Wednesday, August 7, 2024 - Hold the homophone!
For those of you entranced with the subtleties of English pronunciation (rules? where we're going, we don't need rules!), have we got a crossword for you! Meghan Morris has done a bang-up job shining a bright line on some of the many inconsistencies in our favorite language. We also have a spot of listener mail, all the more reason to check out today's podcast, and, as always, let us know what you think! From the mailbag, the difference between GAWP and GAWK. Show note imagery: Humph...
8 Aug 202424min
Tuesday, August 6, 2024 - EAP! It's Edgar Allan Poe 😀
If numbers tell the tale, then Daniel Raymon's favorite day of the week is ... Variety, as he has created 18 variety crosswords for the NYTimes. By that same measure, today would be his second favorite day, when he's had 6 puzzles published. We liked the theme, we enjoyed the cluing, and if this were an Olympic event he'd definitely deserve a medal! In other news, it's Triplet Tuesday, and Mike's in the hotseat, where, alas, he flamed out. Deets inside! Show note imagery: An RCA color tele...
7 Aug 202415min
Monday, August 5, 2024 - WOOT, it's Andy Walker's debut NYTimes crossword!
For those of you who are fans of the Royal and Ancient Game, you'll have a leg up working on today's crossword -- and for those who are not, fear not, it is a Monday and therefore not too difficult. We have the deets (and WOOTs) inside, so have a listen, and, as always, let us know what you think! A reminder that if you want to follow along with our discussion and haven't solved the puzzle yet, xwordinfo.com has your back. Our first link in the show notes ties back to their answers (so don't...
6 Aug 202411min
Sunday, August 4, 2024 - Prepare to GAWP, because GAWP is in the grid!
A splendiferous Sunday crossword by Scott Hogan and Katie Hale, their third as a team, and there's something in the grid for everyone! For instance, pun-lovers will appreciate 114A, Kit-chat, MEOWS; Sesame street-aficionados will appreciate 67A, Furry friend of Rosita, ELMO; and surely everyone will appreciate the puzzle-within-a-puzzle that is 7D, What dry ice doesn't do, MELT. Show note imagery: a photo of famed photographer DIANE Arbus We love feedback! Send us a text... Contact Info: We ...
5 Aug 202421min
Saturday, August 3, 2024 - IDONTGETIT - simultaneously in the grid and a summary of today's puzzle! 😀
Another tricky Saturday crossword, this by long-time contributor Rich Norris. There were quite a few fascinating answers in the grid, including 40A, Home run, informally, DINGER (huh!); 53A, Last syllable of a word, ULTIMA (say what?!?); and the rarely seen 52D, Agendas, for short, SKEDS (about, rest assured, we have SCADs to say in today's episode). Besides our analysis, we have chosen the winners of this week's JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award), and so congrats to ... no...
4 Aug 202419min
Friday, August 2, 2024 - A crossword with SCADS of fine answers, including ... SCADS!
Kate Chin Park has constructed a fine Friday crossword: no theme, just SCADS of crunchy clues, ones that make you furrow your brow, stroke your chin, tap your temple, and all those other gestures that one tends to do when the difficulty meter starts to rise. We have all the deets in today's episode, so check it out, and let us know how you fared doing it. Show note imagery: The birthplace of John Steinbeck (before it was turned into a restaurant, we hope 😀) We love feedback! Send us a text.....
3 Aug 202418min
Thursday, August 1, 2024 - Shades of Schwarzenegger!
Another fabulous Thursday crossword, a debut by Rajeswari Rajamani, but you wouldn't know it based on the quality of the clues, and the brilliant theme. With clues like 43D, Where you might find yourself on edge?, ICERINK, the enlightening 51D, Who pays all legal costs under the so-called "English Rule", LOSER, and the astonishing 66A, Where Columbus thought he had landed in 1498, EDEN, how could this crossword deserve anything else than a 5 square rating on the JAMCR scale? The answer ...
2 Aug 202417min
Wednesday, July 31, 2024 - Three cheers for AIOLI, a culinary delight, a spelling-bee-er's nightmare!
An awesome midweek / end of month crossword by the Matz brothers - Jackson and Ben, to be precise. Ben had 18 rejections before he hit pay dirt with this puzzle, so, while PERSISTENCE is not in the grid, it is everywhere else in this puzzle! We particularly enjoyed 3D, What it would be a mistake to write twice?, BOO (😀), and the surely not coincidental proximity of 50A, Aftereffects from working out, ACHES, and 48D, Gym session devoted to squats, dead lifts, etc., LEGDAY. Shownote imagery: T...
1 Aug 202411min
