A Shot in the Dark. Today's puzzle is by our Blog Hostess.
16-Across. Mall kiosk for pictures: PHOTO BOOTH. // Photo Shot.
22-Across. Night out before tying the knot: BACHELOR PARTY.
47-Across. Court marking that's 15 feet from the backboard: FREE THROW LINE. Who was the most famous professional baseketball player known for consistently throwing free throws underhand? Hint: He retired with a 90% free-throw percentage in the NBA. *
And the unifier:
58-Across. Tries, or what one does at 16-, 22-, and 47-Across: TAKES A SHOT.
Here's the Grid. Are you willing to give this puzzle a shot?
Across:
1. Outings with a significant other: DATES.
6. Ancestry test sample: DNA. DNA is short for DeoxyriboNucleic Acid, which is the molecule that carries the genetic instructions for the development, functioning, growth, and reproduction of all living organisms. It is a classic double-helix shape, resembling a twisted ladder. A brief history of DNA and how it can be used to determine ancestry.
9. Reach across: SPAN.
13. NCAA hoops powerhouse: UCONN. As in the University of Connecticut, not to be confused with the Yukon, which is a territory in northwest Canada.
14. Paid players: PROS. As in Professionals.
15. __ Zor-El: Supergirl: KARA. A cartoon character. Kara Zor-El is somehow related to Superman, but the DNA story is twisted.
18. Soothes, as a sprain: ICES.
19. Dragon roll option: EEL. Yummers!
20. Places for posters: WALLS.
21. Tuckered out: SPENT.
25. Artichoke core: HEART.
26. Dudes: GUYS.
27. Mild, medium, or hot dip: SALSA.
28. Greek god with arrows: EROS. Everything you wanted to know about Eros but didn't you wanted to know.
30. Symbol on Chile's flag: STAR. The flag of Chile was officially adopted on October 1817. The blue represents the the sky and the Pacific Ocean. The white represents the snow on the Andes Mountains. The red represents blood shed by patriots fighting for independence from Spain. The star symbolizes the independent state.
34. Mango center: PIT. Mangos are indigenous to South Asia.
35. Refuse to patronize: BOYCOTT. The word Boycott is named after Charles Boycott (Mar. 12, 1832 ~ June 19, 1897). He was an English estate agent in Ireland and refused to lower the rents and tried to evict protesting tenants. The local community banded together refused to work in Boycott's fields, sell him food, or even deliver his mail. This led to his ostracism by his local community in Ireland gave the English language the term boycott.
38. In the style of: À LA.
39. "What's more ... ": ALSO.
41. Cabbage unit: HEAD.
42. __ salts: footbath additive: EPSOM. Epsom salt is a pure chemical compound made of magnesium, sulfur, and oxygen, known chemically as magnesium sulfate.
44. Gator relative: CROC.
46. Totally steamed: IRATE.
52. Chowder server: LADLE.
53. Ahead of schedule: EARLY.
54. "Impractical Jokers" network: TBS. Impractical Jokers is a hidden-camera series that follows four friends who take dares to an outrageous level. I am not familiar with this show.
57. Cornstarch brand: ARGO.
60. Swimming event: MEET.
61. "Yes, exactly!": AMEN. A crossword staple.
62. Knightley of "Atonement": KEIRA. Keira Christina Knightley (b. Mar. 26, 1985) is an English actress known for her roles in period dramas and blockbusters. I plowed through the book Atonement by Ian McEwan (b, June 21, 1948), which this movie was based on. The book did not make me want to see the film.
63. Drops a fly ball, say: ERRS.
64. "People Puzzler" channel: GSN. As in the Game Show Network.
65. Map feature: INSET.
Down:
1. Bamboozle: DUPE.
2. Dull pain: ACHE.
3. Accessories worn at construction sites: TOOL BELTS.
4. Doc who treats rhinitis: ENT. As in an Ear, Nose, and Throat doctor.
5. Crustacean found in cold northern oceans: SNOW CRAB. Everything you ever wanted to know about the Snow Crab.
6. Dryly humorous: DROLL.
7. Mediocre at best: NOT SO GOOD.
8. Tandoor residue: ASH. A tandoor is a cylindrical, vase-shaped oven traditionally made of clay and fueled by charcoal or wood, used for high-heat cooking and baking. It is most commonly used in South Asia, Western Asia, Central Asia, and the Horn of Africa.
9. Ticket for access to the slopes: SKI PASS.
10. Indiana basketball player: PACER.
11. "Why __ you ready?": AREN'T.
12. Extremely mean: NASTY.
14. Flag holder: POLE.
17. Bank of Thailand coin: BAHT. As of the day I am writing this, the Thai Baht is worth 0.030 US Dollars.
21. Undercover agent: SPY.
23. Small batteries: AAs.
24. Coating on a junkyard car: RUST.
25. Hard precipitation: HAIL.
27. Mineral bath place: SPA.
28. Skin care products that treat fine lines: EYE CREAMS.
29. Color TV pioneer: RCA. The RCA Corporation began as the Radio Corporation of America over 100 years ago.
31. "Have a little bite!": TASTE THIS!
32. Succulent that grows pups: ALOE. Aloe vera pups are the small baby offshoots that grow at the base of a mature parent plant.
33. Horned sheep: RAM.
36. "Pick me! Pick me!": OH, OH!
37. Dish marinated in soy sauce and mirin: TERIYAKI. Teriyaki is a Japanese cooking method and sweet-savory glaze made from soy sauce, mirin, sugar, and sake. Teri means shine or luster from the sugar and Yaki means grilled or broiled.
40. Spotted rainforest cats: OCELOTS.
43. Stovetop vessel: PAN. I initially tried Pot here, but that didn't work with the perps.
45. Driver's path: Abbr.: RTE. As in Route.
46. Misfortunes: ILLS.
47. Moth magnet: FLAME.
48. Harder to find: RARER.
49. Lawn care device: EDGER.
50. Like some whiskey barrels: OAKEN. Why whiskey is aged in oaken barrels.
51. Small brown bird: WREN. Wrens are known for their surprisingly loud songs and upright tail posture.
55. Snoozefest: BORE.
56. "Right away!": STAT.
58. Identify on social media: TAG.
59. Rep.'s colleague: SEN. A Senator is a colleague of a Member of the House of Representatives.
* Rick Barry (né Richard Francis Dennis Barry, III; b. Mar. 28, 1944).
חתולה
Many thanks to Kat and Manatee for substituting for me during my recent absence.
C.C.’s puzzle wasn’t too
ReplyDeletetough. I didn’t notice any real obscurities, for one thing. It was fun.
FIR, so I’m happy.