Saturday, March 2, 2019

Today’s Saturday Stumper

Today’s Newsday Saturday Stumper, by Lester Ruff, has some surprisingly easy clues. I started solving with one: 32-Across, seven letters, “Users of Breathe Right strips.” NICEGUYS? No, that’s eight letters. Then I noticed 11-Down, ten letters, “Novel inspired by Cain and Abel.” And 12-Down, ten letters, “Wharton work.” And I was on my way.

I always like smart clues for little words. For instance, 51-Across, three letters, “Day preceder or follower.” And 53-Down, four letters, “Service members.” That’s right next to 52-Down, four letters, “Service members.” Nice work, Mr. Ruff.

A meta clue, 28-Down, ten letters, “Stumpery clue for ‘rise.’”

And one clue I’d question: 15-Down, six letters, “Mitigates.” That works only if the answer is an archaic meaning.

No spoilers: the answers are in the comments.

comments: 4

Michael Leddy said...

SNORERS. EASTOFEDEN. ETHANFROME. ONE. CUPS. ARMY. COURTORDER. SLAKES.

Merriam-Webster gives “to lessen the force of” as an archaic meaning of slake. I think it’s quite a reach from mitigate to slake.

joecab said...

Last week was pretty tough but I zoomed through this one. Easiest we've had in a while.

Michael Leddy said...

Les Ruff than usual. :)

joecab said...

OUCH! :)