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!
Links: MANDELA (23A. “Long Walk to Freedom” writer) and WALESA (44D. Non-head of state who addressed a 1989 joint session of Congress); SIBYL (5D. Prophetess of legend); BLOODRED (4D. Vivid valentine color); TAPWATER (41A. Meaning of "one on the city," in diner lingo); GUIDE (47D. Sacagawea, for one); FALA and FEAR, LAMB and LEER and “Zip ADEE-Doo-Dah“!
Here's to that crossword star -- OLE!
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For today’s cartoon, go to The Crossword Puzzle Illustrated.
For the complete post, go HERE.
