9D. To be “left holding the bag” means being abandoned (by cowardly others) to bear the blame or responsibility for something. In this clue, [It may be left holding the bag] describes a literal bag and a less animate holder. The answer is TEAPOT.

who in 1913 created what’s often cited as the world’s first crossword puzzle. There are a few notable differences between Wynne’s puzzle and those of today. His is a perfect diamond ...

Crosswords caught on in the first half of the 20th century, but the New York Times, whose puzzle is now famous, didn't publish a crossword until 1942. Illustration by Adam Simpson On a blustery ...

The puzzle’s title, “Making Arrangements,” hints at the trick. I recognized this phrase as a possible “ anagrind ,” or indicator of anagrams, which are words or terms made by rearranging the letters in other words or terms. They are a fixture in the cryptic puzzle universe and are also the theme entries in this puzzle!

The first letters of those schools have been circled in the grid and they spell out SUMMER, which for many students is when school’s out until August or September. It’s a timely theme as college graduation ceremonies take place across the country.