Let’s use the crossing answers to help. At 17A, [*It may precede or follow “a million”] solves to TOM HANKS, not thanks. The clue at 19A, [*Line used in plotting points], describes an axis, but its answer is AXIOMS. For each theme answer, we need to remove “om,” a chant used in yoga and meditation, for it to agree with its clue.
The answer to 30A’s clue, [*Trendy], is the ALAMODOME, the former arena of the San Antonio Spurs. Remove the “om” from ALAMODOME to get “à la mode,” a synonym for trendy. The clue at 34A, [*Weapon in “Ivanhoe”], solves to LANCÔME, a popular cosmetics brand. Without the “om” chant, it’s “lance,” a weapon featured in Walter Scott’s medieval novel. And 57A’s clue, [*Inventory clearance option], is SALOME, the biblical figure best known for her role in the execution of John the Baptist. Drop “om” to get “sale,” which tracks with the clue.
We’re on a roll, just like the brilliant answer to the clue at 45-Across. [*Subs] solves to HOMEROOMS, but if we remove both instances of “om” in the answer, we get “heros,” the nonstandard plural of another word for submarine sandwiches. Our constructor pulls off the double removal again at 38-Across; its clue, [*Second letter addendum, for short], solves to POMPOMS, but with no chants, it’s P.P.S. Two especially excellent finds, Mr. Kahn.
Tricky Clues
15A. Here’s a prime example of a more cryptic style of clue that sometimes pops up in late-week puzzles. [What makes her hear?] is asking how to literally make the word “her” into the word “hear.” The answer is AN A. Earlier in the week, this would probably be a more straightforward clue, like “Actress de Armas” or “Santa ___ winds.”
16A. I loved this puzzle-within-a-puzzle: [Island capital that’s an anagram for a word meaning “steamy baths”]. Those baths are saunas, which anagrams to NASSAU, the capital of the Bahamas. (The geography buffs really got to flex today; there are three world capitals in the grid.) If you liked this style of clue, we sometimes include similar stand-alone brain teasers in the Gameplay newsletter.
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