January 3, 2023

Title: JUMP STARTS 

Constructor: Bonnie Eisenman

Editor: Erik Agard

Theme Answers:

BOUNCE BACK (17A: Recover quickly)

LEAP SECOND (33A: Coordinated Universal Time adjustment)

SPRING ROLL (42A: Crispy dim sum item)

SKIP STONES (63A: Do what Slovenians call metanje zabic ("throwing frogs")

Theme synopsis: The STARTS of the theme answers are synonyms of the word JUMP. Our JUMP STARTS are BOUNCE, LEAP, SPRING, and SKIP.

Things I learned:

• SKIP STONES (63A: Do what Slovenians call metanje zabic ("throwing frogs")) Well, isn't this fun information to learn?! According to Wikipedia, there are several countries whose name for this pastime refers to frogs. (Though Wikipedia does not include metanje zabic in their list yet...) There are also terms for SKIPping STONES that reference ducks and fish. The Finnish and Swedish terms translate to "throwing a sandwich." Whatever you call it, there's apparently something universal about the simply joy that comes when you SKIP STONES across the surface of the water. Fun fact:  According to the Guinness Book of Records, the world record for the number of SKIPs is 88, held by Kurt "Mountain Man" Steiner.
• LARP (29A: Game with foam weapons) LARP stands for live action role-playing. In a LARP game, participants physically portray their characters, combining elements of gaming, cosplay (costume play), and improvisational acting. 

Random thoughts and interesting things:

• OTIS (31A: Redding who wrote "Respect") In addition to writing "Respect," OTIS Redding recorded the song in 1965. Two years later, Aretha Franklin recorded her version of "Respect," rewriting some of the lyrics, including spelling out the word. Aretha Franklin's version reached the top of the Billboard charts, and I admit that when I read this clue I started singing, "R-E-S-P-E-C-T..."
• LEAP SECOND (33A: Coordinated Universal Time adjustment) A LEAP SECOND is occasionally added to the end of a month (usually June or December) to address slight differences between International Atomic Time ("precise time" as measured by atomic clocks) and Coordinated Universal Time ("observed solar time"). I wrote about the LEAP SECOND the last time we saw it as a theme answer on March 8, 2022. The appearance of this theme answer has good timing (pun totally intended!), as it allows me to tell you that in November of last year it was decided that the LEAP SECOND would no longer be used beginning in 2035, or possibly sooner. (No need to rush into change...) It may be replaced by a LEAP minute, but that hasn't been decided for certain yet. 
• ADA (40A: Law that may require 25-Down interpreters) and ASL (25D: Language with extensive use of facial expressions) The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) requires accommodations that may include American Sign Language (ASL). 
• ONE (54A: "Got food poisoning. ___ star since I can't give zero") and FOUR (58A: "Yum! ___ stars out of five") This pair of clues made me laugh! Nice that the answers are on the same line, too. At first I put in "five" instead of FOUR, but that was quickly corrected.
• RICE (8D: Grain that may be brown or purple) Brown RICE is whole grain RICE with the outer hull removed, but retaining the bran and germ layer. Purple RICE, also known as black RICE, is a variety of RICE that is black in color, but turns deep purple when cooked.
• ELOTE (13D: ___ en vaso (corn in a cup) I have previously written about ELOTE en vaso. (I've also eaten it, and it's delicious!)
• CREE (18D: First Nations group) First Nations is a term used in Canada to identify Indigenous Canadian Peoples. The CREE are one of the largest First Nations in Canada.

Geography review:

• SAMOA (41A: Tufuga ta tatau's country) SAMOA is a Polynesian island country. The Samoan art of tatau (tattooing) has cultural significance and a long history. The traditional tatua for men, called pe'a, covers the lower body from the ribcage to the knees. For women, the traditional tatua, known as malu, extends from the thighs to just below the knees. With both the pe'a and the malu, the traditional patterns have significance and meaning passed down for generations. A tufuga ta tatua is a master of the tatau art, who uses traditional tools (sharp-toothed combs) to make the designs in a process that may take weeks, and often involves ceremonies with one's family and friends. If you'd like to learn more about tatua, I recommend this article which discusses the cultural practice and its importance at length.

It was fun to open today's puzzle and see that a version of one of yesterday's theme answers is the title of today's puzzle. I enjoy synonym themes, and this one has me ready to BOUNCE, LEAP, SPRING, and SKIP (as soon as I finish sitting and writing...) I also liked the answers PENALTY KICK and ESCAPE ROOMS. Thank you, Bonnie, for this puzzle that was a terrific way to begin my Tuesday.