October 15, 2025

Title: AGE BACKWARDS

Constructor: Zhouqin Burnikel

Editor: Amanda Rafkin

Theme synopsis:

• PICO DE GALLO (17A: Condiment also known as "salsa fresca")
• VEGETABLE GARDEN (40A: Place to grow your own carrots and tomatoes)
• ARCADE GAMES (62A: Ms. Pac-Man and Centipede)

AGE BACKWARDS: The letter string E-G-A, which is AGE BACKWARDS, is found in each theme answer: PICO DE GALLO, VEGETABLE GARDEN, and ARCADE GAMES.

Random thoughts and interesting things:

• U.S. MAP (6A: Diagram with AK and HI insets) The abbreviations of Alaska (AK) and Hawaii (HI) alert solvers there will be an abbreviation in the answer, in this case, U.S. for United States.
• IBM (11A: Company nicknamed "Big Blue") Although IBM (International Business Machines Corporation) was founded in 1911 (originally as Endicott, New York), the nickname of Big Blue did not emerge until the 1980s. The origin of the the nickname is unclear, though it may be related to its blue logo adopted in 1972. Some have suggested the nickname may also be related to the dark blue suits that used to be worn by IBM salespeople.
• ORION (14A: Hunter only visible at night) The constellation known as ORION is one of the constellations included in a star catalogue compiled by the 2nd-century astronomer Ptolemy. It is named for a hunter in Greek mythology. Three of the brightest stars in the constellation appear to be in a straight line, and are referred to as ORION's belt.
• PICO DE GALLO (17A: Condiment also known as "salsa fresca") As the clue informs us, PICO DE GALLO is also known as "salsa fresca," which is Spanish for "fresh sauce." Another name for PICO DE GALLO is "salsa cruda," Spanish for "raw sauce." The main ingredients in PICO DE GALLO are tomatoes, onions, and peppers, with salt, lime juice, and cilantro. The dish is red, white, and green – the colors of the Mexican flag – which explains another name for PICO DE GALLO: "salsa bandera," Spanish for "flag sauce." No matter what you call it, PICO DE GALLO is delicious. It is my favorite type of salsa, and I make it several times each summer with garden-fresh tomatoes and peppers.
• MODEL (22A: Catwalk walker) My cat, Willow, says that she would be a good MODEL, since she is an expert at the cat walk.

• NFL (27A: Org. for Jaguars and Panthers) Willow is also a fan of the choice of NFL teams named after her big cat cousins. The Jacksonville Jaguars are an NFL team based in Florida. The Carolina Panthers are an NFL team based in Charlotte, North Carolina.
• OREGON (36A: State with a beaver on its flag) Here's a fun fact: OREGON is the only U.S. state with a double-sided flag. OREGON's flag is navy blue. The front of the flag features part of the state seal, and the back of the flag has a picture of a gold beaver. OREGON is nicknamed "The Beaver State" in recognition of the importance of the fur trade on the state's economy at the time it became a state.
• NASA (57A: Org. in "The Martian") The Martian is a 2015 sci-fi movie based on the 2011 novel of the same name by Andy Weir. The movie centers on NASA's attempts to bring home an astronaut stranded on Mars.
• ORECK (68A: Dyson alternative) The ORECK Corporation (founded by David ORECK in 1963) and Dyson Limited (founded by Sir James Dyson in 1991) are both known for their vacuum cleaners.
• ERIE (2D: Great Lake with a high concentration of shipwrecks) Lake ERIE is the shallowest of the Great Lakes. It is also the Great Lake that has experienced the most shipwrecks. According to NASA, Lake ERIE may have a higher density of shipwrecks than anywhere else in the world. Incomplete record keeping means the exact number of Lake ERIE shipwrecks is unknown, but it may be as high as 2,000. Lake ERIE is home to some well-preserved shipwrecks, and some of them are located at around 100 feet, making them accessible to recreational divers. This is the first appearance of our crossword friend ERIE this month.
• MALE (8D: Like seahorses that give birth) When a female seahorse mates with a MALE, she deposits up to 1,500 eggs in the MALE seahorse's pouch. He then carries the eggs until the young seahorses are fully developed, from nine to 45 days.
• EMPANADAS (18D: Turnovers that are often crescent-shaped) EMPANADAS are turnovers consisting of pastry and filling; they may be baked or fried. EMPANADAS are popular in Spanish cuisine, as well as the cuisines of other South European countries, Latin American countries, and the Philippines.
• NOVA (27D: ___ Scotia, Canada) NOVA Scotia, whose name translates to New Scotland, is a province in eastern Canada. In addition to the NOVA Scotia peninsula, the province also includes Cape Breton island and 3,800 other coastal islands. The capital of NOVA Scotia is Halifax. NOVA Scotia is Canada's second-smallest province by area. (Prince Edward Island is Canada's smallest province.) 
• LANGE (35D: Stage and screen star Jessica) In 2016, Jessica LANGE won a Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Play for her role of Mary Tyrone in the Broadway play Long Day's Journey into Night. She has two Academy Awards: Best Supporting Actress (Tootsie; 1982) and Best Actress (Blue Sky; 1994). She also has three Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie: Grey Gardens (2009), American Horror Story (2012), and American Horror Story: Coven (2014). She's just a Grammy win away from an EGOT.
• EGOT (55D: Award quartet for Liza Minnelli) Speaking of the EGOT… EGOT is a term that refers to Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Awards. Those who have won all four of these awards are said to have achieved EGOT status. Liza Minelli won an Emmy Award in 1973 for Outstanding Variety Special for Liza with a Z. In 1990 she was honored with a Grammy Legend Award. Her Oscar Award was won in 1972 for Best Actress in Cabaret. She has won four Tony Awards, in 1965, 1974, 1978, and 2009.
• GOD (65D: Thor or Vishnu or Shangdi) Thor is the Norse GOD associated with storms, thunder, and lightning. Vishnu is one of the principal GODs in Hinduism. Shangdi is a name used for GOD in Chinese religions including Chinese Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, and Chinese Protestant Christianity.
• A few other clues I especially enjoyed:
• DOLL (33A: Toy that might wear tiny shoes)
• GOOSE (4D: Bird in a gaggle)
• HARD (56D: Like a dried-out sponge)

I am not a person to whom the ability to AGE BACKWARDS appeals. I have earned every one of my gray hairs and have no desire to be young again. However, as a crossword theme, AGE BACKWARDS works beautifully. Thank you, Zhouqin, for this enjoyable puzzle.