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Vague time for a late lunch, as suggested by parts of 13- and 22-Across - NYT The Midi Clue

Across

  • The answer is "BUS" because Rosa Parks famously protested racial segregation by refusing to give up her seat to a white passenger on a Montgomery, Alabama bus in 1955. This act of defiance became a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights Movement, making the bus the site of her protest.

  • The clue "Tsk, tsk," in texting shorthand suggests a digital, abbreviated way to express disapproval. SMH stands for "shaking my head," a common online or texting response to convey mild disappointment, disapproval, or disbelief much like "tsk, tsk" in spoken language.

  • The clue "Now I know the answer!" is in quotes, signaling a spoken reaction. "AHA" expresses a moment of realization or discovery, perfectly matching the sentiment of suddenly knowing something—an appropriate exclamation for figuring something out.

  • The answer "ANT" fits because ants are common household pests, known for invading spaces in search of food. They are typically seen as less frightening than cockroaches due to their smaller size, non-threatening movement, and general harmlessness compared to the unsettling nature of cockroaches.

  • The answer "UAE" stands for the United Arab Emirates, the country where Abu Dhabi is located. The clue specifies "for short," indicating an abbreviation is needed. Abu Dhabi is the capital of the UAE, making this the correct and concise solution.

  • The answer is "LOS" because the clue refers to the city "Los Alamos" in New Mexico (N.M.). It's a well-known location, particularly for its historical significance as the site of the Manhattan Project during World War II. LOS completes the city's full name accurately.

  • The answer "SWEDISH FISH" fits the clue "Chewy red candy" because Swedish Fish are a popular gummy candy known for their chewy texture and red color. The name also directly describes the candy's origin (Swedish) and fish shape, making it a straightforward match for the clue.

  • The answer is REPOTS because when you move a plant to a larger container or "home," you transfer it by repotting. "Re" indicates doing the potting again, and "pots" refers to the containers for plants, fitting the clue perfectly.

  • The answer "ICEE" fits the clue "Frozen drink brand" because ICEE is a well-known brand of frozen slush beverages, often sold at movie theaters, convenience stores, and amusement parks. The clue directly describes the product, making "ICEE" the straightforward solution.

  • The term "AD HOC" (Latin for "for this") refers to something created or set up for a specific purpose or task, often temporary in nature. Committees or groups formed for a single issue or purpose are often called "ad hoc" committees, perfectly fitting the clue description.

  • The clue "Requirements" directly corresponds to the definition of NEEDS. Both refer to things that are essential or necessary. In this straightforward clue, there’s no wordplay or hidden meaning—NEEDS is a synonym for requirements, making it the ideal solution.

  • The clue uses figurative language. A "HATER" is a person who consistently criticizes, undermines, or demeans others, metaphorically "bringing you down." This reflects the informal use of "hater" to describe someone with a negative or envious attitude. The pun in "bring you down" fits the tone perfectly.

  • The answer "IRISH WISH" refers to the 2024 fantasy rom-com starring Lindsay Lohan of the same name. The title plays on wordplay, as it combines "Irish" (the setting) and "Wish" (the fantasy element central to the plot), aligning with the movie's magical romance theme.

  • The clue uses wordplay with "Devices" and "turn uncut bagels into sandwich ends." SLICERS are tools that slice whole (uncut) bagels into halves, creating flat sides perfect for sandwich-making. The pun lies in "sandwich ends" referring to the bagel halves after slicing.

  • A quart is a unit of liquid measurement equal to 4 cups. Therefore, one-quarter (1/4) of a quart is precisely one cup. This straightforward relationship between quarts and cups makes "CUP" the correct answer to the clue.

  • The clue "Tick-___" refers to the familiar phrase "tick-tock," which mimics the sound of a clock. "Tick" is the first part of this pairing, and "TOCK" is its natural counterpart, completing the expression. This clue relies on recognition of this common onomatopoeic phrase.

  • Roy G. Biv is an acronym representing the colors of the rainbow in order: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet. The "i" corresponds to Indigo, a deep blue-purple color, making it the correct answer to the clue.

  • The clue "Interesting ..." suggests a conversational phrase, as indicated by the ellipsis. "I SEE" is a common verbal response used to acknowledge or show understanding when finding something intriguing or surprising—matching the tone and context of the clue.

  • The solution "FOOFOO" completes the well-known nursery rhyme title "Little Bunny Foo Foo." This popular children’s song tells the story of a mischievous bunny, making FOOFOO the fitting answer to the clue. It’s a specific name directly tied to the song.

  • RESY is a popular restaurant reservation platform that allows diners to book tables online or via an app. The clue directly references the service's function of booking tables for diners, making RESY the apt solution. It’s a proper noun, aligning with the clue's intended meaning.

  • TWOISH means "around two o'clock" rather than exactly 2:00. The -ISH ending signals approximation—just like "kinda" or "sorta." It also points back to SWEDISH FISH and IRISH WISH, whose shared ISH endings hide the suffix that defines the puzzle's playful theme.

Down

  • The clue highlights wordplay with "anagram of ARABS," meaning the answer is a rearrangement of those letters. BASRA, an Arab city in Iraq, is a perfect fit as it uses the same letters in a different order, aligning with the anagram and the city reference.

  • The clue "Not married" directly aligns with the definition of UNWED, which means not being in a state of marriage. It's a straightforward synonym, as "un-" implies negation, and "wed" refers to being married. Together, UNWED precisely means "not married."

  • The clue refers to NBA star Stephen Curry, known for his exceptional basketball skills. "Familiarly" signals a nickname or shortened version, and "Steph" is how Stephen Curry is commonly referred to by fans and commentators. Thus, STEPH is the correct answer.

  • The clue "Frequent flier?" with a question mark indicates wordplay. A SUITCASE "flies" frequently as it's a traveler’s essential item for air travel, often checked or carried onto planes. The pun lies in personifying the suitcase as a frequent traveler, making it a witty fit for the clue.

  • In physics, "m" is commonly the symbol for "mass" in scientific equations and formulas, such as Newton's second law (F = ma). The clue referencing "scientists" hints at this scientific association, making MASS the correct answer.

  • The clue "Mild chuckle" suggests a small, soft laugh. "HEH" is an onomatopoeic representation of a minor, amused sound someone might make when mildly chuckling. It captures the brief, understated nature of this type of laughter perfectly, making it the accurate answer.

  • ALICE is the correct answer because "The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas" is a famous book written by Gertrude Stein. The title refers to Alice B. Toklas, Stein's life partner, though Stein narrates the work in Toklas's voice.

  • The clue "Sprayed (down)" refers to using a hose to wash or clean something by spraying water over it. The addition of "down" emphasizes the action of thoroughly spraying. Thus, the answer "HOSED" perfectly aligns as it directly describes the act of spraying water using a hose.

  • The answer "ASHES" fits because incense, when burned, leaves behind residue in the form of ash. "Residue" in the clue directly suggests the remnants after burning, making "ASHES" a precise and logical solution.

  • The clue "Thingamajiggy" is a playful, informal term used to describe an object whose name is forgotten or unknown. DOOHICKEY is another lighthearted, colloquial term for such an object, making it the perfect match. The casual tone and similarity in meaning align seamlessly, hence DOOHICKEY is the answer.

  • The answer "FIERI" refers to Guy Fieri, a famous chef, TV host, and restaurateur. Known for his bold personality and signature spiky hair, he earned the nickname "Mayor of Flavortown" from his popular show Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, where he showcases flavorful dishes across the U.S.

  • The clue features wordplay with "Encouraging weather report for skiers?" The phrase "news now" phonetically sounds like "new snow," which is highly encouraging for skiers as fresh snowfall improves skiing conditions. The pun ties the weather report to favorable skiing conditions.

  • The clue "Frugality" directly defines the answer "THRIFT." Both refer to the quality of being economical or avoiding waste, particularly with money or resources. THRIFT embodies the concept of careful spending and resourcefulness, which aligns perfectly with the meaning of frugality.

  • The clue "You win!" is in quotes, signaling a spoken phrase or response. If one person declares "You win!" in a competitive or playful scenario, they're conceding defeat. The corresponding response could naturally be "I lose," making ILOSE the correct answer.

  • The answer "RICES" fits because when cauliflower is processed into grain-sized pieces, it resembles rice. The verb "rice" means to reduce something to small, grain-like bits, often used for cauliflower in recipes as a low-carb alternative to actual rice.

  • The answer is SCIFI because "Fahrenheit 451" by Ray Bradbury is a classic work of science fiction, a genre exploring futuristic, technological, or dystopian themes. The clue uses "informally," signaling the casual abbreviation of "science fiction" to SCIFI, making it the fitting solution.

  • The Hugo Awards are among the most prestigious honors in science fiction and fantasy. Since 24-Down is SCIFI, "Annual 24-Down book awards" points directly to the Hugos, which recognize the year's best science fiction works, including novels, short stories, and other genre achievements.

  • The clue "Mix with a wooden spatula, say" directly refers to the action of stirring ingredients together, typically done using a utensil like a wooden spatula. "Say" suggests this is a general example, making "STIR" the fitting answer for the mixing action described.

  • The answer is POOH because Winnie the Pooh, a beloved cartoon bear created by A.A. Milne, is famously depicted wearing a red shirt in Disney adaptations. This defining feature makes "Pooh" the perfect fit for the clue.

  • The clue "Scooby-___" refers to the famous cartoon character Scooby-Doo from the animated series Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! The blank is filled with "Doo," completing the character’s name. This straightforward clue directly calls for the second part of his well-known name.

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Solving today’s NYT Midi Puzzle and stuck on the 6-letter answer to the Vague time for a late lunch, as suggested by parts of 13- and 22-Across 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.

Vague time for a late lunch, as suggested by parts of 13- and 22-Across Answer Explained

The answer is TWOISH.

TWOISH serves as the puzzle's revealer by showing how the suffix -ISH works in everyday English. When someone says they'll meet at "two-ish," they mean approximately two o'clock, not precisely 2:00. That sense of "kind of," "sort of," or "roughly" matches the title Kinda Sorta perfectly. The revealer also ties together the earlier themers SWEDISH FISH and IRISH WISH, whose final four letters spell ISH. Those words naturally end in -ish, while TWOISH uses the same ending as a productive suffix meaning "approximately." It's a simple but clever wordplay theme that turns a common English ending into the puzzle's central idea.

Now that you've cracked the 35A Vague time for a late lunch, as suggested by parts of 13- and 22-Across 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

This one came together quickly, but it still had a fun little gimmick to uncover. I spotted SWEDISH FISH early, then IRISH WISH, and by the time TWOISH appeared, the title Kinda Sorta made perfect sense. The "-ISH" ending ties the theme together in a simple but satisfying way. Most of the fill was very approachable, with entries like DOOHICKEY, SUITCASE, and AD HOC helping the grid flow smoothly. My favorite clue was NEWS NOW for "Encouraging weather report for skiers"—a clever split that made me think of a news headline before realizing it meant fresh snowfall. Overall, this was an easy, lighthearted Friday Midi with playful wordplay and a satisfying theme reveal.

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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