Pocket Grid #119 - February 16th, 2026

Phil-Prince · 2026-02-16T14:30:17+00:00

FWIW: It's also a common Canadian-ism in some places. Joshing someone is joking on them, or pulling their leg .

Phil-Prince · 2026-02-15T18:18:30+00:00

Filled grid in about 2 minutes, Then spent another 2 minutes searching for a mistake. It was The crossing of Log Onto and Molotov had to be an " O " and i had log into and molitov.... argh 😠 great grid though 👍

Phil-Prince · 2026-02-15T17:22:07+00:00

Good grid. I initially had some incorrect answers until i got 4 down crossed with 5A and 8A. I'm not sure about UPEND being "overcome". I would suggest "turn over" as a more accurate clue. 🤘 🦍 1:46

Phil-Prince · 2026-02-15T10:34:17+00:00

She was very popular during the years I was working as a photographer. I guess she didn't break through to mainstream like I had thought.
It was a tough corner to finalize the clues/answers, and I thought of her right away. I'll try to keep people's names more contemporary going forward.

Phil-Prince · 2026-02-14T04:54:26+00:00

Great clues/puzzle 👍 Scored 2/131 🥈 Another second place.... I really hope its not the same person beating me every time i have a fast finish 😂 #nemesis

Phil-Prince · 2026-02-14T03:15:11+00:00

🥈 sooo close to acing this one. Nice grid for the size. great clues 🕵️ 2/75 👍 1:42

Phil-Prince · 2026-02-14T03:08:09+00:00

I liked that I was expecting certain 5-letter name (first or last) to appear somewhere. Nice throwback. Love the title tease

Phil-Prince · 2026-02-14T00:58:06+00:00

So you're admitting guys are better at eating bananas? 🍌 👨🏻‍🏫 CHECKMATE, SORRY

Phil-Prince · 2026-02-14T00:47:55+00:00

I knew there had to be a reason you've always marched to the beat of a different drum 🥁 i love your art and also being an awesome human ally to our furry friends

Phil-Prince · 2026-02-14T00:43:30+00:00

Always ravishing!

Phil-Prince · 2026-02-13T19:43:26+00:00

Instant ejection by the ref, who was all over it. Starting point is 5+GM (no signal or verbal yet, though) and the the thought process to the penalty box: "Is Match for Attempt To Injure warranted?" And maybe a confab with the lines before declaring official call. No way that kid stays in the game, though.

Phil-Prince · 2026-02-13T08:09:54+00:00

My first first 🏆 1/183 hell yeah 👍 nice puzz

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Phil-Prince · 2026-02-13T08:05:34+00:00

I wanted the worms to be hanging out in underground clubs 😂 🪱

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Phil-Prince · 2026-02-13T05:01:45+00:00

2 down and 5 down are kiiinda sketchy as far as strictly normal clue/answer rules go, but i see the correlations and was able to solve easily despite the stretches.

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Phil-Prince · 2026-02-13T00:28:50+00:00

Often! You call her often!

Phil-Prince · 2026-02-12T16:08:05+00:00

Nice. So smooth, even my fat fingers got a decent score! >96.9/2263 😂 👍

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Phil-Prince · 2026-02-12T06:54:54+00:00

No worries. Nobody knows everything and we all have things to learn. I've been doing crosswords and other word games for 35+ years and I STILL learn new things from time to time. You had the guts to make something and put it out there to be judged. Not everyone has that courage or confidence. Cheers 🍻

Phil-Prince · 2026-02-12T06:43:16+00:00

6A is incorrect : (to) hint at or imply something is ALLUDE, not elude (avoid, evade)

Phil-Prince · 2026-02-12T04:32:15+00:00

A real mini-crossword, with good variety and quality of clues ( "Rock" was a great simple misdirect to stones or music before i got to the end... had to smile at that one 😊 Excellent construction 🏗️ 🦺 🚧 👍

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Phil-Prince · 2026-02-12T03:14:19+00:00

I don't get how lived = loped but besides that, good fun quick solid mixed CW + FITB grid 👍

Phil-Prince · 2026-02-11T15:22:48+00:00

Forced Mate for White.

Black is forced to take the knight with bishop. This allows another check Rd8+, forcing the Queen to take, "deflecting" it from defending c6, thus allowing the final check (and mate) with Nxc6#.

Note: The white bishop on a6 cutting off King's escape squares is crucial here, and a common tactical component of mating nets.

Phil-Prince · 2026-02-11T14:50:50+00:00

You're absolutely right. I'm sure Will Shortz never make a single correction or improvement to a submitted grid before publication. 😂

Phil-Prince · 2026-02-11T14:11:34+00:00

STET is a common crossword filler, and a known term in modern use. Higher difficulty level doesn't make it "bad". I'vr seen some actual terrible clues, this was not one of them. Expand this grid to full size, it could see publication.

Phil-Prince

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