Saturday, July 4, 2026

Today’s Saturday Stumper

Today’s Newsday  Saturday Stumper is by Stan Newman, the puzzle’s editor, and it’s a toughie. Take 7-D, fifteen letters, “Top global-gross film of 1996,” which seems like trivia until you realize that there’s a point. And 36-A, fifteen letters, “Timely tablet reading,” whose answer that baffled me until I looked it up.

Some other clue-and-answer pairs of note:

26-A, three letters, “Jack’s edible partner.”

43-A, six letters, “Cameras, to eyes.” I think camera would make a better clue.

52-A, four letters, “Last to be viewed in 2001.” Yes, it’s one tough puzzle.

57-A, six letters, “Peroxide target.” Eww.

My favorite in this puzzle: 32-A, nine letters, “Cheese lover (and mixed-up tulip hero).” Wut?

No spoilers; the answers are in the comments.

5 comments:

  1. INDEPENDENCEDAY.

    JULYIVMDCCLXXVI. (On the tablet of the Statue of Liberty).

    MAC. ANALOG. DAVE. TUROPHILE.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I don't get that MAC answer. Explain?

    Lots of "off by one" entries for me: in season vs, IN REASON (Not outrageous), needed vs SEEDED (What you'd expect favorites to be) , toted vs TOWED (Hauled off)...

    ReplyDelete
  3. Jack and Mac: I thought of macaroni and cheese, but I don’t know of anyone who makes it with Monterey Jack. A better option explanation (I think) is that Jack and Mac are both ways to address some generic man: Hey Mac, watch what yer doin’. But that didn’t occur to me while I was doing the puzzle. I think I should add this possibility at Crossword Fiend.

    I had TOTED first too.

    ReplyDelete

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