tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post130485156464495664..comments2024-03-29T08:11:31.723-04:00Comments on Rex Parker Does the NYT Crossword Puzzle: Many a Justin Bieber fan / WED 12-22-10 / Kirk's foe in a "Star Trek" sequel / General played by Fonda (in 1976), Peck (1977) and Olivier (1981)Rex Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145707733877505087noreply@blogger.comBlogger126125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-62172371605729482532011-01-27T02:12:21.910-05:002011-01-27T02:12:21.910-05:00Syndicated solver and first time commenter here. ...Syndicated solver and first time commenter here. I enjoyed this puzzle thoroughly even though the "italicized" clues were not italicized or asterisked or anything else (kind of maddening.) I didn't know this was an RP puzzle till I came here. I usually come here to cheat on Saturday. As a confident Weds-Thurs solver, this one felt like a solid Wednesday that I just happened to know the clues for. Very fun.<br /><br />AEIOU was nice and not quite as obvious as it obviously should have been... Had "GHIJK" and "LMNOP" in mind before it clicked.<br /><br />The too esoteric (to me) answers were all gettable with crosses.<br /><br />*bonus for no archaic (or any) baseball players<br /><br />*-1/2 bonus point for two Star Trek references (but they were pretty easy.)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-74797707278575379212011-01-26T19:14:54.388-05:002011-01-26T19:14:54.388-05:00Syndicated paper solver.
Finished in pretty GOODT...Syndicated paper solver.<br /><br />Finished in pretty GOODTIME, or maybe that's just ALLIN my head.<br /><br />Enjoyed much of the kids' write-up. I wonder lately, though, whether I'm late to their party or if they're late to mine (I know it started long before either of us got here). Guess it's just that all hip-hop referencing, "like a jitterbug," simply evades me. Hippety-hoppers don't even call themselves singers.<br /><br />Still, this puzzle had good classic fill, ABELARD, AEIOU. Enjoyed myself well enough whilin' away the time with it, about right for a Wedpuz, por FAVOR and gracias. And congratulations, Rex, howsoever late.<br /><br />Also enjoyed Ulrich's (and others') synthetic-vs-analytic languages discussion of ALTE. It's not easy for a native English speaker to get a good feel for how "El Viejo" ended up meaning "the old man" from just the adjective.<br /><br />My only dander-up-getting answer was ACA, because my butt-ugly Spanish heretofore only included "aqui." Apparently, though, ACA means "here" also: in certain regional dialects, at some relative distances and depending on what degree of specificity you want to signify. And it even has an emphasis component. Which means that I still don't when to use the one vs the other. Have to try it on for size when I go to Puerto Vallarta next month, I guess.<br /><br />captcha:<br />"sangloca"<br />After "la vida" over and over, to distractionNotalwaysrightBillnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-77071597638685425352011-01-26T18:37:15.836-05:002011-01-26T18:37:15.836-05:00Writing from syndication-land, where I can say tha...Writing from syndication-land, where I can say that Anonymous at 2:57 PM needs to have the editor of the local paper hung from the yardarm. I hate it when they fail to properly alert readers as to theme clues.<br /><br />Luckily, the editor of my local fishwrap is safe for today. All the theme clues were italicized.<br /><br />I started in the south today, since 59A's clue of alveoli location was my gimme. Not the standard gimme perhaps, but I'm still a biologist. That gave me YANG, which gave me KHAN and EDGY. I thought 45D might be SPONGY and 23D NERF, but I wanted to wait to commit myself.<br /><br />I should have hesitated on 40D, where I initially wrote "sparkle" for TWINKLE, based on nothing more than the fact that it fit the number of squares and ended in -KLE. Fortunately ARSENIO Hall and Justin Bieber's TWEEN fanbase showed me the error of my ways.<br /><br />I knew Biggie SMALLS and Sam RAIMI, though he's much more well known for his cult films in the <i>Evil Dead</i> series and his mainstream blockbusters in the <i>Spiderman</i> series. I pulled Bennett CERF from some dark recess of my memory, probably because he was a co-founder of Random House. I did not know Toots SHOR at all, being solely familiar with Toots Thielemans. I suspect that awkward clue is a case of the theme constraining the fill.<br /><br />It was a reasonably challenging Wednesday, IMO, but not an insurmountable obstacle. Good fill with a tight theme. I had fun, and I hope to see more of your crosswords in future editions of the local paper.Nullifidianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15207390447020990907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-49715820427201462732011-01-26T14:57:54.882-05:002011-01-26T14:57:54.882-05:00pretty straightforward construction so kudos to yo...pretty straightforward construction so kudos to you Rex. Only beef I have is from syndi-land where the so-called italicized clues are NOT italicized! Fortunately the puzzle was easy enough to finish without too much heartburn over the editing hash. Looking forward to your third NYT puzzle.<br />TerryAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-41906419834009430342011-01-26T14:06:47.287-05:002011-01-26T14:06:47.287-05:00Dummy that I am I solved this without even getting...Dummy that I am I solved this without even getting the "all-in" missing phrase. I just solved for the word that fit. Also I am proud to say I knew about Bennet Cerf and Toots Shor. Yah!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-32491645710364550412011-01-26T13:24:50.150-05:002011-01-26T13:24:50.150-05:00Whoops. Meant "Not always *easy* to tell wher...Whoops. Meant "Not always *easy* to tell where folks will struggle."<br /><br />rpRex Parkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16145707733877505087noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-60658756884478325942011-01-26T13:24:13.005-05:002011-01-26T13:24:13.005-05:00@Tim,
Thanks. Proud to say that SPA clue was 100%...@Tim,<br /><br />Thanks. Proud to say that SPA clue was 100% mine. I know LARAMIE as a brand of cigarettes on "The Simpsons," but yes, anyone should be able to get that clue from a (short) list of "Wyoming cities I know." <br /><br />Interesting: most Google searches resulting in hits to my site are for the MACARTHUR clue (?), which I thought would've been easy (apply LARAMIE standard, i.e. "Famous generals I know ..."). Not always to tell where folks will struggle.<br /><br />Will took out "yellow" from the PACMAN clue, and I'm glad he did.Rex Parkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16145707733877505087noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-56944829553278185092011-01-26T13:19:37.413-05:002011-01-26T13:19:37.413-05:00I really liked this Wednesday puzzle. When I saw &...I really liked this Wednesday puzzle. When I saw "Michael Sharp", I thought "oh! this will be fun." And it was.<br /><br />I haven't been solving a super long time, but my take on the crosswordese is that all those were clued in a much more lively way. (I, too, wonder what Will changed in Rex's submission. But ultimately, it was great.) I mean "Where the robed are rubbed" is a totally great clue for the ho-hum SPA.<br /><br />Re having **two** Star Trek clues, loved it!! Expected all the music answers as well (tho, boo on Bieber -- my 2 year old is singing that one....)<br /><br />Re LARAMIE, I have to say that reading the blog regularly made this one a cinch: Rex hates obscure geographical clues, so when I considered that, I just thought what are cities in Wyoming that I know and the answer revealed itself quickly. (Though part of me was expecting FRESNO clued as "A California city best forgotten." Me, too!)<br /><br />And finally, PACMAN was great; likewise, I was fully expecting MADDEN to be a clue to the video game. So I wasn't disappointed at the artful misdirection.<br /><br />Thanks!timhttp://clerestory.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-65102716679363965432011-01-26T12:32:09.491-05:002011-01-26T12:32:09.491-05:00Frajah, my Yiddishe granny, used the term "al...Frajah, my Yiddishe granny, used the term "alte cocker" (or so it sounded to me) to mean something like "old fart." Maybe @Ulrich, if he checks back in 5 weeks, can shed some light.<br /><br />I enjoyed the theme, though I got most answers before I realized what was going on. Strangely, the syndicated puzzle had 33D italicized. That left me to wonder what how CNN ALLIN made any sense, until I realized that it should've been 32D.<br /><br />Not having been to NYC in 40 years, Duane READE was a mystery to me. Even after running the alphabet O_ED made no sense. It wasn't till I Googled later that I realized it was OD'ED.<br /><br />Fell apart in the N. Central region, having never heard of ANY Gasteyer (ANN? ANI?) and thus obscuring PACMAN. And although I've worked as a radio DJ for years and am considered a musical "expert" by my friends, I never pay any attention to the kind of shmaltzy crapola done by Cher, etc. Now OTIS, on the other hand, is right over the plate for me!<br /><br />Captcha dormid= a sleepy subconscious?Cary in Bouldernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-54239921444533823422010-12-28T21:43:59.761-05:002010-12-28T21:43:59.761-05:00Medium-Challenging?
Not really and I'm a cr@p...Medium-Challenging? <br />Not really and I'm a cr@p puzzle solfer - just like this puzzle.<br /><br /> <br />The ALLIN was a gimme and made the "Theme" fast fill as much of the puzzle except the junk was half-filled in by then.<br /><br /> <br />Cloying, too cool for school and over-cutesy? Definitely. <br /><br />Very annoying.<br /><br />Another puzzle, please.xyzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08287781952915413013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-57150986863441294462010-12-23T22:39:51.313-05:002010-12-23T22:39:51.313-05:00I'm a "great if I make it through Thursda...I'm a "great if I make it through Thursday" solver. I enjoyed yesterday's puzzle enormously! Said to my honey after I finished, "That was FUN!" Thanks.DocCnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-67462931041724648842010-12-23T08:32:59.171-05:002010-12-23T08:32:59.171-05:00@mac - If you go check out Eataly, be certain to a...@mac - If you go check out Eataly, be certain to avoid the gelato - $4.99 for a small cup with a false bottom. It looks as though it is about 2 inches deep from the outside, but when you put your spoon in, you will find it is only about half that depth.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-20743703165137246232010-12-23T03:06:26.685-05:002010-12-23T03:06:26.685-05:00So-o-o good. Spongy/nerf and the clue for FLY took...So-o-o good. Spongy/nerf and the clue for FLY took my breath away. Write-up also fab. I would say more if it wasn't 3 am.Vegahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01893157908004486201noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-62317039821289057182010-12-23T00:25:47.205-05:002010-12-23T00:25:47.205-05:00Nice work Rex, boys. I particularly liked GOOD TIM...Nice work Rex, boys. I particularly liked GOOD TIME, A DAY'S WORK, and the Eero complainers.<br /><br />Enjoy your Chinese food, Ben.SethGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13753036404140901368noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-86123759891704418702010-12-22T23:02:07.617-05:002010-12-22T23:02:07.617-05:00Oops, meant ALTE...Oops, meant ALTE...Jennyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18350571589422693875noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-91810542044039590152010-12-22T23:00:58.216-05:002010-12-22T23:00:58.216-05:00Noticed the constructore name right away and immed...Noticed the constructore name right away and immediately linked this to RP's hinting earlier in the week. I enjoyed the puzzle, and though I'm not one to time (I don't like to rush solving, and I like a neat puzzle- strange, I know - and I do solve the tree-killing way), it felt like a Medium difficulty to me.<br /><br />As a German speaker, I also felt that the cluing for ALTe was off, being dependent on the article 'der' to result in concordance with the given clue. But all of this has been well put by @Clark and @Ulrich above.<br /><br />Thanks, RP et al.Jennyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18350571589422693875noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-14139446501159019462010-12-22T22:47:18.307-05:002010-12-22T22:47:18.307-05:00@Sparky: Sparky the dental assistant was back fill...@Sparky: Sparky the dental assistant was back filling in today after ten whole years! She is a character.<br /><br />I live very close to Eataly, but so far it has been so packed, with lines outside, that I've never been in.machttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06794371617847975218noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-72415241009281819872010-12-22T22:15:37.631-05:002010-12-22T22:15:37.631-05:00What a lovely puzzle, Rex! I had loads of fun. Con...What a lovely puzzle, Rex! I had loads of fun. Congratulations.livebugnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-22940994794695559922010-12-22T22:11:56.549-05:002010-12-22T22:11:56.549-05:00Rex,
Not to diminish your success, but painfully ...Rex,<br /><br />Not to diminish your success, but painfully I have learned things are never as bad as they seem nor as good as you'd like.<br /><br />I would like to see a 3rd....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-79003725738266498192010-12-22T22:04:07.308-05:002010-12-22T22:04:07.308-05:00Good across the spectrum clues for an easy-medium ...Good across the spectrum clues for an easy-medium Wednesday. Delightful write-up, Catan!Shamikhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11635283729322415150noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-30565107491400802512010-12-22T22:00:44.786-05:002010-12-22T22:00:44.786-05:00Near perfect Wednesday puzzle IMO. Mucho kudos Mic...Near perfect Wednesday puzzle IMO. Mucho kudos Michael/Rex, and thanks for a very enjoyable solve!deerfencernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-84394145260232308862010-12-22T21:27:25.461-05:002010-12-22T21:27:25.461-05:00For someone who still doesn't know what ALL IN...For someone who still doesn't know what ALL IN or BIEN SUR means, I finished w/o Googling.<br /><br />Many things I didn't know, but when Biggie SMALLS was murdered at 27, we had much discussion among my inmate students. <br /><br />Glad I know CERF and SHOR, since there are some things that Google can't cough up correctly'<br /><br />Elizabeth Cady Stanton was born in Johnstown, 2 counties to the East of Utica in Upstate NY, and was major in the suffrage movement in Seneca Falls to the West of Utica.<br /><br />@Retired Chemist - beautiful Dicht - I never heard of it.<br /><br />Der ALTE Barbarossa, der Kaiser Firederich... <br />a crazy poem I once learned. He's sleeping in an enchanted state in an underground castle, with his beard growing through the marble table and wakes up every 100 years to see if Germany is united. <br />@Ulrich - help me here to remember more.Sfingihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06903616949048940858noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-66733322805965360842010-12-22T21:21:24.172-05:002010-12-22T21:21:24.172-05:00Worst thing about the puzzle: 18A Cher-bot earworm...Worst thing about the puzzle: 18A Cher-bot earworm that I just can't get out of my head!Stanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02681342234536407419noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-54879260026515809792010-12-22T21:16:11.377-05:002010-12-22T21:16:11.377-05:00Good theme construction, solid vocabulary, fun sol...Good theme construction, solid vocabulary, fun solve.<br /><br />But then again, I'm just an obsequious sycophant.<br /><br />Best joke of the day: MAL DE JER.Stanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02681342234536407419noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-34064009987884905282010-12-22T21:10:22.161-05:002010-12-22T21:10:22.161-05:00Congrats Rex. A nice run-for-the-money. Think the...Congrats Rex. A nice run-for-the-money. Think the clues fair not sneaky. I didn't see the name till I came to the blog. <br /><br />Arrived in Miami yesterday and am spinning with Christmas, relatives, the whole shebang.<br /><br />@Matthew G. Good comment re "word deletion" Wish I could express self so clearly. Agree re keeping NYC in NYTimes puzzle. The city becomming so gentrified, with people driving to "destination" foodmarkets like Eatily that there won't be any NYC left in NYC. Bah, Humbug.Sparkynoreply@blogger.com