Body Double: The word Body can be placed before each of the two words in the theme answers to give a new concept. Body Double is also a 1984 Brian De Palma film about young actor's obsession with spying on a beautiful woman who lives nearby.
17-Across. Intimate conversation in bed: PILLOW TALK. Body Pillow / Body Talk. Pillow Talk is a 1959 movie starring Rock Hudson and Doris Day. A Body Pillow is usually a long, narrow pillow that you cradle while you sleep. The benefit of a body pillow is that it gives extra support to side sleepers, especially those suffering from back issues or sleep apnea. Body Talk, also known as Body Language, "is the means by which people convey information through physical behaviors rather than words."
25-Across. Laundry apparatus used as a percussion instrument: WASHBOARD. Body Wash / Body Board. Body Wash is a liquid soap. A Body Board is used in the sport of bodyboarding in which the surfer rides a bodyboard on the crest, face, and curl of a wave. A Washboard is frequently used in Zydeco music.
35-Across. Aerosolized popcorn condiment: SPRAY BUTTER. Body Spray / Body Butter. Body Spray is similar to perfume, however, body sprays have a lower level of concentrated oil and more alcohol, while perfume have a higher level of oil and less water or alcohol. Body Butter is similar to a body lotion, however, body butter is better for rougher skin and is thicker than a lotion.
48-Across. Timepiece innards: CLOCKWORK. Body Clock / Body Work. Your Body Clock defines your daily rhythms. I think of Body Work as something that your car might need after an accident.
And the unifier:
57-Across. Actor's stand-in, or a hint to what can precede both parts of 17-, 25-, 35-, and 48-Across: BODY DOUBLE. Everything you wanted to know about a Body Double but didn't think to ask.
Brad Pitt and his Body Double.
Across:
1. Gentle touches: PATS.
5. Raise, as morale: BOOST.
10. Harvest: REAP.
14. Baker's appliance: OVEN.
15. One of the Three Musketeers: ATHOS. The Three Musketeers is a French historical adventure novel written in 1844 by Alexandre Dumas (1802 ~ 1870). The novel takes place in the 1620s and recounts the adventures of a young man named d'Artagnan (a character based on Charles de Batz-Castelmore d'Artagnan) after he leaves home to travel to Paris He had hoped to join the Musketeers of the Guard, but was ineligible. He was, however, befriended by three musketeers: – Athos, Porthos and Aramis, "the three musketeers". [Name # 1, fictional.]
16. Penne __ vodka: ALLA. Yummers! Penne alla vodka is a pasta dish made with (Surprise!) vodka and penne. There are a few other ingredients as well, including heavy cream, crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce, onions. The alcohol is said to intensify and accentuate flavors in the dish.
19. "The Rabbit Hutch" National Book Award winner Gunty: TESS. The Rabbit Hutch is a Tess Gunty's first novel, that was published in 2022. It is about 4 teenager who recently aged out of the state foster-care system and are now living together in a run-down town in the mid-West. [Name # 2.]
20. Pizzeria owner in "Do the Right Thing": SAL. Do the Right Thing is a 1989 film by Spike Lee (b. 1957) about race relations in a Brooklyn. Salvatore "Sal" Fragione, portrayed by Danny Aiello (1933 ~ 2019), is the Italian owner of a pizzeria in the neighborhood. [Name # 3, fictional]
21. Prepare ahead of time: PLAN.
22. Make a quick policy change: PIVOT.
23. Coming in handy: UTILE.
28. Funnel-shaped flower: PETUNIA.
30. Apple platform: IOS. // Not to be confused with 41-Across: Bit of positivity?: ION.
31. Greek letter before upsilon: TAU.
32. Fellows: MEN.
33. CPR pro: EMT. An Emergency Medical Technician better be able to perform CardioPulmonary Resuscitation.
34. "Been there, __ that": DONE.
38. Yes votes: AYES.
40. Key __: car remote: FOB.
42. Bad review: PAN.
43. Poivre partner: SEL. Today's French lesson gives us Pepper and Salt.
44. Ideal: OPTIMUM.
51. Muscat resident: OMANI.
52. "NCIS" protagonist __ Jethro Gibbs: LEROY. Leroy Jethro Gibbs the main character in NCIS and is portrayed by Mark Harmon (b. 1951). [Name # 4, fictional.]
56. Actress Shawkat: ALIA. Alia Shawkat (b. 1989) makes occasional appearances in the puzzles. She portrayed Maeby Fünke on Arrested Development. [Name # 5]
60. Exams for srs.: SATs. The Scholastic Aptitude Tests make frequent appearances in the puzzles.
61. Foe: ENEMY.
62. Wax alternative: NAIR. Hair removal products.
63. Whack: SWAT.
64. Like grainy graphics: LO-RES. Oh, as in Low Resolution. I kept looking at LORES and wondered what that meant, then the light bulb went on.
65. Best Female Athlete, e.g.: ESPY.
Down:
1. Comes as a surprise, maybe: POPS UP.
2. Fly a plane: AVIATE.
3. "Preach!": TELL IT!
4. NBC sketch show, familiarly: SNL. As in Saturday Night Live.
The original Not-Ready-For-Primetime Players
5. Weep loudly: BAWL.
6. Capital of Canada: OTTAWA. Hi, CanadianEh!
7. Hawaiian word for "family": OHANA.
8. Pine-__: cleaning brand: SOL. It now comes in all sorts of flavors, er, scents.
9. Disapproving sound: TSK!
10. Math comparison: RATIO.
11. Stairs alternative: ELEVATOR.
12. Concession speech giver: ALSO RAN.
13. Late, as a library book: PAST DUE. My public library has done away with late fees.
18. First game of the season: OPENER.
22. "All Creatures Great and Small" airer: PBS. As in Public Broadcasting Service.
24. Sugar cubes: LUMPS.
26. "Atlas" actor Liu: SIMU. Simu Liu (b. 1989) is a Canadian actor. He was born in Harban, China, but his family moved to Canada when he was a small child. In 2022, he was named one of Time's 100 most influential people in the world. ([Name # 6.]
27. Good intel: HOT TIP.
29. Shortly: IN A FEW.
33. Flow out: EBB.
34. Jeans material: DENIM.
35. Miss, in Mexico: SENORITA. Today's Spanish lesson.
36. "Carpe diem" acronym: YOLO. You Only Live Once.
37. "My Neighbor __": 1988 Miyazaki film: TOTORO. This seems to be a bit obscure for a Tuesday. My Neighbor Totoro is a Japanese animated film that focuses on two young sisters their interactions with friendly wood spirits in postwar rural Japan. I had not heard of this film, nor had I heard of its director Hayao Miyazaki (b. Jan. 5, 1941). [Name # 7.]
38. Sr.'s course for college credit: AP CLASS. As in Advanced Placement Class.
39. Sonia Sotomayor's alma mater: YALE LAW. Sonia Sotomayor (b. 1954) has served on the Supreme Court since August 2009. I wouldn't want her job. [Name # 8.]
43. Pie in the __: SKY.
44. "I'm cool with that": OK BY ME.
45. Deadly African snakes: MAMBAS. Everything you wanted to know about the Mamba but didn't know to ask.
46. Release, as a carabiner: UNCLIP.
47. "__ loves company": MISERY.
49. Seashore: COAST. Here I am at Diamond Beach, also known as Breiðamerkursandur. It is a beach located on the south coast of Iceland. Its name comes from the "diamond" pieces of ice from the nearby glacier. I didn't go swimming there.
50. More impolite: RUDER.
54. Dreyer's ice cream, east of the Rockies: EDY'S. This ice cream brand makes frequent guest appearances in the puzzles.
57. "The Fresh Prince of __-Air": BEL. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air was a television show from the 1990s and starred Will Smith (b. 1968).
58. Artist Yoko: ONO. Yoko Ono (b. Feb. 18, 1933) makes frequent guest appearances in the puzzles. I can't believe she is 91 years old! [Name # 9.]
59. French article: UNE. More of today's French lesson.
Here's the Grid:
חתולה
Many thanks to Anonymous T who filled in for me while Hubby and I explored the Land of the Midnight Sun.
The caption reads: I'm sorry, sir, you're overdrawn.
Notes from C.C.:
1) Welcome back, Susan!
2) Happy
54th birthday to dear Tony (Anon-T), our faithful Tuesday guide the
past few weeks. Every time I need a blog sub, Tony is there. Thank you
so much for being so generous with your time and help, Tony!
Tony At Wit's End near Carmel on Father's Day 2017
Happy Monday, everyone! sumdaze here with our theme:
Today we are back in the garden. (You might recall a tomato-themed puzzle from three weeks ago.) It is July now so more vegetables are ready for harvesting. Let's look for these plants in the four themers:
PEAs, YAMs, CORN, and KALE
17 Across. Anti-war demonstration: PEACE MARCH.
25 Across. Talks incessantly: YAMMERS ON. To YAMMER is to talk in an exhausting, tedious, and lengthy manner, especially about something trite or meaningless.
51 Across. Local watering hole: CORNER BAR.
62 Across. "The Big Bang Theory" actress who voices Harley Quinn: KALEY CUOCO.
Kaley played Penny on TBBT (2007-2019). (Apparently her character did not have a last name until she married Leonard Hofstadter.) Harley Quinn is a DC Comics character.
The reveal is found center-grid:
38 Across. Person who doesn't eat meat, informally, and a feature of 17-, 25-, 51-, and 62-Across: VEGHEAD (sometimes spelled VEG-HEAD or VEG HEAD).
While I cannot say I have never heard VEGHEAD, it is not a term either I or my friends use. YMMV (your mileage may vary). Nevertheless, I like Brian and Amie's clever idea of finding VEGetables hidden at the HEAD (at the front of) common, two-word phrases.
They get 5 carrots! 🥕🥕🥕🥕🥕
VEGEGHEADs (lt. to rt.) Too creepy?, Too cutesy?, Too much?, a classic!
Lettuce now move along to the other clues:
Across: 1. "Marriage Story" actor Alan: ALDA. How fun would it be to be Alan Alda, always seeing your name in XWDs!
5. Indian flatbread: ROTI.
9. Lhasa __: APSO.
13. Tournament rank: SEED.
Jannik Sinner is the #1 SEED for Men's Singles at Wimbledon this year. June 24 - July 14
14. Makes level: EVENS.
16. Sty supper: SLOP.
19. Didn't discard: KEPT.
20. Ejectable part of a computer tower: CD TRAY.
21. Rove: ROAM.
23. Tuna type: AHI.
24. Phoenix's birthplace: ASHES.
Hand up if this is your tattoo. (just kidding!)
27. James of jazz: ETTA.
29. Respect: ESTEEM.
30. "Hold your horses!": STOP. Whoa seemed a better fit for horses but did not perp.
33. Abbr. on a business card: INC. INCorporated
35. __ salts: EPSOM.
37. Carpool lane initials: HOV. High Occupancy Vehicle
Do you remember the TV show Carpoolers (2007-08)? Here is a 30 sec. clip. Watch closely right at the beginning to see how they are speeding through the HOV lane while the other lanes are at a standstill. You can sort of see it through the car's windows, too. It was a running gag throughout the show. California's commuter traffic was a snarl but the HOV lanes were wide open.
the Phil Collins clip
41. 401(k) kin: IRA.
42. Doglike scavenger in Africa: HYENA.
44. Old AOL exchanges: IMS. Instant MessageS
45. Steep, as tea: BREW.
46. "Now!": PRONTO.
49. "Ah, gotcha": I SEE. This is not the "tricked ya" gotcha. It is more like, "I understand what you are trying to say."
53. British strollers: PRAMS.
Catherine, Princess of Wales, looking natty with her PRAM
57. "Rugrats" grandpa: LOU. Rugrats is a children's animated TV show that first aired 33 years ago. David F. Doyle (1929-1997) originally voiced Grandpa Lou. You might remember him as Bosley from Charlie's Angels.
58. Vend: SELL.
59. Cocktail with lime juice: GIMLET.
60. Not busy: IDLE.
64. Pest on a pet: FLEA. cute
65. Marvel superhero who can control the weather: STORM. She is a member of the X-Men. It is a gimme for X-Men fans but still sussable (weather) even if you do not have specific knowledge of the reference. Props to the clue's writer!
66. Art __: DECO. This architectural style emerged around 1920. The video below is a song called Art Deco, co-written and performed by crossword puzzle personality, Lana Del Rey. It was featured on the soundtrack for the 2013 movie, The Great Gatsby, starring Leonardo DiCaprio. The video includes Art Deco elements from the movie. 67. Suffix with love or nerd: -FEST.
68. Emoji that may mean "Don't miss this": EYES.
emoji that may mean "I don't know"
69. "Don't delay" letters: ASAP.
Down: 1. Pet rescue org.: ASPCA. I was surprised to learn that the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is not an umbrella organization for the SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals). They are not affiliated with each other. Your local SPCA relies on local donations.
2. West Yorkshire city: LEEDS.
I visited Leeds, England in 2012. This indoor market was filled with small stalls selling everything from A to Zed.
3. "Till __ do us part": DEATH.
4. Spread of commercial marketing into new spaces: ADCREEP. In Mark Bartholomew's book about ADCREEP, he posits that the average American is exposed to over 3,000 advertisements each day. That seems high, but I probably easily hit that number just watching 30 min. of Tour de France highlights.
1 out of 3,000
5. __ Martin cognac: REMY. Cognac is a variety of brandy named after the commune of Cognac, France. It is a bit too strong for me but I do love a sweeter pear cognac.
6. Lab eggs: OVA.
7. __ cotta: TERRA. Terra-cotta is a type of ceramic made from fired clay that is usually porous. These pots are terrific in my neck of the woods because they absorb water then release it back into the soil during dry spells.
my ALOE plant in a TERRA-cotta planter (I think I might have shared this picture in a previous blog.)
8. Wages: INCOME.
9. Inquire: ASK.
10. Start of Oliver Twist's request: PLEASE SIR.
11. 10th grader: SOPHOMORE. Most U.S. SOPHOMOREs are 15-turning-16-years old.
SOPHOMORE can also be an adjective. In that case, it means being or associated with the second in a series. Example: Let's Go is the lead-off track on The Cars' SOPHOMORE album, Candy-O (1979).
12. Sign up for newsletters, perhaps: OPT IN.
Waldo chooses to OPT out.
15. Fancy pillow covers: SHAMS.
I know that you are not supposed to use them when you sleep, but I do not know what you are supposed to do with them while you sleep.
18. West's opposite: EAST. It does not get any more Monday than this, folks.
22. Doled (out): METED.
25. Bowen of "SNL": YANG. Bowen was born in 1990 in Brisbane, Australia. He became a writer for SNL in 2018 and a cast member the following year. Here's a sample:
Warning: He says the A-word and the B-word.
26. Sales agt.: REP. Agent and REPresentative
28. Link (to): TIE.
30. "Quiet you!": SHH.
31. Curly-haired dog that fits in a purse: TOY POODLE.
The term “TOY” simply pertains to the size of the dog, but this classification can span a variety of different breeds, each with its unique attributes and histories.
32. Uses veto power: OVERRULES. This puzzle had four 9-letter bonus words. (See 10-, 11, 31-, and 32-Down.)
34. The WNBA's Sky, on scoreboards: CHI. CHIcago
I recently heard an interview on WWDTM with Michelle Williams of Destiny's Child. She is a native of Rockford, IL and a minority owner of the Chicago Sky. Very cool!
Michelle Williams
Sun Will Shine Again (2002)
36. Gaping mouth: MAW.
This image is from a comic book series.
38. Rooftop spinners: VANES. Last month I was relaxing in a plaza in Spain when I looked up to see this VANE depicting Don Quixote and Sancho Panza. ¡Perfecto!
39. Gulf States ruler: EMIR.
40. Stubborn animal: ASS.
43. Opposite of "oui": NON. French
45. Island with a namesake Triangle: BERMUDA. The BERMUDA Triangle is a region in the western part of the N. Atlantic Ocean in which ships, planes, and people are alleged to have mysteriously vanished. Read more here.
My neighbor had this board game when we were growing up.
47. Expeditions: TREKS.
48. Not perfectly round: OBLATE. Def.: (adj.) flattened or depressed at the poles.
50. Massive in scale: EPIC.
51. Steep drop-off: CLIFF.
52. Stainless steel, e.g.: ALLOY.
A metallic solid or liquid that is composed of a homogeneous mixture of two or more metals or of metals and nonmetal or metalloid elements, usually for the purpose of imparting or increasing specific characteristics or properties:Brass is an alloy of zinc and copper.
54. Houseplants with healing properties: ALOES. See 7-Down.
55. Muslim pilgrim's destination: MECCA.
56. Entrance porch: STOOP. Here is the STOOP scene from When Harry Met Sally (1989).
Warning: Meg throws out an F-bomb.
59. Fitness centers: GYMS.
61. "I could __": "I'm not not hungry": EAT.
63. Before, in verse: ERE.
Sonnet 73
Time for the grid:
That's all for today. I'll read you later in the week. PEAs out!
Theme: "Work With What You've Got" - Not sure I got the theme. The second words are made up of letters that appear in the first word? (Sorry for the wrong title earlier.)
68. *Sports car introduced in 1953: CHEVROLET CORVETTE.
84. *Event for social workers?: CORPORATE RETREAT.
99. *Spot where one might find boxers?: UNDERWEAR DRAWER.
Reveal:
114. Parts used over and over again, such as the letters in the answers to the starred clues: RECYCLED MATERIALS.
OK, guys, I'm just stumped. I did notice that the second words are all "recycled" letters of the first word. Is that it?
The theme is harder to execute than it looks, as the second words are all pretty long.
Across:
1. Enter quickly: DASH IN.
7. Like many cagers: TALL. I thought Yao Ming is the tallest. Nope.
11. Cries during a Real Madrid vs. Barcelona match: OLES. And
15. "Right on!": RAD.
18. Flammable gas: ETHANE.
19. Southernmost Great Lake: ERIE.
20. Come clean?: BATHE. Great clue. I hope you can "come clean" slowly in your tub, weed-free.
22. Cards, on scoreboards: ARI.
26. Uncle, in Spanish: TIO.
27. Place to check out: TILL. Checkout counter.
28. Buckwheat noodle: SOBA. Thanks for the birthday cards and
emails. I had a long walk along the Coon Rapids Dam, then made myself a
huge bowl of birthday noodles. Similar to this, but mine had Shanghai
bok choy.
29. NorCal neighbor: ORE.
30. Forced (open), as a pistachio: PRIED.
32. Tijuana toast: SALUD.
39. Phrase on some menus: NO MSG.
41. Eclipse, to some: OMEN.
42. Slightly: A BIT.
43. Savanna tree: ACACIA.
46. Pal: BUD. And 96. Megastar: IDOL. Andrea Carla Michaels has been visiting Minnesota. Here she is with the Big Pencil along the Lake of the Isles.
47. Marches, maybe: PROTESTS.
56. Greek X: CHI. Guess what this means in Chinese?
57. Dined: ATE. Chi = Eat in Chinese.
58. Animal sidekick in "Frozen": SVEN.
59. Some tree snakes: BOAS.
60. Paintball cry: I'M HIT.
62. Lookouts: SENTRIES.
65. "I don't want to __, but ... ": BRAG.
67. Woodward of "The Long, Hot Summer": JOANNE.
72. NBA star Wade: DWYANE.
74. Charity fun run distance: ONE K.
75. Doing some lawn work: AERATING.
78. Supply with new hardware: REFIT.
79. Friendly nudge at a green light: TOOT.
81. Unreturned serves: ACES.
82. Actor Daniel __ Kim: DAE.
83. Blvd. kin: AVE.
89. Nerdy yet fashionable: GEEK CHIC.
92. Vitality: VIM.
93. Longs (for): YEARNS.
94. Christmas carol: NOEL.
95. Dead even: TIED.
97. Plague: BESET.
104. "Shrinking" star Jason: SEGEL.
108. Spindrift ingredient: PUREE. See it? Water, fruit puree.
109. __ Paulo, Brazil: SAO.
110. Like many language exams: ORAL.
112. Hello, in Oaxaca: HOLA.
113. Before, poetically: ERE.
120. Intel analyst's org.: NSA.
121. Smooth: SLEEK.
122. Superlative acronym: GOAT. Greatest of All Time.
123. Spots for bracelets: ANKLES.
124. FDR's party: DEM.
125. Many: LOTS.
126. Chromosome subsection: GENE.
127. City south of Yosemite National Park: FRESNO.
Down:
1. Arrears: DEBTS.
2. Airy lobbies: ATRIA.
3. Scammer's aide: SHILL.
4. Dined at midday: HAD LUNCH.
5. Hero's end?: INE. Heroine.
6. Loch for monster hunters: NESS.
7. Item with a steep price?: TEABAG. Ha ha. I just had my very first chai thanks to Renee.
8. Common font for important documents: ARIAL. We also had
16. Disney princess with six sisters: ARIEL.
9. Tupperware top: LID.
10. Took charge: LED.
11. Shakespeare's king of the fairies: OBERON. "A Midsummer Night's Dream".
12. __ tag: LASER.
13. UFO occupants: ETS.
14. "That's all __ wrote": SHE.
15. 9-to-5, e.g.: RATIO.
17. The "D" of LED: DIODE.
21. Vivacity: ESPRIT.
24. Swarms: MOBS.
25. Where all roads lead, proverbially: ROME.
31. Baptism, e.g.: RITE.
33. "I dare you!": DO IT.
35. String of concerts: TOUR.
36. Film trivia source: IMDB.
37. Some noblemen: EARLS.
38. Woodwind simulated in "Happy Together": OBOE.
40. Enormous: MASSIVE.
43. "Such a shame!": ALAS.
44. Reference: CITE.
45. Representative's charge: AGENCY FEE.
46. Platt of "Dear Evan Hansen": BEN.
47. "Licorice Pizza" director, to fans: PTA. Paul Thomas Anderson.
48. Landlord in the "One Day at a Time" reboot: SCHNEIDER. Did not know this guy.
49. Scanty: THIN.
50. Venue: SITE.
52. State convincingly: AVER.
53. Spanish X: BESO. Kiss.
54. Taken __: disconcerted: ABACK.
55. "For here or __?": TO GO.
60. Tiny amount: IOTA.
61. Damon of "Oppenheimer": MATT.
63. Tom yum cuisine: THAI. I should try this next time.
64. Lodger's expense: RENT.
65. __ box: BENTO. So cute.
66. Rec from GPS: RTE.
67. Some uniform tops: JERSEYS.
69. Circuit: LOOP.
70. The Boston Marathon, for one: RACE.
71. Swerve: VEER.
72. Queen's garb: DRAG.
73. "__ all been there": WE'VE.
76. Bread served with butter chicken: NAAN. Want some?
77. Appreciates: GETS.
79. Sheer fabric: TOILE.
80. Tolkien beast: ORC.
81. Bread box?: ATM.
84. Masticate: CHEW. I've never used the word "masticate".
100. Hospital worker: NURSE. I've seen so many the past week. My
sister-in-law Connie fainted and literally broke her neck. I was
surprised that the ER nurses gave her two doses of morphine the first
day.
101. Think big: DREAM.
102. To date: AS YET.
103. Wonder __: role for Lynda Carter: WOMAN.
105. Objectives: GOALS.
106. Pompeo who plays Dr. Grey: ELLEN.
107. Coach Beard's colleague: LASSO. Ted Lasso.
111. Canadian flag icon: LEAF.
115. Shape of a corner sofa: ELL.
116. Boardroom VIP: CEO.
117. Big Green __: backyard smoker: EGG. Not famliar with this brand.
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