Dad's pop, perhaps - NYT The Crossword Clue

The clue "Attempt, informally" suggests a casual synonym for the act of trying. "Swing" fits because the phrase "give it a swing" is a colloquial way to say "make an attempt." The informal tone of both the clue and the answer aligns perfectly.

The clue involves wordplay with "launch" and "promotional materials." An AIRCANNON, often used in events or sports arenas, propels items like T-shirts or promotional freebies into the crowd. It's a playful and literal way of "launching" something to promote a brand or event.

The answer is TIMER because while cooking, people often set a timer on the stove to track cooking durations and prevent over- or under-cooking. Stoves frequently feature built-in timers, making "TIMER" a fitting and logical solution to this clue.

The clue "That's not the whole story!" uses wordplay. A "plot point" is a specific event or detail in a story, but not the entire story itself. This phrase cleverly matches the clue’s idea of being just a part of a larger narrative.

The clue "Fancy and then some" suggests a strong affection or admiration beyond just liking something. To "adore" something means to love it deeply or hold it in high regard—going beyond mere fancy. Thus, ADORE perfectly fits as the solution for this clue.

The eyes of an American coot, a bird commonly found in wetlands, are distinctively bright red. The clue refers to this characteristic trait, making "RED" the accurate answer. It’s a direct observational fact rather than wordplay.

The clue uses wordplay with a question mark and references a gym context. "Take a weight off someone's shoulders" hints at spotting during weightlifting—assisting someone by being prepared to catch or manage the weight if needed. Hence, "SPOT" is the apt answer.

The answer is BRENDA because Brenda Howard was a prominent LGBTQ+ activist and organizer, credited with spearheading the first Pride marches and coining the term "Pride." Her pioneering efforts in promoting LGBTQ+ rights earned her the title "Mother of Pride," making her the correct solution to this clue.

"IDED" is shorthand for "identified," which means determining "who's who" or clarifying "what's what." The pun here ties "IDED" (phonetically "I.D.'ed") to the act of identification, fitting the clue's playful phrasing.

The clue plays on the idea that allies, by definition, are united in opposition to a common force. This shared opposition is their "enemy." The answer, ENEMY, cleverly reflects this shared adversary, aligning perfectly with the collaborative nature of alliances.

The clue "Turnovers, but not crumpets" uses wordplay. "Turnovers" hints at a statistic (e.g., in sports, turnovers are tracked), and "crumpets," being food, aren't statistical. The abbreviation for "statistic" is STAT. Hence, STAT fits as it refers to turnovers in data, not food.

The clue "Be my guest" and "Go right ahead" is in quotation marks, indicating spoken phrases. Both phrases express granting permission or approval, aligning with "OKs," which means giving consent, endorsement, or approval to proceed. Thus, "OKs" perfectly fits this context.

The answer is VAT because a vat refers to a large container or tank often used in industrial processes, including chocolate production. In chocolate factories, vats are commonly used to mix or store ingredients like cocoa, making it a key fixture in such facilities.

The clue "Rate of passage" refers to something measured or required for passing through. "TOLL" fits as it represents a fee or rate charged for passage on roads, bridges, or tunnels, aligning perfectly with the clue's meaning.

This clue signals part of a longer phrase. “Set hanging by a door” points to something commonly kept nearby for easy access. When paired with 28-Down, it forms “spare keys.”

The answer is RENEE because Renée Fleming is a renowned operatic soprano, known for her performances in opera houses worldwide. The clue directly references her as "Soprano Fleming," making RENEE the appropriate solution. This clue relies on general knowledge of famous figures in classical music.

The clue "Call for a pass?" uses wordplay with the question mark hinting at a pun. "YEA" is a vote of approval, often called out when passing a motion or decision in a legislative setting. It represents a figurative "pass" through approval.

The clue "I've done better" is in quotes, signaling a spoken phrase. "NOT MY FINEST WORK" fits perfectly as a self-deprecating phrase someone might say when acknowledging a subpar performance or result. It directly conveys the sentiment of having produced better efforts before.

The clue "Hooter" uses wordplay, referring to something that makes a hooting sound. An owl is widely known for its characteristic hoot, making it the perfect answer. It’s a play on the term "hooter," which here does not mean a horn or nose but the bird.

The word "SINGS" relates to producing melodious, resonant sound, aligning with the phrase "Resonates beautifully." Singing often evokes an emotional response and carries a harmonic quality, making it a perfect metaphorical and literal match for something that "resonates beautifully."

A "chute" is a slide or passage (like a laundry chute) used to drop items, such as dirty laundry, to a lower level. This "leads" to a pile collecting below, perfectly aligning with the clue.

The answer "WEEB" refers to Weeb Ewbank, a legendary Hall-of-Fame football coach. He is best known for leading the Baltimore Colts to two NFL Championships and the New York Jets to their iconic Super Bowl III victory. WEEB is his distinctive nickname, fitting the clue perfectly.

The clue "I" refers to the self or one's sense of identity. "EGO" is the psychological term representing a person's self-awareness or individuality, aligning perfectly with "I" as a singular, self-referential concept. This straightforward connection makes EGO the correct solution.

The answer is CHO because Margaret Cho is a renowned comedian and actress prominently featured in "Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution," a documentary celebrating groundbreaking comics. Her trailblazing career and advocacy for representation make her a fitting subject for this clue. The clue's use of "Margaret" directly points to her.

The clue "Punch" leads to the answer BRIO because "brio" means vigor, energy, or zest, which metaphorically aligns with the energetic forcefulness of a punch. It’s a figurative interpretation rather than referring to a physical punch, showcasing lively or spirited effort.

The clue uses a pun with "wealth redistribution." LOTTO refers to state-run lotteries, where people purchase tickets hoping to win large cash prizes. The "scheme" redistributes entry money as prizes to a few winners, making it a humorous take on "state-sponsored wealth redistribution."

The clue "Support of a sort" leads to ARCH because an arch is a structural support commonly used in architecture to bear weight and distribute pressure. The phrase "of a sort" signals there are multiple kinds of support, and an arch is one specific example.

The clue "I'm not sure what to make of that" is in quotes, signaling a spoken phrase. "It's odd" is something someone might say when something seems unusual, puzzling, or hard to interpret. It captures the sentiment of uncertainty from the clue perfectly.

The answer "HONG" refers to Helen Hong, a comedian, actress, and host of the podcast Go Fact Yourself. The clue directly names her first name, "Helen," while the podcast title specifies her identity, making it clear that "HONG" is the correct solution.

The question mark hints at a pun. While arboretums are places with trees, "natural resource" refers to "ORE" as a mineral extracted from the earth. The humor lies in "ore" sounding hidden in "arboretums" (ar-bORE-tums), making it both a resource and wordplay.

The clue "Blushing matter" refers to rouge, a cosmetic product applied to cheeks to give a blushing or reddened appearance. The wordplay lies in "matter" hinting at the substance (rouge) used to create the visual effect of blushing.

The answer is SEADRAGON because it refers to the leafy seadragon, a marine creature that has appendages resembling seaweed or kelp. These leaf-like protrusions help it blend seamlessly into kelp forests, providing excellent camouflage from predators in its natural habitat.

The answer "DORIS" refers to Doris Burke, a well-known NBA analyst and commentator. She is celebrated for her in-depth knowledge and insightful analysis of basketball, often appearing on ESPN and ABC as a prominent voice in NBA coverage.

The clue "That's what they say, anyway" suggests a conversational phrase expressing secondhand knowledge or hearsay. OR SO I HEAR fits perfectly as it's a common spoken phrase implying "that's what I've heard, but I can't confirm it," matching the casual tone of the clue.

The answer "SLEEK" fits the clue "Smooth and shiny" because it describes something with a polished, glossy, and streamlined appearance. Both "smooth" and "shiny" are synonymous with the qualities associated with the word "sleek," making it the perfect match for the clue.

The clue "Celebratory opening" refers to the start of a celebration. "LET'S PARTY" is a common phrase used to kick off festivities, making it a perfect fit. The word "opening" hints at an invitation or declaration to begin a celebratory event, matching the tone of "LET'S PARTY."