The New York Times Mini Crossword for December 18th has been solved. For those seeking assistance with today’s puzzle, or other daily games from the NYT, such as Wordle, Strands, and Connections, here’s a complete breakdown of the answers.
The puzzle featured clues across and down, testing a range of vocabulary and general knowledge. One notable clue – 7-Across – references the issue of low-quality, AI-generated content (the answer being “AISLOP”). This highlights the growing cultural awareness of machine-produced text and its impact on information quality.
Across Clues & Answers
- 1A: Faux ___ (misstep) – PAS
- 4A: Folder for unfinished emails – DRAFTS
- 7A: Low-quality, machine-generated content, informally – AISLOP
- 8A: Field of plants – BOTANY
- 9A: Had a bite – ATE
Down Clues & Answers
- 1D: Small yellow bowties, say – PASTA
- 2D: Black piano key next to G – AFLAT
- 3D: Piece of equipment in curling – STONE
- 4D: Faddish dance move of the mid-2010s – DAB
- 5D: ___ de Janeiro – RIO
- 6D: Costume that might include a black trench coat and sunglasses – SPY
For additional help with NYT puzzles, including tips and strategies, visit CNET’s dedicated page. These daily challenges continue to test and entertain a broad audience, with solutions readily available for those who seek them.
