NYT Mini Crossword Clue Trippy Fungus, Informally and Answers From April 13, 2024

Good morning, everyone! Today, I've got a new crossword clue to test your skills. But first, let's dive into some interesting facts. The crossword puzzle is made by different people who are not regular employees, and it's been checked by Will Shortz since 1993. The puzzles start easy on Monday and get harder until Saturday.

On Sundays, there's a big crossword in The New York Times Magazine, which is famous in America. It's as tough as a Thursday puzzle. The regular puzzles every day are 15 squares by 15 squares, but Sundays are bigger, 21 squares by 21 squares. The first editor, Margaret Farrar, made a lot of the rules for the puzzle.

People who love doing crossword puzzles have a special name: "Cruciverbalist." This word comes from Latin, with "cruc" meaning "cross" and "verbum" meaning "word." It's a perfect name because it combines both parts of the puzzle. Did you know that during World War II, crossword puzzles were burned in Paris?

This happened because some people thought the puzzles contained secret messages. But in reality, they were just for fun and didn't have any secrets. It's interesting to learn about the history of crossword puzzles and how they've been a part of different times and places!

Now, let's examine the crossword clue in more detail: Trippy fungus, informally. This crossword clue points to a type of mushroom that can cause hallucinations when consumed. In simpler terms, it's asking for a casual or slang term for a mushroom known for its mind-altering effects.

Clue

Trippy fungus, informally.

Explanation

The clue "Trippy fungus, informally" is asking for a word or phrase that means a word that makes you see and feel strange things. This type of food can make people have vivid experiences that aren't real. People might call this plant something different from its real name, like a nickname or a slang term.

It's like when you have a special name for your friends instead of calling them by their real names. In this case, the plant has a special name because it does something unusual to your mind. When you solve the puzzle, you need to think of what people might call this kind of plant when they're talking casually or informally.

Hints to Finding the Answer

Are you still having trouble finding the answer? Don't worry! I'm here with some hints to assist you in solving the crossword puzzle.

• The answer is a 4-letter word.

• The word starts with S and ends with M.

• Think of a slang word for a special type of mushroom.
• People might use this word when talking about mushrooms that make you feel strange.
• It's a word you might hear in casual conversations, not formal ones.
• Try to remember any movies or stories where people talk about eating mushrooms to feel funny.

Answer

Wow! You're really talented! You got the answer correct.

SHROOM

Explanation

Shroom is a word that people use informally to talk about a special type of mushroom called a "magic mushroom." These mushrooms have a substance in them that can make people see and feel things that aren't really there. It's like having a vivid dream while you're awake.

People might eat these mushrooms to have fun or to experience something different. The word "shroom" is a short and easy way to talk about these mushrooms without using their official name. When you see the word "shroom" in a crossword puzzle clue, it's asking for this specific kind of mushroom.

So, if you know that "shroom" means magic mushroom, you can fill in the answer to the puzzle. It's important to remember that these mushrooms can be risky to eat because they can make you sick or cause other problems. So, it's best to be careful and not eat mushrooms unless you're sure they're safe.

Possible Answers

LICHEN

Explanation

Lichen is like a little team made of algae and fungus. Algae is a tiny plant that can make food from sunlight, and fungus is a type of plant that doesn't make its own food. When they team up, they create lichen. The algae makes food for both itself and the fungus, while the fungus provides a cozy home for the algae to live in.

This partnership is called a symbiotic relationship, where both partners benefit. Lichen can grow on rocks, trees, and even rooftops. It comes in many colors and shapes, and it's very important for the environment. It helps break down rocks into soil, and it provides food and shelter for small animals. So, even though lichen might seem small and simple, it plays a big role in nature.

MOULD

Explanation

"Mould" is a type of fungus that grows in damp places, like bathrooms. It often appears as black or green spots on walls, ceilings, or even on items like bread if it's left out for too long. When something is called "bath fungus," it means it's specifically the type of mould that grows in bathrooms.

This happens because bathrooms can be moist and warm, creating the perfect conditions for mould to grow. Mold can be harmful if it's not cleaned up because it can cause allergies and make people sick, especially if they have asthma or other breathing problems. So, it's important to keep bathrooms clean and dry to prevent mould from growing. If you see mould in your bathroom, it's a good idea to clean it up right away to keep yourself and your family healthy.

MOREL

Explanation

A morel is a type of mushroom that's really special. People love it because it tastes perfect and because it's fancy, like something you might eat at a fancy restaurant. People call it a "gourmet fungus" because it's fancy and delicious. Chefs like to use morels to make dishes taste extra special.

Morels are also different from regular mushrooms because of their unique shape and texture. They look kind of like a sponge or a honeycomb. People who love cooking or eating tasty food often look for morels because they're so yummy and unique. So, when you see "morel" in a crossword puzzle, it's talking about this special and tasty mushroom.

ERGOT

Explanation

Ergot is a type of fungus that can grow on grains like wheat, rye, and barley. It's not good for you because it produces toxins that can make people sick. In the past, when people ate bread made from contaminated grains, they could get really sick. Sometimes, they even had hallucinations or other strange symptoms.

This is because the toxins in ergot can affect the brain and body in harmful ways. It's important to make sure that the grains we eat are clean and free from ergot contamination. Today, scientists and farmers work hard to prevent ergot from growing on crops. They do this by using techniques like crop rotation and carefully monitoring the fields. So, even though ergot might sound like a scary fungus, we know how to keep ourselves safe from it.

YEAST

Explanation

The yeast is a type of fungus that grows on grapes. It's like a tiny living thing that you can't see without a microscope. When yeast is on grapes, it helps make them turn into something special: wine! The yeast eats the natural sugars in the grapes and turns them into alcohol and carbon dioxide.

This process is called fermentation. It's like when you mix ingredients together to make something new. In this case, the yeast and sugars mix together to make wine. People have been using yeast to make wine for thousands of years. So, when you see grapes covered in a white powdery substance, that's yeast doing its job to help make delicious wine!

MILDEW

Explanation

Mildew is a type of fungus that can grow on plants, like leaves. It looks like a powdery or fuzzy coating, usually white or gray in color. When mildew grows on leaves, it can make them look discolored and unhealthy. This fungus likes to grow in damp and humid conditions, so it's often found in places with too much moisture, like bathrooms, basements, or on plants in wet environments.

Mildew can harm plants by blocking sunlight and stealing their nutrients, which can make them sick or even die. To get rid of mildew on leaves, you can try cleaning the affected area and keeping it dry. It's important to take care of mildew quickly to prevent it from spreading and causing more damage to plants.

ASCUS

Explanation

"ASCUS" is a term used to describe a tiny sac found in fungi. It's like a small container where the fungus stores its spores, which are like seeds for fungi. These spores are important because they help the fungus reproduce and spread to new places. The word "ascus" comes from Latin, which means "sac."

So, when scientists study fungi, they might talk about these tiny sacs as "ascus." It's a bit like how we might call a bag a "sac" in everyday language. Understanding the structure of fungi, including the asci, helps scientists learn more about how fungi grow and how they affect other living things.

TRUFFLE OIL

Explanation

Truffle oil is a special kind of oil made from truffles, which are a type of fungus that grows underground. Truffle oil has a strong and unique flavor that adds a delicious taste to food. It's often used as a topping to make dishes taste even better. When you use truffle oil on food, it gives it a rich and savory taste called "umami," which is a fancy word for a yummy, savory flavor.

People like to use truffle oil to make their meals extra special. It's kind of like adding a secret ingredient that makes everything taste amazing! So, truffle oil is a yummy topping made from a special kind of fungus that adds a delicious flavor to food.