0721-11: New York Times Crossword Answers 21 Jul 11, Thursday

Announcement
I am away on vacation from Sunday, July 17 to Tuesday, August 2. I fully intend to sneak away to do the crossword each day, but probably won’t find time to do many look-ups. Some days I may be a little late posting the solution, and if that should happen, please let me apologize in advance. Email subscribers should check the blog directly at NTYCrossword.com as the solution may be posted by the time they read check their email. Things will be back to normal very shortly! … Bill

QuickLinks:
Solution to today’s crossword in the New York Times
Solution to today’s SYNDICATED New York Times crossword in all other publications

CROSSWORD SETTER: Michael Sharp (aka Rex Parker, the renowned NYTCrossword blogger)
THEME: SLICED CHEESE … all of the theme answers are the names of cheeses, but clued with reference to the name of the cheese “sliced up” into pieces:

17A. French writer with snaky hair and a petrifying gaze? : GORGON ZOLA (Gorgonzola)
26A. In favor of the first book?: Abbr. : PRO VOL ONE (Provolone)
36A. With 38-Across, deli purchase … or a description of the answer to 17-, 26-, 47- or 55-Across : SLICED
38A. See 36-Across : CHEESE
47A. One trying to shake a leg, for instance? : LIMB URGER (Limburger)
55A. Mom’s special road-trip corn bread? : MA’S CAR PONE (Mascarpone)

COMPLETION TIME: 7m 17s
ANSWERS I MISSED: 0


Today’s Wiki-est, Amazonian Googlies
Across
Sterling Silver Red Jasper Inlay Heart Pendant, 18"1. Traditional March birthstone : JASPER
Jasper is one of the traditional birthstones for March, although it doesn’t appear on my “official” list.

Here is the “official” list of birthstones by month:

January: Garnet
February: Amethyst
March: Bloodstone or Aquamarine
April: Diamond
May: Emerald
June: Pearl or Moonstone
July: Ruby
August: Sardonyx or Peridot
September: Sapphire or Lapis Lazuli
October: Opal or Pink Tourmaline
November: Topaz or Citrine
December: Turquoise or Zircon (also now, Tanzanite)

7. Three-pointers: Abbr. : FGS
Field Goals.

7mm Round Clear Cubic Zirconia 925 Sterling Silver Post Stud Earrings10. Hoop alternative : STUD
Guys can buy their gals hoop earrings or stud earrings, or both …

14. What might be a knockout? : OPIATE
Opiates are the narcotic alkaloids found in the opium poppy plant, although some synthetic versions and derivatives of the same alkaloids are also called opiates. To produce opiates, the latex sap of the opium poppy is collected and processed. The naturally occurring drugs of morphine and codeine can both be extracted from the sap. Some synthesis is required to make derivative drugs like heroin and oxycodone.

17. French writer with snaky hair and a petrifying gaze? : GORGON ZOLA (Gorgonzola)
The Gorgons were feared female creatures of Greek mythology. They were three sisters who had hair made up of living snakes. Anyone who looked on their faces would instantly be turned to stone.

The Life of Emile Zola (Special Edition)The most famous work of French writer Emile Zola is his 1898 open letter “J’Accuse!” written to then French president Félix Faure. It was published on the front page of a leading Paris newspaper, and accused the government of anti-Semitism in its handling of the trial of Captain Alfred Dreyfus. Dreyfus was a Jewish military officer in the French army, falsely accused and convicted of spying for Germany. Even after the error was discovered, the government refused to back down, choosing to let Dreyfus rot away on Devil’s Island rather than admit to the mistake. It wasn’t until 1906, 12 years after the wrongful conviction, that Dreyfus was freed and reinstated, largely due to the advocacy of Emile Zola.

Gorgonzola is an Italian blue cheese that bears the name of the town in Lombardy in which it originated.

Erin Andrews Autographed/Hand Signed ESPN Celebrity 8x10 Photo19. Sportscaster Andrews : ERIN
Erin Andrews is a sports reporter. I don’t watch much sports but do know Ms. Andrews for her appearances on “Dancing with the Stars” in 2010. She did quite well and made it to the final of the show.

21. Antelope of southern Africa : RHEBOK
The brand name Reebok was adopted as the new company name for Foster Shoes of the UK in 1960. The name Reebok (more commonly “Rhebok”) is an Afrikaans word for an antelope, and comes from the term “roe buck”.

26. In favor of the first book?: Abbr. : PRO VOL ONE (Provolone)
Provolone cheese originated in Southern Italy, although today is mostly produced in the northern part of the country. Provola is also a cheese, and the name “Provolone” means “large Provola”.

1964-65 World's Fair Unisphere, Corona Meadows Park, Flushing, New York, USA Photographic Poster Print by Walter Bibikow, 48x6431. Unisphere, e.g. : GLOBE
The iconic stainless steel representation of the Earth that sits in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in Queens, New York, is known as the Unisphere. The Unisphere was constructed for the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair.

Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot (Bridge at Narni, Augustus bridge over the Nera) Art Poster Print - 13x1932. “The Bridge at Narni” artist : COROT
Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot was a French painter mainly noted for his landscapes, working just before the birth of the Impressionist movement. His lovely painting “The Bridge at Narni” from 1826 can be seen at the Musée du Louvre in Paris.

40. From the start : AB OVO
Ab ovo translates literally as “from the egg”.

47. One trying to shake a leg, for instance? : LIMB URGER (Limburger)
Limburger is a delicious, strong-smelling cheese from Germany. It originated in the Duchy of Limburg which was located partly in the modern-day Netherlands, Belgium and Germany.

The Lorax (Classic Seuss)50. Seuss character who “speaks for the trees” : LORAX
“The Lorax” is a children’s book written by Dr. Seuss. It is an allegorical work, questioning the problems created by industrialization, and in particular its impact on the environment.

Dr. Seuss was the pen name of Theodor Seuss Geisel. Geisel was commander of the Animation Department of the USAF during WWII. He was behind many propaganda films including one called “Our Job in Japan”. This propaganda film was used after the war as a basis for the short feature “Design for Death”, a study of Japanese culture released in 1947, and winner of an Oscar for best Documentary.

55. Mom’s special road-trip corn bread? : MA’S CAR PONE (Mascarpone)
Pone is another word for corn bread, from the Powhatan word “apan” meaning “something baked”.

Mascarpone is a very, very creamy Italian cheese. It is the main ingredient in tiramisu, the dessert.

Emu, Australia Photographic Poster Print by David Wall, 36x4861. Australian sprinter : EMU
The emu has had a tough time in Australia since man settled there. The aborigines used emus for food and are very adept at hunting them using a variety of traditional techniques. There was even an “Emu War” in Western Australia in 1932 when migrating emus competed with livestock for water and food. Soldiers were sent in using machine guns in an unsuccessful attempt to drive off the emus. The emus were clever, and broke their usual formation and adopted guerrilla tactics, operating as small units. After 50 days of “war”, the military withdrew. Subsequent requests for military help for the farmers were ignored.

Baby65. “Baby” singer Justin : BIEBER
I saw Justin Bieber on television not too long ago for the first time, and boy do I feel old. This heartthrob from Canada was born in 1994(!), and he is recording hit after hit record. Me, I’ll stick with the Beatles …

Down
2. Receiver of private letters?: Abbr. : APO
Army Post Office.

3. ___ Barton, first Triple Crown winner, 1919 : SIR
Sir Barton was the first ever winner of the American Triple Crown (the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes), achieving the feat in 1919.

Ben Sherman Men's Blazer,Eton Marl,Large5. Short jackets : ETONS
An Eton jacket is usually black, cut square at the hips and with wide lapels. It is named for the design of jacket that is worn by the younger students at Eton College just outside London.

11. Engine type : TURBO
A turbocharger is a device that is designed to extract more power out of an internal combustion engine. It does so by increasing the pressure of the air entering the intake. The pressure increase comes from the use of a compressor, which is cleverly powered by the engine’s own exhaust gases.

13. Comment preceding “Gern geschehen” : DANKE
“Gern geschehen” is German for “you’re welcome”, and often precedes “danke” meaning “thank you”.

18. Nada : ZIPPO
“Nada” is the Spanish word for “nothing”. “De nada” translates literally from the Spanish as “of nothing”, and is used to mean “you’re welcome” or “don’t mention it”. The French have the same expression “de rien”, also translating to “of nothing” and used the same way.

The use of the words “zip” and “zippo” to mean “nothing” dates back to the early 1900s when it was student slang for being graded zero on a test.

22. Bigwig : HONCHO
Honcho is a slang term for a leader or manager. It comes to us from Japanese, where a “hancho” is a squad (han) leader (cho).

23. Compact Nissan model : VERSA
Nissan is the second largest car manufacturer in its home market of Japan, surpassing even Honda in 2011, but still behind Toyota. Nissan used to sell under the brand name “Datsun”.

25. Start of a children’s rhyme : EENIE

“Eeny, meeny, miny, moe,
Catch the tiger/monkey/baby by the toe.
If it hollers/screams let him go,
Eeny, meeny, miny, moe, you are it!”

34. City of 2 1/2+ million at the mouth of the Yodo River : OSAKA
The Japanese city of Osaka used to be called Naniwa, with the name changing to Osaka some time before 1500. “Osaka” can be translated either as “large hill” or “large slope”.

35. Fax predecessor : TELEX
Telex grew out of the world of the telegraph. What Telex brought to telegraphy was the ability to route messages. Instead of instructing an operator at the other end to route a particular message to the intended party, the operator of a telex could route the message directly to another telex machine by using a rotary dial, very similar to that on a telephone.

37. Mewing passerines : CATBIRDS
“Catbirds” are so named because of their call, a wailing not unlike the meowing of a cat.

38. Walgreens competitor : CVS
The name CVS once stood for Consumer Value Stores, although these days the company uses the acronym to stand for Convenience, Value and Service.

Walgreens is the largest chain of drugstores in the United States, with over 7,500 retail outlets. The company is named for the owner of the first store and founder of the chain, Charles R. Walgreen.

40. N. African land : ALG
Algeria is a huge country, the second largest in Africa (only Sudan is larger), and the largest country on the Mediterranean. The capital of Algeria is Algiers, and the country takes its name from the city.

42. Courtier who invites Hamlet to fence with Laertes : OSRIC
In William Shakespeare’s play “Hamlet”, Osric is the courtier that Claudius dispatches to invite Hamlet to participate in a duel.

Willie McGee Autographed/Signed 8x10 Photo49. 1985 N.L. M.V.P. Willie : MCGEE
Willie McGee is a retired professional league baseball player, who spent most of his career with the St. Louis Cardinals.

50. “Vive” follower : LE ROI
“Vive le roi!” is French for “Long live the king!”

56. “What a good boy ___!” : AM I

Little Jack Horner
Sat in the corner,
Eating a Christmas pie;
He put in his thumb,
And pulled out a plum,
And said ‘What a good boy am I!

57. Pony players’ parlor: Abbr. : OTB
Off-Track Betting is the legal gambling that takes place on horse races outside of a race track. A betting parlor can be referred to as an OTB.

58. Formerly, name-wise : NEE
“Née” is the French word for “born”, when referring to a female. The male equivalent is “né”.

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For the sake of completion, here is a full listing of all the answers:
Across
1. Traditional March birthstone : JASPER
7. Three-pointers: Abbr. : FGS
10. Hoop alternative : STUD
14. What might be a knockout? : OPIATE
15. Meal preceder? : OAT-
16. ___ salad : TUNA
17. French writer with snaky hair and a petrifying gaze? : GORGON ZOLA (Gorgonzola)
19. Sportscaster Andrews : ERIN
20. Dissolve a relationship : END IT
21. Antelope of southern Africa : RHEBOK
23. Swerves : VEERS
26. In favor of the first book?: Abbr. : PRO VOL ONE (Provolone)
28. Joint custody parties : EXES
29. Rich : OPULENT
30. A to Z, e.g. : RUN
31. Unisphere, e.g. : GLOBE
32. “The Bridge at Narni” artist : COROT
36. With 38-Across, deli purchase … or a description of the answer to 17-, 26-, 47- or 55-Across : SLICED
38. See 36-Across : CHEESE
39. Troubled : ATE AT
40. From the start : AB OVO
43. Food label abbr. : CAL
44. Like some bars and beaches : TOPLESS
46. Green gourd, informally : CUKE
47. One trying to shake a leg, for instance? : LIMB URGER (Limburger)
50. Seuss character who “speaks for the trees” : LORAX
51. Provoke : INCITE
52. ___ One : FIBER
54. Mech. whiz : ENGR
55. Mom’s special road-trip corn bread? : MA’S CAR PONE (Mascarpone)
60. Put out, with “off” : TEED
61. Australian sprinter : EMU
62. It’s developed during training season : ROSTER
63. Buried treasures : ORES
64. Swim : DIP
65. “Baby” singer Justin : BIEBER

Down
1. Nudge : JOG
2. Receiver of private letters?: Abbr. : APO
3. ___ Barton, first Triple Crown winner, 1919 : SIR
4. Obsolescent communication devices : PAGERS
5. Short jackets : ETONS
6. Tear : REND
7. Service that requires no shoes : FOOT RUB
8. Hoedown participant : GAL
9. Make fast : STARVE
10. Common work boot feature : STEEL TOE
11. Engine type : TURBO
12. Marriage : UNION
13. Comment preceding “Gern geschehen” : DANKE
18. Nada : ZIPPO
22. Bigwig : HONCHO
23. Compact Nissan model : VERSA
24. Rejoice : EXULT
25. Start of a children’s rhyme : EENIE
27. 29-Down, down South : OLE
29. See 27-Down : OLD
31. “Beat it!” : GET OUT
33. Come to mind again : RECUR
34. City of 2 1/2+ million at the mouth of the Yodo River : OSAKA
35. Fax predecessor : TELEX
37. Mewing passerines : CATBIRDS
38. Walgreens competitor : CVS
40. N. African land : ALG
41. Fortifies : BEEFS UP
42. Courtier who invites Hamlet to fence with Laertes : OSRIC
45. Common undergrad course of study : PRE-MED
46. Zombie, essentially : CORPSE
47. Deceive : LIE TO
48. Hidden : INNER
49. 1985 N.L. M.V.P. Willie : MCGEE
50. “Vive” follower : LE ROI
53. Sharp put-down : BARB
56. “What a good boy ___!” : AM I
57. Pony players’ parlor: Abbr. : OTB
58. Formerly, name-wise : NEE
59. Drop the ball : ERR

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