Issue #854 Mon 19 Jan
Strands hints — January 19, 2026
A patient grid for a Sunday morning. The board requires a steady hand and a bit of focus to navigate the connections hidden within.
Theme 3 reveals
Today's theme
You take the same route home and a single door is open that's never open.
Musical performance and stage energy.
ENERGIZING MUSICAL INVITATIONS
Spangram 4 nudges · 8 letters
The connector word
Two-word phrasal verb.
8 letters.
Starts with L, ends with K.
LETSROCK
Group hint 1 reveal
Show all starting letters
Starting letters
- 1 Q (5 letters)
- 2 S (4 letters)
- 3 T (6 letters)
- 4 T (7 letters)
- 5 V (7 letters)
- 6 W (5 letters)
- 7 W (6 letters)
Group hint 1 reveal
Show the first two letters of each
First two letters
- 1 QU (5 letters)
- 2 SW (4 letters)
- 3 TE (6 letters)
- 4 TR (7 letters)
- 5 VI (7 letters)
- 6 WA (5 letters)
- 7 WO (6 letters)
Theme word 1 of 7 5 nudges · 5 letters
A theme word
The sudden drop of a heavy object that sends a ripple through the floorboards.
5 letters.
Starts with Q.
Starts with QU.
QUAKE
Theme word 2 of 7 5 nudges · 4 letters
A theme word
A gentle motion back and forth like a porch swing catching a draft.
4 letters.
Starts with S.
Starts with SW.
SWAY
Theme word 3 of 7 5 nudges · 6 letters
A theme word
Balancing on a ledge with one foot testing the drop.
6 letters.
Starts with T.
Starts with TE.
TEETER
Theme word 4 of 7 5 nudges · 7 letters
A theme word
A nervous reaction to a sudden loud noise in an empty hallway.
7 letters.
Starts with T.
Starts with TR.
TREMBLE
Theme word 5 of 7 5 nudges · 7 letters
A theme word
The steady hum of a mobile device resting against a hard countertop.
7 letters.
Starts with V.
Starts with VI.
VIBRATE
Theme word 6 of 7 5 nudges · 5 letters
A theme word
A moment of hesitation when choosing between two identical paths.
5 letters.
Starts with W.
Starts with WA.
WAVER
Theme word 7 of 7 5 nudges · 6 letters
A theme word
The uneven gait of a table with one leg slightly shorter than the rest.
6 letters.
Starts with W.
Starts with WO.
WOBBLE