40 Across
NYT Daily • August 18, 2025
"Ha-ha-ha-HA-ha!" speaker voiced by Mel Blanc
Answer:
WOODYWOODPECKER
Hint:
This laughable cartoon bird’s name sounds like it was carved twice in a workshop.
Explanation:
This clue references the iconic laugh of Woody Woodpecker, the hyperactive cartoon bird known for his loud, staccato "Ha-ha-ha-HA-ha!" cackle. Mel Blanc, the legendary voice actor behind Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, also provided Woody’s original voice in early shorts. The answer is simply the character’s full name, combining his first and last names without a space to fit crossword conventions.