The New York Times Mini Crossword; A Daily Dose of Wordplay and Humor
The New York Times Mini Crossword for January 24, 2025, featured a mix of clever clues and playful wordplay, including a “dad joke”-style answer that stumped some solvers. The puzzle, known for its compact size and quick-solving nature, included a clue asking solvers to identify a “pop-up button.” The answer, “OUTIE,” is a humorous twist, referencing a belly button rather than a gadget or appliance.
The Mini Crossword is part of The New York Times’ popular games collection, offering a daily mental challenge that can be completed in just a few minutes. Unlike the larger, more time-consuming crossword puzzles, the Mini is designed for quick, satisfying solves. The January 24 puzzle included clues referencing pop culture, fitness, and wordplay, such as:
- 1A: Bowser in the Mario games, e.g. (Answer: “KING”)
- 5A: It’s made to measure (Answer: “RULER”)
- 7A: Video game company named after a term in the board game Go (Answer: “ATARI”)
- 2D: Pop-up button? (Answer: “OUTIE”)
The Mini Crossword is free to play for the current day’s puzzle, but access to older puzzles requires a subscription to The New York Times Games section. Its popularity lies in its bite-sized format, which provides a sense of accomplishment without requiring a significant time commitment. For those new to the Mini Crossword, tips include looking for puns and wordplay in clues, leveraging pop culture knowledge, and embracing the playful nature of the puzzle.
The “OUTIE” clue, in particular, highlights the puzzle’s ability to blend humor with clever wordplay, making it a favorite among solvers who enjoy a lighthearted challenge.
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