06.09.09 -- SHORT

Tuesday,
June 9, 2009
Puzzle by Steve Dobis, edited by
Will Shortz
SHORT (39A. Word that can precede the starts of the answers to the eight starred clues) along with those eight starred clues -- HAIRSPRAY (17A. *Movie starring a cross-dressing John Travolta); TERM PAPER (21A. *Big writing assignment); CAKEWALKS (58A. *Very easy tasks); LINE DANCE (64. *Electric Slide, for one); STRAWPOLL (4D. *Nonbinding vote); STOPGAP (9D. *Like a band-aid solution); HANDSTAND (37D. *Heels-over-head feat); OUTWITS (44D. *Defeats mentally) -- are this Tuesday puzzle’s interrelated entries, resulting in short hair, short-term, shortcake, shortstop, Short Line, short straw, shorthand and short out.
GOES NEXT (45A. Is on deck) and IN MOTION (32A. Not at rest) are the other two entries of length. A phonetic pair, PELLET and PILOT (50D. Bit of shotgun shot and 66A. Introductory TV episode), an odd couple, STYRON and SNEAD (8D. “Sophie’s Choice” author and 46D. Golf’s Slammin’ Sammy) are among the mid-size entries which include CHEWED (23A. Enjoyed Bazooka, e.g.) and RESALE (54A. Flea market deal, perhaps).
SKINK (53D. Long-bodied lizard) stars among the five-letter entries -- ABNER (55D. One of the Yokums); ADHOC (1D. Like some committees); AMATI (63A. Fine Fiddle); ANGLO (43A. The “A” in WASP); ATBAY (62A. Unable to retreat, as an animal); BAAED (7D. Called to a lamb, say); COACH (2D. Alternative to first-class); DONGS (25A. Carillon sounds); EDENS (69A. Idyllic places); ELITE (3D. Cream of the crop); EYERS (57D. Close watchers); LACEY (56D. Cagney’s TV partner); OBESE (19A. Having a lot to lose?); OCTAL (20A. In base 8); PHOTO (36A. Driver’s license feature); SETON (52D. Determined to achieve); SLEET (18D. Winter driving hazard); STIES (52A. Places to serve slop); STUDS (9A. Wall supports); TUBAS (10D. Instruments in military bands); TUTEE (16A. One getting one-on-one help).
Short stuff -- ACES, AFBS, AMID, AMP, AMYS, CAPE, DESE, DOIS, DOLT, DOME, DSL, DRYS, EDS, ENID, FORT, IVAN, KALE, LOST, MAGS, MIA, MNO, MOAT, NEER, NINO, NOA and NOG and NOH and NOS, PEON, ROW, SEER, SNIT, STYX, TEAR, TKTS, UMP, UTEP, VIAL,
WAND (51A. Wizard‘s stick).
Signing out with Short Shorts!
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Remaining clues -- Across: 1. Breezes through; 5. Andrews and Edwards, for two: Abbr.; 14. Blockhead; 15. Zoo barrier; 26. Lowly worker; 28. “… ___ thousand times …”; 29. Step up from dial-up; 38. Lab container; 42. Lowell and Tan; 47. Most apts. Have them; 48. Strike caller; 67. Author Bagnold; 68. Not e-en once; 70. B-way booth in Times Square; 71. Temperance supporters. Down: 5. Sound booster at a concert; 6. Siege site; 11. Lone Star State sch.; 12. Dis and dis; 13. Palm reader, e.g.; 22. 6 on a telephone; 24. The Everly Brothers’ “All I Have to ___ Dream”; 27. Japanese drama; 29. Capitol feature; 30. River of Hades; 31. Not grasping the material, say; 32. Lendl of tennis; 33. Padre’s boy; 34. Rack purchases, briefly; 35. Yuletide quaff; 40. Column crosser; 41. Sign of sorrow; 49. Actress Farrow; 58. New Jersey’s ___ May; 59. In the thick of; 60. Curly cabbage; 61. Fit of pique; 65. Publishers’ hirees: Abbr.

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