Theme: They're Beside Themselves - The embedded three-letter common names that end the first words of all two-word theme entry are the same as the ones that start the second word.
22A. Introductory assortment of wreckage?: FLOTSAM SAMPLER. Flotsam. Jetsam.
40A. One-of-a-kind book? CUSTOM TOME
65A. Place to leave the flock during vacation?: CHICKEN KENNEL. Chicken want to live in the coop.
92A. Try to get tallow?: PURSUE SUET. My first theme answer.
114A.Music for painters?: ENAMEL MELODIES
15D. Scallions for an anniversary party?: JUBILEE LEEKS. To me, scallions are just green onions.
59D. Short treatise on junk e-mail? SPAM PAMPHLET. Fun clue/answer.
I only realized all the embeds are common names after I typed in & green-highlighted all the the letter string repetitions. Great theme title. Nice play on "beside oneself".
The puzzle is one Q away from a pangram. As the norm with our Sunday puzzles, quite a few entertaining clues. My favorite is FEET (109D. Pump inserts). D'oh, pump shoes.
I still don't like the clue for PEDAL (105D. Step on it). The "it" grammar confused me last time. I just don't feel the clue and answer fully correspond to each other, unlike the clear "them" reference in LEADS (97D. Reporters chase them).
Across:
1. Garfield's middle name: ABRAM. Can never commit his name into my memory. Did get KENNEDY (49D. President under whom the Peace Corps was formed).
6. Tiptop: ACME
10. Timber shaper: ADZ. Or adze.
13. Big Indians: RAJAS. Thought of Native American Indians.
18. At large: LOOSE
19. Property claim: LIEN. And DEED (11. Safe document).
20. Scripps competition: BEE. Spelling Bee.
21. Disqualify (oneself), in court: RECUSE
25. Protozoan: AMEBIC. Or ameobic.
26. Swears to: ATTESTS
27. Home of Texas A&M International University: LAREDO. U.S./Mexico border city.
28. Pooh-pooh: DERIDE
29. Manhattan component: RYE. Rye is an affluent suburb of NY City, a la Wikipedia.
30. Boris Godunov, e.g.: TSAR. Don't know Boris Godunov.
31. Lost the point: RAMBLED
32. Vardon Trophy org.: PGA. Gimme. Vardon Trophy is awarded to PGA player who leads in scoring average. Named after British golfer Harry Vardon.
35. Be of service to: ASSIST
38. Pointed remark: BARB
39. Legal conclusion?: ESE. Legalese.
43. Exercised in a lane: SWAM. Can't jam in BIKED.
45. Barely earn, with "out": EKE
47. Online bulletin board mgr. : SYSOP (System Operator)
48. Pub staple: ALE
49. It isn't really a bear: KOALA. What is it then, Kazie? Sure looks like bear though.
50. Vestige: RELIC
53. Put in the warehouse: STORE
55. Cut down: FELLED
56. One who follows the news?: LENO. Because Leno's show is after the evening news?
57. Cinnamon tree: CASSIA. Wow, it's Chinese cinnamon. No idea.
60. IV to III?: SON. Nailed it.
61. River duck: TEAL
63. Writers: PENS. Did not know "pen" can refer to a person who writes.
64. Marching start?: HUP. "Hup, two, three, four". The military march. Got me again.
70. Hobby shop buy: KIT
71. Significant times: ERAS
73. Hard on the eyes: UGLY. No, I will not link anything hard on the eyes. Al's Hart.
74. Thing to bend or lend: EAR. Nice rhyming clue.
75. Speaks disrespectfully to: SASSES
77. "If it's all the __ to you ...": SAME
78. Star's opposite: NOBODY
80. Bow ties and elbows: PASTA. Nice "bow" echo.
82. Early mobile home: TEPEE. Yurt too.
84. Soap whose first slogan was "It floats": IVORY
85. Scroogean word: BAH
86. Uses a keyboard: TYPES. And ENTER (120. Put in)
90. Rule of crime writing: ANN. I've never heard of Ann Rule. Good clue though.
91. BlackBerry message: TEXT
94. Fire or side attachment: ARM. Excellent play on fireside.
96. Secluded lowland: GLEN
98. Continued: GONE ON
99. Practice, as a trade: PLY
100.Comebacks: REPLIES
102.Like some telegrams: SUNG. I don't get this clue. How can telegrams be sung?
103.Dosage amt.: TSP
106.Goddess of wisdom: ATHENA
107.Noisy summer bug: CICADA. Ear-splitting!
109.Artful handling: FINESSE
113.Lost some locks: BALDED. Locks always refer to hair in Xword.
116.Feudal lords: LIEGES. Another hard to remember word.
117.He played Quasimodo in 1923: LON (Chaney). Easy guess.
118.Justice's garb: ROBE
119.Dylan Thomas's home: WALES
121.Explosive letters: TNT
122.Whack: SWAT
123.Skiing locale: SLOPE. Didn't jump to me immediately.
Down:
1. __ Romeo: ALFA. The sport car.
2. Cloth quantity: BOLT
3. Cheer: ROOT
4. Sunflower relative: ASTER. Oh, OK.
5. Like Oscar Madison's room: MESSY. And STY (89. 5-Down place).
6. Charity: ALMS
7. Grafton's "__ for Corpse": C IS
8. When many a bell is rung: MEAL TIME. Where?
9. As a group: EN MASSE
10. More competent: ABLER
12. Nonentity: ZERO
13. Common word in rallying slogans: REMEMBER. I peeked at the answer sheet.
14. Biting: ACERB
16. Parenthetical comments: ASIDES
17. Withdraw: SECEDE
21. Hawkeye associate: RADAR (O'Reilly). Both M*A*S*H characters. And WALTER (44. 21-Down's real first name, on TV). Unknown to me.
23. Starting squad: A-TEAM
24. Duff: PRAT
31. Islamic holy month: RAMADAN
32. Modern office staples: PCS
33. Chap: GUY
34. Mule's papa: ASS
36. Antares, for one: STAR
37. Something to walk on: SOLE. Indeed.
38. Whalebone: BALEEN. New word to me.
41. Chuck: TOSS
42. __ nerve: OPTIC. Also new to me.
43. Sun, in Spain: SOL. Alliteration.
46. Food for sea urchins: KELP. I use kelp for miso soup base sometimes.
51. Navel phenomenon: INNIE
52. Expenditures: COSTS
54. Hawaii's "Gathering Place": OAHU. "Gathering Place" is its nickname.
55. Other side: FOE
57. Pirate booty holder: CHEST
58. Halos: AURAE. Or auras.
60. Luxury seating: SKYBOX
62. Discounted: LESS
66. Fires up: IGNITES
67. Split, as some hoofs: CLOVEN. Past participle of "cleave".
68. Round Table knight: KAY. Not familiar with Sir Kay. Another lady sounding name.
69. Starbucks buy: LATTE
72. As __ on TV: SEEN
76. Indicates: SAYS
79. Fido's dinnertime extra: ORT. Classic crosswordese.
80. Trim, as apples: PARE
81. Semi-serious "I understand": AH SO
83. Casey Jones, e.g.: ENGINEER. Have never heard of Casey Jones. He must be very famous to be honored with a stamp.
85. Cottage: BUNGALOW
87. Lassie, once: PUP. The answer surfaced itself.
88. Slender swimmer: EEL. Slender indeed.
92. Thinks over: PONDERS
93. Up to: UNTIL
94. Like productive land: ARABLE
95. Hang on to: RETAIN
98. Largest of the Marianas: GUAM
101.Outcropping: LEDGE. Like this protruding part.
102.Meager: SCANT
104.Hoodwinks: SNOWS. Learned this slang meaning of snow a few weeks ago.
107.Breton, e.g.: CELT
108.Privy to: IN ON
110.Storage cylinder: SILO
111.Trickle: SEEP
112.Start of North Carolina's motto: ESSE "Esse quam videri" (to be rather than to see). Another learning moment for me.
115.Many a Wharton grad: MBA
Answer grid.
C.C.
22A. Introductory assortment of wreckage?: FLOTSAM SAMPLER. Flotsam. Jetsam.
40A. One-of-a-kind book? CUSTOM TOME
65A. Place to leave the flock during vacation?: CHICKEN KENNEL. Chicken want to live in the coop.
92A. Try to get tallow?: PURSUE SUET. My first theme answer.
114A.Music for painters?: ENAMEL MELODIES
15D. Scallions for an anniversary party?: JUBILEE LEEKS. To me, scallions are just green onions.
59D. Short treatise on junk e-mail? SPAM PAMPHLET. Fun clue/answer.
I only realized all the embeds are common names after I typed in & green-highlighted all the the letter string repetitions. Great theme title. Nice play on "beside oneself".
The puzzle is one Q away from a pangram. As the norm with our Sunday puzzles, quite a few entertaining clues. My favorite is FEET (109D. Pump inserts). D'oh, pump shoes.
I still don't like the clue for PEDAL (105D. Step on it). The "it" grammar confused me last time. I just don't feel the clue and answer fully correspond to each other, unlike the clear "them" reference in LEADS (97D. Reporters chase them).
Across:
1. Garfield's middle name: ABRAM. Can never commit his name into my memory. Did get KENNEDY (49D. President under whom the Peace Corps was formed).
6. Tiptop: ACME
10. Timber shaper: ADZ. Or adze.
13. Big Indians: RAJAS. Thought of Native American Indians.
18. At large: LOOSE
19. Property claim: LIEN. And DEED (11. Safe document).
20. Scripps competition: BEE. Spelling Bee.
21. Disqualify (oneself), in court: RECUSE
25. Protozoan: AMEBIC. Or ameobic.
26. Swears to: ATTESTS
27. Home of Texas A&M International University: LAREDO. U.S./Mexico border city.
28. Pooh-pooh: DERIDE
29. Manhattan component: RYE. Rye is an affluent suburb of NY City, a la Wikipedia.
30. Boris Godunov, e.g.: TSAR. Don't know Boris Godunov.
31. Lost the point: RAMBLED
32. Vardon Trophy org.: PGA. Gimme. Vardon Trophy is awarded to PGA player who leads in scoring average. Named after British golfer Harry Vardon.
35. Be of service to: ASSIST
38. Pointed remark: BARB
39. Legal conclusion?: ESE. Legalese.
43. Exercised in a lane: SWAM. Can't jam in BIKED.
45. Barely earn, with "out": EKE
47. Online bulletin board mgr. : SYSOP (System Operator)
48. Pub staple: ALE
49. It isn't really a bear: KOALA. What is it then, Kazie? Sure looks like bear though.
50. Vestige: RELIC
53. Put in the warehouse: STORE
55. Cut down: FELLED
56. One who follows the news?: LENO. Because Leno's show is after the evening news?
57. Cinnamon tree: CASSIA. Wow, it's Chinese cinnamon. No idea.
60. IV to III?: SON. Nailed it.
61. River duck: TEAL
63. Writers: PENS. Did not know "pen" can refer to a person who writes.
64. Marching start?: HUP. "Hup, two, three, four". The military march. Got me again.
70. Hobby shop buy: KIT
71. Significant times: ERAS
73. Hard on the eyes: UGLY. No, I will not link anything hard on the eyes. Al's Hart.
74. Thing to bend or lend: EAR. Nice rhyming clue.
75. Speaks disrespectfully to: SASSES
77. "If it's all the __ to you ...": SAME
78. Star's opposite: NOBODY
80. Bow ties and elbows: PASTA. Nice "bow" echo.
82. Early mobile home: TEPEE. Yurt too.
84. Soap whose first slogan was "It floats": IVORY
85. Scroogean word: BAH
86. Uses a keyboard: TYPES. And ENTER (120. Put in)
90. Rule of crime writing: ANN. I've never heard of Ann Rule. Good clue though.
91. BlackBerry message: TEXT
94. Fire or side attachment: ARM. Excellent play on fireside.
96. Secluded lowland: GLEN
98. Continued: GONE ON
99. Practice, as a trade: PLY
100.Comebacks: REPLIES
102.Like some telegrams: SUNG. I don't get this clue. How can telegrams be sung?
103.Dosage amt.: TSP
106.Goddess of wisdom: ATHENA
107.Noisy summer bug: CICADA. Ear-splitting!
109.Artful handling: FINESSE
113.Lost some locks: BALDED. Locks always refer to hair in Xword.
116.Feudal lords: LIEGES. Another hard to remember word.
117.He played Quasimodo in 1923: LON (Chaney). Easy guess.
118.Justice's garb: ROBE
119.Dylan Thomas's home: WALES
121.Explosive letters: TNT
122.Whack: SWAT
123.Skiing locale: SLOPE. Didn't jump to me immediately.
Down:
1. __ Romeo: ALFA. The sport car.
2. Cloth quantity: BOLT
3. Cheer: ROOT
4. Sunflower relative: ASTER. Oh, OK.
5. Like Oscar Madison's room: MESSY. And STY (89. 5-Down place).
6. Charity: ALMS
7. Grafton's "__ for Corpse": C IS
8. When many a bell is rung: MEAL TIME. Where?
9. As a group: EN MASSE
10. More competent: ABLER
12. Nonentity: ZERO
13. Common word in rallying slogans: REMEMBER. I peeked at the answer sheet.
14. Biting: ACERB
16. Parenthetical comments: ASIDES
17. Withdraw: SECEDE
21. Hawkeye associate: RADAR (O'Reilly). Both M*A*S*H characters. And WALTER (44. 21-Down's real first name, on TV). Unknown to me.
23. Starting squad: A-TEAM
24. Duff: PRAT
31. Islamic holy month: RAMADAN
32. Modern office staples: PCS
33. Chap: GUY
34. Mule's papa: ASS
36. Antares, for one: STAR
37. Something to walk on: SOLE. Indeed.
38. Whalebone: BALEEN. New word to me.
41. Chuck: TOSS
42. __ nerve: OPTIC. Also new to me.
43. Sun, in Spain: SOL. Alliteration.
46. Food for sea urchins: KELP. I use kelp for miso soup base sometimes.
51. Navel phenomenon: INNIE
52. Expenditures: COSTS
54. Hawaii's "Gathering Place": OAHU. "Gathering Place" is its nickname.
55. Other side: FOE
57. Pirate booty holder: CHEST
58. Halos: AURAE. Or auras.
60. Luxury seating: SKYBOX
62. Discounted: LESS
66. Fires up: IGNITES
67. Split, as some hoofs: CLOVEN. Past participle of "cleave".
68. Round Table knight: KAY. Not familiar with Sir Kay. Another lady sounding name.
69. Starbucks buy: LATTE
72. As __ on TV: SEEN
76. Indicates: SAYS
79. Fido's dinnertime extra: ORT. Classic crosswordese.
80. Trim, as apples: PARE
81. Semi-serious "I understand": AH SO
83. Casey Jones, e.g.: ENGINEER. Have never heard of Casey Jones. He must be very famous to be honored with a stamp.
85. Cottage: BUNGALOW
87. Lassie, once: PUP. The answer surfaced itself.
88. Slender swimmer: EEL. Slender indeed.
92. Thinks over: PONDERS
93. Up to: UNTIL
94. Like productive land: ARABLE
95. Hang on to: RETAIN
98. Largest of the Marianas: GUAM
101.Outcropping: LEDGE. Like this protruding part.
102.Meager: SCANT
104.Hoodwinks: SNOWS. Learned this slang meaning of snow a few weeks ago.
107.Breton, e.g.: CELT
108.Privy to: IN ON
110.Storage cylinder: SILO
111.Trickle: SEEP
112.Start of North Carolina's motto: ESSE "Esse quam videri" (to be rather than to see). Another learning moment for me.
115.Many a Wharton grad: MBA
Answer grid.
C.C.
Morning, Puzzlers - Straightforward today; never heard of ORT, though.
ReplyDelete29. Manhattan component; Rye
ReplyDeletecould also mean "rye" whiskey, a component of a Manhattan cocktail
Good morning CC etal,
ReplyDeleteSorry to say not much enthusiasm for this morning's offering. Maybe I just got up on the wrong side of the bed - puzzle just seemed kinda ho-hum.
Re: 29A - Manhattan cocktail traditionally made with rye whiskey - too sweet for my taste as I prefer my liquor straight out of the freezer or on the rocks with no sugary elements.
Re: 102A - Singing Telegram Has anyone recieved a telegram in the last ten years?
Re: 8D - a dinner bell was often rung on the ranch to let the hands know it was MEALTIME. It's still used during formal, i.e. State, dinners for the same purpose.
Hope all have a pleasant Sunday!
Good Morning, CC and all. This was a struggle for me. I never cottoned on to the theme until after reading your explanation.
ReplyDeleteI knew RADAR and guessed that his first name was WALTER.
I knew that the Cinnamon I uses is the bark of a tree, but didn't know what kind of tree it was from.
I wanted TENTS instead of TEPEES for Early Mobile Homes. At least I was headed in the right direction.
CC, Here is a story of Casey Jones. He was a train engineer who was killed in a train wreck, but saved others by his actions.
QOD: Life is one long process of getting tired.
Morning, all!
ReplyDeleteI blew through the top 3/4 of this puzzle and then slowed down considerably at the end. Even though I had figured out the theme by then, I just could see SPAMPAMPHLET for the life of me, mostly because was expecting the repeated word further along in the answer. It didn't help any that I had no idea who ANN Rule is/was and that I refused to even entertain the possibility that BALDED could be a real word.
And then, to the east of that horrible section, I did myself in by putting COLT for CELT (I'm not entirely sure, but I was probably thinking that Breton was the name of somebody who plays for the Indianapolis Colts) and SLAY for SWAT. I looked at BUNGA_OL for the longest time, wondering whether there was something actually called a BUNGAROL...
As with C.C., I wasn't fond of the cluing for PEDAL, but at least this time I was familiar with that type of cluing and was able to get it.
Anyway, overall it was another great puzzle!
This was very interesting puzzle, with the use of names as the repeated part of the theme clues, really well done.
ReplyDeleteA KOALA is related to Kangaroos not bears, I am sure Kazie our Oz native can tell us more about them.
The 16th century Tsar/Czar BORIS GUDUNOV was actually a very effective leader, but is remembered more for the plays and opera written about him, and in the US, because the name was pronounced Good – un – ov, as the wonder Boris BADenov in Rocky and Bullwinkle cartoon.
ANN RULE writes about true crim, and is not as famous the ones who write make believe.
SINGING TELEGRAMS have been part of American culture since they invented the telegram. Instead of just delivering the printed words, the delivery person would sing the message, like Happy Birthday etc. Of course, you do not see many telegrams being delivered, except perhaps for the ever popular STRIPPER GRAM .
I also do not remember the word BALEEN so it is a learning day for me.
I had a friend who never used the word “SAID” anything he was told was always “Indicated” drove me crazy.
My brother's FIL drank Manhattans until the day he died at 87, with his two girl friends both there. Also had a wry sense of humor
Good Morning C.C. and all. Welcome aboard MikeL.
ReplyDeleteThe Sunday puzzle is a stem-winder by expectation, but this one was not too difficult. A little red letter help, but no searches needed. Loved the theme words. Liked RAJAS.
KOALAs are in a completely different animal order than bears. Koala are Marsupials (have an abdomen pouch for their young) while bears are Carnivores (meat eating - have teeth for tearing)
CLOVEN hoofed - even toed ungulates. Horses and tapirs are odd-toed ungulates.
HUP - Always thought it was 'hut'. Hut, Toop, Threep, Fourp, etc.
KIT - gimme for Dennis?
Enjoy the day
Will get to the puzzle this PM but...
ReplyDeleteFor the RR buffs, there is a Casey Jones Museum in Jackson, TN on I40 between Memphis and Nashville.
Good morning CC and All, a real walk in the park today. All the unknowns were easily filled by the perps and I did get the theme early enough to help with the remainder of the puzzle.
ReplyDeleteMy response to the Manhattan part was for Rye, as in whiskey.
Hahtool I also had tents for 82A, but 72D seen quickly corrected that fill. I also tried to put HUT for HUP, but I knew spam was correct for 59D so no real problems there.
Overall an interesting puzzle today, but easy and the theme was creative and the crossword well done..
Hope you all have a great Sunday.
way back when, you would send birthday greetings by telegram which would be delivered IN PERSON and sung by the delivery boy
ReplyDeleteGood morning, C.C. and puzzlers.
ReplyDeleteWhat a pleasant walk today; a very straight forward xwd with not much puzzling over.
I wonder if it sets the record for most three and four letter fills?
And not too many abbreviations either.
Of course, PGA stumped me; I had "bub" for chap and had no idea about online bulletin board manager, although it's been used before. Corrections made from the blog.
Hand up for "rye" in a Manhattan; did not know about a suburb, Rye.
Cinnamon tree brought to mind a strong memory of walking among them and the glorious smell of cinnamon.
Clever cluing in "feet" (pump inserts), "Ann" Rule of crime writing; I've only read about her but not her books.
Also thought of Dennis with "kit" and "pen" (writers) I believe just means the tool with which to write.
Thanks to all for your insights on singing telegrams, marsupial koala, Boris Gudonov, and Casey Jones.
Baleen instantly reminded me of the baleen whale. Fourth graders love to study whales, dolphins and sharks.
"Ort" used to be more of a staple in the past; have seen it only rarely lately, but it was one of the first crosswordese I learned many years ago.
You all have suberb Sunday!
OOPS, forgot to credit my QOD: Life is one long process of getting tired. ~ Samuel Butler
ReplyDeleteI had confused Boris Godunov with Alexander Godunev, the ballet dancer. Both were Russian, so I just figured maybe Alex considered himself the TSAR of Ballet.
Good Morning All, I learned several interesting things today.
ReplyDeleteHmmm, it is (64A) HUP, not HUT. That one took me a while.
Another slow one to change was (107D) CELT. I started out with CAPE Breton (Island), which is part of the Canadian province of Nova Scotia. A little knowledge is a dangerous thing, or at least a time consuming one.
Although Chris in LA's link indicates otherwise, it seems like an amusing connection between the Manhattan cocktail and its main ingredient RYE, which turns out to be a neighboring community, Rye. Thanks for that information, C.C.
Until now, I didn't know that BALD was a verb. I've never said GAH (113A) BALDED. Come to think of it, I still won't.
I was OK with (105D) PEDAL. "Step on it (the gas pedal)" is a pretty well know phrase, when the driver is asked to speed up. Not that I've ever done it :o), but "Put the pedal to the metal." is another speed-up phrase.
Lots of great links today. Thanks to Chris in LA, Hahtool and Lemonade714.
Here's my link for the day. I knew the Casey Jones folk song from Girl Scout days, but a little later, there was this one by The Grateful Dead.
Good afternoon everyone.
ReplyDeleteSpitzboov: My DH, who was a drill sgt., says it is hup, two, three, four (no added p's). But that when an officer showed up, it was ten hut.
My mother, who is Canadian and born in 1900, used the term ort for leftovers.
Gorgeous day here. Enjoy your Sunday.
(I didn't go to church this AM, so that's why I am goofing off.)
Cheers
Sallie, thanks for the Hut/Hup information. That makes it easier to remember.
ReplyDeleteLemonade, LOL, I didn't realize until I reread my post that I had written "Although Chris in LA's link indicates otherwise". After reading your comment, I might have said "says".
Our second chorus concert is this afternoon. The first one on Wednesday evening went well, so we have high hopes for no unplanned flat notes. My favorite numbers are "April Is In My Mistress' Face", a 16th century madrigal and "Love Changes Everthing" from Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Aspects of Love". These links aren't of our group, but you get the idea of the fun range of songs, April, etc and Love Changes, etc.
Good afternoon - Enjoyable puzzle; for step on it PEDAL I thought of pedaling a bicycle.
ReplyDeleteFri nite my wife's van was stolen. Apparently her husband left the key in the ignition while running an errand. The police found it early this morning. It had been driven across some railroad tracks; 2 ruined tires, one bent shock absorber. Could have been a lot worse. I will have to have a talk with the careless husband.
Oh, well, live & learn.
Sallie@ 11:38 My Hup Hut comment was somewhat tongue-in-cheek. Have you ever heard cadence called out? Pretty much jibberish sounding with some creative syllables.
ReplyDeleteCan't say why, but I found this one tedious! Sorry Pamela.
ReplyDeleteC.C. Excellent write-up.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the "UGLY" embed.
This was a smooth West to East solve, then I looked at the grid and the whole Atlantic Coast Region was empty.
Had Amoeba before AMOBIC, protozan.
Couldn't get INNIE, UNTIL I REMEMBERed we had a discussion about these a while back.
Faves were TEPEE, First Mobile Home, and RAJAS, Big Indian.
BALDED, I agree with CA, a verb?
One yuck in a grid this size is OK I guess.
A FUN Sunday, with FINESSE!
Dudley
ReplyDeleteORT is usually clued as table scraps.
This was one of my first crosswordese answers I remember from about 35+ years ago.
Today's clue. FIDO dinnertime extra, was clever for this answer.
ClearAyes:
ReplyDeleteYour audience will be fortunate to hear you; last night I attended a concert by the local Masterpiece Chorale group and they are superb! I'm sure your group provides that kind of enjoyment.
Sallie:
I love knowing that "ort" is a functional word in someone's vocabulary!
Hahtool:
LOL at your Godunov comment since tsar can be anagramed into star!
Lemonade
ReplyDeleteI just read the afternoon and evening comments from yesterday.
Your comment to IPO cracked me up. It reminded me of the "Break a leg" as someone goes on stage.
Of course the Anon (again) doesn't get it. Virgins are like that.
The whole thing reminded me that the evil anon lurker really has no clue. Nor answers. And doesn't do these crossword puzzles we all love.
Lucina: That's very funny! I don't generally see anagrams, and certainly did not see TSAR to STAR!
ReplyDeleteI guess I get to state the obvious that the last laugh from our constructor of "BESIDE THEMSELVES" is she, like DONNA, managed her name as an integral part of the puzzle in SPAM PAMPHLET.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if they call KOALA bears in OZ, or do we do it because they are cute and cuddly like our TEDDY BEARS? I think the big distinction in mammals is placental, marsupial or egg laying.
Frenchie:
ReplyDeleteYou coming to claim your throne as French expert? Do you vote for Tinbeni or Anon?
KZ, you out there? What about Koala?
Shamelessly copied the theme answers and then completed the puzzle. Favorite (clever) clue: "Thing to bend or lend." Sunday puzzles are a bit too long and wear me out...kinda like tonight`s recap and wrap up of "Lost" will probably do. I`ve never watched a full episode and don`t know if the "prat" can stand the 4 1/2 hours...but will give it a try, just like the Sunday puzzles.
ReplyDeleteWant to know what everyone will be talking about tomorrow. Pop culture; gotta love it! (or at least be knowledgeable about it, after all, it will probably show up in a puzzle eventually!)
Good day, C.C. and all!
ReplyDeleteI loved today's clever puzzle, and I guess I was on Pamela Klawitter's wavelength, as I sailed through the grid without a sputter. I printed up the puzzle late last night (actually early this morning), thought I would take just a minute or two to look it over, but was hooked, and ending up completing it before going to bed.
Worked NW to SE, and caught on to the theme with FLOTSAMSAMPLER, which certainly helped with the theme answers. Favorite clues were "IV to III", and "Pump inserts".
The "KENKEN" answer made me think of a new number puzzle I was recently introduced to in a second grade classroom. The puzzles bear some similarity to Sudoku, but also involve mathematical calculations. I've seen one book of the puzzles, with the forward written by Will Shortz. You can get new puzzles daily at kenken.com
Also liked the dual fill tribute to Gary Burghoff's character RADAR/WALTER O'Reilly from M*A*S*H, one of my favorite sitcoms to watch in re-runs. I never saw the show when it originally aired in the 70's and early 80's as I did not have a television before I was married in 1976. My DH came with a set when we were married, but we watched very little TV while the boys were young.
ipo-Congratulations to your son on his graduation from law school and engagement!
Enjoy the evening!
Lemonade @4:58
ReplyDeleteI do not understand your reference to me as a French Expert.
When or where was I ever in that discussion?
Hi all,
ReplyDeleteJust checking in--no puzzle for me today.
The info given so far on Koalas was all correct: they are marsupials, and as such do have a pouch for nurturing their young after what would seem in a mammal to be a premature birth, but which is normal for all marsupials. They can live almost indefinitely high up in the eucalyptus (gum) trees that sustain them with both food and drink, as they apparently get sufficient moisture from the oily leaves to go without venturing down to earth in search of water for long periods. Of the hundreds of gumtree varieties in Oz, they can only eat leaves from very few (I forget the number, but about 5 or 6). They spend most of the daylight time asleep, being largely nocturnal.
TB:
ReplyDeleterelax, the question was did Frenchie think my comment to IPO was "classless" per Anon, or funny, per Tinbeni.
C'est tout.
l714, you really need to give it a rest, my friend. Let it go.
ReplyDeleteKZ:
ReplyDeleteBut do the natives call them KOALA BEARS or just KOALA? Ah well my five are gone, until tomorrow,
Hahtool:
ReplyDeleteI don't usually see anagrams either, but with Jerome chiming in occasionally with anagrams, I have a new appreciation for them and sometimes can spot them in short words.
I love the learning moments.
Lucina, regarding anagrams. There are several more to be found in TSAR including one of my favorite words when I'm frustrated.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know RYE was part of New York but I felt good when I figured out the Manhattan cocktail connection.
CC, you mentioned Miso soup. I had it once in a sushi restaurant. Very good. I tried the powdered soup mix from the supermarket. Just OK. I assume yours is more like what I had in the restaurant.
Well, the Dodgers look really good sometimes but not today. But I'll survive if the Lakers look good tonight.
I used to enjoy Sudoku but tired of it. I tried Kenken and liked it even better but tired of it too. I've stuck with crosswords longer. More variety I think and this blog is a big plus.
Lemonade,
ReplyDeleteAlthough the koala is not a bear, English-speaking settlers from the late 18th century first called it koala bear due to its similarity in appearance to bears. Although taxonomically incorrect, the name koala bear is still in use today outside Australia — its use is discouraged because of the inaccuracy in the name. Other descriptive English names based on "bear" have included monkey bear, native bear, and tree-bear.
The Wiki link gives a lot more interesting info.
Adding to Kazie's Koala Komments: During a lengthy trip to Oz, I visited the late Steve Irwin's superb zoo in Beerwah. While there I learned that koalas are quite fussy eaters - they'll only eat certain fresh leaves of a certain size of certain trees - thus requiring the zoo to employ gatherers whose job it is to go out into the countryside and harvest the correct branches by the hundreds each day. Collect the wrong salad and the koalas go on hunger strike. Fussy little rascals, but cute.
ReplyDeleteC.C. Friday:
ReplyDelete42 - Across. "Who, me?": MOI. Who will educate us about French when Kazie leaves for Oz next Wednesday? She'll be gone for a whole month!
No one. Kazie is the best.
anon@ 10:11pm,
ReplyDeleteYou flatter me. Thank you. However, there are others who have a pretty good knowledge of French here as well. I just have more practice teaching and explaining it perhaps.
Greetings all;
ReplyDeleteJust got back from a weekend in LaLa Land. Daughter wanted to celebrate number 23 at Magic Mountain.
Had all the answers for CC, but I'm way too slow. They've been covered. I have been known to say, "I've been balded," upon return from the barbers. I never knew I wasn't just being silly.
About the puzzle, I enjoyed it, but thought it was a bit easy for a Sunday. Most words came easily, or only took one or two perps. My only wrong answer was GIN for 29A. I immediately thought of the drink, but as a nondrinker, I needed Aster and messy to show me the error.
If anyone is still up, have a great night.
Gunghy, Good night, John Boy!
ReplyDelete