If you do something long enough, you start to see patterns. For avid solvers of the New York Times Crossword, you know that Will Shortz and his team love their wordplay. But every once in a while, a clue comes along that stops you mid-scroll—not because it is hard, but because it is clever.
The clue “Flip Phone” is a perfect example. Depending on which puzzle you are solving (the big daily grid or the speedy Mini), this seemingly simple clue has two very different answers. One is a nostalgic nod to the 2000s, and the other is a bit of linguistic trolling.
Here is everything you need to know to solve the “Flip Phone” clue in the NYT Crossword.
The Two Meanings of “Flip Phone”
In the world of crosswords, context is everything. The date and the puzzle type determine whether the answer is a noun or a verb.
1. The Retro Device (The Standard Puzzle)
If you are solving the classic NYT Crossword (the big one) and the clue is “Retro means of communication” or a variation like “Popular flip phone of the mid-2000s,” the answer is a brand name.
-
The Answer: RAZR
-
In late 2021 and again in archive puzzles, the clue “Popular flip phone of the mid-2000s” had a four-letter answer: RAZR. The Motorola RAZR was the status symbol flip phone before the iPhone changed everything.
-
-
The Answer: FLIPPHONE
-
More recently, in June 2025, the NYT ran a clue asking for “Retro means of communication.” The answer was simply FLIPPHONE (9 letters).
-
2. The Pun (The Mini Crossword Trap)
Here is where things get tricky. On August 27, 2025, solvers of the NYT Mini Crossword encountered the clue “Flip phone?”.
Notice the question mark at the end. In crossword notation, a question mark indicates a pun, a trick, or a play on words.
If you spent five minutes trying to type “NOKIA” or “SAMSUNG,” you were overthinking it. The answer to “Flip phone?” is ENOHP.
Why? Because you take the word PHONE and you flip the letters upside down or backwards. “ENOHP” is simply “PHONE” reversed. It is a meta-joke about the word itself rather than the object.
Why This Clue Went Viral
The “ENOHP” solution caused a minor uproar on social media in late August 2025. Solvers felt the clue was unfair, while constructors argued it was brilliant.
Why it works:
It plays on the double meaning of the verb “to flip” (to reverse order) rather than the noun “a flip” (the clamshell device).
The Companion Clue:
To help solvers catch on, the Mini puzzle often includes a “helper” clue. On that same day, the puzzle also included a clue for “Reverse dunk?” (Another reversal clue) which spelled KNUD.
How to Solve Wordplay Clues Like a Pro
If you see a clue like “Flip phone?” or “Reverse ___?” in the future, follow these steps:
-
Look for the Question Mark: This is your only warning that a literal answer is wrong.
-
Listen to the Verb: If the clue contains a verb like “Flip,” “Reverse,” “Turn,” or “Back,” the answer is likely the word spelled backwards.
-
Visualize the Word: Ask yourself, “If I physically flipped this word, what would it look like?”
Summary of Solutions
To save you from future frustration, here is the cheat sheet for the “flip phone” clue in the NYT ecosystem:
| Clue Variation | Puzzle Context | Answer | Why? |
|---|---|---|---|
| “Flip phone?” (with ?) | NYT Mini (Aug 2025) | ENOHP | Reverse the letters of “PHONE” |
| “Retro means of communication” | Standard NYT (Jun 2025) | FLIPPHONE | The actual name of the device |
| “Popular flip phone of the mid-2000s” | Standard NYT (Archives) | RAZR | The iconic Motorola model |
Final Thoughts
The New York Times Crossword has evolved from simply testing vocabulary to testing wit. The “Flip Phone” clue is a perfect snapshot of modern puzzle design: it forces you to throw out your first guess and think about the words themselves.
So, whether you are nostalgic for the RAZR or annoyed by ENOHP, at least you will never get this clue wrong again.
Also visit More
