June 21, 2023

Title: GIRL GROUP

Constructor: Brooke Husic

Editor: Amanda Rafkin

Theme Answers:

GOSSIP BLOG (15A: Website for speculating about celebrities' lives)

SUPER TAMPON (27A: Menstrual product for a heavier flow)

FLOWER POWER (43A: Hippie-era nonviolence slogan)

IT CAN'T HURT (60A: "There's no downside to trying!")

Theme synopsis: The first words of this GROUP of theme answers can precede the word GIRL, giving us GOSSIP GIRL, SUPERGIRL, FLOWER GIRL, and IT GIRL.

Things I learned:

• MGS (11D: "Soul Dressing" group Booker T. & the ___) Booker T. & the M.G.'S were a band that played R&B, soul, funk, and instrumental rock. Soul Dressing was their second album, released in 1965. 
• SAHNI (52D: "Classic Indian Cooking" chef Julie) Julie SAHNI's 500-page cookbook, Classic Indian Cooking, was published in 1980. The book is now in its 42nd printing. Julie SAHNI has been called "The Indian Culinary Authority" of the U.S.

Random thoughts and interesting things:

• WEED (1A: Marijuana) and POT (41D: Marijuana) This is the first of several paired clues in today's puzzle. While paired clues certainly aren't a necessity for a fun puzzle, I do enjoy them. They always feel like a bit of a bonus to me.
• GOSSIP BLOG (15A: Website for speculating about celebrities' lives) Maybe if I ever get tired of writing about crosswords I could start a GOSSIP BLOG. Ha! That would definitely not be a good fit for me.
• SLEEVES (18A: Sweatshirt parts that might have thumbholes) and ARMS (57D: 18-Across fillers) I enjoyed this clue pairing, and I adore cozy sweatshirts that have thumbholes in the SLEEVES.
• SER (21A: Comedian Anzoategui) From the September 6, 2020 puzzle, I learned that SER Anzoategui portrayed Edwina "EDDY" Martinez in the TV series, Vida. 
• SUPER TAMPON (27A: Menstrual product for a heavier flow) and LINERS (44D: Menstrual products for a lighter flow) I am grateful for a crossword publication that's willing to include references to TAMPONs, and LINERS, etc. in a straightforward manner. 
• POR (41A: "Para espanol, ___ favor oprima el uno") You've probably heard this phrase before: "Para espanol, POR favor oprima el uno," translates to "For Spanish, please press one."
• ENYA (42A: "Orinoco Flow" singer) In case you need some ENYA in your day, here's a link to her 1988 song, "Orinoco Flow."
• RIOT (50A: "The first Pride was a ___") This SPLC article, "Weekend Read: The First Pride Was a RIOT," discusses the history of Pride, and its beginning in the RIOTs at the Stonewall Inn in 1969. 
• INNINGS (53A: Baseball game segments) and WALK-UP SONG (8D: Anthem for a batter) A nice pair of baseball clues, and I knew both of these sports references. A WALK-UP SONG is what is played in a baseball stadium as each batter walks up to the plate. Its purpose is to psych up the player as well as the crowd. WALK-UP SONGs are also used for new pitchers walking to the mound. Each player gets to choose the WALK-UP SONG played at their home stadium.
• ENEMY (64A: Any ghost, to Ms. Pac-Man) This is a fun clue for ENEMY. I have previously written about the Pac-Man ghosts, Blinky, Pinky, Inky, and Clyde. In Ms. Pac-Man, the ghosts are Blinky, Pinky, Inky, and Sue.
• SEX (22D: "___ for One" (Betty Dodson book)) Betty Dodson (1929-2020) was a SEX educator that is considered a pioneer SEX-positive feminism. SEX for One is her 1996 book.
• PRONOUN PIN (26D: Welcoming lapel attachment) Yesterday we saw the word PIN clued as [Accessory displaying pronouns, perhaps]. It's fun to follow that up with PRONOUN PIN in the puzzle today. You can find a number of PRONOUN PIN options on Etsy. 
• PIT (28D: Center of a jujube) From the June 15, 2022 puzzle, I learned that red dates are also known as jujubes. 

Geography review:

• OREGON (37D: State west of the Snake River) The Snake River is located in the western U.S., where it runs through parts of Wyoming, Idaho, OREGON, and Washington. On the OREGON - Idaho border, the Snake River runs through Hells Canyon.

This is a fun theme set, and all of the resulting ___ GIRL phrases were great as well. In addition to the answers I've already highlighted, I also liked HOLD OFF, CREAKED, and SONATAS. Thank you, Brooke for this enjoyable Wednesday puzzle.