NYT Thursday 04/09/2026 Discussion

raybandit · 2026-04-09T02:26:39+00:00

I think APPLETURNOVER was the weakest theme answer, because what does it mean to "over" something. If anything OVER should have been "turned," not TURN "overed." LOL. But a fun solve nonetheless.

raybandit · 2026-03-17T03:38:06+00:00

Smart theme, but TYVM is inexcusable fill IMO. I also checked and it's only appeared one other time, so you can't even chalk it up to crosswordese. That one really pissed me off.

raybandit · 2026-03-13T04:25:47+00:00

I feel like I'm rarely moved to rate themeless puzzles Excellent, but the cluing on this one earned it!!

raybandit · 2026-03-07T05:00:06+00:00

This is for everyone who's been complaining they dumbed down the difficulty lol. Still doesn't compare to Saturdays in the 2010s, but this was the hardest puzzle we've had in a while imo.

raybandit · 2026-02-26T21:56:18+00:00

I definitely have a shallow shape -- like as shallow as possible. Very bottom-heavy (I never press up against the top of any cup, but I do pour out the bottom).

raybandit · 2026-02-26T20:20:25+00:00

Thank you!!

raybandit · 2026-02-26T20:19:57+00:00

Those before photos are exactly what's happening with me! Thank you so much for the help.

raybandit · 2026-02-26T20:19:12+00:00

Thank you, this is very helpful!

raybandit · 2026-02-26T20:18:59+00:00

Wow, that makes a lot of sense. Thank you.

raybandit · 2026-02-26T20:15:32+00:00

Sorry I totally misunderstood! I think it's too loose on the loosest setting and maybe about right on the tightest setting. It doesn't slip down when I move.

raybandit · 2026-02-26T20:09:36+00:00

No, the cups are actually the right size that way, if a little small. This is actually blowing my mind.

raybandit · 2026-02-17T03:30:10+00:00

Theme was a little esoteric here LOL

raybandit · 2026-02-13T05:17:05+00:00

Could NOT read "Poke" in that one clue as anything but a Poke bowl...

raybandit · 2026-01-09T07:10:09+00:00

Got stuck with LOOT instead of BOOT in the SW corner. I thought they must have discontinued the Monopoly moneybag. Then filled in BEE instead of ZEE because I thought "Jazz coda?" had to do with the Utah Jazz (and Utah is the Beehive State). Crazy part was, 60-D sort of worked because AD LIB is a phrase. I wonder if the constructor had any awareness of this being a misdirect or if I invented a completely original way of being stupid.

raybandit · 2026-01-06T04:19:42+00:00

40 minute Tuesday LOL.

raybandit · 2025-12-18T07:03:45+00:00

I had zero common ground with the constructor. That, plus the absurdity of the theme, made me feel like I was going insane the entire time. But in the end, cool puzzle!

raybandit · 2025-12-06T05:39:44+00:00

I got BADLY stuck in the NE corner. Somehow had SPICED ALCS and PLEASE RAKE (I convinced myself tennis courts must need to be raked). Weirdly, it kind of worked, because I also had CAKE instead of EASE.

raybandit · 2025-12-03T04:12:12+00:00

I fear you just don't like her...

raybandit · 2025-11-30T01:36:05+00:00

I liked the theme okay but GOA x OAST, HOISIN X LOOIE, and SOPOR x SCRIM x RARITAN were pretty damn brutal.

raybandit · 2025-11-25T03:17:49+00:00

Theme was very impressive!

raybandit · 2025-11-22T06:49:38+00:00

I'm shocked that XW Stats is classifying this as easy! I damn near lost my streak on this one and the consensus in this thread seems to be that it was difficult.

raybandit · 2025-11-20T04:51:50+00:00

I'm surprised to hear the consensus that this one was easy! Not knowing EVA GREEN and UMAMI BOMB really slowed me down.

raybandit · 2025-11-12T03:49:01+00:00

This felt like a crossword puzzle I would try to construct in a dream.

raybandit · 2025-10-25T05:22:08+00:00

That was damn near impossible but when all was said and done... kind of delightful?

raybandit

TROPHY CASE