Tuesday, August 25, 2026, Victor Fleming

Veteran constructor Victor Fleming takes us on an enlightening voyage of discovery today, with four theme entries each containing the word AHA. The apt reveal describes the breakthrough that a solver must make to see the theme.

 17A. *Broad-brimmed topper made of straw: PANAMA HAT. These traditional brimmed straw hats actually originated in Ecuador. They have become popular tropical and seaside accessories due to their breathability and ease of wear.  

Looking cool while staying cool!

24A. *Dry-cured meats from Smithfield: VIRGINIA HAMS. The Commonwealth of Virginia requires that "genuine Smithfield hams" must be salted, processed, smoked, cured, and aged for a minimum of six months, all within the corporate limits of the town of Smithfield, Virginia. 

39A. *Seattle NFL player: SEAHAWK. The Seattle Seahawks are the reigning Super Bowl Champions. Seahawk fans are known to be rambunctious, dedicated, and LOUD.

50A. *Joe Biden's vice president: KAMALA HARRIS. Before being tapped by Joe Biden as his running mate in the 2020 presidential election, Kamala Harris served as California's Attorney General and as a United States Senator. She made history as the first woman to be elected as the U.S. vice president. 

61A. Puzzle solver's breakthrough, or what the answers to the starred clues have in common: AHA MOMENT. The reveal! An "aha moment" is when the solution to a problem becomes clear. This expression is familiar in a wide range of contexts - including crossword puzzles.

 On to the the rest of the entries!

Across:
1. Cherry centers: PITS. Cherries are an early summer delight!

5. Eco-friendly commuting option: BIKE. In the Danish capital of Copenhagen, 62% of all inhabitants commute to work, school, or university by bicycle. This will not come as a surprise to anyone who has had the pleasure of visiting Copenhagen. In additional to being eco-friendly, cycling is generally perceived to be a healthier, cheaper, and often quicker alternative to driving. 

Rush hour in Copenhagen.

 

9. Big blowout: BLAST. Both words can be used to describe a gala event.

14. 2026's "The Odyssey," for one: EPIC. An epic is a long narrative poem recounting the deeds of a legendary or historic hero - or any work of art that resembles one. Attributed to the Greek poet Homer, The Odyssey is one of the oldest surviving works of literature. While there is no consensus among scholars on dating the composition, the 8th century BC is a common estimate. The 2026 film version has performed strongly at the box office, with both film critics and audiences giving overwhelmingly positive reviews. But I doubt that anyone will still watch it 28 centuries hence. 

15. Workplace inspection org.: OSHA. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is a part of the U.S. Department of Labor.

16. Pry bar, e.g.: LEVER. A pry bar is a flatter and thinner version of a crowbar. Both are examples of levers used to pry things apart. Levers are a common topic of discussion in high school physics classes.

17. [Theme entry]

19. New Zealand native: MAORI. The Maori are indigenous people of mainland New Zealand, descended from East Polynesian settlers who arrived in several waves of canoe voyages during the mid 1300s. 

20. Olympic swimmer Torres: DARA. Dara Torres is the first swimmer to represent the United States in five different Olympic games (1984, 1988, 1992, 2000, 2008). She won total of 12 medals, including at least one in all five of the Olympics in which she competed. She is currently the Head Swimming and Diving Coach at Boston College.

Still hanging out at the pool!

 

21. Mauna __: Hawaiian volcano slightly taller than Mauna Loa: KEA. An easy Tuesday-level clue for a familiar crossword entry.

23. Soapy tub gunk: SCUM. "Gunk" is a fun word! 

24. [Theme entry]

28. Bartending tool: OPENER. A bottle opener is another type of LEVER. 

30. Chatted privately online, for short: DMED. Abbreviation for direct-messaged. 

31. Greek god of war: ARES. Son of Zeus and Hera, brother of Athena. 

32. Owlet's home: NEST. Owls do not build their own nests. Rather, they rely on natural tree hollows, abandoned nests of other large birds, or human-made structures. Burrowing owls re-purpose tunnels evacuated by other species such as ground squirrels or prairie dogs. They sometimes bring coyote dung to their holes to attract dung beetles (which they eat) and to scare off the previous residents. I used to observe this dynamic firsthand during early-morning runs past a prairie dog town.  

Plotting to evict the home builder.

 

35. Smells: ODORS. While "odor" can refer to any smell, it is most often used for those that are unpleasant. "Aroma" has a much more positive connotation. 

38. Steeped beverage: TEA. In December of 1773, colonists dressed as native Americans dumped a cargo of tea into Boston harbor in protest of British taxation policies. The so-called Boston Tea Party escalated tensions between Great Britain and her American colonies. Less than two years later, the first battles of the American Revolution were held in the Boston suburbs of Lexington and Concord. 

39. [Theme entry]

41. French "yes": OUI. Pronounced "we."

42. Coffeehouse flavor: MOCHA. Caffe mocha combines the flavors of coffee and chocolate in a beverage whose aroma is nearly irresistible. The name derives from the Yemeni city of Mokha, an early center of the coffee trade.

44. Use a keyboard: TYPE. Most modern keyboards use the so-called QWERTY layout, named for the order of letters on the upper left-hand corner, as a de facto standard. This layout was first devised and created by Christopher Latham Sholes in the early 1870s. 

45. Torso bones: RIBS. Twelve pairs of ribs make up the rib cage, which protects the vital organs in the chest, such as the heart and lungs. 

46. Will beneficiary: HEIR. One who is legally entitled to receive a deceased person's money, property, or title. 

48. Art studio stands: EASELS. Used to create and display paintings and drawings.

The beret is not optional.

 

50. [Theme entry]

54. Grew older: AGED. We've all done it!

55. Grumpy pal: DOC. A Snow White reference. 

Grumpy                     Doc

56. Respiratory organ: LUNG. The primary organ in the respiratory system, which extracts oxygen from the atmosphere, transfers it to the bloodstream, and releases carbon dioxide from the bloodstream to the atmosphere.

59. Lost color: PALED. Pallor can signal temporary emotional distress, shock, vitamin deficiencies, frostbite, low blood sugar, or a drop in blood pressure. 

61. [Theme entry]

65. Maker of soccer and rugby gear: UMBRO. I don't play or follow these sports, so I was unfamiliar with the brand. The company was founded in 1924, and is based in Manchester, England. The UMBRO jerseys worn by the Democratic Republic of Congo during the 2026 World Cup were celebrated by soccer jersey aficionados for their stylish representation of Congolese heritage. 

Playing in style.

 

66. Part in a film: ROLE. The goal of many an aspiring actor.

67. Big birds of Australia: EMUS. The emu appears with the kangaroo on the Australian coat of arms. 

Not a strong contender in the species beauty contest.

 

68. Fluff, as hair: TEASE. In the 1980s, so-called "hair bands" sported extensively teased coifs. Note the resemblance to the plumage of the emu above. This look has not aged well.

The 1980s are calling.

 

69. Raggedy Ann, e.g.: DOLL. This doll was introduced to the public as a character in the children's book Raggedy Ann Stories (1918), written by American author Johnny Gruelle (1880 - 1938). The doll was marketed with the book, and both were highly successful. 

70. Nothing to write home about: SO-SO. Meh. 

Down:

1. __ talk: motivational chat: PEP. A short speech intended to encourage people to work harder or try to win a competition. 

2. Apple tablet since 2010: IPAD. Apple shipped an estimated 60.2 million iPads globally in 2025.

3. Writer/actress Fey: TINA. Tina Fey is known for her sketch comedy, and for numerous television and film roles. She was a member of the Saturday Night Live cast from 1997 - 2006, also serving as the program's head writer during this time. 

4. Woolen wraps: SCARVES. A scarf can provide warmth in winter, and add a dash of style to any look. 

 

5. Feathery wrap: BOA. Boas are all about style - not warmth.

 6. Sorta: ISH. A suffix that has become a standalone word.

7. Tan kin: KHAKI. Khaki is a common color for military uniforms, particularly those intended for use in desert or arid regions. 

8. Gobbled up: EATEN. Consumed by eating.

9. Racial justice movement letters: BLM. Short for Black Lives Matter, a movement that was founded in 2013.

10. Like a dog who's ready for a walk: LEASHED. Many dogs erupt in spasms of joy when their people pick up the leash - it's time for a walk!

Lets go!

11. Healthy fat with a high smoke point: AVOCADO OIL. Avocado oil is high in monounsaturated fats and vitamin E. 12. Skin care product: SERUM. Some skin care serum is made with avocado oil. 

 13. Cuts back a bit: TRIMS. Can refer to budgets, meals, hair, etc. 

18. Major water pipe: MAIN. Years ago, a fire department pressure check on a hydrant in my neighborhood ruptured the water mains at several houses, including mine. A neighbor who was home at the time reported a loud bang followed by little geysers erupting in the nearest yards. The city covered repair and replacement costs for the damaged pipes. 

22. Provide support: AID. Donating or distributing food to those facing hunger is just one of many wonderful and fulfilling opportunities to support people in need. 

Setting up for a food bank distribution in Illinois.

25. Russo of "Major League": RENE. Rene Russo began her career as a fashion model in the 1970s, gracing the covers of Vogue and Cosmopolitan. Her acting debut was a supporting role in the popular 1989 comedy Major League. She has since starred in numerous thrillers and action movies. 

Rene Russo rocking the red rug.

 26. "Awesome!": GREAT. "Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great." - Mark Twain

 27. Totally wild: AMOK. Originally adapted to English as a noun meaning "murderous frenzy." Amok derived from the Malay-language name of a psychiatric disorder in which the afflicted person (usually a man) attacked and killed bystanders until he collapsed or was himself killed. The violent nature of the term has gradually been mitigated in the adverb form of the word used by English speakers today, who typically describe actions that are unruly but not murderous.   
 
28. Creme-filled sandwich: OREO. Straightforward hint for a familiar entry that has recently been generating ever-more elaborate clueing. 

29. French dessert with fruit and ice cream: PEACH MELBA. A dessert of peaches and raspberry sauce with vanilla ice cream. Peach Melba was originally created in 1892 by the French chef Auguste Escoffier to honor the Australian soprano Nellie Melba.

What is not to love about this magnificent creation?

31. Drive-thru device: ATM. Automated Teller Machine. 

33. Timid: SHY. While sloths are often portrayed as lazy creatures, they are actually just shy and prefer to hide away from prying eyes in the dense canopy of trees. They maintain a low profile and preserve energy whenever possible. 

Move on, folks. Nothing to see here. 

34. Slender candle: TAPER. Commonly used for formal dinners, and for enhancing a room's decor.

36. Massages: RUBS. Massage refers to the rubbing or kneading of the body's soft tissues, for relief from body stress and/or pain. 

37. Bro kin: SIS. Short for "brother" and "sister."

39. Catamaran feature: SAIL. A catamaran is a sailing craft with two parallel hulls, whose separation imparts stability through resistance to rolling and overturning. Catamarans were invented by the Austronesian peoples, enabling their expansion to the islands of the Indian and Pacific Oceans.

Now this looks like fun!

40. __ and tear: WEAR. The phrase "wear and tear" refers to damage that naturally and inevitably occurs as a result of prolonged use and aging.

43. Web page banners: HEADERS. Another type of header occurs on the soccer pitch.

45. Job applicants' submissions: RESUMES. Many resumes today are written with the assistance of an AI, and are pre-screened using another AI. This dehumanization can cause great stress for applicants looking for an opportunity to shine. 

47. "Awesome!": RAD. 1980's surfer/skater slang, short for "radical." 

49. Rural storage tower: SILO. The word "silo" comes from an ancient Greek term meaning "pit for holding grain." My husband was raised in the rural Midwest, where the landscape is dotted with silos.

 

50. Broken beyond repair: KAPUT. I love the sound of this fun word! Adapted from a term used by French card players to describe big winners and big losers. 

51. Athlete's best effort: A GAME. During his/her PEP talk, the coach may tell you to "bring your A game."

52. Accumulate excessively: HOARD. ARRRGH - do you remember the hoarding-induced toilet paper shortage that occurred during the first year of COVID-19?

53. "Bless you" preceder: ACHOO. The sound of allergy season.

57. Reef-dwelling Pixar character: NEMO. The 2003 animated film Finding Nemo features a clownfish named Marlin searching for his lost son Nemo. The movie received widespread critical acclaim, and was a smash hit at the box office. 

58. African antelopes: GNUS. Frequently encountered in homonym-based puns. 

Have I got gnus for you!

60. Female deer: DOE. Does often have strong bonds with their fawns, who typically stay with their mothers for about a year. Female fawns may remain with their mothers even longer. 

62. __-purpose flour: ALL. All-purpose flour has a medium protein content, which strikes a balance between strength and tenderness making it a versatile choice for a wide variety of recipes.

63. Blanc who voiced Bugs: MEL. The talented Mr. Blanc voiced both Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck. An excerpt below from the timeless classic What's Opera, Doc?

 

64. Chinese menu general: TSO. The dish was named in honor of Zuo Zongtang (1812 - 1885), a Chinese statesman and army officer sometimes referred to as General Tso.

Here's a picture of the full grid, with the "AHAs" highlighted:

 

  

For me, this puzzle has all of the elements that can make Tuesday outings such fun: an accessible theme, high-quality fill with a few unusual (but fair) entries, and clueing that is straightforward but never dull. I am also impressed by the low number of proper names, which helps to ensure a smooth solve for puzzlers of all generations. 

Your thoughts? 

Kat