Constructed by: Eric Rollfing
Edited by: Will Shortz
Not your puzzle? Try today’s …
… syndicated NY Times crossword
Today’s Reveal Answer: Keep It Between Us
Themed answers each contain the letter sequence UITS (“IT” BETWEEN “US”) hidden within:
- 56A “Let this be our little secret” … or a hint to letter sequences hidden in 16-, 32- and 40-Across : KEEP “IT” BETWEEN “US”
- 16A Eating utensil with a serrated edge : GRAPEFRUIT SPOON
- 32A Catholic academy like Gonzaga or Xavier : JESUIT SCHOOL
- 40A “Stop dragging your feet!” : QUIT STALLING!
Read on, or jump to …
… a complete list of answers
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Bill’s time: 5m 06s
Bill’s errors: 0
Today’s Wiki-est Amazonian Googlies
Across
1 Allergy trigger in an attic : DUST
An attic or loft is a room or space located below the roof of a building. The term “attic” is a shortened form of “attic story”, the uppermost story or level of a house. This term “attic story” originally applied to a low, decorative level built on top of the uppermost story behind a building’s decorative facade. This use of decoration at the top of buildings was common in ancient Greece, and was particularly important in the Attica style. That Attica style was so called because it originated in the historical region of Attica that encompassed the city of Athens. And that’s how our attics are linked to ancient Greece.
5 Grand ___ (tennis coup) : SLAM
To win the Grand Slam of tennis, a player must win the four major tournaments in the same season:
- The Australian Open (in mid-January, played on hard courts)
- The French Open (in May/June, played on clay)
- Wimbledon (in June/July, played on grass)
- The US Open (in August/September, played on hard courts)
14 Hilo “hello” : ALOHA
Hilo is the largest settlement on the Big Island of Hawaii, and has a population of over 43,000 (that’s not very many!). I love the Big Island …
15 Lucky find for a prospector : LODE
A lode is a metal ore deposit that’s found between two layers of rock or in a fissure. The mother lode is the principal deposit in a mine, usually of gold or silver. “Mother lode” is probably a translation of “veta madre”, an expression used in mining in Mexico.
16 Eating utensil with a serrated edge : GRAPEFRUIT SPOON
The somewhat bitter fruit that we know as “grapefruit” originated in the island nation of Barbados in the Caribbean. It developed as a hybrid (possibly accidentally) of the Jamaican sweet orange and the Indonesian pomelo. Back in the mid-1700s, the new hybrid was referred to as “the forbidden fruit”, and later as the shaddock. Some believe that a “Captain Shaddock” brought Indonesian pomelo seeds to Barbados and was responsible for developing the hybrid. The contemporary name is perhaps an allusion to the fact that grapefruit grow in clusters like grapes.
20 ___ Vegas, Nev. : LAS
Back in the 1800s, the Las Vegas Valley was given its name from the extensive meadows (“las vegas” is Spanish for “the meadows”) present in the area courtesy of the artesian wells drilled by local farmers. Las Vegas was incorporated as a city in 1905, in the days when it was a stopping-off point for pioneers traveling west. It eventually became a railroad town, although with the coming of the railroad growth halted as travelers began to bypass Las Vegas. The city’s tourism industry took off in 1935 with the completion of the nearby Hoover Dam, which is still a popular attraction. Then gambling was legalized, and things really started to move. Vegas was picked, largely by celebrated figures in “the mob”, as a convenient location across the California/Nevada state line that could service the vast population of Los Angeles. As a result, Las Vegas is the most populous US city founded in the 20th century (Chicago is the most populous city founded in the 19th century, just in case you were wondering).
21 Bugs Bunny or SpongeBob SquarePants, informally : TOON
Bugs Bunny debuted in the 1940 animated short “A Wild Hare”. Since then, Bugs has appeared in more films than any other cartoon character.
SpongeBob SquarePants is a cartoon character in a Nickelodeon television series. Spongebob first appeared in 1999, and he “lives in a pineapple under the sea”. The character was created by marine biologist, cartoonist and animator Stephen Hillenburg.
24 Small songbird : WREN
The wren is a small songbird belonging to the family troglodytidae and the genus troglodytes. Wrens are known for making dome-shaped nests. Despite their small size, they are known for their loud and complex songs. Male wrens often sing to attract mates and to establish territory, They have been known to attack much larger birds that get too close to their nests.
26 Record’s speed, for short : RPM
The first standard for the rotational speed of gramophone records was 78 rpm. Like so many things it seems, the US version of “78” was slightly different from that for the rest of the world. The US record was designed to play at 78.26 rpm, whereas the standard in the rest of the world was 77.92 rpm. So, imported records playing on American equipment didn’t sound quite as they were intended.
30 “The ___ is cast” : DIE
Supposedly, when Julius Caesar marched back to Rome from Gaul, he defiantly “crossed the Rubicon” with his army while uttering the words “Alea iacta est” (“The die is cast”).
31 Bullfight bull : TORO
In Spanish, a “toro” (bull) attacks the “capa” (cape) in a bullfight.
32 Catholic academy like Gonzaga or Xavier : JESUIT SCHOOL
Saint Ignatius of Loyola (also known as Inigo Lopez de Loyola) was a Spanish knight from a noble family in the Basque region of Spain. He left behind his easy life to become a hermit and a priest, and eventually founded the Society of Jesus (The Jesuit order of the Roman Catholic church).
39 Georgia who painted “Cow’s Skull With Calico Roses” : O’KEEFFE
Georgia O’Keeffe was an influential American artist, one who led the introduction of American art into Europe. Famously, she was married to photographer Alfred Stieglitz who helped develop her career in the early days. Georgia O’Keeffe’s last home was in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where she had done a lot of her work during her lifetime. She died there in 1986, at the ripe old age of 98. One of her most famous paintings is from 1926, called “Black Iris III”.
42 Bone next to the radius : ULNA
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 “pinky-side”.
44 Flippant freshness : SASS
The adjectives “flip” and “flippant” mean the same thing, namely “frivolously disrespectful, lacking in seriousness”.
47 Ctrl-___-Del : ALT
Ctrl-Alt-Delete is a keyboard command on IBM PC compatible systems used for a soft reboot, or more recently to bring up the task manager in the Windows operating system. Bill Gates tells us that the command was originally just a device to be used during development and was never meant to “go live”. He once said that “Ctrl+Alt+Delete” was a mistake, and that he would have preferred a dedicated key on the keyboard that carried out the same function.
50 Lamb Chop or Miss Piggy : PUPPET
Shari Lewis was the original puppeteer behind the PBS children’s show “Lamb Chop”. After Shari Lewis died in 1998, her daughter Mallory took over the role of puppeteer on the show.
The Muppet named Miss Piggy has a pretentious air, and so refers to herself as “moi”. In 1998, Miss Piggy even released her own perfume called “Moi”.
52 Magical item in “Aladdin” : LAMP
“Aladdin” is a famous tale in “Arabian Nights”, also called “The Book of One Thousand and One Nights”. However, there is no evidence at all that the story was in the original collection. It is generally believed that one Antoine Galland introduced the tale when he translated “Arabian Nights” into French in the early 1700s.
54 It’s usually two or three in miniature golf : PAR
The game of miniature golf emerged in the early 1900s. The name “putt-putt” is quite commonly used for the game today in the US. This name comes from the Putt-Putt Fun Center chain of courses that was founded in Fayetteville, North Carolina in 1954. Putt-Putt courses are actually quite spartan compared to true miniature golf courses that are so often themed. Regardless, the names “putt-putt” and “miniature golf” have conflated over time.
62 Church instrument : ORGAN
The organ that we often see in churches, synagogues and concert halls is a pipe organ. Sound is produced by pressurized air driven through particular pipes selected by keys on a keyboard.
Down
1 Religious doctrine : DOGMA
A dogma is a set of beliefs. The plural of “dogma” is “dogmata” (or “dogmas”, if you’re not a pedant like me!)
2 Prepare for use, as a Slip ‘N Slide : UNROLL
Wham-O was founded in 1948, with the company’s first product being the Wham-O slingshot. Since then, Wham-O has marketed a string of hit toys including the Hula Hoop, Frisbee, Slip ‘N Slide, Silly String, Hacky Sack and Boogie Board.
5 Pro photography purchases, in brief : SLRS
The initialism “SLR” stands for “single lens reflex”. Usually, cameras with changeable lenses are the SLR type. The main feature of an SLR is that a mirror reflects the image seen through the lens out through the viewfinder, so that the photographer sees exactly what the lens sees. The mirror moves out of the way as the picture is taken, and the image that comes through the lens falls onto unexposed film, or nowadays onto a digital sensor.
6 Ferrigno who played the Hulk on old TV : LOU
In the seventies and eighties TV show “The Incredible Hulk”, Lou Ferrigno played Hulk. Hulk’s alter ego in the comics was Bruce Banner, but in the show he was called David Banner, and played by Bill Bixby.
7 Sushi bar tuna variety : AHI
Ahi tuna is also known as yellowfin tuna and is a popular fish for sushi and sashimi. However, due to overfishing, ahi tuna populations are at risk.
9 Iams competitor : ALPO
Alpo is a brand of dog food introduced by Allen Products in 1936, with “Alpo” being an abbreviation for “Allen Products”. Lorne Greene used to push Alpo dog food in television spots, as did Ed McMahon and Garfield the Cat, would you believe?
10 Car option with tinted glass : MOONROOF
A sunroof is a panel in the roof of a car that can be pulled back to let in light and air. A moonroof is similar, but in a moonroof there is an option to slide back a fabric-covered panel to expose a glass panel that allows in light, but not air.
18 Prodigal ___ : SON
The Parable of the Prodigal Son is related in the Gospel of Luke. Someone who is prodigal is wasteful or extravagant. The parable tells of a man with two sons. The youngest asks for and receives his share of the family estate, and then spends it all unwisely. The prodigal son returns, to an unwelcoming older brother. The father, however, declares happily that his son “was lost and now is found”.
23 Sizzling Tex-Mex serving : FAJITA
“Fajita” is a Tex-Mex term that refers to grilled meat served on a tortilla. The original Mexican-Spanish term “fajita” is used to describe a small strip of chicken or beef. Nowadays, fajitas are often served on a sizzling platter with the tortillas and condiments on the side.
24 Nintendo debut of 2006 : WII
Introduced in 2006, Nintendo’s Wii quickly became the biggest-selling game console in the world.
28 Burrowing animal : MOLE
One of the more commonly known facts about my native Ireland is that there are no snakes in the country (outside of politics, that is). A lesser known fact is that there are no moles either. There are plenty of snakes and moles in Britain, just a few miles away. Over a pint, we tend to give the credit to Saint Patrick, but the last ice age is more likely the responsible party …
30 13-time N.B.A. All-Star Kevin : DURANT
Kevin Durant is a professional basketball player who started his career in the NBA with the Seattle Supersonics, and relocated with the team to Oklahoma City where they became the Thunder. You might come across Durant on the big screen as well, as he starred in the children’s film “Thunderstruck” in 2012.
31 What to “mind” when exiting a train in London : THE GAP
“Mind the gap” is a very famous announcement made in several stations on the London Underground. The announcement is needed as there can be a large gap between the doorways of trains and the platform. This gap arises because the platforms of some stations are quite curved, while the train cars are, of course, straight.
33 Adjust, as a thermostat : SET
The suffix “-stat” comes from the Greek “statos” meaning “standing, stationary”. It was first used in the mid-1700s in the term “heliostat”, which described an instrument that made the sun appear stationary. We still use “-stat” in the name of devices that stabilize or regulate. For example, a thermostat controls temperature and a rheostat uses resistance to control current flow in an electrical circuit.
34 Go on a black diamond run, e.g. : SKI
In North America, ski runs are given a standardized rating in terms of skiing difficulty. The ratings are:
- Green circles: easy to ski, often termed “bunny slopes”.
- Blue squares: medium difficulty
- Black diamond: steep and challenging terrain
- Double black diamond: experts only (I’ve never braved one!)
38 Mojito garnish : MINT LEAF
A mojito is a Cuban cocktail, although the exact origins appear to be unclear, as does the derivation of the name. Want one? Put 4 mint leaves in a glass, and add the juice of half a lime and a teaspoon of powdered sugar. Muddle the ingredients, smashing them together with a muddler or a spoon. Add some crushed ice, two ounces of white rum and stir. Top with a couple of ounces of club soda, and garnish with a sprig of mint and/or a slice of lime. Cheers!
41 Elton’s john? : LOO
It has been suggested that the British term “loo”, meaning “toilet”, comes from “Waterloo” (water closet … water-loo), but no one seems to know for sure. Another suggestion is that the term comes from the card game of “lanterloo”, in which the pot was called the loo!
“Elton John” is the stage name of English singer and pianist Reginald Dwight. John is an avid football (soccer) supporter, and is especially enthusiastic about Watford Football Club, which was his local team growing up. After he achieved financial success, John was able to purchase Watford FC, and owned the club from 1976 to 1987, and again from 1997 until 2002.
45 ___ Tap (mockumentary rock band) : SPINAL
“This Is Spın̈al Tap” is a rock musical mockumentary about the fictional band Spinal Tap, directed by the great Rob Reiner. I love Rob Reiner’s work, but this movie … not so much …
49 Supermodel Kate : UPTON
Kate Upton is a fashion model from St. Joseph, Michigan. Kate is a niece of US Representative Fred Upton of Michigan. Kate married professional baseball pitcher Justin Verlander in 2014.
50 Chess piece not allowed to move backward : PAWN
In the game of chess, the pawns are the weakest pieces on the board. A pawn that can make it to the opposite side of the board can be promoted to a piece of choice, usually a queen. Using promotion of pawns, it is possible for a player to have two or more queens on the board at one time. However, standard chess sets come with only one queen per side, so a captured rook is often used as the second queen by placing it on the board upside down.
53 Semicircular building recess : APSE
An apse of a church or cathedral is a semicircular recess in an outer wall, usually with a half-dome as a roof and often where there resides an altar. Originally, apses were used as burial places for the clergy and also for storage of important relics.
56 Carrier to Seoul, in brief : KAL
Korean Air (KAL) is South Korea’s largest airline. KAL was founded in 1946 as Korean National Airlines.
57 Manning of football : ELI
Eli Manning is a retired footballer who played quarterback for the New York Giants. Eli’s brother Peyton Manning retired from football as the quarterback for the Denver Broncos in 2015. Eli and Peyton’s father is Archie Manning, who was also a successful NFL quarterback. Eli, Peyton and Archie co-authored a book for children titled “Family Huddle” in 2009. It describes the Mannings playing football together as young boys.
58 Built-in feature of some camisoles : BRA
A camisole (also “cami”) is a sleeveless undergarment worn by women that extends down to the waist. “Camisole” is a French word that we imported into English that ultimately derives from the Latin “camisia” meaning “shirt, nightgown”.
59 Poached component of the dish shakshuka : EGG
Shakshouka (also “shakshuka”) is a dish that originated in North Africa. It consists of eggs poached in a sauce made from tomatoes, chili peppers, garlic and several spices. I’m hungry …
60 Clean Air Act enforcer, for short : EPA
The Clean Air Act of 1963 is administered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
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Complete List of Clues/Answers
Across
1 Allergy trigger in an attic : DUST
5 Grand ___ (tennis coup) : SLAM
9 Surrounded by : AMID
13 Not falling for : ONTO
14 Hilo “hello” : ALOHA
15 Lucky find for a prospector : LODE
16 Eating utensil with a serrated edge : GRAPEFRUIT SPOON
19 Hard-to-tame hair : MOP
20 ___ Vegas, Nev. : LAS
21 Bugs Bunny or SpongeBob SquarePants, informally : TOON
22 100% behind : ALL FOR
24 Small songbird : WREN
26 Record’s speed, for short : RPM
29 Bit of ballet choreography : LEAP
30 “The ___ is cast” : DIE
31 Bullfight bull : TORO
32 Catholic academy like Gonzaga or Xavier : JESUIT SCHOOL
36 Sender of a Candygram : ADMIRER
39 Georgia who painted “Cow’s Skull With Calico Roses” : O’KEEFFE
40 “Stop dragging your feet!” : QUIT STALLING!
42 Bone next to the radius : ULNA
43 Silent greeting : NOD
44 Flippant freshness : SASS
47 Ctrl-___-Del : ALT
48 Point-and-shoot camera setting : AUTO
50 Lamb Chop or Miss Piggy : PUPPET
52 Magical item in “Aladdin” : LAMP
54 It’s usually two or three in miniature golf : PAR
55 Decorate, as a cake : ICE
56 “Let this be our little secret” … or a hint to letter sequences hidden in 16-, 32- and 40-Across : KEEP IT BETWEEN US
61 Lead-in to disappointing news : ALAS …
62 Church instrument : ORGAN
63 Line made by a comb : PART
64 “Variety is the spice of ___” : LIFE
65 Pesters to no end : NAGS
66 Some pub pints : ALES
Down
1 Religious doctrine : DOGMA
2 Prepare for use, as a Slip ‘N Slide : UNROLL
3 Alternative to a paper clip : STAPLE
4 T-shirt or jacket : TOP
5 Pro photography purchases, in brief : SLRS
6 Ferrigno who played the Hulk on old TV : LOU
7 Sushi bar tuna variety : AHI
8 Nonglossy, as a photo : MATTE
9 Iams competitor : ALPO
10 Car option with tinted glass : MOONROOF
11 Declaration delivered (or not) in a “Love Is Blind” finale : I DO
12 Cub Scout group : DEN
14 At a distance : AFAR
17 They may appear before a justice of the peace : ELOPERS
18 Prodigal ___ : SON
23 Sizzling Tex-Mex serving : FAJITA
24 Nintendo debut of 2006 : WII
25 Like old jokes, again and again : RETOLD
27 Grad student’s adviser : PROF
28 Burrowing animal : MOLE
30 13-time N.B.A. All-Star Kevin : DURANT
31 What to “mind” when exiting a train in London : THE GAP
33 Adjust, as a thermostat : SET
34 Go on a black diamond run, e.g. : SKI
35 Official reprimand : CENSURE
36 Blue shade : AQUA
37 Not sharp : DULL
38 Mojito garnish : MINT LEAF
41 Elton’s john? : LOO
45 ___ Tap (mockumentary rock band) : SPINAL
46 Password-protected, say : SECURE
48 French friend : AMI
49 Supermodel Kate : UPTON
50 Chess piece not allowed to move backward : PAWN
51 Trial runs : TESTS
53 Semicircular building recess : APSE
54 K-12 fund-raising grps. : PTAS
56 Carrier to Seoul, in brief : KAL
57 Manning of football : ELI
58 Built-in feature of some camisoles : BRA
59 Poached component of the dish shakshuka : EGG
60 Clean Air Act enforcer, for short : EPA
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