tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post7781729983477805794..comments2024-03-28T18:52:07.432-04:00Comments on Rex Parker Does the NYT Crossword Puzzle: FRIDAY, Mar. 2, 2007 - Eric BerlinRex Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145707733877505087noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-71323023421251829052007-05-01T00:46:00.000-04:002007-05-01T00:46:00.000-04:00STOL- Short Takeoff Or Landing--Adaptable Aircraft...STOL- Short Takeoff Or Landing--Adaptable Aircraft clue. Don't know if someone already responded, no time to read em all. THXAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-1290868760764743582007-04-17T16:13:00.000-04:002007-04-17T16:13:00.000-04:00April 17, 2007 (the future)Well, I think a possess...April 17, 2007 (the future)<BR/>Well, I think a possessive adjective can also be called a possessive pronoun. But it is certainly imprecise to refer to "ses" as simply a "pronoun." To me, it was fair play for a Friday puzzle.<BR/>Speaking of French...<BR/>SURETE was, I thought as much part of Olde Tyme Cryme as the French triad. Rex, La Sureté is mentioned many, many times in the Pink Panther movies, and probably the French Connection too. A bit of a gimme if you live in Quebec, where they still use this term (Sureté du Québec), but less so as I lived in France first--in the 1990s and did not hear this term as an everyday, current word, there. (But again, it eventually came to me because of Pink Panther movies).<BR/>Cool to hear from Linda G's daughter here in the future, after Linda G's medium stint as a guest blogger. I think Kris went to the Inspector Clouseau school of spies' disguise. :) Does your dog bite?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-29128991155392766302007-04-16T16:40:00.000-04:002007-04-16T16:40:00.000-04:00Could have been a demonstrative pronoun, had it be...Could have been a demonstrative pronoun, had it been "ces"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-11984381916468125592007-04-14T07:50:00.000-04:002007-04-14T07:50:00.000-04:00Another "six-weeks-later" commentator. This is the...Another "six-weeks-later" commentator. This is the second time in recent memory I note French possessive adjectives - 55-A - clued as pronouns. <BR/> "Je", "moi", "tu", "toi", ...and so on, are Fr. pronouns; "ses" is not.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-62683567288475854802007-04-13T20:13:00.000-04:002007-04-13T20:13:00.000-04:00imtzar -- thanks for the "are" explanation. Its a...imtzar -- thanks for the "are" explanation. Its a bit of a stretch, but then its a Friday puzzle.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-88139164543084620272007-04-13T17:59:00.000-04:002007-04-13T17:59:00.000-04:00Hi Jae, I'm another one of the six-week-out-club (...Hi Jae, <BR/>I'm another one of the six-week-out-club (SWOC's).<BR/><BR/>I agree that a ? after "Bug's midsection" would have helped. Earlier in the week you probably would have had that additional help. I notice that Friday and Saturday sometimes forego the supplemental clues.<BR/><BR/>Here is how "cost" becomes ARE: Those ARE 4 for a dollar. (Substitute "cost" for ARE.)Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07813891327770266573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-85443798292533528772007-04-13T16:56:00.000-04:002007-04-13T16:56:00.000-04:00Six weeks later if anyone is out there. A nice pu...Six weeks later if anyone is out there. A nice puzzle but I have a couple of issues. First, shouldn't 13a bug's middle have a "?" after it??. Every time I've seen a clue like this its had a "?". Second, in my syndicated puzzle the clue for 51a was "cost." I would love to have someone explain to me how "are" is the answer. I only got it right because of the crosses.<BR/><BR/>RE: tips. Get a good crossword dictionary and gradually ween yourself off of it. I think you get more out of looking stuff up (e.g. dictionary, google) than checking the answer key. Because of the A-Z Comprehensive Crossword Dictionary I now know a lot of french, german, and italian that I did not know 3 years ago. Not to mention various gods and goddess, etc.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-57767240677910574382007-03-03T09:24:00.000-05:002007-03-03T09:24:00.000-05:00Thanks for all the tips you gave Kris. Strangers ...Thanks for all the tips you gave Kris. Strangers always know more than parents, so your comments will be very helpful.<BR/><BR/>By the way, it was a slightly okay disguise, given that Kristen is her middle name. We don't call her Kris, but her friends and coworkers do.Linda Ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15816794362786044423noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-2828476389684942132007-03-03T08:49:00.001-05:002007-03-03T08:49:00.001-05:00This is to add the word " cannot" between "and" an...This is to add the word " cannot" between "and" and "go" in number 3 of my previous post. Sorry, Kris.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-48594071799404106552007-03-03T08:49:00.000-05:002007-03-03T08:49:00.000-05:00This is to add the word " cannot" between "and" an...This is to add the word " cannot" between "and" and "go" in number 3 of my previous post. Sorry, Kris.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-50138161663515187442007-03-03T08:46:00.000-05:002007-03-03T08:46:00.000-05:00I apologize if the link to Will Shortz's article i...I apologize if the link to Will Shortz's article is reserved for Times Select subscribers. My bad.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-23182492943663805512007-03-03T08:43:00.000-05:002007-03-03T08:43:00.000-05:00Begin with the answers you're surest of and build ...Begin with the answers you're surest of and build from there. <BR/><BR/>Look for fill-in-the-blank clues. Say it over in your head a few times. The answer may pop out.<BR/><BR/>Three-, four-, and five-letter words are usually easier to guess than longer words. <BR/><BR/>Guess at answers but don't fall in love with your answer. In other words, be prepared to make changes.<BR/><BR/>Now give your Mom a break and use this tried and true method for learning how to solve the NYT crossword puzzles on your own. <BR/><BR/>1. Choose some easy puzzles that you have the solutions to. You may need to get a book of NYT puzzles. (Ask Mom.) <BR/><BR/>2. Practice solving using the above tips. <BR/><BR/>3. When you get stuck and go on, study the clue then consult the solution for the corresponding fill. Think about the association between the two. If you don't get it, ask Mom to explain. Part of the fun of NYT puzzle solving is appreciating the constructor's skill, wit, art, or whatev.<BR/><BR/>4. Fill in the answer on your puzzle. <BR/><BR/>5. Use that answer to try to fill in more of the grid around it without looking at the solution. <BR/><BR/>6. Repeat 1 through 5 until the grid is complete. <BR/><BR/>7. Study and remember what you learn by this method. <BR/><BR/>Soon you will be able to solve the easy puzzles with little or no reference to the solution. But this same method can be used as you advance to harder NYT puzzles.<BR/><BR/>Hope this helps.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-30475285446724715262007-03-03T08:25:00.000-05:002007-03-03T08:25:00.000-05:00Kris, more tips for crossword newbies:• Always fin...Kris, more tips for crossword newbies:<BR/><BR/>• Always finish a puzzle, even if that involves peeking at the answers. If an answer doesn't make sense, find out what it means. (Google is your friend in this.)<BR/><BR/>• Notice all those shorter words with the "Wheel of Fortune"-type letters (R, S, T, L, N, E—plus other vowels)? Short words made of only common letters like those help crossword constructors get everything to fit. Look at the Thursday puzzle in Rex's blog. TREES, ASSESS, ONSITE, OSLO, LIENS and ERNE contain only common letters. The shortest of these, ERNE (a sea eagle) pops up fairly often in crosswords. (So do words like ALOE, AREA, ARIA, ELLA, ERA, ERE, ERIE, ETE, ETNA, SSE, etc. So immediately see if ALOE will fit for any clue about lotion or skin-care ingredients—it gets a lot of play.)<BR/><BR/>• Consider buying a book of easy NYT crosswords edited by Will Shortz. There are approximately a zillion such titles on the bookstore shelves; answers are in the back.Orangehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12433254398377357737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-28241036637345471752007-03-03T08:04:00.000-05:002007-03-03T08:04:00.000-05:00For Kris:I found Will Shortz' article on how to so...For Kris:<BR/><BR/>I found Will Shortz' article on how to solve the NYT crossword puzzles at this site: <BR/><BR/>http://select.nytimes.com/search/restricted/article?res=F00E10FA3A5B0C7B8CDDAD0894D9404482<BR/><BR/>His article is a good place for beginners to start.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-65170156848457491162007-03-02T21:20:00.000-05:002007-03-02T21:20:00.000-05:00What about traps? 13a is actually SHORTU, but it m...What about traps? 13a is actually SHORTU, but it might have also been THORAX, a word which shares the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th letters in common. There are other examples.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-60380197197986263402007-03-02T20:59:00.000-05:002007-03-02T20:59:00.000-05:00Good stuff!!Good stuff!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-46585358181988744132007-03-02T20:12:00.000-05:002007-03-02T20:12:00.000-05:00STOLShortTakeOffLandingplanes with short stocky wi...STOL<BR/>Short<BR/>Take<BR/>Off<BR/>Landing<BR/><BR/>planes with short stocky wings so they can land on short runways<BR/>They to glide a long wayPathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01785575558756912966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-64245864594209432712007-03-02T19:48:00.000-05:002007-03-02T19:48:00.000-05:00Kris,I can tell you that your "disguise," as you c...Kris,<BR/><BR/>I can tell you that your "disguise," as you call it, did not work. Next time you might try picking a name that is not a homonym of your actual name. :-)<BR/><BR/>If you like xwords then you will do them again and again and naturally get better. But, yes, buy Amy's book when it comes out.<BR/><BR/>The comment "we already have an Anonymous" made me laff out loud.<BR/><BR/>RPRex Parkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16145707733877505087noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-56184386692118604562007-03-02T19:41:00.000-05:002007-03-02T19:41:00.000-05:00Old new "Chris" (that makes no sense what so ever....Old new "Chris" (that makes no sense what so ever.) Wow I didnt expect anyone to respond so quickly. Actually I spell my name K-R-I-S but I was trying to "disguise" myself to see if my mom would pick up on who I was.....my mom is "Linda G" and she is the one who reffered me. she talks about this blog ALL THE TIME so I figured it was time to see for my self what it was about. She has been trying to help me with the "easy" puzzles (i dont think they are easy at all) but she always gets done so fast and then looses intrest in helping me. I think she should help me cause she's the one who got me started on them anyway.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-32863553555984878712007-03-02T19:24:00.000-05:002007-03-02T19:24:00.000-05:00Re: STOL. This is rather incredible; never thought...Re: STOL. This is rather incredible; never thought I'd see this in a puzzle. My late father was head of R&D at Rockwell International during the time that a STOL project (actually known as V/STOL for Vertical/Short Take-off & Landing) was a front and center development effort for them as a Navy contractor. It was a radical concept for a supersonic fighter plane that ran into many problems and was never flown. I know my dad loved working on it, though. Read all about it at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rockwell_XFV-12Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-24584507904837831502007-03-02T19:09:00.000-05:002007-03-02T19:09:00.000-05:00Alex up above, my kid's watching Fairly Oddparents...Alex up above, my kid's watching <I>Fairly Oddparents</I> on Nickelodeon. This episode's got retro black-and-white 1930s-style animation, so of course a retro character just said "new-fangled hoo-ha." Heh.Orangehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12433254398377357737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-22286509225323057212007-03-02T19:03:00.000-05:002007-03-02T19:03:00.000-05:00We already have an "anonymous" -- please elaborate...We already have an "anonymous" -- please elaborate so we don't get ennui en masse!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-60701646188440762832007-03-02T18:57:00.000-05:002007-03-02T18:57:00.000-05:00We already have a "Chris" -- elaborate so we don't...We already have a "Chris" -- elaborate so we don't get Chris-crossed!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-48850811524129346272007-03-02T18:09:00.000-05:002007-03-02T18:09:00.000-05:00Chris could also benefit from The Great PFUI Contr...Chris could also benefit from The Great PFUI Controversy (sidebar).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-26994631576909282372007-03-02T17:41:00.000-05:002007-03-02T17:41:00.000-05:00Wow, I wish my book were out already so I could bl...Wow, I wish my book were out already so I could blatantly plug it. Chris, in about four months, <I>How to Conquer the New York Times Crossword Puzzle</I> will be published. Until then, you can hang out here, at my blog, and at the NYT crossword forum (link in Rex's sidebar) for varying types of NYT crossword chat and dissection of clues. Also, study THE PANTHEON 2007 (also linked in the sidebar here) for some of the must-know words that recur in crosswords.Orangehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12433254398377357737noreply@blogger.com