In case you missed Monday’s NYT Mini, you can find the answers here:
Despite a focus on five letter words today, this may be a time to try to set some speed records, as I certainly think it’s possible with this puzzle. But first>..
The NYT Mini is a quick and dirty version of the newspaper’s larger and long-rumgys, there are between three and five clues in each direction on a five by five grid, but the puzzles are sometimes larger, especially on Saturdays.
Unlike its larger sibling, the NYT Mini crossword is free to play on the New York Times website or NYT Games app. However, you’ll need an NYT Games subscription to access previous puzzles in the archives. The NYT Mini is a fun daily distraction that usually takes no time at all. I try to beat the standard weekday grid in less than a minute. But sometimes I can’t quite figure out one or two clues and need to reveal the answer.
Spoilers ahead, obviously. Skip ahead for the image of today’s solved puzzle.
ACROSS
1) Tree whose 1-Down was used to make canoes and wigwams – BIRCH
6) Luxury brand from Honda – ACURA
7) Become ready to eat – RIPEN
8) Work, as bread dough – KNEAD
9) Really outstanding finds, so to speak – GEMS
DOWN
1) It’s white and papery on a 1-Across – BARK
2) “That’s just ___ on the cake!” – ICING
3) Currency unit of India – RUPEE
4) Whipped stuff on top of a mocha latte – CREAM
5) Ones working around the clock? – HANDS
So, BIRCH BARK is our combo word here, and I mean, how many trees with white bark are there, really? Even as someone who never leaves the house, I at least remember that from uh, movies. ICING on the cake may be one of the easiest clues I’ve ever seen in here. Guessing what whipped CREAM is would not be far behind. So yes, speed puzzle today.
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Pick up my sci-fi novels the Herokiller series and The Earthborn Trilogy.
