Monday, November 20, 2023, Sam Ezersky

It's funny to me that today's theme re-parses the name of the 5th U.S. state because I often find myself pronouncing it as if it were said, 'Connect i[h]cut'. Why? No clue. But, this puzzle supplies several answers in which the letters I C U T connect with others to form common nouns or phrases, including PICKUPTHEPHONE and PLASTICUTENSIL. Quite the art of the state.

Idaho why, but today's puzzle solve time was way above average for a Monday for this solver. I wasn't particularly going for speed, but a misstep at 1A - usa instead of the correct AVA, and a precipitous ending of 'plURALISM' at 40A (MULTICULTURALISM) - didn't do me any favors. 

Alaska, my assessment of today's C/AP (clue/answer pair) aptness level was on the low side. "Room under a roof" (ATTIC) kind of bothered me. Is an attic really a room? And "Gobble down" which seems so vividly active and almost greedy turned out to be plain old EAT. I thought CINCH for "Sure thing" was also a bit troubling. SILKHATS for "Some high-end headwear" seemed somewhat rando. But, maybe it's a mini-theme, along with LUXURY and PATE ("Hors d'oeuvres spread). 

Nevada one to end on a low note, I thought "Brings on staff" for HIRE was good. I was also happy to see TES for "French for 'your'" instead of the usual (and rather less usual) a toi. I enjoyed "Bob, buzz, or beehive (HAIRCUT). GALORE, SLEEPONIT, and PLAYNICE are fine fill. 

~Frannie.