Theme: I've pondered this but cannot come up with something clever, so here is the unifier --
65. Marine Corps motto, briefly, and a hint to the answers to starred clues: SEMPER FI. This is short for SEMPER FIDELIS, meaning 'always faithful" in Latin. In our puzzle, the theme fill are two words, both beginning with the letter combination "FI." So - always FI.
20 A. *Matches with known outcomes: FIXED FIGHTS. Boxing matches in which one competitor loses on purpose, dishonestly, for reasons related to betting.
56 A. *Music group's lead violinist, casually: FIRST FIDDLE. I've heard of playing 2nd fiddle, meaning to always play a supporting or inferior role. By extension, FIRST FIDDLE means to play a commanding role. I wish it had been clued this way, since it's not really a musical term in common use.
3 D. *Fast-food alternatives to burgers: FISH FILETS. Popular on Friday's, especially in Lent.
30 D. *Like half a chance: FIFTY FIFTY. An even bet. Not sure what half a chance means.
Hi gang, JazzBumpa here, faithful, as always. Let's charge into this puzzle and see what we can find.
Across:
1. Concerning: AS FOR. With regard to . . .6. Letters replacing a list: ETC. And so on, and so forth.
9. Afternoon snooze: NAP. Zzzzzz . . .
12. Nighttime party: SOIREE. From the French soir, meaning evening.
14. Soccer tiebreaker, perhaps: SHOOT OUT. Selected players from both teams take turns attempting to score on the other side's goal keeper. Same in hockey. Since nobody can win the regular game, they decide to have a one on one skills contest. Meh!
17. County on the English Channel: SUSSEX. South Saxony located on the island's southern coast. The battle of Hastings was fought near its modern eastern border.
18. Canyon namesake of dry California winds: SANTA ANA. They sweep westward from the mountains to the coast.
19. Tree with elastic wood: ASH. Hence its popularity as baseball bats.
22. Hi-__ TV: DEF. High definition - a high degree of clarity and detail in the images.
23. What "X" may mean: TEN. Roman numeral.
24. Music center?: ESS. The middle letter of the word. Lame clue, lame fill.
25. Dennis the Menace, for one: IMP. A mischievous child.
28. Beloved: DEAR. Held in affection
30. Monk's title: FRA. Derived from frater, the Latin word for brother.
33. Cultural setting: MILIEU. Environment or setting, from the French, meaning "middle place."
36. Black and blue?: BERRIES. Also straw and rasp.
39. H or O, in H2O: ELEMENT. Hydrogen and oxygen, each a fundamental substance consisting of only one kind of atom. They combine to form water.
41. Contrasting ornaments: SET-OFFS. Items with differing appearances to achieve a visual effect.
42. Roald Dahl title heroine: MATILDA. A precocious 5 1/2 year old IMP.
12. Nighttime party: SOIREE. From the French soir, meaning evening.
14. Soccer tiebreaker, perhaps: SHOOT OUT. Selected players from both teams take turns attempting to score on the other side's goal keeper. Same in hockey. Since nobody can win the regular game, they decide to have a one on one skills contest. Meh!
17. County on the English Channel: SUSSEX. South Saxony located on the island's southern coast. The battle of Hastings was fought near its modern eastern border.
18. Canyon namesake of dry California winds: SANTA ANA. They sweep westward from the mountains to the coast.
19. Tree with elastic wood: ASH. Hence its popularity as baseball bats.
22. Hi-__ TV: DEF. High definition - a high degree of clarity and detail in the images.
23. What "X" may mean: TEN. Roman numeral.
24. Music center?: ESS. The middle letter of the word. Lame clue, lame fill.
25. Dennis the Menace, for one: IMP. A mischievous child.
28. Beloved: DEAR. Held in affection
30. Monk's title: FRA. Derived from frater, the Latin word for brother.
33. Cultural setting: MILIEU. Environment or setting, from the French, meaning "middle place."
36. Black and blue?: BERRIES. Also straw and rasp.
39. H or O, in H2O: ELEMENT. Hydrogen and oxygen, each a fundamental substance consisting of only one kind of atom. They combine to form water.
41. Contrasting ornaments: SET-OFFS. Items with differing appearances to achieve a visual effect.
42. Roald Dahl title heroine: MATILDA. A precocious 5 1/2 year old IMP.
43. Submitted, as a manuscript: SENT IN. By post, or possibly electronically.
44. Kvetching sounds: OYS. Exclamations of anger or dismay.
45. Weakens: EBBS. By reference to a receding tide.
48. Give voice to: SAY.
49. __ Lingus: AER. Airline of Ireland.
51. Partner in a 2020 peace agreement with Isr.: United Arab Emerates, located at the eastern end of the Arabian peninsula, and home to almost 10 million people.
53. Quite a ways away: FAR.
61. Anger: IRE.
62. Imagining: IDEATING.
63. Photo taken backwards?: SELFIE. With a phone camera pointed at the user.
66. Thrills: ELATES. To thrill is to give a sudden feeling of excitement or pleasure. To elate is to make someone very happy. Equivalent? You decide.
67. General on a menu: TSO. A Chinese chicken dish.
68. Fair-hiring letters: EOE. Equal Opportunity Employer.
69. Flair: STYLE. Elan.
Down:
1. Syrian leader: ASSAD. Bashar Hafez al-Assad [b 1965] is a Syrian politician who has been the 19th president of Syria since 17 July 2000.
2. W.C. Fields persona: SOUSE. A habitually excessive drinker, from the verb "souse," meaning to drench with liquid.
4. RN workplaces: ORS. Registered Nurses in Operating Rooms.
5. Sailing danger: REEF. A ridge of jagged rock, coral or sand near the surface of the sea.
6. Ancient mystic: ESSENE. Members of a Jewish sect, ca 200 BCE to 200 CE who lived in community practicing voluntary poverty and asceticism.
7. Jazz trumpeter Jones: THAD. Thaddeus Joseph Jones [ 1923 - 1986] was also a composer, arranger, and one of my jazz heroes. He was born into a musical family, in near-by Pontiac, MI.
4. RN workplaces: ORS. Registered Nurses in Operating Rooms.
5. Sailing danger: REEF. A ridge of jagged rock, coral or sand near the surface of the sea.
6. Ancient mystic: ESSENE. Members of a Jewish sect, ca 200 BCE to 200 CE who lived in community practicing voluntary poverty and asceticism.
7. Jazz trumpeter Jones: THAD. Thaddeus Joseph Jones [ 1923 - 1986] was also a composer, arranger, and one of my jazz heroes. He was born into a musical family, in near-by Pontiac, MI.
8. Meeting group: CONFEREES.
9. Biblical boater: NOAH. Hosted a variety of animals during a flood.
10. Bee, to Opie: AUNT. From the Andy Griffith Show.
11. School orgs.: PTAS. Parent- Teacher-Organizations.
9. Biblical boater: NOAH. Hosted a variety of animals during a flood.
10. Bee, to Opie: AUNT. From the Andy Griffith Show.
11. School orgs.: PTAS. Parent- Teacher-Organizations.
13. Leave: EXIT. Depart
15. Name seen on one's way to the penthouse?: OTIS. Brand name for elevators.
16. License plates: TAGS. So your car can be on the road legally.
21. Marked on a ballot: X-ED. We get bubbles to fill in.
26. "La BohËme" role: MIMI. In my mind, she was FIFI. That disappointed me.
27. Banana covering: PEEL. Technically, a banana is a berry. Blackberries and raspberries are not
29. Hunk's pride: ABS. Hard, flat abdominal muscles on a well toned fellow.
31. APR-reducing loan: REFI. Refinancing a loan to get a better interest rate.
32. Pt. of AAA: ASSN. American Automobile Association.
33. Office notice: MEMO. A written message, usually in a business context.
34. "Now __ me down to sleep ... ": I LAY. Beginning of a night time prayer.
35. Being severely criticized: UNDER FIRE. The subject of an attack.
37. Numbered rds.: RTES. Routes.
38. Novelist Jaffe: RONA. [1931-2005] She also wrote for Cosmopolitan in the '60's.
40. Diner check: TAB. Record of accumulated charges.
46. Aussie parrot, briefly: BUDGIE. Read all about them.
47. Mournful: SAD. Feeling sadness, regret or grief.
49. 33-Down demand, perhaps: ASAP. As Soon As Possible.
50. Luncheon end?: ETTE. Suffix denoting small size.
52. "... or __!": ELSE. Overt threat.
54. Cartoon mermaid: ARIEL.
55. Actress Witherspoon: REESE. Laura Jeanne Reese Witherspoon (b.1976) is an American actress, producer, and entrepreneur. She has won an Academy Award, two Golden Globe Awards, and a Primetime Emmy Award.
57. March time: IDES. (In the ancient Roman calendar) a day falling roughly in the middle of each month (the 15th day of March, May, July, and October, and the 13th of other months) from which other dates were calculated.
58. San __: Italian resort: REMO. A city in extreme western Italy on the
Mediterranean coat.
59. Recon target: INFO. Reconnaissance to gather information.
60. Sniggler's catch: EELS.
64. Map line: Abbr.: LATitude. Position on a line north of south of and parallel to the equator.
OK, gang we are FInally FInished for this Wednesday. Hope you enjoyed it.
Cool regards!
JzB
49 comments:
Good morning Cornerites.
My friend and co-cruciverbalist Carol McClure is celebrating her 93rd birthday today. I'll do the math. She was born in 1928.
One of the first things she did was to work Jerry Edelstein's enjoyable Wednesday CW. Carol and I FIR in 31:23 min.
Thank you Jazzbumpa for your excellent review.
Ðavið
Good morning!
Wow, this one was faster than both Monday and Tuesday. Noticed the F-F, but not the FI-FI. Oh, well... Could tell from JzB's expo that I'd missed numerous c/a's because they were already filled. Thanx, Jerry and JzB.
UAE: It's the only part of the Arabian peninsula that I've visited. I've been to three of the seven emirates: Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and Dubai. No skyscrapers when I was there. Plenty of sand, though.
Happy 93rd, Carol. Keep on cruciverbalizing.
JzB - 11d is PTA, not PTO. Parent Teacher Association.
I saw the theme as I went along, bur didn’t use it as I filled. I thought “intel” rather than INFO, but it didn’t fit. UAE came slowly from _AE, even tho it’s common crosswordese.
I feel very thad learning about THAD who died poor even though he was very important in the world of our own JzB.
The puzzle went without a struggle and I am surprised that FIFI was not a thought for the title and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were not mentioned considering how much they have been in the news.
Thank you, Jerry and Ron.
A satisfying FIR today, thanks to Jerry and JazzB. A few spelling slips caused WOs, and I confidently entered "Bruised" before BERRIES for black and blue. Must have had my recent falls in mind instead of our favorite foods. The FI FI theme was easy to see.
Happy Birthday to Carol. Nice to see your post, Dave 4. Happy puzzle solving together. And FLN, nice to see your post, Garlic Gal. Pop in more often.
My Android phone is working again so all's well here in Atlanta. Hope everything is working out for you all. Happy Springtime!
Good morning everyone.
Easy enough for a Wednesday. The FI-FI's helped to make it so. Interesting concept. Favorite clue was for BERRIES. No aid needed. FIR.
TAGS - Knew what was meant, but hardly used in upstate NY. IMO. Just hear 'plates', or 'registrations'.
……………………………………………………………………………
WORD of the DAY: On WSJ editorial page today is the word ruction. meaning 'a noisy FIGHT' or 'disturbance'; which I don't recall having seen before. Perhaps coming to a crossword near you.
How many had Bruises/BERRIES? That held me up as it was inked in. The cross with CONFEREES was slow to help. The first set of "FIs" also was slow. about/AS FOR was another inkover.
We have five parrots, no budgies but we did once. I just realized I did know RONA. air/SAY slowed things too as in 'air a grievance'
WC has to post. Slow getting up and about this morning
This one turned out to be easy in spite of my attempts to make it difficult. Thank you, J&J.
Happy Birthday, Carol.
Speaking of J&J, I was contacted by the hospital and am now scheduled for my first shot on Monday. I'm not 65 or older and don't check any other of the qualifying boxes, but I won't argue with them. Better than waiting until sometime in July or later.
DW qualifies because of her job, but wants to wait for the single shot. It's been a struggle trying to convince her to just get the shots and be done with it. She's not an Anti-vaxxer. She hates needles and hates getting shots. How much so ? Years ago, she only had one shot before getting four wisdom teeth pulled.
Spitzboov, I too came across a word today that I was unfamiliar with. I was reading at JzB's link with the article about the unknown Budgie. The word was wold. Thought it a typo, but looked it up. New to me.
I filled this fun puzzle faster than a Monday one. FISH FILET and the F in REEF for 20 A set up the theme immediately. Like JazzB, to me first fiddle means having a commanding or leading role. It seems to be derived from second fiddle, having a minor or secondary role. In music the term is usually FIRST VIOLIN.
I have seen the idiom, half a chance, before.
Our club had members called Eb and Flo. As they aged their dancing energy ebbed.
I thought of BRUISES with the B beginning, but I already had RR in the middle
Carol McClure a very happy birthday. You are a very sharp 93. It seems your solving ability has not ebbed.
I ask for extra spicy when I order General Tso's chicken.
JazzB, thanks for the fine expo.
TAGS for license plates is fairly common here.
Ruction is one of those words seen most often in print and rarely in everyday speech.
"The surge in Treasury yields also caused ructions in emerging markets. . . "
Reuters Feb 26, 2021
RUCTION made its crossword debut in the July 19, 2011, New York Times.
HBD Carol, and many more.
From a "c" level constructor, this should have been Monday's with the others moved up accordingly.
I mean solver, not constructor. A little ways from that to put it mildly.
Lemon - Thanks for info on ruction; also to YR.
TTP - I saw 'wold' recently, too, but am somewhat familiar with it as a sort-of Brit suffix meaning 'woods'. Related to German Wald.
HBD to Carol.
Musings
-MATILDA/MIMI went quietly but ASH was not YEW
-Jazz, were you ever FIRST CHAIR in the trombone section?
-In one of Brando’s iconic roles he was in a FIXED FIGHT. What was his lament?
-I saw my first HI-DEF TV at Epcot in the 90’s. I was struck by the images of Wrigley Field
-In certain MILIEUS, you should never use the word MILIEU
-Two years ago this month our town was relieved when the flood waters started to EBB
-I liked the picture of Lily and her license plates so much I use it as the homepage on my phone
-I first saw the word BUDGIE at the Omaha Zoo where you can walk among them and pay to feed them
I dunno,,,
Monday's onion rings combined with yesterday's wraps
Must have made me hungry, because I am looking for ways to
Eat up today's puzzle.
This website, "oldartguy"
(Suspiciously missing an "f")
Says fe fi fo fum is ancient Gaelic for
"Behold"
"Food"
"Good to eat"
And "sufficient."
I am not making this up...
So, if fi means food, and semper means always,
Then I should be looking for links on how to wrap bacon around something...
Then again,
maybe I should just heed today's Indian Hills sign...
FIR in 23. Thoroughly enjoyable CW, thanx, Jerry, I absolutely loved this one! For me the CW hung on CONFEREES/CONFERERS. As WC @8:42 said my first thought was BRUISES for 36A, but that put an R where an E needed to go with either 8D entry. First thought with 37D was HWYS, so that further buggered-up the middle-east. Clever clue for 29D had me stymied for a while too. FIFTYFIFTY and RONA finally got me on the right track. When I filled SETOFFS, that finally turned on the little light bulb over my head. Anyway, really fun, thanx again Jerry! And as usual an absolutely terrific write-up, thanx, JzB!! I always wonder just how much time it must take to put together such great write-ups. JzB, how much time do you put in to come up with such entertaining write-ups? AND....thanx again!!
A very good puzzle! The theme helped with the solve. I don't share JzB's gripe with 56 Across, since the lead instrument for the whole orchestra is always the "first violin," which would be FIRST FIDDLE if expressed casually. And how can you be disappointed that the leading lady in La Boh`eme is not Fifi? The only disappointment there is that MIMI dies -- every time.
Thanks for the puzzle, Jerry! Thanks for editing, Rich, and for explaining it all, JazzBumpa!
Happy birthday, Carol!
Pls forgive the following semper loquere nimis.
I have been in love with jalapeño poppers ever since we used to spend summer vk
Down at the jersey shore, specifically, a little place called "The Rusty Nail" in Cape May.
They had the best best poppers, filled with cheddar cheese and battered deep fried!
(Their sign proclaims, "the coldest beer in cape may")
I would look forward to vk every year just waiting to sit down with
The coldest beer, and the hottest poppers. Mm, mm.
Then one day the sold out to new owners, and when I order my beloved
Poppers, they served me a pickled hot cherry pepper stuffed with cream cheese and Italian meats.
(May sound good to you,
But it was naked! Not even fried!)
I have been making my own jalapeño poppers ever since, sometimes wrapped in bacon!
Then today's puzzle enlightened me to this monstrosity that I have to try at least once!
oh well, nobody lives forever...
"Mi Chiamano MIMI" (they call me Mimi) ma non tardi per pranzo (but not late for dinner) from La Bohème. Nice Humpday challenge
Asper, perped a pishFILET..a wha? Oops ASFOR! Single inkover..FIR....wait! wait!...the theme! ("I'll take "words that start with Fi for $100")
DW and I have FIXED FIGHTS (matches with known outcomes). She always wins.😁
Thought a BUDGIE (Budgerigar) was a Brit called a parakeet. A few weeks ago we were told to address a monk as DON, FRA was wrong. Huh? Someone imbibing too much Fra Angelico 🍷 or Dom Perignon? 🍾
Anyone actually say FIRSTFIDDLE? Like JZB Although like JZBI've heard of playing second FIDDLE, must be where that expression comes from. Thanks for 'splainin' ESS. It evolved from perps so didn't pay too much attention. Speakingnof ESS not sure the ESSENES were mystics, more like a sect.
They authored the Deas Sea scrolls so Essene but not heard.
Mrs. PEEL had to PEEL this outfit off
Wonder what ______ when Ms. Fitzgerald was singing scat....ELEMENT.
HALLE's family..it's the _____ BERRIES.
_____ commentary on Syrian leadership....ASSAD
RIP George Segal, great comedic and serious actor.
HBD Carol.
Delightful Wednesday puzzle, many thanks, Jerry. And pleasant commentary, thanks for that too, JazzB.
I always love seeing OPIE turn up in puzzles--didn't we just get him once or twice in the last week? And then there's his AUNT Bee, who showed up today. The FI-FI theme was a lot of fun. After getting the FIRST FIDDLE and FIFTY FIFTY, I was prepared for the rest. Have to remember that OTIS has something to do with elevators. IDEATING surprised me--not a word you hear very often.
Happy birthday, Carol.
Have a great day, everybody. I have to narrate my Zoom class on the poetry of Edna St. Vincent Millay for our Senior Center this afternoon--hope it goes well.
Hola!
A bright and sunshiny good morning to you all! I have just been outside hanging a load of clothes and it is lovely. I am sure they will be dry by noon.
Jerry Edelstein, your puzzle is much appreciated. It was filled with action: SHOOTING, FIXED, FIGHTING, IDEATING, SENT IN then going up and down the elevator where we saw OTIS. I liked it and though I don't time myself, I finished it quickly.
I could not recall MATILDA but perps served me well.
My granddaughters love ARIEL so I saw her many times over.
THAD is completely unknown but again, perps to the rescue.
I like the word sniggler but my computer doesn't and has red-lined it.
ABS of steel? Not mine!
Happy birthday, Carol! Keep on keeping on!
SEMPER FI reminds me of Dennis and I wonder if he ever got his tata business going.
Have a fine day, everyone! My plans for the Easter celebration are afoot!
JazzB:
Thank you for your thoughtful presentation.
I will try again. This comment looked illiterate. My typing is abysmal. No wonder I do not like to solve online.
Has anyone here ever heard the first violin in an orchestra called the first fiddle? I have heard classical violinists despise having their instruments called fiddles.
YR - I kind of agree with you. But I think our mistake is assuming a 'classical' music group was meant. If we assume, say a music group at a hoedown, I think it is OK. Just my 2¢.
Hi all -
I played in the Royal oak Symphony for 16 years, and the only time I ever heard a violin referred to as a fiddle was when someone was being playful or sarcastic. First Fiddle is not an in the musical language phrase.
Gary - I share the lead in the Dearborn big band with another guy. We alternate playing 1st and 3rd. I do not fancy myself much of a lead player. At one time or another I've played every trombone part in big band, including bass.
Only played bass bone in symphony one time, and that was for Pictures at an Exhibition - one of the highlights of my musical experience.
I did play first chair euphonium in high school.
Fred - it takes about 4 hours.
Cool regards,
JzB
I'm an excellent typist but I don't like solving on-line which I tried once and never again. It's very unsatisfying.
Happy Birthday, Carol, and many more!
Wow, you guys are super-solvers compared to me -- I knew SEMPER FI, but got stuck multiple times.
Kelly <---who lived in Royal Oak, MI before moving to Boston
Puzzling thoughts:
“FI, FIE, FO, FUM ...”
FIR only because I WAG’d 46-down/68-Across. No write overs. As others said, BERRIES & SETOFFS were the last words to fill
I “saw” the “FI’s” scattered about; SEMPER FI FIts, but I agree that some of the entries seemed “forced”. FIRST FIDDLE? Nope.
I had a McD’s FISH FILET a week or so ago. It was terrible! Not what I thought it would be. Not sure what they did to the “recipe” but it wasn’t good. And cost $4.99 for the sandwich ...
CharimanMoe:
Thank you for that review! I was thinking of going to McD's on Friday. Change of plan! Last Friday we had take-out shrimp scampi from the Olive Garden and it was delicious. I might take another look at their menu for something different.
Happy Birthday Carol.
ABs...that guy’s abs look great, but it’s not the musculature that gives you great abs, it’s a body fat percentage of about 5%. Healthy males have about 12%, you decide what’s best.
CED...no prob with the long discourse, but I am unable to figure out how the puzzle brought up Poppers or the Monstrosity.
Not trying to start a ruckus, but I am at sea wondering how an adult can be “afraid” of shots. I mean I realize no one likes them, but with a deadly disease out there lurking and ready to infect, hard to imagine saying “no”.
Heck, I don’t enjoy the dentist either, but went last week. I cannot wait for my shot tomorrow. Cuz I don’t want to die.
Oh right, the actual puzzle...not too tough for the solve, but
LOUSE/SOUSE, ATTN/ASAP were the write-overs. Nice Wednesday puzzle.
Stay safe.
Hi All!
Thanks Jerry for the FIne puzzle. Thank you JzB for the FIne review.
Theme helped; entered FI FI in 3d and 56a, right after SEMPER FI appeared.
Hey, there's a RE-FI (31d)
WOs: yew->ASH (hi HG!), Res->DEF, Aves->RTEs, Anon->ASSN
ESPs: ESSENE, RONA, MIMI | MATILDA, MILIEU (for spelling), AER, REMO, BUDGIE
Fav: SELFIE's clue was cute.
D4E4H - Please extend Happy Birthday wishes from The Corner to Carol.
FLN - Nice you stopped in GarlicGal!
TTP - Come Monday, anyone over 16 in Texas can sign-up for a shot. Pokie-providers are asked to prioritize based on age/heath/ETC but it's their discretion.
CED - LOL SEMPER FI == 'Always Food'. Enjoyed the link too.
To a dyslexic, SANTAANA looks like Santana :-)
Cheers, -T
Lucina @ 3:05 —> the McD’s Fish Filet sandwich used to be a Friday Lent staple for me. But no more.
I will say the one thing I miss from FL vs AZ is the lack of fresh fish. I got spoiled eating grouper and other native Gulf and Atlantic fish
CM
Thanks Jerry for a perfect Wednesday challenge. Loved the theme!
JzB, you always compose the perfect orchestration! Loved your comments. I agree , ELATES in not the same as THRILLS.
I also fell into the Bruises/BERRIES trap but not for long.
CED, I had also heard that meaning of Fe Fi Fo Fum. Not sure where.
Our weather has been awful! Hope it is sunny where you are!
I liked this puzzle and I agree with Jazzb about FIRST FIDDLE. Crossword experts might call that entry Green Paint.
Happy birthday, Carol.
Good wishes to you all.
Oddly, I knew WOLD (not in the puzzle) but not BUDGIE.
Thanks for the recap JzB especially for exercising the freedom not to provide a title theme at the beginning of the recap. Of course, your "FInally FInished" sets a high bar.
Isn't the first violin usually the concertmaster/mistress?
George was a wonderful resident of Graton CA during his later years.
Wonderful Wednesday. Thanks for the fun, Jerry and JazzB.
I was moving quickly and saw the F and then FI theme which helped too. But I was held up in the mid-east and FInally Googled the forgotten RONA. That convinced me to give up Bruised; BERRIES was revealed.
Another inkblots was at 23A. The crossing of XED made me think of YES on the ballot. The Roman numeral TEN eventually perped.
We usually get In Re or As To and not As For.
SET OFFS was a head scratcher for me. My ornaments are on the Christmas tree.
32A “Pt. Of AAA”. was another head scratcher. My medical abbreviations made me think of Patient, and I jumped to AA instead of AAA, which led me to 2D SOUSE connection. Talk about being on the wrong road! I assume now that Pt. Is short for Part???
My favourite today was the clue for OTIS😁
AnonT- I had trouble parsing SANTAANA too, and had Res before DEF.
Good catch on REFI. Can we add SEL-FI-E? 😁
Happy Birthday Carol.
Wishing you all a good evening.
What was his lament? I coulda been a contender!"
CSO to Wilbur on SEMPER FI (2/68-12/70)
Professor Gold had a different take on Who Wrote the Dead Sea Scrolls
Yep, Mcdonald's FISH FIL(L)ET is the worst of all the fast foods. Checkers is cheapest and best
Usual excellent Write-up JzB
WC
Jayce and JazzB, hand up for your take on FIRST FIDDLE.
When I think of all the papers I typed for college and all the word processing I did for papers for my MA, I realize the great passage of time.
Very nice puzzle. Got it finished in good time this morning.
Thanks Jerry and JazzB!
With SEMPERFI as my first fill, the theme was obvious.
Needed a bunch of perps for the names, as usual, but they were all in the right places.
Had ER before OR.
CED, I too am a huge jalapeño fan, but mostly for flavoring. I seed and devein them first, and then add back the desired amount of heat. I can tolerate HOT, but too hot ruins the flavor for me.
NaomiZ was correct. The operative word in the clue for 56A is CASUALLY, giving us FIDDLE, rather than VIOLIN, which wouldn’t fit with the theme. As sasses said, First Violin is also a misnomer: He/She is the Concertmaster/mistress:
First Fiddle
Addendum
-If you've never heard of a fiddle, you have never been to the Grand Ol' Opry.
-My grandson's symphony orchestra refers to the concertmistress as First Chair (Violin). She gets a separate hand on coming out before the conductor to ostensibly play an "A" for others to tune, uh, to.
"If you're gonna play in Texas,
You gotta have a fiddle in the band
That lead guitar is hot,
But not for "Louisiana man"
So rosin up that bow for "faded love"
And let's all dance
If you're gonna play in Texas,
You gotta have a fiddle in the band
I remember down in Houston
We were puttin' on a show
When a cowboy in the back stood up and yelled,
"Cotton-Eyed Joe"!
He said, "we love what you're doin'
Boys don't get us wrong,
There's just somethin' missin' in your song
If you're gonna play in Texas,
You gotta have a fiddle in the band
.
.
.
Songwriters: Danny Mitchell / Danny Joe Mitchell / Murry Kellum
Alabama - Fiddle In The Band
C, Eh! - When I bought the '86 Alfa, I signed up for AAA in case I needed a tow (I did - 3x!!!).
Subsequently, I got AAA for the whole family and I don't worry about the Girls when they're driving.
CED / LeoIII - I love jalapeños but, after I eat them and rosacea flairs up (and DW says I'm ugly and need to see a Dr for meds I won't take), um,... where was I?
TTP - you know it... Gotta have a Fiddle in the Band
FIrst FIddle didn't bother me. But, then again, I'm not a musician.
Good buddy in HS was All-State in viola; played FIrst chair he did.
He was also All-State FIrst-string on the offensive-line. Imagine a big guy like that holding a little-baby instrument.
He was the first guy I met when moving to Louisiana from IL. The biology teacher put me next to him saying "don't worry, he doesn't bite."
//That was my introduction to public school after years cloistered in Catholic school. I mean, I saw Teachers!!!
Later that same day (night) I saw him at the Boy Scout meeting. We became fast-friends. After we both ended up in Houston we went to a They Might be Giants show together. We'd still hang out but... our wives don't really get along.
Oh, the viola - he gave me a tape with him playing Rossini at State [not him, just what I Google'd - that should wake you up :-)].
Cheers, -T
Oh, I forgot...
Spitz, you're the expert here. What do you think about Ever Given. Captain err?
BTW, I knew container ships were huge but, OMG!!!, scroll 1/3 way down and see how big that boat is compared to an excavator & humans.
Cheers, -T
-T @2033 - Suez transiting ships have pilots aboard who would have the conn. They are citing high winds that could have caught the ship and swung her. Don't know if the ship has bow thrusters. I would imagine the canal authority has well published procedures. So we'll have to wait and see if rules were followed by all involved.
Just heard of this on tonight's News. Took 'em long enough to realize this may be a big story.
Anon 9:27, tell us how many puzzles that you have constructed have been published? Who developed your rating system assigning poor Jerry a C?
Get a life
Dash T, I never saw that movie, "Teachers." I noticed in the comments that there was an actor named Crispin Glover, so I looked him up.
Serendipity, because today in a fit of boredom I was flipping through the channels, and I watched the beginning of "Back To The Future." I've never seen that movie in its entirety, and I've never seen the first half hour or so until today.
Watching that bit of the movie reminded me of just how much of a screen presence Michael J Fox had in his prime.
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