tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post4200093174364109277..comments2024-03-29T01:22:33.864-04:00Comments on Rex Parker Does the NYT Crossword Puzzle: British poet/critic Sitwell / WED 3-2-16 / Muscular Japanese dog / Corrida combatant / Setting for highest-grossing movie of 1939 / Drive popular light-powered watch / Circus horn honker / George whose name is lead-in to filmRex Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145707733877505087noreply@blogger.comBlogger71125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-76405484812949531152018-05-17T09:20:58.247-04:002018-05-17T09:20:58.247-04:00Aaaah! "Est. Time of Arrival" was SO stu...Aaaah! "Est. Time of Arrival" was SO stuck in our head - thank you, @Z Stevenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18006392231667016999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-56458915371090343182018-05-16T21:15:42.353-04:002018-05-16T21:15:42.353-04:00@Steven - Those are the Greek Letter ETA, so three...@Steven - Those are the Greek Letter ETA, so three of them would be ETAS.Zhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16181544219511150272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-82235526595732318032018-05-16T20:31:25.463-04:002018-05-16T20:31:25.463-04:00Coming at this year’s later, by way of one of the ...Coming at this year’s later, by way of one of the “Best of the Week” books. We’re stumped by 69 Across: “H H H” -> ETAS? Stevenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18006392231667016999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-86444446009889173762016-04-06T22:30:20.701-04:002016-04-06T22:30:20.701-04:00Thanks @Diana, LIVV - that's actually where I ...Thanks @Diana, LIVV - that's actually where I found the info.Waxy in Montrealhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04395751487137805245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-41875230811563305502016-04-06T21:31:05.311-04:002016-04-06T21:31:05.311-04:00Thanks, Waxy, for answering Dr J's ?
However,...Thanks, Waxy, for answering Dr J's ?<br /><br />However, for a quick answer to any such question, try looking at Bill Butler's NYT puz blog - he explains many of the answers every day. <br /><br />Diana, LIWDiana,LIWnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-61486297667599224842016-04-06T18:58:06.945-04:002016-04-06T18:58:06.945-04:00@Dr John, I was baffled too but found this explana...@Dr John, I was baffled too but found this explanation elsewhere - the prefix “oro-” (sometimes “oreo-”) comes from Greek, and is a combining form meaning “mountain”. “Oros” is the Greek word for “mountain”. ORZOITWOULDSEEM.<br /><br /><br />Waxy in Montrealhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04395751487137805245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-8326520397046262982016-04-06T16:26:14.429-04:002016-04-06T16:26:14.429-04:00True fact - I finished this puzzle completely and ...True fact - I finished this puzzle completely and correctly - just me and my lil box of ORZO in the cupboard. And I like puns. So I liked it. <br /><br />Was going along swimmingly until I hit the far mid-west and had "hand" in place for the longest time. Much staring ensued. But then decided MOC and SEAL had to be two answers, and all else fell into place. <br /><br />I have a friend who is a chef, and he came up with something he calls "Spaghetti Westerns." Just flip around red sauce of your choice with red salsa, Italian stuffing stuff (ie ricotta and spices) with Mexi stuffing stuff (beans, pulled pork, Mex cheese, chicken, what have you) and you stuff your cannellini with Mex stuffing, cover with salsa. Reverse, too, for ricotta and Ital spices in a burrito covered with red sauce. As I say to Mr. W at the dinner table, "try it, you'll like it." <br /><br />The croci are definitely blooming in Spokaloo, we have predictions of 80 degrees for Friday! Spring sprang into summer.<br /><br />I left a message in the future for GBarany regarding the tourney - we'll see if he gets it and answers. Told him Syndieland was wondering.<br /><br />Diana, Lady-in-Waiting for Pasta tonightDiana,LIWnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-69339984025404095812016-04-06T15:36:06.692-04:002016-04-06T15:36:06.692-04:00Kinda cute and amusing theme, but a little on the ...Kinda cute and amusing theme, but a little on the thin side. I liked the "Z" words, and it was nice to see a CZAR again after so many TSARS.<br /><br />METIER is a good word I'll keep in mind, and maybe even use it some time if I can avoid sounding pretentious.<br /><br />leftcoastTAMnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-20089324429526601622016-04-06T15:10:06.236-04:002016-04-06T15:10:06.236-04:00Well, the themers might not have been gutbustin’ w...Well, the themers might not have been gutbustin’ wacky, but pretty harmless in any event. Thought the clue for the gridspanner was apt enough. But CROCI?? Really?<br /><br />I used to be a ZITICOUNCILMAN in my hometown. 6 years of that was enough, I’ve done my time.<br /><br />Tried to SCOUR the puz for a yeah baby, but will revert to the clues and mention of UBER yeah baby Gwyneth Paltrow. She certainly MERITs it and any SANE fellow would yearn for a few ROLLS with her, ORZOITWOULDSEEM.<br /><br />Call up DAS UBER for a ride, maybe in a COACH. Or in a ROLLS.<br /><br />Kinda silly attempt at humor, but not too hard to ENDURE.<br />rondonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-14266829712533558772016-04-06T14:22:45.062-04:002016-04-06T14:22:45.062-04:00Pasta puns, please! I think it is hard to make pu...Pasta puns, please! I think it is hard to make puns other than the ones in the puzzle because of all the -ini, -ili, -oni, and -iti endings. Itty bitty capelliti, eeny meeny fettucini - argh. Hell hath no fiori (absence of pasta in Hades?). So, unless you are like @Alias Z (manicotti pedi), we're kind of stuck with the ones here, and they aren't bad.<br /><br />Mostly, this puzzle was easy and competently constructed. Maybe not so memorable, although I rarely think of a crossword puzzle in those terms. Heck I forget last week's puzzles already. <br /><br />I think the plural of crocus should be croci, trying to sound like another pasta, but if it were, it would be pronounced more like croach-ee. Lovely language, but everything all sounds the same somehow. Enlivened by a flurry of hand gestures, though.<br /><br />Anyway, I liked it. Wondering how others feel. Penne for your thoughts?rain forestnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-57121005458814360022016-04-06T10:42:00.216-04:002016-04-06T10:42:00.216-04:00LUCAS GAPED
TARA played with the ZITICOUNCILMAN, ...LUCAS GAPED<br /><br />TARA played with the ZITICOUNCILMAN, as was her HABIT,<br />she RANTED, ”I’m not ABEL to ENDURE such a joker,<br />DEAL, SUGAR. You may EARN a chance to LEAR ABIT<br />if I’ve MADE and lost ABET in PENNEANTEPOKER.”<br /><br />--- ELMO METIER<br />Burma Shavenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-61991194501997718602016-03-04T17:29:56.641-05:002016-03-04T17:29:56.641-05:00I still don't understand the OREO clue whatsoe...I still don't understand the OREO clue whatsoever. Would someone please enlighten me? Thank you.Dr. Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15130166019431892918noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-44592435664715506592016-03-03T21:08:28.920-05:002016-03-03T21:08:28.920-05:00Pretty simple--- thanks for the easy diversion!Pretty simple--- thanks for the easy diversion!Suzyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10850450565127503532noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-23892198663272077832016-03-03T08:58:42.686-05:002016-03-03T08:58:42.686-05:00@kitshef - Preferred by whom?* "-uses" i...@kitshef - Preferred by whom?* "-uses" is an ugly construction. I don't really care what the Greeks or Romans or Semites did to form their plurals, I speak English and there's no reason to inflect our language with ancient ugliness.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />*You do realize I mean all this absolutely literally don't you? ; )Zhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16181544219511150272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-7173888802911906502016-03-03T05:08:03.123-05:002016-03-03T05:08:03.123-05:00Easy one. If you're too lazy to google OREO, ...Easy one. If you're too lazy to google OREO, http://www.nytimes.com/1988/08/10/arts/puzzle-makers-exchange-cross-words.htmlteevozhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12953869019295892467noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-88118389713370323032016-03-02T20:41:32.603-05:002016-03-02T20:41:32.603-05:00@Leapfinger, took me a while the find AKITA. I th...@Leapfinger, took me a while the find AKITA. I think it's one of those days when my brain goes on pause. @z that's also my excuse for just stating dumbfoundedly at ZiTICOUNSELMAN this morning. <br />Aketihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07059835429995060000noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-58138355546385454742016-03-02T17:44:17.570-05:002016-03-02T17:44:17.570-05:00This was the easiest Wednesday ever, even for me. ...This was the easiest Wednesday ever, even for me. As the words went down like SUGAR I thought it must have been misplaced from a Monday. I liked the clue for 9 down, and also thought HUGE should have started with a Y. What in G-d's name is happening over there in America? It all looks so "dysfunctional" from the other side of the ocean. Mad Donald Fury Road.aging sopranohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01085649464857246925noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-48789291226527889892016-03-02T17:32:52.772-05:002016-03-02T17:32:52.772-05:00@Z - Crocus from Greek via Latin, like hippopotomu...@Z - Crocus from Greek via Latin, like hippopotomus. Preferred plurals (OED) crocuses, hippopotomuses.kitshefnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-38591941319986577372016-03-02T17:03:09.414-05:002016-03-02T17:03:09.414-05:00@puzzle hoarder - OREOgraphy is not the study of c...@puzzle hoarder - <a href="https://en.m.wiktionary.org/wiki/orography#English" rel="nofollow">OREOgraphy</a> is not the study of chocolate sandwich cookies. <br /><br />@Croak en bouche - I absolutely meant that literally. Keep trying. You'll hear it soon. <br /><br />@jack - "just a homophon-ish mis-spelling" is pretty much the dictionary definition of "pun."<br /><br />@oldtimer - I may have to change my norm de blog to Twee Z.Zhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16181544219511150272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-20119865246793589102016-03-02T16:11:16.051-05:002016-03-02T16:11:16.051-05:00@Rex Perhaps there is such a thing as pun blindnes...@Rex Perhaps there is such a thing as pun blindness. The pieces are all there, you know what's supposed to happen, but it just doesn't ever land. I love puns. Thought these were great. But you with puns, I think I'm that way with massages. I 'd like to enjoy a massage, but no matter how many people try to give me one, and keep going "relax" "don't clench up", I don't know how to go any slacker and it always just hurts. People look like they want to slap me when I say I don't like massages. Oh, well. I can live without them. I'm sure you could live without puns. Chim chamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14072888196146711139noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-5219318818679455882016-03-02T14:50:35.904-05:002016-03-02T14:50:35.904-05:00About 50 mins. No dnf. I would rate it easy-medium...About 50 mins. No dnf. I would rate it easy-medium. I like any nyt puzzle I can solve with no mistakes. Agree croci is a stretch. Look at the croci! I don't think so. It's look at the crocuses! Spell check agrees. Chronic dnferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05129538196003383400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-74050463433324073802016-03-02T14:46:33.841-05:002016-03-02T14:46:33.841-05:00This one was fine, I guess. Solve time was quite a...This one was fine, I guess. Solve time was quite a bit faster than usual; felt more like a Tuesday. The only remotely "NYT Crossword is psychic" moment was that my cat was (and still is) on my lap while solving, but there was no actual woo-woo-cue-twilight-zone-theme-song moment so clearly the force was not with this puzzle. Also no giggle moment, although I'm still in real-estate-deal hell so nothing short of an anti-rapture (wherein all greedy bastages and all stupid people are whisked away in an instant) would make me giggle these days. Overall rating: Meh. Who cares.Kimberlyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02269065328203543183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-31272596508287115042016-03-02T14:08:25.947-05:002016-03-02T14:08:25.947-05:00Seemed an easy puzzle as it went down smoothly wit...Seemed an easy puzzle as it went down smoothly with only one typo to correct for success. Too many great comments today to single any out. In sum, they were far more entertaining than this puzzle.<br /><br />I had considered pasta for dinner last night, but decided on other fare. Thus, solving this puzzle, had it been before that fact, might have affected this decision. <br /><br />And I thought I’d seen just about every possible clue for OREO. I always like to see OREO in a puzzle. It’s a singular element that cuts across all manner of grids. I liken cluing OREO to something like writing an ongoing gag for a sitcom; a fun little challenge to make it different and “sparkly” each time. I don’t recall the show’s name (not really relevant), but in each episode two friends would make a stupid bet, usually with no relationship to the storyline. “I bet you $5 you won’t give me $5.” With not a word of further dialog, the other guy hands him a five, which he puts in his pocket. He then takes it back out and hands it back to pay off the bet he just lost. How many “fun” ways can you craft a really stupid bet...or a clue for OREO?<br /><br />Responding to some questions posed the past couple of days re the sea stories ---<br /><br />So glad you (@Leapy et al) liked the sea stories. Needless to say I’ve got a bunch of good/interesting ones. As clues answers permit, I’ll may try to slip more in. The Cap’n Crunch was a simply a gimme to relate those I did.<br /><br />@Anonymous 11:31 PM “….destroyers more or less bobbing like corks during storms.” Those destroyers were designed to “give” with the waves, like some trees are “designed” to easily bend in the wind. I can attest that the design was successful as we would roll even in the calmest of seas. During several strong gales we sailed through on the Atlantic, 30 to 40 degree rolls were common. One night we set a ship’s record with a 53(!!!) degree roll. Yup, easier to walk on the walls (‘scuse me, bulkheads) at that moment. Supposedly she could do some 60 degrees before capsizing. That was close enough, thank you! I had all I could do to hang on and not get tossed out of my rack (bed)….an upper one. <br /><br />“Must have been scary fun aloft during big waves.” The only “aloft” in such weather was the signal bridge, restricted to the signalmen on watch for safety. Being relatively high up, one did get quite the ride up there during heavy seas. I was in tight with them so snuck up there to enjoy the ride and watch “greenies” (solid water) break over the bow, sometimes completely submerging the forward twin 5-inh gun mount. Not much else to do and loving amusement park rides anyway…..It was also scary being at the mercy of a dangerous Mother Nature. <br /><br />During such weather I concluded (don’t actually know) there’s a good reason a ship’s “cafeteria” is called the “mess deck.” Go to a playground. Take your loaded dinner plate and a partner along. Get on the see-saw (with the dinner) and see-saw away….while eating said dinner. You will quickly learn what “mess” means.<br /><br />@Hartley70 “ Did you really mean to say you went to sea on a destroyer with a hole patched with wood and mattresses? Unfathomable!” (I see what you did there ). Yes I did mean just that. Saw it with me [sic] own eyes. Did I mention we were setting out into a moderate gale to add to the merriment? Good training though. When you’re at sea there’s no one but yourselves to fix what needs fixing with what you have. Also, it was the Navy. We had our orders to go, hole of no hole.<br /><br />Fixing your own holes and going through, not around, storms is just part of the “drill” for things you might have to do if at war. Crashing into other ships and docks? Well, not so much. <br /><br />Cheers<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14124431793780560248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-44442129046814214252016-03-02T13:23:49.907-05:002016-03-02T13:23:49.907-05:00Slower than average today. I blame yUGE blocking m...Slower than average today. I blame yUGE blocking my COACH and the subliminal influence of METIER making me put in "tier" in at 34D (I don't think I've ever seen a SEAL honk a horn but "clown" didn't fit).<br /><br />When I play poker, we never play PENNE ANTE - it's always a quarter. RIGA must have been a bonus themer that got cut off from its TONI. ALIVE mirroring ALIKE in the grid is nice. NEMO is a reverse OMEN, ORZO IT WOULD SEEM. I did not have to ENDURE a long, boring caucus last night because there were no chairs; the place was packed so I voted and skedaddled. And no, I did not vote for REGAN :-).<br /><br />Thanks, Fred Piscop, a fine Wednesday, even if @Rex liked it as much as twice-cooked pasta.<br /><br />And @LMS, thanks for the new (to me) clue for everybody's favorite four letter instrument.Teedmnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12832353448839187816noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-12902522843385861582016-03-02T13:23:40.714-05:002016-03-02T13:23:40.714-05:00"Ziti" for "city" is not a pun..."Ziti" for "city" is not a pun, just a homophon-ish mis-spelling.jackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06625023651207190441noreply@blogger.com