NY Times Crossword

February 9, 2023

Alex Rosen

 

[Note form JA] The solution to this very clever puzzle relies on a simple rule. Try to figure out the rule and answer the clues without hints. A small hint is given below the clues, and the Big Hint is given below that. The wordplay brilliance of the clues and their answers, even after the hints, puts this puzzle among my favorites. More clues, which did not make the publishing cut, are listed below the answers.

 

1. Engagement ring

2. Water buffalo

3. Giant storybook

4. Does not

5. Part IV

6. Young musician

7. Firm fruit

8. Look good

9. Call home 

10. Group thinking

11. Pan Asian

12. Rock hard

13. Crew top

14. Job bank

 

HINT:

Notice that each clue has two words.

BIG HINT:

Reverse the words of each clue. 

Answers (with the clue words reversed):

 

1. Ring engagement - BOUT 

2. Buffalo water - ERIE

3. Storybook giant - OGRE

4. Not does - Bucks (deer)

5. IV part - Tube (IntraVenous)

6. Musician Young - Neil (Neil Young)

7. Fruit firm - Dole

8. Good look - Scan

9. Home call - Batter up

10. Thinking group - Mensa

11. Asian pan - Wok

12. Hard rock - Ore

13. Top crew - A team

14. Bank job - Heist

More clues and answers:

The first clue below was in the published version of the puzzle, and it's a great one - but I omitted it because I thought it required specialized knowledge. The other four clues and their answers were not in the published version, but the constructor listed them in his comments.

1. Mount Olympus

2. Al Green

3. Horse chestnut

4. Firm up

5. Shower door

Answers:

1. Olympus mount - Tripod (Olympus is a camera company)

2. Green Al - Gore (environment proponent)

2. Chestnut horse - Roan

3. Up firm - Pixar (movie "Up")

4. Door shower - Monty Hall (shower - one who shows)