Mel Taub, the longtime creator of the Puns and Anagrams puzzle for The New York Times — a form that involved wordplay and groan-inducing puns, of which Mr. Taub was a master — died on Sept. 14 at his home in Austin, Texas. He was 97.

His death was announced by his son Daniel.

In puzzle parlance, Puns and Anagrams crosswords, or PandAs — loosely related to the mind-melting British import known as the cryptic crossword — are considered variety puzzles, a kind of palate cleanser or side dish to the main meal, which is the classic crossword. Hardcore cruciverbalists — puzzle snobs and cryptic fanatics — look down on the form as lightweight fare, but it has its devoted fans. Its pleasures are for those who enjoy a truly terrible pun and the satisfaction of spotting a clever anagram.

Deb Amlen, a senior puzzle editor at The Times, called Mr. Taub “the king of the groaners in our puzzle family,” adding: “His puzzles were designed to put a smile on your face.”

Here’s one by Mr. Taub from 2017:

Consider these Taub gems: “Offspring of many fodders” was a clue from a puzzle that appeared on Aug. 21, 2011. The answer: DODDERS (a type of vine in the morning glory family, according to Merriam-Webster).

Here’s another in that vein, from May 21, 2017: “Male or female, in Boston.” Answer: AGENDA. (That would be gender, spoken in a Boston accent. Oof!)