Question during a brainstorming session ... or of the answers to the starred clues - NYT The Crossword Clue

In the Greek alphabet, "upsilon" is the 20th letter, and "phi" (Φ, φ) comes directly after it as the 21st letter. This is a straightforward reference to the sequence of Greek letters. Hence, the correct answer is PHI.

A trireme is an ancient Greek or Roman warship powered by rows of oars. The oars were the primary tools used to propel and maneuver the ship, making "OAR" the perfect answer for this clue.

The clue "Cleared, as snow" refers to the act of removing snow. The word SHOVELED fits perfectly as it describes the common method of manually clearing snow using a shovel. The past tense "cleared" matches the answer's past tense "shoveled," making it an ideal fit.

The answer is HANDEL because George Frideric Handel is the composer of the famous oratorio Messiah, first performed in 1742. Known for its "Hallelujah" chorus, Messiah is one of Handel's most celebrated works in classical music history.

The clue "Neuter" directly refers to the process of sterilizing an animal to prevent reproduction. "Spay" specifically means to sterilize a female animal by removing the ovaries. This fits perfectly as the solution since it is a method of neutering, aligning with the clue.

The clue refers to the clock's "big hand," which represents the minute hand. Since the clue asks for an abbreviation, "MIN" (short for "minute") is the correct answer, indicating what the big hand on a clock shows.

The answer is ANT because ants live in colonies that function as a cohesive, cooperative unit, much like a single "superorganism." The colony's members (workers, soldiers, queen) work together in specialized roles, similar to cells or organs in a body, highlighting the collective nature of their society.

The word "strife" is a synonym for "struggle," particularly in the sense of conflict, discord, or difficulty. Both terms capture the idea of ongoing challenges or fights, making "strife" a fitting and accurate answer to the clue.

The answer is HAITI because it has the largest population of Creole speakers in the world, with Haitian Creole as one of its official languages. Spoken by almost all of Haiti's 11 million people, Haitian Creole is a fusion of French and African languages, reflecting the country's history and culture.

The phrase "in the bag" is an idiom meaning something is almost certain or assured to happen, which directly aligns with "Pretty much assured" in the clue. It conveys that success or an expected outcome is nearly guaranteed. Hence, INTHEBAG is the fitting solution.

The answer is NOH because it refers to a traditional form of Japanese drama that originated in the 14th century. Noh is characterized by its stylized performance, use of masks, and chanting. The clue directly references a well-known type of Japanese theatrical art.

LOLCAT is the correct answer because it refers to a popular 2000s internet meme featuring humorous pictures of cats with superimposed text written in a deliberately misspelled and grammatically incorrect style, often referred to as "LOLspeak." The term combines "LOL" (laugh out loud) and "cat," perfectly fitting the clue.

The clue "Dub ... or rub" points to the word "anoint." To "dub" can mean to confer a title, often involving anointment, while to "rub" refers to the act of applying oil or substance, which is a literal part of anointing. Both meanings align with ANOINT.

The answer is WENDYS because Frostys are a signature dessert item exclusively sold by Wendy's, a popular fast-food restaurant chain. Known for their creamy, frozen treat, Wendy's is the only fast-food chain associated with Frostys, making it the clear solution to this clue.

The clue "___-pedi" refers to a common pairing of beauty treatments: a manicure (MANI) and a pedicure (PEDI). Abbreviating both gives "MANI-pedi," a popular term for receiving both services together. The answer "MANI" fits the blank and completes this well-known phrase.

ACL is short for "anterior cruciate ligament," a crucial ligament in the knee that provides stability. It is commonly injured during sports or physical activities involving sudden stops or changes in direction, making it a frequent answer for this "Oft-injured part of the knee."

GMT, or Greenwich Mean Time, is the standard time used as a global reference for setting clocks and time zones. "Clock-setting std." refers to this universal time standard, originating from the Greenwich meridian in England, which serves as the baseline for coordinating time worldwide.

The clue references the Río Bravo del Norte, the name in Spanish for the river known as the Rio Grande in English. It forms part of the border between Mexico and Texas. The inclusion of "México/Tejas" signals the answer is in Spanish: Río.

The answer "DEUCE" refers to a tie score in tennis. In tennis, when both players have 40 points, the score is called "deuce," indicating a tie where one player must win two consecutive points to win the game. Thus, "Certain tie score" fits perfectly.

The question mark signals wordplay. "Mince words?" plays on "mincing" as cutting or trimming, similar to editing. To "EDIT" is to refine or cut down text, much like mincing or "cutting" words. This clever pun ties the two ideas together, making EDIT the fitting answer.

Robert Frost is a renowned poet known for his literary works. "Frost piece" refers to a piece of his writing, aligning with the definition of a "poem"—a common format for Frost’s works like "The Road Not Taken" or "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening." Thus, the answer is POEM.

The clue "Sound of dissatisfaction" suggests an audible expression of displeasure or frustration. "UGH" is a common nonverbal exclamation used to convey annoyance, disappointment, or dissatisfaction, aligning perfectly with the clue. The lack of quotation marks supports it being a general sound, not a specific phrase.

A botanist studies plants, and "flora" refers to plant life, particularly within a specific region, environment, or era. The word perfectly aligns with a botanist’s focus on plant species, making "FLORA" the correct solution to the clue "Botanist's study."

The clue "Told stories" suggests deception or fabricating accounts rather than straightforward storytelling. "LIED" fits because it means telling false stories or untruths, aligning with the hint. This answer plays on the dual meaning of "stories" as either narratives or fabrications.

The clue "Business ending" refers to a common abbreviation used in business names - INC, which stands for "Incorporated." This suffix is used to denote a registered corporation, indicating a legal business entity. Hence, "INC" aptly fits as the "ending" often seen in company names.

"Roll in dough" is a playful way to describe earning or acquiring large amounts of money, which is colloquially expressed as "rake it in." Thus, RAKEITIN fits the pun and meaning perfectly.

The answer "FRAN" refers to Fran Drescher, a well-known actress best recognized for her role in The Nanny. Additionally, she is the president of SAG-AFTRA (the actors' union), making her both an actress and union leader, as described in the clue.

In Hinduism, the "third eye" symbolizes spiritual insight, enlightenment, and inner vision. Often associated with the forehead chakra (Ajna), it represents heightened perception beyond physical sight. This aligns with the clue, as the "third eye" is a well-known spiritual emblem in Hindu philosophy.

The clue "Class ___" suggests a fill-in-the-blank format related to the word "class." The word "act" fits because "class act" is a common phrase referring to someone or something of high quality or excellence. Together, it forms a familiar, meaningful expression.

The answer is SKA because ska, a Jamaican music genre blending reggae and jazz, is known for its "walking" bass lines—steady, rhythmic bass patterns that give the music its distinct lively energy. This matches the clue perfectly, as "walking" bass lines are a hallmark of ska music.

The clue "Steamy occasion?" with a question mark suggests wordplay. A "spa day" often involves steam rooms or saunas, making it literally "steamy." The pun in "occasion" ties to a relaxing day spent at a spa. Hence, SPADAY fits perfectly as the playful solution.

The clue "Lugubrious" means sorrowful, gloomy, or very sad. "Morose" is a synonym for being sullen or gloomy in mood, making it the perfect match for the clue. Both suggest a melancholy or downcast demeanor.

"OXTEAM" is the solution because pioneers commonly used teams of oxen to pull their wagons across the prairie during westward expansion in the 19th century. "Prairie pullers" refers to these oxen teams, which were strong and reliable for hauling heavy loads across rough terrains.

The answer "YAPS AT" fits the clue "Harangues" because to "yap at" someone means to talk incessantly or nag persistently, often in a critical or scolding manner. This captures the idea of delivering a harangue, which is an aggressive, lengthy verbal attack.

The clue “Store” can be interpreted as a verb meaning to keep or set something aside for future use. "Save" matches this definition as it involves preserving or reserving something for later, such as saving data or saving money.

The clue "Worked sufferingly" suggests laboring with difficulty or enduring hardship while working. "Toiled" means worked hard or strenuously, often with struggle or suffering, perfectly aligning with the clue's description. The verb directly captures the sense of enduring effort or hardship in work.

The clue "Pipe down!" is in quotes, signaling it represents something spoken or nonverbal. "Pipe down!" is a phrase commonly used to ask for quiet or to silence someone, which aligns with the shushing sound "SHH," often used to request quiet without speaking.

The clue "Composure" seeks a synonym. POISE fits as it signifies grace under pressure, calmness, or self-assurance, aligning perfectly with the concept of maintaining "composure" in challenging situations. Both terms convey a sense of steady control and balance.

The word "Attest" means to declare something as true or to affirm firmly. "AVER" similarly means to assert or state confidently. In this context, they are synonyms, making AVER the correct answer for the clue.

The answer "SHE" completes the phrase "she-goat," which refers to a female goat. The clue uses the blank ("___-goat") to prompt recognition of gendered animal terminology. This is a straightforward word association commonly used in crosswords.

The clue is phrased like an expression of surprise or disbelief. "HUH" is a natural spoken response when someone is confused or needs clarification, perfectly matching the tone and meaning of the clue.

ACE is the solution because it's often used to describe someone or something exceptional or outstanding, embodying "one of a kind." Additionally, in card games, an ace is a singular, standout card, reinforcing the idea of being unique or remarkable.

The answer is GRE (Graduate Record Examination) because this standardized test is commonly required for admission to many graduate programs, including Ph.D. programs. It assesses verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing skills to evaluate readiness for advanced academic study.

The answer "SET" works because it can mean "ready" or "prepared," implying completeness or being fully equipped. If you're "set," you don't need anything else, as everything is in place or ready to go, aligning perfectly with the clue's phrasing.