tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post7807523399475150891..comments2024-03-28T17:56:51.103-04:00Comments on Rex Parker Does the NYT Crossword Puzzle: Verdi aria for baritone / WED 7-15-15 / Some Deco illustrations / First name in Jellystone Park / Mythical predator of elephantsRex Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145707733877505087noreply@blogger.comBlogger124125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-32418199582491616402015-08-19T19:04:36.635-04:002015-08-19T19:04:36.635-04:00I didn't care much for the puzzle. I did it, a...I didn't care much for the puzzle. I did it, and that's all. Usually Wednesdays are enjoyable but not today. Better luck tomorrow.<br /><br />Ron Diego, La Mesa, CA. (Harummph!)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-5195708471196136242015-08-19T16:28:32.081-04:002015-08-19T16:28:32.081-04:00"Can we all get along?"
--Rodney Ki..."Can we all get along?"<br /> --Rodney King, RIP<br />leftcoastTAMnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-28052896954164340682015-08-19T15:37:16.745-04:002015-08-19T15:37:16.745-04:00Absolutely brilliant @spacecraft!!! I tried lookin...Absolutely brilliant @spacecraft!!! I tried looking for a wacky keyboard. For a Wednesday I thought? Nah...has to be a mistake, so I came here to be sure. Damn!! Didn't think about doing a diagramless!! I bow my head to you!<br /><br />@rondo- funny about your wife's pleas! My husband does that sometimes and tries to "help" me (give me a clue) to speed things up. NOOOOO!!!!Cathynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-22726846292123475472015-08-19T11:26:46.449-04:002015-08-19T11:26:46.449-04:00Isn't the TOP ROW numbers? or is it the T-O-P ...Isn't the TOP ROW numbers? or is it the T-O-P ROW? didn't read above comments as vacation won't allow.<br /><br />VERA Miles, well-remembered yeah baby.<br /><br />I still have a TYPEWRITER somewhere. I think.<br /><br />Not a TOP puz, but OK for me on this particular day. Just trying to finish quickly over my wife's PLEAS to get moving,rondonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-43853543339332043482015-08-19T11:24:47.001-04:002015-08-19T11:24:47.001-04:00Absolutely brilliant @haiku, nerd! I had a problem...Absolutely brilliant @haiku, nerd! I had a problem which I'm sure @Cathy shared: our illustrious paper printed the wrong grid! Very soon out of the box, it became evident that--despite 1-down fitting--the numbering was all messed up. 44a SEEDS also works; there may be others, but I didn't check. So what did we do? Why, we did what all good solvers do: we turned it into a diagramless! Well, I did, anyway. And solved it! Which means it can't have been too tough; the easy-medium rating holds, even though we had to uncover a pair of cheater squares. Strange that OFL didn't mention it.<br /><br />One of the theme answers, PERPETUITY, evoked an unpleasant memory. Never, EVER buy a time share! Read the language: it will belong to you--AND YOUR HEIRS AND ASSIGNS--in PERPETUITY. That means for ever and ever, amen. That means it is absolutely, positively, 100% UNSELLABLE. I had to PAY to have it taken off my hands. Those maintenance bills would have come rolling in, year after year after year....and those people are NASTY when it comes to collecting. You do NOT ignore a timeshare maintenance bill--or even an "assessment" bill, which the association may drop on you at any time. It's as bad as dealing with loan sharks. Just...DON'T. EVER. BUY ONE.<br /><br />spacecraftnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-87185004888831688872015-07-16T14:32:32.544-04:002015-07-16T14:32:32.544-04:00Not the top row; the t-o-p row; Sir Hillary came c...Not the top row; the t-o-p row; Sir Hillary came closestFred Romagnolohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11994837736408182418noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-63125676901787649192015-07-16T11:29:00.556-04:002015-07-16T11:29:00.556-04:00@Mackenzie
http://www.avxword.com/
Buy a couple ...@Mackenzie<br /><br />http://www.avxword.com/<br /><br />Buy a couple a la carte for $1 apiece and see what you think.Matt Gaffneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02147213285563074851noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-32803713539879823782015-07-16T09:05:26.442-04:002015-07-16T09:05:26.442-04:00I'm admittedly a technological idiot, but how ...I'm admittedly a technological idiot, but how does one subscribe to the American Values Club? Also, for those who have, is it worthwhile?Mackenziehttp://confused.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-87235742756165370102015-07-16T07:39:01.347-04:002015-07-16T07:39:01.347-04:00I'm holding out for QUIP-PORTER, POWER-QUEUE a...I'm holding out for QUIP-PORTER, POWER-QUEUE and other PORTmanteaux.<br />[QUIETRIOT be a fine phrase, but only a 9-letterer, so not for this puzz. Maybe a QUIET ROUTE is the way to go.]<br />Actually, I'm really holding out for @dick swartz' pain au chocolat.<br /><br />Yup, Baroque... like Ferde Grofé's Grand Canyon SUITE...<br /><br />And maybe someone needs to remind @MattGaffney about ye olde 'Three and out' roule.<br />Anarchist!Mermaid of Windsornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-578657648868451302015-07-16T01:03:53.580-04:002015-07-16T01:03:53.580-04:00@AliasZ,
"It would have been so much neater ...@AliasZ,<br /><br />"It would have been so much neater if all non-theme squares only used letters NOT in the TOP ROW."<br /><br />Impossible. Take a look at your keyboard. Five out of six vowels are on the top row (E I O U Y).<br /><br />@pmdm,<br /><br />"The constructor notes this longest word claim is disputed. Anyone know of counterexamples to the claim?"<br /><br />Amy Reynaldo's <a href="http://www.crosswordfiend.com/blog/2015/07/14/wednesday-july-15-2015/#ny" rel="nofollow">Diary of a Crossword Fiend</a> gives a link to <a href="http://www.fun-with-words.com/word_records.html" rel="nofollow">this webpage</a>, which gives the following info:<br /><br />"TYPEWRITER (10 letters) can be typed using only the top row of keys on a standard keyboard. Other ten-letter words with this property are PEPPERROOT, PEPPERWORT, PERPETUITY, PEWTERWORT, PIROUETTER, PREREQUIRE, PRETORTURE, PROPRIETOR, REPERTOIRE, REPETITORY, TETTERWORT. If hyphens are allowed, then TEETER-TOTTER (12 letters) is possible, as is TEETER-TOTTERER (14 letters), although the latter is not found in dictionaries. Another possible 12-letter word, POWERTRIPPER, is also not in any major dictionary."<br /><br />In other words, the constructor picked the only four non-obscure words.MDMAnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-1729339525961458062015-07-15T23:31:19.704-04:002015-07-15T23:31:19.704-04:00Easy Wednesday on the heels of an easy Tuesday. Fe...Easy Wednesday on the heels of an easy Tuesday. Feeling crunch-deprived at this point.<br /><br />Almost a DNF due to ATTA/ERTES cross. Guessed right but ATsA/ERsES seemed about as likely.<br /><br />Thought it was OK. REPERTOIRE and PROPRIETOR were clearly ... odd ... so you knew something was going on. But I did not know what until the revealer. I like it when the revealer indeed reveals the theme. <br /><br />@M&A - sorry to say, the Us today were a major contributor to some of the bad fill: ULEE, UTE, DIDUP. On the plus side, the PERPETUITY/RADIUM cross is aces.<br /><br />@Lewis - fantastic factoid today. I wonder though about the quotoid, which I've heard attributed to a half dozen people (including Yogi). kitshefnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-86197439429442291402015-07-15T22:18:12.649-04:002015-07-15T22:18:12.649-04:00@Lewis, most illuminating factoid today!@Lewis, most illuminating factoid today!Hartley70https://www.blogger.com/profile/00557118655188472450noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-2210207211052721852015-07-15T21:26:19.347-04:002015-07-15T21:26:19.347-04:00A week ago Monday my face swelled with bee VENOM b...A week ago Monday my face swelled with bee VENOM but it was nothing like the amount accumulated in today's comments. Maybe it only seems overwhelming because I come to them so late on weekdays so I get it all at once. Seems like the REPERTOIRE is more limited than usual today. I stand with @Ludyjynn, @Carola, @LMS, that the puzzle was SWEETly Wednesdayish and I will not join the H8ers (as coined by the constructor, if I remember correctly, after people RAILed at him re: the notorious 4/14/2015 eight letter puzz).<br /><br />@Leapfinger, by the time I get home, eat dinner, do the puzzle, and read the comments, I have hardly enough time to decide to DOM white flannel vs, ecru linen pants, let alone delve into Prufrock. But I shall pull the book off my shelf which should double the odds of it being perused in the near future.<br /><br />@Nancy, I loved the movie Wordplay, and it left me with the impression that WS was very likable. And the comments by Constructors on Deb Amlen's Wordplay column have pointed out how much of some puzzles are due to Will's efforts.<br /><br />@MattGaffney, any suggestions for the NY Times on how to streamline the process, if that is indeed what is preventing the top constructors from sending in their work? I suppose it is a function of the Internet, as in so many avenues: music, literature, television, etc. The great dilution of effort makes it hard to gather in the best because who can be the arbiter over such a widespread enterprise. And you can all sigh in relief over my last rhetorical question/statement for the day.<br /><br />Thanks Bruce Haight and Will ShortzTeedmnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12832353448839187816noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-63760108387151254652015-07-15T17:30:59.515-04:002015-07-15T17:30:59.515-04:00@Steve J
Yeah, I noticed my typo on that Bruce Ha...@Steve J <br />Yeah, I noticed my typo on that Bruce Haight (April 14, 2014 instead of the correct April 14, 2015) when I got up this morning, but I figured you knew what I meant. I remember how much that puzzle irritated you. It really bugged you. :-)Whirred Whackshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05637591146611998012noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-79137214777324840972015-07-15T17:21:06.041-04:002015-07-15T17:21:06.041-04:00@Z -- "at will" -- good one!@Z -- "at will" -- good one!Lewishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09709142959535977331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-13759791709535498222015-07-15T17:05:54.381-04:002015-07-15T17:05:54.381-04:00Anon@2:51: Thank you for that really interesting,...Anon@2:51: Thank you for that really interesting, insightful, and helpful comment.<br />@Z@4:20: Bite me. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-90627851380243663962015-07-15T17:03:08.819-04:002015-07-15T17:03:08.819-04:00Please keep the lousy puzzles coming, NYT. I enjoy...Please keep the lousy puzzles coming, NYT. I enjoy Rex's rants as ridiculous and snotty as they are. What a whiny little temper he has. Rex, now go stand in the corner, take ten deep breaths and come back when you calm down.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09229914370522821501noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-48224839092147559012015-07-15T16:27:31.111-04:002015-07-15T16:27:31.111-04:00p,s,
oh, yeah… and
DOWN
47. Desperately ask
(Outl...p,s,<br />oh, yeah… and<br />DOWN<br />47. Desperately ask<br /><br />(Outlaw M&A)Masked and Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16027736429645378004noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-28407319452360233042015-07-15T16:20:05.561-04:002015-07-15T16:20:05.561-04:00The NYT decides who to employ as its crossword edi...The NYT decides who to employ as its crossword editor. Shortz is a contract employee, so I presume that means "at will.' However, the notion that Rex or Orange or any other Blogger has a big impact on whether or not Shortz remains employed is laughable. That's akin to thinking that bad reviews would have stopped the umpteen Batman sequels. It's the bottom line that matters and Shortz seems to be delivering quite well there. How do I know? Pick up today's print edition and look for the Bridge column... I'll wait<a href="http://publiceditor.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/04/29/after-budget-cuts-readers-mourn-bridge-column-and-movie-clock/?_r=0" rel="nofollow">....</a> No, the NYTX is doing quite well. Remarkably, so too are the indies, all of whom should issue a big "Thank You" to Mr. Shortz. During his 20+ years as editor the crossworld has bloomed and he is a significant contributor to that development.<br /><br /><br /><br />Also, "Besides, isn't the TOP ROW symbols and numbers on a typewriter?" - @Z6:01 a.m.<br />Zhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16181544219511150272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-55029131719933877982015-07-15T16:19:54.068-04:002015-07-15T16:19:54.068-04:00@joho: har. EZGO. Superbly done.
Best M&A coul...@joho: har. EZGO. Superbly done.<br />Best M&A could do, for that SW corner:<br /><br />ACROSS<br />53. Word often suffixed by -ory or -ion<br />59. ___-kiri<br />63. Licked by a gorilla, after you've been licking on an ice cream cone?<br />66. See NE TOP<br />DOWN<br />53. "Well, eureka -- there's yer rodeo!"<br />54. Dude who'll make you an offer you can't refuse<br /><br />M&A<br />"Filled Without Haight"Masked and Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16027736429645378004noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-64307114647374869122015-07-15T16:18:57.913-04:002015-07-15T16:18:57.913-04:00Pmdm, when I post to this blog my post inevitabili...Pmdm, when I post to this blog my post inevitability comes up 2 and even 3 times, so, when I feel like it and want to take the time, I delete the extraneous posts. I have noticed that many of the deleted posts are next to undeleted ones by the same posters. I imagine that they themselves have done the deletions. I have never noticed a Rex delete.<br />aging sopranohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01085649464857246925noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-31268202811282542272015-07-15T15:40:24.242-04:002015-07-15T15:40:24.242-04:00Some days, it seems like the comments can largely ...Some days, it seems like the comments can largely be boiled down to, "It's not what you said, it's how you said it." <br /><br />@Whirred: The eight-letter puzzle ran in 2015. And I loved it about as much as I love no-anesthesia surgery. Steve Jhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15185067739452052656noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-53091866889786073622015-07-15T14:51:47.910-04:002015-07-15T14:51:47.910-04:00Didn't notice the EYE SORE/ARTISTRY symmetry b...Didn't notice the EYE SORE/ARTISTRY symmetry before. That's a nice touch. I like it. <br /><br />@whoeversaidthis,iforgetandamtoolazytoscrollallthewaybackuptofindit.<br /><br />I would've loved to see QUIET RIOT in here! Music manhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12461992972280438819noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-88070979513263053172015-07-15T14:51:20.539-04:002015-07-15T14:51:20.539-04:00I liked it.I liked it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-11655159016538635502015-07-15T13:12:40.535-04:002015-07-15T13:12:40.535-04:00Is it Shortz's fault? I just did the Wednesda...Is it Shortz's fault? I just did the Wednesday LAT puzzle by Jeff Stillman. Delightful. Cute theme and very little junk.<br /><br />@Hartley 70. Thanks for catching my mistake. Mark Zuckerberg it is.mathguynoreply@blogger.com