01.05.09 -- Monday Meeting

Hopscotch Man, Pali-X-Mano

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Monday, January 5, 2009

Puzzle by Andrea Carla Michaels, edited by Will Shortz

This Monday crossword features the assembly of MEET THE PARENTS (23A. 2000 De Niro/Stiller comedy), MEAT AND POTATOES (35A. Basics, as issues) and METE OUT JUSTICE (47A. What judges do in court) -- the first word of each interrelated entry (meet, meat, mete) being homophonic.

People in the puzzle are led by ADOLF (52A. First name in W.W. II infamy) -- appearing with the Führer are AMI (58D. French friend) astride a PAL (57D. Friend) with the crossing of AMOUR (61A. Parisian love); ARI (20A. Agent Gold of HBO's "Entourage"); CAPOTE (5D. Truman who wrote “Breakfast at Tiffany’s); CASEY (27A. “Mighty” man who struck out); EDITH (48D. Singer Piaf); a DIXIECRAT (3D. Strom Thurmond follower of 1948); the INS (9D. Ones who are elected); JASON (50D. Bourne of “The Bourne Identity”); 21A. Japanese sleuth Mr. MOTO; POLO (25D. Explorer Marco); 22D. “The Devil Wears PRADA”; TORI (39D. Actress Spelling); TONTO (49D. The Lone Ranger’s faithful friend); a TOT (40A. Toddler); and two of man’s best friends ASTA (1D. “The Thin Man” dog) and OTTO (55D. Sgt. Snorkel’s four-legged friend).

HOPSCOTCH (32D. Sidewalk game with chalk) is followed by several mid-size entries -- APATHY (56D. Lack of interest), ASTERN (45D. To the rear, on a ship), LAUREL (10D. Winner’s wreath) and PURSUE (44D. Chase).

Five-letter entries -- ALOOF (36D. Standoffish); 15A. Be APAIN in the neck; CACTI (5A. Desert plants); CANOE (7D. Something to paddle); CHARM (2D. The third time’s said to be one); ERECT (51D. Build); ESSEN (11D. German steel city); LINEN (64A Bedsheets, e.g.); MATES (47D. Spouses); PAIRS (44A. Alternative to singles, in figure skating); PASSE (57A So yesterday); PREEN (22A. Primp); SWEET (12D. Bonbon,, e.g.); TERNS (13D. Shorebirds).

Short stuff -- ACCT, ACDC, ARAT, ARTE, ASWE, BONN, DONT, EAST, EMT, ERRS, ETTE, GLAD, GPS, HMS, LEST, LAOS, MET, NANU, OHTO, OPTS, ORAL, ORO, REO, SAO, SHIV, SHOD, SSS, STET, TAXI, TIE, TINT, USER (19A. One at the computer).

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THE NEW YORK TIMES -- Crossword Puzzles and Games

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Xword search information -- Across: 1. Flexible, electrically; 10. For fear that; 14. Prisoner’s knife; 16. “Even ___ speak …”; 17. Cab; 22. Primp; 28. Not written, as a test; 29. Makes mistakes; 31. Pleased; 32. “___ Pinafore”; 40. Toddler; 41. Land west of Vietnam; 42. Chooses; 43. West Germany’s capital; 53. Commedia dell’___; 54. Gold in Guadalajara; 56. Color lightly; 59. Editing mark; 60. Suffix with kitchen; 62. No. on a bank statement; 63. Like show horses’ feet; 65. “___ to be in England”. Down: 4. 106, to Trajan; 8. Even score; 21. The Appalachians, e.g.: Abbr.; 24. Sunrise direction; 26. “I SMELL ___”; 29. Ambulance worker, for short; 30. ___ Speed Wagon (old vehicle); 31. Auto gizmo that talks, in brief; 33. Big Apple museum, with “the”; 34. Sizzling sound; 37. Half of Mork’s goodbye; 38. Advice regarding touching a hot stove; 46. Suffix with Israel or Manhattan; 59. ___ Paulo, Brazil.