Theme: "Caution: People Overworking" - Each angry phrase is reinterpreted literally and humorously considering the profession of the people in the corresponding clue.
23A. The border guard __ : WENT OVER THE EDGE. This reminds me of Laura Ling's travails. Lots of North Koreans cross border into North China.
27A. The actor __ : MADE A SCENE
49A. The mechanic __ : BLEW A GASKET
64A. The tailor __ : CAME APART AT THE SEAMS
82A. The chef __ : CAUSED A STIR. My name is Gordon Ramsay, don't you know how to stir?
100A. The elevator operator __ : HIT THE ROOF
108A. The baggage handler __ : COULDN'T GET A GRIP
The answers are all past tense. Very consistent.
When I downloaded the puzzle and spotted the constructor's name, I murmured: "The grammar lady", maybe because I once blogged a grammar-themed puzzle Ms. Uthlaut made.
Across:
1. Gyro bread : PITA
5. Not just nerves : FEAR. I'm often nervous about "Not" in the clue as I always have trouble figuring out the part of the speech.
9. Pullers of plows : TEAMS
14. Summer staffing solutions : TEMPS
19. Net trading : E-COMMERCE. Solid e-word.
21. __ ease: uncomfortable : ILL AT
22. Glorify : EXALT
25. Pass on : RELAY
26. Move away : RECEDE. Like tide.
29. Sweet serving, often : DESSERT. I miss fried persimmon cake in Xi'An.
33. Stage of existence : AGE. Wow, am I dumb!
35. Avant's opposite : APRES. "After", as in ___-ski for our adventurous Marti.
36. They're often marked in red letters : EXITS
37. Consonant such as "f" or "v" : SPIRANT. I only know "aspirant".
41. Votes against : NOs & 56. "By all means!" : YES.
42. Hardwood tree : ASH
45. Keep on teasing : RIDE
46. Like major appliance repairs : ON-SITE
47. Neighbor of Russia : ESTONIA
53. "A great __ indicates a great man": Cyrano de Bergerac : NOSE. He meant "A big nose...".
55. Back muscles, briefly : LATs
57. Shabby : RATTY
58. They're heard in a herd : BAAs. Lovely.
59. Bring to the mix : ADD IN
60. Thus : ERGO
61. Very tired : SPENT
63. Capital of Belgium's East Flanders province : GHENT. Gimme, Spitzboov?
70. Spelunkers' haunts : CAVES. We used to have a "Spelunker" poster (Richshiff) on the blog.
71. Bargain and steal : DEALS
72. 40-day period : LENT
73. Dizzying genre : OP ART
74. Like many doilies : LACY
75. Melted together : FUSED
77. Cutter : SAW
80. Sacha Baron Cohen persona : ALI-G. I like Sacha Baron Cohen a lot. But his characters are all ridiculous.
81. "Brave New World" feel-good drug : SOMA
85. Keyboard instrument with bell-like tones : CELESTA
87. Earthshaking events : SEISMS. It'll be an earthshaking event when Windhover goes to a nail salon. I'm thinking CrossEyedDave might go there simply because of his curiosity.
89. Orpheus' strings : LYRE
90. Abbr. after Brooklyn : HTS
91. Many, many years : EON
92. Ragged clothes : TATTERS
94. Lounging footwear : MULES
95. "The Crucible" setting : SALEM
97. Cereal grain : RYE
98. Autocratic, Russian-style : CZARIST
104. Raised : REARED
107. "Farewell, mon ami" : ADIEU
114. Arabian Peninsula country : YEMEN
115. Where many knots are tied : ALTAR
116. Vanilla-flavored drink : CREAM SODA
117. Silver fish : SMELT
118. Like Rod Stewart's voice : RASPY. This song is quite good.
119. Author __ Christian Andersen : HANS
120. Shortly : ANON
Down:
1. Bench in the nave : PEW
2. Cover at the bakery : ICE
3. Great deal : TON
4. Tsp. or tbsp. : AMT
5. Unhealthy temperature : FEVER
6. Sets upright : ERECTS
7. Property unit : ACRE
8. Like Gen. Powell : RET'D. His wife loves crosswords.
9. Link : TIE
10. Natural environment : ELEMENT
11. "The Aviator" (2004) actor : ALDA. I watched the movie, don't remember whom he played.
12. Oldest Gabor sister : MAGDA
13. Precipice quality : STEEPNESS
14. Most succinct : TERSEST. My emails are often short, unless I'm tired or sad, then I ramble a bit.
15. Board chairs, e.g. : EXECS
16. Gobbler, for one : MALE
17. Certain drawing : PLAN. For Splynter & Jerome. I wonder if Jerome loves hockey also.
18. Lid irritation : STYE
20. Customs : MORES
24. Processional leader : HEARSE
28. Lost one's lap : AROSE. Ah, that "lap", OK!
29. Louisville race : DERBY. 58. Action at a 29-Down : BETS.
30. Banish : EXILE
31. Aligns oneself (with) : SIDES
32. Dish with many recipes : STEW. I'll let my abundant Thai peppers dry like this.
34. Way to go : GAIT
38. Put up : POST
39. Black as night : INKY
40. Renter : TENANT
42. Ancient garland for the head : ANADEM. No idea. But this is lovely
43. Peaceful occupations : SIT-INS
44. Lacks : HASN'T
48. No longer in style : OLD HAT
50. A cop might put someone under it : ARREST. Nice clue.
51. Nuts (over) : GAGA
52. Perched on : ATOP
54. Promise : OATH. 112. Brief 54-Down : I DO.
59. Things to address : AGENDA
60. Come out : EMERGE
61. Time at a hotel : STAY. Dennis' new house has avocado & lemon trees. I don't think he likes avocados.
62. Bud : PAL
64. It's not so hard to swallow : CAPLET
65. Is of use : AVAILS
66. Genesis father of three : ADAM
67. Gave to another actor : RE-CAST
68. In addition : ELSE
69. Descendants : SEED
70. Mentor : COACH
74. Body shop convenience : LOANER CAR. Made me think of D-Otto's headache.
75. Get really upset : FUME. Another angry word.
76. Red power, initially : USSR. "Initially" always suggests "initials" in Xwords.
77. Phonograph needles : STYLI
78. Buenos __ : AIRES
79. Get by force : WREST
81. Priest's vestment : STOLE
82. Mayor's responsibility : CITY
83. Back at sea : ASTERN
84. Hardly a compliment : SLUR
86. Old TV series with underwater scenes : SEA HUNT. Never heard of it.
88. Cap attachment : EAR FLAP
93. Show at a theater : SCREEN
94. Address from Jeeves : MADAM. Stumper. Never watched "Jeeves and Wooster".
95. Iron alloy : STEEL
96. Cash, in slang : MOOLA
99. Letters from Greece : ZETAS
100. "Airplane!" actor Robert : HAYS
101. The same as before, in footnotes : IDEM
102. "The devourer of all things": Ovid : TIME. I like this kind of quote clue for common words.
103. Often unproductive at bats : OUTS. All too familiar.
105. Engrave : ETCH
106. Taj Mahal home : AGRA
109. Like toast without butter : DRY. You can put fig jam on.
110. Federal agency support org. : GSA (General Services Administration)
111. Director Howard : RON
113. Go for the gold? : PAN. Great clue too.
Answer grid.
C.C.
23A. The border guard __ : WENT OVER THE EDGE. This reminds me of Laura Ling's travails. Lots of North Koreans cross border into North China.
27A. The actor __ : MADE A SCENE
49A. The mechanic __ : BLEW A GASKET64A. The tailor __ : CAME APART AT THE SEAMS
82A. The chef __ : CAUSED A STIR. My name is Gordon Ramsay, don't you know how to stir?
100A. The elevator operator __ : HIT THE ROOF
108A. The baggage handler __ : COULDN'T GET A GRIP
The answers are all past tense. Very consistent.
When I downloaded the puzzle and spotted the constructor's name, I murmured: "The grammar lady", maybe because I once blogged a grammar-themed puzzle Ms. Uthlaut made.
Across:
1. Gyro bread : PITA
5. Not just nerves : FEAR. I'm often nervous about "Not" in the clue as I always have trouble figuring out the part of the speech.
9. Pullers of plows : TEAMS
14. Summer staffing solutions : TEMPS
19. Net trading : E-COMMERCE. Solid e-word.
21. __ ease: uncomfortable : ILL AT
22. Glorify : EXALT
25. Pass on : RELAY
26. Move away : RECEDE. Like tide.
29. Sweet serving, often : DESSERT. I miss fried persimmon cake in Xi'An.
33. Stage of existence : AGE. Wow, am I dumb!
35. Avant's opposite : APRES. "After", as in ___-ski for our adventurous Marti.
36. They're often marked in red letters : EXITS
37. Consonant such as "f" or "v" : SPIRANT. I only know "aspirant".
41. Votes against : NOs & 56. "By all means!" : YES.
42. Hardwood tree : ASH
45. Keep on teasing : RIDE
46. Like major appliance repairs : ON-SITE
47. Neighbor of Russia : ESTONIA
53. "A great __ indicates a great man": Cyrano de Bergerac : NOSE. He meant "A big nose...".
55. Back muscles, briefly : LATs
57. Shabby : RATTY
58. They're heard in a herd : BAAs. Lovely.
59. Bring to the mix : ADD IN
60. Thus : ERGO
61. Very tired : SPENT
63. Capital of Belgium's East Flanders province : GHENT. Gimme, Spitzboov?
70. Spelunkers' haunts : CAVES. We used to have a "Spelunker" poster (Richshiff) on the blog.
71. Bargain and steal : DEALS
72. 40-day period : LENT
73. Dizzying genre : OP ART
74. Like many doilies : LACY
75. Melted together : FUSED
77. Cutter : SAW
80. Sacha Baron Cohen persona : ALI-G. I like Sacha Baron Cohen a lot. But his characters are all ridiculous.
81. "Brave New World" feel-good drug : SOMA
85. Keyboard instrument with bell-like tones : CELESTA
87. Earthshaking events : SEISMS. It'll be an earthshaking event when Windhover goes to a nail salon. I'm thinking CrossEyedDave might go there simply because of his curiosity.
89. Orpheus' strings : LYRE
90. Abbr. after Brooklyn : HTS
91. Many, many years : EON
92. Ragged clothes : TATTERS
94. Lounging footwear : MULES
95. "The Crucible" setting : SALEM
97. Cereal grain : RYE
98. Autocratic, Russian-style : CZARIST
104. Raised : REARED
107. "Farewell, mon ami" : ADIEU
114. Arabian Peninsula country : YEMEN
115. Where many knots are tied : ALTAR
116. Vanilla-flavored drink : CREAM SODA
117. Silver fish : SMELT
118. Like Rod Stewart's voice : RASPY. This song is quite good.
119. Author __ Christian Andersen : HANS
120. Shortly : ANON
Down:
1. Bench in the nave : PEW
2. Cover at the bakery : ICE
3. Great deal : TON
4. Tsp. or tbsp. : AMT
5. Unhealthy temperature : FEVER
6. Sets upright : ERECTS
7. Property unit : ACRE
8. Like Gen. Powell : RET'D. His wife loves crosswords.
9. Link : TIE
10. Natural environment : ELEMENT
11. "The Aviator" (2004) actor : ALDA. I watched the movie, don't remember whom he played.
12. Oldest Gabor sister : MAGDA
13. Precipice quality : STEEPNESS
14. Most succinct : TERSEST. My emails are often short, unless I'm tired or sad, then I ramble a bit.
15. Board chairs, e.g. : EXECS
16. Gobbler, for one : MALE
17. Certain drawing : PLAN. For Splynter & Jerome. I wonder if Jerome loves hockey also.
18. Lid irritation : STYE
20. Customs : MORES
24. Processional leader : HEARSE
28. Lost one's lap : AROSE. Ah, that "lap", OK!
29. Louisville race : DERBY. 58. Action at a 29-Down : BETS.
30. Banish : EXILE
31. Aligns oneself (with) : SIDES
32. Dish with many recipes : STEW. I'll let my abundant Thai peppers dry like this.
34. Way to go : GAIT
38. Put up : POST
39. Black as night : INKY
40. Renter : TENANT
42. Ancient garland for the head : ANADEM. No idea. But this is lovely
43. Peaceful occupations : SIT-INS
44. Lacks : HASN'T
48. No longer in style : OLD HAT
50. A cop might put someone under it : ARREST. Nice clue.
51. Nuts (over) : GAGA
52. Perched on : ATOP
54. Promise : OATH. 112. Brief 54-Down : I DO.
59. Things to address : AGENDA
60. Come out : EMERGE
61. Time at a hotel : STAY. Dennis' new house has avocado & lemon trees. I don't think he likes avocados.
62. Bud : PAL
64. It's not so hard to swallow : CAPLET
65. Is of use : AVAILS
66. Genesis father of three : ADAM
67. Gave to another actor : RE-CAST
68. In addition : ELSE
69. Descendants : SEED
70. Mentor : COACH
74. Body shop convenience : LOANER CAR. Made me think of D-Otto's headache.
75. Get really upset : FUME. Another angry word.
76. Red power, initially : USSR. "Initially" always suggests "initials" in Xwords.
77. Phonograph needles : STYLI
78. Buenos __ : AIRES
79. Get by force : WREST
81. Priest's vestment : STOLE
82. Mayor's responsibility : CITY
83. Back at sea : ASTERN
84. Hardly a compliment : SLUR
86. Old TV series with underwater scenes : SEA HUNT. Never heard of it.
88. Cap attachment : EAR FLAP
93. Show at a theater : SCREEN
94. Address from Jeeves : MADAM. Stumper. Never watched "Jeeves and Wooster".
95. Iron alloy : STEEL
96. Cash, in slang : MOOLA
99. Letters from Greece : ZETAS
100. "Airplane!" actor Robert : HAYS
101. The same as before, in footnotes : IDEM
102. "The devourer of all things": Ovid : TIME. I like this kind of quote clue for common words.
103. Often unproductive at bats : OUTS. All too familiar.
105. Engrave : ETCH
106. Taj Mahal home : AGRA
109. Like toast without butter : DRY. You can put fig jam on.
110. Federal agency support org. : GSA (General Services Administration)
111. Director Howard : RON
113. Go for the gold? : PAN. Great clue too.
Answer grid.
C.C.
