Wednesday, February 26, 2025 - We long for more crosswords by Dan Caprera 😁

Today's crossword, by veteran cruciverbalist Paolo Pasco, had its ups and downs, but that was by design, and the payoff - which we discuss in today's episode but don't want to spoil by revealing here - was an absolute delight. The clues were on the trickier side, as befits a Thursday - 33D, So called "African Unicorn", OKAPI, comes to mind (well, it does now ...), as does 25D, Noted feature of "The Brothers Karamazov", EPILOG, and 48D, Lake that feeds the Truckee River, TAHOE (who? what...

17 Nov 202318min

If you found yourself nodding off while solving today's crossword, that's probably because of all the Z's in the grid - but that was the only boring bit. How could you DOZEOFF in the face of such dazzling clues as 1A, Half of an orange? RED (we're still working that one out 😀); 67A, Apt name for a sensei, DAN (ha!); 38A, Pioneering Dadaist, ARP (the name's ARP, Hans ARP); and who can forget (we can't!) 19D, Song one might flip for, SIDEB (😀 😀). All in all a fine bit of work by Gary Larson (no...

16 Nov 202321min

A nifty Tuesday crossword by Matthew Linzer, with a remarkable theme that we wish we could talk about here ... oh, wait, we just did 😀. Precisely why that last sentence is so LOL is precisely explained in today's episode, where you can also hear Jean's epic quest to win this week's Triplet Tuesday™️ Contest. Did she succeed? Or did she go down in flames? Tune in to find out! We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud....

15 Nov 202316min

A pleasing Monday crossword, a debut by Benjamin Fink, that asks that burning question, CANYOUBELIEVEIT?. The answer is yes, this was a Monday crossword, it was a debut by Benjamin Fink, and it was very pleasing indeed, for reasons that will become abundantly clear once you've checked out today's episode, which we hope you will do ASAP! On the cover: a sou, in particular a bouquet sou, named for the bouquet of flowers that adorns it. We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We...

14 Nov 202312min

A scintillating Sunday crossword courtesy of Garrett Chalfin, with a gloriously serpentine theme, and an array of eye-opening clues. For example, 85A, Figure of speech in which words are reversed for effect, like "Never let a fool kiss you or a kiss fool you", CHIASMUS (definitely a debut); Chicken __________ (ancient Mayan city), ITZA (now we know!); and 75D, Give lip service?, SASS (😀). There's a lot more inside, so download, listen up, and, as always, enjoy! We love feedback! Send us a tex...

12 Nov 202319min

Today's puzzle is a tautly constructed Saturday crossword, with just 58 words -- not quite few enough for the Guinness Book of World Records, but getting close! The puzzle itself was not too difficult -- for a Saturday -- but it did have a bevy of fine clues that kept both co-hosts entertained (esp. this one). Deets inside, as well as the winner of this week's JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award), so have a listen and, as usual, let us know what you think! We love feedba...

12 Nov 202318min

A fine Friday crossword by Kate Hawkins - her 12th in the NYTimes - and it hits the sweet spot - not too easy, not too hard, but juuuuust right. We approve, 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.We love feedback! Send us a text...Contact Info:We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com.Also, we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!

11 Nov 202319min

A (surprising) crossword by Simeon Siegel, most noteworthy for a profusion of parentheses in the grid, all part of an intricate theme that we delve into in today's episode. We covered quite a few clues in the podcast, but alas, did not quite have room for 36A, Shrunken snack item, PRUNE; 15A, Like 80% of the Arabian Peninsula, SAUDI; and the (for Mike, at least) relatively obscure 43A, Dried version of the almost-ripe poblano, ANCHO -- at least until now! We love feedback! Send us a text... C...

10 Nov 202316min