tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post6525580447524462871..comments2024-03-28T10:42:53.701-04:00Comments on Rex Parker Does the NYT Crossword Puzzle: Veracruz's capital / WED 7-7-10 / Czar of Russia between Feodors / Relative of aardwolf / Symbol of simple harmonic motionRex Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145707733877505087noreply@blogger.comBlogger94125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-13180777030760749212010-08-19T15:41:17.157-04:002010-08-19T15:41:17.157-04:00Oh, & Kellogg's says they started out with...Oh, & Kellogg's says they started out with a gnome and then got a make-over. <br /><br />So Snap, Crackle, and Pop are metrosexual gnomes.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-39107040444319553552010-08-19T15:36:56.583-04:002010-08-19T15:36:56.583-04:00Fwiw, loved the puzzle, even if mine had JALACA in...Fwiw, loved the puzzle, even if mine had JALACA in it where everyone else's version seems to have had something else.<br /><br />Read through the comments and still don't see the controversy with the cluing. Every single one works with just a comma: BIZET, SIGNAL. PLAY, LIZST. THROW, BACH. HAYDN, GO SEEK.<br /><br />"Back" was off, but "Busy" you just have to think of saying it with a French accent and it works fine.<br /><br />@other anon,<br /><br />Er, no. As you can piece together from the difficulty people had with the NE, "bandbox" is wretchedly obscure. @Jim is probably right that broadcasters are discouraged from using the term and a little off on the reasoning behind it. Google pulls up Fenway being described as a bandbox... in a write-up from 1960. So, less on the order of "buggy" or "churn" (or even "sockdolager") and closer to something like "cachexy" or "heam."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-11012599495412034572010-08-12T20:44:42.045-04:002010-08-12T20:44:42.045-04:00@SteveJ,
I saw the same sort of connections and...@SteveJ,<br /><br /> I saw the same sort of connections and rationalized that many intersections, especially busy ones, have signals.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-78618733458493349352010-08-11T17:13:18.752-04:002010-08-11T17:13:18.752-04:00I had to laugh out loud at myself when I came here...I had to laugh out loud at myself when I came here to find the answer to 29D is Wizard of Oz. Wizardo Fox seemed reasonable to me! 19A's Sop was the last to fall for me, and everything else just worked its way out.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-34638982346571878102010-08-11T16:22:48.423-04:002010-08-11T16:22:48.423-04:00For those of you who knew what a band box was: it...For those of you who knew what a band box was: it made me think of a story that my 90 year old mother used to tell me. A kindergarten teacher told my mother that my older sister always was dressed as if she had just stepped out of a band box. I really enjoyed having that memory evoked.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-32146640855884856612010-07-08T00:16:14.783-04:002010-07-08T00:16:14.783-04:00I liked the combination of high culture and lowly ...I liked the combination of high culture and lowly puns -- reminded me of classic Times Sunday puzzles.Stanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02681342234536407419noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-35871025803608984102010-07-07T22:13:51.245-04:002010-07-07T22:13:51.245-04:00Admiral (not General) Zumwalt was a very respected...Admiral (not General) Zumwalt was a very respected, hard-working, and effective leader. Tragically, his son was exposed to the Agent Orange attacks that Zumwalt himself agreed to order. The son died of cancers, not long after his child was born with serious birth defects. Zumwalt collaborated on the book about this family tragedy. <br /><br />I guess only VietNam era solvers recall this name so strongly. <br /><br />@Moonchild<br />AARDwolf ...no way it's Aussie. That is a Dutch-derived term, so South Africa/Afrikaans would be the source.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-47439531801014757282010-07-07T22:11:48.654-04:002010-07-07T22:11:48.654-04:00@Steve J
Thanks for the clarification, I see wher...@Steve J<br /><br />Thanks for the clarification, I see where you're coming from now. (Though to me, a playlist is still a thing I have on my iTunes, or a thing a radio DJ has, not a thing that a pianist uses, which is sheet music. And hide-and-go-seek and scavenger hunts are different things. Maybe there are dialect differences at work here.)will nedigernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-49158344076182571952010-07-07T21:08:55.599-04:002010-07-07T21:08:55.599-04:00@Steve J - well said.@Steve J - well said.JenCThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18290169184354765840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-15045824723580855952010-07-07T21:07:11.427-04:002010-07-07T21:07:11.427-04:00@dk,
Those are all wines from past tastings, so n...@dk,<br /><br />Those are all wines from past tastings, so no '45 d'Yquem to share. I do have a couple of '67s in the cellar, though, but they're not worthy.Martinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-84294926997526601892010-07-07T21:02:25.059-04:002010-07-07T21:02:25.059-04:00@will nediger: Thanks for stopping by and offering...@will nediger: Thanks for stopping by and offering some additional thoughts.<br /><br />I agree that there's no rule that this type of theme has to go in a particular direction. What struck me, however, is that (to my perception) this was internally consistent; i.e., the pattern you established wasn't carried out consistently. <br /><br />I suspect that this results from looking at the them from different angles. You had clearly set up a "command" structure, and everything definitely fits within that. If you stop there, everything's consistent.<br /><br />What caught me as I was solving (and was perhaps reinforced by the fact that the first two theme answers I got were HAYDNGOSEEK and PLAYLISZT) was that two of the answers fit topically with the clue (PLAYLISZT is both a command and something that a concert performer of any instrument would use, and HAYDNGOSEEK was both a command and fit the activity of a scavenger hunt). That created a theme/clue parallelism that wasn't carried out in the other two, especially BIZETSIGNAL. It only had the command part. It lacked the parallelism with the clue that the other answers had. <br /><br />Now, it's entirely possible I viewed this from an angle that hardly anyone else did (in fact it's highly likely, as I'm definitely in a minority in terms of the theme not working for me, and I haven't seen anyone else bring up the consistency angle). But hopefully that sheds light on where I'm coming from in my point of view on this one. It was an ambitious theme, I thought. It just was missing - for me - an internal consistency I expect to see from any theme.Steve Jhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15185067739452052656noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-88977257050664144892010-07-07T20:57:42.718-04:002010-07-07T20:57:42.718-04:00The first answer I filled in (without crosses) was...The first answer I filled in (without crosses) was Jalapa. We all know different stuff..michaelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-65905741590160810022010-07-07T20:13:58.947-04:002010-07-07T20:13:58.947-04:00@Martin, ya see Monday is my birthday and all. So...@Martin, ya see Monday is my birthday and all. So I was thinkin what would be great gift.... and you got it right on the nose (pun intended): '45 d'Yquem. Email me and I will send you my address, heck sakes I'll even come and pick it up.<br /><br />@Will N, if you knew how I drive, HAYDNGOSEEK would have everything to do with an intersection.dkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17317008233459295376noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-14029742719699546852010-07-07T20:04:42.682-04:002010-07-07T20:04:42.682-04:00@ anonymous 5:22 I meant paz@ anonymous 5:22 I meant pazchefbeahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15195945085405126511noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-44683689346139728252010-07-07T19:55:57.086-04:002010-07-07T19:55:57.086-04:00The blog said my URL was too long.
Trying again.
T...The blog said my URL was too long.<br />Trying again.<a href="http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Arts/Arts_/Pictures/2008/08/18/uccello460.jpg%22" rel="nofollow"><br />TheHunt</a><br /><br />If this doesn't fly, look it up.Sfingihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06903616949048940858noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-45823612920100126042010-07-07T19:55:17.676-04:002010-07-07T19:55:17.676-04:00Delighted that constructor Will N. popped in! I ju...Delighted that constructor Will N. popped in! I just wanted to add that puns don't have to "sound" right -- visual puns can be just as amusing. His THROW BACH and BIZET SIGNAL fell into the latter category, for me. Also, I don't mind if there's a mix of aural and visual puns, in service to a theme -- e.g. composers HAYDN in plain sight, as it were.<br /><br />∑;)ArtLvrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03869528391374878601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-13597163197845312782010-07-07T19:52:40.885-04:002010-07-07T19:52:40.885-04:00Admiral ELMO Zumwalt has been in the NYT puzzle se...Admiral ELMO Zumwalt has been in the NYT puzzle several times, usually every other year or so. I believe it catches everyone by surprise every time.william e embanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-16629049574081109322010-07-07T19:47:38.266-04:002010-07-07T19:47:38.266-04:00@Rex - My word! - You don't have AC just every...@Rex - My word! - You don't have AC just everywhere? As a heat hater, I had an AC before I had a TV. May I suggest (Oh shut up!) one of those roll-around jobs? Or a sofa at the (air-conditioned) office? Or a lap-top to take to the B&N? At least if it's cold you can put on a sweater. When I'm w/o AC, I feel trapped. I've taken to wearing (yikes) skirts. Viewer be damned.<br />Go to the movies, now. One more day.<br /><br />I wasn't going to get the NYT because someone warned me the puzzle was "challenging." But the Yemeni store were wiped out of ice cream sandwiches and even orange cupcakes, and I hate to walk out w/o encouraging them. Soooo.<br /><br />In the end, I Googled JALAPA, USCG (there were many others using this motto), UCCELLO (never knew his first name - his last means bird), ASWAN, WIZARDOFOZ, HYENA. <br />Google actually had XALAPA and I had PAx, so I thought there was some sort of X-thing going on. <br />Finally got the lame over-stretched puns. <br />Another confuser - where does Hungary end and Austria begin.<br /><br />Can't believe I got ABSOFSTEEL and PUTTING.<br /><br />I wanted capO rather than VITO for the longest time. Had PInkY instead of PIGGY for a while.<br /><br />Mini-mini SIP SOP.<br /><br />There's a discussion of elves at LA Crossword Confidential, so I won't repeat my stuff.<br /><br />@Nighthawk - you need a tomato pie - Oneida Co. specialty. It's square pizza with tomato sauce and spices but no cheese, eaten cold or hot. Sold everywhere.<br /><br />Uccello is cute, and once you see one, you know his style, so I include.<a href="http://www.artexpertswebsite.com/pages/artists/artists_l-z/uccello/Uccello_TheHunt.jpg%22" rel="nofollow">The Hunt</a>Sfingihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06903616949048940858noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-76399123181461974702010-07-07T19:41:40.506-04:002010-07-07T19:41:40.506-04:00BONOBOs, formerly called pygmy chimpanzees, are pr...BONOBOs, formerly called pygmy chimpanzees, are probably best known for their casual, uninhibited sex lives. The book <a href="http://bonobohandshake.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow"><i>Bonobo Handshake</i></a> has just come out, and is currently being talked about on various science blogs.<br /><br />It was my only gimme in the NE, although SOP came pretty easily off of S--. I first had BAR for the word to go with band/sand, then when I was looking at BO-, I tried BOY, and had to go through the alphabet to get BOX.<br /><br />I had to Google afterwards to jog my memory, as in <i>what the heck is a sandboy</i>, and where have I ever in my life encountered the term that it helped seriously slow me down on a Wednesday?<br /><br />The answer is Charles Dickens, <a href="http://www.dickens-literature.com/The_Old_Curiosity_Shop/17.html" rel="nofollow"><i>The Old Curiosity Shop</i></a>. More Googling reveals that apparently the phrase "as happy as a sandboy" is current in the UK, like "as happy as a clam" is in the US, but outside Dickens, I've never come across it before.<br /><br />The Frank Morgan <i>I</i> know is a highly regarded mathematician, best known for his proof of the Double Bubble Conjecture.<br /><br />So, are Snap, Crackle, and Pop elves or gnomes? Well, what a coincidence, today I bought a used copy of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Field-Guide-Little-People/dp/0809044501" rel="nofollow"><i>A Field Guide to the Little People</i></a>. The bookstore proprietress told me that it sells instantly whenever she gets a copy. I guess I'll study it carefully.william e embanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-7287435019878653132010-07-07T18:23:12.895-04:002010-07-07T18:23:12.895-04:00Just to join the bandBOX discussion, I suppose it ...Just to join the bandBOX discussion, I suppose it all depends on, perhaps, ones age. The small field or toiletries holder usages are for those of us who may be older. For MySpace or FaceBook users, BandBox is a tool that independent musicians can use to embed in their sites and sell their music. http://www.bandbox.com/default/<br />Sort of a product placement, but so is ABSOFSTEEL.<br />Who knows which one Mr. Nediger had in mind?<br /><br />I started in the NW with XALAPA, making that area a tussle for a while until the alternate spelling came to view.<br /><br />I liked the profusion of names for some reason. Took some time though trying to figure how to squeeze GODFATHER in 4 spaces for 24A before VANE revealed VITO for me.<br /><br />Makes me want to have a tomato sandwich just thinking of him.<br /><br />Remembered Zumwalt, having thought at the time he was one of the better Generals of the era.<br /><br />Tumbled to the theme with PLAYLISZT, and love puns, so, all in all, thought it was a fun Wed.<br /><br />captch: dronsnah - a toast with TOKAY?Nighthawkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11898505137434147165noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-32036679809026319692010-07-07T18:14:26.226-04:002010-07-07T18:14:26.226-04:00@I Pick Accurate:
Thought about that after I post...@I Pick Accurate:<br /><br />Thought about that after I posted, and agree with you.<br /><br />However, additional definitions include:<br /><br />The condition of:<br /><br />-being uneducated in general;<br /><br />-lacking knowledge or sophistication;<br /><br />-incapable of understanding complex issues;<br /><br />In the context of the original post, I believe one of the latter was intended.Take your picknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-5292375988302402672010-07-07T17:51:36.850-04:002010-07-07T17:51:36.850-04:00@Take your pick - Lack of knowledge, specific or n...@Take your pick - Lack of knowledge, specific or not, is kind of the definition of ignorance.I Pick Accuratenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-34254960364928820772010-07-07T17:37:38.500-04:002010-07-07T17:37:38.500-04:00Sorry, I thought this puzzle was pretty poor. Ton...Sorry, I thought this puzzle was pretty poor. Tons of bad, obscure fill to make it work. <br /><br />@DB Geezer - I like your pun better. <br /><br />Guess I have crabby pants also today (or should they be shorts???)JenCThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18290169184354765840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-1983322973272629562010-07-07T17:28:55.708-04:002010-07-07T17:28:55.708-04:00Gotta love the Saki quote though, from The OPen Wi...Gotta love the Saki quote though, from The OPen Window. We've long loved that.Juliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17025994484782527098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-12419641562414035952010-07-07T17:22:14.209-04:002010-07-07T17:22:14.209-04:00RE: BANDBOX
The usage that comes to my mind would...RE: BANDBOX<br />The usage that comes to my mind would be frequently seen, for example, in the novels of Louisa May Alcott. "Despite the heat, she appeared as neat as if she had just stepped out of a bandbox." The bandbox was a small, light trunk that carried one's necessities for 'making a toilette.'<br /><br />It's not that obscure; after all, you still know what a buggy is, or a churn, right?<br /><br />@Chefbea<br />Wizard of Ox? I don't think so.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com