Issue #848 Tue 13 Jan
Strands hints — January 13, 2026
A cool breeze blows through the kitchen aisles today. The grid demands a steady hand and a bit of patience to navigate the shelves.
Theme 3 reveals
Today's theme
You open the heavy door, a plume of cold air escapes, and the frost lines the silver racks.
Grocery store inventory
ITEMS KEPT AT SUB-ZERO TEMPERATURES
Spangram 4 nudges · 10 letters
The connector word
Two-word compound noun
10 letters.
Starts with F, ends with D.
FROZENFOOD
Group hint 1 reveal
Show all starting letters
Starting letters
- 1 P (5 letters)
- 2 P (9 letters)
- 3 S (7 letters)
- 4 V (10 letters)
- 5 W (7 letters)
Group hint 1 reveal
Show the first two letters of each
First two letters
- 1 PI (5 letters)
- 2 PO (9 letters)
- 3 SH (7 letters)
- 4 VE (10 letters)
- 5 WA (7 letters)
Theme word 1 of 5 5 nudges · 5 letters
A theme word
A quick meal that arrives in a square box and waits for the oven timer to ding.
5 letters.
Starts with P.
Starts with PI.
PIZZA
Theme word 2 of 5 5 nudges · 9 letters
A theme word
Sticky, colorful treats on a wooden stick that melt much faster than you can finish them.
9 letters.
Starts with P.
Starts with PO.
POPSICLES
Theme word 3 of 5 5 nudges · 7 letters
A theme word
A smooth, chilled dessert that sits between a sorbet and ice cream in the dairy aisle.
7 letters.
Starts with S.
Starts with SH.
SHERBET
Theme word 4 of 5 5 nudges · 10 letters
A theme word
The bag you pull from the bottom drawer, pre-cut and ready for a hot pan.
10 letters.
Starts with V.
Starts with VE.
VEGETABLES
Theme word 5 of 5 5 nudges · 7 letters
A theme word
Grid-patterned breakfast cakes that crisp up perfectly after a few minutes in the toaster.
7 letters.
Starts with W.
Starts with WA.
WAFFLES