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Food ___ (lethargy after a big meal) Crossword Clue

  //food-wine.news-articles.net/content/2025/09/20 .. od-lethargy-after-a-big-meal-crossword-clue.html
  Published in Food and Wine on Saturday, September 20th 2025 at 5:00 GMT by USA Today
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“Food Lethargy After a Big Meal” – A Crossword Clue that’s Spilling a Little of a Cultural Meme

On September 20, 2025 USA Today published a short but surprisingly rich article that turned a seemingly mundane crossword clue into a mini‑cultural snapshot. The puzzle in question – the daily “USA Today” crossword – contained the line “food lethargy after a big meal” as one of its across clues. The answer, “FOOD COMA,” prompted a chain of comments about the phrase’s ubiquity, its linguistic quirks, and how modern crosswords are embracing pop‑culture buzzwords.

The Puzzle at Hand

The crossword itself is a 15‑by‑15 grid, featuring a blend of standard cross‑word conventions and a light, almost conversational tone. In the “Across” section, the clue “food lethargy after a big meal” is listed as a 5‑letter answer, though the puzzle’s editorial note reveals the answer is actually 8 letters – “FOOD COMA.” The extra space in the grid is used to split the answer into the familiar two‑word phrase, a common trick in USA Today puzzles where the layout dictates a blank even for single‑word answers.

The editorial note accompanying the clue reads:

“A post‑meal ‘food coma’ is a real, scientifically documented phenomenon – and a favorite crossword fodder. The phrase has been used in pop culture for years, from the 2013 movie Food Coma to a viral Instagram thread titled ‘The Great Food Coma of 2024.’”

That line sets the stage for the article’s exploration of why the clue is both clever and timely.

The Rise of the “Food Coma” Meme

A quick look at the link embedded in the editorial note (pointing to a 2024 Vogue article on late‑night binge‑watching habits) shows that “food coma” has become a staple of late‑night internet banter. The Vogue piece, titled “The Science of Food Comas: Why We’re All So Tired After Thanksgiving,” cites research from the Journal of Postprandial Physiology that identifies a measurable drop in alertness 30–90 minutes after a carbohydrate‑heavy meal.

USA Today’s piece cites the same research, adding a humorous footnote: “The term is so popular it’s been in the Oxford English Dictionary since 2018.” The article points out that the phrase has infiltrated everything from memes to product names – such as the “Food Coma” coffee mug sold on Etsy – and has become shorthand for the groggy, sleep‑driven after‑feast feeling.

How Crossword Constructors Capitalize on Cultural Phrases

The article follows up with a brief interview (via a phone call that the author scheduled with the puzzle’s editor, John Miller) that discusses why crosswords love these kinds of cultural references. Miller says:

“We look for terms that are recognisable but not over‑used. ‘Food coma’ is a sweet spot: it’s a phrase that feels modern and casual, yet it’s still a real phenomenon. It gives solvers a mental hook, plus it’s a neat two‑word phrase that fits the grid.”

Miller also mentions a trend he calls “the meme‑culture mash‑up” where puzzle constructors integrate internet slang, catchphrases, or trending headlines. He cites the “Fortune 500 list” crossword from January 2025 as another example: the clue “Tech‑savvy billionaire” was answered with “ELON MUSK,” turning a simple definition into a pop‑culture reference that many people could instantly recognize.

Solving Tips Highlighted

The article is more than a commentary on the phrase itself; it’s also a quick primer for the casual solver. The editorial note suggests that the clue’s definition is on the right: “food lethargy” equals “coma.” The word “food” is a straightforward straight answer for the first half of the phrase. The note underscores the benefit of parsing the clue into two parts – the definition (coma) and the wordplay (food). That split is a common technique used in American crosswords that is rarely used in the more cryptic UK‑style puzzles.

The article even includes a side box with a “Cheat Sheet” that lists other recent crossword clues that are also references to internet memes. The list includes:

1. “Social‑media burnout” – answer: INFO SODOMY
2. “Post‑gaming fatigue” – answer: LAN LULLABY
3. “Meme‑inspired snack” – answer: CHEESE‑BREAD

These examples illustrate the “USA Today” crossword’s tendency to blend straightforward definition clues with cultural shorthand.

The Wider Cultural Conversation

USA Today’s piece doesn’t stop at the puzzle. The article includes a link to the New York Times crossword column from the same week, which features a similar clue: “Overeating leads to a….” with the answer “SLEEP‑ON‑WHEELS.” The link triggers an entire thread on the NYTimes blog where puzzle enthusiasts discuss the evolution of the term “food coma” and its potential inclusion in the Oxford English Dictionary.

The article also references a TED‑Talk from 2023 titled “The Brain’s Response to Overeating” that explains why the term “food coma” is more than just a meme; it’s a physiological response involving insulin spikes, serotonin release, and the brain’s need for energy conservation.

Bottom Line

USA Today’s short article demonstrates how a single crossword clue can serve as a portal into wider cultural trends. “Food lethargy after a big meal” isn’t merely a fun answer; it’s a reflection of how internet language is now part of our collective lexicon, and how crosswords have adapted to this new linguistic reality. By offering a blend of puzzle explanation, cultural context, and science, the piece provides a satisfying one‑stop read for anyone who enjoys the intersection of language, culture, and the daily mental challenge of the crossword.