LA Times Crossword 24 Jul 23, Monday

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Constructed by: MaryEllen Uthlaut
Edited by: Patti Varol

Today’s Reveal Answer: Zip It

Themed answers are each items that are often ZIPPED:

  • 59A “Pipe down!,” and an instruction for 18-, 25-, 43-, and 57-Across : ZIP IT!
  • 18A Change holder : COIN PURSE
  • 25A Decorative sham, for one : PILLOW COVER
  • 43A Camper’s bedding : SLEEPING BAG
  • 57A Outerwear for hitting the slopes : SKI JACKET

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

Bill’s time: 4m 34s

Bill’s errors: 0

Today’s Wiki-est Amazonian Googlies

Across

1 Double-deckers in checkers : KINGS

In the game of checkers, when a “man” reaches the other side of the board, it is promoted to “king”. The king is designated by placing a second piece on top of the first.

6 RPM gauge : TACH

The tachometer takes its name from the Greek word “tachos” meaning “speed”. A tachometer in a car measures engine revolutions per minute (rpm).

10 Brand name on some blue jeans : GAP

The Gap is a San Francisco-based clothing retailer that was founded in 1969. The name “the Gap” was a homage to the popular sixties term “the generation gap”.

14 Bit of fish tank gunk : ALGA

Algae are similar to terrestrial plants in that they use photosynthesis to create sugars from light and carbon dioxide, but they differ in that they have simpler anatomies, and for example lack roots.

17 Any “Breaking Bad” episode, now : RERUN

The AMC drama “Breaking Bad” is a well-written show about a high school teacher stricken by lung cancer who turns to a life of crime to make money. It turns out that the teacher has a talent for making high-quality crystal meth. The show was created by Vince Gilligan who had spent many years as a producer and writer of “The X-Files”. There is a “Breaking Bad” spin-off show running on AMC called “Better Call Saul” that focuses on the life of lawyer Saul Goodman. If I’m honest, I enjoyed “Better Call Saul” even more than the original show …

23 Mai __: tropical cocktail : TAI

The mai tai cocktail is strongly associated with the Polynesian islands, but the drink was supposedly invented in 1944 in Trader Vic’s restaurant in Oakland, California. One recipe is 6 parts white rum, 3 parts orange curaçao, 3 parts orgeat syrup, 1 part rock candy syrup, 2 parts fresh lime juice, all mixed with ice and then a float added of 6 parts dark rum. “Maita’i” is the Tahitian word for “good”.

25 Decorative sham, for one : PILLOW COVER

A sham is something that is imitation, fake. In the world of bed linens, a sham is also an imitation or fake, in the sense that it is a decorative cover designed to cover up a regular pillow used for sleeping.

39 Queen of Mount Olympus : HERA

In Greek mythology, Hera was the wife of Zeus and the goddess of women, marriage, family and childbirth. She was noted for her jealous and vengeful nature, particularly against those who vied for the affections of her husband. The equivalent character to Hera in Roman mythology was Juno. Hera was the daughter of Cronus and Rhea.

Mount Olympus is the highest peak in Greece. In Greek mythology, it was home to the gods, and in particular home to the principal gods known as the Twelve Olympians.

40 Tunneling insects with two sets of jaws : ANTS

An ant’s head has two strong jaws called mandibles. They are used to manipulate objects, but can also store food and even help defend the ant.

60 High-fat, low-carb diet : KETO

A ketogenic (also “keto”) diet is a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet. When a body consumes insufficient carbohydrates to meet the need for energy, then the liver converts fat into fatty acids and ketone bodies in order to make up the energy deficit. An elevated level of ketone bodies in the bloodstream is known as “ketosis”, a term that gives rise to the name “ketogenic diet”. Medical professionals sometimes prescribe a ketogenic diet in order to control epilepsy in children. A condition of ketosis can reduce the frequency of epileptic seizures.

62 Writer Jong : ERICA

Author Erica Jong’s most famous work is her first: “Fear of Flying”, a novel published in 1973. Over twenty years later, Jong wrote “Fear of Fifty: a midlife memoir”, published in 1994.

63 __ Plaines, Illinois : DES

Des Plaines is a suburb of Chicago that is located next to O’Hare International Airport. The city is named for the Des Plaines river that runs through the area.

Down

1 Auto pioneer Benz : KARL

It is generally accepted that Karl Benz invented the internal combustion engine, although others were doing similar work around the same time. He certainly was awarded the first patent for an automobile, in 1886. His first automobile, the Patent-Motorwagen, couldn’t get up hills unaided so his wife Bertha Benz suggested the introduction of gears. Sure enough, the next model had two gears. Behind every successful man …

5 Elizabeth Warren, for one : SENATOR

Elizabeth Warren is the senior US Senator from Massachusetts, and the first female to hold that office for her state. She is a prominent Democratic and is a favorite of the progressive wing of the party. In 2020, Warren ran for president of the United States. She was a leading contender for the Democratic nomination, but ultimately finished third behind Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders.

6 Element of a battle plan : TACTIC

The terms “strategy” and “tactic” are often confused. In the original frame of reference, namely war, strategy is decided prior to battle. Tactics are implemented during the battle, and are consistent with the strategy.

7 Spiky succulent : ALOE

Succulent plants are those with thickened stems and/or leaves that have evolved to retain water. As such, succulents are often found where the climate is particularly dry. The term “succulent” comes from the Latin “sucus” meaning “juice, sap”.

8 Movie SFX : CGI

Computer-generated imagery (CGI)

The abbreviation “FX” stands for “effects”, as in “special effects”. “Special effects” can also be shortened to “SFX”.

10 Brusque : GRUFF

Someone described as “brusque” is “gruff, abrupt and curt in manner”. The term comes into English from French, in which language it means “lively, fierce”.

11 Primary artery : AORTA

The aorta originates in the heart and extends down into the abdomen. It is the largest artery in the body.

19 “The Incredibles” family name : PARR

“The Incredibles” is a 2004 animated feature from Pixar, and not a great movie if you ask me. But asking me probably isn’t a good idea, as the film won two Oscars …

25 Falafel wrapper : PITA

Falafel is a ball of ground chickpeas or fava beans that has been deep fried and served in pita bread. I love chickpeas, but falafel is often too dry for me …

28 Justin Bieber’s “One __ Lonely Girl” : LESS

“One Less Lonely Girl” is a song released by Justin Bieber in 2009, when he was 15 years old …

32 Political party founded by Henry Clay in the 1830s : WHIG

The Whig Party (in the US) was active from 1833 to 1856, and was the opposition party to the Democrats at that time. One of the tenets of the Whig Party was the supremacy of Congress over the Executive branch. Prominent members of the party included Presidents Zachary Taylor and John Tyler. Abraham Lincoln was also a Whig while he served a two-year term as a US Representative for the state of Illinois. By the time he became President, Lincoln was a member of the Republican Party.

Henry Clay was a statesman from Kentucky well known for his gift as an orator. He was very persuasive in his arguments in favor of war with Britain resulting in the War of 1812. In 1957, a Senate committee chaired by John F. Kennedy declared Henry Clay one of the five greatest senators in American history.

33 Sage, e.g. : HERB

In Britain and Ireland, sage is listed as one of the four essential herbs. And those would be “parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme”.

35 Orange drink made from a powder : TANG

Tang is a fruity drink that is sold in powdered form. The sales of Tang “took off” when John Glenn took Tang on his Mercury flight. However, it is a common misconception that Tang was invented for the space program. That’s not true, although it was included in the payload of many missions.

38 Spotted with color : PIED

Something described as pied is patchy or blotchy in color, piebald. The term comes from the Middle English “pie”, an old name for the magpie, and is a reference to the bird’s black and white plumage.

42 Reacted to pollen, say : SNEEZED

The pollen of ragweed is the most common allergen of all pollens. It seems that the pollen season has been lengthening in recent years, probably due to global warming.

43 Blood bank fluids : SERA

Blood serum (plural “sera”) is the clear, yellowish part of blood i.e. that part which is neither a blood cell nor a clotting factor. Included in blood serum are antibodies, the proteins that are central to our immune system. Blood serum from animals that have immunity to a particular disease can be transferred to another individual, hence providing that second individual with some level of immunity. Blood serum used to pass on immunity can be called “antiserum”.

44 “Kinky Boots” Tony winner Billy : PORTER

Actor Billy Porter really garnered public attention when he originated the role of “Lola” in the musical “Kinky Boots” on Broadway in 2013. He also won an Emmy in 2019 for his work on the TV show “Pose”. His first TV appearance was on the talent show “Star Search”. Porter appeared in the same episode as aspiring singer Britney Spears.

46 Catcher’s protection : MASK

That would be baseball.

48 Strike, quaintly : SMITE

To smite is to strike with a firm blow. The term “smite” can also mean “strike down and slay”.

49 Feuding schools on “Cobra Kai” : DOJOS

The Japanese word “dojo” translates literally as “place of the way”. Originally the term applied to training halls that were found in or beside temples. The teaching in a dojo was not limited to the martial arts, but in the Western world we use the dojo as the name for a training facility for judo, karate and the like.

“Cobra Kai” is a TV show that premiered in 2018 as a sequel to “The Karate Kid” series of films, the first of which was released in 1984. Actor Ralph Macchio reprises his role from the movies, playing protagonist Daniel LaRusso. William Zabka also reprises his role from the big screen, playing Johnny Lawrence, LaRusso’s rival in karate competitions. The title of the show “Cobra Kai” is the name of the karate dojo in which Johnny Lawrence trained as a youth, and which he decides to reopen 34 years later.

52 Gift from one’s parents? : GENE

A gene is a section of a chromosome that is responsible for a particular characteristic in an organism. For example, one gene may determine eye color and another balding pattern. We have two copies of each gene, one from each of our parents, with each copy known as an allele.

55 Puerto __ : RICO

Puerto Rico (PR) is located in the northeastern Caribbean (in the Atlantic Ocean), east of the Dominican Republic. The name “Puerto Rico” is Spanish for “rich port”. The locals often call their island Borinquen, the Spanish form of “Boriken”, the original name used by the natives.

58 Colorful pond fish : KOI

Koi are fish that are also known as Japanese carp. Koi have been bred for decorative purposes and there are now some very brightly colored examples found in Japanese water gardens.

Complete List of Clues/Answers

Across

1 Double-deckers in checkers : KINGS
6 RPM gauge : TACH
10 Brand name on some blue jeans : GAP
13 Be very fond of : ADORE
14 Bit of fish tank gunk : ALGA
15 “I hope you saved __ for dessert!” : ROOM
17 Any “Breaking Bad” episode, now : RERUN
18 Change holder : COIN PURSE
20 Scold harshly : LAMBASTE
22 More preposterous : DAFTER
23 Mai __: tropical cocktail : TAI
24 Cost to travel by plane : AIR FARE
25 Decorative sham, for one : PILLOW COVER
30 More dangerous for winter driving : ICIER
31 Hi-__ monitor : RES
32 Cry of disbelief : WHAT?!
36 Easy throw : TOSS
37 No longer together : APART
39 Queen of Mount Olympus : HERA
40 Tunneling insects with two sets of jaws : ANTS
41 Switched on : LIT
42 Warning wail : SIREN
43 Camper’s bedding : SLEEPING BAG
46 Transgression : MISDEED
50 Mined matter : ORE
51 National Guard building : ARMORY
52 Friendly store employees by the front door : GREETERS
57 Outerwear for hitting the slopes : SKI JACKET
59 “Pipe down!,” and an instruction for 18-, 25-, 43-, and 57-Across : ZIP IT!
60 High-fat, low-carb diet : KETO
61 First-rate : A-ONE
62 Writer Jong : ERICA
63 __ Plaines, Illinois : DES
64 Wedding cake layer : TIER
65 Hunter’s plastic duck, e.g. : DECOY

Down

1 Auto pioneer Benz : KARL
2 “I had no __!” : IDEA
3 Standard : NORM
4 Pub __: casual fare : GRUB
5 Elizabeth Warren, for one : SENATOR
6 Element of a battle plan : TACTIC
7 Spiky succulent : ALOE
8 Movie SFX : CGI
9 Most easily reached : HANDIEST
10 Brusque : GRUFF
11 Primary artery : AORTA
12 Puzzling problem : POSER
16 __ mortals : MERE
19 “The Incredibles” family name : PARR
21 Carpentry tool with teeth : SAW
24 Declare with confidence : AVER
25 Falafel wrapper : PITA
26 Object of devotion : ICON
27 Lean to one side : LIST
28 Justin Bieber’s “One __ Lonely Girl” : LESS
29 Deliver an impassioned speech : ORATE
32 Political party founded by Henry Clay in the 1830s : WHIG
33 Sage, e.g. : HERB
34 Region : AREA
35 Orange drink made from a powder : TANG
37 Street-smart stray : ALLEY CAT
38 Spotted with color : PIED
42 Reacted to pollen, say : SNEEZED
43 Blood bank fluids : SERA
44 “Kinky Boots” Tony winner Billy : PORTER
45 Fury : IRE
46 Catcher’s protection : MASK
47 Quite irritated : IRKED
48 Strike, quaintly : SMITE
49 Feuding schools on “Cobra Kai” : DOJOS
52 Gift from one’s parents? : GENE
53 One of three on a tricycle : TIRE
54 Long heroic tale : EPIC
55 Puerto __ : RICO
56 “Don’t leave” : STAY
58 Colorful pond fish : KOI