Saturday, December 31, 2016

Comments closed.

200 comments:

  1. Happy New Year to all the participants in this blog. It started out as a whim and has grown to something interesting because of you. Hope 2017 smiles on you.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Stumpy Stumper: "Happy New Year" - 7x7 themeless:

    **gruntz**

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
  3. "Happy New Year" Thanks for the first Runt of the year!

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=ODg5NDI1MzI5MDc5NTI3Mw

    ReplyDelete
  4. "Happy New Year" --

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NDgzNTIyMzI5MjE0OTc2OQ

    Thanks, and LOL!

    And thanks very much to r.alph for keeping this runt parade on its feet!

    ReplyDelete
  5. "New Year Predictions" --

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MTg4MTEzMzY2NzI0MzY4

    Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  6. "New Year Predictions"

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NTU4NDg0MzM3MDM1NTAyMg

    ReplyDelete
  7. Please forgive this too-long digression, but I need help, and you, my fellow Runt Wranglers, and also M&A, our Runt Breeder Extraordinaire, are the smartest group I know.

    For the last several days I have been working on a cryptic crossword puzzle by Emily Cox and Henry Rathvon, published on 11/5/11 in the Wall Street Journal. Of 32 clues, I have figured out 29, but the last three have resisted every effort I can make. I would just love to know the answers, so I can move on.

    Ordinarily, I would just look up the solution at Diary of a Crossword Fiend, but on that day Amy (I presume) just noted, “Not done yet! This cryptic is tough.” And I can’t find that she ever followed up on that. There is a remark or two in the comments, but they only mention things I already knew.

    I have tried every Google approach I can think of, all to no avail. So I am appealing for any help you can give.

    Because of the structure of the puzzle, every answer is eight letters long, with the first and fifth letters the same. (Title of the puzzle is “Eights” and the answers are entered in the twisted form of a figure 8.)

    The ones that have me stumped are

    9 Wiggling free of alien appendages

    10 After reorganization, CEOs are unable to function

    18 Some Europeans’ escargot sent back after that one bit of arsenic

    SPOILER ALERT - In case you find a clean grid of this puzzle and want to try it yourself read no further -- here are four of the answers I got, in part by using Google, anagram solvers, Wikipedia, etc:

    Keeping sexually adaptable in a dance - ABIDANCE

    Pale runner wearing tin and flannel - SWANSKIN

    Solo backed up around very French mezzanine - ENTRESOL

    Exotic hybrid cat that stinks accompanying mom and partner out West - PUMAPARD

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't have anyway to verify these but here are my guesses:

      SPOILER

      9 (free of) anagramed + E.T. = forefeet
      18 IT + A + (snail) reversed = Italians

      Delete
  8. @Bob
    9. Wiggling free of alien appendages (FOREFE)ET = FOREFEET. "Wiggling" signals the anagram of "freeof"

    18. Some Europeans' escargot sent back after that one bit of arsenic
    ITALIANS: IT (that one) + A(rsenic) + (LIANS - SNAIL backwards)

    10?? Is reorganization signaling an anagram of "after" or "ceo". Or is "after reorganization" the definition?

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thank you, thank you, thank you, @bodgit1 and @r.alphbunker!!!

    You were both right, and so quickly!

    I thought I would recognize most of the code words for "anagram," but "Wiggling" got past me, and I was looking for a synonym that would have meaning after deducting (being free of) ET.

    And with the "ar" in "escargot" I was hung up on AR as the chemical symbol for Arsenic, rather than just that one "a" bit, and tried reversing part of "escargot."

    With the information you folks provided, I was able to finish the puzzle, but not instantly, because I had one letter wrong in my previous answers, which wasn't easy to find (had TRUSTEES where I should have had TRUSTERS). Turns out the answer-indicating word in 10 was "function," and the answer is COSECANT!

    Thank you both so much!

    Happy New Year!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. And, oh yeah, the symbol for arsenic is AS, not AR.

      That thumping sound you hear is me kicking myself around the block.

      Delete
  10. @BobK. - Thanx for the cryptic clue workout. After many hours, off-and-on, M&A finally just recently came up with the COSECANT one. Too little too late.

    In retaliation, here is an extra dish of runt pudding, for yer solvin pleasure.

    Stumpy Stumper: "Grid Art Critter" - 7x7 mostly themeless:

    **gruntz**

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
  11. "Grid Art Critter" --

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MjA4NTY1MzM5OTQxNjk5Nw

    Thanks. Good to do a puzzle in minutes instead of days!

    ReplyDelete
  12. "Almost Anagrams II" --

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MjQ3MTY1MzQ1MTgyMDk3MA

    Thank yo

    ReplyDelete
  13. @BG1: Liked yer summary comment's choice of word order. (Coulda anagrammed it to "I almost like anagrams".)

    @BobK. - yo thanx.

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
  14. "Grid Art Critter"

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NzkzNDQ5MzQ5NDE4NjY5NA

    I can only bow to all of you and your cryptic skills.

    ReplyDelete
  15. "Almost Anagrams II"

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MzMyODI4MzQ5NDgwODY3OQ

    ReplyDelete
  16. "Desperate Word Square #10" - 7x7 sorta themed:

    **gruntz**

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
  17. "Desperate Word Square #10" --

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MjczNDA1MzQ5Njk5OTM2Mw

    Merci?

    ReplyDelete
  18. "Desperate Word Square #10" Har!

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MzY3NDI2MzUzNjQ2NzI1Nw

    ReplyDelete
  19. "Call of the Wild Runt" - 7x7 themed:

    **gruntz**

    M&A

    p.s. Releasin this biter early, on account of numerous evening soiree plans. It is 3 runts in one, in a way, tho.

    ReplyDelete
  20. "Call of the Wild Runt" --

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=Njk4OTU2MzU2MTMxNDU3OQ

    Thanks. Love those three runts!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. yep. 3 runts, plus that "wild", box-shaped clue-related biter entity in the middle.

      M&A

      Delete
  21. "Call of the Wild Runt" Nice one.

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NDIyMDAzNTczMjc0NTAy

    ReplyDelete
  22. Stumpy Stumper: "Zombie Marathon" - 7x7 themeless:

    **gruntz**

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
  23. "Zombie Marathon" --

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MzM3Nzg1MzYzMjAwOTk4Mw

    Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  24. "Zombie Marathon"

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=ODk3MTQyMzY2MzEzMjIzMg

    ReplyDelete
  25. This runtpuz has the potential for bein an incredibly easy, fast solve … maybe?

    **gruntz**

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. p.s.
      Almost forgot: above runtpuz is…

      Stumpy Stumper: "Histrionic Pretense" - 7x7 themeless.

      M&A

      Delete
  26. Um, ... yeah ...

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NzA3MjkwMzY2OTQ0MjEyMw

    Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  27. "Histrionic Pretense"

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=ODEwNzI1MzcwODY1MDQzNQ

    ReplyDelete
  28. @Teedmn suggested BARMANOU be the word of the day and it came to pass.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Runtpuz déjà-vu recap for solution to: "Histrionic Pretense".

    I predict that this summary will be of particular special interest, to some test solvers.

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NDc0MDczMzczNjYwMTkzMw

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
  30. @M&A _ My "Um, ... yeah ..." comment was meant to indicate that I agreed some might find the runt easier than most, without giving anything away.

    I have been thinking that a lot hinges on the device one is using. Someone solving on an iPhone would be at a definite disadvantage with this runt compared to me working on my 17" (diag) iMac, or r.alph, whom I picture working in a lab surrounded by 72" (diag) screens.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Or Teedmn solving in the AM before the multi-focal contact lenses are fully focusing might cause M&A's summary to be moot.

    @M&A, I enjoyed your "snowflakes in an avalanche" comment today on the Rex blog. I hope that was a warning to the Anonymous 6:53 commenter that, in the words of Nikita Khrushchev, "we [snowflakes] will bury you"!

    ReplyDelete
  32. "Bonbons" --

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NDM5OTYyMzc1NDY3OTAwMg

    Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  33. "Bonbons" A whole box of petit fours!

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=Nzg3NjQzNzk4MzA2NDE3

    ReplyDelete
  34. Stumpy Stumper: "Little Green Cosines" - 7x7 themeless:

    **gruntz**

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
  35. "Little Green Cosines" --

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NzUxMzg5Mzg0NTExMTM0Mw

    Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  36. "Little Green Cosines"

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NzQxMzE4MzkyMzc4NTgzNw

    ReplyDelete
  37. "Stripttt" --

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NzQwMzE5Mzk2MzY4ODAwMw

    Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  38. "Stripttt"

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NTYzMDk1Mzk2ODYwMDM2Mg

    ReplyDelete
  39. Another random BTW from Someone Who Really Should Be Doing Other Things:

    I just did a Ben Tausig Ink Well puzzle from 11/17/11. I was struck by an entry which reeks of Maleska-esque obscurity, but probably got a lot of use back in the day:

    16 A - "Inuit knife" - ULU

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ulu_(disambiguation)

    and

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ulu

    If I've seen it before, I've forgotten; I wasn't always so sensitive to U's!

    ReplyDelete
  40. "Runty and Outrageous" Yup.

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MTc1NDU0MDU1NjE2MjMy

    ReplyDelete
  41. "Runty and Outrageous" --

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NzU1NjQyNDA5Mzk1ODkwNg

    With the luxury of being the last to solve, I can see that my befuddlement wasn't as bad as I thought, at least if you grade on a curve.

    Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  42. Stumpy Stumper: "Pyramid Scheme" - 7x7 themeless:

    **gruntz**

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
  43. "Pyramid Scheme" I did not get Madoffed!

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NDc4Njk1NDE0MTUxNzc2NA

    ReplyDelete
  44. "Pyramid Scheme" --

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NzM1MTU1NDE2NjI1NTcxMQ

    Feel like I had the Great Pyramid of Giza dropped on my head!

    Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  45. Take note, U-groupies. Here's a new antibiotic for you: lugdunin.

    Although this is from Chemistry World, published by the Royal Society of Chemistry, you may find it Not Suitable For Work:

    https://www.chemistryworld.com/news/new-antibiotic-picked-from-nose-bacteria/1010030.article

    ReplyDelete
  46. "3-Letter Word Latter" I did not fall off the latter today.

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MTI0ODA4NDIyNzkwOTQ1OQ

    ReplyDelete
  47. Stumpy Stumper: "Bach Bombshell" - (a.k.a. "A Little U on the Side") - 7x7 themeless:

    **gruntz**

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
  48. Was fascinatin to see reactions/solves for "Pyramid Scheme". It gave some folks no big problems, but also seemed to blow others out of the water. Perhaps one of those wheelhouse dealies, altho I hadn't thought the contents were all that exotic...

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
  49. As per test solver @kitchef's request, here is an explanation of the "3-Letter Word Latter" runtpuz theme:

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=ODI5NjQ3NDI3MTQxNzU0OQ

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
  50. "Bach Bombshell" Thanks.

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NjIyNzI0NDMxMzg0NDk2MA

    ReplyDelete
  51. "3-Letter Word Latter" --

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MzcwOTk0MzI5NDU1NzQx

    Catching up. Sorry I missed the meta on this one. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  52. "Bach Bombshell" --

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NjUyMTE3NDMzMDE5MDQ2OQ

    Someday I will learn to resist the impulse to hit that submit button before I have looked closely at my grid. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ass arts!
      Very nice. Someday we need a runtpuz with classic solver flameouts for its theme, yes?

      M&A

      Delete
  53. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  54. Stumpy Stumper: "When In Doubt …" - 7x7 mostly themeless:

    **gruntz**

    M&A

    p.s.
    Deleted first posting of this runtpuz, as M&A had a doubt (about a misspell in a clue).

    ReplyDelete
  55. http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MTM5MTUxNDM1NDcyODgxMA

    Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  56. "When In Doubt" No doubt, this was fun!

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NzYyODI4NDM1NjM5OTQ5Nw

    ReplyDelete
  57. "Fake News" --

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NzM3NDcxNDQyNDk5NjQ4Ng

    I was faked out. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  58. "Fake News" I was faked out even more...

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=Mzc4NDA0NTA3NzM3NTI4

    ReplyDelete
  59. "Runt Code" --

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=Mjg1NjI1NDUyNzcwMzk0OQ

    Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  60. "Runt Code" Nice!

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MTI4MjcxNDU3MjkyODg5Mw

    ReplyDelete
  61. "Symbolic Backing" --

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MzIwNjM0NDYwMjEyODQxMA

    Thanks

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. @BobK. - M&A allowed 15 min. for "Symbolic Backing", just in case of unscheduled phone calls.

      M&A

      Delete
  62. "Symbolic Backing"

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=OTM3MDI4NDYxNzE2NTEyMA

    ReplyDelete
  63. Stumpy Stumper: "Honker Surprise" - 7x7 themed:

    **gruntz**

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
  64. "Honker Surprise" Tricky!

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NTIwNDE0NjU5MzM4NjAx

    ReplyDelete
  65. "Honker Surprise" --

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MzgwNTEyNDY2ODcyOTk4OA

    Having seen @Teedmn's remark above, I thought I might get goosed by this Honker, but, no, not really.

    Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  66. May I, increasingly sensitive to appearances of the elusive letter U, yet lamentably lacking in fear of cultural appropriation, call to your attention the following, which I stumbled upon in a brochure for the MIT Alumni Travel Program: U'mista

    http://umista.ca/about/history.php

    ReplyDelete
  67. "Desperate Word Square #11" - 7x7 sorta themed:

    **gruntz**

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
  68. "Desperate Word Square #11" --

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=ODEwNDg5NDc3MjkyMzA5MQ

    Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  69. "Desperate Word Square #11"

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MjkwMTY4NDc4OTU2OTU2OQ

    ReplyDelete
  70. "Starting Over" --

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MzkyNjk3NDc5NjMwNzI4Mw

    Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  71. "Starting Over" Looks like my Runt clock got reset, mentally-wise.

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=OTE5ODA0ODM1MjQwODE0

    ReplyDelete
  72. @BobK
    Re protest. Nanoseconds count here. You were a couple of nanoseconds past 8 min. Sorry.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, @r.alph. Can't argue with the official timekeeper! :>)

      Delete
  73. Stumpy Stumper: "Putin Land" - 7x7 themeless:

    **gruntz**

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
  74. "Putin Land" Nice!

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=Njk2MTI0OTIwMzU1NTcx

    ReplyDelete
  75. "Putin Land" --

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NzAwNjMwNDkyMTQyOTQ2MQ

    Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  76. "Trying To Be Flexible" --

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MTU3OTc0OTcwMzE2NDY4

    Different, fer sure.

    Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. @BobK. - Challengin runt, becuz of the "flexible flexibility" of its themers. Almost close to havin unchecked letters, huh?

      M&A

      Delete
  77. "Swamp Dweller" --

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NjM0NDY1MDMzMDk4Nzgx

    Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  78. True to an extent, but the runt actually is quite tightly themed. My downfall primarily was that 16 A was unknown to me - must be a geography problem!

    ReplyDelete
  79. "Trying to be Flexible" I was so flexible, I tied myself into a knot.

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MTM3NDM2NTA1MDc1NjQzNQ

    ReplyDelete
  80. "Swamp Drainer" Har, I didn't even get swamped!

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NjEwMzc0NTA1MTg4MTE1Ng

    ReplyDelete
  81. "Drain Swamper" --

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=Mjk0MDQ0NTEyNjQ3NjQ3MA

    Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  82. "Drain Swamper" Had the same brain drain area as @GB.

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=Nzk1OTM1NTEzMjE2OTE4Nw

    ReplyDelete
  83. "Not qUite Right in the Head" --

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NDcwOTI3NTE5NjM4ODA4NA

    "Fantastically famous"? -- I gotta get out more!

    Thanks

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. @BobK. - har. nope. "Fantastically famous", in the Donald Trump hypin' sense, only.
      I see U had trouble on the theme, so will issue a recap real soon.
      Fantastically soon.

      M&A

      Delete
  84. Runtpuz fantastically screwball recap for solution to: "Not qUite Right in the Head".

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NjM4MjUyNTE5ODY4NDQzNg

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brilliant, yet again! So sorry I had totally missed the point!

      Delete
    2. @BobK. - Plus, made by the one constructioneer who prides himself in bein certified-worthy of the puz title role.
      Fantastically worthy.

      M&A

      Delete
  85. "Not qUite Right in the Head" Big league brilliant!

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MjgxOTU2NTIxOTc2NzkyMw

    ReplyDelete
  86. "Mars Dogs" Thanks!

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NTI2NTU1NTI2NTIzMjczNw

    ReplyDelete
  87. "Mars Dogs" --

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NDg1MTM4NTI2NjkzMzE3OA

    Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  88. Congratz to all the great testsolve times on "Mars Dogs". @BG1 was sub-2min it! @Teedmn had trouble, but she's from Venus.

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
  89. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  90. I'm reissuing the "Double Spiral" runtpuz, as the first version had an erroneous 18-Across clue in it. I discovered this, when reading @r.alph's test solve notes. (Sorry, @r.alph.)

    "Double Spiral" - 7x7 slightly weird themed:

    **gruntz**

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
  91. "Double Spiral" --

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MzI1MTczNTMxNTIxOTc3OQ

    Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  92. "Double Spiral" Nice.

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NTQzNjg4NTM1MTA3ODg3Ng

    ReplyDelete
  93. Very extra-nice string of clean "Double Spiral" test solves, once M&A cleaned up the day-um clues. Again, sincere apologies to trailblazer @r.alph, who went down in flames for the good of the group. I hereby executive order him to collect 300 extra tournament score points.

    Wonder what the longest such "themer word" there is, out there? I found one that was 8-letters long but didn't use it, due to runt-grid carry-on space restrictions.

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
  94. Should we commit this list to memory for future runts? --

    http://users.tinyonline.co.uk/gswithenbank/backword.htm

    ReplyDelete
  95. I searched for backwords in Jeff Chen's word list and found about 2500. I list them here:
    http://puzzlecrowd.com/backwords.html
    The pairs preceded by ** both are rated 50 or higher in the word list.

    BTW, the error in Double Spiral was not the reason I didn't have a clean solve. I just didn't notice the duplication.

    ReplyDelete
  96. @r.alph:
    Well, thanx -- you're a real good sport.
    But here's an extra runtpuz M&A just whupped up, to try and make amends. [Might wanna let someone else go first, tho.]

    "Samsung Samurai" - 7x7 themed:

    **gruntz**

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
  97. These are words in @BobK's list that are in Jeff Chen's

    http://puzzlecrowd.com/backwordsmissing.html

    ReplyDelete
  98. "Samsung Samurai" --

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=OTg2NjA4NTM4MjQwMzk2Mw

    Thanks

    @r,alph -- Sorry I couldn't go first: Had a loooong phone call (but not on a Samsung 7.)

    ReplyDelete
  99. "Samsung Samurai"

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MTc4NTUwNTIyNzE5MjQ1Ng

    ReplyDelete
  100. Runtpuz explosive recap for solution to: "Samsung Samurai".

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NzUxMDQ1Mzk4MDgzMTAy

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
  101. Stumpy Stumper: "Uncle Uranus" - 7x7 themeless:

    **gruntz**

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
  102. "Uncle Uranus" --

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NjQ2MDU3NTM5OTM1ODY4NQ

    Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  103. "Uncle Uranus" Double U title!

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MTY4ODQyNTQzNzU1OTQzNA

    ReplyDelete
  104. "And the Nominees Oughta Be …" - 7x7 themed:

    **gruntz**

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
  105. "And the Nominees Oughta Be …" --

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MzkwODM5NTQ2MTgxMzI4OQ

    I'd like to thank, in increasing order of importance, the Academy, my parents, God, and M&A.

    ReplyDelete
  106. "And the Nominees Oughta Be …" Nice.

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NDg4MjU4NTQ3NTE0ODg2NQ

    ReplyDelete
  107. "Desperate Word Square #12" - 7x7 sorta themed:

    **gruntz**

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
  108. "Desperate Word Square #12" -- Wonderful!

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MTEyNjg3NTU0Njk5MjY4MQ

    Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  109. "Desperate Word Square #12" Fun, thanks!

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NzUwMzU0NTU2MDY2OTAxNg

    ReplyDelete
  110. Stumpy Stumper: "Fuzzy Vitamin" - 7x7 themeless:

    **gruntz**

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
  111. "Fuzzy Vitamin" -- Very mild protest at 4A.

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MjgwNjE0NTYyMTU2Njg2Ng

    Thanks

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. @BobK.- Yer 4-A argument has merit. But it kinda falls apart, for 6-D, unless U dare to insult all the runts out there. Also, @r.alph might not like that much of a stretch of the "device" term…
      Sooo…
      no runtfunds.

      M&A

      Delete
  112. "Fuzzy Vitamin" Is that the vitamin you have to blow on a couple of times after dropping on the floor? :-). Fun!

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NTg3NjQ0NTYyOTU5NjMwNQ

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. @Teedmn: yep. Vitamins should normally qualify under the Ten Second Rule. Dependin on the house hairdog situation.

      @BobK.- And another thing: the 4-A entry has single-? clue immunity. Not quite the 100 Second dredge up Rule of a double-?? clue, but still …

      M&A
      "NanosecondLand Ruler"

      Delete
  113. "Big State" --

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MjY3MzgyNTY1MDExMDk5Nw

    Thankx

    ReplyDelete
  114. Hope everyone is havin a fine Sunday.
    Here is the runtpuz astoundingly predicted by "Big State"…

    **gruntz**

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
  115. http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MTYzNTI4NTczMDI4Nzc1NA

    Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  116. Speed-solver's dream come true?

    "Near-Runt #1001-H" - 7x7 easy themeless:

    **gruntz**

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
  117. "Near-Runt #1001-H" --

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NTI1MTQwNTgxMzg2OTE4NQ

    Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  118. "Big State" I got lost....

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NTEzMTgzNTgyODExMTk0NQ

    ReplyDelete
  119. "Next to Nothing"

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MjAyNTY5NTgyODUzNjM4NA

    ReplyDelete
  120. "Near-Runt #1001-H"

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=OTk5NTU1ODI4ODU4ODcx

    ReplyDelete
  121. Speed-solver's nightmare come true? [Hey -- Make a nice afternoon of it! :-) ]

    Stumpy Stumper: "Ultimate Stumpage" - 7x7 crazed biter runt (20 min.):

    **gruntz**

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
  122. "Ultimate Stumpage" --

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NzIxOTc4NTg5NDgxNTQzMw

    Thanks.*

    ReplyDelete
  123. "Ultimate Stumpage" The title refers to what's left at the bottom of my leg after the Runt got done with it.

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NjgwNjM4NTkxNTc0MjE0OA

    ReplyDelete
  124. Yo. To avert protest marches in the Fairfield streets, M&A is issuin …

    Runtpuz ultimate recap for solution to: "Ultimate Stumpage" themeless.

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=ODU4MjgwNTk3MzE1ODkzOQ

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
  125. "Playing With MAtches" ==

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=OTU4MDY3NTk3NzgxMDAzNg

    Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  126. "Playing with MAtches" I managed to not set myself on fire.

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NjQ2MTE5NTk5ODU2NDc5NQ

    ReplyDelete
  127. "Happy Endings" --

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=Nzk4MzEyNjA1OTcxMjA5NA

    Thanks, M&A, and thanks also to Robert Burns, I couldn't have solved this one without you (very slight spoiler):

    http://www.robertburns.org/works/268.shtml

    ReplyDelete
  128. "Happy Endings" Indeed.

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=Njg5NDIxNjA4ODQ0MTkwMA

    ReplyDelete
  129. Stumpy Stumper: "Taxing Beast" - 7x7 themeless:

    **gruntz**

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
  130. "Taxing Beast" --

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=Mjc0MjEzNjE1Mzc5ODcxMg

    Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  131. "Taxing Beast"

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NzMwMTYwNjE3MjM1NjM5MA

    ReplyDelete
  132. "Desperate Word Square XIII" - 7x7 sorta themed:

    **gruntz**

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
  133. "Desperate Word Square XIII" Unlucky # 13.

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NzY3NDk0NjIyOTcyNTg0MA

    ReplyDelete
  134. "Desperate Word Square XIII" --

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=ODczOTE1NjMxMTQyMDMxOQ

    Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  135. Here's hopin the Super Bowl/Ball bounces the right way for U, today.

    "Bouncing Ball Bits" - 7x7 themed:
    **gruntz**

    Go Vikes.

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
  136. p.s.
    Title of today's runtpuz may be crucial to heed.
    Just sayin.

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
  137. "Bouncing Ball Bits" --

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NjU4NDg2NjMzMjU0NDM0NQ

    Thanks, and thanks for the hint.

    ReplyDelete
  138. "Bouncing Ball Bits" The usual Superbowl blowout. Go Vikes :-).

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MjgyNzc2NjM0NTI3NzM2Ng

    ReplyDelete
  139. Congratz to BobK. -- Only clean solve of "Bouncing Ball Bits", so far.

    @Teedmn: Oh, man. The Vikes had that SuperBowl #51 nearly won, until after the openin coin toss …

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Vikes are usually doomed right after the coin toss of the first exhibition game each season :-).

      Delete
  140. Inspired in no large part by the primo flick "Rancho Deluxe" …

    Stumpy Stumper" "Runt-Roll Deluxe" - 7x7 themeless:

    **gruntz**

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
  141. "Runt-Roll Deluxe" -- Unfortunately, my luck only comes in short spurts.

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NzkyMDc2NDEyMzI4MTcw

    Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  142. @BobK.: but, hey -- U got er done, with a few extra nanoseconds in afterburners.

    Now, I almost hate to bring this up …

    "IQ Test for Runts" - 7x7 themed:

    **gruntz**

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
  143. "IQ Test for Runts" -- I've always said, my IQ, like my credit score, is a perfect 100!

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NjM3ODAyNjQxNzQ3NzAzNg

    Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  144. "Runt-Roll Deluxe"

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MjE4NjM5NjQ3NDEwNjQ4Ng

    ReplyDelete
  145. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  146. "IQ Test for Runts" Can we grade IQs on a curve?

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=ODM5NDQ2NjQ3NDgzNjUzNQ

    ReplyDelete
  147. "Avant-Grid Side Effects" --

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MTg3NDAzNjU3OTg1NzQ4Mw

    Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  148. Ahar! "Avant-Grid Side Effects" seems to be leavin severe bite-marks on esteemed test solvers, so far.
    The dreaded masked biter runt!
    Other test solvers: be duly warned. Bring along an appropriate spray, or somesuch.

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
  149. Due to popular demand:

    Runtpuz testy recap for solution to: "IQ Test for Runts".

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=ODQwOTc3NjU5MDkxNTM5Nw

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
  150. "Avant-Grid Side Effects" Zombification side effect!

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NTYzMjA4NjU5NjU2MTUyNA

    ReplyDelete
  151. Stumpy Stumper: "Walled Comic Honcho" - 7x7 themeless:

    **gruntz**

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
  152. "Walled Comic Honcho" --

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=Njg5NTY4NjY3NDU1Nzc5NA

    Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  153. "Walled Comic Honcho" Nice!

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=ODAyODc4NjY3Njg2NzIxOA

    ReplyDelete
  154. By unpopular demand …

    Runtpuz Avant-Grid Recap for solution to: "Avant-Grid Side Effects".

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=OTMxMzkxNjY3NzUxMjIwNA

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
  155. @M&A - Not to be pedantic (who, me?), but as I have mentioned previously, I am concerned about what the hundreds of thousands of young followers of runtpuzzes may pick up. In your discussion of Avant-Grid Side Effects," clue 11A, you say, "{Tonga-to-Hawaii dir., as the nene flies} NNE from _ _E N(e)NE, or North by NorthEast." Although NNE for NorthNorthEast would be correct, there is no compass direction "North by North East." I would respectfully refer to the ultimate authority, Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Points_of_the_compass#32-wind_compass_points

    ;>)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. @BobK. - yep. Wrong again, M&A compass breath …
      But, 100K's of young followers of runtpuzzes? -- har. Somehow, that sounds North-by-DelusionalEast of optimistic.

      M&A

      Delete
  156. *** WARNING: Beware of viscous biter runt! ***

    (… which probably means some wily test solver will tame in in 2, go figure.)

    "Bent Rules" - 7x7 themed with 15 min. allotment:

    **gruntz**

    M&A

    ReplyDelete
  157. Yes, M&A, your words above did get slightly twisted.

    "Bent Rules" --

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MTYwMjMxNjc1MDI1MjY5MA

    Thnaks.

    ReplyDelete
  158. "Bent Rules" I did feel like I was swimming in a viscous liquid, against the current.

    @Bob Kerfuffle, how could you be so sure about 13A? I had to wait for crosses.

    http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MzE4MDM4Njc4MTU1NDQ2MA

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. How could I be so sure about 13A? Only because I had looked at 7D and saw the most likely answer. Truth is, I am basically a paper-only solver, and I find online solving enormously frustrating. Every time I think I have mastered the system, my entries find new ways to jump around. So I try to go from Across to Across, from Down to Down, wherever the tab key takes me. Even then, if there is a highlighted letter, I don't know if my next keystroke will land in that square or the next one. Oh, the nanoseconds!

      Delete
    2. I'm a paper solver also, but with Runts, I don't think it matters; I'm just flailing around anyway!

      Delete
  159. Toxic test version. Do not approach without protection.

    **gruntz**

    M&A

    ReplyDelete