| 100% | THETABLEHOPPINGWAITER | 21 | Start of a humorous definition of 50-Down (with a French "twist") |
| 49% | HEY | 3 | With 61-Down, Jimi Hendrix's first single ... or a hint to the starts of 20-, 28-, 45- and 50-Across |
| 48% | SOMEONEWHOIS | 12 | Start of a punny definition of 44-Across |
| 48% | ALLI | 4 | With 12-Down, start of a simple request |
| 47% | AMEDIUMSOCALLED | 15 | Start of a definition of television, by 9-Down |
| 47% | QUE | 3 | With 61-Down, start of a 1956 song title |
| 47% | TWINKLE | 7 | With 25-Down, start of a nighttime nursery rhyme |
| 47% | WHAT | 4 | With 54-Down, start of a historic telegraph message |
| 45% | EAR | 3 | Dog ___, folded down corner of a book page that starts with a canine animal |
| 45% | ONEWHOCANT | 10 | Start of Churchill's definition of a fanatic |
| 45% | CLEAN | 5 | With 1-Down, symbol of a fresh start |
| 45% | ODEON | 5 | Start of a poem about a 5 Down |
| 44% | SACRE | 5 | Start of a French oath |
| 44% | SACRE | 5 | Start of a French exclamation |
| 44% | THETIMEITTAKES | 14 | Start of a definition of "microsecond" |
| 43% | ILIKE | 5 | Start of a 50's political slogan |
| 43% | POETRY | 6 | Start of a quote by 50-Across |
| 43% | ISTHERE | 7 | With 18-Across, start of a query |
| 43% | DEARSANTA | 9 | Start of a letter with Christmas wishes |
| 43% | ATEMPORARY | 10 | Start of a cynic's definition of "love" |
| 43% | ONESMALLTHING | 13 | Start of a definition of the 81-Across |
| 43% | CHIGNON | 7 | A French twist or roll of a hairstyle |
| 43% | OSAY | 4 | Start of a song that ends with "brave" |
| 43% | BLESSME | 7 | Start of a talk with one's father? |
| 43% | SOMETHINGOLD | 12 | With 52 Across, start of a bridalwear rhyme |
| 43% | HIP | 3 | Start of a cheer that ends with "hurray!" |
| 42% | WILLBRAKEFOR | 12 | Start of a bumper sticker that may end with one's favorite attraction |
| 42% | HONKIFYOULOVE | 13 | Start of a bumper sticker that may end with one's favorite hobby |
| 42% | NOMATTERHOWMUCH | 15 | Start of a punny quip with two correct answers |
| 42% | EPEE | 4 | Type of sword with a French name |