Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Clues and Answers for Saturday, May 24

Saturday’s New York Times Mini Crossword is a little more difficult than the other days. Although usually an easy puzzle consisting of five rows and five columns with only a few clues each, today’s puzzle is a bit more difficult because the clues are longer and the answers take up extra space in the grid. Being designed for daily enjoyment, the NYT Mini continues to delight both amateur puzzle solvers and dedicated crossword fans. In addition, it’s totally free to play on the NYT website or through their app. Afterward, we walk you through the answers to help you win more.

Mini But Mighty: Today’s Puzzle Packs a Punch

Normally, the Minis end at clue #5 or #6, but yesterday’s puzzle stretched to #14 and included some big words tucked into its seven squares. The writer often used witty words in the poem. Fans were surprised when “Army shirt?” was revealed to mean “TANKTOP.” “wand-waving org.” also stood out, since I expected there would be some kind of Harry Potter clue, but instead, it was the code for “TSA.” Even though solving Small Challenge usually only takes seconds, this edition required additional thinking, making it displaced its regular Mini name.

NYT Mini Crossword Clues and Answers for May 24

ACROSS

• “Get a load of ___!” – THIS
• Ability to keep one’s balance on a ship – SEALEGS
• Army shirt? – TANKTOP
• Chicago trains – ELS
• Wand-waving org. – TSA
• Flowers in Chinese art – PEONIES
• By oneself – ALONE
• Phileas ___, “Around the World” character – FOGG

DOWN

• Something “read” in tasseography – TEALEAF
• Sci-fi hero with “Never tell me the odds” – HANSOLO
• Kind – ILK
• Where a story takes place – SETTING
• Lather, rinse or repeat – STEP
• “Take a look for yourself!” – GOSEE
• Places to get pampered – SPAS
• Eggy holiday drink – NOG