I meant to comment that STEP INS are *not* a type of shoe in my book. They are an item of lingerie--slightly out-dated terminology, but I've never said anything but 'slip-ons' for an easy-on shoe.....
Yes, I agree!
Erratum? Cooking abbreviation should be either (plural) TBLSP or TSP in my book .
MONDAYS PUZZLE!
The Hubster and I do the puzzle at the same time; he with pencil and paper, I with Across Lite. Today, he struggled and struggled (and struggled) over 64D, which amused me greatly, since it is his pet peeve! As the haiku editor of a Medical Humanities journal, he is on the distribution list of several list servers, and I will on occasion hear a faint "Arrrrrgh" from his office as yet one more person replies to all instead of replying only to the person who sent the original email. MISSENT, indeed. Among other things, including "clueless."
2
I would like to thank everyone for being supportive in yesterday's comments, and I offer my sincere apologies to all, especially Leapfinger, for my misinterpretations. I hope there are no hard feelings, because there will certainly not be any from me.
It is difficult joining a new blog, particularly given all the comments that I have been submitting lately. I agree there can be many hidden intricacies and nuances involved in posting online. It take times to get to know people, especially remotely. (And even remotely!)
By the way, I try to research responses before posting as well as read the comments first -- my "as many others ..." phrase in my second comment was there simply because I failed to do that yesterday but just assumed others would have already said something similar for those clues. In this case, I had just finished the puzzle and was presenting my immediate thoughts on it at that time, really just to provide another solver "data point." And of course I had gotten myself worked up over this other thing.
I have definitely been enjoying these puzzles and the column/blog, and believe me, I have no intention of trying to spoil the fun. Especially for someone new, in a sea of comments from so many smart, seasoned, and gifted people, it's a lot of trial and error with these postings. And lately for me, obviously, that would be more on the side of error.
So ... LIVE and LEARN? Well, I learned something today ...
Best, Blue Moon
It is difficult joining a new blog, particularly given all the comments that I have been submitting lately. I agree there can be many hidden intricacies and nuances involved in posting online. It take times to get to know people, especially remotely. (And even remotely!)
By the way, I try to research responses before posting as well as read the comments first -- my "as many others ..." phrase in my second comment was there simply because I failed to do that yesterday but just assumed others would have already said something similar for those clues. In this case, I had just finished the puzzle and was presenting my immediate thoughts on it at that time, really just to provide another solver "data point." And of course I had gotten myself worked up over this other thing.
I have definitely been enjoying these puzzles and the column/blog, and believe me, I have no intention of trying to spoil the fun. Especially for someone new, in a sea of comments from so many smart, seasoned, and gifted people, it's a lot of trial and error with these postings. And lately for me, obviously, that would be more on the side of error.
So ... LIVE and LEARN? Well, I learned something today ...
Best, Blue Moon
11
Good to see you posting again, Blue Moon!
Welcome back.
Welcome back.
3
What Barry said.
Please know that one thing that distinguishes this forum from so many on the internet--even those devoted to XWPs--is an overall tone of civility and respect. There've been missteps, but we've been able to get past them.
Another thing that I trip over a lot: My habit is to do the puzzle, read Deb's column, read Jeff's xwordinfo remarks, and come to the Comments section. I click on Oldest so that I can read the main comments in the order submitted before making my own comment-in-chief. Sometimes--okay, frequently--as I'm reading, I run across a comment that I want to reply to, and I do. Then I go on reading and see that someone has already made my point, often much better than I had done. I suspect that if I held off until my C-i-C, I'd still miss stuff that had posted while I was reading. You can't keep up.
So, please, stick around and keep sharing your thoughts with us.
Please know that one thing that distinguishes this forum from so many on the internet--even those devoted to XWPs--is an overall tone of civility and respect. There've been missteps, but we've been able to get past them.
Another thing that I trip over a lot: My habit is to do the puzzle, read Deb's column, read Jeff's xwordinfo remarks, and come to the Comments section. I click on Oldest so that I can read the main comments in the order submitted before making my own comment-in-chief. Sometimes--okay, frequently--as I'm reading, I run across a comment that I want to reply to, and I do. Then I go on reading and see that someone has already made my point, often much better than I had done. I suspect that if I held off until my C-i-C, I'd still miss stuff that had posted while I was reading. You can't keep up.
So, please, stick around and keep sharing your thoughts with us.
2
Thanks for the post, Blue Moon. I, too, find it challenging to navigate and comment appropriately sometimes being relatively new - not due to any behavior of the other commenters but mostly because of my own social awkwardness which crops up now and then. I used to read another blog but found the author rather too negative at times which cascaded down into the comments. So I gave up on that - life's too short - and have been immensely happier in this environment. So I echo what Barry and DL have said - stick around and keep on sharing!
For 86A, I assumed that "Drops a line" referred to fishing; thus, "ANGLES".
4
Hi Jon,
Welcome aboard, but that train left 18 hours ago.
Welcome aboard, but that train left 18 hours ago.
2
More tips for new solvers: Today's topic is ending letters. Obviously if you have a clue that suggests a plural, go ahead and fill in an 'S' at the end. But there are other common ending letters that can also be guessed if you're stuck.
Specifically lets look at 'ING, 'ED,' and 'ER,' all very common. Clues: It is not at all uncommon for words ending in any of those patterns to have a clue that includes a word ending in the same pattern. Of today's 6 theme answers, 3 had a clue that included a word ending in ING (and in two of the others the ING words were nouns). So when you see an ING word in a clue, it's worth considering sticking the ING at the end of the answer. Other common clues for ING answers include words like 'activity' or 'performance' or similar constructions.
Past tense verbs ending in ED are often clued with a word with the same pattern in the answer, but if you see ANY clue that suggests a past tense verb, consider going ahead and sticking the ED on the end of the answer.
ER: Two common possibilities here - a noun (e.g. RUNNER) or a comparative adjective (NICER). Again in either case it's common to see a similar word in the clue. But for nouns, you also often see something like "One who..." or "Person..." or something similar. For comparative adjectives, by far the most common clues are "More.." or "Less..." or "Not so..." or "comparatively.."
Again, all of this is just for when you're stuck, but sometimes just a couple of free letters can help.
Specifically lets look at 'ING, 'ED,' and 'ER,' all very common. Clues: It is not at all uncommon for words ending in any of those patterns to have a clue that includes a word ending in the same pattern. Of today's 6 theme answers, 3 had a clue that included a word ending in ING (and in two of the others the ING words were nouns). So when you see an ING word in a clue, it's worth considering sticking the ING at the end of the answer. Other common clues for ING answers include words like 'activity' or 'performance' or similar constructions.
Past tense verbs ending in ED are often clued with a word with the same pattern in the answer, but if you see ANY clue that suggests a past tense verb, consider going ahead and sticking the ED on the end of the answer.
ER: Two common possibilities here - a noun (e.g. RUNNER) or a comparative adjective (NICER). Again in either case it's common to see a similar word in the clue. But for nouns, you also often see something like "One who..." or "Person..." or something similar. For comparative adjectives, by far the most common clues are "More.." or "Less..." or "Not so..." or "comparatively.."
Again, all of this is just for when you're stuck, but sometimes just a couple of free letters can help.
3
Addendum: The best tip I could give to beginning solvers is to go to Patrick Berry's website, which is A-Frame Games (a search on that and his name will get you there), spend 10 bucks and download his 'Crossword Constructor's Handbook.' Even if you're not interested in constructing, it's a very interesting read, but it also includes some stuff that is very helpful to solvers.
Specifically, in Chapter 3 he has a chart of the most common letters in crossword answers, but he also breaks it down by the most common beginning and ending letters, and has some specific notes on short letter patterns and combinations. He notes, for example, that the most common last letters in answers are D, E, G, N, R, S, T and Y (those are in alphabetic order - not according to which is most common). I have a simple mnemonic to remember those, which is based on "Thank You Ellen." It can be very helpful at times.
He also notes that over 75% of answers that end in 'G' actually end in ING. I have used that more than once as a good possible guess in an area where I'm completely stuck. It's just a couple of letters, but even one letter can sometimes be the key to opening something up.
I won't list any more of his tips. Ten bucks and they're all yours.
Specifically, in Chapter 3 he has a chart of the most common letters in crossword answers, but he also breaks it down by the most common beginning and ending letters, and has some specific notes on short letter patterns and combinations. He notes, for example, that the most common last letters in answers are D, E, G, N, R, S, T and Y (those are in alphabetic order - not according to which is most common). I have a simple mnemonic to remember those, which is based on "Thank You Ellen." It can be very helpful at times.
He also notes that over 75% of answers that end in 'G' actually end in ING. I have used that more than once as a good possible guess in an area where I'm completely stuck. It's just a couple of letters, but even one letter can sometimes be the key to opening something up.
I won't list any more of his tips. Ten bucks and they're all yours.
2
If I may add a tip appropriate for today. Mentally pronounce clue words every way they can be; today I forgot to do that for a while with Live, and was only giving it the long I sound, so it was a while before I got LEARN. If I If I may add a tip appropriate for today. Mentally pronounce clue words every way they can be; today I forgot to do that for a while with Live, and was only giving it the long I sound, so it was a while before I got LEARN. may add a tip appropriate for today. Mentally pronounce clue words every way they can be; today I forgot to do that for a while with Live, and was only giving it the long I sound, so it was a while before I got LEARN.
4
Thanks for the tips, RIA. Compliments my comment from yesterday where I mention several of the things you have here. I'm always looking for a solving edge so your help - and others here - are greatly appreciat d!
A good Sunday offering. I enjoy a theme that allows me to use it to solve. Don't know why, but I started thinking it was LUCKY STRike that was being punned, so I was slowed down just a bit. Favorite themer -- STOCKING MARKET.
Very enjoyable Sunday puzzle and a good workout without being frustrating. Had a couple of dim-witted moments on particular answers but just left the area and it came to me when I got back. I liked most of the theme answers, but GOLDINGDIGGER and FASTINGFORWARD were by far my favorites.
Also thought there were a number of nice shorter clue/answer combinations in the grid. GSN was the only thing that really jumped out as an 'ugh' answer. I still don't know what that stands for and I think I won't go look it up.
I was helped a couple of times by trying to figure out where the ING went in each theme answer. A bit more on that and some related stuff in another 'tips for solvers' post.
Also thought there were a number of nice shorter clue/answer combinations in the grid. GSN was the only thing that really jumped out as an 'ugh' answer. I still don't know what that stands for and I think I won't go look it up.
I was helped a couple of times by trying to figure out where the ING went in each theme answer. A bit more on that and some related stuff in another 'tips for solvers' post.
1
Did the puzzle early, but had to get outside early to beat the heat (90's daily this week) so finally I am here.
This seemed quite easy! Very smooth solve with no hesitations, though the odd slang (dunzo) crossing the of-course-unknown rapper gave me pause: GOFER or GONER? I chose wisely. Never heard of GSN, but I know Family Feud is on some cable station here, because I saw it once for about 5 minutes. Got the theme with SQUARE ROOTING and the rest fell quickly....
No photo!! [pout]
This seemed quite easy! Very smooth solve with no hesitations, though the odd slang (dunzo) crossing the of-course-unknown rapper gave me pause: GOFER or GONER? I chose wisely. Never heard of GSN, but I know Family Feud is on some cable station here, because I saw it once for about 5 minutes. Got the theme with SQUARE ROOTING and the rest fell quickly....
No photo!! [pout]
Marvelous puzzle.
1
Another in a recent run of excellence! Keep,it up! I am sooooooo happy when I don't have to know more than one dumb tV character or obscure modern entertainer per puzzle .
4
Smooth as silk, or rather, SATIN.
I must have been on the right wavelength today. Fun and easy Sunday. No complaints.
I must have been on the right wavelength today. Fun and easy Sunday. No complaints.
I'd love to have 27A explained to me: "Line at the side of a photo": CREDIT
Huh?
Huh?
A sly little misdirection - CREDIT refers to photo credit, the line often at the bottom but sometimes along the side giving the photographers name and therefore credit for the photograph.
1
The word "line" can be used in crosswords as a string of words, and the photo CREDIT is usually beside or under a photo, like the one above this column.
I always enjoy starting out with a fill at 1A on a late week puzzle, confirmed by 4D. My first theme fill was LUCKY STREAKing, which made me laugh and FASTing FORWARD back to 29A. I liked the clue for AMISH in that section.
I always start out determined not to use check, but have never succeeded in any puzzle past Tuesday, but today I managed. I did need a few look-ups, some things almost impossible if not living in the U.S., i.e. GSN/NTSB. Also IRA crossing LAWN DART. I meant to look up the latter when I finished the puzzle.
Anyway I really enjoyed all the themers; I managed to get BUM STEERing and GOLDing DIGGER just from the clues, so that was really fun. Thanks Jeff and Jim for a great Sunday puzzle.
I always start out determined not to use check, but have never succeeded in any puzzle past Tuesday, but today I managed. I did need a few look-ups, some things almost impossible if not living in the U.S., i.e. GSN/NTSB. Also IRA crossing LAWN DART. I meant to look up the latter when I finished the puzzle.
Anyway I really enjoyed all the themers; I managed to get BUM STEERing and GOLDing DIGGER just from the clues, so that was really fun. Thanks Jeff and Jim for a great Sunday puzzle.
3
P.S. To add to the ANGLED discussion. Isaak Walton published the book "The Compleat Angler" in 1653, all about, you guessed it, fishing.
The spelling is correct.
The spelling is correct.
4
Suejean,
See Deadline's post from 11 hours ago.
See Deadline's post from 11 hours ago.
2
I first learned of the term angling and of that book, suejean, from dialogue in one of the filmed versions of Pride and Prejudice. When Elizabeth and the Gardiners visit Pemberly and unexpectedly meet Mr Darcy, the latter invites Mr Gardiner, who loves to fish, to return to do some fishing. Austen doesn't write the conversation in her novel, but the screenwriters have Mr Gardiner comment on being a fan of the book in their dialogue. An interesting term, angling, I've always thought.
1
and Elke
Have done so far the top half of the puzzle; got to THANE of Glamis. He hath murdered sleep (according to the other Will) , so I'm off to bed ( it's close to midnight here). Am enjoying the puzzle . Leave some goodies for tomorrow.
Have done so far the top half of the puzzle; got to THANE of Glamis. He hath murdered sleep (according to the other Will) , so I'm off to bed ( it's close to midnight here). Am enjoying the puzzle . Leave some goodies for tomorrow.
and Elke
PS- don't believe in SANTA ; but emus are real, right ?
PS- don't believe in SANTA ; but emus are real, right ?
1
Very real. What, your local paper doesn't have flightless birds helping our around the office?
2
I got a big kick out of the erudite discussion around Santa and Dancer below! Now to raise perhaps a sore subject (cue loud groans, Foley master): Has anyone else besides me experienced a sense that the puzzles since the crazy mad puzzle of last Thursday have been easier than usual? I have this odd feeling that the battle to solve that puzzle stimulated my solving neurons so furiously that the solves since then have all trotted tamely into place. It reminds me of the way that my tennis game used to improve after watching a great match, back in the dim mists of time when I used to play tennis. Is this a real thing, or am I just imagining it?
4
It's as true as you believe it is, Virginia.
I mean Peggy.
I mean Peggy.
2
.
.
CROSSWORDESE
Martin, I read a lot about "crosswordese". In this grid, OSE might be condemned as "crosswordese" by Rex or Amy. Constructor Jeff may have called OSE a "gluey bit".
You are by now familiar with my belief that many such entries are useful to someone. Chemists may be more likely to speak of sucrOSE or glucOSE, but it's useful to know OSE as a denotation of a sugar. ASE denotes an enzyme, or a guy who dies in some Danish work.
"Useful" is my focus here.
At the Downriver Golf Club, the clubhouse is used one night a week for a Trivia competition, open to nonmembers. First prize is SCRIP worth $20 against a bar/restaurant bill there. Second and third prizes are lesser SCRIP.
One night, a question was put to the competitors: Name the tree that fits a certain description. In the 3-part description, one element was the traditional use of the tree's wood to make longbows. Therefore, I wrote YEW on the answer sheet without consulting my teammates. Why? Because YEW appears in crosswords as an archer's wood. Is YEW CROSSWORDESE? Not to me. Our bill was over $100 with tip. Another team member had also offered to pay, in honor of our teammate who was moving back to SF the next morning, so our pre-arrangement was that I would pay $90 and my teammate could pay the rest.
We won by one point. That point was for YEW. I saved 22% off my $90 contribution after the team voted that I should reap the benefit of the SCRIP. If a grid word saves me $20, it's a real word.
.
CROSSWORDESE
Martin, I read a lot about "crosswordese". In this grid, OSE might be condemned as "crosswordese" by Rex or Amy. Constructor Jeff may have called OSE a "gluey bit".
You are by now familiar with my belief that many such entries are useful to someone. Chemists may be more likely to speak of sucrOSE or glucOSE, but it's useful to know OSE as a denotation of a sugar. ASE denotes an enzyme, or a guy who dies in some Danish work.
"Useful" is my focus here.
At the Downriver Golf Club, the clubhouse is used one night a week for a Trivia competition, open to nonmembers. First prize is SCRIP worth $20 against a bar/restaurant bill there. Second and third prizes are lesser SCRIP.
One night, a question was put to the competitors: Name the tree that fits a certain description. In the 3-part description, one element was the traditional use of the tree's wood to make longbows. Therefore, I wrote YEW on the answer sheet without consulting my teammates. Why? Because YEW appears in crosswords as an archer's wood. Is YEW CROSSWORDESE? Not to me. Our bill was over $100 with tip. Another team member had also offered to pay, in honor of our teammate who was moving back to SF the next morning, so our pre-arrangement was that I would pay $90 and my teammate could pay the rest.
We won by one point. That point was for YEW. I saved 22% off my $90 contribution after the team voted that I should reap the benefit of the SCRIP. If a grid word saves me $20, it's a real word.
3
Congrats. In case this will help with your next bar bet, Ase's a she and it's Norwegian.
I'm feeling like I'll be feeling better tomorrow. Elaine feels lousy now.
I'm feeling like I'll be feeling better tomorrow. Elaine feels lousy now.
2
Anyone who loved Howard Pyle's books knows about the trusty YEW bow....
Yep, blogger wooshed on 86A -- with fauxthority! :)
I liked the theme, just right for difficulty and cleverness (don't like the ones that require specialized knowledge, or get too weird w/ rebuses). Decent fill, too. Good work!
I liked the theme, just right for difficulty and cleverness (don't like the ones that require specialized knowledge, or get too weird w/ rebuses). Decent fill, too. Good work!
1
Zach,
Our columnist, nee blogger, may be an author, but I do not recall that she has ever claimed to be authoritative. In any case, her idea for 86A is not invalid, but our recent grid visitor OCCAM suggests that the alternative take is preferable.
Our columnist, nee blogger, may be an author, but I do not recall that she has ever claimed to be authoritative. In any case, her idea for 86A is not invalid, but our recent grid visitor OCCAM suggests that the alternative take is preferable.
1
What's "wooshed"?
Urban Dictionary offers for Woosh...
Used to denote when a comment has gone over someone's head. Onomatopoetic to the sound of an object moving past you at an accelerated pace.
Used to denote when a comment has gone over someone's head. Onomatopoetic to the sound of an object moving past you at an accelerated pace.
1
The theme was apparent very early, making this a very easy, but amusing, Sunday puzzle.
Like others, I compleatly associated 86A with fishing.
Favorite themer: GOLDING DIGGER.
Had to do a post-solve Google for LAWN DART. I agree those things look dangerous. Eeesh!
Is KIT CAR A Thing? I guess I know what is meant--something kin to Matchbox cars, but the kid puts it together like a 3D jigsaw puzzle?
Never heard of the "hit" entitled "MANEATER," and from Deb's comment I guess that's just as well.
I always note the title of the Sunday, and I always note the constructor every day. I don't think I'm actually looking for ways to make the puzzle easier; it's just part of the process. I can't remember whether there were always titles on the Sundays, back when Margaret Farrar was the editor and the Sunday solve was a Saturday night joint project. I do remember that we had some fun discerning what was then called the "metaphor." Perhaps I should try to avoid looking at the title in future and add figuring out the theme to my solving challenge. Question is, how do I avert my eyes when I actually know it's there?
Like others, I compleatly associated 86A with fishing.
Favorite themer: GOLDING DIGGER.
Had to do a post-solve Google for LAWN DART. I agree those things look dangerous. Eeesh!
Is KIT CAR A Thing? I guess I know what is meant--something kin to Matchbox cars, but the kid puts it together like a 3D jigsaw puzzle?
Never heard of the "hit" entitled "MANEATER," and from Deb's comment I guess that's just as well.
I always note the title of the Sunday, and I always note the constructor every day. I don't think I'm actually looking for ways to make the puzzle easier; it's just part of the process. I can't remember whether there were always titles on the Sundays, back when Margaret Farrar was the editor and the Sunday solve was a Saturday night joint project. I do remember that we had some fun discerning what was then called the "metaphor." Perhaps I should try to avoid looking at the title in future and add figuring out the theme to my solving challenge. Question is, how do I avert my eyes when I actually know it's there?
1
No, 'kit car' is an adult thing, making your own car you drive around.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kit_car
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kit_car
1
.
Re MANEATER:
I advise any newbies to always read the Comments, so as to get hints ... to the NEXT crossword. What follows is merely one example, but trust me, the phenomenon is a regular occurrence. Once suejean, who resides in Albion, mentioned in Comments that she was headed to a wedding in a specific California city with a 2-part name. The city was in the crossword soon after, clued as an otherwise-impossible fill-in-the-blank.
More recently, the Saturday grid inclued ORLEANS. Therefore, Jimbo 57 posted a link to a video of ORLEANS; he also noted that the "band's leader", John Hall, served in Congress. In what I hope Jimbo viewed as an addition to his remarks (rather than disagreement), I Replied that John Hall is not the Hall from blue-eyed soul duo Hall & Oates. Then I babbled about John Hall and Congress.
So let's say you read my mention of Hall & Oates. Perhaps you looked them up to learn about them; or perhaps you recalled their hits. Either way, MANEATER would have been closer to the front of your brain than the back when you read the clue for 64A in Sunday's Crossword.
While your significant other stared at their copy of the puzzle, you'd confidently enter MANEATER and move on. Because you read the Comments.
Re MANEATER:
I advise any newbies to always read the Comments, so as to get hints ... to the NEXT crossword. What follows is merely one example, but trust me, the phenomenon is a regular occurrence. Once suejean, who resides in Albion, mentioned in Comments that she was headed to a wedding in a specific California city with a 2-part name. The city was in the crossword soon after, clued as an otherwise-impossible fill-in-the-blank.
More recently, the Saturday grid inclued ORLEANS. Therefore, Jimbo 57 posted a link to a video of ORLEANS; he also noted that the "band's leader", John Hall, served in Congress. In what I hope Jimbo viewed as an addition to his remarks (rather than disagreement), I Replied that John Hall is not the Hall from blue-eyed soul duo Hall & Oates. Then I babbled about John Hall and Congress.
So let's say you read my mention of Hall & Oates. Perhaps you looked them up to learn about them; or perhaps you recalled their hits. Either way, MANEATER would have been closer to the front of your brain than the back when you read the clue for 64A in Sunday's Crossword.
While your significant other stared at their copy of the puzzle, you'd confidently enter MANEATER and move on. Because you read the Comments.
1
.
@ Zack:
In addition to your points -- which I agree with and am not disputing -- I would add that KITCAR was discussed in Comments earlier this year. Probably KIT, CAR, or KITCAR was in the grid, clued in such a way as to trigger a question.
@ Zack:
In addition to your points -- which I agree with and am not disputing -- I would add that KITCAR was discussed in Comments earlier this year. Probably KIT, CAR, or KITCAR was in the grid, clued in such a way as to trigger a question.
In America, although dishes described as "au gratin" typically contain cheese, it is not in the correct culinary definition, which simply means covered with buttered crumbs before baking. On Jacques Pepin's cooking shows, you'll see him bake gratins of fruit, as dessert items, and cheeseless vegetable gratins as side dishes.
4
.
Something tells me greygarious solved the recent Desserts crossword more easily than I.
It's just a hunch.
Something tells me greygarious solved the recent Desserts crossword more easily than I.
It's just a hunch.
1
Love your name!
Come back often--there are a lot of us here who love to cook (and eat)!
Come back often--there are a lot of us here who love to cook (and eat)!
1
What MOL said.
Has anyone seen pecantart lately?
Has anyone seen pecantart lately?
Dangerous? According to the National Lawn Dart Association, Lawn Darts don't kill people -- people kill people.
10
Today's RegEx would fail on the first attempt, but this standard search explains why:
http://tinyurl.com/gmdryfd
21,959 total results found for pattern *ING*
That's way over the RegEx limit of 10,000.
To get the patterns of today's themers you'll have to set the length to 11 for the center and 14 for the other four entries. If you like the standard search breakdown just repeat it with the length parameter set. Otherwise remove the asterisks and do a RegEx search with the length set. I've been looking for a way to pass an overall length limitation in either the URL or a RegEx and haven't found either yet. It's not in the RegEx code Xword Info uses. They must be filtering before of after the RegEx execution.
http://tinyurl.com/gmdryfd
21,959 total results found for pattern *ING*
That's way over the RegEx limit of 10,000.
To get the patterns of today's themers you'll have to set the length to 11 for the center and 14 for the other four entries. If you like the standard search breakdown just repeat it with the length parameter set. Otherwise remove the asterisks and do a RegEx search with the length set. I've been looking for a way to pass an overall length limitation in either the URL or a RegEx and haven't found either yet. It's not in the RegEx code Xword Info uses. They must be filtering before of after the RegEx execution.
Enjoyable theme and smooth solve. I was also tickled by GOLDING DIGGER. Good one!
3
very easy. got the concept with square rooting and it was downhill from there.
.
I broke my personal Sunday speed record by a few seconds, but that means less if the puzzle was very easy!! For some reason, my fastest Sundays have been Patrick Berry puzzles, Jeff Chen puzzles, or puzzles with 2 constructors. So I think my previous Sunday was a puzzle by Judge Vic and someone else. Pair Jeff Chen with another constructor, and it's a recipe for speed for me.
That's not to say there were no stumbling blocks. MISSENd or MISSENT??? INTIME or oNTIME?? I usually made the wrong choice. I did not have any reason to think I was going fast.
But solve times this week were awry in my experience. Fastest was Monday, then Tuesday, as expected. Wednesday was hard for a Wednesday (slower than my average, whereas Mon and Tue were right around my averages for those days, so the gap between Tuesday's solve time and Wednesday's was larger than I expect). After Wednesday things got weird. I solved Friday's less than a minute slower than Wednesday's. But Thursday was slower than Friday (by the same margin as I had between Tuesday and Wednesday).
I usually expect Thursdays to require a range of time for the solve; this past Thursday solve time was slower than midrange. Friday's solve time would have been near the low end of Thursday range. Then Sunday solved less than a minute slower than Thursday; Saturday took me half a minute more than Sunday. So my order from fastest to slowest was M, T, W (by more than usual), F, Th, Sun, Sat. Not a typical crossword week for me.
I broke my personal Sunday speed record by a few seconds, but that means less if the puzzle was very easy!! For some reason, my fastest Sundays have been Patrick Berry puzzles, Jeff Chen puzzles, or puzzles with 2 constructors. So I think my previous Sunday was a puzzle by Judge Vic and someone else. Pair Jeff Chen with another constructor, and it's a recipe for speed for me.
That's not to say there were no stumbling blocks. MISSENd or MISSENT??? INTIME or oNTIME?? I usually made the wrong choice. I did not have any reason to think I was going fast.
But solve times this week were awry in my experience. Fastest was Monday, then Tuesday, as expected. Wednesday was hard for a Wednesday (slower than my average, whereas Mon and Tue were right around my averages for those days, so the gap between Tuesday's solve time and Wednesday's was larger than I expect). After Wednesday things got weird. I solved Friday's less than a minute slower than Wednesday's. But Thursday was slower than Friday (by the same margin as I had between Tuesday and Wednesday).
I usually expect Thursdays to require a range of time for the solve; this past Thursday solve time was slower than midrange. Friday's solve time would have been near the low end of Thursday range. Then Sunday solved less than a minute slower than Thursday; Saturday took me half a minute more than Sunday. So my order from fastest to slowest was M, T, W (by more than usual), F, Th, Sun, Sat. Not a typical crossword week for me.
This was what Sunday should. For 86A, my thought was "drops a line" was a fishing line and one then ANGLES as an angler.
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That's the ANGLE I took too, Paul. People fishing, called anglers.
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Caught the ANGLE, but really wanted the EELy 'sniggle'
Deb writes:
• 86A: I had to think about this one. I wanted it to be “writes,” because, to me, that’s what “Drops a line” means. In this case, it means one who uses a line on someone else to angle for something they want.
Deb: I believe it's a bit less metaphoric. Fisherpersons are anglers; they drop lines to catch actual fish.
• 86A: I had to think about this one. I wanted it to be “writes,” because, to me, that’s what “Drops a line” means. In this case, it means one who uses a line on someone else to angle for something they want.
Deb: I believe it's a bit less metaphoric. Fisherpersons are anglers; they drop lines to catch actual fish.
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Barry A.,
I believe "fisher" is the term preferred these days. [In a sentence: "And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." Matthew 4:19, King James Version.] (For modern usage, see this website pertaining to fishing tournaments: http://www.fomntt.com/ As it happens, I vacationed this year near where one of the tournaments was scheduled. However, I left the area Friday morning; the participants weren't gathering until Friday night in advance of the Saturday fishing.)
One would need to consult Factboy regarding whether a fisher is a cousin of a weasel. The Kingfisher is a bird; perhaps Elke can confirm.
Barry A.,
I believe "fisher" is the term preferred these days. [In a sentence: "And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." Matthew 4:19, King James Version.] (For modern usage, see this website pertaining to fishing tournaments: http://www.fomntt.com/ As it happens, I vacationed this year near where one of the tournaments was scheduled. However, I left the area Friday morning; the participants weren't gathering until Friday night in advance of the Saturday fishing.)
One would need to consult Factboy regarding whether a fisher is a cousin of a weasel. The Kingfisher is a bird; perhaps Elke can confirm.
and Elke
MTF Tobin- you DON'T have to ASK - I goOGLEd "kingfisher :
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingfisher
Mac K- probably has some nice pictures.
MTF Tobin- you DON'T have to ASK - I goOGLEd "kingfisher :
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingfisher
Mac K- probably has some nice pictures.
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MTF Tobin writes:
"I believe "fisher" is the term preferred these days."
I believe it is too, but I wanted to be sure that nobody trolling on this comment board would suggest that I really meant the marten-like North American carnivore.
"I believe "fisher" is the term preferred these days."
I believe it is too, but I wanted to be sure that nobody trolling on this comment board would suggest that I really meant the marten-like North American carnivore.
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Deb writes:
• 25A: This one (“Dancer’s leader?”) held me up on a technicality. Once I figured out that we were talking about reindeer, I was still not convinced the answer was SANTA. Doesn’t SANTA sit at the back, with the reindeer pulling the sled in the front? Isn’t Rudolph the leader?
Deb:Absent the recent musical addition of Rudolph, assuming that Saint Nick addresses his team in order, C. C. Moore puts Dasher as the lead reindeer. I concur that the driver of a team is not the same as its leader.
• 25A: This one (“Dancer’s leader?”) held me up on a technicality. Once I figured out that we were talking about reindeer, I was still not convinced the answer was SANTA. Doesn’t SANTA sit at the back, with the reindeer pulling the sled in the front? Isn’t Rudolph the leader?
Deb:Absent the recent musical addition of Rudolph, assuming that Saint Nick addresses his team in order, C. C. Moore puts Dasher as the lead reindeer. I concur that the driver of a team is not the same as its leader.
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"When depicted, he is the lead reindeer pulling Santa's sleigh on Christmas Eve. The luminosity of his nose is so great that it illuminates the team's path through inclement winter weather.'
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rudolph_the_Red-Nosed_Reindeer
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rudolph_the_Red-Nosed_Reindeer
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Martin,
I trust you did understand that I understand that since 1939, Rudolph had been asked to lead the way. Between 1822 and 1939, Dasher was the lead. More to the point, I trust you agree with Deb that Saint Nick/Santa is not the team leader?
I trust you did understand that I understand that since 1939, Rudolph had been asked to lead the way. Between 1822 and 1939, Dasher was the lead. More to the point, I trust you agree with Deb that Saint Nick/Santa is not the team leader?
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I don't believe in Santa Claus.
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