The term 'A Shropshire LAD' is a reference to a poem by A.E. Housman, first published in 1896. The poem is a collection of 63 poems that explore themes of rural life, nature, and mortality. The crossword solution for this term is 'LAD', which is an acronym for 'Lines and Angles of Death'. This acronym refers to the poem's focus on death and mortality, as well as its use of geometric shapes to create a sense of structure and order.