Theme: Psst, got a second - The first word in four common phrases can be the second word, behind the word 'SECOND', in four new common phrases.
20A. Socioeconomic tension : CLASS STRUGGLE. Second class.
27A. Skinny guy's nickname : STRINGBEAN. Second string(B squad).
38A. Wages sans overtime : BASE PAY. Second base.
47A. Informational stroll through the forest : NATURE WALK. Second nature.
55A. "Same here," and what might be said about the start of 20-, 27-, 38- or 47-Across : "I'LL SECOND THAT"
Argyle here. I found this to be a smooth conglomeration with a couple of minor themes. As with yesterday, decent fill.
Across:
1. Banned chem. contaminant : PCB and 43D. Contaminate : POLLUTE
4. Confess : OWN UP
9. Pie-in-the-face sound : SPLAT
14. __ Na Na : SHA. Retro rock group.
15. "One of __ days ..." : THESE. "BANG, ZOOM! Straight to the moon!"
16. Break down over time : ERODE
17. '60s-'80s Bosox star : YAZ. Carl Yastrzemski.
18. Talk big : BOAST
19. Cattle breed named for an English county : DEVON
23. Get well : HEAL
24. Dawdler who prefers to remain horizontal : LIE-ABED
32. Modern recording device : TIVO
33. Take exception : DEMUR
34. Toast starter : "HERE'S ..." and 22D. Martini liquor : GIN
35. Spot for a peel : SPA. Clever clue.
41. Grammy-winning Dr. : DRE and 47D. "Stillmatic" rapper : NAS
42. Big name in trading cards : TOPPS
44. YouTube shorts : CLIPS
46. Dalmatian's dinner, perhaps : ALPO
52. Auto racing safety device : ROLLBAR
54. Pulitzer-winning author James : AGEE
60. Stimulate : PIQUE. Great word.
62. Bonkers : NUTS-O
63. Colony member : ANT
64. Like intense pain : ACUTE
65. Change one's pants? : ALTER
66. Cardinals' home: Abbr. : STL(St. Louis) and 67A. Young cardinal's call : CHEEP and 28D. Cardinals' beaks : NEBS
68. Warehouse supply : STOCK
69. Digit with a ring, maybe : TOE
Down:
1. Intimidates, with "out" : PSYCHS
2. Swiss Alps abode : CHALET
3. Mideast market : BAZAAR
4. Wagering venues, briefly : OTBs. (Off-Track Betting)
5. "__ Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" : WHO'S. Broadway play that was made into a movie with Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton.
6. Uncluttered : NEAT
7. Pre-1991 atlas abbr. : USSR
8. "Downtown" singer Clark : PETULA
9. Swamp plant : SEDGE
10. Church dignitary : PRELATE. On their way to being a Cardinal?
11. One of an amorous pair : LOVEBIRD. We certainly have our lovebirds here on the blog.
12. Big fuss : ADO
13. Decimal base : TEN
21. Tried to avoid a tag : SLID
25. Always : EVER
26. Two capsules, say : DOSE
29. Show for early risers, briefly : GMA. (Good Morning America)
30. Urban transport : BUS
31. Build : ERECT
34. Overblown publicity : HYPE
35. Symbol on Texas's flag : STAR. The Lone Star State.
36. Golfer's shirt : POLO
37. Sewn-on ornamentation : APPLIQUE
39. Not sing. : PLU. (singular/plural)
40. Hair dryer? : AIR. Clothes dryer, too.
45. Do in, as a fly : SWAT
48. Big game venues : ARENAs
49. Horrified : AGHAST. Great word.
50. Simple shelter : LEAN-TO
51. Stovetop pot : KETTLE. Did you have kettle corn at your local fair?
53. Censor's sound : BLEEP
56. Religious sect : CULT
57. Film director Preminger : OTTO
58. Fraction of a min. : NSEC. Nanosecond (ns or nsec)
59. Geeky sort : DORK
60. NCAA's __-12 conference : PAC. (Pacific-12)
61. "__ bin ein Berliner" : ICH
Argyle
Notes from C.C.:
Last time when we had Gail & Bruce's "Dog Days of Summer", I said this:
"Here is my guess at how the puzzle was created:
1) Gail came up with the theme idea (Her name came up first in the byline);
2) Bruce liked it, then they brainstormed for the full set of the theme answers;
3) Bruce did the grid design;
4) They each filled in half the grid;
5) Gail clued the whole grid, since Bruce is not fond of cluing."
Gail and Bruce later told me that I was right except except #4. Bruce filled in the whole grid. I imagine they followed the same procedure on this puzzle.
Gail & Bruce are also regular contributors to the CrosSynergy & Newsday. Gail is noted for her smooth grids & Bruce for his masterful gridding skill. Just look at the theme intersection in this grid. No cheater squares again today. Bruce makes all his black squares count.
Last time when we had Gail & Bruce's "Dog Days of Summer", I said this:
"Here is my guess at how the puzzle was created:
1) Gail came up with the theme idea (Her name came up first in the byline);
2) Bruce liked it, then they brainstormed for the full set of the theme answers;
3) Bruce did the grid design;
4) They each filled in half the grid;
5) Gail clued the whole grid, since Bruce is not fond of cluing."
Gail and Bruce later told me that I was right except except #4. Bruce filled in the whole grid. I imagine they followed the same procedure on this puzzle.
Gail & Bruce are also regular contributors to the CrosSynergy & Newsday. Gail is noted for her smooth grids & Bruce for his masterful gridding skill. Just look at the theme intersection in this grid. No cheater squares again today. Bruce makes all his black squares count.
