Place where customers get their licks in? - NYT The Crossword Clue

The answer is "DANISH" because while this pastry is commonly associated with Denmark, it actually originated in Austria. Austrian bakers introduced it to Denmark, where it became popular with tweaks to the recipe, leading to the misleading name "Danish." This clue plays on that ironic historical twist.

The solution "UBER" fits the clue "Cab alternative" because Uber is a well-known ridesharing service that serves as an alternative to traditional taxi (cab) services. Both are methods of on-demand transportation, making Uber a logical and direct answer to the clue.

The term "Passé" means outdated or no longer fashionable. "DATED" aligns perfectly as it describes something old-fashioned, out of style, or past its time, directly matching the definition of "Passé."

The answer "SRI" is a common Sanskrit honorific used as a prefix to convey respect, reverence, or auspiciousness. It is often used in names and titles in South Asian cultures, signifying high regard or divinity, making it a fitting solution for this clue.

The clue "Certain ladder climber" refers to salmon's behavior of swimming upstream to spawn, often overcoming obstacles like waterfalls or fish ladders designed to assist them. The "ladder" here is a reference to these structures, making SALMON the fitting answer.

The answer "ETON" refers to the high, stiff white "Eton collar" associated with Eton College, a prestigious British boarding school. This specific style of collar was traditionally part of the school uniform, making "ETON" the fitting completion for "___ collar."

The clue "Ghost story?" includes a question mark, signaling wordplay. An "attic" is a place where items (and sometimes secrets or mysteries) are stored and often associated with eerie or ghostly tales. "Story" also plays on the double meaning as a level of a house, where attics are located.

The answer "SAT" works because it refers to not actively participating. For example, in games or performances, a person who "didn't play" could have "sat" on the sidelines or stayed seated, implying inactivity. The past tense matches "Didn't play," aligning the clue and the answer perfectly.

The word "CHRONIC" often describes something that is long-lasting or persistent, especially in a negative sense, such as chronic illness or chronic problems. The clue "Persistent" directly aligns with this definition, as both describe something enduring or ongoing over time.

The Ernest Hemingway House, a popular tourist attraction and historic site, is located in Key West, Florida. Hemingway lived and wrote there in the 1930s. This ties the answer, KEYWEST, directly to the clue "Home of the Ernest Hemingway House."

The clue "Hidden gem" uses wordplay to suggest something valuable but intentionally kept undiscovered or unknown. A "BEST KEPT SECRET" perfectly embodies this idea, as it describes something outstanding (a gem) intentionally concealed (hidden). It's a figurative phrase aligning with the clue's intention.

The clue "One who might say 'You wish!'" with its playful wording suggests a character known for granting wishes. A GENIE, as in mythical tales like "Aladdin," is a magical being that fulfills wishes, often with a twist. The phrase cleverly ties to a GENIE's wish-granting nature.

CONEY ISLAND is the solution because it was home to the first roller coaster in America, the Gravity Switchback Railway, which debuted in 1884. Located in Brooklyn, New York, Coney Island became iconic for its amusement parks and innovations in entertainment, including this historic ride.

In Morse code, the letter "T" is represented by a single DASH (–). The clue plays on the direct relationship between Morse code and its symbol for "T." The concise answer, DASH, directly reflects this representation, making it an apt and accurate solution.

The clue "___ it?" mimics casual speech, prompting the spoken contraction "isn't it?"—a rhetorical phrase often confirming or questioning something informally. The structural hint from the blank indicates the missing phrase "ISN'T," making ISNT the solution.

The ALPS is the solution because this mountain range in Europe has hosted portions of the Winter Olympics 11 times, in countries like France, Italy, Switzerland, and Austria. Its snowy peaks and facilities make it an ideal location for winter sports competitions.

"STIR" works because it means to mix ingredients together and also implies causing a commotion or disturbance—both interpretations align with "mixing up" in different contexts.

DILL is the solution because tzatziki, a traditional Greek yogurt dip, typically includes dill as a key ingredient for its fresh, herbaceous flavor. Other common ingredients are yogurt, cucumber, garlic, and olive oil, but dill is a classic herb used to enhance its taste.

The clue "Quality establishments?" includes a pun. "Quality" suggests a standard of excellence, often associated with hospitality, while "establishments" refers to places like lodgings. INNS are establishments known for providing quality accommodation, making this a play on words connecting the meaning of "quality" and "establishments."

An M.C. (Master of Ceremonies) typically speaks or hosts an event, requiring a microphone (abbreviated as "mike") to project their voice to the audience. The clue cleverly shortens "microphone" to its common nickname, "MIKE," making it their essential need.

In baseball, an "out" is a way to remove a player from action during an inning. Three outs constitute the end of a half-inning, making "three outs" a common trio in the game. Thus, "Baseball trio" cleverly refers to OUTS.

The answer "LION" fits because lions are widely seen as symbols of bravery and courage in many cultures, often referred to as "the king of the jungle." Additionally, in "The Wizard of Oz," the Cowardly Lion seeks courage, reinforcing this symbolic association.

The clue "Satisfactory" straightforwardly suggests something that meets acceptable standards. "UP TO PAR" is a common phrase meaning adequate, sufficient, or meeting expectations, thus aligning with the definition of "Satisfactory." This makes UPTOPAR the perfectly fitting solution for the clue.

The phrase "Epic beginning" suggests the start of something grand, like a story or series. Many epics, both in literature and film, are divided into parts, with the first being "PART ONE." Therefore, "PARTONE" is a fitting answer, directly aligning with the idea of an epic's start.

TITAN is the largest moon (satellite) of Saturn and one of its most well-known. It is notable for its dense atmosphere and surface features. The clue directly references a "Saturn satellite," and TITAN perfectly fits both the definition and the crossword's letter count.

The clue "Runners carry it" uses wordplay. "Runners" refers to the blades or supports underneath a sled, which glide over the surface (like snow or ice). A sled is literally carried on these "runners," making SLED the fitting answer.

The clue "Puts in one's two cents" means offering an opinion or sharing a thought. The phrase "two cents" is a common idiom for expressing one's viewpoint. "OPINES" is a verb meaning to express an opinion, perfectly matching the clue's intention.

The answer is MAGGIE, referring to Dame Maggie Smith, an accomplished actress who has won the Triple Crown of Acting: an Oscar (Academy Award), an Emmy, and a Tony. This prestigious trifecta is a rare achievement, cementing her legacy in film, television, and theater.

The clue "Do business?" features a pun. A "salon" is a place where hairstylists or beauticians "do" hair, which plays on the word "do" as both a verb (to perform) and its slang meaning (a hairstyle). Hence, SALON fits as the playful solution.

In Greek mythology, the Sirens were dangerous creatures whose enchanting songs lured sailors, including Odysseus, toward their doom by causing shipwrecks. In Homer’s Odyssey, Odysseus faced the Sirens as an obstacle during his journey. He famously avoided their trap by having his crew plug their ears with wax and tying himself to the mast.

The answer "DANA" refers to Dana Point, a city in Orange County, California. It is a coastal town known for its marina, beautiful beaches, and whale-watching opportunities. The blank in the clue indicates the missing part of the city's name, which is "Dana."

The clue "Central point" leads to MEAT because "meat" can metaphorically represent the core or most essential part of something, much like the central point of a discussion or topic. This interpretation is common in idiomatic expressions like "getting to the meat of the matter."

The answer "TMI" stands for "Too Much Information." The clue "OMG, stop!" is a reaction someone might have when overwhelmed by unnecessary or overly personal details. The phrase aligns with the expression of wanting the overload of information to cease, making "TMI" a fitting solution.

The clue specifies "in Latin," signaling the answer is a Latin word. "Ora" is a form of the Latin verb orare, meaning "to pray" or "to plead." In this context, "ora" serves as an imperative, translating to "pray!"