Theme: "Two-Way Switch" - D is changed into W, then W is changed into D. Repeat 3 times.
28. Fashion accessory found in an ancient tomb?: ARCHAEOLOGICAL WIG. Dig.
41. Awkward sorts who are into classic novels?: LITERARY DORKS. Works.
61. Historic roads such as Route 66?: GOOD OLD WAYS. Days.
68. Penalty against the Bills?: BUFFALO DING. Wing.
86. Irrational urge to go to the moon?: SATELLITE WISH. Dish.
100. Comment about a sweetheart who has to work incessantly?: NO REST FOR THE DEARY. Weary.
Reveal:
105D. Scrabble play, or, when parsed in three parts, a hint to the switch featured in this puzzle's longest answers: WORD. Parse it as W or D.
Orderly W/D switch. This adds some grid constricts as you can shift the theme entries around.
Great to see Mark back for a Sunday. He's a generous mentors to many new constructors.
Across:
5. ID-checking org.: TSA.
8. Italian tower city: PISA.
12. Actresses Cheryl and Diane: LADDS.
17. "Sweet Surrender" artist McLachlan: SARAH. Her song ADIA appears in our puzzle from time to time.
19. Data, for Spiner: ROLE. Brent Spiner.
21. Deity for whom Wednesday is named: ODIN.
22. Half-birthday month for someone born in October: APRIL.
23. __-bouche: AMUSE. AI overview: Amuse-bouche is a French phrase that refers to small bites served before a meal to whet the appetite. OK, I guess Korean banchan dishes fit the bill.
24. Toiling away: AT IT.
25. Go blonder, perhaps: TINT.
26. Puck's eatery in Beverly Hills: SPAGO.
27. Fluffy lapdog, familiarly: POM.
32. Anatomical roofs: PALATES.
34. Whirs: HUMS.
35. "Men in Black" characters: AGENTS.
36. Got away quickly: FLED.
38. Goopy mass: GOB.
39. Scottish name prefix: MAC.
40. Dryer trap stuff: LINT. The guy at 5507 probably never cleaned his lint. Caught fire a while ago.
45. Glass on NPR: IRA.
46. Tree "blood": SAP.
49. Of no value: USELESS.
50. With 40-Down, "Honest" prez: ABE. And 40. See 50-Across: LINCOLN.
51. "Deal __ Deal": OR NO.
53. "Thanks, I __ it": HATE. Are you familiar with the meme? It's a sarcastic response to a jarring image.
54. Openly displayed: BARED.
55. Cleverly funny: WRY.
56. Actor Guinness: ALEC.
57. Major vessel: AORTA.
58. Loaded, as computer data: FED IN.
63. Big rig drivers: HAULERS.
66. Cowboys quarterback Prescott: DAK. Now we don't need the terr. angle.
67. High rolls: ELEVENS.
70. Nerve-wracking: TENSE.
71. Record again: RE-LOG.
72. Cold-smoked salmon: NOVA.
73. Drive-thru device: ATM.
74. Popadam dip: RAITA. Made with legume flour.
79. Spacewalks, briefly: EVAS. EVA = Extravehicular Activity.
80. Image shared in a group chat, perhaps: MEME.
81. Not outgoing: SHY.
82. Advanced univ. pursuit: POSTDOC.
84. "i" requirement: DOT.
85. Barn sound: MOO. And
89. Barn or sound: NOUN.
90. "__ Sam": Seussian declaration: I AM.
91. Colony member: ANT.
92. Grayish: ASHY.
93. Aft: ASTERN.
96. Targets of some PETA protests: FURS.
98. Acura compact: INTEGRA.
103. LAL rivals: GSW. LA Lakers. Golden State Warriors
106. School level: GRADE.
107. Smoothie berry: ACAI.
108. H.G. Wells race: ELOI. From "The Time Machine".
109. Explorer Polo: MARCO.
111. To this day: STILL.
112. Not excited: CALM. Turns out my RA doctor was out of network. Holy cow, guys, you won't believe my bill. Scary.
113. __ Ration: pet food brand: KEN-L.
114. Hurled weapon: SPEAR.
115. Poe works: TALES.
116. "Who __ knows this?": ELSE.
117. __ Plaines, Illinois: DES.
118. Look after: TEND.
Down:
2. Mil. print: CAMO.
3. Dizzy Gillespie, for one: TRUMPETER.
4. Flier to Oslo: SAS. Scandinavian Airlines System.
5. Deere products: TRACTORS.
6. Big name in high-end auctions: SOTHEBY. I just learned that Sotheby's is named after John Sotheby, the nephew of the original founder.
7. Assumed identity: ALIAS.
8. Dinner at which everyone does the dishes?: POTLUCK. Great fill & clue.
9. Piece of cake, e.g.: IDIOM.
10. Does karaoke: SINGS.
11. Start to trust?: ANTI. Antitrust.
12. Layered pasta dish: LASAGNA.
13. Small program: APPLET.
14. Depicted with a crayon: DRAWN.
15. Toe, for one: DIGIT.
16. Exhausting treks: SLOGS.
18. Make better: HEAL.
20. Summer on the Loire: ETE.
29. Classical sitar compositions: RAGAS.
30. Airport on the L: O'HARE.
31. North African capital: CAIRO.
33. "30" vocalist: ADELE. All her albums are her age when she released the albums.
36. Silly error: FLUB.
37. Maggie Simpson's sister: LISA.
39. "__-Dick": Melville novel: MOBY.
42. Warning sign: RED FLAG. My first time visiting a specialist. I didn't even know what a red flag was. The PA referred me there, so I went.
43. "Oh, heck!": DARN.
44. Audition piece, often: SOLO.
46. Kitchen wrap brand: SARAN.
47. Firm partners, briefly: ATTYS.
48. Pod residents: PEAS.
52. Exchange, as a coupon: REDEEM.
53. Gordie in the Hockey Hall of Fame: HOWE.
55. Great leader's trait: WISDOM.
56. Just perfect: A-OK.
57. Harmful: ADVERSE.
59. Slippery critter: EEL.
60. Talk and talk and talk: DRONE ON.
61. Clown's bit: GAG.
62. "You're what the French call __ incompétents": "Home Alone" line: LES. Incompetent ones.
63. Spanish egg: HUEVO.
64. Key next to G: A FLAT.
65. Mysterious blips: UFOS.
66. Genetic letters: DNA.
68. __-in-the-bone: BRED.
69. St. __: Cornwall town: IVES.
70. Texter's sign-off: TTYL.
73. Attention-seeking sound: AHEM.
75. Not just quarreling: AT WAR. And
76. "You're wrong!": I DISAGREE.
77. Brit's "Baloney!": TOSH.
78. Somewhat sore: ACHY.
80. Everest or Etna: MOUNT.
81. Secret supply: STASH.
82. Mallard cousins with distinctive rear feathers: PINTAILS.
83. Playful river mammal: OTTER.
85. Tasty bits: MORSELS.
87. Opportunity to talk: AIRTIME.
88. Bowling area nearest the wall: LANE ONE. Also my spot in the pool, because I'm the weakest link.
89. Pine tree feature: NEEDLE.
93. Uneasy feeling: ANGST.
94. In a way: SORTA.
95. Hiker's route: TRAIL. Can't wait to get better and hike again. Haven't been on the trails for ages.
96. __ point: FOCAL.
97. Eurasian range: URALS.
98. Sat around: IDLED.
99. Personal trainer employers: GYMS.
101. Nose locale: FACE.
102. "A mouse!": EEK.
104. Read a barcode: SCAN.
110. Perfectly suited: APT.
C.C.
31 comments:
In spite of the length
of some of the themed answers, I didn’t find this puzzle too difficult. The gimmick was evident pretty much right away, and that helped with the solve of this clever puzzle. FIR, so I’m happy.
Good morning!
Got the theme without the reveal. Good thing, because d-o failed to read it. Again. Things went well, until it came down to a single letter: AO_/DA_. K never occurred to me. I figured the guy's name would be DAN. Bzzzzzzt. Thanx, Mark and C.C.
FIW, missing my total WAG@ RAIbA x bOSH. I actually thought about TOSH, but thought that the Corner taught me it was a character, or a movie, or a TV show, or some other danged showbiz thing. Also, overt->BARED, hied->FLED, as yet->STILL, poems->TALES, and sothbys->SOTHEBY.
Never heard of a half-birthday, but have heard parents say "he's 2 1/2."
I've never heard of drivers called HAULERS, just the equipment they drive. This clue was kind of like help from Microsoft - technically correct, but totally useless.
I would have clued "natural rolls" for ELEVENS. (For those Cornerites who aren't degenerate gamblers, sevens and elevens are called "naturals" in craps, because they are automatic, or natural, winners at the start of the game.)
CSO to my Norfolk at the PETA clue. Their world HQ is about a mile from my house. They are good neighbors, in spite of their antics to draw attention to their cause.
Thanks to Mark for the fun Sunday workout, except for the "cross of the unknowns" that was my demise. I really enjoyed that the A&E stuff was more mainstream than we're used to. And thanks to CC for another solid review. I'll bet you outgrow that #1 lane assignment soon. Your skills will improve, as will your power. I suspect that you are more motivated than most others in your group.
FLN, Your Javelin Throw was not in "Animal House". It was in "Revenge of the Nerds"
Congratulations C.C. I usually work only the LAT puzzle, but yesterday I felt compelled to complete a 2nd Saturday puzzle. As I was getting to the back section of the WSJ, I noticed a familiar name- Zhouqin Burnikel. Her "Spout" puzzle was a delight to solve, with very few proper names.
I managed to FIR but it took a while to notice the switch, when I had to change WEARY to DEARY to allow IDLED to be filled. I'm slow. The CAMO AMUSE crossing took a while, not thinking of clothing. The Amuse-bouche was unknown. IMHO, I think appetizers are ways for restaurants to increase sales. Small portions at high prices. My appetite never needs to be 'whet'.
PALATES for "Anatomical roof"- 100% perps; no idea
ROLE, Spiner, & 'Data'- perps. Is Data his name on the show?
NOVA- new to me; perps
BRED-in-the-bone is an unfamiliar saying.
Two changes today. HAVE to HATE and SALSA to RAITA for the unknown Popadam dip.
DAK Prescott was the 4th NFL QB that I know of who played football in my high school's district in NW LA. Others were Terry Bradshaw, Joe Ferguson, and Bert Jones in the late 60s. I knew Terry and Joe, as I competed against them in track. Javelin and High jump. Didn't know Bert.
I don't know if Moe will read this during his recovery hiatus, but Mark has been the mentor who has helped him become a regularly published constructor. Mark also appears on some of the other sites which help aspiring puzzle makers. Other than AMUSE-BOUCHE the fill was very fair. Thank you Mark and C.C.
Took 16:25 today for me to figure out the WD-40.
I've never heard of a half-birthday, Data/Spiner, the Home Alone line, bred, applet, what "the L" was, or the Cornwall town. But, I knew today's actresses (Ladds), the other French lessons (amuse and ete), and the Spanish lesson (huevo).
I think someone needs to talk to Big Easy about dead air....
FIW. The crossing of raita and tosh did me in, as I knew neither of them and guessed posh for the English jargon.
I got the theme early on and actually took a while to suss out the reveal. It really wasn't needed.
Overall an enjoyable Sunday puzzle.
Good Morning:
I enjoyed this solve and found the theme to be playful, with strong, in the language phrases transformed into comical expressions. My favorite themer was Literary Dorks. I was surprised to see a reveal because the title and the themers left no doubt about the theme, but the clever W or D finale was an extra flourish that brought an Aha smile to this solver. Other pluses to appreciate were no obscurities, no dreck or rampant pop culture references, and a minimal 24 TLWs, no mean feat for a Sunday grid.
Thanks, Mark, for a very smooth and satisfying solve and, thanks, CC, for the usual insider’s eagle eye. Having a pro analyze another pro’s work is not only a treat for us, as solvers, but it’s a valuable learning experience, as well.
Have a great day.
FIR with relative ease in 29:43, and I agree with IM☘️’s assessment of the puzzle. New clues for me for AMUSE and NOVA, but friendly perps and the lack of Natick’s was appreciated. Thank you Mark, very enjoyable solve and theme, and thanks to C.C. for the write-upon and the info about Mark and how he mentors others in the field of CW construction.
Aside ~ I was invited to play in a three day, 2 person golf event by a member of the local club for their annual member/guest event which concluded yesterday . Each day we were paired with a different duo to make a foursome. Yesterday our member opponent was a skilled 89yo guy, and his partner joined me and mine at the table for lunch after. Not sure exactly how it came up in the conversation, but he was Deputy Press Secretary for President Ford, in attendance in the Oval Office when Ford announced his decision to pardon Nixon. You never know who you’re gonna meet!
I knew GSW was a gunshot wound, but no idea how LAL related to it.
Musings
-I got the gimmick quickly but the reveal was fun too.
-Our small school has four SARA(H)s on staff Some use the silent “H” and some do not.
-My spelling PALATES took some interesting turns
-Running my leaf blower into the dryer vent caused a great LINT fountain on the roof
-The greatest fail in Deal Or No Deal history
-RAITA and popadam join my extensive collection of “heard it but won’t remember it” vocab
-Russian Alexi Leonov had the first EVA and almost died. His suit overinflated in the vacuum of space and he had to figure out a desperate work-around to get back in his spacecraft.
-TRUMPETER swan seems to be more “in the language”
-Math geeks only: I used an APPLET to see if a quadratic equation had real roots but didn’t tell the kids
-Cling and seal is infinitely better to use than SARAN Wrap
-Rookie radar techs were told the 12/7/41 BLIPS were American planes and “Don’t worry about it”
-Yooper, how did you play golf on the upper peninsula yesterday? :-)
😂 ~ the two feet of ❄️ they got at home last week would render that impossible, I’m kind of a snowbird, currently residing in Punta Gorda, Florida, have played 9 rounds in six weeks, a good jump on the season back home.
That right - thank you. One of my other favorites. At least I wasn't so confused that I tagged the clip as a Blazing Saddles stunt.
I'll comment on Mark McClain's delightful puzzle in a bit, but first I'm going to indulge myself in a little family genealogy. Mark, if you get a chance today to join the Corner, well, I am one-fourth McClain. My grandmother was Annie May McClain from western Maryland. McClain is a name that is spelled many ways, so it caught my eye to see your name spelled exactly as my forebears have spelled it for centuries.
My great granddad, Elias McClain, fought for the North in the Civil War, and was captured in Virginia by the Rebs in June 1863 and imprisoned in the Richmond Libby Prison. His unit had been headed toward Pennsylvania to engage Lee and Longstreet et al. So thanks to his capture by the Confederates, Eli missed the Battle of Gettysburg. And I probably wouldn't be here.
Anyway, I would love to chat sometime. Incidentally, my great-great grandfather was Joseph McClain (born around 1810), who married Susan Kaufman, and they produced the usual passel of children for that time. Maybe you're related to one of them (?).
I loved your puzzle today; I'll try to comment later. And thanks, C.C., for your usual expert guidance in the recap.
Another result of the geniuses at Google removing our "preview" feature.
A gunshot wound is Like A Laceration. LOL
YP - When I was wintering in Florida, I used to send a text to my still-working back home golf buddies: "Golf spring training begins - pitchers and putters report."
Still getting used to the time change, but you have to expect that on a Monday. Or is it only Sunday?
Fun outing today and swooshed right though to the fail:( Had ELOy which gave me an odd duck PINTAyLS that I couldn't parse. Pint- something, or a pterodactyl kin maybe?
FIW at the raita/tosh junction, but found the puzzle an enjoyable outing. I appreciate the dual clues like "Cheryl and Dianne" for LADD. A much fairer way to clue a name, IMHO!
What a wonderful puzzle! Thank you Mark McClain! And thank you, C.C., for explaining it, especially the pattern and the reveal, which were so well executed. My last fill was the D in DNA. I was waiting for a sign as to whether it would be DNA or RNA, and just had to assume that DAK was more likely than rAK.
RAITA is the Indian equivalent of Greek tzatsiki -- plain yogurt with a bit of cucumber and herbs to serve as a condiment with rice and other foods. An AMUSE-bouche is often a surprise gift from the chef at the beginning of a meal, or may be part of a prix fixe menu. I have never seen one separately priced, and they are usually no larger than what can be held in a soup spoon.
C.C., this business of referring patients to out of network providers without full disclosure should be a crime. It is one thing for a billionaire to decide that he will consult any specialist at any cost, and quite another to confront the average person with unanticipated bills. I wish I knew enough to counsel you. I get all my health care through an HMO where everything is provided under one roof, except when I knowingly choose to go offsite, as I do with dentistry. This country lags far behind others in terms of health care for average citizens.
Excellent, smooth, fun CW. It was á pleasure to solve for the reasons IrishMiss☘️ enumerated. Let’s have more like this one.
Thanks CC for your fine recap.
Our friend Beth Amine is in the news with her restoration of her famous Santa Barbara MOBY DICK whale mural.
From Yesterday:
sumdaze, NaomiZ Thank you for the kind words about my RIGOBERTA MENCHU portrait. People wonder why are all these people at our border. It is worth knowing a bit about the history of the US and her country of Guatemala and her neighbors.
Lemonade714 @ 8:24 => Yes, Moe did read and also solved the puzzle. Mark has been both a good mentor and a cyber-friend. I hope our paths will connect in person someday. For now, we keep in touch via email and on Facebook. He provided me with some good advice regarding my cataracts. I trust he and I will have another collaborative puzzle soon ... and if Mark stops by here to have a look-see, let him know that I thoroughly enjoyed his puzzle today. Thanks to C.C. for the proper explanation as well. FWIW, I am scheduled back on March 28 to blog ...
I was treated by an out-of-network doctor in a hospital ER. I won that battle with the insurance co. when they tried to weasel out of paying.
TehachapiKen @ 11:30 => Mark currently lives in Salem, VA and if not mistaken is a native Virginian. Perhaps there is a connection between he and your grandmother? Shoot me an email if you'd like his
So the No Surprises Act doesn't work as intended? That's scary. I thought they had it fixed, but I haven't had reason to try it. All my docs and facilities are in-network so far. (Except for dental coverage, which is Delta Dental as of 1/1/25 on my plan.)
"Lags far behind" means different things to different people. For instance, only 27% of patients in the US have to wait more than a month to see a specialist. The percentage is 39% in Australia, 52% in Sweden, and 61% in Norway and Canada. But I agree that our heath care system could and should be better.
President known by his incontinence: ABE ___________. (Leakin’)
Apologies to Ray-O.
Thanks, Chris. I shall do so. Glad to hear you'll be back here soon.
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