Constructor: Josh Knapp
Relative difficulty: medium-challenging
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THEME: none
Word of the Day: LASCAUX (30A French locale of prehistoric cave paintings) —
Bullets:
Relative difficulty: medium-challenging
THEME: none
Word of the Day: LASCAUX (30A French locale of prehistoric cave paintings) —
Lascaux (Lascaux Caves) (English /læsˈkoʊ/,[1] French: [lasko][2]) is the setting of a complex of caves in southwestern France famous for its Paleolithic cave paintings. The original caves are located near the village of Montignac, in thedepartment of Dordogne. They contain some of the best-known Upper Paleolithic art. These paintings are estimated to be 17,300 years old.[3][4] They primarily consist of images of large animals, most of which are known from fossilevidence to have lived in the area at the time. In 1979, Lascaux was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list along with other prehistoric sites in the Vézère valley.[5] (from Wikipedia)
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Hello, Rexworld. This is treedweller, filling in while Rex completes his photo essay, "Crosswordese in the Wild." Sorry for the late post; though I got through it, I couldn't help but FALL ASLEEP (2D Drop off) a few times during this one. Don't get the wrong idea—if it had been a lousy puzzle, I probably would have just googled for the solution and moved on. But, as I'm beginning to appreciate more each time, the best thing about late-week grids is when I'm sure I'll never finish, but then I do. This one was a nice mix of things I knew but couldn't see at first because of the vague cluing, and things I guessed wrong and eventually managed to correct. If not for the proper-name crossing in the SW, there would be nothing in the grid that I wasn't at least a little familiar with after I got it. Some will call that one cross a Natick (41D Fashion Designer THOM Browne / 45ABritish footballer Wayne ROONEY), but, really, what could have gone there except O?Bullets:
- 1A Colonel's charge, once KFC — I started with TNT, tried out PFC, and eventually backed into the right answer. It seems like a clunky way to start, but it works for me. I remember when it was Kentucky Fried Chicken, but I know they changed the name some time ago.
- 1D Contents of some lockers KNAPSACKS — I'm not sure I ever heard anyone use this word in real life (though I like the two Ks). Perhaps these lockers are in 1954.
- 25D Monocle, in British slang GLASS ONION — been hearing the Beatles all my life, but never new what this meant.
- 44D Conqueror of Valencia, with "the" CID — I only ever saw it con "el."
- 49A Curtains END — nicely placed.