December 14, 2022

Title: UNDERCOVER OUTFIT

Constructor: Zhouqin Burnikel

Editor: Erik Agard

Theme Answers:
AP JAPANESE (18A: H.S. class with kanji)
SNAP JUDGMENT (28A: On-the-spot decision)
CHEAP JEWELRY (55A: Bracelets and brooches that won't break the bank)

Theme synopsis: The UNDERCOVER (hidden) OUTFIT in each theme answer is pajamas, in the form of the letters P and J connecting the two words in each answer.

Things I learned:
  • AP JAPANESE (18A: H.S. class with kanji) Kanji is a system of writing used for JAPANESE that uses characters borrowed and adapted from Chinese writing. The word "kanji" can also be used to refer to a character used in writing JAPANESE. 
  • MOJO (6D: Sauce for tostones) Most common in Latin American and Caribbean cuisine, tostones are twice-fried plantain slices. In some places, tostones are served with MOJO for dipping. MOJO is  a sauce made with garlic and spices.
  • MAN (61D: "May the Best ___ Win" (ZR Ellor romance novel)) May the Best MAN Win is a young adult romance novel by ZR Ellor. The book is centered on two high school seniors - student body president, Jeremy, a transgender boy, and Lukas, football star and head of the Homecoming Committee, who also happens to be Jeremy's ex-boyfriend. I enjoyed this interview in which ZR Ellor talked about May the Best MAN Win.
Random thoughts and interesting things:
  • ORIOLE (26A: Bird with an "orchard" species) The orchard ORIOLE is the smallest bird in the species of New World blackbirds known as the Icteridae. In the spring, orchard ORIOLEs can be found in the eastern part of the United States. The birds migrate to Mexico and Central America for the winter.
  • DIRECT (34A: Emulate Chloe Zhao) Chloé Zhao's directing credits include Nomadland (2020) and Eternals (2021). 
  • EDIE (46A: Actress McClurg) In a career that has spanned six decades, EDIE McClurg has had numerous TV and film roles, including Grace in Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986) and Mrs. Patty Poole in The Hogan Family (1986-1991). She has also voiced characters in a number of shows, including The Little Mermaid, A Bug's Life, and Cars.
  • UTEP (68A: School with a strong Chicano Studies program) Chicano, or Chicana,  is a chosen identity for people of Mexican descent born in the United States. The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) offers a multidisciplinary curriculum in Chicano Studies. 
  • NORSE (69A: Like Frigg and Freyja) Frigg and Freyja are goddesses in NORSE mythology. Frigg is associated with marriage, prophecy, clairvoyance, and motherhood, and is the wife of Odin. Freyja is associated with love, beauty, fertility, sex, war, gold, and seeing the future. Freyja rides in a chariot pulled by two cats. The cats, a gift from Thor, are named Bygul and Trjegul.
    Willow's "That's interesting," look
    Willow finds the idea of cats pulling a chariot an interesting, but not appealing idea. 
  • DOJOS (21D: Places to learn kendo)
  • DEE (48D: "Pariah" filmmaker Rees) I learned about DEE Rees, who directed the 2011 movie, Pariah, from the September 4, 2022 puzzle. 

    Geography review:

    • MACAU (61A: Gambling city with ferries to Hong Kong) MACAU is located on the southern coast of China, 37 miles west of Hong Kong. MACAU is both a city and a special administrative region, and with a population of over 53,000 people per square mile, it is the most densely populated area in the world. 
    • MAUI (65A: Haleakala's island) Haleakalā is a volcano that forms over 75% of MAUI, the second largest of Hawaii's islands. Haleakalā and the area surrounding it was designated as a national park - Haleakalā National Park - in 1976.
    • BRIT (2D: Londoner, for example) London is the capital and largest city of England. Since England is one of the countries of Great Britain, a Londoner is a BRIT. The other countries of Great Britain are Wales and Scotland. Great Britain and Northern Island comprise the United Kingdom.
    • MANGO TREE (9D: Source of India's national fruit) The MANGO TREE is believed to have originated in the region that includes northeastern India, Bangladesh, and northwestern Myanmar. In addition to being the national fruit of India, MANGO is also the national fruit of Pakistan and the Philippines. The MANGO TREE is the national tree of Bangladesh.
    • NATION (29D: South Sudan or South Korea) The NATION of South Sudan is located in East Africa. It is a landlocked country bordering Ethiopia, Sudan, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, and Kenya. The capital of South Sudan is Juba. The NATION of South Korea is located on the southern part of the Korean Peninsula. The other part of the peninsula is occupied by North Korea. The capital of South Korea is Seoul.
    • LEMUR (54D: Madagascar animal) Madagascar is an island country in the Indian Ocean. The LEMUR, of which there are 103 known species and subspecies, is endemic to Madagascar. Since humans arrived on Madagascar, at least 17 LEMUR species have become extinct. Almost all of the remaining LEMUR species are classified as rare, vulnerable, or endangered. 
    • JAVA (58D: Island home to Jakarta) Over 17,000 islands make up the country of Indonesia. JAVA is one of those islands, and is home to Indonesia's capital, Jakarta.
    I was about two-thirds through solving before I spotted the UNDERCOVER OUTFITs, providing for a nice "Aha!" moment. My favorite answer in this puzzle is I AM NOT A ROBOT. How many times we have to agree to that statement! Thank you, Zhouqin, for this puzzle that was a wonderful way to start my Wednesday.

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