Theme: Tack Together
17A: Tack: TEMPORARY STITCH
26A: Tack: CARPET FASTENER
42A: Tack: SAILOR'S HEADING
56A: Tack: STABLE EQUIPMENT
I learned this morning that the equestrian "Tack" is actually a shortening of "Tackle" in the sense of "equipment". It includes BRIDLE (10D: Horse's headgear") and saddle. So, it's basically the same as harness, isn't it? I forgot to which the straps and bands belong. Also can someone tell me the difference between BRIDLE and halter again? (Note: From Argyle: Bridle has a bit that is placed in the horses' mouths to get them to turn. Reins are attached to it. Halter is with out a bit and you attach a lead to it.)
I am not familiar with the sailing term "Tack". Dictionary explains it as "the heading of a sailing vessel, when sailing close-hauled, with reference to the wind direction". It does not make much sense to me. What is "close-hauled"?
My quibbles today:
2D: Once again: ANEW. Could have changed into "Over again" because ONCE is the answer for 12D: Formerly.
11D: Mountain sighting: YETI. The clue feels like you can spot a YETI in any mountain. But YETI only exists in Himalaya. Actually it only exists as a myth.
40D: Runway VIP: MODEL. Why abbreviated VIP when the answer is a full spelled-out word?
I got PBA (58D: Cops' org) from Across fills. I've never heard of Patrolmen's Benevolent Association. But isn't PBA more well-known as Professional Bowlers Association? Maybe because I live with a bowler. Our house is full of PBA patches, pins, rings and other stuff. My husband's name is inscribed in Bowling Hall-of-Fame, Hometown Boy section.
Across:
1A: Medicine cabinet item: GAUZE. No GAUZE in our medicine cabinet. This puzzle is 2 letters (V, X) away from a pangram.
6A: Holy pilgrimage: HADJ. Sometimes it's HAJJ. And one who has been to Mecca is called HAJI or HADJI. Looks like letter I refers to a person, doesn't it? Minnesota Congressman Keith Ellison is the first HAJI of the US Congress. He made his HADJ last year.
10A: Party invite letters: BYOB
14A: Naughty way to live: IN SIN. "Live IN SIN" is a new phrase to me. I am not naughty.
16A: Ashcroft's predecessor: RENO. Learned this morning that she is a Danish American.
22A: In better order: TIDIER
23A: Physics units: ERGS. From Greek Ergon, meaning "work". I used to think ERG is an abbreviation of something. Only realized a few weeks ago that it's a full spelled-out unit.
25A: D.C. attraction, with "the": MALL. The National MALL. King gave his "I Have a Dream" speech here.
32A: Artificial being of Jewish folklore: GOLEM. Ugh. I forgot this word completely. Williams clued it as "Automation of Jewish legend" last time. It's literally "cocoon" in modern Hebrew. Wikipedia says "Frankstein" was inspired by the GOLEM legend, whatever it is.
33A: Sites in la Méditerranée: ILES. I penned in MERS first.
36A: Elixir: TONIC. Is it true that soda pop is called TONIC in New England?
39A: Short cut: BOB. This is perhaps the most well-known BOB haircut in fashion industry. I think Anna Wintour looks very cool, don't you? "Devil Wears Prada" is written by her former personal assitant.
40A: Catchall abbr.: MISC
41A: Ostracizes: SHUNS
47A: Grim film genre: NOIR. Lemonade mentioned last time that Fritz Lang is the pioneer for Film NOIR.
48A: Drapery ornament: TASSEL
59A: "We have met the enemy and he is us" speaker: POGO. The comic strip. John Underwood once tried to clue POGO this way, but Williams changed it to "Stick for hopping".
60A: Pivot: SLUE
61A: Language of southern Africa: BANTU. Include Swahili and Zulu.
63A: In order (to): SO AS
64A: Cotopaxi's range: ANDES. I guessed. I did not know that Cotopaxi is a volcano in the ANDES Mountain. It's the highest active volcano in the world.
Down:
1D: Lights out: GITS. Why? Dictionary says GIT is a British slang for "a foolish or contemptible person". It has nothing to do with "Lights" or "Lights out".
3D: Pres. Grant's alma mater: USMA. Oh, I was unaware of this fact. Only know Ike graduated from West Point.
4D: Like some change purses: ZIPPERED
5D: Ambient music pioneer: ENO. And ELO (57D: "Xanadu" band, for short). Both are crossword stalwarts.
6D: San Simeon castle builder: HEARST. Ah, got it immediately, thanks to Clear Ayes/Crockett's repeated mention of this place.
7D: 160 square rods: ACRE. Easy guess. I did not know the exact measure of ACRE. "160 square rods" sounds like a lot.
8D: Like Syrah wine: DRY. Another guess. I know nothing about "Syrah" or wine. These Syrah/Shiraz grapes look very sweet. Black grapes always taste sweeter than the green ones or the red ones.
9D: "Be right there!": JUST A SEC. Now I am slowly getting used to this kind of 3-word answer and I like it a lot.
13D: Physicist represented in the play "Copenhagen": BOHR. Another guess. I forgot Niels BOHR is Danish. He won Nobel Physics in 1922, and his son also won the prize 1975.
19D: Jousts: TILTS. New definition of TILT to me.
24D: LP's 33 1/3: RPM. I don't know anything about this 33 1/3 or 45. Saw lots of LP's in the flea market. I often wonder if they still work.
25D: Landlocked African nation: MALI. OK, it's indeed landlocked. Can't let MALI go without mentioning Ali Farka Toure. This is for you, Melissa, Embien and all of you who were/are "Unfaithful". It's not the original, but his son did a wonderful job.
26D: Drink with marshmallow: COCOA. Well, I never drink COCOA with marshmallow. I don't like marshmallow.
27D: Cover story?: ALIBI. I like this clue.
28D: Bunting, for one: FINCH. Did not know that bunting is a bird, not to mention FINCH.
29D: Like a shutout: NO RUN. NO HIT anyone?
30D: Southfork surname: EWING. I blanked. Have never seen "Dallas". Williams used to clue EWING as "Adlai Stevenson's middle name".
31D: Weightlifter's stat: REPS
32D: Yaks: GABS. Ah, not the Yaks in my mind. Anyway, my question is: If female yak is dri, why yak milk instead of dri milk?
38D: Graham Greene novella, with "The": THIRD MAN. Have heard of the movie. Did not know it's written by Graham Greene.
41D: Reagan era prog.: SDI (Strategic Defense Initiative). The Star Wars program.
43D: City from which Vasco da Gama sailed: LISBON. Da Gama was a Portuguese explorer.
48D: An oz. has six: TSPS (Teaspoons). Chinese people seldom measure. We cook by feel. TBSP is tablespoon.
50D: Big account: SAGA. My favorite clue. Thought of major client "Big account".
51D: Color similar to turquoise: AQUA. Let's see, turquoise. And an AQUA clock. Similar? I think so.
53D: Tear: REND. "Tore" would be RENT, tricky past tense.
55D: A/C spec sheet units: BTUS
Answer Grid.
C.C.
17A: Tack: TEMPORARY STITCH
26A: Tack: CARPET FASTENER
42A: Tack: SAILOR'S HEADING
56A: Tack: STABLE EQUIPMENT
I learned this morning that the equestrian "Tack" is actually a shortening of "Tackle" in the sense of "equipment". It includes BRIDLE (10D: Horse's headgear") and saddle. So, it's basically the same as harness, isn't it? I forgot to which the straps and bands belong. Also can someone tell me the difference between BRIDLE and halter again? (Note: From Argyle: Bridle has a bit that is placed in the horses' mouths to get them to turn. Reins are attached to it. Halter is with out a bit and you attach a lead to it.)
I am not familiar with the sailing term "Tack". Dictionary explains it as "the heading of a sailing vessel, when sailing close-hauled, with reference to the wind direction". It does not make much sense to me. What is "close-hauled"?
My quibbles today:
2D: Once again: ANEW. Could have changed into "Over again" because ONCE is the answer for 12D: Formerly.
11D: Mountain sighting: YETI. The clue feels like you can spot a YETI in any mountain. But YETI only exists in Himalaya. Actually it only exists as a myth.
40D: Runway VIP: MODEL. Why abbreviated VIP when the answer is a full spelled-out word?
I got PBA (58D: Cops' org) from Across fills. I've never heard of Patrolmen's Benevolent Association. But isn't PBA more well-known as Professional Bowlers Association? Maybe because I live with a bowler. Our house is full of PBA patches, pins, rings and other stuff. My husband's name is inscribed in Bowling Hall-of-Fame, Hometown Boy section.
Across:
1A: Medicine cabinet item: GAUZE. No GAUZE in our medicine cabinet. This puzzle is 2 letters (V, X) away from a pangram.
6A: Holy pilgrimage: HADJ. Sometimes it's HAJJ. And one who has been to Mecca is called HAJI or HADJI. Looks like letter I refers to a person, doesn't it? Minnesota Congressman Keith Ellison is the first HAJI of the US Congress. He made his HADJ last year.
10A: Party invite letters: BYOB
14A: Naughty way to live: IN SIN. "Live IN SIN" is a new phrase to me. I am not naughty.
16A: Ashcroft's predecessor: RENO. Learned this morning that she is a Danish American.
22A: In better order: TIDIER
23A: Physics units: ERGS. From Greek Ergon, meaning "work". I used to think ERG is an abbreviation of something. Only realized a few weeks ago that it's a full spelled-out unit.
25A: D.C. attraction, with "the": MALL. The National MALL. King gave his "I Have a Dream" speech here.
32A: Artificial being of Jewish folklore: GOLEM. Ugh. I forgot this word completely. Williams clued it as "Automation of Jewish legend" last time. It's literally "cocoon" in modern Hebrew. Wikipedia says "Frankstein" was inspired by the GOLEM legend, whatever it is.
33A: Sites in la Méditerranée: ILES. I penned in MERS first.
36A: Elixir: TONIC. Is it true that soda pop is called TONIC in New England?
39A: Short cut: BOB. This is perhaps the most well-known BOB haircut in fashion industry. I think Anna Wintour looks very cool, don't you? "Devil Wears Prada" is written by her former personal assitant.
40A: Catchall abbr.: MISC
41A: Ostracizes: SHUNS
47A: Grim film genre: NOIR. Lemonade mentioned last time that Fritz Lang is the pioneer for Film NOIR.
48A: Drapery ornament: TASSEL
59A: "We have met the enemy and he is us" speaker: POGO. The comic strip. John Underwood once tried to clue POGO this way, but Williams changed it to "Stick for hopping".
60A: Pivot: SLUE
61A: Language of southern Africa: BANTU. Include Swahili and Zulu.
63A: In order (to): SO AS
64A: Cotopaxi's range: ANDES. I guessed. I did not know that Cotopaxi is a volcano in the ANDES Mountain. It's the highest active volcano in the world.
Down:
1D: Lights out: GITS. Why? Dictionary says GIT is a British slang for "a foolish or contemptible person". It has nothing to do with "Lights" or "Lights out".
3D: Pres. Grant's alma mater: USMA. Oh, I was unaware of this fact. Only know Ike graduated from West Point.
4D: Like some change purses: ZIPPERED
5D: Ambient music pioneer: ENO. And ELO (57D: "Xanadu" band, for short). Both are crossword stalwarts.
6D: San Simeon castle builder: HEARST. Ah, got it immediately, thanks to Clear Ayes/Crockett's repeated mention of this place.
7D: 160 square rods: ACRE. Easy guess. I did not know the exact measure of ACRE. "160 square rods" sounds like a lot.
8D: Like Syrah wine: DRY. Another guess. I know nothing about "Syrah" or wine. These Syrah/Shiraz grapes look very sweet. Black grapes always taste sweeter than the green ones or the red ones.
9D: "Be right there!": JUST A SEC. Now I am slowly getting used to this kind of 3-word answer and I like it a lot.
13D: Physicist represented in the play "Copenhagen": BOHR. Another guess. I forgot Niels BOHR is Danish. He won Nobel Physics in 1922, and his son also won the prize 1975.
19D: Jousts: TILTS. New definition of TILT to me.
24D: LP's 33 1/3: RPM. I don't know anything about this 33 1/3 or 45. Saw lots of LP's in the flea market. I often wonder if they still work.
25D: Landlocked African nation: MALI. OK, it's indeed landlocked. Can't let MALI go without mentioning Ali Farka Toure. This is for you, Melissa, Embien and all of you who were/are "Unfaithful". It's not the original, but his son did a wonderful job.
26D: Drink with marshmallow: COCOA. Well, I never drink COCOA with marshmallow. I don't like marshmallow.
27D: Cover story?: ALIBI. I like this clue.
28D: Bunting, for one: FINCH. Did not know that bunting is a bird, not to mention FINCH.
29D: Like a shutout: NO RUN. NO HIT anyone?
30D: Southfork surname: EWING. I blanked. Have never seen "Dallas". Williams used to clue EWING as "Adlai Stevenson's middle name".
31D: Weightlifter's stat: REPS
32D: Yaks: GABS. Ah, not the Yaks in my mind. Anyway, my question is: If female yak is dri, why yak milk instead of dri milk?
38D: Graham Greene novella, with "The": THIRD MAN. Have heard of the movie. Did not know it's written by Graham Greene.
41D: Reagan era prog.: SDI (Strategic Defense Initiative). The Star Wars program.
43D: City from which Vasco da Gama sailed: LISBON. Da Gama was a Portuguese explorer.
48D: An oz. has six: TSPS (Teaspoons). Chinese people seldom measure. We cook by feel. TBSP is tablespoon.
50D: Big account: SAGA. My favorite clue. Thought of major client "Big account".
51D: Color similar to turquoise: AQUA. Let's see, turquoise. And an AQUA clock. Similar? I think so.
53D: Tear: REND. "Tore" would be RENT, tricky past tense.
55D: A/C spec sheet units: BTUS
Answer Grid.
C.C.
99 comments:
Good morning, C.C. & gang - another puzzle I really enjoyed, stumbling blocks and all. Great theme and some outside-the-box clues.
I had to come back to the NW, just couldn't get any traction. Then I spelled Haaj for 6A and couldnt' think of an 'ar_' word for Syrah wine. Then I confidently put 'RSVP' for 'Party invite letters'. Took the theme answers, which I really enjoyed, before I went back up north and fixed my stupidity. Temporarily, at least.
Favorite clues were 'lights out' (even after I got it, I stared at it for a while before the lights came on), and 'cover story'.
Today is Name Yourself Day. I guess I should be PACMAN. Pompous, Arrogant, Condescending.
Today's Words of Wisdom: "The secret of staying young is to live honestly, eat slowly, and lie about your age." -- Lucille Ball
Couple more Fun Facts:
- The magnetic North Pole changes position by about 20 feet a day.
- In the Netherlands, a recent trend is having tiny jewels implanted directly into the eye.
Dennis,
Was PBA (58D: Cops' org.) a gimme to you? "Name Yourself Day"? I want to be Deep Throat. What a ridiculous trend in the Netherlands!
Dot,
As PromiseMe said last night, there is no automatic word limit on the Comments section. You can always split your comment into two or three if it's too long.
Minnesota Fats,
Be a good hustler! You need a thicker skin and a good sense of humor to really enjoy this blog.
Good morning everyone. A bit of time before I head into work a bit late today. Got through the Xword with a bit of "G-ing."
Pogo the 'Possum from Okefenokee Swamp created by Walt Kelly. One of his friends was Albert the Alligator. Not to mention Churchy LaFemme (a turtle). The strip ended in 1975.
"Gits" needed something in the clue to indicate a "southern" drawl (hope I am not offending anyone).
Didn't know Finch or that tilts and jousts were similar meaning. When I think of tassel it is on a mortarboard. I kept thinking yaks were the Asian (or whatever) oxen and Bob must be referring to a haircut or something.
These LA Times puzzles are indeed "thinkers", much more so than the Trib.
Anyway, thought I'd stop by and say hello. I have a couple of names for myself but won't mention them here. Others have names for me as well and they are equally unmentionable.
Passover starts at sundown. Today is Maundy Thursday (aka Holy Thursday).
I also found that it is National Alcohol Screening Day, National Cherish an Antique Day, National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day, and Winston Churchill Day.
To all - have a great Thursday.
Dr. Dad,
Now my interest is piqued. What names?
Al,
Very very clever "A & E siblings" for IOU.
Barry,
Talk about obscure words! We should really thank Will Shortz, Rich Norris, Peter Gordon, Stan Newman and others for modernize crosswords.
Linda,
Your stalker paranoia is justified. I've had a couple of unpleasant experiences since I started this blog.
C.C., have you heard the expression "take a different tack"? It just means to take a different course, and comes from that sailing term. People who aren't familiar with its use as a sailing term often say "take a different tact". I read somewhere that the phrase most frequently misstated is 'a tough row to hoe'.
Yes, PBA was a gimme; I have a few friends who are local cops or State Troopers.
C.C, this is just a suggestion, but you may want to reconsider your 'name'. Either that, or explain why.
DrDad, great to see you - as always, great information. We miss your input.
Good morning C.C.
Name yourself day - you said "I want to be Deep Throat". I'm anxious to see how many guys line up behind me to discuss that with you. Have you read the book?
Hayrake
Dennis,
No, I've never heard of "take a different tack". I always thought it's "a tough row to hoe". What's the correct phrase then? Also, what's wrong with being called Deep Throat?
Lemonade,
Ah me! I feel so sorry for you. Nobody should decline a Masters invite! Whom do you pick this year? Do you like Padraig Harrington?
Razzberry,
That's one tenacious cookie getter. The son is as talented as the father. What a YAK! Though of you when I filled in GABS.
C.C., it is 'a tough row to hoe', but it's frequently said as 'road'.
As far as 'deep throat', have you by chance heard of the movie? Please say yes, 'cause I sure as hell don't wanna be the one to enlighten you.
Razz, your son is extremely talented; are you that good with animation too?
Hayrake,
Yes. I've read the book. "All the President' Men" is my favorite Woodward work.
Martin & PromiseMe,
To us East Asians, East Asia is completely different from Southeast Asia. The food, the climate, the traditions are all so different.
PromiseMe,
Yes, some speed solvers challenge themselves by using only Across or Down clues. I think Dennis, Melissa and Embien all do so occasionally. Maybe you can omit posters' original comments when you respond? Then your posts will be shorter. I enjoy your posts a lot. You are one observant, attentive & intelligent guy.
To us East Asians, East Asia is completely different from Southeast Asia. The food, the climate, the traditions are all so different.
I'll keep that in mind if I happen to know the constructor is East Asian. ;)
PBA? That's the Philippine basketball Association. :)
I was too busy today to do the crossword: I have exams to grade and I didn't want to spend the whole afternoon working on a hammer. :)
Martin
Good morning C.C. and all
Another enjoyabe puzzle this morning. I just needed about 3 or 4 letters to help me out but the puzzle fell into place easily for me. I only knew joust as
thisI didn't know it could also mean tilts.
Have a great day all
Good morning CC and all,..bit of a tough one today. I got the theme answers pretty early on which helped a lot.
I had a few false starts, IE etal in lieu of misc for 40A, RSVP for BYOB, lop for bob and ache for idea. All of these revealed themselves with some perp help. I had to G spot for Third Man otherwise pretty much help free.
CC for 1D you need to refer to the old western movies where they say "Lights Out" for someone making a quick departure, therefore in slang gits.
Hope you all have a great Thursday.
When I had the first three letters of carpet... I so wanted it to be referring to a car's tachometer but that's tacH so obviously a no go.
Morning all,
This is the one day a week I enjoy the puzzle. Some unknowns but with a little help from Mr. G and some perps very gettable. Doing the puzzle online Friday and Saturday because I'm sure I will need the help. I think it's the format of easy to difficult that I don't like. Can't really enjoy a puzzle on a daily basis.
@Razz, enjoyed your son's animation. The good news is that a living can be made in animation. My son is a partner in his own animation co. in Manhattan and if interested I will send you the link to his website. Just email me. He has made me appreciate animation as an art form and not a cartoon.
By the way, "Deep Throat" was my very first x-rated movie. So young, so innocent. Do they have those on Netflix? Makes me wonder how Deep Throat of Watergate got his name?
Have a good day all.
Morning, all!
Relatively straightforward puzzle for me today. Some tricky cluing, but no actual unknowns. As for the theme, I knew that "tack" could refer to a SAILOR"S HEADING, a CARPET FASTENER and STABLE EQUIPMENT, but I've never heard it referred to as a TEMPORARY STITCH before.
I had a couple of missteps today when I initially put RSVP instead of BYOB and ETAL instead of MISC, but that was about it.
And yes, GIT/Lights Out confused me for a bit as well. I see others have explained it a bit, but just in case you need more explanation... "Git" is dialectal slang for "get," which in turn is short for "get out [of here]." It can be used as an order (telling somebody to GIT) or as a verb ("I'd better git before my wife sends a search party after me"). "Light out" on the other hand, is a verbal phrase meaning to set out on a journey. Loosely, both GIT and "light out" are synonymous with "leave" and therefore GITS is roughly equivalent to "lights out."
Makes me wonder how Deep Throat of Watergate got his name?
That was a little before my time (I was alive, but not paying attention), but from what I've read the informant's code name was chosen in reference to the movie, but simply because the movie was a topic of hot conversation at the time. I don't think there was any deeper context, but i could be wrong...
Good morning, all,
C.C. I suggest you Google Deep Throat before making it your selection.
Great puzzle today. I wanted to make mall, wall, thinking of the 'Nam memorial. Otherwise, no problem. I remembered tilts from Don Quixote's tilting at windmills. Tack is a sailing term, usually port or starboard tack, depending on wind direction.
Like Dennis, I began with RSVP, but quickly changed it to BYOB. When Jean and I were a young couple just starting out in Chicago, we socialized with others as poor as we were. BYOB was standard practice. Often it was also BYOC, with C standing for child. One night, we were getting into our car to head home when our hostess called down from a third floor window, "Hey, you forgot the baby". Those were the days.
By the way, "Deep Throat" was my very first x-rated movie.
Um....Jeanne, I'm gonna assume you meant as a theater-goer. Otherwise, where exactly do you live?
I was ready to comment on the puzzle but I read thru the posts and can't stop laughing long enough to type sensibly.
cc - assume you've figured out why 'deep throat' is drawing so many comments - you may never live that one down!
and jeanne - wow! who knew???
Witty, clever clues today although I don't like dry for 'like syrah wine'. Shiraz/syrah is my wine of choice and I'd use other adjectives to describe it, not dry. Got hung up for a bit on short cut - wasn't thinking hair and had to come back to the NW corner but it was doable. There were a number of words we see a lot (ante, mall, etc.) but clued in some new ways.
Hate to leave to work on setting up church for tonite because I expect the comments will only get better as the day goes on.
You mentioned you were confused the the answer "git" for Lights Out in today's puzzle. Lights out is slang for leaving and "git" is slang for going. Also tablespoon is TBSP, not TSBP. I love your blog.
Kayla
Yes, Dennis as a theater goer!! But I do live in the boonies. Back then, I don't know how you could get those movies--but I bet you do.
Good explanation on GITS Barry! I thought it was an idiom, but a different one (Lights Out meaning relentlessly pursuing a goal or full speed ahead) so I felt like I had the answer wrong, but left it as GITS because I had no other options with the crosses...
In Philadelphia our policeman were belonged to the "FOP" The Fraternal Order of Police". Also jousting was termed "Tilting at Windmills" (I believe)?
These puzzles are real tests of skills used for Crosswording. I even surprised myself when I got them all right today without any google or any help!!!
Gladys
Hi all,
Well, today I really was surprised to complete the whole puzzle with absolutely no help--except that I missed the P of POGO. Was thinking of something more scientific as the 6 somethings in an ounce, and thought the quote sounded historic, not comic strip-like.
TACK as a temporary stitch is a simple running stitch to hold things together when you're not sure if it's going to work. Then it's easy to rip out afterwards.
TACK in the horse reference probably covers all the stuff you need to have for the horse.
I really enjoyed this XW, but maybe part of that is my smugness at doing so well with a Thursday one. It took a while, several guesses from just looking at the letters as they began to look like words, but I feel I'm getting more used to these now. I think ALIBI is my favorite clue.
I thought the occurrence of YAK today was coincidental too--seems they do read our blog to decide which puzzle to give us each day.
I was puzzled by GIT until coming here. Does it have a slangy past tense form to match LIT as the past of light?
Razz,
Your son is indeed very talented and should have a solid future in animation.
Re gits,
I read a lot of British fiction and seem to recall that git is slang for a nitwit or dunce. Anybody agree?
C.C. I agree, "All the President's Men" was a great story, one that played a key roll in American history. I do not believe, though, that Mr. Woodward had an overt connection to the origonal "Deep Throat" story.
Hayrake
Morning all,
I really enjoyed the puz today.
T.Frank, could you be thinking of twit, which is a Brit's term for a nut or dummy of some kind?
I remember 'gits' from old westerns, like "Git along, little dogie" which is from a song. It's that western cowboy accent where we got 'git' from. Not exactly slang. I can just hear Gabby Hayes saying it.
Deep Throat? Wow, that was some shocker back in the day! I confess I saw it too, but it was the first and last XXX pic I ever saw.
Have a great day, guys.
WOW, WOW and WOW....... I actually finished a Thur xword unassisted.
OK, so it took me a couple of hours and I have less hair now but i FINISHED it. WITH NO HELP!!!!!
I started early and got a few clues, then, had to get grandkids to the bus for school. Came home, poured another cup and started again. Things just meshed and, one little square at a time, it fell together.
Maybe I'll take tomorrows' with me and, while Nancy is busy, I should have enough for ALL day>
PBA- Police Benevolent Assoc.
At least that's what they call it at Nancy's work.
CY'All Later.
Is anyone else having a problem posting with FIREFOX? Cause mine won't post.Have to hse IE.
C.C.
In sailing, tack can have several meanings:
Port tack means the wind is coming over the left side of the boat and the main sail is out over the right (starboard) side. Starboard Tack means the wind is coming over the right hand side and the main sail is out to the left.
'Prepare to tack' is the command to get ready to turn through the wind and change from the current tack (port or starboard) to the other tack.
'Tacking' is the command to execute the turn.
'Prepare to Jibe' is the command to get ready to turn when running with the wind onto the other tack.
Close Hauled is when you are sailing as close as you can into the wind (approximatly 45 degrees off the wind) and the main sail will be in as close as possible to the centerline of the boat.
There are also the terms that indicate what direction you are going, relative to the wind, and are called points of sail. The common ones are:
Close Hauled or Beating
Close Reach
Beam Reach
Broad Reach
Run
May your winds be favorable!
A.R.E.
Ron Weasley, of Harry Potter fame, is always calling people "gits".
The following should be said with an old prospector twang:
"Well, I tol' that no-good claim-jumper, he better light out for the unknowns and, by golly, when I cocked ol' Bessy, he lit out like hissen's pants were afire. Hee,hee! I told him to git and he got!"
CC: I, too, wanted FOP for 58d...and I remembered my Don Quixote for "tilts." The phrase as used by Anon@8:26 means "an exercise in futility."
Got the beginnings the the themes but had to come here to complete most of them. (hard to admit...)
I also had "rsvp" for 10a...didn`t that just come up on the blog recently? Hmmmmm.
"Golem" was a gimme because of my study-interests.
I think "big account" for "saga" was the most clever clue.
I wanted "hold your horses" for 9d because of the "stable equipment" fill...but knew it wouldn`t fit.
Cyber stalking is a very real threat. Those so inclined are usually tech-no savvy enough to find you with very little info.
BTW...gauze and tape were pretty well replaced when band aids came on the market... unless the wound requires "wrapping".
...the difference between BRIDLE and halter again?
Bridle has a bit that is placed in the horses' mouths to get them to turn. Reins are attached to it.
Halter is with out a bit and you attach a lead to it.
bridle
halter
C.C. VIP is such an over-used acronym it has come to be associated as a noun in it's own right. People often say vip instead of spelling out V I P, probably because with the vowel it is a pronouncible one.
Living in sin is an old phrase that just means living together without being married. My wife and I lived "in sin" for five years before making it legal. Not used much anymore except by strictly religious people.
I knew Golem from Terry Pratchett's Feet of Clay. Dry English humor, it can stand on its own, but it is more enjoyable if you read his earlier books because of a few recurring characters.
Git is indeed a british insult (as well as US dialectical slang.) Used like: "Stupid git!" in several Monty Python sketches and movies.
A famous tilter (at windmills).
If I could name myself, I'd like to be guitarman.
Git means an idiot or a wanker in british/aussie slang, as in "you stupid git" I had no idea why it was clued as lights out, it made zero sense to me. Thanks Barry for the explanation.
The Third Man is one of my all time favorite movies, a bonafide classic, and the souundtrack is also very famous, probably the only time you would hear a zither, wonderful stuff.
Hi C.C. & gang, The only way I have any luck doing a level 3 puzzle without my wife's help is to use the on-line puzzle and see if my guesses are not red.
Today's puzzle was pretty easy for me that way.
But RE: 1D: GITS?
I read Dennis's comment and stared at GITS for awhile...
Then I found an alternate idea for GITS: how about GI TapS ?
Dennis: Don't take this the wrong way but has anyone ever called you "Dennis the menace"?
Good Morning All. It took forever (well, it seemed like it) to bounce around and finally get GITS and then another forever to understand why it was "lights out". Problably the last time I heard it was at a Saturday matinee double feature when I was ten years old. BOBs is another old-fashioned term. My mother had what she called a "boyish BOB" when she was a little girl.
Our area has some very nice syrah/shiraz wines. I had a couple of glasses of local syrah last night.
I laughed at 14A IN SIN. G.A.H. and I were "naughty" for eight years before we got married. That was my choice. I figured, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." (I was talking about our relationship, DF-ers.) :o)
I think I must have read about TILTS in Morte D'Artur or The Once and Future King. At any rate, I knew it from somewhere.
I really liked how THIRD MAN crossed with NOIR. The Third Man was one of the first great flim noir. I think Doesitinink had an interesting comment on it last month. Me? I just liked the ferris wheel.
All in all, it was a challenging but fun puzzle.
BTW, In case you missed it, Argyle asked an interesting question yesterday in the Feyer interview section. Do speed solvers have a type of "crossword shorthand" so they can avoid all the dots and crosses that are usually required for legible writing? I'm curious too. How can they write so fast? Here on this blog, Dennis is probably the fastest. Dennis, do you dot and cross?
Good morning, everyone. Hopefully only a couple more days of printing out the puzzle and solving it after 11 p.m. Pacific time. That puts me up too late in the evening, LOL! We'll see what The Oregonian does come Monday.
I find that there are very few gimmes in the LAT. Hence, starting each new puzzle is a new adventure. Got the central west and upper center areas first, filled in the bottom, then got the upper east and finished with the upper west.
@pacman I certainly hope your FF#2 is a put on. YUK! I immediately though RSVP as well, but couldn't make it fit.
@deepthroat If no one else has explained GITS in the previous 31 comments, I'll give it a try. Back later. I see barryg did a good job of explaining.
BOB is the star of a Sandra Boynton board book entitled "Fifteen Animals." The unnamed narrator introduces a cat, dog, two fish, a hamster, horse, piglet, five rabbits, a mouse, a bird, and a turtle. All except the turtle are named BOB. The turtle is Simon James Alexander Ragsdale III. I collect Sandra Boynton board books.
@mariposa TILTS is the same activity as JOUSTS, just another name. Old English slang, perhaps?
@gladys Congratulations and Welcome!
@bill Glad you could finish. Give nancy our best wishes for a successful surgery and rapid recovery. Have no problems with Firefox for posting. Maybe your ISP?
@a.r.e. Nice explanation of sailing terms. I though our resident sailor, jeannie, would be the one to enlighten us. Welcome to you as well.
@argyle Nice git example, pard.
Have a great Thursday. And Happy Passover as well.
Warren, yes, I grew up with that tag in my single-digit years. Probably well-deserved, from what I can remember.
Clear Ayes, I cross, don't dot, and if I'm 'speeding', sorta combine print and script. 'Speeding' being a relative term, since we've seen that there's lots of people that blow me into the weeds as far as speed goes. By the way, The Third Man is the first movie I ever saw. The great theme song immediately takes me back to that theater.
Crockett, FF#2 is actually true. Google 'jewel eye' and you'll see what I mean; there's a picture of a person's eye with a heart on it. Could you imagine walking around, telling people who looked at you funny, that you had a heart on?
dennis - big groan at heart on.
bill - I also use Firefox and have no trouble posting. Congrats on finishing but don't continue to take it out on your hair or we'll be calling you 'hairless bill'.
I can answer the VIP question... Sometimes an abbr. is in a clue because the abbr. is almost never spelled out. In this case, nobody ever writes "very important person".
RSVP and NASA are other examples - if they are in a clue, they don't necessary indicate an abbrev. in the answer.
BTW, I didn't like the GITS clue very much today - makes sense but it's a little too much of a stretch, IMHO...
Did I write "problably" and "flim" noir? No excuses here, I do have Firefox spell check and I just didn't bother.
This little poem starts out like Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet "rose" speech, but is a little bit different as it talks about "what's in a name?"
Untitled
A rose by any other name
Would get the blame
For being what it is -
The colour of a kiss,
The shadow of a flame.
A rose may earn another name,
So call it love;
So call it love I will,
And love is like the sea,
Which changes constantly,
And yet is still
The same.
- Tanith Lee
I couldn’t finish this unassisted today. I was pleased to remember GOLEM, and happy to se POGO, whom I quote occasionally, but got totally tangled up with SAILORS HEADING. Big slap on the head to see that, and also for YAKS and GITS. Duh.
I knew HADJ as a great scrabble word, and you can ad an ‘I’ on the end, and an ‘s’ to that –HADJIS. Thanks, C.C. for the definition.
I hope someone knows the GOLEM legend. I read about it in The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay by Michael Chabon. One of the characters escaped Poland inside a Golem.
Kayla – is this your first time to post? Welcome.
C.C: In regards to your response to me from Wednesday: I'll contribute when I can, but I don't solve often (and rarely to completion). That, and the MN Daily only prints Mon-Thurs. I don't know how so many of you solve on the computer! I hate staring at screens.
Am I really the youngest? I'm 20. I guess I'll bring my juvenile chemical engineering/ chemistry incite here when I can, although it certainly didn't help today!
ClearAyes: May I ask what prompted you to "fix it?" The answer could be "MYOB"...if so...I`m good with that. :)
OrAngie: WELCOME! I`m so happy to have another who "spells phonetically!" Chemical Engineering and chemistry...I am most impressed!
re "'a tough row to hoe."
As a child in northern Illinois in the 1930's this was a comment I heard fairly often. To me it brought the vision of a farmer working in his vegetable field having difficulty because of stones or weeds that were in the area he was working.
The implied lesson was that when we have difficulty because of negative circumstnces we need to keep working at it until we get it right.
Calef.
Good afternoon:
Passover actually started at sundown last night. The day in the Jewish calendar begins at sundown, so the day runs from sundown to sundown, not midnight to midnight.
I appreciate all the efforts to explain GITS, but I still do not relate; I know it is the answer from the perps, but I really want to know what was the thought process.
For the Masters, I am confused this year, but I like Nick Watney, I think.
I was expecting a much harder puzzle today. I still don’t understand “git”. I also had trouble with the crossing of aoki and noir.
I was going to comment on what “close hauled” meant but I see A.R.E. has me covered. Good job on the terminology. Do you sail? And if so, what? Just makes me want to head out on a long run right now! If only the ice would go off the lake. Patience….sailing season is almost here. 25 days before the boat can go on it’s bouy.
C.C. I buy a lot of my LP’s at flea markets. My main way of listening to music is a refurbished 1965 Capehart console record player.
Dennis, a jewel in the eye? I have a heart enough time putting in a contact lens!
My new name for today is Lolita.
I'm with SBK - tooo funny (this deep throat thing)....Jeanne, you go girl!!
Razzberry, you SHOULD be proud of your son and his work, very clever and cute!
This puzzle was truly that - it was EASIER than yesterday for me...go figure!
I could not even get through the one yesterday but today's just flowed. I did miss 48D TSPS, 48A TASSELL and 50D SAGA, and could have hit myself when I saw the answers...I should have known them. Geez, I got HADJ, GOLEM and OSSA so why so stupid on these easy ones. Old brains work differently.
More later or Joe will leave on his bike without me!
I guessed "Polo" instead of "Pogo", and assumed that "sala" was some kind of sales term (big account).
It was nice to see the sailor's heading clue. I'm in my first sailboat race of the year tonight.
I saw a great tee shirt worn by a woman after a recent regatta - "PORT" and "STARBOARD" were printed upside-down just above the bumpy part of her shirt. That way she wouldn't get confused about which tack she was on!
Lemonade714.
I think that "to light out" means to leave at the speed of light, i.e. go away fast. "to git" is simply an old corruption of "to get", in the sense of to get away. So the common concept of git and light out is that a person leaves the place quickly.
Calef.
If I can take a shot at the 'git' thing: If you watch old westerns, invariably someone will say "you git now", meaning you 'get along' or go, now. Similar to 'get going'. To light out for someplace means to take off and go.
Hope this helps.
What Dennis said, "git going" = "get going", plus Light out for the territory from Huckleberry Finn.
Way too esoteric. We all want a challenge in the morning but not a "hair puller".
Thanks to all of you (plus a few helps from my husband who used to play baseball –catcher- who gave me no run and a few others) I did all today's puzzle. Doing it online helped. But before resorting to that, I did have quite a few. But none of the hacks.
Thank you for encouraging me to keep on. We'll see about tomorrow.
The method given to make italics and bold does not work on a Mac.
Sallie: It's just plain text characters... when you are done does your typing in the comment box look exactly like this?
<i>text to italicize</i>
Hello to all,
Our local newspaper had the crossword in their new mini-section format today, and I could not get it to print out on my computer at work. Since I had left my newspaper at home this AM, I made a quick stop at the local 7-11 on the way to lunch to buy another copy. Started the puzzle over lunch. Once I made the "swap" of "gits" for "taps" and "BYOB" for "RSVP", things went much smoother. I was familiar with all the different "tacks" as I think I may have been sitting on one all my life. Only snag was cross of "aoki" and "noir", had to guess, and for a change, guessed correctly. This is the first in a good while where I either got or guessed all the letters without an error or two. Enjoyed the puzzle.
This blog has really been a great help to me in advancing capability of solving crossword, and many thanks for the tip on opening up comment links in a new window. I had given up on looking at them due to always having to go back and search where I was on the comment page. As a result, I was obviously missing a lot of the best "action".
Thanks.
Old Sage in Virginia Beach
test
OrAngie,
Welcome again, and don't be discouraged by your youth in the face of so many oldies like us. I used to get lots of help from my high school students (especially sports clues) before I retired. So I'm sure your insight will add a lot to our discussiions when you can join us.
Sallie,
I'm glad the red help has got you to hang in there longer. Seeing what the answers are, (or aren't in red), definitely helps.
I forgot to mention earlier in reference to BYOB, in Oz we often used to see BYOG (bring your own grog), grog being an all embracing term for anything alcoholic. Of course there were some who said the B or G stood for boy or girl.
There were even some restaurants which advertized BYOB, because they weren't licensed to sell it, but would charge a "corking fee" to open your bottle for you and serve it at the table.
Hi C.C. and gang,
Well, I really feel stupid today. Sounds like everyone but me found the puzzle to be pretty easy. I don't like the clue for "git". "Tack" just didn't compute in my brain. I am already dreading tomorrow's puzzle.
Dennis, I also mispelled Hadj and used RSVP also.
Since I am new at this, do some of you communicate with others outside of this blog? I don't always understand some of the comments.
Deep Throat was also the first porn movie I saw, with two girlfriends. When the lights went on after the movie ended. I stayed in my seat until the theater cleared out, because I was too embarrassed to look at anyone!!
Hello everyone,
I did the puzzle online today - using the master solver. I only missed 2 letters in the middle, not knowing SAILOR'S HEADING and not able to get it through the perps. When I switched to regular to fill in, I realized that I had filled in everything right except one letter in SLUE. I don't know why I could figure everything out, but I could.
I enjoyed this puzzle, and like many of you thought it was a little easier than yesterdays. I too started with RSVP and changed when it didn't work. But many of my guesses were right the first time. For some reason, I guessed at ZIPPERED right away, and was surprised that it held up.
Off to my sons first baseball game of the season. Thank goodness the weather is nice.
As for the Master's, I am not sure that I could bet against Tiger. He is certainly something else. I used to want someone else to win, but after his performance last year, winning despite his pain, I am too impressed to bet against him.
Hello C.C. & all
Another fun puzzle! How many days in a row have I said that? Did I ever say it at all with the old TMS?
'gits' wasn't so bad, my longest stare came at the 'pogo', 'saga' crossing. 'saga' finally gave it to me, was never a 'pogo' reader.
Am totally amazed by the restraint shown inre: Deep Throat, so I will restrain myself also.
Ode to the Greatest Generation
On this day in 1942: the Fall of Bataan
C.C.,
Your boy carried the load last night!
TJ in Osseo
12:03 today. Much easier puzzle for me than yesterday, for whatever reason.
I love, love, love puzzles that have wordplay in the clues, rather than in the grid (e.g., all the different meanings for the simple word tack in today's puzzle). I know c.c. disagrees with this view. Two 15-letter theme answers and two 14-letter theme answers makes me stand in awe.
@c.c.:
Yes, some speed solvers challenge themselves by using only Across or Down clues. I think Dennis, Melissa and Embien all do so occasionally.
A minor correction, c.c. I never "speed solve" as I enjoy taking a leisurely stroll through the grid (that's why I love the wordplay and clever themes in puzzles so much). I never solve "downs only" or "accrosses only". Across-only solving, in particular would be nigh impossible, I'd think (down-only would be easier).
@clear ayes: Do speed solvers have a type of "crossword shorthand" so they can avoid all the dots and crosses that are usually required for legible writing?
One trick that I know is to solve in lowercase only. Think about the time it takes to write e (one quick "swirl") as opposed to E (four separate lines). If you remember the Wordplay movie one thing that impressed the observers was that President Clinton solved in lowercase (and blue felt tip).
I personally am old-fashioned in that I use uppercase and (gel-tip pen) ink.
@dan: BTW, I didn't like the GITS clue very much today - makes sense but it's a little too much of a stretch, IMHO...
Here's a bit of crossword "etiquette" for those new to LA Times/NY Times style puzzle. The clue in this case 1d: Lights out is used slangily, (not literally, as in turning out the lamps at night). Hence the answer is going to be "slangy" as well.
When I first encountered the clue, I thought of TAPS (for the literal definition) and HIES (for the slang), and kind of waited for the crosses to point the way. I had INSIN immediately, so filled in HIES (which was wrong, of course), and had to wait for TEMPORARY STITCH to point the way.
Frank & SandbridgeKaren,
Yes, I know the 9" Deep Throat. Woodward explained in his book. But I meant Mark Felt. Dennis the Pacman always tries to distort what I say.
Bill,
I do experience problems with Firefox occasionally. Have to shift to IE also. Hope everything runs smoothly for Nancy tomorrow.
A.R.E.,
Thanks for the sailing terms. Why don't you comment here regularly? I always enjoy your posts, engineering or not.
Argyle.
I've added your BRIDLE and halter links to the main blog entry. Exactly what I was looking for.
@Jim in Norfolk...your first regatta tonight? I'm jealous. What do you sail?
Drdad, it's so nice to hear from you again. You've been missed!
Carol, today my name is Lolita.
CC and all,
The time has come for me to light outta here, seeing that nobody seems to read my comments. I mentioned 'gits' about 9 a.m. this morning and yet all went on chatting as if my post simply wasn't there.
I too am a newbie here, and everyone else has gotten a warm welcome or at least a friendly 'hi.' This is the second time it's happened, so I'll just git. I do enjoy your commentary, all, but won't post again (like you'd notice).
Whiningly, Sam
Karen Q & Lemonade,
Now we need to focus on Rory McIlroy, the next Tiger Woods.
Embien,
You did try to solve with Down clues once, right? I seemed to remember you mentioned it on the blog once.
TJ,
But Twins just lost earlier.
Warren,
Good thinking, but you can't arbitrarily made up GI TAPs for GITS. If so, crossword world would run amok.
On this day, April, 9th
1682 French explorer Robert La Salle reached the Mississippi River.
1833 The nation's first tax-supported public library was founded in Peterborough, N.H.
1939 Black singer Marian Anderson performed at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., after she was denied the use of Constitution Hall by the Daughters of the American Revolution because of her race.
I don’t know Marion’s music
1940 Germany invaded Denmark and Norway during World War II.
1942 American and Philippine defenders on Bataan capitulated to Japanese forces during World War II.
1959 NASA announced the selection of America's first seven astronauts: Scott Carpenter, Gordon Cooper, John Glenn, Gus Grissom, Wally Schirra, Alan Shepard and Donald Slayton.
1969 The album "Nashville Skyline" by Bob Dylan was released.
Bob Dylan is a native of MN. What is your favorite Bob Dylan tune?
1992 Former Panamanian ruler Manuel Noriega was convicted in Miami of eight drug and racketeering charges.
1996 Former Rep. Dan Rostenkowski, D-Ill., the once-powerful House Ways and Means chairman, pleaded guilty to two mail fraud charges. (He served 15 months in prison.)
1996 President Bill Clinton signed a line-item veto bill into law.
2001 American Airlines' parent company acquired bankrupt Trans World Airlines.
TWA was founded by Howard Hughes
2003 Jubilant Iraqis celebrated the collapse of Saddam Hussein's regime, beheading a toppled statue of their longtime ruler in downtown Baghdad.
2005 Britain's Prince Charles married Camilla Parker Bowles, who took the title Duchess of Cornwall.
Lolita
Sam in Miami,
Come on! Don't pop your cork and drink the wine. I don't like whiner. You are too seasoned for that. If you stick here long enough, you will know that unavoidably some comments will get ignored. It happens with every blog, every day. I am sorry I did not say "Welcome" to you. But I do remember Dennis and I responded to your posts a few times before. Am I wrong?
Clear Ayes,
I like your observation on NOIR & THIRD MAN crossing.
Crockett,
So what name will you pick for yourself?
Barry G & Calef,
Thanks for GITS and "Lights outs".
Dan,
Can you give me an example of a non-abbreviated answer with NASA as part of a clue?
OrAngie,
You can always print out the puzzle from LA Times website if you prefer to solve it in paper. I think we have one fellow solver who is 18 years old. He used to comment here.
Jim in Norfolk,
How often do you sail? Is your sailboat race like golf league/bowling league?
Old Sage in Virginia Beach,
Now you know how to open links, don't miss the action any more. I'd like to see more action from you too.
SaminMiam, C.C.'s right - I responded to you a couple times - the last time to ask what part of Miami you were in. In all fairness, your 9:00 post had one question, which was directed at T. Frank. Most of us won't be impolite and answer a question directed to someone else.
Stick with us, and just realize that we all put lots of things out there that never generate a response.
Crossed Lover,
How come you lost your blue status? Yes, I do communicate with a few posters here outside the blog. Do feel free to ask if you are confused by certain words/phrases the regulars use here. Dennis & Kazie are always quick to answer.
SaminMiam,
I find that often things get explained several times by SOME people who appear not to read the preceding comments. It's annoying even if I wasn't the one to have explained something.
The other reason you may not get separate responses each time is that the five post daily limit means that a lot of us tend to save comments until we have more than one thing to respond to and can then use only one post that way for several reactions. Inevitably, sometimes after a while, we forget to say something we wanted to. I, for one, often hit the publish button and immediately think of another comment I wanted to make. It's a drawback of getting older.
So use the other feature of age, mellow out and be patient with us other old fogies!
Good Afternoon C.C. and Co.,
"It (tack) includes BRIDLE ... and saddle. So, it's basically the same as harness, isn't it?"
No. A harness is used to attach a cart, sleigh or some other wheeled vehicle. Tack can be just the equipment necessary to ride a horse such as a saddle, bridle and reins.
"40D: Runway VIP: MODEL. Why abbreviated VIP when the answer is a full spelled-out word?"
Good question. I misread the clue the first time around as 'Runaway VIP', so I put in BRIDE at first.
"Looks like letter I (in 'hadji') refers to a person, doesn't it?"
Yes. I thought hadji just meant a traveler on his way to or from Mecca. I did not realize that one must have already made it to Mecca to be called a hadji. For me, the word always brings back memories of Jonny Quest's turbaned half brother, Hadji Singh.
"I think Anna Wintour looks very cool, don't you?"
I think she looks kind of cold.
"29D: Like a shutout: NO RUN."
I also misread this one as 'Like a shoutout', so it took longer than it should have to get.
"Let's see, turquoise. And an AQUA clock. Similar?"
Those two examples are similar. Some varieties of turquoise can be very purple, though.
Mariposa,
Did I mention before that I love your name. It is very pretty. :)
JD,
Yes, I have heard of Panthalassa. Now you have me curious as to the age of some of those fossils of sea creatures found in such high places as the top of the Andes.
VEIL is my favorite Woodward book.
'Big account' for SAGA was my favorite clue today, too.
Kazie, I never thought of that, and I didn't know there was a five-post limit. Where do I find out such things?
I think I'm an older fogy than you are, so I do try to be mellow. I wasn't angry. :-(
Dennis, yes you did respond to me a couple of times. I didn't answer you about where in Miami, because I'd rather not say, so I said nothing. Sorry.
CC, I guess I've got to note the ebb and flow of the comments better. Probably true, that not all comments are replied to.
T.Frank, I have since learned, by reading more comments, that 'git' was used in Harry Potter books to mean just what you said it meant. And btw, that was a very funny story of leaving the baby in the house.
Sorry if anyone took offense. I'm learning...
@deepthroat I'm comfortable with the skin I'm in, so Richard works for me.
Linda, Sure, no secret. We had both been divorced and at more than 40 years of age were in no hurry to repeat an unsuccessful marriage. After living together and even buying a house together, he decided we had enough practice at getting it right and wanted to get married. It meant much more to him than to me. I was still leery, but he promised me that "nothing would change", and I did love the guy, so he won me over. Of course, LOL, just about everything did change, but nothing we couldn't deal with. We've been married for 23 years now. I'm still glad we waited until we really knew each other well before we got married.
Lolita, here's Marion Anderson.
My favorite Bob Dylan song was early in his career. The Times They Are A-Changin' was literally world changing as it became an anthem for the peace movement of the 1960's. The times really were changing and he caught the feeling perfectly.
See, I forgot again--I can't say what my favorite Dylan song is. My husband is such a fan of his, that we have just about every album he's ever made--vinyl, cassette, CD and even a DVD. I've had to let them all grow on me. I think I mentioned once before the fact that our church had a songbook with one of his in it was why he decided that would be an OK church for us to join. I think it was "Blowin' in the Wind", but the songbook was changed and it's no longer there.
CA,
I remember my parents had at least one Marion Anderson 78 record in their vast collection of classics. Unfortunately, after Dad died, we had to clear everything out too fast to save them and they were all sold along with the furniture when we moved here.
saminmiam,
I think c.c. has a comment guide somewhere on the main blog page. The 5-limit rule is a recent addition because she was getting overloaded since she gets all the posts in her private email.
Linda: Haha, thanks. I didn't realize I chose the wrong "insight/incite" wrong until I read your post! Errors like that are usually what get me stuck in the puzzles. I initially thought you were referring to my screenname.
kazie: You got help from your students? I get help from my friends, and sometimes I ask professors. Unfortunately, my professor (from Greece) did not know who the Greek goddess of discord (ERIS) was Wednesday (another sticking point). Of course, he didn't know the word "discord"...
Lemonade: I've been struggling with the "GITS" explanations too. They make sense, but they all seem like too much of a stretch to come up with solo. I mean, did anybody solve that clue without the help of the cross fills? I feel like one letter might be guessable, but not the whole thing. -shrug-
Back again, I finished the bike ride but decided to wash the front porch, which ended up taking way longer than it should have. We have a stamped concrete porch, so there are little grooves and indentations in it making a nice 'nesting' area for dirt!! ARGGGHH.
Clear Ayes(at 10:34a, I'm with Linda..I think it's more fun to 'break' it.
Jeannie - Why Lolita?
Also my favorite song by Dylan is "Subterranean Homesick Blues".
After reading all the explanations concerning 'git', do you still have a question?
Sam in Miam, Don't be sad, we (most of us) read all the comments but often for reasons already explained don't respond right away. It is easier to use up 5 posts than you might think.
I like the concept of the "bumpy part of her shirt" Jim in Norfolk; what did you think Lolita? Where are you Melisa B?
Once the thought of old westerns was introduced, I got the GIT.
What a nice diverse group of comments and commentators today.
I was very much into Bob Dylan in my high school days, and enjoyed Pete Seeger, Phil Ochs, Dave Van Ronk and the great Joan Baez.
I wonder if RORY MCELROY will be like Sergio Garcia, who finished second at the PGA at 19, and is still chasing his first major title. It has been an interesting first day at the Masters, with lots of low scores.
Sallie,
Glad to hear you completed the puzzle today! Hang in there.
Saminmiam,
And if you go over 5 posts, just ask Jea..er Lolita what will happen! As Kazie said, it's unfortunate, but there are some people who post without reading the comments. (drives me nuts)
Razz,
Cool stuff in animation land.
Welcome to all newbies from the Yaks and Loons.
Go Tiger!
TJ
CC,
A golem is a monster from Jewish folk lure. In the Sopranos an Hasidic man who agreed to give Tony 25 percent of his motel in return for "persuading" his son-in-law to give his daughter a divorce. After Tony, Silvio, and Paulie spent the better part of the night getting the old man what he wanted, he tried to renege.
Tony said you got your "Get" we get our 25 %
Get is the Hebrew word for divorce document. Rabbi's won't officiate a marriage if a Get hasn't been issued.
"Gits" has been discussed so much today, do not know if this will help anyone to understand, but here it is anyway. I think it is an old south, and maybe southwestern, derivative of "get", as in telling the dog to "Get out of here!" after he has messed on the floor in the living room. If you say it fast enough, with a deep gruff voice and a good southern drawl, it starts to sound like "Git out of here!" to the little ones (children) watching and listening to the activity. So, the next generation says to their dog "Git out of here!" when he messes on the floor in the living room. The accent is on the "git". And the dog, after being yelled at, "Gits" (lights out). And, thus, it carries on through the generations. I will have to do some more serious thinking to come up with explanation of the "lights" part of the clue. We always said he "lit out" which meant he took off. "Lit" is the past tense of "light".
Old Sage in Virginia Beach
OrAngie: Now don`t go get all dictionary on me! I`m a poor speller and was glad to have company... but sometimes I do it just to annoy other former teachers own hear.
Kazie: Are you familiar with Darlene Czech and HillSong?
I have inherited two large pieces of furniture called "stereos"...both with turntables for playing 33 1/3 and 45 rpm vinyl records...one even has an 8-track slot! Do they work? Well..they make nice tables to dust and hold collections.
Lemonade714: In Honor of Passover, may all your bitter herbs become sweet.
CC:About the Ewings...I thought I was the only one in America, nay...the world who had never watched even one episode of "Dallas!" I couldn`t go anywhere in any group without hearing about it though...so I knew "Ewing."
The name was also a play on the journalism term "deep background," referring to information provided by a secret source that, by agreement, will not be reported directly.
Howard Simons, the managing editor of the Post during Watergate, dubbed the secret informant "Deep Throat" as an allusion to the notorious pornographic movie which was a mainstream cause célèbre at the time.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deep_Throat
The movie is for sale only netflix doesn't carry adult titles.
http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=1597737
THE MONKEY'S DEAD THE SHOWS OVER SUE YA!
Old Sage is exactly right about the meaning of GITS in relation to its clue. I'm told the original clue - the one provided by the constructor - involved the British slang term many of you have discussed - her clue was [Notting Hill jerks] - but the editor changed it to the much more challenging version in the puzzle.
rp
@Carol re: Lolita...I just like how it sounds. Lo-li-ta.
@Saminmiam....if I remember right, C.C. said she liked your "handle". I like most handles as they open doors. I am/was a big offender of the five post rule...let this be a lesson, DON'T.
@Lemonade, yep I have bumpy parts on my chest, but I still know how and when to "come about". I don't need any reminders. I still didn't hear what you consumed though.
@Drdad, thank God I went through the Alcohol screening day unscathed. Remember the "good ole' days" when you could actually have a cocktail at on your lunch break?
@Thomas, I am assuming you didn't figure out where to "rub" the jeannie as she has now changed her name to Lolita. She's a chameleon.
MN Fats, you still don't even have a chance.
"Close-hauled," "tack." "Beating to Windward," or "Beating up against the wind" are all terms from sailing (as opposed to driving a boat with a motor.)
"Tack" or heading is the direction you are going.
"Beating to windward" means that you heading INTO the wind.
"Close-hauled" I will explain later.
Sails on a sailboat are like a sheet hung on the line to dry. When clothes-pinned to the line they are flapping in the breeze. But if you were to stake down the bottom of the sheets, they fill with wind and balloon out. This is pressure against the sheets.
You need pressure against the sails to propel the sailboat forward. To make a sailboat go forward, wind pressure enters from the front of the sail and curves around to the back of sail to exit. This pressure creates forward momentum.
But when your desired goal is due west and the wind is blowing west to east, no pressure can be created. So, you must beat up against the wind or to windward.
To create the forward momentum, you must "tack."
The centerline is an imaginary line between the bow (front or stem) and center of the stern (back of boat.) To create pressure on your sails, you tack to starboard (right) or port (left) to present an ANGLE for your sails to fill with wind.
Sails are attached to the mast and on the bottom to a boom. By allowing your sail to lean out to starboard, the pressure propels the boat forward to the RIGHT. If you switch the sail over to the left of centerline, the wind comes in from the right and moves the boat left. Moving right with the sail right of the centerline is "starboard tack" with opposite for port.
However, the problem is that you wanted to move straight forward to the west. The wind is still blowing from west to east AGAINST you. So you allow the sail to swing right (starboard tack) which moves the boat to the right. Then you shift or "jibe" left. Your boat now moves left with the sail to the left. The series of zigzagging is tacking or beating up against the wind. Right, left, right, left, etc. moves you against the wind in the shortest distance.
Now, if the sail, (like the bedsheet) flops in the wind ("luffing") no pressure can be formed to move you forward. So a "sheet" or rope is attached to the boom to keep it regulated and at an angle you want to create the best pressure against the sail.
Therefore, you "close-haul" by bringing the boom closer to centerline. the key to sailing (in a sailboat) is using the rudder and close-hauling of the sail to steer you in the closest angle to your objective in the shortest time/distance.
Of course, when the wind is BEHIND you, you can ignore the mainsail and run up a Genoa or Spinnaker sail (talk about puffing like a balloon) and "run before the wind."
By the way, despite their likeness to bedsheets, sails are called sails. The "Sheets" are the ropes attached that hold them either close-hauled or higher or lower on the mast. Thus, you haul on the sheets to raise the sail. or to close-haul them.
Love your column.
Lolita,
Only for Name Yourself Day are you the chameleon, Lolita. The quest to "rub" the Jeannie continues tomorrow... Not a Dylan fan.
Rant,
Quite the manuel for non-'blow boaters'.
TJ
I really do appreciate Old Sage's clarification on GIT.....BUT for the littl'uns to to have the phrase "Git(get) out of here!" imprinted on their childish brains, that dog must have messed on the living room floor on a pretty regular basis. I think I would have gotten a new dog way before the kids had memorized the phrase. LOL.
Carol, So many kinds of "breaking". I meant that our relationship wasn't broken, so why fix it by getting married. Other than not having the certificate for the first eight years, everything else (yup...everything) was just fine and dandy. ;o)
Greetings CC and all –
Warren –
I agree with you. Lights out does have to do with the military. GI TapS. See Paying respect during Reveille, Retreat and Taps. Article from www.Schriever.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123139061.
Taps-10 p.m.
Taps began as a signal for lights or lights out at the end of the day. For these purposes, there are no formal protocol procedures required. However, the playing of Taps continues to be a part of a military funeral/memorial honors ceremony. Upon hearing Taps at a military ceremony, proper protocol dictates those individuals in uniform render a salute until the music is complete. Civilians should remove their headgear and place their hand over their heart.
If in the physical fitness uniform, saluting during these ceremonies is not required, however, members are encouraged to do so if they desire.
During all ceremonies regarding hoisting, lowering or passing of the flag, members and veterans of the U.S. military are authorized to render a salute while present but not in uniform, according to The National Defense Authorization Act of 2008.
I Googled Military Reveille and Taps and the above is just part of the article. I’m sure there must be more info for all branches of the service.
IMHO
OnlyNightOwl
Carol: My question to ClearAyes about "fixing it" or "breaking it" was just out of curiosity. I did not mean to imply that I approve/disapprove either action. I don`t have that right and it was none of my business. She was very gracious to indulge me.
@Rob the Ranter....Too much information for most of this group. Not a lot of sailors out here. A few, but not many.
I am a somewhat new sailor and am a proud owner of a 1985 18' Laguna Windrose. I didn't have a "clew" but had an "after body experience", and ended up "coaming" after a "double ender". Some minor improvements have been made. I bought a new mainsail, and a new jib from a guy in NC. Beautiful, even has stays in it if I ever find a need to "trim". I also added "tell tails" as SOMEONE should know what the heck goes on in this vessel.
Other updates do contradict with each other...I have installed "snatch blocks" and a new "shaft" for the tiller. I don't know how, but they still harmonize. It might be because they have been involved in getting "pooped" once or twice. Could be we were on a good "run" and got the "reached" around.
Hey Clear Ayes, I 'see' your point and hear you clearly... Joe and I 'lived in sin' for a year before we married...here we are 38+ years later and still happy.
I had the same thoughts as you did, why mess with success, but the phrase you used struck a cord, and we loved 'breaking the rules' for a little while.
Our friends said the same thing, if you're happy the way things are, why change anything. They all said once you marry, it'll all go down the tubes. Didn't!!! Secret: know thyself.
Carol, amen on the 'know yourself' comment; that's truly the key.
jeannie..,.
Sorry about the tech terms... learned from childhood about nautical terms and never forgot ... something about the Old man, Grandpa, and me serving a collective 50+ years in the Gray Funnel Line that does that...
Loved yer puns by the way... "clew" indeed...
I now do my sailing on a sea of sand... horse, ATV, or foot for SAR
Rob the Ranter
jeannie...
New to this room and just clicked on your profile...
MN huh?
Lived in Winona for five years back in the 60's while Dad did a Navy Recruiting tour. (Hence, the reference to the Gray Funnel Line).
Now living in the Sun valley of AZ, where we travel 200 miles to fish for northern pike of a whole 26" and call it "sport." Oh well...
Rob the Ranter
Argyle,
Thank you for the link to the story about Vermont last night. Also, I think your 'old prospector' post about summed up the whole 'git' thing. I grabbed a bottle of LUCID tonight. I originally took a single bottle up to the register, but this little Indian woman cashier (who gets all flustered when she sees me) made the guy there go into the back and get me the 'special promotion package'. So, I got a couple of glasses and some kind of tool to go with it. I will let you know what I think of it.
SaminMiam,
I don't think that you need to be so concerned about revealing your identity that you cannot say, in broad terms, where you live. I don't think anyone is going to be able to figure out where you live if you tell them Miami Shores, for example. I have it in my profile that I live in Wilton Manors. If some nogoodnik can actually find me and wants to come cause me trouble, good luck to him. :)
Jeannie,
I guess it's just the rebel in me, but I think my favorite Dylan tune is probably Maggie's Farm.
"It is easier to use up 5 posts than you might think."
Not if you make your first one really, really, really, really long.
Where'd you go Boyd?
Razzberry,
Is your son a Stan Winston fan? I was sorry to discover that he died last year. His Wikipedia bio mentions so many of his great achievements, but makes no mention of his involvement with creating the aniimated M&M's. I wonder why that is.
Rex Parker,
I am not sure I agree that the final clue for 'gits' was more challenging. 'Notting Hill jerks' would have thrown me at least as badly.
LO-LI-TA said "@Lemonade, yep I have bumpy parts on my chest, but I still know how and when to "come about". I don't need any reminders. I still didn't hear what you consumed though." You nautical women know how to puff out my sails....Consumed, ah well, maybe later; when you drop off the retainer? Hmm, the old reach around, have not seen that in a while.
Thank you Linda.
PMT, I am most curious about your impression of LUCID, and actually where they are selling it on special. This is one experience missing in resume so far.
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