L.A. Times X-word Wednesday, October 21 Mike Peluso

Theme - The unifier says it all, so let's start there.

38. Cautionary workplace axiom ... or a hint to the starts of the answers to starred clues: SAFETY FIRST.  A statement advising caution to prevent accidents and injuries.  The word SAFETY combines with the beginning of each theme answer to yield an in-the-language phrase.

16. *Old bowling alley employee: PIN SETTER.  Before there were automatic pin setting machines,  this job was done by hand, and it was dangerous.  A SAFETY PIN is a pin with a point that is bent back to the head and is held in a guard when closed.

23. *Pass prevention strategy: ZONE DEFENSE.  In football, a strategy in which defensive players are responsible for certain areas of the field to deter passing into that area.  A SAFETY ZONE is a marked area at or near a roadway for pedestrians, such as a bus stop.

50. *Bad homes for critics?: GLASS HOUSES.  Figuratively, a position in which one's vulnerabilities with regard to a certain issue are exposed, used as an admonition to avoid hypocrisy.  SAFETY GLASS is a type of product designed to resist breakage, or be less likely to cause serious injury when broken.  I spent the majority of my professional life dealing with it, and could go on at great length, but will spare you all of that

61. *One-on-one golf competition: MATCH PLAY.  A type of play in which the score is determined by the number of holes won rather than the total number of strokes.  A SAFETY MATCH is one that will only light when struck against a specific surface.

Hi Gang, JazzBumpa on duty to keep up all safe today.  Let's see what hazards this puzzle presents.

Across:

1. "... where the sun / Came peeping in at __": Thomas Hood: MORN.  That's starting the day off right.

5. Willie Mays, twice: MVP.  Most Valuable Player - an honor bestowed upon an individual for outstanding performance.  

8. Bowler's test: SPLIT. A situation where the first ball of a frame knocks down the head pin, but leaves standing two or more non-adjacent pins.

13. Carpet calculation: AREA.  Total amount of floor to be covered.

14. China setting: ASIA.  The continent.

15. Soccer star Rossi: PAOLO. [b 1956] His career spanned from 1973 to 1987. He is regarded as one of the best Italian players of all time. 

18. Cry of dismay: OY VEY.  From German, via Yiddish.  The English equivalent is "Woe is me."

19. Country singer Womack: LEE ANN. [b1966] 

 

 20. Even things: ATONE.  Make amends or reparation.

22. Part of ESL: Abbr.: ENGlish as a second language.

28. Editor's change of heart: STET.  Indication that a correction or alteration should be ignored.

30. "I agree!": AMEN.  An utterance meaning "So be it."

31. It's north of Afr.: EUR.  The continents of Africa and Europe.

32. Not very exciting: HO-HUM.  Boring.

35. Seasickness symptom: NAUSEA.  Stomach upset with an inclination to vomit.

40. Elk: WAPITI.  From the Shawnee language.

42. Pre-discount prices: LISTS.  Manufacturers' suggested retail prices

43. Not well: ILL.  Sick

44. Dollop: GLOB. A lump of a semi-liquid substance.

46. Pacino's voice, at times: RASP.  Rough talk, talked roughly.

55. Golf standard: PAR.  The number of strokes a first-class played is expected to require to complete a hole.

56. Deal with: SEE TO.

57. Capitol feature: CUPOLA.  A dome.

59. Like four Sandy Koufax games: NO HIT.  A complete game in which the pitcher give up no hits to the opposing team.

64. It's good in Chile: BUENO.  Translation into Spanish

65. Agree with: ECHO.  Repeat the same thing.

66. Shoppe modifier: OLDE.

67. Shakespearean forest: ARDEN.  A wooded area in Warwickshire, Eng.

68. 2000s TV forensic technician, to pals: DEX. A show set in Miami in which Dexter, the eponymous hero, is a forensic specialist by day who by night hunts down and murders murderers who have escaped the law.

69. Fly high: SOAR.  Flew so high my arms are sore

Down:

1. Breakfast condiment sources: MAPLES.  Syrup suppliers.

2. Get one's bearings: ORIENT.  Align or position something relative to defined reference points.

3. Go back on a promise: RENEGE.  From medieval Latin meaning to deny. 

4. Org. in the biodrama "Hidden Figures": NASA. National Aeronautic and Space Administration. Tells the story of the African-American women who made outstanding contributions to the space program, while dealing with oppressive sex and race discrimination.

5. WY winter hrs.: MST. Mountain Standard Time.

6. Compete: VIE. Strive for victory or superiority.

7. Pre-Rose Bowl tradition: PARADE.

8. Many an "SNL" skit: SPOOF.  satirical skit

9. Two-time U.S. Open winner Stewart: PAYNE.

10. Illicit rendezvous site: LOVE NEST.

 

Close enough

 11. La Corse, par exemple: ILE.  The Island of Corsica, in French.

12. Play (with): TOY.  A verb that looks like a noun.  You can TOY with a TOY.

14. 53 for I, e.g.: AT. NO. The Atomic Number for Iodine.

17. Split __: New Zealand band: ENZ

. 

From 1980

 21. Court sport: TENNIS.  It's a racket.

24. Astro's finish?: NAUT.   They didn't quite get to the World Series, so, yeah - they're finished  But, sorry, this is a really ugly clue for an affix.

25. Harris of country: EMMY LOU.

 

 26. Take to court: SUE.  Institute legal proceedings against (a person or institution), typically for redress.

27. Stat for Justin Verlander: ERA.  Earned Run Average.  JV had a series of injuries this year,  the most recent requiring Tommy John surgery, which he had about 3 weeks ago.  He only pitched 6 innings this year, and will miss the 2021 season.

29. Spicy cuisine: THAI.  Available in a variety of heat levels.  I like to get something made with coconut milk.

33. Time and again, to Yeats: OFT.  Often, to me.

34. Driver's license datum: HEIGHT.  Not my first thought, but there it is.

36. Poetic verb: ART.  [archaic] As in thou ART . . . [fill in the blank.]

37. Cold War letters: USSR.  Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.  Our foes in those days, and the Russians still to this day. 

38. Made waves?: SPLASHED.  Moved water with your hands or feet.

39. Slight fabrications: FIBS.  At what point does a FIB become a lie?

40. Freak (out): WIG.  Go ape.

41. Every bit: ALL.  The whole enchilada.

45. Rose ominously: LOOMED.  Appeared in an impressively great form as an impending occurrence, usually in a dangerous or threatening manner.

47. Swing era Harlem hot spot: APOLLO.  Read about it here.

48. Tea since 1892: SALADA.  An innovation in foil packaging preserved freshness and a more uniform flavor.  This lead to great commercial success in the early 1900's.

49. Supplication: PRAYER.  Petition or entreaty from a position of humility.

51. River to the English Channel: SEINE.  It is 482 miles long and drains most of northern France.

52. Resolute about: SET ON.  Bound and determined, as the old phrase had it.

53. Danish shoe brand: ECCO.  It was founded in 1963, and now produces other leather goods.

54. NFL defensive end Ndamukong __: SUH. [b 1987] He has played for the Lions, Dolphins and Rams, and is currently with the Buccaneers.

58. Med. plan options: PPOS. Preferred Provider Organizations.  A PPO is a type of managed care program of medical service providers that offers reduced rates to clients.

59. Home to Kings: Abbr.: NBA. In the National Basketball Association, the Sacramento Kings finished 12th in the Western Division

60. "__ Gang": OUR.

62. Versatile card: ACE.  Can be the highest or lowest card in various games.

63. "Much appreciated," in texts: THX. Thank you!

That completes another Wednesday.  Stay SAFE out there - wear a mask, keep you social distance, and wash your hands

Cool regards!

JzB

L.A Times Crossword Wednesday, October 7, 2020 Ed Sessa

Theme: The unifier says it all.

63. Making a killing in Vegas ... or what happens in 17-, 28- and 47-Across: BREAKING THE BANK.  Winning a bigger pot than the house can pay.  Alternatively, buying things beyond your ability to pay for them.   Here in the puzzle, it's a book end theme, where the letters of the word BANK begin and and the theme answers.

17 A. Substantial return: BANG FOR ONE'S BUCK.  Getting a substantial return for your investment in time, money or other resources.

28 A. Color named for a dancer: BALLERINA PINK.  Not a particular dancer, but a category of dancer. 

Also available as a paint color

47. Bleeping: BLANKETY BLANK. In broadcasting, profanity and colorful language is often covered over with a bleep sound.  People sometimes substitute BLANKETY BLANK for similar wording n daily conversation.  Either way, the meaning and intent are usually pretty clear.

The first two split BANK down the middle, and the last one after the B.  It would have been more elegant to split them all the same, all different, or put the odd one in the middle; but sometimes life ain't easy.

Hi gang, JazzBumpa here, hoping today's puzzle isn't to costly.  Let's see what we can afford.

Across:

1. Something to pay: DEBT.  An old song has it: "I owe, I owe, so off to work I go."  

5. "Nothing's broken": I'M OK.  Words sometimes spoken after a fall.

9. Lawn game: BOCCE.  Read about it here.

14. Fir fellers: AXES.  Tools for cutting down trees.

15. Cool off in a shallow stream, say: WADE.  Walk through [ not on] water.  This should cool your feet.

16. Weasley family owl: ERROL.  From HARRY POTTER.

20. Popeye's nemesis: BLUTO.

This guy

21. Zagreb native: CROAT.  Zagreb is the capital and the largest city of Croatia.

22. Salon creations: DOS.  Something done to hair.

23. NCR product: ATM.  Automatic Teller Machine, a device for making deposits and withdrawals.  Not likely to break the bank.  Or this.

24. "You betcha": YAH.  For sure!

26. Mohel's rite: BRIS.  The Jewish circumcision ceremony performed on a male child on the 8th day after birth.

34. Dodger who befriended Jackie Robinson: REESE.  Harold Peter Henry Reese, aka Peewee [1918-1999] played shortstop for the Brooklyn and L.A. Dodgers from 1940 to 1958.  He was a 10 time all star, and helped his team win 7 National League championships.  As a double play combination with Robinson at 2nd base, they became fast friends and remained so for the rest of their lives.

35. Peter of "The Maltese Falcon": LORRE.   László Löwenstein [1904 – 1964) was a Hungarian-American actor of Jewish descent.  He left Germany when Hitler came to power, and went on to a long career in the movies.  He was given a star in the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960

36. Word of regret: ALAS.  It traces back to the Latin word lassus, meaning weary, coming into Middle English via old French.  

39. Sudden burst: SALVO.  A sudden aggressive act, or a simultaneous discharge of weaponry in battle.

42. 9/11 Commission chair Tom: KEAN. Thomas Howard Kean Sr. [b 1935] was the 48th governor of New Jersey from 1982 to 1990.  After that he was president of Drew University until retiring in 2005.  He is most famous for chairing the  National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States in 2002.

 

43. Star transports: LIMOS.  Fancy wheels for celebrities of all types, as well as some prom attendees.

45. Emulated Van Winkle, after 20 years: AWOKE.  I had no idea I emulated this fictional character every morning.  The things you learn!

51. Toni Morrison novel: SULA.  Her second novel, published in 1973.

52. Reluctantly absorb, as a loss: EAT.  Causes indigestion.

53. Little bite: NIP.  

56. Admiral's rear: AFT.   Back end of a ship.

59. Toon duck triplet: LOUIE.  Huebert, Deuteronomy and Louis Duck are Donald's triplet nephews.  Packaged together, they are a box of quackers.

Duck, duck, duck

61. "Fame" singer Cara: IRENE. [b 1962] is an American singer, song writer and actress.

66. Do the Thanksgiving honors: CARVE.  Turkey work, if you're a cut up

67. Start to scope: TELE.  Affix I'd like to tele to stop.

68. __ fixe: IDEE.  An idea or desire that dominates the mind - an obsession.

69. Pulled a fast one on: DUPED.  Deceived or tricked.

70. Beef bourguignonne, for one: STEW.  STEW for one?  Usually there are more diners.

 

 71. Old geopolitical states: Abbr.: SSRS.  Parts of the Soviet Union.

Down:

1. Flintstone word: DABBA.  Part of an expression of happiness or excitement.

 

 2. Hold in awe: EXALT.  From Latin, meaning to raise high.

3. Anesthetize: BENUMB.  More generally to deprive of physical or emotional feeling.

4. Air Force NCO: TSGT.  Technical Sergeant is the sixth enlisted rank (pay grade E-6) in the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force, just above staff sergeant and below master sergeant.

5. __ Jima: IWO.  An island 750 miles south of Tokyo with 2 strategic airfields.  A major battle, eventually won by U.S. marine and naval forces, was fought there from Feb. 19 to March 26, 1945.

6. Italian noblewoman: MARCHESA. 

7. Dump feature: ODOR.  You can smell it before you see it.

8. Jedi Master Obi-Wan __: KENOBI.  Mentor and friend to Aniken Skywalker [later Darth Vader] and as an older Jedi, mentor to Luke Skywalker.

9. Brutish: BESTIAL.  Nasty. 

10. Uranus, for one: ORB.  A planet, or, more generally, any sphere.

11. Scummy deposit: CRUD.  A dirty unpleasant substance.

12. Gabrielle Chanel, familiarly: COCO.  [1883 - 1971] A French fashion designer and business woman who founded the Chanel brand.

13. Fraternal order: ELKS.  The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks is an American fraternal order founded in 1868 originally as a social club in New York City.  The original purpose was to evade N.Y. restricting the hours for public taverns.  They now run various charitable activities,  including programs for youth and veterans.

18. British detective played by Michael Kitchen: FOYLE.

19. Deserve: EARN.  Merit via achievment.

25. Lager alternatives: ALES.  It's all beer to me.

27. Like many addresses: SPOKEN.  Not a street address unless you are speaking in the middle of the road.

29. Incendiary acts: ARSONS.  Starting fires criminaly.

30. Race for four, commonly: RELAY.  One runner at a time.

31. Dander: IRE.  Foul temper.

32. Gun lobby org.: NRA.  National Rifle Association.

33. "Jeopardy!" whiz Jennings: KEN.

36. Priest's white garment: ALB.  A full-length white linen ecclesiastical vestment with long sleeves that is gathered at the waist with a cincture.  From the Latin album, meaning white.

37. Unlike Abner, really: LI'L.  He was big

38. Geriatrician's gp.: AMA.  American Medical Association.

40. Bug on the road?: VW BEETLE.  The "people's car" was made from 1838 to 2003.  The New Beetle was introduced in 1997.  Production of another version continued until last year.

41. Dancing girl in "Return of the Jedi": OOLA.

 

She never looks happy

 

44. Moved stealthily: SKULKED.  Kept out of sight, typically with a sinister or cowardly motive.  From Scandinavian language into Middle English, similar to lurk. 

46. Journalist Couric: KATIE.  Katherine Anne Couric[b. 1957] is an American television and online journalist, presenter, producer, and author. She is founder of Katie Couric Media, a multimedia news and production company.

48. Wells' sci-fi race: ELOI.  In the year 802701 A.D. they are a happy, simple people preyed up by the troglodyte-like Morlocks.  

49. Bully's array: TAUNTS.  Remarks made in order to anger, wound, or provoke someone.

50. Works with dough: KNEADS.  Mixes the ingredients by hand.

54. Word with tube or circle: INNER.  

55. Some toys, briefly: PEKES.  Miniature dogs are referred to as toys.  This breed originated in China as a lap dog for royalty.

56. It's sung to the same tune as "Twinkle, twinkle": ABCD.  A alphabet song.

57. Lady of the Haus: FRAU.  Woman or wife in German

58. Md. athlete: TERP.  The University of Maryland was founded in 1856.  It's sport teams are called the Terrapins, or TERPS for short.

60. "__ a Kick Out of You": Porter song: I GET.

 

 62. Slugger's stats: RBIS.  Runs Batted In.

64. Latin greeting: AVE.  Hi, there!

65. Fell, as firs: HEW.  With AXES.

Hope you got your money's worth today.

Cool regards!

JzB