xXx, 2002
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Puzzle by Allan E. Parrish, edited by Will Shortz
It appears that XXX can be utilized in a number of ways, most notoriously as an identifier for pornography, especially X-rated movies, in athletics as the Super Bowl XXX, held in 1996, musically, a 1999 album by ZZ Top, or if one prefers, alcohol level during prohibition, a generic depiction of Moonshine or other alcoholic beverage, more obscurely, XXX: Exklusibong, Explosibon, Expose, a Philippine current affairs television show, the ISO 4217 currency code for “no currency”, popularly, an abbreviation for “kiss kiss kiss”, commonly used in chat or text messaging, or an abbreviation for “I love you” in short missives or love notes, a symbol of straight edge lifestyle, sometimes a shortened version of XXXL, a plus size clothing size, a reference to Amsterdam, a flavor of Vitamin Water, and xXx, a 2002 action film starring Vin Diesel, or the 2005 sequel starring Ice Cube.
Today’s crossword utilizes XXX as an indicator for TIC TAC TOE WINNER, POISON WARNING and THIRTY IN OLD ROME, across entries 20, 34 and 51, all clued as [See circled letters].
In the first usage mentioned in the opening paragraph above, SPERM (17A. Kind of bank), 29D. Put ONAN act, NAZI (53D. “Hogan’s Heroes” figure) and JOHN (28A. One caught in a police sting) certainly add a little spice to this crossword in the sense of the more usual use of XXX -- however, REPEAL (26A. Cause during Prohibition) also takes up another cause with the definition of alcohol level during prohibition, or perhaps from a drunken swain -- 40A. “OME, what eyes hath Love put in my head”: Shak., which is usually clued as a Cockney residence.
Enough! Other long entries in today’s crossword include CINNAMON (12D. Gum choice); COSTUME (38D. Something you might go to a party in); DEARSIR (13D. It may follow a name and address); ONELINER (35D. Quick laugh); PAMPHLET (34D. Flier); UNDERDOG (12D. Victor of an upset).
Six-letter entries -- EMOTES (44D. Conveys feelings); EXERTS (46D. Applies); GROWTH (9D. Business goal); EXPIRE (2D. Run out); GISELE (43A. Supermodel Bündchen); ICECAP (3D. Martian feature); LAMEST (45D. Least convincing); 1D. Richard LESTER, director of “Help!” and “A Hard Day’s Night”; MCLEAN (31A. Virginia locale where the C.I.A. is headquartered); RHYTHM (42D. Cadence); SPLISH (47A. Sound in a Bobby Darin song title); TATARS (25A. Certain Crimeans).
Five-letter -- BOXER (49D. Round person?); CELLO (21D. Bass relative); EXCEL (14A. Get all A’s); HERTZ (6D. National alternative); IRATE (48D. Steaming); JAWED (28D. Gabbed); LEICA (1A. Pioneering 35 mm. camera); NESTS (63A. Exterminators’ targets); OATER (57A. A sheriff may be seen in it); RIGEL (36D. Star of Orion); SCANT (10D. Meager); WREST (60A. Take forcibly).Three- and four-letter -- ANDA, BEL, CERT, CINE, CANT, EMIR and EMIT, ENDO, ERA, ETRE, HAZE, HONG, IAN, IRAE, NEZ, NITE, MDI, MAX, MEET, MEIR, MILS, MOOR, OME, OMOO, PROD, PST, RARE, ROTO, SCUD, TRAX, ULNA.
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Xword search information -- 6. ___ Kong; 10. Tactical ballistic missile; 15. Foreign prince; 16. Cannes presentation; 18. ___-tiller; 19. One-two connector; 23. No. that should be as low as possible; 24. Part of a French face; 30. Year Michelangelo began “David”; 33. “The Hound of the Baskervilles” setting; 38. Insincere talk; 40. “___, what eyes hath Love put in my head”: Shak.; 41. Cowherd’s aid; 49. ___ esprit; 50. 10 on a 10-point scale, e.g.; 55. Arm part; 56. “Time ___” (bygone sci-fi series); 58. Gather; 59. Sun block; 61. To be overseas; 62. P.M. known as the Iron Lady. Down: 4. Supreme Court writ, familiarly; 7. Autobiographical novel of 1847; 8. Time on a marquee; 22. McKellen who played Gandalf; 27. Let out; 32. Inner: Prefix; 33. Wire measures; 41. Wash. Winter hours; 62. “Dies ___”; 54. Like a Liberty gold coin.
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