Strings of words that sound something like BESTPICTUREWINNERs (109A: What you get when you say 23-, 31-, 47-, 64-, 79- or 97-Across out loud). The toughest one, for us, was HOWTOUGHHAVERIGA (97A: "In what way?"/Like overcooked steak/Possess/European capital on a gulf (1985)) - Out of Africa. Jeepers. HONDAWATTAFFRONT (31A: Toyota rita/Measure of power/Insult (1954)), on the other hand, was easy. I guess I like it overall. It's absurd, and that's usually a good thing.
The fill was pretty tight, and it "kept us working," as Frannie puts it. Interesting to learn that Halle Berry was once runner-up in the MISSUSA pageant. That was in 1986, incidentally, and that same year she finished sixth in Miss World. Who knew? I'm sure Huygens (and everyone else) will enjoy mention of the OORT (27A: ____ cloud (source of comets)), and in related material, MOON (29A: Spend time in idle reverie) is given a tricky clue. And speaking of tricky, I also enjoyed 26A: Ring material (CANVAS) and 86A: Load bearer (HAMPER). You don't hear that word much anymore. At least I don't. We always had one when I was growing up, but now we just have a basket, and we don't call it a hamper. Also, I did not expect WUSSY for 72A: Like a milquetoast. I think I tried "timid" until COLDWAR (50D: It was satirized in "Dr. Strangelove") changed the first letter. Then I think it was Frannie who finally filled it in.
Was it just yesterday that I railed against clues like 38A: Parisian possessive (SES)? Well, at least today's is more realistic.
There were no real groaners, and plenty of unusual, interesting, or funny things, and how can you not smile at a puzzle that includes 93A: "That's what she ____" (SAID)?
Thumbs up.
- Horace
I liked this Sunday puzzle much more than recent efforts on the larger grid. The theme is fun to figure out, and CHALLAHBOWEDHEAVE is excellent. The fill was likewise pretty good for the most part: MELTORME, COLDWAR, SALAAM, BAABAA, RUBENS.
ReplyDeleteI'd seen the word AVOCET before, but needed all the crosses to get it. I did not like EGESTS (yuck), CUEIN (?), and BELS, which I've never heard on its own, and does not come up on Google at all.
Oh, by the way, I was in Italy not so long ago. APPIANWAY reminded me.
102:02
ReplyDeleteAh yes, APPIANWAY. WUSSY came slowly to me, also, as did the "HAIRY" part of WARDENHAIRYPEEPHOLE (79A Wildlife protector/Difficult/Hotel door feature) - Ordinary People. Loved OORT and won't ever tire of that answer, NUTSO (58A Bananas) was good, as was too much else to mention. Oh, OK: SARDINE (115A Rush-hour subway rider, facetiously), GRAILS (53A Greatly desired objects) and BRA (25A Tan line producer, maybe). Well, this almost catches me up!