All very PLEA SIN', esp considerin' the 'Meet stick' clue and the constructor's free-wheelin' comments.
Guess it was easier than most Thursdays at about half my usual Thurstime and with only a RUSPIN-->RUXPIN correction, but I do love me a good reparseable pun. That comes as a shock to many, I know.
Re the origin of GREAT SHAKES, my first thought suspects it relates to earthquakes, but can't rule out SHAKE shingles for roofing. Perhaps, like 'the whole nine yards', it may remain a forever mystery.
I'll admit NO favourite for 60A because;
a) that long ago paper I wrote on the metaphysical poets; I still Marvell how close to plagiary Lobachevsky brought me
b) Manx cats
c) the play I saw about a sailor washed ashore during WWII, the cRUX being ultimately to decide whether Gabriel might be a German spy... Not sure it was set on the Isle of Man, but all the Channel Islands had strategic importance.
"So, did you like the poem with 'NO MAN IS AN ISLAND'? Would you like to praise and reward the author?"
"No, harm Donne!"
Patrick Merrell's dog's nose wet.
Happy 8/10, all y'all.
2
Chungclan,
This was MOL's post...with 13 replies.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/08/crosswords/daily-puzzle-2018-08-09.ht...
For the record, NYT's new and improved comments have not improved. In order to see the "Share" button, have to open in incognito screen from which you can't enter a comment. Everything new is old again. Liked it better when the entire system was down.
1
Not a typical Thursday puzzle. Fairly smooth solve. Downs gave theme answer fill quickly. One of the quickest Thursday puzzle I’ve done. Maybe a little more trickiness would have been nice.
:-|
2
Leave the gun. Take the cannoli.
9
The wonderful Spelling Bee thread started by MOL has spontaneously combusted, from a previous 10 replies to now 3 replies . Some of the original replies are available on the permalink, but, strangely not all.
Anyone know how many 8 letter words are on the final list? Nice Cuppa provided excellent hints to 2, which I have, but I seem to be missing one more for QB.
Thanks!
2
@Chungclan
I had
Len #
10 1
8 2
7 2
6 4
5 5
4 8
3
@Chungclan
How many words/points do you have now? I have 2 8-letter words, one of which was my last word. So perhaps you're not missing an 8-letter word.
@Chungclan - QB is 22 words, 104 points. There are 2 8-letter words, so I think you're finished there. Also 2 7-letter words and 1 longer than 8...
E and N are singletons
X is blank
again, there are 8 words that don't begin with the central letter
So many liked this puzzle! I guess I'm a Debby Downer. The "theme" entries (only three) were simply puns -- no fun Thursday trickery (rebuses, etc.). And the central theme entry: First, I have never heard the phrase. (I'm surprised so many of you have! I figured it must be of the dreaded "modern lingo.") Second, what does the answer have to do with hamburgers?
As you may have guessed, I struggle in this area. Had NOG__g_gHA___ for the central theme entry for too long -- the first "g" from "eggs" at 34D and the second from "edge" at 30D. I gradually got things straight (Thanks to Ali for RUXPIN!), but burned the clock doing so. Tough clues for ICET (didn't know his actual name nor caught the parsing), EBB, SKIN, SOFA, and ARE (?). No clue about FRI, ICEMAN, or DPS.
Needless to say, way off my best. Can't say I'm looking forward to Friday's challenge. ;)
1
@Ron According to the Collins Dictionary, “If you say that someone or something is no great shakes, you mean that they are not very skilful or effective. ‘I’m no great shakes as a detective.’ “ It’s a phrase that’s been around a good long time.
“Does that place have good hamburgers?”
“No, [but it has] great shakes.”
Thanks, William. "No great shakes" is over 200 years old; definitely not "modern lingo."
Ron: *Milk* shakes? Also please note that while many of us did enjoy the puzzle, many of us also said we missed a Thursday puzzle.
Loved it! Even without Thursday trickery.
Alas, a fail for me. I have the Red Triangle of Shame in the 47 square. I tried I-BOX and E-BOX as possibles for the game console, but never heard of Teddy RUXPIN. Started running the alphabet but ran out of patience before I got to X. Had I but persevered, I'm pretty sure I'd have avoided the RTofS because I vaguely recognize X-BOX. I think it's something that Microsoft or someone keeps trying to sell me.
I tried to say this (or something like it) in a reply to someone else, but it seems to have disappeared, and I'm not receiving the notification emails. So, I reiterate, expand upon, and underscore: "Did Deadline finish the puzzle seamlessly, and is she satisfied with the latest version of the comments?" "No, problem."
Caitlin made me Google HUBCAP, which verified her new knowledge about it being strictly a CAP that covers the axle's HUB, but also verified the (to me) more common usage that it is the wheel cover. Which leaves me wondering about the "once" in the clue. Do they not have the car's name anymore?
Never saw any of the "Godfather" flicks, but did read, and enjoy, the Puzo book.
We've been promised a break in the heat Saturday, so I can get to the drugstore and pick up my Rx refills, just in time. (My old drugstore, which delivered, is out of business.)
Many thanks to many people today: PM, for a delightful puzzle and Note; WIll & Co.; and all the Commenters, for their wonderful additions to the theme.
1
Deadline,
Re: "Once" in the 41A clue. Most cars today do not have hub caps, so what might be on them is moot.
@Deadline
re: HUBCAPS - most cars don't do HUBCAPs really anymore. At best, they put the car's insignia on it. The insignia now also go on the front grill and the rear - whether on the tailgate or on the trunk lid and the model on one side of the trunk lid.
So aside from insignia that have the name of the maker in them because they have short names and they could do it (GMC, Ford, Kia), they don't generally have names on the HUBCAP anymore. They also often have expensive alloy wheels that dispense with HUBCAPs altogether.
I enjoyed the puzzle very much, and after reading the comments, I think it is clear that not everyone has a fine hand for puns, which made me appreciate the puzzle even more!
About Godfather 3, I saw an interview with Coppola where he explained he did it for the money, which is why it is such a bad movie when the first two are so great! I think the interview was by Jas. Lipton on Inside the Actors Studio.
Queen Bee - 22/104 - this is my first in a couple of weeks, I think so. I do better with smaller word lists.
My best Thursday ever. And that record was set many moons ago.
Q. Was the ball inside the foul line?
A. No. Way out.
10
I know that I'm hopelessly unobservant but I've just noticed "share" following "reply" and "recommend" . How long has that been there?
@suejean
I think it's new. But then, I too am sometimes hopelessly unobservant, especially of things that I look at day after day.
@Liz B
I believe it appeared for the first time today. I inquired about it in a reply to Caitlin's original comment (as in first comment of the day, reading Oldest first).
Like the sudden appearance of the "@Commenter" thingy, this seems to indicate that the IT jokesters are in fact doing something, even if it's not anything that helps with the real problems.
If you clicked on the old "..." , you then had the option of Flag or Permalink (the latter helpful for finding lost posts).
Now, in a major development, Share takes you to the Permalink and Flag is Flag.
Meanwhile, we still lose replies...
Help! On a number of occasions in the last couple of weeks the puzzle opens up partially filled in and black triangles in the corner (indicating that I revealed that word). I did neither and the filled in letters are not even correct. Anyone have any idea what’s going on? It’s taking the fun out of solving the puzzle.
@Elizabeth Lischner
Is this AcrossLite? If so, black triangles appear if you've initially entered the wrong letter, then corrected. Looking up the correct letter earns you a Red Triangle of Shame.
BUT: That's not your problem, is it. If indeed you are using AL, have you tried uninstalling and reinstalling it?
Ms Lischner, by the sound of it, this calls for an exorcism.
"Peripherally watched the movies." WHAT? The first two are considered some of the greatest ever and Two is certainly the best sequel of all time. Plus, as Nora Ephron tells us via Tom Hanks in"You've Got Mail", "The Godfather teaches you everything you need to know in life." PB
8
I was amazed at how large a remora actually is after I swam with some in Puerto Rico (no sharks around). They must only look small compared to the larger animal they are cleaning. They looked to be a good 2.5 to 3 feet long.
2
Hi, All,
I warned you I might drop back in from time to time. Loved seeing Patrick Merrell's name return to the blog he used to co-host with Jim Horne, before they turned it over to our Deb. Thanks, PM.
About the cartoon, and today's reality in the columns:
1. This week, Caitlin (but still "No complaints" or few).
2. The sun comes up. Rex complains. Easy forecast.
3. Today, Andy instead of Amy (but still "No sweat").
4. This week, "Petty Jeff" has given way to "Happy Jeff," whose suggested improvements are laid at the feet of the absent "Petty Jeff" (but which get expressed none the less).
I've enjoyed the additional "No" phrases that have been laced in among the comments. Try this one on:
Q: "I know your horse usually runs at Churchill Downs, but did he win at Hialeah?"
A: "No, place, like home."
11
@Alan J
Glad you're here; thought of you with BATON.
Fun puzzle. Reminds me a bit of the Simpson's gag where Attorney Lionel Hutz changes his business card from saying "Works on contingency no money down" to "Works on contingency? No, money down!"
I miss Phill Harttman.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yuL6PcgSgM
4
Yes. Too bad Mrs Hartman didn't.
Always a pleasure to get a puzzle from Patrick Merrill!
That said, I thought this one was way too easy for a Thursday. A more interesting twist could have been introduced by cluing the "no" phrases by their authors.
Lots of proper names starting with "I" (including 52A).
6
@Dr W
No, no, no!
Perfect clues as they are.
(Doln't understand your reference to 52A.)
@Dr W I posted this much earlier, but I don’t think it has appeared. Patrick spells “Merrell” with no “i”
A great puzzle inspires great comments. So there's that. I can wait till tomorrow for a tough puzzle. (Was America's Mayor serious? No, fooling.)
1
@twoberry
I'd replace the "folling" with another word that commonly follows "No."
This puzzle was great fun and the comments were fun too. It was any easy Thursday, but I needed that this week. Thanks to all for the smiles.
2
Q. Do seniors still rock and roll?
A. No. Country for old men.
26
@Viv
I am reposting Amitai's response to Viv's post below, for context. I don't think comments are 100% healed yet but we'll get there. This may wind up being a duplicate but better twice than not at all:
Amitai Halevi
from Naharia, Israel
• about 2 hours ago
View Details
@Viv It was gratifying to be able to fulfill my commitment to meet you at the Penguin, which has become my home (not far) away from home. The encounter was an unalloyed pleasure. I enjoyed toay’s puzzle less than yesterday’s. The theme was amusing, and the themed answers were easilily discernable and helped complete the fill. However, there were too many unknowns that required assistance from Google, viz the name/game Natick RUXPIN/XBOX.
4
I see that Order has been restored to The Universe... in time for a quirky Patrick Merrell puzzle.
Aside from my wanting FAKE for the Shakespeare signature, this one was an easy solve, though I was slightly slowed by the identification of ISAAC as a patriarch. Hmm....
My guess is that Teddy RUXPIN is going to have a lot of people up in arms. Since I had children born in the early 80's, this was known to me--mainly because neither baby would have anything to do with him. That was an instant gimme for me.
Now I'll go stare hopelessly at my Genius-level List in the Wee Bee, where there are obviously hidden words that I can't suss out...
1
@Mean Old Lady
The Bee is a remarkably short list (22 words, 104 points) with only 3 unusual words. One is legalese, an extension of a word you already have; then there is the Russian cuisine pair we saw quite recently (singular and plural). Otherwise, there is one word that is sure to amuse – go (straight) for it! And don't miss the ball....
After coming thisclose to my first QB but falling short, I mixed some sparkling wine and peach nectar and enjoyed a restorative BELLINI.
@Mean Old Lady Is RUXPIN that obscure? It's before my time but it came to mind readily for me.
1
Enjoyable Thurs puzzle and not too tricksy. No complaints indeed, and playing the ‘No’ game is fun. Here’s an 80s inspired one:
Q: Are you ready to finish the puzzle?
A: No More Words.
3
Is the caption a test?
@Passion for Peaches
Bear no grudge.
2
@NICE CUPPA
Bear? No, grudge!
My favorite John Donne poem. [Note the third and fourth lines. Could that guy write, or what?]:
Thou hast made me, and shall thy work decay?
Repair me now, for now mine end doth haste,
I run to death, and death meets me as fast,
And all my pleasures are like yesterday;
I dare not move my dim eyes any way,
Despair behind, and death before doth cast
Such terror, and my feebled flesh doth waste
By sin in it, which it towards hell doth weigh.
Only thou art above, and when towards thee
By thy leave I can look, I rise again;
But our old subtle foe so tempteth me,
That not one hour I can myself sustain;
Thy grace may wing me to prevent his art,
And thou like adamant draw mine iron heart.
3
@PaulSFO
That was a real Upper. Plus it's raining here. Again.
1
@PaulSFO
"Death, be not proud" is another, and used as the title of a book by a father about his son dying of cancer. I'm tearing up just thinking about it again. Sorry. . .
2
That was John Gunther writing about his son -- the book came out in 1949 and was one of the first nonfiction pieces I remember reading.
If Patrick Merrell reads these comments, we may be seeing a much busier version of "The XWORD Blogger" next time.
This puzzle reminds me of the old signs:
NO
SMOKING
ALLOWED.
So this fellow asked the sign: will I get in trouble if I smoke here?
4
Hey RMP
That demands a repeat of this one:
A friend's relative got out of a parking violation ticket in Australia, when he argued before the court that the sign read:
FINE FOR PARKING
And my old favorite from Connecticut:
Permitted Vehicles Prohibited
9
@Robert Michael Panoff Smoking, cars, ... and also dogs. Thanks for reminding me of this old joke:
Security guard to inebriated dog-walker: The sign says no dogs.
I D-W: The sign is wrong.
3
Perhaps yesterday's comment fiasco left me in a confused state, but I thought today was Thursday. And while I enjoyed Patrick Merrell's puzzle, as I typically do, it just didn't feel like a Thursday.
On the subject of The Godfather movies (I and II), I highly recommend them to you, Caitlin. They are beautifully done and the acting is simply sublime. Besides Brando, young Keaton, DeNiro, Duvall, Cazale, Pacino, Shire ... I could go on. Sorry, if I sound like I am taking this "personal".
As for yesterday, should the New York Times comment crew have to work late to fix the snafu?
No, rest for the wicked.
6
Think yesterday's comments were with the fishes ....
1
Sorry, if I sound like I am taking this "personal".
It's all right, CS; we know it was just business.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFqgRFal35A
1
Q: "Is it true that Patrick Merrell is a Debbie Downer?
A: "NO, SENSE OF HUMOR!"
What a feel good puzzle from a funny, funny guy! A true CUT UP.
We even got a bonus comic and one of the most humorous clues of all time. I can literally see the CRAB sawing away at a fiddle.
Thank you, Patrick, for brightening my day!
10
To Patrick referring to illustration: It's great that you're not bitter!
Sorry if this has already been mentioned in the comments section, but the movie Godfather was based on a single Puzo novel, not a series.
4
LSR,
While movies 1 and 2 are drawn (or extended) from the novel The Godfather, I think 3 also draws upon Puzo's later "Mafia" novel "The Sicilian."
Enjoyed this easy, fun-themed Thursday!
Favorite clue has to be 64A "Fiddler on the Reef", and favorite all-time constructor note for including an illustration/comic strip. Predictions were right on the money.
Well done as always, Mr. Merrell!
9
I like Patrick Merrell, and I liked this puzzle.
3
And what about yesterday's puzzle?
NO COMMENT
And should I abstain today?
NO COMMENT
13
@Ron
Appreciated your help with the Wednesday blog. Thanks.
@RoseAnn M
You're welcome!
I had somehow managed to forget all about Teddy RUXPIN. Exceptional puzzle; loved it.
1
archaeoprof,
I'll do you one better (or worse): I somehow managed to never know about Teddy RUXPIN in the first place.
(Also liked the puzzle)
1
@archaeoprof
Re: Ruxpin: Youtube offers lots of memories: commercials, cartoons, live action video. . .
I remember taking my kids to see Ice Capades featuring Teddy Ruxpin. He skated but did not tell any stories. BTW, they did not have a Teddy Ruxpin, but he was still the highlight of the show for them.
Q: "How about more of that crossword glue?"
A: NOIFSANDSORBUTS
7
@Blue Moon, great answer. But the clue doesn’t quite work, I think
1
Julian,
Perhaps you would prefer:
Q: "Is that puzzle free of crossword glue?"
@Julian
Q: "Give it to me straight: do we need more glue?"
(Then A: = Q&A:)
I returned yesterday from a short family vacation in the north of the country, quickly did the three puzzles I'd missed, and came here to find no comments at all at an hour when there are usually a couple of dozen. What I tried to post, and couldn't, was: This was a learning experience - the lesser-known names were mostly unknown to me, but of course the downs provided the answers and I came away feeling TIL...
While "up north" I was happily able to meet with Amitai at the "legendary Penguin Cafe" in Nahariya, an appointment we made half a year ago right here in Wordplay, as some of you may remember (Leapy, I'm looking at you, suejean too). It was thoroughly delightful.
As was today's Patrick Merrell offering, and the cartoon!
5
@Viv
It was gratifying to be able to fulfill my commitment to meet you at the Penguin, which has become my home (not far) away from home. The encounter was an unalloyed pleasure.
I enjoyed toay’s puzzle less than yesterday’s. The theme was amusing, and the themed answers were easilily discernable and helped complete the fill. However, there were too many unknowns that required assistance from Google, viz the name/game Natick RUXPIN/XBOX.
Viv,
Delighted to hear that you and Amitai were able to meet!
"The encounter was an unalloyed pleasure."
Amitai (and Viv),
Great chemistry!
SB = 22/104. No bingo today (darned X!). The pangram is the longest word. There's a singular and plural form of the same food item. And one word that's very appropriate to the game!
5
@qatburger
I'm at 20/89....and I have all 3 of the ones you hint at, plus of course the pangram and related words. But I am cutting sashings and side-setting triangles today, and I must away. ...once again I'll await enlightenment in the wee hours.
1
I've typed in so many "words" that I'm sure are correct... I'm just realizing that they are prescription drug names I've picked up in tv commercials.
Caitlin's photo caption:
A spotted hermit crab stares at us disagreeably from its Mediterranean reef, off Turkey. These crabs are known for wearing light blue mascara and carrying tiny violins in their shells.
Caitlin,
Weather in Queens getting to you?
@Barry Ancona
I suppose that a "Fiddler on the reef" would need to carry its violin somewhere. Not so sure about the mascara however.
Andrew,
I loved the clue and entry. Luckily, Fact Boy was responding to an SOS and was too busy to point out that *fiddler* crabs don't live on reefs (they are found along sea beaches and brackish inter-tidal mud flats, lagoons and swamps). Caitlin's *hermit* crab would need a violin case; I assume the mascara is waterproof.
1
@Barry Ancona
Yes! And I usually like the dog days.
I didn't completely catch on to this until I was done. Most of this came together with the usual amount of work, but I really struggled in the very center - NOGREATSHAKES and multiple crosses of it - and ended with a couple of failed checks. I recognized RUXPIN after I had it filled in, but it was never going to emerge from my memory. Some other things just weren't dawning on me.
Early on I was thinking: This is a Thursday? But I'm more agreeable to it now. Patrick's cartoon was still the absolute highlight of the day and I CA'd when I saw it (Chuckled aloud).
2
@Rich in Atlanta
I had a very similar experience.
What a wonderful clever theme with nifty clues!!!
1
I liked the theme, but did find this puzzle a bit easy for a Thursday. I'm not complaining, just observing.
I was going to ask y'all to help me understand 22A, but then I looked again and realized it was something of a gimme.
2
Let me begin by saying BANGER & WIMPLE sounds like a law firm.
What a fun and clever theme! I don't ever remember seeing it before. Could have been titled, "What a difference a comma makes". It was the kind of theme that made me try to guess the answers with hardly any letters filled in, and I did get the last two, to my joy. It's also the kind of theme that makes my brain look for more possibilities (as others here have already done), to wit:
Is that Dre over there?
Will you agree with the ruling?
Does this game come with a spinner?
Are you unhurt?
Were you able to laugh it off?
Are you a real boy, Pinocchio?
NO, BIGGIE
NO, CONTEST
NO, DICE
NO, HARM DONE
NO, HARD FEELINGS
NO, STRINGS ATTACHED
18
Oh, now I feel bad about the NO, BIGGIE, as I just remembered he is no longer with us. I'm sorry I can't erase that one...
2
@Lewis Apropos your comment on what a difference a comma makes -- Eats, Shoots and Leaves is the perfect book on this subject.
4
@Lewis
As there is no punctuation in the grid, this may also do it:
Are you into Physical Culture?
NO. BODY'S PERFECT
6
Thank goodness the comments appearing again, but too late for me to post one for Wednesday's puzzle. Basically I agreed with what most everyone said, really found it a fun puzzle.
Likewise today. I like riddles, and trying to get these with as few crosses as possible. It was really 3 AHA moments as each one dawned on me.
Favourite non theme clue: Fiddler on the reef.
1
Loved Patrick Merrell’s cartoon. His comments were spot all for all!
Barry, I sure the column/cartoon were written before PM knew Deb would be away.
Glad comments are working again! Very much missed.
1
Ken,
My nit is to be picked with the editors, not the constructor. After all, "Deb Amlen is the crossword columnist for The New York Times," so "Deb" it should be in the illustration. The editors know Deb's schedule; I wish this puzzle had been slotted for last week or next week.
@Barry Ancona
The timing doesn't bother me at all. After all, it's Deb's personality that sets the tone.
I particularly love the "translation" of Jeff's comment. PM has captured him perfectly!
I've never really understood Amy's site.
and Elke
Re the Thursday puzzle by Patrick Merrell:
Upon RECAP, while some commenters think this puzzle NO GREAT SHAKES and that there seems to be NO RHYME OR REASON, I think anytime that we all are reminded that NO MAN IS AN ISLAND is not a bad situation.
Liked much of the cluing, especially 'meet stick'.
Long day, I hear a bell tolling- time for bed.
4
I'm a newbie to stats/ comments. Im guessing some folks have streaks that go for years?
Ps today fun again. Slow because I was watching a show with subtitles...
I believe some do have streaks that go on for hundreds of days, at least. My personal best is 17 because not only do you have to complete the puzzle without "check", you have to do it before a certain time -- I think it's before the next puzzle is published, but not sure about that -- and life has a tendency to intervene.
Actually, I found out when I recently broke a really long streak that the grace period for maintaining a streak is to complete a puzzle by the end of the NEXT day after it appears. (Knowing that beforehand might have allowed me to maintain the streak.)
@Doc Whiskey I'm currently at 200 days. I'm not particularly good at these but I can't resist maintaining the streak
Q: Is there only one interpretation of that theme entry?
A: No. Two ways about it.
28
A day late, I would like to thank Caitlin for the link to the live Venice webcam. Makes me want to return soon.
1
@Patrick
Yes! I've been checking in on it on and off all day.
1
My PB for a Thursday plus a giggle in the constructor’s notes. Thanks, y’all.
1
Q. Will some of the articles in The NY Times depress me?
A. No news is good news.
28
The cleverness of the puzzle was matched by Patrick's comments. Enjoyment all around.
3
The emergency message known popularly as SOS isn’t really SOS, and it isn’t a plea, either. Introduced originally by the German government in 1905 and then adopted by the International Radiotelegraphic Convention the following year, it is a nine-digit Morse character that looks like the letters SOS but without the spaces between the letters that define them as such. The purpose of the “SOS” call was not to call for help but to get everyone on the air to shut up so that the sender could then transmit the actual distress call, information about the location and severity of the emergency; the “plea” is implied. The radio operator on the Titanic had been sending the old Marconi distress signal CQD for some time without getting anybody’s attention when a ship’s officer suggested, in an access of gallows humor, that he ought to try SOS instead since it might be his last opportunity to do so.
6
Second day in a row with a PR, in addition to Saturday. That makes 3 of the last 6. I think I've hit a quantum leap in crossword abilities. Either that or we're on a run of easy puzzles and we're going to be walloped on Saturday.
1
@Tyler
What's a PR?
@Deadline
Personal Record (as is fastest time). Also, Personal Best.
@Deadline
Personal Record
Pleasant enough puzzle, but where's the *Thursday* puzzle?
(Constructor Notes are fun, but they don't make up for no Thursday puzzle. And Patrick, that's Caitlin, not Deb.)
5
Pleasant but easy. After the first pass, I did have a weird mishmash of letters for 17A and no idea how they were going to come together to form a phrase.
Liked Patrick's cartoon.
I wonder if the rest of the comments on the Wednesday puzzle will ever show up? Hope the problem was not caused by evil hackers.
1
Liz,
Tuesday puzzle comments sent in after 7 p.m. Tuesday finally showed up today about 6 p.m.
The first Wednesday puzzle comments were those submitted after 6 p.m. today.
BTW, "site-wide" failure meant all NYT comments, not just Wordplay comments.
LOL, Meet stick.
2
I liked it. I wouldn't describe it as: NO GREAT SHAKES! LOL
Never saw my comment from yesterday nor anyone else's!
1
The constructor notes were worth the price of the admission.
12
What happened yesterday ? Thursday puzzle quite easy, easier than Tuesday.
The comment system and its backup failed. Can’t remember this happening before. We will get a postmortem tomorrow or Friday and I’ll fill everyone in — at this point I don’t know myself.
@Caitlin
I had a problem with it on Tuesday as well, as I tried posting and it simply told me "There was an error". This happened around 10:15 EDT, and I tried for a bit before coming back later and successfully posting. Wednesday, not so much.
@JayTee
I had similar error messages but then posted successfully also.
Are comments back?
2
Apparently...
;-)
@Caitlin
.... or sleeping with the fishes ....
@Caitlin:
What's this new "Share" thing next to "Reply" and "Recommend"? It opens to a blank page with a grayed-out thing called "Permalink," whatever that means.
I see that the odd little ellipsis thingy has been replaced by a "Flag" option, which at least makes sense (at least if it still means what it used to mean).