The Midwest states, agriculturally speaking - NYT The Crossword Clue

AMCS is the solution because Gremlins and Pacers were models of cars produced by the American Motors Corporation (AMC), a now-defunct car manufacturer. "Of old autodom" signals the historical aspect, pointing to these older car models from AMC.

The answer "CAPER" fits "Playful prank" as it means a mischievous or playful act, often with a sense of fun. The word suggests lighthearted mischief, aligning perfectly with the clue's tone. "Caper" can also suggest an adventurous or spirited escapade, reinforcing the playful nature of the prank.

The answer is CCS because in email terminology, "CC" stands for "Carbon Copy," which allows the sender to include additional recipients who receive a copy of the email. The clue specifies "in brief," signaling the abbreviated form, making CCS (Carbon Copies) the correct answer.

The answer "FARR" refers to Jamie Farr, the actor who famously portrayed the cross-dressing character Corporal Maxwell Q. Klinger on the hit TV series MASH*. The clue directly points to the actor's first name, Jamie, making "FARR" the correct solution.

The clue "Die down" means to lessen, reduce, or diminish in intensity—exactly what "abate" means. For example, a storm or noise could "abate" as it subsides or decreases in strength, making ABATE a perfect synonym and the solution here.

The answer is ERIC because Eric Clapton is a renowned guitarist and singer-songwriter, widely regarded as one of the greatest guitarists in rock and blues history. The clue directly references his last name, "Clapton," pointing to his first name, Eric.

This one's a double whammy: FRUIT PUNCH is a sweet party beverage often ladled from a bowl—but in a food fight, it also sounds like a fruity wallop to the face. The “punch” in the phrase turns a drink into an action, embodying the theme’s blend of edibles and mock aggression.

The clue "Dalai ___" refers to the Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism. "Lama" is a Tibetan term for a highly respected teacher or monk, making it the correct word to complete the title "Dalai Lama."

The clue "Use a scope" refers to the action of focusing or targeting something, much like aiming a scope (e.g., a rifle or camera scope) at a specific point. "AIM" perfectly encapsulates the act of aligning or directing focus, which connects directly to using a scope's purpose.

The answer "ANTI" fits the clue "Voting against" because "ANTI" means being opposed to something. In a voting context, if someone is against a proposal or decision, they are "ANTI" it—essentially signaling opposition or disagreement. Hence, "ANTI" directly aligns with the clue.

The clue "You can stop explaining" is in quotes, signaling a spoken phrase. "I GET IT" is a common expression one might say when they understand something and no further explanation is needed. It perfectly fits the context of the clue.

The clue "To-do pile's place" suggests a location where tasks or items needing attention are organized. "Inbox" refers to the section of an email account or workspace where new messages, tasks, or documents accumulate, often forming a "to-do pile." It's the figurative or literal staging area for pending tasks.

The word "RALLIED" means to recover or regroup after a setback. In sports, games, or challenges, teams or individuals "rally" to overcome a deficit and secure a stronger position or comeback. Thus, RALLIED perfectly fits as the past-tense answer for "Came back from a deficit."

The answer "PEA" refers to the fairy tale The Princess and the Pea by Hans Christian Andersen. In the story, a princess's royalty is proven because she feels the discomfort of a single pea placed beneath multiple mattresses, demonstrating her sensitivity and noble lineage.

The answer "REO" refers to the band REO Speedwagon, a popular rock group formed in the 1970s. The name comes from the REO Motor Company, which produced the REO Speed Wagon, an early commercial truck. The clue references the band's name directly.

The "salty septet" refers to the Seven Seas, a traditional term for large, saltwater bodies. A "Sea" is one of these seven, making it the correct answer. The word "salty" hints at seawater, reinforcing the connection.

The clue metaphorically refers to "mist" as a "blanket" because mist often forms a soft, veil-like layer over mountains, especially in the cool, early hours of dawn. The imagery of "draping" aligns with how mist gently covers the landscape, matching the poetic tone of the clue.

The answer "SISSY" refers to Sissy Spacek, a renowned actress who won the Academy Award (Oscar) for Best Actress in 1981 for her role in the film Coal Miner's Daughter. This clue directly points to her unique first name and her Oscar-winning acclaim.

The clue includes a question mark, signaling wordplay. This clue also sets up the theme: a literal food fight! The answer, FOODFIGHT, is the spark that explains the playful combo of food items and fighting gestures in the theme entries. Each punny phrase—like fruit punch or banana slug—becomes a humorous way someone might “attack” in this imagined cafeteria melee.

The proctor in a testing or exam setting often signals the start of the session with a cue like "You may begin." Thus, BEGIN fits perfectly as the answer, representing the action prompted by the proctor’s instruction. The clue directly points to what happens in such scenarios.

The clue "Roger Rabbit or Bugs Bunny, e.g." refers to their shared identity as cartoon characters. The playful shorthand for "cartoon" is "TOON," commonly used to describe animated characters like these. The answer reflects this informal term, perfectly fitting the clue.

The clue “Circle section” refers to a segment or part of a circle. In geometry, an ARC is a curved portion of the circumference of a circle, fitting the clue perfectly. This concise definition ties directly to the term "section," making ARC the correct answer.

The phrase "In the style of" translates to "à la" in French, which is often used in English to describe something done in the style or manner of someone or something. Hence, the crossword clue's answer, ALA, matches this definition perfectly.

"IPO" stands for "Initial Public Offering," which is the debut of a company's stock on the stock market, allowing public investment. The clue "Wall St. debut" directly refers to this financial milestone, as it's the first step for a company entering Wall Street's public trading system.

The solution "NUCLEAR" refers to a type of family consisting of two parents and their children, which is commonly called a "nuclear family." The clue asks for a "kind of family," and "nuclear" is a standard sociological term for this family structure.

The answer is LAMBCHOP because it refers to a bone-in cut of meat from a lamb. Additionally, "Lamb Chop" became well-known as the name of a beloved puppet, turning it into an affectionate term of endearment, combining literal and figurative meanings for the clue. “Chop” also adds a fighting flair to the food name, fitting perfectly into the puzzle’s theme of playful, food-related attacks.

The answer "HYDRA" refers to the many-headed serpent from Greek mythology. In the myth, the Hydra was a monster defeated by Hercules during his Twelve Labors. It had multiple heads, and if one was cut off, two more would grow in its place, emphasizing its "many-headed" nature.

The clue "Non-mono, say" plays on the audio terms "mono" (single channel) and "stereo" (two-channel sound). "Non-mono" directly suggests "stereo," making it the opposite audio format. The "say" hints at this as a descriptive term rather than a strict definition.

The answer is ACAI because the açaí berry is a nutrient-rich fruit native to South America, specifically the Amazon rainforest. Known as a "superberry" due to its high antioxidant content and health benefits, it aligns perfectly with the clue description.

The answer is CON because "voting against" indicates opposition, and "con" is short for "contra," meaning "against" or "in opposition." It is commonly used in debates or votes to represent the opposing side to "pro" (in favor).

The clue "Personal shopper, e.g." hints at a person who assists someone directly, like a helper. An AIDE performs tasks to support or assist another, aligning with the duties of a personal shopper, who aids clients in selecting items.

The answer "BANANASLUG" fits because it describes a type of slug known for its bright yellow color, resembling a banana. Slugs are slow-moving creatures, matching the clue's detail of traveling only 6.5 inches per minute. It’s also the funniest example of the food + fight combo that defines today's theme.

A "MOAT" is a defensive feature of a castle, typically a deep, wide ditch filled with water, built to protect against invaders. It serves as a barrier, preventing easy access to the castle's walls. The clue "Castle defense" directly references this classic medieval protective structure.

The answer is INERT because noble gases, such as helium, neon, and argon, are chemically unreactive or inactive under most conditions. The term "inert" aptly describes their lack of reactivity, aligning with the clue "Like noble gases."

The solution "EASE" fits the clue "Carefree feeling" because "ease" conveys a state of comfort, lack of stress, and relaxation—an apt description of feeling carefree. The synonymy between "ease" and a sense of freedom or lightness makes it the fitting answer.

The answer is "NYT" because the "Book Review" podcast is produced by The New York Times, often abbreviated as NYT. The company is renowned for its literary coverage, including its long-running Book Review section, which aligns directly with the clue.

The word "ADDLE" means to confuse or muddle one's thoughts, which matches the definition of "Bewilder" — causing someone to be perplexed or disoriented. Both terms convey a sense of mental confusion, making ADDLE an accurate solution to the clue.

This clue offers a gentle irony about the nature of generative AI writing. While AI can produce complex phrases like "two pools of light," the results often lack true meaning, making the "poetry" feel more awkward or nonsensical than poetic. It's a playful nod to how AI can sound artistic, but often misses the depth and coherence of human creativity.