NYT Subtle Hints for July 14: Additional Clues and Solutions for Monday's Puzzle
In today's edition of the NYT Mini Crossword, solvers encountered a variety of challenges and intriguing clues. One such clue, 6 Across, referred to The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, a useful item for an interstellar hitchhiker. The answer was TOWEL, a nod to the guide's humorous take on essential travel items.
Meanwhile, the answer to 9 Across, PEA, found its way into fried rice, a common ingredient in many dishes. The NYT Mini Crossword, a quick and dirty version of the New York Times' larger and long-running crossword, is free to play on the New York Times website or NYT Games app. However, to access previous puzzles in the archives, an NYT Games subscription is required.
Elsewhere in the puzzle, comedian Macdonald was the answer to 2 Down, while Shrek's home, SWAMP, was revealed as the answer to 3 Down. The Arizona city between Phoenix and Mesa, TEMPE, was the answer to 4 Down.
Interestingly, the answer to 1 Across, INSTA, was a photo- and video-sharing app run by Facebook parent Meta. This app, Threads, is designed to work seamlessly with Instagram, so no separate account is needed. Instead, you log in by tapping the "Log in with Instagram" option and using your existing Instagram credentials.
The familiar shorthand crossword answer for "Account used to log into Threads" is also INSTA, confirming that Instagram is the required account for accessing Threads. This means that Instagram followers and verification carry over to Threads, creating a connected puzzle and social media experience.
As the solver grappled with the Across clues more than the Down clues in today's NYT Mini Crossword, they may have found solace in the knowledge that tomorrow's puzzle awaits, offering a new set of challenges and opportunities for discovery. The solver, who maintains a blog that covers the NYT Mini and other word games, as well as video game news, insights, and analysis, is sure to share their thoughts and solutions with the crossword community.
The New York Times Mini Crossword's clue for INSTA (1 Across), a photo- and video-sharing app, reveals a connection with social media as it is an account used to log into Threads, another app run by Meta. In tomorrow's NYT Mini, solvers can expect more technology-related clues, possibly hinting at social media and entertainment, much like today's puzzle that included a reference to The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy and the answer 'TOWEL'.
