YooperJake

Regarding the U.S. tradition of trick-or-treating, at least where I live, there are customs/rules which make the event more enjoyable for all. For example, the expectation here is that kids should only visit homes with the porch lights turned on (or other obvious decor), which is seen as an invitation to knock/ring. Also, there are specific hours designated within many areas (18:00-20:00, e.g.) which limits the disruption. There is very little “tricking”, except perhaps the candy companies fooling us all into buying irrational amounts of sweet treats. 😅 Certainly some unruly teens smash a few pumpkins, or perhaps TP a frenemy’s house, which most would say is bad form. Any of that is mischief carried out well after dark and quite dissociated from the trick-or-treating activity. I think that, in many neighborhoods, it’s really a pleasant time to walk (weather depending) around with your children, greeting your friends and neighbors with a wave from the street as they hand out treats to the kids at the door. Some even offer treats for the adults, such as a beverage or a cup of chili. Happy fall y’all! 🍁🎃👻

@Hugh As in the Ent Moot 🪾

@Barry Ancona I’m with Barry on this one. If/when I come to Wordplay for help, I’ll generally read it a sentence or two at a time to limit spoilers. An early line like that would have had me back in the grid, determined to find the rebus. Fortunately, as for many, the crossings were attainable for me today, so I don’t fall into that trap, hopefully others will avoid it too.

@Helen Wright Macgyver is the titular character in an 80s action/drama show in which said hero would save the day by using his scientific knowledge to improvise a solution to a seemingly intractable situation. Ergo, “Macgyvering” has become a slang term for doing thusly.

@H.E. As a gamer, I’m inclined to agree, but have to admit that, while I typically think of “Mods” in broader terms, I guess something as simple as a outfit or weapon change could koalafy as a modification. I’ll have to ask the kids later.

@kilaueabart I’d guess it’s the newish-ness of those terms. SIMulation (which can be run) And, as I understand it, “swiping” (right=good?) on profiles is how users give feedback and express interest (or lack thereof) in further engaging with the person.

@Grumpy I with you in this all the way. Also, good luck to the boys tonight. 🍁

@Andrzej Common treat (perhaps mostly in the NE and Midwest US?) from a vendor at a carnival or county fair. Around here, “saltwater taffy” is used most commonly to describe these bite-sized treats wrapped in waxed paper. People enjoy choosing their favorite flavors from a wide variety. IMO, they are best enjoyed fresh (before they harden through drying), like one would purchase from a carnival booth. <a href="https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taffy_(candy" target="_blank">https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taffy_(candy</a>)

@Peter G. 🏆👏🎉

Also, sometimes the mini gets me too, just one of those days. ☺️

Bonfire night sounds like a hoot. In this region, the night before Halloween is known as “Fox Night”, a time for mischief (and occasionally mayhem in locales). This tradition is odd and, in my experience, really only for teens looking to stir up a bit of trouble. I recall arson being a concern in the Detroit area in the 80s The potential connection to “Fawkes Night” never occurred to me before.

@Barry Ancona I don’t see how this impacts @Grumpy’s point(?). Anyway, I was also disgruntled by the clue. As usual, I should have just put soda in and it would have been fine. Hesitancy pushed my time over my typical sun-minute goal.

@K I understand (I think) and agree with you 🙂. Unless Rebecca or Adam chime in, I guess we’ll never know for sure. 😅 Hope that you all are having fun hosting EuroVision! 🧑‍🎤🎶

@RF FWIW, I struggled a bit in this corner for the same reason(s). Seemingly plural clue, paired with the Marx brother I’m least familiar with. I was not familiar with the definition or etymology of the clue, but could IMPly it from similar terms. In the end, I had to admit that it was my failing on the 11D cross which was the real barrier to a complete and easy solve.

@slowlearner It’s another tennis term. A let is sort of a foul that stops play without penalty (or fault, in tennis parlance). In my experience, this is most common when the Serving player strikes the net with the ball, but the ball continues into the opponent’s court. If the ball hits the net and drops to the server’s side, or goes out of bounds, that would be a *fault*.

@Rich in Atlanta Neat, thanks for sharing! I’m in the Keweenaw myself. “Research” results: Apparently it was only a rumor, at least the wind being the cause, but a powerful enough one that the bridge authority has a webpage dedicated to the topic: <a href="https://www.mackinacbridge.org/ufaqs/can-vehicles-blow-off-the-bridge-during-high-wind" target="_blank">https://www.mackinacbridge.org/ufaqs/can-vehicles-blow-off-the-bridge-during-high-wind</a>/ So, a YUGO did go over, and, tragically, the driver died, but the authorities concluded that it was primarily due to excessive speed.

@K I’m curious, are you suggesting that you, or anyone else would(/did?) dismiss SOMM as an answer due to your knowledge that there are 4 related films? I hadn’t heard of the films, but I am now interested to watch one (or more). Anyway, I agree with your suggested interpretation and would cede the point to the constructors. Ergo, IMO it’s accurate to refer to the first 3 as a “2010s…trilogy”, even though there was a later release (after the 2010s). Personally, I got this one from crossings, saw “wine” and the connection to sommelier seemed fairly straightforward, but I am a bit of a foodie.

@DF I’m Al’s confused. Don’t want to peek yet, but I don’t think I have errors and no music yet. 😖