Song and dance - NYT The Crossword Clue

The PECOS River flows through New Mexico and Texas, and historically, it was considered a boundary of the "Wild West." Crossing the Pecos symbolized venturing into untamed territory, cementing its association with the frontier era. This fits the clue describing a boundary of the Wild West.

The term "SPAWNPOINT" is commonly used in video games to describe the location where a character appears (spawns) at the start or after restarting a level. The clue directly defines this gaming concept, making SPAWNPOINT the fitting solution.

The clue suggests a spoken, incredulous reaction to a bold or shocking plan. "YOUWOULDNT" fits perfectly as it conveys disbelief or astonishment, implying "You wouldn't dare do that!" It's conversational, matching the tone of the clue, and aligns with the context of reacting to a daring scheme.

The answer "CDT" stands for Central Daylight Time. Iowa is in the Central Time Zone, and during summer months, it observes Daylight Saving Time. This shifts the standard time (CST) to CDT, making CDT the correct answer for "Summer hrs. in Iowa."

The answer is HEIR because Mary I was the daughter of Henry VIII and thus his heir by bloodline. As the firstborn of Henry and Catherine of Aragon, she had a claim to the English throne in succession, fulfilling the role of an heir.

The clue "Finds another purpose for" means using something again in a different way. "Reuses" directly describes this action, as it involves repurposing or giving a new function to an item rather than discarding it. Thus, "REUSES" perfectly aligns with the clue.

The clue "Quick start?" uses a question mark, signaling wordplay. "Quick" hints at speed, and "start" suggests the beginning of something. "INSTA" is shorthand for "instant," meaning quick, and is also a prefix associated with Instagram, where instant posts are common—a clever double meaning.

The answer "GTOS" refers to the Pontiac GTO, a popular muscle car produced from the 1960s to the 1970s, recognized as one of the first true muscle cars. The plural form "GTOS" matches the clue’s indication of "old muscle cars" being more than one.

The answer is ARP because Jean Arp, also known as Hans Arp, was a modernist sculptor and abstract artist. He created works like "Human Concretion," a famous sculpture in his abstract, biomorphic style, which often reflected organic, natural forms.

The clue has a playful tone hinting at wordplay. "Nice thing to hear" refers to someone offering generosity, and "from one's dining partner" connects to a meal context. "MY TREAT" is a common phrase meaning someone is offering to pay the bill—indeed a nice gesture.

The answer "ALIENQUEEN" refers to the Xenomorph Queen from the "Alien" movie franchise. She is the leader of the alien species capable of producing offspring, which includes humanoid-like Xenomorphs. The clue combines the idea of her alien nature and her role as a "queen" producing offspring.

The answer "REMET" fits because it describes the act of meeting again ("re-" meaning again and "met" referring to a meeting). In the context of "Held another session," a group or individuals reconvening for a session implies they "remet."

The answer is OVID because both Virgil and Ovid were prominent Roman poets, but Ovid was born in 43 BCE, making him younger than Virgil, who was born in 70 BCE. They were contemporaries, meaning they lived during overlapping time periods in ancient Rome's literary history.

The clue "Minus" directly refers to the concept of subtraction or having a smaller amount. "Less" is synonymous with "minus," as it indicates a reduction or decrease in quantity. The straightforward nature of the clue points to this simple equivalence in meaning.

Elm wood is naturally resistant to water due to its interlocking grain structure, which makes it less prone to warping and breaking when exposed to moisture. This durability historically made elm a favored material for items like boat parts and furniture, aligning perfectly with the clue "Water-resistant wood."

The clue "Exposed" directly aligns with the word "OUTED," as "outed" means revealing something hidden or private, often involving exposure of secrets or truths. It fits perfectly as a synonym for "exposed," maintaining the intended tone and meaning.

The clue "Xi's language" uses wordplay. Xi is a letter of the Greek alphabet (Ξ/ξ), hinting at the language it's from: GREEK. The pun refers not to a spoken language by a person named Xi but to the alphabet's origin.

The clue "You did ___?!" uses quotes, indicating wordplay or conversational tone. It mimics a surprised or shocked reaction, where the natural response would be "WHAT," expressing disbelief or astonishment. The answer fits the conversational structure implied by the clue being in quotes.

The clue "Shelters from the heat?" uses wordplay. "Heat" can refer to both high temperatures and law enforcement pursuing someone. SAFEHOUSES are secret shelters often used by individuals to hide from authorities ("the heat"), making this a clever double meaning.

The word "Brand" serves as a double meaning here. While it can refer to a company mark, it also means to "sear" or burn something, as in branding livestock or scorching with heat. The answer "SEAR" aligns with the latter definition.

The answer "STILLIRISE" references Maya Angelou's iconic poem "Still I Rise." The clue's lines echo its themes of resilience and optimism, as it captures overcoming hardships ("nights of terror and fear") and achieving hope and triumph ("daybreak that’s wondrously clear"). It ties perfectly to the poem's enduring spirit.

The clue "Not recommended" suggests something unwise or imprudent. The answer ILLADVISED breaks down as "ill-" (badly) and "advised" (guided or counseled), together meaning poorly advised—a situation that's inherently not recommended. It's a direct synonym aligning with the clue.

The answer "MESS" refers to "Eton Mess," a classic English dessert made of crushed meringue, whipped cream, and strawberries. The word "Eton" in the clue points to Eton College, where the dessert is traditionally associated, and "Mess" describes its intentionally mixed, messy presentation.

The answer is CHIA because chia seeds are a common ingredient in smoothies. They are small, edible seeds that add texture, thickness, and nutritional value, such as fiber and omega-3 fatty acids, making them a popular choice for smoothie recipes. Thus, CHIA fits as "Smoothie seed."

The clue “A flute might have a short one” uses wordplay. Here, a "flute" refers to a type of glass often used for champagne. The "short one" is a short stem, the narrow base that supports the glass bowl. Thus, "STEM" is the correct answer.

The clue "Place for a camper" refers to a location suitable for a recreational vehicle (RV), often used by campers. An "RV LOT" is a designated parking or camping area designed specifically for RVs, making it the perfect fit for the answer.

The answer "SPIT" refers to a long metal rod used for roasting meat, often over an open flame. It is the "implement" used to hold and rotate the meat, ensuring it cooks evenly during a roast. This aligns with the clue's context.

The answer is EARHART because Amelia Earhart is a legendary figure in aviation history. She was the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean and remains an icon of bravery and exploration. Her remarkable achievements make her synonymous with the phrase "Aviation legend."

The answer "FRYER" fits because it can pair naturally with both "air" and "deep" to form "air fryer" and "deep fryer." Both are types of cooking devices or methods used to fry food, creating a logical connection to the clue.

The term "Annuls" means to declare something legally invalid or void, often used in legal or court contexts to "undo" marriages, contracts, or rulings. "Undoes, in court" directly hints at the legal act of annulment, making "ANNULS" the correct answer.

The clue "Manscape, perhaps" uses wordplay with "perhaps," indicating an example. "Manscaping" refers to grooming body hair, often involving shaving. "SHAVE" is an apt answer as it's a common method used in manscaping, perfectly matching the pun and grooming theme of the clue.

In politics, "crossing the aisle" refers to members of one political party working with or agreeing with members of another party. The "aisle" symbolizes the physical and ideological division between parties, typically seen in legislative assemblies. Hence, the proverbial "thing to cross" is the AISLE.

The answer "OPEDS" fits the clue "One-sided columns" because op-eds (short for "opposite the editorial page") are opinion pieces in newspapers. They provide a single writer's perspective or argument, often expressing subjective views, making them "one-sided" in nature.

The radius and ulna are the two long bones in the forearm, situated side by side. The clue "Radius neighbor" directly refers to this anatomical relationship, as the ulna is the other bone adjacent to the radius in the arm. Hence, ULNA is the correct answer.

The clue "Direction for a dog" refers to a common command given to dogs during training. "Heel" instructs the dog to walk closely beside their owner, typically at their left side, matching their pace. This word fits contextually as a directive given to dogs.

The answer "STIX" is a playful spelling often used in product names, such as snacks (e.g., pretzel sticks). "Thin rods" refers directly to their shape, and the casual, trendy spelling "STIX" is common in branding for appeal and simplicity, making it a fitting answer.

The clue "Send flying" aligns with the answer SPEW because "spew" means to eject forcefully or expel something rapidly, often in a scattered or flying manner, like liquid or particles. This matches the imagery of sending something flying in a forceful, uncontrolled way.

The clue "Magnum and Spade, for short" refers to private investigators, as both Thomas Magnum ("Magnum, P.I.") and Sam Spade (from "The Maltese Falcon") were fictional detectives. The abbreviation for private investigators is "PIs," making PIS the answer.

NWA is the solution because it refers to N.W.A. (Niggaz Wit Attitudes), the influential rap group co-founded by Dr. Dre in 1986. Known for pioneering gangsta rap, the group also included Ice Cube, Eazy-E, and others, cementing their place in music history with hits like "Straight Outta Compton."

The answer is RAE because Addison Rae is a popular social media influencer and TikTok star known for her dance videos and massive online following. The blank in the clue refers to her last name, making RAE the correct completion.