NYT Daily • August 1, 2025
Alternative to "Hey!"
Answer:
PSST
Hint:
["**Hint:** It's a quiet way to get someone's attention without speaking loudly.\n\n*(This hint suggests the function of the answer—attracting attention subtly—while avoiding the original phrasing and not giving away the specific sound.)*"]
Explanation:
The clue **"Alternative to 'Hey!'"** leads to the answer **"PSST"** through the following reasoning: 1. **Direct Meaning**: "Hey!" is an exclamation used to get someone's attention. The clue asks for an alternative way to do the same thing. 2. **Onomatopoeia**: "Psst" is a whispered sound often used to quietly call someone's attention, serving as a softer or more discreet alternative to "Hey!" 3. **Wordplay**: The clue relies on recognizing that both "Hey!" and "Psst" are vocalizations used to attract attention, with "Psst" being the quieter, more subtle option. Thus, the answer fits as a direct synonym in function, even if it’s not a literal word.