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The New York Times Mini Crossword for Wednesday, January 15, 2025, is fun but tricky to solve. It is not overly complicated, but there are a few tricky clues that will make progress slow down. One of these is the pair of adjectives with other words in similes, which tends to cause confusion if the solver is not familiar with one of the terms.
The Mini crossword is a quick mental exercise, ideal for the morning routine or a short break in the day, despite some challenging moments. Here are the clues and answers for today's puzzle.
Across Clues and Answers with Detailing
1A: Food that many an N.Y.C. tourist grabs for breakfast
Answer: BAGEL
This is a breakfast staple that really comes alive in New York City. Visitors usually stop by a deli or bakery to buy a bagel as they go through the city.
6A: Got out of bed
Answer: AROSE
The word "arose" is the formal expression for "got up" or "got out of bed." It is typically used in the past tense as someone gets out of bed in the morning.
7A: Adjective with 3-Down in a simile
Answer: LOOSE
Here is the word "loose" together with 3-Down ("goose") in a generic simile, as in "as loose as a goose," meaning very relaxed or free-flowing.
8A: Effortlessness
Answer: EASE
This is something that doesn't take much effort or that happens smoothly. "Ease" is what's present instead of difficulty or stress.
9A: Tyrannosaurus ___
Answer: REX
This is a direct reference to the famous dinosaur, the Tyrannosaurus rex, often abbreviated as T. rex. It's one of the most well-known dinosaurs in history.
1D: Makeshift seat in a barnyard, maybe
Answer: BALE
A "bale" refers to a bundle of hay or straw that could be used as a seat in a barnyard or a farm setting. It's not a fancy seat, but it serves the purpose.
2D: Very loud, like a stadium crowd
Answer: AROAR
"Aroar" is a word referring to something very loud, like a roar. Crowd sound within a stadium can be labeled as "aroar" while they are cheering or making noise.
3D: Bird's name rhymes with 7-Across
Answer: GOOSE
The answer is "goose," which rhymes with "loose," the adjective mentioned in 7-Across. It is a straightforward rhyming word play connecting two related clues to each other.
4D: Fictional Vermont college on Netflix's "The Sex Lives of College Girls"
Answer: ESSEX
This is a clue to an imaginary college in the Netflix series The Sex Lives of College Girls. The college is called Essex, and the clue may be a bit tricky unless you are familiar with the show.
5D: Author Harper
Answer: LEE
Harper Lee is the famous author of To Kill a Mockingbird. This clue asks for the last name of the author, which is Lee.
This collection of clues is interestingly diverse, ranging from breakfast foods to fictional colleges. Each one plays off common knowledge, but some clues' wording calls for a bit more concentration, especially when the theme requires matching words or searching for rhyming clues.
Unlike the regular-sized New York Times crossword, the Mini crossword is designed for speed and simplicity. It consists of just a 5x5 grid, perfect for a brief challenge. The smaller number of clues means less time spent on the puzzle, though the difficulty level can vary day by day.
On January 15, the riddles balance simple terms like "bagel" and "rex" with tricky, more obscure references such as the Netflix show The Sex Lives of College Girls. Some players won't remember right away the college in the play, but if they think hard enough, the answer is Essex.
Though the Mini crossword is brief, there are still strategies that help in completing it efficiently. First, quickly fill in the answers that are easiest to recognize. In this case, "bagel," "rex," and "lee" stand out immediately.
Then turn to the tougher clues. For instance, "adjective combined with 3-Down in a simile" makes more sense once 3-Down, "goose," is completed. The answer to this puzzle — Loose — fills both the crossword and the context.
The NYT Mini crossword is an excellent way to exercise the brain in short bursts. It offers a satisfying mental challenge, without taking up too much time.
Whether it's during a coffee break or on the subway, this small puzzle brings joy to daily routines. Plus, it’s free for those who want a quick crossword fix, though subscribers can access the entire puzzle archive.
Today's NYT Mini crossword will test the solver's brains with clues both straightforward and tricky. From a morning bagel to a deafening crowd in a stadium, there's a nice spread of familiarity and fun. When the opaque clues get to them, they can finish strong using hints and answers like the ones shared here.
The New York Times Games section continues to offer engaging, daily puzzles for players of all skill levels. Whether it’s the Mini crossword or more advanced puzzles, there’s something for everyone looking to test their puzzle-solving skills.
