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@Tim L.L. are the initials for many Superman characters who, for the most part, have tended to be his adversaries, love interests, or relatives. <a href="https://superman.fandom.com/wiki/LL" target="_blank">https://superman.fandom.com/wiki/LL</a> It's been a running gag almost as long as Superman's been around, and no one really knows why. There's tons of L.L. characters in the older comics. Even Superman has commented on how weird of a coincidence it is. One rumor is that Shuster's first girlfriend had those initials, but it's never been confirmed.
Rena, congratulations on your debut puzzle. It was lots of fun to solve and to think about BOY TOYS. Enjoy your 4 years at Wash U, from an alumna, Class of 1980.
@Call Me Al Big hit for The Weather Girls! Still gets everyone up on the dance floor (at least in my circles). <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5aZJBLAu1E" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5aZJBLAu1E</a>
@Andrzej Dinner Theater was definitely a thing in Chicago and in the Midwest in general. I have fond memories of seeing Stiller and Meara in a show years ago. Dinner was served before the show, some of the theaters were in the round. Most of the theaters have closed or changed to regular theaters. One variation that still exists is the Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament which is located outside of Chicago but we also visited one in Garda, Italy. Good fun!
The LACUNA - great book by Barbara Kingsolver. Definitely known to me.
@john ezra Back in the day, an expression around our house / neighborhood was "Every Tom, Dick and Harry is named Michael". There were indeed lots of Michaels born in the 1950s
If there is still any doubt about ZHUZH, it appeared today in my edition of the NYT International Edition. But was in the print edition last week - August 27. "Hispi “pretty much stays across the board, the same price most of the year round,” Mr. Hill said. Its rise, he added, comes as a wave of chefs are zhuzhing up once-overlooked ingredients like secondary cuts of meat or fish for stock that once may have seemed too basic to serve diners." <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/26/dining/london-cabbage.html?unlocked_article_code=1.jE8.xu_B.Yg_fxu6cTikC&smid=url-share" target="_blank">https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/26/dining/london-cabbage.html?unlocked_article_code=1.jE8.xu_B.Yg_fxu6cTikC&smid=url-share</a>
ELLA Jenkins was a gimme for me but I understand that she was unknown to other solvers. I have fond memories of her performances for us kids 60 years ago, they were special events. <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/10/obituaries/ella-jenkins-dead.html" target="_blank">https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/10/obituaries/ella-jenkins-dead.html</a>
@john ezra Thanks for the video! Fascinating little creatures
Just solved the Atlantic xword and TNIA made an appearance., clued as "VisionQuest" actor. I was thrilled to be able to pop it right in! So yes, T'NIA is a name to remember.
I'd heard of SAKI as an author but wasn't familiar with either of the titles in the clue. "The Open Window" is listed as one of the most anthologized short stories in the English language. Short and worth a read! <a href="https://americanliterature.com/author/hh-munro-saki/short-story/the-open-window" target="_blank">https://americanliterature.com/author/hh-munro-saki/short-story/the-open-window</a>
@Grumpy ACC = Atlantic Coast Conference Makes sense that Miami would be one of the 18 teams.
@Sean UMACTUALLY Ozlem Tureci is a she
Lovely puzzle. Glad to do my part for the comment count
@Andrzej Tweety has rhotacism (couldn’t say his Rs) and several other speech disorders. “I tawt I taw a puddy tat” was Tweet’s signature line.
@El Jefe I found the double clue "Cup alternative" clever. When ordering ice cream you can have a cup, a cone or a pint.
@Eric Hougland Knowing that your musical taste is very eclectic and the Jason Mraz song got tons of radio play, it's hard to believe you never heard it. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkHTsc9PU2A" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkHTsc9PU2A</a>
@Bill I used the starting word until I hit Genius! I agree that it was 100% luck but the rush was real. The problem after that was choosing and getting used to a new starting word.
On a less happy note, this reminded me of the Roald Dahl short story "The Wish". In the story the carpet is black, red, and yellow: black snakes, red hot coals, and only the yellow offers safe passage. The little boy tries to walk across the carpet without falling into the snake pit or coals. I must have read this when I was very young since the terror has stayed with me. <a href="https://ysgolcwmbrombil.npted.org/Files/Transition/The%20Wish.pdf" target="_blank">https://ysgolcwmbrombil.npted.org/Files/Transition/The%20Wish.pdf</a>
@Shan The fleece Patagonia vest became the symbol of modern Fin-Tech Bros <a href="https://images.app.goo.gl/iEjqr8Qhj24bx8BP9" target="_blank">https://images.app.goo.gl/iEjqr8Qhj24bx8BP9</a>
@Andrzej LTR is the standard abbreviation for Letter sized paper on a printer
@Hobby Gardener Count Chocula is of course is a play off of Count Dracula. It is produced by General Mills and listed as "Chocolate-flavored corn cereal bits and marshmallows". Amazingly long-lasting, it was introduced in 1971! So definitely meets the clue "A count out for breakfast?"
@SP "Make it" was clever and gave me an Aha moment when it was processed correctly. "Tag, you're it" strike a bell?
@Francis Once you know that DOROTHY's last name is GALE it is unforgettable since she was taken to Oz by a big wind, i.e. GALE. Bit of insider knowledge
@Andrzej To save you the Google, BACNE is BACk ACNE. A problem for some people after exercising.
@Jack McCullough Of course! This scene will always be there for BALM
@B But Ariel is The Little Mermaid of the title
@David I agree with JC. Alpha Phi Alpha is the oldest intercollegiate historically African American fraternity, founded in 1906, at Cornell University. Very impressive list of members and service projects
@Tom Hands up for BAKED. It worked with BOoS for Sounds of melodrama.
I solve in pencil in the International edition of the NYT. Color is not provided. In today's case there was extra "Puzzle note: the bold vertical lines in the grid represent seven colors. In a manner for you to discover." So my solve was much more challenging. The "Yellow" line was barely noticeable - definitely not Bold. Once I had some of the colors in place, I realized that I needed Yellow to complete the Rainbow. Count me as a lover of the trick, I come to the puzzle to be challenged.
@Stephen Interesting origin of the idiom: <a href="https://grammarist.com/idiom/clean-someones-clock" target="_blank">https://grammarist.com/idiom/clean-someones-clock</a>/
@Laura I second the recommendation for The House of Doors, historical novel by Tan Twan Eng
@Isabeau Apparently this is also Aaron Sorkin's favorite joke. He used it twice - in The West Wing and then again in The Trial of Chicago 7. <a href="https://decider.com/2020/10/16/one-egg-is-an-oeuf-west-wing-trial-chicago-7" target="_blank">https://decider.com/2020/10/16/one-egg-is-an-oeuf-west-wing-trial-chicago-7</a>/
@N.E. Body Funny, in the print version the clue is "Kind of radiation". I assume the Greek letter isn't printable.
@Vaer Another Fonda / Tomlin movie is Moving On from 2022. They have great chemistry together.
@LBG I always get confused over the actors CENA and CERA. I know they are completely different but still ... Couldn't make anything work with DAR_E since I didn't know URICAL so I changed to CENA and DANAE looked right
@Whoa Nellie 🤣 Wish I could double recommend!
@Bill in Yokohama Took a minute to drop but then pow!
@Jane Wheelaghan Fanny Brice was "Funny Girl". Broadway show and movie with Barbra Streisand
@Erma Wonderful! Thanks for sharing
@Desert Dweller For me ugly crying will always be Bridesmaids <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZvtgPX78Kc" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZvtgPX78Kc</a>
@B Yes, 10D is referenced in Hamilton as well as Gabrielle Zevin's book. Good art can be used in lots of enlightening ways. <a href="https://medium.com/better-morning-reading/exploring-hamiltons-macbeth-reference-945c5424765b" target="_blank">https://medium.com/better-morning-reading/exploring-hamiltons-macbeth-reference-945c5424765b</a>
@EH I did! <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@disneychannel/video/7299121615067974958?lang=en" target="_blank">https://www.tiktok.com/@disneychannel/video/7299121615067974958?lang=en</a>
@Roberto Ash blonde is a hair color. I assume it can also be achieved by using hair dye.
@Ari C Agree, that set me back a minute
@surfertom007 London, Ontario is in Canada
@Megan Tim Tams were available at Target several years ago but only in the winter months. There were problems with shipping / melting during the summer. My daughter was homesick for them and found some in Brooklyn. I'm not sure if they are still offered. And yes, they are delicious when used as a straw with coffee!
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