Skip to main content

Mini Crossword Hints — May 19, 2026

Open one clue at a time. Each row moves from gentle nudge to stronger help without revealing the full answer.

Play puzzle firstAnswer key
All hints
10 clues
Spoiler-light

Across

1 Across: "Cool as a cucumber" and "quiet ___ mouse": 2 wds.Hint
  1. Hint 1: This clue is asking for two small common comparison words used in similes.
  2. Hint 2: Think about the phrases 'cool ___ a cucumber' and 'quiet ___ a mouse' — both use the same tiny word twice.
  3. Hint 3: It's the connector word meaning 'in the same way as,' and it starts with A.
4 Across: Tiny islandHint
  1. Hint 1: Think geography — something small surrounded by water.
  2. Hint 2: It's a diminutive version of 'island,' often used for a very small one.
  3. Hint 3: This word means a small island, and it starts with I.
6 Across: Like hot peppers or zesty salsaHint
  1. Hint 1: This describes food with a fiery kick.
  2. Hint 2: Think of the taste of chili peppers or a hot salsa recipe.
  3. Hint 3: This word means having a hot, tangy flavor, and it starts with S.
7 Across: Woodworking tool that spins a piece as it's shapedHint
  1. Hint 1: This is a tool used in a workshop, not a garden tool.
  2. Hint 2: It spins wood or metal so it can be carved or shaped evenly.
  3. Hint 3: This machine rotates material for shaping, and it starts with L.
8 Across: Question-asking online session, in briefHint
  1. Hint 1: This is an abbreviation you'd see on social media or forums.
  2. Hint 2: It's short for a session where someone answers questions from the public, often on Reddit.
  3. Hint 3: This stands for a Q&A session online, and it starts with A.

Down

1 Down: "___: Battle Angel" (2019 sci-fi film)Hint
  1. Hint 1: This is the title of a movie based on a manga character.
  2. Hint 2: It's a 2019 sci-fi film about a cyborg heroine searching for her identity.
  3. Hint 3: This is the name of the film's main character, and it starts with A.
2 Down: Silicon Valley industry, informallyHint
  1. Hint 1: This term refers to a booming industry in California.
  2. Hint 2: It's the casual way to refer to the technology sector, especially startups and computer companies.
  3. Hint 3: This word is short for 'technology,' and it starts with T.
3 Down: Red bump on the eyelidHint
  1. Hint 1: This is a small, uncomfortable eye issue.
  2. Hint 2: It's a swollen red bump that can form near your eyelash line.
  3. Hint 3: This word names a small eyelid infection, and it starts with S.
4 Down: Spanish for "island"Hint
  1. Hint 1: This is a geography term in another language.
  2. Hint 2: It's the Spanish word you'd use to describe a landmass surrounded by water.
  3. Hint 3: This word means 'island' in Spanish, and it starts with I.
5 Down: Canned meat that shares its name with junk emailHint
  1. Hint 1: This is a canned food product with a funny connection to unwanted emails.
  2. Hint 2: It's a canned meat brand whose name also describes junk messages in your inbox.
  3. Hint 3: This is a salty canned pork product, and it starts with S.

Use hints slowly

Reveal the first hint, try the grid again, then come back only if the crossing letters still do not move.

See answers