Yesterday's NYT Midi Crossword Hints and Answers

HAM is the solution because it is a type of meat commonly served during holidays, known for being basted or glazed with ingredients like honey, brown sugar, or spices to enhance its flavor. The "oft-glazed" clue highlights this traditional preparation method for festive celebrations.

The IBIS is a tall, slender bird known for wading in shallow waters, searching for food with its long legs and downward-curving beak. The clue “avian wader” points to a bird that frequents wetlands, and "tall" reinforces its long-legged stature, making IBIS the fitting answer.

The clue "___ tape" refers to a common, strong adhesive product known as duct tape. The answer "DUCT" fits because duct tape is specifically named for its original purpose of sealing air ducts, making "DUCT" the logical and accurate solution.

The answer "TOGO" fits the clue "Like a takeout order" because takeout meals are typically prepared for customers to take with them and eat elsewhere, or "to go." It literally describes the function of a takeout order—meant to be taken away.

The clue "Small avian singer" refers to a small bird known for its melodic songs. A "wren" is a tiny, vocal bird, fitting both the "small" and "singer" aspects of the clue. This solves the clue perfectly.

The answer is "OAR" because it's a pun. Rowers use oars, typically made of wood or carbon fiber. When asked "Either ___!," their playful response is "OAR," as it sounds like "or," cleverly alluding to their preference for either material.

The answer "KAMA" refers to the "Kama Sutra," an ancient Indian Sanskrit text on human sexuality, love, and relationships. The blank in "___ Sutra" is filled with "KAMA" to complete the well-known title. The clue directly points to this famous cultural and historical work.

The nickname "Jenny From the Block" refers to Jennifer Lopez, a singer, actress, and dancer famous for her song of the same name. "JLO" is her widely recognized nickname, derived from her initials, making it the correct answer for the clue.

The phrase "___ carte" is commonly completed as "à la carte," which refers to ordering individual items from a menu rather than a set meal. "À la" is French for "according to the menu," and in crosswords, it's regularly shortened to just "ALA."

The answer is GINS because the Negroni cocktail is traditionally made with three main ingredients: gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth. "Spirits" here refers to alcoholic beverages, and gin is the specific spirit used in this classic drink, aptly fitting the plural clue.

The clue "Crunch targets" refers to a specific exercise - crunches - which are designed to target and strengthen the abdominal muscles. Commonly shortened to "abs," these muscles are directly associated with this type of workout, making ABS the fitting answer.

The answer is LAPTOP because a laptop is a portable computer designed to be compact and lightweight, making it ideal for fitting in a backpack. The clue explicitly describes its portability and function, perfectly aligning with the characteristics of a laptop.

The Cleveland Browns are the professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. The clue directly refers to the team by its city and sport, making BROWNS the straightforward answer. Named after their first coach, Paul Brown, they are part of the National Football League (NFL).

The clue is in quotes, indicating a spoken phrase. "Oh God" suggests an exclamation involving a divine reference. "This can't be ..." expresses strong denial or disbelief. Combined, "LORD, NO!" is a matching phrase expressing shock or incredulity, aligning perfectly with the tone of the clue.

The phrase "Rubs out" directly refers to the action of removing or eliminating something, such as a smudge mark. The verb "erases" perfectly matches this description, as erasing involves rubbing to remove marks from a surface, like pencil marks or smudges. Thus, ERASES fits the clue.

The solution "WES" refers to Wes Craven, a renowned film director known for his influential work in the horror genre. He directed iconic films like A Nightmare on Elm Street and the Scream series. "Director Craven" is a direct reference to his first name, Wes.

The clue "Fish egg delicacies" refers to roe, which is a term for fish eggs often considered a culinary delicacy. The plural "delicacies" leads to the plural form "ROES," making it the fitting answer.

The answer is TBS because "American Dad!" moved to the TBS network in 2014 after originally airing on Fox. TBS is a well-known cable channel recognized for its comedy programming, making it a fitting home for the animated sitcom.

The clue refers to a well-trained dog's behavior when instructed. Dogs are often taught to "sit" as a basic command, especially when a reward like a treat is involved. "Sit" is both a simple, logical action and aligns with the given clue.

The clue "Dudes" refers to an informal way to address or describe men, often used casually among friends. "BROS" is a common slang term for "brothers" or close male friends, making it a synonymous and fitting answer for "Dudes."