Here's all New York Times Crossword answers for 21 December 2024, Saturday (12-21-24). 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.
À la king? : NOBLY
The clue "À la king?" is a play on the phrase "à la king," which means prepared with a cream sauce containing mushrooms and green peppers. "Nobly" is the right answer because it means in a noble or distinguished manner, which fits the clue's wordplay.
Adds to the code, say : ENACTS
The word "enacts" means to officially put something into effect, like adding to a code or law.
Alabama is in it, but Alaska is not : LOWER FORTY-EIGHT
The Lower Forty-Eight refers to the contiguous United States, excluding Alaska and Hawaii. Alabama is in the contiguous United States, but Alaska is not.
All the greater : MORE SO
The phrase "more so" means to a greater extent or degree, making it a fitting answer for the clue "All the greater."
Apt name for a thief : ROB
The word "ROB" is an apt name for a thief because it is a common verb that means to steal. It fits the clue perfectly.
Austrian composer Mahler : ALMA
The answer "ALMA" refers to Alma Mahler, who was the wife of Austrian composer Gustav Mahler.
Bad place to be stuck : RUT
The word "rut" can refer to a bad place to be stuck, as it is a track or path worn by a wheel or animal in soft ground. Being stuck in a rut implies being stuck in a monotonous or unproductive routine.
Bed hogs, at times : WEEDS
Black-and-white divers : AUKS
The answer "AUKS" fits the clue "Black-and-white divers" because auks are seabirds that are typically black and white in color and are known for diving underwater to catch fish.
Blue laws, e.g. : BANS
The term "blue laws" refers to laws that regulate or restrict certain activities on Sundays or other religious holidays. The word "BANS" fits the clue because blue laws typically involve banning or prohibiting certain activities.
C.D., e.g. : Abbr.
The clue "C.D., e.g." is asking for an abbreviation, which is indicated by "Abbr." This is the right solution because "C.D." is an abbreviation for "compact disc," making it an example of an abbreviation.
Certain tech exec : CIO
"CIO" stands for Chief Information Officer, which is a common title for a tech executive who oversees a company's information technology and computer systems.
Character who says “I am short, fat and proud of that” : POOH
In the Winnie the Pooh stories, Pooh Bear is known for his love of honey and his humble, self-accepting nature. The quote "I am short, fat and proud of that" reflects Pooh's contentment with his appearance and personality, making him the character who would say such a statement.
Chinese dog breed, for short : PEKE
The answer "PEKE" is the right solution because it is a common short form for the Chinese dog breed Pekingese.
Comms group : PR TEAM
The answer "PR TEAM" fits the clue "Comms group" because PR stands for Public Relations, and a PR team is a group of professionals who handle communication and manage relationships with the public on behalf of an organization.
Confirmation, for one : RITE
The word "rite" refers to a formal or ceremonial act or procedure, often associated with religious or traditional practices. Confirmation is a religious rite in many Christian denominations, making "RITE" the correct answer.
Exclamation with a shake : BRR!
The answer "BRR!" is the right solution because it is an onomatopoeic representation of the sound one might make when shaking due to cold.
Far below the surface : DEEP-SEATED Down 1 X follower, perhaps
The answer "DEEP-SEATED" fits the clue "Far below the surface" because it means deeply ingrained or firmly established, which implies being far beneath the surface.
First name in country : REBA
Merle is a common first name in the country music genre, making it a fitting answer for "First name in country."
Form letters? : WRITE
The clue "Form letters?" is a play on words, suggesting that the answer is related to writing letters. The word "WRITE" fits this clue as it means to form letters by hand or using a keyboard.
Go ballistic : BLOW A GASKET
The phrase "blow a gasket" is a common idiom meaning to become extremely angry or lose control of one's emotions, which fits the clue "Go ballistic" well.
Isolated : SILOED
The word "isolated" can mean separated or kept apart, which is similar to the idea of being "siloed" - kept in a separate or isolated group or department.
Its first airing was “The French Chef” with Julia Child : PBS
PBS is the Public Broadcasting Service, a network known for airing educational and informative programs like "The French Chef" with Julia Child. This clue is referring to the network where the show originally aired.
It’s a little shady : BONSAI TREE
Japanese food that’s a good source of what it spells backward : NORI
The answer "NORI" is the right solution because when you spell "NORI" backward, it spells "IRON," which is a nutrient that nori, a type of seaweed used in Japanese cuisine, is a good source of.
Jhené ___, Grammy-nominated R&B singer : AIKO
The answer "AIKO" fits the clue because Jhené Aiko is a Grammy-nominated R&B singer.
Lands : COMES ASHORE
The word "lands" can be used as a verb meaning to arrive or come to a place. "Wins" is a synonym for "lands" in this context, as it can also mean to achieve or attain something. Therefore, "wins" is the appropriate answer for the clue "lands."
Last ruler of the Ptolemaic Kingdom, familiarly : CLEO
"Cleo" is the right solution because it is a common nickname for Cleopatra, who was the last ruler of the Ptolemaic Kingdom in ancient Egypt.
Latin for “trumpet” : TUBA
The Latin word for "trumpet" is "tuba." The answer "TUBA" fits the clue because it directly translates to the Latin term for the musical instrument.
Lead-in to -gram : EPI-
"Lead-in to -gram" is a common crossword clue that is looking for a prefix that can be added before the word "gram." The prefix "EPI-" means "on, upon, over, among, at, after, to, outside of." When added to "gram," it forms words like "epigram" or "epigraph."
Like a noisy toy : YAPPY
The word "yappy" is often used to describe a noisy or talkative dog, making it a fitting answer for the clue "Like a noisy toy."
Like a sole-source contract : NO-BID
The term "no-bid" refers to a contract that is awarded without a competitive bidding process, making it a sole-source contract. This is why "no-bid" is the correct answer to the clue "Like a sole-source contract."
Like many on a Zoom call : REMOTE
The answer "REMOTE" fits the clue "Like many on a Zoom call" because participants on a Zoom call are typically not physically present in the same location but are connecting from remote locations using the internet.
Lines in bars : URLS
"Lines in bars" is a cryptic clue where "bars" can refer to the bars in a web browser. "URLs" are web addresses that consist of lines of text found in the address bar of a browser.
Losing athlete in the 2002 and 2003 N.B.A. Finals : NET
The New Jersey Nets lost in the 2002 and 2003 NBA Finals, making "NET" the correct answer.
Madrid’s Teatro Real, for one : OPERA HOUSE
The answer "OPERA HOUSE" fits the clue "Madrid’s Teatro Real, for one" because Teatro Real is an opera house located in Madrid, Spain.
Most of the 1980s : REAGAN ERA
The answer "REAGAN ERA" fits the clue "Most of the 1980s" because Ronald Reagan was the President of the United States for most of that decade, from 1981 to 1989.
Mount ___, Canada’s highest peak : LOGAN
The answer is "LOGAN" because Mount Logan is the highest peak in Canada.
No longer waffle : OPT
"OPT" is the right solution because when you stop waffling, you make a decision or choice, which is what "opt" means.
Noisy Asian bird : MYNA
The noisy Asian bird referred to in the clue is commonly known as the myna bird. Therefore, "MYNA" is the correct answer.
Not born yesterday, so to speak : ASTUTE
The phrase "not born yesterday" means not naive or gullible, which can be described as being astute.
Oft-kissed part of the statue of St. Peter in Vatican City : TOE
The toe of the statue of St. Peter in Vatican City is often kissed by visitors as a sign of respect and devotion.
One who’s made it to some degree? : COLLEGE GRAD
The answer "COLLEGE GRAD" fits the clue "One who’s made it to some degree?" because a college graduate has achieved a certain level of success or accomplishment by completing their college degree.
Pen for a hit : E-CIG
The answer "E-CIG" fits the clue "Pen for a hit" because an e-cig or electronic cigarette is a device that people use to inhale vaporized nicotine or other substances. The term "pen" in the clue refers to the pen-like shape of an e-cig.
Pill alternatives, in brief : IUDS
The answer "IUDS" is the right solution because IUDs (intrauterine devices) are a form of birth control that can be an alternative to taking daily birth control pills.
Reason for foot-tapping : ANTSINESS
The answer "ANTSINESS" is the right solution because antsy is a colloquial term meaning restless or impatient, which can manifest as foot-tapping.
Returner’s call : LET!
The term "LET!" is a common call in tennis when a ball is hit out of bounds but the player chooses to play it. This fits the clue "Returner's call" as it refers to a player deciding to let the ball go out of bounds.
Runs off at the mouth? : DROOLS
"DROOLS" is the right solution because the phrase "runs off at the mouth" can be a playful way to describe someone who talks excessively or nonsensically, similar to how drooling can be seen as excessive or uncontrollable.
SALT, but not PEPPER : NUCLEAR PACT
unknown
Shield, with “for” : RUN INTERFERENCE …
Shifty little sucker? : BENDY STRAW
"BENDY STRAW" fits the clue "Shifty little sucker?" because a bendy straw is a flexible tube that can be bent or twisted, making it "bendy" or shifty, and it is often used for sucking up liquids, hence the term "sucker."
Short palindrome in the middle of a famous longer one : ERE
The clue is referring to the palindrome "Ere I saw Elba," which is a shorter palindrome in the middle of the famous longer palindrome "Able was I ere I saw Elba." Therefore, "ERE" is the correct answer.
Shrinks’ org. : APA
The answer "APA" is the abbreviation for the American Psychological Association, which is an organization of psychologists and psychology students in the United States.
Slogged (through) : WADED
"Waded" is the right solution because it means to walk with effort through water or another liquid or viscous substance. This fits the clue "Slogged (through)" as both "slogged" and "waded" imply moving with difficulty through something.
Some who whistle while they work : REFS
Stake : FUND
The word "stake" can refer to a wager or a bet placed on an outcome, making "BET" the correct solution.
Star-forming region nearest to Earth : ORION NEBULA
The Orion Nebula is the star-forming region nearest to Earth, located in the constellation of Orion. It is a well-known astronomical object where new stars are being born, making it the correct answer to the clue.
The “King of Mambo” : TITO PUENTE
Tito Puente was a famous musician known as the "King of Mambo," making him the correct answer to the clue.
This means trouble : SOS
"SOS" is a distress signal used in Morse code, often associated with indicating trouble or an emergency situation. So, when the clue says "This means trouble," the answer "SOS" fits perfectly as it signifies a call for help in a difficult situation.
Track stat : ETD
The answer "ETD" stands for Estimated Time of Departure, which is a common statistic provided for train schedules and flights. It fits the clue "Track stat" as it is a piece of information that is commonly displayed and tracked for transportation departures.
Turned (off) : SHUT
"Turned (off)" is a clue indicating that something has been switched off or closed. The word "SHUT" fits this description as it means to close or cover something, making it the right solution for the clue.
Vineyard eponym : MARTHA
Martha's Vineyard is a famous island known for its vineyards, making "MARTHA" the eponym for this vineyard.
What some people display after getting stuck? : TATS
"Stuck" spelled backwards is "TATS", so the answer "TATS" is what some people display after getting stuck.
Woodpecker’s fare : SAP
Woodpeckers eat sap by drilling into trees to access the sugary liquid inside. Therefore, "SAP" is the right answer to the clue "Woodpecker’s fare."
“And the ___ raths outgrabe” (“Jabberwocky” line) : MOME
The word "mome" fills in the blank in the line from Lewis Carroll's poem "Jabberwocky." It is a nonsense word created by Carroll for the poem.
“I kinda like it!” : THAT’S NOT BAD!
The answer "THAT’S NOT BAD!" fits the clue "I kinda like it!" because it suggests a positive sentiment without being overly enthusiastic, indicating a moderate level of approval.
“The Hate U Give” author Thomas : ANGIE
Angie is the first name of the author Thomas in "The Hate U Give" by Angie Thomas.
“Worth a shot” : IT CAN’T HURT
The phrase "It can't hurt" is another way of saying "worth a shot," meaning trying something won't cause harm.