Day: May 15, 2014

Today’s Wiki-est, Amazonian Googlies
Across
14. Muslim deity ALLAH
The term “Allah” comes from the Arabic “al-” and “ilah”, meaning “the” and “deity”. So “Allah” translates as “God”.

15. Tom Joad, e.g. OKIE
“Okies” was a derogatory term used during the Dust Bowl of the 1930s for farming families who migrated from Oklahoma (hence the name), Arkansas, Kansas and Texas in search of agricultural jobs in California. The road used by many of these migrant families was Route 66, which is also called “Mother Road”.

John Steinbeck’s “The Grapes of Wrath” is set during the Great Depression. The novel tells the story of the Joad family from Oklahoma, farmers who had to leave their home and head for California due to economic hardship.

16. Gp. for leather loathers PETA
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is a very large animal rights organization, with 300 employees and two million members and supporters worldwide. Although the group campaigns for animal rights across a broad spectrum of issues, it has a stated focus in opposition of four practices:

– factory farming
– fur farming
– animal testing
– use of animals in entertainment

17. Quench SLAKE
“To slake” is to satisfy a craving, as in slaking one’s thirst.

24. __Kosh B’Gosh OSH
OshKosh B’Gosh is a company that produces and sells children’s clothes. The trademark OshKosh bib-overalls remind us of the company’s roots, as it was originally a manufacturer of adult work clothes based in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

25. Comical routine SHTICK
A “shtick” is a routine, a bit, a piece of entertainment. It comes from the Yiddish “shtick”, which has the same meaning and derives from the Middle High German word “stücke”, the word for “piece”.

28. Significant dry spell? SPEAKEASY ERA
A speakeasy is an establishment that sells alcoholic drinks illegally. Speakeasies were very big in the US in the days of Prohibition. The obvious etymology, of a speakeasy owner asking his or her customers to “speak easy” so as not to draw attention to the authorities, is thought to have originated in 1888 in McKeesport just outside Pittsburgh.

There were concerted efforts to ban the sale of alcoholic beverages in the US from the 1840s right up until the lobbyists achieved success with ratification of the Eighteenth Amendment to the US Constitution in 1919. While there were several factors that influenced legislators at that time, one was the perceived need to take political power away from German-based brewing industry during WWI.

34. Himalayan legend YETI
A yeti is a beast of legend, also called an abominable snowman. “Yeti” is a Tibetan term, and the beast is fabled to live in the Himalayan regions of Nepal and Tibet. Our equivalent legend in North America is that of Bigfoot, also known as Sasquatch. The study of animals whose existence have not yet been substantiated is called cryptozoology.

The magnificent Himalaya range of mountains in Asia takes its name from the Sanskrit for “abode of snow”. Geographically, the Himalayas separate the Indian subcontinent from the Tibetan Plateau to the north.

39. “Affliction” actor NOLTE
The actor Nick Nolte got his first big break playing opposite Jacqueline Bisset and Robert Shaw in “The Deep”, released in 1976. Prior to that he had worked as a model, and in fact appeared in a magazine advertisement for Clairol in 1972 alongside fellow model Sigourney Weaver.

“Affliction” is a 1997 drama movie adapted from a novel of the same name by Russell Banks. Nick Nolte plays the starring role, a small-town policeman in New Hampshire.

41. Ex-Saudi ruler __ Saud IBN
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is the largest Arab country in the Middle East and is the world’s largest oil producer, home to the world’s largest oil reserves. The Saudi dynasty started in central Arabia in 1744 when the secular leader Muhammad ibn Saud joined forces with the Islamic scholar and Imam, Muhammad ibn Abd-al-Wahhab. At the time, Saud was a ruler of a town near Riyadh and he was determined to bring “true” Islam to the Arabian peninsula. Since 1744 the fortunes of the Saudi family have risen and fallen, but it is that same family who rules what we know today as Saudi Arabia.

42. Such-is link AS IT
Such as it is …

50. Poem part STANZA
“Stanza” is an Italian word meaning “verse of a poem”.

51. “Rumble in the Jungle” winner ALI
Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier had three memorable fights. The first was billed as the “Fight of the Century” and took place in 1971 in Madison Square Garden. It was a fight between two great boxers, both of whom were undefeated up till that point. Frazier won in a unanimous decision after fifteen rounds. A couple of years later, in 1973, Frazier lost his title to George Foreman. Ali and Frazier had a non-title rematch in 1974, with Ali coming out ahead this time, also in a unanimous decision. Later that year, Ali grabbed back the World Heavyweight Title in “The Rumble in the Jungle”, the famous “rope-a-dope” fight against George Foreman. That set the stage for the third and final fight between Ali and Frazier, “The Thrilla in Manila”. Ali won the early rounds, but Frazier made a comeback in the middle of the fight. Ali took control at the end of the bout, so much so that Frazier wasn’t able to come out of his corner for the 15th and final round. He couldn’t come out of his corner because both of his eyes were swollen shut, giving Ali a victory due to a technical knockout (TKO).

52. Botanist Gray ASA
Asa Gray was an important American botanist in the nineteenth century. He was a lifelong friend of Charles Darwin, albeit mainly through correspondence. Darwin’s book “Forms of Flowers”, was dedicated to Gray.

59. “Lovely” girl of song RITA
“Lovely Rita” is a Beatles song on the “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” album. When the album was released in 1967, the term “meter maid” wasn’t used in the UK, although it was a slang term used in the US. The song helped spread the usage of “meter maid” all around the English-speaking world. Apparently the inspiration for the song was McCartney getting a parking ticket one day outside the Abbey Road Studios. He accepted the ticket with good grace, from a warden named Meta Davis. McCartney felt that Meta “looked like a Rita”, so that was the name she was given in the song.

62. Numbered hymn PSALM
The Greek word “psalmoi” originally meant “songs sung to a harp”, and gave us the word “psalms”.

63. Actor Estrada ERIK
Actor Erik Estrada got his big break in the movie “Airport 1975”, before playing motorcycle police officer Poncherello on the television show “CHiPs” from 1977-81.

65. Cocoon dweller LARVA
The larva is an intermediate stage in the development of an insect. All four stages are embryo, larva, pupa and imago.

68. Whitehorse’s territory YUKON
Canada is made up of ten provinces and three territories. The three territories lie to the north of the country, and are Yukon, Northwest Territories (NWT) and Nunavut. Territories differ from provinces in that they only have governmental powers that are delegated to them by the federal government, whereas the provinces have constitutional powers in their own right.

Whitehorse is the capital city of Canada’s Yukon Territory. It sits at the head of the Yukon River and its location made it an important supply center during the Klondike Gold Rush.

Down
1. Brutus co-conspirator CASCA
Julius Caesar was assassinated on the 15th (the ides) of March, 44 BC. He was attacked by a group of sixty people in the Roman Senate, and was stabbed 23 times. The first to strike a blow was Servilius Casca, who attacked Caesar from behind and stabbed him in the neck.

The most famous man today with the name “Brutus” from Ancient Rome was Marcus Junius Brutus the Younger. It was this Brutus that Julius Caesar turned to when he was assassinated on the steps of the Senate. William Shakespeare immortalized Brutus by featuring him in his play, “Julius Caesar”, and giving his victim the line “Et tu, Brute?”

3. South American carrier LLAMA
The wool from a llama is much softer than that from a sheep, and it is also free from lanolin.

5. Cyndi Lauper hit SHE BOP
“She Bop” is a hit song released by Cyndi Lauper in 1984. The song was considered controversial because of the sexual nature of the lyrics. In fact, Lauper claims that she recorded the vocal track while she was naked.

If you’ve ever heard Cyndi Lauper speaking, you’d know that she was from Queens, New York. She is the daughter of divorced parents, strongly influenced by a supportive mother. She was always a free spirit, and even as young teen in the mid-sixties she dyed her hair different colors and wore outlandish fashions. She was a young woman who wanted to “find herself”, and to that end she once spent two weeks alone in the woods up in Canada, well, just with her dog.

10. Snobbish UPPITY
Back in the 1780s, a “snob” was a shoemaker or a shoemaker’s apprentice. By the end of the 18th century the word was being used by students at Cambridge University in England to refer to all local merchants and people of the town. The term evolved to mean one who copies those who are his or her social superior (and not in a good way). From there it wasn’t a big leap for “snob” to include anyone who emphasized their superior social standing and not just those who aspired to rank. Nowadays a snob is anyone who looks down on those considered to be of inferior standing.

11. “Ten Days in a Mad-House” journalist, 1887 NELLIE BLY
Nellie Bly was a pen name of an American journalist whose real name was Elizabeth Cochran. In 1888, Bly took a trip around the world, emulating the fictional trip of Phileas Fogg in “Around the World in Eighty Days”. She departed from New York and arrived back in San Francisco two days behind schedule, jeopardizing her goal of beating the “eighty days”. The owner of her newspaper chartered a private train for her and she made it back to New York in just over 72 days. Quite a woman …

Journalist Nellie Bly wrote a series of articles for the New York World in the 1880s recounting her undercover investigation of life in the Women’s Lunatic Asylum on Blackwell’s Island in the East River. Bly feigned insanity while lodging at a women’s boarding house so that she was carted off to the asylum. The articles were republished in 1887 in book form as “Ten Days in a Mad-House”, after which there was a grand jury investigation into the horrific conditions described by Bly.

12. Judge in 1995 news ITO
Judge Lance Ito came in for a lot of criticism for his handling of the O.J. Simpson murder trial. The lead prosecutor in that trial was Marcia Clark, you might recall. I read the book that’s Clark wrote about the trial called “Without a Doubt”, and she pointed out one trait of Judge Ito that I think is quite telling. Ito would almost always refer to the prosecutor as “Marcia”, while addressing the men on both sides of the case as “Mister”.

13. Art in a parlor TAT
The word “tattoo” (often shortened to “tat”) was first used in English in the writings of the famous English explorer Captain Cook. In his descriptions of the indelible marks adorning the skin of Polynesian natives, Cook anglicized the Tahitian word “tatau” into our “tattoo”.

21. Enzyme ending -ASE
Enzymes are basically catalysts, chemicals that act to increase the rate of a particular chemical reaction. For example, starches will break down into sugars over time, especially under the right conditions. However, in the presence of the enzyme amylase (found in saliva) this production of sugar happens very, very quickly.

22. Twain/Harte play AH SIN
“Ah Sin” was a disastrously unsuccessful play written by Bret Harte and Mark Twain. The two writers didn’t get on at all well during the writing process, and when the play was produced for the stage it was very poorly received. Nevertheless, Twain suggested a further collaboration with Harte, and Harte downright refused!

Samuel Langhorne Clemens was the real name of the author Mark Twain. Twain wasn’t the only pen name used by Clemens. Early in his career he signed some sketches as “Josh”, and signed some humorous letters that he wrote under the name “Thomas Jefferson Snodgrass”. The name of Mark Twain came from the days when Clemens was working on riverboats on the Mississippi. A riverboatman would call out “by the mark twain” when measuring the depth of water. This meant that on the sounding line, according to the “mark” on the line, the depth was two (“twain”) fathoms, and so it was safe for the riverboat to proceed.

Bret Harte was a storyteller noted for his tales of the American West even though he himself was from back East, born in Albany, New York.

27. Middleton and Spade KATES
Kate Middleton is the wife of Prince William of the UK. Middleton is what one might call a commoner, born to parents who were flight attendants. However, as is so often the case in Britain, Kate’s ancestry can be traced back far enough to show that she and William do have common ancestors, dating back to the 1500s on her mother’s side and to the 1400s on her father’s side.

Kate Spade fashion design house was founded as a supplier of handbags in 1993. The brand is named for founder Kate Brosnahan Spade. The equivalent male brand is called Jack Spade.

28. Arch home: Abbr. STL
The Gateway Arch in St. Louis is the tallest monument in the United States. It was designed by Eero Saarinenen, with the help of structural engineer Hannskarl Bandel. They did their design work back in 1947, but construction wasn’t started until 1963. In 1980, a daredevil took it upon himself to parachute onto the top of the arch intending to further jump from the apex of the arch and parachute to the ground. He hit the arch alright, and slid all the way down one of the arches to his death. No comment …

29. Japan’s second-oldest university KYOTO
Kyoto University was founded as the Chemistry School in Osaka in 1869, making it the second-oldest institute of higher education in Japan. The oldest such institute is Keio University in Tokyo, which was founded in 1858 as a School of Western Studies.

30. Diagnostic test for epilepsy, for short EEG
An electroencephalogram (EEG) is a record of electrical activity caused by the firing of neurons within the brain. The EEG might be used to diagnose epilepsy, or perhaps to determine if a patient is “brain dead”.

31. Houdini’s family name WEISS
Harry Houdini was the stage name of Hungarian-born escapologist and magician Erik Weisz (later changed to “Harry Weiss”). Many people are under the impression that Houdini died while performing an escape that went wrong, an impression created by the storyline in a couple of movies about his life. The truth is that he died of peritonitis from a burst appendix. It is also true that a few days prior to his death Houdini took a series of punches to his stomach as part of his act, but doctors believe that his appendix would have burst regardless.

32. Boundary AMBIT
An ambit is an outer boundary or limit, a circumference. The term can also be used to mean the sphere or scope of influence. “Ambit” comes from the Latin “ambire” meaning “to go around”.

37. Tenor who portrayed Caruso LANZA
Mario Lanza was a classical tenor and Hollywood actor from Philadelphia who had a very successful, but very short career. Lanza’s most famous movie performance was playing Enrico Caruso in the 1951 biopic “The Great Caruso”. Lanza struggled with overeating and alcohol abuse, and died in 1959 at only 38 years of age.

38. Ang Lee, e.g.: Abbr. DIR
Taiwanese director Ang Lee sure has directed a mixed bag of films, mixed in terms of genre but not in terms of quality. He was at the helm for such classics as “Sense & Sensibility” (my personal favorite), “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”, “Hulk”, “Brokeback Mountain” and “Life of Pi”.

43. Fixing, in a way SPAYING
Our verb “to spay”, meaning “to surgically remove the ovaries of” (an animal) comes from an old Anglo-French word “espeier” meaning “to cut with a sword”.

46. __ manifold: engine part INTAKE
The intake manifold of a car’s engine is that part supplying the fuel and air to the cylinders.

47. Chevy SUVs TAHOES
The Chevrolet Tahoe is basically the same design as the GMC Yukon, both cars being sports utility vehicles. The Tahoe is rated at 15 mpg for city driving, but there is a hybrid version which is rated at a whopping 21 mpg …

48. “Strange Magic” gp. ELO
The Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) is a symphonic rock group from the north of England. The band’s manager was Don Arden, father of Sharon Osbourne (wife of Ozzy).

52. “… __ and stormy …” A DARK
Edward Bulwer-Lytton was an English politician and writer. Among his writings, he came up with some phrases that have endured, such as:

– “the great unwashed”
– “pursuit of the almighty dollar”
– “the pen is mightier than the sword”
– “It was a dark and stormy night …”

53. Series of shots SALVO
A salvo is a simultaneous discharge of guns. Ironically, “salvo” comes from the Latin “salve” meaning “be in good health”. Salvo was originally the name given to the firing of guns in the air as a sign of respect or greeting for an important visitor. Good health!

56. Yours, to Yvette A TOI
“À toi” is the French term for “yours”, when talking to someone with whom one is familiar. “À toi” literally means “to you”.

57. Half a bar tool TONG
A pair of tongs is a tool with a scissor-like hinge used to pick up things.

58. Genesis brother ESAU
Esau was the twin brother of Jacob, the founder of the Israelites. When their mother Rebekah gave birth to the twins “the first emerged red and hairy all over (Esau), with his heel grasped by the hand of the second to come out (Jacob)”. As Esau was the first born, he was entitled to inherit his father’s wealth (it was his “birthright”). Instead, Esau sold his birthright to Jacob for the price of a “mess of pottage” (a meal of lentils).

60. Portfolio element IRA
Individual retirement account (IRA)

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For the sake of completion, here is a full listing of all the answers:
Across
1. Quiets CALMS
6. Fund-raising target GOAL
10. Combat group UNIT
14. Muslim deity ALLAH
15. Tom Joad, e.g. OKIE
16. Gp. for leather loathers PETA
17. Quench SLAKE
18. Moderate, with “down” TONE
19. Piece of land PLOT
20. Loser’s hoped-for path COMEBACK TRAIL
23. __ standstill AT A
24. __Kosh B’Gosh OSH
25. Comical routine SHTICK
28. Significant dry spell? SPEAKEASY ERA
31. Drift, as on the breeze WAFT
34. Himalayan legend YETI
35. Take a turn in the box BAT
36. Where surfers shop E-MALL
38. A good one follows the starts of the four longest puzzle answers DOG
39. “Affliction” actor NOLTE
41. Ex-Saudi ruler __ Saud IBN
42. Such-is link AS IT
44. Pro votes AYES
45. Disruptive occupation SIT-IN PROTEST
50. Poem part STANZA
51. “Rumble in the Jungle” winner ALI
52. Botanist Gray ASA
55. Telecommuter, perhaps STAY-AT-HOME DAD
59. “Lovely” girl of song RITA
61. “Am __ late?” I TOO
62. Numbered hymn PSALM
63. Actor Estrada ERIK
64. Zero NONE
65. Cocoon dweller LARVA
66. Watch part FACE
67. Tour stops GIGS
68. Whitehorse’s territory YUKON

Down
1. Brutus co-conspirator CASCA
2. Deal out ALLOT
3. South American carrier LLAMA
4. Rake in MAKE
5. Cyndi Lauper hit SHE BOP
6. “Check” GOTCHA
7. “All right already” OK OK
8. English class no-no AIN’T
9. Eyes rudely LEERS AT
10. Snobbish UPPITY
11. “Ten Days in a Mad-House” journalist, 1887 NELLIE BLY
12. Judge in 1995 news ITO
13. Art in a parlor TAT
21. Enzyme ending -ASE
22. Twain/Harte play AH SIN
26. Slatted box CRATE
27. Middleton and Spade KATES
28. Arch home: Abbr. STL
29. Japan’s second-oldest university KYOTO
30. Diagnostic test for epilepsy, for short EEG
31. Houdini’s family name WEISS
32. Boundary AMBIT
33. Extraordinary FANTASTIC
37. Tenor who portrayed Caruso LANZA
38. Ang Lee, e.g.: Abbr. DIR
40. Healthy grain OAT
43. Fixing, in a way SPAYING
46. __ manifold: engine part INTAKE
47. Chevy SUVs TAHOES
48. “Strange Magic” gp. ELO
49. Without complication SIMPLY
52. “… __ and stormy …” A DARK
53. Series of shots SALVO
54. Marketing pro ADMAN
56. Yours, to Yvette A TOI
57. Half a bar tool TONG
58. Genesis brother ESAU
59. Flag thrower REF
60. Portfolio element IRA

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