Robert Logan & Jeff Chen’s Wall Street Journal crossword, “Vowel Play”—Jim P’s evaluation

Theme: A AND W (71a, [Root beer brand, and a phonetic hint to the three vowels of 18-, 23-, 37-, 55- and 60-Across]). The different theme solutions are acquainted phrases through which the one vowels are an A and two U’s, in that order.

Wall St Journal crossword resolution · “Vowel Play” · Robert Logan & Jeff Chen · Wed., 11.30.22

• 18a. [Scrooge retort] BAH HUMBUG.
• 23a. [Artificial wraps] FAUX FURS.
• 37a. [Negative karmic consequences] BAD JUJU.
• 55a. [Actor portraying, at times, the smallest Avenger] PAUL RUDD.
• 60a. [Marlowe character who bargains with Mephistophilis] DR FAUSTUS.

I just like the little twist right here the place we’re centered on two U’s as a substitute of a W, and the theme entries are all enjoyable, particularly BAD JUJU. The one factor that could possibly be higher with this puzzle is the title which is just too generic to be of any use to the solver.

The surrounding fill is strong with SKI JUMP, RED BULLS, and POM POMS taking the lead. Do individuals use the time period ON BUTTON? I feel I usually hear “power button” since an ON BUTTON would suggest that there’s a separate “off button”.

I had no drawback with COBOL [Early programming language used in commerce]. Though I by no means labored with it, it’s nonetheless in my reminiscence banks from my programming days. I did have difficulties in that SE nook the place we had a mash-up of some correct names (VANCE and REDD) and ambiguous cluing ([It gets things going] and [Biological food processor]).

Clues of be aware:

• 49a. [Tissue bather]. LYMPH. I solely know the phrase “LYMPH node,” and I don’t even know what that does. Let’s look it up, we could? Wikipedia says, “Lymph is the fluid that flows through the lymphatic system…whose function…is to return fluid from the tissues to be recirculated.” Ok? Ok.
• 25d. [Olympic sport, on and off the snow?]. SKI JUMP. I’m assuming the “off the snow” enterprise is as a result of once you’re airborne, you’re now not on the snow, not that folks go ski leaping when there’s no snow on the bottom.

Solid grid. 3.5 stars.

Addison Snell’s New York Times crossword—Amy’s recap

NY Times crossword resolution, 11 30 22, no. 1130

This theme is A-OK, with an emphasis on the Okay:

• 20a. [K, in baseball], STRIKEOUT.
• 27a. [K, in a salary listing], THOUSAND.
• 42a. [K, on a printer cartridge], BLACK INK. CMYK = cyan, magenta, yellow, and black.
• 53a. [K, on the periodic table], POTASSIUM.

Fave fill: PHONE IN, SWIZZLE, DIRT CHEAP, BUZZSAWS.

Three issues:

• second. [Terran’s home planet], EARTH. Watched a Guardians of the Galaxy factor the opposite day and I imagine the alien varieties known as earthling Peter Quill a Terran.
• 38a. [Road shoulder], BERM. My mother taught me this phrase after I was a child, not that we truly encountered many raised berms alongside the aspect of the highway. Thanks, Mom!
• 22d. [“Better Call ___” (“Breaking Bad” prequel)], SAUL. This present is great, however was snubbed by the Emmys. Lots of nominations, two wins for brief aspect initiatives. So good! Such terrific writing, appearing, directing, music, and cinematography. I began the present with out having seen Breaking Bad however caught up after a pair years. Watch this present in case you like legislation, crime, private relationships, New Mexico, and sophisticated characters. (Oh, and violence. There’s loads of that since drug cartels are concerned.)

Four stars from me.