Hobson's Choice. While you may think you have a free choice in filling in your answers, there is really only one choice if you want to get the correct answers. The expression Hobson's Choice is named after Thomas Hobson (1544 ~ 1631).
17-Across. Like the motors in most small appliances: ELECTROMAGNETIC.
26-Across. Playing surface that is 44 feet by 20 feet: PICKLEBALL COURT. A few things about the game of Pickleball, including the confusion over the name of the game.
48-Across. Misleading image: OPTICAL ILLUSION.
And the unifier:
63-Across. Euphemism for rude expressions, and what can be found at the starts of 17-, 26-, and 48-Across: A FEW CHOICE WORDS.
Across:
1. Stopped slouching in a chair: SAT UP.
6. Little troublemaker: IMP.
9. Young horses: FOALS.
14. Steak named for its shape: T-BONE.
15. Lousy grade: DEE.
16. Wipe from memory, as an unpleasant image: UNSEE. See 42-Across in last Thursday's puzzle.
20. Dinero unit: PESO. Today's Spanish lesson
21. "Xanadu" band, familiarly: ELO. The formal name of the band is the Electric Light Orchestra.
22. Bobbing, say: AFLOAT.
23. Knock: RAP.
25. Ala. neighbor: FLA. Florida and Alabama are neighboring states.
35. "SNL" alum Gasteyer: ANA. Ana Gasteyer (b. May 4, 1967) was on Saturday Night Live from 1996 to 2002. She is probably best known for her portrayal of Martha Stewart. [Name # 1.]
36. Mickey Mouse's dog: PLUTO. Disney characters. [Name # 2, fictional]
37. Less wild: TAMER.
38. Rain delay sight: TARP.
40. Drum kit component: SNARE.
42. "Bye-bye!": TA-TA.
43. "Count me out": I PASS.
45. Cary of "North by Northwest": GRANT. Cary Grant (nĂ© Archibald Alec Leach; Jan. 18, 1904 – Nov. 29, 1986) was a British actor. North by Northwest was one of four films he starred in that was directed by Alfred Hitchcock. [Name # 3.]
47. Hosp. scan: MRI. As in Magnetic Resonance Imaging. It is a non-invasive imaging technology that produces three dimensional detailed anatomical images.
51. Mined resource: ORE. A crossword staple.
52. ESPN sister station: ABC. I was not aware of this connection. Apparently, they also have a connection to Disney.
53. Manatee relative: DUGONG. I had not heard of Dugongs before. Apparently they are similar to manatees, but have a different tail.
57. Snapchat snap: PIC.
59. Harvest: REAP.
66. "It's the truth!": NO LIE.
67. Eisenhower's nickname: IKE. Dwight David Eisenhower (Oct. 14, 1890 ~ Mar. 28, 1969) was the 34th President of the United States. He became president over 70 years ago. He served two terms, from 1953 to 1961. [Name # 4.]
68. Doolittle of "My Fair Lady": ELIZA. [Name # 5, fictional.]
69. Double curves: ESSES.
70. Spearheaded: LED.
71. Freezing rain: SLEET.
Down:
1. "One __ at a Time" (Jordin Sparks song): STEP. [Name # 6.]
2. Up to it: ABLE.
3. "Head, shoulders, knees, and __": TOES.
4. Open, as a wine bottle: UNCORK.
5. Favorite: PET.
6. Star with lots of fans: IDOL. This word has become a crossword staple.
7. Note to the staff: MEMO.
8. Green vegetable in aloo matar: PEA. Yummers! Aloo matar is an Indian dish that is typically made from potatoes and peas in a mildly spiced creamy tomato based gravy. It is a vegetarian dish.
9. Interesting bit of trivia: FUN FACT.
10. Scott Turow book set at Harvard: ONE L. Scott Turow (b. Apr. 12, 1949) went on to write several more books, some legal thrillers and some nonfiction works. [Name # 7.]
11. Regarding: AS TO.
12. "Star Wars" rebel leader: LEIA. Leia was portrayed by Carrie Francis Fisher (Oct. 21, 1956 ~ Dec. 27, 2016). [Name # 8, fictional.]
13. Breakaway group: SECT. This, too, is becoming a crossword staple.
18. Drives off: REPELS.
19. Temerity: GALL.
24. Mont Blanc, e.g.: ALP. Mont Blanc is the highest mountain in the Alps and Western Europe. It is located on the Franco-Italian border.
25. Like some fabric patterns: FLORAL. This seems like a bit of an odd clue, but floral immediately popped into my mind.
26. Grilling site: PATIO.
27. Like some mobile purchases: IN APP.
28. Gemstone weight: CARAT. Just recently, the second largest diamond was found in Botswana. It weighs just under 2,500 carats. The largest diamond is the Cullinan diamond, which comes in at just over 3,100 carats was found in the early 1900s
 |
| The recently found Botswana diamond. |
29. Make a mess of: BUNGLE.
30. Video game pioneer: ATARI. The name Atari comes from a Japanese term that means "to hit a target" [Name adjacent.]
31. Feedbag bit: OAT.
32. Taste quality of soy sauce and miso: UMAMI.
33. Nostalgia-inducing: RETRO.
34. Lionel product: TRAIN. Joshua Lionel Cowen (Aug. 25, 1877 ~ Sept. 8, 1965) was the cofounder of the Lionel Company that made model railroads and toy trains. [Name adjacent.]
39. Tire fig.: PSI. As in Pounds per Square Inch.
41. Interweave: ENLACE.
44. Wall-mounted light fixtures: SCONCES.
46. Unwieldy boat: TUB.
49. Cry of frustration: ARGH.
50. Ancient document: SCROLL.
53. Great __: big dog: DANE.
54. Sci-fi sightings: UFOs.
55. Some hair products: GELS.
56. Toddler's injury: OWIE.
57. Fish with a pointed snout: PIKE.
58. Frosted, as a cake: ICED. Frosted cake errors.
60. New York canal: ERIE. Everything you wanted to know about the Erie Canal but didn't know to ask.
61. Wood-shaping tool: ADZE.
62. College Board exam for sophs: PSAT. As in the Preliminary SAT.
64. Vinaigrette base: OIL.
65. "Fantastic Mr. Fox" director Anderson: WES. Wes Anderson (né Wesley Wales Anderson; b. May 1, 1969) is known for eclectic films. He is an acquired taste. [Name # 9]
Here's the Grid:
חתולה
Happy
Birthday to Lemonade, our Friday Sherpa for many years. Hope all's well with you, Oo and the kids, Lemonade!
Happy Birthday to the knowledgeable Vidwan as well!
