So, like, two of my favorite things, but not in NYC. #FOMO 😭

That’s it for #explanationfriday ! Here’s your #crypticclueaday :

A Spanish chicken god (6)

Like if you’ve got it.

In this double def, LIT is both “exciting” and an “art form” (short for LITERATURE). #explanationfriday

Hat tip to Mike Shenk for the wordplay: Take MUSIAL (“Baseball’s Stan) and insert (“catching”) the letter C (“catcher”) to get MUSICAL (“The Show?”). The question mark indicates the slightly non-literal nature of the wordplay. #explanationfriday

SHAM (“fake”) plus AN (an indefinite “article”) makes SHAMAN (“traditional healer”). #explanationfriday

Take MINE and anagram it (“ruined”) to MEIN. Then insert (“surrounds”) DELL (“valley”) to get MEDELLIN (“somewhere in Colombia”). #explanationfriday

TETRIS is the “game” that’s “hidden” in “iraTE, TRIStan” (ignoring punctuation). #explanationfriday

Take S, the first letter of SOME (“at first, some”). Add COURAGE (“heroism”). Then “expel” the letter A to get SCOURGE (“nemesis”). #explanationfriday

Phew, it’s #explanationfriday ! This one’s just a charade: PAT (“glib”) plus RIOT (a type of “protest”) makes PATRIOT, a “football player.”

Exciting art form (3)

#crypticclueaday Like if you’ve got it.

Catching up on #TopChef and wondering what masochistic producer thought it was a good idea to do a cheese challenge outdoors on a hot day with FOURTEEN contestants remaining. I would need an IV of Lactaid if I were judging!

Here are your denim-clad JORTS winners:
Byron Walden 🥇, 7 votes
Sam Brody 🥈, 5 votes
Ben Bass & Beyond 🥉, 4 votes

Thanks for playing! #crypticcluecontest #whoclueditbetter

Baseball’s Stan catching catcher in The Show? (7)

#crypticclueaday Like if you’ve got it.

Trying the “watch Bluey with Cantonese dubs and English subtitles” learning method.

It's getting warmer? Sort of? So enter the weekly #crypticcluecontest with a clue for JORTS! Add your clue as a reply (don't quote tweet) and like your favorites. Most likes wins!

#whoclueditbetter

Traditional healer’s fake article (6)

#crypticclueaday Like if you’ve got it.

Guess I have to change my starter word now?

Wordle 1,038 1/6*

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

Ruined mine surrounds valley somewhere in Colombia (8)

#crypticclueaday Like if you’ve got it.

Unusual result from yesterday's solves: taking nearly 50% longer on the #NYTXW than the Saturday Stumper (5:59 and 4:13, respectively).

Someone across the courtyard in my apartment building is learning 'Seven Nation Army' on the piano and is practicing assiduously. Ugh time for the noise canceling headphones!