This was the most nonsensical, frustrating Thursday puzzle I've done So far. This makes me want to quit altogether and stick with the minis.
1
Interesting comments and corrections re Lonnie Donegan. Have a piece of chewing gum on me, y'all.
3
Oops. Please excuse premature submission. As I started to say ...
Got the theme right away, after going across the top and getting TRAVELING IN and seeing FORTE. Wasn't sure how it would work, thinking there was some sort of "turn" maybe. Didn't see the DOWN part until the revealer.
That didn't help me much with FORTUNE HUNTER, because I just couldn't make it work with the FORT part at the beginning and the T and the U being so far away from each other. Eventually saw that it was inevitable.
Very relieved when I got MASCOTS, because trophy hunting upsets me.
SYNGE, ORESTES, and HORNE were gimmes. As usual, debated between ESTAS and ESTOS and went elsewhere. By the time I got back I had HOT TUN?. Since I never heard of them, and since it was current music, and forgetting about ESTo/aS, I filled in HOT TUNE. That upset Mr. Happy Pencil no end.
TOXIC before ACRID; CUSS AT before FUSS AT; RTE before RDS.
Wasn't crazy about EMITTER or LAND SALES, the latter coming across to me as a green paint.
ST. PETE was problematic because I assumed something called "Sunshine Skyway" would be in California. At least I didn't try St. Paul.
Liked seeing BEDPOST, AFORESAID, and especially BEAUFORT SCALE ... once I remembered it.
So, kinda easy for a Thursday, but enjoyable nonetheless. Thanks Jeffrey, Will, and Joel, and Martin for his column.
Have a good day everyone.
Got the theme right away, after going across the top and getting TRAVELING IN and seeing FORTE. Wasn't sure how it would work, thinking there was some sort of "turn" maybe. Didn't see the DOWN part until the revealer.
That didn't help me much with FORTUNE HUNTER, because I just couldn't make it work with the FORT part at the beginning and the T and the U being so far away from each other. Eventually saw that it was inevitable.
Very relieved when I got MASCOTS, because trophy hunting upsets me.
SYNGE, ORESTES, and HORNE were gimmes. As usual, debated between ESTAS and ESTOS and went elsewhere. By the time I got back I had HOT TUN?. Since I never heard of them, and since it was current music, and forgetting about ESTo/aS, I filled in HOT TUNE. That upset Mr. Happy Pencil no end.
TOXIC before ACRID; CUSS AT before FUSS AT; RTE before RDS.
Wasn't crazy about EMITTER or LAND SALES, the latter coming across to me as a green paint.
ST. PETE was problematic because I assumed something called "Sunshine Skyway" would be in California. At least I didn't try St. Paul.
Liked seeing BEDPOST, AFORESAID, and especially BEAUFORT SCALE ... once I remembered it.
So, kinda easy for a Thursday, but enjoyable nonetheless. Thanks Jeffrey, Will, and Joel, and Martin for his column.
Have a good day everyone.
4
Got the FORT part right away, after moving across the top and seeing TRAVELING
Ready to FORTify myself after this enjoyable puzzle.
2
Here is a Thursday for those who prefer their rebuses to be right in front of their eyes. A very FORTy puzzle — one at the end, one in the middle, and one at the beginning — nice.
Speaking of FORTE meaning "strong point": I'm curious how various people pronounce this: Is it like the musical direction (i.e., ending with a long A sound) or like the redoubt (i.e., with a silent E) ?
Speaking of FORTE meaning "strong point": I'm curious how various people pronounce this: Is it like the musical direction (i.e., ending with a long A sound) or like the redoubt (i.e., with a silent E) ?
4
Ought to be with silent E. Thought that was after I learned the right pronunciation. Before that I pronounced it line the musical direction one.
Once in a while, I'd come across someone pronouncing it correctly. 9 out of 10 times at least, people pronounce it with long A sound at the end.
I avoid saying the word for fear that the person I am speaking to won't understand what I said. Sigh...
Once in a while, I'd come across someone pronouncing it correctly. 9 out of 10 times at least, people pronounce it with long A sound at the end.
I avoid saying the word for fear that the person I am speaking to won't understand what I said. Sigh...
2
I use one syllable also. But see the interesting note on pronunciation (scroll down):
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/forte
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/forte
1
Funny you mentioned that, polymath. My husband and I always pronounce it a la francais with the silent E, but fear that folks will think we don't know the proper pronunciation. I recall looking (or should I say 'luking') it up once and finding the long A sound has become acceptable.
1
Wonderful puzzle with a wonderful twist!
2
At college in the late 70s, my standard line about pop music was "I like everything--well, except for HOT TUNA." It wasn't entirely true then, and even less so now (although I do find some of their music a bit too laidback at times). But they got me started today, and I had the reveal well before any of the themers. Caught on at 33A, although I did ponder whether we had an actual rebus puzzle, before making that right-hand turn. NW took a bit of extra thinking, working out the beginning of (someth)INGINCOMFORT. Nice Thursday change of pace.
Billy Joel's "Storm Front" is the only pop song I know that specifically name-checks the BEAUFORT SCALE in the lyrics:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_nAheMqPwY
Billy Joel's "Storm Front" is the only pop song I know that specifically name-checks the BEAUFORT SCALE in the lyrics:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_nAheMqPwY
1
Mucho fun today. However, woulda liked to have seen the Chewing Gum reference be the original Lonnie Donegan version as he doesn't get enough credit for this classic humdinger.
1
Fair enough. Here you go:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4RSvXngSDg
But I do like the way the column is bracketed by Muppets.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4RSvXngSDg
But I do like the way the column is bracketed by Muppets.
3
Here's the ORIGINAL original 1924 version of the song written by Billy Rose, Marty Bloom, and Ernest Breuer, sung by Billy Jones and Ernest Hare.
https://youtu.be/u9v0DlnCd1Q
The Lonnie Donegan version was a 1959 cover, changing "Spearmint" to "chewing gum," because the BBC wouldn't play songs featuring registered trademarks in their titles.
https://youtu.be/u9v0DlnCd1Q
The Lonnie Donegan version was a 1959 cover, changing "Spearmint" to "chewing gum," because the BBC wouldn't play songs featuring registered trademarks in their titles.
2
Lonnie Donegan's influence on the early UK rock & roll scene cannot be overstated. Fair to say that the 60s British Invasion would not have unfolded as it did if not for Donegan.
2
I will admit that the puzzle went a little fast, although at first it seemed harder than it was, but I loved it. I struggled a bit with where the FORTS would dangle. Because of the first FORT coming at the end of the line, I thought they would follow suit. I kept trying to write FORTUNEHUNTER in order and it wasn't TIL I realized that I was spelling FOUR DOOR with 'foor', that I saw how the FORT was held down. That same mistake led me to have 'yard' SALES as some real estate businesses. Well, why not!?
Minor prophets: when your LAND SALES, mineral rights included, develop meager interest.
1
This also was a pretty fast solve and required little FORTitude to complete.
1
Oh, THAT Jeffrey Wechsler! No, but seriously, folks, I enjoyed this one. Especially want to thank you, Jeffie, for all of the misdirections; I fell for all of them.
Luckily for me, I had the SW first, giving me the reveal phrase and unlocking the FUNE??? of becoming rich (FUNERAL?)
HOT TUNA (ugh) and RE-AIMS were the groaners, and I expect others will PESTERnopeFUSS AT you for those stinkers.
Especially liked FORTH and FORTE and EFFORTS in the puzzle along with the themers.
More, please!
Luckily for me, I had the SW first, giving me the reveal phrase and unlocking the FUNE??? of becoming rich (FUNERAL?)
HOT TUNA (ugh) and RE-AIMS were the groaners, and I expect others will PESTERnopeFUSS AT you for those stinkers.
Especially liked FORTH and FORTE and EFFORTS in the puzzle along with the themers.
More, please!
5
HOT TUNA, ugh? MOL, in reference to the dish or band? Please tell me it is the former and not the latter. You seem to be a "Good Shepherd" of the arts; the culinary ones to be sure.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6cJR9copFw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6cJR9copFw
1
Great puzzle with the dangling FORT in the 3 theme answers.
Good back story regarding the offshoot of the Airplane Martin, but also note that the original name was to be Hots**t, but that it was soon realized to be unprintable.
Watch out for the fog on the Skyway Bridge. It can get scary up there.
Good back story regarding the offshoot of the Airplane Martin, but also note that the original name was to be Hots**t, but that it was soon realized to be unprintable.
Watch out for the fog on the Skyway Bridge. It can get scary up there.
1
I'll attempt this again - my laptop was not cooperating on the first try. I enjoyed the puzzle. Started slowly and gradually figured things out. When BEAUFORTSCALE didn't fit I left the last few letters blank so I could figure out what the rebus would be and where it would fit. Then I noticed EFFORTS crossing the F in BEAUFORT and I was on my way. Then I got FORTE and it gave me TRAVELING IN COMF.
Did not know HOTTUNA and had HOTTONE at first - I thought perhaps there was a SCOOT employed by a team? Finished in the Northwest - wanted BIGCATS before MASCOTS, but I eventually worked it out.
Did not know HOTTUNA and had HOTTONE at first - I thought perhaps there was a SCOOT employed by a team? Finished in the Northwest - wanted BIGCATS before MASCOTS, but I eventually worked it out.
As I enjoy my canapes or can-o-peas I ponder canopy posts. Fixated on a covering for a wedding and knew said posts were often called dead men. Sadly 41d was no help as my three sixes birthmark smolders with ACRID fumes when I turn to the bible as a reference.
Then, as often happens to me when solving, a fleeting memory saves the day. This one was my father telling my sister that he would maintain a secret stash of gum (Double Bubble) and rather than saving her masticated wad on the BEDPOST he would give her a fresh piece in the morning.
LOL was Marmots for 1a.
Thank you Jeffery.
Then, as often happens to me when solving, a fleeting memory saves the day. This one was my father telling my sister that he would maintain a secret stash of gum (Double Bubble) and rather than saving her masticated wad on the BEDPOST he would give her a fresh piece in the morning.
LOL was Marmots for 1a.
Thank you Jeffery.
6
Hand up for thinking only outdoor canopy for ages, dk
2
Marmots? Not too shabby.
LOL at the smoldering birthmark.
LOL at the smoldering birthmark.
2
Right off the bat I was alarmed when I saw that the puzzle had sauntered over to page C2...With that ORDEAL dispensed with and my revamped quarter fold in place I commenced with a solving effort that was stymied in the NW. I had 'aired' those venomous volcanic spews. They never sank to ACRID status. That made the obgyn term a non-entity, eitopic. What really helped me to hit my stride was the reveal but the sole pesky ERR AFORESAID cost me dearly. One letter off is really not much to FUSS AT, right?...The bridge to ST. PETE is a beaut. I spanned it when I visited the Dali museum...No complications on this Nirvana album, "In Utero." The Washington sounders had one of their best EFFORTS with the September '93 release. This is cut 5, "Frances Farmer Will Have Her Revenge On Seattle."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZgtMchcOy0
SALLYing FORTH,
Bru
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZgtMchcOy0
SALLYing FORTH,
Bru
5
Started with SYNGE and ORESTES, quickly got 59A with the short down-crosses, and then solved as a rebus in probably record Thursday time. Only noticed the "bend" when done... Fun!
1
How thoughtful of Will to schedule this puzzle during the week that Martin would HOLD DOWN THE FORT for Deb.
11
Bottoms up. I wasn't getting anywhere early on and thought I was in for a rough day, but I got going in the far south and then just built on what I had. Gradually moved north and it ended up being a fairly smooth solve, other than the problems in the NW that I mentioned in my reply to suejean. I figured out early on that FORT wasn't going to work as a rebus, but I somehow managed to not notice the FORTs going down until I filled in 16a. Nice puzzle in the end and an entertaining column from Martin.
Lena HORNE will always make me think of Fred Sanford (after I'm done thinking about Lena HORNE).
I like to think that I'm reasonably up on pop music, but I've never heard of HOTTUNA. Thank goodness that STARSHIP didn't fit there or I probably wouldn't be here now. Speaking of which, this song was a huge hit for them but also appears (deservedly) at the top of several 'worst song ever' lists ('Marconi plays the mamba'?)and that's even without the video, which is awesomely bad. Somehow still kind of fun if you've got 5 minutes to waste:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1b8AhIsSYQ
I think I may have linked that before. Some personal recollections in a reply.
Lena HORNE will always make me think of Fred Sanford (after I'm done thinking about Lena HORNE).
I like to think that I'm reasonably up on pop music, but I've never heard of HOTTUNA. Thank goodness that STARSHIP didn't fit there or I probably wouldn't be here now. Speaking of which, this song was a huge hit for them but also appears (deservedly) at the top of several 'worst song ever' lists ('Marconi plays the mamba'?)and that's even without the video, which is awesomely bad. Somehow still kind of fun if you've got 5 minutes to waste:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1b8AhIsSYQ
I think I may have linked that before. Some personal recollections in a reply.
5
STPETE was a gimme. The other end of that bridge is Terra Ceia island. I worked on a large plant nursery on the island for a while back in the day, eventually becoming the 'assistant grower.' Hard work and long days but I have some fond memories of the place.
First, there were mango trees on the property. I'd never had one before I got there, but found that I loved them. When they were in season I could just pick one off a tree whenever I wanted to! Also in the proper season I can remember wading out in Terra Ceia bay and picking up oysters off the bed and shelling them and eating them raw on the spot. And that island was the last place I ever saw anyone plowing a field with a plow pulled by a mule.
Occasional freeze warnings meant long nights trying to protect all the plants with smudge pots and sprinklers. I always remember one morning at dawn shivering while standing around a smudge pot with 4 other guys, passing around a bottle of bourbon. One of them raised the bottle and said, "welcome to sunny Florida."
And then there's this. Nothing short of a hurricane ever stopped me from going to work because: A) you never knew when it was going to stop, and B) if I was there, I got paid. Except for one morning. It wasn't that the weather was that much worse than usual that day - it was just... weird. There was something really spooky about it. And so I drove about a mile and then turned around and came back home. And that was the day the bridge came down.
First, there were mango trees on the property. I'd never had one before I got there, but found that I loved them. When they were in season I could just pick one off a tree whenever I wanted to! Also in the proper season I can remember wading out in Terra Ceia bay and picking up oysters off the bed and shelling them and eating them raw on the spot. And that island was the last place I ever saw anyone plowing a field with a plow pulled by a mule.
Occasional freeze warnings meant long nights trying to protect all the plants with smudge pots and sprinklers. I always remember one morning at dawn shivering while standing around a smudge pot with 4 other guys, passing around a bottle of bourbon. One of them raised the bottle and said, "welcome to sunny Florida."
And then there's this. Nothing short of a hurricane ever stopped me from going to work because: A) you never knew when it was going to stop, and B) if I was there, I got paid. Except for one morning. It wasn't that the weather was that much worse than usual that day - it was just... weird. There was something really spooky about it. And so I drove about a mile and then turned around and came back home. And that was the day the bridge came down.
11
Wow Rich.
Thanks for sharing that.
Thanks for sharing that.
2
Wow, RiA. Glad you avoided the bridge collapse.
I've always loved the term "smudge pots."
I've always loved the term "smudge pots."
1
@martin -- Wonderfully witty and insightful writeup!
The puzzle? A lovely journey, with enough resistance in the cluing to rev up the brain. For "Sound in Washington" I had the GE and the first thing that popped into my head was ANGER. HOT TUNA was one of those answers I had no idea that I knew, but out it slithered when I needed it. I like how the FORT is found at the beginning of one answer, the middle of another, and the end of the other.
All in all, lots of fun, for which I feel grateful and FUNATE!
The puzzle? A lovely journey, with enough resistance in the cluing to rev up the brain. For "Sound in Washington" I had the GE and the first thing that popped into my head was ANGER. HOT TUNA was one of those answers I had no idea that I knew, but out it slithered when I needed it. I like how the FORT is found at the beginning of one answer, the middle of another, and the end of the other.
All in all, lots of fun, for which I feel grateful and FUNATE!
2
Today my problem was the NW corner. I had the theme as I had FORTE and the COM, but TRAVELING was not coming to me at all. ( like wen, I think). Odd, because lately I've splurged on upgrading for that long flight to California.
Excellent theme, some good cluing, but not too tricky as Martin said. I liked the clue for PASTA, and eventually MASCOT, very pleased it wasn't live animals being shot.
Excellent theme, some good cluing, but not too tricky as Martin said. I liked the clue for PASTA, and eventually MASCOT, very pleased it wasn't live animals being shot.
6
Exactly the same experience, suejean. I wasn't thinking of TRAVELING even after I had INGCOMF in place and it wasn't until COVE dawned on me that I was able to work out that section.
I'll take some COMF in knowing that you struggled with that too.
I'll take some COMF in knowing that you struggled with that too.
2
Yes, that V from COVE finally did the trick.
1
Had everything except the NW, suejean, until I thought of OPENER, then the other words started coming to me. TRAVELING didn't occur to me right off, but I tend to go a bit cheapo on the amenities when crossing the pond. :) Fun puzzling experience.
1
Oh, and thanks to Martin for Hesitation Blues.
3
This one went pretty quickly and required little in the way of FORTitude to complete. Something was wrong with the timer today--it had my time as six seconds!
One of the fastest Thursdays ever for me, but still enjoyable. Caught on to the theme early, because I had FORTE in place before 16A and my eye just saw it. Nice touch that the "bends" came at the end, middle, and beginning of the three themers, in that order. By the time I came to the reveal, it was enough to see a W in the middle to enter the word DOWN and the rest pretty much filled itself.
Martin, your columns are smart and sassy. Oh, you might want to capitalize the S in PUGET Sound. That was a gimme for me - we lived in Tacoma for three years way back when.
Martin, your columns are smart and sassy. Oh, you might want to capitalize the S in PUGET Sound. That was a gimme for me - we lived in Tacoma for three years way back when.
6
It's bad enough with no copy editing of online columns, but when they won't even give the guest columnist temporary access to fix his own copy, perhaps Wordplay should once again be called a blog.
5
Nice puzzle although I was temporarily flummoxed because I wrote in FORT as a rebus and the puzzle didn't solve in the app- until I changed to the single F. Kind of a WOE.
1
Absolutely off topic, but I have a bunch of word obsessed people here, so...does anyone else hear Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" whenever the new White House press director's name is mentioned? ("I see a little sillouetto of a man. Scaramouche, Scaramouche, will you do the fandango?"). Maybe it's just me. I want to make that association go away.
Scaramuccia is a clown figure, which may be apt.
How to tie this to the puzzle? The "sound in Washington" is making me feel UNSAFE. And that's just for OPENERs.
Scaramuccia is a clown figure, which may be apt.
How to tie this to the puzzle? The "sound in Washington" is making me feel UNSAFE. And that's just for OPENERs.
9
A number of people reported Bohemian Rhapsody earworms on Facebook the day he was announced. I have been dealing with it since then myself. I've played the song from start to finish a few times hoping that would exorcise the problem, but to no avail. At least it's a great song.
7
The day after he was appointed, #2 son called me and said, "say 'I see a little silhouette of a man' to Siri."
Try it (if you have Siri). But yes, I already that association the first time I heard his name.
Try it (if you have Siri). But yes, I already that association the first time I heard his name.
4
Brings back memories of a family road trip with the four of us singing along at the top of our lungs and bobbing our heads in time until somebody noticed the strange looks we were getting from passing cars. My daughter used to think it was Bohemian Rap City.
3
I am going to have Muppet Jug Band nightmares tonight! Jumping, felt-and-fluff ear worms, with instruments. So, cheers and thanks a lot for that.
This was FORTuitously easy for a Thursday. I caught the trick early on because I worked from the bottom up, and HOLDINGDOWNTHEFORT fell right into place. I ended up filling F(ort)UNEHUNTER last simply due to a brain hiccup.
I like the structure of the puzzle, with the long fills illustrating the theme. All tied up with a pretty bow. And Mr. Toad!
Because you clued one of my favorite books, here's a quote ('tho not from Toad):
"The Mole was bewitched, entranced, fascinated. By the side of the river he trotted as one trots, when very small, by the side of a man who holds one spellbound by exciting stories; and when tired at last, he sat on the bank, while the river still chattered on to him, a babbling procession of the best stories in the world, sent from the heart of the earth to be told at last to the insatiable sea.I'
This was FORTuitously easy for a Thursday. I caught the trick early on because I worked from the bottom up, and HOLDINGDOWNTHEFORT fell right into place. I ended up filling F(ort)UNEHUNTER last simply due to a brain hiccup.
I like the structure of the puzzle, with the long fills illustrating the theme. All tied up with a pretty bow. And Mr. Toad!
Because you clued one of my favorite books, here's a quote ('tho not from Toad):
"The Mole was bewitched, entranced, fascinated. By the side of the river he trotted as one trots, when very small, by the side of a man who holds one spellbound by exciting stories; and when tired at last, he sat on the bank, while the river still chattered on to him, a babbling procession of the best stories in the world, sent from the heart of the earth to be told at last to the insatiable sea.I'
7
That's certainly one of my favorite books too, Peaches, if not my favorite of all time.
I still reread it from time to time.
And I identify with Mole.
I still reread it from time to time.
And I identify with Mole.
I love tidy, sweet Mole. I think I may be more Badger, though, in my current, woods-dwelling, semi-solitary life.
MOLE was my first fill there - I was sad to see Toad replace him.
Hot Tuna is still playing "some pretty good blues". They never stopped.
4
and Elke
For OPENERs at 1A- was feeling some discomFORT with "game animals" ; had to be elks- again !? It is NOT yet hunting season.
After FORTifying myself with an OREO (actually a Trader Joe's shortbread cookie) I REAIMed my EFFORTS and filled in a lot of threes. But had to come here to see the trick . Which is sorta neat- wish I had spent more time to figure it out.
Am retreating to North of the FORTy-ninth parallel and will try to get FORTy winks.
For OPENERs at 1A- was feeling some discomFORT with "game animals" ; had to be elks- again !? It is NOT yet hunting season.
After FORTifying myself with an OREO (actually a Trader Joe's shortbread cookie) I REAIMed my EFFORTS and filled in a lot of threes. But had to come here to see the trick . Which is sorta neat- wish I had spent more time to figure it out.
Am retreating to North of the FORTy-ninth parallel and will try to get FORTy winks.
2
OMG, it was indeed a little easier than most Thursdays. I liked it, though.
Some random thoughts:
At 40A, before I "got" the gimmick, I was trying to omit ORT, but accidentally left out FOR instead, creating TUNE HUNTER. That's me, composing.
Before the SciFi channel changed its name to SyFy, I used to pronounce it "skiffy," just for fun (and just to myself). "Siffy" doesn't have the same oomph somehow.
The beginning of the row at square 19 looks like RAVEN POE on a quick unfocused glance. (Quoth the RIVEN, "NevermOREO?")
In South Carolina, do they say "Byoofort Scale?" We say it right in NC.
I glanced at MDS, and thought, "Marylands." As if there were more than one.
I guess we had our fill of PUNs yesterday. So if you think of any today, you just might want to PASTA chance by.
That's about enough foolishness out of me for one day. Back to the Hitchcock marathon.
Some random thoughts:
At 40A, before I "got" the gimmick, I was trying to omit ORT, but accidentally left out FOR instead, creating TUNE HUNTER. That's me, composing.
Before the SciFi channel changed its name to SyFy, I used to pronounce it "skiffy," just for fun (and just to myself). "Siffy" doesn't have the same oomph somehow.
The beginning of the row at square 19 looks like RAVEN POE on a quick unfocused glance. (Quoth the RIVEN, "NevermOREO?")
In South Carolina, do they say "Byoofort Scale?" We say it right in NC.
I glanced at MDS, and thought, "Marylands." As if there were more than one.
I guess we had our fill of PUNs yesterday. So if you think of any today, you just might want to PASTA chance by.
That's about enough foolishness out of me for one day. Back to the Hitchcock marathon.
5
Glad you're back, Alan J.
It was a pretty easy Thursday. Agreed with others - it was pretty enjoyable. Had a heck of a time figuring out what FUNEHUNTER was.
The upper left corner gave me the most trouble. I stared at the blank corner for almost 10 minutes. Thank goodness eventually the first class clue led me to TRAVELING. Then thing started moving with STAVE, and then OPENER. Had TIL and SCIFI as those were gimmes. Thought the game animal must be some kind of CAT but I knew of no cats prefixed with three letter word that ended in S. The OPENER fixed up the rest.
Liked the clue for 8A (PASTA). Have never heard of HOT TUNA (sounds like a sandwich). Noticed that FORT was right above it. Too bad Mr. Wechsler didn't work O Fortuna into the puzzle. That would've been good.
The ones I didn't like that were gluey were EEN, HAB, HOR. But didn't stop me from enjoying the puzzle.
The upper left corner gave me the most trouble. I stared at the blank corner for almost 10 minutes. Thank goodness eventually the first class clue led me to TRAVELING. Then thing started moving with STAVE, and then OPENER. Had TIL and SCIFI as those were gimmes. Thought the game animal must be some kind of CAT but I knew of no cats prefixed with three letter word that ended in S. The OPENER fixed up the rest.
Liked the clue for 8A (PASTA). Have never heard of HOT TUNA (sounds like a sandwich). Noticed that FORT was right above it. Too bad Mr. Wechsler didn't work O Fortuna into the puzzle. That would've been good.
The ones I didn't like that were gluey were EEN, HAB, HOR. But didn't stop me from enjoying the puzzle.
Didn't notice that the FORTs bent down; just assumed that F stood for FORT. I tried quite a few letters before I got F[ORT]UNEHUNTER. Interesting premise but easier than most Thursdays.
My average Thursday time is 41+ minutes; today was 25+. Wish I had an OREO to celebrate.
My average Thursday time is 41+ minutes; today was 25+. Wish I had an OREO to celebrate.
It seemed fairly easy--once I remembered BEAUFORT--but my time was a little slower than average. I did the puzzle while also trying to pay attention to a television program though, so that might have slowed me down. And when I first looked at the filled-in 16A, I wanted it to be TRAVELING INCOME. Whatever that is. It felt like there were a lot of threes, but that was because they were pretty much all I got on the first pass-through.
2
I wanted TRAVELING INCOME too! But it couldn't have been anything but FORTE.
I also learned that you really need to focus, especially later on in the week. I did terribly on some puzzles when I thought I could multi-task - watch TV, do crossword, and browse, all at the same time. Terrible results.
I also learned that you really need to focus, especially later on in the week. I did terribly on some puzzles when I thought I could multi-task - watch TV, do crossword, and browse, all at the same time. Terrible results.
Nice puzzle. Clean and straightforward.
1
I don't know...there was a certain....bent to it, not STRAIGHTforward at all.
4
Yeah, Wen, it all kinda' went south, didn't it. Took a right turn. It filled with a minimum amount of efFORT, though.
2
There was one that took a left turn....or rather, split. That F[ORT]UNEHUNTER one was a bit out of place among the theme entries.
1
pretty easy. Orestes appears in a lot of my favorite operas including Strauss's Elektra and Gluck's Ifigenia in Tauride.
Not being familiar with classical or opera in general, I didn't know any of that. I've heard of Strauss, Elektra, Orestes, and Gluck (in passing), and maybe even seen mention of Tauride somewhere. Good thing the puzzle didn't rely on too many of these and I managed to finish anyway. Classical and opera are definitely my weakness.