LA Times Crossword 12 Apr 23, Wednesday

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Constructed by: Michael A. Macdonald
Edited by: Patti Varol

Today’s Reveal Answer: Change of Heart

Themed answers each include the letter string H-E-A-R-T, but with the order CHANGED:

  • 53A Attitude shift, and the shift found in five letters in the answer to each starred clue : CHANGE OF “HEART”
  • 19A *Particularly memorable event : ONE FOR THE AGES
  • 32A *Party topper : PAPER HAT
  • 43A *1990 theft at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, e.g. : ART HEIST

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

Bill’s time: 5m 53s

Bill’s errors: 0

Today’s Wiki-est Amazonian Googlies

Across

5 Bird’s crop : CRAW

“Craw” is another name for “crop”, a portion of the alimentary tract of some animals, including birds. The crop is used for the storage of food prior to digestion. It 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 when one cannot accept something, cannot “swallow” it.

13 Folklore brute : OGRE

An ogre is a monster of mythology and folktales that has the appearance of a man, and which eats human beings. The term “ogre” comes to us via French from the name of the Etruscan god Orcus, who feasted on the flesh of humans.

16 “This week has gone on long enough!” letters : TGIF!

“Thank God It’s Friday” (TGIF)

18 Jedi Master voiced by Frank Oz : YODA

Frank Oz is best known for his work as a puppeteer and voice actor for beloved characters such as Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, and Animal in the Muppets franchise, as well as Yoda in the Star Wars movies.

22 __ Speedwagon : REO

REO Speedwagon is an American rock band that formed in 1967, and is still going strong. The band’s biggest hits are “Keep On Loving You” (1980) and “Can’t Fight This Feeling” (1985). The founding members chose the name for the REO Speed Wagon flatbed truck. Note that the band’s name is one word “Speedwagon”, whereas the vehicle’s name uses two words “Speed Wagon”.

23 Reindeer reins holder : SANTA

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.

35 One-named “Chandelier” singer : SIA

“Chandelier” is a 2014 song by Australian singer Sia. I don’t know the song myself, but it sounds like it’s a bit of a downer, dealing with alcoholism, addiction and excessive hedonism.

43 *1990 theft at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, e.g. : ART HEIST

Established in 1903, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston mainly houses works bequeathed by art collector Isabella Stewart Gardner. On March 18, 1990, two thieves dressed as police officers entered the museum and stole 13 works of art, including paintings by Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Degas. The stolen items are estimated to be worth over $500 million. None of the stolen art has been recovered, and no one has ever been charged in connection with the crime.

50 Barbecue briquettes : COALS

It is believed that our word “barbecue” (BBQ) comes from the Taíno people of the Caribbean in whose language “barbacoa” means “sacred fire pit”.

52 Pipe plastic : PVC

PVC is polyvinyl chloride, the third most widely produced plastic in the world (after polyethylene and polypropylene). PVC is resistant to corrosion from biological and chemical agents making it a favored choice these days for sewage lines, replacing the traditional metal materials. It is so chemically stable that it will be around a long, long time …

58 Disdainful chorus : BOOS

To show disdain towards something is to look on it with scorn. The verb “disdain” comes from the Old French “des-” (do the opposite of) and “deignier” (to treat as worthy).

63 Fiji alternative : EVIAN

Évian-les-Bains (or simply “Évian”) is in the very east of France, on the shores of Lake Geneva directly across the lake from Lausanne, Switzerland. As one might imagine, Évian is the home of Évian mineral water, the most successful business in town. Personally, I can’t stand the distinctive taste of Évian water …

67 “A Suitable Boy” novelist Vikram : SETH

Vikram Seth is an Indian novelist, poet, and essayist, whose more famous works include the novels “A Suitable Boy” and “The Golden Gate”. Apart from his native language, English, Seth is proficient in Hindi, Urdu, and German. He has even translated some of his own works from English to Hindi and vice versa. Seth has also studied languages as diverse as Welsh and Mandarin.

“A Suitable Boy” is a novel by Vikram Seth, published in 1993. Apparently, Seth needed ten years to complete the book. Maybe that’s why, at about 1,350 pages, it is one of the longest novels ever published in a single volume.

Down

3 “Blue Bloods” daughter played by Bridget Moynahan : ERIN

Bridget Moynahan is an American actress and model who is perhaps best known for her roles in the television series “Blue Bloods” and the movie “I, Robot.” She also authored a cookbook inspired by her TV work titled “The Blue Bloods Cookbook: 120 Recipes That Will Bring Your Family to the Table”.

4 Judo official : REFEREE

Judo is a martial art from Japan that developed relatively recently, in 1882. The name “judo” translates as “gentle way”. It was the first martial art to become an Olympic sport. Judo made its debut as an Olympic sport in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, which were held in Japan.

5 Arctic trout : CHAR

The Arctic char is a cold-water fish that is found in freshwater bodies in the very north of our planet, as the name suggests. In fact, no other freshwater fish is found as far north as the Arctic char.

6 Diatribes : RANTS

A diatribe is a bitter discourse. The term “diatribe” comes from the Greek “diatribein” meaning “to wear away”.

8 “If you __ you, then we’d all be a bit less we”: wisdom from Piglet : WEREN’T

Here are a couple of engaging lines spoken by Piglet in the “Winnie-the-Pooh” stories:

“The things that make me different are the things that make me.”
“If you weren’t you, then we’d all be a bit less, um…we.”

10 Household 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”.

12 Fed. benefits provider : SSA

The Social Security Administration (SSA) was set up as part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal. The first person to receive a monthly retirement benefit was Ida May Fuller of Vermont who received her first check for the sum of $22.54 after having contributed for three years through payroll taxes. The New Deal turned out to be a good deal for Ms. Fuller, as she lived to be 100 years of age and received a total benefit of almost $23,000, whereas her three years of contributions added up to just $24.75.

21 Bit with neutrinos : ATOM

Neutrinos are small subatomic particles that do not carry an electric charge. The term “neutrino” is Italian for “small neutral one”, and was coined by physicist Enrico Fermi in 1932. There are three types of neutrino: electron neutrinos, muon neutrinos and tau neutrinos.

26 Much of Iberia : SPAIN

The Iberian Peninsula in Europe is largely made up of Spain and Portugal. However, also included is the Principality of Andorra in the Pyrénées, a small part of the south of France, and the British Territory of Gibraltar. Iberia takes its name from the Ebro, the longest river in Spain, which the Romans named the “Iber”.

27 Plant juice : SAP

The sap of a plant can be broadly divided into phloem sap and xylem sap. The phloem is the tissue that transports sugars made by photosynthesis from the leaves to the parts of the plant needing those sugars. The sugary solution flowing through the phloem is the phloem sap. The xylem is the tissue that transports water and other nutrients from the roots to the rest of the plant. The watery solution flowing through the xylem is the xylem sap.

29 Kevin McHale’s “Glee” role : ARTIE

Artie Abrams is a character in the Fox television show “Glee”. Abrams is played by the young actor Kevin McHale, and is the character who gets around in a wheelchair.

30 Peppery salad green : CRESS

Garden cress is a leafy vegetable that is closely related to watercress and mustard. Cress is particularly popular in the UK where it is a common ingredient in sandwiches. It has a very pleasant peppery taste.

31 Omni rival : HYATT

The Hyatt hotel chain takes its name from the first hotel in the group, i.e. Hyatt House at the Los Angeles International Airport that was purchased in 1957. Among other things, Hyatt is famous for designing the world’s first atrium hotel, the Hyatt Regency in Atlanta.

33 Spanish aunt : TIA

In Spanish, the “hermana” (sister) of your “madre” (mother) is your “tia” (aunt).

38 Colbert of late-night : STEPHEN

Stephen Colbert is a political satirist who hosted his own show on Comedy Central, “The Colbert Report”, before taking over the “Late Show” when David Letterman retired. Colbert’s first love was theater, and so he studied to become an actor. Fans of the “Lord of the Rings” films might know that Colbert makes a cameo appearance in “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug”. Don’t blink though, or you’ll miss it …

41 Jewel boxes : CD CASES

A CD case is also known as a jewel box, and I am really not sure why. I’ve heard some explanations, but not one that I really buy …

42 Multiple-cel creature? : TOON

Animation cels are transparent sheets made of celluloid acetate that were used in traditional hand-drawn animation to create animated films. They were first introduced in the 1930s and were widely used in animation production until the late 1990s, when digital animation techniques began to dominate the industry.

48 LP cover : SLEEVE

These days, the term “liner notes” is used for the informational booklet which comes with a music CD. The original liner notes (also “sleeve notes”) were the informational text printed on the inner sleeve (“liner”) of a 12-inch vinyl record.

51 Justice Sotomayor : SONIA

Sonia Sotomayor was the first Hispanic justice appointed to the US Supreme Court, and the third female justice. Sotomayor was nominated by President Barack Obama to replace the retiring Justice David Souter in 2009. She is the subject of a picture book in the series “Ordinary People Change the World” by Brad Meltzer. “I Am Sonia Sotomayor” was published in 2018.

53 Cuba libre mixer : COLA

The Cuba libre cocktail was created during the Spanish-American War. American soldiers, stationed in Cuba, mixed Coca-Cola with Cuban rum and added a squeeze of lime to create a refreshing drink. The name “Cuba libre” translates to “free Cuba,” which became a popular slogan during the war as the United States supported Cuban independence from Spanish rule.

55 Hall of Fame quarterback Tarkenton : FRAN

Fran Tarkenton is a former football player who played for the Minnesota Vikings and the New York Giants. Tarkenton has had quite the life after retiring from football in 1978. He co-wrote a murder-mystery novel, several self-help books and started his own software company.

58 “After Happily Ever After” cable channel : BET

“After Happily Ever After” is a reality dating show that follows seven former couples as they live together in a house and try to find new love. One person from each couple plays matchmaker for their ex and tries to find them the perfect new person to date.

Complete List of Clues/Answers

Across

1 Lots of bucks : DEER
5 Bird’s crop : CRAW
9 Small amounts : DABS
13 Folklore brute : OGRE
14 Fissile rock : SHALE
15 Some cold drafts : ALES
16 “This week has gone on long enough!” letters : TGIF!
17 Estate home : MANOR
18 Jedi Master voiced by Frank Oz : YODA
19 *Particularly memorable event : ONE FOR THE AGES
22 __ Speedwagon : REO
23 Reindeer reins holder : SANTA
24 Beats, as an incumbent : UNSEATS
28 Stand : STOMACH
32 *Party topper : PAPER HAT
34 Lighthearted : MERRY
35 One-named “Chandelier” singer : SIA
36 Moles, maybe : SPIES
39 English cuppa : TEA
40 Send packing : EVICT
43 *1990 theft at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, e.g. : ART HEIST
46 Sinews : TENDONS
49 Most miserly : MEANEST
50 Barbecue briquettes : COALS
52 Pipe plastic : PVC
53 Attitude shift, and the shift found in five letters in the answer to each starred clue : CHANGE OF HEART
58 Disdainful chorus : BOOS
59 Fiction or nonfiction : GENRE
60 Prom attire : GOWN
62 Besides : ELSE
63 Fiji alternative : EVIAN
64 Menu heading often next to File : EDIT
65 Ink spots? : TATS
66 Leader with a .edu address : DEAN
67 “A Suitable Boy” novelist Vikram : SETH

Down

1 Small point : DOT
2 French Toaster Sticks brand : EGGO
3 “Blue Bloods” daughter played by Bridget Moynahan : ERIN
4 Judo official : REFEREE
5 Arctic trout : CHAR
6 Diatribes : RANTS
7 Warm welcomes : ALOHAS
8 “If you __ you, then we’d all be a bit less we”: wisdom from Piglet : WEREN’T
9 Afternoon sports event : DAY GAME
10 Household succulent : ALOE
11 Garden areas : BEDS
12 Fed. benefits provider : SSA
14 Irons (out) : SMOOTHS
20 Phobia : FEAR
21 Bit with neutrinos : ATOM
24 Beat, as a favored incumbent : UPSET
25 Unsophisticated : NAIVE
26 Much of Iberia : SPAIN
27 Plant juice : SAP
29 Kevin McHale’s “Glee” role : ARTIE
30 Peppery salad green : CRESS
31 Omni rival : HYATT
33 Spanish aunt : TIA
37 Sound of hesitation : ERM
38 Colbert of late-night : STEPHEN
41 Jewel boxes : CD CASES
42 Multiple-cel creature? : TOON
44 Give birth to : HAVE
45 Confines, as a pet bird : ENCAGES
47 Kept bothering : NAGGED
48 LP cover : SLEEVE
51 Justice Sotomayor : SONIA
53 Cuba libre mixer : COLA
54 Large number : HOST
55 Hall of Fame quarterback Tarkenton : FRAN
56 Needled : RODE
57 Silly goose : TWIT
58 “After Happily Ever After” cable channel : BET
61 To the __ degree : NTH