Donna S. Levin
Theme: Center of Attention. Four theme answers plus the unifier start with synonyms for the human midriff.
17. Abdominoplasty, familiarly : TUMMY TUCK. Two terms for the surgical removal of unwanted fat and droopy skin from the center of the body.
23. Pepto-Bismol target : STOMACH ACHE. Hospital-tested, pink Pepto-Bismol provides fast, temporary relief from various internal disorders of the central region. Temporary side effects may include turning your tongue black. Lovely.
36. Bourgeois : MIDDLE CLASS. Bourgeois is derived from the Middle French word for townsman, and is therefore similar in historical intent to the German BURGHER. Connotations of these words varied a bit across history. I'm guessing they originated during the late medieval period, as the merchant class developed in the towns of Europe, midway in social status between peasants of varioius sorts and the landed gentry.
49. Lint receptacle? :
BELLY BUTTON. If you sussed the theme, this was an easy fill (so to speak.) Proper lint removal technique
is demonstrated here.
59. Easy A (or where to learn about this puzzle's theme?) :
GUT COURSE. I've never seen this phrase outside of a crossword, and I never had the occasion to take one, either. I guess that's why my average was only a B. Of course, in a literal
GUT COURSE the midriff would be
the center of attention.
Hi gang, JazzBumpa here, with a cute and fun offering from Donna. Nothing middling about it. Let's get right into the center of things.