LA Times Crossword 3 Oct 23, Tuesday

Advertisement

Constructed by: Bill Thompson
Edited by: Patti Varol

Today’s Reveal Answer: Swing Set

Themed answers each start with a word that often follows “SWING”:

  • 55A Playground fixture, or an apt description of the beginnings of the starred clues : SWING SET or “SWING” SET
  • 17A *Capital letter creator : SHIFT KEY (giving “swing shift”)
  • 25A *Group that plays in foursomes : BRIDGE CLUB (giving “swing bridge”)
  • 36A *Say something that doesn’t need to be said : STATE THE OBVIOUS (giving “swing state”)
  • 44A *Classic Motown hit about a wedding ring : BAND OF GOLD (giving “swing band”)

Read on, or jump to …
… a complete list of answers

Bill’s time: 4m 55s

Bill’s errors: 0

Today’s Wiki-est Amazonian Googlies

Across

4 Guest speaker’s platform : DAIS

A dais is a raised platform for a speaker. The term “dais” comes from the Latin “discus” meaning a “disk-shaped object”. I guess that the original daises had such a shape.

8 One of Santa’s reindeer : DASHER

We get the names for Santa’s reindeer from the famous 1823 poem called “A Visit from St. Nicholas”, although we’ve modified a couple of the names over the years. The full list is:

  • Dasher
  • Dancer
  • Prancer
  • Vixen
  • Comet
  • Cupid
  • Donder (originally “Dunder”, and now often “Donner”)
  • Blitzen (originally “Blixem”)

Rudolph was added to the list by retailer Montgomery Ward, would you believe? The store commissioned Robert L. May to create a booklet that could be handed out to children around Christmas in 1939, and May introduced us to a new friend for Santa, namely Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.

15 Labor agcy. : OSHA

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

17 *Capital letter creator : SHIFT KEY (giving “swing shift”)

The shift key on a modern keyboard is used primarily to type uppercase letters. The term “shift” is a hangover from typewriter keyboards. The shift keys on a typewriter are held down to “shift” either the type bar or the paper-bearing carriage in order to cause a capital version of the letter to imprint on the inked ribbon.

In a three-shift working system, the shifts are known by various names:

  1. First shift, day shift
  2. Second shift, swing shift
  3. Third shift, night shift, graveyard shift

19 Legendary Kentucky basketball coach Rupp : ADOLPH

Adolph Rupp was a very successful college basketball coach. A native of Kentucky, Rupp was a reserve player for the University of Kansas basketball team from 1919 to 1923, and then coached the University of Kentucky’s basketball team from 1930 to 1972.

20 __ Angeles Guitar Quartet : LOS

The Los Angeles Guitar Quartet (LAGQ) is an ensemble that formed in 1980 to play classical guitar. The group plays a variety of styles of music, from baroque to bluegrass and new-age. The LAGQ won a 2005 Grammy for their 2004 classical-crossover album “Guitar Heroes”.

24 Bygone Russian space station : MIR

Russia’s Mir space station was a remarkably successful project. It held the record for the longest continuous human presence in space at just under 10 years, until the International Space Station eclipsed that record in 2010. Towards the end of the space station’s life however, the years began to take their toll. There was a dangerous fire, multiple system failures, and a collision with a resupply ship. The Russian commitment to the International Space Station drained funds for repairs, so Mir was allowed to reenter the Earth’s atmosphere and burn up in 2001. “Mir” is a Russian word meaning “peace” or “world”.

25 *Group that plays in foursomes : BRIDGE CLUB (giving “swing bridge”)

The four people playing bridge (the card game) are positioned around a table at seats referred to as north, east, south and west. Each player belongs to a pair, with north playing with south, and east playing with west.

A swing bridge is a bridge that can “swing” out of the way to allow water vessels to pass. In the closed position, the bridge allows road, rail or pedestrian traffic to pass. Smaller swing bridges, over rivers and canals, often pivot at one bank, opening like a gate. Larger swing bridges usually rotate about a central support structure built under the water’s surface.

28 Danced to “La cumparsita,” say : TANGOED

“La cumparsita” is a famous tango that dates back to 1916 when it was written by Gerardo Matos Rodríguez from Uruguay. The title translates as “The LIttle Parade”. Gene Kelly dances to “La cumparsita” in the 1945 movie “Anchors Aweigh”, and Jack Lemmon dances to it (in drag) in 1959’s “Some Like It Hot”.

30 Chip’s partner : DALE

Chip ‘n’ Dale are two chipmunk characters created by Disney in 1943. The characters’ names are a pun on “Chippendale”, the family name of noted English furniture designer Thomas Chippendale.

31 Bullion bars : INGOTS

Gold or silver billion is in the metal form, usually in ingots, rather than in coins.

32 Raison d’__ : ETRE

“Raison d’être” is a French phrase meaning “reason for existence”.

33 Singer Sumac : YMA

Yma Sumac was a Peruvian soprano. She had a notable vocal range of five octaves.

36 *Say something that doesn’t need to be said : STATE THE OBVIOUS (giving “swing state”)

On political maps, red states are usually Republican and blue states usually Democrat. The designation of red and blue states is a very recent concept, only introduced in the 2000 presidential election by TV journalist, the late Tim Russert. In retrospect, the choice of colors is surprising, as in other democracies around the world red is usually used to describe left-leaning socialist parties (the reds under the bed!), and blue is used for conservative right-wing parties. In election cycles, swing/battleground states are often depicted in purple.

42 Bravo preceder : ALFA

The NATO phonetic alphabet is also called the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) phonetic alphabet. Alfa, Bravo, Charlie … X-ray, Yankee, Zulu.

44 *Classic Motown hit about a wedding ring : BAND OF GOLD (giving “swing band”)

Freda Payne is somewhat of a one-hit wonder as she is mostly known for her fabulous 1970 hit single “Band of Gold”. Freda’s younger sister is Scherrie Payne, who was one of the Supremes.

50 NBA legend Ming : YAO

Yao Ming is a retired professional basketball player from Shanghai who played for the Houston Rockets. At 7’6″, Yao was the tallest man playing in the NBA.

52 Walks leisurely : MOSEYS

“Mosey” is American slang for “amble”, and is of unknown origin.

59 Christie sleuth Hercule : POIROT

Hercule Poirot is one of Agatha Christie’s most beloved characters. He is a wonderful Belgian private detective who plies his trade from his base in London. Poirot’s most famous case is the “Murder on the Orient Express”. First appearing in 1920’s “The Mysterious Affair at Styles”, Poirot finally succumbs to a heart condition in the 1975 book “Curtain: Poirot’s Last Case”. Famously, Poirot is fond of using his “little grey cells”.

60 Panache : ELAN

Someone exhibiting panache is showing dash and verve, and perhaps has a swagger. “Panache” is a French word used for a plume of feathers, especially one in a hat.

63 “Auld Lang __” : SYNE

According to the “Guinness Book of World Records”, “Happy Birthday to You” is the most popular song in the English language. “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow” and “Auld Lang Syne” come in second and third.

Down

4 Morse Code components : DOTS

The first telegraph message in the US was sent by Samuel Morse from the US Capitol in 1844. The message was received by a B&O railroad depot in Baltimore, Maryland. The message content was the words “WHAT HATH GOD WROUGHT”, a quotation from the Book of Numbers in the Bible.

8 Narc’s org. : DEA

“Narc” and “narco” are slang terms describing a law enforcement officer who tracks down criminals associated with illegal drugs. Both words are short for “narcotics officer”. Narcs might work for the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

10 Wall-mounted light : SCONCE

A sconce is a light fixture that today uses electric bulbs, but in the past used candles and torches. The defining feature of a sconce is that it is supported by a wall and does not have a base that stands on the ground. Usually the light is indirect, projected upwards towards the ceiling.

11 Prepared in accordance with Muslim law : HALAL

“Halal” is a term describing an action or object that is permissible under Islamic Law. In particular “halal” is used to describe food that can be consumed. Anything that is not allowed is described as “haram”.

12 College sports channel : ESPNU

ESPNU (short for “ESPN Universities”) is a sports channel focused on college athletics.

13 Post-injury regimen : REHAB

Quite often, the terms “regime” and “regimen” seem to be used interchangeably. In contemporary usage, “regime” is applied more generally, and “regimen” more specifically. A “regimen” is a systematic approach that one might apply to something, to exercise or diet for example. The term “regime” can also be used in such contexts, but can have additional definitions, such as “government in power”. A form of government cannot be described as a “regimen”.

24 __ ray: tropical swimmer : MANTA

The manta ray is the largest species of ray, with the biggest one recorded at over 25 feet across and weighing 5,100 pounds. It is sometimes referred to as the sea devil.

27 Vegas natural : ELEVEN

In the gambling world, the term “natural” can have several meanings, depending on the game being played. In blackjack, a natural is a score of 21 with just two cards. In craps, a natural is a score of 7 or 11 on the come out roll of two dice. In baccarat, a natural is a two-card hand totaling either 8 or 9.

28 Mrs. Addams, to Gomez : TISH

Gomez and Morticia (“Tish”) Addams were the parents in “The Addams Family”, a creation of cartoonist Charles Addams. In the sixties television show, Gomez was played by John Astin and Morticia was played by Carolyn Jones.

29 Verdi opera with Desdemona and Iago : OTELLO

Giuseppe Verdi’s opera “Otello” was first performed in 1887 at La Scala Theater in Milan. The opera is based on Shakespeare’s play “Othello” and is considered by many to be Verdi’s greatest work.

35 Tennis legend Arthur : ASHE

The great American tennis player Arthur Ashe spent the last years of his life writing his memoir called “Days of Grace”. He finished the manuscript just a few days before he passed away, dying from AIDS caused by a tainted blood transfusion.

37 Composer Carmichael : HOAGY

“Hoagy” (sometimes “hoagie”) is another name for a submarine sandwich. The term “hoagy” originated in Philadelphia, and was apparently introduced by Italians working in the shipyards during WWI. The shipyards were located on Hog Island, and the sandwich was first called “the Hog Island”, which morphed into “hoagy”.

44 Speed deterrents : BUMPS

The traffic calming device we call a “speed bump” over here in the US, is known by the colorful name “sleeping policeman” in the UK.

47 Fertile desert spots : OASES

An isolated area of vegetation in a desert is called an oasis (plural “oases”). As water is needed for plant growth, an oasis might also include a spring, pond or small lake. We often use the term “oasis” more generally to describe a haven, a place of rest.

51 “The Accidental Tourist” novelist Tyler : ANNE

“The Accidental Tourist” is a 1985 novel by Anne Tyler. The book was famously adapted into a 1988 movie starring William Hurt, Kathleen Turner and Geena Davis (who won a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her performance).

53 Some “Rocky” dialogue : YOS

You might remember Rocky Balboa saying, “Yo, Adrian!” in the original “Rocky” movie. Adrian was Rocky’s wife, played by Talia Shire, sister of director Francis Ford Coppola.

56 Actor McKellen : IAN

Sir Ian McKellen is a marvelous English actor, one who is comfortable playing anything from Macbeth on stage to Magneto in an “X-Men” movie. On the big screen, McKellen is very famous for playing Gandalf in “The Lord of Rings”. In the UK, Sir Ian is noted for being at the forefront of the campaign for equal rights for gay people, a role he has enthusiastically embraced since the eighties.

57 “Mangia!” : EAT!

“Mangia!” is Italian for “Eat!” and is a word often used in the names of Italian restaurants or in brand names of Italian foods.

/p>

Complete List of Clues/Answers

Across

1 Humble home : HUT
4 Guest speaker’s platform : DAIS
8 One of Santa’s reindeer : DASHER
14 Sense of self : EGO
15 Labor agcy. : OSHA
16 Protect in glass, say : ENCASE
17 *Capital letter creator : SHIFT KEY (giving “swing shift”)
19 Legendary Kentucky basketball coach Rupp : ADOLPH
20 __ Angeles Guitar Quartet : LOS
21 “Now I get it!” : AHA!
23 Ma’s ma : NANA
24 Bygone Russian space station : MIR
25 *Group that plays in foursomes : BRIDGE CLUB (giving “swing bridge”)
28 Danced to “La cumparsita,” say : TANGOED
30 Chip’s partner : DALE
31 Bullion bars : INGOTS
32 Raison d’__ : ETRE
33 Singer Sumac : YMA
36 *Say something that doesn’t need to be said : STATE THE OBVIOUS (giving “swing state”)
39 Head cover : HAT
40 Peek : LOOK
41 Duration : LENGTH
42 Bravo preceder : ALFA
43 Able to feel : SENSATE
44 *Classic Motown hit about a wedding ring : BAND OF GOLD (giving “swing band”)
48 Covert __ : OPS
49 “This seems bad!” : UH-OH!
50 NBA legend Ming : YAO
51 “It’s __-win situation” : A NO
52 Walks leisurely : MOSEYS
55 Playground fixture, or an apt description of the beginnings of the starred clues : SWING SET or “SWING” SET
59 Christie sleuth Hercule : POIROT
60 Panache : ELAN
61 Corn serving : EAR
62 Burnout cause : STRESS
63 “Auld Lang __” : SYNE
64 Oinker’s pen : STY

Down

1 Steers and rams : HES
2 Cry of disgust : UGH!
3 Working hard on : TOILING AT
4 Morse Code components : DOTS
5 All one has to do, sometimes : ASK
6 “Rumor has it … ” : I HEARD …
7 Be friendly, in a way : SAY HI
8 Narc’s org. : DEA
9 Plus : AND
10 Wall-mounted light : SCONCE
11 Prepared in accordance with Muslim law : HALAL
12 College sports channel : ESPNU
13 Post-injury regimen : REHAB
18 Had a memory lapse : FORGOT
22 Supplement : ADD TO
24 __ ray: tropical swimmer : MANTA
25 Most well-to-do : BEST OFF
26 Difficult to understand : GARBLED
27 Vegas natural : ELEVEN
28 Mrs. Addams, to Gomez : TISH
29 Verdi opera with Desdemona and Iago : OTELLO
32 “A mouse!” : EEK!
33 Asanas : YOGA POSES
34 Mixed breeds : MUTTS
35 Tennis legend Arthur : ASHE
37 Composer Carmichael : HOAGY
38 Joyous way to break out : IN SONG
42 Cling (to) : ADHERE
43 __ but surely : SLOWLY
44 Speed deterrents : BUMPS
45 Give __: care : A HOOT
46 Polite denial : NO, SIR
47 Fertile desert spots : OASES
51 “The Accidental Tourist” novelist Tyler : ANNE
53 Some “Rocky” dialogue : YOS
54 GPS lines : STS
56 Actor McKellen : IAN
57 “Mangia!” : EAT!
58 Give it a go : TRY