Francis DeBernardo

I have heard it said that future interpreters and translators of 21st century English will have an extemely difficult time distinguishing between a BOOTYCALL and a BUTTDIAL.

I had not realized that the solution to 38A, GIFT COP, was part of the theme until I read the Wordplay column. I assumed it was a real term because when my large extended family gets together for Christmas, my older sister directs who opens which presents in which order, so we call her the "gift cop." So when I read the clue, I knew the answer immediately because I thought it was a widely accepted term!

Hardest. Puzzle. Ever. And I LOVED it! Thanks!

I solved and understood the theme. At least I think I did. What I didn't understand was why there were party hats and balloons in certain black boxes. I couldn't discern a pattern to them or see how they related to the theme. I'd appreciate any insights. Thanks.

I loved this puzzle! KUDOS to the constructor. However, BOO on the editors for missing a once-in-four-years opportunity for having a leap year day themed puzzle. I love when a puzzle's theme matches the holiday or special day on which it appears.

In 4A, was the "?" really necessary at the end of the clue: "Apt name for a Feb. 14 baby?" The answer, VAL, seemed pretty straightforward to me, not a pun or an irony. The "?" actually had me stumped for a while, thinking that there was some deeper meaning other than the plain and obvious one.

14A: "Butter (up)" = GAS But why? I don't understand the connection. I solved it through the crossingss.

I really liked this puzzle except for the shaded boxes in 44A. As every true New Yawker (I was born and raised in Brooklyn) knows, TALK is pronounced "TAWK," not "TOCK."

I solved 66A, "Clever person," through the crossings, and when I saw the answer I thought, "What the heck is a BELESPRIT?" It wasn't until I read the Wordplay column that I saw the answer is meant to be read "BEL ESPRIT," which is actually a term I know, but just could not see in the answer. D'oh!

Once I figured out that the theme required the answer to have a food item and a fighting term, I entered "BREADBOX" for 22A, "The Midwest states, agriculturally speaking." While of course it was wrong, that solution could have worked as another answer for this theme.

Who does LAUNDRY on Mondays? That's a weekend chore for me and everybody I know. Why would someone wait until Monday?

Nice puzzle. But a Christmas Day puzzle with the theme of laughter and no "HO, HO, HO"? Disappointing and a missed fun opportunity.

Most of the puzzle was fun, but the theme was a bit too ESOTERIC for me.

At 59 A, why is AMA the solution to "Q&A format" At 81A, why is THE the solution to "Word following a comma in an alphabetized list" Thanks for any help!

it happened again today. A word that appeared as the answer in the mini-puzzle appeared in the main crossword (CVS). I've noticed this happening before where the same word that aoppears in one puzzle appears in another--including Strands and Connections. Is this intentional or just coincidence? Thoughts?

Are Russians still called "reds," even after the fall of Communism? I got stalled by 36A because I figured "Russian" could not be a part of the answer since I thought "red" referred only to Communists? I had solved the "SPY" part, but couldn't find a word to precede it since I had eliminated "Russian" in my mind because the country is no longer Communist. Thoughts?

Solving the clues felt like a Monday puzzle. Understanding the theme felt like a Thursday puzzle.

Felt like a Saturday. Especially in NW corner and North Central space.

NUNHOOD? Lifelong Roman Catholic very involved in church activities, yet I have never heard this word before. Is it a word used in another denomination? Anglican? Thanks!

Please tell me that I was not the only person who at first put TOILET PAPER as the solution to 24A.

I had trouble because I took the revealer clues literally. I thought STEAL A KISS meant to take an X away from the answer, and that GIVE A HUG meant add an O to the answer. Oh, well.

OXES? Not OXEN?

Saturday's are suipposed to be themeless. But doesn't having the same clue at 17D and 31A, "What it's not, in a saying," constitute a bit of a mini-theme? I'm not complaining, just curious as to how to define "themeless."

What happened to the Strands game?