Cirrus, cirrocumulus, cirrostratus, altocumulus, altostratus, nimbostratus, cumulus, stratocumulus, stratus. CLOUD NINE
@Barry Ancona Liquid, powder, tablet and pod FAB FOUR
Coat, dog, hat, heavy, notch, O’ the morning, secret, shelf, surgery, spin TOP TEN
@Barry Ancona Filthy, mucky, soiled, dusty, grimy, slimy, gross, icky, messy, stained, unwashed, grubby DIRTY DOZEN
@Barry Ancona Now do "Kill Bill's" Crazy 88 🤪
@Barry Ancona Now do "Kill Bill's" (razy 88 🤣 (The emus won't accept a proper "C" there...)
@Barry Ancona I tried twice to request of you doing a clue for a certain group of 88 from a certain Tarantino movie starring Uma Thurman but the @&#$ emus wouldn't let me...
glorious,majestic,marvelous,extraordinary,monumental,awesome,stupendous MAGNIFICENT SEVEN
Today my NYTXW streak reached 3,650. Not exactly a celestial decade — leap years would like a word — but close enough for a milestone. Ten years of quiet mornings, clever misdirections, tiny triumphs, daily digital gold stars, and the ritual of filling a blank grid only to do it all over again the next day. My deepest thanks to Will and his amazing editorial team, the hundreds of constructors, and the oft-unsung tech team that keeps the app from exploding whenever a constructor decides the grid should resemble a flamingo performing modern dance. Crosswords are a daily reminder that persistence pays off. Onward to 3,651!
@The Whip Amazing 👏🏻👏🏻 Congratulations on the milestone!
@The Whip that’s amazing. Congratulations 🤩👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
@The Whip DEF impressive. Onward and upward!
@The Whip Great job! (Although there were 3652 days in the last ten years.)
@The Whip Wow! That is amazing! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
“Mariana trench, still waters, the meaning of life, Death Valley, Chicago pizza, Lake Baikal.” After their escapades with my Shakespeare, I hope the emus don’t DEEP SIX this one.
I feel meh about "mid"
My five favorite original clues from last week (in order of appearance): 1. Two-cent pieces? (2)-(3) 2. Material for a certain pocket (4) 3. Liner notes? (3)(6) 4. Command that initiates a chase (2)(5) 5. Exclamation often made while covering the face (5) OP-EDS PITA SEA SHANTY GO FETCH ACHOO
My favorite encore clues from last week: [Make it] (3) [Cellular data plan?] (3) TAG DNA
IMHO this was DEF the most fun Monday puzzle, column, and comment section since I started solving in 2020. Man, Fly, Bowl, Mario, majority, natural, duper, califragilisticexpialidocious SUPER EIGHT
@M. Biggen Reminds me of an old joke: For his birthday, an old man’s nephews secretly hire a call girl for him. When he answers the door she’s standing there in a slinky black dress. She says, “I’m here to give you super sex.” After thinking for a minute the old man replies, “I guess I’ll have the soup.” Ba-da-bum! (This may appear again. The first time, it sort of got stuck in the transporter buffer, as the Submit button went gray, but never moved past that.)
Everything that I would ask for from a Monday. Fun amusing theme; and I always enjoy when I get the first theme answer and can try and guess the rest. Excellent fill, easy enough for a Monday but not a lot of glue, and enough nonobvious ones that I have to stretch just a bit. Last I just want to say—if there isn’t a Great BISON National Park, there should be. I would go there.
@SP I thought BISON first, too. There are buffalo jumps in some parks.
@SP my first guess was Teton which was wrong on multiple counts but I think was top of mind because I've been there 🤷♀️
The title of today's Wordplay column, together with its wonderful photograph, reminds me of the joke: A Buddhist monk walks up to a hot dog stand and says, "Make me one with everything."
@The X-Phile It was a $4 hot dog. The monk gives the vendor a $10 bill. And waits. And waits some more. Than says, "What about my change?" The vendor says, "Ah, my son. Change must come from within."
I enjoyed this puzzle but I’m side-eyeing the clue for “if ever”
Cake, work, advice, information, the action, my mind, jewelry, paper : Pieces of Eight Bulls, Bears, Cubs, Board of Trade, Tribune, White Sox, Deep Dish Pizza : Chicago 7
Etna, Kilimanjaro? TWIN PEAKS Not all, a few, a handful? THREESOME
@Andrzej no no no... have to be numbers as the 2d part... PEAKSTWO? no. SOMETHREE? also no. but thank you for playing.
@Andrzej Etna and Kilimanjaro would actually make three peaks …. <a href="https://youtu.be/a52lkaY1CCE?si=hcYRbiyVg06KRV8T" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/a52lkaY1CCE?si=hcYRbiyVg06KRV8T</a>
Solomon? JUST ONE (Loved today’s puzzle, loving the comments, couldn’t resist joining, but too lazy to count above 1, and “ABSOLUTE ZERO” was hard to clue - maybe “lack of vodka”?)
A fine entry level puzzle with a cute theme. What's not to like? Amazing, superb, unbelievable, aces. FANTASTICFOUR
Oh, it’s a terrific theme, with SOLID interesting answers, not to mention the fun kind of answers that make you want to come up with more. What a hoot! Add a well-scrubbed answer set that includes symmetrical fauna cuteness (BUMBLEBEE, GROUNDHOG), and the lovely PuzzPair© of STRIP/NUDE. Oh, and SKEEBALL triggered the marvelous specific childhood memory of how amazing it felt to get the ball into the little middle circle. That feeling never lessened. Hadn’t thought about that in forever, and I remember that feeling exactly. I remember also, with a smile, Rena’s last puzzle, which featured, of all things, the varieties of pretzels. That puzzle was feel-good, and so was this. What a terrific way to start the day. Thank you, Rena!
@Lewis In the Kevin Smith movie, "Dogma," God takes a bit of a holiday. and goes to the Jersey Shore to play SKEE BALL. Ironically, God takes the human form of Alanis Morrisette, so I always think of her when I see that answer.
I don't think I've ever made such a hash of a corner of a Monday puzzle as I did in SE corner today. In my defense I was kind of dozing off while trying to complete it. However, I know exactly where the photo atop Sam's column was taken. It's on Hicks Street in Carroll Gardens in Brooklyn. The store was originally called F Line Bagels, but the MTA went after them for trademark infringement, so the proprietor/s? just stuck that bagel over the F line symbol and changed the name. <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/24/nyregion/c-train-cafe-the-mta-may-put-up-a-fight.html?unlocked_article_code=1.108.Mtn3.einMMSvTFXBH&smid=url-share" target="_blank">https://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/24/nyregion/c-train-cafe-the-mta-may-put-up-a-fight.html?unlocked_article_code=1.108.Mtn3.einMMSvTFXBH&smid=url-share</a>
@Vaer THAT'S why that looked so familiar, but not! (Pre-caffeine here, so it registered as Brooklyn, but hazy...) Thanks for the backstory. Now I want a bagel for breakfast!
@G I really was half asleep last night when solving/posting. The shop of course is on Smith Street not Hicks.
@Vaer I hope the MTA realizes that Duke Ellington is dead: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cb2w2m1JmCY" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cb2w2m1JmCY</a>
Good morning Vaer, Corner of Smith Street and 9th Street. Smith-9th Streets station (F and G). Gotten on and off there a few times. Never stopped for a bagel.
@Barry Highest point in the subway system. We're you going to Lowes?
@Steve L Billy Strayhorn, too. About 10 years ago the MTA did a Billy Strayhorn day and had a special train where someone performed the song while underway. The MTA should worry about paying royalties never mind going after copyright infringement.
@Steve L From the Times archive. Not sure if it will open. There was no way to get an unlocked link <a href="https://archive.nytimes.com/artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/11/27/billy-strayhorn-centennial-take-the-a-train" target="_blank">https://archive.nytimes.com/artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/11/27/billy-strayhorn-centennial-take-the-a-train</a>/
@Barry Ah ha. Your family is into soccer now that you mention it. Did you bus the rest of the way?
When I fixed 48A InEVER ("I never ..."), 43D suddenly made sense.
I seem to remember I didn't much like previous grids of Rena Cohen, because of an overreliance on trivia. Today however was quite enjoyable, with a theme like a baby Thursday, and generally pleasurably Monday-easy fill. Not bad at all.
Steve, Barry, Bart, Francis, John? FIVE GUYS XI, XI, XI, XI, XI, XI, XI? SEVEN ELEVEN Bog, mire, moor THREEPEAT Am I an American now? :D
@Andrzej just saw the news on the rail sabotage. Thinking of all of our Eastern European friends
FIGURE EIGHT totally reminded me of the Schoolhouse Rock videos 🥰 <a href="https://youtu.be/UCGNUo-XQJ8?feature=shared" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/UCGNUo-XQJ8?feature=shared</a> I wish they still made learning videos like this for kids today. I still find myself reciting things from Schoolhouse Rock songs 🤣 Thank you for this fun trip down memory lane, Rena!!
@Jacqui J Better link <a href="https://youtu.be/fFKJNSMjANY?si=VnmaLegjzIgNzbd" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/fFKJNSMjANY?si=VnmaLegjzIgNzbd</a>-
@Jacqui J Love School House Rock! Thanks for the memories! I grew up in the 70's watching them on Saturday mornings. So many catchy tunes.
@Jacqui J Thanks for the link! New to me. Well worth it.
@Jacqui J I once dated a girl named Janet. My mother referred to her as "Interplanet Janet," as she thought she was a bit...spacey.
Despite my quibbles with BUMBLEBEE, today's puzzle wasn't MID. Do us a SOLID and keep it up with the themed Mondays, please! Snatch, lift, swipe, nick, pinch - TAKEFIVE? And kudos to anyone who can give us FORTYWINKS.
Anyday, Friday, Monday, Saturday, someday, Sunday, Thursday, today, tomorrow, Tuesday, Wednesday, yesterday DAILY DOZEN.
@Linda Jo Name four days of the week that start with T. Tuesday Thursday Today Tomorrow
Bell, Perlman, Stern FIDDLERS THREE (by order of King Cole, NATurally)
what a delightful puzzle! i had a great time solving this while sipping my coffee this morning. such a fun and creative theme, easily one of my favorite mondays.
@Marshall I completely agree! I just came here to say the exact same thing 😊
Technically Bumble Bees sting but come on - the panda of the bee kingdom is too lovable to sting.
Tigress Monkey Viper Crane Grandmaster Flash FURIOUSFIVE (the emus ixnayed my HATEFULEIGHT cause it contained the names of evil dictators and the current US president...)
@Matt You are in the perfect country. We all want to be just like Israel under the best leader. Yay Bennie! Pullllease, stay there.
Why am I not surprised that an expat to Israel, of all places, is so fueled by hate. Should we all be so fortunate?
Arctic, Atlantic, Billy, City, Frank, Indian, Pacific, Ramsey, Southern, Spray, Vuong OCEAN'S ELEVEN (For my other double-digit wizardry, please see replies to Barry)
When I read the clue for the first themer, I thought we'd be dealing with an [ahem] I.Q. Test... That was my lol moment in solving this puzzle, so thank you for that, Rena. Thank you as well for such a smart and creative theme, enhanced by the very nice fill. Well done!
"It’s SARGE, with an A, even though the full word is “sergeant.” Because SERGE is a fabric.
@Steve L I expect a serge of responses to your comment.
...because SARGE is how you start to say "sergeant." Fall out.
@Steve L Serge is Bronson Pinchot in 'Beverly Hills Cop'. Make sure you pronounce it right.
@Steve L You just made that up out of whole cloth.
@Steve L Serge is a Gainsbourg.
This was so much fun! A great Monday. Loved the theme. Thanks, Rena!! Y’all have a great Monday!
What a great way to begin a Monday! Everyone have a wonderful week!
I had “I Never” so this ended up being longer for me. More coffee needed.
Fun puzzle. While I enjoyed all of the theme entries the 007 one was my favorite and also the one I found most challenging. Thanks Rena Cohen for this enjoyable puzzle. Re bumblebees…in our previous home we had a slightly raised bed with several Catmint plants which produced many little purple flowers. The bees loved them! At times there’d be a dozen or more flying from flower to flower. While working on other parts of the bed I eventually became accustomed to their presence so much so that when one of them happened to land on my hand or arm I developed the habit of petting their “furry” little backs. From this behavior I received two reactions; either they sat and let me pet them for a brief moment or they flew away on first contact. Never once was I stung.
I have to say that a SPHERE is not a solid. A ball is the solid you were thinking of. A sphere is the shell of a ball.
@Andrey agreed. The SPHERE that is a Las Vegas attraction is not solid.
Andrey, You address "you." Since Sam didn't discuss 64A, you must be addressing the constructor and/or the editors. I don't speak for either, but since a sphere was clued as a SOLID just last week (and often before), I think they're set on the more casual use of the word.
@Andrey The answer was FIGURE EIGHT. Who said anything about solids?
@Andrey. The OED gives usages of “sphere” as meaning “orb, ball” i.e. solid as early as 1428. Its earliest citation of the topological definition is 1934. The use by mathematicians of an existing word with a specific narrower meaning only applies in that area of discourse. It does not affect the pre existing meaning
@Andrey NOAD says a sphere is “a round solid figure”…
@Andrey <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Platonic_solid" target="_blank">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Platonic_solid</a>
Very cool. The rare monday I went very slow as I was enjoying it so much.
Fantastic Monday puzzle. As someone else commented, I also disregarded my timer so I could enjoy the ride.
I'll join the chorus (daddy sings bass): Really clever theme and a very enjoyable workout. Today's puzzle find was inspired by 35d. A Thursday from February 2 (!) 1995 by Bob and Sharon Klahn. Some theme answers were GROUNDHOG and SIXWEEK. And it was a 15 x 15 puzzle, but there was one 16 letter answer down the very middle of the puzzle with the first square protruding above the top. And that was... PUNXSUTAWNEYPHIL Here's that link: <a href="https://www.xwordinfo.com/Crossword?date=2/2/1995&g=1&d=D" target="_blank">https://www.xwordinfo.com/Crossword?date=2/2/1995&g=1&d=D</a> ...
@Rich in Atlanta But WOODCHUCK and GROUNDHOG have the same number of letters. Why on earth the 1st popped into my brain and drowned out the 2nd for quite a while is today's mystery.
Cheadle, Henley, McLean, Lemon, Newcombe, Omar, Rickles, Shula, Toliver, Quixote TENDONS
Bright and breezy puzzle with a cute theme. 44A was a fun variation.
Love the early week themed puzzles, keep them coming!
Can't remember the last time I had so much fun with a puzzle. The theme was giggle-icious and the fill was quite Monday-ish. NSC was my only stumble. Okay, now I know, and next time it won't be my stumble. Live and acquire knowledge. Recently one of my grands told me she had to learn Latin in school and was fuming at a language she thought she would never ever need. I delighted in highlighting the many ways it would come in handy: It will be so much easier for you to pick up French, Italian, Spanish, all the romance languages based on Latin. You will be able to understand your Prescriptions. And most importantly, you will be a whiz at crosswords! She is too polite to tell me what she thought of my justifications.
Fun,cheerful puzzle. Perfect for a chilly Monday morning.
Absolutely love the theme here. Hope that they have puzzles with themes everyday of the week
@Becky I had MEH in there at first, come to think of it. I still don't 'get' MID (have never heard it.)
10+1, 9+2, 8+3, 7+4, 6+5, …. Dang!
I'm skeptical of that DEF/IFEVER crossing. Is "suresies" even a thing?
With all the BUMBLEBEE chatter today, I thought I would share my one relevant experience. I was tooling down an Oregon road in my old Dodge hippie van, probably humming a Grateful Dead tune, windows open, tie-dyed curtains flapping, as I enjoyed a lovely day. THWACK! Something blown into the van had struck the pillar behind my left shoulder, recoiled forward and dropped down As it rebounded, I caught a glimpse of it -- I saw the yellow and said to myself, "self, that looks like a bee! Better make sure it didn't land on me." So quickly assessed my lap, legs, etc. and not seeing a bee, I didn't pull over. A few seconds later, in the general vicinity of my navel.... STING!!! I swept it off me, pulled over, got out, and took a look. BUMBLEBEE. It didn't really hurt much - I probably knocked it away before it had a chance to pump much venom. And their stingers aren't barbed, so my hand brushed it away, removing the stinger, almost immediately. The stunned lady was lying there on the floor of the van, slowly waking. I watched it for a minute or two, until it started vibrating its wings, and then swept it outside, presumably to go on its merry BUMBLEBEE way. That is when I learned that the idea that BUMBLEBEEs don't sting was a myth, and I have never forgotten the lesson. But they are generally docile, so please don't fear them -- watch them, instead. They are fascinating creatures.
@CaptainQuahog That reminds me of the time a bee flew into my motorcycle helmet at about 70 MPH (my visor was open) and started doing furious laps around my ear. I nearly wrecked my bike getting stopped. I don't know what kind bee it was, as I was too busy freaking out, but it didn't sting me.