The New York Times Mini Crossword is back with another round of delightful, bite-sized puzzles, and the edition for January 6, 2025, does not disappoint! Designed for crossword enthusiasts who want to squeeze quick mental exercises during their busy days, The Mini offers just the right mixture of simplicity and challenge.
Today's clues are relatively straightforward, making it accessible to new and experienced players alike. Here’s the lowdown on the clues and their respective answers from the crossword:
Across:
1A: ___ notification (alert on a phone screen)
Answer: PUSH
This clue sets the pace with its commonly known term, as push notifications frequently alert users to updates or reminders on their devices.
5A: Stocking stuffer?
Answer: SANTA
While one might initially think of small gifts, this clue cleverly refers to the joyful figure of Santa Claus, embodying the festive spirit of stocking stuffers.
6A: Hunter with a famous "belt"
Answer: ORION
The celestial hunter Orion is represented by its distinctive three-star belt. This clue is familiar territory for many crossword fans, making it almost automatic to solve.
7A: Gas used to infuse some beer and coffee, for short
Answer: NITRO
Nitro stands for nitrogen, often used to create creamy textures and finishes found in stouts and cold brew coffees. A quick fact tidbit for beverage aficionados!
8A: 18-wheeler
Answer: SEMI
A simple yet widely recognized answer, the semi describes the large trucks we often see transporting goods across highways.
Down:
1D: Home of the Notre-Dame cathedral
Answer: PARIS
This clue serves as easy pickings for those familiar with renowned landmarks, instantly bringing to mind the iconic city known for its architectural beauty.
2D: Join forces
Answer: UNITE
This straightforward clue draws on the concept of coming together for common goals—another accessible answer for puzzlers.
3D: Tempest
Answer: STORM
A tempest is simply another term for storm, merging different aspects of nature language seamlessly.
4D: World capital whose name means "between two rivers" in Vietnamese
Answer: HANOI
Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, translates to "between rivers." This clue could require some thought but remains manageable for anyone with grasp of basic geography.
5D: Child with a Roman numeral after his name, maybe
Answer: SON
This succinct clue can refer to names like “George IV,” indicating someone recognized as junior or second, providing nod to heritage.
The NYT Mini Crossword serves as the perfect solution for players seeking quick mental exercise, melding pop culture references and everyday knowledge with ease. This January 6 edition may not pose extensive challenges, but it remains engaging and enjoyable.
Knowing the puzzle was created to challenge and entertain, it reflects well on The Mini's popularity, particularly since it caters to those who appreciate smaller, time-effective puzzles. The New York Times Games section has successfully introduced The Mini, allowing it to become a staple for those craving quick puzzles without the commitment of the full-sized crossword.
For those who found the Mini Crossword too simple or are interested in additional challenges, the NYT offers archives and collections of past puzzles for fans to explore. With new puzzles and fun challenges available, crossword lovers can enjoy hours of engaging fun!