tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post3839840835240186560..comments2024-03-28T14:47:10.991-04:00Comments on Rex Parker Does the NYT Crossword Puzzle: Creator of first crossword / SAT 12-21-13 / Jerry Orbach role in Fantasticks / Kingdom vanquished by Hammurabi / Girl's name in #1 1973 1974 song titles / Ranch sobriquet / Neighborhood org since 1844 / Fruit whose name comes from Arawak / Morlocks enemyRex Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145707733877505087noreply@blogger.comBlogger90125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-60775695922462920322014-01-25T20:26:46.226-05:002014-01-25T20:26:46.226-05:00Thanks for your review of Ben's book, Rex. It...Thanks for your review of Ben's book, Rex. It was very cogent... and even pellucid!stithamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05778224457378333064noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-29635452167973158322014-01-25T20:19:25.174-05:002014-01-25T20:19:25.174-05:00Just read, and enjoyed,Rex's review in the WSJ...Just read, and enjoyed,Rex's review in the WSJ where I was reminded that the earlier puzzle maker I was thinking of was Margaret Farrar. Maybe Pauline Kael was a movie reviewer?<br /><br />On another note I notice the review cites "the crosswordese.... obscurities such as ANOA and UNAU" that have been de-emphasized in favor of more modern content. In response, I can only say ANOA and UNAU can be found in a good dictionary, and remembered by regular solvers. As for the name of some singer or group that had a one-off hit 30 years ago, count me out.<br /> <br />Better hand this time, full house 4's and 3's. Must learn how to express this properly in " add player" talk. My game is bridge with an entirely different vocabulary.DMGnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-41271996981165512772014-01-25T19:34:04.151-05:002014-01-25T19:34:04.151-05:00Just stopped by to check my poker hand - full boat...Just stopped by to check my poker hand - full boat, deuces over fives. Pretty lame, but maybe good enough tonight?<br /><br />@TimJim - the Syndy crowd has been commenting here for a while; now that you've discovered us, maybe you'll join us on a regular basis?Dirigonzohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03903353503511480168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-25778381136279882632014-01-25T18:41:45.141-05:002014-01-25T18:41:45.141-05:00We Syndies get to celebrate the 100th anniversary ...We Syndies get to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the cw a second time. Big whoop.<br /><br />Since I googled the 100th year of the cw I saw the diamond shape in the Wiki article. The Seattle Times actually had the diamond shading in the paper, so easy to see the tribute.<br /><br />Stay warm, Waxy.<br /><br />Welcome, Satch, TimJim & Books and Manuals. We welcome newcomers to Syndication Land (Syndyland).<br /><br />Capcha: rilliso himself. A man true to who he is? Solving in Seattlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04249420848844874936noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-27363126016263657002014-01-25T17:01:11.938-05:002014-01-25T17:01:11.938-05:00SOLEMNER had me so enraged that I just sat and sta...SOLEMNER had me so enraged that I just sat and stared at it. What's next, gooder?<br /><br />Nice to know Emily used it. No wonder she never got a date.Satchnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-63365462520471963082014-01-25T16:29:07.314-05:002014-01-25T16:29:07.314-05:00Thanks for the warm thoughts, @DMG. Those of us st...Thanks for the warm thoughts, @DMG. Those of us stuck in the second polar vortex of the month can sure use them.Waxy in Montrealhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04395751487137805245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-5652141439163859592014-01-25T16:24:23.715-05:002014-01-25T16:24:23.715-05:00Similar problem in the SE to that encountered by @...Similar problem in the SE to that encountered by @space. Ended up there with CHOSEN and DEWCHAW along with the nonsensical SAN. <br /><br />Feel I should be sending one of those belated birthday cards (sorry I missed...) to the crossword puzzle. Guess Arthur Wynne missed his opportunity for eponymic fame when the Sunday World didn't call it a WynneWord puzzle.Waxy in Montrealhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04395751487137805245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-52456305721875095362014-01-25T14:35:21.123-05:002014-01-25T14:35:21.123-05:00Not a gimme for this solver. Took awhile to discov...Not a gimme for this solver. Took awhile to discover that jojoba was a FUNGACIDE, not a pestACIDE. I actually, unsuccessfully, planted some once, when it was touted as the solution to some major world problem- I forget which one! It also took me far too long to get the near-to-me LACOSTA. Toyed with LAjOllA, which seemd to fit the known letters, but, of course, not the clue. Other, unsolvable, problem came in the SE. I associate the name Pauline (Kael??) with early puzzles, so when WYNNE appeared, I just gave up, assuming I had more wrongs than rights! Some days are like that. <br /><br />Warm thoughts for those of you caught in the grips of the worst winter ever! <br /><br /> Today's hand is two pair, 9's and 3's.DMGnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-14110032703998677742014-01-25T11:42:53.455-05:002014-01-25T11:42:53.455-05:00First, welcome newbies @Books and Manual(s?) and @...First, welcome newbies @Books and Manual(s?) and @TimJim. On the 100th...better late than never, right? Now to the puzzle that so many thought was "easy." Not me.<br /><br />SOLEMNER? Oh well, if it's good enough for Emily...<br /><br />34a--I refuse to print it out--is terrible.<br /><br />Normally I frown on Romanumerals, but when it takes up seven spaces AND is part of the theme, it's a tour de force.<br /><br />The NE and E were the last to, very grudgingly, fall. I was almost an hour at it before the aha! of OWNERS, certainly "not team players," hit. Not up on my canine anatomy, I had no "clew" about DEWCLAW. Unlike many others here, I did not read tons of stuff regarding the birth of the crossword, so did not know Mr. WYNNE (but thanks, dude). And it took me forever to suss out ESSENTIAL, why I can't tell you. But the thing that nearly threw me into a DNF was the clue for CLOSED: "Not for the general public." That's SOME Saturday clue, guys!<br /><br />Medium-challenging (I never saw "The Fantasticks"), but FUN. I'll have to look up "Arawak."<br /><br />BTW, yesterday I was dealt out because I actually could READ the word captcha! Today, well, I shoulda sat out another hand. Two measly pair. spacecraftnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-27346401685172173032014-01-25T10:57:24.044-05:002014-01-25T10:57:24.044-05:00Just wanted to express my appreciation for the syn...Just wanted to express my appreciation for the syndication link. I'd stopped coming when the nyt started charging for the online puzzles,figuring I'd just do them later in my local paper. Now I've got the best of both worlds! Wonder if the easy link will spark a new stream of posts a month later ....TimJimnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-86739038124833064032013-12-22T21:16:04.667-05:002013-12-22T21:16:04.667-05:00So late to the game. Finished quick, just no time...So late to the game. Finished quick, just no time to post.<br /><br />I had jsut done the google doodle, so I was primed for this one, knowing about FUN.<br /><br />I was gobsmacked when I realized that the original puzzle was embedded in this "conventional" one. "How cool is that?!", methought.<br />(Hi, @Acme)<br /><br />So I can't help but be dissapointed to have discivered that wasn't the case.<br /><br />But thanks anyway, Mr. Steinberg - you continue to astonish me.<br /><br /><br />Titahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16368251255494687496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-89335412894319692302013-12-22T05:19:19.453-05:002013-12-22T05:19:19.453-05:00With respect to broken puzzles...
@meg wrote &quo...With respect to broken puzzles...<br /><br />@meg wrote "Or, hey, here's a crazy idea: maybe, since it is 2013, the digital version of the puzzle could contain features that the print version lacks."<br /><br />Yes, it is 2013, and Puzzazz supports the print edition on your iOS device right now. And it doesn't cost you anything to use it. The app is free. You just use your NYT Premium Crosswords subscription.<br /><br />The shaded squares are nothing. Check out the Thursday puzzle with the bars, which worked perfectly in Puzzazz.Roy Lebanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16120240595362341255noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-51880207222746963642013-12-22T04:14:48.108-05:002013-12-22T04:14:48.108-05:00The whole time solving, I thought the shaded area ...The whole time solving, I thought the shaded area WAS the original puzzle, like it had words like AYWORLD and wondered what the original clue was!<br /><br />Found this charming and a nice tribute...<br />As my therapist says, "it's all about expectations".<br /><br />I'm suddenly overwhelmed by the thought how different my life would have been sans crosswords... The thousands of hours spent solving/constructing, the hundreds of friends I've made virtually and in person...<br />What I've learned from puzzles, how much of my selfworth and professional image is derived from this world, how much joy and pain this blog has generated.<br />Happy anniversary, cross world. Thank you, Arthur.<br />Definitely has been a WYNNE - win situation.<br /><br />Andrea Carla Michaelsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-58282011345578551832013-12-21T22:31:04.259-05:002013-12-21T22:31:04.259-05:00I finished Sunday's puzzle and figured I'd...I finished Sunday's puzzle and figured I'd go to Rexville to discuss it, but Sunday's not there yet. Guess i'll go to bed and see you all in the morningchefbeahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15195945085405126511noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-27436535786448584392013-12-21T21:07:51.986-05:002013-12-21T21:07:51.986-05:00Wow. an ungrateful as well as rude anonymouse.
Se...Wow. an ungrateful as well as rude anonymouse.<br /><br />See, that's what "condescending" looks like. @Bob Kerfuffle was trying to be nice, but some will take offense at a kind word.Zhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16181544219511150272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-8099971955238603462013-12-21T20:53:29.434-05:002013-12-21T20:53:29.434-05:00Punctuation? Why didn't you just say,:"...Punctuation? Why didn't you just say,:" r and d,dummy."? No ? My point was the original explanation was a tad condescending.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-74089987148117458672013-12-21T20:01:55.922-05:002013-12-21T20:01:55.922-05:00@Lane B - Some laboratories (labs) are responsible...@Lane B - Some laboratories (labs) are responsible for Research and Development (R and D) (as was discussed earlier).Dirigonzohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03903353503511480168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-63302095983137244672013-12-21T19:34:32.719-05:002013-12-21T19:34:32.719-05:00My reaction to this puzzle sort of mirrored the st...My reaction to this puzzle sort of mirrored the story in r.alphbunker's first post today: I thought the embedded outline of the first grid should have been a complete puzzle in itself. Thought this was a very weak tribute. (Oh no! The captcha is back to unreadable letters! Damn! Oh, whew! Refresh gives the more legible numerals.)Normhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10032302346488486116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-85286485633297189612013-12-21T19:24:07.942-05:002013-12-21T19:24:07.942-05:00Anyone looking for the Google Doodle crossword, I ...Anyone looking for the Google Doodle crossword, I imagine it will soon be moved to their archive:<br />http://www.google.com/doodles/finder/2013/All%20doodles<br /><br />And if it isn't there, here is a link to have it all by itself:<br />http://www.google.com/logos/2013/crossword/crossword13.html<br />although that may not last either.<br />(I was trying to hack it to make it bigger!...didn't work.)okanaganerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03082227619755246335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-66215152610257257362013-12-21T18:44:36.718-05:002013-12-21T18:44:36.718-05:00It must have been "easy" because I seldo...It must have been "easy" because I seldom finish Saturdays' and Steinberg's puzzles usually stump me. It was fun to learn some crossword puzzle history.. Don't understand a34 and thought NONPRO was a stretch . NE corner was the last to go; the bottom half the easier. Ego restored somewhat.rz .Lane Bnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-57121076939260512232013-12-21T18:33:04.179-05:002013-12-21T18:33:04.179-05:00My only REDOS were SNObbY/SNOOTY and rouge/BLANC, ...My only REDOS were SNObbY/SNOOTY and rouge/BLANC, and I learned what TYES are. I knew it was a tribute puzzle but did not understand the significance of the shaded squares until I came here - someone smarter that I should create clues for the partial words that appear in the shaded area, e.g. 7 1/2d - "When doubled, British sitcom from 1982 - 1992" > 'ALLO. Or maybe not.Dirigonzohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03903353503511480168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-28941696115930408612013-12-21T17:24:42.273-05:002013-12-21T17:24:42.273-05:00Yes, @August West, I DID finish this one error-fre...Yes, @August West, I DID finish this one error-free and am rethinking my DS position. I suppose as long as he has a co-constructor the outré stuff is probably under control. I did not have A COW.<br /><br />The puzzle - meh. The AMIDALA/ELOI crossing gave me some grief, since I had Ewok first. AMIDALA is a new one for me. Ditto EL GALLO and La COSTA. SOLEMNER is kinda ugly - I would usually say "more solemn."<br /><br />Thanks, Messrs. Gross and Steinberg.retired_chemisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13181126754941899228noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-24459727310905000952013-12-21T17:12:07.783-05:002013-12-21T17:12:07.783-05:00Blue Stater,
Emily Dickinson used it.
The Worl...Blue Stater,<br /><br />Emily Dickinson used it.<br /><br /><br /><br />The World – stands – solemner – to me –<br />Since I was wed – to Him –<br />A modesty – befits the soul<br />That bears another's – name –<br />A doubt – if it be fair – indeed –<br />To wear that perfect – pearl –<br />The Man – upon the Woman – binds –<br />To clasp her soul – for all –<br />A prayer, that it more angel – prove –<br />A whiter Gift – within –<br />To that munificence, that chose –<br />So unadorned – a Queen –<br />A Gratitude – that such be true –<br />It had esteemed the Dream –<br />Too beautiful – for Shape to prove –<br />Or posture – to redeem!<br /> F280 (1862) 493<br /><br />Joe The Jugglerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08623445472297705053noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-51531032504335280692013-12-21T17:01:14.955-05:002013-12-21T17:01:14.955-05:00Not having read all the comments today, if this is...<br /><br />Not having read all the comments today, if this is a repeat, I beg your pardon.<br /><br />In today's Wall Street Journal, Wynne's octogenarian daughter noted that Wynne's first puzzles were called "Word Cross Puzzles" but after a few weeks of same, a typesetter for the World, in error, dubbed it a "Cross Word".<br /><br />When the typesetter apologized, Wynne said he actually preferred "Cross Word", and voila, our obsession was born. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-88545668098496150982013-12-21T16:32:23.348-05:002013-12-21T16:32:23.348-05:00@aliasz -- Thank you for posting that Debussy piec...@aliasz -- Thank you for posting that Debussy piece. Wow!Lewishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09709142959535977331noreply@blogger.com