tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post6685403682196110921..comments2024-03-28T10:02:31.252-04:00Comments on Rex Parker Does the NYT Crossword Puzzle: Trick-taking game / SAT 11-26-11 / Sambuca flavorers / 18th-century London political literary establishment / Target of criticism Vincent Bugliosi's 1996 book OutrageRex Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145707733877505087noreply@blogger.comBlogger102125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-58717914479039200082012-02-11T03:24:18.792-05:002012-02-11T03:24:18.792-05:00And, BTW, how is "LALALAND" a freakin&#...And, BTW, how is "LALALAND" a freakin' PLANE for a SPACE CADET or anybody else for that matter? Sure doesn't sound like no "plane" to me.CindyMBlacknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-44255169344765893562012-02-11T03:20:39.334-05:002012-02-11T03:20:39.334-05:00GRRRR!! I've just this year graduated from Tu...GRRRR!! I've just this year graduated from Tuesdays to ~~Fri's on the NYT, and I DID get MOST of these, so I guess I can't grumble TOO hard... I have never accessed a puzzle on the web but decided to Google that book by Bugliosi; and there was this site in the search results! Cool! I didn't want to cheat but finally peeked at just Lance Ito answer. Zounds. Never did get "Klaberjass" or "Oofy" (OH, Puh-leeze! )-- but in reading the comments it's so good to know you all share the same frustrations re the same answers. Really: LESS THAN ENJOYABLE; and many of these answers, once revealed, are just plain irritating. This is cool; I'lll be back.CindyMBlacknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-18837441438053074552012-01-02T18:06:36.356-05:002012-01-02T18:06:36.356-05:00Hated it. What if your hoarder had all his stuff ...Hated it. What if your hoarder had all his stuff cataloged and organized, stored neatly? Would he not be a NEATNIK and a HOARDER? I wanted SPENDER or WASTREL for this answer. NEATNIK is an OOFY word. I figured a CONTENDER made the rounds. Worst puzzle of the year(syndicated).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-22002656901840945882012-01-01T11:49:18.479-05:002012-01-01T11:49:18.479-05:00Oofy? Bah, humbug!
iswayel, alt pronunciation for...Oofy? Bah, humbug!<br /><br />iswayel, alt pronunciation for the Jewish homeland??<br /><br />Bad loser / cipherAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-40632347026043357772011-12-31T20:29:21.232-05:002011-12-31T20:29:21.232-05:00I've been doing c-pzzls for over 50 years, and...I've been doing c-pzzls for over 50 years, and doing them quite successfully. This one is just too too esoteric and artsy fartsy to contend with. It belongs in the bottomless abyss of "Why Bother!" Sorry, Evil D, I don't agree.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-45557633847308258252011-12-31T19:10:14.506-05:002011-12-31T19:10:14.506-05:00Got HERB ALPERT right off the bat, then struggled ...Got HERB ALPERT right off the bat, then struggled all day (or at least two-and-a-half bowl games worth) to get the rest. In the end I was amazed at how well I did, with KIT kAT CLUB as my only error outside of the southwest. I guess I was thinking of the Bay Area nudie bar. <br /><br />In that SW corner, however, I crashed right into the brickyard wall. Would have helped if I'd remembered that The Brickyard was a racetrack. I also ended up changing AIMEE to AoMEE just so I could have CAMOMILE with my knickers, even though I was pretty sure (a) chamomile has an H, and (b) nobody would name their kid Aomee. <br /><br />Could've done without CHAIR BED and BAD LOSER, and I'm glad I didn't see OOFY until I came here but I appreciated the workout.<br /><br />Several years ago I visited the Seattle Music Experience, and I'm not sure if this is still there (may have been a temporary exhibit) but at the time they had an entire wall filled with parodies of that Herb Alpert cover. Some funny stuff. Was it Stan Freberg who covered himself in spaghetti?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-55242556680119088832011-12-31T15:51:48.789-05:002011-12-31T15:51:48.789-05:00Spacecadetcraft here in LALALAND. This was a DNF f...Spacecadetcraft here in LALALAND. This was a DNF for me; way too many unknowable--even unGoogleable-things. CHAIRBED: it should make up its mind, is it a chair or a bed? Sheesh! OOFY: that's just a YGTBFKM (you gotta be f***in' kidding me). Utter nonsense. Mod Squad studio: I misunderstood the clue and went for the airing network, ABC. Who knew the freakin' studio? And then there's KLABBERJASS. Who named that game? Odds are long that you could even spill those letters out of a scrabble bag!<br /> Oh, I'm just getting started. "One making the rounds" for BARTENDER?? Come on, at least pretend to be a little fair. "Melange" for SALAD?? How in the world do you expect that get?<br /> I'm a bit sore at myself for not getting ANIMALFARM off of the Napoleon clue; yeah, I shoulda had that one. My bad. But the rest... just what is a LUNE in geometry? I took that, and aced it, but I've never heard of a LUNE.<br /> If you think I'm being overcritical, well, just call me a BADLOSER.<br /><br />cousi: My uncle's kid who played point guard for the Celtics.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-35972145236654830362011-12-31T15:43:08.631-05:002011-12-31T15:43:08.631-05:00Also in (or near) syndicated Seattle, Gene. Took ...Also in (or near) syndicated Seattle, Gene. Took me just less than 30, most of it in the NE. Caf to befall to opalesce, then stuck. To the west, ursa to alunser to kilometer to herbalpert and the entire west fell, despite the awful oofy and the difficult but legit aniseeds.<br /><br />When my brother and I were kids, we got a copy of Hoyle's Games and taught ourselves most of the games we'd never heard of. For me, it was an absolute delight to uncover--slowly but most pleasurably--the game of klaberjass. It was one of our favorites, and one of the better two-handed games you'll come across.<br /><br />I'm sad that there exists this temporal disconnect in syndication land; this would be a fun place to hang out more. Always enjoy reading it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-17810948182786861122011-12-31T13:53:58.290-05:002011-12-31T13:53:58.290-05:00Connie in syndicated Seattle here; I liked the Bur...Connie in syndicated Seattle here; I liked the Burmese breed above the Kitcat Club; the bartender and the bracer pair; and the Bugliosi clue up top and Lalaland at bottom.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-59675348338096346382011-12-31T13:44:37.905-05:002011-12-31T13:44:37.905-05:00Oofy Prosser was the rich twit in PG Wodehouses wo...Oofy Prosser was the rich twit in PG Wodehouses world. Member of the Drone Club with Bingo Little, Bertie Wooster, et al. Oofy dates to the Edwardian schoolby slang of Plums youth. Also the noun: oofinessGreg Petersonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-53981505690903774102011-12-20T22:15:38.586-05:002011-12-20T22:15:38.586-05:00Don't we all long for a village where we are a...Don't we all long for a village where we are an integral part of the whole? Living in a city as I do, we become so disconnected. This was a lovely reminder of what can be.<br />Tks so much, and remember me!tap hathttp://taphatkaraoke.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-8504977872456346452011-12-19T08:49:56.945-05:002011-12-19T08:49:56.945-05:00Dumb puzzle.
Thanks for your commentary Rex, alwa...Dumb puzzle.<br /><br />Thanks for your commentary Rex, always interesting.Ronnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-65563177587329445992011-12-04T18:42:53.088-05:002011-12-04T18:42:53.088-05:00It happens that 26 Nov is also my birthday (belate...It happens that 26 Nov is also my birthday (belated hb, Rex!) so I've just attempted this puzzle: epic fail hardly does it justice. So glad I didn't attempt it on the actual day: that would have been more than this 53 (!) year old could take on an *ordinary* day, much less a birthday!FearlessKnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-72331277579579548712011-11-29T18:11:31.078-05:002011-11-29T18:11:31.078-05:00Happy belated birthday Rex.
I read every comment ...Happy belated birthday Rex.<br /><br />I read every comment and did not see LALALAND- is that a plaNe? or a PLACE for a space cadet in 48A?<br />My paper said PLANE- was there a TYPO???NYTcrossfannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-89572741661996391132011-11-27T09:23:30.428-05:002011-11-27T09:23:30.428-05:00I'm just commenting for form, since it's s...I'm just commenting for form, since it's sunday morning now. We were away Friday night, in Provincetown, and I didn't have a chance to buy a paper - so I didn't get a crack at the puzzle until about 6 PM. I was really stumped at first - got the MEMOIRS/ANIMAL FARM cross, and that was about all I was sure of. I came back to it a couple hours later, and it fell into place (slowly), with the aid of a couple of internet searches.<br /><br />I knew SEARLE because my father was a pharmacist, and because I used to need dramamine every time I got in a car. I didn't know KIT CAT CLUB (one letter different from the one in Cabaret - someone could put them both in a puzzle).<br /><br />I, too, never heard of KLABERJASS. It sounds similar to skat or sheephead - I used to play the latter more or less constantly, but I bet it's almost equally obscure here in the East, where I live now.<br /><br />A belated happy birthday, Rex!jberghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02169065390875378077noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-76802823545894924352011-11-26T23:25:29.814-05:002011-11-26T23:25:29.814-05:00Newbie-solver friend and I spent a pleasant couple...Newbie-solver friend and I spent a pleasant couple (OK, Maybe 3) hours filling the grid in one letter at a time and felt a grand sense of accomplishment with every answer that appeared. We were slowed down in the NE when she, a country music aficianado, insisted the #1 country hit was sung by George Strait. Still finished with no outside help so we felt pretty proud of that. <br /><br />Happy birthday, Rex - 42 is the new 31!Dirigonzohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03903353503511480168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-92228421627479175952011-11-26T22:37:31.795-05:002011-11-26T22:37:31.795-05:00Happy Brithday Rex - and thanks for providing us w...Happy Brithday Rex - and thanks for providing us with this cyber gathering place.Titahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16368251255494687496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-11854644251943994992011-11-26T21:56:32.108-05:002011-11-26T21:56:32.108-05:00For my money, this was the hardest puzzle that has...For my money, this was the hardest puzzle that has appeared in the NYT since I became a daily solver about 18 months ago. Epic. Fail.<br /><br />I won't bother listing all the stuff I flat out didn't know. All I'll say is that if you finished this puzzle without hints, I bow to your crossword-fu. I've reached The point where I always finish Saturdays, and usually in decent time. But this? I got through the NW, but could only get bits and pieces everywhere else. Just unbelievably hard.Matthew G.https://www.blogger.com/profile/07957320012395569238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-86971216157883688522011-11-26T21:25:36.525-05:002011-11-26T21:25:36.525-05:00Klabberjass---you must be kidding. This is a well...Klabberjass---you must be kidding. This is a well knnown game in the Jewish community? I've been a member of the tribe for 55 years, have lived in NYC and Baltimore with big Jewish communities. I went to college with a very large Jewish population (where Rex teaches)and I have never heard of this game. I asked about a dozen folks at synagogue this morning if they heard of it---no one had. <br />This puzzle was very challenging, but not at all enjoyable. So many obscure words.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-80211547787741848042011-11-26T21:06:27.526-05:002011-11-26T21:06:27.526-05:00Time for the Sunday puzzle!
Goodnight, all.Time for the Sunday puzzle!<br /><br />Goodnight, all.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-60180310448636128522011-11-26T19:16:42.910-05:002011-11-26T19:16:42.910-05:00At first, I thought I was never gonna find an '...At first, I thought I was never gonna find an 'entry point' for this thing, then saw 35A and knew HERBALPERT. Spent an absurdly long time before giving up on NE Area=REGION and 2/3 Magi gifts=SCENTS, with OATH as the Nuptial need cross, but I was fairly confident about Randy Travis, and finally used the eraser. I do remember those BEANBAG ashtrays ... Managed to finish it, even KLABERJASS, though only by getting every cross, and I agree, with no sense of accomplishment. But as IMHO the only true clunker was OOFY, I decided I liked this one quite a lot - Tough but possible.Clay Cnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-80789117692113691262011-11-26T19:13:09.557-05:002011-11-26T19:13:09.557-05:00Okay, one last comment....
To his credit Michael&...Okay, one last comment....<br /><br />To his credit Michael's generously come off his end of the spectrum, and to be honest farther than I've come off mine. We've had some notable dust-ups---one particularly tough contratemps---but I think we've reached a comfortable level of mutual tolerance and even appreciation. He's matured at 42; I'm still working on it at 60.<br /><br />...but don't tell him I said so. I have a reputation to live down to.<br /><br />Dougevil doughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17593231055589228837noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-39614320228819998002011-11-26T18:59:49.360-05:002011-11-26T18:59:49.360-05:00Happy Birthday, Rex. I thought 42 was quite young...Happy Birthday, Rex. I thought 42 was quite young when I hit that milestone. I was right.<br /><br />I hope you keep the blog going forever. Oofys and klaberjassies to you.<br /><br />As for the puzzle: OOh, gFYs, constructor/editor. Anyone can find weird words nobody has ever used in conversation or read in a book. I was raised in the UK and have never heard of the expression oofy. Ditto klaberjass. And I am not the better for having heard of them for the first time today.<br /><br />Big fan of the constructor - hated this for the reasons you gave. There was no reward when Mr HP appeared, just a loud WTF.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-77975985611737215252011-11-26T18:31:18.199-05:002011-11-26T18:31:18.199-05:00Herodotus,
Ahhhhh, D-Day, 2008. Appropriate, no? ...Herodotus,<br /><br />Ahhhhh, D-Day, 2008. Appropriate, no? Realllllly pissed Michael and his little posse of sycophants off, but it was gratifying to see how many people got it.<br /><br />Thanks for digging that up. Nice to remember what a satirical genius I was in those formative days---and, of course, still remain....<br /><br />You're all welcome,<br /><br />The Poser with a Penevil doughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17593231055589228837noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-42985464308074023862011-11-26T18:27:40.094-05:002011-11-26T18:27:40.094-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.evil doughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17593231055589228837noreply@blogger.com