| by Dave Pollard, Nov./04
 A Crunchword is a crossword with a difference: Each square can contain anywhere from 1 to 6 letters, but otherwise it works just like any other crossword. Because of the extra wrinkle, Iíve made it a bit easier by showing the length of the answer beside each clue. For example, the (4,4) after the clue for 9 Across means that the answer has two words of 4 letters each, a total of eight letters squished into the three squares. Most of the clues are quite easy; itís deciding which squares to put the letters in that’s the challenge.
The theme of this puzzle is all the birds we see at Christmastime and all winter long at our bird feeders, and other birds that have a special significance at this season. The bird clues have a little bird silhouette beside them. Why am I publishing this so early? Because many of our friends aren’t online, and ever since I started the tradition they expect a Christmas-themed crossword from me in our Christmas card each year. Not professional, but fun. Constructing a crossword gives you enormous appreciation of those that churn good ones out day after day.
Here is a larger version of this grid, suitable for printing out if you want to solve the puzzle. I’m not aware of any software that will allow you to solve crunchwords online.
ACROSS
1. One of Bushís annual budget shocks (7)
4. ì_________ includes QuÈbecî (2,6)
6. Greek holiday island (5)
8. ìFourth day of Christmasî gift, ______ birds (7) 
9. Toronto baseball team (4,4)
11. Syphilis, e.g. (1,1)
12. Rocker David Lee (4)
13. Rock classic ìStairway ___________î (2,6)
14. Pear tree denizen at Christmas (9)
16. Attempts (7)
18. Sugar packed cereal featuring a toucan
ì________ Loopsî (5)
19. Maryís lambís one was white (6)
20. Spouseís parents (2-4)
21. Nut rich in antioxidants (5)
23. TV veteran ìLaw and ______î (5)
24. High protein Christmas bird (6)
25. ìSeventh day of Christmasî gift (5)
26. Combatants (8)
27. Complete range (5)
28. Eaglesí song about an outlaw (9)
30. Gorgonzola, for example (6)
31. Grizzly, for example (4)
33. ì______ Majorî, Home of Sirius (5)
34. Truth, in Latin (7)
36. Resolutely (7)
37. Object (5)
38. Bringer into conformity (6)
39. Duck, for example (5,4) |
DOWN
1. Famed Rock arranger Nick (2,4)
2. Important advice for winter bird lovers (4,3,6)
3. Quoting (6)
4. Famous song & Steve Martin comedy (2,4,6)
5. Gray bird also called Whiskey Jack (6,3)
6. Member of bird family that includes 5 Down (6)
7. Sweet confection, maple or chocolate (5)
10. Very common winter feeder visitors (8)
13. Small children (4)
15. Harness racing pace (4)
17. Power or coercion (5)
18. Whip (4)
19. Brazilian classic ìDona ____ and her 2 husbandsî (4)
20. Comic book renderers (6)
21. Special treat spread on pine cones for the birds (6,6)
22. Preserves, in a way (4)
24. ìSecond day of Christmasî gift (6,4)
25. Did laps in the pool (4)
26. Canadian shoe czar (4)
27. ìSixth day of Christmasî gifts (5)
28. Highest part in choral music (7)
29. Dying (9)
30. A drink after hard liquor (6)
32. One that gets the worm (5,4)
35. Methylphenadate brand for ADHD (7)
36. Inventors of shock-proof watch movement (5)
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QUOTE: “For example, the (4,4) after the clue for 9 Across means that the answer has two words of 4 letters each, a total of eight letters squished into the three squares.”I do not understand how we can place 2 four-letter words into 3 squares. Do you think you could show one of your past crunchwords SOLVED as an example. I’ve never heard of crunchwords before you blogged it =DQUOTE:”Constructing a crossword gives you enormous appreciation of those that churn good ones out day after day.”I’ve done a few for fun, and even though I used a script, it was still a challenge. You might like this too:http://fswordfinder.sourceforge.net/fs.wordfinder.php
Sherri. You’re not putting two 4-letter words into three squares, you’re putting 8 letters in the three squares. To get you (and others) started, the answer to 9 across is BLUE/JAY/S i.e. 4 letters in the first square, 3 in the second and 1 in the third. Only that distribution of the 8 letters works with the intersecting answers.
Thanks Dave!