Constructor: Ben Zimmer and Zach Sherwin
Relative problem: Exhausting (21:46)
THEME: CENTRAL AC — Eight solutions within the grid (4 throughout, 4 down) have their central two letters, AC, in their very own field
- [Historic agreement of 1215] for MAGNA CARTA
- [Expansive parcels] for TRACTS
- [“Dream a Little Dream of Me” singer of 1968, familiarly] for MAMA CASS
- [Healthful snack brand] for TERRA CHIPS
- [Onomatopoetic breakfast trio] for SNAP CRACKLE POP
- [Source of prophecy] for ORACLE
- [907, for a high one] for AREA CODE
- [Popular stocking stuffer?] for SANTA CLAUS
Phrase of the Day: TETRA (Flashy fish) —
The Characidae and their allies are distinguished from different fish by the presence of a small adipose fin between the dorsal and caudal fins. Many of those, such because the neon tetra (Paracheirodon innesi), are brightly coloured and straightforward to maintain in captivity. Consequently, they’re extraordinarily in style for dwelling aquaria. [wiki]
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Good morning everybody, and welcome to a different Malaika MWednesday!! (Though I’m scripting this at nighttime on Tuesday– it has been a implausible evening in Brooklyn.) Zach Sherwin! He’s a comic / songwriter who does a present known as “The Crossword Present” which I used to be fortunate sufficient to contribute to again in 2023. I do not suppose I’ve ever solved certainly one of his crosswords, however he has solved a lot of mine! So it is enjoyable to have the tables a little bit bit turned.
Extremely apt puzzle at the moment, as NYC is getting obliterated by a heatwave. I’ve a really excessive tolerance for warmth (+ reside in a really dense, cool, pre-war constructing with excessive ceilings and a courtyard) and have resisted putting in my AC unit for soooo lengthy… however at the moment (or relatively, Tuesday) was the day that I cracked. 105 levels is just too sizzling to powerful it out!! (So possibly the puzzle wasn’t fairly apt for me personally, as I’ve had CENTRAL AC for precisely two years out of the previous twelve.)
The theme itself was executed properly. It is fascinating to see how an thought for a theme can get applied in numerous ways– I feel that this might have very properly been a Monday puzzle with 4 lengthy throughout solutions that had AC at their middle and no rebus in any respect. Including the rebus made it a Wednesday degree. I want there had been a bit extra of a rationale for why they have been squished collectively in a field (I used to be anticipating a revealer like “AC unit”), however I suppose we would not have gotten the down solutions if the AC’s weren’t rebusified.
Bullets:
- [Flanged girder] for IBEAM— I learn this clue time and again and thought “these can’t presumably be phrases. Are these phrases.” Properly, let me let you know, they’re phrases!! “Flanged” signifies that it has a ridge on the top, and a “girder” is a chunk of a framework.
- [Miscellaneous collection] for RAGBAG — Actually??? Not “ragtag”???? What on earth!!
- [Bit of gear for Vermeer] for PALETTE — Was so caught right here considering that the entry can be one thing super-specific to Vermeer and my hours spent rereading the YA ebook Chasing Vermeer would lastly repay however alas no
- [“Quickest way to Harlem,” in song] for A TRAIN — That is the most effective practice in NYC, in my view (so quick!! Manhattan Brooklyn Queens!! Seaside!! JFK!!!!) however this entry took a bit to click on as a result of I affiliate the A with Washington Heights
- [Rite place at the rite time?] for ALTAR — Excellent clue
xoxo Malaika
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