Four horizontal answers in today's crossword by Peter Koetters are not numbered. The reason is because each forms a phrase with the answer above:
Art critic's phrase, literally:
STYLE
SUBSTANCE
Changes one ways, literally:
TURNS
ANEWLEAF
Tumbles out of control, literally:
FALLSHEAD
HEELS
Theme park near Dallas, literally:
SIXFLAGS
TEXAS
Style over substance, turns over a new leaf, falls head over heels and Six Flags Over Texas. Very clever. But why do we say "head over heels"? Unless we're doing a handstand or are suspended upside down, our head is
always over our heels. Actually, the original phrase was "heels over head," dating from the 14th century and referring to a cartwheel or somersault. The first known use of "head over heels" appears in Herbert Lawrence's 1771 novel
The Contemplative Man: "He gave him such a violent involuntary kick in the Face as drove him Head over Heels." The phrase became common in reference to falling down, and it was not until the late 1800s that the phrase began to be used in reference to falling in love. In that sense, "head over heels" is not literal -- but neither are hundreds of
other common expressions.
"Bench warmers" is a clever clue for JURISTS. "Crushes an altar ego" is a clever clue for JILTS. "Half of MCDX" is DCCV. Roman numerals in the 21st century? Yes, but pretty much only in crossword puzzles and motion picture coipyright dates.
"Like non-oyster months, traditionally" is RLESS. An old adage claims that we shouldn't eat oysters in months which do not have an R. At one time, that was good advice. During summer months, large blooms of algae grow along the coasts. The masses of algae are known as "red tides." They can spread toxins which can be absorbed by shellfish, including oysters. However, commercially harvested seafood, which makes up a majority of the seafood sold in restaurants and supermarkets, is strictly regulated by U.S. laws so it's safe to eat in
any month, even a month with no R.
Frank Crumit was an Ohio-born pop singer who appeared in Broadway musicals and had 31 hit records in the 1920s. In 1930, he wrote and recorded a novelty song,
What Kind Of A Noise Annoys An Oyster. Enjoy!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNDd8a93v_U
