Nancy Sculerati MD
Austin TX
Terrible. I guess it's just me. I don't get the jokes, can't make sense of the clues. I am looking for something to engage my very bored mind and I don't find it here.
I was referred to this site by individuals outraged by my frustrated comments which, taken together, were a declaration of war against the makers and lovers of crossword puzzles. Now I see that the very thing that inflamed my passion against these puzzles is precisely what is most prized by those who love them. Nothing is "on the nose". I could spend my life trying to figure out these clues and I still fail. I would go back to trying to counteract the effects of disease in babies who can't breathe, if I was not chronically ill myself. So, let me take up alcohol or narcotics. If I am successful at those I may qualify for a position in the Trump Administration.
@Nancy Sculerati MD Yes, bitter sarcasm is my jam.
@Barry Ancona I am trying to join you.
@Byron I'm trying. And I say that aware of at least two meanings of that word.
@Adam Good for you. I just hit "reveal word" as expiditiously as possible. Never played Nintendo.
I lose again.
I have to remember that the people who construct crosswords have very little knowledge about much of anything except crossword puzzles and to avoid playing them if there is anything else I can possibly do to occupy myself.
@Barry Ancona The puzzle is - as far as I can tell, most appealing when a person has only a tiny bit of knowledge about the subject of a clue. Beyond that, it is important to think of the clues as rough estimates. Example, clue: a common material for quilts. entry: Eider. Now Eider down is a prized but extremely UNcommon filler for quilts. If you know much about quilts, or the thermal properties or bird plumage, you are never going to get this right. But, to a lover of these puzzles, that seems to be the highest criterion for an excellent clue. A little off, but ultimately - not wrong. Of course, realize that I can't get anything much right on these puzzles myself.
@Peter C. Or people who expect that the answer is not some form of humor to insiders
Reminds me of one of my favorite movies, "Ball of Fire"(1941), when the mailman is thrilled to hear the answer to one of the Quiz Clues, "Nobody's gonna get that".
@Kris T I wonder where that Litchis spelling is usual? Who knows the answer?
@Steve L So there is a unique culture of the crossword. You are very correct, I am a struggling novice. But I still would like to know - is there a country or dialect that spells the lychee Litchis? Does anybody know?
Absofst?
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