Saturday, March 30, 2019

there's a bathroom on the right

Not only can lyrics be misheard, but so can common words and phrases.
That was the theme of a recent crossword puzzle earlier this month.
(My thanks to the writer, Paul Coulter, and Nami for the newspaper.)
For example, here's one that was not in the puzzle, but that I just created.
Here's the clue: "without any other formalities".
*
*
*
*
*
And the correct response?
With no further ado.
However, in accord with the puzzle's theme, that would be:
"with no further adieu".
Nice pun, n'est-ce pas?
Here are the crossword's clues and puzzle responses, along with corrections.

17-across
"Setting-sail cry?"
*
response
"anchors away
*
correction
I recently had to enlighten a friend on this one.
However, as a former sailor, I know it to be "anchors aweigh".

61-across
"Bird whose coos may wake you up?"
*
response
"morning dove"
*
correction
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology does not list that winged animal as valid.
Perhaps someone was hoping a "mourning dove" might enliven the dead?

10-down
"Americans who move to Canada, e.g.?"
*
response
"ex-patriots"
*
correction
That may be true for a retired football player from Boston who relocated.
However, for any other citizens of the USA, the term is "expatriates".

28-down
"Dramatists?"
*
response
"playwrites"
*
correction
If only the one who misheard had responded with 'play writers', all would have been well.
Perhaps they never heard of skilled craftsmen, akin to smiths?
If so, they would have known "playwrights".
That's not to be confused with 'play rights', of course.
Just ask any troupe about the need for those prior to performing a theatrical piece!
(smile)

38-down
"Squirrel food? ... or the formal term for any of the starred plausible-yet-wrong answers"
*response
"eggcorn"
*
correction
This would be a good term for Odd Lot to use in "Pants On Fire".
Squirrels have been known to dine on bird ova, as well as corn...
but not even white squirrels of Transylvania could live on imaginary food.
However, they do enjoy cracking open an "acorn" or two...
or hiding one 'safely', never to be dug up in time before it becomes an oak.
(smile)

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