Theme: Feathered Homonyms - Three birds that can also be used as verbs. They are in all capitals to show the clues could have been the answer and the answers could have been the clues. The answers are all in the pattern of "verb + ONE'S + noun".
20A. DUCK : LOWER ONE'S HEAD
41A. CRANE : STRETCH ONE'S NECK
60A. QUAIL : LOSE ONE'S NERVE
Argyle here. Bird is the Word(1:06) Kevin used a similar gimmick back in 2010. Link He gave us another puzzle last year; maybe he can squeeze in two this year. I'd like that. A grid spanner, no cheater squares, and just a 'Q' short of a pangram.
Across:
1. Fashionable : CHIC. A young quail is called a chick.
5. __ Blanc, the Alps' highest peak : MONT
9. Wintry mess : SLUSH
14. Prolonged unconsciousness : COMA
15. Confess openly : AVOW
16. Like horror film music : EERIE
17. Practice boxing : SPAR
18. Luke Skywalker, e.g. : JEDI. The Force is with him.
19. Postal service symbol : EAGLE. Another bird.
23. The NFL's Cowboys : DALLAS
25. Energy : ZEST
26. Snake's warning : "SSS!"
27. "Can __ honest with you?" : I BE
28. 2011 World Series champs, on scoreboards : STL. St. Louis Cardinals.
30. Rogue : CAD
32. Ring loudly : PEAL
34. "Othello" villain : IAGO. He hates Othello and devises a plan to destroy the Moor by making him believe that his wife, Desdemona, is having an affair with his lieutenant, Michael Cassio(who we see in later in the week puzzles).
37. Fits of anger : RAGES
44. Actor Davis : OSSIE. He married actress Ruby Dee, you might remember. (You should.)
45. __-poly : ROLY. And here's a little ditty I'll bet you haven't heard. Clip(2:41) 49A. "__-haw!" : YEE
46. Yours, to Yves : À TOI
47. Presidents' Day mo. : FEB.
51. Any nonzero number divided by itself : ONE
52. Arafat's org. until 2004 : PLO. Palestine Liberation Organization. Yasser Arafat.
55. Remove, with "off" : TAKE
58. "Key Largo" 54-Down winner Claire : TREVOR, 54D. Hollywood award : OSCAR. She was in "Stagecoach" with John Wayne.
63. Not shortened, as a film : UNCUT
64. Suit to __ : A TEE
65. "Joy of Cooking" writer Rombauer : IRMA
68. Stiller's comedy partner : MEARA. Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara.
69. iPhone message : TEXT
70. Cowardly film beast played by 29-Down : LION, 29D. Actor Bert (see 70-Across) : LAHR
71. Swashbuckler Flynn : ERROL
72. Brother of Cain and Abel : SETH
73. "Ignore that editing change" : STET
Down:
1. IV amounts : CCs
2. "__ on Pop": Dr. Seuss : HOP
3. "Lay it on me!" : "I'M ALL EARS!"
4. Christmas song : CAROL
5. Like the Grand Canyon : MAJESTIC
6. Higher than : OVER
7. All-nighter pill : NODOZ. NoDoz® Alertness Aid Caffeine Caplets.
8. Bale binder : TWINE
9. Reel from a blow to the head : SEE STARS
10. Wife of Jacob : LEAH
11. Involuntary impulses : URGES
12. Eliot's "__ Marner" : SILAS
13. Obeys : HEEDS
21. Used to be : WAS
22. Upper-left PC key : ESC
23. Tippler, for short : DIPSO. Short for dipsomania, a compulsive desire to drink alcoholic beverages. And 42D. Abstain from alcohol : TEETOTAL
24. Helps with a heist : ABETS
31. Carvey or Delany : DANA. Twins? Not!
33. Explorer Ericson : LEIF
35. Moo __ gai pan : GOO
36. The "O" in SRO : ONLY
38. "Time to move on" : "GET OVER IT"
39. Money-saving, in product names : ECONO
40. Downhill racer : SKIER
43. Canines metaphorically exchanged for something desired : EYE TEETH. So named because they are directly below the eyes. I was expecting more.
48. Prohibit : BAN
50. Goof : ERR
52. Nom de __: pen name : PLUME
53. Solitary man : LONER
56. Grecian urn poet : KEATS
57. Cosmetics giant Lauder : ESTÉE
59. Lesser of two __ : EVILS
61. French franc successor : EURO
62. Deli counter call : NEXT
66. One of the Stooges : MOE
67. Picnic undesirable : ANT
Argyle
127 comments:
Morning, all!
Despite an unusual number of missteps for a Monday (AVER for AVOW, SLEET for SLUSH, HEELS for HEEDS, HEE for YEE), one complete unknown (TREVOR) and some assorted obscurities (IRMA, STL), I still managed to do a speed run on this one. The theme answers were easy enough to get, and the perps were very accommodating throughout.
Perfect Monday workout!
Good Morning, Argyle and friends. What a fun Monday puzzle. I especially liked the down clues and answers. SEE STARS made me laugh.
I was not familiar with the term Quail for losing one's nerve, but the perps gave me the letters to complete the phrase.
After getting MaJestic, Zest and NeXt, I looked for the Q to make a pangram. Ah well, still a perfect Monday puzzle.
QOD: Time is really only capital that any human has, and that is the one thing that he can't afford to lose. ~ Thomas Edison
Speed run for me this Monday morning. No difficulties other than my morning typos due to lack of coffee.
Enjoy the week all and thanks for the write up argyle.
Good morning all. Thanks for the intro, Argyle.
Easy Monday. No problem areas. I was not familiar with the Quail meaning before, but all the theme fills came in easily. Just a couple spelling pauses; NODOZ, PEAL. Good start to the week.
Enjoy your day.
With the exception of 'Irma' & 'STL', exactly WBS (what Barry said). Fun puzzle.
Hope to have some very good news regarding accommodations down here later today.
Argyle, I thought for sure this was the song you were linking to with the ROLY poly reference:
Fish Heads (4:43)
The actual song starts at about the 2:15 mark, but the whole video is a "trip."
It's a very silly video, but a Corner warning: it may not necessarily pass ones breakfast test.
Church bells have always had a PEAL for me (and you). Here's a somewhat long video about Ant (not me) learning how it's done (15:31).
Only one problem despite many unknowns, : HEE/YEE. What do all the SRO letters stand for? And what is YEE-HAW? I've never heard of QUAIL for losing one's nerve either. Without perps I'd have been lost today, with so many names.
Argyle,
Thanks for the heads-up on CASSIO for later in the week.
Good morning, all.
Wow, they could have captioned this one the Name Game: Lahr, Errol, Trevor, Seth, Meara, Irma, Ossie, Iago, Leah, Silas, Leif, Keats, Estee and Moe. Plus two more in disguise: Oscar and Carol.
But, as Barry pointed out, it was a speed run just the same.
Am I the only one who's heard quail used in that sense?
Kazie, SRO is Standing Room Only for a sold-out performance.
What ya'll said. And yes, Otto. You evidently are the only one who's ever heard of quail in that sense:-)
Ant, I hadn't heard that song Fish Heads in 15-20 years. Forgot how weird it was. It helped get the Trashmen out of my ear.
Mornin' to all,
What a great way to start off the week! A piece of cake but yet a fun puzzle!
Good luck, Dennis.
WDS(What Dennis Said). Looking forward to your news, Dennis.
Thanks, Kevin, Argyle and CC.
Must be out the door. Later, maybe.
Have a nice day everyone.
Morning Everyone,
Had the Hee/Yee Err. Ended my Teetotaling for the year Friday. Dipso took over when the vet told me Hank (2 year old English Golden) blew out his knee. The dog version of the ACL. Find out Wednesday how extensive the injury is with x-rays and when the surgery will be.
Fun, quick puzzle for a Monday.
Great write up Argyle.
Have a good one.
Mainaic: Good to see you again. You have been missed. Good luck with the vet. Hope every thing turns out alright.
Desper=otto,
Thanks for SRO. A V-8 moment--for some reason I was thinking SHO, and since I thought that was just short for SHOW, wondered why the letters stood for anything else. Duh!
Otto @7:38. Quail in that sense is quite familiar to me. A notable example is in "A Wandering Minstrel" from Gilbert & Sullivan's Mikado.
See third verse.
Link A Wandring Minstrel lyrics
If you like G%S music, listen to this.
Link Youtube A Wandring Minstrel
I've heard that meaning of the word before, but always thought it was spelled QUAYLE.
Kazie, I should also have mentioned Yee Haw! It's a bit like Wahoo! It's what the cowboy hollers as he slaps his thigh with his 10-gallon hat and rides off into a misadventure.
Gene Hackman does a great one in "Crimson Tide". Here's Slim Pickens with a Wahoo! as he rides the bomb in "Dr. Strangelove" -- it could just as easily have been a Yee Haw.
Good morning Argyle and friends.
Easy Peasy Monday. Hand up for never having heard Quail used in the sense of LOSE ONE'S NERVE. I have a feeling I'd get some very odd looks if I tried to work it into a sentence. "We're really going to do this if you don't quail.."
Yup, SLeet/SLUSH and hEE/YEE got me too, but I put in the AV and waited for perps for that one. All of the names came to mind except TREVOR, but perps took care of him.
Thanks for the write up, Argyle.
Good morning, folks. Thank you, Kevin, for a nice Monday puzzle. Thank you, as well, Argylw, for a swell write-up.
This was an easy puzzle for the most part. A french word thrown in that I had to perp, ATOI
I even got PLUME without thinking too hard.
Spelled LEIF wrong the first pass, as LIEF. I do that every time.
Did not know DIPSO. Perps got it.
Did not know QUAIL, the clue. After the puzzle was done, I looked it up in Webster and it is there, "to lose courage" or "cower."
Thought 43D EYE TEETH was a good one.
I did not do yesterday's Sunday puzzle yet. I had a full day with other stuff, but I plan to attack it today.
See you tomorrow.
Abejo
Hi all, my comments mimic yours. My hang ups were Hee/Yee-haw, and QUAIL. I tried WIPE off for 55A (instead of TAKE off). Never heard of DIPSO.
Interesting comment about EYE TEETH in the write up. I did not know where they got their name.
Good thoughts to Hank and Maniac @ 7:51 am.
Good morning Argyle, C.C. et al.
Even though I knew all the names in this one (well, OK - I had use perps to get TREVOR), I agree with Desper-otto that it could have been called "The Name Game"!
I also have heard QUAIL used with the meaning in the puzzle. Probably from The Mikado (thanks YR) and other books. But certainly not in spoken conversations with friends: "Downhill racers don't quail at the thought of going down an expert slope" ??
Anyway, I thought it was a fun easy Monday to kick off the week.
Good luck with the Pooch, Mainiac!
¡Buenos días a desayuno!
Well done. Funny how simple a really good Monday can seem after a really good & tough Sunday.
ATOI I can let pass, did not know OSSIE, new rote for me! Did not know that usage for QUAIL.
Excellent puzzle with proper attention to medical terminology definition - DIPSO.
Only bump was YEE v HEE, cross made it right.
Indian summer has come to the plains, 65°F today and nice the rest of the week. I’m off to the course and wonder what the answer Kevin could have for GOOSE in this lovely puzzle. I will see them today!
Musings
-The millions of Sandhill CRANES are back in central Nebraska early this year. You have to see and hear this! (1:39)
-Not much SLUSH here this winter
-If I keep doing these, I’ll have a pretty good knowledge of Shakespeare
-ARAFAT, one man’s enemy is another’s freedom fighter
-Errol was famous for being “in like Flynn”
-Has anyone walked out on this in the Grand Canyon?
-Farmers used to use baling wire and give him that and a pair of pliers and he could fix anything
-Colorado likely will vote on whether to take the BAN off marijuana this fall
-Neil Diamond is my favorite Solitary Man
Monday, monday; thanks Kevin and A.
Quail before someone or something
to cower before or at the threat of someone or something. "The students quailed before the angry principal." "They quailed before the thought of punishment." Miriam Webster.
Anon 8:09, your comment is quite witty, but since you do not give yourself any name we will never be able to credit you.A great non-political joke about a politician.
Enjoy the week all, January is almost gone
Musings 2
-Otto, Wahoo is also a lovely city 15 miles south of here that David Letterman used to call his home office. They have recently built a huge recreational/flood control lake called Lake Wanahoo .
-Football players used to call it “seeing stars” or “getting my bell rung” but now call it what it really is – a concussion. The NFL is really taking this seriously. Many ex-pros suffer mental as well as physical problems after a career in this violent sport.
-Did anyone else see Kyle Stanley QUAIL over two short putts yesterday in the Farmer’s Insurance Open that cost him a tournament and tens of thousands of dollars?
-FORE!
Thank you Kevin Christian for a very nice and relatively easy puzzle. Really enjoyed it. Thank you Argyle for the interesting linkups and commentary.
Initially, I had 'Mono' (for 'Roly'), Aver ( for 'Avow'), and was looking for some dog breed in 'canines'.... but it all worked out.
Husker Gary, Ohio also votes to legalize cannabis, this fall. Thanks for the 'Grand canyon linkway / walkway' - never saw it in my 3 visits. I notice they make them wear shoe covers / 'scrubs' to protect the glass floor from mars and scuffs.
ALT QOD:- "Don't worry about senility, " my grandpa used to tell me. "Because when it hits you, you won't know it."~ Bill Cosby.
Good Morning. Speedy Monday with a couple of oops moments, SLEET/SLUSH and HEE/YEE.
Otto: Nope, You're not. I have heard and used quail in that sense. Anon @ 8:09, isn't quayle spelled thay way Dan?
Gary, I live in AZ and have never been to the skywalk, hubby doesn't like heights. I understand it is 50 miles of dirt to get there, which the indians charge you an exhorbitant amount to cross, then entrance to the skywalk itself is about $75 a person.
Yea, saw Stanley quail, Snedecker did well!
I cry FOWL on this construction.
First you have the "ONES" in the themes ...
then ONE at 51-A.
Then you are told to get-OVER-it and have OVER at 6-D.
Finally, there's a TEEtotal and A-TEE.
Plus 'way-to-many' "____clue" or "clue____"
(read as: blank-clue or clue-blank) in the grid.
10 of these is too many. Even on a Monday.
OTOH, nice to hear Husker will get to A-TEE to smack some golf balls on the "brown."
(Ed.note: I'm probably just cranky due to all the Political Ads. Geez, the "S**T has hit the Fan.")
A toast to all at Sunset.
I'm not here to "get credit".
Shows me your mindset though.
Good morning to all:
After muddling through Sunday's NY and La Times puzzles, what a pleasant relief to glide through this one. It was fun, easy, and a cute theme. Nice write-up, Argyle.
HuskerGary: I looked at some of the pictures of the Grand Canyon Skyway but had to call it quits after just a few. I have such extreme acrophobia just the pictures made me queasy. I can't imagine actually walking out on that glass floor.
ANON @9:23. We are a little community here and like to get to know one another through our posts.
I loved your jest. We would like to get to know you by distinquishing your posts from other ANONs to get a sense of your personality. Please join us. You can still be anonymous, but ID yourself by consistently signing your post with a letter of your choice.
Our mind set is actually to get to know you and welcome you.
I am not familiar with the expression 'Quail' - as "losing ones nerve". My experience with Quails is that they have a lot of 'nerve' - and guts, especially when it counts.
Most quails do not fly away, when you approach close to them .... instead they prefer to 'lie low, and perfectly still' in the thick grasses, and hope you do not see them, (because of their camouflage - ) and indeed just 'pass them by'. Unless you have a dog with you, they will not 'flush', unless you are less than a foot away from them. ( BTW, I am not a hunter - ).
I once bought some frozen dressed Quail and fresh quail eggs, from a Chinese store, nearby. It tastes just like chicken, but in small morsels. In retrospect, I think you end up getting extra-bad karma, because six lives have to be lost, instead of just one ....
Lemonade, the 'Quayle' joke sounds especially hilarious if it also 'jives' with ones political philosophy. Would it be just as funny, if it were somebody from 'the other side' ?? Just my take on it.
Tinbeni @ 9:19 am: Make it a double and you'll be feeling better in no time!
Hi All ~~
A quick, easy Monday puzzle with just enough to cause write-overs and make it interesting. Thanks, Argyle, for the info about the capital letters indicating that the clues could be answers, etc. I never realized that ... I enjoyed your write-up!
My favorite was 'Canines metaphorically exchanged for something desired' - EYETEETH.
Maniac ~ hope all goes well with your dog and the vet experience.
Sunny, windy, and in the 30s here in CT today ... no real signs of winter yet!
Enjoy the day, everyone!
45A - Deep within my heart...I love Bob Wills. He is best known for western swing (Bob Wills is still the king), but he also produced Dixieland, pop, and some records that Herb Alpert used as inspiration.
Woke up this morning to this fine puzzle's theme.
Ant@7:14
i watched "fish Heads" and thought
"OMG, i am having a flashback!"
Then i watched Peal, and was fascinated, i never knew, i always thought the Dang Thingies were mechanical. But towards the end, these red things flying up to the ceiling made me think "OMG i am having another flashback."
Anyway, thanks for bringing me back to earth with "learning how its done." i can't believe i watched all 15 minutes, learning,,, this is what the blog is all about. (note @13:00 you can see what happens if you lose control of the ropes.)
It's not often that a puzzle's longest non-theme entries are so superb. IMALLEARS,TEETOTAL,MAJESTIC,
SEESTARS,EYETEETH, and GETOVERIT are wonderful. Kudos, Kevin.
Marti- I gave up downhill racing. The feathers kept flying up my nose.
There's two abbreviations today that can be made into words with a simple letter change. Any takers?
Hi all - fun puzzle and just right for Monday. I breezed through it without 'QUAILING'...yes, I have heard that term for years.
I vaguely remember the word DIPSO but forgot it, perps saved that for me.
Mainiac: sure hope all goes well at the vet's for your sweet dog. What was the reason for the problem?
Dennis: "I'M ALL EARS", awaiting your news from Florida.:)
Re: 9:23
"My but the Anons are pithy today", he said with a lisp.
Anony-mouse:
Quayle's "jokeness" was not dependent on a particular political persuasion. It just was.
Jerome, first one is to change 47A to "FEW" instead of "FEB"
Hi gang -
Unlike most of you, I knew QUAIL.
Unlike most of you, I had a hard time with this puzzle. Even a simple word like OVER was elusive. I guess Luke is ONLY a JEDI, not a HERO. Should know MONT Blanc, but will probably forget it again. Plus, I'll confess openly that AVOW was slow to arrive.
Always thought it was TEA TOTAL. Made up for that with PEEL.
No SLUSH here today. We have about 3 inches of snow. Main roads are OK, but in the sub, they're all glare ice. Forecast is upper 30's later, then rain overnight. Could be SLUSHY tomorrow.
One who drinks too much is a "Tippler" DIPSO facto.
Cheers!
JzB
I felt I set a speed record this morning until I realized I had made the most ridiculous error on the planet. Had RAVES for 37A and as a result got VETO VERIT for 38D. That made no sense whatsoever, but I just trusted that the Corner write-up would explain it to me when I logged on. Duh! See how much confidence I have in you guys! At least QUAIL was totally familiar to me
Anyway, thanks Mr. Christian and Argyle, for finally explaining "eye teeth" to me!
@Mainiac,7:51 I'm so sorry to hear about Hank. Dogs are so much members of the family that their health issues are just as devastating. Hope all goes well with the surgery.
Jerome -
FEB --> FOB
PLO --> PLY
Cheers!
JzB --> JAB
Very enjoyable, had to bounce around a little here and there and learned a couple of things (TREVOR and that SRO means "Standing Room Only" - I never knew that.
Nice write-up, Argyle, a very neat explanation of the theme.
Silas Marner is a heart-warming story, but I can't read it now without realizing that it couldn't happen today - poor Silas would be carted off to jail on suspicion of all kinds of unmentionable unpleasantnes and Eppie would end up in the hands of Social Services.
Happy Monday!
FEB ➜ FIB
PLO ➜ POO
Jazz and Spitz:
The perps should work also.
Heartrx is right on one. Maybe the other is PLO to FLO with PLUME to FLUME.
Hey! Leave that one alone...
We rarely get a shout-out as it is!
To Lemonade, the original and various Anons and 'Bill Clinton' - whoever you are.
Said I, (gracefully ?), I concede.... the 'Qualye' joke was really funny - no matter what !
This politics has really got me down, no matter how studiously and diligently I try to ignore it. Even on Youtube ! I'll be so glad when this year ends - no matter who wins. Solyndra monsters are entering my nightmares ! (lol)
On a happier note, I was glad to find out that Superbowl 46 (?) is next Sunday. I was reading the Sunday paper, late last night, and I thought I had missed the whole thing !! and I really pined for those wonderful ads @ a million $ a minute.
Hi all,
This was a fun puzzle and I actually got all the answers without my dictionary. Except for yee/hee. I should have known SRO but it just didn't register.I did wonder what onlh meant.
I haven't been to the Grand Canyon since they built the sky walk. House on the Rock in SW Wis. has a similar one but not so large.
I knew Trevor from several movies she was in. I had heard quail used this way but I never used in a conversation.
We had a little snow over the week end and the wind was cold yesterday. But,it is already up to 40 degrees and should be nice the rest of the week.
Have any of you seen the Stephanie Plum movie yet? We saw it Sat. and enjoyed it. Movies are never exactly like the Book but it was fun.
Have a good week!
Marge
Good afternoon everyone.
I just lost my post because google wanted my password again. Once given it shouldn't lose what I asked it to publish.
So I'll try again. If I can remember.
I had aver, not AVOW, so I couldn't grok 7&8D, and had no ZEST.
I do love Mondays though. When I got them, I enjoyed the theme answers.
I'd give my EYE TEETH for the political phone calls to stop. As Tinbeni also lives in Florida, and as tomorrow is the Republican primary, I think that's the reason for his crankiness – and mine.
And I'm familiar with that use of Quail.
Maniac, let us know about your dog. How did he do that?
Dennis, good luck on house hunting. At least you're familiar with the area.
Thanks for the write up, Argyle. Fun, as always.
Cheers
Marti and Seen... What a pair!
FEB to FEW and PLO to FLO.
Jazz- FOB and FLY are fine. But what's a TEOTOTAL and a YSCAR? :)
Hello, Puzzlers. Thank you, Argyle, for your always upbeat blogging.
Speed run to day and yes, I have heard of QUAIL meaning loving one's nerve. "They quaked and quailed before the oncoming storm." Just don't recall the source.
Yellowrocks:
That skywalk was built very recently so it might it have existed when you visited the Grand Canyon.
Maniac:
It's good to "see" you and best of luck to Hank.
Dennis:
That's great news. I'm sure you are eager to get settled and get a handle on your business.
Have a wonderful Monday, everyone! I'm off to replace a flat tire.
Just wait until the one billion dollars the Obama campaign has amassed is unleashed on us!
There will be no escape: t.v., telephone and internet mud slinging will be at an all-time high.
Anon @ 11:19
There's two abbreviations today that can be made into words with a simple letter change.
Where is it stipulated that the perps should work?
That said, FEW / WAN works, as does
FLO / FLUMES, if you want to admit a nick-name and an obscurity.
Cheers!
JzB
JzB
Yellowrocks:
Should be might not have existed.
Seriously Jazz?
The rules of a crossword puzzle stipulate that all perps must work.
Flume is one of those weird words that you encounter seldom. I'd never heard it until we visited New Hampshire, and that was not too many years ago. Saw the Flume the same day we saw the Old Man in the Mountain who, alas, is no more. At least we got to see him before he toppled.
Hi, this is Kevin Christian. Love, love, love reading this blog. Thanks for all the comments, super helpful. Is it OK for me to post / reply?
In case you're interested, here are some of my unused theme answers. They went unused because there were too obscure, the wording felt clumsy, they're not accurate, the editor didn't like them, I couldn't find room to cram them in, or ... you get the idea.
swallow = ingest one's food
grouse = voice (or state) one's gripe (or beef or ire)
quail = display one's fear or lose one's heart (used lose one's nerve instead)
crow = state (or boast) one's deeds
The ones above are the ones of the form verb-one's-noun. Here are more with other forms.
goose = urge to action
eagle = golf two below par
parrot = imitate (or repeat back)
quail = lose courage, shrink (or cower) with fear (used lose one's nerve instead)
crow = boast (or exult) loudly
swallow = envelop (or ingest)
grouse = complain loudly (or complain on and on)
I limited myself to birds that can be interpreted as verbs. There are over a dozen more if you get into nouns, e.g. lark = merry escapade.
See ya! - KevinC
Good morning all,
a perfect Monday xwd...although there was an abundance of names. Actually, that helped me.Whizzed thru with a hee haw and a few WAGS.
Mainiac, sorry about Hank..hope his operation doesn't cost an arm and a leg.
off to dentist..yuk. Guess I could use that unknown quail in a sentence, but I like my dentist.
@sallie 11:43 a.m. If you updated your Firefox, you have had to re-enter your passwords. It always happens.
And just generally, It is so nice to see puzzles discussed at a sub-nerd constructor level as is oft done with the NYT.
Kevin: how nice of you to stop by. Please come by as often as you want. I loved all the birds you has in today's puzzle as well as all your other "potential" clues. Looking forward to seeing more of your creations.
Mom and Dad Eagle are back home at their nest in Iowa.
HAWK: sell one's wares
KITE: float one's checks
or even
FLICKER: tease one's sister
KILLDEER: hunt one's dinner
TERN: steer one's car
Kevin: Thanks for stopping by; we really are a pretty fun group, except for a few silly snipers. SEEN, as always you present wonderful clues.
YR, thank you for explaining my comment.
Potatoes are not politics, and I have not discussed my politics on this blog, so the answer is yes, I laugh at anything funny.
That was for you Lo li ta, whereever you may be.
Kevin, great of you to stop by. It's always interesting to see how other constructors think when playing with themes. Actually, I really liked the set you came up with because they make a "tight" theme. It consistently uses body parts (head, neck, nerve), while the other entries you listed, don't. Great job!
Jerome, I played with the "fLO/fLUME" alternative as well, but do we really need another name in this one?? LOL
Once again the Tit gets no respect:-(
Avg Joe said: Once again the Tit gets no respect:-(
There's always TITivate - To make decorative additions to; spruce up.
My LAT paper had the clue for 28a as "2012 World Series champs, on scoreboards," which ain't happened yet. But STL fit.
I tried to come up with a verb form of WOODCOCK. (wh and d fire away)
But if Marisa Miller(from yesterday) asked me for a kiss I WOODPECKER.
Seen:
How about the verb "to snipe" (the snipe is a type of woodcock), which can mean a concealed shooter or describe what some Anons do here every day.
In either case, wouldn't that be (sometimes) a "bird in the hand"?
Seen, Would consider giving her a Cockatoo?
Marge @ 11:39 am: I missed One For The Money this weekend, but will hopefully see it next weekend. Amazing that we've read 18 books featuring Ms. Plum, no?
PS: I love House on the Rock!
Avg Joe @1:33
at first i was taken aback by your reference. (but that is because i am a birdbrain!) Then i wanted to go looking for something funnier. But before i could you posted 2:08.
i don't think anyone is going to top that.
This, appropos to nothing,
As reported in the Journal of Pain ( no, I'm not making this up ) Keele Univ. in England, researchers have 'discovered' that swearing and profanity is an emotional response that can help people get an adrenaline surge/ increase pain tolerance and give 'stress induced analgesia.' So its okay to swear if you stub your toe, but don't make a habit of it. Profanity loses its potency if used too often, so 'should be used sparingly, like chili sauce'.
They also have a Periodic Table of Swearing, in increasing order of heaviness,
on coffee mugs, table mats and (what else ) T Shirts. Online at moderntoss.com .
Ever have the nagging suspicion that you make not be making full use of the comprehensive 'swear' vocabulary ? Go to this website and check out if you are scrimping on any of this extensive list. (Darn right.)
I miss Fermatprime!
Windy-
Snipers do their best job in the bush.
This is my rifle, this is my gun...
WH, would you be speaking of Pinocchio?
Mr.Ed I understand your angst.
Fermatprime hasn't commented since "way back" on Saturday.
Hi Y'all,
Fun puzzle! Enjoyed the write-up, Argyle! I had heard "Roly Poly", which was written back during the hard-up days when a fat child was considered a luxury. Before my time.
Joined a group to watch the sunrise over Grand Canyon. Spectacular! We were rewarded with a rainbow, too. Filled me with joy!
Nice weather here has produced some gorgeous sunsets. I live in the moment and enjoy what shows up.
You're so right, Mark,
And like responsible hunters, they always eat what they shoot.
Boys, boys....we all love responsible woodpeckers !!
Ah, fun...
Rook: To take one's money.
Hawk: To peddle one's goods.
Gull: To fool one's foes.
Chicken: To lose one's nerve.
Nice puzzle. Although, honestly, after yesterday's syndicated puzzle I'm just happy it didn't use the letter O for "zero".
Lucina@11:56, no i have not seen the Grand Canyon Skywalk. It sounds marvelous. In those days, my favorite was watching the sunrise spread slowly and majestically over the canyon.
Lemonade @1:14. Sorry, I did not wish to presume to speak for you. I guess in my heart I felt I was defending you and the mindset of this blog.
Mainiac, good wishes for your dog at this difficult time. Please keep us up on the news.
I,too, am concerned about Fermatprime.
I need an afternoon CW to keep me out of trouble. The morning CW is great, but I could use an afternoon pick-me-up.
Now for something completely different.
I noticed on Sunday that Dick Kniss had died. He was the long time bassist with Peter, Paul and Mary.
I saw this on the rec list at YouTube. Early Morning Rain. (Written by Gordon Lightfoot, which I didn't know until now)
RIP, Dick Kniss
Easy, but fun today. My only correction was SLUSH after sleet. Probably my neatest puzzle in recent history. Avian themes are on trend today. That's kind of EERIE.
Thanks Kevin and Argyle.
Mainiac, that happened to my brother's golden. She had the surgery and lived to a ripe old age. She did get chubby though since she was no longer able to run.
Mari-
Look to the sidebar on the right of the main page of this blog - under the heading of "Crossword Links." Some of these links take you to other blogs, some take you to individual constructors, and some to other puzzles.
The Washington Post link goes to the daily CrosSynergy puzzle - which I have a feeling is right up your alley.
Good luck, and let us know how it works out!
Kevin:
Post any time! I love your puzzles.
When was a college student, I spent in week in Megève near MONT Blanc. The scenery was MAJESTIC. Alas, my skiing was, well - never mind.
"a" week in
Cap'n Obvo -
Evidently you are not aware of my disdain for the obvious.
I believe TEOTOTAL YSCAR was one of Robert Baratheon's many illegitimate sons.
Probably from somewhere near Stoney Sept.
After all, he was a man who would be King.
Rehearsal tonight. IMBO.
Cheers!
JzB
Hola Everyone,
Out the door very early this morning for a fasting blood test, so I didn't finish the puzzle until after 1:00 P.M. tlhe fellow who checked me into the lab, saw my Stephanie Plum book and said they were the most fun he's had reading in a long time.
Marge, I found about 8 of the Plum books at the Thrift shop the last time I was there. I picked up the ones that I had missed and just finished reading "One for the Money." I didn't know there was a movie. I will have to look for it.
Hands up for just about everything Barry and Dennis said about the puzzle. I did know Claire Trevor, however. She was a very popular star when I was a teenager.
Dennis, I'm looking forward to hearing your news. Maybe by the time I actually get this posted you will have revealed all.
Maniac, So sorry to hear about Hank. My fingers are crossed that the injury is not too extensive and the surgery will make him good as new.
Is anyone watching Downton Abbey?
WWI was just the beginning, wasn't it?
Argyle:
What are cheater squares?
Thank you
Chickie - we are addicted to Downton Abbey. It was a long wait for Season 2.
I hope that b---ch O'Brien gets exposed for the scheming snake that she is, and gets loudly and publicly fired! So there.
Cute puzzle and a very clever theme. Really enjoyed being able to complete one without tearing my hair out - unlike Saturday!
Saw One for the Money last night with DH and a couple of friends. Three of us had read the book (all 18 for the gals - just the first one for DH). All four of us really enjoyed it and I feel they captured the essence of the characters and content really well. It wasn't quite as laugh-out-loud funny as the book, but how could it be? The thing about seeing a movie after reading the book is that it's never as you pictured it while you were reading it - that's what is so enjoyable about reading - the author paints a picture with words, but we all interpret it differently. Sure hope they make a sequel!
As to WW I, I'm not sure what your question is. If you missed Series 1, it ended with the declaration of war, and the expectation that life at Downton would change completely. Does that answer your question?
I thought this was a really nice construction! The them was nice, but I especially liked the fill - IMALLEARS, SEESTARS, MAJESTIC, EYETEETH, and the cowardly lion triptych. Very nice!
Cheater (or helper) square : Definition: Any black square which can be removed from a crossword diagram, along with its symmetrically opposite black square, without decreasing the total word count of the puzzle. A puzzle may be rejected if its diagram contains too many cheater black squares.
Good evening Argyle, CC, et al., Excellent job, Argyle, as always. Such a fun puzzle and loved the theme. Cute, clever, and the
'ones' NOT used were hilarious
...esp goose and all the other bird names the 'boys' have come up with. Sooo funny!
Learned 'dipso' - I resemble that remark! I too thought it was Tea Total, but either way, tee or tea, I had to GET OVER IT or HOP OVER it and get MOE. I'M ALL EARS made me laugh b/c my TAKE on that ONE is if I were in that condition, then I could easily hear him coming. YEE haw, giddyup!! It's all good.
Dennis: can't wait to hear. Hope all goes well for you.
Mainiac: Good to see you. Keep us posted on your dog. Good luck.
Enjoy your night.
Chickie and Dudley:
I love Downton Abbey and only started watching Series 2. Hadn't watched it before.
Have only read a few of the Stephanie Plum series, but was pleasantly surprised with the movie, "One for the Money," and with Katherine Heigl's performance as a Jersey girl.
Mainiac...waiting to hear about Hank.
Kevin Christian, how nice of you to stop by...hope to see you again.
Chickie and Dudley, I LOVE Downton Abbey as well. Good news, there will be a 3rd season which is being filmed right now. Missed episodes can be seen
here
Avg Joe, Seen, WH etc. as an avid birdwatcher I find your bird observations hilarious.
Great write up Argyle, always enjoy.
It's only January, election day is so far away and the TV, radio etc. is already dring me nutZ!
Argyle: Thank you for the clear explanation. I find puzzle constructing fascinating, although I would be terrified to try one.
Husker Gary: Thank you for that lovely video of the Sandhill Cranes. I never would have imagined that they would migrate to Nebraska, except that it makes sense if they are corn lovers!
Night all...
Dudley and Chickie, this ran on my PBS station this week before Downton Abbey which just fit right in Secrets of the Manor House
HG thanks for the Crains
Cranes (Duh)
It's supposed to be 65° here on Wednesday.
A point of clarification on the Sandhill Cranes. The largest migration in the world goes through the Platte Valley in central Nebraska every spring. These birds are on their way from winter grounds in the southern US and many parts of Mexico to the breeding ground in northern Canada up to the Arctic Circle. They number in the hundreds of thousands in the area from roughly Grand Island to North Platte during peak times. However, this year there are a few thousand that have overwintered, which is highly unusual. Still, the migration hasn't yet started. It normally gets under way around the first of March. The birds that are here now are an anomaly, and there are only a very few, relatively speaking.
It's worth seeing if you're an avid birder. I've gone many years and it's incredible. Still haven't seen a Whooper yet, though.
The actor who played Mr. Pitt on Seinfeld died.
Hahtool, HILARIOUS! RIP Mr. Pitt.
A lot of posts today, especially for a Monday. I just wanted to thank Avg Joe and CrossEyedDave for commenting on the videos. I'm glad you enjoyed them.
And Mari, I second the CrosSynergy puzzles. They seem easier than the LAT (I think because they don't get harder as the week goes on), but they are just as fun. Also, try the Onion/A.V. Club puzzle, which is posted every Wednesday.
Speaking of the Onion, I came across this "article" about a certain other crossword puzzle.
@ant, 45 minutes on a USAT crossword... with Google help, no less. His comment about finding his Rosemary Stone to crack the puzzle might help explain it though.
Mr St. John,
How nice to see you again. It is always fun to get the constructors views; right Bruce S.?
Lively group; YR, you were 'defending' explaining my comment, the rest did not matter.
Marge, I have a girls night out planned with a friend to go see "One For The Money". We've been waiting a year for it to come out! Chickie, the movie just came out on Friday.
Maniac, I'm sorry about your dog. Injured animals just break my heart!
I adopted a dog once. They said his name was Oz, which just didn't fit us... So I named him Ossie after Ossie Davis! I'm not that familiar with his work, but just loved the name.
When I was walking out to my car tonight, I thought "Boy, it's a little chilly out!" Then I remembered DENNIS was in town!
That usage of QUAIL was familiar to me too.
Annette, you have to understand that the cold is a prerequisite for my new practice; it helps draw out certain areas for further examination. My 'office' down here will be kept at 44 degrees.
Still waiting on housing news -- some heavy-duty negotiating going on.
Dennis, did you get your business sold up north?
Dennis, those cool temperatures may help hide your own condition during those examinations, too.
Good luck with the negotiations! I'm anxious to hear what you've found, but wouldn't want you to jinx anything discussing it too early.
anon@10:19, yes, just. I'll be there for another month or so for the transition. Very mixed emotions...
Annette, a very good point -- it's truly a double-edged sword (so to speak). And you're right about the jinxing part.
Count me in as a Downton Abbey fan! I really liked Season 1 and am riveted by Season 2, made particularly emotional by the fallout from World War I. However if Bates and Anna don't get to stay together I am going to be devastated!
We need to get the existing Mrs. Bates to turn up in the Thames or something. She's a nasty piece of work!
Do you think Lady Mary will actually hitch her wagon to that publisher's train? She's indebted to him now...
We should start a Dowtown Abbey blog!
Hi CC, Argyle and folk!
Good job, Kevin and thanks for dropping by,
This is a fantastic Monday puzzle and I enjoyed it. I enjoyed reading each post. You bring up so many learning moments as well as amusing anecdotes.
Thanks and...
I'm out!
Haven't seen Clear Ayes, lately! How are you doing?
Dudley 10:56pm, I'm with you on Mrs. Bates and of course hope Lady Mary ends up with Matthew--but then what would they do about an heir, given his, ahem, problem? Please forgive the distraction, Mr. Christian. We're still enjoying the glow of your great puzzle today. You'll have to work 'Downton Abbey' into a crossword sometime so we don't feel guilty chatting about it on the Monday Corner.
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