‘Mortarboard wearer’ NYT Mini Crossword clue Aug. 9 answer and hints

At first glance, today’s NYT Crossword clue, “Mortarboard wearer,” sounds like a device used in medieval times. Surprisingly, it’s not—though figuring it out may be as tricky as using one of those old historical devices.

This clue is from the Aug. 9 NYT Mini Crossword puzzle, and if you don’t know what a Mortarboard is, you’re in the right place for a few hints and the answer.

‘Mortarboard wearer’ Aug. 9 NYT Mini Crossword hints and answer

• Hint 1: It starts with a “G.”
• Hint 2: It’s more commonly known as a ____ cap.
• Hint 3: It’s typically worn by teachers and students.
• Hint 4: It’s the shortened word for someone who has completed a course.

The answer to the “Mortarboard wearer” clue is “GRAD.” A Mortarboard, or a graduation cap, is a square-shaped hat worn by those graduating from a course, degree, or school. It’s called a Mortarboard because bricklayers used flatboards to lay mortar.

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

‘Mortarboard wearer’ clue difficulty

I was a little stumped with this one because I’ve never heard anyone refer to a graduation cap or grad hat as a Mortarboard. The latter sounds kind of dangerous. It was only after solving the surrounding clues that I was able to figure it out.

I wouldn’t have got this one right off the bat. So, I’d give this clue a solid four out of five in difficulty. I can say with certainty I’m still going to call it a grad cap.

What to enjoy after solving the NYT Mini Crossword puzzle

After completing today’s NYT Mini Crossword, why not try the daily ones from the LA Times and the Washington Post? Or, if you’d like to play a few word games, Strands and Spelling Bee are great options.