Beth Rubin and Robyn Weintraub’s Inkubator crossword, “Keep It Down!”—Jenni’s write-up

I really like seeing Robyn’s identify on a puzzle! I do know that regardless of the issue stage it is going to be clean, solidly constructed, and a pleasure to unravel. After this I will even stay up for Beth’s work. The Inkubator workers had it proper once they stated this one was evenly difficult.

I found out what was happening with the second the theme entry so I didn’t want the revealer for a proof. It nonetheless added to the enjoyable.

Inkubator, October 13, 2022, Beth Rubin and Robyn Weintraub, “Keep It Down!” resolution grid

• 17a [*Double-reeded woodwinds with a deeper sound than oboes] are ENGLISH HORNS.
• 27a [*Whirlybirds often heard whump-whump-whumping in a hit ’70s-’80s TV show] are MASH HELICOPTERS. This is the weakest of the theme entries. It’s nonetheless effective, however I don’t assume anybody known as them that. If you missed the latest NYT piece on the fiftieth anniversary of the present, it’s price studying.
• 44a [*Commuter’s daily grind featuring beeps and honks] is RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC.

And the revealer: 58a [“You’re going to wake the little one with all the noise around here!” — or a plea for quiet hidden in the starred entries] is BABY‘S NAPPING. Each theme entry accommodates the string SHH. Cute!

A number of different issues:

• “Montblanc” is the PEN. Mont Blanc is the Alp.
• 2nd [Cycle with four pedals] is a superb clue for TANDEM.
• 11a [Butt] is CIG. If this have been the NYT, that may have been a gimme; in an indie crossword I’m by no means fairly positive which sense of “butt” we’re in search of.
• 28d [Flavored frozen drink] is a SLUSHIE, not a SLURPEE (my first reply).
• I really feel like we see “smart ALEC” extra usually than right this moment’s “smart ALECKS” which is the spelling I want. Google Ngram agrees with me.

What I didn’t know earlier than I did this puzzle: that Tori AMOS is a spokesperson for RAINN. For those that don’t know, RAINN is the National Sexual Assault hotline. Info right here. The quantity is (800) 656-4673 and so they have chat out there at on-line.rainn.org