Yahoo Lifestyle Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, A Purr-fect Puzzle
There are spoilers ahead. You might want to solve today's puzzle before reading further! A Purr-fect Puzzle
Constructor: Rafael Musa
Editor: Amanda Rafkin
What I Learned from Today’s Puzzle
HTTP (26D: _yper_ext _ransfer _rotocol) How many times have I seen the abbreviation HTTP? (So many times!) And yet, I couldn't have told you what this abbreviation stands for. Now I know it stands for HyperText Transfer Protocol. Please don't ask me to explain what that means, however.
Random Thoughts & Interesting Things
SKATER (12A: Person doing ollies or axels) This is a fun clue. Ollies are skateboarding maneuvers. Axels are ice skating moves. Those who skateboard and those who ice skate are referred to as SKATERs.
ARTEMIS (19A: Goddess in a NASA program name) The long term goal of NASA's ARTEMIS program is to establish a sustainable presence on the Moon. The program also has goals of landing the first woman and first person of color on the Moon. In Greek mythology, ARTEMIS is the goddess of nature, childbirth, and the wilderness, as well as a patron of healing and disease.
CAT (30A: With 31- and 34-Across, meme about the universe presenting people with kitties) and DISTRIBUTION (31A: See 30-Across) and SYSTEM (34A: See 30-Across) The CAT DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM is the idea that the universe places stray CATs in people's lives just when they need a CAT ... even if they didn't know they needed a CAT. The phrase grew popular in 2022, and has been often used on social media as people relate stories of the CAT DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM at work. My CAT, Willow, is a huge fan of these answers and this entire puzzle. Although, Willow was adopted from a shelter, my growing-up family gained a CAT through the CAT DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM. She was a black CAT that appeared in our yard one day ... and never left. We ultimately named her Missy, and she became a beloved member of our family. She was not only friends with the human members of our family, she also befriended our dog, a pug-Boston terrier mix named Boston. She died a week after Boston did, and the vet told us she died of grief.
COUGAR (35A: Another name for a puma) The CAT known as the COUGAR is also known as puma, panther, and mountain lion. This is a fun bonus in this "Purr-fect Puzzle." I've mentioned before that CATs can either purr or roar, but they can't do both. A COUGAR is the largest CAT that can purr.
NAACP (50A: Org. fighting for racial equality) The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) has been fighting for racial equality since 1909. Their vision is "an inclusive community rooted in liberation where all persons can exercise their civil and human rights without discrimination."
NANOBOT (59A: Microscopic machine) A NANOBOT is a microscopically small robot. NANOBOTs are currently in the research and development stage and are primarily conceptual at this point.
RAMS (65A: One of two Los Angeles football teams) The other NFL team in Los Angeles is the Chargers. Both the RAMS and the Chargers play their home games at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
BONE (2D: Common dog treat shape) Wait, what is this dog content doing in this "Purr-fect Puzzle?" Just kidding. Dogs are good, too. Nice of Rafa to throw the dog-lovers a BONE today.
TWO (4D: Number of main islands in New Zealand) New Zealand's TWO main islands are the North Island and the South Island. In addition to these TWO islands, New Zealand has over 600 smaller islands. While we're talking about New Zealand, let's review its capital, which is Wellington.
RETINA (7D: Home for rod and cone cells) The rods and cones in the RETINA are photoreceptor cells that convert light into signals that contribute to sight. Hooray for science in the crossword!
KIT (13D: "Heartstopper" actor Connor) Heartstopper (2022-present) is a Netflix TV series adapted from Alice Oseman's webcomic and graphic novel of the same name. The show tells the story of Nick Nelson (played by KIT Connor) and Charlie Spring (played by Joe Locke) and their friends. In 2022, KIT Connor won a Children's and Family Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Performance for his portrayal of Nick Nelson. 2022 was the inaugural year for the Children's and Family Emmy Awards, which were established to recognize excellence in children's and family-oriented TV programming.
KSU (21D: Sch. near Topeka) Topeka is the capital of Kansas. It is located in the eastern part of the state. Kansas State University (KSU), in Manhattan, Kansas, is approximately 60 miles west of Topeka. The University of Kansas (KU), is located in Lawrence, approximately 25 miles east of Topeka.
NICE (28D: City in southern France) NICE is located in the French Riviera on the southeastern coast of France, along the Mediterranean Sea. Because of its mild Mediterranean climate, NICE is a popular winter resort town.
ANT (37D: Insect that can be eaten roasted or fried) In some parts of the world, eating ANTs and other insects is common. According to the American Chemical Society, different species of edible ANTs have different flavor profiles.
MONET (40D: Singer-songwriter Victoria) As a singer, Victoria MONÉT released her debut studio album, Jaguar II, in 2023. The album won Grammy Awards for Best R&B Album and Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical. As a songwriter, Victoria MONÉT has written songs for several artists including Ariana Grande, Fifth Harmony, Nas, and Coco Jones.
ARMANI (44D: Fashion label founded in Milan) Giorgio ARMANI founded his luxury fashion house in Milan, Italy in 1975.
AURA (56D: ___ points (modern way to quantify rizz)) I learned about AURA points (a scale for evaluating how cool a person is) from the October 10, 2024 puzzle. Rizz is used to describe someone with charisma.
MESS (58D: "Don't be afraid, we'll make it out of this ___" (Taylor Swift lyric)) This is a line from Taylor Swift's 2008 song, "Love Story." "Don't be afraid, we'll make it out of this MESS / It's a love story, baby, just say, 'Yes.'"
A few other clues I especially enjoyed:
PROMISED LAND (39A: Place where great happiness is expected)
GOOD SPORT (29D: Generally graceful person)
STORK (49D: Bird associated with newborn babies)
Crossword Puzzle Theme Synopsis
A PURR-FECT PUZZLE: The theme of this puzzle is CAT DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM.
Unless this is your first time reading "Off the Grid" (and if it is, welcome!), you know I thoroughly enjoyed this puzzle! This is one of those puzzles that blurs the line between themed and themeless (freestyle), as the theme is not presented in the typical three or four theme answers, and doesn't involve wordplay. Nonetheless, the theme is clearly evident (and delightful!). Thank you, Rafa, for this "purr-fect" puzzle.
For more on USA TODAY’s Crossword Puzzles
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Crossword Blog & Answers for January 23, 2025 by Sally Hoelscher
