TWO-FOR-ONE SPECIAL
NY Times Crossword
March 25, 2012
Patrick Berry

The answers to the clues below are near anagrams. The first word has two of the same letters and one of another, and the second word has the opposite configuration - two of the letters that the first word has one of, and one of the letters that the first word has two of. A hint will be given as to the configuration of the first word. For a more challenging solve, try not to use the hint.

For example, given the clue
"Ordeal that's no big deal."
First word: 2 I's and 1A.
The answer would be TRIVIAL TRAVAIL.
TRIVIAL has two I's and one A, and TRAVAIL has two A's and one I.

1. Large cloth sign with nothing on it
    First word: 2 R's and 1 N

2. Toy-brand hammer
     First word: 2 T's and 1 L

3. Hemispherical computer add-on
    First word: 2 D's and 1 M

4. "Ride 'em, cowboy!" for one
     First word: 2 O's and 1R

5. Jail that's not as big
    First word: 2 M's

6. Get part of one's shirt under control
    First word: 2 R's and 1 L

7. Goddess of wisdom and a certain gas
    First word: 2 E's and 1 A

8. What Medusa's sister does in Greek myth
    First word: 2 U's and 1 E

Answers:

1. BARREN BANNER
2. MATTEL MALLET
3. DOMED MODEM
4. RODEO ORDER
5. SMALLER SLAMMER
6. CORRAL COLLAR
7. ETHANE ATHENA
8. PURSUES PERSEUS