Justin Werfel edges toward the endgame.
Jump to: Today’s Theme | Tricky Clues
TUESDAY PUZZLE — I know I talk a big game about my disapproval of puns — a result of having spent too many years in the competitive punning circuit, which is a real thing. But deep down, I’m still a sucker for good ones. The witty revealer of today’s crossword, constructed by Justin Werfel, actually made me laugh out loud. (I did not laugh at any of the regular entries’ puns, mind you. I have standards.)
Speaking of big game, did you come across any while hunting for this puzzle’s theme? I certainly did. And I admit that, even as a staunch vegan, it was impossible to turn up my nose at Mr. Werfel’s carnivorous punchline.
Today’s Theme
You can’t make a theme-let without cracking a few puns. Is that something? I mean that you should prepare to groan through a few entries before getting to the gimmick in today’s grid.
[“Beware of this sausage!”?] solves to FEAR THE WURST (17A). If you describe something as being [Like unshorn wool?], you might say it’s still ON THE LAMB (31A). To [Breed beef cattle?] is to RAISE THE STEAKS (38A). You may be losing hope that this puzzle is going anywhere, but at 62A, there’s a [Summary of the phonetic puns 17-, 31-, 38- and 45-Across?] that makes the whole thing worthwhile.
The summary is MAKE ENDS MEAT because each of Mr. Werfel’s jokes ends with a kind of meat. WURST, LAMB, STEAKS. If you’re too full of puns to try the final themed entry, you can reveal it below. Get it? Re-veal? I resent myself for that one.
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Source: Elections - nytimes.com
