DF

@Milo Ummm. . . This required figuring things out, which is what makes something a puzzle. It’s the definition of what a puzzle is. Also: Thursday almost always has a twist, so if that bothers you, just skip Thursdays.

@Steve That is the appropriate spelling of the style it refers to.

@Cloudy Rockwell I don’t understand the proper names complaint. Crossword puzzles have always rewarded general knowledge not just having a voluminous vocabulary.

@Matt For Black hair (meaning the hair on Black peoples’ heads) “natural” means any style that does not require harsh, burning often carcinogenic chemicals (i. e. straighteners) and/or heat and that is also “protective,” meaning that style will not damage the hair, dry it out or cause breakage. In the last two decades, the right of Black people—especially girls and women—to wear these natural styles, which often do require work and great skill, at work and in school, has become an actual civil right protected by legislation in several states. Locs, because they do not require heat or harsh straighteners or cause breakage are indeed considered a natural, protective style.

@Chris In these parts, it’s a pep band if the members don’t march on the field, but just play in the stands. When the same students perform on stage, they become a concert band. Whether the school in question has a pep band or marching band typically depends on the school’s size, funding (marching band is way more expensive) and local traditions. Signed, former band mom.

@john ezra I actually LOL’d. Very clever.

@Flamingo In print? On your phone? If the latter, it’s easy to enlarge using your thumb and index finger.

@Dave You aren’t the only one.

@Bob T. A lot maybe but based on some of today’s comments, not enough.

@Mike R It’s a McDonald’s dessert. Something like an ice cream sundae, I think. Oreo is in the puzzle all the time—probably because it’s got three vowels and one of the most commonly occurring consonants in English.

@Dan A comprehensive world history textbook today might begin with a discussion of the theories of the formation of the universe and the origins of humans so the use of “eon” in that context is not completely far-fetched.

@The X-Phile Well played sir!

@Chris Me too.