April 7, 2022

Title: HUSH-HUSH

Constructor: Zaineb Akbar

Editor: Erik Agard

Theme Answers:

DEEP SEA DIVING (19D: Underwater activity)

DARK CHOCOLATE (35A: Treat with a high cocoa content)

SECRET SOCIETY (57A: Mysterious club)

Theme synopsis: The first words of the theme answer are literally a DEEP DARK SECRET.

And now a word from our constructor:

Zaneb: originally, i was thinking of themers for "dirty little secret" but then "deep dark secret" came to mind and i liked the themeset i found for that more ..
many thanks to erik for his thoughtful editing

Things I learned:

• SPAS (9A: Places for snail facials) As the name implies, snail facials involve putting live snails on your face. The idea behind snail facials is that snail slime contains ingredients which may have anti-aging benefits. If you want to experience a snail facial, you'll need to go to a SPA outside of the United States, as live snail facials aren't FDA-approved. However, some SPAs in the U.S. offer facials using snail-mucin-containing products. 
• DICE (13A: They're rolled on Ludo boards) Ludo is a board game in which players move their tokens around the board according to the DICE rolls. Ludo is adapted from the ancient Indian game of Pachisi. The Parker Brothers game, Parcheesi, is also adapted from Pachisi, and shares similarities to Ludo.
• PIE (51A: @lokokitchen creation) @lokokitchen is the Instagram and Twitter handle of Lauren Ko, author of the cookbook, Pieometry: Modern Tart Art and PIE Design for the Eye and the Palate. Although I did not recognize the handle, I have explored these accounts, and I encourage you to do the same. Lauren Ko is an artist and self-taught home baker that makes amazing looking PIEs. 
• ALIEN (6D: E.T. or PK) I was familiar with the ALIEN, E.T., the title character of the 1982 movie. The ALIEN, PK, the title character of a 2014 Hindi-language film, was new to me. Fortunately, when a clue gives two examples, solvers can be successful even if they only know one of those examples. 

Random thoughts and interesting things:

• CLAM (1A: ___ up (refuse to talk)) "CLAM up" is the perfect way to start off a puzzle that has a DEEP DARK SECRET.
• COLOR (14A: Pantone's Very Peri, for example) Since 2000, the Pantone Color Institute has selected a COLOR as the "COLOR of the Year." Very Peri - a beautiful shade of blue - (blue is my favorite color!) is the 2022 "COLOR of the Year."
• DENIM (25A: Fabric in a Canadian tuxedo) A "Canadian tuxedo" is a term used colloquially to describe wearing a jean shirt or DENIM jacket with jeans. Reportedly the term originated in 1951 after Bing Crosby was denied entrance to a Vancouver hotel because he was wearing a DENIM top and jeans. 
• TITAN (33A: Teen ___ (Raven or Starfire, for example) I have previously written about the DC Comics superheroes, the Teen TITANs. Raven and Starfire are Teen TITANs, along with Robin, Cyborg, Kid Flash, Wonder Girl, and Beast Boy.
• FUR (44A: Tabby's hair) Willow says, "Oh, are you talking about cats? Very good...carry on." 
  
• SAKE (50A: Sakazuki drink) A sakazuki is a flat, saucer-like cup sometimes used for serving SAKE.
• MEME (4D: "Elmo Rise" or "This is Fine," for example) I have previously written about the "This is Fine" MEME. "Elmo Rise" is a MEME featuring an Elmo figure with his arms up looking worried, as flames rise in the background. 
• STIGMA (12D: Mental health awareness campaigns battle it) I really liked this clue/answer, and love that it appears in this puzzle. There shouldn't be a STIGMA associated with mental health; mental health should not be a DEEP DARK SECRET. 
• ITO (29D: Skating great Midori) I always get excited when I know a sports answer without the help of crossing answers. ITO Midori is a former figure skater. She represented Japan in the 1992 Olympics, winning a silver medal. 
• CEO (37D: Pat McGrath, for Pat McGrath Labs) Pat McGrath Labs is a line of beauty products launched by make-up artist Dame Patricia Ann "Pat" McGrath.
• TOLD (59D: Spilled the beans) The puzzle began with "CLAM up," and then the DEEP DARK SECRET was revealed, so it was fitting to find TOLD toward the end of the puzzle.
• RAE (63D: "Hair Love" voice actress Issa) I have written about the animated short, "Hair Love," before, but I like to link to it anytime it's mentioned in the puzzle, because it's so wonderful. Issa RAE voices the role of the mother in the film.

Geography review:

• ERIE (40D: Great Lake named for a Native people) The southernmost of the Great Lakes, Lake ERIE, was named for the ERIE tribe that once lived along the southern edge of the lake.

 Shhhh! I'd like to tell you more about this puzzle, but it's a DEEP DARK SECRET... What a fun theme, with a great set of theme answers! In addition to the answers I've already highlighted, I also liked the mentions of singers LEANN Rimes and ALANIS Morissette, and ROMANTIC, ACADEMIA, PACING, and TIPPY TOE. This puzzle was a delightful way to begin my Thursday.