton in the Superman saga) in an OLIO (23A. Gallimaufry) of a puzzle.

Opening with SPINALTAP (1A. Activity involving a needle) and closing with SYLVESTER (61A. Merrie Melodies regular) encompassing a VOODOODOLL (24A. One getting pinned?) and BOOTSTRAPS (47A. Self-starter’s equipment?).

Click here for paraskavedekatriaphobia!

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

For the complete post, go HERE.

02.12.09

Bi-Bicentennial

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Puzzle by Gary & Stephen Kennedy, edited by Will Shortz

Two hundred years ago on February 12, 1809, who knew?! ABRAHAM LINCOLN (47A. Notable born 2/12/1809) and CHARLES R DARWIN (28A. Notable born 2/12/1809), REPUBLICAN PARTY (61A. 47-Across led it) and ORIGIN OF SPECIES (17A. Influential work by 28-Across) are the interrelated entries of this February 12, 2009 crossword puzzle. Lincoln and Darwin were born and lived an ocean apart with entirely different careers, but they were both liberators, each in his own way. This timely crossword is an imaginative homage in miniature to two giants of history.

Other people in the puzzle LENIN; BEAME; NERO (51A. Role played by 52-Across in “The Story of Mankind”); LORRE (52A. See 51-Across); KERN (25D. “Can’t Help Lovin’ Dat Man” composer); ENOS (70A. Genesis grandson). Lost in the shuffle is another bi-centennial birthday, that of Edgar Allan Poe, January 19, 1809.

More links: WAFFLE IRON (30D. Kitchen appliance); 49D. St. MORITZ, Switzerland; CHOKE (9A. Old auto control), or check out this CHOKE; SMELT (42A. Great Lakes fish); AARE, AGRA, ARAL, HOES, TROY and ZULU.

Incidentally, for a neat coincidence of death, go HERE!

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

For the complete post, go HERE.