Onomatopoetic breakfast trio - NYT The Crossword Clue

The answer "TAMALE" fits the clue "Tex-Mex treat" because tamales are a traditional Tex-Mex dish made of masa (a corn-based dough) filled with meat, cheese, or other ingredients, often wrapped in corn husks and steamed. It’s a popular and classic treat in Tex-Mex cuisine.

The clue "Like a clock with hands" refers to traditional clocks with physical hour and minute hands. These are known as analog clocks, as opposed to digital clocks, which display time numerically. Therefore, the answer is ANALOG.

RAGBAG refers to a miscellaneous collection of items, often a mix of unrelated or leftover things, just like a real bag containing scraps or odds and ends. The clue hints at something assorted or miscellaneous, and RAGBAG metaphorically fits this description.

The key to this clue is understanding "Expansive parcels" as large areas of land. "Tracts" is a term commonly used to describe significant portions of land or property, fitting well with the idea of expansive parcels. Hence, TRACTS is the correct solution.

In emoji-speak, symbols are used to represent words or emotions. The ❤️ (heart) emoji universally symbolizes love, making "HEART" the correct solution to the clue "Love, in emoji-speak."

The clue, "Tool for removing a tree stump," directly connects to the answer UPROOTER. An uprooter is a tool or machine designed to pull out tree stumps, removing them entirely, roots and all. The word itself combines "uproot" (to remove roots) with "-er," denoting the tool or agent performing the action.

The answer is METS because Darryl Strawberry played for the New York Mets from 1983 to 1990. He was a key player, helping the team win the 1986 World Series. To honor his contributions, the Mets retired his jersey number 18.

PLASMA is the correct answer because it is the fourth state of matter, commonly found in stars where extreme heat ionizes gas. Similarly, neon signs rely on ionized gas (plasma) to produce light. The clue cleverly links these two contexts through their shared property involving plasma.

The answer is IBEAM because an I-beam is a structural girder with a flanged shape resembling the letter "I" when viewed in cross-section. The "flanged" aspect in the clue directly describes the beam's design, making it a perfect fit for this engineering term.

The answer TERRACHIPS fits because it is a well-known brand of snack foods made from root vegetables like sweet potatoes, beets, and taro. These chips are promoted as a more healthful alternative to standard potato chips, aligning perfectly with the clue "Healthful snack brand."

The Museum of the Portuguese Language is located in São Paulo, Brazil, a city with a deep connection to the Portuguese language and culture. São Paulo is a major cultural hub, making it home to such a significant museum dedicated to the Portuguese language.

The clue "That's unexpected …" suggests something out of the ordinary or unusual. The ellipsis adds a conversational tone, hinting at surprise or strangeness. "ODD" perfectly fits as it means unusual, peculiar, or unexpected, which aligns with the context of the clue.

The answer "NYE" refers to Bill Nye, famously known as "Bill Nye the Science Guy." He is a prominent science educator and TV personality who actively promotes science education, aligning perfectly with the clue. The capitalized "Bill" cleverly hints at a proper name.

The Bobbsey Twins are characters from a classic children's book series by Laura Lee Hope. The twins consist of two sets of siblings, one being Nan Bobbsey and her twin, Bert. "Nan" is the name of one of the titular characters, making it the correct answer.

The answer is ADELE because she was a chart-topping artist throughout the 2010s with global hits like "Hello" and "Rolling in the Deep." Her albums, including “21” and “25,” broke numerous records, cementing her as one of the best-selling and most influential artists of the decade.

The answer is STEP because a dance is composed of individual movements or actions, commonly referred to as steps. Each step is a fundamental part of a dance routine, making "STEP" a fitting solution for "Part of a dance." It's a direct and literal interpretation of the clue.

The clue "Questionable, in modern lingo" suggests contemporary slang. "SUS" is short for "suspicious," a popular term in modern slang, especially among younger people and internet culture. It often implies doubt or mistrust, aligning with the clue's meaning of "questionable."

The answer "ORACLE" fits because an oracle is traditionally a source of prophecy in ancient cultures, such as in Greek mythology, where oracles like the Oracle of Delphi were sought for divine guidance and predictions. The clue directly refers to this prophetic role, making "ORACLE" apt.

The clue "Popular stocking stuffer?" ends with a question mark, signaling wordplay. "Santa Claus" is a pun here, as he metaphorically stuffs stockings with gifts during Christmas. Instead of an object, the answer humorously refers to Santa himself as the quintessential gift-giver and "stuffer."

The answer is OPI, a well-known nail polish brand famous for its creative shade names. "MillenniYUM" is a playful name for one of OPI's colors, incorporating wordplay with the "yum." This ties to OPI's branding approach of unique, pun-based nail polish names, making it the correct answer.

The clue "Quietly added to a thread" plays on email terminology. "Quietly" hints at subtlety, referencing the "Blind Carbon Copy" (BCC) feature in emails, which allows recipients to be included without others knowing. Thus, "BCCED" means someone was discreetly added to an email thread.

The answer "XED" refers to marking something with an "X," such as crossing out text or selecting an item. The clue's phrasing, "Marked, in a way," hints at this action subtly. The "X" is a common symbol used to signify marking or highlighting in various contexts.

In music, legato indicates smooth, connected notes. A slur is the notation—a curved line—used in sheet music to show legato playing, instructing musicians to play notes without separation. Thus, "Legato notation, in music" directly points to SLUR as the correct answer.

The word "NINEFOLD" means multiplied by nine. Tripling a number, then tripling it again, means multiplying it by 3 twice: 3 × 3 = 9. This produces a "ninefold" increase, making it the perfect answer to "Tripled, then tripled again."

The clue, "Don't let up. You've got this!," is an encouraging phrase, signaling persistence. The solution, KEEPONIT, reflects this motivational tone, meaning to continue or persevere with determination. It's a direct match to the phrasing and sentiment of the clue, making it the correct answer.

CPA stands for Certified Public Accountant, a professional designation for individuals trained and licensed to handle financial matters, including tax preparation. Since tax prep professionals specialize in helping clients with taxes, CPA is the fitting answer to the clue "Tax prep pro."

The solution "PETCAT" works as cats are natural predators of mice, effectively solving a mouse problem. The word "Acquisition" hints at obtaining something, and a pet cat fits this description.

The answer is OTELLO because it is Giuseppe Verdi's opera based on Shakespeare's Othello. In this opera, Iago—Othello's deceitful antagonist—is a baritone role, distinguishing it. Verdi adapted the story, and Iago's rich baritone voice contrasts with Otello's tenor, enhancing the drama.

The clue references the jazz standard “Take the ‘A’ Train,” famously performed by Duke Ellington. The song describes the A Train subway line as the fastest route to Harlem in New York City, making ATRAIN the fitting answer.

The clue "Former stray, often" refers to animals, such as dogs or cats, that were once strays but are now rescued and adopted into homes. "Rescue" captures this process of saving and caring for stray animals, making it a fitting answer.

The phrase "Get the edge over" means to surpass or do better than someone. The word OUTDO directly means to exceed or outperform, which fits perfectly as the solution. It aligns with the synonym-based clue structure, providing a straightforward match.

The clue "Rite place at the rite time?" uses wordplay, with "rite" referring to a ceremonial ritual. The answer "ALTAR" fits because an altar is traditionally the focal point for rites or religious ceremonies, making it both the place and time for such practices.

The answer is LORNA because "Lorna Doone" is a well-known shortbread cookie brand. The clue references the specific name of the brand, which derives from the title of a novel, Lorna Doone by R.D. Blackmore. Thus, LORNA completes the clue accurately.

The clue "First lady of Italy?" includes a pun, indicated by the question mark. "First lady" hints at the biblical Eve (EVA in Italian), as the first woman. "Of Italy?" suggests the answer in Italian. Thus, EVA is both a biblical reference and Italian for Eve.

The phrase "___ got some difficult days ahead" reflects a quote from Martin Luther King Jr. The contraction "we've" (short for "we have") fits the context of the sentence structure and conveys King’s collective, hopeful message about facing challenges together.

The answer is "USA" because Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles are members of the United States gymnastics team, often referred to as "Team USA." The clue refers to the country they represent in international competitions, like the Olympics and World Championships.

The clue "Blacklist" suggests prohibiting or excluding something or someone, as one would with a blacklist. The word "ban" directly means to prohibit or officially prevent something, aligning perfectly with the clue's intent. BAN is the simplest and most fitting match for this synonym-based clue.