Pooped - NYT Crossword Clue

Introduction

Today's clue, "Pooped," is a perfect example of how a simple, everyday word can point to a long and wonderfully colorful answer. When you see a one-word clue like this, especially if the answer slot is long, it's a signal to think beyond the obvious synonyms and venture into the world of idioms and phrases.

Clue Analysis

The clue "Pooped" is informal slang for being exhausted or very tired. A solver's first instinct might be to think of words like TIRED, WEARY, SPENT, or EXHAUSTED. However, the length of the answer slot is the most critical piece of information here. In this case, the 15-letter answer length immediately tells us that a simple synonym won't cut it. We are looking for a phrase, and likely a grid-spanning one that might be a central part of the puzzle's theme or structure.

Thinking Approaches

1. The Synonym Ladder: Start with "Pooped." Your brain might generate: tired -> exhausted -> worn out -> beat -> tuckered out. This last one is a great candidate for part of a longer phrase. It has a folksy, informal feel that matches the clue.

2. Focus on the Length: A 15-letter answer is the maximum length in a standard NYT crossword. This is a huge hint. You should be thinking about well-known, multi-word phrases. Once you get a few crossing letters, you can start to piece it together. For example, if you get the ...OUT at the end, you might test phrases like WORN OUT, TUCKERED OUT, or BURNED OUT.

3. Deconstruct the Phrase: Let's say you've figured out the TUCKEREDOUT part from crossings. What could the first word be? The clue "Pooped" implies extreme tiredness. The first word must be an intensifier. This is where knowledge of colloquialisms comes in handy. The word PLUM is used in some American dialects to mean "completely" or "absolutely," as in "plum crazy" or "plum tired."

Background Context

The phrase "plum tuckered out" is a classic piece of American slang, primarily from the 19th century.

• Tuckered out: This term for exhaustion is an Americanism. Its exact origin is uncertain, but it's been in use since at least the 1830s. It evokes a sense of being completely spent, perhaps after a long day of physical labor.
• Plum: The use of "plum" as an adverb meaning "completely" or "entirely" also dates to the 19th century. It's thought to derive from the idea of something being "plumb" (as in a plumb line, which is perfectly vertical), signifying exactness or completeness. Over time, the spelling shifted to "plum."

Together, they form a vivid, slightly old-fashioned expression for total exhaustion.

Conclusion

This clue is a fantastic lesson in looking past the obvious. While "Pooped" is simple, the answer it points to is long, descriptive, and idiomatic. It reminds solvers that the length of the answer slot is just as important as the clue itself, and that a rich vocabulary of regional and historical phrases can be a huge asset in solving.

Hints

1. Hint 1: Think of a colloquial or folksy expression for being extremely tired.
2. Hint 2: The answer is a multi-word phrase where the first word acts as an intensifier meaning 'completely' or 'absolutely'.
3. Hint 3: The main part of the phrase, meaning 'exhausted,' is often associated with rural American dialect.
4. Hint 4: The first word is a type of fruit, used here as an adverb.