Issue #426 Tue 23 Jul
Connections hints — July 23, 2024
Today's grid requires a discerning eye to separate the direct synonyms from the more structural wordplay. Expect a measured pace as you navigate the overlaps.
yellow group 7 nudges
Yellow group
A diploma hanging in a hallway that was printed on a home computer while the office was closed.
Professional dishonesty
Direct synonyms
Members are 4–9 letters; first letters C, F, Q, S.
IMPOSTOR
One is CHARLATAN.
CHARLATAN · FRAUD · QUACK · SHAM
green group 7 nudges
Green group
The quiet static of a radio between stations or the sudden tap on a shoulder.
Units of communication
Synonyms for communicative outputs
Members are 4–5 letters; first letters N, P, S, W.
UTTERANCE
One is NOISE.
NOISE · PEEP · SOUND · WORD
blue group 7 nudges
Blue group
A person wearing a velvet cape to the grocery store just to see who looks.
Performative behavior
Synonyms for attention-seeking
Members are 3–8 letters; first letters H, P, S.
ONE WHO LIKES SHOWING OFF
One is HAM.
HAM · HOT DOG · PEACOCK · SHOWBOAT
violet group 7 nudges
Violet group
A cartoon screen flickering with a missing letter in the title card.
Pop culture wordplay
Truncated proper nouns
Members are 3–5 letters; first letters B, P, S, T.
LOONEY TUNES CHARACTERS MINUS A LETTER
One is BUG.
BUG · PORK · SPEED · TWEET