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.
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
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!
@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:
@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.
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"!
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:
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...
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
@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.
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.)
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.
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.
@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.]
@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.
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 - 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
@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.
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!
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.
ReplyDeleteStumpy Stumper: "Happy New Year" - 7x7 themeless:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Happy New Year" Thanks for the first Runt of the year!
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=ODg5NDI1MzI5MDc5NTI3Mw
"Happy New Year" --
ReplyDeletehttp://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!
"New Year Predictions" - 7x7 sorta themed:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"New Year Predictions" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MTg4MTEzMzY2NzI0MzY4
Thanks
"New Year Predictions"
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NTU4NDg0MzM3MDM1NTAyMg
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.
ReplyDeleteFor 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
I don't have anyway to verify these but here are my guesses:
DeleteSPOILER
9 (free of) anagramed + E.T. = forefeet
18 IT + A + (snail) reversed = Italians
@Bob
ReplyDelete9. 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?
Thank you, thank you, thank you, @bodgit1 and @r.alphbunker!!!
ReplyDeleteYou 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!
And, oh yeah, the symbol for arsenic is AS, not AR.
DeleteThat thumping sound you hear is me kicking myself around the block.
@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.
ReplyDeleteIn retaliation, here is an extra dish of runt pudding, for yer solvin pleasure.
Stumpy Stumper: "Grid Art Critter" - 7x7 mostly themeless:
**gruntz**
M&A
"Grid Art Critter" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MjA4NTY1MzM5OTQxNjk5Nw
Thanks. Good to do a puzzle in minutes instead of days!
"Almost Anagrams II" - 7x7 themed:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Almost Anagrams II" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MjQ3MTY1MzQ1MTgyMDk3MA
Thank yo
@BG1: Liked yer summary comment's choice of word order. (Coulda anagrammed it to "I almost like anagrams".)
ReplyDelete@BobK. - yo thanx.
M&A
"Grid Art Critter"
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NzkzNDQ5MzQ5NDE4NjY5NA
I can only bow to all of you and your cryptic skills.
"Almost Anagrams II"
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MzMyODI4MzQ5NDgwODY3OQ
"Desperate Word Square #10" - 7x7 sorta themed:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Desperate Word Square #10" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MjczNDA1MzQ5Njk5OTM2Mw
Merci?
"Desperate Word Square #10" Har!
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MzY3NDI2MzUzNjQ2NzI1Nw
"Call of the Wild Runt" - 7x7 themed:
ReplyDelete**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.
"Call of the Wild Runt" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=Njk4OTU2MzU2MTMxNDU3OQ
Thanks. Love those three runts!
yep. 3 runts, plus that "wild", box-shaped clue-related biter entity in the middle.
DeleteM&A
"Call of the Wild Runt" Nice one.
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NDIyMDAzNTczMjc0NTAy
Stumpy Stumper: "Zombie Marathon" - 7x7 themeless:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Zombie Marathon" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MzM3Nzg1MzYzMjAwOTk4Mw
Thanks
"Zombie Marathon"
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=ODk3MTQyMzY2MzEzMjIzMg
This runtpuz has the potential for bein an incredibly easy, fast solve … maybe?
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
p.s.
DeleteAlmost forgot: above runtpuz is…
Stumpy Stumper: "Histrionic Pretense" - 7x7 themeless.
M&A
Um, ... yeah ...
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NzA3MjkwMzY2OTQ0MjEyMw
Thanks!
"Histrionic Pretense"
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=ODEwNzI1MzcwODY1MDQzNQ
@Teedmn suggested BARMANOU be the word of the day and it came to pass.
ReplyDeleteRuntpuz déjà-vu recap for solution to: "Histrionic Pretense".
ReplyDeleteI predict that this summary will be of particular special interest, to some test solvers.
http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NDc0MDczMzczNjYwMTkzMw
M&A
@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.
ReplyDeleteI 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.
Or Teedmn solving in the AM before the multi-focal contact lenses are fully focusing might cause M&A's summary to be moot.
ReplyDelete@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"!
"Bonbons" - 7x7 themed:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Bonbons" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NDM5OTYyMzc1NDY3OTAwMg
Thanks
"Bonbons" A whole box of petit fours!
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=Nzg3NjQzNzk4MzA2NDE3
Stumpy Stumper: "Little Green Cosines" - 7x7 themeless:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Little Green Cosines" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NzUxMzg5Mzg0NTExMTM0Mw
Thanks
"Little Green Cosines"
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NzQxMzE4MzkyMzc4NTgzNw
"Stripttt" - 7x7 themed:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Stripttt" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NzQwMzE5Mzk2MzY4ODAwMw
Thanks
"Stripttt"
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NTYzMDk1Mzk2ODYwMDM2Mg
Another random BTW from Someone Who Really Should Be Doing Other Things:
ReplyDeleteI 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!
"Runty and Outrageous" - 7x7 themed:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Runty and Outrageous" Yup.
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MTc1NDU0MDU1NjE2MjMy
"Runty and Outrageous" --
ReplyDeletehttp://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.
Stumpy Stumper: "Pyramid Scheme" - 7x7 themeless:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Pyramid Scheme" I did not get Madoffed!
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NDc4Njk1NDE0MTUxNzc2NA
"Pyramid Scheme" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NzM1MTU1NDE2NjI1NTcxMQ
Feel like I had the Great Pyramid of Giza dropped on my head!
Thanks.
Take note, U-groupies. Here's a new antibiotic for you: lugdunin.
ReplyDeleteAlthough 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
"3-Letter Word Latter" - 7x7 themed:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"3-Letter Word Latter" I did not fall off the latter today.
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MTI0ODA4NDIyNzkwOTQ1OQ
Stumpy Stumper: "Bach Bombshell" - (a.k.a. "A Little U on the Side") - 7x7 themeless:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
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...
ReplyDeleteM&A
As per test solver @kitchef's request, here is an explanation of the "3-Letter Word Latter" runtpuz theme:
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=ODI5NjQ3NDI3MTQxNzU0OQ
M&A
"Bach Bombshell" Thanks.
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NjIyNzI0NDMxMzg0NDk2MA
"3-Letter Word Latter" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MzcwOTk0MzI5NDU1NzQx
Catching up. Sorry I missed the meta on this one. Thanks.
"Bach Bombshell" --
ReplyDeletehttp://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.
Ass arts!
DeleteVery nice. Someday we need a runtpuz with classic solver flameouts for its theme, yes?
M&A
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteStumpy Stumper: "When In Doubt …" - 7x7 mostly themeless:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
p.s.
Deleted first posting of this runtpuz, as M&A had a doubt (about a misspell in a clue).
http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MTM5MTUxNDM1NDcyODgxMA
ReplyDeleteThanks
"When In Doubt" No doubt, this was fun!
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NzYyODI4NDM1NjM5OTQ5Nw
"Fake News" - 7x7 themed:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Fake News" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NzM3NDcxNDQyNDk5NjQ4Ng
I was faked out. Thanks.
"Fake News" I was faked out even more...
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=Mzc4NDA0NTA3NzM3NTI4
"Runt Code" - 7x7 themed:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Runt Code" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=Mjg1NjI1NDUyNzcwMzk0OQ
Thanks
"Runt Code" Nice!
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MTI4MjcxNDU3MjkyODg5Mw
"Symbolic Backing" - 7x7 themed:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Symbolic Backing" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MzIwNjM0NDYwMjEyODQxMA
Thanks
@BobK. - M&A allowed 15 min. for "Symbolic Backing", just in case of unscheduled phone calls.
DeleteM&A
"Symbolic Backing"
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=OTM3MDI4NDYxNzE2NTEyMA
Stumpy Stumper: "Honker Surprise" - 7x7 themed:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Honker Surprise" Tricky!
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NTIwNDE0NjU5MzM4NjAx
"Honker Surprise" --
ReplyDeletehttp://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.
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
ReplyDeletehttp://umista.ca/about/history.php
"Desperate Word Square #11" - 7x7 sorta themed:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Desperate Word Square #11" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=ODEwNDg5NDc3MjkyMzA5MQ
Thanks
"Desperate Word Square #11"
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MjkwMTY4NDc4OTU2OTU2OQ
"Starting Over" - 7x7 themed:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Starting Over" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MzkyNjk3NDc5NjMwNzI4Mw
Thanks.
"Starting Over" Looks like my Runt clock got reset, mentally-wise.
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=OTE5ODA0ODM1MjQwODE0
@BobK
ReplyDeleteRe protest. Nanoseconds count here. You were a couple of nanoseconds past 8 min. Sorry.
Thank you, @r.alph. Can't argue with the official timekeeper! :>)
DeleteStumpy Stumper: "Putin Land" - 7x7 themeless:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Putin Land" Nice!
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=Njk2MTI0OTIwMzU1NTcx
"Putin Land" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NzAwNjMwNDkyMTQyOTQ2MQ
Thanks
"Trying To Be Flexible" - 7x7 themed:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Trying To Be Flexible" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MTU3OTc0OTcwMzE2NDY4
Different, fer sure.
Thanks.
@BobK. - Challengin runt, becuz of the "flexible flexibility" of its themers. Almost close to havin unchecked letters, huh?
DeleteM&A
"Swamp Drainer" - 7x7 themed:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Swamp Dweller" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NjM0NDY1MDMzMDk4Nzgx
Thanks
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"Trying to be Flexible" I was so flexible, I tied myself into a knot.
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MTM3NDM2NTA1MDc1NjQzNQ
"Swamp Drainer" Har, I didn't even get swamped!
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NjEwMzc0NTA1MTg4MTE1Ng
@Teedmn: POSTAGE! har. cool answer.
DeleteM&A
"Drain Swamper" - 7x7 themed:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Drain Swamper" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=Mjk0MDQ0NTEyNjQ3NjQ3MA
Thanks
"Drain Swamper" Had the same brain drain area as @GB.
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=Nzk1OTM1NTEzMjE2OTE4Nw
"Not qUite Right in the Head" - 7x7 themed:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Not qUite Right in the Head" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NDcwOTI3NTE5NjM4ODA4NA
"Fantastically famous"? -- I gotta get out more!
Thanks
@BobK. - har. nope. "Fantastically famous", in the Donald Trump hypin' sense, only.
DeleteI see U had trouble on the theme, so will issue a recap real soon.
Fantastically soon.
M&A
Runtpuz fantastically screwball recap for solution to: "Not qUite Right in the Head".
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NjM4MjUyNTE5ODY4NDQzNg
M&A
Brilliant, yet again! So sorry I had totally missed the point!
Delete@BobK. - Plus, made by the one constructioneer who prides himself in bein certified-worthy of the puz title role.
DeleteFantastically worthy.
M&A
"Not qUite Right in the Head" Big league brilliant!
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MjgxOTU2NTIxOTc2NzkyMw
Stumpy Stumper: "Mars Dogs" - 7x7 themeless:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Mars Dogs" Thanks!
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NTI2NTU1NTI2NTIzMjczNw
"Mars Dogs" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NDg1MTM4NTI2NjkzMzE3OA
Thanks
Congratz to all the great testsolve times on "Mars Dogs". @BG1 was sub-2min it! @Teedmn had trouble, but she's from Venus.
ReplyDeleteM&A
Har, I think it was more like Pluto!
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI'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.)
ReplyDelete"Double Spiral" - 7x7 slightly weird themed:
**gruntz**
M&A
"Double Spiral" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MzI1MTczNTMxNTIxOTc3OQ
Thanks
"Double Spiral" Nice.
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NTQzNjg4NTM1MTA3ODg3Ng
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.
ReplyDeleteWonder 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
Should we commit this list to memory for future runts? --
ReplyDeletehttp://users.tinyonline.co.uk/gswithenbank/backword.htm
I searched for backwords in Jeff Chen's word list and found about 2500. I list them here:
ReplyDeletehttp://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.
@r.alph:
ReplyDeleteWell, 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
These are words in @BobK's list that are in Jeff Chen's
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com/backwordsmissing.html
"Samsung Samurai" --
ReplyDeletehttp://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.)
"Samsung Samurai"
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MTc4NTUwNTIyNzE5MjQ1Ng
Runtpuz explosive recap for solution to: "Samsung Samurai".
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NzUxMDQ1Mzk4MDgzMTAy
M&A
Stumpy Stumper: "Uncle Uranus" - 7x7 themeless:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Uncle Uranus" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NjQ2MDU3NTM5OTM1ODY4NQ
Thanks
"Uncle Uranus" Double U title!
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MTY4ODQyNTQzNzU1OTQzNA
"And the Nominees Oughta Be …" - 7x7 themed:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"And the Nominees Oughta Be …" --
ReplyDeletehttp://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.
"And the Nominees Oughta Be …" Nice.
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NDg4MjU4NTQ3NTE0ODg2NQ
"Desperate Word Square #12" - 7x7 sorta themed:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Desperate Word Square #12" -- Wonderful!
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MTEyNjg3NTU0Njk5MjY4MQ
Thanks
"Desperate Word Square #12" Fun, thanks!
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NzUwMzU0NTU2MDY2OTAxNg
Stumpy Stumper: "Fuzzy Vitamin" - 7x7 themeless:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Fuzzy Vitamin" -- Very mild protest at 4A.
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MjgwNjE0NTYyMTU2Njg2Ng
Thanks
@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…
DeleteSooo…
no runtfunds.
M&A
"Fuzzy Vitamin" Is that the vitamin you have to blow on a couple of times after dropping on the floor? :-). Fun!
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NTg3NjQ0NTYyOTU5NjMwNQ
@Teedmn: yep. Vitamins should normally qualify under the Ten Second Rule. Dependin on the house hairdog situation.
Delete@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"
"Big State" - 7x7 themed:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Big State" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MjY3MzgyNTY1MDExMDk5Nw
Thankx
Hope everyone is havin a fine Sunday.
ReplyDeleteHere is the runtpuz astoundingly predicted by "Big State"…
**gruntz**
M&A
http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MTYzNTI4NTczMDI4Nzc1NA
ReplyDeleteThanks
Speed-solver's dream come true?
ReplyDelete"Near-Runt #1001-H" - 7x7 easy themeless:
**gruntz**
M&A
"Near-Runt #1001-H" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NTI1MTQwNTgxMzg2OTE4NQ
Thanks
"Big State" I got lost....
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NTEzMTgzNTgyODExMTk0NQ
"Next to Nothing"
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MjAyNTY5NTgyODUzNjM4NA
"Near-Runt #1001-H"
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=OTk5NTU1ODI4ODU4ODcx
Speed-solver's nightmare come true? [Hey -- Make a nice afternoon of it! :-) ]
ReplyDeleteStumpy Stumper: "Ultimate Stumpage" - 7x7 crazed biter runt (20 min.):
**gruntz**
M&A
"Ultimate Stumpage" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NzIxOTc4NTg5NDgxNTQzMw
Thanks.*
"Ultimate Stumpage" The title refers to what's left at the bottom of my leg after the Runt got done with it.
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NjgwNjM4NTkxNTc0MjE0OA
Yo. To avert protest marches in the Fairfield streets, M&A is issuin …
ReplyDeleteRuntpuz ultimate recap for solution to: "Ultimate Stumpage" themeless.
http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=ODU4MjgwNTk3MzE1ODkzOQ
M&A
"Playing With MAtches" - 7x7 themed:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Playing With MAtches" ==
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=OTU4MDY3NTk3NzgxMDAzNg
Thanks
"Playing with MAtches" I managed to not set myself on fire.
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NjQ2MTE5NTk5ODU2NDc5NQ
@Teedmn: Primo solve time. U were fired up.
DeleteM&A
"Happy Endings" - 7x7 themed:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Happy Endings" --
ReplyDeletehttp://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
"Happy Endings" Indeed.
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=Njg5NDIxNjA4ODQ0MTkwMA
Stumpy Stumper: "Taxing Beast" - 7x7 themeless:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Taxing Beast" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=Mjc0MjEzNjE1Mzc5ODcxMg
Thanks
"Taxing Beast"
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NzMwMTYwNjE3MjM1NjM5MA
"Desperate Word Square XIII" - 7x7 sorta themed:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Desperate Word Square XIII" Unlucky # 13.
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NzY3NDk0NjIyOTcyNTg0MA
"Desperate Word Square XIII" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=ODczOTE1NjMxMTQyMDMxOQ
Thanks
Here's hopin the Super Bowl/Ball bounces the right way for U, today.
ReplyDelete"Bouncing Ball Bits" - 7x7 themed:
**gruntz**
Go Vikes.
M&A
p.s.
ReplyDeleteTitle of today's runtpuz may be crucial to heed.
Just sayin.
M&A
"Bouncing Ball Bits" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NjU4NDg2NjMzMjU0NDM0NQ
Thanks, and thanks for the hint.
"Bouncing Ball Bits" The usual Superbowl blowout. Go Vikes :-).
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MjgyNzc2NjM0NTI3NzM2Ng
Congratz to BobK. -- Only clean solve of "Bouncing Ball Bits", so far.
ReplyDelete@Teedmn: Oh, man. The Vikes had that SuperBowl #51 nearly won, until after the openin coin toss …
M&A
The Vikes are usually doomed right after the coin toss of the first exhibition game each season :-).
DeleteInspired in no large part by the primo flick "Rancho Deluxe" …
ReplyDeleteStumpy Stumper" "Runt-Roll Deluxe" - 7x7 themeless:
**gruntz**
M&A
"Runt-Roll Deluxe" -- Unfortunately, my luck only comes in short spurts.
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NzkyMDc2NDEyMzI4MTcw
Thanks
@BobK.: but, hey -- U got er done, with a few extra nanoseconds in afterburners.
ReplyDeleteNow, I almost hate to bring this up …
"IQ Test for Runts" - 7x7 themed:
**gruntz**
M&A
"IQ Test for Runts" -- I've always said, my IQ, like my credit score, is a perfect 100!
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NjM3ODAyNjQxNzQ3NzAzNg
Thanks
"Runt-Roll Deluxe"
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MjE4NjM5NjQ3NDEwNjQ4Ng
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete"IQ Test for Runts" Can we grade IQs on a curve?
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=ODM5NDQ2NjQ3NDgzNjUzNQ
"Avant-Grid Side Effects" - 7x7 themed:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Avant-Grid Side Effects" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MTg3NDAzNjU3OTg1NzQ4Mw
Thanks
Ahar! "Avant-Grid Side Effects" seems to be leavin severe bite-marks on esteemed test solvers, so far.
ReplyDeleteThe dreaded masked biter runt!
Other test solvers: be duly warned. Bring along an appropriate spray, or somesuch.
M&A
Due to popular demand:
ReplyDeleteRuntpuz testy recap for solution to: "IQ Test for Runts".
http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=ODQwOTc3NjU5MDkxNTM5Nw
M&A
"Avant-Grid Side Effects" Zombification side effect!
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=NTYzMjA4NjU5NjU2MTUyNA
Stumpy Stumper: "Walled Comic Honcho" - 7x7 themeless:
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A
"Walled Comic Honcho" --
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=Njg5NTY4NjY3NDU1Nzc5NA
Thanks
"Walled Comic Honcho" Nice!
ReplyDeletehttp://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=ODAyODc4NjY3Njg2NzIxOA
By unpopular demand …
ReplyDeleteRuntpuz Avant-Grid Recap for solution to: "Avant-Grid Side Effects".
http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=OTMxMzkxNjY3NzUxMjIwNA
M&A
@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;>)
@BobK. - yep. Wrong again, M&A compass breath …
DeleteBut, 100K's of young followers of runtpuzzes? -- har. Somehow, that sounds North-by-DelusionalEast of optimistic.
M&A
*** WARNING: Beware of viscous biter runt! ***
ReplyDelete(… 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
"… tame IT in 2, go figure." (auto-typo-correct)
DeleteM&A
Yes, M&A, your words above did get slightly twisted.
ReplyDelete"Bent Rules" --
http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MTYwMjMxNjc1MDI1MjY5MA
Thnaks.
"Bent Rules" I did feel like I was swimming in a viscous liquid, against the current.
ReplyDelete@Bob Kerfuffle, how could you be so sure about 13A? I had to wait for crosses.
http://puzzlecrowd.com:8080/CrowdSource/GetSolution?id=MzE4MDM4Njc4MTU1NDQ2MA
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!
DeleteI'm a paper solver also, but with Runts, I don't think it matters; I'm just flailing around anyway!
DeleteSee new post
ReplyDeleteToxic test version. Do not approach without protection.
ReplyDelete**gruntz**
M&A