Did you know that March is National Celery Month? And today is the first Monday in it? And that celery is kind of gross but it has a good texture? Anyway, it's me, Annabel!
Constructor: SUSAN GELFAND
Relative difficulty: EASY-MEDIUM
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THEME: OUTERWEAR— Theme clues were puns on professions and outerwear.
Word of the Day: ASP (55A: Nile viper) —
• • •Theme answers:
This puzzle didn't give me too much difficulty...except for the lower left corner, which I'm pretty sure I spent at least five minutes on. ("Panache" is such a vague clue, and I've never seen "Top Gun", and what the heck is a CHEVY BLAZER? Is that a sports car or something?) The fill was OK; I wish LAB had been clued with something about dogs, though, and I swear I have seen SRA with that exact same clue every single time I have done a puzzle!! Also, I had SLOP instead of GLOP and PARES for PEELS, but "pares" is a better word anyways so it's whatevs. And I didn't realize that the "middle of Arizona" clue was supposed to be taken so literally! But again, whatevs.
Not a whole lot to say about the theme. It was cute and fun and that's about all you need for a Monday. And, again, what's a CHEVY BLAZER?
OK, I just looked it up and apparently they stopped making them in 2005. How was I supposed to know what they were?!?!
Bullets:
Well, that's all. I've got nothing left to say.
Except Happy Birthday to Rex's BFFs, Jennifer and my mom!!!
Signed, Annabel Thompson, tired college student.
[Follow Rex Parker on Twitter and Facebook]
Constructor: SUSAN GELFAND
Relative difficulty: EASY-MEDIUM
THEME: OUTERWEAR— Theme clues were puns on professions and outerwear.
Word of the Day: ASP (55A: Nile viper) —
Vipera aspis is a venomous viper species found in southwestern Europe. Its common names include asp, asp viper,[5]European asp,[6] and aspic viper,[7] among others. Bites from this species can be more severe than from the European adder, V. berus; not only can they be very painful, but also about 4% of all untreated bites are fatal.[7] The specific epithet, aspis, is a Greek word that means "viper."[8] Five subspecies are currently recognized, including the nominate subspecies described here.[9]
(Wikipedia)• • •
- CITY SLICKER (17A: Article of outerwear for an urbanite?)
- BUBBLE WRAP (23A: Article of outerwear for a champagne drinker?)
- SUGAR COAT (33A: Article of outerwear for a candy lover?)
- DUST JACKET (48A: Article of outerwear for a housekeeper?)
- CHEVY BLAZER (53A: Article of outerwear for a General Motors employee?)
This puzzle didn't give me too much difficulty...except for the lower left corner, which I'm pretty sure I spent at least five minutes on. ("Panache" is such a vague clue, and I've never seen "Top Gun", and what the heck is a CHEVY BLAZER? Is that a sports car or something?) The fill was OK; I wish LAB had been clued with something about dogs, though, and I swear I have seen SRA with that exact same clue every single time I have done a puzzle!! Also, I had SLOP instead of GLOP and PARES for PEELS, but "pares" is a better word anyways so it's whatevs. And I didn't realize that the "middle of Arizona" clue was supposed to be taken so literally! But again, whatevs.
Not a whole lot to say about the theme. It was cute and fun and that's about all you need for a Monday. And, again, what's a CHEVY BLAZER?
OK, I just looked it up and apparently they stopped making them in 2005. How was I supposed to know what they were?!?!
Bullets:
- RIBS (40A: Entree that may be slathered in BBQ sauce) — The one thing I've missed the most since going vegetarian. I had broccoli casserole for dinner last night. Siiiiigh...
- COOKS (19A: Too many of them spoil the broth)— Ohhhhh boy. Anyone remember this sketch? I wasn't going to post it, but come on, the clue... (Don't watch if you're squeamish!)
- DABS (48D: Painters' touches) — Heh, this word has a very different meaning for my generation. A dab is, like, a dance move where you bend down and make your arms go diagonally in front of your face. I'd look up a good definition on Urban Dictionary but I'm a little scared of Urban Dictionary.
- HOP (21A: Bunny's movement)— Reminds me of "dance's new creation"...
Well, that's all. I've got nothing left to say.
Except Happy Birthday to Rex's BFFs, Jennifer and my mom!!!
 |
| can you tell they're identical |
Signed, Annabel Thompson, tired college student.
[Follow Rex Parker on Twitter and Facebook]