Crossword puzzles are usually a quiet affair. You sit there with your coffee, staring at white squares, trying to remember the name of a silent film star or a specific type of Greek vessel. But every once in a while, a clue like like some lions and elephants nyt pops up and sends the entire puzzle-solving community into a minor tailspin. It isn't just about the words. It is about the specific way the New York Times constructs its linguistic traps.
If you’ve spent any time on the Wordplay blog or deep in the Reddit threads where solvers vent their frustrations, you know that the NYT crossword is less a test of vocabulary and more a test of how your brain handles lateral thinking.
The Logic Behind "Like Some Lions and Elephants"
When you see a clue like "like some lions and elephants," your brain immediately goes to biology. You think "mammals." You think "African." You think "majestic." But the New York Times, specifically under the long-standing editorship of Will Shortz (and the evolving team surrounding him), rarely wants the literal answer.
Basically, the answer most often associated with this clue is MANED.
Think about it. A male lion has that iconic, thick mane that everyone recognizes from a mile away. But what about the elephants? This is where it gets tricky and where many solvers get stuck. While we don't usually use the word "mane" for elephants, specific biological descriptions—or more likely, a punny interpretation of "main" versus "mane"—often play into the solver's hand. In some specific puzzle constructions, the clue might also lead to BIG GAME or HERD, depending on the day of the week and the complexity of the grid.
Friday and Saturday puzzles are notoriously difficult. On a Monday, the clue might be "Large African cats." Simple. Direct. On a Saturday? The clue becomes a riddle. It forces you to look at the physical attributes that these two vastly different animals share in the context of human language or visual representation.
Why the New York Times Crossword Is a Different Beast
The NYT crossword isn't just a game; it's a cultural institution. It has a specific "vibe." You’ve got constructors like Deb Amlen explaining the nuances of why a clue works or why it’s "unfair" but technically correct.
The difficulty scales throughout the week.
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- Monday: The "training wheels" day.
- Wednesday: The pivot point where themes get weird.
- Saturday: No theme, just pure, unadulterated vocabulary torture.
- Sunday: Large, themed, but usually around a Thursday level of difficulty.
When a clue like "like some lions and elephants" appears, its placement in the week tells you everything. If it’s a Tuesday, the answer is likely literal. If it’s a Friday, you’re probably looking for a play on words or a descriptor that applies to their status in a specific ecosystem or a deck of cards.
Honestly, the "Aha!" moment is the only reason people keep coming back. That split second when your brain bridges the gap between a biological fact and a five-letter word is a genuine dopamine hit.
The Evolution of Crossword Cluing
Crosswords have changed. Years ago, you could get by with knowing "ese" (a compass direction) or "erne" (a sea eagle). Those are what constructors call "crosswordese." They are filler words used to make the grid work.
But modern solvers hate filler. They want "sparkle."
A clue like like some lions and elephants nyt represents that shift toward more evocative, descriptive cluing. It’s not just a definition; it’s a miniature poem or a tiny puzzle within the larger one. We are seeing more references to pop culture, modern slang, and complex scientific descriptors. This keeps the puzzle relevant for a younger generation while still giving the veterans something to chew on.
It’s also worth noting that the NYT has faced its share of criticism for being too "old school" or "ivory tower." There’s been a massive push lately to include more diverse voices and references that aren't just based on 1950s musicals or obscure Latin. This makes clues about animals or general descriptors even more important—they are the universal language of the puzzle.
How to Solve Tricky Animal Clues
If you’re staring at your phone or the physical paper and you're stuck on an animal-related clue, there are a few professional tricks you can use.
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First, look for pluralization. If the clue is "like some lions," the answer almost certainly ends in an 'S' or is a plural adjective. If the clue is "like a lion," you're looking for a singular descriptor.
Second, consider the "part of speech" trap. "Like some lions" is an adjective phrase. The answer needs to be an adjective. It won't be "pride" (a noun) unless the clue is "Group of lions." It will be something like "maned" or "social."
Third, check the "crosses." This is basic, but people forget it when they’re frustrated. If you have the 'M' and the 'E' for a five-letter word, MANED starts looking very likely.
- Read the clue, then ignore your first instinct.
- Count the squares (obviously).
- Look for indicators of puns (question marks at the end of a clue).
- If there is a question mark, the answer is a pun. Always.
The Community Response
When a clue is particularly divisive, the crossword community doesn't stay quiet. Sites like Rex Parker Does the NYT Crossword Puzzle offer a daily breakdown that can be, well, brutally honest. Parker (the pseudonym of Michael Sharp) often takes the puzzle to task for clunky fill or "green paint" answers—phrases that are technically words but that nobody actually says.
"Like some lions and elephants" is the kind of clue that usually passes the "Rex test" because it’s descriptive and accurate, even if it requires a second thought. It’s not "green paint." It’s a legitimate way to describe these animals.
Navigating the NYT Games App
Most people aren't using a pencil anymore. The NYT Games app has transformed how we consume these puzzles. You have the "Mini," which is a 5x5 grid that takes about 30 seconds, and then the "Big" puzzle.
The app tracks your streaks. It tracks your average time. This adds a layer of "gaming" to what used to be a relaxing hobby. When you're on a 50-day streak and you hit a clue like the one we're discussing, the stakes feel weirdly high. You don't want to use the "Check Word" function because that breaks the streak. You're forced to sit there and let your brain rot until the answer finally clicks.
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Actionable Steps for Aspiring Solvers
If you want to get better at decoding these types of clues and stop being intimidated by the Saturday grid, you need to change your approach to the "clue-to-answer" relationship.
Start by learning the common "crosswordese" animals.
You’ll see "ELAND," "OKAPI," and "ERNE" a lot. Knowing these "gimme" words provides the structural support for the harder clues like the lion and elephant one.
Understand the "Question Mark" rule.
If a clue has a question mark, like "Tails of lions?", the answer might be "REARS" or it might be something clever like "STORIES" (as in "tales"). The NYT loves this.
Use the "Check" tool sparingly.
If you are using the app, use the "Check Square" function only after you’ve filled in the whole grid and got the "Something isn't quite right" notification. It trains your brain to look for your own mistakes rather than relying on the computer to catch them.
Read the Wordplay column.
Every day, the NYT publishes a column about the day's puzzle. It explains the theme and the trickiest clues. It’s like having a coach explain the playbook after the game. It’s the fastest way to understand the "logic" of the constructors.
The next time you see a clue that seems too broad or a bit confusing, just remember that the constructor is trying to have a conversation with you. They aren't trying to hide the answer; they're trying to lead you to it through a scenic route. Take the walk.