As we dive into today’s Universal Crossword, September 21, 2024 puzzle, get ready to challenge your mind and explore a delightful mix of clues that span a variety of topics. Whether you’re a seasoned crossword lover or just starting out, today’s grid offers a perfect blend of clever wordplay and intriguing puzzle. Grab your pencil, settle in, and let’s see how many answers you can uncover!

Universal Crossword Answers September 21, 2024

Across

• Breakfast chain: IHOP

  (A popular American restaurant chain known for pancakes.)

• Train, or a train car: COACH

  (A part of a train for passengers.)

• Affirmative votes: AYES

  (Votes in favor of something.)

• ’90s virtual pet toy: TAMAGOTCHI

  (A handheld digital pet popular in the 1990s.)

• Italy’s “Eternal City”: ROME

  (The capital of Italy, often referred to as the "Eternal City.")

• “Give it some thought”: CHEW ON THAT

  (A phrase meaning to think over something.)

• Caribbean country where Monopoly is banned: CUBA

  (A country in the Caribbean known for its ban on the Monopoly board game.)

• Solo in “Star Wars”: HAN

  (Referring to Han Solo, a character from the "Star Wars" series.)

• Rodeo victim: STEER

  (A male cattle, often featured in rodeo events.)

• Enthusiastic: EAGER

  (Showing keen interest or excitement.)

• Beverage in a stein: BEER

  (A popular drink served in a large mug, called a stein.)

• Heads: LEADERS

  (Those in charge of a group or organization.)

• Phone surface: SCREEN

  (The display of a smartphone.)

• Short-legged hound: BASSET

  (Refers to the Basset Hound, a breed of dog.)

• ___ moss: PEAT

  (A type of moss used in gardening.)

• One may say, “You’re gonna be in so much trouble!”: TATTLETALE

  (A person who reports others' misbehavior.)

• Default font, perhaps: ARIAL

  (A common sans-serif typeface.)

• Potential cause of royal insomnia: PEA

  (From the fairy tale "The Princess and the Pea.")

• In your area: LOCAL

  (Something nearby or in your community.)

• Started spreading uncontrollably: RAN RAMPANT

  (To grow or spread wildly.)

• Capitalism critic Marx: KARL

  (Karl Marx, a philosopher known for critiquing capitalism.)

• Crisis advice: BE CALM

  (Words of encouragement to stay composed during a crisis.)

• Everest guide: SHERPA

  (A member of the Himalayan people who act as guides.)

• Like a triangle with unequal side lengths: SCALENE

  (A triangle where no sides are the same length.)

• Primary: MAIN

  (The most important or primary thing.)

• Buenos ___: AIRES

  (The capital city of Argentina.)

• Record keeper: CLERK

  (A person responsible for keeping records or accounts.)

• Items in jewel boxes: CDS

  (Compact discs, often stored in jewel cases.)

• “Tomb Raider” protagonist Croft: LARA

  (Referring to Lara Croft, the main character of "Tomb Raider.")

• Children’s pretend vaccination: COOTIE SHOT

  (A childhood play-pretend shot to avoid "cooties.")

• Three, in Barcelona: TRES

  (The Spanish word for "three.")

• In the neighborhood: AROUND HERE

  (Meaning nearby or in this vicinity.)

• Harvard rival: YALE

  (A prestigious university and rival of Harvard.)

• Pig in a British TV show: PEPPA

  (Referring to Peppa Pig, a popular children's TV show character.)

• Test: EXAM

  (An assessment to measure knowledge or ability.)

---

Down

• Hankering: ITCH

  (A strong desire or craving.)

• “Very funny!”: HAHA

  (A laugh or reaction to something humorous.)

• Warning sign: OMEN

  (A signal or sign of something, often bad, to come.)

• Cat’s hand: PAW

  (A cat’s foot.)

• Videos, for a TikToker: CONTENT

  (Creative media produced by users, often for social platforms like TikTok.)

• Aquatic mammal: OTTER

  (A playful, water-loving mammal.)

• Dull pain: ACHE

  (A continuous or lingering pain.)

• Con artist: CHARLATAN

  (Someone who pretends to have skills or knowledge that they don't.)

• Battleship response: HIT

  (A response in the game Battleship indicating a successful strike.)

• Quarter, once upon a time: ARCADE TOKEN

  (A coin used in old arcade games.)

• Oprah giveaway catchphrase: YOU GET A CAR

  (A famous phrase from Oprah’s talk show during giveaway segments.)

• Fiery remnant: EMBER

  (A small piece of burning or glowing coal in a dying fire.)

• JCPenney competitor: SEARS

  (A now mostly defunct department store chain.)

• “Check it out!”: GO SEE

  (An invitation to witness or observe something.)

• Artist’s stand: EASEL

  (A frame for supporting an artist’s canvas.)

• Early version of a game: BETA RELEASE

  (A preliminary version of a software or game, released for testing.)

• Subj. for a native Spanish speaker, perhaps: ESL

  (English as a Second Language.)

• Practice boxing: SPAR

  (To engage in practice fights, often in boxing.)

• Michael who played Allan in “Barbie”: CERA

  (Referring to Michael Cera, an actor.)

• Drop collector: RAIN BARREL

  (A barrel used to collect and store rainwater.)

• Nonstarters?: B TEAM

  (A backup or secondary team.)

• Certain fruit center: APPLE CORE

  (The central part of an apple containing seeds.)

• Ren Faire activity: LARP

  (Live Action Role Playing, an activity popular at Renaissance Faires.)

• “___ Enchanted” (2004 Anne Hathaway movie): ELLA

  (A film starring Anne Hathaway as Ella.)

• Shoestrings: LACES

  (Thin cords used to fasten shoes.)

• Guy: MAN

  (A male person.)

• Former Russian empress: TSARINA

  (The wife or female counterpart of a Tsar.)

• Followed a trail: HIKED

  (To walk, especially for a long distance or in nature.)

• Like seawater: SALTY

  (Containing salt, as ocean water does.)

• “1, 2 Step” artist: CIARA

  (A singer known for the song "1, 2 Step.")

• Rendezvoused: MET UP

  (To meet with someone, often by arrangement.)

• Roller coaster highlight: LOOP

  (A 360-degree turn on a roller coaster track.)

• ___ Mix: CHEX

  (A brand of cereal often used in snack mixes.)

• Spanish-teaching explorer: DORA

  (Referring to Dora the Explorer, a children’s TV show character.)

• _cience, _echnology, _ngineering and _ath: STEM

  (Referring to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math fields.)

• Bottle top: CAP

  (A cover used to seal a bottle.)

• “___ sells seashells …”: SHE

  (Referring to the tongue twister "She sells seashells by the seashore.")

Thanks for Checking Out Today’s Universal Crossword Answers! 

As you wrap up today’s Universal Crossword, we hope you enjoyed the journey through clues september 21,2024 that sparked your curiosity and challenged your thinking. Whether you completed every square or got stuck on a few tricky hints, remember that every puzzle is an opportunity to learn and grow. Keep honing those solving skills, and don’t hesitate to come back tomorrow for another round of fun and discovery. Happy puzzling, and may your day be filled with new words and ideas!