Well, the theme is obviously in The Reveal: TAG Lines.
The Reveal:
59. Across. Marketing slogans, or what the answers to the starred clues are?: TAG LINES.
But, what makes these themers so Tag Worthy?
17. Across. *Black Friday enticement: LOW PRICE.
Hmm, I wonder if C.C. would let me make some money doing these write ups...
(I work cheap...)
Um, CE:D here,, none of the other volunteers would stoop this low...
24. Across. *Words with a WWII-era doodle: KILROY WAS HERE.
If you visit the WWII memorial in Washington D.C.
Be sure to walk around the back,
Where you will find etched into the granite,
"Kilroy Was Here!"
They say there are two, I have yet to find the second one..
39. Across. *Shout on a playground: YOU'RE IT.
50. Across. *Introductory phrase: HELLO MY NAME IS.
I once accompanied DW to her High School reunion,
And everyone had to wear a name tag...
So I wrote on mine, "No One You Need To Know."
As I never attended this school,
And for some reason, people thought it was hilarious...
Hmm, I dunno, I am having trouble describing this theme.
Perhaps we should let a professional do it...
Um, ok, let's get on with then, shall we...1. No-frills supermarket chain: ALDI. There is quite a story about the two brothers quarrel that split Aldi and Lidl into two grocery chains, and then one brother bought Trader Joe's... I will let you Google it as I get enough of this stuff because DW watches Real Wives (of wherever) while I hide in another room...
5. Receipt fig.: AMT. (figure/amount)
8. Puzzle: BEMUSE. (Not enigma...)
14. Weaver's machine: LOOM.
In the coming apocalypse, you may find this useful.
Just try and remember how without Wi-Fi or YouTube...
16. Perfect alignment: UNISON.
Nah! I don't see it happening...
17. [Theme.]
19. Peak with a name from Koyukon: DENALI. This is where I got stuck doing the write up, I mean, we did this before. In a site all about words, what's the point if you keep changing them....?
20. "The Matrix" hero: NEO. Um,, should I post the clip where A.I. glues his mouth shut? (Nah, I 'm just trying to censor myself...)
21. Wee bit: A TAD. ( it was just a little Vodka,,, I swear...)
23. Left in a cave, as some cheese: AGED. Jeez, that explains it, I was cheesed...
24. [Theme.]
28. Mardi Gras song originally called "Jock-A-Mo": IKOIKO. Um, ok, i know I'm supposed to explain all this, but WTF is IKOIKO supposed to be? Really? Dang! I have to look this up? (This is going to take more Grey Hairs than I can affford... )
Ok, a week later,, I finally got up the courage to look this dang thing up,,, and it's supposed to be IKO IKO.
29. Fabled race day napper: HARE. And fabled puzzle reviewer: CE:D...
30. "I'll shake on that!": DEAL. Are we talking about a nap?
31. Berra with a record 10 World Series rings as a player: YOGI. When you come to the fork, take it...
34. Centipede releaser: ATARI. Hmm, it's a good thing this was a game, because I would be tap dancing all over this ala Fred Astaire...
38. Family guy: DAD. Ok, but this could have been anybody...
39. [Theme.]
41. Pod of whales: GAM. Dang! I am still trying to pencil in "Pod" here...
42. "Do the Right Thing" actor Davis: OSSIE. (Did he ever get stuck in a gam of whales?)
44. Stint in office: TERM. I dunno, lately this could have been "sentence..."
45. Much Duchamp work: DADA. Um, I will let you look this up Here, as when I looked it up, it made me want to go to the bathroom...
46. Pitch setter: CLEF. If you want to know how to draw one... personally, I have a hard time staying in one clef, I guess it's a side affect of being scatterbrained...
48. Superhot, as wing sauce: ATOMIC. Personally, I did not like this clue/answer, As it could have been anything... now, if the perps were friendly, I could stomach this... (were the perps friendly for you?)
I dunno CC, maybe im too old to do this ...
30. "I'll shake on that!": DEAL. Are we talking about a nap?
31. Berra with a record 10 World Series rings as a player: YOGI. When you come to the fork, take it...
34. Centipede releaser: ATARI. Hmm, it's a good thing this was a game, because I would be tap dancing all over this ala Fred Astaire...
38. Family guy: DAD. Ok, but this could have been anybody...
39. [Theme.]
41. Pod of whales: GAM. Dang! I am still trying to pencil in "Pod" here...
42. "Do the Right Thing" actor Davis: OSSIE. (Did he ever get stuck in a gam of whales?)
44. Stint in office: TERM. I dunno, lately this could have been "sentence..."
45. Much Duchamp work: DADA. Um, I will let you look this up Here, as when I looked it up, it made me want to go to the bathroom...
46. Pitch setter: CLEF. If you want to know how to draw one... personally, I have a hard time staying in one clef, I guess it's a side affect of being scatterbrained...
48. Superhot, as wing sauce: ATOMIC. Personally, I did not like this clue/answer, As it could have been anything... now, if the perps were friendly, I could stomach this... (were the perps friendly for you?)
(I need some pepto bismol...)
50. [Theme]
53. Stepped heavily: TROD.
55. Grammy winner India.__: ARIE. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
56. Sudden flight: LAM. Nah, I'm too old for this. Question, what would you call a sudden flight with some one with a walker?
57. Demolish: BUST UP. Look out! I'm walking thru here!!'
59. [Theme Reveal.]
63. Does some tailoring on: ALTERS. Hmm, so many possibilities, ,,
64. "Fearless" or "Lover," for Taylor Swift: ERA. ( why is everything an Era with her...? ) jeez girl, lighten up...
65. Iditarod terminus city: NOME. Um, if you want to be uplifted by a true story,
66. Thrift store transaction: RESALE.
67. Sketch show with celebrity 50-Down, for short: SNL.
68. Flakes: SNOW. I dunno, I'm partial to Idahoan potato flakes myself, and I hate the cold... so this clue/answer that should have been easy, kind of got me into a, hmm, whattaya call it? Not quicksand, but an oatmeal/ porridgey kind of mess to finish the acrosses... at least, with Idahoan, you never get Lumps...
Down:
1. __ too soon: ALL. Ack! What a way to start the downs! ( I feel like I'm falling!)
2. Lav: LOO. (Whew! What a relief to land here..,)
3. Gets off the web: DOWNLOADS. Hmm, used to be easy , now It's work... (see George Jetson for intel...)
4. Put at risk: IMPERIL. "Be careful what you download!"
5. Pacific tuna: AHI. Word origin can be found here
6. Large parrot that forms a pair bond: MACAW.
7. Angle symbol, in geometry: THETA.
8. Subject of a 49-foot bronze statue in Nara, Japan: BUDDHA.
9. WSW opposite: ENE. (I hate it when crosswords get me all turned around...)
50. [Theme]
53. Stepped heavily: TROD.
55. Grammy winner India.__: ARIE. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
56. Sudden flight: LAM. Nah, I'm too old for this. Question, what would you call a sudden flight with some one with a walker?
Ok, I'm ready!
57. Demolish: BUST UP. Look out! I'm walking thru here!!'
59. [Theme Reveal.]
63. Does some tailoring on: ALTERS. Hmm, so many possibilities, ,,
64. "Fearless" or "Lover," for Taylor Swift: ERA. ( why is everything an Era with her...? ) jeez girl, lighten up...
65. Iditarod terminus city: NOME. Um, if you want to be uplifted by a true story,
May I suggest Balto...
Also, may I suggest the animated version if you don't want to freeze your toes off...
66. Thrift store transaction: RESALE.
67. Sketch show with celebrity 50-Down, for short: SNL.
Jeez, what do you have to do to get on this show?
68. Flakes: SNOW. I dunno, I'm partial to Idahoan potato flakes myself, and I hate the cold... so this clue/answer that should have been easy, kind of got me into a, hmm, whattaya call it? Not quicksand, but an oatmeal/ porridgey kind of mess to finish the acrosses... at least, with Idahoan, you never get Lumps...
Down:
1. __ too soon: ALL. Ack! What a way to start the downs! ( I feel like I'm falling!)
2. Lav: LOO. (Whew! What a relief to land here..,)
3. Gets off the web: DOWNLOADS. Hmm, used to be easy , now It's work... (see George Jetson for intel...)
4. Put at risk: IMPERIL. "Be careful what you download!"
5. Pacific tuna: AHI. Word origin can be found here
6. Large parrot that forms a pair bond: MACAW.
If you are going to keep birds,
Always get two...
7. Angle symbol, in geometry: THETA.
Um, I tried to find a definition of the geometric meaning of Theta for you,
But it was Greek to me...
8. Subject of a 49-foot bronze statue in Nara, Japan: BUDDHA.
9. WSW opposite: ENE. (I hate it when crosswords get me all turned around...)
10. Mosque tower: MINARET.
11. Utility bill data: USAGE.
12. Foot part: SOLE. Not inch, arch, or...
13. "Wednesday" werewolf: ENID. Ok, I know nothing about what happened to The Addams Family after Raul Julia passed away.., But here is more if interested
18. Chess piece in castling: ROOK. Not King!
22. More pale: ASHIER.
24. Little buddy: KIDDO. Hmm, how would you clue this? (Roo-ey?, goat offspring something or other?) I am lost on this one...
25. Stores with Småland play areas: IKEAS. I dunno, I think the whole place is a giant fire hazard... but I do like the meatballs... (have you ever tried to navigate thru IKEA?)
26. Fluctuate wildly: YOYO. (Technically, yo-yo is a hyphenated compound word. But can be one word in informal usage...)
27. Basic Latin verb: ERAT. (I dunno, it's Greek to me...)
32. Determined to get: OUT FOR. Hmm, this seems out of place for a Wednesday puzzle. It's almost like the constructor was out to get us...
33. Test for some srs.: GRE. Everything you ever wanted to know...
35. Leader of the Greek army during the Trojan War: AGAMEMNON.
I always liked how he was portrayed by Sean Connery in The Time Bandits.
If you want to be to know more, ask Kevin...
36. Diameter halves: RADII. (Pronounced EeEye... I think I have it half right...)
37. Apple desktops: IMACS. Yes, it's one word, even when plural...
39. Talk over the clamor: YELL.
40. "Ms. Marvel" star Vellani: IMAN.
43. Pure Leaf beverage: ICED TEA.
Never heard of it...
45. Realms: DOMAINS.
47. Pass by: ELAPSE.
49. Starbucks size: TALL. If you are willing to pay upwards of 4 bucks for a coffee, you also get A ridiculous size terminology for your overpayment...
Hmm, I could have sworn he said can you spare a dime for a cup of Joe...
50. Members of 67-Across's Five-Timers Club, e.g.: HOSTS. Arrows and banjo's optional...
51. Tiny arachnids: MITES.
52. Pine (for): YEARN.
53. Type of ski lift: T BAR. They tried a J bar, but it was a pain in the A**.
54. Hold the throne: RULE.
58. Web address: URL.
60. Actress Gadot: GAL.
61. Angsty rock: EMO.
62. Do some tailoring on: SEW.
The Grid.
P.S. Here is 8 minutes more on Kilroy was here, if interested...
Anywho, that's all I've got. But I can't help but think I missed something...
So, now it's up to you, in the comments, to find what I missed!
TAG! Your it!...
CE:D out...
≽^•⩊•^≼ ₊˚⊹♡
Well, I got it, but it wasn’t
ReplyDeleteeasy. And “law” is “loo” - in what universe?
Anyway, FIR, so I’m happy.
It was lav not law.
DeleteOh, never mind. I read that wrong. It was “ lav.” That, at least, makes a little more sense.
ReplyDelete-SubG
FIR, but ari->NEO, iota->atom->ATAD. and arch->SOLE.
ReplyDeletePshaw=HAH? May be regional. "Liar" wouldn't fit.
Seems like I need "cosine of" any time I need THETA.
Seems like something always IMPERILs my getaway schedule. Late yesterday I ran over some unknown object parking in front of my nearly-vacant house, and now one tire is leaking air. Tire shop opens at 7:30 and I plan to be their first customer. If all goes well, I'll still bid adieu to Virginia today.
I get that KILROY WAS HERE would be considered tagging today, but not in the WWII era. This type of vandalism wasn't called "tagging" until the 1960s.
Thanks to Joe for the humpday challenge, and to CE-D for the fun review. Are you slipping in a wee dram into your morning coffee?
Good morning!
ReplyDeleteCE:D beat me to Kilroy at the WWII Memorial. Here's a photo of it. Forgot to look for the theme in today's offering, but I see it now. Thanx, Joe and CE:D.
Ladies and gents...
ReplyDeleteWednesdays are tricky.
Always
FIR. Except for a couple of obscure clues, this was mostly easy. At least compared to previous puzzles this week.
ReplyDeleteThe theme was clever but I needed the reveal to get it.
Overall an OK puzzle.
Just an FYI,
ReplyDeleteHere is a link to a masterful piece of storytelling. Falling Down.
If you have not seen this movie, I recommend it. If you have seen this movie, watch it again, you will be surprised at what you may have missed. Every scene is a snapshot of one day in the lives of two men, in a hot city, reflecting everyday life. Where one man snaps, and the other also snaps, but in a different way. I don't want to give away too much, but in all this awful reality, there is plenty of absurdity to keep you entertained.
This movie is usually pay to view only, but is available on YouTube free with Ads during the Month of October.
I FIR, but the theme didn’t look right at first. Maybe because I’m not clear as to what a TAG LINE is. Not many unknowns, just IKO IKO, ARIE, ENID, IMAN and GAM. ATOMIC was a guess and so we’re SNL HOSTS.
ReplyDeleteCE:D, I got a kick out of your review. What a hoot.
Good Morning:
ReplyDeleteI lost my original post but the bottom line was that I thought the theme and reveal were fine, but I took issue with some of the fill and cluing. I FIR but can’t say that I enjoyed the solve. Ashier was definitely a nose wrinkler. There were too many unknowns (for me) and too many niche references, especially for a Wednesday offering.
Thank, Joe, and thanks, CED, for your humorous expo and many equally humorous asides.
Have a great day.
Hola! Joe Rodini gave us a bit of a challenge today, but I was up to it. Some of it felt like Saturday fare but I did better than Saturday. AGAMEMNON was not easy to spell! And I know next to nothing about DADA.
ReplyDeleteI went to IKEA once, when it first opened and very quickly realized it definitely was not my kind of store.
Very soon an ALDI store is going to open in my area so it will be interesting to shop there. Two previous stores (99 Cents and another grocery) have been in that space for a short time. Enjoy your day, everyone!
Thank you, C:ED for all the laughs. I knew very quickly it was you!
ReplyDeleteFor me, the puzzle was tough. I did quite a bit of guessing, and came to the blog to see if I had the right answers. I thought the India singer’s first name started with an “I”. Since I didn’t go back and check the verticle answers, I might have realized Elipse should have been Elapse. Also, IKOIKO? Really? Why would anyone know that? However, as long as it took for me to complete the crossword puzzle, I’m happy with only one error.
ReplyDeleteFriday-level puzzle on a Wednesday.
ReplyDeleteAdd ASHIER to the list of "-er" crossword answers that nobody is very likely to utter.