The New York Times Crossword Puzzle thread
SPOILER ALERT! for Thursday puzzle
I got the double letter thing. I just don't understand why it's those two letters. There must be a reason, no?
The_Soulful_Mr_T said:
SPOILER ALERT! (Are we or are we not discussing actual solutions in this thread?)
So, I did it this afternoon. A classic style of inserting multiple letters in a single box. Once I got the shtick, it didn't take too long to figure out where the others went. I stumbled (i.e., made a a mess) a bit at the "pixel" vs. "vegan diet" thing. The whole thing? Maybe 20-25 minutes all in. Stopped a time or two to do other things. Thursday. I like 'em. I'd like to get a book of these Thursday-style gimmicky puzzles.
Yes! I actually thought that's what it might have stood for, but I couldn't make a further connection. Didn't think of that clue.
jimmurphy said:
Rex Parker's theory is that the theme revolves around 28 down.
AG is the chemical sign for SILVER. (That and $2.75 buys you a gallon of gas)
Is Silver an ore?
(Again, I avoid Rex Parker's page. I wanna do this on my own.)
I took it as a coded plea to the Justice Department to insert itself into a conundrum that has everyone boxed in.
The_Soulful_Mr_T said:
AG is the chemical sign for SILVER. (That and $2.75 buys you a gallon of gas)
Is Silver an ore?
(Again, I avoid Rex Parker's page. I wanna do this on my own.)
As do I, until I've solved it or thrown in the towel. And it takes quite a bit to throw in the towel.
I mainly turn to Rex Parker when I've finished a puzzle that I didn't like. I sometimes appreciate his rants.
To whomever was worried that Sundays would be too hard: my understanding is that they are supposed to be about the same difficulty as Thursdays, but I'd equate them more with Wednesdays, difficulty-wise. Anyone else?
It took me a while to get used to doing the electronic puzzle, but now I like it a lot. I am strictly pen only when I do it on paper, but I do find that being able to put things in and try them out makes it easier to solve the harder puzzles. It almost seems like cheating: if you try enough things, eventually you'll get it.
drummerboy said:
The_Soulful_Mr_T said:
Today's puzz was a toughie.
was? done already?
I thought so. Took me longer than typical Friday.
2nd Friday solve in a row for me. Never happened before. Took about 25-30 mins.
Man, am I late to this party!
Have done the NYT crossword since high school. Used to have races with my housemates in college!.
After that, there was some spotty cheating -- back when my motivation was more to fill every space than face the challenge on my own. (And my crossword puzzle dictionary became hopelessly out of date years ago.) No cheating for a long time. Never looked at Rex Parker.
When I was commuting, my train ride gave me just enough time to scan the front page of each section, then the obituaries (more interesting than you might think), and (usually) finish the puzzle. Ah, the early days, when the train was so nice and quiet.
Always in pen -- a fine point if I can find one. Just do Sundays now, but if I should come across a blank weekday one, I'm right on it -- unless it's a Monday or Tuesday. Just doesn't get that interesting until Wednesday. And yes, some boxes are pretty crowded by the time I finish. Always surprised by how I can put one aside, pick it up later and be able to solve clues that totally stumped me before.
Can only do Puns and Anagrams with a partner (someone smarter than I am), but I do relish a good Acrostic now and then. (Those have to be done in pencil!) I have friends who rave about Ken Kens -- but I can't figure those out. Numbers are just not my thing -- though I can do tend to go on a Sudoku binge now and then.
Good to know I'll have a place to check the next time I really get stuck!
getting back to the saturday puzzle now. is somewhat easier than first glance indicated.
eta: done. had some trouble with the lower left, but then it all came together.
and though I got it right, I don't understand 17 across.
eta2: yeah,on reflection, pretty easy for a Saturday.
@Drummerboy:
Spoilerish if you haven't finished Saturday:
17 across: household is the literal translation for that word. I actually got the answer from a French phrase for "do housework." Guess I shouldn't put it here, in case others are still toiling.
zucca said:
@Drummerboy:
Spoilerish if you haven't finished Saturday:
17 across: household is the literal translation for that word. I actually got the answer from a French phrase for "do housework." Guess I shouldn't put it here, in case others are still toiling.
Still toiling. Started it in bed last night. Gonna pick it up and finish it now. But funny, NE is killing.
I put in DIETS and SETTEE (9a, 15a) both wrong. Grrrr.
I googled it and could find nothing.
eta: oh. I had the wrong answer. No wonder googling failed.
zucca said:
@Drummerboy:
Spoilerish if you haven't finished Saturday:
17 across: household is the literal translation for that word. I actually got the answer from a French phrase for "do housework." Guess I shouldn't put it here, in case others are still toiling.
ugh. Sunday is tough in the corners for me. I'm all done except for most of three corners.
Today's answer for "Jazzy James" stopped me in my tracks with pedantic disdain. ("Jazzy Jones," maybe, or "Peripherally Jazzy James.") Since it was 1 Across, it was a short outing.
Is she not jazzy? Is your beef that's she's more R&B than jazzy? C'mon, tell mama.
Tuesday's puzzle was wretched. "Tea house"? C'mon...(amongst some other really bad words...)
yeah, not their best work.
lanky said:
Tuesday's puzzle was wretched. "Tea house"? C'mon...(amongst some other really bad words...)
That was kinda fun. I'm guessing it changes daily?
debby said:
Do any of you play this? I love it.
Guess my word
Thursday's puzzle was kind of a cute gimmick...fill wasn't too bad either. I'm hooked!
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SPOILER ALERT Rex Parker's theory is that the theme revolves around 28 down.