A meta-puzzle about solving the NYTX. Hah! Brilliant. And worth it just for 50-Across alone – “Newbie crossword solver’s thought on a Thursday” (WHATINHELL). Love it. Of course, I’m a stuffy old purist and I’d rather leave a puzzle unfinished – or guess wildly – than get a hint or Google anything, but that’s just me, and I don’t criticize anyone for puzzling however they want. My job is to criticize the constructors! 🙂
But today my criticism (which, by the way, is always the “analysis and judgment of merits and faults” rather than the “expression of disapproval” kind of criticism) is all positive. It’s got humor – “What did the ____ say when it was riding on the back of a turtle? Wheeeee!” (SNAIL) – interesting money facts – “Lempira spender” (HONDURAN) – trivia – “Department store chain that began as a corner grocery” (KOHLS) – misdirection “Holder of tent sales” (REI) – and did I say humor? – “Place people walk into for jokes?” (BAR). Heh. And hey, it’s also got GIN! What’s not to like? (Is there a mini-theme with those last two and WINES?)
I haven’t thought of the slogan DOTHEDEW in ages. And are you like me in waiting to see whether “Part of Caesar’s boast” will be in English or Latin? I mean, if it’s four letters and Latin, it could be any of the three, but as soon as you get the I, you know it’s English and it can only be one thing. So that was nice.
I really enjoyed this one. Congratulations on the debut, Ms. Ewool, I’ll be on the lookout for your next one. 🙂
– Horace
