Theme: We'll Get Along Swimmingly or This Puzzle Is All Wet. You can choose.
It will make more sense if we start with the unifier.
39. '70s-'80s series about the Drummond family ... and what the starts of four long answers are: DIFF'RENT STROKES. This was
an American television sitcom that aired on NBC from November 3, 1978, to May 4, 1985, and on ABC from September 27, 1985, to March 7, 1986. [From IMDB] "
Two black kids from Harlem, Arnold Jackson and older brother Willis, are welcomed into the family of wealthy New York businessman Philip Drummond when their mother, his housekeeper, passes away. The two brothers become part of the Drummond family and learn various lessons about life." I wasn't a regular watched, but did see this show occasionally. It was pretty good.Back to the puzzle: the first word of each theme answer is a specific stroke used in swimming.
17 A. Oxymoronic '80s sci-fi film title: BACK TO THE FUTURE. This is classic.
The BACK STROKE: Lie on your back and flutter your legs while circling your arms in a windmill motion. You swim on your back and propel yourself backwards.
Across:
1. Natural sand bank: BERM. A flat strip of land, raised bank, or terrace bordering a river or canal. I guess it could be sand.
5. Historic times: AGES. As, free, the jazz AGE.
9. Standing at attention, say: ERECT. Upright, as a good soldier should be.
14. Diva's solo: ARIA. From operas and oratorios. If Game of Thrones were an opera there could be an Arya ARIA.
15. Meter starter: DECI-. Meaning one tenth of.
16. Cookie maker's tool: MIXER. To blend all the ingredients
20. "Jeopardy!" contestant: ASKER. That's the way this show works. Answers must be in the form of a question.
21. Cub slugger: SOSA. Samuel Peralta Sosa [b 1968] is a Dominican American former professional baseball right fielder. He played in Major League Baseball for 19 seasons, primarily with the Chicago Cubs. After playing for the Texas Rangers and Chicago White Sox, Sosa joined the Cubs in 1992 and became regarded as one of the game's best hitters. [Wikipedia]
22. Paradise: EDEN. The perfect place, if you can keep it.
23. Anasazi home setting: MESA. A table land in the American South-west. The Ancestral Puebloans, also known as the Anasazi, were an ancient Native American culture that spanned the present-day Four Corners region of the United States, comprising southeastern Utah, northeastern Arizona, northwestern New Mexico, and southwestern Colorado. [Wikipedia]
25. "__ the season ... ": TIS. To be jolly, so cheer up, dammit!
27. Crowd no., often: ESTimation.
33. It's its own square: ONE. Also the loneliest number.
34. Nice water?: EAU. French. Do you think it's nice?
35. Lanai greeting: ALOHA. Welcome to Hawaii
44. Enjoying a scone, maybe: AT TEA. We have tea at 4:00 every afternoon. Sadly, though, I have to watch my carbs.
45. Call to Jude?: HEY.
1. Quick Draw's sidekick __ Looey: BABA.
7. Canyon comeback: ECHO.
8. Afternoon break: SIESTA. Nap in Spanish
9. Long-legged runner: EMU. Big bird.
10. Serious ceremony: RITE. By definition
11. Radiate: EXUDE.
12. Roman goddess of agriculture: CERES. In ancient Roman religion, Ceres was a goddess of agriculture, grain crops, fertility and motherly relationships. [Wikipedia]
28 A. Out-of-the-way access: SIDE ENTRANCE. Possibly good for sneaking in or out.
Although not one of the official four strokes in competitive swimming, the sidestroke is a great survival technique. This is commonly used by lifeguards because you can hold onto another person and keep them above water while you swim. Lie on your side and scissor your legs to propel yourself forward.
47 A. Place for a pen: BREAST POCKET. A pocket on the front of a shirt or jacket, located over the chest.
The BREAST STROKE: Float with your stomach facing down, then move your arms in a half-circle motion in front of the body. Bend your legs, then kick back with good timing, and you’ll propel yourself up and forward. This is a great workout and is recommended for those who swim for exercise.
65. Seafood order: BUTTERFLY SHRIMP. To butterfly a shrimp means to do a lengthwise incision on the front or back of the shrimp in a symmetrical way. Since it should be symmetrical or equally alike, both sides of the shrimp must have the same form when opened – like the shape of a butterfly with wings extended.
The BUTTERFLY STROKE: An excellent workout and common competitive stroke–possibly because it tests a mature swimmer–the butterfly is performed by bringing your arms up above your head, then pushing them down into the water to propel yourself forward. Your legs perform a dolphin kick, in which they stay together and kick simultaneously in a bobbing fashion.
Hi, gang, JazzBumpa on duty. I'm not much of a swimmer, but lets dive right in to the puzzle.
1. Natural sand bank: BERM. A flat strip of land, raised bank, or terrace bordering a river or canal. I guess it could be sand.
5. Historic times: AGES. As, free, the jazz AGE.
9. Standing at attention, say: ERECT. Upright, as a good soldier should be.
14. Diva's solo: ARIA. From operas and oratorios. If Game of Thrones were an opera there could be an Arya ARIA.
15. Meter starter: DECI-. Meaning one tenth of.
16. Cookie maker's tool: MIXER. To blend all the ingredients
20. "Jeopardy!" contestant: ASKER. That's the way this show works. Answers must be in the form of a question.
21. Cub slugger: SOSA. Samuel Peralta Sosa [b 1968] is a Dominican American former professional baseball right fielder. He played in Major League Baseball for 19 seasons, primarily with the Chicago Cubs. After playing for the Texas Rangers and Chicago White Sox, Sosa joined the Cubs in 1992 and became regarded as one of the game's best hitters. [Wikipedia]
22. Paradise: EDEN. The perfect place, if you can keep it.
23. Anasazi home setting: MESA. A table land in the American South-west. The Ancestral Puebloans, also known as the Anasazi, were an ancient Native American culture that spanned the present-day Four Corners region of the United States, comprising southeastern Utah, northeastern Arizona, northwestern New Mexico, and southwestern Colorado. [Wikipedia]
25. "__ the season ... ": TIS. To be jolly, so cheer up, dammit!
27. Crowd no., often: ESTimation.
33. It's its own square: ONE. Also the loneliest number.
34. Nice water?: EAU. French. Do you think it's nice?
35. Lanai greeting: ALOHA. Welcome to Hawaii
44. Enjoying a scone, maybe: AT TEA. We have tea at 4:00 every afternoon. Sadly, though, I have to watch my carbs.
45. Call to Jude?: HEY.
46. RN workplaces: ORS. Operating Rooms.
52. African snake: ASP. As Cleopatra well knew, as the story goes. But historians dispute the manner of her death
55. Major NJ airport: EWR. Newark - Liberty International Airport.
56. Prepare to mail: SEAL. As an envelope.
57. Small deer: ROES. These are small deer native to Europe, reddish and grey-brown, and well-adapted to cold environments.
59. NYC's __ River: EAST. A salt water tidal estuary in New York City. The waterway, which is actually not a river despite its name, connects Upper New York Bay on its south end to Long Island Sound on its north end. Who knew?
61. Salamanca snacks: TAPAS. Salamanca, in northwestern Spain, is the capital of Salamanca province, part of the Castile and León region. Appetizers or snacks in Spanish cuisine.
68. Frisky swimmer: OTTER. Some aquatic creatures are fish. others are otters. Either way, they're all wet.
69. "The Clan of the Cave Bear" protagonist: AYLA. The Clan of the Cave Bear is a 1980 novel and epic work of prehistoric fiction by Jean M. Auel about prehistoric times. It is the first book in the Earth's Children book series, which speculates on the possibilities of interactions between Neanderthal and modern Cro-Magnon humans.
70. Fencing tool: EPEE. A sharp-pointed dueling sword, designed for thrusting and used, with the end blunted, in fencing.
71. Feature of Mike and Ike candy?: RHYME. Oblong, chewy, colorful candies coming in many flavors. The only rhyming aspect I can figure out is in the name.
72. Pour: TEEM. TEEM means to be full of or swarming with. I can't relate it to pour.
73. Look after: TEND. As sheep or children.
Down:
52. African snake: ASP. As Cleopatra well knew, as the story goes. But historians dispute the manner of her death
55. Major NJ airport: EWR. Newark - Liberty International Airport.
56. Prepare to mail: SEAL. As an envelope.
57. Small deer: ROES. These are small deer native to Europe, reddish and grey-brown, and well-adapted to cold environments.
59. NYC's __ River: EAST. A salt water tidal estuary in New York City. The waterway, which is actually not a river despite its name, connects Upper New York Bay on its south end to Long Island Sound on its north end. Who knew?
61. Salamanca snacks: TAPAS. Salamanca, in northwestern Spain, is the capital of Salamanca province, part of the Castile and León region. Appetizers or snacks in Spanish cuisine.
68. Frisky swimmer: OTTER. Some aquatic creatures are fish. others are otters. Either way, they're all wet.
69. "The Clan of the Cave Bear" protagonist: AYLA. The Clan of the Cave Bear is a 1980 novel and epic work of prehistoric fiction by Jean M. Auel about prehistoric times. It is the first book in the Earth's Children book series, which speculates on the possibilities of interactions between Neanderthal and modern Cro-Magnon humans.
70. Fencing tool: EPEE. A sharp-pointed dueling sword, designed for thrusting and used, with the end blunted, in fencing.
71. Feature of Mike and Ike candy?: RHYME. Oblong, chewy, colorful candies coming in many flavors. The only rhyming aspect I can figure out is in the name.
72. Pour: TEEM. TEEM means to be full of or swarming with. I can't relate it to pour.
73. Look after: TEND. As sheep or children.
Down:
1. Quick Draw's sidekick __ Looey: BABA.
2. Historic times: ERAS.
3. "Casablanca" hero: RICK. Also classic.
3. "Casablanca" hero: RICK. Also classic.
4. Bully's challenge: MAKE ME.
5. Turmoil: ADO. A state of agitation or fuss, especially about something unimportant.
6. Enjoys the beach, say: GETS A TAN. Don't forget your sunblock. You want a TAN, not a burn.
5. Turmoil: ADO. A state of agitation or fuss, especially about something unimportant.
6. Enjoys the beach, say: GETS A TAN. Don't forget your sunblock. You want a TAN, not a burn.
7. Canyon comeback: ECHO.
8. Afternoon break: SIESTA. Nap in Spanish
9. Long-legged runner: EMU. Big bird.
10. Serious ceremony: RITE. By definition
11. Radiate: EXUDE.
12. Roman goddess of agriculture: CERES. In ancient Roman religion, Ceres was a goddess of agriculture, grain crops, fertility and motherly relationships. [Wikipedia]
13. Stoke-on-__: English city: TRENT. Known for its pottery.
18. Plant with a trunk: TREE.
19. Gladly, to Shakespeare: FAIN. Archaic word meaning done with pleasure.
24. Old-time knife: SNEE. A large knife. The word has cognates in other Germanic languages.
26. Sign of surgery: SCAR.
28. Pop at a counter: SODA. Pop in some regions, soda in others. or even soda pop. What do you say?
29. Down but not out: IN IT. As, for example, the Chiefs with 14 seconds left.
30. Slick: DEFT. Said of something done in a neatly skillful and quick manner, as for example Matthew Stafford to Cooper Kupp, as can be seen here.
31. Babe and a doctor: RUTHS. Baseball star George Herman Ruth, Jr. [1895 - 1948] and Dr. Karola Ruth Westheimer. [b. 1928]
32. "Do Ya" rock gp.: ELO. Electric Light Orchestra.
18. Plant with a trunk: TREE.
19. Gladly, to Shakespeare: FAIN. Archaic word meaning done with pleasure.
24. Old-time knife: SNEE. A large knife. The word has cognates in other Germanic languages.
26. Sign of surgery: SCAR.
28. Pop at a counter: SODA. Pop in some regions, soda in others. or even soda pop. What do you say?
29. Down but not out: IN IT. As, for example, the Chiefs with 14 seconds left.
30. Slick: DEFT. Said of something done in a neatly skillful and quick manner, as for example Matthew Stafford to Cooper Kupp, as can be seen here.
31. Babe and a doctor: RUTHS. Baseball star George Herman Ruth, Jr. [1895 - 1948] and Dr. Karola Ruth Westheimer. [b. 1928]
32. "Do Ya" rock gp.: ELO. Electric Light Orchestra.
36. "That's enough!": OK OK. TMI; stop it already.
37. "You are __": mall map info: HERE.
38. Exec.'s helper: ASST. Assistant.
40. Big mo. for chocolate purchases: FEB. Thank you, St. Valentine.
41. Steakhouse order: RARE. Style of cooking.
42. Established method: SET STYLE. I'd call a standard operating procedure, but OK.
43. Work at a keyboard: TYPE. As I am doing right now.
48. Pretty pitcher: EWER. A large jug with a wide mouth. Might or might not be pretty as a picture.
49. 1994 Peace co-Nobelist with Rabin and Peres: ARAFAT. Mohammed Abdel Rahman Abdel Raouf al-Qudwa al-Husseini [1929 - 2004] popularly known as Yasser Arafat or by his kunya Abu Ammar, was a Palestinian political leader.
50. Solemn vow: OATH.
51. Brit's Bordeaux: CLARET. Unofficial reference to red Bordeaux wines.
52. Garden recess: ARBOR. A shady garden alcove with sides and a roof formed by trees or climbing plants trained over a wooden framework.
53. TV's "__ Park": SOUTH.
37. "You are __": mall map info: HERE.
38. Exec.'s helper: ASST. Assistant.
40. Big mo. for chocolate purchases: FEB. Thank you, St. Valentine.
41. Steakhouse order: RARE. Style of cooking.
42. Established method: SET STYLE. I'd call a standard operating procedure, but OK.
43. Work at a keyboard: TYPE. As I am doing right now.
48. Pretty pitcher: EWER. A large jug with a wide mouth. Might or might not be pretty as a picture.
49. 1994 Peace co-Nobelist with Rabin and Peres: ARAFAT. Mohammed Abdel Rahman Abdel Raouf al-Qudwa al-Husseini [1929 - 2004] popularly known as Yasser Arafat or by his kunya Abu Ammar, was a Palestinian political leader.
50. Solemn vow: OATH.
51. Brit's Bordeaux: CLARET. Unofficial reference to red Bordeaux wines.
52. Garden recess: ARBOR. A shady garden alcove with sides and a roof formed by trees or climbing plants trained over a wooden framework.
53. TV's "__ Park": SOUTH.
54. Tom of the Traveling Wilburys: PETTY. Thomas Earl Petty [1950 - 2017] was an American singer, songwriter, musician, record producer, and actor. He was the lead vocalist and guitarist of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, formed in 1976. He previously led the band Mudcrutch, and was also a member of the late 1980s supergroup the Traveling Wilburys.
58. Stop, as a flow: STEM.
60. Roy Rogers' birth name: SLYE. Leonard Franklin Slye [1911- 1998] aka Roy Rogers was an American singer, actor, and television host. Following early work under his given name, first as co-founder of the Sons of the Pioneers and then acting, the rebranded Rogers then became one of the most popular Western stars of his era.
60. Roy Rogers' birth name: SLYE. Leonard Franklin Slye [1911- 1998] aka Roy Rogers was an American singer, actor, and television host. Following early work under his given name, first as co-founder of the Sons of the Pioneers and then acting, the rebranded Rogers then became one of the most popular Western stars of his era.
62. Plumbing part: PIPE.
63. "Right you are!": AMEN.
64. Went too fast: SPED.
66. Before, to a poet: ERE.
67. Yosemite __: SAM.
63. "Right you are!": AMEN.
64. Went too fast: SPED.
66. Before, to a poet: ERE.
67. Yosemite __: SAM.
This wraps up another Wednesday. Hope you didn't flounder.
