Constructed by: Ed Sessa
Edited by: Rich Norris
Quicklink to a complete list of today’s clues and answers
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Theme: None
Bill’s time: 15m 30s
Bill’s errors: 0
Today’s Wiki-est, Amazonian Googlies
Across
18. Creamy rice dish : RISOTTO
Risotto is an Italian rice dish that is usually served as a first course in Italy, but as a main course here in North America.
19. Tiruchirappalli title : SRI
Tiruchirappalli Is a city located about 200 miles south of Chennai, India. The Tiruchirappalli name is perhaps most familiar internationally due to the Trichinopoly cigar, which was a major export from the city in the 19th century. Winston Churchill was a fan of Black Tiger brand Trichinopoly cigars.
20. California region named for a literary hero : TARZANA
Tarzana is an affluent neighborhood in the city of Los Angeles. The community was developed on the site of a former ranch that was owned by author Edgar Rice Burroughs. Burroughs of course wrote the popular “Tarzan” series of novels, and named his property Tarzana Ranch. Sadly, Tarzana’s history includes racial segregation and privilege for the white population. This was instigated by Burroughs himself, who marketed the community he developed back in the 1920s using British imperial themes.
23. Shade-loving plant : HOSTA
The Hosta genus of plant was once classified as a lily, but is now in a family of its own and is described as “lily-like”. The plant was given the name “Hosta” in honor of the Austrian botanist Nicholas Thomas Host.
26. State probably named for a French province : MAINE
There seems to be some uncertainty how the US state of Maine got its name. However, the state legislature has adopted the theory that it comes from the former French province of Maine. The legislature included language to that effect when adopting a resolution in 2001 to establish Franco-American Day.
28. Mobile app? : 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. Uber’s main competitor is Lyft. Personally, I love the service and have only had good experiences …
36. Many an IKEA buy : KIT
The furniture chain IKEA was founded by Ingvar Kamprad in 1943, when he was just 17-years-old. IKEA is an acronym standing for Ingvar Kamprad Elmtaryd Agunnaryd (don’t forget now!). Elmtaryd was the name of the farm where Ingvar Kamprad grew up, and Agunnaryd is his home parish in Sweden.
38. Brought down a Giant, say : TACKLED
The New York Giants (NYG) football team play their home games in MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, a stadium shared with the New York Jets (NYJ). The Jets are the only team remaining from a group of five that joined the league in 1925. For many years, the Giants shared team names with the New York Giants MLB team, before the baseball franchise moved to San Francisco after the 1957 season.
46. Kyrgyzstan range : ALAI
The Alay (also “Alai”) Mountains are located in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. The highest peak in the range is Pik Tandykul, which lies on the international border between the two countries.
Kyrgyzstan is a landlocked country in Central Asia that is a former Soviet Socialist Republic (SSR). The country name’s root “Kyrgyz” translates as “We are forty”. This a reference to the forty united clans in the region that united under a legendary hero named Manas. The Kyrgyzstan flag also features a sun with forty rays, a further reference to the clans.
52. Sound heard going up a mountain, maybe : POP
That would be ears popping.
53. Film in which the title character says, “I don’t permit the suffering. You do” : OH, GOD!
“Oh, God!” is a comedy movie that was released in 1977. The great George Burns plays the title role (God!) with John Denver co-starring. George Burns was the big success in the cast, and he alone reprised his role in two sequels in the 1980s.
54. Yoga class syllables : OMS
“Om” is a sacred mystic word from the Hindu tradition. “Om” is sometimes used as a mantra, a focus for the mind in meditation.
59. Asphalt : BITUMEN
The asphalt surface on roads (or basketball courts) is more properly called asphaltic concrete, because asphalt itself (also known as “bitumen”) is just a sticky black liquid that comes from crude petroleum. Asphalt is used as a binder with aggregate to form asphaltic concrete.
63. Absinthe flavoring : ANISEED
Absinthe is an alcoholic spirit that is distilled from various plants and herbs, including wormwood. Absinthe was banned in the US in 1915 as it was deemed to be an addictive psychoactive drug. However, the accepted opinion today seems to be that absinthe is no more addictive or dangerous than any other spirit.
64. Solemnly commands : ADJURES
Our word “adjure” comes from the Latin “adjurare”, meaning “to swear to”. We use to the term “adjuration” to mean an earnest entreaty or plea.
Down
2. Capital south of Addis Ababa : NAIROBI
Nairobi is the capital and largest city in the African nation of Kenya. The city is named for the Nairobi River, which in turn takes its name from the Maasai “Enkare Nairobi” meaning “Cool Water”. Nairobi was founded in 1899 as a stop on the Kenya-Uganda railroad, at a time when the country was a British colony.
Addis Ababa is the capital city of Ethiopia. The city is relatively young, having being founded in 1886 by Emperor Menelik II. Addis Ababa holds an important position within the nations of Africa as it is home to many international organizations that are focused on the continent.
4. Bloke’s address : GUV
“Guv” is an informal word used in the UK, and a shortened form of “governor”. It is usually a friendly address to a man, sort of like our “Mac” or “Dad”.
“Bloke” is British slang for a fellow. The etymology of “bloke” seems to have been lost in the mists of time.
5. Actress Scacchi : GRETA
Greta Scacchi is an actress from Italy who now lives in Australia. Scacchi is popular on the European movie circuit as she is fluent in English, German , French and Italian.
6. Siberian river to the Arctic Ocean : LENA
The Lena is in Siberian, and is the third-longest river in Asia. It rises in the Baikal Mountains in the south, and runs almost 2,800 miles to empty into the Laptev Sea in the Arctic Ocean.
7. Where the Boss’ band once rehearsed : E STREET
The E Street Band is the backing group for Bruce Springsteen. The band came together in 1972 but didn’t take a formal name until two years later. The keyboard player in the original line up was David Sancious, and his mother allowed the group to rehearse at her home. That home was on E Street in Belmar, New Jersey, and that’s where the band got their name.
9. Buttermilk holder? : REIN
Cowboy Roy Rogers rode the palomino horse named Trigger. Cowgirl Dale Evans rode a buckskin quarter horse called Buttermilk.
10. Indian tea region : ASSAM
Assam is a state in the very northeast of India, just south of the Himalayas. Assam is noted for its tea as well as its silk.
21. Muppet friend of Elmo : ZOE
The muppet called Zoe is a young orange monster that appears on “Sesame Street”. Zoe is best friends with Elmo. She is a great lover of ballet and always appears wearing a tutu.
24. Any one of the male “Big Bang Theory” main characters : TREKKIE
“The Big Bang Theory” is very clever sitcom aired by CBS since 2007. “The Big Bang Theory” theme song was specially commissioned for the show, and was composed and is sung by Canadian band Barenaked Ladies. The theme song was released in 2007 as a single and is featured on a Barenaked Ladies greatest hits album.
30. Man of La Mancha : SENOR
La Mancha is a region in Spain, a plateau lying south of Madrid. The area became famous after publication of the novel “Don Quixote de La Mancha” by Miguel de Cervantes.
35. Whale group : GAM
A group of whales can be called a “gam” as well as a “pod”.
43. Source of some annoying online messages : NAGWARE
Nagware is software that’s distributed for free, but there’s a persistent and annoying reminder to purchase a license when using the product.
51. Mercury money : DIMES
The Mercury dime was also called the Winged Liberty Head dime, and was minted from 1916 to 1945. The coin is so called because it bears the image of a young Liberty wearing a winged cap, an image that is often mistaken for the Roman god Mercury.
53. Medium board : OUIJA
The Ouija board was introduced to America as a harmless parlor game at the end of the 19th century, although variations of the board date back to 1100 BC in China, where it was apparently used to “contact” the spirit world. The name “Ouija” is relatively recent, and is probably just a combination of the French and German words for “yes” … “oui” and “ja”.
56. Source of folic acid : BEET
Folic acid is also known as vitamin B9. Folic acid occurs in the human body as folate, a substance essential in the synthesis and repair of DNA.
57. Quaint retail adjective : OLDE
The word “olde” wasn’t actually used much earlier than the 1920s. “Olde” was introduced to give a quaint antique feel to brand names, shop names etc. as in “Ye Olde Shoppe”.
62. Ancient Greek statuary site: Abbr. : MUS
Museum (mus.)
Complete List of Clues and Answers
Across
1. Get lovey-dovey : SNUGGLE
8. Ramble : TRAIPSE
15. Fertilizes, in a way : MANURES
16. Spousal consent : YES, DEAR
17. Dryer component : AIR VENT
18. Creamy rice dish : RISOTTO
19. Tiruchirappalli title : SRI
20. California region named for a literary hero : TARZANA
22. It can lead into day or night : MID-
23. Shade-loving plant : HOSTA
25. Big chunk of time : EON
26. State probably named for a French province : MAINE
28. Mobile app? : UBER
29. Relay settings : MEETS
31. Object of veneration : ICON
32. Edible conifer seed : PINE NUT
34. Part : SEGMENT
36. Many an IKEA buy : KIT
37. Slangy refusal : NAH
38. Brought down a Giant, say : TACKLED
42. Arrivals : COMINGS
46. Kyrgyzstan range : ALAI
47. Interior design : DECOR
49. Glitzy affair : GALA
50. Informed, with “in” : CLUED
52. Sound heard going up a mountain, maybe : POP
53. Film in which the title character says, “I don’t permit the suffering. You do” : OH, GOD!
54. Yoga class syllables : OMS
55. “Please, please … ” : I BEG YOU …
58. Half-hearted : WAN
59. Asphalt : BITUMEN
61. Prevailing conditions : CLIMATE
63. Absinthe flavoring : ANISEED
64. Solemnly commands : ADJURES
65. Gets new players for : RECASTS
66. Hooks or lures : TEASERS
Down
1. Road wreck : SMASH UP
2. Capital south of Addis Ababa : NAIROBI
3. Not yet up : UNRISEN
4. Bloke’s address : GUV
5. Actress Scacchi : GRETA
6. Siberian river to the Arctic Ocean : LENA
7. Where the Boss’ band once rehearsed : E STREET
8. Hard heads : TYRANTS
9. Buttermilk holder? : REIN
10. Indian tea region : ASSAM
11. Bachelor’s last words? : I DO
12. Rodents on wheels, perhaps : PET MICE
13. Attended informally : SAT IN ON
14. Like the wind : ERODENT
21. Muppet friend of Elmo : ZOE
24. Any one of the male “Big Bang Theory” main characters : TREKKIE
27. Shoot for the moon : AIM HIGH
29. Softened : MUTED
30. Man of La Mancha : SENOR
33. Nada : NIL
35. Whale group : GAM
38. Buffet featuring tortillas and fixings : TACO BAR
39. Hog’s call? : ALL MINE!
40. Biting : CAUSTIC
41. Conditioned response? : DEPENDS …
42. Repro man? : COPYCAT
43. Source of some annoying online messages : NAGWARE
44. Crowing type : GLOATER
45. The blues : SADNESS
48. Gear tooth : COG
51. Mercury money : DIMES
53. Medium board : OUIJA
56. Source of folic acid : BEET
57. Quaint retail adjective : OLDE
60. Letters on some tee tags : USA
62. Ancient Greek statuary site: Abbr. : MUS
70 minutes, 3 errors on this (had POD for GAM). Tougher than the general norm. DNF on the WSJ (50% filled) – that was definitely tougher than the norm.
Today’s LAT: 21:35 after getting the silent treatment and changing the letter at the intersection of TARZANA and ZOE from whatever it was to a “Z”. (And I didn’t find the puzzle all that easy before that … ?.)
Today’s WSJ: 29:29, no errors. Today’s Newsday: about an hour, no errors. Yesterday’s Tim Croce: about an hour, with a 1-square (2-entry) error that should have been completely avoidable, but I was kind of burned out by the time I finished it.
I spent most of yesterday working on Croce #240, from 2017/03/14, and I finished it without any errors, but I may never be the same after the experience. I came very close to giving up several times and I’m still trying to understand how a few of the answers relate to the clues … ?
No more puzzles today! … ???
46 minutes then I just cheated to finish. A whole HOSTA things I didn’t know in this one – BITUMEN, GRETA, ZOE and others. That coupled with Ed Sessa’s sideways cluing at times forced me to cheat as I was running out of time. Sessa is becoming my great white whale as his late week puzzles always give me fits.
Between this one and the NYT Thursday and Saturday grids, it’s been a rough crossword weekend for me. My Doctor has prescribed plenty of ridiculously over-priced beers at the Blues-Golden Knights hockey game tonight as my medicine to overcome my crossword grief. $20 for a hot dog and a beer at TMobile Arena….and then they leave room on the receipt to leave a tip. Yikes…
As for baseball – Game 7 tonight. Astros have no pitchers left. Unless Verlander can pitch a complete game shutout on 21 hours rest, I have to go with the Yankees tonight. Hope I’m wrong.
Best –
27:58, required 2 lookups
Had good parts of this but ultimately failed; still, I didn’t hate it, so that’s something for a Sessa puzzle. Will have to lookup a few items: ERODENT, ADJURES and “source of folic acid.” Have heard of Big Bang Theory but know absolutely nothing about it or GRETA.
@Jeff The Astros did it!! Sadly the Blues got shamed…just like the Sharks.
See ya all on Wednesday.
Hi gang!
No errors on a Saturday Sessa — but it was close. Almost gave up on that lower left section. Brutal!! ? Made it through, tho I didn’t know BITUMEN or ALAI. Interesting puzzle, if cruel.
Hey how about those Astros!! Crazy how they used two starters. Is their bullpen that weak? Or I guess they just wanted to get the job done. It will be a great World Series…. I’m betting on the Dodgers in five.
Dave, I reckon I won’t try that Croce #240. I’ll try Friday’s.
Be well~~™?