Puzzle Answers - Four-Play - Harper’s Magazine May 2016 (SPOILER ALERT!)

Puzzle Answers - Four-Play - Harper’s Magazine May 2016 (SPOILER ALERT!)

Rainbow Barf.

Across

1. (See instructions) (6,5) = HENRIK IBSEN

Author of 10-Down, 11-Down, and 38-Across

10. Keyboard key used in telex transmission that can be sent (8) =TEXTABLE

Keyboard key [TAB] in anagram of [TELEX]

12. Underworld gal making adjustment to teach English (6) = HECATE

anagram ([TEACH] + [E])nglish

13. Got sick, having been served a meal at the counter? (6) = BARFED

served a meal [FED] + counter [BAR]

15. Time being what it is: name long ago (5) = NONCE

 [N]ame + long ago [ONCE]

16. I’m in the habit, or I’m in with half, please (6) = WIMPLE

[IM] + [W]ith + [PLE]

17. Article removed from imperial menace (7) = IMPERIL

[IMPERIAL] - [A]rticle

19. Where some Frenchmen locate tailored inseam (6) = AMIENS

anagram [INSEAM]

20. Camper taken in by male elements in the company of superheroes (6) = MARVEL

anagram (camper [RV] + [MALE])

21. One who deserves to be left out! (4) = LOUT

[L]eft + [OUT]

22. Misdirections behind some stock (3,6) = BUM STEERS

behind [BUM] + stock [STEERS]

23. Giving positions around piano dishonors arrangement (10) = DONORSHIPS

anagram ([DISHONORS] + [P]iano)

26. That man needs a place, like for showing great range (9) HIMALAYAS

that man [HIM] + [A] + place [LAY] + like [AS]

28. It’s not quite hip to sing like a bird (3) = COOL

hip [COO]l

29. Partially enunciate hooks in the body (4) = UNCI

en[UNCI]ate

30. What is a flowering of youth? That ____! (3) = ZIT

“that’s it” sounds like “that’[Z IT]”

31. List of university fellows given precedence (4) = MENU

 fellows [MEN] + [U]niversity

32. Half of dance requires a final character: a little Bono (4) = CHAZ

dance [CHA] cha + final character [Z]

33. Ruffian in retrospect is mostly innocent (4) = NAIF

reverse ruf[FIAN]

34. Moore and Craig, e.g., in ties (5) = BONDS

actors who played James [BONDS]

35. Toy bird (4) = KITE

both toy and bird are synonyms of [KITE]

36. On we spoke—oh, it’s so boring! (5) = ENNUI

“on we” sounds like [ENNUI]

37. Oddly I schemed for a cold drink (4) = ICEE

[I] s[C]e[E]m[E]d

38. (See instructions) (5,6) = HEDDA GABLER

Down

1. Scoundrel with a revolver—don’t get me started! (4) = HEEL

I'm not sure about the annotation here…leave a comment if you've got the correct word play on this one.

2. Run out of a church to call your old girlfriend? (13) = EXCOMMUNICATE

old girlfriend [EX] + call [COMMUNICATE]

3. Hit over the head by a kid’s toy? That’s foolish (13) = RATTLEBRAINED

hit over the head [BRAINED] + kid’s toy [RATTLE]

4. One live cross horny North African (4) = IBEX

one [I] + live [BE] + cross [X]

5. Milk’s an odd choice for white lovers (7) = KLANISM

anagram ([MILKS] + [AN])

6. Mind if I left some chaff (4) = BRAN

mind [BRAIN] - if [I] left

7. Re-crosses out origin of bad spelling (9) = SORCERESS

anagram ([RE CROSSES]])

8. English FCC fees never obscure high spirits (13) = EFFERVESCENCE

anagram ([E]nglish + [FCC] + [FEES] + [NEVER])

9. “Born to Die” Republican leaves more wanting (7) = NEEDIER

born [NEE] + [DIE] + [R]

10. (See instructions) (3,4,4) = THE WILD DUCK

11. (See instructions) (1,5,5) = A DOLL’S HOUSE

14. Seen as typical Beat poet, I’m writing one last letter at the end (10) = EPITOMIZED

anagram ([POET] + [IM]) + letter at the end [ZED]

18. Two Irishmen make the sound of soft footsteps (3-3) = PAT-PAT

Irishman [PAT] + Irishman [PAT]

24. Humiliation in college almost has pizzazz (6) = HAZING

[HA]s + pizzazz [ZING]ß

25. Something exciting can also be downer (6) = WONDER

anagram [DOWNER]

27. Lanai decorated for a swinger’s need, possibly (5) = LIANA

anagram [LANAI]

34. Napkin put up or down, doesn’t matter (3) = BIB

word is a palindrome

Puzzle Answers - Foursomes - Harper's Magazine September 2015 (SPOILER ALERT!)

Puzzle Answers - Foursomes - Harper's Magazine September 2015 (SPOILER ALERT!)

Desperate Rhymes. Desperate Measures.

33A

Spanish leaders—each gets official after I empty the sink = SUMP PUMP

(S) + official (UMP) + (P) + (UMP)

1A

Check for pesky critters = RESTRICT

(CRITTERS) [Anagram]

15D

Curious bleating coming from concrete = TANGIBLE

(BLEATING) [Anagram]

9D

Special terms for writer: “Wills Covering Death” = GLOSSARY

writer Wills (GARY*) + death (LOSS)

*Harper's error on spelling of Wills' first name.
(Correction, thanks to anonymous corrector)

7A

Viet follower against government leader = CONG

against (CON) + (G)overnment

32A

Lose head of steers in woods = ELMS

steers (HELMS) - (H)

28D

Something between springs that adds energy to sleep = NEAP

(E)energy + sleep (NAP)

1D

Note morning papers, collectively = REAM

note (RE) + morning (AM)

8D

Listen to any, any goose! = NENE

"any, any" sounds like [N-E-N-E]
(Correct wordplay, thanks to anonymous corrector)

26D

Season when a hotel becomes hot? = NOEL

hotel with NO (EL) = hot

10A

Contributor to blessed existence = ESSE

bl(ESSE)d

31A

I got to lay off Tchaikovsky’s father = ILYA

(I) + (LAY) [Anagram]

30A

Newt (not Gingrich) enters for fear that I’m least conservative = LEFTEST

newt (EFT) + for fear (LEST)

20D

E.g., billed to build house when it’s not finished? Goodness no! Upsetting! = HOMONYM

house (HOM)e + goodness (MY) + (NO) [Anagram]

2D

Spottings produced by palsies = ESPIALS

(PALSIES) [Anagram]

11A

Crafted leather from a Southern state = TARHEEL

(LEATHER) [Anagram]

12A

I regret getting a business degree, leaving a stain = IMBRUE

(I) + regret (RUE) + business degree (MB)

29A

Find some wool itching—that’s nutty! = LITCHI

woo(L + ITCHI)ing

16D

Turnover: a dessert some initially made in classes = STRATA

(A) + dessert (TART) + (S)ome [Reversed]

13D

Second gone, twelve’s pickings can be slim = SVELTE

(T)w(ELVES) [Anagram]

7D

Big post with a hundred locks and staffs up on it = CHAIRMANSHIP

hundred (C) + locks (HAIR) + staffs (MANS) + up on it (HIP)

3D

Humors people taking time to be seen in paintings = TEMPERAMENTS

people (MEN) + (T)time + paintings (TEMPERAS)

14A

Has a wrong view of the Church of England—outside it’s wildly impressive = MISPERCEIVES

(C)church + (IMPRESSIVE) + (E)ngland [Anagram]

25A

Throw dirt on the embassy? It gives one pause* = INTERMISSION

throw dirt on (INTER) + embassy (MISSION)

24A

No ally retreating finds you carrying soldiers = ENEMY

you (YE) + soldiers (MEN) [Reversed]

6A

Trapped, needing time? Uprising does = TREED

[T]rapped + does [DEER]
(Correct wordplay, thanks to anonymous corrector)

15A

Rates changed? It’s shocking = TASER

(RATES) [Anagram]

23D

Heir to the throne leaves church in a French town = ARLES

heir to the throne (CHARLES) - (CH)urch

18A

Roses show early indications of rain, even dry spells = REDS

(R)ain + (E)ven + (D)ry + (S)pells

22A

A mug shot for a position in South Pacific = GUAM

(A MUG) [Anagram]

27D

Porgy and Bess’s finale gets trophy = SCUP

Bess’(S) + trophy (CUP)

4D

Rustic Uber taxis = RUBE

(UBER) [Anagram]

5D

Caduceus designed to be assembled locally = CAUCUSED

(CADUCEUS) [Anagram]

19A

Goodwill gets work of muralist = ALTRUISM

(MURALIST) [Anagram]

17D

Sweet letters stir a misunderstanding somewhat = TIRAMISU

s(TIR + A + MISU)nderstanding

21A

It comes after one teardrop, sadly = PREDATOR

(TEARDROP) [Anagram]

Puzzle Answers - Acrostic - August 1-2, 2015 - The Wall Street Journal - (SPOILER ALERT!)

Puzzle Answers - Acrostic - August 1-2, 2015 - The Wall Street Journal - (SPOILER ALERT!)

Here at Shea the Beatles Invented the stadium concert. They played under the big Mets logo at the top of the scoreboard. This was the largest crowd ever assembled to listen to music. What happened at Shea that night would eventually lead to the crowd at Woodstock.

-Dana Brand
"The Last Days of Shea"

A. Dust Bowl
B. Allsorts
c. Networth
D. Absinthe
E. Baby Ruth
F. Roulette
G. Apothegm
H. New Haven
I. Dogteeth
J. Tentpole
K. Hedgehog
L. Esmeralda
M. Love Me Do
N. Attend to
O. Sweet Tea
P. Tar Heels
Q. Duct Tape
R. Acid Rock
S. Yesterday
T. Services
U. On the Town
V. Flautist
W. Switch Hit
X. Hopscotch
Y. Edith Head
Z. Adams Ale

Puzzle Answers - Changing Direction - July 11-12, 2015 - The Wall Street Journal - (SPOILER ALERT!)

Puzzle Answers - Changing Direction - July 11-12, 2015 - The Wall Street Journal - (SPOILER ALERT!)

ROWS

1.
Down and out = POOR
Dust Bowl migrant = OKIE
Annual music festival in Tennessee = BONNAROO

2.
Bugs = ANNOYS
Wasn't caught by, say = OUTRAN
"American Idol" contestants = SINGERS

3.
Athletes who wear silks = JOCKEYS
Of historic significance = MOMENTOUS

4.
Film set on Pandora = AVATAR
Parmesan substitute = ROMANO

5.
Portions out = METES
Monument Valley sight = MESA
Pricey fur = SABLE
Egyptian headdress symbol = ASP

6.
Many a Sinai Peninsula dweller = ARAB
Comes down with something (2 wds) = TAKES ILL

7.
Sudden outpouring = SPATE
Imitate a bunny = HOP

8.
Pull down = EARN
Shish ______ (Turkish Dish) = KEBAB
Guilty party, in cop lingo = PERP
Democratic politician Feingold = RUSS

9.
Offset one's bad deeds = ATONE
Muckracking journalist Bly = NELLIE
Piedmont city = ASTI

10.
Like new releases of old albums, often = REMASTERED
Jeeves-to-Wooster address = SIR

11.
Colosseum racer of old = CHARIOTEER

12.
State capital whose name means "sheltered bay" = HONOLULU


COLUMNS

1.
Successfully persuaded (2 wds.) WON OVER
"Open" sporting events (Hyph.) = PRO-AMS
Germany's second-largest city, after Berlin = HAMBURG

2.
Geologic time unit divided into eras = EON
Firstborn con = CAIN
Goes on a spree = SHOPS
Ivy League school briefly = PENN

3.
Unmanned craft = DRONE
Posthumous 2015 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee (2 wds.) = LOU

REED

4.
Group's senior member = DOYEN
Pieces in the game Go = TONES
"Up" voice actor Ed = ASNER

5.
Working well together = In SYNC
Yalta Conference participant = STALIN

6.
#10 on the periodic table = NEON
Hatchery residents = HENS
Volkswagon model designed in the 1930s = BEETLE
Attends as a visitor (2 wds.) = SITS IN

7.
Sugar in the blood = GLUCOSE
"Malcolm in the Middle" dad = HAL
Help a worrywart = REASSURE

8.
Little One = TOT
Ultracurrent, as technology = SPACE-AGE

9.
In need of medical attention = HURT
Italian seafood entree = SCAMPI
Demonstrated audacity = DARED

10.
Bank offering, for short = IRA
Pals of Tarzan = APES
Largely obsolete telecom device = BEEPER

11.
Stimpy's compatriot = REN
Low in fat = LEAN
____ Minor (Polaris constellation) = URSA


12. = DESI

Puzzle Answers - Labyrinth - June 20-21, 2015 - The Wall Street Journal - (SPOILER ALERT!)

Puzzle Answers - Labyrinth - June 20-21, 2015 - The Wall Street Journal - (SPOILER ALERT!)

I don't always solve the puzzle but when I do, it's on a sundae.

Labyrinth | by Mike Shenk 

Across

1. 

• Composer of the 1963 televised opera “Labyrinth” = MENOTTI
• It comes straight from the horse’s mouth = NEIGH

2.

• Cross training goal = FITNESS
• Set aside = ALLOT

3.

• Neapolitan, e.g. = ITALIAN
• Four for Favre = DOWNS

4.

• Witty conversation = REPARTEE
• Boarding site = GATE

5.

• “A Musketeer of great height and haughty countenance” = PORTHOS
• Singer with the 2006 album “Songs from the Labyrinth” = STING

6.

• Sites for muezzins = MINARETS
• Largest member of the brass family = TUBA

7.

• Treats with more leniency (3 wds.) = LETS UP ON
• She pined for Narcissus = ECHO

8.

• Spa treatment = PEEL
• Oscar nominee for “Tootsie” (2 was.) = TERI GARR

9.

• Mental workout = TEST
• Sheets and pillowcases (2 wds.) = BED LINEN

10.

• Rigging support = SPAR
• Inflatable used in an emergency (2 wds.) = LIFE RAFT

11.

• Unaffected = NATURAL
• Focus of IBM’s Deep Blue computer = CHESS

12.

• Choose a successor = ANOINT
• Newspaper coupon section for example = INSERT

13.

• Witty conversation = BANTER
• Skylit courtyard = ATRIUM

14.

• Mount Vernon is on its banks = POTOMAC
• In-group outcasts = NERDS

Winding

• Unwritten reminders = MENTAL NOTES
• Herbal infusion for medicinal purposes = TISANE
• Worst part of a performance or event = LOWLIGHT
• Beginning = ONSET
• Senescence = AGEDNESS
• Quarry work = STONECUTTING
• Inspiring disgust = ABHORRENT
• Cream of Wheat, for example = FARINA
• Corset’s cousin = GIRDLE
• Jerks back in fear = FLINCHES
• Makes balalaika music = STRUMS
• Helps with the dishes = DRIES
• Budget item? (Hype.) = RENT-A-CAR
• Anathema to a Vulcan = EMOTION
• Head honcho (2 wds.) = TOP BANANA
• Beat a hasty retreat (2 wds.) = TURN TAIL
• Entomologist’s specimen = BEETLE
• Shoulder bag feature = STRAP
• High point of many a village skyline = STEEPLE
• Consequential = IMPORTANT
• Apartment house worker = SUPER
• Empty talk (2 wds.) = HOT AIR
• Ouzo or pastis = APERITIF

Puzzle Answers - 2 for Two- June 13-14, 2015 - The Wall Street Journal - (SPOILER ALERT!)

Puzzle Answers - 2 for Two- June 13-14, 2015 - The Wall Street Journal - (SPOILER ALERT!)

Skunk Party.

2 for Two | a cryptic puzzle by Emily Cox & Henry Rathvon 

Across 

1. For a pointer, don’t start a litter of pigs = ARROW

litter of pigs = f[ARROW]

4. Sign on a score for scales transposed between two keys (2 wds.) = BASS CLEF

9.  Count hard to believe? You betcha (2 wds.) = TALLY UP

hard to believe = [TALL] + you betcha = [YUP]

10.  A river, isn’t that right?! = ARNO

[A] + [R]iver + isn’t that right = [NO]

11.  Dorothy’s aunt, the one reported to work with studs = EMBOSS

Dorothy’s aunt = [EM] + the one reported [BOSS]

12.  Harsh season’s ending for a wading bird = BITTERN

harsh = [BITTER] + seaso[N]

13.  Vessel’s amount of gas: about empty = GALLEON

amount of gas = GALLON + [E]mpty

• 
  

14. Native American playwright born in France = SHAWNEE

playwright = [SHAW] + born in France = [NEE]

16. Spread fertilizer around bit of myrtle = HUMMUS

fertilizer = [HUMUS] = [M]yrtle

17. See instructions = TOOOOOOT [T222T]

“Solvers who complete this puzzle may want to blow their own party horns.”

20. Market is quite peculiar, by the sound of it =  BAZAAR

quite peculiar = bizarre {Homophone}

21. Convertible sleepers that can’t be matched = PEERLESS

SLEEPERS {Anagram}

22. A large wager—around half of it, though = ALBEIT

[A] + [L]arge + wager = [BET] + [I]t

25. Fan taking in live pop (2 wds.)  = ROOT BEER

fan = [ROOTER] + live = [BE]

26. With fancy touches, young horse captures first in race = FRILLY

young horse = [FILLY] + [R]ace

27. Medicinal plant a couple of Henry VIII’s wives brought back = SENNA

a couple of Henry VIII’s wives = [ANNES] {Reverse}

28. A McAn shoe width that’s comfortable (2 wds.) = AT HOME

29. Family of singers wanders off = ANDREWS

[WANDERS] {Anagram}

30. When speaking, must have bumped in a way = KNEED

 must have = [NEED] {Homophone}

Down 

1. Chilling a needle (2 wds.) = AT EASE

[A] + needle = [TEASE]

2. Where to see shoppers returning a source of wool = LLAMA

where to see shoppers = [A MALL] {Reverse}

3. Odd outfield achievement: bee-catching = OFF BEAT

4. Pirate stated aloud price for corn on the cob? = BUCCANEER

price for corn on the cob = [BUCK AN EAR] {Homophone}

5. Center of vertebral canal giving the spine a chill = EERIE

vert[E]bral + canal = [ERIE]

6. Challenge American League amid bash (2 wds.) = CALL OUT

[A]merican + [L]eague + bash = [CLOUT]

7. One true stranger along the way (2 wds.) = EN ROUTE

[ONE TRUE] {Anagram}

8. Sources of footnotes, oddly = FONTS

foot = [FO] + notes = [NTS]

12. Accountant’s pager bearing 0-0-1000-1000 = BOOKKEEPER 

pager = [BEEPER] + 0 = [O] + 0 = [O] + 1000 = [K] + 1000 = [K]

15. Grouse, attesting disbelief about piece of hearsay (2 wds.) = HEATH HEN

16. These fill new requirements for some wearers of shoes (2 wds.) = HEEL LIFTS

[THESE FILL] {Anagram}

17. Labor to reset a row of buttons on your computer screen = TOOLBAR

[LABOR TO] {Anagram}

18. A pound—one appearing in old England = ALBION

19. Marshaled a police action using a loudspeaker? = ARRAYED

20. Massage back second, with a cushion for the shoulder, maybe = BURSA

massage = [RUB] {Reverse} + [S]econd + [A]

23. Utter disapproval for the hard stuff = BOOZE

disapproval = boos  {Homophone}

24. Announced “low, low” dress in an island style = MUUMUU 

low = moo {Homophone}

Puzzle Answers - ROWS GARDEN- June 6-7, 2015 - The Wall Street Journal - (SPOILER ALERT!)

Puzzle Answers - ROWS GARDEN- June 6-7, 2015 - The Wall Street Journal - (SPOILER ALERT!)

Rows Garden | by Patrick Berry

When in Rome

Rows

A. Fast growers in the garden = MUSHROOMS

B. Stuff kept in cellars (2 wds.) = TABLE SALT

Item whose head can have a maximum width of 12.5 inches (2 wds.) = TENNIS RACKET

C. “No need to dress up” (4 wds.) = COME AS YOU ARE

Unfortunate side effect of xerostomia, or “dry mouth” (2 wds.) = BAD BREATH

D. Of the highest quality (Hyph.) = TOP NOTCH

The first one, issued in 1861, depicted Abraham Lincoln (2 wds., Hyph.) = TEN-DOLLAR BILL

E. He donated $1 billion to the United Nations, saying “A billion’s a good round number” (2 wds.) = TED TURNER

Irish landmark that supposedly bestows “the gift of the gab” when kissed (2 wds.) = BLARNEY STONE


F. Popular Christmas song of 1934 that never actually mentions the word “Christmas” (2 wds.) = WINTER WONDERLAND

Blue Cross competitor = AETNA

G. Exhausted runner’s asset (2 wds.) = SECOND WIND

Like some metaphorical glasses (Hyph.) = ROSE-COLORED

H. Real-life actress portrayed in the films “The Rat Pack” and “The Aviator” (2 wds.) = AVA GARDNER

Planet that’s visible in the night sky (2 wds.) = EVENING STAR

I. People whose success must be equaled, with “the” = JONESES

Veterans service organization whose creation was overseen by Theodore Roosevelt Jr.(2 wds.) = AMERICAN LEGION

J. 1974 hit song whose lyrics name-check Neil Young (3 wds.) = SWEET HOME ALABAMA

Broadway musical featuring the song “You Won’t Be an Orphan for Long” = ANNIE

K. They’re taken for parts (2 wds.) = SCREEN TESTS

Capital city of New Zealand, named for an English duke = WELLINGTON

L. “Strangers on a Train” actress who survived the sinking of the Andrea Doria (2 wds.) = RUTH ROMAN


Light Blooms

Rotating part of a tank = TURRET
Pointy tooth = CANINE
“...the Lord ___ away” = TAKETH
Penitent people make them = AMENDS
“Arabian Nights” sailor = SINBAD
Dish for serving soup = TUREEN
Consume sparingly, as food = RATION
Action seen by soldiers = COMBAT
Most populous U.S. native tribe = NAVAJO
Made a raucous sound = BLARED
Plays darts = THROWS
Art director’s creation = LAYOUT
Unwavering = STEADY
Giving a title to = NAMING


Medium Blooms

Sign up = ENROLL
Carpenter’s fasteners = SCREWS
“Catch you later!” (2 wds.) = SEE YOU
Shelled sea creature = MUSSEL
Fire-breather of myth = DRAGON
Hampton of jazz = LIONEL
Pre-1984 telecom giant, familiarly (2 wds.) = MA BELL
Like plants in offices = POTTED
Goes overboard on stage = EMOTES
High chair? = THRONE
Worker who steers steers = DROVER
Ritualistically recite = INTONE
Rebounds, as a billiard ball = CAROMS
World War I construction = TRENCH


Dark Blooms

Reacts to a friend’s faux pas = WINCES
German chancellor Merkel = ANGELA
Scissors wielder = BARBER
Do a slow burn = SEETHE
Jousting weapons = LANCE
Sift (through) = WINNOW
Retro roof attachment = AERIAL
Lawn pest that stings (2 wds.) = RED ANT
Pop singer Sheena = EASTON
Closed in on = NEARED