NYT Crossword Answers for May 08, 2026
FRIDAY PUZZLE — It’s Friday, and whereas I’m prepared to start out my weekend, Rafael Musa and Geoffrey Schorkopf are clocking in. Mr. Musa appears to love working the late-week shift; of his 27 earlier puzzles for the New York Times Crossword, 15 of them have appeared on Fridays. This time, he is joined by Mr. Schorkopf, whose byline was additionally final seen on a Friday. that puzzle was a collaboration with, you guessed it, Mr. Musa.
Like their first team-up, this twisty-turny themeless puzzle is full of vigorous fill. It additionally options some harmonious entry symmetry, enjoyable trivia and plenty of misleading cluing. I put some critical mileage on my pencil eraser once I solved this on paper.
Tricky Clues
17A. When pondering clues that finish in query marks, look for phrases which have a number of meanings. In the clue [One away from one’s duties?]the key phrase is “duties,” which may imply obligations or taxes. “Tax dodger,” my first thought, would not match. The reply is TAX EXILE, somebody who strikes from one nation to a different to keep away from paying taxes. It’s a time period I wasn’t accustomed to, nevertheless it has appeared within the Crossword earlier than.
18A. [French exit] is referring to the French phrase for “exit,” SORTIE — not the act of leaving a gathering with out saying farewell, which is typically known as a French exit. Apparently, in France, to commit this act is filer à l’anglaise, or to go away English fashion. I name it an Irish goodbye, however possibly that is my ancestral bias speaking. Whatever you name a furtive departure, can we agree that the Dutch have one of the best time period for it? They check with it as de rattentaxi nemen, or taking the rat taxi.
48A. A 3-letter phrase for [Mammoth’s home, for short]could stymie solvers who do not observe the NHL The clue refers back to the league’s latest group, the Utah Mammoth, whose first postseason look got here to an finish not too long ago by the hands of the Vegas Golden Knights.
49A. What phrase within the English language has essentially the most definitions? The reply will depend on who you ask, however “run” is definitely up for grabs. (A lexicographer for the Oxford English Dictionary calculated that the phrase “run” has no fewer than 645 meanings.) That important ambiguity is what makes this clue, [Where to go for a run]so tough. Is it a jog? A financial institution run? A run in a pair of stockings? Today, it is a run on the slopes: The reply is SKI AREA.
57A/35D. This puzzle provides two entries for the worth of 1 very enjoyable clue. [“I’m this-a way!”] solves to the crossword stalwart PSST on the japanese aspect of the grid and YOO-HOO within the southwestern nook. It additionally appears like one thing Mario would say in remedy: “It’s-a my negative thought patterns!”
64A. Crosswords have conditioned me to learn a clue like [Feeds the kitty, say] and consider “before.” A clue with “kitty” is at all times enjoying on poker slang for the pot, proper? Not this time. The reply is CAT SITS. Sometimes a cigar is only a cigar.
3D. I stuffed in “dent” for [Ding thing?]however the crosses did not add up. Here, “ding” is not a lightweight nickname, however the sound of getting a TEXT.
5D/30D. [First gear?] is a good, snappy clue at 30-Down that is not describing a setting for a automobile or bicycle. It’s referring to the preliminary tools you would possibly buy when selecting up a brand new pastime: a STARTER KIT. If you search additional steering — for a unique sort of exercise — take a look at its mirror at 5-Down, clued with [Books that go into intimate detail?]. Its reply is SEX MANUALS.
9D. A enjoyable clue can brighten up even essentially the most odd entry. [All slam dunks] is a recent, evocative strategy to trace at its comparatively plain reply, TWOS, which is the variety of factors all slam dunks are value, irrespective of how gravity defying they might be. Personally, I feel that in case you shatter the backboard it ought to depend for one thing.
28D. This is an expertly crafted clue and my favourite one within the puzzle. There shouldn’t be a single unusual phrase in [Where to see fresh coats of white?] — each contributes to the reply. “Coats of white” appears to counsel paint, nevertheless it additionally describes white lab coats. The phrase “fresh” hints that these work garments are for these new to their job, or maybe for these nonetheless studying in MED SCHOOLS.
51D. This spelling of the Ukrainian capital, KYIV, is transliterated from the Ukrainian language. The Times up to date the way it renders the title in 2019, and that model final appeared within the Crossword in 2021.
Notes Builder
Rafael Musa: This collab took place otherwise than our final, as a result of I made the complete grid this time and Geoffrey wrote all of the clues. I used to be going to listing out my favourite Geoffrey clues on this puzzle, however I might find yourself simply retyping the complete listing of clues. Instead, I’ll say this: Geoffrey is a dream collaborator, and it continues to be one in every of my life’s best privileges to get to know all of the wonderful folks in crosswords. Stay tuned for extra from us!
Geoffrey Schorkopf: Rafa is such a beneficiant pal and courageous gridder. He brings as a lot care and precision to the marquee entries as he does to the generally neglected mid-length fill (on this puzzle, see 1A, 23A, 62A and 45D, simply to call a couple of standouts). Collaborating with him is at all times a pleasure, down to each little nook of a grid!
Improve Your Crossword Solving
Work your method by our information “How to Solve the New York Times Crossword.” It comprises a proof of a lot of the kinds of clues you will notice within the puzzles and a apply Mini on the finish of every part.