Vince Carter quote-turned-meme regarding his return for a 22nd N.B.A. season - NYT The Crossword Clue

The clue "Sub" and its answer, TEMP, involve wordplay. "Sub" here refers to a substitute, whether in a job or sports, and TEMP is short for a temporary worker who acts as a substitute. This clever shorthand connects the two terms.

The clue "Masjid leader" refers to a leader within a mosque, which is called "Masjid" in Arabic. An IMAM is the person who leads prayers and often provides spiritual guidance in a mosque, making it the correct answer to this clue.

The clue "Trash" and the answer "TOSS" fit because "trash" can mean to throw something away, much like you "toss" something into the garbage. It’s a synonym that directly connects the action of discarding with the term "trash."

In the Addams Family, Cousin Itt is a unique character covered entirely in long hair and known for his high-pitched, unintelligible speech. The clue refers to this family member, making "ITT" (his name) the correct answer. The simplicity and directness match the clue's straightforward nature.

The answer is LIE because it completes the word "LIBEL." Libel refers to a false statement that damages someone's reputation — effectively a "lie" in written form. The clue's word "Apt" hints at this clever wordplay connecting LIE with the blanks in the word.

The answer is LORIS because it refers to a small, large-eyed primate found in Asia. Known for their big eyes adapted for nocturnal life, lorises are slow-moving creatures, matching the clue's description of a "Large-eyed primate." The clue directly identifies the key characteristic of this animal.

The answer "ANON" fits the clue "Before long" because "anon" is an archaic or poetic term meaning "soon" or "in a short time." It aligns directly with the idea of something happening shortly or before too much time passes.

The answer is TAFT because William Howard Taft served as the 27th President of the United States (1909–1913). His middle name, Howard, matches the clue exactly, making him the correct solution for "President whose middle name was Howard."

The clue "Who ___?" suggests a phrase that would naturally complete the question. The answer is "ELSE," as “Who else?” is a common phrase used to inquire or imply who other than someone already mentioned. Its conversational nature matches the clue’s structure and tone.

FREEDOMRIDES refers to the civil rights protests in 1961 where integrated groups rode buses into the segregated South to challenge racial segregation. Despite being legal under federal law, local authorities often arrested participants, leading to hundreds of arrests, highlighting the resistance against racial equality in the era.

LENT is a Christian observance marked by fasting, prayer, and penance, lasting 40 days and culminating on Holy Thursday, the day before Good Friday. It begins on Ash Wednesday and ends just before the celebration of the Easter Triduum, making it the correct answer for this clue.

The answer is ORCA because an orca, also known as a killer whale, is a sea creature recognizable by its black-and-white coloring. The "saddle patch" refers to the light-colored, saddle-shaped marking found behind an orca's dorsal fin, a distinct feature of this animal.

"Weed" refers to marijuana, which is commonly infused into brownies for psychoactive effects. The playful tone hints at this unconventional ingredient rather than a standard baking component.

The clue "Suomi speaker" refers to someone who speaks the language of Finland (Suomi being the Finnish word for Finland). A person from Finland is a FINN, making this the correct answer. The capitalized "Suomi" indicates the connection to Finland's native language and people.

The clue "Dispenser of cones" refers to a place where ice cream is served in cones. A "creamery" is an establishment where dairy products, including ice cream, are made or sold. Thus, a creamery can be a dispenser of ice cream cones, making CREAMERY the fitting answer.

The clue "Leader before the King?" plays on wordplay and historical context. Coretta Scott King was a prominent leader in the civil rights movement before the passing of her husband, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The "Leader" refers to her influential role preceding "the King" in the clue.

The answer "BOODOG" refers to a traditional Mongolian dish where meat is cooked inside an animal's skin with heated stones. The wordplay lies in it sounding like "boo" (disapproval) and "dog" (a canine), fitting the clue's pun about a "disapproving canine."

"Tap" can refer to a device for controlling the flow of liquid, like a faucet. A SPIGOT is a valve or tap commonly used to control liquid flow from a container or pipe, making it the apt answer here.

HURONS is the answer because one of the Great Lakes, Lake Huron, is named after the Huron people, a Native American group indigenous to the region around the lake. This ties directly to the clue asking for "People for whom a Great Lake is named."

The clue specifies "Sportsperson, in Italian," indicating that the answer must be the Italian word for "sportsperson" or "athlete." In Italian, "athlete" translates to ATLETA, making it the correct answer. The straightforward foreign language indicator ensures the word is not in English.

The clue includes wordplay with "scattershot" implying randomness or being spread widely. "All over" further emphasizes being everywhere. Something scattershot being "all over" aligns with the expression "all over the map," which conveys disorganized or widespread coverage. Hence, THEMAP is the fitting solution.

The Tetons are a mountain range in the Rocky Mountains, located in Wyoming. The clue “Range of the Rockies” directly refers to a subset of the Rockies, making "TETONS" the correct answer. The Tetons are famous for their rugged peaks and natural beauty, aligning perfectly with the clue.

The answer is REINER because it refers to Carl Reiner and his son Rob Reiner, both prominent figures in Hollywood. Carl was an acclaimed actor, comedian, and director, while Rob is a successful actor and filmmaker, sharing the same last name.

The clue "Lead-in to band or army" suggests a phrase that can precede both "band" and "army." "One-man" fits because it forms "one-man band" (a performer who plays multiple instruments alone) and "one-man army" (someone highly capable of accomplishing tasks solo). Thus, ONEMAN is the solution.

The clue "Went" can refer to speaking in the sense of "uttered or expressed," which matches "SAID." This play on the word "went" highlights a less obvious definition—how something "went" in speech or dialogue, fitting neatly with the answer.

The term FANEDITS refers to unauthorized versions of films that fans modify by reordering scenes, removing content, or making other changes. The clue suggests these custom "edits" created by fans, emphasizing the unauthorized nature of such alterations to existing movies. Thus, FANEDITS fits perfectly.

The answer is OREIDA because it’s a well-known brand specializing in frozen potato products, including “Crispy Crinkles,” their signature crinkle-cut fries. The name comes from the brand’s origins in the Oregon (ORE) and Idaho (IDA) regions, famous for potato farming.

The clue "___ chic!" includes a hint of Frenchness through the word "chic" (a French-origin term meaning stylish). The answer, TRES, is French for "very," making the phrase "très chic!" translate to "very stylish"—a common expression in both French and English usage.

The answer is ROSY because "rosy" is often used metaphorically to describe an optimistic or favorable outlook, akin to "seeing the world through rose-colored glasses." It conveys positivity and hope, perfectly aligning with the clue "Optimistic."

The clue refers to the 1991 film "Thelma & Louise," where "Thelma" was played by actress Geena Davis. Her first name "Geena" directly answers the clue, as it specifically asks for Davis’s given name in that role.

The answer "MIDI" relates to "Intermediate size" because "MIDI" is a French term meaning "medium" or "middle." Additionally, MIDI, in fashion, describes a skirt length that's between mini (short) and maxi (long), aligning perfectly with the idea of something intermediate in size.

The answer is AMES because Ames, Iowa, is the city that is home to Iowa State University. The clue directly refers to the city associated with this university, making AMES the correct solution.

The term "SPIN" is often used to describe presenting information in a way that gives it a particular interpretation or bias, effectively "casting it in a different light." The clue’s figurative nature aligns with this concept of reinterpreting or reframing something.

The word "disencumbers" means to free or relieve from burdens. "RIDS" aligns as it means to clear something unwanted or burdensome. It captures the sense of removal or freeing, making it a precise fit for the given clue.

The clue "Assist, as a lifter?" uses wordplay, indicated by the question mark. "Lifter" can hint at one aiding in a crime (e.g., shoplifter). "Assist" aligns with the meaning of ABET, which means to assist or encourage someone, especially in wrongdoing. Thus, ABET fits perfectly.

The answer is CLAM because clam chowder is a classic soup made with clams as a key ingredient. "Chowder ingredient" directly points to a common component found in many chowder recipes, particularly New England or Manhattan styles, where clams are essential.

The answer "BLAH" fits "Unexciting" because it’s commonly used to describe something dull, boring, or lacking energy, matching the meaning of "unexciting." It's a succinct, informal term often conveying apathy or monotony, making it an ideal fit for this straightforward clue.

The clue "Do some tech work" refers to a core activity in technology-related fields: programming or writing CODE. Writing CODE involves creating instructions for computers to perform tasks, making "CODE" a perfect fit for this straightforward, tech-related clue.

The clue employs wordplay with "pilot" having a dual meaning. A "crew" is a group working with a "pilot" (e.g., an airplane crew), and it can also encompass a group including a "pilot" (the pilot being part of the entire crew). Hence, the answer is CREW.

CST stands for Central Standard Time, which is the time zone Kansas City (K.C.) is in during the winter months. The United States switches to Standard Time from Daylight Saving Time in winter, hence Kansas City's "winter setting" is CST.

The word "OPT" means to make a choice or select something, which directly aligns with the clue "Choose." It's a concise, direct synonym often used in situations where a decision or preference is being determined. Thus, OPT is the correct answer.