CROSSWORD SOLVER PUZZLE: [ BEE SEASON]
PROGRAM: [Crossword Solver]
PROGRAM: [Java]
PRINTOUT PUZZLE: [ BEE SEASON]
PROGRAM: [Adobe Acrobat]
ACROSS LITE PUZZLE: [ BEE SEASON]
PROGRAM: [Across Lite]
A plethora of puzzles on BEQ.com today.
First up, thanks to Ben Zimmer for the idea for today’s posted puzzle. He’s been the go-to media guy for all things word-related for the Scripps National Spelling Bee this year. So thanks for the theme inspiration, Ben.
Speaking of spelling bees, I was never any good at them. I usually got knocked out with all the difficult words that spell check manages to correct for me nowadays. My best ever showing was second place back in 7th grade. I made it that far on a technicality because I’d managed in one round to successfully spell the homophone of their intended word: they wanted “creak,” I gave ’em “creek.” Since the teachers never specified which one they were looking for, I was still alive.
In sports clichés, it’s said that nobody remembers who came in second. I don’t even remember who came in first in that bee. I do remember who came in third, however, because it was with great pride I’d managed to beat the brown-nosing, suck-up, teacher’s pet, straight A student John Madden (no, not that John Madden). Good times. Wonder what he’s up to now?
Back to puzzles. Also on deck, I have today’s New York Times puzzle. Get it here: [Crossword Solver] [PDF] [Across Lite]
Still not enough, BEQ? How about yesterday’s Onion puzzle? Get it here: [Crossword Solver] [PDF] [Across Lite]
Still not enough BEQ? How about a bonus, never-before-run 21x themeless? A measly $10 donation to the tip jar and this puzzle is yours, but only if you act now before I delete it forever. Read more about it here. Huge thanks to all who’ve been able to chip in.
Phew. Share the puzzles. New on Monday.
Re 63A. Roger Ebert referred to that overused cliche as “The Talking Arab Rule”. The terrorist or whoever would complain that his plans were foiled by the secret agent/superhero/whoever. And that the hero was not going to get away with it. Which lends time for our hero to slip away. Good luck to all involved in this year’s Bee. Hope we have a lot of aspirant young solvers in the pack.
I came in second in my best showing in a school spelling bee in 5th grade. I remember being terrified as the seats were removed and I was left on the stage with only one person. I remember the relief when I finally missed my word and ran off the stage.
I saw Dandelus in the NYT puzzle, how’s that Joyce reading going from your New Year’s resolution?
33-Across in the NYT puzzle made me lol… any other constructor and I wouldn’t have even blinked, but in a BEQ puzzle that’s pretty funny.
Like the old joke about the pope doing a crossword… “Got an eraser?”
I have always been a fan of crossword puzzles, I will visit your site more often, it is fun. I will share it with my friends on Facebook.