Constructor: Michael Hawkins
Relative difficulty: Medium (4:38, rolling out of bed...)
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THEME: FINANCIAL MYTHS (49A: Misconceptions about money ... or a loose hint to 20-, 24- and 44-Across?) — phrases from the world of "finance" that contain "mythical" creatures:
Theme answers:
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Hello from 5am! It's nice and quiet here, but solving is always a little slower at this hour. This one felt easy *except* for the themers, two of which I've barely heard of (UNICORN START-UP, ZOMBIE BANKS), and the revealer, which seems like a not-exactly stand-alone phrase. "Green paint," as they say. Two words that make a phrase that one might say, but not a phrase that feels strong enough to stand on its own. For comparison, ["health myths"] googles 10x better, and I don't think that's a great stand-alone phrase either. I'm not mad at the revealer. Just seems a little weak, and it clearly kept you from putting the word "financial" in the clue for ZOMBIE BANKS, which, I submit, that clue really needed (24A: Institutions propped up with government support). "Institutions"??? Could you narrow that downs? Seriously, all my difficulty in this one came in trying to figure out a. UNICORN ___ and b. ZOMBIE ___. Well, almost all. I love the themers as phrases—just wish I knew them! If you enjoy the world of finance (I decidedly don't) then this likely entertained you, which seems a totally valid response. It wasn't for me, but it wasn't bad. I did like HOTTAKES and OVERSHARE, something I know something about. The theme was just a tad beyond my ken. (Is that a phrase? Did I make that up? Did I mention it's early...?)
ATTYGEN, which I keep mentally pronouncing as it is spelled, and it sounds like some compound name like Sally Mae or Billy Ray (42D: Chief law officer: Abbr.). It's sooooo long for an abbr. And you have to abbr. two words? The term "AG" already exists. I have no doubt that this abbr. has been used in writing, but it looks so awful in the grid. Abbrs. shouldn't be this long. I have "YIKES" written into the margin of the grid next to the end of this answer. It's the only "YIKES." Beyond the themers and ATTYGEN (ugh), my only struggle was self-induced. I got MINI at 4D: 1" version of a 15-Across and promptly wrote in IPOD at 15-Across, without (obviously) ever looking at the clue (15A: Black-and-white item you can consume whole = OREO). So that sucked. I also couldn't get through the HAT / EAT portion of the grid at all until I came back at it from underneath. Also, the role in hide-and-seek is called a (wait for it) SEEKER, not SEARCHER, dear lord. It's not called *&$%ing "hide-and-search." Finished up with the "C" in FOCI / CAIN, the latter of which had a toughish clue (60A: Something a complainer might raise).
One last bit of personal news. If you read this blog then you probably know that I have dogs. Well, today I have just the one. Yesterday, we said goodbye to our beautiful 16yo husky/shepherd mix, Dutchess, yesterday. She was part of our family for almost as long as we've owned this home, for almost as long as we've been married. For my daughter's entire living memory. We went to the shelter in Montrose, PA looking for an entirely different dog but when my wife stopped in front of Dutchess's cage, and especially once we took her out of the cage, it was all over. She was obviously ours. And the best dog anyone could ever have. Easy to train. Laid back. Rugged. Durable. Calm. Sweet. She's been a part of our everyday life for so long. This morning is so weird, without her. She has left a huge hole in our lives, but she has also made our lives better and richer and happier than they would've been otherwise. Caring for her, especially as she got older and frailer, was a great privilege. I miss her soft ears. OK, go kiss your pups or kitties or, I don't know, children if you got 'em. Have a beautiful day. Dutchess Forever!
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Signed, Rex Parker, King of CrossWorld
[Follow Rex Parker on Twitter and Facebook]
Relative difficulty: Medium (4:38, rolling out of bed...)
Theme answers:
- UNICORN START-UP (20A: Success story like Uber or Airbnb)
- ZOMBIE BANKS (24A: Institutions propped up with government support)
- PATENT TROLL (44A: One profiting through litigation, not innovation)
nounINFORMAL•DEROGATORY
• • •
ATTYGEN, which I keep mentally pronouncing as it is spelled, and it sounds like some compound name like Sally Mae or Billy Ray (42D: Chief law officer: Abbr.). It's sooooo long for an abbr. And you have to abbr. two words? The term "AG" already exists. I have no doubt that this abbr. has been used in writing, but it looks so awful in the grid. Abbrs. shouldn't be this long. I have "YIKES" written into the margin of the grid next to the end of this answer. It's the only "YIKES." Beyond the themers and ATTYGEN (ugh), my only struggle was self-induced. I got MINI at 4D: 1" version of a 15-Across and promptly wrote in IPOD at 15-Across, without (obviously) ever looking at the clue (15A: Black-and-white item you can consume whole = OREO). So that sucked. I also couldn't get through the HAT / EAT portion of the grid at all until I came back at it from underneath. Also, the role in hide-and-seek is called a (wait for it) SEEKER, not SEARCHER, dear lord. It's not called *&$%ing "hide-and-search." Finished up with the "C" in FOCI / CAIN, the latter of which had a toughish clue (60A: Something a complainer might raise).
One last bit of personal news. If you read this blog then you probably know that I have dogs. Well, today I have just the one. Yesterday, we said goodbye to our beautiful 16yo husky/shepherd mix, Dutchess, yesterday. She was part of our family for almost as long as we've owned this home, for almost as long as we've been married. For my daughter's entire living memory. We went to the shelter in Montrose, PA looking for an entirely different dog but when my wife stopped in front of Dutchess's cage, and especially once we took her out of the cage, it was all over. She was obviously ours. And the best dog anyone could ever have. Easy to train. Laid back. Rugged. Durable. Calm. Sweet. She's been a part of our everyday life for so long. This morning is so weird, without her. She has left a huge hole in our lives, but she has also made our lives better and richer and happier than they would've been otherwise. Caring for her, especially as she got older and frailer, was a great privilege. I miss her soft ears. OK, go kiss your pups or kitties or, I don't know, children if you got 'em. Have a beautiful day. Dutchess Forever!
[Follow Rex Parker on Twitter and Facebook]