Sunday version of NYT Crossword is not as difficult as Saturday ones. However, Sunday’s crossword is larger than previous days’ puzzles and it takes a lot of effort to solve it. Therefore, you have to put more time and energy for today’s puzzle.
If you are a riddle lover, I have great news for you. NYT Crossword of Jan. 18 is full of fun and challenging riddles which made me think while staring at the wall for about twenty minutes. Are you ready for six riddles? Then join me to analyze them one by one and decipher today’s crossword theme.
First riddle of the grid comes at 23-Across. The question is: Like the Gospel of Mark, sequentially? In the sequence of New Testament books, The Gospel of Mark comes after the Gospel of Matthew. Believe me or not, the answer is really simple: AFTERMATTHEW. This riddle once more shows that sometimes we should look for a simpler solution for complex situations!
Section 33-Across riddle is hilarious like the previous one: Prepare for a mechanic’s certification exam? What comes to your mind when someone is talking about mechanic or car? Yes, engine. What do most mechanics do while checking a car? Once again, you gave the correct answer: they will review the engine. Oh, I gave you the answer too: REVIEWTHEENGINE.
This riddle (section 58-Across) is a pop-culture pun. The answer is a play on the famous board game Settlers of Catan. The question is: Original people to move into Cancún’s peninsula? To put it bluntly, the answer is: THESETTLERSOFYUCATAN.
Section 79-Across presents a riddle which can be considered as the funniest one. The question is: Gets married while wearing protective gear? The answer made me laugh really hard since despite its length, it is really humorous: UNITESINSHININGARMOR.
103-Across took its riddle from a sitcom named “Two and a Half Men”. The question is: List of restaurant offerings for kids not yet three years old? As a witty answer, TWOANDAHALFMENU shows the theme of the puzzle which will be discussed later.
118-Across is the last subtle riddle of the grid. The question is: Wedding planner’s aid? Let me give you the answer and then review the clue. The correct answer is VENUEDIAGRAM which is somehow similar to a Venn Diagram.
Theme of NYT Crossword (Jan. 18, 2026): “U” Problem!
You may wonder what is the theme of NYT Crossword of Jan 18. Let’s take a look at section 67-Across: “Don’t look at me for help” … or a phonetic hint to this puzzle’s theme. Keep the “Phonetic” part in your mind; we will need it later.
The answer for this question is: SOUNDSLIKEAYOUPROBLEM. Actually, we have common U-element in all of the riddles (remember yu-catan), but it is prominent in sections 33A, 103A and 118A.
For 33-Across, the known term is Rev the Engine. However, there is “iew” in the answer sounds like U. Moreover, section 103-Across’s answer is Two and a Half Men with a U. Finally, Venue Diagram replaces Venn with Venue.
The theme works by taking a standard phrase and “pun-ifying” it by adding or substituting a “U” sound; often spelled phonetically as “UE” or “IEW”.
From “Venue Diagrams” to “Unites in Shining Armor,” today was full of laughs. Which riddle was your favorite, and which one left you stumped? Let’s chat in the comments!
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