tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post5237430617583840466..comments2024-03-29T09:58:30.660-04:00Comments on Rex Parker Does the NYT Crossword Puzzle: Lost category - FRIDAY, May 29 2009 - R Ross (Introducer of 45's in '49 / Derby dry-goods dealer / Finnish pentathlete Lehtonen / Adidas alternative)Rex Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145707733877505087noreply@blogger.comBlogger100125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-82816788986504175192009-07-04T15:34:52.201-04:002009-07-04T15:34:52.201-04:00Yeah, too many question and quotation marks. Conf...Yeah, too many question and quotation marks. Confusers! That's what they are!fritzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17061725013331754160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-55405758129878238952009-07-04T10:33:42.082-04:002009-07-04T10:33:42.082-04:00Hi- I'm new to this forum. Quite a few "p...Hi- I'm new to this forum. Quite a few "power-puzzlers" here.<br /><br />I found this to be a very challenging puzzle, and felt there were many unfair and/or obscure clues. Hardly got any of it done.<br /><br />"Lost" really got me when I finally saw the answer on Rex's blog. Torah's beginning (Tav) is the first letter of the word in the Hebrew alphabet. How could I have missed that! (yeah right).<br /><br />The clue that really angered me was the Ilek tributary one (URAL). Ural is a mountain range, not a body of water!<br /><br />Anyway, good blog- it is my resource for puzzling.<br /><br />Tim from WinterpegTim Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17991850158618585228noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-47649391127507513142009-07-03T22:29:45.774-04:002009-07-03T22:29:45.774-04:00Syndi-enote: For me, almost two separate puzzles. ...Syndi-enote: For me, almost two separate puzzles. Found the SW, centre and NE areas Tuesday-like but was completely stymied by the rest. <br /><br />And thought I'd never heard of FILA til I glanced at the sports socks I'm wearing and read FILA clearly printed on them. From now on, you betcha I'm studying all the labels on my clothes - never know when it'll come in handy.Waxy in Montrealhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04395751487137805245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-2224906292400033302009-06-01T06:42:36.177-04:002009-06-01T06:42:36.177-04:00I had ON PAR WITH for ASPARTAME, which oddly enoug...I had ON PAR WITH for ASPARTAME, which oddly enough shared the PAR, but a fairly reasonable puzzle. Started with HEATON. For some reason couldn't get NATE THE GREAT, and kept thinking of Encyclopedia Brown, or even McGurk (did anyone else read the McGurk books?)...Darylhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04496381028501467886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-89915702162737947722009-05-31T13:23:54.545-04:002009-05-31T13:23:54.545-04:00Good thing about this puzzle is it lead me to this...Good thing about this puzzle is it lead me to this page (first visit here) after I Googled "derby dry goods dealer". I tried "habber" and "hatter", and finally "drater" because I had "stud" for the poker clue. (although the question mark worried me)<br /><br />Learned a lot about Francis Drake as well trying to figure out that clue.<br /><br />Overall, the bottom was much easier than the top, and I also had "Tev". Probably a subliminal connection to "Tevye" from "Fiddler on the Roof".<br /><br />But I glad to discover other NYT crossword addicts out there like myself. I won't feel so guilty about all the time I spend on the Friday puzzle now.Willhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09382385095545716698noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-1213359546045084252009-05-31T13:19:36.730-04:002009-05-31T13:19:36.730-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.Willhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09382385095545716698noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-11305025255781675012009-05-31T12:44:44.966-04:002009-05-31T12:44:44.966-04:00ENOTE... had EMAIL for a while. On the whole an o...ENOTE... had EMAIL for a while. On the whole an okay puzzle with nothing particularly amazing, just solid all the way around.<br /><br />Am I an ass to think "B-Boy Bouilaibaise" is the only winner on "Paul's Boutique?"Brendan Emmett Quigleyhttp://www.brendanquigley.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-63784509539936796342009-05-30T00:11:06.676-04:002009-05-30T00:11:06.676-04:00@xman
from Rex:
"I call it: The NATICK Principle...@xman<br /><br />from Rex:<br /><br />"I call it: The NATICK Principle. And here it is: If you include a proper noun in your grid that you cannot reasonably expect more than 1/4 of the solving public to have heard of, you must cross that noun with reasonably common words and phrases or very common names."michaelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-27282252617665175272009-05-30T00:01:23.815-04:002009-05-30T00:01:23.815-04:00This is "lurker0." For some reason, I can't get t...This is "lurker0." For some reason, I can't get the system to accept my Google account name today.<br /><br />@fikink - Thanks for sharing your personal approach to solving (without seeking confirmation via crosses). Without doubt this works better on-line than on paper. You are more of a "free spirit" than I am.<br /><br />Using old-fashioned ink, I hate getting everything messy, as I did today with SUCRALOSE for ASPARTAME (led astray by DORA/[the] EXPLORER, entered without crosses instead of NATE/THE GREAT). Add to that PLUME instead of STYLO for 44D, and 44A starts with a reasonable PR---. NIKE crossing IVINS instead of FILA made another blot, so connnectivity led me to an incorrect fill (as you say), but I wasn't wedded to it when it didn't work with ARLES. So my solution is an embarrassing mess, despite relying on crosses. :-(<br /><br />@anon at 2:35 PM: "תּוֹרָה, which is translated into English as Torah" -- nope, it is translITERated that way. About translation, one could write volumes (and many have). Here is a lead from the awesome Wiki on <A HREF="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torah#cite_ref-0" REL="nofollow">Torah</A>.<br /><br />Back to my lair now...<br /><br />Larry the LurkerAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-14901002722419775082009-05-29T23:59:23.989-04:002009-05-29T23:59:23.989-04:00Finally finished! ASPARTAME was one of the last t...Finally finished! ASPARTAME was one of the last things I filled in, which for me is ridiculous because I've known since it first came out what the composition of Equal was. (Call it nerdiness.) Lots of missteps in the NE.<br />4-letter shoe companies: Nike, Puma, FILA, Avia. I went with Nike so at least that gave me the I.<br />Fave answer: DEAR OLD DAD<br />Fun puzzle overall and don't really have anything else to add to what Rex already said.Doc Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12540112168511893896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-30034938284181503452009-05-29T23:58:48.415-04:002009-05-29T23:58:48.415-04:00@xman My understanding is that a Natick is a cross...@xman My understanding is that a Natick is a cross between two obscure answers, not necessarily place names...michaelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-73995370072248726202009-05-29T22:50:39.909-04:002009-05-29T22:50:39.909-04:00Should be happy for finishing--my 4th Friday ever-...Should be happy for finishing--my 4th Friday ever--but I didn't enjoy this one.<br /><br />For a while I had SPUD for 32D (Variety of poker played by Mr. Potato-Head?)Stanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02681342234536407419noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-58339981715807887502009-05-29T22:31:03.683-04:002009-05-29T22:31:03.683-04:00The misuse of the nym "Natick" is almost worse tha...The misuse of the nym "Natick" is almost worse than the correct use. A Natick, as i understand it, is a cross between two obscure placenames. Surely, some form of linguistic (or neo-linguistic) rectitude should apply.<br /><br />{Should anyone still be reading Friday.}slypetthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05537129206516720012noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-50417460386214865542009-05-29T21:59:30.124-04:002009-05-29T21:59:30.124-04:00For whatever reason, I found this easier than most...For whatever reason, I found this easier than most of you and enjoyed the "lost" clue, which did misdirect me to a TV show I don't watch.<br /><br />aspartame/tav was a Natick for me, which I guessed correctly.<br /><br />Liked the puzzle, which may put me in the minority...michaelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-63527664278785379652009-05-29T21:43:57.934-04:002009-05-29T21:43:57.934-04:00Andrea, Can't believe that you tried REMINGTON, to...Andrea, Can't believe that you tried REMINGTON, too.<br />THE FIL says we think alike because you are "the one who knows Bucky Pizzarelli's son, too" - try following that logic! :)fikinkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06324570637549775751noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-92137962338964722832009-05-29T21:28:29.115-04:002009-05-29T21:28:29.115-04:00Dang it! I meant to sign off with "Gotta jet" to e...Dang it! I meant to sign off with "Gotta jet" to explain my bizarre mistake.<br /><br />But I'm glad for the opportunity to join the anti-ENOTE chorus. As I've said, I'm anti-e-anything. I suppose I will go along with Rex and grant e-mail. But, as much as I appreciate BEQ's efforts, I still oppose e-loan.treedwellerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12634227778469664442noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-24463267635936044002009-05-29T21:10:52.131-04:002009-05-29T21:10:52.131-04:00Oh, the humanity! I won't even go into all my mis...Oh, the humanity! I won't even go into all my missteps (most of them already mentioned here, anyway), but suffice it to say they were well scattered throughout the grid, making every corner a mystery to me. My one novel mistake was "scoot" for SPOUT, which kept me from PENN and URAL.<br /><br />Even google led me astray, twice. First, the aforementioned California/Nova Albion disaster, then I figured the Finnish name was so odd that it would be enough on its own. Which led me to another Finn, KARI. I clearly had a problem up there with the two adjacent downs, but since I got it on google, I didn't question it for a long time. <br /><br />Also, I really wanted to "wash" the plate (though somehow I resisted ever typing it in--small victories are all I have here).<br /><br />But I'm forgiving everything because it included IVINS. We miss you, Molly.treedwellerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12634227778469664442noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-681432682290174212009-05-29T20:27:01.109-04:002009-05-29T20:27:01.109-04:00@ poc -- I take your point. But I still see some ...@ poc -- I take your point. But I still see some value in "e-note," as a word which describes both the source and style of the communication in an era when no source is yet dominant. I also agree that the whole question will become moot -- the terms "mail," "letter," etc. will soon come to refer primarily to the electronic versions, with special emphasis needed instead for the paper variety. In fact, I had intended to make the same point in my comment, but forgot to. That said, I still find it ugly when people say such things as "I got an e-mail from her." It is not much harder to say "a letter from her" or "a letter from her in e-mail" or even "an e-mail letter from her." And, to my ear at least, it sounds vastly better.<br /><br />SDSAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-73236948135317645762009-05-29T20:17:12.120-04:002009-05-29T20:17:12.120-04:00Another funny comment! What's up tonight? The LAT ...Another funny comment! What's up tonight? The LAT Confidential blog had me laughing out loud as well!<br /><br />TGIF!machttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06794371617847975218noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-72483571962915646942009-05-29T19:52:12.129-04:002009-05-29T19:52:12.129-04:00As a pen on paper person, I almost want to frame t...As a pen on paper person, I almost want to frame this one...I only had FOUR words I didn't have an initial mistake in!!!!!<br /><br />@PG<br />HEATON was first, as my friend Amy Aquino was on "Raymond" with her (as the mean girlscout leader), and they became close, so I've met her at parties etc. <br />She is a TINY little thing, has FOUR kids, all boys (!), totally unpretentious, husband is named David...Handsome enough to be an actor but I think he runs their production company or something...<br /><br />Love that you conflated her with Jane K (whose last name you won;t see any time soon???!!? Gauntlet thrown!)<br />(Not to me, but those young boys)<br />;)<br />So conflate away...As I attested yesterday, conflate is my new favorite word/concept!!!<br /><br />(p.s. Ms Heaton is a bit odd for Hollywood, as she is quite rightwing politically, and I think even stumped for McCain...yecch.)<br /><br />As for freaky, I agree, but come to think of it, CONGRESSES was the only non-name word I got first try.<br /><br /><br />@SanFranMan59<br />Hey, who are you? Let's lunch!<br />I love how the usual TOO much knowledge got you in trouble.<br />Of course, I got CAEN, but was clueless who/what/where Drake went, despite all those hotels and Marin County streets named for him.<br /><br />This is truly THE messiest grid I've ever had...and, as has happened almost every day this week, one letter wrong, unrealized till I came here.<br /><br />@imsdave<br />Oops, TWO letters wrong, as I went from TEE to TEN, deciding that the Torah must start with the TEN commandments!!!!!<br /><br />@NDE<br />Weird that the m-w doesn't have TAV...it's very common in Scrabble.<br /><br />SO even tho REMINGTON got changed one messy letter at a time (I had the T from NATE and the O from smog, but EENO seemed ok to me, etc.) I ended up with RCANICTOR<br />which I parsed as R.C. Anictor, or R. Canictor. Quel embarrrasssment.<br /><br /><br />And yes, ick for having so many of those lame mislead type barely-cryptic clues for 5D, 6A, 9D<br />I'd almost throw Derby into the ring as well...<br /><br />Speaking of ick,<br />@Anon 9:52am you wrote "ish"!!!?? Are you from Minnesota???!<br /><br />My other Minnesota memory is triggered by STYLO. Still remember the first day of French class circa 1969...Northrop Collegiate School (for girls) <br />Mme Reynolds holding up a pen...<br />"Il a un stylo. Repetez! Il a un stylo."<br />(Clearly, SethG, you weren't there or your whole life would be different now!)<br /><br />@Fikink<br />So in Fi-sync with you, today. Take every misstep you made + half the ones others have mentioned (Shamik, et al) = my puzzle...<br />(e.g. Did no one else have BEAN for LEAF? Jack and the BEANstalk!)<br /><br />Never been so wrong about so much<br />(except, of course, about men) but in the end, I loved that I finished... And I have the scars to prove it!andrea woofing michaelshttp://acmenaming.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-34609699824106085782009-05-29T19:47:39.309-04:002009-05-29T19:47:39.309-04:00In case it needs clarification, the Golden Gate is...In case it needs clarification, the Golden Gate is actually the name of the strait between the Pacific Ocean and the San Francisco Bay (and the GGB is the bridge over said strait). So there's not necessarily a problem in saying that someone "discovered" the Golden Gate long before the bridge was there. Except in this case, I think it's wrong to say that Drake discovered it since he seems to have missed it (Wikipedia says that the strait is not recorded by Drake on his voyage up the coast). Anyone who's been to foggy San Francisco in the summer will not be at all surprised that he didn't see the Gate.sanfranman59https://www.blogger.com/profile/15118732156312301425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-76440614767550256962009-05-29T19:31:44.727-04:002009-05-29T19:31:44.727-04:00@Anonymous: Your argument is a straw man. "What's ...@Anonymous: Your argument is a straw man. "What's in the email? A letter from your sister."<br /><br />Would you say "an e-letter from your sister?" If not, why say "e-note". It's a note. It may be written on paper or sent electronically, but functionally it's a note.<br /><br />BTW, in the circles I move in more and more people are just saying mail for email. I predict the electronic sense will eventually displace the earlier meaning of mail (which will remain as snail-mail or similar).<br /><br />I agree with you re e-tail. That's what happens when journalists try to get cute.pochttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08861361305246858918noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-54357389381337145662009-05-29T19:30:15.903-04:002009-05-29T19:30:15.903-04:00I really envy all of the discussion. At this poin...I really envy all of the discussion. At this point on Friday (and Saturday), I am barely coherent. For me it's start, erase, start again, google, go do a chore or a errand, and repeat until I am finally done. But I did finish and had only three errors. <br /><br />I do like a phrase I read in the comments describing this puzzle "this is a googler." That's a keeper.Annenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-83657198920000262572009-05-29T19:25:16.395-04:002009-05-29T19:25:16.395-04:00Being a good guesser is, I think, fundamental to a...Being a good guesser is, I think, fundamental to a good solver. I had *OL*E*G**E at 3D and, knowing Drake went up the California coast, I guessed GOLDENGATE, knowing of course that the bridge didn't exist at the time but it looked good as a guess.<br /><br />I used the information at hand to lead me to a solve.edith bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12048817959846956992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-19803799628338430552009-05-29T19:24:18.782-04:002009-05-29T19:24:18.782-04:00Thanks, JannieB and Susan for setting me straight ...Thanks, JannieB and Susan for setting me straight on BW's wife. I have those two shows confused in my mind and I knew his wife was on one of them. I'm guessing we won't see Ms. Kaczamarek in the puzzle anytime soon.<br /><br />I'm going to join the The-"Lost"-clue-was-unfair group. Until someone finds another example of quotation marks used in that way. Then I'll try to just forget the whole thing. (@JannieB: I thought of THE OTHERS, too, but already had some crosses that I was pretty sure were good. And for those of you arguing that PAST TENSE works as a category for the show, I'm sorry, but it does not. Says PuzzleGirl.)<br /><br />Overall, I still liked the puzzle though. Glancing at the grid again, the end of CONGRESSES sure looks freaky.PuzzleGirlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06835502266781516627noreply@blogger.com