Wednesday: (Almost) Getting the Theme Early - 11 December 2024 New York Times Crossword

[@StuziCamis]

9:43 Stents are sort of pipes that can be placed in any vessel to give it structure and/or keep them open so fluids can pass through. Can be in the heart but can also be in the arteries of the legs/arm and also other organs such as the liver and biliary tree as well as others

[@OskarSigvardsson]

The quotation marks around the "Wheels" clue also tripped me up, that seems like breaking the NYT crossword clue rules. Lovely theme though, got a chuckle out of me when I figured it out.

[@ipuzzled]

Quotation marks can indicate a slang usage of a word. A vehicle is not synonymous with wheels; wheels are just a componentonym (yes I made that word up :) ) to signify a vehicle..

[@mikelang9080]

I personally don’t believe the building noise is much of a distraction (I actually am amused by your reaction to the noise more than anything else!) Absolutely no need to apologize for something completely out of your control, we appreciate you regardless!

[@ipuzzled]

unsynchronized sound effects, but your speaking voice dominates them, and comes across intelligibly.

[@johnphilpit6999]

The phrase "back 40" refers to a part of the 160 acres that a homesteader was given by the US government to a family looking to live in new territory starting in the 1900s.

[@ipuzzled]

I knew it was something like that. Thanks for clarifying my muddled notions.

[@ipuzzled]

I was conflating it with '40 acres and a mule', I think.

[@stephenturp2836]

Very clever. I like it. 😊.

[@brocksavage4322]

Sara Lee doesn't make baking mixes, at least I don't think so. They are more known for their finished baked goods, especially their pound cake. "Back 40" is a way to refer to the most remote portion of a land holding. It's based on the system of land grants in the 1800s where people were given 40 acres or a multiple of that in their grants. You may remember that former slaves were at one point promised 40 acres and a mule by the US Government.

[@johnphilpit6999]

Sara Lee sells cakes, cookies, and other bakery goods, NOT the mix for such items.