Deb Amlen
@debamlen.bsky.social
Humor writer, New York Times Games columnist. I may have helped you with the crossword. As a condition of my employment, I am not allowed to talk about politics online. Hence, the jokes.
As we glide effortlessly into a new year of please-god-not-too-many-horrors, I think it’s important to gird our collective loins, so I would like to remind everyone about how important they are:
December 27, 2025 at 9:14 PM
As we glide effortlessly into a new year of please-god-not-too-many-horrors, I think it’s important to gird our collective loins, so I would like to remind everyone about how important they are:
I know this is a tough time of year for many people, and I wish you all a safe and happy holiday with whatever chosen family you have 🩵
December 24, 2025 at 3:37 PM
I know this is a tough time of year for many people, and I wish you all a safe and happy holiday with whatever chosen family you have 🩵
Merry Erev Christmas to those who celebrate
December 24, 2025 at 3:37 PM
Merry Erev Christmas to those who celebrate
"Paul Stanley's a singer? With what group, now? Sure, put him in the tent with the trapeze artist. Marketing says that screams 'caffeinated.'"
- Proctor & Gamble executives, just before they came down from their collective acid trip
m.youtube.com/watch?v=hMa1...
- Proctor & Gamble executives, just before they came down from their collective acid trip
m.youtube.com/watch?v=hMa1...
Paul Stanley Folgers Coffee Commercial
YouTube video by imakissfan2
m.youtube.com
December 22, 2025 at 5:17 AM
"Paul Stanley's a singer? With what group, now? Sure, put him in the tent with the trapeze artist. Marketing says that screams 'caffeinated.'"
- Proctor & Gamble executives, just before they came down from their collective acid trip
m.youtube.com/watch?v=hMa1...
- Proctor & Gamble executives, just before they came down from their collective acid trip
m.youtube.com/watch?v=hMa1...
Curling up on a cold night with a boot, as one does
December 19, 2025 at 1:51 AM
Curling up on a cold night with a boot, as one does
Have you looked at your NYT Games Highlights for 2025?
December 16, 2025 at 11:59 PM
Have you looked at your NYT Games Highlights for 2025?
Lighting the first candle tonight with pain in my heart for the victims of Bondi Beach.
And may a hero like Ahmed Al Ahmed, who disarmed one of the shooters and was shot himself, be celebrated for the righteous man he is.
And may a hero like Ahmed Al Ahmed, who disarmed one of the shooters and was shot himself, be celebrated for the righteous man he is.
December 14, 2025 at 10:36 PM
Lighting the first candle tonight with pain in my heart for the victims of Bondi Beach.
And may a hero like Ahmed Al Ahmed, who disarmed one of the shooters and was shot himself, be celebrated for the righteous man he is.
And may a hero like Ahmed Al Ahmed, who disarmed one of the shooters and was shot himself, be celebrated for the righteous man he is.
When you Google "Is breaking and entering a felony or a misdemeanor?" and it's actually research for a column, Your Honor
December 14, 2025 at 3:59 PM
When you Google "Is breaking and entering a felony or a misdemeanor?" and it's actually research for a column, Your Honor
Reposted by Deb Amlen
crossword puzzles have done more for texting slang than a million teens ever could
December 11, 2025 at 12:31 PM
crossword puzzles have done more for texting slang than a million teens ever could
LABORCON: Also known as Braxton-Hicks contractions. Usually accompanied by hospital personnel telling you to go home because it’s not time yet.
December 9, 2025 at 10:52 PM
LABORCON: Also known as Braxton-Hicks contractions. Usually accompanied by hospital personnel telling you to go home because it’s not time yet.
Flags at half mast for John Noble Wilford, the journalist who wrote this story.
Obit in comments.
Obit in comments.
December 9, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Flags at half mast for John Noble Wilford, the journalist who wrote this story.
Obit in comments.
Obit in comments.
Cause of death: Email.
December 8, 2025 at 11:59 PM
Cause of death: Email.
A visual representation of misdirection in crossword clues, as performed by a dog
December 6, 2025 at 3:33 PM
A visual representation of misdirection in crossword clues, as performed by a dog
Reposted by Deb Amlen
The Nobel Prize committee should announce the World Cup winner tomorrow
December 6, 2025 at 4:29 AM
The Nobel Prize committee should announce the World Cup winner tomorrow
OK, I’ve missed you all long enough.
Charles and I will be returning to the ACPT in April as freeloaders, sorry, judges.
Who am I going to get to hug there?
Charles and I will be returning to the ACPT in April as freeloaders, sorry, judges.
Who am I going to get to hug there?
December 5, 2025 at 7:05 PM
OK, I’ve missed you all long enough.
Charles and I will be returning to the ACPT in April as freeloaders, sorry, judges.
Who am I going to get to hug there?
Charles and I will be returning to the ACPT in April as freeloaders, sorry, judges.
Who am I going to get to hug there?
BEMEIN: To present someone with a bowl of chow mein.
December 5, 2025 at 6:23 PM
BEMEIN: To present someone with a bowl of chow mein.
I have decided to self-diagnose myself with a condition that I am calling Seasonal Chimera Hair.
Every winter, the left side of my hair remains curly, and the other side straightens out into a frizzy mess. No amount or type of product helps.
Every winter, the left side of my hair remains curly, and the other side straightens out into a frizzy mess. No amount or type of product helps.
December 4, 2025 at 5:41 PM
I have decided to self-diagnose myself with a condition that I am calling Seasonal Chimera Hair.
Every winter, the left side of my hair remains curly, and the other side straightens out into a frizzy mess. No amount or type of product helps.
Every winter, the left side of my hair remains curly, and the other side straightens out into a frizzy mess. No amount or type of product helps.
I feel like Gen Z is getting short shrift here
December 4, 2025 at 3:13 PM
I feel like Gen Z is getting short shrift here
Not surprised by the most-used words, but loving the fact that the first word is “irresponsible”
December 2, 2025 at 10:42 PM
Not surprised by the most-used words, but loving the fact that the first word is “irresponsible”
Incredibly honored to have my attempts at plausible deniability commemorated in Natan Last’s fabulous book, “Across the Universe.”
You should buy his book
#ididntdoit
You should buy his book
#ididntdoit
November 30, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Incredibly honored to have my attempts at plausible deniability commemorated in Natan Last’s fabulous book, “Across the Universe.”
You should buy his book
#ididntdoit
You should buy his book
#ididntdoit
This dog is feeling some things …
November 30, 2025 at 6:30 PM
This dog is feeling some things …
Sure, let’s rely on AI for answers 🙄
November 28, 2025 at 1:22 PM
Sure, let’s rely on AI for answers 🙄