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“Meet Me ___ Louis” - LA Times Mini Clue

Across

  • The clue "CEO's degree, possibly" involves wordplay indicated by the question mark. Many CEOs hold an MBA (Master of Business Administration), which equips them with leadership and business skills. "Possibly" acknowledges that not all CEOs have this degree, making MBA a plausible but not definitive answer.

  • The answer is SAUL because Saul Bellow was a Nobel Prize-winning author known for works like "Herzog." The clue directly references his full name and his connection to the acclaimed novel, making SAUL the correct and straightforward solution.

  • The North Pole is Santa Claus's home, so "homeward" to Santa means heading back to the North Pole. The use of "North" represents this direction and location, making it the correct answer. The clue plays on Santa's iconic association with the North Pole.

  • The clue uses quotation marks, suggesting wordplay. OREOS are a type of cookie designed like a “sandwich,” with a creamy filling between two chocolate wafers. As OREOS are a well-known dessert, the playful description fits perfectly.

  • The phrase “Meet Me in St. Louis” is a well-known reference to the classic 1944 musical film and song of the same name. "INST" abbreviates "in St." (a shorthand form of "in St. Louis"), fitting perfectly into the blank in the clue.

Down

  • The answer "MAORI" fits because the Māori people are the indigenous Polynesian population of New Zealand. The clue "Native New Zealander" directly refers to the native inhabitants of the country, making "MAORI" the correct solution.

  • The answer is "BUREN" because Abigail Van Buren is the pen name of Pauline Phillips, who famously wrote the advice column "Dear Abby." The clue refers to this pseudonym, where "Abigail Van Buren" is synonymous with the columnist herself.

  • The clue "Choir members" refers to voice parts within a choir. ALTOS are one of the key vocal sections, typically singing in a mid-range between sopranos (higher) and tenors (lower). Choirs commonly have sopranos, altos, tenors, and basses, making ALTOS a correct answer.

  • The answer "SNO" completes the phrase "SNO-Cat," which refers to a brand of tracked vehicles designed for use in snowy and arctic conditions. The prefix "SNO" is a play on "snow," aligning with the clue's focus on an arctic vehicle.

  • The solution "HST" refers to Harry S. Truman, the 33rd President of the United States, who was born in Lamar, Missouri. "POTUS" stands for "President of the United States," and HST are Truman's initials, making him the Missouri-born POTUS in question.

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Solving today’s LA Times Mini Puzzle and stuck on the 4-letter answer to the “Meet Me ___ Louis” clue? Don’t worry, Lady Puzzle Pro has you covered! Whether you want the answer right away, revealed letter by letter, or this wordplay seems too puzzling, keep reading for the explanation.

“Meet Me ___ Louis” Answer Explained

The answer is INST.

The clue “Meet Me ___ Louis” refers to the famous song Meet Me in St. Louis, a classic from the 1940s. The missing word is INST, a standard crossword abbreviation for “instant,” which in this context is short for “in St.” This type of clue relies on solvers recognizing the song title and understanding that crosswords often use abbreviated forms for space efficiency.

Now that you've cracked the 8A “Meet Me ___ Louis” clue, you're one step closer to completing today’s LA Times Mini Puzzle! If you're still stuck on other clues, don't worry, we've got you covered. Explore more LA Times Mini crossword answers right here, or check out our tools for solving the LA Times Daily Crossword, Atlantic Crossword, or Bracket City, which are all free.

Today’s LA Times Mini Highlights

Today’s LA Times Mini leans heavily on names and abbreviations, giving it more of a trivia feel than a wordplay one. Literary and historical knowledge come into play with the Nobel-winning author and the Missouri-born president, while an older pop-culture reference to a famous advice columnist adds another challenge. A couple of short, themed fills provide lighter balance, keeping the grid accessible overall. It’s a clean midweek puzzle that rewards solvers who remember details across eras and subjects.

Here’s what caught our attention today:

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