‘Retort to Am not’ NYT Mini Crossword Aug. 8 clue solution and hints

This clue might be one of the wildest and most childish in recent NYT Mini Crossword puzzle memory—and I’m all for it. If you’re struggling to conquer three down’s, “Retort to, ‘Am not,'” I’ve got you covered with hints and the answer.

‘Retort to Am not’ NYT Aug. 8 Mini Crossword hints and answer

• Hint one: The answer is two words.
• Hint two: A three-letter word and a two-letter word.
• Hint three: Starts with “A.”
• Hint four: Ends with “O.”

It’s a hard clue to give hints for, and I’ve done my best, but let’s check out the answer and why it lines up with the clue.

“ARESO” is the two-word solution to this particular NYT Mini Crossword clue. If you break it up, it becomes “are so,” and resembles a child-like exchange between a stubborn individual and the voice of reason.

The five spaces are reserved for two words, “Are” and “So,” and hints three and four are self-explanatory.

All NYT (Aug. 8) Mini Crossword puzzle clues and answers

Across

• 1A Q-tip, for instance — SWAB
• 5A Bracelet dangler — CHARM
• 6A Pricey watchmaker with crown logo — ROLEX
• 7A Rubs the wrong way — IRKS
• 8A Spanish for “kiss” — BESO

Down

• 5D Bed with a blankie — CRIB
• 1D Place to find seashells — SHORE
• 2D “Enjoys long ___on the beach” (classic phrase in a personal ad) — WALKS
• 3D Retort to “Am not!” — ARE SO
• 4D Stunt rider’s sport, for short — BM

‘Retort to Am not’ clue difficulty rating, explained

One of the main reasons this clue gets a four out of five for difficulty is that the NYT Mini Crossword has a bad habit of not explaining to the reader when an answer is two words. For instance, most crosswords I’ve done end the clue with brackets and a number: (2,3) is how the clue should look. Ergo, you’re left wondering what five-letter word fits the criteria, when it’s simply not the case.

How to play free daily word games like NYT Mini Crossword

Be careful not to step on the free plug I’m out to dish out for other daily word games. The LA Times and the Washington Post are great for crossword addicts, and others such as Strands and Spelling Bee provide a more creative outlet.