Constructor: Erik Agard
Relative problem: Simple-Medium
THEME: none
Phrase of the Day: BOODOG (21D: Barbecued Mongolia dish whose identify seems like a disapproving canine) —
Boodog (Mongolian: боодог; Mongolian pronunciation: [pɔːtɔk]) is a Mongolian delicacies dish of barbecued goat, mutton or Tarbagan marmot cooked with heated stones inserted into the carcass. It’s ready on particular events. The meat, usually accompanied by greens, is cooked with heated stones within the de-boned physique of the animals, or within the case of khorkhog, a sealed milk can. Marmot looking often takes place within the fall when the animals are bigger and have been making ready for hibernation.
Boodog is taken into account a extra egalitarian dish, with meat separated from the bones. Ready in a perishable container, it’s socially much less prestigious and customarily reserved for family members or fellow camp dwellers. // The follow is carried out outdoor and requires two or extra folks. The animal is surprised after which killed by severing the aorta on the neck. Blood is drained right into a container, because it should not contact the bottom. The pores and skin is saved intact aside from a slit on the neck. The bones and viscera are eliminated via this opening, aside from the bones within the ft. Heated stones, together with onion, salt, and a few meat, are inserted into the physique cavity. The neck is repeatedly squeezed and the physique pressed to make sure the contents make contact with the new stones. The neck is then closed with a wire, and the carcass is singed to take away hair, historically over embers, now extra generally with a fuel burner.
The meat is cooked fully via contact with the heated stones. As soon as executed, the physique is washed and the pores and skin slit open to entry the cooked meat. (wikipedia)
• • •
Properly this appeared much more daunting than it was. Erik’s puzzles can skew robust (for me) to start with, and you then’ve bought that 4-stack of gridspanners simply staring you down. A lot white area. I believed it will be tough to get, like possibly I might do OK on the highest half after which simply stall out making an attempt to entry the center. However then the alternative occurred. Properly, virtually the alternative. I *did* do OK on the highest half, after which when it got here time to … descend … I bought one reply in there.After which one other. And one other and one other. Ultimately I had your entire proper aspect of the center accomplished simply from the Down. The shortage of resistance was really a bit gorgeous. Look how a lot of that middle I bought earlier than I ever checked out a single lengthy Throughout clue:
The important thing to my success right here was absolutely the reward of ATTA and ORO—two bits of innocuous, simple crosswordese located in *simply* the correct place to assist me buzzsaw via the center of this grid. These two little solutions gave me the primary letters of six (6!) stack-crossing Downs, and I rattled them off in fast succession, no hesitation. ATLETA was a guess, however an informed one (25D: Sportsperson, in Italian), after which whoosh, proper down the road I went, L to R. Unsure why I hadn’t written 34D: “___ stylish!” in but; that was simple too. Very accommodating Downs ensured that my expertise with these lengthy solutions within the center was nowhere close to the nightmare I semi-feared. Three of the 4 had been immediately gettable to me as soon as I bought round to studying their clues. I had some bother on the precise phrasing of the Vince Carter meme-quote, as I’ve actually (and weirdly) by no means seen it. However finally it wasn’t onerous to deduce. Ultimately, immediately’s spanner stack may be very spectacular: clean and unique, with “DON’T GET ANY IDEAS!” batting clean-up for good cause (he is bought essentially the most energy).
Unimaginable colours are colours that don’t seem in unusual visible functioning. Totally different colour theories recommend completely different hypothetical colours that people are incapable of perceiving for one cause or one other, and fictional colours are routinely created in fashionable tradition. Whereas some such colours haven’t any foundation in actuality, phenomena akin to cone cell fatigue allow colours to be perceived in sure circumstances that may not be in any other case. (wikipedia)
The reasons are all too technical for me to know. You possibly can examine them right here. Fortunately, the quick Downs within the SE had been all simple sufficient that the again ends of these longer solutions down there have been simple to choose up. Ultimately, there have been no actual robust spots on this entire factor. It took some work, but it surely had good stream and there have been no stumpers. Very doable.
[R.I.P. Lalo Schifrin (1932-2025)]
I had heard of FREEDOM RIDERS however for some cause not the phrase FREEDOM RIDES (10D: Actions that, regardless of being authorized, resulted in a whole lot of arrests in 1961). Or … I in all probability had heard the time period (what else would the FREEDOM RIDERS be doing?) but it surely did not pop to thoughts the best way the phrase FREEDOM RIDERS. Maybe as a result of “FREEDOM RIDER” is a phrase I’ve heard many instances, if solely within the theme track from Maude.
[“Lady Godiva was a Freedom Rider / She didn’t care if the whole world looked”]
By no means heard of BOODOG. Most likely will not be alone there. I simply bought all of it from crossees. I did not want that entire rationalization (“seems like a disapproving canine”), however I love its cuteness. I am unsure I totally perceive the clue on CORETTA SCOTT. I do know that these names precede “King” in her identify, however I do not fairly know what idea or phrase [Leader before the King?] is meant to be evoking. Why the “the”? She was a pacesetter, and CORETTA SCOTT does come “earlier than” “King,” namewise. Clearly she was married to Martin Luther King, Jr., however … the clue simply feels awkward to me, until there’s some particular reference that I am lacking. No bid deal. I bought her identify(s) simply. Basically, the puzzle is remarkably clear and remarkably freed from real obscurities (BOODOG however).
- 6D: Massive-eyed primate (LORIS) — excessive LOL for all of the Wordle gamers on the market. Coulda used this reply within the puzzle *yesterday*! I’ve solely ever seen this creature within the NYTXW and I completely forgot it existed whereas enjoying Wordle yesterday. I used to be not alone. Folks ended up getting it regardless of having no concept what it … was.
- 38A: Case research org.? (TSA) — as in, they may “research” (i.e. examine) your carry-on “case”; I bought a really intimate pat-down final time I went via TSA screening. Screener: “Do you need to go in a non-public room for this?” Me: “LOL no, no matter you are gonna do you are able to do proper right here in entrance of everybody, thx.” Fortunately, I bought to maintain all my garments on, however he certain did make … contact … in locations I am not used to strangers making contact. It was effective. Do what you gotta do, man, simply get me via this line.
- 40A: Surname shared by a Hollywood father and daughter (DERN) — first thought: “Hey, why not Hollywood mom and daughter!?” Adopted by second thought: “Oh, proper, her mom does not share her surname”
- 29D: Surname shared by a Hollywood father and son (REINER) — bought this one shortly, largely as a result of I simply noticed That is … Spinal Faucet within the theater a number of weeks in the past, as a part of its forty first anniversary rerelease. Rob REINER directed.
- 32D: Unauthorized cuts of present films (FAN EDITS) — I am unable to think about being thinking about these in any respect, however I’m conscious they exist. , fashionable reply.
- 33D: Crispy Crinkles model (OREIDA) — I assume these are french fries … yep.
- 48D: Help, as a lifter? (ABET) — the “lifter” right here is “lifting” merchandise from a retailer with out paying for it. You would possibly know such an individual higher as a “shoplifter.”
That is all. See you subsequent time.
Signed, Rex Parker, King of CrossWorld
[Follow Rex Parker on BlueSky and Facebook]
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