Anna
Germany
I want to say that I am truly grateful that the NYT Crossword has become a staple in my life. Every day, it takes my mind of the horrors of the modern world we live in. And even though it's just twenty minutes out of my day, it does ground me. Additionally, I genuinely enjoy the comment section as well and I come here every day. Of course, sometimes there is a little spite, a little condescension, a little frustration. Which we also probably read too much into as well. But I still do appreciate the intelligent and punny comments that bring a smile to my face. This community is a good place, you are good people, and I am happy to be a part of it.
Oh my... Oh, oh my... After being subscribed to the NYT Crossword Puzzle for almost 7 years, today marks the first Saturday I ever solved on my own! I have been having some stressful days and the solving sound just made me smile for the first time in a while! I loved it. The clues were so clever. Thanks so much, I am over the moon!
Eureka! My very first Friday solve!
Today marks my second solved saturday and my first solving seven SPREE. And it took me seven years. How fitting!
We Non-US folks sometimes struggle with americanisms, especially when it comes to sports-related clues. Sometimes it even goes over my head that a clue asks about an American sports. Or what sport. So it is very refreshing to have one with no such American trivia and barely any proper nouns. Thanks, Mr Agard, this was a very enjoyable solve!
What got you lot started with the NYT Crossword? I'll start: I subscribed in 2018 after I watched the Crossword episode of Brooklyn 99. Amy Santiago's and Captain Holt's fascination intrigued me. I am sure, today I would also fangirl hard to see Will Shortz in that episode!
What a fantastic theme. And not too very difficult for non-US Solvers (had to look up the baseball clue e.g.). I just started daring to start solving Thursdays and it's my sixth golden one :)
@David I have been subscribed to the NYT Crossword since 2018. The first time, I managed to solve a Saturday completely by myself with no real help was in early 2025. Complaining about something being too hard while acknowledging being inexperienced, I mean... You see the flaw in your argument yourself, right? Given you stated you're quite intelligent. Just keep at it. You'll eventually find Saturdays a great challenge just like the rest of us. And if not? Fine as well. It's supposed to be fun. No point in doing them if you don't enjoy it. No one's forcing you to.
@D I work in that field and I need to emphasize how important it is to never, ever believe what Gemini (or any other AI) tells you. If you research something, read up on it yourself. Wikipedia is still an overall good first source to start and learn something new. Gemini/AI will hallucinate and feed you wrong information. QED.
Great puzzle! It would be a great one to suggest to brand new solvers.
@Andrzej Similar in German/Germany. We "press our thumbs" for good luck, but I think we do cross our fingers behind our backs to signal we are lying. Although being an English/German Translator and consuming a ton of American media, I more and more struggle with what is my "original" culture and what is my adopted one.
So, AVEDA must be a skin care product regularly used at Hogwarts, right?
What a fun solve. Just the right difficulty for a Wednesday and the theme is such a treat! Thank you so much :)
@Bill That is so interesting to see, how different it is for us. Yesterday was my personal record, I just kinda knew at least half of the solves in the first run through. Today was difficult though.
@Andrzej While I can understand your point, I feel your comment goes a bit far, though. It is a bit unnecessary to attack the constructor this way. Furthermore, of course you can waive your rights, even in Poland. You could, e.g., waive your right to speak during an interrogation or at trial if you might incriminate yourself. I personally didn't think the theme was as bad as you described it. I filled it with only looking up two words and I am also neither American nor do I live there. So, maybe it was just a very Monday Monday for you. I hope you'll enjoy the rest of the week's puzzles :)
In Psychology, it is often said that the brain cannot think in negatives. For 41-Across I had _ _ M P S and was certain that it is TEMPS. Take that, Science.
Just some feedback on the app functionality: Recently, after an update, the app switched back to the light theme. I switched back manually to dark, however, now the information page (when you click on the "i") is still in light theme, which kind of burns my eyes every time I click on it, because everything usually is in dark mode. Maybe you could fix that so that this is also part of dark mode again like before :)
Technically, LEIA is not a sci-fi princess, because Star Wars is not science fiction, it's space fantasy or a space opera.
Quick and easy solve, great to start the week. Thanks!
@Jacqueline Wow, that is impressive. My personal record was also today, but at 8:26. I don't even know how you can type this fast :D Well done!
@Rich in Atlanta That one is also part of the Crossword Pack "Will Shortz' Favourites" :)
Congratulations, what a great achievement :) Soon you'll be solving Saturdays! :)
Hahahaha! A time for us millennials to shine! Thanks for the delightful puzzle.
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