tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post2654377740061874487..comments2024-03-28T18:12:10.683-04:00Comments on Rex Parker Does the NYT Crossword Puzzle: TUESDAY, Jul. 22, 2008 - Lynn Lempel (LIKE SOME TICKETS AND WESTERN PIONEERS / HEADGEAR FIT FOR A QUEEN)Rex Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145707733877505087noreply@blogger.comBlogger90125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-59123569454767037492023-10-05T11:23:13.986-04:002023-10-05T11:23:13.986-04:00I'm partial to this puzzle if only because of ...I'm partial to this puzzle if only because of 63A "Bassoonists' buys" (REEDS). There are a lot of ways REED or REEDS gets clued, but I'm a bassoonist, and I'm used to my instrument only used in crosswordese as a way to hint at the very common OBOE. (It's just serendipity that I have a reed coming in the mail today, and several homemade attempts sitting on my windowsill as I solve.)<br /><br />I have half a mind to catalog and rank puzzles that refer to the bassoon in a Very Serious and Objective List. Meredithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03835994495425822865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-25483707611053563572008-08-27T08:35:00.000-04:002008-08-27T08:35:00.000-04:00The thorniness of "rushee" arises from the now acc...The thorniness of "rushee" arises from the now accepted, but incorrect use of the verb "rush." Students say they are "rushing" this frat, but technically the fact is the frat is rushing the student. The meaning of rush in this case is "to entertain, or court." The frat is courting the student (hazing aside) so the student is the rushee.Rickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13068017891181076744noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-54924781183584880682008-08-27T07:38:00.000-04:002008-08-27T07:38:00.000-04:00If my roommate is going to "rush" a frat (and he d...If my roommate is going to "rush" a frat (and he did), then he should be the RUSHER, just as someone who is going to "rush" the football is a RUSHER and someone "rushing" through the mall is a RUSHER. <BR/><BR/>People say "I'm rushing such and such a frat," not "I'm being rushed." But you must know that.<BR/><BR/>I sort of understand your logic, but not really. I have no idea what you're doing with "recruit," as I never made that comparison.<BR/><BR/>rpRex Parkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16145707733877505087noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-77256100606636246482008-08-27T06:54:00.000-04:002008-08-27T06:54:00.000-04:00@Rex -BTW, I don't see how RUSHEE is "idiotic", an...@Rex -<BR/>BTW, I don't see how RUSHEE is "idiotic", and "should end -er". The RUSHER is the one who rushes, just as with any normal English usage. The RUSHEE is the target, which though less common in application is still the normal usage. The recruitER is the rushER, the "recruit" is the rushEE - but perhaps to be parallel with "recruiter/recruit", he should be the "rush"???Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-68673437542788191292008-08-26T21:00:00.000-04:002008-08-26T21:00:00.000-04:00@rickIn fact, many of us live out in syndicationla...@rick<BR/><BR/>In fact, many of us live out in syndicationland and the Rexpert does read our comments. So keep the discussion alive...Waxy in Montrealhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04395751487137805245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-77636550064923936522008-08-26T16:10:00.000-04:002008-08-26T16:10:00.000-04:00I feel like a later-arriving guest at a party, whe...I feel like a later-arriving guest at a party, where most of the people have gone home and the lingering conversation has passed its relevancy date, but I'll dive in anyway. I guess I'll see how many read this blog at the later date.<BR/><BR/>I'd rate myself as an above-average solver; I rarely get stumped on anything before Saturday, and most Sat. I can solve without aid. But occasionally I do miss the mark there (I'm looking at YOU, Byron Walden).<BR/><BR/>What I lack is speed; expert solvers can wipe the floor with me, time-wise. And I'm not sure I ever want to be a speed-demon as it takes some of the enjoyment out of savoring the clues and such as I go along.<BR/><BR/>I'd like to try my hand at constructing as well, so I take comments about the puzzles seriously, although I find some criticisms to be a little harsh. <BR/><BR/>Ok, I went on too long. If the "syndicated solvers" are free to comment on the puzzles, I'd love to join the fray.Rickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13068017891181076744noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-50261803583390043722008-08-26T14:44:00.000-04:002008-08-26T14:44:00.000-04:00Rick, I am one to sign on even if doing the puzzle...Rick, I am one to sign on even if doing the puzzle later.<BR/>There is a hymn with the line "Bring forth the royal diadem and crown Him Lord of all." <BR/>Like "bow" and "sleazy" in particular.<BR/>Was surprised by "scalped."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-43897322977530330772008-08-26T14:18:00.000-04:002008-08-26T14:18:00.000-04:00Newish reader, never posted before. I'm one who ge...Newish reader, never posted before. I'm one who gets the puzzle 5 weeks later. Do any other "late" solvers post here?Rickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13068017891181076744noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-44921872722081224202008-08-26T12:40:00.000-04:002008-08-26T12:40:00.000-04:00@mac -It's a reference to the Harry Potter novels....@mac -<BR/>It's a reference to the Harry Potter novels... Ravenclaw is the name of one of the houses at the school attended by the young wizard (et al.)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-4898199859547892992008-07-23T01:45:00.000-04:002008-07-23T01:45:00.000-04:00split enz!!split enz!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-72792388940802620482008-07-23T00:14:00.000-04:002008-07-23T00:14:00.000-04:00Ethel Granger- world's smallest waist. 13 inches,...Ethel Granger- world's smallest waist. 13 inches, I believe.Doc Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12540112168511893896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-65823539736082442372008-07-22T22:56:00.000-04:002008-07-22T22:56:00.000-04:00My A to Z Crossword dictionary has scour as an ent...My A to Z Crossword dictionary has scour as an entry under SKIRR.jaehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03385568014046336373noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-33682318981513324012008-07-22T22:49:00.000-04:002008-07-22T22:49:00.000-04:00@atlvr - my online dictionary posits that skirr ma...@atlvr - my online dictionary posits that skirr may come from scour - I think scurry makes more senseJannieBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18282015159638078416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-88034496392111989572008-07-22T21:56:00.000-04:002008-07-22T21:56:00.000-04:00@artlvr - love the word rexpertsigned a rexite@artlvr - love the word rexpert<BR/><BR/>signed a rexitechefbeahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15195945085405126511noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-59171617626457427092008-07-22T21:45:00.000-04:002008-07-22T21:45:00.000-04:00@rex: I know nothing about that lingo, so tell me ...@rex: I know nothing about that lingo, so tell me why it shouldn't be raven/talon?machttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06794371617847975218noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-46928679839288018092008-07-22T21:43:00.000-04:002008-07-22T21:43:00.000-04:00Great "fewmets", miriam b! (Whew!) Again, re Sun...Great "fewmets", miriam b! (Whew!) Again, re Sunday's puzzle where SPOOR crossed the even more obscure SKIRR, I thought at the time that the latter must be connected to "scurry"... However, the old dictionaries at home aren't any more help, just offering scurry and scamper as synonyms for "skirr", but no etymological link. I was delighted with the "SKIRR" quotes from the Bard though -- the Rexperts always come through! Many thanks to all...<BR/><BR/>∑;)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-28615796098815602082008-07-22T21:13:00.000-04:002008-07-22T21:13:00.000-04:00This constant harping on SPOOR brought to mind Sir...This constant harping on SPOOR brought to mind Sir Pellinore's pursuit of The Questing Beast in The Once and Future King. What the knight followed - and collected - was (or were) fewmets. Now I'd like to see that word in a puzzle some Saturday.miriam bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03506593846362044050noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-17648502914575915312008-07-22T21:00:00.000-04:002008-07-22T21:00:00.000-04:00@rex cant wait to hear about quiz night. might ha...@rex cant wait to hear about quiz night. might have to stay up for a couple of hourschefbeahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15195945085405126511noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-85874223828712387262008-07-22T20:55:00.000-04:002008-07-22T20:55:00.000-04:00I remembered SPOOR from a family game years ago, o...I remembered SPOOR from a family game years ago, our own form of Dictionary -- in which we took turns trying to stump/awe others with rare words' definitions (I guess we were all nerdy). I thought "spoor" had to do with a scent to follow, but a cousin prevailed with animal "track". I wish I'd known then about the "scat" aspect! Ha.<BR/><BR/>@ Bill D -- I recall Liz Smith fondly, but I don't know if that's her daughter you mentioned...<BR/><BR/>∑;)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-7329204652744172882008-07-22T19:24:00.000-04:002008-07-22T19:24:00.000-04:00Doc John--Was Ethel Granger very small? That's my...Doc John--<BR/>Was Ethel Granger very small? That's my dim partial hit when dredging that name from my own Guiness era brain.green mantishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01823785147354157816noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-74770227542829938592008-07-22T19:23:00.001-04:002008-07-22T19:23:00.001-04:00Better that you SPOOR me on than that you SPOOR on...Better that you SPOOR me on than that you SPOOR on me.<BR/><BR/>2.5 hours til Wednesday puzzle....<BR/><BR/>Can't wait to tell you all about the local Quiz Night I attended last night at the Lake Hawea Community Centre...<BR/><BR/>rpRex Parkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16145707733877505087noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-48737440120225538392008-07-22T19:23:00.000-04:002008-07-22T19:23:00.000-04:00I was trying to figure out the BLUBBER clue. Was i...I was trying to figure out the BLUBBER clue. Was it CRY or FAT? Checked 11 down and my jaw dropped when I realized it was SCALPED. Loved the puzzle after that and will add to the admiration for the double pleasure of the BOW clue and tricky parsing of SISENOR. Good stuff!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-78666744967081562822008-07-22T19:14:00.000-04:002008-07-22T19:14:00.000-04:00Doesn't everybody read the dictionary? And come on...Doesn't everybody read the dictionary? And come on people, let's get Rex his new word for crosswordese ... let's spoor him on.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-49149239147172351972008-07-22T17:49:00.000-04:002008-07-22T17:49:00.000-04:00I hope you all understand that I meant poker by th...I hope you all understand that I meant poker by that remark.<BR/><BR/>Three and out.imsdave1https://www.blogger.com/profile/05801936953212432824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-57424678773380902052008-07-22T17:34:00.000-04:002008-07-22T17:34:00.000-04:00@andrea - i didn't have paypal until contributing ...@andrea - i didn't have paypal until contributing to this amazing website. It's very easy to sign up, and also has contributed to some of my baser pastimes, to my benefit.imsdave1https://www.blogger.com/profile/05801936953212432824noreply@blogger.com