Crossword theme glossary
Most published crosswords include an extra element that ties the puzzle together, often sprinkling in wordplay or suggesting the longer answers with alternative clues. This element makes up the puzzle's theme.
Themes aren't strictly required, but themeless puzzles are less common since they compensate their lack of a theme with tighter fill (that is, less crosswordese and more unique words). Themes are also a great starting point for constructors because they help constrain a blank puzzle canvas with a few initial words.
Constructors usually lay down a breadrumb trail to help solvers uncover the theme, since the theme is helpful for unlocking trickier clues. Keep an eye towards the puzzle's title, which often references the theme directly or hints at word manipulation that may be at play. Words in the grid that directly reference the theme (called themers) are usually the longest in the grid.
Kinds of themes
There are a few different flavors of theme that occur frequently in crossword puzzles. This list is by no means exhaustive, but it does cover most of the common cases.
Categories
Each themer is neatly categorized into a list of items, exemplifying the theme. This is probably the most common kind of theme, especially so for full-sized (15x15) puzzles.
Example: ELDERSCROLL, SKYRIM, RESTORATION in
Puzzmo#209, all categories
of the video game Skyrim.
Word manipulation
Anagrams, reversals, homophones, and other word arrangement techniques are all fair game here. Often the title of the crossword will suggest the type of wordplay in use.
Example: S[ILKM]OTHS, [KIML]OOSISTERS, DREA[MLIK]E, in
Puzzmo#210, titled
"Milkshake". Each themer includes the word MILK scrambled, and "shake"
indicates that the word manipulation at play is an anagram.
Apt pair
As the name suggests, two words that relate to one another. Very common in medium-sized puzzles (midis) since they often can't fit as many themers as a full-sized crossword.
Example: BIGBUSINESS and SHOPSMALL in
Puzzmo#211. The apt pair is
twofold: big/small and business/shop.
Tribute
Similar to categories, but rather than exhausting a list of options, the themers pay tribute to a single idea.
Example: FOOTPRINTS and ADAMSAPPLE, a song and album by Wayne Shorter
(featured in Puzzmo#212).
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