LA Times Crossword 28 Mar 23, Tuesday

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Constructed by: Tim D’Alfonso
Edited by: Patti Varol

Today’s Reveal Answer: Show of Hands

Themed answers might be defined by the phrase “SHOW OF HANDS”:

  • 61A Quick polling method, and what 17-, 29-, and 49-Across all are, in different ways : SHOW OF HANDS
  • 17A Nondigital means of telling time : ANALOG WATCH
  • 29A Display after a poker player’s call : CARDS ON THE TABLE
  • 49A Appreciation at a live performance : ROUND OF APPLAUSE

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

Bill’s time: 5m 55s

Bill’s errors: 0

Today’s Wiki-est Amazonian Googlies

Across

1 Hotel amenity that may require a password : WI-FI

“Wi-Fi” is nothing more than a trademark, a trademark registered by an association of manufacturers of equipment that use wireless LAN (Local Area Network) technology. A device labeled with “Wi-Fi” has to meet certain defined technical standards, basically meaning that the devices can talk to each other. The name “Wi-Fi” suggests “Wireless Fidelity”, although apparently the term was never intended to mean anything at all.

16 Molecule in some vaccines : RNA

Traditional vaccines typically use weakened or inactivated viruses, or pieces of the virus, to stimulate an immune response. mRNA vaccines use a small piece of genetic material from the virus, called messenger RNA (mRNA), to instruct cells in the body to produce a harmless piece of the virus to trigger the immune response. mRNA vaccines are developed more quickly than traditional vaccines. This was demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic, where mRNA vaccines were developed and authorized for emergency use within months of the emergence of the novel coronavirus.

17 Nondigital means of telling time : ANALOG WATCH

The phrase “analog watch” is a retronym, meaning that is a relatively new term used to distinguish old-style watches from the more recent digital watches. Prior to the introduction of digital watches, analog watches were known as “watches” …

19 Plum’s center : PIT

There are many plum tree cultivars that bear edible fruit. Examples are damsons, prune plums, greengages and mirabelles.

21 Southeast Asian language : LAO

Lao is the official language of Laos. It is also spoken in the northeast of Thailand, but there the language is known as Isan.

22 __ Valley: Reagan Library site : SIMI

Simi Valley, California is perhaps best known as home to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, the final resting place of the former US president. The library is a great place to visit, and there you can tour one of the retired Air Force One planes.

27 Tool for opening wooden crates : CROWBAR

A crowbar is a wonderful tool, one that can be used to pry open things, and to remove nails. The claw at one or both ends of the tool aids in that nail removal, and it is likely this iron claw was said to resemble the claw of a crow, giving us the name “crowbar”. Back in Elizabethan times, the same tool was called an “iron crow”. There’s a line in Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” that reads “Get me an iron crow and bring it straight/Unto my cell.”

31 “Star Trek Beyond” actor John : CHO

John Cho is an actor and musician who was born in Seoul, South Korea but has lived in the US since he was a young boy. Cho’s break in movies came in playing Harold Lee in the ”Harold & Kumar” films. He is now making a name for himself playing Mr. Sulu in the latest “Star Trek” movies.

32 Small vortex : EDDY

Vortex (plural “vortices”) is something resembling a whirlpool. The term “vortex” comes from the Latin verb “vertere” meaning “to turn”.

36 Place for a peel : SPA

A chemical peel is a technique used to improve the look and feel of the skin. It involves using a chemical to deliberately injure the outermost layer of the skin. The damaged skin dies and peels off, revealing regenerated skin below.

42 MMA org. : UFC

The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is the largest promoter in the world of mixed martial arts competitions. I think the idea is that competitors fight each other in various disciplines to see who is the “best of the best” …

Mixed martial arts (MMA) is a full-contact combat sport in which competitors use a variety of techniques from a variety of traditional combat sports and martial arts.

55 Onion kin : SHALLOT

The shallot is a type of onion that is closely related to the garlic, leek and chive. I’m a big fan …

59 Sault __ Marie : STE

Sault Ste. Marie is the name of two cities on either side of the Canada-US border, one in Ontario and the other in Michigan. The two cities were originally one settlement in the 17th century, established by Jesuit Missionaries. The missionaries gave the settlement the name “Sault Sainte Marie”, which can be translated as “Saint Mary’s Falls”. The city was one community until 1817, when a US-UK Joint Boundary Commission set the border along the St. Mary’s River.

60 Brief “Oversharing!” : TMI!

Too much information (TMI)

68 Early color TVs : RCAS

RCA, or the Radio Corporation of America, played a significant role in the history of television as a pioneer in the industry. RCA developed and introduced the first electronic television system in 1939 at the New York World’s Fair. RCA also created the NTSC (National Television System Committee) broadcast standard, which was adopted in the United States in 1953 and is still used today for analog television broadcasting. Additionally, RCA produced the first color television sets in 1954.

70 Harden into bone : OSSIFY

To ossify is to become rigid or inflexible in attitude. The original and alternative meaning of the verb is “to cause to harden like bone”, from the Latin “os” meaning “bone”.

Down

1 43-Down job-creating program : WPA
[43D New Deal president’s initials : FDR]

The Work Progress Administration (WPA) was the largest of the New Deal agencies. The WPA employed millions of people during the Depression, putting them to work on various public works projects. The total spending through the WPA from 1936 to 1939 was nearly $7 billion. We have to give the federal government credit for taking an enlightened view of what types of projects qualified for financial support, so artists who could not get commissions privately were hired by the government itself. The result is a collection of “New Deal Art”, including a series of murals that can be found in post offices around the country to this day.

2 Bond creator Fleming : IAN

The character James Bond was the creation of writer Ian Fleming. Fleming “stole” the James Bond name from an American ornithologist. The number “007” was “stolen” from the real-life, 16th-century English spy named John Dee. Dee would sign his reports to Queen Elizabeth I with a stylized “007” to indicate that the reports were for “her eyes only”. There’s an entertaining miniseries that aired on BBC America called “Fleming: The Man Who Would Be Bond” that details Ian Fleming’s military career, and draws some nice parallels between Fleming’s experiences and aspirations and those of his hero James Bond. Recommended …

3 __ Building: Manhattan landmark named for its triangular shape : FLATIRON

The Flatiron Building in Manhattan, New York is a 21-story skyscraper completed in 1902. The building has a wedge-shaped footprint, giving rise to the “Flatiron” name. The most coveted offices are located at the sharpest of three angular ends, the so-called “point”. One oddity in the building is that the male bathrooms are located on the even floors, and the female bathrooms on the odd. Also, the 21st floor was added in 1905, and to access this floor requires an elevator ride from the 1st to the 20th floor, and a second elevator ride to the 21st. Such is the celebrity of the structure that the surrounding area took on the name Flatiron District.

5 Slugger’s stat : AVG

Average (avg.)

6 Archery device : BOW

An archer is someone who shoots with a bow and arrow. The term “archer” comes from the Latin “arcus” meaning “bow, arc”.

7 Lang. of Florence : ITAL

Florence is the capital city of the Tuscany region in Italy. The city is considered the birthplace of the Renaissance, as it was a hub of artistic and intellectual activity. It attracted some of the greatest artists and thinkers of the era, such as Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Galileo Galilei.

9 Concert bonuses : ENCORES

“Encore” is French for “again, one more time”, and is a shout that an audience member will make here in North America to request perhaps another song. But, the term is not used this way in France. Rather, the audience will shout “Bis!”, which is the Italian for “twice!”

10 Play-__: kids’ clay : DOH

Back in the 1930s, a manufacturer in Cincinnati produced a doughy compound that was used to clean wallpaper. Twenty years later, school-kids started using the cleaning material as a modeling compound, so the manufacturer reworked the formula, and sold it to local schools. It was given the name “Play-Doh”.

11 Onetime Dr Pepper rival : MR PIBB

The soft drink on the market today called Pibb Xtra used to be known as Mr Pibb, and before that was called Peppo. Peppo was introduced in 1972 as a direct competitor to Dr Pepper.

Dr Pepper was introduced in 1885 in Waco, Texas, one year before the competing Coca-Cola was released to the market. I spent an entertaining few hours at the Dr Pepper Museum in Waco a few years ago. And, note the lack of a period after “Dr”.

23 Letters on a Soviet uniform : CCCP

The abbreviation CCCP stands for “Сою́з Сове́тских Социалисти́ческих Респу́блик”, which translates from Russian as “Union of Soviet Socialist Republics”, the USSR.

28 Baseball Hall of Famer Mel : OTT

I wonder if Mel Ott had any idea that he would turn in crosswords so very often?

30 Far from laid-back : TYPE-A

The Type-A and Type-B personality theory originated in the fifties. Back then, individuals were labeled as Type A in order to emphasize a perceived increased risk of heart disease. Type-A personality types are so-called “stress junkies”, whereas Type Bs are relaxed and laid back. But there doesn’t seem to be much scientific evidence to support the linkage between the Type-A personality and heart problems.

35 North African capital : TUNIS

Tunis is the capital of Tunisia, and gives the country her name. Tunis is on the Mediterranean coast, and is located just a few miles from the site of ancient Carthage.

37 Swiss peaks : ALPS

The Swiss Alps are home to over 4,000 glaciers, which cover an area of about 1,000 square miles. These glaciers are a crucial source of freshwater for much of Europe. In fact, 6% of the continent’s freshwater is found within the borders of Switzerland, giving it the nickname “Water Tower of Europe”.

43 New Deal president’s initials : FDR

The New Deal was the series of economic programs championed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in response to the Great Depression. The New Deal was focused on three objectives, the “3 Rs”:

  1. Relief for the unemployed and poor
  2. Recovery of the economy to normal levels
  3. Reform of the financial system to prevent a repeat depression

50 Whoopi’s “Ghost” role : ODA MAE

Oda Mae Brown is the psychic medium in the movie “Ghost”, and is played by Whoopi Goldberg.

The fabulous film “Ghost” was the highest-grossing movie at the box office in 1990, bringing in over $500 million, despite only costing $21 million to make. Stars of the film are Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore and Whoopi Goldberg. You might want to check out the stage musical adaptation “Ghost The Musical”, which debuted in 2011 and is touring the UK and US.

58 Conflict during 43-Down’s presidency, briefly : WWII

World War II started on 1 September 1939 with the invasion of Poland by Nazi Germany. V-E Day (Victory in Europe Day) was celebrated on 8 May 1945, when the German military surrendered in Berlin. V-J Day (Victory over Japan Day) was celebrated on 2 September 1945 when the Japanese signed the surrender document aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay.

61 __ Paulo, Brazil : SAO

São Paulo is the largest city in Brazil. It is also the city with the highest number of helicopters in the world. This is partly driven by the horrendous traffic jams in São Paulo, but also by the wealthy having a very real fear of being kidnapped on the city’s streets.

64 Levy of “Schitt’s Creek” : DAN

Canadian actor Dan Levy’s career really took off with the success of the sitcom “Schitt’s Creek”, which he co-created with his father, fellow actor Eugene Levy. Outside of “Schitt’s Creek”, Levy co-hosted the first two seasons of “The Great Canadian Baking Show”.

65 Bygone jet, for short : SST

Supersonic transport (SST)

Complete List of Clues/Answers

Across

1 Hotel amenity that may require a password : WI-FI
5 Put up with : ABIDED
11 More, in Spanish : MAS
14 Playmates : PALS
15 Negative campaign message? : VOTE NO
16 Molecule in some vaccines : RNA
17 Nondigital means of telling time : ANALOG WATCH
19 Plum’s center : PIT
20 Bar bill : TAB
21 Southeast Asian language : LAO
22 __ Valley: Reagan Library site : SIMI
23 Takeout option with egg rolls : CHINESE
27 Tool for opening wooden crates : CROWBAR
29 Display after a poker player’s call : CARDS ON THE TABLE
31 “Star Trek Beyond” actor John : CHO
32 Small vortex : EDDY
33 Pigpen : STY
34 Breathe heavily : PANT
36 Place for a peel : SPA
38 Common promise from a procrastinator : SOON
42 MMA org. : UFC
45 Stately trees : ELMS
48 Be nosy : PRY
49 Appreciation at a live performance : ROUND OF APPLAUSE
54 Naval officer : ADMIRAL
55 Onion kin : SHALLOT
56 Snoozes : NAPS
57 Milk source : COW
59 Sault __ Marie : STE
60 Brief “Oversharing!” : TMI!
61 Quick polling method, and what 17-, 29-, and 49-Across all are, in different ways : SHOW OF HANDS
66 Play it by __ : EAR
67 Taken from above, as photos : AERIAL
68 Early color TVs : RCAS
69 Unenviable grade : DEE
70 Harden into bone : OSSIFY
71 Email folder : SENT

Down

1 43-Down job-creating program : WPA
2 Bond creator Fleming : IAN
3 __ Building: Manhattan landmark named for its triangular shape : FLATIRON
4 Kitchen prep spot : ISLAND
5 Slugger’s stat : AVG
6 Archery device : BOW
7 Lang. of Florence : ITAL
8 Separate : DETACH
9 Concert bonuses : ENCORES
10 Play-__: kids’ clay : DOH
11 Onetime Dr Pepper rival : MR PIBB
12 Cat or rat : ANIMAL
13 Political humor, often : SATIRE
18 Beyond plump : OBESE
22 Influences : SWAYS
23 Letters on a Soviet uniform : CCCP
24 “Very funny” : HA HA
25 Lawn roll : SOD
26 Conclusions : ENDS
28 Baseball Hall of Famer Mel : OTT
30 Far from laid-back : TYPE-A
35 North African capital : TUNIS
37 Swiss peaks : ALPS
39 Wealth : OPULENCE
40 “… __ it seems” : OR SO
41 Russian “no” : NYET
43 New Deal president’s initials : FDR
44 Team instructors : COACHES
46 Speedometer abbr. : MPH
47 Drastically lower, as prices : SLASH
49 __ and raved : RANTED
50 Whoopi’s “Ghost” role : ODA MAE
51 Ballpark figure? : UMPIRE
52 Elevator stops : FLOORS
53 Chapel fixtures : ALTARS
58 Conflict during 43-Down’s presidency, briefly : WWII
61 __ Paulo, Brazil : SAO
62 Clumsy sort : OAF
63 Go by plane : FLY
64 Levy of “Schitt’s Creek” : DAN
65 Bygone jet, for short : SST