Constructor: Alex Eaton-Salners
Relative difficulty: Medium
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THEME: Semordnilaps — The themed clues are given backward, and split across two words (mostly). The theme answers are also entered backward.
Theme answers:
Word of the Day: Omni (67D: Old Dodge) —
(This is irrelevant to the crossword, but if you aren't listening to Lake Street Dive, you should change that.)
Usually I hate Thursday puzzles. I was actually excited when Rex said I could fill in for a Thursday puzzle because I figured I could easily get a few hundred words down quickly, full of complaints and blog-friendly expletives. Starting this puzzle, I actually found myself enjoying it? What? As this odd feeling of a fun Thursday puzzle washed over me, I hit the first themer and immediately remembered why Thursday puzzles bother me so much. But like a medieval soldier with a POLEAX or a competitive eater stuffing MEAT down my gullet, I did my duty and kept on going.
I actually enjoyed the fill on this one. I like the clue on SEE ME (20A: Note below F, perhaps?) While I was a great student in school, on the rare occasion I got one of those notes, I usually ignored it. I'd like to take a moment and apologize to my ninth grade English teacher, sorry that I never handed in that essay Ms. Dalton, but look at me now, I'm a guest blogger, that's worth an essay or two!
I also really like the answers WHEN IN ROME and CHATTERBOX, as well as the clue for WHO (32D: "Am I supposed to know this person?") That clue just felt sassy, and who doesn't love a bit of sass? (Not my ninth grade English teacher.)
As for the theme, I knew as soon as I saw the clues that something was up. Usually my go-to is to reverse the clue and see if it spells anything. However, the use of two word clues threw me off and I sat there twiddling my thumbs for a few moments before realizing the clues were over two words. Then once I got that, it took me another moment before realizing I'd have to type the answers in reverse. Let me just take a moment to say how annoying it is to type in reverse. It doesn't make solving more difficult, only more tedious. If someone creates a crossword solving software that has a reverse typing option, you'll forever be my best friend.
Overall I give this puzzle a solid 7/10. There was nothing too challenges, the fill was fun. It wasn't bogged down with a ton of crosswordese, and it used the word ASSES, and I have the sense of humor of a child, so that's still funny to me.
Well, that's all I got folks. Thanks to Rex for letting me guest blog today. Hopefully I get to do it again. I leave you all with one more song, because that's what I'm listening to right now.
(An ode to whatever Rex is drinking right now, and another plug for one of my favorite bands.)
Signed, Jake Goldstein, Man who walked into CrossWorld accidentally wearing an outfit similar to the employee uniform and who is now blogging like he works here.
[Follow Rex Parker on Twitter and Facebook]
Relative difficulty: Medium
THEME: Semordnilaps — The themed clues are given backward, and split across two words (mostly). The theme answers are also entered backward.
Theme answers:
- DEZIMOTSUC (Customized) - 17A: Red root (To order)
- STNEDUTS (Students) - 26A: Slip up (Pupils)
- DEGNEVA (Avenged) - 38A: Diaper (Repaid)
- GNITSIXE (Existing) - 51A: Went on (Not new)
- RETEPTNIAS (Saint Peter) - 63A: Name tag (Gate man)
Word of the Day: Omni (67D: Old Dodge) —
The Dodge Omni and Plymouth Horizon were subcompact cars produced by Chrysler from December 1977 to 1990.[2] The Omni and Horizon were reengineered variants of the European Chrysler Horizon, and were the first of many front-wheel drive Chrysler products to follow, including the Dodge Aries/Plymouth Reliant and the Dodge Caravan/Plymouth Voyager/Chrysler Town and Country. (wikipedia)
• • •
Well hi-diddly-ho crossword solverinos. I'm Jake, covering for Rex while he continues his crossword sabbatical (Rumor has it he's touring all the great Will Shortz-related landmarks across the US of A). While he does that and listens to the Eagles, I'm here, listening to my current favorite band and ranting about a Thursday crossword.I actually enjoyed the fill on this one. I like the clue on SEE ME (20A: Note below F, perhaps?) While I was a great student in school, on the rare occasion I got one of those notes, I usually ignored it. I'd like to take a moment and apologize to my ninth grade English teacher, sorry that I never handed in that essay Ms. Dalton, but look at me now, I'm a guest blogger, that's worth an essay or two!
I also really like the answers WHEN IN ROME and CHATTERBOX, as well as the clue for WHO (32D: "Am I supposed to know this person?") That clue just felt sassy, and who doesn't love a bit of sass? (Not my ninth grade English teacher.)
As for the theme, I knew as soon as I saw the clues that something was up. Usually my go-to is to reverse the clue and see if it spells anything. However, the use of two word clues threw me off and I sat there twiddling my thumbs for a few moments before realizing the clues were over two words. Then once I got that, it took me another moment before realizing I'd have to type the answers in reverse. Let me just take a moment to say how annoying it is to type in reverse. It doesn't make solving more difficult, only more tedious. If someone creates a crossword solving software that has a reverse typing option, you'll forever be my best friend.
Overall I give this puzzle a solid 7/10. There was nothing too challenges, the fill was fun. It wasn't bogged down with a ton of crosswordese, and it used the word ASSES, and I have the sense of humor of a child, so that's still funny to me.
Well, that's all I got folks. Thanks to Rex for letting me guest blog today. Hopefully I get to do it again. I leave you all with one more song, because that's what I'm listening to right now.
Signed, Jake Goldstein, Man who walked into CrossWorld accidentally wearing an outfit similar to the employee uniform and who is now blogging like he works here.
[Follow Rex Parker on Twitter and Facebook]