tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post3479281479934952817..comments2024-03-29T08:57:48.742-04:00Comments on Rex Parker Does the NYT Crossword Puzzle: Caribbean island nation south of Martinique / MON 4-14-14 / Famous debate words from Reagan to Carter / Endorsement from Tony Tiger / Churchill's description of the Royal Air Force during W.W. II / Rex Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145707733877505087noreply@blogger.comBlogger68125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-70667903395012606032014-05-19T20:17:00.183-04:002014-05-19T20:17:00.183-04:00Count me in the "loved it" camp, but rea...Count me in the "loved it" camp, but really - what is it with the "April Love" obsession? That can't be coincidence, can it?<br /><br />Same as @SiS - two PAIR and out.Dirigonzohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03903353503511480168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-34691712935364113252014-05-19T16:54:59.493-04:002014-05-19T16:54:59.493-04:00Of the RAF, Churchill also said: "Never have ...Of the RAF, Churchill also said: "Never have so few done so much for so many with so little."<br /><br />Liked this monpuz, Gareth, thanks.<br /><br />@DMG, totally agree with you about M&A. How would you like to get inside his head for a minute, sorta like the Vulcan brain meld thingy? I'll bet he was raised on Mad Mag.<br /><br />Two pair. Fold.Solving in Seattlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04249420848844874936noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-77520576274215704772014-05-19T14:28:53.389-04:002014-05-19T14:28:53.389-04:00ADAM seemed so obvious I wrote it in lightly, so I...ADAM seemed so obvious I wrote it in lightly, so I could easily correct it when I figured out what was really wanted. Another Eve (Arden?), a time of day... ? Guess I'm too scared from the Fri/Sat workouts to accept the obvious!<br /><br />At any rate, liked the puzzle, RRRS and all, and enjoyed the comments. Note to @M&A you start my days with a happy face! Many thanks for all the smiles!!!<br /><br />Full house, 5's and 3's.DMGnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-88987309130332411822014-05-19T10:10:35.513-04:002014-05-19T10:10:35.513-04:0058a reminds me of The Man With Two Brains, Dr. Hof...58a reminds me of The Man With Two Brains, Dr. Hoffharrrrr. I don't really care how many R's; I'll take the chuckle and let it go. I don't know if you can call a theme "thin" with three 15s. It IS a good one for English classes. I am appalled at the frequency of misuse of "there" in IM's, texts and emails. Once on a bus--a public bus!!--I saw this sign:<br /><br />PATRONS ARE ASKED TO GIVE UP THERE SEAT TO THE ELDERLY AND INFIRM.<br /><br />Needless to say, I threw the spacecraft flag.<br /><br />Nice one, Dr. Bain--and I even learned a new thing: OXEYES. And I worked in the flower industry!<br /><br />Sheesh: eight cards and I can't even muster a straight! 2 pair and out.spacecraftnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-24158784882301758122014-04-17T15:09:40.095-04:002014-04-17T15:09:40.095-04:00Many thanks ti kerfuffle and steve j.
I will loo...Many thanks ti kerfuffle and steve j. <br /><br />I will look for the book mentioned. I have noticed the different constructors and editors matter. I would make apoor crytographer.<br /><br />it took me a long time to find my way back here. On a standard computer it would have been a matter of a few key strokes, but I am using a tablet and it has no key board added to my inability to type, (and sometimes spell), going back to fix a mistake is a horror story for me.<br /><br />If I didn't want to at least try to do this puzzle I would not endure this tablet of death!<br /><br />And yes I would like a little cheese with my whine.<br /><br />aaarrrggghhhh <br /><br />And now another silly question, why don't they indicate 2 OR 3 words, in a puzzle. Stanley Newman responded, they do not have space in the paper. <br /><br />I fear I have wasted 12 years of cat lick school, the brothers and nuns would be furious I think'st.<br /><br />Again, thanks I will keep that website bookmarked, and will look for a copy of the said sacred book of knowlege, a gnostic's bible if I may say.<br /><br />I will now go into trance and expand my consciousness and attempt to become one with a thesaurus.<br /><br />cioa<br /><br />sparkieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-23013476274074587022014-04-14T22:00:31.495-04:002014-04-14T22:00:31.495-04:00This week's relative difficulty ratings. See m...This week's relative difficulty ratings. See my 8/1/2009 post for an explanation and my 10/15/2012 post for an explanation of a tweak I've made to my method. 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 5:45, 6:04, 0.95, 25%, Easy-Medium<br /><br />Top 100 solvers<br /><br />Mon 3:42, 3:58, 0.93, 17%, Easysanfranman59https://www.blogger.com/profile/15118732156312301425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-84895454874337751912014-04-14T19:44:32.492-04:002014-04-14T19:44:32.492-04:00@jae - Very poetic:
"Lines on the Antiquity ...@jae - Very poetic:<br /><br />"Lines on the Antiquity of Microbes" (world's shortest poem)<br /><br />Fleas:<br />Adam<br />Had 'em.<br />World's Shortest Poetnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-13626131833317927792014-04-14T19:24:31.953-04:002014-04-14T19:24:31.953-04:00@M&A
________ hadem. (Poetic)@M&A<br /><br />________ hadem. (Poetic)jaehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03385568014046336373noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-90332452789078576632014-04-14T16:50:36.701-04:002014-04-14T16:50:36.701-04:00Bob,
Had not known that site. Thanks!
JohnBob, <br /><br />Had not known that site. Thanks!<br /><br />JohnJohn Vhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10557037910799243636noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-90355276236026072042014-04-14T16:44:46.161-04:002014-04-14T16:44:46.161-04:00@BobK and Benko: har. And whoa. If the New Shortz ...@BobK and Benko: har. And whoa. If the New Shortz Times MonPuz ever opens up with one of them thar 1-Across clues, my runtpuzs will start gettin more bounce-over bizness.<br /><br />I find that when the 1-Across clue somehow has the word "cow" worked into the verbage, it really reassures the beginner-level solver crowd. Example: "Apt name for a bull who mates regular with a cow called Eve". See what I mean? Instantly calming, somehow. Bucolic, if U will.<br /><br />Anyhoo, honored that I pushed Benko over the one minute mark, and BobK over the three minute mark, if only for just this one time. Took a JKXZQ puz to do it, tho... day-um.<br /><br />M&A<br />"Thar's Yer Crossword Trouble"Last Silver Bull Wootnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-82704949009654689502014-04-14T16:27:12.845-04:002014-04-14T16:27:12.845-04:00"[A]ccurate is accurate and verifiable is ver..."[A]ccurate is accurate and verifiable is verifiable and made-up is made-up."<br /><br />Maybe so, but not in WS-world.Blue Staternoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-7027999291175148242014-04-14T16:12:11.424-04:002014-04-14T16:12:11.424-04:00This week's relative difficulty ratings. See m...This week's relative difficulty ratings. See my 8/1/2009 post for an explanation and my 10/15/2012 post for an explanation of a tweak I've made to my method. 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 5:45, 6:04, 0.95, 25%, Easy-Medium<br /><br />Top 100 solvers<br /><br />Mon 3:47, 3:58, 0.95, 22%, Easy-Mediumsanfranman59https://www.blogger.com/profile/05380217499603083348noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-89066305899296393542014-04-14T15:51:40.705-04:002014-04-14T15:51:40.705-04:00Cryptic style Adam?
West Russian "yes" i...Cryptic style Adam?<br />West Russian "yes" in the morning<br />Or<br />Heroic ant commercial before morningBenkonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-42694399142567667192014-04-14T15:10:22.568-04:002014-04-14T15:10:22.568-04:00@M&A - LOL!
Can't match your style, but y...@M&A - LOL!<br /><br />Can't match your style, but you could re-work these:<br /><br />Dude with neither an innie nor an outie.<br /><br />Fellow imagined by Michelangelo as trying to give a finger to God.<br /><br />One whose ale is all H2O.<br /><br />Or to be really mean: Came between 1 and 12 in fictional radio call sign.Bob Kerfufflehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02615811802419025933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-29103198109649932172014-04-14T14:48:27.952-04:002014-04-14T14:48:27.952-04:00"Commonwrslth"? Well, he was known to dr..."Commonwrslth"? Well, he was known to drink a little....<br /><br />Read the previous comments. I think we've got it covered. <br /><br />Evilevil doughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17593231055589228837noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-89832233284171281752014-04-14T14:40:38.417-04:002014-04-14T14:40:38.417-04:00@M&A: Slightly slower on this one. Took 1:02...@M&A: Slightly slower on this one. Took 1:02. Would have been under a minute but got thrown for a moment by 4-Down. Forgot who I was dealing with! Anyway, good puzz. Benkonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-46209478655165924832014-04-14T14:40:05.257-04:002014-04-14T14:40:05.257-04:00Churchill quote did not refer to the RAF but to &q...Churchill quote did not refer to the RAF but to "the British Empire and its Commonwrslth."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-3772055723232271442014-04-14T14:11:30.215-04:002014-04-14T14:11:30.215-04:00@BobK: yep. "Eve's mate" is, indeed,...@BobK: yep. "Eve's mate" is, indeed, not airtight enough, for the coveted guaranteed entrypoint. Wrong again, M&AB. It's just not as solid as what we need, thar. Some other improved clue suggestions, thayer, maybe...<br /><br />* Eve's main squeeze (contemporary)<br />* ___ and Eve (very little wiggle room)<br />* Eden exile (common startin letters)<br />* Enos's Grrrrrandfather (too harrrrrd, but mighta been @Garrrrreth's first choice)<br />* He raised Cain (humorous)<br />* Sistine Chapel plastered dude (cultural)<br />* Guy in a garden with no parental supervision (kinda wordy)<br />* Backward M&A DA?? (personal fave)<br /><br />@Lewis: Usually runtpuzs are non-addictive, unless U smoke em, afterwards. Use caution, they're.<br /><br />M&A<br />"Service with a Harrrrr"M and Alsonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-11986615962661443902014-04-14T14:02:25.868-04:002014-04-14T14:02:25.868-04:00The simplicity of this puzzle matched that of its ...The simplicity of this puzzle matched that of its artisans. <br />The Churchill quote was NOT about the RAF ..it was about England's determination etc.<br />The RAF line is "Never have so many owed so much to so few."<br />No excuse for errors that egregious, even in a Monday puzzle.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-16023567483794965922014-04-14T13:21:22.697-04:002014-04-14T13:21:22.697-04:00@M&A - KIDDIE POOL THEMELESS #14 by M and A 8:...@M&A - KIDDIE POOL THEMELESS #14 by M and A 8:53, No help.<br /><br />Re your comment above, "Eve's mate" could be MORN.<br /><br />Maybe I spend too much time thinking of alternatives!Bob Kerfufflehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02615811802419025933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-74498464619448705002014-04-14T13:17:32.371-04:002014-04-14T13:17:32.371-04:00M&A -- 8 minutes; I'm getting hooked on yo...M&A -- 8 minutes; I'm getting hooked on your runts. Keep 'em going.Lewishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09709142959535977331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-57995877926942228672014-04-14T13:14:57.073-04:002014-04-14T13:14:57.073-04:00I alwaysjudge the relative difficulty of a puzzle ...I alwaysjudge the relative difficulty of a puzzle by two things; How many down clues i have to look at to finish, and how many times I have to go through the coles to finish. I never time myself, because I enjoy the solve, not the speed.<br /><br />@Rex. Shouldn't we be used to Shortz accepting made up stuff by now? These type of answers appear so often now. Look at all the e words we see referring to the web (wasn't it just yesterday we got ebanks)?<br /><br />@sparkle. I think you can also feel free to ask here if you don't get something. Look at how many responses you got to your question.allanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13781898738812454336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-91699412168232026972014-04-14T13:03:22.375-04:002014-04-14T13:03:22.375-04:00I wanted to whine about Rex's GRRREAT whine (I...I wanted to whine about Rex's GRRREAT whine (I heard it through the grrreatwhine?), but, dammit, I looked at the images of many Frosted Flakes boxes which all have the three "ars", and read the Wikipedia article which has every mention of the phrase with three ars, and had to conclude that this was the established way of spelling this phrase. So if liberties were to be taken with it, it should have come out in the clue, as someone before mentioned. Maybe, "Extra enthusiastic endorsement from Tony the Tiger"?<br /><br />Otherwise, this puzzle was clean as a whistle, with only four pure crosswordese answers, by my count. And it was fun. I loved all three theme answers and thought the theme was plenty adequate for Monday, and that this was a terrific puzzle for newcomers.<br /><br />ERIE above WORM makes me think of earworm, maybe, April Love?<br /><br />Acme, Acme, come back!Lewishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09709142959535977331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-38420328848569466192014-04-14T12:39:54.465-04:002014-04-14T12:39:54.465-04:00I didn't know my nickname was the Galloping Go...I didn't know my nickname was the Galloping Gourmand???Graham Kerrnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-27882810634725221542014-04-14T12:39:15.427-04:002014-04-14T12:39:15.427-04:00Yo--As an amateur constructioneer, I can definitel...Yo--As an amateur constructioneer, I can definitely get behind this draw out the word with extra letters concept. This could help m&e fill some of my 50 (or so) unfinished runtpuz grids. Mightt eeven bee aa cooll theeme iddea... grrrrroovy.<br /><br />THAR seems like a perfectly good fourth themer seed(hi, @muse). Tommy THAYER should be ok, too. Lead guitar of Kiss ain't too obscure, surely?<br /><br />I would rate this MonPuz as pretty easy, mainly because the themers were all so easy to get off next to nothin. 45 themer letters should be plenty for any MonPuz enthusiast, except maybe for Tommy Thayer. On the other hand, only six weejects to choose from, which might make things slightly harder for a beginner, who depends on em for entry points into the grid. Back to on the original hand, tho... "Eve's mate" in 4 letters is tryin pretty day-um hard to get everybody "in", upfront.<br /><br />Good MonPuz, @Gareth. Suitable to put in yer waitin room at the vet clinic. Maybe could just whip up an alternate version, whenever Kiss is doin a gig nearby.<br /><br />M&A<br /><br />p.s.<br />Themeless alternative below. 100% certified to not contain any THARs. Does do some scrabble-twerkin, tho...<br />www.xwordinfo.com/Solve?id=1762&id2=912Masked and Anonymo5Us Tharnoreply@blogger.com