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Everyone But You

Tracking the bizzare things people suddenly search for on Google
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The College of Saint Teresa in Kansas City Makes a Miraculous Appearance - July 1- 12:20 PM

Started by Jonathan - Everyone But You · 3 months ago

In my constant quest to figure out why certain terms  appear out of nowhere in Google Trends when no one in the world should be searching for them, I occasionally solve the mystery. I’ve solved a few of these mysteries including the odd Who Wants to Be a Millionaire Connection ... Continue reading »

8 comments

  • Jonathan Panek

    5 months ago

    I confess to be one of those charlatans at whom you rage. I enjoy working the NYT puzzle on-line. I do my best to solve it without using Google. But sometimes later in the week, they get hard enough that I get stuck part-way through. By using Google to provide one or two clues, I can often complete the rest of the puzzle. While I would never brag to anybody about this method, it does make working on the harder puzzles more enjoyable. I was disturbed by the difficulty of today's puzzle (Tues!). I also find that Fri and Sat puzzles are usually of a sort where Google doesn't particularly help. On those rare occasions when I can do a Fri (or a Sat!) I'm very proud.
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  • Jonathan - Everyone But You

    5 months ago

    Now let's get one thing straight, I didn't call anyone a charlatan. I called them cheaters. There's a big difference. Of course, since I lack the vocabulary knowledge required to complete a NYT crossword, I can't tell you what the difference is. I can only assume it is both deep and vast.

    PS: for all the crossword puzzle people who get upset upon reading this, let me share another word with you. "Satire." Satire is "a literary work in which human vice or folly is attacked through irony, derision, or wit." Just saying...
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  • cheater

    5 months ago

    yes...i sometimes cheat at nyt xword puzzles...not to present myself as smarter than I am...but sometimes I need a clue or two to solve the theme. the themes are very often quite creative. once I know what the theme is I usually don't care whether I solve the entire puzzle. today's puzzle was ( as previous comment says) hard for a tuesday, but I might also add, it was not as interesting or creative as say the 'where's waldo' puzzle of a few weeks ago.
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  • Jonathan - Everyone But You

    5 months ago

    Great...now I'm going to be officially branded as an anti-crosswordite. Of all the prejudices I could be labeled with this might be the worst.
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  • Alison

    5 months ago

    Just one quick note: though you were able to Google "etui," you actually didn't arrive at the definition usually used in crossword puzzles, which is more like this: A small, usually ornamental case for holding articles such as needles. But I learned that from years of crossword puzzles! And though I look things up occasionally, it's usually the next day when I don't have time to finish the puzzle, but I'm curious about one or two clues.

    Of all the things to rail at these days, people who look things up while doing the crossword puzzle shouldn't be one of them.
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  • Jonathan - Everyone But You

    5 months ago

    Alison said: "Of all the things to rail at these days, people who look things up while doing the crossword puzzle shouldn’t be one of them."

    Hmmm...okay. What about railing at people who correct this definition of etui "a small ornamental ladies’ bag for small articles" with their own "A small, usually ornamental case for holding articles such as needles" remarkably similar one? Is that all right?

    Just trying to find my boundaries.
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  • Dan

    3 months ago

    This puzzle just arrived in the Seattle newspaper this week (5 weeks behind in syndication). Not only was this puzzle difficult for a Tuesday, and the theme not particularly rewarding, but 45 across is particularly painful to those of us in the northwest. After July 2, the clue should read "Former Seattle team, for short". :-(
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  • Jonathan - Everyone But You

    3 months ago

    Turns out there was a major technical glitch with all of the visitors coming through last week. Many comments that were left ended up not getting posted. So, just so that everyone knows that I post every comment, no matter how...ahem...not nice, here they are (with my responses of course).

    Lars: The crossword you posted July showed up in today's Sand Diego Union. BTW I am one of those who, like JP (above) will use the WWW to get the odd clue. Is using a dictionary any better?

    Jonathan's response: Yes, a dictionary is better. At least you might get a paper cut, which adds an element of risk. It feels like you're working for it at least.

    Matt: Be prepared for another wave of searches on the College of Saint Teresa. Interestingly enough, the July 1st NYT puzzle appeared in today's Baltimore Sun ( Aug 5) and I am sure I am not the only cheater out there. Looking for that answer led me to this web site which I never knew existed but I am growing to love. I also agree it was very hard for a Tuesday puzzle. Lastly, the expression is "couldn't care less" rather than "could..." because if you could care less, wouldn't you?

    Jonathan's Response: I love and hate Matt. Sure, another subscriber, but the grammar correction was uncalled for (but, I respect the dig...well done).

    Anonymous: Try using the web site oneacross.com

    Jonathan's Response: I wouldn't if I were you. I didn't check, but I think it's a porn site.

    Honey: Cheat Cheat if you can't win ... yup I am a X Word cheater. I try to get as much as I can but as you noted above, what the heck. I am supposed to know every pope, latin, french, spanish, shakespeare, taxonomy of poisonous mushrooms and artic seabirds ... I'm usually good through Tuesday or Wednesday but then I am googling like feind. I think Will Shortz is on to us too. I remeber a clue that was puzzler's last resort and the answer was googling. Thanks Rex Parker! You are one decked out railbird.

    Jonathan's Response: It's good to know that there's someone out there as crazy as I am. Makes the world a less lonely place.

    badgerjim: I can often do the Tuesday puzzle without "cheating" but not this one!!!

    Jonathan's Response: I think all of you ought to give a little more respect to Tuesday next time. It's no pushover like Thursday. I used to beat up Thursday for its lunch money when I was younger.

    Mark: I see the derision,when do you get to irony and wit?How about jealousy?

    Jonathan's Response: I don't know what any of these words mean. I'll Google them and get back to you.

    'Nother Cheater: I'm often accused of having too much free time..working xword puzzles...but, I must say...blogging about those who do so seems even more useless and inane!!

    Jonathan's Response: Dude, I don't blog about crossword puzzles. That would be a waste of time. I blog about giant sea spiders, pookas, pontoons, Quisp cereal, and wigeons. That's adding to society.
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