"Don't Call ___ Comeback!" Crossword Clue

By: Five Letter Words | Last edited: Apr 25, 2025

Looking for the solution to the "Don't call ___ comeback!" crossword clue in the Apr 25, 2025 New York Times Mini puzzle? We've identified the precise 3-letter answer you need. To enhance your solving experience, we've developed interactive features that make discovering the answer more engaging. Use our letter-by-letter reveal option to gradually uncover the solution, or explore our carefully designed hints—including relevant anagrams, similar clues with the same answer, or comprehensive definitions to guide your thinking. We've also made it easy to navigate between related clues from the same puzzle for a seamless solving experience. Ready to discover this famous hip-hop lyric reference? Let's explore the answer!

Crossword Answer:

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About This Clue

The April 25, 2025 New York Times Mini Crossword featured the clue "Don't call ___ comeback!" with the answer ITA. This clue references the famous opening line from LL Cool J's Grammy-winning 1990 hit song "Mama Said Knock You Out," which begins with the defiant declaration "Don't call it a comeback!" The song was a critical and commercial success, and this particular line has become one of the most recognizable phrases in hip-hop history, often used in popular culture to signify a triumphant return.

Cultural References

"Mama Said Knock You Out" was released in 1990 as the title track of LL Cool J's fourth studio album. The song was written at a pivotal moment in his career when critics were suggesting his star was fading. The opening line "Don't call it a comeback" was his defiant response to those critics, asserting that he had never really gone away or lost his edge.

Since its release, the phrase has transcended its origins to become a cultural catchphrase used in sports, politics, business, and entertainment whenever someone makes a strong return after a period of absence or perceived decline. The line's enduring popularity makes it a perfect reference for a crossword clue, as it's widely recognized across multiple generations.

NYT Mini Crossword Tips

When solving clues that reference popular songs or famous quotes in the NYT Mini Crossword, it helps to be familiar with cultural touchstones that have entered everyday language. The Mini Crossword often draws from well-known phrases in music, movies, TV shows, and literature, especially those that have become part of common speech.

For song lyrics specifically, focus on the most famous lines from iconic songs that have cultural staying power. When you see a clue with a blank in a familiar phrase, try to complete the phrase mentally before looking at the number of letters required. The answer is often a short word or contraction like "ITA" (it a) in this case, which might not be obvious until you say the complete phrase aloud.

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DOWN

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