Lesley
NY
I finished but … meh. Felt like it tried too hard.
What a great and enjoyable puzzle. Congratulations to the constructor. And BOO to the unnecessarily mean-spirited comments.
Fun theme and fun puzzle. I don’t get all the criticism. While certainly some answers were annoying (“drily” instead of “dryly”) it’s a puzzle. Congrats to Mr. Gard.
Clever, enjoyable puzzle. The proper nouns did not bother me at all. Congrats to the constructor and his patience in submitting 35 puzzles before being selected.
Enjoyed the puzzle and the theme. I have never criticized a clue before, but the clue for ALUM is terrible.
Delightful fun. I don’t get the nitpicking of some. It’s a puzzle.
What a fun puzzle. Congratulations to the constructor on a great job. I cannot understand the many complaints about the puzzle being published on a Thursday as opposed to a Tuesday or Wednesday. I also thought the revealer was consistent with the theme and don’t understand why people have an issue with it.
@Barry Ancona There is another meaning to the word that is in active use today. Anyone who needlepoints (like me) or does other needlework keeps a jar or container next to us to put all the snips of thread and stray bits that are cut as we work. Those thread pieces are known as “orts“ and the jar is called an ort jar. You can Google images.
Viand is just one word for food that starts with the letters “VI.” The others are vittles and victuals. there is at least one restaurant in Manhattan named Viand.
Loved this puzzle! I had no idea what RIDING THE PINE was. Learned something new. Bravo to Mr. Lieb!
Enjoyed the puzzle. Congrats to the constructor.
My condolences Deb. A lovely and heartfelt tribute to your father. Can someone explain the answer to 55 down? I got it (ETA) but don’t understand the connection to the clue (H).
Wonderful and fun! Congrats on your debut!
Great fun. Started slowly got a foothold with skeleton costume and just started building from there. I learned a new word today. I did not know BELAY is a term for securing a rope. Congrats to the constructors! This morning
Great fun puzzle, congrats and thanks to Joe Deeney.
Terrific puzzle. Fresh, fun, and somewhat challenging. Kudos to the constructor.
Am I supposed to be seeing some indication on the grid of the location of the rebus or trick? I have both the game app on my phone and the New York Times app and nothing is showing on either one. Just curious
I wish I could edit my comment and remove the words at the end “this morning” - the app picked up words from the TV in the background.
Very enjoyable. I knew viand but never heard of “neap.” got it only from the crosses
@Renegator I’ve heard of cutie patootie and used it myself - usually when referring to a toddler. I do not get the connection to the clue “buns.”
Congratulations Alex! What fun for a Friday.
Wonderful, chewy, challenging and satisfying puzzle. Kudos to the constructor!
@Steve L yes thanks! I instinctively made the connection but you articulated it.
I do not understand the comment about the animals disappearing from the crossword - can somebody please explain it to me? Mine did not disappear
@HeathieJ I read the column and you explained it much better
I do the puzzle on the New York Times app. I do not have any circles for the rebus so I had trouble figuring it out at first. How can I get the circles to show? I have all the overlay and other buttons turned on.
@JP I totally agree. Why can’t a crossword puzzle just be a crossword puzzle
beginner question here. I solve the puzzles but do keep the autocheck function on the entire time. is that a “bad” thing? Is the idea to solve the puzzle without using it?
Can someone explain to me the answer to 14 down? I see it’s a play on the word “stereo” but am not connecting it. Thanks
Newbie question. I thought that generally speaking, if the answer consisted of initials or an abbreviated form of a word, that would be indicated in the clue. 58 down does not give any indication that the answer (BBQ) consists of initials. Am I misunderstanding the “rules?”
Fun puzzle but can someone help me understand 35D and the connection between the clue (“cut down”) and the solution (“slain”)— I solved it correctly but still having trouble understanding it. Slay means to kill something or to kill at a performance. are we to equate “cut down“ with killing?
@Shari Coats just curious. What do you consider “fast” for a Thursday? I’ve been doing the puzzle for a few months. Thx
How does “T in a code” solve to dah …
I don’t understand Caitlin‘s comment about the nosecone of the rocketship appearing as a black triangle under 79 down. There is no 79-down - what am I missing?
I solved this on my iPhone. I do not get anything special when I click on the box to enter the rebus - do not get any indication that the box is a rebus or any options to type in additional letters. what am I doing wrong?
I looked through many of the comments on this sad day, but did not see anybody ask about the answer to 57 down. Can someone please explain it to me? Thanks.
@Vaer when I read that clue, I thought it was asking for a letter in the American alphabet that has three syllables. The only one is W. The clue does not specify it is looking for a Greek letter. is it just me, or was this not a great clue? Thank you for your response.
@Phil it was my best time on a Friday puzzle in the last year, so apparently I found it easier than other Friday puzzles