Constructor: Timothy Polin
Relative difficulty: Easy-Medium
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THEME: Me me me!— three familiar phrases are clued via answers that intersect said phrases; these answers are adjectives that end with the "me" sounds, and are relevant to the familiar phrases that they cross only if you interpret them, phonetically, as imperatives (i.e. commands):
Theme answers:
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I finished this very quickly but it took me well over a minute of total bemusement before I understood how the adjectives had anything to do "phonetically" with the theme answers. I kept saying them slowly, like an idiot, and I could feel that terminal -E sound, but could not find the [___ me!] pattern for what felt like ages. I was breaking the answer into [___ "E"] instead of [___ ME]. So I had a belated but genuine aha moment, which was also an audible groan moment, as that is some cornball punning. That said, if cornball punning is your thing, this is a pretty good puzzle. It's especially good in the non-theme parts, which is important, as you may know if you read me, like, ever. Puzzles are supposed to be well made stem to stern, not just in the theme, so that when the theme is, let's say, not exactly to your taste, there's still delight to be found. Today, there was delight all over, esp. in the columns of long Downs, as well as the longer Acrosses at the middle and bottom (interesting L/R / mirror symmetry for the grid today, instead of the more typical rotational symmetry).
SEAMY coulda worked. Also THOME (which future MLB HOFer Jim THOME pronounces "Tow me!," I'm pretty sure). But the ones in the puzzle all work fine. I'm especially fond of the saucy VEGETABLE GARDEN, demanding action, now! As for the rest of the puzzle, I didn't have much trouble, despite being unable to flow smoothly down into the middle and bottom of the grid. Had to reboot with PCP and again with CLOY and *again* with PAR / AGE in order to get going again. Had NIOBI for NAOMI (18A: Biblical wife of Elimelech), but no other missteps to speak of. From PAPRIKA to ACOLYTE and on and on, this grid brings the interesting answers, and very little dreck. Satisfactory! Huzzah! It's a NEW DAY (for one day, at least)!
Signed, Rex Parker, King of CrossWorld
[Follow Rex Parker on Twitter and Facebook]
Relative difficulty: Easy-Medium
Theme answers:
- HOMEY (8D: Comfortable inviting ... or, phonetically, a clue for 20-Across) => "Hoe me!" => VEGETABLE GARDEN
- GLOOMY (27D: Somber ... or, phonetically, a clue for 29-Across) => "Glue me!" => MODEL AIRPLANE
- ROOMY (50D: Commodious ... or, phonetically, a clue for 58-Across) => "Rue me!" => LOST OPPORTUNITY
nounnoun: acolyte; plural noun: acolytes
- a person assisting the celebrant in a religious service or procession.
- an assistant or follower. (google)
• • •
SEAMY coulda worked. Also THOME (which future MLB HOFer Jim THOME pronounces "Tow me!," I'm pretty sure). But the ones in the puzzle all work fine. I'm especially fond of the saucy VEGETABLE GARDEN, demanding action, now! As for the rest of the puzzle, I didn't have much trouble, despite being unable to flow smoothly down into the middle and bottom of the grid. Had to reboot with PCP and again with CLOY and *again* with PAR / AGE in order to get going again. Had NIOBI for NAOMI (18A: Biblical wife of Elimelech), but no other missteps to speak of. From PAPRIKA to ACOLYTE and on and on, this grid brings the interesting answers, and very little dreck. Satisfactory! Huzzah! It's a NEW DAY (for one day, at least)!
Signed, Rex Parker, King of CrossWorld
[Follow Rex Parker on Twitter and Facebook]