six down

adj.

Describes a crossword puzzle fan or constructor who has passed away.

Example Citation:

You know, I discovered another piece of slang in the crossword puzzle. I just found myself drawn to this. "six down" is something I had never heard before. It's a term of endearment for great crossword puzzle constructors who have passed away. So you write Eugene Moleska (ph) became six down on August 3, 1993.

— Liane Hansen, "Idiom Savant," National Public Radio, October 12, 1997

Earliest Citation:

Re, H. G. Knapp's letter, Are crossword puzzles for Americans only? (June 10). I agree wholeheartedly with him, and if he wants to contact me and bring a shovel we can go down to the States and get the guy who makes these crosswords up for The Star and bury him 6 down and 3 across!

— Sid Smith, "How to take care of crossword creator," The Toronto Star, June 21, 1986

Related Words:

communal bereavement

cremains

crosswordese

enigmatology

post-mortem divorce

to meet Marx

Category:

Aging and Death