tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post3273083771743761575..comments2024-03-18T23:52:35.781-04:00Comments on Rex Parker Does the NYT Crossword Puzzle: Exposer of Standard Oil During Progressive era / FRI 5-6-11 / TV catchphrase starting 2004 / Little bitty tear singer 1962 / 1999 Ron Howard satireRex Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145707733877505087noreply@blogger.comBlogger73125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-33043361062568409032011-06-11T18:22:29.913-04:002011-06-11T18:22:29.913-04:00OK, the answers do seem to be pretty easy in retro...OK, the answers do seem to be pretty easy in retrospect but since it took me two days to finish the damn thing I was at least hoping for an ADELE video as a reward, but no - the Beatles and Miles Davis instead. But I guess they were pretty good, too. <br /><br />My (very old) dictionary defines "tope" as to drink alcohol habitually and excessively - I suppose that would raise your spirits for a while but experience suggests that it can be pretty depressing over the long term.Dirigonzohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03903353503511480168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-2907855771260684532011-06-10T19:33:34.258-04:002011-06-10T19:33:34.258-04:00Rex, if you're trying to make friends, you'...Rex, if you're trying to make friends, you're going about it all wrong.LongbeachLeenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-12940391073506293192011-06-10T17:46:31.516-04:002011-06-10T17:46:31.516-04:00I solved it, but I would categorize this one as me...I solved it, but I would categorize this one as medium to medium-difficult. Of course the last one that was actually rated medium-difficult I thought was easy...go figure...Karlnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-28220959359598305002011-06-10T15:55:12.796-04:002011-06-10T15:55:12.796-04:00@Goose
This is what comes of not watching at ...@Goose<br /> This is what comes of not watching at least twelve hours of the Royal Wedding with all its attendant Lords and Ladies and whoever else of the PEERage were present.<br />And to TOPE is to hoist (raise) the hooch (spirits). Well, really, it's to toss it down the hatch; but that wouldn't have been mindmelding.NotalwaysrightBillnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-49769915815973317572011-06-10T15:20:11.316-04:002011-06-10T15:20:11.316-04:00I'm also in Syndi-land, but I have a couple th...I'm also in Syndi-land, but I have a couple things:<br /><br />@boardbtr - 'este' is east in this answer. And you're right, oeste is west.<br /><br />Can anyone explain peer for lady, e.g.? I'm not seeing that one. Nor do I have any idea what tope is all about. I figured you'd toke to get high and raise your spirits, no? But tope?Goosenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-13383176291449118812011-06-10T14:14:29.377-04:002011-06-10T14:14:29.377-04:00Syndi-late.
DNF so I'm KINDOFBLUE. Eating day...Syndi-late.<br /><br />DNF so I'm KINDOFBLUE. Eating day-old carob cake as punishing comfort food. Just another spoonful of sugar . . . . There, where was I?<br /><br />Mindmelded only with Minnie's even mousier dog, to the point that I'm considering changing my name to hers, so that when I formally respond to "Who's there?," I can answer "It is I, FIFI" and at least be palindromic.<br /><br />With that NONONSENSE bitch, HERA, around, punishing all the Echos, I think I'll just slink off to TIMBUKTU to lick my---JEEZ! I can't even do what FIFI can! Well maybe PERU, Indiana then. That's it: I'll join the circus and be a freak sideshow: fear-of-xword-pop-culture-questions BOY, Architect-and-Choreographer-phobia FIFI. If it gets any worse I guess I can still call myself SOI and marry an ax murderess.NotalwaysrightBillnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-36910920461486142762011-06-10T12:53:49.940-04:002011-06-10T12:53:49.940-04:00From 5 weeks later, I likely wson't see anythi...From 5 weeks later, I likely wson't see anything on this, but 62A seems to translate as "from Madrid to Majorca". The solution "este" translates as "this". I really don't understand that answer. I do admit my HS Spanish is pretty ancient. I was taught "oeste" for "west". What am I missing?boardbtrnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-36767188231016029672011-05-10T10:09:20.982-04:002011-05-10T10:09:20.982-04:00Checking in here four days late because I was in N...Checking in here four days late because I was in New Orleans last Friday enjoying my brother's bachelor party at Jazz Fest (arguably the best possible reason not to do a crossword puzzle, BTW).<br /><br />I finished this in 6:06, a personal best for a Friday by such a wide margin that it's ridiculous. I knew Rex would crush this one because whenever I'm on the same wavelength as a constructor, so is Rex. He and I know the same pop culture arcana (which this puzzle was chock full of). Heck, we often make the same mistakes. Great minds, Rex, and ours too.<br /><br />And great puzzle, Natan. Lots of fresh, fun fill, my favorite kind of grid. Easy for a Friday as many have observed, but that's not your fault. You're hired!Benhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04754156636762779545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-4707391950478115482011-05-08T09:09:54.517-04:002011-05-08T09:09:54.517-04:00Playing catch-up: this was a very sparkly grid eve...Playing catch-up: this was a very sparkly grid even if the clues were too easy. I thought I'd mention "Some People" from "Gypsy" or Linda Eder, but I see that my fellow theater geeks beat me to it.<br /><br />You know you've done too many crosswords when UVEA and EFTS are gimmes.pauerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04459037089749874180noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-11542221761568860012011-05-06T22:02:40.282-04:002011-05-06T22:02:40.282-04:00This week's relative difficulty ratings. See m...This week's relative difficulty ratings. See my 7/30/2009 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 6:28, 6:52, 0.94, 26%, Easy-Medium<br />Tue 10:07, 8:56, 1.13, 83%, Challenging<br />Wed 15:20, 11:45, 1.30, 95%, Challenging (6th highest median solve time of 96 Wednesdays)<br />Thu 14:54, 18:58, 0.79, 17%, Easy<br />Fri 18:30, 26:02, 0.71, 8%, Easy (8th lowest median solve time of 100 Fridays)<br /><br />Top 100 solvers<br /><br />Mon 3:31, 3:40, 0.96, 35%, Easy-Medium<br />Tue 5:00, 4:35, 1.09, 78%, Medium-Challenging<br />Wed 7:47, 5:47, 1.33, 97%, Challenging (4th highest median solve time of 96 Wednesdays)<br />Thu 6:38, 9:09, 0.73, 7%, Easy (7th lowest median solve time of 99 Thursdays)<br />Fri 8:29, 12:47, 0.66, 5%, Easy (5th lowest median solve time of 99 Fridays)sanfranman59https://www.blogger.com/profile/15118732156312301425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-69633079309364223852011-05-06T20:46:29.433-04:002011-05-06T20:46:29.433-04:00I'd agree with most of you about the easiness ...I'd agree with most of you about the easiness except that I hardly ever watch the Simpsons and Kwikemart was hard for me to get.michaelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-18145529239653234232011-05-06T19:52:34.519-04:002011-05-06T19:52:34.519-04:00I knew it! I think this is the first Friday puzzle...I knew it! I think this is the first Friday puzzle I've completely finished on my own. I knew the blog would be filled with "too easy" comments, but I didn't expect parker to say "Phenomenally easy". Sigh.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-30864089470047515822011-05-06T18:33:47.522-04:002011-05-06T18:33:47.522-04:00Fantastic puzzle -- and by far my fastest Friday o...Fantastic puzzle -- and by far my fastest Friday of all time.<br /><br />It was almost like a Monday for me -- like taking dictation. I didn't even hesitate throwing down the long acrosses. Very unusual.<br /><br />Started with BRA/LIN/ITISI and in a flash Bling, Senioitis and Italian Ice came into view ... having a high school senior at home who has a definitite case of senioritis probably helped.<br /><br />Then Youre Fired, A Averages, just materialized quickly and moving down the grid, I dont know what came over me, I threw in Ida Tarbell, No Nonsense and Some People after starting with only two downs for help -- ADELE (super easy if you have kids at home or watch American Idol) and Cells.<br /><br />All in all, gave me a great lift to start the Friday -- so bravo and thanks to Natan.Octavian Tarbellnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-55161118518294622492011-05-06T18:31:27.635-04:002011-05-06T18:31:27.635-04:00The labels section on the bottom has a link to &qu...The labels section on the bottom has a link to "Natan Last Sucks." Which takes you to....Skuanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-33308486809607713392011-05-06T18:03:46.865-04:002011-05-06T18:03:46.865-04:00Regarding the complaints, including my own, about ...Regarding the complaints, including my own, about "let on" as the answer for the clue "pretend," that definition is the first one in my old Britannica dictionary. The No. 2 definition is "reveal." They are both indicated to be colloquial. So you are right, Natan, Will and William E. Emba!<br /><br />Let me praise Stanley Donen, whose name might be too useful for crosswords. He directed Charade, On the Town, Funny Face and It's Always Fair Weather, four of my favorites, as well as the one most people know, which I love too. Other good ones too.Loisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-84757172555417259142011-05-06T17:07:50.398-04:002011-05-06T17:07:50.398-04:00This Natan Last beauty compares to last week's...This Natan Last beauty compares to last week's David Quarfoot puzzle, easy but elegant, with not a scintilla of arcana but with enough delightful, in the language phrases to please and challenge all.<br /><br />Solvers may recall that Natan took the Saturday anchor leg in last year's Brown University week of puzzles and as a current senior at Brown, he probably tipped his hand that he's ready to move on with the entry SENIORITIS.<br /><br />Good show Natan!jackjnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-2642635217079434312011-05-06T16:53:39.950-04:002011-05-06T16:53:39.950-04:00No wonder I finally finished a Friday puzzle!No wonder I finally finished a Friday puzzle!Doughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11277536184701771210noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-16214221896765571392011-05-06T16:23:28.521-04:002011-05-06T16:23:28.521-04:00I couldn't get started with this one - ran the...I couldn't get started with this one - ran the Acrosses all the way down to 27A, KOBE, for my first answer - then crosses took me down, and the whole bottom half filled easily. <br /><br />However, the EDER/EDTV cross stumped me completely, had to look up the latter on Google. Then I thought I was done, but had an error for 11A (YAPS for YAKS), and failed to notice the nonsensical PTEV fir 13D - I havw no idea what KTEL is, I have to confess. (Did have SEVERELY, but forgot to do the writeover on the L).<br /><br />@Anonymous 12:17, Italian ice is not gelato, it's crushed or shaved ice with sweet fruit-flavored syrup poured over it. Definitely not upscale.jberghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02169065390875378077noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-2809103977182689432011-05-06T16:22:52.908-04:002011-05-06T16:22:52.908-04:00Thank you, William E. Emba, for your explanation o...Thank you, William E. Emba, for your explanation of "let on." I still would think in your example that the phrase "let on" for your Flex Barker is not being used correctly, unless Barker really did solve the puzzle in that time. But language changes, so I might consider taking your word for it. To my eyes and ears, "go in for" for "particularly like" is fine, though. <br />Italian ice, known in the New York area in the plural, usually, is an old standby much preceding gelato here. Not an obscure term at all in this area, far from it. "Severely" is a good trick answer, because "hard" can be used as an adverb. It stumped me for a long time.<br />The puzzle was not that easy for me either, and I DNF, but it's Friday!Loisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-89378069068094723442011-05-06T16:09:58.917-04:002011-05-06T16:09:58.917-04:00I knew this was going to be an exceptionally easy ...I knew this was going to be an exceptionally easy Friday puzzle because I actually (nearly) finished it. I had to guess on TOPE/ESTE and I had no idea for ETO/IDA TARBELL but other than that I actually managed it.<br /><br />I made two mistakes that drew things out quite a bit -- LETS IN instead of ASKS IN, and DRAY instead of SHAY. I also guessed KWIKEMART very early but I was looking at the wrong down (the Miles Davis album starting with KI) so it wasn't until quite late that I put it in.Kurisuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00132568197501054206noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-22537875015799970952011-05-06T16:06:07.972-04:002011-05-06T16:06:07.972-04:00In part very quick, but I still had some areas tha...In part very quick, but I still had some areas that needed staring and guessing. NEVER heard or saw the term dadblasting. The D in Eder was the last letter in. Knew that Kwike Mart wasn't right, but then it was. <br /><br />Favorite words: Timbuktu, A-average, skirmish and Ida Tarbell. <br /><br />Good puzzle, just not really on my wavelength.machttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06794371617847975218noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-53886113781215353162011-05-06T15:39:37.873-04:002011-05-06T15:39:37.873-04:00Completely baffled. Total opposite of @Rex's ...Completely baffled. Total opposite of @Rex's or everybody else's wavelengths. 12D: something GRAdES; ardOR. Managed, ITISI, HERA. NONONSENSE my longest entry. Gave up. <br /><br />There's always tomorrow. Have fun this weekend.Sparkynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-30035928580553642782011-05-06T15:30:03.874-04:002011-05-06T15:30:03.874-04:00Only medium speed for me, although I did start out...Only medium speed for me, although I did start out extra fast.<br /><br />LET ON means "pretend" in the context of lying. For example: Flex Barker will let on that he solved today's puzzle in 1:32 flat, if you all promise not to mention that the moon is actually up.william e embanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-60738593285297184512011-05-06T15:27:07.303-04:002011-05-06T15:27:07.303-04:00Voice from another country -- well, okay just CT. ...Voice from another country -- well, okay just CT. DNF. As remarked, not on the constructor's wavelength. Payback for a pretty easy week to this point. Odd how that happens.John Vhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10557037910799243636noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-46555058559823065902011-05-06T14:45:08.786-04:002011-05-06T14:45:08.786-04:00Thank you, Anonymous 1:57. I was thinking the sam...Thank you, Anonymous 1:57. I was thinking the same thing regarding 1a. A gold watch might be bling, but IMHO that's stretching a point. Double bling would seem to indicate over-the-top, pounds of gold, encrusted with diamonds. <br /><br />Despite usually being fairly into pop culture, this one just didn't click with me. Or more precisely, I didn't click with it. Although I did (and do) like Italian ice, the only ant farm I ever saw was plastic. This was not by any means my fastest Friday!Arundelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15171078182761035785noreply@blogger.com