Sunday March 1, 2026 Matt Revis & Katie Hale

 

Theme: "CELL DIVISION" - One word is inserted into a cellphone-related terms, breaking them apart and turning them into wacky new phrases.

22. Part of the hiring process for stenographers?: TOUCH TYPE SCREEN. Touch screen. 

36. Stage production about the lives of autoworkers?: CARMAKERS PLAY. CarPlay. 

47. Need for the queen of hearts to get past security?: FACE CARD ID. Face ID.

68. Picture-perfect brioche?: CAMERA READY ROLL. Camera roll. 

94. Escape capsules for rent?: AIRBNB PODS. AirPods.

102. Investigation into how E.T. got away?: PHONE HOME CASE. Phone case. 

Reveal: 

123. Silicon Valley game changers, or an alternate title for this puzzle: TECH DISRUPTIONS.

What a great title! 

The base phrases are all familiar cellphone terms, with a few distinctly iPhone: CarPlay, Face ID, and AirPods. Each term is "interrupted" by the insertion of an extra word. That added word isn't random of course. It pairs with the first word to form another common phrase.

Across:

1. Plant with edible sprouts: ALFALFA.

8. Bouldering spot: CLIFF. Also 19. Homes for the higher-ups?: AERIES. Nests that might well be found on a cliff. 
 
13. Kemper of "The Office": ELLIE. She played Erin Hannon.

18. Pointed beards: GOATEES.

21. Eerie haunted hayride sounds: MOANS.

24. Take illegally: USURP.

25. Brings together: UNITES.

26. Horror film subjects, maybe: EVILS.

27. Brit's bathroom: LOO.

29. Three-pointer: TREY. Basketball shot.

30. Supermodel Beckford: TYSON. I recognized his face but not his name. He's Jamaican-American model. Did you know that women earn much more than men in the modeling industry?

 

31. Blather on and on: PRATE.

32. Like some jeans: LOW-RISE.

34. Party hard: RAGE.

40. Wire service co.: UPI.

43. Chest muscle, briefly: PEC.

45. Swindle: CON.

46. Kitchen set: DINETTE.

52. Candy from a novelty dispenser: PEZ.

54. Waxy compound: STEROL. Wikipedia says sterols are a subgroup of the steroids

55. "Aida," for one: OPERA.

56. Sherbet serving: SCOOP.

58. Way in: DOOR.

60. PC maker: DELL.

61. Glossy fabrics: SATINS.

63. Antihistamine target, perhaps: WELT.

65. Fair-hiring org.: EEOC.

67. Overhead trains: ELS.

73. Make calls?: UMP. Balls/strikes calls.

76. Corporate symbol: LOGO.

77. "Eh, __ difference": SAME.

78. Fixes, as loose ends: TIES UP.

82. Stain on Santa's suit: SOOT.

84. King of cinema: KONG. 

86. Sound of impact: SPLAT.

89. Heavenly food: MANNA. Tasted like honey wafers. I could eat it daily for 40 years too. 

90. Bleak: MOROSE.

92. "__ we good?": ARE.

96. Word on some film awards: ACTRESS.  Jessie Buckley this year!

98. Clairvoyance, e.g.: ESP.

100. White lie: FIB.

101. Spam sender: BOT.

106. "Well, shoot!": RATS.

109. English noble title: BARONET.

110. Did a fall chore: RAKED.

112. Poetic feet: IAMBI.

116. Molt: SHED.

118. Armed conflict: WAR. 4. Greek goddess of 118-Across: ATHENA.

119. Do the dishes?: CATER. Literally. 

120. Release: UNMOOR.

121. Eagle's claw: TALON.

126. Back street: ALLEY.

127. More pale: ASHIER.

128. Stepped inside: ENTERED.

129. Silly one: GOOSE.

130. Razz: TEASE.

131. Whatsits: DOODADS.

Down:

1. Anguish: AGONY.

2. Name of many French kings: LOUIS.  Ludwig in German.

3. Consideration: FACTOR.

5. "We should!": LET'S.

6. Tina of "Only Murders in the Building": FEY.

7. According to: ASPER.

8. House in "Encanto": CASITA. Also appears in Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime show.

9. Ferrari Formula One driver Charles: LECLERC. Learning moment for me. He was born in Monte Carlo and has won eight Grands Prix.

10. Bargain basket items, for short: IRRS. Irregulars.

11. Old-timey "Darn you!": FIE.

12. "You doing all right?": FEEL OK.

13. Flightless Australian bird: EMU.

14. Slowed down: LOST SPEED.

15. Bay leaf source: LAUREL TREE. Can't survive the Minnesota winter.

16. Memo phrase: IN RE.

17. Best Championship Performance, e.g.: ESPY.

20. Covered in white, in a way: SNOWED.

22. Disapproving sound: TUT.

23. Storm rescue op: EVAC. Evacuation.

28. Potpourri ingredient: ORRIS ROOT. We had this before. 

31. House of Lords members: PEERS.

32. Like bowling alleys: LANED.

33. "__ that precious?": ISN'T.

35. College app datum: GPA.

37. Bucket partner: MOP.

38. Coral island: ATOLL.

39. Shouts: YELLS.

40. Sci-fi craft: UFOS.

41. Family nickname: PAPA. Baba in Chinese.

42. "Law & Order: SVU" co-star: ICE-T.

44. Atlanta-based govt. agency: CDC.

48. Actor Bana: ERIC. He played Hector in "Troy".

49. Lock setting: CANAL.

50. Sioux City state: IOWA.

51. Self-starters: DOERS.

53. Rapper of "KPop Demon Hunters": ZOEY. One more learning moment.

57. Court statements: PLEAS.

59. Above, poetically: OER.

62. Exceptionally attractive person, slangily: SMOKESHOW. Learned this slang from a previous LAT grid.

64. Bay on Florida's west coast: TAMPA.

66. Ascend: CLIMB.

69. Teamwork inhibitor: EGO.

70. Novelist Jaffe: RONA.

71. Cold cuts counter: DELI.

72. Jump: LEAP.

73. Graphic that typically has two insets: US MAP.

74. Sponge: MOOCH.

75. Mushroom that can be a burger: PORTOBELLO. 

79. Snooty one: SNOB.

80. Click a backward arrow, maybe: UNDO.

81. Erstwhile: PAST.

83. Twisters: TORNADOES.

85. Say hello to: GREET.

87. "Woof": ARF.

88. Car in a Beach Boys song: T BIRD.

91. Oracle: SEER.

93. F1 neighbor: ESC.

95. Org. with Bulls and Bucks: NBA.

97. Beethoven composition: SONATA.

99. St. Patrick's Day events: PARADES.

103. Least: MEREST.

104. Much political humor: SATIRE.

105. Scrapes (out): EKES.

107. Like some car windows: TINTED.

108. Wiley of "The Handmaid's Tale": SAMIRA.

111. Scored an own goal: ERRED.

113. Called on a dairy farm: MOOED.

114. Stocks partner: BONDS.

115. Org. with a big returns department: IRS.

116. Alone: STAG.

117. Nativity headgear: HALO.

119. Seed in some healthy smoothies: CHIA.

120. "What are you __?": UP TO.

122. Dec. 31: NYE.

124. Michael of "SNL": CHE.

125. Low Spanish number: UNO.

C.C.

Sunday Feburary 22, 2026 Doug Peterson

Theme: "SUPPLIES ARE LIMITED" -  Familiar phrases are re-imagined as literal office supply items in the specific setting described in each clue.

23. Writing tablet at a cleaning service?: SCOURING PAD.

29. Copier sheets at a French restaurant?: CREPE PAPER.

45. Writing implements at a biotech lab?: GENETIC MARKERS.

66. File holder at a music store?: ACCORDION FOLDER.

93. Metal fasteners at a culinary school?: KITCHEN STAPLES.

107. Adhesive roll at a watch factory?: TICKER TAPE.

117. Measuring device at a toy store?: PUPPET RULER.

Six entries follow a consistent pattern in which the final word is a common office supply item (PAD, PAPER, MARKERS, STAPLES, TAPE, RULER). ACCORDION FOLDER differs slightly in structure: instead of ending with the supply, the entire phrase is itself the office item. Does it also have a non-office meaning I'm not aware of?

   
Across:

1. Commotion: FUSS. And 25. Commotions: ADOS.

5. Hat for Carmen Sandiego: FEDORA.

11. "A Boy Named Sue" singer: CASH (Johnny)

15. Peppa and Petunia: PIGS.

19. Break __ song: INTO.

20. Resume business: RE-OPEN.

21. City northeast of Mauna Loa: HILO. 26. Coffee district west of 21-Across: KONA.

22. "I think I goofed": UH OH.

27. Castle tower: TURRET.

28. Highest part: TOP.

31. Foul territory?: STY. OK, disgusting "foul". 

32. Unspecified amount: SOME.

34. Self-satisfied: SMUG.

36. Spots for daith piercings: EARS. I didn't know the meaning of "daith": an ear piercing in the inner cartilage just above the earhole.

37. Antique photos: SEPIAS.

39. Research specialties: AREAS.

41. Catherine of "The Studio": O'HARA. A wonderful actress who passed away last month. 

49. Fight show for more than 30 years: WWE RAW.

50. Keep an eye on: OVERSEE.

51. New Mexico art hub: TAOS.

52. However, briefly: THO.

54. Succotash bean: LIMA. I grew some on our deck years ago. I had a small harvest.

55. Fishhook projection: BARB.

56. Buster: BUB.

57. Does in a forest: DEER.

58. Dragon's retreat: LAIR.

59. __ pale ale: INDIA.

61. "Grand Hotel" star Greta: GARBO.

63. Eurasian range: URALS.

65. Counterculture drug: LSD.

70. Bit of hair gel: DAB.

73. American Red Cross founder Barton: CLARA.

74. Old record players: HIFIS.

75. Blubbers: WEEPS.

79. "The Young and the Restless" actor Braeden: ERIC.

81. Beauty brand: OLAY.

82. "Don't lose any sleep over it," in a text: NBD. No Big Deal.

83. Colombian metropolis: CALI.

84. Overdo the praise: GUSH.

85. Sch. that retired Caleb Williams' No. 13: USC. He won the Heisman Trophy in 2022.

86. Fill completely: SATE.

88. Advil alternative: ASPIRIN.

91. "All __!": ABOARD.

96. Decaf brand: SANKA.

97. Part of an EGOT: OSCAR. 44. 97-Across, e.g.: AWARD.

98. Call it a day: RETIRE.

99. "Thunderstruck" band: AC/DC.

101. Nights of anticipation: EVES.

103. Have a chat: TALK.

104. "Groovy!": FAB.

111. French affirmation: OUI.

113. Gloomy Milne character: EEYORE.

115. Home of the NHL's Mammoth: UTAH. The Utah Mammoth and the Utah Jazz have the same owner.

116. Jedi who becomes a Force ghost in "Return of the Jedi": YODA.

119. Software test version: BETA.

120. __ fail: EPIC.

121. Chaperone: ESCORT.

122. "Mulan" voice actress __-Na Wen: MING. Mulan means "magnolia". 

123. "Praise be!": AMEN.

124. Place for curlers: RINK.

125. Texas congressman Joaquin: CASTRO.

126. Circus routines: ACTS.

Down:

1. Clenched hands: FISTS.

2. Not censored at all: UNCUT.

3. "Likely __!": STORY.

4. Whiskey cocktail: SOUR.

5. Chili-and-chips dish: FRITO PIE. 

6. Nightfall, poetically: EEN.

7. Iditarod crew: DOG TEAM.

8. Dirt on a campaign rival, briefly: OPPO. Opposition research.

9. Brings in: REAPS.

10. "... __ a bottle of rum": AND.

11. Juice box?: CHARGER. Power "juice".

12. Assistant: AIDE.

13. Spots for sledding: SLOPES.

14. Book before Joel: HOSEA.

15. Beadlike piece on a Hawaiian necklace: PUKA SHELL. Puka is "hole" in Hawaiian. 

16. Denny's rival: IHOP.

17. Vanished: GONE.

18. __-pei: wrinkly dog from China: SHAR.

24. Moves back to zero: RESETS.

29. Preserves in salt: CURES.

30. Clipper's front: PROW. Opposite STERN. 

33. Attic pests: MICE.

35. Powerful shark: MAKO.

37. Novak Djokovic's nation: SERBIA.

38. Middle of some long weekends: SATURDAY.

40. Orbiter smaller than a planet: ASTEROID. Also 49. Planet: WORLD.

42. Common typeface: ARIAL.

43. Director Harold: RAMIS. He directed "Caddyshack".

45. Mongolian desert: GOBI. Across northern China also. Inner Mongolia is an autonomous region in China. 

46. "Dear __ Hansen": EVAN.

47. Socially awkward type: NERD.

48. Talmudic scholar: RABBI.

53. Gets all better: HEALS.

56. Quarters on a base: BARRACKS.

57. Brew served at Moe's Tavern: DUFF BEER.

60. Clemson's athletic gp.: ACC.

61. Hockey scores: GOALS.

62. "That's really impressive!": OOH.

64. Work on "Project Runway," say: SEW.

67. Bringer of rain: CLOUD.

68. Third of a third: NINTH.

69. Chef's road map: RECIPE.

70. "Dancer Adjusting Her Slipper" artist: DEGAS. 77. Ballet bend: PLIE.

71. Oranjestad's country: ARUBA.

72. Animal on old nickels: BISON. This eBay seller wants $65K for this coin. 

76. Rapper __ Sweatshirt: EARL.

78. Transgressions: SINS.

80. Singer with the 1984 hit "I Feel for You": CHAKA KHAN.

86. Barrel component: STAVE.

87. Unit of forestland: ACRE.

88. "The Thin Man" dog: ASTA.

89. Spiky heel: STILETTO.

90. "Spider-Man" surname: PARKER.

92. Talladega event: RACE. Talladega Superspeedway. 

94. Sprain soother: ICE PACK.

95. Nasal cavity cleansing vessel: NETI POT.

97. Tentacled mollusks: OCTOPI. With garlic sprouts.

100. Salon appliance: DRYER.

102. "The March King": SOUSA.

104. __ acid: FOLIC. I take this every day to reduce the side effects of methotrexate. 

105. Isn't for you?: AREN'T.

106. Icy obstacles: BERGS.

107. Polka band horn: TUBA.

108. Individual thing: ITEM.

109. Actress Blanchett: CATE.

110. Score after deuce, at times: AD IN.

112. Market IDs: UPCS.

114. Sonoran Desert city: YUMA.

117. Torso muscle, for short: PEC.

118. Go wrong: ERR.

C.C.

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 Feburary 1, 2026 Katie Hale

 Theme: "EXTRA PADDING" - P is added to each common phrase. 

23. Jaunty coast-to-coast race?: CROSS-COUNTRY SKIP. Cross-country ski. 

39. Arizona running back's evasive maneuver?: CARDINAL SPIN. Cardinal sin.

58. Incomprehensible peace treaty?: A HARD PACT TO FOLLOW. A hard act to follow. 

80. "Sesame Street: Sing the Alphabet," perhaps?: BEST-SPELLING ALBUM. Best-selling album.

99. Painters who specialize in portraits of imps?: SCAMP ARTISTS. Scam artist.

120. "Better not throw a changeup"?: SCRATCH THAT PITCH. Scratch that itch.

You need to read the title as P-ADDING. Very clever. When I first glanced at the title, I thought the letters EXTRA were orderly added to each common phrase. 

A nice variety where P is added to the start, the end and the middle. You can't get free letter fill-ins.

Katie, Patti's assistant, is also a terrific constructor. She's been generous with her time and guidance to all constructors. 

Across:

1. Noise that repeats nine minutes after snoozing: ALARM. The default snooze interval is 9 minutes.

6. Home of the NWSL's Royals: UTAH. The National Women's Soccer League.

10. La __: Italian opera venue: SCALA.

15. Good spot to check for loose change: SOFA.

19. Red __: playground game: ROVER.

20. Bond villain with an underwater lair: DR NO.

21. Islamic dietary standard: HALAL. Opposite of haram.

22. Video game franchise set on ring-shaped worlds: HALO.

26. Shiraz's land: IRAN.

27. Attached with thread: SEWED ON.

28. Cassowary relative: EMU.

29. Tried something new: HAD A TASTE. Have you had hōjicha tea before?

31. Tic-__-toe: TAC.

32. Scrapping: AXING.

34. Legitimate: LICIT.

35. Relax completely: BLISS OUT.

44. "Good to go!": A-OK.

45. American short story writer Bret: HARTE.

47. Padre's hermana: TIA. Father's sister.

48. Shot administrator: NURSE.

49. Hosted, for short: MCED.

51. Skewed view: BIAS.

53. "Licorice Pizza" setting: ENCINO. LA area. 

57. "Close this program" key: ESC.

62. __ it up: YUK.

63. Beijing money: YUAN. Here's one Yuan. My dad's salary was 49 Yuan ($8) per month for a long while. I learned to take care of my clothes at an earlier age, as we didn't get new clothes until the Chinese New Year.

64. "Oh boy": MAN.

65. Midflight info: ALT.

66. "What difference __ it make?": DOES.

67. Tidy up: CLEAN.

69. Turned off?: WENT BAD. And  72. Gets even?: IRONS. Fun clues.

74. "__ she blows!": THAR.

75. Arriving soon: DUE.

77. Vegan milk choice: OAT. Grew up drinking soy milk. 

78. Years, in Italian: ANNI.

79. Bowl edge: RIM.

87. "Midsommar" director Aster: ARI.

88. Photoshop tool: ERASER.

89. Absence: LACK.

90. Time long past: YORE.

91. Latest fad: MANIA.

93. Year divs.: MOS.

95. Maldon and Himalayan pink: SALTS. Never tried Himalayan pink salt.

98. In the past: AGO.

104. Beef stroganoff, e.g.: MEAT STEW.

106. Romantasy novelist __ J. Maas: SARAH. She wrote the "Throne of Glass" series.

107. "__ been warned": YOU'VE.

109. Co. founder's second title, often: CEO. Not co-founder. Company founder.

110. Literary 1-Down: PLOT LINES. 1. Characters' journeys: ARCS.

114. Cocktail shaker noisemaker: ICE.

115. Tubes: TEEVEES.

119. Actor Liu: SIMU.

123. Blueprint detail: SPEC. This P is the only non-theme P in the grid. 

124. Rock opera by The Who: TOMMY.

125. Chemist's building block: ATOM.

126. __ de tigre: ceviche marinade: LECHE. Tiger's milk.  Google result: "Leche de Tigre is usually made using lime juice, sliced onion, chillies, salt, pepper and of course the wonderful juices of the fish it helps to marinate. It's sometimes served with the ceviche and sometimes in a separate glass." No milk is involved.

127. Totally flop: TANK.

128. Got going: AROSE.

129. Looks at: SEES.

130. Shared values: ETHOS.

Down:

2. Ancient tales: LORE.

3. Swear: AVOW.

4. Unplugs and plugs back in, say: RESETS.

5. Low-sodium seasoning brand: MRS DASH. I have this bottle.

6. Japanese noodle: UDON.

7. "Ur correct": TRU. Too lazy to add an E.

8. Additional wing: ANNEX.

9. Source of some political gaffes: HOT MIC.

10. A little short: SHY. And 11. Till filler: CASH.

12. Basic compound: ALKALI.

13. Stored up: LAID IN.

14. Fleecy camelid: ALPACA.

15. Acupressure massage: SHIATSU. Literally finger pressure. 

16. Couple of rowers: OARS.

17. London apartment: FLAT.

18. Primo: A ONE.

24. Brown shade: COCOA.

25. Cost: RUN AT.

30. Up to the moment: TIL NOW.

32. Story accessed by ladder, maybe: ATTIC.

33. Sorrow: GRIEF.

35. Iron Bowl team, familiarly: BAMA. Iron Bowl is the rivalry between Alabama Crimson Tide and Auburn Tigers.

36. Highlands water: LOCH.

37. Malm bed seller: IKEA.

38. __ Outfitters: URBAN.

40. "Pantheon" voice actor Paul: DANO.

41. Target, as for a con: PREY ON.

42. Magazine productions: ISSUES.

43. Bottle parts: NECKS.

46. Words on a Wonderland cake: EAT ME.

50. Wash day appliance: DRYER.

52. Superfan: STAN.

54. Covered (in): CLAD.

55. Sick: ILL.

56. Paying careful attention to: NOTING.

59. With 111-Down, "Illusion" singer: DUA. 111. See 59-Down: LIPA.

60. Insincerely aim to please: PANDER.

61. Using pointe shoes: ON TOE.

66. Fancy mat: DOILY.

67. French president before Sarkozy: CHIRAC. Jacques Chirac (1995-2007). Nicolas Sarkozy (2007–2012). 
 
68. Thin coating: LAMINA.

69. Preps, as a Slip 'N Slide: WETS.

70. Marble, for one: BALL.

71. Mercator projection book: ATLAS.

73. Vaccine molecule: RNA.

74. Amusement park rides: TRAMS.

76. Winners of the first FIFA Women's World Cup: USA. 1991. USA defeated Norway 2-1 in the final in Guangzhou. 

78. Maxi skirt terminus: ANKLE.

80. "Little help here": BE A PAL.

81. Not entirely: SEMI.

82. Like tedious text: PROSY.

83. Start of a classic boast: I CAME. I saw. I conquered.

84. Craft sometimes shaped like a swan: BOAT.

85. Strong impulse: URGE.

86. Mouser's call: MEOW.

92. "Little help here": I'M STUCK.

94. Showing no feelings: STOIC.

96. "Don't play," in music: TACET. Related to tacit.

97. Church topper: STEEPLE.

100. Record label launched by Clive Davis: ARISTA.

101. Deep hatred: RANCOR.

102. Dynamics prefix: THERMO.

103. "An example being ...?": SUCH AS.

105. Part of USSR: SOVIET.

108. Chevy sports car, for short: VETTE.

110. "Hey, can you keep a secret?": PSST.

112. Sign from above: OMEN.

113. __ Club: SAM'S.

115. Scots' bonnets: TAMS.

116. Make a nameplate, perhaps: ETCH.

117. Sound in an empty room: ECHO.

118. Patrick Swayze's "__ Like the Wind": SHE'S.

121. Sheridan of "Mud": TYE. He also starred "Ready Player One"

122. Garden tool: HOE.

C.C.