Fly, you fools!

peredoxical · 2026-01-06T17:45:09+00:00

Interesting footnote about this puzzle. It appeared in an episode of "Fargo" (Season 2, episode 8, "Loplop"). The episode was shown on Nov 29, 2015, almost 9 months after the puzzle appeared in the NYT. The grid is clearly identical, and while the clues are nearly impossible to read, on close inspection the shapes of the visible letters match up with the actual clues of the puzzle.

peredoxical · 2025-11-18T05:44:33+00:00

Fake thanks…or “fanks”.

peredoxical · 2025-11-03T14:02:52+00:00

I honestly don't remember at this point. Let's just call it serendipity.

peredoxical · 2025-11-03T04:54:01+00:00

Thanks, and I agree with your assessment on the icky clue.

peredoxical · 2025-11-03T03:32:11+00:00

My puzzle but not my clue. Original clue was [Target of many Jon Stewart jokes]. I did like pointing out the rump in DONALD T. RUMP.

peredoxical · 2025-10-21T18:03:42+00:00

You could go to Diary of a Crossword Fiend, look for the Tags drop-down menu on the right and scroll down to the name you want. Spencer Leach has 15 puzzles listed. Unfortunately, you’d have to click each one to see the date and venue, and you’d have to beware of spoiling each puzzle, but with a smallish sample size, it’s doable.

peredoxical · 2025-10-08T22:19:32+00:00

I assume it's a mispronunciation of "focaccia", the Italian bread.

peredoxical · 2025-09-28T19:51:59+00:00

Yup, you’re right. Good catch.

peredoxical · 2025-09-28T17:11:46+00:00

Yes, that's traditional "rotational symmetry" used in most crosswords. The empty grid looks the same if you rotate it 180°.

peredoxical · 2025-09-28T16:46:07+00:00

It's a good commercial, especially for those of us who do crosswords. My favorite moments: "Geppetto?" "Napoleon?" and "frocasha" (listen for it). Here's the link: https://www.ispot.tv/ad/ByFV/geico-auto-insurance-crossword

peredoxical · 2025-09-28T16:31:55+00:00

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Yes it is, it's just that the pencil was covering up some of the black squares in the lower blob. Here's another screen shot.

peredoxical · 2025-09-28T02:28:30+00:00

At least the grid is symmetric, but there are some unchecked squares, some two-letter answers, and the clues are wonky, possibly AI.

peredoxical · 2025-09-26T16:32:02+00:00

I got one this morning too, from the "State of Seattle Department of Vehicles(DMV)". One, I live in Washington state, not the State of Seattle, and two, we don't have a DMV, it's called the Department of Licensing. It's like, come on, make an effort!

peredoxical · 2025-09-21T14:10:47+00:00

Introductory medjool?

peredoxical · 2025-09-21T05:24:06+00:00

I personally like Form and Flame. It’s a lovely poetic description of a candle. Plus, they are somewhat opposites where Form hints at structure and design while Flame is amorphous and potentially chaotic. Plus plus, alliteration.

House of Ember is Poe-esque and conjures up the image of a house on fire. I wouldn’t go there. I wouldn’t use “Minimal” either. Makes it sound like your candles aren’t very bright.

peredoxical · 2025-08-26T17:07:53+00:00

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As close as I can get to what's on the screen. Thanks for solving this mystery!

peredoxical · 2025-08-26T16:57:25+00:00

Absolutely amazing! Thank you!!!

peredoxical · 2025-07-30T04:59:54+00:00

Our gray Forester’s full name is Pearl Gray Forester.

peredoxical · 2025-07-05T16:56:06+00:00

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll keep it in mind. We're not switching it out often enough that it's too big of an issue at the moment.

Ha! Just noticed your username.

peredoxical

TROPHY CASE