01.22.09

HEAD to HEAD


The Execution of Lady Jane Grey by Paul Delaroche, 1833
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Puzzle by
Gary J. Whitehead, edited by Will Shortz
Six squares containing the shrunken word HEAD, or a glyph of same (or a rebus, if you will), along with the central across entry of
SHRUKEN HEADS (37A. Primitive trophies ... or a hint to this puzzle's theme) provide HEAD to HEAD amusement in this Thursday crossword -- and for good measure, the author’s name is Whitehead; who, dare I pun, appears unshrinking in his dedication to the heady world of crosswords.
The resulting entries across: EGG[HEAD] (10. Walking encyclopedia); [HEAD] FOR THE HILLS (20A. Split); [HEAD] TO TOE (33A. All over); RADIO[HEAD] (43.
Alternative rock band with four platinum albums); DRAWBRIDGE A[HEAD] (54. Traffic sign that indicates a possible temporary road closure); [HEAD] END (66. Front).
Down: BIG[HEAD]ED (1. Macrocephalic); SWELL[HEAD] (9. Egoist); [HEAD] ON (13. One way to meet); [HEAD]CASES (45. Nut jobs); BE[HEAD]ING (49.
Lady Jane Grey’s fate); AX[HEAD] (58. Chopping part of a chopper).
A few more links: BRAINDEAD (34D. Unable to think at all), EWENECK (50A. Conformation defect in a horse), STEELE (47D. English essayist Richard), EATME (52A. Words on a Wonderland cake), NIECE (32D. Eleanor Roosevelt, to Teddy), OTERI, ANKA, GHIA, XENA.
And then, of course, there are all those
SHRUNKEN HEADS!
-----------------
For today’s cartoon, go to
The Crossword Puzzle Illustrated.
For the complete post, go HERE.