tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post1195151348636443896..comments2024-03-29T06:32:07.322-04:00Comments on Rex Parker Does the NYT Crossword Puzzle: Put down in writing / FRI 8-26-11 / Line in the sand? / 1956 movie monster / Romulus and Remus, to Rhea SilviaRex Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145707733877505087noreply@blogger.comBlogger59125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-42458733047200394752011-10-01T05:33:26.078-04:002011-10-01T05:33:26.078-04:00Spacecraft here. DNF, fatal errors at NFL and MAGE...Spacecraft here. DNF, fatal errors at NFL and MAGENTA kept me at bay. I kinda thought magenta was more purplish-red than orangish, but have never heard of MARSRED, so could never get there. I wish I'd thought of trying NFC, which might've led me to CARAVAN. Wanted that V for GLOATOVER, but that would mean changing my color. Also, couldn't get past TOGA.<br /> I have a problem with some of these words. LOAM is collective and should not be pluralized, Rental cars or Rent-a-car but NOT RENTACARS, the noun form of "censor" is censorship. The entry CENSORING is perfectly OK--but not as clued. But my loudest gasp has to be for 1a: REALEASY. As any middle-school English teacher will tell you, "real" is an adjective, whereas "really" is an adverb used to intensify the adjective "easy." For anyone to say "real easy" is to betray a coarse education at best.<br /> I like BEQ puzzles; I learn a lot from them. My DNF was my fault entirely; I have no quarrel with him there. It just seemed as though he had to shoehorn a few words in there, taking too many liberties with this beautiful language. But then I don't DARETO try building one myself, either.<br /><br />fogawag: A Stephen King double feature, The Mist and Cujo.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-31706781071881692262011-09-30T20:51:16.720-04:002011-09-30T20:51:16.720-04:00Toughest puzzle of the year for me, Saturdays incl...Toughest puzzle of the year for me, Saturdays included. Got the S hemisphere OK, then flailed wildly. Finally admitted defeat and (oh the shame)Googled. <br /><br />Unlike other un-finishable puzzles I can't blame crappy cluing or fill. BEQ is just much, much more clever and knowledgeable than I...JBurnenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-89953235398142680642011-09-30T13:41:18.603-04:002011-09-30T13:41:18.603-04:00Successfully completed a BEQ Friday. Woohoo!
Pla...Successfully completed a BEQ Friday. Woohoo!<br /><br />Player to be named later: aTtiLa became aTiLLa before becoming OTELLO.<br /><br />I like my crosswords REAL EASY, my TORTE A LA MODE, and as for <b>57</b>a, don't mind if I do! I mean, there must be <b>57</b> of 'em up there.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-88294700242957289712011-08-29T12:12:29.109-04:002011-08-29T12:12:29.109-04:00(late, late post) Way to go @Bob Kerfuffle. I hav...(late, late post) Way to go @Bob Kerfuffle. I haven't done the BEQ puzzles yet, but I would have forgotten all about Tabitha if you hadn't underlined the error. Now I have to wait a while and hope my aging memory will lose it.Retired Copy Editornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-7114072146145209862011-08-29T10:38:09.725-04:002011-08-29T10:38:09.725-04:00A much better answer for "Take stock" wa...A much better answer for "Take stock" was "Rustle." I liked it so much that I left it in even after it was clear that it wasn't the answer the puzzle wanted.Andrewhttp://www.thenexttenminutes.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-44277868424159805272011-08-27T16:16:17.853-04:002011-08-27T16:16:17.853-04:00It's Saturday and I'm still feeling annoye...It's Saturday and I'm still feeling annoyed about rentacars. It would have been tolerable if the clue had been plural (Dollar stores?), but "a" can't be the article for a plural, even in a commercial name. Of course, I should have been prepared by "indited" (I can't even type it without wanting to put in a "c"), but I decided that rentacars couldn't be right, so I thought perhaps "rentacart" was the answer (i.e., a cart in a Dollar Store). But that left me with martred, which I knew couldn't be right...bswein99https://www.blogger.com/profile/17695650849084225055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-73578581791631741862011-08-27T13:23:56.580-04:002011-08-27T13:23:56.580-04:00I was greatly humbled by this puzzle. Feeling bett...I was greatly humbled by this puzzle. Feeling better that I'm not alone in my displeasure over dilaters/dilators. Wish it were my only stumbling block. Most humbling moment, I wrote censuring instead of censoring. That gave me Juan across. Killing myself. How could there have been a hero named Juan in the hundred years' war? But of course my 15-year-old son came along to show me the error. now I know how Joan of arc felt as the flames rose to her Roman nose and her walkman started to melt.Foxhallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07906389378368617696noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-30103996353385514372011-08-27T12:28:26.797-04:002011-08-27T12:28:26.797-04:00Sorry, but it only took one word to ruin this puzz...Sorry, but it only took one word to ruin this puzzle for me: DILATERS. Unacceptable. <br /><br />I put down the real word, DILATORS, early in the solve, which made AGED impossible to see. (AGOD was obviously wrong, and I assumed it was one of the letters *other* than the O.<br /><br />Since when do we put misspelled words in the puzzle? [Var.] might have made me feel better, but it's not even a good variant!!! BOOO, HISSS, BOOOO! Unfairness is no sign of a well-constructed puzzle.<br /><br />After that, I had NO patience for INDITE. I know, it's a real word, but after the clunker above it, I'd have far preferred INDICT.<br /><br />Hope today's is difficult in a good way.<br /><br />GEcody.riggshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05883012611419987246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-27910548285489659112011-08-26T23:42:33.360-04:002011-08-26T23:42:33.360-04:00Remember the Squire in the Canterbury Tales? Talen...Remember the Squire in the Canterbury Tales? Talented guy.<br />...‘Well could he sit a horse, and faire ride, <br /> He could songs make, and eke well indite, <br /> Just, and eke dance, pourtray, and well write.’...miriam bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03506593846362044050noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-86140673776462145452011-08-26T21:23:11.232-04:002011-08-26T21:23:11.232-04:00@SethG, I meant to tell you how much I enjoyed you...@SethG, I meant to tell you how much I enjoyed your write up. The way you treated INDITE, for example, was very funny in a backhanded way... And the illustration was perfect!<br /> I know exactly what you mean about geology, poetry, theater terms... <br /><br />@Andrea, thank you! But I imagine it's the ultimate geekimess, that my jokes are also about science...<br /><br />On another front, at 6pm Eastern today, a friend who is in Japan said he had in hand the Sunday puzzle. That is weird...foodiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13052189131129098616noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-49535077958483522272011-08-26T21:21:48.001-04:002011-08-26T21:21:48.001-04:00Terrific end-of-the-week puzzle. Challenging, but ...Terrific end-of-the-week puzzle. Challenging, but gettable, I had the most trouble with the NW and see I am not alone. I am always amused when my wrong steps (yes I can, picket lines) are taken by others.michaelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-314923869455586092011-08-26T20:56:12.453-04:002011-08-26T20:56:12.453-04:00BEQ, Kudos on your bebe! The puzzle, however, was ...BEQ, Kudos on your bebe! The puzzle, however, was a c-teasing bitch. <br /><br />As usual close but no cigar--but in this case we'll make an exception. Light'em up!deerfencernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-11983729022976316152011-08-26T19:24:11.399-04:002011-08-26T19:24:11.399-04:00Midday report of relative difficulty (see my 7/30/...Midday report of relative difficulty (see my 7/30/2009 post for an explanation of my method):<br /><br />All solvers (median solve time, average for day of week, ratio, percentile, rating)<br /><br />Fri 28:50, 25:53, 1.11, 75%, Medium-Challenging<br /><br />Top 100 solvers<br /><br />Fri 13:42, 12:48, 1.07, 66%, Medium-Challengingsanfranman59https://www.blogger.com/profile/15118732156312301425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-88872201196251371902011-08-26T18:32:20.590-04:002011-08-26T18:32:20.590-04:00BEQ and I are never on the same wavelength. At le...BEQ and I are never on the same wavelength. At least there were no rock/pop/rap groups here.<br /><br />Really needed the obscure OXTONGUE and ALAMODES to get the NW, but no. <br /><br />Not my favorite Friday.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-3815077057480604582011-08-26T18:18:06.809-04:002011-08-26T18:18:06.809-04:00Wonderful puzzle! Had one mistake: O'Hare for ...Wonderful puzzle! Had one mistake: O'Hare for wharf, 24A. I don't know about NFC.... A writeover in the SW: ingest and egests looked good to me, too!<br /><br />Fantastic clues (line in the sand is amazing, and all the two/three word in-the-language expressions (love tip-in). <br /><br />I have to check out/google several things: Navi and alamodes as fabrics.<br /><br />Eric NC and Foodie: you are so funny!<br /><br />Thanks, SethG, and happy birthday, WS!machttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06794371617847975218noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-75418151909406350672011-08-26T17:45:00.834-04:002011-08-26T17:45:00.834-04:00late to the party - but we had two new (canine) ba...late to the party - but we had two new (canine) babies and no sleep last night. Which might account for the trouble I had with this interesting puzzle.<br /><br />Like the fresh fill and the curveball cluing. Hand up for taking that too far (like several others) with RUSTLE, LOESS, and EAT. <br /><br />PALTROW for 39D seems to be uniquely my error. Ditto IT'S WRONG for 51A, DATES @ 45D, and HOPE TO for 36A. <br /><br />Disliked the unexpected plurals LOAMS and RENT-A-CARS. In fact, stuck with LOESS to the bitter end. HTG RO__N, and RONAN of course turned the corresponding acrosses from gibberish into obvious answers if I gave up LOESS and put- LOAMS.<br /><br />Good one, Mr.Q. And congrats on your family addition.<br /><br />Captcha remetime - almost <i>ream time</i>,which would have been an excellent captcha to go with this puzzle.retired_chemisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13181126754941899228noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-8106892442142502762011-08-26T17:22:33.511-04:002011-08-26T17:22:33.511-04:00A rent-a-car is a kind of car like a rent-a-cop is...A rent-a-car is a kind of car like a rent-a-cop is a kind of cop.Security Guardnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-59155338108502381312011-08-26T17:16:54.871-04:002011-08-26T17:16:54.871-04:00A store of what kind of cars? "Rent-a" i...A store of what kind of cars? "Rent-a" is not a type of car.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-57503608261667057772011-08-26T17:03:55.479-04:002011-08-26T17:03:55.479-04:00Also, I had no idea scarves could be served with i...Also, I had no idea scarves could be served with ice cream. The things I learn from crosswords.Matthew G.https://www.blogger.com/profile/07957320012395569238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-6949245177828796312011-08-26T17:02:44.950-04:002011-08-26T17:02:44.950-04:00Re: Dollar store (11D). There is a rent-a-car comp...Re: Dollar store (11D). There is a rent-a-car company called "Dollar Rent a Car" or something like that. However, they charge more than $1 to rent a car. Anyway, the company has a store (quantity) of cars.Glimmerglassnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-31215233845431738662011-08-26T16:21:58.445-04:002011-08-26T16:21:58.445-04:00@Foodie
Love that even your "dirty" joke...@Foodie<br />Love that even your "dirty" jokes are sophisticated and scientific...<br />like you!<br />(The Irish Catholic nun part, tho, not so sure)<br /><br />@Eric NC<br />ODIST foot doctor for foot odor?!!!<br />Ha! If you were joking! (Come to think of it, HA! even if you weren't!)<br /><br />Hi Seth! Still chuckling 12 hours later. :)armada carla michaelsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-88679925188121902652011-08-26T15:58:34.100-04:002011-08-26T15:58:34.100-04:00Sorry Bob.Sorry Bob.jaehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03385568014046336373noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-32636265686655322002011-08-26T15:40:49.661-04:002011-08-26T15:40:49.661-04:00@foodie that was great@foodie that was greatchefbeahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15195945085405126511noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-89300553317468334962011-08-26T15:26:12.840-04:002011-08-26T15:26:12.840-04:00Had MustarD instead of Mars Red. Needed Uncle Goo...Had MustarD instead of Mars Red. Needed Uncle Google three or four times, and still found the puzzle to be the best kind of challenging, and proud to finish. Excellent, BEQ, and congrats!Lewishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09709142959535977331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-27645322705232347712011-08-26T15:19:28.477-04:002011-08-26T15:19:28.477-04:00Okay... the combination of something in the puzzle...Okay... the combination of something in the puzzle and something Seth G said leads me to tell you this story. If you have delicate sensibilities, please skip it!<br />...<br /><br />You should hear all of this in an Irish accent, as this is happening in all-girl Catholic School in Ireland..<br /><br />"Girls", says Sister Mary-Margaret, "We're going to discuss Anatomy today! Who can think of a bodily organ that can triple in size in 10 seconds flat?? Kathleen, do you know?" <br /><br />Kathleen blushes and stutters: "I cannot say, Sister, I'm too embarrassed!"<br /><br />Sister raises her eyebrow then looks around the class: "Anyone else know, girls? No? It's a PUPIL! It's called DILATION!"<br /><br />Then she turns back to the hapless Kathleen:<br /><br />"As for you young lady, I have two things to say. One, you have a dirty mind! And two, you're going to be sorely disappointed!"foodiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13052189131129098616noreply@blogger.com