Theme: MONEY (69A: This puzzle's theme)
21A: Flour, water and shortening: PASTRY DOUGH
27A: Steamers: LONG NECK CLAMS
46A: Bibb alternative: BOSTON LETTUCE
54A: Italian restaurant staple: GARLIC BREAD
Wow, edible "Steamers", new to me. I knew DOUGH, LETTUCE, BREAD are slang words for money, had no idea that "CLAMS" can mean money too. But why CLAMS instead of CLAM?
I thought CABBAGE SOUP & BACON AND EGGS are great theme entries too. But I guess they don't fit the "Cash back" theme pattern.
Great puzzle. I like how MONEY is revealed in the very end. I often wonder why constructors/editors like to define the theme title for this kind of synonym type of grid. Why can't they just clue MONEY as "It talks" and then let the solvers figure out what those theme entries in common and enjoy the "Aha" moment when they find the MONEY.
Across:
1A: Kuwaiti 69A: DINAR. The first word that popped to my mind is EMEER. I was thinking 69D might be RULER. But quickly discarded my idea after seeing 1D.
10A: Comic Foxx: REDD. Very interesting stage name. Obviously he liked Jimmie Foxx. I would have liked C. C. Sabathia had he not played for the Indians and worn his cap off-kilter all the time.
24A: She's possessive: HER. I dislike this clue. Given ARGO (11D: Jason's vessel) other "Sailor" & "Pirate" clues, I would prefer HER to be clued as ship related.
39A: Writer Talese: GAY. I've never read any of his books. Knew him because of his wife Nan Talese ("A Million Little Pieces" scandal).
41A: __ B. Davis: ANN. Pure guess. I've never heard of her or watched The Brady Bunch.
51A: Sailor's drink: RUM. Why??
62A: Flinch or start, e.g.: REACT. "Flinch, e.g." is enough. And another "Flinch" reaction is RECOIL (10D: Draw back in horror).
64A: Promised land: ZION. I would not have got this one without the down fills. So, this is how we got the word "Zionist" I suppose.
68A: "Peter Pan" pirate: SMEE. And 53D: Pirate's pal: MATEY.
Down:
1D: Vader or Maul: DARTH. Know the name, but I have never seen "Star Wars".
3D: Vieux Carre location: NEW ORLEANS. An educated guess. Knew "The French Quarters", but was not aware of its French name.
5D: Minnesota's state tree: RED PINE. Too close to each other.
9D: Mount of the Several Sisters: HOLYOKE. No idea.
13D: Real looker: DISH. Foodies would probably like the clue to be "Chef's serving".
23D: Down source: DUCK. Brought a smile to my face.
30D: All-Star third baseman Ron: CEY. Dodgers's.
31D: Not limited to roads: ALL TERRAIN
35D: Ex-Yankee Martinez: TINO. Vaguely heard of him before.
42D: City near Sacramento: LODI
44D: Greek portico: STOA
48D: Go from 2 to 6, say: TREBLE. Not familiar with the triple meaning of "TREBLE".
55D: Calcutta's continent: ASIA
57D: Porkpie feature: BRIM. Had no idea that "Porkpie" is a kind of hat.
C.C.
21A: Flour, water and shortening: PASTRY DOUGH
27A: Steamers: LONG NECK CLAMS
46A: Bibb alternative: BOSTON LETTUCE
54A: Italian restaurant staple: GARLIC BREAD
Wow, edible "Steamers", new to me. I knew DOUGH, LETTUCE, BREAD are slang words for money, had no idea that "CLAMS" can mean money too. But why CLAMS instead of CLAM?
I thought CABBAGE SOUP & BACON AND EGGS are great theme entries too. But I guess they don't fit the "Cash back" theme pattern.
Great puzzle. I like how MONEY is revealed in the very end. I often wonder why constructors/editors like to define the theme title for this kind of synonym type of grid. Why can't they just clue MONEY as "It talks" and then let the solvers figure out what those theme entries in common and enjoy the "Aha" moment when they find the MONEY.
Across:
1A: Kuwaiti 69A: DINAR. The first word that popped to my mind is EMEER. I was thinking 69D might be RULER. But quickly discarded my idea after seeing 1D.
10A: Comic Foxx: REDD. Very interesting stage name. Obviously he liked Jimmie Foxx. I would have liked C. C. Sabathia had he not played for the Indians and worn his cap off-kilter all the time.
24A: She's possessive: HER. I dislike this clue. Given ARGO (11D: Jason's vessel) other "Sailor" & "Pirate" clues, I would prefer HER to be clued as ship related.
39A: Writer Talese: GAY. I've never read any of his books. Knew him because of his wife Nan Talese ("A Million Little Pieces" scandal).
41A: __ B. Davis: ANN. Pure guess. I've never heard of her or watched The Brady Bunch.
51A: Sailor's drink: RUM. Why??
62A: Flinch or start, e.g.: REACT. "Flinch, e.g." is enough. And another "Flinch" reaction is RECOIL (10D: Draw back in horror).
64A: Promised land: ZION. I would not have got this one without the down fills. So, this is how we got the word "Zionist" I suppose.
68A: "Peter Pan" pirate: SMEE. And 53D: Pirate's pal: MATEY.
Down:
1D: Vader or Maul: DARTH. Know the name, but I have never seen "Star Wars".
3D: Vieux Carre location: NEW ORLEANS. An educated guess. Knew "The French Quarters", but was not aware of its French name.
5D: Minnesota's state tree: RED PINE. Too close to each other.
9D: Mount of the Several Sisters: HOLYOKE. No idea.
13D: Real looker: DISH. Foodies would probably like the clue to be "Chef's serving".
23D: Down source: DUCK. Brought a smile to my face.
30D: All-Star third baseman Ron: CEY. Dodgers's.
31D: Not limited to roads: ALL TERRAIN
35D: Ex-Yankee Martinez: TINO. Vaguely heard of him before.
42D: City near Sacramento: LODI
44D: Greek portico: STOA
48D: Go from 2 to 6, say: TREBLE. Not familiar with the triple meaning of "TREBLE".
55D: Calcutta's continent: ASIA
57D: Porkpie feature: BRIM. Had no idea that "Porkpie" is a kind of hat.
C.C.
