Cat breed named after an Indonesian island from which it didn't originate - NYT The Crossword Clue

The answer "ARTLAB" fits the clue "Schoolroom that serves as a studio" because an art lab is a creative space in schools where students engage in hands-on artistic activities, just like a studio. The term "lab" emphasizes experimentation and creation, aligning with a studio-like environment for art.

The answer is "BBC" because the British Broadcasting Corporation originally aired "Doctor Who" when it premiered in 1963. As the UK’s national broadcaster, BBC created and remains closely associated with the iconic sci-fi series. Thus, "Original airer" directly points to BBC.

The answer "PACT" fits the clue "Covenant" because both terms refer to an agreement or promise between parties. "Covenant" often has formal or solemn connotations, which aligns with the meaning of "PACT" as a binding agreement. They are direct synonyms.

The clue "Give a lashing" suggests scolding or reprimanding, as one might metaphorically "lash out" at someone with words. "Berate" perfectly fits as it means to scold or criticize angrily, aligning with this verbal "lashing." The answer focuses on a figurative rather than physical interpretation.

The answer is ALI because Will Smith portrayed Muhammad Ali, the legendary boxer, in the 2001 sports biopic titled Ali. The film focused on Ali's life, career, and impact on sports and culture, aligning directly with the clue's reference.

ARES is the Greek god of war and is famously known as the son of Zeus, king of the gods, and Hera, his wife. In Greek mythology, Ares is one of their divine children, which makes him the correct answer to this clue.

The answer "STEVIA" fits because it is a natural, zero-calorie sweetener derived from the stevia plant. Commonly used as a sugar substitute, it appears in many diet sodas for calorie-conscious consumers, aligning perfectly with the clue "Sweetener in some diet sodas."

The clue uses a pun with "takeout orders." ORS refers to operating rooms, where surgeons "take out" things like tumors. The question mark hints at wordplay, turning "takeout orders" into a humorous nod to surgical procedures in hospitals. ORS is the abbreviated form of operating rooms.

The answer "LUMEN" fits because it is a standard unit of measurement for visible light. Specifically, a lumen measures the total amount of light emitted by a source per second, aligning perfectly with the clue "Light unit." It’s a direct and scientific match to describe light’s intensity.

The phrase "Not in the ___!" completes as "Not in the LEAST!"—a common idiom meaning "not at all." The blank is filled with "LEAST" to emphasize the negation, aligning with the clue's structure and tone.

The entry RICOTA looks like it should be “ricotta,” which can throw solvers off at first. But the clue points to something that’s “read” as a 'warning,' the RIOT ACT. To get there, you use the puzzle’s CIRCLES BACK trick: take the circled letters C and T from inside RICOTA and move them to the end. That gives you RIOTACT, a perfect fit. It’s a clever example of how the puzzle hides the real answer in a scrambled word, and the meaning only becomes clear once you shift the circled letters to the back.

The entry KIMONOS doesn’t match the clue at first glance, but the circled K and I are the puzzle’s breadcrumb trail. Shift those letters to the back, and KIMONOS becomes MONOSKI, a piece of ski equipment closely related to a snowboard. This clever shift demonstrates the “CIRCLES BACK” theme in action, where visual cues in the grid enable a correct reading of the clue. The transformation rewards solvers who embrace the letter play and rethink surface appearances.

The answer is BAHA because the Baha Men were the group that won the Grammy Award in 2001 for Best Dance Recording with their hit song "Who Let the Dogs Out." "___ Men" in the clue directly refers to this group, filling the blank with "BAHA."

The clue "Old tone" refers to the brownish tone often seen in old photographs. SEPIA is the name of the chemical process that gives these photos their characteristic warm, aged appearance, thus tying directly to the "old tone" description.

The clue "Is for the people?" has a pun indicated by the question mark. "Is" is the singular form of "to be," while "are" is its plural form. "For the people" suggests plural, so "are" is the correct answer, matching the plural subject.

The clue "Daffy Duck speaking feature" plays on Daffy Duck's iconic speech trait, a pronounced lisp, where "s" sounds become "th." This punny clue directly references his distinctive way of speaking, making LISP the correct answer.

The clue "I wanna!" is in quotes, signaling it represents informal, spoken language. "Lemme" is a casual contraction of "let me," matching the tone of "I wanna!" Both express eagerness or a strong desire in slang, making LEMME the perfect fit for the clue.

The phrase "circles back" means revisiting or bringing up a prior topic, matching the clue's definition. Additionally, it hints at how the starred clues work: their answers involve circling (or looping back) letters or words in some way, connecting to the puzzle's theme.

The Ebla library, discovered in modern-day Syria, is considered the world’s first library, dating back to around 2500 B.C. Ebla was an ancient city located in present-day Syria. Hence, "Syria" fits as the solution for the country associated with this historic site.

The answer is CLEF because in sheet music, a clef is a symbol placed at the beginning of the staff. It indicates the pitch range for the notes, such as the treble or bass clef, making it a key part of musical notation.

The verb "had" creates a grammatically correct but potentially confusing phrase when repeated, such as "He had had better days." The first "had" serves as the auxiliary verb, while the second "had" is the main verb, making it tricky yet correct.

The answer is EPSOM because Epsom salt is a well-known form of magnesium sulfate, typically used for bathing or as a remedy for sore muscles. The clue specifies "___ salt" and provides the chemical composition (magnesium sulfate), directly referring to Epsom salt.

The prefix "AERO-" relates to air or flight. When combined with "-nautics," it forms "aeronautics," the study or practice of designing, building, and operating aircraft. As a logical lead-in, "AERO" perfectly aligns with the clue for this context.

AVENGER at first evokes comic books, not carving. But when you move the circled A, V, and E to the back of the entry, AVENGER becomes ENGRAVE, a precise match for “carve out.” This elegant transformation shows the power of the puzzle’s theme. Not only does it demand attention to circled letters, it also challenges solvers to reinterpret a seemingly unrelated word. The clue’s misdirection makes the reveal more satisfying once the mechanism clicks.

DUSTPAN looks out of place for a clue about comedy, but the circled D, U, and P point to the trick. Take them out and reattach them at the end: DUSTPAN → STANDUP. It’s a witty example of how the puzzle turns a cleaning tool into a form of comedic performance. The result is both visually and conceptually pleasing, showcasing the clever mechanics behind the CIRCLES BACK theme. The laughter comes not just from the clue but from the joy of cracking it.

The answer is GENOA because Christopher Columbus, the famed explorer who completed transatlantic voyages to the Americas, was born in Genoa, a historic port city in present-day Italy. This clue refers to his widely acknowledged birthplace, making GENOA the correct solution.

The clue "___ My Heart in San Francisco" refers to the famous song "I Left My Heart in San Francisco." The phrase "I Left" completes the title perfectly, making it the correct answer for this clue. It's a direct reference to the song's title.

The answer "SIM" refers to characters in "The Sims," a popular video game series. Sims, the virtual people in the game, speak a fictional gibberish language called "Simlish," which sounds nonsensical but conveys emotion, making it a perfect fit for the clue.

REVILING reads like a verb, but doesn’t quite match the clue. By applying the CIRCLES BACK logic, take the circled R, I, and G and place them at the end. REVILING becomes EVILGRIN, a perfectly sinister expression. This clue-answer pair is especially satisfying because it not only resolves cleanly but adds flavor and narrative. You can picture a cartoon villain flashing that EVILGRIN. The puzzle rewards not just wordplay skill, but imagination and reordering of perception.

The clue "Like does" plays on the word "does," which refers to female deer. Thus, "like does" describes something characteristic of female deer, and the answer is FEMALE, as "does" are specifically the female gender of deer. This is a clever wordplay clue!

The answer is INES because Inés Mendoza was the first lady of Puerto Rico from 1949 to 1965 during the governorship of her husband, Luis Muñoz Marín. The blank in the clue directly asks for her first name, completing the identity of this notable historical figure.

The KGB, or Komitet Gosudarstvennoy Bezopasnosti, was the primary security agency for the Soviet Union and a counterpart to the U.S.'s CIA during the Cold War. As ideological foes, the KGB and CIA were engaged in espionage and covert operations against each other, making KGB the correct answer.

The clue "Like government secrets, occasionally" has a punning tone (indicated by "occasionally"). Government secrets are "LEAKED" when disclosed without authorization, which happens occasionally. The word “LEAKED” perfectly fits the idea of secrets unintentionally escaping or being revealed.

The answer is DORY because Dory is the friendly, forgetful blue tang fish who helps Marlin search for his son, Nemo, in the animated Disney-Pixar film Finding Nemo. The "Title friend" refers to Dory, as she is a key character highlighted in the movie's narrative.

"EST" is the abbreviation for Eastern Standard Time. Times Square, located in New York City, observes EST during the winter months, including New Year’s Eve when the iconic ball drop takes place. The clue asks for the time setting "in brief," indicating the answer is an abbreviation.

The clue "Revered sorts" suggests people who are respected or esteemed, often for their wisdom or experience. "ELDERS" fits perfectly as it refers to older individuals who are traditionally honored in many cultures for their guidance and knowledge.