Theme: Coif It Up - One word in each common phrase is punnily replaced by a hair salon term.
27A. Salon for Trump and his imitators? : WE SHALL OVER-COMB. We shall overcome.
35A. The queen's salon? : SCISSORS PALACE. Caesars Palace. What's the connection between "queen" and "scissors"?
70A. Salon specializing in plaits? : BRAIDER JOE'S. Trader Joe's.
100A. Salon for swimsuit models? : BEACHED BLONDES. Bleached blondes. Reverse theme entry, isn't it? The hair-related word is out. So, no "Coif it Up" here as the title suggests. BLEACHED WHALE would fit the pattern.
111A. London salon? : BRITISH HAIR WAYS. British Airways.
15D. Salon for newlyweds? : BRUSHING BRIDES. Blushing brides.
48D. Salon for idealists? : CURL OF MY DREAMS. Girl of my dreams.
As I mentioned before, punning is very subjective. It produces giggles in some, and groans & grins in others. I'm afraid I will never fully appreciate the fun of English puns due to my background. Coming to America at age 30 is too late to grasp the nuance of the language.
But I was excited to see James Sajdak's byline. He's a great constructor. He mentioned before that he likes "feel good, fun puzzles" and dislikes war references. He said "I make a conscious effort to avoid things like A TEST, N TEST, DESERT STORM and other militaristic references".
Sometimes theme & answer selection reflect a constructor's background, interests and principles.
Across:
1. Comprehend : GRASP
6. Southern Russian city : OMSK. In Siberia.
10. Sources of a 2000 ballot controversy : CHADS. It's in the clue for Splynter's FLA yesterday.
15. University QB, e.g. : BMOC (Big Man On Campus)
19. Out of control : ROGUE. Going rogue!
20. Soda with fruity flavors : NEHI
21. Rarin' to fight : HET UP
22. First woman attorney general : RENO (Janet)
23. Vote in : ELECT
24. Settled : ALIT
25. Kitchen drawer? : AROMA. Always a fun clue.
26. Took advantage of : USED
30. Computer file acronym : ASCII
31. Natural balm : ALOE
32. Sushi staple : AHI. Yellowfin tuna.
33. Fair share for a pair : ONE HALF
42. Having ruffles : FRILLY
43. Needle : RIB
44. "... and __ a good-night!" : TO ALL
45. Dieter's breakfast : MELON. And 74A. Convenient breakfast fare : EGGOS. Clecho (clue echo).
47. "Mother, please, I'd rather do it myself!" product : ANACIN. Not familiar with the line.
51. Fender unbender? : BODY SHOP. "Unbender" indeed.
54. Speakeasy employee : B-GIRL
58. Prepare to operate : SCRUB UP. For surgery.
60. "Mon Oncle" star : TATI (Jacques)
61. Yippie Hoffman : ABBIE
62. Adjusts the boundaries for, perhaps : REMAPS
65. Battlefield cry : MEDIC. Gimme for Dennis, who risked his life in Vietnam and was shot in the knee.
66. Stabs : TRIES
67. Rapper __ Moe Dee : KOOL. Rappers all think they're kool.
73. Ain't the way it should be? : ISN'T
76. Prepare for a dubbing : KNEEL. Oh, dubbing a knight. Not movies.
77. Wanting : IN NEED
79. Dutch pottery city : DELFT. The distinctive blue & white pattern is originated in China.
80. Sensible : SANE
81. Racer Maserati : ERNESTO. Well, eddyB, your turn! If the clue is not Che Guevara related, then I know nothing.
85. Memo from upstairs : SEE ME
86. Reagan era scandal : IRANGATE. Iran-Contra.
91. Help develop : FOSTER
92. One who shouldn't be in your business? : YENTA. In every culture.
94. Nutritional std. : US RDA
96. Eponymous western tribe : UTE
97. Only just : HARDLY
106. What "they've all gone to look for," in a Paul Simon song : AMERICA. For Boomer.
108. Jean-__ Picard: "Star Trek: TNG" captain : LUC
109. Cryptic character : RUNE
110. Soprano Fleming : RENEE
119. Edmonton's prov. : ALTA. Alberta.
120. Embarrass : ABASH
121. Slangy hangout, with "the" : HOOD
122. Dublin theater : ABBEY. Abbey Theater.
123. Where Anna was governess : SIAM. Anna in "The King and I".
124. Chip choice : NACHO. And 125. Chip, maybe : ANTE. Another clecho.
126. Italy's fashion center : MILAN. AC Milan too.
127. "Do the Right Thing" pizzeria : SAL'S
128. Schindler with a list : OSKAR. "Schindler's List".
129. Service dining hall : MESS
130. Noblemen : PEERS
Down:
1. Cultivated : GREW
2. Something to read for : ROLE. Oh, for audition.
3. Gets older : AGES. My mother died at age 36. Sometimes I see her when I look at myself in the mirror.
4. For example : SUCH AS
5. Potpourri items : PETALS
6. Ready : ON ALERT
7. Dramatic opening? : MELO. Melodramatic.
8. Thug's knife : SHIV
9. Flier on the beach, often : KITE
10. Cuban dance : CHA CHA
11. Like brave deeds : HEROIC
12. Molecular bit : ATOM
13. Timothy Q. Mouse's title friend : DUMBO
14. Baths : SPA
16. Agave liquor : MESCAL. How does it taste?
17. '70s-'80s House speaker : O'NEILL (Tip).
18. Systematize, as rules : CODIFY
28. John for Elton : LOO. John = Loo.
29. Unite for a cause : RALLY
30. Stunt pilot, e.g. : AEROBAT
34. Bears' org. : NFL
35. Titles for esposas: Abbr. : SRAS. "Esposas" is Spanish for "spouses" I gather.
36. POTUS, to the military : CINC (Commander-in-Chief). POTUS = President of The United States.
37. Support beam : I-BAR
38. More than sniffle : SOB
39. Kung __ chicken : PAO. Kung = Palace. Pao = Guard. The dish is named after an official who worked in the Qing Dynasty palace. Kung Pao is Cantonese. In Mandarin, it's Gong Bao chicken.
40. City council mem. : ALD
41. It may be repressed : EMOTION
46. Unisex : EPICENE. New word for me.
49. "May __ frank?" : I BE
50. Asleep, as a foot : NUMB
52. Trick ending? : STER. Trickster.
53. Mecca-bound pilgrim : HADJI. Or HAJJI.
55. Head of the Egyptian god Thoth, in many renderings : IBIS. Sacred bird to the ancient Egyptians.
56. It means nothing to Nanette : RIEN. Literally "nothing".
57. For fear that : LEST
59. Puts one's seat on a seat, in slang : PARKS IT
63. Favoring Mideast unity : PAN-ARAB
64. Tuscan city : SIENA. Brings to mind "Under the Tuscan Sun".
65. Blanc with many voices : MEL
67. Sneaker brand : KEDS. Any Doc Martens fan here?
68. S-shaped molding : OGEE
69. Look like a Lothario? : OGLE. Alliteration.
71. Restaurateur Paula : DEEN. Well, no one is perfect. "Kiss my grits!"
72. Feudal peasant : SERF
75. Metal marble : STEELIE. Crossword word.
78. "Another Green World" musician Brian : ENO
82. Game with a hole card : STUD
83. Beret holder : TETE
84. Galena and hematite : ORES
87. Italian bag man? : GUCCI. FENDI has 5 letter also, and Italian luxury bag brand as well.
88. Louisville Slugger wood : ASH
89. Half of sei : TRE
90. Announcer Hall : EDD
93. MoMA locale : NYC
95. Rubs the wrong way : ABRADES
97. Bedevil : HARASS
98. 2009 title role for Hilary : AMELIA. Hilary Swank.
99. Cottage at the beach, often : RENTAL
101. Inventor Otis : ELISHA
102. Appreciative cry after a play : AUTHOR. I don't get this clue.
103. Him, in Le Havre : LUI
104. Location for potential mergers? : ON RAMP. Was thinking of business mergers.
105. Neophyte : NEWBIE
107. Arafat's successor : ABBAS
112. Pool triangle : RACK
113. Hoax : SHAM
114. Perfect : HONE
115. Intense attraction, with "the" : HOTS
116. Willing follower? : ABLE. Ready, willing and able.
117. It changes annually : YEAR. True.
118. Dict. entries : SYNS
120. "Is that __?" : A NO
Answer grid.
C.C.
27A. Salon for Trump and his imitators? : WE SHALL OVER-COMB. We shall overcome.
35A. The queen's salon? : SCISSORS PALACE. Caesars Palace. What's the connection between "queen" and "scissors"?
70A. Salon specializing in plaits? : BRAIDER JOE'S. Trader Joe's.
100A. Salon for swimsuit models? : BEACHED BLONDES. Bleached blondes. Reverse theme entry, isn't it? The hair-related word is out. So, no "Coif it Up" here as the title suggests. BLEACHED WHALE would fit the pattern.
111A. London salon? : BRITISH HAIR WAYS. British Airways.
15D. Salon for newlyweds? : BRUSHING BRIDES. Blushing brides.
48D. Salon for idealists? : CURL OF MY DREAMS. Girl of my dreams.
As I mentioned before, punning is very subjective. It produces giggles in some, and groans & grins in others. I'm afraid I will never fully appreciate the fun of English puns due to my background. Coming to America at age 30 is too late to grasp the nuance of the language.
But I was excited to see James Sajdak's byline. He's a great constructor. He mentioned before that he likes "feel good, fun puzzles" and dislikes war references. He said "I make a conscious effort to avoid things like A TEST, N TEST, DESERT STORM and other militaristic references".
Sometimes theme & answer selection reflect a constructor's background, interests and principles.
Across:
1. Comprehend : GRASP
6. Southern Russian city : OMSK. In Siberia.
10. Sources of a 2000 ballot controversy : CHADS. It's in the clue for Splynter's FLA yesterday.
15. University QB, e.g. : BMOC (Big Man On Campus)
19. Out of control : ROGUE. Going rogue!
20. Soda with fruity flavors : NEHI
21. Rarin' to fight : HET UP
22. First woman attorney general : RENO (Janet)
23. Vote in : ELECT
24. Settled : ALIT
25. Kitchen drawer? : AROMA. Always a fun clue.
26. Took advantage of : USED
30. Computer file acronym : ASCII
31. Natural balm : ALOE
32. Sushi staple : AHI. Yellowfin tuna.
33. Fair share for a pair : ONE HALF
42. Having ruffles : FRILLY
43. Needle : RIB
44. "... and __ a good-night!" : TO ALL
45. Dieter's breakfast : MELON. And 74A. Convenient breakfast fare : EGGOS. Clecho (clue echo).
47. "Mother, please, I'd rather do it myself!" product : ANACIN. Not familiar with the line.
51. Fender unbender? : BODY SHOP. "Unbender" indeed.
54. Speakeasy employee : B-GIRL
58. Prepare to operate : SCRUB UP. For surgery.
60. "Mon Oncle" star : TATI (Jacques)
61. Yippie Hoffman : ABBIE
62. Adjusts the boundaries for, perhaps : REMAPS
65. Battlefield cry : MEDIC. Gimme for Dennis, who risked his life in Vietnam and was shot in the knee.
66. Stabs : TRIES
67. Rapper __ Moe Dee : KOOL. Rappers all think they're kool.
73. Ain't the way it should be? : ISN'T
76. Prepare for a dubbing : KNEEL. Oh, dubbing a knight. Not movies.
77. Wanting : IN NEED
79. Dutch pottery city : DELFT. The distinctive blue & white pattern is originated in China.
80. Sensible : SANE
81. Racer Maserati : ERNESTO. Well, eddyB, your turn! If the clue is not Che Guevara related, then I know nothing.
85. Memo from upstairs : SEE ME
86. Reagan era scandal : IRANGATE. Iran-Contra.
91. Help develop : FOSTER
92. One who shouldn't be in your business? : YENTA. In every culture.
94. Nutritional std. : US RDA
96. Eponymous western tribe : UTE
97. Only just : HARDLY
106. What "they've all gone to look for," in a Paul Simon song : AMERICA. For Boomer.
108. Jean-__ Picard: "Star Trek: TNG" captain : LUC
109. Cryptic character : RUNE
110. Soprano Fleming : RENEE
119. Edmonton's prov. : ALTA. Alberta.
120. Embarrass : ABASH
121. Slangy hangout, with "the" : HOOD
122. Dublin theater : ABBEY. Abbey Theater.
123. Where Anna was governess : SIAM. Anna in "The King and I".
124. Chip choice : NACHO. And 125. Chip, maybe : ANTE. Another clecho.
126. Italy's fashion center : MILAN. AC Milan too.
127. "Do the Right Thing" pizzeria : SAL'S
128. Schindler with a list : OSKAR. "Schindler's List".
129. Service dining hall : MESS
130. Noblemen : PEERS
Down:
1. Cultivated : GREW
2. Something to read for : ROLE. Oh, for audition.
3. Gets older : AGES. My mother died at age 36. Sometimes I see her when I look at myself in the mirror.
4. For example : SUCH AS
5. Potpourri items : PETALS
6. Ready : ON ALERT
7. Dramatic opening? : MELO. Melodramatic.
8. Thug's knife : SHIV
9. Flier on the beach, often : KITE
10. Cuban dance : CHA CHA
11. Like brave deeds : HEROIC
12. Molecular bit : ATOM
13. Timothy Q. Mouse's title friend : DUMBO
14. Baths : SPA
16. Agave liquor : MESCAL. How does it taste?
17. '70s-'80s House speaker : O'NEILL (Tip).
18. Systematize, as rules : CODIFY
28. John for Elton : LOO. John = Loo.
29. Unite for a cause : RALLY
30. Stunt pilot, e.g. : AEROBAT
34. Bears' org. : NFL
35. Titles for esposas: Abbr. : SRAS. "Esposas" is Spanish for "spouses" I gather.
36. POTUS, to the military : CINC (Commander-in-Chief). POTUS = President of The United States.
37. Support beam : I-BAR
38. More than sniffle : SOB
39. Kung __ chicken : PAO. Kung = Palace. Pao = Guard. The dish is named after an official who worked in the Qing Dynasty palace. Kung Pao is Cantonese. In Mandarin, it's Gong Bao chicken.
40. City council mem. : ALD
41. It may be repressed : EMOTION
46. Unisex : EPICENE. New word for me.
49. "May __ frank?" : I BE
50. Asleep, as a foot : NUMB
52. Trick ending? : STER. Trickster.
53. Mecca-bound pilgrim : HADJI. Or HAJJI.
55. Head of the Egyptian god Thoth, in many renderings : IBIS. Sacred bird to the ancient Egyptians.
56. It means nothing to Nanette : RIEN. Literally "nothing".
57. For fear that : LEST
59. Puts one's seat on a seat, in slang : PARKS IT
63. Favoring Mideast unity : PAN-ARAB
64. Tuscan city : SIENA. Brings to mind "Under the Tuscan Sun".
65. Blanc with many voices : MEL
67. Sneaker brand : KEDS. Any Doc Martens fan here?
68. S-shaped molding : OGEE
69. Look like a Lothario? : OGLE. Alliteration.
71. Restaurateur Paula : DEEN. Well, no one is perfect. "Kiss my grits!"
72. Feudal peasant : SERF
75. Metal marble : STEELIE. Crossword word.
78. "Another Green World" musician Brian : ENO
82. Game with a hole card : STUD
83. Beret holder : TETE
84. Galena and hematite : ORES
87. Italian bag man? : GUCCI. FENDI has 5 letter also, and Italian luxury bag brand as well.
88. Louisville Slugger wood : ASH
89. Half of sei : TRE
90. Announcer Hall : EDD
93. MoMA locale : NYC
95. Rubs the wrong way : ABRADES
97. Bedevil : HARASS
98. 2009 title role for Hilary : AMELIA. Hilary Swank.
99. Cottage at the beach, often : RENTAL
101. Inventor Otis : ELISHA
102. Appreciative cry after a play : AUTHOR. I don't get this clue.
103. Him, in Le Havre : LUI
104. Location for potential mergers? : ON RAMP. Was thinking of business mergers.
105. Neophyte : NEWBIE
107. Arafat's successor : ABBAS
112. Pool triangle : RACK
113. Hoax : SHAM
114. Perfect : HONE
115. Intense attraction, with "the" : HOTS
116. Willing follower? : ABLE. Ready, willing and able.
117. It changes annually : YEAR. True.
118. Dict. entries : SYNS
120. "Is that __?" : A NO
Answer grid.
C.C.
