Signature sound of 91-Across - NYT Crossword Clue

Introduction

This clue is a classic example of a cross-reference, a common feature in crossword puzzles, especially on Sundays. The answer to this clue is entirely dependent on the answer to another clue in the grid, in this case, 91-Across. This type of clue tests your ability to connect related pieces of information and often requires you to solve one part of the puzzle to unlock another.

Clue Analysis

The clue is "Signature sound of 91-Across". Let's break it down:

"Signature sound": This points to a specific, iconic noise associated with a person, character, or thing.
"of 91-Across": This is the directive. Your first step must be to figure out what 91-Across is.

Given the answer to this clue, we can deduce that 91-Across is ROADRUNNER. Therefore, the clue is asking for the iconic sound made by the Road Runner cartoon character. The answer is an onomatopoeic representation of that sound.

Thinking Approaches

Solve the Anchor Clue First: The most direct path to the answer is to solve 91-Across. Once you have ROADRUNNER filled in, this clue becomes a straightforward trivia question about a famous cartoon.
Use the Crossings: If you're stuck on 91-Across, you can work on the crossing entries for this clue. Getting a few letters of the sound might help you recognize it. For instance, seeing a B at the beginning and a P at the end could trigger the memory of the sound, which in turn could help you solve 91-Across.
Pop Culture Recall: Think about famous cartoon sounds. What does the Road Runner say? Many people mistakenly remember it as "meep meep," but "beep beep" is the other common interpretation and the one that fits the grid here. The sound is a staple of Saturday morning cartoons for generations.

Background Context

The Road Runner is a beloved character from the Warner Bros. Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies animated series. The character is known for its incredible speed and its constant evasion of the hapless Wile E. Coyote.

The "beep beep" sound is the Road Runner's only form of communication. It was voiced by actor Paul Julian, who reportedly created the sound by imitating a car horn. While the spelling has been debated (some scripts used "HMEEP HMEEP"), "BEEP BEEP" is a widely accepted and phonetically accurate representation, making it a perfect crossword answer.

Conclusion

Cross-referenced clues like this one add a fun layer of interconnectivity to the puzzle. By identifying the subject at 91-Across (ROADRUNNER), solvers can easily recall its famous sound effect. This clue is a delightful nod to a cornerstone of American animation history, rewarding those with a bit of pop culture knowledge.

Hints

Hint 1: The sound is made by a famously fast cartoon character.
Hint 2: This character is perpetually chased by a coyote in a desert setting.
Hint 3: The sound is often uttered just before the character speeds away from its pursuer.
Hint 4: It's the two-syllable, repeated catchphrase of a Looney Tunes bird.

The answer is BEEPBEEP.