As a lot as I appreciated the theory, the Times rejected the puzzle in April 2012, with the temporary reaction that the theme simply didn’t excite Will Shortz sufficient. That will have been partly as a result of I attempted to disclose the theme with the solution SMALL CHILD in two separate five-letter slots, which even on the time I didn’t really feel used to be a robust sufficient word for what I used to be making an attempt to do. I don’t take note why I in the beginning considered the theory; it wasn’t as a result of I had children of my very own, nor used to be I pondering I might even change into a mum or dad quickly. It will have been as a result of my niece Aurora used to be born in November 2011, however I’m now not positive it got here from the rest rather than a want to mix a Schrödinger puzzle and a rebus puzzle into one. Whatever the case, I’d at all times remembered it and held onto it in case sooner or later I may just use it for a extra pertinent reason why.
Fast-forward to March 2023, and unexpectedly I had that reason why: My spouse, Vicki, and I came upon she used to be pregnant. And then a couple of weeks in the past, we realized that our youngster can be arriving previous than we anticipated, so if I have been going to put up the BOY/GIRL puzzle that I’d first tried 12 years in the past, now used to be the time. It’s other from its authentic incarnation, and it’s now 19×19 in dimension, however the core thought is similar: Pairs of words that may get started or finish with both BOY or GIRL, and an remoted BOY/GIRL Schrödinger rebus sq. within the middle.
- 8A: [Retriever in foul territory] can also be both BALL BOY or BALL GIRL.
- 20A: [Archetypal neighbor in romantic stories] can also be both BOY NEXT DOOR or GIRL NEXT DOOR.
- 36A: [DC Comics protagonist] can also be both SUPERBOY or SUPERGIRL. Hopefully you didn’t fall right into a SUPERMAN entice right here, even if the crossing MANFRIENDS at 37D most likely wouldn’t sound correct.
- 50A: [Enthusiastic devotee] can also be both FANBOY or FANGIRL.
- 82A: [Alex or Morgan, e.g.] can also be both BOY’S NAME or GIRL’S NAME.
- 12D: [Sitcom with the characters Cory and Topanga] can also be both “BOY MEETS WORLD” or “GIRL MEETS WORLD.”
- 20D: [Time to grow up] can also be both BOYHOOD or GIRLHOOD.
- 37D: [Some significant others] can also be both BOYFRIENDS or GIRLFRIENDS.
- 40D: [Parent’s phrase of encouragement to their young child] can also be both “THAT’S MY BOY” or “THAT’S MY GIRL.”
- 53D: [Group whose members earn badges] can also be both BOY SCOUT TROOP or GIRL SCOUT TROOP.
I threw in a revealer of varieties at 98A: [Child represented in six squares in this puzzle (in either of two different ways)] is LITTLE KID. Functionally the similar thought as SMALL CHILD, however LITTLE KID is extra in-the-language.
The observe above the puzzle comprises its personal announcement: Next week’s crossword can be my remaining puzzle of the 12 months, and the remainder puzzles of 2023 (Nov. 5 via Dec. 31) can be printed by means of a gaggle of visitor constructors. Actually I will have to explain that the Oct. 29 puzzle isn’t going to be a brand new one; it’s a rerun from a couple of years in the past that I specifically appreciated, however I completely wanted to take a ruin on writing a brand new puzzle for that date. You can most likely wager why — it’s proper in the midst of the puzzle:
- The middle sq. at 60: [“It’s a ___!” (either one of two celebratory birth announcements shared by new parents)] is solely both BOY or GIRL.
And now I will be able to say it formally: Our youngster used to be born on Monday, Oct. 16, at 10:28 p.m. Six kilos, 8 oz of happiness, fright, marvel and pleasure, all constructed into an important, complicated little being.
I threw in numerous child- and baby-related clues all through the puzzle to give it extra of the flavour it wanted. Though I’ve been a mum or dad for just a few days, I’ve already skilled what lots of my readers already know: It’s each very rewarding and extremely arduous, with on a daily basis bringing new issues however little victories as smartly, and Vicki and I are finding out so much as we move. The puzzle will have been more difficult than a typical crossword, however then, elevating a new child youngster is difficult. I simply really feel extremely fortunate to be doing it with any individual as glorious and affected person and figuring out as Vicki Jones.
Finally, this puzzle is one that might expectantly follow to any mum or dad, however in the event you have been questioning which of the 2 rebus choices applies to Vicki and me …
Meet my son Elliot James Birnholz. His first identify ELLIOT seems at 13D: [Young Billy of a musical].
I am hoping you revel in subsequent week’s rerun puzzle, and I’m truly excited for you to remedy the guest-constructed puzzles in November and December. I’ll see you all with new puzzles in January.