Issue #750 Sun 25 May
Connections hints — May 25, 2025
A tidy distribution of four distinct themes keeps the grid moving. Expect a standard level of difficulty with few distractions.
yellow group 7 nudges
Yellow group
A shuffled deck on a felt table, the snap of a card being flipped, and the wait to see if the hand holds up.
Gaming and recreation
Synonyms for specific roles in a set
Members are 3–5 letters; first letters A, J, K, Q.
PLAYING CARDS
One is ACE.
ACE · JACK · KING · QUEEN
green group 7 nudges
Green group
Seeing a person across the subway platform who looks exactly like someone you knew ten years ago.
Identity and replication
Synonyms for exact matches
Members are 4–6 letters; first letters C, D, R, T.
DOPPELGÄNGER
One is CLONE.
CLONE · DOUBLE · RINGER · TWIN
blue group 7 nudges
Blue group
The sterile smell of a studio, a sharp pinch, and the careful selection of a stud or hoop.
Body modification
Anatomical locations
Members are 4–5 letters; first letters C, H, L, R.
EAR PIERCING SITES
One is CONCH.
CONCH · HELIX · LOBE · ROOK
violet group 7 nudges
Violet group
Where the lawnmower lives, where the mail piles up, where the kids hide.
Compound phrases
Words that precede a common noun
Members are 4–10 letters; first letters C, E, J, S.
___ MAIL
One is CHAIN.
CHAIN · ELECTRONIC · JUNK · SNAIL