It’s not often a crossword throws me for a loop, but today’s NYT Crossword puzzle clue, “Old-style “Yikes!” has done exactly that. If you’re here, you’re probably in the same boat.

This particularly tricky old-time clue appears at two down in the Sept. 3 NYT Mini Crossword puzzle today. I’ve now finished this crossword puzzle, but I’m still questioning whether this is a real word because it’s that old and unusual.