October 16, 2023

Title: MATHCORE

Constructors: Neville Fogarty & Erik Agard

Editor: Amanda Rafkin

Theme Answers:

BIG MAMA THORNTON (15A: Original singer of "Hound Dog")

AROMATHERAPY (36A: Form of alternative medicine involving essential oils)

DELTA SIGMA THETA (59A: Devastating Divas' sorority)

Theme synopsis: At the CORE of each theme answer, we find the word MATH.

Things I learned:

• FEMALE (47D: ___-matching player (member of a mixed ultimate team)) Ultimate is a team sport played with a disc (also called a flying disc or a frisbee). In some competitions and many leagues, the teams are mixed-sex. Mixed ultimate teams use the terms FEMALE-matching and male-matching, instead of "women and men," in order to be inclusive. Players are asked to choose what gender they wish to "match up" against, but are not required to specify a gender.

Random thoughts and interesting things:

• BIG MAMA THORNTON (15A: Original singer of "Hound Dog") "Hound Dog" is a blues song written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. It was first recorded in 1952 by Willie Mae "BIG MAMA" THORNTON. Her recording of "Hound Dog" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2013, and is included in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's List of "500 Songs That Shaped Rock." BIG MAMA THORNTON's recording of "Hound Dog" spent seven weeks at the top of the R&B charts; it was her only hit record. "Hound Dog" has been recorded over 250 times, including, of course, by Elvis Presley in 1956. I knew Elvis Presley wasn't the answer here, but I needed a few letters from crossing answers to remind myself of the correct answer.
• LED (18A: Was ahead of the other team) and WIN (19A: End up ahead of the other team) Pairing these two consecutive clues is a fun way to add interest to these two 3-letter words.
• NINA (25A: "I Put a Spell on You: The Autobiography of ___ Simone") NINA Simone (1933-2003) was a singer, songwriter, pianist, and civil rights activist. Just four days ago I wrote about her song, "Mississippi Goddam." NINA Simone's autobiography, I Put a Spell on You: The Autobiography of NINA Simone, was published in 1992. "I Put a Spell on You" is the title track from NINA Simone's 1965 studio album. NINA Simone described "I Put a Spell on You" as "the kind of song that no one can ignore."
• USC (53A: Rival of UCLA and Notre Dame) Only 11-12 miles separate the campuses of the University of Southern California (USC) and the University of California, Los Angeles, so it is perhaps not surprising that the two schools have developed a cross-town rivalry. Their competition is referred to as the Crosstown Cup. The rivalry between USC and Notre Dame, located in Indiana began in 1926. Since 1952, the winner of their annual match-up receives a trophy known as the Jeweled Shillelagh.
• DELTA SIGMA THETA (59A: Devastating Divas' sorority) Devastating Divas is a nickname for members of DELTA SIGMA THETA, a service organization with a primary focus on the Black community. I have previously written about DELTA SIGMA THETA, which was founded at Howard University in 1913.
• ZEAL (64A: Great enthusiasm (or a group of zebras)) This is a great "value added" clue! The clue works as simply [Great enthusiasm], but the additional information that ZEAL is the name of a group of zebras adds some interest to the clue. One might say it gives you even more to be greatly enthusiastic about! A group of zebras can also be referred to as a "dazzle."
• OCT (5D: Indigenous Peoples' Day mo.) Indigenous Peoples' Day celebrates and honors the history and cultures of indigenous peoples. In the United States it is observed each year on the second Monday of October (OCT), which this year was OCT. 9.
• OBAMA (28D: "Becoming" author Michelle) I have previously written about Michelle OBAMA's 2018 memoir, Becoming, and the memories I have associated with this book.
• MAS (62D: Living ___ (Taco Bell fan site)) Living MÁS is "created by Taco Bell fans for Taco Bell fans." The site was founded in 2017 by Blake Hundley as "a central hub for fans to find all the news and information about Taco Bell in one spot." The site has evolved from an informational archive into a community-focused site.

Geography review:

• DES (1A: ___ Moines, Iowa) DES Moines is the capital of Iowa, and the state's most populous city. DES Moines is named after the DES Moines River, on which it is located.
• WEST (68A: ___ Virginia) The capital and most populous city of WEST Virginia is Charleston. 
• PIERRE (12D: Capital of South Dakota) With a population of less than 15,000 people, PIERRE, South Dakota is the second-least populous U.S. state capital. (The least populated state capital is Montpelier, Vermont, with a population of just over 8,000.) 

Every morning when I open up the USA Today puzzle, it is a treat to see who the constructor of the day's puzzle is. Every single day I feel as if I've been given a gift to be able to solve a puzzle by the "constructor(s) of the day." Today was no exception! In addition to the answers I've mentioned above, I also enjoyed MONETIZE, ASININE, RICKSHAW, and DIG DEEP. Thank you, Neville and Erik, for this puzzle that was a delightful way to start my Monday.