71 Down

NYT Daily ? September 14, 2025

Head over head?

Answer:

TOTEM

Hint:

Think of a carved pole where figures are stacked one above another, often seen in Indigenous cultures of the Pacific Northwest.

Explanation:

"Head over head?" plays with the idea of something stacked vertically, where one "head" (or top) sits above another. The word "totem" fits because a totem pole is a carved structure with figures piled one on top of the other—literally heads over heads. The clue also hints at the phrase "head over heels," but the answer twists it to focus on the literal stacking in a totem."

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General solving tip

A question mark usually flags wordplay or a non-literal reading. Expect a pun, a twist, or a definition that's one step removed from the surface meaning.

More tips → General Hints