NYT Daily • August 3, 2025
Belly, in kidspeak
Answer:
TUMTUM
Hint:
["Here’s a helpful hint for your crossword clue:\n\n**\"Playful word for a little one's stomach, often repeated.\"**\n\nThis hint guides the solver toward the childlike, reduplicative nature of the answer without directly giving it away. It also emphasizes the playful and repetitive aspect of \"kidspeak.\""]
Explanation:
The clue **"Belly, in kidspeak"** leads to the answer **"TUMTUM"** through a playful, childlike interpretation of the word "belly." - **"Belly"** is a term for the stomach or abdomen. - **"Kidspeak"** suggests a child’s way of speaking, often involving repetition or cute, simplified language. - **"Tumtum"** is a whimsical, reduplicative term (repeating syllables) that children might use to refer to their belly, similar to other childlike words like "yum-yum" or "night-night." Thus, the answer cleverly captures the idea of a child’s version of the word "belly."