The Business

Saturday, April 30, 2016

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

Sunday, August 16, 2015

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)

Check for pesky critters = RESTRICT

(CRITTERS) [Anagram]

15D

Curious bleating coming from concrete = TANGIBLE

(BLEATING) [Anagram]

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)

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)

Note morning papers, collectively = REAM

note (RE) + morning (AM)

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]

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]

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

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

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]

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)

Rustic Uber taxis = RUBE

(UBER) [Anagram]

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]

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

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

Monday, July 13, 2015

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

Sunday, June 21, 2015

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

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

Cross training goal = FITNESS
Set aside = ALLOT

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

Witty conversation = REPARTEE
Boarding site = GATE

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

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

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

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

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

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

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}

Monday, June 8, 2015

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

Thursday, May 21, 2015

Puzzle Answers - Diametricode - Harper's Magazine June 2015 (SPOILER ALERT!)

Guess who's back. Tell a friend.

ACROSS

8. In West African religion, be a sweet thing = JUJUBE

10. Alabama, South Carolina capitals back the Confederacy = CSA

12. Kind of wine, no year, sent back—far out! = YONDER

14. Holds up on nonsense, otherwise turns back = ROBS {AETF}

15. A red X put in plastic jar = RIOJA {AHECR}

16. Plan taking time off for fish = CHAR {JIRA}

17. Flowers one grows = IRISES

18. Chatter at the heart of the phone company? Just the reverse! = ATT

19. Saying: Of course it's, like, mailed = ASSENT

20. The Reb yields openers because of that = THEREBY {BIOAOTG}

22. Hundred hits into replayed video with vocals = VOICED

24. One can take her cue from cheat = EUCHRE

26. Rotund configuration with zero feet on it? = UNTROD {PLBAEK}

28. Streak, running around Olympian, perhaps = SKATER {FDRBOA}

29. Latin into bongo playing is hardly square = OBLONG

34. Canadian native makes American win in a fight, million times over = MUSKOX

37. Swiss city old fart comes from = ALTDORF {RNBKEAS}

38. Country once linking Namibia, France = BIAFRA

40. Latin American goddess, royal at heart = OYA

41. Quiet! (Passion held in in case of swordplay!) = SHEATH

43. French city, only misspelled = LYON {NGEL}

44. Dresses not loudly, with gems = ROCKS

45. Small pale-colored bird = SWAN {FQRL}

46. Caveat on Alaskan houses having no key = ATONAL

47. Put vegetable back in can = MAY

48. Ice cap melting—it produces heaving = IPECAC

DOWN

1. Status follower holding art book = QUARTO

2. Cracked back in crazy stunt = NUTSY

3. Strand after disease is cured = SEASIDE

4. Reforming Texas university, first duty of a state? = USE TAX

5. Was a revolver involved in tragedy = GYRATED

6. Go down, up on horse—that's quite a turnover? = KNISH

7. Wander down, going out more right = MEANER

9. Big fish company blankets Ohio = COHO {JEIE}

10. Cash exchanged, boxing ring mess = CHAOS

11. Man playing in factory

13. Doctor we upset pulled a gun = DREW

20. Head soup maker = BEAN

21. Toupee showing up on American wise guys = GURUS

23. Troubles with leaving documents about estates = ILLS

25. Deceive the man with healthy heart = HOKE

27. "Running Amok Around Outskirts of Barrio"—big report! = KABOOM

28. Weird wicked fakery = FREAKY

30. Stuffed food into London wartime place name = BLINTZ

31. Wound, kill, die = OFFEND

32. Called up, landlady, heartless and crooked = GNARLY

33. Spacy kid, with no passport, traveling—he comes with a lot of baggage = SKYCAP

34. Ceremony providing big rock presentation = MASSIF

35. Queen, in heels, perversely gives Hebrew money to Hebrews = SHEQEL

36. You can't start Disney turning fugitive = OUTLAW

39. Shakespearean role I never appeared in before = AGO

42. From Bismarck? Take a bow = ARC

Tuesday, January 6, 2015

Puzzle Answers - LABYRINTH - January 3-4, 2015 - The Wall Street Journal - (SPOILER ALERT!)

Chartres Labyrinth Photograph by Jeff Saward http://www.labyrinthos.net/

Labyrinth | by Mike Shenk

Across

1 • French city whose cathedral floor features a labyrinth = CHARTRES

 • Lead, for example = ROLE

2 • Prepares potatoes, in a way = RICES

 • How Pyrrhic victories are won (3 wds.) = AT A COST

3 • Nostalgic number = OLDIE

 • King’s enemies = RACISTS

 
4 • Like some oils and candles = SCENTED

 • Correct for publishing = AMEND

5 • Fit for farming = RURAL

 • Masthead setting, often (2 wds.) = PAGE TWO

6 • Did a drum major’s job (2 wds.) = KEPT TIME

• Fiddlehead source = FERN

 7 • Dramatist with three Pulitzer Prizes = ALBEE

• Thug = GORILLA

8 • A matter of degrees? = ANGLE

 • Far below the actual value, say = NOMINAL

9 • Tennis star with a record 17 Grand Slam titles = FEDERER

• Distinguish oneself = SHINE

10 • Intensely engaged = IMMERSED

• Give up = CEDE 

11 • Cold season purchase = TISSUES

• Monopoly collections = RENTS

12 • Pugilist’s prize = PURSE

• Doubloons from a sunken galleon, e.g. = SALVAGE

13 • Seeing the sites = ONLINE 

• One might be good with figures = SKATER

14 • Common name for pyridine-3-carboxylic acid = NIACIN

• Playing hooky, perhaps = ABSENT

Winding

• Concern for working parents (2 wds.) = CHILD CARE

• Fed subjects (2 wds.) = INTEREST RATES

• Purely theoretical = ACADEMIC

• Fowl poles? = ROOSTS

• Disappoints (2 wds.) = LETS DOWN

• Promise of Christianity (2 wds.) = ETERNAL LIFE

• Pool settings (2 wds.) = GAME ROOMS

• Mao’s realm (2 wds.) = RED CHINA

• Sparing the rod = LENIENT

 • Gila monster’s habitat = DESERT

• Invalidate = NEGATE

• Frugal fellow = SAVER

• Polio vaccine developer = SALK

• In it, the square of 8 is 71 (2 wds.) = BASE NINE

• 2000 Broadway show including the song “Oh, the Thinks You Can Think!” = SEUSSICAL

• Quarrel (Hyph.) = RUN-IN

• Pollyanna quality = OPTIMISM

• Render harmless = DEFANG

• Groucho expression = LEER

• Home to the largest terrestrial mammal migration in the world = SERENGETI

• Batter’s place = PLATE

 • “The Tyger” poet = BLAKE

 • Walkman, to the iPod, e.g. = PRECURSOR

Thursday, January 1, 2015

Puzzle Answers - TWENTY-SIX OUT - December 27-28, 2014 - The Wall Street Journal - (SPOILER ALERT!)

Across

1. Peg gets away with candy = TOFFEE

peg = (TEE) + away = (OFF)

5. For audience, singers as a group take to the ice with dazzle = CORUSCATE

CHORUS + SKATE (audience = HOMONYM)

10. Lopsided defeat overwhelms Oakland player in bad day at the ballpark = RAINOUT

lopsided defeat = (ROUT) + Oakland player = (A) + (IN)

11. Horseshoe Peak, Iowa, is a nice place to live = UTOPIA

horseshoe = (U) + peak = (TOP) + Iowa = (IA)

13. Tore around lake and made waves = RIPPLED

tore = (RIPPED) + (L)ake

14. Protestant group jokes about Rudner in comedy = PURITANS

jokes = (PUNS) + Rudner in comedy = (RITA)

15. Faculty I jailed in prison term = SENTIENCE

(I) + prison term = (SENTENCE)

18. Red spy caught in Massachusetts = MAGENTA

spy = (AGENT) + Massachusetts = (MA)

19. Mac tried doctored proof of work = TIMECARD

MAC TRIED [ANAGRAM]

20. Hype and hoo-ha for a museum name = PRADO

hype = (PR) + hoo-ha = (ADO)

21. Hot spots with good puzzles = GRIDDLES

(G)ood + puzzles = (RIDDLES)

24. Quality of an ape: primarily, his buoyancy = HAIRINESS

(H)is + buoyancy = (AIRINESS)

27. Mantra adopted by newlywed is a cliché = BROMIDE

mantra = (OM) + newlywed = (BRIDE)

30. Fight starter: a character in “Twilight” = BELLA

fight starter = (BELL) + (A)

31. Statement from a mathematician garbled in a quote = EQUATION

IN A QUOTE [ANAGRAM]

33. Henry VIII’s second tree pronounced very old = ANTIQUE

Henry VIII’s second = (ANNE) + tree = (TEAK) [HOMONYM]

35. Oddly dry eyes at sad Beatles song = YESTERDAY

(EYES) + (DRY) + (AT) [ANAGRAM]

37. Without having a theater debut, duet sang freely = UNSTAGED

(DUET) + (SANG) [ANAGRAM]

38. Fashioned a great ID for an animal (2 wds.) = EAR TAG

(A) + (GREAT) [ANAGRAM]

39. Homer, in Italian lake, makes a sort of picture = CHROMO

homer = (HR) + Italian lake = (COMO)

40. Embarrassed Dickens baddie is seized by call for quiet = SHEEPISH

Dickens baddie = (HEEP) + (IS) + call for quiet = (SH)

41. Hard water’s running into the ground = EARTHWARDS

HARD WATERS [ANAGRAM]

42. After gym, fish around for a bit of gorp = PEANUT

after gym = (PU) + fish = (NET) + (A)

Down

1. Spare part adapted for roofing materials = TARPAPERS

SPARE PART [ANAGRAM]

2. Fahrenheit elevation in icebox = FRIDGE

(F)ahrenheit + elevation = (RIDGE)

3. Baloney for a cardinal back in autumn = FALDERAL

cardinal = (RED) + autumn = (FALL)

4. James, the singer, following deal in “Family Feud” = VENDETTA

James the singer = (ETTA) + deal = (VEND)

5. Faucet’s former temperature within upper limit (2 wds.) = COLD TAP

former = (OLD) (T)emperature + upper limit = CAP

6. Pharaoh keeps stray back in castle tower = TURRET

Pharoah = TUT + stray = ERR

7. Small heart label = STICKER

(S)mall + heart = (TICKER)

8. Shoot a ray gun at a Mexican revolutionary = ZAPATA

shoot a ray gun = (ZAP) + (AT) + (A)

9. Carl’s van slowed and stopped = CEASED

12. Hardened around the face of John Hurt = INJURED

hardened = INURED + (J)ohn

15. We own this reassembled fairy tale figure (2 wds.) = SNOW WHITE

(WE) + (OWN) + (THIS) [ANAGRAM]

16. Number Rev. Spooner might call neato, swell (Hyph.) = FIFTY-NINE

neato = (NIFTY) + swell = (FINE) [SPOONERIZED]

17. Added fee for new exec at six (2 wds.) = EXCISE TAX

(EXEC) + (AT) + (SIX) [ANAGRAM]

22. Satisfactory speed and average float for orbiter, maybe = SPACEGAIT

(S)atisfactory + speed = (PACE) +

23. One grieving for our Navy’s leader in French sea = MOURNER

(OUR) + (N)avy + French sea = (MER)

25. Shallow leak slowly covers type (hyph.) = SKIN-DEEP

leak slowly = (SEEP) + type = (KIND)

26. A tailless reptile in red dye = ALIZARIN

(A) + (LIZAR)d + (IN)

28. Deny Ovid was wrong = DISAVOW

(OVID) + (WAS) [ANAGRAM]

29. Celebrates skill in bakery display = PARTIES

skill = (ART) + bakery display = (PIES)

31. Lead astray with deuces wild = SEDUCE

(DEUCES) [ANAGRAM]

32. Arrange for passport with missing pages = ASSORT

(PASSPORT) – (P)age – (P)age [pages]

34. African magic has its martial training = JUJITSU

African magic = (JUJU) + (ITS)

36. Magician who’s often silent or who’s narrating = TELLER

MISSING LETTERS

Rows (top to bottom)

O
U
P
N
M
D
I
B
Q
Y
G
H
A

Columns (Left to Right)

S
E
R
W
V
L
F
T
K
X
Z
J
C

Friday, December 26, 2014

Puzzle Answers - Ambiguities - Harper's Magazine January 2014 (SPOILER ALERT!)

"The Best Little Texas in Whorehouse"

ACROSS

1. See instructions (13) = PALINDROMANIA

11. Mad money assuming company has thrifty management (7) = ECONOMY

(MONEY) + (CO)mpany [ANAGRAM]

12. Female writer’s name, in the long run? (4) = JONG [Erica]

long run = (JOG) + (N)ame

13. Bishop washed out a significant continental address (5) = BWANA

15. Being close for a woman about to acquire a cape (12) = TOGETHERNESS

(TO) + acquire = (GET) + woman['s] = (HER)

18. (See instructions) (17, four words) = OH CAMERAS ARE MACHO

20. Heartless oil company (English portion) getting cleared (11) = EXONERATION

(EXXON) – [Minus middle letter (X)] + (E)nglish + portion = (RATION)

23. What the Selective Service does for those making plans = DRAFTSMEN

DRAFTS MEN

28. (See instructions) (18, five words) = DEB SAT IN ANITAS BED

31. By necessity, in musical by Loesser, his leading character enters just before the end (10) = INEVITABLY

IN + musical by Loesser = (EVITA)

33. Exported Dutch tire announced = BOER

tire BORE [HOMONYM}

34. Initiating it: a license to produce biased writing? (6) = ITALIC

(IT) + (A) + (LIC)ense

37. (See instructions) (17, six words) = BUT ANITA SAT IN A TUB

38. Trailer played back is about me (4) = SEMI

(IS) + (ME) [REVERSED]

39. Sounds like a breakfast show on TV (6) = SERIAL

breakfast = CEREAL [HOMONYM]

40. Registered trademark with earliest organized shopkeepers (9) = RETAILERS

EARLIEST [ANAGRAM]

41. Fantasy creature is described by Herb Klein initially (8) = BASILISK

herb = (BASIL) + (IS) + (K)lein

DOWN

1. Pacific telephone system follows quietly, each incorporating extra energy = PEACEABLE

quietly = ( P ) + each = (EA) + telephone system = (CABLE) + energy = (E)

2. Looks over little woman; rich and earthy (5) = LOAMY

(LO)oks + little woman (AMY)

3. Mutinous antielitist, taking the head off royalty, is found in space! (12) = INTERSTITIAL

(ANTIELITIST + ( R )oyalty) [ANAGRAM]

4. No room in hospital for a Jordanian queen (4) = NOOR

(NO) + hospital = (OR)

5. Some spirits turn out to be right, of course (4) = RYES

( R )ight + of course = (YES)

6. Number of a station represented in Act One (6) = OCTANE

ACT ONE [ANAGRAM]

7. Name in engineering circles who’s famous for month, hour! (4) = MOHR [Christian Otto]

(MO)nth + hour = (HR)

8. Not quite ordinary opera (6) = NORMA

ordinary = NORMA(l)

9. Natural order, in nine (6) = INNATE

IN EIGHT [HOMONYM]

10. ID info or a range perhaps (3) = AGE

13. Adventurous sounds played in an alley (4) = BOLD

played in an alley = BOWLED [HOMONYM]

14. Sporting place whose hero shamelessly takes in university (10) = WHOREHOUSE

(WHOSE) + (HERO) + (U)niversity

16. Gross hovel, fulsome, made with quantities of dirt (10) = SHOVELFULS

gros(S HOVEL, FULS)ome,

17. Air for heir—on guard (4) = SONG

heir = (SON) + (G)uard

19. Boxer cries, can’t start, throws up (4) = ARFS

b(ARFS)

20. State you’re seeking meatier parts (7) = EMIRATE

MEATIER [ANAGRAM]

21. Civilized nations supported by southern seed-sowers! (8) = ONANISTS

(NATIONS + (S)outhern) [ANAGRAM]

22. Sanctions causing relocation of fair site (8) = RATIFIES

FAIR SITE [ANAGRAM]

24. Island tribe’s leader going for new ingredient in hummus (6) = TAHINI

island = TAHI(t)I – (T)ribe + (N)ew

25. In mines, you need five round axes (6) = PIVOTS

mines = (PITS) + five = (V) + round = (O)

26. Grow dark and dominant, almost (5) = LATEN

dominant = LATEN(t)

27. A little shot, rising to superior positions (5) = ABBET

28. One calling it a knight? Masseur, if his head is down! (6) = DUBBER

masseur = r(UBBER) + (D)own

29. Who is named by the leaders of Denmark, Yugoslavia, Bangladesh, Brazil, and Britain? Not a living soul! (6) = DYBBUK

(D)enmark + (Y)ugoslavia + (B)angladesh + (B)razil + Britain = (UK)

30. Play doctor with a lot of doctors (5) = DRAMA

doctor = (DR) + lot of doctors = (AMA)

32. Make use of a Dell, as the saying goes (5) = AVAIL

35. Animal shelter transported by rail (4) = LAIR

RAIL [ANAGRAM]

36. Something to be avoided in losing or taking on its element (4) = CARB

BLUE SQUARES (Creator)

JON AGEEs

Puzzle Answers - Candy Canes - December 20–21, 2014 - The Wall Street Journal - (SPOILER ALERT!)

The Journal Sunday Puzzle | edited by Mike Shenk
Candy Canes | by Patrick Berry

Canes

1. Italian region considered the birthplace of the Renaissance = TUSCANY

Near-extinct relative of the coyote (2 wds.) = RED WOLF

2. Cleaning brand owned by the Clorox Company (Hyph.) = PINE-SOL

Island nation reachable from Florida by ferry = BAHAMAS

3. Valiantly refuse to stop (2 wds.) = PRESS ON

Small golf group = TWOSOME

4. Young boys, informally = SHAVERS

“I have no problem with that” (2 wds.) = SUITS ME

5. Up on the deck = TOPSIDE

Goes by = ELAPSES

6. Internet service that’s the focus of the 2013 documentary “Downloaded” = NAPSTER

Story with a lesson = PARABLE

7. Impolite and vulgar (Hyph.) = ILL-BRED

Poem in which Polyphemus is blinded = ODYSSEY

8. Prickling with excitement = ATINGLE

Receptionist’s device = HEADSET

9. Draws a caricature of = DEPICTS

Enjoying success after success (3 wds.) = ON A ROLL

10. Plantation house feature = VERANDA

Met with a welcome = GREETED

11. Desert sights = MIRAGES

Tool used to cut metal = HACKSAW

Rows

• Fills with joy = ELATES

Pop alternative = DADDY

• Game period = HALF

Unvarnished truth, with “the” = LOWDOWN

• Holy Ark’s contents = TORAH

Wee bit = SMIDGE

• Arrive too late to see = MISS

Yosemite National Park features = CANYONS

• Untanned hide = PELT

Stayed loyal (to) = ADHERED

• Assume to be true = POSIT

In need of an airing = SMELLY

• Bananas = INSANE

Judiciously decreases, with “down” = PARES

• Sparrow’s portrayer = DEPP

Pioneer offerings = STEREOS

• Anthropoid animals = APES

Overhauls = REVAMPS

• Nearly tied = CLOSE

State gem of the Gem State = GARNET

• What the Bessemer process produces = STEEL

Her waist was widened in 1997 = BARBIE

• Like car engines at stoplights = IDLING

Run along = LEAVE

• Approximately = ABOUT

Illusionist’s interjection = PRESTO

• Dieters avoid them = SNACKS

Clued in = AWARE

• Body parts that get clogged = SINUSES

“I want you to have this = HERE

Numbered Squares = PINE NEEDLES

Saturday, December 13, 2014

Puzzle Answers - Acrostic - December 13, 2014 - The Wall Street Journal - (SPOILER ALERT!)

Written and edited by Mike Shenk

"The Art of Acting"

If by any chance a playwright wishes to express a political opinion or a moral opinion or a philosophy, he must be a good enough craftsman to do it with so much spice of entertainment in it that the public get the message without being aware of it.

–Noel Coward

A. Weak or indecisive; insipid (Hyph.) = NAMBY PAMBY

B. Ruler made judge of the dead after being murdered by his brother Set = OSIRIS

C. Chalk upland of Surrey that’s home to the Derby Stakes (2 wds.) = EPSOM DOWNS

D. 2012 film whose main character’s full name is Piscine Molitor Patel (3 wds.) = LIFE OF PI

E. Beverage whose name means “small hood” from its color resembling that of monks’ cowls = CAPPUCCINO

F. Paper tiger, perhaps = ORIGAMI

G. Identification and persecution of those with differing views (2 wds.) = WITCH HUNT

H. Major league team owned for its first 36 years by Gene Autry = ANGELS

I. Comeback; laboratory vessel = RETORT

J. Cynic philosopher who lived in a tub in the Athenian Agora = DIOGENES

K. North American finch also known as a chewink = TOWHEE

L. 1963 book Laura Bush chose as one of her five favorites in a Wall Street Journal piece (3 wds.) = HOP ON POP

M. Quaver (2 wds.) = EIGHTH NOTE

N. Atmospheric phenomenon named for a Roman goddess = AURORA

O. Hit song that Janet Jackson performed during the 2004 Super Bowl halftime show (2 wds.) = RHYTHM NATION

P. Greek hero who slew the Minotaur = THESEUS

Q. Dungeon whose only access is a door in its ceiling = OUBLIETTE

R. Swerve from side to side = FISHTAIL

S. Carbon dioxide in high concentrations, e.g. = ASPHYXIANT

T. Have a chin-wag (3 wds.) = CHEW THE FAT

U. Area south of SoHo and west of Chinatown = TRIBECA

V. Refreshing treat for boardwalk strollers (2 wds.) = ITALIAN ICE

W. Oscar nominee for “21 Grams” and “The Impossible” (2 wds.) = NAOMI WATTS

X. Alternative name for the number ten duotrigintillion = GOOGOL