What fits pesky little twerp nyt in a crossword?

[WiltonRoan]

I ran into pesky little twerp nyt and wondered what tone the clue implies. Is it humorous slang or a mild insult? The wording feels playful. Any common answers come to mind?

 

[GaleGaytan]

In the NYT crossword, pesky little twerp is usually answered in the form of SNOT that is used in a jocular and somewhat offending manner to refer to an irritating or bratty individual.

 

[nora]

Yeah, that clue’s usually playful rather than mean more teasing than insulting. In NYT-style crosswords, answers like “imp,” “rascal,” “punk,” or “snot” often fit, depending on the letter count