Just yesterday, I spent what was supposed to be a “quick five-minute coffee break” wrestling with the 26th March NYT Mini puzzle for nearly half an hour! There’s something irresistible about these compact brain teasers that keeps us returning day after day. They’re like mental espresso shots—small but powerful ways to jumpstart your cognitive functions each morning.
Today’s Mini has clever wordplay and interesting references that might trip up even seasoned solvers. Let’s find solutions and unpack what makes this Thursday’s puzzle unique.
Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Answers
Across:
- GAS (Something from pumping)
- DONT (Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’”)
- JENGA (With 7-Across, it often falls to pieces)
- ECOLI (Bacterium that can prompt a food recall)
- TOWER (See 5-Across)
Down:
- GONOW (Leave this instant!)
- ANGLE (Perspective)
- STAIR (One of 354 to reach the crown inside the Statue of Liberty)
- DECO (Art ___ (architectural style))
- JET (Boeing 757 or Airbus A350)
Let’s break down some of these intriguing clues and their solutions!
Explaining Today’s Tricky Clues
ACROSS:
This clue plays with multiple meanings of “pumping.” While you might initially think of pumping iron at the gym, this clue refers to pumping gas at a service station. It’s a short answer that demonstrates how the Mini can use everyday activities in misleading ways.
A straightforward reference to the iconic Journey song “Don’t Stop Believin’,” requiring just a bit of pop culture knowledge. The puzzle only asks for the first word of this classic rock anthem.
Here’s where today’s puzzle gets clever! The answer spans two entries (JENGA and TOWER), with a self-referential clue connecting them. The phrase “falls to pieces” perfectly describes what happens in the game Jenga – the tower inevitably collapses as players remove blocks. It’s both literal and playful.
A straightforward scientific reference. E. coli contamination frequently leads to food recalls, making this a factual clue without much wordplay.
DOWN:
A direct command that means exactly what the clue states – “leave this instant” is precisely what someone means when they say “go now.” It’s urgent and immediate.
This is a neat clue playing on how “angle” can refer to a viewpoint or perspective on a situation. We often talk about “looking at something from a different angle” when we mean considering a different perspective.
This clue requires specific knowledge about the Statue of Liberty. There are 354 steps (or stairs) to climb from the base to the crown. Each individual STAIR is literally “one of 354” in that journey.
A straightforward fill-in-the-blank clue referring to Art Deco, the popular design style from the 1920s and 30s characterized by bold geometric patterns and vibrant colors.
Both the Boeing 757 and Airbus A350 are examples of commercial jets, making this a simple category clue. The singular form “JET” rather than “JETS” is specifically chosen to fit the grid dimensions.
You don’t need to know everything, but you do need to be willing to question your first assumptions. When faced with a clue like “Something from pumping,” considering multiple interpretations of “pumping” is key to landing on GAS.
Remember that the Mini format allows for creative constructions despite its small size for challenging puzzles like today’s, with its connected JENGA TOWER answer. Constructors love using this compact format to create surprising moments of connection.
Final Thoughts & Tomorrow’s Challenge
Today’s puzzle showcased some clever connections with the JENGA TOWER entries and a nice mix of straightforward and tricky clues. Did the combined answer catch you by surprise, or was it the Statue of Liberty stair count that proved most challenging?
Come back tomorrow when we’ll tackle another fresh set of brain-teasers from the NYT puzzle team. And if the Mini has become too easy for you (though today’s had its moments!), consider leveling up to the full-sized NYT Crossword for an even more significant challenge.
Which clue in today’s Mini gave you the most trouble? Was it figuring out how JENGA and TOWER connect, or perhaps recalling exactly how many stairs lead to the Statue of Liberty’s crown? Share your solving experience in the comments!
