Theme: "READ THAT BACK TO ME" - Each clue needs to be read backwards.
23. Bonk?: DOOR HANDLE. Knob.
34. Laced?: WINDOW STICKER. Decal.
44. Pacer?: POSTGAME REPORT. Recap.
65. Drab?: MEDIEVAL POET. Bard.
74. Ergo?: FANTASY BEAST. Ogre.
93. Gulp?: BATHTUB STOPPER. Plug.
102. Mined?: JEANS MATERIAL. Denim.
121. Rebut?: FLESHY ROOT. Tuber.I just learned that this type of word is called a "semordnilap," which is "palindromes" spelled backward.
There are plenty of other semordnilaps, like EVIL/LIVE and GOLF/FLOG. The challenge is finding solid in-the-language phrases.
Across:1. Low voice: BASSO.
6. Out of fizz: FLAT.
10. Zoning measure: ACRE.
14. Expressed disdain: TSKED.
19. Room that often has a slanted ceiling: ATTIC.
20. Undoer of Othello: IAGO. He has more lines than Othello in "Othello".
21. Son of Noah: SHEM. Semite derives from Shem through the biblical genealogy. The other two sons were Ham and Japheth.
22. Absolut rival: STOLI. Originated in the Soviet Union. Absolut is a Swedish brand.
25. Considerate: KIND.
26. March 14 observance: PI DAY.
27. Classic record label: EMI.
28. Repetitive sonata movement: RONDO.
29. Trojan hero in a Virgil epic: AENEAS. He deserted Dido.
31. London art gallery: TATE.
32. Performer honored with a Billboard Icon Award in 2017: CHER. Do you believe in life after love?
39. Inked body art: TAT.
42. Monopoly token that replaced the iron: CAT.
43. Corned beef __: HASH.
49. "Jingle Bells" transport: SLEIGH.
53. South Pacific island group: SAMOA.
54. Picked out, in a way: ID'ED.
55. Los Angeles Philharmonic, e.g.: ORCHESTRA.
57. "My turn": I'M NEXT.
59. Sorceress whose aunt is the sorceress Circe: MEDEA. She helped Jason in his search for the Golden Fleece.
62. Invalidated: NULLED.
68. __-Wan Kenobi: OBI.
69. Cheer syllable: RAH.
71. Sticky pine product: RESIN.
72. Padmé's beloved: ANI. Anakin Skywalker is often called "Ani" by Padmé.
73. JFK predecessor: DDE.
77. Precisely correct: DEAD ON.
79. Egyptian cross: ANKH.
80. __ Hall: MONTY.
81. Princess introduced in season four of "The Crown," familiarly: LADY DI.
84. "So much for that plan": I GUESS NOT.
87. Norway home of the Munch Museum: OSLO.
92. Carpentry tool: RIPSAW.
97. Shortly, shortly: ASAP.
99. She/__ pronouns: HER.
100. Consumed: ATE. Have you tried pumpkin bars before?
108. Once-sacred snakes: ASPS. Sacred to the Ancient Egyptians.
110. Within: AMID.
111. Schoolbook: PRIMER.
112. Shelter org.: ASPCA.
115. Poetic contraction: TIS.
118. Move like a crab: SIDLE.
120. "Voulez-Vous" pop group: ABBA.
123. Nondairy spreads: OLEOS. Short for oleomargarine, a name derived partly from Latin oleum ("oil").
124. Food plan: DIET.
125. Pet aisle brand: IAMS.
126. Maker of iComfort mattresses: SERTA.
127. Cozy spots: NESTS.
128. Hearing things: EARS.
129. Doofus: TWIT.
130. Endless expanse: OCEAN.
Down:
1. Commanded, quaintly: BADE.
2. Particle with an electron cloud: ATOM.
3. Philosophy stressing self-control: STOICISM. The most famous Stoic philosophers are Marcus Aurelius and Seneca.
4. Title for Idris Elba: SIR.
5. Earthy colour: OCHRE.
6. Literary Huckleberry: FINN.
7. Cheryl of "Charlie's Angels": LADD.
8. Radiant: AGLOW.
9. Digit covered by a sock: TOE.
10. Sent an invitation for: ASKED TO.
11. Khaki-colored cloth: CHINO. The name comes from Spanish for "Chinese," referring to the fabric's association with China.
12. Extend, in a way: RENEW.
13. Punctuation mark that may signal an abrupt change: EM DASH. I was going to text you—but then I changed my mind.
14. Minced garlic amt.: TSP.
15. Repairs with thread, as a torn pocket: STITCHES UP.
16. Classic camera brand: KODAK.
17. Make merry: ELATE.
18. One who may watch how-to videos online, for short: DIYER.
24. Vital artery: AORTA.
29. Take __: rest up: A NAP.
30. Save for later: STASH.
33. Deep conditioning choice for hair: HOT OIL. Not going to put oil in my hair.
35. Coffee specification: ICED.
36. __ of Wight: ISLE.
37. Short missions?: OPS. Operations.
38. Residential community org.: HOA.
40. Dijon companion: AMIE. The city Dijon.
41. Lecture series spinoff: TEDX.
45. Giant fire-breathing turtle in Japanese monster films: GAMERA. Godzilla's giant turtle rival.
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47. The Burghers of Calais sculptor: RODIN.
48. Plant with a trunk: TREE.
50. "Hmm, strange": IT'S ODD.
51. "Star Wars" bounty hunter shot by Han Solo: GREEDO. Learning moment for me.
56. Spanish wine similar to Champagne: CAVA.
59. Stylike: MESSY.
60. Make a long story short?: EDIT.
62. "You cheated!": NO FAIR.
63. Congo River tributary: UBANGI.
64. Connect (with): LINK UP.
65. Veal or venison: MEAT.
66. "Toy Story" boy: ANDY.
67. Wasn't honest with: LIED TO.
70. Church song: HYMN.
71. Fashion designer Oscar de la __: RENTA.
75. Baseball movie with the line "You're killing me, Smalls!": THE SANDLOT. I need to watch this movie someday.
78. Prepare a movie snack, perhaps: AIR-POP.
81. Baton Rouge sch.: LSU.
82. Actress and entrepreneur Jessica: ALBA.
83. "__ thou love me?": Juliet: DOST.
85. Attitude: SASS.
86. __ Thing: green DC Comics superhero: SWAMP.
89. Place to buy games: APP STORE.
90. Matching group: SET.
91. Time sheet abbr.: HRS.
94. Menacing messages: THREATS.
95. Beneficiary: HEIR.
96. Do some school work?: TEACH. Real school work.
98. Show off: PARADE.
102. "Matlock" actor Ritter: JASON.
103. "Ratatouille" rat: EMILE.
104. West Wing staffers: AIDES.
105. Leg bone: TIBIA.
106. Live coal: EMBER.
107. Former TV drama set in SoCal: LA LAW.
109. Final word: SAY SO.
113. Sweet start?: SEMI. Semi-sweet.
114. Soft "Hey, you!": PSST.
116. Tiny bit: IOTA.
117. Big fan, in slang: STAN.
119. Curvy shape: ESS.
121. In shape: FIT.
122. Button for making a voice note, briefly: REC.
I figured out the
ReplyDeletegimmick pretty much right from the start.
(I read the title). And that helped me solve this fun puzzle.
FIR, so I’m happy.
I enjoyed this puzzle — and especially your write-up! [my use of an em dash to emphasize your brilliance lol] "Semordnilap" is very funny!
ReplyDeleteThanks!