Theme: "All in a Day's Work" - Each common phrase is rephrased as if it's part of the job description fitting the professional in the clue.
34. Part of a deckhand's job description?: TIE THE KNOT.
42. Part of an EPA technician's job description?: TEST THE WATERS.
66. Part of a wedding caterer's job description?: TAKE THE CAKE.
72. Part of an angler's job description?: HOLD THE LINE.
95. Part of a museum curator's job description?: GET THE PICTURE.
102. Part of a road maintenance worker's job description?: PAVE THE WAY.
119. Part of a set designer's job description?: MAKE THE SCENE.
We've seen fitting job themes in the past few years, but none with this "verb + the + noun" consistency. This extra layer attracted Pattie's attention, I'm sure.
Across:
5. Thinks the world of: ADORES.
11. Stain layer: COAT.
15. Chat__: GPT. GPT stands for Generative Pre-training Transformer. A mouthful.
18. Evening, in Venice: SERA.
19. Cool Ranch snack brand: DORITOS.
21. Wheelbarrow part: AXLE.
22. Bike tire filler: AIR.
27. Doodlebug, e.g.: ISOPOD.
28. Focused, at work: ON TASK.
30. Cold snap temps: TEENS.
31. Annapurna's country: NEPAL. Annapurna's is the 10th-highest mountain in the world.
32. Hill builder: ANT.
37. Hidden: SECRETED.
41. "You saved the day!": MY HERO.
46. Subside a bit: EASE OFF.
50. "Blech!": UGH.
51. Pack animal: ASS.
52. Penny prez: ABE.
53. Lane marked with diamonds: Abbr.: HOV.
54. Texter's chuckle: LOL.
55. "Tough noogies": TOO BAD.
58. All thumbs: CLUMSY.
60. Expatriate: EMIGRE. Am I an emigre?
63. Puff from an iron: STEAM.
64. Pie __ mode: ALA.
68. Toddler's siesta: NAP TIME.
71. Tiny puncture: PINHOLE.
76. Install, as carpeting: LAY.
77. Moisten while roasting: BASTE. I associate this word with Thanksgiving turkey.
81. Oil-rich peninsula: ARABIA.
82. Criticize sharply: ASSAIL.
84. Prepared for takeoff: TAXIED.
85. Tip, briefly: REC. Recommendation.
86. Cars singer Ocasek: RIC.
88. Coffee holder: URN.
89. Like unsewn edges: RAW.
91. Sharks and minnows, essentially: TAG. Is this a gimme to you guys?
92. Camrys and Corollas: TOYOTAS.
99. Like winter base layers: WOOLEN.
101. 96-Down member: HOOPSTER. 96. Charlotte NBA team: HORNETS.
106. Caviar: ROE.
107. Drops from the sky: RAINS.
111. Select few: ELITE.
112. Greet the day: AWAKEN.
115. Famous Liverpudlian: LENNON. John Lennon was born in Liverpool.
116. Heart-pumping class: AEROBICS.
122. French vineyard designation: CRU.
123. Quite frequently: A LOT.
124. Western topper: STETSON.
125. White-tailed sea eagle: ERNE. I want to have a dark green tail.
126. Sci-fi subjects: ETS.
127. Sheer delight: GLEE.
128. Lengthy exam answers: ESSAYS.
129. Planetary system center: STAR. And 75. Third in a noted set of eight: EARTH. Solar system planets.
Down:
2. Like thick fog: DENSE.
3. Turn down?: DROOP. Truly "turn down".
4. Looked beyond: SAW PAST.
5. Med. condition that often presents in childhood: ADHD.
6. Forest female: DOE.
7. Hosp. theaters: ORS. Not famliar with this "operating theater" meaning.
8. Lasagna cheese: RICOTTA.
9. British boarding school by the Thames: ETON.
10. Separate, as laundry: SORT.
11. Ignition insert: CAR KEY.
12. Good Grips brand: OXO.
13. The complete set: ALL.
14. Vacillates: TEETERS.
15. Ancient Greek physician: GALEN. Google shows that he served several Roman Emperors, including Marcus Aurelius.
16. Grand instrument: PIANO.
17. Lovers' meeting: TRYST.
20. Stadium spot: SEAT.
24. Vacancy sign: TO LET.
26. Orange __ tea: PEKOE.
29. Virtual city population: SIMS.
32. Son of Zeus: ARES.
33. Reportage: NEWS.
35. Ted's alternate nickname: THEO.
36. Cry aboard a frigate: HEAVE HO.
38. Landlocked African country: CHAD. The other answer is MALI. We also have 53. Spotted African predator: HYENA.
39. List-shortening abbr.: ET AL.
40. World premiere: DEBUT.
42. Sounds of disapproval: TUTS.
43. Four-award acronym: EGOT.
44. Cleat or clog: SHOE.
45. Update after a survey: RE-MAP.
47. Gymnast Korbut: OLGA.
48. Food picker-upper: FORK.
49. Hightail it: FLEE.
56. Cozy inn, casually: B AND B.
57. Master luthier: AMATI. From Cremona.
58. Sleeveless tops, briefly: CAMIS. And
74. Like some wedding gowns: LACY.
59. Craft: SKILL.
61. __ toast: MELBA.
62. Alpine climber's tool: ICE AX.
64. Noshed: ATE.
65. Pastel purple hue: LILAC.
67. "Above __ deep and dreamless sleep / The silent stars go by": THY.
69. Egyptian ruler: PHARAOH.
70. Follow: ENSUE.
72. Stag: HART.
73. Milkshake mix-in at Five Guys: OREO.
78. In __: as found: SITU.
79. Shred: TEAR.
80. Periphery: EDGE.
83. Gaga over: INTO.
84. Silly billy: TWIT.
87. Archipelago piece: ISLE.
89. Property takeback: REPO.
90. Cathedral recess: APSE.
93. Have a debt with: OWE TO.
94. Canvas carrier: TOTE BAG. So many people go crazy over Trader Joe's mini tote bags.
95. Nibble (on): GNAW.
97. Agriculture goddess: CERES. Roman goddess.
98. Hypnotic states: TRANCES.
100. Discarded cells: E WASTE.
102. Tranquility: PEACE.
103. Warning: ALERT.
104. Computer bug: VIRUS.
105. Some purple tubers: YAMS. Just bought some at the farmers market. I like boiling them with walnuts.
108. Like argon: INERT.
109. Mamma's mamma: NONNA.
110. Scornful look: SNEER.
113. "Running up That Hill" singer Bush: KATE.
114. Squeaks (out): EKES.
115. Tinted sunglasses part: LENS.
117. Sick: ILL.
118. Iowa college: COE.
120. Screening org.: TSA.
121. Today, in Spanish: HOY.
C.C.
19 comments:
It wasn’t terribly difficult.
Each of the themed answers was a relevant in-the-language phrase that was relatively easy to suss. The only thing I didn’t know was what “sharks and minnows” referred to but I assume it is some kind of children’s game. Anyway, FIR, so I’m happy.
Good morning!
Easy theme to suss. Many of the themers almost filled themselves. Never heard of "Sharks and Minnows" nor NONNA. Fortunately, both were already filled. Needed my trusty Wite-Out for TskS/TUTS and mAle/HART. Very smooth solve. Nice work, Susan, Katie, and C.C.
Thank you, Susan, Katie, and C.C.
I started at the bottom, so MAKE THE SCENE was my first theme fill. When I filled PAVE THE WAY, I sussed that the remaining theme answers would be in the same format. Pretty easy Sunday.
FIW, missing with NaNNA x LENNaN. Would have helped had I sussed out the meaning of "Liverpudlian." in spite of that I enjoyed today's workout. Thanks to Susan and Katie for that, and to CC for another informative review. IIRC, ORS are called theaters because in the old days operations were performed in rooms with tiers of seating for students and looky-loos to watch the proceedings. (Gotta remember that public floggings and hangings were once part of our macabre heritage too.)
Sad time here. Last week my DW's daughter and son (who are closer to me than my own flesh and blood) came to visit, and in consultation with our PCP have decided to begin hospice for my wife next week. I knew her time was coming, but this made it real.
I'd guess NONNA is some variation (Italian?) of Nana for grandmother.
Not sure if "operating theater" refers to a general area (like the European Theater of WWII), or that esp. in teaching hospitals, a balcony area for students or others to observe a procedure.
Today's puzzle proved to be a smooth and straightforward solve. Given that it's a Sunday (big 21 x 21 grid), Susan and Katie were faced with a protracted construction. But I feel they pulled it off, and I note that all their theme answers followed a consistent format of (verb)THE(noun).
There were a couple people I didn't know, like Ric Ocasek and Kate Bush, and a game (apparently) that was new to me called Sharks and Minnows. Nearby perps helped out.
Thanks, Susan and Katie, for a satisfying, gimmick-free, and user-friendly Sunday exercise.
Jinx, it's sad that your wife has come to the point where hospice is required. On the other hand, it will be a great weight lifted from your shoulders. You shouldn't experience guilt if you feel some relief.
Wow! What a delightful puzzle. I appreciated the lack of reliance on proper names for fills and the consistency of the theme answers. My only hesitation occurred with NONNA, but since I knew the cross had to be LENNON, I went with it. At first I had bot for GPT, but that got quickly corrected.
Jinx, I’m so sorry you must face this so difficult time with your DW. Thank goodness you have family support. My heart goes out to you.
Musings
-A Sunday puzzle at a Monday level, what a nice walk in the park!
-My kids made A LOT of PINHOLE cameras with an open coffee can whose bottom had a very small hole and waxed paper across the open end. No LENS required.
-HOLD THE LINE: The Huskers stopped Rutgers on six consecutive snaps from the 2-yd-line yesterday
-TAG for sharks and minnows filled quickly but I did not know. Our YMCA calls beginning swimmers minnows and advanced swimmers sharks.
-With no CAR KEY and a fob left on the front seat, I managed to lock myself out of my car this week. Onstar got me back in. I had to recall my PIN which, luckily, we use on quite a few apps.
-My former principal had several TRYSTS. His wife chose to SEE PAST them and took him back instead of giving him the old HEAVE HO.
-Seinfeld fans will remember a memorable scene involving an OR and a Junior Mint.
A Sunday kind of love from Susan and Katie today. C.C. helped with her review. Well done all!
Theme was obvious from the clues. All theme entries were well established phrases. No trick clues. Very satisfying.
Much can be said, but more must be done to live a satisfying life.
Communicate.
FIR. I didn't find today's puzzle all that hard. Actually it was somewhat easy. No problems with the solve.
I hadn't heard of sharks and minnows. We played a similar pool game as kids, but we called it blind tag.
And I never called my grandmother noona, and don't even know anyone who did. This seems like a personal thing on the part of the constructor.
But overall this was a fun and enjoyable puzzle.
I 'saw THE light' immediately today, And as a bonus, there was only one unknown proper named person-KATE. I think just about everybody knows TOYOTA, STETSON, and OREO. The Charlotte-New Orleans-HORNETS changed their name to the Pelicans but current the Hornets are not the same organization. I used to deal with a drug mfg. named GALEN- a gimme. Annapurna was unknown but I'd already filled ASK IN and DENSE so it had to be in NEPAL.
I really don't see how DROOP is 'Turn down'. Maybe 'fall' down.
HEAVE HO as a nautical term was unknown. I thought giving somebody or something the 'heave ho' was getting rid of him or it.
LENNON changed my NANNA to NONNA.
Adios for 'HOY'.
As KS mentioned, Sharks & Minnows is a pool game. A group of minnows (kids) stand on one side of a pool while a single shark faces them from the other side. The minnows dive in, followed by the shark, and in a mad rush attempt to reach the opposite side of the pool before one of them is tagged by the shark. Whoever is tagged becomes the next shark, very similar to land tag.
Well, that was the exciting part of the puzzle, the rest not so much. Very easy with boring themers, no humor or puns to liven it up. I expect a bit more from a Sunday than just a large fill-in-the-blanks.
KS 9:35--
I believe Nonna is the Italian word for grandmother.
Good Morning:
If Sunday puzzles have neither a cute nor clever theme, they can be more of a chore to solve than a pleasure. Today’s, fortunately, was definitely a pleasurable exercise. The themers were all very strong, in the language phrases and were clued perfectly. There were no obscure people or places and the grid was exceptionally clean and smooth. I needed perps for Isopod and I was unfamiliar with the Sharks and Minnows reference, and I had Mali before Chad, but no other stumbles or hiccups, which is kind of remarkable for a super-sized Sunday grid.
Thanks, Susan and Katie, for the fun and enjoyable solve and thanks, CC, for the insider’s views and opinions.
Jinx, my heartfelt sympathy for the coming days. I hope you find some peace and comfort with Hospice’s help. 🙏🏻
Have a great day.
Thanks CC, I'm what is known as a "love immigrant" here. The love sadly disappeared but by that time I'd attained full Swedish citizenship.
Today's puzzle was a pleasant exercise -- thanks, Susan and Katie!
C.C., this was the first time I heard of Sharks and Minnows. Why do you want to have a green tail? I imagine that with all your swimming, you are thinking of the mermaids' 🧜♀️ advantage.
Jinx, my heart goes out to you. Hospice was a godsend when my younger sister was dying more than a decade ago. I hope it helps you and DW as much.
BTW, Jinx nailed the meaning of ORs as hospital theaters, and yes, billocohoes, NONNA is Italian for grandmother.
All in a days work was an apt description of the solving experience for me, with 3 glaring exceptions...
Hart, as another name for stag, is a "more than rarely" used word for a male deer, and just doesn't sit well crossing "Rec" as shortened tip. Bloody well below the belt in fairness compared to the rest of the puzzle, if you ask me...
The clue sharks and minnows for "tag" was a Complete mystery, luckily solved by easy perps. But it does beg the question, "what obscure part of what obscure country uses this as a name for tag? To give an example of unfairness, when I was growing up in Sydney Australia, what you would call "handball," (specifically not American handball, but Chinese handball where the ball must hit the ground before the wall, and not the wall before the ground.) anywho, what you would call "handball," was called "egg."
Now, if I used a handball reference as a clue for "egg," I am sure the entire crossword community would be in an uproar, "if" it ever got past the editor....
keep the puzzles a bit easier, please...
So very sad to learn of this, Jinx.
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