Today’s Mini Crossword Solutions: September 23

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The New York Times Mini Crossword provides a quick daily puzzle for word enthusiasts. Here’s a breakdown of today’s clues and answers, offering a convenient resource for solvers.

Across Solutions

  1. PIZZA: This popular food has a surprising origin story. While we associate it with Hawaii, the “Hawaiian” pizza—featuring pineapple—was actually invented in Canada.
  2. IDIOM: Mastering a new language isn’t just about vocabulary; it’s also understanding the nuances of expression. An idiom represents a phrase whose meaning isn’t obvious from its individual words, making it a challenge for language learners.
  3. PENNY: Representing the smallest unit of U.S. currency, a penny symbolizes a small amount of money.
  4. SAGES: Sages are renowned for their wisdom and profound knowledge, often consulted for guidance and insight.
  5. LSD: The Beatles’ groundbreaking album, “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band,” is widely believed to have been influenced by the drug LSD, a topic that has sparked much discussion about its impact on creativity and music.

Down Solutions

  1. PIPS: Dominoes are easily recognizable by the pips —those black dots—that mark each tile, helping players keep track of the game.
  2. IDEAL: The phrase “In an ideal world…” is a common expression used to describe a situation or set of circumstances that are perfectly suited to a particular purpose.
  3. ZINGS: Zings are clever and often humorous insults or retorts, adding a playful edge to conversations.
  4. ZONED: The term zoned refers to being mentally distracted or in a state of detachment, often associated with fatigue or preoccupation.

Solving the Mini Crossword provides a delightful mental workout and offers a glimpse into language and cultural references.

This collection of clues and solutions offers a satisfyingly brief challenge for crossword lovers, wrapping up the daily puzzle experience