Shake Your Booty.
17-Across. Performer who might play finger cymbals: BELLY DANCER.
25-Across. Easily frightened sort: SCAREDY CAT. Think shaking with fear.
36-Across. Furry red "Sesame Street" toy: TICKLE ME ELMO.
53-Across. Hardware store device that makes custom colors: PAINT
MIXER.
62-Across. "How goes it?," or a question that could be answered by 17-, 25-, 36-, and 53-Across: WHAT'S SHAKIN'.
Here's the Grid:
Across:
1. Direction in the name of only one U.S. state: WEST. West Virginia became the 35th state in June 1863. The state separated from Virginia during the Civil War due to political, economic, and geographic differences, including opposition to secession from the Union.
5. News network that changed its name in 2025: MSNBC. Since November 2025, network became known as MS NOW. Enough said.
10. Story that spans generations: SAGA. Ken Follett (né Kenneth Martin Follett; b. June 5, 1949) writes wonderful sagas. His most recent addition to the Knightsbridge series is The Armour of Light, which takes place during the Napoleonic era. It's on my TBR list.
14. Writer Wiesel: ELIE. Elie Wiesel (né Eliezer Wiesel; Sept. 20, 1928 ~ July 2, 2016) makes frequent guest appearances in the puzzles. Much of his writing is about the Holocaust and human rights. In 1986, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
15. Spanish nana: ABUELA. Today's Spanish lesson. The Hebrew word for grandmother is Savta (סבתא). The Yiddish word for grandmother is Bubbe.
16. Large primates: APES.
19. Baseball glove: MITT.
20. "But that's not why I __ ... ": CALLED.
21. Cassette: TAPE.
23. Australian bird with secondary eyelids: EMU. The emu is Australia's largest native bird, and the world's second largest bird (the ostrich is larger). It is a tall, flightless bird known for its speed, shaggy brown feathers. They are omnivores, eating plants and insects, and use their powerful legs and three-toed feet for defense and running up to 31 mph. Did you know emus are also strong swimmers? The birds are also a national symbol and are featured, along with the kangaroo, on the Australian coat of arms.
24. Fennel flavor: ANISE. Fennel is an aromatic herb in the carrot family, known for its sweet, licorice-like flavor.
28. "The Simpsons" tavern owner: MOE.
29. Plausible explanation: THEORY.
31. Leather with a fuzzy finish: SUEDE.
32. Blog feed initials: RSS. As in Real Simple Syndication.
34. Sort: ILK.
35. "Shiny Happy People" band: REM.
41. Small eggs: ROE. Fish Eggs, followed by 42-Across. Very small eggs: OVA.
43. Guffaw: YUK.
45. __ hair pasta: ANGEL. Its formal name is Capellini. It is a very thin, long-cut Italian pasta made from durum wheat semolina and the name means Little Hairs.
48. Echoing guitar effect: REVERB.
51. Bar bill: TAB.
55. Led Zeppelin's "Whole __ Love": LOTTA.
57. Feel poorly: AIL.
58. Breakaway group: SECT.
59. Actress/inventor Hedy: LAMARR. Hedy Lamarr (née Hedwig Eva Maria Kiesler; Nov. 9, 1914 ~ Jan. 19, 2000) was an amazing woman. Her father sparked her interest in technological inventions. In the early 1940s, she met composer George Antheil (né George Johann Carl Antheil; July 8, 1900 ~ Feb. 12, 1959), and together they co-invented a radio guidance system designed to allow torpedos find their targets. They obtained a patent, however, opted not to utilized the system. The principles in this system, however, were later utilized for secure wireless networking.
60. Sheet music symbol: CLEF.
65. Listen to: HEAR.
66. Connected: LINKED.
67. Hawaii's state bird: NENE. This bird used to make frequent appearances in the puzzles back in the 1980s when I began doing the crosswords in earnest.
68. Small whirlpool: EDDY.
69. __ Hall: New Jersey university: SETON. Seton Hall University is a private Catholic research university in South Orange, New Jersey. The school was founded in 1856 by then-Bishop James Roosevelt Bayley (Aug. 23, 1814 ~ Oct. 3, 1877) and named after his aunt, Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton (Aug. 28, 1774 ~ Jan. 4, 1821).
70. "My stars!": I SAY!
Down:
1. Online video tool: WEBCAM. Technology is a wonderful thing until it isn't ...
2. Roosevelt who was first lady for 12 years: ELEANOR. Eleanor Roosevelt (Oct. 11, 1884 ~ Nov. 7, 1962) was the the longest-serving First Lady because her husband was elected for 4-terms as President, but she a political figure in her own right.
3. Most inane: SILLIEST.
4. Rats (on): TELLS.
5. Exec's degree, often: MBA. As in the Master of Business Administration.
6. __-dried tomatoes: SUN. Yummers!
7. Hummingbird food: NECTAR.
8. Like sleep-deprived eyes: BLEARY.
9. "__ diem!": CARPE. Today's Latin lesson.
10. Actor Waterston: SAM. Sam Waterston (né Samuel Atkinson Waterston; Nov. 15, 1940) is a versatile actor, but is probably best known for his portrayal of Jack McCoy, the Assistant District Attorney on Law and Order.
11. Each: APIECE.
12. Grow angry: GET MAD.
13. Insightful: ASTUTE.
15. Sum up: ADD.
18. Toss aside forcefully, in slang: YEET. Apparently, this is a Gen-Z term.
22. Ford that flopped: EDSEL. It does look rather ugly.
25. Peddle: SELL.
26. Cola choice: COKE.
27. Delish: YUMMY.
30. Go backpacking: HIKE.
33. Warning wail: SIREN.
35. Raise, as kids: REAR.
37. Young male horses: COLTS.
38. Checkers turn: MOVE. Which is older, Chess or Checkers?
39. "Best. Day. __!": EVER.
40. Blooper reel bits: OUTTAKES.
44. Hurricane in Jesmyn Ward's novel "Salvage the Bones": KATRINA. I haven't read this book, but I did live through Katrina.
45. Navajo neighbors: APACHE.
46. Did exactly right: NAILED.
47. "The Handmaid's Tale" setting: GILEAD. The Handmaid's Tale is a dystopian novel by Margaret Atwood (b. Nov. 18, 1939).
48. Lionel of the Commodores: RICHIE. Lionel Brockman Richie, Jr. (b. June 20, 1949) is probably the best know member of the Commodores.
49. Still around: EXTANT.
50. Meh: BLAH.
52. Fred's friend in Bedrock: BARNEY.
54. Whimpers: MEWLS.
56. Muscat citizen: OMANI. Muscat is the capital of Oman.
59. Acid rock's acid: LSD. Short for lysergic acid diethylamide, a complex organic molecule with the formula as follows:
61. Word after waffle or curly: FRY. Waffle fry didn't immediately come to mind. Are they really chips?
63. Boxing ring ruling, for short: TKO. As in Technical Knockout.
64. One of a D.C. 100: SEN. As in Senator. Each state has two Senators. The number of Representatives depends upon the population of each state.
That's all for this week.
חתולה
41 comments:
Another pretty easy
puzzle. Unlike IM, I don’t mind easy puzzles.
Often they’re fun, like this one is.
FIR, so I’m happy.
Good to see Matthew back at the LAT again with a themed crossword. Matthew drops a new crossword every Tuesday at his website. Most of his puzzles there are themeless. The direct link to his crosswords is: LuterCross crosswords. I've solved every one of them. Today will be puzzle #246.
They are chock-full of fun, with frequent nods to 1980s nostalgia ~ music, events, culture etc. Pro Tip - tune your SiriusXM Satellite Radio dial to the oldies pop music channels and brush up on your Sesame Street character names first to get a leg up.
I've already solved the LAT but have yet to read the review, so:
See all y'all later n'at!
Good morning!
Stumbled over EXTANT, but that was my sole Wite-Out moment. Very quick solve. Nice. Thanx, Matthew and Hahtoolah. (Loved the Ampersand, Anger Management, and Science Teacher cartoons.)
Ditto, D-O.
What about North and South Dakota?
Nope. North and South Carolina.
A fun Tuesday made even more enjoyable by Susan’s review, which as always include great cartoons and informative on many topics. It also seemed designed for her to discuss with the YUMMY Yummers inclusion, the Louisiana connection and the cat references. It also included YEETS but nothing is perfect. I also liked the continuation of highlighting special women, today Hedy Lamarr after Jane Wyatt yesterday.
I do not recall knowing the initialism B.S.S. but it filled easily. 41 degrees here, not like what many faced yesterday with blizzard’s destructive path.
Thank you Matthew and Hahtoolah
LA does have a WEST Covina, but not an East Covina. Fla has a WEST PALM BEACH, but not an East PALM BEACH.
FIR, but soso->BLAH, elanore->ELEANOR (UNTIE!) and blurry->BLEARY.
I once worked for the State of WEST Virginia. Ironically, even though it gained admission to the Union by repudiating the Confederacy, Confederate Memorial Day was a paid holiday.
I suppose that James Michener's masterpieces are SAGAs as well.
It's hard to believe that the wonderful voice that brought us Three Times a Lady is also behind Brick House.
Thanks to Matthew for another pleasant early-week puzzle. And thanks to Ha2LA for the fun review, except that I couldn't read the chess/checkers article without signing up. I really liked the ELEANOR Roosevelt quip. Reminds me of that old saying that roses on your piano are not nearly as nice as tulips on your organ.
Yes, James Michener's novels are sagas, although generally in his books, each chapter followed a different family / slice of history. I absorbed all of his book. My favorites were The Source and Hawaii.
QOD: Most human beings are quite likeable if you don’t see too much of them. ~ Robert Wilson (né Robert McLiam Wilson; b. Feb. 24, 1964), Northern Irish novelist
Good Morning:
I have no complaints about easy puzzles, Subgenius, provided they are not offered on late week days, so today’s is just fine difficulty-wise and I agree that it was a fun solve. I thought much of the fill was fresh and lively and any hesitations were aided by the helpful and plentiful perps. I wish Yeets would disappear entirely, though.
Thanks, Matthew, and thanks, Hahtoolah, for another fun and factual review. Favorite comics were the Cassette Tapes, the Scaredy Cat, and the Ampersand.
Have a great day.
FIR. Nice and easy puzzle on my birthday, no circles and no ridiculous and obscure proper names. Nice!
The theme was extremely clever and definitely made this fun.
Overall a very enjoyable puzzle.
Happy Birthday, KS, glad you enjoyed the puzzle on our special day. 🎂🎊🎉🎈🎁
Your, not our. The Y on my iPad is finicky.,
Got up late, have a lot to do, may not get to the puzzle til tonite. But reading yesterday's late nite comments, (actually, mid day, I am waay behind.) I had to reply to TTP's response to Anons who vent about too many names in puzzles.
Places are nouns, names are a subset of nouns,, all well and good.
On the other hand, perhaps it's good to let the occasional Anon vent, it's a safety valve to prevent explosions... I can commiserate, as there is a certain amount of unfairness in puzzles, when a name can be spelled any dang which way the user wants, without rhyme or reason...
WEES, easy puzzle with a fun theme that I didn’t notice until the reveal.
Thank Hahtoolah for another fun and informative review. I liked the soda cartoon.
Happy birthday to KS. 🎊🎉🎂
Thanx TTP, I'll be doing ML's CWs, now that I have his website. I really like his CWs.
Musings
-This is the quickest solve I have ever had.
-Einstein’s THEORY of relativity only comes into play if something approaches the speed of light, so…
-Ricky Nelson used heavy REVERB on his hits like Lonesome Town and Poor Little Fool
-Jerry Lee Lewis rocked the house with Whole LOTTA SHAKIN Goin’ On
-When it comes to First Ladies, ELEANOR was the G.O.A.T.
-Of course, Fred : Barney = Ralph : Ed
-The first time I saw that “Newton’s cradle” about science teachers on playgrounds, I laughed out loud.
-The funniest spelling/pronounciation bit ever!
That should be thank YOU. I have no excuse for this seafood.
Oh come on, spell check, that’s SNAFU.
Great CW, thanx ML, I really enjoyed the solve. Even though there are 18 names, I only DNK 3, so that part was manageable.
Living in SOFLO, I've been through many hurricanes, including Katrina, but worst was Wilma, October 24, 2005. I remember the date because Oct 24 is my BD, and my name is Fred. It was like the Flintstones: Wilma coming to visit Fred on his BD.
The turtles cartoon reminded me: I used to have a friend in Pahokee, FL. I asked him if they do the hokey-pokey in Pahokee. (He didn't know).
I remember way back in the day having a cassette player in the car, and the tape getting tangled inside it, and spending a great deal of time to eventually free it. I also once had a car with a CD loader: you could put six CDs in it and pick and chose what you wanted to listen to, if you didn't mind crashing the car while fiddling with that thing.
Thanx to TTP I will be doing many more ML CWs from his website.
Thanx to Hahtoolah for the great write-up and enjoyable cartoons.
HBD KS!!
Piece of cake. Fun puzzle, except for YEETS, YUK, and RSS, but otherwise right in my wheelhouse. And as always, great 'toons from Ha2la to brighten up the morning.
Yes, easy, but fun. Hahtoolah, I loved the cartoons.
The only new to me fill was RSS. I have heard of YEET. If I accept our generation slang, I feel I should accept the new as well.
The direction WEST is in only one US state. The directions NORTH and SOUTH are in two states each.
We vacationed in WV for years. We saw a lot of Confederate sentiment and flags there. I read that half the WV Civil War soldiers were on the Confederate side.
This Jersey Girl knows Seton Hall.
I think yummy is a yummier word than yummers
HG, LOL at the spelling lesson. Thanks.
Well for three days in a row Patti has tossed us a bone, but I look for her to get even in the coming days 🤣. A tad slower than yesterday, coming in at just under 8 for the FIR. I knew all the people’s names today which always helps, needed perps for the unknown RSS and GILEAD, which I never saw till the review. I knew YEET off the top of my head, which tells me it has made too many appearances in CWs. I never hear anyone use the word EXTANT. “Easy” by Lionel RICHIE is a beautiful tune IMO. Thank you Matthew for your nicely put together puzzle, and to Hahtoolah for another graphic analysis, nobody out cartoons you!
FLN ~ I would recommend Lawry’s, they’ve been in business for 80 years and their product is delicious, using flank or skirt steak, never ground beef. Some people like them sans rutabaga, or vegetarian, I prefer the traditional ones that you made, and don’t be surprised if the homemade ones are better than what you can buy, they just take a lot of work as you now know.
Given how fun and freshly-clued this puzzle was, I suppose I can forgive the inclusion of the awful YEET, but just this once.
I'm still not sure just how prevalent the word really is among certain generations. I coached three high school sports and many "travel ball" fastpitch softball teams and have never heard it uttered even once.
...and a Happy Bday to KS!
I read extant (still existing) often in nonfiction writing. "There are no extant recordings, however, of Mr. Bergonzi’s early career as a baritone."
New York Times Jul 26, 2014
Your "seafood" comment made me laugh!
WITP. First time -no look ups.
YP here ~ Hope you have a great b/day! 🎉
Two of my all-time favorite performers! Thanks.
I remember the first time I saw Gallagher. He was on Johnny Carson, and during his stand-up he said that he went to the doctor because he was going bald. The doctor told him it was in his genes. He replied, "no doc, I've got hair in my jeans, I just don't have hair on my head!" Then he escalated to Sledge-O-Matic. Johnny was just about to roll on the floor with laughter.
My spiffy 1992 Mercedes 300 SE had a factory CD changer, but for safety it was mounted in the trunk.
Thank you, Matthew and Hahtoolah.
A fun solve and review. The reveal brought to mind an old favorite.
Name that tune:
Rosanna's daddy had a car she loved to drive
Stole the keys one night and took me for a ride
Turned up the music just as loud as it could go
Blew out the speakers in her daddy's radio
YEET is a generational verb (slang.) I've never personally heard it, but I accept it for its slang meaning, and it has become crosswordese. It's definitely vowel friendly.
My fav was the REVERB cartoon.
CARPE DIEM (sieze the day)
CARP DIEM (complain daily) ~ sort of.
"Queritur cotidie" is Latin for "he/she/it complains daily" or "it is questioned daily." - Google Translate is fun.
Then you must know St. Elizabeth U, my late wife's alma mater, named for Mother Elizabeth Ann Seton.
Then there's
CARPE CARP (seize the fish)
UncleFred, I think you'll enjoy them. I know I always enjoy solving his puzzles.
YooperPhil, thanks for the rec, and for letting me know that the meat is skirt or flank. They will be my go-to if we decide to order rather than make them.
I'd prefer to order if they are good, but she almost always prefers to make from scratch at home rather than order. Except for the Chicago tavern style pizzas we get every month or so from a pizzeria that we like. So it may be the same thing. Not that we can't, but that sometimes it is just easier to order. It was a bit of work and created a couple of sinkfuls of dirty dishes.
Loved this puzzle! Thanks Matthew. And the review was full of laughs. Favorite was “Letters to your enemies”! Thanks Hahtoolah. Also thanks for the tip that Ken Follett has a recent addition to the Knightsbridge series!
An easy Tuesday puzzle and great write up by Ha2La with a "Whole LOTTA SHAKIN' Going On" this morning. ABUELA, MOE (and the rest of that crew),YEET - I learned from crosswords but EXTANT is new to me.
I had to change my "Very small eggs" from ROE to OVA; ROE showed up next.
I have no idea who Jesmyn Ward is or her book, but I am way too familiar with KATRINA's aftermath. My house suffered no damage because earlier in 2005, I had an oak tree and two river birch trees removed that were close to my house.
"64. One of a D.C. 100: SEN. As in Senator. Each state has two Senators. The number of Representatives depends upon the population of each state. "
You'd be surprised how many people in the USA don't know that.
Other than completing and reading about today's puzzle, that is the only time I've ever seen extant.
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