tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post5770275738028217934..comments2024-03-29T01:11:26.960-04:00Comments on Rex Parker Does the NYT Crossword Puzzle: Career diplomat Philip / SAT 2-6-10 / Blue II Harlequin's Carnival / Relief pitcher Craig / Tasty torusRex Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145707733877505087noreply@blogger.comBlogger98125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-1347202632080680982010-03-13T16:34:33.748-05:002010-03-13T16:34:33.748-05:00Sorry, ARENT is there too. Meaning ARE NOT.Sorry, ARENT is there too. Meaning ARE NOT.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-58378739141493869572010-03-13T16:31:23.195-05:002010-03-13T16:31:23.195-05:00@STEPHEN & @POC: It's AGENT not ARENT.@STEPHEN & @POC: It's AGENT not ARENT.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-20561299462430035862010-03-13T15:59:56.763-05:002010-03-13T15:59:56.763-05:00I had agitation for animation. Almost as hard to g...I had agitation for animation. Almost as hard to give up as a donut for a bagel. Had a rioter looking like something else when dead, instead of ringer. CPUs for CPAs.<br /><br />Near record time, but still over 2 hours.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13360693966453591203noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-53566101412419981842010-03-13T15:35:34.099-05:002010-03-13T15:35:34.099-05:00I really wanted ON A PEDESTAL for 40A and, serious...I really wanted ON A PEDESTAL for 40A and, seriously, MOTHERS TEAT for 22D (although I knew that couldn't be correct).<br /><br />I didn't get HABIB, ARAME, REGIS, and NONCE/OCA, plus kept thinking TRESPASSES for a while (although it doesn't fit) instead of CREVASSES.<br /><br />I only do this one puzzle, only on Saturdays and Sundays, and I love you and your posters, Rex. Thanks for the blog!Leishahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07806874100844146091noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-75930184824343612442010-03-13T15:33:22.659-05:002010-03-13T15:33:22.659-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Leishahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07806874100844146091noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-61000485426019625122010-02-09T20:18:16.791-05:002010-02-09T20:18:16.791-05:00poc: Put your money on "everyone is thumb-suc...poc: Put your money on "everyone is thumb-sucking".slypetthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05537129206516720012noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-48011529564910313912010-02-09T18:53:22.236-05:002010-02-09T18:53:22.236-05:00@Stephen: ditto re ARENT, which I also asked about...@Stephen: ditto re ARENT, which I also asked about. It's either blindingly obvious (so no-one bothers to explain it) or doesn't make any sense at all and people are too embarrassed to admit it. I hope it's the former and I'm just obtuse.pochttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08861361305246858918noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-42324242850791206442010-02-09T09:44:06.416-05:002010-02-09T09:44:06.416-05:00I'm also astonished that LDR got no rant. Yuck...I'm also astonished that LDR got no rant. Yuckkk.<br /><br />The NW corner was brutal everywhere, and <br />I needed to be told about LONG E, and BASKETS.<br />I am still waiting for someone to explain ARENT.<br />"You have no life == You aren't"?? Choke.Stephenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16911901473993027184noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-41741313952590770952010-02-08T17:17:44.233-05:002010-02-08T17:17:44.233-05:00Anonymous 6:02: Earvin "Magic" Johnson
w...Anonymous 6:02: Earvin "Magic" Johnson<br />was a great basketball player of the 80s and 90s.slypetthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05537129206516720012noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-77534481053124193162010-02-08T17:02:15.834-05:002010-02-08T17:02:15.834-05:00Can anyone explain BASKETS as the answer to "...Can anyone explain BASKETS as the answer to "Magic Acts?" - I just don't get it! ThanksAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-84129129026982470082010-02-07T12:00:57.063-05:002010-02-07T12:00:57.063-05:00Getting to have lunch with geology faculty for dec...Getting to have lunch with geology faculty for decades certainly improved my vocabulary - or at least knowledge of their argot. ARETE, SCARP, SCREE, GEODE, and <i>more!</i><br /><br />Why are there fewer complaints about chemical argot? We see ENOL, ESTER, AMINE, and AMIDE reasonably often too.retired_chemisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13181126754941899228noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-50191074277719417792010-02-07T11:07:30.465-05:002010-02-07T11:07:30.465-05:00Good grief. This is the most ridiculous series of ...Good grief. This is the most ridiculous series of comments over a word I've seen in ages. <br /><br />Kind of reminds me of Sayre's Law - which ends with something about "where the stakes are so low."<br /><br />Sorry to have gotten involved!hazelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04627015904603641109noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-39146284945611503342010-02-07T10:05:07.595-05:002010-02-07T10:05:07.595-05:00@Ben,
Well of course there are no hard feelings. ...@Ben,<br /><br />Well of course there are no hard feelings. I meant only to point out that ARETE is far more common than you initially suggested. Someone else then came along with alleged "evidence" about the word, suggesting it made a point that it simply didn't (I had already been to the databases and knew exactly what I was saying). <br /><br />My first ever comments (several years ago) on ARETE were about how "hard" it was for a Tuesday, so the fact that it would trip someone isn't terribly surprising.Rex Parkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16145707733877505087noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-21900581547714889592010-02-07T09:29:25.208-05:002010-02-07T09:29:25.208-05:00@Rex and @P.G. (nice work on at least semi-signing...@Rex and @P.G. (nice work on at least semi-signing your name to the swipe you took):<br /><br />I defer to your greater experience. I usually just do late-week puzzles, so I am happy to concede that you have a better sense than I do of which unusual words are nonetheless typical crossword fare. I'm not above admitting when I'm wrong, as I apparently was in this case.<br /><br />I prefer to solve tougher puzzles and usually wait until Thu. or Fri. before jumping back in to the NYT puzzle (and Matt Gaffney's contest). As a result of solving just a few puzzles a week where some people solve three or four a day, there are certain gaps in my knowledge base. (I think LACUNAE is the puzzle word for them.) <br /><br />Words you consider routine crosswordese, I might just consider weird words. Surely you can agree that however common ARETE is in puzzles, it's not a word most people often see in everyday life. Hence my Natick post, however misguided.<br /><br />There are other things you miss out on by just solving on the weekend. I haven't gotten to know the work of constructors who mostly contribute early-week puzzles. Also, I have solved relatively few themed puzzles as late-week grids tend to be themeless.<br /><br />For the record, I have seen ARETE in puzzles over the years, but I still think of it as a weird word mostly seen in crosswords. Someone above commented that since it's a geology word, they had no trouble with it. Me, I know nothing about geology, and as far as I know this is a word I have seen only in puzzles.<br /><br />Then again, Rex also referred to MESTA as a word that gave him trouble once, a long time ago, but one he learned from that singular experience. My hat is off to him; as often as not I forget those occasional rarities.<br /><br />I didn't mean to be strident above, though apparently came across that way. My first post made a point, rightly or wrongly. I was done when someone (anonymously again - you?) said they didn't see how @Hazel's stats supported me. I responded to that, and here we are. <br /><br />I enjoy Rex's writing, wouldn't keep coming back if I didn't, and hope I have contributed to the blog just a little over the past year or two as many commenters have. I'm not here to stir anything up. No hard feelings.Benhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04754156636762779545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-63047772572821597742010-02-07T04:07:44.362-05:002010-02-07T04:07:44.362-05:00@jesser
You'll love Slypett's story!
@sly...@jesser<br />You'll love Slypett's story!<br /><br />@slypett<br />Glad ret-chem could help you out! I was thinking of sending you my kids' addresses. (Rascals-- just when they get really useful, they move away)<br />I notice I did get targeted only that once...and here I was hoping to start a Mac/PC war.<br /><br />Just printed up the Sunday and it's... well, I am gonna need a magnifying glass!Elainehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13195458656221202202noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-63184103426775588052010-02-07T00:57:12.983-05:002010-02-07T00:57:12.983-05:00jesser: I was going to send you a short story of m...jesser: I was going to send you a short story of mine about hustling pool in NYC, but you haven't left an e-mail address on blogger. Tried to post it, but it was over the character limit. My e-mail is cliffpost910@gmail.com.slypetthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05537129206516720012noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-51904681280889855142010-02-07T00:42:16.614-05:002010-02-07T00:42:16.614-05:00Retired_chemist: Thanks! It worked like Paul Bunya...Retired_chemist: Thanks! It worked like Paul Bunyan!slypetthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05537129206516720012noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-62692075689992432302010-02-06T23:50:16.533-05:002010-02-06T23:50:16.533-05:00I'm a little on the fence about 40D: Killer en...I'm a little on the fence about <b>40D: Killer ending</b>. I sussed it out right away but I'm not sure if it is proper misdirection or just off-base. I've never seen it expressed that way before but that doesn't make it per se "wrong." I just don't know.edith bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12048817959846956992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-46184038155627738472010-02-06T23:05:13.916-05:002010-02-06T23:05:13.916-05:00@Foodie: I must not have read the review carefully...@Foodie: I must not have read the review carefully, I did not know they moved! I like your granddaughter!machttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06794371617847975218noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-58378722730097871912010-02-06T23:02:13.902-05:002010-02-06T23:02:13.902-05:00Had a great time today! Most importantly, Ulrich a...Had a great time today! Most importantly, Ulrich and I, the two ESL participants, both had NO mistakes in our puzzles and were given a certificate. Now we just have to get faster......<br /><br />Will Shortz was in good form and the library people worked so hard. Amazing that a small town like Westport gets 100 participants plus a waiting list, filling up within days. We'll see a lot of the participants in Brooklyn in a matter of days.<br /><br />Karen from the Cape and I tried to solve a lot of the world's problems during various conversations, and it's clear that at least WE are in agreement. <br /><br />ChefBea will take care of the food reporting, and I'm sure imsdave will have something to tell. Odd how the tournament lasts only about two and a half hours and we partied for five!<br /><br />My husband was a good sport and a good host this afternoon/evening, although I did see his eyes glaze over a few times when we got too puzzley. He even produced a couple of WSJ puzzles for Karen and me without being asked! <br /><br />@Two Ponies: could they have said "dunce"?machttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06794371617847975218noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-34892285403629420672010-02-06T22:55:44.424-05:002010-02-06T22:55:44.424-05:00@jesser, oh yes we will! And anyone who can even ...@jesser, oh yes we will! And anyone who can even *play* nine ball is pretty effing amazing to those of us who came of age in white-trash biker-bar pool halls.<br /><br />@fergus, your closing comment captchas my Saturday solving (not!) experience perfectly.lit.dochttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06729199575329286046noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-46476787313862035102010-02-06T22:54:58.457-05:002010-02-06T22:54:58.457-05:00@archaeoprof, yes, HABIBi has gone from a term of ...@archaeoprof, yes, HABIBi has gone from a term of love to a term of affection. And as you know, men in the Middle East express much more affection towards each other than I see in the US. Young males who are friends walk arm in arm and it has no sexual connotations. <br /><br />@Mac: I imagine you're talking about the two people enacting a love scene in slo- mo, for an extended period, on the bottom level of the Guggenheim? It was visible from every vantage point up the spiral staircase. I thought it was different : ). My granddaughter, a true New Yorker, took it in stride.foodiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13052189131129098616noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-41832063036777671402010-02-06T22:53:44.622-05:002010-02-06T22:53:44.622-05:00Now, "@Hazel pointed out that it's actual...Now, "@Hazel pointed out that it's actually late-week fill, not having appeared on a Monday in a decade."<br /><br />It's late week, plus common fill to those with experience here ... I find your comments as curious as Hazel's.<br /><br />@Ben said: "I called ARETE a weird word irritatingly crossing ..."\<br /><br />I'll chalk that up to inexperience, and the inability to aknowledge same.<br /><br />...P.G.Anonymous just above this:to @Bennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-27592718508197363512010-02-06T22:23:21.586-05:002010-02-06T22:23:21.586-05:00Thanks for the update Chefbea, can't wait for ...Thanks for the update Chefbea, can't wait for photogs. Happy you had a grand time, the rest of us are envious.<br /><br />Just finished Sundays puzzle, fun times.chefwenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03999206352243329280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-39965685439239122902010-02-06T21:38:29.883-05:002010-02-06T21:38:29.883-05:00No, ARETE simply is not "late-week" fill...No, ARETE simply is not "late-week" fill. It is ultra-common, as 95% of the people reading this right now (the constant solvers, anyway) know. <br /><br />Not having appeared on a Monday since 1999 is neither here nor there. If anything, that shows that it's Monday-worthy. It has Tuesday appearances far more recent, if that's what you require as proof that this word just doesn't qualify as "Natick" territory.Rex Parkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16145707733877505087noreply@blogger.com