1997 Hoffman/De Niro dark comedy whose name derives from an idiom
Editorially verified for the Aug 19, 2026
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Clue explained
Wag the Dog is the 1997 dark comedy starring Dustin Hoffman and Robert De Niro. Its title invokes the idiom about “the tail wagging the dog,” meaning a minor part controls the whole.
- Clue type:
- Pop culture
NYT Midi Crossword
This clue's Wednesday, August 19, 2026 appearance
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The answer to “1997 Hoffman/De Niro dark comedy whose name derives from an idiom” in the New York Times Midi crossword is WAGTHEDOG — a 9-letter word. It most recently appeared in the New York Times Midi crossword on August 19, 2026 at 9-Across. Below you'll find why that fill fits, every other answer we've recorded for this clue, and links into the puzzle it came from.
“1997 Hoffman/De Niro dark comedy whose name derives from an idiom” answer
WAGTHEDOG (9 letters)
Use the reveal tiles above to uncover the solution one letter at a time if you'd rather nudge yourself toward it than see the whole word at once. Prefer the full answer straight away? It's WAGTHEDOG.
When else has “1997 Hoffman/De Niro dark comedy whose name derives from an idiom” appeared?
New York Times Midi reuses clues across dates, sometimes with a different answer depending on the grid. Here's where this exact clue has shown up, and what the answer was each time — handy when you're checking whether today's fill is the only one.
August 19, 2026 (most recent) → WAGTHEDOG. We haven't indexed another appearance of this exact clue yet.
Frequently asked questions
What is the answer to “1997 Hoffman/De Niro dark comedy whose name derives from an idiom”?
The answer is WAGTHEDOG, a 9-letter word. It most recently appeared in the New York Times Midi crossword on August 19, 2026.
How many letters is the answer to “1997 Hoffman/De Niro dark comedy whose name derives from an idiom”?
9 letters: WAGTHEDOG.
When did this clue appear?
Most recently in the New York Times Midi crossword on August 19, 2026, at 9-Across.
Can “1997 Hoffman/De Niro dark comedy whose name derives from an idiom” have a different answer?
Yes — New York Times Midi sometimes reuses a clue with a different solution to fit the grid. The answers we've recorded for each date it appeared are listed above when available.
Where can I find the rest of today's NYT Midi answers?
Every clue and answer from that day's puzzle is linked above, and the full grid is on the NYT Midi answers page.
New York Times Midi Crossword is published by The New York Times; WordHint is an independent site and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the publisher.
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