Today’s crossword puzzle was full of delightful facts, cultural references, and random tidbits from various fields, including sports, music, film, geography, and even childbirth! Let’s break down some of the most interesting discoveries and key takeaways.
What I Learned Today: Key Clues and Facts
1. ACE (13A: Highest card in Teen Patti)
Teen Patti is a gambling card game originating in India. It’s played with a standard 52-card deck (without jokers), and the highest hand is three aces. If you’re familiar with poker, you’ll notice similarities between the games. Fun fact: Although Teen Patti was new to me, it’s one of the most popular card games in South Asia!
2. LEVI (20A: Composer/lyricist Celerio)
Levi Celerio (1910-2002) was a prolific Filipino composer with over 4,000 songs to his name. He was recognized as a National Artist of the Philippines in 1997. A unique fun fact? He could play music using a leaf, earning him a Guinness World Record as the only known leaf player in the world!
3. LAO (32A: Kaipen cuisine)
Kaipen is a crispy snack from Laos, made from green algae and often served with garlic, vegetables, and sesame seeds. Fried until crunchy, it’s a popular snack in Lao cuisine. Learning about Kaipen makes me want to try it!
4. AMOR (41D: “___ Eterno” (Juan Gabriel song))
“Amor Eterno,” meaning “Eternal Love”, is one of the most iconic songs by Mexican singer Juan Gabriel. Known as “El Divo de Juarez”, Gabriel was Mexico’s best-selling artist and a beloved musical icon throughout Latin America.
5. BRITPOP (33A: Genre for Oasis)
The BRITPOP music genre emerged in the 1990s UK as a response to American grunge. Bands like Oasis, Blur, and Pulp dominated the scene, producing catchy, upbeat tunes. Oasis, with hits like “Wonderwall” and “Don’t Look Back in Anger”, remains one of the most iconic BRITPOP bands.
6. MGM (45D: _etro-_oldwyn-_ayer)
Founded in 1924, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) became synonymous with classic Hollywood films. It’s now owned by Amazon (since 2022), but its iconic lion roar intro remains unforgettable to film enthusiasts.
7. SLIMED (8D: Covered in green goop at the Kids’ Choice Awards)
The tradition of getting “slimed” with Nickelodeon’s iconic green goo began in the 1980s on the show You Can’t Do That on Television and became a staple of the Kids’ Choice Awards starting in 2002. Celebrities like Will Smith and Justin Bieber have famously been slimed!
8. NEO (62D: “The Matrix” hero)
Played by Keanu Reeves, NEO is the main protagonist of The Matrix series. The franchise, known for its exploration of AI and virtual reality, features NEO as “The One” destined to save humanity. Fun fact: “The Matrix” popularized the iconic “bullet-dodging” slow-motion effect.
Fun Clue Pairings and Observations:
- LABOR (38A: Childbirth process) and EPIDURAL (55A: Childbirth anesthetic) – These related clues form a mini theme about childbirth. An epidural helps reduce pain during labor by blocking sensation in the lower body.
- EAR (6D: Serving of corn) and CHEESIEST (22D: Most corny) – Both clues play on the idea of corn, whether literal (corn ears) or figurative (corny humor).
- EMAIL (36A: “This meeting could’ve been an ___”) – This clue made me laugh! The phrase “this meeting could’ve been an email” is a common workplace joke about unnecessary meetings.
Random Facts & Fun Trivia:
- Kings Island (15A: Ohio’s amusement park) is located near Cincinnati and is owned by Six Flags. It’s known for its iconic roller coasters and family-friendly attractions.
- YOLO (28D: “Be adventurous!” acronym) stands for You Only Live Once, a popular phrase encouraging people to take risks and enjoy life.
- GEO (24D: Prefix with “cache” or “Guessr”) – Geocaching is a real-world treasure-hunting game using GPS coordinates, while GeoGuessr is a fun online game where players guess locations using Google Street View.
- CATE Blanchett (67A: Oscar winner) is a two-time Academy Award winner, known for her roles in The Aviator and Blue Jasmine.
My Favorite Clues:
- AHA (10D: “I’ve got it!”) – A satisfying exclamation that often comes to mind during crossword solving!
- SHED (70A: “Leave hair all over the couch, say”) – As a pet owner, I can definitely relate to this. My cat’s favorite spot leaves me constantly vacuuming fur.
Today’s puzzle was a great mix of fun cultural references, trivia, and learning opportunities. From exploring Filipino music legends to brushing up on BRITPOP and game theory, it had something for everyone.
I especially enjoyed learning about Teen Patti and Kaipen cuisine, and I’ll be adding Juan Gabriel’s “Amor Eterno” to my playlist!
What was your favorite fact or clue from today’s puzzle? Let me know, and see you next time for another brain-teasing adventure! 😊
