4 Across
NYT Daily • August 28, 2025
Messy abode
Answer:
PIGSTY
Hint:
Think of a farm animal known for its lack of cleanliness and the simple shelter it calls home.
Explanation:
Messy abode" plays on the literal and figurative meaning of "pigsty." A pigsty is a pen where pigs live, which is famously dirty, so it fits the idea of a messy place. The word also works as a lighthearted insult for any filthy room, making it a clever double meaning in crosswords.