There are spoilers first. Before you read more, you may want to solve today’s puzzles! Top Secret Mission
Constructor: Shannon Rapp & Will Eisenberg
Editor: Amanda Lufkin
Comments from today’s crossword constructor
Shannon & Will: We participated in the first Westwords Crossword Tournament in Berkeley, California in the summer of 2024. During lunchtime there was an incredibly tasty (and huge) mission-style burrito. It ultimately led to this theme. I think it’s a fun wrinkle to see that the title not only tells you where you can add a “mission” (top) but also acknowledge that it’s a “secret.” In other words, the mission is not actually written. In the grid. Crossword tournaments tend to be a particularly fertile environment for brainstorming new themes. Not only are you surrounded by people with smart and creative puzzles, you’re also going to new places and experiencing new things. Both are great ways to generate crossword ideas, but the two come together and seed new puzzles are planned throughout the tournament weekend.
What I learned from today’s puzzles
The word vape (16a: a device called “penjamin”) “penjamin” (portmanto in “pen” and “benjamin”) originally referred to a marijuana steam pen that was shaped like an actual pen The term is vaping device.sword(49a: “Forged in The film has been expanded to refer to “creating fire”. In each episode of the show, Blade Smith competes by forging blade weapons such as swords, knives, daggers, and more. Propane (55a: “King of the Hill” The Fuel for Hank Hill to be sold in King of the Hill is originally an animated sitcom aired from 1997 to 2009. The show focuses on the lives of the Hill family, who live in a fictional town in Arlen, Texas. Hank Hill is the head of the Hill family, who works as a salesman for propane and propane accessories. The character is expressed by Mike Judge, who co-created the show with Greg Daniel.
Random thoughts and interesting things
Elmo (12a: Red Muppet) I’m always happy to see Elmo, the red muppet of fame on Sesame Street, in the puzzle. Elmo got off to a strong start in 2025, making three crossword appearances in the first nine days of the year. However, this is his first appearance since January 9th. Welcome, Elmo.sari (18a: Clothes that can be worn with Nivi drapes) There are many ways to drape one piece of fabric, 15-30 feet. length. The NIVI style is one of the most common drape methods. EMO (19a: Rites of Spring Junle) Spring rituals were active Washington, DC-based bands from 1983 to 1986. They were considered to be one of the first emo bands. Rasta (23a: a follower of Jah) A religion known as Rastafari or a religion developed in Jamaica in the 1930s. Rastafari is based on a specific interpretation of the Bible. Rasta’s beliefs include monotheism, belief in one God. Heat (36A: Miami Basketball Team) and ORB (39A: Basketball, EG) enjoyed basketball echoes with these consecutive clues. The Miami Heat is a Spanish language for mothers in the NBA team (47a: Madre’s sister) in Florida. Your mother’s sister will become your aunt. This is the Spanish tier. . Both JFK and LGA are located in the Nyc Borough of Queens, and they are about 10 miles apart, as the clues inform us. West (68a: Key___ (Hemingway House Island) Key West is an island off the coast of Florida. It has a total land area of just over four square miles. One of the most well-known buildings on Key West Island is the Ernest Hemingway House, where the writer lived in the 1930s. It is a popular tourist attraction and has a Polydactyl Cat ( There is a large population of Hemingway cats. This is a fun nod to one of Shannon and Will’s previous crosswords titled “Key West.” Fever (1d: Indiana Basketball Team) Indiana Fever is a WNBA team. I was excited by this clue because it’s a sport I know! Caitlyn Clark, who played basketball at the University of Iowa, is currently playing for Indiana Fever. This means that I’ve heard about the fever game from many friends who are sports fans and follow Kate Linklark’s career. (Don’t tell anyone, as it may ruin my status as a non-sports person. But I’d say it to several other heat players, including Aliya Boston and Kelsey Mitchell. You can even put it on.) Impossible Foods (3D: Brands with Plants – Based Burger) Impossible Foods launched its signature product, The Impossion Burger in 2016. Toe (4D: Ballet Shoe Tip) Toe has a string of appearances in puzzles. Yesterday I saw the toes being crofted as (ballerina balance point). The film is set in Seoul, Korea, and is rich It’s about families hinting at themselves in their homes. Korea has also appeared in puzzles in succession. Yesterday, we croat as Korea (where Gochujang is a seasoning that is often used). I saw it. Speed (11d: I went to the finest mission) A lovely bonus entry for this top secret mission puzzle. Friday focuses on science news (surprise!), nature, medicine and technology. A public radio talk show. Science Friday is currently produced by an independently run non-profit organization, but the program was launched with NPR.NEUTRAL (31D: “n” in PRNDL). Gear choice in many cars with automatic transmissions. Catnap (40D: Quick Nooes) This photo shows my cat, willow, taking catnap while working. She likes to sleep near my desk and on the other side of my computer. She can immediately notify me if I decide I need her help.
Crossword puzzle theme overview
Impossible Foods (3D: Brand with Plant-Based Burger) Burrito Bowl (6D: Mexican food with tortillas) Statement Pieces (9D: Signature Items in the Wardrobe)
Top Secret Mission: The top words in the answer for each vertical theme can be combined with the word missions that form new phrases: mission impossible, mission burrito, and mission statement.
Here’s my mission statement today: Eat mission burritos while listening to the Mission Impossible theme song. That could be your mission. “If you choose to accept it.” Ah, wait, my actual mission here is to discuss crossword puzzles… I thoroughly enjoyed the theme of this top secret mission. Thank you, Shannon and Will, this amazing puzzle.
Another thing today: in their notes we’ll mention Shannon and the first Westwords Crossword Tournament. This year, Westwords is taking place again on Sunday, June 22nd. There will be in-person tournaments in Berkeley, California, and online tournaments where Solvers can participate wherever they are. Registration has been opened. I will be participating in online tournaments again this year. It was a great time and the puzzles were amazing.