Robyn Weintraub opens our solving weekend.
Jump to: Today’s Theme | Tricky Clues
FRIDAY PUZZLE — What Friday and Saturday puzzles lack in theme, they more than make up for in clues and entries worthy of oohs and aahs. In fact, I’d describe today’s crossword, constructed by Robyn Weintraub, as an utter feast of wordplay.
Who can resist the joyful alliteration of clues such as “Prestigious prizes” (5D) and “Paperless pups” (11D)? Or what about the irreverent use of long clues that solve to short entries — “Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana, e.g.” (14A) to THAI, or “Diethyltoluamide, more familiarly” (7D) to DEET?
Every zig and zag of this solve was delightful, especially impressive considering that Ms. Weintraub is nearing her 50th crossword for The New York Times. One might expect a constructor to lose some enthusiasm over time. But Ms. Weintraub constructs as though she’s just hitting her stride.
Tricky Clues
24A. On its own, “Off” seems as though it might solve to a verb (meaning to kill) or an adjective (meaning askew or rotten). But it can also mean LESS when used in a sale price — 10 percent “off,” say.
36A. Anyone else get stuck on imagining “Paper for an animator” to be some kind of cellulose sheet or storyboard canvas? After missing the subtle wink in this clue, I hardly deserve my own ART DEGREE.
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Source: Elections - nytimes.com
