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Jeff Chen author page

152 puzzles by Jeff Chen
with Jim Horne comments

Puzzles constructed by Jeff Chen by year

Jeff Chen is a writer and professional crossword constructor living in Seattle. From 2013 to 2023, he wrote commentary on each daily puzzle for the XWord Info website.

He's now the Editor of Sunday crosswords at Andrews McMeel Universal. The prestigious Universal Crossword appears in many newspapers, including The Boston Globe, The Philadelphia Inquirer, and the Miami Herald.

Sun 4/14/2024 Savings Plan
ALANISELWAYABLUSH
TITANICKOHLSCREASES
SMACKEREMAILOTTOMAN
ILLEGALACEFRETSAW
UTADESILANOPRYROW
SONGDHLIMAROYMIRA
ANTESITSNOTFARWANLY
EATSINADLEREFILED
INOTPAESEARIL
TMANSOAPIDLYSEWS
BILGECHICAGOGATOR
STEEPCHINASHOPINTRO
EXACTACOMETORATED
ROSSIROCARENA
ATMTUTTESLEPTIRA
SHAGOVERDUEANOD
ARCEDGOEXTINCTBLABS
TOENAILRUSTSAPOLLOI
ENDANGEREDSPECIESACT
AGOCOARSEYORKERROE
MSNERNSTTESTSMPS
Sat 2/3/2024
ASCENTCIGMPG
ROOMIEUNICORN
TUMBLEBBCRADIO
FREESTRIALRUNS
IBIDBAASSOLTI
LENSSKIMPLESS
MEHOMENAHI
ROCKETSCIENCE
STARTOUTSMALL
RAEREAPOKS
IWONREGANKUSH
CANALNEMOIDLY
EYELINERSDABON
HAILMARYTIRADE
UNDYINGBEINGS
TSATOYSTOKES
Sun 12/10/2023 Political Pun-ditry
MUDCATCARDIOOVUM
ACRONYMSAWBUCKOBESE
ALONGPARTYLINESNONOS
MAPSOSHASPAAETNA
NUBHOTBUTTONISSUES
CLAMORARIPASTOR
LAMEDUCKBILLSPALEST
IREBOOREBBRODEO
CASIOMOIUPLOADOUR
SPEAKERSOFTHEHOUSE
BRITAEELKENTS
GRASSROOTSMOVEMENT
LUCPALATEELISOPOR
ANIMATELGONGIDO
MONAMICAMPAIGNCHAIR
GROVESBRACRANNY
CABINETPOSITIONUZO
AGINGRIMFROSASIA
BAKESANACTOFCONGRESS
AVERTDENSELYBIODATA
LESSEDITEDPOSTOP

Including his one acrostic, this is Jeff Chen's 150th NYT puzzle. Congratulations, Jeff!

Thu 11/30/2023
SOPHSFDAREIGN
UNIONCARDENSUE
MEATLOVERCZARS
MANPAGELAYOUT
ALONGSPASM
RAISASTEWIE
SHOERACKSSING
EELLOTIONSNSA
GALLIMPROVEON
ALSACESADAT
KARMAALAMO
TIMETRAVELSUP
ADOBERAPBATTLE
ROVERLIESAHEAD
SLEDSALEHORNS
Sun 10/15/2023 Doing Doughnuts
ODESMOBSTARDOMBOSC
PIRIPIRIASTAIREALTA
EVIDENCEYESICANUDON
CAKESTANDMELDSFOO
BOSSAISLEBETAAPP
EDGESMITTENSZIPSBY
MELTFROSTEDTIPREHAB
BRASLADYSTEFRILE
LIZFUMESAPSROCOLD
EVEOVERRIDESMRSUN
MEDCINNAMONTOASTENT
EMIRSHORNSINONDEW
FIXEUHHNEELEOSILE
UNPCSOAPISNTMDSE
NARCOPLAINTRUTHAEON
KNEADSTRIPHOPTRANS
MISSINGSIRENADOS
UMSNORUNSUGARBUZZ
SAILCASITASFANTASIA
ITOOADSPACEOTTERPOP
CENTPERSISTSEESSNS
Sun 8/6/2023 What's Hanging?
LITERATIPADKINGSTON
LEAVESTOANAADORABLE
ADDITIONNTHBYPASSES
TRAPADELELENS
MATEOERASINGDYLAN
AHAGRAPESAGEGAPOBE
NEUTRINORIDICULE
IMTOASTPANELSMARTED
ODEALEVEINA
ATELESSCADETIRONMEN
ROTSTOPICNERVEEAST
ANYSONOFABRANDONSA
KEMALSTIRERSENIGEL
DOORSSETTITRAMEN
POLKOCHRESPADEORCS
TWOOCHOMEALSEC
ANGDROPLEAFTABLECSI
IDEASEALIONISLE
RICOTTAARTOOASHANTI
PLATTERPLANTETAGERE
ALLESTSYRAHSSNSIS
Sat 7/15/2023
AFAROHGODFACE
POSEPAULIAVOW
TAKECENTERSTAGE
MESONTHAIS
WEREONAROLL
SAYNOMORE
SAOLETSEATAMI
CLIPSHARDARAB
RELOSELIARTIE
EXPLICITCONTENT
WHARONANTMET
CASEINSENSITIVE
ALTAMILLEUSER
PEERADMITRING
SYLLNESTSNATO
Thu 6/22/2023
IMHONBCSCAT
GREENBAITARCH
ROSASHANAHLAMA
INAREACORNISEN
NYTTSKSUAVE
USDAMALI
SAKSINTIMEMDS
THEBABYISASLEEP
SATUSESONETSY
BOHRUCSD
GUAVATIMHIM
FRESERBSNATURE
RENUBRITISUMOR
OBISOARSINANE
MACHMIATENS
Sun 4/30/2023 Name Dropping
PRUNESSSNREDCOD
DETOXESSCOOBHEROIZE
AVENUEQHELLOEARGASM
SDSUENDOWAMOS
ACTEACRESADDRIFF
ATHOSRIMSSNOTSTILE
TRAPBETADIRTSNOW
OARGROINSSATIREERE
MIDIRONTATERPINATAS
NOJOKEAROARSCYTHE
NUKESNAPSONKAMA
BANSTREKWISECNBC
THATHENUPSPINAKIN
WAYAHEADBOOANDERSON
TALCSELFTBIRD
FLEWATFROTHINASEC
SRASWELLSGOINGSLOW
TADADIYTPSGISH
ICYHOTEFFACESKOOZIE
RAMONADIABOLOURBANE
SAYOKSNEERBRIBE
Tue 4/11/2023
LAMALAMFLICK
ALOTIRERONAN
WANTAPIECEOFME
DIVATHEPOPE
BELASUED
ORGANICPRODUCT
PARTOOMONAE
THEMSTANGINS
IMEANBOTTIL
CANDYCRUSHSAGA
GOATEURO
AMAZINGJODI
GOCOASTTOCOAST
UPENNAOLKNOB
ASSETGETUSPS
Mon 3/13/2023
PETETSCLOMPS
AAHYAKDANIEL
PRIMERIBSPARTA
ANNAGRADSTEAK
MOVETHENEEDLE
SPIRITSROSA
EENIEOERRSVP
ARTWHIZKIDPEE
MUSSOTSADAGE
COOSPELICAN
TAKENFORARIDE
EDENSNINEIBMS
CRITICMOCKTAIL
HERETOUTERCA
SPADESTSASEW

With this puzzle, Jeff Chen has Hit for the Cycle ten times over. In other words, he has at least ten NYT crosswords for each day of the week.

Tue 1/24/2023
BASKPITAWAGS
CAPOCMONEQUUS
CHEAPSHOTAIMTO
SELAELECTSUB
CASTROOHSURE
NAHSEENHELPER
CLAWATGENRE
IDIOMADSBABAR
SODOIDIPAZURE
FLOODFLYBYS
CAREERNEILBAT
AVERSETAROIL
LINTOURSONES
MATZOREIGNITED
STEINGALANEAR
EDGEEDYSKALE
Thu 11/3/2022
FUTZBLURSPLAY
INREEATINLOVE
STANASADAISIT
KICKINTHEPANTS
LEONICUTS
ACEINTHEHOLE
AMANANOEARUSC
SINSTURNTBLAH
ACTWAITSPESTO
PAININTHEASS
DELLESTEE
HOLDINCONTEMPT
BETSNOONEVISE
OREOERICAELON
ASSNSALESRENT
Sun 10/23/2022 To Be Continued
ANTIQUESTORESAROMA
LOOMURGESTAXICAPED
LIONENOCHODINHYENA
OCTOPUSTIMETCBYNAG
WESTIEMIRACLEONICE
ALSIOTAHARPONES
SACRACONSNONEARG
ALOOFACEHYPEMUSCAT
GARBAGEDUMPSCREEDS
ANNODINISPYBRARDA
BETWEENTHELINES
PERFARPALSNOBIMUS
HATTERKALEIDOSCOPE
INHOMEIRISNEDDENTE
ETATAKEBDAYRAYON
ACMEMESAPOORHON
DRAMALESSONSUNDOCK
MAREXEDFIREFRESHEN
INKEDCOVEISAIDLADE
NIECEONCESISALORAL
SATONMARTHASTEWART
Fri 10/7/2022
ZEBRACLEAVAGE
APRONSHANGERON
ISAWITESTEEMED
ROVEOFFSRASP
EMERALDOMGDAL
KERRATTILA
KETANJICOOLLY
BOGOBROWNELIS
ANGORAJACKSON
CABLESASHE
ICEDEFTEASHOP
LOAMEPEETUBA
LATEGAMESHAMES
USERNAMEEILISH
STREUSELMEDEA

Mary Lou Guizzo and Jeff Chen win the "first to include KETANJI BROWN JACKSON's full name" race. The new Justice was sworn in on September 30. The Andy Borowitz headline in The New Yorker was Ketanji Brown Jackson Bravely Infiltrates Shadowy Alt-Right Group.

We have yet another crossword co-constructed by Mr. Chen. I presumed he made so many with partners because he was too lazy to fill the whole grid himself, but it turns out Jeff genuinely loves team-constructing, both with established constructors like Mary Lou and with newbies.

In the NYT alone, Jeff has puzzles with a record 51 collaborators. His 92 crosswords trails only the great Nancy Salomon, who paved the way for so many new constructors, including Wordplay queen Deb Amlen. Other familiar top collaborators include Andrea Carla Michaels, Erik Agard, Brad Wilber, and Doug Peterson — all respected practitioners of the art. Some constructors like Erik, Brad, and David Steinberg are also editors. You could argue that every puzzle they publish on their respective venues is a collaboration too.

Building puzzles with friends is fun, but so is solving with friends. If you're a competitive solver, you might barely remember struggling through a mid-week puzzle, bouncing ideas off someone you love, and cheering together when a tough answer breaks through, but it's a joyful activity. I don't have real data, but I suspect most solvers work with others. Try it yourself if you're used to struggling on your own. Or even if not.

Mon 8/29/2022
GALGLARESGASH
HBORADISHABLE
OHOECHOCHAMBER
SOFATOTWEEDS
TRAFFICARTERY
RECCORDRYE
SPLITTOOGOUT
PIECEOFMYHEART
ALTAHALINDIA
YESSODAIRE
INTHESAMEVEIN
ARTIECFOADDS
SAFETYVALVEDIY
HILLECLAIRION
EDYSTRACERETC
Sun 8/14/2022 In the Money
TRUDDTDIVASSLAVS
RESTORERUNPAIDPANIC
ABSOLUTECASHREGISTER
MARKOMEARASEWONEWE
EOSRATONNADADEE
PLOPOMESDOASLOWBURN
DANALINBOONTWERPS
QUITCOLDTURKEYNBA
ROILISEEWASWAR
DENTISTANNALOYALFAN
ANDCHAIROFTHEFEDTWO
STICKONSSLOETRIDENT
SPATIMNATEEIRE
RCATIMBERINDUSTRY
COLONSDEUSREASAVE
MAKINGALISTGIRLSXES
ETCNOVOATEINMIA
STUORINGDOGHANDLER
CAPITALGAINSOUTTHERE
ALICEEEYOREFRIEDEGG
LODESRENALTARKOS

How I Met My Collaborator

XWord Info started in 2007, and when the NYT hired me to write Wordplay the following year, I was contractually obligated to keep my website going.

Maintaining and evolving a complex site is a lot of work, so in 2013, I announced that I was shutting it down. Several people reached out to ask if they could take it over. I sent them the lengthy list of technologies involved in XWord Info. That was enough to scare them off.

Finally, this Jeff Chen guy sent me mail with the same offer. When I asked him if he was familiar with the listed tech, he replied, "No, but it's just another puzzle, right?"

Perfect answer.

I'd never met Jeff before. I didn't learn until later that he lived just across Seattle's I-90 bridge from me. We've been collaborators and friends ever since.

Thu 7/28/2022
ANTICADOHOMER
DIANAPORABOVE
UNRIGRHAPSODIC
BESTIRTOHEEL
ARINEAREST
AGAVEHAVEN
BOSCDONEGADOT
BRITSITKALANE
CARIBDOINOMEN
LIVERUNGER
DARTGUNASS
TECHIESALLOW
CANOODLEDMILNE
ALONGIDOEMAIL
DESKSCUTLOYAL
Wed 7/6/2022
JACKBRAGAALPS
ACHERERANWAIL
BEANIEBABYMICE
SSNTRIPCARAD
CPARAYBAN
PRELLTHEUNAPP
ROSASHOWBOATER
UGANDALENTTO
DERBYHORSETREX
ERESINAITEARY
SOBERSESC
OFTENETASTAD
NOSEMAGICTRICK
TRAYAGENTEVEN
OKRADOMESVERY
Thu 6/23/2022
DESIJADEACME
IMAMEDITACHES
CANOODLESTRIES
TITWIIGFLICKA
ALIASBOORADLEY
TEALHUNERS
EDGESLIMITS
OXYGENATION
AMYTANSLASH
AHSBRBVILE
TATTOOERSCELIA
TRAILSEACHFDR
IMPEIPATOOTIES
RELICSLUGELIA
EDENIMPSDENY
Sun 5/29/2022 A Monumental Centennial
TVADSPANGOGHSASH
HOBOKEPTTROUTUTU
ANEWBIRTHOFFREEDOM
INTERNETEARCLIPS
LINCOLNMEMORIAL
MASSEYSOULSCRAGGY
EVAFDADOZENFADRAE
LOVESICKBAGBENSTEIN
TWIGPERSKYRUEHANS
ORRDOCNODSET
BUREAUCASHCOWSTRESS
EGOTISMBEARDBOOMMIC
ELFLAPAGREEATVANA
PITASHONESTABEERNST
HOPSWARHEROSPEC
CELLARSPACIFIC
CHUICUTAPPOM
LENGTHSPSEOREGANO
AVIATESRINMAHATMA
WROTETOEDTSBALOAN
SENORSSTERNS
Mon 3/21/2022
RICCIRIDEBLOT
AMOURACERAIDE
RAMBOTEAGARDEN
EXPANDEDROLE
MADESPN
PICKINGNITSEON
IMEANETSSPCA
KHLOEKARDASHIAN
EELSPHDPETRA
SROCHISELEDABS
ESTOSAC
BACKUPSINGER
INBOXZEROAORTA
DARNAMISLSATS
OBOEROSAKEYUP

With this puzzle, Jeff Chen has at least eight crosswords for each day of the week.

Thu 3/17/2022
ICONSQUABSPUB
NOVAAUNTIERNA
TREKLITTLEROCK
OGREOPIENABLE
WILDROSESICEES
OLINHATE
STOICASAPSUP
TAKEOUTTHETRASH
UPSNAYSWANED
ODORLOTT
RETROIOWASTATE
ATHENSRIPASIS
SHOOTCRAPSILLS
TENGOATEELADE
ARGOWNERSSPEX
Tue 3/1/2022
GABSBAYOUBART
UVEAALUMSEVER
MCATKORANNEVE
BLTNEUTRALNOM
OUTDOIRULE
BOURBONSTREET
MARDIGRAS
PEEPBATTYILKS
VETOYESDION
CLOUDSDREVIL
UTERIGOOSE
DEFBIGEASYJFK
UPFORLAPALAIN
SEEYAORELIZZO
KEELOLDBZZT
Thu 1/27/2022
SINKGAUSSPUBS
ISEEUPSETONIT
NOWWHEREWEEDGE
BLTARESREMOTE
ADORNSHERSAP
DENALIGEORWELL
LECARSINKY
NOMANISLAND
BLAHSTEELE
ROMATOESGUSHER
ATEAILARMAXE
ITGIRLEVENNAP
SEARRIDESADDLE
ERMAINERTALTA
DYESGENTSPEST
Sun 12/5/2021 COME AGAIN?
CBSASLEEPUPSETGMC
LAIDNEURALNOONEOAR
ALLANEVERENDINGSTORY
USEDCARUAELONE
SANSABEARSREPEATING
EMTMARIMBADRAGSEGA
PERPETUALMOTIONSOY
KANYEWESTAGENTS
FARMSEOSASPCA
ETTANANAPOPARTISAY
TANSADINFINITUMKERR
INESGOLDENGEEZHUME
DAREIWEDTIDES
SHARPEIMPOSESON
NBCRECURRINGDREAMS
ORALRAFENAMASTECIT
NONSTOPFLIGHTSGUIDO
CIAOACRALGREEN
CONTINUITYOFCARESNAG
ODELETMEURCHINACLU
YESSTEPSPOSIESESE
Sat 11/20/2021
FRESHSAKEBOMB
LEXIEALPHAMALE
ENTRYIMHUMBLED
WOREPDADARTED
AVAELANDESPY
KAMALAHARRIS
ITISNTCOENNBC
TOLKIENPESKIER
ERENAANBEAGLE
YOUVEGOTTHIS
ISEEYOLKSTEC
MILORDNASCOVE
ALAMAISONARWEN
NOTAFRAIDRELIT
SENATORSTESTS
Sun 10/17/2021 COMMON CORE
OMITSSCHWABONSPEC
HADITTRAINORPREHEAT
SLIDEROGETSTHESAURUS
NADIROPSNEUROTIC
ALIENSWWISUNHEM
PATRONOFTHEARTSIMAGE
LLBEANOLEGONGS
STOICGISTBAEDEUCES
TOCCATASATANHATRED
ATHENAWINESLENIN
GOOTHEREINSPIRITUFO
MOONYGSPOTENURED
STONEDSHELLBLOGGED
ECHOESNETALOEWHETS
TRESSAOLHYENAS
TUTEECHARTEREDPLANES
ABEMRIISRFOMENT
ASSOONASSOUWOODY
BOACONSTRICTORSCECIL
ARCADESINPEACEABOVE
ASTRAYGASPARLANES
Fri 10/1/2021
KEGELDESTLOST
ITOLANDHOONTO
WAYNEMANORNCIS
ISAACAVENGERS
ITSERAT
MADRONALORETTA
ATERADARSCREEN
CRAPSGAMEMATT
RIDEMBASMRI
OASESIDOSMIC
IKEAGYMCLASS
SOLARCARMIGS
THEBATCAVEBCCS
ANNOELMERTOGA
TOTODUSTSQTIP

This mini-theme is one that even I could understand. "Atomic batteries to power! Turbines to speed!" DA-da-da-da-DA-da-da-da...

Sun 8/8/2021 JIGSAW PUZZLE
CRUSTPERMJANEGOOFS
TUSHYASIAODORADMEN
RECAPRAPSSOTSMISDO
PICKUPTHEPIECES
ARLENELEAPTOTTAWA
TEAGOOVERTHEEDGEREC
OPIEKIDSSEGOBATH
NORMARAEOLDBETSY
PLAYWITHMATCHES
PIGEONSRAITTELATION
ADORESEEDIERUPDOS
YOLOHOTBEDIRAALFA
FREEDOMOFASSEMBLY
SERENEPOSIES
BAMGETITTOGETHERPAR
ARIASTEARSINTOGNOME
LENDPARTIESDOWNEPIC
SWERVEALLPRO
AERIESPICTURENOSEIN
MOVEITPERFECTABORTS
NANNYMOMENTSSENSE
Sun 3/7/2021 TAKE TWO
POSTHOCBEAARTHURROB
OATMEALEVAPORATEERR
STRIPTEASEARTISTSPDA
SEAHEFTSPETERI
ESPYSSROWTORUNONS
EASEOFFTHEGASPEDAL
RASSLEOVERDOUNE
UNWISEINVESTMENTECCE
MTIDACOESNEAKPEEK
POLOCEREALSPIA
SNLNOEMPTYTHREATMEL
FRYTENUOUSSALE
GIVEALIFTTORSEZME
ACIDYOUAREOUTOFORDER
IANWRIESTBLEARY
UNENVIABLEPOSITION
STRAINYSLISHSAUTE
GISELELEPEWNOD
COPWITHOUTANYWARNING
HOEENTERTAININVITEE
INNDEARSANTAZESTERS
Tue 12/22/2020
HOSSANTICWADE
ARCHPAOLOAXEL
LARASHEERBLISS
FLANGEFALSIE
PGACLOUD
THERMOILSWINE
ROSIEWEDCONEY
ADULTSINANE
PAPAHAYDNEDGES
EMOJINEO
ASTROUSBCROSS
CHEERSHELDTO
HAPPYPLACEAWOL
OREORENEWNANA
ODESYOYOSDYER
Wed 12/9/2020
CRICKRBISBBC
NITROMOOLAOER
NOSIRATOLLIMO
SETTHEBARLOW
BITPARTREDHEAD
OBOEAHASFERNS
BENDOVERSOAP
ATENEWUSERLEE
DEALBACKWARD
GRIDSRAGUATOI
LETITBEGRAVEST
UNDERACHIEVE
TOOESTEEADMAN
EWWAROARIHOPE
INNKARTLIMBO
Wed 11/25/2020
LOBOWAGIGIVE
IVANWRYVORTEX
MALEHEIRANOINT
ELLIEDOORONTO
GLITZAIRMAIL
SHOGEOKEYS
TOWPLANETEMPE
ULNAMESSYEACH
ASSAMPLAINTOE
TREEOCDINN
TEETIMEUTILE
OGREBLOCOINKS
ORANGETHYMETEA
LESSERTEDSLEW
STEELODSLYNN
Tue 10/20/2020
ALDASTUSTRAFE
PORSCHESPREPAY
TOOKHEEDYUPPIE
EMOELMOSEAR
SPLIFFTROLLED
TASKBLEEPLSU
EASYALATETO
BACKORDERED
SIESTAGOTTA
ARFITSONMIAS
WOOKIEEROOMBA
NUNTIMIDASU
TOLIFESPOONFED
PREFERSATRIANI
SEDERSAASANTS

Let's play RegEx again: BACK-ORDERED words at least five letters long.

Thu 10/8/2020
ALOEHOWIESIS
BABEBARONYTMC
SPARECHANGEARE
SMIRCHADDSIN
PIANOACAONICE
STEEDHARDCASH
PURSEDNCR
PASSEDTHEBUCK
KEAWANING
TWOCENTSLITER
SHOALYAPSTREP
HORRORONACID
OUTTIMEISMONEY
UGHHOOPLASEED
THYSTPATTSPS
Thu 8/6/2020
MARTSEATEGGG
OWNERFILCHNOAH
AANDEALICEDOMO
THEGPANTHERSNIL
RAILSUSMARINE
BLINDPIGSOLONG
RECDOTRASML
ONEBCEARPALLAH
LAOYEASIONE
SHUNTSARMENIAN
SHOESHOPTONGS
NAPTELLINGAGLIE
OLESLEAVECOAST
WISELINERTUNIC
GTOPOLAYSTES
Wed 7/15/2020
GLAMMOUNTCABS
AUTOERRORASAP
LIEUDELTANASA
AGASSISCANIN
SITSPATPHALANX
EASEEARS
ETDTHXARMCDS
SHIBUYASTEWART
PEARLSHHLIMEY
MPAAHOOALPS
LIEVCOLORLEST
OKRAALITOARCS
GABINDEEDYVOL
IDASIERRASADO
COGATMSNLNET
Tue 6/23/2020
ASKEBBDRAPE
BEERGUTSFRASER
CLEARCUTOPTICS
SABRESRICECAKE
LETCALIPH
CHEFSLILPERSE
RORYFOGMETEOR
OWEFIGHTERBUN
WILDERTATBESS
DEFOEOERVALET
GLANDSERR
LEAPFROGBITEME
ATTIREECOLABEL
STILESSUREBETS
TUTEEENDLEE

Yes, constructors, RegEx can find words with the left-straight-edge property. Here are some that are at least 7 letters long.

Sun 5/31/2020 WHAT GOES UP MUST COME DOWN
ETCSPECKICEDSHUI
GOESHELLOMILECENT
GELTENIACPAILCELLO
TIARASSHOOTIEONEON
MOBRARIESJUVENQUENCY
ITALYOPSSNOEURAKA
NOTISNAILDADAIST
TEENPOPZEALITPEOPLE
GILLENDORSECLUES
ATEETASAZTECREMAP
MEDICINTSCOMMETARY
OPINEROPESSUEDSYS
NECCOSABRINAHAIL
GETAFLATONITANTEDUP
SPYFILMTOMMYGENE
FARASASENNAMMATTE
INOPPORTUNTELABORAIL
NOBLELIEAHEMDAMMIT
ARBORHERDRELAYONLY
LAIDAMIEANGLEREED
EKESTSPSSTAIDDDS

Wondering how to find more answer words with this unusual "What goes up must come down" property? You could use RegEx on the XWord Info Finder Page. Try this query.

Sat 5/16/2020
CRAZYBUSYABCS
AERIALVIEWTEAT
MAINCOURSETATE
ODDHALETRANCE
ETTACRUCIAL
BRAVESGOATHERD
LUREDTANGSBRO
IMANBYTESBAIO
NOBTAPESWEBER
DRIBBLESSATYRS
SHALALARAKE
PANERANOVARPM
OSSADRAGONFIRE
TIERSUPERDUPER
STAYBATSANEYE

They don't let me choose the POWs here at XWord Info because Jeff Chen is a Crossword Expert, and I'm Just Some Guy, but this is my favorite puzzle of the week.

Sun 4/19/2020 OF COURSE!
NPRAPIARYPISCESAPP
ORELESLIEARMADACAL
MICROCHIPSPLURALPLO
ADOUTSENSEROMELAN
DENGASTROKEOFBADLUCK
RANTSUTNEMIDGES
ASSANGEPLEATEVE
CAPTAINHOOKITSARFED
EKELETUPSGREEDWEAR
SEEDYLEILATENANTS
DISTRACTEDDRIVING
BOBSTAYEASYAEDSEL
ALASRABIDDENTALHWY
AEGISNASWEDGEISSUES
DOETAGONPRECISE
DOTELLSALKGEENA
IRONDEFICIENCIESRPMS
TNUTGAGSNARFEJECT
HEPWALNUTNOTUPTOPAR
EREENCASEANEMIASTU
RYESTOLENSEDANSISM
Wed 4/15/2020
AGREERAGCLARO
FROTHECOPOPIN
FISTSDESROLFS
AFTAEFREMTAFT
BFAAMIBEATTIA
LINEMANKNIFING
ENDPINAVENGE
HEADTOTOE
CHARTORTEBLOC
LOGOELITELOLA
ELENAMOETENDS
FDRTSARAHGST
SASHAMENLO
MONKEYSSINUOUS
DUGINTOASSISTS
STETSONWHATTHE
Tue 2/11/2020
ALIBIAVISAJAR
DEBITWINEPOPO
WEEDSLASERSHOW
ARREARUNIONS
RAINBOWFLAGMTV
ETAIDIOTSPULP
AGINGARIES
FLYINGCOLORS
GRIEFFRATS
YENSIRAISEPIA
MSGGLITTERBOMB
HUGELYSERIFS
PAINTBALLGENRE
DINAEDITOATEN
FRETTHUDSKEET

Yes, you can make your own Glitter Bomb!

Thu 1/16/2020
FETASPRIGSCHAI
AARPTOETAPRODS
UTEPANGORAORAL
NIALONGBROWNIE
ATTENDELDERS
JOURNEYMAN
MEGAPEEWEEOTIS
EXECSSTOWPIANO
LANKATSKSASKUP
MESSYGREEK
ETAHONEYBEEATL
BALTDIRELYOKIE
OBOEUNITASANTE
OLGADECIDEFEUD
KEYSERASERSETS
Wed 1/1/2020
OHFUNARTCLIP
LEAFSRAMAAONE
MAKOCLINICLOLA
ODESEAUCAVIAR
SSNKELPREVIEWS
PARISEDEN
JAMALTHEEBLOW
ICEITY2KWAIVE
FESSDIOSELVES
EVENPALER
FINDINGDORKALP
ALOHASADOSLOE
MULEENDOFSTORK
EVILREARRANDO
DUELASSOBESE
Sun 12/15/2019 DOING A DOUBLE TAKE
POBOYSNIPERSMADAM
OHARASHONOREELAMESA
PITCHYUPGRADEPITCHY
TOSSSASEDIPSSITH
OAFTHEGEMINIDRE
PROTEAMKARATPROTEAM
TREATPINELOGENTRY
RRATINGTROTSKY
STRIPLINGSTRIPLING
HUELETHSTTONROO
ENEWSROSEPETALELATE
LEVITESTHECWLEVITES
FRERESGEEWHIZNICEST
IMCOOLNOODLE
HIDENAMESAKESNUMB
MOUSSESOMANIMOUSSES
MUDTIRESOCALALGEBRA
EATOFLANDS
BOXERSPIRATICBOXERS
MAITRETRITONEAMELIA
ITSSADSEALEGSYESMOM
Wed 11/27/2019
SPASSUNCAMP
HELPCOLONPLEA
ACMELOTTEUPSY
SCOWATRIASISI
TANASHANTINAN
ADDERSEMUEGG
IPECACTRIFLE
SLASHHAHNOOBS
ALSIHAVEITDOE
COTVANGOGHGAG
KEENENNEWERA
SSSNSDOZED
FIATEROS
GROWTHPOTENTIAL
AHAEADOEMBA
POTTEXPEW
Thu 10/31/2019
ARMUNLOADMUD
LOAPEIRCEMINI
ETCSOCCERBALLS
CHALICESIRONIC
REDOUSAETS
HOOTENANNIES
IPOTODOTRAM
YANKDEVONLIRA
ALSOIMANDER
IMSPEECHLESS
GASECOHOES
AVATARAMALGAMS
DOUBLEBLINDWOE
OWNSTRANCEART
TSAEASTERYES
Thu 8/29/2019
RAJACASTSPISH
ARABALLAHOBOE
GIVEORTAKEDEJA
MAITREVEEPFOR
ONEBFFINOROUT
PARMRIOSPERRY
UBENDSOPEN
FRIENDORFOE
POMPSERIFS
ARGUEDRENEATS
DOORDIESGTDEA
ARFSSNSTARZAN
GAWPBOOMORBUST
ETASACTINIKEA
SARIRHONESITS
Wed 8/7/2019
NBCARABCHITIN
IRAHERABAHAMA
EARTHDAYSLEEPY
CIAOPLOOAK
ENTREEUNDERWAY
INNSEASYONE
SPICYCOATANNA
PANASHTRAYDAS
ODONPESTUBOLT
SURFBUMORZO
EAGLERAYOUTLAY
AGEARTHONK
PANAMAPIGLATIN
CHIMEDAGUAUSO
PACERSTATSSEW
Sun 7/21/2019 FIFTY YEARS ON
TSASCANTRANATMAT
RIPSAUDIOALERTMAUI
OTOHTRANQUILITYANTE
OSLOSAGUMSGILNOOB
PALEOTELEPATHSOUNCE
ETONOOSEASTINTRA
ROEEARAPARTEVEHAM
SPLASHARAMAICEGRETS
EDMUNDRBGYESIAM
NIVEACOOKIEJARADORE
PRELLARMSTRONGNIOBE
RENALANARIOTONIC
ISPENACTEDELS
IHADTODISABLEBEERME
MUDEELSPBSNBATEAM
ARMPOOLSGRASPIII
CLICFOODCHAINGNAT
THEEAGLEHASLANDED
ITSAGOIDLESSEAENEAS
NOTIONNOTATEDSTEELE
SMOMSNAPESSTRAP

Congratulations Jeff Chen on hitting the Century mark. One hundred NYT crosswords is no small feat. I hope he plans a wild celebration. Careful, though. Jason Mueller is only 94 behind.

You can see where Jeff ranks in our list of most prolific constructors.

Thu 6/13/2019
CANSGLADALMS
EDIEOENOBIOTA
OOHANDAAHBOWED
IWORKBANGED
SALAMIVIAELLE
EXITCHANDELIER
WISERICAPS
STRESSBRAVES
MASAISAYHI
HANDYNASTYNEON
YMENDTSEDISON
PIRACYSMASH
OCULIUPPERHAND
SUDANSEANEDIN
SABEANTISEXY
Thu 5/16/2019
SOPANGLEREF
SHOOSUPERSLOMO
WALLSTAGEACTOR
AZALEASICCHU
GALAXYDOTANDA
MACHKENBIDON
KUNGFLAMAZE
UGHMOBILESSEW
GOOBERLEASE
LOLLSKEGEARS
IFYOBRRSTRATI
DANJOTATAMIS
STATIONARYCPLS
KEYSTROKESHULA
YESKRAFTEPS
Mon 4/8/2019
ZINGTAUZAPS
ACREGOTHSEXIT
GUACINOUTSEXY
KEVINHART
MOROSEGAYBAR
IMOPANPIPERUE
NEWTHOOHAWINS
AGAROTTERHATE
JANEDOEATFIRST
BETSRYAN
MALEWEBB
DIVERSEHINDLEG
ALEXEDADOOAR
VARYINGDAVINCI
INTENSEAHEADOF
DOSAGESTORMENT
Sun 3/17/2019 THAT'S ANOTHER STORY
LISAFINKPOOPLEST
ECIGOLSONSHRUBOTTO
SELAMARLEYANDMEROEG
CEMENTALITOPERDUE
GONEGIRLTPSLIFEOFPI
ARTOOAASGOTOFFED
REEFSTITOALOUSTENO
PSSTSERIFNAPPYHESS
HBOSEMIDRYOWE
SCROLLGIMMESKIFFS
STOODOUTCOEOPENLATE
CANNYNIKENINEDIJON
ACMESGPANYCFEINT
RHESUSSPANDEXFASTER
YENREPOTHERFORARE
AFAREWELLTOARMS
GANGSTERRIMSHOTS
OBIEATRIABLAREAVIA
THEONCEANDFUTUREKING
HOTLYETDSFROSLUNGE
ERODENAYEREFREES
Thu 2/14/2019
WIGASCOTSPBS
IPAGLIACCIVIAL
DONOTENTERALBA
EDGEGOALINOUT
SPEEDLIMIT
LETOCOLLAR
BOXONEIDALIPO
OUTOFORDERSIGNS
AIRYTROWELHEY
TEASERESTA
STEEPGRADE
CAMELELANNASH
OMARROADCLOSED
GELSINCOHERENT
SNLBYENOWATV
Tue 1/22/2019
MLKJRTSKSVATS
EIEIOOHIOIDIE
WINGSPREADEVER
SCARESTWIBE
CYDOWENNISSAN
REUBENDIDERE
YORESTPETE
WATCHYOURSTEP
HOPESOALOU
GABIPOCAREOF
ADREPSFIATAFC
WHAMSNIMROD
KEPILANDSLIDES
ERATESAULEERS
REDSDALESTERN
Fri 1/11/2019
CAMERASHYSPAM
TALESOFWOECURB
OPEDCOLUMNORCA
TOSSTOMESOPHS
BOASPOTLIT
DISTANTPEWEMU
INPUTQUENCHED
SNOBPFUNKLADE
PARANOIADOZEN
EMTOURDNATEST
RESPITERED
SOBERODESGUSH
INREAPOSTROPHE
OLAVMARSLANDER
NYSEPLAYEDGOD

Will Shortz or one of his minions came up with the clue [Contents of some childproof containers, for short] for MEDS.

This is clever clue-writing. Instead of a simple definition or a sneaky pun, the clue takes a side-step away from the obvious to build a tiny story that points indirectly at the answer. This kind of once-removed creativity is something I struggle with. I suspect Will, with his decades of experience, does this naturally.

Today marks Jeff Chen's 55th collaboration puzzle in the NYT, more than half his total count. Only Nancy Salomon has more. Well, a lot more; she has 116. Here's the list of NYT constructors sorted by the number of collaborations.

And what about that clue for APOSTROPHE? Not ours either, but awesome.

Thu 12/27/2018
CAROMETNAJAW
ALONGALOOFEPA
TOTEMSKYWRITER
AHABSESSIONS
WATCHTVTTOP
BOOEYEDERMA
AERIALRECREEL
HRECESIAGO
EMOTICYOYOMA
SLOPCTAINER
TELECROSESBAM
AGETOALLITALO
GIRARDIARTISAN
GEAROILNAILSIT
STALEDESTINY
Thu 11/15/2018
HEROIBMPCNOSE
ALOUTIARAODIS
DUBISHONORTOAT
STEINEMMADONNA
TEDELEACOR
PEPGRACISME
STARRFEESSTAY
LANESENDABUSE
ACDCCADSTINTS
WHYIGHTAPOG
SEASVENIMO
ZINGERSALADDIN
OBOEMICROLOANS
REAMENVISTHEE
ATMSROSSISORT
Thu 10/11/2018
CCSQBSCLEVER
FOLKUAEIONIAN
BRAIDINGNODOGS
ISMELIAEFILE
LABRATSBRAVERY
AGEESHERAETTA
BERETMEMOSOY
LEFTBRAIN
LBJDARELEASE
IROCSIDEBCRAG
VIBRATOBRAKING
SHELFOBIEADD
STUDIONOBRADAY
ELNINOCUEINRE
WETTEDETSLET
Wed 9/19/2018
IVSRUSEBOARD
TICCIGARICIER
TCHOTCHKEGESSO
INURESCHMALTZ
ATLTBONES
CHUTZPAHOUI
LIZASLAPTALES
AYEYIDDISHALA
PARMAATTAOVAL
IREOYGEVALT
BINDERMIL
MEGILLAHSINAI
ALIBIVERKLEMPT
DIVANERNIEPOE
DEERESOAPSSN
Thu 9/6/2018
OSLOMIATAEMUS
SLAVECRUSNANA
SAVERHETTUZIS
OMARGOSEENETS
CHERERIC
JOSHESNOIDEA
ORCASSSNNAILS
CZARATEOFTEMP
KONGPRATEIDOS
ESPERANTO
SALSATAGANISE
ALAWICCANSMOD
TIPOFTHEICEBERG
ABILITYNARRATE
NINETYASANAS
Fri 8/17/2018
GREGSCABTWITS
AUNATURELSAGAN
SPARETIREKNURL
SECRETSAUCEAAH
YETSECTIDUNNO
SHROOMSSOTS
MILOROCKEDIT
SAGITTAPOISONS
TRUESELFBONO
AMESREACHIN
TASTERTHATAPE
ELSZISFORZEBRA
CANTIORALEXAMS
ADORNBETADECAY
RETIESEENDINA
Wed 8/1/2018
OSLOTARBLOOP
GOODEAVEYOURE
RANDYQUADEXCEL
EKEDOUTHOWHOE
UGACOPES
SOCALBUTTERFLY
SANKLETKOREA
PUNEYELESSAMP
ATOLLALEEMUS
NEWYORKSLANDER
EQUUSWEB
ASPURNRECUSAL
JOYCEGREEKRUNS
APRONFONDNENA
RHETTUNOSTAT
Thu 6/28/2018
TAKECFROSTAU
STAGERAVICARP
PETRAERATANTS
ESTEESCYTHE
DUSTERSCPARUT
CSISOPERASTARS
USSSTILETTO
PRISEREDENTER
TRAINEESRUE
ATTRACTANTSIRI
THEPCSTYPHOON
TAINERAIMEE
INGAURSASEMIS
CEESANILCHICK
SSNLASSIYAKI
Wed 5/30/2018
LIPSACETATECHIP
OKRAMORALESRANG
BEEBPLAYERSORCA
APOLLOMIASMA
TEENATIERS
RESETISLETROMPS
UNCUTSTILEAVILA
BARRETILESNEXUS
BASRANIXOGRES
ALBSUMPREDST
GIBEJUMBLEDABIE
UNLVUSROUTEHAZE
AGEESTINGERAGES
Fri 5/25/2018
IMSTUCKDEEPFAT
HATESONINDIANA
ONADAREADUNITS
PORNSEALEERIE
ABUELDERSSN
SMUGTSARSCHOW
HAREEAVE
UNSNARLTHANKED
NOTTRUEHOSTELS
TNTETC
AHBLISSVROOMED
NUCLEARFOOTBALL
DECOTORICACTI
EVESALACKMOON
SODABLUESANNE
Wed 5/9/2018
FROGCLASPBEACH
LENAHATCHIMDUE
ISAYAMORELIVER
PEDAMAZINGGRACE
TRITIPPOPENAS
OVERRICEMARCRY
PETEOARSAWED
VENTILATTE
PRIXSIGHBAIL
LOUPOMDEEPENDS
AWLOMENFORGED
SEEINGDOUBLEEAT
ERODEATRIAALMA
RUNONLISTSMOAB
SPELTSTASHPUNS
Wed 3/14/2018
RCAUMPSMOKY
AREZORKSECURE
ZEROINONASHTON
ODORCSINYAINT
ROSSHOTOATMEAL
MOOEDWHAM
RBIKRISREMUS
ARTIFICIALGRASS
JOHNITREEKEN
KNOTGOTME
BARBERSHOPASPS
IDOLSAUNAIBET
ROBOTOMARINARA
CRETINSUDSNSC
HESSETSPKEY
Wed 1/31/2018
OFFSTAGEAVIS
DRONESONSNIVEL
SORORITYPINATA
OMAHAMOMENTS
PERPBRUSHES
OMALLEYCATSORE
MINIOREONESS
OMENVOGUE
ERINEPISTLES
LENOMITSNOJOKE
OCTOPODUBER
PREMEDITATED
EUGENEEMERGENC
SIEGELSIMMERED
TRADTDPASSES
Sun 1/28/2018 SURPRISE ENDINGS
CASITABLACKOPSTAP
AVOCETSEARCANDYAIME
REFERTOHUSTLEANDFLOP
PRIAMIPADVEGEYEDUP
TAXIDRIVELBREWERY
ENOCEDEBERG
OJSAWEILOVEYOUMAO
POPTENDSERINUSURP
THECOLOROFMONETROSIE
SNEERLADLECAN
DOSABOUTABOTCAL
SADECASHEDENS
CRAMSBEVERLYHILLSCOW
ACTORACESSAGETAVA
THEBIGCHILIHAIRAG
LOONTSPSPCP
GORDIANSWAMPTHINS
OBERONABSISLEALOHA
LICENCETOKILTPAROLED
DEADERICIDLEEMPTIED
ASPDATALOSSASSETS
Sun 12/24/2017 MAKING A FAST BUCK
STPCARIBLOPESSEC
HOLEERODEEGRETGILA
RUMARBYSFLOORREVS
SAMBASBLEATEDIMAGES
HELLENEELKIMPEDES
ALDERCOEGAYLE
CRAZYEIGHTYSIXDAMON
OENOTREEHEIREINE
PLINTHSNUGLISEAGLES
LASSOESESIGNJINGLES
AXEOMYASSAYINKIAM
NETLONGUNOMDENRA
DREWSCOTTNOLIESEEN
SAINTPROPOSEECARD
SOFAYOUREPROD
SAVEPARKNTHOTRODS
ALIEMILATHEIFSNOT
NBCOASISPAULAALA
TAUTOUUNICORNLIQUOR
ANNALSRUDOLPHLOTTOS
YARDSEXESCROP

The Elizabeth Gorski year-end connect-the-dots puzzles is the greatest tradition in NYT crosswords. Liz is caught up in her own delightful weekly puzzles now, so Mary Lou and Jeff have taken up the tradition, at least for this year.

It seems like a good time for a Liz Gorski Year-End Visual Crossword Retrospective. Her year-end puzzles include:

There's more write-on-the-grid creativity on our Visual Puzzles page.

Sun 11/26/2017 INSIDE OUT
APIECEDIEMFLAPGPS
GRAVLAXODAYAONEROT
ROYALTASTERSCANTLOSE
OMENMETATHEFAREAST
KARPOVTEMPAPPINNES
ABETDABTEALDECO
DRIVETRAINSHENIERUN
RALLYCARSALBLASTS
OSLOHUTICKYYIN
SHIVAMOONROOFASADA
SANBRAINSURGEONSEPA
DIPSOSEESTARSAGAPE
IOUGATSVCSOREO
ADDERSBAMIAMWOMAN
RUEBERETMINDREADERS
SLEDDESICHOSAKS
ECRUSMTVSETHREPOTS
NIXONTAPESACEDONIT
ANISEOILTHROWINGRICE
LENEDNAYOYOBRITCOM
SAGROSYETALSASSES
Tue 11/14/2017
GROWNACNELARS
MARIODRATAVOW
SWEETTOOTHNEMO
LEIWOODDEER
GOODDEEDSIGNON
WMDSUSCEROS
BIOSIRORCA
TRIPLEDOUBLE
NOOKDOTOUR
ACCTACLOGRE
ATRIALHEELLOOP
FEEDDOORLED
LATEBOOKKEEPER
ASINOZMACLOVE
CENTSEENHIDEF
Tue 10/17/2017
MICALOLAAVER
ATONIMAXSPORE
GENTPIGEONCOOP
IMTOASTROADIE
INDYIRALOCA
BANYANBANCOAL
CHUMPCHANGE
CHESTENGSQUID
SUCKERPUNCH
CCUPCHEERODES
ORSOOERDIVE
NEURONBETARAY
MARKANTONYDOTE
ESPYSCREEIOTA
NESSMEGSSSNS
Sat 9/30/2017
VOWEDPHSCALE
ABIDESGETTAKEN
RANDRYMAMABIRD
IMEANREALLYMOI
EARSDJSABUT
TEAARGOPHLOX
ARCBEERBRAT
LAKSHMIAIRSICK
COINSTARDEA
KMARTTOMYANT
MOABVANARTE
AMYRIJKSMUSEUM
GOBLONDEOBISPO
IDEALGASPEDALS
COSPLAYREYES
Tue 9/5/2017
SANDEGGEDAMPM
CREEDVIOLABARE
HAWAIIANAIRCFOS
IBMDANKNOTIPS
SLOGANGREEKVASE
MEMOSSOUNDSDUD
DEBTDDELOP
INTERMISSION
SAOTEEITRY
ITDOHWAITOASIS
CAMOPANTSONLINE
AMIDSTWARMNBA
RITEWISECRACKED
UNITATTARNIETO
SATSYOUREDRAG
Sun 8/27/2017 LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION
TUBEMDSCREAKPTRAP
INANDOUTHOAGIEOHARA
CINDERELLASTORYPETER
IPADANTISSARGENT
LASTPLACESNUGHORST
ABCTARTEROTICA
GUAMDENTEDFERKNEEL
STRAFETEXANSITSIDLE
DEARSTRADDLETIPS
HONEYDEWEDSELSETAS
ONEASPIELATEITSOSO
TEEDPRELIMPOSITRON
MIDIOILSLICKNINA
ILLFATEDISIAHTSTRAP
CLEFSVIACARAFEEELY
ETIENNEOAHUPAR
CAREDGAGSCANALZONE
LIBERIAGRAPHFREE
IVANIFORENSICANALYST
DISCSBRATTYSCANDIUM
SLEEKSAMSAUTZANNI
Thu 8/10/2017
BLTGRAPESCOTT
MEHEAGERPITHY
ONEWAYORANOTHER
CATERERYOYOMA
HATASPEN
SPIROPEATFAB
TONIOHANLAMB
PUGETOLDAMIGA
FISHBIOSINUS
SSTDIORCLONK
MOANARIG
ANCHORSTUARTS
BYHOOKORBYCROOK
INALLTBONEUTE
TYPEASIXESPEW
Mon 5/29/2017
CBSJONIENTIRE
ALEBARAKLOONEY
GOLDENAGESCYTHE
INFIDELSKIAHED
EDITHBANNERYEAR
REESESTEABOWTO
AUGAVGGASP
REDLETTERDAY
MAUIKIRSAO
UMBRASIBDOGMAS
FINESTHOURDRAKE
FROCIAMAILITIN
LISPEDPRIMETIME
ETERNECASASNBC
RESETSSPEXGOA
Sat 5/13/2017
RITZBITSSCREW
AMAZONANTWAIVE
PICTOGRAMANTED
NOOBOPIUMDENS
POISPY
TRIINESSECAST
RARESTAMPDEALER
IBELIEVEICANFLY
CINDERELLATEAMS
KNEEASTERSSAT
RECSRI
SLOWSTARTISTO
LAMASLEADGLASS
ARENAANNEHECHE
BANDYIGETTHAT
Sat 4/8/2017
ANTIGONEWATT
HOUSEPETDONEE
ETCETERAQUOTAS
MAKESDODUELIST
RENDSWATCHES
ROOTBEERAERI
WWIIVETPRAT
COTNETIZENODE
ANILSPLITUP
NEMOCALLSFOR
THEODOREFOES
FOLKARTCASHBOX
AREOLEROBABANK
ISSUEADRIATIC
LESTDEADHEAD

If I told you how much I admired this puzzle, you'd probably accuse me of in-house bias, so I'll stick to factual observation. This is the third NYT puzzle using this grid pattern. The first two are also by Mr. Chen.

Jeff and I both admire XKCD. You may know that XWord Info has a Crossword Blogosphere page that pulls recent blog posts from RSS feeds on several well-known sites. About a year ago, for no reason other than our own amusement, XKCD was added to that mix.

Sun 3/26/2017 MIXED RESULTS
WASPTANKUPLOLCHOP
OSTERSNOOTYODEHALL
WHITEPANTHERSHOWOSLO
SECEDEEELATARIWHIT
SKYCAMRAMENSEDGES
ALOEAMIEDER
ASKEDBADBADLEROYRED
LEONIREINROUSSEAU
EMAILALLDECANTNTH
SINGLETTEARATAMUSES
MALLCOPSTOPGAP
ABBACYLIEGESTENDBAR
PALSPADERUSADIRGE
BRUISERSERIEAKIRA
REDPEOPLEEATERREGAL
HOELUTZSARI
PSEUDOCANSOJUNTAS
AHABKEANURCADRYICE
PARTACLOCKWORKYELLOW
ANTIPOMHEINIEDEERE
WESTINSSATNAVRYES

Elizabeth Gorski had an interesting color mixing puzzle back in 2013.

Thu 2/23/2017
JETTMBASFPD
OAHUGUAVAPOUR
GRIDOILERERSE
PROTRICKNTH
TRIMINDY
SKYTENPINSWAG
ARRIDYETCAINE
HOODASTERINNS
INCLINEMEERKAT
BAKERYRASSLE
HEWNPUTT
IOWAAIDANRBIS
TWENTYQUESTIONS
ZELDAAKAAKRON
ANDSOBENTEENS

Very clever, Mr. Chen. Very clever.

Wed 2/1/2017
ARMORSLOBRAH
SOAMIPAPASOLO
STRAPAMENMOTT
HAROLDANDKUMAR
SEEBAEBIO
PRAETORIANGUARD
BIBLECRASH
JOELSWISSHOOP
EATENSUNUP
FOUNDINGFATHERS
EMSALTLIP
LENDMEYOUREARS
OLAYTATITRAIL
NEVETRODELIZA
STYODESROLEX

"Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears" is the first line of a speech by Mark Antony in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, Act III, scene II.

Sat 12/31/2016
SPOTWELDSPAT
HERBARIAHARSH
ALSORANSVENICE
WHINESSIRENIA
LANEUPCARDTIN
MISCREANTBRAD
NERDCULTURE
HAGUESETAUNTS
UNOBTAINIUM
LAGSBACONBITS
ACELINENSCATH
HOTRODSCHERRY
ONTAPEPARADROP
ODETSIBELIEVE
PARENOWONDER

This is Mr. Chen's 17th NYT crossword in 2016. Others in double digits are David Steinberg (12), Zhouqin Burnikel (12), Patrick Berry (11), and Timothy Polin (10). Here's the breakdown by year.

Wed 12/21/2016
BATSDRJSTATS
ASHEREOUSURPS
THECLINKMARIEL
HASAVEENOINCA
ONENEWYORKCITY
ITUNESMIATRE
LISAAGONYYER
HAMBURGER
MADROUTEATMS
APEOPTWWERAW
GRANDPOOBAHELI
NOTEENRAGEMAG
UPHELDTHINKBIG
MOLDAUIANELSE
SYSOPZIGWEED
Sat 11/19/2016
RANARISKSETTO
ANOMALIESUNHIP
MADAMEPRESIDENT
PLANESRTAINGE
YANGYINNEED
SKAUFWSLAW
LOTTFRATSTYLI
ULTRAFASTIDIOUS
MAHALUHOHERGO
ENIDIPOKEN
PCBSIBNPSST
AUELLOGSANISE
NBAALLSTARGAMES
DICTANOGOAREAS
ACHEDNOBLESSE
Thu 11/10/2016
PROMGRABRID
ROMAFAUREHAMM
YANGBINGEOSHA
RINGINGOFFTHEJ
EELARCARO
NBATEAMSLEADER
BYJORBYCROOK
CTAMOINEAR
EXAMAUGCAT
BEONTENTERJS
ASASETSLOWLEAK
BARESTTIE
JLINEANDSINKER
EVACWOOLFTRIX
CONEANNOYRACY
TSANESTATOZ
Fri 10/28/2016
SAMOANARMPIT
WHOAWHOADIVIDE
HARDSELLREPAID
ONTMOLTENNOT
LIAMSHIPBOLA
LASERBEAMREBEL
RIOLIFEHACK
LORDVOLDEMORT
LEFIGARONIL
EMCEEIWONTDOIT
NOORLOSTSYNE
GNUMINETASTE
TORTESVERBOTEN
HISSATEREADERS
SLEETSSAYERS

They don't let me award POWs around here but this was my favorite puzzle this week.

"Certain logic gate" is a tough clue for NOT but every once in a while it's nice that mathematicians, physicists, computer scientists or logicians get to have something to feel smug about.

Sun 10/23/2016 OVER/UNDER
ADOPTARABSABASED
CAPERABALONEOCANADA
ADELENOSPRINGCHICKEN
BROKENUPVOWTOHILL
ALASGUNGEEKYOHO
FACINGADEADLINEORANG
OSOOYLYTDSGTRIO
UTAHNRESINITALIANO
LETMESEEBEYONDBELIEF
DSMUNDAYTOPFALLS
FREREPLIED
TABLEAOLTSARSHMS
ONTHEDOWNLOWCATBOATS
SUSTAINSCLOSEAGLOW
STEDDEIFSSOBERA
ASAHIINSEVENTHHEAVEN
EPIINNERHAHMOON
WIRESEPIACAPITALW
ATTHELASTMINUTEELENA
STEEPERSEDARISMINER
POSEASLOBESPETRI
Wed 10/12/2016
GALPALIMCOOL
PALEALEDOORMEN
ALBERTAARRANGE
DEARTHENLIST
YESDEAR
INFFATIGUELAY
MIATAIGOLAILA
ANNEVPDTINKUP
XACTOPERSTEMS
YERLEIHEM
HEPZEPPOITS
ORANGENARNIA
ORNURSECICADAS
HOTDATEFORGERS
ARSENALONEADAY
Sun 9/25/2016 ADDING ON
ETTUGOMADASSAYSAD
GHOSTALAMOSWINEQUE
GONERSATINSANTAUGA
CREDITFASTINGFORWARD
EELPEAHANBUNARAL
LAOSALPSSTEALGRETA
LUCKYSTREAKINGCAPRIS
IVEEDSMOSTLYONT
CYGNETLASSESHALLO
FOODSBINETMANEATER
OGLEBUMSTEERINGWILE
SIDEBARSABUSEANNIE
IPASSDEMONSNUDGED
GINKITCAROSEIRA
ANGLESSTOCKINGMARKET
MSDOSTIETONTSBTECH
EPICOOMICYNUNRUE
LIGHTSWITCHINGSUBPAR
ARGIHEARLEARNTILDA
WIEVELMAELSIESTOOP
STROASISADAPTSPRY
Sun 8/21/2016 WONDER-FUL!
SAABSRIVALAVAST
ANNULETERITUGRILLES
BEASTIESKIFFLIPLOCK
DECLAPHOECHI
UZISYELLOWSTONERUNE
LENAEXPEDITIONSAMOS
FDANILLACDC
PALEOCEDEOFFSREBUS
AAAMOOREDRAMAIRE
PHDEDMONDSLAVICONE
YOSEMITEHOMELOAN
APUDOCSPAEMONIH
NATIONALPARKSERVICE
SOLEMNIONIADEMEAN
USMAPMETGALAGAYLE
BESTRONGNEPALESE
EVERSOWBOSON
HOLYCOWARMEYPEDANTS
TREVIMINDCANDYINAWE
METESENDEAVORSENDIT
LOOSENPRNEWSTEATS
Thu 8/18/2016
JOELIDRISMBAS
ALTONAACPELLA
RECONSIDERATION
KOOLSALINE
SWIRLYHYPED
SUETEPCOTRATE
ARTURLANAILAG
TEMPERAMENTALLY
IDAMONEYSLEEP
NORMSELMAMYST
TIGHTONBASE
PINTALOVIN
NONCOMMUNICABLE
OKIEBAGELCOIN
MESSOPEDSSPED
Mon 7/4/2016
RAIMIZETAHALL
VROOMINONOBIE
STUMPNYUKTOKE
JEDGARHOOVER
GOETHEMIENS
UHAULRENTAL
SIGNSCAINLIP
IDOSLDOPADECO
XEDMAINTIMEX
YCHROMOSOME
ATSEAARENAS
FOURTHOFJULY
TRIOARLOISIAH
ETTUCZAROUNCE
RESTKOPSTSKED
Sun 6/26/2016 SPORTS PAGE HEADLINES
COATRACKCHUTESADOBE
OHBOOHOOPOPARTCRUET
MARINERSBATTLEPIRATES
ARALMESAPOINEMO
SAMSALEASPITAFAR
VOTESONMATERTMI
TIGERSCANTHANDLECUBS
HOVERCARSINGARNIE
ATOMAUTOTSARDEETS
NORSAGIDESEENIE
YANKEESDEFEATREDS
LEANNMOORRADNAB
ABODETALERATESANE
MILERMANSHAVEPITY
PADRESBOWTOCARDINALS
ELMDIARYFOCUSED
DYADTASETNTSHEBA
SETIREBUCLAEXES
NATIONALSTOPPLEROYALS
ALECKCOURICUNICYCLE
PAREEEXPELSBADDATES
Sat 5/14/2016
SNOCONESSOUR
LOCAVORETHINE
AVEMARIATOILED
GELATINRWANDAN
LORIJOETORRE
TOOLCASELINC
SNOOZEDALEK
IBMSAWZALLLDS
PERMNBATEAM
REPOWAGESWAR
OVERDONEFLOG
MEASUREFAULTED
INNEEDCELLMATE
SOULSOLDLATIN
EMTSPLAYPENS
Thu 3/31/2016
OPTEDIMDBIDIG
VERVEDEERLENO
ONEANDONLYOSSO
INSNULLANDVOID
DABISSOJETTA
AMIDSTSLIPOUT
LEERCESSNA
SNATCHANDGRAB
WAFERSIMAN
HOTSPOTUPSIDE
ALITOTAPECDC
VIMANDVIGORARK
EVERAIDANDABET
NILEMOETADLAI
SAYSELSEYAYME
Wed 3/23/2016
WASTEMRTMOSS
OCEANSIOUABLE
NEXTDAYAIROLIN
TRUSTNARITA
ABOUTLASTNIGHT
THEONECANEYE
DATAAERIAL
STARTINGALLOVER
TOMTOMVIVA
SHOOPEPIECES
LONGLOSTFATHER
UNLESSHOWSO
ICONTRIPLETIME
CHATOURSLEDGE
EONSREDFLASK
Thu 2/4/2016
RAFTSADSHEMEN
ELIHUTILMYOPE
HOLEINONEMEDIC
AHEMOAKENDECK
BARACUSPECOS
FANTASTICTWO
AMBITSGISTFEN
SALADDENATEAM
TIAOBANADHERE
ONCLOUDTHREE
KARMAOILRIGS
KILOPIONSAPSO
ANITASWEETFOUR
ROSSITISOLDIE
OTTERSETMUSTS

Starting with ONE (its own square root) is cleverly misleading. Note that publication date is 2/4/16.

Sun 1/17/2016 TWISTING ONE'S WORDS
DEBIOHSNAPBCCMERE
ALASTATERSLARPANEL
WINTERSPORTELEMENTAL
NTHSATANSHEMDRIES
SEMISHUACOPSESFRO
SINBELTOLSENTEENA
GELMETROATVSDIN
GOTORUINAIDAHEATING
LOANINGBOOEDERRING
OZSETHELLCDSSSN
BEEBTHEMIKADOYALL
ADDSAPSMSNBCMOO
PETARDREFISHEALERS
BOTTLERYGORAAABONDS
BLYEDAMFRETSNON
CAMRYMUSICRIDSESC
ROMTATTLEOAKISAID
BLITZTOEDINNERTRU
NEONDEIONMALFEASANCE
SAGASONEOVULESTALL
ARYLNYSDISUSEEVES
Wed 12/30/2015
PROBMANTACHEZ
JIMIIBEAMABLE
SAGONERVENOSE
PAULDIRAC
VCHIPSICEBOX
PRECISEPCCLONE
SEAAIRBOATBAD
ALANGREENSPAN
AMTSNEATOENDS
MEHTADTSENDOR
FRYERSPRAWNS
GREASYNEALE
MALIVIOLATART
APOXORDERYVES
NEWYEARSEVE
Fri 12/25/2015
BOARDSAIMSNIP
ALHIRTRCAMOTH
SEAMONSTERALSO
KGBSPIESXROAN
CTATOKE
OHMSHALFCOCKED
WEIOPERACAPE
LASCALAENTRAPS
REHEARSEDSEE
ENDOFSTORYMSRP
POURMIC
SECTAADAGENCY
OVALTELENOVELA
NITEALIERASER
SLEDDISSENTON
Sun 11/22/2015 RIGHT ON, RIGHT ON!
BLIMPLIBIDOHIPHOP
ANIMALSEMERILARRIVE
SAMURAITASKEDRIOTER
TIPPINGPGESTSASMARA
NANOBOTPAARSWAT
SMOKESIRSHOWMETALI
PALISHNEDIPSOHALLO
ONYXAZTECANSWELLS
TCMAVEDUNDEEAMO
TAPSENSPAIDTHROUGHT
ELIWADESUTAHNOOH
RACEAGAINSTTALEEONE
RNASOPHIALAYDEN
AMIDSTRUMBAEDIFSO
WICCAAMOIERSSCOOTS
HRHMOVINGTAIDONRYE
AGALMICAARMCURL
TAMALEDRDRESNOOKERC
SUMTERROUGESCARIBOU
IGETITOLMECSELEVATE
TERESAPLATESDDAYS
Wed 10/21/2015
ACDCGPSSMARTS
OHOHOOPKODIAK
LETAFOOLINIDLE
HOLDHISTONGUE
SIBTOOLEST
IMPTAZSWIT
TALERAGUTOLL
DUELSMREHUEYS
SALEBUMSTALL
EXPOEARKEY
KOASANETIA
ANDHEWILLPASS
PERILSFORASAGE
PAELLAIKEAVOW
ALMOSTNIPYEOW
Mon 9/28/2015
ARFSAREASOAMI
FULLMEANUNLIT
ASEAMASTNEONS
RHAPSODYINBLUE
CSUMOAB
TMIVIBRANTUMP
EARLLOOTHONES
SOCIALBUTTERFLY
TRUERSTEWBOBO
SISMOLERATRAP
ACREHOG
UPWARDLYMOBILE
ALIGNDIEUAVON
PACEDEELSMERV
ONKEYRULEANDY
Sun 9/20/2015 PUT A LID ON IT!
FAIRIFSVALIDRAZE
ROTEMAOFEDORADONOR
IRSAUDITINDIANAJONES
STETSONANILSCOSMO
CALAMITYJANELIL
HEFANNEALSWINBERET
GENXCHEGUEVARA
REDCROSSTVDADSEENIT
ANORAKSBOOSTFURNACE
EGGOSKEPIALLATAR
CHARLESDEGAULLE
PICKEMPIOUSEMOJI
AGOUTISBUNNYDATASET
BOWLERBERGSLEFTJABS
STANLAURELAUER
TONALNIPPORKPIESBA
TKOBUSTERKEATON
TOQUEEERIEOAKLAND
CHEFBOYARDEECONSOMME
SURFSEDGIERATENOOR
IBISDOOMSTSRESTS
Sat 8/15/2015
ACTASONEDOLE
SHORTTONDORIA
TAUCROSSBIRDER
INCLOSEHOTMEAL
THADPASSERBY
EMERGENCYROOM
PUTONSSUVA
SUMPEACOCKTEN
APOPFALANA
THOUGHTPOLICE
SENTRIESFURS
CARTIERTHETRIP
OVOIDSSHEBEARS
RACESTEXASTEA
ELKSSMARTASS
Sun 7/26/2015 NO ESCAPE
COPAYPLEACRYCDC
OHMAGEEUROHEETOILE
HEARTOFDARKNESSRISEN
MENALEXUSBRIMUNARM
EPISODEIMAUDEEPPIE
ANENOLOBUNKUPCS
ALFIEGROUPIEAFRESH
BAALISMBOSOMLHASA
OTTLIENPETCANTERED
LOANAILEIPASIDE
ISLINTHEYEDIHNAB
SCALAPINEROBGSU
HATEMAILTKTAGEDANS
TABLESACRESTANCES
DARNITKARAOKERETRY
ORANAARPLPGABTW
NACRECALEBSLASHERS
OPTINAKINDRYADALIA
RAIMICENTEROFGRAVITY
SHOEDINGTAXIARETES
ONSASSSTYXPINES
Thu 5/28/2015
CSIASPECTAHH
ALUMSTATUELOO
CELLOSUITESBUT
ARTOORAILPASS
CIASPIESNARNIA
ISNTSVUEINK
AYSCLAPADPAGE
EVENODDS
ABBESSSPITHEM
REARUAEMANE
TEDIUMBLUETITS
FREEMEALRETRO
OMGALTERNATION
RUGMOTTOSNAPS
MGSINASECANY
Sun 4/12/2015 LOOK WHAT TURNED UP!
SWABGMCRPMRHETT
CHICAALOUOUIOEUVRE
HASATGUTBOMBSPAPAYA
IMHIPATHENASPECPIP
NAYHOMESANTIOCHETA
ONOOPENESCROWERROR
UTNEFENCEINSHOUT
SAWYERRAGAASPLINTY
USERAGERLAGOVEN
SPRATREPLETEPAGODAS
HIEARABSFONENAOLE
ICHOKEDFARMBOYLIEGE
PEPEITOOWEDAXED
LISTSAPBMEOWEDGARS
ACEITRUDOLPHCROC
LEACHCOLONSEBAYTLC
ACTECOTAGEBRAYSLAO
LAMTONESTALERPAYTV
ANALOGGOTOTOWNELATE
NOTIPSERATOESLOSER
DEEDSSLRNPRLEIS
Thu 3/12/2015
LOLITAMAWSORS
ANODESGRIPBOT
VASSALMALIIDO
STAREDCDTOWER
PLAYSWITHLANE
EARSGUNANTS
ENTOMBMILAN
PTSIOSDIXAPE
ASNERTERROR
OPENMANEBON
SUREINTHEHOLE
BROWSESHOMERS
ODDAXONROADIE
RUELIFESTRADS
NEDETTAYESYES
Sun 2/15/2015 SPLIT ENDS
BETHEREGOBIGTHELADY
USHERINOHARARETIREE
SQUEALSTONESARIETTA
SURSELDOMSEADOGIRR
TABLEERNETOREEPSON
OREOSRITUMSRETIE
PERPVOLGSAESTD
GEEORENUS
HALFFULLCHOISITLIVE
INPERILQUERYNEMESIS
MANMADEUSAGEAGEGAPS
PIERCESAVEME
INTLYOURMONEYONLY
BRAYEDBELABORDRDOOM
URNSIPSITOISEEGLO
TINSTARAFTERTAXICAB
TTYLRIFLESATEDNATS
RAGAITOOHOWEABET
EBONSHOULDISTAYPINE
SLATTEDBEGEREENGR
SETSSESJLOMDSTSOS
Thu 1/1/2015
ASTUDENTPICKUP
CARPARTSIRAISE
THETWOHASLANDED
LYONSTENON
HEROEEGS
THEONEMANYAW
POOLPARTYHABLA
AULAITDELEON
STYNEWATERPARK
TETBYEBYEONE
EDENEARS
RANATIMAGO
PARFORTHECOURSE
GROTTOOVERRULE
ATRAINPEEKABOO
Sun 12/7/2014 HOLDUP MAN
MAPSMACSAMEMOHOPTO
ACAIBERRYMANTAIVIED
SUPPORTINGACTORDALES
SPASMSCATHESSELLS
BRACEYOURSELFAHI
MAWRARODSANERID
FREEBIEDMVDIEORE
ASIDESSHAREINGRAFTS
GLEEPOBOXNOHITS
OTHERURNLEFTSNETWT
MITTSHEAVYDUTYMARIA
SCOTTSALEMSODOWETO
FEESDEEPWEBBRAN
METRICSERIESERAYGUN
ASHNAPSATRANATAB
ACEMESAEONSTHEA
MAWUPPERBACKPAIN
POETSAIRTUBEYALTA
CARVESHOULDERTHELOAD
ADLERRASTAROBOTSUMO
PEDROOGEESGNAWODES
Fri 10/31/2014
ROCKBANDSJACK
WHALEBOATTOPOL
ADVISABLESEPIA
NEONSRAWTALENT
DARKRAISETAC
ARTLEIAWEIGH
COGNOSCENTE
BURIEDALIVE
HORRORSTORY
LOOSENETSCDS
APBAMISHTREE
METALLICAKOALA
OFUSEMOUSEOVER
NOBISINCARNATE
TRESCOEXISTED

Shameless plug for the free radio play I Might Be Edgar Allan Poe.

Wed 10/8/2014
RAMICETSTATS
USADAZEOHTHAT
BANERINTRUETO
IDIOMNCOINDEX
KAFKAEONLEE
ERNEMEALSRI
ASSADSMONACAB
JOTASHANTIEVE
ANDREININONIT
RYEESTDSMUT
SACUMPATOMS
TUTTOPERNAFTA
STIRUPNEHIMIX
PANINITOILADE
HYATTSPCANAS
Sun 9/7/2014 ALL-ENCOMPASSING
RICHETAUPETEAMS
CELLARISWARVACATE
JUNKETSAKELASTOREUP
APAAHASAREOPERLGA
FOULWATHERORSONWLLES
ALLAHZENODELTQUANT
RATSONSVUIDOCUSSES
SUEDINNERSHAH
ASPSOAPEDTETRISOTO
REARENDEDWHICHEVER
TWENWEYAWD
SEASCAPESMISTLETOE
YINORDEALBORNEOERR
EMMAMASERLASH
SCRAMSSUNFEESTASIS
ALEROAPEDUSDAIVANA
BOLLWEVILSDONTSWATIT
EVAELANLEDATOPIDA
RETINALGIRLSIRATELY
SETSTOADWEKRECITE
STEENBETSYENEMY

This is the third NYT crossword with cardinal points in unchecked squares. Patrick Merrell did it in 2002 with N W E S near the center, and then in 2009, Joe Krozel put his points around the outside edge. See this Frank Longo puzzle from 1997 for a different approach to compass crosswords.

Fri 8/15/2014
ZAZUPCBSBABKA
SLIMERLEAPLAN
APPLEPIESNOURI
CARIBBEANSEA
AMOUNTSRETTON
REDTEAHAIRLIKE
CHESSMOCSETES
TIRADES
ATMSMERCHAJJI
RHAPSODYAILEEN
RELIEFRANLATE
PACIFICOCEAN
TIRESSUPERGLUE
ILIUMABELEURO
CLAPSKARLSCIS
Thu 7/31/2014
LOEBCHICAAHAB
EAVEHUNANLOCO
DRAGOLORDBLEW
COMPUTERKEY
USUREREARBOB
STARWARSCANTINA
TOTALOOHSABIN
EVEDAVIDLOG
DESPAIRLESSENS
RISKDEUS
REWORKPBANDJ
AXESSSSSSSARI
ZINGSJABSQUIB
OLDEAGATREE
RESTMERSUDS
Wed 7/2/2014
SPAYROBENOISY
ALBAELBAONCUE
PEAKSPIQUEPEKES
SANMANSART
DDAYBROWSE
BOARSBOREBOERS
LINDTANODTRU
ESSAYDANARSON
ASHORITLIARS
PAIRSPAREPEARS
UPKEEPAXLE
ELDOGRECAT
IDYLLSIDLEIDOLS
NEALELIONURSA
SATYRKEPTODOR
Thu 4/17/2014
GOONJOTEACH
AMNOTAWETYCHO
WALSHREXHEROS
PROWESSTSELIOT
WENTPAID
ARIASEND
COTTONYILOSTIT
HUHOKEMUSHAY
ETEFASTONEEMP
SHOTTHINKROSE
SOHOTACEDUROC
GUERRECANADA
ASAOLDPROSNES
MERTHROUGHKAT
ESTITEMSSDS
Thu 4/3/2014
AHEMSNUFFSAID
RADIOSASIANFLU
CHANUKAHMENORAH
SAMISENBUOYS
EKGCOT
CHAOSTHEORYMEA
AORTATWAFISH
CHARLOTTEBRONTE
TUBAOSHATSEA
IMSCHAINSMOKED
KOSSAT
ASNAPRIBCAGE
CHCHCHCHCHANGES
LAILAALILABRAT
UNSORTEDSCARS
Wed 3/12/2014
MILKJUICETEA
EPEEUPBOWSLUG
ASANSLAVEKERI
DONTSTAREPECAN
SNITCAD
CSAONESTOPFAV
IAMSOTIMETOGO
DRINKSALLAROUND
EAGLEEYEDEREK
RHORISOTTOSSA
LESOILS
ARCEDPLOTLINES
LAIDFLINTNOTA
ESAUEENIEEWOK
POPWATERWINE
Tue 2/25/2014
MOMAORBSIBIS
SNARKREAMTAPA
GOTTIAFROANAT
FENCINGBLADE
UNCIVILLIN
ROLLNEEDLECASE
STOMPMUTESEX
UFWSEABIRDPEP
LANAXLESALSA
ARABLEADERMITT
RUMLEANTOS
CROSSWORDESE
ZEUSOBOEISIAH
ANNEREVSSINGE
RODSNYETANEW

A more extreme example of this kind of reverse crosswordese can be found in this 2009 puzzle by Arthur Schulman where the theme clues were "Ais", "Ocas", "Moas", "Eri", "Ara", and "Ers".

Tue 2/11/2014
ITDGLAZEDHON
MEAMODELASOFT
PARCALLITAWASH
ASKATAIENERO
LEAVEHIGHANDDRY
EUGENEABEETA
SPENDJAILORSO
GOTOPRESS
OPIEHIPSUSAFB
URNGENCRIMEA
RETURNTOTHEFOLD
POLIOIRAYULE
LAUNDRYLISTNOG
ORCATEETERTUG
NEHHERESYSTS
Sun 2/2/2014 TOIL AND TROUBLE
HAWSLEERSATUNUM
OLINSINREACHWHOLE
REDEEMTERMITEKAHUNA
EXERCISERSDURANDURAN
BANDOLEROPOLOSHIRT
KIATCMBIC
HOWCOSTEAUOAKSTSA
INHALFINAKNOTKOSHER
HEAVEHOOLEICENTREES
ANTEUHOHTACOASTO
TDSBMINORROCOCOCON
DORAEPITAPHKATO
SNOWINFELICIAWRITHE
IONESKYEESEREHEATED
NEEKIELDHSMOODIRE
GLIBNELLTENSASSN
SENDSEABIRDTOSH
ORDAINWILLFULHOTPOT
TOODLEOOIONICEHOLES
TANSSHOCOOFORRANK
ODESOPEDTEWEYOS
Sun 12/15/2013 A CUT ABOVE THE REST
CCCCCISUPAUELTTTTT
CROATTOURLUAULETHE
CELTSCLUETURKCATER
CSISHOUSERULECTRS
CCCCCUUUUUNOTME
ASPCAMRIJUKES
JAUNTIEREOSUNICYCLE
ALFELIASMSNBCPAL
BIONICLEGTOOKATAXI
ONEAAGAINRELO
TOPSCOREASSENDORSED
INLEAFNASTIEROHENRY
LEARNTELPRADOFARINA
DAYSHERBSHIDEFODED
ALEAEIOUTEATSESS
DIVANMCRAECHIRR
THRICETHIRDHEROES
MAOISTTRAGEDYTINMAN
AMOSIDEASNOOSEDATE
ZEKEOUNCETWYLAORBS
EDYSNOOKNORMSKYS

This is the 17th Shortz-era grid with repeated answer words. Manny Nowsowsky and Jeff Chen have two each. Compare with this April Fool's puzzle from 2000 where Mr. Nosowsky teased out 12 different definitions for TTT...

Thu 11/28/2013
PASISPSETAS
ODERIAACLASP
THEBROWNBOMBER
SOYAUNDERSAY
CALYXBIKO
LOWMANRASP
AMSHANGGLIDER
SAPPOROABOVE
STASHASPIRES
NEWYORKJETERS
SYNCALAMOS
HANAIPANA
EEWMIXINHASP
SNAKESONAPLANE
PYREXNORACEL
YANGSTYXPRE
Sun 10/13/2013 TAKEN TO TASK
ROSINSASPCATMCINT
PUTNAMTIEREDOILNEE
MISSIONIMPOSSIBLEFAD
OAKENAMADODOBIRD
BOULDERCOLORADOPANTY
ONTVVANSLOTHARIOS
DENEBENTMFAETAT
RENEWSHAWLSCARKEYS
CHIAESAUMIRALAP
MARYANNWAHISNTONO
IKOREDCAPEDSELSONS
NILGRAYIRAMEATPIE
ATLALESAFARASHE
JAIALAISYSTEMSITBY
NOGSNANOYAKBEAUT
DIGRESSEDIONAALGA
INSTRPERPETUALMOTION
GETAHEADRXSCEASE
ESOITSANUPHILLBATTLE
SSNSAMONEONEEKEOUT
TEESSSWELTSLASSIE
Sat 9/14/2013
PIZZAJOINTWIFE
ANTIMATTERALAS
WHITENOISELLCS
NILSEESTOKATO
SETSNLGOT
HTSTIEONEON
INHERITNEWWAVE
BIODATAGREASES
ATTACKSSISTERS
RETREATSETE
OKSEPSRAW
LOTSSTEPONSAY
YURIRENONEVADA
IZODISCREWEDUP
NOTESTEELTRAPS
Thu 8/15/2013
WIPEDMVUSED
ADAMCRUETNEAR
ROTCRANTOPITY
SEAOFCORTEZ
EYEOFTHETIGER
CFCRTSDEBDEA
EFLATSSERUMS
LEICAMUDREPOS
ETNABANJOHOTE
BEEINONESBONNET
BASSEQ
SEEYOUINCOURT
MAWRMCGEEIOUS
IGORELGINSANE
CAKYDAYNETREX
Mon 7/15/2013
STAFFMATSCHEW
CUTERASHEHOYA
AGREEZOOMALEX
RAIDTHEFRIDGE
TABOOSIRISH
AVEREADINTO
BINGENEWTNOEL
EGORIDEOFFNED
ELLACASKLEERS
ROADBIKEYAM
SONJAHUMANE
RUDEAWAKENING
DAYSXMENWANDA
SWATPINKATEAM
LENSODDSRESTS
Sun 6/30/2013 MATCHING WITS
GMATGMCS
HEUREERMATHOMLOOTS
ANDRESOOTREPOADLER
MODESPLUSIRANMEDEA
SAYAHTOTEMPOLEORALS
WRITEHAILEYARNS
ABAROSSIRESISTWIKI
MOTTOTHEMAXTWOFACED
POEMSERICADOARENA
EZRAMMESLAVROOF
DESKMINUTEWALTZAMAS
IMINKIWIEHSRARE
CHINAITEONTOSELMA
TANGRAMSARGONAUTTOM
STEWMUKLUKBETTEWRY
CHASMENEROHEATH
PESOSWENTROGUEMOIST
OTTOSALTIAGRABOSOM
SHAPEGATESADRANKLE
TASERENOSTNUTTIEON
NYETHEYS

Vertical theme answers are each two words starting with M and W. Blocks form an M at the top of the grid and a W at the bottom.

Tue 5/7/2013
HARPYTHUSTHEM
OHARAHOSTHOBO
WATERWATEREMAJ
SAYNOBRAYOYO
SOSAPERP
ARTSLITHNEHRU
MAYOEXHORTOHS
ANCIENTMARINER
SCHASHCANRETD
SHOPSSAGAESTA
BATSLEWD
PERTEATARUBA
AMAHEVERYWHERE
IMHOMECHHURON
DYESECHOOHGOD

The print version of this puzzle has lines (representing chemical bonds) connecting the H-O-H squares instead of circles. See the PDF.

Thu 3/21/2013
ACNEFAKEHAST
SHINLULLISAAK
SANSSERIFGABLE
ATTAXONOHHELL
IREFORESTFIRES
LONERAAHISRO
SODAALEVE
MORTGAGEREFIS
TERSESPEC
ANSNUILOBRAD
BICHONFRISEOTC
UNHURTABIEMBA
TEEMSSTIRFRIES
SAMOAPEDIISLE
MARXADOSBETS

STIR FRIES to finish each theme answer.

Sun 1/27/2013 BLACK CATS
CAESURAMASCOTCBSTV
ALSORANTADPOLERECUE
LETONTOETHANESADOBE
IRONSSOTHERESIZER
COPYCRIMEVERYWELL
OSSIEPTASTEARSSAID
SCRODWILLAHER
STARSHIPBARKEEPMIGS
IOTAEVILQUEENALATE
BLOWDRYEELSCARAT
SLIDETOMTEDDIMEA
ALCOAPESOASYLUMS
PATIOTERRORISTDIMS
ALMATABLOIDMTARARAT
MUSGRAPEONRYE
EMTSGRAMPSHEADUELS
SPACEMENLATEXSUIT
TASTEBARENTSPERSE
MAIMSSTONIERAIRDATE
ELOPETIREDLYSOOTIER
LENINOCASEYENFOLDS
Thu 12/6/2012
TACHBASESPONE
OSHAUNCUTAVOW
PNOMSTORENAPE
AEROHEWANTLER
TRENDEDOMOO
ORALTRIUMPED
OBGYNCODESIBO
WAREWATERPLAN
NIAEAGERBUOYS
SOPOCLESPILS
HOLDHANSOLO
PSCALEWISAPID
ITARNAIVETIVO
SODADEFEREZER
HWYSACIDSSENS
Sun 11/25/2012 A LITTLE EXTRA
TITLEAMIDCORPAGHAS
TOMEIMAGIABELMAINE
ONIONROLLSLEGALISTIC
PINSAUCERLIANASSST
SAURPROSEISLETABES
SETSLIPGAITPRO
HAZERSMAARNAFACTOR
EZEKIELSITATHORATIO
EUROPEANRIPPETEROSE
PROFESSORCHROMOSOME
LOYYEA
GENERATIONACTOKNIFE
GANYMEDESUMHAVEATIT
ORDAINSBENINTIMBALE
APOLLOREMSORSABLES
FAYRENISTARLEI
SRASEATITHAYEDDAVE
TANENTICEABSCAMNAG
ENEMYLINESPOPEMOBILE
PUREENOTAEVENLOCOS
SPANSGLOMNEXTEXERT

The giant X in the middle of the grid forms part of the 14 highlighted answers.

Fri 8/3/2012
HIGHJINKSRICOH
INAMOMENTIRANI
APPOINTEEPERPS
TUENOTERESTAS
UTAHTELLASTORY
SSTARDEISTOAF
RETDNYANDI
HINDLEGGETSSET
ODAYPACTIC
TAMLIMESNOBET
PRESIDENTSTIRE
AESOPSTENTCAR
NYALAHAVEACASE
TOKESOVERTURES
SUEDEWONDERBRA
Fri 7/13/2012
STIFLEAYAWN
NOHOLDSBARRED
BUSINESSASUSUAL
SNAREDATITRTE
ANDSDYERROEG
TYPOLETBE
ASISEEITFABIAN
SOTMANSMANCID
HUSHESPODCASTS
ALDENSEEM
NMEXCHITNEHI
TAJNOUNKAELIN
ITALIANDRESSING
EVILSCIENTIST
USETHEFORCE
Tue 3/13/2012
OVERMAULPOWER
VERAERTEARESO
AGOGALOTMENSA
LASTSTOPSPOTON
ATLIKEA
MAGOOAIRSPACE
YAMLASSOBARN
EYELIFTSETSHOT
ABBAOSKARENS
HEADLOCKREADY
LOKICAP
SEAMANDEADENDS
IDIOMWRENXOUT
NINJABORAESME
OTTOSAWOLSHAW
Thu 2/23/2012
SHOOTROOTJERK
HINDUAUTHOXEN
OGLERPITAKILO
PHYSICSANGELIC
NOHOWORECK
COKEREHABS
OWESNEORELIEF
MEGABITKEEPSTO
ENSUREDIENATO
AROUNDSOUL
SLOPSROGET
TELLSONPROPSUP
IRMARANIRETRO
COENETONCRANK
KICKMESSHORSE

AROUND must be added to the answers around the outside edge for the clues to make sense.

Sun 11/27/2011 YIN/YANG
DEMOSHINEHOMERRAMA
OLAVABNERENOLAOFIT
RIDEHOTANDHEAVYURGE
KHANAMELIASTEGOSAUR
SUMMERBREEZESUDSIER
ITAENDSNEEDLE
FILTHHARIAAHSSAO
UNITMOROSEYOUDUFOS
MSGCONSULSDONNATRE
ATHATEGAPRIYALHAT
NATRHYTHMSENATEELP
CTALEMONPEATENDEI
HESARONIENMASSEAXE
USAFSONGUSENETTRAC
FOBNEHIERINASKME
SHERYLSTDSSHU
COASTALOLDMANWINTER
ONTHENOSEARCHIEAWRY
OSHACAUGHTACOLDMIRA
THEMINIGOBOYLEIRON
SUREASTONSOSASSLRS

This beautiful design gets added to my Grid Art page.

Mon 10/31/2011
ASAPMETAARMOR
VAILARABLOUPE
ALLATONCEIMHIP
CURSESTPAUL
FLEABITTENEMMY
OUTTAREARM
RIPECARNEYACE
UGHVAMPIREDIV
MIOCRIMESCAVA
NORASSOLID
BEESTHINKTWICE
ETHICSTORAH
AHORACAMERASHY
REMITCLAMNCAA
DRESSLONEDITZ
Wed 9/14/2011
SPYDAUBSPEWS
ALESITSOKIHOP
NATUREVSNURTURE
KNIVESRELOADED
SUDSSKY
SHEPOLESAVAGE
MANVSWILDLARAS
ASTINEVISTAMP
STEVERENTVSBUY
HERALDRARASTS
FRYHAND
WOOKIEESTERESA
ALIENVSPREDATOR
VENNINCOGBAUM
YOKOLOAMYSPY

This is the 15th Shortz-era puzzle with repeated answer words, and its SPY vs SPY gimmick is one of my favorites. Here's the complete list.

Wed 5/4/2011
ADDSAPARTLORE
DEANCABERODOR
ZITITILDAVETS
FPHONELINEA
PORTWINES
AMIESBANHORAS
MARTSASIINOIL
IDASBLINDGOBI
SANALLEGROSOD
SMIDGERWRITHE
IRESANTP
YESMASTER
BLOWYATESIOWA
BIBIOSTEOEXIT
QUITUTURNDOZE

The 45 blocks here are among the most ever. The grid has rare mirror symmetry. And, of course, it has unchecked letters. Compare to this NO U-TURN puzzle published a couple of months later.

Mon 7/5/2010
CREDOTESSTUFT
HOMEDIRONALOE
AGILEMIREKNOX
FULLSPEEDAHEAD
FEESAWIKON
TADADYNAMIC
FLEWURLEBONY
LIMOAPARTATRA
ALIASMIRCOEN
GARBLEDPECK
RUNETELCOS
THEGAMEISAFOOT
WHOAMILDMATZO
EARSESMEOTTER
TINTLESSREADY

1 Acrostic by Jeff Chen

Sunday, May 21, 2023
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