Day: May 7, 2014

Today’s Wiki-est, Amazonian Googlies
Across
1. Takes out in an arcade, as bad guys ZAPS
Our word “arcade” comes from the Latin “arcus” meaning “arc”. The first arcades were passages made from a series of arches. This could be an avenue of trees, and eventually any covered avenue. I remember arcades lined with shops and stores when I was growing up on the other side of the Atlantic. Arcades came to be lined with lots of amusements, resulting in amusement arcades and video game arcades.

5. Longtime AFL president Gompers SAMUEL
Samuel Gompers was an influential labor union leader who founded and served as president of the American Federation of Labor (AFL).

The American Federation of Labor (AFL) was founded in 1886 by Samuel Gompers, making it one of the first federations of unions in the country. Led by Gompers, the AFL became dominated by craft unions, unions representing skilled workers of particular disciplines. In the early thirties, John L. Lewis led a movement within the AFL to organize workers by industry, believing this would be more effective for the members. But the craft unions refused to budge, so Lewis set up a rival federation of unions in 1932 called the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO). The two federations became bitter rivals for over two decades until finally merging in 1955 to form the AFL-CIO.

14. Spread unit ACRE
At one time, an acre was defined as the amount of land a yoke of oxen could plow in a day. This was more precisely defined as a strip of land one furlong long (660 feet) and one chain wide (66 feet). The word “furlong” is actually derived from the Old English words meaning “furrow long”, the length of the furrow plowed by the oxen.

16. Quattro meno uno TRE
In Italian, four minus one (quattro meno uno) is three (tre).

17. Chinese noodle dish CHICKEN CHOW MEIN
Chow mein has two slightly different meanings on the East and West Coasts of the US. On the East Coast, “basic” chow mein is a crispy dish, whereas on the West Coast it is a steamed dish and relatively soft. On the East Coast the steamed dish is available, but under the name “lo mein”. On the West Coast, the crispy dish is also on the menu, as Hong Kong style chow mein.

22. “A Farewell to __” ARMS
“A Farewell to Arms” is a somewhat autobiographical novel written by Ernest Hemingway, telling the story of an American ambulance driver serving with the Italian army during WWI. The most famous screen adaptation is probably the 1957 version starring Rock Hudson and Jennifer Jones.

23. 1995 Shania Twain album THE WOMAN IN ME
Shania Twain is a Country and pop singer from Windsor, Ontario. Her birth name was Eileen Edwards, and this changed to Eilleen Twain when her mother remarried. Twain changed her name to Shania in the early 1990s, around the same time that her musical career started to take off.

27. Lincoln Town Cars, e.g. SEDANS
The Lincoln brand “Town Car” is simply a translation of the French term that was already in use by Cadillac, namely “Sedan de Ville”.

31. “Jeopardy!” name ALEX
The word is that Alex Trebek will step down as host of the game show “Jeopardy” in 2016, when his current contract expires. The list of names mentioned to replace Trebek includes Brian Williams, Dan Patrick, Matt Lauer and Anderson Cooper. I vote for Cooper, but I can’t see him taking the job …

37. Org. for Hawks but not Eagles NBA
The NBA’s Atlanta Hawks started out as the Buffalo Bisons in 1946, although after only a few months the team was moved to Moline, Illinois as the Tri-Cities Blackhawks, one of the 17 original teams playing at the founding of the National Basketball Association. There was another move in 1951 and a renaming to the Milwaukee Hawks, and yet again in 1955 when the team became the St. Louis Hawks. The latest move was to Atlanta, in 1968.

The Philadelphia Eagles were established in 1933 and joined the National Football League as a replacement for the bankrupt Frankford Yellow Jackets, also from Philadelphia. The “Eagle” name was inspired by the Blue Eagle insignia that was used by companies who were in compliance with the National Industrial Recovery Act that was central to President Roosevelt’s New Deal Program.

38. Whiskas alternative … or, literally, what’s hidden in 17-, 23-, 47- and 57-Across MEOW MIX
We might know Meow Mix cat food because of its advertising jingle that was meowed out by a cat, with subtitles below.

The brand name “Whiskas” has been used for cat food since 1988, but the product itself has been made in McLean, Virginia since 1936. For decades it was sold under the name “Kal Kan”.

41. Commonly yellow blooms DAFFODILS
Daffodils are more properly called narcissus plants, a whole genus in the Amaryllis family. Ancient Greeks believe that after the god Narcissus died (while obsessed with his reflection in a pool), his remains were turned in the Narcissus flower, hence the name. Back in the British Isles, the daffodil is most famous as the national flower of Wales. It is also remembered for its appearance in Wordsworth’s poem:

I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o’er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;

44. Not quite closed AJAR
Our word “ajar” is thought to come from Scottish dialect, in which “a char” means “slightly open”.

45. WWII fleet U-BOATS
U-boat stands for the German “Unterseeboot” (undersea boat). U-boats were primarily used in WWII to enforce a blockade against enemy commercial shipping, with a main objective being to cut off the supplies being transported to Britain from the British colonies and the US. The epic fight for control of the supply routes became known as the Battle of the Atlantic.

47. Greeter of new homeowners WELCOME WAGON
Welcome Wagon is a company that was founded in 1928 in Memphis. The company contacts new homeowners with coupons and advertisements from local businesses. Up until 1998, new homeowners would be contacted by Welcome Wagon “hostesses” who provided the coupons and advertisements in gift baskets, along with free product samples.

52. Missouri River tribe OTOE
The Native American people known as the Otoe were the first tribe encountered by the Lewis and clark Expedition. The meeting took place at a point on the Missouri River that is now known as Council Bluff.

53. “Dies __” IRAE
“Dies Irae” is Latin for “Day of Wrath”. It is the name of a famous melody in Gregorian Chant, one that is often used as part of the Roman Catholic Requiem Mass.

54. Deluge refuge ARK
The term “ark”, when used with reference to Noah, is a translation of the Hebrew word “tebah”. The word “tebah” is also used in the Bible for the basket in which Moses was placed by his mother when she floated him down the Nile. It seems that the word “tebah” doesn’t mean “boat” and nor does it mean “basket”. Rather, a more appropriate translation is “life-preserver” or “life-saver”. So, Noah’s ark was Noah’s life-preserver during the flood.

57. Will Schuester portrayer on “Glee” MATTHEW MORRISON
Matthew Morrison is an actor and singer known for his performances in Broadway musicals and for playing Will Schuester on the TV show “Glee”.

62. Was tricked by a worm? BIT
Tricked by a worm … took the bait … bit.

64. Late-night rival of Jimmy and Jimmy DAVE
Talk show host and comedian David Letterman has been appearing on late night television since 1982. Letterman has the longest late-night hosting career on US television, even longer than the iconic Johnny Carson. Letterman has announced his plan to retire in 2015.

66. “__ here”: “Poltergeist” THEY’RE
“Poltergeist” is a 1982 film co-written and produced by Steven Spielberg that tells of a family whose home is invaded by scary ghosts. Tobe Cooper directed, as Spielberg was prevented from doing so due to his contract on the film “E.T. the Extraterrestrial”, which was released at almost the same time as “Poltergeist”.

Down
1. “The Hangover” actor Galifianakis ZACH
Zach Galifianakis is a stand-up comedian who is making a name for himself on the big screen. Galifianakis garnered a lot of attention for his role in 2009’s “The Hangover”, and also starred opposite Robert Downey Jr. in the 2010 release “Due Date”.

“The Hangover” is a comedy film released in 2009. The action revolves around a bachelor party in Las Vegas. The critics liked this one, although I didn’t really enjoy it too much.

5. Extended attacks SIEGES
Our word “siege” comes from a 13th century word for a “seat”. The military usage derives from the concept of a besieging force “sitting down” outside a fortress until it falls.

8. The Wildcats of the America East Conf. UNH
The University of New Hampshire (UNH) is the largest university in the state. It was founded as the New Hampshire College of Agriculture and the Mechanic Arts in 1866.

9. 1940s mil. zone ETO
General Dwight D. Eisenhower (DDE) was in command of the European Theater of Operations (ETO) during WWII.

12. Fairy tale brother GRIMM
The Brothers Grimm (Jacob and Wilhelm) were two German academics noted for collecting and publishing folk tales. Among the tales in their marvelous collection are “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs”, “Sleeping Beauty” and “Cinderella”.

18. Lyricist Gus KAHN
Gus Kahn was a songwriter who was very successful on Broadway and in Hollywood. Songs that he penned include “I’ll See You in My Dreams”, “It Had to Be You” and “Makin’ Whoopee!”

19. Champion skier known as the “Herminator” MAIER
Hermann Maier is a retired Austrian alpine skier. Maier’s competitive career was almost brought to an end in 2001 when he was involved in a near-fatal motorcycle accident. He almost lost his right leg in the crash and had to undergo massive reconstructive surgery. Three years later, Maier made one of the greatest comebacks in any sport, and earned himself the nickname “the Herminator”.

26. “Breaking Bad” setting: Abbr. N MEX
I hadn’t seen the AMC drama “Breaking Bad” until relatively recently when my wife borrowed the first and second seasons from our local library. It is a well-written show about a high school teacher stricken by lung cancer who turns to a life of crime to make money.

28. Where Napoleon was exiled ELBA
Napoleon was sent into exile twice. A coalition of European powers sent him to the island of Elba in Tuscany in 1814, only for him to escape after a year and return to power. After Wellington defeated him at Waterloo, Napoleon was dispatched to the British-owned island of St. Helena in the South Atlantic, where he spent the last six years of his life.

29. Like The Who’s Tommy DEAF
“Tommy” was the name given to the fourth album recorded by the British band, The Who. It was the original “rock opera”, and was adapted for both the stage and screen, both adaptations becoming huge successes.

32. River through Tours LOIRE
The Loire is the longest river in France, so long that it drains one-fifth of the nation’s land mass. The Loire rises in the southeast, in the Cevennes mountain range, then it heads north and then due west, emptying into the Bay of Biscay at the city of Nantes.

Tours is the largest city in the Centre region of France. It is said that the people of Tours speak the “purest” form of French in the whole country, and when spoken by a local it is also said to be free of any accent.

34. Source of much dorm furniture IKEA
The Swedish company IKEA is the world’s largest furniture retailer. Apparently, IKEA also consumes 1% of our planet’s supply of wood.

35. “Groovy!” NEAT!
The term “groovy” meaning “neat, cool” comes from the jazz slang phrase “in the groove”.

36. Fitness centers GYMS
Our word “gymnasium” comes from the Greek “gymnasion” meaning “public place where exercise is taken”. The Greek term comes from “gymnos” meaning “naked”, as that physical training was usually done unclothed.

38. Magic amulet MOJO
The word “mojo”, meaning magical charm or magnetism, is probably of Creole origin.

39. Mild cheese EDAM
Edam cheese takes its name from the Dutch town of Edam in North Holland. The cheese is famous for its coating of red paraffin wax, a layer of protection that helps Edam travel well and prevents spoiling. You might occasionally come across an Edam cheese that is coated in black wax. The black color indicates that the underlying cheese has been aged for a minimum of 17 weeks.

43. George W., to George SON
President George W. Bush was nicknamed “Dubya” based on the Texas pronunciation of his middle initial “W”.

45. Lorre’s “Casablanca” role UGARTE
Signor Ugarte is a wonderful character in the classic film “Casablanca”. Ugarte is played by Peter Lorre, and is the man who has possession of the crucial letters of transit that were obtained by murdering two German couriers.

The marvelous actor Peter Lorre was born in what is now modern-day Slovakia. Lorre’s real name was Laszlo Lowenstein. He started acting in Vienna when he was quite young, only 17 years old. When Hitler came to power, the Jewish Lowenstein headed to Paris and then London, eventually ending up in Hollywood. Lorre found himself typecast as the wicked foreigner in American movies, but I think he sneered and snarled his way to the bank.

46. Certain Afrikaner BOER
“Boer” is the Dutch and Afrikaans word for “farmer”, a word that was used to describe the Dutch-speaking people who settled parts of South Africa during the 1700s.

49. Numbers game LOTTO
Originally “Lotto” was a type of card game, with “lotto” being the Italian for “a lot”. We’ve used “lotto” to mean a gambling game since the late 1700s.

55. Gad about ROVE
“To gad about” is to move around with little purpose. The word “gad” comes from the Middle English “gadden” meaning “to hurry”.

58. FDR successor HST
Harry Truman wanted to go to West Point having served with the Missouri Army National Guard on active duty in WWI, but he couldn’t get in because of his poor eyesight. Young Truman didn’t have the money to pay for college anywhere else. He did manage to study for two years towards a law degree at the Kansas City Law School in the twenties, but he never finished his schooling. So, Harry S. Truman was the last US President (out of a list of ten) who did not have a college degree.

Future president Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) developed polio in 1921, when he was in his late thirties. He picked up the viral disease while on vacation in Campobello Island in Canada.

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For the sake of completion, here is a full listing of all the answers:
Across
1. Takes out in an arcade, as bad guys ZAPS
5. Longtime AFL president Gompers SAMUEL
11. Rank above cpl. SGT
14. Spread unit ACRE
15. Really enjoys IS INTO
16. Quattro meno uno TRE
17. Chinese noodle dish CHICKEN CHOW MEIN
20. Clothes line HEM
21. Antiquing agent AGER
22. “A Farewell to __” ARMS
23. 1995 Shania Twain album THE WOMAN IN ME
27. Lincoln Town Cars, e.g. SEDANS
30. Highest point ACME
31. “Jeopardy!” name ALEX
32. Hanging around LOITERING
37. Org. for Hawks but not Eagles NBA
38. Whiskas alternative … or, literally, what’s hidden in 17-, 23-, 47- and 57-Across MEOW MIX
40. Pivotal KEY
41. Commonly yellow blooms DAFFODILS
43. Clothes line SEAM
44. Not quite closed AJAR
45. WWII fleet U-BOATS
47. Greeter of new homeowners WELCOME WAGON
52. Missouri River tribe OTOE
53. “Dies __” IRAE
54. Deluge refuge ARK
57. Will Schuester portrayer on “Glee” MATTHEW MORRISON
62. Was tricked by a worm? BIT
63. Pull into, as a motel STOP AT
64. Late-night rival of Jimmy and Jimmy DAVE
65. Pavement warning SLO
66. “__ here”: “Poltergeist” THEY’RE
67. Expel with force SPEW

Down
1. “The Hangover” actor Galifianakis ZACH
2. Workout consequence ACHE
3. Schoolmarmish PRIM
4. “Hold on a __!” SEC
5. Extended attacks SIEGES
6. Good __: fully restored AS NEW
7. Start to manage? MICRO-
8. The Wildcats of the America East Conf. UNH
9. 1940s mil. zone ETO
10. Cattle call LOW
11. Back at sea STERN
12. Fairy tale brother GRIMM
13. High-strung TENSE
18. Lyricist Gus KAHN
19. Champion skier known as the “Herminator” MAIER
23. Strain TAX
24. Seriously injures MAIMS
25. Overture follower ACT I
26. “Breaking Bad” setting: Abbr. N MEX
27. Beach pailful SAND
28. Where Napoleon was exiled ELBA
29. Like The Who’s Tommy DEAF
32. River through Tours LOIRE
33. Head-rotating bird OWL
34. Source of much dorm furniture IKEA
35. “Groovy!” NEAT!
36. Fitness centers GYMS
38. Magic amulet MOJO
39. Mild cheese EDAM
42. Gem surface FACET
43. George W., to George SON
45. Lorre’s “Casablanca” role UGARTE
46. Certain Afrikaner BOER
47. Areas for development WOMBS
48. Cybercommerce ETAIL
49. Numbers game LOTTO
50. Not macho at all WIMPY
51. Like a loud crowd AROAR
54. “By yesterday!” letters ASAP!
55. Gad about ROVE
56. Had down cold KNEW
58. FDR successor HST
59. Biblical verb suffix -ETH
60. Misfortune WOE
61. They may be checked at the door IDS

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