*Surfer girls, in old lingo - NYT The Crossword Clue

The term "BOMB" is a slang expression meaning to perform badly, especially in entertainment. When a comedian "bombs," their jokes fail, leading to total silence from the audience—no laughter, just awkward quiet. The clue cleverly references this concept, making "BOMB" the fitting answer.

The answer is ALOE because it is a type of succulent plant known for its soothing properties, particularly its gel, which is used to treat burns, skin irritations, and cuts. The clue combines "soothing" (indicating its healing use) and "succulent" (its plant category) to point to ALOE.

The clue refers to a Mexican border state. "___ California" points to "Baja California," a state in Mexico directly south of California, USA. "Baja" means "lower" in Spanish, reflecting its geographic position below California, making BAJA the correct answer.

The answer is AVOCADO because it is a fruit that grows on trees and has the ability to self-pollinate. Avocado flowers are unique due to their "protogynous dichogamy," allowing them to act as both male and female at different times, enabling self-pollination under the right conditions.

The clue "Cooler in a cooler?" involves a pun. The first "cooler" refers to something cold (an ice bag), while the second "cooler" refers to a container for keeping things cold (like a cooler chest). So, an ICEBAG can literally be a cooler item inside a cooler.

The clue "Hole foods?" includes a pun, indicated by the question mark. It plays on the term "Whole Foods" (the grocery chain) and refers to foods associated with holes. DONUTS are a type of food famously characterized by their circular shape with a hole in the middle, making it the clever answer.

The answer is LAYNE because Layne Staley was the original lead singer of the rock band Alice in Chains. His unique voice and performances were central to the band’s success during the grunge era of the 1990s. The blank in the clue refers to his first name.

The word "elan" means energy, enthusiasm, or distinctive flair, which perfectly aligns with the clue “Pizazz,” often used to describe lively style or dynamic charm. Both terms convey a sense of spirited vitality, making ELAN the ideal solution.

The phrase "GAME OVER" traditionally appears on a pinball machine to signify the end of play after losing all balls. The clue references this directly as the "last words" seen, making GAMEOVER the fitting, literal answer.

The clue "Discarded tech" refers to electronic waste, or "e-waste," which includes old, broken, or obsolete electronic devices like phones, computers, and TVs. "E" represents "electronic," while "waste" refers to items being discarded. Together, it forms "EWASTE," a perfect fit for the clue.

The clue "Levy" directly means a charge or imposition, typically a financial one. A "tax" is a common type of levy imposed by governments on income, goods, property, etc. This straightforward clue has no wordplay, so the answer simply aligns with the definition.

The answer "UKE" is short for "ukulele," a stringed instrument commonly associated with Hawaiian culture and luau celebrations. The clue specifies "informally," signaling the casual abbreviation of "ukulele" to "UKE." This aligns with the playful and relaxed tone of luau traditions.

The clue "___ Xing" refers to a commonly seen road sign abbreviation for "Pedestrian Crossing." "PED" is short for "pedestrian," making it the correct solution. This straightforward clue relies on your familiarity with traffic signage and abbreviations.

The answer is HBO because "Curb Your Enthusiasm," a popular comedy series created by and starring Larry David, airs exclusively on the HBO network. This clue directly references the show's broadcaster, making HBO the correct solution.

The answer is IDINA because Idina Menzel is the Broadway and film actress who sang "Let It Go," the iconic song from Disney's Frozen. Known for her powerful voice, Menzel originated the role of Elsa, the character who performs this song in the 2013 movie.

The answer "GO POOF" fits the clue "Vanish into thin air" as it mimics the sound and imagery of something disappearing suddenly and magically. The phrase "go poof" is often used colloquially to indicate sudden disappearance, aligning perfectly with the clue's meaning.

The phrase "Acting unthinkingly" suggests operating automatically, without considering actions. The answer "ONAUTO" plays on this concept, as something set "on auto" (like a car or device) functions automatically, without conscious thought or input—thus matching the clue's meaning.

The answer "VERTEX" fits the clue "Geometrical corner" because a vertex is the point where two or more lines, edges, or rays meet in geometry, forming a corner or angle. It directly relates to the definition of a "corner" in mathematical terms, making it the correct solution.

The triceratops is a dinosaur known for its three prominent facial horns. The clue "Like a triceratops" refers to this defining feature, making "HORNED" the correct answer. The adjective aligns with the physical characteristic of the animal.

The clue "Delphi prophet" refers to the Oracle of Delphi, a priestess in ancient Greece who delivered prophecies inspired by the god Apollo. The term "oracle" is synonymous with a prophet or seer, making ORACLE the correct answer.

"Start a long drive, in a way" uses wordplay. In golf, a "long drive" refers to hitting the ball far, which begins by hitting it off the tee. The phrase "TEE OFF" captures this action, making it the solution.

The clue "Tell a tall tale" suggests exaggerating or fabricating a story, which is essentially to lie. A "tall tale" refers to an untrue or greatly exaggerated story, aligning perfectly with the straightforward answer, LIE.

The answer is PBS because This Old House is a long-running home improvement television series that airs on PBS (Public Broadcasting Service). The clue refers to the network known for educational and instructional programming, making PBS the correct and fitting solution.

The answer is SPAMALOT because it is a Monty Python musical that parodies the legend of King Arthur and contains the wordplay of a portmanteau combining "spam" (referencing Monty Python's famous Spam sketch) and "Camelot," the legendary castle. This cleverly aligns with the humor of Monty Python.

The clue "Absolute, as nonsense" suggests something total or complete ("absolute") in the context of nonsense. "Utter" means complete or total, and it also commonly pairs with "nonsense" (e.g., "utter nonsense"), providing a perfect match for the clue.

The answer is NAS because he is the artist behind the critically acclaimed 1994 hip-hop album Illmatic. NAS is a renowned rapper and songwriter, and Illmatic is often celebrated as one of the greatest hip-hop albums of all time, solidifying his legacy in the music industry.

The clue "What doers produce" leads to RESULTS because "doers" are individuals who take action or make things happen. Their actions or efforts typically lead to outcomes, or "results." It’s a straightforward connection between doing and achieving a tangible or measurable output.

The clue "Luau locale" refers to a place commonly associated with luaus, which are traditional Hawaiian parties or feasts featuring music, dance, and food. Luaus are a well-known cultural tradition in HAWAII, making it the correct answer.

The answer "FANDOM" fits because it describes a subculture of devoted fans engaged obsessively with specific pop culture phenomena, such as shows, movies, or games. "FANDOM" perfectly encapsulates the passionate, community-driven nature of such groups, aligning with the "obsessive" and "pop culture" aspects of the clue.

The clue "Count me in!" is in quotes, indicating a spoken phrase. "IMDOWN" is a casual, colloquial way of expressing agreement or enthusiasm to participate, effectively meaning "I'm in!" or "I'm ready!"—making it the perfect fit for the clue.

The solution "REF" stands for "referee," the official in sports who enforces the rules of the game. In soccer or other sports, a referee has the authority to issue a yellow card as a warning for rule violations, making "Yellow card wielder" a fitting clue for REF.

The clue references Mrs. Doubtfire, the character portrayed by Robin Williams in the film of the same name. In the movie, Mrs. Doubtfire disguises herself as a nanny to stay close to her children. Therefore, NANNY is the correct answer as it describes her job.

The answer "MUSH" is the traditional command used by dog sled drivers to urge sled dogs forward. Derived from the French "marche" (meaning "go" or "walk"), it became associated with North American dog sledding. The clue directly refers to this well-known command.

George Washington never lived in the White House because it was not completed during his presidency. Construction finished in 1800, after his term. John Adams, Washington's successor, was the first president to reside there, making Washington's time in the White House ZERO years.

The answer is ZION because Zion National Park, located in Utah, starts with "Z," the last letter in the alphabet. When listing U.S. national parks alphabetically, Zion comes last due to its name beginning with "Z," making it the correct solution to the clue.

The answer is YANG because Bowen Yang is a well-known cast member of "Saturday Night Live" (S.N.L.). He joined the show in 2019 and has gained popularity for his comedic talent and memorable sketches. The clue directly references his name.

In many card games, the ACE is considered the highest-ranking card in a suit, often symbolizing excellence or superiority. The clue “High card” directly points to this, making ACE the fitting solution.

The phrase "Hightailed it" means to move quickly or flee, often in a hurry. "Ran" perfectly fits this definition as it describes someone moving fast, typically to escape or leave in a rush, aligning with the clue's meaning.

The clue "___ be my pleasure!" is a spoken phrase, as indicated by the quotation marks. The completion "It'd" (a contraction of "It would") fits naturally in the blank, forming the phrase "It'd be my pleasure!" – a polite response often used to express willingness or happiness to help.