LA Times Crossword Answers 25 Apr 16, Monday

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CROSSWORD SETTER: C.W. Stewart
THEME: Keep on Hand … each of today’s themed answers starts with a word meaning “KEEP ON HAND”.

64A. Make available, as merchandise … and a hint to the start of the answers to starred clues KEEP ON HAND

17A. *Sing on key CARRY A TUNE
40A. *Try, with “at” HAVE A GO!
11D. *Underestimate SELL SHORT
35D. *Cattle enterprise STOCK FARM

BILL BUTLER’S COMPLETION TIME: 4m 58s
ANSWERS I MISSED: 0

Today’s Wiki-est, Amazonian Googlies
Across

5. Metaphorical sticking points CRAWS
“Craw” is another name for the “crop”, a portion of the alimentary tract of some animals, including birds. The crop is used for the storage of food prior to digestion. The crop allows the animal to eat large amounts and then digest that food with efficiency over an extended period. The expression “to stick in one’s craw” is used one when one cannot accept something, cannot “swallow” it.

10. Jacob’s twin ESAU
Esau was the twin brother of Jacob, the founder of the Israelites. When their mother Rebekah gave birth to the twins “the first emerged red and hairy all over (Esau), with his heel grasped by the hand of the second to come out (Jacob)”. As Esau was the first born, he was entitled to inherit his father’s wealth (it was his “birthright”). Instead, Esau sold his birthright to Jacob for the price of a “mess of pottage” (a meal of lentils).

14. App that connects riders with drivers UBER
Uber is a ridesharing service that was founded in 2009 and is based in San Francisco. The service is somewhat controversial and has been described as an illegal taxicab operation. Central to Uber’s service is the company’s mobile app, which can use the client’s GPS location to help find the nearest available ride. Personally, I love the service, and only have had good experiences …

16. Prominent giraffe feature NECK
The giraffe is the tallest terrestrial animal on the planet. The giraffe’s main source of food is acacia leaves that they eat from high, high up in trees, where other herbivores cannot reach.

19. Skedaddle FLEE
“Skedaddle ” is a slang term meaning “run away” that dates back to the Civil War.

20. “Please, I’ve heard enough,” in texts TMI
Too much information! (TMI)

22. Cutlass automaker OLDS
Oldsmobile made the Cutlass Ciera from 1982 to 1996. The Ciera was the brand name’s most successful model.

23. Jungle adventure SAFARI
“Safari” is a Swahili word, meaning “journey” or “expedition”.

25. Store with Kenmore appliances SEARS
Sears has a few long-standing, in-house brands, including Craftsman tools, Kenmore appliances and DieHard car batteries.

30. Corsage flower ORCHID
“Corsage” is a word we imported from French in the late 15th century. Back then we used it to mean “the size of the body”. By the early 1800s a corsage was a bodice, or the body of a woman’s dress. At the beginning of the 20th century, the French term “bouquet de corsage” was being used for a “bouquet worn on the bodice”, and this has been shortened simply to “corsage”.

38. Crystal-bearing rock GEODE
A geode is a rock in which there is a cavity lined or filled with crystal formations.

42. Civil War soldier REB
During the Civil War, the personification of the Southern states was “Johnny Reb”. The northern equivalent was Billy Yank.

43. Desert building brick ADOBE
The building material known as adobe has been around a long time, and has been used in dry climates all over the world. The original form of the word “adobe” dates back to Middle Egyptian times, about 2000 BC. The original spelling is “dj-b-t”, and translates as mud (sun-dried) brick.

45. Fashion magazine that’s also a French pronoun ELLE
“Elle” magazine was founded in 1945 in France and today has the highest circulation of any fashion magazine in the world. “Elle” is the French word for “she”. “Elle” is published monthly worldwide, although you can pick up a weekly edition if you live in France.

46. In-flight predictions: Abbr. ETAS
Estimated time of arrival (ETA)

51. 24-__ gold KARAT
A karat (also “carat”, the spelling outside of North America) is a measure of the purity of gold alloys, with 24-karat representing pure gold.

53. Draft choices LAGERS
Lager is so called because of the tradition of cold-storing the beer during fermentation. “Lager” is the German word for “storage”.

59. One with a bleeping job CENSOR
The original “censor” was an officer in ancient Rome who had responsibility for taking the “census”, as well as supervising public morality.

68. Continent explored by Marco Polo ASIA
Marco Polo was a merchant from Venice and a famous traveler throughout Asia. Polo journeyed with his father and uncle on an epic tour of Central Asia and China that lasted 24 years. Marco tends to be the member of the party we remember today though, because it was he who documented their travels in a book called “Il Milione”.

70. Lyric poem EPODE
An epode is a lyric poem made up of couplets in which the first line is long, and the second line much shorter. The form was invented by the Greek poet Archilochus, and was most famously used by the Roman poet Horace.

71. Neighbor of Kent. TENN
Tennessee borders eight other states, a record number that is shared with Missouri. The states bordering Tennessee are Kentucky, Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas and Missouri.

Down
3. Sans __: type style SERIF
Serifs are details on the ends of characters in some typefaces. Typefaces without serifs are known as sans-serif, using the French word “sans” meaning “without” and “serif” from the Dutch “schreef” meaning “line”.

6. Pro __: in proportion RATA
“Pro rata” is a Latin phrase meaning “in proportion”.

8. Lushes WINOS
“Lush” is a slang term for a heavy drinker. Back in the 1700s, “lush” was slang for “liquor”.

9. Hi-fi system STEREO
Monophonic sound (“mono”) is sound reproduced using just one audio channel, which is usually played out of just one speaker. Stereophonic sound is reproduced using two audio channels, with the sound from each channel played out of two different speakers. The pair of stereo speakers are usually positioned apart from each other so that sound appears to come from between the two. Quadraphonic sound (4.0 surround sound) uses four audio channels with the sound played back through four speakers often positioned at the corners of the room in which one is listening.

Hi-fi systems were introduced in the late forties, and is audio equipment designed to give a much higher quality reproduction of sound than cheaper systems available up to that point. “Hi-fi” stands for “high fidelity”.

13. Luau instruments UKES
The ukulele (“uke”) originated in the 1800s and mimicked a small guitar brought to the Hawaiian Islands by Portuguese immigrants.

26. Constellation named for a mythological ship ARGO
In Greek mythology, Jason and the Argonauts sailed on the Argo in search of the Golden Fleece. The vessel was called the “Argo” in honor of the ship’s builder, a man named Argus.

The constellation Argo Navis (“Argo the Ship” in Latin) is divided into three parts: Puppis (“The Poop Deck”), Vela (“The Sails”) and Carina (“The Keel”).

32. Belles at balls DEBS
Deb is short for “debutante”, which translates from French as “female beginner”.

46. Unit of work ERG
An erg is a unit of mechanical work or energy. It is a small unit, as there are 10 million ergs in one joule. it has been suggested that an erg is about the amount of energy required for a mosquito to take off.

56. Family auto SEDAN
The American “sedan” car is the equivalent of the British “saloon” car. By definition, a sedan car has two rows of seating and a separate trunk (boot in the UK), although in some models the engine can be at the rear of the car.

60. Fictional sleuth Wolfe NERO
Nero Wolfe is a fictional detective and the hero of many stories published by author Rex Stout. There are 33 Nero Wolfe novels for us to read, and 39 short stories. There are also movie adaptations of two of the novels: “Meet Nero Wolfe” (1936) which features a young Rita Hayworth, and “The League of Frightened Men” (1937). One of Wolfe’s endearing traits is his love of good food and beer, so he is a pretty rotund character.

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For the sake of completion, here is a full listing of all the answers:
Across
1. One capsule, say DOSE
5. Metaphorical sticking points CRAWS
10. Jacob’s twin ESAU
14. App that connects riders with drivers UBER
15. Hard pattern to break HABIT
16. Prominent giraffe feature NECK
17. *Sing on key CARRY A TUNE
19. Skedaddle FLEE
20. “Please, I’ve heard enough,” in texts TMI
21. Speaker on a soapbox ORATOR
22. Cutlass automaker OLDS
23. Jungle adventure SAFARI
25. Store with Kenmore appliances SEARS
27. Sloppy MESSY
30. Corsage flower ORCHID
33. Players in a play CAST
36. Severely injure MAIM
38. Crystal-bearing rock GEODE
39. Illuminated LIT
40. *Try, with “at” HAVE A GO!
42. Civil War soldier REB
43. Desert building brick ADOBE
45. Fashion magazine that’s also a French pronoun ELLE
46. In-flight predictions: Abbr. ETAS
47. Trickery DECEIT
49. Discourage DETER
51. 24-__ gold KARAT
53. Draft choices LAGERS
57. Whitewater ride RAFT
59. One with a bleeping job CENSOR
62. Feel sorry about RUE
63. Notable periods ERAS
64. Make available, as merchandise … and a hint to the start of the answers to starred clues KEEP ON HAND
66. Law business FIRM
67. Entices LURES
68. Continent explored by Marco Polo ASIA
69. “__ old thing” SAME
70. Lyric poem EPODE
71. Neighbor of Kent. TENN

Down
1. Tear conduits DUCTS
2. Bush successor OBAMA
3. Sans __: type style SERIF
4. Make a mistake ERR
5. Compelling charm CHARISMA
6. Pro __: in proportion RATA
7. Share a border with ABUT
8. Lushes WINOS
9. Hi-fi system STEREO
10. Implement, as laws ENFORCE
11. *Underestimate SELL SHORT
12. Breezed through, as a test ACED
13. Luau instruments UKES
18. Days of old YORE
24. Tsp. or tbsp. AMT
26. Constellation named for a mythological ship ARGO
28. Rescue SAVE
29. On-ramp sign YIELD
31. Original thought IDEA
32. Belles at balls DEBS
33. Not naked CLAD
34. Teacher’s helper AIDE
35. *Cattle enterprise STOCK FARM
37. Bachelor party attendee MALE
40. Estate beneficiary HEIR
41. Warm up for the game GET LOOSE
44. “I’m baffled” BEATS ME
46. Unit of work ERG
48. Bring down the running back TACKLE
50. Make, as a living EARN
52. Prepare to drive, as a golf ball TEE UP
54. Wipe clean ERASE
55. Altercation RUN-IN
56. Family auto SEDAN
57. Foul callers, at times REFS
58. Operatic song ARIA
60. Fictional sleuth Wolfe NERO
61. Went like the wind SPED
65. It may be tipped by a gentleman HAT

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6 thoughts on “LA Times Crossword Answers 25 Apr 16, Monday”

  1. Pretty easy way to start the week, but I still learned a thing or two- e.g. GEODE and EPODE.

    I had my first UBER experience 3 days ago after returning a rental car. I needed a quick ride home. It was fast, cheap and easy. I will use them again. The only issue with the service is that you're at the mercy when someone else is available. For example, if you have an early morning flight and need a ride to the airport at say 5 AM, there's no guarantee you can get someone at that hour. You can't make appointments the way you can with a cab company.

    Back to some semblance of normalcy today, but after vacation and flooding I have a very busy week catching up this week.

    Best –

  2. Top O' the morning ! everyone.
    No comments, I see.
    Jeff, from a few days ago, re: Flood insurance and FEMA. First of all, I am very glad, My lil prayers, helped in some small bit. Glad to know you were saved, maybe it was sheer luck, or chance, or maybe it was your Karma, from past lives, past deeds or past actions. Our hearts go out to others who were affected.

    FEMA has started enforcing, 'compulsory flood insurance' for those in the pseudo-flood plains, including our back yards in NE Ohio. Some folks who have never been flooded, (yet !) are complaining ….and the notification itself, can depress the price of the house. But thats what insurance is all about.

    More on the puzzle later.

  3. Good smooth LAT and WSJ grids overall, for Monday. I wanted STOCKYARD (35-D) on the LAT one for the longest time until I got FARM from the crosses, as the former seems to be the more common way (accepted) way to say it, and what I've always heard them referred to as…

    No eggs for the Friday WSJ Meta (read I got it right), so good there…

  4. The puzzle was simple and straightforward. I have no issues,

    Bill, thank you for your blogging and the scads of information that you put out every day.

    Have a nice day, all.

  5. Geez, Jeff & Glenn & & Vidwan, what are y'all doing up so early in the morn??? I think I'm correct in assuming that my device shows Pacific time, but maybe not, and y'all got more sleep than I think.
    Easy grid, kinda boring. Didn't know EPODE, but I figured it out w/ crosses.
    Jeff, I'm glad you're getting back to normal. Can't say whether it's your good karma, as Vidwan suggests…I just don't know you well enough …LOL 😀
    I have the Uber app but haven't needed it yet. However, I'm glad it's there. My neighborhood, and really all of Los Angeles, is just crawling with Uber and Lyft drivers.
    See you early birds tomorrow!
    Sweet dreams~~™

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