Crossword Blog & Answers for May 5, 2025 by Sally Hoelscher

Constructor: Dan Kammann & Zhouqin Burnikel

Editor: Amanda Rafkin

What I Learned from Today’s Puzzle

• PIN (60D: Target for a bowler or a golfer) I filled in this answer immediately, because I knew that a PIN (or ten PINS initially) is a target for a bowler. At the same time I thought, “What is a PIN in golf?” Well, add this to the sports knowledge I have gained from solving crosswords. In golf, PIN is another name for the flagstick, which marks the location of the cup or hole. I also learned, in searching for information on the meaning of PIN in golf, that it’s not always wise to aim for the PIN.

Random Thoughts & Interesting Things

• OCTOBER (14A: Thanksgiving Day month in Canada) In Canada, Thanksgiving is celebrated on the second Monday in OCTOBER.
• CHINESE (16A: From Xi’an or Xining) Xi’an and Xining are CHINESE cities. Xi’an is the capital of Shaanxi province in north central China. It is the home of the Terracotta Army, a collection of terracotta sculptures depicting the armies of Qin Chi Huang, the first emperor of China. Xining is the capital of Qinghai province in western China. It is home to Qinghai University.
• FBI (26A: Org. in “White Collar”) White Collar is a TV series that originally aired from 2009-2014. Matt Bomer stars as Neal Caffrey, a con artist and forger who makes a deal with the FBI to work as a consultant for them in exchange for being released from prison. I know I often comment about not having seen a show because I don’t watch much TV. White Collar, however, is a TV show I have seen! I really enjoyed Matt Bomer’s character, as well as the character of Mozzie, Neal’s best friend portrayed by Willie Garson.
• ALI (31A: Boxer nicknamed “The Greatest”) This clue about boxer Muhammad ALI (1942-2016) made me think of the acronym GOAT – greatest of all time. It turns out that’s appropriate, as the use of the term GOAT traces back to Muhammad ALI. As the clue informs us, Muhammad ALI was widely known by the nickname, “The Greatest.” In 1992, Muhammad ALI’s (fourth) wife, Lonnie Williams, played on that nickname and incorporated Greatest of All Time, Inc. (G.O.A.T. Inc) for promotional and licensing purposes. The acronym caught on, and the rest, as they say, is history.
• EMUS (40A: Outback birds that can sprint up to 31 mph) This is a fun animal fact. If you need a SMILE (47D: “Say cheese!”) today, check out this video of an EMU with the zoomies.
• HOOKS (42A: Crochet tools that look like J’s) This is fun! I’ve always thought crochet HOOKS resembled miniature shepherd’s crooks. They do, but turn them the other way around, and they also resemble J’s.
• MRI SCAN (54A: Hospital procedure in a tube) An MRI SCAN (magnetic resonance imaging scan) utilizes strong magnetic fields and radio waves to generate pictures of the inside of the body. Most MRI SCANs are done inside of a capsule-like long tube. Open MRI machines have been developed that utilize magnets on the top and bottom of the machine, but the sides are open. Although open MRIs may result in images with a lower resolution, they are helpful for patients who may struggle with the enclosed space (and the noise) of a traditional MRI SCAN.
• ABE (5D: Homer Simpson’s father) On the animated TV series The Simpsons, Abraham Jedediah “ABE” Simpson II aka Grampa Simpson, is Homer Simpson’s father. Dan Castellaneta voices both Homer Simpson and his father. Unlike White Collar, my knowledge of The Simpsons has been gained from the show’s many mentions in crosswords.
• SPEEDO (9D: Fastskin swimwear) SPEEDO’s Fastskin swimwear line is made using high tech fabric designed to decrease water resistance. The fabric used in the Fastskin suits is inspired by the skin texture of sharks.
• TRAP MUSIC (20D: Genre that originated in Atlanta) TRAP MUSIC is a subgenre of hip hop that uses synthesized drums and is characterized by complicated drum patterns. TRAP MUSIC originated in Atlanta, Georgia in the early 1990s.
• SIS (22D: Violet, to Dash Parr, for short) This clue is a reference to the 2004 animated movie The Incredibles.The movie is centered on a couple of superheroes, Mr. Incredible aka Bob Parr and Elastigirl aka Helen Parr, and their family. Their family consists of daughter Violet and sons Dash and Jack-Jack. This makes Violet the sister – SIS for short – of Dash (and Jack-Jack). The superhero family also featured in a sequel, Incredibles 2 (2018).
• HEN (42D: Female bird or lobster) A nice reminder that female lobsters are referred to as HENs. Female crabs are also HENs, as are female salmon.
• O’NEAL (50D: Oscar winner Tatum) Tatum O’NEAL is the youngest person to have won an Oscar (aka Academy Award). She was ten years old when she won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for Paper Moon (1973), in which she co-starred alongside her father, Ryan O’NEAL.
• CRETE (52D: Greek island known for its olive oil and raki) CRETE is the largest and most populous of the Greek islands. There are many olive groves on CRETE (as there are in many regions of Greece), and Cretan olive oil is noted for its unique taste and quality. Raki is a fruit-based spirit that some consider the national drink of Crete.