I regularly do the daily AARP and L.A. Times crossword puzzles and whenever I come across a clue like “Dad’s mate,” I always answer with DAD, which of course is wrong, but I enter it at least 3 times like I just can’t believe it’s not the right answer.
Other clues I do the same thing for:
The clue: Papa’s spouse
I answer: Papa | Papa | Papa
The clue: Mama’s companion
I answer: Mama | Mama | Mama
The clue: Father’s mate
I answer: Father | Father | Father