Art town NNE of Santa Fe - NYT The Crossword Clue

A CAPO is a device used on guitars to clamp across the fretboard, raising the pitch of the strings. It's a common guitar accessory, allowing players to easily change key without adjusting finger positions or retuning the guitar, perfectly fitting the clue "Guitar accessory."

The answer is TESLA because Nikola Tesla was a renowned inventor and electrical engineer, known for his contributions to modern electricity. The car company Tesla, Inc. was named after him in honor of his pioneering work, making "Tesla" the correct response for this clue about an inventor with a car named after him.

The answer is CAPE because Dracula, as a stereotypical vampire in popular culture, is often depicted wearing a dramatic, flowing cape. It’s a traditional garment associated with his iconic image, used for both style and sinister effect.

The Nabisco "Oreo Big Stuf" was a larger version of the classic Oreo cookie, sold in the 1980s. The play on "Big Stuf" directly hints at the name of this oversized Oreo product, making OREO the fitting answer.

The clue "Exchange of negative commercials?" hints at a play on words. "Negative commercials" refer to ads attacking opponents, often seen in political campaigns. The phrase "Exchange of" suggests back-and-forth conflict. This is described as an "AD WAR," where competing sides air attack ads against each other.

The clue "Certain draft picks?" uses a pun. "Draft" refers to draft beer, which is served on tap. "Picks" implies choices or selections. ALES are a type of beer often chosen from draft options. Thus, ALES fits as the answer to the witty clue.

The clue "My heavens!" uses quotation marks, signaling a spoken exclamation. "Geez Louise" is an informal, often humorous phrase expressing surprise, shock, or amazement, which corresponds well to the sentiment of “My heavens!”. The playful tone aligns perfectly with the clue's casual phrasing.

The clue "Bout enders, for short" refers to boxing matches. "TKO," short for "technical knockout," is a decision by the referee to stop the fight when a boxer can't safely continue. The plural "TKOs" fits the clue, as it references multiple instances of bout-ending technical knockouts.

The clue "Shift, Tab and Return" refers to keys found on a computer keyboard. These specific terms—Shift, Tab, and Return (or Enter)—are all names of keyboard keys, making "KEYS" the precise and fitting answer.

SSN stands for Social Security Number, a unique nine-digit identification number issued to U.S. citizens and residents. The clue "Nine-digit ID" directly describes its structure and purpose, making SSN the correct solution.

The answer "PAPA" fits because composer Franz Joseph Haydn was affectionately called "Papa Haydn" for his fatherly role in developing classical music. Similarly, writer Ernest Hemingway was nicknamed "Papa" by friends and family, reflecting his commanding yet caring persona. Thus, both share the nickname "PAPA."

The crescent moon is one stage of the moon's changing appearance over time, which is categorized as a "phase" of the moon. PHASE perfectly fits as it describes the cycle the moon goes through, including other phases like full moon, new moon, and half moon.

The clue "Hold it right there!" is enclosed in quotes, signaling a spoken phrase. "Whoa, Nelly!" is a common exclamation used to express surprise or to urge something or someone to stop quickly, fitting perfectly with the meaning of the clue.

The clue "Occupation" directly aligns with the definition of "JOB," as both refer to work or employment someone performs, usually for payment. "Job" is a synonym for "occupation," making it a straightforward and fitting solution.

SFO is the airport code for San Francisco International Airport, located in the Bay Area of California. Airport codes are often used as clues, and "Bay Area" refers to the region surrounding San Francisco, making SFO the correct solution.

The answer "ERIES" refers to the Erie people, a Native American tribe historically located around the Great Lakes region, particularly near Lake Erie, which is named after them. The clue directly points to a tribe associated with the Great Lakes, making "ERIES" the correct solution.

The word "SLOG" means to move or walk with difficulty, particularly through something challenging like mud, muck, or snow. The clue describes this exact action—walking heavily in tough conditions—making SLOG the perfect match for the answer.

The blank in "___ Alamos, N.M." refers to a well-known location in New Mexico. The correct answer is "LOS," as in "Los Alamos," a town famous for its role in the Manhattan Project and nuclear research. The clue directly points to this specific place.

The answer "ASS" fits the clue "Beast that brays" because an ass, another term for a donkey, is a beast of burden known for its characteristic braying sound. "Bray" specifically refers to the loud, harsh cry made by donkeys.

The answer YOUTALKINTOME is a classic line from Robert De Niro’s iconic scene in "Taxi Driver," where he confronts a mirror while practicing intimidation. In the context of this puzzle, it cleverly hints that each of the theme entries is a familiar phrase where someone is being directly addressed by name. For example, GEEZ, LOUISE expresses surprise, WHOA, NELLY is a cry to stop or slow down, NO WAY, JOSE is an emphatic refusal, and BYE, FELICIA is a dismissive send-off.

The biblical story of Noah in the Book of Genesis tells of him building a large boat, or "ark," to save his family and pairs of animals from a great flood. The answer "ARK" completes the phrase "Noah's ___," referencing this well-known vessel.

The clue "Total up" means to calculate the sum or combine numbers, which is expressed as "ADD" in math. "ADD" is the action of combining amounts, perfectly matching the definition of totaling something up.

The clue "Fiddlesticks!" is in quotes, signaling a spoken exclamation. "NUTS" is a slang expression that conveys frustration, disbelief, or annoyance, similar to "Fiddlesticks!" in tone. Both are playful, mild exclamations, making NUTS the fitting answer.

The solution "ASTRO" fits because Astro is the name of the Jetsons' family dog in the classic animated television series The Jetsons. The clue directly refers to this character, making "ASTRO" the correct and straightforward answer.

Timothy Leary, a psychologist and key figure in the 1960s counterculture movement, famously advocated for the use of LSD as a tool for expanding consciousness and self-discovery. LSD refers to lysergic acid diethylamide, a psychedelic drug closely associated with his work and public persona.

The clue "___ Lanka" is asking for the missing part of the name of a well-known country. The correct answer is "SRI," as Sri Lanka is an island nation in South Asia. This clue relies on basic geography knowledge and understanding of country names.

The clue "Absolutely, positively not!" is spoken and exclamatory, matching the emphatic phrase "No way, José!" This informal expression conveys strong refusal or denial, aligning perfectly with the tone of the clue. The playful rhyming also makes it a common, fitting answer in crossword puzzles.

The clue "No longer on one's plate" refers to food that has been consumed. Once food is consumed, it is no longer physically present on the plate. The word "EATEN" directly conveys this state, making it the correct answer.

The clue "Sheepish look, maybe" includes "maybe," suggesting a playful or figurative interpretation. A "sheepish" expression describes embarrassment or shyness, often accompanied by a hesitant or awkward smile. This matches the answer "GRIN," which can represent a subtle or sheepishly awkward look. 'maybe' indicates this mild wordplay.

The clue "Murmur during a massage" suggests a sound a person might make. "AHH" represents a vocal expression of relief or relaxation commonly uttered during soothing experiences, like a massage. It’s a nonverbal response that perfectly fits the context of the clue.

The clue "___ bean" refers to a type of bean, and "FAVA" is the correct answer as it represents the fava bean, a well-known variety in both cooking and agriculture. The blank indicates a word to complete the phrase, and FAVA fits perfectly as a specific bean type.

The answer is LEST because the phrase "Lest we forget" is a well-known expression used to remind people to remember something important, often associated with commemorating sacrifices or meaningful events. "Lest" introduces caution or prevention, fitting the blank in this commonly used phrase.

The clue "I'm done with you" in quotes signals a spoken phrase. BYEFELICIA is a dismissive expression popularized by the 1995 movie Friday and later adopted in pop culture, meaning to brusquely say goodbye, particularly to someone deemed irrelevant or unwelcome. It perfectly conveys being "done with" someone.

Villa d'Este is a famous Italian villa located in Tivoli, near Rome, renowned for its elaborate gardens and fountains. ESTE completes the name "Villa d'Este," a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and fits the clue's context about Italy.

The clue "Parisian cap" refers to a type of headwear associated with France, specifically Paris. The beret is a soft, round, flat-crowned hat that is iconic in French culture and fashion, making it the perfect answer for "Parisian cap."

The clue "Hello, sailor!" suggests a greeting commonly associated with sailors or nautical settings. The phrase "Hello, sailor!" is a playful or thematic way of hinting at the maritime greeting "AHOY," traditionally used by sailors when hailing a ship or greeting someone at sea.

The answer "STYE" fits "Eye annoyance" because a stye is a common and painful bump that forms on the eyelid, often caused by a blocked oil gland. It's a direct, literal eye irritation, making it a perfect match for the clue.

The clue "Carne ___ (grilled dish)" refers to a well-known Mexican dish. "Carne" means "meat" in Spanish, and "asada" translates to "grilled" or "roasted." Together, "Carne Asada" describes marinated, grilled meat, usually beef, a popular and traditional dish. Hence, the answer is ASADA.

The NENE is the state bird of Hawaii, also known as the "Aloha State." It is a type of goose native to Hawaii, fitting the clue perfectly as both a goose and a direct reference to the state's nickname.