0225-22 NY Times Crossword 25 Feb 22, Friday

Constructed by: Damon J. Gulczynski
Edited by: Will Shortz

Today’s Theme: None

Bill’s time: 16m 41s

Bill’s errors: 0

Today’s Wiki-est Amazonian Googlies

Across

1 Brightness measures : IQS

Although it is correct these days to say that the abbreviation IQ stands for “intelligence quotient”, the term was actually coined by German psychologist William Stern, and so is actually an abbreviation for the German “Intelligenz-Quotient”.

9 Home of Mount Aconcagua : ANDES

The Andes range is the longest continuous chain of mountains in the world. It runs down the length of the west coast of South America for about 4,300 miles, from Venezuela in the north to Chile in the south. The highest peak in the Andes is Mt. Aconcagua in Argentina, at an elevation of 22,841 feet. Interestingly, the peak of Mt. Chimborazo in Ecuador is the furthest point on the Earth’s surface from the center of the planet. That’s because of the equatorial “bulge” around the Earth’s “waist”.

15 Lashes : CILIA

“Cilia” (singular “cilium”) is Latin for “eyelashes”.

16 One leader of the Army of the Potomac : MEADE

George Meade was a career army officer with a depth of experience in civil and military operations even before the onset of the Civil War. During the war he rose to the level of Commander of the Army of the Potomac, and is best remembered for leading the Union forces that defeated General Robert E. Lee at Gettysburg in 1863.

27 Alternative to a blind, in poker : ANTE

In some variants of poker, a forced bet is made by one or two players sitting to the left of the dealer. These bets are known as “blinds”, and are used instead of antes to ensure that there is some money in the pot. The player to the immediate left of the dealer posts the “small blind” (usually half the minimum bet), and the next player to the left posts the “big blind” (usually the minimum bet).

28 Question of faux indignation : MOI?

“Moi” is the French word for “me”. One might say “Moi?” when feigning innocence.

31 Quid pro quo : SWAP

“Quid pro quo” is Latin for “something for something”, i.e. a swap.

42 Carp variety : KOI

Koi are fish that are also known as Japanese carp. Koi have been bred for decorative purposes and there are now some very brightly colored examples found in Japanese water gardens.

55 1980s sitcom title role for Jane Curtin : ALLIE

The sitcom “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.

Comedian and actress Jane Curtin was an original cast member of “Saturday Night Live”. She also had leading roles in the hit comedy series “Kate & Allie” and “3rd Rock from the Sun”, as well as the 1993 movie “Coneheads”.

56 Pennsylvania Avenue V.I.P. : POTUS

President of the United States (POTUS)

59 Put off : TABLE

These “tabling” and “shelving” idioms drive me crazy, because they are often misused. If a topic is shelved, it is set aside. If a topic is tabled, it is brought “off the shelf” and put “on the table” for discussion. I know that language evolves, but I think that it should at least make sense …

60 Dugout, e.g. : CANOE

The boat known as a canoe takes its name from the Carib word “kenu” meaning “dugout”. It was Christopher Columbus who brought “kenu” into Spanish as “canoa”, which evolved into our English “canoe”.

61 Qualifier in a text : IMO

In my opinion (IMO)

62 Some military choppers : HUEYS

The military helicopter known as the Bell UH-1 Iroquois is usually referred to as the “Huey”. It was first used by the US Army for medevac and utility operations in the mid-fifties. About 7,000 Hueys saw service in the Vietnam War. The US military phased out the Huey relatively recently, mainly replacing it with the UH-60 Black Hawk.

64 Post-Manhattan Project org. : AEC

The Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) was set up right after WWII in 1946, with the aim of promoting the peaceful use of atomic energy. Establishing the AEC was a significant move made by President Truman, as it passed control of atomic energy from the military to the civilian sector. The AEC continued to operate until 1974 when its functions were divided up into two new agencies: the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and the Energy Research and Development Administration (NRDA). The NRDA was merged with the Federal Energy Administration in 1977 to form the Department of Energy.

The Manhattan project was the joint US-Canada-UK project to develop an atomic bomb during WWII. Initially, the Army headquarters for the program was located on the 18th floor of a building on Broadway in New York City. Eventually, because of that first location, the project adopted the name “Manhattan”.

Down

2 One represented by a blue-and-white flag with four fleurs-de-lis : QUEBECOIS

The flag of Quebec, called the Fleurdelisé, was adopted by the province on January 21, 1948. Quebec commemorates that day every January 21st, which is known as Flag Day.

4 Actor Crothers : SCATMAN

Scatman Crothers was a jazz musician who is perhaps best remembered for playing Louie the Garbage Man on the seventies sitcom “Chico and the Man”.

5 Chief inspiration for the Mannerist style of art : MICHELANGELO

The celebrated Italian Renaissance artist and poet Michelangelo was born Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni in a village near Arezzo in the present-day province of Tuscany. Michelangelo achieved renown during his own lifetime. He was the first Western artist to see his biography published during his own lifetime.

6 Kazan of film : ELIA

Elia Kazan won Oscars for best director in 1948 for “Gentleman’s Agreement” and in 1955 for “On The Waterfront”. He was recognized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences when he was given the 1998 Academy Honorary Award citing his lifetime achievement in the industry. Kazan also directed “East of Eden”, which introduced James Dean to movie audiences, and “Splendor in the Grass” that included Warren Beatty in his debut role.

7 Navel-gazer’s discovery, maybe : LINT

The navel is basically the scar left behind when the umbilical cord is removed from a newborn baby. One interesting use of the umbilicus (navel, belly button) is to differentiate between identical twins, especially when they are very young.

8 Streaming impediments : LAGS

In Internet terms, lag is a delay in response caused by network latency. We might notice lag when streaming a video, for example.

11 Exile of 1302 : DANTE

Dante Alighieri, the Italian poet famous for writing his “Divine Comedy”, is known in his native Italy as “the Supreme Poet” (il Sommo Poeta), or simply “il Poeta”.

12 Dropsy, clinically : EDEMA

Both animals and plants can suffer from edema, which is a swelling caused by excessive accumulation of fluid.

13 No-yeast feast : SEDER

The Passover Seder is a ritual feast that marks the beginning of the Jewish Passover holiday celebrating the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt.

21 Symbol for torque in mechanics : TAU

Torque can be thought of as a turning force, say the force needed to tighten a bolt or a nut. In physics, torque is represented by the Greek letter tau.

22 Certain something : JE NE SAIS QUOI

“Je ne sais quoi” is French for “I don’t know what”.

23 Classic 1942 film based on a book subtitled “A Life in the Woods” : BAMBI

The 1942 Disney classic “Bambi” is based on a book written by Felix Salten called “Bambi, A Life in the Woods”. There is a documented phenomenon known as the Bambi Effect, whereby people become more interested in animal rights after having watched the scene where Bambi’s mother is shot by hunters.

27 Big name in cosmetics : AVEDA

Horst Rechelbacher was traveling in India in 1970 when he was introduced to the Hindu science of longevity called Ayurveda, which inspired him to set up his own company of skin and hair care products that he called Aveda. The company opened its doors in 1978 and is based in Blaine, Minnesota.

32 Much-visited website run by a nonprofit foundation : WIKIPEDIA

Wikipedia is an online encyclopedia, and is the most-used reference site on the Internet. The site was launched by Jimmy Wales and Larry Sanger in 2001. I, for one, am very grateful …

36 Western wildflower named for its distinctive shape : STAR LILY

Leucocrinum is a perennial plant that is native to the American West. It is a stemless plant, and grows to a height of maybe 4 inches. Because it has star-shaped flowers and long, narrow leaves, the leucocrinum is also known as the star lily.

41 Kind of leg : TROUSER

Trousers are pants, the garment covering the lower body and each leg separately. Ultimately, the word “trousers” evolved from the Erse word “triubhas” that described close-fitting shorts. Back in the 1600s there was a colorful saying:

A jellous wife was like an Irish trouze, alwayes close to a mans tayle

46 Francis ___, “Love Story” composer : LAI

French composer Francis Lai is known for his film scores. His most notable scores to American audiences are probably for 1970’s hit film “Love Story”, and the less memorable 1978 sequel “Oliver’s Story”.

48 Rice dish : PILAU

“Pilaf” is a Persian word, one that we use to describe rice that is browned in oil and then cooked in a seasoned broth. It can also be called “pilau”.

52 Special bars for shoppers : UPCS

The initialism “UPC” stands for Universal Price Code or Universal Product Code. The first ever UPC-marked item to get scanned in a store was on June 26, 1974 at 08:01 a.m. at Marsh’s supermarket in Troy, Ohio. It was a 10-pack of Wrigley’s Juicy Fruit chewing gum.

53 Punt, e.g. : BOAT

A punt is a small boat with a flat bottom and a square-cut bow that is used in shallow water. Punts are propelled by a punter, who uses a pole to push against say a lakebed or the bank of a river. Punts differ from gondolas both structurally and in the method of propulsion, as a gondolier uses an oar.

54 Italian place whose name comes from a Greek word meaning “I burn” : ETNA

Mount Etna on the island of Sicily is the largest of three active volcanoes in Italy, and indeed the largest of all active volcanoes in Europe. Etna is about 2 1/2 times the height of its equally famous sister, Mt. Vesuvius. Mt. Etna is home to a 110-km long narrow-gauge railway, and two ski resorts. It is sometimes referred to as “Mongibello” in Italian, and as “Mungibeddu” (sometimes “Muncibeddu”) in Sicilian. The English name “Etna” comes from the Greek “aitho” meaning “I eat”.

58 Marty’s pal in “Back to the Future” : DOC

Michael J. Fox was the first choice to play the lead character, Marty McFly, in 1985’s “Back to the Future”. Unfortunately, the producers of his TV sitcom “Family Ties” would not release him to make the movie, so the crew started filming with a different choice for the lead, namely actor Eric Stoltz. Weeks into production, it was decided that Stoltz was miscast, and Fox was approached again. An arrangement was made with the “Family Ties” producers to “share” Fox, which led to an exhausting schedule. Fox worked seven days a week, filming “Family Ties” during the day and working on “Back to the Future” at night, usually until 2:30 in the morning.

Complete List of Clues/Answers

Across

1 Brightness measures : IQS
4 One sense : SMELL
9 Home of Mount Aconcagua : ANDES
14 Not agree in a dispute, say : SUE
15 Lashes : CILIA
16 One leader of the Army of the Potomac : MEADE
17 ___ school : MED
18 Breezing through : ACING
19 Whomped but good : OWNED
20 “Your mileage may vary” : BUT THAT’S JUST ME
23 Developed into : BECAME
24 Win over : ENDEAR
25 Counterpart to projections, in accounting : ACTUALS
27 Alternative to a blind, in poker : ANTE
28 Question of faux indignation : MOI?
29 Homegrown : NATIVE
31 Quid pro quo : SWAP
35 They often appear by thumbnails : BIOS
37 Network connections : NODES
38 Quash : KILL
39 “Who ___?” : ISN’T
40 Proficient in : GOOD AT
42 Carp variety : KOI
43 Took off on : APED
45 Hawaiian, e.g. : AIRLINE
47 Go around and around : SPIRAL
50 Got in a lather : SOAPED
51 Comment to someone who talks too much : WILL YOU BE QUIET?
55 1980s sitcom title role for Jane Curtin : ALLIE
56 Pennsylvania Avenue V.I.P. : POTUS
57 Pulled off : DID
59 Put off : TABLE
60 Dugout, e.g. : CANOE
61 Qualifier in a text : IMO
62 Some military choppers : HUEYS
63 Step up, perhaps : STAIR
64 Post-Manhattan Project org. : AEC

Down

1 Movement : ISM
2 One represented by a blue-and-white flag with four fleurs-de-lis : QUEBECOIS
3 It’s tempting : SEDUCTION
4 Actor Crothers : SCATMAN
5 Chief inspiration for the Mannerist style of art : MICHELANGELO
6 Kazan of film : ELIA
7 Navel-gazer’s discovery, maybe : LINT
8 Streaming impediments : LAGS
9 Come (to) : AMOUNT
10 Spot for a daily assembly? : NEWSDESK
11 Exile of 1302 : DANTE
12 Dropsy, clinically : EDEMA
13 No-yeast feast : SEDER
21 Symbol for torque in mechanics : TAU
22 Certain something : JE NE SAIS QUOI
23 Classic 1942 film based on a book subtitled “A Life in the Woods” : BAMBI
26 Wasn’t overturned : STOOD
27 Big name in cosmetics : AVEDA
30 Union pledge : I DO
32 Much-visited website run by a nonprofit foundation : WIKIPEDIA
33 It’s usually in short supply for new parents : ALONE TIME
34 Practiced sedulously : PLIED
36 Western wildflower named for its distinctive shape : STAR LILY
41 Kind of leg : TROUSER
44 They get what’s coming to them : PAYEES
46 Francis ___, “Love Story” composer : LAI
47 Strip that’s been mowed : SWATH
48 Rice dish : PILAU
49 “Huh!” : I’LL BE!
52 Special bars for shoppers : UPCS
53 Punt, e.g. : BOAT
54 Italian place whose name comes from a Greek word meaning “I burn” : ETNA
58 Marty’s pal in “Back to the Future” : DOC

9 thoughts on “0225-22 NY Times Crossword 25 Feb 22, Friday”

  1. 11:32, no errors. I intended to comment on something, but I got sidetracked by something else and now, whatever the first something was … it’s gone. (Story of my life, these days … 😳.)

  2. 24:05. One stupid error not worth mentioning. Was happy with my time until I saw Nonny’s.

    I didn’t get to 20A before I already had BUTT HATS, and I was very curious what the clue was. Relieved to see there were actually no such things….

    PILAf before PILAU (??) and also had “can’t YOU BE QUIET” before WILL…in the same area. SW was biggest time vampire for me.

    Had to really feel my way around to get the correct spelling of JE NE SAIS QUOI. Knew the answer but was pretty clueless as to the spelling.

    Best –

  3. 55:48 SW with “pilaf” and “Elaine” instead of “Allie”, figured it out on my snowblowing break.

  4. 26:55 and it would have been easier if I hadn’t struggled to spell JENESAISQUOI. Also had trouble with QUEBECOIS. Should have taken French in high school LOL.

  5. 12:45. Got thrown, as others, by PILAU over PILAF, but on balance, my high school French came through for me again…Bon chance!

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