NYT Mini Crossword Solutions: December 21st

21
NYT Mini Crossword Solutions: December 21st

Today’s New York Times Mini Crossword puzzle has been solved. For those seeking quick answers or struggling with clues, here’s a breakdown of the solutions, presented in an accessible format. The puzzle, a popular daily challenge, tests vocabulary and general knowledge in a condensed 5×5 grid.

Across Clues & Answers

The horizontal clues and their corresponding answers are as follows:

  • 1A: Only U.S. president born in the month of SeptemberTAFT (William Howard Taft was born on September 15, 1857).
  • 5A: “I’ll ___ it” (“Fine, I guess”)ALLOW (A common expression of reluctant agreement).
  • 7A: Material for a reusable diaperCLOTH (A sustainable alternative to disposable options).
  • 8A: Land of Seoul and PyongyangKOREA (The Korean peninsula is divided into two nations).
  • 9A: One might be “Forever”STAMP (A postal stamp, often collectible, can have a “Forever” denomination).

Down Clues & Answers

The vertical clues and their corresponding solutions are:

  • 1D: Metal pins on a bulletin boardTACKS (A standard office supply for affixing notes).
  • 2D: Separate into portionsALLOT (To divide and distribute resources or tasks).
  • 3D: Fauna’s counterpartFLORA (Fauna refers to animal life, while flora is plant life).
  • 4D: ___ pole (symbolic carving)TOTEM (Often associated with Indigenous cultures, representing ancestral spirits).
  • 6D: Sound from a fly swatterWHAP (An onomatopoeic representation of the impact).

These solutions provide a fast reference for players who prefer to confirm answers or learn from mistakes. The Mini Crossword continues to be a brisk mental exercise for daily solvers.