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Puzzle #16--September 2002 "On the Couch"

Instructions: Guess the words defined by the cryptic clues, then enter them in the grid one after another in the same order as their clues, starting in the upper left corner. Across words that don't end at the right margin continue on the next line below; down words that don't end at the bottom margin continue in the next column to the right. Words vary in length from three to eleven letters. Clues, although given in order, across first, then down, are neither numbered nor separated from one another. Solvers must determine where each one begins and ends. In addition, eight across words and seven down words won't fit in the grid unless one of their letters is removed. Those fifteen letters, taken in order, spell a phrase related to the title of the puzzle. Answers include four proper names and two foreign words. As ever, I am grateful to Kevin Wald for help with the clues.  (If you are having trouble printing these puzzles, you can download an Adobe Acrobat version of the puzzle and grid). [Want to see some hints?]

Clues: Hellish plant invades (broken nail) nuclear device, gets rid of a clergyman. Element of dissonant music surrounding eastern Long Island with the supple soaps. False heads of police officers! So, back for the kidneys, new in actual cover. Live differently, young bovine within; have a life. Cut thin slices; preserve with hydrogen. Wise ones get time in ship, fast, unkempt, keeping quiet, without much character, starting back to country. Up front, a chief tennis star has a wild time. Yes, in Mexico, horseman, turning reckless around us, scores. Bite root vegetable king. Or guide uncouth Eli past old city. Archangel, far gone with gas, learns a decayed place of arms, squeezed out (dear me!), distorted in sound. Lucid tale of a wall with windows, solid, twenty-faced, one sad choir breaking up crooked China deal for Mexican food. Display standard notice with electronic know-how of two victories in, say, bovine fish with first of undefined offenses. Start of cold frosts container of ale. Brr! Drunken wedding (broken nail) puts curve of said gesture I love in a dead language. In Samoan part of wood, Long Island gin wins heart of one titled Englishman, real, ruffled, adored. No score at start of day, incline after end of death, sick, father returning for goddess of strife, biblical name in verses audibly spare. Roughly break down into parts, throw away. Reckless after time, extend span of time, run out of steel. Open, sweetheart, tease us back, strained, indicator of time structure, of body collection (male). End of story.

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