tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post1257405911377457579..comments2024-03-18T22:08:40.448-04:00Comments on Rex Parker Does the NYT Crossword Puzzle: FRIDAY, Jan. 11, 2008 - Mike Nothnagel (CO-WORKER OF DILBERT)Rex Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145707733877505087noreply@blogger.comBlogger112125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-68734993496096001462008-02-24T03:12:00.000-05:002008-02-24T03:12:00.000-05:00Fricking awesome puzzle. Finally a puzzle for peop...Fricking awesome puzzle. Finally a puzzle for people with a stronger base in math and science than in American sports and politics. Orange and others have said much of what I was going to about GODEL and ASOK. Famous in this case is a Pulitzer-prize winning book recently reprinted in an anniversary edition. It's famous. I'll never understand how an arts student gets out of university without taking one single math or science course, while a math or science student is required to have at least one arts credit every semester yet it's the arts student who is said to have the well-rounded education.<BR/><BR/>I knew SCONE from the end of MacBeth and BREWS from the end of the dictionary. <BR/><BR/>I still don't understand the cluing for IRE and had no idea about ONEOCAT until I found it from Phillysolver here. I'm a little confused why an obscure variant of baseball comes under the category of "it's been in puzzles ten times before, know it" when ASOK is "it's only been in puzzles five times. It's not fair." <BR/><BR/>I see your chagrin at having an unknown cross BEAN, and after all your responses to everyone else's responses gather that if there's a word you don't know it is simply not allowed to cross an ambiguous word. I guess this is just a glimpse into how good you are at solving crosswords compared to the rest of us. Maybe you were just jumpy about the upcoming contest when you wrote it.<BR/><BR/>I had to double check a few crosses: hadn't heard of Mad About You or LISAKUDROW, so I didn't know if I needed EEK or EEP. Likewise PENNS LANDING was a lucky guess, as I didn't know SOP for bribe.<BR/><BR/>And SleeplessinSeattle seems to have a J that I don't. At one point near the end I was looking where to put a J, expecting one after seeing Zs and X.<BR/><BR/>I was actually doing this puzzle in a restaurant and the waiter noticed and said he no longer did the New York Times crossword because it had too much American politics and entertainment. "But this one doesn't!" I said enthusiastically. But ya know: 51A.Aviatrixhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13634111275860140084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-38791185570108230072008-02-22T23:53:00.000-05:002008-02-22T23:53:00.000-05:00Just a word for those of us stuck in "syndicated h...Just a word for those of us stuck in "syndicated hell". I loved this puzzle! Loved Paradigm Shift. Also, I work in a group of Engineers who love Dilbert. My first guess was Asok (he's been in the strip A LOT lately), but one of my co-workers found a Dilbert website that listed about 400 different characters that have shown up over the years. Also note that ALL letters of the alphabet are in this puzzle (thanks to Zinc Oxide!)SleeplessInSeattlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15653533486118631994noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-8982753716856647492008-02-22T19:35:00.000-05:002008-02-22T19:35:00.000-05:00OK, this has been a real learning experience for m...OK, this has been a real learning experience for me, and first time here. I had to Google "Toiletry brand introduced in 1977" (duh) and this blog was the only hit -- thank you Rex Parker. Sadly, I had no problem with Asok.<BR/><BR/>General question: I've been trying NYT for a couple of weeks, and found that Sunday hasn't been as tough for me as Friday and Saturday? Is that usual? Thanks,<BR/>I've really enjoyed these posts.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08411603698744759175noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-16492592866320126692008-02-22T17:52:00.000-05:002008-02-22T17:52:00.000-05:00This one was a quick Friday for me, right at 9 min...This one was a quick Friday for me, right at 9 minutes. I had to think about ASOK for a little bit but eventually remembered it. GODEL was not a problem either.<BR/><BR/>I second the thoughts of the poster who said that he and Nothnagel were of the same mind.<BR/><BR/>I don't have a problem with T-MEN vs. G-MEN unless the cross is similarly ambiguous. Like those awful "mid 6th century year" clues that could either be DLXI or DXLI or any other host of answer.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-53438323426038802582008-02-22T16:26:00.000-05:002008-02-22T16:26:00.000-05:00As another six week laggard I never cease to be im...As another six week laggard I never cease to be impressed by the range of knowledge that rex, et al display. While being rated as easy (for a Friday), I certainly enjoyed slogging through this puzzle even though I had to employ all sorts of aids. Thanks for your time to put this together, rex.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-33712691778054340082008-02-22T15:58:00.000-05:002008-02-22T15:58:00.000-05:00I loved this one, GODEL and PARADIGMSHIFT were two...I loved this one, GODEL and PARADIGMSHIFT were two of the first answers I got.<BR/><BR/>ASOK is one of those I've learned from crosswords: Garfield clues are always ODIE, Chaplain clues are always OONA, Melville clues are always OMOO, architects are always ELIEL (or PEI), and Ferrari clues are always ENZO.<BR/><BR/>Except when they're not. Great puzzle, MN. Excellent blog, Rex. Good luck in the tourney!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-70097012834367685242008-02-22T14:31:00.000-05:002008-02-22T14:31:00.000-05:00CAlady said:As a math person, i wonder how I never...CAlady said:<BR/>As a math person, i wonder how I never heard of Goedol-maybe that's because I took my math work (History of Math included) some 50 plus years ago? At any rate, what I think this means is that your age plays a big part in what you do and don't get. I am amazed that someone as young as Rex (age is relative) gets the answers he does. Give him few more years and he will be even more awesome!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-11944500246637178642008-02-22T13:03:00.000-05:002008-02-22T13:03:00.000-05:00Rex,I sympathize with your frustration over the ma...Rex,<BR/><BR/>I sympathize with your frustration over the many comments from people who misunderstand your point. The "fairness" question has little or nothing to do with the ASOK answer itself. The issue is that IF you don't know ASOK, you can make an equally strong case for either BEAN or BEAK for 25 down. Thus, it's like you've really only got one shot at getting that square right.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-56479330321995190922008-02-22T10:50:00.000-05:002008-02-22T10:50:00.000-05:00I'm reading 6 weeks later also...I had to know wha...I'm reading 6 weeks later also...I had to know what ONEO cat was. Got the answer from a previous blogger!<BR/><BR/>Kim in TexasAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-61300999203853830422008-02-22T10:12:00.000-05:002008-02-22T10:12:00.000-05:00On the contrary, thousands of people are reading t...On the contrary, thousands of people are reading this entry today (2/22), so comment away - you are not alone.<BR/><BR/>rpRex Parkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16145707733877505087noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-1890197195082006782008-02-22T10:09:00.000-05:002008-02-22T10:09:00.000-05:00Okay, so here I am six weeks behind everyone else,...Okay, so here I am six weeks behind everyone else, and probably posting into the ether for no one ever to read....<BR/><BR/>I liked Asok. Seems fair to me, especially since many papers publish the crosswords on the same page as the comics--and yes I know that can't apply to the NYT<BR/><BR/>ONTHEHOUSE gave me MUR.... for the start of 33 across--had a tough time figuring out how MURDER was going to fit in with doing the right thing.<BR/><BR/>As my self-imposed time limit was running down, all I had left was the intersection of 55A and 45D. Didn't know "Practices zymurgy" and going through the alphabet got me to "OH WOE" instead of "OH WOW"<BR/><BR/>Rookie coming to ACPT next week...look forward to meeting all of you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-3372275592065607272008-01-13T15:10:00.000-05:002008-01-13T15:10:00.000-05:00rr:Friday and Saturday puzzle are more difficult.....rr:<BR/><BR/>Friday and Saturday puzzle are more difficult...Sunday--not so much.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-57888479643606485222008-01-12T21:44:00.000-05:002008-01-12T21:44:00.000-05:00C'mon Friday wasn't THAT bad...actually Thursday w...C'mon Friday wasn't THAT bad...actually Thursday was worse. Finally on to Saturday..in general so much of Saturday is fact-driven vs. word-play driven it often comes down to "you know it or you don't." I usually do the puzzles in ink & no reference books, but Saturday I allow myself a reference book. Edel? Peabo? Ernie Stautner? She Bop? Cape Cod? The word play (e.g. MDDegree, Registrar, Reality TV) was fun though.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-68780808305564008382008-01-12T18:54:00.000-05:002008-01-12T18:54:00.000-05:00I only do the Fri, Sat, Sun puzzles because they'r...I only do the Fri, Sat, Sun puzzles because they're harder. This one got me like everyone else: Godel, beak, Asok. Anyway, it was a fun puzzle. If they're not dificult, why bother? Puzzle on, everybody.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-13065290512948961702008-01-12T11:14:00.000-05:002008-01-12T11:14:00.000-05:00I was pleased to see that someone hates Dilbert as...I was pleased to see that someone hates Dilbert as much as I, and that someone remembered Godel Escher Bach, a cult classic at the time it came out.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-4011021639368602352008-01-12T10:05:00.000-05:002008-01-12T10:05:00.000-05:00I have to admit that I usually do not finish Frida...I have to admit that I usually do not finish Friday puzzles, but I zipped right through this one. Go figure.<BR/><BR/>Shelby, Montclair, NJAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-19026323421762079332008-01-12T02:15:00.000-05:002008-01-12T02:15:00.000-05:00I have no idea why that posted twice???I have no idea why that posted twice???Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-71737889213968240122008-01-12T02:14:00.001-05:002008-01-12T02:14:00.001-05:00@fergus -- thats TSA for 27a = Transportation Secu...@fergus -- thats TSA for 27a = Transportation Security Administration -- the folks who pat you down and take your toothpaste.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-70220078280671041472008-01-12T02:14:00.000-05:002008-01-12T02:14:00.000-05:00@fergus -- thats TSA for 27a = Transportation Secu...@fergus -- thats TSA for 27a = Transportation Security Administration -- the folks who pat you down and take your toothpaste.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-18424629895059796362008-01-12T01:27:00.000-05:002008-01-12T01:27:00.000-05:00Karl, I hope you're also solving the Onion A.V. Cl...Karl, I hope you're also solving the Onion A.V. Club crossword, Ben Tausig's Ink Well/Chicago Reader crossword, and the Jonesin' crossword. Those ones don't need to balance the tastes of solvers from 15 to 90, and will probably be harder for your dad than for you.Orangehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12433254398377357737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-5961815431942951482008-01-12T01:19:00.001-05:002008-01-12T01:19:00.001-05:00Got paradigm shift and moral high ground immediate...Got paradigm shift and moral high ground immediately, making the remainder of the puzzle relatively easy for a Friday. However, I was stumped by "lubed" and of course "Asok". Fun puzzle though!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-34971267035309948732008-01-12T01:19:00.000-05:002008-01-12T01:19:00.000-05:00@Justin:Thanks for the response. I've seen Wordpla...@Justin:<BR/><BR/>Thanks for the response. I've seen Wordplay, so I know who Tyler Hinman is, and I was rooting for him. Props to fellow young solvers. While the NYT crossword is at best indifferent and at worst dismissive of our tiny demographic, there are a few choice constructors that cater to our tastes more than the norm. <BR/><BR/>And yes, I agree that it's important for me to memorize all the crazy names that appear in these crosswords, but as Rex pointed out, many of these names are not used due to their artistic or cultural signifance, but because their name provides a unique combination of letters that can get a constructor out of a jam. So a leg up if i do, yes, "intellectual suicide," if i don't, not so much.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-43980528094477899072008-01-12T00:23:00.000-05:002008-01-12T00:23:00.000-05:00It is official, this post and comments made it to ...It is official, this post and comments made it to the important posts section under - Don't @#$# with "Dilbert" .Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-60672469987091360142008-01-12T00:22:00.000-05:002008-01-12T00:22:00.000-05:00LEM is actually Lunar Excursion Module. And what ...LEM is actually Lunar Excursion Module. And what is TSE for 27A?<BR/><BR/>I know it's kinda late, but I just got around to reading this after a day in the great outdoors (Elkhorn Slough, an inlet from Monterey Bay -- what a great place!), puzzling in the car on the way there and back. Yeah that Washington and Oregon section was tough. Nearly every letter of ON THE LOOSE has been overwritten; I even started to doubt the MORAL part of my HIGH GROUND. (Ironic, eh?) But then I remembered Hofsteader's (spelling?) book, tried THAW instead of EASE, stuck in the KNIFE, thought about lubrication and finally delivered the final product. <BR/><BR/>Hit the blog not long after I got home, simply to offer the highest praise to Mike Nothnagel for a truly superb and and entertaining puzzle. Slightly sorry I wasn't online during the day, since I like a bit of controversy once in a while. The issue today seemed to take on a dispute over one's personal taste, however, and that doesn't generally lead very far. Anyway, I expect any of the disputants will by now have washed away any controversy with the fruit of the zymurgist's art. Again, a top-notch puzzle, that left me with a satisfied sense of accomplishment.fergushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17056002311944010536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-5770375627894136562008-01-12T00:20:00.000-05:002008-01-12T00:20:00.000-05:00My thoughts:- I had a huge crush on Helen Hunt-era...My thoughts:<BR/><BR/>- I had a huge crush on Helen Hunt-era Mad About You, and Lisa Kudrow's waitress was hilarious. Her best work was in "The Comeback" as an actress trying to regain her former status. Good stuff.<BR/><BR/>- Nutcracking beaks reminds me of a great book, "The Beak of the Finch" by Jonathan Weiner which shows how evolution is constantly working. I've read it, unlike<BR/><BR/>- Godel, Escher, Bach, which has been sitting on my bookshelf for 17 years. Unlike<BR/><BR/>- Crime & Punishment, a Russian novel which, like Dilbert, is great, like<BR/><BR/>- The Muppet Movie, which has all the characters head for the roof because the drinks are "On The House," (yes, that tripped me up for a while).<BR/><BR/>I really love this blog, Rex, and your comments and rants and everyone's responses. I love reading what you've all struggled with or found easy breezy and comparing it with my experiences. I love when someone explains why "Bean" is a good answer for "Nutcracker" and I think "Damn, that is too clever. It never would have occured to me."<BR/><BR/>Thanks for listening. Good luck to all of you in NYC.<BR/><BR/>Eric from MadisonEric Seljehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17281291974062721183noreply@blogger.com