Today's NYT Midi Crossword is live, and leans into playful clueing, contemporary trivia, and a neatly concealed payoff. Settle in for a lively grid with several satisfying crossings.
How The Midi Works
The Midi is the middle ground between the Mini and the classic NYT Crossword, offering a mid-size grid that takes a few satisfying minutes to clear. Solve the intersecting words, and when the grid is complete, you'll hear a satisfying chime.
New puzzles drop daily. The Midi offers more complexity than the Mini while remaining accessible for solvers who want a quick but substantial challenge.
Quick Scan
In a rush? Here's the at-a-glance breakdown for today's puzzle:
Grid Size: 9x9
Total Clues: 30 (14 Across, 16 Down)
Trickiest Clue: 11A is the trickiest clue because recognizing the performer is only half the battle, precise spelling still depends on the crossings.
Gimme Clue: 13A is the clearest gimme, since the Disney princess description points to one unmistakable character.
Theme Spotted: "That's the Spirit"
Clue Decoder (Hints Only)
Need a nudge without the full answer? Here's a hint for each clue.
Across Hints
1A. Kind of salad with bacon and eggs
Hint: Picture a composed salad traditionally topped with bacon, eggs, avocado, and blue cheese. Four letters, starts with C.
5A. Tally up
Hint: Use the basic arithmetic verb for combining figures into a total. Three letters, starts with A.
8A. Trains, in toddler-speak
Hint: Imitate the rhythmic sound a toddler associates with trains. Nine letters, starts with C.
11A. One-named singer with the 2024 #1 hit "A Bar Song (Tipsy)"
Hint: Think of the genre-blending performer behind the quoted country crossover hit. Nine letters, starts with S.
12A. Pan handlers?
Hint: Read “handlers” as workers who routinely put pans into ovens. Six letters, starts with B.
13A. Princess in "The Little Mermaid"
Hint: This red-haired Disney princess dreams of leaving the sea for life on land. Five letters, starts with A.
16A. "Spring forward" clock setting: Abbr.
Hint: Enter the abbreviation for the seasonal clock setting that begins when clocks jump forward. Three letters, starts with D.
17A. With 20-Across, hidden key to success ... or what's inside 8- and 11-Across?
Hint: This is the first half of a familiar phrase for an overlooked ingredient behind achievement. Its second half appears at 20A. Six letters, starts with S.
19A. "Without further ___ ..."
Hint: Complete the ceremonial phrase used to begin something without further fuss. Three letters, starts with A.
20A. See 17-Across
Hint: Complete the familiar phrase begun at 17A, then inspect the interiors of the long upper entries. Five letters, starts with S.
24A. Mafia boss
Hint: The target is an honorific for the leader of an organized-crime family. Three letters, starts with D.
25A. One of 40(!) a day supposedly smoked by Mark Twain
Hint: Think of the rolled tobacco item strongly associated with Mark Twain. Five letters, starts with C.
26A. Really rude person
Hint: The clue wants a blunt insult for an obnoxious person. Three letters, starts with A.
27A. Make extremely happy
Hint: Use a verb meaning to fill someone with intense joy. Five letters, starts with E.
Down Hints
1D. Includes on an email thread
Hint: Think of the email action that copies additional recipients into a conversation. Three letters, starts with C.
2D. "NOW that makes sense!"
Hint: Supply the brief reaction uttered when understanding suddenly clicks. Three letters, starts with O.
3D. Feathery wrap
Hint: Picture a feathered neck wrap worn as a theatrical fashion accessory. Three letters, starts with B.
4D. Buoyant attachment on a fishing line
Hint: This small float sits on a fishing line and signals activity below the surface. Six letters, starts with B.
5D. "Yes ... that makes sense"
Hint: The conversational response moves from brief hesitation to clear understanding. Four letters, starts with A.
6D. Took a nap
Hint: Use the past-tense verb for slipping into a light nap. Five letters, starts with D.
7D. People of action
Hint: The clue seeks a plural noun for action-oriented individuals. Five letters, starts with D.
9D. Come together
Hint: Look for a verb meaning to merge into one unified whole. Eight letters, starts with C.
10D. The "S" of GPS: Abbr.
Hint: Expand GPS, then shorten its final word in crossword style. Four letters, starts with S.
13D. Carne ___
Hint: Supply the Spanish preparation word that completes the familiar grilled-beef dish. Five letters, starts with A.
14D. Take twos
Hint: Think of repeat attempts at a scene after the first recording was unsatisfactory. Five letters, starts with R.
15D. Images on a touchscreen
Hint: These tappable pictures represent apps or functions on a device screen. Five letters, starts with I.
18D. Where a scorpion's stinger is located
Hint: Name the rear body part that bears a scorpion’s stinger. Four letters, starts with T.
21D. Football powerhouse in the Peach State, for short
Hint: Use the standard abbreviation for the Peach State’s flagship public university and football program. Three letters, starts with U.
22D. Scratching post user
Hint: Picture the household pet most likely to use a scratching post. Three letters, starts with C.
23D. "Able was I ___ I saw Elba" (classic palindrome)
Hint: The missing palindrome word is an archaic synonym for “before.” Three letters, starts with E.
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1A. Kind of salad with bacon and eggs
Answer: COBB
5A. Tally up
Answer: ADD
8A. Trains, in toddler-speak
Answer: CHOOCHOOS
11A. One-named singer with the 2024 #1 hit "A Bar Song (Tipsy)"
Answer: SHABOOZEY
12A. Pan handlers?
Answer: BAKERS
13A. Princess in "The Little Mermaid"
Answer: ARIEL
16A. "Spring forward" clock setting: Abbr.
Answer: DST
17A. With 20-Across, hidden key to success ... or what's inside 8- and 11-Across?
Answer: SECRET
19A. "Without further ___ ..."
Answer: ADO
20A. See 17-Across
Answer: SAUCE
24A. Mafia boss
Answer: DON
25A. One of 40(!) a day supposedly smoked by Mark Twain
Answer: CIGAR
26A. Really rude person
Answer: ASS
27A. Make extremely happy
Answer: ELATE
Down Answers
1D. Includes on an email thread
Answer: CCS
2D. "NOW that makes sense!"
Answer: OHH
3D. Feathery wrap
Answer: BOA
4D. Buoyant attachment on a fishing line
Answer: BOBBER
5D. "Yes ... that makes sense"
Answer: AHOK
6D. Took a nap
Answer: DOZED
7D. People of action
Answer: DOERS
9D. Come together
Answer: COALESCE
10D. The "S" of GPS: Abbr.
Answer: SYST
13D. Carne ___
Answer: ASADA
14D. Take twos
Answer: REDOS
15D. Images on a touchscreen
Answer: ICONS
18D. Where a scorpion's stinger is located
Answer: TAIL
21D. Football powerhouse in the Peach State, for short
Answer: UGA
22D. Scratching post user
Answer: CAT
23D. "Able was I ___ I saw Elba" (classic palindrome)
Answer: ERE
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: The defining pair is 17A SECRET with 20A SAUCE. SECRET SAUCE means a hidden key to success, while HOOCH sits inside CHOOCHOOS and BOOZE sits inside SHABOOZEY, giving “sauce” its slang sense twice.
Wordplay Winner: 12A, “Pan handlers?”, wins the wordplay prize with BAKERS. The clue disguises literal workers who handle baking pans as people soliciting money.
Quick Fill: ARIEL was the fastest confident fill because the Disney clue is direct. Its letters immediately support ASADA, REDOS, ICONS, BOBBER, and COALESCE across the center and lower-left crossings.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Prioritize the full-width entries when their clues feel secure. CHOOCHOOS and SHABOOZEY supply crossings throughout the upper grid and expose the embedded HOOCH and BOOZE that confirm SECRET SAUCE.
Leave compact abbreviations such as CCS, DST, and SYST open until crossings settle their exact forms. That keeps plausible shorthand from creating avoidable repairs.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The grid treated solvers fairly, balancing direct anchors with a reveal that rewards a close look inside CHOOCHOOS and SHABOOZEY. SECRET SAUCE gives the finished puzzle a crisp final flourish.
See you at the next grid.
