TUESDAY PUZZLE — This is Gia Bosko’s fourth Tuesday crossword for The New York Times and her seventh overall. She’s dabbled in other days of the week — Monday, Thursday and Friday, so far — but Tuesday seems to be her sweet spot, and I can understand why. Ms. Bosko’s themes are a perfect balance of elevated and accessible. Even her rebus puzzle was friendlier than most. I also appreciate the originality of her debut entries, several of which can be found in today’s grid.
It’s hard to imagine declaring Tuesday crosswords a favorite above all others of the week — arbitrary as they can be — but if Ms. Bosko keeps constructing them, I might just do so.
Today’s Theme
The clues at 22-, 37-, 56-Across and 67-Across seem to be missing, uh, all their words. Worry not, solvers: That’s intentional. Dash clues are used to indicate that their entries are part of a larger gimmick. Their role becomes clear at 21-, 36- and 52-Across, where the clues solve to partial entries, which can be completed only by using the entry spaces of those dash clues.
For example: 21A’s [Shindig for someone to announce whether they’re having a boy or a girl] is more than just GENDER, but it isn’t until 22A that we get the necessary REVEAL. The same split occurs with 36A’s [Shindig for someone settling into a new home]. We have to combine it with 37A in the row below to get HOUSEWARMING. And at 52A, the [Shindig for someone who’s about to tie the knot] needs to run through 56A to fill in BRIDAL SHOWER.
As for 67A? Ay, THERE’S (4D) the rub: It’s the second half of 66A’s [Shindig for the cast and crew after filming is done … with a hint to entering this answer and three others in the grid] — a WRAP PARTY. All of these double-entry party descriptions are “wrapped” around the edges of the grid.
Tricky Clues
16A. I was unfamiliar with the [Greek goddesses of the seasons] known as the HORAE. (Is this a safe space to admit that I didn’t realize there were any groups of goddesses besides the Muses?)
17A. The [Optional mission in a video game] is known as a SIDE QUEST. It’s a Times debut, and one of many terms from video game lingo that have made its way into the mainstream as a metaphor. One’s side quest can be a physical detour, a digression in conversation or a hobby on the side of a chief career pursuit.
40A. The later in the week a puzzle appears, the more likely you are to get a contextless clue like [Flips, say]. Our only extra hint is “say,” which suggests that “flips” is intended somewhat figuratively. The answer is RESELLS.
3D. A five-letter crossword entry with no vowels? Unheard of! The [High-def flat screen, for short] is LCD TV.
53D. The [Second-largest city in Northern Ireland] shares its name with one in Maine. But where Ireland’s DERRY is the setting for a lighthearted Netflix comedy series, Maine’s is the setting for the horror movie “It.”
Constructor Notes
This puzzle is dedicated to my dad, Dave Bosko (1940-2026), a lifelong New York Times Crossword puzzler. He introduced me to crosswords. I grew up watching him religiously tackle the daily puzzle and work his way through massive puzzle collection books for extra fun. He always solved the old-fashioned way, on paper and with a mechanical pencil. I think he was amazed, shocked and thrilled when I had my first puzzle published — and was for every one since.
He was my biggest fan and a dedicated “test solver” over the past few years. I’m sorry he didn’t get to see this one in print, and I will miss trying to stump him with new puzzles. We love and miss you, Poppa D — this one’s for you!
Improve Your Crossword Solving
Work your way through our guide “How to Solve the New York Times Crossword.” It contains an explanation of most of the types of clues you will see in the puzzles and a practice Mini at the end of each section.
Need a little more help? Subscribers can take a peek at the answer key.
About The Author
