Issue #964 Sun 3 May
Strands hints — May 3, 2026
Sometimes the world presents us with details that do not quite align with the rest of the picture. Today we invite you to find the pieces that stand apart from the ordinary.
Theme 3 reveals
Today's theme
A misplaced puzzle piece or a sudden shift in the expected pattern that makes you pause.
Common idioms and everyday expressions
EXPRESSIONS OF SURPRISE
Spangram 4 nudges · 8 letters
The connector word
Two-word phrase
8 letters.
Starts with T, ends with D.
THAT'S ODD
Group hint 1 reveal
Show all starting letters
Starting letters
- 1 B (7 letters)
- 2 P (8 letters)
- 3 Q (6 letters)
- 4 S (7 letters)
- 5 U (7 letters)
- 6 W (5 letters)
Group hint 1 reveal
Show the first two letters of each
First two letters
- 1 BI (7 letters)
- 2 PE (8 letters)
- 3 QU (6 letters)
- 4 ST (7 letters)
- 5 UN (7 letters)
- 6 WE (5 letters)
Theme word 1 of 6 5 nudges · 7 letters
A theme word
An encounter entirely outside the realm of the expected — wildly out of step with ordinary experience.
7 letters.
Starts with B.
Starts with BI.
BIZARRE
Theme word 2 of 6 5 nudges · 8 letters
A theme word
This refers to a quality that belongs uniquely to one person or thing.
8 letters.
Starts with P.
Starts with PE.
PECULIAR
Theme word 3 of 6 5 nudges · 6 letters
A theme word
A lighthearted or idiosyncratic habit that sets someone apart.
6 letters.
Starts with Q.
Starts with QU.
QUIRKY
Theme word 4 of 6 5 nudges · 7 letters
A theme word
An event that lacks a familiar explanation or origin, unsettling on first glance.
7 letters.
Starts with S.
Starts with ST.
STRANGE
Theme word 5 of 6 5 nudges · 7 letters
A theme word
A departure from the standard way of doing things.
7 letters.
Starts with U.
Starts with UN.
UNUSUAL
Theme word 6 of 6 5 nudges · 5 letters
A theme word
A feeling that arises when an experience does not fit the established norm.
5 letters.
Starts with W.
Starts with WE.
WEIRD