It's Raining Men!
18-Across. * Dude who knows his ABCs?: ALPHA MALE.
24-Across. * Dude whose favorite season is autumn?: FALL GUY.
38-Across. * Dude who always pipes up to support a proposed motion?: SECOND GENTLEMAN. Douglas Craig Emhoff (b. Oct. 13, 1964) is the Second Gentleman by virtue of his marriage to Kamala Harris (b. Oct. 20, 1964), the Vice-President.
51-Across. * Dude who attends every formal dance?: BALL BOY.
59-Across. * Dude who refuses to use even numbers?: ODD FELLOW. What is the origin of the name Odd Fellow?
Lots of Dudes in today's puzzle.
Across:
1. Shielded from the sun: SHADY.
6. Cauliflower unit: HEAD. It comes in a variety of colors.
10. Answer an invite, briefly: RSVP. Today's French lesson.
Répondez S'il Vous Plaît, which means: Respond, if you please. You really should respond,
whether you please or not.
14. Lake boat: CANOE.
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15. Red Muppet: ELMO. The Muppets like to visit in the
crossword puzzles. [Name # 1, fictional]
16. October birthstone: OPAL. The Opal has become a crossword staple.
17. Strength: ASSET.
20. Rd. with a no.: RTE. A Road with a number is a Route.
21. Farm division: ACRE.
23. Tied, as sneakers: LACED.
26. Just one of __ days: THOSE. I just had a week of those
days.
28. Goal for many community college students: AA DEGREE. A
community college grants Associate of Arts degrees which is a two-year course of study.
30. Businesses: Abbr.: COs. As in Companies.
33. Cover story: ALIBI. Cute clue
36. "That really hurt!": OOF!
37. Dark blue shade: NAVY. // Immediately followed by
42-Across. Seaside town structure: PIER, which together gives us
Chicago's Navy Pier.
43. Lab rodent: RAT.
44. Waldorf salad fruit: APPLE. Yummers! It's a
very easy to make.
45. Spanish condiment: SAL. Today's Spanish lesson.
This condiment is known in the sciences as NaCl.
46. HBO teen drama starring Zendaya: EUPHORIA. I am not
familiar with this television drama. It's apparently a drama about teen
angst as they struggle with love, loss, sex, and addiction. Zendaya (née
Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman; b. Sept. 1, 1996) stars as Rue Bennett, a
drug-addicted teen in Euphoria. Zendaya was also named as
one of Time Magazine's 100 most influential people in 2022. [Name # 2.]
49. Many Omanis: ARABS.
55. North African capital: TUNIS. It's the capital of
Tunisia and is on the Mediterranean Sea.
57. "Levitating" singer Dua __: LIPA. Dua Lipa (b. Aug. 22,
1995) is a British-Albanian singer-songwriter. [Name # 3.]
58. Log chopper: AXE.
62. Naturally lit courtyards: ATRIA. Today's Latin lesson.
64. Work hard: TOIL.
65. Mystical glow: AURA. A crossword staple.
66. Lets use for now: LENDS.
67. At some earlier time: ONCE.
68. "Frozen" reindeer: SVEN. [Name # 4, fictional.]
69. "That's plenty for me": I'M SET.
Down:
1. Winter neck warmer: SCARF.
2. "__ luego": HASTA.
3. Photographer Adams: ANSEL. Ansel Adams (né Ansel Easton Adams; Feb. 20, 1902 ~ Apr. 22, 1984) was an American
landscape photographer best known for his photos of the American West.
Most of his work was in black-and-white, which added to the drama of his
images. [Name # 5.]
4. Fawn's mother: DOE.
5. "For the millionth time ... ": YET AGAIN.
6. Quaint "Listen up!": HEAR, YE!
7. Fashion magazine with a French name: ELLE. The first
issue of Elle magazine was published exactly 78 years ago
today (November 21, 1945). It was originally only published in France.
It didn't make it to the United States until 1985. [Name adjacent]
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8. Band's sound booster: AMP.
9. Play-__: kids' clay: DOH.
10. Tomatoes in marinara sauce: ROMAs. Everything you wanted
to know about Roma tomatoes but didn't know to ask.
11. Out-of-this-world summer program?: SPACE CAMP.
12. "Shining __": comedy horror series starring Courteney
Cox: VALE. I have never heard of this television series.
13. Begged: PLED.
19. Spiky succulent: ALOE. A fresh new clue for this
crossword staple.
22. Cow's mouthful: CUD. Everything you wanted to know about
a Cow and her Cud, but didn't know to ask.
25. Repair bill line: LABOR.
26. Jumbo suffix: TRON. Did you known that Jumbotron was a
registered trademark owned by the Sony Corporation. The company stopped
making the devices in the early 2000s, and because a trademark must be
registered every 10 years to remain in effect, it has now become a generic term for a large screen display.
27. Weight: HEFT.
29. "Pride __ before ... ": GOETH.
31. Shape of many racetracks: OVAL.
32. "Auld Lang __": SYNE. Never thought I'd hear him singing
this song.
33. Nile snakes: ASPs.
34. Princess "in a galaxy far, far away": LEIA. Princess
Leia was portrayed by Carrie Fisher (Oct. 21, 1956 ~ Dec. 27, 2016).
[Name # 6, fictional.]
35. Reykjavík language: ICELANDIC. Keep a close eye on
Iceland. It seems like a volcanic eruption may be imminent.
37. Kathmandu's country: NEPAL.
39. Defeat thoroughly: DRUB.
40. Empty spaces: GAPS.
41. Retired boxer who wrote the cookbook "Food for Life": LAILA ALI. I was not aware that Laila Ali (née Laila Amaria Ali; Dec. 30, 1977)
had written a cookbook. In her boxing career, she was sometimes called
She Bee Stingin'. [Name # 7.]
46. Alleviate: EASE.
47. Jedi Kenobi: OBI-WAN. In the initial movie series,
Obi-Wan Kenobi was portrayed by Alec Guinness (né Alec Guinness de Cuffe; Apr.
2, 1914 ~ Aug. 5, 2000). [Name # 8, fictional.]
48. Latto's music genre: RAP. Hand up if you knew Latto, or
Big Latto as she is also sometimes known, who's given name is Alyssa Michelle
Stephens (b. Dec. 22, 1998 )[Name # 9.]
50. Rummage (through): RIFLE. What's the difference between Rummage and Rifle?
52. Horse abodes: BARNS.
53. Iron __: rust: OXIDE.
54. Leavening agent: YEAST.
55. "The Wizard of Oz" dog: TOTO. [Name # 10, fictional.]
56. Japanese noodle: UDON. Yummers! More food.
57. Passed-down stories: LORE.
60. __ Vegas Aces: LAS. Women's professional basketball
team.
61. Candy heart word: LUV.
63. President pro __: TEM.
Here's the Grid:
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חתולה
I didn’t find this puzzle terribly difficult. All the themed answers were well-known, common, in-the-language phrases. And none of the perps were too hard either. A fine Tuesday puzzle. FIR, so I’m happy.
ReplyDeleteGood morning!
ReplyDeleteZipped right along on this one. The only Wite-Out application occurred fixing my ODD man out to a FELLOW. Thanx, Natasha and Hahtoolah. (Otto-correct had fun with you today: devises, here.)
RTE: Around here man of the numbered roads are FMs -- Farm-to-Market. I often drive FM-1485 and FM-1314 on my M-o-W routes.
HASTA: As I leave, one of my M-o-W clients always says, "Later, gator." I respond, "In a while, Virginia."
FIR, but erased napal for NEPAL.
ReplyDeleteToday is:
WORLD TELEVISION DAY (modern HEAR YE! Recognizes how TV plays a vital role in presenting different issues that affect people. And how you feel about issues largely determines the channel you watch. When is National Confirmation Bias Day?)
WORLD HELLO DAY (recognizes the role communication plays for preserving peace.)
NATIONAL RED MITTEN DAY (red mittens represent the pride, generosity, and excellence of every Canadian, eh?)
NATIONAL GINGERBREAD COOKIE DAY (the baking will warm the home and decorating will inspire us to design tasty cookies while making memories. Not to be confused with National Gingerbread Day, June 5th.)
NATIONAL STUFFING DAY (add drippings to moisten the dish and it becomes dressing.)
I know we aren't supposed to get political, but I have to say that I'm proud to be a supporter of medicinal marinara.
Easy guess for RAP. Three-letter genre with a middle letter 'A'. Not ska or emo.
DO - In Texas, they have FM roads and RMs too - Ranch to Market. I could never figure out how they decided which would be which. Many of them are now urban roads.
Thanks to Natasha for the fun Tuesday romp, and to Ha2la for another well-illustrated review. My favorite was when someone let the draft horse in. (When I was a kid, we would remind someone with an open fly to close the barn door before the horse gets out.)
Good Morning:
ReplyDeleteThis was a fun, easy-breezy solve with a simple but delightful theme. My favorite themer was Second Gentlemen, probably because it's timely and relevant, plus I just like the sound of it. Navy + Pier stood out, as did Sven and Syne. Vale (a series I never heard of) and Euphoria (a series I have heard of, but not featuring Zendaya) were the only unknowns. Well, I didnt know Latto, either, but Rap seemed like a logical answer. I thought the fill was fresh and lively and, naturally, the low (14) three letter word count was also appreciated.
Thanks, Natasha, for a lovely Tuesday offering and thanks, Hahtoolah, for the always informative and entertaining review. Your musical interludes had a little something for everyone and your visuals and comics were top-notch, as usual. My favorites today were Portage Pants, Wise Asp, Batman's "Boy", and the Draft horse!
FLN
Jayce, absolutely loved your Noir riff! Raymond Chandler would be flattered!
Have a great day.
Gentleman, singular.
ReplyDeleteGood Morning, Crossword friends. We seem to be getting a lot more rappers in our puzzles these days. Like Irish Miss noted, RAP seemed like a logical answer. Maybe the inclusion of rappers will entice younger puzzle solvers to join in the fun. I've been doing the puzzles for decades and have seen words and themes change with the times. I just I am just behind the times with my knowledge of rappers.
ReplyDeleteQOD: The trouble with retirement is that you never get a day off. ~ Abe Lemons (né A.E. Lemons; Nov. 21, 1922 ~ Sept. 2, 2002), American basketball player and college coach
FIR. Not much to say about this puzzle. A couple of unfamiliar proper names, and several unknowns, but the perps solved them. Clever theme, and for the most part, an enjoyable Tuesday endeavor.
ReplyDeleteTook 5:17 today for me to be a wiseguy.
ReplyDeleteI knew today's female athlete/writer (Laila Ali) and the WNBA reference (Las). Although I knew today's actresses (Courtney Cox & Zendaya), I never heard of "Shining Vale". I knew Lipa but not Latto. "aadegree" looked off. Otherwise, pretty smooth, circle-less puzzle.
I liked the pair of Star Wars clues (Leia & Obi-Wan).
Terrific Tuesday. Thanks for the fun, Natasha and Hahtoolah (LOL Draft Horse).
ReplyDeleteI FIRed in very good time, and saw all the Men.
Three inkblots to change Shade to SHADY, Drum to DRUB, and Oow to OOF.
Perps were fair and and with a couple of WAGs filled the unknowns.
This Canadian has not heard of an AA degree, and of course you know that our repair bills charge for Labour.
My granddaughter currently has that GAP. She will be able to sing All I want for Christmas is my Two Front Teeth. So cute.
LOL Anonymous@7:30am re Wise Guy. I noted LEIA and OBI WAN too.
FLN- Picard- I had no troublesome determining the Women’s on the right and Men’s on the left (plus the actual entrance doors said Men and Women. We now have added symbols for Family and All Gender bathrooms.
Wishing you all a great day.
A few bumps today before a FIR conclusion. And YETA AGAIN, we has AA DEGREE.
ReplyDeleteRAP or SKA or EMO for Latto's music took perps.
Zenadaya & EUPHORIA- both unknown but if she's supposedly of of the ' 100 most influential people' because she represents a drug addict the people she 'influences' are in for trouble. Tiktokkers.
Dua LIPA- not familiar with 'Levitating' but Lipa was in an earlier puzzle
'Shining VALE'-unknown filled by perps
HASTA luego everybody
Gentlemen?
ReplyDeleteHola!
ReplyDeleteThanks to Natasha Erickson for a very doable puzzle. I enjoyed the clever MALE references.
And thank you, Hahtoolah, for the amusing analysis; also, that was fun hearing Rod Stewart singing Auld Lang SYNE and your many cartoons are always a treat.
My daughter loves ANSEL Adams' work and has several of his prints.
A SCARF is rarely needed in these parts.
I'll say HASTA la vista for now. It's going to be a busy day!
A really nice puzzle from Natasha and colorful review from Hahtoolah! Quick and easy FIR, with a nifty theme. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteFun puzzle, great recap, what’s not to like.
ReplyDeleteMusings
ReplyDelete-Memories of Thanksgiving at Grandma OPAL’s flood back to me this time of year
-This AA degree is a great one to have
-Maybe with a brighter closet light, I can tell NAVY from black
-Maybe she’s on that list, but Zendaya hasn’t influence me in the least
-I should have taken Shakespeare’s advice about LOANS
- Er eldfjallið að gjósa? (Is the volcano erupting?)
-So you want to climb Everest? Just be in shape, have $45,000 to spend and contact Asian Trekking Climb Expedition at P.O. Box 3022, Thamel, Kathmandu, NEPAL.
-GAP. Today is the 50th anniversary of the discovery of an 18 ½ one in the Nixon tapes.
Husker Gary @10:29 a.m. Wow, Gary! Impressive! Is there any language you DON’T know?
ReplyDeleteFIR in typical (for me) Tuesday time, with no W/Os. I even got the theme! But too many DNKs to list. How am I supposed to know an HBO teen drama starring Zendaya: I don't get HBO, and never heard of Zendaya. Anyway, thanx for the fun CW NE, and thanx to for the (as always) terrific write-up, Hahtoolah.
ReplyDeleteA fast FIR today, just about as fast as I could write. The few heard-of-by-nobody-ever clues perped easily. Another great write-up, Ha2la, as usual! Favorites were the draft horse and bat boy!
ReplyDeleteGreat Puzzle
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteStr8forward puzzle kinda like yesterday. WAG with perps for LAILA ALI.
Thanks for the laughs H2LH. Next month I’m having a cardiac ablation to try to eliminate a pesky arrhythmia. Called Excellus Blue Cross yesterday to find out what the “parts and labor” would cost and my co-pay. Took a couple of slaps on the head to jump start the cerebrum for “draft 🐴”
The “dude” at least knows the first letter of the Greek alphabet. I’ve heard of “taking a DRUBbing” so s’pose there’s a word DRUB. Please I pledge hear my pleas and maybe use “pleaded not “PLED”? …… There’s also a “cauliflower” ear
HG @ 10:29am. My first summer college job was in the last rayon mill in town. We mixed colors by hand in huge vats to dye the thread. There was a small room stacked with spools of “various” shades/hues of just NAVY blue. Only the old timers could sort the subtle differences by eye using a special light.
Another “coincidence” ROMAS, 🍅’s in “marinara” sauce left over from Saturday’s puzzle . I guess RSVP is being used here as a verb “to answer an invite”
Zendaya’s character “Rue” in “Euphoria” deals with drug addiction and angst of her generation that wouldn’t resonate with most of us boomers. Her and her friends struggles and anxieties inform us, though when we have, (if we do have) serious conversations with our teenage grandkids.
Maybe I am an ODD FELLOW, but I enjoyed this DUDEs theme. I was thinking of the line in the Beatle's song:
ReplyDeleteAnd so it's true pride comes before a fall
I'm telling you so that you won't lose all
So, I had COMES before GOETH. Hand up VALE unknown. Interesting idea that a show could be both horror and comedy. Learning moment about unknown ZENDAYA. Very beautiful. FIR. Speaking of very beautiful...
Here my friend Christine posed with me as PRINCESS LEIA.
From Yesterday and Today:
Jinx, Jayce, CanadianEh Thank you for weighing in on the MEN's room sign. I think it depends on whether you are drawn to the word or to the picture. The word MEN is on the right. Perhaps sometime I can make a video of people stopping in confusion at the sign. But people seem very touchy about such things.
PK I’m very disappointed .. “Here my friend Christine posed with me as Princess Leia”.….Really wanted to see what you looked like dressed as Princess Leia! 😀
ReplyDeleteFLN
ReplyDeleteSolved yesterday's puzzle, but didn't have time to comment as Teri and I took granddaughter #3 out to Manchester, MD for lunch and 3 rounds of 10 pin bowling (we each won a game). Then it was down home for barrel racing videos (granddaughter is horse crazy), dinner, birthday cake and ice cream.
Anywho - thank you Tom for a puzzle well SUITED for Monday -- a perfect FIT!.
And thank you sumdaze for the informative, funny review. I didn't have time to work out the theme details, so thanks for the exegesis, especially for pointing out that each themer had two suits. Loved the of sweet picture of Meadow.
Some favs:
13A ALEE. Nice song John!
15A PEACH. We found out from granddaughter that PEACH is her favorite fruit, color, and aroma.
44A TIA. Sounds like Téa as in Téa Leoni who plays Elizabeth McCord, Secretary of State in Madam Secretary. We started watching this show after I blogged it a few months back and now we're addicted!
59A TROOP. I was in TROOP 26 of the BSA. Most of the useful stuff I know I learned at scout camp. Hand up for liking Wes Anderson movies, especially the Grand Budapest Hotel, one of my favorites.
TODAY
Still recovering from yesterday. Those 10 pin bowling balls are hard on these old wrists (but I can still type).
Thank you Natasha for the clever theme, albeit the theme was a tad MACHO for this (mostly) GENTLE MAN.
And thank you Hahtoolah for all the illustrations, information, and the usual hilarity.
Today's favs:
The Weather Girls!
18A ALPHA MALE. So what's not to like about a DOG'S LIFE.
24A FALL GUY. That GUY has got the perfect ALIBI.
59A ODD FELLOW. I resemble that remark!
28A AA DEGREE. #2 granddaughter may just get an AA Degree. She figures she can make more money as an electrician.
46A EUPHORIA. Zendaya is perhaps better known for paying Chani in the 2021 film Dune. I predict she'll be Paul Atreides main squeeze before the epic is done.
53D OXIDE. Fe203 is the most versatile OXIDE used to color ceramic glazes, producing black, blue, brown, green, yellow, orange, and red, depending on the base glaze, concentration, kiln atmosphere, and firing cycle.
Cheers,
Bill
OK, I found the picture of the view when you are LEAVING the men's room at Ford's Garage. It would have been more effective had it been painted with mirror image letters, but it still startles the first time you encounter it.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Natasha Erickson, and thank you, Hahtoolah. Solved it in the wee hours of the morning.
ReplyDeleteI clicked on the gridspanner to start. Didn't get that one right away, but clicked on the other theme answers to read their clues. Immediately filled in ODD FELLOW, FALL GUY and LETTER MAN. Those were my first three answers. OK, so that last one was wrong for the dude that knows his ABCs, but it did fit the clue and the available cells! Other than that gaffe, no problem.
FLN:
- TY Dash T, for linking that SNL skit about L. Frank Baum.
Also, I don't recall knowing anything about GOSIP, but after reading your link, I read about the protocol wars. I remember some of the proprietary standards being pushed for years by DEC, IBM and the telecommunications companies. That reading led to other articles and I had nine tabs opened on related articles I'd read by the time I said enough. Thanks a lot! :>)
- Ray-O, this is what I call a Two Suiter, although it may not be everyone's idea. In fact, this American Tourister is the brand and color of the one I had. It's made with real faux leather! On week long (or longer) business trips, I could hang three suits and three dress shirts from the interior hanger bar. Dress shoes and socks, shaving kit and other items went in the bottom.
I guess it would help if I also included the link...
ReplyDeleteTwo Suiter Garment Bag
Guess that’s what we used to call a Garment Bag. Instead of folding and stowing it or checking it you could hang it in a compartment when you first entered the plane. Has space for other stuff besides suits. Used to bring one to conferences but no one wears a suit and tie to those meeting anymore.
DeleteDelightful Tuesday puzzle, many thanks, Natasha. And always enjoy your neat pictures, thank you for those too, Gary.
ReplyDeleteWell, Waseeley already pointed out what I too noticed, that, although constructed by a woman, this puzzle was filled with men: beginning with the ALPHA MALE, followed by the FALL GUY, then along came the SECOND GENTLEMEN (although he was already the third), we then got the young BALL BOY, and finally the ODD FELLOW. Maybe Natasha can give us a bunch of WOMEN in her next puzzle here (just kidding).
Have a great day, everybody.
Hahtoolah does her fine job of 'splaining this Erickson PZL...
ReplyDeleteVery clever these variations of MALE/MAN occupations and assignments. I shall expect to see the LADY version soon.
I never heard of the AA (Associate in Arts) degree until I had been teaching at a college. Unlike the BA (Bachelor of Arts) degree, which is usually (but not always) expected before one goes for a Masters degree, the AA is not a prerequisite for anything.
I am an anomaly. After I got my BA, I enrolled in a Master's program. While in that program, I learned that I could switch over to a doctoral program, which I did.
Thus, I completed my doctorate without having achieved a Master's degree--which is usually expected.
Academia can be weird sometimes.
~ OMK
____________
DR: Again we have three diagonals on the far side...
AND AGAIN, the center line is over-loaded with vowels (only two consonants), and the flanks are almost entirely made of consonants.
It is impossible to make fair anagrams of any of these.
I can only imagine a couple of two word phrases, on the VULGAR side (fair warning), each of them consisting of just 8 letters.
Based on a microphone posted in the WC, these could be a recording of either an...
"AUDIO PEE"
-or an-
"AUDIO POO""!
(Sorry!)
Ray-o, 'Merican Airlines stews made me remove mine, saying that it was only for first class passengers. I had used it several times previously .
ReplyDeleteThanks to Natasha for her nice collection of dudes. FAVs: SPACE CAMP and clues for ASSET & LUV.
ReplyDeleteThanks to Hahtoolah for coming through with her blog despite having one of THOSE weeks. Thanks for explaining SECOND GENTLEMAN and for the Brian Setzer video. Wow!
waseeley @1:20. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on both yesterday's & today's. Sounds like you had a lovely day with your granddaughter.
Hi All!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the fine Tuesday puzzle, Natasha. Nicely executed theme, Dude(ess).
As always, great expo & comics, Hahtoolah. Thanks for your efforts.
WO: NaPAL (Hi Jinx!)
ESPs: VALE, EUPHORIA, LIPI
Fav: GOETH is a fun word.
Anyone remember The Fall Guy with Lee Majors? //I'm sure some of yous remember Heather Thomas [@0:58] ;-)
Youngest got an AA after two years of Community College. Now she's at UT to finish her last four semesters (next one in Madrid) for her BA before heading to Law School.
//She wanted some Law School paid for by Mom & Dad, so went the "free" route for her first two years of undergrad.
OMK - You want "Lady?" Your pick Styx or Kenny Rogers :-)
Jinx - Pretty sure I was in Venice when I saw this bathroom sign.
Oh, and speaking of Italian restrooms and BAT BOY... In Figline, I saw this and this.
Cheers, -T
I liked this puzzle for all the same reasons you all have enumerated.
ReplyDeleteAA was a first degree for many vets returnimg from the Korean War. Mine (i was not a vet) became the basis for a subsequent B.Ed., M.A. and Ph.D.
ReplyDeleteBayou Tony, which Venice is that? Too refined for the one in LA County, too juvenile for the one in the Mother Country.
ReplyDeleteJinx - Mother Country.
ReplyDelete[It was a Dark and Stormy Night when when DW & I happened upon that sign in an alley-way. I laughed my bum off.]
There's something about Italians that find bodily functions fascinating...
"Was that a sinker or a floater?," Gramps would always ask after I left the can.
To that interest, I blame that guy who drew body proportions inside a circle & square :-)
//we should stop now ;-)
Cheers, -T