The New York Times Crossword in Gothic

Coastal exposure of the Point Aconi Seam exposed

at Point Aconi, Nova Scotia. 16 May 2006. M. C. Rygel

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Saturday, January 4, 2014

Puzzle by Kyle Dolan / Edited by Will Shortz

Across —1. Like cork trees and flying lizards, ASIAN; 6. “Jersey Shore” housemate’s music-biz name, DJ PAULY D; 14. Jersey Shore vacation option, CONDO; 15. Big Dipper’s setting, GREAT BEAR; 16. One offering help in passing?, TUTOR; 17. Take up, LATCH ONTO; 18. See 34-Down, USER; 19. Where Lee Harvey Oswald was a lathe operator, MINSK; 20. City where some believe Cain and Abel are buried, ADEN; 21. Warden in drab clothes, PARK RANGER; 23 Take down with a charge, TASE; 24. Spring event in the Summer Olympics?, VAULT; 25. Setting that makes things right?, TAB; 27. Less agreeable, CRABBIER; 30. Be a lush, TIPPLE; 35. Chicken à la rey?, POLLO; 36. Buzzes, say, DOS; 38. Tiny amount GRAIN; 39. Was revolting?, ROSE UP; 41. Was a rocker?, TEETERED; 43. Tie TAC; 45. Up, ALOFT; 46. Hyperbola parts, ARCS; 50. House meeting place, THE CAPITOL; 54. Theoretical, MOOT; 55. Predictor of fame, DIXON; 56. Elasticity, GIVE; 57. School meeting places, AUDITORIA; 59. Photometry unit, LUMMEN; 60. Be an unhelpful interrogee, STONEWALL; 61. Lack life, AREN’T; 62. Life or death, SENTENCE; 63. Leaf part, VERSO.

Down — 1. Go on the fritz, ACT UP; 2. Monty Python theme composer, SOUSA; 3. Gaps, INTERVALS; 4. Like cute nerds, in slang, ADORKABLE; 5. “NOR did you nothing hear?”: Hamlet; 6. Stress, to Strauss, DRANG; 7. First-class regulars, JET SET; 8. Keeping buff?, PACK RAT; 9. Jock: Abbr., ATH; 10. Raider in the battle of the St. Lawrence, U-BOAT; 11. “LEND A Paw” (Oscar-winning Disney short); 12. “Eyewitness” director Peter YATES; 13. Hurdy-gurdy sound, DRONE; 15. Flashed, GLINTED; 19. Tuareg rebellion locale of 2012, MALI; 22. Erase, RUB OUT; 26. Three-ring setting, BIG TOP; 27. Some rescue work, CPR; 28. Neighbor of Rabbit, ROO; 29. Bunk, ROT; 31. Foreshadow, PREFIGURE; 32. One not getting benefits, say, PART-TIMER; 33. Make baloney?, LIE; 34. With 18-Across, software developer’s concern, END; 37. Constituent of molding sand SEA COAL; Touching scene at an airport?, PAT-DOWN; 42 Animation, ELAN; 44. European president who attended Harvard, CHIRAC; 46. Bank, AMASS; 47. Path, ROUTE; 48. One of 64 in a genetic table, CODON; 49. Piece of work, STINT; 51. Napoleon, notably, EXILE; 52. Where things may be heating up, OVENS; 53. Molto adagio, LENTO; 58. Bit of sportswear, TEE; 59. Head, LAV.

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Sunday, January 5, 2014

“Clued In”— Puzzle by Alan Derkazarian / Edited by Will Shortz

Everything for which one might dislike a crossword is contained in this obnoxious Sunday crossword puzzle. Divided into four small crosswords, relying upon trivial knowledge of a board game with which one may or may not be familiar, this one borders on criminality. Not familiar with CLUE, the board game? Forget it, just work the four little puzzles (or not) and toss it aside. Know the game? Go for it!

SUSPECT(1A. The “who” of a Clue accusation, whose identity is hinted at by the three shaded answers in this quadrant), e.g., MISS SCARLET.
ROOM (11A. The “where” of a Clue accusation, whose identity is hinted at by the three shaded answers in this quadrant), e.g., IN THE LOUNGE.
WEAPON (73A. “The “what” of a Clue accusation, whose identity is hinted at by the three shaded answers in this quadrant),WITH THE ROPE.

MISS SCARLET / IN THE LOUNGE / WITH THE ROPE(89A, 113A and 135A.) is the resulting accusation. MISS SCARLET is clued by FEVER, LETTER and TANAGER. ROOM clues are RELAX, IDLE and REST. WEAPON with REPO, PORE and OPER (anagrams for ROPE). Entry to the four “rooms” appears to be indicated by the black squares, or not…

Other — “ABANDON SHIP” (75D. Captain‘s last order), ALASKANS (53A. The Palins, e.g.), ALIEN ATTACK (45A. Early Coleco hand-held game), BRANDO (89D. Antony’s player in “Julius Caesar,“ 1953), DIET SODA 30D. It may contain aspartame), LAREDO TEXAS (38A. Southern terminus of I-35), NOT VERY MUCH (78D. Hardly at all), PRETZELS (4D. Ballpark fare), PTERODACTYL (14D. Prehistoric menace), ROLLING PINS(80D. Cartoony clubs), SENNETT (144A. Director Mack of early slapstick).

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Monday, January 6, 2014

Puzzle by Zhouqin Burnikel / Edited by Will Shortz

2014 in ROMAN numerals (what the initial letters of the answers to the five starred clues all are), e.g., MMXIV, is the main feature of this cheerful first-Monday-of-the-New-Year crossword:

M NIGHT SHYAMALAN (17A. *“The Sixth Sense” director)
M BUTTERLY (23A. *1988 Best Play Tony winner inspired by Puccini)
X-ACTO (39A. *Craft knife brand)
I AM AMERICA (47A. *2007 Stephen Colbert satirical book)
V IS FOR VENGEANCE (58A. *22nd in a Sue Grafton series)

Other — KELLY GREEN (11D. Good color for St. Patrick’s Day), KIRK GIBSON (29D. Dodgers slugger who was the 1988 N.L. M.V.P.), LEILA (35A. Girl in Byron’s “Don Juan”), “Wrecking Ball" singer MILEY Cyrus, “Mon ONCLE” (Jacques Tati film), THE ALAMO (40D. Something to remember in San Antonio?), YOGA MATS (4D. They may be unrolled before meditation).

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Margaret Hamilton as The Wicked Witch of the West

in The Wizard of Oz. Photograph: Ronald Grand Archive

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Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Puzzle by Mark Bickham / Edited by Will Shortz

IS THIS GOOD (62A. Question posed while pulling leftovers from the fridge … or a query about the initial words of 18-, 24-, 33-, 43- or 50-Across?), e.g., slang for the word GOOD — KILLER, INSANE, RADICAL, WICKED and BAD— constitutes the interrelated group of this Tuesday crossword.

KILLER BEES (18A. Aggressive swarms)
INSANE ASYLUMS (24A. Facilities with padded walls)
RADICAL SIGN (33A. Square root symbol)
WICKED WITCH (43A. One of two figures in “The Wizard of Oz”)
BAD MOON RISING (50A. 1969 platinum record for Creedence Clearwater Revival)

Other — DRESS SIZE(11D. Number at a bridal boutique), END-WISE (44D. How sausage links are connected), INCUBATES (32D. Sits on to keep warm, say), OOOLA (53D. “Alley Oop” woman), SHOGI (1D. Japanese chess), VITUAL (9D. Almost real).

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Wednesday,January 8, 2014

Puzzle by Sam Ezersky and Victor Fleming / Edited by Will Shortz

NICKELODEON (36A. Channel for the character named by the ends of 18-, 24-, 52- and 59-Across), e.g., SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS constitutes the interrelated group of this Wednesday crossword:

BATH SPONGE (18A. Tub accessory)
THINGAMABOB (24A. Doohickey)
TIMES SQUARE (52A. New Year’s Eve hot spot)
BOSSY PANTS (59A. 2011 Tina Fey autobiography)

Other — IRKSOME (41D. Annoying), NEW ISSUE (36D. Initial public offering), NOSEBAG (40D. Feeder in a stable), NUT JOB (47D. Weirdo), RAN OUT ON (11D. Left in the lurch), TORII (20A. Outfielder Hunter with nine Gold Gloves).

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San Andreas Fault

Dragon's Back (Elkhorn Scarp) in the Carrizo Plain

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Thursday, January 9, 2014

Puzzle by Caleb Emmons / Edited by Will Shortz

SAN ANDREAS FAULT(7D. Site of slippage … both geographically and in this puzzle), along with a vertical break between the left and right sides of the puzzle is the main feature of this schizophrenic Thursday crossword.

The split words in descending order: MESS, UTAH, TONI, BANANA PEEL (21A. You might slip on it), NYET, ARLO, BREA, ABROAD, PATCH OF ICE (48A. You might slip on it), RATE, SUER, ELMS and T-square.

Other — ENZYME (41A. Food processor?), MACH ONE (42D. The speed of sound), MUTANT (5D. Certain horror film villain), PEACH FUZZ (3D. Sign of puberty, maybe), RHESUS Factor, SUBDIVIDE (34D. Make pieces of pieces?),ZAPPA (D. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee with only one Top 40 hit).

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A Murder of Crows by Jeremy Wallace

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Friday, January 10, 2014

Puzzle by Patrick Berry / Edited by Will Shortz

Across —1. Attaché feature, ACCENT; 7. Lawrence KASDAN who co-wrote “The Empire Strikes Back” and “Return of the Jedi”; 13. Seat of Ireland’s County Kerry, TRALEE; 14. One of the former Barbary States, TRIPOLI; 15. Pride : lions :: MURDER : crows; 16. “Don’t get so worked up!”, CHILL OUT; 17. Ordered pair?, SIDE DISHES; 19. ARMS running; 20. Moving briskly, SPRY; 21. Public record?, CENSUS; 25. Not down with anything, WELL; 24. Deadeye, CRACK SHOT; 27. Surprised expression, I SAY; 28. Many old B films, OATERS; 29. Constant critic, NAG; 31. Leery of being noticed, maybe, SHY; 32 Decides on, OPTS FOR; 33. Symbol of liberty in the French Revolution, ELM; 34. Last course, often, PIE; 35. Domineering men, MACHOS; 36. Gridiron cry, HIKE; 37. They deliver on Sunday, PREACHERS; 38. Ideal world?, EDEN; 40. Sulking peevishly, IN A PET; 41. Underattended, say, DEAD; 42. Grocery staple, EGGS; 45. Tub accessory for the head, BATH PILLOW; 48. Old-fashioned promotions, PRINT ADS; 50. La to la, e.g., OCTAVE; 51. Common gathering in a public square, PIGEONS; 52. Bet, STAKED; 53. Menelaus’ kingdom, SPARTA; 54. Menorah inserts,TAPERS.

Down — 1. Bread boxes?, ATMS; 2. Common casino locale, CRUISE SHIP; 3. One who wants in on the deal, CARD PLAYER; 4. Aged, ELDERLY; 5. Emotionally demanding, NEEDY; 6. Dean’s “Lois & Clark” co-star, TERI; 7. Word puzzle popular since the 1930s, KRISS KROSS; 8. Bother, AIL; 9. Unspecific recipe quantity, SPLASH; 10. “If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a DOOR”: Milton Berle; 11. Diploma holder, for short, ALUM; 12. Tiny criticisms, NITS; 14. Ever since that time, THENCEFORTH; 16. Cribs, CHEAT SHEETS; 18. Brainstorming session aids, SCRATCH PADS; 22. Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty signatory, briefly, USSR; 23. Flimsy lock, WISP; 24. 1978 disco hit featuring the warning “Don’t fall in love”, COPACABANA; 25. Body of water belatedly added to the course of the Erie Canal, ONEIDA LAKE; 26. Discussed, TALKED OVER; 30. Mafioso foes, G-MEN; 32 Bahla Fort site, OMAN; 36. Clicker, of a sort, HEEL TAP; 38. Michael EISNER who once led Disney; 41. Decrees, DICTAS; 42. Omar EPPS of TV and film; 43. Clutch, GRIP; 44. Memory unit prefix, GIGA; 46. Diplomatic assignment, POST;47. Joins, WEDS; 49. Unsteady walker, maybe, TOT.

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Saturday, January 11, 2014

Puzzle by Martin Ashwood-Smith / Edited by Will Shortz

Eight 15-letter answers constitutes the main feature of this Saturday crossword:

CANADA BLUE GRASS (1A. It has a close “Kentucky” cousin)
TRADITIONAL IRAS (16A. Tax deferral options)
NAVAL ENGAGEMENT (17A. Water gun fight?)
STEMLESS GLASSES (18A. Tumblers)
OBSCENE GESTURES (51A. They’re usually pixilated on TV)
POTASSIUM IODIDE (59A. Kelp is a natural source of it)
ELEPHANT TRAINER (60A. One who orders trunks to be moved?)
DENTAL ASSISTANT (61A. Member of a drill team?)

Other Across — 19. Nonprofessional, LAY; 20. “Thus weary of the world, away she HIES”: Shak.; 21. Burnable medium, briefly, CDR; 23. Slender runner, SKI; 25. One may remove grease with elbow grease, SOS PAD; 30. SC Johnson brand, RAID; 32. Does a Ludacris impersonation, RAPS; 34. Grid great Greasy, NEALE; 35. Not the least bit, IN NO WAY; 37. “That’s expensive!”, IT’S A LOT; 39. Sum symbol, SIGMA; 40. Rice alternative, ORZO; 42. Stop on Amtrak’s California Zephyr, RENO; 43. Dead player?, POSSUM; 45. Key contraction, O’ER; 46. SEX ed; 47. Larry KERT of the original “West Side Story”; 49. Went nowhere, SAT.

Down —U.P.S. deliveries: Abbr., CTNS; 2. Poor as A RAT (destitute); 3. Belly dancers’ bands?, NAVEL RINGS; 4. Native of Caprica on “Battlestar Galactica”, ADAMA; 5. Corker, DILLY; 6. Done to A TEE; 7. Alternatives to racks, BINS; 8. Sawmill supplier, LOG SHIP; 9. Fish in a dragon roll, UNAGI; 10. They have bills and appear on bills, EAGLES; 11. Renowned boxing gym in Brooklyn, GLEASON’S; 12. Outer limits, RIMS; 13. Diomedes speared him, ARES; 14. Having good balance, SANE; 15. They were retired in ‘03, SSTS; 21. Like new notes, CRISP; 22. Freshwater aquarium favorite, DANIO; 23. Many a dama: Abbr., SRA; 24. Deck, KAYO; 26. Brand, SEAR; 27. Renaissance composer of “Missa Papae Marcelli”, PALESTRINA; 28. How troglodytes live, ALONE; 29. Clean out, DETOX; 31. DiMaggio and others, DOMS; 33. Fitting decision, SIZE; 38. Wisconsin county or its seat, WAUKESHA; 38. A.L. East team, on scoreboards, TOR; 41. Really cheap shots?, ROTGUTS; 44. Monthly, MENSAL; 48. Spanish royal, REINA; 49. Attic promenades, STOAS; 50. Book review?, AUDIT; 51. Weigh-in section?, OP ED; 52. Woody trunk, BOLE; 53. Korean War-weapon, STEN; 54. Abbr. by Hook or by Cook, CAPT; 55. Drs. Often take over for them, EMTS; 56. iPhone talker, SIRI; 57. Fall scene, EDEN; 58. Fundació Joan Miró designer, SERT.

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Capital Letter A, James Tissot, Brooklyn Museum

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Sunday, January 12, 2014

It’s Only ‘A’ Game, Puzzle by Andrew Chaikin / Edited by Will Shortz

Fourteen overwrought clues with mundane answers utilizing only the vowel A constitutes the main feature of this Sunday crossword:

CASABLANCA (22A. Grand-slam drama that stars Bacall’s man)
FA LA LA LA LA (24A. Half an Xmas “Halls” chant)
STAR WARS (38A. Astral saga that has a Darth part)
A MAN A PLAN A CANAL PANAMA (63A. Fab “backward-gram” à la “Sam, aha Bahamas!”)
RASTA MAN (87A. Black cat that packs grass and chants “Jah”)
MAGNA CARTA (106A. Landmark vassal law act)
BALACLAVAS (108A. Warm mask/cap amalgams)
ALAN ALDA (4D. “M*A*S*H” star)
CATCH AS CATCH CAN (28D. Haphazard)
BAFTA AWARDS (36D. Gala that saw “Black Swan,” “Avatar” and “Ab Fab” attract claps)
BLACK AND TAN (37D. Bar glass that’s half Bass, half dark malt)
SAND MANDALA (38D. Lama’s art that can’t last)
ABRA CADABRA (39D. “Shazam!”)
ANAGRAMS (81D. Flashback and halfbacks)

Other across — LAB ANIMAL (20A. Text subject); Count CHOCULA; Kris KROSS (music duo); Segway inventor Dean KAMEN; TOADIES (73A. Kowtowers); ICOSA (91A. Prefix with -hedron); PYROMANIA (111A. Burning desire)

Down — WEASEL(9D. “Pop” goer); CLANS (10D. Online gaming guilds); PALOMA (13D. Picasso’s designer daughter); MILDREW (14D. Tilex target); LALO Schifrin; Designer STELLA McCartney; Comedian Margaret CHO; Jackie CHAN; TURN-ON (88D. Source of excitement); A TEAM (89D. TV/movie group associated with this puzzle’s theme); SATAN (95D. The Adversary).

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Solar electrodynamics in far ultraviolet —arcades of solar plasma filaments in the lower corona of the Sun are revealed in far ultraviolet light by TRACE instruments, courtesy The TRACE Picturebook, NASA

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January 12, 2014

ACROSTIC, Puzzle by Emily Cox and Henry Rathvon

Edited by Will Shortz

This Sunday’s acrostic draws a quotation fromLectures on Physics byRichard Feynman.

“The whole thing was basically an experiment,” Richard Feynman said late in his career, looking back on the origins of his lectures. The experiment turned out to be hugely successful, spawning publications that have remained definitive and introductory to physics for decades. Ranging from the basic principles of Newtonian physics through such formidable theories as general relativity and quantum mechanics, Feynman’s lectures stand as a monument of clear exposition and deep insight. Timeless and collectible, the lectures are essential reading, not just for students of physics but for anyone seeking an introduction to the field from the inimitable Feynman.”~ Google Books

The quotation: THE MOST SIGNIFICANT EVENT OF THE NINETEENTH CENTURY WILL BE JUDGED AS MAXWELL’S DISCOVERY OF THE LAWS OF ELECTRODYNAMICS. THE AMERICAN CIVIL WAR WILL PALE INTO PROVINCIAL INSIGNIFICANCE IN COMPARISON WITH THIS … EVENT.

The author’s name and the title of the work: FEYNMAN, LECTURES ON PHYSICS

The defined words:

A. Writer in the margin of Diaphanous’ “Arithmetica”, FERMAT
B. Surround, ring, ENCIRCLE
C. Serious warning in sports (2 wds.), YELLOW CARD
D. About to be served (3 wds.), NEXT IN LINE
E. Don’s body, MAFIA
F. Classic sailor’s tattoo, ANCHOR
G. Historical trio member having a tilde, NIÑA
H. Farsighted perspective (2 wds.), LONG VIEW
I. Not fixed, as a set of beliefs, EVOLVING
J. Business that overcharges customers (2 wds.), CLIP JOINT
K. Painter of “Assumption of the Virgin,” 1516-18, TITIAN
L. Cited but not verified, UNOFFICIAL
M Glossy black, RAVEN
N. Way of getting connected since the 1970s, ETHERNET
O. 1964 Life magazine coinage regarding “The Bing Crosby Show”, SITCOM
P> Be unwilling to let go, OBSESS
Q. Participants in a TV game show originally hosted by Bob Eubanks, NEWLYWEDS
R. Stones in a Georgia orchard (2 wds.), PEACH PITS
S. Strong coffee, not the wimpy stuff (2 wds.), HIGH TEST
T. “Truer words were never spoken!” (3 wds.), YOU SAID IT
U. Change to make a competitive splash (2 wds.), SWIM MEET
V. Administer in an unwelcome way, INFLICT
W. In the bag, CLINCHES
X. Radio descriptor (hyph), SHORT-WAVE

The full paragraph of the quotation: “From a long view of the history of mankind, seen from, say, ten thousand years from now, there can be little doubt that the most significant event of the 19th century will be judged as Maxwell's discovery of the laws of electrodynamics. The American Civil War will pale into provincial insignificance in comparison with this important scientific event of the same decade.”

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Rio de Janeiro's Sambadrome Carnival parade. Foto: REUTERS

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Monday, January 13, 2014

Puzzle by Lynn Lempel / Edited by Will Shortz

ONE AND ALL (58A. Everybody … or part of the contents of 18-, 25-, 36- and 50-Across) and the aforementioned four across answers constitutes the interrelated group of this Monday crossword:

PHONE CALL (18A. An operator may help place one)
RHONE VALLEY (25A. Wine-producing area of SE France)
GONE BALLISTIC (36A. Flown into a rage)
STONEWALLED (50A. Refused to cooperate)

Other — CANNISTER(40D. Flour or sugar container), FAMINE (48A. Widespread food shortage), FLEW SOLO (3D. Went without a copilot), FOR A SONG (2D. Very inexpensively), IRISH SEA (39D. Isle of Man’s locale), SAMBA (33D. Rio carnival dance).

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A Singerie With Monkeys Smoking At A Table

And A Jester Below, David The Younger Teniers

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Tuesday,January 14, 2014

Puzzle by Tim Croce / Edited by Will Shortz

Nonsense is the clue for sixteen answers in this Tuesday crossword — in order across, JIVE, JAZZ, HOKUM, PRATTLE, TWADDLE, HOT AIR, BILGE, ROT, TRIPE, BUSHWA, BLATHER, HOGWASH, HOOEY, TOSH, BUNK and BALONEY.

Other — HATTIEMcDaniel of “Gone With the Wind”; O-CEDAR (10D. Brand of mops and brooms); ODILE (28D. The black swan in “Swan Lake”); TRITER (21D. More hackneyed).

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Longtime crossword constructor Bernice Gordon born on Jan. 11, 1914, poses for a portrait at her home, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2013, in Philadelphia. The New York Times is publishing one of her puzzles today, making her the first centenarian to have a grid printed in the newspaper. ~ The Associated Press

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Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Puzzle by Bernice Gordon / Edited by Will Shortz

Six letters of the alphabet serve as homophones in this perfectly pleasant (with just the right dash of difficulty) Wednesday crossword:

GEOGRAPHY B(17A. It’s all about location, location, location)
ONLY U (39A. 1955 hit for the Platters)
CARIBBEAN C (62A. Environs for Blackbeard)
AFTERNOON T(11D. Occasion for sandwiches and scones)
BLACK EYED P (28D. Soul food ingredient)

Other — Newswoman BARBARA Walters, CAPE HORN (6D. Southern tip of South America), LIP SYNCH (44A. Pretends to be singing), SHOEBOX (45D. Line of greeting cards billed as “a tiny little division of Hallmark”), VOLTAIRE (34A. Philosopher who wrote “It is difficult to free fools from the chains they revere”), YIELDING (40D. Soft to the touch).

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Earth as a dot nestled in the top left hand corner of Saturn’s rings.

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Thursday, January 16, 2014

Puzzle by Elizabeth A. Long / Edited by Will Shortz

DOTTED I(36A. Lowercase letter illustrated six times in this puzzle?) and the puzzle's only I’s each one with D-O-T immediately over it constitutes the interrelated group of this Thursday crossword.

The six down answers containing the “dotted i” (OI) are 5D.DO IT, 9D. A MOI, 29D. SPOIL, 32D. COINED, 43D. BORZOI, and 46D.VOILA. The across words with the six D-O-T’s are ANECDOTE (14A. Speaker’s aid), DOTE ON (18A. Indulge), GODOT (34A. What some waiters never see?), DOTAGE (51A. Senility), YOU DO TOO (60A. “I’m not the only one!”) and, of course, DOTTED I.

Other — AIM LOW(59A. Not shoot for the stars, to put it mildly), AMANDA (16A. “The Glass Menagerie” woman), BORZOI (43D. Russian wolfhound), CANOEIST (17A Paddle pusher), GENERATE (3D. Produce),LARSON (8A. Cartoonist who said “I don’t read or watch TV to get ideas. My work is basically sitting down at the drawing table and getting silly”), NUTRIENT (63A. Vitamin, e.g.), PENALTY (41D. It’s an imposition),RATCHET (10D. Wheel with sloped teeth), UNBELT (42A. Start to take off one’s pants, say).

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Illustration of Aladdin Flying Away with Two People from the Arabian Nights, 1900

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Note from The New York Times: Because of a production error, the crossword that was published in Friday’s print issue, by Ian Livengood, was published in error. The correct puzzle for this date, by Kevin G. Der, appeared online on Friday. The Livengood puzzle will be published online next Friday and the Der puzzle will appear in print that day.

Friday, January 17, 2014

Puzzle by Kevin G. Der / Edited by Will Shortz

Across — 1. Vacation destination, SHORE; 6. Spots for thirsty travelers, HOTEL BARS; 15. Scooter, MOPED; 16. It’s rendered in the kitchen, ANIMAL FAT; 17. Group studying torts and procedures, typically, ONE LS; 18. Psychiatric hospitals, SANITARIA; 19. Hardly a free spirit?, GENIE; 20. “Thinking back …”, AS I RECALL; 21. They often precede showers, GYM CLASSES; 23. German port on the Baltic, KIEL; 24. Large bill holder, IBIS; 25. Historical role in Spielberg’s “Munich”, MEIR; 26. Mrs. Lincoln’s family, TODDS; 27. Cry of surprise, EEK; 28. Camp accoutrements, BOAS; 29. Dandy, FOP; 30. Stage, as a historical scene, RE-ENACT; 32. Like a ballerina, LISSOME; 36. Fox tribe neighbor, OTO; 37. Operates, as a booth, MANS; 38. Be useful, PAY; 39. Cars whose only color until 1952 was bottle green, SAAB; 42. One of the 12 tribes of Israel, LEVI; 43. Just dandy, JAKE; 44. Oscar-winning film based partly on the book “The Master of Disguise”, ARGO; 45. Bowling splits in which the 5 and 10 pins remain, DIME STORES; 47. Big name in classical education?, BEETHOVEN; 49. 1969 role for Dustin Hoffman, RATSO; 50. Recovering, ON THE MEND; 51. It’s written with a minus sign, ANION; 52. Freebie often containing alcohol, TOWELETTE; 53. “To conclude …”, IN SUM; 54. Extra protection from the elements, STORM DOOR; 55. Source of morning stimulation, maybe,LATTE.

Down — 1. Harder to see through, say, SMOGGIER; 2. Queen or her subject?, HONEY BEE; 3. Opportunity for a singer or comedian, OPEN MIKE; 4. The Shroud of Turin and others, RELICS; 5. Car that offered Polar Air air-conditioning, EDSEL; 6. Disobeys standing orders?, HAS A SEAT; 7. New York’s ONASSIS Cultural Center, promoter of Hellenic civilization; 8. Requiring greater magnification, TINIER; 9. Some world leaders, EMIRS; 10. Pregnant, maybe, LATE; 11. Some C.I.A. doings, BLACK OPS; 12. Yellow, AFRAID; 13. Inveighed (against), RAILED; 14. Changing places, STALLS; 22. Bygone station name, AMOCO; 26. Put to waste?, TOSS; 28. Some Quidditch equipment, BATS; 29. End of story?, FINIS; 31. “Don’t worry about it”, NO BOTHER; 2. Herb whose name is derived from the Latin for “to wash”, LAVENDER; 33. One employing trompe l’oeil effects, OP ARTIST; 34. Pets, MAKES OUT; 35. “Now, look here!”, EYES ON ME; 37. It serves as a reminder, MEMENTO; 39. Footwear similar to klompen, SABOTS; 40. Childish retort, ARE NOT; 41. Terrible time?, AGE TWO; 42. Reach, in a way, LIVE TO; 43. JOANNA Gleason, Tony winner for “Into the Woods”; 45. Like wigwams and igloos, DOMES; 48. Have some catching up to do, TRAIL; 48. Captain’s place, HELM.

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Isis (seated right) welcoming the Greek heroine Io as she is borne into Egypt on the shoulders of the personified Nile, as depicted in a Roman wall painting from Pompeii.

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Friday 17, 2014 (crossword appearing in print)

and

Friday 24, 2014 (crossword appearing online)

A Note from The New York Times: Because of a production error, the crossword that was published in Friday’s print issue, by Ian Livengood, was published in error. The correct puzzle for this date, by Kevin G. Der, appeared online on Friday. The Livengood puzzle will be published online next Friday and the Der puzzle will appear in print that day.

Puzzle by Ian Livengood / Edited by Will Shortz

A panorama of Uluru around sunset, showing its distinctive red coloration at dusk — Uluru, also known as Ayers Rock is a large sandstone rock formation in the southern part of the Northern Territory in central Australia.

Across — 1. Frigid, ARCTIC; 7. Question at the door, WHO’S THAT; 15. Miss out at the board, WAHINE; 16. “Sup?”, HOW ARE YA; 17. Subject for a golf lesson, STANCE; 18. Emphatic approval, AMEN AMEN; 19. Petition, PLEA; 20. 51-Down and others: Abbr., RTES; 21. Nighttime, DARK; 23. Hunky-dory, A OK; 25. Birds in a clutch, HENS; 26. Group that no one on earth has ever joined, MILE HIGH CLUB; 29. Sun disk wearer, in myth, ISIS; 30. Petition, SUE; 31. “That’s quite enough!”, STOP IT; 35. Abridged, CONCISE; 37. “What’s it gonna be?”, YES OR NO; 38. Feature of a certain bandit, ONE ARM; 39. 20-Down, e.g., SUV; 40. Nut, KOOK; 41. What a nonconformist ignores, PEER PRESSURE; 44. “TRÈS magnifique!”; 46. Big employer in Hartford, Conn., AETNA; 47. Canal checker?: Abbr., DDS; 48. One who’s trustworthy?, HEIR; 49. Doesn’t just grab, AWES; 50. Green shade, LIME; 52. Public, as views, ESPOUSED; 54. Instruments played with mizraabs, SITARS; 56. “I’d like you to leave”, PLEASE GO; 57. Nips in the bud, AVERTS; 58. Bank guards?, SAND BAGS; 59. Ambush locale in Episode 1 of “The Lone Ranger”, CANYON.

Man wearing a Speedo.

Down — 1. “Cute” remarks, AWS; 2. Thallium sulfate, e.g., RAT POISON; 3. Figure out on the street?, CHALK LINE; 4. Stick with it, TINE; 5. One way to pay, IN CASH; 6. Civic leader?, CEE; 7. “Beg pardon?!”, WHAT THE; 8. Shop alternative, HOME EC; 9. Takes credit?, OWES; 10. Gabriel or Giorgio, SAN; 11. Basic library stock, TRADE BOOKS; 12. Iron-pumper, HE-MAN; 13. Australia’s AYERS Rock; 14. Lose a lot?, TANK; 20. Nissan ROGUE; 22. Italian friend, AMICO; 24. Question in a long-distance relationship, MISS ME; 25. Humble dwellings, HUTS; 27. Civil engineering safety feature, ESCAPE ROAD; 28. Square, in old slang, as indicated by forming a square with one’s hands, L SEVEN; 32. 1969 hit with the repeated lyric “Big wheel keep on turnin’”, PROUD MARY; 33. So that one can, IN ORDER TO; 34. Takes some hits, TOKES; 36. Red states, IRES; 37. Humble dwellings, YURTS; 39. Short trunks, SPEEDOS; 42. Possible protein shake ingredient, RAW EGG; 43. Sample in a swab test, SALIVA; 44. Weber per square meter, TESLA; 45. Turn red, say, RIPEN; 48. Drill bits, HEPS; 49. Away from port, ASEA; 51. Christopher Columbus Transcontinental Hwy., I TEN; 53. Kind of port, USB; 54. Pouch, SAC; 55. Frequent form request: Abbr.,SSN.

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Caïn by Henri Vidal, Tuileries Garden, Paris, 1896

A facepalm is the physical gesture of placing one's hand flat across one's face or lowering one's face into one's hand or hands. The gesture is found in many cultures as a display of frustration, disappointment, embarrassment, shock, surprise or sarcasm. ~ Wikipedia

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Saturday, January 18, 2014

Puzzle by David Steinberg / Edited by Will Shortz

Across — 1. Fast-paced alternative to Scrabble BANANAGRAMS; 12. Lance cpl.’s org., USM; 15. It has a Page Navigation menu option, ADOBE READER; 16. 100 sawbucks, GEE; 17. Cop car, to a C’Ber, TIJUANA TAXI; 18. Inhibiter of free speech, GAG; 19. Exchange some words?, EDIT; 20. Follower of Bush or Clinton, ERA; 21. Many an Israeli, SABRA; 23. Part of some bargain store names, SAV; 24. Do-or-die situation, CLUTCH; 27. SOON-to-be; 28. SETH Green on a screen; 30. Texas’ PALO Duro Canyon; 31. High style of the 1700s, POUF; 32. Oppenheimer’s agcy., AEC; 34. Vocal trio, TERZETTO; 36. 1983 song with the lyric “Let’s leave Chicago to the Eskimos”, I LOVE LA; 40. Women, poetically, with “the”, FAIR SEX; 41. Nonverbal equivalent of “You have got to be kidding me!”, FACEPALM; 43. Cannes neighbors?, ENS; 43. Financier IVAR Kreuger called the Match King; 45. Start another tour, RE-UP; 47. “Man!”, GEEZ; 50. Alternative to nuts?, DARN; 51. Like 36 of this puzzle’s answers, ACROSS; 53. Grease monkey’s pocket item, RAG; 55. Formal identification, IT IS I; 57. Mix for a mixer, DIP; 58. Draw to an end, WANE; 59. Spanish gentleman, DON; 60. Professional organizers?, TAXONOMISTS; 64. Fidelity offering, briefly, IRA; 65. Feature of 007’s car, EJECTOR SEAT; 66. Cornerback Law and others, TYS; 67. Beyoncé alter ego,SASHA FIERCE.

Down — 1. Katharine Lee BATES, “America the Beautiful” lyricist; 2. Court wear, maybe, ADIDAS; 3. “I swear, man!”, NO JIVE; 4. Have an edge against, ABUT; 5. Its website has lesson plans, briefly, NEA; 6. Vintage fabric, ARNEL; 7. Get set, GEAR UP; 8. Sharp knock, RAT-A-TAT; 9. Org. Whose members look down in the mouth?, ADA; 10. Its flag has an eagle in the center: Abbr., MEX; 11. Some foreign misters, SRIS; 12. Wear that was one of “Oprah’s Favorite Things” four times, UGG BOOTS; 13. Circumnavigator’s way, SEA ROUTE; 14. “Transformers” actress, 2007, MEGAN FOX; 22. Impugn,ASPERSE; 24. Call from a tree, CHEEP; 25. Tenor CLEF; 26. Trio in Greek myth, HORAE; 29. Round houses?, TAVERNS; 33. Bow no longer shot, CLARA; 35. Hits with wit, ZINGS; 36. 2007 book subtitled “Confessions of the Killer”, IF I DID IT; 37. John’s place, LAVATORY; 38. Simple winds, OCARINAS; 39. “The Twilight Saga” vampire, ALEC; 42. “A Severed Head” novelist, 1961, MURDOCH; 46. Itinerary start, POINT A; 48. Thing taken to a slip, ERASER; 49. Ulcer treater, ZANTAC; 52. Mad bit, SPOOF; 54. Beau chaser?, GESTE; 58. Endings of rock names, ITES; 58. One way to crack, WISE; 61. 1977 Steely Dan title track, AJA; 62. One side in some chalk talks, XES; 63. One might show muscles, in brief, MRI.

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Sunday, January 19, 2014

Puzzle by Dan Schoenholz / Edited by Will Shortz

Seven spoonerized titles of “golden oldie” songs accompanied by justifying clues constitutes the interrelated group of this Sunday crossword:

I CITE THE WRONGS (23A. Traffic cop’s answer upon being asked “Describe your job”? [1975]), e.g., “I Write the Songs”
RAFTER IN THE LANE (32A. Post-tornado highway detritus, perhaps? [1974]), “Laughter in the Rain”
SHE’S SO HIGH (50A. Remark about a female stoner? [1980], “He’s So Shy”
DOWNED HOG (72A. Roast pig after a pig roast? [1956], “Hound Dog”
FUN WINE DAY (89A. Napa Valley excursion, maybe? [1963]), “One Fine Day”
YOUR HEATING CHART (108A. Data request from a good ol’ furnace repairman? [1953]),“Your Cheating Heart”
MAD BOONE RISING (122A. Frontiersman awakening in a foul mood? [1969]), “Bad Moon Rising”

"Moby-Dick Swam Swiftly Round and Round the Wrecked Crew"
Illustration of the final chase of Moby-Dick, 1902

Other — AHAB and HARPOON(27A. Fictional user of a 21-Across; 21A. Weapon for 27-Across); DRY-SALT (94D. Cure, in a way); MELANIE (36A. Scarlett’s sister-in-law and best friend in “Gone With the Wind”); LOLITA (126A. About whom Nabokov said “She was like the composition of a beautiful puzzle - its composition and its solution at the same time”); NONWORD (60D. “Truthiness,“ e.g., before Stephen Colbert); ORR, OAR, OER and ORE;PIEBALD (17D. Spotted horse); SCARAB (1A. Egyptian resurrection symbol); SHEBANG (7D. Everything being considered); STRANDS (59A. DNA structure); TABORET (41D. Backless seat for one); TANNINS (48A. Chemical compounds in tea); and a couple of beers, Stella ARTOIS and STROHS (29A. Old “From one beer lover to another” sloganeer).

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Martin Luther King, Jr. at the Lincoln Memorial

Washington, D.C., 1963

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Monday, January 20, 2014 — Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Puzzle by Elizabeth C. Gorski / Edited by Will Shortz

MLK JR(38A. Annual Jan. honoree), LINCOLN MEMORIAL (17A. Site of a 1963 speech by 38-Across), CIVIL RIGHTS (30A. Cause associated with 38-Across), I HAVE A DREAM (49A. Repeated phrase in 38-Across’s speech at the 17-Across)and LINCOLN MEMORIAL (17A. Site of a 1963 speech by 38-Across) constitute the interrelated group of this fine Monday tribute crossword.

Other — ATTACK AD(58A. Aggressive campaign TV spot), DEAR ME (52D. “My goodness!“), IRANI and OMANI, MAMA and WAWA, PAIRINGS (21A. Matchmaker’s match-ups), PIAGET (12D. Luxury watch brand), RIMIER (9D. Covered with more frost), TAKE A STAND (29D. Get off the fence?), UP IN THE AIR (11D. Still undecided).

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Encounter by M. C. Escher, 1944

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Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Puzzle by Todd Gross / Edited by Will Shortz

WORD / LOOP (1A. With 72-Across, what the answers on this puzzle’s perimeter form), e.g., WORD, WOOD, WOOT, TOOT, HOOT, HOOP, LOOP, LOOK, KOOK, COOK, CORK, CORD, constitutes the main feature of this Tuesday crossword:

The words of the loop with their clues: 1A. WORD; 5A. Beech and birch, WOOD; 9A. “Yay!,” in a text message, WOOT; 12D. Beep, TOOT; 31D. Knee-slapper, HOOT; 57D. Basketball target, HOOP; 72A. LOOP; 71. Take a gander, LOOK; 70A. Nutcase, KOOK; 58D. Diner employee, COOK; 32D. One may pop on New Year’s Eve, CORK; 13D. Telephone attachment,CORD.

Other — ADRIP and A TRIP; DEMISE (8D. Death); DREADED (4D. Like calls from bill collectors, typically); IMARET (21A. Turkish hospice); KEY WEST (48A. Florida home for Hemingway); NEUTRAL (46D. Car gear); NEWSWEEK (39D. Magazine launch of 1933 with a hyphen in its name); RE-ENACTS (19A. Performs, as historical scenes); RUPIAH (54A. Indonesian currency); SEXUAL relations; WE MADE IT (9D. Cry upon arrival); WILE E Coyote.

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A Grain of Coal

Clued In

MMXIV

Good

SpongeBob SquarePants

San Andreas Fault

The Friday Crossword

01.11.14 — The Saturday Crossword

The Vowel "A"

01.12.14 — Electrodynamics — the Acrostic

One and All

Nonsense

Alphabetically Yours

Dot

TGI Flying

The Other Friday Crossword

Facepalm

Olden Goldies

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Word Loop