Malarkey - NYT The Crossword Clue

The answer is ADLAI, referencing Adlai Stevenson, the Democratic presidential candidate in 1956. The slogan “Adlai and Estes — The Bestest” paired Stevenson with his running mate, Estes Kefauver, using a catchy rhyme to promote their campaign during that election year.

The clue "Winter airs" refers to songs or melodies associated with the winter season. "Noels" are traditional Christmas carols, making them fitting "airs" (songs) tied to winter. The plural form matches both "airs" and "Noels," solidifying the answer.

The prefix "INTER" means "between" or "among," which connects to "change" as it implies interaction or exchange between elements. For example, "interchange" refers to exchanging or swapping between things, making "INTER" a fitting solution as a prefix for "change."

The phrase "Futz around (with)" means to tinker, meddle, or play around aimlessly, often causing disorder. "MESS" aptly fits as it describes the result of such behavior—disorganization or disorder caused by futzing around. The connection lies in the informal, slightly chaotic nature of both terms.

The answer is ATF, which stands for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. This federal agency investigates crimes involving arson, explosives, and firearms, aligning with the clue's description of a federal agency responsible for arson investigations.

In Hawaiian, "loa" translates to "long" or "tall." This aligns directly with the clue, as it explicitly asks for the Hawaiian word for "long." No additional wordplay or alternate meanings are involved here.

In mathematics, the exclamation point (!) represents a "factorial." A factorial of a number (n!) is the product of all positive integers from 1 to n. For example, 5! = 5 × 4 × 3 × 2 × 1 = 120. The clue uses "!" to directly hint at this concept.

The clue "Top unit" refers to a group or team recognized for being the best or at the top of their field. "A-team" is a common phrase describing an elite, first-choice group, making it a fitting answer here.

The answer "REIKI" fits because it is a Japanese energy-healing technique where practitioners use their hands to channel energy into a recipient's body, believed to promote relaxation and healing. The clue's reference to "Japanese" directly ties to the origin of Reiki, confirming its appropriateness as the solution.

The word "Calling" refers to one's professional or vocational path, skill, or natural aptitude—essentially a person's area of expertise or trade. "Métier," a French-derived term, precisely means a profession, occupation, or specialty, making it the perfect fit for the clue.

John Oliver humorously critiqued puns as "the lowest form of human behavior" due to their groan-worthy yet clever nature. The clue hints at wordplay, making PUNS the fitting answer since it reflects both humor and clever word manipulation, aligning with Oliver’s satirical remark.

SHAKSHUKA is the solution because it is a traditional North African dish made with poached eggs in a flavorful tomato-based sauce, often spiced with chili, garlic, and cumin. The clue directly describes this well-known dish, making SHAKSHUKA the accurate and fitting answer.

The clue "Museum offering with a headset" points to something museums often provide to enhance the visitor experience. An "AUDIO TOUR" is a popular option where visitors use headsets to listen to guided commentary about exhibits. The headset detail directly hints at this solution.

The clue "I'm responsible for what happened" is a direct statement of taking responsibility, commonly expressed in conversational language. The phrase "That's on me" fits perfectly as it conveys accepting blame or accountability, aligning with the casual tone suggested by the quotes around the clue.

The clue "Request from someone getting dressed" implies a spoken phrase. "ZIP ME UP" is a request someone might make when asking for help fastening a zipper, such as on a dress or jumpsuit, aligning with the context of getting dressed. The phrase fits the clue's conversational tone perfectly.

The answer "OER" is a poetic preposition often used in older or poetic English to mean "over." It's commonly found in classical poetry and literature, evoking an elevated or archaic tone, as in "O'er the fields we go," meaning "Over the fields."

The clue "Showing exasperation, in a way" hints at a nonverbal action that conveys frustration or annoyance. "SIGHING" is the answer because a sigh is a common physical expression of exasperation or weariness, aligning with the clue's description of showing emotions "in a way."

The clue "Rays" refers to light rays, which are beams of light. The term "beams" naturally describes streams or rays of light emitted from a source, such as the sun or a flashlight. Therefore, "BEAMS" is the fitting answer.

The answer "GLOCK" fits the clue "Pistol brand" because Glock is a well-known Austrian firearms manufacturer, particularly famous for its pistols. It is a globally recognized brand associated with durable, reliable handguns commonly used by militaries, law enforcement, and civilians. This makes it a perfect match for the clue.

The phrase "SPITS GAME" is slang for someone attempting to flirt or charm another person through smooth, confident talk. The clue asks for a slang term describing this action, making SPITSGAME the fitting answer for "Tries to talk smoothly, in slang."

The word "ARTISANAL" refers to products made by skilled artisans using traditional, non-industrial methods. The clue "Made using traditional methods" directly describes the craftsmanship and manual techniques associated with the term "ARTISANAL," making it the perfect match for the answer.

The clue "Stakes of some bar bets" refers to what's at risk or the outcome of a wager. Often in casual bar bets, the "loser pays" for drinks or expenses. This phrase fits logically and literally as the stakes (the consequence) of such bets, making LOSERPAYS the perfect answer.

The answer "CSI" refers to the TV franchise "Crime Scene Investigation," with series set in Las Vegas ("CSI: Vegas") and New York ("CSI: NY"), among others. The clue hints at the locations tied to the franchise and its widespread presence.

The answer is ELKHOUNDS because they are a specific breed of hunting dogs originating from Norway. Known for their strength and endurance, Norwegian Elkhounds were historically bred to track and hunt large game such as elk (moose), fitting the clue "Norwegian hunting dogs" perfectly.

The clue "Long spell" refers to a lengthy period of time. "EON" fits as it denotes an immense, almost timeless span of time in geology or general usage. The word "spell" in this context means a duration or stretch of time, making EON the perfect fit.

The answer "PREHAB" comes from combining "pre" (before) with "rehab" (rehabilitation). Physical therapy done before surgery is often called "prehabilitation" to strengthen the body and improve recovery outcomes. The clue uses "familiarly," hinting at the shortened, colloquial term, "PREHAB."

The answer is OSAGE because "Killers of the Flower Moon" is a true story centered on the Osage Nation, a Native American tribe in Oklahoma. In the 1920s, the tribe became wealthy from oil discovered on their land, leading to tragic exploitation and murders explored in the book and film.

The answer "LADEN" means burdened or heavily loaded, directly aligning with "Weighed down." It conveys being physically or emotionally loaded with weight, making it the perfect solution for this straightforward clue.

The clue "Pitcher's output" uses wordplay. While "pitcher" might suggest baseball, it figuratively refers to someone delivering a "pitch" (a persuasive talk or sales presentation). A "spiel" is often a lengthy or persuasive talk, making it the answer to this clue.

The word "Beat" can refer to a rhythmic pattern or throb, like the steady beating of a heart. A "PULSE" is the rhythmic expansion of arteries corresponding to heartbeats, making it synonymous with "beat" in this context. This clue plays on their shared meanings.

Renata Adler is a renowned journalist and author who was a longtime contributor to The New Yorker. She wrote influential essays and criticism for the magazine, making her a notable figure in its history. The clue refers to her surname, "Adler."

The blackthorn shrub produces small, dark-purple berries known as sloes. These are often used in making sloe gin and are a classic association with the blackthorn plant, making "SLOE" the correct answer for this clue.

The answer is SHEL because Shel Silverstein was a renowned poet, author, and illustrator known for works like Where the Sidewalk Ends and The Giving Tree. The clue directly references his last name, identifying him by his widely recognized first name, Shel.

The answer is OCT because Supreme Court terms in the United States always begin on the first Monday of October, as established by federal statute. "Mo." in the clue is shorthand for "month," and OCT is the abbreviation for October, making it the logical solution.

The White Sox are a Major League Baseball team based in Chicago. "CHI" is the commonly used three-letter abbreviation for Chicago, which makes it the "home of the White Sox, for short."