One of the hardest puzzles ever
1
Whew. Long day. I think I would have been successful on this on a 'normal' day - specifically, if I could have had coffee this morning - but I came close enough for a Saturday. Enough gimmes or early guesses in almost every section to get good toeholds - guessed SPEAKEASY right away (had a great uncle who drove a truck for the 'outfit') and TEAMSTERS not long after and those were big helps. On the other hand, it took me forever to recall BORGE and BADEN, though I absolutely knew both of those. I've heard LARRUP before, though I had no idea exactly how to spell it. MARMITE was the biggest complete unknown to me. I did this one early this morning so I don't recall any other details.
No coffee (or anything else) this morning because I had a couple of routine tests scheduled at the VA - a cat-scan and ultrasound (results of the tests: no cats and... it's a boy!). Should have taken about 45 minutes at most. It took a lot longer. A lot.
I know I've linked BEATIT before, so I'll restrain myself even though it's a favorite.
No coffee (or anything else) this morning because I had a couple of routine tests scheduled at the VA - a cat-scan and ultrasound (results of the tests: no cats and... it's a boy!). Should have taken about 45 minutes at most. It took a lot longer. A lot.
I know I've linked BEATIT before, so I'll restrain myself even though it's a favorite.
5
Today's Friday Ria. White coat syndrome?
1
I wonder if your great-uncle and my grandfather had mutual friends, Rich.
Grandpa rowed the boats with the booze across "Whiskey River" from Canada.
Grandpa rowed the boats with the booze across "Whiskey River" from Canada.
1
"It took a lot longer. A lot."
I can't wait in lines. It's a service-connected disability.
I can't wait in lines. It's a service-connected disability.
2
Never heard the word, LARRUP. That is why I love crosswords.
1
Hi Ann,
That's a great attitude!
That's a great attitude!
2
LARRUP was unknown to me as well. Seems it has only been around since 1823.
HUD is a terrific movie. Paul Newman, Brandon de Wilde, Melvyn Douglas and especially Patricia Neal gave the performances of their lives. Anyone who has not seen it might find it available on some streaming service. It’s well worth searching for. Here’s the trailer, kind of cheesy, but the movie is taut and brilliant—
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbOO4_xgzsc
HUD is a terrific movie. Paul Newman, Brandon de Wilde, Melvyn Douglas and especially Patricia Neal gave the performances of their lives. Anyone who has not seen it might find it available on some streaming service. It’s well worth searching for. Here’s the trailer, kind of cheesy, but the movie is taut and brilliant—
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbOO4_xgzsc
3
What Jim said.
Terrific flick!
Terrific flick!
3
Watched most of it again within the last week.
Terrific film, but I'll watch anything with Patricia Neal in it.
Terrific film, but I'll watch anything with Patricia Neal in it.
2
When I think Patricia Neal I think of Breakfast...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32uh41WUWfc
She was perfect in that role.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32uh41WUWfc
She was perfect in that role.
3
That northwest corner was a bear! That I had never heard of HUD or LARRUP didn't help, and the others were tough to make traction on without anything to work with except SPE at the bottom and SONGS on the right. "Hopes not to be called, say" is a clever clue for BLUFFS. For "it's picked up in a mess," I figured it would be CHOW or some other soldier-slang for food, but for some reason I didn't think to try FOOD until rather late in the game.
I got most of the long entries without much difficulty, which helped with the rest of the puzzle. But CRADLE SONGS is pretty obscure; I don't think I've ever heard that phrase used for lullabies. HOUSE CLEANS also seems awkwardly worded. Wouldn't CLEANS HOUSE be a more natural phrasing?
FEDAYEEN was a new one for me, too.
The one I still don't get is ENCORE for "added numbers?"
I got most of the long entries without much difficulty, which helped with the rest of the puzzle. But CRADLE SONGS is pretty obscure; I don't think I've ever heard that phrase used for lullabies. HOUSE CLEANS also seems awkwardly worded. Wouldn't CLEANS HOUSE be a more natural phrasing?
FEDAYEEN was a new one for me, too.
The one I still don't get is ENCORE for "added numbers?"
2
If a band plays an encore at the end of a show, they add numbers to the initial set list.
1
Oh wait, I got it... numbers = songs. Very clever!
I think making "numbers" plural was unnecessary. Added number would have been "encore". Added numbers would have been "encores".
and Elke
PB had great clues e.g. "rock music", "brush alternative","added numbers" etc.
May I suggest for 16A, in view of upcoming holiday for some:
"what Moses said to his followers at the Red Sea":
"HERE WE GO".
PB had great clues e.g. "rock music", "brush alternative","added numbers" etc.
May I suggest for 16A, in view of upcoming holiday for some:
"what Moses said to his followers at the Red Sea":
"HERE WE GO".
2
As always, a lovely Patrick Berry Friday puzzle, this time with a big white space in the center where three eleven-letter acrosses cross three eleven-letter downs! One or two of these I got with no crossings; for the others it was fun to try to guess them with as few crossings as possible. As always, the fill is smooth as silk. The solve was pretty smooth, too, though the lower right was hard and was the last to go: first SWEEPS and SNEERS, then NEW —> NOW, and finally COBS and ENCORE with the misleadingest clue of all, ? or not: "Added numbers?"
Did not know HOUSECLEAN is a verb on its own (back-formation from HOUSECLEANER?), had not heard of STONE CIRCLE per se (or is this just a _descriptor_ of any monument like STONEHENGE?), had not heard of the Chicago Outfit (was that Capone et Al.?), and would guess STAYS AT HOME is not a dictionary phrase but would actually be happy to see more such non-dictionary phrases among puzzle entries.
Friday Patrick Berry puzzles are always a special pleasure.
Did not know HOUSECLEAN is a verb on its own (back-formation from HOUSECLEANER?), had not heard of STONE CIRCLE per se (or is this just a _descriptor_ of any monument like STONEHENGE?), had not heard of the Chicago Outfit (was that Capone et Al.?), and would guess STAYS AT HOME is not a dictionary phrase but would actually be happy to see more such non-dictionary phrases among puzzle entries.
Friday Patrick Berry puzzles are always a special pleasure.
2
Stonehenge is an example of a stone circle, which is what the name suggests, a group of stones arranged in a circle. Apparently there are over a thousand stone circles in the British Isles alone. (Source: Wikipedia, so it must be true :-)
2
Thanks, Bungo.
Delightful Friday fare.
Started with a few short gimmes in far-off corners of the grid (BORGE, IRAN, AMY, BEATIT). Slow going for a while, until some of the longer fill in the middle of the grid started to unFURL. My LIRR morning commute has been a challenge all week, thanks to a derailment in Penn Station on Monday, so I thought those drivers in cabs might be TRAIN something-or-other. I've run into LARRUP somewhere along the way, as it went in without much trouble. Remind me to pick up a jar of MARMITE on the way home tonight.
Confession: my bed stays UNMADE pretty much all the time. Don't judge me.
Rich's old flame Joan Jett doesn't care much about her "BAD REPutation"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeYn_W14zTU
Confession: my bed stays UNMADE pretty much all the time. Don't judge me.
Rich's old flame Joan Jett doesn't care much about her "BAD REPutation"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeYn_W14zTU
2
I've thought of you every morning and every evening this week as I watched the chaos at Penn Station on the TV news.
And it wasn't even the LIRR's fault! (This time.)
And it wasn't even the LIRR's fault! (This time.)
2
As a commenter on another site put it, "In our house, we call an UNMADE BED a bed".
4
I might've been visible in one of those crowd shots from Penn Station, DL.
So many fun entries today. I had the same problems already mentioned, tray before food, didn't know LARRUP, and Stonehenge not fitting was giving me fits. For a while I had the NE and SW completely filled in along with the nice long answers in the middle, but nothing except HUD and ORIOLE in the other corners. I hope someone answers the question about brush and ROLLER.
I'm off with a friend to Edinburgh tomorrow for the weekend to meet up with a former colleague and family who are driving down from north of Inverness. I'll take my iPad, but might not get to the puzzles.
I'm off with a friend to Edinburgh tomorrow for the weekend to meet up with a former colleague and family who are driving down from north of Inverness. I'll take my iPad, but might not get to the puzzles.
3
suejean, think of painting a wall. You can use a brush or a ROLLER (usually both).
Had almost the same experience with the puzzle. Have fun in Edinburgh.
Had almost the same experience with the puzzle. Have fun in Edinburgh.
Whoops. I ALWAYS read all the other comments before I post.
Except today. The ROLLER thing had been answered already - multiple times.
Except today. The ROLLER thing had been answered already - multiple times.
Yours was the first one I read, Rich.
I have been at this puzzle for awhile and admit to wondering whence the Patrick Berry hagiography comes. This puzzle seems no more clever nor any other descriptor than a usual Friday. As always, I had fun with it.
The "cheating" vs. "learning" debate--this community has as yet not come up with a definitive answer. Each solver has their own standard it seems. Mine is that the puzzle is always a fun learning experience. I may enter an answer then look it up to confirm spelling. I may enter a word then look it up to figure out what the heck it means (see larrup from today). If I am stuck I may Bing a clue or a variant and first see if I can find it in only the extracts served up by Bing. Whatever I do, when I am done, I consider the puzzle "solved" and move on to the next task in life.
The "cheating" vs. "learning" debate--this community has as yet not come up with a definitive answer. Each solver has their own standard it seems. Mine is that the puzzle is always a fun learning experience. I may enter an answer then look it up to confirm spelling. I may enter a word then look it up to figure out what the heck it means (see larrup from today). If I am stuck I may Bing a clue or a variant and first see if I can find it in only the extracts served up by Bing. Whatever I do, when I am done, I consider the puzzle "solved" and move on to the next task in life.
2
Thanks for the new word (hagiography). I find PB puzzles to be a lovely mix of misdirection and straightforward clues. There might be a LARRUP here and there, but generally the fill turns out to be familiar and never Natick-y - I know if I stick with it I'll get Mister Happy Pencil in the end! (Which reminds me, Saturday's puzzle is still hanging around as I gradually cheat my way through.) There are a few constructors that fill me with trepidation when I see their byline, but with PB I expect an entertaining, challenging and ultimately gettable puzzle.
To me, what sets PB aside is the cleanliness and quiet elegance of his constructions.
Also, as I've started following different constsructors' styles over the past few years, I've noted that, besides avoiding "XWDese," PB tends to feature entries that are at least moderately fresh and never, ever overused. Plus, even without self-conscious cleverness or cuteness, or even misdirection, his clues tend to take a slightly different slant from the totally straightforward definitional approach.
He makes me happy.
Also, as I've started following different constsructors' styles over the past few years, I've noted that, besides avoiding "XWDese," PB tends to feature entries that are at least moderately fresh and never, ever overused. Plus, even without self-conscious cleverness or cuteness, or even misdirection, his clues tend to take a slightly different slant from the totally straightforward definitional approach.
He makes me happy.
5
"... this community has as yet not come up with a definitive answer."
I think the definitive answer is that no one gets to set the conditions for anyone else to have the most fun with crosswords.
I think the definitive answer is that no one gets to set the conditions for anyone else to have the most fun with crosswords.
2
Well, this was just plain fun. I happen to be a fan of clues containing more than one word in the answer and today they all happened to fall right for me. A very smooth solve (not usual for me for a Friday), and a relaxing way to start my day.
Thanks to all and to all a good day!
Thanks to all and to all a good day!
1
Yet another PBJ(oy) puzzle. STAYS AT HOME, HOUSE CLEANS, and SWEEPS make me feel guilty. TIL LARRUP. Loved the clue for BLUFFS. Like so many, I had 'tray' before FOOD and 'curl' before FURL. Speaking of curl, I am not sure why ROLLER is a brush alternative. Are we talking hair-related items, or is there a trick here?
Think "house painter."
1
Many thanks, Figgie. More housework!
There's nothing more satisfying than plugging away at a PB puzzle to finally finish correctly. I'd have celebrated with a KIRIN if it hadn't been 7:30 in the morning!
The devilish cluing didn't disappoint. Mr. Berry is the King of Cluing.
Am I the only one who immediately wrote in "meal" where FOOD should be?
The devilish cluing didn't disappoint. Mr. Berry is the King of Cluing.
Am I the only one who immediately wrote in "meal" where FOOD should be?
I liked SONGS over TUNE, and had "income" for ENCORE for too long.
In a Patrick Berry puzzle I don't care so much if there are no words in my "liked this word a lot" column. Oh, if there are some, that's icing. I always expect a few devilish make-me-smile clues, and they are always there (COBS, ENCORE). Most of all, I expect a riddle fest, that is, clues that make the brain have to solve rather than bark out something it remembers. And one after another -- pop pop pop -- the riddle solutions begin to come out, and an overall feeling of satisfaction builds to the end, where I feel mentally exercised and exhilarated. Then, afterward, I look at the logistics of the puzzle and gape at the clean clean grid with its low word count and shake my head with amazement.
Not bad for a collection of letters in a grid. Very few can pull this off. And PB, you did it again.
In a Patrick Berry puzzle I don't care so much if there are no words in my "liked this word a lot" column. Oh, if there are some, that's icing. I always expect a few devilish make-me-smile clues, and they are always there (COBS, ENCORE). Most of all, I expect a riddle fest, that is, clues that make the brain have to solve rather than bark out something it remembers. And one after another -- pop pop pop -- the riddle solutions begin to come out, and an overall feeling of satisfaction builds to the end, where I feel mentally exercised and exhilarated. Then, afterward, I look at the logistics of the puzzle and gape at the clean clean grid with its low word count and shake my head with amazement.
Not bad for a collection of letters in a grid. Very few can pull this off. And PB, you did it again.
6
Very nicely put.
1
Luckily, I was in a rush and didn't notice the byline until I came here. A good workout, but happily most of the phrases popped into my head without much dithering about. Good puzzle!
1
When I think of the years I never filled in more than three or four words in a Friday puzzle and didn't think it was fair to open a dictionary, let alone google, I realize I'm going to have to dive into the archives. I used to just give up. I have now learned to be calm as I begin the puzzle, savor the clues I can get immediately, and then slowly, slowly proceed. Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks?
Today the midpuzzle long words were solved early on but, oh, how I had trouble with the corners! Had CURL before FURL; LARRUP was a newbie; LULLABIES just didn't fit, so off to another corner. GET READY before HEREWEGO. Spent many hours as a teen listening to BORGE so that was a gimme. POTOMAC was slow to come even though I had the PO. In the lower left I got MARMITE and ITERATE but wanted HEROES for 50a which gave me a real jumble there.
But, as I've learned, just keep plugging and all I finally had to look up, since Deb didn't reveal it, was BADREP. I'd had ARREST there at one point.
Today the midpuzzle long words were solved early on but, oh, how I had trouble with the corners! Had CURL before FURL; LARRUP was a newbie; LULLABIES just didn't fit, so off to another corner. GET READY before HEREWEGO. Spent many hours as a teen listening to BORGE so that was a gimme. POTOMAC was slow to come even though I had the PO. In the lower left I got MARMITE and ITERATE but wanted HEROES for 50a which gave me a real jumble there.
But, as I've learned, just keep plugging and all I finally had to look up, since Deb didn't reveal it, was BADREP. I'd had ARREST there at one point.
5
For brush and roller, think room painting.
Now, explain to me again about this Larrup word?
Now, explain to me again about this Larrup word?
I was over confident with prices and UNLV's Runnin' Rebs until "The Clown Prince of Denmark" urged me to jettison those two...Surprisingly, I had LARRUP despite my apprehension. I doubted the mysterious word could pass muster...SW was the most troublesome due in large part to the double-play combo, Wagner to Tristan to Parsifal...Being a dad, these were my go to 17a at nap and bedtimes. There were times when one lullaby would suffice. I always led off with Woody Guthrie's TUNE and if necessary, followed with the traditional Bahamian gospel song.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Odulaihe4sA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81vWrOAE1vA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Odulaihe4sA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81vWrOAE1vA
1
I still remember the light bulb from the very first "?" clue I ever solved on my own - the clue was "Rock singer?" and the answer was SIREN. So for a minute I actually did think that today's answer at 17-Across might have something to do with literal rocks, but found that SIRENSONGS fell one letter short. Coupled with the STONEHENGE shortfall at 41-Across I then thought that perhaps there was some treachery afoot until the crossings showed me the way.
3
My first thought was sirens, Mike and was hoping to find a way to use that idea. The real answer was pretty good though
1
Nobody else seems to have come to the defense of pre-historic residents of Britain, so here goes:
Stonehenge, stone circles and other pre-historic stone assemblages in northwestern Europe are not druidic. [For one thing, "dru" in "druid" - and the culture of druids - means "tree," rather opposed to stone.] Modern druids "like" the stone circles, in the same way one "likes" things other people came up with on Facebook.
This isn't a complaint about the clue, because puzzle clues are based on what people know rather than what is correct. (See the "scans" discussion of a day or two ago.) It's just an invitation for folks to visit the wiki page for Stonehenge and other pre-historic stone monuments and see what's there to learn.
Meta - an interesting week-to-week connection from "Anasazi" - which is likewise the culture of pre-historic people whose territory was later taken over by others who didn't know them and gave them a name they wouldn't have used themselves.
Stonehenge, stone circles and other pre-historic stone assemblages in northwestern Europe are not druidic. [For one thing, "dru" in "druid" - and the culture of druids - means "tree," rather opposed to stone.] Modern druids "like" the stone circles, in the same way one "likes" things other people came up with on Facebook.
This isn't a complaint about the clue, because puzzle clues are based on what people know rather than what is correct. (See the "scans" discussion of a day or two ago.) It's just an invitation for folks to visit the wiki page for Stonehenge and other pre-historic stone monuments and see what's there to learn.
Meta - an interesting week-to-week connection from "Anasazi" - which is likewise the culture of pre-historic people whose territory was later taken over by others who didn't know them and gave them a name they wouldn't have used themselves.
6
DC — thank you, I was inspired to look up Druids* in Wikipedia, and found: "A druid (Welsh: derwydd; Old Irish: druí) was a member of the high-ranking professional class in ancient Celtic cultures. While perhaps best remembered as religious leaders, they were also legal authorities, adjudicators, lorekeepers, medical professionals and political advisors. While the druids are reported to have been literate, they are believed to have been prevented by doctrine from recording their knowledge in written form, thus they left no written accounts of themselves. They are however attested in some detail by their contemporaries from other cultures, such as the Romans."
Interesting. *So how come druid isn't capitalized?
Interesting. *So how come druid isn't capitalized?
1
For my next career, I want to be a lorekeeper.
2
Lorekeeper sounds like a good job. The same "dru" / "treo" in druid and tree is in true and truth. (Solidity and permanence being the connection there.) And the Celts were all over Europe - started out well out in eastern Europe, but were gradually shoved out of the way until they remain in person and language only at the edges (including the Bretons in Brittany on the continent), though their place names and artifacts remain.
Derwood is what Darrin Stevens' mother-in-law used to misname him on "Bewitched," btw.
Derwood is what Darrin Stevens' mother-in-law used to misname him on "Bewitched," btw.
1
Son's CRADLESONGS included a medley of Zappa tunes. Favorites were Moving to Montana Soon and Don't Eat The Yellow Snow.
Dumb dk moments: What is that river that runs through Washington DC, the Watergate, river, the one you Kayaked on, where you an Marina picnicked at Great Falls. What do you pick up in a mess? A tray of course.... not. Is is not known as STONEhenges, no it is not And, Oriole is spelled with an E not an I.
Despite all my mistakes the gender neutral pencil smiled in the fullness of time.
Thank you Mr. Berry The Crown Prince of TAUT
Dumb dk moments: What is that river that runs through Washington DC, the Watergate, river, the one you Kayaked on, where you an Marina picnicked at Great Falls. What do you pick up in a mess? A tray of course.... not. Is is not known as STONEhenges, no it is not And, Oriole is spelled with an E not an I.
Despite all my mistakes the gender neutral pencil smiled in the fullness of time.
Thank you Mr. Berry The Crown Prince of TAUT
4
When I saw Patrick Berry's name on a Friday, I thought, "HERE WE GO." A real workout!
As for lullabies, to my older daughter I sang "Longer" and to the younger one "Up On the Roof."
As for lullabies, to my older daughter I sang "Longer" and to the younger one "Up On the Roof."
7
I completely relate to Deb's story of being a brand-new parent of a brand-new baby, and having no idea how to get the tiny squawker to sleep.
My solution: The Carpenters' "Close to You".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6inwzOooXRU
Worked like a charm every time, even though in high school I would have been mortified to admit I knew all the words!
My solution: The Carpenters' "Close to You".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6inwzOooXRU
Worked like a charm every time, even though in high school I would have been mortified to admit I knew all the words!
3
I must be getting better at this, because today I only had to stare at the NE corner for 20 minutes to figure ROT not cot, BELTS not beats to get the green gem rather than some gibberish that simply wouldn't clear up.
But on my first go-through I had only 3 words in the entire grid, BADEN, MARMITE, and AMY, and would not have gotten anywhere without help from Deb.
But on my first go-through I had only 3 words in the entire grid, BADEN, MARMITE, and AMY, and would not have gotten anywhere without help from Deb.
3
It's a Patrick Berry. There is no greater praise for any XWP.
Loved every single one of the longies. Loved every single one of the misdirecting clues.
NW was last sector to fill because I had entered TRAY early on, then came back and entered WALLOP off the P. When I realized that 20A was referring to a flick, I remembered the remarkable "HUD" and cleaned up the whole rest of the sector.
Huge Victor BORGE fan (but not Don Rickles, though, like Suzy M., I appreciated his wit and reputed niceness). Too cowardly ever to have tasted MARMITE.
There was a whole Jeopardy! category last night called "Jessica," and the only one I got was Jessica Lange. OTOH, I got all of the ones in the comma category.
At 35D, are we talking about curling hair? If not, what are we talking about?
I got too athletic last night and pulled something while trying to pick up Jessica's water dish. YOW! It still hurts, and I think I have to lie down again (in my UNMADE bed) for a while. But I'm expecting the visiting nurse today, for minor MEDICAL CARE, and also the helper who HOUSECLEANS.
As always when it's a Friday with a Patrick Berry, my day improved the moment I opened the puzzle page. Thanks to all, and happy weekend to everyone.
Loved every single one of the longies. Loved every single one of the misdirecting clues.
NW was last sector to fill because I had entered TRAY early on, then came back and entered WALLOP off the P. When I realized that 20A was referring to a flick, I remembered the remarkable "HUD" and cleaned up the whole rest of the sector.
Huge Victor BORGE fan (but not Don Rickles, though, like Suzy M., I appreciated his wit and reputed niceness). Too cowardly ever to have tasted MARMITE.
There was a whole Jeopardy! category last night called "Jessica," and the only one I got was Jessica Lange. OTOH, I got all of the ones in the comma category.
At 35D, are we talking about curling hair? If not, what are we talking about?
I got too athletic last night and pulled something while trying to pick up Jessica's water dish. YOW! It still hurts, and I think I have to lie down again (in my UNMADE bed) for a while. But I'm expecting the visiting nurse today, for minor MEDICAL CARE, and also the helper who HOUSECLEANS.
As always when it's a Friday with a Patrick Berry, my day improved the moment I opened the puzzle page. Thanks to all, and happy weekend to everyone.
7
DL, I figure it's brush vs. ROLLER when you're painting a house.
2
Aaaaah!
Thanks Jimbo.
Thanks Jimbo.
1
DL, I too had to rack my brains to think of what might be a brush or a ROLLER.
So many misdirections! I was convinced that the person who didn't want to be called had just RAISED, as in Poker where you're bluffing and hoping others fold.
3
Another PB gem! He provides the most satisfying solving experience. 2D made me think of LARRUPin' Lou Gehrig who had certainly did not have a BADREP. When I HOUSECLEAN I get the RAG OUT.
2
Your "guerrillas" are in fact terrorists.
4
Larrup! New one to me. Weird sensation when the app tells me I've solved it, but my eyes don't understand how. Very fun. Lots of fun misdirection, as well noted by others.
6
Hi Richie,
Welcome to Wordplay!
You bring up an interesting question: Some people refuse to look things up no matter what, because they consider it "cheating." How do you feel if you've finished the puzzle, don't know a word you've filled in and then look it up? Is that "cheating" or learning?
Welcome to Wordplay!
You bring up an interesting question: Some people refuse to look things up no matter what, because they consider it "cheating." How do you feel if you've finished the puzzle, don't know a word you've filled in and then look it up? Is that "cheating" or learning?
1
Looking something up AFTER is not the same as looking up DURING. These are personal standards (as I think some of us have said before) and not Universal Laws. If I have to Google to finish a puzzle, I call it a Fail. For me. If I guess at a letter in mid-Natick and look it up at the end, and Ta-Da! I got it right, I get credit for the solve. If not....Defeat.
4
I agree.
Ditto TRAY. And STONEHENGE even as I thought "too obvious." SIX YEAR OLDS was pretty easy, but there was plenty of challenging fill - I almost cheated in the SE but ENCORE bailed me out. I love Victor BORGE, very clever guy, from before the Era Of Bad Language. Don Rickles - I wasn't a huge fan of insult humor, but watching some moments tonight I had to appreciate his quick wit! And apparently he was a pretty nice guy.
3
and Elke
Like others, first picked up a "tray" to put FOOD on, but never MARMITE.
Tried "cholent" in my Crock-pot first , but took it out when nothing else fit in the grid. Also fell for STONEhenges, but should have remembered yesterday's O (CIRCLE) instead.
Have enough of SWEEPS and HOUSECLEANSing , so will get on a plane soon.
Last time we flew to that airport (did not say which), we had the pilot announce seconds before landing "HERE WE GO at another attempt ". He had seen something on the runway. ( ?Alligator? Never specified)
Learned LARRUP and BADREP. (abbr.?)
Miss Victor BORGE. Wonderful memories.
P.B.-when do we get an ENCORE ?
Like others, first picked up a "tray" to put FOOD on, but never MARMITE.
Tried "cholent" in my Crock-pot first , but took it out when nothing else fit in the grid. Also fell for STONEhenges, but should have remembered yesterday's O (CIRCLE) instead.
Have enough of SWEEPS and HOUSECLEANSing , so will get on a plane soon.
Last time we flew to that airport (did not say which), we had the pilot announce seconds before landing "HERE WE GO at another attempt ". He had seen something on the runway. ( ?Alligator? Never specified)
Learned LARRUP and BADREP. (abbr.?)
Miss Victor BORGE. Wonderful memories.
P.B.-when do we get an ENCORE ?
3
No abbr. Two words. BAD REP(utation).
Looks like an abbr from down here.
Miss Victor Borge? I must be the last to find out; thought that it was still Herre Borge. (I agree that Borge Rosenbaum was the funniest and kindliest of GreatDanes.)
Miss Victor Borge? I must be the last to find out; thought that it was still Herre Borge. (I agree that Borge Rosenbaum was the funniest and kindliest of GreatDanes.)
2
Nice start with HERE WE GO.
In my two years in the Army the mess hall regularly provided slop and, on a good day, chow. But I don't remember picking up any FOOD there.
In England STONEhenge has survived for maybe 50 centuries. But in my puzzle it crumbled in less than 30 minutes.
Very nice P B creation...
In my two years in the Army the mess hall regularly provided slop and, on a good day, chow. But I don't remember picking up any FOOD there.
In England STONEhenge has survived for maybe 50 centuries. But in my puzzle it crumbled in less than 30 minutes.
Very nice P B creation...
8
This is why a NYT puzzler STAYS AT HOME on a Thursday night. Nothing better than Patrick. And for me, at least, LARRUP was a new word. I had the terrible feeling that it should have been wallop, but all the crosses fit. So I learned something. Bravo PB.
1
I realized that I always thought LARRUP meant some kind of lopsided running gait. Doesn't it sound like that?
I knew the meaning, but I rather think it sounds like a word Lord Peter Wimsey would use.
Maybe it is.
Maybe it is.
1
Funny you mention Wimsey, DL - he came to mind in the recent puzzle with Whimsy / Whimsey under discussion. Last year I picked up the set of BBC Wimsey mysteries at a tag sale, since they were charging something like a dollar for 6 DVDs - and have discovered that they beat ALL sleeping medications for me. Ten minutes into any disc and I am out like a light! I think they should be prescription-only.
Great puzzle. I really enjoyed the misdirection and clever clues. I swear, I took the bait on every obvious answer that turned out to not be correct. If I was still solving in erase-able ink on newsprint, I would have ripped the paper to shreds.
Thanks again for the fun.
Thanks again for the fun.
7
and Elke
MacK- any pictures of ORIOLEs ? Or are they only in the East ? I mean the birds, not the baseball team.
Thanks.
MacK- any pictures of ORIOLEs ? Or are they only in the East ? I mean the birds, not the baseball team.
Thanks.
1
We have Bullock's orioles. I'll find a photo and post the link.
http://www.pbase.com/macknight/image/29606533
Mac
http://www.pbase.com/macknight/image/29606533
Mac
5
Great pictures as always, Mac. 2 Questions: whose hand is the bird perching on and is the mountain Mt Ranier?
excellent Patrick Berry puzzle. Especially liked cradle sons as rock music. Was not familiar with larrup, but the crosses helped. Penny arcades fell in with the y after I had arcades. All in all very enjoyable.
1
Whee! Lots of fun. I fell for TRAY before FOOD, too, and was startled at first when STONEHENGE was too short. Tried ENGINEERS before TEAMSTERS as well.
TELNET brought back memories of when we started teaching faculty at the college how to use the brand-new internet. But it took most of the crosses to remember it! On the other hand, SIX YEAR OLDS came to mind immediately, and PENNY ARCADES with just a couple of the letters. POTOMAC seemed like a reasonable guess.
Enjoyed it!
TELNET brought back memories of when we started teaching faculty at the college how to use the brand-new internet. But it took most of the crosses to remember it! On the other hand, SIX YEAR OLDS came to mind immediately, and PENNY ARCADES with just a couple of the letters. POTOMAC seemed like a reasonable guess.
Enjoyed it!
4
"POTOMAC seemed like a reasonable guess."
And Shenandoah didn't fit.
(Confluence)
And Shenandoah didn't fit.
(Confluence)
3
Hi Barry.
I thought you had disappeared while I was in the hospital. Glad to see you are still with us.
I thought you had disappeared while I was in the hospital. Glad to see you are still with us.
1
Hi Deadline,
While *you* were away on your announced hiatus (which I learn now was a hospital stay; I'm glad you're home!) I announced my hiatus for a trip to the midwest (and I'm not sad to be home either).
I did the April 1 puzzle waiting for my flight at LGA and the Thursday puzzle Wednesday evening on return. What terrific bookends for a brief break from solving (XWPs anyway).
Gotta run now for a medical appointment.
While *you* were away on your announced hiatus (which I learn now was a hospital stay; I'm glad you're home!) I announced my hiatus for a trip to the midwest (and I'm not sad to be home either).
I did the April 1 puzzle waiting for my flight at LGA and the Thursday puzzle Wednesday evening on return. What terrific bookends for a brief break from solving (XWPs anyway).
Gotta run now for a medical appointment.
1