08.31.09

IV!

“We just want to go home.” -- Alien, “District 9”

Monday, August 31, 2009

Puzzle by Fred Piscop, edited by Will Shortz

FOUR-MINUTE MILER (17A. Roger Bannister was the first), FOR OLD TIME’S SAKE (35A. How something may be done, nostalgically) and FORE AND AFT SAILS (54A. Features of yawls or ketches) are the interrelated group of this fine Monday crossword.

A few links -- HAREMS (26A. Women’s quarters, in sultans homes), ALIEN (49A. Visitor in “District 9”), LAVA and SPEW.

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

For the complete post, go HERE.

08.30.09 -- the Acrostic

Farewell to New Orleans

Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans, August 28 ,2005, NASA

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Sunday, August 30, 2009

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

This Sunday’s acrostic quotation is from “Domestic Manners of the Americans” by Fanny Trollope, published in 1832.

The quotation: THE LAND IS DEFENDED FROM THE RIVER BY A LEVEE WITHOUT WHICH THE DWELLINGS WOULD SPEEDILY DISAPPEAR I COULD NOT HELP FANCYING NATURE WOULD SOME DAY TAKE THE MATTER INTO HER OWN HANDS AND IF SO FAREWELL TO NEW ORLEANS

The author’s name and the title of the work: F TROLLOPE DOMESTIC MANNERS

The defined words: A. FIFTH WHEEL; B. TIGHTWAD; C. ROSE WATER; D. OBEDIENT; E. LEFTOVER; F. LAWN DARTS; G. ONWARD; H. PARASOL; I. EVELYN; J. DRYDEN; K. OWNED UP; L. MEGALITH; M. EYEFUL; N. STIPEND; O. THE WHO; P. INFLECTED; G. CHUTNEY; R. MULLAH; S. ADMONISH; T. NECKTIE; U. NOODLE; V. ELAPID; W. RAIN SHADOW; X. SERIOUS.

For the complete post, go HERE.

08.30.09

So Out of It!

Sunday, August 30, 2009

LITERALLY SO, Puzzle by Ashish Vengsarkar and Narayan Venkatasubramanyan, edited By Will Shortz

The clues for the interrelated group of this Sunday puzzle are constituted by both the in-all-caps clues with missing letters and the missing letters sequentially -- for TAKE OUT OF CONTEXT (23. -IRC-S-ANCES, missing C-U-T; BLOODLESS REVOLUTION (36. ANTI--VERNMENT UN--ST), G-O-R-E; THE MISSING LINK (52. AR--CL-), T-I-E; DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS (70. P---ARY CARE PHY-ICIANS), R-I-M-S; SPARE NO EXPENSE (86. FI-TH-WH--L), F-E-E; EATS SHOOTS AND LEAVES (98. WHAT A -ANDA DOES IN -EIS-RELY FA-HION), P-L-U-S; LEMON DROP COOKIES (121. W--THL-SS R-AD-TER), O-R-E-O-S. I found the gimmick made for an irritating and clumsy solve, whether or not it might be considered clever.

A few links -- DIES IRAE (29. Hymn whose second line is “Solvet saeclum in favilla”); LOMILOMI (107A. Hawaiian massage); AGATHAS (27A. Mystery writers’ awards); BONITO (36D. Mackerellike fish); METHANE (53D. Dangerous buildup in a mine); OSCAR (126A. 8 ½-pound statue).

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

For the complete post, go HERE.

08.29.09

It Can Be Brutal!

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Puzzle by Doug Peterson, edited by Will Shortz

Four 15-letter across entries are the main feature of this superior Saturday stumper -- CELL PHONE TOWERS (17. Some coverage providers), INTIMATE APPAREL (15. Revealing pieces), SECURITY COUNCIL (49. Russia, China and France are in it) and SKATEBOARD TRICK (46. Something shown off on a half-pipe).

A dozen-or-so more links -- ATOMIZED (7. Like turbojet fuel); PLUTARCH (32. “On the Malice of Herodotus” author); MUSSINA (1A. 2001-08 Yankees pitcher with seven Gold Gloves); J’ACCUSE (8A. Headline during the Dreyfus Affair); HONESTY (51A. It can be brutal); CATHAY (34D. Old Silk Road destination); DESOTO (36D. Studebaker alternative); JAEGER (8D. Bullying seabird); MICMAC (1D. Algonquian language); ST LUKE (3D. He wrote of the prodigal son); JULES (27D. Pulitzer-winning cartoonist Feiffer); SASHA (44A. “Peter and the Wolf” bird) and SONIA (45A. “Peter and the Wolf” duck); TUG (47D. Harbor pusher).

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

For the complete post, go HERE.

08.28.09

Fatal Error

43D. Shoulder inflammation? -- CAR FIRE

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Friday, August 28, 2009

Puzzle by David Quarfoot, edited by Will Shortz

FATAL ERROR (53A. A bug may cause it) and TOOK IT EASY (24A. Chilled) are this multifarious Friday crossword’s two long entries, clocking in at ten letters each.

Variety and vitality continue throughout, a dozen-plus links -- ERIE CANAL (65A. Construction with many locks); FREE TIBET (1A. Rallying cry supported by some monks); PENNY LANE (67A. Where “all the people that come and go stop and say hello”); THE GRUDGE (17A. 2004 horror film about a passed-on curse); 45D. Legendary soprano ADELINA Patti; RIHANNA (2D. One-named Grammy winner of 2007); SHA LA LA (40D. Title syllables in a hit 1964 song); VAN DYKE (14D. Facial feature with a point); CAR FIRE (43D. Shoulder inflammation?); DA GAMA (30A. He sighted and named Natal on Christmas Day of 1497); SADIST (49D. Happily humiliating type); ACT IV (10A. When Antony says “I am dying, Egypt, dying”); INUIT (6D. Kayak propeller); SARIN (61A. Lethal compound); DIAZ (50A. Princess Fiona’s voicer in “Shrek”); HAL (19A. Memorable 1968 movie villain), TART (5D. Napoleon‘s cousin), [JKA].

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

For the complete post, go HERE.

08.27.09

Inversion

Thursday, August 27, 2008

Puzzle by Derek Bowman, edited by Will Shortz

Circled letters in seven rows of this crossword act as “clues” for seven clues: PATTERN, PATTER, PATER, PATE, PAT, PA, A. The entries for the corresponding clues are themselves clues -- DESIGN (52A. First row); SPIEL (51D. Second row); DAD (43D. Third or sixth row); HEAD (64A. Fourth row); DAB (4D. Fifth row); DAD (43D. Third or sixth row); ONE (61D. Seventh row). The resulting inverted word ladder (removing one letter at a time in descending order) may or may not be of assistance in the solve, but is a pleasant-enough gimmick.

A few links -- ANDROMEDA (33D. Gene Roddenberry-inspired sci-fi series); ASTAIRES (33A. Brother-and-sister dancing duo); LPGA TITLE (13A. With 14-Across, Nancy Lopez and Annika Sorenstam have each won this several times); 1D. Mont BLANC; EPHOR (2D. Ancient Spartan magistrate); IRENE (53D. Classic Broadway musical with the song “Alice Blue Gown”); PRATT Institute (art school); RAYE (68A. Comedic star Martha).

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

For the complete post, go HERE.

08.26.09

Please!

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Puzzle by Gary Cee, edited by Will Shortz

“Please” (and/or “request“) is/are the tie(s) for today’s interrelated group -- 17A. “CHOPSTICKS, please” (diner’s request); 27A. “ATTENTION, please” (announcer’s request); 36A. THE ENVELOPE, please” (awards show presenter’s request); 51A. “ONE MOMENT, please” (operator’s request); 60A. “TAKE MY WIFE, please!” (Henny Youngman’s request).

A few links -- APOSTLE (40D. Last Supper guest); ATTILA (48D. The Scourge of God); MCHALE (2D. Ernest Borgnine title role); ZAPATA (47A. Mexican revolutionary played by Brando); EDIE (26D. Falco who played Carmela on “The Sopranos“).

“C’mon, please please me“…HERE!

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

For the complete post, go HERE.

08.25.09

Mixing It Up

1907 Stanley Steamer

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Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Puzzle by Bob Johnson, edited by Will Shortz

HYBRID VEHICLES (56A. Cars suggested by 20-, 26- and 48-Across?), SUBURBAN MALIBU (20A. Residential area of California [think Chevy]); MUSTANG ESCAPE (26A. Start of a stampede, maybe [think Ford]) and ACCORD ELEMENT (48A. Part of a peace treaty [think Honda]) are the interrelated group of this Tuesday crossword.

A few more links -- MOBILE HOME; SEA COWS; MULLAH; EL CID; MACON; ROHAN; SOLTI.

…and then there‘s the carbon hybrid human auto -- HERE!

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

For the complete post, go HERE.

08.24.09

D/Q

Don Quixote Attacks the Windmills, Illustration for Miguel de Cervantes’s “Don Quixote” Gustave Doré, 1863

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Monday, August 24, 2009

Puzzle by Anthony J. Salvia, edited by Will Shortz

DON QUIXOTE (17A. Tilter at windmills), DAIRY QUEEN (49A. Place to order a Blizzard), DENNIS QUAID (11D. Star of “The Rookie,” 2002) and DOCTOR QUINN (25D. Medicine woman of 1990s TV) comprise the interrelated group of this Monday crossword.

A few more links -- SQUARE and PARADES (44A. Plaza / 45A Plaza displays), and LOREN and MOVIE (29D. Italian 31-Down star Sophia / 31D. See 29-Down); EUREKA (42D. “I’ve got it!); GONGS (27D. Pagoda instruments).

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

For the complete post, go HERE.

08.23.09

E/U

Sunday, August 23, 2009

E. U. DOINGS, Puzzle by Phil Ruzbarsky, edited by Will Shortz

PRESSED THE FLUSH (23A. Used a push-button toilet?), IT’S PAST MY BUD TIME (40A. “I can’t drink beer this late”?), BUTTER BUSINESS BUREAU (56A. Dairy regulator?), THE UMPIRE STRIKES BACK (77A. Baseball official gets revenge?); WORKS WITHOUT A NUT (93A. “The bolt alone is sufficient”?) and THE LITTLE RED HUN (114A. Story of a small Communist barbarian) are the interrelated group of this Sunday crossword.

The links -- BEEFEATER (68A. Yeoman of the British guard); MAGNET (30A. Kind of school); NO EXIT (3D. Sartre play set in hell); TOP HAT (94D. Cane accompanier, maybe); WASABI (93D. Mustardy condiment), ALLIE, EWELL, OSAKA (63A. It was destroyed by Godzilla in “Godzilla Raids Again”), DALI (74A. “The Hallucinogenic Toreador“ artist), DORR, MOA, SEAU

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

For the complete post, go HERE.

08.22.09

August Saturday

Beata Beatrix by Dante Gabriel Rossetti, 1872

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Saturday, August 22, 2009

Puzzle by Karen M. Tracey, edited by Will Shortz

For today's post, go HERE.

08.21.09

GASP!

Adult size antique skeleton, Gothic Rose Antiques

Friday, August 21, 2009

Puzzle by Patrick Berry, edited by Will Shortz

GASP, HASH, RASH, SORT, CLUE, ALAS, WEEP, WARN, SNAG, NOES, POOP, STET! may sound like the utterances of a flummoxed solver, apt right down to the REMOTEST (54A. Least accessible) corner of the puzzle which teases with the entry of OPENEST (38D. Most accessible), what?! -- ah well, WILCO (44D. “Consider it done”)!

Links for notables include IVAN REITMAN and JACK DEMPSEY; ARTURO; “Ella and BASIE!” (1963 jazz album); a CHILEAN; LIAR LIAR; LORNE; OGRES (39A. Ungentle giants); 6D. Chad Mitchell TRIO (1960s folk band); WELK; ACROSTIC (1A. Feature of Psalm 119); AUTOHARP (10D. Zither with buttons); EURASIA (12D. “1984” superstate); WENT AT (41D. Attacked); and a SKELETON!

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

For the complete post, go HERE.

08.20.09

Parallelogram

The Making of a Galactic Parallelogram, NASA

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Thursday, August 20, 2009

Puzzle by Elizabeth C. Gorski, edited by Will Shortz

PARALLELOGRAM (36A. What’s revealed by connecting the special squares in this puzzle in order), along with the “special” squares containing 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, comprise the interrelated group of this fine Thursday crossword. The across entries with the numbers include 1SIE (20A. Toddler‘s attire) [onesie]; AGE 2 (21A. Time for potty training, maybe); TAKES 5 (22A. Rests); 4 DAY (51A. Nice kind of workweek); BIG 3 (53A. G.M., Ford and Chrysler). The down entries with the numbers -- DR1 (15D. Be an utter bore?) [drone]; EAS2OD (13D. Best Director of 1992 and 2004) [Eastwood]; 5 FOLD (24D. Like the symmetry of a starfish); IN4THS (41D. How mini-pizzas are usually cut) [in fourths]; 3 RS (55D. School basics).

A few more links -- ICE SKATERS (62A. Eight producers?); ASTERISM (12D. Constellation); VOLARE (44D. 1958 #1 song with the lyric “Let’s fly way up to the clouds”); 41A. IRENA Szewinska, Olympic sprinting gold medalist of 1964, 1968 and 1976; OORT cloud (region of comets far beyond Pluto).

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

For the complete post, go HERE.

08.19.09

Secrets

Secret Garden -- Copyright: Angela Woulfe © 1998

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Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Puzzle by Peter A. Collins, edited by Will Shortz

THE SECRET GARDEN (52A. Frances Hodgson Burnett kid-lit novel … and a hint to 21-, 26- and 45-Across), along with the “hidden” word GARDEN in circles in the entries of AFGHAN PRESIDENT (21A. Hamid Karzai, starting in 2004), GREAT GRANDPARENT (26A. One of four generations in a photo) and GARAGE DOOR OPENER (45A. Driver’s electric convenience) are interrelated group of this Wednesday crossword.

A few more links -- THE DEAD (38D. Jerry Garcia’s band, for short) and ARISTA (60A. Longtime label for 38-Down); RED (39D. With 22-Down, stinging insects) and ANTS (22D. See 9-Down); 63A. Father DAMIEN, leper priest of Molokai; ORGANS (49D. Hammond products); TRAGIC (38A. Like “King Lear”); ETHAN (31D. Patriot Allen); STOAT (5A. Brown fur)

For the film, go HERE

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

For the complete post, go HERE.

08.18.09

Fruit Fight

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Puzzle by Tony Orbach, edited by Will Shortz

BANANA SPLIT (17A. Fountain treat), LEMON CREAM (27A. Tangy pie filler), APPLE CRUMBLE (37A. Relative of a certain cobbler), CHERRY MASH (51A. Candy bar with maraschinos) and ORANGE CRUSH (59A. Popular Fanta-like soda) are the interrelated entries of this clever and amusing Tuesday crossword. The fruit (banana, lemon, apple, cherry and orange) along with the implied violence of split, cream, crumble, mash and crush make for an image of a colorful and healthy food fight -- throw in a lone apple for ISAAC NEWTON (25D. Scientist who experienced a great fall?).

A few more links -- BROWN COW (40D. Root beer float with chocolate ice cream); OTTOMAN (13D. Club chair companion piece); ICARUS (34A. He flew too close to the sun, in myth); RETINA (10D. Eye part); GOAT (19A. Bearded beast); IRIS (20A. Bearded bloom).

Strange fruit!

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

For the complete post, go HERE.

08.17.09

JOKERS

Monday, August 17, 2009

Puzzle by Mike Buckley, edited by Will Shortz

BATMAN (26A. With 51-Across, roles for 17-, 38- and 62-Across), JOKERS (51A. See 26-Across), CESAR ROMERO (17A. 1966), JACK NICHOLSON (38A. 1989) and HEATH LEDGER (62A. 2008) are the interrelated entries of this Monday crossword.

A few more links -- ARCED; TEA ROSE; CARAFE; CHALICE; FJORDS; FERMI; HEH (31. When doubled, a villain’s chuckle); TYR.

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

For the complete post, go HERE.

08.16.09

Mélange

Sunday, August 16, 2009

LET'S TALK ABOUT ME, Puzzle by Randolph Ross, edited by Will Shortz

A solver is entitled to dislike a crossword puzzle and this one is deserving of cross words, as in “make me” like it, for instance. No way -- ten clues that include the word “me” pose as an interrelated entry/clue mélange of this Sunday-should-be-pleasant-but-this-Sunday-it-is-not crossword. “Pardon me” clues 23A. ERROR MESSAGE; “Save me” 29A. MASS APPEAL; “Feed me” 38A. COUNTER PLEA; “For me?”, RECEIVING LINE; “Shoot me”, 75A. FILM DIRECTION; “Lean on me”, 92A. TENDER OFFER; the aforementioned “Make me” for 101A. CROSS WORDS; “Kiss me” for 107A. PECKING ORDER; “It’s on me”, 16D. FREE RESPONSE; “Write me”, BOOK PROPOSAL. Me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me… So what?

The remainder of the crossword has even less to offer and it’s clues are every bit as vapidly draped in drear resulting in a weary waste of precious time of one of the last weekends of summer. Do yourself a favor -- do something else with the time -- so be it, off with cross words!

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For the complete post, go HERE.