61 Across
NYT Daily • August 21, 2025
*Musical appreciation?
Answer:
TONYA
Hint:
Think of a famous skater whose name sounds like a musical term for a single note.
Explanation:
This clue plays on the name "Tonya" by breaking it into "ton" and "ya." "Ton" sounds like "tone," which relates to music, while "ya" is a casual way of saying "you." So, "musical appreciation?" cleverly hints at "tone, ya?"—a pun that leads to the answer TONYA. It’s a lighthearted twist on the name, relying on sound and wordplay.