Antiquated "OMG!" - NYT The Crossword Clue

The answer is MUSK because it refers to a common, strong fragrance used in colognes and perfumes. MUSK is derived from natural or synthetic sources and is known for its deep, earthy scent, a key ingredient in many aromatic blends, making it directly associated with "Cologne scent."

ALMA is the protagonist of Tennessee Williams's play Summer and Smoke. She is a sensitive, spiritual woman, whose name means "soul" in Spanish/Latin, symbolizing her inner struggles and desires. As the central heroine, ALMA's journey embodies the play's themes of love, passion, and self-discovery.

The phrase "Give the cold shoulder" means to ignore or reject someone, which aligns with the definition of SNUB—deliberately ignoring or showing disdain for someone. It's a straightforward match in meaning, both implying dismissive or unfriendly behavior.

The NASA Cassini spacecraft orbited Saturn from 2004 to 2017, conducting groundbreaking studies of the planet, its rings, and moons. The clue directly references this mission, making SATURN the fitting answer as the celestial object it explored for 13 years.

The clue "Gentlemen's club, colloquially" uses "colloquially" to imply an informal term. A "gentlemen's club" often refers to an adult entertainment venue. The colloquial term "NUDIEBAR" aligns with this, as it commonly describes such establishments in casual speech, emphasizing the adult-themed nature.

In Scrabble, 68% of tiles (A, E, I, L, N, O, R, S, T, U) carry a point value of one. The clue references the most frequent point value among tiles, making the answer ONE.

The clue "Coat with a thin auric layer" refers to applying a thin coating of gold, as "auric" pertains to gold (from the Latin "aurum"). To gild something means to coat it in gold, aligning perfectly with the definition and the clue's wording.

The clue references the Rideau River, which flows through Ottawa, the capital city of Canada. Ottawa is situated along this river in the province of Ontario, making it the correct answer for this geography-based clue.

"RUBADUB" fits the clue because it's a playful, rhythmic phrase often associated with the childhood rhyme "Rub-a-dub-dub, three men in a tub." As a nonsense syllable referring to a "tub," it matches the punny tone of the clue with its lighthearted bathtub imagery.

The clue "___ Dhabi" refers to the capital city of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi. "Abu" completes the name of the city, making it "Abu Dhabi." This is a straightforward geographical clue with no wordplay, simply requiring knowledge of world capitals.

The answer "TERM" fits the clue "Contract clause" because "term" refers to a specific condition or provision in a legal contract. A "term" can outline obligations, durations, or rules, making it a direct match for the definition of a contract clause.

The clue "Ticks off" means to annoy or irritate someone, which aligns with the definition of IRKS. "Irks" is a verb used to describe causing annoyance or displeasure, making it a fitting synonym for "ticks off" in this context.

The clue "Yoked team" leads to OXEN because oxen are traditionally paired and yoked together to work as a team, especially for pulling carts or plows. The word "yoked" specifically refers to the tool used to fasten them together, making OXEN the precise answer.

The answer "ATAD" is a phonetic reversal of the word "a tad," which means a small amount or slightly. Crossword clues often use creative wordplay like this to indicate subtle meanings. "Slightly" is synonymous with "a tad," making ATAD the correct solution.

The clue "Ivories, on a piano" refers to the white keys of a piano, traditionally made from ivory in the past. The word "ivories" is a colloquial term for piano keys, making "KEYS" the correct answer to the clue.

The answer, FORE, is a warning cry shouted by golfers to alert others of a stray or potentially dangerous golf ball. The clue’s "klutzy golfer" hints at someone likely to hit an errant shot, necessitating this cry of caution. The pun-worthy question mark emphasizes wordplay!

The clue "Grift" refers to a dishonest scheme, swindle, or fraud—essentially cheating someone for personal gain. The answer SCAM fits perfectly as it is a synonym for such deceitful activities, aligning directly with the definition of "grift."

The answer "DORK" fits the clue "Socially awkward sort" because "dork" is a common informal term used to describe someone who is socially clumsy, awkward, or unfashionable. The clue is straightforward and doesn’t involve any wordplay or figurative language.

The clue "Stratford-on-___" refers to Stratford-upon-Avon, a town in England famously known as the birthplace of William Shakespeare. The "Avon" is the river that runs through the town, making AVON the correct and logical completion of the clue.

The clue "Christened" refers to the act of giving something or someone a name, such as naming a baby or a ship in a formal ceremony. "NAMED" directly fits this meaning, as it implies being given a name, aligning perfectly with the definition of "Christened."

The answer "NINJA" fits because ninjas are historically known as stealthy assassins, adept at covert operations. They are often depicted wielding swords, such as the katana or ninjatō, aligning with the clue’s description of a "stealthy assassin with a sword."

The clue refers to the children's song "Old MacDonald Had a Farm," where the refrain "E-I-E-I-O" is sung repeatedly between verses describing farm animals and their sounds. The nonsensical sequence "EIEIO" matches the "farmyard refrain" perfectly, making it the correct answer.

The Bolsheviks, a Marxist faction led by Lenin during the Russian Revolution, opposed the autocratic rule of the Russian monarchy. The TSAR (or Czar) was the title of the Russian emperor at the time, making "TSAR" the correct answer to this clue about the ruler they opposed.

The clue "Levelheaded" describes someone calm, rational, and reasonable in their thoughts or actions. The word SANE fits this definition, as it refers to a sound, balanced, and clear state of mind, which aligns with being levelheaded. This makes SANE the correct answer.

The answer "PARE" fits because it means to trim or peel the outer layer or skin from something, commonly used for fruits or vegetables. This definition directly aligns with the clue "Remove the skin from," making PARE an accurate solution.

EARS is the solution because elves are often depicted with pointed ears as a distinctive feature, while basset hounds are known for their long, droopy ears. The clue highlights a shared, notable characteristic between the two, making EARS the fitting answer.

The clue describes a material that has a "latticed" (grid-like) structure and is commonly made of metal for use in construction and fencing. "WIREMESH" perfectly fits this description as it consists of interwoven metal wires forming a lattice, making it ideal for such purposes.

The clue "Divisions in some history books" points to how history is often organized. Historians commonly group events into 10-year periods called decades (e.g., the 1920s, 1960s) for easier analysis and storytelling. Thus, DECADES fits perfectly as a historical division.

The solution is LYRA, a constellation named after the lyre, a stringed musical instrument from Greek mythology. Its shape and historical associations give it this name, perfectly aligning with the "musical instrument" reference in the clue. LYRA includes the bright star Vega, a key celestial feature.

The clue "Development center?" uses wordplay and a pun. "Development" refers to growth, and "center" hints at a physical location. The womb is literally the "center" where human development begins, making it a clever and fitting answer to the clue.

In baseball, "bloops" are weakly hit balls that often arc high in the air and land just beyond the infield. The clue uses "arcing," describing the trajectory of these hits, leading to BLOOPS as the fitting term.

The Medici family was a powerful and influential banking dynasty in Renaissance-era Italy, particularly in Florence. They were key patrons of the arts and dominated politics during their time, often referred to as "House of Medici." Hence, their name completes the clue.

The solution "DDAY" refers to June 6, 1944, when Allied forces launched the Normandy invasion during World War II. This pivotal day is remembered as "D-Day," marking a turning point in the war. The clue directly connects to this historic event commemorated annually.

Rao's and RAGU are both well-known brands of pasta sauce, making RAGU a direct competitor of Rao's. This clue references the culinary world, specifically Italian-style sauces, where these two brands are prominent players.

The clue "Diabolical" is directly synonymous with EVIL. "Diabolical" derives from "diablo," meaning devilish or wicked, aligning perfectly with the definition of EVIL as profoundly immoral or malevolent. The clue is straightforward, without wordplay—simply a descriptive term referring to wickedness.

The answer "KWAI" references the River Kwai from the Oscar-winning 1957 movie The Bridge on the River Kwai. The film, based on a novel, depicts events surrounding the building of a railway bridge during World War II and prominently features this titular river.

The word "MAIM" means to wound or severely injure someone, often causing lasting damage or disfigurement. It directly aligns with the clue "Severely injure," as both refer to serious physical harm. The succinct match between definition and clue makes MAIM the correct solution.

The term "NOOB" is slang for a beginner or newcomer, especially in digital spaces like online gaming or technology. The clue "Modern greenhorn" suggests a contemporary term for an inexperienced person. "Greenhorn" traditionally means a novice, aligning with the casual, modern usage of "NOOB."

The answer "ILE" is French for "island." The clue refers to Île de la Cité, a famous island in the Seine River in Paris, known for landmarks like Notre-Dame Cathedral. The French article "de la" indicates the answer should be in French, aligning with "ILE."

The suffix "ING" is commonly added to verbs to form present participles or gerunds, such as "running" or "eating." The clue "Verb suffix" directly points to this grammatical function, making "ING" the correct and straightforward answer.