54 Down

NYT Daily ? September 17, 2025

Screwballs

Answer:

KOOKS

Hint:

Think of eccentric or offbeat characters who march to their own drum—this term often describes them in a playful, slightly old-fashioned way.

Explanation:

"Screwballs" is a playful term for eccentric or odd people, which directly points to "kooks"—a slang word for quirky, unconventional characters. The clue leans on the informal meaning of both words, where "screwball" can describe someone a little offbeat, just like a "kook." Think of it like calling someone a lovable weirdo in a lighthearted way. No hidden wordplay here, just a straightforward match between two colorful synonyms.

More Clues from This Puzzle

5 Down

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Variety

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Start of a joke

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One might hit it or raise it, metaphorically

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Awakening

General solving tip

Match the clue's grammar: plural with plural, past with past. If the clue ends in 's' or uses a past-tense verb, mirror that form in the entry.

More tips → General Hints