Theme: "To Be Continued..."
17A: Start of a quip: BEFORE I DIE
24A: Part 2 of a quip: I WILL GET ON A SOAP
43A: Part 3 of quip: OPERA SO I CAN COME
59A: End of quip: BACK TO LIFE
And OBIT (8D: Funeral info.), and OFF (56D: Slays, slangily), and FATAL BLOW (52A: Coup de grace). How dark! Don't you want to experience some "Coup de foudre" on this beautiful hot summer's day?
Not a good puzzle at all, too many unsightly eye sores:
1) AGO (38A: In the past); 12D: Othello's nemesis: IAGO; 24D: Insect stage: IMAGO.
2) OBI (29D) and OBIT (8D).
3) ANA (48A: Gasteyer of "SNL"); ANAT (46D: Me.school subj.) and ANALOGY (42D: Comparison).
The cluing for MAE WEST (9D: With 57D: life jacket) would be great if "LIFE" were not part of the 59A theme answer. Dennis would probably think the QUIP is perfectly complete without 59A.
Anyway, let's have a contest today and see who can come up with the best clue for MAE WEST.
ACROSS:
1A: Crooner Mel: TORME. "The Velvet Fog". "Chestnuts roasting on a open fire..."
10A: Greek letters: CHIS. CHI looks like our X.
15A: Sunscreen ingredient: PABA (Para-AminoBenzoic Acid). Why doesn't the clue reflect the acronymic nature of the answer? Or has PABA been fully assimilated into English language like OPEC?
16A: Act of faith?: LEAP. Good clue.
20A: Vegetarian rule: EAT NO MEAT
21A: Keaton/Garr movie: MR. MOM. No idea. Got it from the down fills.
37A: One-time homer king: MARIS (Roger). You've got to see Billy Crystal's 61*, it's so good.
40A: Gingiva: GUM. "Sweet stick in one's mouth" would be a better clue.
42A: French writer Gide: ANDRÉ. Noble Literature Winner 1947.
60A: Inventor Sikorsky: IGOR. New to me. So many IGOR's in crossword: The opera "Prince IGOR", Composer IGOR Stravinsky, and Frankenstein's IGOR.
61A: Actor Katz: OMRI. He was in "Dallas". Big stumper for me. I've never heard of his name before.
62A: Chasms: GULFS. And 3D: Breach: RIFT
63A: Distiller's grain: MALT. And 65A: Brewery supple: YEAST
DOWN:
1D: Inner attachment?: TUBE. What is Inner TUBE? I wanted Inner SELF.
10D: Some cigars: CLAROS. Mild and smooth. Here are some Torpedo Cigars (6"x50), ultra robust!
13D: E-mail splatter: SPAM. What is "Splatter"? Such an odd word to clue junk mail. We have a SPAM museum here in MN.
18D: Webzine: EMAG
25D: Had already been awakened: WAS UP. Are you OK with this clue?
28D: Anklebones: TARSI. Tarsus (s).
29D: Oriental sash: OBI. Which kimono do you like?
30D: Better: OUTDO
32D: Martinique volcano: PELÉE. Another new name to me. Wikipedia says it had a violent eruption in 1902.
37D: Inspiration for some: MUSE. This is Picasso's "La MUSE". You can see it in Centre Pompidou (great snacks at the second floor cafe).
44D: Bly or Block: ROBERT. Know Bly (MN's first poet laureate), not Block. Good job, Mr. Wolfe, way to clue your own name into the grid!
45D: Willow flower cluster: CATKIN. New word to me. CATKIN is defined as "a spike of unisexual, apetalous flowers having scaly, usually deciduous bracts, as of a willow or birch". Also called ament.
52D: Cara film: FAME. Is this a well-known film? I've never heard of it.
55D: Actress Kedrova: LILA. Another unknown to me. She won an Oscar (Best Supporting Actress) for her performance in "Zorba the Greek" in 1964.
59D: Hit on the noggin: BOP. Is it Mel TORME's style?
C.C.
17A: Start of a quip: BEFORE I DIE
24A: Part 2 of a quip: I WILL GET ON A SOAP
43A: Part 3 of quip: OPERA SO I CAN COME
59A: End of quip: BACK TO LIFE
And OBIT (8D: Funeral info.), and OFF (56D: Slays, slangily), and FATAL BLOW (52A: Coup de grace). How dark! Don't you want to experience some "Coup de foudre" on this beautiful hot summer's day?
Not a good puzzle at all, too many unsightly eye sores:
1) AGO (38A: In the past); 12D: Othello's nemesis: IAGO; 24D: Insect stage: IMAGO.
2) OBI (29D) and OBIT (8D).
3) ANA (48A: Gasteyer of "SNL"); ANAT (46D: Me.school subj.) and ANALOGY (42D: Comparison).
The cluing for MAE WEST (9D: With 57D: life jacket) would be great if "LIFE" were not part of the 59A theme answer. Dennis would probably think the QUIP is perfectly complete without 59A.
Anyway, let's have a contest today and see who can come up with the best clue for MAE WEST.
ACROSS:
1A: Crooner Mel: TORME. "The Velvet Fog". "Chestnuts roasting on a open fire..."
10A: Greek letters: CHIS. CHI looks like our X.
15A: Sunscreen ingredient: PABA (Para-AminoBenzoic Acid). Why doesn't the clue reflect the acronymic nature of the answer? Or has PABA been fully assimilated into English language like OPEC?
16A: Act of faith?: LEAP. Good clue.
20A: Vegetarian rule: EAT NO MEAT
21A: Keaton/Garr movie: MR. MOM. No idea. Got it from the down fills.
37A: One-time homer king: MARIS (Roger). You've got to see Billy Crystal's 61*, it's so good.
40A: Gingiva: GUM. "Sweet stick in one's mouth" would be a better clue.
42A: French writer Gide: ANDRÉ. Noble Literature Winner 1947.
60A: Inventor Sikorsky: IGOR. New to me. So many IGOR's in crossword: The opera "Prince IGOR", Composer IGOR Stravinsky, and Frankenstein's IGOR.
61A: Actor Katz: OMRI. He was in "Dallas". Big stumper for me. I've never heard of his name before.
62A: Chasms: GULFS. And 3D: Breach: RIFT
63A: Distiller's grain: MALT. And 65A: Brewery supple: YEAST
DOWN:
1D: Inner attachment?: TUBE. What is Inner TUBE? I wanted Inner SELF.
10D: Some cigars: CLAROS. Mild and smooth. Here are some Torpedo Cigars (6"x50), ultra robust!
13D: E-mail splatter: SPAM. What is "Splatter"? Such an odd word to clue junk mail. We have a SPAM museum here in MN.
18D: Webzine: EMAG
25D: Had already been awakened: WAS UP. Are you OK with this clue?
28D: Anklebones: TARSI. Tarsus (s).
29D: Oriental sash: OBI. Which kimono do you like?
30D: Better: OUTDO
32D: Martinique volcano: PELÉE. Another new name to me. Wikipedia says it had a violent eruption in 1902.
37D: Inspiration for some: MUSE. This is Picasso's "La MUSE". You can see it in Centre Pompidou (great snacks at the second floor cafe).
44D: Bly or Block: ROBERT. Know Bly (MN's first poet laureate), not Block. Good job, Mr. Wolfe, way to clue your own name into the grid!
45D: Willow flower cluster: CATKIN. New word to me. CATKIN is defined as "a spike of unisexual, apetalous flowers having scaly, usually deciduous bracts, as of a willow or birch". Also called ament.
52D: Cara film: FAME. Is this a well-known film? I've never heard of it.
55D: Actress Kedrova: LILA. Another unknown to me. She won an Oscar (Best Supporting Actress) for her performance in "Zorba the Greek" in 1964.
59D: Hit on the noggin: BOP. Is it Mel TORME's style?
C.C.
Good morning, C.C. & fellow DFs - finally, a quote that was at least somewhat funny! And C.C., you're right about it.
ReplyDeleteI had a good speed run going until I got to the SE - never heard of 'catkin', didn't have a clue (other than the clue) who Omri Katz is. Had to google for one stinkin' letter again. I'm also not sure I understand why a muse is an inspiration for some.
I didn't see anything in this one that'd set Lois off, although there was one answer she might have a problem with...
Beautiful, low humidity day here; hope it's a great almost-Friday day for everyone.
Dennis,
ReplyDeletePainters/photographers are constantly looking for MUSES/excuses for inspiration/perspiration.
C.C., Fame was a very popular movie that also spawned a hit song of the same name.
ReplyDeleteInner tubes were in tires for many years before the advent of tubeless tires. You still see them frequently in bike tires.
(Yawwwwn) Good morning, C.C. et al.
ReplyDeleteGawd....I had to struggle to the very end today, but I solved it without Googling.
C.C., I thought "gingiva" was an okay clue. I don't know if that was a Latin thing, or an age thing for me, but the obvious association is "gingivitis." It's why we floss.
I didn't care for 5D "signs on" as the clue for ENROLLS.
ROBERT Bly or Block
OMRI Katz
LILA Kedron
PABA
LAC (as in shellac, I assume)
and Roger Maris, all gave me grief, but I got them through other clues.
I hope you all have a sunny summer day.
Good morning everyone. I had a hard time today, but I just don't allow myself enough time in the morning. I don't get the Mae West clue????? I didn't get 25D, was up.
ReplyDeleteI like the 3rd from the left kimino CC. And as was already mentioned, Fame was very popular back in the day when it was out. Irena Cara sang the song and it a hit song.
Have a good day........
Katherine, life jackets were nicknamed 'mae wests' during WWII, in a tribute to her, uh, most outstanding features. The name just stuck.
ReplyDeleteGood morning C.C. and DF's.
ReplyDeleteHad a bit of a struggle in places. Didn't know claros for cigars, write Gide, actor Katz, or (Irene) Cara film. Stated at the perps for a long time to get those. I got the quip fairly quickly so that helped in places.
The chemist in me likes this one - "nuclear fission diagram" Answer = Mae West.
C.C started right off on Lois with "chestnuts." And then she gets to "mild and smooth" and "ultra robust" cigars!
Sikorsky - no helicopters without him.
Hard to decide on the kimonos.
I thought of something else for TA part other than asst.
Today is Teddy Bear Picnic Day. Grab your stuffed animal and have lunch together.
Since it's Nude Recreation Week and some of you could be running around naked (and barefoot) be careful because it is also "Don't Step On A Bee Day."
Katherine - here's the explanation for the Mae West clue:
ReplyDeleteDuring World War II, Allied soldiers called their yellow inflatable, vest-like life preserver jackets "Mae Wests" partly from Cockney rhyming slang for "life vest" and partly because of the resemblance to her curvaceous torso.
couple of typos - writer Gide and I stared at the perps (not stated at them).
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of Mae West, here is one of her famous quips:
ReplyDelete"My left leg is Christmas; my right leg is Easter; why don't you come up and visit me between the holidays?"
C.C. choosing a favorite kimono is really tough. While red is probably my favorite color, I'm really drawn to the black one in the center. Is there a meaning to the color?
ReplyDeleteMorning, folks!
ReplyDeleteA little bit of trouble in the right central area (I initially put CURED instead of OUTDO for 30D), but other than that it was smooth sailing for me today.
IGOR Sikorsky is famous for inventing the helicopter, I believe.
I knew OMRI Katz, but I think I just remembered the name from previous crossword puzzles. What a great name!
Inner tubes are literally the inner linings of tires, but larger ones make great flotation devices for visits to the pool, beach or whitewater rafting trips.
"Splatter" refers to something messy that is spread all over the place. Imagine throwing an open can of paint against a white wall. A pretty vivid and accurate image for spam.
No problem with "Had already been awakened" for WAS UP. It makes sense and is grammatically correct.
Robert Bloch was (is?) an author who specialized in science fiction and horror. His most famous novel became Alfred Hitchcock's "Psycho."
Yes, "Fame" is a very well-known movie/musical with a hit song of the same name.
And my favorite Mae West quote is, "I used to be Snow White, but I drifted."
Dennis and drdad, thanks for the explainattion. I never heard that one before!
ReplyDeleteGood morning Cc and DFS. Not too bad until the right center area. I could not get the cross between 39D and 42A but eventually guessed and N. I did not know 61A OMRI but it filled from the crosses.
ReplyDeleteDrdad is your reference to TA like T&A?
A few puzzles ago there was a clue/answer regarding Telstar. On this day in 1962, the Telstar satellite was launched into orbit. It is still in orbit as of May, 2008.
ReplyDeleteDick - Yes, it is. You think like me.
ReplyDeleteNames in the SE corner were my undoing-OMRI Katz, LILA Kedrova, and ANDRE Gide.
ReplyDeleteInteresting to lookhere to see if the fill has been used in the NYT and if so how it was clued.
How about
She said "You're never too old to become younger."
for MAEWEST?
It was a struggle all the way to the very end. I had to google and use my X/W dictionary frequently.
ReplyDeleteMel Tormé, whom I really liked, had a "velvety" voice and was AKA as "The Velvet Fog".
Any time a quip is asked for, I'm in a loss... I used to have a quip dictionary and have no idea where it is.
Dennis, I was in an aircraft carrier (USS Hancock) for a couple of Nam cruises. I flew into Da Nang several times to pick up wounded Marines (who I respect dearly).
DrDad & Dick: I had the same thought but neither would not fit, darn it!!!
ReplyDeleteThe Xword: That's a whole other story! A collabrative effort with Nancy still left some holes for me. She had already done somem of it at work and had already called Mr. Google on some, so, between us we finished.
I guess I can say that I didn't look up anything, and, if we leave out the part about Nancy helping, I did it ALL!
LOTSA unknowns today. If I keep this up my vocabulary will swell to such proportions that I'll be tongue tied when I try to talk!!!
ALGA
IMAGO
TARSI- Always thought they were the long bones of the foot.
LILA
CLAROS
PELEE
All new!
I did like the quip. Too bad it can't happen!!!
nytanonimo, that's an outstanding link - thanks. Also, I always associate Mae West with "come up and see me sometime"; she and W.C. Fields were great together.
ReplyDeleteflyingears - when were you there? I was '65-'66.
NYT, GREAT link!!
ReplyDeleteOK, I'll try again
ReplyDeletehttp://www.digitaldreamdoor.com/
pages/quotes/maewest.html
Well, after 3 tries it still doesn't copy and paste correctly. So, if you want to see it you'll type mit in!!
ReplyDeleteBill - the tarsi are the ankle bones. The meta-tarsi are the long bones of the foot.
ReplyDeleteGood morning CC & DF's: Great links CC, as always. Those cigars are quite something else! Very appealing esp with the descriptions! Reminded me of OKla for some reason. Struggled a bit w/the names but perps got me thru. Didn't get 49D w/tonsorial touch up/trim..kept thinking of drdad's chameleon from yesterday. Now that'd be a touch up...or more like a touch down..w/ a score!Dennis, you are hilarious and one of little faith! The 'one answer' must be 20A and God knows I am not a vegetarian! Why not give the cowboys a piece (6D)of the business?
ReplyDeleteDrdad you are soo funny...and so right! Loved that Mae West quote.
Isn't she the one who said Is that a gun in your pocket, or are you just glad to see me?
As for the kimono? #3&4 from left, but w/this being nude rec wk, I'd have to pass on all of them for now anyway.
Enjoy this great day...liquid sunshine, so it's indoor activities.
Dennis, you were there close to the tough days (the Tet offense). I was there in 1972 and 1973.
ReplyDeleteWe lost two pilots and one of them returned, but CDR Green, VA-212 XO never returned and was considered dead. He was lost the second day he checked in on board as the XO!!! That was a very unfortunate thing, but in a way, little suffering as he was not well known to the group. Sometimes, as you well know, it's better not to have a "close relationship" to anyone to avoid hurting when lost, but it didn't work... Being in a ship one gets to know just about everyone.
We have a beautiful summer day here in Puerto Rico, although it's too early. It's going to get in the 90s and humid. Sweating day...
I was doing fine until I got to 52A. I already had the last letter (W from MAE WEST) so I penciled in LAST STRAW. It was the coup de grace for me because I couldn't get any traction in the SE corner. I had to resort to Google for OMRI, LILA, and ANDRE before I figured out FATAL BLOW.
ReplyDeleteThey don't come easy when you start off wrong! The rest of the puzzle was a piece of cake and enjoyable.
Still hot here in the San Jose area but it should cool off for the weekend. I'm going to have to cruise around Capitola, Santa Cruz, and other beach towns looking for some relief from the heat this weekend.
good morning c.c. and all,
ReplyDeletei had to take help with this one. never heard of catkin, and struggled to get the quip in place.
i wonder if a violation of 20A would produce a 59A?
Melissa: I am sure it 'wood'!
ReplyDeleteMelissa Bee and Lois - I don't know if a violation of 20A "wood" produce a 59A but I bet you would get a 52A!!!!
ReplyDeleteMH - speaking of hot - on this day in 1913, Death Valley recorded the highest temperature ever in the U.S. A whopping 134°F!!!!
Not to mention 23A...
ReplyDeleteOMG and LOL, Dennis! Touche!!!!
ReplyDeletedrdad & dennis: You guys are OOOOver mOOn hilarious! I'm hotter than 134 F right now! Spontaneous combustion in death valley,VA due to a fatal blow! What a riot! I'll just eat some yeast before I die and rise again.
ReplyDelete52a was what i meant of course ... 59a is a gimme.
ReplyDeleteTough puzzle but I got thorough it with some help from Google and a few "a ha" moments.
ReplyDeleteMr Mom is a classic! It's an early Keaton movie; he's probably what many people of my generation think of when they hear about stay-at-home dads.
I like the kimono on the far left - red with white flowers - adorable.
The life jacket clue had me completely stumped, even after it was filled in - definitely a phrase from before my time, though the explanation certainly makes sense - thanks! Mae West said:
Between two evils, I always pick the one I never tried before.
And:
I'll try anything once, twice if I like it, three times to make sure.
And:
It's not the men in my life that count, it's the life in my men.
And:
Too much of a good thing can be wonderful.
And:
When I'm good, I'm very good. But when I'm bad I'm better.
Have a great day!
Hi everyone: AGHHH!! Huge struggle for me today! So many unknowns:
ReplyDeleteClaros 10D
Andre 42A
Ana 48A
Igor 60A
Lila 55D
Omri 61 A
Fame 52D
Catkin 45D (had heard the word before but did not know defination)
Thanks to Mr. Google, I finally solved the thing.
drdad, I thought of that TA (T&A) part too, but it didn't quite work with the perps :)
Mae West quote when a woman ooh'd and ahh'd over a large diamond ring Mae West was wearing: The woman exclaimed "Oh my goodness, isn't that just beautiful?" Mae West replied "Goodness had nothin' to do with it honey!"
I liked the black floral obi best.
More later, I have my 2 grandkids over here and have to get them some breakfast.
Not a lot of fun today. Funeral obit, fatal blow and offs didn’t help, but I struggled with several words.
ReplyDeleteDidn’t know --
claros
tarsi
Omri katz
Andre Gide
Lila Kedron
lac – short for lactose? No idea
On the other hand, I liked the goo and gnu crossing and for some reason, knocker’s answer (it’s me) tickled me.
I planted a Linden tree in my front yard last summer, and now I know the little thingies that dangle in the spring are catkins. The things you learn from crosswords!
Best kimona – the black one.
May West quote –
The best way to hold a man is in your arms.
If you go down in the woods today
ReplyDeleteYou better not go alone
It's lovely down in the woods today
But safer to stay at home
For every bear that ever there was
Will gather there together because
Today's the day the teddy bears have their picnic
Barry (Bruce in dis-guys)...Thanks for the info on Robert Bloch. And, I love the Snow White quote.
ReplyDeletedrdad, dick and bill, are you familiar with the song from "A Chorus Line" called T... & A..? Great song! *G*
What's Telstar's function? How is it that it is not outmoded now?
Thanks for the link, NYT----
Anonymous at 2:37 pm, Yeah, the bears are feasting...
ReplyDeleteAnd they aren't sated yet...
CC and barb b: I answered your yesterday's question on yesterday's blog and left a comment for barb b.
ReplyDeleteKittyB @6:51am,
ReplyDeleteI don't have any knowledge on kimono's color symbolism. I do know that Japanese say "Going" for "Coming".
Dennis et al,
Michael T. Williams, the constructor for yesterday's "Color Song" puzzle, swung by earlier. Read his comment if you are interested.
C.C., then how do they know if they're coming or going?
ReplyDeleteDennis,
ReplyDeleteThey don't come. They only go.
Okaaay......then how do they get kids? Open market?
ReplyDeleteDennis,
ReplyDeleteMaybe your "coming" is incorrect? Next time try "going" and see how that feels.
Uh....my coming is......'incorrect'? Jeez - all these years...
ReplyDeleteDennis,
ReplyDeleteIt's never too late to correct a mistake. You can start "going" from now on.