Sat. Dec. 15 NYT Crossword Hints

Saturday:   Themeless as usual, though there’s something that approaches “theme-ness” in the fact of there being several three letter answers that aren’t at all obvious.  If this were a Thursday puzzle, you’d think there was a rebus in here (several letters crammed into a single square), but…

Java application:  The question mark tells you it’s not something neat for your android phone

E-mails a dupe:  But doesn’t try to fool anybody!

Onetime giant in decking:  Should really have a question mark after the clue

Raphael, e.g.:  Neither a saint nor a painter.  2 words.

Birthplace of the phonograph:  Do you remember who invented it?  2 word place associated with that person

Heads across the pond:  I wanted this to be LOOs that I tried it without the fourth letter.  No go, but yes, a place to go…over there.

Gran Paradiso, e.g.:  Should be a car or an ISLA, but apparently it’s bigger than that.  Well, certainly taller

It goes over the tongue:  But don’t put it in your mouth!

Guitar-spinning group:  You couldn’t put it down in scrabble (without the blank tile) for more than one reason.

Three-side carrier:  think bricklaying.  If that doesn’t help, you may need to guess the first letter

Specifically: 3, count ’em three words

Victor over H.H.H.:  Not DDE, but close in more ways than one

F- :  Not a music symbol or a very poor grade.  What else is there?  Well, you may need a few acrosses  before it comes to you.

It blew in 1707:  Contrary to opinion (i.e. my first guess), the more obvious spewer blew more recently, but didn’t in 1707

Like hints, not direct answers?  Check out this entry in the main blog for this site