Hobson's Choice. While you may think you have a free choice in filling in your answers, there is really only one choice if you want to get the correct answers. The expression Hobson's Choice is named after Thomas Hobson (1544 ~ 1631).
17-Across. Like the motors in most small appliances: ELECTROMAGNETIC.
26-Across. Playing surface that is 44 feet by 20 feet: PICKLEBALL COURT. A few things about the game of Pickleball, including the confusion over the name of the game.
48-Across. Misleading image: OPTICAL ILLUSION.
And the unifier:
63-Across. Euphemism for rude expressions, and what can be found at the starts of 17-, 26-, and 48-Across: A FEW CHOICE WORDS.
Across:
1. Stopped slouching in a chair: SAT UP.
6. Little troublemaker: IMP.
9. Young horses: FOALS.
14. Steak named for its shape: T-BONE.
15. Lousy grade: DEE.
16. Wipe from memory, as an unpleasant image: UNSEE. See 42-Across in last Thursday's puzzle.
20. Dinero unit: PESO. Today's Spanish lesson
21. "Xanadu" band, familiarly: ELO. The formal name of the band is the Electric Light Orchestra.
22. Bobbing, say: AFLOAT.
23. Knock: RAP.
25. Ala. neighbor: FLA. Florida and Alabama are neighboring states.
35. "SNL" alum Gasteyer: ANA. Ana Gasteyer (b. May 4, 1967) was on Saturday Night Live from 1996 to 2002. She is probably best known for her portrayal of Martha Stewart. [Name # 1.]
36. Mickey Mouse's dog: PLUTO. Disney characters. [Name # 2, fictional]
37. Less wild: TAMER.
38. Rain delay sight: TARP.
40. Drum kit component: SNARE.
42. "Bye-bye!": TA-TA.
43. "Count me out": I PASS.
45. Cary of "North by Northwest": GRANT. Cary Grant (né Archibald Alec Leach; Jan. 18, 1904 – Nov. 29, 1986) was a British actor. North by Northwest was one of four films he starred in that was directed by Alfred Hitchcock. [Name # 3.]
47. Hosp. scan: MRI. As in Magnetic Resonance Imaging. It is a non-invasive imaging technology that produces three dimensional detailed anatomical images.
51. Mined resource: ORE. A crossword staple.
52. ESPN sister station: ABC. I was not aware of this connection. Apparently, they also have a connection to Disney.
53. Manatee relative: DUGONG. I had not heard of Dugongs before. Apparently they are similar to manatees, but have a different tail.
57. Snapchat snap: PIC.
59. Harvest: REAP.
66. "It's the truth!": NO LIE.
67. Eisenhower's nickname: IKE. Dwight David Eisenhower (Oct. 14, 1890 ~ Mar. 28, 1969) was the 34th President of the United States. He became president over 70 years ago. He served two terms, from 1953 to 1961. [Name # 4.]
68. Doolittle of "My Fair Lady": ELIZA. [Name # 5, fictional.]
69. Double curves: ESSES.
70. Spearheaded: LED.
71. Freezing rain: SLEET.
Down:
1. "One __ at a Time" (Jordin Sparks song): STEP. [Name # 6.]
2. Up to it: ABLE.
3. "Head, shoulders, knees, and __": TOES.
4. Open, as a wine bottle: UNCORK.
5. Favorite: PET.
6. Star with lots of fans: IDOL. This word has become a crossword staple.
7. Note to the staff: MEMO.
8. Green vegetable in aloo matar: PEA. Yummers! Aloo matar is an Indian dish that is typically made from potatoes and peas in a mildly spiced creamy tomato based gravy. It is a vegetarian dish.
9. Interesting bit of trivia: FUN FACT.
10. Scott Turow book set at Harvard: ONE L. Scott Turow (b. Apr. 12, 1949) went on to write several more books, some legal thrillers and some nonfiction works. [Name # 7.]
11. Regarding: AS TO.
12. "Star Wars" rebel leader: LEIA. Leia was portrayed by Carrie Francis Fisher (Oct. 21, 1956 ~ Dec. 27, 2016). [Name # 8, fictional.]
13. Breakaway group: SECT. This, too, is becoming a crossword staple.
18. Drives off: REPELS.
19. Temerity: GALL.
24. Mont Blanc, e.g.: ALP. Mont Blanc is the highest mountain in the Alps and Western Europe. It is located on the Franco-Italian border.
25. Like some fabric patterns: FLORAL. This seems like a bit of an odd clue, but floral immediately popped into my mind.
26. Grilling site: PATIO.
27. Like some mobile purchases: IN APP.
28. Gemstone weight: CARAT. Just recently, the second largest diamond was found in Botswana. It weighs just under 2,500 carats. The largest diamond is the Cullinan diamond, which comes in at just over 3,100 carats was found in the early 1900s
 |
| The recently found Botswana diamond. |
29. Make a mess of: BUNGLE.
30. Video game pioneer: ATARI. The name Atari comes from a Japanese term that means "to hit a target" [Name adjacent.]
31. Feedbag bit: OAT.
32. Taste quality of soy sauce and miso: UMAMI.
33. Nostalgia-inducing: RETRO.
34. Lionel product: TRAIN. Joshua Lionel Cowen (Aug. 25, 1877 ~ Sept. 8, 1965) was the cofounder of the Lionel Company that made model railroads and toy trains. [Name adjacent.]
39. Tire fig.: PSI. As in Pounds per Square Inch.
41. Interweave: ENLACE.
44. Wall-mounted light fixtures: SCONCES.
46. Unwieldy boat: TUB.
49. Cry of frustration: ARGH.
50. Ancient document: SCROLL.
53. Great __: big dog: DANE.
54. Sci-fi sightings: UFOs.
55. Some hair products: GELS.
56. Toddler's injury: OWIE.
57. Fish with a pointed snout: PIKE.
58. Frosted, as a cake: ICED. Frosted cake errors.
60. New York canal: ERIE. Everything you wanted to know about the Erie Canal but didn't know to ask.
61. Wood-shaping tool: ADZE.
62. College Board exam for sophs: PSAT. As in the Preliminary SAT.
64. Vinaigrette base: OIL.
65. "Fantastic Mr. Fox" director Anderson: WES. Wes Anderson (né Wesley Wales Anderson; b. May 1, 1969) is known for eclectic films. He is an acquired taste. [Name # 9]
Here's the Grid:
חתולה
Happy
Birthday to Lemonade, our Friday Sherpa for many years. Hope all's well with you, Oo and the kids, Lemonade!
Happy Birthday to the knowledgeable Vidwan as well!
23 comments:
Well, the three themed entries were grid spanners, but that does not mean they were difficult. Actually, after the first few letters sussed through perps, they pretty much filled themselves in. Anyway, FIR, so I’m happy.
Good morning!
Was zipping right along when AFEWCH... appeared, and d-o began backtracking to see what was wrong. Nothing. Hmmm, GRANT included an SO to himself. He could've made it even better if he'd included EDGAR and RICE. Enjoyed your expo, Hahtoolah. Best cartoons: Beach Boys, Catscan, and the puppy trade.
Happy birthday, Lemonade.
FIR without erasure, but only with a good SWAG @ DUGONG x ARGH. (I really hate those sound "words.")
FUN FACT. For the first time in MLB history, this year a player played for both teams in the same game. Further, he played for both teams in the same inning. On June 26, Blue Jays catcher Danny Jansen had a count of 0-1 in the second inning against the Red Sox when the TARPs were rolled out. The game was postponed because of rain until the next day, and overnight Jansen was traded to Boston, and played the rest of the game for the Red Sox.
Maurits Cornelis Escher is my favorite optical illusionist.
For "manatee relative," I was thinking Splynter? sumdaze? H. Gary? NaomiZ? Ha2la? waseeley? D-O?, Bayou Tony? CC?
I think we can agree that ELO has reached Ektorp status, and maybe ONE L IKE is close, but the constructors occasionally throw in a DDE to keep us on our toes.
Thanks to Grant for the fun Tuesday romp. My favorite was PIKE x IKE. And thanks to Ha2la for another fine review. I saw CC's cake in your link.
Select days have me finishing it wrong, and today is such a day. Took 4:41 for me to correct my error, as I had "tug" for the boat.
Jinx: It's a very interesting occurrence, but to clarify, the postponed game was resumed several weeks later (yesterday).
I think "dugong" was an answer in a recent "Spelling Bee".
The "Jordin Sparks song" provided no further help to the rest of the clue.
I didn't know today's actress (Eliza).
Good Morning, Crossword friends. A very Happy Birthday to Lemonade and Vidwan. We miss you both.
QOD: If a man does not know to what port he is steering, no wind is favorable to him. ~ Seneca, Roman philosopher
Thanks. I didn't read the article correctly. Still, quite a feat!
FIR. I didn't get the theme till I came here, and didn't know dugong, but still managed to finish in good time.
Overall an enjoyable Tuesday puzzle.
Actually easier than yesterday.
Inkover: alas/ARGH (limited to frustrated pirates)
Wonder if the actress Sandra DEE got low grades in school?. Like many, I ONELy know ONEL from past puzzles. “Holy Yoko Oh No, Batman, OWIE is back.” Can “Uey” be far behind??
ASTO this answer, it’s not INRE this time it’s MEMO. Actually TUGboats seem to do some fairly “wieldy” maneuvering. “Spearheaded”: Narwhal?
Malman’s cousin “Stinky” Dugong nicely featured in the puzzle
Henry VIII enemies heads were displayed on a ____ till they ran out of fish…. PIKE
Apt tune of the offspring of a donkey and horse: “What kind of ___ am I?” …. FOAL.
Tarzan chooses the wrong vine: _____ in the jungle…BUNGLE
FLN: Anon Tony, I’ve heard that particular very funny John Mulaney performance a couple times on Sirius Radio Comedy Central. He’s on of my favorites and been through some rough times lately
Good Morning:
While solving, I had no idea how the themers were connected, so the reveal was a huge surprise and a humorous one, at that. The four grid spanners were very impressive. Dugong was unknown and Tug gave way to Tub so, other than those two holdups, it was smooth sailing to the finish. Of course, the highlight of the puzzle was the inclusion of the one and only Cary Grant!
Thanks, Grant, and thanks, Hatoolah, for the terrific review. Favorite comics were the ones for Foals and Patio and especially the Husband/Puppy trade! Any excerpt from My Fair Lady is always a treat.
Happy Birthday to Lemonade and Vidwan. 🎂🎊🎈🎉
Have a great day.
You are right. Modern TUg boats are quite nimble, with two big engines driving two big propellers that can rotate 360 degrees on the horizontal axis. TUBs, however, are notably not very manageable.
Good Morning! I found today’s puzzle a deceptive little gem. I made some quick assumptions before the WiteOut was put to work. Ex: electric -> electro- and co -> FO for colts -> FOALS, TUg -> TUB.
The theme escaped me until I came to the Corner. Of course! Shoulda seen it! Thanks, Hah2lah. I think I was thrown off track by “rude.”
Sad tale. My Dad had a whole room set up with his LIONEL train set village which was subsequently taken down and stored in my Grandfather’s basement. Along came Hurricane Agnes and flooded the basement and destroyed the train set.
Birthday greetings to Lemonade and Vidwan.
Smooth CW. Very few erasures. I had colts before FOALS, and I kept trying to enter scones for SCONCES, which of course didn’t fit. I think it’s a reminder I have not made scones in a while. It’s time.
My only unknown was DUGONG.
I really liked the theme and long answers. All well executed, NO LIE.
Thanks Hahtoolah for another fun recap.
Happy birthday to Lemonade and Vidwan. I used to enjoy Vidwan’s long meditations triggered by the various subjects cropping up in the CW.
Got 'er done in fine time. Easier than yesterday. No W/Os. For some reason my brain could NOT come up with FOAL, I needed some perps. But I knew the names, got the theme, and had fun. Thanx GB, I really very much enjoyed your creation. Thanx too to Hahtoolah for the fun, entertaining and informative write-up. HBD, Lemonade and Vidman!
Terrific Tuesday. Thanks for the fun, Grant and Hahtoolah.
I FIRed, but needed the reveal to see the CHOICES theme.
Two inkblots to change Caret to CARAT, and ELECTRic to ELECTRO (hi RosE).
GALL is not used much any more.
I love the sound of BUNGLE.
DUGONG was unknown, but perped easily.
ENLACE seems clunky.
ELIZA has been part of the Shaw Festival this summer. My Fair Lady is a huge draw to Niagara-on-the-Lake, and will continue until Christmas.
Happy Birthday to Lemonade and Vidwan.
Wishing you all a great day.
Jinx @ 8:50 am. Yikes, a FIW. 🫤
Hola!
Happy birthday, Lemonade! Happy birthday, Vidwan!
Thank you, Grant and Susan for the fun today. It's no ILLUSION that I finished in good time and saw the CHOICES. COLT gave way to FOAL and i started with ELECTRIC before ELECTRO- became clear. Of course, I thought of Irish Miss when Cary GRANT appeared.
I failed to see an error at AGC instead of ABC, TUG instead of TUB.
ANA Gasteyer is also becoming a crossword staple.
And speaking of GELS, it's past time to have my nails done.
I wish you all a great day!
Nifty puzzle, clever gimmick! An enjoyable Tuesday outing. Ha2la...favorite tunes today were the T-bone and the hamburger helper!
Excellent puzzle! Very impressed with the four spanners and the clever theme.
I didn't know the ESPN sister station, and although I didn't think a tug boat is unwieldy, I couldn't think of another 3 letter boat beginning TU_. Guess I haven't been around boats enough to hear one called a TUB. My ex used to refer to big, unwieldy cars as boats. I FIW!
Thanks, Grant, for an elegant puzzle, and Hahtoolah, for a lovely review. I got a kick out of the very literal cake decorations.
Happy birthday to Lemonade and Vidwan!
Fun puzzle with a bit of crunch. I always enjoy learning something new, and today it was DUGONG. I also chuckle when I see ADZE because Michael Palin (of The Pythons) did a hilarious bit involving his adze. Hand up for colts/FOALS and Tug/TUB.
Thank you, Grant, for a pleasant outing, and thank you Hatoolah for the entertainment. Loved the puppy for husband exchange and the great dane with slippers.
Neat Tuesday puzzle, many thanks for this treat, Grant. And thank you too for your commentary Hahtoolah, always helpful and a pleasure.
I found the top part of this puzzle most enjoyable, being told I would be ABLE to STEP on my TOES to walk around the PATIO for a bit. I sadly don't have any dogs any more, but I hope someone takes good care of PLUTO and TRAINs him to be a bit TAMER.
Happy birthday, Lemonade and Vidwan, and have a great day, everybody.
Musings
-What a fun puzzle with a “simpler than I thought” gimmick featuring three grid-spanners and a grid-spanning reveal.
-Requests to join pyramid schemes? I PASS
-I doubt if Cary GRANT even knew where South Dakota was
Here is he and Eva Saint Marie in downtown Rapid City the night before filming began. Fish out of water?
-Dang, my “Unwieldy boat” was a TUG and I blew off AGC.
-That weather delivery man could be in Nebraska
-When I’m on STEP ONE, my DW is talking about STEP TEN. :-)
-Sliding a knife rapidly up a bottle of wine to UNCORK it can be dangerous.
-My good friend had a huge set up for his G-Scale Lionel Trains.
-Happy Birthday to Lemon and Vidwan.
I liked this puzzle.
This one was in my classroom. FIR in what would have been in record time had it not been for all-thumbs keyboard on my iPad.
9D: Hands up for “Factoids”:first before FUNFACTS
34D: I got a Lionel TRAIN for Christmas, 1946. I was 6. I still have the engine, coal car, and several feet of the three-rail track in storage (age 78!).
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