Legend has it . . .

At least seven Eli alumni have published crossword puzzles in the New York Times—the crossword crafter’s equivalent of making it to Broadway. The most prolific is Ed Early ’50, who has notched 53; next up is Oliver Hill ’12, whose total of 16 is nearly as impressive, considering how recently he came to the trade. (For more on Hill, see “Fun in All Directions” in the September/October 2011 issue.) Stephen Budiansky ’78, a nonfiction author living in Virginia, has published two Times puzzles. The first, he says, was the hardest $75 he ever earned. The second? It paid $100, but the basic sentiment stands.

We asked Budiansky to construct a puzzle for us as a one-time treat for alumni crossworders. He obliged, creating this puzzle—“Legend Has It”—as a break from his latest book project: a biography of 28-across.

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ACROSS

1 Improvised, in a way

6 Couples retreat?

9 Plastered

16 “____ for the stars”

17 Ultimate baking direction

18 ____ and soda

19 To fool a wealthy donor, Payne Whitney Gymnasium was disguised to look like one … or not

21 Coal tar dye

22 Asian honorific

23 China:wonton :: Poland: ____

25 ____ sister

28 Composer Charles (Yale 1898)

31 Owner of a famous skull that resides in The Tomb … or not

35 Mine in Marseille

37 Hosts, in a way

39 Gee

40 Campus building that was constructed facing backwards when its plans were read upside down … or not

42 Burning issues?

44 Bert’s buddy

45 It’s law in the Loire

46 ____ de coeur

47 2-Down target

48 In tribute to its benefactor’s family business, the outside walls of Beinecke were meant to resemble these … or not

52 ____ out (decline)

55 Ultimate belief?

56 ____-been

57 Microscope slide stain

61 Bygone Toyota

63 Historical hero whose statue on campus was clandestinely copied one night by the CIA … or not

65 Dies ____

66 Beset

67 Corn and fish, among others

68 “Loser ____” (The typical Yale graduate, according to a commencement address given by Oracle CEO Larry Ellison … or not)

71 Low dudgeon

73 Fleur de ____

74 Lead astray

76 DC player

78 Nautical brass

81 What 19-, 31-, 40-, 48-, 63-, and 68-Across all are

87 Like some engines

88 WWII locale

89 Boredom

90 Thistlelike weeds

91 Iniquitous locale

92 Tartan patterns

DOWN

1 Parabola, for one

2 Fed. narcs

3 Bowler or boater

4 Folkie Phil

5 Dear in Dijon

6 Type of foil or mail

7 “His Master’s Voice” co.

8 Big algae

9 Panics

10 Wayne ____

11 Pal

12 Bone setters

13 Asahi assent

14 Sea eagle

15 It’s frequently cast

20 ____ scallops

24 “____ no kick …”

25 Reliever’s accomplishment

26 Gen. Bradley

27 Former German capital

29 Bald eagle, for one

30 Cutting graft

32 Home of global cuisine? (abbr.)

33 Like some old records

34 Bounce

36 Hip assent

38 Otis et al.

41 Spooky

42 Put on the heat?

43 Age, in a way

46 Take advantage of an opportunity

49 Alien subj.

50 Farewells

51 Part of New York or London

52 Hearing related

53 Llama’s home

54 Streetcar

58 Word with sky or main, often seen in Skye or Maine

59 Not well (done)

60 Loch ____

62 Man of degrees

63 Minimal part of a min.

64 Skirt style

66 “____ only”

69 High home

70 One of an Arizona political dynasty

72 Deals with lions or hair

75 Checked out

77 Newcastle’s river

78 “____ of the Fugue” (Bach opus)

79 Bad mark

80 What a CEO may have

82 Took in

83 Horrific Chaney

84 Explosive letters

85 Place to go for pizza or sunglasses?

86 Family name  

For answers to the puzzle, go here.