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Crosswordese.Com |
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The Cruciverbalist |
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The Cruciverbalist
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July 1, 2009 Clever Clue of the Month Please vote for the best clue from May. The Clever Clue of the Month will be announced Thursday night at approximately 9:00 Central. Here are the nominees:
Stock exchange ...................................MOOS It may be worn on a sneaker ......................TREAD Pitching staff? ..................................ADMEN It helped eliminate some pounds ..................EURO Supreme leader? ..................................ROSS Antony's loan request? ...........................EARS
June 1, 2009 Clever Clue of the Month Please vote for the best clue from May. The Clever Clue of the Month will be announced Tuesday night at approximately 9:00 Central. Here are the nominees:
Street address ...................................BRO Mark of fine writing? ............................TWAIN Collector's items ................................DEBTS Most ready for commitment? .......................INSANEST It definitely isn't fast food ....................ESCARGOT Dead giveaway? ...................................ESTATE
May 22, 2009 Follow-up Questions for Peter Gordon Peter Gordon, who edited the NY Sun crossword before the Sun went out of business a few months ago, was interviewed by Jim Horne of the Wordplay blog a few days ago. Instead of just leaving a link to the interview, I decided to ask Peter if he'd like to answer a few follow-up questions. He graciously agreed...
It was interesting to learn that you're a math person. My perception is that there are a lot more math people interested in crossword puzzles than English / literature people. Do you agree with that perception? If so, do you have any theories as to why that is?
Everyone seems to talk about the music connection. I never bought that. Yes, seven times a winner at the ACPT has been a musician, but that's just because Jon Delfin has won it seven times. If he were a bricklayer, then would there be a crossword/bricklayer connection? The math connection seems more widespread. I was a math major. Mike Shenk was. I believe Stanley Newman was. Randolph Ross taught math. Richard Silvestri is a math professor. Bob Klahn started out as a math major, but switched to computers. There may be others. I have no theories, but I'll make two up on the spot: 1) Mathematician are used to problems with definite right answers. Crosswords appeal to that aspect of us. 2) We're used to thinking in two directions at once from all that X and Y coordinate stuff we did. (Later, Peter confirmed that Randolph Ross, Stanley Newman, and Henry Hook were all math majors. He also pointed out that four-time ACPT champ David Rosen teaches math.)
One of the things I really enjoyed about your Sun puzzles was the abundance of clever clues. Are there some clever clues from your time there that stand out as your favorites?
You had fewer than 10 repeat clues one year! That's impressive. I bet I can guess a few of them: Jai ____, "Dies ____" (hymn), and ____ Bator. Am I correct?
These
were the eight 2007 repeats: Thank you, Peter Gordon, for taking the time to answer these questions for us.
If you love great crossword puzzles, this would be an excellent time to sign up for The Sun Crossword. As soon as 1776 people sign up the puzzle will start up again.
In the meantime, Mr. Gordon has been doing a weekly puzzle for The Week magazine. The good news is that this puzzle is a news junkie's dream. The bad news is that, at least for now, it doesn't print out very well. Peter does assure me that they will eventually get around to doing an AcrossLite version. I will probably add a link for this puzzle to my Links page later this evening.
May 1, 2009 Clever Clue of the Month Please vote for the best clue from April. The Clever Clue of the Month will be announced Monday night at approximately 9:00 Central. Here are the nominees:
Contact sport? ...................................PHONETAG Mobile home, briefly .............................ALA Bad marks at a prep school? ......................ACNE Tit for tat, for example? ........................TYPO Facetious fivesome? ..............................AEIOU Greeting you shouldn't say at the airport ........HIJACK
April 22, 2009 Crossword Protocol You see a week old, half-finished puzzle on your mother's kitchen table. Should you finish it? Mr. Know-It-All answers this important question.
April 1, 2009 Clever Clue of the Month Please vote for the best clue from March. The Clever Clue of the Month will be announced Thursday night at approximately 9:00 Central. Here are the nominees:
Front runners? ...................................DESERTERS Title holder .....................................SPINE Unloaded? ........................................SOBER Course shunned by losers? ........................DESSERT Camel droppings ..................................ASH Still the most ...................................CALMEST
If you need one of these explained... March 20, 2009 Cruciverbalist? Uncle Sam Needs You The US Government needs a few good cruciverbalists – or at least they could have used some back in 2007 and 2008. Governmentattic.org informs us that the US Office of Government Ethics (OGE) developed a series of ethics crossword puzzles to enhance ethics training for executive branch employees. According to the the OGE:
The puzzles may be used for a variety of purposes. For example, you may distribute the puzzles: · During in-person annual ethics training · As part of written annual ethics training during the two years in which you do not provide verbal training · As part of a leadership initiative aimed at your agency's supervisors, encouraging them to discuss the answers with their employees at a staff meeting · During presentations to employees · As part of your ethics or agency newsletter. Regrettably, the OGE apparently didn't consider hiring an experienced crossword constructor. These are not quality themed puzzles that you'll look forward to solving at the breakfast table tomorrow morning. It's too bad – with the low fees constructors demand, quality puzzles probably could have been created for half the cost.
OK, I realize your curiosity is killing you. Here are the puzzles in PDF format: General Things You Should Know About Ethics
March 1, 2009 Clever Clue of the Month Please vote for the best clue from February. The Clever Clue of the Month will be announced Monday night at approximately 9:00 Central. Here are the nominees:
Slinger's weapon? ................................MUD Minor key? .......................................ISLET Gets dark outside ................................TANS Hamburgers are near its mouth? ...................ELBE Frank account? ...................................DIARY Poles on the equator, maybe? .....................EXPATS
If you need one of these explained... February 27, 2009 Sunrise, Sunset?
No doubt, if you've been solving crosswords for more than a couple years, you realize Peter Gordon's New York Sun puzzles are among the best, if not the best. One simple criteria for testing the quality of crossword puzzles is clever cluing. Peter's Sun puzzles have won our clever clue of the month more than any other puzzle out there.
Perhaps you've also heard that the New York Sun went out of business a few months ago. Peter still had about three or four months of puzzles which he made available for a small fee.
Now, in order to continue, he'll need between 1000 and 2000 people who will commit to subscribing for a small fee. Please, please go to the Sunrise site today and make the commitment. Then, spread the word.
One more thing. If you go to the Sunrise site and make the commitment, let Mr. Gordon know that you heard about it here at crosswordese.com. It would be a tremendous encouragement to me if Peter sent me an email telling me I sent a couple hundred people his way. February 2, 2009 Clever Clue of the Month Please vote for the best clue from January. The Clever Clue of the Month will be announced Tuesday night at approximately 9:00 Central. Here are the nominees:
Initial hurdles for those who want to join the Supremes? ..LSATS Numbers? .........................................OPIATES Country 'house,' maybe? ..........................IPOD Class that ends before labor day? ................LAMAZE Change your locks? ...............................DYE Elbows on the table? .............................PASTA
If you need one of these explained... January 24, 2008 More Puzzles I strive to have the best list of quality printable crossword puzzles on the internet. In this striving I am always on the lookout for new sources. I have just added two new sources: Matt Gaffney is one in a very small group of crossword creators which would be considered the top tier. He provides a new puzzle every Friday afternoon. After completing a very difficult puzzle, have you ever thought, “I deserve something more than just the satisfaction of solving a hard puzzle?” Well, Mr. Gaffney does offer something more. You can send him your completed puzzle and have the chance of winning one of his books. Another top tier creator is Brendan Emmett Quigley. This workaholic offers three puzzles a week! His site also offers musings on culture and a tip jar. January 2, 2009 Clever Clue of the Month Please vote for the best clue from December. The Clever Clue of the Month will be announced Monday night at approximately 9:00 Central. Here are the nominees:
Hall of fame .....................................DARYL Spanish flowers? .................................RIOS Handled ham? .....................................CBER Defense establishment? ...........................ALIBI Works in bed? ....................................WEEDS Royal headwear? ..................................CAP
If you need one of these explained... December 31, 2008 In the News The jury's still out regarding crossword puzzles and the prevention of Alzheimer’s. But, crosswords can be healthful in other ways. Here's a story about a man who used crossword puzzles to help him quit smoking. And here's a story about a study showing that working on crossword puzzles may help reduce anxiety. December 1, 2008 Clever Clue of the Month Please vote for the best clue from November. The Clever Clue of the Month will be announced Tuesday night at approximately 9:00 Central. Here are the nominees:
Cartoon character with his own club ..............BAMMBAMM Planet name? .....................................LOIS Remote possibility? ..............................MUTE Have trouble with “sisters,” maybe? ..............LISP What an out patient may be in? ...................COMA Something the U.S. Government keeps an eye on ....GREATSEAL
If you need one of these explained... November 27, 2008 Grand Opening of the Crosswordese Store Just in time for Christmas we are officially opening the Crosswordese Store (right). Here you will find some great gifts for the crossword lovers on your list. Perhaps a subscription to Games magazine... or - you've seen the movie Wordplay – now, buy the DVD and enjoy it over and over again. As a bonus, if everyone visiting this page purchases three items, your beloved web-master will be able to go to the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament in Brooklyn in February. November 9, 2008 In the News
November 6, 2008 Great Puzzle Alert! In 1996 Jeremiah Farrell and Will Shortz teamed up to give us what many consider to be the greatest crossword puzzle ever. On election day that year they gave us cluing that allowed the solver to come up with BOBDOLE_ELECTED or CLINTON_ELECTED right across the middle of the puzzle.
Two days ago Kevin Wald and Peter Gordon teamed up to create a similar puzzle – this time with a MCCAIN and OBAMA theme. There's some other stuff going on in this one, too, which makes it a real joy to solve. It's a Sun Puzzle (formerly New York Sun), so if you haven't yet subscribed, this may be the time to do it. November 2, 2008 Clever Clue of the Month I want to thank all of those who submitted clever clues this month. I'm not able to do every puzzle every day, so I'm sure we're missing some great clues every month. Any help in this area is always appreciated.
Also, I want to thank those who helped me narrow my list of many clever clues down to six. If there are others who would like to be a part of this, please let me know.
Please vote for the best clue from October. The Clever Clue of the Month will be announced Monday night at approximately 9:00 Central. Here are the nominees:
Flip comment? ....................................TAILS Going places? ....................................LAVS Unable to part? ..................................BALD Expiration notice? ...............................OBIT Mass-produced answer? ............................AMEN Short pants? .....................................GASPS
If you need one of these explained... October 23, 2008 New York Sun-set Many of you may have noticed, as I did, during the last couple weeks the New York Sun puzzle was unavailable. For those of us addicted to this wonderful puzzle it was a difficult time. Finally, a couple nights ago I received an email from Peter Gordon, the editor of the puzzle. The bad news: the New York Sun has ceased publication. The good news: the puzzle is still available. Since Peter Gordon still has to make a living there is a modest fee now. Go to Cruciverb.com for details. October 1, 2008 Clever Clue of the Month I'd like to thank everyone who helped me compile this list. Please vote for the best clue from September. The Clever Clue of the Month will be announced Thursday night at approximately 9:00 Central. Here are the nominees:
Northern hemisphere? .............................IGLOO Phrase that could end a single life ..............IDO Fire insurance? ..................................TENURE Small construction company .......................LEGO John, to Ringo ...................................LOO Curly poker? .....................................MOE
If you need one of these explained... September 20, 2008 In the News
September 1, 2008 Clever Clue of the Month Please vote for the best clue from August. The Clever Clue of the Month will be announced Tuesday night at approximately 9:00 Central. Here are the nominees:
VW predecessors? .................................STU Stand for something? .............................EASEL Johnson and Johnson, e.g. ........................VEEPS Split to be tied .................................ELOPE Strings of islands? ..............................UKES Average guy? .....................................DOW
If you need one of these explained... August 1, 2008 Clever Clue of the Month Please vote for the best clue from July. The Clever Clue of the Month will be announced Saturday night at approximately 9:00 Central. Here are the nominees:
Like most people? ................................ASIAN Opt for the window instead of the aisle? .........ELOPE King's realm .....................................HORROR Nearly 29% of Tel Aviv? ..........................VEES Bank holdup? .....................................LINE I can come after these ...........................EFGH
If you need one of these explained... July 31, 2008 Crossword Humor The Crossword Fiend has alerted us in her blog of an animation, Garson Hampfield, Crossword Inker. It's hilarious – although only an avid crossword solver would think so. July 1, 2008 Clever Clue of the Month Please vote for the best clue from June. The Clever Clue of the Month will be announced Wednesday night at approximately 9:00 Central. Here are the nominees:
Bad spelling? ....................................HEXES Bolt with no threads? ............................STREAK Write of passage? ................................OBIT Stressful type? ..................................ITALICS Emulated running mates? ..........................ELOPED Can opener? ......................................TOILETSEAT
If you need one of these explained... June 16, 2008 Crosswordese.com on the radio This past weekend we were mentioned a couple times on Public Radio. Actually, it was a re-airing of a broadcast from February. The program is A Way With Words a 'lively language show' with Martha Barnette and Grant Barrett. It was fun to hear Martha quiz Grant on some of our Clever Clues. June 2, 2008 Clever Clue of the Month Please vote for the best clue from May. The Clever Clue of the Month will be announced Tuesday night at approximately 9:00 Central. Here are the nominees:
Rabbit relative ..................................BEETLE One of three in Fiji? ............................DOT It's full of holes? ..............................GOLFCOURSE What kids grow up to be ..........................GOATS Hearing aide? ....................................LAWYER Having the highest queue rating? .................NEXT
If you need one of these explained...
May 3, 2008 Clever Clue of the Month April 1, 2008 Clever Clue of the Month March 29, 2008 Great Puzzle Alert! March 11, 2008 Pete's Crosswordese Quiz March 5, 2008 Same People, Different Place March 3, 2008 Clever Clue of the Month February 4, 2008 Poetry Contest February 1, 2008 Clever Clue of the Month January 5, 2008 New Awards, Art Form January 2, 2008 Clever Clue of the Month December 4, 2007 Great Puzzle Alert! December 2, 2007 Clever Clue of the Month November 30, 2007 The opera of the era is on the stereo in your area November 20, 2007 Great Puzzle Alert! November 6, 2007 David Diebold's New Site November 1, 2007 Clever Clue of the Month October 22, 2007 Sudoku Has Its Day October 1, 2007 Clever Clue of the Month September 30, 2007 Quick Links September 17, 2007 Great Puzzle Alert September 3, 2007 Clever Clue of the Month August 25, 2007 Great Puzzle Alert! August 21, 2007 Great Puzzle Alert! July 31, 2007 Clever Clue of the Month June 30, 2007 Clever Clue of the Month June 29, 2007 Great Puzzle Alert! June 1, 2007 Clever Clue of the Month May 23, 2007 Interview with Stanley Newman May 1, 2007 Clever Clue of the Month April 10, 2007 Great Puzzle Alert! April 3, 2007 Great Puzzle Alert! April 1, 2007 Clever Clue of the Month March 28,2007 Interview with Tyler Hinman March 1, 2007 Clever Clue of the Month February 1, 2007 Clever Clue of the Month January 23, 2007 The State of Crosswords January 2, 2007 December's Clever clue of the Month December 1, 2006 Clever Clue of the Month November 1, 2006 Clever Clue of the Month October 2, 2006 Clever Clue of the Month September 1, 2006 August's Clever Clue of the Month August 1, 2006 July's Clever Clue of the Month July 15, 2006 Who Writes Better Puzzles, Humans or Computers July 1, 2006 June's Clever Clue of the Month June 10, 2006 6 Days 'til Wordplay June 1, 2006 May's Clever Clue of the Month May 1, 2006 April's Clever Clue of the Month April 15, 2006 The Perfect Crosswordese Meal April 1, 2006 Clever Clue of the Month for March March 15, 2006 Crosswordese Hall of Fame March 1, 2006 Your Opportunity to Vote February 11, 2006 30 Minutes of Fame January 1, 2006 Happy New Year December 3, 2005 Christmas Shopping August 20, 2005 Crosswordese and the Arts June 26, 2005 Alzheimer’s and Crossword Puzzles March 12, 2005 More Great Links March 1, 2005 Chicken Strata ala King February 12, 2005 Spelling Bee February 1, 2005 A 75th Anniversary January 22, 2005 Unexpected Pleasures January 1, 2005 Let The Adventure Begin
Paul Stynsberg, Crosswordese.com © 2008 |
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