From DUSK to DAWN.
1
Loved, loved, LOVED this puzzle!
1
and Elke
Have not heard from Martin today. Hope he is not surrounded by OCEANS of water and cut off from the electric grid.
Thinking of you and Elaine.
Have not heard from Martin today. Hope he is not surrounded by OCEANS of water and cut off from the electric grid.
Thinking of you and Elaine.
1
Yeah I am up at 430am and work on the puzzle on/off til I get to work at 6, I was got so immersed I almost missed the subway stop...and then almost missed the bus stop...and then almost missed the bus stop on the way home....and then totally missed the subway stop. Still don't totally get the word-ladder thing. but cool hardish puzzle for Wednesday! Thanks Mr. Doan and Deb for writing this - discovered it by accident and a gem to share thoughts!!
4
What fun! As others have commented, very neat and tidy and delightfully playful. "Stylet" was new to me...as Deb did, I tried "stylus" first. But that's part of why we do puzzles!
2
OT: Bao Bao has arrived safely in China.
https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/news/bao-bao-arrives-china?utm_source...
https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/news/bao-bao-arrives-china?utm_source...
2
Loved it. This is what a themed puzzle should be: very tidy, all the themers In The Language, an extra layer of playfulness.
Saw that we were dealing with word ladders right away, but for some reason wasn't sure what was wanted as an entry until I got to NOTE TO SELF (a favorite phrase of mine, even if it doesn't always work).
There's not a weak spot in this puzzle, just a lot of fun. Thanks to all.
Saw that we were dealing with word ladders right away, but for some reason wasn't sure what was wanted as an entry until I got to NOTE TO SELF (a favorite phrase of mine, even if it doesn't always work).
There's not a weak spot in this puzzle, just a lot of fun. Thanks to all.
4
Excellent puzzle. Great breath of fresh air to have a totally new theme concept. True, that made it easy, but oh so enjoyable. Thanks, Kyle!
3
What a wonderful theme! I've long loved "word ladders" -- a fun fact is that they were originally invented by Lewis Carroll, under the name "Doublets", in an 1879 issue of Vanity Fair.
You can see some of his originally published Doublets over at Archive.org:
https://archive.org/stream/doubletsawordpu00dodggoog#page/n12/mode/2up
You can see some of his originally published Doublets over at Archive.org:
https://archive.org/stream/doubletsawordpu00dodggoog#page/n12/mode/2up
9
I love the things I learn on wordplay. Thanks Jeremy
3
What suejean said.
3
The hardest one for me is what a cell phone replaces. First I had PAGER, then ALARM, then finally got CLOCK. I feel like it could have used a better clue, since people didn't carry around clocks in their pockets prior to cell phones...but I suppose these days people sometimes don't bother with clocks in their homes since they have a cell phone.
2
Or watches, which would have helped me get that sooner. I continue to use clocks....the ones with the hands and numerals.
2
I think cellphones include CLOCKs rather than replacing them.
But I'd still rather look at a wristwatch than dig out a cellphone.
But I'd still rather look at a wristwatch than dig out a cellphone.
2
I wasn't getting anywhere at first. When I saw the first series of words, I thought, LADDEROFS'S but as I went on, I knew the answers weren't all going to begin with the word LADDER. I had CLERK before PUPIL, BEN before IBN and PLAY before SCOT. Playing on the computer sure beats my old practice of doing my puzzles in pen; I'm more willing to take risks.
You can be pretty sure that when I read a mystery story I fall for every red herring thrown my way.
You can be pretty sure that when I read a mystery story I fall for every red herring thrown my way.
4
Great Wednesday puzzle. Thank you.
2
Wow. Nice inverted theme.
Didn't we see 63D recently? Gets around.
Let me offer a shorter clue for 64A: ____ TMEN THEN THAN ____
I also have to admire the triple juxtaposition of 48D, 49D and 56A. That's 68A.
Didn't we see 63D recently? Gets around.
Let me offer a shorter clue for 64A: ____ TMEN THEN THAN ____
I also have to admire the triple juxtaposition of 48D, 49D and 56A. That's 68A.
2
I really enjoyed today's puzzle. The theme clicked with me and the puzzle came together nicely. This was an enjoyable, and easy, Wednesday for me.
2
A wonderful variation on the familiar word ladder theme. I agree that getting my first themer (NOTETOSELF) made the others easier to figure out, but each one was masterful. Just a delight to solve, from start TO finish.
Let's delve back a bit further than usual, into the Great American Songbook, for Nat King Cole singing the Gershwin classic "Love Is HERE TO STAY":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOJNb9XCRwY
Bonus clip: jumping ahead a few decades, Huey Lewis & the News got to #1 in 1987 with "Jacob's Ladder" (written by Bruce Hornsby):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7O-mQbxFec
Let's delve back a bit further than usual, into the Great American Songbook, for Nat King Cole singing the Gershwin classic "Love Is HERE TO STAY":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOJNb9XCRwY
Bonus clip: jumping ahead a few decades, Huey Lewis & the News got to #1 in 1987 with "Jacob's Ladder" (written by Bruce Hornsby):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7O-mQbxFec
4
Hopefully Kyle will be pleased with the response. I too really loved this puzzle. I quite enjoy word ladders(and did put that in at first as I said in a reply). The phrases all rang true and were fun to get.
This will be a tough act to follow.
This will be a tough act to follow.
4
Lots of fun today.
NOTETOSELF: Trust Mr. Dolan will be HERETOSTAY, but if he ever does a Saturday, my chances of a gold star are SLIMTONONE.
AMENTOTHAT, anyone?
Lovely solve today. Thanks so much.
NOTETOSELF: Trust Mr. Dolan will be HERETOSTAY, but if he ever does a Saturday, my chances of a gold star are SLIMTONONE.
AMENTOTHAT, anyone?
Lovely solve today. Thanks so much.
4
First day with the app subscription, first time on this board. I'm curious about how my completion time compares to everyday puzzlers. This one took me 38 minutes. So, am I bragging or unknowingly revealing how embarrassingly slow I am?
3
Let me just say I give you a hearty thumbs up for your screen name.
1
I would venture a wild guess, Mr. Flash, that most of the regulars on the board solved today's puzzle in less than 38 minutes.
1
Flash:
My two bits, take a few weeks to establish your own benchmark (there's a built-in increase from Monday through Sunday) for each day's average time. The clock, if you want to use it, is best used to measure your own increasing ability to solve.
Also: if or when the "Leaderboard" makes its reappearance on the main puzzle page - don't trust the "Fastest" category, it is completely meaningless. People cheat every day, some as anarchists, others for other reasons. And welcome to this little world.
My two bits, take a few weeks to establish your own benchmark (there's a built-in increase from Monday through Sunday) for each day's average time. The clock, if you want to use it, is best used to measure your own increasing ability to solve.
Also: if or when the "Leaderboard" makes its reappearance on the main puzzle page - don't trust the "Fastest" category, it is completely meaningless. People cheat every day, some as anarchists, others for other reasons. And welcome to this little world.
2
I LOVE this.
I had a few answers in place when I got to 17A. Noticed it was a word ladder, saw the ellipses, and automatically started trying to find a word that could precede SLID. SLIM fit and it was off to the races.
SO cool. How many ----TO----'s do you suppose Kyle had to find before he had enough to make four word ladders work? Simply amazing.
Come back soon, Kyle Dolan!
I had a few answers in place when I got to 17A. Noticed it was a word ladder, saw the ellipses, and automatically started trying to find a word that could precede SLID. SLIM fit and it was off to the races.
SO cool. How many ----TO----'s do you suppose Kyle had to find before he had enough to make four word ladders work? Simply amazing.
Come back soon, Kyle Dolan!
3
Of course, the first themer made me enter WORD LADDER, which I then had to dismantle.
I love word ladders, and this puzzle was fun and clever. More, please!
I love word ladders, and this puzzle was fun and clever. More, please!
4
When I finally figured out today's task at hand (start & complete the word ladder) things crystalized giving my effort a shot in the arm. Up until that 'a-ha' moment, I'd suffered write-overs all over the place. I wrapped things up along the mid-eastern perimeter. PUPIL should have been an easy one but I got stuck on super. The spark from FLINT gave me IBN, an answer I could only hope was correct...Cudos to all associated with this puzzle's presentation, a rough and tumble enigma that I found NEATO, to the max...Nevada, MO is where Sue Thompson was born some ninety-one years ago. She still has a Nevada address; Las Vegas style. Her 45 went gold in 1962. The puzzle reminded me of "James (Hold The Ladder Steady)" written by Durham, NC native, the late John D. Loudermilk. It's a bit bubbly-gummy but it's from a time when a sugar-dusted stick of gum was in included each and every five cent pack of baseball cards.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=laEwOj5qXNo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=laEwOj5qXNo
3
Ibn seems a bit esoteric but at least I know who Heidi Klum is.
2
And there are many millions of people who would know IBN but would find KLUM a bit esoteric...
6
___ LONE PONE POND PEND REND _____ WORDPLAY
9
Love to read?
4
Well, that was a blast! One nit: KLUM crossed with UDON. Never heard of either and had to guess at the vowel. Guessed wrong. Oh, well.
Not that I should talk, but you should get out more! Project Runway is fun (and I don't even make clothing anymore because it would take time away from quilting.) If you shop at Miles Market (it's in Orange), they always have UDON along with edamame and wonderful mushrooms. Miss that grocer!
Think model with noodle ....
2
Not always a big fan of word ladders, but as I slowly caught on, getting AMEN TO THAT as the first theme response, it became a fun ride through the rest of the puzzle.
As a biology teacher/professor for many years I enjoy seeing terminology from my field in the puzzles. SYNAPSE was one such term I realized after other likely terms did not fit.
As a biology teacher/professor for many years I enjoy seeing terminology from my field in the puzzles. SYNAPSE was one such term I realized after other likely terms did not fit.
2
In the few months I've since I signed up, this is the first puzzle that made me smile (as oppose to beat my head against the wall, I suppose...). Nicely done.
4
I actually slowed down in order to savor the pleasure of solving this puzzle. Such a treat. Thank you so much!
4
. . . COUP COOP COOS COTS CUTS . . .
From Soup to Nuts, that was a fun solve. Perfect to have a STEP in this laddered puzzle. Nice, Mr. Dolan.
From Soup to Nuts, that was a fun solve. Perfect to have a STEP in this laddered puzzle. Nice, Mr. Dolan.
11
One may need a stylus if solving via cuneiform. A STYLET is used when one's solving is say... leaden.
One of the tips we give to campers and hikers is to always carry three ways to make a fire. These days we rarely see a FLINT. I sometimes hand out dryer lint and a couple of kitchen matches (head lightly waxed) in a plastic bag. Sadly kitchen matches have devolved from strike/light anywhere to strike/light nowhere, except those you buy in Mexico... I digress, again.
Solid Wednesday. Once you got the theme it was smooth sailing. Only quibble was I think of a SYNAPSE (synaptic clef) as the space the impulse travels from axon to dendrite... but I suppose neurotransmitter node might be a bit obscure.
Thank you Kyle
One of the tips we give to campers and hikers is to always carry three ways to make a fire. These days we rarely see a FLINT. I sometimes hand out dryer lint and a couple of kitchen matches (head lightly waxed) in a plastic bag. Sadly kitchen matches have devolved from strike/light anywhere to strike/light nowhere, except those you buy in Mexico... I digress, again.
Solid Wednesday. Once you got the theme it was smooth sailing. Only quibble was I think of a SYNAPSE (synaptic clef) as the space the impulse travels from axon to dendrite... but I suppose neurotransmitter node might be a bit obscure.
Thank you Kyle
1
http://www.harborfreight.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78ea...
Not scaling peaks any more, but I still have one of these (and an oilskin packet of waterproof matches) in my emergency pack.
Not scaling peaks any more, but I still have one of these (and an oilskin packet of waterproof matches) in my emergency pack.
1
I agree about STYLet....I really resisted because I wanted STYLUS. Maybe Martin can take time off from disaster management to reconcile our nit? (Hang in there, Martin!)
Ooh, what's that? My son and I love camping, and he is always looking for challenging ways to start a fire.
This totally original concept knocked me over with its freshness and fun! Bravo, Kyle Dolan!
... SLOT SOOT SORT SORE LORE ... ALOTTOLOVE!
... SLOT SOOT SORT SORE LORE ... ALOTTOLOVE!
14
A very enjoyable puzzle, just right for Wednesday.
I got the theme at HERE TO STAY, which allowed me to fill the other themers quickly and speed up the solve. It was particularly useful in the NW, where I had VANISH before PERISH; SLIM TO NONE showed me the error of my ways.
All of the unknown names but one came out of the crosses. As has now become a habit, I had to go through the vowels for Square 53 before the solution was confirmed.
I got the theme at HERE TO STAY, which allowed me to fill the other themers quickly and speed up the solve. It was particularly useful in the NW, where I had VANISH before PERISH; SLIM TO NONE showed me the error of my ways.
All of the unknown names but one came out of the crosses. As has now become a habit, I had to go through the vowels for Square 53 before the solution was confirmed.
2
Hand up for VANISH.
PERISH forbid? :-)
Another precinct for VANISH.
You see, I was not educated in this country....
You see, I was not educated in this country....
Every theme answer is deep "in the language" and the fill is consistently interesting. And is it a pangram?
4
Not a pangram. Missing J and Q.
There is an 'analyze this puzzle' button on Xword Info that gives you that kind of information.
There is an 'analyze this puzzle' button on Xword Info that gives you that kind of information.
Terrific idea. I'm guessing it's never been done before. The theme answers are in the language and they don't feel stale. The theme wasn't needed for the solve, but for those who figured it out early, based on comments below, it made the solve faster. Bravo, Kyle -- this one was memorable!
I like seeing SPEW where SMEW was Monday. Talk about word ladder material!
I like seeing SPEW where SMEW was Monday. Talk about word ladder material!
3
I guess I'm the only one who actually started typing in WORDLADDER at 17a (it fit) before I noticed the clue for the next themer. It still took me a couple of crosses to get that one. Did manage to get NOTETOSELF without crosses, and tried hard with the last two but couldn't figure out either of them without some help.
Clever idea and a nice Wednesday level challenge for me (I was really stuck in a couple of places) and some nice non-theme fill. Very good puzzle overall.
OT: I'm sure I'm not the first person to think of this recently, but... I'm a big fan of the unreliable narrator in fiction, from 'The Great Gatsby' to 'Life of Pi' and others. I've actually started a couple of novels built around that concept (don't worry - I'm never going to finish a novel). It dawned on me a couple of days ago that a great title for such a work might be: 'Last Night in Sweden.'
Clever idea and a nice Wednesday level challenge for me (I was really stuck in a couple of places) and some nice non-theme fill. Very good puzzle overall.
OT: I'm sure I'm not the first person to think of this recently, but... I'm a big fan of the unreliable narrator in fiction, from 'The Great Gatsby' to 'Life of Pi' and others. I've actually started a couple of novels built around that concept (don't worry - I'm never going to finish a novel). It dawned on me a couple of days ago that a great title for such a work might be: 'Last Night in Sweden.'
12
Another OT (and kind of long). Any other jigsaw puzzle addicts here? There is a long table behind where I'm sitting and there is always a puzzle laid out there. All I have to do is swivel my chair to go back and forth from the puzzle to the computer.
I try to be reasonably frugal; I'll redo some old puzzles and will also stop by the local Goodwill store occasionally to donate some old ones and pick up a couple of new ones. It's a fairly recent addiction for me (about the last two years) and I'm still in the process of learning the various brands (I'd love to know others favorites if you do them). But I particularly like Springbok puzzles and every once in a while I'll allow myself the luxury of buying a new one. The only place nearby that carries them is a little non-chain drugstore.
I was in there yesterday to buy a puzzle and got in a conversation about puzzles with the clerk. She turned to another employee and said, "Tell him about your grandson." The other lady told me that her grandson had been doing jigsaws since he was 4. He's now 11 and... he puts them together from the middle out. I'd never heard of that before. I always build the frame first and work my way in from there and I assumed everyone else does too. Does anyone else do them that way? I'm tempted to try it (maybe with an old puzzle) but I'm a little intimidated at the thought.
I try to be reasonably frugal; I'll redo some old puzzles and will also stop by the local Goodwill store occasionally to donate some old ones and pick up a couple of new ones. It's a fairly recent addiction for me (about the last two years) and I'm still in the process of learning the various brands (I'd love to know others favorites if you do them). But I particularly like Springbok puzzles and every once in a while I'll allow myself the luxury of buying a new one. The only place nearby that carries them is a little non-chain drugstore.
I was in there yesterday to buy a puzzle and got in a conversation about puzzles with the clerk. She turned to another employee and said, "Tell him about your grandson." The other lady told me that her grandson had been doing jigsaws since he was 4. He's now 11 and... he puts them together from the middle out. I'd never heard of that before. I always build the frame first and work my way in from there and I assumed everyone else does too. Does anyone else do them that way? I'm tempted to try it (maybe with an old puzzle) but I'm a little intimidated at the thought.
I love doing jigsaw puzzles and work like you do, doing the edge first and then filling it in. My favorite puzzles can be purchased from Pomegranate.com and feature the art of Charley Harper. His work consists of stylized wildlife art with bright colors and lots of birds. I highly recommend them!
2
I wasn't getting much traction in the NW (partly because I was conflating Patricia Highsmith with Cornwall) so I was very happy to Aha all over WORDLADDER also. Unfortunately, that lasted only till ETSY.
In the Insult-to-Injury Dept., I then tried to make something of HERO_TO_?, so it seemed an eternity that I was solving with ZERO SYNAPSE involvement.
An aside to your OT para: I'll admit that it wasn't till the floating meerkat island part that I finally gave up on thinking that "Life of PI" might be at least partly rooted in reality. (Keep writing.)
Thought this an excellent midweek solve.
In the Insult-to-Injury Dept., I then tried to make something of HERO_TO_?, so it seemed an eternity that I was solving with ZERO SYNAPSE involvement.
An aside to your OT para: I'll admit that it wasn't till the floating meerkat island part that I finally gave up on thinking that "Life of PI" might be at least partly rooted in reality. (Keep writing.)
Thought this an excellent midweek solve.
2
I also really enjoyed this one! I spotted the word ladder but wasn't sure what to make of it. Took me a while to figure it out but it went much more easily once that part was cracked. Thanks for a fun puzzle!
3
Not to put too fine a point on this, but according to the American Heritage Dictionary a STYLUS is what engravers use. A STYLET is what doctors use to do medical procedures like a tracheotomy.
2
I know, but:
stylet (plural stylets)
1. A slender medical probe or device.
2. (zoology) A stiff, slender organ of an animal.
3. (botany) A style of a plant's flower.
4. A stiletto or poniard.
5. An engraving tool, a stylus.***
... she said pointedly ;)
(ps: There's also a stylus on the tone-arm of my turntable)
stylet (plural stylets)
1. A slender medical probe or device.
2. (zoology) A stiff, slender organ of an animal.
3. (botany) A style of a plant's flower.
4. A stiletto or poniard.
5. An engraving tool, a stylus.***
... she said pointedly ;)
(ps: There's also a stylus on the tone-arm of my turntable)
8
And then there's Strunk and White, Elements of Style .... so would the paperbck version be Elements of Stylet?
2
Just a small part of it.
I really enjoyed this one! I love word ladders and this had a wonderful twist. I also like going back over a fun puzzle, savoring the wordplay - and this one had a lot to savor!
4
Outstanding theme concept.
14
There, Mr. Dolan. Praise from a Master!
5
cought on quickly with amen to that. like udon noodles and opera. Was pleased to see Puccini's Tosca as a clue. It will be the New Year's feature at the Met Opera to riung in 2018!
1
and Elke
Enjoyed this novel word ladder puzzle. Caught on quickly with the SLIM TO NONE.
Did try "soba" noodles before UDON , but am not in a SNIT.
I really ADORE this puzzle for reminding me of the Gettysburg Address with PERISH.
While EDICTS may be handed down by kings , it seems Presidential Oratory is not a prerequisite for the highest democratic position.
Learnt it as a Grade 10 PUPIL in Toronto, Canada .
NOTE TO SELF - read up again about it on Wikipedia.
Thanks for the puzzle and memory trip. Yes, we have been in Gettysburg. Maybe inaugurations should be held there, as a reminder of sacrifices made by citizens.
Enjoyed this novel word ladder puzzle. Caught on quickly with the SLIM TO NONE.
Did try "soba" noodles before UDON , but am not in a SNIT.
I really ADORE this puzzle for reminding me of the Gettysburg Address with PERISH.
While EDICTS may be handed down by kings , it seems Presidential Oratory is not a prerequisite for the highest democratic position.
Learnt it as a Grade 10 PUPIL in Toronto, Canada .
NOTE TO SELF - read up again about it on Wikipedia.
Thanks for the puzzle and memory trip. Yes, we have been in Gettysburg. Maybe inaugurations should be held there, as a reminder of sacrifices made by citizens.
7
I've been doing the puzzles consistently for three weeks and I'm loving the effect on my creativity. All these random inputs. I wonder if there have been any studies on the connections between doing the crossword and being more creative. Anybody got any links for me?
3
Put your forehead up against your computer screen: I'm ready with my Vulcan mind-meld.
2
I don't know about the creativity question, but believe firmly that my late grandmother's mental acuity was kept up to the end by constant dedicated crossword puzzling.
1
No, but seriously--it probably encourages us to think of all possible definitions, usages, idioms, and puns--verbal creativity. For my quilt designs, not so much. So many types of intelligence and so many creative outlets...but if you are feeling it, I am sure it's real.
1
Quick and fun. Took significantly less time than yesterday's, which was surprisingly hard... for a Tuesday.
1
Highly entertaining word ladder theme using common phrases. I always enjoy the puzzles within a puzzle.
4
Unfortunately Mr. Dolan's extremely clever theme thread made this puzzle extremely easy. But that's OK, it was fun to solve it.
(I expected BREXIT to be a first-time answer, but he got nosed out by a couple weeks. Too bad.)
(I expected BREXIT to be a first-time answer, but he got nosed out by a couple weeks. Too bad.)
2
Clever twist to have word ladders in the clues! (More like Tuesday cluing otherwise, though, IMO.)
After decrying gender role implications of the recent AXMEN and TMEN, I trust there will be cheering for today's MATCH, which at the top level would only be a Women's match.
After decrying gender role implications of the recent AXMEN and TMEN, I trust there will be cheering for today's MATCH, which at the top level would only be a Women's match.
4
My own gender-based assumptions did me in; I looked at those numbers, realized they involved tennis sets but thought that they fell short of a full MATCH... then had to eat crow.
1
i'm not a tennis player, but I paid close attention while my wife and younger daughter worked as ballpersons at the U.S. Open.
Thanks, Barry and Katherine, for clarifying that MATCH had to do with tennis. I'm going to assume that SETS did too.
Now all I have to figure out is what you guys are talking about genderwise. Do men and women score tennis differently?
Now all I have to figure out is what you guys are talking about genderwise. Do men and women score tennis differently?
The column was here when I finished the puzzle--yay to that!--but no link to comments. But 10:15 and it has shown up. What's going on with things?
I enjoyed this puzzle tremendously. It was a very nice variation on word ladders, and it was fun figuring out what the starting and ending points were. More fun than a normal word ladder!
I'm going to be disappearing for a couple of weeks for a trip to Arizona. I may try to keep up with at least some of the puzzles (although I don't like doing them on my phone, which is what I'll have) but I definitely won't try to keep up with the blog. See you all in March!
I enjoyed this puzzle tremendously. It was a very nice variation on word ladders, and it was fun figuring out what the starting and ending points were. More fun than a normal word ladder!
I'm going to be disappearing for a couple of weeks for a trip to Arizona. I may try to keep up with at least some of the puzzles (although I don't like doing them on my phone, which is what I'll have) but I definitely won't try to keep up with the blog. See you all in March!
4
Enjoy your travels, Liz B!
1
Liz, print the puzzle and do it with a pen. It's goofy and old fashioned, but you just might find it fun.
2
Have a great trip, Liz.
1
HUSK
HUCK
HACK
HAWK
HAWN
...