Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Answers for Thursday, Oct. 8

Need some help with today’s Mini Crossword? It helps to know a bit about a certain popular country song if you want to answer 5-Down. Read on if you need help solving the puzzle today. The Mini Crossword is a nice break from the tougher puzzles, and it takes only a fraction of the time of the vaunted, regular New York Times Crossword puzzle. CNET publishes daily answers and hints for Wordle, The New York Times Mini Crossword, Connections, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands puzzles. Mini across clues and answers 1A clue: Old-fashioned business?Answer: BAR 4A clue: Start of a tennis pointAnswer: SERVE 6A clue: Basic bagel varietyAnswer: PLAIN 7A clue: Like the most famous Hollywood celebritiesAnswer: ALIST 8A clue: “Hoo-boy!”Answer: MAN The completed NYT Mini Crossword puzzle for Oct. 8, 2026.NYT/Screenshot by CNET Mini down clues and answers 1D clue: It’s in your headAnswer: BRAIN 2D clue: Car rental optionAnswer: AVIS 3D clue: Monthly expenseAnswer: RENT 4D clue: Many a call from an unknown numberAnswer: SPAM 5D clue: ___ Langley, singer with the 2026 #1 hit “Choosin’ Texas”Answer: ELLA CNET editor Gael Fashingbauer Cooper, a journalist and pop-culture junkie, is co-author of "Whatever Happened to Pudding Pops? The Lost Toys, Tastes and Trends of the '70s and '80s," as well as "The Totally Sweet '90s." She's been a journalist since 1989, working at Mpls.St.Paul Magazine, Twin Cities Sidewalk, the Minneapolis Star Tribune, and NBC News Digital. She's Gen X in birthdate, word and deed. If Marathon candy bars ever come back, she'll be first in line. See full bio The Latest from Gael Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Answers for Thursday, Oct. 8 Today’s NYT Strands Hints, Spangram and Answers for Thursday, Oct. 8, #949 Today’s NYT Connections: Sports Edition Hints and Answers for Oct. 8, #745