#TIL JUAN_DE_FUCA
Apparently, the Spanish did to Ioannis Phokas (Greek: Ιωάννης Φωκάς) what the Italians later did to El Greco. You'd think there'd be more complaints among the Hellenistas.
Apparently, the Spanish did to Ioannis Phokas (Greek: Ιωάννης Φωκάς) what the Italians later did to El Greco. You'd think there'd be more complaints among the Hellenistas.
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Sigh.. got stuck in the NE cuz I didn't know ELKE/ELIE. Committing to memory for next time!
Today's SEATTLE puzzle put my cousins in thought.....I was reminsicing all day...and Lo and Behold! I got a letter this afternoon from one of those Washington State cousins, after 15 years of no contact!
Did David Steinberg summon Cousin Candy? It IS strange synchronicity, is it not? (Thanks, David.)
Did David Steinberg summon Cousin Candy? It IS strange synchronicity, is it not? (Thanks, David.)
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OT: Tonight starts 6 (or is it 8) weeks of "Jeopardy!" reruns before the new season starts in the fall. Come back, Alex!
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Thanks, Martin! Enjoyed your blog all week.
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Thank you, Mark, and all the other folks who mentioned it. It was fun but I'm SO happy Deb's returning.
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Two thumbs up, Martin.
I thought you did a great job.
I thought you did a great job.
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I was taught in HS English, that the plural of ELK is ELK. Anyone else have that problem?
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This comes up a lot when animal names get pluralized. The rule is generally no "s" for many of the same kind, but "s" for multiple kinds. Two rainbow trout on a plate are trout. But rainbow and brown are two different trouts. Similarly, a herd of elk but "Roosevelt and Manchurian wapiti are two elks."
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1 buffalo, 2 buffali?
In Italian, it might be buffalo, buffale... Wags?
I'm opting for wapitus, wapiti, Martin, but otherwise, you done real good!
I'm opting for wapitus, wapiti, Martin, but otherwise, you done real good!
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After saying goodbye this noon to my daughter and her children who were returning to Seattle after a five-day visit to celebrate my birthday, I sat down to do today's puzzle. Wonder of wonders, what a serendipitous subject. As soon as PIKES PLACE appeared, I was off and running, finishing in a little over 14 minutes --- a record for me.
Thank you, Mr. Steinberg, for such a wonderful birthday present! Thank you, also, for your comments on proper military radio procedure; too many have it wrong.
Thank you, Mr. Steinberg, for such a wonderful birthday present! Thank you, also, for your comments on proper military radio procedure; too many have it wrong.
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Happy Birthday, Hepcat, what a fortuitous gift.
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A birthday that has a 5-day celebration has to be very special. Sounds wonderful, HC! Salud!!
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I was at the Space Needle when it opened for the 1962 World's Fair*. At the time it clearly was a marvel. But I returned for a visit more than 30 years later and marveled at how tiny it is - not just height but volume. And it's dwarfed by the skyline behind it, partially because several buildings are quite a bit taller and larger and partially because it sits on the shoreline whereas the others are on a rise above. Still photographers have had a field day in giving the impression of just the opposite. *We waited in line for more than an hour for a quick journey to the top. I remember that and my brother punching me in the gut causing me to pass out in front of 1000's. What are brothers for?
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Monday-easy, but any puzzle that kicks off with Star TREK and features a representation of the Space Needle is something special. Once I got MARINER the theme became apparent and I sped through my solve. I work on a couple of math journals, so I knew about EULER. Our animal friends are well-represented today (ELKS, MULE, RAT, ELMER, DOG) with a PANDA dead-center for DL! Terrific start to the week.
Thanks and congrats to Martin for steering WP so ably while Deb was on assignment.
After the spectacular implosion of the Sex Pistols, lead singer Johnny Rotten/Lydon founded Public Image Ltd. Working with a rotating cast of musicians, the group debuted with an experimental sound, but by the late 80s had reverted to a more standard rock format. Their 1987 single "SEATTLE" doesn't seem to have much to do with the city, outside of having been recorded there.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFOjktDN0IA
Thanks and congrats to Martin for steering WP so ably while Deb was on assignment.
After the spectacular implosion of the Sex Pistols, lead singer Johnny Rotten/Lydon founded Public Image Ltd. Working with a rotating cast of musicians, the group debuted with an experimental sound, but by the late 80s had reverted to a more standard rock format. Their 1987 single "SEATTLE" doesn't seem to have much to do with the city, outside of having been recorded there.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFOjktDN0IA
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Fine and breezy puzzle, just like the city it celebrates. One Saturday morning on a visit to Seattle, I enjoyed a latte and the Saturday NYT in a Starbucks around the corner from the "original." Every two minutes or so, a guest would come in and ask "Is this the original Starbucks?" The baristas always answered pleasantly with a smile, as if they'd never heard that question before: "No, that's just one block down and to the right." For that entire hour I secretly wished that just once, one of them would say, "Yes, it is! And what can I get for you?"
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Back from a weekend at Tanglewood, I tackled this puzzle last night. Smooth going and a really nice theme to help timid puzzlers experience the pleasure of solving interesting puzzles.
This morning I dove into Saturday's puzzle. Boy, did I need your help, Martin. MYRRH, NILE, KIWI, and LSD were my solid start. Had SURROUNDS instead of ENCIRCLES. It was back and forth between your comments and the puzzle. There were many unknowns for me although when it was finally filled, most of the words looked simple ... but, oh, those definitions!
This morning I dove into Saturday's puzzle. Boy, did I need your help, Martin. MYRRH, NILE, KIWI, and LSD were my solid start. Had SURROUNDS instead of ENCIRCLES. It was back and forth between your comments and the puzzle. There were many unknowns for me although when it was finally filled, most of the words looked simple ... but, oh, those definitions!
The week commences while the month concludes as we shove off onto the PUGET SOUND for another day sail aboard the USS Cruciverbia, Capt. Steinberg at the helm. Calm seas and clear, unlimited visibility (no RAIN) made sure my grid ended up in a pristine manner...Failing on the maiden voyage, the TITANIC never did earn the privilege of tossing anchor next to any PIER along the shore of SEATTLE. The closest it comes to such a mooring is today, smack dab in the Southernmost Central section of today's grid..."The Legend Of The TITANIC" is a 1970 folk/protest by Westboro MA singer/strummer Jaime Brockett.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XFYMjkFYPg
Embayed Amid May and Henlopen,
Bru
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XFYMjkFYPg
Embayed Amid May and Henlopen,
Bru
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Impressive construction from DS, as always. I thought it was a touch easy, but it is Monday and the special grid is remarkable, so no complaints here.
Martin, I really enjoyed your posts this past week. Speaking of family memes, today's puzzle includes the name that all her grandchildren call my mother. Almost 30 years ago, my son (number one grandchild) came up with 'Neeeeee' in his efforts to say 'Nana'. That stuck (without Elmer's glue). You try finding Mother's Day cards addressed to NEE.
Martin, I really enjoyed your posts this past week. Speaking of family memes, today's puzzle includes the name that all her grandchildren call my mother. Almost 30 years ago, my son (number one grandchild) came up with 'Neeeeee' in his efforts to say 'Nana'. That stuck (without Elmer's glue). You try finding Mother's Day cards addressed to NEE.
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Elmer's glue used to be made from Elsie's hooves so I am quite sure she was glad to see the back of him.
Fine Monday fare.
Thank you David.
Fine Monday fare.
Thank you David.
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Nice Monday - a great start to the week. Not too easy, but a smooth solve with the bonus of the Space Needle graphic.
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David Steinberg is so talented that he made a relatively clean grid to go along with such an abundance of theme (53 squares, not to mention the constraining effect, as Martin points out, of the Space Needle graphic). The puzzle felt too easy for me, even for a Monday, but I'm familiar with Seattle, whereas it might have been trickier for someone who had never heard of Pike Place Market, or connected the city with Puget Sound.
I thought KEEP_LEFT and the backward TATS fit in with Seattle as well.
I thought KEEP_LEFT and the backward TATS fit in with Seattle as well.
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I love the English language. A local news website ran a story this morning about the police looking for a "male wearing a black teeshirt with dreadlocks".
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I agree that the English language is a lovesome thing, Lewis. Location is a lot, if not everything. In your example (in Asheville? Really?) it's apparent that 'with dreadlocks' should follow 'a male'; perhaps there;s additional ambiguity in the placement of 'black'.
Also enjoyed the nods to our R/ELKE and Deadline's PANDA mania. Found this to be a most entertaining solve: David S has a TITANIC GIFT rare as MULE EGGS. Can't complain the entries lack a WANNA PEPS YALE IN_BED ELIE. Boola Boola. And Miss Sadie Thompson approves the change of RUIN to RAIN.
Hi, RIA, JUAN DE MyPrinceWillCome...
Also enjoyed the nods to our R/ELKE and Deadline's PANDA mania. Found this to be a most entertaining solve: David S has a TITANIC GIFT rare as MULE EGGS. Can't complain the entries lack a WANNA PEPS YALE IN_BED ELIE. Boola Boola. And Miss Sadie Thompson approves the change of RUIN to RAIN.
Hi, RIA, JUAN DE MyPrinceWillCome...
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My cousins lived in SEATTLE for many years, but I have never been there. I guessed the city off the R in RAIN and never looked back. No clue why I knew the MARKET......
Monday easy plus a gimmick. On with the day.
Monday easy plus a gimmick. On with the day.
WANNA come play in my wheelhouse? It's on a ferry in PUGET SOUND and since I live in the PIKE PLACE MARKET, I can give you the insider's tour. Thank you, David, for an incredibly fun puzzle. I saw Pike... and was surprised and delighted it was actually about my beloved Market.
The Market is really the heart and soul of Seattle. It's a true farmer's market and has been since its start in 1907. Now even though it's very popular with tourists, most Seattleites still think it's their own special place. Lot of pictures are taken of the Starbucks COFFEE SHOP in the Market as the site of the first store. Lesser known fact is that the original location was actually a block north. I bought my first coffee beans there when they first opened and only sold beans and no drinks.
SEATTLE is pretty liberal so I'm amused by 4D. - also by the faint outline of the Space Needle in the puzzle. It's like us, we know it's there but don't pay much attention to it.
Great to see a PANDA and a shout out to Deadline. I don't get to comment much lately but I'm glad I could pop in today. Hi All.
The Market is really the heart and soul of Seattle. It's a true farmer's market and has been since its start in 1907. Now even though it's very popular with tourists, most Seattleites still think it's their own special place. Lot of pictures are taken of the Starbucks COFFEE SHOP in the Market as the site of the first store. Lesser known fact is that the original location was actually a block north. I bought my first coffee beans there when they first opened and only sold beans and no drinks.
SEATTLE is pretty liberal so I'm amused by 4D. - also by the faint outline of the Space Needle in the puzzle. It's like us, we know it's there but don't pay much attention to it.
Great to see a PANDA and a shout out to Deadline. I don't get to comment much lately but I'm glad I could pop in today. Hi All.
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Welcome back, Tristan. Don't wait for another Seattle puzzle to comment.
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How's the SEATTLEite radio reception in The Emerald City?
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I thought this was a great Monday puzzle, full of interest, but maintaining the required level of difficulty. So many theme answers, and a connect the dots as well. Jeff does a nice job on that visual in his column.
I learned how to pronounce EULER ( which I should have known) and that a PANDA really is a bear. Thanks, Martin for your efforts this week.
I lived in Bremerton, Washington for a few months in 1957/58 and it did RAIN everyday. With no washer or dryer the diapers were a constant problem. I scorched more than a couple trying to dry them near the stove.
I'd like to see more early week puzzles from David.
I learned how to pronounce EULER ( which I should have known) and that a PANDA really is a bear. Thanks, Martin for your efforts this week.
I lived in Bremerton, Washington for a few months in 1957/58 and it did RAIN everyday. With no washer or dryer the diapers were a constant problem. I scorched more than a couple trying to dry them near the stove.
I'd like to see more early week puzzles from David.
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suejean, I'm pretty sure I know why you were in Bremerton and it's also the reason that I first heard of the strait of Juan De Fuca (and R&E - I did know how to pronounce 'Fuca'.)
I'm sure I've mentioned that my late father-in-law was on the Maryland at Pearl Harbor. He wrote an extensive diary at the time which I had the opportunity to read several years ago. A fascinating read; I particularly remember all the various rumors that abounded after the attack. But the Maryland needed repairs and so they sailed back to the naval shipyard at Bremerton. In his diary he talked about his state of mind as they finally entered the strait - aware that he would soon be able to see his family again (he grew up in Portland).
I'm sure I've mentioned that my late father-in-law was on the Maryland at Pearl Harbor. He wrote an extensive diary at the time which I had the opportunity to read several years ago. A fascinating read; I particularly remember all the various rumors that abounded after the attack. But the Maryland needed repairs and so they sailed back to the naval shipyard at Bremerton. In his diary he talked about his state of mind as they finally entered the strait - aware that he would soon be able to see his family again (he grew up in Portland).
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Yes, Rich, Navy days near the beginning of our 3 years. I can imagine what a fascinating read your father-in-law's journal must be.
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I lived in Aberdeen, WA during November and December back in the sixties and yes, it did rain every day. I still have my souvenir Space Needle book from the world's fair.
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I liked this puzzle well enough, but it was way easier than most Mondays. I went through the answers so rapidly that my fingers on the keys couldn't keep up. By the way, that's not a complaint; a really easy puzzle every once in a while is great fun.
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and ELKE
David S.- you really outdid yourself- not only ELKS, but also ELKE Sommer.
Had to google her- apparently she is a baroness. So I will state that I outrank her : my Hebrew name is Malka, which translates as 'Queen'. So there.
Was on top (in the restaurant) of the SEATTLE SPACE NEEDLE for the first time in 1962 at the World's Fair. Great view, all the way to the Strait of JuandeFuca ( NB- the 'u' is a long 'u'). At New Year's, fireworks are shot from it.
PIKE PLACE MARKET's main attraction is the Fish Market, where the countermen throw these 3 ft. long salmon to each other , usually missing the customers...
RAIN is a seasonal occurrence, summer is a 'droughty' period , right now there has been no rain for >40 days.
Baseball fans have been known to drive from Vancouver for a MARINER game
(it's about 3 hrs. drive , including a border wait).
Sure liked this puzzle , David S. The tourism bureau owes you one.
David S.- you really outdid yourself- not only ELKS, but also ELKE Sommer.
Had to google her- apparently she is a baroness. So I will state that I outrank her : my Hebrew name is Malka, which translates as 'Queen'. So there.
Was on top (in the restaurant) of the SEATTLE SPACE NEEDLE for the first time in 1962 at the World's Fair. Great view, all the way to the Strait of JuandeFuca ( NB- the 'u' is a long 'u'). At New Year's, fireworks are shot from it.
PIKE PLACE MARKET's main attraction is the Fish Market, where the countermen throw these 3 ft. long salmon to each other , usually missing the customers...
RAIN is a seasonal occurrence, summer is a 'droughty' period , right now there has been no rain for >40 days.
Baseball fans have been known to drive from Vancouver for a MARINER game
(it's about 3 hrs. drive , including a border wait).
Sure liked this puzzle , David S. The tourism bureau owes you one.
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Using the Chrome browser on a Mac, I don't see a button to get to the comments. The only way I could get here was to click on the "Recent Comments" link on the right side of the page.
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I also use Chrome on a Mac. Do you see a bar going across the top of the screen with various icons that says Crossword & Games? There is a comment icon on the far right side of the bar. If you don't have a bar, I'm not sure what to suggest other than making sure your browser is up to date and perhaps clearing your cache/cookies. If that doesn't work, you may have to use the feedback link for help.
This was a fun one! One of the drawbacks of using the crossword app is that gimmicks like the circles don't pop, so I missed the Space Needle detail. But everything else flowed. I like seeing KEEPLEFT and COFFEESHOP in there. There is definitely more going on here than in the usual Monday fare.
Every time I hear the word Seattle, I remember an old tv series about early days there. It was called "Here Come the Brides" and was somewhat borrowed from the (objectionable, for so many reasons) musical, "Seven Brides For Seven Brothers." The theme song is an ear worm if ever there was one:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=mRNpa_vTjRM
Since glue used to be made from rendered carcasses (is it still?), Elsie was always a strange mascot for Elmer's.
Glad to learn that pandas are my cousins. I always thought they were bears! (Interesting read, btw: "The Lady and the Panda.")
Every time I hear the word Seattle, I remember an old tv series about early days there. It was called "Here Come the Brides" and was somewhat borrowed from the (objectionable, for so many reasons) musical, "Seven Brides For Seven Brothers." The theme song is an ear worm if ever there was one:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=mRNpa_vTjRM
Since glue used to be made from rendered carcasses (is it still?), Elsie was always a strange mascot for Elmer's.
Glad to learn that pandas are my cousins. I always thought they were bears! (Interesting read, btw: "The Lady and the Panda.")
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Actually, the Elmer's logo is Elmer the bull. Elsie is his significant heifer.
Elmer's is a casein glue, made from milk proteins. No animals need be harmed.
Elmer's is a casein glue, made from milk proteins. No animals need be harmed.
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I didn't know that. I guess it's why they let kindergarteners use the stuff. Non toxic in case they snack on it.
I used Elmer's to catch a mouse last night, coincidentally. You glue half a nut to the bait flap on a snap trap. You're welcome.
I used Elmer's to catch a mouse last night, coincidentally. You glue half a nut to the bait flap on a snap trap. You're welcome.
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...product made from milk, and a bull is the spokesbovine? That's a sticky situation.
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Very nice clean puzzle. Being in WA, it was right up my alley. I finished on my Monday average.
Thanks David and thanks to Martin for a great job filling in on Wordplay.
Thanks David and thanks to Martin for a great job filling in on Wordplay.
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I love doing my puzzles first thing in the morning, but I thought that just this once I'd try it in the evening, just to see how my time would be. Not the day for it, as cross-references really throw me off. Really nice puzzle though - I didn't figure out the city until I had MARINER (never heard of 17a). Extra impressive with the SPACE NEEDLE grid art.
Of course a shout-out to DL with PANDA, but we have both ELKS and ELKE for our Canadian regulars just a bit to the north of the theme city. I would have been really impressed if David could have worked the strait of Juan De Fuca into the grid. I checked - JUANDEFUCA was actually in a puzzle once (I really like saying Juan De Fuca).
I have spent a fair amount of time on military radios and never recall saying WILCO. 'Roger' occasionally, though we were as likely to say 'Copy that.' I mean, we were in the army. We were going to comply. That was a given.
Now I don't know what I'm going to do tomorrow morning.
Of course a shout-out to DL with PANDA, but we have both ELKS and ELKE for our Canadian regulars just a bit to the north of the theme city. I would have been really impressed if David could have worked the strait of Juan De Fuca into the grid. I checked - JUANDEFUCA was actually in a puzzle once (I really like saying Juan De Fuca).
I have spent a fair amount of time on military radios and never recall saying WILCO. 'Roger' occasionally, though we were as likely to say 'Copy that.' I mean, we were in the army. We were going to comply. That was a given.
Now I don't know what I'm going to do tomorrow morning.
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Fascinating, BA. Thank for the link.
In addition to that, I spent the morning reviewing the history of David Steinberg. I did a few of his early puzzles and read some of the related Wordplay blogs. A few things I noted along the way:
David had 'hit for the cycle' (had a published puzzle for every day of the week) by the time his ninth puzzle was published. That's pretty impressive.
He had four puzzles published in the last half of 2011, then only two in 2012. Then 15 in 2013 and he's been pretty much on that roll ever since. So, what were you doing during 2012, David?
I note that the comments on his early puzzles were often in the 'Oh, he's so cute! That's amazing!' vein (some exaggeration may occur). It seems to me that I remember a slightly later period when there were a fair number of complaints about too much current trivia in some of his puzzles, though I couldn't find any examples of that. And now he has risen to somewhere in the vicinity of Patrick Berry. Quite a progression over the course of six years.
Doing a few of his early-week puzzles from a few years ago confirmed to me something I had previously noted from going back and doing puzzles from that period (which I do from time to time): Mondays and Tuesdays were a lot harder back then than they are now. Purely subjective conclusion.
In addition to that, I spent the morning reviewing the history of David Steinberg. I did a few of his early puzzles and read some of the related Wordplay blogs. A few things I noted along the way:
David had 'hit for the cycle' (had a published puzzle for every day of the week) by the time his ninth puzzle was published. That's pretty impressive.
He had four puzzles published in the last half of 2011, then only two in 2012. Then 15 in 2013 and he's been pretty much on that roll ever since. So, what were you doing during 2012, David?
I note that the comments on his early puzzles were often in the 'Oh, he's so cute! That's amazing!' vein (some exaggeration may occur). It seems to me that I remember a slightly later period when there were a fair number of complaints about too much current trivia in some of his puzzles, though I couldn't find any examples of that. And now he has risen to somewhere in the vicinity of Patrick Berry. Quite a progression over the course of six years.
Doing a few of his early-week puzzles from a few years ago confirmed to me something I had previously noted from going back and doing puzzles from that period (which I do from time to time): Mondays and Tuesdays were a lot harder back then than they are now. Purely subjective conclusion.
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A fun and happy Monday puzzle. Good job, David! (And thanks to Martin for the excellent job this past week).
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Great Monday. The connect the dot figure of the Space Needle...well, it's really lo-res, but close enough.
I was just there a few weeks ago. Nice view from up there. More interesting is on the ground level in the park where the Space Needle is located, there is a playground that features a climbing net with slides that come down. It's pretty large so a few dozen kids can climb at the same time. Looking at it I shook my head - this is like a metaphor for the struggles the kids must go through these days to get into a good school and a good job and reasonably good pay. It really demonstrates the RATRACE. Here's a video and you'll see what I mean:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQXeRq_aLMk
Great job getting SPACENEEDLE, COFFEESHOP, MARINERS, PUGETSOUND, PIKEPLACEMARKET, RAIN and PIER all in there.
I also learned that the RAIN is mainly constant only in the winter. But heck they even named a little nearby mountain RAINIER to show how wet it gets there. We get the point.
I was just there a few weeks ago. Nice view from up there. More interesting is on the ground level in the park where the Space Needle is located, there is a playground that features a climbing net with slides that come down. It's pretty large so a few dozen kids can climb at the same time. Looking at it I shook my head - this is like a metaphor for the struggles the kids must go through these days to get into a good school and a good job and reasonably good pay. It really demonstrates the RATRACE. Here's a video and you'll see what I mean:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQXeRq_aLMk
Great job getting SPACENEEDLE, COFFEESHOP, MARINERS, PUGETSOUND, PIKEPLACEMARKET, RAIN and PIER all in there.
I also learned that the RAIN is mainly constant only in the winter. But heck they even named a little nearby mountain RAINIER to show how wet it gets there. We get the point.
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Loved that playground video, Wen. Every child there will remember the experience for a lifetime, I'm sure.
I ran into a friend at the Nationals' game last night who just got back from a week in Seattle. Add to that RiA's ELKE Sommer comment from last week, and it's like Yogi said, "Deja vu all over again".
I think I speak for many in thanking Martin for the job he did subbing for Deb. Well done!
I think I speak for many in thanking Martin for the job he did subbing for Deb. Well done!
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Vintage Steinberg. A charming start to the week.
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I know what you're saying, but when I saw "Vintage" it made me wonder if he can legally purchase alcohol in the U.S.
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Touché.
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Not yet.
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https://appadvice.com/app/city-explorer-seattle/839046525