"My heavens!" - NYT The Crossword Clue

A "Gear tooth" refers to the individual projecting parts on the edge of a gear that interlock with another gear to transmit motion. A "COG" is both a term for a gear and one of its teeth, making it the precise answer to the clue.

The clue "Where the Wild Things ___" refers to the famous children's book "Where the Wild Things Are" by Maurice Sendak. The blank completes the book title, making "ARE" the correct answer. This straightforward clue tests knowledge of the title without extra wordplay.

The clue "Baby's game" refers to a classic interactive game played with babies. In "peekaboo," an adult hides their face (or pretends to disappear) and reappears, delighting babies who are learning object permanence. The playful nature matches the clue perfectly as this is a well-known baby activity.

The phrase "Moves like molasses" implies slow, thick movement, as molasses is a viscous liquid that flows sluggishly. OOZES captures this imagery perfectly, describing a slow, steady flow or seepage, matching the clue’s intent. Its descriptive nature aligns with molasses's texture and motion.

TAOS is a renowned art town located about 70 miles north-northeast (NNE) of Santa Fe, New Mexico. Known for its vibrant arts scene and the Taos Pueblo, it has been a historical hub for artists and creatives attracted by its stunning natural landscapes and cultural heritage.

The answer "EDU" is the solution because ".edu" is the domain used in email addresses for educational institutions, like schools, colleges, and universities. It signifies that the email belongs to an academic organization, making it the appropriate "end" of a school's email address.

The clue "Nothing-but-net sound" refers to the sound made when a basketball passes cleanly through the hoop without touching the rim or backboard, which is a "SWISH." It's an onomatopoeic word mimicking the sound produced, aligning with the clue’s description of the net-only swish.

The answer "LASSO" refers to a looped rope commonly used by cowboys to catch cattle or horses. It's a quintessential cowboy tool, perfectly matching "Cowboy's rope" in the clue. The direct and straightforward nature of the clue directly points to this iconic item.

The answer "ARENA" fits the clue "Sporting event venue" because an arena is a large enclosed space specifically designed for hosting sports competitions, concerts, or other events. It directly matches the definition of a venue for sporting events.

The clue "Counterpart of a dog lover" suggests someone with a preference opposite to dogs. A 'dog lover' enjoys dogs, so the counterpart would love cats. The term "CAT PERSON" directly describes someone who favors cats. This straightforward word choice fills the clue perfectly.

ALKALI is the solution because it refers to a group of bases (alkaline substances) that are soluble in water, such as sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide. These substances can dissolve to form hydroxide ions (OH-) in water, characterizing them as bases in chemistry.

The answer is PEOPLE because People magazine is famous for featuring celebrities on nearly every cover. It focuses on entertainment, pop culture, and human-interest stories, often spotlighting prominent figures in Hollywood, music, and beyond. This aligns perfectly with the clue describing a magazine with celebrity covers.

The answer "ESSAYS" makes sense because essays are often written as short compositions, typically around 1,000 words. The clue’s phrasing "Pieces of 1,000 words or so" aligns with the typical length of an essay, making it a fitting solution.

LYES is the answer because lye, a strong alkaline substance like sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide, is an essential ingredient in soapmaking. It reacts with fats or oils in a process called saponification, creating soap. The plural “LYES” refers to various forms or types of this substance.

The clue "Comfy clothes for sleepytime" directly refers to pajamas, commonly abbreviated as "PJs." Pajamas are comfortable clothing specifically designed for sleeping or lounging, making "PJS" the perfect shorthand answer for this straightforward clue.

The clue "___ camoly!" uses quotes, signaling a spoken exclamation. The phrase "Holy camoly!" is a playful variation of "Holy cow!" or similar expressions of surprise or amazement. Thus, the missing word to complete the common phrase is "HOLY."

The answer "WOOL" fits because both cashmere and angora are types of wool. Cashmere comes from cashmere goats, while angora is derived from angora rabbits or goats. The clue refers to their shared category: soft, natural fibers from animal coats.

The clue “Where eggs hatch” points to a physical location where eggs typically develop and hatch. A "NEST" is the natural structure built by birds, reptiles, or other animals specifically for laying and incubating eggs until they hatch, making it the perfect answer.

The solution "FLAK" fits "Carping" because "flak" refers to criticism or complaints, which align with the concept of carping—persistent nagging or fault-finding. Both involve negativity or critique, making it the appropriate answer.

The clue "Buyer's protection" refers to a promise or assurance given to protect a purchaser, often against faulty products or services. "GUARANTEE" fits perfectly, as it is a formal commitment to ensure a customer's satisfaction or a refund/repair, providing the "protection" mentioned in the clue.

The Mighty Mighty Bosstones are a band known for playing ska, a music genre that originated in Jamaica in the 1950s, blending elements of Jamaican mento and calypso with American jazz and R&B. Ska often features offbeat rhythms, horns, and energetic vocals, which align with the band's signature style.

The phrase "No ifs, ands, or buts" is a common idiom meaning no excuses or exceptions. The blank in the clue completes the saying, so "ANDS" is the correct and natural fit to complete the familiar phrase.

The answer is TROY because the ancient city of Troy was tricked by the Greeks with the Trojan Horse—a hollow wooden horse hiding soldiers inside. They accepted it as a gift, leading to their downfall, as famously detailed in Greek mythology and Homer’s The Iliad.

The answer "IDLE" fits the clue "Not being used" because "idle" describes a state of inactivity, where something (or someone) is not in use, functioning, or occupied. It's a direct synonym, making it a straightforward solution to the clue.

The clue "A milk drinker may have one" uses a pun and suggests something humorous or visual. When drinking milk, especially with a creamy texture, it often leaves a white residue on the upper lip resembling a "milk mustache." Thus, the answer is MUSTACHE.

The clue "Raison d'___" is a French phrase meaning "reason for being." The blank is completed with "être," which means "to be" in French. Together, "raison d'être" translates to "reason for existence" or purpose, making "ETRE" the correct answer.

The clue "Confession in a confessional" directly refers to an act typically confessed during a religious confession. People confess their wrongdoings or moral failings, commonly referred to as "sins," in this setting. Therefore, the answer "SIN" fits the context perfectly.

The clue "They're right at 90°" refers to angles because a "right angle" is defined as an angle that measures exactly 90°. The plural "They're" aligns with the plural form "Angles." This straightforward description ties the mathematical term directly to the clue.

The clue "Most achy" hints at an adjective in its superlative form, describing the highest degree of pain or soreness. "Sorest" is the superlative form of "sore," making it grammatically and contextually correct as the answer.

The clue "Serpentine" hints at something snake-like or winding, playing on the shape of a serpent. "Twisty" captures this description as it refers to something with many twists, turns, or curves, much like a serpent's movement or a winding path.

The clue "Hand out hands" uses wordplay. "Hands" refers to playing cards, and "handing out" is dealing cards to players in a game. Thus, the answer is "DEAL," which means distributing or handing out cards during a game.

The clue refers to a villain in the "Star Wars" franchise, specifically one with "the Hutt" in his name. Jabba the Hutt is a well-known character, a crime lord featured prominently in Return of the Jedi. The blank fits "JABBA," completing the villain's full name.

The clue "Now I remember!" is in quotes, signaling a spoken phrase. "OH YES" fits perfectly as an exclamation commonly used when someone recalls something. It captures the sudden realization or acknowledgement implied by the clue.

The answer is SHERA because She-Ra is the titular character from the 1980s animated television series She-Ra: Princess of Power. She is a heroic warrior princess, widely recognized by this nickname, and a spin-off character from the He-Man and the Masters of the Universe franchise.

The term "avian" directly relates to birds, deriving from the Latin word "avis," meaning bird. The clue "Birdlike" seeks a word that describes characteristics or qualities of birds, which "avian" perfectly encapsulates. It's a precise, scientific term used to denote anything pertaining to or resembling birds.

FETA is the correct answer because it is a crumbly, brined white cheese commonly used in Greek salads. Known for its distinct tangy flavor and crumbly texture, Feta cheese is a staple ingredient in Greek cuisine, making it a perfect fit for the clue.

The answer "FED" works because "fed" is the past tense of the verb "feed," which means to provide sustenance, such as food. The clue "Gave sustenance to" directly matches the definition, as it describes the act of feeding someone or something.

The answer is ION because an ion is a particle with an electrical charge, either positive (cation) or negative (anion), caused by the loss or gain of electrons. This aligns perfectly with the clue describing a "particle that's either positive or negative."

The clue "Sea 'sí'" combines wordplay and a hint of foreign language. "Sí" is Spanish for "yes," and on the sea (nautical context), sailors often say "aye" to agree or confirm. The quotation marks indicate a spoken word, making "AYE" the correct answer.