tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5995532066584316410.post2221723574531655665..comments2024-03-28T22:14:27.877-05:00Comments on L.A.Times Crossword Corner: Friday, March 14, 2008 Diane C. BaldwinZhouqin (C.C.) Burnikelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12750267554729853785noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5995532066584316410.post-17585578862386996152008-03-15T20:44:00.000-05:002008-03-15T20:44:00.000-05:00My thinking is thus: "grease a few palms" implies ...My thinking is thus: "grease a few palms" implies receiving favors or services in exchange for money, and usually illegal.<BR/>"Influence under the table" implies signaling one's partner in a game of cards by touching with one's foot. A common way of cheating in cards, by the way.<BR/>For some reason Google refuses to accept my name and password, so I sign in as Mr.Anonymous, otherwise aka FesteAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5995532066584316410.post-83266829541799594142008-03-15T06:51:00.000-05:002008-03-15T06:51:00.000-05:00Feste,48A and its answer do not contradict each ot...Feste,<BR/><BR/>48A and its answer do not contradict each other. They all means bride somebody.<BR/><BR/>Unless you are thinking of elbow grease?<BR/><BR/>Sallyjane,<BR/><BR/>One word: Random.<BR/><BR/>Impressive time!Zhouqin (C.C.) Burnikelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12750267554729853785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5995532066584316410.post-88596207234612883982008-03-14T21:44:00.000-05:002008-03-14T21:44:00.000-05:00Hey!I did time myself this morning and I did this ...Hey!<BR/><BR/>I did time myself this morning and I did this puzzle in under 5 minutes. No complaints today, other than this: ... what happened to our usually fairly challenging Friday puzzle? Methinks Mssr. Williams is really trying to make a point about them not becoming harder as the week wears on.<BR/><BR/>See you tomorrow! <BR/><BR/>Ciao,<BR/><BR/>Sallyjanesallyjanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16154608023835234882noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5995532066584316410.post-38428815727910280332008-03-14T19:44:00.000-05:002008-03-14T19:44:00.000-05:00Crocket1947. Two papers in Abilene. The Reporter N...Crocket1947. Two papers in Abilene. The Reporter News which carries the TMS crossword, and USA Today...if you can find one on weekends. It appears to me that<BR/>48A and its answer contradict one another.festehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08340812392204471487noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5995532066584316410.post-9157360811086327832008-03-14T18:02:00.000-05:002008-03-14T18:02:00.000-05:00I find one word that I am absolutely certain is co...I find one word that I am absolutely certain is correct and from that point I begin and work the clues both across and down. When I get stuck, I look for another word I am sure of and work the clues around it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5995532066584316410.post-64956618805617153362008-03-14T17:48:00.000-05:002008-03-14T17:48:00.000-05:00More info on DOYEN and here.Solved the puzzle onli...More info on <A HREF="http://dictionary.reference.com/wordoftheday/archive/2004/05/19.html" REL="nofollow">DOYEN</A> and <A HREF="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doyen" REL="nofollow">here</A>.<BR/><BR/>Solved the puzzle online today at the link given by tim yesterday (thanks tim!). Took me a little under 12 minutes as the grid works differently than others I've used. The NYT puzzles from today and yesterday were bears. I had to give up and go to the blogs so it was nice to be able to solve this one! That was an intersting note about the Isle of Dogs c.c.-had no idea it was former island in the east end of London.NYTAnonimohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02280444758529687355noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5995532066584316410.post-51361143441482191012008-03-14T13:28:00.000-05:002008-03-14T13:28:00.000-05:00Steve,I've just added DOYEN. Thanks. I totally for...Steve,<BR/><BR/>I've just added DOYEN. Thanks. I totally forgot about it this morning. <BR/><BR/>Now I understand why people call the White House Heckler-in-Chief Helen Thomas as the Doyenne of the Press Corps.<BR/><BR/>April,<BR/><BR/>Congratulations!Zhouqin (C.C.) Burnikelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12750267554729853785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5995532066584316410.post-68429532610544709262008-03-14T12:56:00.000-05:002008-03-14T12:56:00.000-05:00you didn't mention 27D but i've never heard the wo...you didn't mention 27D but i've never heard the word "doyen"....googled it and sure 'nuff it means what the clue describes. oh, well...live and learn. I enjoy your blog!Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01196706698493828461noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5995532066584316410.post-88104726498825159222008-03-14T12:30:00.000-05:002008-03-14T12:30:00.000-05:00I, too, did this one quickly & without the help of...I, too, did this one quickly & without the help of google! I am so proud, I think I shall frame it. I can feel my crossword muscle strengthening.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5995532066584316410.post-78722219393452071042008-03-14T11:23:00.000-05:002008-03-14T11:23:00.000-05:00Never heard of "older than baseball".But exactly h...Never heard of "older than baseball".<BR/><BR/>But exactly how old is Baseball?<BR/><BR/>Do you count from 1869 when the Reds play its first game, or do you count from 1901 when the American League was established?Zhouqin (C.C.) Burnikelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12750267554729853785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5995532066584316410.post-43219997041801848002008-03-14T10:32:00.000-05:002008-03-14T10:32:00.000-05:00Also I've heard "older than baseball", which was a...Also I've heard "older than baseball", which was actually possible up until a few years ago.MHhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06348375549703359344noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5995532066584316410.post-8885345909623844152008-03-14T10:31:00.000-05:002008-03-14T10:31:00.000-05:00Anonymous at 9:03am,I've added those 2 into today'...Anonymous at 9:03am,<BR/><BR/>I've added those 2 into today's blog. <BR/><BR/>No excuse, just plain lazy.<BR/><BR/>Crockett1947,<BR/><BR/>Good to see you again.<BR/><BR/>I don't know how "SLAW' slipped away from my watch. Will put him in the list later.<BR/><BR/>Have a good trip to the Alamo.Zhouqin (C.C.) Burnikelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12750267554729853785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5995532066584316410.post-50643646782281100982008-03-14T10:28:00.000-05:002008-03-14T10:28:00.000-05:00This was a very easy puzzle for me today. I zoomed...This was a very easy puzzle for me today. I zoomed through starting at top left, then top middle and diagonally down to the left, then top right and diagonally down to the left, etc. The only word I really didn't know was 52D (fora) but I got it from the across words and then recognized it as the plural of forum. Took about 10 minutes.MHhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06348375549703359344noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5995532066584316410.post-62625899886244848622008-03-14T09:53:00.000-05:002008-03-14T09:53:00.000-05:00When my siblings and I forgot to say please we ha...When my siblings and I forgot to say please we had to say pretty please with sugar on it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5995532066584316410.post-38336419238243902462008-03-14T09:48:00.000-05:002008-03-14T09:48:00.000-05:00Hi c.c. I'm here. Just seems that most of the comm...Hi c.c. I'm here. Just seems that most of the comments I want to make are already there by the time I get to the blog. I timed myself this morning: 9 minutes 6 seconds. Don't know that I'll keep doing that -- I felt rushed. Loved 6D. My wife and I are headed to San Antonio in the morning for my first visit to The Alamo! Perhaps an auspicious start to the trip. Looks like I'll have to find one of the Abilene papers to get my daily crossword fix. I generally solve top left corner across, checking and filling in the downs as I go to the right. Sometimes, when it's more difficult, I'll take what I can get and then in-fill. (I also had SEAM for 36D at first. PANT for 1D and EXALT for 29D had to be revised when the across answers didn't fit.) I nominate SLAW to the repeat offenders list! Have a great weekend!Crockett1947https://www.blogger.com/profile/06404431645533093707noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5995532066584316410.post-66385682258316478942008-03-14T09:03:00.000-05:002008-03-14T09:03:00.000-05:00I had a problem with"one litmus test conclusion" a...I had a problem with"one litmus test conclusion" and "fossil fuel".<BR/>It must have been simple...neither one was mentioned in the solution!????Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5995532066584316410.post-37986863242253224222008-03-14T07:57:00.000-05:002008-03-14T07:57:00.000-05:00"Improper Influence" I like that."Improper Influence" I like that.Dickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12486268207040292639noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5995532066584316410.post-36047317357039123592008-03-14T07:23:00.000-05:002008-03-14T07:23:00.000-05:00Dennis-ism. Not sure which is older, but whicheve...Dennis-ism. Not sure which is older, but whichever it is, I'm there...Dennishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05476669744435495547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5995532066584316410.post-47555812803784414642008-03-14T07:00:00.000-05:002008-03-14T07:00:00.000-05:00Today's was easy for me. I could not get the "f" i...Today's was easy for me. I could not get the "f" in 52 down, but it would have been so obvious with 48 across. I think it took me 10 minutes this morning. I don't usually have a lot of time to spend in the morning, so when my time is up, I come in here to the computer and click on your site to get the answers and read the comments. Love all of it.Katherinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04132601991530024336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5995532066584316410.post-14099913216366404462008-03-14T06:49:00.000-05:002008-03-14T06:49:00.000-05:00By the way, I heard "older than dirt' often, but I...By the way, I heard "older than dirt' often, but I never heard of "older than fluids". Is it another slang I am not aware of? Or is it simple Dennis-ism.Zhouqin (C.C.) Burnikelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12750267554729853785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5995532066584316410.post-61293561342283796082008-03-14T06:32:00.000-05:002008-03-14T06:32:00.000-05:00I thought "pretty please" was universal...in the U...I thought "pretty please" was universal...in the US. I've heard it from coast to coast and from north to south. But I'm older than dirt. I agree today's puzzle was an easy one, unlike most Friday's. I love this blog. Learn so much..like the explanation of ERG. Thanks C.C.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5995532066584316410.post-34816219079125295422008-03-14T06:08:00.000-05:002008-03-14T06:08:00.000-05:00Dennis,I saw your point of "impropriety".I changed...Dennis,<BR/><BR/>I saw your point of "impropriety".<BR/><BR/>I changed the theme back to "to get what you want". <BR/><BR/>Thank you once again for the help.<BR/><BR/>To others,<BR/><BR/>I am sorry for the "flip-flop" this morning. I am one confused solver this morning.Zhouqin (C.C.) Burnikelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12750267554729853785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5995532066584316410.post-76334536977276989952008-03-14T06:05:00.000-05:002008-03-14T06:05:00.000-05:00Good morning,Perhaps the theme could be something ...Good morning,<BR/><BR/>Perhaps the theme could be something along the lines of "Common Sayings/Expressions"? <BR/><BR/>How many more times can we see SLAW (17A) and ET AL (or ETCETERA) (35D) as answers? Talk about repeat offenders! :o)<BR/><BR/>I have to agree with CC, I am not a big fan of FEVER (47A). At first glance I put in "degree". Ah well. <BR/><BR/>Otherwise, it wasn't a difficult one for me. Either I'm getting a little better (which would be great!) or the theory of these getting harder throughout the week is not applicable this week. Although, I must admit, this blog has definitely helped me out since I found it. I definitely pay more attention to the clues. Thanks CC!<BR/><BR/>Have a great Friday everyone.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5995532066584316410.post-53178863473975810772008-03-14T05:58:00.000-05:002008-03-14T05:58:00.000-05:00Dennis,20A & 48A seem to fit in "Getting what you ...Dennis,<BR/><BR/>20A & 48A seem to fit in "Getting what you want" well. You pull some strings, you grease a few palms, and you get what you want. <BR/><BR/>But 37A seems to come from a demander, others ask you to "say pretty please?" <BR/><BR/>A bit of inconsistency here, no?Zhouqin (C.C.) Burnikelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12750267554729853785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5995532066584316410.post-63996349517197360992008-03-14T05:52:00.000-05:002008-03-14T05:52:00.000-05:00I don't think any of the three necessarily imply i...I don't think any of the three necessarily imply impropriety.Dennishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05476669744435495547noreply@blogger.com