LA Times Crossword Answers 31 Jan 14. Friday

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CROSSWORD SETTER: Julian Lim
THEME: Overlaps … today’s themed answers are constructed by adding a phrase that overlaps with the beginning of the answer:

17A. Snap of part of one’s portfolio? PENNY-STOCK PHOTO (from “penny stock” & “stock photo”)
32A. What a Canadian band owes annually? NICKELBACK TAXES (from “Nickelback” & “back taxes”)
38A. Cheap Valentine’s Day gift? DIME-A-DOZEN ROSES (from “dime a dozen” & “a dozen roses”)
57A. Injury sustained before the semis? QUARTER-FINAL CUT (from “quarter final” & “final cut”)

BILL BUTLER’S COMPLETION TIME: 15m 18s
ANSWERS I MISSED: 0

Today’s Wiki-est, Amazonian Googlies
Across

1. Out of the rat race, maybe: Abbr. RET
Retired (ret.)

9. Discombobulate ADDLE
To discombobulate is to faze, disconcert, to confuse.

14. Chatter’s caveat IMO
In my opinion (IMO)

16. Prized mushroom MOREL
The morel is that genus of mushroom with the honeycomb-like structure on the cap. They’re highly prized, especially in French cuisine. Morels should never be eaten raw as they are toxic, with the toxins being removed by thorough cooking.

20. Chocolatey, circular cereal brand OREO O’S
Oreo O’s were made by Post from 1998 to 2007. Oreo O’s were basically O-shaped (like Cheerios) but chocolate-flavored, dark brown in color and with white sprinkles on them. Oh, and lots of sugar.

21. Gerrymanders, say REMAPS
Elbridge Gerry was the fifth Vice President of the US, serving under James Madison. Gerry only served 1½ years of his term however, as he died of heart failure while still in office. While Gerry was the governor of his home state of Massachusetts he signed a bill that allowed redrawing of electoral boundaries in such a way that it benefited his Democratic-Republican Party. The “Boston Gazette” wrote an article about the bill and termed the political tactic “Gerry-Mandering”. And “gerrymandering” is a term we still use today, and not just in this country but all over the world.

25. Org. with den mothers BSA
As every little boy (of my era) knows, the Scouting movement was founded by Lord Baden Powell, in 1907. The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) soon followed, in 1910.

27. Zone for DDE ETO
General Dwight D. Eisenhower (DDE) was in command of the European Theater of Operations (ETO) during WWII.

28. Big name in 30-Across MCAN
(30A. Flats, e.g. SHOES)
Thom McAn footwear was introduced in 1922 by the Melville Corporation (now CVS Caremark). The brand was named after a Scottish golfer called Thomas McCann. The Thom McAn line is epitomized by the comfortable leather casual and dress shoe, so sales have really been hurt in recent decades by the growing popularity of sneakers.

32. What a Canadian band owes annually? NICKELBACK TAXES (from “Nickelback” & “back taxes”)
Nickelback is a rock band that formed in Hanna, Alberta in 1995 and is now based in Vancouver.

36. “Gun Hill Road” star Morales ESAI
Esai Morales is best known for his role in the 1987 movie “La Bamba”, which depicted the life of Ritchie Valens and his half-brother Bob Morales (played by Esai).

“Gun Hill Road” is a 2011 drama film that is named for a road in the Bronx, New York. Heading the cast is actor Esai Morales. The movie also stars actress Harmony Santana who plays a transgender character. Santana is an openly transgender actress, and her performance in “Gun Hill Road” marked the first time a transgender actor garnered a nomination for a major US acting award (an Independent Spirit Award).

38. Cheap Valentine’s Day gift? DIME-A-DOZEN ROSES (from “dime a dozen” & “a dozen roses”)
Saint Valentine’s Day was chosen by Pope Gelasius I in 496 AD to honor various martyrs with the name Valentine. However, the saints’ day was dropped by the Catholic church in 1969, by Pope Paul VI. Try telling that to Hallmark though …

46. Indian intern in “Dilbert” ASOK
“Dilbert” is a comic strip written by Scott Adams, a “neighbor” of mine here in the Bay Area, and the owner of a nice restaurant down the end of my street.

48. Far from draconian LAX
Constitutional law was brought to Athens and Ancient Greece by a legislator called Draco. The legal code that Draco developed was relatively harsh, which is why we use the term “draconian” to describe unforgiving rules.

51. Giants lineman Chris SNEE
Chris Snee is a football player for the New York Giants. Snee is married to the daughter of Tom Coughlin, the Giants coach.

52. “Venerable” Eng. monk ST BEDE
The Venerable Bede was a monk in the north of England in the first century AD. Saint Bede is mainly known as an author and scholar, publisher of “The Ecclesiastical History of the English People”.

55. Motion-sensitive Xbox accessory KINECT
Xbox is made by Microsoft (I’m sure the kids have one around here somewhere!) and introduced in 2001. The current version is known as Xbox 360.

65. Composer Rorem NED
American composer Ned Rorem is famous for his musical compositions, but also for his book, “Paris Diary of Ned Rorem” that was published in 1966. Rorem talks openly about his sexuality in the book, and also about the sexuality of others including Noel Coward, Leonard Bernstein and Samuel Barber, much to some people’s chagrin.

Down
2. Retired professors EMERITI
Emeritus (female form “emerita”, plural “emeriti”) is a term in the title of some retired professionals, particularly those from academia. Originally an emeritus was a veteran soldier who had served his time. The term comes from the Latin verb “emerere” meaning to complete one’s service.

3. “Funky Cold Medina” rapper TONE LOC
Tone Lōc is the stage name of the rapper Anthony Smith.

4. Ballpark rallying cry based on a 1950s hit DAY-O
“Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)” is a traditional folk song from Jamaica. It is sung from the standpoint of dock workers unloading boats on the night shift, so daylight has come, and they want to go home. The most famous version of “Day-O” was recorded by Harry Belafonte, in 1956.

5. “Twin Peaks” actor Tamblyn RUSS
Russ Tamblyn is an actor from Los Angeles who I know best from his performance in 1961’s “West Side Story” in which he played Riff, the leader of the Jets gang. More recently, Tamblyn played Dr. Lawrence Jacoby on the TV series “Twin Peaks”. Russ’s daughter is actress Amber Tamblyn, who plays the lead on the TV show “Joan of Arcadia”.

7. Commerce gp. headed by Roberto Azevêdo WTO
The World Trade Organization (WTO) is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. The stated aim of the WTO is to liberalize international trade. The organization was founded in 1995 when an international agreement on trade was reached that effectively replaced the existing General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) that was laid down in 1949.

8. Girdle material LYCRA
What we call spandex in the US is known as Lycra in the British Isles. “Spandex” was chosen as the name for the elastic fiber as it is an anagram of “expands”.

9. Letters on some faces AM/PM
The 12-hour clock has been around a long time, and was even used in sundial format in Ancient Egypt. Our use of AM and PM dates back to Roman times, with AM standing for Ante Meridiem (before noon) and PM standing for Post Meridiem (after noon). However, the Romans originally used the AM concept a little differently, by counting backwards from noon. So, 2AM to the Romans would be two hours before noon, or 10AM as we would call it today.

10. Capital west of Dubai DOHA
Doha is the capital city of the state of Qatar located on the Persian Gulf. The name “Doha” translates from Arabic as “the big tree”.

11. Big name in cloud storage DROPBOX
In the world of computing, when one operates “in the cloud”, one’s files and key applications are not stored on one’s own computer, but rather are residing “in the cloud”, on a computer(s) somewhere out on the Internet. I do 90% of my computing in the cloud. That way I don’t have to worry about backing up files, and I can operate from any computer if I have to …

13. “Turn to Stone” band ELO
Electric Light Orchestra(ELO)

18. Exiled Cambodian Lon __ NOL
Lon Nol was a soldier and politician in Cambodia, later serving twice as the country’s president. When the Khmer Rouge took over Cambodia in 1975, Nol escaped the country to Indonesia. He eventually found a home in Fullerton, California, where he died in 1985.

23. One-named Milanese model FABIO
Fabio Lanzoni (usually called just “Fabio”) is an Italian fashion model and all-round celebrity. Fabio’s real claim to fame was his appearance on the cover of many, many romance novels in the eighties and nineties.

24. Protein producer RNA
Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) is an essential catalyst in the manufacture of proteins in the body. The genetic code in DNA determines the sequence of amino acids that make up each protein. That sequence is read in DNA by messenger RNA, and amino acids are delivered for protein manufacture in the correct sequence by what is called transfer RNA. The amino acids are then formed into proteins by ribosomal RNA.

26. Mule kin ASS
A hinny is the offspring of a male horse (the “h-” from h-orse) and a female donkey/ass (the “-nny” from je-nny). A mule is more common, and is the offspring of a female horse and male donkey/ass.

31. Symbolic ring HALO
The Greek word “halos” is the name given to the ring of light around the sun or moon, which gives us our word “halo”.

34. It may include a checking account CHESS
In the game of chess, when the king is under immediate threat of capture it is said to be “in check”. If the king cannot escape from check, then the game ends in “checkmate” and the player in check loses. In the original Sanskrit game of chess, the king could actually be captured. Then a rule was introduced requiring that a warning be given if capture was imminent (today we announce “check!”) so that an accidental and early ending to the game doesn’t occur.

35. Atlantic City game KENO
The name “Keno” has French or Latin roots, with the French “quine” being a term for five winning numbers, and the Latin “quini” meaning “five each”. The game originated in China and was introduced into the West by Chinese immigrants who were working on the first Transcontinental Railroad in the 1800s.

Atlantic City is a major resort on the New Jersey coast that benefits from its proximity to New York City (132 miles) and Philadelphia (55 miles). Atlantic City’s famous boardwalk was first built in 1870, the purpose of which was to keep sand out of the lobbies of the hotels on the beachfront.

38. High-tech connection letters DSL
The acronym “DSL” originally stood for Digital Subscriber Loop, but is now accepted to mean (Asymmetric) Digital Subscriber Line. DSL is the technology that allows Internet service be delivered down the same telephone line as voice service, by separating the two into different frequency signals.

40. Homemade collection of songs MIXTAPE
Even though “tapes” are no longer used, the term “mixtape” still describes any homemade collection of musical tracks. The less retro term for the same thing might be “playlist”.

44. Undid a dele STETTED
“Stet” is the Latin word meaning “let it stand”. In editorial work, the typesetter is instructed to disregard any change previously marked by writing the word “stet” beside the change and then underscoring the change with a line of dots or dashes.

50. Prefix with frost PERMA-
Permafrost is by definition soil that has been below the freezing point of water for two years or more. Usually permafrost is covered by a thin layer of soil that thaws during the warmer months and which can sustain life. Plants can grow in the active layer, but their roots cannot penetrate the permafrost below.

51. Hit with skits and bits SNL
“Saturday Night Live” (SNL)

54. DFW schedule data ETDS
Estimated time of departure (ETD)

Dallas/Fort Worth Airport is the largest hub for American Airlines, and is also the fourth busiest airport in the world in terms of aircraft landings and takeoffs (Atlanta is the world’s busiest, followed by Chicago O’Hare and then Los Angeles International).

56. “Othello” schemer IAGO
Iago is the schemer in Shakespeare’s “Othello”. Iago is a soldier who fought alongside Othello and feels hard done by, missing out on promotion. He hatches a plot designed to discredit his rival Cassio by insinuating that Cassio is having an affair with Desdemona, Othello’s wife. By the end of the play it’s Iago himself who is discredited and Othello (before committing suicide) apologizes to Cassio for having believed Iago’s lies. Heavy stuff …

57. Brees and Brady: Abbr. QBS
Drew Brees is a quarterback for the New Orleans Saints. On top of his success in the NFL, when he was a youth Brees was an excellent tennis player. In one competition he actually beat a young Andy Roddick who later became the world’s number one.

Tom Brady plays quarterback for the New England Patriots. Brady is from San Mateo, California, which isn’t very far from here. Brady dated actress Bridget Moynahan for a couple of years, and the pair have a child together.

58. T.G.I. time FRI
“Thank God It’s Friday” (TGIF) is a relatively new expression that originated in Akron, Ohio. It was a catchphrase used by disk jockey Jerry Healy of WAKR in the early seventies.

59. ThinkPad maker IBM
IBM introduced the ThinkPad in 1992, and the brand is still sold today, although no longer manufactured by IBM. IBM sold off its personal computer division in 2005 to Lenovo. A ThinkPad was used aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavor in 1993 on a mission focused on repairing the Hubble Telescope. The ThinkPad was being tested to see how it performed in space, given the high levels of radiation found in that environment. Now, there are about 100 (!) ThinkPads on board the International Space Station.

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For the sake of completion, here is a full listing of all the answers:
Across
1. Out of the rat race, maybe: Abbr. RET
4. Country inflection DRAWL
9. Discombobulate ADDLE
14. Chatter’s caveat IMO
15. Family nickname AUNTY
16. Prized mushroom MOREL
17. Snap of part of one’s portfolio? PENNY-STOCK PHOTO (from “penny stock” & “stock photo”)
20. Chocolatey, circular cereal brand OREO O’S
21. Gerrymanders, say REMAPS
22. Medication unit PILL
23. Brawl FRAY
25. Org. with den mothers BSA
27. Zone for DDE ETO
28. Big name in 30-Across MCAN
30. Flats, e.g. SHOES
32. What a Canadian band owes annually? NICKELBACK TAXES (from “Nickelback” & “back taxes”)
36. “Gun Hill Road” star Morales ESAI
37. Recover HEAL
38. Cheap Valentine’s Day gift? DIME-A-DOZEN ROSES (from “dime a dozen” & “a dozen roses”)
45. Sassy ones SNIPS
46. Indian intern in “Dilbert” ASOK
47. Business card abbr. EXT
48. Far from draconian LAX
49. Smartphone downloads APPS
51. Giants lineman Chris SNEE
52. “Venerable” Eng. monk ST BEDE
55. Motion-sensitive Xbox accessory KINECT
57. Injury sustained before the semis? QUARTER-FINAL CUT (from “quarter final” & “final cut”)
60. Two-footer BIPED
61. High-muck-a-muck MR BIG
62. Had a taco ATE
63. Makes tender, in a way STEWS
64. “We __ please” AIM TO
65. Composer Rorem NED

Down
1. Unwrap in a hurry RIP OPEN
2. Retired professors EMERITI
3. “Funky Cold Medina” rapper TONE LOC
4. Ballpark rallying cry based on a 1950s hit DAY-O
5. “Twin Peaks” actor Tamblyn RUSS
6. Barbecue buttinsky ANT
7. Commerce gp. headed by Roberto Azevêdo WTO
8. Girdle material LYCRA
9. Letters on some faces AM/PM
10. Capital west of Dubai DOHA
11. Big name in cloud storage DROPBOX
12. “Well, now …” LET’S SEE
13. “Turn to Stone” band ELO
18. Exiled Cambodian Lon __ NOL
19. Critical KEY
23. One-named Milanese model FABIO
24. Protein producer RNA
26. Mule kin ASS
28. Arizona landscape features MESAS
29. Sporting, with “in” CLAD
30. Desolate STARK
31. Symbolic ring HALO
33. Put in storage KEEP
34. It may include a checking account CHESS
35. Atlantic City game KENO
38. High-tech connection letters DSL
39. Formally attired IN A SUIT
40. Homemade collection of songs MIXTAPE
41. Shock ZAP
42. Like some Lake Erie residents SENECAN
43. Fulfill EXECUTE
44. Undid a dele STETTED
49. Fruity quencher ADE
50. Prefix with frost PERMA-
51. Hit with skits and bits SNL
53. Cook up BREW
54. DFW schedule data ETDS
55. Use needles KNIT
56. “Othello” schemer IAGO
57. Brees and Brady: Abbr. QBS
58. T.G.I. time FRI
59. ThinkPad maker IBM

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9 thoughts on “LA Times Crossword Answers 31 Jan 14. Friday”

  1. Bill,

    Joan of Arcadia has been off the air since 2005, so I think you need to amend your suggestion that Amber "plays" the lead.

  2. Hey Bill –

    Julian Lin's puzzles are as challenging as anyone's …at least for me. He really makes you think on some of these clues. What a horrible thing to have to do….

    I first had tap in for two footer. Biped made me laugh when I figured it out.

    However, I just can't wrap my arms around the syntax of "it may include a checking account". If the answer were "Chess Magazine" or "chess story" or something, I could see it. Or if the clue were simply "it may include a check", I could see it.

    But as is, it just doesn't make sense to me. Chess in itself does not contain any "accounting" of check. Check is technically making players accountable for speaking up, perhaps? But that's a steadfast rule and there shouldn't be the word "may" in the clue.

    In any manner I look at it, it doesn't make sense to me.

    But it does give me an excuse to go to go to happy hour early today..so I'll go take some extra cash out of my checking account…

    Best

  3. @IMDB nut
    You bring up a good question, the tense that one uses for an actor performing in a film. Is it "Humphrey Bogart plays the lead in 'Casablanca'" or "Humphrey Bogart plays the lead in 'Casablanca'"? I think that it's time I did some research on this one, and will have to get back to you! There's a similar issue of which tense to use when referring to a TV show that is no longer being made but is being aired in re-runs. Maybe I am just overthinking things …

    @Jeff
    I think that maybe the term "account" is used in the clue to mean "narrative". One might be talking about a game of chess and give an account of the checking that took place. It's a bit clumsy but allows the (banking) misdirection in the clue. That would be my guess!

  4. Thanks, Bill –

    Although I understood that misdirection, it still didn't make sense to me as worded. But when I inserted the word "narrative" for "account", it did make a little more sense.

    Regardless, I still have my excuse for an early happy hour today don't I?

    Best

  5. Hi Bill, Vidwan, Sfingi, Addict, Jeff,IMBD nut and all.
    The rapper, computer, editing, Dilbert,cloud storage clues slayed me today.
    I'm NEVER on Julian Lim's wavelength!
    CHESS makes no sense to me either.
    MIXTAPE…Sheesh.
    We got next to nothing rain-wise.
    Gotta run. Thanks Bill and thanks for stopping by all of you who commented.

  6. A slightly/( intentionally? )misleading clue is a group with den mothers. This would be cub scouts and not boy scouts(BSA). I am aware, however, that technically, cubs are a program sponsored by the BSA. Also, I'm glad you noted that Lenovo now makes think pad and not IBM. That was shaky in the puzzle as well 🙂

  7. @Pookie
    I know, MIXTAPE, a thing of the past. I've been uploading my enormous CD collection onto Google Play for the past week. Making a playlist is an awful lot easier than putting together a mixtape! And no rain here either, apart from a sprinkling yesterday morning. Getting thirsty …

    @Piano Man
    I didn't notice that potential issue with den mothers and the BSA connection. Well spotted. I'll take some points for Lenovo though 🙂

  8. All's fair in Love and Crosswords.
    As much as I dislike the constructor's latitude in some of the clues/ans I've learned to accept them.
    I still like to call FOUL on the real bad ones 🙁

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