August 28, 2022

Title: Broken Link

Constructor: Zhouqin Burnikel

Editor: Erik Agard

Guest Blogger: Mollie Cowger

Theme Answers:

LET ME THINK (15A: "Hmm . . .")

LIQUID FUNK (28A: Subgenre of drum and bass)

LINE OF WORK (59A: Profession)

Theme Synopsis:

The word "link" is split, or "broken," across the beginning and end of each theme answer.

Things I learned:

• MOCHA (1A: Drink with more caffeine than a latte) I imagine the additional caffeine is a result of the chocolate. Mochas were my gateway into regular caffeine consumption, back at the end of high school, but I'm now a pretty strict latte devotee.
• PALM SUNDAY (9D: First day of Holy Week) Palm Sunday falls one week before Easter and commemorates Jesus' entry into Jerusalem. Holy Week, the final week of Lent, runs from Palm Sunday through Easter and includes Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.
• PINENUTS (7D: Biscotti ingredients) I don't think I've ever had pine nuts in biscotti, but that sounds delicious.
• RADIO (43D: 97.9 The Box medium) 97.9 The Box is a Houston radio station that plays R&B and hip-hop.

Random thoughts and interesting things:

• LINE OF WORK (59A: Profession) It's always nice to see one-word clue that works perfectly for a multi-word phrase.
• PALEO (46D: Diet that permits walnuts but not peanuts) As someone who has no interest in a paleo diet, I'm glad I don't have to remember rules like this, and will happily continue eating both peanuts and walnuts!

Geography review:

• ARAB (33A: Syrian ___ Republic) This is Syria's official name. 
• MALI (1D: Rokia Traore's homeland) Rokia Traoré is a Malian singer. Here's a Tiny Desk Concert she did last year.
• IOWA (21D: Caitlin Clark's college) Caitlin Clark plays basketball for the University of Iowa.

Hi all, this is Mollie, covering for Sally today. This is a fun little theme! I appreciated that the split occurred in a different place in each themer (L/INK, LI/NK, and LIN/K). LIQUID FUNK, also known as liquid drum and bass, was new to me, but seems like an interesting genre. There isn't a ton of theme material, which lets the grid have some great long fill while staying terrifically smooth--PALM SUNDAY and GARAGE SALE feel like especially great uses of their long slots. I also enjoyed seeing the mirrored clues for PLACEMAT/COASTER (Dinner table protector) and BASS/ALTO (Singing voice type). This puzzle was a great way to start my Sunday!