L.A.Times Crossword Corner: Kevin Curry

Jan 16, 2024

Tuesday, January 16, 2024 Kevin Curry

Remember When We Had Life Without Computers? The "start-up" of each theme answer is the name of a computer Tech company.

18-Across. South American home of many pink dolphins: AMAZON RIVER. About 10 years ago we took an expedition in the Peruvian Amazon. We saw several of these pink dolphins, but I was not able to take any good photos of them. It was exciting to see these creatures, though. This year, the Amazon has experienced from a severe drought and water levels are the lowest they have been in over 120 years.

24-Across. Scientific studies of pooled data: META ANALYSES.

40-Across. Diner dessert topped with a scoop: APPLE PIE À LA MODE.

52-Across. Bowlful of letter-shaped pasta: ALPHABET SOUP. According to Globaldata.com "Alphabet Inc (Alphabet), the holding company of Google, is a global technology company. It offers a wide range of products and platforms including Search, Google Maps, calendar, ads, Gmail, Google Play, Android, Google Cloud, Chrome, and YouTube."

And the unifier:

63-Across. New venture that may collaborate with Y Combinator, and what 18-, 24-, 40-, and 52-Across each literally has?: TECH START-UP. The "Start" of each theme answer it the name of a Tech company.

Across:

1. Ballplayer's hat: CAP.

4. Bygone Persian rulers: SHAHS.

9. Under: BELOW.

14. Baton Rouge sch.: LSU. Louisiana State University makes frequent guest appearances in the puzzles. We saw this school in last Tuesday's puzzle. Several of our regulars also have ties to this university. Geaux Tigers!

15. Certain Tuscan: PISAN. A citizen from Pisa. Rumor has it that this Tuscan city has a tower that leans.

16. Suspect's excuse: ALIBI.

17. Feel ill: AIL.

20. At one's leisure: IDLY.

22. More current: NEWER.

23. Potato spot: EYE.

28. "Don't believe the __": HYPE.

29. Make a mistake: SLIP UP.

33. Very small: WEE.

35. Healing ointment: SALVE.

39. Top of the line: A-ONE.

44. "Star Wars" heroine: LEIA. Princess Leia was portrayed by Carrie Fisher (née Carrie Frances Fisher; Oct. 21, 1956 ~ Dec. 27, 2016), who sadly died early at age 60. [Name # 1, fictional.]

45. Sing the praises of: EXTOL.

46. Snapchat snicker: LOL. Textspeak for Laughing Out Loud.

47. Court game: TENNIS.

50. "Knives Out" filmmaker Johnson: RIAN. Knives Out was a very funny movie. I generally don't keep up with filmmakers, however, so was not familiar with Johnson Rian (né Rian Craig Johnson; b. Dec. 17, 1973). Apparently, he also directed the 2017 film Star Wars: The Last Jedi, which was the last film of Carrie Fisher. [Name # 2.]

58. Grampa Simpson: ABE. His full name is Abraham Jebediah Simpson II, but he usually just goes by Grampa Simpson. [Name # 3, fictional.]

61. Feudal lord: LIEGE.

62. Fire truck item: HOSE.

67. "With all __ respect ... ": DUE.

68. "West Side Story" role for Rachel Zegler: MARIA. Rachel Zegler (b. May 2, 2001) starred in the 2021 adaptation of West Side Story, which is essentially an adaptation of Romeo and Juliet. [Name # 4.]

69. Sierra __, Africa: LEONE.

70. Place for a napkin or a cat: LAP.

71. Hit the books: STUDY.

72. Spanish mister: SEÑOR. Today's Spanish lesson.

73. Above-the-street rumblers: ELs.

Down:

1. Call one's own: CLAIM.

2. "All kidding __ ... ": ASIDE.

3. End a project due to lack of funding, say: PULL THE PIN. Pull the Plug seems a more common phrase. According to Quora: "The phrase 'pull the pin' has its origins in military terminology, specifically in reference to hand grenades. When a soldier is ready to throw a hand grenade, they must first pull the safety pin before releasing the grenade. Over time, the phrase "pull the pin" has been used more broadly to mean taking a decisive action or initiating a process that cannot be easily undone."

4. Place to take it easy: SPA.

5. He/__ pronouns: HIM.

6. Yoga posture: ASANA.

7. Witch __: astringent lotion: HAZEL. Everything you wanted to know about Witch hazel but didn't know to ask. [Name adjacent.]

8. Like some winter nights: SNOWY. I'm glad these snowy days are behind me. The northeast is getting a lot of snow this month.

9. Wooden wine container: BARREL.

10. Yale student: ELI.

11. Reside (in): LIVE.

12. Follow orders: OBEY.

13. Undercover agent's device: WIRE. The Wire was also the name of an HBO crime drama that ran in the early 2000s.

19. Loch __ monster: NESS.

21. "Great news!": YAY.

25. Altar area: APSE.

26. Half-moon tide: NEAP.

27. Former name of Thailand: SIAM.

30. Simple flotation device: POOL NOODLE.

31. Reverse: UNDO.

32. Kumquat coat: PEEL. I have a Kumquat tree in my backyard. We just eat the fruit, peel and all.

33. Poet Whitman: WALT. Walt Whitman (né Walter Whitman, Jr.; May 31, 1819 ~ Mar. 26, 1892) is considered by many scholars to be one of the most influential American poets. He was considered controversial in his time. He is probably best known for his poetry collection Leaves of Grass. [Name # 5.]

34. Fencer's blade: ÉPÉE. A crossword staple.

36. Untruth: LIE.

37. Irk: VEX.

38. Gulp down: EAT.

41. "Blue Banisters" singer-songwriter Del Rey: LANA. Lana Turner (née Julia Jean Turner; Feb. 8, 1921 ~ June 29, 1995) was the inspiration for this singer's stage name. Lana Del Rey's given name is Elizabeth Woolridge Grant (b. June 21, 1985). [Name # 6.]