google.com, pub-2774194725043577, DIRECT, f08c47fec0942fa0 L.A.Times Crossword Corner: Monday January 29, 2024 Doug Peterson

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Jan 29, 2024

Monday January 29, 2024 Doug Peterson

  

Theme:                


Happy Monday, everyone! sumdaze here. Grab your rod and reel. Ace constructor Doug Peterson hid five fish in today's grid. Let's see what we can catch.

16 Across. *Glide around a rink: ICE SKATE.

24 Across. *Angel who's a three-time AL MVP: MIKE TROUT.  
30 Across. *Toll road: TURNPIKE.

44 Across. *Radioactive decay emission: GAMMA RAY.

50 Across. *Ace at a poker table: CARD SHARK.
There was some discussion on this one last month. "Cardsharp" refers to someone who cheats at cards and can also be skilled. It is spelled as one word. On the other hand, a CARD SHARK is someone who is skilled at cards (an ace, perhaps) but not a cheater. It is spelled as two words. Some people think that CARD SHARK is an eggcorn but the two terms have different etymologies.

And the unifier:

63. Swerve back and forth, as a car's rear end, or a feature of the answer to each starred clue: FISHTAIL.  

SKATETROUTPIKERAY and SHARK are all FISH that appear at the TAIL end of the starred clues.
It is impressive to see five themers plus a reveal in a grid that still has room for  the pairs of 7- and 9-word fills in the NE and SW corners. Well done, Doug! So fin-tastic!
Let's admire Doug's grid:

Answer:  more clues!
Let's keep going.
Across:
1. Includes on an email: CCs.  Hi C.C.!

4. Quite often: A LOT.  A LOT of people spell this as one word. I wonder if one day in the future "alot" will be the correct spelling.  #LanguageEvolves

8. Regimen for injured athletes: REHAB.  a program for rehabilitating after an injury

13. Infield bounce: HOP.  
Just kidding!
A short infield HOP is a ball that bounces in front of the fielder, making it tricky for the defensive player to field accurately and quickly.

14. Burn slightly: SEAR.  Does anyone else like to SEAR their ravioli?

15. Walked proudly: STRODE.  

18. "If nothing changes ... ": AS IT IS.  with the situation that exists now  

19. Manicurist's application: POLISH.  
race for a cure for nail psoriasis???

20. Delivery vehicle: VAN.  
Toy Story. Buzz & Woody sneak into a different delivery vehicle. (1:35 min.) YO!

22. Eucalyptus, for one: TREE.  We have several eucalyptus TREES in the area. They smell amazing when it rains.

23. Fries topping: SALT.

26. "Now You See Me" actress Fisher: ISLA.  
You might know Isla from the movie Wedding Crashers (2005)
or the TV show Wolf Like Me (2022-present).
She celebrates her 48th birthday this coming Saturday.
Happy Birthday, Isla!

29. Set of beliefs: CREED.  
Do you remember this CREED?

34. Filled with cargo: LADED.

37. Boxer Muhammad: ALI.  
Flashback to the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta.
Can you watch this without choking up? I cannot.

38. Part of a place setting: UTENSIL.

41. Blunder: ERR.

42. Threatening forecast: STORM.

46. Honking flock: GEESE.  
2:24 min. of GOOSE cuteness

49. December number: NOEL.  Good one! A NOEL (like all songs) is a musical number.

53. Idris of "The Suicide Squad": ELBA.  I heard him tell an interviewer that he was the DJ for Prince Harry & Meghan's wedding. Apparently his uncle was a DJ so teenager Idris spent a lot of time helping him. Eventually he became quite good. Here's a pic for Lucina.  

57. Thermometer type: ORAL.  If the following line amuses you, you might want to read Erma Bombeck's full essay here.
I remember the first time I gave my mother a pair of earrings wrapped in a rectal thermometer box. 

58. Feel regret: RUE.

59. Not moving: AT REST.  

61. "The World Is Not Enough" actress Richards: DENISE.  her IMDb page

65. "Coming up next ... ": AND NOW.  

66. Pennsylvania's Gem City: ERIE.  Another one of ERIE's nicknames is the Flagship City.

67. Pharmaceutical watchdog gp.: FDA.  Food and Drug Administration

68. Metal for construction beams: STEEL.  Speaking of Pennsylvania city nicknames, Pittsburg is the Steel City.

69. Copier paper pack: REAM.  There are 500 sheets of copy paper in a REAM. If you do not believe me, you can count them.

70. "Of course!": YES.  

Down:
1. Chocolate morsels: CHIPS.     pairs nicely with     
2 Down. Chocolate drink: COCOA.

3. Bit of witchcraft: SPELL.  

4. Poses questions: ASKS.

5. "Nancy Drew" actress Lewis: LEAH.  LEAH was born December 9, 1996 in Shanghai, China. When she was eight months old a family in Florida adopted her. She played Nancy's friend George Fayne on Nancy Drew (2019-2023).

6. Cheerios grain: OAT.

7. Rome's __ Fountain: TREVI.  
Nicola Salvi designed this masterpiece.

8. ACLU concerns: RTS.  TBH, I'm still not comfortable with this abbreviation for RighTS.

9. Country north of Ethiopia: ERITREA.  
Biniam Girmay, an up and coming cyclist, was born in Asmara, ERITREA.

10. One with a souped-up ride: HOT RODDER.  Def.:  a person who drives a motor vehicle that has been specially modified to give it extra power or speed.

11. French farewell: ADIEU.  

12. Under siege: BESET.  Def.:  to surround or hem in.
This works if we use the passive voice. Merriam-Webster gives the example sentence, "He's been BESET by a lack of confidence."

15. More reasonable: SANER.

17. Protest without marchers: SIT-IN.

21. Dog breeders' org.: AKC.  American Kennel Club  
Comet, a Shih Tzu, won the AKC National Championship Best in Show award in 2023.

24. "Let's __ a Deal": MAKE.

25. "I'm all ears!": TELL ME.

27. Froths: SPUMES.

28. Held a match to: LIT.

30. Univ. aides: TAs.

31. Last: Abbr.: ULT.  ULTimate???

32. Waterway that translates to "big river": RIO GRANDE.  
Cole Porter (1891-1964) wrote I'm an Old Cowhand (From the Rio Grande).
This is Asleep at the Wheel's cover (2006).

33. Shakespeare's lang.: ENG.
The language in which Shakespeare wrote is referred to as Early Modern English, a linguistic period that lasted from approximately 1500 to 1750. The language spoken during this period is often referred to as Elizabethan English or Shakespearian English.  source

35. Notable time period: ERA.

36. Towel off: DRY.

39. Pocketed, as a billiard ball: SANK.  You would think people would avoid using the word SANK when referring to (a) pool.

40. Brief "As I see it": IMO.  IMOpinion

43. Tachometer marking: RED LINE.  

45. On the ball: ALERT.

47. Molelike mammal: SHREW.  
short-eared elephant SHREW

48. __ de cologne: EAU.  

50. Musical conclusions: CODAS.

51. "There __ enough hours in the day!": AREN'T.

52. Send for a second opinion: REFER.  like a medical opinion

54. Like kale: LEAFY.

55. Back of a 45: B-SIDE.  The 7-inch 45 RPM record was introduced by RCA Victor in 1949.
Unchained Melody by the Righteous Brothers was the B-SIDE to Hung On You (1965).  

56. Volume of maps: ATLAS.

59. Home to seven countries whose names end in "-stan": ASIA.  The suffix -stan is Persian and Urdu for place of or where one stands.

60. Not us: THEM.  so divisive

62. Fa follower: SOL
64. Hot reaction: IRE.  anger.

It's oh-fish-ial, that's all for today. Let minnow what you thought of today's puzzle in the Comments section. Sea you later!

41 comments:

Subgenius said...

I can’t say there was ANY problem with this puzzle at all. It was, in fact, the usual Monday “walk in the park.” FIR, so I’m happy.

KS said...

FIR. Nice and easy Monday puzzle and definitely something fishy about it. This was a fun romp to start the week.

Jinx in Norfolk said...

FIR, but erased laden for LADED (ahoy, landlubber), eritria for ERITREA, and utencil for UTENSIL (UNTIE!)

Today is:
NATIONAL PUZZLE DAY (a SO to Cornerites around the world)
NATIONAL BUBBLE WRAP DAY (first made by sealing two shower curtains together, with the intent of making a new type of wallpaper)
NATIONAL CORN CHIP DAY (sponsored by the Weight Loss Surgeons of America)

*Q: What's the primary difference between an oral thermometer and a rectal thermometer?

Yes, ALOT will probably be a dictionary word soon, "irregardless" of my opinion.

AS IT IS: My favorite Jack Welch quote is "You can look at the situation and feel victimized. Or you can look at it and be excited about conquering the challenges and opportunities it presents."

SALT was the fries topping, because CHILI and CHEESE were too long.

If that's what a SHREW looks like, why did Willie S. want to tame one?

SPUMES is a great word that I knew, but don't think I've ever used. SPUMante is a type of Italian wine not made out of spittle.

I can't see FISHTAIL without thinking of Big Mouth Billy Bass singing Take Me To The River.

Thanks to Doug for another fun, easy-ish puzzle, and to sundaze for another fun and funny tour.

*A: The taste.

desper-otto said...

Good morning!

Eew, Jinx. Think my brain was elsewhere this morning. Got through this one OK, but in several places I had to wait on perps for the obvious answer to appear. Enjoyed the outing, Doug, and your bubbly expo, Sumdaze. (Is "Pittsburg" an eggcorn? Dr. Scholl's has a plaster for that.)

YooperPhil said...

Well, as SS might say, It took me less than 8 minutes to reel this one in today, not much of a fight, unlike the one that got away yesterday. Thank you Doug for easing us into the CW week!

Sumdaze - always enjoy your sparkling Monday reviews, always entertaining! And today I learned “eggcorn”, hopefully to be remembered when it appears in a future puzzle.

Jinx in Norfolk said...

OH OH! CSO to moi in today's Bizarro.

Anonymous said...

Took 5:14 today for me to ... hey, YooperPhil stole my ... (wait for it) ... line.
But, I won't carp....

I also had to erase laden for laded.

I didn't know today's actress (Leah).

Have a great week.

Picard said...

From Yesterday:
Vidwan Thank you very much for your kind and thoughtful comments and observations!

YooperPhil said...

Anon SS ~ yes just for the halibut I did steal your line today, but you didn’t flounder, you still perch atop the list of fastest solvers. And thanks for not carping, that would’ve made me feel like crappie. 👊🏼

Lee said...

Today was like a breath of fresh air. No esoteric, scrape the bottom of the barrel clues, just nice say what you mean type.

Gamblers of old were card sharks. Today, you can't hide an ace up your sleeve with all the cameras watching.

Some people see the situation "as it is", some see it as they wish it were. Regardless, most if the time it is as it should be. To quote, "the world will go as it will, not as we would wish it". - from stories by Marion Zimmer Bradley about Darkover, her mythical alien world..

Don't be sorry later, think and do it right the first time.

Belvedere

Lee said...

A sparkling review by Sumdaze and a gem of an offering from Doug. Please attach this praise to my comments above,

CanadianEh! said...

Marvellous Monday. Thanks for the fun, Doug and sumdaze.
I FIRed in good time (well good for me at approx. 13 minutes vs. Anon SS’s 5 and YooperPhil’s 8!)
The fishing theme was fun (groans re those puns YP and AnonSS).

Hand up for Laden before LADED. LEAH was unknown to me but perped.
My forecast was Sleet before a STORM.
I had Defer before REFER.

ASITIS looks like a new disease.
ARENT looks like another A-word on the realtor’s sign.

Wishing you all a great day.

Irish Miss said...

Good Morning:

Doug never disappoints and today's offering proves that. I saw the theme after filling in Trout and glancing back at Ice Skate, but the reveal was a resounding Aha. I, too, had Laden and was also not familiar with Leah. Lucina will be happy to see Idris, as always. I knew a woman years ago whose name was Edris, a name I had never heard before. I liked seeing a fresh clue for the ubiquitous Erie.

Thanks, Doug, for a fun solve and thanks, sumdaze, for the usual assortment of fun and facts. Eggcorn is new to me and joins Mondegreen as a descriptor of our auditory lapses. The Mohammed Ali torch-lighting was very touching and reminiscent of his powerful presence. Favorite cartoons (no surprise, I'm sure!) were St. Peter's pups and Comet, the Shih Tzu. The Shrew was sort of cute, too!

Have a great day.

Yellowrocks said...

Easy, fun puzzle. The theme was evident early.
AKC, CSO to Irish Miss. I enjoy the AKC dog show, too. It was held this weekend. The best of show was Comet, a Shih Tzu.
Our country seems deeply divided between us and them. "If it benefits THEM, WE are against it." My mom called this cutting off your nose to spite your face.
I know a woman seeking a divorce. She plans to take her husband for all he is worth, even if litigation depletes their common finances, making her bankrupt, too.
ULT is a very common abbreviation for ultimate.
The University of Michigan in a publication called Michigan Law carried an article entitled, "Civil Rts, Slavery and Trafficking."
I believe spume is a fine word to describe the froth of sea waves. I use it often. I see spumed can be a verb for frothed, although I seldom come across it used that way.
Yooper Phil, LOL

Ray - O - Sunshine said...

This was a bit crunchy, as if I STRODE thru the park before the plows cleared the snow.

Prior to filling the reveal answer I thought the theme might have to do with “moving” (SKATE, TURN, but CARD wouldn’t work and MIKE doesn’t move much in center field 😆). Once filled though realized it was “sleeps with the 🐟🐠🦈”

For a Monday ISLA could have been clued as “Spanish Island” rather than an unknown PN, (and I saw the movie)

Liked “December number” (XII too short and XXV wrong)… the last to fall

“Proudly” strutted wouldn’t fit.
We’ve had all the “ins” recently, SIT IN, BE IN, LIE IN (the big cat protest at the zoo 😃). Needed perps to opt for CREED and not credo. Started to fill Egypt (too short) north of Ethiopia.

As per the “discussion” Ace (expert) versus Shark (cheater) ♠️♥️♣️♦️

Took a perp to listen to a musical 45 not the weapon. “Not Us” apparently not the sequel to “This is Us” (BTW if “It is I” is correct not “it is me” the series shoulda bin kault “This is We” 🤭)

School dance….HOP
Mend an old mink stole….REFER
“Finding Nemo”……FISHTAIL

Sumdaze …knew I smelt another pun a-fish-onado!

Top ‘o the week to all. 😃

RosE said...

Good Morning! A fun outing for today’s puzzle and theme. Thanks, Doug.
1A: CSO to the Corner’s amazing CC!

Perps easily filled today’s unknown names: LEAH, MIKE TROUT and ISLA.

Evolving language: my irk is preven-ta-tive. No, it’s preventive, no “ta” but yes, it’s becoming more prevalent.

I loved the pups at Heaven’s gate. I have six whom I'm sure got in. Sweet memories.

ADIEU: The socks at the dryer toon spoke to me. I have (had) a favorite pair when one went missing. It’s got to be in the house, so I’ll never give up finding it. 🤔

Sumdaze, a fun and informative recap, and your closing comment was a hoot!! 🤣🤣🤣

Husker Gary said...

Musings
-UTENSIL: Am I the only one who cuts food with the knife in my right hand and fork in my left and then puts down my knife and uses my fork in my right hand to place it in my mouth?
-Our thermometer uses the ear opening and not the other two
-I love the “Dogs in heaven cartoon, Renee”. The Dog Whisperer always says, “There are no bad dogs, just bad owners”
-RTS play on the offensive line of FB teams
-It may be ENG but I don’t get some of what Shakespeare wrote
-Sunshine, a fun puzzle and a Sumdaze write-up. Life is good.


Chairman Moe said...

Puzzling thoughts:

FIR in a time somewhere between Anonymous SS and Yooper Phil. In other words, this was a breeze

Doug and sumdaze: reel-y good work today

DENISE Richards and I share the same birthday but given our age difference I could pass for her father

A sort-of appropriate Moe-ku:

Florida snowbirds
Dine in local fish, cheaply,
With grouper Groupon

Charlie Echo said...

An enjoyable start to the week. My only nits were LADEN/LADED and SANER clued as "clearer". RTS just did not look RIGHT to me. Sumdaze, I really liked that "infield hop" and the dogs at the gate. Hopefully, mine will be waiting for me at the Rainbow Bridge. (Not going in without them!) I think another nickname.for Erie must be "Crossword City" (or Lake!)

NaomiZ said...

So much fun today. I feel cured of all weekend afflictions, especially the curse of blank squares!

Husker Gary, you are following proper American etiquette with your UTENSILs, and although most of us were probably raised that way, many people today use the more efficient European system of lifting the food to one's mouth with the fork in the left hand, and never having to set the knife down. I endorse this cultural appropriation!

Lucina said...

Hola!

This puzzle is a CSO to my late DH who loved fishing! Our local canals used to be stocked with fish and he enjoyed sitting under the shade of a tree waiting for a bite.

I can't believe MIKE TROUT is a real name!

Thank you, sumdaze, for the photo of IDRIS ELBA!

CSO to a former poster and friend, LEAH.

The only time I recall passing through a TURNPIKE when we traveled to Williamsburg, VA many years ago. My daughter was an infant and she is now 45.

Thanks to Doug Peterson who is a real pro at construction!

I hope your Monday is going well, everyone!

Jinx in Norfolk said...

Ray - Very clever.

Anonymous T said...

Hi All!

Doug, I just mentioned you last week inre: SWA's CheckMark puzzle and here you are today with a nice Monday grid to welcome in the work-week. Thanks.

Sumdaze: As always, a great #learning expo with (fishy) whimsy. I don't have any fish puns I can salmon up.

WO: SPEwED
ESPs: I noticed A LOT of names
Fav: I'll go w/ RIO GRANDE 'cuz it reminds me of Yosemite Sam.

FLN - Jinx: Yes, mash is a beer brewing word for the mix of grains boiled (and cooled) before yeast is added. //In college, I thought brewing my own beer would be cheaper and better. It was better but NOT cheaper.

HG - I learned that using UTINSILs that way is an American thing called zig-zag or cut-and-switch method of eating. My EU buddies do NOT do that.

Ray-O: I too wanted Strut ('Cuz I love to watch DW strut...) [ZZTop]

LOL A-RENT, C,eh!
Fun MoeKu!
Yooper Phil: Nicely done - four snap(per)s.

Cheers, -T

sumdaze said...

I enjoyed reading everyone's comments and fish puns! YooperPhil@8:32 might have schooled us all.
= )

H-Gary @ 10:44. I cut my food the same way you do. When I read your post, I had to think about it. I was not sure so I went into the kitchen and picked up a knife and fork to test it.

-T @ 11:55. Yosemite Sam is the best! He gets so angry it's ridiculous!

Copy Editor said...

Sorry, but the term "card shark" would not exist had it not been an eggcorn. Most people who say "card shark" use it to convey the actual meaning of "cardsharp" and don't know the difference.

CrossEyedDave said...

Jinx @ 7:07
It took me longer than the puzzle to parse the honesty plate...

25 b sides that climbed higher 8n the charts than the a sides...

professional fishtail...


65. And now: coming up next...
Anon-T, I was sure you would link a Monty Python reference...

CrossEyedDave said...

Learn8ng moments:

A lot of strange words today, eggcorn?

Todays paper had an article about a New Jersey town passing a law banning "buskers" from the boardwalk. I thought it was some local Jerseyism, like "bennies", but it turns out to be an actual word referring to sidewalk musicians who play for donations.

Recently, YouTube recommended a video about the word "analemma."
I was sure this wasn't a real word, which made me watch the whole 10:37 video explaining why "noon" is never at the same time...

Anonymous T said...

CED - I thought you were going with This completely different (same?) thing.
//Wait for Thursday for more Monty Python :-)

Cheers, -T

Copy Editor said...

Anon T: :)

Jinx in Norfolk said...

Bayou Tony, "I don't have any fish puns I can salmon up." I think you wrote that one just for the halibut.

Anonymous T said...

Fans of Dr. Demento know Fish Heads.

Jinx - Fans of fish puns know Wet Dream [TVMA]. //When I was 12, twice a year at midnight, I'd hear it on KSHE-95 out of STL.
Oh, and salmon up just came right out of my keyboard :-)

Cheers, -T

RosE said...

Husker Gary, RE: knife & fork. I hold my fork in my left hand, but that's where we differ. I keep it in my left hand because I'm a southpaw. I do try to sit on an end of the table &/or watch my elbows so I'm not bumping into fellow diners. 😁

Lucina said...

Oh, my goodness! There is nothing like a fishy theme to reel in the bass jokes. Very funny!!!

YooperPhil said...

Lucina ~ I’m surprised you didn’t say “Oh My Cod!” btw, did you know you can tune a piano but you can’t tuna fish?

sumdaze said...

-T@1:45. Wet Dream was too much. No, seriously...way too much. I was laughing on the inside until "he lay on the floor kelpless". Then it was all over. Thanks for the link!

Monkey said...

Hoo! Another fun theme. The few unknowns showed up when perps came to the rescue. The only change was credo/CREED.

Yes indeed this corner is stocked to the gills with fishy jokes. LOL.

I enjoyed Sumdaze’s lively recap.

What a gorgeous, cool day, today.

Anonymous T said...

Yooper - you made me do this...

in '78 REO Speedwagon released an album w/ that title... You gotta Krill With the Changes.
//ok, that was bad. I see the exit.

-T

Jayce said...

I liked this puzzle and all your comments.

Misty said...

Totally delightful Monday puzzle--many thanks, Doug. And your commentary is always a pleasure, Sumdaze, thanks for that too.

Had a little trouble figuring out the theme, until I got to the solution: FISH TAIL. Cracked me up. I thought at first this puzzle might be about human movement, what with HOP and STRODE and going out to SKATE and then TURN, with a chance to finally end up AT REST. But 'twas not to be. No problem since we actually got a much cleverer theme.

Have a great week coming up, everybody.

Lucina said...

Holy mackerel! I guess I missed the bait on this! Oh, well, my reel is spinning and my net is afloat. I'm hooked!

Lucina said...

This dialogue ended too early. I hope it wasn't something I said.