FRIDAY PUZZLE — One of the tricks to making a good themeless crossword puzzle is to “salt” the grid with really outstanding long fill. Constructors typically place one very lively entry near each corner and, if possible, one in the middle, so no matter where you are solving, there is at least one showstopper.
Debbie Ellerin returns with a puzzle that covers most of those bases.
In the northwest and southeast corners, there is nothing that is really new, but most of the entries have not appeared frequently. Of those, I liked EL CHAPO, LALA LAND, SUSHI BAR and TRUE LOVE.
The northeast and southwest corners are O.K.: I liked CREW CUT and gave myself a pat on the back for pulling 12D’s LISLE out of some dark recess of my brain.
But it’s those long Across entries — somewhat near the corners — that knocked me out.
The singer LEONARD COHEN, who wrote and performed the heartbreaking song “Hallelujah,” makes his full name New York Times Crossword debut.
IS THAT A THING is a question anyone who is tasked with coming up with creative ideas has asked.
I CAN’T EVEN is a great phrase to deploy when you are feeling frustrated.
And settling OLD SCORES without causing too much damage is an art form.
Tricky Clues
16A: If you are stumped by a tough geographical question, work those crossings. I had 8D’s SAD, and the letter A (along with the names in the clues) helped give me ARABIA as the answer to “Home of the Nefud and Rub’ al Khali deserts.”
22A: To WHALE on something can mean to “Thrash” it or beat it down. It’s slang.
26A: I don’t know why, but the alliterative quality of the clue “Rather racy” and the answer, RATED R, amused me.
35A/37A: Tricky! Where do you put answers with twin clues that have the same number of letters and can mean the same thing? Wherever the crossings will allow it, of course. The answer for “Indication of another name” at 35A is NEE, and the answer to the same clue at 37A is AKA, short for “also known as.”
1D: This clue reminded me of a cryptic crossword clue. We are asked for the four-letter name of an island (how many do you really see in crosswords? It is more than likely going to be ELBA) to which one is able to return. Don’t panic: All the clue is asking for is an island name that spells “able” backward (“return” is an indicator for reading backward).
6D: I am used to being tricked on these late-week puzzles, so whenever I see a clue like “Tan’s opposite,” I immediately start thinking of the least likely answer, like the trigonometric opposite of a “tangent.” That, of course, was wrong, because I also tend to overthink things. The opposite of a tan in this puzzle is PALLOR.
7D: Loved this clue: The thing that might “bring you to tears” is an ONION.
Constructor Notes
This puzzle began with IS THAT A THING and LEONARD COHEN. I like trying to find phrases that I’ve been hearing in real life, such as I CANT EVEN, and incorporating them into themeless puzzles. The phrase IS THAT A THING is what I often say to myself while constructing a puzzle. Also, I am a huge fan of the great LEONARD COHEN and have been trying to work him into a grid for a while, so I’m happy to debut this entry.
A few entries, like LISLE, GANESH and GANTRY (as clued) are tough, but the crosses seem reasonable, so I think they’re fair for a Friday. As always, I hope that the good outweighs the bad, and it’s enjoyable to solve.
Thanks to Will and team for publishing this, especially on the weekend of my birthday — a nice birthday present!
The Tipping Point
Almost finished solving but need a bit more help? We’ve got you covered.
Warning: There be spoilers ahead, but subscribers can take a peek at the answer key.
Trying to get back to the puzzle page? Right here.
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