Numbskull - NYT The Crossword Clue

The answer "ALTS" is short for "alternatives" and is commonly used informally to describe secondary or backup social media accounts. These accounts are often separate from a user's primary account for privacy, experimentation, or anonymity, making "ALTS" perfectly fit the clue.

The answer is NAILS because nervous individuals often exhibit fidgeting habits like biting their fingernails. This behavior is a common response to stress or anxiety, making "NAILS" a fitting solution for the clue.

The answer "OLE" fits this clue because it's a common exclamation of enthusiasm or approval heard at soccer matches, particularly in Spanish-speaking countries. It’s often shouted during impressive plays or displays of skill, aligning with the clue's reference to a stadium cry.

The answer YAM fits because it refers to a starchy vegetable often candied with sugar, butter, and spices during Thanksgiving meals. Though "yam" and "sweet potato" are commonly interchanged in the U.S., candied yams are a traditional dish associated with the holiday feast.

The clue refers to the phrase "T.M.I.," which stands for "Too Much Information." The "M" in this acronym specifically represents the word "Much," making it the correct answer for this clue.

OSHA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, is a U.S. government organization that enforces workplace safety regulations. The pun lies in "constructive criticism" — OSHA often inspects construction sites and critiques safety practices to improve them, making the clue a clever play on words.

The answer is THIRST because walking in a desert, which is hot and dry, commonly causes dehydration. "Feeling" refers to the sensation or need that arises, which is thirst—the overwhelming desire or need for water due to the harsh, arid conditions.

The clue "Religious pillars" refers to foundational beliefs or principles that uphold a religion. "Tenets" perfectly fits as it means core beliefs, doctrines, or principles that guide a faith or philosophy, thus acting metaphorically as the "pillars" of religion.

The answer "ORE" fits because it is a naturally occurring material in the raw, unrefined state from which metals are extracted. The clue "Unrefined metal" directly defines ORE, as it refers to the source of metals before they are processed or purified.

The answer "PROMDATE" fits because a companion to prom traditionally wears a corsage (for girls) or a boutonniere (for boys) as part of the formal attire. The clue directly references the context of prom, making "PROMDATE" the logical solution.

The clue "Skin scrape" directly defines ABRASION, as an abrasion refers to an area where the skin has been scraped or worn away, often due to friction or injury. It’s a straightforward definition with no wordplay involved, making ABRASION the precise and logical solution.

The answer "DISC" refers to disc golf, a sport where players throw a disc (similar to a Frisbee) into metal baskets serving as "holes." Like traditional golf, the goal is to complete each hole in the fewest throws. The baskets are a key feature linking the clue to this answer.

The clue "Main arteries" refers to large, central blood vessels in the body. The aorta is the main artery, carrying oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the body. The plural "arteries" in the clue matches the plural "AORTAS," referring to multiple main arteries in different organisms.

The clue "Asthmatics' devices" points directly to INHALERS because these are medical devices specifically used by asthmatics to deliver medication, easing their breathing. It’s a straightforward definition, as inhalers are widely recognized tools for managing asthma symptoms.

The clue "Jog my memory ..." is in quotation marks, suggesting the answer is a spoken phrase. "Remind me" is a common expression someone might use when asking to be prompted or have their memory refreshed, making it a fitting response to the clue.

The answer is ENO because Brian Eno is a renowned musician and producer credited with pioneering ambient music. His influential works, such as his "Ambient" series, established the genre, making him a key figure associated with this style of music. This clue directly references his expertise.

The clue "Must-haves during heat waves, for short" points to air conditioning systems, which are essential for cooling during hot weather. "For short" signals an abbreviation, making the answer "ACS," short for "air conditioners." It's a concise and fitting solution for the given clue.

The answer "INT" stands for "interception," a common mistake a quarterback (QB) makes in football when their pass is caught by the opposing team. "Abbr." signals that the answer is an abbreviation, matching the shorthand used in sports terminology.

The clue "___ Arabia" refers to a well-known country name. Saudi Arabia is a country on the Arabian Peninsula, and "Saudi" completes the country’s official name. This straightforward geography clue points to "Saudi" as the correct answer.

The clue "Some hosp. staffers" refers to certain staff in a hospital. "Hosp." is shorthand for "hospital," and RNs (Registered Nurses) are a common group of staffers working there. The plural "staffers" matches "RNs," making it the correct answer.

The phrase "As easy as ABC" is a common idiom meaning something is very simple or straightforward, likening its simplicity to learning the alphabet's first three letters: A, B, and C. The answer reflects this widely recognized expression.

The answer "CARTITLE" fits because a car title is the official document that proves ownership of a vehicle. When purchasing a car, this legal document transfers to the buyer, serving as their proof of purchase and ownership. It directly connects to the clue's description.

The clue "406, for the entire state of Montana" refers to Montana's single telephone area code, 406. Montana is one of the few states with just one area code due to its low population density. The answer, "AREACODE," describes the numbering system used to designate regions in telephone systems.

The clue "Enero o abril" is in Spanish, so the answer must also be in Spanish. "Enero" (January) and "abril" (April) are months of the year, and the Spanish word for "month" is "mes." Therefore, the correct answer is MES.

The clue includes a pun, as "pawdicures" is a playful twist on "pedicures," tailored for pets. A PET SPA is a business that provides grooming and pampering for animals, including services like nail trimming or "pawdicures," making it the perfect fit for this clever clue.

The answer is SIA because she is an Australian singer-songwriter known for going by her mononym, Sia. She released the hit song "Chandelier" in 2014, which became globally popular and iconic, cementing her as a prominent one-named artist in contemporary music.

The clue "Australian hopper, for short" refers to an animal known for hopping, specifically the kangaroo. "For short" signals an abbreviation or nickname. In Australian slang, "kangaroo" is often shortened to "roo," making ROO the fitting answer.

The clue "Most factual" seeks a superlative describing something as the most aligned with truth or facts. TRUEST fits perfectly as it is the superlative form of "true," meaning the highest degree of correctness or truthfulness, matching "most factual."

A "plane's parking spot" is a HANGAR because a hangar is a large building specifically designed for housing and storing airplanes when they're not in use. It serves as a "parking" area for aircraft, aligning directly with the clue.

YAMAHA is the correct answer because it is a well-known Japanese company that manufactures both pianos and motorcycles. The clue references its dual expertise in musical instruments and motor vehicles, which matches Yamaha's diverse product range.

The answer "DECOR" fits because interior designers specialize in enhancing the aesthetic and functionality of interior spaces. "DECOR" refers to the style, arrangement, and overall appearance of furnishings, color schemes, and design elements—precisely what an interior designer focuses on. The clue directly ties to this concept.

The clue "Prison outbreak" suggests a violent or chaotic event occurring within a prison, such as inmates causing unrest. The term "RIOT" directly describes such an event, making it the apt solution. The word "outbreak" subtly indicates this confrontational, disruptive scenario typically associated with riots.

In music, a "coda" is the concluding section of a composition, such as a symphony, bringing it to a close. The clue "Final passage of a symphony" directly refers to this term, making "CODA" the fitting answer.

The clue "Not at home" describes a state of being absent or elsewhere. The word "AWAY" directly means being not present at home or in another location, making it the perfect fit for this straightforward definition-based clue.

In U.F.C. (Ultimate Fighting Championship), bout enders can include "TKOs," which stands for "Technical Knockouts." A TKO occurs when the referee stops the fight because one fighter can no longer safely defend themselves. The plural form, "TKOs," fits the clue's reference to multiple bout endings.

The verb "was" is the past tense of "is," indicating something that existed or happened in the past but no longer does. The clue "Once existed" directly points to this past state, making "WAS" the accurate and concise answer.

The clue "Boo-___!" (triumphant shout) suggests a celebratory exclamation. The blank is filled by "YAH," creating "Boo-yah!"—a slang term expressing excitement or triumph. The quotation marks indicate spoken language, and "triumphant shout" aligns with the energetic tone of "YAH."

The clue "Pre-A.D., in dating" refers to the time before the Anno Domini (A.D.) era. BCE, short for "Before Common Era," aligns with this as it is the modern, secular equivalent of "B.C." (Before Christ), thus accurately describing the pre-A.D. period in historical dating.