NYT Crossword Yesterday's Solution - Solve Every Puzzle!

The phrase "Past its glory" suggests something that has lost its former prominence, brightness, or excellence. "FADED" perfectly captures this idea, as it means diminished, worn out, or no longer vibrant—whether applied metaphorically (a former star) or literally (colors or materials losing brilliance).

The clue "Say yes, say" implies a response or acknowledgment. RSVP stands for "Répondez s'il vous plaît" in French, meaning "please respond," which is often used to confirm attendance to an invitation. Here, "say" signals giving a reply, making RSVP the fitting answer.

The clue [Bada bing bada boom!] suggests a quick, impactful action or sound, often used to indicate something happening effortlessly or instantly. The answer "SNAP" fits this as it's a sudden, sharp sound or action, reflecting the same quickness and finality implied by the phrase.

The answer "OCULI" refers to circular openings or windows, often found in architecture, like those in domes or walls. "Oculus" is the singular Latin term for "eye" or "round window," and "oculi" is its plural form, perfectly matching "Round windows."

The answer "ETAL" is short for "et alii," Latin for "and others." It's commonly used to shorten long lists of names or items, often in academic papers or citations. Here, "List trimmer" cleverly hints at its role in trimming down lengthy lists.

The clue "Move after a touchdown" uses wordplay with a pun. After an airplane "touches down" (lands), travelers often "move" by taking a TAXI to their destination. The answer cleverly ties the idea of airport travel to the word "taxi."

The answer "NODES" fits because in networking, nodes are connection points where data is sent, received, or relayed—such as computers, servers, or devices within a network. They represent the crucial connections that form the structure of a network system, aligning directly with the clue "Network connections."

The clue references filmmakers David Lynch and Federico Fellini, known for their distinctive, surreal film styles. "Cinematic" describes something related to movies or evocative of cinema. Their unique styles have become synonymous with the term, making "CINEMATIC" the fitting answer.

The answer TWENTYONEACROSS is a clever self-referential trick. While the clue is actually at 20-Across, it plays on 'ONE OFF' suggested by 29 and 43 across. It's one of today's themers.

The answer "AIART" refers to art created using artificial intelligence (AI), often through machine learning algorithms. "Digital work" hints at computer-based creation, and "fueled by machine learning" directly connects to AI processes that generate creative outputs, like paintings or music, in this context. "In brief" cues the abbreviation.

The answer "SAT" fits the clue "Stayed put" because "sat" is the past tense of "sit," which describes the act of staying in one place. If someone "sat," they figuratively or literally "stayed put," remaining stationary. It's a simple and direct correlation.

The answer "BAS" refers to "bas-relief," a sculpture technique where figures slightly project from a flat background. The clue "___-relief" directly hints at this art form and omits the "bas" to let solvers complete the term. It's a straightforward reference to this well-known artistic style.

The clue "Go-ahead" suggests permission or agreement. A "nod" is a nonverbal gesture often used to signal approval or consent, making it synonymous with granting a "go-ahead." This fits both the literal meaning and the concise nature typical of crossword answers.

The clue "Shelter on a tropical island, maybe" suggests a type of simple, often temporary shelter typically found in such settings. A "HUT" fits perfectly as it refers to a basic structure commonly associated with tropical or remote islands, aligning with the clue's context.

The clue "With 43-Across, something never to be repeated ... or a hint to the answers to the italicized clues" suggests a unique, unrepeated event. The answer "ONE" paired with 43-Across forms "One-off," inviting solvers to connect the dots between the answers—each slightly deviating from expectations, like TWENTYONEACROSS (actually at 20-Across), WEDNESDAYPUZZLE (for a Thursday one), or FOURTEENLETTERS (with 15 letters).

The OLMEC civilization was one of the earliest and most significant ancient civilizations in Mexico, flourishing from around 1200 to 400 BCE. Known for colossal stone heads and contributions to Mesoamerican culture, the Olmecs are often referred to as the "mother culture" of Mexico, fitting the clue perfectly.

The answer is DIOR because Christian Dior, the famous French fashion designer, revolutionized fashion with his elegant and architectural designs. This quote reflects Dior's philosophy of treating dresses like masterpieces, combining structure and artistry. His designs epitomized sophistication and attention to detail, aligning with this statement.

The answer "ACES" fits "High pair" because in card games, aces are the highest-ranking cards. A pair of aces is often referred to as a "high pair" in poker or other card games, making it a fitting solution.

The clue "This answer" is a self-referential trick, describing the answer's structure rather than its meaning. The phrase "FOURTEENLETTERS" suggests that the answer is 14 letters long, but the real length is 15—adding an extra layer of wordplay suggested by 29 & 43 across.

The answer is FORA because "fora" is the plural form of "forum," which is a gathering place or discussion space. Subreddits function as forums on Reddit where users discuss specific topics. This clue uses "Subreddits" as an example of online forums, making FORA the correct answer.

The clue "Alternative to a spicy Dorito" points to TAKI because it refers to Takis, a popular spicy snack known for its intense flavors, similar to spicy varieties of Doritos. Both are tortilla-based snacks, but Takis are rolled and spicier, making them a clear alternative.

The answer "HEAVE" fits the clue "Throw with great effort" because to "heave" means to lift or throw something heavy or with significant force, aligning perfectly with the idea of throwing something with great effort. The word captures the physical exertion described in the clue.

This clue adds a layer of complexity by referencing 29-Across, but the word "OFF" introduces the idea of something being "slightly off" or not quite what it seems, further aligning with the "one-off" theme. The word "off" suggests a small but intentional deviation, which mirrors the clever twists found in the other themers. The structure of the puzzle relies on the solvers understanding that the answers are all intentionally "off" by one—TWENTYONEACROSS is at 20, FOURTEENLETTERS has 15, and WEDNESDAYPUZZLE was published on Thursday.

DSL stands for "Digital Subscriber Line," a type of broadband internet connection that uses existing telephone lines to transmit data. The clue specifies "Broadband connection inits.," pointing to an abbreviation, and DSL is a widely recognized term in this context.

The clue "Slated to be delivered (on)" suggests something scheduled or expected at a specific time. "Due" fits perfectly, as it refers to something scheduled to be delivered or completed by a certain date. The phrasing directly aligns "due" with timing and delivery.

The answer "NES" stands for Nintendo Entertainment System, a popular gaming console from the 1980s-1990s. "Battletoads" was a well-known game released for this console. The clue specifies "for short," signaling the abbreviation of the console's name. Thus, NES is the correct answer.

The answer is AMY because the clue "Singer Winehouse" refers to Amy Winehouse, the famous British singer-songwriter known for her distinctive voice and hits like "Rehab" and "Back to Black." Her first name, AMY, is the solution to this straightforward clue.

The clue "___ mia!" refers to the Italian expression "Mamma mia!" which translates to "Oh my!" or "My goodness!" in English. Here, "mamma" (Italian for "mom") completes the phrase. The clue's structure suggests a familiar, spoken expression in Italian, leading directly to "MAMMA".

WEDNESDAYPUZZLE is a particularly fun part of the "one off" theme because, despite referring to a Wednesday crossword, it appears on a Thursday. This misalignment, where the clue and its answer are "one off," adds an extra layer of wit. The theme is all about slight discrepancies, and this clue leans into that playfulness, turning the expected answer (a Wednesday crossword) into a Thursday delight. This small misdirection ties everything together, making the solver realize the puzzle's clever wordplay.

The answer is ARUNDHATI because Arundhati Roy is the Booker Prize-winning author of the 1997 novel The God of Small Things. The clue references her last name, "___ Roy," pointing to her as a significant literary figure.

The term "stead" commonly means a place or position, often used in phrases like "homestead" (home + stead) or "bedstead" (bed + stead). Thus, "stead" effectively "ends" both "home" and "bed," fitting perfectly with the clue.

The answer "CITE" fits the clue "Use as a source" because to cite something means to reference or use it as evidence or support, typically in writing or speech. This aligns directly with the action of using a source for information or authority.

The clue "Hot spot" uses wordplay to describe a location associated with heat. An OVEN is literally a "hot spot" where high temperatures are used to cook or bake food, fitting this clue perfectly through its direct association with heat.

The answer is EERIE because H.P. Lovecraft's works are famous for their unsettling, mysterious, and supernatural themes. His stories often evoke fear, unease, or a chilling atmosphere, which aligns perfectly with the word "EERIE," meaning strange or frightening.

ONYX is the solution because it is a type of black gemstone known for its smooth, glossy appearance. The clue directly references its color and gem status, making ONYX a straightforward and precise answer.

The answer "PEON" fits the clue "Lowly worker" because a peon traditionally refers to a laborer or worker of low rank, particularly one performing menial or unskilled tasks. The term is often used to describe someone with little authority or influence in their role.

The clue "Look down on" directly relates to the meaning of SCORN. To scorn someone is to view or treat them with contempt, disrespect, or disdain—essentially "looking down on" them figuratively, both morally or emotionally. The definition fits neatly with the clue's phrasing.