NY Times Crossword
August 18, 2004
Nancy Salomon and Levi Denham

The answers to the first six clues will have something in common which is revealed by the answer to the seventh clue.

1. Fake stories to cover a crime
2. Stephen Foster classic, with "Oh"
3. Grand, as money
4. Valedictorian's feat, perhaps
5. "Get lost," a little more politely
6. Shocked response in conversation, asked as a question
7. Familiar Olympics chant

Answers:

1. BOGUS ALIBIS
2. OH SUSANNA
3. THOUSAND
4. A PLUS AVERAGE
5. "LEAVE US ALONE"
6. "YOU SAID WHAT?"
7. USA USA USA

Each answer conceals the consecutive letters USA:

1. bogUS Alibis
2. oh sUSAnna
3. thoUSAnd
4. a plUS Average
5. leave US Alone
6. yoU SAid what?