Theme: Hit the Road
17A: Crash-test road?: COLLISION COURSE
33A: Western relocation road?: SANTA FE TRAIL
42A: Must-take road?: CRITICAL PATH
63A: Take one's eye of the road?: LOOK THE OTHER WAY
And STS (20A: MapQuest abbrs) & AVE (55A: Pennsylvania in D. C. e.g.). I also like the clue for E-ZPASS (47A: Toll road convenience). Wish TIRES (66A: Wearies) were clued as road-related too.
I am certain TSE (64D: Half a fly?) is not Barry's original clue, and I don't believe he made the AVE (55A) and SAKS (61D: Fifth Ave. retailer) mistake. Maybe our editor should give Roger Federer or Anna Wintour a call and see how SAKS should be clued more fashionably.
Nice puzzle overall, another pangram. I got the theme very earlier on and was able to fill in lots of blanks. I did google ISIAH Thomas, had problem obtaining AIR ACE & ARACHNE.
Alright, Barry, I love Sophie Marceau. Bring me BOULEVARD Champs -Elysees next time, and your alley, your corner, your lane & your terrace.
Across:
1A: Modern journal: BLOG. Very interesting BLOG from Guardian's Xword editor. If you like cryptic crossword, you should read Sandy Balfour's "Pretty Girl in Crimson Rose (8)". I forgot the twisted logic, but the answer to his book title is REBELLED.
5A: "Squawk Box" airer: CNBC. Where is Maria Bartiromo?
9A: "Wheel of Fortunate" host: SAJAK. And AN O (23A: "Wheel of Fortune").
21A: NHL Senators: OTTAWA. Does this clue feel OK to you?
24A: Sub builder?: DELI. Good clue.
27A: Hypotheticals: WHAT-IFS. I like the answer.
36A: 20th-cent. conflict: WWII
37A: Prefix's prefix: PRE. Hate this clue, very lazy. So many ways to clue PRE.
50A: Bridge support: TRESTLE
52A: Verdi opera: AIDA
58A: Star in the sky?: AIR ACE. Another great clue. Took me a long time to get it though.
67A: E. Ness, e.g.: T-MAN
70A: Marquis de ___: SADE. Too dark for me, I adore this SADE.
71A: P-U connection U: QRST
Down:
1D: Some pens: BICS. I use Pilot Easytouch, how about you?
3D: Quiet raptors: OWLS. Why "quiet"?
6D: Night in Metz: NUIT. Once again, van Gogh's "La NUIT Étoilée" (Starry Night). I never get tired of this clip.
11D: Shook up: JARRED
18D: Greek colony: IONIA. See this map. The architectural term IONIC is from this word, isn't it? What is the difference between IONIC and DORIC?
19D: Kind of lily: CALLA. That's rather an erect anther, isn't it? Or is it stigma?
29D: Black cuckoo: ANI. It will drive me nuts if it's clued as "Wheel of Fortune" purchase (AN I) again.
34D: Part of TNT: TRI (Trinitrotoluene). Always associate TNT with "We Know Drama".
35D: Geom. figure: RECT (Rectangular)
39D: Tangled mass: MAT. This is a new definition to me.
40D: Bakker's letters: PTL. I did not know that Jim Bakker is still alive.
43D: S. Hemisphere nation: RSA. I was thinking of a South American country.
44D: Thomas of basketball: ISIAH. What does this photo say? I don't understand it.
45D: Maiden turned into a spider: ARACHNE. So hard to remember this name. It's clued as "Spider woman of myth" last time. So is she the symbol of presumption then?
46D: Flood zone sight: LEVEE. I penned in HAVOC first.
47D: Jumps for joy: EXULTS
48D: Focus (on): ZERO IN
49D: Like some deductions, with "a": PRIORI
57D: Timetable, briefly: SKED
65D: Supply slip, in brief: REQ. Required?
C.C.
17A: Crash-test road?: COLLISION COURSE
33A: Western relocation road?: SANTA FE TRAIL
42A: Must-take road?: CRITICAL PATH
63A: Take one's eye of the road?: LOOK THE OTHER WAY
And STS (20A: MapQuest abbrs) & AVE (55A: Pennsylvania in D. C. e.g.). I also like the clue for E-ZPASS (47A: Toll road convenience). Wish TIRES (66A: Wearies) were clued as road-related too.
I am certain TSE (64D: Half a fly?) is not Barry's original clue, and I don't believe he made the AVE (55A) and SAKS (61D: Fifth Ave. retailer) mistake. Maybe our editor should give Roger Federer or Anna Wintour a call and see how SAKS should be clued more fashionably.
Nice puzzle overall, another pangram. I got the theme very earlier on and was able to fill in lots of blanks. I did google ISIAH Thomas, had problem obtaining AIR ACE & ARACHNE.
Alright, Barry, I love Sophie Marceau. Bring me BOULEVARD Champs -Elysees next time, and your alley, your corner, your lane & your terrace.
Across:
1A: Modern journal: BLOG. Very interesting BLOG from Guardian's Xword editor. If you like cryptic crossword, you should read Sandy Balfour's "Pretty Girl in Crimson Rose (8)". I forgot the twisted logic, but the answer to his book title is REBELLED.
5A: "Squawk Box" airer: CNBC. Where is Maria Bartiromo?
9A: "Wheel of Fortunate" host: SAJAK. And AN O (23A: "Wheel of Fortune").
21A: NHL Senators: OTTAWA. Does this clue feel OK to you?
24A: Sub builder?: DELI. Good clue.
27A: Hypotheticals: WHAT-IFS. I like the answer.
36A: 20th-cent. conflict: WWII
37A: Prefix's prefix: PRE. Hate this clue, very lazy. So many ways to clue PRE.
50A: Bridge support: TRESTLE
52A: Verdi opera: AIDA
58A: Star in the sky?: AIR ACE. Another great clue. Took me a long time to get it though.
67A: E. Ness, e.g.: T-MAN
70A: Marquis de ___: SADE. Too dark for me, I adore this SADE.
71A: P-U connection U: QRST
Down:
1D: Some pens: BICS. I use Pilot Easytouch, how about you?
3D: Quiet raptors: OWLS. Why "quiet"?
6D: Night in Metz: NUIT. Once again, van Gogh's "La NUIT Étoilée" (Starry Night). I never get tired of this clip.
11D: Shook up: JARRED
18D: Greek colony: IONIA. See this map. The architectural term IONIC is from this word, isn't it? What is the difference between IONIC and DORIC?
19D: Kind of lily: CALLA. That's rather an erect anther, isn't it? Or is it stigma?
29D: Black cuckoo: ANI. It will drive me nuts if it's clued as "Wheel of Fortune" purchase (AN I) again.
34D: Part of TNT: TRI (Trinitrotoluene). Always associate TNT with "We Know Drama".
35D: Geom. figure: RECT (Rectangular)
39D: Tangled mass: MAT. This is a new definition to me.
40D: Bakker's letters: PTL. I did not know that Jim Bakker is still alive.
43D: S. Hemisphere nation: RSA. I was thinking of a South American country.
44D: Thomas of basketball: ISIAH. What does this photo say? I don't understand it.
45D: Maiden turned into a spider: ARACHNE. So hard to remember this name. It's clued as "Spider woman of myth" last time. So is she the symbol of presumption then?
46D: Flood zone sight: LEVEE. I penned in HAVOC first.
47D: Jumps for joy: EXULTS
48D: Focus (on): ZERO IN
49D: Like some deductions, with "a": PRIORI
57D: Timetable, briefly: SKED
65D: Supply slip, in brief: REQ. Required?
C.C.
81 comments:
Good morning, c.c. and fellow DFs and DFettes -- not a hammer, but a definite 'thinker' for me. I got away without hitting the G-spot, but I needed perp help on quite a few. (That sentence must really seem bizarre to newcomers). I think the thing I like about Barry's puzzles is that he obviously tries to avoid using a lot of 'crossword words'.
Nice anther for the DFettes, c.c.
Have a great hump day.
ISAIAH was the last to fall for me too cc. I enjoyed this Barry Silk puzzle as I do most of his. Hope you have a great day too Dennis, cc, et al!
Make that ISIAH-spelling trouble-probably why it was the last to fall!
Dennis,
The special term for those "crossword words" is called crosswordese. Why "quiet" for OWLS (3D) clue? You have not answered my yesterday's question: Besides CLAM, what are the other symbols of happiness to you?
Mark,
Thank you for pointing out my (an) eunuch & "Kama Sutra" mistake yesterday.
Sallie,
Thank you also for the explanation on AN/A. Very informative. I agree that your picture of Macho Picchu is brilliant. Your "even tho I am not as pretty as the llamas" comment made me laugh.
Sorry, C.C., I have a lot of comments.
I googled CNBC, ABASE, EZ PASS, TRESTKE and URIS. I used a thesuarus to get COURSE.
I was born in OTTAWA. I was proud to write that in first.
I had SLIP instead of TRIP at first.
I had SHOULDS instead of WHAT IFS at first.
I didn't like PRE for "prefix's prefix". How about SIX for "suffix's suffix"?
I had CAST OUT instead of CAST OFF for a while.
I thought of JERKED for JARRED but it didn't fit.
I assume T-MAN is somebody who works for the United States Treasury.
RSA is the Republic of South Africa. I had RWA (Rwanda) for a while.
Mark was right yesterday: it should be "a eunich" and not "an eunich". Think of how it is pronounced. But "an hotel" is wrong unless you are somebody who doesn't pronounce the "h".
Martin
Good morning fellow DF's! A bit chilly in New England this morning.
I agree with Dennis. A bit of a thinker. Had to "G" a bit but only on two or three.
An erect anther?! The Sirens are off!!
Kept thinking Washington Senators but they are history.
Some Bics, mostly Pilot. And then whatever is free and lying around.
I think that Tammy Faye is where BJ's go to die.
I know, I will probably get rapped in the mouth for it!!
Supply Slip in brief is REQ for Requisition.
Today is World Health & Fitness Day. It is also National Cherries Jubilee Day. Anyone here like cherries? Please don't do a DF when answering. Another one is National Punctuation Day (celebrate the lowly comma).
"Bullwinkle and Rocky" premiers, September 24, 1961.
"Love of Life" premiered 1951.
"Mod Squad" TV Series first aired September 24, 1968.
"60 Minutes" premiered, September 24, 1968.
The first Transatlantic telephone cable was completed, 1956.
USS Enterprise, the first nuclear aircraft carrier, launched on September 24, 1960.
Have a great day.
Good morning CC and gang,
I just got back from visiting my grandkids in Florida. Had a real nice time........But it is nice to be back home.
I really bombed on this puzzle today.
I never heard of Sophie Marceau, but she sure is pretty. I loved her dress.
CC, I use Cross pens, and I also have a Tiffany pen that I really like. Got it on eBay!
Hope y'all have a great day.......
Morning, folks!
Yet another smooth as silk puzzle from the "other" Barry... ^_^ Challenging enough to be interesting, but no stumbles and no need for assistance. I agree that the clue for PRE was very poor, and if I ran the universe the clue for 21A would have been, "Senator's Home."
I was really hoping Mr. Silk would produce another pangram today and my hopes were raised when I saw a J, then a K, then a Z and then an X. I kept waiting for the Q to appear and I was losing hope when I finally got to the last clue. w00t!
Oh -- and as for the difference between Ionic and Doric, I remember learning years about those two plus one more column style called Corinthian. Basically, the difference is the top of the column. Ionic columns have a flat top, Doric columns have a scrolled top, and Corinthian columns have a flowery top. An example can be seen here.
Good Morning, C.C. and all.
In Illinois, we have IPASS...so it took me a bit to come up with EZPASS. Besides, I kept trying for 'rest stop' *G*
The 'C' in AIR ACE and ARACHNE was the last letter to fall into place. AIR ACE was another of those words that didn't want to divide up into sensible syllables.
I had no idea the Senators weren't in Washington. OTTAWA fit, but looked really odd to me.
On-line 70A was clued as "Smooth Operator singer" and 6D was "Night over the Seine."
SKED?? Really?? I had the right sound in my head, but I wouldn't have gone for this spelling.
Thank you, Barry Silk, for a great puzzle.
C.C., I love the post on the winner of the crosswordese contest!
Have a good day, everyone!
Sophie Marceau played Princess Isabelle, the wife of Edward, Prince of Wales and the daughter in law of King Edward I (Longshanks) in the movie "Braveheart" starring Mel Gibson. However, this is an historical inaccuracy as William Wallace never met Isabelle. She married the Prince of Wales three years after Wallace's death
Martin,
The length of your post today is perfectly OK.
Katherine,
Good to see you back. Do you use your Tiffany pen every day?
Barry,
Thanks for the column link. Do you know what is "Adios amoebas"? Buckeye used it twice in his posts in the past several days. By the way, how did you create that Escher's "Rind"?
Lois & Carol,
Thank you very much for the email replies. I appreciate your quick response and patience with you.
C.C. - amoebas are the one-celled organisms, as you are probably aware. Adios Amoebas was a pun associated with them. Think of Adios, Amigos.
Barry,
Thanks for the column link.
My pleasure!
Do you know what is "Adios amoebas"? Buckeye used it twice in his posts in the past several days.
It's a pun on the Spanish phrase "Adios amigos" (goodbye friends). It doesn't mean anything in particular -- it's just a bit of silliness. I like to say "Buenos nachos" instead of "Buenos noches" (good night), personally.
By the way, how did you create that Escher's "Rind"?
In Photoshop! ^_^
Dr. Dad & Barry,
Thank you for "Adios amoebas". FYI: Barry Silk's original clue for PRE is "Opposite of post", OTTAWA is "Where Carleton University is".
Doesitinink,
I am curious to know if you studied or lived in Europe before.
Kittyb,
I am glad you enjoyed the post. I think I like the online SADE clue.
Bea,
What's the meaning of "LOOSE as a goose"?
Very slow going today. Three cups worth!
Just couldn't get it together. Lots of back and forth to see if I missed anything. Finally, it came together. Made only one mistake on 47d. Had EXALTS instead of EXULTS. Might have gotten it right if I had looked back at 56a another time!
EZPASS is a northeast thing, but I do know that it works in parts of Ohio, Ill, Ind, Mich, PA, and NJ.
Maybe elsewhere, also.
This one definately made me think, and although it took a while, I liked it. Keep 'em comin' Barry!!
Morning all,
Again I put the puzzle aside and then was able to finish it on the second go-round. Lois gave us a word for that but I forgot what it was. Seems I need that extra cup of coffee to get the brain cells working.
I'm glad to see that all those affected by Ike are on the road to recovery. My son lives in Houston and all is well with him except the hotel where his November wedding reception is being held had major damage to the reception room. They put another hotel on hold but have to make up their minds by today. Believe the contractor or switch hotels. Life has a way of throwing you curves.
Bill et al,
More originals from Barry:
23A: Year in Madrid: ANO
66A: Michelins or Pirellis: TIRES (GREAT! Barry)
39D: Shower safety item: MAT
64D: Mao ___- tung: TSE
29D: "Wheel of Fortune" buy: AN I (This made me laugh, see my 29D comment).
2D: Fence materials?: LOOT (Great too)
@ Jeanne - given my experience with contractors over the last several years/hurricanes my advice would be to book the other hotel.
Hi everyone!
I agree with Martin on "an hotel". Most people in the USA also avoid the "h" in herbs, which I find to be an affectation, since we all mispronounce numerous other French borrowings, such as lingeree, just to name one example. Actually, the French for herb is herbe, so strictly speaking, herb is English.
Furthermore, the beginning of the word eunich is pronounced like a "y", so with the consonantal sound there, it should be "a eunich".
On the column question, I always remember it going from simplest to most ornate: D.I.C.--Doric, Ionic, Corinthian--maybe a bit more DF-ish than Barry's learned explanation, but whatever works!
Arachne is where we get arachnid from. I was slow to get this and then kicked myself for missing it. But I couldn't get my head around critical path at the top of it.
Living in WI, we have no toll roads, so I-pass in IL was all I knew too, but got EZ as a guess.
I do prefer Barry's other clues today too.
@chris in la
I tend to like the sure thing also. Does mean losing some money and since the invitations are already out that means additional info needs to be mailed. Anxious to hear his decision.
When we were in Zion National Park two weeks ago there was a wedding in the park by a stream and waterfall. Beautiful; and to top it off their reception was at night on top of a mesa overlooking the park. Can you imagine how spectacular that would be?
Sorry--I meant lingerie--I got carried away with our mispronunciation and tried to spell it that way. Can't represent the first syllable the French way though, it should be the nasal sound used for the letter "i", but we don't have that sound in English. What we do use in this word is really the nasal sound for "a"
Good morning, everyone. Did this one online last night, and I'm struck by the many clue differences between the print and on-line versions.
50A Bridge support/Railroad support
52A Verdi opera/Opera set in Egypt
67A E. Ness, e.g./E. Ness, notably
70A Marquis de ___/"Smooth Operator" singer
71A P-U connection/Queue before U
6D Night in Metz/Night over the Seine
18D Greek colony/Ancient Greek colony
23D New York prison/NY prison
27D Compass direction/Opposite of ENE
41D The woman in question/That woman
54D Bakery lure/Bakery enticement
60D Water pitcher/Nightstand pitcher
61D 5th Ave. retailer/Fifth Avenue retailer
Embien will probably have something to say about the differences since he usually does the puzzle on-line.
Req. slip is a requisition slip, used in some purchasing department schemes.
Thank you, Barry Silk, for another fun and interesting puzzle.
Please explain 49D "...deduction, with a" = PRIORI
I have no clue.
cindy @ 8:57 - I consider an "a priori" deduction to mean a deduction that is reached without prior study or examination. It is sort of a preconceived notion about a result that is more intuitive than actually deduced from physical observations.
Crockett, Where do you find this puzzle online?
You were right-Barry Silk stumps me every time. My sprorts crazy hsbnd couldn't figure Isiah Thomas but I finally did. The crossword puzzle is the greatest way to keep your mind sharp. I pride myself on being knowledgible when it comes to trivia. First time commenter.
I had no idea what an EZPASS was. That made RSA ungettable without "G". I had AIR ACE filled, but thought it must be a constellation, until......click! I've never seen "Squawk Box", so CNBC was just a guess.
I didn't like PRE as "Prefix's prefix" either.
The dreaded half a fly TSE made another appearance. I'd like that one to go away for a while.
63D Clue "Takes one's eyes off the road" made me think of Doesitinink and Bellensav, but neither of their names would fit. I hope they don't live in the same city and work on their puzzles at the same stoplights. :0) Drive safely, ladies.
I had PTL before I remembered who Jim Bakker was.
Here's a few notes about Tuesday's blog. It ran over 100 posts last night, so I waited until this morning to comment.
Kittyb, Don't worry about reporting the website you linked. Depending on the level of security you have on your computer, some websites are blocked as an "Attack Site". It means that the site has been reported to Google as one that "might" install malicious software on your computer. It is just a "might", not a definite.
Hi right back to The Whoo, I noticed the spelling of "humour", rather the Americanized "humor". Are you Canadian, English, or like Kazie, an Aussie?
Thanks to Sallie for explaining the use of "a" and "an" before words with vowels.
C.C. "particularly if he has income and she is pattable." What does it mean? What is "pattable"? That particular phrase is a play on the words in the previous part of the sentence, "a little incompatibility (income + patibility) is the spice of life". It is an old-fashioned poem and was written in an era when men were usually the sole wage earners for the family, so "he has income". "Pattable" is the wife's enjoyment of being fondled and, in particular, enjoying a nice affectionate pat on the derriere. (One of my favorite signs of G.A.H.'s affection!)
Thanks you for the delightful crossword story. Here's a poem I found online. It only gives the poet's name as Xillus Xavier.
Crossword Puzzle(d)
Satisfy
Four squares ACROSS:
Simple answer or torturous enigma?
Puzzles can be candy for the brain.
Or a thorn.
This puzzle shall entertain me!
Write black lines on white paper;
black and white answers.
Eraser: ally of guessers everywhere.
Quite Obvious
Five squares DOWN:
Only the mentally strong will
venture their time, their
energy, their intellectual
resources to sate the needs of
these letter-starved squares. Obviously!
With unyielding fortitude,
I shall use a pen - not pencil -
and confidently vanquish my grid-like enemy.
The overt words at first of course!
And when the clue
for an eleven-letter word for freedom arises -
Mr. Thesaurus here at my side
gives me deliverance.
"If you can't imitate him, don't copy him."
=Yogi Berra
Leda Atómica is my choice pic. From Dali's site.
Not one to be ready to dance or jump off a cliff, but iI almost did!
lois,
You must be part of a stand-up comedy show. You're hilarious. I can't even get to answer that o n being crude, so I'll keep my nonsense from the blog. Your yesterday's input still is very, very funny...
C.C.,
ANO for year is not the real definition as the Spanish year has a tilde (AÑO). I accept it, but with a lot of caution. The same thing is with Spanish lady, which also has a tilde (SEÑORA).
C.C.
Owls are qyiet raptors because their feathers are so constructed that they make no sound in flight.
Ooops! Quiet, not qyiet.
CC, I don't use the pen everyday, but I do use it often. I keep it on the table....
Good morning C.C. & all
Once again, another quality puzzle from Mr. Silk. This one took me a bit to get into until I stumbled onto the theme then it was all downhill. My first S. Hemisphere thought also was S.A. & didn't really get RSA. I had no clue what 47A was looking for... I think that's an East Coast term maybe? So, that section was the last to fall.
You already have answers for 65D supply slip = Req for requisition. And, as drdad supplied, Owls fly on silent wings.
70A might have been clued with a reference to the singer rather than the referral to the ancient Marquis? Sade
It's pronounced Shah-day but I love her desafinado styling.
Once again... I'm in-n'-out so y'all have a good day.
ttfn
Good morning C.C.and everyone. I had a very tough time with this..I started out well in the NW corner and was feeling very smug...that didn't last for long!
Good puzzle Mr. Silk, sure got me thinking. We do not have toll roads in Oregon so I could not get 47A. Didn't get 48 or 49D either so could not arrive at the answer from those perps. I sure used a lot of my Liquid Paper Dry line!
19D - Lily??? Looks like a "Larry" to me! Whoa!! (and I wasn't going to "look the other way" either :)) Flowers are sooo interesting aren't they?
I see that poor 1/2 fly is back again.
Welcome dr g, we hope you'll stay. Just a word about posting here, we are limited to 100 per day, and every one counts so it's not necessary to do another to correct a spelling error..we have all "been there" and we understand what happened.
Hi All,
Well, walked away from this one twice and each time I came back I got more answers and finally finished it. Didn't google anything but ended up with Exalts instead of exults as Bill did and as he said we should have looked a second time at 56A. I definitely should have gotten Uris, duh! I actually got EZPass because I was missing a "Z" to get the pangram. Bingo!
Kittyb: A Belated Happy Anniversary to you and many more to come. Do you want to divulge how many years?
Have a great day everyone!
mark - Buenos Aires
c.c. your "rebelled"
Pretty lady = Belle
Crimson = red
so pretty lady in crimson =
re-belle-d
and "rose" - eg the American colonists rose up against the English King (shamefully IMHO! (please, a tongue in cheek remark)) = rebelled
Carl,
Why do you call Sade's style desafinado?
Dr. G,
Thank you for the quiet OWLS. Good to see you again.
Kazie,
Thanks also for the h & an. You can find the TMS puzzle on Chicago Tribune's Website (Monday-Saturday).
Clear Ayes,
What's the special term for this kind of incompatibility = "income" + "pattable"? Pun? Does the "ice" in Ogden Nash "Reflections on Ice-Breaking" refer to drinks?
Bellensav,
Welcome! I ditto what Clear Ayes said earlier, drive safely.
JD,
Congratulations on your first cheat-free puzzle.
Mark @ 12:32pm,
You are my hero today! I've been troubled the whole morning by this "Pretty Girl in Crimson Rose". Googled like mad, but could not find anything. Do you solve cryptic every day?
Carol,
Flour feeds my body, flower feeds my soul. Who is Larry?
JD,
Am I right about anther (19D) today? Or is it a stigma?
Cindy,
Hey!
Good morning, C.C. and all. I found the right road by wending my way over various paths. As I often do, I filled the top, then the bottom and finally worked out the middle. However, I jumped from clue to clue today.
One of my favorite Ogden Nash ditties.
Candy
is dandy
but liquor
is quicker.
In checking on this to be sure I had the quote right, I found he did not say "You shake and shake the ketchup bottle, Nothing comes and then a lot'll." He did say
"The Catsup bottle
First a little
Than a lottle."
Richard Armour, another fine American humorist, took Nash's lines and penned the couplet I've used so often.
Another Nashism, with some poetic license. "Parsley is Gharstly."
Good day to all.
Thanks c.c. for the website--our daily paper is becoming so thin, I don't enjoy much in it other than the puzzle any more, and if I can do it online I might give up buying it every day. And you're welcome for the explanation. sometimes intuition works better than rules, anyway.
3D: Quiet raptors: OWLS. Why "quiet"?
You asked... and my answer:
Because when an owl is in flight you cannot hear his wings flutter, it is silent.
I love the puzzle contest story; what a kick!
It was a challenge, but I made it without outside help. Crockett is right; the online clues were different. Prefix’s prefix = pre? Unbelievable. Would like to see ‘nickname for ‘70’s track star.’ Steve PREfonatine.
I prefer Barry Silk’s clues, as usual.
C.C.
From yesterday – No, we had no spices in hot toddies because we only made them for medicinal use. Hot water to warm the hands and spirit, lemon juice to supply vitamin c and cleanse the palate (or in plainer words cut the mucus,) honey to coat and sooth the throat, and whiskey to help you sleep. Basically it was homemade Nyquill except that it was easier to take. Spices can irritate a sore and raspy throat, so we didn’t add them.
Lois,
I’m still laughing at your recent house guests the pink elephants and the whole story was hilarious. I think you should have a blog of your own, just for saving great stories like that.
Carol
I agree – it’s a Larry. I always called anthuriums ‘little boy flowers.’
8:49 today. And a very enjoyable 8:49 it was (for those who don't recall, I don't "speed solve", I take my time and enjoy the ride). Barry C. Silk and I are on the same wavelength, it seems, as I really enjoyed this puzzle.
EZPASS is unknown here in Oregon, where there are no toll roads, so that was my last fill. I didn't parse AIRACE correctly until looking at the puzzle later (I thought it might be some southern hemisphere star I had never heard of).
Thanks to crockett for the listing. It was amazing how many different cluings there were today between the print and the online edition of the puzzle! Usually there are just one or two, if any, differences, I think.
c.c.: I don't think Maria Bartiromo is part of the "Squawk Box" staff, is she? (Though she does appear as a commentator on many CNBC programs.) I think she is the host of "Closing Bell". Maria Bartiromo
barb b, Is an anthurium a lily?? I don't know, but the flower shown looked like a calla lily. I looked up anthurium but it just defined it as a tropical flower and did not mention the lily family. I still say what ever it was, it was a MALE. :)
Carol,
go to google, click on 'images' and search for anthurium. A picture is worth a thousand words, or in this case a host of pictures will make your heart stop.
Lois and g8rmomx2, thank you for the anniversary wishes. It's been 18 years, and I can attest to the act that "love is lovelier the second time around." *S*
Clear ayes, as usual we were in sync over the puzzle. I like Mr. Silk's clues better, too. Thanks for explaining what an "Attack site" is. I've never heard the term before. I'll have to have my step-sons give me a tutorial.
@C.C. Desafinado means 'slightly off key'... which is a quality in her voice and definitely not a negative thing. It's just something I hear and identify with. Astrud Gilberto was also very good with this 'tonal' quality. Both have a sultry sound that is slightly off-key. Sade's genre crosses lines between jazz, latin soul, R&B, & soft contemporary.
Sade is Nigerian but has lived in Jamaica for at least ten years(at least I think she still lives there).
ttfn
Hey everbody,
hay is for horses,
grass is fast,
liqueur is quicker,
and acid is like lightning.
I guess I shouldn't be asking my tax accountant if I am entitled to an "a priori" deduction, huh?
Here's two more roads to hit; clue first, then the answer and the explaination.
Complete disappearance) without a trace / Trace - a trail or path, esp. through wild or open territory, made by the passage of people, animals, or vehicles.
Took the correct train) on the right track / Track - any road or path affording passage especially a rough one
barb b, thanks, I had no idea I could search that way! Learn something new every 10 minutes here :)
Anthuriums and calla lily's (or laddies) have a certain "sameness" don't they?
Today's puzzle was difficult, at first. I started all wrong with "trail of tears" for 33A. Got no where.
How do you know who made the puzzle?
My Detroit Free Press just lists the editor...Wayne Robert Williams.
Does it help to know the author?
Who makes the changes?
I think the photo of Isaiah Thomas refers to the fact that he used to kiss Magic Johnson before every game they played against the other instead of a handshake.
mark - Buenos Aires
c.c. I do cryptic crosswords when I can get hold of them. The fun is that the answer is always in the clue, so general knowledge of history, geography, sports stars etc is not necessary. My mate sends me an English newspaper from time to time to keep my grey cells working.
Try this (I´ll answer tomorrow).
Six Big Apple league records (5 letters)
I had no idea who the maiden that was turned into a spider was-arachne, had exalts instead of exults. Still don't get the clue/answer timetable briefly sked. Even though there is an explanation for "a" priori I still don't get it.
C.C., Barb b, and Carol, shouldn't there be a little dew on the petal of that calla lily with that fine erect anther? Barb b you are falling deeper, and deeper into DFette'sness.
Kazie, thank you for DIC...I shall never forget them again.
Drdad, you had me laughing out loud with your reference to Tammy Fay and the reference of where bjs go to die. And yes I like cherries very much. I grew up near Golf gal in MI and cherries are in abundance. I believe in Traverse City where she lives they have a big cherry festival every year.
My favorite pen is a Parker, but anything that has a nice fine tip is okay.
What have we done with xchefwalt? Is he hidden away at the B&B?
C.C.,
I believe REQ is for REQUEST.
lois,
Where art thou? Need a good laugh today. We have had Soooo much rain here in PR that is unreal. Some areas have had up to 3 ft. At my hometown we have had almost a foot... So, I need a real good laugh...
Of necessity this must be brief. I worked the puzzle much earlier today, but work issues kept me away from this blog site, alas. Now I have to get on the road before rush hour traffic and rain keep me on the road for far too long.
I really liked this puzzle. Like Barry, I found it just challenging enough to engage me intellectually without overwhelming me. I struggled a bit with the upper right and middle of the puzzle. I have never heard of "Squawk Box" and thought it might be a slang term for the equipment used by a "CBer". This did not sync with NUIT.... Then I began questioning BICS...could it be biro or refer to animal pens instead of writing implements? Once I finally got COLLISION COURSE I was able to figure it all out easily.
Here in Illinois, the EZ-PASS is call the I-Pass.
I will read others' comments later...when I get home.
TTFN
Good afternoon Cc and DFs and now DFettes. Got a very late start today but managed to work in the puzzle between The projects I had scheduled to do. Great puzzle today and managed to finish in near record time with no outside help.
Guess the DFettes will be off with the erect anther.
Got to run more ;ater.
65D--req. stands for requisition
Guday c.c., etus allus. Typical Silk puzzle for me today (after a warm 18 holes). Answer some - leave- answer more -leave- solve. It takes me a while to get on Barry's wavelength, but when I do I go "Whoopie"! I always like his clues better than the editor's.
Immanuel Kant talked about "a priori" reasoning. (He also said to make all your actions as though they were actions universal, which I have quoted here a few times). Drdad had it pretty close, but let me take a shot at explaining it as I remember it from my youth. "A priori reasoning" allows you to make assumptions about things with which you have had previous experiences. For example; you look at a motorcycle but your view of it is only two dimensional. You see it's height and width but not it's depth. But, you have seen motorcycles before, so, through "a priori" reasoning, you can assume and really depend on what the back of the motorcycle looks like. That assumption allows you reason what the three dimensional motorcycle looks like even though you only see it's silhouette. Kant warns that "a priori" reasoning is not always correct. You can assume the silhouette on the shade is that of a human being, but it could be a "dummy"; a la Sherlock Holmes in one of his short stories.
I've used up too much space to explain "adios, amoebas" right now, but if space and time allows I will explain later today or tomorrow.
I must be off.
Hi, again. I see we only have 58 comments so I'll explain "adios, amoebas". My new BFF, Juanita, is teaching me Spanish. We've been at it four times a week for a month, now, and I really enjoy working under her. (And over her, beside and in back of her). So far I've learned, "Dos mas cervezas, por favor" - two more beers, please, and "adios, amoebas and ola, amoebas" -good bye, friends and hello, friends. She charges $100.00 a visit and I asked her why it's so costly, especially since she has a "sumo" sized driver named Pedro and drives a Mercedes. She said she has to drive from her house in Mexico to Ohio four times a week and she wants to be fresh and alert when she arrives. I asked her why I've only learned three things in Spanish and she said, "Let's not rush things, 'El Poco Stupido' ". That's her pet name for me and she tells me it means "The Grand Stallion". I love it when she talks dirty!!
IMBO
C.C. to answer your question at 1:12 "Who is Larry"..if was in reference to the Calla Lily picture link and when looking at it's "up-rightness", I thought it is not a "Lily"(as in a female name)but more like a "Larry" (male name). :)
Buckeye, yes, I have definitely missed your posts. I can understand Juanita's fascination...a Spanish speaking philosopher, who is also El Poco Stupido...what a catch!
I speak essential Spanish too. "Cafe con leche, por favor", before 11 AM and "Pina Colado, por favor", after 11 AM is just about all I've ever needed.
BTW, is AIRACE another of our long lost sisters?
C.C. "What's the special term for this kind of incompatibility = "income" + "pattable"? Pun?
Yes.
"Does the "ice" in Ogden Nash "Reflections on Ice-Breaking" refer to drinks?"
"Ice-Breaking" doesn't necessarily refer to drinks, although drinks can be involved. "Breaking the ice" is getting past the initial awkwardness that a man and woman feel when they are first getting to know each other. So, although bringing a woman a box of candy on a first date is a nice way to break the ice and make her feel that you are a nice guy, a few drinks can be a much faster path for both parties to feel comfortable with each other.
Mark @ 3:30pm,
VINYL???
Mama P,
The constructor's name, not the editor's name, is printed on most of the syndication papers. I feel that knowing the thinking of the constructor helps solving considerably. Our editor, Wayne Robert Williams, is the final decision maker. He can change as much as 50% of the original submissions.
Clear Ayes & Carol & Buckeye & Barb B,
Thank you for the responses.
Carl,
Sade is one of my favorite singers.
Embien,
I think Maria Bartiromo is still a regular contributor. Not very sure though. I've not watched "Squawk Box" for a long time.
Argyle,
I need to digest what you've written.
Cokato,
You should ask Xchefwalt why there are no drops of dew on the CALLA lily petals. He is an expert on flours/flowers.
Lois,
Regarding Jeanne's 7:32am comment, what's that term you used last time? I completely blanked out on this one.
@kazie I see C.C. gave you the link. I've been out all day and just now finished bringing myself up-to-date on the comments. Thank you, C.C.
@C.C. Small world... she's at the top of my list also. How would you describe her music?
Grrrr! I refuse to resort to Google. Gave up on the lower section. Got Collision Course -Sante Fe Trail-natch. Just couldn't make the rest happen. Figured out....the other way. Oh well. Seems like as the week goes on the puzzle becomes more of a challenge for my tiny brain.
Hi Everyone !
@ clear ayes 10:30 Nope. Just another Swede from mid minnesota with bad spell ck button ! I am actually pretty close to Cokato, but, I seldom go there because they still don't have a liquorstore in that town !SERIOUS ! I did alot of construction there, but we always had to go to Howard Lake 3 miles away for Beer-thirty .
T C every one !
WHOO
Good evening CC & DF's: Kind of late tonight. It's been one thing and an 'anther'. 'Mat' kept askin' 'Can we?' and of course, yes is always my answer. One anther thing that 'jarred' me was the word 'sked'.Besides 'arachne', the only anther thing I'm 'sked' of is a snake. Really 'eeks' me out. But I think I've been 'lied to' if that's a real word.
CC: I think the word you're lookin' for is "incubation", when you walk away from one problem or an anther and return later to see it clearly. Also, thanks for the links...esp the Lilly. For some reason or anther, I have this irresistible urge to go out and flick some 'bics'. Probably will at a 'middie' party this 'nuit'.. one that starts at midnight. Night
'owls' are on the 'critical path'. Ottawa-na know if it's a collision course or not. Hope it's an anther Santa Fe Trail. Gotta love that FLOWER!
Enjoy your night.
cc: I have traveled extensively, including in Europe. A couple of my trips were six months in lenght, several others 1 1/2 months. My only "living in Europe" was a month on an archaeological dig in the south of France. I have an interest in languages and speak French and some Greek in addition to having a traveler's ability in several others, though that usually involves lots of hand gestures too. My favorite cities are Paris, Athens and Bombay.
CC: "Loose as a goose" is just another way of saying "drunk as a skunk," inebriated. It also has sexual connotations which I won't go into. I don't know what loose has to do with goose though.
Had to G-spot a bit today but overall a satisfying thinker, as Dennis called it. Thanks again for the links.
Clear Ayes: I typically do NOT work crossword puzzles while driving. I work them when I am stopped at lights. Ok, sometimes if traffic is very slow, I might take a peek here and there.... And I caution my children to drive as I teach them, not as I drive.
Hi C.C.and the mentally strong,
I had a relapse today and CC, you helped me cheat again!It only bothers me when I see an answer that I should have known, like exults and snide. I had jacked for jarred..sounded good to me. Couldn't get the EZ to complete the pass.I never thought of amps; I was thinking groupies, fans..and that there MUST be a synonym!!
Barry beat me with a great explanation on the 3 types of columns, and the link was a plus.I know many of the Greek/Roman myths, so Arachne was a gimme.
Like Cokato, I don't get sked.
I skedded my way thru this puzzle, and Barry, I did enjoy every skedding minute!??
Katherine, I use Marriott pens. My husband used to travel a lot.
Buckeye: a brilliant explanation on priori. Why don't we just say prior knowledge?
Yes C.C., you were right about the flower. And it is very manly because, like the antherium, it has that single anther rising up out of the pistil. Ole! Ole!
Can you tell I've been with 6th graders again today?
crockett, yes thanks, I have the link now, thanks to c.c.
bea, the way the migrating geese that stop at the pond near here leave droppings all over the sidewalk where I go with our dog, I wonder if "loose as a goose" could be referring to the aftermath of a drunken bout as well. Or maybe the way makers of foie gras can stuff food down their gullets to fatten their liver--they must have loose throat muscles for that to be possible too.
Doesitinink, LOL, Well, as long as the traffic is very slow.... Take it easy and be careful.
kazie, thanks for your goose explanation. Makes perfect sense.
cc: For crosswords, I use my lucky pen, from the local Volkswagon dealership where my husband got his car. It has a nice grip and whenever I need a new one, my brussels-sprout loving hubby goes over and gets me a new one. Must be true love, even after 34 yrs.!
@C.C./bea/kazzie et al
To begin this, let me reiterate that I was raised on a farm so I've got long lasting memories of the geese we had. Those suckers have no teeth but can bite!!!!! Anyway, having stated that, my take on 'loose as a goose' has always been related to the fact that goose 'poo' tends to be rather liquid and easily expelled. Since the term is relating to the goose rather than the poo, it also could be used to describe a state of relaxation where inhibitions are relaxed. That could also mean innebriation so therefore, 'drunk as a skunk' would directly equate. I thought the term might be idiomatic but apparently it has not yet qualified as an accepted idiom.
Loose as a goose shouldn't be confused with 'loosey goosey'. That term would refer to 'laid back' attitude or approach.
With this missive, I'm outta here.
ttfn
I really like the TMS crossword. It is published in The Ledger in Lakeland, Florida. I have been doing the puzzle for some time now, and have been "lurking" on C.C.'s blog. It is very interesting to see other peoples' point of view of clues and answers. Sometimes it is difficult for me to put my thoughts down in writing. I like the fact that someone can post anonymously or identify themselves.
I also like the way the bloggers interact and help one another. Maybe I will be brave enough one day to share my views - most of my views have already been posted by someone else.
I thought the anonymous poster from about two days ago was just jealous of the other people that can speak (write) their thoughts. It was an inappropriate comment. Like one of the posters said, If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all. Enough about that.
Just keep on publishing good puzzles, and keep on blogging.
They say there is no such thing as a dumb question.
Again, I enjoy the puzzles and the blogging.
Have a great day!
Night Owl
Re JD 9:31 PM. There is a difference between "Priori" and "A Priori". "Priori" knowledge (or truth) is one that can be arrived at without any worldly observations. Their truth is in the definition of the statement. For example; "all bachelors are unmarried". You need no worldly experience to know this statement is true because the definition settles the issue for you. Does that help?
IMBO
Oops! @10:56pm I meant the spelling to be 'inebriation' rather than the misspelled 'innebriation'. And, I'm stone sober so that's not the excuse. If we weren't at a low count for the day I wouldn't bother with a spelling correction since it really doesn't matter to anyone but me.
It's raining in O... the first time this month. It sounds kind of nice on the skylights and should make for a good night's sleep. So, y'all have a good night.
ttfn
@ anon 11:29pm Welcome to the blog. May we, in the future, refer to you as 'nightowl'? If so, just continue to sign off that way.
As you have probably observed, we regularly have anonymous posts so don't worry if you wish to stay in the background. If in the future, you establish a blog identity, you still have full control over how much information you wish to divulge. Just so you know, a lot of us observed from the outside before jumping into this blog. I checked it daily for nearly three months before posting my first comment. I'm sure that whatever you post, it will be well received by all.
You're from Lakeland, Fl.?
I'm not sure of the exact number of contributors but Florida is well represented here. So... welcome!
Thanks for the "welcome" Carl. I appreciate that.
Of course, you may refer to me as Night Owl - I really am one, as you can probably see from the time of the posting.
Yes, I'm from Lakeland, FL. As a matter of fact, I am a native, and as I am now retired, I've been here a loooong time. Any other native Floridians posting?
Thanks C.C. for your efforts and blogging. I'm impressed since you are not familiar with some of the "sayings" that come up.
Also, thanks to all those who comment. I have learned a lot since I have found out about this site.
The puzzle today was fairly easy for me. I did have to refer to my crossword dictionary for some of the answers - but, that's how you learn, right?
Guess I'd better call it a day and get some sleep.
Hope everyone has a great day and good puzzling!
TTFN
Night Owl
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