NYT Crossword Answers for March 18, 2025

Jump to: Today’s Theme | Tricky Clues

TUESDAY PUZZLE — There’s wordplay inherent in the French expression “faux pas,” which came to mind as I cracked the theme of today’s crossword puzzle. Indulge me in a brief digression: Faux pas translates to “false step,” and usually refers to behavior that violates social etiquette — as in, it’s something you shouldn’t do. I often think about how it would have the same figurative meaning if it were spelled “faut pas,” which translates to “should not (do).” Don’t you think that’s neat? I do. And I can’t think of an idiom in English that does this kind of homophonic double duty. (If you have one to share, I’d love to hear it in the comments section!)

You’ll find nothing gauche about today’s puzzle, which was constructed by Larry Snyder and Jonathan Kaufman in their collaboration debut. It’s a fun and flawless solve — and for a Tuesday, I’d say it really fits the bill.

Today’s Theme

So, technically, [Knocking over someone’s drink, e.g.] would be referred to as a PARTY FOUL. But it’s party fowl you’ll find flapping around today’s grid at 17-, 27-, 39- and 54-Across. There’s a DISCO DUCK (17A), clued as [1976 #1 novelty song by Rick Dees and His Cast of Idiots]. Not far away, you can nab a SILLY GOOSE (27A) — [“You goofball!”] — and just below that, spy the [Dance fad of the 1970s]: FUNKY CHICKEN (39A).

Can’t “quack” the last clue on your own? Click to reveal it below.

Tricky Clues

34A. “Perhaps” is a loaded word in crossword clues. It’s not an indication of wordplay, but it tells us not to trust our first instincts. So [First-year college student’s assignment, perhaps] is not, as it may seem at first, a homework assignment but a DORM.