Unless you’ve read some of the greatest poems in the English language, “Pandemonium” may not be a word you’re quite familiar with.
This clue is one-across from the Aug. 9 NYT Mini Crossword puzzle and I’m almost certain it’s causing pandemonium among players (wink) today. If you’re confused, you certainly aren’t alone, and you’ll find a few hints and the answer below.
‘Pandemonium’ Aug. 8 NYT Mini Crossword hints and answer
- Hint 1: It starts with an “H.”
- Hint 2: It contains two vowels.
- Hint 3: It’s another word for chaos.
- Hint 4: It’s often used when referring to destruction.
The answer to the “Pandemonium” clue is “HAVOC.” Pandemonium has a few meanings, but it generally refers to an uproar or chaotic situation. And havoc, very loosely, means confusion, disorder, and general destruction. So, the two are almost synonymous with one another.
All Aug. 9 NYT Mini Crossword puzzle clues and answers
Across
- 1A Move like a kangaroo—HOP
- 4A Purple soda flavor—GRAPE
- 6A Bird used for sending messages on “House of the Dragon”—RAVEN
- 7A Oake tree-to-be—ACORN
- 8A What half-life measures, in nuclear physics—DECAY
Down
- 1D Pandemonium—HAVOC
- 2D Performance for a prima donna—OPERA
- 3D Take a ___, leave a ____—PENNY
- 4D Mortarboard wearer—GRAD
- 5D A dash is a short one—RACE
‘Pandemonium’ clue difficulty – rated
Pandemonium isn’t your average word but I’ll admit (a little embarrassingly) it’s one of my favorite words purely because it’s such a unique way to name a chaotic situation. It appears in the epic poem Paradise Lost, which stories the fall of Adam and Eve. If you haven’t read it, I highly recommend it; it’s truly one of the greatest poems.
My nerdiness aside, this clue is difficult, especially if you don’t know what Pandemonium means. So, I’d rate it four out of five in difficulty.
What to play after finishing the NYT Mini Crossword puzzle
If you’ve finished today’s NYT Mini Crossword, try the mini daily ones from the LA Times and the Washington Post, as they’re just as short, sweet, and sometimes frustrating. Or, if you want to add a word game to your daily repertoire, try Strands or Spelling Bee.
