The New York Times publiczne
[search 0]
Więcej
Download the App!
show episodes
 
We're Caitlin and Lucia, two gals who love music, feminism, and One Direction. Here on Talk Direction we discuss everything and anything 1D! This means that as Harry Styles, Liam Payne, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, and Zayn Malik continue their paths as solo artists, we will be right there with them. We’ll be analyzing song lyrics for their deeper meanings, gushing about Harry's fashion evolution, and making predictions about future solo albums from the boys!
  continue reading
 
Loading …
show series
 
Even if you do expect the unexpected, we predict that you'll still laugh when you figure out today's crossword, as the theme is delightful. Note that if you do not figure it out, fear not, we have the 411 for today's puzzle right here, and, if we may be permitted the indulgence of mixing 14th and 21st century English, cordially beseech thee to have…
  continue reading
 
This was John Kugelman's twelfth NYTimes crossword in about 2 years, and today's puzzle makes it clear why he keeps getting published. The theme was fantastic, and there were enough challenging clues everywhere else to transform this into one of the tougher Sunday's we've seen in a while. We have the deets inside, so please, subscribe / download / …
  continue reading
 
Today's crossword was Blake Slonecker's 9th in the NYTimes, and his 4th Saturday, so he definitely knows how to write challenging clues. The grid here was impressive, with 4 full-width and 4 full-height answers -- no easy feat. And the clues were engaging, amusing, and educational. Apart from the clues mentioned in today's podcast, we did appreciat…
  continue reading
 
What, you may ask, makes for a perfect Friday crossword? We're not sure about the what, but we are about the who: Adrian Johnson, the author of today's and 5 prior NYTimes Friday crosswords, definitely knows how to make one. Both hosts found his latest to be exceptionally tricky, but, ultimately (with a little luck, a lot of experience solving past…
  continue reading
 
This crossword had a most ingenious theme. Jean spotted it at once, enabling her to solve the puzzle in a goodly time; Mike, alas, solved it in a not-so-goodly time, meaning he had more time to savor all the ingenuity packed into Timothy Gaetz's debut crossword (bravo, Timothy!). All the themed clues were outstanding, but the non-themed ones weren'…
  continue reading
 
It is unclear when "crunchy" was first used to categorize crosswords, but what is clear is that today's was definitely a crunchier than usual Wednesday - just the way we like it! Need proof? Check out today's episode, when we run through the crunchiest of the crunchy clues, for your edification and amusement. Show note imagery: T.S. Eliot, not look…
  continue reading
 
There was a lot to love in today's crossword, but it had us at 25A, Ref. work with definitions for "colour" and "aluminium", OED (our favorite reference work of all time). We became even more smitten thanks to 27A, Andy Warhol's "Campbell's Soup Cans," e.g., POPART; and the kicker had to be the shoutout to one of our favorite foodstuffs, 30D, Vegan…
  continue reading
 
This was a very fine sophomore crossword by Anthony V. Grubb, appearing almost exactly one year after his NY Times debut (also a Monday). The theme was cute; the clues, at an apposite Monday level, included a few gems. For instance, 19D, Superfan, in slang, STAN (we're big STAN STANs 😀); 31D, Pink Nintendo character from Planet Popstar, KIRBY (we'r…
  continue reading
 
If you grew up on Jumble (as, apparently, the author did), then you'll feel right at home tackling this awesome homage to anagrams, an impressive debut by Sam Brody. Ironically, the word anagram does not have an anagram, and so it is with great pride that we introduce the newest word in the English language, gramana, (n., a feeling of bliss that a …
  continue reading
 
Today's puzzle was an enjoyable albeit challenging tag-team effort by Adam Aaronson and Ricky Cruz. Jean got through it in good time, Mike ... got through it, slowed down in numerous areas, but primarily by his refusal to accept that [DELETED, NO SPOILERS] was a real word. In other news, we've selected our JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The W…
  continue reading
 
This was a fine end-of-work-week crossword by Rafael Musa, his 19th for the NYTimes and his 9th Friday, so he certainly knows this day well! Though seemingly not hugely difficult, it was a good warmup for Saturday, with fun late-week clues, such as 24D, 4 is a good one, in brief, APSCORE (🧐); 51D, Like some orders, TALL (😀); and 38D, Mythical land …
  continue reading
 
The constructor of today's crossword, John Kugelman, is mostly known for his Sunday crosswords: but somehow he managed to squeeze all that ken into a 15x15 grid, and the result is this fine Thursday oeuvre. Some particularly noteworthy clues include 2D, Anarchist Sacco, NICOLA (yes, it's Wikipedia time 🙄); 1D, Something to wear on a run, SKICAP (⛷)…
  continue reading
 
This was a clever Wednesday crossword, and not just because its author, Peter A. Collins, slipped 21A, Understanding, KEN, and 22D, Astuteness, ACUMEN, into the grid. It was, inevitably, the theme that made this crossword shine, and you'll discover the meta-joke in that assessment when listening to today's episode (or when you've solved the crosswo…
  continue reading
 
This was a fine Tuesday crossword by Ginny Too, with a twee theme that lent itself to some amusing segues, as you will discover in today's episode. We also have our Triplet Tuesday segment, so to see how Jean does (hint: A frequent source of water on a farm), check out today's episode. Just a friendly reminder that solving the NYTimes crossword has…
  continue reading
 
This is Ari Halpern's third NYTimes crossword, but his previous crossword appeared seventeen years ago. We're hoping that's because Ari found other things to do in the interim, and not because he's suffered 16 years worth of rejection. Although, if he had, this would make for a gripping story of perseverance and redemption; and since Ari's day job …
  continue reading
 
This was a brilliant crossword by Dylan Schiff. Solving it was terrific fun, but creating it must've been a real bear (to borrow from a recent NYTimes Crossword answer). You'll see why when you check out today's episode. Show note imagery: An OTTAWA senator, carrying one of the most lethal weapons ever created ... the hockey stick! 😱 We love feedba…
  continue reading
 
Both cohosts found today's crossword to be a tad on the easy side (for a Saturday), but it nonetheless had some brilliant clues. Among these were 32D, Eton ___ (traditional English dessert), MESS (yum!); 28D, Shelters from the heat?, SAFEHOUSES (har!); and 54D, Magnum and Spade, for short, PIS (book 'em, Dano!). In other news, we have our JAMCOTWA …
  continue reading
 
Our intrepid cohosts -- solving, as always, independently -- had very different experiences whilst filling in the grid. Jean got through this relatively readily, whereas Mike muttered many imprecations and not a few desperate incantations on his way to the happy music. Deets inside, as well as a great Fun Fact Friday segment about, well, we don't k…
  continue reading
 
This crossword was the embodiment of what makes the NYTimes Crossword so outstanding: a fantabulous theme amid a sea of novel and some LOL supporting clues. Just check out today's podcast, and then raise a glass in honor of David J. Kahn, creator of today's masterpiece. [Oh, and then raise it a second time in the direction of Will "Funnier! Make it…
  continue reading
 
There was art in today's grid -- specifically at 29A, "The most beautiful deception of all," per Debussy, ART, and more generally, everywhere else; because only the most artful of crosswords make their way into the hallowed NYTimes crossword pantheon. Beyond the brilliant themed answers (discussed at length in today's episode), a few examples of th…
  continue reading
 
This was Rena Cohen's first Tuesday crossword, and like the other three that she has constructed for the NYTimes, it was excellent: a brilliant theme and a constellation of ingenious clues made the whole puzzle shine. It's definitely worth 5 squares on the JAMCR scale, and if you're still skeptical, today's episode will surely put those qualms to r…
  continue reading
 
This was a fun, fast, frothy Monday crossword. It would be a great crossword to solve with the young'uns, for reasons that will become evident as you listen to today's episode. Also, as presaged in yesterday's episode, we do indeed have a Joke for your consideration. It might not leave you ROTFL, but hopefully it will at least make you TYCS (Tip Yo…
  continue reading
 
Today's crossword seemed (to at least one of our cohosts) to be slightly crunchier than the usual Sunday, thanks to clues like 3D, "Ci vediamo in giro!" , CIAO; 70A, Pauperism, so to speak, RAGS (um, ok); and 61D, Arbiters of taste, CONNOISSEURS (or as they are known nowadays, influencers). To be clear, we are not complaining: we like a little crun…
  continue reading
 
This was an excellent Saturday crossword -- with some Ginsu-knife-sharp cluing, and just a light dusting of pop culture references -- which is precisely the reason why it is now the latest winner of our JAMCOTWA (Jean And Mike Crossword Of The Week Award™️). Deets inside, so have a listen, and then tell all your friends and relations about us on so…
  continue reading
 
Today's puzzle was a trifle easier than your typical Friday, which means -- by the Law of Conservation of Crossword Difficulty™️ -- you can expect tomorrow's crossword to be a morsel harder (on average, and of course YMMV depending on what you know and if you remember it). Regardless of the difficulty, though, we predict that it will be fun, challe…
  continue reading
 
This marks Simeon Siegel's 17th crossword since 2020, and while he might not be OVERPROUD, it is most certainly something to celebrate. The theme was particularly NOteworthy, and, YES, we meant to write NO just NOw. Confused? Today's podcast will bring enlightenment, so we encourage you to step out of the darkness and into the light, so to speak, b…
  continue reading
 
Today's crossword was by award-winning crossword constructor Rebecca Goldstein and, if not award-winning, deserving-of-award crossword constructor Adam Wagner. Unsurprisingly, the result was ... award-winning, or at least worthy of 5 squares on the JAMCR scale, for reasons that we will let you discover (no spoilers here, nary a one!) by listening t…
  continue reading
 
This was a nice Tuesday crossword by Joe Rodini, his second for the NYTimes. He's now been published on Monday and Tuesday, so ... 5 to go, Joe! Today's theme was a bit messy, but that's by design, as you'll discover when you check out today's episode. Of course, it's also Tuesday, and today Jean's in the hot seat for Triplet Tuesday; so keep liste…
  continue reading
 
It is hard to believe that today marks the 500th appearance of OREO in the NYTimes crossword, but that's the word according to xwordinfo.com, and they oughta know! Now that might sound like Nabisco has architected one of the greatest product placement campaigns in the history of advertising. Truth be told, though, from the beginning of the NYTimes …
  continue reading
 
Brendan Emmett Quigley is famed for writing tough crosswords, and he has the pedal to the metal today. First, the grid: it is the standard 21x21 Sunday, but has only 54 black squares, a record. So, that means more to figure out, i.e., more fun! While clue difficulty is often a YMMV affair, we can say that, in general terms, some of these clues woul…
  continue reading
 
This was a fine Saturday crossword - tough but fair, as Saturday crosswords were meant to be. Our favorite clue had to be 29A, Some dragonflies, DARNERS (really: apparently people used to believe that dragonflies could sew your lips shut!). We were entranced with 38A, Mediterranean plant named for its brightly colored flowers, SUNROSE. And finally …
  continue reading
 
This was a Friday crossword, and even a casual glance through the clues and grid makes it clear that co-constructors Willa Angel Chen Miller and Erik Agard are dialing up the difficulty. Clues like 33D, This too shall pass, PHASE; 26D, What one might subscribe to, ISM, and 30D, Seeking comment, READYORNOT (brilliant!) make it perfectly clear that t…
  continue reading
 
It seems appropriate that MENSA was in the grid (well, 4/5 of it, anyway - see the podcast for deets), because this crossword was genius. It had a stunning theme, which made the puzzle much tougher than one might expect for a Thursday. In short, think of this less as a "walk in the park" and more of a "sprint through Disneyworld". Show note imagery…
  continue reading
 
We have it on good authority that yesterday was Wordle Day - ironic, because one of the answers in today's puzzle also solved today's wordle! That cannot possibly be a coincidence, in our humble opinion, because the odds are too low and Will Shortz is too smart. The rest of the crossword was a delight, as constructor Tom McCoy apparently does not k…
  continue reading
 
This was a terrific Tuesday crossword by Enrique Henestroza Anguiano, featuring -- of course -- a terrific theme and a strong supporting cast of "other clues". As an example of the latter, we have 60A, Ocean, poetically, MAIN; 70A, They need a push to get started, PEDALS; and the indisputable 1D, Crossword construction, e.g., CRAFT. Wrapping it up,…
  continue reading
 
We try and be as impartial as possible while discussing the crossword, but when our favorite vehicle -- the DeLorean, of course -- appears in the grid, we find it very difficult to stay neutral, so, we won't! Instead we will sing the praises of Eric Rolling's third NYTimes publication. Well, done, Eric! Show note imagery: TAMARA de Lempicka and fri…
  continue reading
 
Today's crossword must've surely been challenging to construct, but the end result is brilliant, thanks to constructor Brandon Koppy (under the keen supervision, no doubt, of editor Will Shortz). This puzzle was also very well timed, for reasons that will become clear as soon as you start listening (or have figured out the episode title, whichever …
  continue reading
 
This was a very nice Saturday crossword by Michael Lieberman, his 29th for the NYTimes. It had a boatload of fine Saturday-level clues, perfectly positioned as far as difficulty is concerned: enough to make you sweat, but (if you've been solving these puzzles for a while) not enough to crush your spirit, either. There were no major Naticks* (except…
  continue reading
 
Robyn Weintraub is well known for writing awesomely good clues, and that talent is definitely on display today: it is not for nothing that she is known (eh, at least to us), as the Queen of the Friday crossword. We have proof inside, so do have a listen. Besides the crossword, it's Friday, and we have a fabulous Fun Fact Friday segment for your edi…
  continue reading
 
If the theme of today's crossword leaves your head spinning, there is a perfectly natural and non-medically-related explanation. We'd like to tell you what that is here, but true to our motto of "as few spoilers as possible, whenever we remember", we will defer that discussion for the moment. Instead, we will celebrate a few other clues of note, su…
  continue reading
 
This was a crisply clued Wednesday crossword, with lots of novel takes and perplexing posers in the puzzle. Right away we have, at 1D, Blade sheathed in a saya, KATANA. We have a debut at 30A, Alternative to a blur or pixelation, CENSORBAR. And even 52D, "Hey, I've got a secret to tell you", PSST, felt fresh. A very nice bit of work by Adam Vincent…
  continue reading
 
Today's crossword was a debut for Gene Louise De Vera, so a few lusty "huzzahs" would not be out of place. The grid had some interesting features: we liked the the juxtaposition of 39D, Children's author Asquith, ROS, and 40D, "Hel-l-lp!", SOS. We were pleased to see the presence of 19A, "The Gift of the Magi" writer, OHENRY, and had hoped to also …
  continue reading
 
This was a gentle Monday crossword. Jean moved through it almost as fast as a MAKO (up to 46 mph, according to 29D). Mike took a tad longer, but was still able to MAKO good time 🙄. We have all the deets inside, so have a listen, and don't forget to subscribe so you never miss another episode. Show note imagery: A few bars from EINE Kleine Nachtmusi…
  continue reading
 
In crossword circles, a debut answer is one that has never appeared in the grid before -- and they tend to bet quite interesting. Today, for instance, we had 33A, Food-centric broadcasts originating in South Korea, MUKBANGS (sounds intriguing); 65D, Periods of abstinence from TV, news, social platforms, etc., MEDIAFASTS (sounds like a focused Dande…
  continue reading
 
Today's crossword was a "relatively" straightforward Saturday crossword. Saturdays are always tough, and this was by no means a walk in the park, but neither was it a rope-free climb of El Capitan. There were a few surprising clues in the grid -- most notably 27A, "That's so relatable," in modern slang, MOOD -- a very modern clue for an ancient ans…
  continue reading
 
This was a nice Friday crossword by Adrian Johnson, a bit of a palette cleanser after yesterday's definitely crunchier-than-usual epic. We found some great clues in the puzzle, such as 34A, Passage in a mystery novel?, HIDDENSTAIRCASE (😀); 12D, Light touch from a decorator?, ACCENTLAMP (brilliant, especially when it's turned on 😎); and the very bes…
  continue reading
 
This was a debut crossword by Kathleen Duncan -- congrats!! -- and it was a doozy. Jean managed to get through it in fairly good time, but Mike ran into the proverbial lexicographic abyss in the southwest corner, and managed to escape just in the NICK of time. To hear more about his harrowing escape, and Jean's easy sashay through the very same puz…
  continue reading
 
One of the most enjoyable moments in NYTimes-crossword-solving, is when one is completely floored by an answer, only to discover, with a bit of research, that it is apparently the 5th most popular word of the year, and that you are the only person in a 10 mile radius who has not heard of it. We had such an experience in today's puzzle -- a fine eff…
  continue reading
 
We had a fine Tuesday crossword by a frequent contributor to the NYTimes, Alex Eaton-Salners. There are many perfectly good reasons why AE-S has had 73 puzzles published in the pantheon of crosswords, and they are all on display in today's work. So check it out, and, as always, let us know what you think. In other news, we have our latest Triplet T…
  continue reading
 
This was Thomas van Geel's second NYTimes crossword, and it is an awesome example of an LOL theme. Have a listen, and you'll see what we mean. A reminder, this is your last day to enter last week's Triplet Tuesday Contest, and potentially win some magnificent swag. Just check out last Tuesday's episode, and then send your entry our way. Show note i…
  continue reading
 
Loading …

Skrócona instrukcja obsługi

Posłuchaj tego programu podczas zwiedzania
Odtwarzanie