Today's NYT Midi Crossword is live, and Wednesday's grid delivers a courtroom comedy: three answers that turn legal terms into puns. PHONECASE, SANTASUIT, and TIMETRIAL share a clever thread, making this 9x9 puzzle one of the more entertaining midweeks in recent memory.
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: 40 (27 Across, 13 Down)
Trickiest Clue: 4D "Ad ___ committee", this Latin word trips up solvers who expect a longer word
Gimme Clue: 2D "Homer Simpson catchphrase", this is is about as free as Midi clues get
Theme Spotted: "Order in the Court"
Clue Decoder (Hints Only)
Need a nudge without the full answer? Here's a hint for each clue.
Across Hints
1. Use the + key
Hint: Think basic arithmetic. Three letters, starts with A.
4. Sing wordlessly
Hint: You do this when you don't know the lyrics but the tune is in your head.
7. No-no in a kosher diet
Hint: Think about what's forbidden. Four letters, starts with P.
9. Bills in tip jars, often
Hint: Small denominations. Four letters, plural.
11. Legal action between Apple and Samsung?
Hint: Two meanings here, the lawsuit and what you carry in your pocket.
13. A.T.M. passcode
Hint: Four digits you need to remember. Three letters.
14. AOL alternative
Hint: A classic dial-up rival. Three letters.
15. Legal action against a seasonal chimney visitor?
Hint: Santa wears this. Also a lawsuit. Nine letters.
18. 401(k) alternative
Hint: Another retirement savings vehicle. Three letters.
19. KFC and KPMG: Abbr.
Hint: Both are types of business entities. Three letters.
20. Legal action surrounding the "Person of the Year"?
Hint: Magazine name plus a court proceeding. Nine letters.
24. On the ocean
Hint: Nautical term. Four letters, starts with A.
25. Jealousy
Hint: One of the seven deadly sins. Four letters.
26. Music symbol that sometimes looks like a lightning bolt
Hint: Indicates silence. Four letters.
27. "___ willikers!"
Hint: Old-timey exclamation. Three letters.
Down Hints
1. Duolingo or DoorDash
Hint: What you download to your phone. Three letters.
2. Homer Simpson catchphrase
Hint: What Homer says when he's hit his thumb with a hammer. Three letters.
3. Casually mention one's famous friends
Hint: Name-dropping. Nine letters, compound word.
4. Ad ___ committee
Hint: Latin phrase. Three letters.
5. Not funny
Hint: Opposite of amusing. Nine letters.
6. Argentine soccer star described as "an alien that dedicates himself to playing with humans"
Hint: World Cup winner. Five letters.
8. Make a blanket, perhaps
Hint: Craft activity with yarn. Four letters.
10. Gmail folder near "Drafts"
Hint: Where your outgoing messages go. Four letters.
12. Put into effect, as a law
Hint: Legislative action. Five letters.
15. Indian instrument with 18 to 21 strings
Hint: Classical stringed instrument. Five letters.
16. Get out of bed
Hint: Morning action. Five letters.
17. Really feeling a workout
Hint: Muscle pain the next day. Four letters.
21. Grab a snack, say
Hint: Three letters. You do this several times a day.
22. Street crosser, for short
Hint: Abbreviated road type. Three letters.
23. Cleaning substance with a dishonest-sounding name
Hint: Sounds like a lie. Three letters.
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1. Use the + key
Answer: ADD
4. Sing wordlessly
Answer: HUM
7. No-no in a kosher diet
Answer: PORK
9. Bills in tip jars, often
Answer: ONES
11. Legal action between Apple and Samsung?
Answer: PHONECASE
13. A.T.M. passcode
Answer: PIN
14. AOL alternative
Answer: MSN
15. Legal action against a seasonal chimney visitor?
Answer: SANTASUIT
18. 401(k) alternative
Answer: IRA
19. KFC and KPMG: Abbr.
Answer: COS
20. Legal action surrounding the "Person of the Year"?
Answer: TIMETRIAL
24. On the ocean
Answer: ASEA
25. Jealousy
Answer: ENVY
26. Music symbol that sometimes looks like a lightning bolt
Answer: REST
27. "___ willikers!"
Answer: GEE
Down Answers
1. Duolingo or DoorDash
Answer: APP
2. Homer Simpson catchphrase
Answer: DOH
3. Casually mention one's famous friends
Answer: DROPNAMES
4. Ad ___ committee
Answer: HOC
5. Not funny
Answer: UNAMUSING
6. Argentine soccer star described as "an alien that dedicates himself to playing with humans"
Answer: MESSI
8. Make a blanket, perhaps
Answer: KNIT
10. Gmail folder near "Drafts"
Answer: SENT
12. Put into effect, as a law
Answer: ENACT
15. Indian instrument with 18 to 21 strings
Answer: SITAR
16. Get out of bed
Answer: ARISE
17. Really feeling a workout
Answer: SORE
21. Grab a snack, say
Answer: EAT
22. Street crosser, for short
Answer: AVE
23. Cleaning substance with a dishonest-sounding name
Answer: LYE
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: 11A "Legal action between Apple and Samsung?" for PHONECASE. The clue works on two levels, the real-world patent lawsuits between the tech giants and the device you use to make calls. It's the kind of construction that rewards solvers who read clues twice.
Wordplay Winner: 15A "Legal action against a seasonal chimney visitor?" for SANTASUIT. A lawsuit against Santa becomes his red outfit. The misdirection is perfect, most solvers will chase the legal meaning before the clothing one clicks.
Quick Fill: 2D "Homer Simpson catchphrase" for DOH. Three letters, one of pop culture's most recognizable exclamations. It's your fastest way into the bottom section of the grid.
Speed Solver Tips
Today's puzzle rewards pattern recognition over trivia knowledge. When you see a clue with a question mark, expect wordplay, PHONECASE, SANTASUIT, and TIMETRIAL all use the same trick of pairing a legal term with an everyday object. Spot one, and the others follow faster.
The short Across answers (ADD, HUM, PIN, MSN, IRA) are designed to build momentum. Fill those in first to expose letters for the longer theme entries. The 9x9 grid is tight enough that one correct theme answer unlocks half the puzzle.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The next Midi drops tomorrow. Today's grid was a masterclass in pun construction, three answers that turn "case," "suit," and "trial" into something entirely different. Every puzzle sharpens your instincts for the next one.
See you at the next grid.
