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puzzle #118: carbuckets (with frisco)

no-skips november day 28
test-solved by jenna lafleur

PUZ / PDF / SOLUTION


In 2021, I attempted to post a new crossword everyday in an event I dubbed “NaCroWriMo.” Unfortunately, I was not able to complete this event and, as a result, I have carried that shame ever since. That is until this month.

For every day in November this year, I’m posting a new crossword puzzle in an endeavour I’m now calling “No-Skips November.” Some of these puzzles are themeless, some are themed, some were even constructed before November, but it doesn’t matter: I’m not skipping a single day on this blog. I’m posting a new crossword. Every day. For a month.

This is also an effort to drive subscriptions to my Patreon, which is the best way to support me directly! My Patreon ensures that I’m able to sustain myself financially during months with less puzzle work, so I can spend more time making the puzzles you enjoy. Subscribers get a new themeless puzzle every week, and Inner Circle members typically get an extra 3-4 puzzles per month.


Carbucket (n.) – a conversational crossword clue for a not necessarily (or less commonly) conversational entry, whose name comes from the examples “Car!” and “Buckets!”

[origin: Frisco17]

Today’s puzzle is a collab with friend of the blog Frisco17! A while back, he proposed to me the idea of making a puzzle filled to the brim with “carbuckets,” a type of crossword entry that clues a common word as a standalone conversational entry. It’s a term he invented and much like his other work, I think it’s genius. So, after a lot of brainstorming and multiple fill attempts, here is the (inaugural?) Carbuckets puzzle!

Here’s what Frisco has to say:

So honored to be back on Ada’s blog, contributing to such a substantial project! As the coiner of the term “carbucket”, I have long considered Ada to be The Queen of Carbuckets. She’s the legend behind such classics as [“Should be in your inbox”] for SENT and [“You’re literally the coolest”] for ICON, among several other banger examples. I’m really pleased with how many carbuckets we were able to cram into this grid, mad props to Ada for making a majority of the gridding decisions! Hope you enjoy the puz!

(He’s being very modest here. Chances are, if you come across an incredible/laugh-out-loud clue in this puzzle, he wrote it.)

Today’s solving music, courtesy of Frisco:

Enjoy the puz! Also: feel free to share the link, comment below if you like the puzzle, and check out my Patreon!
– Ada



3 responses to “puzzle #118: carbuckets (with frisco)”

  1. Lucy Randall-Tapply Avatar
    Lucy Randall-Tapply

    55 down is the single greatest crossword clue I’ve ever seen.

    1. Ada Nicolle Avatar
      Ada Nicolle

      All Frisco! Wish I thought of it, it’s genius

  2. riotblob Avatar
    riotblob

    ahaha this was great! what a fun concept, and great execution. I even learned something (59D).

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about me

I’m Ada Nicolle (she/her)!
I’m a trans crossword constructor based in Toronto, Canada. I’m the author of “A-to-Gen Z Crosswords,” and my crosswords have been published in Xtra, USA Today, and Believer Magazine, among other outlets.

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