tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post8045859114786551606..comments2024-03-28T14:27:07.588-04:00Comments on Rex Parker Does the NYT Crossword Puzzle: Rock with glittery inside / MON 1-21-13 / Territory that became two states / Roulette centerpiece / Soccer star Mia's meats / Potato protuberancesRex Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145707733877505087noreply@blogger.comBlogger68125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-30525130940808506292022-02-08T20:46:57.261-05:002022-02-08T20:46:57.261-05:00Even though the theme was trivial to break, once r...Even though the theme was trivial to break, once recognized, I enjoyed the puzzle during the short time it takes to fill in the letters. As Rex said at greater length, you can't beat a good fill.<br /><br />I looked up TRAVESTY is several reliable sources, and cannot find any definition that translates to "great injustice". You can, of course, have a travesty of justice, but "travesty" is not unjust, <i>per se</i>.<br /><br />Still, it was easy to get from crosses, and this gave me good play time.Prunehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00224476641730508311noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-58482071493368919932013-02-25T19:44:23.259-05:002013-02-25T19:44:23.259-05:00Very enjoyable start to the week. I was a bit thro...Very enjoyable start to the week. I was a bit thrown by 1a, <b>MOLD</b> until my inner nerd realised that it was obviously a mis-<b>WART</b>.straylinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13536180563789923012noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-9236772112085739612013-02-25T11:38:51.278-05:002013-02-25T11:38:51.278-05:00I wouldn't call EXED "competent and caref...I wouldn't call EXED "competent and careful fill." But overall not too bad. Monday-easy. Liked the STAG standing up in front of the DOE. Actually had a couple of careless writeovers: my BANDAGE was a BANDAid, and I had to EMEND my aMEND. See, this is why I never time myself. I was in a hurry this morning. In my paper, the constructor's name appeared in all lower-case letters. Curious.Spacecraftnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-58097546729134396522013-01-22T04:29:49.806-05:002013-01-22T04:29:49.806-05:00One of my step-daughters got married to a left-win...One of my step-daughters got married to a left-wing political person, and a friend (from Noo Yawk!) was organizing a group gift. Of a set of "linen". I figured he was talking about sheets, tablecloths, stuff like that -- after all, they <i>were</i> getting married. And I almost said something ignorant, but realized in time that he was talking about buying the happy couple the Collected Works of Vladimir Ilyich Lenin. <br /><br />I enjoyed all the regional accent sharing in the comments. Nice to know the country hasn't been completely homogenized. On that happy note, I'll say goodnight.Ellen Shttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00473445503706985149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-62480626679334028902013-01-22T01:15:56.747-05:002013-01-22T01:15:56.747-05:00This 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, 17%, Easy<br /><br />Top 100 solvers<br /><br />Mon 3:41, 3:39, 1.01, 54%, Mediumsanfranman59https://www.blogger.com/profile/15118732156312301425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-52335660690385479872013-01-21T19:31:29.196-05:002013-01-21T19:31:29.196-05:00@jae - good point!@jae - good point!Milfordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04923019988243284636noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-87768048668696281742013-01-21T17:16:08.546-05:002013-01-21T17:16:08.546-05:00@Loren M. Smith: yes, there are analogues of Pig L...@Loren M. Smith: yes, there are analogues of Pig Latin in other languages. The Hebrew one even featured in a Eurovision-winning pop song; look up "Abanibi". While you're at it, try "verlan" for French.<br /><br />NDE<br /><br />(PS thanks for the Liszt clip!)Noam D. Elkiesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-61156922829870364692013-01-21T17:10:38.287-05:002013-01-21T17:10:38.287-05:00@r_c -- You said "Actually there are so many....@r_c -- You said "Actually there are so many...." Actually I don't think there are which is why I found the theme constraints intriguing. The first part has to be a name that has one more letter than the noun that follows it which is a true homophone (which is why @Evan LISZT works). Evan's last set of examples work, as does @lms COBB'S COB (LENNON'S not so much) and @Milford's PITT, although to be correct the clue should be something like "What's left after actor Brad finishes his martini garnish." @Susan Mc, WIIG'S WIG works but the other two don't. And, @r_c you and @Fearless Kim (nothing personal) have yet to score according to the theme rules. <br /><br />Oh, and after reading the comments and taking a closer look at the fill I retract my meh comment. JINXED, WOODSY, WHAMMY... provide plenty of zip.jaehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03385568014046336373noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-64203915137794019022013-01-21T17:09:22.623-05:002013-01-21T17:09:22.623-05:00@ Anon. 3:07. Oh, he had completely disappeared f...@ Anon. 3:07. Oh, he had completely disappeared from my memory. Never liked his snarky ways. My mind went towards Wharhol, who might be considered comic. Total confusion. Much thanks. Sparkyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11149915526159432838noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-12197102284117854482013-01-21T16:58:48.951-05:002013-01-21T16:58:48.951-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.jaehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03385568014046336373noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-31880151104966563432013-01-21T16:34:41.863-05:002013-01-21T16:34:41.863-05:00@joho - That's the Dude, he also responds to S...@joho - That's the Dude, he also responds to Scrappy, Bob and Dave. He seems much better today, might have to take a new picture.chefwenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03999206352243329280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-33853686845168921132013-01-21T15:39:51.638-05:002013-01-21T15:39:51.638-05:00Taking a break from the inawegrral to say how much...Taking a break from the inawegrral to say how much I enjoyed the puzzle - especially after reading LMS's pointed newahnses.<br />I bet you don't say tree for three?In Cuban Spanish they drop the "s" so "mas or menos" becomes "mao meno." They also drop the r and replace it with an l. "Te quiero" becomes "te quielo."<br />Can't wait for chooseday y'all....GILL I.https://www.blogger.com/profile/05605766053820226324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-89425215319393771632013-01-21T15:17:27.446-05:002013-01-21T15:17:27.446-05:00@ Loren - the one syllable into two dialect is of ...@ Loren - the one syllable into two dialect is of course a hallmark of our region and the source of the DIANE story. Should have added that my first wife was from IL with many years in CO (I seem to attract these midwestern types), so southern WV/Eastern KY was NOT a familiar accent for her.retired_chemisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13181126754941899228noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-86625703416071618582013-01-21T15:07:04.716-05:002013-01-21T15:07:04.716-05:00@Sparky - I believe the comic is Andy Dick.@Sparky - I believe the comic is Andy Dick.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-65915886595926743132013-01-21T15:03:05.521-05:002013-01-21T15:03:05.521-05:00@Sfingi – no “mean” taken; I eyumbrace my souther...@Sfingi – no “mean” taken; I eyumbrace my southern acceeyunt and relish the thought of being underestimated because of it. I think I’ve said before here that back in high school, my “tide end” and “tight end” rhymed. Emerging from an unfortunate Insufferable Eschewer of All Things American for All Things European and Asian Period, some of the drawl was “reformed” but happily not all.<br /><br />@Milford – add another southern homophone that my New-Jersey born English professor encountered my first day of class at Georgia Southern. . .<br />Mr. Parcels, “Can you list some prepositions?”<br />Student, “On.”<br />Mr. Parcels, “No, that’s a verb.” (Because she had pronounced it <i>own</i>.)<br /><br />@Tita – oodgay allcay ithway the Igpay Atinlay. (Is “Ebay” Pig Latin for “bee?”) My secret child language was Gibberish which, I’m sure, was in a drawl. Know any Pig Latinese in other languages?<br /><br />@Carola – I could pull up that site but I couldn’t listen to anything. I looked at the phonological transcript of the Virginia girl’s speech and saw that she turns several one-syllable words into two syllables. Gotta love it!<br /><br />@retired_chemist – too funny about Diane!Loren Muse Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05308030011870397977noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-16212825957167103392013-01-21T14:59:02.924-05:002013-01-21T14:59:02.924-05:0011 minutes and happy particularly after last week....11 minutes and happy particularly after last week. Devastating. Misspelled LISZT at first, cap before TOE, MOLD took a while. All fixed eventually. Yes, theme simple but whole puzzle worth doing. (Of course, I'm pretty simple myself. Sigh.) <br /><br />Skippy will cheer up @chefwen, with such loving human pals. @joho-Woof. Okay, Andy who?<br /><br /> <br /><br />Sparkyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11149915526159432838noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-62035918701547316172013-01-21T14:31:00.590-05:002013-01-21T14:31:00.590-05:00@Carola - I can't wait to check your link.
H...@Carola - I can't wait to check your link. <br /><br />Hey @2:08 - ouyay eednay to ushbray up on your igPay atinLay!!<br />But I say, ingbray it on!<br />Besides, it's been a few days since anyone has lobbed a grenade over the wall to watch us all scatter.<br /><br />@lms - didn't you have your own made up language as a kid? I wonder if you had the same accent when speaking that...<br /><br />@RetChem - love your Diane story.Titahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16368251255494687496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-34865858245725214612013-01-21T14:29:53.885-05:002013-01-21T14:29:53.885-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Titahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16368251255494687496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-56211317540349042962013-01-21T14:08:26.398-05:002013-01-21T14:08:26.398-05:00Hey guys - Ixnay on the accentnay discussionnay - ...Hey guys - Ixnay on the accentnay discussionnay - Evil Doug may not find this interesting, call all of you idiots and tell you to shut up.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-81873467371001634832013-01-21T14:01:48.186-05:002013-01-21T14:01:48.186-05:00@ Carola - fascinating. Actually I have lived enou...@ Carola - fascinating. Actually I have lived enough places (WV, New England, CA, NY, TX) to find both your examples within normal limits. My wife is from Michigan, so the WI example is an everyday accent around here.retired_chemisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13181126754941899228noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-37746802828641751192013-01-21T13:59:14.683-05:002013-01-21T13:59:14.683-05:00MetaRex have you thought about a nice afternoon of...MetaRex have you thought about a nice afternoon of therapy? Hams are Mia's legs?? Good griefAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-24069693714075229832013-01-21T13:49:41.568-05:002013-01-21T13:49:41.568-05:00@loren and others interested in regional accents -...@loren and others interested in regional accents -<br />I wonder if you're familiar with the <a href="http://accent.gmu.edu/" rel="nofollow">speech accent archive</a> at George Mason University, which features audio clips of people from all over the country reading the same paragraph. A great time sink :) I love <a href="http://accent.gmu.edu/searchsaa.php?function=detail&speakerid=72" rel="nofollow">this one from a little girl in Virginia</a>. Here's what <a href="http://accent.gmu.edu/searchsaa.php?function=detail&speakerid=94" rel="nofollow">we in Wisconsin</a> sound like.Carolahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15971759975067250908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-63300025228626472972013-01-21T13:48:03.640-05:002013-01-21T13:48:03.640-05:00Sorry for the double post, folks. The comment for...Sorry for the double post, folks. The comment form told me that I didn't copy the captcha correctly, so I resubmitted it. PS, it did it again,so here goes (again).lawprofnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-5577180628335614432013-01-21T13:46:36.508-05:002013-01-21T13:46:36.508-05:00Sorry for the double post, folks. The comment for...Sorry for the double post, folks. The comment form told me that I didn't copy the captcha correctly, so I resubmitted it.lawprofnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-57913587964990115702013-01-21T13:43:23.327-05:002013-01-21T13:43:23.327-05:002:49! Wow. I'm sure Rex was solving on a com...2:49! Wow. I'm sure Rex was solving on a computer keyboard, but still.... <br /><br />I solve on paper, but just for the fun of it I copied over the completed grid as fast as I could write - 2:42, and that's without reading the clues. I then timed how long it would take me to simply read the clues - 1:11. So the theorical best time for me (for a typical daily puzzle) would be 3:53.<br /><br />I'll grant that I may not be the fastest reader or writer around, but those sub-four-minute times I see posted all the time are (I can't think of a word, so I'll settle for...) mindboggling.lawprofnoreply@blogger.com