THEME: last word of phrase can precede KEY
GOOD ONES: Subdued…
LOW KEY [particularly clever is that the answers are vertical so KEY would be lower than the last word of the theme phrase]
It often says "Hello" NAME TAG [I thought some robot]
Something in your eye GLEAM [in novels eyes are always gleaming]
Mr. Rogers ROY [the cowboy, not the kid show personality]
Outback condiment STEAK SAUCE [I thought Australia, not restaurants]
Home to Pierre: Abbr. SDAK [at last a "Pierre" clue that calls for an answer actually used in our language]
Strong arms UZIS [I was sure it was baseball pitchers: ACES]
BTW: OTRO, ICI, and SCUSI are not found in English, but it's a nice international mix.
Texter's sign-off TTYL [I don't text, I type; but if I did and there was a limit to the length of the text, I'd go with "Bye" thereby saving a letter and avoid sounding like a teenage girl. Or maybe I'd use BBFN, or SYA, or TIE. Or if I wanted to sound Upper East Side,
ciaio.]
Interesting that JUL crosses CANIS MAJOR from which we get dog days.
RATING:
Three grins = Loved it; Two grins = Enjoyed it; One grin = A bit bland for my taste; One teardrop = Not much fun
