ACROSS LITE PUZZLE: [ THEMELESS THURSDAY]
PROGRAM: [Across Lite]
PROGRAM: [Java]
PRINTOUT PUZZLE: [ THEMELESS THURSDAY]
PROGRAM: [Adobe Acrobat]
Two themeless puzzles this week. But, I’m not sure that’s such a big deal with you rabid BEQheads out there. If it is, shoot me an email, preferably one with an idea for a theme. If I take anyone’s suggestion, I’ll give that person something from the BEQ Gift Shoppe.
Two quick notes: For those who guessed 50-Across was the theme entry, you’d be correct. And, why’m I surprised nobody’s used 19-Across yet? If I’m wrong, I’m sure somebody’ll let me know.
Wait, did I say two themeless puzzles this week? I really meant three. As part my year-end drive I’m offering up a bonus 21x, only-available-here, megathemeless to all the BEQheads who are able to support this site with at least a $10 tip in the BEQ tip jar. “Steely” Dan Feyer, our current ACPT champion, opined in Monday’s comments: “So Patrick B. gives us ten puzzles and a meta for $10, and you’re offering just one? … What’s that? Today’s is the two-hundred-eighty-fourth free puzzle on this site? Say no more!” Dan later wrote back after obliterating it in minutes: “All the envelope-pushing clues and answers we’ve come to expect from BEQ, stuffed into a 78% larger puzzle … though I don’t actually know what percentage larger it is, so if you want to do the math and replace my number, that would be fine.”
Thanks for the kind words, Dan. So, be like Dan. Start solving 35 puzzles a week day. Start by hittin up the tip jar if you can. (After that, hit up Blindauer as well). My bonus puzzle will be available for those who are able to give between now and January 7. Many thanks to all who have been so supportive of the site.
Share the puzzle. New one on Monday.
Had IQS at 14-D…made sense to me and 16-A could have been ONAQ for all I know.
And 5D was probably the last to fall…good grief…
Took a bit of issue with 58A before I googled this up: http://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-ori1.htm
Still take issue with 57A — clue should include a “, formerly” at the end.
Nah, 35 puzzles a week is, like, industry standard. Lots of us do that. Dan takes crossword steroids and does (or used to do) more like 150 puzzles a week.
Hmmm, ONAN was the first thing I put in. I like to think that’s because of my extensive biblical knowledge, not because I’m a wanker.
1A was the last to fall for me. Even with most of the letters, I still had a hard time filling that one in. The answer is something I was completely unfamiliar with.
And thanks for 5D. That clue really made my day.
I got a couple of the really long ones right off and was happy they checked. My first try for 50A, though, was LOOKWHATICANDO, which didn’t work at all. 🙂 I also tried THESERPENT for 1A on the first pass.
Double checked 25D since I thought both Bender and Tierney worked on that.
I think I only used “orientated” as an adjective when I mean literal direction, which is how I read the clue. But maybe I do more than that. Hmm. Now that usage will bug me all day. Thanks, guys.
I feel like I’m suffering from a bad case of the stupids, but I don’t understand ADJ for 23A … help, please!
@ePeterso2: I think it’s cuz they’re adjectives. DOE was the one I didn’t get. ALT for DOUGH as in lawsuit?
Yeah, I wanted LOOKWHATICANDO badly enough to make me doubt WHAT/AHOOT. Figured there was a decent chance BEQ is a fan of whichever sketch comedy show had that bit. (The State? Nope, turns out it’s MadTV.) I never did get the M in BALAAMSASS/MOSE — neither name means anything at all to me, and ROSE seemed the most likely thing.
yes on lawsuit; no on DOUGH. think john or jane.
@Joon: DOH!
David Mamet joke:
A beggar approaches a man and asks for a dollar. The man chides him with “Neither a borrower nor a lender be – William Shakespeare”. To which the beggar replies “F**k you – David Mamet”
I always liked the term “Mamet Dammit” for his flavor of colorful language, though, yeah, a different non-rhyming word is really called for.
After Monday’s puzzle I thought I could hang with the smartest guys in the room. Not so with this one. Stumped me on Thursday, took another look at it on Friday and solved it!! no cheating. Put a long overdue tip in the BEQ jar. Thanks
Chaos130 Said:
Excellent puzzle Brendan. Since I’ve been visiting your site, you’ve honed my skills immeasurably, especially with pop culture clues. At first, I could never finish your ” Hard ” puzzles. Eventually, I could solve some, but it took ages. Today, I finished without help in about 43 minutes. ( I’m sure Howard and Amy are snickering ) but not maliciously. My time would have been a lot faster, if I had any idea about the answer at 6D, and if I had thought Google at 7D. Took me ages to parse NOREASTERS. I wanted No something. Gratified that I nailed 19A off only the B and two other letters. Likewise, 50A, but it took me a while to figure out the variation of HOWDOYOULIKEMENOW.
Other than that, I was able to pick through the grid slowly but surely. Still don’t understand TANIS for 25A, and I’ve seen the movie several times. However,the software said the solve was correct, so maybe someone will ” splain ” ?
Last but not least, I have to assuage my conscience. Aside from being a paying member at the NYT, I load up on free puzzles at the LA Times, Washington Post, AV, and various others sites. That being said, I am sending you a well deserved tip, for the quality of your puzzles, and for enhancing my knowledge in regard to pop culture and current memes. If you ever want to construct a puzzle, based solely upon arcane sexual lore or salacious expertise, I’m your ” go to ” guy. Nothing bothers me at the ” Breakfast Table “, unless you hurl in my cornflakes ! Lol.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tanis