Six of the theme answers are clued Doofus, and they're all reminiscent of Three Stooges-type humor. The theme answers are: 18A: Nincompoop; 27A: Birdbrain; 48A: Dingaling; 55A: Noodlehead; 4D: Numskull; and 39D: Dumbbell. I wouldn't use any of those words, but at least one website used Doofus to describe Dubya.
The best part of this theme was the final answer. 61D: A person who is not a doofus (you). Major sucking up? Nah...I think it's pretty genuine, and it echoes the sentiments of those of us who think that if you attempt to do this puzzle, you're way ahead of someone who won't even try.
I was going great guns with one gimme after another. Most of the theme answers came to me right away... only Noodlehead eluded me, and only for a short time. I thought knucklehead would be in here. That was my father's pet name for one of my brothers. Seriously, it was said in jest and with a lot of love. Michael would probably still answer to it today.
Before I forget...I got hung up at 33A: CD players. It didn't help that I drew a complete blank on 34D: Traitor. Jeez Louise...when I finally figured it out, I kicked myself in the butt. I absolutely was not seeing that a J belonged there, giving me DJs and Judas. I had even gone through the alphabet...Budas, Cudas, Dudas. I feel like a doofus! It almost rhymes.
One more tripping spot, and it's one I've fallen into before. 53A: Airport stat. (ETD). As often as not, it'll be ETA, and that's what I had this time. But I wasn't coming up with an answer for 43D: Chicken __ (Tenders) with that A in place instead of a D. And I wasn't sure about 41A: Craggy mountain ridges (aretes), so that slowed me down a little.
Words I liked seeing in this one:
24A: English philosopher who wrote "Wherever Law ends, Tyranny begins" (Locke). I got it from the crosses, though. Don't know the name, but I like the quote.
29A: Cheri (amour). One of the few French words I know. Thank you, Stevie Wonder.
67A: Pig and poi feast (luau). Less than six weeks until Hawaii. I don't think we'll go to another luau, though...we just don't eat that much food at one time.
8D: Sound bite, e.g. (excerpt).
10D: Media executive Murdoch (Rupert).
19D: Difficult experiences (ordeals). In retrospect, this puzzle was more of an ordeal than I originally thought. Maybe a hair more difficult than a typical Tuesday?
24D: Expire (lapse). Actually, expire sounds pretty permanent...in more ways than one.
32D: Many an ex-con (parolee).
42D: Nickname (epithet). That's a word I don't think I've seen in a puzzle before.
And it's been a long day, so I'll keep this one short. Here's the grid...
...and I'll see you tomorrow.
Linda G
5 comments:
Linda,
Arete used to be a cross word standard in Maleska days and even after, if I recall. It always annoyed me because I would perfer it clued as Greek heroic virtue. A term familiar to me from when I was a Classics major back in College.
As to Locke, John Locke he promoted religious tolerance (probably influenced by Spinoza, but without giving him the credit) and greatly influenced our founding Fathers and the doctrine of Seperation of Church and State, considered radical for the late 1700's. Certainly, one of the most influential thinkers even just for that one idea. A pity more of the world, (e.g., the Muslim World) does not adopt it.
Linda
You were more than kind to this one!
Profphil, thanks for the insight. I've learned much from you : )
Donald, I think that people who enjoy working in the nonprofit sector tend to see the glass as half full. There's always something to love in a puzzle, and I seek it out.
Note to Kitt: I'm lovin' Wicked. I have about 25 pages left, and I'm savoring them...I'm not ready for it to end!
kitt 'n' linda -- yes -- a bit o.t., but another wicked fan here. just loved maguire's success in creating a whole universe -- and the way i cared about the people in that world.
found confessions of an ugly stepsister lacking however... felt more like a "by the numbers" story and telling. imoo.
best --
janie
Oh, Linda I'm so glad you're enjoying it too! (And that you did as well Janie). It makes me want to see the play.
I didn't do the crossword today because I was so busy finishing "Suite Francaise" -- another book I highly recommend!
I promise I'll do the puzzle tomorrow :)
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