Today's NYT Midi Crossword is live, and Thursday's grid brings a mix of Australian slang, pop culture nods, and food references.
Whether you're looking for a mid-length challenge or warming up for the full-size puzzle, we've got hints and answers to keep you moving.
How The Midi Works
The Midi is the middle ground between the Mini and the classic NYT Crossword, typically featuring an 8x10 or 9x11 grid with 15-20 Across and 15-20 Down clues.
It takes about 5-15 minutes to solve, making it perfect for a coffee break or commute. 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: 48 (26 Across, 22 Down)
Trickiest Clue: "Hogwash, my Aussie friend!" (13A) - requires Australian slang knowledge
Gimme Clue: "Wrath" (7A) - straightforward synonym
Theme Spotted: "Hogwash" series with different colloquial endings
Clue Decoder (Hints Only)
Need a nudge without the full answer? Here's a hint for each clue.
Across Hints
1. "Honestly ... not that impressed"
Hint: Three-letter expression of indifference
4. Fitting
Hint: Appropriate or suitable, three letters
7. Wrath
Hint: Anger, three letters
8. Like Warheads Extreme Sour Hard Candy
Hint: Sharp or sour taste, four letters
10. Spaghetti dish with cured pork
Hint: Italian pasta dish with eggs and pancetta, nine letters
13. "Hogwash, my Aussie friend!"
Hint: Australian slang for nonsense, bunk plus mate, eight letters
15. "One Battle After Another" star, familiarly
Hint: Actor DiCaprio's nickname, three letters
16. Place that might offer disposable slippers
Hint: Relaxation destination, three letters
17. Give a talking-to
Hint: Reprimand or lecture, five letters
20. One-named singer dubbed the "Goddess of Pop"
Hint: "Believe" singer, four letters
21. Arrive by plane
Hint: Touch down, four letters
22. Wonder ___
Hint: DC superhero, five letters
23. Vocal range for 20-Across
Hint: Lower female singing voice, four letters
24. Apple desktop computers
Hint: All-in-one Mac computers, five letters
25. Personal website
Hint: Online journal, four letters
26. It's in your DNA
Hint: Unit of heredity, four letters
Down Hints
1. Piece of equipment that's checked by tap-tap-tapping it
Hint: Sound amplification device, three letters
2. Notable period in history
Hint: Historical age, three letters
3. Rosemary or thyme
Hint: Culinary plant, four letters
4. Made amends
Hint: Repaired a wrong, six letters
5. Breadcrumb coating for the dish tonkatsu
Hint: Japanese breadcrumbs, five letters
6. Cable car
Hint: Mountain transport, four letters
9. "Hogwash, my dude!"
Hint: Nonsense plus man, eight letters
11. "Hogwash, buddy!"
Hint: Nonsense plus dog, seven letters
12. Free from distress
Hint: Calm or tranquil, seven letters
14. Merits
Hint: Deserves or gains, five letters
17. Hearty chunk of meat
Hint: Thick piece, four letters
18. Match a bet, in poker
Hint: Poker action, four letters
19. "I'm ___ you!" ("You can't fool me!")
Hint: Aware of, four letters
20. Attend
Hint: Show up, four letters
22. Sham shag, say
Hint: Fake hairpiece, three letters
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1. "Honestly ... not that impressed"
Answer: MEH
4. Fitting
Answer: APT
7. Wrath
Answer: IRE
8. Like Warheads Extreme Sour Hard Candy
Answer: TART
10. Spaghetti dish with cured pork
Answer: CARBONARA
13. "Hogwash, my Aussie friend!"
Answer: BUNKMATE
15. "One Battle After Another" star, familiarly
Answer: LEO
16. Place that might offer disposable slippers
Answer: SPA
17. Give a talking-to
Answer: SCOLD
20. One-named singer dubbed the "Goddess of Pop"
Answer: CHER
21. Arrive by plane
Answer: LAND
22. Wonder ___
Answer: WOMAN
23. Vocal range for 20-Across
Answer: ALTO
24. Apple desktop computers
Answer: IMACS
25. Personal website
Answer: BLOG
26. It's in your DNA
Answer: GENE
Down Answers
1. Piece of equipment that's checked by tap-tap-tapping it
Answer: MIC
2. Notable period in history
Answer: ERA
3. Rosemary or thyme
Answer: HERB
4. Made amends
Answer: ATONED
5. Breadcrumb coating for the dish tonkatsu
Answer: PANKO
6. Cable car
Answer: TRAM
9. "Hogwash, my dude!"
Answer: TRASHMAN
11. "Hogwash, buddy!"
Answer: BULLDOG
12. Free from distress
Answer: ATPEACE
14. Merits
Answer: EARNS
17. Hearty chunk of meat
Answer: SLAB
18. Match a bet, in poker
Answer: CALL
19. "I'm ___ you!" ("You can't fool me!")
Answer: ONTO
20. Attend
Answer: COME
22. Sham shag, say
Answer: WIG
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: "Hogwash, my Aussie friend!" for BUNKMATE. This clue requires understanding both Australian slang ("mate") and the wordplay combining "bunk" (nonsense) with "mate" (friend).
Wordplay Winner: "Piece of equipment that's checked by tap-tap-tapping it" for MIC. The clue cleverly describes both the equipment and the common sound check method.
Quick Fill: "Wrath" for IRE. This straightforward synonym provides an easy entry point for solvers.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Watch for pattern clues like the "Hogwash" series. Once you solve one (BUNKMATE), the others (TRASHMAN, BULLDOG) follow the same formula.
Pop culture references often use nicknames. LEO for DiCaprio and CHER for the singer are common crossword shorthand.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The next Midi drops tomorrow. How did today's grid treat you? The Australian slang in BUNKMATE and the food theme with CARBONARA and PANKO created a distinctive Thursday challenge.
Every puzzle sharpens your instincts for the next one. See you at the next grid.
