1119-23 NY Times Crossword 19 Nov 23, Sunday

Constructed by: Rebecca Goldstein & Rachel Fabi
Edited by: Will Shortz

Today’s Theme: Thanksgiving Meal Prep

Themed answers are common phrases reinterpreted as part of the PREP for a THANKSGIVING MEAL:

  • 22A Stockpile bread? : BANK ROLLS
  • 24A Research hors d’oeuvres online? : GOOGLE APPS
  • 38A Selects green bean casserole, candied yams and mashed potatoes? : CHOOSES SIDES
  • 65A Debate roasting versus deep-frying? : TALK TURKEY
  • 91A Steers the dessert cart? : SHEPHERDS PIE
  • 108A Make cranberry sauce from scratch? : KICK THE CAN
  • 112A Reserve the chardonnay for later? : TABLE WINE
  • 37D Work on one’s whisking technique? : GRAVY-TRAIN
  • 52D Pro tip about seasoning stuffing? : SAGE ADVICE

Bill’s time: 16m 45s

Bill’s errors: 0

Today’s Wiki-est Amazonian Googlies

Across

5 Dance form featured in the documentary “Kumu Hina” : HULA

The hula is a native dance of Hawaii that uses arm movements to relate a story. The hula can be performed while sitting (a noho dance) or while standing (a luna dance).

9 If-then-___ (programming trio) : ELSE

In the world of computer programming, an “if-then-else” construct is a type of conditional statement. The idea is that IF a particular condition is met THEN a particular action is executed. The additional ELSE statement can be used to define an alternative action.

13 Fruit in the custard apple family : PAPAW

The papaw (also “pawpaw”) tree is native to North America and has a fruit that looks similar to a papaya. Papaw probably gets its name from the word papaya, but papaw and papaya are two distinct species.

18 Home to Dublin and Toledo : OHIO

The Ohio city of Dublin is a suburb of Columbus. The future city was named by Irishman John Shields around 1810:

If I have the honor conferred upon me to name your village, with the brightness of the morn, and the beaming of the sun on the hills and dales surrounding this beautiful valley, it would give me great pleasure to name your new town after my birthplace, Dublin, Ireland.

I’m thinking that Shields might have kissed the Blarney Stone.

Toledo, Ohio lies in the northwest of the state, at the western end of Lake Erie. Toledo was founded as a result of the prosperity that hit the area when the Miami and Erie Canal was constructed in the 19th century connecting Cincinnati to the Great Lakes. Toledo is known as the Glass City as several glass companies originated there, including Owens Corning and Pilkington North America. There is a large exhibition of glass art at the Toledo Museum of Art.

19 Ritual whose name translates to “covenant” : BRIS

A mohel is a man who has been trained in the practice of brit milah (circumcision). Brit milah is known as “bris” in Yiddish. The brit milah ceremony is performed on male infants when they are 8 days old.

20 Locale for many cabs : NAPA

The cabernet sauvignon (often just “cab”) grape has been around since the 17th century, and is the result of a chance crossing in southwestern France of the cabernet franc and sauvignon blanc grapes.

21 Common lab culture : E COLI

Escherichia coli (E. coli) are usually harmless bacteria found in the human gut, working away quite happily. However, there are some strains that can produce lethal toxins. These strains can make their way into the food chain from animal fecal matter that comes into contact with food designated for human consumption.

24 Research hors d’oeuvres online? : GOOGLE APPS

An hors d’oeuvre is a first course in a meal. “Hors d’oeuvre” translates from French as “apart from the work”, which really means “not the main course”.

31 Fighting sport, for short : MMA

Mixed martial arts (MMA) is a full-contact combat sport in which competitors use a variety of techniques from a variety of traditional combat sports and martial arts.

47 Loch Ness monster, apparently : HOAX

The Loch Ness monster has been talked about for centuries, but modern interest started in 1933 when a spate of sightings was reported. Those sightings don’t seem to have stopped, with photographs really sparking the imagination.

53 “Full House” twins : OLSENS

I know very little about the Olsen twins, but I am told that many folks believe Mary-Kate and Ashley to be identical twins. They look very much alike, but are in fact fraternal twins. The sisters were cast as Michelle Tanner on the eighties sitcom “Full House”, taking turns playing the role.

55 Setting in “Nomadland” : RV LOT

“Nomadland” is a 2020 American drama film based on the non-fiction book “Nomadland: Surviving America in the Twenty-First Century” by Jessica Bruder. Both the movie and book explore the experiences of older Americans who have lost their homes and jobs and now live on the road as “nomads.” The film stars Frances McDormand as Fern, a widow who becomes a nomad after losing her job and home in a Nevada mining town. Great movie …

56 Kilt folds : PLEATS

The lovely Scottish garment called a kilt is pleated, but only at the rear.

57 Alex’s partner in the jewelry industry : ANI

The jewelry retailer Alex and Ani was founded in 2004 and is headquartered in Cranston, Rhode Island. The founder Carolyn Rafaelian named her business for her two daughters: Alex and Ani.

63 “Cease!,” on the seas : AVAST!

“Avast” is a nautical term used to tell someone to stop or desist from what they are doing. The word comes from the Dutch “hou vast” meaning “hold fast”.

72 Word with bump or trap : SPEED …

The traffic calming device we call a “speed bump” over here in the US, is known by the colorful name “sleeping policeman” in the UK.

Radar speed guns were first used to monitor traffic by Connecticut State Police in the town of Glastonbury, way back in 1947!

73 Former Florida flier : PAN AM

Pan American World Airways (usually just “Pan Am”) started out as a mail and passenger service between Key West, Florida and Havana, Cuba in 1927. From very early in the company’s life it was the de facto representative air carrier of the United States. For many years, Pan Am’s fleet was built around the Boeing 314 Clipper, a long-range flying boat that was one of the largest aircraft around at the time. Pan Am adopted the Clipper as part of its image, even using “clipper” as the call sign for its flights.

79 Inventor Gray who had a patent war with Alexander Graham Bell : ELISHA

Elisha Gray was an electrical engineer who is best remembered for developing a prototype telephone. Some have argued that Gray’s telephone design predated those of Alexander Graham Bell, and indeed that Bell stole elements of Gray’s work. However, Bell’s patents withstood several legal challenges. Gray went on to co-found Western Electric, the company that served as the primary supplier of equipment to AT&T for over a century.

80 Martin of Hollywood : STEVE

Comedian, actor and writer Steve Martin is from Waco, Texas. Martin’s entertainment career started to take off with success as a writer for the “Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour”. He then turned to stand-up comedy and often appeared on “The Tonight Show”. He was, and still is, a popular guest host on “Saturday Night Live”. He is so popular on “SNL” that many mistakenly believe that he was a permanent member of the “Saturday NIght Live” cast.

81 City on the Kenai Peninsula : SEWARD

The city of Seward, Alaska was named for Secretary of State William Seward, who fought for and negotiated the purchase of Alaska from Russia. Seward is the southerly terminus of the Iditarod Trail, known historically as the Seward-to-Nome Mail Trail. The city used the motto “Alaska Starts Here”.

The Kenai Peninsula juts out into the Gulf of Alaska from Alaska’s southern coast. It is home to several towns, including Homer, Alaska. Homer is nicknamed “the end of the road” as it is a terminus for North America’s paved highway system. The peninsula is also home to Kenai Fjords National Park.

86 Unspecific amount in a recipe : DASH

In cooking, the terms “dash”, “pinch” and “smidgen” can all be used for a very small measure, one that is often undefined. However, you can in fact buy some measuring spoons that define these amounts as follows:

  • a dash is 1/8 teaspoon
  • a pinch is 1/16 teaspoon
  • a smidgen is 1/32 teaspoon

102 Part of some pods : ORCA

Orcas, also known as killer whales, are actually members of the dolphin family. They are the largest members of this family and can weigh up to 6 tons.

104 November birthstone : TOPAZ

Topaz is a semiprecious stone made from silicate containing aluminum and fluorine. Topaz is the state gemstone of Utah, and the rare blue topaz is the state gemstone of Texas.

108 Make cranberry sauce from scratch? : KICK THE CAN

When early European settlers came across red berries growing in the bogs of the northern part of America, they felt that the plant’s flower and stem resembled the head and bill of a crane. As such, they called the plant “craneberry”, which evolved into “cranberry”.

112 Reserve the chardonnay for later? : TABLE WINE

The chardonnay grape is believed to have originated in the Burgundy wine region of France. Now it’s grown “everywhere”. Drinkers of California “chards” seem to be particularly fond of oak flavor, so most chardonnay wines are aged in oak barrels or with oak chips.

115 Off-the-wall : ZANY

Something described as zany is clownish and bizarre. “Zany” can also be a noun, a term used for a clown or buffoon. The original noun was “Zanni”, a Venetian dialect variant of Gianni, short for Giovanni (John). Zanni was a character who appeared in comedy plays of the day, and was someone who aped the principal actors.

116 Actress Jessica : ALBA

Actress Jessica Alba got her big break when she was cast in the Fox science fiction show “Dark Angel”. Alba had a tough life growing up as she spent a lot of time in hospital and so found it difficult to develop friendships. As a youngster she twice had a collapsed lung, frequently caught pneumonia, suffered from asthma, had a ruptured appendix and a tonsillar cyst. On top of all that, Alba acknowledges that she suffered from obsessive-compulsive disorder as a child.

117 Noted Celtic musician : ENYA

Enya’s real name is Eithne Ní Bhraonáin, which can translate from Irish into Enya Brennan. Her Donegal family (in the northwest of Ireland) formed a band called Clannad, which included Enya. In 1980 Enya launched her very successful solo career, eventually becoming Ireland’s best-selling solo musician. And, she sure does turn up a lot in crosswords!

Down

1 ___ tea : BOBA

Bubble tea, sometimes called “boba tea”, is a tea-based drink from Taiwan. The “bubbles” are chewy tapioca balls that are usually added to the drink.

4 1988 Beach Boys hit with a geographical title : KOKOMO

“Kokomo” is a song released by the Beach Boys in 1988. It describes a trip taken by a couple to a fictional island off the Florida Keys called Kokomo. The success of the song led to at least one Florida resort adopting the name.

Aruba, Jamaica, ooh I wanna take ya
Bermuda, Bahama, come on pretty mama
Key Largo, Montego,
baby why don’t we go,
Jamaica

5 “The White Lotus” network : HBO

“The White Lotus” is a comedy-drama TV series about the fictional White Lotus chain of resort hotels. The first season is set in Hawaii, and the second in Sicily. Each season covers a week’s stay at a White Lotus resort. The first season is set in Hawaii, and the second in Sicily. A white lotus flower is symbolic of purity and innocence. Most of the guests and staff at “The White Lotus” are far from pure and innocent. Very enjoyable television, I thought …

8 St. Francis of ___ : ASSISI

Francis of Assisi was a Catholic friar and preacher who founded the Franciscan order. Because he is honored for his love of animals and nature, many churches hold ceremonies to bless animals on the feast day of Saint Francis, October 4th, every year.

9 Official lang. of Guyana : ENG

Guyana’s official name today is the Co-Operative Republic of Guyana. Guyana is located on the northern coast of South America. The country used to be a British colony, with the name British Guyana, but it achieved independence in 1966. It is now the only member of the British Commonwealth (now called the Commonwealth of Nations) that is on mainland South America.

10 Land through which the Mekong River flows : LAOS

At over 2,700 miles in length, the Mekong is the twelfth longest river in the world. It rises in the Tibetan Plateau and empties into the South China Sea at the famed Mekong Delta in Vietnam.

12 Quarter backs? : EAGLES

The American quarter is a little unusual in the world of decimal currency, if you think about it. Most currencies have a “20-cent” coin, which is easier to work with mathematically. The US went for the quarter in deference to the practice of dividing Spanish Milled Dollars into eight wedge-shaped “bits”. That’s also why the quarter is sometimes referred to as “two bits”. We’ve been using the adjective “two-bit” to mean “cheap, tawdry” at least since 1929. State quarters were introduced in 1999.

14 Landmark health legislation, for short : ACA

The correct name for what has been dubbed “Obamacare” is the “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act” (ACA).

23 “Ba-dum-tss” sounds : RIM SHOTS

A rim shot is a sound made when a drummer hits the head of a drum and the rim at the same time. It’s a sound often used by comics to help punctuate a gag.

25 Led Zeppelin’s “Whole ___ Love” : LOTTA

Led Zeppelin was an English rock band founded in 1968. The band’s most famous release has to be the classic “Stairway to Heaven”. Led Zeppelin broke up right after drummer John Bonham was found dead in 1988.

34 G-men : FEDS

The nickname “G-men” is short for “government men” and refers to agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

36 Buffalo N.H.L.ers : SABRES

The Buffalo Sabres joined the National Hockey League in the 1970-71 season. The team took the name “Sabres” as the result of a fan contest.

41 Enter a bear market : SAG

The terms “bull market” and “bear market” come from the way in which each animal attacks. A bull thrusts his horns upwards (an “up” market), whereas a bear swipes with his paws downward (a “down” market).

49 Chuck Taylor All Star, e.g. : SNEAKER

“Sneaker” is a common name for an athletic shoe, one that is now used as everyday casual wear. The term “sneaker” is used widely across the US. Back in my homeland of Ireland, the terms “trainer” and “tennis shoe” are more common.

59 Macy’s Thanksgiving ___ Parade : DAY

The annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City has been held every year since 1924, with a brief suspension from 1942-1944. The parade was halted during WWII as there was a need for rubber and helium to support the war effort. The 2020 parade was closed to the public due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and so was a broadcast-only event.

62 Captain Marvel, e.g. : SUPERHERO

“Shazam” is a word that was coined in the “Captain Marvel” comics in 1940. Billy Batson is a boy who can transform himself into the superhero Captain Marvel (aka “Shazam”) by speaking the magic word “Shazam”. “Shazam” is actually an acronym standing for “Solomon, Hercules, Atlas, Zeus, Achilles, and Mercury”.

69 Home to Faa’a International Airport : TAHITI

Faa’a is the largest commune on the island of Tahiti, part of French Polynesia in the South Pacific. Faa’a is in effect a suburb of Papeete, French Polynesia’s capital city.

71 German candy with a caramel center : RIESEN

Riesen is a brand of chocolate that is produced and sold mainly in Germany, but is also sold here in the US. Riesen introduced a recipe for a hot chocolate drink in 2007. The recipe calls for melting the chocolate candy over heat in a saucepan, then adding one cup of milk per candy piece. Sprinkle nutmeg to taste.

74 Parsonage : MANSE

A manse is a minister’s home in various Christian traditions. “Manse” derives from “mansus”, the Latin for “dwelling”. The term can also be used for any stately residence.

77 “___ the night before Christmas …” : ‘TWAS

The poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas” was published anonymously in 1823, and is better known today by its first line “‘Twas the night before Christmas”. Most scholars believe that the poem was written by Clement Clarke Moore, a theologian from New York City. Others say that it was written by Henry Livingston, Jr., a poet from Upstate New York.

87 Measurer of acidity : PH SCALE

As we all recall from chemistry class, a pH of 7 is considered neutral. Anything less than 7 is an acid, and anything above 7 is a base.

90 Pluck : TWEEZE

Tweezers are small metal pincers used in handling small objects. Back in the 1600s, “tweeze” was the name given to the case in which such an implement was kept, and over time the case gave its name to the device itself. “Tweeze” evolved from “etweese”, the plural of “etwee”, which in turn came from “étui “, the French word for “small case”.

99 Metaphor for a migraine : VISE

The name of the searing headache called a “migraine” comes from the Greek words “hemi” meaning “half”, and “kranion” meaning “skull”.

106 Actress Taylor-Joy of “The Queen’s Gambit” : ANYA

Actress Anya Taylor-Joy had quite the international upbringing. She was born in Miami, and raised in Buenos Aires and then London. She is perhaps best known for playing the title character in the 2020 film adaptation of Jane Austen’s “Emma”, and the lead role in the Netflix miniseries “The Queen’s Gambit”.

109 Ryan Gosling’s role in “Barbie” : KEN

The 2023 fantasy comedy movie “Barbie” stars Margo Robbie in the title role and Ryan Gosling as Ken. It was directed by Greta Gerwig, who also co-wrote the script with her partner Noah Baumbach. I highly recommend this one …

Complete List of Clues/Answers

Across

1 It grows on trees : BARK
5 Dance form featured in the documentary “Kumu Hina” : HULA
9 If-then-___ (programming trio) : ELSE
13 Fruit in the custard apple family : PAPAW
18 Home to Dublin and Toledo : OHIO
19 Ritual whose name translates to “covenant” : BRIS
20 Locale for many cabs : NAPA
21 Common lab culture : E COLI
22 Stockpile bread? : BANK ROLLS
24 Research hors d’oeuvres online? : GOOGLE APPS
26 “Ditto” : AS DO I
27 Tizzy : SNIT
29 Rural tower : SILO
30 Catchy tune, in slang : BOP
31 Fighting sport, for short : MMA
33 Since : AS OF
35 “Time to head out!” : LET’S GO!
38 Selects green bean casserole, candied yams and mashed potatoes? : CHOOSES SIDES
43 What a ghost might do to you : STARTLE
46 Chortled syllable : HEH
47 Loch Ness monster, apparently : HOAX
48 Love lines? : ODES
50 Eases : ABATES
51 Blast from the past, so to speak : OLD SONG
53 “Full House” twins : OLSENS
55 Setting in “Nomadland” : RV LOT
56 Kilt folds : PLEATS
57 Alex’s partner in the jewelry industry : ANI
58 Features of a vacant stare : DEAD EYES
60 Gets caught : SNAGS
61 Sanctify : BLESS
63 “Cease!,” on the seas : AVAST!
64 Part of a rock band? : ORE
65 Debate roasting versus deep-frying? : TALK TURKEY
67 Groove : RUT
70 “There ___ enough words” : AREN’T
72 Word with bump or trap : SPEED …
73 Former Florida flier : PAN AM
75 Breaking up : ENDING IT
78 Corn unit : EAR
79 Inventor Gray who had a patent war with Alexander Graham Bell : ELISHA
80 Martin of Hollywood : STEVE
81 City on the Kenai Peninsula : SEWARD
83 “Let me join!” : I WANT IN!
84 Foolish : UNWISE
86 Unspecific amount in a recipe : DASH
87 Small game, often : PREY
88 Some nail-biters, for short : OTS
89 Developing : NASCENT
91 Steers the dessert cart? : SHEPHERDS PIE
94 Fame : RENOWN
96 Cupid’s counterpart : EROS
97 Grabbed a chair : SAT
98 Some sex cells : OVA
100 Heads of org. charts : CEOS
102 Part of some pods : ORCA
104 November birthstone : TOPAZ
108 Make cranberry sauce from scratch? : KICK THE CAN
112 Reserve the chardonnay for later? : TABLE WINE
114 On a bias : ASKEW
115 Off-the-wall : ZANY
116 Actress Jessica : ALBA
117 Noted Celtic musician : ENYA
118 Kind of question : YES/NO
119 Shiny silver sticker? : EPEE
120 Bid first, say : LEAD
121 “___?” “___!” : DEAL

Down

1 ___ tea : BOBA
2 Exclamations of enlightenment : AHAS
3 Outer layer : RIND
4 1988 Beach Boys hit with a geographical title : KOKOMO
5 “The White Lotus” network : HBO
6 Web addresses : URLS
7 Stage name of Montero Lamar Hill : LIL NAS X
8 St. Francis of ___ : ASSISI
9 Official lang. of Guyana : ENG
10 Land through which the Mekong River flows : LAOS
11 Go bad : SPOIL
12 Quarter backs? : EAGLES
13 Letter before cue : PEE
14 Landmark health legislation, for short : ACA
15 Certain recyclable, in the Midwest : POP BOTTLE
16 Brand aptly found in “natural pooch food” : ALPO
17 Tendril : WISP
23 “Ba-dum-tss” sounds : RIM SHOTS
25 Led Zeppelin’s “Whole ___ Love” : LOTTA
28 Aids in planning : TO-DO LISTS
32 Untold millennia : AEONS
34 G-men : FEDS
36 Buffalo N.H.L.ers : SABRES
37 Work on one’s whisking technique? : GRAVY-TRAIN
38 Slices and dices : CHOPS
39 “Absolutely not” : HELL NO
40 “Goodness!” : OH DEAR!
41 Enter a bear market : SAG
42 Tournament ranking : SEED
44 Clinton and Obama, astrologically : LEOS
45 Approx. : EST
49 Chuck Taylor All Star, e.g. : SNEAKER
52 Pro tip about seasoning stuffing? : SAGE ADVICE
53 Length of some fun runs, informally : ONE-K
54 Backed up : SAVED
57 Having an even score : ALL TIED
59 Macy’s Thanksgiving ___ Parade : DAY
61 Hairstyle that the Brits call “fringe” : BANGS
62 Captain Marvel, e.g. : SUPERHERO
65 Start of some countdowns : TEN
66 Peruse : READ
68 Open, as a drain : UNSTOP
69 Home to Faa’a International Airport : TAHITI
71 German candy with a caramel center : RIESEN
73 Toddler’s time out? : PLAYDATE
74 Parsonage : MANSE
75 Sicilian stratovolcano : ETNA
76 Things behind the Times? : NEWS RACKS
77 “___ the night before Christmas …” : ‘TWAS
79 Pitchers : EWERS
80 Thur. + 3 : SUN
82 Arthur of tennis : ASHE
83 Rage : IRE
85 Philanthropist Pratt for whom the Baltimore public library system is named : ENOCH
87 Measurer of acidity : PH SCALE
90 Pluck : TWEEZE
92 Entrance : PORTAL
93 Put in a hold : STOWED
95 “For real,” in modern parlance : NO CAP
98 Go-ahead : OKAY
99 Metaphor for a migraine : VISE
101 Lucid : SANE
103 Inspiration for the tribute band A*Teens : ABBA
105 Winter candle scent : PINE
106 Actress Taylor-Joy of “The Queen’s Gambit” : ANYA
107 Ardor : ZEAL
109 Ryan Gosling’s role in “Barbie” : KEN
110 Common factor : TWO
111 It ends when 1/1 begins : NYE
113 Boyo : LAD