Some megafauna, informally - NYT Crossword Clue

Introduction

Today's clue, "Some megafauna, informally," is a great example of how the NYT Crossword combines scientific terminology with everyday language. It asks us to identify a group of large animals using their common, shortened name. Let's break down the components to see how we can arrive at the answer.

Clue Analysis

The clue has three key parts:

• "Some": This signals that the answer will be a plural noun.
• "megafauna": This is the core definition. Megafauna are simply large animals. While it often brings to mind extinct creatures like woolly mammoths, it also includes modern giants like elephants, whales, and hippos.
• "informally": This is the crucial qualifier. It tells us not to look for the full, formal name of the animal (e.g., hippopotamus), but rather a shortened, casual version (e.g., hippo).

So, we are looking for the informal, plural name of a very large animal.

Thinking Approaches

A good strategy here is to brainstorm a list of megafauna and then consider their informal names.

1. List Megafauna: Start by thinking of any large animal you can.

   • Elephants
   • Hippopotamuses
   • Rhinoceroses
   • Giraffes
   • Whales
   • Gorillas

2. Apply the "Informally" Filter: Now, let's shorten these names.

   • Elephants -> "Elephants" is already the common term.
   • Hippopotamuses -> "Hippos" (This is a very common crossword answer!)
   • Rhinoceroses -> "Rhinos"
   • Giraffes -> No common shortening.

3. Check for Plural: The clue asks for "Some," so we need a plural form. Both "HIPPOS" and "RHINOS" fit this part of the clue perfectly. At this point in a real solve, you would rely on the crossing letters to determine which one is correct. Given the answer, we know which path to take.

This process of definition-listing followed by qualifier-filtering is a fundamental crossword-solving technique.

Background Context

The term "megafauna" is a fun bit of scientific vocabulary that has made its way into popular culture. It's a useful word for constructors because it can point to a wide range of impressive animals. The animal in question, the rhinoceros, is a fascinating and tragically endangered creature. Their name comes from Greek, with rhino- meaning "nose" and -keros meaning "horn."

The "informally" tag is a solver's best friend. It's a direct instruction to think about nicknames, abbreviations, or clipped forms of words. Recognizing these tags ("for short," "casually," "familiarly," etc.) is key to quickly understanding what a clue is asking for. In this case, "rhinoceros" is clipped to the much more common "rhino."

Conclusion

This clue is a straightforward definitional clue with a twist. By understanding that "megafauna" means "large animals" and that "informally" points to a shortened name, the solver can quickly narrow down the possibilities. It's a perfect example of how paying close attention to every word in the clue leads directly to the solution.

Hints

1. Hint 1: Think of large, often prehistoric-seeming animals.
2. Hint 2: These animals are native to Africa and Asia.
3. Hint 3: They are known for the prominent horn (or horns) on their snouts.
4. Hint 4: The clue asks for a plural, informal name for these creatures.

The answer is RHINOS.