July 20, 2023

Title: LEFT BEHIND

Constructor: Stella Zawistowski

Editors: Jared Goudsmit & Amanda Rafkin

Theme Answers:

BUM AROUND (19A: Pass the time idly)

SEAT ASSIGNMENTS (38A: 25C and 13D, on an airplane, e.g.)

BUTT HEADS (56A: Engage in conflict)

Theme synopsis: The LEFT-most word in each theme answer is a synonym of BEHIND: BUM, SEAT, and BUTT.

Things I learned:

• ATE (69A: ___ and left no crumbs (killed it)) The phrase, "ATE and left no crumbs," is new to me. Fortunately, the answer here was inferable. Here's one guide to some modern slang, in case you are like I am and need to brush up. Of course, this article was written in March, so it may already be out of date.
• DAT (1D: "Who ___?" (New Orleans Saints chant)) "Who DAT? Who DAT? Who DAT say dey gonna beat dem Saints?" This chant has been a staple of New Orleans Saints' fans since 1983. It's no real surprise that I was not familiar with this sports-related thing.

Random thoughts and interesting things:

• ASL (25A: Language in which "love" is two fists crossed over the chest) This is a nice clue for ASL (American Sign Language). I enjoyed this video, which discusses three different ways to sign about love in ASL.
• SEAT ASSIGNMENTS (38A: 25C and 13D, on an airplane, e.g.) When I first read this clue, my crossword brain saw 25C and 13D as cross-references to other clues. That is, until I realized 25C didn't make any sense in that context. Thank you, for not using 25A and 13D - that would have totally confused me!
• ARTS (45A: Pattachitra and pottery, for two) As I have mentioned in previous blog posts, clues that provide two examples give a solver a chance to be successful, even if they are only familiar with one of the examples. Such is the case with this clue. I was familiar with pottery, the ART of using clay to make objects that are then fired at high temperatures to harden. Today I learned about pattachitra, an ART that involves painting on cloth. Pattachitra is an ancient art form that is mainly practiced in the eastern Indian states of Odisha and West Bengal.
• RRR (47A: Movie with the Oscar-winning song "Naatu Naatu") RRR is a Telugu-language movie that tells a fictional story of two revolutionaries in India that fight against British rule. "Naatu Naatu" is a song in RRR that was written to showcase the dancing talent of the heroes. In April of this year, we saw RRR as an answer in a puzzle, and as the title of a puzzle. 
• SSAM (70A: Korean dish with a lettuce wrap) SSAM is a bite-sized lettuce wrap in Korean cuisine.
• GERMAN (5D: Language with the word "schadenfreude") Many GERMAN words are the result of combining other words, and such is the case with the word "schadenfreude." Referring to the experience of feeling joy when others encounter trouble, "schadenfreude" is a result of combining the GERMAN words "schaden" (harm) and "freude" (joy). I recently learned the word "freudenfreude," which is essentially the opposite of "schadenfreude." Freudenfreude is the lovely experience of feeling happiness when good things happen to your friends.
• ACLU (7D: Drag Defense Fund org.) ACLU's Drag Defense Fund is used to fight anti-LGBTQ+ bills and to defend creative expression.
• HINDUISM (9D: Religion with a puja ritual) In HINDUISM, puja is a ritual honoring and offering prayer to one or more deities. Puja may also be used to honor a guest or celebrate a special event. We saw DURGA PUJA - a festival to honor the Hindu goddess Durga - as a theme answer on October 11, 2021. 
• EDITH (54D: Costume designer Head who inspired "The Incredibles" character Edna Mode) I wrote about EDITH HEAD when we saw her as a theme answer on May 2, 2022.
• H.E.R. (59D: "Damage" and "Focus" singer) H.E.R. is the stage name of singer Gabriella Wilson, and is an acronym for Having Everything Revealed. "Damage" is a 2020 song from H.E.R.'s debut studio album, Back of My Mind. "Focus" is a 2016 song that was H.E.R.'s first number one Billboard hit, when it topped the "Adult R&B Songs" chart.
• DEL (65D: Drag queen Bianca ___ Rio) I have previously written about Bianca DEL Rio, the winner of season 6 of RuPaul's Drag Race.

Geography review:

• CHINA (50D: Fan Bingbing's country) Fan Bingbing was born in Shandong, a coastal province of CHINA. Fan Bingbing is an actress who has starred in numerous Chinese movies. She has also appeared in English language films, including X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014). Fan Bingbing was included in Time's 2017 list of "100 Most Influential People.

If you sit on your BUM / SEAT / BUTT, you might get LEFT BEHIND. Thank you, Stella, for this puzzle, that was an excellent way to start my Thursday.

One more thing: It's not too late to sign up for the Boswords Summer Tournament that is happening this Sunday, July 23. You can participate in person or online. Boswords Tournaments are always a good time. My husband and I will be online, competing in the Pairs division. The word "competing" is used quite loosely here, as we are not particularly speedy, and that's okay with us!