Theme: Waiting for the big BUILD-UP
Hmm ... where to begin today ... do we talk about the theme (based on the reveal in 25-down)? Do we talk about having another "easy Friday" solve? Do we talk about some rather hackneyed entries/clues?
I address them all, so don't worry about any big "build-up" in today's puzzle re-cap
First - the theme: 25-down. Create high expectations for, or an apt description of the first part of the answer to each starred clue: BUILD-UP (note that the first word of each entry answer below is highlighted in red)
Second - the ease of solving: I solve the puzzles using "Across Lite" software. This software contains a timer, separate from the grid. I don't type nearly as quickly as I solve, and I often have to backspace and/or erase rogue letters I've entered. I also like to take a sip of coffee (or another beverage) whilst solving, so I will never win a prize for being the fastest. But today, I managed to get this in about 7 minutes:30 seconds. That, to me, is not what a "Friday puzzle" should "feel like"
Third - the hackneyed entries (and clues): I will address these within the text of my recap below
Can we all agree that whenever we solve a crossword puzzle - regardless of the venue - we have a certain "build-up" of expectation? Are we wondering on what clever corridor the constructor took us? I know I do. I am always looking for the "aha" moment when the final letter is placed in the grid, and/or the reveal is, well, revealed. So, if anyone had trouble sussing this today, please allow me to "emarf" my answer. Here are the "theme entries":
5-down. *Snappy dresser: NOIHSAF PLATE. The word "FASHION" is inverted and/or built "UP" in the puzzle grid
11-down. *Many a rejection notice: MROF LETTER. The word "FORM" is inverted and/or built "UP" in the puzzle grid
23-down. *Pillar of society: LEDOM CITIZEN. The word "MODEL" is inverted and/or built "UP" in the puzzle grid
29-down. *Mutate: EPAHS SHIFT. The word "SHAPE" is inverted and/or built "UP" in the puzzle grid
FASHION, FORM, MODEL, and SHAPE are all synonyms of the word "build" (when used as a verb)
This is Noelle's third puzzle @ LA Times. Her two previous ones were in 2024 and appeared on a Monday and Tuesday. I think that this one, too, should have been featured on an early-in-the-week day
Level of difficulty (Mohs hardness scale rating): 2.5 out of 10
Let's examine the grid and then the rest of the entries:
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The Grid |
1. Country made up of 14,125 islands: JAPAN. This was a learning moment (for me) but also my first choice. I sneaked a peek at 1-down and knew that it had to start with a "J" 🗾
6. Vegetable with a lacinato variety: KALE. Odd clue / odd vegetable; solved with a perp or two
10. License issuers, for short: DMVS. Plurals of abbrs are not my favorite entries
14. Budget, in brand names: ECONO. Budget is also a brand name of a rental car company
15. Storm centers: EYES. How "un-Friday like" a clue/answer
16. Part of the HOMES mnemonic: ERIE. How "un-Friday like" a clue/answer
17. Italian luxury brand: FENDI. "Posh", on steroids
18. "Cool!": NEAT. How "un-Friday like" a clue/answer
19. Ingredient in some barbecue sauce: COLA. Learning moment for me. Here is a recipe
20. Anew: FRESHLY. This is a good and proper Friday word entry. According to Crossword Tracker, this is just the fourth usage of the word freshly - well chosen, Noelle!
22. Fried chickpea bite: FALAFEL. 🐤🫛
24. Bygone Swedish auto: SAAB. Moe-ku #1:
26. Relate: TELL.
27. Microbrewery fixture: ALE TAP. This answer might soon become hackneyed
31. Secondhand: USED. How "un-Friday like" a clue/answer
33. Pitching stat: ERA. How "un-Friday like" a clue/answer
36. On __ the world: TOP OF. Can you be "on top of the world" and "over-the-moon" at the same time?
37. Tech boss: CIO. How "un-Friday like" a clue/answer
38. Rice cooker brand: OSTER. Well, I suppose if the clue read "Blender brand" I could pan it as being too easy for a Friday! 😜
40. Forever __: STAMP. Speaking of "BUILD UP", check out the increasing prices of the Forever Stamp since its inception in 2007
41. "__ see myself out": I'LL. This would've been a fun clue and entry @ 64-down!
42. Dull, in a way: MATTE. As in a matte finished photo, e.g.
43. "His Eye Is on the Sparrow" singer Waters: ETHEL. Acceptable; a non-acceptable clue would've referred to erstwhile singer/actress Merman
44. Bother: ADO.
45. Family friendly: CLEAN. I wanted to use "RATED G" but there weren't enough spaces
46. Small batteries: AAS. Plurals of abbrs are not my favorite entries
47. Six-time MLB All-Star Moises: ALOU. Speaking of hackneyed clues/entries
49. Letter before Tango: SIERRA. My last recap contained a reference to the NATO alphabet
50. Make full: SATE. How "un-Friday like" a clue/answer
52. Novel idea?: PLOT. Clever clue and answer 📖
54. Reach, as a goal: ACHIEVE. I tried SUSTAIN first
57. Pink Floyd album with the songs "Dogs" and "Sheep": ANIMALS. This 1977 studio-album release from Pink Floyd was loosely based on George Orwell's Animal Farm - the entire album is downloaded below (41 minutes in length). More about it from Wikipedia
62. __-back: LAID. Not usually a descriptor used for yours, truly
63. Fair, in a way: EVEN. Not according to the Thesaurus-saurus
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| Not "EVEN" mentioned |
65. "Not another sound!": ZIP IT. 🤐
66. Small transverse flute: FIFE. A fife is played in a position transverse to the flute. I wonder if anyone needed a perpendicular to solve this? That would be fitting, wouldn't it?? 😜
67. "The thing is ... ": LOOK. 👀
68. College athletics airer: ESPN U.
69. Picnic pests: ANTS. How "un-Friday like" a clue/answer 🐜 🐜 🐜
70. Trinitron developer: SONY. Sony Trinitron history
71. Snooped: NOSED. I tried SPIED first and then changed it
Down:
1. TV host Probst: JEFF. He, of the CBS virtual reality show, "Survivor"
2. Big name in laptops: ACER. DELL also fits
3. Southern cake: PONE. How "un-Friday like" a clue/answer
4. "No ifs, __, or buts": ANDS. How "un-Friday like" a clue/answer
[5. 1st Entry]
7. Yeoman's yes: AYE. How "un-Friday like" a clue/answer
8. Part of the Apple logo: LEAF.
9. Manor: ESTATE. How "un-Friday like" a clue/answer
10. Parking permit, perhaps: DECAL.
[2nd Entry
12. Wicked: VILE. Its anagram - EVIL - also fits 😁
13. Make airtight: SEAL. How "un-Friday like" a clue/answer 🦭
21. Napkin holder: LAP. Moe-ku #2:
[23. 3rd Entry]
[25. - Reveal]
27. Sailing: AT SEA. How "un-Friday like" a clue/answer
28. Led Zeppelin's "Whole __ Love": LOTTA. One of my favorites; this iconic Led Zeppelin hit song:
Another of my favorite Led Zeppelin hits:
30. Hefty volume: TOME. How "un-Friday like" a clue/answer
32. Aria, for one: SOLO. How "un-Friday like" a clue/answer
34. Do some roof repairs: RE-TAR. How "un-Friday like" a clue/answer
35. Hockey venue: ARENA. How "un-Friday like" a clue/answer
37. Parting word: CIAO. [my use of "how un-Friday like" is starting to get hackneyed]😄 So, I will not use this again ...
48. Takes to the ground: LEVELS. I remember when a few of the older casinos in Vegas were imploded ...
49. Bart, to Homer: SON. Monday clue/entry
51. Hill workers: AIDES. As in "Capitol Hill" (assistants to senators and representatives in Washington, D.C.)
53. Long and lean: LANKY.
54. Letter before Bravo: ALFA. My last recap contained a reference to the NATO alphabet; today's recap contains two
55. "Mildred Pierce" novelist: CAIN. Acceptable; a non-acceptable clue would've referred to a family member in the Book of Genesis
58. Japanese soup base: MISO. This answer might soon become hackneyed
59. Home screen array: APPS. This answer might soon become hackneyed
60. Part of a script: LINE. My last recap used this as the clue: Actor's "What am I supposed to say?": LINE.
61. Wall support: STUD.
64. Countless lifetimes: EON. No comment ...
