Tuesday November 12, 2024

QOD:  Enjoy the journey and try to get better every day.  And don’t lose the passion and the love for what you do.  ~  Nadia Comӑneci (née Nadia Elena Comӑneci; Nov. 12, 1961), Romanian gymnast and 5-time Olympic gold medalist

Anatomy of a Big Cat.  The first and last letters of each theme answer spell out a characteristic of a Lion.

17-Across. Embarrass one's friends in public, say: MAKE A SCENE.  Mane.

26-Across. Resort to desperate measures: CLUTCH AT STRAWS.  Claws.

42-Across. Cartoon character often depicted as a spinning tornado: TASMANIAN DEVIL.  Tail.

And the Unifier:

56-Across. Answer to the joke "What is the lazy pride member known for?," and an apt title for this puzzle?: LION AROUND.

Across:

1. Misbehave in class, say: ACT UP.

6. Little dickens: IMP.

9. Loops in on the sly: BCCs.  As in Blind Carbon Copies.  The "carbon copy" is a relic from the olden days when everything was actually typewritten on a typewriter.

13. Trusty: LOYAL.

14. Christmas song: NOEL.

16. Burn soother: ALOE.

19. Vocal quality: TONE.

20. Had a snack: ATE.

21. Tax pros: CPAs.  As in Certified Public Accountants.

22. "What's __ into you?": GOTTEN.

24. Sweeties: BAES.  The term "bae" is a slang term of endearment that is a shortened version of the words "baby" or "babe".

25. Nope __: facetious term for a snake: ROPE.  I have never referred to a snake as a Nope Rope.

32. Idaho's capital: BOISE.  The name of Boise, Idaho comes from the French word boisée, which means "wooded". The name originated in the early 19th century when French-Canadian fur trappers explored the region.  The trappers to a river and were amazed by the cottonwood trees lining the riverbanks. They called the river "boisé" and the area "la rivière boisée", which means "the wooded river".

33. Some jeans: LEEs.  We had both Lees and Levi's last week.

34. "Love __ neighbor": THY.

35. The "E" of an EGOT: EMMY.  The acronym stands for: Emmy Grammy, Oscar and Tony.   All are entertainment awards.  For a list of EGOT recipients, check out this site.  

36. Inn patron: GUEST.  Hotel guests do not always get what they want.

38. Many a child in Dickens: WAIF.  Think of Oliver Twist.

39. Punk subgenre: EMO.  A crossword staple.

40. Tailless cat: MANX.

41. "The Natural" director Levinson: BARRY.  Barry Levinson (né Barry Lee Levinson; b. Apr. 6, 1942) won an Oscar for the 1988 film, Rain Man, but he isn't an EGOT.

Levinson and Redford.

46. Odds and __: ENDS.

47. New Haven school: YALE.

48. "Man! I Feel Like a Woman!" singer Twain: SHANIA.  Shania Twain (née Eilleen Regina "Shania" Twain; b. Aug. 28, 1965) is a Canadian country music singer-songwriter.

51. __ bene: NOTA.  Today's Latin lesson.  The term means note well, observe carefully, take notice.  It is used in manuscripts to alert the reader to pay attention to what follows.

52. Govt. intel org.: NSA.  As in National Security Agency.

55. Call alternative: TEXT.

59. The "dirt" in a pudding-based dessert: OREO.

60. Lily pad squatter: FROG.

61. Loosened, as shoelaces: UNDID.

62. Pea holders: PODS.

63. "It's __-win situation": A NO.

64. Oozes: SEEPS.

Down:

1. __ mater: ALMA.  More of today's Latin lesson.  The term literally means Nourishing Mother.  The term is used to refer to one's college.

2. Paint layer: COAT.

3. Likely "Bluey" and "Blue's Clues" watcher: TYKE.

4. Abu Dhabi's fed.: UAE.  As in the United Arab Emirates.  The UAE was formed in 1971 and is comprised of 7 Emirates: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah.

5. Appease: PLACATE.

6. How some tips are paid: IN CASH.

7. "The Simpsons" watering hole: MOE'S.

8. Writing tool: PEN.

9. Baker's mixture: BATTER.

10. Thicken, as cream: CLOT.  Although it sounds rather icky to American ears, in England, clotted simply describes the look of the cream as it clings together.    It goes will with scones and tea.

11. Ice cream holder: CONE.

12. "As __ on TV": SEEN.

15. Blocked content?: LEGO SET.  My first Lego Set was similar to the one shown below.

18. Detail, briefly: SPEC.

23. Chooses: OPTS.

24. Overly adorned: BUSY.

25. Some GPS suggestions: RTES.  As in Routes.

26. Punctuation in many lists: COMMA.  The Oxford comma is the comma that comes before “and” in a series of three or more items.  In the case of O'Connor v. Oakhurst Dairy, a missing Oxford comma cost a Maine dairy company $5M.

27. Prom rides: LIMOS.

28. "__, tell me a joke": request made in a smart home, perhaps: ALEXA.  Alexa listens to everything you say!

29. Nintendo rival: ATARI.

30. Spin fast: WHIRL.

31. "Resident Alien" network: SYFY.  Formerly known as the Sci-Fi Channel.

32. Red root vegetable: BEET.

36. "The Lord of the Rings" wizard: GANDALF.  Gandalf was portrayed in the movies by Sir Ian McKellen (b. May 25, 1939).  

37. Colleges, to a Brit: UNIS.  As in Universities.

38. Swell for a surfer: WAVE.

40. __-pedi: MANI.

41. Birthplace of Olympic gymnast Olga Korbut: BELARUS.  Olga Valentinovna Korbut (b. May 16, 1955) was known as the Sparrow from Minsk.  She competed for the Soviet Union in the 1972 and 1976 Olympics.  She emigrated to the United States in 1991 and became a naturalized American citizen in 2000.

43. Candy that can create a soda geyser: MENTOS.  I have never tried this trick.  There is a scientific reason for this chemical reaction.

44. "Us" star Lupita: NYONG'O.  Lupita Amondi Nyong'o (b. Mar. 1, 1983) is another naturalized American citizenship.  She is also Mexican by birth and Kenyan through her parents.  She has an Oscar for her role in 12 Years a Slave and an Emmy.  She is half-way to the EGOT.

45. Spreadsheet input: DATA.

48. "Halt!": STOP.

49. Caped crusader: HERO.

50. Used a hatchet on: AXED.

51. Midday: NOON.

52. Bare: NUDE.

53. Scissors sound: SNIP.

54. Puts in: ADDS.

57. Savings plan letters: IRA.  As in Individual Retirement Account.

58. United: ONE.

Here's the Grid:

חתולה

Nailed it!

Sunday, November 12, 2023

QOD:  Patience is also a form of action ~  Auguste Rodin (né François-Auguste René Rodin; Nov. 12, 1840 ~ Nov. 17, 1917), French sculptor

Friday, November 12, 2021

QOD:  Muscles.  We’re talking about muscles?  They’re like pets, basically, and they’re not worth it.  You have to feed them all the time and take care of them, and if you don’t, they just go away.  ~  Ryan Gosling (né Ryan Thomas Gosling; b. Nov. 12, 1980), Canadian-American actor

Thursday, November 12, 2020

QOD:  An unexamined faith is not worth having, for it can be true only by accident.  ~  James Luther Adams (Nov. 12, 1901 ~ July 26, 1994), American theologian

Tuesday, November 12, 2018

QOD:  You should appreciate the goodness around you, and surround yourself with positive people.  ~  Nadia Comӑneci (née Nadia Elena Comӑneci; Nov. 12, 1961)

The first word of each theme answer can appear before the word ACT to give us a common phrase.

17-Across. *   Big top: CIRCUS TENT.  Think of the Circus Act.

26-Across. *   School keepsake: CLASS RING.  Think of a person who is a Class Act.

37-Across. *   "The Daily Show" network: COMEDY CENTRAL.  Think of a Comedy Act.

50-Across. *   2012 Channing Tatum film: MAGIC MIKE.  Think of a Magic Act.  This is the odd man out, as it were, since the word in the theme answer begins with and M and not a C.

And the Unifier:

60-Across. Show starter ... and a hint to the answers to starred clues: OPENING ACT.   An Opening Act is often the warm-up band for a headliner.  Did you know that in 1963 The Beatles were the Opening Act for Roy Orbison?

Across:

1. Sports agent, briefly: REP. As in Representative.

4. Lavish meal: FEAST.  It's almost time for the Thanksgiving Feast.

9. Behold, to Brutus: ECCE.  Today's Latin lesson.

13. "Another Green World" musician Brian: ENO.  Brian Eno (né Brian Peter George Eno; b. May 15, 1948) makes frequent guest appearances in the crossword puzzles.

14. Foamy coffee drinks: LATTES.  A Latte is made with espresso and steamed milk.  The barista often makes a fancy decoration on top of the final product.

16. Bar measure: SHOT.

19. "The Handmaid's __": Atwood novel: TALE.  The Handmaid's Tale, by Margaret Atwood, was first published in 1985.  It is a dystopian novel set in a totalitarian society in which women are considered property of the state.  It recently became a television series.  I read the book when it first came out, but haven't seen the television version.

20. This, in Spain: ESTO.  Today's Spanish lesson.

21. Acapulco aunt: TIA.  More of today's Spanish lesson.

22. Final Olds produced: ALERO.  Production on this car ceased in April 2004.

24. Injured-arm support: SLING.

29. "Under Siege" star Steven: SEAGAL.  Steven Frederick Seagal (b. Apr. 10, 1952), is an American actor who also holds Russian and Serbian citizenship.  He has led a rather controversial life.  Enough said.

31. Prof.'s degree: Ph.D.  As in the Doctor of Philosophy.  What is the difference between an M.D and a Ph.D.?    * Answer below.

32. See 38-Down: SIN.  //  And 38-Down:  38. With 32-Across, Adam and Eve's transgression: ORIGINAL.  Together we get Original Sin, which is a theological concept that everyone is born sinful.  The concept was developed in the writings of St. Augustine.  Enough said.

33. Restaurant Arlo Guthrie sang about: ALICE'S.  A place where you can get anything you want, excepting Alice.

36. Early 2000s Apple product: EMAC.  The eMac was the Education Mac, an all-in-one desktop Macintosh, designed for schools.  Production of the eMac began in 2002 and was discontinued in 2006.  Now it is a dinosaur.

41. Hard to find: RARE.

42. Cosa __: NOSTRA.  Today's Italian lesson.  The FBI's history of the Cosa Nostra in the United States.

43. Trident-shaped Greek letter: PSI.

44. Angry: MAD.

46. Pick up the pace: HASTEN.

54. Around, in dates: CIRCA.

55. Try to bite, puppy-style: NIP AT.

56. Triage ctrs.: ERs.  As in Emergency Rooms.

58. Broadway brightener: NEON.

59. Hawaiian coffee region: KONA.  Everything you wanted to down about Kona Coffee, but were afraid to ask.

63. Nobelist Pavlov: IVAN.  Does his name ring a bell?

Ivan Petrovich Pavlov (Sept. 26, 1849 ~ Feb. 27, 1936)

64. Cantankerous: ORNERY.

65. __ Bo: fitness system: TAE.  Tae Bo was quite popular in the 1980s, but I haven't heard much about it since.

66. "The Lion King" lioness: NALA.

67. Davis of "Do the Right Thing": OSSIE.  Ossie Davis (né Raiford Chatman Davis; Dec. 18, 1917 ~ Feb. 4, 2005) was married to actress Ruby Dee.  I saw Do the Right Thing when I was living in France.  The movie is about racial tension in a New York neighborhood.  The movie didn't translate well in French culture.

Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee

68. Cal. spans: YRs.  Calendar spans are Years.

Down:

1. School day interlude: RECESS.

2. Maroon, at sea: ENISLE.  Interesting word that I will probably never have cause to use.  It means to be isolated on an island.

3. "The Merchant of Venice" heiress: PORTIA.  The Merchant of Venice is one of the plays by Willie the Shakes.

4. Winter bug: FLU.

5. Down __: Maine nickname: EAST.  You can't get theya from heya.

6. Room at the top?: ATTIC.

7. Pilfer: STEAL.

8. Olympic diver's goal: TEN.  With enough 10s, the diver may get a Gold.

9. Aromatic compound: ESTER.  Organic Chemistry

10. Personal magnetism: CHARISMA.

11. Pre-Revolutionary furniture style: COLONIAL.

12. French summer: ÉTÉ.  Today's French lesson.

15. Secret supply: STASH.

18. Scam: CON-GAME.

23. "Dropped" '60s drug: LSD.  Short for Lysergic Acid Diethylamide.  In case you were wondering, its chemical formula is:

25. Battering wind: GALE.  Dorothy Gale was swept up in a Gale, but in her case, it was known as a tornado.

27. Cathedral areas: APSES.

The Apse at the Cathedral in Chartes.

28. Nutritional supplements co.: GNC.  As in General Nutrition Center.  These stores are often found in malls.

30. Pot top: LID.

34. Pop singer Lauper: CYNDI.  As in Cynthia Ann Stephanie Lauper (b. June 22, 1953).

35. Novelist Umberto: ECO.  Umberto Eco (Jan. 5, 1932 ~ Feb. 19, 2016) was an Italian novelist, best known for his 1980 historical novel, Name of the Rose.  He makes frequent guest appearances in the crossword puzzles.

36. Blackboard chore: ERASING.

37. Legendary lover: CASANOVA.  Giacomo Girolamo Casanova (Apr. 2, 1725 ~ June 4, 1798) was a cad.

39. To the __ degree: NTH.

40. Gillette's __ II razor: TRAC.

41. Turntable speed, for short: RPM.  As in Revolutions Per Minute.

44. Longtime Tom Petty label: MCA.  Tom Petty (né Thomas Earl Petty; Oct. 20, 1950 ~ Oct. 2, 2017) had an infamous feud with MCA.

45. Defensive retort: AM TOO!

47. The "T" in NATO: TREATY.  As in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.  It is an intergovernmental military alliance between 29 North American and European Countries.  The Treaty was signed on April 4, 1949.

48. Toyota Prius, e.g.: ECO-CAR.

49. Loire Valley city: NANTES.

51. Bucky Beaver's toothpaste: IPANA.

52. Wails with grief: KEENS.

53. Shore birds: ERNES.

57. Apple Watch assistant: SIRI.

59. Family reunion attendees: KIN.

61. Ace: PRO.

62. "Science Guy" Bill: NYE.  William Sanford Nye (b. Nov. 27, 1955) makes frequent guest appearances in the crossword puzzles.

Here's the Grid:

*  The Ph.D. must live with his mistakes, whereas the M.D. buries them.