Tailgate attendee - NYT Mini-Crossword Clue

Introduction

Today's NYT Mini-Crossword features a classic, straightforward clue: "Tailgate attendee". This type of clue is common in daily puzzles and relies on direct association and cultural knowledge. Let's break down how to solve it.

Clue Analysis

The clue combines two key concepts: "tailgate" and "attendee".

• Tailgate: This refers to a social gathering, typically held in a parking lot before a sporting event or concert. The name comes from the practice of serving food and drinks from the open tailgate of a pickup truck or SUV.
• Attendee: This is simply a person who is present at an event.

Putting them together, the clue asks for a word that describes a person who goes to these pre-game parties. The most common reason to attend a tailgate is to support a team, making the attendee an enthusiast or supporter.

Thinking Approaches

For a clue like this, a few strategies can lead you to the answer:

1. Word Association: The first word that comes to mind when you think of "tailgate" and "sports" is likely related to the people there. Who are they? They're supporters, rooters, enthusiasts. A very common, short word for this is FAN.
2. Consider the Context: The NYT Mini-Crossword favors short, common words. If you're thinking of longer answers like "spectator" or "supporter," try to find a shorter synonym. "Fan" is a perfect three-letter equivalent.
3. Use the Crosses: In any crossword, but especially the Mini, intersecting clues are your best friend. If you have even one letter for a three-letter word, the possibilities narrow dramatically. For example, if the middle letter is 'A', words like "FAN", "MAN", "CAN", or "PAL" might come to mind. "FAN" is the only one that fits the "tailgate" context.

Background Context

Tailgating is a quintessential part of American sports culture, particularly for American football games at both the professional (NFL) and collegiate levels. These events are known for their festive atmosphere, with attendees grilling food, playing games, and showing team spirit long before the game begins. The term "fan" itself is believed to be a shortened form of "fanatic," originally used in the late 19th century to describe devoted baseball followers.

Conclusion

The clue "Tailgate attendee" points directly to the most common type of person you'd find at such an event: a sports FAN. The answer is concise, fits the cultural context perfectly, and is a staple of early-week and mini crosswords.

Hints

1. Hint 1: A supporter of a team or performer.
2. Hint 2: This person might be found cheering in a stadium.
3. Hint 3: The word is also an object that creates a breeze.

The answer is... FAN