51 Across

NYT Daily • August 18, 2025

"I am ze locksmith of love, no?" speaker voiced by Mel Blanc

Answer:

PEPELEPEW

Hint:

This smooth-talking skunk with a French accent famously pursued Penelope Pussycat in classic cartoons.

Explanation:

This clue references Pepé Le Pew, the amorous skunk from Looney Tunes who famously speaks with a French accent and calls himself "ze locksmith of love." Mel Blanc, the legendary voice actor, brought the character to life, making him instantly recognizable. The answer "PEPELEPEW" is a playful misspelling of his name, often used in crosswords to fit letter counts while keeping the reference clear.

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