Although I completed the puzzle, filling in every answer, I didn't understand the theme. I have now read the explanation, and I'm still not sure that I understand it--or WANT to understand it
1
(sigh) Quite possibly, I might never have caught onto the looping clues on my own. Very clever and innovative.
Besides being one of SteveL's 'Everybody' who went with ETSY before EHOW, I also picked PAIUTE before PAWNEE. I was also surprised by SADIE being an offshoot from SARAH; I'd always thought it related to Sandra. Apparently, some solvers weren't keen on the association with the redoubtable Palin, but tampering could just have aggravated things. Were it changed to SATIES instead of SADIES, we'd have to make our peace with TRUMP_AD in the grid.
Just to soothe the savage breasts out there, here's a little something for all the gnostics out there. Hope you're all SATIE'S fied.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lq7yGlT6_kA
Just as an aside, I thought the fill remarkably entertaining. I mean , starting out with a PIG (MESSI IN PEN, yes?) being the EPISODIC CULTURAL STARR of the show. The quality seemed to stay at that level, although I noticed that GETTO was misspelled in leaving out the H. Keep it, Mr Hunsberger, and soon you'll be the one EMBOSSed over the regular constructioneers.
Besides being one of SteveL's 'Everybody' who went with ETSY before EHOW, I also picked PAIUTE before PAWNEE. I was also surprised by SADIE being an offshoot from SARAH; I'd always thought it related to Sandra. Apparently, some solvers weren't keen on the association with the redoubtable Palin, but tampering could just have aggravated things. Were it changed to SATIES instead of SADIES, we'd have to make our peace with TRUMP_AD in the grid.
Just to soothe the savage breasts out there, here's a little something for all the gnostics out there. Hope you're all SATIE'S fied.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lq7yGlT6_kA
Just as an aside, I thought the fill remarkably entertaining. I mean , starting out with a PIG (MESSI IN PEN, yes?) being the EPISODIC CULTURAL STARR of the show. The quality seemed to stay at that level, although I noticed that GETTO was misspelled in leaving out the H. Keep it, Mr Hunsberger, and soon you'll be the one EMBOSSed over the regular constructioneers.
Hey, Leapy! My session break is July 6-9. Can we do Wordplay NCar 2.0?
Sure would be nice if we can do it.
(PS kudos on knowing your beasts from your...savages)
Sure would be nice if we can do it.
(PS kudos on knowing your beasts from your...savages)
You betcha! We would be nothing if not remiss were we to fail in that endeavour. Good things only get better with repetition, eh? Will bend our thoughts in that direction.
A crossword theme is like a joke: if you have to explain it, it isn't good.
2
Glad I wasn't alone in being stumped by this theme. Too clever? It's days like these that I'm grateful for this column and community. Thanks Deb!
5
The Android app only shows one clue at a time, which makes it even harder to figure out a theme like today's where the clues and answers are split in two non-adjacent entries.
I didn't figure out the theme for the first time in a very long time. I guess I'm still a NOOB, the candles on my birthday cake notwithstanding.
Rats.
Rats.
5
I loved this puzzle. I have a habit of trying to solve without looking for theme clues as much as possible. It made this a really easy solve for me. I would have been utterly distracted had I tried to solve using the theme clue. But having finished and was using to check my solutions, I was confused until running them answers together it became head-slapping obvious. Which bring me to something that always bothers me. What does someone do with a completed puzzle? Hated to wad it up and throw it away.
1
Make a paper airplane?
(Aircrafts [after D.C.])
(Aircrafts [after D.C.])
1
{sigh}
Like Deb, I started out trying to make this some sort of FITB, pasting the various parts of the clues/entries together in different ways. No joy there. I tried to let my mind wander in other directions, and nothing worked. The only thing that looked promising was some sort of sports connection. After I sussed out each entry from the crossing letters, I took another look at all the ones I had done already to see some connection. Nada. And that got boring real fast.
Finally finished the whole puzzle and took one last look, to no avail. Read Deb's column. I read her explanation three times and only half got it. Or maybe a fifth. Gave up and went to her link and finally saw it. Very clever, indeed. Alas, for me, more frustration than fun. Now that I see it, I realize I should have been able to get it on my own, so I'm disappointed in me and feeling inadequate.
Other problems: CFL. Okay, ?IAM had to be LIAM, and I'll take your owrd for it on the Hemsworth part. Never read/saw "The Hunger Games." DRUM SET before PAD, which I'd never heard of. Once I got Lionel MESSI I realized he's visited the XWP before, so I guess I'll have to try to remember him.
Thanks to all. Looking forward to Thursday.
Like Deb, I started out trying to make this some sort of FITB, pasting the various parts of the clues/entries together in different ways. No joy there. I tried to let my mind wander in other directions, and nothing worked. The only thing that looked promising was some sort of sports connection. After I sussed out each entry from the crossing letters, I took another look at all the ones I had done already to see some connection. Nada. And that got boring real fast.
Finally finished the whole puzzle and took one last look, to no avail. Read Deb's column. I read her explanation three times and only half got it. Or maybe a fifth. Gave up and went to her link and finally saw it. Very clever, indeed. Alas, for me, more frustration than fun. Now that I see it, I realize I should have been able to get it on my own, so I'm disappointed in me and feeling inadequate.
Other problems: CFL. Okay, ?IAM had to be LIAM, and I'll take your owrd for it on the Hemsworth part. Never read/saw "The Hunger Games." DRUM SET before PAD, which I'd never heard of. Once I got Lionel MESSI I realized he's visited the XWP before, so I guess I'll have to try to remember him.
Thanks to all. Looking forward to Thursday.
4
This is the first time in my 50 years of solving NYT puzzles that I haven't understood the theme, even after reading several comments. I solved it easily, but still don't get the gimmick. Is this what my husband call "too cute by half"?
I just think it's clever.
The "extra," interleaved, theme entries are:
BACK COURT
CASE CLOSED
CIRCUIT BOARD
GAME OVER
SEEING DOUBLE
Take another look at the filled grid to see them and maybe you'll agree.
The "extra," interleaved, theme entries are:
BACK COURT
CASE CLOSED
CIRCUIT BOARD
GAME OVER
SEEING DOUBLE
Take another look at the filled grid to see them and maybe you'll agree.
2
Neglected to neglected to mention about the theme. After finishing came here but before reading I decided to go back to the puzzle and try to figure out the clue one last time on my own. It took me a bit but then I noticed GAME at the end of one theme answer and ...arcade at the beginning of the following theme clue and the lightbulb lit up. Quite the clever construction. Thanks again!
1
Wow. This was incredibly complex and brilliant, and I'm disappointed I couldn't figure it out on my own. Maybe I gave up too soon?
There's no rule that says you can't solve it again. :)
1
Second time this week I didn't catch on to the theme while solving, Sunday and today. This puzzle, however, was enjoyable to solve in spite of being unaware of the theme while Sunday was just a drag fest from beginning to end. But I digress...fortunately the fill was easy enough that I was able to fill in the theme answers without understanding the clues.
Surprised I hadn't heard of EHOW before but will be checking that out soon. Had DRUMset before PAD and thought it seemed at odds with the clue at the time but went with it anyway. Knowing the origin of Lady Catherine sorted that all out. Favorite clue was the one for OUTS.
Well done, Mr. Hunsberger! Be well all!
Surprised I hadn't heard of EHOW before but will be checking that out soon. Had DRUMset before PAD and thought it seemed at odds with the clue at the time but went with it anyway. Knowing the origin of Lady Catherine sorted that all out. Favorite clue was the one for OUTS.
Well done, Mr. Hunsberger! Be well all!
2
I've only recently started doing crosswords again, not since my early days in elementary school had I sat down to work through one.
Today's theme, like many other solvers, went entirely over my head. I couldn't even solve it. I had to reread Rex Parker's blog description about the word loops about 3 times before it sunk in.
I like the idea behind the word loops but it's a puzzle within itself to figure out that that's what you have to solve for! I guess as I solve more and more, the clues will be easier to understand over time.
Today's theme, like many other solvers, went entirely over my head. I couldn't even solve it. I had to reread Rex Parker's blog description about the word loops about 3 times before it sunk in.
I like the idea behind the word loops but it's a puzzle within itself to figure out that that's what you have to solve for! I guess as I solve more and more, the clues will be easier to understand over time.
2
I originally included this, then decided against it, and now have come to the conclusion that "ecrus" really has to be called out.
Here's the deal. DMC is a major producer of dyed floss, threads, and cloth. They use dye numbers to designate all of their colors, all except three:
Blanc - White designates a true white
B5200 - Snow White designates an exceptionally pure white
Ecru - designates a true ecru
Every other color (steel gray / cranberry red / mint green) comes in multiple shades designated by different, though usually related, dye numbers. But not ecru. Ecru is ecru. There is a whole series of tans on the lighter side of a whole series of browns. But ecru is ecru.
Mooses.
Here's the deal. DMC is a major producer of dyed floss, threads, and cloth. They use dye numbers to designate all of their colors, all except three:
Blanc - White designates a true white
B5200 - Snow White designates an exceptionally pure white
Ecru - designates a true ecru
Every other color (steel gray / cranberry red / mint green) comes in multiple shades designated by different, though usually related, dye numbers. But not ecru. Ecru is ecru. There is a whole series of tans on the lighter side of a whole series of browns. But ecru is ecru.
Mooses.
4
Google begs to differ:
https://www.google.com/search?q=ecru&safe=strict&client=opera&am...
https://www.google.com/search?q=ecru&safe=strict&client=opera&am...
Google differs with everything. It's what keeps them ticking!
Fishes.
Fishes.
Enjoyable Wednesday with some resistance . . . and after spending as much time after solving as during, I still haven't figured out what the theme is! It seemed almost clear with COURT CASE and the detective, or the loop and DOUBLE BACK.
Wait a second — what if we use the last word from one theme answer and the first word from the next — AHA, THAT's what's going on.
Fun!
Wait a second — what if we use the last word from one theme answer and the first word from the next — AHA, THAT's what's going on.
Fun!
1
WOW...NOOB here (I thought until this puzzle it was spelled NEWB) You guys are lights in my very dark room for without your spelling it out I never would have gotten this theme...Thanks!
3
Apparently you didn't do the puzzle a couple of days ago when NOOB was the entry and "Opposite of pro" was the clue. Which I protested at the time because NOOB is the opposite of "vet," a NOOB can still be a pro, or there wouldn't be a Rookie of the Year honor in sports.
A rookie in the bigs is NOT a baseball noob. He hasn't been since his T-ball days.
Bo Jackson? Michael Jordan? Tim Tebow?
Very clever indeed. However, ma chere, since the puzzle was solvable quickly without having any clue whatsoever to this cleverness, what is indeed one may ask the point...? It is like displaying a blank white canvas, whose fascination lies entirely in the placard explaining the complex art history leading to this artistic gem.
Never mind, it was a perfectly acceptable little Wednesday puzzle.
Never mind, it was a perfectly acceptable little Wednesday puzzle.
2
I'm guessing you're not a Robert Ryman fan...
3
TL — I'm somewhere in the middle. Yes, it would be preferable if getting the theme had been necessary in order to solve the puzzle. Still, I find the theme rather nifty from a wordplay point of view, and that is itself a source of pleasure.
Wow. I'm grateful to Deb for admitting that she didn't get it for awhile. After I starred fruitlessly at my completed grid I wrote all the answers and suddenly, POW! WOW! GOLLY GEE! Got stuck at 42A. ETSY didn't see quite right but now that I know about E-How I shall not soon forget.
Congratulations Paul Hunsberger. You've created a timeless [Thursday] puzzle.
Congratulations Paul Hunsberger. You've created a timeless [Thursday] puzzle.
3
I also was thinking ETSY at first.
EVERYONE was thinking ETSY at first.
1
The theme clues just look like how rap lyrics are written out. I kept trying to figure out some kind of rhyming scheme or flow to them.
I didn't think the "theme" was very good. Doesn't add to the solving experience at all.
1
SIRMIXALOT's "Baby Got Back" is a timely inclusion, coincidental or not, as it very recently celebrated its 25th anniversary.
2
Er, that is, Sir MIXALOT's. How quickly I forget. :)
2
Took a few half entries before the theme dawned on me. Definitely grateful for it, as it helped me complete the puzzle more quickly. Also, I'm extraordinarily impressed by the puzzles this week. This one is my favorite so far.
As a Times crossword TYRO, my first official puzzle was Monday, March 27, 2017, which was my first exposure to that word (tyros). It had not taken enough hold in my memory, apparently, as I required the intersecting answers before realizing I'd seen it once before. Hoping today's solve reinforces that word.
As a Times crossword TYRO, my first official puzzle was Monday, March 27, 2017, which was my first exposure to that word (tyros). It had not taken enough hold in my memory, apparently, as I required the intersecting answers before realizing I'd seen it once before. Hoping today's solve reinforces that word.
2
Something was kablooey with the commenting software this morning - wouldn't recognize me. Seems to have been fixed now.
The theme of this one defeated me - like RiA, I entered the mode of "pay no attention to the weirdo clues" and got all the way to a fully solved grid. Certain words in the fill and the clues had led me to believe that it was all tied together by sporting terminology, so I had no real energy to put toward figuring it out. Like MOL, I believe this kind of puzzle would have been a great deal more satisfying / more understandable if done on paper.
The theme of this one defeated me - like RiA, I entered the mode of "pay no attention to the weirdo clues" and got all the way to a fully solved grid. Certain words in the fill and the clues had led me to believe that it was all tied together by sporting terminology, so I had no real energy to put toward figuring it out. Like MOL, I believe this kind of puzzle would have been a great deal more satisfying / more understandable if done on paper.
1
Hi all,
We've been switched to a new commenting system (thanks for reminding me, David!). It seems to be working well, but I appreciate your patience if there a few bugs to iron out.
We've been switched to a new commenting system (thanks for reminding me, David!). It seems to be working well, but I appreciate your patience if there a few bugs to iron out.
1
Thanks, Deb. I'm aware of this simple fact - we regulars are long overdue for a Thank You to the IT department for fixing the timer, streak, and daily average stats. It has been months since I had a glitch with the day's solve. Once the puzzle is solved (happy music), my stats are all current and accurate, the gold- or blue-star icon appears regularly, and there have been no strangely long or short times unrelated to my solve appearing on the page. They really fixed those glitches well.
At the same time the Leaderboard disappeared, and some of us are, I suppose, nostalgic for it in a way. I only ever paid attention to the Firsts listing, which explains why I was in the daily habit of being at the computer with drink in hand at 9:59 every evening. But fixing the other glitches was a real priority job, and seems to have been done well.
Reccos on this comment go to the IT dept.!
non nobis, sed nomine tuo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPXXuEel0fU
At the same time the Leaderboard disappeared, and some of us are, I suppose, nostalgic for it in a way. I only ever paid attention to the Firsts listing, which explains why I was in the daily habit of being at the computer with drink in hand at 9:59 every evening. But fixing the other glitches was a real priority job, and seems to have been done well.
Reccos on this comment go to the IT dept.!
non nobis, sed nomine tuo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPXXuEel0fU
6
Dang, I just erased my comment.
Believe me, it was the best comment ever to appear, had it appeared. But to cut to the chase: I got the theme early due almost certainly to prior experience of word chains, so a tip o' the hat to Games Magazine!
Believe me, it was the best comment ever to appear, had it appeared. But to cut to the chase: I got the theme early due almost certainly to prior experience of word chains, so a tip o' the hat to Games Magazine!
5
Like many others, I filled the grid easily but needed the blog to explain the theme. This Wednesday puzzle has a Thursday theme with Tuesday fill.
I did see several theme-irrelevant connections: CIRCUIT COURT, MEDICI SLEW, MESSI DAUB; WATERy BOARD ...
33A led me to meditation: www.youtube.com/watch?v=J22X2tN-zJA
I did see several theme-irrelevant connections: CIRCUIT COURT, MEDICI SLEW, MESSI DAUB; WATERy BOARD ...
33A led me to meditation: www.youtube.com/watch?v=J22X2tN-zJA
11
That was very tranquil, Amitai. Thank you!
1
Thank you Amitai. Exquisite.
2
Indeed. And much appreciated.
2
Easy fill for a Wednesday. But with a couple of head-scratching themers filled in, I was determined to figure out the trick before proceeding. The answer popped into my head after staring for a short while. Didn't really help with completing the puzzle. I always solve ININK, but eventually changed 68A to INPEN, realizing Catherine of ARAGOK might only make sense in Klingon.
The 1990 single "DOUBLEBACK" by Texas rockers ZZ Top (last seen round these parts on Saturday) served as the closing theme song for the movie "Back To the Future III":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9zw_79tlgM
Ich bin EIN jelly donut.
The 1990 single "DOUBLEBACK" by Texas rockers ZZ Top (last seen round these parts on Saturday) served as the closing theme song for the movie "Back To the Future III":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9zw_79tlgM
Ich bin EIN jelly donut.
2
Jimbo, got a trivia question for you. This involves one of my very favorite songs (if not top ten - close to it), and I just found out this little factoid yesterday when I looked it up.
What top 20 song was once its title on the Billboard charts?
What top 20 song was once its title on the Billboard charts?
1
Rich, I'm thinking you're referring to "Eighteen With a Bullet" by one-hit wonder Pete Wingfield, which reached #18 with a bullet while climbing the chart.
Here's another one for you: Prince's 1993 hit "7" (the numeral was the song's official title) peaked at #7 on the Billboard chart.
Here's another one for you: Prince's 1993 hit "7" (the numeral was the song's official title) peaked at #7 on the Billboard chart.
1
Three above average puzzles thus far this week. I had no trouble finishing -- except ironically for IN 'ink' before PEN -- but didn't really get the theme until Deb's flow chart. I did see CASE CLOSED and GAME OVER, but my CIRCUITs still failed to fire. My only other write-over was 'sallys' before SADIES. I wonder if SADIE, SADIE, married lady was a Sarah?
2
If you can't figure out the theme until after the puzzle is solved, what is the point of the theme? In a great puzzle, figuring out the theme is often the most exciting moment, and it is usually the key to unlocking the rest of the puzzle.
8
Never let an obscure theme get in the way of a good solve. Words to live by.
Crossing of EMO and WOE was my morning chuckle and filling in 41A my morning wince.
The blog headings took me down memory lane. I long for the days when upon a folded NYT I would solve INPEN (Stabilo pointVisco). Alas daily delivery has ended in rural WI.
Hi Ho Hi Ho off to work I go.
Thank you Paul.
Crossing of EMO and WOE was my morning chuckle and filling in 41A my morning wince.
The blog headings took me down memory lane. I long for the days when upon a folded NYT I would solve INPEN (Stabilo pointVisco). Alas daily delivery has ended in rural WI.
Hi Ho Hi Ho off to work I go.
Thank you Paul.
1
dk, it's I owe I owe so it's off to work I go B-}
1
This would have worked better if it had been possible to figure out the theme early enough to assist in the solving. Unfortunately, at least for most of us and especially me, figuring out the theme didn't happen until after I'd completely filled in all of the squares. I have to admit, that final, post-solve aha moment was a satisfactory moment after all.
3
A nice and satisfying "a-ha" moment which for me came as I was trying to solve the last theme entry in the SW. I got the others from the crosses and inference previously, so when it clicked it brought a broad smile to my previously puzzled face.
1
Oh man thank goodness for Deb and her flow chart. I solved the whole puzzle and then stared at it for a while but still couldn't figure out what on earth was going on with the theme clues.
9
Game over. Staggering. What fun.
1
I had some idea of what was going on but needed Deb to understand it fully. Nice to see FDR; his memorial is my favorite.
1
It was a change of pace to have a crossword puzzle with the puzzlement not in the crossed words but in the clues. I found it a more interesting than usual Wednesday, just as yesterday's puzzle was a more interesting than usual Tuesday. I am cautiously awaiting the Thursday puzzle.
3
Kartofelkloesse.
Someone figure out a way to use *that* in a puzzle!
Someone figure out a way to use *that* in a puzzle!
1
Dumplings sound like a wagon followed by tripe and the composer of Guys and Dolls .... Cart. ... offal .... Loesser. = Kartoffelloesse
2
There you go putting the Kart before the ofelkloesse again...
1
I enjoyed this. One day I'll have to stay up to watch SNL so I can see who the heck this Cheri OTERI is. The only thing I've ever seen a RICER used for is to make kertufelglace (and I have no idea if I spelled that right!).
3
eljay, you will have to watch reruns of SNL if you wish to see Cheri OTERI.
1
You must not have spelled it right, eljay. When I Googled to find out what it is, I found several similar (but not really close) spellings, one of which was about food. Alas, none of those was in English, so I still don't know what it is.
I also solved this without being able to figure out the theme. I had to come here to figure that our. For some reason I missed the ellipses entirely.
Five reasons I love doing crosswords:
1. Slapping GILA and MESSI down immediately, two words I have no idea how I know.
2. The answer DRUM PAD swooping me back to seventh grade, remembering hitting drum pads with drumsticks and the satisfying sounds that it made.
3. The big “aha!” that came when the clue for OUTS clicked.
4. The smile that came with hearing the name Sir MIXALOT.
5. Trying to crack the theme after filling in the puzzle, feeling darn good about seeing how the second word of the theme answers went with the first word of the ensuing theme answer, and feeling darn humbled when I didn’t figure out that the same thing was happening with the clues. It’s that darn humbled feeling that keeps my head regulation size and keeps me hungry for more.
1. Slapping GILA and MESSI down immediately, two words I have no idea how I know.
2. The answer DRUM PAD swooping me back to seventh grade, remembering hitting drum pads with drumsticks and the satisfying sounds that it made.
3. The big “aha!” that came when the clue for OUTS clicked.
4. The smile that came with hearing the name Sir MIXALOT.
5. Trying to crack the theme after filling in the puzzle, feeling darn good about seeing how the second word of the theme answers went with the first word of the ensuing theme answer, and feeling darn humbled when I didn’t figure out that the same thing was happening with the clues. It’s that darn humbled feeling that keeps my head regulation size and keeps me hungry for more.
9
Feel ya on the 7th grade recollection - but what we were beating on so satisfyingly was a drum practice pad, or "practice pad." "Drum pad" was the tiniest bit askew in my book, since a drum pad is one of the electronic sensors that you play in an electronic drum kit. When "practice pad" didn't fit, I knew what to put there. But it was a little askew, nonetheless.
OT, where will you be at Eclipse time? I'll be down yonder and wonder if we could meet IRL.
OT, where will you be at Eclipse time? I'll be down yonder and wonder if we could meet IRL.
When is that, David? I'd love to get together.
I'll be in the Asheville area Aug. 18-20. The day of the eclipse (Aug. 21), I plan to be in upstate S.C. in an undisclosed location for my first-ever total eclipse of the sun.
http://www.eclipse2017.org/2017/path_through_the_US.htm
We also might pull together another reunion of the N.C. contingent of Wordplayers - we met up last July in Durham and it was great to meet so many remarkable people I had only known as letters on my computer screen before!
Here's looking at you Tarheels...can we do a sequel?
http://www.eclipse2017.org/2017/path_through_the_US.htm
We also might pull together another reunion of the N.C. contingent of Wordplayers - we met up last July in Durham and it was great to meet so many remarkable people I had only known as letters on my computer screen before!
Here's looking at you Tarheels...can we do a sequel?
Well I did better on this one than I did on Tuesday - but that's a whole other story. Got the theme answers with crosses and finished fairly quickly, but couldn't figure out the theme. I only fully understood it when I saw Deb's graphic. Another clever construction.
1
The best advice could have been provided in a Note: Print this out. Working in PuzzAzz, I can't see all of the clues at the same time, so it was impossible to catch on. I totally hate having to jump around, but early week puzzles are seldom so challenging, so I work them on my tablet...which, in this case, wasn't the best venue.
I stopped looking at the long clues, since it was pretty easy to suss out the long entries with just a couple of crosses.
And any crossword that resorts to ELHI...well, you know what I think of that.
Fortunately, BEQ's Marching Band puzzle arrived, so I had my puzzle fix.
Now that PuzzAzz is working again, I see it is 'new and improved,' so I need to figure out What is Going On....
I stopped looking at the long clues, since it was pretty easy to suss out the long entries with just a couple of crosses.
And any crossword that resorts to ELHI...well, you know what I think of that.
Fortunately, BEQ's Marching Band puzzle arrived, so I had my puzzle fix.
Now that PuzzAzz is working again, I see it is 'new and improved,' so I need to figure out What is Going On....
3
Like others, I found this easy for a Wednesday and like some others, I didn't figure out the theme until I was done (but I did get it on my own).
Kind of interesting. For late week puzzles (not Wednesdays), when the clues can get really weird, I often go into 'ignore the clue' mode, where I just use the crosses to try and figure out an entry that works. I did that pretty early on in this one. The theme clues were just so strange that I couldn't see any way to make sense of them so I stopped trying. So they were completely irrelevant to the solve. That also made this a striking example of the essence of CROSS words.
Would I have finished this more quickly if I had gotten the trick? No, I really don't think so. The only themer that would have come to me immediately from the clue was probably BACKCOURT. The others all would have required crosses and by the time I had enough to figure them out, I would have had the phrase portions anyway without reference to the clue.
So, there's a lesson there somewhere, and maybe not just for those of us on the solving end.
Also was surprised to see that of all the theme answers, only BOARDGAME has previously appeared in a Shortz era puzzle; they all seem like quite common phrases.
This was actually a pretty good puzzle in terms of fill - just kind of overwhelmed by the whole theme thing.
Oh, and I got MIXALOT with no crosses. There are a very few rap/hip-hop songs that are somehow forever stuck in my brain. Who let the dogs out.
Kind of interesting. For late week puzzles (not Wednesdays), when the clues can get really weird, I often go into 'ignore the clue' mode, where I just use the crosses to try and figure out an entry that works. I did that pretty early on in this one. The theme clues were just so strange that I couldn't see any way to make sense of them so I stopped trying. So they were completely irrelevant to the solve. That also made this a striking example of the essence of CROSS words.
Would I have finished this more quickly if I had gotten the trick? No, I really don't think so. The only themer that would have come to me immediately from the clue was probably BACKCOURT. The others all would have required crosses and by the time I had enough to figure them out, I would have had the phrase portions anyway without reference to the clue.
So, there's a lesson there somewhere, and maybe not just for those of us on the solving end.
Also was surprised to see that of all the theme answers, only BOARDGAME has previously appeared in a Shortz era puzzle; they all seem like quite common phrases.
This was actually a pretty good puzzle in terms of fill - just kind of overwhelmed by the whole theme thing.
Oh, and I got MIXALOT with no crosses. There are a very few rap/hip-hop songs that are somehow forever stuck in my brain. Who let the dogs out.
2
addendum: I can't explain how my brain got here, but between looking at clue histories and counting letters, I somehow came up with this potential clue/answer combo:
"Michael vs. Sarah?" PALINCOMPARISON (15 letters).
"Michael vs. Sarah?" PALINCOMPARISON (15 letters).
9
WORST theme ever!
4
As most have said, fairly easy puzzle, very tricky theme. I don't mind at all trying to figure out the theme after the solve. Today I gradually noticed the chain, first with GAME OVER, then CASE CLOSED and best of all completing the circle SEEING DOUBLE. All the rest made sense as well, but I did like seeing Deb's graphic putting it all in perspective.
MIMEO brought back miserable memories of typing something for mimeographing and never being able to avoid errors.
Fun clue for THAIS.
I enjoyed this one a lot.
MIMEO brought back miserable memories of typing something for mimeographing and never being able to avoid errors.
Fun clue for THAIS.
I enjoyed this one a lot.
2
Yeah, I do not miss the days of MIMEOgraph and Ditto masters..... but speaking of errors, how about AutoCorrect? It is allergic to puns and trick spellings, not to mention a bit too quick to finish your sentences for you, like an annoying Bad Listener.
2
I did plenty of typing masters for the mimeo in my day, and there was gunk to smear on to repair typos. I agree with MOL - fewer typos made it through to the mimeo machine than get through every time somebody here uses their "smart" phone to post a comment. It's funny how people understand the dystopia where computers run the universe against humans yet can't see spell check as the beachhead!
2
"Fun clue for THAIS."
And the plural THAIS looks like the name THAÏS.
And the plural THAIS looks like the name THAÏS.
2
Count me among the few solvers that figured out the theme fairly early and solved all the theme entries before filling out the rest of the puzzle. The "area that an NBA team has 8... seconds to clear" was the giveaway for me and it made for quick solving.
Along with POSTS UP from yesterday, it's nice to see some basketball-related entries during the NBA playoffs!
Along with POSTS UP from yesterday, it's nice to see some basketball-related entries during the NBA playoffs!
3
Always a pleasure to hear from Will Shortz, but he was talking not about How a Puzzle is Made, but how it's processed after it's made.
1
Where did we hear from Will Shortz?
Sorry, but I've looked and I can't find it.
Sorry, but I've looked and I can't find it.
There's a kind of header at the top of WordPlay, all of a sudden.
2
Why, thank you for noticing! I was gifted a pretty new front page. :)
RiA, I think CAE is talking about this video, which is now at the top of the Wordplay page:
https://www.nytimes.com/video/crosswords/100000001791821/how-a-crossword...®ion=rank&module=package&version=highlights&contentPlacement=3&pgtype=collection
RiA, I think CAE is talking about this video, which is now at the top of the Wordplay page:
https://www.nytimes.com/video/crosswords/100000001791821/how-a-crossword...®ion=rank&module=package&version=highlights&contentPlacement=3&pgtype=collection
1
Cracked the entry-spanning clues but only after solving, so I found the theme to be clever but not helpful.
Some thoughts on old vs. new entries:
MESSI - the new PELE?
ESSENE - a rare sighting of a one-time regular
MIMEO - ditto
AVIS - somewhat RARA than it used to be. Maybe no longer trying harder?
OTERI - if she's getting royalties for NYT Xwords, should be worth $$$M.
SARAH - I think SADIE *ALI* has a nice ring to it ;-)
Some thoughts on old vs. new entries:
MESSI - the new PELE?
ESSENE - a rare sighting of a one-time regular
MIMEO - ditto
AVIS - somewhat RARA than it used to be. Maybe no longer trying harder?
OTERI - if she's getting royalties for NYT Xwords, should be worth $$$M.
SARAH - I think SADIE *ALI* has a nice ring to it ;-)
2
I never knew that SADIE was a nickname for SARAH. My cousin SARAH has always been Sally!
1
I never knew that either SADIE or Sally was a nickname for Sarah.
What's wrong with just plain Sarah? It's such a pretty name.
What's wrong with just plain Sarah? It's such a pretty name.
Huh?
4
Quick solve, but say wha?
2
Since I didn't need to figure out the theme to fill in the grid, seems like the constructor was unnecessarily clever. I didn't care enough to follow the explanation.
13
I wish the clues had been harder, so that one was forced to grapple with the theme. As it was, you could just infer the theme entries from crossings, ignoring their clues entirely. But a clever idea!
1
I agree, though I certainly enjoyed the puzzle anyway. Very nice circuit of words.
That said, I'll add that I DID use the theme to solve. I always do because themes are a key part if solving experience. (In fact, I usually skip themeless Fridays snd Saturdays.) It's just that I solved much faster than normal.
Yeah, sorry, this was a bit of a stretch.
2
Wow! Nice one. I almost had it with GAME/OVER, but it really took SEEING the entire CIRCUIT to get the full impact with the cluing.
1
Seems to me that the constructors overthought this puzzle. Like you and the other commentators I didn't immediately see a theme, but as the puzzle was an easy solve without a theme, I didn't waste any time worrying about it and my solve time was well below average.
2
A theme that an experienced solver has to figure out AFTER he/she has finished the puzzle is dead on arrival. And in this case, I wasn't going to stare at it longer than it took to finish the puzzle in order to make sense of it.
I finally got it completely after reading Jeff Chen and this blog. But not immediately.
I finally got it completely after reading Jeff Chen and this blog. But not immediately.
12
I agree completely.
2
I love figuring out what the theme is without the theme clues. And then guess what the clues should be. I also prefer solving on paper. The one reason I started getting the puzzles on line was the local paper that published NYT puzzles started printing them so small I felt like a micro-engraver filling them in. I still write my answers in small, despite the larger print-outs. I have no fun working puzzles on like. There is something visceral about solving on paper. I love when I am in NY area and can get newsprint to solve on.
1
I also did the whole puzzle and then went back to figure out the theme. case closed and seeing double and closed circuit were the first ones to emerge. clever theme. Puzzle itself was a bit on the easy side.
1
I still don't get the theme, but I know one thing: "oscilloscope output" is whatever signal you are monitoring. If you connect the probes to a square wave, you'll see a square wave on the screen. It's not some sort of sine waver producer. It -would- display a sine wave if it's connected to sine wave signal, just like a radio would output middle C if that's the signal broadcast to it.
So the clue:answer "radio output" : "middle C" would be as accurate.
So the clue:answer "radio output" : "middle C" would be as accurate.
4
It just has to be an example of oscilloscope output to fit the clue since parenthetical phrases are just to add info in crossword clues. It's fine.
2
Sorry - clue:answer comparison would be: _____ C (piano note):middle.
Not every note on the piano is middle C, but middle C is a piano note. No problem with the clue.
Not every note on the piano is middle C, but middle C is a piano note. No problem with the clue.
This one sits on the edge of the whole clue / definition debate (which is among the eternal verities). Those of us who employ wave generators (in my case, for synthesized sound production) know that triangle, sawtooth, square, sine are among the kinds of periodic waveforms that this clue might reference. But when push comes to shove, "US state" clues for any state - that then narrows down to states with a certain number of letters - that narrows down to states with letters that make sense by the crossings. By definition, a well-edited crossword puzzle at that point should only admit one answer. Which is the case here.
2
Put me down for a thumbs up on this one. Great idea, well done, kudos to PH.
4
Solved before I understood the theme. I liked the fill, though.
1
I finished the whole puzzle more quickly than my average, and still don't get it.
6
I get some of it, but other parts still aren't clear. I finished the puzzle, but it was like having gibberish for theme clues.
7
Got the whole puzzle done and then looked at it to try to figure out the theme. . . and I got it! Realized that if I joined up the parts of clues separated by ellipses, it made sense, and splitting the answers into halves and pasting them to the next answers made sense (although I'm not sure that sentence makes sense!). I liked the twist on clueing. I tried IN INK before IN PEN, but otherwise it was pretty smooth. More noobs! At least no ACNE. And I'm not sure I'd use a RICER to make hash browns--a grater seems better.
8
Wouldn't a RICER just produce mashed potatoes? I finally got it, but never agreed with the clue.
3
A ricer extrudes little cylinders of potato. If the potato is boiled to a fairly soft consistency, the cylinders can be mashed with a flat-bottom masher. (The riced potatoes are not at all like mashed potatoes as they come out of the ricer.)
If the potatoes are a little firmer, the cylinders make great hash browns.
Ricing before mashing is one secret to great mashed potatoes.
If the potatoes are a little firmer, the cylinders make great hash browns.
Ricing before mashing is one secret to great mashed potatoes.
3
Hand up with Liz B for grater.
4
Just...too...weird.
12