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Table of Contents

• Puzzle Overview
• How to Solve Today’s Mini
• All Clues and Answers
• FAQs

Puzzle Overview

Today’s NYT Mini Crossword is a compact 5×6 grid created by Joel Fagliano. It’s a straightforward puzzle with some clever wordplay hidden in the clues, especially in the across section.

Quick Puzzle Breakdown (No Spoilers)

• Grid size: 5 columns by 6 rows
• 5 across clues and 5 down clues to solve
• Contains a mix of geography, pop culture, and everyday vocabulary

How to Solve Today’s Mini

Strong Starting Points

The first across clue referencing a famous dividing line is a solid entry point. If you know your American history, this opens up several crossing letters immediately. The down clues are fairly direct definitions, so starting with those can help you build out the grid systematically.

Where Today’s Puzzle Gets Tricky

The most wordplay-heavy clue uses a pop culture reference that requires knowing a specific song lyric. The clue about something to “keep on” plays on a common phrase that might not be immediately obvious. These are the spots where a second pass through the grid helps, especially if you’ve filled in the crossing letters.

All Clues and Answers

Across Clues

• 1. “___-Dixon line” Answer: MASON. The famous Mason-Dixon line historically divided slave and free states in the United States.
• 6. “More than enough” Answer: AMPLE. A straightforward synonym clue for abundance.
• 7. “Obvious verdict in Shaggy’s ‘It Wasn’t Me'” Answer: GUILT. The song’s ironic premise is that Shaggy denies everything despite obvious culpability, making guilt the clear verdict.
• 8. “Hit the slopes” Answer: SKI. A direct definition clue for the winter sport activity.
• 9. “Something to ‘keep on the prize'” Answer: EYE. This plays on the phrase “keep your eye on the prize,” a motivational expression.

Down Clues

• 1. “People or Rolling Stone, for short” Answer: MAG. Both the magazine “People” and “Rolling Stone” are commonly shortened to “mag.”
• 2. “Make laugh” Answer: AMUSE. A standard definition clue for creating humor.
• 3. “Like the skin of a durian fruit” Answer: SPIKY. The durian is famously covered in sharp, pointed protrusions.
• 4. “Skate park jump” Answer: OLLIE. A fundamental skateboarding trick where the rider pops the tail to launch into the air.
• 5. “Part of a ping-pong table” Answer: NET. The net divides the two sides of a table tennis table.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What does “___-Dixon line” refer to? The Mason-Dixon line was a historical boundary surveyed by Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon in the 1760s that marked the border between Pennsylvania and Maryland. It became a symbolic divide between Northern and Southern states.
• Is “OLLIE” the only skateboarding trick that fits? For the clue “Skate park jump,” OLLIE is the most common answer and fits the grid. It’s probably the most iconic trick in skateboarding culture.
• Why is GUILT the answer for the Shaggy reference? “It Wasn’t Me” is a novelty song about denying obvious wrongdoing. The humor comes from the fact that guilt is completely evident despite the denial, making it the obvious verdict.

Final Thoughts

Today’s mini is a nice blend of accessible clues and a couple of pop culture nods that reward familiarity with song lyrics and skateboarding culture. As the WordFinder Tips team notes, these smaller puzzles are perfect for sharpening your crossword skills before tackling the full-sized NYT grid.

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