Short and Sweet
a cryptic puzzle by Emily Cox and Henry Rathvon
Words entered in the diagram (called "lights") begin and end at the heavy bars. The unclued lights are related. Other answers include two proper nouns, a variant spelling at 24D, and a possibly unfamiliar expression at 1A. Remember that punctuation in the clues may be used deceptively.
Across
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1.
Europeans plot practical joke (6,3)
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7.
Acceptable behavior at parties? (3)
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8.
Faced with wrinkles (5)
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12.
About... about 101 years old (7)
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14.
Follow ocean about, returning stones (6)
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15.
Used to be wolf's mate (4)
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16.
Tax pool of sorts (4)
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-
26.
A lot of hot pepper will lead to the asylum (7)
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28.
Propellers in uproar, spinning (4)
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29.
A French interior, with mirrored South American baths (6)
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30.
Overseer for regressive military program (7)
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-
32.
Unproductive charms will make no rain fall (3,6)
Down
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1.
Bit of flouncing gets baby bent out of shape (6)
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2.
Put in casket, arrange seance (6)
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3.
Disquieted pig amidst flapping hens making beastly noises (6)
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4.
Attila gets set back in quest (4,2)
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5.
Rocking Beatle to Miss—a sort of nut (5)
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6.
Raise arm to point in sleep (6)
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9.
Civilization takes little part in reincarnation (4)
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10.
Parade a fault—obviously senseless (4)
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11.
Rock-bottom, head to toe (6)
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13.
Makes snare drums (5)
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17.
Jerks make crude pass at liberated woman (6)
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18.
Gershwin's first song subject (6)
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19.
Maiden of mystery invited in disguise (6)
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20.
There's nothing in false drugs, but people go crazy when out of them (6)
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22.
Say! A freckly Indian! (6)
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23.
Burning to drink up what's in a flower (6)
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24.
Merest changes in rhythms (6)
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25.
It pays to sound sincere! (5)
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27.
Lump in bedclothes (4)