Hello Cornerites! Today is the U.S.'s newest federal holiday, Juneteenth.
sumdaze here. I was happy to see Susan Gelfand's name on today's puzzle. I enjoy her positive puns, witty words, and clever cluing. Today is no exception. We were treated to a fun solve by an exceptional constructor! THUS, our theme is:
Please make an exception-al pun.
Today's puzzle had 4 themers with no reveal. The first and third were right-aligned in the grid while the second and fourth were left-aligned.
Each themed answer is a 2-word phrase such that the first word is a synonym for "exceptional" and the second word is another way of saying the remaining words in the clue. Together, they make up a common phrase.
Let's take a closer look:
18 Across. Exceptional lithograph?: FINE PRINT. What everyone knows we should always read.
27 Across. Exceptional place to play tennis?: SUPREME COURT. Hmmmm.... what would be more fun, reading about 9 lawyers who constantly 'argue' or listening to Diana Ross' trio?
Click the arrow to watch one of The Supremes' 14 appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show.
44 Across. Exceptional job vacancy?: GRAND OPENING. Here is the job OPENINGs data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
55 Across. Exceptional plantain?: TOP BANANA.
The Savannah Bananas are the TOP BANANAs of baseball entertainment.
There are more where those came from:
Across:
1. Stand-up comic's material: JOKES.
6. Take down with a wrecking ball: RAZE. to destroy to the ground; demolish.
Watch this video to see a Tokyo building being taken down in the most polite way possible. (1:29 min.)
10. Lickety-split: FAST.
10. Lickety-split: FAST.
15. Former flames: EXES. "ashES" was too long.
16. Miscellany: OLIO. You can select from this list of links on the Crossword Corner.
17. Professional parker: VALET.
20. Toward the stern: AFT. 
21. Therefore: THUS.
23. Mental picture: IMAGE. "Mental" is superfluous. Rather than helping to narrow things down, sometimes an extra word can be something I trip over.
24. Dab with a tissue: BLOT. Here is a Rorschach ink BLOT. What do you see?
23. Mental picture: IMAGE. "Mental" is superfluous. Rather than helping to narrow things down, sometimes an extra word can be something I trip over.
24. Dab with a tissue: BLOT. Here is a Rorschach ink BLOT. What do you see?
25. Spread, as cream cheese: SMEARED. Is it schmear or SMEAR? I am not an authority but I thought this explanation made sense:
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| Click to enlarge. |
31. Foy of "The Crown": CLAIRE. CLAIRE's IMDb page
32. Heavenly headwear: HALO.
36. __ Spunkmeyer cookies: OTIS.
37. Sprang: LEAPT.
39. Gondolier's stick: POLE.
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| Does he look authentic? He works at the Venetian in Las Vegas. |
41. Destitute: POOR.
42. Weather map line: ISOBAR. a line on a map or chart connecting or marking places of equal barometric pressure.
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| Those lines have a name??? |
46. Florida squad that was the first to win two World Series titles as a wild-card team: MARLINS.
FL has two MLB teams: Tampa Bay Rays and Miami MARLINS. So you really just need to count the boxes...but the trivia is interesting.
49. Modeling medium: CLAY. I'm going with SNL's Mr. Bill on this one. (2:36 min.)
50. Language student's challenge: IDIOM.
Def: an expression in the usage of a language that is peculiar to itself either in having a meaning that cannot be derived from the conjoined meanings of its elements (such as up in the air for "undecided") or in its grammatically atypical use of words (such as give way).
51. Hold on to: KEEP.
52. Abbr. in a high-rise address: APT. AParTment number
58. Pro sports VIP: OWNER.
60. "Magic __ House": kid-lit series: TREE. The TREE house is "magic" because it is a time machine that takes the children (Jack & Annie) to significant dates in history where they learn a lesson. These are terrific books for readers aged 6-10. So far there are 63 titles.
61. Plow-pulling team: OXEN.
62. Back in fashion: RETRO. The past is the future.
63. Strong desires: YENS. If you save your YEN, you can purchase your desires in Tokyo.
51. Hold on to: KEEP.
52. Abbr. in a high-rise address: APT. AParTment number
58. Pro sports VIP: OWNER.
60. "Magic __ House": kid-lit series: TREE. The TREE house is "magic" because it is a time machine that takes the children (Jack & Annie) to significant dates in history where they learn a lesson. These are terrific books for readers aged 6-10. So far there are 63 titles.
61. Plow-pulling team: OXEN.
62. Back in fashion: RETRO. The past is the future.
63. Strong desires: YENS. If you save your YEN, you can purchase your desires in Tokyo.
64. Summer shirts: TEES.
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| This girl is wearing a RETRO TEE. |
65. On edge: TESTY.
Down:
1. Morning cuppa: JAVA.
2. "Frozen" snowman who sings "In Summer": OLAF. One of my FAVs, Josh Gad, voices OLAF.
3. Bagpiper's wear: KILT.
4. __ out a living: just get by: EKE.
5. Oregon Trail traveler, e.g.: SETTLER. Between 1846 and 1869, approximately 400,000 settlers, farmers, miners, ranchers, and business entrepreneurs, along with their families, traveled its 2,170 miles from Missouri to the West. source
Down:
1. Morning cuppa: JAVA.
2. "Frozen" snowman who sings "In Summer": OLAF. One of my FAVs, Josh Gad, voices OLAF.
3. Bagpiper's wear: KILT.
4. __ out a living: just get by: EKE.
5. Oregon Trail traveler, e.g.: SETTLER. Between 1846 and 1869, approximately 400,000 settlers, farmers, miners, ranchers, and business entrepreneurs, along with their families, traveled its 2,170 miles from Missouri to the West. source
6. Prove wrong: REFUTE.
7. x or y, on graphs: AXIS.
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| You can go 3D by adding the z-AXIS. |
8. Extremely chill: ZEN. I named my town bike ZEN because it is chill and because that was the name of the guy working at the shop where I bought it.
9. Opposite of WNW: ESE. Nฤสปฤlehu on the ESE side of Hawaii's Big Island is the southernmost community with a U.S. post office (within the 50 States).
10. Layout: FORMAT.
11. "Are you calling me __?": A LIAR.
12. Burn the tips of: SINGE.
13. Lugged: TOTED.
19. Early Renaissance painter __ della Francesca: PIERO. nรฉ Piero di Benedetto dei Franceschi, (1416-1492)
11. "Are you calling me __?": A LIAR.
12. Burn the tips of: SINGE.
13. Lugged: TOTED.
19. Early Renaissance painter __ della Francesca: PIERO. nรฉ Piero di Benedetto dei Franceschi, (1416-1492)
Piero della Francesca's serene, disciplined exploration of perspective had little influence on his contemporaries but he came to be recognized in the 20th century as a major contributor to the Italian Renaissance. more info
22. Mortgage, often: HOME LOAN.
24. Jewish ceremony for a newborn son: BRIS.
25. Suds source: SOAP. We've recently had some conversations on The Corner about the dangers of dropping this on your foot. Perhaps a solution is to use hotel-size bars.
26. __-choice test: MULTIPLE.
27. Flat-bottomed boat: SCOW.
28. "The Possibilities Are Beautiful" cosmetics superstore: ULTA.
29. Picked up the tab: PAID.
30. Swiss __: leafy vegetable: CHARD.
33. Asian desert: GOBI. It is the 6th largest desert on Earth. 19 more interesting facts
34. "Succession" actor Ruck: ALAN. Back in 1986, he was Ferris Bueller's best bud.
35. Glacier chunk: BERG.
38. Ages and ages: EONS.
39. Chincoteague horse: PONY. I have seen these horses on Assateague Island in Virginia. You can read more about them here.
41. Ballerina descriptor: PRIMA.
43. City on a harbor: SEAPORT. Hand up for first trying to make a specific city fit.
44. Spinning classroom spheres: GLOBES.
45. Waters between continents: OCEANS. You can find these on GLOBES.
46. "The Secret Life of Walter __": MITTY. Yesterday we had 89D. Walter Mitty creator James: THURBER.
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| portrait of Federico da Montefeltro, duke of Urbino (1470-ish) |
22. Mortgage, often: HOME LOAN.
24. Jewish ceremony for a newborn son: BRIS.
25. Suds source: SOAP. We've recently had some conversations on The Corner about the dangers of dropping this on your foot. Perhaps a solution is to use hotel-size bars.
26. __-choice test: MULTIPLE.
27. Flat-bottomed boat: SCOW.
28. "The Possibilities Are Beautiful" cosmetics superstore: ULTA.
29. Picked up the tab: PAID.
30. Swiss __: leafy vegetable: CHARD.
33. Asian desert: GOBI. It is the 6th largest desert on Earth. 19 more interesting facts
34. "Succession" actor Ruck: ALAN. Back in 1986, he was Ferris Bueller's best bud.
35. Glacier chunk: BERG.
39. Chincoteague horse: PONY. I have seen these horses on Assateague Island in Virginia. You can read more about them here.
41. Ballerina descriptor: PRIMA.
Svetlana Zakharova (born 1979 in Lutsk, Ukraine)
She is truly exceptional!
44. Spinning classroom spheres: GLOBES.
45. Waters between continents: OCEANS. You can find these on GLOBES.
46. "The Secret Life of Walter __": MITTY. Yesterday we had 89D. Walter Mitty creator James: THURBER.
This short story was first published in The New Yorker in 1939. It was made into a movie in 2013 starring Ben Stiller.
47. Cherish: ADORE.
48. Reach peak flavor: RIPEN. Cherries are finally in season. Yum!
51. Patella's place: KNEE. a little alliteration
52. Targets of Terro bait traps: ANTS.
53. Sassy: PERT.
54. Donald Glover's "Community" role: TROY.
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| the cast of Community In case you are wondering, Donald is not related to Danny. |
56. Commandment word: NOT. as in "Thou shalt NOT..."
57. Body spray brand: AXE. a fav among teenage boys
59. Teeny-tiny: WEE. PSA to teenage boys: if you use AXE body spray, you only need a WEE bit.
Grid:
Wishing you all an exceptional day (in a good way)!
Notes from C.C.:
Our foodie Steve Marron and I made today's USA Today crossword. Click here to solve. It's edited by Amanda Rafkin. Congrats on your USA debut, Steve!
An appropriate time to wear TEES
ReplyDeleteIs in a park among the TREES.
Add some shorts
For skateboard COURTS,
And sacrifice your KNEES!
It is a truism, what they say,
"Click bait giveth, the FINE PRINT taketh away!"
MULTIPLE pages
Drop cookies with phages
That pummel you with ads to the end of your days!
{B, B.}
Good morning!
ReplyDeleteWas zipping right along, 'til I arrived in Florida. (Are there really two permanent MLB teams there. Thought they were only there for spring training.) OLIO was a CSO to our blog-mistress. YENS were 360 to the dollar when I was last there. STE (APT) and TENSE (TESTY) really slowed things down until it all worked out. Thanx, Susan and sumdaze. (That valet photo was hilarious.)
Over the weekend there was a horrendous one-car crash about 100 yards from our house. Two bodies were burnt beyond recognition, and it took considerable detective work to figure out what sort of car was involved. Our next-door neighbor was roused by the explosion. She said great was the tumult thereof, and at least 50 cop cars showed up with their flashing lights. Guess who slept through the whole thing.
This puzzle definitely had a bit of a “crunch” to it, especially for a Monday. In fact, I’d say it had a near-Natick with the crossing of “Claire” and “Ulta” and there were a couple more answers that were pretty obscure. Nonetheless, I persevered and managed to FIR, so I’m happy.
ReplyDeleteTook 4:12 today for me to seem like an exceptional dentist capping a tooth ... a crowning achievement.
ReplyDeletePiero?
I knew today's actress, Claire Foy, as I enjoyed several seasons of "The Crown," despite finding the concept of a monarchy greatly outdated.
FIR, a few stumbling blocks here and there, put ergo before thus, and didn't know Troy. But the perps removed all and finished it in no time at all.
ReplyDeleteSeemed like a typical Monday CW to me, thankfully so. I got the theme with the second theme fill, wished helped to FIR in typical (for me) Monday time, but still ended up with two W/Os OLEO:OLIO, TENSE:TESTY. I don’t know why I can never seem to remember which oleo/olio is which. Other than that smooth sailing, thanx SG, very nice CW. Thanx too to Sumdaze for all the time and effort that went into the terrific write-up. Happy Juneteenth!!
ReplyDeleteA Susan Gelfand exceptional puzzle to start our week. I always enjoy her puzzles. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteAnd a super review from sumdaze who dazzles us weekly. Thanks for all the fun!
Hand up for tense before TESTY. My big problem was the NE corner. I didn't think of FAST right away, wondering about "STAT" or "ASAP" so it was blank for a while. A LIAR seemed likely fill for one of the perps and eventually the rest followed. I had SMEAR ON but the perps said not so fast.
I appreciate learning the difference between SMEAR and schmear (which is used in German too), sumdaze.
In your ink blot I see a dancer wearing a headpiece, blue bra and pink boa.
I visited the museum in Sansepolcro Italy and saw PIERO's frescos while visiting friends.
And I love the sauteed CHARD with garlic at our favorite restaurant when it is on the menu.
So, I had many connections with Susan's choice of vocabulary today.
Hope you all have an exceptional day!
FIR, but erased ergo for THUS.
ReplyDeleteSavannah BANANAs? I didn't know that the Savannah Sand Gnats emigrated to South Carolina and changed their name to the Columbia Fireflies. Must be in the witless protection program. My Sand Gnats hat is now RETRO, I guess. (As are all my suits and ties.)
The swimming of the ponies is a big deal around here every year. It's a great opportunity to use that expensive News 10 helicopter for something more fun than fires and SWAT standoffs.
So are they blood / PAP smears or schmears?
Thanks to Susan for the fun Monday puzzle, and to Sumdaze for the fun review. BTW, mariners and aviators know about ISOBARs because our lives depend on understanding them.
Totally missed yesterdays puzzle (and write up til now) due to an influx of relatives.
ReplyDeleteWe had a super bbq in the backyard with my 3 daughters, and neighbors 3 sons, plus asst'd nieces and nephews.
On the brighter side, I "did" receive the sip and solve mini crosswords book as a Father's Day present, so I'm happy...
Hmm,
isn't there one word that sums up today's theme?
Marvellous Monday. Thanks for the fun, Susan and sumdaze.
ReplyDeleteI FIRed in good time, and saw the exceptional theme.
Was PRIMA an Easter Egg? Yes, sumdaze thinks so.
No inkblots. Perps were friendly for any unknown names.
I noted AXIS crossing EXES , and then we had AXE in the south.
We were a Q short of a pangram.
I smiled at TOP BANANA over TREE. Also the TREE, WEE, TEES rhyming trio in the south.
We had a mini-nautical theme with AFT, SCOW, POLE, SEAPORT, OCEANS, BERG.
Wishing you all a great day.
Neat Monday puzzle. Susan and Sumdaze started our week off in GRAND style.
ReplyDeleteI did have tense before TESTY. Never heard of ATIS cookies or ALAN Ruck but perps took care of that so I remained in my ZEN zone.
My first trip to Las Vegas in the 70s, I saw the SUPREMES perform.
I agree with SubG that the puzzle was a bit crunchy for Monday but all went well. FIR
ReplyDeleteThanks to Susan for an enjoyable puzzle and to Sumdaze for an "exceptional" review.
EZ Monday with easier theme.
ReplyDeleteInkovers: tense/TESTY, slather/ SMEARED ("spread" can be present or past tense, I read it as present). More English language oddites, RAZE sounds like the opposite of what it means. IMAGE, [idea wouldn't work, but if you're from NYC/New England idear would fit if the following word started with a vowel. ("Your idear is great")]
"Bagpiper's wear".. a KILT of course but the big question is do they wear anything under it.๐
Watched the entire run of "Succession", don't remember Ruck. Never saw "Community"... "City on a harbor" probably not Le Havre. Never heard of the "Magic TREE House" (so which is magic, the ๐ณ or the ๐ ). "Chincoteague"? Huh? (Today is Monday remember?)
Inquires IDIOMatically....AXIS
More than overdone...CHARD
Early McCauley Culkin film..."HOME LOAN"
Once the smelter is heated]....ADORE
A witty author writes with a ____ ...RIPEN.
Summer officially starts soon, be nice if the weather caught up. Although may hit 80 this week. ๐
Ray-O,
ReplyDeleteHome alone was a comedy...
Home loan is a horror flick....
Good Morning:
ReplyDeleteI thought this was a perfect Monday offering that had nice word play, a bit of crunch but solver-friendly perps, and pretty straightforward cluing and fill. I loved the clever cluing for the solid, in the language answers but, thanks to sumdaze’s excellent eye for detail, love it even more upon learning the first words were all synonymous! (Another glaring example of my less than stellar observational skills.) No w/os but Piero, Alan, and Troy needed perps but, surprisingly, Otis came to mind immediately, remembered from previous appearances. Extra props for the scant (10) number of
three letter words.
Thanks, Susan, for a smooth and enjoyable solve and thanks, sumdaze, for an eye-opening (literally) explication and the many fun and interesting visuals and links. Favorite comic was the Halo-ed hound and most impressive link was the skyscraper’s delicate demise!
Congrats to Steve (USA debut) and CC for their collaborative efforts and I look forward to the challenge.
Have a great day.
Musings
ReplyDelete-The RAZING of the Japanese hotel made for a LOVELY FALL
-Hot Lips called her promiscuous colleague Judy Parker “Parallel Parker”
-We all know who cried, “Sic Semper Tyrannis” (THUS to all tyrants) after a foul deed
-Patient taking Rorschach Test to therapist, “I am not a deviant, you’re the one with all the dirty pictures!”
-I learned so much British history watching The Crown
-These extremely close ISOBARS show hurricane Ian that took constructor Dr. Ed Sessa’s Florida house
-My old high school Chuck Taylor tennis shoes, are a RETRO fashion today but worn by girls
-A used car in Tokyo costs around 1.5 million YEN (¥1,500,000.00)
-SOAP suds – that reminds me, I have to check my water softener salt level today
-Believe it or not, my very landlocked city is a serious contender to become a billion-dollar inland PORT
-Nice job, Renee!
A nice, easy, Monday FIR. The unknown Claire, Troy, and Piero perped nicely. Enjoyed the solve today. Spent more time on Sumdazes recap than on the puzzle....great cartoons, SD! BTW the Walter Mitty movie you mentioned was actually a REmake of the original 1947 flick with Danny Kaye.
ReplyDeleteHola!
ReplyDeleteOnly one wite-out, THUS changed from THIS and then LEAPT to the finish line. Thank you, Susan Gelfand! And thank you, sumdaze for guiding us through the maze.
For an English language learner, IDIOMS are the most difficult to learn and understand. Usually they want to translate them literally. Next are the unusual plurals like OXEN.
The small GLOBE on my desk is very likely outdated.
CSO to my friend CLAIRE!
You all know my SOAP story! Thankfully my foot now feels normal.
I have crossed both the Atlantic and the Pacific OCEANS.
And I've never watched Community but have visited TROY in Turkey.
Hoping you are all enjoying your Monday!
C.C., I tried printing your puzzle but it wouldn't print. Can you give me an idea on how I can print it. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteTante - I'm sure you meant to type OTIS. I learned about those cookies in Atlanta when I got into the habit of getting lunch at the joint in our building and taking it back to my desk for work-n-eat sessions. I guess that the company sold the display case and dough to independent restaurants, who baked the cookies fresh. Their white chocolate / macadamia nut cookies were even better than Blue Bell's Pecan Pralines and Cream ice cream. Just to see if they were paying attention, I used to ask for the "OTIS Spelunker" cookies. They weren't.
ReplyDeleteGary - I Googled "Hot Lips Judy Parker" and am awaiting the vice squad to come take my laptop away. Thanks, pal.
Delightful Monday puzzle, many thanks, Susan. And your pictures were great this morning, thanks for those too, Sumdaze.
ReplyDeleteThis crossword puzzle made me think of travel, for some reason, maybe beginning by suggesting we might want to hire a VALET if we're going to travel to the North or South POLE, and need someone to help us TOTE our luggage. We might want to get a SCOW at our first SEA PORT, but then later plan to cross the GOBI desert with the help of a couple of OXEN rather than a PONY. I bet after a trip like that we'd get PAID by a magazine for writing a PRIMA article in FINE PRINT.
Have a great week coming up, everybody.
sumdaze Thank you for the review. Loved the BERG cartoon and Mr Bill safety video. And thanks for the SUPREMES video. Last week we were privileged to see Diana Ross perform.
ReplyDeleteHere is my short video of Diana Ross of the SUPREMES bringing her many grandchildren up on stage last week!
She is 79 years old and her voice is magnificent. And she is as sexy as ever.
BTW enjoyed this FINE, GRAND, SUPREME, TOP puzzle.
Susan's positive tone poured into The Corner this morning!
ReplyDeleteIM@10:14. I love your phrasing, "delicate demise"!
CE@11:17. Thanks for pointing out the remake bit!
Picared@12:47. Loved your DR video. She is such a charismatic performer!
Greetings! I’m late to the party. Started the day off with a power outage, then a short work project. I did manage to fit in the puzzle and then onto an eye appt. Now my eyes are all wonky, but wanted to chime in that I enjoyed the puzzle & theme. Thanks, Susan and thanks sumdaze for the follow-up fun..
ReplyDeleteSlower than usual to the finish line, but FIR, so all’s well. Slow & steady wins the race.
Perps filled CLAIRE, PIERO & AXE.
P.S. I was also able to do the USA puzzle when I got the local newspaper while out buying my breakfast. Thanks, C.C. A bonus to the power outage!
Diana Ross has always been very proud of her family. I recall one year when she was in Phoenix at Symphony Hall she had her then young children with her on stage.
ReplyDeleteJinx@12:07. Yes of course I meant OTIS cookies.
ReplyDeleteLucina @ 11:58 am ...
ReplyDeleteNever visited Troy in Turkey but had turkey in Troy NY once. ๐
The world GLOBE put to good use. This is like the one we have at home (I'm still at the office) We brought it back from Florence almost 50 years ago in pieces
I liked this puzzle very much.
ReplyDeleteHi All!
ReplyDeleteSplendid grid, Susan. Thanks for the breakfast fun.
A glorious expo, sumdaze. Thanks for the links / videos (RAZE, Mr. Bill, OLAF) and LOL the valet warning.
WO: I started Schmeared b/f I realized not enough squares.
ESPs: PIERO, CLAIRE | ULTA, ALAN (Oh, Cameron!) , TROY [I would have assumed Danny kin - thx]
Fav: Clue for [Everything] Zen [Bush]
{A, B+}
Magic Tree House - I think the Girls had every one of the books.
Neat-O video, Picard. Thx.
HG - LOL Rorschach quip. I'm certain to steal it.
Time to grill some burgers now that the outside temp has finally cooled to 99F ;-)
Cheers, -T
Finished my writing project!
ReplyDeleteI'll sit on it overnight, then submit it in the morning.
sumdaze does a Gelfand PZL today...
MARLINS, eh? I am not a baseball fan.
Never was good at it, too slow to watch. At least Soccer moves!
But I am surprised, even so, that I didn't know they ever won the World Series.
I thought we always heard the name of the "world champions."
Yet, this one missed me--twice!
~ OMK
____________
DR Three diagonals, far side.
The central diagonal gives up an anagram (11 of 15) of a far out, "exceptional" oddball geek who can't believe his eyes.
I am speaking of someone who suffers from...
"OUTRE MYOPIA"!
From Sunday: Anon T, I am pleased your youngest has been accepted at UT and you have found an apartment and roommate for her so quickly! She'll be only about two and a half hours away so you'll see her easier than if she were in Ohio.
ReplyDeleteMy Colorado grandson will be a freshman at CU Boulder which is about 20 miles from his home, close enough to take his laundry, eat lunch, and visit with family every so often.
Luckily we live within driving distance from ASU so my daughter lived at home while attending there as do her children now that they are reaching that age. I'm sure the experience of boarding at the U would be a good one, but when it's a question of money, that's a big consideration.
ReplyDeleteI was totally oblivious of the fact that today was a holiday and went to deposit a check at the credit union. What a surprise to find it closed!