As a bonus for 17A (Capricious -> MERCURIAL):
From the 1970s thru the 1990s, the automobile brand Mercury had a model called the Capri. Believe it or not, for a second or two I though that was going to be the gimmick.
usenet newsgroups! The original hidey-holes for Internet trolls.
and Elke
So,after today's Jeopardy Erik Agard has $40,001 and luckily no pie in the face .
2
"What is you doing baby?" One of the strangest answers ever...
2
@Andrew
There were a few that were a bit odd.
Let’s keep in mind that there’s such a device as a DVR, and that some of us might be using it!
1
I just did a random Thursday puzzle from the archives - August 2, 2012 - I have to say that I was soundly beaten by it. Highly recommended!
3
Venial, not venal.
Fun crossword.
In the past, our ancestors didn't have Netflix.
Every night, they would gaze up at the heavens, trying to parse "God's" design. They would sit around a fire, telling stories and creating myths.
They knew the yearly schedule, with the zodiac constellations in correlation with the time of the year.
However, there were certain stars, we could call them Superstars, that did not follow the yearly and seasonal patterns. They were named after the "Gods", as they could move freely, and with discernible patterns among the "ordinary" stars.
Take a moment to go outside tonight and take out a skymap, or just download an app, to check out the stars and planets. Mars is high in the sky right now, and visibly reddish.
Mars was married to Venus. Venus is in the western sky at sunset right now, and has often been called the morning, or evening star. She is near the sun, in accordance with her orbit. Jupiter is right above her as of today.
Take a moment to enjoy the best show in the universe and marvel as our ancestors did at the patterns and signs and try to parse the potential answers from the clues, as our ancestors did.
4
Stop short of PTOLEMY, however, and his astronomical model that eventually become way too complicated and was no longer predictive.
@Mooretep
"In the past, our ancestors didn't have Netflix."
I guess that means it was STARGAZE AND CHILL.
2
Here's a little help if needed:
https://www.skyandtelescope.com/observing/sky-at-a-glance/
Bookmark the link and each week it will take you on a tour of that week's sky for naked eye, binoculars, telescopes.
Thanks for the Hamilton clip, Deb. I never get tired of it. What a work of art by a new American master, Lin-Manuel Miranda.
2
Enjoyed this puzzle!
For some reason I did not pick up on the PLANETary vocab slant until the reveal, but I enjoyed the "Oh, yeah!" moment.
More, please!
31 and 140 on the Wee Bee. That's good enough for me!
1
45D I was looking for a language to fill in. . .
Funny, RMP.
Except with "origins" -- not "origin" -- in the clue, one language would not have sufficed.
Agreed?
(as it were)
I wonder what happened to my CiC.
I wonder if it will ever appear.
And when.
My first "visible" post in these comments started with:
"Thanks, Fact Boy. You post appearing means the comments are open, which I guess they weren't 15 minutes ago when I submitted a post that has not appeared."
I was interested to see that my 6:15 p.m. post showed up today around 11 a.m. (I had "replied" to it to note that at the time, but those replies haven't show up -- yet.)
Not certain actors memorize an entire SCRIPT, perhaps just their lines. And, I thought TRON was the CPU version of Shane.
But I quibble.
Thanks Alex
The other day, the entry CRIP, clued as the gang member in blue, set off one of our more sensitive commenters. Now although I don’t find anything offensive about the clue, I wondered if I could come up with a better one. Here’s what I came up with.
Prescription center
Feedback appreciated.
4
@Steve L
How about the cryptic / P&A clue "lines for actor who's not a saint"?
I just asked Alexa to define "Crip." She said " I'd rather not answer that. "
Very enjoyable Monday puzzle. I really liked the clue for BRIG. So clever! The fill for the PLANETary theme was fun. I had “arbitrary” before MERCURIAL, but soon saw my mistake thanks to Lin-Manuel MIRANDA.
The cluing vagueness of the two gas brands ESSO and CITGO was interesting. I haven’t seen an ESSO station since the sixties. I guess it still exists in other parts of the country, though. We have Exxon around here.
Nice one.
:-)
2
Carol,
Other parts of the continent, not the country. You'll need to go to Canada for an Esso station.
Yes, lots of Esso up here. Citgo not at all.
The way things are going in Venezuela, I'm not sure how much longer we'll be seeing Citgo down here.
My five favorite clues from last week:
1. Middle of time? (5)
2. Cliff notes? (5)
3. A bitter pull to swallow? (3)
4. Ended a phone call? (10)
5. Quote from a letter (4)
COLON
YODEL
ALE
BUTT DIALED
RENT
7
Lewis,
Once again, <reco> for your recos.
3
@Lewis Love your favorite clues recaps! I usually find that they're the same as mine!
1
Hi all.
We got back from Greece last week but between catching up, jet lag (waking at 3:00 AM every night), a cracked tooth (seeing the endodontist in an hour) and new phones for both Elaine and me (flaky compasses made navigating in Greece a challenge, but fun), I'm just getting back into the swing of things.
Trip was great and I learned everything we were taught about the Greek alphabet is wrong (which I'm sure DC knew all along). For one thing, if in doubt about a vowel letter or digram, it's pronounced long-E. The Greeks even make fun of it. The food is great. It's hard to get a bad meal. Amazing wines, fish, olive oil, breads, cakes, etc. Who knew?
I couldn't believe a Spelling Bee tripped me up, in Greece, on PHILHELLENIC, in two forms. That was a low blow.
Depending on what tortures the root-canal guy comes up with, I'll be around at some point soon I hope.
4
@Martin
Welcome back. You were missed.
3
Martin, what Deadline said. A pity I was in California while you were in Greece.
Good luck at the dentist.
Welcome home, Martin. Yes, I always call the letters by their modern names - veeta, theeta, mee, nee, ksee, etc. Modern Greek is much easier to speak than to spell...
The one theme related etymological disconnect I experienced was the Jupiter/JOVIAL deal. The other four CAME into focus easily enough. As an afterthought, I see where WP posters have chimed in with the fact that Venus/VENIAL is, in essence, a misnomer...I am not aware of the existence of the powwow forum called USENET. Interesting how it might be perceived as a forerunner of the internet...I am not big on ADS. Some are entertaining, most are not. They rarely HUMOR ME. This quickie of the Wings ‘75 album Venus And Mars was a PLATTER pusher that used billiard balls SCRIPTed as PLANETS.
https://youtu.be/IDBry9EbLY8
MERCI,
Bru
@brutus - So, there was an ancient word for the shining skies, "dheu" - and that word came to be applied to the major deity who belonged to the skies (or to whom they belonged) - "dheu". That gave us the Greek word
theos = God as well as the Greek name Zeus = God
and from there it gave us the Latin word
deus = God as well as the Latin name Djyowus = Jovus = God, which became Jove. By Jove = By God.
The Greek word for "father" = "piter" became the Latin word "pater" - thus "God the Father" in church Latin "Deus Pater" is identical to "Jove the Piter" = Jupiter.
Jupiter is a filled out version of Jove; Jovial is the attribute, and Jovian is the adjective (the moons of Jupiter are Jovian moons).
2
@David Connell - oops more crossword connections:
That ancient word "dheu" also gave us last week's "deva" and the regularly recurring "diva" - also "divine", "divinity", etc.
Ha! Today's WSJ puzzle clue for PRISM: Spectrum creator.
Monday's Wee-Bee gets things done in quite an artistic and intellectual fashion...
Words: 34
Score: 161 pts
Pangrams: 1
Bingo: yes
A x 8
C x 11
L x 3
R x 3
T x 6
U x 1
Y x 2
4L x 12
5L x 8
6L x 4
7L x 5
8L x 3
9L x 1
10L x 1
4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Tot
A 1 1 1 3 2 - - 8
C 5 2 2 - 1 - 1 11
L 3 - - - - - - 3
R - 2 - 1 - - - 3
T 2 1 1 1 - 1 - 6
U - 1 - - - - - 1
Y 1 1 - - - - - 2
Tot 12 8 4 5 3 1 1 34
7
@Bill Shunn - I don't look at these lists until I've passed "Genius" level on my own - and gone as much farther as I can beyond that. What amazes me is how quickly the rest of the list falls once I have this information. Thanks for posting.
7
@David Connell Thank you Bill! And David, yes me too--I get to G on my own steam and then am so grateful to have the remaining options narrowed down by word counts. I'm now looking for that second 6-letter C word to hit QB.
Thanks, Bill. Got to Genius - leaving it there unless I find some spare time later and consult your tables.
Two other Spelling Bee related items:
1. Q&A with Sam Ezersky (whom @andreylm affectionately nicknamed Buzzersky) posted today:
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/22/crosswords/who-made-my-puzzle.html
2. Solver story about a game called Target that is almost like a cubical version of the Spelling Bee (it was posted on Sep 26, but I completely missed it):
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/26/crosswords/love-is-a-nine-letter-word...
Instead of 7 letters, it's 9 letters, and using each letter only once, which sounds like the same letter can be specified more than once on the 3x3 grid (given the opening scene use of YUCCA and CRUCIAL).
I suddenly have an urge to visit the Cincinnati Observatory, a place I've never seen. If a crossword can do that, it's a winner in my book. If fact, I will go as far to say it's out of this world!
Thank you, Alex Eaton-Salners! Today you are the star the planets revolve around.
3
@Johanna
Please do! It's so worth a trip to Cincy. Amazing place with a superb staff.
Here's two short blurbs:
In November 1843, former President John Q. Adams traveled to Cincinnati for the dedication of the nation’s first public Observatory. The cornerstone was laid on November 9, 1843 and established the Cincinnati Observatory as the Birthplace of American Astronomy.
THE BIRTHPLACE OF AMERICAN ASTRONOMY
Tucked away at the end of a picturesque cul-de-sac in a residential neighborhood sit two buildings from a different era. When you drive up the narrow, tree-lined street past grand Victorian homes you feel the history in your bones. And at the end of the street stands the definition of “Observatory” – a picturesque jewel-box of a building capped by a silver dome.
The Cincinnati Observatory Center is known as ‘The Birthplace of American Astronomy.’ It houses one of the oldest working telescopes and was the first public observatory in the western hemisphere. Recently restored to its original beauty, the Observatory is a fully functioning 19th century observatory used daily by the public and amateur astronomers. The main telescopes are an 11-inch Merz and Mahler refractor purchased in 1842 and a 16-inch Alvan Clark and Sons refractor from 1904. The historic buildings are designated as a National Historic Landmark, and the grounds provide a serene, park-like setting while still being centrally located in the city of Cincinnati.
1
"Clink on the drink" = BRIG made me laugh out loud.
7
@archaeoprof
Until I saw the length of the entry, I thought [Clink on the drink] was going to be Alcatraz.
5
I thought of San Quentin also, but I was more inclined to think would be Rikers Island. I also considered the original prison called "The Clink" in London on the Thames.
Quite enjoyable puzzle, though after another tough weekend any puzzle I could actually solve would have made me happy.
I see the issue with the reveal, but since the constructor really wanted to put ROMANGOD in the original puzzle and was overruled, I think all can be forgiven, especially since I doubt that the reveal actually helped anyone with their solve. And, since not all of the names of the PLANETS are thusly derived, you're looking at a long and awkward re-phrasing of that clue to make it precisely accurate.
But everybody knows that; maybe I should have exercised my right to remain silent.
37a: I know I've linked this before, but this song might have my all time favorite lyrics:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONXQbbJJLuM
..
3
I came here for some reason but promptly forgot it while watching Hamilton at the Oliviers, thank you!!!! Any and all gratuitous Hamiltonia welcomed by this reader. I am an unashamed Hamilton fanatic--even though I've seen it a few times and have memorized EVERY WORD (my long-suffering husband disconnected my karoake machine at one point) it still utterly takes my breath away. Thrilling, literally, sends happy chills up and down my spine every time.
So oh yeah, puzzles. The Monday puzzle was gorgeous, easy but very satisfying with its planetary influences. The B was an easy trip to G and now I await word counts so I can attempt QB. All in all a very satisfying way to start the work day.
So I guess now I should get some work done.
2
On this day of the moon, cool to have a puzzle with connections to SPACE and kinda sophisticated cluing for such an early week puzzle. Along the lines of the topic raised earlier by Kathoco, I would have thought that the theme adjectives were derived from the gods for whom the planets were also named. I haven't researched -- it's just what I thought. Gods came first, right?
3
Cool idea for a puzzle -- how often do we see "Etymological Origins" as a theme?
2
Nice Monday puzzle in which the theme gently revealed itself. For me a few more than usual no-knows than is usual for a Monday. Apparently I don't notice logos, and am never sure of even the most simple computer references. At least all were gettable with the crosses. Like Deb I loved the clue for 6D, BRIG.
Good start to the week.
2
@suejean
Hand up for never noticing logos.
3
I just have a quibble with the planets clue. The etymological origins of the starred clues are the Roman gods, not the names of the planets (even if they’re the same names). The planets and the adjectives share etymological origins, but I don’t think the adjectives are derived from the names of the planets.
5
Groundhog Day?
1
“Quibbles” can improve our game, although I doubt Bill Belichick uses that word when he describes refinements he’d like to see.
Yes, an indication of shared entymological origins would be more precise, even though PLANETS was likely not a streak-breaker for many.
Precision is more elegant than good enough.
@ADeNA
I think -- though it's not a hill I'd die on -- that the direct etymology of the adjectives is from the planets, via astrology, although of course both the adjectives and the planets do share their Roman deity origins.
Had DAKOTA for 54-A for ages, wondering if P-DOUGH was some sort of British slang. Brain was clearly not working this morning.
For Ron and Barry, I am not Pajamas Sarah, but I did do last night's puzzle in pyjamas. Is it pajamas, or pyjamas? Hmmm, let's just stick with calling them PJs.
2
@Sarah N
Hands up for pajamas.
@Dr W
One vote for pyjamas.
nice little puzzle!
IM ALL SATURNINE about the clue for PRISM. A rainbow is due to atmospheric scattering, not a chunk of glass. Spectrum?
You don't see much of McDonald's RONALD these days. Coulrophobia?
The joke I'm telling these days: All the PLANETS are named after gods, except for Earth, which is named after dirt. Go figure.
As an aside: those interested in some funny uses of Latin sayings, check out Man Booker Prize winning "The Sellout" by Paul Beatty. I'm doing the audio book for the second time.
2
@BillKos - adding to that thought, "humans" are (along with "humus") also named for dirt. Appropriate for the "sons of Adam" to share the root dhghem, meaning "dirt, dust, soil."
https://www.etymonline.com/word/*dhghem-
2
@BillKos
Check out
https://blog.metservice.com/atmospheric-optics
for how atmospheric rainbows are created. This is not scattering. The action is very similar to what a prism does.
"Venal" (what is revealed in the article) is not to be confused with "venial" (what is included in the crossword).
6
M,
Good catch.
I don't think copy editors edit unrevealed copy.
1
@M
I can't find "venal" anywhere in Deb's column. Are you referring to some other article?
Deadline,
It is a "hidden" entry revealed when you click on the clue (22A. Forgivable) in the column.
Shouldn't "oxen pull" the plural of 49D's answer? What am I missing here?
2
Wags,
The yoke's on you.
(Actually, it's on the team of oxen.)
7
@Barry Ancona
OK, I see it, But if you have various teams of oxen, they would pull ploughs. That was the image that came to mind. (I'm probably digging myself in deeper here, and will need an ox to pull me out.)
3
Wags,
As long as your ox is not gored.
1
It's worth noting two Easter eggs in this puzzle:
Miranda and Ariel are two of the moons of Uranus, which are all named for characters from William Shakespeare and Alexander Pope.
18
@David Connell
And one day we will head out into SPACE as astronauts (SAILORS to the stars) and go there. (Although actually going to other stars will require considerably more effort.)
The days of the week are also named for the planets. The sun and the moon for the first two days, that makes some sense. Then Mars? (prominent and red?) Then Mercury? Jupiter? Venus? Is Saturday SATURNINE? (How many of your friends know that Saturday is named for Saturn? You'd be surprised.)
4
@blue moon Other days of the week in French: mardi (Tues.), mercredi (Wed.). jeudi (Thurs.), vendredi (Fri.)
1
@Blue Moon Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday are Norse-based, I think.
Tyr's Day
Woden's Day
Thor's Day
Frida's Day
3
I enjoyed seeing the theme answers develop, as I pretty much got them in order. It’s a shame that SATURNINE does not have the parallel form of the others (ending in -IAL),
but that’s a minor quibble.
I’m a little confused by Mr Eaton-Salners’ comments about ROMAN GOD and PLANET and what exactly his original grid looked like—would love to see it to see exactly how much changed! I liked seeing very interesting (for a Monday especially) words like MONOMER and VENIAL and ONEROUS.
5
Liz B,
We saw and posted almost simultaneously about the same lemon; please enjoy some of the lemonade I offered in my post.
1
Eponyms! sigh. So impossible to unravel all the connections. Chicken and egg material everywhere you look here.
That said - lovely little Monday.
Holst: The Planets
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Isic2Z2e2xs
7
David,
No breakdowns today, I hope. That was quite a thread you started. I hope you'll go back and take a bow.
The ancients may have believed that the lights they saw in the sky were literally the same as the gods for whom they are named. Of course we now know that the planet Venus is very far from loving were forgiving, just as we have abandoned all our fantasies about war with dwellers on the planet Mars. So it seems rather ridiculous to say that these adjectives derive from planet names, and only indirectly from the gods. The association with Roman gods is perfectly clear, but that with the planets is just an historical oddity.
2
Alan Young,
How about "erroneous" for "ridiculous?"
1
Thanks, Fact Boy. You post appearing means the comments are open, which I guess they weren't 15 minutes ago when I submitted a post that has not appeared.
I was hoping that solvers who work hard on Monday puzzles would find this one a fair test of skill. While FB is parsing the roots, my comment is about endings. I was a bit put off that four of the five theme entries ended in IAL until I realized that the outlier ending was subtle support for returning Pluto to PLANET status. IMALL for it.
2
@Barry Ancona. , I was put off as well as I happily entered ial at the end of the final theme answer.
1
@Barry
So Fact Boy is concerned with roots and you are concerned with split ends. Either way, I think that we might be splitting hairs.
The English word "venial" has nothing to do with the planet Venus but rather with the Latin noun "venia" (forgiveness; a venial sin is one that can be forgiven). The adjectival form of "Venus" is "venereal," formed from the oblique forms of the Latin name (e.g. the genitive case Veneris). The OED lists an attestation from 1652: "Pronouncing the Man…to be Saturnine, Jovial, Martial, Solar, Venereal, Mercurial, Lunar" (the seven classical planets included the sun and the moon; the order in which they appear here is that of the planetary spheres of the Ptolemaic universe, the sphere of Saturn being closest to the sphere of the fixed stars, the sphere of the moon closest to the earth).
11
@Fact Boy - it's a great case in point of my "sigh - you can't unravel eponyms" - both Venus (goddess and planet) and her adjectival forms venereal (related to the goddess' attributes) and Venusian (related to the planet) AND venial (forgiveable) trace their word origins to the same Proto-Indo-European root wen- ("desire"). They aren't unrelated.
I agree that "venereal" or even "venusian" would be a better fit with the themers today; but I disagree that "venial" is outside the pale.
13
@David Connell - addendum
The old comic strip Pogo used to regularly note things like:
"Friday the 13th come on a Wensdy this month!"
I can have the Mondays on a Thursday, Friday the 13th can come on Wednesday, and I can wear my Sunday best on a Tuesday. Eponyms are tricky to unpack.
Or as they ask in Atlanta, "you want a orange Coke or a grape Coke?"
@David Connell & Fact Boy
Bless you guys.