Sunday February 8, 2026 ~ Gary Larson & Amy Ensz

Theme: "Doing Business"

Cutthroat compounds are verb-noun compounds where the verb acts on the noun (i.e. cut-throat). While the themers are not compound words, they are in-the-language nouns turned into 'verb-ing on a noun' for each whimsically-clued career.

Let us play...

23. Job for an elephant caretaker?: BATHING TRUNKS.

He doesn't have a trunk.
He has a glove compartment.

33. Job for a department store model?: SPORTING GOODS. To sport clothes is to wear the goods.

51. Job for a tailor?: EVENING DRESSES. Read this as EVEN-ing a dress and then "tailor" makes sense.

65. Job for a nanny?: HANDLING CHARGES. A nanny's charges are the little imps she must handle with grace.

Mary Poppins, Burt, and her charges, Jane and Michael Banks.

85. Job for a cheesemonger?: PITCHING WEDGES.

Monty Python's Cheese Shop Sketch taught me all the cheeses.

100. Job for an interior designer?: CHANGING ROOMS. My fav of the themers.

117. Job for a corporate VIP?: RUNNING BOARDS.

Across:

1. Screenwriter's output: SCRIPT.

7. Confined: SHUT IN.

13. Emma of "Madame Web": ROBERTS.

20. "Gotcha": OH I SEE.

21. Excalibur, notably: CASINO. Sword was a letter short and perps didn't agree. My first gamble was roulette at Excalibur. I won on my first bet (on 19) and played with the house's money the rest of the night. I've never been that lucky since.

Excalibur Casino - Las Vegas, NV

22. Resolve: IRON OUT.

23. [See: Theme]

25. Hot pepper: CAYENNE.

Baldo is always a fun read

26. "Double-quick!": STAT.

27. Eggs __ easy: OVER. How I build my eggs every weekend.

28. Sugar source: CANE.

29. Mountain __: DEW.

30. Dangerous biters: ASPS. Egyptian snakes.

33. [See: Theme]

38. Show contempt for: SNORT AT.

41. Carrot, e.g.: ROOT.

42. Ring bearer, perhaps?: EAR. Who else thought "wedding" 1st?

43. Alter, in a way: HEM.

44. Coastline feature: RIA.

45. "__ Fideles": ADESTE. Better known as the carol "O Come, All Ye Faithful." [Wikipedia]

47. Kibble maker: ALPO.

51. [See: Theme]

54. Onetime Nissan make: DATSUN. In college, DW & I had a used ('84?) Datsun Z for a few years. I can't recall if it was a 240 or a 280Z but many of the parts were stamped "Nissan."

56. Galoot: BIG APE.

57. Cartesian conclusion: I AM. Rene Descartes: "cogito, ergo sum" ("I think therefore I am"). I learned that from Monty Python, too ;-)

The Philosopher's Song - Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl

58. Needle holder: TONE ARM. On your [98a] SPINNER.

59. "C'est la vie": ALAS. "C'est la vie" is classier than "sh** happens."

60. Saint __ fire: ELMOS. St. Elmo's Fire is a weather phenomenon caused by a pointy object in an electrically charged atmosphere [WikiP] and a Brat Pack movie from the mid-'80's.

62. Brook fish: TROUT.

64. Casual attire: TEE.

65. [See: Theme]

70. Cry of realization: AHA.

73. Roos in pouches: JOEYS.

I'm fairly sure I was much
younger when I figured that out.

74. 1990s cardio workout system: TAE BO.

75. Third-longest river in Europe: URAL.

79. Summers on "Gilligan's Island": MARY ANN. Dawn Wells (Reno, NV) played the character from KS who won the Three Hour Tour via a lottery.

Dawn Wells as Mary Ann Summers

81. Las Vegas drama: CSI. Crime Scene Investigation. I don't think I've ever seen an episode.

82. Brand for competitive divers: SPEEDO.

Image, fortunately, not available.

84. Entice: ALLURE.

85. [See: Theme]

90. Ran off with: TOOK.

91. Bounces back: ECHOES.

92. Bounce house filler: AIR.

93. Ginger __: ALE. A soda flavor.

94. Uni ref. work: OED. Oxford English Dictionary.

97. Microbe: GERM.

98. Record player: SPINNER. While I've heard "spin some records," I've never heard a turntable called a spinner.

100. [See: Theme]

106. Whirlybird: HELO. I'm guessing Gary & Amy are looking for helicopter and not the opening command in RFC 821 - SMTP (Simple Mail Transport Protocol) § 3.5.

107. Feel poorly: AIL.

108. __ Goose vodka: GREY.

109. Cedar Point state: OHIO. The Internet tells me that Cedar Point is a Six Flags property on the shores of Lake Erie in Sandusky, Ohio.

111. Wall alternative: MOAT. Why not both?

Let's see if this meme clip works.

115. More clear, as a photo: SHARPER.

117. [See: Theme]

122. Small: COMPACT.

123. Back, on a boat: ASTERN.

124. Completely committed: IN DEEP.

125. Rubs with oil: ANOINTS.

126. Affixes in a scrapbook: PASTES.

127. Subatomic particles: BOSONS.

WikiP explains.

Down:

1. Breaks down in tears: SOBS.

2. Online help option: CHAT.

3. Pop singer Ora: RITA.

4. Heavily panned 1987 Beatty/Hoffman comedy: ISHTAR. I heard it was bad so didn't bother.

5. Rock & Roll Hall of Fame architect: PEI. If you look closely, it's a TONE ARM on a stack of SPINNERS.

More info here

6. Mark of perfection, at times: TEN. But these go to 11...

Obligatory clip

7. Sketch show that once starred John Candy, for short: SCTV. Second City [Toronto] TeleVision. So much talent -- John Candy, Joe Flaherty, Eugene Levy, Andrea Martin, Catherine O'Hara (who passed last week), Harold Ramis, Dave Thomas, Martin Short, Rick Moranis, et.al. -- came out of SCTV. Lorne Michaels could pick 'em even b/f SNL.

Having been a smoker, the bit about "golden arm" stuck with me.

8. Animals that can run up to 50 mph: HARES. Cheetahs didn't fit and they run 60+ mph.

9. Appropriate, as power: USURP.

10. Pewter metal: TIN.

11. Tats: INK.

12. Discouraging words: NOS. If you think it's a NO, don't ask 'til it's time for forgiveness (learnt that in the Army, I did :-))

13. Puerto __: RICAN.

14. Anaheim's county: ORANGE. Anaheim, CA is in Orange County. I don't know why I know this 'cuz I've never been there.

15. "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" actor John: BOYEGA.

16. Compass reading: ENE.

17. Repetitive musical composition: RONDO. Think Row, Row, Row Your Boat repeated over and over but started on three separate downbeats.

18. Properly pitched: TUNED.

19. Hearty dishes: STEWS.

24. Show up solo: GO STAG.

28. Mentions in a footnote: CITES.

31. Ribbon of fabric: STRIP.

32. "Common Sense" pamphleteer: PAINE. Thomas, the OG pamphleteer rabble rouser.

34. Assayers' stuff: ORES.

35. "The Joy of Painting" host Bob: ROSS. Pop & I would watch on PBS every Saturday.

36. Carry: TOTE.

37. Take the floor: ORATE.

38. Kingdom in what is now Yemen: SHEBA.

39. "On the Beach" author Shute: NEVIL.

40. Alpha's opposite: OMEGA. Greek to me.

45. Friend of d'Artagnan: ARAMIS. I'm thinking a Three Musketeers reference - Google says I'm right :-)

46. Evil fiend: DEMON.

48. Exam with an Argumentative Writing section: LSAT. Youngest passed hers and now has a semester of GWU Law under her belt.

49. 100%: PURE. My shower barsoap, Ivory, is touted as 99.44% pure.

50. "Put your wallet away": ON ME. Their treat.

52. Poet Ogden: NASH.

53. Humdinger: DILLY. Does anyone say this now? I'll tell Eldest; She'll bring it back to fashion.

54. Pederson who coached the Eagles to their first Super Bowl win: DOUG.

55. Penny-__: ANTE. FIL used to say this for anything unimportant.

58. Tuna tartare cut: TORO. Sushi!

60. Locale in a Steinbeck title: EDEN. Just a little East of, if I recall correctly.

61. Certain NCO: SGT.

62. Core argument: THESIS.

63. 1990s Israeli prime minister: RABIN.

66. Open a bit: AJAR. When is a door not a door? When it's a jar. Pop got me a Dad Joke of the Day calendar and now you must all suffer.

67. __ the wiser: NONE. Y'all really don't want the Dad Joke desk calendar.

68. Secret store: CACHE.

69. Sought damages: SUED.

70. Part of a Latin 101 conjugation: AMAT.

71. __ Top Creamery: HALO.

72. "The Good Dinosaur" dinosaur: ARLO. Google tells me Arlo is the protagonist in Disney's 2015 movie. An Alice's Restaurant or Motorcycle Song reference is more in my wheelhouse for ARLO.

76. Lear daughter: REGAN.

77. "Easy on Me" singer: ADELE.

78. Last one to cross the finish line: LOSER. How about the softer euphemism "didn't place"?

80. Klondike Gold Rush site: YUKON.

What would you do?

82. Run off with: SWIPE. Took [90a clecho], steal, rob, sometimes clued as 'take badly.'

83. Risk: PERIL.

85. "Mad Men" role for Elisabeth Moss: PEGGY.

86. "Happy Birthday" writer: ICER.

87. "Comin' __ the Rye": THRO. Robert Burns' 1784 poem.

88. Singer Perry: COMO.

89. Fuel guzzler: GAS HOG.

95. Omelet maker: EGG PAN.

96. Work behind the camera: DIRECT.

99. Wanderers: NOMADS.

Dion

100. Brutus co-conspirator: CASCA. He, too?

101. Casual lead-in to "I'm home": HI HON.

102. Memorable Texas mission: ALAMO. The first time I went to the Alamo was post-Basic AIT (Advanced Individual Training) at Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio in '88. The River Walk has grown a lot since then, but the core (and the Alamo) remains the same.

Remember the um, um, um...

103. "Botheration": NERTS.

104. "Haystacks" painter: MONET.

Haystacks

105. English county: SHIRE. The OED [94a] (subscription required, so this instead) will tell you that Sheriff comes from "Shire's Reeve" where reeve is an official steward.

110. Quaint hotels: INNS.

112. Black-and-white treat: OREO.

113. Arabian port: ADEN.

114. Cough syrup amts.: TSPS.

116. Upstate NY school: RPI. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy (Hi, IM!) New York.

117. 50 Cent piece?: RAP. 50 Cent, aka Curtis James Jackson III (born July 6, 1975), is a Rapper.

118. Letters on Megan Rapinoe's jersey: USA. Megan in a soccer player.

119. Some Windows systems: NTS. Windows NT / XP / Vista / 10 / 11 all have the same kernel base first developed for IBM's OS/2. I first worked with NT 3.1 & 3.5 on a DEC Alpha in the early '90's.

120. Chest protector: BIB.

121. "Painting To Be Stepped On" artist Yoko: ONO. Is there any other Yoko? Oh, there is (but not in crossword-world).

Painting To Be Stepped On [MOMA]

The Grid:

The Grid

WOs: DoTSUN - > DATSUN, rIB -> BIB
ESPs: ROBERTS, BOYEGA, ADESTE, RITA, ARAMIS, NEVIL, REGAN, PEGGY, ICEO, CASCA, ARLO (as clued) & probably other names.
Fav: SCTV brings back many fond memories.

Y'all have a great Sunday.
Cheers, -T

Sunday July 6, 2025 Gary Larson & Katie Hale

Theme: "Make a Long Story Short" - The last letter of each movie title is cut.  

23. Proposed network television schedule?: AIRPLANE.

25. Title for a tell-all about Cinderella's early social life?: OF MICE AND MEN.

39. Wise men bearing gifts of formula, onesies, and diapers?: PRACTICAL MAGIC.

71. "That guy prefers more formal greetings"?: HE'S JUST NOT THAT INTO YOU.

103. Horse-drawn carriages delivering Christmas trees?: CHARIOTS OF FIRE.

119. Norm for the dinosaur era?: JURASSIC PARK.

123. Edited version seen in theaters, and what six long answers in this puzzle need to match their clues?: FINAL CUT.

Super tight set. All well-known movies with the last letters deleted. Love the title.

I think this is first Sunday collab between Gary and Katie. Or maybe the very first between them. I've shown Gary's photo before. Below is a picture of Katie from Xword Info. She's based in London. 

Across:

1. Parking spot: LOT.

4. Curved paths: ARCS.

8. Visual multiplication tool: ARRAY.

13. Finishing touches on a letter?: SERIFS. The alphabet character. Not your sign-off.

19. Be in arrears: OWE.

20. Biblical sister of Rachel: LEAH.

21. Pinkish-purple: MAUVE. So many shades of mauve. We also have 111. Brownish-purple: PUCE.

22. Sweet liqueurs: CREMES.

27. Moore of "The Substance": DEMI.

28. Actor Michael: CERA.

30. Taj __: MAHAL.

31. Strong attraction, with "the": HOTS.

32. Wetland layer: PEAT.

34. Not so good in: POOR AT.

37. Genghis Khan follower: TATAR. Genghis Khan and the Mongol Empire are romanticized in this popular TV series.  

43. "Something To Talk About" singer: RAITT.

45. Want: HOPE FOR.

46. Align properly: EVEN UP.

48. Beach, in Portuguese: PRAIA. I only know PLAYA.

50. Project ending?: ILE. Projectile. 

51. Hershey rival: NESTLE.

54. Gaggle members: GEESE.

56. Filmmaker Spike: LEE.

57. Some nobles: LORDS.

60. Blunted blade: EPEE.

61. RR connection: STA.

62. Skirt that shows off ankle boots: MIDI.

63. Draft choice: IPA.

65. Monkeyshines: ANTICS.

69. Dish made with Arborio rice: RISOTTO. Creamy seafood risotto. 

76. Ships abroad: EXPORTS.

77. Hit the hay: RETIRE.

78. Office no.: TEL.

79. Front or spot: LOAN. Verb "Front".

80. Estadio "Rah!": OLE.

82. Lass: MISS.

84. Argentine prairie: PAMPA.

88. Succinct "I could go on": ETC.

89. Saw logs: SNORE.

91. Chaste: VESTAL. Learning moment for me.

93. Bit of static buildup: ION.

94. Sister's daughter: NIECE. And 117. Grandma's daughter: AUNT.

96. Gave faithfully?: TITHED. From the faithful.

98. Oil used in some hair products: COCONUT. And 109. Like butter ready for whipping: SOFT.

101. Actor Haim: COREY.

106. Metamorphosis stage: PUPAL.

108. More ridiculous: INANER.

110. Impersonates: APES.

112. River near Roswell: PECOS. 

114. Agitate: RILE.

116. Inserts for some noisy toys: AAAS.

125. National park in Maine: ACADIA. We have Voyageurs National Park. We also have 64 state parks.

126. Madeline Miller novel featuring Odysseus: CIRCE. 

127. Member of the onion family: LEEK.

128. Artist Yoko: ONO.

129. Begrudge: RESENT.

130. Custard apple kin: PAPAW. The big seeds have medicinal benefits.

131. Icelandic epic: EDDA.

132. Racing initials: STP.

Down:

1. Cargo: LOAD.

2. Toddler's scrape: OWIE.

3. Major essay: TERM PAPER.

4. __ in a day's work: ALL.

5. Spit take, e.g.: REACTION.

6. Riddler accessory: CANE.

7. Tenzing Norgay, for one: SHERPA. For Edmund Hillary. Sherpa Tenzing was born in Tibet.

8. Latin lover's verb: AMO.

9. WWII fliers: RAF.

10. Search haphazardly (through): RUMMAGE.

11. Taking to the skies: AVIATING.

12. "Blech": YECH.

13. Graduated, in math: SCALAR. Not SCALED. 

14. Directional ending: ERN.

15. Poison Ivy feature: RED HAIR. Capitalized Ivy. DC Comics character.

16. Vampire's power: IMMORTALITY. How can you kill it with a stake then?

17. Stocking stuffers: FEET.

18. Tax form IDs: SSNS.

24. Jigsaw unit: PIECE.

26. "Mangia!": EAT.

29. Letters in "You've Got Mail": AOL.

33. DOJ branch: ATF.

35. Brunch staple: OMELETTE. And 85. Bite-size Tex-Mex snacks: MINI TACOS.

36. Party with glow sticks: RAVE.

38. Gift wrapper's need: TAPE.

39. Punxsutawney weather forecaster: PHIL.

40. Foil-wrapped candy: ROLO.

41. Manitoba people: CREE.

42. Prompts to act now?: CUES. On a stage.

44. Connected with: TIED TO.

47. __ dish: PETRI.

49. Vowel quintet: A E I O U.

52. Attention __: SPAN.

53. Gist: TENOR.

55. Goody-goody: SAINT.

58. Pastrami on rye spread, perhaps: DIJON.

59. Goad: SPUR.

62. Simoleons: MOOLA.

64. __ Martin: British automaker: ASTON.

66. Wednesday's kin: ITT. Wednesday Addams. 

67. Added one's two cents: CHIMED IN.

68. Attire at Hindi weddings: SARIS.

70. Dance instruction: STEP.

71. Honorary Oscar winner Keller: HELEN. Didn't known this. Google shows that Helen Keller was given an honorary Oscar as inspiration for the movie "Helen Keller in Her Story",  a documentary about her life.

72. "The Best __ Marigold Hotel": EXOTIC.

73. Films like "Star Wars": SPACE OPERAS.

74. Letter-shaped track: T SLOT.

75. __ drive: TEST.

81. Actor Stonestreet: ERIC.

83. Biodegradable egg containers: SACS.

86. Do a sommelier's job: POUR.

87. Upfront stake: ANTE.

89. Ooze: SEEP.

90. Horn of Africa nation: ETHIOPIA.

91. Aloe __: VERA.

92. Turned left, maybe: LOOSENED. Love the clue. 

95. Tireless campaign: CRUSADE.

97. Dada pioneer: HANS ARP.

99. Fiscal VIP: CFO.

100. Ingredient in some raw dog food: OFFAL.

102. Tries to intimidate, as a Chihuahua might: YAPS AT.

104. Poetic preposition: O'ER.

105. Rum-soaked British dessert: TRIFLE.

107. Lahaina loop: LEI. Maui town. 

110. Open a bit: AJAR.

113. USSR, in Russia: CCCP. 

115. Committed perjury: LIED.

118. "Halt!": STOP.

120. __ bin: penalty box: SIN.

121. Classic TV brand: RCA.

122. London's __ Gardens: KEW.

124. Letters between names: AKA.

Happy 78th birthday to dear waseeley (Bill), our faithful Thursday Sherpa for many years.  So happy to see both him and Lemonade on the blog these days. 

 

 

 

Thank you for the sweet birthday messages and cards. I had a lovely day. I've been making progress. The swollen right ankle continues to bother me though. Will see the doctor in 2 weeks. Hope there's a solution to it.  

C.C.

Sunday June 15, 2025 Gary Larson & Amy Ensz

Theme: - "Living in the Past" - One word in each common phrase is replaced its past tense. 

22. Totally wild bibliography text?: LIT SOURCE. Light source. 

24. Number jammed in an adding machine printout?: STUCK FIGURE. Stick figure.

45. Drink to toast the Apollo 11 landing?: SHOT FOR THE MOON. Shoot for the moon.

66. Cowardly FBI agent?: CHICKEN FED. Chicken feed.

70. Indictment based on falsified evidence? : MADE-UP CASE. Makeup case. 

91. Skirmish at sea?: SPAT IN THE OCEAN. Spit in the ocean.

115. Ballroom pro who spent all of their cash on costumes?: BROKE DANCER. Break dancer.

119. Tossed some hairpieces?: THREW RUGS. Throw rugs.

66A is the only entry where the last word has the tense change. Fun entry/clue though. I did a similar theme ages ago for the WSJ. Used CHICKEN FED also. 

Gary and Amy's set is quite focused. They avoided bear/bore, see/saw where the nouns & verbs share no roots.

Across:

1. Guitar clamps: CAPOS. So happy for Splynter's new lifestyle.

6. Special __: OPS.

9. Jewish scholar: RABBI.

14. Omar of "House": EPPS.

18. Ticket category: ADULT.

19. Hard swing, in baseball slang: RIP.

20. Agree to take part: OPT IN.

21. French Revolution journalist: MARAT. Jean-Paul Marat, who's killed in his bathtub. 

26. Hidden: LATENT.

27. Nutrient-rich berry: ACAI.

29. Cornmeal dish: POLENTA. I grew up eating plain steamed corn buns. 

30. Former Nair competitor: NEET.

32. Laugh behind one's hand: SNICKER.

36. Paper purchase: REAM.

37. German pronoun: ICH. Wo in Chinese. Wo ai ni.

40. Swelter: ROAST.

43. Hillary Rodham __: CLINTON.

49. Sage and dill: HERBS.

53. Hard work: LABOR.

54. Jewelry for a piggie: TOE RING.

55. Private eye: GUMSHOE.

57. God, in the Torah: ADONAI. Hebrew for "My Lord".

59. Movie lines?: PLOTS. Oh story lines. 

60. "Not long now!": VERY SOON.

61. Machu Picchu builder: INCA.

63. "I have read and agree to the above terms and conditions," often: LIE. Chuckled at the clue. Yes.

64. Sardine containers: TINS.

65. In-app convos: DMS.

73. Hee-__: HAW.

74. Housekeeping staffer: MAID.

75. Place for pennies: JAR.

76. Do well in a comedy club: SLAY.

77. Longtime "Masterpiece Theatre" host Cooke: ALISTAIR. Feels like he should have been a Sir.

80. Sealy rival: SERTA.

82. Chronicles: ANNALS.

86. Some deodorants: ROLL-ONS.

87. Draw in: ATTRACT.

89. Metric weights: KILOS. Infusion again next Tuesday. The total dosage is based on my weight. 

90. Letter-shaped opening: T SLOT.

93. Tires out: WEARIES.

96. Indian tea region: ASSAM.

97. S&L investments: CDS.

98. "Right now!": ASAP.

101. Big squeeze: BEAR HUG.

103. __ bene: NOTA.

106. Totally committed: DEVOTED.

108. Three-piece suit garment: VEST.

111. Removable locks?: TOUPEE. Locks?= hair. Always.

121. Like plant-covered walls: IVIED.

122. "Arsenic and Old Lace" director: CAPRA (Frank)

123. Pro vote: YEA.

124. Some iPods: NANOS.

125. British puzzle pieces?: ZEDS. Just the letter Z.

126. About to cry: TEARY.

127. Final chapter: END.

128. Brief scrap: SET-TO.

Down:

1. Phone: CALL.

2. Sarah McLachlan hit: ADIA.

3. Stroke to hit par, often: PUTT. Putt for par. 

4. Pro Football Hall of Famer Merlin: OLSEN.

5. Avocado center: STONE.

6. Winner of eight consecutive Norris Trophies: ORR (Bobby). That's a record. Norris Trophy is awarded to the top defensive player. 

7. Typesetting unit: PICA.

8. Design detail, for short: SPEC.

9. Violin bow need: ROSIN.

10. Fitting: APT.

11. HVAC meas.: BTU.

12. Brand of 13-Down: BIC. 13. Writing implement: INK PEN.

14. "I can't wait!" feeling: EAGERNESS.

15. Cut back: PRUNE.

16. Medicare section: PART A.

17. Mirror fogger: STEAM.

21. Thousand thou: MIL.

23. In __: before birth: UTERO.

25. Military stronghold: FORT.

28. "Armageddon" threat: ASTEROID. An asteroid heading for Earth,

31. Material for a suit: TORT.

33. Toolbar symbols: ICONS.

34. Flow stopper: CLOG.

35. Close relations: KIN.

37. "Marge in Charge" writer Fisher: ISLA.

38. Neighbor of Sudan: CHAD.

39. __ bag: slouchy purse: HOBO.

41. Crowning: ATOP.

42. Ready to eat, as pistachios: SHELLED.

44. "Good heavens!": OH MY. Our whole neighborhood was super quiet yesterday. I live 2.2 miles miles away from the lawmaker's house. 

46. Drink with quinine: TONIC.

47. Open and honest: FRANK.

48. Tiny pest: MITE.

50. "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" spinoff: RHODA.

51. Prosperous periods: BOOMS.

52. Perceive: SENSE.

55. Pool contents: GENES.

56. Disney's "Poor Unfortunate Souls" singer: URSULA. "The Little Mermaid". Learning moment for me.

58. Who "cometh" in a Eugene O'Neill play: ICEMAN.

60. Reels post, for short: VID.

62. Diarist Nin: ANAIS.

64. Highlands designs: TARTANS. And 116. Edinburgh no: NAE.

66. Data display: CHART.

67. Angels' crowns: HALOS.

68. "Let me do it": I WILL.

69. Tree at a Christmas tree farm: FIR.

70. Suited king and queen, in pinochle: MARRIAGE.

71. Tonkatsu ingredient: PANKO.  Tonkatsu is pork cutlet. Often paired with shredded cabbage.

72. Sour sort: CYNIC.

75. Rocker Joan: JETT.

78. Sidewalk impediments: SLOWPOKES.

79. Gift bag, often: TOTE.

80. Hiding place: STASH.

81. Is theatrical: ACTS.

83. "Lawrence of Arabia" co-star Guinness: ALEC.

84. "Get a __ of this!": LOAD.

85. Tax prep figs.: SSNS.

87. Parrot: APER.

88. Holier-__-thou: THAN.

91. "Gimme Love" singer: SIA.

92. Be theatrical: EMOTE.

94. Still not ready to get up: ABED.

95. Hide text in a document: REDACT.

98. Commercial trade, briefly: AD BIZ.

99. Wait tables: SERVE.

100. Sidestep: AVOID.

102. Vitamin D source: UV RAY. I probably do not need to take vitamin D supplement during summer months. 

104. Dots on a map: TOWNS.

105. Surrounding glows: AURAE.

107. Danson of "A Man on the Inside": TED.

109. Eyelid problem: STYE.

110. Consequently: THEN.

112. Special teams responsibility: PUNT.

113. Awards acronym: EGOT.

114. Canadian gas company: ESSO.

117. Tax return pro: CPA.

118. Botch: ERR.

120. "So cool!": RAD.

C.C.

Sunday April 13, 2025 Gary Larson & Amy Ensz

Theme:"Made to Measure" - Common phrases are reinterpreted as if they're units of measurement.

23. Increments of time spent on an assembly line?: FACTORY SECONDS.

28. Units of weight equivalent to roughly seven times that of a human?: DOG POUNDS.

43. Percentages of alcohol in shipboard grog?: GALLEY PROOFS.

65. Units of force required to bite into a Mediterranean fruit?: FIG NEWTONS.

72. Volumes of topping poured over movie theater popcorn?: BUTTER CUPS.

93. Lengths to which some teenagers will go to procure fake IDs?: MINOR LEAGUES.

109. Areas of land bought and sold by savvy real estate investors?: WISE ACRES.

118. Thermometer readings at a major golf tournament? : MASTER'S DEGREES.

Chuckled at a few clues. Definitely some grin-worthy moments. The units of measurement are, of course, playfully repurposed from phrases that originally had nothing to do with actual measuring.

Gary Larson & Amy Ensz are a husband-and-wife team.  Can you imagine the wordplay flying around their home?

Across:

1. Limp Bizkit genre: RAP METAL. Nu metal band.

9. "Welcome to Hawaii!": ALOHA.

14. Without bias: JUSTLY.

20. "Maybe it's true": I GUESS SO.

21. Pitney's partner: BOWES.

22. Course absent at a dim sum or tapas restaurant: ENTREE. Generous portions at the dim sum place. We normally ordered 3 or 4 baskets then yakked for hours.

 

25. "Seinfeld" role for Julia: ELAINE.

26. Priceless?: FREE. Nice clue also.

27. Slightest: LEAST.

30. Get a bunch of: AMASS.

32. Viscount's superior: EARL.

33. Discombobulate: ABASH.

34. Capital that replaced Istanbul: ANKARA.

38. Paddock pace: TROT.

41. Spilled the beans: TOLD.

46. Washstand toppers: BASINS. 86. Wash up: LAVE.

50. Stunt performer Knievel: EVEL.

51. Swiss chocolate brand: LINDT.

52. Three-spot in a hand: TREY.

54. WWE wrestler __ "Freakin" Rollins: SETH. Unknown to me.

56. Went back and forth: SEESAWED.

59. Transitions: SEGUES.

61. "Whoopee!": YAHOO.

62. Feathery wrap: BOA.

63. D.C. baseball team: NATS.

64. "Heavens to Betsy": DEAR ME.

74. Divvies up: ALLOTS.

75. Like a phone in need of a charge: DEAD.

77. Fly catcher: WEB.

78. Pride members: LIONS.

79. Sent an emoji: TEXTED.

81. Italian dessert: TIRAMISU. Want some?

87. Tick off: LIST.

88. Bishop's agent: VICAR.

90. Seemingly forever: EONS. Been over 8 weeks since I took Methotrexate. Alas, no improvement yet. Sure hope there's some alternative when I see the RA doctor again on 4/23.

91. Hold back: DETAIN.

96. Origin: SEED.

98. World Cup cheers: OLES.

99. Chalkboard accessory: ERASER.

100. Persian potentates: SHAHS. Followed by 104. Many a Riyadh resident: ARAB.

106. Diving positions: TUCKS. Pike and tuck.

111. Condition: SHAPE.

113. Some PC ports: USBS.

117. Figure skating biopic: I TONYA. Played by Margot Robbie.

122. Chops finely: MINCES.

123. Mystery prize?: EDGAR. The Edgar Awards.

124. Eroding: EATING AT.

125. Knights' mounts: STEEDS.

126. Coffee order: LATTE.

127. Some sporty Pontiacs: TRANS AMS.

Down:

1. Song opening, often: RIFF.

2. Biology lab supply: AGAR.

3. Purple shade: PUCE.

4. Ration (out): METE.

5. Spanish "that": ESO.

6. Original Dungeons & Dragons co.: TSR. Short for Tactical Studies Rules.

7. Safe places: ASYLA. I dreamed of ICE agents visiting my house one night. 

8. Takes the count: LOSES.

9. Primer material: ABCS.

10. Spoils: LOOT.

11. Have possession of: OWN.

12. "__ Gabler": Ibsen play: HEDDA.

13. Classify: ASSORT.

14. Military vehicle: JEEP.

15. Vents: UNLOADS. Guess how much does it cost to change a Federal Pacific panel these days? $5K at least. I have to replace it if I want to sell the house, as it's regarded as a fire hazard. But I don't need to if I continue to live here. 

16. French cookware brand: STAUB. Pricey.

 

17. "Still da Baddest" artist: TRINA.

18. Advances: LENDS.

19. "Good grief": YEESH. 30. "__ you joking?": ARE. The panel!

24. Singer Sheena: EASTON.

29. Geography class spheres: GLOBES.

31. Kentucky Derby month: MAY.

32. Dark forest hypothesis subjs.: ETS.

34. Keeps in a cellar, perhaps: AGES.

35. Pews locale: NAVE.

36. "Castle and Sun" painter Paul: KLEE.

37. "__ Well That Ends Well": ALL'S.

39. Engine parts: RODS.

40. As a rule: OFTEN.

42. Nonprofessional: LAY.

44. Tennis skirt fold: PLEAT.

45. Clear (of): RID.

47. Oscar of "Dune": ISAAC.

48. Jacket named for an Indian prime minister: NEHRU.

49. Walk noisily: STOMP.

52. Ballet attire: TUTU.

53. Sabbath activity: REST.

55. Tilling tools: HOES.

57. Helps run a scam: ABETS.

58. Blows away: WOWS.

60. Make small talk: GAB.

61. __ Buena Island, California: YERBA.

64. Bambi, e.g.: DEER.

65. Pumpkin spice season: FALL. Lately I've been loving pumpkin millet congee. It soothes my stomach and brings me back to my childhood.

66. Trojan War saga: ILIAD.

67. Part of a fitting simile?: GLOVE. Fit like a glove.

68. Nine-piece band: NONET.

69. Poetic exaltations: ODES.

70. Call from a till: NEXT.

71. Did nothing: SAT.

73. Flower girl's dance move, perhaps: TWIRL.

76. Pitchfork wielder: DEVIL.

79. Quality of one who can't sing on pitch: TIN EAR.

80. Chow down: DINE.

81. 2022 Cate Blanchett drama: TAR. It's heavy.

82. Ginormous: MEGA.

83. Letters of debt: IOUS.

84. Old-fashioned blade: SNEE.

85. Space race initials: USSR.

87. Golf ball position: LIE.

89. One who shares the bill: CO-STAR.

92. Evaluated: ASSAYED.

93. Unruly group: MOB.

94. Sound of surprise: EEK.

95. Horace's "__ Poetica": ARS.

97. Multitool maker: DREMEL. We had this before.

100. Stays afloat: SWIMS. Been taking a break. Sure hope the ankle swelling goes away soon.

101. Water-skier's "Go!": HIT IT.

102. Collectively: AS ONE.

103. Thus: HENCE.

105. Carne __: ASADA. This looks delicious.

107. Unexpected sports outcome: UPSET.

108. Chest material: CEDAR.

110. Pop's Mama: CASS.

111. On the double: STAT.

112. "Take this!": HERE.

113. Banquet coffeepots: URNS.

114. Genesis creator: SEGA.

115. Skyscraper support: BEAM.

116. Fast fliers no longer flying, briefly: SSTS.

119. Title of a Beatles song?: SGT. Pepper!

120. Pilot's approx.: ETA.

121. __ rummy: GIN.

C.C.