NYT Connections April 17, 2025 #676 Hints & Answers

The word 'torso' derives from the Italian word for 'stump,' which entered English vocabulary around the 18th century through classical sculpture terminology. Many classical sculptures were preserved only as torsos, with heads and limbs broken off over time, leading to this part of the body being distinctly recognized in artistic contexts before becoming a common anatomical term.

While tomato sauce is now considered a standard pizza component, the original pizzas in Naples, Italy during the 18th century were often 'white pizzas' without tomato sauce. Tomatoes were still viewed with suspicion in many parts of Europe until the late 1800s, as they belong to the nightshade family and were once believed to be poisonous. The modern combination of tomato sauce, cheese, and toppings on a crust didn't become standardized until the late 19th century.

The term 'growler' dates back to the late 19th century when workers would bring pails of beer from local taverns to factories during lunch breaks. The name reportedly comes from the growling sound the carbon dioxide made as it escaped from the lid when the beer sloshed around during transport. Modern growlers became popular again in the 1990s with the rise of craft breweries as a way to sell take-home draft beer.

Cy Young, whose full name was Denton True Young, earned his nickname 'Cy' (short for 'Cyclone') due to the devastating speed of his fastball, which was said to destroy wooden fences like a cyclone. He pitched three no-hitters, including the first perfect game of the modern era in 1904. The Cy Young Award, given annually to the best pitchers in Major League Baseball, was created in 1956, a year after his death.