02.06.08

F is H

Wednesday, February 6, 2008

Puzzle by Larry Shearer, edited by Will Shortz

"F" is "H" -- FISH (70A.), clued as a "hint" and "angle", along with FIS ("F" is?) (45A.) and INF (In "F") (22A.), not clued as hints or angles, morph "follow suit", "hiring squads", "feed the kitty", and "fairy tales" into HOLLOWSUIT (18A. Exec. with no ideas?); HIRINGSQUADS (28A. Headhunter posses?); HEEDTHEKITTY (48A. First rule of lion taming?); and HAIRYTALES (61A. “Rapunzel” and others?). The entry of ALLFOURS (8D.), morphable to “all hours”, is not included -- wrong reversal!

Oh!.. but, plenty of exclamations in this crossword: OHNO (2D. Shout of dismay); ASIF (3D. “You wish!”); 9D. “YOO-hoo!”; HAHA (28D. “Very funny!”); IGOOFED (25A. “Whoops!”); EASY (37D. “Child’s play!”); HONEST (50D. “No fooling!); AHSO (14A. Facetious “I see”); CLAP (16A. Show approval, in a way); YIPE (34A. Cry of surprise) for anyone who LOSESIT (39A. Flies off the handle) -- ALAS (59D. Word of woe)!

People in the puzzle: MCKAY (5A. Olympics sportscaster Jim); PHILO (15A. Detective Vance); a SOFTY (20A. Sentimental sort); an ARISTO (32A. Blue blood, for short); BAKERS (46A. Workers with white hats); CLAIR (54A. Mrs. Huxtable of 1980s- ‘90s TV); CHOIRS (6D. Groups on risers); YENTL (21D. Streisand title role); TAKEI (41D. Sulu player on “Star Trek”); ENRY (49D. Professor ‘iggins); CHER (54D. “Mask” star, 1985); and LILI (58D. 1953 Leslie Caron film).

The eight-letter entry SIDEWALK (40D. Hopscotch site) stands alone of the remaining longer entries, followed by the seven-letter ones including TOPTHIS (4D. Hotdogger’s dare); CALIBER (27A. .45 or .22); CHAIRED (44D. Headed up); and KISSOFF (47D. Dismissal, slangily); and ECSTASY (10D. Cloud-nine state), which shares it’s clue with BLISS.

Six-letter, OCEANS (26A. Vast amounts) and GRANDE (51A. Starbucks size). Five-letter, ISLAM (57A. Five pillars faith); ETONS (23A. Stiff collars); SKATE (69A. In-line item); GLUON (11D. Quark-binding particle); GAINS (12D. Market upticks); GLARE (51D. Angry look); RAISE (52D. Bluffer’s ploy, maybe); QUEST (31D. Adventurous expedition); and BLISS (66A. Cloud-nine state), which shares it’s clue with ECSTASY.

Four-letter entries include ACDC, ALIA, ASIF, BASS, BOAT, EASY, EGGO, ERSE, FLAT, HEIR, IBET, IROC, KILN, MYTH, OILY, OPTS, ORES, PORT, REED, RIND, SNIP, and WEED. Three-letter, BOA, HON, MPH, SSE, TBS, WAN and URL.

Actually, it’s H is F, isn’t it? -- or am I thinking of F is as H Wednesday?

“Ash Wednesday” by Carl Spitzweg: the end of Carnival

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02.05.08

The Sweet Smell of Success

Eduardo Fausti, detail from painting entitled Bees’ Trek

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Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Puzzle by Peter A. Collins, edited by Will Shortz

This “Fat Tuesday” crossword asks the solver to UNDRESS (25D. Disrobe) HERBS (39A. Things hidden in 17-, 23-, 49- and 57-Across), which are PARKEDILLEGALLY (17A. In front of a hydrant, say); IMINTROUBLE (23A. “Uh-oh”); PRESSAGENTS (49A. Publicists); and LENGTHYMEETINGS (57A. Business sessions that drag) -- perhaps for a little Cajun cooking?!

For the parade of souls, we have a SATYR (66A. Mythological reveler) and a SISSY (53D. Girlish boy); Gen. Robt. ELEE (14A.); DRESCHER (36A. Fran of “The Nanny”); a BOSSY (44A. Dictatorial) MARM (38A. School lady); a CREATURE (42A. Loch Ness monster, e.g.); ECO (45A. Umberto who wrote “The Name of the Rose”); IRIS (46A. 1998 song by the Goo Goo Dolls that was #1 for 18 weeks); EOS (48A. Aurora’s Greek counterpart); EBAN (64A. Israel’s Abba); “Vive LEROI!” (3D) and REY (13D. King in un palacio); Father GUIDO Sarducci, longtime “S.N.L.” character (6D); Ex-hoopster Manute BOL (11D.); NORMA Jean (Marilyn Monroe) (24D.); PORKY (29A. Looney Tunes pig); EXECS (28D. Board members, for short) and an EMCEE (33D. Maker of introductions); MARCO Polo (34D.); a TIPSTER (43D. Racetrack tout); a Forty-NINER (51D.); a PARENT (47D. Father, e.g.) to BEGET (44D. Father) an IMP (62A. Little troublemaker); EVA (58D. TV’s Longoria); a NUT (59 Kook); an MBA (61D. Wall St. hire); and PREY (68A. Zebras, to lions) -- Mardi Gras, HURRAH (39D. “Yippee!”)!

And then there’s that other parade -- up Broadway in NYC, the Giants! Our puzzle today makes note of III (56A. Only Super Bowl won by the New York Jets) -- 39 years ago -- EEK (4D. “Horrors!”) -- that’s a long time ago!

Our herbs are nicely balanced by junk food, including HOHOS (27D. Ding Dongs competitor); OREOS (35D. Snacks dipped in milk); and PEPSI (1D.”Taste that beats the others cold” sloganeer, once).

LOOSE (16A. Lax) ends include PALE and AMBER; RULE and ORDERS; HEP and YEP; EEL, ELL and ESL; LIT and LOS; OXO and ORS; PRE, PER and PART; and plenty an ENTRY (18D. Contestant’s mail-in) at the end of the parade -- ALGIERS (9D. Home of the Casbah); ALARM, BARB, CHORE, ELLIES, EMORY, ERIE, HOCK, MERS, MOAT, NAIR, OVULE, TIGRE, UGLY, and on and on -- this parade is SRO!


Celebrate the day, USA!
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02.04.08

ENDZONE!

Fans fill University of Phoenix Stadium before Super Bowl XLII between the New England Patriots and New York Giants.
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Monday, February 4, 2008

Puzzle by Dave and Tracy Mackey, edited by Will Shortz

The Giants produced one of the greatest upsets in Super Bowl history Sunday night, beating the previously undefeated Patriots, 17-14.

Words for the Patriots:

DONTBEASTRANGER (17A. “See you again”)
DROPINANYTIME (37A. “See you again!”)
YALLCOMEBACKNOW (59A. “See you again!”)

Those are the three main entries in this very conversational crossword, joined by 1A. “ONCE upon a time…”; 31A. “Veni, vidi, vici” speaker, CAESAR; 47A. “BEIN Green” (Kermit the Frog song); 69A. Where “you can do whatever you feel,” in a hit 1978 song, YMCA; 4D. EATME (Words on a Wonderland cake); 26A. “Nobody doesn’t like” her, in a slogan, SARALEE; 36D. “How was ITO know?” -- adding up to a Monday puzzle that is very ONKEY (54D. Perfectly pitched)!

Just like that fantastic catch and then on to the ENDZONE (21A. Touchdown destination) at the Super Bowl!

Joining CAESAR, people in the puzzle include LEIA (14A. “Star Wars” princess); MUDD (20A. Longtime CBS and NBC newsman Roger); LOU (27A. Bud’s partner in comedy); LTCOL (41A. Henry Blake’s rank on “M*A*S*H”: Abbr.); AOLERS (42A. Many IM recipients); ODIN (57A. Chief Norse deity); EARP (66A. Lawman Wyatt); Former Cub RYNE Sandberg (57A.); ETS (7D. U.F.O. fliers); LORNE (9D. Michaels of “Saturday Night Live”); FONZ (10D. “Happy Days” cool cat, with “the”); STENOS (12D. Dictation takers); DYAN (35D. Actress Cannon); NOBLEMAN (38D. Duke or earl); SPY (43D. Austin Powers, e.g.); LAWYER (44D. Perry Mason, e.g.); OLEARY (45D. Clinton cabinet member Hazel; EVA (60D. Actress Mendes); and an ORC (62D. Tolkien creature).

Other Across: 5. Like a score of 10 out of 10; 10. Speedy; 15. Dated yet trendy; 16. Knowing of; 22. Blacktops; 25. Tricky curves; 28. Had Dinner; 29. BNAI B’rith; 30. Coarse file; 34. The “R” of NPR; 44. Letterhead design; 49. Snooze; 50. In the style of; 51. Mah-jongg pieces; 53. Domineering; 55. The dole; 64. Suffix with sock; 65. Ship-related; 68. Entrap.

Down: 1. Outdated; 2. Recent: Prefix; 3. The Reds, on scoreboards; 5. Steamed; 6. Muffle, as a sound; 8. Kind of well; 11. Country north of Namibia; 13. Shredded; 18. Greyhound vehicle; 19. TV spots; 22. Grp. Funding 19-Down in campaigns); 23. Just slightly; 24. Swerve; 29. BRIC-a-brac; 30. Stir up; 32. Lindbergh’s classic flight, e.g.; 33. Fitting; 39. Restroom door word; 40. Chapters in history; 46 Gasoline unit; 48. Weather map line; 51. Tic-TAC-toe; 52. Cattle branding tools; 53. Lighter and pen maker; 56. A polar bear might be found on one; 58. Valley; 61. ‘60s conflict site; 63. F.D.R. initiative.

The Giants are headed back to New York for a parade... and the Patriots? "See you again!"

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02.03.08 -- the Acrostic

Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras, by Karen Ellsbury
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Sunday, February 3, 2008

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

Mardi Gras -- that time of year is here, and The New York Times has given us another wonderful and timely acrostic puzzle for the occasion from that marvel of a team, Emily Cox and Henry Rathvon, with editor Will Shortz.

“As they had for decades, [brass bands] provided the music for the endless cycle of dances and parades in New Orleans, popularizing the startling fusion of influences and celebration that came to be hailed as the only original art form created in America. It would be hyperbole, if not false, to name jazz a child of Carnival; however the joyous license of the music owes more than passing acquaintance to the liberties of Mardi Gras and a population long-accustomed to dancing in the streets.” -- Mardi Gras: New Orleans, by Henri Schindler.

The quotation appears in a slightly shorter form, but with the full meaning intact, it reads: IT WOULD BE HYPERBOLE TO NAME JAZZ A CHILD OF CARNIVAL HOWEVER THE JOYOUS LICENSE OF THE MUSIC OWES MORE THAN PASSING ACQUAINTANCE TO THE LIBERTIES OF MARDI GRAS AND A POPULATION ACCUSTOMED TO DANCING IN THE STREETS. The author’s name and the title of the work: HENRI SCHINDLER MARDI GRAS -- “New Orleans” is omitted from the title.

The defined words: HULAHOOP (A. Ring used in some circus acts [2 wds.]); ENSEMBLE (B. Group of players or vocalists); NOTIONS (C. Whims; ideas; items in a sewing kit); RUBATO (D. Not strictly on the beat, flexible with the tempo); INSTEP (E. Synchronized, as marchers [2 wds.]); SQUEEZE (F. Play an accordion, e.g.); CRAWFISH (G. Erouffee ingredient, often); HEMSTITCH (H. Decorative needlework along a border); ICECAPADES (I. Glitzy show first seen in 1940 in Hershey, Pa. [2 wds.]); NATCHEZ (J. Tribe found by French explorers on the lower Mississippi); DAHLIA (K. Mexico’s national flower); LOVESONG (L. Number for a flame [2 wds.]); EURYTHMY (M. Gestural performance art sometimes used in education and therapy); RUNWILD (N. Cut loose, kick up your heels [2 wds.]); MODULATE (O. Change keys in the middle of a piece); ADJECTIVE (P. Clifton Fadiman’s “banana peel of the parts of speech”); ROMANTIC (Q. Inclined to fantasize); DOWNBEAT (R. Monthly magazine for fans of bebop, blues, etc. [2 wds.]); ICONOCLAST (S. Smasher of idols); GRAFFITO (T. The writing on the wall?); ROISTER (U. Make merry, revel, carouse); APOGEE (V. Furthest point in an orbit); SAINTJOAN (W. Canonized warrior who dressed in drag [2 wds.]).

Admittedly, a tough solve, but when given a clever quotation on a particular subject by an author who’s been there, done that -- along with the defined words that Ms. Cox and Mr. Rathvon have extracted from the quotation, a majority of the words pertinent to the quotation -- and then challenging one to put it all back together from the coyest of clues -- well, a parade of joy!

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02.03.08

Directions

Sunday, February 3, 2008

Puzzle by Matt Ginsberg, Edited by Will Shortz

NOTE: If you work this crossword from the New York Times Magazine printed version, you will find that there is a different set of numbers involved. Also, where a dash (-) is shown in the electronic version behind a clue number, there is no number or dash in the hard copy version. I am inclined to say because of that fact, the tactile version is much more difficult to solve.

The puzzle asks one to enter an arrow and a letter in nine individual squares throughout the grid -- indicating UP, DOWN, LEFT, and RIGHT. The accompanying clues or whatever, depending on which version you utilize, rely upon those imaginary words to complete the entry -- or if you can write small enough...well. Not attempting to assign numbers to the entries or clues due to the difference between the electronic and magazine versions, the results are as follows:

UPSIDE DOWN CAKE; PICKED UP SPEED; TWO LEFT FEET; ALL RIGHT ALREADY; OUT IN LEFT FIELD; EXTREME RIGHT WING; EASE ON DOWN THE ROAD; SETTING UP SHOP; and STAND UP COMIC.

It reminds me of the nightmare one can experience when being given wrong directions on a cold wet night, or worse, being a passenger in the car when the driver won't look at a map! So much like this tedious trek into dreck...

Experiences to forget!

However, if you really want more of this joy-forsaken journey, read Amy "Orange" Renaldo's analysis in her Diary of a Crossword Fiend.

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02.02.08

Coup d'oeil



Saturday, February 2, 2008

Puzzle by Natan Last, edited Will Shortz

This crossword’s five long entries, ONTOPOFTHEWORLD (7D. Ecstatic); BRINGTOJUSTICE (20A Convict); VENTRILOQUISTS (46A. Seemingly silent types); LOSTONESCOOL (6D Snapped); and JENESAISQUOI (21D. Quality that’s hard to express) have nothing in common but their length, and their short clues. Or should I say Shortz?

Yesterday was fairly much the same as far as I can fathom -- fathomless, that is clue-wise. Punxsutawney Phil’s prediction today will be far more illuminating, shadow or no shadow! I guess I really shouldn’t drag a groundhog into this commentary, but why not? With this kind of crossword, one could discuss almost anything -- let’s see, what justifies bringing up Groundhog Day? Hmmm….ah! 41A. Coup d’OEIL (survey made with a glance)!

In any event, this is a fun puzzle -- there’s lightness, like RUNFORIT (50A. “She’s gonna blow!”); ZIPPIEST (17A. Having the most pizzazz); NOTIME (11D. A jiffy); JESTER (19A. Cap and bells wearer); and a BEETLE clued as 39D. Zyzzyva, e.g.

Darkness comes in the guise of RANCOR (40D. Malignity); TIRESIAS (34D. Prophet of Thebes, struck blind by Athena when he accidentally saw her bathing); NTEST (27A. Big bang creator); DEAD (43A. No longer under consideration); EERIER (55A. Like haunted houses, compared to ordinary houses) and 37A. “TIS now the very witching time of night”: Hamlet.

People in the puzzle include ADE (1A. “The county Chairman” playwright, 1903), DJS (14A. Spinners, for short), STU (33A. “Rugrats” dad), ABRAM (38A. Norm of “This Old House”), SLOANE (52A. Ferris Bueller’s girlfriend), DISH (56A. Good-looker), OLEG (5D. Two-time figure-skating Olympic gold medalist Protopopov), PITT (18D. British P.M. when the U.S. Constitution was signed), ARES (26D. Father of Harmonia, 27D. Former Giant Robb NEN, 47D. Oscar-winning French film director RENE Clement, and TRU (51D. Robert Morse Tony-winning role). Oddly, these short entries have long clues while the long entries of the puzzle have short clues.

The remaining eight-, seven- and six-letter entries: DJIBOUTI (2D. Neighbor of Somalia); ESPRESSO (3D. Brewed drink); STARTREK (33D. 1979 film with sequels II to VI); RESTATE (10D. Paraphrase, say); REFEREE (29A. Enforce the rules); RESTSON (32A. Has as a foundation); PADTHAI (36D. Popular dish in an Asian cuisine); PASCHAL (36A. Easter-related); CORNER (8A. Tree); AREOLA (16A. Interstice); ELECTS (12D. Decides); RAREST (13D. Least spotted); ADVISE (38D. Guide); and ITCHES (49A. Burns) -- I make a much larger distinction between itching and burning, but to each his own!

Five-letter -- CAJUN, FIFTH, FIRED, POETS, REINS, RISER. Four-letter -- AMTS, ANON, ELON, LOOT, MARE, MISO, OPEN, ORES, PROM, ROLL, ROLO, ROWS, RUST, UNOS, USED. Three-letter -- ADZ, EAR, KSU, MIO, OTS, and RAM (32D. Butt).

I’ve spent the last several days in hot battle with technology after a wipe-out -- which has doubled my blogging time, and turned my life into one long course on what has happened with computers in the last couple years, one more manual and I’ll explode -- I’m not sure if I want HAL to be in charge, so I have disconnected his higher brain functions. Everything electronic is subject to my wrath -- that to explain why I am wheezing through the spaceship with a wrench and a crazed expression!

Coup d’oeil, indeed!

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02.01.08

Clueless

Friday, February 1, 2008

Puzzle by Doug Peterson, edited by Will Shortz

Tough clues! The four 15-across entries stared blankly at this solver --

15. Be negative about, POURCOLDWATERON;
17. Hobbes in “Calvin and Hobbes”, IMAGINARYFRIEND;
46. They’re not easily overturned, OUTRIGGERCANOES;
49. Sterotypically smarmy sorts, USEDCARSALESMEN.

This crossword is clued like a baseball player trying to avoid questions about steroids. Ape wrestlers = GRAPPLE; Temper = ASSUAGE; Went to a lower level = EBBED; Well activity = WISHING; Staff note = MEMO; Unfrequented = LONESOME; Chief goals? = ENDZONES; Id output = URGES; It stocks blocks = ICEHOUSE -- I’m sure it was just me. What'd I get to get going? Proper names GWYNNE, JEROME, ELISE, MINSK -- that was it. Certainly not CLI! Nothing wrong with such entries as HOC, CELS, PASO, HOFFA, CRONY, TERSELY, PINKEST, GIFTWRAP, et cetera, but the clues! …and for RENEW, Playboy’s plea? With my mind, I was truly clueless!

Across: 1. Temper; 8. Ape wrestlers; 15. Be negative about; 17. Hobbes in “Calvin and Hobbes”; 18. Went to a lower level; 19. Prefix with 6-Down; 20. Body part above la bouclé; 21. Frames found in frames; 22. Clubs: Abbr.; 23. Senora’s step; 24. “A little ERE the mightiest Julius fell”: Shak.; 25. Actress Kimberly of “Close to Home”; 26. Give away; 27. Intimate; 28. Tahini base; 29. Well activity; 32. Domesticates; 33. Dramatic beginning; 34. With 44-Down, Cajun dish with giblets; 35. Polynomial components; 36. Subject of some conspiracy theories; 37. Prez’s first name on “The West Wing”; 40. Shot near the green; 41. Little piggies; 42. Staff note; 43. Ad follower; 44. Playboy’s plea?; 45. She’s dangerously fascinating; 46. They’re not easily overturned; 49. Stereotypically smarmy sorts; 50. Without much wind; 51. Pinkest.


Down: 1. For one; 22. Not at all sunny; 3. Fit to be tried?; 4. Id output; 5. Mordant; 6. Suffix with 19-Across; 7. Going by; 8. Fred of “The Munsters”; 9. Hosts; 10. Brand in a bathroom; 11. Linguist Mario; 12. Before being delivered; 13. Unfrequented; 14. Chief goals?; 16. Smart; 22. Exclusively; 23. British meat pie; 25. Actress Gray and others; 26. RENTA-crowd (attendance booster); 27. Make like Pac-Man; 28. They’re bound to work; 29. “Heads up!”; 30. It stocks blocks; 31. Less lax; 32. Prepare for a shower, maybe; 34. Foundations, often; 36. Aggressively ambitious; 37. Basso Hines; 38. Hosts; 39. “Who DOESN’T?”; 41. August; 42. Belarus’s capital; 44. See 34-Across; 45. Longtime columnist who coined the term “beatnik”; 47. Cloverleaf composition: Abbr.; 48. Second-century year.

No excuse, no complaint -- puzzles puzzle!

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