‘The tip of a sippy cup, essentially’ NYT Mini Crossword answer and hints (Aug. 7)

It’s not often a clue stumps me, but one of today’s NYT Mini Crossword clues had me questioning everything, including my (admittedly limited) knowledge of sippy cups.

“The tip of a sippy cup, essentially,” is a tricky one-across clue from the Aug. 7 NYT crossword puzzle. It’s safe to say this answer is a bit obscure because what I envision as a sippy cup isn’t apparently quite what this clue writer envisions as a sippy cup. Yet, somehow, we’re both right. If you’re here, you might also be a tad confused about what the tip of the sippy cup is too. So, the answer is below.

‘The tip of a sippy cup, essentially’ NYT Mini Crossword hints and answer (Aug. 7)

• Hint 1: It starts with an “S.”
• Hint 2: It’s one word.
• Hint 3: These can be made from paper, plastic, wood, glass, or even metal.
• Hint 4: It rhymes with claw.

If you’re still trying to solve this clue, this is your spoiler warning, as I’ve got the answer below.

The answer to the one-across clue, “The tip of a sippy cup, essentially,” is “STRAW.” A straw is a tube that’s used to suck liquid through, at least according to the Cambridge Dictionary. As it turns out, there are sippy cups designed for toddlers and kids that have a straw. I thought these were training cups or bottles. I was wrong.

With one-across solved, you can finish the rest of the Aug. 7 NYT mini crossword puzzle or read on for all the clues and answers.

Aug. 7 NYT Mini Crossword puzzle clues and answers

Across

• 1A The tip of a sippy cup, essentially — STRAW
• 6A It’s considered to be both a percussion and stringed instrument — PIANO
• 7A Knight’s attire — ARMOR
• 8A More than just wants — NEEDS
• 9A Circus safety feature — NET

Down

• 1D Length of a bridge — SPAN
• 2D “Flat” or “spare” item — TIRE
• 3D Noodles eaten with chashu pork — RAMEN
• 4D One end of a battery — ANODE
• 5D Superlative seen on a Razzle Award — WORST

Difficulty level of the ‘The tip of a sippy cup, essential’ clue

I’m going to preface this section by saying I didn’t like this clue. To me, a sippy cup has a spout, and this has been dubbed the traditional version.

After doing a bit of research, I learned that sippy cups with straws are considered a safer alternative. So, if you grew up a little more traditionally or are a bit older, you might also have pictured the spout version, not the straw version. Because this clue was on the confusing side, I’d give it a solid four out of five in difficulty.

NYT Mini Crossword puzzle crossword and word game alternatives

If you enjoy playing mini crosswords, you should try the ones from the LA Times and the Washington Post. They’re released daily and can be quite as exasperating, yet fun, as the ones from the NYT. But, if you enjoy word games, the NYT also has two daily games called Strands and Spelling Bee you could also try.