XWord Disinfo
@xworddisinfo.bsky.social
I have strong opinions about the #NYTXW.
Took longer than it otherwise would’ve because I expected the end product to relate to the companies. Like PETCO and Merck would combine to make - doggie Xanax? Something like that. As it is, they’re just … anagrams. Sigh. #NYTXW
August 24, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Took longer than it otherwise would’ve because I expected the end product to relate to the companies. Like PETCO and Merck would combine to make - doggie Xanax? Something like that. As it is, they’re just … anagrams. Sigh. #NYTXW
~70 mins to FINALLY get the SW and keep the streak alive. Biggest issue was actually 42A (?!?), which could not be right and kept me from committing to longer downs. 50A - kept vacillating between two wrong answers. Finally solved when I parsed the clue for 25D. Sheesh.
#NYTXW
#NYTXW
August 16, 2025 at 4:30 PM
~70 mins to FINALLY get the SW and keep the streak alive. Biggest issue was actually 42A (?!?), which could not be right and kept me from committing to longer downs. 50A - kept vacillating between two wrong answers. Finally solved when I parsed the clue for 25D. Sheesh.
#NYTXW
#NYTXW
Easy except 82D/104A; 113A/115D/132A. Show me a clock where 113A toggles - doesn’t exist. Granted, my wrong answer only makes sense with radio, but still. 104A should’ve been clued differently: The word, sure, but the person/association?!? And 82D is impossible to infer.
#NYTXW
#NYTXW
July 27, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Easy except 82D/104A; 113A/115D/132A. Show me a clock where 113A toggles - doesn’t exist. Granted, my wrong answer only makes sense with radio, but still. 104A should’ve been clued differently: The word, sure, but the person/association?!? And 82D is impossible to infer.
#NYTXW
#NYTXW
Very easy, PR territory except for a mid-solve phone call, and except for 63D and a couple of its crosses.
Although easily gettable, I don’t understand the clue for the first letter 🤷♂️
Typically don’t care but was disappointed not to see an animation.
#NYTXW
Although easily gettable, I don’t understand the clue for the first letter 🤷♂️
Typically don’t care but was disappointed not to see an animation.
#NYTXW
July 6, 2025 at 3:34 AM
Very easy, PR territory except for a mid-solve phone call, and except for 63D and a couple of its crosses.
Although easily gettable, I don’t understand the clue for the first letter 🤷♂️
Typically don’t care but was disappointed not to see an animation.
#NYTXW
Although easily gettable, I don’t understand the clue for the first letter 🤷♂️
Typically don’t care but was disappointed not to see an animation.
#NYTXW
Tough Fri following a very easy Thurs. very tech-y; lots of product placement; lots of modern dating slang. I prefer newness to staleness but this one felt like it was trying really hard. Squarely mid for me.
#NYTXW
#NYTXW
June 13, 2025 at 4:08 AM
Tough Fri following a very easy Thurs. very tech-y; lots of product placement; lots of modern dating slang. I prefer newness to staleness but this one felt like it was trying really hard. Squarely mid for me.
#NYTXW
#NYTXW
Definitely would have revealed if not for my streak. 107D/121A is brutal even though I kinda knew both. Didn’t catch that error bc of all the other weird stuff, like 78A 15D, and unfamiliar plants. Theme is OK but would have preferred to skip this one.
#NYTXW
#NYTXW
June 8, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Definitely would have revealed if not for my streak. 107D/121A is brutal even though I kinda knew both. Didn’t catch that error bc of all the other weird stuff, like 78A 15D, and unfamiliar plants. Theme is OK but would have preferred to skip this one.
#NYTXW
#NYTXW
I never like these clues in isolation and didn’t care for a whole puz devoted to them. 35A and 51A: never heard of them.
And the revealer is very iffy. Google confirms the “aphorism” is not a top hit.
#NYTXW
And the revealer is very iffy. Google confirms the “aphorism” is not a top hit.
#NYTXW
May 22, 2025 at 4:50 AM
I never like these clues in isolation and didn’t care for a whole puz devoted to them. 35A and 51A: never heard of them.
And the revealer is very iffy. Google confirms the “aphorism” is not a top hit.
#NYTXW
And the revealer is very iffy. Google confirms the “aphorism” is not a top hit.
#NYTXW
THU seemed non-tricky lately. Careful what you wish for.
9A: didn’t understand til the end.
17A: knew what it was going for, but not how.
41A: easiest.
Don’t know 67A (my bad), had a right-ish wrong answer for 64D, so 64A: inscrutable.
Brutal Natick at 36D/58A!
#NYTXW
9A: didn’t understand til the end.
17A: knew what it was going for, but not how.
41A: easiest.
Don’t know 67A (my bad), had a right-ish wrong answer for 64D, so 64A: inscrutable.
Brutal Natick at 36D/58A!
#NYTXW
September 19, 2024 at 3:04 AM
THU seemed non-tricky lately. Careful what you wish for.
9A: didn’t understand til the end.
17A: knew what it was going for, but not how.
41A: easiest.
Don’t know 67A (my bad), had a right-ish wrong answer for 64D, so 64A: inscrutable.
Brutal Natick at 36D/58A!
#NYTXW
9A: didn’t understand til the end.
17A: knew what it was going for, but not how.
41A: easiest.
Don’t know 67A (my bad), had a right-ish wrong answer for 64D, so 64A: inscrutable.
Brutal Natick at 36D/58A!
#NYTXW
Certainly different. I think I liked it. The theme was obvious but parsing the possible combos added an extra layer.
Would’ve liked it better but for 12A(?!?) and 54A/41D.
The SE theme set was an outlier difficulty-wise for me.
Why the note?
#NYTXW
Would’ve liked it better but for 12A(?!?) and 54A/41D.
The SE theme set was an outlier difficulty-wise for me.
Why the note?
#NYTXW
September 1, 2024 at 1:15 AM
Certainly different. I think I liked it. The theme was obvious but parsing the possible combos added an extra layer.
Would’ve liked it better but for 12A(?!?) and 54A/41D.
The SE theme set was an outlier difficulty-wise for me.
Why the note?
#NYTXW
Would’ve liked it better but for 12A(?!?) and 54A/41D.
The SE theme set was an outlier difficulty-wise for me.
Why the note?
#NYTXW
Relatively easy overall but I didn’t know 24D or 39A or 45D (tons of proper nouns in this one) and inexplicably conflated nephrology with phrenology. So that area played real hard.
The middle letter of 41A is often a toss up. Don’t think today’s answer is the most apt.
#NYTXW
The middle letter of 41A is often a toss up. Don’t think today’s answer is the most apt.
#NYTXW
August 24, 2024 at 3:03 AM
Relatively easy overall but I didn’t know 24D or 39A or 45D (tons of proper nouns in this one) and inexplicably conflated nephrology with phrenology. So that area played real hard.
The middle letter of 41A is often a toss up. Don’t think today’s answer is the most apt.
#NYTXW
The middle letter of 41A is often a toss up. Don’t think today’s answer is the most apt.
#NYTXW
I’m all for topical themes and unusual grids but this theme was way too easy and the grid art made navigating the middle a nightmare. The hardest part of this puzzle was keeping track of where I was.
Funny to see 80D just a few days after Jeb! in almost the same spot.
#NYTXW
Funny to see 80D just a few days after Jeb! in almost the same spot.
#NYTXW
July 28, 2024 at 2:53 AM
I’m all for topical themes and unusual grids but this theme was way too easy and the grid art made navigating the middle a nightmare. The hardest part of this puzzle was keeping track of where I was.
Funny to see 80D just a few days after Jeb! in almost the same spot.
#NYTXW
Funny to see 80D just a few days after Jeb! in almost the same spot.
#NYTXW
Very hard WED. Lots of obscurity and “quaintness.” Not sure I could’ve spelled 16D on its own with unlimited guesses.
If you’re going to make this a theme (and I’m not sure you should), the big diagonals really should play a part.
Still not sure what 48A is exactly.
#NYTXW
If you’re going to make this a theme (and I’m not sure you should), the big diagonals really should play a part.
Still not sure what 48A is exactly.
#NYTXW
July 10, 2024 at 3:13 AM
Very hard WED. Lots of obscurity and “quaintness.” Not sure I could’ve spelled 16D on its own with unlimited guesses.
If you’re going to make this a theme (and I’m not sure you should), the big diagonals really should play a part.
Still not sure what 48A is exactly.
#NYTXW
If you’re going to make this a theme (and I’m not sure you should), the big diagonals really should play a part.
Still not sure what 48A is exactly.
#NYTXW
I enjoyed 0 minutes of this puzzle. You know the paintings or you don’t. I don’t. The “revealer” is not a hint and does not reveal anything.
Naticks all over. 5A/8D was my final but far from only. 9A? 87D? 91A? 79A?!? No idea how I got through this but glad it’s over.
#NYTXW
Naticks all over. 5A/8D was my final but far from only. 9A? 87D? 91A? 79A?!? No idea how I got through this but glad it’s over.
#NYTXW
June 23, 2024 at 12:16 AM
I enjoyed 0 minutes of this puzzle. You know the paintings or you don’t. I don’t. The “revealer” is not a hint and does not reveal anything.
Naticks all over. 5A/8D was my final but far from only. 9A? 87D? 91A? 79A?!? No idea how I got through this but glad it’s over.
#NYTXW
Naticks all over. 5A/8D was my final but far from only. 9A? 87D? 91A? 79A?!? No idea how I got through this but glad it’s over.
#NYTXW
50A/34D/51D is one of the most brutal crosses in recent memory. The obscurity is bad enough, but the crosses are totally un-inferable and not the most likely IMO. No idea how many combos I guessed.
On top of that, I don’t care for the game represented by the theme!
#NYTXW
On top of that, I don’t care for the game represented by the theme!
#NYTXW
June 16, 2024 at 4:01 AM
50A/34D/51D is one of the most brutal crosses in recent memory. The obscurity is bad enough, but the crosses are totally un-inferable and not the most likely IMO. No idea how many combos I guessed.
On top of that, I don’t care for the game represented by the theme!
#NYTXW
On top of that, I don’t care for the game represented by the theme!
#NYTXW
June 14, 2024 at 3:03 AM
Such a thin theme. I feel like this could’ve been done in 15x15. So many words could be used.
Fill not bad but also not notable. Ever heard of 31A.
Let’s keep the 47As out.
Had a mistake at 86D/110A - feel like that will trip up a lot of people.
#NYTXW
Fill not bad but also not notable. Ever heard of 31A.
Let’s keep the 47As out.
Had a mistake at 86D/110A - feel like that will trip up a lot of people.
#NYTXW
June 9, 2024 at 2:01 AM
Such a thin theme. I feel like this could’ve been done in 15x15. So many words could be used.
Fill not bad but also not notable. Ever heard of 31A.
Let’s keep the 47As out.
Had a mistake at 86D/110A - feel like that will trip up a lot of people.
#NYTXW
Fill not bad but also not notable. Ever heard of 31A.
Let’s keep the 47As out.
Had a mistake at 86D/110A - feel like that will trip up a lot of people.
#NYTXW
This caps off a very easy M-F. Near record time but for a stupid mistake at 10A/13D. Although, I do like the idea of a doctor ordering performance enhancing drugs.
Definitely on the easy side, but enjoyable.
#NYTXW
Definitely on the easy side, but enjoyable.
#NYTXW
May 17, 2024 at 2:19 AM
This caps off a very easy M-F. Near record time but for a stupid mistake at 10A/13D. Although, I do like the idea of a doctor ordering performance enhancing drugs.
Definitely on the easy side, but enjoyable.
#NYTXW
Definitely on the easy side, but enjoyable.
#NYTXW
Lots of proper nouns and some obscure terminology (31A?? 58A?!?), combined with no revealer made this really tough.
I normally don’t like hints (shaded squares e.g.) but some indication of the theme locations would have gone a long way. I was fearing a DNF at times.
#NYTXW
I normally don’t like hints (shaded squares e.g.) but some indication of the theme locations would have gone a long way. I was fearing a DNF at times.
#NYTXW
May 12, 2024 at 2:12 AM
Lots of proper nouns and some obscure terminology (31A?? 58A?!?), combined with no revealer made this really tough.
I normally don’t like hints (shaded squares e.g.) but some indication of the theme locations would have gone a long way. I was fearing a DNF at times.
#NYTXW
I normally don’t like hints (shaded squares e.g.) but some indication of the theme locations would have gone a long way. I was fearing a DNF at times.
#NYTXW
Weird Monday. Appropriately easy but the revealer is totally unknown to me. The first google result is a “pop duo” best known for a 1987 single. Ok … sure.
The revealer was about 8x harder than anything else in the puzzle.
#NYTXW
The revealer was about 8x harder than anything else in the puzzle.
#NYTXW
April 29, 2024 at 1:57 AM
Weird Monday. Appropriately easy but the revealer is totally unknown to me. The first google result is a “pop duo” best known for a 1987 single. Ok … sure.
The revealer was about 8x harder than anything else in the puzzle.
#NYTXW
The revealer was about 8x harder than anything else in the puzzle.
#NYTXW
Theme seems thin (and obvious).
Nearly derailed by tons of errors and ?s on mostly short stuff. Biggest 🤷♂️was 79D/94A.
Wrong first letter: 62D. Misspelled 98A. 89A didn’t seem right. 95A could be almost any 3-letter word. 38A/33D: a couple plausible letters.
Even this time feels lucky.
#NYTXW
Nearly derailed by tons of errors and ?s on mostly short stuff. Biggest 🤷♂️was 79D/94A.
Wrong first letter: 62D. Misspelled 98A. 89A didn’t seem right. 95A could be almost any 3-letter word. 38A/33D: a couple plausible letters.
Even this time feels lucky.
#NYTXW
April 28, 2024 at 3:57 AM
Theme seems thin (and obvious).
Nearly derailed by tons of errors and ?s on mostly short stuff. Biggest 🤷♂️was 79D/94A.
Wrong first letter: 62D. Misspelled 98A. 89A didn’t seem right. 95A could be almost any 3-letter word. 38A/33D: a couple plausible letters.
Even this time feels lucky.
#NYTXW
Nearly derailed by tons of errors and ?s on mostly short stuff. Biggest 🤷♂️was 79D/94A.
Wrong first letter: 62D. Misspelled 98A. 89A didn’t seem right. 95A could be almost any 3-letter word. 38A/33D: a couple plausible letters.
Even this time feels lucky.
#NYTXW
Not big fan of these themes that give away so much once the gimmick is discovered.
Was half expecting holes to represent abysms. Now THAT would be something.
#NYTXW
Was half expecting holes to represent abysms. Now THAT would be something.
#NYTXW
April 25, 2024 at 2:21 AM
Not big fan of these themes that give away so much once the gimmick is discovered.
Was half expecting holes to represent abysms. Now THAT would be something.
#NYTXW
Was half expecting holes to represent abysms. Now THAT would be something.
#NYTXW
Almost a WED DNF. W/o the theme I never, ever would’ve questioned my wrong 46D/70A. Also not sure I’ve heard of 35D but had that right.
WTF 34D. Do people mispronounce her last name? I initially had Wendy - makes a lot more sense.
#NYTXW
WTF 34D. Do people mispronounce her last name? I initially had Wendy - makes a lot more sense.
#NYTXW
April 24, 2024 at 2:26 AM
Almost a WED DNF. W/o the theme I never, ever would’ve questioned my wrong 46D/70A. Also not sure I’ve heard of 35D but had that right.
WTF 34D. Do people mispronounce her last name? I initially had Wendy - makes a lot more sense.
#NYTXW
WTF 34D. Do people mispronounce her last name? I initially had Wendy - makes a lot more sense.
#NYTXW
Very nearly DNF because I don’t understand 49D, and also had the wrong letter at 6A/11D.
The theme did help me get 92A.
I had to squint so hard to make out the graphic - I thought they were merge symbols?!?
Unfun overall.
#NYTXW
The theme did help me get 92A.
I had to squint so hard to make out the graphic - I thought they were merge symbols?!?
Unfun overall.
#NYTXW
April 21, 2024 at 6:09 PM
Very nearly DNF because I don’t understand 49D, and also had the wrong letter at 6A/11D.
The theme did help me get 92A.
I had to squint so hard to make out the graphic - I thought they were merge symbols?!?
Unfun overall.
#NYTXW
The theme did help me get 92A.
I had to squint so hard to make out the graphic - I thought they were merge symbols?!?
Unfun overall.
#NYTXW
5 mins of this was me staring in bewilderment at the middle 3 letters of 31A. Still don’t get 32D and the other two - guesses.
11D isn’t accurate. As in - they’re attached? Doesn’t happen!
34A without AND?!!
Spelling of 10D?!?
Tough.
#NYTXW
11D isn’t accurate. As in - they’re attached? Doesn’t happen!
34A without AND?!!
Spelling of 10D?!?
Tough.
#NYTXW
April 20, 2024 at 2:52 AM
5 mins of this was me staring in bewilderment at the middle 3 letters of 31A. Still don’t get 32D and the other two - guesses.
11D isn’t accurate. As in - they’re attached? Doesn’t happen!
34A without AND?!!
Spelling of 10D?!?
Tough.
#NYTXW
11D isn’t accurate. As in - they’re attached? Doesn’t happen!
34A without AND?!!
Spelling of 10D?!?
Tough.
#NYTXW