November 1, 2023

Title: WORKERS' RIGHTS

Constructors: Brooke Husic & Nate Cardin

Editor: Amanda Rafkin

Theme Answers:
ICE CREAM SOCIAL (16A: Party with scoops and sprinkles)
ON THE BASIS OF SEX (38A: 2018 biopic starring Felicity Jones as Ruth Bader Ginsburg)
WHY SHOULD I CARE (61A: "You're telling me because...?")

Theme synopsis: The RIGHT-most word of each theme answer can precede the word WORKER. We have SOCIAL WORKERS, SEX WORKERS, and CARE WORKERS.

Random thoughts and interesting things:
  • THAI (24A: Like tom kha gai) I hope you were paying attention yesterday when I inadvertently gave you the answer to this clue, when I told you tom kha gai is also known as THAI coconut soup.
  • SAG (33A: Early December zodiac sign, for short) and LEO (45A: Early August zodiac sign) Those born between November 22-December 22 have the zodiac sign Sagittarius, or SAG, for short. Those born between July 23 and August 23 have the zodiac sign LEO.
  • ON THE BASIS OF SEX (38A: 2018 biopic starring Felicity Jones as Ruth Bader Ginsburg) The 2018 movie, ON THE BASIS OF SEX, is about the life and early cases of Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Ruth Bader Ginsburg (1993-2020) was the second woman to become a U.S. Supreme Court Justice. Felicity Jones stars as Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Fun fact: Ruth Bader Ginsburg made a cameo appearance in the closing scene of ON THE BASIS OF SEX.
  • LION (65A: 45-Across animal) Willow is happy to see her big cat cousin featured in the puzzle. Since LION is the LEO symbol, it's appropriate that Willow herself is a LEO. Willow likes to hang out in our bathtub (as long as it's empty), which is not very LION-like, but it is cute.
    A cat sitting in a bathtub.
    Willow
  • KNIT (66A: Work on a blanket, maybe) Well, this clue / answer hit home. I have been KNITting a blanket - the same blanket - for three years now. Perhaps it's time to make it a priority to finish that project.
  • ETTA (68A: "At Last" singer James) ETTA James (1938-2012) recorded "At Last" in 1960 as the title track for her debut album. Her recording of the song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999.
  • SLIP (1D: Freudian ___) A Freudian SLIP is an error that in psychoanalysis is attributed to a subdued unconscious wish or thought. One time when I was in college, a friend of mine dressed up as a Freudian SLIP for Halloween. It's a little late for this year, but keep it in mind if you need an easy Halloween costume in the future. She wore a slip and pinned a picture of Freud onto it.
  • COMMA (7D: One of two in "Bills, Bills, Bills") "Bills, Bills, Bills" is a 1999 song by Destiny's Child. That knowledge isn't necessary to get the correct answer here, however, as you just need to observe that the song title contains two COMMAs.
  • DEL (12D: "Radio" singer Lana ___ Rey) "Radio" is a song from Lana DEL Rey's 2012 album, Born to Die.
  • RYAN (17D: Actress Meg) Meg RYAN has starred in many of my favorite rom-coms: When Harry Met Sally (1989), You've Got Mail (1998), and Sleepless in Seattle (1993), just to name three. Her latest movie, which she also directed, is titled What Happens Later, and is set to be released this Friday.
  • OFADA STEW (18D: Hearty West Nigerian dish) OFADA STEW is a spicy dish that originates from the Yoruba region of Western Nigeria, and is commonly eaten with a locally grown variety of rice known as OFADA rice.
  • DOG BREATH (22D: It might make a pooch's kiss stinky) I enjoyed this clue. I knew it immediately, and it made me laugh.
  • RNA (29D: Vaccine molecule) and DNA (63D: Molecule studied by Rosalind Franklin) Nice to see both of these molecules in the grid today. I have previously written about Rosalind Franklin's work with DNA.
  • AFRO PICK (37D: Combs that might feature fist designs) The use of a fist design on an AFRO PICK is a reference to the Black Power movement. Here's an article that discusses the significance of the design.
  • IUD 40D: Paragard or Mirena, e.g.) An intrauterine device (IUD) is a contraceptive device. There are two types of IUD: nonhormonal or copper-containing, of which Paragard is an example, and hormonal or progestogen-releasing, of which Mirena is an example. Hormonal IUDs can also be used in the treatment of heavy menstrual bleeding.
  • NSYNC (50D: Band in "It's gonna be May" memes) The term "mondegreen" refers to a mishearing of a phrase. In the NSYNC song, "It's Gonna Be Me" (2000), the title phrase has been misheard as "It's gonna be May," leading to the creation of memes.
  • Some days there's so much in a puzzle that I feel is worth highlighting, that I have to make difficult choices! The following answers all deserve to be highlighted. I've linked each one to a previous write-up.

    Geography review:

    • ALASKA (36A: Utqiagvik's state) Utqiagvik, ALASKA is located north of the Arctic Circle, and is the northernmost city in the United States. Referred to as "Barrow" from 1901 to 2016, in 2016, the city voted to restore its Iñupiat name.
    Three great theme answers today! Now I'd like to be invited to an ICE CREAM SOCIAL. Thank you, Brooke and Nate, for this puzzle that was a great way to start my Wednesday.


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