tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post6865083010690768248..comments2024-03-28T04:40:27.172-04:00Comments on Rex Parker Does the NYT Crossword Puzzle: Egypt's last ruling Ptolemy familiarly / MON 2-15-10 / Collegiate digs / Bit of Dobbin's dinner / Blossom supporterRex Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145707733877505087noreply@blogger.comBlogger90125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-50433783844693572162010-03-22T14:11:13.136-04:002010-03-22T14:11:13.136-04:00If the clue had said "Egypt's most famous...If the clue had said "Egypt's most famous ruler", I'm guessing Rex wouldn't have had the same trouble. My problem was I thought it -was- gender specific, and that Ptolemy was some guy's name. <br /><br />If one knew that Cleopatra was a Ptolemy, one would probably recognize her as the most famous. I, and I'm guessing lots of others, didn't know that she was one. And now that I do know, I guess I still don't know what it means to have been one.<br /><br />Keep in mind, "trouble" is relative on a Monday...a guynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-45260767443184326612010-03-22T13:43:20.078-04:002010-03-22T13:43:20.078-04:00Rex,is not cleopatra the most famous ptolemy? IS s...Rex,is not cleopatra the most famous ptolemy? IS she not obviously female? is a female not supposed to rule? just saying. I've never seen you insist clues be gender specific beforesyndynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-76085020962806299092010-02-16T12:16:45.104-05:002010-02-16T12:16:45.104-05:00@Foodie
NORAH is right up there with ENYA for som...@Foodie<br /><br />NORAH is right up there with ENYA for some of us, not so positively that isAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-34802681843721699692010-02-16T10:26:52.969-05:002010-02-16T10:26:52.969-05:00@ Rex re MIAMI-Dade...Guess you forgot those six c...@ Rex re MIAMI-Dade...Guess you forgot those six counties in FL. in 2000, the only six in which Gore ask for a recount of those CHADs...Had he asked for a statewide recount...oh, but why go there?<br />Re Donald Trump's wealth: Trump pretends he is a billionaire, but he is leveraged to the moon. His projects are always going bust, but by the time that happens he has wormed out of the holding. I'd give him "millionare" at best.<br /> A billionaire is Bloomberg, with ten real ones.v.https://www.blogger.com/profile/01873575632854730650noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-11536718610326504072010-02-16T00:44:39.846-05:002010-02-16T00:44:39.846-05:00with MINDINTHEGUTTER I thought we were in for bowl...with MINDINTHEGUTTER I thought we were in for bowling theme...I got excited.<br />Yes, not sure there should be both MIND and HEAD and then not in order, but this is one of those things where since four is the new three, some times the fourth makes it less consistent but three isn't enough any more.<br />It's cool there were four that matched up in length, etc.<br /><br />I'm also excited about thinking about other father daughter pairs and am amazed others chimed in with so many...there's an idea in that too, no doubt.<br /><br />Just saw my daddy today (I'm in NY) so I'd love to dream up a Sunday-sized puzzle called "Daddy issues"<br /><br />@Efron<br />wow, you are lucky to be alive!andrea in the michaelsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-75175591998729669062010-02-15T23:38:14.828-05:002010-02-15T23:38:14.828-05:00Dada vs Mama - I bet Mamas spend way more time tea...Dada vs Mama - I bet Mamas spend way more time teaching baby to say Dada than vice versa. My first word was Bang!, thanks to an older brother who seemed to like to put his toy guy to my head and say Bang!Efronnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-2239356665848393612010-02-15T23:14:59.433-05:002010-02-15T23:14:59.433-05:00It's so late, but the whole day has passed wit...It's so late, but the whole day has passed with no mention of the word of the day, the lovely NORAH Jones... Thank you Rex for the clip. I love her jazzy, bluesy ways... Because you chose her, I sent something to my granddaughter today: A clip of her singing with Elmo about the Letter Y: "Dont know why 'Y' didn't come".<br /><br />@Fikink, you're right, but I will spare everyone : ) I think @Steve J made the essential points. I agree with everyone's comments that MIND is a function of the brain (an emergent property if you will) and is at variance with the rest of the theme. <br /><br />That aside, I enjoyed the smoothness of the puzzle. As we've learned from Andrea, Easy is hard to do.foodiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13052189131129098616noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-15078990320810347812010-02-15T22:16:32.079-05:002010-02-15T22:16:32.079-05:00@sfingi-
We all have a trash can so we can delete...@sfingi-<br /><br />We all have a trash can so we can delete our comment if we so choose. You see only your own so that others cannot delete your comment. Rex has control of a universal trash can that gives him control of what gets published on his blogedith bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12048817959846956992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-65780925178195128822010-02-15T21:20:38.781-05:002010-02-15T21:20:38.781-05:00@Martin - Short may be an abbreviation signal, but...@Martin - Short may be an abbreviation signal, but it is also a shortening signal. If a SCOTTIE is "Short dog, for short" is ok, as cruciverb says it is, then MAYO can be "Tartar sauce ingredient, for short".<br /><br />I had no problem with MAYO as clued, but you can't say it couldn't be altered without change and still follow the rules.Busbynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-59671290629568713082010-02-15T21:14:53.283-05:002010-02-15T21:14:53.283-05:00Interesting info on Tartar sauce - actually, now t...Interesting info on Tartar sauce - actually, now that I know it has MAYO in it, I know why I don't like it. Anyone ever see Canadians eating French fries with MAYO? Gag me with a spoon.<br /><br />How about Woody Allen and Soonyi - Guess that's a GROSSOUT, too.<br /><br />How about the various Barrymores?<br /><br />Has a TUFFET been written of anywhere other than the nursery rhyme?<br /><br />Question for all computer types - why am I the only one with a garbage can at the bottom of my comments? Is this a hint?Sfingihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06903616949048940858noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-7367808805317919032010-02-15T20:04:59.863-05:002010-02-15T20:04:59.863-05:00Martin: You and Elaine are tied for'Badger of ...Martin: You and Elaine are tied for'Badger of the Year'.slypetthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05537129206516720012noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-27509745232383163282010-02-15T20:02:11.491-05:002010-02-15T20:02:11.491-05:00@Martin: thanks for the tartar info. I hadn't ...@Martin: thanks for the tartar info. I hadn't looked into the source for the term, just had a gruesome visual, twice in 2 days.<br /><br />I have to agree on dada also; my husband wasn't around much at all, and our son, a very early speaker, definitely started out with dada. A friend taught him: what's the king of beer? Budweiser!machttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06794371617847975218noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-91481865505130930412010-02-15T19:43:27.315-05:002010-02-15T19:43:27.315-05:00Not wishing to cross Elaine (who also goes by Mean...Not wishing to cross Elaine (who also goes by Mean Old Lady -- proudly, I might add), it is with great trepidation that I offer <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/sfmoms/detail?entry_id=54703" rel="nofollow">these survey results</a>. It is too good not to risk life and limb for.Martinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-34680890817731075922010-02-15T19:22:52.238-05:002010-02-15T19:22:52.238-05:00@lit.doc and redanman - Thanks - will try these la...@lit.doc and redanman - Thanks - will try these later!<br /><br />CPDAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-22575784961256636682010-02-15T19:06:29.837-05:002010-02-15T19:06:29.837-05:00Elaine: You are formidable when roused. Like a mom...Elaine: You are formidable when roused. Like a momma badger.slypetthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05537129206516720012noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-64130780229104432772010-02-15T18:04:43.506-05:002010-02-15T18:04:43.506-05:00To echo tptsteve, I go away for a week and find a ...To echo tptsteve, I go away for a week and find a fancy new blog.<br /><br />Now I'll have to dress better before coming here!Bob Kerfufflehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02615811802419025933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-22549001029350950762010-02-15T17:34:20.175-05:002010-02-15T17:34:20.175-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.xyzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08287781952915413013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-38057844073947113762010-02-15T17:28:04.208-05:002010-02-15T17:28:04.208-05:00Emu is officially the unofficial bird of Australia...Emu is officially the unofficial bird of Australia. In that they don't have one, but if they did, that would be it.<br /><br />Kiwi for New Zealand :)Kendallnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-28322283664702704952010-02-15T17:21:06.240-05:002010-02-15T17:21:06.240-05:00@CoolPapaD, if the Redanman's suggestion doesn...@CoolPapaD, if the Redanman's suggestion doesn't fix it, go to blogger.com and check your profile. It recently happened to me that my avatar as well as most but not all others disappeared from my view of the blog. Went to blogger.com, reloaded my own avatar, and the problem was fixed.lit.dochttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06729199575329286046noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-85576208686147804432010-02-15T16:51:28.067-05:002010-02-15T16:51:28.067-05:00@busby love dry rubs yummm@busby love dry rubs yummmchefbeahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15195945085405126511noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-38845004687576795842010-02-15T16:36:59.035-05:002010-02-15T16:36:59.035-05:00@Mac - No, just spit roasted with a tomato / garli...@Mac - No, just spit roasted with a tomato / garlic / lemon brush on sauce. Some prefer dry rubs, but that's just sick.Busbynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-27782205146977048182010-02-15T16:28:53.574-05:002010-02-15T16:28:53.574-05:00Busby,
Don't let 'em ride you. In fact, ...Busby,<br /><br />Don't let 'em ride you. In fact, "tartar sauce" comes from "sauce tartare," which is named for the Tatars, also spelled Tartars. Both steak tartare and sauce tartare are named for the supposedly brutish tribe. Sauce tartare is considered "coarse," so any people other than "French" would have worked.<br /><br />"Short" is an abbreviation signal so is really the problem, not a solution. But an editor might accept "Tartar sauce ingredient, in a diner" if he wanted to make the clue more telegraphic. It struck me as fairly gimmeish as written (mayonnaise and relish, four letters, hmm).Martinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-39104421599661621772010-02-15T16:13:08.705-05:002010-02-15T16:13:08.705-05:00That's a scary thought, Tatar sauce. To go wit...That's a scary thought, Tatar sauce. To go with the meat pie?machttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06794371617847975218noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-11798903837864496362010-02-15T16:10:12.238-05:002010-02-15T16:10:12.238-05:00@redanman
For just one second, I thought we were ...@redanman<br /><br />For just one second, I thought we were going to correspond about a 'dadaist' clue in another puzzle. Alas, no.<br />Another Dada/Mama discussion also appeared on another blog. Nonetheless:<br /><br />Actually, I stand by a baby's use of 'mama' preceding 'dada,' based on real science!--and if necessary I can trot out my credentials in infant language development, phonetics, linguistics, and all that blah blah. <br /><br />Instead of my hunting for a 'real pediatrician,' per your suggestion, I refer you to a pediatric speech/language specialist on this matter. <br /><br /> Which would be the long way around, but clearly you think I am just a Doting Mother who parked her brains and education at the door on the way out of the delivery room. (And anyone who has nursed an infant has a lot of respect for infant oral musculature. ow.) <br /><br />Infant utterances do not 'count' as words until used meaningfully/purposefully. Babbling is developmentally important, and within months evolves into babbling only with sounds found in the infant's linguistic environment. (Even deaf babies babble for a brief period, but then cease; this is part of the differential diagnosis for profound and severe deafness.) Yes, there are a lot of meaningless noises, but eventually even 'Earth Mommas' are right--the baby speaks! And when it comes to the first *word,* research backs up 'Mama.'<br /><br />All in a spirit of appreciation for Global Warming, of course :0)Elainehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13195458656221202202noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-17733976342553016622010-02-15T15:54:58.774-05:002010-02-15T15:54:58.774-05:00Midday report of relative difficulty (see my 7/30/...Midday report of relative difficulty (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 of my method):<br /><br />All solvers (median solve time, average for day of week, ratio, percentile, rating)<br /><br />Mon 5:58, 6:54, 0.86, 17%, Easy<br /><br />Top 100 solvers<br /><br />Mon 3:16, 3:40, 0.89, 20%, Easy-Mediumsanfranman59https://www.blogger.com/profile/15118732156312301425noreply@blogger.com