Theme: Automatic replies
When I'm going to be out of the office, I set my work email to send automatic replies to anyone who sends email to me, assuring them that I will return on a given date and attend to their needs. In today's puzzle, four well known characters craft automatic replies that let you know they're up to their usual behaviors. The theme clues and answers are:
18-Across. Automatic email reply from Glinda?: GONE FOR GOOD. If Glinda, the good witch from The Wizard of Oz, is gone, she must be up to something good.
28-Across. Automatic email reply from Lightning McQueen?: OFF TO THE RACES. If Lightning McQueen, the anthropomorphic stock car from the Disney/Pixar Cars movies, is off, it must be to the races.
45-Across. Automatic email reply from Pigpen?: LEFT IN THE DUST. If Pigpen has left, you can expect to find this character from Peanuts in a cloud of dust.
60-Across. Automatic email reply from the Tasmanian Devil?: OUT FOR A SPIN. If Warner Bros.' Tasmanian Devil is out, you'll likely find him spinning like a tornado.
Across:
1. Place: PUT. You might place, or put, dishes on the table.
4. Nearly match: RIVAL. "A photographer whose fame rivaled that of his subjects."
9. Impressive deeds: FEATS.
14. "Or so": ISH. Let's meet for lunch noonish.
15. Savory food quality: UMAMI. The tasty je ne sais quoi triggered by glutamate, inosinate, and guanylate.
16. Aptly named cooler brand: IGLOO.
17. Leaves in hot water: TEA.
18. [Theme clue]
20. __ and crafts: ARTS.
22. Rejects: NIXES.
23. Bear necessities?: DENS.
24. Wraps found in Delhi: SARIS.
26. Weep: CRY.
28. [Theme clue]
33. Water nymph of Greek myth: NAIAD. Not to be confused with Dryads (tree nymphs), Oreads (mountain nymphs) and other specialized nymphs. They are all female nature spirits.
4. Nearly match: RIVAL. "A photographer whose fame rivaled that of his subjects."
9. Impressive deeds: FEATS.
14. "Or so": ISH. Let's meet for lunch noonish.
15. Savory food quality: UMAMI. The tasty je ne sais quoi triggered by glutamate, inosinate, and guanylate.
16. Aptly named cooler brand: IGLOO.
17. Leaves in hot water: TEA.
18. [Theme clue]
20. __ and crafts: ARTS.
22. Rejects: NIXES.
23. Bear necessities?: DENS.
24. Wraps found in Delhi: SARIS.
26. Weep: CRY.
28. [Theme clue]
33. Water nymph of Greek myth: NAIAD. Not to be confused with Dryads (tree nymphs), Oreads (mountain nymphs) and other specialized nymphs. They are all female nature spirits.
 |
| Hylas and the Nymphs by John William Waterhouse |
34. Spiritual glow: AURA.
35. Buddy: PAL.
38. Itty-bitty: TINY.
39. Detests: HATES.
41. Many a Marvel character: HERO.
42. "Let You Love Me" singer Rita: ORA. If you've been solving LA Times crossword puzzles, you know Rita Ora, at least by name.
43. Had on: WORE.
44. Sources of dates: PALMS. Date palms are native to the Middle East and North Africa. They need an arid climate with plenty of water at their roots. A few species were transplanted to the Palm Springs area, where the fruit is popular with tourists, especially in the form of date shakes. Yum!
35. Buddy: PAL.
38. Itty-bitty: TINY.
39. Detests: HATES.
41. Many a Marvel character: HERO.
42. "Let You Love Me" singer Rita: ORA. If you've been solving LA Times crossword puzzles, you know Rita Ora, at least by name.
43. Had on: WORE.
44. Sources of dates: PALMS. Date palms are native to the Middle East and North Africa. They need an arid climate with plenty of water at their roots. A few species were transplanted to the Palm Springs area, where the fruit is popular with tourists, especially in the form of date shakes. Yum!
45. [Theme clue]
49. Sound of a lightbulb turning on?: AHA.
50. Become edible: RIPEN.
51. Go at it: SPAR.
54. "In case you didn't hear me ... ": I SAID.
57. Slant: SKEW.
60. [Theme clue]
63. Decorate at a bakery: ICE.
64. Essential at a bakery: FLOUR.
65. Dazzled: SHONE.
66. Org. with up to 23 Senators: NHL. The Ottawa Senators are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa and competing in the National Hockey League. An NHL team roster has a maximum of 23 players, but only 20 players are allowed to dress for each game. All of this being news to me, of course.
67. McIntosh or Macintosh: APPLE. McIntosh is a fruit: Macintosh is a computer. The first is an apple; the second is an Apple.
68. __ fund: HEDGE. A hedge fund is a pooled investment fund that holds liquid assets and that makes use of complex trading and risk management techniques to improve investment performance and insulate returns from market risk. In the U.S., only institutions and high net worth individuals are allowed to invest in hedge funds due to the risks involved.
51. Go at it: SPAR.
54. "In case you didn't hear me ... ": I SAID.
57. Slant: SKEW.
60. [Theme clue]
63. Decorate at a bakery: ICE.
64. Essential at a bakery: FLOUR.
65. Dazzled: SHONE.
66. Org. with up to 23 Senators: NHL. The Ottawa Senators are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa and competing in the National Hockey League. An NHL team roster has a maximum of 23 players, but only 20 players are allowed to dress for each game. All of this being news to me, of course.
67. McIntosh or Macintosh: APPLE. McIntosh is a fruit: Macintosh is a computer. The first is an apple; the second is an Apple.
68. __ fund: HEDGE. A hedge fund is a pooled investment fund that holds liquid assets and that makes use of complex trading and risk management techniques to improve investment performance and insulate returns from market risk. In the U.S., only institutions and high net worth individuals are allowed to invest in hedge funds due to the risks involved.
69. 41-Down, e.g.: GOD.
Down:
1. Wrap found in a deli: PITA.
2. App customer: USER.
3. "End of discussion": THAT'S FINAL.
4. Prayer __: RUG. Muslims use a prayer rug for cleanliness during the various positions of Islamic prayer. These involve prostration and sitting on the ground. Orthodox Christians and Baháʼís may also use prayer rugs.
5. "Consider this done!": I'M ON IT.
6. Disappear: VANISH.
7. MC alternative: AMEX. MasterCard vs. American Express. The crossing of AMEX with NIXES was a sticking point for me, especially because I did not recognize MC as an abbreviation for MasterCard.
8. Word with partner or lesson: LIFE.
9. Christmas purchase: FIR. This is a tree, not what cruciverbalists write in our comments section when they Finish It Right.
10. Easter purchase: EGG DYE.
11. Soothing ingredient: ALOE.
12. Bluey, for one: TOON. Bluey is an Australian animated television series aimed at preschool children, available for streaming on Disney+. Both the main character and the series can be called a TOON, short for cartoon.
13. Lays down turf: SODS.
19. Honors given to Walt Disney a record 26 times: OSCARS.
21. Kebab with peanut sauce: SATAY. Satay is a Southeast Asian dish of skewered and grilled meat, marinated in a blend of spices and served with a peanut dipping sauce. DH and I enjoy soy "chicken" satay from LA Vegan.
25. Divining __: ROD.
27. Co. that purchased Victor in 1929: RCA.
28. Not fooled by: ONTO.
29. Unbiased: FAIR.
30. Downed: EATEN.
31. Regret: RUE.
32. Cave man's hobby?: SPELUNKING. Loved this clue and answer. Spelunking is the exploration of caves, especially as a hobby.
19. Honors given to Walt Disney a record 26 times: OSCARS.
21. Kebab with peanut sauce: SATAY. Satay is a Southeast Asian dish of skewered and grilled meat, marinated in a blend of spices and served with a peanut dipping sauce. DH and I enjoy soy "chicken" satay from LA Vegan.
25. Divining __: ROD.
27. Co. that purchased Victor in 1929: RCA.
28. Not fooled by: ONTO.
29. Unbiased: FAIR.
30. Downed: EATEN.
31. Regret: RUE.
32. Cave man's hobby?: SPELUNKING. Loved this clue and answer. Spelunking is the exploration of caves, especially as a hobby.
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| I took this photo in the caves of Nerja during my recent trip to Spain. |
36. Cuttlefish's octet: ARMS. Cuttlefish are marine molluscs in the class Cephalopoda which also includes squid, octopuses, and nautiluses. We saw cuttlefish on restaurant menus in Spain.
37. Missing: LOST.
39. Windbag's output: HOT AIR.
40. Cards, to NFL fans: ARI. The Arizona Cardinals are a professional football team based in Phoenix, ARIzona. The "Cards" compete in the National Football League.
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| My mom took this photo of a real Arizona Cardinal in her garden north of Phoenix. |
41. Brother of Zeus and Poseidon: HADES. Greek gods.
43. Status of remote employees, for short: WFH. Work From Home.
44. Pizzazz: PEP.
46. Sharp scolding: EARFUL.
43. Status of remote employees, for short: WFH. Work From Home.
44. Pizzazz: PEP.
46. Sharp scolding: EARFUL.
47. Three-footer?: TRIPOD. One of my best friends adopted a tripod dog.
48. Concealing: HIDING.
51. Nap location: SOFA.
52. Orange juice option: PULP.
53. Perched on: ATOP.
55. Accessory in a homecoming court: SASH.
56. Arthur __ Courage Award: ASHE. The Arthur Ashe Courage Award, presented by ESPN, is named for tennis player Arthur Ashe. The award is presented annually to individuals whose contributions "transcend sports."
58. Bounce off the walls, say: ECHO.
59. Fuse using heat: WELD.
61. NorCal neighbor: ORE. Northern California abuts Oregon.
62. Formerly known as: NÉE. French for "born," feminine. My NÉE name is a couple of names behind me.
Here's the grid:
Let us know what you thought about the puzzle in the comments.
-- NaomiZ
35 comments:
I didn’t find this puzzle
terribly difficult. All the themers were well-known in-the-language phrases, which could easily be sussed after the first couple of words. Anyway, FIR, so I’m happy.
Good morning!
This one had a little chew to it; not too much, just right. Wasn't familiar with Bluey nor Lightning McQueen, but those slots filled perply. We have cardinals (ARI) frequenting our bird feeder year-round. Thanx for the amusement, Zhou Zhang, Kevin and NaomiZ.
FIW, missing my WAG @ NAIoD x SAToY. Also, erased wowed for SHONE, and wah (work at home) for WFH. Should have known - wah is the sound that WFHers make when they are told to get their butts back to the office.
I filled NHL without benefit of perp. Must be tough to make it to the big leagues only to sit in street clothes most games.
Thanks to ZZ & KC for the tough-for-Thursday challenge. And thanks to NaomiZ for another fine guided tour.
Took 6 minutes flat for me to be gone like the wind (Scarlett's O.O.O. email reply?)
I luckily guessed correctly at "spelunking" and "NHL", sans multiple perps.
I know it's Thursday, but this seemed like a WITP -- the bootleg variety, because it is not officially endorsed by SubG.
FIR. Not a lot of difficulty in today's presentation, especially considering it's Thursday.
The theme was clever and I got the gist early on. There were good clues and fair perps, an easy going solve.
Overall an enjoyable puzzle.
LOL! But make it Gone WITH the Wind.
I greatly enjoyed this puzzle with a creative, well-executed theme and interesting fill. Thank-you Zhou Zhang and Kevin for a pleasant start to the day, and to Naomi Z for a fun discussion. I love seeing Linus and Taz, and the tripod dog looks so happy. Cheers for those who nurture these wonderful animals.
Spelunking, anyone? Out of the question for me - too claustrophobic.
Good Morning:
This was an easy solve for a Thursday due to a very clean grid with no obscurities and a minuscule amount of pesky pop culture references. The themers were not only symmetrical and in the language phrases, they all share a synonymous first word, i.e., Gone, Off, Left, and Out. Add their fictional character origin and you have a super tight execution,
Thanks, Zhou and Kevin, for a very enjoyable solve and thanks, Naomi, for the facts and fun. Enjoyed all of the visuals, especially that sweet tripod canine.
Have a great day.
A DNF today. The North and NE was not done. My prayer MAT never gave RIVAL a chance. My guess for UMAMI was AROMA. Couldn't think of Master Card for MC and AMEX didn't make it. Those wrong puzzle made the puzzle DOA for me.
TOON for BLUEY- no idea for that unknown. With MAT incorrectly on the grid I kept thinking TOOK.......GOLD. I gave up. I was LEFT IN THE DUST today.
TRIPOD- there's a three-legged gator at TPC we call Tripod.
WFH- never heard of that one but the perps solved it.
How to become a millionaire. Start with ten million and give it to a HEDGE fund. They charge 2% for operating costs AND take 20% of any profits. No thanks.
Terrific Thursday. Thanks for the fun, Zhou and Kevin
I FIRed and saw the O.O.O. replies. Just a little crunch today.
Sob was downgraded to CRY.
DryAD changed to NAIAD. (I can never remember those nymphs.)
I wanted Bias at 57A, but it was used in clue for 29D. SKEW filled the spot.
Several misdirections before PALM, AMEX, SARIS.
I thought I had Canadian disadvantage , thinking the Senators clue was political. Instead, I actually had Canadian advantage for a change, with the Ottawa Senators NHL team.
I wanted the essential stove at the bakery. Okay, FLOUR is essential too.
I noted ISH and VANISH, SASH and ASHE (beside each other).
That SATAY is on a SKEWer.
Favourites today were the clues for AHA and APPLE.
I love the word SPELUNKING.
Wishing you all a great day.
Easy solve, fun theme, What’s not to like? I didn’t know Glinda, but the answer made sense and clued me into the theme.
Didn’t recognize MC as Master Card but perps gave me AMEX regardless. And NHL was all perps. All good.
Thank you NaomiZ for your usual fine review. Loved the sweet TRIPOD dog.
Didn't recognize Glinda? I take it you're not a fan of The Wizard Of Oz.
Not really. I’ve never seen it.
Usually there’s a big jump in the hardness scale after humpday but not today. Quick finish albeit a temporary theme blip
Ernestine’s automatic reply “Is this the party to whom I am speaking?”
“Christmas purchase” a fig for “figgy pudding”? Nope
Inkovers: spat/SPAR, lost/LEFT IN, am on it/ I’M ON IT (nit: there’s no abbrev in the clue)
The study of NAIADS, dryads, and oreads : Nyphomania 😀
“concealing” cosmetic. What “The Invisble Man” must use. 🫥
When in Rome it’s Jupiter/Neptune/Pluto (he was kicked out but now back as a demigod)
Liked “sound of a light bulb…” and “bear necessities” but Bluey??
Didn’t realize the spelling was different for the fruit and the machine. Otherwise we’d call the computer a “Mic”
Cash for new landscaping : ____ fund…HEDGE
Should acting not work out, Tuesday learnt to ____ WELD
What an ump always did …. WFH
Happy Thursday.
Musings
-An enjoyable theme with a few noun/verb coin flips
-A noonISH date would not fly for this left-brained guy
-IGLOO coolers will get a workout today as the heat index will top 100. ICE will accompany me on the course.
-I’ve never seen such NIADS in the Platte River
-AHA! My Keurig was putting out an insufficient amount of coffee on the max setting that was also too hot. One day I simply added cold ice water from the fridge and voila, two birds, one stone.
-I SAID
-SKEW: Two “news” outlets look at the same event and report it 180 degrees differently
-My DW just reminded me I have my bathroom to clean before I leave. I'M ON IT!
-In British slang, SOD has a whole different connotation
-Lovely job, Naomi!
This ZZ puzzle was TOPs in my book. I'll Echo IM on the most refreshing lack of names and A&E drek. Topped by a sparkling NaomiZ review, and the day is off and running!
Thanks, C.C. and Kevin, for a fair, straightforward, and rewarding Thursday diversion. I loved the misdirections and creative clues. My favorite was probably 67 A "McIntosh or Macintosh" (APPLE). If this clever clue was at least partly the idea of Patti and staff, well, I include you in my thanks, of course.
There is actually a third "M" word pronounced the same (although not synonymous with "apple"), and that is MACKINTOSH--which is a sort of raincoat. I don't trust the spelling here, because the coat's inventor was a Scotsman named Macintosh (without the K), so I doubt he'd be pleased to see that K trespassing in his name. I don't know how people ever learn English, with its arbitrary and myriad spellings.
My knowledge of things Canadian comes essentially from two sources: our own CanadianEh; and my cousin--who is also from Ontario. I think it's the latter from whom I learned (I think) that the national apple (or fruit?) of Canada is the McIntosh.
Thanks, Naomi, for your usual helpful and colorful guide service.
Allow me to add:
Adjective for station wagon: VANISH
Congrats on curing your Keurig. Yesterday the pump on mine fried. The water ran out mid brew but the thing kept pumping instead of shutting off as it usually does.
“ On the corner is a banker with a motorcar
And little children laugh at him behind his back
And the banker never wears a mac in the pouring rain
Very strange"
Delightful Thursday puzzle, and always a pleasure to have it produced by Kevin and our own C.C. Many thanks to you both, and also to NaomiZ for her delightful and helpful commentary. A treat all around.
Well, it was going to be a challenge if we had to deal with FEATS that might involve some RIVALS. I told myself, I'M ON IT, but figured I'd better strengthen myself up by first having some TEA and some PITA bread and an APPLE before I went OFF TO THE RACES. There was a lot of HOT AIR when I got there and I hoped I could get some ICE and maybe go HIDING in an IGLOO for a while. I feared I had lost it all and shouldn't attend the OSCARS, but some friends made me go. So I put on a SASH, and when I got there I was OUT FOR A SPIN because in the end I got a small ECHO. Not a bad day, I'd say, with nothing to RUE.
Have a lovely day, everybody.
Got the GONE/OFF/LEFT/OUT theme which helped FIR in an astonishing (for me) 10 minutes on a Thursday. WMOS re MC; needed perps to fill AMEX. 64A: OVENS? YEAST? DOUGH? All fit, all bakery "essentials". But, nope, FLOUR. Needed a perp or two there. Overall, very nice CW, thanx ZZ&KC. AND light on the names: 10, DNK 3. Well done! The last two days went so well I'm kinda dreading tomorrow as a "get even" day. In addition to Jumble, I have also starting doing the Quartiles puzzle. I find it to be pretty difficult. Thanx to NaomiZ for the terrific write-up. The water nymphs in the pond pic reminded me of pool parties at Club Fred years ago. That hasn't happened now in many years. Sigh.
"Penny Lane is in my ears and in my eyes
Four of fish and finger pies
In summer, meanwhile back"
Wanted REDHEAD for BLUEY, mate!
Welcome to KEURIG KORNER where we brew up wit and wisdom. Gary, I will trade you as my Keurig never makes the coffee hot enough and I need to microwave to get it to the optimal temperature. This puzzle was tricky if you didn't know Asian street food (Chicken satay) Ottawa hockey players (Senators) Naked water nymphs (Naiad) New Cartoons (Bluey) etc. etc. as King Mongkut said to Deborah Kerr in the movie. I enjoyed the WRAPS/New DELHI pun. I learned to like RITA ORA watching the MASKED SINGER which originated in South Korea. Fred, naked girls at your pool parties, my oh my. On to Friday. Thank you Naomi, Zhou Zhang and Kevin Curry.
Oops, left out my shoutout to the tripod cat who lives here at the condo, one of 16 adopted and neutered cats (all against the rules) here at the condo. She is bossy.
I liked this puzzle very much.
I just came back to see if I really typed "like" instead of "with".
Doh!
A point of clarification in response to Misty at 1:00 PM: the puzzle authors are Zhou Zhang and Kevin Curry. Our blog mistress is Zhouqin (C.C.) Burnikel.
Hi All!
Thanks ZZ & KC for a perfect Thursday puzzle - low A&E, good clueing, and a fantastic theme.
Thanks NaomiZ for the wonderful expo. That was the perfect Dilbert comic to put between HEDGE and GOD.
WO: started "went OR A SPIN" and realized no room for an F. Oops.
ESPs: N/A though much fill required some perpage.
Fav: SPELUNKING - I loved our Boy Scout trips to the caves in Southern Illinois.
Sparkle: c/a's for DENs, PALMs, APPLE. Deli | Delhi was fun as was Christmas and Easter buys side by side.
MC had me thinking emcee - ended up taking 3/4 perps for AMEX :-)
WFH - We still get that on Fridays. We also get WFH days we have to meet a contractor, go to the Dr, etc.
DW loves her Keurig 'cuz she likes to switch flavors in the morning. I don't like it 'cuz it's too slow. I just wanna tump my coffee and move on - not stand around waiting for it to warm-up or whatever it sputters about. I'll just stick with my trusty BUNN-o-matic and mud for joe.
Y'all have a great eve!
Cheers, -T
A pleasant Thursday cruise from KC and ZZ — Top notch 😎. Got a good grin out of the email reply theme, as I used to get an EARFUL for not posting a O.O.O. tag when out-of-town on my gigs. Everyone survived, though, so I didn’t RUE not doing it.
Fave clue if the day: “Cave man’s hobby?” But I take issue with 1D. I seriously doubt you’d be finding a PITA in a deli; I’ve never seen a Middle-Eastern deli, have you?
Back in my first career as an advertising photographer, I knew of two shooters who specifically looked for a 3-legged studio pet so they could name it TRIPOD (one a dog and one a cat); I found it to be a little disturbing…but, then again, us photo-heads were always seen as being a bit weird 🤣
Fun stuff, garnished by another fine trundle through the clues by our NaomiZ. Thanks!
====> Darren / L.A.
I didn't make it to The Corner yesterday so I am wishing -T a happy day-after birthday!
Thanks to Zhou and Kevin for the OOO reply tips! FAVs were Bear necessities? and SPELUNKING. My last fill was the X.
Thanks, also, to NaomiZ! I am fascinated by how the cardinal in your mom's photo can find a safe spot among all those thorns. Bonus--the thorns might protect it from predators.
Spelunking is fun if the cave is big enough. The salt mines in Chestahova (sp) are big enough to hold weddings. Pyramids on the other hand are too small and very claustrophobic.
@9:25pm
Doesn't have to be a big cave. In Boy Scouts we went to one cave that began with a hole in the ground. We had to repel down 15 or so feet to get into the cave. There were places where you'd have to belly crawl through and others you could stand up with 15' ceilings. It was a cool cave - I think we went there twice.
BTW, a software product I use for sifting through massive amounts of data (think all system logs from devices on a global network) is called Splunk>. The idea is, you're spelunking through your data.
Cheers, -T
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