Crossword by: Marti DuGuay-Carpenter and edited by Rich Norris
Welcome to the answers to the Thursday September 26 2013 LA Times crossword puzzle! It’s no so much themed answers today but themed clues. Now I’m not letting off steam here are the themed clues: rats, shucks, darn, shoot, fudge…I think you get the drift.
Across Answers
1. Ski area helpers T-BARS
A T-bar is a mechanical system which transports snowboarders and skiers up the surface of a slope. It’s inverted so that skiers can lean on it on either side. Operating word: Lean. NOT sit. A lot of first timers have made this mistake–with very comical results.
6. Finish line? TA-DA!
Either that or it’s used to announce a dramatic entrance which calls for an applause.
10. Equal to the task ABLE
14. “Live Free __”: New Hampshire motto OR DIE
New Hampshire’s state motto is perhaps the most popular of all. Why? Because there is nothing sentimental or mild about it, compared to other state mottos all over the US. It replaced the word “Scenic” on license plates in 1971. Of course there was a bit of a kerfuffle over its boldness at that time, but it was to be expected, given the fact that some people at that time were either very conservative or religious (or both).
15. Some are easily bruised EGOS
Ego is a Latin word, which translates to “I” in English. In other words, it pertains to the “self.” No wonder…
16. Sound of laughter PEAL
17. RATS PIED PIPER’S TRAIL
The Pied Piper Of Hamelin may be a well-loved children’s tail, but there’s a gruesome truth to it as back in the Middle Ages, many children of Hamelin died of a mysterious disease.
20. “Friendly skies” co. UAL
UAL stands for United Air Lines, and its famous tagline which was first used in the 1960’s, “Fly The Friendly Skies” is being revived once more to attract more passengers.
21. Garr of “Mr. Mom” TERI
This funny film of the 80’s stars Teri Garr and Michael Keaton, both of whom have ties with Batman as Garr came out on an episode of the Batman series in the late 60’s. Keaton, on the other hand, was the first ever actor to play the part in 1989.
22. “My place or __?” YOURS
23. Shucks PREPARES CORN
27. Unspecified amount ANY
28. One of the Seven Sisters schools VASSAR
The Seven Sisters is what you call the group of colleges in the Northeast. They are Radcliffe, Bryn Mawr, mount Holyoke, Wellesley, Barnard, Smith, and Vassar.
Many famous people graduated from Vassar. One of them is Meryl Streep, who graduated 1971. Louisa, her youngest daughter, also came from the same school
32. Joe’s sister in TV’s “Under the Dome” ANGIE
Under The Dome was written by Stephen King and was published 2009. It has now been adapted into a TV show, which Stephen King is also one of the producers. Angie (played by Britt Robertson) works as a candy striper and a waitress who would like to escape from the dome one day.
35. Salinger girl ESME
“For Esmé—with Love and Squalor” JD Salinger’s popular short story published in the 50’s.
38. Soccer shout OLE!
39. DARN MEND WITH A NEEDLE
43. Goat quote MAA
That’s either Maa or Baa…
44. Hurdle for a storied cow MOON
The moon is the big hurdle for the cow in the famous nursery rhyme “Hey Diddle Diddle.” But the little dog thought it was funny so I guess it pretty much worked out.
45. Offers thanks, in a way PRAYS
46. Decides one will OPTS TO
49. Itinerary word VIA
Via is a Latin word meaning “by means of” or “by way of”
50. SHOOT TAKE A PICTURE
57. Setting for “Beasts of the Southern Wild” BAYOU
Beasts of the Souther Wild is a 2012 fantasy film which has earned a total of four Oscar nominations, including Best Actress for Quvenzhané Wallis, who made history by becoming the youngest nominated actress for an Oscar.
60. Cloudburst, e.g. RAIN
61. Seasonal drink NOG
Nog, or eggnog, is a very popular beverage during the holidays. This sweetened drink is often whipped with eggs and laced with liquor like rum, brandy, or bourbon, among others.
62. FUDGE ICE CREAM TOPPING
66. Item on a “honey-do” list TASK
67. Time fraction: Abbr. NSEC
68. “Bad, Bad Leroy Brown” singer CROCE
Little known fact, before Jim Croce came up with “Bad, bad Leroy Brown” in 1973, there was another hit song in the 60’s with the title “Big Boy Pete” sung by The Olympics. Pete had a fight with a man named “Bad Man Brown,” who won by the way. Big Boy Pete ended up running away from the scene.
69. Computerized city people SIMS
The Sims has been around since 2000, and remains to be one of the strongest life simulated video games in the world. In fact, it has hit its one hundred fifty million mark in the year 2011. Not all video games were that successful…
70. Former “Entertainment Tonight” co-anchor TESH
John Tesh served as Entertainment Tonight’s host for ten years from 1986 to ’96. But prior to thathe was a news anchor for a news channel in Tennessee in the 70’s.
71. Ecclesiastical council SYNOD
Down Answers
1. Replenish a pint of ale, say TOP UP
2. Thorny shrub BRIAR
Briar has roots strong enough to be used as pipes for tobacco.
3. Jane Eyre’s charge ADELE
Adele Varens’ mother abandoned her at an early age and has since then been the ward of Mr. Rochester, the master of Thornfield.
4. Free RID
5. When sch. often starts SEP
The summer months were left free for the kids in the olden days for a reason, so they can help around the farm during harvest season.
6. Plains home TEPEE
A teepee, or a tipi, is a tent made in the shape of a cone. Traditiional teepees were made of animal skins and positioned using wooden poles. It is known for its sturdiness. It can give warmth even in the dead of winter, and still stay cool even in the hottest days of the summer.
Today, teepees are made with more animal-friendly materials, the most popular being canvas.
7. Golden __: seniors AGERS
Also called “retirees”
8. Classical Greek style DORIC
One of the three known classic architectural organizational systems of Greece. The other two are named Corinthian, and Ionic.
9. Stubborn one ASS
10. They have strings attached APRONS
Nobody knows what the apron’s origins are, but it has been used to protect “proper” clothing for two centuries now.
11. Boyfriend BEAU
12. Animal shelter LAIR
Well-hidden and away from possible intrusion.
13. Under-the-sink joints ELLS
18. Modest acknowledgment of praise I TRY
19. Banks in fashion TYRA
Tyra Banks is a professional model who started her career as early as her senior year in high school.
24. Bill stamp PAID
25. From the top ANEW
26. Hot spot OVEN
29. Pop SODA
How did soda get its name?
It all started in the 1800’s, when inventors wanted to create a way to add the bubble effect to water. They mixed bicarbonate soda with water and voila! Soda water!
30. Compatriot ALLY
31. Roger who played Lord Marbury on “The West Wing” REES
Lord Marbury, played by Roger Rees stated this when he was asked if he can be called John: “I am John, Lord Marbury, Earl of Croy, Marquess of Needham and Dolby, Baronet of Brycey, England’s ambassador to the United States, and a terrorist is a terrorist even if he wears a green necktie and sings “Danny Boy”. Yes, you can call me John.”
Charming, isn’t he?
32. BBs, e.g. AMMO
Daisy, which is very popular for their BB guns, didn’t sell them at first. They sold windmills, and only gave the guns as a bonus everytime they would sell one of their products. It became so popular among the people that they decided to completely stop selling windmills altogether, and replace them with the BB’s.
33. Spring tide counterpart NEAP
The Neap tide occurs two times every month, during the 1st & 3rd phase of the moon. When the earth, the moon, and the sun form a right angle, that is when the Neap tide comes.
34. Hard-to-see pest GNAT
Coincidentally, male gnats gather at dusk to get ready for a large mating ritual. This activity is called a “ghost.”
35. WWII command ETO
ETO stands for European Theater Of Operations
36. “Dexter” network, in listings SHO
Dexter is a popular crime TV series on Showtime (shortened for SHO). The main character’s name is Dexter for a reason. Dexter in Latin means “right hand.” But he also has a dark side, a sinister one, which can be referred to as his left hand, as “sinister” is the Latin word for “left.”
37. Word with best or common MAN
40. “Don’t worry about me” I’M OK
A woman’s favorite line, which is almost always the complete opposite of what they’re really trying to say.
41. Huge production EPIC
42. Logician’s “E,” perhaps ERAT
Quod Erat Demonstrandum is Latin for “Which had to be demonstrated,” a popular phrase used by philosophers and mathematicians which signals the end of the argument. Usually written at the end as QED.
47. Has to sell STOCKS
48. Bullish beginning? TAUR-
The bull is the Taurus’ mascot.
49. Chianti, in Chianti VINO
Chianti wine used to be made in short, thick bottles called fiasco (or flask). Wine bottles like this are rare now in the Chianti region, but there are still a few wine makers who keep on with tradition.
51. Wipe out ERASE
52. “Eight Is Enough” actor Willie AAMES
Willie Aames dated Connie Needham, her sister from the TV show “Eight Is Enough.” He formed a band during his EIE years, and the band appeared numerous times on the show.
53. Sound quality PITCH
54. Workers’ backer UNION
55. “But wait! There’s more!” company RONCO
Ronco owner, Ron Popeil popularized the phrase “But wait, there’s more!” for infomercials.
56. Vandalized, Halloween-style EGGED
57. Comedy routines BITS
58. Healthy berry ACAI
Acai berry is known to have very high anti-oxidant levels, much higher than blueberries and pomegranates. It is also very rich in omega 9 and omega 6, compounds which are known to help increase good HDL cholesterol levels and lower down bad LDL-cholesterol levels. These fats are also known to promote healthy skin moisture and prevent it from drying up.
59. Cowpoke’s polite assent YES’M
63. Tolkien’s talking tree ENT
In The Lord Of The Rings The Two Towers, ents played a big part in bringing down Saruman, the white wizard turned turned traitor when he joined forced with Sauron.
64. IBM hardware PCS
65. Ask too many questions PRY
Nobody likes a person who pries too much… NEVER stick your nose on someone else’s business.
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