tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post8034474876846692159..comments2024-03-28T06:29:33.354-04:00Comments on Rex Parker Does the NYT Crossword Puzzle: Angelique composer / THU 8-26-10 / Period of Cenozoic Era / Bing Crosby hit your branches speak to me of loveRex Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145707733877505087noreply@blogger.comBlogger86125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-64186571220991664052010-10-05T20:58:34.797-04:002010-10-05T20:58:34.797-04:00@plantfan40 - I believe "the ones with rings&...@plantfan40 - I believe "the ones with rings" are Seniors, as high school or college Seniors, SRS, who have their school rings. But what do I know; I'm a dropout!Dropoutnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-88069727960085064592010-10-04T14:48:55.338-04:002010-10-04T14:48:55.338-04:00Hi, first time here. I thought this was a little...Hi, first time here. I thought this was a little more challenging than usual- I fell for the SEL/ETE and UNCUT/INERT before the Hollywood Squares answer jumped out at me. But, could someone please explain the answer to 34D? Got the correct SRS from the acrosses but I don't understand "the ones with rings." I get that it is most likely wedding rings and that it is an abbreviation, but isn't there usually something that points to Spanish when the answer is SRS for SENORAS? Anyway, enjoyed being able to do a Henry Hook- husband does his cryptics!plantfan40noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-54110071726377591832010-10-01T15:26:17.719-04:002010-10-01T15:26:17.719-04:00Ran into trouble when doing this diagramless. I us...Ran into trouble when doing this diagramless. I usually use a blank 15x15 grid that I print out. This 16x15 had me scratching my head for a while and I had to start over when I figured it out. Can anyone tell me how often the NYT daily has a non 15x15 grid? Thanksrideitforwardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16655585751618321585noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-81014582615099914452010-10-01T15:24:23.246-04:002010-10-01T15:24:23.246-04:00This puzzle threw me for a bit of loop because it ...This puzzle threw me for a bit of loop because it wasn't 15 x 15. I will occasionally do the NYT diagramless, using some blank grids I printed out on my computer. The clues in this puzzle were very easy but I got into trouble and had to start over when I realized the symmetry wasn't what I expected. Can anyone tell me how often a NYT daily ISN'T 15x15? Thanks.rideitforwardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16655585751618321585noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-70722882739199798942010-09-30T15:47:17.739-04:002010-09-30T15:47:17.739-04:00Doppelgangers can be nominal (same name), physical...Doppelgangers can be nominal (same name), physical (lookalikes) or psychological (Jeckyl and Hyde), so the clue works just fine for me. <br /><br />Love this blog. This is my first entry. Hope to be brave enough to contribute more often.<br /><br />Puzzle was easy. Thanks HH and RP.Profhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17653229494243171308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-42299867891384929572010-09-30T12:52:58.767-04:002010-09-30T12:52:58.767-04:00not in the puzzle, but -boringer- (thanks @Rex) is...not in the puzzle, but -boringer- (thanks @Rex) is my word of the day.Llurking, Just Behind You!noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-63847108864261583962010-09-30T11:31:27.441-04:002010-09-30T11:31:27.441-04:0018A first cut was FOOTBALLPLAYBOOK
but after that ...18A first cut was FOOTBALLPLAYBOOK<br />but after that only 10A and 12D were problems [I don't do well on modern idioms]Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-78042756876497658162010-08-29T15:42:11.327-04:002010-08-29T15:42:11.327-04:00As a lifelong Nebraska resident and NU alum, I can...As a lifelong Nebraska resident and NU alum, I can assure everyone that OSU is not a NU rival, an opponent, but not a rival. Not even close. Many schools in the Big 12 could be considered a rival of NU before OSU. The OU Sooners first and foremost (from the Big 8 Days). Later Colorado became a heated rival. KU, KSU, Missouri and ISU would all be ranked above OSU as rivals.Nebraska Dougnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-13386677691913198182010-08-27T01:51:53.754-04:002010-08-27T01:51:53.754-04:00Too late for anyone to read this, but I wanted to ...Too late for anyone to read this, but I wanted to thank @Corgi, too, for the "I am a strange loop" recommendation! I, too, thoroughly enjoyed GEB many years ago, and this one is on its way me now! @Clark, very interesting comment about your having read it in manuscript!Marynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-51590446553508839132010-08-27T01:10:39.891-04:002010-08-27T01:10:39.891-04:00@across carla: I didn't 'get' the clue...@across carla: I didn't 'get' the clue to 10D at all so the answer ACROSS came totally from the crosses. THEN I got it and chuckled (slightly--one heh.) So I guess I like it for late week clues. I kinda put it in a category with clues like: Center of gravity, answer: VEE.shrub5https://www.blogger.com/profile/09466867716773759568noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-57424068931256285652010-08-27T00:31:29.708-04:002010-08-27T00:31:29.708-04:00@Shrub5
I loved "Alley oops!' too till I ...@Shrub5<br />I loved "Alley oops!' too till I saw ALLEYWAY in the grid. Has someone else mentioned this and I missed it?<br />(Late to the party big time today... Speaking of which it's Will Shortz's bday to boot!)<br /><br />And what about the 10D clue? Do folks like those meta-self-puzzle-referential clues? If so, pls discuss, I'd like to know that as a sometime constructor.<br /><br />I was also a bit surprised to see the plural in the first theme answer, but I guess to fit HOLLYWOODSQUARES in the puzzle (perhaps the raison d'etre of the puzzle to begin with), it had to be 16. <br />Thought that is where @Rex was going with his discussion of "cheater squares", I don't know if adding an S to a theme answer counts as that too, but I'm always getting chastised (by writing partners) for that. <br />HOLLYWOOD Squares is more fun than CHEATER Squares.<br /><br />I was relieved that was the final answer bec I wanted TICTACTOEBOARD(s)<br />from the word go.<br /><br />And, altho I too fell for InERT/nUDGE<br />after debating for the final few minutes, it felt like a Tuesday for me.<br /><br />I need to re-read the blog bec I didn't even see reference to Rex being in the WSJ today! POTASH!across carla michaelsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-12340548537242068352010-08-26T22:50:22.276-04:002010-08-26T22:50:22.276-04:00Did puzzle at beach today.
Can't say anything...Did puzzle at beach today.<br /><br />Can't say anything bad about Henry Hook. I know he was born in East Rutherford, NJ, where I went to High School. Internet won't tell me where he went to High School, but he is about nine years younger than I am.<br /><br />Still would have preferred a nice rebus.Bob Kerfufflehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02615811802419025933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-47689391096496970572010-08-26T21:55:16.478-04:002010-08-26T21:55:16.478-04:00DNF, Found it difficult. Got only first one of the...DNF, Found it difficult. Got only first one of theme (the sports!). Wanted Tic Tac Toe. Wanted "storks" for Meadowland (dump) squad. Had Faure before IBERT. Never heard of S. PADRE I; or OSU. Didn't know CHAI was spicy. Didn't like YULES. Don't understand REST.<br /><br />Won't buy NYT tomorrow.<br /><br />@Cathyat40 - Hubster's trying to blame me for the existence of a 4 Freshman LP in our house. Just 'cause I'm a mayonnaise face. <br /><br />Liked the beautiful red-flowered POINCIANA tree that can't grow in Zone 5.<br />That Hofstadter book that I never heard of sounds good.Sfingihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06903616949048940858noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-14999393625969622802010-08-26T21:11:22.317-04:002010-08-26T21:11:22.317-04:00@foodie -- I was a student of Doug Hofstadter (and...@foodie -- I was a student of Doug Hofstadter (and a friend) at the time GEB was published. (I was actually a graduate student in the music school at the time, but on the side I studied artificial intelligence.)Clarknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-47920764435169941092010-08-26T20:41:45.358-04:002010-08-26T20:41:45.358-04:00@Chip Hilton even I with my S-IQ (S as in Sport) h...@Chip Hilton even I with my S-IQ (S as in Sport) hovering around 60, felt the same as you did. What happened to the Wolverines as the classic OSU rivals? I guess that was another way to move it from Monday to Thursday difficulty? <br /><br />@Clark, I was not clear in my earlier post. I ordered I AM A Strange Loop, based on @The Corgi's input. I had read GEB many moons ago. But now, I'm really fascinated. You read GEB when it was a manuscript? So cool! Are you an editor? Hofstadter's friend? His colleague? Inquiring minds want to know.foodiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13052189131129098616noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-26735209389272263592010-08-26T19:57:19.125-04:002010-08-26T19:57:19.125-04:00Thank you Sclafani and retired_chemist for bringin...Thank you Sclafani and retired_chemist for bringing up the reason I'm visiting Rex today...I was stuck on that and gave it to my dad (a 60s guy) and he said "oh you're too young to get this one..it's neck for spoon" to which I launched into "what are you talking about??? spooning is NOT the same thing as necking! etc. etc."...at about the 4th etc. I realized the inherent awkwardness of the conversation and immediately turned to Rex for some type of justification...babesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-58474635635615934552010-08-26T17:47:08.400-04:002010-08-26T17:47:08.400-04:00OSU as a rival to Nebraska? That threw me, as I a...OSU as a rival to Nebraska? That threw me, as I always regarded Oklahoma as the Cornhuskers' rival, not Okla. State. But maybe Mr. Hook refers to Nebraska's move to the Big Ten and it's Ohio State he's after. Whatever . . . it stopped me for a moment. The Bing/Cenozoic crossing was my other stumper.Chip Hiltonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11944056030047563287noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-56280750762138097662010-08-26T17:26:47.719-04:002010-08-26T17:26:47.719-04:00@fikink --
I'm pretty sure there is a website...@fikink --<br /><br />I'm pretty sure there is a website somewhere with pictures of Roxie somewhere, but I haven't had a moment of peace during which I might figure out what it is. Later.<br /><br />I read Gödel Escher Bach when it was still in manuscript. It's a delightful romp. @foodie, I bet you'll enjoy reading it.Clarknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-91859635561082230362010-08-26T17:16:48.397-04:002010-08-26T17:16:48.397-04:00Those Four Freshman don't look like they have ...Those Four Freshman don't look like they have a rhythmic, savage beat inside them, despite what they say.Cathyat40https://www.blogger.com/profile/09721579652995818221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-14446810606874240982010-08-26T17:11:38.330-04:002010-08-26T17:11:38.330-04:00Also, the fact that the image is titled 1277852343...Also, the fact that the image is titled 1277852343-ebert.jpg.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-57741523151096858912010-08-26T17:08:26.286-04:002010-08-26T17:08:26.286-04:00Thank you, Schub5 and Anon, for identifying the Ro...Thank you, Schub5 and Anon, for identifying the Roger Ebert pic in todays blog. I failed to recognize him, not only because he's still battling the Big C, but also because he wasn't wearing his customary specs in the photo appended. I also managed to overlook his signature Thumbs-up sign!CaseAcenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-81094024128979885692010-08-26T17:01:04.638-04:002010-08-26T17:01:04.638-04:00I, as many did, had NUDGE, which fits "Move s...I, as many did, had NUDGE, which fits "Move slightly" better than BUDGE.<br />I, too, had no idea who INERT was as composer. I had equal knowledge of IBERT.<br />EBERT, I know.<br /><br />Had HOLLYWOOD SQUARES by simply counting the letters.<br /><br />Like Rick, had ACUMEN at first.<br /><br />"Holiday celebrations" would have been better than "Year-end" because the latter makes you think of New Year's Eve.<br /><br />Like Rex had NO idea about POINCIANA.<br />TERTIARY I also knew as a word, not an era. As in who do you pass to when the receiver and tight end are both covered?Jhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01287297614087933765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-67209181340655942882010-08-26T16:49:24.317-04:002010-08-26T16:49:24.317-04:00Had POINCIANA from the crosses and thought somethi...Had POINCIANA from the crosses and thought something must be wrong, but let it be. Turned out OK.<br />Had InERT from the crosses and thought something must be wrong, but let it be. Oops.<br />Otherwise a very easy puzzle, but enjoyable as well.<br />captcha - sessessa - a whole bunch of ess's (in keeping with this week's puzzle themes)PuzzleNutnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-90985183893575122302010-08-26T16:45:11.796-04:002010-08-26T16:45:11.796-04:00@ all Versaillesiens: thanks for the explanations
...@ all Versaillesiens: thanks for the explanations<br /><br />@ The Big E: I knew there was another clue I thought was weird! 'Doppelgänger' means 'look-alike' in German - and nothing else. However, Merriam-Webster tells me<br /><br />doppelgänger<br /><br />1: a ghostly counterpart of a living person<br />2 a : double<br /> b : alter ego<br /> c : a person who has the same name as another<br /><br />But then again: why mislead the poor foreign solver by capitalizing the clue (and don't tell me they're all capitalized) thus making him think it's German? Oh well. Had to get V crosses to come up with alter ego was wanted.Evgenynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-30109301608073088072010-08-26T16:29:10.741-04:002010-08-26T16:29:10.741-04:00Midday 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 />Thu 13:33, 19:11, 0.71, 6%, Easy<br /><br />Top 100 solvers<br /><br />Thu 7:398, 9:13, 0.83, 29%, Easy-Medium<br /><br />This puzzle seemed to me to be a Monday puzzle with a couple of Friday/Saturday crosses thrown in. It was almost as though Will didn't have any Thursday puzzles lined up, so he grabbed a Monday, changed InERT/nUDGE to IBERT/BUDGE and reworked the SE to make it Thursday tough. Didn't anyone besides me confidently write in FOOTBALL plAybook? I've been an ardent football fan all my life (it goes with the territory when you're born and raised in Massillon, Ohio) and have never heard the term "football diagram". I see that the phrase is not foreign to Google, so I guess I must grudgingly admit that it's legit.sanfranman59https://www.blogger.com/profile/15118732156312301425noreply@blogger.com