tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post4511568442670783488..comments2024-03-29T00:28:40.417-04:00Comments on Rex Parker Does the NYT Crossword Puzzle: Old German duchy name / THU 12-20-12 / Dancer choreographer Michio / Centipede creator / Umpire of Hamlet's fencing match with Laertes / French town in 44 news / Frigg's husband / Cloud producer for shortRex Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145707733877505087noreply@blogger.comBlogger72125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-31755892357929241542022-01-29T17:37:59.744-05:002022-01-29T17:37:59.744-05:00"CAN I?" for "please?" is comm..."CAN I?" for "please?" is common usage -- but who says "CAN'T I?" The last thing you want to do in wheedling is to put the negative into your ancestor's mind. There's something missing here.<br /><br />As for actual usage:<br /><br />Just where is "Ath." used for Athlete? I've seen "Athl." for "Athletic", especially with "Dept.", but for an athlete? Nope.<br /><br />Perhaps "incog" is regional? I've never heard it on BBC, nor here in the States. I've seen it as an abbreviation, but never as a stand-alone word. The dictionaries list it as colloquial and perhaps outdated.<br /><br />Similarly, N-TEST is no longer used, and not referring to anything current since perhaps the late 1970s. I would think that Mr. Shortz would have gently stricken it from the puzzler's lexicon by now, save for appropriate clueing.Prunehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00224476641730508311noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-83811008835063354562018-01-11T22:17:16.596-05:002018-01-11T22:17:16.596-05:00เลขเด็ดจากวงใน The number of hits in the batting a...เลขเด็ดจากวงใน The number of hits in the batting average and the lottery should not miss the most.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://www.lotto999.net/lotto" rel="nofollow">เลขเด็ดจากวงใน</a> Lottery play to make the player find and touch. The best service is a great way for gamblers to get into the new lottery. 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Online Casino Site <a href="https://www.lotto999.net/" rel="nofollow">แทงหวยออนไลน์</a> Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04059435886066149767noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-17548849582419744772013-01-24T15:49:30.190-05:002013-01-24T15:49:30.190-05:00I'm with @John V on the TiC/TAC dilemma. My fi...I'm with @John V on the TiC/TAC dilemma. My first thought upon reading the Red wing? clue was it might have something to do with Commies (I grew up during the Cold War) so I had an extra chuckle when GOP went in there. Possibly for the same reason I toyed with the idea that the Cause of everything going up might be Abomb, which was ridiculously wrong but still kind of related to the NTEST that appeared nearby.<br /><br />Musical bonus in the SW corner where PATTIE (Page) and ANITA (Bryant) can be imagined to be singing XMAS carols to provide a soundtrack for the puz.Dirigonzohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03903353503511480168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-12173443109213420232013-01-24T14:58:56.683-05:002013-01-24T14:58:56.683-05:00As I mention every time the "XMAS" discu...As I mention every time the "XMAS" discussion occurs in this blog, my grandmother would go mushroom cloud any time someone was so blasphemous as to shorten Christ to an X. Biggie.<br /><br />I liked this puzzle, but had a hard time in the NE - last section to fall.<br /><br />My only bitch is that the clue for 7D gave no hint that the ans was shortened.<br /><br />Stay warm, Syndies.Solving in Seattlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04249420848844874936noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-4398276142168785822013-01-24T14:51:28.100-05:002013-01-24T14:51:28.100-05:00A cute puzzle, and I got all but one letter! The ...A cute puzzle, and I got all but one letter! The "w" in SAW. Couldn't think of a three letter movie title, and ran the alphabet on atomic to no avail. Still think it was a poor clue for WEE. Can't imagine using it in a sentence. "Look at that cute atomic bairn" "I'll just have an atomic bit of pie." Doesn't work for me.<br /><br />Never saw the Xmas. Just thought the box, train, nightshift, and clown were gifts, noted each started with a single letter, and accepted the M in square 22 must signify something to someone. The director's first name? Somethings are just out of my range.<br /><br /><br />DMGrandmanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-90926606281871377162013-01-24T14:17:16.601-05:002013-01-24T14:17:16.601-05:00Time to call a halt to ridiculous comments from th...Time to call a halt to ridiculous comments from those who manufacture indignation of trivial things such as the letters XMAS preceding cute phrases in a well-executed thematic puzzle. Nice revealer as well, which you'd think with the inclusion of CHRISTMAS would appease the knee-jerkers...you'd think.<br /><br />I found the puzzle more challenging than did most, even though I filled in SMOKINGGUN with no crosses. Couldn't get TIC without all the crossed, and still didn't know what it was. A bit tacky, in my opinion.<br /><br />I think the crossword students are learning that in many cases iffy fill and crosswordese is unavoidable. I liked this one.rain forestnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-90435773868119814832013-01-24T11:15:39.908-05:002013-01-24T11:15:39.908-05:00Sorry about those offended ones Rex. Check out Sno...Sorry about those offended ones Rex. Check out Snopes, the X in Xmas is from the Greek letter Chi which is the first letter in Christ. Xmas has been around for a very long time. And, Xian is an old and acceptable form for Christian.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-84216914071691339762013-01-24T10:50:52.044-05:002013-01-24T10:50:52.044-05:00Thanks @AnnieD for the explanation of the clue for...Thanks @AnnieD for the explanation of the clue for TIC. Still pretty far-fetched to me--but then several of today's clues were so devious as to be almost SICKO.<br /><br />My take on MNIGHTSHIFT: who takes over as Bond's boss in the off-hours?<br /><br />This was an engaging puzzle, with an extra dimension to the reveal: not only are the theme answers common phrases preceded by single letters, but--late aha! moment!-- those letters spell out the actual theme! Pretty nifty.<br /><br />Naturally, the fill pays a price. Don't kow why I don't seem to mind ENOTE, but grit my teeth at NTEST. Those things should be banned--both in real life and the "x-"word grid.<br /><br />Yeah, lighten up. X is not only the chi-rho symbol for Christ, it's also the symbol for the cross. Who are we kidding, anyway? The retailers' frantic scramble for CHRISTMAS BONUS dollars is absolutely shameless. Bottom line. That's what the holidays are all about. It's the season of giving, all right: they want YOU to give THEM your money. End of discussion.<br /><br />Thanks to Mr. Livengood and the JASA. And thanks again to the captcha producers, who at last have gotten their act into clear focus.Spacecraftnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-6623223256914945762012-12-24T06:10:53.621-05:002012-12-24T06:10:53.621-05:00You know what? Fine. We'll stop reading your b...You know what? Fine. We'll stop reading your blog, you sanctimonious asshole. Mikenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-22736208732849175302012-12-21T09:59:20.913-05:002012-12-21T09:59:20.913-05:00WEE for "atomic" is just awful, and the ...WEE for "atomic" is just awful, and the whole SICKOS / SAW bit is repulsive, especially in a Xmas-themed puzzle. Does anyone actually say NTEST outside of crossword puzzles?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-6873202379577112262012-12-20T23:57:05.594-05:002012-12-20T23:57:05.594-05:00This week's relative difficulty ratings. See m...This week's relative difficulty ratings. See my 8/1/2009 post for an explanation and my 10/15/2012 post for an explanation of a tweak I've made to my method. 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 6:06, 6:14, 0.98, 37%, Easy-Medium<br />Tue 8:06, 8:44, 0.93, 25%, Easy-Medium<br />Wed 10:27, 11:45, 0.89, 24%, Easy-Medium<br />Thu 15:17, 17:03, 0.90, 28%, Easy-Medium<br /><br />Top 100 solvers<br /><br />Mon 3:37, 3:39, 0.99, 39%, Easy-Medium<br />Tue 4:54, 4:59, 0.98, 42%, Medium<br />Wed 5:39, 6:32, 0.86, 14%, Easy<br />Thu 8:15, 9:23, 0.88, 23%, Easy-Mediumsanfranman59https://www.blogger.com/profile/15118732156312301425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-44676000775637573762012-12-20T22:53:45.650-05:002012-12-20T22:53:45.650-05:00Wow. Now I get it. And now I understand the X-MAS ...Wow. Now I get it. And now I understand the X-MAS commotion.<br /><br />Lame theme. Meh puzzle. Sorry JASA.Birdnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-85034955782694857922012-12-20T21:11:46.144-05:002012-12-20T21:11:46.144-05:00pulls "them" down, I meant to say...
va...pulls "them" down, I meant to say...<br /><br />valuecompetition.typepad.com/metarex/2012/12/gday-m-night.htmlMetaRexhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01697113550216241303noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-49304213992905705052012-12-20T20:53:33.535-05:002012-12-20T20:53:33.535-05:00I like the dubious E-NOTE and N-TEST fill better r...I like the dubious E-NOTE and N-TEST fill better rather than worse given the X-MAS, M. NIGHT, XBOX, A-TRAIN, and S CLASS thematic answers...for me the relatedness upside pulls the two junky fill words up more than the thematic dilution pulls it down. And Rex doesn't complain about it, so I guess great minds are as one on this...<br /><br />rexwordpuzzle.blogspot.com/2012/12/old-german-duchy-name-thu-12-20-12.htmlMetaRexhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01697113550216241303noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-17725606614850413892012-12-20T20:53:13.072-05:002012-12-20T20:53:13.072-05:00Late to the party today as we had meetings all day...Late to the party today as we had meetings all day today, including a working lunch. Ugh.<br /><br />I still don't fully get the theme. I understand that an X-BOX and a TRAIN and a Benz are bonuses, but how does 22A fit into the scheme of things?<br /><br />I liked 11D and 25D - very cool answers - and 60A.<br /><br />14A was a huge WTF for me. I still don't get it.<br />E-NOTE? TATTED? Really? <br />Where's the ABBR or VAR hint to 7D?<br />I thought the SAW villain was a CLOWN?<br /><br />Re X-MAS: I'm not offended, but use Christmas<br /><br />People who are easily offended, by anything, should take a chill-pill.<br /><br />@Bob K. - Okay then. And they made a sequel!<br /><br />TIC = 0 and TAC = X or vice versa. Who cares?Birdnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-43002090116446062982012-12-20T19:19:17.979-05:002012-12-20T19:19:17.979-05:00John Lennon was such an inspiration. I hope he ca...John Lennon was such an inspiration. I hope he can reincarnate to experience the wonders that will happen in 2012! I imagine a world with no bordered, no war, and love.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-52084587687062114042012-12-20T18:57:39.026-05:002012-12-20T18:57:39.026-05:00Glad you are back @Evan. Hope you did splendidly....Glad you are back @Evan. Hope you did splendidly.Sparkyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11149915526159432838noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-62118691651968318642012-12-20T18:55:22.723-05:002012-12-20T18:55:22.723-05:00That's Atom as clue for small. Sigh.That's Atom as clue for small. Sigh.Sparkyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11149915526159432838noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-40865859155613374942012-12-20T18:53:17.995-05:002012-12-20T18:53:17.995-05:00Started 24D with LoT so didnt get SINEX or WEE. A...Started 24D with LoT so didnt get SINEX or WEE. Atom as for small trips me up. Enjoyed the rest. Filled in the reveal first. Fresh clues for ARSON and ASH. Nice present to all of us. Thanks Ian and the class.<br /><br />@BobK. The reviews told me to avoid that movie like the plague. I even boycotted the theatre for a while but had to go there to see PINA.Sparkyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11149915526159432838noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-70860477043948601942012-12-20T18:44:47.745-05:002012-12-20T18:44:47.745-05:00Keep Christ in XMAS !Keep Christ in XMAS !X-Mannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-80521125343980515162012-12-20T18:26:13.478-05:002012-12-20T18:26:13.478-05:00compound adjective
By Richard Nordquist, About.co... compound adjective<br /><br />By Richard Nordquist, About.com Guide<br /><br />"Four-leaf clovers are not mutant freaks." (Bart Simpson, The Simpsons)<br /><br />Definition:<br /><br />Two or more words (such as part-time or high-speed) that act as a single idea to modify a noun (a part-time employee, a high-speed chase).<br /><br />As a general rule, the words in a compound adjective are hyphenated when they come before a noun (a well-known actor) but not when they come after (The actor is well known).<br /><br />Also, compound adjectives formed with an adverb ending in -ly (such as rapidly changing) are usually not hyphenated.<br /><br />Richard Nordquistnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-46556033253793701752012-12-20T18:18:41.532-05:002012-12-20T18:18:41.532-05:00@Anonymous, 6:11 PM - Not that Rex needs me to def...@Anonymous, 6:11 PM - Not that Rex needs me to defend him, but the hyphen in "easily-offended" is correct.<br /><br />Native Speaker of Englishnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-63294204246356447972012-12-20T18:11:11.961-05:002012-12-20T18:11:11.961-05:00i'm not offended by XMAS but I am offended by ...i'm not offended by XMAS but I am offended by the hyphen in easily-offended in the write-up. And you an English professor!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-2233331148963555952012-12-20T17:18:45.136-05:002012-12-20T17:18:45.136-05:00@ JFC, I don't know if your negativity is an a...@ JFC, I don't know if your negativity is an attempt at humor or satire but your posts never fail to bum me out.<br />Just had to get that off my chest.Two Ponieshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03279414989390373057noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-26848948117952125662012-12-20T17:18:33.688-05:002012-12-20T17:18:33.688-05:00DNF due to not knowing tiC or OsriC. Otherwise it ...DNF due to not knowing tiC or OsriC. Otherwise it was easy. Only slow in the NE where I had "snakes" at first instead of "sickos" (wrong movie) and was trying to think of Spanish for margerine before realizing they meant a different type of spread. Lefkyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05042006068032541188noreply@blogger.com