Wall Street Journal (WSJ) Crossword

September 17, 2020

Jack Murtagh

(Title shown below) 

Below are four clues and their answers. The answers appear not to make any sense, but they do - according to a certain pattern. The pattern is hinted at in the final clue. 

1. Liberal pursuits  - Arborists

2. Many a Little League rooter - Parliament

3. Coffee bar stock - Mustangs

4. Wise off - Sageness

5. One who may be cut out to save money on a deal or contract

 

HINT:

[Compassionate - Carjacking] could be added to the list.

Answer to Clue 5:

 

MIDDLE MAN 

 

Answer to puzzle:

Each clue conceals a man's name in the middle of the answer word. This name must be cut out of the answers to make sense of their clues:

 

1. ARBORIST = ARTS

2. PARLIAMENT = PARENT

3. MUSTANGS - MUGS

4. SAGENESS  = SASS

Hint: CARJACKING = CARING

Puzzle title: NAME DROPPING

[Note from JA: Personal comment - very clever puzzle]