Mini Crossword October 8, 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

   3–5 letters

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

   Open only the one you want.

   1 Across — Old-fashioned business? (3)

   Type of establishment from another era

   4 Across — Start of a tennis point (5)

   Action that starts a point in tennis matches

   6 Across — Basic bagel variety (5)

   Simple, unadorned bagel flavor option

   7 Across — Like the most famous Hollywood celebrities (5)

   Description of highly famous celebrities in Hollywood

   8 Across — "Hoo-boy!" (3)

   Expression of excitement or surprise

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

   Same treatment, the other way.

   1 Down — It's in your head (5)

   Organ associated with thoughts and intellect

   2 Down — Car rental option (4)

   Well-known car rental company name

   3 Down — Monthly expense (4)

   Regular payment for housing or property

   4 Down — Many a call from an unknown number (4)

   Type of unwanted or unsolicited phone call

   5 Down — ___ Langley, singer with the 2026 #1 hit "Choosin' Texas" (4)

   First name of a popular singer with a recent hit

4. 4 Hint 4: First letter of every answer

   One letter each.

   1 Across

   B… (3 letters)

   4 Across

   S… (5 letters)

   6 Across

   P… (5 letters)

   7 Across

   A… (5 letters)

   8 Across

   M… (3 letters)

   1 Down

   B… (5 letters)

   2 Down

   A… (4 letters)

   3 Down

   R… (4 letters)

   4 Down

   S… (4 letters)

   5 Down

   E… (4 letters)

5. 5 Hint 5: Where the grid opened up

   Last rung before the filled answers.

   1 Across was the shortest entry at 3 letters, and every crossing it made handed over a free letter elsewhere.

   Open the answers, clue by clue