71 Across

NYT Daily • August 11, 2025

Total jerk

Answer:

ASS

Hint:

Consider the informal term for someone who's rude and selfish.

Explanation:

The clue "Total jerk" uses a bit of wordplay to hint at the answer "ASS." In this case, "jerk" is a slang term for someone rude or obnoxious, and "ASS" is a crude but common insult for such a person. The word "total" emphasizes the extreme nature of the insult, making it a straightforward but informal fit. It’s a simple example of how crossword clues can rely on casual language and slang.

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