Saturday, December 26, 2020

Like glaciers in the spring, this crossword solve started off slowly, as the grid provided very few footholds in the top-left and top-right. Gradually, though, it yielded its delightful secrets, making for a very satisfying Friday challenge. Definitely worth 5 squares on the JAMCR scale, for reasons that are outlined in, of course, today's podcast. Enjoy! Show note imagery: An OTTOMON, not to be confused with a settee (although Mike will do so anyway 😏) We love feedback! Send us a text... Co...

30 Nov 202420min

Today's PSA, don't attempt this crossword while in a FOODCOMA, it won't end well -- you'll need all your wits about you so that you can savor the puzzle, especially that delicious AHA! moment stuffed (and, no, we are not talking metaphorically) into today's grid. We'd say more, but we don't want to ruin your fun, so tuck in and enjoy! Show note imagery: Time to dig into today's topic, HUMUS We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodc...

29 Nov 202415min

English is a ravenous language, devouring words from other languages and claiming them as their own. Such is the case with one of our favorite entries in today's puzzle -- 66A, Clever person, BELESPRIT (two words, to be accurate, BEL ESPRIT). This came from the French, English laid claim to it, and, alas, promptly forgot about it, it is now considered archaic. We love it anyway, as well as all the other clues, to say nothing of the splendid theme, found in today's puzzle. Deets inside, so dow...

28 Nov 202416min

This was an excellent debut crossword by Killian Olson. He has had a total of 2 crosswords published, his first in the Michigan Daily, and his second in what we perceive to be a slightly more demanding venue, the NYTimes. We have all the deets inside, as well as another of our famed Triplet Tuesday™ segments -- Mike is in the hot seat tonight -- so we would be most thankful if you checked out today's episode, and then told your 500 best friends about us on social media 😀 Show note imagery: A...

27 Nov 202415min

Today's crossword is Dena R. Witkes' debut, and we like it! The difficulty was spot on, the theme was light and frothy, like good Monday themes ought to be, and the rest of the clues were just right to entice would-be solvers to, well, start solving. Five squares on the JAMCR scale, absolutely! Show note imagery: Joseph Campbell, originator of the phrase FOLLOWYOURBLISS. We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com. Als...

26 Nov 202411min

This was an ambitious crossword that took the author, Alex Eaton-Salners, many years to get into its final form. It was worth the wait, though, with a dazzling theme and some terrific supporting clues. We therefore present, for your consideration, 77D, Moon over Miami, for many a Miamian, LUNA (nice one!); 58A, Like Hadrian's Wall in Northern England, ROMAN (unusual behavior, for a wall 😏); and 90A, Guitar's resting place, often, KNEE (well, now that you mention it ...) Kudos to A E-S for a ...

25 Nov 202416min

There were many fine clues in today's grid, courtesy of Ryan McCarty. We'd be hard pressed to limit ourselves to 3, but we're going to give it the ol' college try: 33A, Stories that can be read both backward and forward, SAGAS 😀 35A, Makes some calls, REF 🙄 31D, Zeus, Odin or the Dagda, PAGANGOD 🧐30D, Middling in rank, informally, BTIER (so much for the ol' college try!)Beyond today's crossword, we've awarded our JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award), so check out tod...

24 Nov 202413min

Today's crossword was, to borrow an answer from earlier in the week, absolutely fabulous, with an ocean of great clues. [A small ocean, to be sure: the grid was its normal 15x15 size, but somehow "large pond of great clues" doesn't have quite the stirring effect we are aiming for, so we are sticking with ocean.] For example, we have the terrific 5D, Toon whose last name is Nahasapeemapetilon, APU; the all too true 54A, Like the topic of politics in a job interview, TABOO; and the fascinating ...

23 Nov 202418min