Today's NYT Mini Crossword clue, "top of the top", would have been easier if I hadn't been so focused on the idea that it meant the top of something like a mountain. Words like peak or apex came to mind, but none fit.
How to Solve Cryptic Crosswords | The New Yorker
My inability to find words made me doubt even the answers I knew were correct. Luckily, after I solved most of the board, the answer made sense. If you’re still struggling, I have some hints to help you figure it out on your own.
Now stop scrolling if you don't want to see the answer, because I'm about to reveal it.
The answer to "top of the top" in today's NYT Mini Crossword is "ELITE". This word is more about the top in the abstract, not about anything physical. It can be hard to find if you're thinking of something else. For example, I quickly solved five down, four down, and two down, but still thought of the top of a mountain and couldn't find the word. I thought the answer was unclear, but it turns out I was just in the wrong place.
