There are spoilers ahead. You might want to solve today’s puzzle before reading further! Put That Down
Constructor: Robbie Cottom
Editor: Anna Gundlach
What I Learned from Today’s Puzzle
- PERFECT HAT TRICK (9D: Soccer term for scoring with one’s right foot, left foot and head in a single game) I was familiar with the term HAT TRICK as it is used in hockey to refer to a player scoring three goals in one game. Today I learned that HAT TRICK also has this meaning in soccer (known as football in many countries). A PERFECT HAT TRICK is a special type of HAT TRICK that is scored as described in the clue. Add this to the sports knowledge I have gained from crosswords.
- TASTE (32D: 2024 Sabrina Carpenter hit) I am familiar with singer-songwriter Sabrina Carpenter, but needed the help of crossing answers to discover “TASTE” as the name of her 2024 hit. The song is from Sabrina Carpenter’s sixth studio album, Short n’ Sweet.
- PODS (51D: Where dates happen on “Love is Blind”) The premise of the reality TV show Love Is Blind is that the participants date and get engaged, all without meeting in person. Dates take place in specially-designed PODS where couples can talk to each other by speaker, but can only see each other through a blue translucent barrier that doesn’t show detail.
Random Thoughts & Interesting Things
- ADIDAS (1A: Nike competitor) and AVIA (37A: Nike competitor) This is a nice clue echo.
- HATED IT (13A: “Zero stars!”) and GENERAL (15A: Four-star officer) I liked the fact that we went from zero to four stars in the same row of the puzzle.
- OZONE (24A: Gas in a layer of the atmosphere) The OZONE layer is a part of the Earth’s stratosphere. One important role of the OZONE layer is that it absorbs most of the Sun’s ultraviolet radiation, which would otherwise cause damage to plants and animals.
- BATMAN (36A: The Dark Knight) The Dark Knight is a nickname for the DC Comics superhero BATMAN. The nickname was first used in the comic book BATMAN #1 in 1940.
- DOMINO’S (61A: Fast-food chain with a pizza tracker) DOMINO’S introduced the Pizza Tracker in 2008. The app allows customers to view the status of their order in real time.
- NECKTIE (67A: It might be knotted with a full Windsor) The full Windsor (the word “full” distinguishes it from a half-Windsor) is one of many knots that may be used to tie a NECKTIE. The full Windsor is named after the Duke of Windsor, who is sometimes incorrectly credited with its invention.
- DANE (2D: Copenhagen resident) Copenhagen is the capital and most populous city of Denmark, making its residents DANEs.
- DEATH AT A FUNERAL (4D: 2010 black comedy starring Chris Rock) The 2010 movie DEATH AT A FUNERAL is a remake of a 2007 movie of the same name. As you might guess from the title, the setting for the movie is a family FUNERAL. The FUNERAL doesn’t quite go as planned…
- SISSY (6D: “3 Women” actress Spacek) The 1977 movie 3 Women stars SISSY Spacek, Shelley Duvall, and Janice Rule. The psychological drama focuses on the relationships between the title characters. The movie is based on a dream that Robert Altman had; he produced, wrote, and directed the film.
- ERIE (10D: Cleveland’s lake) Cleveland, Ohio is the largest city located on Lake ERIE. This is the first appearance of Lake ERIE this month, and its fifth appearance this year.
- KERI (53D: “The Diplomat” actress Russell) The Diplomat is a Netflix TV series that premiered in 2023 and is beginning its third season this year. KERI Russell stars as Kate Wyler, U.S. ambassador to the U.K.
- ABE (60D: Sixteenth prez) Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) was the sixteenth president of the United States. The use of prez – the shortened form of president – in the clue alerts solvers that the answer will be a shortened form of his name, ABE.
Crossword Puzzle Theme Synopsis
- DEATH AT A FUNERAL (4D: 2010 black comedy starring Chris Rock)
- PERFECT HAT TRICK (9D: Soccer term for scoring with one’s right foot, left foot and head in a single game)
- WORTH A TRY (20D: “What have we got to lose?”)
PUT THAT DOWN: The word THAT is found going DOWN in each vertical theme answer: DEATH AT A FUNERAL, PERFECT HAT TRICK, and WORTH A TRY.
This is a classic USA TODAY theme type, so when I read the title, I knew just what to expect. That’s not a bad thing at all. This is a great set of theme answers, and I felt extra smart when I discovered my guess about the theme was correct. Congratulations to Robbie Cottom making a USA TODAY crossword debut! Thank you, Robbie, for this enjoyable puzzle.
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