Wow, I found this to be an incredibly difficult Tuesday solve. Though STANDUPGUYS jumped right out for some reason, I had difficulty with 1A! Ugh, JEAN! Also, ILEDUDIABLE??? Please, it's only Tuesday Jacob and Will :)
2
A coincidence that "Crossword Clues Q" popped up as a category "Jeopardy!" tonight.
And I hope everybody aced that "Album Covers" category.
And I hope everybody aced that "Album Covers" category.
1
I didn''t know a single one of the "Album Covers." I took a guess at one, but I was wrong.
But I thought of you with every one of them. I knew you wouldn't have had the slightest hesitation and would have scored 100%.
But I thought of you with every one of them. I knew you wouldn't have had the slightest hesitation and would have scored 100%.
2
Happy National Chocolate Souffle Day!
I don't understand 8D, [Done nothing]/LAIN.
I don't understand 8D, [Done nothing]/LAIN.
2
It's very quaint.
1
Oh, dear.
Not only have I had to admit to lack of understanding, but now I am being mocked!
Not only have I had to admit to lack of understanding, but now I am being mocked!
You are *not* being mocked. Elsewhere in the news, there's a story in the Times today comparing Camp David and Mar-a-Lago. Aside from the usual humor and some excellent historical photos, there is a terrific picture of Liberty!
and Elke
For Polonius, Deb and others, "brevity is the soul of wit".
I think of OGDEN Nash's "Candy is dandy, but liquor is quicker" and also "If called by a panther, don't anther".
Your daily smile. You're welcome :))
For Polonius, Deb and others, "brevity is the soul of wit".
I think of OGDEN Nash's "Candy is dandy, but liquor is quicker" and also "If called by a panther, don't anther".
Your daily smile. You're welcome :))
4
Like others, I found this a difficult puzzle. But I was able to solve it with out help, and that made me feel good. A nice workout, and a great start to the day.
As often happens early in the week, I sped though the grid quickly and only went back to dig out the theme upon finishing. Cute idea, would've liked a fourth themer, but I guess it was tough enough to work in three. I was a little worried when Devil's Island didn't fit @9D but soon caught onto the French connection. I also grimaced at the suggestion that HOBBES is imaginary.
One of my most valuable records is a first EDITION 45 of "Anarchy in the U.K." by the Sex Pistols on the EMI label.
"Get Up, STAND UP" by Bob Marley is a rousing, vital protest song for any age, as timely today as it was when written and recorded in 1973:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tg97JiBn1kE
One of my most valuable records is a first EDITION 45 of "Anarchy in the U.K." by the Sex Pistols on the EMI label.
"Get Up, STAND UP" by Bob Marley is a rousing, vital protest song for any age, as timely today as it was when written and recorded in 1973:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tg97JiBn1kE
3
Jimbo, InGENEous to work in the French Connection, one day after having POPEYE.
3
Unlike Lewis and Meg H, I had the NW corner filled in before proceeding with the rest of the puzzle, possibly because that's where I live --- the NW corner of CT, that is.
This turned out to be a very enjoyable solve for me, with no Googles or checks.
STAND UP GUYS was my clue for reading the circled letters from the bottom up.
I have come away with only one unknown; what is the word that begins with A but cannot be mentioned? The only one I can think might be it is the three-letter synonym for donkey. I loved Deb's description of the separation of powere in the various parts of Crossword Land.
This turned out to be a very enjoyable solve for me, with no Googles or checks.
STAND UP GUYS was my clue for reading the circled letters from the bottom up.
I have come away with only one unknown; what is the word that begins with A but cannot be mentioned? The only one I can think might be it is the three-letter synonym for donkey. I loved Deb's description of the separation of powere in the various parts of Crossword Land.
2
Ding-ding-ding-ding-ding!
And here's your prize for a correct answer (title, not lyrics):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FsWxh6eyoBU
And here's your prize for a correct answer (title, not lyrics):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FsWxh6eyoBU
4
ILEDUDIABLE might be my favorite answer of all time. Having never read "Papillon", I had to solve around it and after I finished the puzzle, I learned something new. That's fun for me.
ABBIE Hoffman tied in with RADICALLEFT, and since it's baseball season and I'm a Minnesota Twins fan, ERRED brought a smile to my face even though that clue and its variants are fairly common.
Thanks for making sure my Tuesday didn't start (or perhaps it did) with a NETNEGATIVE.
ABBIE Hoffman tied in with RADICALLEFT, and since it's baseball season and I'm a Minnesota Twins fan, ERRED brought a smile to my face even though that clue and its variants are fairly common.
Thanks for making sure my Tuesday didn't start (or perhaps it did) with a NETNEGATIVE.
1
Well, here's another nice kettle of fish you've pickled me in!
4
There's no need to fear, JFC is here.
Nice to see you back, John, and I hope all is well with you.
Nice to see you back, John, and I hope all is well with you.
I'm glad to see you have not gone, gentle or otherwise, John. Speaking of Dylan Thomas, I had dinner last night at El Quijote, in the Hotel Chelsea.
1
Glad to have you back John, but I cannot for the life of me see the connection. A favorite of mine, with Wally on vocal, I even read his name from bottom up to see if there was a guy within. All I know is that his alter-ego sold the daily EDITION.
1
Here's a nit: the Spanish word for girlfriend (one word) is NOVIA, not AMIGA. The latter means a friend who is, happens to be, a girl.
4
(H/T to Rich for prior mention)
2
In English, the word girlfriend is often used to refer to a female friend of the non-romantic variety, so I don't see the issue with the clue.
1
Like Lewis, I was bogged down by the NW corner even though most of the words were 'on hold' till I could be sure. I didn't figure out that BAND B was B&B until I read Barry's letter. And ERRED had me completely flummoxed because the voice in my head understood 'muffed' as an adjective not a verb, i.e., one who was muffed rather than one who had muffed.
Those idiosyncracies of English and the guile of our constructors and NY Times editors are why I love these puzzles.
Those idiosyncracies of English and the guile of our constructors and NY Times editors are why I love these puzzles.
3
Hand up for "muffed" as an adjective. I was picturing all sorts of cute little animals, but nothing came to mind.
1
Clever theme with unusual theme answers, especially for a Tuesday. ILEDUDIABLE isn't exactly "in the language" (well, French, maybe) but it's the perfect place to hide the DUDE.
That phrase along with NETNEGATIVE and RADICALLEFT are really interesting, non-crosswordese answers.
"Parsley / Is gharsley" made my day!
Thank you, Jacob Stulberg, for your sophisticated take on some really -- literally! -- STANDUPGUYS.
That phrase along with NETNEGATIVE and RADICALLEFT are really interesting, non-crosswordese answers.
"Parsley / Is gharsley" made my day!
Thank you, Jacob Stulberg, for your sophisticated take on some really -- literally! -- STANDUPGUYS.
3
Also tossed in MEDICIS before BORGIAS (with terminal S doubts asper RiA), probably because 'Festina lente' suits me better than 'Aut Caesar, aut nihil'. Could also have been SFORZAS, basta!
The theme deserves Honourable Menschen.
The theme deserves Honourable Menschen.
8
I should menschen that I also had Medicis before BORGIAS.
1
AOK solve for me. I didn't look at the circles until I got to the reveal. It's not a good look for me so I never had one, but I have always referred to the item of apparel as a JEANs jacket. I am happy to report that today I did not start with 'dale'.
2
Somehow the U in URSINE was replaced by an O. Operator error I am certain. Also had a devil of a time with 9D. Groaned a bit when I got the theme but it is Tuesday.
Thank you Jacob and hold the mayo.
Thank you Jacob and hold the mayo.
Reasonably enjoyable Tuesday solve, though the theme is not my cuppa. I enjoy a lot of different kinds of wordplay but noting what might be imbedded backwards in a phrase is not something I'm inclined to do. I also didn't think that NETNEGATIVE was a plus and with just three theme answers I would have expected something a little livelier. The other two were very nice, however. No real complaints.
First thought at 29a was Medici, but I didn't put it in because adding an 's' to that felt wrong to me, while I was ok doing it with BORGIAS. No idea if that's justified or not. Oh, one more minor nit: I think AMIGA is a girl friend, not a girlfriend.
I occasionally run a theme idea by a very helpful constructor (so far without success). One that I really liked would have had the long down answers LEATHERSTOCKING and THESOUTHPACIFIC (both 15 letters), plus a possible CANTERBURY (awkward length) and then TWOCITIES synchronously placed with the reveal: TALLTALES. I can see a number of possible problems with that, but was surprised that the primary objection was that he couldn't really see how long vertical answers could be seen as 'tall,' and suggested that something like 'upstanding' would work better (not with my theme, obviously). So today we have 'stand-up,' which I guess confirms his observation, but I still don't get it.
And I guess that kills any possibility of a theme built around entries like this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFFgbc5Vcbw
..
First thought at 29a was Medici, but I didn't put it in because adding an 's' to that felt wrong to me, while I was ok doing it with BORGIAS. No idea if that's justified or not. Oh, one more minor nit: I think AMIGA is a girl friend, not a girlfriend.
I occasionally run a theme idea by a very helpful constructor (so far without success). One that I really liked would have had the long down answers LEATHERSTOCKING and THESOUTHPACIFIC (both 15 letters), plus a possible CANTERBURY (awkward length) and then TWOCITIES synchronously placed with the reveal: TALLTALES. I can see a number of possible problems with that, but was surprised that the primary objection was that he couldn't really see how long vertical answers could be seen as 'tall,' and suggested that something like 'upstanding' would work better (not with my theme, obviously). So today we have 'stand-up,' which I guess confirms his observation, but I still don't get it.
And I guess that kills any possibility of a theme built around entries like this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFFgbc5Vcbw
..
4
I think all girlfriends are girl friends, but not all girl friends are girlfriends.
I love Little Richard. Thank you.
I love Little Richard. Thank you.
2
Theme was cute, Tuesday appropriate, and, as the NW was my last section to fill in, that T in GENT actually helped my solve. I like the AXLE/TONAL/HALE line, with its L-ending sounds. I like the palindromic neighbors of ONO and BOB, and the backward PEELS near SPA. There is a DROP down, and HOBBES touched a warm spot in my heart. I learned that OLEO is kosher. YESMEN echoes the theme, and ERRED reminded me of the Oscars' big oops moment.
There are some other stand up guys in the grid: NAT, ED, ELI AL, and the aforementioned BOB.
The puzzle is on the harder end of Tuesday, but short of Wednesday, so it should give new solvers a taste of what's to come without being overwhelming. I had a grand old time solving it and mining treasures. Thank you for all you put into it, Jacob!
There are some other stand up guys in the grid: NAT, ED, ELI AL, and the aforementioned BOB.
The puzzle is on the harder end of Tuesday, but short of Wednesday, so it should give new solvers a taste of what's to come without being overwhelming. I had a grand old time solving it and mining treasures. Thank you for all you put into it, Jacob!
1
"I learned that OLEO is kosher."
Butter is also "kosher," but it is (clearly) "dairy." Some but by no means all OLEOmargarine is "pareve" (neither meat nor dairy), so it may be used (in compliance with Jewish dietary law) with either meat or dairy dishes. The "kosher restaurants" in the clue serve meat but not dairy; a kosher dairy restaurant could offer (kosher) butter as a "topping."
Butter is also "kosher," but it is (clearly) "dairy." Some but by no means all OLEOmargarine is "pareve" (neither meat nor dairy), so it may be used (in compliance with Jewish dietary law) with either meat or dairy dishes. The "kosher restaurants" in the clue serve meat but not dairy; a kosher dairy restaurant could offer (kosher) butter as a "topping."
3
Thank you for that clarification, Barry!
I've clarified butter many times, Lewis, but this is the first time I've clarified OLEO.
4
Cute theme, and for me more Wednesday than Tuesday. I did like all the geographic entries though. Alsace has turned up again, one of my favorite places to visit, and the birthplace of my great grandfather who brought his wine making skills to Pasadena in the early 20th Century.
I had to write out 4 down horizontally before I could make any sense of it.
I got the circled letters ( so the theme) fairly early on, and did think of Chicago John who hated circles.
Good puzzle, Jacob.
I had to write out 4 down horizontally before I could make any sense of it.
I got the circled letters ( so the theme) fairly early on, and did think of Chicago John who hated circles.
Good puzzle, Jacob.
2
A pleasing, substantial Tuesday puzzle, which I solved without Google's assistance for a change. I was surprised to see NET NEGATIVE so early in the week. It was nice to re-encounter OGDEN Nash. I had to look long and hard at the filled grid before I saw the three STAND UP GUYS.
1
I see a redesigned page, but is it an improvement? When the comments cover up more of the article than before, how can it be? I had visions of a left shift leaving the article intact, but narrower and longer.
Hi Kiki,
It's only a test by the people who design pages. If it's any comfort, they didn't tell me either.
It's only a test by the people who design pages. If it's any comfort, they didn't tell me either.
and Elke
Wow- this was a geographical tour de force : JAVA, ILE DU DIABLE, LATVIA, INDIA, HAWAII, ALSACE , CHILi(E), the INCAS and the Italian BOOT, to boot.
We had ALSO the JEAN jacket to go with Sunday's MOM jeans, the better to travel in , like real DUDEs.
Spent some time where I could put "orb" to yield "bro", but gave up.
ABBIE sits just above the RADICAL LEFT. Was looking for a "Yippy" answer...
The CTA reminds me of "John of Chicago"-have not heard from him since he posted with Dylan Thomas' "Do not go GENTle into that good night"....
Jacob S. -with this fine puzzle it seems to me , you're a jolly good FELLA in my book.
Wow- this was a geographical tour de force : JAVA, ILE DU DIABLE, LATVIA, INDIA, HAWAII, ALSACE , CHILi(E), the INCAS and the Italian BOOT, to boot.
We had ALSO the JEAN jacket to go with Sunday's MOM jeans, the better to travel in , like real DUDEs.
Spent some time where I could put "orb" to yield "bro", but gave up.
ABBIE sits just above the RADICAL LEFT. Was looking for a "Yippy" answer...
The CTA reminds me of "John of Chicago"-have not heard from him since he posted with Dylan Thomas' "Do not go GENTle into that good night"....
Jacob S. -with this fine puzzle it seems to me , you're a jolly good FELLA in my book.
4
John added a couple of short comments to the blog entry for Sunday's puzzle.
Oh, and I see he also commented on today's puzzle.
I blame it on someone who gave me the wrong envelope.
I blame it on someone who gave me the wrong envelope.
4
Nice puzzle with a little more meat than some Tuesdays. I probably liked it because I got the theme for a change.
Thanks for the fun.
Thanks for the fun.
2
good Tuesday. knew the names. not much resistance.
2
Re: 22A
Some B&B's are quaint and others are not.
Some inns are quaint and others are not.
A B&B, quaint or not, is not an inn.
(Now let's get some SLEEP.)
Some B&B's are quaint and others are not.
Some inns are quaint and others are not.
A B&B, quaint or not, is not an inn.
(Now let's get some SLEEP.)
2
ERGO, an inn, quaint or not, is not a B&B.
1
I don't know why, Martin, because I can't open the link. But RHUD -- Will's preferred reference -- says nothing about quaintness:
http://www.dictionary.com/browse/bed-and-breakfast
http://www.dictionary.com/browse/bed-and-breakfast
1
Dear Deb, I hope you noticed that the "A" word that cannot be spoken has reappeared in the crossword.
1
and Elke
Bruvver- small nit: the "A" word can be " spoken " here; it just cannot be "written". My guess is that emus are very upright birds......
Bruvver- small nit: the "A" word can be " spoken " here; it just cannot be "written". My guess is that emus are very upright birds......
3
nit accepted
1
Dear Bruvver,
One of the more interesting things about this company is that everything is run by different departments. So, the puzzle is different from the column, which is different from the commenting system, even though readers see it all as one big, happy package.
I've noticed the discrepancy and mentioned it countless times, but the community department, which runs and monitors the commenting system, has their rules and Will Shortz, who determines what is acceptable in a puzzle, has his. I don't anticipate that changing any time soon, but Wordplayers are clever and have figured out how to make their thoughts known.
Also, and you might not have noticed this, life is not fair. If it was, I'd be taller and thinner and living in a place with palm trees and nice weather all year round.
One of the more interesting things about this company is that everything is run by different departments. So, the puzzle is different from the column, which is different from the commenting system, even though readers see it all as one big, happy package.
I've noticed the discrepancy and mentioned it countless times, but the community department, which runs and monitors the commenting system, has their rules and Will Shortz, who determines what is acceptable in a puzzle, has his. I don't anticipate that changing any time soon, but Wordplayers are clever and have figured out how to make their thoughts known.
Also, and you might not have noticed this, life is not fair. If it was, I'd be taller and thinner and living in a place with palm trees and nice weather all year round.
4
Henri Charrière, author of Papillon, was sentenced to serve time in the French penal colony of French Guiana in 1931 and escaped in 1945. He never set foot on l'Île du Diable, an island off the French Guiana coast, which was reserved for political prisoners such as Captain Alfred Dreyfus. His book has nothing to do with the island. Like other common criminals, he did his time on the mainland. His account, by the way, has been shown to be largely fictional or borrowed from an earlier book by René Belbenoit (Dry guillotine, 1938), who also escaped from French Guiana, and, like Charrière, never spent a day on Devil's Island. It is because of the notoriety of the Dreyfus affair that the popular mind confuses French Guiana with Devil's Island. Conditions for prisoners in French Guiana were horrific; ironically, Devil's Island was heaven by comparison, since the political prisoners were left to their own devices and were of a class of people not inclined to brutalize one another.
2
The clue read: Infamous prison featured in the 1969 best seller "Papillon". So whether Charrière actually served time there or not, the isle was featured in the book. So the clue is correct.
8
Steve is correct in that Charriere does claim to have served time on Devil's Island, even though that appears not to be the case.
Aside from that, I'm not sure why the clue just didn't reference Alfred Dreyfus. I would think that the answer being in French would be sufficient Tuesday level difficulty. The only reason I can think of is that Papillon 'sounds' French (thus removing the necessity of adding '(fr.)' to the clue), while Dreyfus does not, which is just silly.
Lastly, "a class of people not inclined to brutalize one another." Seems to me that the whole Dreyfus affair had a lot to do with judgments regarding 'a class of people.' J'Accuse.
Aside from that, I'm not sure why the clue just didn't reference Alfred Dreyfus. I would think that the answer being in French would be sufficient Tuesday level difficulty. The only reason I can think of is that Papillon 'sounds' French (thus removing the necessity of adding '(fr.)' to the clue), while Dreyfus does not, which is just silly.
Lastly, "a class of people not inclined to brutalize one another." Seems to me that the whole Dreyfus affair had a lot to do with judgments regarding 'a class of people.' J'Accuse.
4
Maybe the explanation is the fact that ILE DU DIABLE is often how the prison is referred to in English texts.
Dude! Hobbes is real!
14
Indeed! And here is a clip of the wonderful Daveed Diggs as everyone's favorite philosophical pet tiger (right before he played Aaron Burr in the original cast of Hamilton):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sx68TPu4dCk&list=PL9CWTsG3tw1qKs5Cbv...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sx68TPu4dCk&list=PL9CWTsG3tw1qKs5Cbv...
2
Chungclan, I agree that Daveed Diggs is wonderful and I haven't seen Hamilton yet, but I believe he played Lafayette/Jefferson in the original cast. Leslie Odom, Jr. played Burr. They each won Tonys.
1
You are absolutely right! Just goes to show I should wait until I've had my second cup of coffee before publishing any comments!!!
1
We'll always have Monday.
5
Who knew a Tuesday crossword could be so complicated
2
Wikipedia claims that "Clues and answers must always match in part of speech, tense, number, and degree".
Are they wrong about number? Perhaps they mean to say "most often, but not always", as in this case where "tenet" is singular yet the clue clearly indicates plural.
Am I confused or is Wikipedia not quite correct here?