Issue #904 Thu 5 Mar
Strands hints — March 5, 2026
A patient grid for a Wednesday, steady in its pacing and mild in its demands. Those who prefer a rhythmic search through the letters will find plenty to occupy them this morning.
Theme 3 reveals
Today's theme
You open a gift-wrapped box and find a single, lukewarm cup of coffee inside.
Expressions of sarcastic gratitude
MOCK APPRECIATION
Spangram 4 nudges · 9 letters
The connector word
A two-word noun phrase
9 letters.
Starts with G, ends with S.
GEE THANKS
Group hint 1 reveal
Show all starting letters
Starting letters
- 1 M (6 letters)
- 2 N (10 letters)
- 3 P (6 letters)
- 4 P (8 letters)
- 5 P (4 letters)
- 6 S (5 letters)
Group hint 1 reveal
Show the first two letters of each
First two letters
- 1 ME (6 letters)
- 2 NE (10 letters)
- 3 PA (6 letters)
- 4 PI (8 letters)
- 5 PU (4 letters)
- 6 SC (5 letters)
Theme word 1 of 6 5 nudges · 6 letters
A theme word
A serving size that barely covers the bottom of the bowl.
6 letters.
Starts with M.
Starts with ME.
MEAGER
Theme word 2 of 6 5 nudges · 10 letters
A theme word
An amount so small it does not warrant a second thought.
10 letters.
Starts with N.
Starts with NE.
NEGLIGIBLE
Theme word 3 of 6 5 nudges · 6 letters
A theme word
A handful of loose change offered as payment for a week of labor.
6 letters.
Starts with P.
Starts with PA.
PALTRY
Theme word 4 of 6 5 nudges · 8 letters
A theme word
Spending an entire afternoon counting grains of sand.
8 letters.
Starts with P.
Starts with PI.
PIDDLING
Theme word 5 of 6 5 nudges · 4 letters
A theme word
A sapling that looks like it might topple over in a light breeze.
4 letters.
Starts with P.
Starts with PU.
PUNY
Theme word 6 of 6 5 nudges · 5 letters
A theme word
A recipe that calls for a pinch but suggests you might want even less.
5 letters.
Starts with S.
Starts with SC.
SCANT