Yesterday’s Atlantic Crossword Answers and Hints

The solution is SVEN because Sven is a loyal reindeer and sidekick to Kristoff in Disney's Frozen franchise, including Olaf's Frozen Adventure. As Olaf's friend, Sven contributes to their adventures, making him a fitting answer for "Sidekick in Olaf's Frozen Adventure."

The phrase "wearing many hats" is an idiom that refers to taking on multiple roles or responsibilities. "HATS" serves as the solution because it symbolically represents the different "roles" someone might perform in various contexts. This ties the idiomatically referenced clue to its answer.

The answer is ENYA because the Fugees sampled her ethereal song "Boadicea" in their track "Ready or Not." ENYA is an Irish singer known for her atmospheric and haunting music, making her work ideal for sampling in this context.

EDM stands for Electronic Dance Music, a genre that includes subgenres like house and trance. The clue specifies "for short," indicating an abbreviation. House and trance are prominent styles within EDM, making it the fitting answer to describe the overarching genre.

In Letterboxd, a movie-rating platform, users rate films from 0.5 to 5 stars. A "middling" rating implies a below-average score, but not the lowest. A "Two-star" rating (out of 5) fits this description, representing a mediocre or subpar opinion of a film.

The clue "Internal memo?" with a question mark signals a pun or wordplay. Here, "Internal" refers to inside your mind, and "memo" hints at a note or reminder. Combined, the answer "MENTAL NOTE" cleverly describes a reminder you keep in your head, like an internal memo.

The clue "Opposite of ace" refers to "ace" as slang for excellent or highly skilled. The opposite would imply "below average" or lacking skill. "ALLO" plays on the French word "allô," which can be considered a signal to stop or get attention, making it opposite in tone. It's a wordplay interpretation.

The answer "SLIP" fits because a slip dress is a slinky, figure-skimming style of dress often made of lightweight, smooth fabrics like satin or silk. The word "slinky" here describes the sleek, flowing quality characteristic of a slip dress. This aligns perfectly with the clue's description.

The clue "Boy toys?" features wordplay due to the question mark. It refers to Ken dolls, often associated with Barbie dolls, which are popular toys. "Boy" hints at Ken being the male counterpart to Barbie, making "KENS" the fitting answer.

Petunia Pig is a female pig character from Looney Tunes. The term "sow" refers to an adult female pig, making it the fitting answer to the clue "Petunia Pig, e.g."

The answer "CHAMBERPOP" fits because the Beach Boys' Pet Sounds used intricate arrangements and orchestral instrumentation. Chamber pop, characterized by its lush, classical-inspired sound and detailed production, draws heavily from this approach, blending pop with elements like strings and vocal harmonies. Pet Sounds greatly influenced this genre’s development.

The clue "Irks" directly means to bother or irritate, which is synonymous with "annoys." Both words convey the same idea of causing slight anger or displeasure. This straightforward clue does not involve any wordplay, making ANNOYS the perfect fit for the answer.

The clue "Ask someone else!" in quotes suggests a spoken phrase. "NOT ME" is a typical response when someone deflects responsibility or participation, implying they aren't the person to ask or involve, aligning perfectly with the clue's playful conversational tone.

The solution is REI because “A Life Outdoors Is a Life Well Lived” is the slogan of Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI). This retailer specializes in outdoor gear and apparel, making it the perfect fit for the clue centered on enjoying life outdoors.

The answer "NOID" refers to Tyler, the Creator's song "IFHY" where paranoia and constant surveillance themes echo. Additionally, "Noid" evokes "paranoid," a feeling of being constantly watched, tying into the clue’s theme. This play on words captures both the song's essence and its underlying feeling.

The clue refers to "TikTok stars or popular YouTubers, casually," describing internet personalities or celebrities specifically famous online. The prefix "E-" commonly denotes internet or electronic-related terms (e.g., email, e-commerce). Combined with "CELEBS" (short for celebrities), the term "ECELEBS" aptly refers to digital or internet-famous individuals.

KNOSSOS is the solution because it was an ancient city on Crete home to the famous labyrinth of Greek mythology. This labyrinth, built by Daedalus, housed the Minotaur—a half-man, half-bull creature. Knossos is closely tied to this mythological story as its central location.

UPS is the answer because the company famously trademarked the color "Pullman Brown," used on its delivery trucks and uniforms. This distinctive shade was chosen to evoke elegance and reliability, standing out as a recognizable brand element in their delivery services.

The clue "Cutesy-" refers to a term often used in a playful, endearing, or childlike manner. "Poo" is a cutesy way of referring to feces, commonly used in lighthearted contexts or with children, fitting perfectly with the tone suggested by "Cutesy-."

The phrase "SWIMMINGLY" means "going very well" or "with great success," metaphorically suggesting smooth, effortless progress—like swimming without difficulty. It perfectly aligns with the clue's meaning of achieving something successfully and smoothly, making it the apt solution for "With great success."

The answer is EAR because many Disneyland souvenirs, like Mickey Mouse hats and headbands, prominently feature a pair of Mickey’s iconic round ears. These ears are a signature element of Disneyland merchandise, making "EAR" the perfect fit for this clue.

The phrase "Heir and a Spare" is an adage tied to aristocracy, describing the tradition of royal families having two heirs: the first (heir) to inherit the title and the second (spare) as a backup. It reflects the practice of securing succession continuity. Thus, "SPARE" completes the adage.

The clue "Truth is ..." is a conversational phrase often followed by someone expressing honesty. The answer, TOBEHONEST, is a common introductory phrase used when revealing one’s true thoughts or feelings, perfectly fitting the context of the clue enclosed in quotes.

The clue "The l of lmk" refers to the common internet abbreviation "lmk," which stands for "let me know." The "l" in "lmk" represents the word "LET," making it the correct answer.

AFI stands for the American Film Institute, an organization known for its "100 Years" series of lists celebrating American cinema (e.g., "100 Years...100 Movies"). These lists recognize significant films, moments, or scores, making AFI the fitting answer for this clue.

MFA stands for "Master of Fine Arts," a graduate degree often pursued by individuals in creative fields like art and curation. Since museum curators frequently have expertise in fine arts, this degree is a fitting qualification. "Abbr." in the clue indicates the answer is abbreviated.

The answer is ALTJ because "Tessellate" is a song by the British band Alt-J, who are often stylized as "∆," a symbol created by typing "Alt" + "J" on a keyboard. The clue cleverly refers to the song and the band’s name through this word association.

The phrase "___, égalité, fraternité" is the motto of France, translating to "Liberty, equality, fraternity" in English. "Liberté" (French for "liberty") completes the phrase, fitting both the clue's language and cultural context. The answer matches the French wording, indicated by "égalité" and "fraternité."

The clue Though suggests a subordinating conjunction that introduces a contrast or exception. ALBEIT is a synonym for "though" or "although" and is commonly used to express contrast within a sentence, making it the fitting solution for this clue.

The answer "BILLS" refers to printed programs or handouts in theaters, which detail the performances, cast, and other information about a show. These are often called "playbills," and "Theater printouts" is a concise way of describing them.

In A Midsummer Night's Dream (Act IV, Scene I), the weaver Nick Bottom is magically transformed with a donkey's (ass’s) head. Titania, under a love spell, falls for him, prompting the line. Shakespeare's humor contrasts Titania’s infatuation with the ridiculousness of Bottom's "ass" head.

The clue “Jeopardy winner, e.g.” hints at someone exceptionally knowledgeable or skilled, as Jeopardy champions often showcase vast intelligence and quick thinking, traits associated with a "WHIZ." The term "WHIZ" colloquially describes someone brilliant or talented, fitting the description of a Jeopardy winner.

In rap battles, "BODY" is slang for utterly defeating or destroying an opponent with powerful lyrics or delivery. The clue uses "Destroy" metaphorically, fitting the slang meaning within the competitive and combative nature of rap battles.

The answer is OWEN because Owen Wilson co-starred in the movie Zoolander alongside Ben Stiller (who played Derek Zoolander) and Will Ferrell (as Mugatu). Wilson played Hansel, Derek's rival-turned-friend, making him a key part of the movie's cast.

The answer "PEON" fits because a peon refers to a low-ranking worker, often performing menial tasks and receiving little recognition or appreciation. The word "maybe" in the clue suggests the underappreciation is not universal but applicable in some contexts, making "PEON" an apt, lightly punny answer.

In hockey, a "deke" (short for "decoy") is a move used to fake out opponents on the rink, often in an attempt to maneuver around them or score. This fits the playful phrasing of "Fake in the rink," making DEKE the correct answer.

The clue "Something located on the neck?" uses a pun. In this case, it refers to the neck of a guitar or similar stringed instrument, where frets are located. Frets are the raised metal strips that divide the neck into sections, helping musicians play specific notes.

The answer "SAX" refers to the saxophone, a brass instrument prominently featured in Fleur East's single "Sax." The clue highlights the brass sample in the song, directly pointing to the instrument central to the track’s sound and title. This is a direct connection to the song’s name.

The clue ["Can we turn the heat up?"] ends in a question mark, signaling wordplay. "BRR" is an expression used to mimic the sound people make when they're cold, emphasizing the need for warmth, which aligns with requesting to increase the heat.