tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post6447663395398333902..comments2024-03-28T15:13:08.509-04:00Comments on Rex Parker Does the NYT Crossword Puzzle: Salsa singer Cruz / 1-1-13 / Rickover known as Father of Nuclear Navy / Knit fabric in lingerie swimwear / Comment from kvetcher / Jetsam locale / Role for diminutive Verne Troyer in Austin Powers films / Dacha villa Rex Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145707733877505087noreply@blogger.comBlogger78125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-88510057865449941842013-02-06T06:24:50.193-05:002013-02-06T06:24:50.193-05:00@prime timer and @wounded, @et al - no offense int...@prime timer and @wounded, @et al - no offense intended; your comments are often far more entertaining than the puzzle and I always enjoy reading them.<br /><br />@Waxy - there you go again...Dirigonzohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03903353503511480168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-74019055804176178992013-02-05T21:38:29.319-05:002013-02-05T21:38:29.319-05:00Hey syndilanders...you DO know that you don't ...Hey syndilanders...you DO know that you don't *really* exist in a parallel universe, separate in both time and space, right?? <br />I mean, us realtimers have feelings ya know...<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />wounded to the quicknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-57447558854439626322013-02-05T21:09:11.080-05:002013-02-05T21:09:11.080-05:00@Diri, the quote actually comes from the IMBb webs...@Diri, the quote actually comes from the IMBb website entry for the 1994 movie Cobb starring Tommy Lee Jones as the Georgia Peach. Hopefully, it is true... Waxy in Montrealhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04395751487137805245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-80554304404469795752013-02-05T20:25:28.355-05:002013-02-05T20:25:28.355-05:00Hey, you know we can hear you, don't you?Hey, you know we can hear you, don't you?Prime Timernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-77144220328470708852013-02-05T19:45:39.980-05:002013-02-05T19:45:39.980-05:00@Ginger & @Waxy - the phrase "kinder, gen...@Ginger & @Waxy - the phrase "kinder, gentler" (to borrow part of a quote from George H. W. Bush) comes to mind when I compare syndi-commenters to the prime-time crowd. <br /><br />@Waxy - read your Ty Cobb story to PP and she laughed out loud, as did I. Great story (especially if it's true)! Now, about your misuse of "hopefully"...Dirigonzohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03903353503511480168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-11126224894885350852013-02-05T19:34:22.822-05:002013-02-05T19:34:22.822-05:00@Ginger and @Diri, fully agree; hopefully (misused...@Ginger and @Diri, fully agree; hopefully (misused!), our small corner of the blog can retain its civility.<br /><br />Never heard of Nita Naldi - interesting to read on Wikipedia that she was born as plain old Mary Dooley in New York City but adopted a much more exotic screen name to compete with the likes of Theda Bara and Pola Negri.<br /><br />Fav Ty Cobb story dates from the 1950's, 30 years after his retirement:<br />Reporter: with all the great players playing ball right now, how well do you think you would do against today's pitchers? <br />Ty Cobb: Well, I figure against today's pitchers I'd only probably hit about .290 <br />Reporter: .290? Well that's amazing, because you batted over .400 a whole bunch of times. Now tell us all, we'd all like to know, why do you think you'd only hit .290? <br />Ty Cobb: Well, I'm 72 (expletive deleted) years old you ignorant son of a bitch. <br /><br /> <br /><br /> Waxy in Montrealhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04395751487137805245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-10770899739450212442013-02-05T18:24:33.465-05:002013-02-05T18:24:33.465-05:00@Diri - I think we all misuse words on occasion, a...@Diri - I think we all misuse words on occasion, and your comment 'nobody jumps in to point out my mistake', is one of the many reasons I appreciate Syndiland commenters :-)Gingernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-82981905697774120592013-02-05T17:05:56.917-05:002013-02-05T17:05:56.917-05:00I'm not generally a movie-goer but I saw '...I'm not generally a movie-goer but I saw 'Lincoln' and I loved it; I also loved this puzzle. Another thing I love is that when I use a word imperfectly in my comments (often, I'm sure) nobody jumps in to point out my mistake.Dirigonzohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03903353503511480168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-3458110151207603282013-02-05T16:59:58.319-05:002013-02-05T16:59:58.319-05:00@DMGrandma, thanks! I'll try it.
And I sho...@DMGrandma, thanks! I'll try it. <br /><br />And I should be replying to something of Evil Doug's, because my captcha is "byeetme"! Ellen Shttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00473445503706985149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-18371399477823461062013-02-05T16:37:21.498-05:002013-02-05T16:37:21.498-05:00Agree with @Ginger that HYMAN was easy for those o...Agree with @Ginger that HYMAN was easy for those of us of what's called "a certain age", as was ORBACH, so that name rich section of the puzzle was no problem. However, going up a few squares, to an area involving more recent personages, I hit a Natick at the cross of a sports figure and a rapper. <br /><br />If @Ellen S sees this, accents are easy on the iPad. Just hold the desired letter down and slide to the version you warn . For example, besides N, the same key gives Ń and Ñ. DMGrandmanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-43931310495146068612013-02-05T15:12:50.325-05:002013-02-05T15:12:50.325-05:00With the exception of a rapper, this was on my wav...With the exception of a rapper, this was on my wave length. Hyman Rickover was a household name during the 50's, 60's and 70's. I can see how this puzzle would be more difficult for anyone younger that about 60. <br /><br />@Spacecraft - thanks for the 'Dirty Dancing' reference. Another fine Jerry Orbach performance.<br /><br />As others have mentioned, the theme practically filled itself in.<br />On a related note, PBS showed a documentary on the 'Freedom Riders' last night. The enormity (yes - that word) of the violence perpetrated on those brave young people was almost unbelievable. Time dulls the memory, so IMO it needs to be re-aired many times. <br /><br />Thanks Mr Farmer for a fine Tuesday Puzzle.Gingernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-36639605231394885742013-02-05T11:28:47.103-05:002013-02-05T11:28:47.103-05:00The trouble with a theme like this is, as OFL said...The trouble with a theme like this is, as OFL said, more than a third of the grid is automatically filled. Solving challenge? No. Constructing challenge? You bet. It's amazing, to me, that pairs of 7-, 9- and 12-letter entries can be stuffed into a 15x15 and all be zeroed in on a single subject. On that score, WTG John!<br /><br />Nor is our puzzle without freshness. BUXOM is a perfectly marvelous word--and its meaning is equally marvelous. It contains one of two X's and an astounding NINE B's in this grid. AIKMAN and ZOWIE add more crunch.<br /><br />MINIME is, I am sure, not a debut, but I still like it. I also like the little theme bonus of DCAREA, where all this history took place. <br /><br />Now if only he didn't have to include a rapper, I'd proclaim LOVE for this one. And finally, thanks for putting good ol' Jerry (RIP) out in a central area. After all, nobody puts ORBACH in a corner.Spacecraftnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-66066768949008319842013-01-02T17:39:06.037-05:002013-01-02T17:39:06.037-05:00Made a resolution to join in the party @Rex this y...Made a resolution to join in the party @Rex this year after long being a wallflower. Really enjoyed today’s puzzle (and also yesterday’s), despite the abundance of obscure/clunky fill, which didn’t bother me too much except in the SW, where like others I clung to Volare, believed in vega lily, and tried to imagine carrying an anus. Really wanted Oys instead of Ays, especially after seeing Oy Vey yesterday. I’m a symmetry freak (hated Saturday 12/29), probably for deep neurophysiologic reasons relating to being (almost) ambidextrous, and was especially pleased by the arrangement of the loops today. No problem at all with Froot, though its been years since I was at the table with a box of these. I do remember vividly, as prodigy constructor David pointed out, the yukky color they gave to milk. Thanks to Rex and all for adding much to the fun of doing the puzzles.webwingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15089901257371442298noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-68935372341251815372013-01-02T01:42:36.250-05:002013-01-02T01:42:36.250-05:00This 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, 6:12, 0.93, 18%, Easy<br />Tue 7:31, 8:37, 0.87, 14%, Easy<br /><br />Top 100 solvers<br /><br />Mon 3:43, 3:39, 1.02, 58%, Medium<br />Tue 4:33, 4:57, 0.92, 18%, Easysanfranman59https://www.blogger.com/profile/15118732156312301425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-4055009155999859112013-01-02T00:02:30.838-05:002013-01-02T00:02:30.838-05:00Happy New Year!
Like the film, slight more history...Happy New Year!<br />Like the film, slight more history lesson than ZOWIE entertainment...but yes, super fortuitous of the symmetry of his name and ABOLITION/OFSLAVERY and EMANCIPATION/PROCLAMATION! Six themes.<br />Yay this blog so we can all learn about language growth, nuance, etc...or others might be exposed for the first time to the fabulous CELIA Cruz or the incomparable Jerry ORBACH (and his even more fabulous son, whom no one can meet without falling in love! Male, female, constructor or solver! And by fortuitous coincidence I think Tony and I introduced ZOWIE to the database with our Sunday puzzle last year)<br /><br />The puzzle sort of reminded me of that joke I only half remember about why Some people thought Lincoln was Jewish...his name was ABRAHAM and he was shot in the temple!<br /> OY VEY<br /><br />Anyway Gentleman Farmer John managed to hit it dead on to make a Tuesday level tribute on the exact day...and I don't think OFSLAVERY. Is redundant just for symmetry because you could have ABOLITION of a monarchy or other things, like grammar police!Abolition Celia Minimesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-10020675214360025502013-01-01T22:51:50.183-05:002013-01-01T22:51:50.183-05:00Yes language changes and yes,maybe like Canute we ...Yes language changes and yes,maybe like Canute we are commanding the sea to halt,but by gumm you gotta draw your line in the sand somewhere.Even if only to cover an orderly retreat.syndyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16814698406887041710noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-82257759182580832352013-01-01T22:14:22.135-05:002013-01-01T22:14:22.135-05:00@Jen...love your new avatar...
It's also good ...@Jen...love your new avatar...<br />It's also good to see you spending some time back here.<br />Happy New Year!Titahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16368251255494687496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-89408307396811020942013-01-01T21:29:07.042-05:002013-01-01T21:29:07.042-05:00Late to the New Year's party - now on West Coa...Late to the New Year's party - now on West Coast time and had to watch the Rose Bowl (<i>sob</i>) before turning to the puzzle.<br /><br />Liked the commemoration, did not know about the January 1 date. DNF due to a bad guess at ANi/MINIMI.<br /><br />Captcha is "taxcra" - the missing final consonant could be a "g" - "tax crag": synonym for "fiscal cliff." Appropriate for the night of the vote.Carolahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15971759975067250908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-14991943678122818622013-01-01T19:11:59.273-05:002013-01-01T19:11:59.273-05:00A puzzle for the budding historian in me. I had EM...A puzzle for the budding historian in me. I had EMAN- and that was pretty much it for the theme; no real mystery beyond that.<br /><br />This was the first time that I can recall solving a crossword while driving. Okay, so I wasn't actually driving at the time -- I was stopped at a service plaza in Ohio. But I had a copy of the puzzle and I went to work while I waited for my wife in the car. We're making the long trek from Chicago to Philadelphia and, well, there was no way a 12-hour drive was gonna stop me from starting off 2013 with a puzzle to solve.<br /><br />Happy new year, all.Evanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15440942981870183719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-91042139630148367682013-01-01T18:31:37.196-05:002013-01-01T18:31:37.196-05:00Ooops - forgot to check the box.Ooops - forgot to check the box.JenCThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18290169184354765840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-41143636575274720712013-01-01T18:30:56.769-05:002013-01-01T18:30:56.769-05:00@Pete: LOL "What the hell are you people sm...@Pete: LOL "What the hell are you people smoking, and why aren't you sharing."<br /><br />Sure, ROBINS can be signs of Spring, but they've been around my yard all the time lately. They've been devouring the fruit of Bittersweet, Cranberry Viburnum, and Wild Roses (hips.)<br /><br />Crunchy puzzle start to the new year.<br /><br />JenCThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18290169184354765840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-7550839913210860882013-01-01T16:02:26.675-05:002013-01-01T16:02:26.675-05:00Z-
Point nicely made!!
Three and gone.Z-<br /><br />Point nicely made!!<br /><br />Three and gone.jackjhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02699305265544975575noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-65787337729798925682013-01-01T15:54:52.240-05:002013-01-01T15:54:52.240-05:00I think Language changes. Want proof? Try this on ...I think Language changes. Want proof? Try this on for size:<br /><br /> <br />Here bygynneth the Book of the tales of Caunterbury.<br /><br />Whan that Aprille, with hise shoures soote,<br />The droghte of March hath perced to the roote<br />And bathed every veyne in swich licour,<br />Of which vertu engendred is the flour;<br />Whan Zephirus eek with his swete breeth<br />Inspired hath in every holt and heeth<br />The tendre croppes, and the yonge sonne<br />Hath in the Ram his halfe cours yronne,<br />And smale foweles maken melodye,<br />That slepen al the nyght with open eye-<br />So priketh hem Nature in hir corages-<br />Thanne longen folk to goon on pilgrimages<br />And palmeres for to seken straunge strondes<br />To ferne halwes, kowthe in sondry londes;<br />And specially, from every shires ende<br />Of Engelond, to Caunturbury they wende,<br />The hooly blisful martir for the seke<br />That hem hath holpen, whan that they were seeke.<br /><br />Three and out.Zhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16181544219511150272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-36346952766891054522013-01-01T15:49:10.198-05:002013-01-01T15:49:10.198-05:00Definition of FORTUITOUS
1
: occurring by chance
2...Definition of FORTUITOUS<br />1<br />: occurring by chance<br />2<br />a : fortunate, lucky <br />b : coming or happening by a lucky chance <br />— for·tu·itous·ly adverb<br />— for·tu·itous·ness noun<br /><br />Usage Discussion of FORTUITOUS<br />Sense 2a has been influenced in meaning by fortunate. It has been in standard if not elevated use for some 70 years, but is still disdained by some critics. Sense 2b, a blend of 1 and 2a, is virtually unnoticed by the critics. Sense 1 is the only sense commonly used in negative constructions.<br /><br />Three and OutM-W Onlinehttp://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fortuitousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-47691170744582185512013-01-01T15:19:13.163-05:002013-01-01T15:19:13.163-05:00@Sparky said, "the less said the better,"...@Sparky said, "the less said the better," but here I go. <br /><br />@Fortuitous -- <br />The evolution of language is too much fun to fight about. When I was in sixth grade (Eisenhower was president) we had a probably very short etymology unit. Most fun I ever had in school before or since: we learned prefixes, suffixes and roots, and words like pejoration and ameliorization. "Hell" used to just mean "a hole in the ground." Then the merely neutral pit "pejorated" into "the abyss." <br /><br />Somewhere in the intervening decades I turned into a classicist (or one of the Language Police), reasoning that if you use words correctly, people will know what you mean, or at least, people can "jump ugly" on you if you err. But regardless of whether Rex intended fortuitous to mean "by accident" or "by a happy accident," so what? The classic definition of fortuitous doesn't preclude it being a "lucky accident". I think classically, "fortuitous" can apply equally to one's car stalling on the tracks and getting smashed by a freight train, or to the engine catching just at the last moment and getting you out of the way just as the train rushes by. My fancy shmancy New Oxford American Dictionary frowns on using "fortuitous" to mean "fortunate", because the accident need not be fortunate. But if the outcome is happy, it's still an accident and fortuitous still applies. Dunnit? Can someone use "fortuitous" correctly (etymologically) in a sentence where the accident had a happy outcome and everybody knows it was happy, and nobody takes exception to the usage? I'm disinterested (as upposed to uninterested), because since I have had to give up the classical meaning of "eke out", I have been edging back to my childhood acceptance of change. (@Pete, watch your apostrophes in "it's". ) <br /><br />p.s. Born and grew up in Chicago, lived many decades in California. My blender has a non-specific Frappe setting, but I only see see frappes at espresso joints meaning whipped milk and coffee drinks. Whipped up fruit are (is?) smoothies. Maybe as with "fortuitous", widespread use of frappe in the milkshake context has eroded the larger meaning. Please forgive lack of accent marks; iPad is not friendly to such. Ellen Shttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00473445503706985149noreply@blogger.com