I love puzzles like this despite the fact that they completely screw up my database by introducing new answers that aren't real words. The Thursday, September 4 puzzle by Matt Ginsberg (answers) requires us to parse the five symmetrically placed theme answers in a unique way. If you've done the puzzle you know what I mean. If you're still working on it, go back and keep trying. It's worth the effort.
Since I'm apparently not going to talk about the theme clues, let's see what else is interesting. A "three-wheeled Indian taxi" is a TUK TUK. That's one in the photo. One of the reasons it's possible to breathe in New Delhi now is that they've converted these ubiquitous conveyances to natural gas, although I see the masked driver here is taking no chances.
The other debuts today are SUN DECK, cleverly clued as "Tanner's locale," and the lovely word ANDALUSIAN meaning, well, from Andalusia which is the southern-most region of Spain.
Apparently SHEA Stadium hosted four World Series. Well, sort of. Half the games were played elsewhere, so maybe it really hosted four Half World Series or two total. Ok, that's beyond geeky.
"Trample, for example" is my favorite clue of the puzzle. It's prime and sublime. The answer's RHYME.
As I start to wind down this blog, I'm thinking about which essays I have in the works that deserve to be finished up. The Critique of Crossword Blogs is nearly done but I'll hold off on that for just a bit. (Why shouldn't blogs be subject to the same kind of analysis as crosswords?) My "mini-biographies of people I don't know anything about" fizzled out when I started learning more actual facts about crossword people but there are a few folks who it would be fun to highlight that way. I'll figure it out.
In the mean time, let me leave you with a Double Blast From the Past. If you think you can handle it, here are two X-Rated Crosswords you'll want to try if you're, you know, in the right mood. Calm down, they're both from the NYT archives.
Wednesday, October 9, 2002 by Peter Gordon
Thursday, March 15, 2007 by Michael Shteyman.
Have fun.
