New York Times, Wednesday, March 22, 2017

This puzzle has a relatively simple theme concept that I think turned out nicely (YMMV). Either the word TRICYCLE or PENTAGON occurred to me initially (I don't recall which) as a basis for repeating the latter part of the word as many times as its numerical prefix suggested — thus creating a "literal" variation of the word. Despite the standard 15-square width of a grid, it was immediately apparent that a "quad" prefix would force a 16-square width, with the latter part of the "quad" word comprising four letters. The word QUADRANT was chosen.

It's unusual to have only three theme entries, especially in the New York Times, where some puzzles seem to strive to fill the thematic level to near bursting. That can be dangerous! Such ventures are occasionally called out for substandard fill by the ever-vigilant squad of bloggers and commenters. But the "tri" prefix could provide a 15-letter entry, as could the "penta" entry. With one 16 and two 15's, that was that. "Hexa" couldn't work, and a six-letter ending for a "bi" word would yield a 16-letter entry, which wouldn't allow standard symmetry among the theme entries, following the logical progression of bi, tri, quad, and penta. So, three was the limit.

On the whole, I thought this concept might produce a reasonable "aha moment", and since it was accepted by Will, I suppose it did so.

Three phrases literalized, TRICYCLE (tri CYCLE) presented as CYCLECYCLECYCLE, QUADRANT = RANTRANTRANTRANT, PENTAGON = GONGONGONGONGON. I've seen a ton of repeated word themes, i.e. JEOPARDYJEOPARDY = double jeopardy, but this is an interesting twist on the theme trope. I particularly liked GONGONGONGONGON, since GON is such an odd-looking chunk of letters by itself.

Would have been nice to get a progression from UNI to PENTA, but at least TRI, QUAD, PENTA gives a logical sequence. And Jeffrey brings up a good point about crossword symmetry. He would have had to go up to five themers, with the first being UNI+15 letters. Not many options for that, and something like (uni) FORMITARIANISTS would have been pretty dull.

It's okay with me to get just three themers instead of the usual four (or more, these days) if 1.) they're all snazzy and 2.) the grid features a ton of bonus entries. I liked some entries — ARE YOU IN, ANACONDA (always makes me think of the "Baby Got Back" lyrics), and even EVOLVE, KENKEN. Not nearly as much as I'd hope for given only three themers, though.

And RED CHINA … I know it's a historical term, but having heard this used as a SLUR for Asian folks, left me uncomfortable. (I've also heard it used against Korean and Vietnamese friends, which makes me laugh. Sort of.)

A couple of blips in APACE (odd word), MSEC (millisecond never written this way in real life), ANO, but not bad at all. I did struggle with CUTCO and ODETS, but thankfully the clue [Big brand of kitchen knives] made the CUT part of CUTCO gettable, once I did a *headdesk*.

PASTAS sure got an odd clue in [Nonmeat choices at a deli counter]? I fought mightily with that corner, as I thought it had to be TEMPEH or SOY or something with meat-like consistency. Feels like this clue could have been just as "accurate" if the answer had been WATER or COOKIES.

It's a reasonable puzzle, although I would have liked more themers or more bonus fill, especially given that Jeffrey is a seasoned constructor.