Monday, September 14, 2026, Brian Keller

  Today's Theme:

The Reveal:

60 Across. Game division, or what can be found in 16-, 26-, and 44-Across: FIRST HALF.

The First Half:

16 Across. Star of "Ghost" and "The Substance": DEMI MOORE.

The Second Half:

26 Across. "For Whom the Bell Tolls," for one: HEMINGWAY NOVEL.

The Third Half???

44 Across. Indigenous people of Oklahoma who originated in Florida: SEMINOLE NATION.

Demi, Hemi, and Semi are all prefixes meaning "half."

Onward!

Across:
1. Highly skilled: ABLE.

5. Mop (up), as gravy: SOP.

8. Valuable item: ASSET.

13. Spring: LEAP.

14. Perlman of "Cheers": RHEA.

You remember Carla...

15. "Hello," in Mandarin: NIHAO. My first guess would be to pronounce this NiH"a"-o, but I would be wrong.

16. [Theme.]

18. Believe without questioning: TRUST. Belief without questioning would be faith...

19. Former: ONE TIME. ("At" one time seems more plausible to my ears...)

20. Chemical in oven cleaners: LYE. No Lie! Why would you trust your lungs to this stuff?

22. "New" prefix: NEO.

23. "I'm __ roll!": ON A. (I think it would have to be two N's to be considered one word...)

24. Informal lingo: SLANG. (See above 23A.)

26. [Theme.]

32. Supergirl accessory: CAPE.

No Capes!

33. Actor's prompt: CUE.

34. One-named singer whose studio albums have numerical titles: ADELE.

35. Braying pack animal: ASS.

36. Thawing of diplomatic tensions: DETENTE.

39. Digital collectible: Abbr.: NFT. More info here...

40. Tale: STORY.

42. Fruit-filled pastry: PIE. Tart wouldn't fit..

43. French friends: AMIS.

44. [Theme.]

48. Stately home in the country: MANOR.

49. Wheels: CAR. Curious that you need "wheels" (plural, 4 to be exact,) for this clue to work...

Pardon my dust...

50. No. 1 pal: BFF. Best Friend Forever.

53. Cow sound: MOO.

54. French island near Sardinia: CORSICA.

58. Perp's excuse: ALIBI.

60. [Theme Reveal.]

62. Ancient artifact: RELIC.

63. "Up, up, and __!": AWAY.

64. Dr. Frankenstein's assistant: IGOR.

Obligatory pronunciation lesson...

65. Maroon vegetables: BEETS.

66. Pig heavier than 120 pounds: HOG.Some have been known to reach 1,400 lbs...

67. __ stick: POGO.

Down:
1. Gucci of fashion: ALDO.

2. "We've all __ there": BEEN.

3. Gold fabric: LAME.

4. Perfect example: EPITOME.

5. Jimmy Choo creation: SHOE.

6. Above, poetically: OER.

7. Spanish rice dish seasoned with saffron: PAELLA. During my recent trip to Spain (CE:D here...) I eagerly awaited tasting authentic Spanish Paella. However I was disappointed at every dinner in Barcelona and Girona. Too dark, brothy, and/or fishy. It was not until our cruise tour of Valencia that I was made aware that Paella originated here, and I sampled a delicious home made Paella of my dreams...

8. Insect feelers: ANTENNAE.

Some are more extravagant than others...

9. Knight's title: SIR.

10. Exclude: SHUN.

11. Smooth sailing: EASE.

12. Dog who visits Oz: TOTO.

14. Nora Roberts genre: ROMANCE.

17. Short skirt: MINI.

For Splynter...

For the Ladies...

21. "Yippee!": YAY. (Don't get too excited...)

24. Center defender in soccer: SWEEPER. Ack!again! We had this Wednesday!

25. Immortal being: GOD.

26. Speed: HASTE.

27. __ salts: bathwater additive: EPSOM. Would you bathe in it if it were called magnesium sulphate?

28. Belly: GUT.

29. Mobile payment app: VENMO.

30. Small and pointy-eared, perhaps: ELFIN. Large and pointy-eared, perhaps: Vulcan?

31. Tennis do-overs: LETS.

32. Elliot of the Mamas and the Papas: CASS.

Best video quality I could find, song starts at 1:20.

36. Branch of mechanics: DYNAMICS.

37. Diarist Anaïs: NIN. More info here.

38. Pot insulator, in England: TEA COSY.

41. Part of a basketball hoop: RIM.

43. Blimp, for one: AIRSHIP.

45. Peace activist Yoko: ONO.

46. Exfoliating scrubber: LOOFAH.

47. Fruit-filled pastry: TART. Oho! A 42 across Clecho!

50. Spike on a dragon's tail: BARB. I don't know why Mace came to mind...

51. Make a run for it: FLEE. If you see the above!

52. Nail salon tool: FILE.

54. Jagged rock: CRAG. More info here.

55. "Aladdin" parrot named for a Shakespeare villain: IAGO.

Not to be confused with Igor...

56. Plumbing problem: CLOG.

57. Natural hairstyle: AFRO.

59. Drill insert: BIT.

61. __ Jima: IWO.

And The Grid.

7 personal names, 13 three letter words, (more if you include God.) but easy enough for a Monday to breeze through. Brian Keller is an up and coming constructor we hope to see more of, his last puzzle  Was reviewed here.

I feel I went on far too long, so I have saved Demi, Hemi, and Semi for discussion on The Blog. What were your  experiences with Demi's, Hemi's, and Semi's? And/or have you ever met Demi, Hemingway, or a Seminole Indian? I would love to hear your stories!

 

Chris Gross (Chairman Moe on our blog) made today's Universal. Click here to solve.

CE:D out...

Wednesday, September 9, 2026 Rena Cohen

 

Theme: Soccer positions.

I tried out for Soccer once,

They gave me this T-Shirt...

20 Across. Soccer player who shares every little detail online?: PUBLIC DEFENDER.

A defender is an outfield player whose main job is to stop the other team from scoring goals. 

Types of Defenders

Center-backs (CB): Play in the middle of the defense right in front of the goal. They win high balls and block shots. 

Full-backs (LB/RB): Play on the left and right sides of the backline. They stop opposing wingers and run up the sidelines to help on offense

Wing-backs (LWB/RWB): An aggressive type of full-back. They focus heavily on running up and down the field to support attacks

Sweepers (SW): A rare, deeper defender who plays behind the main defensive line to clean up loose balls. 

Key Skill

Tackling: Winning the ball cleanly from opponents

Positioning: Standing in the right place to block passing lanes

Aerial ability: Heading away crosses and long balls

Communication: Organizing the backline and talking with teammates.

38 Across. Soccer player from a Florida archipelago?: KEEPER OF THE KEYS.

A keeper (short for goalkeeper) is the designated player on a soccer team whose primary job is to stop the opposing team from scoring by preventing the ball from crossing the goal line.

Key Responsibilities and Rule

Handball Privilege: The keeper is the only player on the field allowed to use their hands and arms, but they can only do this inside their own designated penalty area.

Last Line of Defense: They act as the final barrier against shots and direct the outfield defenders during plays and set pieces.

Distinct Uniform: To easily tell them apart from everyone else, the keeper must wear a jersey color that is different from both teams and the referee.

Starting Attacks: Beyond stopping goals, modern keepers often use kicks or throws to launch fast counter-attacks for their team.

51 Across. Soccer player who doesn't pull their weight?: CARRIED FORWARD.

A forward in soccer is an outfield player who plays closest to the opposing teams's goal with the primary job of scoring and creating goals.

Main Roles of a Forward

Center Forward / Striker: Plays through the middle as the main goalscorer and focal point of the attack.

Winger / Wide Forward: Plays on the left or right side to stretch the defense, dribble past defenders, and cross the ball into the penalty box

Second Striker: Plays just behind the main center forward to link the midfield and attack

False Nine: A forward who drops backward into the midfield to pull defenders out of position and create open space for teammates. 

Core Responsibilities

Finishing: Shooting and heading the ball into the net to score goals

Creating Space: Making smart runs off the ball to open passing lanes for teammates

Holding the Ball: Using physical strength to keep possession under pressure from defenders until help arrives

Pressing: Applying early pressure on opposing defenders when the other team has the ball.

Onward! To the coin toss, and kickoff!

Across:
1. Insensitive: CRASS.

6. Not out: SAFE.

10. Apple variety: GALA.

14. __ Productions: media company founded by Oprah: HARPO. (Oprah backwards.)

15. West Coast sch. that joined the Big Ten in 2024: UCLA.

16. Team with a lot of pull?: OXEN.

17. All over: AGAIN.

18. Birds whose oil is used in Aboriginal medicine: EMUS.

19. Super Serum seller: OLAY. (Note: Olay does not sell Emu Oil...)

20. [Theme.]

23. __-di-dah: LAH.

24. Blubber: FLAB. Emu oil is made by harvesting, melting, and refining the thick layer of fat found on the back of an Emu.

25. Accident report?: OOPS. 😬 

28. "What a gimme!": EASY.

31. Mail: POST.

34. King topper in a game of war: ACE.

35. Singer Halliwell: GERI.

Also known as Ginger Spice...

36. Leave in a fit?: CLOTHE. (To make sense, you must read this 3 times...)

38. [Theme.]

41. Like steak, but not cake: SAVORY.

42. Reasons to go to extra innings: TIES.

43. Jazz (up): AMP.

44. Rookie gamer: NEWB. Also Newbie, or Noob...

45. Speck on a map: ISLE. 

46. Sign: OMEN.

47. Long fish: EELS.

49. "Truthfully" initials: TBH. (To Be Honest.)

51. [Theme.]

58. Lean: THIN.

59. Within reach: NEAR.

60. Eaglet home: AERIE.

61. Avant-garde style: DADA. Examples can be found here...

62. Small bird of prey: KITE. Again, examples can be found here...

63. "You almost guessed it!": CLOSE. No examples here,  because you missed it...

64. Staircase part: STEP.

65. "Now!": STAT.

66. Respected leader: ELDER. 

Down:
1. Fella: CHAP.

2. Robusto! sauce brand: RAGU.

3. Many an Eid celebrant: ARAB. More info here...

4. Lets the cat out of the bag: SPILLS. 

5. Ketanji colleague: SONIA. 

Clue/answer refers to these guys.

Since there is no politics on the Blog,

I will not be naming them...

6. Sought compensation: SUED. (See below:)

7. Height: ACME. 

A scene from Coyote Vs Acme.

8. Nickname for comedian Gabriel Iglesias: FLUFFY. 

9. Stand for artistic freedom?: EASEL. 😀

10. Bible: GOOD BOOK.

11. Wheel spinner: AXLE.

12. Father of Goneril, Regan, and Cordelia: LEAR. William Shakespeare wrote the tragedy King Lear. 

Quick Facts:

Written: Between 1605 and 1606

First Performance: December 1606

Plot: An aging king divides his kingdom among his daughters, leading to tragic consequences and madness.

13. Flexible amount: ANY.

21. Joyful: CHEERY.

22. Italy's third-largest city: NAPLES.

25. National trees of the United States: OAKS.

26. Place where people cruise through life?: OCEAN.😏

27. Get to: PEEVE.

29. Preferring platonic relationships, for short: ARO. Aro is short for aromantic, which describes a person who experiences little or no romantic attraction to others.

30. Searches (through): SIFTS.

32. Iron output: STEAM.

33. Herb in jerk seasoning: THYME. 

35. Company with an annual search for a spokesbaby: GERBER.

36. Flamin' Hot puff: CHEETO. 

People are serious about their Cheetos...

37. "College GameDay" network: ESPN.

39. Short time out: POWER NAP.

40. From dawn __ dusk: TIL.

45. Finder's cry: I SEE IT. 

Finders cry: Mine!

46. "Such is life": OH WELL. 

48. Spot for a tee party?: LINKS. ❤️

50. Knee protector: BRACE.

51. Small talk: CHAT.

52. Deputy: AIDE.

53. Spreadsheet input: DATA.

54. Guitar ridge: FRET. My 50 year old guitar is getting worn grooves in its frets.

(I fret about my frets...)

55. Yankee nickname of the 2000s: AROD.

56. "__ and shine!": RISE.

57. Lots of bucks: DEER. 

58. Some 37-Down highlights: Abbr.: TDS. (Touchdowns.)

The Grid.

7 three letter words, 6 people names, and only one abbreviated school name. Not bad!

A Link to Rena Cohen July 20 Crossword Writeup

Describing this lovely Constructor...

Sorry for the deep dive into splainin' Soccer positions, but I know little about the game and had to do much research to do this write up, and, you know I hate to suffer alone...

CE:D out...

≽^• ˕ • ྀི≼

Wednesday, August 12, 2026, Erik Agard

  SWISH! Or Nothin' but Net!

Another slam dunk from Erik Agard!

While "hat trick" is not used, basketball has other milestones based on the number three or achieving three feats:

The Triple-Double: Getting double-digit numbers in three out of five categories (points, rebounds, assists, blocks, steals) in a single game.
Three-Peat: Winning three championship titles in a row.
Three-Pointer: Scoring a field goal from beyond the three-point arc. 

The Reveal: 

53 Across. Distance shot in basketball, or what 16-, 26-, and 39-Across are altogether?: LOGO THREE.

A logo 3 in basketball is a three-pointer shot taken from extreme range, specifically at or near the mid-court center circle where the teams floor logo is painted.

How is this represented in the 3 themers you ask? Why, it's simple! The first word of each begins with LO, and the last word begins with GO. Coming up with a new and fresh theme after more than 100 years of crossword puzzles is a long shot, I just didn't expect Erik to do it literally!

16 Across. "I like it!": LOOKS GOOD. (Like a long shot that goes "swish.")

26 Across. Bucket list item, perhaps: LONG TIME GOAL. (Long air time that is...)

39 Across. Not rigid: LOOSEY-GOOSEY. (Absolutely necessary to make those long shots....)

Let's see if there is anything in the fill that could block our shot at this theme...

Across:
1. Succeed in a class: PASS. (Or succeed in basketball, don't hog the ball...)

5. With 47-Down, tropical shade providers: PALM.

9. Content warning letters: NSFW. Not Suitable For Work.

13. Two-tone apex predator: ORCA.

Pass me the ball!

14. Inventor's jumping-off point: IDEA.

15. Underwater detector: SONAR.

16. [Theme]

18. Location: PLACE.

19. Out like a light: ASLEEP.

20. Vintner's harvest: GRAPES.

21. Top stripe of a pride flag: RED.

Hmm, not always red...

22. Lousy grade: DEE. (I always wait, could be C or F...)

24. "Gosh!": GEE.

25. Channel with music videos and "Reba" reruns: CMT. Country Music Television.

26. [Theme]

29. Statistical average: MEAN.

There ya go, now it's about s clear as mud...

31. Jokes: GAGS. (I never joke about statistical averages...)

32. Cunning plan: RUSE.

Not really a ruse, but I couldn't resist..

33. "A Change Is __ Come": GONNA. The sad history behind this song can be found here.

34. Victor Wembanyama's org.: NBA. (Is this a Clecho?)

35. Features of 4c hair: KINKS. Ten hairstyles Suitable for type 4c hair.

36. A single time: ONCE.

37. Plant anchor: ROOT.

38. CPR pros: EMTS. (Crossword staple.)

39. [Theme]

42. Seasonal vaccine target: FLU.

43. Some undergrad degs.: BAS. Bachelor of Arts degrees.

44. Fleeting snooze: NAP.

45. Pvt. trainer: SGT.

48. Chicken __ bleu: CORDON. If you ever get tired of making chicken salad from your leftover chicken:

TRY THIS!

50. Throw trash away, but not in a trash can: LITTER. (Please dont...)

52. An additional time: AGAIN.

53. [Theme Reveal.]

56. Sport with scrums: RUGBY. This may be difficult for Americans unfamiliar with the game to comprehend, but it is a way to restart play fairly after a minor infraction.

Can you predict what side will regain control of the ball?

57. Component of steel: IRON.

58. Lack of difficulty: EASE.

59. Simple tops: TEES.

60. Domestic four-leggers: PETS.

61. "Their __ Were Watching God": EYES. Tough one if you don't know luckily 4 perps to the rescue...

Down:
1. Big name in seltzer water: POLAR. Tough one, as not really seen in my area. And now with the hard seltzer market, Polar gets lost in the crowd.

2. Came up: AROSE.

3. Give a talking-to: SCOLD.

4. "For goodness' __!": SAKE.

5. Animal enclosure with a namesake cipher: PIGPEN. The Wiki Explanation.

6. "And now, without further __ ... ": ADO.

7. Sign before Virgo: LEO.

8. Ticked off: MAD.

9. Mardi Gras city, familiarly: NOLA. New Orleans.

10. Signals called by a quarterback before each play: SNAP COUNT.

11. Protections against respiratory illnesses: FACE MASKS.

12. Competes on a mat: WRESTLES.

15. Shopping jag: SPREE.

17. Arizona city near the Seven Sacred Pools: SEDONA. 

17 minutes worth of sightseeing.

20. Precious stones: GEMS.

23. Creamy Christmas concoctions: EGGNOGS.

24. Huge unit of mass: GIGATON. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

26. Pool divisions: LANES.

27. Like a dirty word: TABOO. I dunno.. (see below.)

28. Dirty: GRIMY. (Is grimy taboo?)

29. Actor's audition selection: MONOLOGUE.

30. Spur on: ENCOURAGE.

33. Transport on the way to sink a putt: GOLF CART.

35. "You hang on to that": KEEP IT.

37. "Sinners" director Coogler: RYAN. Ack! A Name!

40. Dark wood: EBONY.

41. Makeover sites: SALONS.

45. Wander off: STRAY.

46. V-formation flyers: GEESE.

47. See 5-Across: TREES.

49. "I call it!": DIBS.

51. Old-school "you": THEE. (Or thou, or ye, but don't get too hung up on thyself...)

53. Guff: LIP.

54. Metallic resource: ORE.

55. Duped: GOT.

And, The Grid.

There you have it. Was it a slam dunk for you (or thou.) or did you jam your thumb?

Let us know in the comments...

CE:D out.

(˵◝ ⩊  ◜˵マ

P.S.  A Crossword Corner Blog Interview with Erik Agard from 2013 can be found here.