Monday's puzzle is a joint effort by two constructors who definitely aren't strangers to the New York Times...but I'm pretty sure it's a first for them as a duo.
The theme answers are all things that one might say to those who didn't come in first.
17A: Words to a fourth runner-up (
Win some, lose some).
26A: Words to a third runner-up (
You did your best).
43A: Words to a second runner-up (
We still love you).
58A: Words to a first runner-up (
Close but no cigar).
I'm always impressed by answers that span (or nearly span) the grid, so these were no exception...although I can't imagine saying the first or the last to anyone.
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Favorite answers include 16A: Radar sign (
blip), 22A: "Casablanca" star, informally (
Bogie), 35A: Push out of bed (
roust), 37A: Swiss artist Paul (
Klee), 38A: Height's companion (
width), 39A: Jack who pioneered late-night talk (
Paar), 42A: Alice's cake instruction (
eat me), 4D: Science lab glassware (
test tube), 10D: What paper towels do (
absorb), 11D: What paper towels do to a toilet (
clog), 12D: "La Bohème" soprano (
Mimi), 29D: Call in the Alps (
yodel), 32D: Killer whale that does tricks (
Shamu), 34D: Distort, as data (
skew), 39D: Salary indicators (
pay slips), 44D: Cups, saucers, sugar bowl, etc. (
tea set), and 56D: "Peter Pan" dog (
Nana).
That's all for tonight. Here's the grid...
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...and I'll see you tomorrow.
Linda G
2 comments:
After my experience with the difficult clue on Saturday [Iberia:Spain::____:Chile], I approached 40 across in today's puzzle with a bit of trepidation. Looking at [Un:France::___:Germany], I thought, you can't fool me again...Un must be an airline!
I often say, ironically, "close, but no cigar." I've always thought that involved some game where you had to get it just right, and if you did that you won a cigar.
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