It’s just one thing after another in Kiran Pandey’s puzzle, isn’t it?
Jump to: Today’s Theme | Tricky Clues
MONDAY PUZZLE — Until my teenage years, the only section of the newspaper that interested me was the comics page. I refused to get ready for the day until I’d caught up with the goings-on of “Mutts,” “Zits,” “Calvin and Hobbes” and “Peanuts.” The only strip I skipped was “Doonesbury,” because I could not — and still can’t — understand what was funny about it.
Today’s crossword puzzle, constructed by Kiran Pandey, belongs right up there with the signature groans of comic characters, like Charlie Brown’s “Oh, brother!” and Cathy’s “Ack!” The theme uses a gently minced oath for just as gentle a pun, a perfect grown-up substitute for the funny pages to get the day started.
Today’s Theme
A certain expression meaning [“Yikes!”] serves as a key to the themed entries in today’s puzzle — at 17-, 28-, 46- and 61-Across — but only when interpreted phonetically. The answer is OH, GEEZ, because the first word in those entries begins with O and the second with G.
The [Casual dining chain with unlimited breadsticks] is OLIVE GARDEN (17A). The [Event whose symbol is five interlocking rings] is the OLYMPIC GAMES (28A). [Theater binoculars] are called OPERA GLASSES (46A), and the [Starting point for Tropicana or Florida’s Natural juice] is an ORANGE GROVE (61A).
If you can think of any other O.G. phrases, feel free to share them in the comments. I’ll offer an, ahem, opening gambit — what else do you have?
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Source: Elections - nytimes.com
