I SUPPOSE WE CAN LOOK FORWARD TO A PUBLIC EDITOR COLUMN ON THIS ONE: So, Sunday's
NYT crossword contained the clue "Wack, in hip-hop," with the answer being ILLIN, which led to
an exchange between Will Shortz and a hip-hop fan over the correctness or lack thereof of the clue.
That's awesome. As good as the TAL/OTM Twitter blood feud! http://storify.com/ThisAmerLife/public-radio-blood-feud-2012
ReplyDeleteMy mom, sister and I had the same conversation. Ha!
ReplyDeleteThe problem with the definitions is the common word "stupid." Stupid good, stupid bad, or stupid as a neutral intensifier? Also, perhaps this does not need my saying, but Will Shortz engaging in this discussion at all is very Rapping Granny, a concept that always was more mortifying than funny.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a premium subscriber so the link to the PDF doesn't work for me - who's the author of the puzzle?
ReplyDelete<span>What's even better is that the woman writing to Shortz is the hilarious proprietor of @BoobsRadley, who also happens to be the sex columnist for GQ and a recapper/blogger for Vulture. If there's anyone who should be lecturing prim fancyboy Will Shortz about the word "wack", it's probably not someone who's been published in McSweeney's and writes for some of the whitest publications this side of Aryan Nation Quarterly or Yacht Upholstery Weekly.</span>
ReplyDeleteWeekly? Man, that's a lot of boat cushions!
ReplyDeleteThat was awesome!
ReplyDeleteA lot of respectable sheiks and drug cartel billionaires subscribe to YUW.
ReplyDeleteBut the publication is careful to ensure that their copies don't contain the White Privilege insert or the specially targeted "Thank you" ads to the CIA for inventing cocaine and AIDS.
ReplyDeleteJoe Krozel wrote the puzzle - here is the solution grid.
ReplyDeleteThat conversation is wonderful. I don't care who she should be lecturing or shouldn't be lecturing (she clearly states that she is not an expert, and bows to his lexicographical bona fides), she's frickin' awesome.
ReplyDeleteAnd I've had a crush on Will Shortz since I started getting GAMES magazine at age 9. This only confirms it.