52A. The stupid misdirection here left me a little surprised. I thought that “released as a trailer” should be “unlatch” instead of UNHITCH. This meant that the “historic quinoa grower” in 53D would be an “Andean” rather than his INCAS living in the Andes Mountains. This seemed like a stretch, but it was possible until a few other entries (including a themed entry on 7-Down). ) Please correct.
102A. This is also a debut entry for The Times. “Idecagon” is ICOSAGON.
115A/118A. If the theme is present in the Down entry, it makes room for some interesting items in the Acros, like this combination of sun and snow. Tip 115A “Why wear socks after vacation” is solved by SANDALTANS. Sandal chest? Ah, sandal tan!For some people, these are badge of honor. The hint for 118A’s “resort products with lift tickets” is SKI PACKAGE.
120A. Would you like to use it as a reference for your leisure time? No, “Is anyone riding the waves?” It is the antenna that is receiving the airborne information.
12D. This is a new puzzle entry, but in the dictionary. The solution to “sell your stake completely” does not resolve to “off” or “out” (both of which are familiar to me), but to SELLS UP.
76D. The _____ Honors (Annual Picture Book Awards) are named after Eric Carle, creator of picture books such as The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Established a picture book museum in Amherst, Massachusetts in 2002.
Constructor notes
microphone: Adam and I first felt a connection when I saw him on screen holding his newborn baby in a 2021 online show. american crossword puzzle tournament. At the time, I had a new baby, so I started brainstorming topics related to parenting. We didn’t work it out right away – Miko and Henry are now in toddlerhood (and have younger siblings!) – but I’m so glad we finally did it. All theme ideas are credited to Adam. His theme brain never fails and never disappoints.
Adam: Mike is a stupid theme kingAnd it was such a rush that we ended up collaborating with him here on his elements.
As always, the first six themes came together quickly, with 43D being the only one I couldn’t find for several weeks. And it took several more weeks for the editorial team to write our first entry, “Impressive tennis shot by Dr. Seuss’s antihero?” = The Amazing Grinch Ace has grown too much.
Here are some other interesting suggestions:
“Would you betray the poet of the Odyssey by betting his school supplies?” = Victory with chalk from Homer
“Sommelier?” = Vin Choice Coach
“I won the lottery for the author of ‘Hamilton’!?” = Lynn chose my number
And although Mike disagrees, I wanted to take a cue from the Latin chest trend as an “Argentine pectoral waxing obsession?” ah!
Is it unbelievably shrinking?
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