Napoleon at Waterloo by Howard David Johnson
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Saturday, July 19, 2008
Puzzle by Todd McClary, edited by Will Shortz
How many times has a solver snapped a writing instrument in half, ripped the puzzle from its moorings, crumpled it into a ball, declaiming YOUCANTWINEMALL (8D. Words of consolation), having METONESWATERLOO (36A. Suffered defeat). Well, these two entries share their W in the center of the attractive spinning windmill grid, and let’s just call that W a win!
If a crossword can BLOWAWAY (1A. Thrill) a solver in more ways than one, then this little Saturday stumper with its SINISTER (39A. Menacing) clues and entries is not one for an IDLER (18A. Shiftless sort). Plenty of consternating consonants, ODD (10D. Eyebrow-raising) double-vowels and little LATITUDE (62A. Navigation figure) for unseaworthy sorts.
What starts with MSP or what has a double A in its center? Why, MSPACMAN (36A. Arcade star of the ‘80s) and CANAANITE (56A. Language group including Hebrew), of course! What leads off with TST or BBG -- TSTOPS (24D. Braking maneuvers for skaters) and BBGUN (1D. Plinking weapon). Plinking? Would you like to see both NAST (52D. Creator of 1867’s “Grand Caricaturama”) and NASTY (23A. Foul) in the same puzzle -- well, here you have it!
Food? ATEDINNER (33D. Took evening courses?); OSSOBUCO (34D. Trattoria offering); PARMESAN (15D. Kraft offering in a can); OKRAS (3D. Five-sided pods); and PIE (29D. Tin contents).
People? MARTHA (31D. First name in homemaking hints); PETERNERO (32D. Pianist leader of the Philly Pops); GARGANTUA (17A. Hero/giant created by Rabelais); UNA (19A. Merkel of moviedom); the PATRIOTS (32A. National champions in 2002, 2004 and 2005); an unidentified MALE (31A. Selective service registrant); MAGOG (35A. Grandson of Noah); JON (41A. Operatic tenor Vickers); ARI (43A. Maria’s love in 1996 Tony-winning play “Master Class”); TRUMAN (51A. Marshall Plan signer); ANA (5D. Actress Ortiz of “Ugly Betty”); a TIA (37D. Woman at a reunion); and 45D. Joe RANDA, ex-Royals third baseman known as the Joker.
Add in five more long entries just for variety -- BALDEAGLE (11D. Quarter image); BIKINITOP (14A. Cause of some tan lines), OLDSMOKEY (60A. Snowy locale of song); OPENFLOOR (12D. Debate format) and unfamiliar to me -- STRATEGO (13D. Game with 40 pieces per side) -- how do these games, fads and manias come and go without my every hearing about them until they’re fodder for a crossword?
However, a large group of five-letter entries are this puzzle’s real glue -- ADAPT (16A. Avoid extinction, say); ATTAR (7D. Rosa damascena product); DACRON (20A. Wrinkle-resistant fabric); LIANA (2D. Jungle obstacle); GAINS (9D. Results of bull markets); GOBOS (9A. Recording studio sound shields); HAIKU (47D. One-stanza poem); MENSA (54A. Its logo features a globe on a table); MESSY (35D. Poorly organized); NORTH (61A. Pole position?); OUTED (48D. Exposed); OXEYE (49D. Common daisy); RAMPS (26A. Some pinball targets); SABER (44A. Olympic blade); STASH (44D. Drug store?); STEPS (38A. Way up or way down); YAHOO (46A. Owner of the Flickr Web site); and YARNS (25D. Lies along the waterfront?) -- “Lies along the waterfront?” What?
Finally, fill stuff: AMI, ASH, AUX, CNN, DNA, EFT, JAR, JON, NET and NOT, OPT, PEDS, SAP and SAT, WIG and WIND (Make tired).
Waterloo? -- able was I ere I saw Elba!
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Puzzle available on the internet at
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