Mini Crossword September 17, 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 — Noise heard in an Aflac commercial (5)

   Sound associated with ducks

   6 Across — ___ Fester, "Wednesday" character played by Fred Armisen (5)

   Term for a family member

   7 Across — Total moron (5)

   Insult implying lack of intelligence

   8 Across — Total, as expenses (5)

   Accounting term for tallying costs

   9 Across — Containers for some basement parties (4)

   Barware for social gatherings

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

   Same treatment, the other way.

   1 Down — Unique mannerism (5)

   Odd behavior or habit

   2 Down — Excessive, as criticism or punishment (5)

   Excessive or unjust criticism

   3 Down — Scoring 100% on (5)

   Achieving a perfect score

   4 Down — Lumps in non-homogenized milk (5)

   Visible imperfections in liquid

   5 Down — Kind of high-fat, low-carb diet (4)

   Dietary approach for weight loss

4. 4 Hint 4: First letter of every answer

   One letter each.

   1 Across

   Q… (5 letters)

   6 Across

   U… (5 letters)

   7 Across

   I… (5 letters)

   8 Across

   R… (5 letters)

   9 Across

   K… (4 letters)

   1 Down

   Q… (5 letters)

   2 Down

   U… (5 letters)

   3 Down

   A… (5 letters)

   4 Down

   C… (5 letters)

   5 Down

   K… (4 letters)

5. 5 Hint 5: Where the grid opened up

   Last rung before the filled answers.

   9 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