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Adam Simpson’s New York Times puzzle – Sophia’s write-up
Congrats to Adam on his NYT debut at the moment!
New York Times, 09 05 2022, by Adam Simpson
Theme solutions:
- 17a [Where flutes are played, in an orchestra] – WIND SECTION
- 25a [Qualifying hurdle for practicing law] – BAR EXAMINATION
- 43a [Prehiring formality, often] – REFERENCE CHECK
- 57a [Betray … or a hint to what can precede each half of 17-, 25- and 43-Across] – DOUBLE CROSS
Cross WIND, cross SECTION, cross BAR, cross EXAMINATION, cross REFERENCE, cross CHECK. All very stable phrases, good! Plus, the center of the grid has two literal crosses in it, including one other layer to the theme. The theme solutions are good if not spectacular – REFERENCE CHECK is my favourite, though because the daughter of a search advisor I used to be vaguely offended by the concept that reference checks are solely a formality! It additionally took me a bit to see BAR EXAMINATION since I’m extra used to seeing simply “bar exam”. But total, I preferred how this theme tied collectively distinct phrases and made me see one thing new with language. A really cool sample.
One of my new-to-crossword associates began fixing this puzzle whereas we had been hanging out at the moment, and she or he had lots of hassle with it, and actually I can see why. There are lots of correct nouns which have the potential to journey of us up in the event that they don’t know them: KONICA, ORECK, Paul KLEE, ILENE Chaiken, AIDAN Gallagher. I recognize that there are further hints within the clues for some tough spots like 41d [Patch of loose rock that aptly rhymes with “debris”] for SCREE, however I’m undecided it’s sufficient. That being mentioned, it’s a laborious grid to fill as a result of 14 letter solutions and the crosses within the center, and I like that the additional lengthy slots give us POKE BOWLS!
Other notes:
- I at all times thought “Walk This Way” was by RUN DMC and that includes Aerosmith, since that’s the one model I knew. But nope, because the clue says, it was by Aerosmith initially!
- Another factor I realized on this puzzle: that an EMU is an [Outback bird that can go two months without food]. How have I solved this many crossword puzzles with out figuring out that?!
- Me after I noticed 24a [Vaping apparatus, informally] – “…. uh, vape?” (It was E-CIG).
- Also, the clue [Certain card that can be either high or low in a deck] is only a clue for “ace”, versus ACE OF CLUBS, for my part. I want it had been extra particular in some way.
- Very apt 1a clue – [___ Day (early September observance)] for LABOR! Happy labor day to all within the USA (Today).
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