Tuesday August 27, 2024 Grant Boroughs

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 (né 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:

Many thanks to C.C. for highlighting the Choice Words.

חתולה

Notes from C.C.:

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!

Monday August 26, 2024 Margi Stevenson

 

Happy Monday, everyone! sumdaze here with a puzzle from Margi Stevenson. The Corner has previously blogged five of Margi's puzzles. She has published one each on a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Today's is her second Monday puzzle. I hope she brings us seconds for each of the other weekdays, too!

Theme:  

On The Corner we often talk about needing P&P to solve a difficult puzzle. Today's puzzle came with its own P&P. Let's see what I mean. First the themed clues:

17 Across. Social set with similar ages: PEER GROUP.

As it turns out, I have a summons to be in someone's potential PEER GROUP at the county courthouse today (aka "jury duty"). We'll see if I am needed....

24 Across. Sticker that may be good forever: POSTAGE STAMP.  forever STAMPS  

I want to get a sheet of the new ones featuring Ansel Adams' photography.

39 Across. Cosmetic tattoos: PERMANENT MAKEUP.

One example of this is tattooed eyebrows.  Pros & Cons

53 Across. Recreational getaway: PLEASURE TRIP.  

National Lampoon's Vacation (1983)

Chevy Chase in the Grand Canyon scene (2 min.)

Bonus points if you can remember the color of his car:  Metallic PEA

Then the reveal:

65. Soup legumes, or a phonetic description of 17-, 24-, 39-, and 53-Across: SPLIT PEAS.  

Each of the themed clues begins and ends with the letter P, thereby splitting the Ps apart.

I noticed the Ps while solving this grid from top to bottom. I wondered what Margi was planning to do with them. Her reveal was a delight!

...plenty more to recap:

Across:

1. Little complaints: NITS.

5. Lingerie brand owned by Hanes: BALI.  

9. Marinade of vinegar and spices: ADOBO.  "The word adobo is a derivative of the Spanish word adobar, which translates as "to marinate" in English. Spanish colonizers carried the word “adobo” to the regions they conquered, so adobo means something different depending on where you are in the Spanish diaspora. In some places, adobo is a dry seasoning rub. In others, the spices are combined with vinegar and fresh ingredients to create a marinade called adobo."  source & more info.

14. Farmland unit: ACRE.

15. Garden of Eden figure: ADAM.  

Adam & Eve in Paradise camP

16. Perdue competitor: TYSON.  Both are brands of chicken.

19. Scary creature: BEAST.

20. Take the wrong way?: STEAL.     and     27 Down. Swiped: TOOK.

Swipe is slang for STEAL.

21. Ill-mannered: RUDE.

23. Hawaiian wood used for ukuleles: KOA.  KOA is the largest native tree species in Hawaii. 

more on the Koa tree  

28. Target, as an audience: CATER TO.  This means to deliver your message in such a way that your intended audience will like it more. 

Pro Tip:  Know your audience!

31. Intl. peacekeeping alliance: NATO.  "International" is abbreviated, so is "North Atlantic Treaty Organization."

32. "__ you kidding?": ARE.  apparently not

33. "No thanks, just had lunch": I ATE.

35. Scandinavian capital: OSLO.  A popular attraction in OSLO is Frogner Park where one can see over 200 sculptures by Gustav Vigeland [1869 - 1943].  

This one made a big impression on me.
It is composed of 121 human figures.

44. "Me too!": SAME.

palm up!

45. New Mexico art town: TAOS.

46. Issa of "Barbie": RAE.  

Issa played President Barbie in the 2023 movie.

47. Performed in a choir: SANG.

51. Kane's last word in "Citizen Kane": ROSEBUD.  I would tell you more but it gives away the whole movie.

57. Snakelike fish: EEL.

58. Memphis record company: STAX.  This is from their website:

Stax Records is critical to American music history as one of the most popular soul music record labels of all time. In 15 years, Stax placed more than 167 hit songs in the Top 100 on the pop charts and a staggering 243 hits in the Top 100 R&B charts. It launched the careers of legendary artists such as Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, Rufus & Carla Thomas, Booker T. & the M.G.’s, among numerous others.

59. Move crabwise: SIDLE.  Def: to go or move with one side foremost especially in a furtive advance.

parallel creep

63. Top-level performance: A-GAME.

68. Toys with tails: KITES.  

69. Quick look: PEEK.

70. "Kinds of Kindness" star Stone: EMMA.  Emma has been in a lot of movies. Their IMDb page lists 54 acting credits. I did not recognize this movie title. It was released on June 21, 2024. This might be the most recently referenced crossword clue I've ever seen.

71. Frets (over): STEWS.  Last Monday we had "63 Across. Stews (over): FRETS".  

72. Plumlike gin flavoring: SLOE.  

73. Japanese-Peruvian fusion chain: NOBU.  On Tuesday, August 13 we had "23 Across. Restaurateur Matsuhisa: NOBU." 

NOBU seems like a helpful word to constructors. It might be helpful to solvers to commit it to memory.

(pause the recap)
Down:

1. Goes out in the afternoon?: NAPS.  "Go out" probably came to mean "sleep" from the expression "Go out like a light".  napping advice for adults from the Mayo Clinic

2. "Law & Order: SVU" actor: ICE-T.

3. Family __: genealogy chart: TREE.  

Norman Rockwell (1959)

4. Mexican cloak: SERAPE.  Clint made them look cool.  

5. Happy hour locale: BAR.

6. Kerfuffle: ADO.

7. Actress Linney: LAURA.  She turned 60 this year.  IMDb page

8. Assail, as a reputation: IMPUGN.  This was a recent Word of the Day.  

9. If everything goes smoothly: AT BEST.

10. Hair salon stock: DYE.

11. Honshu port city: OSAKA.  When I lived in Japan, there was a radio jingle about Osaka that became a forever earworm. It gets triggered ever time I read/hear this name.

Honshu is Japan's main island.

12. Chest: BOSOM.  Remember when Tom Hanks starred in this TV sitcom?  

13. Ready to go: ON TAP.

18. "Conga" singer Estefan: GLORIA.  Here you go, a ticket back to 1985....

22. DOJ arm concerned with narcotics: DEA.  The Drug Enforcement Administration is under the Department of Justice.

25. BTS ARMY enlistee, e.g.: STAN.  There is so much to unpack here:

(1.)  BTS is a very popular South Korean K-pop group.

(2.)  STAN is slang for a superfan. It might come from stalker-fan.

(3.)  Similar to how Jimmy Buffett fans are called "Parrotheads"; fans of the TV show Glee are called "Gleeks"; and supporters of politician Andrew Yang are called the "Yang Gang"; BTS STANs call themselves "ARMY".

(4.)  Here, ARMY is an acronym that stands for "Adorable Representative M.C. for Youth". (Most sources say the "M.C." is "Master of Ceremonies" but I also saw other interpretations.)

(5.)  All seven members of BTS have begun their compulsory military service. Nevertheless, let me emphasize that ARMY is the fan group, not the band.

(6.)  As far as I can tell, enlistee is just a play on ARMY.

26. Cart (around): TOTE.  TOTE is clued as a verb this time.

28. Beanies: CAPS.

IIRC, CanadianEh! call them toques.

29. Length x width: AREA.  This formula works for parallelograms, too -- but we typically say "base x height".  

30. Semester or quarter: TERM.

34. Sinus specialist, briefly: ENT.  "Otolaryngologist" is much more difficult to remember than "ENT" or "Ear Nose Throat".

36. Belgrade native: SERB.

37. Waikiki party: LUAU.

pineapple group

38. Opinion column: OP-ED.

40. City near Phoenix: MESA. Other cities in AZ with 4-letter names include Eloy, Naco, Page, Pima, Pine, Vail, and Yuma.

41. Open-topped pie: TART.  I think the distinction is more complicated than that but TART works so let's move on.

42. Secure, as a boat: MOOR.  Jinx ASSISTed us with this one last month. To MOOR a boat is to tie it up with a permanent anchor. He also said people sometimes use "anchorage" instead of "MOORing" to refer to a place were a lot of boats are MOORed.

43. Help: ASSIST.

48. Make a valuation: ASSESS.

49. Pecan or acorn: NUT.  Did acorn give you pause? Yes, an acorn is a nut. It is the fruit of the oak tree. Depending on the species, it can take six months to two years to mature and drop. They are edible -- just not directly off the tree.  webmd & edible acorns  

Here is Scrat the squirrel-rat from the 2002 movie, Ice Age. (2:06 min.).

50. Takes hold of: GRASPS.  GRips and GRabs were too short.

52. Auto-injector for an allergic reaction: EPIPEN.  It can be used to treat a life-threatening, allergic emergency in people who are at risk for or have a history of serious allergic emergencies.

53. Pinnacles: PEAKS.  The word pinnacle relates to the structure shown below in Gothic construction. It is easy to see how the word was then generalized to refer to lofty PEAKS, including natural ones.  As it turns out, I will be camping at Pinnacles National Park the weekend before this blog goes live.

54. Aboveboard: LEGIT.  informal for legitimate

55. Bring joy to: ELATE.

56. More than suspend: EXPEL.  Think "school district punishment options".

60. Free software version: DEMO.

61. Moussaka meat: LAMB.  Moussaka is a traditional Greek casserole made with eggplants, potatoes, LAMB, and bechamel sauce.  

62. Jacob's twin in the Book of Genesis: ESAU.

64. Kitten's plea: MEW.  

66. Sign before Virgo: LEO.  I do not know their order but I do know that only one sign is three letters long.

67. 1950s POTUS: IKE.  Dwight D. "Ike" Eisenhower was the President of the United States from 1953 to 1961.  

The grid:  

That's all for today. (Please clap.) 👏