1 Down

NYT Daily • August 2, 2025

Groaners

Answer:

BADJOKES

Hint:

["**Hint:** They might make you cringe more than laugh.\n\n*(This hint suggests the nature of the answer—jokes that are intentionally poor or unfunny—without directly stating \"bad jokes.\" It nudges the solver toward the idea of humor that falls flat, which is the essence of \"groaners.\")*"]

Explanation:

The clue **"Groaners"** leads to the answer **"BADJOKES"** through a combination of definition and wordplay. - **Definition:** A "groaner" is a term often used to describe a joke so unfunny or cheesy that it elicits groans rather than laughter. This directly defines **"BADJOKES"**—jokes that are intentionally poor or cringe-worthy. - **Wordplay:** The clue plays on the idea that "groaners" are a type of joke, specifically bad ones, making the answer a straightforward yet clever representation of the concept. No complex puns or cultural references are needed here—the connection is direct, relying on the common understanding of what makes a joke a "groaner."

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