Happy Monday, everyone! sumdaze here with (what I think is) Mary Winslow's worldwide debut puzzle. Congratulations, Mary!!
Theme: 
Today's themers are all two-word phrases such that the first word can be combined with the word CUT to MAKE a new, in the language phrase.
Today's themers are all two-word phrases such that the first word can be combined with the word CUT to MAKE a new, in the language phrase.
18 Across. Hula dancer's bottom: GRASS SKIRT. I liked the three S's in a row.
 |
| CUT the GRASS |
23 Across. Yellow spice in tangy marinades: MUSTARD SEED.
 |
| CUT the MUSTARD (This one is figurative.) |
36 Across. Lounger on an ocean liner: DECK CHAIR.
 |
| CUT the DECK (of cards) Well, not quite like Bugs is doing it. |
54 Across. Influencer with serious clout: POWER BROKER.
 |
| CUT the POWER |
Now for the unifier:
60 Across. Survive an audition, and what one may do to the start of 18-, 23-, 36-, or 54-Across?: MAKE THE CUT.
 |
| <We are already inside that window. Yikes!> |
Time to CUT to the chase. These are the remaining clues:
Across:
1. Split __ soup: PEA.
4. "Time to get up!" noise: ALARM.
9. Ceremonial accoutrement: SASH. Accoutrement is an accessory, item of clothing, or equipment.
13. Greek god of war: ARES. and
4. "Time to get up!" noise: ALARM.
9. Ceremonial accoutrement: SASH. Accoutrement is an accessory, item of clothing, or equipment.
22 Across. Mount of Greek legend: OSSA. and
65 Across. "A Death in the Family" writer James: AGEE. and
67 Across. Director Preminger: OTTO. and
25 Down. Anna's "Frozen" sister: ELSA and
67 Across. Director Preminger: OTTO. and
25 Down. Anna's "Frozen" sister: ELSA and
27 Down. Vietnamese celebration that welcomes spring: TET and
31 Down. Actress Sorvino: MIRA and
40 Down. Abstract artist Jean: ARP and
55 Down. Heroic knight of medieval Spain: EL CID and
62 Down. Music producer Brian: ENO.
15. Called: NAMED. This song seemed the obvious choice:
31 Down. Actress Sorvino: MIRA and
40 Down. Abstract artist Jean: ARP and
55 Down. Heroic knight of medieval Spain: EL CID and
62 Down. Music producer Brian: ENO.
All of these proper nouns are known crossword staples. They are necessary to construction and help with perps. (They can be lifelines on Saturdays!) Unfortunately they rarely add any sparkle to a grid.
15. Called: NAMED. This song seemed the obvious choice:
Johnny Cash ~ A Boy Named Sue ~ recorded at San Quinten Prison in 1969
Those prisoners look like church ushers by comparison.
16. Not for: ANTI.
17. Not illuminated: DARK.
20. Evening parties: SOIREES. evening = after DARK
17. Not illuminated: DARK.
20. Evening parties: SOIREES. evening = after DARK
 |
| "Oh, dahling don't you look mahvelous." |
26. Wile E. Coyote's explosive: TNT.
28. Spanish gold: ORO.
29. Classified ad shorthand: ISO. In Search Of ___
30. With a scoop of ice cream, as pie: À LA MODE.
 |
| He's always scheming, that Wile E. |
29. Classified ad shorthand: ISO. In Search Of ___
30. With a scoop of ice cream, as pie: À LA MODE.
32. Lunch spots: DELIS.
34. Cooling systs.: A/Cs. Systems and Air Conditioners
35. Technical sch.: INST. school and INSTitute
34. Cooling systs.: A/Cs. Systems and Air Conditioners
35. Technical sch.: INST. school and INSTitute
"The primary difference between an institute and a private school is their purpose and funding model, with institutes being focused on research, education, or social causes, and private schools being focused solely on education."
40. Cathedral recess: APSE.
43. __ : raisin :: log : celery: ANT. The colons in this clue are used to express an analogy. It is read, "ANT is to raisin as log is to celery." (That last colon is just our blogging format.) 
44. Slangy "For sure!": NATCH. NATCH-urally
48. Have another nibble of: RETASTE. "eat more" Bzzzt. Try again.
40. Cathedral recess: APSE.
44. Slangy "For sure!": NATCH. NATCH-urally
48. Have another nibble of: RETASTE. "eat more" Bzzzt. Try again.
(See what I did there?)
50. __ kwon do: TAE.
52. "And you __?": ARE. I'm a fan of nametags.
53. A pop: PER.
57. Civil rights icon Parks: ROSA.
59. Despised with a passion: LOATHED.
50. __ kwon do: TAE.
52. "And you __?": ARE. I'm a fan of nametags.
57. Civil rights icon Parks: ROSA.
 |
Rosa Parks MemorialVeterans Courthouse, Essex County, New Jersey |
63. Egyptian fertility goddess: ISIS. Also ... the name of the dog on Downton Abbey. We saw her bum at the beginning of every episode. 
66. Criticize pettily: SNIPE. It's really not fair to the bird.
68. Worktable: DESK.
66. Criticize pettily: SNIPE. It's really not fair to the bird.
 |
| Common Snipe |
Are you familiar with NPR's Tiny Desk Concerts? It is a video series of live music performed in the All Songs Considered D.C. offices. This link goes to the Takács Quartet performance posted last month. Prepare yourself for some thrilling music!
 |
| The Tiny Desk venue is quite cluttered! |
69. Lymph __: immune system parts: NODES.
Lymph NODES are part of your lymphatic system, which, along with your spleen, tonsils, and adenoids, help you fight off illness and infections. The number of lymph nodes varies from person to person. Adults generally have about 600-800 lymph nodes.
70. CIA forerunner: OSS. Office of Strategic Services
Down:
 |
| This famous American served in the OSS before she cooked on PBS. Read about Julia Child in the OSS and see more photos here. |
1. Push-up bra feature: PAD.
2. Mark of a correction: ERASURE.
Seinfeld "The Bro" (1:50 min.)
2. Mark of a correction: ERASURE.
 |
| National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden in Washington, D.C. info. on another one just like it |
3. Spray starch dispenser: AEROSOL. If you could identify the typewriter eraser above, you have probably sprayed starch on shirt collars when ironing -- or thanked someone else for doing that for you. 
4. Makes miffed: ANGERS.
5. Texas border city on the Rio Grande: LAREDO.
6. Stockpile: AMASS.
7. Hi-__ photo: RES.
8. Surgeons, e.g., for short: MDS. Doctors of Medicine
9. __ Off 5th: discount fashion chain: SAKS. This is an American off-price department store chain founded in 1990. It is a sister brand to the luxury department store chain, Saks Fifth Avenue, founded in 1867 by Andrew Saks.
10. Jennifer of "The Morning Show": ANISTON. The Morning Show is not a network news show. It is an Apple TV+ drama series starring Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon. I have not seen it. This is the trailer for Season 4.
11. Hair pieces: STRANDS. Toupees fit but did not perp.
12. Smashing success: HIT. Think "Broadway".
14. Comedy sketch: SKIT. Think SNL.
19. Club __: bar mixer: SODA.
21. Pay increase: RAISE.
23. Forum admin: MOD. administrator and MODerator
24. "To __ their own": EACH. That's why they make different flavors of ice-cream.
33. Brainchild: IDEA.
34. "__ your age!": ACT.
37. Reformer of ancient Rome: CATO. Cato's Britannica Bio
38. Was certain of: KNEW.
39. Motionless: INERT.
41. British aristocracy: PEERAGE. The British PEERAGE is a system of heredity and life titles of nobility in the U.K. They are expected to "act their peerAGE".
42. Paintbrush marks: STROKES. Also ... here is a PSA on another definition of STROKES.
45. Becomes smitten with: TAKES TO.
46. University units: CREDITS. University classes are worth units, which are sometimes called hours or CREDITS. They are part of one's GPA calculation.
47. Feminine pronoun: HER.
49. Squabble: SPAT. Also ... the past tense of spit. You can see where this is going....
50. Company that takes the show on the road: TROUPE. Think "theater company."
51. Lets up: ABATES. ABATE shares some etymology with abatis, "a defensive obstacle formed by felled trees with sharpened branches facing the enemy". That tracks. Both decrease the force of something.
56. The Buckeye State: OHIO.
58. Participate in a scavenger hunt: SEEK. Do you remember scavenger hunts? Teams had a list of ordinary things like paper clips, rubber balloons, or popsicle sticks. They had to knock on neighbors' doors and ask for the items. It is a race to see who can complete their list first.
60. Crazy (about): MAD. This 3 min. clip is from a TV show called Mad About You (1992-1999), starring Paul Reiser and Helen Hunt. They had great timing together!
61. QVC alternative: HSN. They are both TV networks dedicated to selling things you did not know you needed.
64. "Help!" letters: SOS.
5. Texas border city on the Rio Grande: LAREDO.
 |
| home to a famous song |
7. Hi-__ photo: RES.
8. Surgeons, e.g., for short: MDS. Doctors of Medicine
9. __ Off 5th: discount fashion chain: SAKS. This is an American off-price department store chain founded in 1990. It is a sister brand to the luxury department store chain, Saks Fifth Avenue, founded in 1867 by Andrew Saks.
10. Jennifer of "The Morning Show": ANISTON. The Morning Show is not a network news show. It is an Apple TV+ drama series starring Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon. I have not seen it. This is the trailer for Season 4.
12. Smashing success: HIT. Think "Broadway".
14. Comedy sketch: SKIT. Think SNL.
19. Club __: bar mixer: SODA.
 |
| Hi C-Eh! |
23. Forum admin: MOD. administrator and MODerator
24. "To __ their own": EACH. That's why they make different flavors of ice-cream.
33. Brainchild: IDEA.
34. "__ your age!": ACT.
37. Reformer of ancient Rome: CATO. Cato's Britannica Bio
38. Was certain of: KNEW.
 |
| (XKDC comic) |
39. Motionless: INERT.
 |
| It is interesting how the "IN" in INERT came from the prefix meaning "not". |
41. British aristocracy: PEERAGE. The British PEERAGE is a system of heredity and life titles of nobility in the U.K. They are expected to "act their peerAGE".
42. Paintbrush marks: STROKES. Also ... here is a PSA on another definition of STROKES.
45. Becomes smitten with: TAKES TO.
46. University units: CREDITS. University classes are worth units, which are sometimes called hours or CREDITS. They are part of one's GPA calculation.
47. Feminine pronoun: HER.
49. Squabble: SPAT. Also ... the past tense of spit. You can see where this is going....
50. Company that takes the show on the road: TROUPE. Think "theater company."
51. Lets up: ABATES. ABATE shares some etymology with abatis, "a defensive obstacle formed by felled trees with sharpened branches facing the enemy". That tracks. Both decrease the force of something.
56. The Buckeye State: OHIO.
 |
| Ohio Buckeye vs Horse Chestnut |
58. Participate in a scavenger hunt: SEEK. Do you remember scavenger hunts? Teams had a list of ordinary things like paper clips, rubber balloons, or popsicle sticks. They had to knock on neighbors' doors and ask for the items. It is a race to see who can complete their list first.
60. Crazy (about): MAD. This 3 min. clip is from a TV show called Mad About You (1992-1999), starring Paul Reiser and Helen Hunt. They had great timing together!
61. QVC alternative: HSN. They are both TV networks dedicated to selling things you did not know you needed.
64. "Help!" letters: SOS.
The grid: 
That's all for today. Next I have to go stack some CORD WOOD.
19 comments:
All I can say about this
puzzle is that it is a classic Monday walk in the park. FIR, so I’m happy.
Good morning!
Zip, zip done. Never noticed the clue for ANT. Ergo, never noticed the theme. D'oh. Is there still such a thing as a "classified ad?" Needed the write-up to learn that meaning of ISO. Congrats on your debut, Mary. Enjoyed your expo, sumdaze. (Tried, but couldn't get your tiny concert video to play.)
CUT the deck. Reminds me of a dexterity text I was subjected to in my ute. I was instructed to take a peg out of box A and place it in a slot in box B. If I dropped one, I shouldn't take the time to pick it up; I was being timed on how quickly I removed the pegs, not how quickly I put them in the slot. Easy peasy. When the proctor said, "Begin," I picked up box A and slammed it on the table. Pegs flew everywhere, and I announced, "Finished." The proctor was not amused.
FIR without erasure.
My favorite thing about this one was Jennifer ANISTON. My favorite role for her is those Skinny Pop commercials, where she encounters the Gen Z hotel DESK clerk who has no idea who she is. And you ARE? (Much more gentille than my "who the hell are you?")
Thanks to Mary for the fun start to the work week, and to sumdaze for explaining it.
FIR. For a Monday this is even more of a piece of cake than the usual Monday fare. Got the theme rather early by looking for the reveal before half way through the solve. As has been said by SubG, a walk in the park.
Overall a most enjoyable puzzle.
Cheeseburger, cheeseburger - took 3:58 to finish today.
I knew the Actress of the Day (Aniston), as I really enjoyed The Morning Show. The foreign language derived words didn't slow me down much today (oro & tae), and I knew the god/goddess (Ares & Isis). "El Cid" was mostly filled-in by the time I got to it.
Love seeing "Ohio" in the grid.
Definitely a WITP.
Musings
-Everything but cut the cheese
-Sumdaze, I like how your fine write-up collected all the “usual suspects” together! Could APSE have made the, uh, CUT?
-This astronomy guy can’t quite get a mental handle on DARK energy and matter
-We had our once-a-year neighborhood ice cream social last night. I suggested that we have name tags next year and everyone agreed.
-GRIPE seemed fine for SNIPE and delayed my completion
-Fore!
Good morning!
D-Otto. I checked the link to the Tiny Desk concert. It works on my end. Note that the picture is not a link this time because I could not find it on YouTube.
H-Gary. Enjoy your golfing day! I'm heading for the bay with my kayak.
A successful snipe hunt this morning to kick off a fresh week. Nice puzzle, and a nice review by sumdaze. Spray starch...I sure used a LOT of it when I was in the Army. Haven't touched it since!
Took longer to figure out the theme than complete the puzzle.
Mary Winslow, a great daybeeyou!
Inkovers : erratum/ERASURE, chide/SNIPE
I remember that Seinfeld “Manziere” 😂episode but no need for PAD actually just the opposite!
Teachers always corrected us: MAD means “insane” not “crazy” (I guess the kicker here is “about”) The original sitcom “MAD About You” was excellent, didn’t see the 2019 revival)
CATO: “Carthago delenda est” (Carthage must be destroyed!)
A hula dancers “bottom” covered discreetly by a GRASS SKIRT 🫣
“Smitten with”: more like taken with. TAKES TO: “becomes used to as a habit” like a duck TAKES TO water
Local school once called MVTI: Mohawk Valley Technical Institute now MVCC: Mohawk Valley Community College for about the last 60 yrs. Considered a model for the NYS CC system.
Davy Crocket’s last dessert request: “Remember the _____” ALAMODE!
____ “parks” herself in a seat and won’t give it up… ROSA
Survive as a surgical intern … MAKE THE CUT
Spending the next 3 days on
the eastern shore of Oneida Lake in Sylvan Beach NY,
Beeyouteeful day to all
A fun and clever puzzle. Congrats on your L.A. Times debut Mary.
Thanks for the recap Sumdaze. I enjoyed the OSS/CIA info about Julia Child. Very interesting.
Count me in as able to MAKE THE CUT this morning, and enjoy it! Many thanks to Mary and to sumdaze for the fun.
D'oh. If I'd read more carefully, I would have seen it.
Nice fun Monday level CW, FIR in 10. It is no surprise that I (again) failed to look for the theme. Thanx MW for the fun, and congrats if this is your debut CW. Well done, except for the names. I count 19, but fortunately DNK only 4. Maybe in your next CW you could try to have NO names, and end up with FEWER names. Thanx too to Sumdaze for the fun and informative write-up, I really enjoyed it. Sumdaze, you list several names but why not 22A, 57A, 63A, 70A, 5D, 9D, 10D, 37D, 56D and 61D? Hmm. Wondering why you chose to list some and not all? (Not that it's important, just curious). Often when doing a CW I'm reminded of what a strange language English can be. Some words can be nouns or verbs. Some can be both singular and plural. Does anything but CHAOS get "WREAKED"? Does an usher ush? Etc. Wishing all a good week.
Fun Tuesday puzzle, many thanks, Mary. And your commentary is always a great help, Sumdaze, so thanks for that too.
Well, that ALARM right at the top of the puzzle, followed by ARES, the god of war, alerted us that we might get some serious conflict coming up. But with someone wearing a GRASS SKIRT and a SASH, things didn't seem too DARK right at the beginning. Maybe someone visited a SOIREE where they might get some pie ALA MODE and some crackers dipped in a MUSTARD SEED sauce kindly supplied by the DELI. I bet they sat down in a DECK CHAIR where they could RETASTE all that great food. That might have helped with having them put aside any ANGERS or desire to SNIPE, and instead focus on saying a prayer to ISIS. Looks like they may have worked out some good solutions to their initial conflict.
Have a delightful, happy day, everybody.
Nice Monday offering to start the week.
Thanks and Congrats, Mary and thanks, sumdaze, for the entertainment and enlightenment.
can't help thinking about that scene in The Wire when Omar helps the bailiff with "greek god of war" before testifying. Nice light puzzle today
Hola! Very nice puzzle today, thank you, Mary Winslow! GRASS SKIRT, of course, takes me back to Hawaii where dances are performed for the tourists.
Not much else to say. Thank you, sumdaze.
Good one!
Hi unclefred@12:25. You asked why my list falls short of yours. Fair enough. My list was highlighting proper nouns that are crossword staples. This is what I was thinking about the others you highlighted:
22A. OSSA was on my list.
57A. ROSA is a proper noun and a crossword staple so I agree with you that she could have been on the list. I chose to give ROSA its own line out of respect to Rosa Parks. That might sound strange but it is truly what I was thinking at the time. It did not feel right to just lump her in with the others.
63A. ISIS is a proper noun and a crossword staple but Iris Miss likes it when I add a photo of a dog so ISIS got its own line.
70A. OSS is an abbreviation and I was not highlighting those today.
5D. LAREDO does not feel like a crossword staple to me, but we do see it from time to time.
9D. SAKS falls into the same bucket as LAREDO, in my opinion.
10D. ANISTON does not appear often enough to be a staple. Again, just my opinion.
37D. CATO falls into the same bucket as LAREDO and SAKS, IMHO.
56D. OHIO probably should have been on the list; but, despite the current slang meaning on OHIO, one could say it does offer 'sparkle'. ;- )
61D. HSN falls into the same bucket as OSS.
In writing these out I think maybe you were thinking more about the names in the puzzle and I was thinking of a subset of those. Again, this is all just my opinion. Others are welcome to think differently. "To EACH their own."
Now I need to go meet someone from the City about creating a new bike lane in my neighborhood. Fingers crossed!!
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