Piercing Site (2024)

Jump to: Tricky Clues

FRIDAY PUZZLE — The bar for publication in The New York Times is set very high for constructors of themeless crosswords. The reason, said Christina Iverson, a puzzles editor on the Games team, is that themeless puzzles run only two days a week, so the editors only select the best out of the submissions they receive.

“Themeless puzzles are no mean feat to make from the get-go, especially with the low word count required,” said Sam Ezersky, another fellow Times puzzles editor. “But it’s so tough to go from making a themeless crossword to making a standout themeless crossword.” Mr. Ezersky explained that a standout themeless puzzle uses the extra white space to include a wide variety of fresh, longer vocabulary and clues that are both fun and challenging.

This is Evan Kalish’s 15th crossword in The Times, and I can see why it was accepted. The stacks are lively and fun, and the cluing is tough enough to put up a good fight.

Tricky Clues

17A. I loved this clue (“Partner who’s deep undercover?”), mostly because it made me think of our recently adopted dog, Malou, whose breed might as well be called the American Staffordshire BLANKET HOG. If you know, you know.

22A. “Makeup of some sleeves, informally” made me think of sewing a garment, but the sleeve in this clue is made up of TATS, short for tattoos.