Sunday July 12, 2025 Rebecca Goldstein

Theme:  "Sultans of Swing" - The last word of each theme entry is Major League Baseball team player. The first word are all synonyms of "great".

22. Massive, luminous body larger than the sun: SUPER GIANT.

28. Mighty Morphin figure of 1990s television: POWER RANGER.

42. Senior position at a taproom: MASTER BREWER.

68. Pickpocket in "Oliver Twist": THE ARTFUL DODGER.

96. Easy charge for a babysitter: PERFECT ANGEL.

112. High-voltage fish: ELECTRIC RAY.

122. Athlete in the Midsummer Classic, or what can be found six times in this puzzle?: MLB ALL- STAR.

We've seen many baseball themes in the past. None with such tightness, hallmark of Rebecca's puzzles. Three from each league, nicely balanced.

The fill are also outstanding. We don't often see pair of 13s as fill. 

Across:

1. Call back?: ECHO.

5. Fake gems: PASTE. It's a type of glass used to imitate gemstones, especially diamonds. Learning moment for me.

10. Sorts: ILKS.

14. __ white: espresso bar order: FLAT.

18. Lose: DROP.

19. Ramadan faith: ISLAM.

20. Hi-fi sound: MONO.

21. Turn red in the face: BLUSH.

24. Futurist: SEER.

25. Salary bump: RAISE.

26. Eat by candlelight, maybe: DINE.

27. Show that celebrated 50 seasons in 2025, for short: SNL.

30. __ Geo Wild: NAT.

32. Nepal neighbor: TIBET. Momos are popular there. Steamed dumplings.

34. Chemical in pretzel-making: LYE.

35. Evening, in ads: NITE.

36. Colorful pattern: TIE DYE.

39. Tuna roll seaweed: NORI.

40. Wasting time: IDLE.

44. Final stretches of a race: LAST LEGS. Also loved: 94. "Love that!": VERY COOL. 10. Words said with a yawn: I'M SO TIRED. 13. "Well, excu-use me!": SORRY I ASKED 14. Warm button-ups with checkered patterns: FLANNEL SHIRTS. 43. Source of some dirt: RUMOR MILL. 44. Big wheel on the Thames: LONDON EYE. 54. Lucky numbers, maybe: LOTTERY TICKET. 

48. Reddit Q&A: AMA.

49. __ Dhabi: ABU.

50. Six in a million?: ZEROS. 1,000,000.

52. Makeup mogul Lauder: ESTEE.

53. Area: REALM.

56. Urban haze: SMOG.

59. Musty: DANK.

60. Maui's __ Highway: HANA.

61. Selling points?: AD COPY. Ah, OK, selling points of a product.

63. Cincinnati's state: OHIO. 

65. Thought: IDEA.

67. Article: ITEM.

72. Hoist: HEFT.

75. Sneaker brand named for a big cat: PUMA. Loving my Asics Versablast. Light and comfy. 

76. Typical college applicant: TEEN.

77. Groups of eight: OCTETS.

81. Merriness: GLEE.

82. Force: DINT.

84. Double Stuf cookie: OREO.

86. Actor Davis: OSSIE.

87. Princess topper: TIARA.

89. Homeric epic: ILIAD.

91. Decade's 10: Abbr.: YRS.

93. St. known for spuds: IDA.

101. Oven setting, briefly: TEMP.

102. Airline whose name comes from the Book of Hosea: EL AL. Didn't know this trivia. 

103. New York PWHL team: SIRENS. Professional Women's Hockey League. Our team is Minnesota Frost, the champion last year. 

104. __-glace: rich sauce: DEMI.

107. Clicking sound?: AHA. 129. Class struggle?: TEST. Won't mislead our regulars. 

109. Grannies: NANAS.

111. Lip: RIM.

115. Sir McKellen: IAN.

117. Ages and ages: AEON.

120. Common sound at Oktoberfest: POLKA.

121. Main role: LEAD.

125. Decided: OPTED.

126. "You are something __!": ELSE.

127. "__ beaucoup": MERCI.

128. Sports commentator Andrews: ERIN.

130. Depletes: SAPS.

131. "25" and "30" singer: ADELE.

132. Den fixture: SOFA.

Down:

1. MS reviewers: EDS.

2. Gunk: CRUD.

3. Arizona Natives: HOPI.

4. Opportunity to score: OPEN NET.

5. "Some __": message in "Charlotte's Web": PIG. From Wikipedia: When Wilbur is in danger of being slaughtered, Charlotte writes messages in her web praising him, such as "Some Pig", "Terrific", "Radiant", and "Humble", to persuade the farmer to spare his life. Some Pig, Splynter!

6. "Take it or leave it" warning: AS IS.

7. Tilt: SLANT.

8. Beach body feature?: TAN LINE. Another great clue.

9. AED user: EMT.

11. Cinematic surname: LOEW.

12. Use a prayer mat, e.g.: KNEEL.

15. Mario's brother: LUIGI.

16. Plus: ASSET.

17. Word after a final touch: THERE.

21. Wireless support, maybe: BRA.

23. Apt surname for a librarian: READE.

28. Rosie of "The Flight Attendant": PEREZ.

29. Wine menu heading: REDS.

31. Supermodel Banks: TYRA.

33. Acknowledge a standing ovation, maybe: BOW.

36. Under control: TAMED.

37. Designer Mizrahi: ISAAC. He had some great collections with Target for a few years.

38. Falls back: EBBS.

41. Wireless std.: LTE.

42. Rooney of "Carol": MARA.

45. Coup d'__: ETAT.

46. Chromosome unit: GENE.

47. Jeans line: SEAM.

51. Las Vegas athlete: RAIDER.

55. Highway letters: MPH.

57. Two-way player nicknamed "Shotime": OHTANI. Boomer had his rookie card.

58. Many a moving meme: GIF.

62. "Mm-hmm": YEP.

64. One of six in an inning: OUT.

66. A long time __: AGO.

69. Good listeners?: AUDIOPHILES. Great fill/clue also.

70. Virgo preceder: LEO.

71. Prefix with tourism: ECO.

72. "Property Brothers" network: HGTV.

73. Nobelist Wiesel: ELIE.

74. Dread: FEAR.

78. Endorse digitally: E-SIGN.

79. Water ways?: TIDES.

80. Shut tight: SEAL.

83. Some tapas spreads: TAPENADES. Never had this. 

85. Middle-earth monsters: ORCS.

88. King topper: ACE.

90. Hold up: DELAY.

92. Mix: STIR.

95. Actor Epps: OMAR.

97. Took off: RAN.

98. Moved like an inflatable air dancer: FLAILED.

99. Standard font: ARIAL.

100. Sworn rivals: NEMESES.

104. Bus base: DEPOT.

105. Complete a private merger?: ELOPE.

106. Cheesy sandwiches: MELTS.

108. Amtrak option: ACELA.

110. Buffalo skater: SABRE.

113. Skosh: TAD.

114. Croak: RASP.

116. Chemist's salt: NACL.

118. Other, in Spanish: OTRO.

119. Inexperienced sort: NAIF.

122. UFC sport: MMA.

123. Tell tales: LIE.

124. Molecule in some vaccines: RNA.

C.C.

 

Saturday, July 12, 2025 Kyle Dolan

  Saturday Themeless by Kyle Dolan

This is the 19th Saturday puzzle by Dr. Dolan I have blogged. My first one was on May 26, 2018 and every one of his constructions has been a delight. This one was no exception as even Thimmamma  Marrimanu in Anantapur was only a minor annoyance. 😀

As you can tell by the colorful graphic, Kyle had a great many unique or nearly unique fills!

Across:

1. "Hold on to that one": IT'S A KEEPER - This occurred to me right off the bat and I was so 16. Confident: SURE I immediately put it in.

11. Periods: ERAS.

15. Have a heart-to-heart exchange?: FALL IN LOVE - Awww...❤️

17. Healthy dessert option: FRUIT SALAD.

18. "Whatcha waitin' for?": CMON.

19. Purple __: YAM.

20. Magnate: TITAN.

21. Rodeo circuit?: LASSO 😀

22. Second-largest landlocked country in Africa: NIGER - Yup, Chad is the largest

23. Jay-Z or Cardi B: RAPPER.

24. Glossy fabric: SATEEN.

27. German car, informally: BEEMER.

29. Hybrid since 1997: PRIUS.

30. Sense of achievement: SELF PRIDE.

33. Slangy contraction: AIN'T - Top 11 songs with AIN'T in the title. Bill Wither's song is my fav.

34. Dockers fabric: KHAKI.

35. "Can do!": ON IT.

36. Weak six-packs?: NEAR BEERS - LITE BEERS fit first.

38. Forum garb: TOGAS.

39. Line dance movement: TOE TAP - We all did it, didn't we?

40. Numerous: SO MANY.

41. Verbal shrug: I DUNNO.

43. Secret spots: LAIRS.

45. Ancient seafaring people: NORSE - Seeing them on the horizon did not usually engender joy!

46. Zest: GUSTO.

47. Closest one, briefly: BFF.

50. Family member: AUNT - I had four AUNTS I never got to meet.

51. Thimmamma Marrimanu in Anantapur, notably: BANYAN TREE ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

- Thimmamma Marrimanu is a BANYAN TREE in Anantapur, India. I filled it in and then looked it up.

53. Subject of a deal, say: PLEA.

54. Ad hoc groups of specialists: TIGER TEAMS - ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ A tiger team is a specialized, cross-functional team brought together to solve or investigate a specific problem or critical issue.

55. Catherine who outlived Henry VIII: PARR.

56. Some ranch dressing: STETSON HAT 😀 Yes, I suppose someone dressing in ranch attire might wear a STETSON HAT.

Down:

1. Touch and go: IFFY.

2. Hill of __: historical site associated with the High Kings of Ireland: TARA More

3. Neglected area: SLUM.

4. Arabic name that means "elevated": ALI.

5. Pools: KITTIES - Every teacher's lounge I've ever been in has a game like this where you pay for a square and the money goes into the pool or KITTY. Winners below are determined by where the last number in the Colts score crosses the last number in the Bear's score.

6. Naval rank: ENSIGN.

7. Fill with joy: ELATE.

8. One way to break the ice?: POLAR BEAR PLUNGE - When a blizzard knocked out our power for three days in March, I couldn't even take a cold shower! 🥶

9. __ Rachel Wood of "Mildred Pierce": EVAN ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 

10. Color of diamonds: RED - I overthought this for a while

11. Activities that require exit strategies?: ESCAPE ROOMS.

12. Amish rite of passage: RUMSPRINGA - Rumspringa is a rite of passage in some Amish communities where teenagers, typically around 16, experience a period of relative freedom from traditional Amish restrictions before committing to that life as an adult. 

13. Got up: AROSE.

14. Caballero title: SENOR.

21. Prize in "A Christmas Story": LAMP.

22. Supernova remnant: NEUTRON STAR.

23. APR adjustment: REFI - REFInancing a loan.

24. Go over: SPAN - After you...

25. Racer Luyendyk known as "The Flying Dutchman": ARIE.

26. Aunty Entity player in "Mad Max 3": TINA TURNER - TINA was 45 when she did this film in 1985.

28. Edmonton CFL team: ELKS.

30. __ butter: SHEA.

31. Primatologist Fossey: DIAN.

32. Creative outlet?: ETSY.

34. Atkins variant: KETO.

37. Nota __: BENE - or N.B. which means "note well"

38. City founded as York in 1793: TORONTO - Look closely and you can see York which has been incorporated into the greater TORONTO municipality

40. Instruments that date to the Mughal Empire: SITARS - The empire ran from 1525 - 1857.

41. Like some purchases made on a phone: IN APP.

42. Help for a new mother: DOULA - New to me

44. Still: AS YET.

46. Run, e.g.: GAIT.

47. "My guy!": BRAH.

48. Storm recovery org.: FEMA.

49. Big do: FEST.

51. J-Hope's K-pop band: BTS.

52. Carl Lewis's Olympic medal count: TEN.

Friday, July 11, 2025, Wayne Bergman

Good Morning, Cruciverbalists, Malodorous Manatee here with the recap of a Friday puzzle by Wayne Bergman, an LAT, NYT and WSJ veteran constructor.   Today, Wayne takes a dive down the rabbit hole that is automatic spelling correction on our electronic devices.  To do this, he takes the names of four well-known car makes/models and imagines how spell check might alter them in order to "make sense" - at least according to the spell checker's view of the world.  The use of car makes/models presents an opportunity for an amusing double entendre focused on AUTO which, today bounces back and forth between automatic and automobile.

The reveal is quite straightforward . . .

61 Across:  Texting feature that sometimes goes awry, and what was used on 17-, 28-, and 46-Across?: AUTO CORRECT.  In this instance, as is too often the case, it's AUTO INCORRECT as the names of the automobile manufacturers have become improperly altered.

. . . and the gimmick is employed at these four places:

17 Across:  Antelope who really loves bubble gum?: CHEWY IMPALA.  An impala is a medium-sized antelope found in eastern and southern Africa.

'59 Chevy Impala

Alternatively,

28 Across:  Expert on the hunt for the perfect eating utensil?: FORK EXPLORER.

46 Across:  One who organizes hecklers at a comedy club?: JEER WRANGLER.  Round 'em up.

Jeep Wrangler

Here is how everything appears in the grid:

. . . . and here are the rest of the clues and answers:

Across:

1. Startle: ALARM.  Used, here, as a verb.   As in "That really startled me!"

6. Get straight: ALIGN.  A clue to be taken quite literally (not, for example, as "get straight" is used in the Paul Revere and the Raiders' song).

11. Place for de-stressing: SPA.  A wordplay riff on distressing.

14. Brown hue: COCOA.

15. Antler points: TINES.  As in Fork Explorer?

16. Silken trap: WEB.

19. Winter hazard: ICE.  Also, a name in the news.

20. Sun-Maid morsel: RAISIN.  Sun-Maid is a play on words (sun made) that we learned early on (although most of us would have preferred finding a Hostess cupcake rather than RAISINs in our lunch bags).

21. "General Hospital" network: ABC.  General Hospital is an American daytime television soap opera which has been broadcast on ABC TV since April 1, 1963.

22. Quiet summons: PSST.  Frequently heard in our puzzles.

23. Crumb carrier: ANT.  Why be satisfied with a few crumbs?

24. Old Pontiac: GTO.  Would auto correct change this to the Pontiac GOT?

26. "Wonderwall" band: OASIS.  Five letters - three vowels, two esses.  A constructor's friend often clued with references to the desert.

32. Personal pronoun: SHE.

34. Magic, on ESPN crawls: ORL.  The ORLando, Florida NBA team.

35. Spanish title: SENORA.

36. Walks like a hippo: PLODS.  What do you do with a hippo with three balls?  Walk him and pitch to the rhino.

38. Hawks, on ESPN crawls: ATL.  The ATLanta, Georgia NBA team.

40. Put off: DELAY.  One television outlet had to DELAY televising the 'World Origami Championships' but it's currently available on paperview.

41. Ineffective shepherd of rhyme: BO PEEP.

43. Alley-__: OOP.  A basketball play and an old cartoon strip.

45. Overhead trains: ELS.  Chicago is famous for its ELevated TrainS.

49. Quartet voice: TENOR.  Bass, tenor and alto appear so often in our puzzles that it might be helpful to take a look at the overlapping ranges:

50. Coltrane's horn: SAX.  John Coltrane.  Would that be a TENOR SAX?

51. Big primate: APE.   What do APEs use to fix things?  Gorilla Glue.

54. "Ragnarok" hero: THOR.  Ragnarok is a Norse myth that depicts the cataclysmic destruction of the gods and the world, followed by a new age of rebirth.  The name was appropriated for a 2022 motion picture.

56. Family room: DEN.  Everyone knows Las Vegas is Sin City but are you familiar with Den City?  Mass over volume.

58. Metaphor for fitting items into a tight space: TETRIS.  This solver used to play until his wrist began to hurt severely.  Then he took a couple of aspirin and kept on playing.

60. Greet warmly: HUG.

63. In the past: AGO.

64. Sound during allergy season: ACHOO.

Men In Tights - 1993

65. Name on some compact trucks: TONKA.  Very compact (toy) trucks.

66. Unionize?: WED.  Cute, or cutesy, cluing.

67. Bob Marley's "Get Up, __ Up": STAND.

68. Hotel bookings: STAYS.

Down:

1. West African capital: ACCRA.  Often visited in our puzzles.

2. "Mean Girls" star: LOHAN.  Lindsay.  With four Golden Raspberry Awards and seven "official" arrests.

3. Stick the landing, so to speak: ACE IT.  Meh.  ACE IT is usually reserved for exams in our puzzles . . . but NAIL IT wouldn't fit.

4. Tiffs: ROWS.   Tiffs is only one of several possible definitions of ROWS.

5. Request to be excused: MAY I GO.

6. Scratch removal device?: ATM.  Scratch, in this case, is used as slang for money.

7. "New Love" singer Dua __: LIPA.  A frequent visitor.

8. Ready for shipping: IN A BOX.  Anybody remember the SNL bit with Justin Timberlake?

9. Some oral meds: GEL CAPS.  Abbreviated clue . . .

10. Intel org.: NSA.  Abbreviated clue . . .

11. Snack cake with a swirl: SWISS ROLL.

12. Bench press targets, for short: PECS.  PECtoral muscleS.

13. Criminally aid: ABET.  There is an annual day devoted to puns.  Abet and Aid Punsters Day

18. Foreword: INTRO.  Not an abbreviated clue but I guess INTRO is now an accepted form of the word INTROduction.

22. First of a kind: PIONEER.

25. Oft-pickled pod: OKRA.  I have a friend who always baits his hooks with OKRA when fly fishing . . . He's really into podcasting!

27. Arctic coaster: SLED.

28. Tennis great Roger: FEDERER.

29. Pop icon John: ELTON.  Covered, here, by Country Gazette (Byron Berline, Roger Bush, and Alan Munde):

30. Notable stretches: ERAS.

31. Bright line: RAY.  A little RAY of sunshine, a little bit of soul (The Turtles).

32. Blackthorn fruit: SLOE.  As in a SLOE gin fizz.

33. Fervently wish: HOPE TO GOD.

Animal House - 1978

36. Brown bag sando: PBJ.  Sando = Sandwich  PBJ = Peanut Butter and Jelly

37. Stitched: SEWN.

39. Records: LOGS.

42. Result of multiplying: PRODUCT.

44. "Theory of Forms" philosopher: PLATO.  This solver was not familiar with the title but his limited knowledge of philosophers actually made the answer easier to perp.  LOCKE didn't work out and Aristotle wouldn't fit.

47. Franklin who received honorary degrees from Harvard, Princeton, and Yale: ARETHA.  This solver thought, initially, that Franklin was being used as a first name.  The next thought was Benjamin.

The Blues Brothers - 1980

48. Wields, as influence: EXERTS.

51. Taylor Swift concert venue: ARENA.  Anagrams to, or when read backwards, AN ERA.  Apropos.

52. Hard to please: PICKY.

53. "¿Cómo __?": ESTAS.  S'up?

54. Become friendlier: THAW.  As in detente.

55. King-size: HUGE.

57. Morning's end: NOON.

59. Home run pace: TROT.

61. Some Energizers: AAS.  Energizer, capitalized, is a brand name of batteries.

62. Atlantic food fish: COD.  My girlfriend tried giving me some flatfish last night instead of COD!  Know your plaice woman!

. . . and on that note

____________________________________________