Wall Street Journal Crossword 

September 23, 2025

Mike Shenk 

  

The name and three phrases below have something in common that is hinted at by the last clue. Can you determine what it is?

 

SID CAESAR

PIT CREW

RAIN CHECK

PONZI SCHEME 

Conversation starters

 

Answer:

 

"Breaking the ice" or "ice breaker" is a metaphor for starting a conversation. The word ICE is broken up in each of the clues:

 

sId CaEsar

pIt CrEw

raIn ChEck 

ponzI sChEme