QOD: The aim of argument should not be victory, but progress. ~ Sir Karl Popper (né Karl Raimund Popper; July 28, 1902 ~ Sept. 17, 1994), Austrian-born British philosopher
Spy vs. Spy. During the Cold War, the concept of a saboteur changed from traditional physical destruction of factories and bridges to high-stakes espionage, covert operations, and behind-the-lines disruption carried out by elite military units and secret intelligence defectors.
19-Across. "Gravity's Rainbow" novelist: THOMAS PYNCHON. Spy. Gravity's Rainbow is a 1973 novel that takes place at the end of World War II. It's a long and intimidating novel that I have never felt the desire to read.
24-Across. Art technique also known as French embossing: GLASS ETCHING. Asset. An asset is a person who provides secret information or help to an intelligence organization. An asset is not a regular employee of the spy agency, but rather an outsider who is managed or paid to gather secrets.
45-Across. Act with chivalry: BE A GENTLEMAN. Agent.
And the Unifier:
53-Across. Psychological cause of personal failure, or a feature of 19-, 24-, 38-, and 45-Across: INNER SABOTEUR
Here's the Grid:
What other assets are found in today's puzzle?
Across:
1. Ginger cookie: SNAP. Yummers! According to the Museum of the American Revolution, Gingersnaps were named from the German or Middle Dutch word snappen, meaning "to seize quickly."
5. Cyan shade: AQUA. Hand up if you first tried Blue.
9. Oven setting: BAKE.
13. Document with an executor: WILL.
14. Coffee cups: MUGS.
15. Speaks foolishly: JIVES.
16. Drag Defense Fund org.: ACLU. As in the American Civil Liberties Union. It has been around for over 100 years.
17. Frying liquids: OILS.
18. Get down __ knee: ON ONE.
22. Tuned to, as a radio dial: SET AT.
23. Chapel Hill sch.: UNC. As in the University of North Carolina.
32. On the house: FREE.
35. Bert who played the Cowardly Lion: LAHR. Although it was in many movies, Bert Lahr (né Irving Lahrheim; Aug. 13, 1895 ~ Dec. 4, 1967) is best known for his role as the Cowardly Lion in the 1939 version of The Wizard of Oz.
36. Everglades wading bird: HERON. Herons can be found all along the Gulf coast, not just the Florida Everglades.
37. Chuckle in a DM: LOL. Textspeak for Laughing Out Loud.
38. "That's my intention": I PLAN TO.
40. Egg cells: OVA. A crossword staple.
41. Photo book: ALBUM.
43. Et __: and others: ALIA. Today's Latin lesson. This phrase, which means And Others, is often abbreviated to Et Al. because the addition of the last 2 letters of alia is too much to write.
44. Med school subj.: ANAT. As in Anatomy.
48. Energizer size: AAA. A crossword staple.
49. Stuffed grape leaf: DOLMA. Yummers! Eastern Mediterranean food.
58. Pop icon Lauper: CYNDI. Cyndi Lauper (née Cynthia Ann Stephanie Lauper; b. June 22, 1953) was big in the 1980s. She is known for her flamboyant style, catchy songs, and four-octave vocal range!
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| Taylor and Cyndi |
60. Irish currency: EURO. The Irish Euro features the Celtic harp.
61. "Don't __ me, but ... ": HATE.
62. Diet food phrase: NO FAT.
63. MC or Visa alternative: AMEX.
64. Like the score at the start of overtime: EVEN.
65. Midday: NOON.
66. Little bouquet: POSY.
67. Take it easy: REST.
Down:
1. Slaps (at): SWATS.
2. Wall recess: NICHE.
3. Portion out: ALLOT.
4. Bird's feathers: PLUMAGE.
5. Singer-songwriter Tori: AMOS. Tori Amos (née Myra Ellen Amos; b. Aug. 22, 1963) is a classically trained musician. She was a child prodigy and entered the the Peabody Institute's preparatory division at five.
6. Witty remark: QUIP.
7. Not easy on the eyes: UGLY. The Jamaican tangelo is probably better known as the Ugli fruit.
8. Org.: ASSN. An Organization may also be an Association.
9. Juliette of "The English Patient": BINOCHE. Juliette Binoche (b. Mar. 9, 1964) is a French actress who has starred in many films. She was awarded an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for playing a nurse in 1996 film The English Patient.
10. Cosmetics giant that started as the California Perfume Company: AVON. Ding Dong! The Avon Company got its start in 1886.
11. "Jazz" documentarian Burns: KEN. Jazz is a deep-dive documentary look into the origins of this music genre. Ken Burns (né Kenneth Lauren Burns; b. July 29, 1953) has created numerous historical documentaries and television series that generally chronicle US history and culture.
12. WNW's opposite: ESE.
15. Sulu player in recent "Star Trek" films: JOHN CHO. John Cho (né John Yo-han Cho; b. June 16, 1952) was born in Seoul, Korea.
20. Hartsfield-Jackson airport code: ATL. This airport in Atlanta, Georgia is a hub for Delta. It is one of the busiest airports in the world. Whenever I fly, I usually end up going through Atlanta.
21. Use scissors on: CUT.
25. Swiss peak: ALP.
26. Ritual prayer of Islam: SALAT.
27. "We __ Overcome": SHALL.
28. "Ghostbusters" actor Hudson: ERNIE. Although he has been in a number of films, Ernie Hudson (né Earnest Lee Hudson; b. Dec. 17, 1945) is best known for his role as Winston Zeddemore in Ghostbusters.
29. Word after curling or waffle: IRON.
30. __ Scotia, Canada: NOVA. Nova Scotia is one of the maritime provinces.
31. Pest in a cloud: GNAT.
32. Extra fat: FLAB.
33. Actor's part to play: ROLE.
34. Actor Idris: ELBA. It's Sir Elba to you. Idris Elba (né Idrissa Akuna Elba; b. Sept. 6, 1972) played Stringer in the TV series The Wire.
38. "No fooling": I MEAN IT!
39. Scottish cap: TAM.
42. Kampala native: UGANDAN.
44. One more: ANOTHER.
46. "Sorry, laddie": NAE. Today's Scottish lesson/
47. Stir: ADO.
50. Depart: LEAVE.
51. Silences, as on Zoom: MUTES.
52. "__ you clever!": AREN'T.
53. The 411: INFO.
54. Gather: REAP.
55. Japanese wrestling: SUMO.
56. Greek war god: ARES.
57. Like the Honda Element: BOXY.
58. "The Source With Kaitlan Collins" network: CNN. Kaitlan Collins (b. Apr. 7, 1992) is an American journalist and news anchor.
59. "__-hoo! Over here!": YOO.
חתולה
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| This describes my stray cat. He gets breakfast from the neighbor, then comes to me for more food. |
