"Go Team!" Crossword Clue

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About This Clue

The April 29, 2025 New York Times Mini Crossword featured the clue "Go team!" with the answer RAH. This clue is referencing the enthusiastic cheer that spectators often use at sporting events to show support for their team. The word "rah" is an exclamation that mimics the sound made during cheering, and it's frequently repeated in succession ("Rah! Rah! Rah!") to create rhythm and build excitement. As a common expression of team spirit, it's a perfect match for the clue "Go team!" which is likewise an encouraging cheer. This is a straightforward clue that relies on common knowledge of sporting culture and cheerleading expressions, making it accessible to most solvers.

Cheerleading Context

The exclamation "rah" has deep roots in American sporting culture and cheerleading traditions. Dating back to the late 19th century, organized cheering emerged as colleges and universities began forming football teams. The first documented collegiate cheer was reportedly used at Princeton University in the 1880s, and included the chant "Rah, Rah, Rah! Tiger, Tiger, Tiger! Sis, Sis, Sis! Boom, Boom, Boom! Aaaaah! Princeton, Princeton, Princeton!" From these origins, "rah" became a staple in cheerleading vocabulary across America. The term is especially associated with the stereotypical image of cheerleaders from the early to mid-20th century, often depicted with megaphones shouting "Rah! Rah! Rah!" to motivate crowds. This imagery appears in countless films, television shows, and other media portrayals of American high school and college sporting events. Over time, the term became so engrained in sporting culture that it expanded beyond literal cheers to describe enthusiastic support in general. The expression "rah-rah" evolved to describe excessive or uncritical enthusiasm, particularly in a team or group setting. Someone might be described as having a "rah-rah attitude" if they show unwavering support and enthusiasm for their team or cause. Additionally, the sound "rah" features prominently in many fight songs and school chants across the country, cementing its status as an enduring element of American sporting tradition. Its brief three-letter format makes it a perfect fit for the constraints of a Mini Crossword puzzle, while its widespread cultural recognition ensures that most solvers will be familiar with the term.

NYT Mini Crossword Tips

When solving clues like "Go team!" in the NYT Mini Crossword, keep these strategies in mind: - Exclamation marks in clues often signal that the answer itself is an exclamation or interjection - Short answers (three letters in this case) that express sounds are common for cheer-related clues - Consider the context: sporting terminology is frequently used in crosswords, especially for brief entries - Look for common sounds or syllables that people shout at sporting events - Remember that quotation marks in a clue often indicate that the answer is a spoken phrase or sound For this particular clue, the exclamation mark and the phrase "Go team!" both strongly hint at a cheer or expression of support. The three-letter constraint narrows the possibilities significantly, with "RAH" being a perfect fit both in length and meaning. The Mini Crossword frequently includes these types of cultural references that don't require specialized knowledge but rather tap into common expressions and sounds from everyday experience. Similar clues might reference other short exclamations or sounds (like "BOO" for a scary sound or "OOH" for an expression of amazement).

Related Crossword Answers

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ACROSS

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DOWN

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