November 7, 2023

Title: H&M

Constructor: Zhouqin Burnikel

Editor: Anna Gundlach

Theme Answers:
HIT AND MISS (16A: Not reliably good)
HIGH AND MIGHTY (25A: Self-important)
HAIR AND MAKEUP (50A: Wedding day service for many brides)

Theme synopsis: Each of the theme answers follows the pattern H___ AND M___.
    • HIT AND MISS
    • HIGH AND MIGHTY
    • HAIR AND MAKEUP
Things I learned:
  • SALT (64A: Seasoning for pickling takuan) In Korean cuisine, takuan is pickled daikon radish. Takuan is eaten as a snack, and as a side dish with meals. SALT is used in the pickling brine used to make takuan.
  • NORA (51D: "Terrible, Thanks for Asking" host McInerny) As an author, NORA McInerny draws on her personal experiences and writes about grief and loss. She's also the host of the podcast, Terrible, Thanks for Asking. According to its website, the podcast "makes space for how it really feels to go through the hard things in life." If you'd like to learn more about NORA McInerny and her podcast, check out this NPR interview.
Random thoughts and interesting things:
  • ERIN (18A: Olympic speedster Jackson) ERIN Jackson won a gold medal in the women's 500 meter speed skating event while representing Team USA at the 2022 Winter Olympics. I have previously written about ERIN Jackson.
  • YAO (34A: Tallest player in the NBA Hall of Fame Ming) YAO Ming is a former professional basketball player. He played for the Chinese Basketball Association's Shanghai Sharks from 1997-2002, and for NBA's Houston Rockets from 2002-2011. He was inducted in the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016. At 7' 6", YAO Ming is among the tallest of NBA's former and current players, and is the tallest player to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. The tallest active players in the NBA are Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio Spurs) and Boban Marjanović (Houston Rockets). They are both 7'4" tall.
  • DOG (37A: Barbet or beagle) The Barbet (pronounced "bar-bay") is a medium-sized DOG breed that originated from France. Since the 16th century, Barbets have been used as water dogs for hunting waterfowl. These DOGs have long curly hair, and require frequent grooming. The Barbet was only recently (2020) recognized as a breed by the American Kennel Club. Beagles are small DOGs, and the breed is a popular one for hunting dogs and for pets.
  • NHL (38A: Maple Leafs' org.) The Toronto Maple Leafs are one of seven Canadian teams in the National Hockey League (NHL).
  • ACHE (1D: Feeling after a HIIT workout) HIIT = high-intensity interval training
  • USA (4D: Suni Lee's Olympic team) At the 2020 Summer Olympics (held in 2021), SUNI Lee represented Team USA in gymnastics, and won a gold medal in the women's artistic individual all-around. I have previously written about SUNI LEE, and we have seen SUNISA LEE as a theme answer.
  • VINE (23D: Grape or kabocha plant) Grapes grow in clusters on woody VINEs. Kabocha, also known as Japanese pumpkin, is a type of winter squash. It also grows on a VINE.
  • MUGS (28D: Coffee holders) I'm sure I've mentioned before that I collect MUGS.
    A shelving unit holding over 100 mugs, each displayed in its own cubicle.
    MUGS galore!

    A few years ago, my husband made me a special MUG rack on which to display my MUGS. If you're interested in my MUG collection, my Instagram account essentially functions as a MUG appreciation account. I definitely believe that #mugchoicematters.
  • DNA (46D: Molecule analyzed in an ancestry test) DNA molecules carry encoded genetic instructions. Comparing the DNA of different individuals to see similarities and differences can provide information about ancestry.
  • APP (56D: Telegram or Zoom) Telegram Messenger, commonly known as Telegram, is an instant messaging APP. Zoom (as many of us learned during the coronavirus pandemic) is a video conferencing APP.

    Geography review:

    • TAHOE (29D: Resort lake with a depth of 1,645 feet) Lake TAHOE is located on the California-Nevada border. Its depth of 1,645 feet makes it the second-deepest lake in the United States. Only Crater Lake in Oregon is deeper. 
    • EURO (53D: Currency in Brussels) Brussels is the capital of Belgium. Brussels is also the name of the region of Belgium in which the city of Brussels is located. The currency in Belgium is the EURO.
    HELLO THERE! H&M is a chain of clothing stores. Today, however, it's also a theme for this crossword. SURE WHY NOT?! Thank you, Zhouqin, for this puzzle that was a terrific start to my Tuesday.


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