NYT Mini Answer for Jan 12, 2025

Happy New Year to all mini crossword enthusiasts!

As we dive into 2025, I want to remind you that solving mini crosswords is not just about filling in the blanks - it's about exercising your brain, challenging yourself, and having fun. Every puzzle you complete is a testament to your problem-solving skills and your ability to think creatively.

If you're stuck on a particular puzzle, don't worry! This page is here to help. We'll provide you with hints and guidance to get you back on track. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a beginner, our hints will be tailored to your needs, offering just the right amount of support to help you solve the puzzle.

So, take a deep breath, grab a cup of coffee, and get ready to tackle that mini crossword. With our hints and your determination, you'll be solving like a pro in no time. Let's get started!

Possible words for each clue

1-Across. 2019 flop whose Variety review began "Nine may not be enough lives for some of the stars to live down their involvement in this …"

Possible 4-letter words for this clue:

CATS GAME FILM STAR BOMB

5-Across. Hawaiian greeting

Possible 5-letter words for this clue:

MAHAL HAOLE ALOHA MAHAL KAUAI

7-Across. Wrinkle-removing treatment

Possible 5-letter words for this clue:

CHEMI BOTOX SKINN CREAM MOIST

8-Across. Entanglement

Possible 5-letter words for this clue:

HOUSE SNARL ENTRA SPACE TWINE

9-Across. Pure joy

Possible 4-letter words for this clue:

EAGL GLEE ELAT PEAC LAUG

1-Down. They're hard to hail in the rain

Possible 4-letter words for this clue:

TAXI CABS TRAM BUSY RIDE

2-Down. "___ came a spider / Who sat down beside her …"

Possible 5-letter words for this clue:

HOUSE ALONG SPIDE WASIT SHESA

3-Down. Sum

Possible 5-letter words for this clue:

HOUSE TOTAL SUMMY COUNT AMOUN

4-Down. Place for beachcombing

Possible 5-letter words for this clue:

CLIFF BEACH SHORE TIDES COAST

6-Down. Rod with wheels

Possible 4-letter words for this clue:

AXLE WHEE RIDE AXIS CART

Based on the hints provided, have you managed to deduce the answer? If you're still unable to think of it, please refer to the solutions listed below.

Today's Answers Explained

2019 flop whose Variety review began "Nine may not be enough lives for some of the stars to live down their involvement in this …"

The hint refers to the 2019 film "CATS" in English, which received a negative review from Variety. The review stated that some of the stars might need more than nine lives to live down their involvement in the film.

Hawaiian greeting

The word "ALOHA" is a traditional Hawaiian greeting that encompasses a range of meanings, including love, compassion, kindness, and affection. It is often used to express a warm welcome, friendship, or love.

Wrinkle-removing treatment

The word "BOTOX" is related to the hint "Wrinkle-removing treatment" because BOTOX is a brand name for a neurotoxin-based treatment used to temporarily relax facial muscles and reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. It is commonly used in cosmetic procedures to smooth out facial expressions and give the skin a more youthful appearance.

Entanglement

The word "SNARL" in English is related to the concept of entanglement through the idea of a snarl being a complex, intertwined, or "entangled" mess, often referring to a knot or a tangle of something like hair, strings, or wires.

In physics, entanglement is a phenomenon where two or more particles become correlated in such a way that the state of one particle cannot be described independently of the others, even when they are separated by large distances.

The connection between the two lies in the idea of something being "snarled" or "entangled" - in the case of the word, it refers to a physical mess, while in physics, it refers to a fundamental property of quantum mechanics.

Pure joy

The word "GLEE" in English is related to the hint "Pure joy" because it is a noun that refers to a feeling of great happiness or delight.

They're hard to hail in the rain

The hint "They're hard to hail in the rain" is related to the word "CABS" in English because it is a play on words.

"CABS" can be read as "cabs" which refers to taxis, but it can also be read as "CABS" which is an acronym for "Cars Are Bad in the Snow" but more likely "Cars Are Bad in the rain"

"___ came a spider / Who sat down beside her …"

The hint "___ came a spider / Who sat down beside her …" is a reference to the traditional English nursery rhyme "Little Miss Muffet."

The word "ALONG" is related to the rhyme in the sense that the full nursery rhyme is:

"Little Miss Muffet sat on a tuffet, Eating her curds and whey. Along came a spider, Who sat down beside her And frightened Miss Muffet away."

In this context, "along" is an adverb used to indicate the direction or manner in which the spider came.

Sum

The word "TOTAL" is related to the hint "Sum" because "Total" refers to the sum or the entire amount of something, often used to describe a final or overall value.

Place for beachcombing

The word "SHORE" in English is related to the hint "Place for beachcombing" because a shore is a coastal area where people often go to engage in activities like beachcombing, which involves searching for interesting items like seashells, driftwood, or other ocean-worn treasures that have washed up on the beach.

Rod with wheels

The hint "Rod with wheels" is related to the word "AXLE" in English because an axle is a rod or shaft that rotates around a fixed point, typically supporting a wheel or a set of wheels.