tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post1879661910132609786..comments2024-01-25T10:14:06.567-08:00Comments on L.A. Crossword Confidential: T H U R S D A Y August 26, 2010 Don GagliardoOrangehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12433254398377357737noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-13162634524368598992010-09-04T12:54:19.759-07:002010-09-04T12:54:19.759-07:00Re "road" and "trail" after &q...Re "road" and "trail" after "hit the",<br /><br />Tom Mix, Hopalong Cassidy, Gene Autry, and every "Slim" and "Tex" would have, in their day, have hit the trail. These days, we would (or might be told to ...) hit the road.<br /><br />And I still think cowboys and indians is more fun the GI Joe/Jane or Zoids.badrognoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-38068234630663478592010-08-28T21:23:15.142-07:002010-08-28T21:23:15.142-07:00Too late to comment but what the deuce! Hit the sk...Too late to comment but what the deuce! Hit the skids comes from Seattle. In logging the hills, they made skids to slide the logs down to the bay for transport. Later when a lumberjack went on the sauce, they said"he's hitting the skids". Cross my heart, it's true!HUTCHhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14722150630533336199noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-90974573705530576992010-08-26T18:55:40.854-07:002010-08-26T18:55:40.854-07:00I'd rate this as a really fun puzzle. Incredib...I'd rate this as a really fun puzzle. Incredible how leaving a half-finished puzzle to bake while you're at work makes things so obvious when you take a second look at the end of the day. Duh.<br />-SueAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-66695571240359445882010-08-26T17:19:28.668-07:002010-08-26T17:19:28.668-07:00MY "duh!" moment was putting together th...MY "duh!" moment was putting together the "shaker" clue with the answer "Mr. Salt." I couldn't imagine what kind of Shaker character they would have on a cartoon dog show (thinking Shaker as a religious sect). Good grief!<br /><br />And of course, throughout the whole solve, as a music person I kept waiting for <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8Tiz6INF7I" rel="nofollow">Hit the Road, Jack!</a><br /><br />Fun theme - I'd like to see more of these. I also liked the symmetry of the answers, John.choirwriterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17313061449653927397noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-17186453492782534952010-08-26T14:44:35.970-07:002010-08-26T14:44:35.970-07:00I love puzzles that bring back great memories from...I love puzzles that bring back great memories from the 50s and 60s. Last month it was Josh White's "One meat ball" (you gets no bread with one meatball...). Today we get Tom Lehrer, one of my first LPs. His "Be Prepared" the Boy Scout's Marching Song was relevant esp. before the Pill.<br />"If you're looking for an adventure of a new and different kind<br />And you come across a Girl Scout who is similarly inclined<br />Don't be nervous, don't be flustered, don't be scared<br />BE PREPARED!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-19691609078772977652010-08-26T14:17:17.510-07:002010-08-26T14:17:17.510-07:00Enjoyable puzzle despite ICEL. New words for me: O...Enjoyable puzzle despite ICEL. New words for me: ONLAY, SKIDS (as pallets) and ATLI.<br /><br />More things to HIT:<br />JACKPOT<br />WALL<br />SHEETS<br />BIG TIMEshrub5https://www.blogger.com/profile/09466867716773759568noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-34889258131591723752010-08-26T14:10:36.428-07:002010-08-26T14:10:36.428-07:00I got a THRILL (well sort of) out of this one. Do...I got a THRILL (well sort of) out of this one. Don't know if it's the most memorable, but it was fun and RIFE with theme answers. Liked HIT THE right in the middle. Thought that was pretty impressive. Had Crown before ONLAY. For some reason I know what SKIDS are. I have no idea why. I kind of liked IN LA. That's where I'll be this weekend - well Santa Monica. The only thing I really would say BAH to is ICEL. A year ago, I would have had no idea what a "medium range tide" was. Today I confidently entered NEAP.<br /><br />@sfingi: I also HIT the ATM often. We've had À TOI many times. It's the familiar version of à vous. My cousin went to SKIDmore probably around the same time as you.<br />@PG Great New Math video. The switch from "old math" to new math was my downfall. It confused me so much, I never recovered. It made me hate math.CrazyCathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00245025301434920905noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-12467363625509506142010-08-26T13:10:19.926-07:002010-08-26T13:10:19.926-07:00I'm in the "memorable" camp on this ...I'm in the "memorable" camp on this one. Devising a theme with that many answers that hasn't been done before must be tough.<br /><br />Part of what makes English such a great language is the wealth of idiomatic expressions, and my favorite themes celebrate that fact.John Wolfendenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07759716236594908137noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-4529155923650971652010-08-26T13:09:27.898-07:002010-08-26T13:09:27.898-07:00I never heard of HIT THE bricks - so I Googled. It...I never heard of HIT THE bricks - so I Googled. It means go on strike. I would have thought it meant looking for a job. It's good to learn new stuff, even kiddie shows.<br /><br />We got some good explanations of SKIDS. I'd love to buy about 10 plastic ones to store things on down cellar, but they only sell by the 100. Advice? The wood ones are too heavy, and rot.<br />As a '66 grad of SKIDmore, I think of that connection and of SKIDdieS. <br /><br />Just thought of HIT THE books, meaning study. Do people use that anymore? Not the Karate chop.<br /><br />I scarcely remember any puzzle, as puzzle, but I try to remember new words. Oldsters have to choose what to remember, remember.Sfingihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06903616949048940858noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-17055616808049449362010-08-26T13:06:55.662-07:002010-08-26T13:06:55.662-07:00I've worked in a factory. I didn't know wh...I've worked in a factory. I didn't know what SKIDS were. We...called them pallets. My dictionary's <i>8th</i> definition of SKID is "a low platform mounted (as on wheels) on which material is set for handling and moving; <i>also</i>: PALLET 3". That is, the 3rd definition of the 2nd meaning of pallet. <br /><br />My last car was named after Blue, and Tom Lehrer invented the jello shot.SethGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13753036404140901368noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-2465660911788426412010-08-26T12:12:41.381-07:002010-08-26T12:12:41.381-07:00Wow! I am used to generating disagreement, but no...Wow! I am used to generating disagreement, but not so much disrespectful disagreement. That seems unnecessarily harsh when it comes to something as subjective as a crossword puzzle's memorableness.<br /><br />It does seem to me that there are many more words that fit the "hit the ________" idiom than those put more or less randomly in this grid, so the theme didn't impress me much. And joon, RP and I agree that much of the fill is iffy at best. So for me, very respectfully, this is not a puzzle I will remember very long.Van55https://www.blogger.com/profile/15904942044695917615noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-34046944425956270122010-08-26T11:52:23.225-07:002010-08-26T11:52:23.225-07:00@Joon - please quit bogarting that joint!! Spread ...@Joon - please quit bogarting that joint!! Spread the wealth, man! This was a good solve, nothing to sneeze at, but surely not THAT memorable. My statement is qualified, of course, by my assumption that the area of my brain that remembers puzzles is really tiny, and the area in your brain is likely much larger! <br /><br />I do admit that I would never have guessed there were so many different hitting idioms in the language - and that he squeezed so many of them into the grid. <br /><br />Missed seeing books, bricks and sauce, tho.hazelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04627015904603641109noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-15995668337549732602010-08-26T11:07:24.549-07:002010-08-26T11:07:24.549-07:00@Rex - Perhaps you just missed the mini theme 23D/...@Rex - Perhaps you just missed the mini theme 23D/24D, which provided an excuse for OLAN/INLA. That, and the shout out to me at 25D/33D made it a truly memorable puzzle.Zekenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-53677144720519918092010-08-26T10:59:29.790-07:002010-08-26T10:59:29.790-07:00Stick to your guns, Joon.
Rex is wacko!
I can tel...Stick to your guns, Joon.<br />Rex is wacko!<br /><br />I can tell the elite prof has never worked in a factory or warehouse... SKIDS are everywhere there (pallets).JOHNSNEVERHOMEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13447455788629988277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-25827653765306055892010-08-26T10:52:15.561-07:002010-08-26T10:52:15.561-07:00i'm not going to say i loved the fill, but on ...i'm not going to say i loved the fill, but on a weekday, i can forgive a lot in the fill if the theme is both ambitious and eye-catching. and this one qualifies. ICEL and ATLI are the only answers that really made me cringe today. MR SALT and WEE PALS were utterly mysterious to me, but not in a bad way.Joonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07825085755390339668noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-15582316776092624872010-08-26T10:26:17.342-07:002010-08-26T10:26:17.342-07:00IMO, today's puzzle was OK. I like challenge ...IMO, today's puzzle was OK. I like challenge in my puzzles and this one didn't put up too much of one. I had a slow down at STAD as I had, without thinking, put in EDAM but that was a quick course correction.<br /><br />Theme was OK, I liked the change of pace with having two words in front of the starred clues but the payoff just wasn't there for me in the end. Wasn't disappointing by any means but not noteworthy to me in the end as a puzzle consumer.Chttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14900988170432327664noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-56184998885261856012010-08-26T10:20:52.399-07:002010-08-26T10:20:52.399-07:00Rex, skids is another name for pallets, which get ...Rex, skids is another name for pallets, which get used heavily in warehouse environments. And, of course, "hit the skids" is when your life spirals out of control in a typically downward fashion. Or, were you not really asking, and I was too slow to catch on? It's happened before and will, undoubtedly, happen again.Kennynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-14378618509583284052010-08-26T10:14:06.068-07:002010-08-26T10:14:06.068-07:00FUN Thursday!
Liked 11 of the phrases ... but I w...FUN Thursday!<br /><br />Liked 11 of the phrases ... but I would never, <br />HIT THE BOTTLE. Caress maybe but NEVER hit.<br /><br />Can't say I've ever seen the Iceland abbr. ICEL before.<br />Still waithing for the volcano Eyjafjallajökull to make an appearance. (Probably in a Sunday, unLESS we get an expanded 16x15, like the NYT today).<br /><br />Not familiar with "Blue's Clues" but shaker for MR.SALT gave that away.<br /><br />LEHRER and WEE PALS, both all crosses. Ahhh, learning moments I'll soon forget unLESS they become grid buddies like Tesla.<br /><br />Pallets or SKIDS are a stacking device moved around a warehouse with a forklift. Great clue.Tinbenihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14661395078047234853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-89983901747474368802010-08-26T10:03:42.842-07:002010-08-26T10:03:42.842-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.Tinbenihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14661395078047234853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-73553492497874646062010-08-26T09:55:41.322-07:002010-08-26T09:55:41.322-07:00Wow, Joon, I'm shocked you liked this so much....Wow, Joon, I'm shocked you liked this so much. I mean, the theme is solid, even entertaining, but the fill, criminy. I audibly winced at least three times: At STAD / SKIDS (no idea what SKIDS clue is getting at), ATLI, ONLAY, OLAN, ICEL, INLA. Some of my issues w/ the puzzle involved cluing, but some was just fill itself. I want to like WEE PALS and MR. SALT, but ... I'll just say I'm neutral. Never heard of either. I think it's a good puzzle overall, but nowhere close to one of the best, in the LAT or elsewhere.<br /><br />Sheer number of theme answers *is* impressive. Miss BRICKS and (obvious) ROAD, but can't really complain. :)<br /><br />And DIGITAL NETFLIX makes a nice centerpiece.Rex Parkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16145707733877505087noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-12899098602881718222010-08-26T09:53:24.561-07:002010-08-26T09:53:24.561-07:00I rather liked this - especially, as @David said -...I rather liked this - especially, as @David said - "the sheer quantity."<br />Like @PuzzleGirl I was looking for "road," but gee. In my case, I would include "HIT THE ATM," a phrase I often use. <br /><br />But, I haven't used the word ONLAY. Google says crowns are ONLAYs, and I have a couple of those with my 15+ root canals. So, I think I'll start using the word. <br /><br />Never heard of ATOI (Fr.) WEEPALS, MRSALT (these two are really little kid's entertainments) or ATLA. That must be my buddy Attila - he has many names, including Etzel. <br /><br />I had oPus before EPIC, and EdAm before STAD. I was very surprised at the use of the Dutch word. <br /><br />One word that made me think was WAGONER. I always say WAGONEeR, 2 Es. Whatever.<br /><br />@John - how do you say... that word?Sfingihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06903616949048940858noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-80952817762000774882010-08-26T09:13:41.661-07:002010-08-26T09:13:41.661-07:00Wow! Twelve theme words packed into a 15 x 15 and ...Wow! Twelve theme words packed into a 15 x 15 and they're all symmetrical within the grid... now that's nothing to SNEER AT> Fast solve and fun clues makes this a very pleasant Thursday puzzle. <br /><br />I knew that Frank Sinatra often sang "My Way", but I never knew that Paul ANKA wrote that. Marvelous!<br /><br />I didn't like the abbreviation for Iceland (ICEL), but loved pronouncing Eyjafjallajokull.<br /><br />Also, I love saying "Indubitably" real fast.<br /><br />Good work, Don! Thank you.<br />I think I'll add this to my list of the TEN-BEST-PUZZLES-FOR-2010.<br /><br />Gorgeous day here, so it's time to hit the PAVEMENT!JOHNSNEVERHOMEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13447455788629988277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-19656646021332398942010-08-26T08:48:13.436-07:002010-08-26T08:48:13.436-07:00I was impressed with the sheer quantity of what we...I was impressed with the sheer quantity of what were theme words. I liked the fact that it freed up the grid from being the standard 3-5 theme lines. <br />I also like the craftsmanship of having HIT and THE right above each other. <br /><br />Other then ICEL it is an amzingly clean grid. I liked the two "green' clues. Oveall I found it a smooth solve and one that made me think, really nice work.*David*noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-30430546478214117612010-08-26T07:37:46.761-07:002010-08-26T07:37:46.761-07:00i disrespectfully disagree. this one was one of th...i disrespectfully disagree. this one was one of the most memorable LAT puzzles of the year. kudos to don g for a really fresh theme and a ton of lively theme answers.Joonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07825085755390339668noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626052240584383873.post-53340013723716519912010-08-26T06:49:58.662-07:002010-08-26T06:49:58.662-07:00Last week was so much better for the LAT crossword...Last week was so much better for the LAT crosswords. This one was too easy for my taste. Not bad, but not memorable.Van55https://www.blogger.com/profile/15904942044695917615noreply@blogger.com