tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post2599598844936916804..comments2024-03-29T01:22:33.864-04:00Comments on Rex Parker Does the NYT Crossword Puzzle: Designer Schiaparelli / MON 12-5-11 / TV newsman Roger / Mock rock band in 1984 filmRex Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145707733877505087noreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-86517922359832173072012-01-10T04:22:47.422-05:002012-01-10T04:22:47.422-05:00Spacecraft here. I like the cut of this fellow'...Spacecraft here. I like the cut of this fellow's JIB. A few NITs to pick; NYS=NO! You Stink! Sorry, but it is simply never used. So: simply--never use it! The NOTONADARE thing isn't that bad, but maybe could be clued better. These and a lot of choppy fill are a small enough price for BIGAPE and BOXCAR.<br /> Strange how some words trigger an old image. I can still hear Doris Day belting out "Que SERA SERA" at that party (what a far cry from Hitch's original Man Who Knew Too Much--and surely his most unlikely heroine ever!)<br /> I often say "ILLWAIT" at the poker table instead of "Check." If you can make them think of a crouching tiger or a hidden dragon (BTW: HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR!), so much the better.<br /><br />hasel: German for giving somebody a hard time.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-32936512943352150522012-01-09T16:17:32.322-05:002012-01-09T16:17:32.322-05:00From syndication, any puzzle that starts right off...From syndication, any puzzle that starts right off with a sailing reference is probably going to be fine with me, and this one was. Finished with the iLSA/iMBED error as I thought any designer with the last name Schiaparelli was unlikey to share a first name with a lion. It took a couple of crosses to produce the correct abbreviation for Monsignor, but otherwise smooth sailing. Happy Monday.<br /><br />@Gil I.P. "NEST of Robins..." reminded me of a story you related here a while back involving spiders - still makes me laugh when I think about it.Dirigonzohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03903353503511480168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-84852068174980017522011-12-06T11:34:25.378-05:002011-12-06T11:34:25.378-05:00For the record (as it's already tomorrow :-), ...For the record (as it's already tomorrow :-), ["not on a dare"] has 198,000 Google hits, of which this blog and <a href="http://www.crosswordfiend.com/blog/2011/12/04/monday-12511/" rel="nofollow">Amy Renaldo's</a> are respectively 7th and 9th on the list.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-41622501528957334152011-12-05T22:43:03.388-05:002011-12-05T22:43:03.388-05:00quilter1- Thank you. Watched it on the Des Moines...quilter1- Thank you. Watched it on the Des Moines Register site. <br /><br />The Simpson College folk were terrific! They certainly livened things up at Santa's Village.jackjnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-9212519485368906632011-12-05T22:28:56.273-05:002011-12-05T22:28:56.273-05:00Nice, quick Monday puzzle - got the theme after na...Nice, quick Monday puzzle - got the theme after nat and net, then filled in the rest. Not on a dare was the one that needed a few crosses, have never heard anyone utter the phrase, and I kept thinking of the "suite" with the nut crackers. <br /><br />Great to see Greene this afternoon, for a long and delicious lunch. Hope he will show up regularly again! His knowledge of the theater/Broadway scene is amazing and so helpful to decide what to go see.machttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06794371617847975218noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-25828844851113541502011-12-05T22:02:34.876-05:002011-12-05T22:02:34.876-05:00This week's relative difficulty ratings. See m...This week's relative difficulty ratings. See my 8/1/2009 post for an explanation. In a nutshell, the higher the ratio, the higher this week's median solve time is relative to the average for the corresponding day of the week.<br /><br />All solvers (this week's median solve time, average for day of week, ratio, percentile, rating)<br /><br />Mon 6:52, 6:50, 1.00, 55%, Medium<br /><br />Top 100 solvers<br /><br />Mon 3:33, 3:40, 0.97, 40%, Easy-Mediumsanfranman59https://www.blogger.com/profile/15118732156312301425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-66688582046136548562011-12-05T20:49:33.931-05:002011-12-05T20:49:33.931-05:00@Joho, thanks, I knew if I had missed any letters ...@Joho, thanks, I knew if I had missed any letters this crew would let me know.CoffeeLvrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16473192190412844538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-66443358655042810382011-12-05T18:57:37.523-05:002011-12-05T18:57:37.523-05:00@jackj: I just watched it on the Des Moines Regist...@jackj: I just watched it on the Des Moines Register website. You should be able to find it under video. They were pretty good. It might be on YouTube by now. Key words would be Simpson College Choir, Jordan Creek Mall and of course, Hallelujah! Good luck.quilter1https://www.blogger.com/profile/09569747169212018177noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-72421736986569432362011-12-05T18:25:16.604-05:002011-12-05T18:25:16.604-05:00For anyone who may have gotten the impression that...For anyone who may have gotten the impression that the link posted at 1:46 PM by "Friend of M and A" has to do with constructing crosswords (as I had), no, it leads to a great puzzle which everyone (especially Masked and Anonymous) should do! Lots of fun!Busybodynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-1942246352388133492011-12-05T17:35:35.093-05:002011-12-05T17:35:35.093-05:00I've said Fuhgeddaboutit many times, but never...I've said Fuhgeddaboutit many times, but never NOT ON A DARE. Here's a Belt Parkway sign indicating that you're leaving Brooklyn: <a href="http://www.edwardmooneyphotography.com/categories/Brooklyn.asp" rel="nofollow"> Sign </a> (It's the 4th picture)<br /><br />Had Bette Midler before NAT KING COLE (duh - it fit).<br /><br />Liked NITWITS, ILL WAIT, SPINAL TAP.JenCThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18290169184354765840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-42355115033924958282011-12-05T17:05:36.888-05:002011-12-05T17:05:36.888-05:00What @efrex said. Not sure the LEDA/LLDS crossing...What @efrex said. Not sure the LEDA/LLDS crossing belongs in a Monday puzzle. I make this judgement, of course, only because I got caught up there for a few moments until I was able to retrieve the pesky L from some moldy corner of my mind. Otherwise, this puzzle was a breeze for me and just flew by.<br /><br />Had a lovely lunch with @Mac earlier today in mid-Manhattan. Nice to get caught up on puzzle chat since I've been out of the loop for so long.Greenehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10412634072650228847noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-29243670668667049122011-12-05T15:35:20.223-05:002011-12-05T15:35:20.223-05:00Lively fill perks up a tired theme. Didn't min...Lively fill perks up a tired theme. Didn't mind the NOTONADARE clue at all. Crosswordese crossings of LEDA/LLDS only nitpick that I'd make. Fine, fun Monday, which I MOPped up in standard time.<br /><br />Well done, Mr. Berniker!efrexnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-70960568715423113632011-12-05T14:51:43.351-05:002011-12-05T14:51:43.351-05:00Fun solve. thUmbsUp.
Fave fill: LOOSEBALL, NITWI...Fun solve. thUmbsUp.<br /><br />Fave fill: LOOSEBALL, NITWITS, BIGAPE, the NW corner.<br /><br />Missed fill opportunity: 18-A should be NATTICKMASS.<br /><br />Fave #31 comment: "She's the xword alternative to the lioness..."<br /><br />Fave viewer comment: the one by my friend at 1:46PM. He changed the 69-A clue, tho. Used to be "One looking backward?"!Masked and Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-88284970120217383212011-12-05T14:39:13.212-05:002011-12-05T14:39:13.212-05:00I found this pretty hard for a Monday. I'm a y...I found this pretty hard for a Monday. I'm a young feller, so maybe that's why. No idea on Ari, A Nest of Robins, Irene, Not on a dare. Was able to figure out Oneil on crosses, but the combo of Irene and Bizet in the NW corner wasn't kind. <br /><br />I was actually okay with Nat King Cole, Sera, Mop, and Nitwits. I vaguely remembered Mrs. Eisenhower's name as Mimi or something and got it on crosses. Jon Stewert made some sexually suggestive comment about her once.ohnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-87053697677896063342011-12-05T14:23:56.936-05:002011-12-05T14:23:56.936-05:00@r.alphbunker: I'll take a run at it. But be...@r.alphbunker: I'll take a run at it. But be forewarned: I've never excavated a puzzle before...<br /><br />If this puzzle was a layer in an archaeological site, we would date it by the preponderance of the pottery found in it. <br /><br />A lot of old pottery here: IRENE, MAMIE, PEZ, NATKINGCOLE, SERA, MOP, NITWITS, ONEIL, etc.<br /><br />Only a few recent sherds: LOL,SPINALTAP, KIA. <br /><br />The preponderance of the pottery suggests a date in the 3rd quarter of the 20th century.archaeoprofhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17956231727789223463noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-2216339362825929232011-12-05T13:51:53.030-05:002011-12-05T13:51:53.030-05:00quilter1 wrote, in part,
"We also had a Ha...quilter1 wrote, in part, <br /><br /> "We also had a Hallelujah chorus flash mob at a mall yesterday, a new Christmas tradition that I like."<br /><br />Is there a link? Or, is it posted on You Tube?jackjnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-40615197755220298232011-12-05T13:46:43.332-05:002011-12-05T13:46:43.332-05:00Liked it. Primordially great theme. Interesting ...Liked it. Primordially great theme. Interesting fill. <br /><br />So what's the recognized max, in constructor etiquette, for names and abbrevs.? How about plurals ending with an "s"? Just curious. <br /><br />Speaking of interesting, xwordinfo website has a cool new feature, which enables amateur puzzling like this:<br />www.xwordinfo.com/Solve?id=14517&id2=1663289121<br />(Enter the whole thing above as one big url in your browser.)<br /><br />Now everyone can publish a crossword. Trouble brewing?!Friend of M and Anoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-9314022957856527272011-12-05T13:13:08.509-05:002011-12-05T13:13:08.509-05:00Easy, pleasant Monday. For a fleeting moment thou...Easy, pleasant Monday. For a fleeting moment thought natick was going to appear; Mr. COLE instead. Took the word productions to mean shows so no problem there. <br /><br />I think the Bravo Channel has a Battle of the Nutcrackers during the month. You can vote for your favorite. Mine is still Balanchine, but Mark Morris grows funnier every year. The score becomes a brain worm too. <br /><br />I digress, happy week one and all.Sparkyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11149915526159432838noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-35811844716949405772011-12-05T13:07:59.563-05:002011-12-05T13:07:59.563-05:00I have the same complaints as you, Rex. "NOT...I have the same complaints as you, Rex. "NOTONADARE"? Clumsy, made-up phrase. And who is Roger O'Neil? Works for Fox, maybe? That would explain why we haven't heard of him:-))KarenSampsonHudsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12072958906391798661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-33591625834249962682011-12-05T12:37:01.882-05:002011-12-05T12:37:01.882-05:00I thought this puzzle had some zing - really liked...I thought this puzzle had some zing - really liked it. vowel progressions are aok with me if the words are kinda frisky. Admittedly, NETPROFITS and NOTONADARE are a little staid, but the clue for NOTONADARE was great! (i had NOTACHANCE - which seems much more realistic.) Regardless, I liked the cut of its JIB. Great Monday puzzle.<br /><br />Wow - @anoabob - didn't really notice all those abbreviations. Does seem like a lot. But, I guess the acrosses were largely gettable - so didn't have to look. i'm kind of a methodical solver (across then down).<br /><br />One LOOSEBALL atones for at least 4 abbreviation. And then SPINALTAP - that atones for the rest.hazelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04627015904603641109noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-33908444873323639162011-12-05T12:13:52.676-05:002011-12-05T12:13:52.676-05:00Hand up for 34D SPINAL TAP and 42D DEFACTO as bein...Hand up for 34D SPINAL TAP and 42D DEFACTO as being the high points of this one.<br /><br />Seemed name-heavy with MAMIE, ARI, NAT KING COLE, CYRUS (clued most non-Mondayly), ELSA, PLATO, AIMEE, IRENE, BIZET, ONEIL, LORRE, ETHAN, IAGO, and LEDA. Oh, and BOXCAR Willie.<br /><br />For a non-New Yorker, non-Catholic, non-student of ancient history, the MSGR, NYS, CYRUS pile up in the NE was tough.<br /><br />A newcomer to xwords would get a good intro to abbreviations and initializations, to wit, ESL, LLDS, AMA, MSGR, LOL, STE, NYS, SPCA, RNS, NAS, NEA, NPR and EMI.<br /><br />Think I'll take a walk on the beach and see if I can spot any ERNES. There must be some around---I see them in xwords all the time.Anoa Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16185183023273883700noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-61475881568716243232011-12-05T12:10:59.636-05:002011-12-05T12:10:59.636-05:00FWIW, I did have the same "age" reaction...FWIW, I did have the same "age" reaction as has been noted. This tied in just fine to my life motto of always wanting an unfair advantage. If being in ones seventh decade does that, I'm delighted. Talk about age, though, yesterday's Wahtusi (sp?) certainly hit the high water mark.John Vhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10557037910799243636noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-54546051057973417332011-12-05T12:09:07.138-05:002011-12-05T12:09:07.138-05:00If 2D had been clued:
"She left millions powe...If 2D had been clued:<br /><i>"She left millions powerless this summer."</i><br /><br />Would that have skewed it back towards the <50 crowd?<br />Sounds like sour grapes to me - you're just jealous that the older one gets. the more useless trivia one accumulates! (Until you start to forget it again, of course...)Titahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16368251255494687496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-33987012554169240822011-12-05T11:55:29.627-05:002011-12-05T11:55:29.627-05:00@acme
Maybe archaeoprof can tell us how to scienti...@acme<br />Maybe archaeoprof can tell us how to scientifically determine a puzzle's age group. Or maybe we need a psychologist to do it. Crowdsourcing might work also.r.alphbunkernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-11045751875430982622011-12-05T11:42:15.940-05:002011-12-05T11:42:15.940-05:00This rang it as one of my slowest Monday solves to...This rang it as one of my slowest Monday solves to date. I needed every single cross to get NOT ON A DARE. Even seeing the answer I'm confident that I've never heard this said before. NAT KING COLE was simple enough to figure out eventually, but being quite young the name just doesn't jump to the front of my mind ever to write in. <br /><br />Nothing wrong with the puzzle, but as @anon mentioned some time before me, a bit slow if you're much below the 50 mark.Kendallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04176353196193935474noreply@blogger.com