NYT Crossword Answers for June 5, 2024

Jump to: Today’s Theme | Tricky Clues

WEDNESDAY PUZZLE — I have often observed, both privately and in this column, that a daily crossword-solving habit gives way to casual conspiracy theories about patterns in the puzzles. Aside from the theme — an intentional pattern that is concealed and awaiting discovery — these theories rarely amount to more than an appreciation for the occasional synchronicity of the cosmos.

I include myself in this observation, of course. While looking into the origins of the phrase at the heart of today’s crossword, constructed by David Rockow, I noticed a clue that seemed to be worded too cleverly to be a coincidence. But my sleuthing revealed that neither the constructors nor the editors had intended anything by it. Drat! I was forced to admire the rest of the puzzle on its own brilliant merits.

Today’s Theme

The “State of order that this puzzle fails to achieve?” (37A) can be observed by looking at the words that each cluster of circled squares spells. Between 16A and 19A, we get TEAL; from 27A up through 24A, we have MALLARD. Two more ducks follow: the common EIDER and a RUBBER variety. This would all be unremarkable, but for the placement of the circles: None are entirely in alignment. This puzzle, in other words, can’t get its DUCKS IN A ROW.

As for the coincidence that had me all atwitter: At 40-Across, T.S.A. is clued as “Org. that specifically prohibits bowling pins and pool cues.” Two of the origin stories for the phrase DUCKS IN A ROW happen to come from pool and bowling. Can you believe it? Should we all buy lottery tickets?

Tricky Clues

14A. Rule-based clues are both infuriating and brilliant, because the only way to solve one is by guessing a little — ideally with the help of crossings — and then checking your guess against the parameters outlined by the clue. The “Feeling that can be caused by the final three letters of this answer” is NAUSEA, from a trip by -SEA. (Hatred also fits, if you have an aversion to the color red.)