0223-24 NY Times Crossword 23 Feb 24, Friday

Constructed by: Larry Snyder
Edited by: Will Shortz

Today’s Theme: None

Bill’s time: 13m 27s

Bill’s errors: 0

Today’s Wiki-est Amazonian Googlies

Across

8 Home of the prehistoric Ggantija temples : MALTA

The island state of Malta is relatively small (122 square miles), but its large number of inhabitants makes it one of the most densely populated countries in Europe. Malta’s strategic location has made it a prized possession for the conquering empires of the world. Most recently it was part of the British Empire and was an important fleet headquarters. Malta played a crucial role for the Allies during WWII as it was located very close to the Axis shipping lanes in the Mediterranean. The Siege of Malta lasted from 1940 to 1942, a prolonged attack by the Italians and Germans on the RAF and Royal Navy, and the people of Malta. When the siege was lifted, King George VI awarded the George Cross to the people of Malta collectively in recognition of their heroism and devotion to the Allied cause. The George Cross can still be seen on the Maltese flag, even though Britain granted Malta independence in 1964.

15 Longtime TV news colleague of Pelley, Cooper and Whitaker : STAHL

Television journalist Lesley Stahl first appeared on “60 Minutes” in 1991, after serving as moderator of “Face the Nation” for almost 8 years starting in 1983. Stahl is married to author and journalist Aaron Latham. One of Latham’s claims to fame is that he wrote the article that inspired the movie “Urban Cowboy”.

16 Queso, e.g. : CHEESE DIP

“Queso” is Spanish for “cheese”.

18 Prestigious award established after its founder purportedly read his premature obituary : NOBEL

Alfred Nobel was a Swedish chemist and businessman. He is famous for the invention of dynamite during his lifetime, as well as for instituting the Nobel Prizes by providing the necessary funds in his will.

22 Whence the phoenix : PYRE

A phoenix is a fabulous bird of Greek mythology, which can also be found in the mythologies of Persia, Egypt and China. The phoenix is a fire spirit, which lives from 500 to 1000 years. At the end of its lifespan, it builds a nest for itself (a pyre) and self-ignites, burning itself and the nest, creating a pile of ashes. A young phoenix arises from the ashes and the cycle starts all over again.

23 Queer identity whose flag is green, white, gray and black, for short : ARO

Someone described as aromantic (“aro”, for short) experiences little or no romantic attraction. The opposite of aromanticism is a alloromanticism.

26 Unreliable news source : RAG

A low-quality newspaper is often referred to as a “rag”. There are lots of rags out there …

27 It has high-end tastes : HAUTE CUISINE

“Haute cuisine”, literally “high cooking” in French, is the name given to skillfully and elegantly prepared food, especially if it is in the French style.

38 Sign of a sellout : SRO

Standing room only (SRO)

39 What you might get at the gym : IN SHAPE

Our word “gymnasium” comes from the Greek “gymnasion” meaning “public place where exercise is taken”. The Greek term comes from “gymnos” meaning “naked”, as that physical training was usually done unclothed in ancient Greece.

45 Singer Marie : TEENA

Teena Marie was a very successful R&B singer who was born Mary Christine Brockert in Santa Monica, California. She had several good celebrity friends, and so was godmother to Maya Rudolph (daughter of Minnie Ripperton) and Nona Gaye (daughter of Marvin Gaye).

46 Singer Michaels : BRET

Bret Michaels is a singer-songwriter who came to fame as the lead vocalist of the glam metal band called Poison. Michaels also won the third season of the reality show “Celebrity Apprentice”.

53 Fleming who was the first opera singer to perform the national anthem at the Super Bowl (2014) : RENEE

Renée Fleming is a marvelous soprano from Indiana, Pennsylvania. Famous for her appearances in opera houses and concert halls all over the world, Fleming is also noted for her willingness to bring her craft to the masses. She was a guest on “Sesame Street” singing “counting lyrics” to an aria from “Rigoletto”, and she has appeared a few times on Garrison Keillor’s “A Prairie Home Companion”.

54 They resemble boas : PYTHONS

Pythons form a genus of non-venomous, constricting snakes that have flecked skin and a long split tongue. Pythons are native to Africa and Asia, although thousands of pythons live in the Everglades National Park as an invasive species, presumably as the result of pet pythons escaping into the wild.

Down

1 State flower of New Mexico : YUCCA

Yuccas are a genus of shrubs and trees that live in hot and dry areas of North and South America. One of the more famous species of Yucca is the Joshua tree. Yuccas has a unique pollination system, with moths transferring pollen from plant to plant. New Mexico adopted the yucca as its state flower in 1927. By the way, the yucca is in the asparagus family.

2 Early number? : ETHER

Ethers are a whole class of organic compounds, but in the vernacular “ether” is specifically diethyl ether. Diethyl ether was once very popular as a general anesthetic.

Ether is a number, something that “numbs”.

3 Device used by a court reporter, informally : STENO

Stenography is the process of writing in shorthand. The term comes from the Greek “steno” (narrow) and “graphe” (writing). A stenographer might be a court reporter, or a person provided captions accompanying a live television broadcast.

5 ___ nova : ARS

“Ars antiqua” is a term used to describe European music of the Middle Ages between c.1170 and 1310. The term “ars nova” applies to the music that followed, between the years c.1310 and 1377.

7 Tin lizzies : MODEL TS

The Ford Model T was the first really affordable car that was offered for sale, and it was produced from 1908 to 1927. It was the Model T that ushered in the era of assembly-line production, which greatly cut down the cost of manufacture. The engine was designed to run on petrol, kerosene or even ethanol. Famously, the Model T was known colloquially as the “Tin Lizzie”.

10 Windy location of myth? : LABYRINTH

In the myth of Theseus and the Minotaur, Theseus sailed to the island of Crete in order to convince the Minotaur to stop devouring young boys and girls who were sent into the Minotaur’s lair, the Labyrinth. Soon after Theseus landed on Crete, he fell in love with Ariadne, the daughter of Minos, the King of Crete. Ariadne gave Theseus a ball of string that he unraveled as he ventured deep into the Labyrinth. He found the Minotaur and slew him, and then followed the unraveled string back to the entrance of the Labyrinth, and into the arms of Ariadne.

14 Baño feature : TILDE

The tilde diacritical mark (~) is very much associated with the Spanish language. We use the name “tilde” in English, taking that name from Spanish. Confusingly, the word “tilde” in Spanish is used more generally to mean “accent mark, diacritic”, of which a “~” is just one. What we call a “tilde” in English is usually referred to as a “virgulilla” or “tilde de la eñe” in Spanish.

24 Swimsuit portmanteau : TANKINI

A “tankini” is a two-piece bathing suit comprising a “tank” top and a “bikini” bottom.

29 Instrument that includes ranks and divisions : PIPE ORGAN

The organ that we often see in churches, synagogues and concert halls is a pipe organ. Sound is produced by pressurized air driven through particular pipes selected by keys on a keyboard.

40 Liturgical chant : CREDO

A creed or credo is a profession of faith, or a system of belief or principles. “Credo” is Latin for “I believe”.

42 Flight components : STEPS

A landing is the area at the top and bottom of a staircase. Apparently, we called the steps between the landings a “flight” of stairs, because one “flies” between landings! Can that be true?

48 Beethoven’s fourth? : TEE

The fourth letter in the word “Beethoven” is a letter T (tee).

Complete List of Clues/Answers

Across

1 Formal affirmative : YES, MA’AM
8 Home of the prehistoric Ggantija temples : MALTA
13 Absolute drivel : UTTER ROT
15 Longtime TV news colleague of Pelley, Cooper and Whitaker : STAHL
16 Queso, e.g. : CHEESE DIP
18 Prestigious award established after its founder purportedly read his premature obituary : NOBEL
19 One in a hundred : CENT
20 Whoops, e.g. : YELLS
22 Whence the phoenix : PYRE
23 Queer identity whose flag is green, white, gray and black, for short : ARO
24 Wrote an exposé, say : TOLD ALL
26 Unreliable news source : RAG
27 It has high-end tastes : HAUTE CUISINE
29 Isn’t finalized : PENDS
30 One of more than 300 for “S.N.L.” : EMMY NOD
31 “Sonnets to Orpheus” poet : RILKE
32 Predispositions : BENTS
33 Something unoriginal : REPLICA
35 Drain away : LEACH
36 Had to recant : ATE ONE’S WORDS
38 Sign of a sellout : SRO
39 What you might get at the gym : IN SHAPE
40 Network for 15-Across : CBS
43 “Dear ___” : SIRS
45 Singer Marie : TEENA
46 Singer Michaels : BRET
47 For real : LEGIT
49 Stealing from the collection plate, for example : SACRILEGE
51 Outmaneuver, in a way : EVADE
52 Covered in ink : TATTED UP
53 Fleming who was the first opera singer to perform the national anthem at the Super Bowl (2014) : RENEE
54 They resemble boas : PYTHONS

Down

1 State flower of New Mexico : YUCCA
2 Early number? : ETHER
3 Device used by a court reporter, informally : STENO
4 Word with swim or swap : … MEET
5 ___ nova : ARS
6 Question asked outside a bedroom : ARE YOU DECENT?
7 Tin lizzies : MODEL TS
8 AOL competitor : MSN
9 On : ATOP
10 Windy location of myth? : LABYRINTH
11 Defunct health technology company that once had a $10 billion valuation : THERANOS
12 So-called : ALLEGED
14 Baño feature : TILDE
17 Identify : PLACE
21 Occasion when one might choose truth : SLUMBER PARTY
24 Swimsuit portmanteau : TANKINI
25 Greenish drink : LIMEADE
27 “Is anybody home …?” : HELLO …?
28 Matches, as watches : SYNCS
29 Instrument that includes ranks and divisions : PIPE ORGAN
31 Get back : RETRIEVE
33 One who grapples, in dialect : RASSLER
34 Tuchuses : ASSES
35 Borrower’s limit : LOAN CAP
37 Major export of Ukraine : WHEAT
40 Liturgical chant : CREDO
41 Kicked off : BEGUN
42 Flight components : STEPS
44 Team : SIDE
46 “Ugh!” : BLEH!
48 Beethoven’s fourth? : TEE
50 Ignatius ___, figure on Netflix’s “Wednesday” : ITT

37 thoughts on “0223-24 NY Times Crossword 23 Feb 24, Friday”

  3. 21:30, “aromantic” was new to me, my wife has often accused me of being “aromatic” on many occasions, however😇

  5. 21:54. Duncan beat me so I’m giving up crosswords for good. Tough one at times.

    I feel bad for the phoenix. That’s a tough way to reproduce…

    TEE for Beethoven’s fourth? Ouch.

    Best –

  7. 12:14, no errors. Back to “normal”, whatever that is, for a Friday.

    @Nick (yesterday)
    When I started out doing these, I brute forced parts of grids all the time to find the right letter that would finally “take”. I’ll say it again: I don’t really care about people do these things as long as they’re honest about it.

    1. Hi Glen, yeah brute force is fair game and not saying our friends shouldn’t say whatever they want; my point was the definition of ‘no errors’. I would call that an error if it took x number of guesses to get it first but our friends do not seem to view it that way. It’s not just that isolated comment. For example , Dave has said that if he get the ‘Almost There’ screen, he tacks on the time it takes for him to hunt down the errors and just tacks that onto his time rather than recording x errors. Bruce has often claimed ‘no errors after correcting x errors.’ .. All the comments taken together mean I can no longer take the ‘no errors’ claim at face value because I’m not sure what it really means.

      1. Indeed. “Brute forcing” like I described isn’t “no errors”, beyond question as it’s a number of wrong guesses. But yeah, nothing wrong with it, just isn’t accurate to say “no errors” in response to doing it.

        1. I use brute force to mean cycling through the alphabet until I find a word that fits and the answer goes off in your brain. I wouldn’t count that as an error. But if you cycle through the alphabet til the computer gives you the jingle , that’s what I call a cheat, unless you count it as an error. Just trying to get our terms straight :).

          1. “if you cycle through the alphabet til the computer gives you the jingle” – That’s what I meant. Hitting keys through the alphabet on an empty intersection until the app triggers a “puzzle solved” message.

      2. It doesn’t happen often, but I occasionally say something like “17:22 after finding and fixing a one-square error that was keeping me from getting the ‘success’ message”. What part of that is not clear? How is that the same as saying “no errors”? The NYT crossword app encourages you to find such errors for yourself (and, I repeat, it does not tell you where the errors are); I continue to believe that such searches are good training.

        I will let Bruce speak for himself, but it’s clear that what he means is “no final errors … “. (Actually, Bruce may simply be doing the logical thing by ignoring your pointless rants … 🙂.)

  8. One of the “easier” , comparatively, Fridays.
    29:33 clean but had all done in 15 min. but the NW corner and spent 5 min. on the last square in A_O, ETHE_, and went with R since it made a word that exists, otherwise a lucky guess.
    Predictably, Rex Parker rated this ‘easy.’
    https://rumble.com/v4m6p1n-feb.-23-2024-nyt.html

  9. NE corner slowed me down.

    Got TANKINI wrong. Had TANNINI.
    So RILKE was wrong.

    Got ALLEGED wrong. Had ALLOTED ( guess). So PYRE and RAG were PYRO and RAT..

  10. The character going by “Nick” has worn me out with his repeated insistence on forcing his definition of errors or mistakes or what constitutes a legitimate “no errors” claim. Please keep it to yourself. Do you think anyone really cares?

  11. Yeah, I care. Cycling through the alphabet until a machine tells you you’re correct is fine for your ego if that’s what you need. But please don’t compare that to true crossword solvers.

    1. True crossword solvers? Does that mean filling every square with the correct letter first time through, never needing to make an “erasure?” You and that Nick guy can do the puzzles any way you like. You can also think of yourselves as the rule makers for all folks who enjoy doing puzzles. But guess what. We too can do them any way we want by our own rules. You will not dictate how I have fun. And I don’t need a computer or tablet or smartphone to tell me when I have a correct or wrong answer. Have a wonderful life, as empty as it must be.

    1. To Dan: don’t care what you think. Who made you the moderator.

      #1
      Dave: You clearly have a problem admitting to errors. I went back from today trying to find a single example where you simply admit to an error and I gave up. I invite anyone to do that. Even when you make an error you rationalize it at length and claim “no errors after correcting this or that.” The upshot is, in effect, “it didn’t really count as an real error in my case. I’m next to infallible.”

      1. #2

        Another example was the recent “double or nothing Thursday’ where your rebus answer was clearly wrong per both the NYT and Seattle Times answer grids yet you claimed “no errors” with a big long rationalzation. That’s typical. In my case, my answer was actually correct by the NYT answer grid but the Seattle Times gave me 5 errors and I reported it as such. What’s the big whoop.

        1. #3

          I find the rarity of you being able to simply admit to an error, combined with your openly espoused liberal definition of perfection, suspect.

          1. #3 … You are welcome to find anything you like suspect, but you must realize that it casts serious doubts on your judgment.

        2. In that particular case, I filled each rebus square with one instance of the letter that needed to be doubled for use in one direction and ignored for use in the other direction. I then spent extra time (which I reported) determining which possible versions of the rebuses were acceptable to the app. I precisely understood the gimmick involved and felt that the behavior of a particular implementation was immaterial.

      2. #1 … Please re-read what I wrote above. Saying “after correcting an error” is an admission of error.

  14. It doesn’t like #4. Blocked.
    #5

    I suspect your defense will be “I am in fact almost infallible , that’s why I rarely report errors.”  That’s why you cut such a ridiculous figure which was obvious when I joined the blog by the hecklers mocking you for your pedantic pomposity.

    End.

  15. Again, getting blocked when attempting to reply so I’ll try splitting it up.

    #1
    It’s clear to anyone that you view yourself as Mr. Crossword himself. You have a very high opinion of yourself as a seasoned crossword expert. Yet, you admit to routinely using the ‘Almost There’ helper screen to correct your errors. That screen is not for experts. An expert has one shot to provide an answer to the grid. Once the last square is filled in, he/she either got it right, or counts up their errors. Period. Game over.

    1. #2

      With you, on the infrequent occasions you may admit to an error, there’s a whole song and dance to make excuses for, rationalize, or minimize it. You’ve said elsewhere you’re ashamed of your errors, and you have a quite reputation to maintain now, on these blogs. Perhaps given that, there are errors you find too damaging to admit to. I don’t know the answer to that. But the overall tone and reluctance to straight up tally the errors, and the reliance on the Almost There screen to correct them while not claiming any errors, again , I find suspect.

      1. #3 re the rebus example , we do make allowances for those, as the answer may vary with the app. I get that, but that’s not the point. The point again is—as is evident from anyone who goes back and reads your comments—there’s a real reluctance to simply own errors, which includes resorting to the Almost There helper screen as an excuse for not simply tallying up what you got wrong.
        End

  16. For Bob R and Nicky: True crossword solvers? Does that mean filling every square with the correct letter first time through, never needing to make an “erasure?” You and that Nick guy can do the puzzles any way you like. You can also think of yourselves as the rule makers for all folks who enjoy doing puzzles. But guess what. We too can do them any way we want by our own rules. You will not dictate how I have fun. And I don’t need a computer or tablet or smartphone to tell me when I have a correct or wrong answer. Have a wonderful life, as empty as it must be.

    1. Says the guy with nothing better to do that hang out on a crossword blog. Join the club.

      LOL my life is empty. OK I’ll take that.

  17. 10D: “Windy location of myth?” is “Labyrinth” didn’t make sense to me until I pronounced “windy” with a long-I, as in a “winding” road.

  18. I use only pen and paper, so , if, when I am finished and have a perfectly completed grid it is an error free puzzle.
    Which is what I ended up with today.

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