Cryptoquote Spoiler – 03/07/18

“Broadway has been very good to me.  But then, I’ve been very good to Broadway.”   —   Ethel Merman

(Those brassy voices are a little hard for me to take.  This appears to be the first quote from “the undisputed First Lady of the musical comedy stage”.  At least since I’ve been posting the spoilers.  I understand that she and Ernie Borgnine shared a cup of coffee once!  Be well and do good, friends.)   —   YUR

Image courtesy of Google

Jumble Spoiler – 03/07/18

Visual Description:  Too many cooks?

CHAHT  =  HATCH,  HURGS  =  SHRUG,  MATIGS  =  STIGMA,  NOIRUJ  =  JUNIOR   —   Giving us:  HTHSHGSTIAUNO

Clue/Question:  After fighting over who made better breakfast potatoes, they would – – –

Answer:  HASH THINGS OUT

(“Breakfast potatoes”???  Wow.  Way to go to the middle of the road there.  The alternative to Hash Browns is Home Fries.  And, home fries are generally much more satisfying!  More texture variety, and more flavors like onion, and peppers.  My Mom used to add a good amount of black pepper and paprika to them, for added zing.  She also used to slice the potatoes a little thinner than most diners do.  That made them both more crispy and more flavorful.  The inner part of most diner home fries a little too bland for my taste.  But, hash browns are generally just shredded potatoes, all fried up with a little salt.  They’re like breakfast french fries.  I’ll eat them, of course, but I prefer home fries.

No new clue words today, but all of the jumbles came up as new.  I was able to see them all immediately.  The answer letter layout was a nice cryptic jumble.  I didn’t think there was anything obvious about it.

Great diner kitchen cartoon.  Do most places have two short-order cooks though?  I know, don’t over-analyze things.  The waitress looks a little like Flo.  No, not the Progressive Insurance lady!  Flo from “Alice”.  And later, her own spin-off, “Flo”.  I think most of you guys are old enough to remember those series.  A nice thirteen letter answer today.  Lots of fun.  Be well and do good, friends.)   —   YUR

Images courtesy of Google