Theme: Life's a Beach - As the unifier indicates, put BEACH in front of the first word of these four common phrases and you have a connection.
17A. Top banana: HEAD HONCHO. Beachhead - the area that is the first objective of a military force landing on an enemy shore.
23A. Unstable situation, metaphorically: HOUSE OF CARDS. Beach house.
37A. Huge mess: BALL OF CONFUSION. Beach ball.
45A. Gregarious fun lovers: PARTY ANIMALS. Beach party.
58A. Valuable shore property, and a hint to what the first words of 17-, 23-, 37- and 45-Across have in common: BEACH FRONT
Argyle again.
The unifier explains the connection but doesn't really help the solving of the clues. The first three change their meaning when combined with beach but PARTY stays the same. In fact, you can find PARTY ANIMALS at a BEACH PARTY. Toga! Toga!
Across:
1. Briquettes : COALS. A sort of progression: Briquettes - COALS - embers - ash.
6. Zip : ZERO
10. Country music pioneer Ernest : TUBB. When I listen to his I'm Walking the Floor Over You, I can't help but think of Poe's, The Tell-Tale Heart. Dost thou think I am mad?
14. "As a result ..." : AND SO
15. Country on the tip of the Arabian Peninsula : OMAN. Map.
16. Spot in the ocean : ISLE
19. Depilatory brand : NAIR. Or Neet/Veet.
20. '60s-'70s war site, briefly : NAM
21. "Now it makes sense!" : I SEE
22. Cake finish : ICING
26. Workplace inspection org. : OSHA
29. Comportment : MIEN
30. Louise's gal pal : THELMA. From the 1991 movie, "Thelma & Louise".
33. Buzzing swarmers : BEES
34. Performed : DID
40. "Danny and the Dinosaur" author Hoff : SYD. An "I Can Read" book.
41. Court postponement : STAY
42. Ancient Greek military power : SPARTA. They hit the big time with their movie.
43. Blood fluids : SERA
44. Veggies studied by Mendel : PEAS
52. Assumed name : ALIAS
53. Defensive spray : MACE
54. Marx's "__ Kapital" : DAS
57. Thin curl of smoke : WISP
61. Third man : ABEL and 3D. Father of 61-Across : ADAM
62. High-strung : EDGY
63. Sacher treat : TORTE. The Sachertorte was created by pastry chef Franz Sacher (1816-1907) in 1832 for Prince von Metternich, the Austrian State Chancellor. The prince enjoyed trying new dishes and ordered the chef to create a new cake. Orders were sent to the kitchens where it was instant pandemonium. The head chef was sick and the team of cooks in the kitchen had no idea what to prepare. Franz Sacher, a 16-year old apprentice cook, rolled up his sleeves and created this famous chocolate cake with the ingredients that were available. It consisted of chocolate sponge cake cut into three layers, between which apricot jam are thickly spread between the layers and on the top and sides of the cake. The whole cake is then iced with a velvet-like chocolate and served with a side dish of whipped cream. The Sacher Torte and other recipes made him prosperous, and he operated several cafes and restaurants.
64. Goodyear product : TIRE
65. Member's obligation : DUES
66. What matzo lacks : YEAST
Down:
1. "High Hopes" lyricist Sammy : CAHN. "High Hopes" is a popular song, introduced in the 1959 film A Hole In The Head, winning the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1959. The music was written by Jimmy Van Heusen, the lyrics by Sammy Cahn. A Sinatra standard.
2. Top draft status : ONE A
4. '60s "trip" drug : LSD
5. Early gas company based in Cleveland : SOHIO. Standard Oil of Ohio or Sohio was one of the successor companies to Standard Oil after the antitrust breakup in 1911. It merged with British Petroleum, now called BP(Hiss, boo), in 1968.
6. Districts : ZONES
7. Roast host : EMCEE
8. Bleachers cry : RAH
9. John __ Lennon : ONO. Lennon and Yoko Ono were married in Gibraltar on 20 March 1969, and he changed his name by deed poll on 22 April 1969, adding "Ono" as a middle name. Although he used the name John Ono Lennon thereafter, official documents referred to him as John Winston Ono Lennon, since he was not permitted to revoke a name given at birth.
10. Kid's make-believe phone : TIN CAN. Not make believe. This site can tell you how to make one.
11. Carrier that added "ways" to its name in 1997 : USAIR. USAir in 1979, US Airways in 1997. Of local interest, Mohawk Airlines was an early part of what was to become USAir.
12. Duck hunter's cover : BLIND. Not only for ducks, the meaning "anything that obstructs sight" is from 1530s. In this case, the obstruction of the prey's sight of the hunter.
13. Cold-water hazards : BERGS
18. Its flagship sch. is in Stillwater, west of Tulsa : OSU. Oklahoma State University.
22. Freezes over : ICES UP
23. Oates's musical partner : HALL. Daryl Hall and John Oates, Private Eyes.
24. Divine sign : OMEN
25. Feudal domains : FIEFs
26. Gambling parlors, briefly : OTBs. Off-track betting (OTB)
27. One-horse carriage : SHAY. Two wheeled is correct version but four wheeled carriages are often called shays, also.
28. Had in one's hands : HELD
31. Strolls (along) : MOSEYS
32. Performers' union: Abbr. : AFTRA. The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA). AFTA. The After Shave Skin Conditioner.
33. Tarzan's son : BOY
34. Awful : DIRE
35. Letter after theta : IOTA
36. Genetic info carriers : DNAs
38. "Misery" actor James : CAAN. Movie poster
39. Easy targets : SAPS
43. Swingline fastener : STAPLE. Swingline is a brand name for staples and staplers.
45. Touch, cat-style : PAW AT
46. Accused's excuse : ALIBI
47. Choir platform : RISER
48. Likeness : IMAGE
49. "Miracle on 34th Street" setting : MACY'S. One of my favorite movies.
50. Rhine whine? : ACH. Great rhyme.
51. Sandy Koufax or CC Sabathia : LEFTY. Left-handed baseball pitchers(and a mini shout-out to our leader).
54. The first Mrs. Copperfield : DORA. Not the magician. "David Copperfield or The Personal History, Adventures, Experience and Observation of David Copperfield the Younger of Blunderstone Rookery (which he never meant to publish on any account)" is a novel by Charles Dickens, first published as a novel in 1850. Like most of his works, it originally appeared in serial form a year earlier. David, as an adult, first married naïve Dora Spenlow, but she dies. He eventually marries and finds true happiness with the sensible Agnes, who had secretly always loved him.
55. Insects on farms : ANTS
56. Editor's "leave it in" : STET
58. B&B part : BED. Bed and Breakfast inns, usually a private home. Many couples have bought old homes, thinking becoming a B&B will pay the mortgage; it doesn't, for most of them.
59. College URL ending : EDU. Its name is derived from education, indicating its intended use as a name space for educational institutions.
60. Future fish : ROE. Finally, some alliteration.
Answer grid.
Argyle
17A. Top banana: HEAD HONCHO. Beachhead - the area that is the first objective of a military force landing on an enemy shore.
23A. Unstable situation, metaphorically: HOUSE OF CARDS. Beach house.
37A. Huge mess: BALL OF CONFUSION. Beach ball.
45A. Gregarious fun lovers: PARTY ANIMALS. Beach party.
58A. Valuable shore property, and a hint to what the first words of 17-, 23-, 37- and 45-Across have in common: BEACH FRONT
Argyle again.
The unifier explains the connection but doesn't really help the solving of the clues. The first three change their meaning when combined with beach but PARTY stays the same. In fact, you can find PARTY ANIMALS at a BEACH PARTY. Toga! Toga!
Across:
1. Briquettes : COALS. A sort of progression: Briquettes - COALS - embers - ash.
6. Zip : ZERO
10. Country music pioneer Ernest : TUBB. When I listen to his I'm Walking the Floor Over You, I can't help but think of Poe's, The Tell-Tale Heart. Dost thou think I am mad?
14. "As a result ..." : AND SO
15. Country on the tip of the Arabian Peninsula : OMAN. Map.
16. Spot in the ocean : ISLE
19. Depilatory brand : NAIR. Or Neet/Veet.
20. '60s-'70s war site, briefly : NAM
21. "Now it makes sense!" : I SEE
22. Cake finish : ICING
26. Workplace inspection org. : OSHA
29. Comportment : MIEN
30. Louise's gal pal : THELMA. From the 1991 movie, "Thelma & Louise".
33. Buzzing swarmers : BEES
34. Performed : DID
40. "Danny and the Dinosaur" author Hoff : SYD. An "I Can Read" book.
41. Court postponement : STAY
42. Ancient Greek military power : SPARTA. They hit the big time with their movie.
43. Blood fluids : SERA
44. Veggies studied by Mendel : PEAS
52. Assumed name : ALIAS
53. Defensive spray : MACE
54. Marx's "__ Kapital" : DAS
57. Thin curl of smoke : WISP
61. Third man : ABEL and 3D. Father of 61-Across : ADAM
62. High-strung : EDGY
63. Sacher treat : TORTE. The Sachertorte was created by pastry chef Franz Sacher (1816-1907) in 1832 for Prince von Metternich, the Austrian State Chancellor. The prince enjoyed trying new dishes and ordered the chef to create a new cake. Orders were sent to the kitchens where it was instant pandemonium. The head chef was sick and the team of cooks in the kitchen had no idea what to prepare. Franz Sacher, a 16-year old apprentice cook, rolled up his sleeves and created this famous chocolate cake with the ingredients that were available. It consisted of chocolate sponge cake cut into three layers, between which apricot jam are thickly spread between the layers and on the top and sides of the cake. The whole cake is then iced with a velvet-like chocolate and served with a side dish of whipped cream. The Sacher Torte and other recipes made him prosperous, and he operated several cafes and restaurants.
64. Goodyear product : TIRE
65. Member's obligation : DUES
66. What matzo lacks : YEAST
Down:
1. "High Hopes" lyricist Sammy : CAHN. "High Hopes" is a popular song, introduced in the 1959 film A Hole In The Head, winning the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1959. The music was written by Jimmy Van Heusen, the lyrics by Sammy Cahn. A Sinatra standard.
2. Top draft status : ONE A
4. '60s "trip" drug : LSD
5. Early gas company based in Cleveland : SOHIO. Standard Oil of Ohio or Sohio was one of the successor companies to Standard Oil after the antitrust breakup in 1911. It merged with British Petroleum, now called BP(Hiss, boo), in 1968.
6. Districts : ZONES
7. Roast host : EMCEE
8. Bleachers cry : RAH
9. John __ Lennon : ONO. Lennon and Yoko Ono were married in Gibraltar on 20 March 1969, and he changed his name by deed poll on 22 April 1969, adding "Ono" as a middle name. Although he used the name John Ono Lennon thereafter, official documents referred to him as John Winston Ono Lennon, since he was not permitted to revoke a name given at birth.
10. Kid's make-believe phone : TIN CAN. Not make believe. This site can tell you how to make one.
11. Carrier that added "ways" to its name in 1997 : USAIR. USAir in 1979, US Airways in 1997. Of local interest, Mohawk Airlines was an early part of what was to become USAir.
12. Duck hunter's cover : BLIND. Not only for ducks, the meaning "anything that obstructs sight" is from 1530s. In this case, the obstruction of the prey's sight of the hunter.
13. Cold-water hazards : BERGS
18. Its flagship sch. is in Stillwater, west of Tulsa : OSU. Oklahoma State University.
22. Freezes over : ICES UP
23. Oates's musical partner : HALL. Daryl Hall and John Oates, Private Eyes.
24. Divine sign : OMEN
25. Feudal domains : FIEFs
26. Gambling parlors, briefly : OTBs. Off-track betting (OTB)
27. One-horse carriage : SHAY. Two wheeled is correct version but four wheeled carriages are often called shays, also.
28. Had in one's hands : HELD
31. Strolls (along) : MOSEYS
32. Performers' union: Abbr. : AFTRA. The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA). AFTA. The After Shave Skin Conditioner.
33. Tarzan's son : BOY
34. Awful : DIRE
35. Letter after theta : IOTA
36. Genetic info carriers : DNAs
38. "Misery" actor James : CAAN. Movie poster
39. Easy targets : SAPS
43. Swingline fastener : STAPLE. Swingline is a brand name for staples and staplers.
45. Touch, cat-style : PAW AT
46. Accused's excuse : ALIBI
47. Choir platform : RISER
48. Likeness : IMAGE
49. "Miracle on 34th Street" setting : MACY'S. One of my favorite movies.
50. Rhine whine? : ACH. Great rhyme.
51. Sandy Koufax or CC Sabathia : LEFTY. Left-handed baseball pitchers(and a mini shout-out to our leader).
54. The first Mrs. Copperfield : DORA. Not the magician. "David Copperfield or The Personal History, Adventures, Experience and Observation of David Copperfield the Younger of Blunderstone Rookery (which he never meant to publish on any account)" is a novel by Charles Dickens, first published as a novel in 1850. Like most of his works, it originally appeared in serial form a year earlier. David, as an adult, first married naïve Dora Spenlow, but she dies. He eventually marries and finds true happiness with the sensible Agnes, who had secretly always loved him.
55. Insects on farms : ANTS
56. Editor's "leave it in" : STET
58. B&B part : BED. Bed and Breakfast inns, usually a private home. Many couples have bought old homes, thinking becoming a B&B will pay the mortgage; it doesn't, for most of them.
59. College URL ending : EDU. Its name is derived from education, indicating its intended use as a name space for educational institutions.
60. Future fish : ROE. Finally, some alliteration.
Answer grid.
Argyle
70 comments:
Good morning, Argyle, C.C. and gang - this was more like it; a bit over 4 minutes, hardly a pause and just one unknown (Syd Hoff).
I didn't see the theme at all until the unifier, and even then, didn't think it was very strong (except for 17A, of course). In fact, the unifier led me to believe that the theme answers preceded beach. Not a lot to comment on elsewhere, as this one was loaded with very familiar answers.
Argyle, excellent write-up. I was never a Beatles fan, so I had no idea John Lennon added 'Ono' as a middle name. And you're right about most B&Bs - we have one in our town that's changed hands at least four times in the past fifteen years, and no one's turned a profit yet. One exception is Cooperstown where the B&Bs are always full, due to the dearth of hotels around the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Today is International Peace Day, World Gratitude Day and National Miniature Golf Day. You'd think they'd have Miniature Golf Day a little sooner than the last day of summer.
Did You Know?:
- The average single man is one inch shorter than the average married man. (I wonder if the height is different too)
- Grace Hopper (an amazing lady) coined the term computer bug when a moth shorted out her computer.
- The first email was sent over the internet in 1972. I'm betting it was from Nigeria.
Good Morning, CC, Argyle and all. Another stunning write-up, Argyle! I found this puzzle a bit of a challenge this morning, but I quickly caught on to the theme ~ Where I Spend My Summer Vacation!
I liked how ALIBI crossed ALIAS.
"Thelma and Louise" is the movie that put this actor on the map.
I had a Sacher Torte at the Hotel Sacher in Vienna, but was a bit disappointed. Maybe I was blinded by all the hype surrounding the dessert.
QOD: What have future generations ever done for us? ~ Groucho Marx.
Morning, all!
Mostly straightforward effort today. I did not know DORA or AFTRA and had work work the little gray cells to remember TUBB and CAHN, but it all came together in slightly above average time.
I, too, had the chance to try Sacher Torte many years ago while visiting Austria as a youth. And, like Hahtool, I wasn't particularly impressed by it. The Black Forest Cherry Cake (schwarzwalder kirschtorte), on the other hand, was to die for!
Hello Puzzlers - What Dennis said, except that I lavished a full 8 minutes on the puzzle. No speed solvers here!
Didn't recognize SHAY for a while, though a neighbor once had such a rig and a lovely horse to pull it (a Dutch warmblood, I think).
I have never understood the attraction to Yoko Ono. We know for certain that she can't sing...
OOOH! OOOH! Two hands up and waving wildly for Black Forest Cake!
After a long night at work, today's puzzle surprisingly came together pretty fast. The term "ball of confusion" is new to me. AFTRA was a guess ... I can never remember any Unions initials and Tubb is not an entertainer I'm familiar with.
Good night all, enjoy your day.
Good morning all. Great write-uo, Argyle. Interesting story about Sacher.
Not quite a speed run today. Some clues gave pause, but all the unknown fills were getable from the perps. The theme didn't help me much, but it wasn't needed either. Loved the rhymed clue for ACH.
It's not related but SHAY reminded me of the geared locomotive engine used on steeper curvy track, such as logging.
Enjoy the day.
Good morning Argyle and all, another great write up Argyle. Today was a very quick solve with the only pause being 30A when I inserted Shella for Thelma, but the perps solved that one. Otherwise it was a fun and quick solve.
Spitzboov, I remember the old Shay gear driven engines from visiting tourist sites in the northwest. I enjoyed your link.
My hands are up for the Black Forest Cake. Yummy!!
Dennis, I laughed at your comment on the average man. LOL
Hope you all have a great Tuesday.
Good Morning Argyle, C.C. et al.
Thank you for all the musical interludes Argyle. It got me going this morning.
I didn't have any problems with the puzzle and finished without any help. I must have been on Mr Doll's wavelength, because even "zip" didn't give me pause - I filled in ZERO immediately. Usually I have trouble remembering singers / songwriters names, but today "TUBBS", "CAHN" "HALL" all came easily.
Like Dennis, I wanted to put the words in front of "beach". Duh. By the way Dennis, who takes all those measurements? Do they need any help?
Good Morning Puzzleheads,
A quickie this morning with a couple of bonehead errors to erase. Spelled Mosies first, had Claspe for 43D and couldn't get Ball of Contention out of my head even though it wouldn't fit. Once I took the eraser to it I finished in under 10 minutes.
Great Blogging Argyle!
The good business owners of B&Bs have done well for themselves in Town. They will make the big money when they sell. The ones that think its going to be like the Bob Newhart show last two years at the most. Now that its cruise ship season some B&Bs bitch that they don't get any benefit from these visitors. What we do get is fees from the cruise ships that pay for projects. I built a bathroom facility this year with those dollars. I don't think anyone has much to complain about this year, its been very busy. My oldest is still making $50 bucks a night when he buses tables at a local eatery.
Have a great Tuesday.
Argyle - The CW puzzle was great - a few wrinkles, but eminently 'doable' - your blog was even better.!! Love your new avatar !!!@#!!
1981 - Year in which the United Nations created the International Day of Peace.( Sept. 21 ).
0 - Days since 1981 that there have been no wars in the world.
> 30 - wars, insurgencies and conflicts going on in the world today.
1.2 million - American service members that have died during wartime, since 1775.
420 - Verses in the King James Bible in which the word 'Peace' appears.
3 - U.S. Presidents who have won the Nobel Peace prize ( Teddy Roosevelt, Jimmy Carter, Barack Obama).
1939 - Year in which Adolf Hitlerwas nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize ( the man who nominated him. E. G. C. Brandt, a member of the Swedish Parliament, later withdrew the nomination).
$ 9.48 - Price of a 'Give peas a chance' baby bib on Amazon.com.
Argyle: Piedmont was another regional airline that became part of USAir.
OSU: not Ohio State University? I know...I know...the rest of the country is tired of hearing about the Buckeyes. But, get used to it...they have a good team....again!
Never knew about Ono. finally a fresh clue for a tired old fill.
Dennis: not looking forward to playing your Phillies but, are they peaking too soon?
33 across reminded me of the Melissa and Barb. I've been hit and miss around here but haven't heard from the Bs in awhile. Maybe Melissa will blog tomorrow.
With apologies and attribution to Bill Modlin...
There was a young fellow from Sparta,
A really magnificent fahta,
On the strength of one bean
He'd f--- 'God save the Queen',
And Beethoven's 'Moonlight Sonata'.
He could vary, with proper persuasion,
His f--- to suit any occasion,
He could f--- like a flute,
Like a lark, like a lute,
This highly f---istic Caucasian.
He'd f--- a gavotte for a starter,
And fizzle a fine serenata,
He could play on his a---
'The Coriolanus'
Oof, boom, er-tum, tootle, hum tah-ter !
He was great in the 'Christmas Cantata',
He could double stop f--- 'The Tocata',
He'd boom from his a--,
'Bach's B-Minor Mass',
And in counterpoint, 'La Traviata'.
Spurred on by a very high wager,
With an envious Lt. Major,
He proceede to f---,
The complete oboe part,
Of the Haydn 'Octet in B-major'.
It went off in capital style,
And he f---ed it through with a smile,
Then, feeling quite jolly,
He tried the finale,
Blowing double stopped f---s all the while.
The selection was tough, I admit,
But it did not dismay him one bit,
'Til with a-- thrown aloft,
He suddenly coughed-
And collapsed in a shower of s---.
Good Morrow Fellow CVers
Few contenders for the GAVEUP Assn., 'cept possibly:
I agree with theondohurricane, I have never used/seen the phrase "Ball of Confusion". In fact I did not put in "Ball" until I got to the theme clue. The meaning is obvious enough. The phrase is a title to of a song by the Temptations, but was it a new coinage? A quick G-search yielded only references to the song or obvious allusions to it. Anyone?
Another plug for "HOUSE OF CARDS", which I mentioned the other day. Netflix has it, as does Itunes (I think). A must-see. The brilliant Ian Richardson made it a classic; sadly he died quite recently.
Nice to see FIEF and MIEN crossing each other. Splendid old words, both of Norman French origin I think.
And nice to see Abel getting a look-in. His brother has had too much of the lime/limnlight lately.
OTB has no equivalent is Britland, as every high street has a bookie, where you can legally bet on just about anything. You can even pay tax on your bet up-front, and then your winning/losses are tax-free.
Torte-or For Now
PECAN PI, U?
re James Caan: did anyone watch the new Hawaii Five-O last night? There was a scene with Scotty Caan driving where he was channeling his father's performance in "Thief". He had the same cadence, facial tics and hand gestures. I don't know if it was intentional but I enjoyed it.
Good morning all,
At first I thought I'd get no traction here, but things started to fall into place with perp help and a lot of WAGs. I had no idea about the theme connections, and have never heard "ball" of confusion before. I started with BENDS for BERGS, so that slowed the NE a bit.
I've never had a thing for chocolate cake so haven't tried Sachertorte despite many opportunities. OTH, like others here, I do enjoy Schwarzwälderkirschtorte.
Sigh... Tarzan's son is named Jack. Which only makes sense, as it is a nickname for John and Tarzan himself is John Clayton, Lord Greystoke, so his son stands to inherit the estate and the title. Only in the truly terrible arena of a Hollywood back lot is he ever called "boy". And please don't get me started on "Cheeta".
Amazing how few names I recognized today.....what has happened to "the old gang"?
Seems the puzzles the first part of the week are 'no brainers'...anyone feel the same way?
Argyle, great write-up.
OTBs in Oz are called TABs,or Totalisator Agency Boards. These are TAB offices, originally government organized, but largely privatized in the 1990s, found practically everywhere, and you can even pay the taxes on winnings so you don't have to do it later. If memory serves, they first opened up in the 60's, when off course betting (OCB) became legal.
Americans may be the most litigious in the world, but Aussies might be the biggest gamblers.
Argyle, Excellent, informative write-up.
The FOUR themes, plus reveal, were appropriate Tuesday stuff. Fave was PARTY ANIMALS (duh).
TORTE filled itself in, looked OK to me, thanks for the Sacher info.
Liked CAHN & CAAN.
NAM crossing ONE-A.
ALIBI crossing ALIAS.
ICING crossing ICES UP.
ABEL clued as "Third man" was fresh. A lot nicer than being identified as the first murder victim.
IOTA filled itself in off the 'T' in SPARTA. Someday I am going to learn the Greek Alphabet in its proper order.
Learning moment, the John Lennon adding ONO as his middle name.
All-in-all, a FUN Tuesday.
Good Morning All, what does it say about us when we take such joy in all the minutiae buried in these great write-ups? This daily linguistic smorgasbord has become my second morning addiction (it ain't catchin' coffee!).
HOUSEDIVIDED came up because of my civil war interest but OFCARDS came soon enough.
For Zip, I had to discard CODE and ZEST before I got Zip,
ZERO, Nada.
BALLOFCONFUSION?
Kazie, where is OZ?
With all the beautiful Asian women in the world, how in the world did John Lennon and Woody Allen choose the way they did?
Roofers are next door today and just got a blue tarp on the roof as a very hard but brief rain storm came through. I feel like Jimmy Stewart in Rear Window (is/was there anyone more elegant than Grace Kelly?)
I saw Rhine wine and got the H later (speed reading again?)
I would love to see the Huskers play OSU (the one in Columbus) this year!
Have a great Tuesday. I have to rest up after teaching a full day yesterday. Whew! What I won't do for a crummy $139.
Have you ALL read 'Cruciverbalism' - A Crossword Fanatic's Guide to Life in the Grid' by Stanley Newman???
This book is really fabulous!! A friend gave it to me yesterday and I read it in one sitting - couldn't put it down - it's just a fantastic read if you love Xwords!!!
If you've read it, what did you think??? If not, I highly recommend it.
Have a great Tuesday!!!
Hi all - Argyle, great write up. I was happy to know about the Sacher treat. I had no idea.
Got most of the answers fairly fast. I had never heard the expression 'Ball of confusion'. Also could not remember the initials for 26D so that stopped me for a bit.
Dennis, Yoko helped John to add an inch. I understand she was quite talented in that area. :0
Husker,
Oz = Australia, also referred to indirectly in the last line of my second post, as well as in the link I included. I wondered if anyone waited for it to come up--it's a long PDF and took a while for me too.
But interesting stuff, and I didn't know if any of you would know what "two up" is, which is referenced in that article too. When I was growing up, it was only legal on Anzac Day, when the old soldiers would get together after the parade and play it in the downtown parks. it was shown in a scene in the movie "The Sundowners" too I think.
The Temptations(acapella) - Ball of Confusion (That's What the World Is Today). And the band played on.
Very enjoyable puzzle and write-up. Thanks. Hand up for never having heard the expression 'ball of confusion.' I would have lost money betting that Ernest's last name was Tubbs. Looks like HeartRx had the same confusion. Hand up for not seeing the appeal of Yoko Ono.
I posted this a couple of days ago but it was late and I never heard back from anyone. What do you do with the pennies you get back in change? I sometimes put them in a tip jar along with other coins or in a charity box if there is one. Otherwise, I sometimes tell the cashier to keep the pennies. I wish they would stop minting pennies and just round prices with sales tax to the nearest nickel or dime. Also, since one-dollar bills wear out quickly, the treasury could stop printing them and use coins instead. I think Canada has done that.
Kazie, in CB parlance, "Thanks for the comeback!".
I always associate The Wizard of Oz with its metaphorical link with Nebraska's Great Populist William Jennings Bryan and not your lovely birth country.
Does the ubiquitous forward going around the net attributed to PM John Howard decrying radical Muslims sound like it his thinking?
creature, your 6:22am comment at the end of yesterday's blog really caught me off-guard until I realized the context.
seen, the Phillies have become a real 'September team' - if the last two years are any indication, they'll ride this all the way through. And yes, I saw the Hawaii Five-0 last night and noticed the mannerisms too. Looks like a good take on the original.
HeartRx, what a great humanitarian, volunteering for such hard duty!
Argyle
Thanks for the link.
That Temtations hit, BALL OF CONFUSION has been running through my head all morning.
Bill G
I get rid of all change under a Quarter as fast as I receive them.
The quarters I can at least use getting another newspaper out of a box or when paying a minor toll near me when I HEAD to the BEACH.
Hi crossword blogging friends. I have been absent of late due to the foodshow taking up all of my lunch hours the last couple of weeks. With less than a month away from now, what I don’t have ready, won’t be. On to the puzzle. Argyle, I actually enjoyed your blog write up more than the puzzle today. I always have trouble when I don’t suss out the theme and today was just one of those days. I didn’t know Ernest Tubb as I am not a country western fan and got some perp help with mien, Syd, and sera. It was good to see my Mom “Thelma” made the puzzle this month as she turned 77 a couple of weeks ago. Hall and Oates was the first concert I ever went to. They shared the stage with Chicago. Somehow you never forget your first concert. I thought “swingline fastener”- staple was clever; and sure enough I have a “Swingline” on my desk.
Dennis, interesting fact on the married man vs unmarried man, I just completed a scientific study here in the office.
Bill G, since it costs more to make them than their worth, I say get rid of both the penny and the nickel. Down-size the quarter and start using the dollar coin.
Jeannie, did you put them in a swingline?
Hello Argyle, C.C., et al.
Didn't have too many problems with today's puzzle. Sunday and Monday puzzles were done late yesterday as I was too happy to be sitting up in the living room instead of lying in my bed all day. I will have to go back and read those comments later.
Argyle-thanks for the great write-up today, especially the Sacher treat information. I love to hear of people who turn adversity into a great victory.
Bill G.-I used to keep all my change (and the change my husband removed from his pockets every night) in a large coffee can. When it got full, I would take it to the bank and it usually had about $100 in it. I would decide on some goal like a Kitchen Aid stand mixer or a special dinner or vacation, and save that money until I had enough. Now, however, all change in the house goes into my daughter's piggy bank. When it gets full, we take it to "our bank" and put it in her savings account.
Okay, hand up for not seeing the attraction of Yoko Ono. But LOL at Carol's comment!
Have a great day, everyone.
Good day, Arhyle and fellow puzzlers.
Great write-up, Argyle, with some learning moments for me, especially the origin of Sacher torte which, although I was in Vienna, I did not try.
A very nice contribution from Robert Doll which should have been easy but I caused myself confusion by thinking Ernie FORD, not TUBBS and having fits over the NE corner since REEDS seemed acceptable for 12D as did NEET for 19A.
When HOUSEOFCARDS became apparent, the eraser did its work and it was smooth sailing after that.
Hand up for Rhine whine, ACH, great clue.
I had two cousins, sisters, named Thelma and Louise and I often wondered what they would have thought of the name pairing in a movie, but they were gone by then.
Have a wonderful Tuesday, everyone.
Bill G:
I have a penny jar which I take to the bank when it's full. The other change goes into a tin for miscellaneous use such as vending machines. But that ssometimes goes to the bank as well.
Husker,
Take a look at Snopes. I hadn't seen the email forward you mentioned, so I had to check via google, and that is what I found.
Argyle,
Nice new avatar. Are you praying, or rubbing your hands together?
Dennis,
Maybe the height (or length) relates to the desirability at the time of proposing, not the post marital development.
Seen,
I did watch 5-O last night, but hadn't registered the relationship of the Caans, so I'll have to watch it again for further clues.
Jeannie,
Good to see you back!
"I wonder if the height is different too". I don't get it. Must be a private joke.
"Quick, who's your favorite HEAD HONCHO?"
"AH, DON HO, CHE"
"Louise, where's THELMA?"
"On THE LAM"
MOSEYS are Ten Commandment adherents.
Cool crossing- PARTY/STAPLE
Uncool- Tandean dweller? TINCAN.
Hello everybody. Thanks for your writeup today (and yesterday), Argyle. Thanks for the info about John Lennon adding ONO as his middle name. Until I read that, I thought the clue was a misprint. Speaking of what maybe attracted him to her, it is reported that (probably as a joke) he once told her he liked her because she "looks like a bloke in drag."
I liked yesterday's and today's puzzles. Some neat-o fills, very cool words and phrases.
I chuckled aloud at "Rhine whine," and "Future fish" was a nifty way to clue ROE.
I sure didn't know what OTBS was until coming here.
Somehow my little grey cells dredged up SHAY, but I can't remember where I had heard it.
Nice cluing today.
Yes, Grace Hopper was an amazing person.
Gotta run. Here's wishing you all a fine day.
BTW, as kids we used to make tin-can telephones. It was always fun to clearly hear, up close, the other person's voice in your ear. We used to take pride in how long we could make the string, and even rigged up ways of routing the stretched string around corners without stopping it's ability to carry the sound vibrations. It was really cool to hold a tin-can telephone conversation with somebody whom you couldn't see, who was not in your direct line of sight.
Jerome: PUHLEEEEEZE! What else can "shorter" refer to???!!!
Dennis: Re "Days" So, why don`t we play a round of miniature golf with all our world enemies, say "Thanks for the fun game and let`s do it again next week!" With something positive to look forward to, maybe we wouldn`t concentrate so much on bombing the beejeebers out of each other!
@Anon, Jerome knew full well what he was saying. "Private" joke, indeed. That deserves corporal punishment.
Good Day C.C.,Argyle and all,
The puzzle was easy and fun today,
but it took my attention, nevertheless. My favs were:'mien','wisp' and 'Rhine whine'.
Outstanding write-up, Argyle. Neat explanations and links; one of my fav movies, also. Is OTB only for
horse races or sports,too?
Bill- Happy Belated Birthday! and many more!
NC- Good to see you at your Sergeant at Arms post and guarding.
Carol- Really? Wow! Share!
Jeannie- Really? Wow! Share?
Dennis- 1LOL + 2LOL=3 Big LMAOs.
Hi.
A real speed run. The write up was better.
We also have Allegheny Airlines(read as Agony Airlines) and good old Lake Central Airlines.
First ever flight was Captiol Airlines (DC3)- Pitt to Detriot.
I say it waas from a Canadian Pharm. Had 38 spam emails from them this morning.
Have a nice day.
Worst airline name I've heard: Midway Airline. Is that as far as they go?
Closely followed by Spirit Airline. Is that all that's gonna be left?
Jeannie, where is your office???
We used to have Allegheny Airline at our locale airport. We nicknamed it Agony Air. I could get a round trip ticket to Boston to visit my brother during school vacations for $45. The planes weren't much!
Dennis- Carlin did a routine about buying your ticket in a "terminal" then heading to your "destination".
Also something about "Nonstop flights" and how you better hope they are. Maybe Argyle the master digger upper could find it.
Good afternoon, everyone.
I enjoy the ease of Monday and Tuesday puzzles. I should really say that I enjoy being able to do them!
Hahtool and Barry G.: I too was most disappointed in Sacher Torte. Tried it only once, even though we lived in Vienna for a year. Found it dry and not chocolaty enough.
It's good to be back. Especially on a Monday and Tuesday.
Cheers
Dennis et al,
I've replied to Carol Edmonston. Thought you'll be interested to read her letter:
"...read your blog and tried to view the entire crossword puzzle with clue 40 across being "Syd" (as in Hoff- Danny and the Dinosaur)
I'm Syd's niece and would love to see the actual puzzle, if possible. Can you help?
I'm in the middle writing a book about Syd's life - target publishing date 2012 - his centennial year.
many thanks... Carol"
P.S. Argyle I truly enjoyed your write up. It was especially interesting to read about the beginning of the Sacher Torte.
I also always found it interesting that the Huns were stopped at Vienna, and that's where coffee began in Europe.
Cheers
Hi gang -
Argyle - fine job, amigo.
Anon @ 1:11 - hands? feet? noses?
OTB'S threw me and I didn't know SHAY. Never heard of AFTRA, and delayed getting STAY.
Found this to be a bit tough for a Tuesday. And everyone else thought it was easy!
Was clueless on the theme until the unifier, too.
Guess I'm a bit dull today.
Jimmy van Heusen changed his name because of the popularity of that brand of shirt. I mostly love his tunes, and Sammy Cahn's lyrics - but I absolutely loathed that awful Hi Hopes song the first time I heard it. 51 years later, I still feel the same.
Oh, well -- Cheers!
JzB
NC - Since the lynchings have been called off, I guess we can assume our Quality Control positions and dump titles, except of course the honorary one held by CA.
Is that OK, or is it ...just...m..
Hi all,
I didn't find this puzzle as hard as yesterdays but had a couple problems here and there.
I always thought it was Ernie Tubbs but when I looked it up it had 2 B's and no ess so it fit. I never was in to country music in his day but did know who he was.
When the clue said The first Mrs. Copperfield I first thought it was David's Mother. She was actually was the "first". Her name was Clara but it didn't fit, of course so I had to put Dora.
Now, about Tarzan. The Tarzan I knew was in the movies. There were11 movies between 1932 and 1948. The first 3 just had Tarzan and Jane, and of course Cheetah. In 1939 Cheetah found an airplane crash and it had a baby boy alive, all the rest were dead. So, being the smart monkey he was, he took it home to Tarzan. He and Jane raised him and called him Boy. I take it the movies and the books were different. That movie was "Tarzan finds a Son." From then on, between 1939 and 1948 Boy was in their movies and was playeed by Johnny Sheffield.
It was in the 40's that I watched the Tarzan.
Dennis, Chacago has a Midway Airport-it was before the built O'Hare and it is still open and I think they used to have a Midway Airline.
Goodnight all!
Marge
Jerome: Here is Carlin. The terminal destination stuff is at ~ 6 mins.
Dick, glad you liked the Shay engine. There's a good wikipedia page with the history of its invention, and the mechanics of how its traction works
Hello All--Today I had one small glitch. That was with the crossing of Aftra and Ball OF Contention. I had ACTRA. Finally fixed that by looking up AFTRA and that helped to finish up PDQ.
My learning moment for today was John Lennon's middle name--ONO. I was unaware he took his wife's name after he married.
Tinbeni, I enjoyed the Alias/Alibi crossing, also.
I too, wanted to put the word Beach in front of the first word in the theme answers. After all it did say Beach FRONT in the unifing answer.
Carol, from yesterday. I'll have to remember to talk about vacations, and dinners out way away from where the fridge is located. LOL
Dennis, I had an e-mail, not from Nigeria, but from supposed personnel in Iraq. They needed an honest person to help them get LOTS of money out of Iraq that was some of Sadaam Huessin's millions that were unaccounted for. Same old scam, new scammers! Written in perfect English, too.
Bill G., I put all of our pennies into a small bank, then roll them and take them to the bank. I just got a $5.00 bill yesterday. That helped pay for the stamps to send letters to my grandson in Senegal.
Good evening, Argyle, CC. et al., What a fun puzzle! Felt good to get back in the saddle and hopefully i won't get bucked off (spelling?) again for a while. Great speed run. Rare that I knew so many of the names.Ono and Aftra were the only unknowns. What theme?
Dennis: about fell off my chair w/your avg man comment. I'd like to offer my services as 'quality control' for HeartRx's and Jeannie's studies. Can't be too careful w/such a hard job. I think it's important to nail it right out of the chute.
Santa Darlin': love your new avatar! What's the story about the position? Anything I can help with?
Got so excited when OSU came thru. Was a little confused by the 'flagship' lead-in. OU is it for me at any rate, even tho' I do love me some cowboys. The sooners just know some stuff.
Never heard of Ball of Confusion but am certain that if I had, I would have applied immediately in order to be considered the belle of that ball. That title fits like a glove.
CC, that is so cool about Syd Hoff's niece Carol chiming in. I can't help her out (wish I could) but will look forward to the book in 2012.
Enjoy your evening.
Spitz- Gracias!
Here, from Sunday about my avatar.
Argyle said...
That was the before picture. The barber is my autistic first cousin, once removed, who just loves to snip things off. It has grown back enough now that I will get a new picture. I'm not showing the right after pictures. No way.
September 19, 2010 8:19 AM
And when posting any Carlin clip, a warning about offensive language would be appropriate. Of course, with any George Carlin bit, the seven words you can't say on television is a given.
Hi, gang,
Nothing new for me to say about the puzzle, except that I enjoyed it. . . . almost as much as your writeup, Argyle.
With apologies to you, Kazie, I'm recommending your word 'totalisator' to Creature and NC for the GAVEUP list. Too many suffixes for me! Nothing personal, though.
Creature, see above, please.
Back to you, Kazie: I've been wondering how you got your nickname. Perhaps you answered this before I came aboard. I'm guessing "Katherine Zimmerman" for the real name? Am I close?
Jeannie, I'm glad your back, too. I thought maybe it was the ribs and was going to email you s get-well card.
I've never had sacher torte nor have I been in Vienna. However, that picture, Hahtool, doesn't look like the recipe sounds. It has only two layers and I see no evidence of latherings of apricot jam. Not that I doubt your description, Argyle, but I'm going to consult my LaRousse Gastronomique.
Great jokes tpday, Dennis, Jerome!
Where's Sidwan?
Dodo,
I've never seen a Sachertorte that looked as if it had slatherings of jam in it either. hence my decision not to partake. I've been fooled too often with desserts that look pretty but turn out disappointing.
You're on the right track with the nickname origins, but way off on the names. The first syllable only needs one added letter, and the last four.
Argyle,
Thanks for the avatar explanation. Now I see that you may have been praying about the outcome.
DodoI
- My duct taped Merriam Webster Ninth Collegiate Dictionary[missing pgs 799-800 'nimrod' to 'nodus']lists your submission as hitting the streets in 1879.
This word has emerged long enough to be found in "TAB" in Oz. Perhaps, it could stay safely there for a very long time and not raise any more hackles.
Of course, I submit this to the
GAVEUP Assn's quality control team headed by none other than NC.
Over to you NC.
Meeting adjourned for the night, I guess.
Good Evening All, It looks like all comments worth making have already been made. That fits handily with my new position as Honorary Chief-Something-Or-Other of the GAVEUPs. I love the idea of being admired for being required to do absolutely nothing. Oops, I almost went political there. Kinda sounds like too many of our representatives on both sides of the aisle.
About today's puzzle, it was a fine Tuesday contribution and Argyle's blogging made it all the better.
I didn't know (5D)SOHIO or (40A)SYD, but undemanding perps took care of them.
(27D)I won't post it because it is rather long, but The Wonderful One Hoss SHAY was a poem written by Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr., who was the father of Supreme Court Justice, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., who served on the the court from December 1902 to January 1932.
We talked about Sacher TORTE a couple of weeks ago. It had been on my "pre" Bucket list in 1978. It was both slathered and delicious.
I understand that a "Clecho" is a repeating clue. Is there a word for a repetitive fill like (1D) CAHN and (38D) CAAN? The spelling is different, but aren't they pronounced the same? Any ideas, Dennis....Bueller.....anyone?
Husker Gary@9:48, Hmmmm "With all the beautiful Asian women in the world, how in the world did John Lennon and Woody Allen choose the way they did?" Contrary-wise, With all the handsome men in the world, how in the world did Yoko Ono and and Soon-Yi Previn choose the way they did? :o)
NC@8:22, Loved the movie, HOUSE OF CARDS too.
Meant to say 'survived' instead of 'emerged'- sorry, its late.
CA:
I agree re: Lennon and Allen.
And,
Husker Gary,
Maybe both had heard and taken to heart the old Jimmy Soul tune. It's available on You Tube.
Good one, Carol!
Jeannie, how're you feeling? Good to see you back. Nice to hear from you again too, Windhover!
I save my change in coffee cans or jars. When I moved about 4 years ago, I took a couple containers to the bank and got about $450 in bills back from it!
Then, I read the book "The Christmas Jar", about people who would anonymous leave a jar of change for someone they know that was having a difficult holiday. The idea wasn't that the money was enough to turn the recipient's life around, but to let them know they weren't alone, and that somebody out there cared about them. I've managed to do that twice now. It's REALLY difficult maneuvering the anonymous part...and I'd love to know how the people who received them felt, but never heard. I know another friend I plan on doing that for this year.
This month, I saw an ad that said if you brought your change to a Coinstar machine and chose a $40 iTunes giftcard for it, then you could enter a code from the transaction online, and receive a $10 iTunes giftcard. I thought they'd come in handy as Christmas presents this year.
No time to post anything about today's puzzle before now. Took 15 minutes. No real issues, although I found BALL OF CONFUSION a bit confusing as a solution to 37A.
As maybe you can tell by now, I'd rather watch a good old movie than a mediocre new movie. I came across an old Sherlock Holmes movie with Basil Rathbone that I enjoyed much more than the recent movie with Robert Downey Jr. I also recorded "Stand By Me" and am enjoying it all over again.
Do I get any hands up?
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