Issue #816 Fri 12 Dec
Strands hints — December 12, 2025
A light dusting of ink on the fingers and a few quiet hours to spare. Today offers a classic, steady climb through the lexicon.
Theme 3 reveals
Today's theme
The quill scratching against parchment, a single candle burning low, and the weight of a heavy book resting on your lap.
English literature and classic theater history.
FAMOUS ENGLISH PLAYWRIGHT
Spangram 4 nudges · 7 letters
The connector word
A compound noun formed by a definite article and a common occupational title.
7 letters.
Starts with T, ends with D.
THEBARD
Group hint 1 reveal
Show all starting letters
Starting letters
- 1 M (8 letters)
- 2 M (5 letters)
- 3 M (9 letters)
- 4 S (5 letters)
- 5 T (7 letters)
- 6 T (7 letters)
Group hint 1 reveal
Show the first two letters of each
First two letters
- 1 ME (8 letters)
- 2 ME (5 letters)
- 3 MI (9 letters)
- 4 SH (5 letters)
- 5 TE (7 letters)
- 6 TW (7 letters)
Theme word 1 of 6 5 nudges · 8 letters
A theme word
A man of business negotiating his pound of flesh in Venice.
8 letters.
Starts with M.
Starts with ME.
MERCHANT
Theme word 2 of 6 5 nudges · 5 letters
A theme word
The boisterous, laughing wives of Windsor.
5 letters.
Starts with M.
Starts with ME.
MERRY
Theme word 3 of 6 5 nudges · 9 letters
A theme word
A chaotic night in the woods where love and magic collide.
9 letters.
Starts with M.
Starts with MI.
MIDSUMMER
Theme word 4 of 6 5 nudges · 5 letters
A theme word
A headstrong woman needing to be tamed by her suitor.
5 letters.
Starts with S.
Starts with SH.
SHREW
Theme word 5 of 6 5 nudges · 7 letters
A theme word
A shipwreck on a mysterious island stirred up by a powerful sorcerer.
7 letters.
Starts with T.
Starts with TE.
TEMPEST
Theme word 6 of 6 5 nudges · 7 letters
A theme word
A night of revelry and mistaken identities after the holiday season.
7 letters.
Starts with T.
Starts with TW.
TWELFTH