What / who are the emus?
I'm wondering if someone could help me - I am suddenly unable to use "reveal," "check word," or any of the other options under the little circle icon. The only option that currently shows up is "clear puzzle" (and I DEFINITELY don't want to do that). I'm using the app on my iPhone. I couldn't find a contact email for NYT Crossword app help. This just started happening today.
Home late after seeing the new Beatles documentary "8 Days a Week<' which was great. Audience full of Beatlemaniacs.
Very easy Saturday for me. Got USEDCARSALESMAN off the S in LISA. Everything else fell fight into place. I always ask if the CAESARSALAD has anchovies--if so, I order something else.
Here's some Allman Bros. for Rich: "MELISSA," from the album "Eat a Peach":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yR5PX-4pcno
Very easy Saturday for me. Got USEDCARSALESMAN off the S in LISA. Everything else fell fight into place. I always ask if the CAESARSALAD has anchovies--if so, I order something else.
Here's some Allman Bros. for Rich: "MELISSA," from the album "Eat a Peach":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yR5PX-4pcno
1
Is it just me, or are the Saturday puzzles becoming easier than the Friday ones?
I hate to say it but for me to ace any puzzle from Thursday on is a rare occurrence.
This was one of those rare occurrences. But, to answer your question I'd have to say no, Saturdays really aren't getting easier. I'm just getting sharper. Ha, ha, ha! Just kidding! Notice I didn't even use lol.
This was one of those rare occurrences. But, to answer your question I'd have to say no, Saturdays really aren't getting easier. I'm just getting sharper. Ha, ha, ha! Just kidding! Notice I didn't even use lol.
I liked this puzzle just fine, especially since I only finished the anagram puzzle this morning. My, that was messy: the page looks like a crazy person has been at it.
If anyone's still interested, I posted a tip on anagramming along with my puzzle comments, here: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/15/crosswords/trapped.html?comments&_...
In between those was an as-ever challenging and ultimately satisfying Patrick Berry puzzle. I've said it before and will hopefully have many occasions to say it again: I start out certain that this is one of those ultra-rare Berrys that I will not finish, and then start s-l-o-w-l-y filling in answers and then at an accelerating pace until -- all done!
What more could you ask?
If anyone's still interested, I posted a tip on anagramming along with my puzzle comments, here: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/15/crosswords/trapped.html?comments&_...
In between those was an as-ever challenging and ultimately satisfying Patrick Berry puzzle. I've said it before and will hopefully have many occasions to say it again: I start out certain that this is one of those ultra-rare Berrys that I will not finish, and then start s-l-o-w-l-y filling in answers and then at an accelerating pace until -- all done!
What more could you ask?
2
Several wrong guesses (HARRY before BILBO, STUDENT before LEARNER, CHARLIE before MELISSA) slowed me down until enough other crosses led me to the long answers.
My only cluing cavil for today is that a RASP might be a welcome gift to a prisoner in a wooden cage but wouldn't be much help in cutting through steel bars --- the individual pointed teeth would quickly get dull. As several commenters pointed out, it's a file that is buried in the proverbial cake.
My only cluing cavil for today is that a RASP might be a welcome gift to a prisoner in a wooden cage but wouldn't be much help in cutting through steel bars --- the individual pointed teeth would quickly get dull. As several commenters pointed out, it's a file that is buried in the proverbial cake.
2
I had not even thought of Charley McCarthy! That would have been brilliant! Actually, could someone build a puzzle where all the theme clues were McCarthy? Paul, Charlie, Melissa, Joseph, Kevin, Cormac. . . .
1
Fun! Like my favorite tough puzzles, this seemed very hard at the beginning — no solid areas filled in — and then little by little it was possible to make guesses (many of them wrong!) that slowly filled everything in: AFFORD before IMPART, -MAS before -IAN, STUDENT before learner, INC. before TEL., ASSERT before ALLEGE, TREU before EVEN, ARIAL before AGATE, ERAL before EPIC, EMPTY before USE UP, CAKE before RASP, GESSUM (???) before GYPSUM. Not that you asked. (Also, NOES before BLTS for "Counter orders?" — where I'm not sure the pun is punny enough to merit a "?".)
Liked many of the long entries and seeing I'M SO MAD next to WHAT A DAY. Did not know most of the pop culture clues but that's OK. Never thought of LOANER, which luckily filled itself in from crossings. Still don't know why "King James, e.g." is CAV, but expect to find out soon.
Even with all the mistakes, it did not ultimately take a very long time to complete for a Saturday. I have more time on weekends, so would not have minded a longer challenge.
Liked many of the long entries and seeing I'M SO MAD next to WHAT A DAY. Did not know most of the pop culture clues but that's OK. Never thought of LOANER, which luckily filled itself in from crossings. Still don't know why "King James, e.g." is CAV, but expect to find out soon.
Even with all the mistakes, it did not ultimately take a very long time to complete for a Saturday. I have more time on weekends, so would not have minded a longer challenge.
3
Started with CRED and USED CAR SALESMAN which I put in for fun and was surprised when it fit. My dear dad, who never bought a car new, would say, every time we passed a certain used car lot, "There's Klip Joint Kleppenger's," and laugh uproariously. Just the word "lot" brings it all back. :) My suspicion is that Mr. K's cars were better than the ones Dad bought.
1
Jonathan Kimble "J. K." Simmons (61) is an American actor known for the television roles of Dr. Emil Skoda on the NBC series Law & Order. He also plays J. Jonah Jameson in Sam Raimi's Spider Man trilogy. He is also known for voicing Kai in Kung Fu Panda 3, among others,
But I haven’t seen any of that. I see him in the series of television commercials for FARMERS Insurance.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jeRfykU7Wv0
However, Simmons' performance in Whiplash earned an Oscar, the Golden Globe Award and the BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actor. So he must be good.
But I haven’t seen any of that. I see him in the series of television commercials for FARMERS Insurance.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jeRfykU7Wv0
However, Simmons' performance in Whiplash earned an Oscar, the Golden Globe Award and the BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actor. So he must be good.
3
I think he was the dad in Juno, too. Nice performance.
6
Got a bit of a start in NE, with gimmes GYPSUM and MADAM, a maybe with TWIG, and RASP replacing cake off of GYPSUM. Then stalled while I looked down the east coast until another gimme at AGATE. That was my toehold, and I proceeded smoothly clockwise from there.
Never heard of TITUS in SE, but RiA had introduced me to STEPH Curry. Loved ENAMELWARE (but why does it *always* get a chipped spot with the black showing through?).
[McCarthy in Hollywood] to me is Kevin, but I'm pretty sure I've heard of MELISSA. Dug up the name Stephen REA, but never heard of LISAx2.
CAV got explained above in the Comments, but I'm still left with BUC. I'm guessing there's a football team called Buccaneers. I did TWIG that Bulldog probably referred to a sports team, so after a few letters figured GATOR must be likewise, probably in Florida.
I kept looking for some other phrase meaning REAL ESTATE SALESMAN.
Had to look at TORI and its clue a few times before Oh, yeah, her.
I took Caitlin's advice and checked out FARMERS ONLY. Brief visit. Won't be repeated. City mouse here.
Had GOAL before FOUL LINE, but I know the latter from my long-ago bowling days. But actions there aren't called "shots," but something the emus don't like.
CAESAR SALADs are quite nice without the nasty little anchovies.
Overall, amusing, but more Tuesday or Wednesday rather than Saturday difficulty level.
Of course, for those of us who found Thursday a bonus, everything else is a let-down.
Never heard of TITUS in SE, but RiA had introduced me to STEPH Curry. Loved ENAMELWARE (but why does it *always* get a chipped spot with the black showing through?).
[McCarthy in Hollywood] to me is Kevin, but I'm pretty sure I've heard of MELISSA. Dug up the name Stephen REA, but never heard of LISAx2.
CAV got explained above in the Comments, but I'm still left with BUC. I'm guessing there's a football team called Buccaneers. I did TWIG that Bulldog probably referred to a sports team, so after a few letters figured GATOR must be likewise, probably in Florida.
I kept looking for some other phrase meaning REAL ESTATE SALESMAN.
Had to look at TORI and its clue a few times before Oh, yeah, her.
I took Caitlin's advice and checked out FARMERS ONLY. Brief visit. Won't be repeated. City mouse here.
Had GOAL before FOUL LINE, but I know the latter from my long-ago bowling days. But actions there aren't called "shots," but something the emus don't like.
CAESAR SALADs are quite nice without the nasty little anchovies.
Overall, amusing, but more Tuesday or Wednesday rather than Saturday difficulty level.
Of course, for those of us who found Thursday a bonus, everything else is a let-down.
2
My fastest Saturday solve. A break from my Thursday hangover!
3
Thought of writers before characters for 1A, so I wanted 'jules' or 'isaac' before BILBO. Wanted 'cake' or 'file' before RASP and tried 'leaf' before TWIG which worked with 'fresco' before GYPSUM. Wish I had I'M SO MAD and WHAT A DAY on Thursday. I AM a little surprised to see so many variations on USE -- NO USE/USE UP/USED CAR SALESMAN. Liked the clue for LOANER. Nicely done all around.
2
Ohhhhh. I thought it was no USE. I see now it is LOUSE. Never mind.
1
Hand up for trying Isaac and Jules, but I couldn't make any Ds work off of either.
Another hand up for wanting CAKE, but GYPSUM was a gimme and set me straight.
Another hand up for wanting CAKE, but GYPSUM was a gimme and set me straight.
1
LO USE is the opposite of HI USE.
File / Cake got me too.
File / Cake got me too.
1
I liked it a lot because Andrew offered some interesting entries that didn't cause me to rage quit.
The cluing was clever, too. I love SAY meaning "For instance" as Will uses that lot in his cluing. Or perhaps today it's Andrew's idea.
Fun Saturday, looking forward to tomorrow!
The cluing was clever, too. I love SAY meaning "For instance" as Will uses that lot in his cluing. Or perhaps today it's Andrew's idea.
Fun Saturday, looking forward to tomorrow!
1
Slow start then smooth sailing. Got my first toehold in the SW corner, and it was smooth sailing from there. One writeover: LOUSy / LOUSE.
I'm already forgetting that puzzle from earlier this week, was it Thursday?
I'm already forgetting that puzzle from earlier this week, was it Thursday?
1
Wow, this one was full of tricks, and I think I fell for every one of them! The GARDENERS/GUN RANGE pair at 37A/D
CROATIA/ALBANIA/ROMANIA guesses at 23D
FANS/ICES/ADES for the 2 'Summer coolers' (which where?)
ARIAL/ELITE/AGATE at long last for the type
Bitter END
.....but inexplicably, CAESAR SALAD went in instantly.
and hadn't we just been served DORITOS?
I am in a weakened condition, still, from Thursday, but have been upgraded to a soft-food diet....
CROATIA/ALBANIA/ROMANIA guesses at 23D
FANS/ICES/ADES for the 2 'Summer coolers' (which where?)
ARIAL/ELITE/AGATE at long last for the type
Bitter END
.....but inexplicably, CAESAR SALAD went in instantly.
and hadn't we just been served DORITOS?
I am in a weakened condition, still, from Thursday, but have been upgraded to a soft-food diet....
1
Nice puzzle; relatively easy for a Saturday.
Liked Caesar Salad crossing with the lesser used Romania lettuce.
Liked Caesar Salad crossing with the lesser used Romania lettuce.
5
Go to your room, RY.
You're under BUC arrest.
You're under BUC arrest.
5
This was quite the enjoyable solving experience for me and Linda. Loved the structure of the long stacks in the middle bisected by 2 puzzle length downs. CAESARSALAD was the first to be revealed. With only a few stumbles - ILLQUIT before IMSOMAD - filled in pretty EVENly. Liked learning about the history of payola and DORITOS - felt like a real LEARNER. Loved the clue for ORES having briefly studied geology in college. Though had a couple of lookups and confirms didn't let it cause a TEARUP. Not sure I understand what "...rules for writing" has to do with a NOTEPAD but it didn't leave me angst-ridden or moody.
Off to watch my niece get hitched! Weddings are so much fun....
Off to watch my niece get hitched! Weddings are so much fun....
1
NOTEPADs often have ruled paper.
Enjoy the wedding.
Enjoy the wedding.
1
NYTIMES before NOTEPAD. I was still thinking of those EMO emus.
1
What a nice Saturday, no checks and only one google. Wanted SALADE NIçOISE - though maybe somebody might dare to translate it to something like Niçois salad. It wouldn't Had SINGLESONLY before FARMERSONLY. After Thursday and a fairly difficult Friday, this was a nice change.
Deborah,
NIÇOISE works on my U.S. International keyboard. Are you using that French Canadian one?
NIÇOISE works on my U.S. International keyboard. Are you using that French Canadian one?
Surprisingly smooth solve for me too. I even wondered if I had forgotten to turn the AL timer back on after one of my breaks, but I don't think that was it.
Some really nice long entries in this one and just a bit of junk fill. Didn't dawn on me that FARMERSONLY might actually be a web site and so thought that was a weird clue. Got the right sense of 'lot' in the clue for 8d but thought of valets and repo men before the crossings led me to the right answer. 'Sitting TARGET' didn't ring a bell with me. I would think more of 'sitting duck.' Note to Jeff Chen: yes, it is very commonly called a FOUL LINE.
I had decided last night that I was going to start focusing more on improving my solving skills than fretting over each day's puzzle, so I think I was a little more detached this morning. I was trying to take note of mis-directions that I didn't catch, what were the key letters in 'seeing' an answer, really noticing letter patterns and so on. I thought at first that that might have accounted in part for this being an easier than expected Saturday, but I see that most everyone else found it kind of easy also, so I really don't know it that contributed.
We only have one day left in this week, so I guess tomorrow is going to be Jeff's POW. I don't always agree with him, but I am intrigued to see what's in store.
Some really nice long entries in this one and just a bit of junk fill. Didn't dawn on me that FARMERSONLY might actually be a web site and so thought that was a weird clue. Got the right sense of 'lot' in the clue for 8d but thought of valets and repo men before the crossings led me to the right answer. 'Sitting TARGET' didn't ring a bell with me. I would think more of 'sitting duck.' Note to Jeff Chen: yes, it is very commonly called a FOUL LINE.
I had decided last night that I was going to start focusing more on improving my solving skills than fretting over each day's puzzle, so I think I was a little more detached this morning. I was trying to take note of mis-directions that I didn't catch, what were the key letters in 'seeing' an answer, really noticing letter patterns and so on. I thought at first that that might have accounted in part for this being an easier than expected Saturday, but I see that most everyone else found it kind of easy also, so I really don't know it that contributed.
We only have one day left in this week, so I guess tomorrow is going to be Jeff's POW. I don't always agree with him, but I am intrigued to see what's in store.
4
Ditto your last paragraph, RiA.
Well, some other stuff too, but especially the last paragraph.
BTW, I'm enjoying your stepwise and analytical approach to XWP and your solving of same.
Well, some other stuff too, but especially the last paragraph.
BTW, I'm enjoying your stepwise and analytical approach to XWP and your solving of same.
1
More compensation for Thursday? I finished this puzzle so quickly that the column hadn't posted yet (as I noted in the comments for yesterday's puzzle). When -- as in this case -- the long entries are immediately visible from the wheelhouse (or quickly identified on wheelhouse radar) and the fill is not too obscure, a Saturday almost feels like a themeless Wednesday. Even John's avatar was a snap (albeit earworm-inducing). I was fine with Thursday, but even after the easy Friday and Saturday, I suspect some solvers are still not calling it 49 Across.
1
NOT GONNA LIE, the devil/sadist in me wished 10D had been clued "Amos who released the 1994 album "Under the Pink" ;-)
4
Yeah, I think the rest of us are going to be perfectly happy to keep Thursday's puzzle squarely in the rear-view mirror!
1
Didn't you mean "Moas who released..."?
3
Several of you in this thread are truly evil people. (Not you, Erin.)
This was a different sort of solve, similar to Amitai's. I had almost nothing until CAESAR SALAD, ( used to be my husband's specialty) then pretty much sailed through as quickly as a Tuesday perhaps. Major help from a visiting friend who lived in Peru and gave me SOL, new to me.
Back up to the north, especially NW and my mind was nearly a complete blank. NOT GONNA LIE, I ended up revealing a letter here and there to finish.
I liked all the long answers so really had fun with this until that last bit.
I also liked the blog, Caitlin
Back up to the north, especially NW and my mind was nearly a complete blank. NOT GONNA LIE, I ended up revealing a letter here and there to finish.
I liked all the long answers so really had fun with this until that last bit.
I also liked the blog, Caitlin
3
This was a pleasant puzzle that offered little resistance. The offset triple stack and two long verticals made for a nice grid.
1
My Saturday morning Scrabble partner is indisposed, so I got to the puzzle earlier and clearer minded than usual. It nearly paid off. I made only two non- confirmatory lookups (LISA, UCLA), but confirmed several of the unknowns that came out of the crosses (e.g. TORI, AMU, TITUS, FARMERS ONLY) with Google during the solve.
Unfortunately, the NW refused to fall. I did not know PLUG, GATOR, SPACE CADET or LOANER as clued, forgot CRED – which I learned from an earlier puzzle, and had MAS before IAN. I needed two ‘reveal’s in order to clean up that final corner.
One amusing point: When CAV appeared, I associated it with an earlier King James than the mighty LeBron, King James 1 of the English civil war. A subsequent check corrected me: it was not James who led the Cavaliers against the Roundheads, but his son Charles, who eventually lost his head to them.
Unfortunately, the NW refused to fall. I did not know PLUG, GATOR, SPACE CADET or LOANER as clued, forgot CRED – which I learned from an earlier puzzle, and had MAS before IAN. I needed two ‘reveal’s in order to clean up that final corner.
One amusing point: When CAV appeared, I associated it with an earlier King James than the mighty LeBron, King James 1 of the English civil war. A subsequent check corrected me: it was not James who led the Cavaliers against the Roundheads, but his son Charles, who eventually lost his head to them.
3
You saved me from looking up the Stuart kings, Amitai.
And we had recently seen King James in relation to his Bible translation...
I agree, MOL, King James Bible reference yesterday was an "extended" misdirection for the King James clue today. Jus' sayin'. :)
1
If we see her again this weekend, we'll have a TRIO of people named TORI. Wouldn't that be a RIOT!
Even though I've solved many a Puns & Anagrams puzzle, this one was easier than Thursday's or even Friday's for that matter. BILBO gave me a quick NW toehold and it was smooth sailing the rest of the way.
LISA LISA made me think of the two LISA Rijkstras who have been in my life. My late daughter and my niece-in-law. That relation isn't in my dictionary, so should I say, my nephew's wife?
Even though I've solved many a Puns & Anagrams puzzle, this one was easier than Thursday's or even Friday's for that matter. BILBO gave me a quick NW toehold and it was smooth sailing the rest of the way.
LISA LISA made me think of the two LISA Rijkstras who have been in my life. My late daughter and my niece-in-law. That relation isn't in my dictionary, so should I say, my nephew's wife?
1
You got BILBO right away, Kiki? My mind was on a nearby track and wanted ISAAC as I moved along, but it didn't mesh with IMPART-CRED-STRUT.
I also wanted Christ-MAS instead of Christ-IAN, although I like M Ashwood-Smith and I Livengood equally. Even/ especially after this Thursday.
I also wanted Christ-MAS instead of Christ-IAN, although I like M Ashwood-Smith and I Livengood equally. Even/ especially after this Thursday.
LF>You got BILBO right away, Kiki?
My only crossing was BUC. I have a friend who had a cat named BILBO.
My only crossing was BUC. I have a friend who had a cat named BILBO.
1
Doughnuts for everybody!
doughnuts - get it?
doughnuts - get it?
1
Martin, I’m not sure about this puzzle. I need to get smarter about Saturday puzzles.
Yesterday’s avatar was Peter Nero. This is Chicago’s own United Airlines theme song in which Mr. Nero is amazing:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4ZqsA7D7IU
Yesterday’s avatar was Peter Nero. This is Chicago’s own United Airlines theme song in which Mr. Nero is amazing:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4ZqsA7D7IU
This insurance company has the worst e-commerce capability on their web site. They double-billed my home insurance premium to my credit card while I was on vacation and I had to take time to get it fixed. Very annoying. But he's okay.
Seven hits tonight for Mr. Avatar, so I'll recuse myself.
.
Neil Patrick Harris made a great joke about this guy and Martin's insurance company. Totally reliant on context. I like guys who use initials BTW. Was expecting Duran Duran or Tone Tone Tone.
Was there a preveal for Friday? NERO is right in the grid; a bit straightforward for a themeless.
Neil Patrick Harris made a great joke about this guy and Martin's insurance company. Totally reliant on context. I like guys who use initials BTW. Was expecting Duran Duran or Tone Tone Tone.
Was there a preveal for Friday? NERO is right in the grid; a bit straightforward for a themeless.
1
Easiest Saturday puzzle ever , maybe a gift for the ridiculous Thursday anagram puzzle.
3
went smoothly. Just kept plugging away. liked ades and ices. fairly easy for a Saturday.
Hey, Caitlin,
Would I'M SO MAD sound less forced? Crossing AMU.
Not the world's toughest Saturday puzzle, but it kept me scratching and clawing for a few minutes before I managed to crack my way in little by little.
I'm afraid those Swiss-cheesy memory holes are catching up with me more and more. But then there are those bits of pop culture that never found their way into the old brain pan to start with, Swiss cheese or no.
Would I'M SO MAD sound less forced? Crossing AMU.
Not the world's toughest Saturday puzzle, but it kept me scratching and clawing for a few minutes before I managed to crack my way in little by little.
I'm afraid those Swiss-cheesy memory holes are catching up with me more and more. But then there are those bits of pop culture that never found their way into the old brain pan to start with, Swiss cheese or no.
1
That M in "I'm So Bad" was my last square to chip away.
I love Swiss cheese.
I love Swiss cheese.
I'd have got that had it been ___ ben Adhem (sp?) from the poem....
Oh, strike that! AMU was correct. I had ABU? in the margin because it sounded better with Darya, and I have seen people quit on things in a pet because they're SO BAD at (the game, the skill, the whatever.) It was a toss-up.