tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post4042069707302883445..comments2024-03-29T06:32:07.322-04:00Comments on Rex Parker Does the NYT Crossword Puzzle: Debut Olympian of 2008 / SAT 3-13-10 / Personification purity literature / Entertainer first man married Caesars Palace / Tea originally wrapped foilRex Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145707733877505087noreply@blogger.comBlogger78125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-62554472817524133822010-03-15T18:12:23.157-04:002010-03-15T18:12:23.157-04:00@Fred -- Well, first, the event is called "Ol...@Fred -- Well, first, the event is called "Olympic BMX" so it isn't as if the term is used any other way. Like NASCAR, but not like Apr., which no-one says.<br /><br />Also, it's Saturday, the hardest day of the week for the NYT. Cluing the abbreviation would have sacrificed the misdirection that had us both stumped. (I was looking for OIL-something too.)Stanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02681342234536407419noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-62693467549018098052010-03-15T16:29:32.870-04:002010-03-15T16:29:32.870-04:00I was thrown by BMXER: isn't there usually an ...I was thrown by BMXER: isn't there usually an abbreviation inthe clue when there's one in the answer? That M was the last letter I was unsure about, and I googled OILLEBORNES to check--that's how I found this lovely blog!Frebberfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10588970348270010644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-15740045230033271642010-03-15T14:31:47.100-04:002010-03-15T14:31:47.100-04:00@ Bob Mills -
BMXER - One participating in a Bicy...@ Bob Mills -<br /><br />BMXER - One participating in a Bicycle Moto Cross (BMX)<br /><br />The salsa is a form of dance, therefore it is composed of steps<br /><br />To simplify the equation 38x/19xy = z, we can cancel out the x and get 38/19y = z, then divide and find 2/y = z, or yz= 2. (Mathematician, Not!!!)<br /><br />When you have TROD on someone, you have walked all over him, or put your shoes on him. But if you have put shoes on a horse, you have SHOD him, assuming they are horseshoes.The Answer Guy - Not!!!!noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-20765528056022632972010-03-15T12:30:05.602-04:002010-03-15T12:30:05.602-04:00This was the nastiest puzzle the Times ever publis...This was the nastiest puzzle the Times ever published. I normally finish the Saturday puzzle within two hours, but I couldn't even do this one after cheating.<br /><br />What is a "BMXER?"<br />Why are salsa ingredients "STEPS?"<br />Is "CANCELED OUT" a good clue for "simplified, in a way?"<br />"SHOD," not "TROD," is a preferred clue for "put shoes on?"<br /><br /><br />Bob Millsbob millshttp://robertlockwoodmills.tripod.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-76283438141923490132010-03-14T01:35:59.275-05:002010-03-14T01:35:59.275-05:00@Two Ponies
Until your post, I never realized that...@Two Ponies<br />Until your post, I never realized that you had an S to laughter and it becomes SLAUGHTER!!!!!!!!!<br />Gotta make a puzzle around that, I think. Boy does that transform that word!<br /><br />@stan<br />tell Marion they keep threatening to close this Cala, it's, like, the last one :( WHERE will I buy my ice cream sandwiches and kitty litter, which is 50% of my shopping!<br /><br />Officially from Tyler when I questioned the COBBSALAD/SALADA:<br />"It's all part of our grand plan to get America to eat more salad."<br />Dude!andrea i'mout michaelsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-90067455029647358132010-03-13T23:50:24.308-05:002010-03-13T23:50:24.308-05:00@chefbea: I missed your comment about your daught...@chefbea: I missed your comment about your daughter but just saw the news. I hope she's okay.<br /><br />Is it my imagination, or is this the worst winter ever? From Miami, my only survival skills in power outages are how not to die from the heat, so I have little advice. Just best wishes.<br /><br />@elaine: Looks like I was wise to post that apology preemptively!Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14825669443134444569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-89445050261545925892010-03-13T23:28:55.795-05:002010-03-13T23:28:55.795-05:00@Jesse
I'll go one over, seeing as it's so...@Jesse<br />I'll go one over, seeing as it's so late, just to say, um, Yes, I was making a joke with both 'behaviour' and 'colourful.' No offense taken, just sorry you didn't get it. In one way it little matters if we use one or the other, except that the NYT is probably going to use the American spelling. <br /><br />Be on the lookout for little jokes with this bunch; it adds to the fun.Elainehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13195458656221202202noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-90018399979874641032010-03-13T22:17:57.494-05:002010-03-13T22:17:57.494-05:00@Elaine - Just reread my comment. I wasn't be...@Elaine - Just reread my comment. I wasn't being critical in any way, in case it came across as such. I just thought your rule of thumb was useful but then I was confused by your (deliberate?) use of U in coloUrful.<br /><br />So no snub intended from this newb. <br /><br />BTW, I did the Sunday puzzle while using a SOCIAL LUBRICANT. Perhaps this is the answer??Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14825669443134444569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-37592633904280398662010-03-13T21:38:06.251-05:002010-03-13T21:38:06.251-05:00Hope everyone in the northeast is OK. Just spoke w...Hope everyone in the northeast is OK. Just spoke with my daughter and she is in the dark as are many in the fairfield county area - many trees down - 70mph winds. Sounds awful!!!chefbeahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15195945085405126511noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-28239368292796161142010-03-13T21:35:53.866-05:002010-03-13T21:35:53.866-05:00@Clark, thanks for that.
It all reminds me of Verm...@Clark, thanks for that.<br />It all reminds me of Vermeer, and I don't know why!fikinkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06324570637549775751noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-1706996402222826912010-03-13T21:00:18.019-05:002010-03-13T21:00:18.019-05:00I agree with michael that "arm supporters&quo...I agree with <b>michael</b> that "arm supporters" is a bum clue for NRA (though it fell into place from crosses). The NRA does not support the right to bear "arm". I've never heard the word arm in the singular used to express weapon.<br /><br />@Elaine - interesting that you would explain the spelling of cancelled vs. canceled by using an American rule, then in the next post say that spelling can be coloUrful. <br /><br />I was raised on ingles de inglaterra for my first twenty years, but have totally adapted to US spelling since I moved to the States 30 years ago. I learned to drop my "U"s, but there are some words - canceled being one - that just look wrong to me. <br /><br />After today's disaster (to me), I am happy to report in advance that the Sunday puzzle is EASY. In fact, it's the first Sunday NYT puzzle in my entire life that I have filled in a la a LA Times or USA Today one - from top to bottom, in one go (obviously, looking at the down clues for guidance). <br /><br />Shortz taketh, but then he giveth away!Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14825669443134444569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-14310318681686871452010-03-13T20:20:56.952-05:002010-03-13T20:20:56.952-05:00@Moonchild
Come to think of it, I am having a lot ...@Moonchild<br />Come to think of it, I am having a lot of late-in-life birthdays these past few years! Good point.<br /><br />Dance on!<br /><br />@all<br /><br />If you look to the right of the Print command on AcrossLite, there is a drop-down arrow; click Customize...and at the bottom of that screen is a 'print on two pages' command that is a big relief on a Sunday puzzle. Not as compact, but a heck of a lot easier on the eyes.Elainehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13195458656221202202noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-70626281763327003542010-03-13T20:17:29.538-05:002010-03-13T20:17:29.538-05:00I really liked this puzzle. One of the best const...I really liked this puzzle. One of the best constructions in a while. <br /><br />I do wish that IMOUT would have been ABOUT, though. SABAN (as in Nick) is fine fill, and it would have gotten rid of the not-so-great OUT/OUT crossing and the semi-obscure LOME and SABIN.DJGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14169359183650145099noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-53836604452614241682010-03-13T19:48:25.497-05:002010-03-13T19:48:25.497-05:00@pistol packer
I still don't like arm support...@pistol packer<br /><br />I still don't like arm supporters. Maybe I'm missing something. I guess you can talk about a firearm, but it seems odd to me.michaelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-43540575279166860622010-03-13T19:47:02.665-05:002010-03-13T19:47:02.665-05:00@ Elaine, Of course you are right (as always) but ...@ Elaine, Of course you are right (as always) but clock changing and true holidays are like late-in-life birthdays. We can stretch the holidays to suit us as we like.<br />If I choose to celebrate for a week then it's my choice. I always stretch out my birthday as long as I can. It;s the only holiday I don't have to share with Jesus, the easter bunny, a leprechan, etc. You get the gist.<br />So happy equinox week! :0Moonchildnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-35671502539148874072010-03-13T19:45:08.194-05:002010-03-13T19:45:08.194-05:00@foodie
I would reply off-blog if your address was...@foodie<br />I would reply off-blog if your address was on... Our daughter had a Jordanian house-mate and assisted with her MS (Physics) just on the English issues. The same things that make English wonderful for scientists also make it harder for non-native speakers. Just remind your students that even those who ARE native speakers (and very verbally adept) learn new words, or new nuances, every day. <br /><br />Feel free to use e-mail if there is anything I can help with. Algorithms always look easy AFTER someone articulates them. <br /><br />fixomodd-- the new term for 'remodel'?Elainehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13195458656221202202noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-82227584199869269552010-03-13T19:12:02.884-05:002010-03-13T19:12:02.884-05:00Can't really say I finished this because of my...Can't really say I finished this because of my massive cheating at every stage (including thumbing through the "Lost" cover story of TV Guide in the supermarket line. But I did really enjoy figuring out: INNOCENT, GENDERGAP, NEWTS, BRR, COBBSALAD, and especially BMXER.<br /><br />Marion (my wife): "Who posted about Cala? It was my favorite grocery store."<br /><br />Stan: "Andrea."<br /><br />Marion: "Of course! There's one still open on Nob Hill."Stanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02681342234536407419noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-56682855815326260542010-03-13T18:45:32.411-05:002010-03-13T18:45:32.411-05:00@(Sr.) Mary Candace, @Rube, @fikink -- In the midd...@(Sr.) Mary Candace, @Rube, @fikink -- In the middle ages the amice was first put on the head draping down over the shoulders. Then the alb was put on and then the chasuble. Upon entering the sanctuary, the amice was then folded back over the chasuble (protecting the silk from touching the sweaty skin). Thus, the amice was both under and over the alb. JICYWTK.Clarknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-45427024632087173452010-03-13T18:35:36.826-05:002010-03-13T18:35:36.826-05:00@michael
How do you feel about "arm supporte...@michael<br /><br />How do you feel about "arm supporterS", like the clue?<br /><br />friend in puzzlesPistol Packernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-27037749499061653582010-03-13T18:26:09.350-05:002010-03-13T18:26:09.350-05:00This 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 6:35, 6:55, 0.95, 40%, Easy-Medium<br />Tue 11:47, 8:53, 1.33, 97%, Challenging<br />Wed 9:57, 11:47, 0.84, 13%, Easy<br />Thu 13:35, 19:21, 0.70, 4%, Easy<br />Fri 30:00, 26:13, 1.14, 84%, Challenging<br />Sat 40:00, 30:37, 1.31, 97%, Challenging<br /><br />Top 100 solvers<br /><br />Mon 3:36, 3:40, 0.98, 50%, Medium<br />Tue 5:24, 4:31, 1.19, 88%, Challenging<br />Wed 4:43, 5:46, 0.82, 12%, Easy<br />Thu 7:06, 9:16, 0.77, 8%, Easy<br />Fri 13:54, 12:36, 1.10, 80%, Challenging<br />Sat 21:43, 17:29, 1.24, 93%, Challenging<br /><br />My captcha is pretty apropos for today's puzzle: dread. I had no chance at solving it without lots of help. But I'm apparently in good company since it ranks as the 8th most challenging puzzle relative to the day of the week for the "All solvers" group (of 227 puzzles I've tracked to date) and 16th most challenging (of 225) for the top 100 solvers. So ends a feast or famine week during which every puzzle after Monday's fell in either the Easy or the Challenging category.sanfranman59https://www.blogger.com/profile/15118732156312301425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-31262467410586014042010-03-13T18:13:44.476-05:002010-03-13T18:13:44.476-05:00This took my forever and I still had to google to ...This took my forever and I still had to google to get the nw. First I looked up Daniel ___ Kim. And then I looked up the motto and found"gold and silver" and then remembered oro y plata and was able to finish the rest on my own.<br /><br />Putting in well after and late life romance (though I kept thinking that was the case for Tracy but not for Hepburn) didn't help. And Spanish lavender of course...<br /><br /> I don't like arm supporter = NRA. Even after I got it, I kept thinking that it shoud be "arms."michaelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-73783476019021928252010-03-13T18:05:29.602-05:002010-03-13T18:05:29.602-05:00@Elaine, please keep it coming! Given that English...@Elaine, please keep it coming! Given that English is my third language, I find it extremely helpful. It's also very helpful when editing the writing of other non-native speakers. For example, my Chinese postdocs find some of the nuances of English quite challenging and love it when I'm able to give them a rule of thumb. So, from all of us challenged folks, thank you!foodiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13052189131129098616noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-64744716090421220512010-03-13T17:54:46.658-05:002010-03-13T17:54:46.658-05:00@Mary Candace,@Rube - my thinking exactly! Thought...@Mary Candace,@Rube - my thinking exactly! Thought I was just being picky.fikinkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06324570637549775751noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-27269983163387427012010-03-13T17:33:37.593-05:002010-03-13T17:33:37.593-05:00@Mary Candace, you are absolutely correct. This o...@Mary Candace, you are absolutely correct. This one got by Shortz.Rubehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04773241241484881566noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-60747494032833321762010-03-13T16:51:15.268-05:002010-03-13T16:51:15.268-05:00@mac
Spelling behaviour does vary from country to ...@mac<br />Spelling behaviour does vary from country to country, sometimes in quite colourful ways. I think it's acceptable either way, but I find the rule helpful quite often myself. (Since I taught 'challenged learners,' I am a real mine of little algorithms and such.... and now, no one to teach! What to do, what to do....)<br /><br />@Moonchild<br />This weekend IS the time change (alas) but not til the 20th do we reach the Equinox. So, no dancing in the moonlight til NEXT Saturday!Elainehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13195458656221202202noreply@blogger.com