Theme: MONKEY AROUND (53A: Spend time idly (and a hint to what can precede the last word of 20-, 25-, 38- or 47-Across))
20A: Stage, screen, etc.: SHOW BUSINESS
25A: They have latte charges: COFFEE BARS
38A: Action in court: LAWSUIT
47A: Oxford brighteners: SHOESHINES
I always associate MONKEY BUSINESS with Gary Hart/Donna Rice scandal. MONKEY BARS are not part of my childhood memory. Only learned a few months ago that MONKEY SUIT is slang for tuxedo. MONKEYSHINE is a new word to me. Dictionary says it's usually in plural form, referring to "a frivolous or mischievous prank", similar to MONKEY BUSINESS.
Quite unusual to see the two non-theme Across fills SQUATTERS (17A: Occupants of abandoned buildings, e.g.:) and REPLAYING (61A: Using a DVR, say) have more letters than the center theme entry LAWSUIT.
MONKEY is one of the 12-year cycle of Chinese zodiac animals. People born in the year of MONKEY are highly energetic and inventive. Here are more traits. I am a pig. Generally I don't get along with those who were born in the year of snake.
Across:
1A: Wire wearer: SPY. Alliterative clue.
4A: Low men: BASSI. "Low men in an opera/choir" to be precise. Plural of BASSO. I was in the SERFS/ESNES direction.
14A: Witness stand oath: I DO. I really liked Merl Reagle's "Two words Oprah hasn't said" clue for I DO (forward to 6:03).
16A: Shire of "Rocky": TALIA. She played Connie in the "Godfather".
30A: It follows that: ERGO. Latin for "Therefore" or "It follows that...".
35A: Scientology's __ Hubbard: L. RON. Just learned that L stands for Lafayette.
36A: Big name in Arizona political history: UDALL. Learned from doing Xword. They are Democrats in a historically red state.
44A: Vena __: CAVA. Latin for "hollow".
45A: Nest egg initials: IRA (Individual Retirement Account)
46A: War honoree: HERO. Thought of VETS first.
52A: Homer Simpson's neighbor: NED
60A: Prestigious university octet: IVIES. The Ivy League.
66A: New parent's lack?: SLEEP. Great clue. Nice pair with NAPS (59D: Is off guard).
67A: "The Company": CIA. Does FBI have a nickname also? I only know G-MAN.
70A: Big fat mouth: YAP
Down:
1D: Skipper, to Barbie: SIS. Skipper's friend is Skooter. Tough to find a vintage barbie in mint condition.
2D: Brief "At once!": PDQ (Pretty Damn Quick)
3D: Uncle Sam poster word: YOU. I want YOU.
4D: LPGA Hall of Famer Daniel: BETH. Ah, the next Solheim Cup captain. She just picked Michele Wie as a wild card. She also tapped Julie Inkster.
8D: Bank named on a credit card: ISSUER
9D: Skylit areas: ATRIA. One letter away from ALTRIA (parent company of Philip Morris/Kraft), Latin for "high".
10D: Discouraged: DAUNTED
22D: Bring relief to: SOOTHE
23D: Catered event: AFFAIR. Waiting for it to be clued as "Extramarital relationship". Two people can have AFFAIRS without sexual relationship, correct?
25D: Potato's place?: COUCH. COUCH potato.
27D: Proctor & Gamble detergent: ERA. Nice new clue.
29D: Inexpensive former camera brand: ANSCO. Not familiar with this brand. It stands for Anthony & Scoville Co.
31D: Formation from steam erosion: RAVINE
32D: Stared angrily: GLARED. Not fond of the clue. Too many letter repetitions.
33D: Southwestern crocks: OLLAS
36D: Six-sided state: UTAH. Jazz-y too.
39D: Dubai's federation: Abbr.: UAE (United Arab Emirates). Dubai is one of the 7 Emirate. Also the city name.
43D: Cargo pants features: POCKETS
47D: Limit, in a saying: SKY. The SKY is the limit.
48D: Publisher who was the inspiration for "Citizen Kane": HEARST
49D: Race since 1911, informally: INDY. INDY 500. The Memorial Day weekend race.
51D: "The Lion and the Mouse" fabulist: AESOP. The man of morals.
53D: Junk drawer label: MISC
54D: Lionel layout, maybe: OVAL
55D: 15th century caravel: NINA. Pinta & Santa Maria. Columbus's ships.
57D: Receptive: OPEN
58D: Beekeepr in a 1997 movie: ULEE. "ULEE's Gold". Starring Peter Fonda.
63D: Peeples of "Fame": NIA. She is also in "Walker, Texas Ranger".
Answer grid.
C.C.
20A: Stage, screen, etc.: SHOW BUSINESS
25A: They have latte charges: COFFEE BARS
38A: Action in court: LAWSUIT
47A: Oxford brighteners: SHOESHINES
I always associate MONKEY BUSINESS with Gary Hart/Donna Rice scandal. MONKEY BARS are not part of my childhood memory. Only learned a few months ago that MONKEY SUIT is slang for tuxedo. MONKEYSHINE is a new word to me. Dictionary says it's usually in plural form, referring to "a frivolous or mischievous prank", similar to MONKEY BUSINESS.
Quite unusual to see the two non-theme Across fills SQUATTERS (17A: Occupants of abandoned buildings, e.g.:) and REPLAYING (61A: Using a DVR, say) have more letters than the center theme entry LAWSUIT.
MONKEY is one of the 12-year cycle of Chinese zodiac animals. People born in the year of MONKEY are highly energetic and inventive. Here are more traits. I am a pig. Generally I don't get along with those who were born in the year of snake.
Across:
1A: Wire wearer: SPY. Alliterative clue.
4A: Low men: BASSI. "Low men in an opera/choir" to be precise. Plural of BASSO. I was in the SERFS/ESNES direction.
14A: Witness stand oath: I DO. I really liked Merl Reagle's "Two words Oprah hasn't said" clue for I DO (forward to 6:03).
16A: Shire of "Rocky": TALIA. She played Connie in the "Godfather".
30A: It follows that: ERGO. Latin for "Therefore" or "It follows that...".
35A: Scientology's __ Hubbard: L. RON. Just learned that L stands for Lafayette.
36A: Big name in Arizona political history: UDALL. Learned from doing Xword. They are Democrats in a historically red state.
44A: Vena __: CAVA. Latin for "hollow".
45A: Nest egg initials: IRA (Individual Retirement Account)
46A: War honoree: HERO. Thought of VETS first.
52A: Homer Simpson's neighbor: NED
60A: Prestigious university octet: IVIES. The Ivy League.
66A: New parent's lack?: SLEEP. Great clue. Nice pair with NAPS (59D: Is off guard).
67A: "The Company": CIA. Does FBI have a nickname also? I only know G-MAN.
70A: Big fat mouth: YAP
Down:
1D: Skipper, to Barbie: SIS. Skipper's friend is Skooter. Tough to find a vintage barbie in mint condition.
2D: Brief "At once!": PDQ (Pretty Damn Quick)
3D: Uncle Sam poster word: YOU. I want YOU.
4D: LPGA Hall of Famer Daniel: BETH. Ah, the next Solheim Cup captain. She just picked Michele Wie as a wild card. She also tapped Julie Inkster.
8D: Bank named on a credit card: ISSUER
9D: Skylit areas: ATRIA. One letter away from ALTRIA (parent company of Philip Morris/Kraft), Latin for "high".
10D: Discouraged: DAUNTED
22D: Bring relief to: SOOTHE
23D: Catered event: AFFAIR. Waiting for it to be clued as "Extramarital relationship". Two people can have AFFAIRS without sexual relationship, correct?
25D: Potato's place?: COUCH. COUCH potato.
27D: Proctor & Gamble detergent: ERA. Nice new clue.
29D: Inexpensive former camera brand: ANSCO. Not familiar with this brand. It stands for Anthony & Scoville Co.
31D: Formation from steam erosion: RAVINE
32D: Stared angrily: GLARED. Not fond of the clue. Too many letter repetitions.
33D: Southwestern crocks: OLLAS
36D: Six-sided state: UTAH. Jazz-y too.
39D: Dubai's federation: Abbr.: UAE (United Arab Emirates). Dubai is one of the 7 Emirate. Also the city name.
43D: Cargo pants features: POCKETS
47D: Limit, in a saying: SKY. The SKY is the limit.
48D: Publisher who was the inspiration for "Citizen Kane": HEARST
49D: Race since 1911, informally: INDY. INDY 500. The Memorial Day weekend race.
51D: "The Lion and the Mouse" fabulist: AESOP. The man of morals.
53D: Junk drawer label: MISC
54D: Lionel layout, maybe: OVAL
55D: 15th century caravel: NINA. Pinta & Santa Maria. Columbus's ships.
57D: Receptive: OPEN
58D: Beekeepr in a 1997 movie: ULEE. "ULEE's Gold". Starring Peter Fonda.
63D: Peeples of "Fame": NIA. She is also in "Walker, Texas Ranger".
Answer grid.
C.C.
