AXOLOTL, et al
Axolotl, National Geographic
Axolotl, National Geographic Friday, January 30, 2009 Puzzle by Brendan Emmett Quigley, edited by Will Shortz Any puzzle containing the MIASMAS (1D. Noxious vapors) of VON and AVON, PAS and PERS, JAR and JIF, SOB and SOP, RAF and RAJ, DAB and DAR, LDS and LTS, MAV and MOTH, ONAN and OREM, ACCT and DATA, along with ALOG, BAO, INRI and SERE, is usually composed of longer entries meant to be as puzzling as possible, never mind the resulting aforementioned SCREE (45A. Cliffside detritus). Evil chortling emanates from somewhere in the dank dark dungeon of the DIGERATI (34D. Computer-savvy crowd) gleefully declaiming 47D. “WE DID it!” (cry of accomplishment), taking delight in hearing the wails of WERE DOOMED (47A. Cry when you don’t think you’ll make it), as solvers disappear into the abyss of an etymological morass. Links: AXOLOTL; VENTURA; SENECA; MATT DRUDGE; LARRY DAVID; ADDIS ABABA; TERRA COTTA; CRANK CASES; HIGH TREASON; OUTSIDE MAN; TOBACCO SHOP; ARMOIRE; XENON. In the future, I suppose one will now need be on the look-out for variations on AXOLOTL -- AJOLOTE, AMBYSTOMA MEXICANUM, MUDPUPPIES, NEOTENIC MOLE, UPA RUPA, WATERDOGS, WOOPER ROOPER, or any other damn slimy thing that creeps out of the crossword constructor’s cranium! ------------------ For today’s cartoon, go to The Crossword Puzzle Illustrated. For the complete post, go HERE.
