Here's all New York Times Crossword answers for 8 October 2024, Tuesday (10-08-24). Find all answers and solutions here.
We've also tries to explain why the answer is the correct solution for each clue.
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Clues and answers
Clues followed by answers and an explanation underneath.
A.A. Milne youngster : ROO
"ROO" is the right solution because in A.A. Milne's Winnie-the-Pooh stories, Roo is a young kangaroo and a character in the Hundred Acre Wood.
Balaam couldn’t move his : ASS
The answer "ASS" fits the clue because in the Bible story of Balaam, his donkey (or "ass") stopped moving and spoke to him.
Belgian town known for its mineral baths : SPA
The Belgian town known for its mineral baths is called Spa. "Spa" is a common term used to refer to a place with mineral springs and health resorts, making it the correct answer to the clue.
Bend over : STOOP
The answer "STOOP" fits the clue "Bend over" because when you stoop, you bend your body forward at the waist.
Book in a cartographer’s collection : ATLAS
The answer "ATLAS" is the right solution because an atlas is a collection of maps, which would be found in a cartographer's collection.
Bouncy castle filler : AIR
The answer "AIR" is the right solution because bouncy castles are filled with air to make them bouncy and inflatable.
Breed beef cattle? : RAISE THE STEAKS (from “raise the stakes”)
The answer "RAISE THE STEAKS" is a play on words, where "raise" is a term used in breeding cattle, and "steaks" is a pun on stakes. So, "Breed beef cattle?" is cleverly hinted at with "RAISE THE STEAKS."
Building with many wings? : AVIARY
The clue "Building with many wings?" is a play on words. In this case, "wings" can refer to bird wings, so the answer "AVIARY" fits as it is a building where birds are kept.
Call from a goat : MAA!
The answer "MAA" is the sound that a goat makes, so it fits the clue "Call from a goat."
Camera roll contents : PHOTOS
The answer "PHOTOS" fits the clue "Camera roll contents" because photos are typically stored and organized in a camera roll on a smartphone or digital camera.
Cassowary relatives : EMUS
EMUS are relatives of cassowaries as they both belong to the same family of flightless birds called ratites. They are both native to Australia and share similar physical characteristics such as long legs and a lack of a keel on their sternum.
Cereal with the slogan “Kid-tested. Parent-approved” : KIX
The cereal with the slogan "Kid-tested. Parent-approved" is KIX because KIX is a popular cereal brand known for its simple corn puff shape and marketing towards children and parents.
Charlotte’s first draft for “Some Pig”? : WHAT A BOAR (from “what a bore”)
The answer "WHAT A BOAR" is a play on words, changing "bore" to "boar" to refer to the pig in Charlotte's first draft of the message "Some Pig" in the book "Charlotte's Web" by E.B. White.
Cocky walk : SWAGGER
"Swagger" is the right answer because it means to walk in a very confident or arrogant way, which fits the clue "Cocky walk" perfectly.
College sr.’s test : GRE
The GRE is a standardized test commonly taken by college seniors for graduate school admissions.
Crude and tactless : GAUCHE
The word "GAUCHE" means lacking social grace or tact, which fits the clue "Crude and tactless" well.
Curiosity and Perseverance, e.g. : ROVERS
The answer "ROVERS" fits the clue because Curiosity and Perseverance are names of NASA Mars rovers.
End of a sonnet, often : SESTET
The end of a sonnet often features a sestet, which is a stanza of six lines. In a sonnet, the sestet usually follows the octave, completing the 14-line poem.
First game of the season : OPENER
The term "opener" is commonly used to refer to the first game of a sports season, making it the right answer for this clue.
Fluctuate : VARY
"Fluctuate" means to change or vary. Therefore, the answer "VARY" fits the clue because it is a synonym for fluctuate.
French seasoning : SEL
"Sel" is the French word for "salt," which is a common seasoning used in French cuisine.
Frosts, as a cupcake : ICES
The word "ices" means to cover something with icing or frosting, like a cupcake.
Genderqueer identity, informally : ENBY
"ENBY" is a slang term used informally to refer to someone who identifies as non-binary or genderqueer. It is a popular term in the LGBTQ+ community and is a short form of the word "NB" which stands for non-binary.
Giant squids have ones the size of dinner plates : EYES
The answer is "EYES" because giant squids have extremely large eyes, some as big as dinner plates, to help them see in the dark depths of the ocean.
Give some lip : SASS
"SASS" is the right solution because "give some lip" is a colloquial expression meaning to talk back impudently or disrespectfully, which is exactly what "SASS" means.
Go over the line? : REHEARSE
The phrase "go over the line" can mean to rehearse or practice lines, especially in acting. So, "REHEARSE" fits the clue.
Good things to dress in when it’s cold : LAYERS
Layering clothing helps to trap heat between the layers, keeping you warm in cold weather. This makes "LAYERS" a good choice for dressing when it's cold.
Greets with deference : BOWS TO
"BOWS TO" is the right solution because to "bow to" someone is a gesture of showing respect and deference towards them. It fits the clue "Greets with deference" as bowing is a common way to show respect in many cultures.
Handbag : PURSE
"PURSE" is the right answer because a purse is a small bag used for carrying personal items like money and keys. It is a common synonym for handbag in everyday language.
Hold responsible : BLAME
The word "blame" is the right solution because it means to hold someone responsible or accountable for something.
Huge tract of land : ESTATE
The answer "ESTATE" fits because an estate can refer to a large piece of land, usually with a large house or other buildings on it.
It’s a good thing : ASSET Down 1 Most secure
The answer "ASSET" fits the clue "It's a good thing" because an asset is something valuable or useful, making it a positive or beneficial thing to have. The answer "ASSET" also fits the clue "Most secure" because assets are typically things of value that are protected and secured.
Like some lions and elephants : ASIATIC
unknown
Like unshorn wool? : ON THE LAMB (from “on the lam”)
The phrase "on the lamb" is a play on the idiom "on the lam," which means to be a fugitive or on the run from the law. Unshorn wool comes from a lamb, so the answer "ON THE LAMB" is a clever play on words that fits the clue.
Lionhearted : VALIANT
"Valiant" is a synonym for "lionhearted," meaning brave and courageous. It fits the clue perfectly.
Money in Mexico : PESO
"PESO" is the currency used in Mexico. It is a common crossword answer for clues related to money in Mexico.
Must : HAVE TO
The answer "HAS TO" fits the clue "Must" because it means being obligated or required to do something.
Name of Athena’s shield : AEGIS
The name of Athena's shield is "Aegis" because in Greek mythology, the Aegis was a protective cloak or shield associated with the goddess Athena.
Netting : MESH
The word "netting" is often associated with a type of fabric or material that has an open, web-like structure made of interconnected threads. "Mesh" is a term commonly used to describe this type of net-like structure, making it the appropriate answer for the clue.
Novak Djokovic or Nikola Jokic, by birth : SERB
Serb is the right solution because both Novak Djokovic and Nikola Jokic were born in Serbia, making them Serbians.
On the hook : LIABLE
"LIABLE" means legally responsible or obligated, which can be synonymous with being "on the hook" for something, making it the right answer for the clue.
Organizers of book fairs, for short : PTAS
"PTAs" stands for Parent-Teacher Associations, which are commonly involved in organizing book fairs at schools. This makes it the right answer to the clue "Organizers of book fairs, for short."
Paragons : EPITOMES
The word "paragons" means perfect examples or models of excellence, which can be described as ideals.
Pertaining to bees : APIAN
"APIAN" is the right answer because it is an adjective that means "related to bees," derived from the Latin word for bee, "apis."
Recouped, as an investment : MADE BACK
The phrase "made back" means to recoup or recover an investment, making it the right solution for the clue "Recouped, as an investment."
Roughly cut : HEWN
The word "hewn" means to be roughly cut or shaped with a tool like an axe. It is a synonym for roughly cut, making it the right solution for the clue.
Sch. whose mascot is Mike the Tiger : LSU
LSU stands for Louisiana State University, and their mascot is Mike the Tiger.
Small bouquets : POSIES
"Posies" are small bouquets of flowers. The word "posies" is commonly used to refer to small bunches of flowers typically given as gifts or used for decoration.
Sops up : ABSORBS
The word "ABSORBS" means to soak up or take in liquid. When someone sops up a liquid, they are absorbing it.
Spot for an icicle : EAVE
The answer "EAVE" is the right solution because an eave is the part of a roof that overhangs the wall, creating a spot where icicles can form and hang down.
Summary of the phonetic puns at 17-, 31-, 38- and 45-? : MAKE ENDS MEAT (from “make ends meet”)
The answer "MAKE ENDS MEAT" is a play on the phrase "make ends meet," where the word "meat" is a phonetic pun for "meet." This solution fits the clue because it summarizes the phonetic puns found in the specified clues.
Supped on : ATE
The word "supped" is a past tense verb that means to eat supper or a light evening meal. "Ate" is the past tense of the verb "eat," which is synonymous with "supped."
Tackle, as a crossword : SOLVE
The answer "SOLVE" fits the clue "Tackle, as a crossword" because solving a crossword involves figuring out the answers to the clues, which is what "solving" a crossword puzzle entails.
Tee preceder : ESS
The answer "ESS" is the right solution because it precedes the letter "T" in the word "test."
Thing, in legalese : RES
"RES" is the Latin term for "thing" in legalese. In legal contexts, "res" is often used to refer to a matter or thing that is the subject of a legal action or dispute.
Treebeard or Beechbone, in Middle-earth : ENT
In Middle-earth, "Treebeard" and "Beechbone" are both examples of Ents, which are tree-like creatures. Therefore, the answer "ENT" fits the clue.
Tuck away for later : STASH
The word "stash" means to hide or store something away for later use, making it a fitting answer for the clue "Tuck away for later."
Two up quarks and a down quark : PROTON
A proton is made up of two up quarks and one down quark, which are types of elementary particles. This combination of quarks is what gives a proton its positive charge and makes it a fundamental building block of atomic nuclei.
Unexpected delight : TREAT
"TREAT" fits the clue "Unexpected delight" because a treat is something that brings joy or pleasure unexpectedly, making it a delightful surprise.
Voluminous ref. : OED
The answer "OED" stands for Oxford English Dictionary, which is a well-known and comprehensive reference for definitions and word origins. "Voluminous" suggests a large amount of information, which is exactly what the Oxford English Dictionary provides.
Wee : TINY
The word "itsy" is a short form of "itsy-bitsy," which means tiny or very small. "Wee" is a synonym of small, making "itsy" a suitable answer for the clue.
___ good example : SET A
The phrase "set a good example" means to demonstrate proper behavior for others to follow. In this context, "set a" is a verb phrase that fits the clue.
“Be on the lookout” message, for short : APB
"APB" stands for "All Points Bulletin," which is a broadcast issued to law enforcement officers alerting them to be on the lookout for a suspect or a vehicle. So, "APB" is the right solution for the clue "“Be on the lookout” message, for short."
“Beware of this sausage!”? : FEAR THE WURST (from “fear the worst”)
The answer "FEAR THE WURST" is a play on the phrase "fear the worst," where "wurst" is a type of sausage. This answer combines the original phrase with a pun on the type of sausage to create a clever and humorous response to the clue.
“If I had to estimate …” : AT A GUESS …
The phrase "AT A GUESS" is often used when making an estimation or guess about something, making it a fitting answer to the clue "If I had to estimate …".
“I’m buying!” : ON ME!
The phrase "on me" is commonly used to mean that the speaker will pay for something, making it a fitting answer for the clue "I'm buying!" in a crossword puzzle.
“Little Shop of Horrors” lyricist Howard : ASHMAN
Howard Ashman is the lyricist for the musical "Little Shop of Horrors," making "ASHMAN" the correct answer to the clue.