Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Fall Guy
There are spoilers ahead. You might want to solvetoday's puzzlebefore reading further!Fall Guy Constructor:Zachary Edward-Brown Editor:Amie Walker ADAMA NDIAYE (26D: Senegalese fashion designer who created Black Fashion Week) Senegalese fashion designerADAMA NDIAYEis also known by the name of her fashion label, ADAMA Paris. Frustrated by the lack of opportunities for Black designers and models, ADAMA NDIAYE started Dakar Fashion Week in 2002. (Dakar is the capital and largest city of Senegal.) She has also helped organize Black Fashion Week events in other countries. SEA (10A: Chilean ___ bass (rebranded Patagonian toothfish)) The two rows of teeth in the upper jaw of a Patagonian toothfish resemble the teeth of a shark. In 1977, a fish wholesaler named Lee Lantzwas looking for a name to make Patagonian toothfish more market-friendly. The rebranding became official in 1994 when the FDA accepted "Chilean SEAbass" as an alternative market name for Patagonian toothfish. EYE ROLLS (17A: "UGH, seriously?" reactions) I find EYE ROLLS to be a good way to vent frustration (in the privacy of my own home, of course). SPCA (19A: Pet adoption org.) My cat, Willow, is not a paid spokescat for the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA). However, here she is with a few friends to remind you that adopting a pet can be a wonderful experience. RDA (21A: Nutrition stat hidden in "DoorDash") Hidden word clues are particularly nice when there is a connection between the hidden word and the hiding word or phrase. Since DoorDash is often used for food delivery, it seems apt to find RDA (Recommended Dietary Allowance) hidden within it. DUD (32A: Millk ___ (candy morsel)) In 1928, Hoffman and Company of Chicago tried to make a spherical, chocolate-covered caramel candy. The candies tasted fine, but they weren't round. This led to them being called "DUDs," and ultimately the candy's name became Milk DUDs. These days Milk DUDs are made by The Hershey Company. MOE (35A: "The Simpsons" character who says, "Well, I'm better than dirt. Well, most kinds of dirt") On the animated sitcomThe Simpsons(1989-present), MOE Szyslak is the owner of MOE's Tavern. One time when Homer and MOE were unsuccessful in getting a lane at the bowling alley, MOE began a rant that ended with,"Well, I'm better than dirt.Well, most kinds of dirt; not that fancy store-bought dirt. That stuff is loaded with nutrients. I can't compete with that stuff." SAMOA (37A: Striped Girl Scout cookie) The Girl Scout cookies known as SAMOAs (and also known as Caramel DeLites) are vanilla cookies coated in caramel, sprinkled with toasted coconut, and iced with chocolate stripes. LIN (41A: Basketball star Jeremy) Jeremy LIN is a professional basketball player for the New Taipei Kings, a team in the Taiwan Professional Basketball League. He has played for multiple NBA teams, including the Golden State Warriors (2011-2011), New York Knicks (2011-2012), Houston Rockets (2012-2014), L.A. Lakers (2014-2015), Charlotte Hornets (2015-2016), Brooklyn Nets (2016-2018), Atlanta Hawks (2018-2019), and Toronto Raptors (2019). I always say I don't know much about sports (which is definitely true), but then I surprise myself by knowing the answer to a sports clue such as this one. DANDELION (44A: Weed in a certain wine) As agricultural scientist George Washington Carver said, "A weed is a flower growing in the wrong place." If you want to makeDANDELION wine, you'll be thankful for this "weed." ETNA (53A: Sicilian volcano) Mount ETNA (also referred to simply as ETNA) is an active volcano on the island of Sicily, Italy. ETNA has a height of just over 11,000 feet; its height varies with eruptions. ETNA is in an almost constant state of activity. REY (7D: "The Last Jedi" hero) In theStar Warsfranchise, REY is the main protagonist of the sequel film trilogy. Daisy Ridley portrays REY inStar Wars: The Force Awakens(2015),Star Wars: The Last Jedi(2017), andStar Wars: The Rise of Skywalker(2019). BORDER (9D: Jigsaw puzzle part that's often easiest to complete) Of course I knew the answer here, but all my mind seemed to want to come up with was "edge," which obviously didn't fit. Thanks to crossing answers, I eventually got to the word BORDER. EEL (11D: Fish in unagi kabayaki) Freshwater EEL is known as unagi. The dish unagi kabayaki is a preparation of EEL that results in filets that are marinated in a sweet soy sauce-based marinade and then grilled. EAT (45D: Enjoy some bibimbap) Bibimbap is a rice dish in Korean cuisine. It consists of white rice topped with sautéed or fermented vegetables, chili pepper paste, soy sauce, and sometimes an egg and sliced meat. TED (57D: AFC Richmond coach Lasso) The TV seriesTED Lassotells the story of the title character, an American college football coach hired to coach an English soccer team, AFC Richmond. Jason Sudeikis plays the role of TED Lasso. It was announced earlier this year thatTED Lassohas been renewed for a fourth season. DUA (59D: "Houdini" singer ___ Lipa)"Houdini"is a 2023 song by DUA Lipa from her third studio album,Radical Optimism. "I'm not here for long / Catch me or I go Houdini..." FARM ANIMALS (3D: Cows, chickens and horses) READ 'EM AND WEEP (14D: Phrase said while revealing a winning hand) ADAMA NDIAYE (26D: Senegalese fashion designer who created Black Fashion Week) FALL GUY: Each vertical theme answer contains the word MAN, a synonym of GUY: FARM ANIMALS, READ 'EM AND WEEP, and ADAMA NDIAYE. The word FALL in the title alerted me that the theme might be in the Down answers. The word MAN is not only FALLing in each theme answer; it is also FALLing in the grid as we move from left to right. Thank you, Zachary, for this enjoyable puzzle. USA TODAY's Daily Crossword Puzzles Sudoku & Crossword Puzzle Answers This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Crossword Blog & Answers for July 20, 2025 by Sally Hoelscher
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Fall Guy There are spoilers ahead. You might want to solvetoday'...
