SALLY HOELSCHER
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, On Top-ic
Sally HoelscherUSA TODAY
There are spoilers ahead. You might want to solve today's puzzle before reading further! On Top-ic
Constructor: Hannah Slovut-Einertson
Editor: Anna Gundlach
Random Thoughts & Interesting Things
- APRON (27A: Garment that might say "Best flippin' dad ever") This is a great clue for APRON.
- READ (35A: Left on ___ (spurned over text)) If a person has the "READ receipts" option turned on, people that text that person will be able to tell whether the message has been READ. If a person has READ a text and hasn't responded, you might have been "left on READ," as they say.
- DARIA (37A: Title girl of a "Beavis and Butt-Head" spinoff) DARIA is an animated TV show aimed at adults that originally aired from 1997 to 2002. The show was a spin-off from Beavis and Butt-Head, on which DARIA was a recurring character. The show revolves around two teenage girls, the title character and her best friend Jane Lane.
- ALMOND (40A: Marzipan nut) Marzipan is a paste made of ground ALMONDs and sugar.
- AZTEC (42A: Itzcoatl's empire) Itzcoatl (1380-1440) was the founder of the AZTEC Empire, which he ruled from 1427 to 1440. The AZTEC Empire, which lasted until 1521, was an alliance of three city-states in what is now southern Mexico: Mexico-Tenochtitlan, Tetzcoco, and Tlacopan.
- LIAM (47A: "Lonely Planet" actor Hemsworth) Lonely Planet is a 2024 movie in which Laura Dern stars as a reclusive novelist who travels to a prestigious writer's retreat in Morocco, hoping to work through writer's block. There she meets a younger man – LIAM Hemsworth's character – and typical romance movie situations ensue.
- ASIA (48A: Bhutan's continent) Bhutan is a landlocked country in South ASIA. It is located between China and India. The capital of Bhutan is Thimphu. Since this is the first day of April, this is obviously the first appearance of our crossword friend ASIA this month. This is the seventh time we have seen ASIA in 2025.
- GIN (62A: Negroni ingredient) A Negroni is an Italian cocktail made of one part each GIN, vermouth, and Campari. GIN is making back-to-back puzzle appearances, as we saw it yesterday clued as [Juniper-flavored spirit].
- ICHABOD CRANE (4D: "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" protagonist) Washington Irving's short story, "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow," was originally published in 1820. In addition to ICHABOD CRANE, "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" introduced the character of the Headless Horseman. In the story, ICHABOD CRANE was on his way home one night when he was chased by the Headless Horseman. The Headless Horseman throws his pumpkin head at ICHABOD CRANE, who mysteriously disappears without a trace.
- ICE CREAM CAKE (10D: Frozen dessert like Fudgie the Whale) Fudgie the Whale is an ICE CREAM CAKE sold by the ICE CREAM franchise Carvel. As you might expect, the ICE CREAM CAKE is shaped like a whale. Carvel's other ICE CREAM CAKEs include Cookie Puss (a space alien with cookies for eyes and an ice cream cone for a nose) and Hug Me the Bear. The Fudgie the Whale ICE CREAM CAKE has received mentions on several TV shows, including Archer, The Office, The Simpsons, and How I Met Your Mother.
- LEE (26D: "Parasite" actor Sun-kyun) The 2019 movie Parasite is about a family that insinuates itself into a wealthy household. The movie was directed by Bong Joon Ho, who co-wrote the screenplay with Han Jin-won. LEE Sun-kyun portrays Park Dong-ik, the father of the Park family.
- HIT SHOW (39D: Broadway play that sweeps the Tonys, e.g.) Tony Awards honor excellence in Broadway theatre. The 2001 musical The Producers, was a HIT SHOW that won 12 Tony Awards, the most of any show to date.
- BIG CAT (46D: Cougar or panther) Here's a photo of my cat, Willow, staring off into the distance and thinking of her BIG CAT cousins.
- EHOW (56D: DIY website with articles like "Make Your Own Popsicle Chalk") EHOW is a website founded by Courtney Rosen in 1999. The online guide features instructional articles and videos on a variety of topics including how to "Make Your Own Popsicle Chalk." Popsicle chalk – in case you were wondering – is not chalk made of popsicles, but sidewalk chalk shaped to look like a popsicle, complete with a handy craft stick for holding the chalk while you draw.
- A few other clues I especially enjoyed:
- SAGE HEN (55A: Smart-sounding female bird)
- OH GREAT (60A: "Just what I wanted to hear...")
- WOE IS ME (64A: "My life sucks!")
Crossword Puzzle Theme Synopsis
- ICHABOD CRANE (4D: "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" protagonist)
- I CAN EXPLAIN (7D: "There's a perfectly good reason for this")
- ICE CREAM CAKE (10D: Frozen dessert like Fudgie the Whale)
ON TOP-IC: The letters IC are ON TOP of each vertical theme answer: ICHABOD CRANE, I CAN EXPLAIN, and ICE CREAM CAKE.
This is a fun set of theme answers for this ON TOP-IC theme. I appreciate the choice to align each vertical theme answer with the top of the grid so that the letters IC are not only ON the TOP of each theme answer, but also ON the TOP of the puzzle. Thank you, Hannah, for this enjoyable puzzle.