NYT Daily • July 30, 2025
It might appear to give you options
Answer:
POPUPMENU
Hint:
["**Hint:** \"This digital feature often surprises users by suddenly displaying choices.\"\n\nThis hint guides the solver by emphasizing the unexpected appearance (\"surprises,\" \"suddenly\") and the function of offering selections (\"displaying choices\"), which are key aspects of a \"popup menu.\" It avoids repeating the original clue while making the answer more accessible."]
Explanation:
Certainly! Here's a clear and concise explanation of the clue and its connection to the answer: **Clue:** "It might appear to give you options" **Answer:** "POPUPMENU" **Explanation:** The clue uses a bit of wordplay to lead to the answer. A "popup menu" is a graphical user interface element that appears (or "pops up") on a screen, offering a list of options for the user to choose from. The phrase "give you options" directly hints at the function of a menu, while "appear" suggests something that suddenly shows up, like a popup. Combining these ideas leads to "POPUPMENU." Additionally, "popup" can be interpreted as a verb (to appear suddenly) or as an adjective (describing something that appears suddenly), reinforcing the connection to the answer. The clue cleverly merges the literal function of a menu with the visual behavior of a popup. No puns or cultural references are involved here—just straightforward wordplay based on the definition and behavior of the term.