tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post7283958694596052520..comments2024-03-28T20:49:13.267-04:00Comments on Rex Parker Does the NYT Crossword Puzzle: WEDNESDAY, May 21, 2008 - Dave Mackey (BAND WITH THE 1987 SINGLE "DEAR GOD")Rex Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145707733877505087noreply@blogger.comBlogger104125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-73945978203617924732008-07-03T15:41:00.000-04:002008-07-03T15:41:00.000-04:00In syndication. Ruefully, I have to admit falling ...In syndication. Ruefully, I have to admit falling into the same armlea trap. But just as a comment on the strangeness of what each of us knows, I knew Cunard even though I've never been on one of their ships and don't live in or visit NYC. (I may have had a Cunard steamship model when I was a small boy.) And I can sing the Whiffenpoof song though I never went to Yale or knew personally anyone who did. It was a popular song early in the 20th century, and my grandmother had a Mitch Miller recording of it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-83820897265205334212008-07-03T03:40:00.000-04:002008-07-03T03:40:00.000-04:00If you order neat scotch in a bar, it means no ice...If you order neat scotch in a bar, it means no ice.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-3389464316005392572008-07-03T00:31:00.000-04:002008-07-03T00:31:00.000-04:00why ice for it's never in a neat order? I don't ge...why ice for it's never in a neat order? I don't get it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-24139471321840256112008-07-02T20:14:00.000-04:002008-07-02T20:14:00.000-04:00I was just laughing at Rex's Yale comment, because...I was just laughing at Rex's Yale comment, because I've often thought the same thing. Luckily? though, I have a Yalie here at home, and his answer is:<BR/><BR/>"Because for some 300 years Yale has been the standard for education and it's students, the standard for moral rectitude."<BR/><BR/>He goes on to say "with some obvious exceptions".Juliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08877038657361699565noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-23440661946707966072008-07-02T19:13:00.000-04:002008-07-02T19:13:00.000-04:00I managed to get oaktag but had no idea what it me...I managed to get oaktag but had no idea what it meant. I went to a primary school in the country in a one-room schoolhouse, with unqualified teachers and no materials for crafts - all due to post-WW11 shortages. I did enjoy "literature" when teach would read aloud from the latest bodice ripper she was reading. However, that stopped when some parents found out! <BR/>Does oaktag refer to the size or the type of paper?<BR/>Penj.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-27560517133538405682008-05-22T21:15:00.000-04:002008-05-22T21:15:00.000-04:00this has probably already been pointed out, but im...this has probably already been pointed out, but im afraid im not going to read all the other comments before i add with the utmost belligerence that rouge can also be for your lips whereas blush cannot.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-57877823278285300422008-05-22T02:26:00.000-04:002008-05-22T02:26:00.000-04:00@macANONYMICE! Fabulous, I'll bet everyone will e...@mac<BR/>ANONYMICE! Fabulous, I'll bet everyone will embrace it, they will be unanimice in their praise!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-61042500406076696642008-05-21T23:40:00.000-04:002008-05-21T23:40:00.000-04:00I'm on a high so I can't get into the squabble thi...I'm on a high so I can't get into the squabble this evening. Our son graduated from the Journalism School of Columbia University!<BR/><BR/>It's beautiful to see the big cruise ships leaving the piers on the Hudson to Bermuda on a clear evening.<BR/><BR/>Rex et al., I once read a comment by a photographer who spent some time taking pictures of Teri Garr -He was very complimentary of certain body parts she never showed in her movies....., as far as I know.<BR/><BR/>Wade the mogul, you're bad and funny! You're anonymous in that you constantly change your Rex blog persona.<BR/><BR/>One of the things I love about Rex's blog is that many constructors appreciate it enough to comment on it and our comments; it personalises these puzzles we spend so much time on, and validates the discourse.<BR/><BR/>Today I was really struck by a very ugly word: anonymouses! Let's call them anonymice from now on.machttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06794371617847975218noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-49084984840728430632008-05-21T23:32:00.000-04:002008-05-21T23:32:00.000-04:00I read this blog every day and very much hate to s...I read this blog every day and very much hate to see it degenerate to name-calling. In general people who love crossword puzzles seek to challege their brains and that is a good thing - a very good thing. I wish that everyone were interested in struggling with a concept or idea until they really understood in all its complexities and shades of gray instead of looking for the easy solution. I imagine our world would be in much better shape if that were true.<BR/><BR/>So I admire all people who are up for the challenge of the NYT and devote themselves to improving their brain - no matter how much knowledge they are currently in possession of. I will never look down upon anyone who knows less than I do and I will never fawn over anyone who knows much more. I think we should just show mutual respect. We are just trying to do the best with what we have.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-27973066346183223402008-05-21T21:15:00.000-04:002008-05-21T21:15:00.000-04:00I also had armlea and arch before I fixed it. Alwa...I also had armlea and arch before I fixed it. Always nice to see that others have gone down the same path. Glad to see poli sci, never heard of oaktag, Cunard was a gimme.<BR/><BR/> I'm surprised some people found this one difficult -- I thought it was about average for a Wednesday.Michael Chibnikhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04700426644898924644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-83949367953904360622008-05-21T20:28:00.001-04:002008-05-21T20:28:00.001-04:00Wade, you International Business Mogul, you... as ...Wade, you International Business Mogul, you... as usual, make me laugh. I'll bet you are really an arms dealer. <BR/>"Turd in the Punchbowl", indeed!<BR/>But Leon is right - don't feed the trolls. Sorry to see them here, although it was probably inevitable, but ignoring them is the only effective pest control.<BR/><BR/>Joon - you are not alone, I had a bear of a time with this puzzle too ... kept looking up to make sure it really was Wednesday. <BR/><BR/>Finished up exactly as Rex...<BR/>Me:"Honey, what the hell is an ARMLEA??"<BR/>Honey:"ARMLEA is not a word - try ARMLET"<BR/>(Honey is my crossword crutch)<BR/><BR/>I too, remember OAKTAG, and am shocked that anybody here has never heard of CUNARD, but I guess Bill in NJ is spot on regarding "one person's gimme".<BR/><BR/>Thank you Dave for the puzzle and for chiming in here.<BR/><BR/>Thank you Rex for (snip - list too long)... everything.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-64806011476077160912008-05-21T20:28:00.000-04:002008-05-21T20:28:00.000-04:00Wednesdays always give me a hard time and this one...Wednesdays always give me a hard time and this one was no exception. I finally muscled my way through it, even though I had no idea if OAK TAG and EDDA were right or wrong.<BR/><BR/>As for the music clues, one would think that since I've played a musical instrument for most of my life I'd know them. However, when I see them in the score, I just bleep over them and pay attention to the conductor. Anyway, most scores these days give a more exact figure like "♩=120".<BR/><BR/>Ah, HOT L Baltimore! I actually remember watching that show as a kid (can't remember a thing about it now, though, other than Ms. Pantheon was in it.)<BR/><BR/>Hey Wade, thanks for the "Mr. Mom" quote. I love that line and the way Michael Keaton delivered it.<BR/><BR/>Puerile or not, I like "Dear God". Apparently Rex liked it enough to post the full lyrics in his blog, too.<BR/><BR/>Fave clue: 63A. Liked leader? = IKE<BR/><BR/>Finally, to anonymous: there are ways to say the exact same thing without coming across so negatively.Doc Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12540112168511893896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-34372564983687371112008-05-21T20:17:00.000-04:002008-05-21T20:17:00.000-04:00Wow. I was on a field trip today, and didn't get ...Wow. I was on a field trip today, and didn't get to the puzzle until this evening. As a high school teacher I am subjected to displays of immaturity daily. My response to these as they often escalate is usually something like... Do you really want to argue about this? I didn't expect to see that here. I of course believe that everyone is entitled to their opinion, but am surprised by the gradeschool bs that hit the blog today.<BR/><BR/>I truly understand, and applaud, having a passionate attitude, but enjoy this blog too much not to defend it.<BR/><BR/>So, as a good teacher, I say, "Knock it off!"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-87306843736019854912008-05-21T19:45:00.000-04:002008-05-21T19:45:00.000-04:00This puzzle was a slow starter for me; but I got O...This puzzle was a slow starter for me; but I got OAKTAG with only ABO and ANTS filled in. I loved making posters in grade school -- who knew this would have a payoff in the puzzle! <BR/><BR/>Full disclosure, though: I completed the puzzle in more or less my usual time for Wednesday (20 min), but I thought it was themeless until I read Rex just now.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-35939768566412070032008-05-21T19:09:00.000-04:002008-05-21T19:09:00.000-04:00@@@dk@,I'm appalled and honored--I think you've co...@@@dk@,<BR/>I'm appalled and honored--I think you've confused me with Wade. I have no problem with the @, and I think we established that his whole family can beat up mine.<BR/><BR/>I was gonna give you treat and send a video, but YouTube hasn't processed it yet. So instead here's a picture I thought about sending yesterday, which long haired freaky people and vegetarians need not click on: <A HREF="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1131/589204348_19d94ea840.jpg" REL="nofollow">gnu and friend</A>.<BR/><BR/>I love you all.SethGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13753036404140901368noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-56947644317602417432008-05-21T18:30:00.000-04:002008-05-21T18:30:00.000-04:00Thought it was a nice puzzle. UAE and TECH took fa...Thought it was a nice puzzle. UAE and TECH took far too long to get.<BR/><BR/>Re: the vitriol - The old Usenet posts and bulletin boards had a saying <A HREF="http://kb.iu.edu/data/afhc.html" REL="nofollow">Do not feed the troll. </A>Leonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07466240197659721721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-22159039740945030282008-05-21T18:07:00.000-04:002008-05-21T18:07:00.000-04:00Today's vitriolic discussion inspired me to get a ...Today's vitriolic discussion inspired me to get a name for my occasional post here. I usually just post on the NYT.<BR/><BR/>Here's something to remember so as not to confuse UAE and UAR. UAE still exists and UAR does not. John Farmer posted the usages of UAR and all but one (on a Friday) either used the past tense or made a reference to Nasser or Egypt. If there is simply a present-tense reference to a Mideast Federation, it is almost certain to be UAE rather than UAR.<BR/><BR/>SteveAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-71234633182336534522008-05-21T18:04:00.000-04:002008-05-21T18:04:00.000-04:00I'm in the never-heard-of-OAKTAG camp. I stared a...I'm in the never-heard-of-OAKTAG camp. I stared at the 'Liked leader' for a while, trying to think of a good prefix for 'liked' before running through the alphabet. I had one of my worse Wednesday times, I think mostly due to that corner.<BR/><BR/>No problems with ARMLET for me, I hit that one before the support clue. When I put in the XTC answer, I was overjoyed: a three letter rock band that wasn't ELO? Bring it on, Dave!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-56303802071712661822008-05-21T17:48:00.000-04:002008-05-21T17:48:00.000-04:00I love the word oaktag. I used it as a child. My c...I love the word oaktag. I used it as a child. My children have no idea what it is! This morning I was so delighted to solve the word.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-46473852583473328762008-05-21T17:20:00.000-04:002008-05-21T17:20:00.000-04:00I had no real trouble with this today. I knew Hot...I had no real trouble with this today. I knew Hot l Baltimore from the TV show - it only lasted 13 weeks but every episode cracked me up. And one of the main stars was xworld's favorite character actress - Charlotte Rae. New word of the day for me is Oaktag. No idea. None. (And yes, I went to grade school.) I avoided the gentle opening trap because I already had the "tg) filled using the downs. If any of you live near a Sonic, they still use car hops, usually on skates. Never saw the theme until the puzzle was done. <BR/><BR/>I'd been noticing that the number of daily comments had slowed of late. Too bad it takes an ill-humored coward to get us all riled up.JannieBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18282015159638078416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-17924485169508765642008-05-21T16:15:00.000-04:002008-05-21T16:15:00.000-04:00In the interest of science, I went to an anagram s...In the interest of science, I went to an anagram site to discover hidden meanings in the mots de jour, OAKTAG and ARMLEA. <BR/><BR/>I came up with TAG OAK and LEA ARM. Fascinating. What did we do before the Internet?<BR/><BR/>I grew up in Quebec and went to the states alot, but never heard anyone call it les ETATS (which is an anagram for STATE).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-23314291304771810952008-05-21T16:10:00.000-04:002008-05-21T16:10:00.000-04:00Was fun reading all the banter today. Thanks Dave!...Was fun reading all the banter today. Thanks Dave!<BR/>I grew up with oaktag and carhops. Went to Steak and Shake all the time -Either a girl or guy came to the car, took our order came back with the food on a tray that hooked to the car window and we ate in the car.<BR/><BR/>And my Mom who is almost 92 still puts her rouge on every day (thats what she calls it)chefbeahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15195945085405126511noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-1436361351444904012008-05-21T16:06:00.000-04:002008-05-21T16:06:00.000-04:00Dan's right. When you hear four-letter playwright...Dan's right. When you hear four-letter playwright, don't think of Agee, as he never wrote a play in his life.<BR/><BR/>He did write 'The African Queen' and 'Night of the Hunter' for the movies, tho'heathcliffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15966894330090164635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-13796127773490758282008-05-21T16:00:00.000-04:002008-05-21T16:00:00.000-04:00So OAKTAG is for real, eh? Fooled me. I went to gr...So OAKTAG is for real, eh? Fooled me. I went to grammar school before EVERYONE here (WWII), and never heard of it. Maybe it hadn't been invented yet.<BR/><BR/>Rex is my hero, too, most of all because he's not afraid to tee off on a puzzle when it deserves it (and even when it doesn't). I thought today's was way too hard for a Wednesday, but after reading the comments I feel a little better.<BR/><BR/>Musicians: is "forcefully" really an appropriate translation of FURIOSO? Not when *I* was playing second fiddle!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-50015117383455128252008-05-21T15:37:00.000-04:002008-05-21T15:37:00.000-04:00I had no idea that the theme was make until I came...I had no idea that the theme was make until I came here. At first thought it was a french theme because I had Rouge at noir and etats. Tried to put a french word in luxury liner but that didnt work.chefbeahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15195945085405126511noreply@blogger.com