Theme: "Did You Get the Part?" - Each theme clue is part of
the first/second word of each theme entry. The other part of each theme
entry hints at the "part" gimmick.
23A. PROP: IMPROPER FRACTION. Prop is a fraction of IMPROPER. Same logic applies to all the theme entries.
31A. OUT: MOUTHPIECE.
48A. VIE: MOVIE CLIP.
81A. GET: BUDGET CUT.
98A. ORE: CORE SAMPLE.
107A. TEN: SENTENCE FRAGMENT.
12D. ARE: RARE ELEMENT.
15D. VAT: PRIVATE SECTOR.
55D. HANG: CHUNK OF CHANGE.
66D. CON: SLAB OF BACON.
Eight of the entries have the parts in first words. Two entries in second words with the "of" structures. All clues are solid words. Super consistent and creative.
So
nice to see Daniel A. Finan back. He was very active when I started
blogging crosswords. Congratulations on your first Sunday, Brian!
Across:
1. Ones found on saucers, briefly?: ETS. Great clue.
4. Max: AT MOST.
10. Undercover agent's device: WIRE.
14. Many downloads: APPS. What are your favorite apps?
18. Oz creator: BAUM.
19. Corrupting atmosphere: MIASMA. This word just looks and sounds unpleasant.
20. Organized to a fault: ANAL.
21. Having no meetings, say: FREE.
22. Florentine flower?: ARNO. Flow-er. This gimmick was used a lot years ago
26. 2000s Cal.-based teen drama: THE OC. Starring Mischa Barton & Rachel Bilson.
28. Equate: LIKEN.
29. Longtime late-night host: LENO.
30. Iran has multiple ones: Abbr.: VPS. I did not know.
34. You, once: THEE.
36. Big, strong swimmer: WHALE. And 25. Female 36-Across: COW.
38. Ricola ad instrument: ALPHORN.
39. Database systems giant: ORACLE.
41. Pac-12 squad: UTES.
42. Nintendo's Super __: NES.
43. Winter fuel units: CORDS.
46. Dawdle: WASTE TIME. Great fill.
50. Lewd material: SMUT.
51. "How you doin'?": SUP.
54. Basic digital exercise: SCALE.
56. Chile relleno stuffing: CHEESE. Never had it.
58. Many readers of "Dreyer's English," for short: EDS. OK, editors.
59. Brian of electronica: ENO.
60. Home of the Milad Tower: TEHRAN. Wiki says Milad Tower (also
known as the Tehran Tower) is a multi-purpose tower in Tehran, Iran. It
is the sixth-tallest tower and the 24th-tallest freestanding structure
in the world."
61. Cone counterparts: RODS.
62. Corn bread: PONE.
64. Icy Hot target: ACHE.
65. Short notice?: I QUIT.
66. Ward in Hollywood: SELA. Know for her "Once and Again".
67. Big break: RIFT.
69. Desert formation: DUNE.
70. Lab coat discovery?: FLEA. Cute clue also.
71. Subject of many Instagram posts: SELF.
72. Snicket of kids' books: LEMONY.
73. Shocked cry: EEK.
74. Culinary lead-in to king: A LA.
75. Odds, etc.: RATIOS.
77. Hallmark of a procrastinator?: E-CARD. And 93. Like activity that can move mountains: SEISMIC. Just amazing clues.
78. __-mo: SLO.
79. Adds a soundtrack to: DUBS.
83. Decorated: FESTOONED.
86. Longtime "60 Minutes" reporter: STAHL (Lesley)
87. Hoppy brew, for short: IPA.
90. Disagreement ender: PACT.
92. Notes in C minor scales: E FLATS.
95. Allergic reaction: ACHOO.
97. Outdo: BEST.
101. Early TV maker: RCA.
102. Builder concerned with pairs: NOAH.
104. Midway alternative: O'HARE.
106. Bugs: RILES.
112. Creedence song named for a California city: LODI. Anyone from there?
113. Beat by a run, say: EDGE.
114. Slinky shape: COIL.
115. Metaphor for extreme pleasure: HEAVEN.
116. Make read better: EDIT.
117. No good one goes unpunished, it's said: DEED.
118. Professor 'iggins: ENRY.
119. Will of "BoJack Horseman": ARNETT.
120. Craving: YEN.
Down:
1. Batting helmet feature: EAR HOLE.
2. Jobs in which plugs are replaced: TUNE-UPS.
3. Slick: SMOOTH.
4. Pal in Provence: AMI. That's so gratifying that you noticed the total 3-letter words in my last puzzle, Agnes/Jayce!
5. "The Things They Carried" author O'Brien: TIM.
6. Syrup source: MAPLE.
7. "Hamlet" courtier: OSRIC.
8. Cook, in a way: SMOKE. Not fond of smoked food.
9. Compelling evidence: TAPE.
10. __ on Drugs: WAR.
11. Changes tonally: INFLECTS. Chinese can be complicated. Same MA has 5 different meanings depending on the tone.
13. Flair: ELAN.
14. To the rear, at sea: AFT.
16. Kind of person?: PEOPLE. People person. Boomer is one.
17. Taste and touch: SENSES.
18. Member of the Justice League: BATMAN.
24. Snares: ENTRAPS.
27. 2000 film set in a French confectionery: CHOCOLAT. I like Juliette Binoche.
32. Verified: PROVEN.
33. Cross inscription: INRI.
35. Possesses: HAS.
37. Fire on all cylinders: HUM.
39. Boo-boos: OWIES.
40. Usually challenging piece: ETUDE.
44. Official order: DECREE.
45. Authority: SCHOLAR.
47. "__ alive!": IT'S.
48. Tussaud of wax museum fame: MARIE.
49. Spartan queen of Greek myth: LEDA.
52. "__ me, you cad!": UNHAND.
53. Neruda's oeuvre: POESY.
54. "Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo," for example: SEQUEL.
57. Concluding sections: EPILOGS.
60. Oceans' motions: TIDES.
63. Compensate for: OFFSET.
64. Get in the crosshairs: AIM AT.
67. Chiefs coach Andy: REID.
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68. Odd: PECULIAR. Oh oh, try white miso & avocado combo on your toast.
70. One may be raised at a wedding: FLUTE.
71. Ear ornaments: STUDS.
72. Tres __ cake: dessert soaked in dairy liquids: LECHES.
74. Billboard displays: ADS.
76. Driver in a heist, say: ABETTOR.
80. Lisa Marie as of 1980, vis-à-vis Elvis: SOLE HEIR. Lisa Marie just lost her son.
82. Shock, as a perp: TASE.
84. Ike's WWII command: ETO. European Theater of Operations.
85. "Illmatic" rapper: NAS.
87. Self-destruct: IMPLODE.
88. Boarded, like clowns entering a clown car: PILED IN.
89. Nails that test: ACES IT.
90. Analyzed in English class: PARSED.
91. Say yes (to): ACCEDE.
94. :-): SMILEY.
96. Air Force __: ONE.
98. Heat player, say: CAGER.
99. Finance guru Suze: ORMAN.
100. "The Canterbury Tales" pilgrim: REEVE.
103. In the old days: ONCE.
105. "That's hilarious ... not": HA HA.
108. "Chopped" host Allen: TED.
109. Sac __: FLY.
110. Take home: NET.
111. Where to see a Heat player: TNT.
Does anyone know what these roots are?
C.C.
