Capitalist Pig
by Dan Fisher
edited by Mike Shenk
May 7, 2010

Full answers available on WSJ's crossword puzzle page.

Theme: Piiiiigs Iiiiiiin Puuuuuzzle*
BRING HOME THE BACON {22A What the capitalist pig will do by working} - One page says the phrase is from a 12th C church in England, two others say a boxing match in the 20th C. The first theory is awfully specific for 900 years ago. In the second case, the phrase must have already had currency for the sportscaster to use it, otherwise why not bring home the pancakes? Either way, a ghoulish thing for a pig to do. And - apparently - an illegal thing for chefs to do. Bacon fandom.
GRUNT WORK {36A What the capitalist pig did in his first job} - We've all done grunt work. The OED says it began with the workers who stay on the ground to help electrical linemen. Are there linewomen out there? Either way, they too have a fan base - and targeted products.
THE PICK OF THE LITTER {43A What the capitalist pig's financial clout gives him when shopping} - Okay, I also thought it meant best.
SILK PURSE FROM A SOW'S EAR {69A What even a capitalist pig can't make} - But the chemists at Arthur D. Little can. Really, ya gotta look.
LIVING HIGH ON THE HOG {88A How the capitalist pig enjoys his wealth} - Another ancient seeming phrase with a modern pedigree.
PEN PUSHER {99A What the capitalist pig was earlier in his career} - I got nuthin.
CONGRESSIONAL PORK {115A What the capitalist pig embraces when elected to office} - Wiki says this originates with a 1863 story by Edward Everett Hale. That is one cannibalistic porker. For those who wish to watch the CPs in action.


News To Me: 13
Words
FIDO {6A Name that means "faithful"} - I thought it just meant dog.
ENOUNCES {84D States} - as in enunciate, from the French enoncer (with'). OED

Movie, TV, Radio & Book
EGAN {31A Richard of "A Summer Place"}
SIAE {42A Phillips of "I, Claudius"}
FIBBER {1D Molly's husband} - famous radio duo & owner of famed closet.
SO BIG {10D Nickname of Dick DeJong in a 1924 novel} - Edna Ferber, Pulitzer in 1925.

People
AALTO {109A Architect known as "The Father of Modernism"}

Places
INCA {123A Kingdom of Cuzco native} - Peru.
HIPPO {83D Kruger National Park sight} - South Africa. Krugerrand should have been a tipoff, but no.
NICOSIA {91D Divided world capital} - Cyprus. Divided Greek & Turkish.

Songs
EBB TIDE {62A Hit for Vic Damone & the Righteous Brothers} - & Sinatra
AGER {80A Milton who composed "Hard Hearted Hannah"} - Ella Fitzgerald
OYE {116D "Oye Como Va"} - Tito Puente & Santana


Admissions of Defeat: 2
AALT+pick-a-vowel/NIC-where??-SIA
SIA__mystery letter__/OWN TO {30D Acknowledge} - Could have been OWe TO.


Admission of Incomprehension: 1
ISES {74A Follower's suffix} - ??


Commentary:
I had thought this would give me opportunity to pontificate on the importance of pigs in our culture and pig idioms in our language. Instead surfing showed me that the world is a vast and weird place. I keep learning this lesson and then finding out it is even more v&w than I had thought.

*The Muppets have their own Wiki. That's fame.


ACPT Countdown Clock: 314 days
Friday, May 7, 2010, to Friday, March 18, 2011.

Katherine Walcott
Puzzle Fan