Michael

@"Papaws" ? Seriously? Sorry but "papaw" is also correct as an alternate, albeit archaic, spelling

@Andrzej <a href="mailto:NYTGames@nytimes.com">NYTGames@nytimes.com</a> -- its in the Comment section intro

@Devon You can check the Wordplay column to see if there's a rebus involved; its usually mentioned right away or very early (and generally speaking, the Worldplay column will give you useful hints and some "starting words" if you have trouble breaking into the grid). As for what a rebus is; as linked within todays column, there is an explainer article, here: <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/08/crosswords/rebus-crossword-puzzle.html" target="_blank">https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/08/crosswords/rebus-crossword-puzzle.html</a>