Issue #993 Fri 29 May
Strands hints — May 29, 2026
Today's grid requires a steady hand and a bit of patience. You might find the pace picks up once you identify the common thread connecting these entries.
Theme 3 reveals
Today's theme
Whatever you set the night before is what gets you up — for better or worse.
Rustic life and rural living
LIVESTOCK INHABITANTS
Spangram 4 nudges · 11 letters
The connector word
Two-word compound noun
11 letters.
Starts with F, ends with S.
FARM ANIMALS
Group hint 1 reveal
Show all starting letters
Starting letters
- 1 C (8 letters)
- 2 C (4 letters)
- 3 D (5 letters)
- 4 G (5 letters)
- 5 H (6 letters)
- 6 P (4 letters)
- 7 S (5 letters)
Group hint 1 reveal
Show the first two letters of each
First two letters
- 1 CH (8 letters)
- 2 CO (4 letters)
- 3 DU (5 letters)
- 4 GO (5 letters)
- 5 HO (6 letters)
- 6 PI (4 letters)
- 7 SH (5 letters)
Theme word 1 of 7 5 nudges · 8 letters
A theme word
Look at a rooster. Look closely.
8 letters.
Starts with C.
Starts with CH.
CHICKENS
Theme word 2 of 7 5 nudges · 4 letters
A theme word
A heavy, rhythmic chewing that dominates the afternoon stillness.
4 letters.
Starts with C.
Starts with CO.
COWS
Theme word 3 of 7 5 nudges · 5 letters
A theme word
A waddling gait and a distinct, nasal call near the pond's edge.
5 letters.
Starts with D.
Starts with DU.
DUCKS
Theme word 4 of 7 5 nudges · 5 letters
A theme word
The persistent, nibbling force that keeps the briars in check.
5 letters.
Starts with G.
Starts with GO.
GOATS
Theme word 5 of 7 5 nudges · 6 letters
A theme word
Something you'd do to a pair of shoes before a job interview.
6 letters.
Starts with H.
Starts with HO.
HORSES
Theme word 6 of 7 5 nudges · 4 letters
A theme word
A snout-first approach to a messy, circular meal.
4 letters.
Starts with P.
Starts with PI.
PIGS
Theme word 7 of 7 5 nudges · 5 letters
A theme word
A thick, woolly layer that gets sheared away before the summer heat.
5 letters.
Starts with S.
Starts with SH.
SHEEP