Support staffs?

Latest answer — August 12, 2026

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Clue explained

Canes are staffs or walking sticks that provide support, making “Support staffs?” a playful double definition. The question mark signals this punning reinterpretation of staffs as support aids.

Clue type:
Pun or wordplay
Walking canes shown as aids that support a person.

WSJ Crossword

This clue's Wednesday, August 12, 2026 appearance

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Or reveal one clue at a time with the Hint and Answer buttons below.

Across

  1. 1Calculating
  2. 4They’re hit with a crunch
  3. 7Unhelpful response to “You’re muted”
  4. 10Where racers retire?
  5. 13Princess’s irritant, in a tale
  6. 14Like Steven Wright’s comedy
  7. 16Men’s body spray brand
  8. 17“How frustrating!”
  9. 18Joke toy of 1975
  10. 19TV home of the “Five-Timers Club”
  11. 20The White Stripes and the Black Keys, e.g.
  12. 22Antelope with lyre-shaped horns
  13. 23Bibliography abbr.
  14. 24Whence colonists came
  15. 27Jacob gave him bread and pottage
  16. 28Cheerful cries
  17. 29Noted feature of Frank Sinatra
  18. 35X, sometimes
  19. 38Affaire de coeur
  20. 39Craft brew initials
  21. 42Santa, in Salisbury
  22. 47Trash can resident of TV
  23. 48Animal carrier of note
  24. 49Cricket sound
  25. 50“Prove it!”
  26. 52“Defense! Defense!” and others
  27. 53The Jackson 5, e.g., and a hint to 18-, 24-, 29- and 42-Across
  28. 57Word with bottle, baseball and blasting
  29. 58Thumbs-down review, informally
  30. 59German physicist Georg
  31. 61Link letters
  32. 62Winner of a race
  33. 63Dyson product, for short
  34. 64Scrape (by)
  35. 65Fail to play
  36. 66Blockhead
  37. 67UFO crew

Down

  1. 1Tater
  2. 213-Across, e.g.
  3. 3Brutes in “Gulliver’s Travels”
  4. 4Payroll-processing co.
  5. 5Namesake of the Council of Fashion Designers of America’s lifetime achievement award
  6. 6Follower of Dionysus
  7. 7Speed skater Ohno
  8. 8Asian gambling mecca
  9. 9Cuttlefish defense
  10. 10Beaver tail, e.g.
  11. 11Rejects, informally
  12. 12Giveaway
  13. 15“Hotel Transylvania” nickname
  14. 21Attempt
  15. 23Uber alerts, for short
  16. 25Legendary warrior ___ Mulan
  17. 26“Science Guy” Bill
  18. 30Milky Way, e.g.
  19. 311978 song with a recognizable dance
  20. 32Danish physicist Niels
  21. 33Hide in the shadows
  22. 34One of Switzerland’s Forest Cantons
  23. 35Company money mgrs.
  24. 36Yardage line
  25. 37Zendaya and Tom Holland, e.g.
  26. 39Romantic confession
  27. 40Festive cone
  28. 41Serpents on sarcophagi
  29. 43Hems and ___
  30. 44Otters’ kin
  31. 45Ordinary fellows
  32. 46Cuisine featuring lemongrass
  33. 51Reason for some food recalls
  34. 52Support staffs?
  35. 54Help feloniously
  36. 55Book after Matthieu and Marc
  37. 56Spanakopita cheese
  38. 57Stick that breaks?
  39. 60Hip-hop vocalists

Crossword clues, hints, and answers

Across

  1. 1. Calculating — Answer: SLY. Hint: Think of someone crafty and a little too clever for their own good. 🦊
  2. 4. They’re hit with a crunch — Answer: ABS. Hint: These core muscles get targeted by a classic floor exercise. 💪
  3. 7. Unhelpful response to “You’re muted” — Answer: AMI. Hint: It’s a puzzled question that completely misses the microphone problem. 🤔
  4. 10. Where racers retire? — Answer: PIT. Hint: Think of the trackside spot where cars pause for service, not a retirement home. 🏎️
  5. 13. Princess’s irritant, in a tale — Answer: PEA. Hint: In a classic fairy tale, a tiny object hidden beneath many mattresses keeps a royal guest awake. 🛏️
  6. 14. Like Steven Wright’s comedy — Answer: DEADPAN. Hint: Think of humor delivered with a perfectly straight face and almost no visible emotion. 😐
  7. 16. Men’s body spray brand — Answer: AXE. Hint: Think of the bold-scented grooming brand often marketed to men. 🧴
  8. 17. “How frustrating!” — Answer: UGH. Hint: A short groan you might let out when everything goes wrong 😤
  9. 18. Joke toy of 1975 — Answer: PETROCK. Hint: Think of a famously low-maintenance novelty gift that turned an ordinary object into a gag 🪨
  10. 19. TV home of the “Five-Timers Club” — Answer: SNL. Hint: This longtime sketch-comedy show celebrates stars who host for the fifth time with an exclusive club. 🎬
  11. 20. The White Stripes and the Black Keys, e.g. — Answer: DUOS. Hint: Each of these bands is made up of two musicians, making them musical pairs 🎵
  12. 22. Antelope with lyre-shaped horns — Answer: NYALA. Hint: Picture a shy African antelope whose sweeping horns resemble a musical instrument. 🦌
  13. 23. Bibliography abbr. — Answer: ETAL. Hint: In a bibliography, this abbreviation signals that additional authors are being grouped in. 📚
  14. 24. Whence colonists came — Answer: MOTHERCOUNTRY. Hint: Think of the homeland that sent its settlers overseas. 🌍
  15. 27. Jacob gave him bread and pottage — Answer: ESAU. Hint: This biblical hunter traded his birthright for a bowl of stew. 🍲
  16. 28. Cheerful cries — Answer: YAYS. Hint: Think of the upbeat exclamations people shout when celebrating! 🎉
  17. 29. Noted feature of Frank Sinatra — Answer: BABYBLUES. Hint: Think of the famous singer’s striking eye color. 👀
  18. 35. X, sometimes — Answer: CHI. Hint: Think of the Greek letter that can represent a crossing mark in some contexts. 🇬🇷
  19. 38. Affaire de coeur — Answer: AMOUR. Hint: This French phrase refers to a romantic matter of the heart. ❤️
  20. 39. Craft brew initials — Answer: IPA. Hint: These initials point to a hop-forward beer style 🍺
  21. 42. Santa, in Salisbury — Answer: FATHERCHRISTMAS. Hint: In Britain, this is the traditional festive name for the jolly gift-bringer. 🎅
  22. 47. Trash can resident of TV — Answer: OSCAR. Hint: Think of the grouchy Sesame Street character who happily calls a garbage bin home 🗑️
  23. 48. Animal carrier of note — Answer: ARK. Hint: Think of the famous vessel that carried creatures through the great flood. 🚢
  24. 49. Cricket sound — Answer: CHIRP. Hint: It’s the familiar nighttime call of a tiny backyard musician. 🦗
  25. 50. “Prove it!” — Answer: SHOWME. Hint: A skeptical challenge asking you to provide evidence. 🔍
  26. 52. “Defense! Defense!” and others — Answer: CHANTS. Hint: These are the spirited group calls heard from the stands. 📣
  27. 53. The Jackson 5, e.g., and a hint to 18-, 24-, 29- and 42-Across — Answer: MUSICALFAMILY. Hint: Think of a singing group whose members share both musical talent and close family ties 🎶
  28. 57. Word with bottle, baseball and blasting — Answer: CAP. Hint: One small word can top a bottle, crown a baseball fan’s head, and help set off an explosion—what is it? 💡
  29. 58. Thumbs-down review, informally — Answer: NOBUENO. Hint: A casual way to say a review is definitely not good. 👎
  30. 59. German physicist Georg — Answer: OHM. Hint: Think of the German physicist whose surname became the unit for electrical resistance. ⚡
  31. 61. Link letters — Answer: URL. Hint: These characters direct your browser to a specific webpage or online destination. 🔗
  32. 62. Winner of a race — Answer: ELECTEE. Hint: Think of the person who comes out on top in a political contest and earns the office. 🗳️
  33. 63. Dyson product, for short — Answer: VAC. Hint: This shorthand refers to the appliance that makes crumbs disappear. 🧹
  34. 64. Scrape (by) — Answer: EKE. Hint: Manage to get by with barely enough resources, like a student stretching a tiny budget. 💰
  35. 65. Fail to play — Answer: SIT. Hint: What you might do on the bench instead of taking your turn 🪑
  36. 66. Blockhead — Answer: ASS. Hint: A playful term for a foolish person might fit here. 🤪
  37. 67. UFO crew — Answer: ETS. Hint: Think of the otherworldly beings who might be aboard a flying saucer 👽

Down

  1. 1. Tater — Answer: SPUD. Hint: A playful nickname for a humble potato at dinner 🍽️
  2. 2. 13-Across, e.g. — Answer: LEGUME. Hint: Think of plants like peas, beans, and lentils that produce edible seeds in pods 🌱
  3. 3. Brutes in “Gulliver’s Travels” — Answer: YAHOOS. Hint: In Swift’s satire, these uncivilized humanoids are the least flattering company imaginable. 📖
  4. 4. Payroll-processing co. — Answer: ADP. Hint: This company helps businesses manage paychecks and employee tax paperwork. 💼
  5. 5. Namesake of the Council of Fashion Designers of America’s lifetime achievement award — Answer: BEENE. Hint: This honor celebrates an innovative American designer known for bold, sculptural fashion. 👗
  6. 6. Follower of Dionysus — Answer: SATYR. Hint: Think of a goat-legged woodland reveler from Greek mythology. 🍇
  7. 7. Speed skater Ohno — Answer: APOLO. Hint: This Olympic speed skater made a name for himself on the short track 🥇
  8. 8. Asian gambling mecca — Answer: MACAU. Hint: Think of a Chinese coastal city famous for casinos and Portuguese heritage. 🎰
  9. 9. Cuttlefish defense — Answer: INK. Hint: This underwater escape artist clouds the water to make a quick getaway 🦑
  10. 10. Beaver tail, e.g. — Answer: PASTRY. Hint: This sweet, flattened treat belongs in a bakery case rather than on the animal itself. 🥐
  11. 11. Rejects, informally — Answer: IXNAYS. Hint: Turns something down in casual speech. 🙅
  12. 12. Giveaway — Answer: TELL. Hint: In poker, this is a revealing sign that gives your opponent information. 🎲
  13. 15. “Hotel Transylvania” nickname — Answer: DRAC. Hint: This spooky hotel owner goes by a shortened version of his famous vampire name. 🧛
  14. 21. Attempt — Answer: STAB. Hint: Give it a try, even if success is uncertain! 🎯
  15. 23. Uber alerts, for short — Answer: ETAS. Hint: Think of the abbreviated arrival-time updates a rideshare app sends you. 🚗
  16. 25. Legendary warrior ___ Mulan — Answer: HUA. Hint: Think of the three-letter given name of Disney’s legendary Chinese heroine. 🗡️
  17. 26. “Science Guy” Bill — Answer: NYE. Hint: Think of the annual celebration when Bill might be found counting down to midnight. 🎉
  18. 30. Milky Way, e.g. — Answer: BAR. Hint: Think of the chocolatey checkout-counter treat category this belongs to. 🍫
  19. 31. 1978 song with a recognizable dance — Answer: YMCA. Hint: This disco-era Village People hit inspired a famous arm-raising group dance. 🕺
  20. 32. Danish physicist Niels — Answer: BOHR. Hint: Think of the Danish pioneer who explained atoms with electrons in distinct energy levels ⚛️
  21. 33. Hide in the shadows — Answer: LURK. Hint: Stay out of sight and wait quietly for the right moment. 🕵️
  22. 34. One of Switzerland’s Forest Cantons — Answer: URI. Hint: Picture the historic Swiss canton associated with William Tell. 🏹
  23. 35. Company money mgrs. — Answer: CFOS. Hint: These executives keep a company’s finances on track. 💼
  24. 36. Yardage line — Answer: HASHMARK. Hint: Look for the short field marking that helps football players track distance. 🏈
  25. 37. Zendaya and Tom Holland, e.g. — Answer: ITCOUPLE. Hint: They’re a high-profile romantic pair often admired by fans. 💕
  26. 39. Romantic confession — Answer: IMINLOVE. Hint: A heartfelt declaration of affection you might whisper to your crush. 💕
  27. 40. Festive cone — Answer: PARTYHAT. Hint: Picture the pointy headwear people wear to celebrate. 🎉
  28. 41. Serpents on sarcophagi — Answer: ASPS. Hint: Think of the venomous snakes often carved as symbols of Egyptian royalty. 🐍
  29. 43. Hems and ___ — Answer: HAWS. Hint: This phrase describes indecision or hesitation. 🤔
  30. 44. Otters’ kin — Answer: ERMINES. Hint: Think of a small, sleek member of the weasel family known for its winter coat. 🐾
  31. 45. Ordinary fellows — Answer: SCHMOES. Hint: Think of a casual, slightly comic term for everyday guys. 👥
  32. 46. Cuisine featuring lemongrass — Answer: THAI. Hint: Think of a Southeast Asian cuisine where lemongrass adds a bright, citrusy kick. 🍋
  33. 51. Reason for some food recalls — Answer: ECOLI. Hint: A dangerous bacterial contamination can send certain food products back to the store. 🦠
  34. 52. Support staffs? — Answer: CANES. Hint: Think of sturdy walking aids that can double as literal support staffs. 🦯
  35. 54. Help feloniously — Answer: ABET. Hint: Think of a verb meaning to encourage or assist someone in wrongdoing. 🕵️
  36. 55. Book after Matthieu and Marc — Answer: LUC. Hint: Look for the Gospel that comes after Matthew and Mark in a French Bible. 📖
  37. 56. Spanakopita cheese — Answer: FETA. Hint: Think of the salty, crumbly Greek cheese tucked into this savory pastry 🧀
  38. 57. Stick that breaks? — Answer: CUE. Hint: In pool, it’s the stick used to send the balls rolling—unless it snaps. 🎱
  39. 60. Hip-hop vocalists — Answer: MCS. Hint: These rappers often grab the mic and command the crowd 🎤

The answer to “Support staffs?” in the Wall Street Journal crossword is CANES — a 5-letter word. It most recently appeared in the Wall Street Journal crossword on August 12, 2026, a Wednesday puzzle, at 52-Down. Below you'll find why that fill fits, every other answer we've recorded for this clue, and links into the puzzle it came from.

“Support staffs?” answer

CANES (5 letters)

Reveal the solution one letter at a time with the tiles above if you'd rather nudge yourself toward it than see the whole word at once. Just want it outright? The answer is CANES.

What does CANES mean?

Reading the plain dictionary sense of CANES is often the fastest way to see why it answers this clue.

(noun)

  • the hollow jointed stem of a tall grass, especially bamboo or sugar cane, or the stem of a slender palm such as rattan
  • a length of cane or a slender stick, especially one used as a support for plants, a walking stick, or an instrument of punishment

When else has “Support staffs?” appeared?

Wall Street Journal reuses clues across dates, sometimes with a different answer depending on the grid. Here's where this exact clue has shown up, and what the answer was each time — handy when you're checking whether today's fill is the only one.

August 12, 2026 (most recent) → CANES. We haven't indexed another appearance of this exact clue yet.

Frequently asked questions

What is the answer to “Support staffs?”?

The answer is CANES, a 5-letter word. It most recently appeared in the Wall Street Journal crossword on August 12, 2026.

How many letters is the answer to “Support staffs?”?

5 letters: CANES.

When did this clue appear?

Most recently in the Wall Street Journal crossword on August 12, 2026 (a Wednesday puzzle), at 52-Down.

Can “Support staffs?” have a different answer?

Yes — Wall Street Journal sometimes reuses a clue with a different solution to fit the grid. The answers we've recorded for each date it appeared are listed above when available.

Where can I find the rest of this day's WSJ answers?

The full grid for August 12, 2026 is on the WSJ answers page, with every clue and answer from that puzzle.

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