Today’s Newsday Saturday Stumper, by Brad Wilber, reminded me of what it was (sometimes) like to take a final exam: sit down; feel a bit 40-D, seven letters, “Put off”; dig in; and find everything falling into place.
I noticed suggestions of domestic life in today’s puzzle: 1-D, five letters, “Potpourri quality” and 18-A, eight letters, “What potpourri is meant to be” paired nicely. Note: meant to be. I suspect that Wilber is not a fan of that smelly stuff.
Another nice domestic touch: 34-D, nine letters, “Starting points in crocheting” and 35-D, nine letters, “Thick as thieves.”
Some clues I especially liked: 2-D, “Telenovela ‘Yikes,’” which started my solving. 21-D, five letters, “Bach-era dance,” whose answer I wouldn’t have known B.E. And 60-A, six letters, “Place for an ace” SLEEVE? No.
My favorite clue in today’s puzzle: 11-D, five letters, “Rattling adders.” Again and again, Newsday strikes the right note in its trickier clueing for common words, preferring concision to overly elaborate, farfetched cuteness. Yes, New York Times crossword, I’m looking at you.
One question: is 38-D, five letters, really a “Bogart foe in five films”? No.
No spoilers: the answers are in the comments.
[B.E.: Before Elaine.]
Saturday, November 23, 2019
Today’s Saturday Stumper
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DAUNTED. SCENT. AROMATIC. SLIPKNOTS. CLOSEKNIT. AYCARAMBA. GIGUE. SORTIE. ABACI.
The Bogart foe is LORRE. But in Casablanca and Passage to Passage to Marseilles Peter Lorre is no foe.
Oops — Passage to Marseilles. I guess Passage to Passage to Marseilles could be a prequel.
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