The New York Times Mini Crossword for Wednesday, September 23, 2026 offers a compact 5×5 grid packed with pop culture, fashion, geography, and everyday phrases. With just ten clues, this quick puzzle can be solved in minutes, but a few tricky references—like a television judge, a Shakespearean city, and a Himalayan animal—might slow you down. Below, we provide all the across and down answers along with brief explanations to help you finish or verify your solve.
Mini Across Clues and Answers
- 1A: “Sorry about that!” – OOPS. A casual apology for minor mistakes.
- 5A: Not-so-tacky clothing material that rhymes with “tacky” – KHAKI. A common fabric for trousers and jackets, clued with a playful rhyme.
- 7A: Paula who judged on “American Idol” – ABDUL. Paula Abdul was a long-time judge on the show.
- 8A: “___ never believe this…” – YOU’LL. Completes the phrase for a direct prediction.
- 9A: Long-haired Himalayan animals – YAKS. Plural form fits the clue.
Mini Down Clues and Answers
- 1D: Just fine – OKAY. A casual word for acceptable.
- 2D: “Well, this oughta be good!” – OH BOY. Expresses sarcasm or anticipation.
- 3D: Italian city where “The Taming of the Shrew” is set – PADUA. Shakespeare’s comedy is set in this historic city.
- 4D: Walk around stealthily – SKULK. Means moving quietly to avoid notice.
- 6D: Society’s woes – ILLS. Refers to widespread problems.
Today’s puzzle mixes familiar words (OOPS, OKAY) with more specific references (ABDUL, PADUA, SKULK). The variety keeps the Mini fresh despite its small size. A new puzzle arrives each day—check back tomorrow for the next set of clues.
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