The words in each of the four corners of the grid are synonyms for "cut." Interesting, that the clues for each one have nothing to do with that sense of the word. Let's go clockwise around and find them:
1-Across. Make it home? : SCORE. Baseball reference.
13-Down. Diminish : PARE. As in "pare" down expenses. (OK, maybe this one has a "cut" meaning, too.)
59-Down. Rollers without wheels : DICE. Craps cubes.
67-Across. Golfer's concern : SLICE. For a right-hand golfer, a banana curve ball that ends up to the right of the intended target. Sometimes used to advantage on a dog-leg right hole.
65-Across. Fit : TRIM. In shape.
51-Down. Feature of some skirts : SLIT. Sexy feature.
1-Down. Sassy sort : SNIP. Does everyone know this meaning? I think of a "snip" as someone who isn't worth bothering with.
And the reveal:
38-Across. With 40-Across, taking the easy way (and a hint to eight aptly placed answers in this grid) :
CUTTING. 40-Across. See 38-Across : CORNERS.
This certainly felt more Friday-level to me. But I still finished in my typical Thursday time. Lots of unknowns and names that depended heavily on perps to reveal.
Across:
6. Trunk hardware : HASP. Tire "iron"? Nope - wrong kind of trunk.
14. 2013 US Open winner : NADAL. This only took five perps to get. I was thinking golf, of course. But neither "Justin" nor "Rose" fit.
15. In the past : ONCE.
16. Chaplin's widow : OONA. Thank goodness for old favorites!
17. Query in Matthew : IS IT I?
18. Crybaby of a sort : SORE LOSER.
20. Like French doors : PANED.
21. Special benefit : PRIVILEGE.
22. One having a ball : DEB. Cute.
24. "You said it!" : AMEN.
25. University of Georgia mascot Hairy __ : DAWG.
28. Like a GI doing dishes : ON KP.
30. Selena of "Wizards of Waverly Place" : GOMEZ. More perps. I was thinking of Sela, and could only come up with "Ward." Never watched this show.
35. Anticipated touchdown hr. : ETA.
36. Nail holders : TOES.
37. Meditative genre : NEW AGE.
41. As per schedule : ON TIME.
42. Knocks : RAPS.
43. One might make a setter better : VET. Cute clue!
44. Question type : YES/NO.
45. Start of a Spanish cheer : VIVA. I think this refers to "VIVA la vida," meaning "long live life" or "live the life." Maybe Lucina can help me out here.
46. Antiprohibitionists : WETS. They are the opposite of "tee-totalers."
47. The Supremes, e.g. : TRIO. Sorry, but every clip has annoying ads.
49. Collectible radio : RCA.
51. Ristorante choice : SPAGHETTI.
56. Ready to rumble : ARMED.
60. Drags one's feet : LOLLYGAGS. Love that word.
61. First name in puppetry : SHARI. Lewis. With Lamb Chop and Charlie Horse.
62. Smidgen : IOTA.
63. Reunion invitee : ALUM.
64. Very malicious : TOXIC. Ever hear of a toxic relationship?
66. Telescope part : LENS.
Down:
2. Honduran home : CASA.
3. Frigg's husband : ODIN. The word "Friday" comes from the Anglo-Saxon name for Frigg.
4. Like most Pixar movies : RATED G. I always have to check perps to see if it will be "G-rated" or "rated G."
5. Skip over : ELIDE.
6. What a white "H" on a blue sign signifies: Abbr. : HOSP.ital.
7. Arctic wear : ANORAKS. We've had this word before.
8. Stick to a tight budget : SCRIMP.
9. Annoyance : PEEVE.
10. Unflappable : COOL.
11. It might wind up in the yard : HOSE. Good misdirection.
12. 100 sawbucks : ONE G. "Thou" would also fit...
19. Sticks around : LINGERS.
23. American frontiersman : BOONE. Dan'l.
25. Trapping strategy : DECOY.
26. Carry __ : A TUNE.
27. "King Kong" actress Naomi : WATTS.
29. What a "-" may indicate: Abbr. : NEG.ative.
31. Fess (up) : OWN.
32. Novelist Binchy : MAEVE. I liked "Circle of Friends."
33. Pond wader : EGRET. Hmmm, the old "heron" or "EGRET" dilemma...
34. Bartender's supply : ZESTS.
36. Coarse grass used as fodder : TIMOTHY. Possibly named after farmer and agriculturist Timothy Hanson.
39. __ lizzie : TIN.
40. NBAer who plays at "The Q" : CAV.alier of Cleveland. "The Q" is the nickname for the Quicken Loans Arena.
42. Control for an out-of-control crowd : RIOT GUN. For the ones in 56-Across, maybe?
45. Basketball Hall of Fame sportscaster Dick : VITALE. Also known as "Dickie V."
46. Pop art pioneer : WARHOL. (I'm getting hungry…)
48. Grand : REGAL.
50. Treatments for breaks : CASTS. How's your leg, Irish Miss?
52. What a "D" often means : POOR. Or "big" (as a bra size) Dennis?
53. Some basilica singers : ALTI.
54. Glitz : GLAM.
55. Doctrines : ISMS.
57. Ankle-length skirt : MAXI.
58. Burdon of The Animals : ERIC. Still active after more than forty years, he just came out with a new album called "Til Your River Runs Dry." The song "Water" was inspired by a conversation he had with Gorbachev. 4:21 (Skip the ad in only 4 seconds.)
That's all I have for this week!
Marti
Note from C.C.:
Husker Gary has updated the Corner map. Click here. If you want to be on the map, please contact Gary (gschlapfer@gmail.com).
