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.