Wednesday December 19th 2018, NY Times Crossword

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Time: 9:22
Wednesday Average: 17:20
Best Wednesday: 7:24

I'd guess this theme has been done before, but I think it's my first time seeing an ANAGRAM themed crossword in which the clues actually function as clues in addition to being anagrams of the answer. I suppose in a couple cases the clue doesn't actually work in the strictest crossword sense, but they're close enough to satisfy me AS IS.


  • "Acts phony:" SYCOPHANT
  • "Hint: hotel:" THE HILTON. Sorry, I've committed entirely to Marriott/SPG for my work travel. 
  • "A trails nut:" NATURALIST
  • "Bag manager:" GARBAGEMAN
I was quite confused by the four consecutive vowels that I was seeing for "Ahab's inspiration?" but then finally saw SEA AIR, using the lesser known (to me, anyway) meaning of "inspiration" meaning "inhalation." 

I thought Shaggy used to call Scooby-Doo "Scoobs" for short, not SCOOB. Maybe I've been mishearing that all this time. 

I waited too long to write this entry and my writing has become rather INERT, so I'll leave it at that for now. Maybe it was all the chicken fried steak at my workplace holiday lunch. 

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