Monica Lewinsky by Tom Richmond / Mayan Volcano Eruption ----------------- Friday, March 27, 2009 Puzzle by Paul Gamache, edited by Will Shortz This Friday crossword is a self-described GRAB BAG (8A. Gallimaufry) that’s all over the place featuring a centerpiece of BIMBO ERUPTION (34A. Certain sex scandal, in slang), and twenty or so two-word entries with generally unhelpful clues.
More of the two-word-or-more entries -- ABOUND IN (13D. Crawl with); BAD JOKE (20A. It may fall flat); BLOWS ON (18A. Cools, in a way); BUST INTO (12D. Enter like a storm trooper); EGGED ON (58A. Prodded); ET VOILA (53A. Chef’s cry); FAUX FUR (50A. It’s not really mink, for example); ICE CAVES (35D. Some permafrost features); JUST RELAX (21D. “Cool your jets!”); MR FIXIT (26D. Recipient of a honey-do list); NOT MANY (24D. One or two); OIL TUBE (16A. Engine line); SEA WARS (60A. Fleet activities); SWUNG BY (1A. Detoured to pay a visit along the way); UP TO IT (3D.Game); USER FEES (36D. Tolls, essentially); YARD LINE (7D. Grid marking). STEP-CUT (57A. Diamond-shaping choice) and BAGUETTE (34D. Diamond-shaping choice) with their Shortzesque clues are the bridge from the two-word entries to the singular. 
One-word mid-size entries -- ACUATE (40D. Needle-shaped); CACAOS (37A. Their beans were used as currency by the Aztecs); CALMEST (37D. Still the most); CAPELLA (15A. One of the 10 brightest stars); CICADA (42 Shrill flier); DOYENS (44D. Ones with seniority); EDAMAME (55A. Finger food at a Japanese restaurant); ENAMOR (43D. Bewitch); GENTILE (14D. Guest at a synagogue); GOBOTS (8D. Transforming Tonka toys); LEFTIE (33A. Liberal, informally); RITZIER (17A. Having superior amenities); SCRIBE (1D. Worker who sets things down); TESTATE (59A. One way to die); WAIVES (2D. Doesn’t take advantage of). 
Five-letter entries -- AGENT (39A. Instrument); BLEAK (6D. Discouraging); ESSEX (38A. Connecticut town attached by the British in the war of 1812); ESTOS (27A. These, overseas); FUDGE (47D. “Oh, phooey!”); KLUTE (25A. 1971 title role for Donald Sutherland); PETER (30D. Fizzle out); PRNDL (30A. Shifting sequence); RICED (41A. Not quit mashed); RILKE (9D. “The Book of Hours” poet); SABOT (28D. Cousin of a clog); SALUT (46D. Gallic greeting); SCARF (46A. Quaint aviation accessory); TAINT (31A. Sully). Short stuff -- ALE and ALOE, BEIN, BTW, CAY, FICA, GLIB, IOS, ISS, IVO, LPS, LUCY, MEA and MEW, MINI, NEZ, OPT, RAGA, TINO, TUT (22A. Critical cluck). ------------------ For today’s cartoon, go to The Crossword Puzzle Illustrated. 
Click on image to enlarge. Puzzle available on the internet at THE NEW YORK TIMES -- Crossword Puzzles and Games If you subscribe to home delivery of The New York Times you are eligible to access the daily crossword via The New York Times - Times Reader, without additional charge, as part of your home delivery subscription.
Remaining clues -- Across: 19. Literature Nobelist Andric; 23. Hippie happening; 26. Height of fashion?; 29. Periodical output: Abbr.; 40. Wassailing choice; 45. Sitcom character discussed in the 2003 biography “Ball of Fire”; 48. Former Yankee Martinez; 49. “Magnificat anima ___ Dominum”; 52. Bit of the Bahamas. Down: 4. Arome detector; 5. Smooth to a fault; 10. Natural treatment; 11. Start of a text-message afterthought; 32. Island SSW of Naxos; 33. Old track holders; 50. W-2 inclusion; 51. Music that influenced the Beatles’ “Norwegian Wood”; 54. Elect; 56. Cry from a litter.
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