01.18.12 — Spare Tire

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Puzzle by Chris Handman / Edited by Will Shortz

SPARE TIRE (64A. Trunk item … or what has been put on 18-, 24-, 41- and 53-Across?), TRUST BELT (18A. Monopolist’s clothing accessory?), ICON ARTISTS (24A. Designers for Microsoft Windows?), ROUT OF THIS WORLD (41A. What Martian invaders may be intent on?) and EAT ALL COSTS (53A. What the backer of a failing business may do?) constitute the interrelated group of this durable Wednesday crossword.

Other — I DO I DO (Emphatic assent), NESTEA (25D. Lipton competitor), NO RUSH (62A. “Take your time!“), QUICKSAND (33D. Stuff that can give you a sinking feeling?), SPARSE (21A. Like a poor attendance), THEME PARK (10D. Disney development).

Five-letter — ACHOO, ADAIR, ALIEN, AM TOO, ARRAS, END UP, ENIAC, GET AT, IT’S ME, MINOS, NASAL, NILLA, NO HIT, OILER, OJAYS, ONION, OPENS, OTTER, PONZI, PROOF, REPIN, SELLS, SEUSS, SISSY, STEAL, TANYA, TERRI, TOILE, WILCO.

Short stuff — ANT, AOL, ATM, CAMP, EEE, ELO, ERR (27A. Blow it), ESO and ESP, FAQS, FRA, GTS, IKEA, ILE, IRK, LAD and LAG, MEME, MOBS, OAST, ON ME, PANT, PEWS, PJS, RDA, SETS, SHE, SLAY, SLIP (29A. Blow it), SMEE, SOL, TAI chi, TEST, TIM, ZAC.

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Puzzle available on the internet at

THE NEW YORK TIMES — Crossword Puzzles and Games.

Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. Places for flocks; 5. Some sporty cars; 8. Sandbox retort; 13. Pizza topping; 15. Wide shoe spec; 16. Like a perfect game, of a sort; 17. Nabisco wafer; 20. Teen idol Efron; 23. Crewman on the Jolly Roger; 28. “Do Ya” rock grp.; 31. Refs. For Web site newbies; 34. Brewer’s equipment; 38. Oil well firefighter Red ___; 44. Martian, e.g.; 45. Viral phenomenon on the Web; 46. Assemble-it-yourself chain; 47. Sleepaway, e.g.; 49. Young ‘un; 51. Really get to; 60. License prerequisite, often; 66. Moves first; 68. King who had the Labyrinth built; 69. Trail the pack; 70. “Love Train” singers with “the”; 71. Become, eventually; 72. That, in Toledo; 73. Cause to roll in the aisles. — DOWN: 1. Schemer called to mind by the Madoff swindle; 2. Univac I predecessor; 3. Word after “roger,” to a radioer; 4. G, in the key of C; 5. Insinuate; 6. Country singer Clark; 7. Dr. for kids; 8. Tiny colonist; 9. Pitchfork-wielding groups; 11. Gretzky, for may years; 12. Bewhiskered frolicker; 14. Like some French vowels; 19. Where props are seen; 22. Bit of math homework; 26. Beanery side dish; 30. Emphatic assent; 31. Monk’s title; 32. WWW giant; 35. ___ inside (store sign); 36. That ship; 37. “Tiny” boy; 39. ___ de la Cité; 40. Nutritionist’s fig.; 42. Words of generosity; 43. Hawks; 48. Huff and puff; 50. It may elicit a blessing; 51. Words after a knock; 52. Adjust, as a corsage; 54. Upholstery fabric; 55. Polonius’s hiding place; 56. “Hasta ___”; 57. Item at a 95% markdown, say; 58. Country singer Tucker; 59. He-man’s opposite; 61. Drop ___ (moon); 65. Eerie gift; 67. Sleepover attire, for short.