Theme: Murky Monday
20A. Chicago bluesman nicknamed for the creek he played in as a child : MUDDY WATERS
56A. Ill-gotten gains : FILTHY LUCRE
11D. Greeting from an affectionate dog : SLOPPY KISS
29D. Fast one : DIRTY TRICK
Argyle here. SLOPPY doesn't quite match up with the other three themes but this such a smooth puzzle, it can be forgiven. This should be a fair test for our tyros but otherwise a fun solve. Four long pinwheel arms with a good size block of white in the middle. Janice had quite a run this month. (4)
Across:
1. Discussion : TALK
5. Untidy situation : MESS
9. Zodiac transition points : CUSPS
14. "The Time Machine" people : ELOI
15. Fairly large fair : EXPO
16. Guitarist Eddie Van __ : HALEN
17. Reddish horse : ROAN
18. Birthstone for many Libras : OPAL
19. Stopped snoozing : AWOKE
23. "The Raven" poet : POE. Edgar Allan Poe
24. Tenth of ten in a race : LAST. It took a bit for this to sink in.
25. Harvest machine : REAPER. "Don't fear the reaper".
27. Filled with cargo : LADEN
30. Wise guy sometimes "wearing" pants? : SMARTY. (smarty pants)
32. Magnate Onassis : ARI
33. Fancy wineglass : GOBLET
36. Pretty good : OKAY
39. Little more than : MERE
41. Find another purpose for : REUSE
42. Biker's distance unit : MILE
43. Enjoys a buffet : EATS
44. Walked proudly : STRODE
46. Mo. city on the Miss. : STL. St. Louis.
47. New Haven alumni : YALIES
49. "The Boy Who Cried Wolf" storyteller : AESOP
51. Daily food allowance : RATION
53. Bungee __ : CORD
55. Bus station abbr. : ARR. (arrival time)
62. Damp : MOIST
64. Fifth of 13 popes : LEO V. There was 13 popes named Leo. Also, 34D. Family name of three popes : ORSINI
65. Use gentle persuasion on : COAX
66. Game show host : EMCEE
67. Soft French cheese : BRIE
68. Work the copy desk : EDIT
69. Bare : NAKED
70. Agile : SPRY
71. Family rooms : DENS
Down:
1. School session : TERM
2. Matty of baseball : ALOU. Just one of the Alou family.
3. Washer capacity : LOAD
4. Reader with Paperwhite and Fire models : KINDLE. A given for some.
5. Kitty cries : MEOWS
6. Political exile, for short : EXPAT. Expatriate.
7. Tiny tiff : SPAT
8. Shoe bottom : SOLE
9. Beer drunk after a shot : CHASER
10. Detroit labor gp. : UAW. (United Automobile Workers)
 |
| 1954 Olds concept car |
12. Black tea variety : PEKOE
13. Disdainful grin : SNEER
21. Yin partner : YANG
22. Not family-friendly, moviewise : R-RATED
26. Molecule part : ATOM
27. Flimsy, as an excuse : LAME
28. Wallpaper hanger's calculation : AREA
30. Fails to enunciate : SLURS
31. "You've Made __ Very Happy": 1969 Blood, Sweat & Tears hit : ME SO
35. __ noire : BÊTE
37. Range above tenor : ALTO
38. Sharp cry : YELP
40. Actor Morales : ESAI
45. British peer : EARL
48. Hit high in the air : LOFTED
50. Drew out, as latent talent : EDUCED
51. Japanese noodle dish : RAMEN
52. Dunkin' Donuts emanation : AROMA
53. "You're preaching to the __!" : CHOIR
54. Yiddish "Egad!" : "OY VEY!"
57. Barristers' degs. : LL.B.s (Bachelor of Laws)
58. Maryland athlete, for short : TERP. Terrapins
59. Morse creation : CODE
60. Ball game delayer : RAIN
61. Nos. requested by receptionists : EXTs. (Extension)
63. "Get it?" : "SEE?"
Not ready to go yet?
Argyle
30 comments:
Hello Puzzlers -
Easy to do, but an elegant design, wouldn't you say?
Morning, Argyle, I had forgotten about Blood, Sweat, and Tears, another of the fun big brassy bands. Thanks for the memory jog!
{C-, C, C, D, D.} the slump continues. I hope YMMV.
Whether a GOBLET, whether a chalice,
Whether presented with a SNEER or malice,
It may be a hoax
If it tries to COAX,
And a big mistake to "Drink me!" Ask Alice!
There once was a SMARTY who mixed who's and whose.
There, their, and they're he'd often confuse.
But further (or far-),
His worse BETE NOIRE,
It's its he misuses with it's every REUSE!
There once was an OPAL which lived in a mine.
It had been there a very, very long time!
At LAST it was torn
From the place it was born,
So that folks could ogle oval OPAL design!
Don't get yourself fooled by maiden or miss,
By yearning embrace, or big SLOPPY KISS!
For once your Yin's taken
Love-making they'll RATION,
You'll have nada except as you YANG, reminisce!
There once was a lady whose hallway was MUDDY,
Her kitchen was DIRTY, her bathroom was cruddy.
Her housekeeping was SLOPPY
But her place was still hoppy,
Her bedroom was where she'd conduct FILTHY study!
I added some Muddy Waters at the end. Ya might want to go back and give a listen.
Good morning!
Janice is getting to be a regular regular. Easy, but not a gimme. When I wrote the K in TALK, it looked live a V, so at 4d I was looking at VIN___ and drew a blank. D'oh! I use a Kindle. Daily.
Nice photo of that concept Olds, Argyle. MFAH currently has an exhibit of classic car designs.
Yay! The bridge is open, and it's possible to leave the 'hood. Don't want to, but am taking comfort in the possibility.
Good Morning!
I enjoyed this one. Thanks, Janice and Argyle.
Have a sunny day even if it's raining where you are!
Morning, all!
Managed to sleep in a bit this morning for a change. We'll be having a BBQ today come hell or high water, but it looks as though I may end up doing all the "grilling" on the stove top due to the rain.
Today's puzzle was mostly a speed run until I hit ORSINI. Perps took care of it pretty quickly, but I kept staring at the clue wondering, "Wait, am I supposed to know this? On a Monday?"
Good Morning:
I'm getting used to seeing Janice's name on Monday puzzles and I do enjoy her offerings very much. This had a bit of a bite but nothing that couldn't be sussed out. Orsini was probably the only unknown. Thought of CED at meows 🐱 and Tin at ex-pat. 🌎
Thanks, Janice, for a great start to the week and thanks, Argyle, for the tour.
Lucina, is there an English translation for Esai? I've been meaning to ask that as Mr. Morales shows up so often in the puzzles. Is he ever handsome! I caught a few minutes of his appearance on the Memorial Day celebration last night, hosted by Gary Sinise and Joe Montagne. It was a touching tribute to those who have given so much for their country. 🇺🇸
The rains never came yesterday so we could have had the cookout, after all. We're supposed to have storms later today. Good luck, Barry!
I watched about 20 minutes of The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel last night and was so bored I gave up. I did enjoy the first one but I just couldn't get into this, Maggie Smith and Judy Dench, notwithstanding.
Have a great day.
Fun, breezy, witty: all describe Janice's work today. Really enjoyed it! Thanx, Janice! And thanx Argyle for a terrific write-up!! Especially the musical links!! I absolutely loved the Muddy Water/Rolling Stones clip. Anybody know the date? Owen, you haven't been up to your usual standards lately, but you're being a bit hard on yourself, now. I give today B, B, C-, B. Every one of 'em brought a smile though, so thanx!! For some unknown reason I read 20a as "Chicago businessman ....." and when it worked out to MUDDYWATERS, I thought, "Huh! Just like the bluesman!" Kept streaking through the puzzle and never went back and re-read the clue. Only when I came here did the forehead get smacked!
Argyle: Nice write-up. Enjoyed the MUDDY WATERS tune.
Janice: Thank You for a FUN Monday puzzle.
OKAY, I will admit that I needed ESP (Every-Single-Perp) to get ORSINI ... but that is just because I'm not a Roman Catholic (I'm Episcopalian) and don't know "the Popes."
Fave today, of course, was 9-d, Beer drunk after a shot, CHASER, go figure LOL.
Stuck again with a Mid-80's, Beautiful, Sunny day ... geez, this is getting boring ...
And a "Toast-at-Sunset" to ALL our Veterans!
Cheers!
Thank you Janice and Argyle. Quick and fun puzzle. Argyle, I liked your title choice and musical links. Could have thrown in a little of Buck Dharma's (Don't Fear) The Reaper. Never thought Eddie would get out alive.
First filled MEWLS in lieu of MEOWS.
Thought of Tina Fey at SMARTY Pants but her book was BOSSY PANTS.
Never read the clues for KINDLE, UAW, PEKOES and more. Failing to read clues sometimes means missing out on the fun. Other times it means one might be missing out on learning something new, like "Paperwhite" and "Fire" models as a clue.
Spent almost all day outside yesterday. DW and I are having a one on one Pulled Pork cook-off. Mine made on the smoker and hers in the crock point. Taste tests begin this afternoon. Anyway, just finished reading yesterday's comments.
Argyle, thanks for the example. Fred Sanford would be a reprobate that could be described as affectionate. Anon -T, true dat w/ Johnny Fever.
Jayce, I also chose GAMMA after entering MAESTRO. Gamma didn't last very long.
Abejo sounds like you had a great day at the ballpark, despite the $9.50 beers. Looks like each of these Cleveland fans were having a great time too !
Good morning everyone.
Lots of crud in today's theme phrases. Got them and the rest of the whole shebang without mishap. Got ORSINI from perps.
Love good BRIE.
REAPER - In the early '40's we harvested grain with a REAPER and Binder. Still a lot of work setting the sheaves up in shocks to dry out further and then running them all through the threshing machine driver by a steel lugged McCormick-Deering 10-20 tractor Very labor intensive.
Oye Ve.............................I did another Monday, quickly.............
Nice Monday puzzle from Janice, not withstanding ORSINI which was filled in before I got to the clue. Perps, Perps, Perps. Nice write-up by Argyle. I liked the Blood, Sweat and Tears videos also.
HG: When did the race take place? Also, WRT Bungee Jumping have you seen Jeanne Robertson's video Don't Bungee Jump Naked.
Today we honor those who gave their all.
Fast frolic for Monday fun! Thanks Janice. Loved the links, Argyle.
Owen, I agree that you are too hard on yourself! I don't see much of a slump. Some I like better than others....but that's mostly due to my interests, not your ability. Just keep 'em coming! And keep me smiling.
Perfect weather here for all the festivities. The World War II museum is planing all sorts of tributes, part of the ongoing weekend of tributes, which are sad, poignant, inspirational, and educational. Never forget.
Fun Monday solve today after a busy time last week where I often did not even get a chance to lurk on the Corner. Thanks Janice and Argyle.
I wanted Yell before YELP but AESOP corrected that. Lifted was corrected to LOFTED by RATION.
Our CHOIR had ALTOs today.
Time to get DIRTY in the garden. We have a beautiful day after a hot weekend but the garden could use rain. In the meantime, we water every day.
Happy Memorial Day to all our Americans at the Corner. (I guess that includes nearly everyone!)
Canadian Eh, many Canadians died on Juno Beach and in other battles. We honor them, also. Thank you for their service to us all.
Well, don't ME be SO SMARTY.
This was such fast fun I even missed a few c/a pairs (EXPO & OPAL). Thanks Janice - I seemed to be on your wavelength all the way through the puzzle. And thank you Argyle for the holiday-duty writeup.
No WOs today. WEES - 34d was ESP; I liked the way Barry G. phrased it "On a Monday?"
Fav: GOBLET. Donno why; I just think it's a funny word.
Oc4 - never heard of Jeanne b/f. She's funny and reminds me of Grandma C. Thanks for sharing.
Not to MUDDY the WATERS, but this BOC "REAPER" has More Cowbell...
Eldest is at a CHOIR competition. I stayed up 'till 4 this morning to make sure she woke. I need a nap b/f I hit the store for RATIONs.
Cheers, -T
Thank you SwampCat @12:07.
Yes it takes everyone working together for freedom! We must never forget the sacrifices made.
Canadians have Remembrance Day on Nov. 11
What a great Monday puzzle--many thanks, Janice. I sailed through this one and loved the theme when I was finished. I also got the Sudoku and the Kenken this morning, so this is a great way to start the week. And thank you too, Argyle, as always.
Tinbeni, as a Catholic I got LEO V without any trouble, but I also don't know the family names of Popes. Thank goodness the perps filled in ORSINI without any problem.
I also got all the musical references but don't know any of the music. I should start listening to music more--I almost never get a single popular music answer on "Jeopardy." I'm just not sure how to get started with that.
Have a great week, everybody!
Good Morning, Everyone. Had a bit of a hard time with the SW corner. For some reason I wanted Oodon, instead of Ramen, but Emcee and Naked took care of that. Thank you Argyle and Janice for a fun Monday puzzle.
Those "dirty" words tell the story around here lately, as our yard has been a big pile of dirt for so long. No matter how hard we try not to track in, the litter finds its way indoors. We're finally finished with most of the dusty, dirty, work, so hopefully I can begin to keep things a little tidier.
Now that school is out I'll have a little more free time to devote to puzzling and blogging. I've missed being able to do the crossword in the morning along with enjoying my second cup of coffee and reading the Crossword Corner Blog to find out how all of you are doing.
Today we celebrate as a nation in memory of all those who sacrificed so we could enjoy our freedom. Lest we forget!
Have a great day, everyone.
Fast, fun puzzle today. ORSINI was a little crunchy, but I managed to dredge it up after my first thought" "deMedici", wasn't going to work. Thanks, Janice. Top-notch expo as always, Argyle, thank you. I lost the link to Muddy Waters/Rolling Stones, FWIW.
Looks like the weather is going to hold off for our cookout. Grilled filet mignons garnished with crimini mushrooms sweated in butter, baked potatoes, corn on the cob, and Caesar salad. Can't wait. I may still be hobbled up, but I ain't dead yet. Let the good times roll!
Cya!
Good afternoon, folks. Thank you, Janice Luttrell, for a fine puzzle. Thank you, Argyle, for a fine review.
Zipped through this pretty easily. Liked it. Of course, it is Monday.
TTP: Liked the Cleveland beer can shot. I guarantee they will never offer that at Wrigley Field. Too many people making money.
Theme was good.
I did not know ORSINI or OY VEY. Perps.
PEKOE was easy. Even though I do not drink it. Earl Grey is my poison. I carry it with me wherever I go, just in case.
Hot day today. Have to cut the grass and work in the garden. Hope to cook something out tonight.
See you tomorrow.
Abejo
Started the top complaining "dang it, this too easy even for a Monday!"
Finally finished the bottom complaining "dang it, this is harder than a Thursday!"
But mostly, I wonder why everyone else is complaining...
So, you're making a crossword puzzle and all is going well. Four great theme entries.Even an awesome one like SLOPPY KISS. All is great. Well, there's an ESAI and an ARI, and a couple of abbreviations. Hey, we all have to live with it when filling a grid. No biggie. Oh, there are those who will moan and groan and throw out petty nits about this and that... as if somehow a puzzle has this magical power to unleash one's pent up grumpiness. But, still, things are coming along nicely. Heck, you even manage to work in OY VEY. Wonderful!
Then it happens. The nightmare. You lose your smile. Darkness descends and your grid is shrouded in an unholy moorish mist. And creeping through this bleak landscape is the dreaded "OH no!" moment. A moment when a word arises and makes you shriek in horror. It's only four letters long, yet it may as well be a thousand. You try to change the words around it, but you can't. you walk away, haunted... as if the word has a voice and is filled with mockery and evil. To drown out the voice you turn on the radio. The smile comes back. You even do a little dance. You're so happy, YOU give the dog a sloppy kiss!
The song on the radio continues to play, "You've made me so very happy".
When I came across MESO in Janice's puzzle I couldn't help but think about all those times you fill in an area of the grid and everything is fine. Until you see that dreaded little entry that makes no sense. If it were me writing this one, I know it's very possible that I wouldn't have thought about using a partial to make it work. Often the obvious isn't obvious. Sometimes you get so focused on one little area that the big picture escapes your attention. The ultimate is when you finally notice you have the same word entered twice. We all do it.
My hats off to Janice for a beautiful Puzzle... and for kickin' MESO's butt!
Hi Y'all! Good puzzle, Janice! Good expo, Argyle! The puzzle may have been "unclean" but it was fun.
Learning moment: RAMEN is a Japanese product? I thought it was East Indian or Indonesian. I didn't think japanese could pronounce the "R" at the start of RAMEN.
Looking at that picture of the St. Louis bridge, why would they build in that strange curve? Looks like an accident waiting to happen, especially if someone is too drunk to navigate.
Jerome, that screed coulda been written by Edgar Allen. As in "Once upon a midnight dreary" Loved it.
PK, that's a double decker bridge where the lanes going in opposite directions are stacked one on top of the other. Engineering from an earlier era. Yankton SD had one as the crossing fron NE to SD for nearly a century. Still do, but it's now a "trail". It's not as dangerous as it looks.
Fun puzzle today.
The Japanese do have the R sound, but not the L sound. The Japanese have many ramen shops where you can buy a quick inexpensive noodle lunch or snack. Many women on my fellowship spent a liitle of their lunch allowances on ramen so they could buy souvenirs with the remainder of the money. I am not a shopper. I went for good Japnese cuisine supplemented by countless free food samples in department stores.
Curious,
I know Argyle updated the Blog early this AM to include the Muddy Waters/Rolling Stones clip,
but every time I went back, it wasn't there?
Every time someone mentioned it, I went back, but it wasn't there...
Finally =, after 8PM EST it was there, Awesome!
(I think, tomorrow, I will go back & reread Jerome's post,
because right now, he is freakin'me out...)
Happy Memorial Day, my Blogger friends!
It's been a busy weekend of family visiting, going to the cemetery and lots of eating! Too much eating for me, actually, so even though there's a cookout tonight, I'm staying home. I've had too much.
I had a lovely sashay through Janice's grid. Thank you and thank you, Argyle. ORSINI is an old Italian family name so even not knowing the pope specifically, I knew the name.
Maybe Janice was thinking of politics when she created this.
I hope you've all had a joyful day and recalled all those who have died protecting our freedoms.
IrishMiss:
I believe ESAI is a Hebrew name and I'm not sure what it means. It might be a variation of Isaiah.
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