Theme: Sweater Shopping
Happy MLK Jr. Day, everyone! sumdaze here. If you have ever browsed through a clothing catalog, you have probably noticed that sweaters are rarely labeled using a Kindergarten color. Instead, a PURPLE sweater is MULBERRY or LAVENDAR or EGGPLANT. Constructor Zachary Schiff turned that idea into a puzzle.
20 Across. Thoroughfare in New York City's Little Italy: MULBERRY STREET. Lonely Planet info. for tourists
25 Across. Hit single from Taylor Swift's "Midnights": LAVENDER HAZE.
ALAS, I am not a Swiftie, but after a few perps I remembered this clue from a Sunday puzzle last month 12/17/23:
113 Across. Word after "Lavender" and "Purple," in song titles: HAZE.
43. Meatless cheesy entree, familiarly: EGGPLANT PARM. (parmesan)
Plus the reveal:
49 Across. 2023 musical film produced by Oprah Winfrey and Steven Spielberg, and an apt title for this puzzle: THE COLOR PURPLE.
Many of us remember the original movie released in 1985. This is the official trailer for the 2023 remake:
All three of the themers are composed of two-words. The gimmick remained hidden (to me) until I made my way down to it as neither MULBERRY nor EGGPLANT immediately struck me as synonyms for PURPLE. I like when that happens.
Across:
1. Campus gp. with a Greek name: FRAT. "Group" is abbreviated, so is "FRATernity".
5. Eyelid hair: LASH.
9. End: STOP.
13. __ slaw: COLE.
14. Aptly named cooler brand: IGLOO. You can put your COLE slaw in it.
16. Ocean motion: TIDE.
17. "Neat!": COOL.
18. Place to store valuables: VAULT.
19. Father and son authors Kingsley and Martin: AMIS. Sir Kingsley William Amis and his son Martin Amis
23. Nerf missile: DART.
24. Central cooling systs.: ACS. "Systems" is abbreviated, so is Air Conditioners. I don't suppose yours is turned on at the moment.
32. Commonplace: LOWLY.
35. Unethical one: LOUSE.
1. Campus gp. with a Greek name: FRAT. "Group" is abbreviated, so is "FRATernity".
5. Eyelid hair: LASH.
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| Lady Gaga at the Met Gala in 2019 Too much??? |
13. __ slaw: COLE.
14. Aptly named cooler brand: IGLOO. You can put your COLE slaw in it.
16. Ocean motion: TIDE.
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| another "ocean motion" view |
17. "Neat!": COOL.
18. Place to store valuables: VAULT.
Seinfeld (18 secs.)
19. Father and son authors Kingsley and Martin: AMIS. Sir Kingsley William Amis and his son Martin Amis
23. Nerf missile: DART.
24. Central cooling systs.: ACS. "Systems" is abbreviated, so is Air Conditioners. I don't suppose yours is turned on at the moment.
32. Commonplace: LOWLY.
35. Unethical one: LOUSE.
36. Limo passenger: VIP. 
37. "Sad to say ... ": ALAS.
38. Choreographer de Mille: AGNES. (1905-1993)
39. Chromosome part: GENE.
40. Goofy drawing?: CEL. This is a perfect example of how a clue-writer can take advantage of the capitalize-the-first-letter convention. "Drawing of Goofy" would not be as deceiving.
41. "Farewell, cherie": ADIEU. You do not have to speak French to translate the chorus of this song. 😃
42. River vessel: BARGE.
46. Bum __: unfounded accusation: RAP.
47. City near Anaheim: BREA. I resisted this, thinking it was La BREA but apparently that is the name of the tar pits, not its city.
56. Have a strong 52-Down: REEK. and 52 Down. Hamper emanation: ODOR.
57. Love: ADORE.
58. Neeson of the "Taken" films: LIAM. There have been three Taken movies, 2008, 2012, and 2014.
60. Actress Hathaway: ANNE.
61. Rosebud __: "Schitt's Creek" location: MOTEL. Schitt's Creek is a 2015 TV show that lasted six seasons. It was filmed in Toronto. "Rose" was the surname of the main characters so this might be an Easter egg. Perhaps a fan of the show can tell us more?
62. Land measure: ACRE. It seems like forever ago but I once lived on the million-ACRE MC Ranch, headquartered in Adel, OR. This article ran in Western Horseman Magazine in 1979, several years before I was there. It had not changed much except that the cattle were no longer straight Herefords like in those pictures. The cow boss let me ride with the crew as long as I was more help than harm. Good times! The ranch has since sold and has been broken up into smaller parcels.
37. "Sad to say ... ": ALAS.
38. Choreographer de Mille: AGNES. (1905-1993)
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| Notice her shadow on the wall. |
40. Goofy drawing?: CEL. This is a perfect example of how a clue-writer can take advantage of the capitalize-the-first-letter convention. "Drawing of Goofy" would not be as deceiving.
42. River vessel: BARGE.
46. Bum __: unfounded accusation: RAP.
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| That reminds me...the fireplace guy was here the other day. |
47. City near Anaheim: BREA. I resisted this, thinking it was La BREA but apparently that is the name of the tar pits, not its city.
56. Have a strong 52-Down: REEK. and 52 Down. Hamper emanation: ODOR.
57. Love: ADORE.
58. Neeson of the "Taken" films: LIAM. There have been three Taken movies, 2008, 2012, and 2014.
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| Liam Neeson in the phone call scene. |
61. Rosebud __: "Schitt's Creek" location: MOTEL. Schitt's Creek is a 2015 TV show that lasted six seasons. It was filmed in Toronto. "Rose" was the surname of the main characters so this might be an Easter egg. Perhaps a fan of the show can tell us more?
62. Land measure: ACRE. It seems like forever ago but I once lived on the million-ACRE MC Ranch, headquartered in Adel, OR. This article ran in Western Horseman Magazine in 1979, several years before I was there. It had not changed much except that the cattle were no longer straight Herefords like in those pictures. The cow boss let me ride with the crew as long as I was more help than harm. Good times! The ranch has since sold and has been broken up into smaller parcels.
63. Hissed "Over here!": PSST.
64. Kelly of morning talk TV: RIPA. and 5 Down. Broadcast with minimal tape delay: LIVE TV.
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| Click to enlarge. Since April 2023, Kelly Ripa's co-host is her husband Mark Consuelos. |
65. Hornet home: NEST. Hornets are one of Mother Nature's PEST controllers. They will eat unwanted garden pests like aphids.
Down:
1. Airwaves-regulating govt. agency: FCC. "Government" is abbreviated, so is the Federal Communications Commission.
2. Part of a suite: ROOM.
3. Audibly: ALOUD.
4. Candid memoirs: TELL-ALLS. I recently read Henry Winkler's memoir. He talked a lot about how his severe dyslexia shaped his self-image. Reading the book was like hearing Gene Cousineau's voice (the character he played in Barry), saying the words ALOUD in my head. <not a bad thing>
6. Food thickener made from seaweed: AGAR.
7. Enunciate poorly: SLUR.
8. Sacred: HOLY.
9. Fabric stiffener: STARCH. They put potatoes on clothes???
(You don't have to explain this one to me. I know....)
10. Shortcut, hopefully: TIME SAVER.
11. Drooling dog in "Garfield": ODIE.
12. Gnat, e.g.: PEST. Frogs, reptiles, small mammals, birds, fish, spiders, and other insects think of gnats as "dinner", not pests.
15. Bonus sports periods, for short: OTS. Overtimes
21. Imitate a donkey: BRAY.
22. Weight adjustment factor: TARE. Last week a nurse forget to reset the TARE on the scale so she miscalculated my friend's newborn grandson's weight. This mistake caused an incorrect diagnosis and considerable stress. Fortunately the next shift identified the problem.
26. Baylor in the Basketball Hall of Fame: ELGIN. NBA Legends Profile
27. Group of nine: NONET. It seems NONET usually refers to a group of musicians.
28. In the on-deck circle: DUE UP. today's giant leap award winner
10. Shortcut, hopefully: TIME SAVER.
11. Drooling dog in "Garfield": ODIE.
15. Bonus sports periods, for short: OTS. Overtimes
21. Imitate a donkey: BRAY.
22. Weight adjustment factor: TARE. Last week a nurse forget to reset the TARE on the scale so she miscalculated my friend's newborn grandson's weight. This mistake caused an incorrect diagnosis and considerable stress. Fortunately the next shift identified the problem.
26. Baylor in the Basketball Hall of Fame: ELGIN. NBA Legends Profile
27. Group of nine: NONET. It seems NONET usually refers to a group of musicians.
Lee Konitz Nonet If You Could See Me Now (1977)
28. In the on-deck circle: DUE UP. today's giant leap award winner
29. Strong start?: ESS. "Strong" starts with the letter S.
30. Oomph: ZING.
31. Sword with a blunted tip: EPEE.
32. Frilly material: LACE.
33. Designer Cassini: OLEG. (1913 - 2006)
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| How can she pose like the bust behind her without cracking up? |
34. CVS rival: WALGREENS.
38. Org. on a bottle of mouthwash: ADA. American Dental Association
Listerine, a mouth rinse composed of a mixture of essential oils, was created in 1879 and was originally formulated as a surgical antiseptic. In spite of its known antimicrobial properties it was thought of as a product in search of a use and promoted as a deterrent for halitosis and as a floor cleaner. source
39. Coach's strategy: GAME PLAN.
41. Gravy Cravers pet food brand: ALPO.
42. "I'm f-f-f-reezing!": BRRR.
44. Single serving of sugar: PACKET.
45. Tia's madre: ABUELA. Spanish for "your aunt's mother is your grandmother"
39. Coach's strategy: GAME PLAN.
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| I like the look on Dewey's face. |
41. Gravy Cravers pet food brand: ALPO.
42. "I'm f-f-f-reezing!": BRRR.
44. Single serving of sugar: PACKET.
45. Tia's madre: ABUELA. Spanish for "your aunt's mother is your grandmother"
(I've been refreshing my Spanish on Duolingo as PREP for a trip to Spain this summer.)
48. "The Brady Bunch" housekeeper: ALICE.
49. Lint collector: TRAP.
50. Farm cluckers: HENS. We had the braying donkey so it is only fair we give this girl her time to shine.
51. Go on the __: LAM. to try to escape or hide from someone ... usually the police
53. Unleavened bread similar to naan: ROTI.
54. Make ready: PREP.
55. AirPods holders: EARS.
59. Ran into: MET.
48. "The Brady Bunch" housekeeper: ALICE.
We all know that Alice was much more than a housekeeper.
Alice Learns to Ski (54 sec.)
Ann B. Davis played Alice Nelson from 1969 to 1974 (plus special extras).
49. Lint collector: TRAP.
50. Farm cluckers: HENS. We had the braying donkey so it is only fair we give this girl her time to shine.
51. Go on the __: LAM. to try to escape or hide from someone ... usually the police
53. Unleavened bread similar to naan: ROTI.
54. Make ready: PREP.
55. AirPods holders: EARS.
59. Ran into: MET.
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| Get it? They're crash test dummies. Haha! |
Here's another fun song before we go:
The Purple People Eater by Sheb Wooley (1958)
...and the grid:
