0330-23 NY Times Crossword 30 Mar 23, Thursday

Constructed by: Adam Wagner & Brooke Husic
Edited by: Will Shortz

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Today’s Theme (according to Bill): Double-talk

Themed answers are phrases consisting of two synonyms of the words given in the corresponding clues:

16A Tease / Tease : RIB / ROAST
34A Toilet / Toilet : POT / HEAD
54A Quit / Quit : DROP / KICK
10D “Drat!” / “Drat!” : CRAP! / SHOOT!
30D Heard / Heard : GOT / CAUGHT

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Bill’s time: 12m 48s

Bill’s errors: 0

Today’s Wiki-est Amazonian Googlies

Across

13 Mar contents : AGUA

In Spanish, “el mar” (the sea) is “azul” (blue) and is full of “agua” (water).

14 Mer contents : EAU

In French, “eau” (water) might be found in the “mer” (sea).

19 Word rhymed with “intelligent” in T. S. Eliot’s “The Waste Land” : ELEGANT

T. S. Eliot (TSE) wrote his poem called “The Waste Land” in 1922. “The Waste Land” opens with the famous line, “April is the cruellest month …”

20 Brillo offering : SOAP PAD

Brillo is a soapy, steel wool pad patented in 1913. The company claims that the name “Brillo” is derived from the Latin word for “bright”.

23 Subj. of “The Silva Mind Control Method” : ESP

Extrasensory perception (ESP)

24 Lax LAX option? : TSA PRE

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) operates its precheck program known as “TSA Pre✓” (or “TSA PreCheck”). Members of the program receive expedited screening at most airports. In order to become a member, a traveler must apply online, appear in person at a designated office for a background check and fingerprinting, and pay a fee for a 5-year membership.

26 Faith that follows teachings of The Báb : BAHA’I

The Baha’i Faith is relatively new in the scheme of things, and was founded in Persia in the 1800s. One of the tenets of the religion is that messengers have come from God over time, including Abraham, the Buddha, Jesus, Muhammad, and most recently Bahá’u’lláh who founded the Baha’i Faith. Baha’i scripture specifies some particular architectural requirements for houses of worship, including that the building have a nine-sided, circular shape. It is also specified that there be no pictures, statues or images displayed within a temple.

31 Nora ___ a.k.a. Awkwafina : LUM

“Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens” is a sitcom that first aired in 2020. It stars actress, rapper and comedian Awkwafina as a woman named Nora Lin who is spreading her wings in Queens, New York. “Awkwafina” is the stage name of Nora Lum.

33 A. A. Milne’s Baby ___ : ROO

Like most of the characters in A. A. Milne’s “Winnie-the-Pooh”, the kangaroo named “Roo” was inspired by a stuffed toy belonging to Milne’s son Christopher Robin.

34 Toilet / Toilet : POT / HEAD

In old sailing ships, the toilet area for the regular sailors was located in the forward part (the head) of the ship. As a result, the term “head” has been used since then for any toilet on board a boat.

40 Online market since 2005 : ETSY

Etsy.com was founded in 2005 as a way for artists and craftspeople to sell their handmade goods online, and has since grown to include vintage items and crafting supplies as well. The company’s name is derived from the Italian word “etsi,” which means “oh, yes”? This was a nod to founder Rob Kalin’s love of Italy and his appreciation for the country’s history and artistry.

59 Hits up privately, in Twitter-speak : DMS

Direct message (DM)

60 “Bill & ___ Excellent Adventure” : TED’S

“Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure” is a 1989 comedy sci-fi film, starring Alex Winter as Bill and Keanu Reeves as Ted. It’s about two lazy students traveling through time in preparation for a history assignment, with a lot of “Dude!” and “Excellent!” scattered throughout the dialog. Reading the plot, this isn’t a movie that I’d normally go for, but somehow, I enjoyed it …

Down

2 Like a mind that can solve crosswords : AGILE

Well, maybe …

6 Riyadh-to-Abu Dhabi direction : EAST

Riyadh is the capital of Saudi Arabia, and is located near the center of the country. The name “Riyadh” translates from Arabic as “the gardens”.

Abu Dhabi is one of the seven Emirates that make up the federation known as the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The two largest members of the UAE (geographically) are Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the only two of the seven members that have veto power over UAE policy. Before 1971, the UAE was a British Protectorate, a collection of sheikdoms. The sheikdoms entered into a maritime truce with Britain in 1835, after which they became known as the Trucial States, derived from the word “truce”.

8 Rooney ___ of 2022’s “Women Talking” : MARA

Actress Rooney Mara is noted for her role in the 2010 film “The Social Network” and for playing the title character in the 2011 hit movie “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo”. Mara has American football in her blood. Her mother’s family founded the Pittsburgh Steelers, and her father’s family founded the New York Giants.

11 Activist known as “the mother of the freedom movement” : ROSA PARKS

Rosa Parks was one of a cadre of brave women in days gone by who refused to give up their seats on a bus to white women. It was the stand taken by Rosa Parks on December 1, 1955 that sparked the Montgomery, Alabama Bus Boycott. President Clinton presented Ms. Parks with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1996. When she died in 2005, Rosa Parks became the first ever woman to have her body lie in honor in the US Capitol Rotunda.

15 Some U.S.N. personnel : NCOS

An NCO or “noncom” is a non-commissioned officer in the armed forces. Usually, such an officer is one who has earned his or her rank by promotion through the enlisted ranks. A good example would be a sergeant major (sgt. maj.).

17 Shell propellers : OARS

A scull is a boat used for competitive rowing. The main hull of the boat is often referred to as a shell. Crew members who row the boat can be referred to as “oars”. And, a scull is also an oar mounted on the stern of a small boat. It’s all very confusing …

22 Tricep curls? : ARM HAIR

The triceps brachii muscle is found at the back of the upper arm. The muscle’s name translates from Latin to “three-headed arm muscle”, fitting as it is actually made up of three bundles of muscles.

32 Spaces where people pay to destroy household objects with sledgehammers : RAGE ROOMS

A sledgehammer is a big hammer, one used to apply a lot of force. The word “sledgehammer” comes from the Anglo-Saxon “Slaegan” meaning “to strike violently”. “Slaegan” is also the root of the words “slag”, “slay” and “slog”.

35 Chevy Bolts and Nissan Leafs, for short : EVS

Electric vehicle (EV)

43 Zodiac sign transition : CUSP

The word “cusp” comes from the Latin “cuspis” meaning “spear, point”. In the world of astrology, a cusp is an imaginary line separating two signs of the zodiac. For example, some whose birthday is between April 16 and April 26 is said to have been born “on the cusp” between the signs Aries and Taurus.

48 Medieval Spanish conqueror : EL CID

Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar was known as El Cid Campeador, which translates as “The Champion” or perhaps “The Lord, Master of Military Arts”. El Cid was a soldier who fought under the rule of King Alfonso VI of Spain (among others). However, he was sent into exile by the King in 1080, after acting beyond his authorization in battle. El Cid then offered his services to his former foes, the Moorish kings, After a number of years building a reputation with the Moors, he was recalled from exile by Alfonso. By this time El Cid was very much his own man. Nominally under the orders of Alfonso, he led a combined army of Spanish and Moorish troops and took the city of Valencia on the Mediterranean coast in 1094, making it his headquarters and home. He died in Valencia, quite peacefully, in 1099.

49 Feints on the ice : DEKES

A deke, also known as a dangle, is a technique used to get past an opponent in ice hockey. “Deke” is a colloquial shortening of the word “decoy”.

50 Sudden, temporary loss of athletic ability, with “the” : … YIPS

The informal term “yips” applies to the nervous twitching that can sometimes spoil a sportsman’s performance, especially a golfer’s putting stroke.

54 ___ joke : DAD

Here are a few dad jokes that I use to annoy my kids:

When does a joke become a “dad joke”? When it becomes apparent.
I had a happy childhood. My dad used to put me in tires and roll me down hills. Those were Goodyears.
It’s a shame that the Beatles didn’t make the submarine in that song green. That would’ve been sublime.
I told your mom she needs to start embracing her mistakes. So she hugged me
When your mom is depressed, I let her color in my tattoos. She just needs a shoulder to crayon.

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Complete List of Clues/Answers

Across

1 It’s true! : FACT!
5 “Not my favorite” : MEH
8 Soft opening? : MICRO-
13 Mar contents : AGUA
14 Mer contents : EAU
15 Like spaces reserved for compact cars : NARROW
16 Tease / Tease : RIB / ROAST
18 Hockey goalie’s domain : CREASE
19 Word rhymed with “intelligent” in T. S. Eliot’s “The Waste Land” : ELEGANT
20 Brillo offering : SOAP PAD
21 Wasteland : DESERT
22 Sighs of relief : AHS
23 Subj. of “The Silva Mind Control Method” : ESP
24 Lax LAX option? : TSA PRE
26 Faith that follows teachings of The Báb : BAHA’I
28 Dairy aisle purchase : EGGS
31 Nora ___ a.k.a. Awkwafina : LUM
32 Comeback : RETORT
33 A. A. Milne’s Baby ___ : ROO
34 Toilet / Toilet : POT / HEAD
36 Gives the thumbs-up : OKS
37 Tries to swat : HITS AT
39 Mean fig. : AVG
40 Online market since 2005 : ETSY
41 Like a sheet of dollar bills : UNCUT
42 Slice down the middle : BISECT
44 “Blast!” : GAH!
45 See 20-Down : -HER
46 Spoiled : RUINED
50 Potential response to “Look! I colored on the walls!” : YOU WHAT?!
52 How model trains are built : TO SCALE
53 Ready to roll : IN GEAR
54 Quit / Quit : DROP / KICK
55 Tech support service : PC HELP
56 Sale, for a retailer : AIM
57 Nickname that sounds like its first two letters : EVIE
58 Got busy on : SET TO
59 Hits up privately, in Twitter-speak : DMS
60 “Bill & ___ Excellent Adventure” : TED’S

Down

1 Made out : FARED
2 Like a mind that can solve crosswords : AGILE
3 Chops evenly, in a way : CUBES
4 What arrows might point at : TARGETS
5 Was deeply appreciated : MEANT A LOT
6 Riyadh-to-Abu Dhabi direction : EAST
7 House of straw, maybe : HUT
8 Rooney ___ of 2022’s “Women Talking” : MARA
9 “Once again …” : I REPEAT …
10 “Drat!” / “Drat!” : CRAP! / SHOOT!
11 Activist known as “the mother of the freedom movement” : ROSA PARKS
12 Had to pay : OWED
15 Some U.S.N. personnel : NCOS
17 Shell propellers : OARS
20 With 45-Across, pronoun pair : SHE-
22 Tricep curls? : ARM HAIR
25 Place : PUT
26 One might be turned down : BED
27 Wee : ITSY
28 Two-stringed Chinese instrument : ERHU
29 Presale alert? : GOING ONCE …
30 Heard / Heard : GOT / CAUGHT
32 Spaces where people pay to destroy household objects with sledgehammers : RAGE ROOMS
34 Word before or after “down” : PAT
35 Chevy Bolts and Nissan Leafs, for short : EVS
38 “Ni-i-ice” : SUH-WEET
40 Digital boarding pass, e.g. : E-TICKET
42 Raise, maybe : BET
43 Zodiac sign transition : CUSP
45 Many-stringed instrument : HARP
47 Foolable : NAIVE
48 Medieval Spanish conqueror : EL CID
49 Feints on the ice : DEKES
50 Sudden, temporary loss of athletic ability, with “the” : … YIPS
51 Purity ring? : HALO
52 Request to a barber : TRIM
54 ___ joke : DAD

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