The phrase “it’s a surprise, of course” is a New York Times crossword clue whose recent answer is POP QUIZ in the NYT puzzle from February 21, 2026.

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It’s a Surprise, Of Course NYT – What It Means

If you ran into the New York Times clue “It’s a surprise, of course!” and got stuck, you’re definitely not alone. This clue is all about that sudden, unannounced challenge we all secretly dread in school.

The Short Answer (No Fluff)

  • Clue: “It’s a surprise, of course!” (NYT)
  • Puzzle date: February 21, 2026 (main NYT crossword)
  • Answer (7 letters): POPQUIZ

Why “POP QUIZ” Fits the Clue

A pop quiz is:

  • Unannounced and meant to catch students off guard.
  • A “surprise” by design, usually given during a course (class).

So the clue’s little wordplay is that it’s a surprise of course → a surprise in a course → pop quiz.

Where This Clue Appeared

  • The clue “It’s a surprise, of course!” is listed as part of the New York Times crossword for February 21, 2026.
  • Multiple crossword-helper sites now catalog it and confirm the answer as POPQUIZ.

Mini Forum-Style Take

“Thought the answer might be ‘party’ or ‘test’ at first, but the ‘of course’ part totally gave away that it had to be something in a class. POP QUIZ makes perfect sense now.”

Common solver reactions:

  1. First instinct guesses:
    • “TEST,” “EXAM,” “SURPRISE,” “QUIZ” (too short or not matching the wordplay).
  2. Realization:
    • “Of course” = “in a course” → something that happens in a class.
  3. Final fill:
    • POPQUIZ (7 letters, fits both sense and grid).

Why This Clue Is Trending Now

  • NYT crossword clues often spike in searches on or just after the puzzle date, as solvers look for help finishing the grid.
  • Education- and school-themed wordplay tends to be memorable, so clues like this get shared in forums, group chats, and puzzle blogs.

Quick Facts for Crossword Fans

  • Clue style: Playful, with a mild pun on “course.”
  • Puzzle type: Standard NYT crossword, not the Mini (though helper sites may also mention Minis in general).
  • Difficulty: Light to moderate; easy once you notice the “course/class” angle.

TL;DR: The NYT clue “It’s a surprise, of course!” is referring to a surprise in a course —that is, a POP QUIZ , which is the confirmed 7‑letter answer used in the February 21, 2026 New York Times crossword.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.