CROSSWORD SOLVER PUZZLE: [ HEAVY LIFTING]
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PROGRAM: [Java]
PRINTOUT PUZZLE: [ HEAVY LIFTING]
PROGRAM: [Adobe Acrobat]
ACROSS LITE PUZZLE: [ HEAVY LIFTING]
PROGRAM: [Across Lite]
First off, in case you missed the Onion puzzle yesterday, it was by yours truly. You can do it here: [PDF] [Across Lite]
Secondly, in regards to this now classic story about the so-called error of cluing ILLIN as {Wack, in hip-hop} in a recent Times puzzle: get over it people. Sure, there is the odd error that slips through the cracks every now and again, but Will was right this time. And having three resources to confirming it works for me. I mean, most perceived “errors” in crosswords are easily resolved, by, you know, Looking Things Up. (Believe me, this shit happens all the time). ILLIN is not one of the all-time great clues or entries, but if it helps the rest of the grid, so be it. Besides, nobody goes to the Times crossword to hear about the latest rap acts or slang (that’s why you come to this site). KREAYSHAWN isn’t appearing in the next Times puzzle. Neither is SWAG clued as {Killer outward appearance, in rap slang}. But if the two most-used rap-related entries in crosswords are the names of two people whose best work is nearly 20 years behind them (DRE and NAS), then I think this ILLIN scenario is, well, wack.
Share the puzzle. New one on Monday.
I have to agree with you on your oped. I get irked at the rap and hiphop music clues, sports clues, much of what’s contemporary clues, etc. but fanatical solvers like me want the whole gamut to be covered in the grids. I even look up things that I don’t know about. I truly can’t believe I can fill in a lot of the squares without the aid of references or help from anyone else. So something is bound come up that will mystify me. Especially anything that’s recent like Kardashians, Tebow, Ipads, whatever, because I tend to get involved in things that are historical, classical, educational, etc. in nature. I got to say that in the cruciverbal universe, the BEQ solvers are the moths rushing headfirst into the backyard lightbulb.
No “bite” theme word?
I laughed at 46A because the head of that organization came here to speak and they put his photo next to a column in the paper. Per usual for a headshot like that, the caption was just his last name, but it made me pause when I saw it. “Of what? Oh…”
Van Jealous? Has he given up his music career?
Best cluing ever for the answer to GGA.