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Today’s crossword combines straightforward clues with playful references across several familiar topics.
Across answers include FILM, VIDEO, REEFS, BRATS and OILY for Wednesday’s puzzle.
Down answers feature FIERI, IDEAL, LEFTY, MOSS and VRBO in today’s grid.
The New York Times Mini Crossword for Wednesday, September 2, 2026, features a mix of movie references, internet terminology, marine life, food television, and travel. For those working through the grid, the clues offer a combination of direct definitions and playful wordplay.
Today’s Across clues begin with a reference to two films. 1 Across asks for ‘The Odyssey’ (2006) or ‘The Odd Couple’ (1968), with the hint pointing to a word beginning with ‘F.’ The answer is FILM.
5 Across asks for a YouTube posting and ends with the letter ‘O.’ The answer is VIDEO. 6 Across, referring to an endangered marine ecosystem, ends with ‘S’ and is REEFS.
The remaining Across entries are BRATS for spoiled kids at 7 Across, beginning with ‘B,’ and OILY for ‘Greasy’ at 8 Across, ending with ‘Y.’
The Down clues include several familiar names and terms. 1 Down, ‘Guy of the Food Network,’ ends with ‘I’ and refers to FIERI, the television personality Guy Fieri.
2 Down asks for ‘10/10’ and begins with ‘I.’ The answer is IDEAL. 3 Down uses wordplay in its clue, ‘Someone who doesn’t handle things right?’ The answer is LEFTY, ending with ‘Y.’
For 4 Down, the clue reads ‘Spanish ___, plant that hangs from cypress trees.’ Beginning with ‘M,’ the answer is MOSS. Finally, 5 Down asks for an Airbnb alternative beginning with ‘V.’ The answer is VRBO.
Also Read: Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Answers for September 1, 2026
The Wednesday puzzle keeps its clues short but varies the type of knowledge needed to solve them. Some answers, such as FILM, VIDEO, BRATS and OILY, come directly from their clues. Others require familiarity with names or a little wordplay.
The clue for LEFTY stands out because its wording creates a second meaning, while FIERI relies on recognition of a well-known Food Network figure. MOSS and VRBO round out the Down section with clues involving nature and travel.
The September 2 Mini Crossword offers a compact set of clues, balancing straightforward answers with playful references. With FILM, VIDEO, REEFS, BRATS, OILY, FIERI, IDEAL, LEFTY, MOSS and VRBO, solvers can complete today’s grid and check any entries that proved difficult.
