Great puzzle! As a former SQUASH player at USNA I was very excited to see those answers!
1
KILL THE WABBIT! KILL THE WABBIT! (to the tune of "Ride of the Valkyries")
One of the best puzzles I've seen in a long time!
Thank you Daniel!!
Thank you Daniel!!
Daniel, what a gweat start for a new constructor. I really enjoyed completing this puzzle. I'm anxiously awaiting your next effort. Thanks, Larry
What a great time solving this! It made me vewwy, vewwy happy!
2
Impressive. I liked it a lot.
Additionally it also reminded me of Dorothy Parker (under the pen name "Constant Reader") who wrote this capsule review of Milne's Pooh book:
"Tonstant Weader Fwowed Up"
Additionally it also reminded me of Dorothy Parker (under the pen name "Constant Reader") who wrote this capsule review of Milne's Pooh book:
"Tonstant Weader Fwowed Up"
1
Super start, Master Larsen, and congratulations. Very much enjoyed your puzzle today, but am very curious as to a seeming reference to early New York Met great "Marvelous" MARV Throneberry ("Man's nickname that's just wonderful", 22D). Wishful thinking on my part? Also, as a passionate fan of Looney Tunes, this was just plain fun.
In any event, you made me earn my star today, so I salute you with WOWEDMOUTH. Welcome!
In any event, you made me earn my star today, so I salute you with WOWEDMOUTH. Welcome!
1
Congratulations Daniel! Looking forward to more from you!
3
Does the record depend on how old the constructor was when the puzzle was completed, accepted, or published? Inquiring minds want to know, especially since so many constructors have spoken about the potentially great time lags along that way.
1
Good question
Very good question. I asked Will, and here is his answer:
"When it is published.
"Whenever I learn of a new constructor who's young, I schedule the person's puzzle as quickly as possible. That's always been my policy."
"When it is published.
"Whenever I learn of a new constructor who's young, I schedule the person's puzzle as quickly as possible. That's always been my policy."
Thanks for the research, Deb, and for the information, Will! It's interesting because (as I remember), today's constructor's age wasn't revealed until after his work had been accepted.
I guess the "puzzle" as a thing, with all the fill and clues in place, can't be said to exist properly until it is published.
When I visited the "youngest" page at xwordinfo, I was temporarily confused to see 10 as the total number of puzzles published by Merl Reagle. Then I figured that his variety puzzles don't make the count. It seems odd, though it makes sense to be consistent with the database.
I guess the "puzzle" as a thing, with all the fill and clues in place, can't be said to exist properly until it is published.
When I visited the "youngest" page at xwordinfo, I was temporarily confused to see 10 as the total number of puzzles published by Merl Reagle. Then I figured that his variety puzzles don't make the count. It seems odd, though it makes sense to be consistent with the database.
Hats off to you Daniel. I was delighted by QUACKOFDAWN and pleased by the near absence of pop culture. Your mention of the Unix word list had special resonance. I originated it for use in a spell-check program; 40 years later it gets cited for whetting the appetite of a young word maven! (I suppose by now you have mined all the lists at puzzlers.org.)
CANDOSTICK, a gung-ho baton, came to mind as another kind of non-simple letter substitution. Less satisfactory is SUAVEBELT, rare L-analogs of which appear on the web as a trademark or a geographic region.
CANDOSTICK, a gung-ho baton, came to mind as another kind of non-simple letter substitution. Less satisfactory is SUAVEBELT, rare L-analogs of which appear on the web as a trademark or a geographic region.
7
I suppose because I had a speech impediment in my youth, I might be more sensitive than those who did not suffer from that affliction. So I find it odd that the NYT would publish a puzzle that highlights a speech impediment. The constructor is young so I understand his fascination for Bugs Bunny. But the NYT is so PC, I find this odd. Otherwise it is an amazing feat by someone so young.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJtUTVURzKQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJtUTVURzKQ
1
Great puzzle from this young man today.
1
Congrats, Master Larsen. A most impressive achievement. Here's to the first of many NYT crossword puzzles with your byline.
Seems we have a few other WB cartoon characters lurking in the grid: BUGs Bunny, MARVin the Martian, OWL Jolson, and that notorious QUACKhead, Daffy Duck.
Robin Williams, channeling ELMER FUDD, singing Bruce Springsteen's "Fire":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vT-VaMXsAw
Bonus clip: As a tribute to our constructor, the Eagles performing "New Kid In Town":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YN7A56tgQgw
Seems we have a few other WB cartoon characters lurking in the grid: BUGs Bunny, MARVin the Martian, OWL Jolson, and that notorious QUACKhead, Daffy Duck.
Robin Williams, channeling ELMER FUDD, singing Bruce Springsteen's "Fire":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vT-VaMXsAw
Bonus clip: As a tribute to our constructor, the Eagles performing "New Kid In Town":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YN7A56tgQgw
2
Huh. Just did the Mini in 14 seconds. That isn't going to happen often--esp since I did it all via Across (I'm more of a Down solver) without getting scrambled up trying to change directions (a problem which has helped me chalk up more than a couple of 2+ minute times.) LOL
Daniel Larsen, congratulations on a fine debut and also for becoming the NYT crossword's youngest constructor!
Your puzzle was fun to solve, and funny, too. The only problem I had was with WHISKYMOVE, but laughed when I read Deb's word list. My favorite one was QUACKOFDAWN.
Your puzzle was fun to solve, and funny, too. The only problem I had was with WHISKYMOVE, but laughed when I read Deb's word list. My favorite one was QUACKOFDAWN.
1
Congratulations, young Master Daniel.
As others have said, it was fun to watch David Steinberg grow up and track how his puzzles grew with him. I look forward to watching that process with you too. (And my heart goes out to David, now forever toppled from his perch as resident enfant terrible. There will be other milestones.)
Favorite themer: QUACK OF DAWN. Runner up: TWEE HOUSE.
Didn't know the car, so I'd rather have seen the word clued with reference to references. Didn't know the hockey player.
Had some good giggles. Thanks to all.
As others have said, it was fun to watch David Steinberg grow up and track how his puzzles grew with him. I look forward to watching that process with you too. (And my heart goes out to David, now forever toppled from his perch as resident enfant terrible. There will be other milestones.)
Favorite themer: QUACK OF DAWN. Runner up: TWEE HOUSE.
Didn't know the car, so I'd rather have seen the word clued with reference to references. Didn't know the hockey player.
Had some good giggles. Thanks to all.
3
Hope I can be forgiven for raining on the parade, but...
Humor based on disabilities was once quite common, from Mr. Fudd's speech impediment to Mr. Magoo's near blindness. Even today, a presidential candidate can mock a NYT reporter for his neurological disease and some people will roar with joy.
Is it, perhaps, time to move on from this sort of thing?
Humor based on disabilities was once quite common, from Mr. Fudd's speech impediment to Mr. Magoo's near blindness. Even today, a presidential candidate can mock a NYT reporter for his neurological disease and some people will roar with joy.
Is it, perhaps, time to move on from this sort of thing?
7
It's good to see a puzzle from some young blood.
Here are The Youngbloods; perhaps our constructor's grandparents remember this song:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCiLxRCBf40
Here are The Youngbloods; perhaps our constructor's grandparents remember this song:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCiLxRCBf40
3
12? Hey, that's nothing! I attended a piano recital by a 7 year old Korean girl, returned home, and reverently closed the lid on my own piano. Forever.
1
I'm bowled over by your accomplishment, Daniel. This was a great debut and made me chuckle several times.
So your father wrote you "a simple crossword-making program that let you enter words". That confirms something I've noticed in my family: those who like crosswords also like computers and vice versa.
So your father wrote you "a simple crossword-making program that let you enter words". That confirms something I've noticed in my family: those who like crosswords also like computers and vice versa.
2
I could not keep a straight face while solving this puzzle. Each theme entry cracked me up, including the reveal. And all of this from a 13 year old constructor? That's HEADY stuff.
6
Impossible for me not to love a puzzle with the entry, AWGOON. I thought, "Wow, haven't seen that before!" Which was the same reaction I had to the unexpectedly fresh and actually funny theme answers.
Daniel, your enthusiasm for crosswords is contagious. Can't wait to see what you cook up next.
Congratulations! Enjoy you day ... it's a HEADY feeling for sure and one you definitely deserve.
Daniel, your enthusiasm for crosswords is contagious. Can't wait to see what you cook up next.
Congratulations! Enjoy you day ... it's a HEADY feeling for sure and one you definitely deserve.
3
Huh. I suppose quibbling over the fact that a sauna has dry heat (no steam) whereas a steam room....
Great work Daniel.
Now if I could just get "Kill the Wabbit" out of my head.
Great work Daniel.
Now if I could just get "Kill the Wabbit" out of my head.
3
Quiblet: substituting the /w/ sound for the /r/ is quite common and may persist up to age 8 before resolving, but subbing the /w/ for /L/? Not really.
SWAT MACHINE was therefore dissappointing as a themer.
Awaiting our first puzzle constructed by a Kindergartener.....
SWAT MACHINE was therefore dissappointing as a themer.
Awaiting our first puzzle constructed by a Kindergartener.....
2
Hi, MOL. I have a twelve year old grandson. He has until July 9 to submit a crossword. I'll tell him to get cracking!
2
Why not, you've done it Nina, as I recall. Perhaps a bit older than 12.
Speech language pathologist checking in here. The w/l substitution is not at all uncommon. Still inappropriate to make fun of the disabled
Way to make me feel old and useless, Mr. Warsen. At least I knew how ELMER FUDD talked. JK. Congratulations on not just a debut but a great one. I especially liked that the themers were not just of the swap a letter variety and varied in whether the 'w' sound came within the first word or at the start. Noticed the cross of SLOTED and the punny SWAT MACHINE.
If yesterday's puzzle and today's had a baby (mini?) we would have WEE MOE (young member of the 3 Stooges).
If yesterday's puzzle and today's had a baby (mini?) we would have WEE MOE (young member of the 3 Stooges).
1
Congratulations to young Mr. Larsen. I’m deeply impressed by his debut. I found it to be a clever and enjoyable puzzle. I have only one very small quibble. I’m relatively new here so if this sort of thing has been covered in the past, I apologize, but here goes: Since the clue for 70A contained “Trig,” which is either an abbreviation or truncation of Trigonometric, I would have expected the associated mathematical function would also be an abbreviation or truncation. For example, I would have expected SIN for sine, TAN for tangent, COSEC for cosecant, etc. as opposed to SINE fully spelled out.
6
Well done, Daniel. Clever puzzle and an awesome debut.
Looking forward to many more challenging and fun puzzles.
Looking forward to many more challenging and fun puzzles.
1
Upon completion of my annual eye exam, I queried "What's up doc?" The optometrist responed: "I think you might have a cataract." I replied respectfully "not a chance, I drive a Rincoln."...Merrie Melodies on the menu? Let's eat!...I am uncertain as to when I got hooked on phonics, but it has morphed into a love of all things linguistic...Master Steinberg, move over. You're no longer 'The Kid.' There's a new sheriff in town, a new' Kid' on the block if you will. Welcome Daniel Larsen and way to go, getting you're first puzzle published in the NYT...Rev. Gary Davis and the Grateful Dead offer up their perspectives on the traditional spiritual, "If I Had My Way." Whatta twofer! Lyric is in reply box.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNDrLiJl88w
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KacMcIsKnI0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNDrLiJl88w
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KacMcIsKnI0
4
"If I Had My Way"/"SAMSON and Delilah" Lyric:
If I had my way, I would tear this old building down.
Well Delilah was a woman, she was fine and fair,
She had good looks, God knows, and coal black hair,
Delilah she gained old Samson's mind.
When first he saw this woman, you know he couldn't believe his mind.
Delilah she climbed up on Samson's knee,
Said tell me where your strength lies if you please.
She spoke so kind and she talked so fair,
Well Samson said, Delilah cut off my hair.
You can shave my head, clean as my hand
And my strength will become as natural as any old man.
If I had my way, if I had my way, if I had my way,
I would tear this old building down.
You read about Samson, all from his works,
He was the strongest man that ever had lived on earth.
One day when Samson was walking along,
Looked down on the ground, he saw an old jawbone.
He stretched out his arm, God knows, chains broke like thread,
When he got to moving, ten thousand was dead.
If I had my way, if I had my way, if I had my way,
I would tear this old building down.
Now Samson and the lion, they got in a tack,
Samson he crawled up on the lion's back.
You read about this lion, he killed a man with his paws,
But Samson got his hands around that lion's jaws.
He ripped the beast till he killed him dead.
The bees made honey in the lion's head.
If I had my way, if I had my way, if I had my way,
I would tear this old building down.
If I had my way, I would tear this old building down.
Well Delilah was a woman, she was fine and fair,
She had good looks, God knows, and coal black hair,
Delilah she gained old Samson's mind.
When first he saw this woman, you know he couldn't believe his mind.
Delilah she climbed up on Samson's knee,
Said tell me where your strength lies if you please.
She spoke so kind and she talked so fair,
Well Samson said, Delilah cut off my hair.
You can shave my head, clean as my hand
And my strength will become as natural as any old man.
If I had my way, if I had my way, if I had my way,
I would tear this old building down.
You read about Samson, all from his works,
He was the strongest man that ever had lived on earth.
One day when Samson was walking along,
Looked down on the ground, he saw an old jawbone.
He stretched out his arm, God knows, chains broke like thread,
When he got to moving, ten thousand was dead.
If I had my way, if I had my way, if I had my way,
I would tear this old building down.
Now Samson and the lion, they got in a tack,
Samson he crawled up on the lion's back.
You read about this lion, he killed a man with his paws,
But Samson got his hands around that lion's jaws.
He ripped the beast till he killed him dead.
The bees made honey in the lion's head.
If I had my way, if I had my way, if I had my way,
I would tear this old building down.
1
Gweat puzzle. Particularly enjoyed TWEEHOUSE. Originally had LYE for 30D which just goes to show that I wasn't particularly good at chemistry or partying as a youth. Congratulations on a very entertaining debut Mr Larsen.
5
Jaw-dropping. Beyond the impressive accomplishment of having a puzzle published at such a young age, this was an unusually entertaining early week puzzle. I didn't have enough crosses to get any of the themers before I finally filled in ELMER FUDD, so I had to go back and work out each of them one at a time. So there were five more nice (and funny) 'AHA' moments as each one became evident.
Can't wait to see what the next few years bring. Might we have another David Steinberg on the horizon?
Can't wait to see what the next few years bring. Might we have another David Steinberg on the horizon?
4
OT, if anyone reads this: CNN was in Clarkston today. I don't know what all they filmed, though presumably it was focused on the refugees. They did film briefly in the ESL class that Dr. J assists with, though they didn't talk to anybody. Probably just a background clip. If I find out when it (whatever it is) is going to air, I'll let you know.
Oh, what the heck. I'll just entertain myself with this favorite from The Who, which might be doubly appropriate:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=594WLzzb3JI
..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=594WLzzb3JI
..
1
I found this clip both entertaining and doubly appropriate as well.
1
Some random points:
1. For GRIT, the clue ("Moral toughness") doesn't need the word "Moral".
2. For SAUNA, steam is more an option than a feature, IMO. There are many saunas that have no steam, and saunas are generally meant to be dry.
3. There is a mini-theme of double E's (4).
4. Two crosses I like: MARINE/GRIT and MAW/WOWEDMOUTHS.
5. AWGOON immediately looks like AW GOON, just like DO OK, looks like DOOK. On another NYT crossword site, a word like this is called a "dook".
6. To anyone who has had significant experience with 30D (LSD) in the past, I imagine, a good exercise would be this: Stare at that O in the middle square for a while.
Congratulations, 13-year-old Daniel. Today you are a man! Please keep making these. It was fun to watch David Steinberg progress, and I can't wait to see what you come up with. This ought to be a special Valentine's Day for you. Sending you heart and cruciverbial love.
1. For GRIT, the clue ("Moral toughness") doesn't need the word "Moral".
2. For SAUNA, steam is more an option than a feature, IMO. There are many saunas that have no steam, and saunas are generally meant to be dry.
3. There is a mini-theme of double E's (4).
4. Two crosses I like: MARINE/GRIT and MAW/WOWEDMOUTHS.
5. AWGOON immediately looks like AW GOON, just like DO OK, looks like DOOK. On another NYT crossword site, a word like this is called a "dook".
6. To anyone who has had significant experience with 30D (LSD) in the past, I imagine, a good exercise would be this: Stare at that O in the middle square for a while.
Congratulations, 13-year-old Daniel. Today you are a man! Please keep making these. It was fun to watch David Steinberg progress, and I can't wait to see what you come up with. This ought to be a special Valentine's Day for you. Sending you heart and cruciverbial love.
6
I'm happy to add to the praise for our new young constructor. This was fun to do, although I'd forgotten that L's were also a problem for Elmer Fudd, so didn't get 24 or 42A until I read Deb's blog. Loved QUACK OF DAWN.
I had a little trouble with HASEK, WHISKEY( spelled that wrong at first and WYE, ( never knew the official spelling of the letter Y) so had to look up the hockey guy. Other than that smooth a sailing and enjoyable Tuesday puzzle.
Welcome, Daniel.
I had a little trouble with HASEK, WHISKEY( spelled that wrong at first and WYE, ( never knew the official spelling of the letter Y) so had to look up the hockey guy. Other than that smooth a sailing and enjoyable Tuesday puzzle.
Welcome, Daniel.
3
I guess that I suffer from insufficient cartoon exposure! I know Daffy Duck had a speech problem (lisp), but ELMER FUDD's problem was with the /r/, or so I thought.... Too much special ed background prevents me from completely enjoying the themers this time, but I feel sure we will see more from our newest Young Tyro....
2
Elmer's speech impediment is "gliding of liquids." If he only said "wabbit" but could pronounce "l" it would be rhotacism. But he says "awone" as well. 'R' is a rhotic. "L" is a lateral. "R" and "L" are liquids.
I think that, as a speech impediment, gliding of liquids is rare. It's certainly rarer than rhotacism in adults. It's very common in children learning to speak, giving Elmer a baby-talk manner that is comedic but not as cruel, in my opinion, as others feel it is.
I think that, as a speech impediment, gliding of liquids is rare. It's certainly rarer than rhotacism in adults. It's very common in children learning to speak, giving Elmer a baby-talk manner that is comedic but not as cruel, in my opinion, as others feel it is.
2
Great debut, Mr. Larsen. Elmer Fudd and Moe! (made my day)
3
Loved the puzzle and the story behind it. Congrats, Daniel!
3
Love the choice of pictures today. "What's Opera Doc?" is unreal classic. Disney gave a lot of leeway to the artists on it; it took 3x more money to produce than the average cartoon short of the era.
Congrats to the Larsen family.
Congrats to the Larsen family.
4
Disney? Thought it was Warner Bros.
3
Exactly.
So impressed with Daniel's accomplishment, plus the enjoyable time machine effect of remembering early-90s Sabres' goalie wiz Dominik HASEK. I'd read about this puzzle over the weekend; I was looking forward to the puzzle, but really eager to read Wordplay to hear from the constructor.
The real laugh out loud moment was Deb's aside "[I’d just like to pop in here for a second and ask when you all last heard a 13 year old utter the phrase “ ... a center 9 puts a huge constraint on the grid ... “. No, me neither. — D.A.]"
Thanks Daniel & thanks Deb.
The real laugh out loud moment was Deb's aside "[I’d just like to pop in here for a second and ask when you all last heard a 13 year old utter the phrase “ ... a center 9 puts a huge constraint on the grid ... “. No, me neither. — D.A.]"
Thanks Daniel & thanks Deb.
6
Thanks Daniel, dats one gweat pwuzzle!
4
Kudos! A very good start to what we all hope is a long crossword career.
2
Thirteen! So, so good. And so admirable. How did you ever get your mind on puzzles and off of Martha Mehlman in the third row????
3
Geez, record breaking achievement?! When I was 13 I was just your average run of the mill MOE. Kids these days. Congrats again Mr Larsen!
2
and Elke
For Deb- WHFG GBQNL ?
For Deb- WHFG GBQNL ?
rirelqnl!
and Elke
Deb - AWGOON .
Croissants.
Deb - AWGOON .
Croissants.
1
It's too bad that with the cartoonish theme that MARV wasn't clued as a nickname for one of MY favorite Warner Bros. characters - Marvin the Martian - nemesis to Duck Dodgers, Bugs, and Earth in general. But I suppose that's dating myself...
Nice puzzle! I enjoyed it.
Nice puzzle! I enjoyed it.
3
and Elke
Hey, Master Daniel- This is A BIG deal !
Time to celebrate with some milk and cookies. (Dad can have some HEADYer stuff....)
Hey, Master Daniel- This is A BIG deal !
Time to celebrate with some milk and cookies. (Dad can have some HEADYer stuff....)
1
good job! didn't realize the connection of Marv and wonderful.
1
Excellent first puzzle. Keep them coming. I love Bugs Bunny cartoons, so this was right up my alley.
There is a version of Blue Christmas, as sung by Elmer Fudd, floating around on the internet. It's a total cracking. I'm sure Youtube has it. Look it up if you haven't heard it.
There is a version of Blue Christmas, as sung by Elmer Fudd, floating around on the internet. It's a total cracking. I'm sure Youtube has it. Look it up if you haven't heard it.
3
I have a recording of Porky Pig's Blue Christmas. I haven't found one featuring Elmer Fudd.
https://youtu.be/pg7HvF3a_Iw
https://youtu.be/pg7HvF3a_Iw
3
You're right. It was Porky Pig, not Elmer. I misremembered. Sorry and thanks for correcting my error.
1
Very impressive. And fun!
2
Wow! Nice job, Mr. Larsen! I think you have a future with this stuff. I hope you've had a chance to watch some Bugs Bunny/Elmer Fudd cartoons now and that you enjoyed them.
The V in MARV was my last fill, as WHISKEY MOVE took a while to 'translate.' Also, I didn't know HASEK. I liked seeing SUPRA and ASTRA in symmetrical locations; they feel like they go together.
I will now retreat to my LAIR.
The V in MARV was my last fill, as WHISKEY MOVE took a while to 'translate.' Also, I didn't know HASEK. I liked seeing SUPRA and ASTRA in symmetrical locations; they feel like they go together.
I will now retreat to my LAIR.
6
Way to go, kid. We're proud of you.
15