Day: March 11, 2015

Today’s Wiki-est, Amazonian Googlies
Across
10. Geological age AEON
Geological time is divided into a number of units of varying lengths. These are, starting from the largest:

– supereon
– eon (also “aeon”)
– era
– period
– epoch
– age

14. Major follower? -ETTE
A drum major is a the leader of a marching band, and is a position that originated in the British Army’s Corp of Drums in 1650. The drum major’s job is to lead the group and ensure that the whole ensemble keeps time. To help him do so, a drum major often uses a large baton. Over time, it became customary for the baton to be twirled and tossed in an elaborate display. The drum major tradition was embraced by high school marching bands in America. Drum-majorettes became popular in the 1930s, with groups of females taking up baton-twirling and marching with bands. According to an article in “Life” magazine published on October 10th, 1938, “the perfect majorette is a pert, shapely, smiling extrovert, who loves big, noisy crowds and knows how to make those crowds love her.” It was a different time …

15. Like the accent on “passé” ACUTE
In French, accents over the letter E can be acute (é) or grave (è).

20. Good-humored banter RAILLERY
“Raillery” is good-humored ridicule, perhaps from the French “railler” meaning “to tease”.

22. Mandela’s org. ANC
As a young man, Nelson Mandela led the armed wing of the African National Congress (ANC). Mandela was eventually arrested and admitted to charges of sabotage and was sentenced to life in prison in 1964. He remained behind bars for 27 years, mainly in the infamous prison on Robben Island. As the years progressed, Mandela became a symbol of the fight against apartheid. He was released in 1990, and immediately declared his commitment to peace and reconciliation with South Africa’s white minority population. Mandela was elected president of the Republic of South Africa (RSA) in 1994, an office that he held until 1999. Nelson Mandela passed away on December 5, 2013.

24. Very, in music ASSAI
The Italian term “assai” translates as “very”, and is used in music with the same meaning.

29. E. Berlin’s land GDR
The former East Germany was known officially as the German Democratic Republic (GDR), or Deutsche Demokratische Republik (DDR).

32. 13-mile race HALF MARATHON (giving “half note” & “half rest”)
Actually 13.1094 miles …

36. Prefix with European INDO-
The Indo-European languages are a large group that includes most of the major languages of Europe, the Iranian plateau and South Asia. The Indo-European is the largest grouping of languages in the world.

39. Words on Alice’s cake EAT ME
In Lewis Carroll’s “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland”, Alice follows the white rabbit down a rabbit hole and finds a bottle labelled “DRINK ME”. When she drinks the contents, it causes her to shrink. She also sees a cake adorned with the words “EAT ME”, and when she eats the cake she grows so big she finds it hard to stand up. After eating the cake, she utters the famous words, “Curiouser and curiouser”.

40. Chichén __: pyramid site ITZA
Chichén Itzá is a Mayan ruin located in the Mexican state of Yucatán. It is the second most visited archaeological site in the country (after the ancient city of Teotihuacan). Chichén Itzá has seen a surge in the number of visitors since the development of nearby Cancún as a tourist destination.

41. Equine sprinter QUARTER HORSE (giving “quarter note” & “quarter rest”)
A “quarter horse” is one that has been bred to run short-distance races of about quarter of a mile, hence the name.

44. Home of the NFL’s Rams STL
The St. Louis Rams have only won the Super Bowl once, in 1999, against the Tennessee Titans. The Rams were based in Cleveland from 1936-45, Los Angeles from 1946-94 and St. Louis from 1995 to the present day.

45. High spot ACME
The “acme” is the highest point, coming from the Greek word “akme” which has the same meaning.

46. Indian region known for its tea ASSAM
Assam is a state in the very northeast of India, just south of the Himalayas. Assam is noted for its tea as well as its silk.

50. Goldman’s son-in-law and partner SACHS
The investment banking firm of Goldman Sachs was founded in New York in 1869 by Marcus Goldman. Samuel Sachs joined the firm in 1882, the same year that he married Louisa Goldman, Marcus’s daughter. The name “Goldman Sachs” was adopted by the firm in 1885. Goldman Sachs made out like bandits during the subprime mortgage crisis of 2007-08 as the company actually short-sold subprime mortgage bonds. As the price of the bonds nose-dived, Goldman Sachs made huge profits.

57. Borax-transporting driver MULETEER
A “muleteer” is a driver of mules.

Borax is also known as sodium borate, and is a salt of boric acid. Borax is a white powder that dissolves easily in water. The compound has many uses, for example as an antifungal agent and an antiseptic. Actor and future US president Ronald Reagan used to tout 20 Mule Team Borax that was used as a laundry product.

59. It prohibits cruel and unusual punishment EIGHTH AMENDMENT (giving “eighth note” & “eighth rest”)
The Eighth Amendment to the US Constitution was adopted in 1791 as part of the Bill of Rights. The amendment’s wording is almost identical to a provision in the English Bill of Rights of 1689, and reads:

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

62. Coastal bird of prey ERNE
The ern (also erne) is also called the white-tailed eagle or sea-eagle.

63. Met event OPERA
The Metropolitan Opera (the Met) of New York City is the largest classical music organization in the country, presenting about 220 performances each and every year. Founded in 1880, the Met is renowned for using technology to expand its audiences. Performances have been broadcast live on radio since 1931, and on television since 1977. And since 2006 you can go see a live performance from New York in high definition on the big screen, at a movie theater near you …

65. Sign that stands out NEON
The basic design of neon lighting was first demonstrated at the Paris Motor Show in 1910. Such lighting is made up of glass tubes containing a vacuum into which has been introduced a small amount of neon gas. When a voltage is applied between two electrodes inside the tube, the neon gas “glows” and gives off the familiar light.

66. Old West trackers POSSE
Our word “posse” comes from an Anglo-Latin term from the early 15th century “posse comitatus” meaning “the force of the county”.

Down
2. Natural gas component ETHANE
Ethane is the second largest component of natural gas, after methane. Ethane’s main use is in the production of ethylene, a compound that is widely used in the chemical industry.

3. Unemotional types STOICS
Someone who is “stoic” is indifferent to pleasure or pain, is relatively impassive.

Zeno of Citium was a Greek philosopher famous for teaching at the Stoa Poikile, the “Painted Porch”, located on the north side of the Ancient Agora of Athens. Because of the location of his classes, his philosophy became known as stoicism (from “stoa”, the word for “porch”). And yes, we get our adjective “stoic” from the same root.

6. Natural earth shade OCHRE
Ochre is often spelled “ocher” in the US (it’s “ochre” where I come from). Ocher is a light, yellowy-brown color, although variations of the pigment are possible such as red ocher and purple ocher.

7. Chop __ SUEY
Many believe that the Chinese dish known as chop suey was invented in America, by Chinese immigrants. In fact, by the time it showed up in the US it already existed in the Taishan district of Guangdong in southeast China, the origin of many of those immigrants. “Chop suey” translates as “assorted pieces”, and is made up of some meat and eggs quickly cooked with vegetables in a thickened sauce.

8. DFW posting ETA
Estimated time of arrival (eta)

Dallas/Fort Worth Airport (DFW) 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).

10. Skylit lobbies ATRIA
In modern architecture an atrium (plural “atria” or “atriums”) is a large open space usually in the center of a building and extending upwards to the roof. The original atrium was an open court in the center of an Ancient Roman house. One could access most of the enclosed rooms of the house from the atrium.

11. Ophthalmologist’s concern EYESIGHT
Ophthalmology is that branch of medicine dealing with the physiology and health of the eye. “Ophthalmos” is the Greek word for “eye”.

12. Australian gem OPAL
97% of the world’s opals come from Australia, so it’s no surprise perhaps that the opal is the national gemstone of the country. The state of South Australia provides the bulk of the world’s production, about 80%.

18. Woman in a “Paint Your Wagon” song ELISA
“I Still See Elisa” is a song from the Lerner & Loewe musical comedy “Paint Your Wagon”.

“Paint Your Wagon” is a Lerner & Loewe musical comedy that opened on Broadway in 1951. The two most famous songs from the show are “Wand’rin’ Star” and “They Call the Wind Maria”. “Paint Your Wagon” was adapted into a very successful musical film released in 1969 starring Lee Marvin, Clint Eastwood and Jean Seberg. Who can forget the very special rendition of “Wand’rin’ Star” by Lee Marvin?

19. Enzo’s “Enough!” BASTA!
“Basta” is Italian for “enough”.

24. San Antonio mission ALAMO
The famous Alamo in San Antonio, Texas was originally known as Mission San Antonio de Valero. The mission was founded in 1718 and was the first mission established in the city. The Battle of the Alamo took place in 1836, a thirteen-day siege by the Mexican Army led by President General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna. Only two people defending the Alamo Mission survived the onslaught. One month later, the Texian army got its revenge by attacking and defeating the Mexican Army in the Battle of San Jacinto. During the surprise attack on Santa Anna’s camp, many of the Texian soldiers were heard to cry “Remember the Alamo!”.

27. Hammer-toting god THOR
In Norse mythology, Thor was the son of Odin. Thor wielded a mighty hammer and was the god of thunder, lightning and storms. Our contemporary word “Thursday” comes from “Thor’s Day”.

28. The Beatles’ “I __ Walrus” AM THE
“I Am the Walrus” is a Beatles song released in 1967. It was written by John Lennon, with the Walrus being a reference to the poem “The Walrus and the Carpenter” from Lewis Carroll’s “Through the Looking-Glass”.

30. Donut box qty. DOZ
Our word “dozen” is used for a group of twelve. We imported it into English from Old French. The modern French word for twelve is “douze”, and a dozen is “douzaine”.

31. Genetic letters 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.

36. Educ. testing data IQS
The original Binet-Simon Intelligence Scale for scoring IQ tests was developed by French psychologist Alfred Binet and his student Theodore Simon. The scale was revised in 1916 by Lewis M. Terman, a psychologist at Stanford University, resulting in the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale.

38. Repeat symbol, in scores DAL SEGNO
“Dal segno” can appear on a musical score, sometimes abbreviated to “D.S.” The term translates from Italian as “from the sign”, and is an instruction to repeat a passage starting from a special sign, often called the “segno” in English.

42. “Be silent,” in music TACET
“Tacet” is a musical direction meaning “be silent”. It is typically written on a score to instruct a particular voice or instrument to remain silent for a whole movement. “Tacet” is Latin for “it is silent”.

43. Filled to the limit SATED
“Sate” is a variant of the older word “satiate”. Both terms can mean either to satisfy an appetite fully, or to eat to excess.

47. Maker of brief briefs SPEEDO
Speedo brand swimwear was first produced in Australia in 1928, by a hosiery company that wanted to diversify. The brand name was chosen after a slogan competition among employees was won by “Speed on in your Speedos”. It was a long time ago, I guess …

48. Political philosopher Hannah ARENDT
Hannah Arendt was studying and working the field of philosophy, when she had to flee her native Germany in the run up to WWII because of her Jewish heritage. Arendt ended up in the US in 1941, and took posts in various schools here. In 1969 she was appointed full professor at Princeton, becoming the first woman to win such a position, and a decade before women students were admitted to the college.

49. South Carolina’s __ Beach MYRTLE
Myrtle Beach is a coastal city in South Carolina. With a population of only 27,000 people, Myrtle Beach copes with about 14 million tourists annually.

53. Forearm bones ULNAE
The radius and ulna are bones in the forearm. If you hold the palm of your hand up in front of you, the radius is the bone on the “thumb-side” of the arm, and the ulna is the bone on the “pinkie-side”.

57. Fr. wives MMES
The equivalent of “Mrs.” in French is “Mme.” (Madame) and in Spanish is “Sra.” (Señora).

58. Eliot Ness, e.g. T-MAN
Eliot Ness was the Treasury agent (T-man) charged with the task of bringing down the notorious Chicago gangster Al Capone. When Ness took on the job in 1930, Chicago law-enforcement agents were renowned for being corrupt, for being on the take. Ness handpicked 50 prohibition agents who he thought he could rely on, later reducing the group to a cadre of 15 and ultimately just 11 trusted men. That group of 11 earned the nickname “The Untouchables”, the agents who couldn’t be bought.

61. GI’s address APO
Army Post Office (APO)

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For the sake of completion, here is a full listing of all the answers:
Across
1. See the 67-Across clue REST
5. Suitor’s purchase ROSES
10. Geological age AEON
14. Major follower? -ETTE
15. Like the accent on “passé” ACUTE
16. Proofer’s catch TYPO
17. Sandwich option WHOLEWHEAT BREAD (giving “whole note” & “whole rest”)
20. Good-humored banter RAILLERY
21. Superstore division AISLE
22. Mandela’s org. ANC
23. Wrath IRE
24. Very, in music ASSAI
26. Rats, gnats and brats PESTS
28. Loads A LOT
29. E. Berlin’s land GDR
32. 13-mile race HALF MARATHON (giving “half note” & “half rest”)
36. Prefix with European INDO-
39. Words on Alice’s cake EAT ME
40. Chichén __: pyramid site ITZA
41. Equine sprinter QUARTER HORSE (giving “quarter note” & “quarter rest”)
44. Home of the NFL’s Rams STL
45. High spot ACME
46. Indian region known for its tea ASSAM
50. Goldman’s son-in-law and partner SACHS
52. Share of the profits CUT
54. Poke one’s nose (into) PRY
55. What we have here THESE
57. Borax-transporting driver MULETEER
59. It prohibits cruel and unusual punishment EIGHTH AMENDMENT (giving “eighth note” & “eighth rest”)
62. Coastal bird of prey ERNE
63. Met event OPERA
64. More: Abbr. ADDL
65. Sign that stands out NEON
66. Old West trackers POSSE
67. It can follow the starts of 17-, 32-, 41- and 59-Across NOTE

Down
1. Bundle up again REWRAP
2. Natural gas component ETHANE
3. Unemotional types STOICS
4. Spill the beans TELL
5. Less experienced, as a recruit RAWER
6. Natural earth shade OCHRE
7. Chop __ SUEY
8. DFW posting ETA
9. Arrange dishes and utensils on SET
10. Skylit lobbies ATRIA
11. Ophthalmologist’s concern EYESIGHT
12. Australian gem OPAL
13. Botanical junction NODE
18. Woman in a “Paint Your Wagon” song ELISA
19. Enzo’s “Enough!” BASTA!
24. San Antonio mission ALAMO
25. More achy SORER
27. Hammer-toting god THOR
28. The Beatles’ “I __ Walrus” AM THE
30. Donut box qty. DOZ
31. Genetic letters RNA
33. One who won’t let go LEECH
34. Produces produce FARMS
35. Associations TIES
36. Educ. testing data IQS
37. Bolt partner NUT
38. Repeat symbol, in scores DAL SEGNO
42. “Be silent,” in music TACET
43. Filled to the limit SATED
47. Maker of brief briefs SPEEDO
48. Political philosopher Hannah ARENDT
49. South Carolina’s __ Beach MYRTLE
51. Sickly looking ASHEN
52. Offstage aides CUERS
53. Forearm bones ULNAE
55. Babysitter, often TEEN
56. Charter, as a bus HIRE
57. Fr. wives MMES
58. Eliot Ness, e.g. T-MAN
60. Bounce HOP
61. GI’s address APO

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