The term REAL MESS can be broken down into three crossword solutions: SNAFU (5 letters), STY (3 letters), and MARESNEST (9 letters). SNAFU is an acronym for 'Situation Normal, All Fouled Up, ' which is a military term used to describe a chaotic or confusing situation. STY is an informal term for a pigsty, which is a messy area where pigs are kept. Finally, MARESNEST is a term used to describe a complicated or confusing situation, similar to a 'RAT's nest.' All three terms can be used to describe a chaotic or disorganized situation, making them appropriate solutions for the term REAL MESS.