LA Times Crossword Answers 5 Mar 16, Saturday

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CROSSWORD SETTER: Barry C. Silk
THEME: None
BILL BUTLER’S COMPLETION TIME: 13m 36s
ANSWERS I MISSED: 0

Today’s Wiki-est, Amazonian Googlies
Across

6. Software developers’ get-together HACKATHON
A “hackathon” is an event in which software developers collaborate intensively on a project, usually for a day or a week. It is a “hack marathon”, with “hack” in this case being legal, explorative programming. Apparently, the first event described as a hackathon was held by ten American developers who met in Calgary to work on cryptographic software. Calgary was chosen so as to avoid US export regulations relating to software.

17. Brother competitor EPSON
Seiko Epson is a Japanese company, one of the largest manufacturers of printers in the world. The company has its roots in the watch business, roots that go back to 1942. Seiko was chosen as the official timekeeper for the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo and was asked to supply a timer that produced a printed record. This request brought Seiko into the business of printer production. The company developed the world’s first mini-printer for the 1964 Games and called it EP-101 (EP standing for Electronic Printer). In 1975 Seiko introduced the next generation of EP printers which was called EPSON, from “SON of EP”. Cute, huh?

Brother is a Japanese company that is perhaps best known in North America for producing typewriters and printers. Brother started out as a manufacturer of sewing machines in in Nagoya, Japan in 1908.

23. Skull Island notable KONG
The fictional Skull Island is home to King Kong in most of the movies featuring the giant gorilla, although Kong has also been found on Farou Island (“King Kong vs. Godzilla”) and Mondo Island (“King Kong Escapes”). Skull Island is said to be located off the coast of Sumatra, Indonesia.

27. Where ends may meet?: Abbr. NFL
National Football League (NFL)

28. Dairy Queen Blizzard option OREO
Soft serve ice cream was developed by John McCullough in 1938. McCullough was able to get his new dessert carried by a local ice cream store in Illinois. He and the store owner became so swamped with sales that they opened a store specifically built around the product in Joliet, Illinois, hence creating the first Dairy Queen outlet. There are now over 5,700 Dairy Queen franchises in 19 countries. We’ve even got one in Ireland …

29. City between Algiers and Casablanca ORAN
Oran lies on the Algerian coast, and is famous for being the port where the French Navy was largely destroyed by the British during WWII in order to avoid the French vessels falling into the hands of Nazi Germany after France surrendered. This decisive and unexpected unilateral action by the British sent a very strong message around the world that Britain was willing to fight alone against the axis powers if necessary.

32. Handshake relative FIST BUMP
The fist bump is that tapping of fists together as a form of greeting. It is a more “hip” version of a handshake, a might be called a “pounding of flesh”.

36. WWII correspondent Reynolds QUENTIN
Journalist and WWII war correspondent Quentin Reynolds is perhaps best remembered for winning a libel suit against fellow journalist Westbrook Pegler. Pegler had called Reynolds “yellow” and an “absentee war correspondent”, and as a result Reynolds was awarded the largest libel judgment given up till that date. The trial was immortalized in a Broadway play called “A Case of Libel”.

41. FBI Academy site QUANTICO
The FBI Academy is located on a Marine Corps base in Quantico, Virginia. The academy opened for the first trainees in 1972. Included in training complex is a 10-acre mock city known as Hogan’s Alley.

42. Parade honoree, briefly ST PAT
There is a fair amount known about St. Patrick, some of which comes from two letters written in his own hand. St. Patrick lived in the fifth century, but was not born in Ireland. He was first brought to Ireland at about 16 years of age from his native Britain, by Irish raiders who made him a slave for six years. Patrick managed to escape and returned to his homeland where he studied and entered the Church. He went back to Ireland as a bishop and a missionary and there lived out the rest of his life. There seems to be good evidence that he died on March 17th (now celebrated annually as St. Patrick’s Day), although the year is less clear. The stories about shamrock and snakes, I am afraid they are the stuff of legend.

46. Certain retiree’s title: Abbr. EMER
Emeritus (female form “emerita”, plural “emeriti”) is a term in the title of some retired professionals, particularly those from academia. Originally an emeritus was a veteran soldier who had served his time. The term comes from the Latin verb “emerere” meaning to complete one’s service.

47. __-Magnon CRO
Remains of early man, dating back to 35,000 years ago, were found in Abri de Cro-Magnon in southwest France, giving the name to those early humans. Cro-Magnon remains are the oldest human relics that have been discovered in Europe.

48. More mawkish HOKIER
Something “mawkish” is sickly sentimental, derived from the Middle English word “mawke” meaning “maggot”.

50. Sq., e.g. RECT
A square (sq.) is a rectangle (rect.) with all four sides equal in length.

61. Tiny sucker LOUSE
Lice (singular “louse”) are small wingless insects of which there are thousands of species, three of which are human disease agents. The three kinds of lice affecting humans are head lice, body lice and pubic lice. Most lice feed on dead skin found on the body of the host animal, although some feed on blood. Ick …

62. One looking up to his listener? SERENADER
A ”serenade” is a musical performance in the open air, specifically at night. We tend to think of the term applying to a young man serenading his lover from below her window. We imported the word via French from the Italian “serenata” meaning “evening song”, influenced by the Italian “sera” meaning “evening”.

63. Gene Vincent’s “__ Lovin'” LOTTA
Gene Vincent was the stage name of fifties rock and roll and rockabilly singer Vincent Craddock. Vincent was the first inductee into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame when it was formed in 1997. His biggest hit was his own composition “Be-Bop-A-Lula”, which was released in 1956.

Down
4. Fed. auditing agency GAO
The Government Accounting Office, established as a branch of the US Congress in 1921, was renamed the Government Accountability Office (GAO) in 2004. A much better name, I think …

5. Mount __ Nicolosi, Italian ski area ETNA
Mt. Etna is the largest of three active volcanoes in Italy. Mt Etna is about 2 1/2 times the height of its equally famous sister, Mt. Vesuvius. Etna is home to a 110-km long narrow-guage railway, and two ski resorts.

6. Millinery blocks HAT FORMS
A milliner is someone who makes, designs or sells hats. Back in the 1500s, the term described someone who sold hats made in Milan, Italy, hence the name “milliner”.

8. Source of inside info? CT SCAN
A CT (or “CAT”) scan produces (via computer manipulation) a three dimensional image of the inside of an object, usually the human body. It does so by taking a series of two dimensional x-ray images while rotating the camera around the patient. The issue with CT scans is that they use x-rays, and high doses of radiation can be harmful causing damage that is cumulative over time.

9. Pool KITTY
The “pot” in a card game has been referred to as the kitty since the 1880s. It’s not certain how the name “kitty” evolved but possibly it came from “kit”, the necessary equipment for the game.

10. Virginia Cavaliers’ org. ACC
Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC)

The University of Virginia sports teams are known officially as the Cavaliers. The unofficial nickname is the Wahoos.

11. Longtime Mississippi senator Cochran THAD
Senator Thad Cochran is the senior senator from Mississippi, and a Republican. While earning his B.A. at the University of Mississippi, Cochran was on the cheerleading squad, with fellow senator Trent Lott.

13. Michael of “Michael Clayton” O’KEEFE
Michael O’Keefe played Danny Noonan in the film “Caddyshack” (I’m not a big fan of that movie). I also saw O’Keefe not too long ago in the George Clooney film “Michael Clayton”.

“Michael Clayton” is a 2007 film starring George Clooney in the title role, an attorney who is a “fixer” for a New York City law firm.

14. Poland Spring parent NESTLE
Poland Spring is a Nestle brand of bottled water that is bottled in Poland, Maine, hence the name.

21. Prominent elephant seal features SNOUTS
Elephant seals are so called because the adult male, known as a “bull”, has a prominent snout that resembles an elephant’s trunk.

26. Like granola OATEN
The name “Granola” (and “Granula”) were trademarked back in the late 1800s for whole-grain foods that were crumbled and baked until crisp. Granola was created in Dansville, New York in 1894.

31. Dana __, co-star of the original “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” WYNTER
“Invasion of the Body Snatchers” is a 1956 sci-fi movie that was remade in 1978. Not my kind of film, quite frankly …

33. Mideast party BA’ATH
The Ba’ath Party was founded in Syria in 1947. The party promotes the unification of the Arab world into one nation, and has the motto “Unity, Liberty, Socialism”.

34. Six minus deux QUATRE
In French, “six” (six) minus “deux” (two) equals “quatre” (four).

36. Amtrak unwinding area QUIET CAR
Amtrak is the name used commercially by the National Railroad Passenger Corporation. “Amtrak” comes from a melding of the words “America” and “track”.

39. Firth of Forth outlet NORTH SEA
The North Sea is an offshoot of the Atlantic Ocean that is located between Britain and Scandinavia.

The Firth of Forth is the estuary into which flows the River Forth in Scotland. The firth is actually a fjord, formed in the last Ice Age.

41. Tonic component QUININE
The original tonic water was a fairly strong solution of the drug quinine dissolved in carbonated water. It was used in tropical areas in South Asia and Africa where malaria is rampant. The quinine has a prophylactic effect against the disease, and was formulated as “tonic water” so that it could be easily distributed. In British colonial India, the colonial types got into the habit of mixing in gin with the tonic water to make it more palatable by hiding the bitter taste of the quinine. Nowadays, the level of quinine in tonic water has been dropped, and sugar has been added.

43. Lozenge TROCHE
A troche is a medicinal lozenge, like a pastille, and is usually circular in shape. “Troche” ultimately derives from the Greek word for “wheel”.

Back in the 14th century, a “lozenge” was a diamond shape. The original lozenges, which were tablets held in the mouth to dissolve, had this diamond shape and hence the name.

49. Hawaiian-born head of state OBAMA
Despite rumors to the contrary, I am pretty sure that Barack Hussein Obama II was indeed born in Hawaii. President Obama was born on August 4, 1961 at Kapi’olani Maternity & Gynecological Hospital in Honolulu, Hawaii.

54. Plane’s longitudinal rotation ROLL
In traditional aircraft designs, pitch is controlled by the elevator and roll is controlled by the aileron. On some newer aircraft these two functions are combined into single control surfaces called “elevons”.

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For the sake of completion, here is a full listing of all the answers:
Across
1. Metaphorically dull BEIGE
6. Software developers’ get-together HACKATHON
15. Attack RUN AT
16. One with a tender heart? ARTICHOKE
17. Brother competitor EPSON
18. Precedent sources TEST CASES
19. “Can’t fool me!” AHA!
20. How some myths are taken AS FACT
22. Losing scheme DIET
23. Skull Island notable KONG
25. Deli request NO MAYO
27. Where ends may meet?: Abbr. NFL
28. Dairy Queen Blizzard option OREO
29. City between Algiers and Casablanca ORAN
30. “Shucks!” AW GEE!
32. Handshake relative FIST BUMP
34. No. QTY
35. Influential capitalists FAT CATS
36. WWII correspondent Reynolds QUENTIN
40. Comprises HAS
41. FBI Academy site QUANTICO
42. Parade honoree, briefly ST PAT
45. Accommodate SUIT
46. Certain retiree’s title: Abbr. EMER
47. __-Magnon CRO
48. More mawkish HOKIER
50. Sq., e.g. RECT
51. File system’s master directory ROOT
53. Kid BANTER
55. Theater warning SHH!
56. Like most circus performers ACROBATIC
58. March winds, perhaps OBOES
60. They’re observed PHENOMENA
61. Tiny sucker LOUSE
62. One looking up to his listener? SERENADER
63. Gene Vincent’s “__ Lovin'” LOTTA

Down
1. Discontinue BREAK OFF
2. High state EUPHORIA
3. Most senseless INSANEST
4. Fed. auditing agency GAO
5. Mount __ Nicolosi, Italian ski area ETNA
6. Millinery blocks HAT FORMS
7. GPS display AREA MAP
8. Source of inside info? CT SCAN
9. Pool KITTY
10. Virginia Cavaliers’ org. ACC
11. Longtime Mississippi senator Cochran THAD
12. Scam HOSING
13. Michael of “Michael Clayton” O’KEEFE
14. Poland Spring parent NESTLE
21. Prominent elephant seal features SNOUTS
24. “Can’t fool me!” GOTCHA!
26. Like granola OATEN
31. Dana __, co-star of the original “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” WYNTER
33. Mideast party BA’ATH
34. Six minus deux QUATRE
36. Amtrak unwinding area QUIET CAR
37. Ends unsuccessfully, as a computer search TIMES OUT
38. Beer container ICE CHEST
39. Firth of Forth outlet NORTH SEA
41. Tonic component QUININE
42. Tosses SCRAPS
43. Lozenge TROCHE
44. Worse POORER
45. Proceeded in a carefree manner SKATED
49. Hawaiian-born head of state OBAMA
52. Voice mail sound TONE
54. Plane’s longitudinal rotation ROLL
57. “__ appétit!” BON
59. Discontented cry BOO!

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9 thoughts on “LA Times Crossword Answers 5 Mar 16, Saturday”

  1. @Willie D
    Interesting in a certain respect, but dubious if you take a "general scope" view of things and try to identify "at what point copying". This is especially true of the nature of crossword grids: Strange words won't be used and since clues are at brevity they will inevitably repeat usage. This is even more true over time (even short times) since I've noticed that words tend to "cluster" appearance, either inadvertently or purposefully ("oh that's a good word, I'll put it in my grid"), and that some of the "answer this clue" databases will reveal multiple grids where an exact clue wording and answer will have appeared in multiple grids.

    There's "I'll put my name on X's grid", which is obviously plagiarism even if a small handful of clues are changed, but the problem is at what point does changing enough clues turn it into a mere derivative work, which most all things are in the media. It would be hard to argue that copying a theme and then putting your own answers around it is a plagiarism, especially given the limited number of derivations involved (it's hard to argue plagiarism from another algebra book if an algebra book uses "3x + 5 = 17, solve for x").

    More or less though, since people are cataloging grids like that now, hopefully some sane measure everyone can agree upon will take hold instead of some of the silliness that's taken over in other media. For instance, a lot of songs have 6-12 named authors now because of the possible claims people could make that specific sounds were "reused" from other songs. Or the lawsuits in literature because "your story is in a very abstract sense too much like my story". I know it would discourage me from ever submitting a crossword grid if I knew the possibility was there of being sued for happening to use the same word/clue that appeared in another grid sometime in the past.

  2. Interesting story, Willie. The most shocking part of that is that the word "ERA" has only been used 480 times in the NY Times puzzles the last 23 years. I figured that was about a year's worth. That's only one ERA every 17 days. Sounds light.

    For those that were as intrigued (obsessed?) as I was about that Agatha Christie episode, the official version is that she lost her memory and remembered nothing of those 11 days. They believe she got amnesia from a car accident and was later found at a getaway for the rich when someone there finally recognized her. They think she may have been depressed due to a philandering husband. I don't know what the movie says happened, but the official version sounds as apocryphal as anything the movie might say. Sounds like something that will remain a mystery.

    Nice Silkie, complete with all sorts of clues that make your head hurt.

    Best –

  3. I finished this puzzle with any final errors. When I look at Bill's solve time of 13 minutes and change I can only shake my head in wonder and appreciation. This took me about 90 minutes of scratching out and putting in another letter at least 3 or 4 separate times for 8 Down, which I first saw as something "cam" so I had webcam and then spycam and then finally I had "ctscam" which made no sense until I finally saw it was CT Scan! Double Doh!

    Hope everyone has a good Saturday. See you all tomorrow and/or Monday for both puzzles, depending on when I can make time to do them.

  4. I read at some of the links off of that Nate Silver page. He links to an article by Matt Gaffney that pretty much made the point I was trying to make. It's an interesting read in terms of how to answer the "What is plagiarism?" question with respect to crossword grids.

  5. Wille D., re plagiarism. God knows, I'm a below average solver, but I tend to forget the puzzle ten minutes later, after I've solved her. It may be different if you are an expert. I notice most of the 'redos' were between USA today, and the other related institution – which is commonly owned. And, as Glenn points out, the 'copy' statute is somewhat different for a xword puzzle than a story or a poem …. or even a song. However, I am personally very sad, that a black man, ( who I had never heard of before – ), who is apparently a multi millionaire and has so many records, has now come under a cloud.

    On another subject, maybe they could 'ease down, or dumb down' the clues from the NYT and reprint them in the L A Times ? And the original constructor could get the added royalties ? What say you, Bill ?

    Jeff, I had read about Agatha's mystr. disappearance, many years ago. As you say, she was ditched by her 'Christie' husband and may have been depressed. She's entitled to her eccentric behavior, like all of us. Following the norms of that age, it was definitely not done for publicity or some sort of 'stunt' reasons.

    have a nice weekend , all.

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