Jump to: Tricky Clues

FRIDAY PUZZLE — I believe that a good way to keep our spirits up in unpredictable times is to always have something to look forward to. It’s not the answer to everything, of course, but knowing that good things are just ahead can be an effective mood booster.

On the puzzle front, I look forward to Robyn Weintraub’s crosswords. Ms. Weintraub has a knack for filling her crosswords with sparkling entries and very clever clues. Her puzzles make me happy.

Ms. Weintraub’s last puzzle was published on July 21. Three months is enough of a break. I’m glad she is back, and I hope we can look forward to another puzzle in the rotation in the near future.

There’s Still Time to Apply to the New York Times Diverse Crossword Constructor Fellowship

The applications for this fellowship will be considered until Nov. 10.

The fellowship provides mentorship and support for constructors from underrepresented groups, including women, people of color and the L.G.B.T.Q. community. In addition to three months of mentorship from one of the six crossword editors, fellows who complete the program may submit their puzzle to be considered for publication.

The applications are available here.

Tricky Clues

1A. The “Bill for expensive clothing?” is not a bill for the clothes. “Bill” is a proper name here, and it was deliberately positioned as the first word so Ms. Weintraub could hide the fact that she was talking about the designer Bill BLASS.

15A. “Get in position?” sounds as if it is referring to a sports maneuver, but the “position” in this clue is a job, and the answer is HIRE. I can practically hear the hiring manager yell, “Get in! Get in here!”

20A. We are talking really “Early home décor.” Art Deco? No, go back further. Edwardian? No. Baroque? Not even close. The answer is CAVE ART.

30A. “Made a good point?” means that someone HONED in on the essence of a discussion. In this puzzle, however, it is a stick, spear or sword that is being HONED to a fine point.

36A/52D. When you see a clue like “Who talks on the phone a lot” or “What’s the big fuss?” think of what can be substituted for that pronoun at the beginning of the sentence. The rest of the clue is a hint to their identities. The “Who” in 36A is SIRI (ironic, since SIRI is not a human being) and the “What” is ADO.

6D. If “Cheeky attire?” for SHORT SHORTS doesn’t make you at least smile, I don’t know what to tell you.

8D. Figuring out what word follows another (“‘Chances’ follower”) can seem kind of random, but the answer is three letters. Chances are the answer is ARE.

Constructor Notes

Hi, I’m back. I missed you guys.

There are a number of debuts today, but a bunch of them are some of my all time favorites: ORIGIN STORIES, KEEP THE CHANGE, DON’T TEMPT ME, ON A MISSION and SHORT SHORTS.

So, in the category of clues that didn’t make the cut but I really wished had: My clue for ROBE was “Burger or Frankfurter topping?” I mean, c’mon, that’s adorable! Well, apparently not as adorable as I think it is since it got nixed, but at least I get to share it here. My favorite clue that did make it in the puzzle? Probably the simple one for EMUS, “Producers of green eggs (but not ham),” but only because of the Seussian reference in the parenthetical. I do so love all things Dr. Seuss.

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