Sunday June 21, 2026 Jeffrey Diton & Katie Hale

 Theme: "M&M'S" - Every theme entry is a well-known person whose initials are M.M.

22. The Duchess of Sussex: MEGHAN MARKLE.

41. Rebecca Pearson player on "This Is Us": MANDY MOORE.

43. Comedian whose podcast's final episode featured Barack Obama: MARC MARON.

64. Anthropologist who theorized that children learn by watching adults: MARGARET MEAD.

73. Oscar winner who gave her acceptance speech in ASL: MARLEE MATLIN.

95. Austin Powers portrayer: MIKE MYERS.

97. Actress who won a Tony and an Emmy for playing Peter Pan: MARY MARTIN.

118. Hall of Famer who holds the record for most World Series home runs: MICKEY MANTLE.

 

This is a very straightforward theme. Meghan Markle's debut in a major newspaper crossword. I was especially happy to see Marc Maron, whose long-running podcast often closed with the phrase "Boomer lives!"

 

This is also Jeffrey's first Sunday for the LAT. Congrats!

Across:

1. Record player?: DEEJAY. Great clue to start.

7. __ accompli: FAIT.

11. Swimwear top: BRA. We all wear swimsuits at our pool. The lady in front is Jan, who was a lifeguard for many years.

14. Secrecy doc: NDA. Non-Disclosure Agreement.

17. Wrap: ENROBE.

18. British unit of mass: TONNE. 21. British unit of length: METRE.

19. Singer Rawls: LOU.

20. Like a good handshake: FIRM.

24. Dines after 10, say: EATS LATE.

26. Go to press?: IRON.

27. B'way passes: TIX.

28. Stops talking about: LETS DROP. The topic.

30. Comedy routine: BIT.

31. Gradually stop nursing: WEAN.

33. Fix, as a pool cue: RE-TIP.

34. Shop online, say: ETAILER. Noun "shop".

36. Bolt down the track?: USAIN. His nickname is "Lightning Bolt". Beautiful family.

39. Numbered work: OPUS.

45. Griffith Observatory style: DECO.  The observatory opened in 1935, right in the heyday of Art Deco architecture.

46. Review that might go viral: PAN.

47. Strike: PICKET.

48. Typesetting unit: PICA.

50. Lucy's sitcom chum: ETHEL.Ethel Mertz.

52. "Fire away": ASK.

55. __-mo: SLO.

56. Valvoline rival: STP.

58. Establishment with teas and tabbies: CAT CAFE. The first cat cafés appeared in Asia before spreading around the world. 

60. Sunset dirección: OESTE. West in Spanish.

62. Fan sound: WHIRR.

66. __ latte: CHAI. Do you cold brew tea in the summer?

69. Pee Wee of baseball: REESE.

71. Quintet that occasionally becomes a sextet: AEIOU.

72. Milky Way maker: MARS. Not the planet but the confectionery giant.

76. Eleanor in a Beatles hit: RIGBY.

78. "You know the __": DRILL.

79. Hair band: ELASTIC.

81. Pic of Pinocchio: CEL. Traditional animated films were created by painting characters onto transparent cels.

82. One of Tarzan's adopted family: APE.

85. Irish actor Stephen: REA. "The Crying Game"

86. Academy student: CADET.

88. James of "Misery": CAAN.

90. Malia and Sasha, to Craig Robinson: NIECES. Brother of Michelle Obama. 

92. __ phrik: Thai chili sauce: NAM. Made from pounded chilies, garlic, shallots, and lime juice, and shrimp paste or fish sauce. Odd but very tasty dip for green mango slices.

93. Casual get-together: SESH.

101. Dog biscuit shape: BONE.

102. Green pasta sauce: PESTO.

103. Detail, as a bill: ITEMIZE.

104. South Asian pancakes: DOSAS.  Rice-and-lentil pancakes.

106. Not more: LESS.

108. Reply to a meme, perhaps: LOL.

109. "I'll just leave a message": NO ANSWER.

111. "I'm __ yours!": ALL.

112. "My bad!": OOPS.

116. 87-Down predator: ANACONDA. 87. Area with the world's largest rainforest: AMAZONIA. Fortunately, Minnesota's lakes are free of anacondas.

121. 32-country org.: NATO.

122. Apple platform: IOS.

123. With 89-Down, "Delta of Venus" writer: ANAIS. 89. See 123-Across: NIN.

124. Polynesian language: SAMOAN.

125. Relay part: LEG.

126. TV journalist Cabrera: ANA.

127. Geek (out): NERD.

128. Famous last words?: THE END. Aptly placed as the last entry.

Down:

1. Prefix with -tasse: DEMI.

2. Cabinet dept. with a sun on its seal: ENER.

3. Therefore: ERGO.

4. Film assassin played by Keanu Reeves: JOHN WICK.

5. Legal org.: ABA.

6. Busybody: YENTA.

7. Not against: FOR.

8. Spots for some bracelets: ANKLES.

9. Cove: INLET.

10. Start of a round: TEE TIME. Golf round.

11. Wasn't colorfast: BLED.

12. Laughed loudly: ROARED.

13. Option in some password managers: AUTO-TYPE.

14. Org. with Cowboys and Chiefs: NFL.

15. Devil, in Spanish: DIABLO. The author of "Juno" is Diablo Cody.

16. More stylized: ARTIER.

18. Burden: TAX.

23. Key word?: MINOR.

25. Musical based on "Monty Python and the Holy Grail": SPAMALOT.

29. Modernistic: SPACE AGE.

32. Tangle up: ENMESH.

33. Like an ancient alphabet: RUNIC.

35. Charged particle: ION.

36. Strike callers: UMPS.

37. Cruise (by): SAIL.

38. Not pizzicato: ARCO. With the bow.  In string music, pizzicato instructs players to pluck the strings with their fingers, while arco tells them to return to using the bow.

40. Dad: POP.

42. "The injustice!": NOT FAIR.

44. Wardrobe: ATTIRE.

45. Mining target: DATA. Data mining.

49. Bedouin mounts: CAMELS.

51. Like Superman: HEROIC.

52. Far from land: ASEA.

53. Take the lead: STAR.

54. Shoe brand founded by U.S. Rubber: KEDS. Didn't know this.

57. Program for some psych majors: PRE-MED.

59. Skulls: CRANIA.

61. "The Pitt" award: EMMY. Medical drama set in Pennsylvania.

62. Last words, often: WILL.

63. Most genuine: REALEST.

65. University of Oregon city: EUGENE.

66. Nav. officer: CMDR.

67. Fabulous loser?: HARE. Another fun clue.

68. Diva's big moment: ARIA.

70. Driver's licenses, e.g.: STATE IDS.

74. Chevy coupe with a cargo bed: EL CAMINO. 

75. Hankering: ITCH.

77. Goodyear fleet: BLIMPS.

80. Stealthy patterns, for short: CAMOS.

82. Fab: ACES.

83. Saucy: PERT.

84. Canadian gas brand: ESSO. The name comes from pronouncing the initials "S.O." for Standard Oil.

91. "Class, pay attention!": EYES ON ME.

92. MLB team in blue and orange: NYM. New York Mets.

94. Olaf, for one: SNOWMAN.

96. __ green: KELLY.

97. La Scala locale: MILAN.

98. Like music that's hard to sing along to: ATONAL.

99. Connect: RELATE.

100. Continue enjoying a book: READ ON.

101. Train lounge: BAR CAR.

105. Rive Gauche waters: SEINE. Left Bank. 

107. Horror film loc.: ELM ST.

110. Artemis II org.: NASA.

111. Two-time loser to DDE: AES. Adlai Stevenson lost presidential races to Dwight D. Eisenhower in both 1952 and 1956.

113. Great Plains tribe: OTOE.

114. Think ahead: PLAN.

115. Email action: SEND.

117. Gear tooth: COG.

119. Josh: KID.

120. Pleased sigh: AAH.

C.C.

Sunday, June 14, 2026 Zhouqin Burnikel

  IF YOU ASK ME...

CrossEyedDave here, fresh off my bout with a Noro-Virus. Our own CC asked me to write up her Sunday Spectacular at the last minute, and while I am glad to do it, I am still under the weather, and cranky to boot. Let's hope it doesn't show...

I say this because, while a very enjoyable puzzle, there were a few places that had me stumpted. Here is the grid with all my mistakes:

The black chevrons in the upper right of certain grid squares, is where I fat fingered typo's, or chose the wrong letter outright. I didn't have time to do it ink on dead tree sadly.

The red chevrons indicate where I hit the reveal button...

Which leads me to ask you a question: I am not sure to call this a DNF, (Did Not Finish) or a FIW (Finished It Wrong) as I did neither. Can anyone out there come up with a suitable abbreviation for:

I hit the reveal button when I should have given it more thought!

Oh well, Onward!

22 Across. Trick question?: COULD IT BE MAGIC?

The remote does sorta seem like magic...

53 Across. Good question?: IS THAT CORRECT?

87 Across. Gotcha question?: AM I BEING CLEAR?

112 Across. Leading question?: WHO'S IN CHARGE?

119 Across. Quick question?: ARE YOU IN A HURRY?

31 Down. Burning question?: IS THE STOVE ON?

Yes.. but...

42 Down. First question?: WHERE TO START?

Is everybody here? Are you ready? Ok let's go!

As you can clearly see, CC has cleverly made each answer revert back to the question.

Ok! Now onward...

Across:
1. Fellow student: PEER. A peer is a person who belongs to the same group as you in terms of age, social standing, rank, or abilities. (So why do the people in my Jury look like people you couldn't pay me to hang out with...)

5. Inner ears?: COBS.  (Cute.)

9. Wrap (up): SEW. Not end...

12. Braid: PLAIT. As a noun, it can also mean a fold or pleat in fabric. As a verb, it means to interweave or braid. 

17. Crowning point: ACME.

Acme as in high point, the Coyotes source of paraphernalia is not one of them...

18. Critter who snoozed and lost: HARE.

19. Shared intimacies, briefly: PDAS. Public Displays of Affection.

21. Impressionist Monet: CLAUDE. (Name #1)

22. [Theme]

25. Take care of: HANDLE.

26. Forever and ever: EONS.

27. [Theme]

29. Cheese in some bagels: ASIAGO.  Ew, scallion cream cheese for me please...

32. Catch: SPY. Or espy... (but that could be misinterpreted as an award...)

34. Don vestments: ENROBE. (How did my neighbors pajamas get in this puzzle?)

35. Fuzz on a rock: MOSS.

We guitarists could also misinterpret this...

36. Mountain climber: SKI LIFT. Some might say this is not a twurd, (2 word answer) but the only other way to write it is with a hyphen. Ski-lift.

40. Biggest holiday in Vietnam: TET. Lunar New Year! Celebrating the arrival of Spring!🎆

41. Quaint contraction: TWAS. Now that's how you avoid the dreaded "twurd..."

45. Started a fresh pot: ANTED. Poker, not coffee...

47. Get on in years: AGE.

48. Sleeve: ARM.

50. Bakery serving slices: PIE SHOP. Now this one almost had me asking CC if this was a typo! But just as I was about to email, the V8 can came whistling in! It's not the serving slice sizes, it's about the bakery!

52. "Pass": NAH.  (I hit reveal one this one, because I thought, "Nah!" That can't be right...)

53. [Theme]

57. Historical period: ERA.

58. Bridal boutique array: DRESSES. This one flummoxed me, I was thinking flowers, like a corsage...

60. Group with Mind Games competitions: MENSA.

61. Needs some ice, perhaps: HURTS.

63. Corporate title abbr.: ASST. Assistant.

64. Take offense to: RESENT.

67. Put two and two together: ADD.

69. Late bedtime hr.: ONE AM.

70. Feline with a striped coat: TABBY CAT.

72. Watch a friend's monstera, say: PLANT SIT.

Doesn't seem monstrous to me...

74. Ring-shaped island: ATOLL.

76. Buy high and sell low, e.g.: ERR. This is another one that fooled me, because I didn't read it right. You might say I erred...

77. Double-cross: BETRAY.

78. Lady Justice's garb: TOGA. Not robe?

There have been many depictions, and many do not look like togas or robes.

So if this one fooled you, give yourself a break...

81. Flood barrier: LEVEE. See taco flight 110 for the miracle landing on a levee!

Even more miraculous was how they flew it off the levee again, when it was supposed to be too short to land on!

82. Take out of a sack: UNBAG.

84. Checks for fit: TRIES ON.

86. Intense anger: IRE.

87. (Theme]

92. Rummage sale label: TAG.

93. Picturesque caves: GROTTOS.

95. Julius Erving, to fans: DR J. (Basketball.) ( name #2)

96. Hi-__ photo: RES. High resolution.

97. Wee: SMALL.

99. Billionth: Pref.: NANO.

100. West of old Hollywood: MAE. (Name #3)

Are ya happy to see me? Or is that a gun in your pocket?

102. Museum guides: DOCENTS. A docent is a knowledgeable guide or lecturer, typically a trained volunteer in a museum, art gallery, or zoo, who explains exhibits and educates visitors. The term derives from the Latin docere, meaning "to teach".

105. "Songversation" singer India.__: ARIE. Name #4, and I overloaded my photo files. So now the Cloud is saying I have to pay money...  you will have to look her up yourself, I'm broke...

106. Accordion features: PLEATS.

109. Replayed tennis serve: LET. I put Ace first, which would you rather rewatch...
 
110. Repeats verbatim: QUOTES.

112. [Theme]

117. Harbor fleet: TUGS.

This beloved story from my youth got me fascinated with tugboats for the rest of my life...

118. Dish with bubbling broth: HOT POT.

119. [Theme]

125. Vidalia bulbs: ONIONS.

126. Within reach: NEAR.

127. X-rated material: SMUT. (No photo...)

128. Clever notion: IDEA.

129. Crop threats: PESTS.

130. Cap'n Jazz genre: EMO. Sort of name #5?

131. Pointillism marks: DOTS.

132. Corkboard pin: TACK. All my cork boards have had pushpins. Thumbtacks are too dangerous...

Down:
1. Campaign funding org.: PAC. All you ever wanted to know...

2. __ mode: hybrid setting: ECO. Ah,! Economy mode, as in cars! I couldn't figure out the hybrid reference until now... gas/electric...

3. Ostrich's shorter cousin: EMU. Shorter than an Emu would be a Rhea...

4. Drop, as an album: RELEASE. (Music talk.)

5. Casual slacks: CHINOS. The Origin: Originally designed for military use in the 19th century, the pants are believed to take their name from the Spanish word for "Chinese" due to the fabric's origins in China.

6. Grains in a crumble: OATS.

7. Texter's "Gimme a sec": BRB. Be Right Back.

8. "Understand?": SEE.

9. Bridge distance: SPAN.

10. Provocative: EDGY.

11. Forgo: WAIVE.

12. Backup strategy: PLAN B.

13. Stickers in glucose monitoring kits: LANCETS. Ouch!

14. Automaker headquartered in Ingolstadt: AUDI.

15. Inactive: IDLE.

16. Shirts with slogans: TEES.

20. Barely sufficient: SCANT.

21. Like a kitchen during the dinner rush: CHAOTIC.

23. Obedience school attendee: DOG.

24. "Allow me": MAY I.

28. French kin of a dosa: CREPE.

29. "Mamma Mia!" star Seyfried: AMANDA. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯  Name #6

30. Submarine trackers: SONARS.

31. [Theme]

32. Weary sound: SIGH. Something I do every time I have to post a pic of a name I don't know...

33. Entreaty: PLEA. No more names, please?

37. "Gnarly" and "Gabriela" girl group: KATSEYE. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ name #7. (@##$&%) um, sorry, sigh...

38. Diamond side: FACET.

39. "__: Ares": TRON. Is this two names?!?! Splynter! I need a word for this!

42. [Theme]

43. Major artery: AORTA.

44. Involuntary twitch: SPASM.

46. Bad-mouth: DIS. Disrespect.

49. Mrs. Pepper's partner on "Blue's Clues": MRSALT. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Name #8.

51. Community spirit: ETHOS. From the Greek, meaning character.

54. Tesla, for one: SERB. Name #9. His Wiki

55. Leonardo's group, for short: TMNT. This was below the belt. Who in their right mind would know that this name #9 refers to The Mutant Ninja Turtles!  Read The Three Musketeers and get your mind out of the Sewer!  (Um, i'm not feeling good, remember?)

56. Storm tracker: RADAR.

59. Like week-old mantou: STALE. Hmm,  you can't make up for TMNJ with delicious looking food when I have a stomach bug! (And it's stale no Less!)

62. Join forces: UNITE.

65. Wash vigorously: SCRUB.

66. Merited: EARNED.

68. Genealogy research aid: DNA TEST.

71. Sound sheepish?: BLEAT.😀 ok, that's a good one...

72. Simon of "Hot Fuzz": PEGG. Name #10

You may know him as Scotty in later Star Trek movies.

I must ask DW what streaming service we are using this month, as it is not free on YouTube...

73. Banks on many covers: TYRA.  Name #11

I'm not complaining mind you...

74. Make straight: ALIGN.

75. __ cotta: TERRA. You know, flower pot containers etc...

77. Bluegrass strings: BANJO.

79. Water polo shot stopper: GOALIE. Interesting choice of clue...

80. Right features of every square: ANGLES. Can't argue with that...

83. Frequent flier?: BIRD.😀

85. Org. with complex schedules: IRS. Infernal Revenuers...

88. Brief periods of time: MOMENTS.

89. Calculus pioneer Newton: ISAAC. Name #12, I'll post a pic when he gets a Sports Illustrated Cover...

90. First Nations people of Canada: CREE. There are over 630 1st nation governments in Canada.

91. Season that begins on Ash Wednesday: LENT.

94. Leader's position: TOP SPOT.

98. Outfit sometimes worn by Xi Jinping: MAO SUIT. No name in the answer, but he still needs a sports illustrated cover to get a pic...

101. Slater of "Wicked": ETHAN. 

Name #13

103. "Pinocchio" goldfish: CLEO. 

Name #14

104. Exercises that work quads and glutes: SQUATS.

107. Penn State's Nittany __: LIONS. All you ever wanted to know...

108. Bridal wear in Bangladesh: SAREE. 

111. "How gross!": UGH. (Placed inappropriately below Saree, above...)

112. Strike forcefully: WHOP. (They don't even use this in Marvel comics...)

113. Sharpen, as skills: HONE. 

Yes, it definitely takes skill...

114. Soul icon Redding: OTIS. Name #15

115. Stack of paper: REAM.

116. Greek dish similar to shawarma: GYRO.

Shawarma

117. Threaded fastener: T Nut

Not what I thought it was...

120. Capital of Amer.: USD. U.S Dollar.

121. Texter's qualifier: IMO. In My Opinion.

122. Nutrition fig.: RDA. Recommend Daily Allowance.

123. Suggestion, casually: REC. Recommendation.

124. Tibetan source of butter: YAK.

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask in the comments section.

CE:D out 

/ᐠ - ˕ -マ

Sunday June 7, 2026 Ricky J. Sirois

Theme: "FIVE STARS" - Each phrase that starts with a synonym of "excellent" is rephrased as a glowing review of the work/product/performance associated with people/group/place in the clue. 

23. Glowing review for a groundskeeper's work?: FLAWLESS DIAMOND.

41. Glowing review for a preprandial prayer?: AMAZING GRACE.

60. Glowing review for a wrestling team?: PERFECT MATCHES.

69. Glowing review for a cheerleading squad?: GREAT PYRAMIDS.

81. Glowing review for a purchase from a vintage music store?: SPOTLESS RECORD.

96. Glowing review for a bootlegger?: AWESOME SAUCE.

120. Glowing review for a chairmaker?: FIRST-CLASS SEATS.

The cluing is the key in this type of theme. I especially enjoyed the playful imagery of a chairmaker earning praise for FIRST CLASS SEATS and a bootlegger being complimented for AWESOME SAUCE. A fun, consistently executed set.

Across:

1. Boxer's attire: ROBE.

5. Cries and cries: SOBS. Valerie's cat ran away then found his way back home. 

9. Stretched to the limit: TAUT.

13. Implant: EMBED.

18. Took a hatchet to: AXED.

19. Freckles, e.g.: TRAIT.

21. Sch. in Sin City: UNLV. Located just east of the Las Vegas Strip. 

22. Disney film with the song "Shiny": MOANA. Sung by Tamatoa (Jemaine Clement).

26. Nickname for the NFL's Chargers: BOLTS.

27. Like modern microchips vis-à-vis those of the past: TINIER.

28. "Physician, __ thyself": HEAL.

29. Digital painting?: NAIL ART. 61. Turning points for ballerinas?: TOES.  Fantastic clues.

31. Mooched: SPONGED.

33. Oil barrel: DRUM.

35. Repeated word in the unofficial USPS motto: NOR.

36. Owned: HAD.

39. Tennis great Björn: BORG.

45. Hasbro's "game of unspeakable fun": TABOO.

49. Stretch that may be named for a music genre: ERA. The Swing Era, e.g.

51. Ready to serve: RIPE.

52. Moves like lava: OOZES.

53. Grande of "Wicked: For Good": ARIANA.

55. Show stoppers?: ADS.

57. Tangle: SNARL.

59. Chocolate confection: BARK. Chocolate bark. 

63. Arab rulers: EMIRS.

65. Odds and __: ENDS.

66. Star on a Christmas tree, often: TOPPER.

67. French bread: PAIN. Pane in Italian. Pan in Spanish.

68. Dorm VIPs: RAS.

73. Loops in via email: CCS.

76. Caustic cleaners: LYES.

77. Far from rude: POLITE. 

78. Solo at the Met: ARIA.

79. Decorative pillow covers: SHAMS.

85. Garage: SHOP. I've had two weeks of weed-free days. Amazing. The HOA finally came hard on that renter in 5505. Sometimes he smoked a storm in his garage.

86. Welcome at the door: SEE IN.

88. Result of a foul bunt with two strikes: OUT.

89. World's largest subtropical desert: SAHARA.

90. Become overwhelmed: PANIC. 111. "Just be calm ... ": BREATHE. 

92. Bouquet holder: VASE.

93. Rooibos, for one: TEA.

95. "Does that make sense?": GET IT.

100. Money in Oman: RIAL. RIEL is the Cambodian currency.

102. Tricksy: SLY.

103. Coq au __: VIN.

104. Nespresso inserts: PODS.

106. Library receipt info: DUE DATE.

115. Younger Gallagher brother: LIAM.  Younger brother of Noel Gallagher.

117. Sugar substitute: STEVIA.

118. Indigenous people of Nunavut: INUIT.

123. Metaphorical spot for the undecided: FENCE. On the fence.

124. "This can't be good ... ": UH OH.

125. George of the original "Star Trek": TAKEI.

126. Highway sign unit: MILE.

127. "What a pity": SO SAD.

128. Ditch: LOSE.

129. Nod off: DOZE.

130. Vehicle pulled by huskies: SLED.

Down:

1. Simple flotation devices: RAFTS.

2. Primrose variety: OXLIP. Lovely. 

3. Digestive aid brand: BEANO.

4. Gold medal hurdler Moses: EDWIN.

5. Playing both sides?: STEREO. Left side speaker & right side speaker.

6. Med. theaters: ORS.

7. Wingding: BASH.

8. Stood (with): SIDED. 

9. Tot's belly: TUM.

10. By and by, quaintly: ANON.

11. Radius neighbor: ULNA.

12. Heat-and-serve option: TV DINNER.

13. Targeted trade ban: EMBARGO.

14. Tie up to a pier: MOOR.

15. One of the Magi: BALTHAZAR. The other two are Caspar & Melchior. 

16. Sinus specialist, briefly: ENT.

17. Court figs.: DAS.

20. Prom queen's headgear: TIARA.

24. Femur, for one: LEG BONE.

25. Last year's sr.: ALUM.

30. Run-of-the-mill object?: LOG. A log can indeed be run through a sawmill.

32. Famous "Dr." from Compton: DRE.

34. Wetland: MARSH.

37. Some Taiwanese laptops: ACERS.

38. Home office need: DESK.

40. Pop's pop: GRAMPA.

42. Fan pub: ZINE.

43. Some high-ABV brews: IPAS. ABV stands for Alcohol by Volume. 

44. Williams of "Good Will Hunting": ROBIN.

45. Narrow: TAPER.

46. Sports center: ARENA.

47. Aviary inhabitants: BIRDS.

48. Lummoxes: OAFS.

50. Take from page to screen: ADAPT. And 54. Word on some Oscars: ACTRESS.

56. One foot forward: STEP.

58. Chairs: LEADERS.

62. Underground vault: CRYPT.

64. Start to behave?: MIS. Misbehave. 

67. Avocado centers: PITS.

69. Press room?: GYM. Bench press.

70. Candy wrapped in gold foil: ROLO.

71. Language from which "Alaska" is derived: ALEUT. Google AI says Alaska derives from the Aleut (Unangax) word alaxsxaq (or alaxsxix), meaning "mainland" or "great land."

72. Houseplant sprayer: MISTER.

73. Zagreb resident: CROAT.

74. Wispy clouds: CIRRI.

75. Nobel Peace Prize honoree Anwar: SADAT.

76. __ lazuli: LAPIS.

78. Yearn (for): ACHE.

79. Wrapped garment: SHAWL.

80. Glazed treats from Hostess or Little Debbie: HONEY BUNS.

81. Vast expanses: SEAS.

82. Fibonacci's birthplace: PISA.

83. Get the better of: ONE UP.

84. Aerie newborns: EAGLETS.

85. Pampering places: SPAS.

87. Action-packed: EVENTFUL.

91. Highly sought-after: COVETED. Kevin, our flea-market friend from 2005, owns one of the finest Twins collectibles in the country.

94. Succor: AID.

97. "Mamma __!": MIA.

98. Young horse: COLT.

99. Order from on high: EDICT.

101. Bluey, for one: AUSSIE. The puppy's younger sister is Bingo. Their father is Bandit and their mother is Chilli.

105. Light meal: SALAD.

107. Regards: DEEMS.

108. Be of use to: AVAIL.

109. Library receipt info: TITLE.

110. Simplified: EASED.

112. Costa __: RICA.

113. Chipper greeting: HI HO.

114. Greek god of love: EROS.

116. Fast shark: MAKO.  Literally "shark" in Maori.

118. Stipulations: IFS.

119. Prefix with classical: NEO.

121. Her partner, sometimes: SHE.

122. "Oh yeah? __ who?": SEZ.

C.C.

Sunday May 31, 2026 Samuel A. Donaldson

 Theme: "HARDLY RIGHT" - LY is added the end of the first word in each common phrase.

23. Kinda sorta up for it?: FAIRLY GAME. Fair game.

29. Like a portrait hung by a professional?: HIGHLY LEVEL. High level.

35. How beer is served?: COMMONLY COLD. Common cold.

49. Geeky without shame?: PUBLICLY SQUARE. Public square.

62. Faking trendiness?: ARTIFICIALLY HIP. Artificial hip.

93. Having the wealth of kings and queens?: ROYALLY FLUSH. Royal flush.

98. Like a smart recycler?: SAGELY GREEN. Sage green.

108. Sad, but composed?: CALMLY DOWN. Calm down.

A very consistent letter-addition theme. Adding LY to the first word of each familiar phrase transforms an adjective into an adverb. The noun in the second word becomes an adjective.  

Can someone explain the title to me? I don't quite get it. To me, it's just another theme entry. 

Across:

1. Sporty wheels: COUPE.

6. Cinematographer's choice: LENS.

10. Hasty: RASH.

14. "Purgatorio" poet: DANTE. "The Divine Comedy" consists of three parts: "Inferno", "Purgatorio", and "Paradiso".

19. Invalidate: ANNUL.

20. Four Corners state: UTAH.

21. Director Kazan: ELIA.

22. Hilo "Hi": ALOHA.

25. First man, in Maori mythology: TIKI. Gimme! 

26. Two-thirds of a magnum: LITER.

27. Cable giant acquired by AT&T: TCI.

28. An end to reason?: ABLE. Reasonable. 

31. Four-footed Jetson: ASTRO.

33. City on the Orne: CAEN. A city associated with the Battle of Normandy.

34. Ghostly sound: MOAN.

39. Yields to gravity: SAGS.

40. Promise not to tell, for short: NDA.

43. "__ of Girls' Things": poem by Sharon Olds: ODE.

44. "Great Expectations" ward: ESTELLA. Learning moment for me. 

45. Actress Spelling: TORI.

46. Marshmallow treat: PEEP.

47. Curly dos: PERMS.

52. Son of Rebekah and Isaac: ESAU. Isaac's favorite son. Rebekah liked Jacob more. 

53. "OutDaughtered" family name: BUSBY.

55. Unenviable grade: DEE.

56. "¿Cómo está __?": USTED.

57. Seawater evaporation site: SALT PIT. Also a learning moment. 

59. Sandwich shops: DELIS.

61. "Sure, I get it": AH OK.

67. Astrobiology subj.: SETI.

69. Toyed with: LED ON.

70. Cary Grant film about a gambler: MR LUCKY. Agnes probably saw this movie.

74. OB test: AMNIO.

75. Suffix with percent: ILE.

76. Print media: PRESS.

79. Unpartnered: LONE.

84. Early Mexican civilization: OLMEC.

85. Touchscreen image: ICON.

86. Charged particles: IONS.

87. Layered potluck staple: LASAGNA.

90. One of the orgs. merged in the Maastricht Treaty: EEC. European Economic Community. The Maastricht Treaty laid the foundation for today's European Union. Another learning moment for me.

91. Rainbow backdrop: SKY.

92. Burden: ONUS.

95. Baba ghanoush bread: PITA.

96. Bodies of water: SEAS.

97. "Here we go!": IT'S ON.

102. Yokozuna's sport: SUMO. Yokozuna is the highest rank in sumo wrestling. 

104. "__ Twist, Scientist": Netflix series with a magic lab: ADA.

106. Caffeinated: AWAKE.

107. Isn't 100%: AILS.

111. Spanish title: SENOR.

112. Many a "Survivor" locale: ISLE.

113. Magazine founder Eric: UTNE.

114. Pitcher's jam: MEN ON.

115. Barely beats (out): EDGES.

116. "Queer Eye" expert Jonathan Van __: NESS.

117. Letter opener: DEAR.

118. "Hello" singer: ADELE. Hello from the other side!

Down:

1. Lunchroom, for short: CAF.

2. Go __ great length: ON AT.

3. Like some parliaments: UNICAMERAL.

4. Perfectionist's creed: PURISM.

5. Beginning to lose?: ELL. The staring letter in lose.

6. Fastener on many European cars: LUG BOLT. I only know lug nut.

7. List abbr.: ET AL.

8. Reputation: NAME.

9. "That's all __ wrote": SHE.

10. Fixed, as shoelaces: RE-TIED.

11. Set straight: ALIGN.

12. One resisting the five thieves: SIKH. Here are the five thieves in Sikhism are kaam (lust), krodh (wrath), lobh (greed), moh (attachment) and ahankar (arrogance).

13. Last-ditch attempt: HAIL MARY.

14. Texas city where German chocolate cake was invented: DALLAS. I know this trivia.

15. "In space, no one can hear you scream" film: ALIEN.

16. Punishment for a Gen X kid: NO TV.

17. "Beautiful Mistakes" rapper Megan __ Stallion: THEE.

18. Viscount superior: EARL.

24. Tall tales: YARNS.

29. Permissible, in some diets: HALAL. Opposite of Haram.

30. Some meditation practitioners: YOGIS.

32. Temperature testers, at times: TOES.

33. Cheddar kin: COLBY.

35. Manages: COPES.

36. Ukrainian port south of Kyiv: ODESA.

37. Informal approvals: YEPS.

38. __ soda: CLUB.

39. Cirque du __: SOLEIL.

40. "How cool": NEATO.

41. Baseball Hall of Famer Jeter: DEREK.

42. Mimicked: APED.

45. Immune system component: T CELL.

46. Muscle training method: PUSH PULL. As in the popular Push/Pull/Legs workout split.

48. Genetic change: MUTATION.

50. Creative development: IDEA.

51. Covey member: QUAIL. A group of quail is called a covey. We also have 100. Group of pals: GANG.

53. Small amount: BIT.

54. Gas or elec.: UTIL.

58. Abbey figure: PRIOR.

59. Hullabaloo: DIN.

60. Sylvia of jazz: SYMS.

63. Makes a false show of: FEIGNS.

64. Runs in place: IDLES.

65. Last name of filmmakers Ethan and Joel: COEN.

66. Atty.'s billing units: HRS.

67. Noisy kiss: SMACK.

68. Relish: ENJOY.

71. Fall apart: COME UNDONE.

72. Joints with caps: KNEES.

73. "Ew!": YECCH.

74. "The Information" novelist Martin: AMIS. Son of Kingsley Amis. 

76. Says grace, e.g.: PRAYS.

77. Tabula __: RASA.

78. Airline that doesn't fly during the Sabbath: EL AL.

81. Like a fuzzy navel?: LINTY. Not orange.

82. "If it isn't my nemesis!": YOU AGAIN.

83. Online finance firm: E LOAN.

84. Bozos: OAFS.

88. Twinkle: GLIMMER.

89. Sleep aid brand: NYTOL.

92. Edmonton NHL team: OILERS.

93. Big Cup candy brand: REESE'S.

94. Like some questions: LOADED.

95. Black tea grade: PEKOE.

96. Hawks: SELLS.

98. RSVP convenience: SASE.

99. Blown away: AWED.

101. Ascend: RISE.

102. Quench: SATE.

103. Funny bone neighbor: ULNA.

105. USMC truant: AWOL.

108. Ruminant's mouthful: CUD.

109. Peruvian legend Sumac: YMA.

110. SSW reverse: NNE.

C.C.