3 Down

NYT Daily ? September 21, 2025

Tik-Tok in the Oz books, for one

Answer:

ROBOT

Hint:

This mechanical being from early 20th-century fiction was made of metal and could perform tasks but lacked a heart—unlike its more famous tin counterpart in Oz.

Explanation:

This clue references Tik-Tok, a mechanical man from L. Frank Baum’s Oz books—specifically Ozma of Oz (1907). While not a modern robot, Tik-Tok is an early fictional example of an automated being, making "ROBOT" the fitting answer. The phrase "for one" hints that Tik-Tok is just a single instance of this broader category.

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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