Sunday, March 29, 2026 ~ Doug Peterson

Theme: "DON'T STOP NOW"

Go Go Gadget Helicopter

Hi All!

I always enjoy solving a Doug Peterson puzzle and I was not disappointed with this effort. However, as I was solving, Inspector Gadget kept playing in my head so, I wasn't quite expecting the reveal:

117. Make it big, or a hint to the pairs found in the answers to the starred clues: GO PLACES.

22. *American Samoa's capital: PAGO PAGO. Capital of American Samoa.

29. *Dramatic ending for a tied hockey game: GOLDEN GOAL.

35. *Mohair source: ANGORA GOAT.

55. *"Stranger Things" monster: DEMOGORGON. Click at your own risk.

79. *Symbol often adorned with a "Doodle": GOOGLE LOGO.

Apropos for next Sunday

100. *Smugly sanctimonious sort: GOODY GOODY.

107. *Wasting time: GOOFING OFF.

15. *Martial arts-themed toy line: LEGO NINJAGO.

66. *Band with the 1998 hit "Iris": GOO GOO DOLLS. I have this CD but, post-solve, I had to Google to know the title of the song I've heard >100 times.

Iris

A fun theme, I think. Now let's get on to the rest of the fill before we get on with our day.

Across:

1. Invitation letters: RSVP. Répondez s'il vous plait or, in English, "respond if you please."

5. Three-striper: Abbr.: SGT. The rank of sergeant.

8. WNBA star Reese: ANGEL. She played for LSU (Geaux Tigers!) and Chicago Sky (which I think was in Thursday's puzzle(?))

Her WikiP

13. Archipelago parts: ISLES.

18. Prefix with space: AERO.

19. "Ni __": Chinese greeting: HAO. Hello in English. Mr. Di, who was the night supervisor at the lab where I worked in college, taught me that. //How am I doin' C.C.? :-)

20. __ Doone cookies: LORNA. This cookie is slowly replacing OREO :-)

21. Will of "BoJack Horseman": ARNETT. This was a Netflix animated series for adults that "aired" from 2014 to 2018.

BoJack Horseman

22. [See: Theme]

24. Pipsqueak: TWERP.

25. Half-baked?: DOUGHY.

If you've seen this movie, you weren't thinking DOUGHY

26. Shoulder wraps: STOLES.

27. __ Tomé and Príncipe: SAO. A tiny country off the coast of Africa.

Those two islands

29. [See: Theme]

31. Really annoy: GRATE ON.

33. Farm buildings: BARNS.

34. 180º from SSW: NNE. Compass points.

35. [See: Theme]

38. Instagram's parent: META.

39. Rhubarb treats: PIES.

A Prairie Home Companion

40. Preppy brand: POLO. POLO & IZOD make me think of the '80's.

41. Doomscrolling, perhaps: ONLINE. This stackexchange has arguments for and against online being one word or hyphenated. Oh, and as for Doomscrolling, that's the act of watching headline after headline (of usually bad news) in short-form media such as TikTok, Meta's Reels, or YouTube Shorts.

43. "Oh, rats!": AW DARN.

46. Program for aspiring docs: PREMED. Does this get a hyphen? ;-)

49. Readily apparent: OVERT.

51. Basic garage service: LUBE JOB. This is not hyphenated.

54. Texting tech: SMS. Short Message Service.

55. [See: Theme]

59. Sub meat: SALAMI. Add some pepperoni, mortadella, provolone - I'm getting peckish.

60. Inconsequential: MINOR.

61. Hate with a passion: DETEST. Or what Tattoo exclaims to Roarke at exam time? //Sorry for stealing your job, RayO :-).

63. Dry-__ beef: AGED.

64. Striped 96-Down, in Spanish: TIGRE. These kinda cross-reference clues can be fun. However, this one made me fast-forward to a corner I wasn't playing in and I got distracted from what I was there for.

67. Doorway piece: JAMB.

70. Plastic Clue weapon: ROPE. I thought all of the weapons in Clue were made with plastic.

Then

Now

71. Preppy jackets: ETONS. Back to the preppies again.

72. __ appeal: SNOB. Now we're really getting preppy :-)

73. Arizona neighbor: SONORA. To the south of AZ.

75. Tequila plant: AGAVE. Drink in 73a (and pretty much everywhere else).

77. In the area: AROUND. Tequila all around!

79. [See: Theme]

82. Electric jolt: ZAP.

85. Backslide: REGRESS.

87. Slight adjustment: TWEAK.

88. Gazpacho need: TOMATO. Yummers! More Italian food. Ok, we kinda appropriated [Read: stole] it from Spain but... Gazpacho is a wonderful cold "soup" for summer.

90. Does better than: ONE UPS.

92. Haudenosaunee Confederacy people: SENECA. One of the Six Nations' tribes.

95. Birthstone for some Scorpios: OPAL.

96. __ and hisses: BOOS.

98. Home of tennis's Italian Open: ROME. Four letter Italian city? The pen works itself.

100. [See: Theme]

103. "__ be nice if ... ": IT'D.

104. Canonized one: SAINT.

Father Guido Sarducci on March Saints

106. Not intended: UNMEANT. This feels like it needs a hyphen.

107. [See: Theme]

110. NYC subway org.: MTA. New York City's Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

111. Poet Amy who won a Pulitzer Prize posthumously: LOWELL.

114. Piña __: COLADA. If you like 'em (and getting caught in the rain), Escape.

Who knows any other songs by Rupert Holmes?

115. Engine booster, for short: TURBO. Wife's Alfa is a turbo, mine is five on the floor.

117. [See: Theme]

119. Geopolitical partners: ALLIES.

120. Pioneers in Philly soul, with "The": O'JAYS. For the younger solvers who've joined The Corner and weren't around in the '70's...

The O'Jays

121. Feel bad about: RUE.

122. Mauna Loa flow: LAVA.

123. Electricity pioneer Nikola: TESLA.

124. High-flying toys: KITES.

125. Assist: AID.

126. Make a shawl, maybe: KNIT. Young'uns seem to be getting into this "grandma" skill. Eldest started the craft at 12 yrs old and still does it when procrastinating her dissertation :-)

Down:

1. Performs like Kendrick Lamar: RAPS.

2. Flight assignment: SEAT. Are you aisle or window?

3. Immersive gaming gear, briefly: VR GOGGLES. There's only one (1) GO in this fill.

4. Spot for table games: POOL ROOM. Feels a bit forced(?) I call 'em a POOL hall (or just a dive bar). You?

5. California peak: SHASTA. Also the brand name of a diet soda my maternal grandfather drank.

6. Silly prank: GAG.

7. "I didn't wait long enough?": TOO SOON. Can we make Millard Filmore jokes yet?

8. Voice above tenor: ALTO. Eldest is a soprano but can do a great alto falsetto. One time, when she was 12 (or 13?), she blew away our local TexMex joint singing karaoke to Bohemian Rhapsody. On the "from me" high bit, the whole place went quiet and looked where it was coming from. Just my little shy kid belting out her voice. #ProudDad

9. This very second: NOW. STAT didn't fit.

10. Hall of Fame pitcher Maddux: GREG. I know he was with the Braves longer (where he secured a WS ring), but he'll always be a Cub to me.

11. Dress for a graduation ceremony: ENROBE. Not the dress you wear but the verb dress. Cute, Doug, cute.

12. City near Buenos Aires: LA PLATA. ?!? Is Buenos Aires also in the Texas panhandle? I'm kidding, it's the capital city of Buenos Aires province of Argentina.

13. Clubs with metal heads: IRONS. Oh, again not dive bars (with crank'd up music).

14. Tight-fitting: SNUG.

15. [See: Theme]

16. Compound in natural gas: ETHANE. A hydrocarbon which just got more expensive.

17. Does salon work: STYLES.

21. Yemeni port: ADEN. For the life of me, I can never remember this crossword staple.

23. Fruit in fruit cocktail: PEAR.

28. Like some watches: ANALOG. I made sure my kids could read a proper clock (with Roman Numerals too! :-))

30. Southern sound: DRAWL. Over 40 years in the south, I've developed a bit of one.

32. Freudian concept: EGO.

35. Slack and Signal: APPS. APPlications for you pocket communicator. Signal is actually pretty nifty if you're into privacy & security.

36. "Cheers" regular: NORM.

Best of Norm Peterson

37. Early DVR brand: TIVO. Two college buddies of mine worked for TiVo.

38. Corporate combination: MERGER.

39. Senior clergyman: PRELATE.

42. Square one?: NERD.

44. Coating on knickknacks: DUST. That's why DW & I have few.

45. Litigators' org.: ABA. American Bar Association.

47. Falco of "Avatar: Fire and Ash": EDIE.

48. Lair: DEN.

50. "Rosanna" band: TOTO.

According to popular myth, at the first recording sessions, in order to distinguish their own demo tapes from other bands' in the studio, Jeff Porcaro wrote the word "Toto" on them. In the early 1980s, band members told the press that the band was named after Toto the dog from The Wizard of Oz. After the completion of the first album, the band and record were still unnamed. David Hungate, after viewing the name on the demo tapes, explained to the group that the Latin words "in toto" translated to "all-encompassing". Another explanation was that singer Bobby Kimball's "real" name was Robert Toteaux, pronounced "toto". Because the band members played on so many records and so many musical genres, they adopted the name "Toto" as their own. - WikiP

Toto's Africa

52. Warning sign: OMEN.

53. Says "two no trump," e.g.: BIDS. I'm guessing the card game of Bridge ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

56. Magic charm: MOJO.

57. Sumatran primate, informally: ORANG.

58. Himalayan nation: NEPAL.

60. Owner of the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant: MR. BURNS. The Simpsons.

62. Lily variety: SEGO. It's the State Flower of Utah.

64. Bygone Russian title: TSAR.

65. Memo heading: INRE. IN REgards to:

66. [See: Theme]

68. Not worth debating: MOOT.

69. Look through casually: BROWSE. Leaf, skim, etc.

71. Acronym for a dressing base: EVOO. Extra Virgin Olive Oil. It's all I use.

73. Aztecs' sch.: SDSU. San Diego State University - Home of the Fightin' Aztecs.

74. "Peacemaker" actor Steve: AGEE.

76. Reality show hosted by Terry Crews, for short: AGT. I'm guessing America's Got Talent ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

78. Once known as: NEE.

80. "Auld __ Syne": LANG.

81. Barely manage: EKE OUT.

82. Mesoamerican language family common in Oaxaca: ZAPOTECAN. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Read all about it here.

83. Just barely: A TAD.

84. Roly-__: POLY. AKA pillbugs or armadillidiidae.

86. Bit of rosemary: SPRIG.

89. Dance move also known as a backslide: MOONWALK. You can't not think of Michael Jackson here.

This looks AI he's that good

91. Majorly unacceptable: SO NOT OK. An HR violation, I'm thinkin'.

93. Packaged foods giant: CONAGRA. You may not know the company (I'm sure HG does), but you probably eat their food. I know I do.

Their Brands

94. USN VIP: ADM. Naval Admirals are Very Important People.

96. Jaguar or leopard: BIG CAT. Just like a TIGRE.

97. Peter of "The Lion in Winter": O'TOOLE.

99. "The Great Wave off Kanagawa" peak: Abbr.: MT FUJI.

101. Gave a sudden squeal: YELPED.

102. Hastings hoosegow: GAOL. Hastings is an English town (Battle Of in 1066) and GAOL is Old Norman French. The G in GAOL is soft like in gentle; so, aloud GAOL sounds like jail -- which is what the word means.

104. Better half?: SIDE A. Cute. But is Hey Jude really better than Revolution?

The Fab Four

105. Santa __: dry California winds: ANAs.

108. Blunder that might be epic: FAIL. #EpicFail

109. Greek house: FRAT.

Obligatory

110. Green trunk growth: MOSS.

112. Strauss of jeans: LEVI.

113. Future atty.'s exam: LSAT. Youngest passed and is nearly done with her OneL.

116. "So long!": BYE.

118. Arles agreement: OUI. We started with French and we end with French, YES?

Well, that was fun. Now, here's the Grid:

The Grid

WO: laura -> LORNA
ESPs: ANGEL, LAPLATA (making that whole area a mess o' ink), ADEN, SAO, SENECA, LOWELL, ZAPOTECAN
Fav: MOJO

Dr. Evil steals Austin Powers' Mojo

I've missed playing with y'all the last few weeks. I've been busy catching up from my short vacation in DC to visit my daughters at school. These next few weeks, my attendance will also be sporadic as I'm attending a couple of cybersecurity conferences.

Play later!
Cheers, -T

Fin

Sunday March 22, 2026 Jeffrey Wechsler

Theme: "WE DID IT!" - We is added to each theme entry. 

22. Motto of an intrepid cotton farmer?: I WILL FEAR NO WEEVIL. I will fear no evil. 

33. Presentation on professorial fashion trends?: TWEED TALK. Ted talk.

38. Light lunch in a haunted cafe?: COBWEB SALAD. Cobb salad. 

66. Like text anyone is allowed to edit?: YOURS FOR THE TWEAKING. Yours for the taking.

96. Data from a middle school track meet?: TWEEN SPEEDS. Ten-speeds.

100. "I like the cut of your jib!"?: SWEET SAIL. Set sail.

117. Take new profile pics at the gym?: SWEAT FOR A PORTRAIT. Sat for a portrait. 

So happy to see the great Jeffrey back! It's been over two years since we saw his byline. 

Jeffrey is a master in this type of letter addition/deletion/swapping theme. Today is another strong example of his craftsmanship.

Across:

1. Some neutral tones in a designer's palette: GRAYS.

6. Jokers: WITS.

10. The "B" of RBG: BADER. The Notorious RBG. 

15. "Dear old" family member: DAD.

18. Shakespeare hero in the lyrics of Taylor Swift's "Love Story": ROMEO. 49. Last words of 18-Across: I DIE. Then he died.

19. French cap: BERET.

20. Nimble: AGILE.

21. Patterned after: A LA.

25. "Fresh Air" broadcaster: NPR.

26. Abandons all hope: DESPAIRS.

27. Stuns: AMAZES.

28. Feathery, perhaps: AVIAN.

30. Hardly encountered: RARE.

31. Apple product: MAC.

32. For one: A PIECE.

42. Small crowns: TIARAS.

43. "Or so": ISH.

45. Gulliver of "Gulliver's Travels": LEMUEL. Don't think we had him before. 

46. Paris's Paris's Musée d'__: ORSAY. Home to many Impressionist masterpieces.

47. Thing that may be open and shut: CASE.

49. Things: ITEMS.

50. Adages: SAWS.

54. Some guinea pigs: PETS.

55. Component of some firm-textured fabrics: WORSTED.

57. Turns red, say: DYES.

59. Sportage maker: KIA.

60. Matthew of "Stranger Things": MODINE.  He played Dr. Martin Brenner.

62. First word of "Simple Gifts": TIS.

64. Winemaker's concern: AGING.

72. Thicket: COPSE.

73. __ milk: SOY.

74. Fencing sword: RAPIER. 70. Fencing sword: EPEE.

75. Assent asea: AYE.

76. Wise one: SAGE.

80. Harvested: GLEANED.

82. Accomplishes: DOES.

86. __ salt: ROCK. Lots of Chinese desserts feature rock sugar. 

88. "Great performance!": BRAVO.

90. Lyft service: RIDE.

91. Concentrated: DENSE.

92. Act as an intermediary: LIAISE.

94. Big flower pot: URN.

95. Life, for one: CEREAL.

103. Bring back: REVIVE.

104. Grocery payment sys.: EBT. Electronic Benefits Transfer. 

106. "What __ is new?": ELSE.

107. Goddess of peace: IRENE.

108. Angelic being: SERAPH.

111. With 116-Across, useful tool for some crossword solvers: ERASABLE. And116. See 111-Across: PEN.

120. __ Alamos, New Mexico: LOS.

121. Yankee manager between Showalter and Girardi: TORRE (Joe) 1996-2007. We also have 19. Yogi in the Hall of Fame: BERRA. That's Whitey Ford in the middle.

122. Transmit: RELAY.

123. Marsh wader: EGRET.

124. Brian of Roxy Music: ENO.

125. One-for-one deals: SWAPS.

126. Silly sort: TWIT.

127. Summer of disco: DONNA.

Down:

1. Crossword component: GRID.

2. Mike of "Dirty Jobs": ROWE. Some dirty jobs pay very well. 

3. French friends: AMIS.

4. Site for maligning poor dining: YELP.

5. Basis for standard timekeeping: SOLAR DAY.

6. Ferret kin: WEASEL.

7. Not perfect, as mdse.: IRR. Irregular. 

8. Midmorning hr.: TEN AM.

9. Tolerate: STOMACH.

10. Folk legend Joan: BAEZ. 

11. "The African Queen" screenwriter James: AGEE. The original novel is written by C. S. Forester.

12. Pts. of sports leagues: DIVS. Divisions.

13. Yale grad: ELI.

14. Setback: RELAPSE.

15. Webster who had a way with words: DANIEL.

16. Andes grazer: ALPACA.

17. "Well, I'll be __!": DARNED.

23. Authoritative orders: FIATS.

24. Baylor University city: WACO.

29. Little bottles: VIALS.

32. Treat quite poorly: ABUSE.

33. Former Corvette option: T-TOP.

34. Send a telegram: WIRE.

35. Memphis-to-Chattanooga direction: EAST.

36. "In Praise of Folly" writer: ERASMUS. Google says Erasmus wrote the work in about a week while staying at Sir Thomas More's estate in England.

37. Mugs: KISSERS.

39. Alphabetical order?: BLT.

40. Garden invader: WEED.

41. "The Bear" award: EMMY. "Yes, Chef!"

44. Good to go: SET.

47. Do: COIF.

48. River of Florence: ARNO.

51. Similar (to): AKIN.

52. Improvise, with "it": WING.

53. Submit to gravity: SAG.

55. Dict. entries: WDS.

56. __ alcohol: ETHYL.

58. Sushi pairing: SAKE. We've also seen SOJU in the gird. It's the Korean liquor. 

61. Useful minerals: ORES.

63. Uses a colander: STRAINS.

65. Skyscraper beams: GIRDERS.

66. Cellist Ma: YO-YO. Yo means "friend" in Chinese. Ma means "Horse".

67. Cartel founded in Baghdad in 1960: OPEC.

68. Like food truck orders: TO GO.

69. Lip gloss applicator: WAND.

71. Help: AID.

72. Saturn or Mercury: CAR.

77. Demean: ABASE.

78. Climber's asset: GRIP.

79. Fluency: EASE.

81. "To __ is human ... ": ERR.

83. Draft status: ONE A.

84. Actor Morales: ESAI.

85. Hawk: SELL.

87. Vox co-founder Ezra: KLEIN. He has a popular podcast. 

89. Capital of Vietnam?: VEE. Vietnam. 

91. Couldn't stand: DETESTED.

93. Takes stock?: INVESTS. Literally. 

94. Basic interface for a PC: USB PORT.

95. Civil rights activist Chavez: CESAR.

96. Big hit: TRIPLE.

97. "It's time, everyone! Break a leg!": WE'RE ON.

98. "Despite that ... ": EVEN SO.

99. Part of CODA: DEAF. Child Of Deaf Adult.

101. Shed tears over: WEEP AT.

102. Judy Jetson's brother: ELROY.

105. Lost on purpose: THREW.

108. Organic fluids: SERA.

109. Wyatt of Tombstone: EARP.

110. GPS offerings: RTES.

112. Golden Fleece ship: ARGO.

113. Rural structure: BARN.

114. Bank claim: LIEN.

115. "Tell Mama" singer James: ETTA.

118. "Incredible!": WOW.

119. Journalist Velshi of MS NOW: ALI.

C.C.

Sunday March 8, 2026 Seth Weitberg

Theme: "YOU CAN SAY THAT AGAIN" - The first words are all A + double letter *ed, then TO, the last words are parts of the first words in plural form. 

23. The land developer was __: ATTRACTED TO TRACTS.

39. The billboard installer was __: ASSIGNED TO SIGNS.

51. The tissue manufacturer was __: APPLIED TO PLIES.

65. The importer/exporter was __: ACCUSTOMED TO CUSTOMS.

79. The music producer was __: ATTUNED TO TUNES.

89. The safety inspector __: ATTESTED TO TESTS.

110. The scorekeeper was __: APPOINTED TO POINTS.

So the title "You Can Say That Again" is due to the structural echo. The clues add another layer: each one refers to a specific profession in a different field. The echoed word matches the worker's specialty. 

This is Seth's first LAT Sunday puzzle. Congrats!

Across:

1. Irked by: MAD AT.

6. Lite: LO-FAT.

11. Economical: CHEAP.

16. TD pass throwers, perhaps: QBS. Quarterbacks.

19. Diarist Nin: ANAIS.

20. __ acid: AMINO.

21. Painter Matisse: HENRI.

22. Fed. that hosts F1's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix: UAE.

26. Barinholtz of "The Studio": IKE. He won the inaugural prime time season of "Celebrity Jeopardy!".

27. Baseball gripping aid: SEAM.

28. Tops: A ONE.

29. Actress Birch: THORA. Known for her role in "American Beauty". Then and now.

30. Threw it out there: ASKED.

32. Annual Kentucky event: DERBY.

34. Sudden impulse: WHIM.

35. Ice Follies venue: RINK.

37. Stuffy sort: PRUDE.

46. Send back: REMAND. To a lower court. 

48. Otherwise: ELSE.

49. Western treaty gp.: OAS. The Organization of American States.

50. Lummox: LOUT.

55. Penta- minus one: TETRA.

56. Calendar pgs.: MOS. Months.

57. Sleeveless top: VEST.

58. "You will __ the day!": RUE. 62. "You made that up!": LIAR.

59. Early 1990s pres., familiarly: BUSH SR. Prez #41.

60. Tour of duty: STINT.

64. Demonstrating more courage: GUTSIER.

69. Holds fast (to): ADHERES.

70. Comfort: EASE.

71. Pine secretion: RESIN.

72. Crabby folks: CRANKS.

73. Used to be: WAS.

74. Annoyance: PEST.

75. Seer's gift: ESP.

78. NFL team with a horseshoe logo: COLTS.

84. Cambodian currency: RIEL. RIAL is Iranian/Omani.  

85. Cape __, Massachusetts: ANN.

87. Part of Caesar's boast: VENI.

88. Bao Li, Qing Bao, et al.: PANDAS. Bao means "precious" in Chinese.

94. Pie component: CRUST.

95. Finishing __: SALT. This is a hugely popular brand.

96. Surface alternative: IPAD.

97. Love, in French: AMOUR.

99. Uninspired, as writing: PROSY.

102. "That sounds like safe money": I'D BET.

104. Tierra en el oc ano: ISLA.

106. Young woman: LASS.

109. Overalls part: BIB.

114. Java: JOE.

115. Perfume: AROMA.

116. City in upstate New York: OLEAN. About 60 miles southeast of Buffalo along the Allegheny River.

117. Intel-gathering mission: RECON.

118. Farm enclosure: STY.

119. Suite spot: HOTEL.

120. Approves: OKAYS.

121. Cooks up: BREWS.

Down:

1. "A Court of Thorns and Roses" novelist Sarah J. __: MAAS.

2. Poker buy-in: ANTE.

3. Massive transfers of information: DATA DUMPS. 

4. Decoration awarded in all branches of the military: AIR MEDAL. Oh I thought it's just for the Air Force.

5. Bag-screening org.: TSA.

6. Sister of Janet and Jermaine: LATOYA.

7. Portent: OMEN.

8. Bona __: FIDE.

9. Foraging insect: ANT.

10. Dental product: TOOTH GEL. I just call it "gel toothpaste".

11. Classic auto trim: CHROME.

12. Learn through the grapevine: HEAR.

13. Pioneering digital encyclopedia: ENCARTA. From Microsoft. Now we have Wikipedia.

14. Part of LACMA: ART. Los Angeles County Museum of Art. 

15. Some Tuscans: PISANS.

16. Classic Nestlé drink: QUIK. Never had this.

17. Make clafoutis, say: BAKE.  Wikipedia says clafoutis is "a French dish of pitted sour cherries, arranged in a buttered dish, covered with a thick but pourable batter, then baked to create a crustless tart."

18. Tournament assignment: SEED.

24. Subway alternative: CAB.

25. Gauzy: THIN.

31. Situation that inevitably goes downhill?: SKI LESSON. 59. Place where pickup lines may be common?: BUS STOP. Fun clues for both. 

33. Baroque painter Guido: RENI. Born in Bologna. 

34. Tendril: WISP.

36. Mobile platform since 2007: IOS.

37. Buggy for a bairn: PRAM.

38. Take back, briefly: REPO.

40. Gets cracking on: SETS TO.

41. Schedule opening: SLOT.

42. Daily tablet, say: DOSE.

43. Celebratory cry during a game of tag: GOT HIM.

44. Some care coordinators: NURSES.

45. Hall of Fame drummer from Liverpool: STARR (Ringo)

47. Concocts: DEVISES.

52. Bad impressions: DENTS. Using the physical sense of "impression".

53. Livid: IRATE.

54. Currency symbolized by €: EURO.

55. __-frutti: TUTTI.

60. Like products for sensitive skin, often: SCENTLESS.

61. __ and Caicos: TURKS. Beautiful islands.

62. Tiniest bit: LEAST.

63. Cards with pics: IDS.

64. B&B patron: GUEST.

65. Skillful: ADROIT.

66. Alpine dwelling: CHALET. The chalet in our local Elm Creek Park Reserve.

67. Charcuterie fare: MEAT.

68. College unit: CREDIT.

69. Ghana's capital: ACCRA.

73. Magic show prop: WAND.

74. Farm enclosures: PENS.

75. Staying power: ENDURANCE.

76. Neptune's realm: SEAS.

77. Subtle "Over here!": PSST.

80. Skin art only visible in black light: UV TATTOO.

81. Demand: NEED.

82. Snack topped with onions and cilantro: TACO.

83. Harder to control: UNRULIER.

85. Delta HQ: ATL.

86. Nasal irrigation vessel: NETI POT.

90. Checkup request: SAY AAH.

91. Shin-related: TIBIAL.

92. "__ sesame!": OPEN.

93. Spots that do dos: SALONS.

98. Treasure hunt aid: MAP.

99. Easy sammies: PBJS. I like peanut butter and honey. 

100. Real hoot: RIOT.

101. Toe the line: OBEY.

103. Pantheon feature: DOME.

104. Inkling: IDEA.

105. Temporary reprieve: STAY.

107. Put in the overhead bin: STOW.

108. Form W-2 digits: SSNS.

111. In favor of: PRO.

112. Animal on the Michigan state seal: ELK.The seal features an elk and a moose, but no wolves. 

113. Poetic sphere: ORB.

C.C.

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.