It’s rare to have stacked crossword entries read as dialogue, unless you have conversations entirely in crosswordese. “Oboe.” “Epee?” “Tsar. Oslo.” Riveting stuff. 20A. Words with multiple meanings are often the key ingredient in misdirection clues like [Coat on a tip?

Today's NYT Mini Crossword is live, and Wednesday's grid brings a mix of trivia, pop culture, and clean wordplay that lands right in the sweet spot.

Today’s NYT Mini Crossword featured clever clues, including a standout Hermann Hesse reference and fun wordplay.Answers like MASH, OTTER, HORSE, and