tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post2224513562390613210..comments2024-03-28T10:40:33.612-04:00Comments on Rex Parker Does the NYT Crossword Puzzle: Exotic dancer executed in 1917 / WED 8-24-11 / Fester and Vanya / River to the Rhine / 1983 Mr. T comedyRex Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145707733877505087noreply@blogger.comBlogger77125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-26430020057170108082011-09-28T20:20:15.102-04:002011-09-28T20:20:15.102-04:00Spacecraft here. Interesting discussion of theme v...Spacecraft here. Interesting discussion of theme vs. themeless. I for one cannot imagine how difficult it would be for me to construct any kind of crossword. But to make the longest entries conform to a single theme yet? That's unimaginable squared! My hat is off to anybody who can do that, so I appreciate the triumph of the constructor that much more. You might say I "owe" it to these people to enjoy their efforts. At any rate, I like both kinds if they're well done. They're different animals; thankfully we're free to like apples AND ORANGES.<br /> The south for me was a near DNF. I'm not sure how I'd clue ANIMA--a word meaning soul--but "man's feminine side" does not cut it. I can't think of anything that has less to do with gender than ANIMA.<br /> I agree with the earlier comment about 1d; there's no LAB in XRAY. Those are two separate departments to which new patients are often sent.<br /> Despite PICKING these (u)NITS, I mostly enjoyed this one. We have the FOG DRIFTing into the center, and the right-hand column has two entries closely theme-related. One with the vowel at the end, TEETH-E, and the other in front: O-RANGES. (You might even add 43d, if you pronounce the former Houston NFL team the way a true native would: A-OLERS. Also liked the fresh clue for YEAR--whose truncated word, EAR, appears as well!<br /> EVADE is sometimes not such a gimme for me; _V___ could easily be AVOID. Is a wound covering a SCAR or a SCAB? Occasionally, I hate this language! Mostly not, though.<br /><br />another real-word captcha: undid.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-72266384962197806962011-09-28T16:53:12.768-04:002011-09-28T16:53:12.768-04:00Gibber or Gabber not Yabber.Gibber or Gabber not Yabber.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-49553492026130751412011-09-28T16:28:59.040-04:002011-09-28T16:28:59.040-04:00Favorite clue was easily "Fester and Vanya&qu...Favorite clue was easily "Fester and Vanya". Talk about a culture clash. If only Mr. T had been Uncle T, Ms. Blakley could have hit the trifecta in one clue.DJ Stonenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-45936775113676056202011-09-28T16:25:18.955-04:002011-09-28T16:25:18.955-04:00I love atrophy casea michaels dearly by any name b...I love atrophy casea michaels dearly by any name but I really don't think I want to know about her yeast infections.<br /><br />I consider myself somewhat of an expert when it comes to shovelling snow (and some might say other materials, too) and DRIFTs are not what I consider a headache - that would be the snowplow that comes along right after I finish and fills the driveway back in as it goes by.<br /><br />I'm with @Deb re thunder sound.Dirigonzohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03903353503511480168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-85079085787829074802011-09-28T15:18:51.217-04:002011-09-28T15:18:51.217-04:00Bells PEAL; thunder CLAPS, dammit.Bells PEAL; thunder CLAPS, dammit.Debhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16675331024091722316noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-1932793799320324612011-09-28T13:36:29.375-04:002011-09-28T13:36:29.375-04:00Here's a Y's to the word list:
YMCA RECOR...Here's a Y's to the word list:<br /><br />YMCA RECORDS<br />YEGG CARTONS<br />YEARLY RISER<br /><br />Of course in none of these examples is Y used as a vowel, as Mr. Kerfuffle has managed to do.<br /><br />Note, though, that of the two Y's in the grid, the one that appears in a theme answer <i>is</i> a vowel, both across and down. The other is a consonant in both directions.<br /><br />Also, two Y's in constructor's name (both vowels).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-39886284592720250192011-08-25T01:09:27.573-04:002011-08-25T01:09:27.573-04:00@SteveMartin and others:
"Wow, look at the t...@SteveMartin and others:<br /><br />"Wow, look at the t*ts! There must be 57 t*ts up there!nycscottnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-44167756698272196802011-08-25T00:14:29.776-04:002011-08-25T00:14:29.776-04:00I liked this because of the sound changes. "A...I liked this because of the sound changes. "Atrophy' and 'trophy' (etc.) are all so different.<br /><br />Nice defense of themes, Andrea. I *knew* you would be Anima Cardiac today!<br /><br />@Moonchild: Yeast of Eden is great! It's even 11 letters long. It would have to be worked in as a vertical, though.Stanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02681342234536407419noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-74018324474110860222011-08-24T22:33:34.731-04:002011-08-24T22:33:34.731-04:00I am old enough to remember Eugene Maleska, the fo...I am old enough to remember Eugene Maleska, the former NYT puzzle editor. While he didn't turn a clever phrase like Mr. Shortz, he was solid and never used a theme, that I can remember. Suited me just fine. I don't need no theme.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-28492988151161040082011-08-24T21:26:53.354-04:002011-08-24T21:26:53.354-04:00@Lojman: great find!@Lojman: great find!machttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06794371617847975218noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-21635053421431710112011-08-24T21:23:10.712-04:002011-08-24T21:23:10.712-04:00Enjoyed it very much. My "Y" contributio...Enjoyed it very much. My "Y" contribution: Migratory Duck, e.g.? YEARLY BIRDLojmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07908151075803077995noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-39321076608479305992011-08-24T20:33:01.535-04:002011-08-24T20:33:01.535-04:00@Anon 4:13 - did you mean ANIMA? See: anima
Al...@Anon 4:13 - did you mean ANIMA? See:<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anima_and_animus" rel="nofollow"> anima </a><br /><br />All the same mistakes mentioned above; didn't get the theme until I came here.<br /><br />Beautiful day to be at Lake Compounce...JenCThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18290169184354765840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-36744819804107119592011-08-24T18:12:53.622-04:002011-08-24T18:12:53.622-04:00Is it not significant that a BONY FISH is in fact ...Is it not significant that a BONY FISH is in fact LIVE BAIT, and that a SLANDER TRIAL is a classic TROPHY-CASE (in the litigious sense)???AndyKingCreativehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18157863716933920551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-3223579968054763472011-08-24T16:36:31.958-04:002011-08-24T16:36:31.958-04:00@atrophy casea michaels said "you have the th...@atrophy casea michaels said "you have the theme slightly backwards". <br /><br />You're right; thematic dyslexia took over and wouldn't be denied the chance to throw in a couple of groaners, backwards or not.<br /><br />Mea culpa.jackjnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-11270534038783941672011-08-24T16:21:43.964-04:002011-08-24T16:21:43.964-04:00Good puzzle.
Good job covering for Rex, Neville! ...Good puzzle. <br />Good job covering for Rex, Neville! (BTW I love your name as I am a Harry Potter fan :])<br />I hate banana flavored candy, too! LOLRosemaryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07509210856818711986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-19454923487802062862011-08-24T16:13:19.888-04:002011-08-24T16:13:19.888-04:00Would love if somebody could explain the ANITA ans...Would love if somebody could explain the ANITA answer for me...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-47403510237098231682011-08-24T16:10:52.987-04:002011-08-24T16:10:52.987-04:00Midday 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 />Wed 12:09, 11:51, 1.03, 62%, Medium-Challenging<br /><br />Top 100 solvers<br /><br />Wed 6:19, 5:51, 1.08, 75%, Medium-Challengingsanfranman59https://www.blogger.com/profile/15118732156312301425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-40291020244217825522011-08-24T15:03:30.551-04:002011-08-24T15:03:30.551-04:00@ Andrea,
I cannot take credit for that little gem...@ Andrea,<br />I cannot take credit for that little gem. I only solved the riddle that @retired_chemist posed.<br /><br />@archaeoprof, Good one re: @jesser!Moonchildnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-39155590287488825902011-08-24T14:44:18.658-04:002011-08-24T14:44:18.658-04:00The crossing of XMAS/XRAYLAB impressed me.
As d...The crossing of XMAS/XRAYLAB impressed me. <br /><br />As does "Yeast of Eden."<br /><br />@jesser: now we know where Steve Martin got his great sense of humor ... from his cousin!archaeoprofhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17956231727789223463noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-79349674629121597752011-08-24T14:09:35.743-04:002011-08-24T14:09:35.743-04:00@marcus wellington. yes have seen that show
But n...@marcus wellington. yes have seen that show<br /><br />But now we have on the weather channel all day to see when Irene is coming. They just had a segment on how people in Natick, Mass are getting ready for the hurricane!!!!chefbeahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15195945085405126511noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-87411350959044533432011-08-24T14:06:45.218-04:002011-08-24T14:06:45.218-04:00@Moonchild
Love YEASTOFEDEN! That's the spiri...@Moonchild<br />Love YEASTOFEDEN! That's the spirit!<br /><br />@Jackj <br />you have the theme slightly backwards...EARLONG or EASTINFECTION would have to be stand alone phrases.<br />But you DO have the basis for a DROP the vowel/letter theme...go for it! EASTINFECTION seems like a good start to something, tho conjuring up yeast infections would be a bit icky, but maybe we could drink some good cranberry juice while we solved!<br /><br />@pete<br /> yes, I think the dissatisfaction may have been that neither BONYFISH or EBONYFISH jumps off the plate as fun...<br />and I'm not trying to force (feed) someone to enjoy what they didn't genuinely enjoy...just wanted some deeper appreciation of what went into the "recipe" of the meal.<br /><br />And yes, I too believe Kelsey is a woman, tho her pic does not appear in the database...and I also liked seeing Neville's pic in the blog so we could put more faces to names.<br /><br />Plus congrats to BEQ and his wife Liz on their new baby girl, whom I hope one day will be a female version of her papa and make puzzles that will knock our socks off in a girly sort of way!atrophy casea michaelsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-7101457752421694932011-08-24T13:49:34.712-04:002011-08-24T13:49:34.712-04:00Have you guys ever seen that show "Pawn Stars...Have you guys ever seen that show "Pawn Stars"? I guess they had some kind of "Pawn Stars" marathon on the other day because every time I walked through the living room it was on. There was one guy who came in with a collection of Pez dispensers and was completely disgusted that he couldn't get as much as he wanted for them. They were pretty cool.<br /><br />www.delld620.comMarcus Wellingtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13948669864171873343noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-55338565282768010152011-08-24T13:44:39.441-04:002011-08-24T13:44:39.441-04:00@Anon 12:54: Wouldn't plates be developed in ...@Anon 12:54: Wouldn't plates be developed in an XRAYLAB? Just wondering.miriam bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03506593846362044050noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-69196788021554143922011-08-24T13:39:28.854-04:002011-08-24T13:39:28.854-04:00FWIW: In elementary school I remember the teacher...FWIW: In elementary school I remember the teacher telling me that the vowels were AEIOU and sometimes Y and W. Google yields some hits saying that W can in fact be considered a vowel at times. So we need another phrase for W, which I'm not nearly clever enough to come up with.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-28884920991575105492011-08-24T13:38:30.408-04:002011-08-24T13:38:30.408-04:00Like many, had piG/FOG and ANItA/ANIMA, although r...Like many, had piG/FOG and ANItA/ANIMA, although really wanted eNate for that last one. But, waited for a cross confirmation that never came<br /><br />Saw the theme with EIO and filled in the A and U, making the puzzle considerably easier. Did I like the them answers? Not really, except for OLIVEBAIT. Just got back from 2 wks at Lake Powell where the fishing was terrible. Maybe I should have used some "live bait".<br /><br />Since no-one's made any positive comments, I assume that DCCAB and LEANONME are not worth NetFlicking. Never heard of either one.Rubehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04773241241484881566noreply@blogger.com