Tuesday puzzle has memorial to Kenny Baker, R2-D2.
.
That may not be of interest, RMP, to people reading the Monday Puzzle blog Comments prior to embarking on Tuesday's Crossword (a not-uncommon order in which to pursue those activities).
You know, because of the ARTOODETOO theme & grid entry.
That may not be of interest, RMP, to people reading the Monday Puzzle blog Comments prior to embarking on Tuesday's Crossword (a not-uncommon order in which to pursue those activities).
You know, because of the ARTOODETOO theme & grid entry.
I guess if R2D2 isn't clearly a spoiler, that can always be rectified?
"Someone's Gonna Pay" but not me, at least not for reading this column. This evening I reached my 10 of 10 articles for the Times, but it still let me read today's blog and the comments. I can't read any other Times section, but it does look good for not having to pay again to read the blog/column/comments.
3
I solve using the app (iOS version). Recently there was a change, now when I click on the link to the wordplay blog it takes me to a page that has links to many days worth of blog posts. This is a change for the worse for those of us who don't always a puzzle on the day of publication.
Hi David,
Yes, the initial move has us linking to the main page. Sorry about that.
We're hoping to be able to start linking to individual posts in the future.
Yes, the initial move has us linking to the main page. Sorry about that.
We're hoping to be able to start linking to individual posts in the future.
I think it's an improvement to have the link send us to a page with a choice of days.
It's simple enough to click on the current day's link. But sometimes people make a comment that refers to something said in an earlier column or comment, and I would usually skip over that because navigation to earlier days' Wordplay was a nightmare. Now it's easy.
It'd be even easier of Wordplay were searchable. I don't really need that, since I seldom want to go back to earlier posts, but some WPers do it a lot. I hate to think of the poor things having to do all that extra work.
It's simple enough to click on the current day's link. But sometimes people make a comment that refers to something said in an earlier column or comment, and I would usually skip over that because navigation to earlier days' Wordplay was a nightmare. Now it's easy.
It'd be even easier of Wordplay were searchable. I don't really need that, since I seldom want to go back to earlier posts, but some WPers do it a lot. I hate to think of the poor things having to do all that extra work.
It is searchable. There's a search function right next to the tab that says "Latest." Of course, I've never tried it. :)
John,
You're on a ROLL today. Keep 'em coming.
You're on a ROLL today. Keep 'em coming.
1
1
Golf balls ROLL.
And nobody rolled them better than Justin Rose did in winning the Gold at the Olympics in Rio last week. He was the first winner of an Olympic medal in golf since 1904.
Rose (36) is an English professional golfer who plays most of his golf on the PGA Tour (with 7 wins), while keeping his membership on the European Tour (with 7 wins). He won his first major championship at the 2013 U.S. Open, becoming the first English player to win a major since Nick Faldo in 1996 and the first to win the U.S. Open since Tony Jacklin in 1970.
That gold medal also likely assured Rose that he will be in Golf’s Hall of Fame. END OF STORY.
And nobody rolled them better than Justin Rose did in winning the Gold at the Olympics in Rio last week. He was the first winner of an Olympic medal in golf since 1904.
Rose (36) is an English professional golfer who plays most of his golf on the PGA Tour (with 7 wins), while keeping his membership on the European Tour (with 7 wins). He won his first major championship at the 2013 U.S. Open, becoming the first English player to win a major since Nick Faldo in 1996 and the first to win the U.S. Open since Tony Jacklin in 1970.
That gold medal also likely assured Rose that he will be in Golf’s Hall of Fame. END OF STORY.
2
Also at age 17 he won the silver medal for best amateur at The open in 1998.
1
Rose played well. I was hoping the defending olympic champion would be there to defend, but no such luck.
3
Busy on the very senior circuit...
1
Breezy Monday. Another puzzle where the theme didn't register until I was done and went back to look for it.
I've got some XWP solvers in my FAMILYTREE--METOO, so perhaps it's INBORN.
Clue and answer for 34D furrowed my brow, considering the recent news cycle.
Heavy metallers Judas Priest, from 1984, with "Some HEADS Are Gonna ROLL":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDQjtCfUhPw
I've got some XWP solvers in my FAMILYTREE--METOO, so perhaps it's INBORN.
Clue and answer for 34D furrowed my brow, considering the recent news cycle.
Heavy metallers Judas Priest, from 1984, with "Some HEADS Are Gonna ROLL":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDQjtCfUhPw
2
Same reaction to 34D. Sheesh!
BTW, after having disappeared for a bit, the commercial with the cute little piggy is being aired quite regularly again. I have named him Jimbo.
BTW, after having disappeared for a bit, the commercial with the cute little piggy is being aired quite regularly again. I have named him Jimbo.
3
Oh, that's marvelous, DL! Honestly made me laugh out loud. :-D
1
Very nice, breezy Monday, with a theme that rises above the "word that follows/precedes X" stuff.
Especially liked the long Ds.
Kvibble at 24D: BLTS are usually served "on toast" but are not "toasted," which sounds like a really bad idea.
Never heard of Alex and ANI.
Especially liked the long Ds.
Kvibble at 24D: BLTS are usually served "on toast" but are not "toasted," which sounds like a really bad idea.
Never heard of Alex and ANI.
1
Deadline,
Somebody will undoubtedly come up with a citation for "toasted sandwich" meaning a sandwich served on toast.
(You say panino, I say piano.)
Somebody will undoubtedly come up with a citation for "toasted sandwich" meaning a sandwich served on toast.
(You say panino, I say piano.)
1
That is probably true, Barry.
We have, after all, seen citations for "ice tea" and "can goods."
If a sandwich served on toast is called a "toasted sandwich," what would you call a toasted cheese sandwich?
Piano ROLL.
We have, after all, seen citations for "ice tea" and "can goods."
If a sandwich served on toast is called a "toasted sandwich," what would you call a toasted cheese sandwich?
Piano ROLL.
2
DL, I would call that "grilled" but I doubt very many people use grills to cook them. On our honeymoon in Ireland one of our favorite lunches became a "toastie" and a pint - essentially a toasted/grilled cheese and tomato sandwich - which could be found in any public house in any town we happened to be driving through. The downside was then finding a LOO down the road for Linda to use to recycle the Guiness ;)
1
I'm sorry, but MALT, the answer to 23 across in today's puzzle, is not a grain. Malt can be many grains together that have been soaked & sprouted and then dried again. A grain is wheat, corn, rice, barley, etc. Mr. Short should be doing a better editing job.
2
I think we'd agree with the dictionary definition of malt:
"grain (as barley) softened by steeping in water, allowed to germinate, and used especially in brewing and distilling."
The question then is, does grain stop being grain after it's malted? I don't think it does, but I understand your position. (I too might have objected to "a grain," which is the phrase you use, unlike the clue.)
"grain (as barley) softened by steeping in water, allowed to germinate, and used especially in brewing and distilling."
The question then is, does grain stop being grain after it's malted? I don't think it does, but I understand your position. (I too might have objected to "a grain," which is the phrase you use, unlike the clue.)
OM --
I agree that MALT is not "a grain," as you say.
But it *is* "grain," which is what the clue says.
Copy desk
I agree that MALT is not "a grain," as you say.
But it *is* "grain," which is what the clue says.
Copy desk
1
It's been a while since I've made my own beer so I may be a little rusty on the terminology. But if my memory serves I almost always used malted barley as the basis for producing the wort (I only ever made ales). The fist step was to gently bruise the grain so that the sugars wee more easily released during the boil. I always thought of malt as more of a process than an object but I can't argue with the dictionary definition.
I also seem to remember Colt 45 was the first beer I ever got a buzz from more years ago than I care to remember. And I believe that was called malt liquor. Sorry, rambling now. Had no issue with the clue and the answer....Cheers!
I also seem to remember Colt 45 was the first beer I ever got a buzz from more years ago than I care to remember. And I believe that was called malt liquor. Sorry, rambling now. Had no issue with the clue and the answer....Cheers!
1
This one was my all-time fastest Monday. Loved it!
4
LEGOs have been in several puzzles lately! Ah, the memories--
Trabucco? Isn't that an ancient war engine? (juuuust kidding, I know the word is 'trebuchet,' but Sam's name gave me the instant association, and I can't shake it.
This seemed a little more challenging than most Mondays--or maybe I should not solve at 4 a.m.--but I loved all the themers, and I was grateful not to have to come up with obscure first names of the long-departed.
Come back soon, Sam!
Trabucco? Isn't that an ancient war engine? (juuuust kidding, I know the word is 'trebuchet,' but Sam's name gave me the instant association, and I can't shake it.
This seemed a little more challenging than most Mondays--or maybe I should not solve at 4 a.m.--but I loved all the themers, and I was grateful not to have to come up with obscure first names of the long-departed.
Come back soon, Sam!
2
A trabucco is also an old fishing platform used along the coast of southern Italy.
1
What a TREAT to start the week. Yes, Sam I did enjoy it. I think I got the ROLL connection just about as I was figuring out the reveal, very clever. I think it would work as a Tuesday as well.
3
Anybody else think of the guillotine after getting HEADSWILLROLL? I really need to lighten up.
Actually I loved the reveal because it is so active ( don't go there!) and I needed it to figure out the theme. I thought it was cool that we get some really fun phrases with ROLL following the HEAD of the phrase and also that EGGs, BARRELs, DRUMs and LOGs really do ROLL. You would be hard pressed to beat a drum roll while the drum is rolling however.
Thank you, Sam Trabucco, for a really fun, easy Monday. I think Rhett Bartlett said it best, "This puzzle has made my working week, and made me love the NYT crossword forever."
This is exactly what a Monday level puzzle is supposed to do. Well done, indeed, Sam!
Actually I loved the reveal because it is so active ( don't go there!) and I needed it to figure out the theme. I thought it was cool that we get some really fun phrases with ROLL following the HEAD of the phrase and also that EGGs, BARRELs, DRUMs and LOGs really do ROLL. You would be hard pressed to beat a drum roll while the drum is rolling however.
Thank you, Sam Trabucco, for a really fun, easy Monday. I think Rhett Bartlett said it best, "This puzzle has made my working week, and made me love the NYT crossword forever."
This is exactly what a Monday level puzzle is supposed to do. Well done, indeed, Sam!
6
Smooth and easy Monday and a nice theme. I thought that Deb 'got' it. The 'inserted' thing may have been a bit confusing, but I thought the paragraph below that made it clear that she understood what was going on.
Some nice pairings of short fill in this - PBJ and BLTS, MOD and FAB, plus REX and AMY (with WILL right in the middle).
8d: Actually knew this one. First time I remember getting a rapper from the clue. I wonder if Deadline remembers the cultural significance of Eight Mile Road in Detroit.
How many times have I linked PAPA Was a Rolling Stone? Oh, that many? All right, so I'll back to Detroit with Mitch Ryder, whose songs always seemed to be two songs. Jenny Take a Ride:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TrOvQ9JAf3g
Ooh - and I finished the Mini today in 18 seconds - my first time under 20. No typos is pretty much the key.
Some nice pairings of short fill in this - PBJ and BLTS, MOD and FAB, plus REX and AMY (with WILL right in the middle).
8d: Actually knew this one. First time I remember getting a rapper from the clue. I wonder if Deadline remembers the cultural significance of Eight Mile Road in Detroit.
How many times have I linked PAPA Was a Rolling Stone? Oh, that many? All right, so I'll back to Detroit with Mitch Ryder, whose songs always seemed to be two songs. Jenny Take a Ride:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TrOvQ9JAf3g
Ooh - and I finished the Mini today in 18 seconds - my first time under 20. No typos is pretty much the key.
3
Mamas and PAPAs on Monday:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h81Ojd3d2rY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h81Ojd3d2rY
3
Not quite as fast you on the Mini, but one of my better tines recently. No typos for a change, too.
1
I actually knew 8D too, RiA, because I remember being somewhat bemused when I heard of that song.
I'm pretty sure the "cultural significance" of EIGHT MILE ROAD came about after I had left Detroit. Or it may be that that thoroughfare is at the very north end of the city (and I think the part referred to is on the east side, but I'm not sure). I lived very far away (in an area called "northwest" but which is actually sort of at the south end of the far western part, but not, of course, as far south as Canada). We had similar lines of demarcation, but not much exposure to EIGHT MILE.
I'm pretty sure the "cultural significance" of EIGHT MILE ROAD came about after I had left Detroit. Or it may be that that thoroughfare is at the very north end of the city (and I think the part referred to is on the east side, but I'm not sure). I lived very far away (in an area called "northwest" but which is actually sort of at the south end of the far western part, but not, of course, as far south as Canada). We had similar lines of demarcation, but not much exposure to EIGHT MILE.
1
I was looking for puzzle answers to which ROLL could also naturally follow, and had no success, but the search gave me a couple of smiles, with REX ROLL and RIG ROLL (both of which remind me of rick roll), COAL ROLL (which nicely rolls, as it were, off the tongue), and LOCK and ROLL (robot-style dancing to a driving beat).
An excellent puzzle for people new to crosswords, giving them confidence to keep at it (echoing Sam, and see @rhett below). The grid is spotless, and the theme is a good introduction to themes. I don't think that many beginners will feel in over their heads. In fact, this puzzle has an INN under one's HEAD.
An excellent puzzle for people new to crosswords, giving them confidence to keep at it (echoing Sam, and see @rhett below). The grid is spotless, and the theme is a good introduction to themes. I don't think that many beginners will feel in over their heads. In fact, this puzzle has an INN under one's HEAD.
1
I can retire happy now.
Monday crossword completed in 12min 47sec, but more importantly, not without a single REVEAL tip.
I initially thought the theme was things that have it's head cut off (ie: a log, a barrel), and then I saw drumsticks and thought. hmmmm, surely they didn't go that far!
Thankfully not :)
This puzzle has made my working week, and made me love the NYT crossword forever.
Monday crossword completed in 12min 47sec, but more importantly, not without a single REVEAL tip.
I initially thought the theme was things that have it's head cut off (ie: a log, a barrel), and then I saw drumsticks and thought. hmmmm, surely they didn't go that far!
Thankfully not :)
This puzzle has made my working week, and made me love the NYT crossword forever.
9
Yay you, Rhett!!
and Elke
We start on an easy Monday. ENTERed EGG ROLLS instead of -HUNTS so the rest was a given. Had a typo of GOlEM before GOTEM. And did try some extra versions of AIOLI .
Now for the HEADS up : when I saw ROMANIA (aka RuMANIA) , and since we are still under the sign of the LE(G)OS , and KAT(I)E (but not Hepburn) was in the mini puzzle , I thought of that GAL Leapy who was BORN IN ROMANIA under that sign (I think). Or at least her ETHNO FAMILY TREE has roots there.
So a DRUMROLL please- Happy (belated ?) Birthday to the Woman of the Year.
We start on an easy Monday. ENTERed EGG ROLLS instead of -HUNTS so the rest was a given. Had a typo of GOlEM before GOTEM. And did try some extra versions of AIOLI .
Now for the HEADS up : when I saw ROMANIA (aka RuMANIA) , and since we are still under the sign of the LE(G)OS , and KAT(I)E (but not Hepburn) was in the mini puzzle , I thought of that GAL Leapy who was BORN IN ROMANIA under that sign (I think). Or at least her ETHNO FAMILY TREE has roots there.
So a DRUMROLL please- Happy (belated ?) Birthday to the Woman of the Year.
6
Sweet of you, thanks, R/Elke. Last week, but the festivities ran through Saturday.
Long stories about the Hungary-Ro/umania situation, as you well know. Oradea (Oh-rah-day-uh) may be easier to pronounce than Nagyvárad (Nuh-dzh-vuh-rad), but that was my father/sister; Budapesht was never in anything but Hungary. Kolosvar was not as lucky; and it should be remember that the Bánffy Castle is in Cluj, not Alberta.
Cheers!
Long stories about the Hungary-Ro/umania situation, as you well know. Oradea (Oh-rah-day-uh) may be easier to pronounce than Nagyvárad (Nuh-dzh-vuh-rad), but that was my father/sister; Budapesht was never in anything but Hungary. Kolosvar was not as lucky; and it should be remember that the Bánffy Castle is in Cluj, not Alberta.
Cheers!
6
Interesting, Leapy. My best friend in high school had the last name 'Oradei,' which is Italian. It was pronounced (locally) 'or day.' You can probably guess what his nickname was.
After high school (and after I dropped out of college) I lived with him for almost a year in a basement apartment on the north side of Chicago. That experience always reminds me of a line from a Jim Croce song: "Living in L.A., with my best old ex-friend Ray."
We got over it, and he was the best man at my wedding.
After high school (and after I dropped out of college) I lived with him for almost a year in a basement apartment on the north side of Chicago. That experience always reminds me of a line from a Jim Croce song: "Living in L.A., with my best old ex-friend Ray."
We got over it, and he was the best man at my wedding.
1
Happy (Belated) Birthday!
1
Martin, it's always interesting when there is confusion over a Monday theme. Makes one wonder what Mondays are for.
I think the answer HEADS WILL TOLL is merely saying that the first word in the theme answers WILL ROLL. It's a Monday. Not complicated.
So, Martin, if you can figure out the tie to the puzzle, let me know because I haven't yet.
I think the answer HEADS WILL TOLL is merely saying that the first word in the theme answers WILL ROLL. It's a Monday. Not complicated.
So, Martin, if you can figure out the tie to the puzzle, let me know because I haven't yet.
HEADS WILL TOLL seems to ring a bell. Didn't we just have a PIANO ROLL clue/entry? This Spring (roll) I had dinner (roll) on Columbia (roll on). Very nice.
John, perhaps it's the heat, but do some comments seem to be coming through rather warm? Not sure it's always D+roll.
I thought your avatar would be JellyROLL Morton.
Everyone still remember "Let's ROLL!"?
John, perhaps it's the heat, but do some comments seem to be coming through rather warm? Not sure it's always D+roll.
I thought your avatar would be JellyROLL Morton.
Everyone still remember "Let's ROLL!"?
6
Yes, Leapy. Some of us do.
And always will.
And always will.
3
I don't understand the controversy. Deb said EGG [ROLL] HUNTS before she said EGG ROLL. It didn't confuse me.
Anyway, I posted a bunch of the flora of Mendocino on Facebook yesterday. Perhaps that reached you subliminally.
Anyway, I posted a bunch of the flora of Mendocino on Facebook yesterday. Perhaps that reached you subliminally.
.
.
Rampiak from the Bay Area and Paul from Virginia have typed all that was needed re this puzzle.
I just have a general observation about Monday Crossword puzzles.
You have to be pretty good to get a crossword published in NYT. Yet, if you were to list a year's worth of Monday puzzles in order from most superb to least superb, half of them would rank in the lower 50%.
I hope all the magazine subscribers were able to get the PDF files to work on the weekend.
.
Rampiak from the Bay Area and Paul from Virginia have typed all that was needed re this puzzle.
I just have a general observation about Monday Crossword puzzles.
You have to be pretty good to get a crossword published in NYT. Yet, if you were to list a year's worth of Monday puzzles in order from most superb to least superb, half of them would rank in the lower 50%.
I hope all the magazine subscribers were able to get the PDF files to work on the weekend.
Monday with less EFFORT by having a number of recents show up again. (AIOLI, AMY, LEGO, LOG, BARREL, etc.)
1
Typical Monday experience... Didn't need the theme at any point.
BTB, I was under the impression that the US motto was 'e pluribus unum'... Somehow feel a bit miffed that it's actually not!
BTB, I was under the impression that the US motto was 'e pluribus unum'... Somehow feel a bit miffed that it's actually not!
5
It was adopted during the Cold War to help ward off Godless Communism.
1
That was two years after "under God" was added to the pledge of allegiance.
1
"In God We Trust" has been on coins since the Civil War. It became the official motto in 1956 and began to appear on paper money in 1957.
2
After I finished the puzzle, I stared and stared to try to figure out the theme. Deb, with all respect, I agree with Barry. I think the theme is that you can add ROLL after the "head" (first word) of each theme phrase--EGG ROLL, BARREL ROLL, DRUM ROLL, LOG ROLL. For a while I was trying to match HEAD up with theme phrases--HEAD HUNTS--but it didn't work anywhere else. And ROLL HUNTS, ROLL RACE, ROLL STICKS, and ROLL CABIN don't make any sense to me.
Other than that puzzlement, nothing too hard about this one! Enjoyed it. Oops, phone ringing. Back later, maybe.
Other than that puzzlement, nothing too hard about this one! Enjoyed it. Oops, phone ringing. Back later, maybe.
3
This required a little more EFFORT than most Mondays, but nothing TOO BAD. END OF STORY.
3
Yes, these have all been used before with the word ROLL included:
RegEx Mode: 12* results for regular expression
^(EGG|BARREL|DRUM|LOG)ROLL
BARRELROLL DRUMROLL DRUMROLLPLEASE
EGGROLL ... LOGROLL ...
*The number now includes XWord Info Word List entries which aren't displayed unless you have an Xword Info Angel account. Anyone have that?
RegEx Mode: 12* results for regular expression
^(EGG|BARREL|DRUM|LOG)ROLL
BARRELROLL DRUMROLL DRUMROLLPLEASE
EGGROLL ... LOGROLL ...
*The number now includes XWord Info Word List entries which aren't displayed unless you have an Xword Info Angel account. Anyone have that?
1
Hi Deb,
Maybe it's the heat, but either I'm missing part of the theme or I'm finding that you're making the theme seem more complicated than it is.
You say 51A can be read as DRUM [ROLL] STICKS. i don't see that.
I see DRUMSTICKS (the literal entry) or DRUMROLL (the "themer" alternate with "roll" attached to the "head" of the entry), and that's it, which seems reasonably "Monday."
What, if anything, am I missing?
Maybe it's the heat, but either I'm missing part of the theme or I'm finding that you're making the theme seem more complicated than it is.
You say 51A can be read as DRUM [ROLL] STICKS. i don't see that.
I see DRUMSTICKS (the literal entry) or DRUMROLL (the "themer" alternate with "roll" attached to the "head" of the entry), and that's it, which seems reasonably "Monday."
What, if anything, am I missing?
3
I had the same initial reaction to Deb's list, Barry, but I don't think that's what was intended. I think she was just listing the entries and showing where the ROLL would go, after the "head." It's a little clearer in the next paragraph that the ROLL isn't to follow the "head *and* come between the two parts of the clue.
I think.
I think.
1
Yes, what Deadline said. My apologies for not making it clearer. I had an interesting weekend of explaining to people where the Spelling Bee was.
I've clarified it (hopefully) in the post.
I've clarified it (hopefully) in the post.
1
Deb -- I give up: where was the Spelling Bee?
(Clearer now)
(Clearer now)
1
I got a chuckle from a false jump I made, having entered "STEL," to the mariner's patron "STELLA" = a star, by which one might navigate. Siriusly...
Then I got the -M and had to reimagine STELM (Elm Street backwards?)...then the aha.
Then I got the -M and had to reimagine STELM (Elm Street backwards?)...then the aha.
2
LOL, D.C., but ...
You're Fired!
You're Fired!
2