| A crossword editor has to be very careful when changing one--unlike this puzzle's editor, who was careless four times herein |
| First word across in the first-ever crossword (1913) and the first of a dozen appearances of the word in this puzzle's grid, written word search-style (left, right, down, and diagonally) ... Can you f |
| Blunted swords |
| I.e. words |
| Swords for fencing |
| All, e.g., for this answer's last six letters? |
| Activity suggested by this puzzle's theme entries |
| Rewords (text) |
| A long time ___ in a galaxy far, far away ..." ("Star Wars" opening words) |
| Possessive words before "oneself |
| Partially obscured (and a hint to this puzzle's theme) |
| Alternative title of this puzzle, in view of what can be placed in front of the answers to the 10 asterisked clues |
| Annual cause of losing an hr.'s sleep hidden in this puzzle's 10 longest answers |
| About-to-be husband's words |
| Adjective forbidden in crosswords because it's gross and bodily |
| Video game that comes out today (9/9/09), whose songs/levels are referenced in this puzzle, with "The |
| Accompanies musically sans words |
| Alternate title for this crossword? |
| Swords |
| Agriculture giant celebrating its 175th anniversary this year |
| Syst. of unspoken words |
| Cake words in "Alice in Wonderland |
| Inclusion in safer passwords |
| Their words are usually conventional |
| Asleep ... or a hint to this puzzle's theme |
| President's wordsmith? |
| Alternative words used as alternatives for each other in this puzzle's theme answers |
| Defamatory words |
| Byron's words before "'Tis but the truth in masquerade |
| ___ Awards (show hosted by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood this year): Abbr. |