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"Vague assortment of things" - NYT Mini Crossword Answer

Answer

OLIO

4 letters

Clue Analysis

Clue: "Vague assortment of things"
Position: 1 Across
Length: 4 letters
Answer: OLIO

What does OLIO mean?

OLIO is a somewhat uncommon English word that means a miscellaneous mixture or medley of things. It comes from the Spanish word "olla," which refers to a type of stew containing various ingredients.

Definitions:

  • • A miscellaneous mixture
  • • A medley or potpourri
  • • A variety show or entertainment
  • • A dish of mixed ingredients

Synonyms:

  • • Medley
  • • Potpourri
  • • Hodgepodge
  • • Assortment

Why OLIO fits perfectly

The clue "Vague assortment of things" is an excellent description of what an OLIO represents. The word "vague" suggests something indefinite or mixed, while "assortment of things" directly points to the meaning of OLIO as a collection of various items.

Crossword Strategy:

OLIO is a favorite word among crossword constructors because it's short, has useful vowel patterns, and can be clued in various ways related to mixtures, variety shows, or Spanish cuisine.

Usage Examples

Literary: "The magazine featured an olio of short stories, poems, and essays."

Entertainment: "The variety show was an olio of musical acts and comedy sketches."

Culinary: "The chef prepared an olio of seasonal vegetables and herbs."

Related Crossword Clues

OLIO appears frequently in crosswords with various clues:

• "Hodgepodge"

• "Variety show"

• "Mixed bag"

• "Potpourri"

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