Jaze
NYC
Loved the puzzle, finished without the overlay, was baffled, read what was going on here, checked for updates for my iPhone and my iPad, there were none, but then later got a prompt to update the app on my iPhone, at which point the circle appeared. I have the automatic updates on, and the show overlay on. While I enjoyed the puzzle, I would’ve enjoyed it more with the circles and the comprehension they would have produced! The one that I remained baffled by is NOB for bean or noodle. Anyone help a feller out?
I found that challenging, and really enjoyed it. For a good while I had COWBOYHATS for the “ranch dressing” clue, and was patting myself on the back for my cleverness, but that of course didn’t last. Luckily, in NYC I live around the corner from the Stetson shop…
Thank you, that was fun! I didn’t get the rebus, but was glad that the app rewarded me with a win when I plugged in just the S. It was only when I got here that I saw the exploding star and understood what was going on. I didn’t know there was such a thing as a single rebus problem – until now! My mind just went supernova…
@Andrzej no disrespect to them (I am English) but most Americans have no Latin, other than probably CARPE DIEM. And for the purposes of this clue, that was fine. I initially had DIES, but from the context it became clear that another form of the noun was expected. No matter how you slice it, DIEM is still Latin for “day”. It’s just one of those contextual clues, like, say: 7. Federal loan program which could solve either to FANNIE MAE or FANNIE MAC, depending on the other words. I get your point, but find it persnickety. I think it’s fair, and I don’t doubt for a second that you had no difficulty getting it.
Loved this puzzle! And only just now understood JACK in the trunk. Didn’t love JOGGLE, but that’s what it had to be. Overall fully satisfying. And I thought the Subway Line was hilarious.
@Andrzej Eh. Even in the accusative, a day is still a day. It was one of those clues that you had to figure out contextually.
I solved the crossword on the app, but for 16 across I had EPODE. I first tried ETUDE, but that didn’t fit with SPAWNPOINT, which I was sure was right. I can’t find a definition for EPODE! Anyone know what’s going on here?
Bottom right corner was my Waterloo. I had CREATIVE LIBERTY and, for “some redos”, EYES. I was too confident with the first too see past it. Oh well.
I am so sorry for your loss – he is clearly a good guy who thought very highly of you and was optimistic for your crossword writing. And rightly so! This was a fantastic, challenging puzzle, and I thoroughly enjoyed working through it (except when I was tearing my hair out over certain clues!) I’m so glad you wrote it, and so sorry Arjun missed it.
I thought it was tough, and after realizing that I don’t think like Mr. Ewbank, and after falling into a number of his traps (JUDO before SUMO, FUSILI before ROTINI) ended up leaning pretty heavily on the Check Word function. No glory, but I completed it in good time.
I was today years old when I learned that the title of the puzzle is actually on the Information page – in tiny letters! An excellent puzzle. I think I got four of the theme clues before I sat back and spotted the theme. But hey, I’m unwell today, and still beat solve time.
@Upstate Kate Thanks, Kate! I’m not American, and not familiar with that usage.
@HeathieJ Those wordplay clues are the worst part! Until they’re the best…
Loved this! Very clever, and wholly satisfying. Thank you!
That was really great – thanks! A bit frustrating at first, because I’d recently come back from Mexico and when asked about foreign currencies, I went with PESO. But it all fell into place in the end in a very satisfying way. I look forward to the next two!
@JimM Thanks! I’m not a native American English speaker, but a Briton, which may explain why I’ve never heard the word before. Still, I am a big fan of stews, so I’m a little surprised! Thanks for the clarification.
It may be there among all the carping about OCTOPI, but I didn’t see it. So… isn’t the condiment with ramen CHILE OIL, from CHILE PEPPERS? I would assume that CHILI OIL is the glossy red layer of oil that floats to the top of a bowl of CHILI.
@Snorting Elk It’s funny how that works – the “mind unlike my own“ phenomenon. When you think in a way that’s consonant with the creator, you can bang out the puzzle really quickly, but the more laterally the clues shift from your personal viewpoint the more challenging it becomes. And also, for the most part, the more satisfying when you nail it down.
Good, sometimes challenging puzzled with some tasty misdirection. However I am not familiar with OLIO (“grab bag”). Could someone please enlighten me?
@Barry Ancona Clearly, I am not as much of a stew enthusiast as I had previously thought! It is legitimately the first time I have ever come across the world.
@Barry Ancona I find those transliterations of vocalisations really challenging because they don’t have a particular standard spelling.
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