Any time we see Robyn Weintraub's name on a puzzle byline, we know we are in for some SILLY fun. The deep end of the NYTX constructors' TALENTPOOL is crowded, but Ms. Weintraub is ONE of the SWANS. Is that a thing? Can I call her a swan? OK, how about ACE? ... I may have lost my way a bit with the metaphors, but let's just get on with the review, shall we?
"Class some people are dying to get into?" (ANATOMYLAB) was a nice bit of dark humor. And we just came into possession of two FONDUEPOTS (Features of some cheesy dinner parties?), so that was nice to see, too. "One who's out and about?" (SLEEPWALKER) took me forever, but I had a good chuckle when it finally did res in. See also: SNOWDAYS (Possible result of a major fall) and TENOR (Barbershop fixture?). And "Exchange rings?" was a nice way of getting to PLAYPHONETAG.
The other long answers were a little more matter-of-fact. "Boundary for 'first and goal' plays" (TENYARDLINE), "Creatures that can regrow a lost tooth up to 50 times" (ALLIGATORS), and "Towers from which muezzins announce calls to prayer" (MINARETS), for example. Good, but eliciting no GASPS.
"Knight clubs" was cute for MACES, "Preceder of Christmas" (MERRY) was fun, and Frannie, I'm sure, enjoyed DATAMINES just as much as I enjoyed NEMO (Name that means "no one" in Latin).
I'm just filling in for Colum for a day. He should be back with a Saturday review, then I come back on Sunday. I think it's likely I'll be at Boswords this year. Maybe I'll see you there.
Another solid offering from Ms. Weintraub. TADA indeed. :)
- Horace
Ah - Robyn Weintraub! I expect I'm not the only one to always feel like I'm on the same wavelength as her. Aside from a silly entry of ONEYARDLINE (duh!), this all just fell into place in 5:17, not a personal Friday record, but close.
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