"Buffalo soldier, dreadlock ___" (Bob Marley lyric) - NYT The Crossword Clue

This is a theme clue with a letter trick: the word changes depending on whether you include the L in the circled square. With the L, you get BOLOTIE, a decorative string tie associated with Southwestern fashion. Without the L, it becomes BOOTIE, a soft shoe or slipper worn by babies. This plays into the puzzle’s theme of alternating L/R letters that “blink” depending on the clue.

The answer is ALIWONG because Ali Wong is a comedian known for her Netflix comedy special "Baby Cobra." This widely acclaimed stand-up performance significantly boosted her popularity, making her closely associated with the title "Baby Cobra." The clue directly refers to her work.

The answer "ADMITTO" fits the clue "Come clean about" as it refers to confessing or acknowledging something openly, which matches the phrase "come clean." "To" in the answer suggests formally admitting something, which aligns with the concept of making an admission or confession.

The clue "Co.'s $$$ watcher" hints at a word related to money ("$$$") and a company ("Co."). A CFO, or Chief Financial Officer, oversees a company's financial matters, including budgets, investments, and expenses, making them the "watcher" of the company's money.

The clue "Injury / Christmas entree" includes a pun indicated by the slash. "Injury" leads to "HARM." The pun lies in "Christmas entree," hinting at "ham," a typical festive dish. Combining both meanings, "HARM" cleverly satisfies the dual nature of the clue.

The answer "IDEAL" fits because it represents something perfect or flawless, aligning directly with "Perfect" in the clue. Additionally, "IDEA" (ignoring L as per the theme) can also refer to a concept or standard of perfection, making it a perfect match for the dual-meaning clue "Perfect / Concept."

PEDRO is the solution because the clue refers to Pedro Pascal, the actor who portrays Din Djarin, the lead character in "The Mandalorian," a popular Star Wars series on Disney+.

The answer "RANDRY" works for "Was exhausted / Lustful" as a double definition. "Was exhausted" (worn out) connects to the rare form “randy,” meaning spent or affected, while "Lustful" directly means randy, indicating heightened desire. This clever overlap makes "RANDRY" the solution.

The clue "On point" refers to something fitting, appropriate, or spot-on. "APT" perfectly matches this definition, as it means suitable, relevant, or well-suited to the context. It's a concise and precise word to describe something that is exactly "on point."

The clue "Don't come in here!" is an imperative phrase, signaling a direct instruction to keep out. The answer, STAYOUT, is a matching phrase often used to deny entry or access, making it the appropriate response to the clue as a verbal warning.

TOPANGA is the correct answer because Topanga State Park is a well-known state park located in the Santa Monica Mountains in Southern California. It features scenic hiking trails, beautiful views, and preserves native wildlife, making it a prominent geographical and recreational spot in the area.

The clue "Is this date happening?" includes a question mark, signaling wordplay. "ARE WE ON?" is a conversational phrase people might use to confirm if a date or plan is still scheduled. The playful interpretation aligns perfectly with the clue's wording, making AREWEON the correct answer.

ROUEN is a city in northern France along the Seine River. It is known for its historic significance and Gothic architecture. The clue specifically references the Seine, which narrows it to cities in France, and ROUEN is a notable one located on this river.

The word "arctic" comes from the Greek word "arktos," meaning "bear." This refers to the constellation Ursa Major (Great Bear) visible in the northern sky. Thus, the animal "bear" is directly tied to the etymology of "arctic."

The clue "Fly" refers to the act of piloting or operating an aircraft. The word "AVIATE" directly means to fly or navigate through the air in an aircraft, making it the perfect fit for the clue. It's a straightforward definition-based answer.

The answer "LOLL" fits because it has a dual meaning. "Idle" refers to lounging or reclining lazily, which is "loll." For "Texter's chuckle," "LOL" (laugh out loud) represents a digital laugh, with an extra "L" hinting at the playful combination of meanings.

The clue "Amount of meds" refers to the specific measured portion of medication prescribed or taken. The word "DOSE" is commonly used to describe this quantity, whether in pills, milliliters, or other forms, making it the correct and precise answer to this clue.

The answer "SHA" completes the full name of Olympic sprinter Sha'Carri Richardson. The clue provides part of her name, and "SHA" is the first portion of her unique first name, making it the fitting solution.

The clue "Follows, as a tip" suggests taking action based on advice or guidance. "Acts on" means to follow through or respond to a suggestion or tip, fitting the clue. The phrase aligns with the idea of putting advice into motion or acting upon it.

The question mark in "Trail runner?" signals a pun or wordplay. Here, "Trail" refers to a ski trail (on snow), and a "runner" is something that moves along it. A ski is literally what runs or glides on a ski trail, making SKI the answer.

The National Audubon Society focuses on the conservation and protection of birds and their habitats. Since birds are its primary focus and subject of study, the answer "BIRD" directly reflects this key aspect of their mission.

The clue "___ hard to say" is a partial phrase, signaling the use of common conversational wording to complete it. "It's hard to say" is a widely used expression, making "ITS" the appropriate answer to complete the statement naturally and coherently.

The answer "ROIL" fits the clue for both meanings:

1. Perturb: To "roil" means to disturb or agitate, often used for liquids but metaphorically extends to emotions or situations.
2. Frying need: Oil is essential for frying, and "roil" cleverly hints at "oil" hidden within the word itself.

This is a theme clue!

The solution is DEBUSSY because Claude Debussy, a renowned French composer, wrote the famous piano piece "Clair de Lune," part of his Suite Bergamasque. The clue directly references the title of this iconic composition, making DEBUSSY the clear answer.

The clue "Come (forth)" suggests something emerging or radiating outward. "Emanate" means to flow out, issue, or proceed, often referring to something spreading or being emitted, aligning perfectly with the idea of "coming forth." It matches the clue's meaning straightforwardly.

The answer SPLICES fits the clue as it carries dual meanings: 1) In genetic manipulation, "splicing" refers to cutting and joining DNA or RNA segments. 2) Aromatics like SPICES (ignoring L as per the theme) suggesting a playful pun on combining aromas. The wordplay unites both interpretations.

The clue "No lie!" is in quotes, signaling a spoken phrase. "For real" is a common expression used to confirm truth or authenticity, effectively meaning "no lie" or "seriously." Thus, FORREAL is the fitting answer due to its direct alignment with the clue's meaning.

The phrase "EN GARDE!" is a French term meaning "on guard," famously used in fencing as a command to prepare to fight. The clue "Them's fighting words!" uses wordplay to hint at this martial exclamation, making ENGARDE the perfect answer.

The anglerfish is a deep-sea creature famously adapted to live in the ocean's depths, where it uses a bioluminescent lure to attract prey. "Anglerfish locale" directly points to its natural habitat—the DEEPSEA. The clue is straightforward, referencing its environment without wordplay or misdirection.

The answer "ESCUDO" is correct because it was the official currency of Portugal until 2002, when the euro replaced it. The clue specifies "before the euro," directly pointing to the ESCUDO, which was in use for much of the 20th century.

The clue "Inundates with messages, say" hints at overwhelming someone with excessive communication, often unwanted. "SPAMS" aligns perfectly, as spam refers to unsolicited bulk messages, typically emails or texts. The word "say" suggests a general or informal term, making SPAMS fitting for this description.

The answer is MACK because Mack Trucks is a well-known manufacturer of heavy-duty trucks. The blank in "___ truck" implies the missing word relates to a type or brand of truck, and Mack is a prominent name in the trucking industry.

The answer "RABBI" works for this clue because a rabbi is a Jewish religious leader, aligning with the "Religious leader" part. In addition, Abbi Jacobson is a well-known actress (e.g., from Broad City), connecting to "Actress Jacobson." This dual reference ties both parts of the clue seamlessly.

The clue "Avian claw" directly refers to the sharp, curved claw of a bird, commonly referred to as a talon. Birds of prey, such as eagles and hawks, use their talons for hunting and gripping. Thus, "TALON" is the precise term for an avian claw.

The answer "NICK" fits because it refers to a small cut or scrape, which is a common accidental mishap when shaving. The clue is straightforward, as "shaving mishap" directly implies a minor injury like a nick in the skin.

The answer "REN" fits the clue "___ Faire" because it refers to "Renaissance Faire," an event themed around the Renaissance era with costumes, crafts, and entertainment. "Ren" is shorthand often used for "Renaissance," making it the appropriate fill for this clue.

The clue uses wordplay, mixing "House cry" (a vote of "NAY" in legislative houses like the U.S. Congress) and "horse cry" (a sound-alike hint to "neigh," the sound a horse makes). Both point to the phonetic similarity of NAY.