Issue #586 Sat 21 Dec
Connections hints — December 21, 2024
Today's grid asks for a steady hand and a willingness to look past the obvious. You will find a few traps tucked into the common nouns, but the path forward remains clear for those who keep their focus.
yellow group 7 nudges
Yellow group
A gold band left on the nightstand, or a chalk mark drawn on the driveway for a game of hopscotch.
Geometric shapes and related forms
Direct synonyms
Members are 4–6 letters; first letters B, C, H, R.
LOOP
One is BAND.
BAND · CIRCLE · HOOP · RING
green group 7 nudges
Green group
Where the burner meets the bottom of the heavy iron, and the smell of dinner begins to fill the kitchen.
Kitchenware items
Direct synonyms
Members are 3–9 letters; first letters C, P.
COOKING VESSELS
One is CASSEROLE.
CASSEROLE · CROCK · PAN · POT
blue group 7 nudges
Blue group
The guest room that stays empty for months, or the corner of the attic where you tucked away the frame from your first apartment.
Furniture styles
Direct synonyms
Members are 4–6 letters; first letters B, C, M, S.
KINDS OF BEDS
One is BUNK.
BUNK · CANOPY · MURPHY · SLEIGH
violet group 7 nudges
Violet group
A trash can lid clattering in the alleyway, or the gold-plated figure waiting for its moment in the spotlight.
Common cultural references
Shared proper noun associations
Members are 1–9 letters; first letters B, G, O, S.
THINGS CALLED “OSCAR”
One is BALONEY.
BALONEY · GROUCH · O · STATUETTE