The NYT Mini Crossword for Wednesday, September 23, 2026, presents a 5×5 grid that balances literary references with pop culture trivia. This mid-week puzzle features a central stack of 5-letter words bookended by 4-letter entries.
Hints for Today’s Mini Crossword
Across Clues
- 1A: An exclamation used when you’ve made a minor mistake or dropped something.
- 5A: A light brown or tan fabric frequently used for trousers; the name itself rhymes with “tacky.”
- 7A: The first name of a famous choreographer and singer who served as an original judge on “American Idol.”
- 8A: a contraction of two words often used at the start of a surprising story (“___ never believe this…”).
- 9A: Large, shaggy-haired bovines native to the Himalayan region.
Down Clues
- 1D: A common way to say everything is acceptable or “just fine.”
- 2D: A two-word phrase expressing either genuine excitement or sarcastic anticipation for a situation.
- 3D: A city in Northern Italy where Shakespeare’s “The Taming of the Shrew” takes place.
- 4D: To move in a stealthy or furtive manner, often to avoid being seen.
- 6D: A term for the various problems, sicknesses, or troubles affecting a society.
For players looking for additional strategies on daily word games, Parade provides regular updates on crossword trends and difficulty levels.
SPOILER WARNING: The answers for the September 23 NYT Mini Crossword are listed below.
NYT Mini Crossword Answers for Sept. 23, 2026
Across Answers
- 1A: OOPS — “Sorry about that!”
- 5A: KHAKI — Not-so-tacky clothing material that rhymes with “tacky.”
- 7A: ABDUL — Paula who judged on “American Idol.”
- 8A: YOULL — “___ never believe this …”
- 9A: YAKS — Long-haired Himalayan animals.
Down Answers
- 1D: OKAY — Just fine.
- 2D: OHBOY — “Well, this oughta be good!”
- 3D: PADUA — Italian city where “The Taming of the Shrew” is set.
- 4D: SKULK — Walk around stealthily.
- 6D: ILLS — Society’s woes.
The grid today relies on a few specific cultural touchpoints. The inclusion of PADUA (3D) refers to the setting of “The Taming of the Shrew,” a city home to one of the world’s oldest universities. In pop culture, ABDUL (7A) references Paula Abdul’s influential tenure on the early seasons of American Idol. The grid is structurally sound, with the 4-letter bookends OOPS and YAKS framing the central three 5-letter words.
