Clever Clue of the Month

July 2026
Clue: Slice of Life or nick of Time?................PAPERCUT
Constructors: Gus Bloxham & Bharati Hemaddy
Editor: Will Shortz
NYT, Tuesday, July 14, 2026 

Clever Clue Nominees

Please vote for the best clue from July. The Clever Clue of the Month will be announced in a few days.

Crash specialist...........................TECH
Takes a hand in Vegas, perhaps.............ELOPES
Delights?..................................DIMS
Org. for successful female club owners?....LPGA
Slice of Life or nick of Time?.............PAPERCUT
Card on which age is literally just a
number.....................................FAKEID

 

Clever Clue of the Month

June 2026
Clue: Streaming device................FIREHOSE
Constructor: David P. Williams; Editor: Stanley Newman
Newsday, Saturday, June 27, 2026

Clever Clue Nominees

Please vote for the best clue from June. The Clever Clue of the Month will be announced in a few days.

House hunter?..............................MOUSER
He’s had 40+ jobs since the ’60s (surfer,
boxer, barista…)...........................KEN
Exercise that may wind up in a
playground?................................FIREDRILL
One concerned with transparency in the
workplace?.................................GLASSBLOWER
Maker of sole music?.......................TAPSHOE
Streaming device...........................FIREHOSE

Clever Clue of the Month

May 2026
Clue: Navel brass?....................................................BELLYBUTTONRING
Constructor: Karen Steinberg; Editor: Patti Varol
LAT, Saturday, May 16, 2026

Clever Clue Nominees

Please vote for the best clue from May. The Clever Clue of the Month will be announced in a few days.

Headspring?................................RINGLET
"Watch this ill-advised thing I'm gonna
do"........................................HOLDMYBEER
Don't start with me!.......................SECONDSTRINGER
Navel brass?...............................BELLYBUTTONRING
Places to train for a few rounds?..........BARCARS
Silent film figure?........................EXTRA

Clever Clue of the Month

 

April 2026
Clue: Pop up on screens?.........................................TVDAD
Constructor/Editor: Brendan Emmett Quigley
Brendan Emmett Quigley Crossword, Monday, April 6, 2026