Tuesday, June 3, 2025 George Simpson and Zhouqin Burnikel

Dark Magic.  The first word of each theme answer, which are in the Circles, can all be associated with Darkness, whether literal (night, black) or figurative (evil, secret).  These "DARK CIRCLES" often carrying connotations of fear, danger, and hidden or negative aspects. 

17-Across. Seasoning in a grinder: BLACK PEPPER.

24-Across. Exorcist's target: EVIL SPIRIT.

35-Across. Phone setting that dims the screen: NIGHT MODE.

52-Across. Hush-hush agreement: SECRET DEAL.

59-Across. Signs of fatigue, and what can be found in 17-, 24-, 35-, and 52-Across: DARK CIRCLES.

Here's the Grid, so you can see all the Dark Circles.

Our very own Big Easy and our blog hostess, C.C., created this not-so-dark puzzle today.

Across:

1. Island in the Gulf of Naples: CAPRI.

6. Harbor vessels: SHIPS.

11. Cookie container: TIN.  //  And 6-Down. Cookie container: SLEEVE.  What!?  No cookie Jar?

14. "The Raven" poet Edgar ___ Poe: ALLAN.  The Raven is a poem that focuses on grief and loss.  Edgar Allan Poe (Jan. 19, 1809 ~ October. 7, 1849) wanted to use a talking bird, and originally considered a parrot.  He chose a parrot because of its ability to repeat words, which he needed for the poem's repeated refrain, "Nevermore."  He obviously changed changed the bird to a raven, because a raven is more somber, black appearance better suited the poem's overall tone and darker themes.

15. Put a cap on: LIMIT.

16. "One" prefix: UNI-.

19. Involuntary movement: TIC.

20. Baby garment: ONESIE.

21. Express feelings onstage: EMOTE.

23. Totally dominates: OWNS.

28. Word between surnames: NÉE.  This has become a crossword staple.

29. Defiant retort: ARE TOO!

30. Tragic Shakespearean king: LEAR.

31. More strange: ODDER.

33. Note between fa and la: SOL.

34. In an aimless way: IDLY.

39. Army post: FORT.

42. "Boo'd Up" singer Ella __: MAI.  Ella Mai (née Ella Mai Howell; b. Nov. 3, 1994) is an English singer.  She was named after Ella Fitzgerald.

43. Charlotte __: creamy dessert: RUSSE.  A charlotte is a type of bread pudding that uses ladyfingers to line a mold, which is then filled with a fruit puree or custard. The baked pudding could then be sprinkled with powdered sugar and glazed.

47. Smoothie bowl berry: ACAI.  These trendy berries have become a crossword staple.

48. Gym session dedicated to pushups, bicep curls, etc.: ARM DAY.  I was not aware that there is a specific day dedicated to training the muscles of the arms.

51. Gear tooth: COG.

54. "Yippee!": WHOO!

55. Off the market: TAKEN.

56. Niger or Nigeria: NATION.  Niger and Nigeria are adjacent African countries.

58. Dallas-to-Nashville dir.: ENE.  As in East NorthEast.  Or, you can take a more circuitous route and head south first.

64. Grab a chair: SIT.

65. "Hamilton" Tony winner Renée __ Goldsberry: ELISE.  Renée Elise Goldsberry (b. Jan. 2, 1971) is an  actress, singer, and songwriter.  She portrayed the original Angelica Schuyler in the musical Hamilton.

66. Compassionate words: I CARE.

67. Some Ph.D. students: TAs.  As in Teaching Assistants.

68. Gently protest: DEMUR.

69. Analyze, as a sentence: PARSE.  This brings back memories of junior high English class.

Down:

1. Truck driver's spot: CAB.

2. Not forbidden: ALLOWED.

3. Worked out in advance: PLANNED.

4. Dashes and triathlons: RACES.

5. Inserts for some printers: INKS.

7. Joined at the __: inseparable: HIP.

8. Little troublemaker: IMP.  These troublemakers make frequent guest appearances in the puzzles.

9. Round chart shape: PIE.

10. Throat affliction: STREP.  Strep throat an infection caused by infection a bacterium known as Streptococcus pyogenes.  The bacterium causes a sore throat and can be spread through respiratory droplets. It is typically treated with antibiotics, and prompt diagnosis and treatment are important to prevent potential complications.  Please take this infection seriously.  My friend's son recently contracted Strep Throat, and even though he was under a doctor's care, he died from the infection and he was only 53 years old.

11. Taught one-on-one: TUTORED.

12. J, F, or K, for JFK: INITIAL.

13. "You almost tricked me!": NICE TRY.

18. Fishing spot: PIER.

22. Surroundings: MILIEU.  This is a fun word, but I have probably never used it in a sentence.

23. "Bag Piece" artist Yoko: ONO.  I can't believe Yoko Ono (b. Feb. 18, 1933) is 92 years old!

25. "No more stalling": IT'S TIME!

26. Weaving device: LOOM.

27. Flight student's milestone: SOLO.

29. D-backs, in box scores: ARI.  As in the American League Arizona Diamondback baseball team.

32. Whole: ENTIRE.

36. Exam for future MBAs: GMAT.  As in the Graduate Management Admission Test.

37. Like a coconut shell: HARD.

38. Like toast without butter: DRY.

39. Superlative for Usain Bolt: FASTEST.  Usain Bolt (né Usain St. Leo Bolt; b. Aug. 21, 1986) is a Jamaican sprinter who is widely considered the greatest sprinter of all time, hence his nickname Lightning Bolt.  He is an eight-time Olympic gold medalist.  He is the only sprinter to win Olympic 100 m and 200 m titles at three consecutive Olympics (2008, 2012, and 2016).  He also won two 4 × 100 relay gold medals.

40. Fiji's region: OCEANIA.

41. Tennis paddles: RACKETS.

44. Erudite individual: SCHOLAR.

45. Oklahoma State rivals: SOONERS.  Why Oklahoma is called the Sooners.

46. __ surfing: EGO.  Ego Surfing is the practice of searching your own name on the internet.

49. Dasher's teammate: DANCER.  Think of Santa's reindeer.

50. Jai __: ALAI.

53. Reached a conclusion: ENDED.

54. Religion with covens: WICCA.

57. Stumble: TRIP.

60. Bitter pub drink: ALE.

61. Glass edge: RIM.

62. Sch. west of Topeka: KSU.  As in Kansas State University.  The school is a public land-grant research university with its main campus in Manhattan, Kansas, United States.  The school opened as a college in 1863 and was the first public institution of higher learning in the state of Kansas.  Apparently, it's logo is a wildcat.

63. "Didn't I tell you?": SEE.  See?  Didn't I tell you this wasn't a Dark puzzle!

חתולה

Monday June 2, 2025 Zachary David Levy

  

Happy first Monday in June, everyone! sumdaze here. Today's theme is:

Solve Or Snafu?

The four themed clues are:

17 Across. Stark choice between success and failure: SINK OR SWIM.  

27 Across. Hunting dog's prized ability: SENSE OF SMELL.  

<sniffy (adj.) having or expressing a haughty attitude>

45 Across. Take baby steps, so to speak: START OUT SLOW.  

60 Across. Footwear without laces: SLIP ON SHOE.  

The unifier is found in the center of the grid:  

38 Across. Mayday call, or a pattern found in 17-, 27-, 45-, and 60-Across: SOS.  

No SOS is needed on this desSerted island.

I stumbled upon the S-O-S theme halfway through my solve so I used that schema to help fill squares. Doing so made the puzzle fit a Monday level despite what, in isolation, felt like some later-in-the-week level clues. Here is the completed grid:

I am impressed that ZDL did not reuse an O-word.

And now for the 72 other clues....

Across:

1. Greek pocket breads: PITAS.  

PITAS stuffed with falafel & tzatziki sauce

6. Word processor menu heading: EDIT.

10. Close pals, briefly: BFFS.  Best Friends Forever

14. "Would love to, but alas": I CAN'T.  I prefer clues where the style of the clue matches the style of the answer. Alas and CAN'T are not a good fit. Perhaps "Not gonna happen" would have been a better match.

15. Bilingual cartoon explorer on Nickelodeon: DORA.     and     47 Down. Thieving fox often scolded by 15-Across: SWIPER.  

Oh, I get it. Swiper is a thief who swipes (steals) stuff.

16. Western Pennsylvania city: ERIE.  At first I thought, "How am I supposed to know a 4-letter Pennsylvanian city name?" but then I thought, "Wait a minute....."  

Population = about 93,000 people

19. Latte spot: CAFÉ.  

not a laundry emergency variety of spot 

20. "Totally agree with you both": ME, THREE.  This one took me a bit to parse but I loved it after I finally saw how both indicated there were three people involved. ME, THREE is an extension of me, too.

21. Used the hose on: SPRAYED.  

Don't try this at home.
(We're not supposed to drink from the hose anymore.)

23. Lode load: ORE.  I like this homophone clue!

24. Not spicy: MILD.  The other day, my neighbor brought over some end-of-season mustard greens from his garden. I added two huge leaves to my smoothie. Yikes! It was spicy -- something I do not aim for in my smoothies.

26. Internet co. once known for mailing CDs: AOL.  I do remember when America Online used to send unsolicited advertising Compact Discs in the mail. I hung them in my garden to keep the birds out of my tomatoes.

32. Goatees, e.g.: BEARDS.

35. Lacking color: PALE.

36. Org. offering travel advice: AAA.  Organization and American Automobile Association

37. Starchy root in poi: TARO.  Poi is a traditional food in the Polynesian diet made from mashed TARO roots.

39. Percussion instrument: DRUM.  

Animal on the DRUMs

40. "__ your head!": USE.

41. Norse god who wields the hammer Mjölnir: THOR.  pronunciation:  miyOl-near

10 Things You Might Not Know about Thor's Hammer

43. Meeting outline: AGENDA.

48. Long stretch: EON.

49. Thwack: SWAT.

50. Canine "I'm happy to see you!": WAG.  Anyone have to take a WAG at this one?

53. Chinese canine: SHAR PEI.  The AKC describes them as loyal to family members but standoffish with strangers.

57. Ape: IMITATE.  We sometimes see this clue & answer reversed.

59. Bowling alley assignment: LANE.  Seeing "bowling" and "LANE" on a Monday reminds us of Boomer ... and his preference for bowling lanes.  😄

62. Sicilian volcano: ETNA.

63. Goodyear product: TIRE.  

Click to enlarge.

64. Home Depot purchases: TOOLS.  

65. Proof of ownership: DEED.

66. 12 months: YEAR.  pretty straightforward

67. "__ Mio": classic Italian song: O SOLE.  I like how happy Luciano Pavarotti seems to be at the thought of sharing this beautiful song with the audience.

Down:

1. "__ Beach and all the clams we can eat!": PISMO.  This one really surprised me because I am not sure how well known PISMO Beach is outside of California. (I guess I will find out in the Comments.) When I was growing up, my family often went on clamming trips to PISMO. We used to make cioppino (with the red broth) on the beach. This photo is of a PISMO clam I found in my grandfather's shed after he passed away. He had cleaned it out, glued it back together, and labeled it as being from 1971. You would be hard-pressed to find one this size today.  more about Pismo clams

 

The clue might refer to a Bugs Bunny skit called Ali Baba Bunny.

2. Not as friendly: ICIER.

3. Aunt, in French: TANTE.  Hi Monkey! I think we might have missed your birthday. Happy late birthday!!!  

4. Egyptian cross: ANKH.  I can always picture this but I forget how to spell it. I need a memory trick.  

5. Huffed and puffed: STORMED.  

Nice kicks, Mr. Wolf.

6. Old Ford models: EDSELS.  While not successful on the car lots, EDSELS found a second life in XWD puzzles.

7. __ Jones Industrial Average: DOW.

8. Colorful eye part: IRIS.

9. City across the bay from St. Petersburg: TAMPA, FL.  I quickly started to fill in T-A-M-P-A then wondered what to do with the two extra boxes.  

10. "Relax": BE CALM.  

11. Brouhaha: FRAY.  

12. High-pitched wind instrument: FIFE.

13. Crop starter: SEED.

18. Horse riding straps: REINS.  

22. Valentine bloom: ROSE.  CSO to RosE!

25. Conducts (oneself): DEPORTS.  Def:  (verb) to behave or comport (oneself) especially in accord with a code.

27. Sign at a sellout: SRO.  Standing Room Only

28. Post-WWII alliance: OAS.  The Organization of American States was established in 1948 as a regional organization aimed at fostering cooperation among countries in the Americas. Its origins trace back to earlier agreements that sought mutual defense and collaboration against aggression.

29. Make, as a salary: EARN.

30. Praise: LAUD.  You have probably heard the recommendation, Praise LAUD-ly in public. Criticize in private.

31. The Dalai __: LAMA.  

32. AC measures: BTUS.  Air Conditioning & the abbreviation for its measurement

33. Toward sunrise: EAST.

34. Region: AREA.

38. Tiny amount: SOU.  I was unfamiliar with this word. It is pronounced like the girl's name, Sue. I found this Cambridge Dictionary definition:  a very small amount of money. Ex.:  I don't have a sou. Vocabulary.com supports that by saying a SOU is "a former French coin of low denomination" and offering the example sentence He hasn't a SOU to his name. I am wondering if SOU always refers to a tiny amount of money.

39. Dawn droplets: DEW.  

Grateful Dead   ~   Morning Dew

a song by Canadian singer-songwriter Bonnie Dobson

41. Sporty car roof: T-TOP.

42. The best policy, per a proverb: HONESTY.  

43. Historic Texas site: ALAMO.

44. Took up, as a hobby: GOT INTO.

46. Look over again: REREAD.  What book have you REREAD lately? I just finished Simon Rich's latest book of short stories, Glory Days. Now I want to go back and REREAD his first book, Ant Farm.

50. "Yippee!": WAHOO.  WAHOO is an interjection used to express exuberance or enthusiasm, or to attract attention.

51. Ring-shaped island: ATOLL.  Basically, their shape is formed because of a volcano but there is more to it than just that.  Learn from National Geographic.

Click to enlarge.

52. Honking birds: GEESE.  It's gosling season!  So cute!

53. Snow day vehicle: SLED.

54. More than dislike: HATE.

55. Bancroft of "The Graduate": ANNE.  [1931-2005]  She was married to a Corner favorite, Mel Brooks, from 1964 until her death.

Bancroft with Dustin Hoffman in The Graduate
Their eyes tell us so much about what they are thinking.

56. "Would __ to You?": BBC panel show: I LIE.  Here is a 3 min. clip to give you a taste of what the show is like (if you're interested):  

British humour

58. General __ chicken: TSO'S.  

61. 401(k) kin: IRA.

Signing Off Speedily,

sumdaze

Sunday June 1, 2025 Paul Coulter

Theme:  "Symbolic Language" - Part of each theme clue is replaced by its keyboard symbol. 

22. Gets right to the .: TELLS IT LIKE IT IS. Gets right to the point. 

31. In the ***: MEANT TO BE. In the stars.

51. Balder-: HORSE FEATHERS. Balderdash. 

70. Dog #: ANIMAL SHELTER. Dog pound.

89. One %: THE UPPER CRUST. One percent.

102. Plays @: DABBLES IN. Plays at.

120. Non+: THROW A CURVEBALL. Nonplus. 

The dot in the first theme clue is subtle. The other symbols are easier to spot. 

Very fresh and creative theme from Paul. Very tight set with limited choices. 

Across:

1. Make the world a better place: DO GOOD.

7. Passed into law: ENACTED.

14. Poker pronouncement: I CALL.

19. Not necessarily against: OPEN TO. And 63. Words of likelihood: APT TO. 128. Meet: RISE TO. 16. "We __ please": AIM TO. 

20. Like cast iron and silicone: OVEN-SAFE.

21. Payoff: BRIBE.

24. Actor Jason: MOMOA. The Aquaman.

25. Small vortex: EDDY.

26. Hide out: LIE LOW.

27. Grenoble peak: ALPE.

29. PIN sites: ATMS.

30. Talkative bird: MYNA.

33. Pastoral people of Kenya and Tanzania: MASAI. Also spelled as Maasai. 

37. Tiny pest: ANT.

39. Pacific tuna: AHI. 33. Taco choice, on menus: MAHI.

41. Latin heart: COR. Learning moment.

42. Gentle skin care brand: AVEENO.

44. First name in jazz: ETTA.

46. Plunge after a workout: ICE BATH. 81. Steam after a workout: SAUNA.

55. Royal Shakespeare Company venue: THEATRE.

56. Data: INFO.

57. Handbill: FLIER.

58. Shorthand for a person who prefers platonic partners: ARO. Aromantic.

60. Sure to happen: FATED.

61. Former: PRIOR.

66. Trig function: COSINE.

67. Part of many Arab names: IBN. Son of.

73. USN rank: CDR. I miss our Spitzboov, Commander Al in real life, and Santa of course.

Al & Scott

74. Dairy din: MOOING.

76. Jane Curtin title role: ALLIE. Kate & Allie.

77. Movie credits and music charts: LISTS.

79. Dad: POPPA.

80. HMO alternative: PPO. Preferred Provider Organization.

83. Game with suspect tokens: CLUE.

87. Red disk hieroglyph: EYE OF RA.

93. Dogie catcher: LASSOER.

94. Has: OWNS.

95. Cheers: ELATES. JD just sent me this picture. Her oldest grandson Truman will be off college in the fall. He was just a little baby when JD joined our blog. 

Truman, Cameron, Dylan, JD, Bob and Grady (Truman's younger brother)

96. G7 member: USA.

97. Native people of Colorado: UTE.

98. Sinuous swimmer: EEL.

101. Copycatting: APERY.

107. Prone to snooping: NOSY.

109. Biblical birthright barterer: ESAU.

110. Fight like a knight: TILT.

111. Discarded devices: E-WASTE.

114. Role for Ingrid: ILSA. "Casablanca".

118. Ban alcoholic beverages: GO DRY.

123. Fish: ANGLE.

124. Clear French brandy: EAU DE VIE.

125. Bring out: ELICIT.

126. Informal farewell: SEE YA. 68. "That's how it's done!": BOO YA.

127. Displayed contempt: SNEERED.
 
Down:

1. Shower with love: DOTE.

2. "Say your piece" piece: OP-ED.

3. Neuter, as a horse: GELD.

4. "For your eyes __": ONLY.

5. Periods before soccer shootouts, briefly: OTS.

6. Embroidered mat: DOILY. 115. 6-Down material: LACE.

7. Wicked: EVIL.

8. Alt-country singer Case: NEKO. Beautiful.

9. Again: ANEW.

10. CBS forensic drama series: CSI.

11. Woven mat: TATAMI.

12. Paperless IRS option: E-FILE.

13. 2017 hit for Luis Fonsi: DESPACITO.

14. Co. with an iconic 8-bar logo: IBM.

15. Dalmatia native: CROAT.

17. Word dropped when things are getting serious, informally: L-BOMB.

18. Dealer's offer: LEASE.

20. Fat substitute brand: OLEAN.

23. "The Best" singer Turner: TINA.

28. Genesis patriarch: ENOCH.

30. Go for the gold?: MINE. Ha.

32. Backyard hideaway: TREE FORT.

34. Big name in cosmetics: AVON.

35. Feudal worker: SERF.

36. "The Ape and the Dolphin" fabulist: AESOP.

38. French crown: TETE.

39. Broke bread: ATE.

40. Hardy follower: HAR.

43. Foreseeable future: OFFING.

45. In the __ of: totally absorbed by: THRALL.

47. Lamb bleats: BAAS.

48. Creepy story?: ATTIC. Floor.

49. Blow up on social media: TREND.

50. "Blades of Glory" actor Jon: HEDER. Known for his role in "Napoleon Dynamite".

52. "The Time Machine" race: ELOI.

53. Chart made from overhead photos: AIRMAP. Images from the plane.

54. Fill: SATE.

59. Act like a startled doodlebug: ROLL UP.

62. Violated, with "of": RAN AFOUL.

64. Air pump meas.: PSI.

65. Auspicious tarot card: THE SUN.

66. Opera singer Siepi: CESARE. Another learning moment.

67. Drive: IMPEL.

69. Slangy denials: NOPES.

71. Much of the time: A LOT.

72. Food sticker: TINE. Stick-er.

75. NYSE banner events: IPOS.

78. Deep-six or eighty-six: SCRAP.

80. Sponges: PARASITES.

82. Abbey area: APSE.

84. Mandolin cousin: LUTE. I was thinking of this. But it's spelled as Mandoline. 

85. Computer operator: USER.

86. Vintage etailer: ETSY.

88. Change after a blackout, as a clock: RESET.

90. All the rage: HOT.

91. Farm female: EWE.

92. Court material: CLAY.

97. "That's a lie!": UNTRUE.

99. Come after: ENSUE.

100. "The Hobbit" sequel series, for short: LOTR.

102. Impressionist Edgar: DEGAS.

103. All together: AS ONE.

104. Girl Scout's award: BADGE.

105. Big and strong: BURLY.

106. Minnesota representative Omar: ILHAN. Her daughter has a very crossword-friendly name: Isra Hirsi. 

108. Break, as ties: SEVER.

111. Decorative pitcher: EWER.

112. Surfing need: WAVE.

113. Battery contents: ACID.

114. Sacred Nile wader: IBIS.

116. Letter opener cut: SLIT.

117. Voice above tenor: ALTO.

119. Vote for passage: YEA.

121. Poem of tribute: ODE.

122. Connecticut collegian: ELI.

Robert (Picard) and his wife Merlie visited Splynter last Wednesday. Hopefully Splynter will tell you more of the visit next week. I chuckled when he told me about his 7-hour nap afterwards. Picard is the first blog regular Splynter met in real life, I think.

Picard and His Wife Merlie