This clue appeared in the NYT Crossword on Saturday, October 17, 2026 (41 Down). The answer is hidden below until you want it. Saturday puzzles are the hardest of the week and themeless, so clues are often deliberately misleading.
How to read this clue
The question mark warns of wordplay. Expect a pun or a second meaning rather than a straight definition.
Answer length: 6 squares
First letter
P _ _ _ _ _
First and last letters
P _ _ _ _ E
Show the answer
About the answer
POPEYE as a word: A tough cartoon sailor, full name Popeye the Sailor, characterized by bulging forearm muscles, a squinty eye, and an affinity for spinach; A nickname for a person who has attributes of the cartoon character.
POPEYE has been an answer once in the NYT Crossword and Mini puzzles we have on file, which go back to October 23, 2025.
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