Unfortunately I'm going to remember this crossword as the one where I had RERUNS for "Shows again, as a broadcast" – which in turn made me think that "Investment option for old age" was URN.
@Jack: haha! That jogs a memory of when my sister and I could barely control ourselves when the funeral director helping us with our dad’s death explained that some loved ones require two urns. I knew if I even looked at her it was all over.
@Jack Well, that took an unexpectedly dark tURN!
All right, how many of you have actually used the phrase mare's nest in the last year? I get that I haven't been exposed to everybody's idioms but holy cow.
@Charlie I don’t know in the past year, but I’ve seen it and have definitely used it in real life.
@Charlie I've never heard of it before this.
@Charlie I've heard it before, but not in a long time, and I'm pretty sure I've never used it. According to Perplexity, the original expression, “to find a mare’s nest” meant to think you had discovered something remarkable, only for it to prove imaginary, worthless, or absurd. Over time it shifted to mean a mess, though it can still mean a hoax or fraud.
@Charlie What is this "holy cow" of which you speak?
@Charlie I never used it, never heard of it. And I’m too busy making a pig’s breakfast out of the rest of my life.
@Charlie That phrase could (uncharitably) describe the "studio" half of our Master Bedroom, where I have a design wall, work table, sewing machine in a cabinet with a lot of space to allow for quilting large projects, and stacked tubs/containers with fabric, etc.
@Charlie I'm currently working my way through all of Agatha Christie's novels, and she used that phrase A LOT! The first couple times I had to look it up, as I'd never encountered it before. I'm not sure if it's more of a British phrase, or perhaps a product of the era in which she started writing (1920s/30s)?
When the arborist switched to banking, he became a branch manager. ("You should invest in sap," he said. "That's a great liquid asset.")
@Mike Anyone who doesn’t get your post obviously can’t take an oak. (Even though it might have been acorny one). Hey everyone, Mike is apparently too modest to toot his own horn, but if you like his wit and humor check out his own puzzles on Crosshare under the moniker Mikey G. Many of them are meta puzzles where there’s a trick to solve after the puzzle, they are quite genius and also display a lot of his cleverness and punniness. You will like them!
@Mike No, I think I'll stick with my chick-ing account.
@Mike WhatSap is what you use for making tree-calls (Unless you’re a dog, then you just bark)
@Mike From the time of George Washington was at the elm, our forefathers believed in the superiority of the long green. Even so, asPenn always said, this was bond to happen.
@Mike You can use WhatSap to make tree-call
@Mike And when I didn't invest right away, he said "What are you waiting fir?"
I only now noticed the column photo. I did a cartoonish double take - that's Warsaw! In spring ducklings hatch in the decorative pools of the Łazienki Królewskie park. The mother ducks then lead their chicks to the nearby Wisła (Vistula) river. The problem is, between the park and the river there is one of Warsaw's most important thoroughfares, Wisłostrada. The city organizes a whole system of protecting the ducks - Straż Miejska (City Guard, municipal police) and an army of volunteers stand watch throughout the day for weeks, and they stop traffic whenever a family of ducks want to cross the street - 6 lanes of traffic are halted, and these super cute, little birds waddle across the asphalt. It's pretty cool.
@Andrzej How do you know that's Warsaw just based off this teeny photo of ducks and a bench!? Is it the Polishly named photographer that gives it away? Are these precise benches only found in Warsaw? Looks pretty generic to me...
@Andrzej --- And was said double take accompanied by a sound such as <a href="https://youtu.be/qABbyifo_9c?is=M-ioQrMkMYNYp1EG" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/qABbyifo_9c?is=M-ioQrMkMYNYp1EG</a> ?
@Andrzej Have you heard of the USA children's picture book "Make Way for Ducklings"? Somewhat similar theme of mother duck with ducklings needing to cross a busy road, but only a one-time occurrence. Takes place in Boston and the danger is averted by an alert (and very Irish-American) policeman. Some years after the book came out, Boston commissioned a set of statues in the park where the story is set.
@Andrzej Viewing a few videos of Mergansers enroute to the Vistula stopping traffic reminded me that anything is possible as long as we're willing to cooperate.
Nice breezy Monday, but I was absolutely stymied on the ALFRE/MARESNEST crossing, I’d never heard of either and was sure I had a mistake somewhere!
@Gabe R The very unusual name of ALFRE came up in these puzzles a few months ago. However, all I remembered today was that it's not ALFie, and it might be ALFRE or ALFRa. I didn't know MARESNEST, either. I managed to resolve the crossing in the end though.
@Gabe R Same, I had to run vowels on that. Kinda surprised to see that crossing in a Monday puzzle.
@Gabe R Mares nest is one of those ones I remember when it’s filled in with crosses but couldn’t for the life of me recall outright.
@Gabe R ALFRE Woodard is a very prolific actress. Here's what Wikipedia says about her. I just watched the beginning of "Clemency" and it is scary given current events. [Alfre LaWanda Jeen Woodard[1] (/ˈælfri ˈwʊdərd/ AL-free WUUD-ərd;[2] born November 8, 1952) is an American actress and producer. Known for portraying strong-willed and dignified roles on stage and screen, she has received various accolades, including four Emmy Awards, a Golden Globe Award, and three Screen Actors Guild Awards as well as nominations for an Academy Award, BAFTA Award, and two Grammy Awards. In 2020, The New York Times ranked her as one of "The 25 Greatest Actors of the 21st Century".[3] She is a board member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.[4]] <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfre_Woodard" target="_blank">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfre_Woodard</a>
@Gabe R....Alfre Woodard, famous movie star, has been in this puzzle several times.
My five favorite original clues from last week (in order of appearance): 1. Something inside or outside a wine bar? (3) 2. Device geared to draw rotationally symmetrical shapes (10) 3. It's a lot for one person to take (5)(6) 4. Determine the going price? (3)(4) 5. Anti-matter? (9) CAB SPIROGRAPH GROUP SELFIE SET BAIL POINTLESS
The crossings of NISSAN LEAF, ALFRE Woodard and MARES NEST is nasty work for a Monday.
I appreciate how difficult it must to build a puzzle that has clues that are a little ajar, but entries that are easy enough to see, and a solve that is fun. Be grateful if you're experienced enough not to need a boost anymore, and please don't begrudge those who do. This one isn't a brain crusher, it's a solid Monday! Thank you for raising the curtain on the week, Zhouqin! Now on with the show.
@dutchiris I don't think anyone here pushes back on a Monday puzzle because it's too easy. Mondays are supposed to be easy, and always have been. It's when Fridays aren't much harder that we push back.
Holy schnikes! Both of my stepdaughters are named in this puzzle!! I couldn't help but screenshot it and send it to them right away! Don't worry, they don't do the crossword, so no spoilers. A surprisingly delight! ☺️ Nice puzzle! In cruise news, deep water is so good for my body and soul! Day after tomorrow, it'll be salt water.... It's the only thing better than non-salt water. Mmm, can't wait!! Think I'm descendant from merpeople. Also, got hit in a squall while in the pool and there was a double rainbow afterwards. Squeal!! A single is awe inspiring enough, but a double rainbow... And over the sea!!! Well, butter my bum and call me a biscuit!! 😍 Lastly, a guy from outside of North America assumed I was Canadian because of my accent. Though I'm a proud Minnesconsinite, I was extremely tempted to let him believe it.... 😏🍁 Now that I think about it, is it weird that my husband and his ex named their kids RANAMOK and TROTSKY?? Hmm. Never really thought about it before.... Har!
@HeathieJ I was going to accuse you of having stepdaughters named LEAF and CORN.....
@HeathieJ Reading about what's happening on your cruise gave me a lift today, something beautiful to think about. Rainbows, the pool, a promise of swimming in salt water, all while cruising on the Caribbean. And that doesn't include the food!
I took a lpost-solve look at MARE’S NEST, because while I’ve heard the phrase before, it’s not a phrase I’ve ever used. It has two disparate meanings. The more widespread meaning is how it’s clued today – a confused mess. But I also like its original meaning: a false discovery, where someone has found something remarkable, then it turns out to be worthless. That is, a misconception. This meaning makes sense, because mares don’t build nests. Two classic example are the Martian Canals and the Piltdown Man. Everyday examples include the belief that “premium” fuel will improve the performance of a standard economy vehicle, and the belief that we only use 10% of our brains. Thank you, Zhoukin, for this TIL, as well as a grand time trying to guess the revealer (I failed, but the effort happified my brain), and on top of that, a lovely journey through a high-quality puzzle, with its nailed-it Monday cluing and answer set. Just a terrific start to the day.
@Lewis I've often wondered if it's a combination of mistranslation + back-formation from the French 'cauchemar' = nightmare, equating 'cauche' with Eng. 'couch' and from there to any cozy shelter, i.e., 'nest'. I'm only familiar with the older meaning and so the clue was zero use for me. And I tend to think of it as a Britishism since I've only seen it in UK literature.
Needed a sweet, speedy Monday. Stuff to do! But it reminded me as I was raising our kids that if they grumbled about school, they knew they would be met with the origin of the word “school.” From Greek (schole) ( and then Roman [ schola] ) it meant the “leisure time” afforded only to the very wealthy who weren’t out laboring simply survive. The pure luxury of learning, reading books, studying history and art… t’was a privilege. I believe my boys only heard me tell them it was “Time to go to Leisure!” twice before the whining stopped.
@CCNY I had a Greek teacher who said that too when we were feeling down.
A CC puzzle on a Monday is always a delight. My own overlooked errors ... not so much. No matter; I found the error, fixed my puzzle, and now Monday can continue. A funday Monday with all my puzzles today, so I can start the week in a good mood and look forward to some sunshine after the rainy weekend. MARESNEST, which gave many a headache, filled itself in for me, as did several other answers I didn't know. But isn't that the joy of the XWD? You learn no words by filling in the crosses. If you already know all the answers, where's the fun? If it's just a game of time, you probably need something else to challenge you. Of course, to each his own. Enjoy on your own terms, and I will do the same. Happy Monday.
I was like “mare’s nest?” I finished the puzzle without solving for that particular clue. I am going to use that expression three times.
Reading down, TROTSKY RAN AMOK. Dunno why that struck me funny.
@Linda Jo A reminder not to keep an ice pick around the house.
Lovely speedy Monday by the always glorious Ms CC. I don’t use the term MARES NEST, but seeing it always makes me smile. I picture unicorns in leafy boughs, rather than the pigsty it’s meant to typify.
@Helen Wright Who is CC? I see the constructor listed as ZHOUQIN BURNIKEL
@Helen Wright Sorry nevermind. I see MOL below used a last name, so I’ll guess that CC is a nickname
Chris, Years ago, the constructor offered "C.C." as the easiest way to pronounce her first name, and people in Crosslandia use it, but The Times goes with the "real" transliteration.
ALFRE and MARESNEST is a nasty cross for a Monday… Thankfully the rest was relatively easy to make that the only option.. Last week had a streak of 4 terrible puzzles. Hoping this isn’t a sign that it is going to continue into this week. 😬 Rating: 7/10
Darren, How did you do in the Twin Cities Marathon?
To me, this is the epitome of a good Monday puzzle — a theme that’s easily understood with a few words like MARE’S NEST that are new to some people.
Fun, fairly easy, and entertaining, thank you Zhouqin!
Nice breezy solve with some interesting fill for a Monday—thanks!
One of the most frustrating aspects of solving crossword puzzles as a non-native speaker of English is knowing an entry but not how it's spelled in another language. The Russian revolutionary was a gimme, of course, but to me he is Trocki (and the direct Polish transcription of his Russian name would be [Trockij]). The TROTSKY I ended up with, largely with crosses, is a good attempt at writing the name down in English so that the pronunciation quite closely matches the Slavic original. That's not always pissible. Neither my first nor second name can really be transliterated into English with the original pronunciation preserved. MARESNEST was new to me.
@Andrzej Yeah, I hope it's not offensive, but I looked up the pronunciation in your name and have, over time, remembered it as basically Andre. I just now looked it up and realized I need to omit the r sound to get closer. I'll try to do that.
@Andrzej No offense, Andrzej, but speaking of spelling, got to be careful when typing "possible," unless you are referring to whether someone with prostate problems can properly transmit a beer.
Knocking out a Monday puzzle just doesn't give me the ego boost and vindication I so desire after a below par solving weekend 😂😢. Every bad weekend and I'm champing at the bit for Thursday again to prove my self-worth 🤣 😬.
Hitch, After doing a Monday, try a Thursday from the archive from 10 or 20 years ago.
@Hitch Try doing an early week puzzle using only the across clues or only the down clues. I didn't succeed today, but close. It can be fun. Hint: if you're using the app, turn off the clue bars. TIL mare's nest.
Quick one today, but quite a bit of fun. Thanks, CC.
It's always a pleasure to solve one of Zhouqin's constructions whatever day of the week. I note that one might also find a TABBY OUT ON A LIMB. And I was idly wondering, as one does, whether SARA and IDINA had ever sung together. I asked Mr. Bing, and he informed me that though they don't really sing together in this Covid era video, they do take turns singing, along with many others, in this rendition of a New York State of Mind. <a href="https://youtu.be/1icTIQC91Xs?si=5kT88661lANiKDIO" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/1icTIQC91Xs?si=5kT88661lANiKDIO</a>
@Vaer thanks so much for the video link that's the ultimate tribute to the true anthem of nyc NY STATE of MIND.
@Vaer As a representative of the state of NH, whenever New York State of Mind comes up, I am legally required to post my adopted state's version: <a href="https://youtu.be/bX7nQrCgALM?si=E6yvSdSK-mN7FOzu" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/bX7nQrCgALM?si=E6yvSdSK-mN7FOzu</a>
i know we're not supposed to discuss Spelling Bee in this forum but I can't resist sharing my joy that someone got that word from Car Talk finally added to the accepted list. Can't remember how many times I'd had it rejected. I hope this is sufficiently indirect not to be a spoiler.
@RozzieGrandma I actually HAD stopped trying. O! The joy!
I did get to some of the Very Late Comments yesterday; I'll add a recipe for Cranberry Sauce at the end, and hope the Solver from Montreal sees it! CC Burnikel always delights to start the week. I don't even mind that she fooled me into entering RERUNS instead of REAIRS. I did not know NISSAN LEAF. If you hang a SWING OUT ON A LIMB, you will soon find yourself "grounded." Buy 2 bags of cranberries as soon as they appear in the grocery store--usually well ahead of holiday cookery. Pick them over with care and discard those with blemishes or spoilage. Rinse well. These can be frozen without harm to results. Since the bags Measure out 1 lb; the remainder can be used for cranberry-orange relish. You will want a half-dozen nice oranges; grate some rind and juice about 4 or 5 for 1 cup fresh OJ. In a deep pan, combine OJ, 1/2 cup water, 1 1/2 cups sugar, and the berries. Bring to a boil and cook quickly until the berries have popped and softened; some will remain whole. Cooking will take about 6 minutes BUT cook for 15 if you want sauce to be more 'jellied.' Stir in the grated orange rind. Of course you know to have sterilized jars, lids, etc. No need to refrigerate.
@Mean Old Lady Oops..tried to shorten a bit too much. Bags come in 12 oz size. Yield is about 4 pints. (I used to double this amount, back when I had a long gift list.)
@Mean Old Lady Sounds delicious and what a lovely gift!! I love making homemade cranberry sauce too, but I never thought of gifting it except when people come over for dinner. Love that idea!! Sadly, my stepdaughter, Leaf, will only, ever eat the can jellied kind. I think ocean spray changed its name or was acquired, but it is their brand and it had to be jellied. She's in her 40s and that has not changed, though her sister, Corn, and her wife, Towel both enjoy the homemade variety!! Because we are a Caribbean type family of mixed proportions, I use a little bit of mango in place of the orange and add a little ginger. Delicious! As a kid I always thought I hated cranberry sauce because my mom, though a terrific cook, never made the homemade stuff and the can stuff made me a little icky feeling.
@Mean Old Lady FWIW, my mother made delicious raw cranberry sauce. She put the cranberries and a whole cut-up orange through the meat grinder (which was clamped onto the edge of the table). She added some sugar and let it sit overnight in the refrigerator. Yum.
@Mean Old Lady Solver from Montreal here. Thanks! I was just about to make the cranberry sauce yesterday when I replied to your post, and finally googled a recipe. So, I'll save yours for next year. The recipe I used called for maple syrup as well as orange juice. Surprisingly still a little tart for my tastes but we'll see how it goes with the capon I'm roasting. Family will be here in a few hours. It's a small gathering this year. Happy Canadian Thanksgiving, to all who celebrate!
5:45 Cute theme! The rest of the fill was nice as well. Like many others, I did not love the MARESNEST / ALFRE cross. Both were completely unknown to me and stumped me for quite a bit as I stared at my phone screen in confusion.
Nice pleasant, tight theme for a Monday morning bringing thoughts of nature to mind. I Guess Mare's nest is a 16th century phrase based on the fact that horses cannot make a nest. They would just make a mess of it! Rat's nest didn't fit. And I do prefer clues for the brilliant Seth Meyers more than the biblical Seth.
I believe "mares nest" originally meant some fabulous (i.e., non-existent), though the meaning cited in the clue may now be accepted as an acceptable to the original through excessive usage.
I found it a teeny bit harder than the usual Monday, but I do know mare’s nest. Not so familiar with the names. Enjoyable start to the week.
Finished quickly...but couldn't find the incorrect box. Turned out no one's ever RAN AMuK and there's no OTuE tribe!
@Hayden Davis Lol. Considering amok, amock, and amuck, it seems odd that amuk doesn't count.
from words in today’s puzzle explosive broadcast… a/ singer and tony legend, god, found by the Holy Trinity d/ Grill after sun up amelia, astounded by the state of the workers, a/ also ran amok
I followed SP's suggestion and filled it in with just the Across entries. Made it a bit more challenging. I did peek at the Down clues a few times; that's probably cheating.
VN, That is cheating, but I won't tell.
@VN I tried and failed! I got close. I’d never heard of a MARE’S NEST so that’s appeared to be the problem but actually i was let down by my continuing failure to spell IDINA correctly… argh! Good puzzle though!
@VN It’s your puzzle, solve it the way you like!This wasn’t a bad one to do with only acrosses, I managed to solve it that way; but I knew what a MARESNEST was.
a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush - did you see the article about the Cubans arrested in Miami for bringing small birds in their pants and clothing? what a serendipitous coincidence here's link: <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/10/08/us/birds-smuggled-cuba-miami.html?searchResultPosition=1" target="_blank">https://www.nytimes.com/2026/10/08/us/birds-smuggled-cuba-miami.html?searchResultPosition=1</a> imagine flying in a plane from Cuba with little birds who are alive stuffed in your pants and pockets talk about cosmic timing crossword puzzle I mean. great puzzle as was Sunday's the funnier the better or best attempt - too many haters out there!
@acjones I particularly loved that the NYT provided links to other 'smuggling live animals in your pants' stories at the bottom! Full service journalism.
I originally had RERUNS for 7D, but alas there is no such thing as a Nissan LERF.
@NanuNanu My IRA saved me...
too many proper names for a Monday funday
A bit cruel for a Monday...discourages beginners. Editor, do better.
Norwood, It seemed about average for a Monday. <a href="https://xwstats.com/puzzles/2026-10-12" target="_blank">https://xwstats.com/puzzles/2026-10-12</a> A little bit of a challenge is good for beginners.
@Norwood - Pretty easily solvable for just about anyone. Norwood, do better.
As a kid I read the Catwings books by Ursula K. Le Guin. They absolutely captured my imagination. Now I'm picturing a spinoff with miniature horses making nests in the upper boughs. How miniature? If they're cat- or bird-sized: adorable. If actual miniature horse sized: hilarious.
Nice puzzle. Not too many repeat fillers and a satisfying theme. 2s off my Monday best, despite sitting with MARES NEck and IrINA for a while.
Never thought of a chocolate on the pillow as a hotel amenity though it's definitely very welcome!
@Catherine Sadly it’s never nice chocolate though is it? All fur coat and no knickers as my Gran would say.
Patrick Berry puzzle over here today: <a href="https://www.newyorker.com/puzzles-and-games-dept/crossword/2026/10/12" target="_blank">https://www.newyorker.com/puzzles-and-games-dept/crossword/2026/10/12</a> (I found it gentle for a New Yorker Monday.)
@Barry Ancona I don't think the NYker follows the NYT pattern of increasing difficulty over the week.
Far too many obscure names and random phrases for a short Monday puzzle. Mare’s Nest, indeed.
Indeed, you were not alone not knowing Mare's Nest, but what were the other obscure names and random phrases?
What a great Monday puzzle. Today I learned about mare's nest.
I'm sorry but NISSANLEAF/ALFRE was a really bad cross for a Monday.
@Apurv If you’re not familiar with Alfre Woodard, you’re missing out on some really great performances.
I wouldn't sneer at the NISSANLEAF either. <a href="https://www.nissanusa.com/shopping-tools/build-price?models=nissan-leaf" target="_blank">https://www.nissanusa.com/shopping-tools/build-price?models=nissan-leaf</a>
Nice Monday puzzle. Typical slow start for me, but things fell together from the crosses and that just makes for an enjoyable workout. And.. puzzle find today. An 'all in the clues' puzzle from November 8, 2017 by Joel Fagliano and Sam Ezersky. Some theme clue and answer examples: "Midas, Agamemnon, Richard" MARKINGS "Polo, archery, soccer" PASSPORTS "Dakota, Iroquois, Arapaho" DIATRIBES "Arkansas, Pennsylvania, Ohio" APOSTATES Here's that link: <a href="https://www.xwordinfo.com/Crossword?date=11/8/2017&h=11d" target="_blank">https://www.xwordinfo.com/Crossword?date=11/8/2017&h=11d</a> ...
One more puzzle find. A Tuesday from March 10, 1998 by Patrick Jordan. Three theme answers in that one - each straightforwardly clued: NANCYWALKER LEONTROTSKY DAMONRUNYON Think about it. Here's that link: <a href="https://www.xwordinfo.com/Crossword?date=3/10/1998&h=35a" target="_blank">https://www.xwordinfo.com/Crossword?date=3/10/1998&h=35a</a>