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Constructor: Christina Iverson and Tom Pepper
Relative issue: Easy
THEME: none
Word of the Day: Jack Dempsey aka The Manassa MAULER (15A: The Manassa ___, nickname for boxer Jack Dempsey) —
William Harrison “Jack” Dempsey (June 24, 1895 – May 31, 1983), nicknamed Kid Blackie and The Manassa Mauler, was an American skilled boxer who competed from 1914 to 1927, and reigned because the world heavyweight champion from 1919 to 1926. A cultural icon of the Twenties, Dempsey’s aggressive combating model and distinctive punching energy made him one of the vital well-liked boxers in historical past. Many of his fights set monetary and attendance data, together with the primary million-dollar gate. He pioneered the stay broadcast of sporting occasions typically, and boxing matches particularly.
Dempsey is ranked tenth on The Ring journal‘s listing of all-time heavyweights and seventh amongst its Top 100 Greatest Punchers, whereas in 1950 the Associated Press voted him as the best fighter of the previous 50 years. He is a member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame, and was within the earlier Boxing Hall of Fame. (wikipedia)
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| PUKEKO (6) |
Greetings from Down Under, the Land of the Long White Cloud, Aotearoa, Kiwiville, Middle Earth, what have you ever. You know, there are all type of endemic birds right here, hanging birds, birds with pretty calls, birds you see All The Time. There are tuis and fantails and wooden pigeons galore down right here on the South Island, so should you have been in search of a nationwide image that was additionally a chook, you would not need to look far … except one in every of your standards was that it’s a bizarre roly-poly flightless factor that you just by no means really see. If weirdness and ungainliness are what you are after then … nicely, truthfully, even then, there are extra hanging birds that match the invoice (!) which can be really a part of the on a regular basis panorama. The pukeko (“they’re like pests … individuals shoot them” mentioned one in every of my spouse’s delightfully unsentimental kin) are hanging purple-bodied orange-billed primeval chicken-like issues that appear to be non-terrifying dinosaurs strutting throughout your yard. I’d sooner be a pukeko than a kiwi. Kiwi are actual sufficient, I’m advised, however I’ve by no means seen one. They nonetheless appear legendary to me. Like Hobbits (one other factor related to NZ, the fascination with which I don’t get). Anyway, I’m Team Pukeko all the way in which. Or Haast’s Eagle, have you ever heard of this factor!?!?! It’s extinct (as are quite a lot of native birds now, thanks, humanity/rats) however in its day … huge as a Buick … a flying Buick. Haast’s eagles have been so huge, they preyed on moa. Moa! Have you seen a moa?! Well, no, after all, nobody has for the reason that Polynesians principally hunted them out of existence (mid 15c.), however they have been greater than me. I really noticed a moa tibia right now, alongside a human tibia, at The Museum of Natural Mystery in Dunedin, and … nicely, it was greater, is what it was. Bigger than the human tibia. I additionally purchased this moa t-shirt:
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| [Have I mentioned it’s beautiful here?] |
OK I’m going to fake the TERNS within the puzzle are fairy TERNS, should you do not thoughts. That will assist me take pleasure in it extra. Not to say I did not take pleasure in it. There simply wasn’t a lot, when it comes to fill, that made me assume “ooh” or “ahh.” I by no means know the way I’m imagined to spell “WEENIE,” so WEENIE ROASTs are all the time gonna be type of a bust for me. The clue on THERMOMETER was nice (16D: Cold bathe?) (it is exhibiting you … that it is chilly), however the clue on SPOT REMOVER, meh, fill-in-the-blank jokes do not actually work, joke-wise. Timing is thrown off, so groaners solely get groanier (18D: “I spilled ___ on my canine. Now he is gone”: Steven Wright). Really like ABOVE THE FRAY, however FAN THEORIES … ugh, I now affiliate “fandom” with a horrid slim on-line groupthink, buncha gatekeepers and nostalgia freaks, self-appointed model police—unhappy imply individuals, principally, to say nothing of uncritical shoppers of company IP. It’s potential I’m pondering completely of “Star Wars” and Marvel fandom, however I doubt it. It’s an unique reply, that one, and I’m certain some will find it irresistible, but it surely did not transfer the needle for me, not like yesterday’s puzzle, which was a scorching masterpiece. Thursday’s puzzle … was there a puzzle on Thursday? who can do not forget that far again?
Here was my second huge mistake:
My first huge mistake was REVS UP for KEYS UP (1A: Psychs), with the “R” seeming appropriate as a result of RAMA appeared appropriate at 1D: Hindu god of affection and want (KAMA). So “YOU’RE ON FIRE!” was slow-going. But that was the one slow-going half. The relaxation flew by (once more, not like yesterday). The clue on RED RYDER was bizarre, as I assumed RED RYDER was the model, not the BB gun itself (49A: Ralphie’s want in “A Christmas Story”). He would not say he desires a RED RYDER. He has a complete spiel, and it positively includes the phrase “gun:”
Any robust clues? The ports in 14A: Place with a number of ports are wines, after all. “Retirement” means “sleeping” in 43A: No-frills retirement choices? (COTS) (not likely certain why that clue even wants a “?”). The “pitcher” in 27D: Pitcher’s purpose? is somebody making a SALEs pitch. That ought to do it. If you’ve gotten some other questions, I’m certain the very useful people within the feedback part can, nicely, assist. That’s all for right now. Can’t let you know how good it’s to have the puzzle come out at 4pm!!!! Liberating. Gonna transfer right here only for the sleep schedule advantages! See you tomorrow (when the puzzle comes out at midday!!!!).
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