I enjoyed the puzzle. However, I found the clue "sot's woe" and answer "DTS" disturbing in its insensitivity to alcoholism and the suffering the disease causes. I wonder if a clue about a cancer patient's woe would be included? And if so, would it include a derogatory term for cancer patient? The stigma associated with addiction is so great, perhaps in small ways (like crossword clues) we can all work to be more sensitive.
Silent Night? Well, maybe, but I immediately thought of the 1960s-era Chicago nightclub, The Quiet Knight.
"We are working on a way to make it available to everyone, but until that happens, we are removing this link to reduce confusion."
That simple things like this should be the least bit problematic is puzzling, indeed.
That simple things like this should be the least bit problematic is puzzling, indeed.
1
HEY DEB,
Sorry to yell in the Silent Treatment comments, but if you'd like our thoughts on the Monday puzzle somebody at NYT needs to open the Monday Comments.
Sorry to yell in the Silent Treatment comments, but if you'd like our thoughts on the Monday puzzle somebody at NYT needs to open the Monday Comments.
O.K., BARRY, THEY'RE OPEN NOW.
5
Pretty quick solve for a Sunday. My first themer was REIGNINGMONARCHS, which was the cleverest of the lot, IMO. Some iffy fill, most already mentioned: AQUACAR, NEONTUBE, ABOVEPAR, CREEPO (is a CREEPO worse than a regular creep?) Didn't pick up on the KNIGHT thing until I read today's blog.
Hey Deb, 8D first recorded under the name Snoop Doggy Dogg, so add another alias to the list.
Tying into the theme, enjoy "The Sound of Silence" by Simon & Garfunkel. (Don’t get started on “Sound” vs. “Sounds” in the title, or we’ll be here all day.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgbBLKet14E
Hey Deb, 8D first recorded under the name Snoop Doggy Dogg, so add another alias to the list.
Tying into the theme, enjoy "The Sound of Silence" by Simon & Garfunkel. (Don’t get started on “Sound” vs. “Sounds” in the title, or we’ll be here all day.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgbBLKet14E
2
My memory was that the first of his names was Snoop Doggy Dogg (Dog?), but I really can't keep up with those things.
I really can't deal with rap--the repetition thing--so don't know his work. But hasn't he also done some pretty decent stuff in his non-musical life?
I really can't deal with rap--the repetition thing--so don't know his work. But hasn't he also done some pretty decent stuff in his non-musical life?
1
I'm 83 and I have been doing the Sunday HYT puzzle since I was about 15. I have noticed that they have become much easier in the last year or so. I don't think that I have suddenly gotten smarter so they must be easier. Why?
2
You're not smarter if you say so, Ed, but I am glad to see that you're *finally* getting the hang of them! Best wishes.
2
You beat me to it.
2
Pretty quick solve, but seven proper name clues in a run of eight irked me in the across list.
1
Nice puzzle, although the clue for 98A "AFTER HOURS" is awkward. I am learning a lot about rappers from the NY Times crossword (SNOOPLION I got, but not TYGA), as well as Icelandic literature. I wonder if younger solvers know about Pac Man.
1
I had been complaining to myself lately that the Sunday puz has been pretty dull -- and now I cannot not say this one makes up for that trend. :-)
Got hung up early on 99D with the fill LINEAR , until dislodged by the rest of the acrosses.
102D had me scratching my head until I realized you can do that voluntarily. With a razor.
63D has an alternate clue: "powered."
9D could be "anger at communication giant".
Good workout.
Got hung up early on 99D with the fill LINEAR , until dislodged by the rest of the acrosses.
102D had me scratching my head until I realized you can do that voluntarily. With a razor.
63D has an alternate clue: "powered."
9D could be "anger at communication giant".
Good workout.
1
Known answers are moving into rap; I'm going to have to expand my knowledge base! Fun puzzle!
2
Synchronicity.
We entertained our Italian friend and his Korean girlfriend last night. As Italians (and French) are wont to do, after we were so stuffed we couldn't move (menu: Negronis with mini latkes topped with home-made lox on the deck; prosciutto with figs and burratta on arugula with port; fettuccine marinara with clams, saffron, lobster and scallops with Peter Michael Chardonnay 'La Carrière' 2012; grapefruit sorbet with fresh litchis; porchetta with Peter Michael Pinot Noir 'Clos du Ciel' 2011; strawberry chocolate layer cake; espresso; grappa) we discussed favorite restaurants and meals.
One of his is Trabucco in Alameda. I learned that a trubucco is a huge, ancient fishing structure of Abruzzi,
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trabucco
We entertained our Italian friend and his Korean girlfriend last night. As Italians (and French) are wont to do, after we were so stuffed we couldn't move (menu: Negronis with mini latkes topped with home-made lox on the deck; prosciutto with figs and burratta on arugula with port; fettuccine marinara with clams, saffron, lobster and scallops with Peter Michael Chardonnay 'La Carrière' 2012; grapefruit sorbet with fresh litchis; porchetta with Peter Michael Pinot Noir 'Clos du Ciel' 2011; strawberry chocolate layer cake; espresso; grappa) we discussed favorite restaurants and meals.
One of his is Trabucco in Alameda. I learned that a trubucco is a huge, ancient fishing structure of Abruzzi,
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trabucco
1
Wow. I'm impressed. Martin, do the Zagats know about you?
Quite a spread indeed, Martin.
1
I guess my invitation was lost in the mail?
1
The "spread" in "taro spread" refers to the feast, doesn't it, not a spread made of taro? The hangups for me in this puzzle were SEA SPRAY (I had SEA CAVES) and ATTIRE, but eventually the intersecting words led me to the light. Oh, and "NOW" -- I had a D in the N spot (ADD ONE instead of AND ONE). In all, a fun puzzle all around!
2
Deb: Please don't ever close this Comments thing. Reading the Wordplay Edda is like a Dickensian character-packed, meandering epistolary novel-that-never-ends.
9
Thank you, Libagrouchy, and thank you to our Wordplayers.
I wouldn't dream of it.
I wouldn't dream of it.
3
And, Deb, if anyone else ever tries, just sound the trumps and the armies of WPers will saddle up our dragons and ride to your aid!
1
There are some silent letter theme echoes in the non-theme answers, my favorites being APOSTLE, WRITS, ISLA, and GUINEAN.
Which letter in ISLA is silent?
S
1
Is it?
Beware of men with names that related to weaponry.....?
Had a couple of Naticky moments (cartoonist xing native of strangely-named place)...and the worst was the two-word phrase ELM what? Charter Oak was the only thing I knew... so when TREE finally fell (on me) I had to groan. Fortunately for the DHubby, he is used to this breakfast table behavior.
Now must look up GODEL....which sort of rhymes with GO to -EL-, doesn't it?
Had a couple of Naticky moments (cartoonist xing native of strangely-named place)...and the worst was the two-word phrase ELM what? Charter Oak was the only thing I knew... so when TREE finally fell (on me) I had to groan. Fortunately for the DHubby, he is used to this breakfast table behavior.
Now must look up GODEL....which sort of rhymes with GO to -EL-, doesn't it?
1
As you may have already discovered, MOL, it's really Gödel with a nice umlaut on the O. The book "Gödel, Escher, Bach" was a big hit some decades back, tying math, art and music together in a tapestry of words and images.
Charter Oak is the state tree of Connecticut and an interesting chapter in our revolutionary history. Worth a google. It's on the state quarter for Connecticut.
Charter Oak is the state tree of Connecticut and an interesting chapter in our revolutionary history. Worth a google. It's on the state quarter for Connecticut.
2
Yes, I knew about the Charter Oak (loved the quarter's image) but my thinking was thereby misled into thinking the the Mass ELM had an extended/historical moniker.... Head/ desk moment.
Actually, I have been putting the full court press on this quilt, so I haven't done any computer stuff except visit WordPlay this day...not even my games with other Word People... (There's a deadline on this quilt's completion.)
Thanks for the tip; I did have the impression, from the title, that the book would be something like _Guns, Germs, and Steel_ in its scope and crossing disciplines/fields/arenas. Will probably read it sometime when I find it in a used-book shop...
Actually, I have been putting the full court press on this quilt, so I haven't done any computer stuff except visit WordPlay this day...not even my games with other Word People... (There's a deadline on this quilt's completion.)
Thanks for the tip; I did have the impression, from the title, that the book would be something like _Guns, Germs, and Steel_ in its scope and crossing disciplines/fields/arenas. Will probably read it sometime when I find it in a used-book shop...
Enjoyed today's challenge. I have a soft spot for our language's spelling idiosyncrasies and enjoy puzzles that feature them. What held me up today were areas of knowledge out of my wheelhouse.
Had UCLA before UTES and OLD GALS before OLD PALS (misread clue as crones instead of cronies). What finally held me up from congratulations until I checked Rex Parker was MOLE before VOLE. And I live in a vole-rich area!
Had UCLA before UTES and OLD GALS before OLD PALS (misread clue as crones instead of cronies). What finally held me up from congratulations until I checked Rex Parker was MOLE before VOLE. And I live in a vole-rich area!
1
I enjoyed this witty puzzle and I even guessed right for a change on the one square I couldn't be sure of--where ALGREN met ARIE--so I'm happy!
The solve was pretty steady all the way down the grid. That the circled letters spelled out what amounts to another, if partial, theme answer that I missed gave me that extra "aha" when I read the commentary.
Quite fun. Tomorrow, back to basics...
The solve was pretty steady all the way down the grid. That the circled letters spelled out what amounts to another, if partial, theme answer that I missed gave me that extra "aha" when I read the commentary.
Quite fun. Tomorrow, back to basics...
This was a smooth solve and with nice word play. I was glad to read Sam's explanation of the things he had to take into consideration. The TAROT SPREAD was new to me; I think I've only ever seen Tarot referred to in books, not how it actually works though.
A quiz show I had just watched had a question about the capital of Guinea, so that was helpful. I loved the REIGNING MONARCHS.
I just got back from France yesterday and never had time to get to do a puzzle, much less get to wordplay. I've just written a bit of a long travelogue which I'll post separately for anyone who might be interested.
A quiz show I had just watched had a question about the capital of Guinea, so that was helpful. I loved the REIGNING MONARCHS.
I just got back from France yesterday and never had time to get to do a puzzle, much less get to wordplay. I've just written a bit of a long travelogue which I'll post separately for anyone who might be interested.
4
Welcome back, suejean. It wasn't the same without you.
Looking forward to reading your travelogue.
Looking forward to reading your travelogue.
1
My trip was a great mixture of sight seeing, Arles, Nimes, Aigues Morte, The Camargue, etc, plus several vineyards for tours and tastings. We spent the first 4 nights in Bouzigues , on the Etang de Thau, a beautiful setting.
The downside was extreme heat, and the fact that every winery seemed to be miles down very narrow steep windy roads, and at one point we got to a turn that was completely impossible for our large coach to manage so we had to back all the way down (drop offs on either side) and hope to find a different route. Quite scary, luckily we had a superb driver. So we were always quite late back to our hotel and this is all to explain why I never got to word play.
Our last night was in Champagne country where we had a tasting lined up on the way to the hotel. Sadly there was a really bad accident a little bit ahead of us and we had to wait 3 hours before we were able to get going again. We all felt very lucky that we were not involved in the accident at least. The hotel staff managed to have a great dinner for us in spite of being so late.
We bought 1,458 bottle of wine.
The downside was extreme heat, and the fact that every winery seemed to be miles down very narrow steep windy roads, and at one point we got to a turn that was completely impossible for our large coach to manage so we had to back all the way down (drop offs on either side) and hope to find a different route. Quite scary, luckily we had a superb driver. So we were always quite late back to our hotel and this is all to explain why I never got to word play.
Our last night was in Champagne country where we had a tasting lined up on the way to the hotel. Sadly there was a really bad accident a little bit ahead of us and we had to wait 3 hours before we were able to get going again. We all felt very lucky that we were not involved in the accident at least. The hotel staff managed to have a great dinner for us in spite of being so late.
We bought 1,458 bottle of wine.
5
I've been through that exact same harrowing bus-on-the-side-of-a-cliff experience in the same locations, suejean. Unforgettable. Once, it was pouring rain just to add to the excitement.
Etang de Thau - oysters!
Good to have you back.
Etang de Thau - oysters!
Good to have you back.
2
I guess Rhett Butler is no friend of the beavers.
Where was I? Interesting puzzle and Impressive Feat of Construction. Fairly smooth in a lot of places but I really struggled in 3 or 4 little areas, mostly involving partial phrases (With all the more current pop culture references, we couldn't have had Peter NOONE at 59d?). And then there was the ANTI / SNOOP crossing. I finally remembered that Snoop Dogg had changed his name a couple of times or I might not have worked that out. Still seems like a bizarre choice of a clue for ANTI, especially given the crossing.
Theme was... a mixed bag. Neither version of 119a was even vaguely familiar so that fell flat. The others were mostly ok and a couple of them (GIVESADAM and REININGMONARCHS) were actually pretty funny.
Overall a good workout, which is what I mostly hope for on a Sunday. It was just that the work in this case was a bit too concentrated in a few tough areas. No real complaints.
Something OT in a reply about the 'other side' of Father's Day.
Where was I? Interesting puzzle and Impressive Feat of Construction. Fairly smooth in a lot of places but I really struggled in 3 or 4 little areas, mostly involving partial phrases (With all the more current pop culture references, we couldn't have had Peter NOONE at 59d?). And then there was the ANTI / SNOOP crossing. I finally remembered that Snoop Dogg had changed his name a couple of times or I might not have worked that out. Still seems like a bizarre choice of a clue for ANTI, especially given the crossing.
Theme was... a mixed bag. Neither version of 119a was even vaguely familiar so that fell flat. The others were mostly ok and a couple of them (GIVESADAM and REININGMONARCHS) were actually pretty funny.
Overall a good workout, which is what I mostly hope for on a Sunday. It was just that the work in this case was a bit too concentrated in a few tough areas. No real complaints.
Something OT in a reply about the 'other side' of Father's Day.
1
OT: This sprang from a conversation I had with one of my sons a few days ago. Of the four, he was the one that from middle school on, chose to hang out with the 'tough kids.' In this area, that means that his friends were mostly African-American. All of them, including him, had 'run-ins' with the law at one point or another. None of them, including him, ever had any college.
So they all had struggles early on, but they all turned out ok. All of them have decent jobs and work hard. Most of them are married and have kids (or step-kids as in my son's case). I know several of them fairly well and they are all what I could consider 'stand-up guys.' Honest, polite, well-mannered. People I would trust to do the right thing.
A notable example is a kid who lived next door to us. There was no father there, and then his mother passed away when he was 19. Tough times for a while, but now he owns his own bar and does well. Another kid down the street became a career Navy man.
Anyway, in this conversation my son mentioned something that I had never realized. He said that of all his friends, other than himself only one had ever known his father. Not coincidental, I'm sure.
So maybe on this day it's not such a bad idea to also remember the 'other side' and also to honor those mothers who had to be both mother and father. And it give me an excuse to (re)link my all-time #1 song. Just this once, please listen to the lyrics:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jzly6jrepRU
..
So they all had struggles early on, but they all turned out ok. All of them have decent jobs and work hard. Most of them are married and have kids (or step-kids as in my son's case). I know several of them fairly well and they are all what I could consider 'stand-up guys.' Honest, polite, well-mannered. People I would trust to do the right thing.
A notable example is a kid who lived next door to us. There was no father there, and then his mother passed away when he was 19. Tough times for a while, but now he owns his own bar and does well. Another kid down the street became a career Navy man.
Anyway, in this conversation my son mentioned something that I had never realized. He said that of all his friends, other than himself only one had ever known his father. Not coincidental, I'm sure.
So maybe on this day it's not such a bad idea to also remember the 'other side' and also to honor those mothers who had to be both mother and father. And it give me an excuse to (re)link my all-time #1 song. Just this once, please listen to the lyrics:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jzly6jrepRU
..
4
Thanks for that link, RiA.
I tend to have problems with "holidays" that celebrate, or honor, individuals simply based on biological accidents, rather for anything they have actually done.
I tend to have problems with "holidays" that celebrate, or honor, individuals simply based on biological accidents, rather for anything they have actually done.
1
Thanks for the link, Rich. Outstanding quality recording.
Nice thought for the Mothers who are/were also fill-in Dads, and maybe I'd tack on a little extra for the kids that never needed to make someone a Father's Day card.
Nice thought for the Mothers who are/were also fill-in Dads, and maybe I'd tack on a little extra for the kids that never needed to make someone a Father's Day card.
less than fun because there were so many excessively misleading or just plain wrong clues. I am pointing out the ones that annoyed me the most.
98a there are too many degrees of separation between the clue and the answer. "my partner's and my" implies unmarried parents , maybe same gender, and the answer has nothing specifically to do with children anyway.
107a although in common usage people do say "he scored better than par", in golf with regard to which "par" is most often used, "better than normal" score is below par, not above it.
113a classic is too misleading because a neon tube is part of any diner sign, not just classic ones.
119a tarotspread is too artificial. I have never heard anyone say that in Hawaii (or Palau or Yap where taro is a mainstay ) and in any case taro is one foodstuff, not plural foodstuffs.
124a slip with cow or pink is a syllable not a word: cowslip is one word.
98a there are too many degrees of separation between the clue and the answer. "my partner's and my" implies unmarried parents , maybe same gender, and the answer has nothing specifically to do with children anyway.
107a although in common usage people do say "he scored better than par", in golf with regard to which "par" is most often used, "better than normal" score is below par, not above it.
113a classic is too misleading because a neon tube is part of any diner sign, not just classic ones.
119a tarotspread is too artificial. I have never heard anyone say that in Hawaii (or Palau or Yap where taro is a mainstay ) and in any case taro is one foodstuff, not plural foodstuffs.
124a slip with cow or pink is a syllable not a word: cowslip is one word.
2
surprised to hear so much dismay over TAROTSPREAD. Out here on the Left Coast readers do them all the time.
Pretty much disagree with you on all points, Skeptical1.
98A is perfectly fine and doesn't apply any of the things you suggest.
107A is perfectly fine and doesn't imply golf or anything else that specific. Lots of usages. A clue not a definition.
113A is perfectly fine. Yes, this is me, defending a use of "classic," although not all that enthusiastically; I don't know what would make a diner sign classic any more than I know what makes toothpaste or notebooks classic. But I've seen diner signs that are just painted on wood. And LED lights. And other stuff that I probably couldn't define.
119A is perfectly fine. I don't think there's any connection between taro and tarot.
124A I'm not so sure about. I've never known what a cowslip, or cow slip, is. But I sure don't dislike it.
98A is perfectly fine and doesn't apply any of the things you suggest.
107A is perfectly fine and doesn't imply golf or anything else that specific. Lots of usages. A clue not a definition.
113A is perfectly fine. Yes, this is me, defending a use of "classic," although not all that enthusiastically; I don't know what would make a diner sign classic any more than I know what makes toothpaste or notebooks classic. But I've seen diner signs that are just painted on wood. And LED lights. And other stuff that I probably couldn't define.
119A is perfectly fine. I don't think there's any connection between taro and tarot.
124A I'm not so sure about. I've never known what a cowslip, or cow slip, is. But I sure don't dislike it.
3
Cowslip.
I knew what it is, but not what it looks like, so:
http://www.seasonalwildflowers.com/uploads/images/March/Cowslip/web%202.jpg
Aaah, that's better!
I knew what it is, but not what it looks like, so:
http://www.seasonalwildflowers.com/uploads/images/March/Cowslip/web%202.jpg
Aaah, that's better!
So you're punishing digital subscribers so the non-digital subscribers don't feel left out. Nice.
2
"...the answer PDF is available only to digital crossword subscribers."
Perhaps this was worded awkwardly, since you can only subscribe to the crossword digitally. I am a "Digi: Yes" because I am a "Hd" Yes." But I am an "Xwd: No," so I was denied access to the answer PDF because (we've been told) it was stored in the Archive (why?), and (appropriately) you need a paid crossword sub to access the archive.
(Those abbrs by which I identified my account appear on the email form created if I hit "Contact Us" at the bottom of the Puzzles home page.)
(BTW. the Answer is here: https://www.xwordinfo.com/)
Perhaps this was worded awkwardly, since you can only subscribe to the crossword digitally. I am a "Digi: Yes" because I am a "Hd" Yes." But I am an "Xwd: No," so I was denied access to the answer PDF because (we've been told) it was stored in the Archive (why?), and (appropriately) you need a paid crossword sub to access the archive.
(Those abbrs by which I identified my account appear on the email form created if I hit "Contact Us" at the bottom of the Puzzles home page.)
(BTW. the Answer is here: https://www.xwordinfo.com/)
2
1
I think I would have said the link is barred to dead tree and squid fluid solvers. Let's keep it in perspective.
1
I suppose getting the feedback that your solution is wrong is perhaps a kind of cheating, but I realize that without it I am truly lost. Any who solve on paper and get it right more times than not would be the ultimate crossword hero, but I do have a nice streak going, which when it ends, will probably mark the beginning of my true dotage. I see it coming. It would be so easy to be had, between abbreviations, geographical references, and bizarre usages. But not on Father's Day, sweet vole.
3
good Sunday. cottoned on to the theme pretty quickly, with after hours. Liked seeing Algren and Agee side by side. Liked oil tanks as "Shell containers"
1
Deb—I had to chuckle at your assertion that "'mouth pieces' is a slang term for lawyers." That would be true only if this were the 1930s and you were talking about seriously campy dialogue in gangster films. It's hard to envision a real-life crime boss or a street thug saying he was going to call his mouth piece.
Paulymath,
Keep chucking all the way to def. 5...and don't forget Miranda or Mapp.
http://www.dictionary.com/browse/mouthpiece
Keep chucking all the way to def. 5...and don't forget Miranda or Mapp.
http://www.dictionary.com/browse/mouthpiece
2
I know what I'm talking about, paulymath, see? You coppers won't get the best of me, see?
5
Just the facts, ma'am.
Some might be interested to learn that Tarot cards were not originally designed for divination. The medieval deck of cards (imported from China along with gunpowder and spaghetti) was augmented by special cards that had powers over the rest of the "normal" cards, a kind of permanent trump suit. They had both ranks and symbols/names on them and they were called Tarocks/Tarocchi/Tarots. Once people figured out that you could just assign trump status to one of the normal suits, the Tarot deck was repurposed for fortune telling, where the cards are turned up in a spread / layout that gives the cards different meanings in their combinations and in their orientations. But tarot decks are still used in Italy, Hungary and other lands for national card games.
3
France, too.
C'est vrai, suremment, mimi.
jeux de cartes
jeux de cartes
I thought about taking your phrase "permanent trump suit" and conflating it with straight jacket, but then I thought better of it.
2
Okay, now having sounded off/begged for an explanation about the Enchilada stuff, here's my CiC about this very specific puzzle:
Fun, but I'm not getting the stuff about (K)NIGHT. I started the puzzle and tumbled to the "silent" part at DOUBLE(K)NOTS, so I had no problem going with where I was supposed to go. (At least until I got into the Deep South, but I'll whine about that later.) Anyway, I somehow missed that there was another element--that K--or even that I should have been looking for it. And Deb says, "all the Ks are silent." No, they aren't; see square #36.
Obviously, I missed something.
Nonetheless, it was a pretty quick solve. I got the "silent" part from the title and 23A, and the rest was easy. Until I got into the Deep South.
I knew what it had to be, but I've never heard of TAROT SPREAD. So, okay, I put it in anyway. In that neighborhood, OYE took a while, but I worked it out with the crosses.
My real mess was SW. Entered AT LEAST before AT WORST and tried to figure out what Sam/Will/anyone was talking about at 98D. AFTER HOURS made sense. Eventually figured out DR. OZ and took out AT WORST. I still don't understand AND ONE. Maybe I'll look it up another time.
Anyway, I always loved PAC-MAN, and Ms. PAC-MAN, and I wish those games were still around.
Fun, but I'm not getting the stuff about (K)NIGHT. I started the puzzle and tumbled to the "silent" part at DOUBLE(K)NOTS, so I had no problem going with where I was supposed to go. (At least until I got into the Deep South, but I'll whine about that later.) Anyway, I somehow missed that there was another element--that K--or even that I should have been looking for it. And Deb says, "all the Ks are silent." No, they aren't; see square #36.
Obviously, I missed something.
Nonetheless, it was a pretty quick solve. I got the "silent" part from the title and 23A, and the rest was easy. Until I got into the Deep South.
I knew what it had to be, but I've never heard of TAROT SPREAD. So, okay, I put it in anyway. In that neighborhood, OYE took a while, but I worked it out with the crosses.
My real mess was SW. Entered AT LEAST before AT WORST and tried to figure out what Sam/Will/anyone was talking about at 98D. AFTER HOURS made sense. Eventually figured out DR. OZ and took out AT WORST. I still don't understand AND ONE. Maybe I'll look it up another time.
Anyway, I always loved PAC-MAN, and Ms. PAC-MAN, and I wish those games were still around.
2
DL—AND ONE is simply an expression meaning that in addition to the two or three points scored by making a basket, the shooter gets a chance, with a foul shot, to add ONE to the total score of that play.
Deb meant all the K's are silent when she sings silent night to herself. Get it?
1
Okay, Lisa. But not really. Jeff said something along the same order. Nowhere did I realize the circled letters were supposed to spell anything out in the first place. Also, there aren't any Ks in "Silent Night," at least not in the verse I (k)now.
I'm confused enough that I think I have to write separate comments about what was about the Enchilada and about the puzzle itself.
About the Enchilada first: I'd never looked at that link until people started making complaints, at which time I looked and found out that I did not have access. I pay for my NYT subscription where I can look at all of the paper and get the headlines email and all that--which is what I assume makes me a "digital subscriber." In addition, I pay more money for the "premium" XWP, which I think is what gets me into WordPlay.
So: Now that I've tried the "Enchilada" link, and been sent, repeatedly, only to a blank page, what exactly is keeping me out? Are there other things that the NYT wants me to pay for? I doubt seriously that I would be willing to do so, since I never even wanted to click on the "Enchilada" link until it became an issue for others, but now I wonder. Does "digital" mean something else, that I don't know about, and that the NYT wants me to pay even more for?
I know that my use of AcrossLite doesn't qualify as "online" in terms of XWPs, but as I understand it I could use the online app if I wanted to. What are tall these confusing terms, and why am I (and apparently others) being closed out?
About the Enchilada first: I'd never looked at that link until people started making complaints, at which time I looked and found out that I did not have access. I pay for my NYT subscription where I can look at all of the paper and get the headlines email and all that--which is what I assume makes me a "digital subscriber." In addition, I pay more money for the "premium" XWP, which I think is what gets me into WordPlay.
So: Now that I've tried the "Enchilada" link, and been sent, repeatedly, only to a blank page, what exactly is keeping me out? Are there other things that the NYT wants me to pay for? I doubt seriously that I would be willing to do so, since I never even wanted to click on the "Enchilada" link until it became an issue for others, but now I wonder. Does "digital" mean something else, that I don't know about, and that the NYT wants me to pay even more for?
I know that my use of AcrossLite doesn't qualify as "online" in terms of XWPs, but as I understand it I could use the online app if I wanted to. What are tall these confusing terms, and why am I (and apparently others) being closed out?
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Hi, DL. Since I'm a home subscriber I can't be of much help with your questions, but I wanted to say that for 20 bucks a year I subscribe to https://www.xwordinfo.com, which is a private site dedicated 100% to the NYT XWD. It has a nice big answer grid of the current puzzle, and many other things that I don't usually avail myself of but which others obviously find of interest. I go there maybe once a week two to check something out, and on a day I particularly enjoy the puzzle (or not!) I might go there to see what the review there is like.
I think you can even use the site for free, not sure because IMO a workman is worthy of his hire, and the site obviously takes a LOT of work. It's a deal.
Now to see if our faithful emus post this. [I derive no personal or monetary benefit from this little testimonial, honest!]
I think you can even use the site for free, not sure because IMO a workman is worthy of his hire, and the site obviously takes a LOT of work. It's a deal.
Now to see if our faithful emus post this. [I derive no personal or monetary benefit from this little testimonial, honest!]
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I concur, spenyc.
The site gets antsy if a non-subscriber tries to use too many of the features in too short a time, but it is quite generous in every way. I've taken to visiting there first, because Jeff et al. include the complete constructor's notes, where Deb will sometimes edit them down. A beautiful maintained site.
The site gets antsy if a non-subscriber tries to use too many of the features in too short a time, but it is quite generous in every way. I've taken to visiting there first, because Jeff et al. include the complete constructor's notes, where Deb will sometimes edit them down. A beautiful maintained site.
I've subscribed to xwordinfo for two or three years now. I read Deb's column first (after solving the puzzle), then go to xwordinfo. If Deb's column has the constructor's notes, I read them there. If they also appear on Jeff's page, I check to see if there is more (or less, or different) stuff than what was here.
I'm not trying to be a cheapo. I'm just curious why I'm not allowed to see this Enchilada stuff, when I'm paying through the nose to the NYT (in addition and not related to xwordinfo).
Such a puzzling puzzle.
I'm not trying to be a cheapo. I'm just curious why I'm not allowed to see this Enchilada stuff, when I'm paying through the nose to the NYT (in addition and not related to xwordinfo).
Such a puzzling puzzle.
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As this is the week of the US Golf Open, 107 A should surely be "Below Par."
And Deb, "spread" is not as in jam, but "spread" as a term for a laid out meal, such as a buffet.
And Deb, "spread" is not as in jam, but "spread" as a term for a laid out meal, such as a buffet.
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I read "spread" as you did, Bruvver. Regarding your fine suggestion of below for ABOVE for 107A, please note that 106A has DOWN meaning up.
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PAR has meanings outside of golf, just like DRIBBLE does outside of basketball. (Ask any mother of an infant.) In general, PAR means "average," and in a financial sense, PAR is an established value, so BELOW PAR is less than that amount.
People do say "I'm feeling BELOW PAR" when they are sick, and they're probably not thinking of golf.
So much like SANCTION, CLEAVE and OVERSIGHT, BELOW and ABOVE PAR are contronyms. They mean one thing in golf and another in other contexts.
Actually, PAR means the same thing in golf, less than an established value, but in golf, a low score is a positive thing, which flips the favorability factor.
In the case of contronyms, it's best to avoid using them at all if there's the slightest chance of misinterpretation.
Side note: The Atlanta Braves have a lead-off batter named ENDER Inciarte. (For people like Deadline, that means he bats first.) I thought it was justice one time when the Mets were playing the Braves, when Inciarte (whose last name looks like it derives from INITIATE in Spanish) made the last out, and was therefore truly an ENDER.
But if names were accurate, he should have been in the bullpen, as a closer. (Again, Deadline, the pitcher who generally pitches last.)
And along the same lines, why isn't Mets pitcher Robert GSELLMAN used more often as a pinch runner?
People do say "I'm feeling BELOW PAR" when they are sick, and they're probably not thinking of golf.
So much like SANCTION, CLEAVE and OVERSIGHT, BELOW and ABOVE PAR are contronyms. They mean one thing in golf and another in other contexts.
Actually, PAR means the same thing in golf, less than an established value, but in golf, a low score is a positive thing, which flips the favorability factor.
In the case of contronyms, it's best to avoid using them at all if there's the slightest chance of misinterpretation.
Side note: The Atlanta Braves have a lead-off batter named ENDER Inciarte. (For people like Deadline, that means he bats first.) I thought it was justice one time when the Mets were playing the Braves, when Inciarte (whose last name looks like it derives from INITIATE in Spanish) made the last out, and was therefore truly an ENDER.
But if names were accurate, he should have been in the bullpen, as a closer. (Again, Deadline, the pitcher who generally pitches last.)
And along the same lines, why isn't Mets pitcher Robert GSELLMAN used more often as a pinch runner?
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Thank you for the basic English lesson, but I think every on knew that. My point was a bit tongue in cheek, I think you took it too seriously. But as to your point about "par" and "contronyms," You correctly point out that par means average in all contexts, its is just that is some contexts below par is good, and in others above par is good. But "below par" always means below average and "above par" always means above average, therefore neither of these terms are contonyms.
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I saw trabuccos (trabucci?) around Vieste when we visited that part of Italy a few years ago. Fascinating.
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trabucchi - the "h" is needed to keep the "k" sound intact
I love the photos on the wiki page - they reminded me of the original Myst games.
I love the photos on the wiki page - they reminded me of the original Myst games.
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They are indeed somewhat like original Myst, David.
But, mercifully, without requiring the player to identify the pitch in that piano puzzle. Probably a piece of cake for you, but almost a game-ender for me.
But, mercifully, without requiring the player to identify the pitch in that piano puzzle. Probably a piece of cake for you, but almost a game-ender for me.
Copy desk: Please correct the name of this newspaper in the Constructor Notes.
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Did I miss the original error or are you NYTpicking? It reads New York Times here, but NYT on the xwordinfo.com page.
The correction (New York Time to New York Times) was made in the column at some point after my post and before yours, Kiki.
Hmm, seed for a theme there somewhere?
Clue: Eastern standard?
Answer: NEWYORKTIME
Okay, I know that doesn't quite work, but I wonder if you could build a theme around singular versions of words or phrases that are most commonly seen in the plural. And no I can't think of any other examples at the moment; this just popped into my head.
Clue: Eastern standard?
Answer: NEWYORKTIME
Okay, I know that doesn't quite work, but I wonder if you could build a theme around singular versions of words or phrases that are most commonly seen in the plural. And no I can't think of any other examples at the moment; this just popped into my head.
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I was really glad that there wasn't a revealer. After the silent K-N- had appeared, I had enough of a hint to put the rest into their circles. It was a fun puzzle.
The Renaissance clue is a little bit off for a philologist. At the time of the Renaissance, "meat" meant any kind of foodstuff - everyone ate meat. It was "flesh and fowl" ("flesshe and foules") that were reserved for the V.I.P.s.
Fact Boy beat me to the Edda/Saga distinction. He's got it correct.
PS - Deb, I think his name is Sam...hee hee
The Renaissance clue is a little bit off for a philologist. At the time of the Renaissance, "meat" meant any kind of foodstuff - everyone ate meat. It was "flesh and fowl" ("flesshe and foules") that were reserved for the V.I.P.s.
Fact Boy beat me to the Edda/Saga distinction. He's got it correct.
PS - Deb, I think his name is Sam...hee hee
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RENAISSANCE FA(I)RE was my favorite clue/entry combo, David.
Please don't burst my bubble.
Please don't burst my bubble.
There are only two Eddas in Icelandic literature, and neither of them is a saga. A saga is a story written in a spare, chiseled prose that anticipates Ernest Hemingway, with Norwegian kings, Icelandic farmers, and Greenlandic settlers as protagonists. The so-called “Elder” Edda is an anthology of short narrative poems written in alliterative verse. The “Younger” Edda is a poetic — a manual for poets — written by Icelandic poet-cum-politician Snorri Sturluson (1179-1241). It contains a catalogue of mythological stories, models of different verse-forms, and examples of convoluted metaphors called kenningar, the nuts and bolts of Norse poetry. Snorri wrote his Edda in a vain and atavistic effort to revive the old poetry, which had already been replaced by the prose saga and popular, simple-minded verse written in end rhyme and untroubled by arcane metaphor. While its content is older, the “Elder” Edda was compiled after Snorri’s time and so is actually younger, so the terminology is somewhat confusing. But any way you look at it, “saga” and “edda” are not synonymous.
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