The term 'BIG MESS' can be broken down into six crossword solutions: STY (3 letters), SNAFU (5 letters), HASH (4 letters), FIASCO (6 letters), HEAP (4 letters), and RATSNEST (8 letters). STY is an informal word for a disorderly or untidy place, while SNAFU is a military acronym for Situation Normal All Fouled Up. HASH is a jumbled mixture of ingredients, and FIASCO is a complete failure or disaster. HEAP is a large pile of something, and RATSNEST is a tangled mess of wires or other objects. Together, these words describe a chaotic and disorganized situation.