nyt crossword clues Cracking the Fare for Little Miss Muffet Clue in the NYT Mini Crossword (Sept. 24)
nyt crossword clues If you’re a crossword enthusiast or a fan of nursery rhymes, the “Fare for Little Miss Muffet” clue in the New York Times Mini Crossword puzzle from Sept. 24 might have stirred up some nostalgia. However, for those unfamiliar with this rhyme, solving this clue could have been a bit of a challenge. But don’t worry! We’ve got you covered with hints and the correct answer.
What’s the ‘Fare for Little Miss Muffet’?
For those scratching their heads over this four-letter clue, here are some helpful hints:
- It starts with a “W.”
- It ends with a “Y.”
- It’s a type of protein.
- It’s a popular protein powder, especially among gym enthusiasts.
The answer? WHEY.
If this term sounds familiar, it’s likely because of the popular nursery rhyme where “Little Miss Muffet sat on her tuffet, eating her curds and whey.” Whey, in simple terms, is the watery byproduct of curdled milk. In Miss Muffet’s case, she was probably enjoying a dish resembling cottage cheese.
Why is This Clue Tricky?
Even seasoned solvers might have struggled here if they weren’t well-versed in nursery rhymes. The connection between the rhyme and whey might not come naturally, especially since whey is a somewhat old-fashioned food item. Plus, given that many people associate whey more with modern protein powders rather than 16th-century meals, it added another layer of complexity.
Still, once you crack it, the answer seems obvious in hindsight. If you also noticed that all the clues for this section were homophones (WHEY, WEIGH, WAY), it could have provided an extra nudge in the right direction.
Full Solution for Sept. 24 NYT Mini Crossword
Here’s a quick rundown of all the answers from today’s mini puzzle:
Across:
- 1A: Who says “Whoo!” — OWL
- 4A: Fare for Little Miss Muffet — WHEY
- 5A: “Let’s put our differences ___” — ASIDE
- 7A: Instructors who might greet their classes with “Namaste” — YOGIS
- 8A: Part of a baseball uniform but not a soccer uniform — HAT
Down:
- 1D: Very, Very — OH SO
- 2D: Put on the scale — WEIGH
- 3D: ___ Ko, 2024 Olympic gold medalist in women’s golf — LYDIA
- 4D: Course — WAY
- 6D: Superlative suffix — EST
Difficulty Rating
While the rest of the puzzle was fairly straightforward, the “Fare for Little Miss Muffet” clue deserves a difficulty rating of 4 out of 5. The connection to a somewhat obscure nursery rhyme, along with its association with both old-timey food and modern protein, made it a challenging but satisfying clue to crack.
So, whether you’re a seasoned crossword solver or new to the NYT Mini puzzles, this one likely gave you a run for your money. And next time you hear about Little Miss Muffet, you’ll know exactly what she was eating!
