Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Spotlights Iconic Beatles “Moptop” Hairstyle

August 23, 2025 · New York

The New York Times Mini Crossword for Saturday, August 23, 2025, had a nod to the 1960s. The clue was “Hairstyle made popular by the Beatles.” The answer, with six letters, is MOPTOP. Puzzle fans solved 1-Across with a term that shows the lasting impact of John, Paul, George, and Ringo’s iconic style.

In addition to the Beatles reference, Saturday’s Mini offered a mix of slang, film and seasonal themes. Among the Across entries:

• 7-Across: “Doin’ amazingly, in slang” (KILLINIT)
• 9-Across: “Director’s words at the end of a take” (ANDSCENE)
• 10-Across: “‘___ the season!’” (TIS)
• 11-Across: “Serious wrongdoing” (SIN)
• 12-Across: “Camera attachment” (ZOOMLENS)
• 15-Across: “Spice in a Pumpkin Spice Latte” (NUTMEG)
• 16-Across: “Come down to earth” (LAND)

Down clues included “Yellow creature in ‘Despicable Me’” (MINION) and “Letters after ‘JK’” (LMN). They filled a 5×5 grid, challenging solvers of all levels. The Beatles’ Moptop cut, featuring straight bangs and collar-length hair, took the world by storm. More than sixty years later, it still stands as a cultural icon.