0405-23 NY Times Crossword 5 Apr 23, Wednesday

Constructed by: Brandon Koppy
Edited by: Will Shortz

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… syndicated NY Times crossword

Today’s Reveal Answer: Oversharing

The grid includes three boxes of six squares that SHARE the letters TMI:

• 18A Expensive cut of steak : FILET MIGNON
• 22A Remark from someone trying to be inconspicuous : DON’T MIND ME

• 3D It may be bottled for a caretaker : BREAST MILK
• 21D They might pick up embarrassing side remarks : HOT MICS

• 29D They may relax in tiny hammocks : PET MICE
• 30D Certain coming-of-age event : BAT MITZVAH

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Bill’s time: 9m 50s

Bill’s errors: 0

Today’s Wiki-est Amazonian Googlies

Across

1 Texter’s “Hold that thought” : BRB

Be right back (brb)

4 401(k) alternatives : IRAS

A 401(k) account resembles an IRA in that contributions can be made from a paycheck prior to the deduction of income taxes. A 401(k) differs from an IRA in that it is an employer-sponsored plan, with payments taken by the employer directly from an employee’s paycheck. Additionally, contributions can be fully or partially matched by an employer.

14 ___ Lingus : AER

Aer Lingus is the flag carrier airline of Ireland. It was founded in 1936 by the Irish government to provide air service between Ireland and the United Kingdom. The airline’s name means “air fleet” in Irish. In the 1950s, Aer Lingus became the first airline in the world to introduce a duty-free shopping service on board its flights.

15 “WTF” podcast host Maron : MARC

Stand-up comedian Marc Maron has been hosting the podcast “WTF with Marc Maron” since 2009. The online show features interviews with comedians and celebrities. The list of interviewees is pretty impressive, and includes Conan O’Brien, Robin Williams and even President Barack Obama.

16 Use a joystick and a kneeboard, say : AVIATE

In an airplane, a joystick is the control device that operates the elevators and the ailerons. The word “joystick” also describes any control stick capable of moving in two or more directions. The term originated as aviator slang in the early 1900s.

17 Astronaut Jemison : MAE

Mae Jemison was a crew member on the Space Shuttle Endeavour on a 1992 mission, and as such became the first African-American woman to travel in space. She is also a big fan of “Star Trek” and appeared on an episode of “Star Trek: The Next Generation”. That made Jemison the first real astronaut to appear on any of the “Star Trek” shows.

18 Expensive cut of steak : FILET MIGNON

The filet mignon cut of beef is taken from muscle in the back of the cow. That muscle is not load-bearing and contains very little connective tissue, which makes it more tender as meat. The name “filet mignon” translates as “tender/delicate slice”.

25 First name in daredevilry : EVEL

Daredevil Evel Knievel contracted hepatitis C from the many blood transfusions that he needed after injuries incurred during stunts. He had to have a liver transplant as a result, but his health declined after that. Knievel eventually passed away in 2007.

28 Twitter, for some : SOAPBOX

Back in the 1650s, a soapbox was just that, a wooden box for holding or transporting soap. Empty soapboxes were carried easily by a potential orator and used as a stand from which to deliver an address.

35 Actress Kathryn of “Glass Onion” : HAHN

Kathryn Hahn is an actress and comedian who is perhaps best known for playing grief counselor Lily Lebowski on the crime drama show “Crossing Jordan”. In 2002, Hahn married fellow actor Ethan Sandler who is known for playing Assistant District Attorney Jeffrey Brandau on the same show.

39 Classic muscle car : GTO

The Pontiac GTO was produced by GM from 1964 to 1974, and again by a GM subsidiary in Australia from 2004 to 2006. The original GTO’s design is credited to Pontiac chief engineer at the time John DeLorean, who later founded the DeLorean Motor Company.

41 Diaper bag supply : TALC

Talc is a mineral, hydrated magnesium silicate. Talcum powder is composed of loose talc, although these days “baby powder” is also made from cornstarch.

“Diaper” is another word that I had to learn when I moved to America. What are called “diapers” over here, we call “nappies” back in Ireland. The term “diaper” is actually the original term that was used in England for the garment, where “diaper” referred to the cloth that was used. The term “diaper” was brought to the New World where it stuck. Back in Britain, “diaper” was displaced by the word “nappy”, a diminutive of “napkin”.

42 Movie theater eponym : LOEW

Marcus Loew was a New Yorker born into a poor Jewish family. He started out in a penny arcade business and used its profits to buy into a nickelodeon. He built a whole chain of movie theaters, and then moved into the production of films so that he could guarantee supply of features that he could show in his theaters. Eventually he pulled together the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) film production company, and sadly passed away just three years after he inked the deal.

43 Jane Austen novel that inspired “Clueless” : EMMA

Jane Austen’s novel “Emma” is the tale of Emma Woodhouse and the wonderful George Knightley. At the end of the story, Emma marries Knightley and her young friend Harriet marries Robert Martin, who had been trying to get Harriet’s attention practically from page one of the novel. Emma interfered in that troubled courtship.

The 1995 movie “Clueless” is apparently based on Jane Austen’s “Emma”, which is a favorite novel of mine. As a result, I am going to have to check out the film …

46 Arias, typically : SOLI

“Soli” (the plural of “solo”) are pieces of music performed by one artist, whereas “tutti” are pieces performed by all of the artists.

50 Bygone West Coast conference name : PAC TEN

“Pac-12” is an abbreviation for the Pacific-12 Conference, a college athletic conference in the western US. The Pac-12 has won more NCAA National Team Championships than any other conference. The Pac-12 was founded in 1915 as the Pacific Coast Conference (PCC). Over time as it grew, the conference went by the names Big Five, Big Six, Pacific-8, Pacific-10 and became the Pacific-12 in 2011.

58 ___ Koenig, frontman of rock’s Vampire Weekend : EZRA

Ezra Koenig is best known as one of the founders of the indie rock band Vampire Weekend. He is also the creator of the Netflix animated show “Neo Yokio” that features an impressive voice cast including Jaden Smith, Jude Law and Susan Sarandon. Koenig has been in a relationship with actress Rashida Jones since 2015.

62 Authoritarian government : REGIME

Quite often, the terms “regime” and “regimen” seem to be used interchangeably. In contemporary usage, “regime” is applied more generally, and “regimen” more specifically. A “regimen” is a systematic approach that one might apply to something, to exercise or diet for example. The term “regime” can also be used in such contexts, but can have additional definitions, such as “government in power”. A form of government cannot be described as a “regimen”.

66 Light gas : NEON

The basic design of neon lighting was first demonstrated at the Paris Motor Show in 1910. Such lighting is made up of glass tubes containing a vacuum into which has been introduced a small amount of neon gas. When a voltage is applied between two electrodes inside the tube, the neon gas “glows” and gives off the familiar light.

Down

1 Faline’s sweetheart in a Disney classic : BAMBI

In the 1942 animated feature “Bambi”, the title character is a white-tailed deer. His best friends are a pink-nosed rabbit named Thumper, a skunk named Flower, and another deer named Faline with whom Bambi eventually falls in love.

2 The underworld, to Hades : REALM

Hades was the god of the underworld to the ancient Greeks. Over time, Hades gave his name to the underworld itself, the place where the dead reside. The term “Hades” was also adopted into the Christian tradition, as an alternative name for hell. But, the concept of hell in Christianity is more akin to the Greek “Tartarus”, which is a dark and gloomy dungeon located in Hades, a place of suffering and torment.

4 Economic org. since 1945 : IMF

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) was established at the end of 1945 with 29 major economies supporting and funding an effort to stabilize economies across the globe after WWII. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the IMF has 187 member countries.

6 Good dinosaur in “The Good Dinosaur” : ARLO

“The Good Dinosaur” is a Pixar movie that premiered in Paris on November 14th, 2015 under the title “Le Voyage d’Arlo”.

9 Walled city of Spain : AVILA

The Spanish city of Ávila is famous for the walled defenses around the old city (“la muralla de Ávila”) that date back to 1090. They were constructed out of brown granite, and are still in excellent repair. There are nine gateways and eighty-towers in all. Even the cathedral built between the 12th and 14th centuries is part of the city’s defenses, so it looks like an imposing fortress.

12 Subject for Niels Bohr : ATOM

Niels Bohr and Ernest Rutherford introduced a model in which the atom comprised a small, positively charged nucleus around which traveled negatively-charged electrons. This model is often referred to as the Rutherford-Bohr model, or simply the Bohr model.

13 Splicing target : GENE

Recombinant DNA is DNA made under laboratory conditions. The recombination technique (sometimes referred to as “gene splicing”) brings together genetic material from multiple sources. The sources of that genetic material might be from a different part of the same gene, or even from the gene of a different organism. The end result is a new, man-made, genetic combination.

21 They might pick up embarrassing side remarks : HOT MICS

One of my favorite hot-mic moments took place in 2005, when Paris and London were vying to host the 2012 Olympics. French President Jacques Chirac compared Paris and London in that context while chatting with Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder. Chirac said, over a hot mic:

The only thing that they have ever done for European agriculture is mad cow disease … You cannot trust people who have such bad cuisine.

24 Mesmerized : RAPT

Franz Mesmer was a German physician, and the person who coined the phrase “animal magnetism”. Back then the term described a purported magnetic field that resided in the bodies of animate beings. Mesmer also lent his name to our term “mesmerize”.

29 They may relax in tiny hammocks : PET MICE

Our word “hammock” comes via Spanish from Haiti, and evolved from a word used to describe a fishing net.

30 Certain coming-of-age event : BAT MITZVAH

A Jewish girl becomes a bat mitzvah at 12 years of age, the age at which she becomes responsible for her actions. Boys become bar mitzvahs at 13. The terms translate into English as daughter and son of the commandments.

31 Tube traveler? : OVUM

The Fallopian tubes leading from the ovaries of female mammals in the uterus. The tubes are named for the 16th-century Italian anatomist Gabriello Fallopio, who was the first to describe them.

32 Lawless role of the 1990s : XENA

The Xena character, played by New Zealander Lucy Lawless, was introduced in a made-for-TV movie called “Hercules and the Amazon Women”. Lawless reprised the role in a series called “Hercules: The Legendary Journeys”. Xena became so popular that a series was built around her character, with Lawless retained for the title role. The fictional Xena supposedly came from the “non-fictional” Greek city of Amphipolis.

33 Bread served with aloo gobi : ROTI

Aloo gobi is a very tasty vegetarian dish in Indian cuisine made from potatoes and cauliflower, flavored with traditional Indian spices. “Aloo” translates to “potato” and “gobi” to “cauliflower”.

34 Sultanate near Yemen : OMAN

Qaboos bin Said al Said was Sultan of Oman, until his death in 2020, after coming to power in a coup in 1970 by deposing his own father. Qaboos had no children, and no agreed heir. After his death, the country’s Defense Council opened a letter left by Qaboos that named his successor, his cousin Haitham bin Tariq.

36 Noshed : ATE

Our word “nosh” has been around since the late fifties, when it was imported from the Yiddish word “nashn” meaning “to nibble”. We use “nosh” as a noun that means “snack”, or as a verb meaning “to eat between meals”.

40 Ward of “The Fugitive” : SELA

Actress Sela Ward turns up in crosswords a lot. She played Teddy Reed in the TV show “Sisters” in the nineties, and was in “Once and Again” from 1999-2002. I don’t know either show, but I do know Ward from the medical drama “House” in which she played the hospital’s lawyer and Greg House’s ex-partner. That was a fun role, I thought. More recently, Ward played a lead role on “CSI: NY” and was a very welcome and much-needed addition to the cast. And, Ward played Dr. Richard Kimble’s murdered wife in the 1993 film version of “The Fugitive”.

“The Fugitive”is a 1993 film based on the incredibly successful TV series from the sixties. Harrison Ford plays the title character, with Tommy Lee Jones playing the colorful US Marshal in pursuit. Jones won a Best Supporting Oscar for his performance.

45 Component of some sci-fi ammunition : PLASMA

When I was a schoolkid, I was taught that there were three fundamental states of matter: solid, liquid and gas. I think it is now generally accepted that there is a fourth fundamental state matter, namely plasma. Plasma is a state without a definite shape or volume, and in that sense is similar to a gas. In a plasma, electrons have been ripped away from their nuclei, forming a conductive electron “sea”. Plasmas are created from gases by applying a massive voltage difference or an extremely high temperature.

49 Text that begins with Al-Fatihah : KORAN

The Koran is also known as the “Qur’an” and “Quran” in English. “Qur’an” a transliteration of the Arabic name for the holy text of the Muslim faith. The literal translation of “Koran” is “the recitation”.

51 Feminist author Jong : ERICA

Author Erica Jong’s most famous work is her first: “Fear of Flying”, a novel published in 1973. Over twenty years later, Jong wrote “Fear of Fifty: a midlife memoir”, published in 1994.

53 Debate venues : FORA

The Latin “forum” (plural “fora”) translates as “marketplace, town square”. “The Roman Forum” is the most famous example of such a space. The Forum at the heart of the city of Rome is surrounded by the ruins of several ancient government buildings, and has been referred to as the most celebrated meeting place in the world.

55 Kind of brick : LEGO

Lego produces some wonderful specialized sets with which you can build models of celebrated structures, including:

• The Statue of Liberty (2,882 pieces)
• The Sydney Opera House (2,989 pieces)
• The Eiffel Tower (3,428 pieces)
• Tower Bridge (4,295 pieces)
• The Taj Mahal (5,922 pieces)

60 One-third of a negroni : GIN

The negroni is a lovely cocktail, one that hails from Italy. A classic recipe calls for equal parts gin, sweet vermouth and Campari. According to legend, the drink was first made by bartender Fosco Scarselli at the request of Count Camillo Negroni, hence the name. The count wanted a stronger version of an Americano, and so Scarselli dropped the Americano’s soda water and replaced it with gin!

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Complete List of Clues/Answers

Across

1 Texter’s “Hold that thought” : BRB
4 401(k) alternatives : IRAS
8 Motormouth : GASBAG
14 ___ Lingus : AER
15 “WTF” podcast host Maron : MARC
16 Use a joystick and a kneeboard, say : AVIATE
17 Astronaut Jemison : MAE
18 Expensive cut of steak : FILET MIGNON
20 Ho-hum : BLAH
22 Remark from someone trying to be inconspicuous : DON’T MIND ME
23 Post-workout lament : I’M SORE
25 First name in daredevilry : EVEL
26 Verbal flourish following a feat : TA-DA!
28 Twitter, for some : SOAPBOX
33 Easy win : ROMP
35 Actress Kathryn of “Glass Onion” : HAHN
37 Place for Christmas lights : EAVE
38 Fail to mention : OMIT
39 Classic muscle car : GTO
40 Shock or awe : STUN
41 Diaper bag supply : TALC
42 Movie theater eponym : LOEW
43 Jane Austen novel that inspired “Clueless” : EMMA
44 What a pocket protector may protect against : INKSPOT
46 Arias, typically : SOLI
48 Deficiency : LACK
50 Bygone West Coast conference name : PAC TEN
53 Was in one’s comfort zone : FELT AT HOME
58 ___ Koenig, frontman of rock’s Vampire Weekend : EZRA
59 Revealing an inappropriate amount of personal detail, as depicted three times in this puzzle : OVERSHARING
61 Red carpet walker, for short : VIP
62 Authoritarian government : REGIME
63 Against : ANTI
64 Crackerjack : ACE
65 Whiffs : AROMAS
66 Light gas : NEON
67 Is down with : HAS

Down

1 Faline’s sweetheart in a Disney classic : BAMBI
2 The underworld, to Hades : REALM
3 It may be bottled for a caretaker : BREAST MILK
4 Economic org. since 1945 : IMF
5 Like fridges, at times : RAIDED
6 Good dinosaur in “The Good Dinosaur” : ARLO
7 Final word from a director : SCENE!
8 “Challenge accepted!” : GAME ON!
9 Walled city of Spain : AVILA
10 Omen : SIGN
11 Cake or Bread : BAND
12 Subject for Niels Bohr : ATOM
13 Splicing target : GENE
19 Some fall debuts : TV SHOWS
21 They might pick up embarrassing side remarks : HOT MICS
24 Mesmerized : RAPT
27 “Hmm, that makes sense” : AH, GOTCHA
29 They may relax in tiny hammocks : PET MICE
30 Certain coming-of-age event : BAT MITZVAH
31 Tube traveler? : OVUM
32 Lawless role of the 1990s : XENA
33 Bread served with aloo gobi : ROTI
34 Sultanate near Yemen : OMAN
36 Noshed : ATE
40 Ward of “The Fugitive” : SELA
42 Isn’t able to stand : LOATHES
45 Component of some sci-fi ammunition : PLASMA
47 Not totally against : OPEN TO
49 Text that begins with Al-Fatihah : KORAN
51 Feminist author Jong : ERICA
52 Scruffs : NAPES
53 Debate venues : FORA
54 At all : EVER
55 Kind of brick : LEGO
56 Little off the top, say : TRIM
57 Fielder’s shout : MINE!
60 One-third of a negroni : GIN

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