skeptical1
Massachusetts
I had CHICKENFEEDERS for farmers, and when I Couldn't fill the crosses, tried for fun to think up other crossses, learned very fast that constructing a puzzle is really really hard! This was an amazingly complex example of word wizardry. Many thanks, come back soon, Mr. K.
I loved the solve journey. I got the rebus immediately in the upper left corner with Columbus needing an ie for THEINDIES. I knew VIVIEN Leigh's name was wrong. So after finishing, and enjoying the challenge, it was a delight to read the constructors' explanation of their inspiration. I hope this dynamic duo will keep up the good work.
@zelda I would go further to say that during the last, oh say five-six months, I have noticed increased dumbing down in puzzles, by means of too many repeated words, too many proper names, too many repeated references to mid twentieth century pop lit, and derivative pop movies, too few creative phrases, too few really good plays-on-words. To test my hypothesis that this is happening (likely through use of technology such as AI) I went into the archives, and found those puzzles to be much more difficult and much more interesting to solve. As I say, it's only a hypothesis so I'd be interested to know if anyone else agrees-- or if they disagree, why.
Good puzzle but according to my friend the marine biologist the plural of octopus is octopuses. (41D) also, it's better because it's harder because most people think it's octopi.
@Daily-Solver if it makes you feel any better I had a friend when I was young who always called his wife of decades Mlady and I saw a birthday card addressed to that I-free person. Theirs was the most loving marriage I have ever viewed.
Now, this is a gold-standard puzzle, perfect difficulty for Thursday with no annoying gimmick. Thank you !
@Xword Junkie ooo it is a typo of course!
@Bruce It is long accepted that a person who does not want to have any answers revealed should not read the column or the comments.
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