15 Across
NYT Daily ? October 3, 2025
Service to foster parents?
Answer:
ELDERCARE
Hint:
Think of the support often needed by those who take in seniors rather than children, especially as they age themselves.
Explanation:
This clue plays on the idea of "foster parents" but twists it to mean caring for older adults instead of children. "Foster" hints at providing care, while "parents" is a misdirect—the answer is actually "eldercare," a service for seniors. The wordplay relies on swapping the usual meaning of "foster parents" (child caregivers) with a clever nod to aging populations needing support.
More Clues from This Puzzle
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