Sunday September 20, 2026 Emma Oxford

 

Theme:  "SOUND CHECK" -The last word of each familiar phrase takes on a new meaning when pronounced differently.

23A. "In the name of that rice wine we drank ages ago"?: FOR OLD TIME'S SAKE. Rice wine sake (sah-keh).

 

38A Bird that makes its home in trash receptacles?: DUMPSTER DOVE. The bird rather than the past tense dove.

  
63A. Business run by a bunch of hens?: CHICKEN COOP. Co-op.

73A. Swiped refills for a mechanical pencil?: TOOK THE LEAD.

96A. One who is always pointing at shooting stars?: METEOR SHOWER. Show-er, one who shows.

 
115A. Anesthetic for a noted Italian chemist?: AVOGADRO'S NUMBER. Numb-er, something that numbs.

17D. Musical instrument made off the coast of South America?: CHILEAN SEA BASS. Not the fish.

48D. Rips caused by large reptiles?: CROCODILE TEARS. 

The last word of each familiar phrase (except 63A) is reinterpreted as a heteronym, right? Same spelling, but a different pronunciation and meaning. I love the CHICKEN CO-OP and its clue.

I think this is our Emma Oxford. Very cool.

 Across:

1. Course most look forward to: DESSERT. Sweet clue!

8. Imposing construction: EDIFICE.

15. Supports: BACKS.

20. Unmasks: EXPOSES.

21. Brunch cocktails: MIMOSAS.

22. Not cool: UNHIP.

25. "Goosebumps" series writer: STINE (R. L.) The Stephen King of children's literature.

 

26. Remove adverbs and add punctuation, maybe: EDIT.

27. PlayStation maker: SONY.

28. __ Reader: UTNE.

29. Actress Swinton: TILDA.

30. Inventor Handler played by Rhea Perlman in "Barbie": RUTH. I didn't know that she invented the Barbie dolls.

31. "__ we good?": ARE.

32. Vexation: IRE.

33. Church perches: PEWS.

36. Moose kin: ELK.

37. NNW opposite: SSE.

41. Coastal inlets: BAYS.

42. Insta post: PIC.

43. Male turkey: TOM.

44. One of Paul's letters to the Ephesians?: EPSILON. The letter E in Ephesians. The Epistle to the Ephesians was written in Greek.
 
46. Herbal infusion from Peru: COCA TEA. Also 68. Chinese brew: CHA.

50. Rationalist's belief: DEISM.

53. Places to perch: ROOSTS.

56. Estate units: ACRES.

57. Sgt., e.g.: NCO.

59. Shoe designer Jimmy: CHOO. Same character as the Zhou in my name.

61. Pamper: DOTE ON.

62. Many August babies: LEOS.

66. IM pioneer: AOL.

67. Top card in a Broadway straight: ACE. A Broadway straight runs from ten to ace.

69. Frying need: OIL.

70. Pts. that often result in dances: TDS. Touchdown dance.

71. U.K. network: BBC.

72. Mattel game: UNO.

76. Julia of "The Addams Family": RAUL.

78. Simplified language: PIDGIN.

80. Wows: AWES.

81. Not just most: ALL.

82. Worth a second bite: TASTY.

83. Competed in the Figawi, say: SAILED. The Figawi is an annual sailing race from Hyannis to Nantucket. Learning moment for me.

84. Prefix with net or com, but not org: INTER.

86. "OK, got it": YES I SEE.

88. Tempts: LURES IN.

91. Fuel additive brand: STP. Scientifically Treated Petroleum.

93. Young fellow: LAD.

94. [Clears throat]: AHEM.

100. Take advantage of a bear market, perhaps: BUY.

103. Stomach: GUT.

104. "What You Need" band: INXS.

105. Kanga's kid: ROO.

106. Badger: NAG.

107. Figure in Norse mythology?: RUNE. "Figure" here means a written character or symbol.

108. Lies for, maybe: ABETS.

110. Forget about: OMIT.

112. Supermodel Banks: TYRA.

113. Incantation syllables: ABRA.

114. Fish with a big net: TRAWL.

118. New employee: HIREE.

119. Wright of "Black Panther": LETITIA. She played Shuri. 

120. Italian football powerhouse: AC MILAN.

121. Strong point: ASSET.

122. Rival one loves to hate: FRENEMY.

123. Sneaks: WEASELS.

Down:

1. Yields (to): DEFERS.

2. Book that tells the story of Moses: EXODUS.

3. Soft drink with a seasonal Winter Spiced Cranberry flavor: SPRITE. I've never had Sprite. 

4. Quaint truth: SOOTH.

5. Subj. for a non-native speaker: ESL.

6. Manicotti topping: RED SAUCE.

7. Abbr. on a weather map: T-STORM.

8. Posthumous award for Chadwick Boseman: EMMY.  Boseman won a posthumous 2022 Primetime Emmy for his voice performance as T'Challa in the animated series "What If...?"

9. Run out of power: DIE.

10. "Positive": I'M SURE.

11. Jodie with two Best Actress Oscars: FOSTER.

12. "Love __ Open Door": "Frozen" song: IS AN.

13. Treat on a stick: CAKE POP.

14. Jargon suffix: ESE.

15. Hits 22, perhaps: BUSTS. Blackjack.

16. Not in favor of: ANTI.

18. With gentleness: KINDLY.

19. Holds forth: SPEAKS.

24. Not up to the task: INEPT.

32. Online "I can relate": IT ME. As in "That's me".

34. Chargeable cars, briefly: EVS.

35. Goofballs: WEIRDOS.

38. Morse clicks: DITS.

39. "We have that in common": SO DO I.

40. "KPop __ Hunters": DEMON.

41. Italy's shape: BOOT.

42. Bel __ cheese: PAESE.

45. Circuit: LOOP.

46. Ore. neighbor: CAL.

47. Micronesia's region: OCEANIA.

49. Dried poblano: ANCHO.

51. Most disgusting: ICKIEST.

52. Seashore souvenir: SHELL.

54. Absolutely adorable: TOO CUTE.

55. 1975 TV debut, familiarly: SNL.

58. "Queen of Funk" Khan: CHAKA.

60. In base eight: OCTAL.

64. "Hallelujah" songwriter Leonard: COHEN. I love Jon Bon Jovi's version. 

65. "It's strange ... ": ODDLY.

68. Denounce: CONDEMN.

71. Challah feature: BRAID. These remind me of Chinese mahua.

72. FedEx competitor: UPS.

73. Part of a pricing plan: TIER.

74. Strong string: TWINE.

75. Soil: EARTH.

77. Soap ingredient: LYE.

79. In the doldrums: GLUM.

82. Bygone ruler: TSAR.

85. Canadian fuel giant: ESSO.

87. Class: ELEGANCE.

89. "On the Basis of __": Ginsburg biopic: SEX.

90. "We're done": IT'S OVER.

92. Miyazaki film about a goldfish who longs to be human: PONYO.

94. Kathryn's "WandaVision" role: AGATHA.

95. Fatal flaw in classic myths: HUBRIS.

97. Beginning: ORIGIN.

98. Turn: ROTATE.

99. Polish capital: WARSAW.

100. __ bath: BUBBLE.

101. Hard to believe: UNREAL.

102. Aches (for): YEARNS.

104. Archipelago unit: ISLET.

107. "Groundhog Day" director Harold: RAMIS. He also directed "Caddyshack".

109. Overly precious: TWEE.

111. Bit of dust: MOTE.

112. Printer part: TRAY.

115. Fuzzy 1980s sitcom character: ALF.

116. Low-lit: DIM.

117. Actress Thurman: UMA.

C.C.

Sunday September 13, 2026 Betsy Ochester & Andrew Gutelle

Theme:  "A.I. APPLICATIONS" - I is replaced by AI in each common phrase.

23. Concern over travel plans to Portland, Oregon?: THAT'S NOT MAINE. That's not mine.

39. Tumbler that needs a deep clean?: TAINTED GLASS. Tinted glass. 

45. Gets design help from an M.C. Escher-loving architect?: GOES STAIR CRAZY. Goes stir-crazy.

63. Warning about interns hired every spring?: BEWARE THE AIDES OF MARCH. Beware of the Ides of March. 

83. Talk into a pay hike?: GET A RAISE OUT OF. Get a rise out of.

91. Jewelry store section for May birthday gifts?: EMERALD AISLE. Emerald Isle. 

111. Was a complete disappointment as a nanny?: FAILED CHARGES. Filed charges.

So this isn't simply an A-addition theme. A is inserted immediately before an I in each phrase, turning I into AI. Great title.

Here's Brian's info on the two constructors from his recap of their last puzzle: "Betsy Ochester writes books for children, including over 100 published puzzle books. Andrew Gutelle is also a prolific children's author, with puzzle books among his many published titles. They have collaborated on a few of these books."

Congratulations on your first Sunday, Betsy and Andrew!

Across:

1. L'Oreal's Telescopic, e.g.: MASCARA. I don't wear mascaras. 

8. Stanley of "The Devil Wears Prada 2": TUCCI. Loved his "Big Night".

13. Beehive sound: HUM.

16. Short filmmaker?: CAM. Short indicates a "shortened" answer. Camera. 

19. Make like: ACT AS IF.

20. Tea region of India: ASSAM. Black tea.

21. Run: OPERATE.

25. Souvenir shop items: T SHIRTS. 11. Deliverer of 25-Across, at times: CANNON.

26. Align, as devices: SYNC.

27. Not all, but not none: SOME.

28. South Pacific nation now known as the Republic of Naoero: NAURU.  Very updated clue. On 6/26/2026, Nauru informed the UN that it had changed its official name to the Republic of Naoero.

30. Activewear brand: AVIA.

31. Helps with a job, say: ABETS.

33. Name on a stadium, often: SPONSOR.

35. Gumshoes: TECS. Detectives. 

36. Song that tells a story: BALLAD.

41. Leaning: ATILT.

42. Social app with a synagogue directory: JDATE.  Can't use "Dating app" as DATE is in the answer.

44. Italian six: SEI.

50. King with a golden touch: MIDAS.

55. Texting tech: SMS. Short Message Service.

56. Quarter: FOURTH.

57. Fire up, as an engine: REV.

58. Dress top: BODICE.

59. Mass. neighbor: CONN.

60. "Copy what I'm doing": LIKE ME.

62. High-end Italian shoe brand: TOD'S. Not named after anyone. It's simply a made-up name.

70. Actor Guinness: ALEC.

71. Takes by force: USURPS.

72. "Walkabout" director Nicolas: ROEG. He also directed "The Man Who Fell to Earth". 

73. Nicki Minaj genre: HIP-HOP. And 91. Moody 73-Across subgenre: EMO RAP.

75. Long of "Michael": NIA.

76. Loud weather event, briefly: T-STORM.

79. Sparky the Sun Devil's sch.: ASU.

82. Carried: TOTED.

86. Celestial body: ORB. 

89. Heart throb?: PULSE.  Great clue.

90. 101-level course: INTRO.

97. Generates a hard copy of: PRINTS.

98. MC alternative: AMEX. Mastercard.

99. Pro-am, for one: TOURNEY.

100. Last word: SAY-SO.

102. Maki roll wrap: NORI. Maki means "to roll".

103. Clue board areas: ROOMS.

104. Bit of reality: FACT.

105. "Blame It on the Bossa __": NOVA.

109. "The Firm" novelist: GRISHAM (John)

115. Pie crust pattern: LATTICE.

116. Get the knots out?: UNTIE.

117. "Erin Brockovich" Oscar winner: ROBERTS (Julia)

118. Shortish albums: EPS.

119. "Chopped" host Allen: TED.

120. Goes first: LEADS.

121. Three-syllable poetic foot: ANAPEST.  It consists of two unstressed syllables followed by a stressed one.

Down:

1. Yoga surfaces: MATS.

2. Sore: ACHY.

3. Comics icon Lee: STAN.

4. Jeers: CATCALLS.

5. Burro: ASS.

6. Ran the hose over, say: RINSED.

7. In development, quaintly: AFOOT.

8. Like pet dogs: TAME.

9. Katie Ledecky's Olympic team: Abbr.: USA. She'll win the the 1500-meter in 2028. 

10. Forensic drama franchise: CSI.

12. "To be clear ... ": I MEANT.

13. Dragsters: HOT RODS.

14. Sudden rise: UPSURGE.

15. So-so: MEH.

16. Sculpts: CARVES.

17. Some creepy stories: ATTICS. "Stories" as in levels, not tales.

18. Small plateaus: MESAS.

22. Vaquero's lasso: RIATA.

24. Co.'s protected symbols: TMS. Trademarks. 

29. Put into practice: USE.

32. Takes the place of: BATS FOR.

33. Louis Armstrong nickname: SATCH. Or Satchmo. Boomer loved "Good Morning, Vietnam" and  often imitated Armstrong's gravelly voice singing "What a Wonderful World."

34. Docking station: PIER.

36. Bases, in baseball slang: BAGS.

37. Tiny particle: ATOM.

38. "You made all of that up!": LIES.

39. Small fruit pie: TART.

40. Long ride, for short: LIMO.

42. Excursions: JAUNTS.

43. SSE or NNW: DIR.

46. Get in shape: TONE UP.

47. Extremely dry: ARID.

48. "The Wizard of Oz" farmhand: ZEKE. Cowardly Lion's Kansas counterpart. Played by Bert Lahr. 

49. First name in haute couture: YVES. 52. Last name in haute couture: DIOR.

51. Collar attachment: ID TAG.

53. "Highway to Hell" band: AC DC.

54. Meeting, casually: SESH.

58. Previously: BEFORE.

59. Private supply: CACHE.

60. Fleur-de-__: LIS.

61. Gloomy: MOROSE.

63. Thai currency: BAHT.

64. Pixar film featuring a supercomputer named Ooooo: ELIO.

65. Cried: WEPT.

66. Like museum paintings: HUNG.

67. Cedar Point lake: ERIE.

68. "Give yourself __ on the back!": A PAT.

69. Autobiographies: MEMOIRS.

74. Aroma: ODOR.

76. Sincerely: TRULY.

77. Prime Day event: SALE. There's another Prime Day next month.

78. Taylor Swift's "__ the Damn Season": TIS.

79. Memo abbr.: ATTN.

80. Kind: SORT.

81. Airborne mysteries: UFOS.

84. Church recess: APSE.

85. Local labor leader: UNION REP.

87. Daily grind: RAT RACE.

88. Opened, in a way: BLOOMED. I can't wait for my peonies to bloom next year. They were sulking this year. 

92. Deserves: MERITS.

93. Be real: EXIST.

94. Bert and Ernie, e.g.: DUO.

95. Carrying capacity: ARMFUL.

96. Ridiculously high-risk, as a scheme: INSANE.

97. Programming language with a reptilian name: PYTHON.

98. Hidden motive: ANGLE.

100. Gloomy: SAD.

101. West African capital: ACCRA. Capital of Ghana. Have any of you tried African chicken peanut stew? I thinks it's of Ghana origin. 

104. Membership dues, e.g.: FEES.

106. Nasty sort: OGRE.

107. Dog docs: VETS.

108. Little help?: ASST.

110. Billboard success: HIT.

112. "Give __ rest!": IT A.

113. Pot top: LID.

114. Legal org.: ABA.

C.C.

Sunday September 6, 2026 Katie Hale

Theme: "READ THE INSTRUCTIONS" - Each answer ends with something that's meant to be followed, and each clue is a literal example of it.

22. "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink," e.g.?: GUIDING PRINCIPLE.

32. "Oral contracts are binding," e.g.?: UNWRITTEN LAW.

50. "A new pope shall be chosen at a conclave," e.g.?: CARDINAL DIRECTION.

66. "The strike zone is between the chest and knees," e.g.?: BATTING PRACTICE.

87. "The ball must hit the cushion before dropping into the pocket," e.g.?: BANKING REGULATION.

102. "Chickens will be fed in the coop," e.g.?: PECKING ORDER.

119. "Wear sensible shoes and a lumbar support belt," e.g.?: LONG-STANDING RULE.

Every clue is a literal example of the second word in the answer, while the first word naturally fits that literal context. Very consistent set.

I wouldn't be surprised if the theme set required very little editing. Katie is an outstanding Sunday constructor as well as Patti's assistant.

The grid is also a model LAT Sunday: the total word count, black-square count, and number of three-letter entries all align with the style Patti has long favored.

Across:

1. Add some oomph to: AMP UP.

6. In good __: STEAD.

11. "The Marvels" director DaCosta: NIA. Didn't fare well in the box office.

14. Latch (onto): GLOM.

18. Speckled horses: ROANS.

19. Dodge: EVADE.

20. Zingy flavor: TANG.

21. "Sorry, I slipped": OOPS.

25. "Frozen" reindeer: SVEN.

26. "Come back __!": HERE.

27. See 91-Across: EAGLE. 91. With 27-Across, patriotic Muppet: SAM.

28. Like rum barrels: OAKEN.

29. Ms. Marvel, for one: HERO.

30. Fruity drink suffix: ADE.

35. Cause of a soccer ball bending midair: SIDE SPIN.

40. Vigor: ELAN.

41. Fish eggs: ROE.

42. Character who calls Homer "neighborino": NED. Flanders.

43. Romania neighbor: MOLDOVA.

45. Letters said while showing a badge: FBI.

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

55. Fall (over): TIP.

56. Et __: and others: ALIA.

57. Polite contraction: YES'M.

58. Castle protectors: MOATS.

59. Turn to rubble, briefly: DEMO. 81. 59-Across stuff: TNT.

60. Ancient land of the Fertile Crescent: ASSYRIA.

63. Scout leader?: GIRL. Girl Scout. Literal sense.  

64. NHL trophy namesake: NORRIS.

71. Significant amount of spots?: AD FEES. Ad spots on TV/radio.

74. Piglet moms: SOWS.

75. Drank daintily: HAD A SIP.

79. __-back: LAID.

80. Unsettling look: STARE.

82. Target of some laser therapy: SCAR.

85. City bond, for short: MUNI.

86. Birthplace of MLK: ATL.

92. Home security co.: ADT.

93. Malaysian fleet: AIR ASIA. One of Asia's largest low-cost airlines.

94. __ for tat: TIT.

95. Mexican lager: SOL.

97. AKB48 genre: J POP. AKB48 is Japan's best-selling idol group, with dozens of rotating members.

100. Miami Beach fair for gallerists and curators: ART BASEL.

107. Designer initials: YSL.

108. Former Yankee slugger, familiarly: A-ROD.

109. "That wasn't wholly true": I LIED.

110. Tennis star Naomi: OSAKA.

114. Airport pickup option: UBER.

118. Space City pro: STRO.  Short for Astro, Houston is nicknamed "Space City" because of NASA.

122. Coming-of-age story subject, often: TEEN.

123. Cheap, plastic camera type: LOMO.  Refers to the inexpensive film cameras associated with the lomography movement. Learning moment for me.

124. Curtain beam, often: I RAIL.

125. Agree to take part: OPT IN.

126. Latin 101 verb: ESSE.

127. Copy: APE.

128. Public affairs network: C-SPAN.

129. Source of wealth: ASSET.

Down:

1. Petulant cry: ARGH. And  2. Petulant look: MOUE.

3. Salt and pepper, e.g.: PAIR.

4. Like Dracula: UNDEAD.

5. Air pump meas.: PSI.

6. Super Monkey Ball developer: SEGA.

7. Rating for mild language, perhaps: TV PG.

8. Countess counterpart: EARL.

9. French farewell: ADIEU. Or "Salut".

10. Recliner room: DEN.

11. Part of a table setting: NAPKIN.

12. Shoreline feature: INLET.

13. Sales rep: AGENT.

14. "Gee, that seems unlikely": GOSH NO.

15. Treasure-y note?: LOVE LETTER. Cute clue.

16. __ glasses: OPERA.

17. Jen Psaki's network: MSNOW.

20. Dress-up box item: TIARA.

23. Liam of "The Naked Gun": NEESON.

24. Draped neckline: COWL.

31. Moore of "The Substance": DEMI.

33. Get close: NEAR.

34. "__ go bragh!": ERIN.

35. Shuts up tight: SEALS.

36. "Hijack" star Elba: IDRIS. Who do you think will be the next Bond?

37. Dabble in: PLAY AT.

38. Just hanging about: IDLE.

39. Dozes (off): NODS.

42. Sweet Sixteen org.: NCAA.

44. __ and vigor: VIM.

45. Toned: FIT.

46. Sarajevo's region: BOSNIA.

48. "Light My Candle" singer in 117-Down: MIMI. 117. Musical set in Alphabet City: RENT.

49. Long-term goals for some startups: IPOS.

51. Sleeper sofa: DAYBED.

52. Dubai leader: EMIR.

53. "Downton Abbey" countess: CORA. Cora Crawley.

54. Powdery mineral: TALC.

59. Imagined: DREAMT.

61. Issa of "Barbie": RAE.

62. "What a downer": IT'S SAD.

63. Rte. finder: GPS.

65. Anxiety-related med. condition: OCD. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.

67. Novelist Dinesen: ISAK.

68. Tuna roll wrap: NORI.

69. Singer Stefani: GWEN.

70. Force measured in newtons: THRUST.

71. Start of a lament: ALAS.

72. "Star Trek" android: DATA.

73. Movie soundtracks: FILM SCORES.

76. Family-friendly hotel room: SUITE.

77. How anchovies may be packed: IN OIL. I liked dried anchovies.

78. Guinness serving, often: PINT.

82. __ Lanka: SRI.

83. Michael of "Barbie": CERA.

84. Vegan thickener: AGAR.

87. Indonesian island: BALI.

88. Gawk: GAPE.

89. Tripoli resident: LIBYAN.

90. Small clock inserts: AAAS.

96. "And I'm finished": OK DONE. And  97. "Come along for the ride": JOIN ME.

98. Italian "You're welcome": PREGO.

99. Bet calculations: ODDS.

101. Drinks noisily: SLURPS.

102. Wasabi product: PASTE. You can find this brand in the Asian aisle at your local grocery store.

103. Some deco pieces: ERTES.

104. __ Wafers: NILLA.

105. Sludgy stuff: GLOOP.

106. Big cat sounds: ROARS.

111. Finger click: SNAP.

112. College basketball coach Barnes: ADIA. Head coach of the SMU Mustangs. Another learning moment for me.

113. Potter's oven: KILN.

115. Objections: BUTS.

116. Author Wiesel: ELIE.

120. Involuntary spasm: TIC.

121. Southwestern Indian state: GOA.

C.C.

Sunday, August 30, 2026 ~ Zhouqin Burnikel

"As PER Usual"

As PER C.C., it's Anon T subbing on this final August Sunday. September starts in two days and the weather will begin cooling off enough to get back to weekend biking and after work pickleball.

C.C. has provided us an Insert Three Letters puzzle that turns normal phrases into a A BIT of whimsy. Let's us play...

23. Bonus for never giving up?: PERSEVERANCE PAY. SEVERANCE PAY - your layoff package. The PERSERVERANCE PAY is what you keep getting to stay w/ the company that just laid off 20% of your team.

39. Big spender?: PRODIGAL PERSON. The parable of the PRODIGAL SON who was a spendthrift PERSON.

58. Device that might buzz during a night out?: SOCIAL BEEPER. A SOCIAL BEE lives in a colony. A BEEPER set to silent mode "buzzes" when it vibrates.

83. Elaborately embroidered falsehoods?: GRAND PERJURY. A GRAND JURY will indict a ham sandwich for PERJURY.

101. Green light for a lunar expedition?: MOON PERMISSION. This is my fav. JFK gave PERMISSION for the MOON MISSION at Houston's Rice University.
 

JFK's Moon Challenge

119. People who pack picnic lunches?: HAMPER OPERATORS. A picnic HAMPER is another name for a picnic basket and a HAM is an amateur radio OPERATOR.

32. Special offers at a body shop?: BUMPER DEALS. A BUM DEAL the car's BUMPER.

46. Gathering for chile lovers?: PEPPER RALLY. A PEP RALLY for PEPPERs.

Across:

1. Draw of a dim sum cart: AROMA.

Yum!

6. Space balls?: ORBS.

Another Mel Brooks Classic

10. "Sesame Street" basics: ABCS. I grew up on Sesame Street #GenX

14. Zipper alternative: SNAPS. Fasteners.

19. Mushroom with a pitted cap: MOREL.

Morel Mushrooms

20. Home of the Nazca Lines: PERU. I first read that as lions and was wondering which NCAA school I was looking for :-)

Nazca Lines

21. Coachella aesthetic: BOHO. I assume slang for bohemian.

22. Fit to eat, to Muslims: HALAL. Even if you're not Muslim, Halal Guys is yummy.

23. [See: Theme]

26. __ acid: AMINO.

27. Part of a play: SCENE. Act I, SCENE I opens with a dark and stormy night.  -Snoopy

28. Fusses over, with "on": DOTES.

29. Some contract negotiators: AGENTS.

30. Nursery arrival: BABY.

33. Win the heart of: ENAMOR.

35. Flight board stats: ETDS. Estimated Time of Departure.

37. Quick meeting?: SESH. Oy! Lazy for session. #KidsTheseDays

38. Actor Simu: LIU.
 

Simu Liu

39. [See: Theme]

42. Recliner part: ARM REST. I kept trying to think if there was a word for the lever on the side of a La-Z-Boy that wasn't, um, lever ;-)

44. Ibiza, por ejemplo: ISLA.

There it is.

45. Like draft beer: ON TAP. Anytime I visit a new town, I ask, "Do you have anything local ON TAP?"

47. Totally stoked: HYPED. ampED also fits.

48. UFO engineers: ETS. Extra Terrestrials fly Unidentified Aerial Phenomenon [né Unidentified Flying Objects].

50. Blue-roofed breakfast chain: IHOP. Née International House of Pancakes.

53. Symbol of resistance: OMEGA. Here's how big a nerd I am; I didn't even think uprisings, but went right to ohm.

56. Tick away: ELAPSE.

58. [See: Theme]

61. Kitchen cover-ups: APRONS. Cloche fits for the singular.

63. Just slightly: ABIT.

65. Disc golf obstacle: TREE.

66. Blueprint deet: SPEC.

67. Spearheaded: LED.

68. Actor Sheridan: TYE.

Tye Sheridan

70. Cause for a blessing: ACHOO. Gesundheit.

72. Key below ~: TAB. Hand up if you didn't even need to look at your keyboard.

74. Legal addendum?: ESE. Ha! Legalese - aka legal jargon.

75. Think piece?: IDEA. Oops, I had op-ed

77. "This Is Us" director Ken: OLIN.

Ken Olin

79. Trade show: EXPO.

81. Spoiled: MARRED.

83. [See: Theme]

86. "Buck-a-shuck" delicacy: OYSTER.

88. "Tropic Thunder" actor Nick: NOLTE. A very funny movie (R-LV) with a surprise in the credits.

Nolte is at 1:05

89. Gooey lump: GLOB.

90. Sock end: TOE.

91. Dining hall offerings: MEALS.

94. Swahili for "lion": SIMBA.

Simba is presented - Lion King

96. Washington Spirit player Morgan: ESME.

99. Mollusk often pan-seared: SCALLOP.

101. [See: Theme]

105. Baton Rouge sch.: LSU. Geaux Tigers!

106. Hip-hop's Salt-N-__: PEPA. Female rappers from the late '80's / early 90's.

109. Loads and loads: A TON.

110. Mean: INTEND.

111. Gave the once-over: EYED.

112. Virtual persona: AVATAR. Mine is a gray-shaded "-T" w/ the word "Anonymous" spelled out in the top crossbar.

114. Nonglossy lipstick option: MATTE. Non-glossy anything is MATTE. Or flat. Or eggshell. Or satin. Or, no, that's it... satin is when it starts getting a sheen. It all has to do with how much light is reflected by the (war) paint.

116. Blissful spots: EDENS.

118. Starbucks size: VENTI. I'm the grump that just asks for a large.

119. [See: Theme]

124. Fizzled out: ENDED.

125. Slushy treat: ICEE.

126. Singer India.__: ARIE.

127. Vibe: TENOR.

128. Great balls of fire: STARS.

129. Fuse together: MELD.

130. Give conditionally: LEND.

131. Canary feed: SEEDS.

Tweety popped his SEEDS

Down:

1. Electric violin hookup: AMP. Having AMP here nixes ampED at 47a.

2. Orange sushi topping: ROE.

Yummers!

3. Hockey great Bobby: ORR.

4. Like a bad breakup: MESSY.

5. Sir __ Guinness: ALEC.

6. Anxiety-reducing feature of some tests: OPEN NOTES.

7. Double-check, in a way: REREAD.

8. Garment once called a corselet-gorge: BRA.

9. Optical effects caused by ice crystals: SUNDOGS. A halo caused by the refraction of sunlight by ice crystals in the atmosphere. Sundogs typically appear as a pair of subtly colored patches of light, around 22° to the left and right of the Sun [WikiP].

Sundogs

10. Help in a burglary: ABET.

11. Girl who lost her sheep: BO PEEP.

12. Morally pure: CHASTE.

13. Vegan milk option: SOY. More like soy juice.

14. Deep carpet: SHAG.

15. Tells all: NAMES NAMES. Dirty rat!

16. Dress shape: A-LINE.

17. Trousers: PANTS.

18. Wade clumsily: SLOSH. I remember the joy of sloshing through puddles in my yellow goulashes. I didn't have to clean up the mess :-)

24. Zigs or zags: VEERS.

25. Color similar to salmon: CORAL. Turn in your man card if you can see the difference ;-)

29. Org.: ASSN.

30. Yawn-inducing: BLAH. Not Bore :-(

31. Light as can be: AIRY.

32. [See: Theme]

34. Nintendo virtual personae: MIIS. You create a Mii AVATAR on your Wii.

36. Bit of moisture: DROPLET.

39. Intellectual stickler: PEDANT. Well, actually... :-)

40. Secular: LAIC.

41. Great Plains people: OTOE.

43. Settle elsewhere, casually: RELO. RELOcate.

46. [See: Theme]

49. Nokcha or sencha: TEA.

51. __ fade: haircut with shaved sides: HI TOP.

Hi Top

52. Sculling tool: OAR.

54. Noisy migratory birds: GEESE.

55. Curved: ARCED.

57. Mil. mind game: PSYOP. Psychological Operation. Mess w/ the advisary's head.

58. [Not my error]: SIC.

59. None of the above: OTHER.

60. Smiles brightly: BEAMS.

61. Square up: ALIGN.

62. Pascal of "The Last of Us": PEDRO.

Vote for Pedro

64. Folk instrument: BANJO.

Steve Martin

69. Gracefully refined: ELEGANT. [See: Steve above]

71. Clearasil rival: OXY.

73. Gotham City hero: BATMAN.

76. Power source for a warp drive in "Star Trek": ANTIMATTER.

Spock mentions antimatter at 1:08

78. Offline, online: IRL. In Real Life aka Meat Space.

80. "Away from work" letters: OOO. Out Of Office. Could just be WFH that day #ThursdayCallback

82. Casting need: REEL.

84. Promotional sample: DEMO.

85. Lyft alternative: UBER. Rideshares.

87. "You got that right!": YES INDEED.

90. Take for a spin, perhaps: TEST. Do you scare the dealer a bit when you take a test drive? I want to see what the machine will do on a short on-ramp in Houston traffic :->

92. Come up short: LOSE.

93. Tater: SPUD. The Idaho tuber.

95. Hog with tusks: BOAR.

97. Strike down, biblically: SMITE. Old Testament had a lot of smote folks runnin' around.

98. Corundum, for one: MINERAL.

Corundum

100. Hackathon participant: CODER. Or just a hacker :-)

Defcon 34

102. Pulpy refuse: POMACE. Pomace, pumace, or marc is the solid remains of grapes, olives, or other fruit after pressing for juice or oil. It contains the skins, pulp, seeds, and stems of the fruit. [WikiP]

103. Molar cover: ENAMEL. Teeth.

104. Enter via cracks: SEEP IN.

106. Covers a lot of ground?: PAVES. Cute.

107. Special occasion: EVENT.

108. Bear in a bamboo forest: PANDA.

111. Lauder of cosmetics: ESTEE.

113. Lends a hand: AIDS. and ABETs?

115. Pranked with Charmin: TPED. Rollin' the trees.

117. D.C. ballplayers: NATS. The Washington Nationals.

119. "That's the guy!": HIM. Who, me?

120. Minecraft block: ORE.

121. Lowest sudoku number: ONE.

122. Casting need: ROD.

Everyone needs ROD Stewart in their movie, no?

123. Soon-to-be alums: SRS. Seniors ready to graduate get the ask for the alumni fund before getting their diploma. #TrueStory

The Grid:

The Grid

WOs: Bore -> BLAH, op-ed -> Idea
ESPs: SUNDOGS
Fav: OMEGA's clue

Y'all have a great Sunday!

Cheers, -T

Sunday August 23, 2026, Yijing Chen

Theme: "GENERATION X" - In each common phrase, a K sound becomes a KS sound, represented by the letter X.

23. Cowboy boots, saddles, etc.?: TEX SUPPORT. Tech support

25. Linen-lined outerwear?: FLAX JACKET. Flak jacket. 

35. Child's complaint to Father Time?: YOU MAKE ME SIX. You make me sick

57. "I need to install brighter lights later"?: BETTER LUX NEXT TIME. Better luck next time.

80. Common finds in a salmon smokehouse?: LOX, STOCK AND BARREL. Lock, stock and barrel.

97. Country known for its devotion to a General Mills cereal?: CHEX REPUBLIC. Czech Republic. 

114. Charon?: STYX FIGURE. Stick figure.

116. High-strung Latin ruler?: NERVOUS REX. Nervous wreck.

Even though the spellings vary (tech/tex, luck/lux, lock/lox, stick/styx), every transformation follows the same phonetic idea, so creative. 

Congratulations to Yijing Chen on a terrific LAT Sunday debut!

Across:

1. Purple or green herb: BASIL. Purple basil tastes just like the green variety.

6. Discovery org.: NASA. Space Shuttle Discovery.

10. "Bye-bye!": I'M OFF.

15. Electronic music duo __ Punk: DAFT. French duo.

19. Skybox setting: ARENA.

20. North __ Sea: Kazakh lake: ARAL.

21. Finnish tech giant: NOKIA. And  22. Finnish currency: EURO.

27. Feed adequately: SATE.

28. Drama produced in a recording studio: RADIO PLAY.

30. Birds associated with the Egyptian god Thoth: IBISES.

31. Part of BTW: THE.

33. South, south of the border: SUR. Opposite of "norte".

34. Broccoli part: STEM.

42. "So helpful!": WHAT A PAL.

46. Wee bits: IOTAS.

47. Backless slippers: MULES. 92. Wearing 47-Across, perhaps: SHOD.

48. "Pretentious? __?": MOI.

49. Roman moon goddess: LUNA. In Chinese, it's Chang'e. 

50. Get ready: PREP.

51. Entourage: POSSE.

52. Transparent layer in the eye: CORNEA.

55. Swine: PIG.

56. Unit of corn: EAR. Our church just held its annual Corn Fest. The corn was picked fresh that morning, then dipped in pure butter. I was thrilled that my puzzle attracted bids.

60. Reacted to a chill: SHIVERED.

62. Fragrant chain: LEI.

63. Unwanted giveaway?: SPOILER.

64. D-backs, in box scores: ARI. Arizona Diamondbacks. 

65. Not in favor: OPPOSED.

69. Printer supply: INK.

70. West Indies country also known as the "Island of Spice": GRENADA. Learning moment for me.

74. Produce, as an egg: LAY.

75. "Unfortunately, yes": AFRAID SO.

84. Mender's target: RIP.

85. Furisode sash: OBI.

86. Field with a trolley problem: ETHICS. The classic trolley problem.

The trolley problem presents a dilemma: is it preferable to pull the lever to divert the runaway trolley onto the side track with just one person?

87. Decided: OPTED.

88. Window shade: TINT.

89. Howler with four legs and teeth: WOLF. And 88. Cutter with four legs and teeth: TABLE SAW.

91. Having four sharps: INE.

92. Bad look: SNEER.

93. Start of a religious title: DALAI.

94. In hot water?: STEEPING. Fun clue.

99. Currency of Vietnam: DONG.

100. Kung __ tofu: PAO. Hi Splynter, make this dish.

101. Sargasso Sea fish: EEL.

102. Bert's favorite bird, on "Sesame Street": PIGEON.

105. Doozy: HUMDINGER.

110. Icelandic saga: EDDA.

118. Father: SIRE.

119. All fired up: EAGER.

120. "Can't argue with that": TRUE.

121. Comic-Con event: PANEL.

122. Name in a Chinese American dish: TSO'S.

123. Superhero who says, "For the honor of Grayskull!": SHE-RA. Princess of Power.

124. Some tennis shots: LOBS.

125. Gave one's word: SWORE.

Down:
 
1. Softball clubs: BATS.

2. Geographic region: AREA.

3. Exchange heated words?: SEXT.

4. Certain close-up: INSET MAP.

5. Cantopop star Andy: LAU.

6. Cabbage variety called "big white vegetable" in Chinese: NAPA. Exactly! In Chinese, napa cabbage is literally "big white vegetable," while bok choy is "small white vegetable."

7. Three-time AL MVP in the 2000s: A-ROD.

8. South Asian wrap: SARI.

9. Palo __, California: ALTO.

10. Mass arrival: INFLUX.

11. Grinding tooth: MOLAR.

12. "All right": OKAY.

13. Jam: FIX.

14. Dish served in a sizzling skillet: FAJITA.

15. __ point: DECIMAL.

16. Arctic seabirds: AUKS.

17. Available for a meeting: FREE.

18. Kiddos: TOTS.

24. Grade before grades, for short: PRE-K.

26. Lie for, say: ABET.

29. Trident-shaped letters: PSIS.

32. Possesses: HAS.

34. Waxes, maybe: SHINES.

35. "Holy cannoli!": YIPES.

36. Marine Corps cry: OORAH.

37. Ultrasound targets: UTERI.

38. Be theatrical: EMOTE.

39. Can't-miss activity: MUST DO.

40. Otherwise: ELSE.

41. Oracle: SEER.

42. Like favorite jeans: WORN. My favorite pair of jeans is 25 years old. No holes, perfect wash, perfect stretch.  

43. Schoolkid: PUPIL.

44. "One Piece" medium: ANIME.

45. Pilsner, for one: LAGER.

48. Pluck: MOXIE.

51. Green gem: PERIDOT. A green variety of the mineral olivine.

52. Stage signals: CUES.

53. Like last month's deals: EXPIRED.

54. Discordant, musically: ATONAL.

57. Badger: BERATE.

58. Fallingwater architect Frank __ Wright: LLOYD.

59. Polynesian carving: TIKI.

61. Converse rival: VANS.

66. Spot: PLACE.

67. Chef's collection: PANS.

68. Speedy fish: DARTER. A small freshwater fish related to perch.

70. Exhibits brilliance: GLOWS.

71. K9 of "Doctor Who," for one: ROBOT.

72. Cast out: EXILE.

73. Like post-marathon muscles: ACHING. 

76. French brother: FRERE. Mon frère. Ma sœur.

77. "This is not a __!": DRILL.

78. Exodus mount: SINAI.

79. Eye-related: OPTIC.

81. Mattress choice: KING.

82. Fillet's lack: BONE.

83. Peak: APEX.

90. Ships overnight, in a way: FEDEXES.

93. Expected: DUE.

95. [And it's gone!]: POOF.

96. Some belly buttons: INNIES.

97. GoPro product: CAMERA.

98. Spanish "but": PERO.

100. Less polluted: PURER.

102. Furtive "C'mere!": PSST.

103. "For real?": IT IS.

104. Greek wrap: GYRO.

105. Mammoth: HUGE.

106. Like some LAX flights: INTL.

107. Roman emperor after Claudius: NERO. Ruthless guy. He ordered the death of his mother.

108. Wormlike larva: GRUB.

109. Holiday precursors: EVES.

111. James Bond's first movie foe: DR NO.

112. Trail cam regular: DEER.

113. Soap Box Derby rod: AXLE.

115. Cry of exasperation: GAH.

117. __ and downs: UPS.

C.C.