Theme: COATTAILS (61. Features of some formal jackets, and what the ends of the answers to the starred clues literally are) - The last word can follow "coat".
17. *Source of endless funds: MONEY TREE. Coat tree.
23. *"Peter Pan" pirate: CAPTAIN HOOK. Coat hook.
39. *Pre-employment screening process: BACKGROUND CHECK. Coat check.
49. *Suspenseful ending to a series: CLIFF HANGER. Coat hanger.
Boomer here. We don't need a coat in Minnesota yet.
I hope you all enjoyed Thanksgiving and had a happy Black Friday. I enjoyed the Vikings' victory over the Patriots.
Across:
1. "The Fox and the __": HOUND. Red fox.
6. "My gal" of song: SAL. Old time song.
9. Sharply bitter: ACRID.
14. Former anesthetic: ETHER.
15. Weep: CRY.
16. Overused, as an expression: TRITE. "In this day and age ..."
19. Moon-related: LUNAR. It's a bird. It's a plane. It's a moon.
20. Vietnamese soup: PHO.
21. Tehran's country: IRAN.
22. Irritating inconvenience: HASSLE. Black Friday. Not worth the hassle.
25. Thumbed (through), as a book: LEAFED.
29. Catch on to: GET.
30. Spanish "other": OTRA.
31. "What __ can I say?": ELSE.
34. Newsletter edition: ISSUE.
42. "Straight Outta Compton" actor __ Jackson Jr.: O'SHEA. Son of Ice Cube.
43. French head: TETE.
44. French fashion magazine: ELLE.
45. "I smell a __!": RAT.
47. Some electric cars: TESLAS.
55. Noodle dish: LO MEIN.
56. West Coast gas brand: ARCO.
57. Atlas page: MAP.
60. Tequila plant: AGAVE.
63. Spinal Tap guitarist Tufnel: NIGEL.
64. Energize, with "up": AMP. Minimum of 100 in your house.
65. Cruise stopovers: ISLES.
66. Bergen's dummy Mortimer: SNERD.
67. Dessert choice: PIE. We had pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving.
68. Toy holder: CHEST. Need one for Christmas.
Down:
2. Texter's "Although ... ": OTOH.
3. "Yeah, I'll pass": UH NO.
4. Word before a maiden name: NEE.
5. Cold packing material for shipping fish: DRY ICE. Don't touch it.
6. Part of a quilter's fabric supply: SCRAP.
7. "__ you clever!": AREN'T.
8. Strong cleanser: LYE.
9. __ City: New Jersey resort town: ATLANTIC. Gambling mecca.
10. Puppy love: CRUSH.
11. Classic detergent brand: RINSO. Not DOWNY.
12. Author Calvino: ITALO.
13. Hall of Fame shortstop Jeter: DEREK. #2.
18. __ Joe's: food store chain: TRADER. Great place to buy nuts.
22. Quaint "Shake a leg": HIE.
24. Writer's representative: AGENT.
25. Rebecca in the Basketball Hall of Fame: LOBO.
26. Flight sked info: ETAS.
27. St. Louis landmark: ARCH. Been there but did not go up.
28. Counterfeit: FAKE.
32. Great deal of, slangily: LOTTA.
33. Mystery novelist Grafton: SUE.
35. Tom Jones's "__ a Lady": SHE'S.
36. Exchange for cash: SELL. on eBay.
37. Golden State sch.: UCLA. Great basketball team.
38. Barely gets (by): EKES.
40. Comic strip cat: GARFIELD.
41. Catch a scent of: DETECT.
46. "Kung Fu" actor Philip: AHN.
48. Like some R-rated films: EROTIC.
49. Families: CLANS.
50. Enter a password, say: LOG IN. Tough to remember them.
51. Picture: IMAGE.
52. High temperature: FEVER.
53. Actress Watts: NAOMI.
54. Wine fruit: GRAPE. We like the green ones.
57. Odometer unit: MILE.
58. Pub orders: ALES.
59. Discreet summons: PSST.
61. Ballplayer's hat: CAP. This is too easy
62. Firepit residue: ASH. We don't use our fireplace any more.
Boomer
Notes from C.C.:
This will be Boomer's 281st (Thanks, TTP) and last Monday write-up for our blog. The brilliant Sumdaze (Renee) will take over the Monday blog starting December 5th.
Thanks for the love and attention you've given to Boomer over the years. He really enjoyed blogging and reading your comments. For the past month, he did not play any computer game or take part in
Facebook bantering. He spent all his extra energy on his Monday blog,
tackling it bit by bit.
51 comments:
Fun Monday crossword.
Way to go Boomer!
Good morning!
Went sideways with ACERB/ACRID, but that was my only Wite-Out moment. The train came into the station ahead of time today. Guess who read the full reveal clue? Guess who spent too much time trying to figure out how TREE or HOOK could be types of coat tails. D'oh. Nicely done, Janice. Congrats on your long run, Boomer. We'll miss your humor on the blog.
I Racked this one in 4:02 today.
Thanks for all the blogging/reviews, Boomer. It's been a great run.
FIR, but erased lotsa for LOTTA, and aguve for AGAVE. I can mispel in two languages! DESHACER! Guessed right at Natick AHN x LOMEIN. I always knew COAT TREE as a hat TREE, but easy enough to figure out.
I have read most of the books by Louisville's favorite author "S is for SUE" Grafton.
Though I didn't know Rebecca, I knew LOBO. OTHER DNKs: NIGEL, and I still won't know OSHEA Cube Junior even if he appears here 52 times in the next year.
Thanks to Janis for the fun Monday romp. Any puzzle starting with HOUND is a fine puzzle. And thanks to Boomer for mustering the strength to do one more puzzle. You are an inspiration.
Off to St. Mary's, Georgia today.
Big thanks to you, Boomer, for your tenacity, good humor, and friendship to all bloggers. Keep your chin up.
FIR in 12, my once usual Monday time which has frequently slipped to 15 or 18 lately, so I’m very happy with a 12. It always depends on how it is defined, but I count 13 proper names in today’s CW. Fortunately I knew about half, which helped. Like D-O, I didn’t see the theme until Boomer ‘splained it. Thanx for your efforts, Boomer, today and over the years. Thanx too to JL for the fun doable Monday CW.
FIR, but not without one WAG. Once again my pet peeve, the crossing of two proper names, Lobo and O'shea. Bad form, but that's just me.
Fun and fast Monday romp - thanks for the puzzle Janice!
And thanks to Boomer for today and all 281 blog posts which are always a fun way to start the week! Well done, good and faithful servant!
Boomer thanks for your humor, friendship, and dedication all these years. You are an inspiration. You are always in my thoughts.
Very quick puzzle today. Needed the reveal to find the theme. Hand up for LOTSA before LOTTA. Names all easily perped. The O on LOBO and OSHEA was an obvious wag.
Nice and warm today, in the 50's. The rain has stopped and soon I will take my 45 minute walk in a light jacket. A few early mornings a week or two ago I needed my winter coat. 26 degrees.
GOTTA go. If I delay my walk, I do not get back to it.
I don't know what to say...
Good morning. Thank you, Janice, and thank you, Boomer.
Boomer, that's one heck of a lot of puzzle reviews. Thank you for all you've done and for teaching me about so many things I was not aware of. For example, I'm not sure I would have ever known of the Kingston Trio and their songs Tom Dooley and MTA.
Typo at 1D. Had HEnP, so nONEY TREE.
Also had LOTsA, which made RAT the oftentimes acceptable RAs, but I corrected that one.
I think I will forever associate high-end COAT TAILS with Fred Astaire's attire in "Puttin' On The Ritz"
We still have about a half of a pumpkin PIE left. AFAIC, we've had too many consecutive meals based on the enTREE and side dishes from the Thanksgiving Thursday repast.
Hand up for ACerb before ACRID as DO did.
Jinx, coat tree, hat tree and hall tree. Eastlake Victorian hall trees took the simple form to the highest levels, often with a hinged bench seat and storage chest below for gloves and hats, umbrella stands to one side or both sides, a framed full length dressing mirror and coat hooks at the top, on each side of the mirror. Mostly made of oak with embossed or applied moldings, or in walnut with burl veneer embellishments. They were fast movers in mom and dad's antique shops for people restoring period correct Victorian era homes with wider hallways and entrances, along with ornate etageres for the parlor. Two of my favorite pieces of antique furniture.
A nice Monday puzzle offered up by Janice. Thanks! I managed to FIR, though with a few WOs as usual. I put Swap/SELL, SNEeD/ SNERD, and LOTsA/LOTTA. All fixed with help from perps. About the theme, I had the same first thought about styles of coat bottoms, D-Otto, but then saw the other meaning of TAILS or endings.
Thanks for your usual humorous review, Boomer, and your years of being our faithful Monday guide. We'll miss you and will keep you and C.C. in our thoughts. Hugs to you both.
I got too busy to post yesterday and report my FIW result. I did enjoy the puzzle and theme and thank Katie and C.C.
It's so sad to hear how Boomer is doing. He has kept a good attitude throughout his illness and you have been by his side the whole time, taking good care of him, C.C. We appreciate your sending us updates and letting us be a part of your extended family. Continuing to keep you in my thoughts....
Good Morning.
Thanks, Janice, from this Janice for a fine start to the week. Pretty breezy with just a couple of stalls.
Thanks, TTP, for recalling Boomer's efforts to provide us with sunny Mondays.
Boomer, Thank you for all the time you have put in over the years to make back-to-work Mondays something to look forward to. Your good humor, dedication to us, your positive world view, and exceptional kindness will always stand in high regard. Godspeed on the rest of this journey. <3
Madame Defarge (aka Janice) wishes all of you some sunshine today.
Good Morning:
I, too, went astray at Acerb/Acrid and also Otro/Otra and I needed perps for Ahn and Nigel. I think there were an excessive number of fill-in-the-blank C/As, but the cute and clever theme outweighs any minor shortcomings, IMO. I’m always pleased to solve an early week puzzle that keeps me guessing about the theme until the reveal, which was the case today.
Thanks, Janice, for a pleasant start to the week and thanks, Boomer, for ‘splainin’ it all today and every other day that you made us laugh, or sometimes groan. 🤭 Your wit and humor entertained and delighted us each and every Monday. There are not enough words to express how much you are loved and how very much you will be missed. God bless you and CC.
Jinx @ 6:28 ~ Sue Grafton was one of my favorite authors and I read every one of her books, from A to Y. Kinsey Milhone will live on forever in my mind.
TTP @ 8:20 ~ Your description of the Eastlake Victorian hall trees fits to a tee the one in my grandmothers front hall. I remember it well, even though I haven’t seen it in well over 40 years.
Have a great day.
Easy Monday, theme eluded me for awhile the theme: terms that follow COAT, but we call a COAT TREE a COAT rack. We have an old one at camp we hang life vests on for when the grandkids go boating.
I did the math. I was conceived in ATLANTIC City. Mom and Dad vacationed there in August 1949. Add 9 month = May 1950 👶...."AREN'T you clever" 😃.
What does a RAT actually smell like? Always fergit: HASSLE OR HASSel? (perwaited). LOTof, LOTsA, or LOTTA (perped). ...Didn't know either one but the perps helped OSHEA and LOBO. AHN and NIGEL were two more of my unknown Proper Names
Nemesis....PHO.
"Writer's representative" could be a lady or ____ ... AGENT.
AN ice cold beer, good for what ___ you ...ALES.
Cruise ships have very narrow ones....ISLES
🎶 "All I want for Christmas ___ ! " ....ISSUE
Rabbit anesthetist?: ____ Bunny...ETHER 😆
Great Job Boomer thanks. and you have a jewel of a DW in CC.👫
Hi All!
Fun Monday grid, Janice. Thanks for the diversion during our Monday Team Meeting.
Boomer - what can I say. We're going to miss your Monday Morning Mirth. Thank you for all the joy you've given us. Peace, eBrother.
WOs: CAPTiaN, wanted ALLEN TOW[n], LOTsA, OTRo
ESPs: SAL, ITALO, AHN, LOBO | OSHEA
Fav: Listen to the sustain... This one goes to eleven. #NIGEL //pay attn, Jinx & Ray-O: After this, you won't forget Nigel like, forever!
//for the full rocku/mocu-mentary see: This is Spinal Tap.
LEOIII - You still out there? Retirement that busy you can't stop by The Corner? ;-)
Your name came up in conversation with DW's Aunt. She was a PanAm stewardess back in the glory days of commercial flight. I told her about you and the 1940 museum. If she ever makes it back to Houston, you're on the must-do list.
TTP - I thought that was Wilder & Boyle Putin' On the Ritz :-) And I love those Victorian hall-trees. Pop has one in his late 1800's entryway.
Gotta run. A week off doesn't make the work go away - It just stacks up 'till one gets back.
Cheers, -T
Musings
- A fun puzzle on this melancholy day for our Boomer
- A golfer who hits a ball way left is soon called CAPTAIN HOOK
- High-milage peeps like me can remember Jackie Gleason singing My Gal SAL as Joe the Bartender
- On Monday, ETHER is an anesthetic and not a “number” (silent “b”)
- I have railed here about the overuse of the word AWESOME making it TRITE
- LOB_/_SHEA – I knew neither but they resolved themselves. “Wolf in Espańola/LOBO”
- Does anyone else know of NIGEL on the Tony Kornheiser podcast?
- I sang with a man whose favorite joke was, “On the other hand, I have a wart”
- Having DRY ICE in my classroom had the kids on the edge of their seats
- Crossworders know Sue Grafton books for this clue “[insert letter] is”
Boomer’s extraordinary courage is an inspiration to us all, and CC’s devotion is admirable. I’ll miss Boomer’s Monday humor.
This was a smooth easy and pleasant puzzle with, wow, no erasures. One of my all time favorite writers, ITALO Calvino, makes an appearance again.
I too read all of SUE Grafton’s series, unfortunately she died before she could complete the alphabet. I was looking forward to her choice of title when she came to Z.
We’re having a sunny mild day, so I’m savoring it before the cold and the rain return.
Managed to solve Sunday very late. Fell asleep reading blog. Ironically, I couldn't grok today's theme but everybody missed the Sunday trick. The usual dropping last word or the "ER" on AIR CONDITION
Prayers and best wishes to Boomer, CC and Andy
WC
Husker, sounds like cruel and unusual punishment to force the students to sit on DRY ICE.
Hola!
Limited time today but had to thank Boomer for his zealous attention to our Monday puzzles every week. I learned so much from you, Boomer, and even sorta, kinda got a bit interested in sports and sports memorabilia from your enthusiasm. I will never, ever, however, become a full fledged fan. It doesn't matter that much to me.
This puzzle was Monday quick and easy. I solved it at about 6 A.M. then went back to bed.
Now it's time to do my volunteer work at church. See you all later.
Have a fantastic day, everyone! Every day is a gift.
Forget the puzzle and remember Boomer
George aka Big Easy
Boomer - you are the example of grace and kindness. I appreciate all the time you have spent here with us and for us. You are a wonderful guide of how to keep one’s chin up despite issues. Thank you.
Marvellous Monday. Thanks for the fun, Janice and Boomer (CED’s card conveys my sentiments well).
I FIRed and saw the theme in good time, WAGged the O in the LOBO/OSHEA cross. Fortunately I knew LO MEIN to give the N in AHN.
I waited for perps to decide between LOTTA or Lotsa
ETA got an S added today!
Do we LOG IN or On? IN
I smiled at ELLE following TETE
We had the Spanish OTRA also
I noted MAP and AMP, ARCO and ARCH
My odometer has Km in larger size (but also MILEs).
Wishing you all a great day
Boomer, I have enjoyed your write-ups over the last few years. They have brought knowledge, insight, humor, entertainment and joy on Mondays. I will miss seeing your byline. Thank you.
Boomer, you’ve been tireless in your devotion to this blog. Godspeed to you on your next journey and blessings to you and C.C. It just won’t be the same without you! In terms of the puzzle, it was the usual Monday walk in the park. I’m happy about that, though tempered by this solemn and sad occasion. God Bless you both!
Sending love and prayers to Boomer and C.C. Thank you for your commitment to this blog and all you have done to add enjoyment to the lives of many people. You are a blessing.
Thank you Janice for a fun FIR and very apropo theme to remind us to get out our winter COATS.
And thank you Boomer for your final fully GROAN review. Very mature! And thanks for 'splainin' the theme - I couldn't make heads or tails out of it until I got here. I guess it's going to be MOM jokes from here on out. We love you Boomer, and please pray for us.
A few favs:
20A PHO. My sister's recipe is still on C.C.'s Ginger Roots website.
15A CRY. Just CRY.
1D HEMP. Is that what it looks like? Not that I've ever seen any.
18D TRADER. They have great deals on pine nuts, which reminds me of another recipe I'm working on, inspired by C.C. awhile back.
25D LOBO. Here she is.
27D ARCH. Been there, did go up. Not a good ride for claustro-acro-phobiacs.
33D SUE. MALICE in a mystery may lead to MURDER.
Cheers and tears,
Bill
CrossEyedDave @ 8:18 AM I think you said it best.
TTP @8:20 AM "... Tom Dooley and MTA." ROTFL. And crying.
HG - re: Dry Ice. When the Girls were younger, every Halloween DW would whip up a Witch's Brew (lemonade w/ green food colouring) and I'd drop in some solid CO2. Spooooky effect.
Later, when trick-or-treat was done, the kids would swim in the pool and I'd smash the remaining dry ice with a hammer and toss into the pool. The ensuing smoke on the water [Deep Purple] put smiles on their little faces.
I love playing with dry ice (it can make copper strips chirp, ya know). Oh, this [:53] looks like fun too.
[next move is yours, CED :-)]
C, Eh! - There needs to be an iThing feature in our brains that automatically switches units (like in SFO, my phone knew local time).
When I was driving in Italy, I didn't intrinsically know Km/h and... I was just eating up empty road but they had sensors that sent me a speeding ticket (in TX!).
//is 145km/h fast?
Lunch break is over. Back at it.
Cheers, -T
Congrats to Boomer for 281 CW tours! Thank you for sharing your take on life with us. You have this way of looking at things....
= )
I always have enjoyed your quirky humor, Boomer. Sumdaze can take your spot and do a fine job, but no one will ever replace you.
Hey Boomer, may the lanes be oiled to perfection at your next stop and may none of the 10 pins stand. I will miss your wonderful humor and positive outlook on life. Three cheers for a life well lived! GC aka Wally to you!
AnonT@12:49- you should invent that iThing- there might be money in it LOL. I just remember that 100km/hr is 60mi/hr, 120 is 72; anything above that is probably speeding- unless you are on the autobahn!
Thank you Boomer, Your grit, valor and special brand of humor has been an inspiration to a fellow old codger (73) battling many of the issues you have fought so magnificently.
Thanks. Gene
Blogger really needs a "thumbs-up" response to comments 'cuz Acesaroundagain's post is perfection.
Sumdaze - Don't burn yourself out. We both know writing an entertaining post-puzzle is hard (but fun!) -- there's no way I could host The Corner weekly w/o ignoring my life duties [read: family].
I look forward to reading your takes - just make sure you toss in some baseball / bowling trivia :-)
Cheers, -T
Thank you, Boomer. Thank you so much.
I always looked forward to Boomer’s blog on Monday mornings. He is a very special person and touched each one of us with his knowledge and humor. Thank you, I will miss you.
Farewell, Boomer! And THANK YOU! What a legacy you leave! We will miss you.
I've heard of PHO, but did not know what it was.
Thanks to Ms. Luttrell's XWD, another gap in my education is closed.
I wonder why ETHER is no longer used as an anesthetic.
I thought I had it when I had my tonsils out at age 4.
Does it nauseate? Maybe often fail to do the job? It worked for me.
TRITE ? There are only so many routine expressions in the English language. How do we know when one becomes TRITE?
I suspect it is when we make use of a hackneyed phrase while treating it as if it were clever.
Yes? Maybe?
~ OMK
_____________
DR: One diagonal, far side...
giving us an anagram (11 of 15) that may be said to encompass our own upper chamber, but most assuredly includes the nuttiest parliamentary bodies in history.
I refer you to our...
"DAFT SENATES"!
Boomer ~~ many thanks for all you have contributed to the Corner, 281 blogs Is quite impressive, you are certainly a man of charm and wit and it always shines through in your writing! A guy with class and dignity, and the best damn bowler I’ve ever known. Peace to you my friend.
I Googled and learned that ETHER was discontinued for most surgical use in the 1960s.
So, yes, I had it for my tonsillectomy in 1943.
For some patients it caused too great an irritation of the mucous membranes, inducing spasms of coughing, hypersalivation, etc.
What I still remember vividly is a feeling of betrayal. A doctor put a black mask over my face, telling me, "Look in here: you'll see Mickey Mouse."
I did NOT.
And I woke up with the worst sore throat you can imagine.
~ OMK
OMK...@ 3:47
I had my tonsil out in 1954 @ 4 years old. The doctor said I should count to ten but just before put he could put the mask on me I almost succeeded in climbing off the table. Got grabbed and hustled back in place. 😴
OMK: When I had my tonsils out in 1948 with ether at age 4 the doctor told me the same thing (that I would see Mickey Mouse). I was pretty upset when I didn't see him. But I got even. The doctor lived nearby and I threw stones at his car when he drove by.
Today I went shopping. In person! And I found oodles of good sales! 50% off many items. Woohoo! a la Misty. I would have continued longer but, alas, my legs gave out. I'm ready to go again tomorrow though I fear the sales might not be as extensive. Still, it was exhilarating! I love it when I find exactly the right thing which is aided by the lists I was given. Today I got another list so I'll be out and about. There is not too much more too buy since I have ordered most of the gifts on line.
Boomer, I can't tell you how much I will miss you on Mondays.
Aaa @1:13 PM👍👍👍
We also thank you, Boomer, for having the personality & charm & good sense to bring C.C. to America to bring us all together with the blog. You have both enriched our lives. Much love and appreciation for your long endeavors for and with us.
I have been sick in bed all day, but finally managed to drag myself to the computer because I wanted to hear the latest from and about you, Boomer. You deserve a rest.
Bill @ 12:43, don't be so surprised, or disappointed either, that I didn't know of the Kingston Trio. A couple of others that I have learned of here are Phil Ochs and Tom Lehrer.
God Bless You Boomer
Thanks for your wit and humor.
All the best to you and C.C.
I got a loaner BMW and while tooling up I75 thought the speedometer was in kms. 100 mph*? Moi? I slowed to my usual 85(the safest mode on I75)
Also, ETHER is a CSO to Wilbur Charles as in my early days on the blog I got on after midnight and referred to "Posting in the ETHER". Argyle informed me that most read the previous day before starting the new day
WC
** The surprise was that I didn't seem to be going much faster than the other cars
Also...
Along with compassion is a genuine regret at not having Boomer Monday, a rollicking funfilled write-up. A perfect start to the week
Yes, -T. I’m still out here. I’d love to plead “BUSY” or some other reason, but that would be untrue. I haven’t gone back to see when I checked in last. (I have a spreadsheet that will tell me.)
I HAVE been moderately busy at the museum. As happens every summer, we had kid and/or senior tours just about every day, and I like to work them. We have a couple of UAL pilots who like to fly their private planes in whenever we have a kid tour, and I’m usually their ground crew. Whenever we need a fill-in, I always have the right of first refusal (because I almost NEVER refuse). Also, we’ve been doing a whole bunch of private events (weddings, receptions, corporate meetings and functions, other stuff, which I usually work), but the only word that really fits is LAZY! I’ve worked on the puzzles every day, but…. Some I finished, and some I didn’t. I just kinda got into a rut. Anyway, I’ll try not to let it happen again. I did miss all of you!
OK, FIR, since it was a Monday puzzle. I knew the sports peeps and most of the other names. Guess I completely missed the SUE GRAFTON clue due the perps filling it in for me. I didn’t even see that it was in the puzzle until I did my proofreading. Since I usually do the DOWN clues first, quite a bit of the theme clues were partially filled in by the time I got to them doing the across clues.
Thanks for nice puzzle, Janice.
Thanks for everything, Boomer!
TTP @7:18 PM I wasn't laughing AT you, I was laughing WITH you, or so I thought. 🙂
Thanks to Boomer for years of faithful and generous service to the crossword-ati. Keeping you and CC in my prayers.
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