Idris Sexiest Man Alive / MON 11-26-18 / Social Contract philosopher John / Dress in Delhi / Mazel / Levin or Gershwin / Sing like Dean Martin

Constructor: Evan Kalish

Relative difficulty: 4:10 (Monday average 4:56; Monday best 3:16)


THEME: INNER NERD— The word NERD is hidden in five across entries.

Word of the Day: Able was I, ere I saw ELBA (5A: Idris ___, People's 2018 Sexiest Man Alive) —

No argument from me

Theme answers:

• 17A: Dachshund: WIENER DOG
• 23A: Copies of movies submitted to critics prior to release: SCREENER DVDS
• 32A: Partner at a table for two: DINNER DATE
• 42A: Times when everything goes perfectly: BANNER DAYS
• 49A: Genetically engineered, highly selective medical treatment: DESIGNER DRUG
• 60A: The secret geeky part of you ... or a hint to 17-, 23-, 32-, 42- and 49-Across: INNER NERD

This was a very nice Monday, well-executed, and the puzzle as a whole is one that I'd recommend for anyone starting out in solving, in that it exemplifies the "hidden term" theme-type. I'm not so sure that the geeky part of me, or of you, is very secret, given that I am writing for a crossword puzzle blog, for pete's sake, and you are reading one. And really, is there anything to be ashamed of, in one's nerdery? If you like a thing, and it makes you happy to learn about it, and read about it, and talk about it, and share with like-minded people who also like a thing, own it! Wear your nerdery proudly.

I feel like I've heard inner geek in the language more often that inner nerd, but there's a negligible difference in how many google hits each phrase gets (1.8 million to 1.7 million, respectively), and nerd is likely an easier term to embed in two-word base phrases. In fact, I did a quick search in several crossword constructor tools, and could not find a phrase where geek was embedded. So, yeah, here for your inner, and outer, nerd.

Hey! While I have you here, I wanted to thank all of Rex's readers and fans who backed The Inkubator. We wrapped up the campaign at 307% of our goal, and we're looking forward to publishing kickass puzzles by women -- cis women, trans women, and woman-aligned constructors -- starting in January. If you missed the Kickstarter, check back at our website for information on how to subscribe.

Bullets:

• 1A: Aware, in a modern way: WOKE— This term is now used with some irony, and perhaps disparagement, but I think it's still pretty helpful. "I was apprehensive about sitting down to Thanksgiving dinner with my uncle, but it turned out that he was really woke."
• 16A: "Social contract" philosopher John: LOCKE— Locke posited that people in a state of nature acted reasonably, and the purpose of society was to resolve conflicts and ensure peoples' rights to life, liberty, and property.
• 34D: Nickname for a 12-time N.B.A. All-Star: DWADE— Dwyane Wade has played for the Miami Heat for most of his 15-year career.
• 46D: Olympic gold-medal gymnast Simone: BILES— One of the greatest gymnasts of all time, Biles just won the 2018 World Championship. And she's the only woman represented in this grid.
• 18D: Artist M.C. ___: ESCHER— I wanted to post a clip of that episode of The Simpsons with an Escher-inspired couch gag, but found this animation instead:

 

Signed, Laura Braunstein, Sorceress of CrossWorld

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