As we dive into today’s Universal Crossword, September 27, 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 27, 2024

Across

Desserts with crusts: PIES
(Traditional baked goods with fruit or custard fillings and a pastry crust.)

___ boom: SONIC
(A shockwave caused by an object traveling faster than the speed of sound.)

Inbox clogger: SPAM
(Unwanted or unsolicited email messages.)

Mystery writer's prize: EDGAR AWARD
(A prestigious award given for excellence in mystery writing, named after Edgar Allan Poe.)

Sheet of glass: PANE
(A single sheet of glass in a window or door.)

"That ship has sailed": TOO LATE NOW
(An expression meaning the opportunity has passed.)

Still part of the game: IN IT
(A phrase meaning to remain involved or active.)

Beast of burden: ASS
(An animal, like a donkey, used for carrying loads.)

Word game with tiles in a fruit-shaped bag: BANANAGRAMS
(A fast-paced word game where players race to build crossword grids.)

Things to catch on the beach: RAYS
(Sunlight that beachgoers often try to absorb for a tan.)

Andean mammal: LLAMA
(A domesticated South American animal used for wool and carrying loads.)

Exam taken in HS: PSAT
(A standardized test that helps prepare students for the SAT.)

Space cadet's "home": LA LA LAND
(A term for someone who's out of touch with reality.)

Campus military org.: ROTC
(Reserve Officers' Training Corps, a college-based military program.)

Pilloried, say: SHAMED
(Subjected to public humiliation or ridicule.)

Langley, Va., group: CIA
(The Central Intelligence Agency, headquartered in Langley, Virginia.)

Not exactly as planned: AWRY
(Off course or not as intended.)

Entice: TEMPT
(To attract or lure someone into doing something.)

Topic in a media literacy class: BIAS
(A preference or prejudice that may affect objective judgment.)

Born, in a society column: NEE
(A term used to indicate a woman’s maiden name.)

SoCal NFL team: LA RAMS
(The Los Angeles Rams, a professional football team.)

Carve with acid: ETCH
(To engrave a surface using acid.)

Perfect ride: DREAM CAR
(A vehicle that someone desires or considers ideal.)

"Blue" birds: JAYS
(A type of bird, like blue jays, known for their colorful feathers.)

Wander from the flock: STRAY
(To drift away or become separated from the group.)

Sewn line: SEAM
(A line of stitching that joins two pieces of fabric.)

Oxymoronic seafood: JUMBO SHRIMP
(A popular phrase combining contradictory words, meaning large shrimp.)

Medical insurance grp.: HMO
(Health Maintenance Organization, a type of health insurance plan.)

Brand that partnered with Swedish Fish in 2016: OREO
(A popular sandwich cookie that teamed up with Swedish Fish candy for a limited edition flavor.)

Sherwood Forest lady: MAID MARIAN
(The love interest of Robin Hood in English folklore.)

Gelatin substitute: AGAR
(A gelatinous substance derived from seaweed, often used in food preparation and scientific cultures.)

Christmas song in which "the weary world rejoices": O HOLY NIGHT
(A well-known Christmas carol celebrating the birth of Christ.)

Fishing snares: NETS
(Mesh devices used to catch fish.)

Chess game endings: MATES
(A move that ends the game by putting the opponent’s king in checkmate.)

One of Pittsburgh's three rivers: OHIO
(The Ohio River, which flows through Pittsburgh and several states.)

Down

Antifur org.: PETA
(People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, an organization that advocates for animal rights.)

Wedding vows: I DOS
(A common phrase exchanged during marriage ceremonies.)

Obstacles to collaboration: EGOS
(Personal pride or self-importance that can hinder teamwork.)

Mineo of Old Hollywood: SAL
(Sal Mineo, an American actor famous for his role in "Rebel Without a Cause.")

Thai dish with peanut sauce: SATAY
(Grilled skewers served with a peanut sauce, popular in Thai cuisine.)

Olympic hero Jesse: OWENS
(Jesse Owens, an American track and field athlete who won four gold medals in the 1936 Berlin Olympics.)

Granny: NANA
(A colloquial term for grandmother.)

Bygone Monopoly token with a handle: IRON
(A small game piece in the shape of a clothing iron, used in the board game Monopoly.)

Conveniences for '90s music listeners on the go: CD WALLETS
(Portable cases used to store CDs for easy access while traveling.)

Shape of some galaxies: SPIRAL
(Referring to the spiral structure of certain galaxies, like the Milky Way.)

Southernmost capital in Central America: PANAMA CITY
(The capital city of Panama, located in Central America.)

Cartoon featuring Yakko, Wakko and Dot: ANIMANIACS
(A popular animated TV show from the 1990s.)

MLB squad in Queens: METS
(The New York Mets, a professional baseball team.)

Moroccan capital: RABAT
(The capital city of Morocco.)

Pleased as punch: GLAD
(Very happy or satisfied.)

R-rated, perhaps: RACY
(Describing something inappropriate for younger audiences due to suggestive content.)

Potentially dangerous spike in voltage: POWER SURGE
(A sudden and brief increase in electrical power that can damage electronics.)

Urban food truck protein: STREET MEAT
(Savory meat dishes sold from food trucks, commonly seen in urban areas.)

Kendrick with a Pulitzer: LAMAR
(Kendrick Lamar, a rapper who won a Pulitzer Prize for his music.)

Clock radio switch: AM PM
(The toggle used to set alarms for morning or evening.)

Horizontal punctuation mark: DASH
(A punctuation mark used to indicate a pause or separation in text.)

South African currency: RAND
(The official currency of South Africa.)

2003 pop hit about a crush on a friend's parent: STACY'S MOM
(A song by Fountains of Wayne about a teenage boy’s crush on his friend’s mother.)

Mythic Greek queen: HERA
(The queen of the gods in Greek mythology and the wife of Zeus.)

Rafter, for one: BEAM
(A structural element used in buildings, often to support roofs.)

"Omg 2 funny!": LMAO
(An acronym for "Laughing My A** Off," used in text to indicate something is very funny.)

Shady garden nooks: ARBORS
(Shaded areas in gardens, often formed by plants growing over structures.)

Asian country that hosted the 1998 Winter Olympics: JAPAN
(The country that hosted the Winter Games in Nagano in 1998.)

Move stealthily: SIDLE
(To move sideways or cautiously, especially in a sneaky manner.)

Jon Stewart has won more than 20 of them: EMMYS
(Television awards that Jon Stewart has won for his work in comedy and news.)

Comedian Rivers: JOAN
(Joan Rivers, a legendary American stand-up comedian and TV host.)

Amused outburst: HAHA
(A sound made when laughing or something is funny.)

Very funny person: RIOT
(Slang for someone who is extremely funny or entertaining.)

Descriptor for noon: HIGH
(As in "high noon," referring to the time around midday.)

Half a Hawaiian fish: MAHI
(Part of the name "Mahi Mahi," a fish found in tropical waters.)

Not deceived by: ONTO
(Aware or suspicious of something hidden or deceptive.)

___ Grande: RIO
(Rio Grande, a river that forms part of the border between the U.S. and Mexico.)

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 27,2024 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!