Queen of Chicago / TUE 3-24-15 / Newspaper publisher Adolph / Drenched with sudden flow / Vampire role for Tom Cruise / Mischievous Norse god / Country with kibbutzim / Downloaded video format / Xmas poem opener

Constructor: Robyn Weintraub

Relative difficulty: Challenging (***for a Tuesday***) (time = roughly 4 minutes)

THEME: NIGHT (71A: Word that can precede either part of 17-, 25-, 38-, 54- and 63-Across)

Theme answers:

• SCHOOL CLUB (17A: Debate team or Model United Nations)
• LIFELINE (25A: Aid on "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire")
• TIMETABLE (38A: Commuter's reference guide)
• SKYLIGHT (54A: Atrium feature)
• STICK SHIFT (63A: It's not an automatic feature)

Word of the Day: PARAPET (48A: Shooter's position in a fort) —

noun

1. a low protective wall along the edge of a roof, bridge, or balcony. 

   synonyms:

   balustrade, barrier, wall "Marian leaned over the parapet"

   • a protective wall or earth defense along the top of a trench or other place of concealment for troops.

     synonyms:

     barricade, rampart, bulwark, bank, embankment, fortification, defense, earthwork, breastwork, bastion "the sandbags making up the parapet" (google)

I really thought the "word that can precede" theme-type had been retired, at least semi-officially. I realize that here we get the "both words!" variant of that theme, but even that is now a quite hackneyed concept, one that usually results in not terribly interesting theme answers, and a revealer that's more of a shrug than a revelation. This is a completely satisfactory example of this theme type. Biggish corners, with longish Downs, give the grid at least a little character. Fill is of average quality, and what junk there is (PIS, IAL, DELA, ADDL, etc.) is largely inoffensive. I think if you can somehow add a new twist to this theme type, it might become something more than just an old-fashioned place holder. When the revealer is just [the word in question], whatever that word is, the air kind of goes out of the whole thing.


Not sure why I was so slow today. SCHOOL CLUB (the least tight of the themers) required all the crosses before CLUB came into view. Couldn't remember how to spell PISTIL, or if PISTIL was even the right word (1D: Pollination part). Brain gave me "stamen and p- p- p- something." I don't think I know that definition of SLUICED (32A: Drenched with a sudden flow). For some reason I associate "sluicing" with a change of direction, not a soaking. My confusion could be the result of a deep aversion to the word "sluice" (it's in the same category as "moist" and "teats" for me…). I never remember that BAHAI is a religion (57D: Mideast religion), mostly because I know nothing about it, so that, combined with the TAX / SSN cross-referenced clues, combined with the somewhat tricky clue on STICK SHIFT (63A: It's not an automatic feature), managed to slow me down some more in the SE. Then the big sticking point was having SUNLIGHT instead of SKYLIGHT at 54A: Atrium feature. Started doubting PARAPET, which I'd been so proud to throw across the grid moments earlier (48A: Shooter's position in a fort). Anyway it wasn't difficult, just slower going (for me) than Tuesdays usually are.

Signed, Rex Parker, King of CrossWorld

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