11.26.08 -- Ode to Ye Ole OLE!

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Puzzle by Harvey Estes, edited by Will Shortz

The omnipresent crossword entry of OLE (57D. 49-Across, in this puzzle); along with THE LAST HURRAH (49A. 1968 Spencer Tracy film … and a hint to 20-, 30- and 39-Across); HOLY GUACAMOLE (20A. “Zounds!”); PETER OTOOLE (30A. Eight-time Best Actor nominee); FILET OF SOLE (39A. Boneless entrée) are the unlikely components of today’s interrelated entries. OLE is not something one hears in the Spencer Tracy film, nor would one expect to hear Peter O’Toole declaim same after losing out on the Academy Award eight times, and it would certainly be an odd thing to declare when one is served fish -- but it is the last three letters of those entries. “Zounds!” may be the closest to “Ole!” but without a “Hurrah!” and the resulting “Holy Guacamole!” brings one to wonder why an exclamation involving an avocado recipe is paired with the blaspheming of God‘s wounds!

People in the puzzle are headlined by MANDELA (23A. “Long Walk to Freedom” writer) and WALESA (44D. Non-head of state who addressed a 1989 joint session of Congress) and includes a BAGMAN (10D. Mob’s money collector); BESS (10A. Gershwin heroine); KLEE (37D. Swiss abstractionist); ORRIN (48D. Sen. Hatch); PRMEN (62A. Image crafters); RENE (63A. Russo of “Ransom”); SIBYL (5D. Prophetess of legend); a SOWER (27D. Farmer, in the spring); TINA (8D. Funny Fey); and a TSAR (51D. Old Russian despot).

Mid-size entries -- ADHERE (42D. Show allegiance, as to a cause); ASAFAVOR (35D. Expecting no payment); BLOODRED (4D. Vivid valentine color); EUROPE (11D. Part of the West); GOAFTER (47A. Chase); MASHNOTE (3D. Billet-doux); NOTTHERE (36D. Missing); PEERAT (43D. Watch intently); SOBERS (13D. Dries out, with “up”); STALER (12D. Less up-to-date); TAPWATER (41A. Meaning of “one on the city,” in diner lingo); TITHES (41D. Church contributions).

Five-letter -- ADORE (26A. What fans do); BAWLS (34A. Cries one’s eyes out); BERNE (18A. City on the Aar); CAPER (25A. Bank job, e.g.); EATER (45A. One in a mess?); GUIDE (47D. Sacagawea, for one); IDEAL (46A. Nonpareil); IMHIP (156A. Beatnik’s “Understood”); 59. MARDI Gras; OMEGA (6D. Alphabet ender); SOTTO (5A. Under, in Umbria); USAIR (54A. Jetliner name until 1997).

The remainders: ACNE, ALSO, ANKH, APO, AUTO, COLT, ERAS, FALA and FEAR, GRAB, HARM, HERE and HERR, LAMB and LEER, LOS, MAPS, OBIT, OPAL and ORAL, SEED and SETA, SOSO, SUMP, TALE, TAN, THRU, VETO and “Zip ADEE-Doo-Dah“!

And, of course, shining bright among the galaxy of three-letter entries, that crossword star -- OLE!

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Xword search information -- Across: 1. Part of a gyro; 10. Gershwin heroine; 14. Stone for many Libras; 18. It’s chopped in a chop shop; 17. Fair; 19. Capture the attention of; 33. Feeder filler; 35. Cross with a loop; 53. “Take one”; 55. Bill killer; 58. Big times; 60. Spoken; 61. Bristlelike part; 63. Russo of “Ransom”. Down: 1. Acapulco article; 2. G.I. address; 7. By way of, briefly; 9. Intl. price-setting group; 21. Prurient look; 23. War room items; 28. Stable youngster; 29. As well; 31. Passing notice; 32. Fisherman’s whopper?; 37. Swiss abstractionist; 38. Frau’s mate; 39. F.D.R. dog; 40. Cause of some quaking; 50. Drainage pit; 52. Perniciousness; 56. Whip but good.