Dudes - NYT The Crossword Clue

The answer "SMACK" fits because it is a slang term used informally to describe rude, boastful, or insulting talk, often in contexts like arguments, sports, or playful banter. The word "informally" in the clue hints at such a casual slang expression.

The answer is "CARLI" because Carli Lloyd is a renowned U.S. soccer legend. She is a two-time FIFA Women’s World Cup champion, two-time Olympic gold medalist, and a key figure in U.S. women’s soccer history. The clue directly references her iconic status in the sport.

The clue "Fox or Foxx" refers to individuals with those last names. Michael J. Fox and Jamie Foxx are both well-known actors, making "ACTOR" the correct answer. The similarity in their professions is the key connection the clue plays on.

The answer is NSFW, which stands for "Not Safe For Work." This phrase is often used as a warning for content, such as suspicious links or questionable material, that may be inappropriate or explicit.

The term MORNING STAR refers to a celestial body visible in the early morning sky, often before sunrise. Venus is commonly called the Morning Star, as it shines brightly at dawn. Occasionally, Mercury is also visible and takes on this title, hence the "or sometimes Mercury" in the clue.

The clue "Lingo" refers to a specialized language or slang used by a particular group. ARGOT specifically means the jargon or slang of a particular group, such as criminals or subcultures, making it a fitting answer for the clue.

"Silly" refers to foolish behavior often linked to geese (e.g., "silly goose"). Additionally, groups of geese are known for their playful or chaotic nature, fitting the clue's description of "silly sorts." Thus, the answer is GEESE.

The clue suggests a spoken word or action ("Cry") typically from a toddler during snack time. Toddlers often want another helping of their snack, and their simple, emphatic request is "MORE!" This matches the context perfectly, as it captures their direct and eager communication style.

The clue "Jack or jenny" refers to the terms for male and female donkeys, respectively. A "jack" is a male donkey, and a "jenny" is a female donkey. The common term for both is "ASS," which is another word for a donkey.

The clue "Bad gut feeling?" with a question mark signals wordplay. An ulcer is a medical condition often located in the stomach (gut) that causes discomfort or pain, metaphorically a "bad feeling" in the gut. The pun connects the literal and figurative meanings.

The answer "FINE PRINT" works because it refers to the small, detailed text in contracts, agreements, or advertisements that many people overlook or don’t read thoroughly. It fits the clue "Text that's often unread" since fine print is notorious for being skipped due to its size or complexity.

The clue "Stretttccched out" implies a pun or wordplay with its elongated structure mimicking something overly stretched. "OVERLONG" fits this because it describes something excessively long or drawn out, much like the stretched-out spelling of the clue itself.

The answer "SET" fits the clue "Place" because "set" can mean to position or place something in a specific location. It aligns with the verb usage of "place" as an action of putting something somewhere, making it a synonym in this context.

The clue "Modern deception" hints at a contemporary form of trickery. An "online scam" fits perfectly as it refers to fraudulent activities conducted via the internet, a distinctly modern medium. The term captures the deceitful nature of online fraud, aligning with the clue's description.

DUTCH OVENS are heavy, thick-walled cooking pots, often made of cast iron, which retain and distribute heat effectively. They are popular for outdoor cooking, especially over campfires, as they can handle direct heat and are ideal for slow-cooking stews, soups, or baked dishes in such settings.

The clue "Drop it!" uses quotation marks, signaling a spoken phrase. "PUT THAT DOWN" is a commonly used command when asking someone to stop holding or handling something. It ties to the idea of dropping the item they have, making it a fitting solution to the clue.

The official language of Barbados is English, commonly abbreviated as ENG. The clue specifies "Abbr.," meaning the answer should be a shortened form. ENG is widely used to represent English in various contexts, making it the correct solution for this clue.

The clue "Tool for a sting" uses wordplay. In law enforcement, a "sting" operation is often conducted covertly, with someone wearing a hidden microphone or "wire" to secretly record conversations. Hence, WIRE fits as the tool facilitating such operations.

The clue "Hons." with a period suggests an abbreviation. It plays on the casual term "hons" (short for "honey" or "hon"), commonly used as an endearment. BAES, a slang term for loved ones or significant others, fits perfectly as a playful, modern synonym for "hons."

The clue "Words said while preparing to leave" hints at a phrase someone might say when departing. "BEFORE I GO" fits perfectly as a natural expression people use to address something last-minute before leaving, like a reminder or final note. The phrasing aligns with the context.

ETON is the solution because it refers to Eton College, one of England's most prestigious schools, historically known for educating many British politicians and statesmen. The phrase "chief nurse" metaphorically suggests its nurturing role in shaping future leaders of England.

The answer is WHO because it follows "Doctor" (as in Doctor Who, a famous TV series) and "That's" (as in the phrase "That's who"). The clue uses wordplay with "follower" to hint at common contexts where "WHO" naturally comes after.

The phrase "Bring on" can mean employing or engaging someone for a role or task. The verb "HIRE" directly aligns with this definition as it refers to bringing someone on board for a job or service. Hence, HIRE is the correct solution.

The phrase "Run into trouble" uses figurative language. "Hit a snag" is a common idiom meaning to encounter an unexpected difficulty or obstacle, which aligns perfectly with the idea of running into trouble. The phrasing fits the clue's context seamlessly.

The answer "LIB" refers to "Gay Liberation," a major movement in the 1970s advocating for LGBTQ+ rights and equality. The abbreviation "LIB" captures "Liberation," aligning with the clue's reference to the historic fight for social acceptance and freedoms for the gay community during that era.

The answer "CATER" fits because to "serve a function" is to fulfill a need or provide a service, and "CATER" means to supply or serve what is required, such as food or accommodations. It aligns with the idea of addressing specific needs or serving a purpose effectively.

The clue “Fixin’ to” is colloquial, indicated by the dropped "g." It implies informal speech, matching the contraction "GONNA," short for "going to," which expresses intent or preparation for something. Both the clue and the answer share a casual tone, making GONNA the fitting solution.

The answer is ARGON because its name derives from the Greek word "argon," meaning "inactive" or "lazy." This reflects argon's chemical property as a noble gas, which is highly unreactive and does not easily form compounds, aligning with the clue's description of "inactive."

The clue "Tracts" refers to sections or expanses of land or space, which aligns with the definition of "AREAS." Both terms indicate specific regions or parts of a larger whole, making "AREAS" the fitting answer. No wordplay or additional layers are present in this straightforward clue.

The answer is ADELE because the Grammy-winning singer-songwriter names her albums after the age she was during their creation, such as "19," "21," "25," and "30," reflecting personal and artistic milestones in her life. This unique naming convention directly aligns with the clue.

The answer is ASNER because Ed Asner is the only actor to win Emmys in both comedy and drama categories for playing the same role, Lou Grant. He portrayed Lou Grant on The Mary Tyler Moore Show (comedy) and its spinoff Lou Grant (drama), earning multiple awards.

The clue "Respond to the alarm" implies an action taken when an alarm goes off. The answer "WAKE" is fitting because alarms are commonly used to wake someone up from sleep. It logically connects to the act of waking in response to an alarm sounding.

The clue "Is the whole world against me?" is a reference to betrayal, echoing Julius Caesar’s famous line in Shakespeare's play: "Et tu, Brute?" ("And you, Brutus?") when Caesar is betrayed by his ally. ETTU captures this feeling of universal betrayal and shock.

"SRI" is a traditional honorific title in India and other South Asian cultures, often used to convey respect, similar to "Mr." or "Sir." A guru, being a spiritual or revered teacher, would commonly be addressed with this title to acknowledge their esteemed status.

The clue "Cool" quantity involves wordplay. "Cool" here is slang for "thousand," commonly abbreviated as "K" or "mil" (short for million, but colloquially used to indicate a large amount, like a "cool million"). Thus, "MIL" fits as the answer for this casual expression of quantity.