tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post2447006425161139270..comments2024-03-28T15:13:08.509-04:00Comments on Rex Parker Does the NYT Crossword Puzzle: Moravian capital — SATURDAY, Oct. 17 2009 — Matricidal figure of myth / Belgian balladeer / Klaxon-sounding occasion / Track speedster beginning 2000Rex Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145707733877505087noreply@blogger.comBlogger82125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-39011821648268977552021-10-11T08:09:28.645-04:002021-10-11T08:09:28.645-04:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Abdul Rehman Kanjuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11378227822132618842noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-76142924956243400342009-11-22T15:17:44.593-05:002009-11-22T15:17:44.593-05:00Ugh! I only had one letter wrong -- had AREL cros...Ugh! I only had one letter wrong -- had AREL crossing ARNO (figured it was just some disguised crosswordese). I always think of Jacques Brel as "Alive and well and living in Paris" (A film which I haven't ever been high enough to apreciate, I think)... Otherwise, it was easy-medium for me. A couple early stumbles were SPACEERA (although that would be a little too, um, unspecific) and GUNSAFE (which would make sense, but the final A on the down didn't look good)...MikeInSTLnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-83238013889547518272009-10-20T14:05:49.406-04:002009-10-20T14:05:49.406-04:00Agree with most everything good and bad but would ...Agree with most everything good and bad but would add that HADNT without any indication that it was a contraction or abbreviation just isn't NYT fair. 1D said "brief" and added a question mark, for example.<br /><br />Also, just for the record, Sunoco is not a BP rival (not even sure if it registers on the radar in the UK) but Conoco is, big time.jauhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05533248520231931612noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-31522979872475547552009-10-19T15:54:44.626-04:002009-10-19T15:54:44.626-04:00The clueing on Rabbi is off in my opinion - by far...The clueing on Rabbi is off in my opinion - by far the most accepted translation of the meaning of Rabbi is "my teacher" not "my master" -FloridaAGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15547836143905791494noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-43551097653421886252009-10-18T06:06:17.310-04:002009-10-18T06:06:17.310-04:00@Anonymous 5.19: you have a spoiler in that commen...@Anonymous 5.19: you have a spoiler in that comment. Please erase! Agree with you. Now I'm going for a real walk in the (Hyde) Park.machttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06794371617847975218noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-48600708345800927742009-10-18T00:38:22.868-04:002009-10-18T00:38:22.868-04:00Lobsters, crabs, shrimp, etc. are decapods. They ...Lobsters, crabs, shrimp, etc. are decapods. They all have 10 appendages. Subtract two for the claws and lobsters have 8 legs. If you go with a decent sized lobster, 1 3/4 pounds or up, the morsels in those legs are some of the best eating on the whole animal. My wife and I usually get a three-pounder at the market, split it for dinner and have plenty left for lobster salad lunches.Martinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-65247594148053047282009-10-18T00:23:30.544-04:002009-10-18T00:23:30.544-04:00I did this one this afternoon in a way-too-hot air...I did this one this afternoon in a way-too-hot airplane, on my iPod touch. I too GAVEROPE and misfit OEDIPUS. I also wanted to somehow get "nose" in to separate pupils. <br /><br />I am very familiar with snow fencing. It is usually made of orange plastic that can be rolled up outside of snow season, but communities with serious snowdrift problems might have a <a href="http://www.rwdi.com/project/baker_lake_snow_fence" rel="nofollow">steel snow fence</a>. When I was in Baker Lake theirs was the pride of the town.Aviatrixhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13634111275860140084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-73465789553259952032009-10-18T00:13:20.222-04:002009-10-18T00:13:20.222-04:00michael: Lobsters have two claws, which they use f...michael: Lobsters have two claws, which they use for tearing theur prey and fighting, and, Six or eight (funny, after many years of eatin' 'em I don't know) legs. (Whether these legs have 'feet' is a matter of learned debate.)slypetthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05537129206516720012noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-90839901248065291232009-10-18T00:02:02.440-04:002009-10-18T00:02:02.440-04:00clark: Rex is not called upon to respond to all or...clark: Rex is not called upon to respond to all or any gaffes. That's for openers. Second, humiliation is not salutory. Third, I'd made it clear in my penultimate comment that I was quite embarrassed, but that my life would go on. Address other comments on this matter to my attorney, Dougie Whipsnide.slypetthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05537129206516720012noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-17359917242692301672009-10-17T22:17:48.111-04:002009-10-17T22:17:48.111-04:00Oh, @Hazel, we could have had such a damned good t...Oh, @Hazel, we could have had such a damned good time together.Clarknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-63375178046250123382009-10-17T21:23:32.201-04:002009-10-17T21:23:32.201-04:00You know, while I was trying to crank the ole fliv...You know, while I was trying to crank the ole flivver, I was just thinking how long it's been since I played a hand of pinochle. <br />Well, actually, I've never played a hand of that game, but I accidentally bought a deck of Pinochle cards, and you should have seen the disgusted looks on my kids' faces; they just wanted to play Go Fish!<br /><br />@michael<br />You have just posed some disturbing questions. Um, well, there are TWO claws...and some pedipalps, and, um...You know, I am not really Up On arthropods. I am allergic, and I just avoid the whole bunch.... and now I am afraid to get in the bathtub.....<br />with those dreadful CLAWED FEET...Oh, wait! Did you notice the -ED at the end of CLAW? <br />How wonderful! (cue rainbow and Bluebirds of Grammar!)<br /><br />See you guys tomorrow!Elainehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13195458656221202202noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-65469832071068972732009-10-17T21:13:56.573-04:002009-10-17T21:13:56.573-04:00Re: the birthday cake from yesterday --
If someon...Re: the birthday cake from yesterday --<br /><br />If someone made me that cake, I'd be so touched that I'd probably burst into tears. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder! <br /><br />Happy, Happy Birthday Mrs. RPshrub5https://www.blogger.com/profile/09466867716773759568noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-24070791487894501172009-10-17T19:51:46.450-04:002009-10-17T19:51:46.450-04:00I thought this was a really good Saturday puzzle -...I thought this was a really good Saturday puzzle -- challenging but (barely) possible for me. I was surprised when I got it completely right. Stuck for along time with "Allen" instead of "Albee" and "lobster" instead of "bathtub". (Do lobsters even have "feet?" Aren't they called "claws" or "appendages" or something?)michaelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-21708534365669825572009-10-17T19:35:07.120-04:002009-10-17T19:35:07.120-04:00Somehow I've always preferred the House of Atr...Somehow I've always preferred the House of Atreus to the House of Thebes. They just seem to have better stories. But as Rex says, it's all a matter of personal taste.<br /><br />Same with puzzles: I enjoyed yesterday's can of ass-whoop more than today's.Stanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02681342234536407419noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-66527097102794962922009-10-17T19:06:42.478-04:002009-10-17T19:06:42.478-04:00@ Ulrich -- "I hadn't the gall to respond...@ Ulrich -- "I hadn't the gall to respond more forcefully"... (lacked the gall). But I see you got it: I just like the word "gall".<br /><br />@ Elaine -- I was really happy with BY DINT OF... One of these days it will be brought back from the mothballs. Ol' Geezers and Biddies will love it! <br /><br />I had one more thought: PINOCHLE isn't a full double-decker, as some cards are left out.. I know, the clue did have a question mark and the answer wasn't hard to see, but it was tricky! Still loved the puzzle.ArtLvrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03869528391374878601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-57166118881457100802009-10-17T18:49:01.484-04:002009-10-17T18:49:01.484-04:00As a Tom Lehrer fan, I found ORESTES a gimme. Afte...As a Tom Lehrer fan, I found ORESTES a gimme. After all, <br /><br />"There once was a man named Oedipus Rex<br />You may have heard about his odd complex<br />His name appears in Freud's index<br />Cause he loved his mother."<br /><br />I like Brel, also Aznavour. And Charles Trenet. Happy birthday, Andreamiriam bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03506593846362044050noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-11785027010004429522009-10-17T18:43:40.698-04:002009-10-17T18:43:40.698-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.miriam bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03506593846362044050noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-55663371966390144912009-10-17T18:43:40.142-04:002009-10-17T18:43:40.142-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.miriam bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03506593846362044050noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-22715603052468433252009-10-17T18:43:37.130-04:002009-10-17T18:43:37.130-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.miriam bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03506593846362044050noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-87339670437466832562009-10-17T18:37:45.280-04:002009-10-17T18:37:45.280-04:00Happiest of birthdays, dearest ACME. Call when thi...Happiest of birthdays, dearest ACME. Call when things settle down, won't you?<br /><br />Best,<br />Patrickpauerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04459037089749874180noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-47025128042172784412009-10-17T18:24:58.789-04:002009-10-17T18:24:58.789-04:00I'm with the birthday girl in loving Jacques B...I'm with the birthday girl in loving Jacques Brel. When you listen to the lyrics, no other french-speaking singer can compare! <br /><br />OMG, is this what RABBI means? The actual pronunciation must be "Rabbee". In Arabic, Rabbee means "My God". Never knew its origin, but it must mean my master as well, and it diverged to different religious meanings in the two languages. So cool!!!<br /><br />I made many of the errors described by others, including the colorful HOE... And a unique one-- "Soon to be up": BENT in lieu of NEXT! You know, you can't stay bent for long, sooner or later you gotta stand up <br />:) <br /><br />BRNO: If in Brno, visit Mendel and his peas (a patch of sweet peas is still there were he tested his).<br /><br />Andrea, I hope they're playing Brel at your party!foodiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13052189131129098616noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-65947866774193526342009-10-17T18:23:44.912-04:002009-10-17T18:23:44.912-04:00If we've learned anything here I think it can ...If we've learned anything here I think it can be summed up as "One person's gimme is another's WTF?" And I think this can be applied to the comments too. I love the snark. If there was no snark here, I wouldn't enjoy it at all. But I almost never interpret it as mean-spirited, so that's probably the difference.PuzzleGirlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06835502266781516627noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-34452311959462682732009-10-17T18:18:28.881-04:002009-10-17T18:18:28.881-04:00@Clark - "Isn't it pretty to think so?&qu...@Clark - "Isn't it pretty to think so?" Jake, The Sun Also Rises<br /><br />Regardless, all I was saying was that cake is good for the soul! Noone can argue with that!!hazelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04627015904603641109noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-45168210763159079162009-10-17T18:08:29.743-04:002009-10-17T18:08:29.743-04:00This week's relative difficulty ratings. See m...This week's relative difficulty ratings. See my <a href="https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=35115061&postID=3588389571383499624&isPopup=true" rel="nofollow">7/30/2009 post</a> for an explanation. 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 8:10, 7:03, 1.16, 82%, Challenging<br />Tue 9:49, 8:38, 1.14, 78%, Medium-Challenging<br />Wed 12:30, 11:49, 1.06, 64%, Medium-Challenging<br />Thu 13:05, 18:51, 0.69, 3%, Easy<br />Fri 29:58, 25:42, 1.17, 85%, Challenging<br />Sat 34:52, 26:46, 1.30, 97%, Challenging<br /><br />Top 100 solvers<br /><br />Mon 4:30, 3:45, 1.20, 88%, Challenging<br />Tue 4:45, 4:25, 1.07, 75%, Medium-Challenging<br />Wed 5:50, 5:48, 1.01, 60%, Medium<br />Thu 6:22, 9:08, 0.70, 2%, Easy<br />Fri 15:00, 12:03, 1.25, 93%, Challenging<br />Sat 19:26, 16:32, 1.18, 86%, Challenging<br /><br />Of the 104 puzzles I've tracked, only 3 have been more challenging for all solvers (relative to the day of the week) than today's.sanfranman59https://www.blogger.com/profile/15118732156312301425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-8008863520836959532009-10-17T18:04:57.113-04:002009-10-17T18:04:57.113-04:00@ Clark
Hmm, okay, good point... but it IS possib...@ Clark<br /><br />Hmm, okay, good point... but it IS possible just to do a mini-rant and not be mean-spirited @ a particular individual. Other people posted, too, when just a bit of cogitation might have brought the explanation to light.<br /><br />Look at some of the snarkier posts this week and ask if they really did anything to build a sense of community or to raise the level of discourse... so, just a plea for some restraint when tempted to snap at a hapless solver.Anonymous, Toonoreply@blogger.com