Thursday, May 1, 2025, Michael B. Berg

 Theme:  Way back when ...

Constructor/Professor of Psychology Michael B. Berg remembers way back when he was working crossword puzzles to pass time during the pandemic, and a friend suggested he make his own.  Since then, his puzzles have appeared in the Boston Globe, the New York Times, and most importantly, the Los Angeles Times, where I believe this is his second appearance.  Take us back in memory, Michael!

The theme answers appear symmetrically in rows Across.  The theme clues and answers are:

19. Old school?: BOSTON LATIN.  The Boston Latin School is a public school in Boston, Massachusetts. It was established on April 23, 1635, making it the oldest existing school in the United States. 

29. Old story?: GILGAMESH.  Incredible that we had this in the puzzle last Sunday.  In the Epic of Gilgamesh, our hero defeats gods and monsters.  Witnessing the death of a friend, Gilgamesh seeks immortality, only to realize it is unattainable.

Gilgamesh

39. Old timer?: SUNDIAL.  Want to visit the largest sundial in the Western hemisphere?  That title is disputed, but one contender is in the center of Carefree, Arizona, where my mom lives.  Sundials are amazing to modern folks who were raised to rely on electric clocks.

Carefree sundial

48. Old guard?: BEEFEATER.

Tower of London guards AKA Beefeaters

57. Old flame?: BURNING BUSH.  We were just telling the story of the Exodus from Egypt at Passover.  The burning bush is where Moses got the call.

Moses and the burning bush

But enough living in the past!  Let's look at the rest of the clues and answers.

Across:

1. Beehive, for one: COIF.  When I was growing up, older girls and young women sported beehive hairdos.  "Coif" is short for "coiffure," a word for hairdo borrowed from French.

These updos from the 1960s look like beehives on the wearers' heads.

5. Pussy foot: PAW.

8. Contractor's bid: QUOTE.

13. Antarctic swimmer: ORCA.

14. "Present!": HERE.  Accepted responses to roll call in class.

15. Called balls and strikes: UMPED.  Here, UMP is a verb meaning to perform the duties of an umpire, and because the clue is in the past tense, so is UMPED.

16. "__ waiting long?": BEEN.  Something you might say when you've agreed to meet someone and find that they've arrived before you.

17. Years and years: AGES.

18. "That is ... ": I MEAN.

19. [Theme clue]

22. Intelligence org. founded by Truman: NSA.  President Harry Truman established the National Security Agency in 1952.  Almost a month ago, another President whose name also starts with T-r-u-m fired the Director of the NSA, General Timothy Haugh.

23. Oldest part of Notre-Dame de Paris: APSE.  Our most frequently appearing church section.

24. Oscar nods, briefly: NOMS.  I could not find many examples of NOMS for nominations. 

You'll have to settle for the Grammys.

26. Break down, as a sentence: PARSE.

29. [Theme clue]

34. __ of London: LLOYDS.  Lloyd's of London is not an insurance company; rather, Lloyd's is a corporate body governed by the Lloyd's Act of 1871 and subsequent Acts of Parliament. It operates as a marketplace within which financial backers come together to pool and spread risk. 

36. Word in some alumna updates: NÉE.  Née is French for "born." He was born = Il est né. She was born = Elle est née. We tend to see née referring to the ladies because they often change their names.  Sally Jones née Smith is Mrs. Jones now, but was born Sally Smith.  An alumna is a female graduate, and having née in an update might help you recognize an old classmate.

37. __ Domani wine: ECCO.  Ecco Domani is the brand of an Italian wine company selling in the United States, Canada, and Northern Europe, with marketing and distribution by E & J Gallo Winery. Founded in 1996, it reportedly produces the top imported Italian pinot grigio in the United States.  DNK. 

38. Comfy shoe brand: UGG.

Eldest daughter used to live in these.

39. [Theme clue]

42. Like cold, damp weather: RAW.  DH and I learned this expression when visiting Massachusetts in the winter.

43. Island home of Kahului Airport: MAUI.  Had to be Maui or Oahu, but visitors to Oahu fly to the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu.

45. Brand of flavored water: BAI.  Bai water starts with coffee fruit -- the fruit that surrounds the coffee bean -- and contains caffeine.  Another DNK for me.  Old school water is probably better for you.

46. High school for the T-Birds and the Pink Ladies: RYDELL.  I guessed (correctly) that this had to do with the musical movie Grease.  The filming location was Venice High School, near my good friend's house.

John Travolta in "Grease"

48. [Theme clue]

51. Wee bits: IOTAS.

52. Whispery YouTube genre, initially: ASMR.  An autonomous sensory meridian response is a tingling sensation that begins on the scalp and moves down the back of the neck and upper spine, accompanied by feelings of euphoria. It can be triggered by specific auditory stimuli. The term ASMR can also refer to the audiovisual media meant to evoke this phenomenon.  I thought tingling sensations and feelings of euphoria were DH's job!

53. Dangle: HANG.

55. Grab __: BAG.

57. [Theme clue]

63. "The Godfather" brother: FREDO.  Frederico "Fredo" Corleone is a fictional character in Mario Puzo's 1969 novel The Godfather. Fredo is portrayed by John Cazale in the film adaptations.

John Cazale as Fredo Corleone

65. Cousin's mom: AUNT.

66. French for "sword": ÉPÉE.

67. Penalties: FINES.

68. __ gin fizz: SLOE.  Sloe gin is a red British liqueur made with gin and blackthorn fruits (sloes), which are related to plums.  Add lemon juice, sugar, and club soda to make a sloe gin fizz.

69. Hon: DOLL.

70. Indulges fully: SATES.

71. End of a texter's request: PLS.  Please.

72. Onesie closer: SNAP. I am buying these again for a forthcoming grandchild.

Down:

1. Ty who had a .366 career batting average: COBB.  I knew that batter Ty was Cobb!  🥳🎉

2. Treat with a Post Malone limited edition version: OREO.  OK, I know our crossword treats are often Oreos, but Post Malone?  Post Malone is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, and actor, known for his blending of various genres including hip-hop, pop, R&B, trap, and country.  Oreo.com says "Post Malone Taste Twist OREO Cookies are sweet snacks featuring never-before-seen swirled creme in limited edition snack cookies inspired by Post Malone. Posty’s Swirled Salted Caramel and Shortbread Flavor Creme is sandwiched between a bottom Golden OREO wafer and a top OREO chocolate wafer embossed with one of nine unique designs."

Post Malone with his Oreos.
There ought to be a crossword version.

3. Frosts: ICES.

4. Tomi Adeyemi genre: FANTASY.  Her website says, "Named one of TIME magazine’s 100 Most Influential People, Tomi Adeyemi is a Hugo- and Nebula Award–winning writer, actress, and model based in New York, New York. After graduating from Harvard University with an honors degree in English literature, she wrote the groundbreaking, instant #1 New York Times-bestselling Legacy of Orïsha series, which includes Children of Blood and Bone, Children of Virtue and Vengeance, and Children of Anguish and Anarchy. Tomi’s trilogy is being developed into a feature film and has sold over 3 million copies around the world."  DNK.

Tomi Adeyemi

5. Pirate's prosthetic, perhaps: PEG LEG.

6. Gray __: AREA.

7. One direction: WEST.  That is one of the four directions, for sure!

8. Foodstuff known as "mother of all grains" to the Inca: QUINOA.  One of the few plant-based foods that provides all nine essential amino acids.

9. Hesitant murmur: UMM.

10. Poorly kept confidence: OPEN SECRET.

11. Genmaicha and matcha: TEAS.

12. Poet __ St. Vincent Millay: EDNA.  Edna St. Vincent Millay (1892-1950) was an American poet and playwright. A noted social figure and feminist in New York City during the Roaring Twenties, Millay won the 1923 Pulitzer Prize for Poetry and was awarded the Frost Medal for her lifetime contribution to American poetry.

Edna St. Vincent Millay

14. "Die Hard" villain Gruber: HANS.  Hans Gruber is the fictional villain of the 1988 movie Die Hard starring Bruce Willis.  Gruber was Alan Rickman's first film role.  DNK.

Alan Rickman as Hans Gruber

20. Slanted columns: OP-EDS.  An op-ed piece is so named because this type of column often appears opposite the editorial page in a newspaper. It usually represents the strong, informed, and focused opinion of the writer on an issue of relevance to a targeted audience.

21. Out of neutral: IN GEAR.

25. Cannes Mrs.: MME.  French abbreviation for Madame.

26. Perfectly vertical: PLUMB.

27. Diet for aquarium snails: ALGAE.

28. Double-crossing spy: ROGUE AGENT.

30. Like many Sundance entries: INDIE.  Sundance is an annual festival featuring independent (indie) films, produced outside the major studios.

31. Garland sometimes given as a graduation gift: LEI.

Leis are becoming common at graduations around the country.

32. Milan's La __: SCALA.  La Scala is a historic opera house in Milan, Italy.

33. Bays (at): HOWLS.

35. Legacy creator: SUBARU.

40. Singer __ King Cole: NAT.  Nat King Cole (1919 - 1965) was an American singer, jazz pianist, and actor. His career as a vocalist started in the late 1930s and spanned almost three decades.  He recorded over 100 songs that became hits on the pop charts.

Nat King Cole

41. Bluffing: LYING.

44. Conditionals: IFS.

47. Boxers' mats: DOG BEDS.

49. Decorate with a raised seal: EMBOSS.

50. Savanna herbivores: RHINOS.

54. Upfront stake: ANTE.

55. Chums with matching bracelets, perhaps: BFFS.  A BFF is a Best Friend Forever.  

56. Number of divas: ARIA.  An aria is a musical "number" sung by divas (female opera singers).

58. Woodworking tool: RASP.

59. __ and void: NULL.

60. Over: UPON.  Physically above and in contact with something:. He placed a cloth over (or upon) the table.

61. Actress Ward: SELA. Sela Ward's acting credits include TV shows like House, CSI: NY, and FBI, and movies including Gone Girl and Independence Day: Resurgence.

Sela Ward

62. Release before "Rubber Soul": HELP.  "Help" and "Rubber Soul" were albums released by the Beatles in 1965.  "Help" was the soundtrack to the 1965 movie of the same name.  "Rubber Soul" contained some of the same songs, and others as well, all original creations of the band.

64. Not quite the worst grade: DEE.

Here's the grid:

Did this puzzle remind you of the good old days?

Or was it contemporary enough to keep you on your toes?

NaomiZ

Tuesday, March 25, 2025 Michael B. Berg

Double Double, Boil and Trouble ...  Does food with a double name taste better?

17-Across. * Japanese hot-pot meal: SHABU SHABU.  Shabu-shabu is a Japanese hot pot dish featuring thinly sliced meat and vegetables boiled in water, served with dipping sauces, and cooked tableside, similar to fondue.  The name "shabu-shabu" means "swish-swish" in Japanese, referring to the sound of the ingredients being stirred in the pot.  Although I have never heard of Shabu Shabu, it sounds very similar to Chinese Hot Pot, which I have enjoyed.

26-Across. * French chocolate confection: BONBON.  Bonbon is a French chocolate candy which is round on top, flat at the bottom.  The outside shell is harder and made of chocolate, with few decorations. Inside is a softer filling.  I am familiar with Bonbons.

28-Across. * North African dish made with semolina: COUSCOUS.  Couscous is a traditional North African dish made small steamed granules of semolina that's typically steamed and served with stews or as a side dish.  It's a staple food in Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya and countries in the Middle East.  I am familiar with, and eaten, couscous.

48-Across. * Portuguese hot pepper sauce: PERI PERI.  The term "Peri Peri" refers to a type of chili pepper used in these sauces, originating from Portuguese-African culinary traditions, especially in Mozambique and Angola. The primary ingredient in these sauces is the Peri Peri chili, also known as the African bird's eye chili.  This is not a food I am familiar with.

50-Across. * Sichuan noodles: DAN DAN.  "Dan Dan" refers to Dan Dan Noodles, a spicy Sichuan noodle dish that translates to "carrying-pole noodles" because of the street vendors who once sold it from poles balanced on their shoulders.   I am not familiar with this dish.

And the unifier:

64. Event with two headliners, or a description of a restaurant check that includes any of the answers to the starred clues?: DOUBLE BILL.

I found today's puzzle had some extra crunch for a Tuesday.

Across:

1. Seven Sisters attendees, historically: WOMEN.  The Seven Sisters are a consortium of seven prestigious, historically women's colleges in the northeastern United States: Barnard, Bryn Mawr, Mount Holyoke, Smith, Vassar, Radcliffe, and Wellesley.  The Seven Sisters were formed in 1926 to address the difficulties in women's colleges faced in raising endowment money and to served as female counterparts to the male Ivy League colleges.  the name, Seven Sisters, refers to the Pleiades, a constellation of seven sisters from Greek mythology.  Barnard College is affiliated with Columbia University.  Vassar College became co-ed in 1969.  Radcliffe College merged with Harvard University in 1999.

6. A third of the UAE?: ARAB.  As in the United Arab Emirates.

10. Rock blasters: AMPS.

14. Fast Amtrak train: ACELA.  This train (or 49-Down) appears with some frequency in the puzzles.  //  68.-Across Philadelphia commuter org.: SEPTA.  The latter stands for SouthEastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority.  //  And 49-Down. 14-Across line: RAIL.

15. Song for a single voice: SOLO.

She should sing SOLO that no one can hear her.

16. Bruise: HURT.

19. Gobi Desert locale: ASIA.  The Gobi Desert is in northern China and southern Mongolia.  It's known for its dunes, mountains and rare animals such as snow leopards and Bactrian camels. The sand dunes are said to sing when the wind blows. Many dinosaur fossils have been found in the Gobi.

20. Hash brown base: POTATO.

21. Planet simulated by NASA on Mauna Loa: MARS.  Everything you wanted to know about Life on Mars while still on earth.

23. Brief "Spare me the details": TMI.  Textspeak for Too Much Information.

24. "Sorta": -ISH.  This i also becoming a crossword staple.

33. Bassoon cousin: OBOE.

34. Sleep lab study: APNEA.  Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by repeated pauses in breathing during sleep. These pauses, called apneas, can last for several seconds to minutes.

35. Subj. for a business major: ECON.  As in Economics.  This is becoming a crossword staple.

37. Like a swaddled baby: SNUG.

40. Window sticker: DECAL.

41. Pledge: VOW.

42. Grace under pressure: POISE.

43. Minor issue: SNAG.

44. Bit of good fortune: BOON.

45. One who is often on track?: RACER.

46. Nabe in L.A. and NYC: NOHO.  If you are in Los Angeles, the Neighborhood is North of Hollywood.  If you are in New York City, the neighborhood is North of Houston (Street).

52. Entered an election: RAN.

53. Medical pen prefix: EPI-.  Another crossword staple.

54. Antarctic floater: BERG.

57. Son of Daedalus: ICARUS.  He's Greek to me.  Icarus famous for his tragic death after flying too close to the sun on wax-and-feather wings, ignoring his father's warnings.

62. Baloney: LIES.  I think of the term Baloney as meaning more of foolishness than of lies.

66. Duty: TASK.

67. Crowd sound: ROAR.

69. Opposed to: ANTI.

70. JCC alternative: YMCA.  The Jewish Community Center might an alternative to the Young Men's Christian Association.

71. Kettle emanation: STEAM.

Down:

1. Ant-Man partner: WASP.  Comic super-heroes.

2. Diez menos dos: OCHO.  Spanish math.  10 - 2 = 8.

3. Charcuterie staple: MEAT.  Charcuterie is a branch of French cuisine devoted to prepared meat products, such as bacon, ham, sausage, terrines, galantines, ballotines, pâtés, and confit, primarily from pork.  It's really just a fancy word for cold cuts.

4. Idris of "The Wire": ELBA.  Idris Elba (né Idrissa Akuna Elba; b. Sept. 6, 1972) is a British actor who portrayed Stringer Bell in The Wire.

5. Like sextants and tide charts: NAUTICAL.

6. Bonfire residue: ASH.

7. Wander freely: ROAM.

8. Actress Jessica who co-founded The Honest Company: ALBA.  The Honest Company is known for its safe, eco-friendly products, particularly for babies.  The company was founded in 2012.  Jessica Alba (née Jessica Marie Alba; b. Apr. 28, 1981) was one of the co-founders.

9. Mint julep liquor: BOURBON.  Yummers!

10. "That's the answer!": AHA!

11. "How lovely for you": MUST BE NICE.  Said sarcastically.

12. Of the utmost quality: PRIMO.  This makes me think of Primo Levy (July 31, 1919 ~ Apr. 11, 1987), a Jewish-Italian chemist and Holocaust survivor.  He also wrote The Periodic Table, a collection of short stories based on elements in the periodic table.

13. Darken, as wood: STAIN.

18. Meh-worthy: SO-SO.  Another Double, but not a food.

22. Bawl: SOB.

25. Egg, in Ecuador: HUEVO.  More of today's Spanish lesson, but this time in the kitchen, not the math lab.

27. "Out of the question": NO SOAP.  I think of this as being an old-timey expression, although its origin is not clear.

28. Scoundrels: CADS.

29. Kick off: OPEN.

30. Most mysterious: UNCANNIEST.

31. Poseidon, for one: SEAGOD.

32. Rocky road serving: SCOOP.

36. Pet's human: OWNER.  It's actually the other way around.  The Pet is the human owner.

38. Library patron, e.g.: USER.   I couldn't live without my fabulous public library.

39. Mel B and Mel C bandmate: GERI.  Members of The Spice Girls.

42. Leia Organa title: PRINCESS.  Hand up if you knew Princess Leia's surname.

44. More than parched: BONE DRY.

47. Montreal NHLer, to fans: HAB.  The Montreal Canadiens, a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League, are also known as the "Habs", which is short for "Habitants".

50. Follower of Charlie?: DELTA.  Letters in the NATO Alphabet.

51. Bee-related: APIAN.

55. Word with bed or head: ROOM.  Anyone remember Max Headroom?

56. Tostada topping, briefly: GUAC.  Yummers!

58. Plan a getaway for, perhaps: ABET.

59. Malodorous: RIPE.

60. Skin and hair care chain: ULTA.

61. Shut loudly: SLAM.

63. Enjoy Vail: SKI.

65. Bikini top: BRA.

Here's the Grid:

חתולה