Hello Cornerites!
Today's theme is:
Constructor Susan Gelfand is back with her third Monday puzzle in five weeks. This time she cleverly plays with a phrase found in 53 Across. Let's take a look:
53 Across. Imitate, and what the last words of 18-, 26-, and 42-Across can do: FOLLOW SUIT.
In card games like Bridge, to FOLLOW SUIT is to play a card belonging to the SUIT (♡, ♢, ♠, or ♣) that led the hand. From that, we get this idiom which means "to do the same thing".
Next, looking at 18-, 26-, and 42-Across, we find words that make a new word or phrase when written after the word "SUIT".
18 Across. Hardcover protector: DUST JACKET. SUIT JACKET
26 Across. Solve a mystery: CRACK THE CASE. SUITCASE
42 Across. Like some home repairs: DO IT YOURSELF. SUIT YOURSELF
That last one was my FAV.
While solving this puzzle, there were several times when I was fairly sure of the answer but decided to wait for perps "just to be extra-sure"; but, the perp also made me say, "I better wait for a perp". This went on until I found a solid foothold; after which, I backtracked through my original thoughts. In the end, things fell into place with few surprises.
Susan also delt out these clues:
1. Whole bunch: SLEW. as in "We have a SLEW of clues to get through today."
5. "Pomp and Circumstance" composer: ELGAR. Sir Edward ELGAR composed Pomp and Circumstance in 1901. The title comes from a line in Shakespeare's Othello ("Pride, pomp, and circumstance of glorious war!"). It was not originally intended for graduations. Elgar's march was used for the coronation of King Edward VII. It first became associated with graduations in 1905, when it was played when ELGAR received an honorary doctorate from Yale University; but, it was played as a recessional (not as a processional) at the ceremony. source
10. No. 1 choice: FAVE.
14. Road runner: AUTO. Beep! Beep!
15. Boxer Ali who retired with a perfect 24-0 record: LAILA.
16. On a cruise: A-SEA. and 35 Across. Perched on: ATOP.
17. Walk of Fame figure: STAR. This "figure" is not a personality. It is a shape.
10. No. 1 choice: FAVE.
14. Road runner: AUTO. Beep! Beep!
15. Boxer Ali who retired with a perfect 24-0 record: LAILA.
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| She wrote this book in 2002 and a cookbook in 2018. |
16. On a cruise: A-SEA. and 35 Across. Perched on: ATOP.
17. Walk of Fame figure: STAR. This "figure" is not a personality. It is a shape.
As it turns out, the Hollywood Walk of Fame Class of 2024 was announced last Monday.
20. Recklessly committed: HELL-BENT. Def: determined to achieve something at all costs.
22. Bedside bulb holders: LAMPS. and 41 Across. Fabled wish granter: GENIE.
20. Recklessly committed: HELL-BENT. Def: determined to achieve something at all costs.
22. Bedside bulb holders: LAMPS. and 41 Across. Fabled wish granter: GENIE.
Robin Williams (1951-2014) talks about creating his GENIE character for the movie Aladdin (1992).
23. Spinal column element: DISC.
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| Good news: Medical experts are developing minimally invasive treatments where a gel is injected into the nucleus pulposus. Imagine all the people who will benefit! |
24. Goes along with: ABIDES.
The Big Lebowski (1998)
Jeff Bridges: Thanks, Gary...Take care, man, I gotta get back.
Sam Elliott: Sure. Take it easy, Dude -- I know that you will.
Jeff Bridges: Yeah man. Well, you know, the Dude ABIDES.
Sam Elliott: The Dude ABIDES. I don't know about you, but I take comfort in that...
31. Emporium: MART.
32. "As __ my last email ... ": PER.
36. Speedy: RAPID.
38. Basilica section: NAVE. Sometimes the answer is "Apse".
39. Implore: BEG.
40. Like Granny Smith apples: TART. I once planted a Granny Smith tree in my backyard because they are sweet enough to eat but also TART enough to bake in a pie.
45. Pirouettes: TWIRLS.
40. Like Granny Smith apples: TART. I once planted a Granny Smith tree in my backyard because they are sweet enough to eat but also TART enough to bake in a pie.
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| Doesn't it look delicious? |
45. Pirouettes: TWIRLS.
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| She looks like the ballerina in little girls' pink & white jewelry boxes. |
47. Textbook section: UNIT.
48. Opera solos: ARIAS.
49. Fixed payments: STIPENDS. Def: a fixed regular sum paid as a salary or allowance.
That means you get the same amount regardless of the number of hours you worked. Non-profits sometimes pay STIPENDS to seasonal workers.
56. Hockey score: GOAL. This clever misdirection had me thinking of numbers, but the 4-letter restriction got me the point.
57. Went by horseback: RODE.
58. Pop singer Mann: AIMEE.
60. Opinion column: OP-ED.
61. "Fresh Air" host Terry: GROSS. CSO to you-know-who!
62. Home for garden tools: SHED.
Down:
1. Ceremonial accessory worn diagonally: SASH.
2. Medieval instrument with a pear-shaped body: LUTE. 
3. "As well as some other folks," in brief: ET AL.
4. International soccer competition: WORLD CUP. The FIFA Women's WORLD CUP starts in just 17 days in Australia and New Zealand. Digital Fan Guide
5. Firstborn: ELDEST. I needed to know 5A to decide between oLDEST and ELDEST. Fortunately ELGAR looked better than oLGAR; but, hey, it is a name so who can say? I have a feeling seasoned solvers have ELGAR memorized.
6. Countdown culmination: LAUNCH.
7. Heart of the matter: GIST. Def: the substance or essence of a speech or text.
56. Hockey score: GOAL. This clever misdirection had me thinking of numbers, but the 4-letter restriction got me the point.
57. Went by horseback: RODE.
58. Pop singer Mann: AIMEE.
AIMEE Mann Voices Carry (1984)
59. Steady stare: GAZE. a condition brought on by looking into a display case of GlAZED doughnuts
60. Opinion column: OP-ED.
61. "Fresh Air" host Terry: GROSS. CSO to you-know-who!
62. Home for garden tools: SHED.
Down:
1. Ceremonial accessory worn diagonally: SASH.
3. "As well as some other folks," in brief: ET AL.
4. International soccer competition: WORLD CUP. The FIFA Women's WORLD CUP starts in just 17 days in Australia and New Zealand. Digital Fan Guide
5. Firstborn: ELDEST. I needed to know 5A to decide between oLDEST and ELDEST. Fortunately ELGAR looked better than oLGAR; but, hey, it is a name so who can say? I have a feeling seasoned solvers have ELGAR memorized.
6. Countdown culmination: LAUNCH.
Starship First Integrated Flight Test (April 20, 2023) #goosebumps
"First integrated" means they are testing the 1st & 2nd stages together.
It is the most powerful rocket ever made and it is twice as powerful as the Saturn V that took man to the moon. SpaceX has since redesigned the coupling between the 1st & 2nd stages, based on what they learned from this launch. The next step is to send it into orbit (probably later this year).
7. Heart of the matter: GIST. Def: the substance or essence of a speech or text.
I could explain further but I think you get the GIST.
8. PC key near the space bar: ALT.
9. "The Big Bang Theory" astrophysicist whose parents live in India: RAJ.
10. Building front: FACADE. See the diagram for 38A.
11. Information desk sign: ASK ME. cute fill
12. High-level execs: VEEPS. and 19Down. Elite guests: A-LIST.
13. Noshes: EATS.
21. Eco-friendly commuter option: BIKE. and 36 Down. Commuter option: RAIL.
24. Smoothie berry: ACAI.
25. Shakespeare, for one: BARD. Def: a person in ancient societies skilled at composing and singing or reciting verses about heroes and their deeds; poet.
8. PC key near the space bar: ALT.
9. "The Big Bang Theory" astrophysicist whose parents live in India: RAJ.
Rajesh Ramayan "RAJ" Koothrappali was played by Kunal Nayyar.
In this scene, he is dropping off his Yorkshire Terrier, Cinnamon, so Howard can dog-sit. (1 min.)
10. Building front: FACADE. See the diagram for 38A.
11. Information desk sign: ASK ME. cute fill
12. High-level execs: VEEPS. and 19Down. Elite guests: A-LIST.
13. Noshes: EATS.
21. Eco-friendly commuter option: BIKE. and 36 Down. Commuter option: RAIL.
25. Shakespeare, for one: BARD. Def: a person in ancient societies skilled at composing and singing or reciting verses about heroes and their deeds; poet.
Note: Its adjective form is "bardic".
26. Clawed crustacean: CRAB.
26. Clawed crustacean: CRAB.
27. Memorization method: ROTE.
Rote learning is defined as the memorization of information based on repetition. The two best examples of rote learning are the alphabet and numbers. Slightly more complicated examples include multiplication tables and spelling words. At the high-school level, scientific elements and their chemical numbers must be memorized by ROTE. source
28. Super eager: AGOG.
29. E, on a gas gauge: EMPTY. This clue calls out for some Jackson Browne....
28. Super eager: AGOG.
29. E, on a gas gauge: EMPTY. This clue calls out for some Jackson Browne....
Running on Empty (1979)
32. Sheet of glass: PANE.
33. Wicked: EVIL.
34. Coral formation: REEF.
34. Coral formation: REEF.
37. Creative pursuits: ARTS.
38. Rainy day accounts: NEST EGGS.
40. Trunk of the body: TORSO. and 43 Down. Some belly buttons: OUTIES.
About 10% of people are OUTIES. 8 Belly Buttons Facts
41. Hold firmly: GRIP. Let's all get one.
42. Used an old phone: DIALED. Washed up?
41. Hold firmly: GRIP. Let's all get one.
42. Used an old phone: DIALED. Washed up?
44. Joins together: UNITES.
45. Girl Scout group: TROOP.
46. "Lady Windermere's Fan" playwright Oscar: WILDE. for those who would like to know more
48. Natural hairstyle: AFRO.
49. Japanese wrestling style: SUMO.
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| This is a pic of the back of my ticket when I went to see SUMO in Fukuoka, Japan. Notice the last line. (Click to enlarge.) |
50. Comedian Trevor: NOAH.
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| Trevor was born Feb. 20, 1984 in Johannesburg, South Africa. |
51. Stun: DAZE. What a coincidence! "Stundaze" was my 2nd choice for a blogger handle. 😜
52. Snow glider: SLED.
54. Tail motion: WAG.
55. Knight's title: SIR. This is the last clue so I will say, "Good night, SIR!"
52. Snow glider: SLED.
54. Tail motion: WAG.
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| Click to enlarge. |
55. Knight's title: SIR. This is the last clue so I will say, "Good night, SIR!"
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| The Grid |
Before I go, here's some music to get you ready for tomorrow. Have a great week everyone!
Saturday in the Park. Chicago (1972)
