Mini Crossword September 6, 2026: Clues & Answers

Constructed by Joel Fagliano.

Recap

This puzzle offered a mix of general knowledge and pop culture references. Solvers could start with short answers like RAW and SOY, then build momentum into longer clues like WEBMD and JOULE. The Down clues provided a fun challenge, with JAWS and OREO being highlights.

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.

Hint 1: Grid facts

Counted off the grid.

Grid

5 × 5

Clues

5 across, 5 down

Answer lengths

3–5 letters
Hint 2: Across clues, with an extra nudge each

Open only the one you want.

1 Across — Like sashimi and steak tartare (3)

Describes food that's often served cold and uncooked

4 Across — Unit of energy symbolized by a "J" (5)

Measurement unit named after an English physicist

6 Across — Debate back and forth (5)

Exchange opposing views in a heated conversation

7 Across — Online source for health diagnoses (5)

Popular website for self-diagnosis and health info

8 Across — Yo ___ (Spanish "I am") (3)

Spanish phrase used to express one's identity
Hint 3: Down clues, with an extra nudge each

Same treatment, the other way.

1 Down — National sport of New Zealand (5)

Tackling sport with an oval ball and scrums

2 Down — Graduate, for short (4)

Abbreviated term for a university graduate

3 Down — Garden intruder (4)

Unwanted plant growing in a garden or yard

4 Down — Hit 1975 film shot largely on location in Martha's Vineyard (4)

Blockbuster film that launched a famous shark franchise

5 Down — Black-and-white cookie (4)

Classic cookie with a distinctive twist design
Hint 4: First letter of every answer

One letter each.

1 Across

R… (3 letters)

4 Across

J… (5 letters)

6 Across

A… (5 letters)

7 Across

W… (5 letters)

8 Across

S… (3 letters)

1 Down

R… (5 letters)

2 Down

A… (4 letters)

3 Down

W… (4 letters)

4 Down

J… (4 letters)

5 Down

O… (4 letters)
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

Every clue from that grid, with its answer

Each clue opens on its own: the nudge first, the answer folded one level deeper.

Across

1Like sashimi and steak tartare3
Describes food that's often served cold and uncooked
Show answer
RAW
4Unit of energy symbolized by a "J"5
Measurement unit named after an English physicist
Show answer
JOULE
6Debate back and forth5
Exchange opposing views in a heated conversation
Show answer
ARGUE
7Online source for health diagnoses5
Popular website for self-diagnosis and health info
Show answer
WEBMD
8Yo ___ (Spanish "I am")3
Spanish phrase used to express one's identity
Show answer
SOY

Down

1National sport of New Zealand5
Tackling sport with an oval ball and scrums
Show answer
RUGBY
2Graduate, for short4
Abbreviated term for a university graduate
Show answer
ALUM
3Garden intruder4
Unwanted plant growing in a garden or yard
Show answer
WEED
4Hit 1975 film shot largely on location in Martha's Vineyard4
Blockbuster film that launched a famous shark franchise
Show answer
JAWS
5Black-and-white cookie4
Classic cookie with a distinctive twist design
Show answer
OREO

This grid by the numbers

Date: Sunday, September 6, 2026
Grid: 5 × 5
Clues: 10 — 5 across, 5 down
Answer lengths: 3–5 letters

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