55 Down

NYT Daily • September 9, 2025

What might precede Phone, commercially?

Answer:

AN I

Hint:

["Think of a common two-word phrase where the first word is short and the second starts with \"P\"—often seen in tech branding."]

Explanation:

This clue plays on the phrase "iPhone," the popular Apple smartphone. By asking what might come before "Phone" in a commercial context, it hints at the lowercase "i" that Apple uses in its product names. The answer "AN I" breaks down as "an" (meaning one) plus the letter "i," which together form the prefix seen in "iPhone," "iPad," and similar devices. It’s a clever way to split the word while keeping the meaning intact.

More Clues from This Puzzle

23 Across

9 letters

“No problem!”

20 Across

4 letters

Bit of writing of Nathaniel Hawthorne

56 Across

20 letters

“And switching gears …”

9 Down

7 letters

Club with dinner and dancing