Sunday June 9, 2024 Amanda Cook & Kelly Richardson

Theme: "DJ Remix" - D and J are swapped in each common phrase.

22. College administrators who never skip gym class?: RIPPED DEANS. Ripped jeans.

28. Mistake a bluebird for a blue bird?: CALL IT A JAY. Call it a day.

41. Finally breaking up with that no-good, pool hall hustler?: DUMPING THE SHARK. Jumping the shark.

64. Tiny bells added to an ugly Christmas sweater?: JANGLING MODIFIERS. Dangling modifers.

85. Honorific for San Francisco's top athlete?: THE JOCK OF THE BAY. The Dock of the Bay.

103. Beaver construction party?: DAM SESSION. Jam session.

111. "Good news! The animals living under the deck aren't skunks!"?: JUST BUNNIES. Dust bunnies.

Ah, I grokked the theme immediately. I bet many regulars did also.

I suck at this type of letter change themes and I always admire how others clue their wacky theme entries.

Love the fill today. So smooth and clean.

Across:

1. Center: HEART.

 6. Visibly nervous: SHAKY.

11. BCBS offering: HMO. Blue Cross Blue Shield.

14. Beaker's sound: MEEP. OK, Beaker the Muppet.

18. Wabbit hunter Fudd: ELMER.

19. Like a foggy graveyard: EERIE.

20. Brim (with): TEEM.

21. Minnesota representative Ilhan: OMAR. Most famous Minnesotan in crossword world.

24. Panache: ELAN.

25. Score symbol: NOTE.

26. Mattel product: DOLL.

27. Whoops: YELLS.

30. Harder to hike: STEEPER. Nothing beats the thrill of climbing Huashan, world's deadliest hiking route. My hometown.

32. "Big yikes": HOO BOY.

34. Court orders: WRITS.

35. __ Talks: TED.

36. Shinbone: TIBIA.

37. Podcast equipment: MIC.

38. Iverson in the Basketball Hall of Fame: ALLEN.

48. Nintendo Switch precursor: WII.

49. Carolyn Bertozzi, notably: CHEMIST. Did not know her. She received the Nobel in 2022.

51. One with niblings: AUNT. Google shows that "Nibling is a gender-neutral term used to refer to a child of one's sibling as a replacement for "niece" or "nephew". Learning moment for me also.
 
52. Regret: RUE.

53. Massachusetts state tree: ELM.

54. "__ Nagila": Hebrew folk song: HAVA. And 6. Occasion to read the Haggadah: SEDER.

55. Made brownies, say: BAKED.

57. Crafty platform: ETSY.

58. Gwen of No Doubt: STEFANI.

60. Penalty shot defender: GOALIE.

63. Queues up: WAITS.

68. Still-life subject, often: FRUIT.

70. Man cave locale, maybe: GARAGE. Not in MN. Too cold in winter.

71. In the spotlight for bad behavior: ON BLAST.

74. Freight option: RAIL.

75. Nick of "Cape Fear": NOLTE.

77. Purple bloom: IRIS.

78. Once called: NEE.

79. "Exit full screen" button: ESC.

80. "Toodles": CIAO.

81. Indian flatbread: CHAPATI.

84. Some undergrad degs.: AAS.

89. Churchyard peals: TOLLS.

91. Scrape (by): EKE.

92. Opera solos: ARIAS.

93. Muscle mag muscle: PEC.

94. Space Invaders console: ATARI.

97. Marzipan nut: ALMOND. Never had Marzipan.

99. Abandons: DESERTS.

105. Concert platform: RISER.

108. Heavenly glow: AURA.

109. NYC drama award: OBIE.

110. Vegan pho protein: TOFU. This is my favorite Tofu brand at the moment.

113. Bridesmaid's handful: POSY.

114. Tinnitus docs: ENTS.

115. Balance sheet entry: ASSET.

116. Sty sounds: OINKS.

117. Lob: TOSS.

118. Director Anderson: WES. Prolific. "Asteroid City" is his latest hit.

119. Big bangs: WHAMS.

120. Like a windbag: GASSY.

Down:

1. Ranch groups: HERDS.

2. "Daniel Deronda" novelist: ELIOT (George)

3. Bountiful: AMPLE.

4. Brimming (with): REPLETE.

5. Three, in Trieste: TRE. Port city in Italy.

7. Tap location: HEEL.

8. North __ Sea: Central Asian lake: ARAL.

9. Bonds between friends: KINSHIPS.

10. "Absolutely!": YES.

11. "Are you even listening?": HELLO.

12. Like overripe apples: MEALY.

13. Hyatt competitor: OMNI.

14. Orange-and-black butterfly: MONARCH.

15. Fire in a text?: EMOJI. Fire emoji.

16. Patronize, as a bistro: EAT AT.

17. Hunts, with "on": PREYS.

20. Rooibos pouch: TEA BAG.

23. Made an egg into an Easter egg: DYED.

28. Invent, as a word: COIN.

29. Chocolate-and-vanilla soft serve: TWIST.

31. Inclination: PENCHANT.

33. Memorial piece: OBIT.

36. "Ew, stop talking!": TMI.

37. Resew, maybe: MEND.

38. Dazzles: AWES. 

39. Jaunty tune: LILT.

40. Ceviche marinade: LIME JUICE.  Looks yummy.

41. Crafty sort: DEVIL.

42. Hindu goddess also known as Parvati: UMA. Another learning moment.

43. Activist known for his time aboard the Enterprise: TAKEI.

44. Tinge: HUE.

45. Small-batch: ARTISANAL.

46. Used car concern: RUST.

47. Florida __: KEYS.

50. Get together: HANG.

55. Online journal: BLOG. And 63. Squarespace creations: WEBSITES.

56. Assistant: AIDE.

57. Former Chief Justice Warren: EARL.

59. Word in many a YouTube title: FAIL. Like makeup fails.

60. Little pest: GNAT.

61. D&D monster: OGRE.

62. "I'm an open book" Reddit sesh: AMA. Ask Me Anything.

65. Heavy-duty cooler brand: IGLOO.

66. Venture: FORAY.

67. "What's __ for you?": IN IT.

68. Sitar ridge: FRET.

69. Hasty: RASH.

72. Wax closure: SEAL.

73. Harper of "No Country for Old Men": TESS.

75. French Riviera city: NICE.

76. Iowa state tree: OAK.

77. Many a Lagunitas brew, briefly: IPA.

80. Roberts who was one of NPR's "Founding Mothers": COKIE.

81. Helmet clip spot: CHIN.

82. Result of standing up too fast: HEADRUSH. Low blood pressure.

83. Six-packs, sometimes: ABS.

86. Game day tops: JERSEYS.

87. Nathan's __ hot dogs: FAMOUS.

88. Jumbo suffix: TRON.

90. Papua New Guinea region: OCEANIA. Guess how many languages in this island nation?

93. Cuzco's country: PERU. 100. Cuzco attraction: RUINS.

94. Rescue, as a pet: ADOPT.

95. Don't: TABOO.

96. Off: AMISS.

97. In concert: AS ONE.

98. Rides: LIFTS.

99. Balance sheet entries: DEBTS.

101. Does the Tour du Mont Blanc, say: TREKS.

102. Bold: SASSY.

 104. Crockpot recipe: STEW.

106. "The Lovebirds" actress Rae: ISSA.

 107. Derive (from): STEM.

 111. Chatter: JAW.

 112. Holiday party serving: NOG.

 

Here are two great pictures from Lemonade, our faithful Friday Sherpa for many years. That's his sweet wife Oo taking the selfie. The other two are his granddaughters Charlotte and Harper. The little boy in the second picture is his cute grandson Owen. You can click here to see more pictures.  

C.C.

Monday May 27, 2024 Amanda Cook

  

sumdaze here, wishing you a Happy Memorial Day! This national holiday commemorates all the men and women who have died in U.S. military service.  

We had three themed clues today:

17 Across. Manually adjusted camera lens: OPTICAL ZOOM.

27 Across. Run-scoring out in baseball: SACRIFICE FLY.

44. Tech genius: COMPUTER WHIZ.

The reveal is at: 

59 Across. Heartfelt tribute, or what can be found at the ends of 17-, 27-, and 44-Across?: MOVING WORDS.

I am sure that many MOVING WORDS will be said today as part of the various Memorial Day activities across the country. Nicely done, Amanda and Patti!

As for the themed answers ... ZOOM, FLY, and WHIZ are all words with a movement connotation. Look closely, however. None of them convey motion in their themer states. ZOOM is referring to a type of lens, FLY is referring to a type of hit, and WHIZ is referring to a type of person. Amanda has provided a textbook demonstration of how the meanings of the themed answers should transform in the reveal.  👍👍

Let's move on to the other clues:

Across:
1. Person who may win an Emmy: ACTOR.  Here is a list of 124 Emmys that were awarded in January 2024 for achievements in 2023.

6. Stogie: CIGAR.

11. Toe bean spot: PAW.  New to me ... toe beans are a cat's paw pads. I asked the internet if dogs could have toe beans. Here is one poster's take:

While this subreddit is primarily for cats toes, other animal toes are allowed as long as they are cute and jellybean-like.

14. Jeweler's magnifier: LOUPE.  

This jeweler is wearing a LOUPE.

15. Make amends: ATONE.

16. Pub quaff: ALE.

19. Fish eggs: ROE.

20. Prefix meaning 41-Across: OTO-.     and     41 Across. Hearing organ: EAR.

For example, OTOmycosis is a fungal infection of the ear.

21. Graphic consulted before a cross-country road trip, for short: U.S. MAP.  

Hand up if you like these U.S. MAPs made out of license plates!

22. Paid for a poker hand: ANTED.  

24. Anticipate: FORESEE.  Def.: to see (something, such as a development) beforehand.

26. Linger: STAY.  

32. In base eight: OCTAL.  A base 8 system only uses the digits 0 - 7. As a result, "8" is written as "10", "9" is written as "11", and "10" is written as "12". How do you think one would write "16"? Just continue the pattern and you will see that the answer is "20".

35. Book of Genesis shipbuilder: NOAH.  

36. Belonging to us: OUR.

37. Blueberry desserts: PIES.  Time for our first tune....  

Fats Domino performs Blueberry Hill on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1956.

It must have been difficult to play the piano while maintaining eye contact with the camera.

He makes it look easy!

38. First Nations carving: TOTEM.

40. Boring: DULL.     and     30 Down. Break in the action: LULL.

Side note:  The village of Dull, Scotland became sister cities with Boring, Oregon in 2012. Bland Shire, Australia joined them in 2013, creating what some people call the "Trinity of Tedium".

42. Uncommon: RARE.

43. "My, my!": GOLLY.  

Jim Nabors played PFC Gomer Pyle from 1964 to 1969.
He could stretch out GOLLY to five syllables.

48. Charged particles: IONS.

49. "Try a sample!": HAVE ONE.  

53. Black-and-white bamboo eater: PANDA.  I recently heard on Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me! a news story about a zoo that drew criticism for painting dogs to look like PANDAs. They look pretty convincing to me! 

55. Letter-shaped skirt style: A-LINE.

57. Quarterback Tagovailoa who led the NFL in passing yards in 2023: TUA.  

He plays for the Miami Dolphins.

58. Obamacare, initially: ACA.  Affordable Care Act

62. Feline: CAT.     and     65 Across. Tuxedo accessory: TIE.  

A black & white cat is often called a "tuxedo CAT".
This one is sporting a bow TIE.

63. Offer a perspective: OPINE.

64. "Practice makes perfect," e.g.: ADAGE.  

66. Poet John known for 61-Downs: KEATS.

67. Affirmative answers: YESES.

Down:
1. Hard to form a bond with: ALOOF.

2. Admit guilt in: COP TO.  I cannot say for certain; but, a quick web query seems to indicate that COP TO is short for "COP TO a plea (bargain)". The latter is specific to when the accused admits to a lighter crime to avoid the likelihood of a more severe sentence. Eventually, "COP TO" became slang for admitting to doing something. 

3. Academic coach: TUTOR.

4. Nail polish brand with a Barbie collection: OPI.  

5. Self-disqualification: RECUSAL.  Def.:  to remove (oneself) from participation to avoid a conflict of interest.

6. More relaxed: CALMER.

7. Chichen __: Mayan ruins: ITZA.  In 1988 Chichen Itza was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site and in 2007 it was voted in a global survey as one of the New Seven wonders of the World.  UNESCO website  Perhaps we can dispatch Picard to go take some photos for us?

8. Yucky muck: GOOP.

9. "That's __-brainer!": A NO.

10. Competitor's chance for redemption: REMATCH.  

11. Spilling red wine on the host's white couch, say: PARTY FOUL.  We had this answer in this recent puzzle by Irish Miss and C.C.  😄

12. __ vera gel: ALOE.  Have you tried the ALOE vera drinks with little pieces of gel at the bottom? I like them.  

13. Dandelion, e.g.: WEED.  How Dandelions Benefit You and Your Yard

18. "Just __": "Be right back": A SEC.

23. Scottish refusal: NAE.

25. Those, in Spanish: ESAS.  Spanish uses different words for "those", depending on whether it is functioning as a pronoun (esos) [How much are those?], an adjective for a masculine noun (eses) [How much are those tacos?], or an adjective for a feminine noun (ESAS) [How much are those apples?]. Without any hints in the clue, we are left waiting for perps.

26. Former name of Thailand: SIAM.  "Siam" changed to "Thailand" on June 24, 1939. It was briefly renamed "Siam" from 1946 to 1948.

28. Prefix with net or com: INTER-.

29. Adversary: FOE.

31. Every 12 mos.: YRLY.  "Months" is abbreviated, so is "YeaRLY".

32. Oil cartel acronym: OPEC.  Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries

33. Italian goodbye: CIAO.

34. Conclude: TERMINATE.  This ended up being a nice, 9-letter symmetrical partner to PARTY FOUL.

38. Body ink, casually: TATS.  Perhaps you have heard Groucho Marx sing Lydia the Tattooed Lady, but have you heard Kermit's version?

39. Mine find: ORE.

40. Quick snooze: DOZE.

42. Go wild: RUN AMOK.  "AMOK" is a fun word.  

Perhaps he should try some 55-Downs.

43. Buckle: GIVE WAY.  Tricky, tricky! Here is a famous video (1:10 min.) of a bridge BUCKLing.  

45. Edamame component: POD.  "Mame" (pronounced mah-mayh) means "bean" in Japanese. Edamame are soybeans. They are a popular appetizer in Hawaii (and elsewhere). This is how I prepare them:  Heat a box of frozen edamame still in their PODs in the microwave. Sprinkle with sea salt and serve. Super simple, right?!  

Eat them as a finger food. You can "pinch" out the beans.
Do not eat the PODs!

46. Complains petulantly: WHINES.

47. Put up, as curtains: HANG.

50. Others, in Spanish: OTRAS.  Again, we need perps to know the last vowel.

51. Prod gently: NUDGE.

52. Makes less complicated: EASES.

53. Treaty: PACT.

54. Berry in some purple smoothies: ACAI.

55. Adidas competitor: AVIA.  Both are sport shoe companies.

This is the final word beginning with the letter "A". Today's grid had three 3-letter, four 4-letter, and six 5-letter words that begin with the letter "A". Not that there's anything wrong with that....

56. Dryer buildup: LINT.

60. Midwestern exclamation of surprise: OPE.  Perhaps someone from The Midwest can elaborate?

61. Poem of praise: ODE.  Here is a delightful poem of praise by Mingyu Y. entitled, Ode to crosswords:  Are you down for a cross?

You know, all this moving talk makes me think we will need some moving boxes. You will find more than enough below:

That's all for today. Please be extra safe & smart if you are traveling this holiday weekend!

Sunday May 19, 2024 Amanda Cook

Theme:  "IV Infusion" - IV is added to each theme entry.

22. 10-meter dash?: TRIVIAL RUN. Trial run.

33. Weekend activity for a group of clairvoyant sommeliers?: WINE AND DIVINE. Wine and dine.

46. Autograph on a rare baseball card?: CURSIVE OF THE BAMBINO. Curse of the Bambino.

62. Prayer candle depicting Taylor Swift as a saint?: POPULAR VOTIVE. Popular vote.

80. Excusing friends who secretly planned a surprise party?: FORGIVING AN ALLIANCE. Forging an alliance.

96. Ranking of recipes from most to least appetizing?: SALIVARY SCALE. Salary scale.

109. Turf damage caused by a raucous Czech band?: POLKA DIVOT. Polka dot.

Congrats on Amanda's Sunday debut! We've had quite a few weekday puzzles from her in the past few years.

 

I bet many of you figured out the gimmick just by glancing at the puzzle title, which aptly captures the theme. The key for this type of addition/deletion theme is that the new words share no roots with the original words.

Big "xie xie" for covering for me last Sunday, TTP, you saved me again!

Across:

1. Lullaby opener: HUSH. "Hush, Little Baby".

5. Brewpub assortment: KEGS.

9. Sacred poem: PSALM.

14. Shore recess: COVE.

18. In the know about: ONTO.

19. Disney princess and restaurateur: TIANA. She's from New Orleans. The restaurant is called Tiana's Palace.

20. Expedition: HASTE.

21. Pt. of EMT: EMER.

24. Two trios and a duo: OCTET.

25. Melodic structure of some Indian music: RAGA.

26. Punched metal: TIN.

27. Nine-digit IDs on some W-9s: SSNS.

28. Nabe near NYU: SOHO.

29. Vinyasa series: ASANAS.

31. Game where it's bad to catch a break?: EGG TOSS. Fun clue.

36. Presuppose: ASSUME.

37. Right now: TODAY.

38. Many a dog agility competition: RACE.

39. More chill: MELLOWER.

41. Pet container: CRATE.

43. Stone fruit center: PIT.

49. Succulent spot: SILL.

51. Smidgen: TAD.

52. Smashes into: RAMS.

53. Chip in?: ANTE.

54. Stop making progress: PLATEAU.

57. Language of a haka chant: MAORI. Saw haka dance in person ages ago. Guys slapped their chests so hard and stuck their tongues out.

59. Domed recess: APSE.

61. Pilot's fig.: ALT.

66. Ragdoll or tuxedo: CAT.

69. Durable wood: TEAK.

71. Swell: BULGE.

72. Shows the ropes: MENTORS.

74. Get a lift, but not a Lyft: UBER. Ha.

76. Fender blemish: DENT.
 
77. Scrooge's 9-Down: BAH. 9. "Drat!": PHOOEY.

79. A law __ oneself: UNTO.

87. Tense WNBA periods, for short: OTS.

88. Shadow puppet shapers: HANDS.

89. Bygone big Apples: IMAC PROS. Discontinued in 2021.

90. Doily fabric: LACE.

91. Engages in witty banter: SPARS.

92. Strand at the ski lodge: SNOW IN.

101. Like the Ninja Turtles: TEENAGE.

102. Mercury, but not zinc: PLANET.

103. Soooo many: A LOT.

104. "Auld Lang __": SYNE.

105. "Modern Comfort Food" author Garten: INA. Her voice is comforting.

106. Alleviate: EASE.

107. Word with circle and peace: INNER.

112. Word before a Mass exodus?: AMEN. Smiled at the clue.

113. "Frozen" sauna owner: OAKEN. Learning moment for me.

114. Winter of "Modern Family": ARIEL.

115. Parisian papa: PERE.

116. Photoreceptor cells: RODS.

117. Tree houses: NESTS.

118. Subway Series side: METS. And 99. Subway Series side, familiarly: YANKS.

119. Yemeni port: ADEN.

Down:

1. Drink that may be sweetened with honey: HOT TEA. Going to make myself some Hong Kong Lemon Tea.

 

 

2. Strips of gear, as a ship: UNRIGS.

3. Beekeeper boo-boos: STINGS.

4. Ride-sharing lane: Abbr.: HOV.

5. Ceramics ovens: KILNS.

6. Corn units: EARS.

7. Serengeti antelope: GNU.

8. Japanese honorific: SAN. So I'm C.C. San. And C.C.= 200. And San also means 3 in Japanese. You can just call me 203.

10. Satirist Baron Cohen: SACHA.

11. __ Martin: British sports car: ASTON.

12. 5G precursor: LTE.

13. Info about info: METADATA.

14. Skin care brand: CERAVE. Their best product.

15. Yemeni neighbor: OMANI.

16. Like Gardein products: VEGAN. I did not know "Gardein", a portmanteau of garden and protein.

17. Wipe clean: ERASE.

19. Curtain danglers: TASSELS.

23. Chemical relative: ISOMER.

28. Consume greedily: SNARF.

30. Guard dog's incitement: SIC EM.

32. Din: TUMULT.

33. Amazed: WOWED.

34. Logical prefix: IDEO.

35. Dribs partner: DRABS.

37. "L'Shana __": Rosh Hashanah greeting: TOVA.

40. Like a Christmas tree at night: LIT UP. And 43. Holiday garland embellishment: PINE CONE.

41. One-named flamenco guitarist: CHARO.

42. Transfer payment: REMIT.

44. Defensive take, for short?: INT. Interception.

45. Ballerina's pivot point: TOE.

46. Crashes: CLATTERS.

47. Treasure __: TROVE.

48. __-relief: BAS.

49. Break room?: SPA. I don't get this clue. Never been to a spa. What "break"?

50. Queasy: ILL.

55. Green Power Partnership org.: EPA.

56. Just peachy: AOK.

57. Mediterranean island country: MALTA.

58. 2022 World Cup winner: Abbr.: ARG.

59. Pennsylvania in D.C.: AVE.

60. Back-to-school purchase: PEN.

63. Pipe trap: U BEND.

64. Important organs for a flutist: LUNGS.

65. "Sounds good, man": I'M HIP.

67. Oil production?: ART. Oil painting.

68. Chinese kitchen general: TSO. We should ask Splynter to show off his non-authentic Chinese dishes.

70. Unit of work: ERG.

73. University of Arizona city: TUCSON.

74. ET's ride: UFO.

75. Captcha target: BOT.

76. Greasy spoon: DINER.

77. Lay on, as a horn: BLARE.

78. MLB postseason semifinal: ALCS. American League Championship Series.

81. "__ a dream ... ": I HAVE.

82. Time off: VACATION.

83. Bite playfully: NIP AT.

84. British barrister Clooney: AMAL.

85. North London soccer club: ARSENAL.

86. "It's already taken care of": NO NEED. 

90. Goods with a dedicated closet: LINENS.

91. Looks down on: SCORNS.

93. Didn't enforce: WAIVED.

94. Pretend not to notice, maybe: IGNORE.

95. Declutter: NEATEN.

96. Pointy fishing tool: SPEAR.

97. Memorable Texas landmark: ALAMO.

98. Zapped surgically: LASED.

100. Wintry rain: SLEET.

101. Wee ones: TYKES.

104. Skirt feature: SLIT. Prominent feature of Chinese traditional Qipao.

108. Glasgow no-go: NAE.

109. Actress Dawber: PAM.

110. Mine find: ORE.

111. Hoppy brew letters: IPA.

C.C.