Cryptoquote Spoiler – 02/02/23

“Did you ever dance with the devil in the pale moonlight?”   —   “Batman”

(This line was spoken by Jack Nicholson, as the Joker, in the first – serious – 1989 “Batman” movie, starring Michael Keaton.  There was the campy 1966 movie, based on the popular television show, and some serial shorts back in the 1940s, but this was the first of the serious feature films of The Caped Crusader.  I saw all the ones up to the George Clooney one, but after that I lost all interest in the newer ones.  I think I saw the first Christian Bale – Dark Knight – one, and most of one of the other ones, but that was enough.  All of these super hero movies are just a bit too much.  I know they’re all big box office draws, but I’m sure that’s for a younger crowd than I belong to.  Be well and do good, friends.)   —   YUR

PS.  Did anyone else’s newspaper print a microscopic Celebrity Cipher today?  I was able to solve it, but man . . . I have trouble reading them in the normal sized fonts these days!  I hope it was just a one-off.   —   YUR

Image courtesy of Google

Jumble Solved – 02/02/23

Visual Description:  Drink fast, folks!

CSHUR  =  CRUSH,  VBOEA  =  ABOVE,  AIMSYD  =  DISMAY,  TUBEAN  =  BUTANE   —   Giving us:  RUSAEDSYBTN

Clue/Question:  The people who purchased coffee on the train platform were – – –

Answer:  “BUY–STANDERS“

(This pun feels fresh ground!  But . . . maybe only because it’s taking place on a subway platform . . . this time.  This punny answer could also have worked for people purchasing coffee on a city sidewalk, or even inside any popular coffee bar.  But I like it anyways!  Although, if this were the New York City Subway system they would – presumably – have to drink their coffees quickly, as you are not supposed to bring any liquid in an open container onto any train car.  Whether, or not, that rule is strictly enforced is another matter entirely.

All of today’s clue words are on the ralis95 clue word database.  Three of the jumbles appear to be new.  Although, we have definitely seen “tubean” before.  A few days ago we had the clue word INHALE, but I noticed that the letters can make the word HALINE also.  It’s an adjective relating to the degree of saltiness.  Similar to SALINE.  There are a number of online references/definitions of the word, though no Merriam-Webster’s listing of the word.  I could buy the argument that it’s not a common/usual word, but when I was taking care of a pool in the summers, during my college years, the word was burned into my brain!  The answer letter layout was an elusive eleven letter jumble.  Superbly cryptic.  Initially, it had me stumped.  I guess I was trying to come up with something coffee related, or train related.  So I dropped it, and went on to do both the Celebrity Cipher and the Cryptoquote.  When I came back to it I got it immediately!  I wouldn’t be surprised if this gave some of you some trouble too.

Great cartoon of the commuters queuing at the coffee kiosk, while waiting for their train.  Lots of great detail in the cartoon.  You can tell that Jeff put a lot of work into this one.  There is even a rat running down below, along the tracks!  And the name on the coffee cart is perfect:  “Joe To Go”.  There is definitely a lot to like about today’s Jumble.  Be well and do good, friends.)   —   YUR

Images courtesy of Google