Supplier of 110-Across - NYT Crossword Clue

Introduction

This clue is a classic example of a cross-reference, where solving one entry depends on knowing the answer to another. In this case, the clue "Supplier of 110-Across" points us to a well-known fictional entity from the world of animation. These types of clues can be tricky if you haven't solved the referenced entry yet, but they often provide a satisfying 'aha!' moment once the connection is made.

Clue Analysis

The clue directly asks for the name of the entity that supplies whatever is at 110-Across. Given the answer, we can deduce that 110-Across is WILE E. COYOTE. The puzzle is therefore asking for the name of the company from which Wile E. Coyote orders his famously unreliable gadgets and contraptions. This is a straightforward knowledge-based clue, testing your familiarity with classic American cartoons.

Thinking Approaches

1. Solve the Cross-Reference First: The most direct path is to solve 110-Across. Once you fill in WILE E. COYOTE, your mind should immediately leap to the mail-order company that fuels his Sisyphean quest.

2. Use the Crossings: If 110-Across is elusive, you can work on the crossing entries for this clue. If you can piece together the first few letters, ACME..., the rest of the name might click into place. The word "ACME" is extremely common in crosswords, almost always referring to this specific cartoon context.

3. Brainstorm Fictional Suppliers: If all else fails, you could think broadly about famous fictional companies. Who are the big suppliers in pop culture? Stark Industries? Wayne Enterprises? Or perhaps a more whimsical one from the world of cartoons? This line of thinking, combined with a few crossing letters, can lead you to the right answer.

Background Context

The Acme Corporation is a fictional company that features prominently in the Road Runner/Wile E. Coyote shorts from the Warner Bros. Looney Tunes series. The name "Acme" comes from the Greek word (akme), meaning the peak or zenith.

In the early 20th century, many real businesses used the name to appear at the beginning of alphabetical directories like the Yellow Pages. The cartoonists adopted this generic-sounding name for the company that supplies Wile E. Coyote with an endless variety of products, from anvils and rocket skates to giant slingshots and invisible paint. A key running gag is that these products, despite their impressive descriptions, invariably fail in catastrophic and humorous ways, usually to the detriment of the coyote himself.

Conclusion

This clue and answer pair is a delightful nod to animation history. It's a test of pop culture knowledge that rewards solvers who grew up with these iconic cartoons. For those unfamiliar, it serves as a great example of how cross-referencing and using crossing letters can help you solve even the most specific trivia questions. Once you make the connection to Wile E. Coyote, the answer becomes almost inevitable.

Hints

1. Hint 1: The answer is a fictional company.
2. Hint 2: This company is known for its mail-order products, which often malfunction.
3. Hint 3: Its most famous customer is a cartoon character who is constantly trying to catch a fast-running bird.
4. Hint 4: The company's name is a generic term for the peak or highest point of something, but in this context, it's a specific brand from Warner Bros. cartoons.

The answer is ACMECORPORATION.