Need some help with today’s Mini Crossword? I was puzzled by the very first clue, 1-Across, until I filled in a few letters. Read on for all the answers.

Mini across clues and answers

1A clue: Flatten, informally
Answer: SMUSH

6A clue: African mammal that can weigh up to 10,000 pounds
Answer: HIPPO

7A clue: “___ next time!”
Answer: UNTIL

8A clue: Add fuel to, as a fire
Answer: STOKE

9A clue: Really talked (up)
Answer: HYPED

Mini down clues and answers

1D clue: “Quiet!”
Answer: SHUSH

2D clue: Like many green mouthwashes
Answer: MINTY

3D clue: Request that precedes “down low … too slow!”
Answer: UPTOP

4D clue: Powerful volleyball hit
Answer: SPIKE

5D clue: Sank, as a putt
Answer: HOLED

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CNET editor Gael Fashingbauer Cooper, a journalist and pop-culture junkie, is co-author of “Whatever Happened to Pudding Pops? The Lost Toys, Tastes and Trends of the ’70s and ’80s,” as well as “The Totally Sweet ’90s.” She’s been a journalist since 1989, working at Mpls.St.Paul Magazine, Twin Cities Sidewalk, the Minneapolis Star Tribune, and NBC News Digital. She’s Gen X in birthdate, word and deed. If Marathon candy bars ever come back, she’ll be first in line.

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