Working on the LA Times clue “Fallible ones”? Below you’ll find solver-friendly hints, a spoiler-safe reveal, and a breakdown of why the entry fits typical crossword conventions. For daily help and archives, visit Clue of the Day.
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Why “MEREMORTALS” Fits This Clue
The phrase mere mortals is a natural answer to “Fallible ones” because it contrasts ordinary people with the infallible (divine, mythic, superhuman). In crossword form, editors commonly present multi-word phrases without spaces, hence MEREMORTALS. The clue’s tone signals a broad, idiomatic plural rather than a technical or specialized term.
From a solving perspective, if you initially considered humans, people, or error-prone synonyms, crossings should steer you toward the more colorful idiom. The construction is fair, familiar, and letter-friendly (no punctuation or diacritics), making it a staple entry when editors want a lively plural that communicates fallibility.
In usage, mere mortals often appears humorously or self-deprecatingly—“Even mere mortals can master Saturday themers”—which fits the playful register common in clue writing.
Strategy: Spot the Idiom
Plural clue + broad definition often points to a set phrase. When short, literal plurals don’t click with crossings, scan your mental list of idioms: also-rans, has-beens, mere mortals, etc. These answers bring personality to a grid and usually drop cleanly once you secure two or three crosses.
