I’ve been disappointed to find such ho-hum North Caroliniana in the digital archives of the venerable New York Times crossword puzzle. The archives go back to 1993, covering the editorship of NPR stalwart Will Shortz.
OK, I did laugh at seeing our Venus flytrap described as “botanical snapper.”
A sampling:
—“North Carolina” (that is, NORTHCAROLINA) has been an answer only once, in the same puzzle that included “Kitty Hawk” and “powered flight.”
— “Raleigh” has appeared six times, as the answer to “North Carolina’s capital” (thrice), “Durham’s twin city,” “Elizabethan knight” and “Andrew Johnson’s birthplace.”
— “Charlotte”? Once — as “Eastern Conference N.B.A. city.” Am I being an insufferable homer to consider this a lame representation?
— “UNC” has made it 13 times, including “James K. Polk’s alma mater” and “Jordan left it after his jr. year.” “Duke”: “Where Nixon went to law school” and five others.
But here’s what really startled me: One character on “The Andy Griffith Show” has made no fewer than 90 appearances. Ninety! What ever would the Times’ puzzle constructors do without “Opie”?
