Constructor: Zhouqin Burnikel
Relative issue: Medium (regular Monday, solved Downs-only)
THEME: “I’VE GOT YOU COVERED” (39A: “Depart it to me” … and a touch to the circled letters on this puzzle) — the “masking” (i.e. outer squares, indicated right this moment by circles) of 4 solutions is one thing that “has you lined” if you’re one among varied sorts of animal:
- HAIL, CAESAR (18A: Roman Discussion board greeting)
- SCALP MASSAGES (23A: Head rubs that relieve stress)
- FIRE BREATHERS (51A: Folks spouting zealous rhetoric)
- SHORT SPELL (63A: Temporary time period)
Phrase of the Day: SHEA butter (15D: ___ butter (lotion ingredient)) —
Shea butter ( SHEE, SHEE-ə, or SHAY; Bambara: ߛߌ߮ߕߎߟߎ, romanized: sìtulu) is a fats (triglyceride; primarily oleic acid and stearic acid) extracted from the nut of the African shea tree (Vitellaria paradoxa). It’s ivory in colour when uncooked and generally dyed yellow with borututu root or palm oil. It’s broadly utilized in cosmetics as a moisturizer or lotion. It’s edible and is utilized in meals preparation in some African international locations. It’s sometimes blended with different oils as an alternative to cocoa butter, though the style is noticeably totally different.
The English phrase “shea” comes from sǐ, the tree’s title in Bambara. It’s identified by many native names, similar to kpakahili within the Dagbani language, taama within the Wali language, nkuto in Twi, kaɗe or kaɗanya in Hausa, òkwùmá within the Igbo language, òrí within the Yoruba language, and karité within the Wolof language of Senegal. It’s also often called Moo-yaa within the Acholi language. (wikipedia)
• • •
This theme might’ve used extra. One other degree. Why are all of the coverings the surfaces of animals? Nothing in regards to the revealer is especially animalish. It is fascinating that the “coverings” have a form of coherence, however it’s bizarre that the revealer does not make any reference to that in any respect. Worse, the “coverings” do not actually “cowl” something. They’re simply the outer letters of the solutions. What’s *inside* these letters is … gibberish. I’ve acquired you lined? Certain, if “you” are named PMASSAG or ORTSP, I suppose. Lastly, I do not assume I’ve ever seen anybody known as a FIREBREATHER who wasn’t a dragon. A firebrand, positive. However I do not love FIREBREATHERS as a solution. The dictionary has it as a phrase, although, so I haven’t got rather more than my very own aversion to justify my objection to that reply. There’s an inventiveness and cleverness on show right here, I simply do not assume the entire thing actually works. Gotta stick the touchdown, and this the touchdown right here feels unstuck.
Fairly simple Downs-only remedy, with the one tough elements coming (very predictably) with the longest of the Downs. I had “WHAT-” and completely no thought what was alleged to comply with (3D: “Is not this nice!”). The primary guess I ventured was “WHAT A DREAM!” (which, as you may say, is correct within the overwhelming majority of its particulars). Paula DEEN is someone, in order that “D” did not appear clearly unsuitable. However then got here SMOLI, which is most decidedly not a factor, so I had put in STOLI, and that helped me see TREAT. TEEN >>>>> Paula DEEN, so I used to be pleased with how that turned out. I used to be much less blissful within the SE, the place I needed to wrestle not solely with a pesky lengthy Down (TORN TENDON), however needed to cope with an adjoining quick reply that I botched: I had 65D: Mentions straight on X as RTS, not ATS. Other than the truth that I would like by no means to see any references to that murderous racist’s web site (“X”) ever once more, thanks …
… I do not assume ATS is nice fill. I positively am acquainted with “at” as a verb which means “point out/tag in a social media submit,” however it’s ugly fill. Anyway, with RTS in there, I had RU-IO, as one of many Acrosses, and I am fairly positive you may see why *that* was wanting awfully disagreeable. Just one believable letter might go in RU-IO, and it wasn’t one I used to be wanting ahead to writing in. Unsure how I lastly acquired round to altering RTS to ATS. Or how I noticed TORN TENDON, which looks as if its personal, very extreme factor, and never the results of a mere sprain (28D: Attainable consequence of a foul sprain). The one factor I needed for the longest time at SAU-E was SAUCE, which put a “C” at the start of TORN TENDON. Lastly seeing that “T” may also work there should’ve been what tipped me in the proper path. “T” to TORN TENDON to AUDIO (not RUBIO) to ATS. Not probably the most enjoyable I’ve ever had Downs-only fixing. However like I mentioned, it was one among solely two locations that brought about any bother. Every part else was simple.
Unsure why you want so many cheater squares* in a easy Monday puzzle (4 of them: earlier than RAS/after SMS, and earlier than STOLI/after SAUTE). I suppose if the standard of the fill is basically struggling, then including a handful of cheaters is a advantageous technique to clear issues up. Fill will get shorter and (normally) extra boring / uninteresting / crosswordesey, however that is higher than awkward and strained … although the very presence of RAS and SMS subsequent to these cheater squares kind of means that these additional black squares did not actually purchase that a lot in the best way of sparkle.
Bullets:
- 17A: 6’4″, 186 lbs. and others (STATS) — er, I suppose. They’re measurements, that are a form of stat. However then any truth generally is a stat if you want onerous sufficient. I consider STATS as numbers associated to sports activities efficiency.
- 20A: “Santa Child” singer Eartha (KITT) — too quickly, puzzle. Too quickly. Please wait til after Thanksgiving earlier than you begin throwing the Christmas music at me.
- 68A: Weblog commenter who’s greatest ignored (TROLL) — sure. Good recommendation, puzzle. Good, sane recommendation.
- 25D: Rental honcho, casually (SUPE) — quick for “superintendent.” “Rental honcho,” except for being patently ridiculous as a phrase (not satisfied anybody has ever put these phrases subsequent to one another earlier than right this moment), already feels fairly “informal.” Unsure you want that “casually” there.
- 11D: Lhasa ___ (canine) (APSO) — I’ve seen this canine’s title in crosswords eternally, and but I at all times expertise a bit hesitation when spelling it—both a part of it. I at all times need the 2 elements to “agree” as to their endings, so I am like “LHASO APSO? LHASA APSA?” Additionally, I steadily overlook which extremely uncommon letter mixture LHASA begins with, which is to say I kinda wish to spell it LLASA (like LLAMA or Mario Vargas LLOSA). The double “L” is a very totally different pronunciation from the “LH” (“LL” = extra just like the “Y” in “younger” or “yurt”), and it is particularly Spanish, which “Lhasa” clearly is not, so that you’d assume I would not make this specific spelling mistake. You’d assume.
See you subsequent time.
Signed, Rex Parker, King of CrossWorld
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