04.28.08 -- NECKING

Monday, April 28, 2008

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Puzzle by Gary Disch, edited by Will Shortz

NECKING (41A. Making out … or a hint to this puzzle’s four hidden articles of clothing), along with ROOMSTOLET (17A. Boardinghouse sign); NOVASCOTIA (64A. Halifax’s home); ANTIELITE (11D. Favoring common folk) and NASCARFAN (34D. Daytona 500 enthusiast), are this Monday back-to-work crossword inter-related entries.

Whoa! This is certainly minimal clothing -- stole, ascot, tie, scarf -- sounds like formal wear at a nudist colony. Other articles of “clothing” (or the lack of it) in the puzzle include SASH (1A. “Miss America” might be printed on one); LOADS (57D. Laundry units) and naturally, NUDE (41D. Michelangelo’s David, e.g.).

The TANGLE (25A. Snarled mess) of the Monday commute could easily lead off this puzzle’s rubber- NECKING plethora of crosswordese with the six-letter group including NEPALI (23A. Katmandu resident); PREVUE (35A. Sneak peek: Var.); UNSEAL (44A. Open, as an envelope); ACETIC (50A. Vinegary); THRALL (54A. Slave); BEAGLE (10D. Snoopy, for one); ICEAGE (47D. Time of advancing glaciers); preceded by two seven-letter entries: HYMNALS (4D. Church songbooks) and PERGOLA (45D. Shaded passageway).

Five-letter entries include ALTAR, ANIME, AROSE, ASONE, CAPOS, COVEN, GRECO, INPEN, IGLOO, IVORY, LOIRE, LUCID, OMEGA, PILOT, RELAX, SARAN, SETON, STOOP, SYNOD, TANGS, UNLIT.

Four-letter: ALFA, ALTO, ANON, ARES, ARTY, ASPS, ATOP, AVOW, BABA, BOON, CARE, CASH, CHIC, ENOS, GINS, GREG, HONE, LANA, LARD, LICE, NOGO, PEAL, PEAS, PUNS, SELA, STAG, URDU, VIAL, WACO.

Three-letter: ADS, CAT, EKE, ERA, ISM, SOD and TEA.

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Across: 5. Mafia bosses; 10. “Ali ___ and the Forty Thieves”; 14. Painterish; 15. Japanese cartoons; 16. Grandson of Adam; 19. Perched on; 20. Together; 21. Canceled; 22. Goes out in game of rummy; 27. Old-time actress Turner; 29. “Chill!”; 32. Many conundrums have them; 39. Suffix with human or organ; 40. Pitcher’s stat; 45. Pod contents; 46. Perfectly clear; 48. Some creepy-crawlies; 58. The “C” in T.L.C.; 60. Openly declare; 62. Eskimo home; 63. ___ Romeo (car); 66. Male-only; 67. El ___, Spanish artist; 68. Cooking fat; 69. Sharpen, as skills; 70. Church council; 71. God of war. Down: 1. Brand of kitchen wrap; 2. Lifted off the launch pad, e.g.; 3. Not stand completely erect; 5. Purrer; 6. Soon, to poets; 7. Stove light; 8. Letter after phi, chi, psi; 9. Not vacillating about; 12. Great benefit; 13. Nile reptiles; 18. Emmy-winning Ward; 24. Permanently, as writing; 26. Tour de France winner LeMond; 28. Rainbow shapes; 30. Between ports; 31. Lennon/Ono’s “Happy ___ (War is Over)”); 32. Sound of laughter; 33. Language of Lahore; 36. ___ out a living; 37. Lab bottle; 38. Not yet burning; 49. A la mode; 51. Zesty flavors; 52. Old piano key material; 53. Witches’ group; 55. Place to exchange “I do’s”; 56. Valley known for its chateaux; 58. Bills and coins; 59. Saxophone type; 61. Texas city on the Brazos; 65. Old prairie home material.