[Solve the NYT Mini Crossword Clue： Battery Life, Colloquially]

Oh, when we talk about “battery life,” nowadays, people aren’t just talking about batteries running out in those old radios, but all the gadgets around us that need that “juice,” as they call it. It’s like back in the day when we’d need to keep that kerosene ready for the lantern, or our good firewood for the stove—you gotta have something that powers things, or else they just don’t work. But now, with phones and all, it’s all about how long that battery juice can last!

So what’s this “battery life” talk?

Now, if you’re thinking about battery life, it’s like how much energy or “juice” your phone, laptop, or any other little gadget has before it runs out and dies. Kind of like how much energy you got to do chores all day. And these days, people can’t go without checking how much battery they got left—especially when they’re out and about. Now that’s what they call “battery anxiety”—it’s that worry that the battery is going to run out right when they need it most.

They even made this whole big thing out of it, and you’ll find folks talking about “battery life, colloquially.” Colloquially just means, well, the way folks talk about it, more casually. Instead of saying “battery duration” or something fancy, they just say “juice.” Real simple.

How did this word “juice” get popular?

Well, let me tell you, this word “juice” came around because it’s just easier to say! Imagine having to always say, “Oh, my battery duration is low.” That’s too much. So instead, they just say “juice,” like, “I gotta save some juice for later,” or “Oh no, my phone’s outta juice!” It’s catchy, right? And when you say it, people know right away what you mean—no fancy talk needed. Kids these days, they love that!

People worry over their “juice” like it’s gold!

Now, back when I was younger, we didn’t have to worry about batteries in every little thing we owned. But now, folks get all jittery if that little battery icon on their screen shows red. Oh, they panic! They start looking around for a charger, like it’s the end of the world if they run out. They’ll even ask around, “Hey, got a charger?” like it’s asking for a glass of water!

Why so much worry? It’s because they got used to being connected all the time. No charge? No phone, no internet, no GPS, no talking with friends, nothing! Everything stops. It’s like back in the day when the TV would go out in the middle of the news—you feel lost!

Crosswords and “juice” – even they know it’s a thing!

And I heard this word “juice” even popped up in the New York Times Mini Crossword! Can you believe it? They put in a clue about battery life, and the answer was “juice.” That’s how you know it’s a common word now. If it’s good enough for a big fancy crossword, it’s sure something people say a lot.

Imagine that! People solving a crossword, and they see “battery life, colloquially” and think, “Oh, that must be ‘juice.’” Shows how much times have changed, don’t it?

How do people keep their “juice” up?

So, if you’re wondering how folks keep that juice up, they got all sorts of tricks! Here’s some I’ve heard:

• Lower the screen brightness: Well, just like not leaving all the lights on at home, turning down the brightness saves the battery a bit longer.
• Close unused apps: Oh, kids these days open so many apps! Closing them helps the battery last longer.
• Turn off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth: If you don’t need it, turn it off, they say. Simple as that!
• Airplane mode: Now, this mode saves even more, they say, ‘cause the phone stops searching for signals. But you can’t get calls or texts, so use it wisely!

So there you have it! That “juice” isn’t just some fancy word; it’s what keeps everyone going these days. Whether it’s a phone, a tablet, or a little gadget, once you’re out of juice, you’re just done till you can plug back in. And that’s why people pay so much attention to it—just like making sure there’s always firewood ready back in the day.

In the end, it’s all about keeping things running!

Now, when folks talk about battery life, they’re really talking about keeping their lives running smoothly. If that phone or gadget dies, it’s like losing your connection to everything, especially in this big ol’ world where folks are always on the move. So next time you hear someone say, “My phone’s got no juice left,” you know they’re in a bit of trouble and looking for a plug!

Tags：Battery Life, Colloquially, NYT, Juice, Phone Battery