This is the kind of Monday puzzle that makes me PASSionate about crosswords. The progression of the themers was delightful, but there was something else about the puzzle that was very satisfying to me – the rich fill, with a little bit of this, a litte bit of that: Art - DEGAS Literature - Murder on the ORIENT Express Music - lovely RITA / ALTO Philosophy/Religion - DHARMA Geography - Lake ERIE Sports - Arthur ASHE Cooking - ONION /SPUD Politics - SENATE / OATH It's really amazing that a Monday grid would cover so much terrain. Thank you, ACME and Kevin Christian. You've provided a really great start to the month!
I realized something mildly interesting when solving the clue for classroom seating: Polish has two words for "desk". The desk used at schools is called "ławka", which is our word for bench (btw, your pew, the bench at church, is "ława". "Ławka" linguistically is a diminutive of that). Apparently in English bench only denotes a thing you sit on, while us Poles may sit on a ławka (bench) or at a ławka (school desk). A desk you would use at the office or at home would never be called a ławka. It's always a "biurko". If you see hints of the word "bureau" there, you're correct. The two are related (the "biu-" of biurko sounds the same in Polish as the "bu-" of bureau). Also, the Polish word for office is biuro (the word biurko appears to be a diminutive of biuro btw), pronounced almost the same as bureau. So, the same desk would be called either a ławka or a biurko, depending on whether it would be found in a classroom or elsewhere. Weird. One idea I've just had with my wife is that historically schools used furniture similar to church pews - where the seat and the bureau were joint together. Over the decades the furniture changed: the pew-like bench/desk combo was substituted by chairs and desks, but the old terminology remained, now denoting just the desk. This is why today we say one sits "w ławce" at school, literally "in a bench" (rather than at or on one) - because a pew-like desk/bench enveloped you and you sat "in" it. Language is fascinating.
@Andrzej Thank you as always for the fascinating dive into another language! All this bench talk has me thinking of all the ways we use bench in English, particularly in the context of law (but not ławka). It refers not only to the literal place where a judge sits but also can refer to the court, to an assembly of judges, and a number of things related to the administration of justice such as a bench ruling or a bench memo. And of course in sports it can be a verb. But that’s decidedly not where my knowledge sits.
@Andrzej In British English, "bench" also means a long work table, what we Americans call a "counter." As is often the case, Americans retain that meaning in legal terms. The judge's bench is not his chair, but the large table in front of him. We also speak of a bench in a laboratory -- a lab bench. One sits at the bench on a stool.
@Andrzej Which word would you use for the teacher's desk, or the desk in the principal/headmaster's office?
"What do you think of my room overflowing with Rubik's Cubes, Cabbage Patch Kids dolls, and Beanie Babies?" "Truly a fad state of affairs." ("Just toying with you.")
@Mike Well, if you want a passing fad, you have to step on De-gas. (Please groan at will and have a great week. :) )
@Mike My thought is that you should have groan out of this...
My five favorite original clues from last week (in order of appearance): 1. A little buggy? (3) 2. Pitcher for the reds? (6) 3. They might be down for a ski trip (6) 4. One whose hard work is showing? (7) 5. At-home distraction? (3)(6)(6) ANT CARAFE PARKAS REALTOR HEY BATTER BATTER
A Monday puzzle should be light, easy and engaging, and this one was all three. Quickly done, and greatly appreciated. I am stuffed again from leftover leftovers and wasn't up for a brain crusher. Thank you Andrea and Kevin, THIS one IS FUN!
I got held up with 20A as I had confidently entered RIOT. I will see myself out now.
Talk about two early-week constructing pros – 15 of Kevin’s 19 puzzles are Mondays and Tuesdays (79%), and 75 of Andrea’s 87 puzzles also fall on those days (86%). This is their seventh collab. No surprise then that today’s puzzle does what Monday puzzles are supposed to do. Almost every answer in everyday language. Clues that are relatively easy, but overall not embarrassingly so. The former is difficult to accomplish because it greatly constricts answer possibilities. The latter is an art. I like the PuzzPair© of FOOT and DEGAS, because the former is often put on the latter. I like that five-S clump in the NW, with part of it being PSST, which echoes the theme (Hi, @John Ezra!). Fun to see a number of answers that commonly go with “over” – SEES, USE, STAY, and the NE pair THE HUMP. As an experienced solver, I expect to slap answers down in splats on Monday, but today had the extra thrill of slapping down the last three theme answers after getting the first two. Talk about “Whee!”. So, thrill and beauty for me in the box today, an excursion through loveliness. Thank you so much for this, Andrea and Kevin!
Lewis, Well said! For a more challenging Monday from another constructing pro, hop over to The New Yorker for a Patrick Berry puzzle.
I want to offer for a tremendous thank you to the authors of the Sunday puzzle for the lift it gave me. When I watch that Zamboni zoom around and clean up the ice, I was totally cheered at a time when I really needed it. On Thanksgiving day, I had the misfortune of falling and smashing my wrist. This is a painful and long recovery, especially at my advanced age. Doing the puzzle has always been a highlight of my day and never more so than now.
Ettagale, Ouch! Please heal well, if slowly.
@Barry Ancona Thanks very much. I appreciate it, especially from someone who I think is a neighbor.
@Ettagale We can never predict where solace might come from, and when you try to explain it to people they might not get it, but everyone here at the Wordplay site knows exactly what you mean about the Zamboni. It was a source of no-strings-attached delight, and I'm glad it appeared up when you needed it. Patience and therapy will help to heal your wrist, and the puzzle will help to heal your spirits. We are all in your corner and wishing you a successful, soon-as-possible recovery.
@Ettagale I'm so sorry to hear that happened. Wishing you a smooth recovery and many more puzzle delights!!
@Ettagale All the best to you dear Ettagale! I've got your back (if not your wrist). Emu food
@dutchiris Thank you so much for the nice words. I was so delighted with that Zamboni device. I tried to copy it and text it to my brother. Unsurprisingly it doesn’t work once you take it out of the context of the New York Times puzzle page.
One thing does bother me, and it's not because the answer is wrong, but because English has gone wrong. When enough people say things the wrong way, the wrong way becomes "right", and the dictionaries record it, and puzzles can use it. That doesn't mean I have to like it. In this case, it's [The lion's share], which solves to MOST. This is unfortunately how it's used the lion's share of the time these days, so it's considered "right". But actually, in the Aesop fable the phrase comes from, the lion's share is everything. Not MOST, but all. Nothing but nothing left over for others. I feel that when I was growing up, the phrase was used in its proper sense most of the time. But we all know language evolves. Unfortunately, not always for the best. And that's why the lion in the picture does not want to share.
@Steve L e.g., "I could care less." Screamworthy.
@Steve L Uh oh, Steve, you're verging on coming down with a case of TCS. Looking at xwordinfo, the closest the modern era comes to your Aesopian definition is 10/29/2015 "Almost all..." but the several other instances are clued with biggest portion, etc. You did qualify your criticism by saying it was just a regret of yours that the language had moved in this unfortunate direction, so you avoided contracting TCS. Thank goodness, for it can be quite contagious!
@Steve L Might not a lion take the best parts, and leave the dregs for scavengers?
Steve L, I am interested to learn that for you, your earliest memories of the phrase were intended and/or interpreted as meaning “all”. I don’t believe I’ve ever heard it used that way, or heard that it ever was. Today I learned (and re-read the fable for the first time in a dog’s age.) Thanks.
@Steve L I will just point out that the phrase IS "the lion's SHARE." By your own definition, "the lion's share" may mean merely "first pick" or "first served." In our family, the youngest (and only male) child enjoyed preferential treatment--always the larger piece, the extra bite, the coziest seat...and the least work, the lightest responsibility, the quickest pardon. (Sadly, you don't need much imagination to guess how well this served him in adult life.)
@Steve L Wow, interesting. And so I learned something from you, AS USUAL. Later, Emus
@Nancy J. When orcas kill a white shark I think the only thing they eat is the liver.
Blast those emus! Sped through this puzzle without seeing the theme, optimistically trying to keep the hourglass more than half full. So it was a welcome surprise to read the wordplay column and learn how much I missed by not taking time to smell the May flowers caused by April showers. I was surprised as anyone that the breakfast table rule was tabled for this one for the [Beyond Irritated] answer. An alternative clue might have been: [π], answer: PI'S SYMBOL, but so glad they let this one in! Also chuckled at what might be considered the revealer: psst, it's PSST! Possible Beatles subtheme here, too, with Rita, of course, also (glass) ONION, IT'S OK (as in: "I've got nothing to say but it's O.K. ... Everyone you see is half asleep. And you're on your own you're in the street" -- Good Morning Good Morning), their first records came out on MONO, they went to India to study Dharma and TM, and John Lennon himself told a reporter early on that he thought the Beatles were a passing fad, probably wouldn't last five years. "Oh, obviously. Anything in this business is a fad."
@john ezra Whereas I got more than was intended. lol
@john ezra John, thanks for going back to “smell the roses”! ALL my puzzles have a Beatles sub theme! A yellow sub theme? I suspect you’d enjoy the monthly bonus puzzle I constructed with Doug Peterson. It’s ALL about the boys!
PASSING FAD and PESSIMISTIC were enough to tip me off to the theme. When I read the clue for 33A, I wondered if the staid NYT was really going to go there — and I was amused that they did. The rest of the grid was fun, too, and as sotto vice noted, covered a diverse set of subjects. Thanks for the fun, Ms Michaels and Mr. Christian! (Saturday’s puzzle was my 4th fastest Saturday, today’s was my 6th fastest Monday — could a new personal best be on the horizon? I don’t think I have had one this year.)
@Eric Hougland It's really interesting how prudish US press is. The Guardian - one of Europe's best newspapers/news portals - has no qualms about printing anything, the F word too, if it makes sense to do so.
@Eric Hougland sotto voce — sorry about letting autocorrect “fix” your name. I should know that I need to be more vigilant.
This was an absolute joy to solve. The clues were clever and I loved the answers. The theme was the icing on the cake. Well done!
Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist But don't tell the emus.
After two futile attempts to submit a short puzzle-based poem, I am attempting a third bowdlerized version, omitting capitals and potential triggers. I am doubtful this will pass either... I thought it was a passing fad Hoping things were not so bad. Tried to keep it realistic Tried to not be pessimistic. Eight years later all bets off. Now I’m feeling plain 33A. People picked with no ability Anyone’s a possibility And the endless jibber-jabber From a noted 56A* * Feel free to create your own rhyme
Someone mentioned that the appearance of the grid had changed yesterday and I didn’t really see what they meant. Whether due to the power of that suggestion or because it didn’t change for me on my iPhone until today, I definitely noticed that the blank grid is now less pleasing to SEE. The lines seem darker and of strangely varying weights. I mean, I’m not PISSEDOFF about it, but DRAW it with EASE, please.
@Justin I’m guessing what changed is the algorithm for downsampling the full-resolution grid/letters to fit your phone/tablet/whatever screen. Or maybe the full-res version changed in such a way that there is now an aliasing effect (artifact) when downsampled to fit your screen that makes some likes look thicker and some thinner. It’s definitely noticeable (and disconcerting) on my iPhone (15 pro). I would guess that it might look different on different devices. Zooming in (so that only a portion of the puzzle is visible) makes it look more consistent.
@Justin I thought it had something to do with my iPhone updating to the new operating system, but maybe that’s just a coincidence. Anyway, I liked the new look.
@Justin Just wanted to say I don't see any change on the Android app.
@Justin agree. The lines now looks strange on my iPhone as well. Doesn’t interfere with my ability to solve the puzzle, but is definitely less pleasing visually than before. Hopefully the IT team is on it and gets it updated soon.
@Justin Sometime over the holiday weekend (don’t remember exactly which day) when I opened the puzzle on my iPhone, I thought, “hmm, the grid looks different, maybe something with the lines?” But then I got to solving and didn’t think any more about it. Now I’m glad to hear that my senses were right, and I wasn’t just imagining things!
@Justin I hadn't notice ANY change in the grid appearance and after close inspection, I still do not. Guess I need "what's-his face" to enlighen me. Yes, that's you, Barry! et tu emu
As soon as I saw the constructor's name I knew we were in for a treat, and I was correct. I wasn’t 33A about anything.
Always look forward to an ACME enterprise* and wasn't disappointed today. *(nice to see KC as well). Really quick solve, but didn't really grasp the theme until I was done and went back and reviewed. That's always a nice touch. 15 day streak. We'll see how long that lasts. One cute puzzle find today: A Tuesday from March 7, 2006 by Richard Jacobs (his only NYT puzzle). Three 15 letter theme answers in that one, all linked together: THEBLOODTYPEOFA RANKPESSIMISTIS ALWAYSBNEGATIVE Oh, and 'KC' led me to think of another 15 letter answer: THESUNSHINEBAND Never been in a puzzle and not even in the Xword Info word lists. A bit surprised at that. Might put another puzzle find in a reply. ..
54A. Great clue! Someone we'll miss, but will live on in our hearts, minds and crosswords.
@Call Me Al Could you explain who this is please?
@Call Me Al Here is a clip of Teri dancing, in a very cringey video with Dorothy Lamour from the movie "Pajama Party." Teri is the second dancer in the yellow dress. <a href="https://shorturl.at/t7Txa" target="_blank">https://shorturl.at/t7Txa</a>
@Call Me Al My favorite Teri Garr role was a guest star in a Star Trek: TOS episode--planned as a pilot for a spin-off, which, alas, was never produced. My understanding is that was her break-out role in television.
Second attempt... I thought he was a PASSING FAD Hoping things were not so bad. Tried to keep it realistic Tried to not be PESSIMISTIC. Eight years later all bets off. Now I’m feeling plain P*SSED OFF. Leaders picked with no ability Anyone’s a POSSIBILITY. And the endless jibber-jabber From a noted PUSSY-“FOOTER”
@Andrew I take it that even though you're in Ottawa that this is not about Justin Trudeau!
OK, I think my comment is stuck in the filter because I quoted the co-constructor and the puzzle. The filter and the puzzle editors are not on the sane wavelength. In the Constructor Notes, ACME was pleased that the editors accepted 33A, and noted that it was the only way to get that four-letter group into the grid. I noted that changing that themer from a 9 to a 7 would permit another word with the same first four letters, the last three of which are ANT. And that word, while less Monday-ish, is not slang or casual.
N.B. I meant to type *same* wavelength, but I do like sane wavelength.
I was surprised to see the answer to 33A. I immediately entered TICKED OFF and then when I started with the Down clues, I thought "This doesn't fit. No. It couldn't possibly be... Oh wow!!!" Don't recall ever seeing the correct answer! Well done!!
@Schroedman I think we were all surprised. Not sure what happened. Perhaps they simply had no other replacement that would do? et tu emu
Oh, really??? There was a theme to todays puzzle. I didn't realize until I read the column after solving the puzzle. Thank you Sam. :)) Have a good week everyone.
@Manju Me too. How did they know there was a theme?
TIL wine gives me a headache. Perfect Monday morning puzzle. Passt the pesstering pisstol-packing headache, possibly pusshing me to pop an aspirin, a lovely pussle-solving morning! Have a lovely week all!
With apologies - odd late puzzle finds. Don't recall coming across anything quite like this before. Anyway - two Sunday puzzles - one from July 8, 1984 and one from March 4, 1984 - both with essentially the same theme; and I don't recall ever seeing any others like this. Some examples: First the March puzzle: JEANSGENES CREWSCRUSE SERGESSURGES MITEMIGHT SEENSCENE GRATESGREATS SAVORSAVER and there were more. And then the July puzzle: REVIEWREVUE STAYEDSTAID BIZARREBAZAAR WHALEWAIL SLIGHTSLEIGHT SANESEINE DESERTDESSERT HOARSEHORSE NIGHTKNIGHT Here are the links: <a href="https://www.xwordinfo.com/PS?date=3/4/1984&g=35&d=D" target="_blank">https://www.xwordinfo.com/PS?date=3/4/1984&g=35&d=D</a> <a href="https://www.xwordinfo.com/PS?date=7/8/1984&g=27&d=A" target="_blank">https://www.xwordinfo.com/PS?date=7/8/1984&g=27&d=A</a> ...
The clue for SUPER SIZE should probably be "Make bigger at McDonalds, formerly," considering that it's been about 20 years since they phased out the concept of super-sizing.
@Shrike Since they stopped advertising it. You can still personalize a combo meal with large fries and a large drink. I do it all the time, since my wife doesn't want more than a burger and a little bit of my fries and drink. I get the "lion's share".
@Steve L Yes of course, but Super Size was bigger than a large.
I'm surprised that no one--including the constructors themselves--has commented the p*ssible *sixth* theme entry-- PSST--which would qualify as the "zero-grade" vowel, to use a fancy linguisticky-pedanticky term. Of course, if ACM and KC shopped regularly at Ikea: <a href="https://www.ikea.com/ca/en/p/pyssla-beads-mixed-colors-50128572" target="_blank">https://www.ikea.com/ca/en/p/pyssla-beads-mixed-colors-50128572</a>/
@Bill ANOTHER mention of the Strands puzzle. I guess now I have to do it. [mutter grumble hiss] Maybe I'll be surprised. Plus I have to look at the column photo.
An ACME doubleheader for me today, as I tackled the December Bonus puzzle by Andrea and Doug Peterson earlier today, and now come back and do a regular Monday puzzle also co-authored by Andrea. Just one ACME puzzle would be a treat; two is a super rare treat! I'm wondering how many pearl clutchers will get pissy at 33A. I was about to wonder how many social justice warriors were going to complain about 38D, [Knows somebody who might help], when I thought it was going to be the singularly gendered HAS a guy. But it turned out to be HAS AN IN, which I guess is applicable, too. But regardless, here's a little musical interlude in honor of the wrong answer: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1aBzAE-IFY" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1aBzAE-IFY</a>
@Steve L Hey! Thanks for the kind words!
@Steve L I don't know if it will be the "social justice warriors" who will complain, but we are about to witness how things will unfold when work assignments are based on who HAS AN IN with the next leader...
Blast those emus! Sped through this puzzle without seeing the theme, optimistically trying to keep the hourglass more than half full. So it was a welcome surprise to read the wordplay column and learn how much I missed by not taking time to smell the May flowers caused by April showers. I was surprised as anyone that the breakfast table rule was tabled for this one for the P0' d clue. An alternative clue might have been: [π], answer: PI'S SYMBOL, but so glad they let this one in! Also chuckled at what might be considered the revealer: psst, it's PSST! Possible Beatles subtheme here, too, with Rita, of course, also (glass) ONION, IT'S OK (as in: "I've got nothing to say but it's O.K. ... Everyone you see is half asleep. And you're on your own you're in the street" -- Good Morning Good Morning), their first records came out on MONO, they went to India to study Dharma and TM, and John Lennon himself told a reporter early on that he thought the Beatles were a passing fad, probably wouldn't last five years. "Oh, obviously. Anything in this business is a fad."
I got 33A on crosses, but I wasn't 33A about it. I liked the pairing of HAS AN IN with GAVE OUT.
No idea why I woke up with the earworm, "Bering For The Benefit of Mr. Kite", playing in the caffeine deprived brain. But the coincidence of learning that all of ACME's puzzles have a Fab Four reference (comment below), hearing about this month''s bonus puzzle and then turning to today's Strands . . . . . . its all too much. (For coincidence). Many thanks all.
@John Carson You would think my earworm would be a Beatles song, but instead it's The Clash's London Calling.
@John Carson For the past week I've been waking up with random songs in my head. Today it's Alice in Chains' "Down in a Hole." Yesterday it was the I Dream of Jeannie theme. Not sure what message the universe might be trying to send me...
I did start to fill in the 3D. "mistake" mistake, but the E from 25A. luckily stopped me from the [Faux Pas].
Always a pleasure to solve an ACME/Kevin Michaels co-construction. Today's TIL comes from the photo Sam chose to head her column. If I ever knew that lion cubs had spots, I had forgotten that.
Today's Strands is a gift to one of our constructors. Nice puzzle except for the naughty words. Nice one Andrea and Kevin. ps. Andrea, Send me the names of those who malign you, they will enjoy sleeping with the fishes.
Lovely Monday. Smooth, fast, but with an Aha moment when the theme becomes clear. Surprised at the comments re 33A. Really? That’s a very mild oath over here.
@Helen Wright We don't have topless ladies on page 3 of the NYT, either. They're supposed to be paragons of decorum.
Fun puzzle today - typical easy Monday. See from the wordplay photo that this lion cub is learning at an early age to attack and kill giraffes. This sent me down a rabbit hole... Adult giraffes circle their young (as do lions) to protect them. But apparently 50% of giraffe babies do not see the light of day due to lion attacks. Yuck. Anyway, fun theme today. Thank you, dear constructors!
@Great Lakes Good to see you here!
As animal lover, I enjoyed [PAD] crossing [PUSSYFOOTING].
Literally didn't even know there was a theme. Just thought it was a typical Monday puzzle.
Kristopher, A typical Monday puzzle has a theme. (Also, a typical Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday puzzle has a theme. Some themes are more subtle, some are more flamboyant.)
Sweet puzzle ... and I'd love to know the provenance of the photo in the "Wordplay" column!
@Murhatroid Here's a link to the Getty image: <a href="https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/an-eleven-week-old-lion-cub-growls-as-she-plays-with-a-news-photo/1952723?adppopup=true" target="_blank">https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/an-eleven-week-old-lion-cub-growls-as-she-plays-with-a-news-photo/1952723?adppopup=true</a> At the San Francisco Zoo in 4/25/2003
Lovely Monday solve! It would be remiss of me, however, to not point out that no U.S. airline actually has the word "air" written on their livery ;)
@Luke: It's been awhile but at least one (Delta Air Lines) has: <a href="https://www.deltamuseum.org/images/site/history-livery/special-liveries/boeing_767_spirit_of_delta_75th_anniversary_fuselage_details.jpg?sfvrsn=a30fa121_2" target="_blank">https://www.deltamuseum.org/images/site/history-livery/special-liveries/boeing_767_spirit_of_delta_75th_anniversary_fuselage_details.jpg?sfvrsn=a30fa121_2</a>
@Luke Where does it say “US airline”? AIR Canada. AIR France. AIR Jordan?
I am not a prude by any stretch of the imagination, however, I can’t be the only parent who has used Monday and Tuesday puzzles at one time or another to introduce their kids to the NYT crossword. PISSEDOFF is a surprising answer to see in The Times any day of the week, but perhaps the potential audience should be taken into consideration for early-in-the-week grids.
@JPT Big sigh. I thought the comments would be full of reactions to this. I appreciate the inclusion of vernacular, but really?
@JPT I think you have a point. However, we can't control everything we or our kids encounter. This scenario would make a great time to talk about how language can be benign or malignant, depending on how it's used.
I’m a newer solver; Mondays and Tuesdays are my only “gold star” potential days. When I read these commentaries I find things I never noticed. I solved that entire puzzle and totally missed that a bunch of words started with p_ss. Do you all notice these things as you go along?
@Jessica Sure do. The more you solve, the more of these little things you notice. One of the perks of crosswording – ya learn something new every day.
@Jessica Did you also notice that the vowels in those words goes from A at 15A, to E at 23A, all the way to U at 56A?
@Jessica I’m not a new solver and I almost never notice the themes or the gimmicks. They only become known to me when I read the word play column. It doesn’t take away from my enjoyment of working on the puzzles and making my way through the more difficult ones during the week. It’s such a great exercise for your brain. There is a saying that it takes 10,000 hours of practice to master anything. I don’t think it takes anywhere near that amount of time with the puzzles. Part of it is getting in tune with the style of the New York Times puzzles. Even though there are many constructors with many different ways of making puzzles, there are some repetitions that often give me a hook into a puzzle. They’re like old friends, giving you a little boost now and then.
Thought I'd posted this earlier but I don't see it. Anyway... inspired by today's theme I thought I'd look for one which might feature consecutive vowels in order in the theme answers. And... I found one. It didn't only do that, but the vowels appeared in order and ONLY once in each theme answer. Anyway.. a Sunday from September 30, 2007 by Kelsey Blakley with the title: "Five string." Some theme answers: GAMEMISCONDUCT FACETIOUS HALFSERIOUSLY GATHERINGCLOUDS WANDERINGSOUL TAKEITOUT WATERINGTROUGH TRADEDDISCOUNT LATENIGHTHOUR Here's the Xword Info link: <a href="https://www.xwordinfo.com/Crossword?date=9/30/2007&g=40&d=A" target="_blank">https://www.xwordinfo.com/Crossword?date=9/30/2007&g=40&d=A</a> ..
Fun Monday puzzle to solve on a cold evening after work. I appreciated the humor and clever clues that were still within reach of my sleepy brain after a week off work! Thanks for a fun entry to the work week!
Re: 36D It's fine in Crosslandia, but IRL there is no correlation between the glossiness of a magazine and the number of ADPAGES it contains. Even Crossword editors know this, having previously clued ADPAGES more accurately as [What Sports Illustrated's annual Swimsuit Issue has a lot of]. (Fri Jan 31, 2014)
@Barry Ancona I dunno, the only non-glossy magazine I'm aware of is Cooks Illustrated, and that one has no ads. Compare that to Bon Appetit, which recently seems to have more ads than recipes.
"Wheeeeee!" THISISFUN -- a breezy solve with a lot of sparkle. Loved the "culinary tear-jerker," the U of Iowa cheer; "Go Me!" and the doggie's "Don't move." Eyebrows duly elevated by 33-A, but it is a sign of the times, that even the TImes has normalized vulgarity. At least in this case it's not gratuitous.
Thank you to everyone who answered my question about Terri Garr.
@Jane Wheelaghan It's Teri, not Terri, right? emu food more emu food
Once again, an answer (33A) that you would get emu'd if you tried to put it here in Priscilla Goodbody's Comment page.
A Monday best for me with this one. Felt very 28D
@Eli I'm confused. The Monday puzzle I'm looking at doesn't have a 28D, and I can't figure out what typo would make sense of your sentence about how you felt. 31D, 33A, and 60A are all things you could feel, but none of them are reasonably confused with or mistyped as 28D. Maybe 23A, but a personal best is no reason to be PESSIMISTIC. Possibly 26D? But feeling SUPERSIZE strikes me as pretty 31D.
@Grumpy thanks for noticing my typo! Should be 48D but I do love your suggestions
As a pessimist, I feel triggered by the in-line combination POSSIBILITY VAX. (fun puzzle - now we await the notes about the oath ;)
@JohnWM Yeah if they approve the pick for HHS head, there will be places a VAX isn't even a POSSIBILITY. Be afraid. Be very afraid. Especially about measles. Babies under 1 year old cannot be vaccinated and rely on heard immunity. Guess what parts of the country will have less of that. oh of course if you live way out in the country and homeschool the older ones, your baby will be safe.