Tuesday, April 23, 2024 Matthew Stock and Wendy L Brandes

Home is where the heart is.  The last word of each theme clue describes a type of living space.

16-Across. Digs for a member of a string quartet?: CELLO SUITE.  Suite:  a set of rooms designated for one person's or family's use or for a particular purpose.

26-Across. Digs for a gym rat?: MUSCLE BUILDING.  Building:  a structure with a roof and walls, such as a house, school, store, or factory.

42-Across. Digs for a Greek mythology buff?: OEDIPUS COMPLEX.  Complex:  A building complex consists of a large building or series of interconnected buildings that fulfill a specific purpose.

56-Across. Digs for a dancer?: BALLET FLAT.  Flat:  A term predominantly used in the United Kingdom to describe a self-contained housing unit that occupies only part of a building.  The etymology of flat originates from the Old English word “flett,” dating back to the 1300s.  The term means level and in one plane.  Hence, the term flat is used to describe a one-level apartment.

Across:

1. Dynamism: PEP.

4. Eatery with a chalkboard menu: BISTRO.  Bistro: a small, casual restaurant with a relatively inexpensive, simple menu. Though often a French restaurant, it doesn't have to be, and not every bistro serves French food.  I was just reading something about the defeat of Napoleon and learned about the word Bistro came into the French language.  It was first used in the early 1800s following the 1814 occupation of Paris by Russian soldiers.  It seems that it was a mispronunciation of a Russian word that meant hurry.  Russian soldiers would shout Hurry at restaurant owners while waiting for their food.  Small restaurants began to pop-up that could quickly serve food ~ the original fast food restaurants!

10. Free TV spot: PSA.  As in Public Service Announcement.

13. "Origin" writer/director DuVernay: AVA.  Ava Marie DuVernay (b. Aug. 24, 1972) is an American filmmaker, screenwriter, and producer.  She has been involved in many movies, including Selma, and A Wrinkle in Time.  Origin is based on Isabel Wilkerson's book, Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents. [Name # 1.]

14. Off-the-cuff performance: IMPROV.  Short for Improvisation.

15. Final push?: CRAM.  Cram:  Study intensively over a short period of time just before an examination.

18. Roll-call call: HERE.

19. "At Wit's End" writer Bombeck: ERMA.  Erma Bombeck (née Erma Louise Bombeck; Feb. 21, 1927 ~ Apr. 22, 1996) was an American humorist.  She wrote over 4,000 newspaper columns which gave a humorous view on family life.  She also published 15 books.  At Wit's End, her first publish book, came out in 1967. [Name # 2.]

20. Spherical body: ORB.

21. "Ant" on a celery "log": RAISIN.

23. Scand. land: NOR.  Norway is a Scandinavian country.

25. Flakes on plans: BAILS.  This clue appeared in last Tuesday's puzzle as Flake (on): Bail.  [See 68-Across in last week's puzzle.]

32. Lauder in the cosmetics aisle: ESTÉE.  Estée Lauder (née Josephine Esther Mentzer; July 1, 1908 ~ Apr. 24, 2004) makes frequent guest appearances in the crossword puzzles.  She was an American businesswoman. She and her husband, Joseph Lauter co-founded her eponymous cosmetics company.  [Name # 3.]

33. Measurement given in degrees: ANGLE.

34. __ Lanka: SRI.  Sri Lanka is the tear-drop island off the south-east coast of India.

36. OPS or RBI: STAT.  Both OPS (On-base Plus Slugging) and RBI (Runs Batted In) are baseball Statistics.

37. Prunes: TRIMS.

38. Sparks or Fire: TEAM.  The Los Angeles Sparks are a WNBA Team and the Chicago Fire is a soccer Team.  This clue is immediately followed by 39-Across. Like sparks and fire: HOT.

40. __ Monica Pier: SANTA.

41. Mazda roadster: MIATA.

45. Entrepreneur __ C.J. Walker: MADAM.  According to the Guinness Book of World Records, Madam C J Walker (née Sarah Breedlove; b. Dec. 23, 1867 ~ May 25, 1919) was the first female self-made millionaire in America.  That's a pretty amazing feat considering she was an African-American woman who born in Louisiana a year before the State was readmitted into the Union.  Her older sibling were all born enslaved.  She made her fortune by developing and marketing a line of cosmetics and hair care products for black women.  [Name # 4.]

46. Language in which to order larb: LAO.  Larb is certainly not a Tuesday word.  Larb is a spicy and sour meat salad and is the national dish of Laos.

47. Puts one's feelings on display: EMOTES.

49. Woebegone: SAD.  //  And 52-down. Woebegone word: ALAS.

51. Hand-held coolers: FANS.

55. Checkout lane purchase: TOTE.

59. Starchy snack bites, for short: TOTS.  Think of Tater Tots.  Yummers!  //  And 40-Down: 59-Across, perhaps: SIDE.

60. Tennis star Andre: AGASSI.  Andre Kirk Agassi (b. Apr. 29, 1970) was briefly married to actress Brooke Shields (b. May 31, 1965) in the 1990s.  [Name # 5.]

61. Periodontists' gp.: ADA.  As in the American Dental Association.

62. "Without further __ ... ": ADO.

63. Like some work from home: REMOTE.

64. "__ your piece": SAY.

Down:

1. Four-minute mile, for one: PACE.

2. CCR's "Have You __ Seen the Rain": EVER.  This song was first released in 1971 by Creedence Clearwater Revival.  Can it really be over half a century ago?

3. Acai tree, e.g.: PALM.

4. Info on a profile page: BIO.  As in a Biography

5. Post-triathlon lament: I'M SORE.

6. Barrel racer's accessory: SPUR.

7. Chi-Town paper: TRIB.  As in the Chicago Tribune.  Film critic and journalist Gene Siskel (1946 ~ 1999) wrote for the Tribune.

8. Turn brown, maybe: ROT.

9. Clothes with bibs and braces: OVERALLS.

10. Film similar to cling wrap: PRESS'N SEAL.  A bit unfair, since cling wrap is a generic term and the answer is the name of a product.

11. Garment that may be nine yards long: SARI.

12. Grace ender: AMEN.

15. Cook-off entry: CHILI.

17. Small surgical knife: LANCET.  Another déjà vu from last Tuesday.  Also the name of a medical journal.  The Lancet, which was founded in England in 1823, is one of the oldest medical journals.  [See 30-Down from last week.]

22. Congressional staffer: AIDE.

24. "Rah," in fútbol: OLÉ.  Today's Spanish lesson.

25. Signature Golden Arches offering: BIG MAC.  I understand it has a special sauce.

26. Sports bib material: MESH.

27. "We totally agree": US, TOO.

28. "Liberty and Prosperity," for New Jersey, e.g.: STATE MOTTO.  Louisiana's state motto is Union, Justice and Confidence.  What's yours?

29. Bailey's circus partner: BARNUM.  As in P.T. Barnum (né Phineas Taylor Barnum; July 5, 1810 ~ Apr. 7, 1891) and James Anthony Bailey (né James Anthony McGinnis; July 4, 1847 ~ Apr. 11, 1906).  [Names # 6 and 7.]

30. Curriculum parts: UNITS.

31. Shred, as cheese: GRATE.

35. Big big-screen format: IMAX.

37. Eatery with small plates: TAPAS BAR.  A tapa is an appetiser or snack in Spanish cuisine. Tapas can be combined to make a full meal, and can be cold or hot. In some bars and restaurants in Spain and across the globe, tapas have evolved into a very sophisticated cuisine.  Yummers!

38. WNBA game start: TIP OFF.

41. UFC sport: MMA.  As in Mixed Martial Arts and Ultimate Fighting Championship.

43. eHarmony matches: DATES.

44. Like Yellowstone, among National Parks: OLDEST.  Yellowstone National Park was established by and Act of Congress and President Ulysses S Grant () signed it into law on March 1, 1872.  Not only is Yellowstone National park the first National Park in the United States, but it is also believed to be the first national park in the world.

47. "At Last" singer James: ETTA.  Etta James (née Jamesetta Hawkins; Jan. 25, 1938 ~ Jan. 20, 2012) makes frequent guest appearances in the crossword puzzles.  [Name # 8.]

48. Atmosphere: MOOD.

49. Shut with a bang: SLAM.

50.  Additionally: ALSO.

53. Nothing at all: NADA.

54. "Hang around a bit longer!": STAY.

57. Just a number, for some: AGE.  Age is just a number.  It might be a big number, but it is just a number.

58. Cause for overtime: TIE.

Here's the Grid:

חתולה

Happy Passover for all who celebrate.  Enjoy the Second Seder tonight.

Tuesday, April 16, 2024 Ricky Sirois

Going Dutch:  I found a couple of theories on how the term Going Dutch came into existence.  It is believed to have entered English at the time of the eastern trade route rivalry.  England and the Netherlands fought constantly over trade routes.  The phrase to go Dutch is a a contraction of In the Dutch fashion, meaning, To pay ones share.  The phrase today is used to mean paying one's way.  Not necessarily  Splitting the Check evenly at the end of a restaurant meal, but it could be.  

18-Across. *  Game timer that may implement the Fischer method: CHESS CLOCK.

24-Across. *  Choose selectively: CHERRY PICK.

52-Across. *  Rock & Roll Hall of Fame band with the hit "The Flame": CHEAP TRICK.  [Name # 1.]

61-Across. *  Silverado, for one: CHEVY TRUCK.

And the unifier, which includes 31, 41 and 45-Across:

31-Across. With 41- and 45-Across, go Dutch, or what the answers to the starred clues do?: SPLIT.

41-Across. See 31-Across: THE. and 45-Acorss. See 31-Across: CHECK.  No circles in today's puzzle, but they weren't needed.  The word CHECK is split in each two-word theme answer with the first word beginning with CHE and the second word ending in CK.

Across:

1. Has finished making payments on: OWNS.

5. NYC cultural institution redesigned by architect Yoshio Taniguchi: MOMA.  Yoshio Taniguchi (b. 1937) is a Japanese architect.  He is best know to Americans for the re-design of the Museum of Modern Art.  He was hired in 1997 to expand the Museum's space.  He is known for his fusion of traditional Japanese design with Modernist aesthetics.  [Name # 2.]

9. Made fun of: JAPED.

14. Dance for seniors: PROM.  Seniors in High School, not the retirees.

15. Dove calls: COOS.

16. Main artery: AORTA.

17. Weight adjustment button on a deli scale: TARE.

20. "Cleared for takeoff!": IT'S A GO.

22. Acorn dropper: OAK.

23. "Eureka!": AHA.

27. Wound memento: SCAR.

28. E __ elephant: AS IN.

29. Bedframe board: SLAT.

35. Sci-fi extras: ETs.  As in ExtraTerrestrials.

37. Still in contention: ALIVE.

40. Brother's daughter: NIECE.

42. The "N" of USNA: NAVAL.  As in the United States Naval Academy.

43. River mammal: OTTER.

44. Casual affirmative: YEP.

46. "No __, no fuss!": MUSS.

48. Get up: RISE.

50. Shed tears: WEEP.

58. German pronoun: ICH.  Today's German Lesson.

59. British lav: LOO.  The word “loo” is derived from the French phrase "guardez l'eau", meaning "watch out for the water!"

60. Certain Honshu resident: OSAKAN.  A person from Osaka would be called an Osakan.  Osaka is a large port city and commercial center on the Japanese island of Honshu. The city is known for its 16th-century shogunate Osaka Castle.

65. Actress Neuwirth: BEBE.  Bebe Neuwirth (née Beatrice Jane Neuwirth; b. Dec. 31, 1958) is primarily a stage actress and has won two Tony Awards.  She is probably best known to non-theater people for her role as Dr. Lilith Sternin on Cheers, where she played the wife of Dr. Frasier Crane.   She also had a recurring role in Frasier.  [Name # 3.]

66. Oscar winner Firth: COLIN.  If you watched The Middle, you know that Colin Firth (né Colin Andrew Firth; b. Sept. 10, 1960) was Frankie's favorite actor and secret crush.  [Name # 4.]

67. Back of the neck: NAPE.

68. Flake (on): BAIL.

69. Colorado ski locale: ASPEN.

70. Watery expanses: SEAS.

71. "__ it obvious?": ISN'T.

Down:

1. Related to the eye: OPTIC.

2. Ire: WRATH.

3. Like the deities Odin and Freya: NORSE.  In Norse mythology, Odin is the god of war and death.  Freya is the goddess of love, beauty, youth, and fertility.  [Name adjacent, Mythological.]

4. Makeup slip-up: SMEAR.

5. Clan that feuded with the Hatfields: McCOYS.  The Hatfield-McCoy feud revolved around two Appalachian families that apparently went on for decades and the legal issues involved ultimately ended up at the United States Supreme Court.  The actual start of the feud has been lost to history.  [Name # 5, Real.]

6. "Look, fireworks!": OOH!

7. "The Simpsons" tavern owner: MOE.  And a shout-out to our Chairman Moe.  [Name # 6, Fictional.]

8. Professional org.: ASSOC.  As in Association.

9. Tire changer's need: JACK.  Could be a name, but isn't.

10. Hotmail alternative: AOL.  As in America On Line.

11. Like someone who takes the initiative: PROACTIVE.

12. __ Sketch: art toy: ETCH-A-.

13. Capital of Senegal: DAKAR.  The official name of Senegal is the Republic of Senegal.  It is the westernmost country in continental Africa.  Dakar is a port city and the largest city in the country.

19. Fifth Avenue retailer: SAKS.  The history of Saks Fifth Avenue. [Name adjacent.]

21. Cheese gadgets: GRATERS.

25. Devoutness: PIETY.

26. Right over the plate, as a pitch: IN THERE.  Meh!

27. Egyptian soccer superstar Mohamed: SALAH.  His full name is Mohamed Salah Hamed Mahrous Ghaly (b. June 15, 1992).  In 2019, he was named as one of the 100 most influential people in Time magazine.  [Name # 7, Real.]

30. Little needles in some medical tests: LANCETS.  Also the name of a medical journal.  The Lancet, which was founded in England in 1823, is one of the oldest medical journals.

31. Hostess __ Balls: SNO.  They now come in all sorts of "fun" colors.

32. Fire place?: PIT.

33. "You shouldn't have to do it all alone": LET ME HELP.

34. Frost over: ICE UP.

36. Retro tint for photos: SEPIA.  On your smart phone, you can probably "sepia" all your photos. 

38. Rug cleaner, for short: VAC.  As in a Vacuum Cleaner.

39. Large deer in the Rockies: ELK.

47. Glaswegian, e.g.: SCOT.  [Name adjacent.]

49. Bike wheel parts: SPOKES.

50. Neopagan religion: WICCA.

51. Amazon smart speakers: ECHOS.

53. Prominent feature of a mountain goat: HORNS.

54. Religious leader in many a Chaim Potok novel: RABBI.  Chaim Potok (né Herman Harold Potok; Jan. 17, 1929 ~ July 23, 2002) is one of my favorite authors.  [Name # 8, Real.]

55. Furniture stores that sell meatballs: IKEAs.  [Name adjacent.]

56. Log home: CABIN.

57. Got down to propose: KNELT.

59. Country singer Loretta: LYNN.  Loretta Lynn (née Loretta Webb; b. Apr. 14, 1932 ~ Oct. 4, 2022) had a music career that spanned 6 decades.  The movie Coal Miner's Daughter was based on her life.  [Name # 9.]

62. Compete: VIE.

63. Abu Dhabi's fed.: UAE.  United Arab Emirates:  A federation of seven kingdoms on the Persian Gulf coast of the Arabian Peninsula, bordered to the east by Oman, the south and west by Saudi Arabia, and the northwest by Qatar.

64. Audit firm pro: CPA.  As in a Certified Public Accountant.  I bet they are glad that Tax Day is over and they can take a well-deserved vacation.

And here's the Grid:

חתולה

Passover begins with the first Seder Monday night.  Happy Passover to all who celebrate: