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Q: What is Dad's favorite magazine? A: ___ (groan) - NYT The Midi Clue

Across

  • The answer "RIP" stands for "Rest in Peace," a common phrase inscribed on tombstones. It signifies a wish for the deceased to find eternal peace in death. The clue asks for "letters" seen on a tombstone, directly pointing to this widely recognized abbreviation.

  • The answer "BOA" fits because a boa is a type of accessory, specifically a long, lightweight scarf often made of feathers. The term "Feathery wrap" describes it perfectly, as it wraps around the shoulders or neck and is literally feathery in material.

  • The clue "Really awesome, informally" suggests a casual, slang term for something incredible or impressive. "EPIC" is commonly used in informal language to describe something extraordinary or amazing, fitting perfectly as the solution to this clue.

  • The clue "Guided museum visits" points to TOURS because guided visits through museums are commonly called "tours." The word directly describes organized excursions where guides lead groups and provide explanations or insights about exhibits. It's a straightforward match for the definition.

  • The clue involves wordplay and a pun. "Father Time" is a personification of time and plays on "Dad's favorite." Adding "magazine" humorously implies "Time" magazine. The groan signals a predictable "dad joke," matching the pun of "Father Time." Hence, the answer is FATHERTIME.

  • The answer "ARI" refers to Ari Chambers, a well-known sports journalist and advocate for women's sports. This clue uses her first name, which is commonly recognized in the sports journalism world, particularly for her coverage and promotion of women's basketball and empowering voices in the sports community.

  • "Scribble" implies a quick, small, and informal mark or note. "JOT" means to write something briefly or hastily, aligning perfectly with the clue's meaning. It's a concise term that captures the essence of a fast, minimal notation – just like a scribble!

  • The clue uses wordplay. A "Papa Bear" is a dad figure, and in investing, a "bear" refers to a pessimist who expects the market to drop. Combining these ideas, Dad investing pessimistically becomes "Papa Bear." The "(groan)" hints at the pun between "dad" and the investing term.

  • The phrase "Cost an arm and a leg" is a common idiom meaning something is very expensive. The blank in the clue represents one component of the phrase, and "ARM" fits perfectly as it's paired with "leg" in the expression.

  • The clue uses wordplay with "sounds like," indicating a homophone. A sax is a musical instrument (short for saxophone), and it sounds like "Saks," the luxury retailer Saks Fifth Avenue. The similarity in pronunciation ties the instrument to the retailer in a pun.

  • This clue is a themer. "Dad" hints at "Pop," and "lab dish sample" suggests something cultured (like bacteria in a dish). Together, "Pop culture" forms the groan-worthy play on words, referencing widely recognized trends or phenomena in popular culture.

  • The clue "Arctic" points to something characteristic of the Arctic region, which is associated with extreme cold and the North Pole. The term "POLAR" directly relates to the poles, including the Arctic, making it the correct answer. It concisely captures the connection.

  • The clue "Finished" directly relates to the word OVER because "over" can mean done, ended, or completed—states synonymous with "finished." For example, when something is finished, you might say, "It’s over." This simple synonym makes OVER the clear and fitting solution.

  • The answer "FETE" fits "Lavish party" because "fete" is a term for an elaborate celebration or festival. It directly aligns with the idea of a grand, festive gathering, making it the perfect solution for this clue.

  • The answer is LAVA because magma is molten rock beneath the Earth's surface. When it erupts and reaches the surface, it is referred to as lava. The clue specifies "above the earth's surface," indicating the transformation from magma to lava upon eruption.

Down

  • The answer "REF" is short for "referee," a key official who enforces rules on a court, such as in basketball or tennis. The clue's reference to "court" hints at sports rather than a legal setting, making REF the appropriate solution.

  • The solution "IPA" stands for "India Pale Ale," a popular style of craft beer known for its strong hoppy flavor. "For short" in the clue indicates an abbreviation, which matches IPA, a common acronym for this beer variety enjoyed by many craft beer enthusiasts.

  • The answer is "PIT" because it refers to the large seed found inside an avocado. When preparing or eating avocados, the pit is typically removed and discarded, making it the item in an avocado that is most commonly discarded. The clue directly relates to this usual process.

  • The answer, "BOT," fits the clue "Nonhuman social media follower" as it refers to automated accounts (robots) that interact on social media. These "bots" are not human but can follow accounts, like posts, and perform tasks, often mimicking real users.

  • The answer "OUIJA" fits because a Ouija board is commonly associated with mysticism and is used to communicate with spirits or the supernatural. The "mystic" in the clue implies a connection to the spiritual or occult, making Ouija an appropriate answer.

  • The answer is ARMOR because "Knight's garb" refers to what a knight traditionally wears into battle. Knights are historically known for donning protective metal gear called armor, which shields them during combat. "Garb" here simply means clothing or attire, specifically suited for knights.

  • The term "Bloke" is a British English word used to refer to a man or fellow. Similarly, "CHAP" is also a British term meaning man, guy, or fellow. Since both words are synonymous in meaning and usage, CHAP is the correct answer.

  • In the reality show Survivor, contestants are divided into tribes. "Tribal Council" is the ritual where tribes gather to vote a player out. The blank in the clue is completed with "TRIBAL," directly referencing this elimination ceremony within the game.

  • Theater backdrops are often part of the set, which encompasses all the scenery, props, and stage elements that create the visual environment for a performance. The term "set" specifically refers to the staged design used to establish the play's setting, making it the perfect fit for this clue.

  • The clue uses "Smudge" and "non-digital," hinting at solving crosswords on paper. A smudge often results from erasing pencil marks, leaving traces behind. "Perhaps" implies it's not always perfect. Thus, ERASURE fits as it directly refers to the act of removing and smudging text with an eraser.

  • The phrase "The proof is in the pudding" is a shortened version of "The proof of the pudding is in the eating," meaning the real value or truth of something is revealed through practical experience or results. "Proof" completes the common saying, making it the correct answer.

  • The clue "More than enough" directly means having plenty or an abundance of something. The word "AMPLE" perfectly fits this definition, as it describes something that is sufficient or more than sufficient in quantity or size, making it the ideal solution for the clue.

  • The clue "Sing the praises of" directly means to express high praise or admiration, which aligns perfectly with the word "EXTOL." To extol is a synonym for praising something highly, fitting both the literal and figurative sense of the clue. Thus, EXTOL is the correct answer.

  • The clue "TikTok or Temu, e.g." describes examples of mobile applications. "App" is a common shorthand for "application," which fits perfectly as both TikTok and Temu are apps used on smartphones or devices. The abbreviation succinctly answers the clue.

  • The answer is "CAT" because cats are commonly known pets that enjoy playing with toys, including stuffed mice, which mimic their natural prey. This clue is straightforward, with no wordplay, aligning a common pet's natural behavior with the described scenario.

  • The solution "UVA" refers to the University of Virginia, a prominent institution located in Charlottesville, Virginia. The abbreviation "sch." in the clue is shorthand for "school," making UVA the perfect fit as a well-known school in Charlottesville.

  • The clue "Gun, as an engine" uses a playful wordplay approach. To "gun" an engine means to rev it up or accelerate it forcefully, mirroring the term "REV" (short for "revolution" or "revving"). It aligns with the idea of increasing engine speed, making "REV" the correct answer.

  • The late 1990s were characterized by the rapid rise and collapse of dot-com businesses, marking a specific historical period called the "dot-com era." "Era" refers to a distinct time period, fitting the clue perfectly.

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Solving today’s NYT Midi Puzzle and stuck on the 10-letter answer to the Q: What is Dad's favorite magazine? A: ___ (groan) clue? Don’t worry—Lady Puzzle Pro has you covered! Whether you want the answer right away, revealed letter by letter, or if this wordplay seems too puzzling, keep reading for the explanation.

Q: What is Dad's favorite magazine? A: ___ (groan) Answer Explained

The answer is FATHERTIME.

The clue is structured like a classic dad joke: “What is Dad's favorite magazine?” The groan-inducing answer is FATHERTIME, a pun on Father Time, the familiar personification of time often depicted as an old man with a long beard and scythe. The joke works by pretending that Father Time is the title of a magazine a dad would subscribe to. In the context of the theme, common words and phrases are being reinterpreted as answers to corny questions about Dad. The humor comes from forcing an everyday expression into an absurdly literal scenario. Like many dad jokes, it's predictable, silly, and intentionally worthy of a groan.

Now that you've cracked the 11A Q: What is Dad's favorite magazine? A: ___ (groan) clue, you're one step closer to completing today’s Midi Puzzle! If you're still stuck on other clues, don't worry, we've got you covered. Explore more NYT The Midi crossword answers right here, or check out our tools for solving the NYT Crossword, NYT The Mini puzzle, Connections, or Strands.

Today’s NYT Midi Highlights

Ian Livengood’s Father’s Day Midi leans fully into groan-worthy humor, with its three themers - FATHERTIME, PAPABEAR, and POPCULTURE - delivering classic dad-joke wordplay. Each clue sets up a punny Q&A that lands somewhere between clever and delightfully corny, very much in the spirit of the holiday. The theme is tight and consistent, and the payoff feels earned without overcomplicating the grid. Outside of the themers, the puzzle plays on the easier side, with smooth fill and familiar entries like OUIJA and ERASURE keeping things accessible. That balance makes it a breezy, satisfying solve, more about enjoying the jokes than wrestling with solving the clues, which feels exactly right for a light Sunday offering celebrating dads.

Here’s what caught our attention today:

About The Midi

The Midi is a daily crossword puzzle designed to sit between the quick satisfaction of The Mini and the depth of the full Daily Crossword. It offers a compact but more layered solving experience, giving players a new step in the New York Times Games lineup.

While officially launched as a daily puzzle in February 2026, the concept was tested earlier through special puzzle packs and more recently in newsletter editions. Those experiments helped shape what is now a permanent daily feature available exclusively online through the New York Times Games app and website.

Format and Structure

Most Midi puzzles use a 9×9 grid (larger than The Mini but smaller than the traditional crossword), allowing for richer wordplay and themed construction without requiring a long solving session. Toward the end of the week, grids may expand up to 11×11, and occasionally the puzzle appears in non-square formats, with different numbers of rows and columns.

Unlike The Mini, every Midi includes a title, offering a subtle hint at the puzzle’s theme or solving trick. These titles add an extra layer of discovery while keeping the experience approachable.

A Digital-First Puzzle

The Midi is built specifically for digital play. It does not appear in print, and it is available through the New York Times app and website only for subscribers.

Designing the puzzle for screens allows for occasional visual effects and interactive moments that enhance the solving experience in ways print cannot. Even with these innovations, the philosophy remains consistent: puzzles are still handcrafted by human constructors and editors, preserving the editorial voice and thoughtful construction that define New York Times Games.

Editorial Approach

The Midi is edited by Ian Livengood, who also oversees Pips. He creates about three Midi puzzles each week while collaborating with a rotating group of approximately fifteen contributors whose submissions are carefully edited before publication.

This editorial model mirrors the structure used across The New York Times crosswords, where dedicated editors maintain quality and style (like Will Shortz for The Daily and Joel Fagliano for The Mini).

New Rules and Creative Flexibility

The Midi introduces several notable changes to traditional crossword conventions, like:

  • Each puzzle features a title. Before, only Sunday NYT puzzles had a title. In Midi, this is meant to give a clue about the theme without needing a distinct clue to play the role of a theme revealer.
  • Grids may occasionally break from square symmetry, which is something also happening in the Mini, especially those made by Sam Ezersky.
  • Two-letter answers are allowed - this is a feature borrowed from cryptic puzzles, allowing Scrabble (and NYT Crossplay) fans to bank on their skills.

Daily Availability

Puzzles are accessible the evening before the publish date. Weekday and Saturday puzzles: 10 p.m. EST the previous day. Sunday puzzles: 6 p.m. EST on Saturday.

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