Mini Crossword August 14, 2026: Clues & Answers

Mini Crossword hints, one rung at a time

Five rungs, from grid facts to a nudge per clue. The recap above already summed the grid up, so this ladder is here for anyone replaying it fresh rather than as a spoiler shield.

1. 1 Hint 1: Grid facts

   Counted off the grid.

   Grid

   5 × 5

   Clues

   5 across, 5 down

   Answer lengths

   4–5 letters

2. 2 Hint 2: Across clues, with an extra nudge each

   Open only the one you want.

   1 Across — Unruly crowds (4)

   Groups causing public disturbance

   5 Across — What "clams" and "cheddar" are slang for (5)

   Financial slang for certain dairy products

   6 Across — This, at the beach (5)

   Large body of seawater

   7 Across — This, at the beach (5)

   Land alongside a sea

   8 Across — This, at the beach (4)

   Beachcomber's granular treasure

3. 3 Hint 3: Down clues, with an extra nudge each

   Same treatment, the other way.

   1 Down — Chocolaty coffee drink (5)

   Coffeehouse specialty drink

   2 Down — Pull a fast ___ (trick) (5)

   Phrase for a clever trick

   3 Down — "Black" facial feature for pirate Edward Teach (5)

   Pirate Edward Teach's notable feature

   4 Down — "Auld Lang ___" (4)

   Poetic phrase for nostalgia

   5 Down — Growth at the base of a tree (4)

   Forest floor covering

4. 4 Hint 4: First letter of every answer

   One letter each.

   1 Across

   M… (4 letters)

   5 Across

   M… (5 letters)

   6 Across

   O… (5 letters)

   7 Across

   S… (5 letters)

   8 Across

   S… (4 letters)

   1 Down

   M… (5 letters)

   2 Down

   O… (5 letters)

   3 Down

   B… (5 letters)

   4 Down

   S… (4 letters)

   5 Down

   M… (4 letters)

5. 5 Hint 5: Where the grid opened up

   Last rung before the filled answers.

   1 Across was the shortest entry at 4 letters, and every crossing it made handed over a free letter elsewhere.

   Open the answers, clue by clue