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
Another pretty easy
ReplyDeletepuzzle. Unlike IM, I don’t mind easy puzzles.
Often they’re fun, like this one is.
FIR, so I’m happy.
ReplyDeleteGood 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!
ReplyDeleteStumbled 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.
ReplyDeleteWhat about North and South Dakota?
ReplyDeleteNope. North and South Carolina.
DeleteLA does have a WEST Covina, but not an East Covina. Fla has a WEST PALM BEACH, but not an East PALM BEACH.
DeleteA 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.
ReplyDeleteI 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
FIR, but soso->BLAH, elanore->ELEANOR (UNTIE!) and blurry->BLEARY.
ReplyDeleteI 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.
DeleteQOD: 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:
ReplyDeleteI 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!
ReplyDeleteThe 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. 🎂🎊🎉🎈🎁
ReplyDeleteYour, not our. The Y on my iPad is finicky.,
ReplyDelete