Kind of a funny theme today where NATURECALLS are hidden in theme answers. As in:
T[WOOF]HEARTS - Low red card in a deck
CHOOC[HOOT]RAINS - Locomotives, to kids
T[HISS]UCKS (!) - "The worst!"
MET[ROAR]EA - City and its surroundings
NOTROU[BLEAT]ALL - "Don't mention it – it was easy"
BLEAT is a nice word, isn't it?
Continuing one of my hobby horses since restarting the blog, there are several entries that might not have passed the Sunday Morning Test a decade or so ago. First is the theme entry THISSUCKS. It's a little crass, but times have changed. ASS has been in puzzles for a long time, but usually clued with something like "donkey," not "____-backward." And I'll also include EARWIG in this category, because they are such disturbing creatures. EWW! And really, the revealer itself, with its "I need to use the bathroom" clue... OK, I know I'm coming off as something of a prude (and as someone who uses the phrase "something of a...") but I am just doin' my job! (ITRY).
And here's another thing... I love the word TRAIPSE, but never have I thought of it as meaning "Walk wearily." Sure, the AI summary will support this clue, but if you look in Merriam-Webster it just says "To go on foot: Walk," and "to walk or travel about without apparent plan." This is more how I think of it, and how I use it. I like its lighter meaning. And sure, I know that it's fair game to use third and fourth level definitions, but this one has such a nice primary definition, why not use "Wander," or "Meander?"
But apart from that Mrs. Lincoln, how did you like the play?
- Horace
Unusual to have shaded squares on a Monday, isn't it? Anyway, I love the double-v in SAVVY, and that the puzzle starts out with TEMPT. I wonder if ESL learners have difficulty with words ending in "mpt." Nice that LAV crosses NATURECALLS, and yes, EARWIGs are gross. I was just talking with someone about OAHU; I guess there's a good deal to see there that Sue and I didn't bother with back in 2011, so we'll have to do a little exploring, especially in the northern parts of the island, the next time we're there.
ReplyDeleteAs always, I appreciate it when the shaded word crosses words in the phrases, and all five did here, so that’s a big win in my book!
ReplyDeleteI agree about "walk wearily," Horace. I started to type in "trudge" before I realized it was too short. I thought this was an above-average Monday, for sure. Theme is nice, as has been noted above. ASS has indeed been getting extended in the Times puzzles. "Donkey" was first, but we've seen it clued with all kinds of synonyms for "boor" over the last few years. How long till we get a clue related to the "smells like ass" definition? When it happens, I guess we'll just have to LAUGH.
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