NY Times Crossword

March 10, 2021

Nancy Stark and Will Nediger

 

What warning might you give before revealing the endings of the clues below?

 

1. Start of a saying about getting in the way

2. Start of a saying about negative influence

3. Start of a saying about parental discipline

 

Answers:

 

1. Too many cooks

2. One bad apple

3. Spare the rod

 

Warning before revealing the endings of the sayings:

 

SPOILER ALERT

 

The complete sayings are:

 

1. Too many cooks SPOIL the broth.

2. One bad apple SPOILS the barrel.

3. Spare the rod, SPOIL the child.*

 

*Note from JA: Both Will Nediger and Jeff Chen expressed reservations about using the saying, "Spare the rod, spoil the child" in the puzzle. Both acknowledged the divided opinions on disciplining children using  corporal punishment. May I suggest another interpretation of this Biblical saying, as told to me by a wise man who had ten children?

 

In the Bible, shepherds carried a rod. They used the rod to guide and direct the sheep - not to beat them.