Issue #114 Tue 3 Oct
Connections hints — October 3, 2023
Today's grid requires a sharp eye for internal structures. The layout balances direct associations with a few subtle linguistic traps that demand a steady pace.
yellow group 7 nudges
Yellow group
A walk through a high-altitude farm where the winter coats are thick enough to spin into yarn.
Natural history
Direct classification
Members are 3–6 letters; first letters A, Y.
LONG-HAIRED ANIMALS
One is AFGHAN.
AFGHAN · ALPACA · ANGORA · YAK
green group 7 nudges
Green group
The hum of a coffee shop where two friends have been sitting for three hours straight.
Communication styles
Synonym set
Members are 3–7 letters; first letters B, C, G, J.
PRATTLE ON
One is BLATHER.
BLATHER · CHAT · JABBER · GAB
blue group 7 nudges
Blue group
Something you'd do to a pair of shoes before a job interview.
Retail industry
Brand identification
Members are 4–8 letters; first letters C, J, P, V.
SNEAKER BRANDS
One is CONVERSE.
CONVERSE · JORDAN · PUMA · VANS
violet group 7 nudges
Violet group
You take the same route home and a single door is open that's never open.
Word play
Compound word construction
Members are 4–6 letters; first letters L, S, T, W.
___ BALLOON
One is LEAD.
LEAD · SPEECH · TRIAL · WATER