104 Across

NYT Daily • August 3, 2025

Mr. Turkey

Answer:

TOM

Hint:

["Here’s a helpful hint for the clue \"Mr. Turkey\":\n\n**\"A male bird often associated with Thanksgiving feasts.\"**\n\nThis hint guides the solver toward the idea of a male turkey without directly stating the answer, making it easier than the original clue while still requiring a bit of thought."]

Explanation:

The clue "Mr. Turkey" leads to the answer "TOM" through a playful reference to the male turkey, which is commonly called a "tom." This is a straightforward example of a crossword clue using a direct synonym or term associated with the subject. There is no complex wordplay or pun involved—just a simple, factual connection where "Mr. Turkey" is a whimsical way to refer to the male turkey, hence "TOM."