CROSSWORD SETTER: Mark Bickham
THEME: None
BILL BUTLER’S COMPLETION TIME: 21m 58s
ANSWERS I MISSED: 0
Today’s Wiki-est, Amazonian Googlies
Across
10. City on the Shatt al-Arab river BASRA
It’s quite a coincidence that the Iraqi city of Basra has a name that is an anagram of “Arabs”, isn’t it? Basra also features in the H. G. Wells science-fiction tale “The Shape of Things to Come”. Written in 1933, the storyline predicts a global conflict (WWII) that breaks out in 1940 lasting for ten years, after which chaos reigns as no victor emerges. Following worldwide plague, a benevolent dictatorship takes charge and the world moves towards a serene utopia. In time, the dictators are overthrown and peacefully retired, and the people of the Earth live happily ever after, all citizens of one global state with its capital in Basra in the Middle East.
The Shatt al-Arab is a river that forms part of the border between Iran and Iraq. Control of the Shatt al-Arab waterway was one of the main causes of Iran-Iraq War that was fought between 1980 and 1988.
15. Lady of the Lake’s gift EXCALIBUR
Excalibur is the legendary sword of the legendary King Arthur of Great Britain. In some accounts, Arthur was given the sword by the Lady of the Lake. There is sometimes confusion about the origin of Excalibur, as Arthur famously is said to have pulled a sword from a stone, hence proving him to be a true king. The Sword in the Stone is a different sword, and not Excalibur.
16. Web-footed animal OTTER
The fur of the sea otter is exceptionally thick. It is in fact the densest fur in the whole animal kingdom.
17. Term popularized by physicist John Wheeler BLACK HOLE
A black hole in space is a region that is extremely dense and one that has an enormous gravitational field. The force of gravity is so great that not even light can escape, so all that can be observed is “blackness”, which gives the phenomenon the name of “black hole”. It is believed that black holes form when large stars reach the end of their lives and collapse in upon themselves.
The American theoretical physicist John Archibald Wheeler was a professor at Princeton University where he worked with Albert Einstein. It was Wheeler who popularized the term “black hole” and who coined the terms “quantum foam” and “wormhole”.
20. Alice’s chronicler ARLO
Arlo Guthrie is the son of Woody Guthrie. Both father and son are renowned for their singing of protest songs about social injustice. Arlo is most famous for his epic “Alice’s Restaurant Massacree”, a song that lasts a full 18m 34s. In the song Guthrie tells how, after being drafted, he was rejected for service in the Vietnam War based on his criminal record. He had only one incident on his public record, a Thanksgiving Day arrest for littering and being a public nuisance when he was 18-years-old.
21. Italian nobleman CONTE
“Conte” is Italian for “count”, with “contessa” translating as “countess”.
22. Presidential nickname ABE
Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the US, elected in 1860 as the first president from the Republican Party. Lincoln’s electoral support came almost exclusively from the north and west of the country, winning only two out 996 counties in the Southern slave states. Lincoln led the country through Civil War, and then was assassinated in 1865 just a few days after Robert E. Lee surrendered his army of Northern Virginia. President Lincoln was succeeded in office by Vice President Andrew Johnson.
23. Member of a bygone empire INCA
The Inca Empire was known as the Tawantinsuyu, which translates as “land of the four quarters”. The Inca Empire was a federal organization having a central government that sat above four “suyu” or “quarters”, four administrative regions.
24. 23-Down competitor KAL KAN
(23D. “Home 4 the Holidays” adoption sponsor IAMS)
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”.
25. Scottish John IAN
The name “John” translates into Scottish as “Ian”.
28. Club alternative BLT
The BLT (bacon, lettuce and tomato) is the second most popular sandwich in the US, after the plain old ham sandwich.
The club sandwich is a double-decker affair with three layers of bread and two layers of filling. This style of sandwich has been around since the end of the 19th century, and some say it was invented at an exclusive gambling “club” in Saratoga Springs, New York.
29. Heavy metal band with the album “The Final Frontier” IRON MAIDEN
Iron Maiden is a heavy metal band for London that has been around since 1975.
34. Some iPods NANOS
The iPod Nano is the successor to the iPod Mini and was introduced to the market at the end of 2005. There have been seven versions of the Nano to date and the current Nano as well as playing tunes is an FM player, records voice memos, has a pedometer and can connect with external devices (like a heart monitor, maybe) using Bluetooth technology.
35. It fell in 2001 MIR
The Russian Mir Space Station was a remarkably successful project, with the station still holding the record for the longest continuous manned presence in space, at just under ten years. Towards the end of the space station’s life however, the years began to take their toll. There was a dangerous fire, multiple system failures, and a collision with a resupply ship. The Russian commitment to the International Space Station drained funds for repairs, so Mir was allowed to reenter the Earth’s atmosphere and burn up in 2001.
36. Heifetz contemporary ELMAN
Mischa Elman was a Ukrainian-born violinist. Elman moved with his family to the US in the early 1900s after having made a name for himself performing all around the world.
Jascha Heifetz was a violinist from Vilnius in Lithuania who emigrated with his family to the US when he was a child. Heifetz toured Israel in 1953 and included in his recitals the Violin Sonata by Richard Strauss. Strauss was known for his anti-Semitic views, so this piece was always received in silence at his recitals in Israel. Heifetz was attacked with a crowbar outside his hotel in Jerusalem, severely injuring his right arm. He struggled with the injured arm for several years, and eventually had surgery in 1972. Heifetz’s injured arm never really recovered, and he was forced to cease giving concerts.
37. Old school ETON
The world-famous Eton College is just a brisk walk from Windsor Castle, which itself is just outside London. Eton is noted for producing many British leaders including David Cameron who took power in the last UK general election. The list of Old Etonians also includes Princes William and Harry, the Duke of Wellington, George Orwell, and the creator of James Bond, Ian Fleming (as well as 007 himself as described in the Fleming novels).
38. BOLO clarification, perhaps Z AS IN ZEBRA
A BOLO is a police alert, an acronym standing for “be on the look-out”. A BOLO can also be called an APB, an “all-points bulletin”.
40. A, in Austria EIN
The name “Austria” is a Latin variant of the German name for the country: “Österreich”. “Österreich” itself means “Eastern borderlands”, a reference to the country’s history as a prefecture of neighboring Bavaria to the west.
41. Mass producer BACH
Perhaps the most famous mass in classical music is J. S. Bach’s “Mass in B minor”, fittingly completed just before he died. It was one of the last of Bach’s compositions, although much of the music was composed earlier in his life.
42. 16-symbol system, for short HEX
A hexadecimal (hex.) numeral system is one based on the number 16. Such a system requires sixteen distinct symbols, six more than are needed for our base-10 system. These usually are the symbols 0-9 for the numbers 0 to 9, and A-F for the numbers 10 through 15.
45. TV musical host in four decades WELK
The style of music with which bandleader Lawrence Welk was associated became known as “champagne music”. The term was coined by a dancer in the William Penn Hotel in Pittsburgh when Welk was appearing there with his band in the thirties.
47. Like a slim chance, oddly FAT
Fat chance, you’ve only got a slim chance …
50. Egyptian signs of life ANKHS
The ankh was the ancient Egyptian hieroglyphic character for “eternal life”. The ankh wasn’t just used in inscriptions but was often fashioned into amulets and as surrounds for mirrors (perhaps symbolizing a view into another world).
51. Latvian, for one BALT
The natives of modern day Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia are sometimes referred to as Balts, a reference to the Baltic Sea on which the three countries lie. The term “Balt” is also used for someone who speaks one of the Baltic languages, a group of languages spoken by people mainly residing within the borders of Latvia and Lithuania, as well as in some immigrant communities around the world.
Latvia is one of the former Soviet Socialist Republics in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. People from Latvia are usually called Letts, but are sometimes known as Latvians.
54. Old Bethlehem sight STEEL MILL
Bethlehem Steel used to be the second-largest steel producer in the country, after Pittsburgh’s U.S. Steel. The company shut down its steel plants in 1995, and went bankrupt in 2001. The land where the main plant stood in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania was purchased in 2007 and is now the site of a casino. Iron-ically (pun intended!), the developers building the casino had problems acquiring enough steel for construction due to a worldwide steel shortage …
56. Coeur d’__ ALENE
The city of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho is named for the Coeur d’Alene People, Native Americans who lived in the area when it was first explored by French Canadian fur traders. “Coeur d’Alene” translates from French as “heart of an awl”. The Native American people were given this name as they were perceived as shrewd traders by their Canadian counterparts.
Down
1. “Everybody Loves Raymond” wife DEBRA
Raymond’s wife on “Everybody Loves Raymond” is Debra Barone, played by Patricia Heaton. Before “Raymond”, Heaton had a few smaller television roles, but playing Debra was her big break. She followed up “Raymond” with “Back to You” with Kelsey Grammer, and is currently starring in the sitcom “The Middle”.
2. Book inscription abbr. EX LIB
A bookseller might inscribe a book with the words “Ex Lib” to indicate that it is an ex-library copy. The related term “ex libris” is another name for a “bookplate”, a label pasted into the front cover of a book to indicate its owner. “Ex libris” translates from Latin as “from the books of, from the library of …”
3. Dream follower -SCAPE
A “dreamscape” is a dreamlike scene, one with surreal elements.
5. Order member ELK
The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (BPOE) was founded in 1868, and is a social club that has about a million members today. It started out as a group of men getting together in a “club” in order to get around the legal opening hours of taverns in New York City. The club took on a new role as it started to look out for poor families of members who passed away. The club now accepts African Americans as members (since the seventies) and women (since the nineties), but atheists still aren’t welcome.
6. “Take a Bow” R&B singer RIHANNA
The singer Rihanna was born and grew up on the island of Barbados and moved to the US when she was 16-years-old to pursue a singing career. “Rihanna” is her stage name, as she was born Robyn Rihanna Fenty. The name “Rihanna” is derived from the Welsh name “Rhiannon”.
9. Breyers __ Cookies & Cream OREO
Breyers ice cream was introduced by William A. Breyer in 1866, in Philadelphia. Always known for using all-natural ingredients, Breyers products made in recent years contain more and more food additives in an attempt to cut costs in a competitive market. In fact, most Breyers products can’t even be labeled “ice cream” anymore as they don’t contain enough milk and cream and so are labeled “frozen dairy dessert” instead.
11. “Tragedy is __ for the living to gain wisdom”: RFK A TOOL
Robert “Bobby” Francis Kennedy (RFK) was the US Attorney General in the administration of his brother President John F. Kennedy and President Lyndon B. Johnson from 1961 to 1964. He then served as US Senator for the State of New York from 1965 until 1968, when he himself was assassinated. Robert was killed during his own run for the Democratic nomination for the presidency.
14. San Martín was its liberator ARGENTINA
José de San Martín is regarded, along with Simón Bolívar, as one of the liberators of Spanish South America and is considered a national hero in Argentina and Peru. Born in modern-day Argentina, San Martín fought for the Spanish in Europe and Africa in the late 1700s and early 1800s. However, he then abruptly resigned from the Spanish Army and moved back to South America and joined the fight for independence from Spain.
23. “Home 4 the Holidays” adoption sponsor IAMS
Iams dog food was first produced by the animal nutritionist Paul Iams. Iams felt that household pets were suffering somewhat by being fed a diet of table scraps, so he developed a dry dog food that he thought was more nutritious and suitable for pet dogs. He founded the Iams company, now part of Procter & Gamble, in 1946.
Iams Home 4 the Holidays (IH4TH) is holiday pet adoption drive sponsored by Iams and the Helen Woodward Animal Center.
27. Skin lotion brand KERI
Keri body lotion was introduced by Bristol-Myers Squibb in 1960. Keri Lotion is now made by NOVARTIS Pharmaceuticals.
32. Non-PC purchase IMAC
The iMac is a desktop computer platform from Apple introduced in 1998. One of the main features of the iMac is an “all-in-one” design, with the computer console and monitor integrated.
36. O.T. book before Daniel EZEK
The Book of Daniel in the Hebrew Bible tells mainly of the life of Daniel. The Book of Ezekiel is a collection of the preachings of the prophet Ezekiel.
38. __ Starkey, longtime drummer for The Who ZAK
Zak Starkey is an English drummer just like his Dad, Richard Starkey, better known as Ringo Starr. Zak has performed with the Who and with Oasis.
39. Blues or Blue Jackets NHL TEAM
The St. Louis Blues hockey team takes its name from the song “St. Louis Blues”, a jazz and popular music classic.
The Blue Jackets are the professional ice hockey team based in Columbus, Ohio. The name “Blue Jacket” is a reference to the uniforms worn by Ohio and Columbus soldiers during the Civil War.
46. 1985 Malkovich movie ELENI
Nicholas Gage is a Greek-American author and investigative journalist. Gage wrote two memoirs, “Eleni” and “A Place for Us”. “Eleni” tells of his life in Greece during WWII and the Greek Civil War. The title is a tribute to his mother Eleni who was executed by Communists who occupied her village, simply because she helped her children escape from the ravages of a war of occupation. “Eleni” was adapted into a movie in 1985, with John Malkovich playing Gage.
48. ’80s sitcom title woman ALLIE
“Kate & Allie” ran from 1984 to 1989, starring Susan Saint James as Kate, and Jane Curtin as Allie. Jane Curtin won two Emmy awards for her work on the series, while Susan Saint James … did not.
49. Seat of Texas’ Smith County TYLER
Tyler, Texas is nicknamed “Rose Capital of the World” as it plays a major role in the US’s rose-growing industry and is home to the country’s largest rose garden. The city is named for President John Tyler in recognition of the support he gave to the admission of Texas into the United States.
51. Realty ad abbr. BSMT
Basement (bsmt)
52. City near Des Moines AMES
The city of Ames, Iowa is famous for holding the Ames Straw Poll in advance of most presidential elections. The poll in question is used to gauge the level of support for two or more Republican candidates, although non-Republicans are allowed to cast a vote. To vote one has to be an Iowa resident and one must buy a ticket to the fundraising dinner at which the vote is taken. The event gets a lot of coverage, so it boosts the local economy as journalists hit the town. It is a very successful fundraiser for the Republican Party in Iowa as well, but the usefulness of the straw poll in predicting the eventual winner of the nomination is less clear. There have been five straw polls since 1979, and just 2 out of 5 times the poll winner went on to capture the party’s nomination.
For the sake of completion, here is a full listing of all the answers:
Across
1. Outlaw DESPERADO
10. City on the Shatt al-Arab river BASRA
15. Lady of the Lake’s gift EXCALIBUR
16. Web-footed animal OTTER
17. Term popularized by physicist John Wheeler BLACK HOLE
18. Spring sound BOING!
19. Fully prepared RIPE
20. Alice’s chronicler ARLO
21. Italian nobleman CONTE
22. Presidential nickname ABE
23. Member of a bygone empire INCA
24. 23-Down competitor KAL KAN
25. Scottish John IAN
26. Sketch SKIT
28. Club alternative BLT
29. Heavy metal band with the album “The Final Frontier” IRON MAIDEN
33. Convergence points FOCI
34. Some iPods NANOS
35. It fell in 2001 MIR
36. Heifetz contemporary ELMAN
37. Old school ETON
38. BOLO clarification, perhaps Z AS IN ZEBRA
40. A, in Austria EIN
41. Mass producer BACH
42. 16-symbol system, for short HEX
43. Gets a C, say DOES OK
45. TV musical host in four decades WELK
47. Like a slim chance, oddly FAT
50. Egyptian signs of life ANKHS
51. Latvian, for one BALT
52. Unite by treaty ALLY
53. Family nicknames NANAS
54. Old Bethlehem sight STEEL MILL
56. Coeur d’__ ALENE
57. Where the wild things are MENAGERIE
58. Forbidden looks PEEKS
59. Gestation period TRIMESTER
Down
1. “Everybody Loves Raymond” wife DEBRA
2. Book inscription abbr. EX LIB
3. Dream follower -SCAPE
4. Duel unit PACE
5. Order member ELK
6. “Take a Bow” R&B singer RIHANNA
7. Test options, at times A, B OR C
8. Inducing a nod, perhaps DULL AS DISHWATER
9. Breyers __ Cookies & Cream OREO
10. Beginning Cub Scout BOBCAT
11. “Tragedy is __ for the living to gain wisdom”: RFK A TOOL
12. Smelly prank STINK BOMB
13. Airport pickup RENTAL CAR
14. San Martín was its liberator ARGENTINA
23. “Home 4 the Holidays” adoption sponsor IAMS
24. People KIN
25. Advised of IN ON
27. Skin lotion brand KERI
29. New parent’s complaint I NEED A NAP
30. Thinking RATIONALE
31. Making a proposal, perhaps ON ONE KNEE
32. Non-PC purchase IMAC
33. Show off, in a way FLEX
36. O.T. book before Daniel EZEK
38. __ Starkey, longtime drummer for The Who ZAK
39. Blues or Blue Jackets NHL TEAM
41. Big shots BOSSES
44. Beef cut SHANK
46. 1985 Malkovich movie ELENI
47. Trifle (with), as an idea FLIRT
48. ’80s sitcom title woman ALLIE
49. Seat of Texas’ Smith County TYLER
51. Realty ad abbr. BSMT
52. City near Des Moines AMES
55. T size LGE