Whassup Cornerites! sumdaze here. Our theme is:
Today we run up against four themed clues:
17 Across. Lunch combo component, perhaps: CUP OF SOUP. This was my favorite themer today because it was the least rhyme-y.
25 Across. Out of this world: SUPER-DUPER.
36 Across. Classic Connie Francis song with the line "I'd like to clip your wings so you can't fly": STUPID CUPID.
50 Across. Spanish candy brand whose logo was designed by Salvador Dal : CHUPA CHUPS. Did anyone know this one without perps?
Next up, the unifier:
59 Across. Forming couples, or a feature of 17-, 25-, 36-, and 50- Across: PAIRING UP.
UP does not point to a vertical grid feature (as it sometimes does). Instead we have PAIRs of UPs in each themed answer.
It would have been fun to see the gimmick applied to the reveal. By changing the reveal clue to "Forming pairs ....," we could have had the reveal COUPLING UP. (Making 17-Across plural would have preserved the grid symmetry.)
Let's see what else Ajay has gotten UP to....
Across:
10. Broadcaster of some NCAA games: ESPN U.
11. Low on funds, say: STRAPPED. The idiom STRAPPED for cash means to be without money, especially temporarily.
12. Cat breed with blue eyes: SIAMESE. I have been fortunate to have been the human for two SIAMESE cats. If you have ever been around a SIAMESE cat, you know that they have very special and distinct personalities.
13. Acquire from a will: INHERIT.
18. Like a nonagenarian: OLD. Ninety-nine-year-OLD Mel Brooks is a nonagenarian.
22. "__ you serious?": ARE.
25. Scissors sound: SNIP. "While scissors go “snip” in English, the noise translates into “su-su” in Chinese, “cri-cri” in Italian, “riqui-riqui,” in Spanish, and “katr-katr,” in Hindi." more foreign language onomatopoeias
26. Hybrid tangelo: UGLI.
27. Put to rest, as rumors: DISPEL.
29. Lizard with a spiny crest: IGUANA.
32. Munched: ATE.
33. Genre at a rave: EDM. Electronic Dance Music
35. That guy's: HIS.
36. Public message of appreciation: SHOUT-OUT. Example: I just want to give a SHOUT-OUT to C.C. for keeping this blog going since 2008.
37. Provide for free: COMP. COMPlimentary
38. Puts to work: USES.
39. Prom flowers: ORCHIDS.
40. "Me too!": SO HAVE I.
45. Place for prayer: CHAPEL.
That about sums up today's puzzle. If you have questions, we have an amazing SUPPORT GROUP here on The Corner to help you out.
1. Baseball hat: CAP.
4. Ran a towel over: WIPED.
9. Inter Miami star Lionel: MESSI. People say he is the most famous active footballer in the world.
14. Post-OR area: ICU. Operating Room and Intensive Care Unit
15. Baghdad resident, e.g.: IRAQI.
16. Sean of "Rudy": ASTIN. [b. February 25, 1971] He was also Mikey from The Goonies and a hobbit (not The Hobbit) in TLOTR.
19. Media mogul Winfrey: OPRAH. [b. January 29, 1954]
20. Enough: AMPLE.
21. Brewpub letters: IPA.
23. April or May: NAME. "June", too
24. Monopoly card: DEED.
28. Picnic invader: ANT.
29. Gerund ending: -ING. Learning about language is fun!
30. Camping gear retailer: REI. and 7-Down. Supply with gear: EQUIP.
4. Ran a towel over: WIPED.
9. Inter Miami star Lionel: MESSI. People say he is the most famous active footballer in the world.
14. Post-OR area: ICU. Operating Room and Intensive Care Unit
15. Baghdad resident, e.g.: IRAQI.
16. Sean of "Rudy": ASTIN. [b. February 25, 1971] He was also Mikey from The Goonies and a hobbit (not The Hobbit) in TLOTR.
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| Here is Sean Astin when he appeared in this 1993 movie. |
20. Enough: AMPLE.
21. Brewpub letters: IPA.
23. April or May: NAME. "June", too
24. Monopoly card: DEED.
29. Gerund ending: -ING. Learning about language is fun!
 |
| Click to enlarge. |
30. Camping gear retailer: REI. and 7-Down. Supply with gear: EQUIP.
REI stands for Recreational Equipment, Inc.
31. Air pump fig.: PSI. "Figure" is abbreviated, so is "Pounds per Square Inch".
32. Like figure skaters: AGILE.
34. Toga costume, in a pinch: SHEET.
39. Rapper/actor __ Jackson Jr.: O'SHEA. [b. Feb. 24, 1991] He is Ice Cube's oldest son.
41. Old Testament figure who is instructed by a burning bush: MOSES. and 46-Across. Filmmaker Brooks: MEL. [b. June 28, 1926]
31. Air pump fig.: PSI. "Figure" is abbreviated, so is "Pounds per Square Inch".
32. Like figure skaters: AGILE.
34. Toga costume, in a pinch: SHEET.
39. Rapper/actor __ Jackson Jr.: O'SHEA. [b. Feb. 24, 1991] He is Ice Cube's oldest son.
41. Old Testament figure who is instructed by a burning bush: MOSES. and 46-Across. Filmmaker Brooks: MEL. [b. June 28, 1926]
Notice that MOSES sits above MEL in the grid. Nice one, Ajay!
42. Piglet pal: ROO.
43. Peacock network: NBC.
47. Wet dirt: MUD.
53. Crunch target: CORE.
54. Loathe: HATE.
55. Pic taker: CAM. Picture and CAMera
56. Not improving: WORSE.
57. Off-white hue: IVORY.
62. Tennis tie: DEUCE. Here's a song for the car lovers on The Corner:
63. Write to online: EMAIL. and 44-Down. Secretly 63-Across: BCC.
64. Every bit of: ALL.
65. Browser history list: SITES.
66. Swiss chocolatier: LINDT. If you are unfamiliar with this brand, consider yourself lucky. Knowing Lindt is eating too much Lindt.
67. Anti vote: NAY.
Down:
Mel Brooks played Moses in this 1:10 min. scene from
History of the World: Part 1 (1981).
42. Piglet pal: ROO.
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| Pooh, Roo, and Piglet |
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| Can you see the peacock in its logo? |
53. Crunch target: CORE.
54. Loathe: HATE.
55. Pic taker: CAM. Picture and CAMera
56. Not improving: WORSE.
62. Tennis tie: DEUCE. Here's a song for the car lovers on The Corner:
The Beach Boys ~ Little Deuce Coupe ~ 1963
This video includes some scenes from American Graffiti (1973).
63. Write to online: EMAIL. and 44-Down. Secretly 63-Across: BCC.
64. Every bit of: ALL.
65. Browser history list: SITES.
66. Swiss chocolatier: LINDT. If you are unfamiliar with this brand, consider yourself lucky. Knowing Lindt is eating too much Lindt.
Down:
1. Noisy insect: CICADA. This 1-min. video says they are the loudest insects on Earth.
2. Mental sharpness: ACUMEN. My first guess was ACUity.
3. Sock __: PUPPET.
4. Marital partner, perhaps: WIFE.
5. Return-processing org.: IRS. Oh, those types of returns. The IRS processes tax returns.
6. Kung __ chicken: PAO.
8. Big or Little formation in the night sky: DIPPER. and 48 Down. "Earthsea" series writer __ K. Le Guin: URSULA.
2. Mental sharpness: ACUMEN. My first guess was ACUity.
3. Sock __: PUPPET.
4. Marital partner, perhaps: WIFE.
5. Return-processing org.: IRS. Oh, those types of returns. The IRS processes tax returns.
6. Kung __ chicken: PAO.
8. Big or Little formation in the night sky: DIPPER. and 48 Down. "Earthsea" series writer __ K. Le Guin: URSULA.
9. Card game with unspoken rules: MAO. This game is new to me. From what I can tell, it is sort of a hybrid of Crazy Eights and Uno but new players are not told the rules. Here is a 2-min. video from wikiHow:
10. Broadcaster of some NCAA games: ESPN U.
11. Low on funds, say: STRAPPED. The idiom STRAPPED for cash means to be without money, especially temporarily.
12. Cat breed with blue eyes: SIAMESE. I have been fortunate to have been the human for two SIAMESE cats. If you have ever been around a SIAMESE cat, you know that they have very special and distinct personalities.
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| H-Gary's cat Lily (l.) and my cat (r.) who has since crossed the Rainbow Bridge |
13. Acquire from a will: INHERIT.
18. Like a nonagenarian: OLD. Ninety-nine-year-OLD Mel Brooks is a nonagenarian.
22. "__ you serious?": ARE.
26. Hybrid tangelo: UGLI.
27. Put to rest, as rumors: DISPEL.
29. Lizard with a spiny crest: IGUANA.
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| I took this photo of a gorgeous IGUANA in Costa Rica. |
33. Genre at a rave: EDM. Electronic Dance Music
35. That guy's: HIS.
36. Public message of appreciation: SHOUT-OUT. Example: I just want to give a SHOUT-OUT to C.C. for keeping this blog going since 2008.
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| Here is another example from last week's news. |
38. Puts to work: USES.
39. Prom flowers: ORCHIDS.
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| I learned so much about ORCHIDs from this book. |
45. Place for prayer: CHAPEL.
The Dixie Cups ~ Chapel of Love ~ 1964
47. Freeman of "Glory": MORGAN. [b. June 1, 1937] Here is some trivia: Morgan Freeman was not nominated for his role in Glory; however, he was nominated that same year for Best Actor for his work in Driving Miss Daisy. Denzel Washington won best supporting actor for playing Pvt. Silas Trip in Glory and Daniel Day-Lewis took home the Best Actor award.
49. From the bottom of one's heart: DEEPLY.
51. Nez __ tribe: PERCE.
52. Savory taste: UMAMI.
53. Fool: CON. Both are verbs here.
56. Droop: WILT.
58. "Absolutely!": YES. a more formal version of yup
60. Bond novelist Fleming: IAN. [1908-1964]
61. Free (of): RID.
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| Here is Morgan Freeman when he appeared in this 1989 movie. Denzel Washington is standing behind him. |
49. From the bottom of one's heart: DEEPLY.
51. Nez __ tribe: PERCE.
52. Savory taste: UMAMI.
53. Fool: CON. Both are verbs here.
56. Droop: WILT.
58. "Absolutely!": YES. a more formal version of yup
60. Bond novelist Fleming: IAN. [1908-1964]
61. Free (of): RID.
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| If you use this product, you will be free of lice. |
The grid:
24 comments:
Despite “chupa chups” which both spellcheck
and I wanted to make into “chips,” I am awarding this puzzle the “coveted” title of “a walk in the park,” although I am aware that others may disagree. What do the rest of you say?
Anyway, FIR, so I’m happy.
Good morning!
Never heard of CHUPACHUPS (is it supposed to be two words?), but the other themers were gimmes. Needed my Wite-Out to correct EMO (any 3-letter genre beginning with E) to EDM. We lost Connie Francis this past summer. I think I'd have trouble believing this guy: "While I was wandering around in the wilderness for 40 days and nights, a bush spoke to me and said you should obey these rules." R-i-g-h-t. Interesting puzzle, Ajay, and excellent review, sumdaze.
FIR, getting my WAG @ MAO x ASTIN, and finally figuring out WILT. Changed acuity to ACUMEN, and hand up for emo to EDM.
Odd clue for MAO, especially for Monday.
I love the sound of MORGAN's deep voice.
I thought today's puzzle was Thursday tough, but it was still fun. Thanks to Ajay for that. (I can't see the name Ajay without thinking of Tony Soprano's son Anthony junior.) And thanks to sumdaze for another informative tour.
Also, thanks to everyone who expressed condolences yesterday for my DW's death. I really needed those words.
I agree that MAO and CHUPA CHUPS seem like a stretch for a Monday, but Ajay kept the crosses in line so I'll give it a pass.
Sumdaze, you went UP, UP and away today! You even coupled up some clues. Great way to start the week!
Ha! D-O, I would have a hard time believing that guy, too. Fortunately, that doesn't describe Moses.
FIR. I was rather surprised that I got this one right. This had more than a little bite to it. What with mao and chupachups, this puzzle bordered on the unfair, especially for a Monday.
I didn't get the theme until I got here and had it explained for me. But to be honest, getting it wouldn't have made the slightest difference for the solve.
So overall not an enjoyable puzzle.
Hola! Insomnia strikes again! I have not slept this night and luckily my newspaper arrived early. Nice puzzle; thank you, Ajay! I almost got stuck in the SE corner when CORE took too long to emerge and LINDT didn't seem right, but sanity prevailed. I only had to change from CHURCH to CHAPEL and DEARLY to DEEPLY for the finish.
Jinx, anytime you need consoling words, we are here for you. I'm sorry to tell you that the worse is yet to come, at least it did for me when cleaning out the closets and drawers. But perhaps your children will help. Enjoy the day, everyone!
Good Morning:
This was a smooth and quick solve, despite a few non-Monday entries. Hand up for Acuity before Acumen. I know the rapper has an Irish first name but I can never come up with O’Shea. For some reason I get stuck on O’Hara. Anyway, this and any other obstacles were solved by perps, so mission accomplished.
Thanks, Ajay, and thanks, sumdaze, for a fun and fact-filled review. Enjoyed the photos of the kitties and the Snoopy comic.
That power outage last week knocked my Set Box/DVR out and after two service calls by Spectrum, I have a new box and remote. I was amazed that they work on Sundays.
Have a great day.
Jinx, I’m so sorry for the loss of your precious DW. You and your family being kept in my thoughts and prayers. Sincerely, JoyB
FIR in 10:52 with a few hang-UPs and changes, DNK MAO, OSHEA, or URSALA, acuity became ACUMEN, emo became EDM, perps to the rescue. First thought the theme was just the “oo” sound, but as sumdaze pointed out, CUP was an outlier, and CUPID doesn’t exactly rhyme with STUPID. Found a YouTube vid about how to pronounce CHUPA CHUPS, and the vowels do rhyme. Have seen the clue Me too! fairly often, with a variety of answers. MEL Brooks is a comedic genius! Living in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan which is commonly called “the UP”, pronounced as the letters and not the direction, I will take a double SHOUT OUT at the theme. Thank you Ajay for the pleasant start to the CW week, and to sumdaze for your very well written summary!
Our prolific Zhouqin has the byline in USA Today.
From yesterday. Canadian Eh! thanks for caring yesterday. That helps me begin to feel reconnected to the blog. This weekend I had a 36 hour bug. My sinuses are still clogged, but I no longer feel ill.
Jinx, I'll try again. My condolences on the passing of your lovely wife. With time, I hope your best memories of her will give you comfort. I'm sure that, in some way, your caring and loving support got through to her. We on the corner are here for you.
From yesterday, Chanel quilted bags are beyond my means. My friends and I each have had several Vera Bradley bags.
Although, today's puzzle wasn't for beginners, perps helped me solve it quickly. Did you notice that under the three names in the NE was the word NAME? The reveal made the theme easy to find.
Lindt chocolate, yum.
I believe the theme was just a pair of the letters UP in each of the theme answers, rather the sound of the word UP.
Musings
-I need to find a way to get sweat stains off the CAPS I wear on the course
-I’m old enough to remember when the peacock was the symbol of the sea change from B/W to color TV
-Why George looked guilty
-AJAY and/or Patti correctly clued DIPPER as a formation and not a constellation
-Sumdaze, besides your always lovely summation, I loved seeing both our and your kitties! In our 58 years of marriage, we have had three blue-eyed SIAMESE cats. They were/are with us for 45 years and counting.
-Fool and CON are both verbs here but using them as nouns - A good CON can cheat a fool.
-Irish, our wireless supplier just told us that after Jan. 1 they will discontinue their TV service. Therefore, this weekend I spent a lot of time installing Roku boxes and synching them up to the remotes and YouTube TV.
YP here ~ try the upper rack on your dishwasher to clean your caps, it works for me.
Took 6:45 today to get up, up, and away.
As I rarely do, I will dissent from SubG as I did not find this quite the walk in the park. I'd not heard of the Spanish candy, couldn't remember the "Perce" tribe, and I disagree with things not improving somehow equate to them worsening. I didn't know what "deuce" was in tennis, and although I knew Messi, Oprah, & Astin - I do not care for proper names touching/abutting.
Jinx, I'm sorry buddy.
I found this Monday puzzle wiped me out when I tried to put dried in 2 across...
I also totally did not grok the Theme!? I thought it was just rhyming pairs,
(Yeah, cup of soup should have tipped me off, but I'm a bit slow.)
Thank you Sumdaze for the V8 can, (ouch!) now I feel like a really stupid Cupid.
Silly theme links?
compassionate?
beyond silly...
And really serious...
Lovely morning and SUPER DUPER puzzle. I enjoyed the theme, but CHPACHUPS was all perps. A couple of unknowns such as MAO, as clued and ASTIN but easy to WAG.
Thank you sumdaze for a nice review. Siamese cats are special.
“UP, UP and away”
Fun Monday. Learnt about the Salvador Dali lollipops z(Did the candy stick to his mustache?)
You have to be of a certain age to remember Connie Francis singing “Hey hey set me free, Stupid Cupid stop picking on me” (I was 8)
Inkover: dried/WIPED, mate/WIFE,
Technically “SICU”, surgical ICU (called the “sick-you”). Big DIPPER and URSULA (It: Orsola) “little she-bear” like the constellation
If you don’t care for Kung PAO Chicken you might try grilled Kung Fu Panda
Couldn’t make uno work as the answer. Hey it’s only Monday there is a much more obvious clue for MAO
Online witty remark… EQUIP
They insert therapeutic needles … ACUMEN
He wouldn’t have been ____ in if we knew he’d be so ____ …. ASTIN, MESSI
Covered a busy weekend and now off for two weeks: TGIM “Thank God it’s Monday”
Jinx just reading the other posts, Condolences, so sorry for your loss.
Crunchy for a Monday. IMHO🤔😊
Mating Monday. Thanks for the fun, Ajay and sumdaze (great catch on the MOSES/MEL placement).
I FIRed and saw the PAIRING UP theme, but was held up in the SW corner. I had no idea about that rapper/actor, and the Spanish candy brand. Plus, going through the paint chip samples was not giving me IVORY, and I had a brain block about DEUCE. Plus I was trying to fit SO can I. I Googled OSHEA to break open the whole corner, and finish the solve. (Not really a FIR I guess).
I WAGged the A correctly at the Natick-to-me cross of ASTIN and MAO (my first guess was Uno for that game).
EDM perped fortunately.
One inkblot to change ACUity to ACUMEN. (Hi Jinx) “Acuity means sharpness of thought, vision or hearing while acumen refers to mental prowess.” per Jonesnovelediting.com
I noted YES and NAY.
Wishing you all a great day.
Glad you are feeling better today.
yUP
I'm already on record as disliking superfluous usage of the word "up," including PAIRING UP, so meh. . .
Gerunds: Most -ing words are NOT gerunds. Specifically, gerunds are a form that is derived from a verb but that FUNCTIONS AS A NOUN, in English ending in -ing, e.g., asking in "do you mind my asking you?" (Oxford). Note that the pronoun becomes possessive in many cases. One rarely sees them anymore because most people these days would say "do you mind 'me' asking you."
Never heard of CHUPA CHUPS, O'SHEA Jackson or EDM, and I struggled with this puzzle more than usual for a Monday.
Jinx, my sincere sympathies for your loss and prayers for the days ahead. Give Zoe a hug. A dog hug always helps.
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