Get ready to tackle today's New York Times Connections puzzle, because it's a real brain-tickler! We're diving into the clues and answers for puzzle number #979 on February 14th. Whether you're a seasoned puzzle pro or just starting out, we've got you covered with hints and the full solutions.
Meet the Expert Behind the Clues:
This puzzle's insights come from Gael Fashingbauer Cooper, a CNET editor with a passion for journalism and all things pop culture. She's the co-author of nostalgic books like "Whatever Happened to Pudding Pops? The Lost Toys, Tastes and Trends of the '70s and '80s" and "The Totally Sweet '90s." A journalist since 1989, Gael has a deep understanding of trends across various fields, from entertainment to technology and generational studies. She's a proud member of Gen X and, like many, would be first in line if Marathon candy bars ever made a comeback!
Gael's Expertise Includes: Breaking news, entertainment, lifestyle, travel, food, shopping and deals, product reviews, money and finance, video games, pets, history, books, technology history, and generational studies.
Her Credentials Speak for Themselves:
- Co-author of two Gen X pop-culture encyclopedias for Penguin Books.
- Awarded "Headline Writer of the Year" in 2017, 2014, and 2013 by the American Copy Editors Society.
- Secured first place in headline writing from the 2013 Society for Features Journalism.
Need More Connections?
Looking for the very latest Connections answers? You can find today's hints right here, along with daily answers and hints for other popular puzzles like The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle, Connections: Sports Edition, and Strands.
Today's Puzzle Breakdown:
The NYT Connections puzzle for February 14th (#979) features a delightful mix of categories, especially if you're a fan of a certain well-known actor. Let's get to the clues and answers!
Did You Know? The Times offers a Connections Bot, similar to the one for Wordle. After you play, you can use it to get a numerical score and have your answers analyzed. Plus, registered Times Games players can now track their progress with stats and streaks, including puzzles completed, win rates, perfect scores, and win streaks!
Curious about how to improve your game? Check out our tips and strategies for winning at NYT Connections every time.
Hints for Today's Connections Groups:
We've ranked the hints from the most straightforward (yellow group) to the more challenging (purple group).
- Yellow Group Hint: Not going down.
- Green Group Hint: Sticks out.
- Blue Group Hint: He starred in Big, too.
- Purple Group Hint: Common toothpaste flavor.
But here's where it gets interesting... The blue group hint might make you think of one specific role, but the answer encompasses a broader theme!
The Answers Revealed!
- Yellow Group: The theme is Uptick. The words are hike, jump, rise, and spike. These all represent an upward movement or increase.
- Green Group: The theme is Protuberance. The words are bump, hump, lump, and mound. These are all physical projections or raised areas.
- Blue Group: The theme is Tom Hanks Roles. The words are Gump, Phillips, Sully, and Woody. This group celebrates iconic characters played by the beloved actor.
- Purple Group: The theme is Words Before "Mint." The words are breath, junior, pepper, and spear. This is a classic wordplay category that often trips people up!
And this is the part most people miss... The purple group's theme is quite clever, playing on common phrases. Did you immediately think of "spearmint" or was it a surprise?
Looking Back at Tougher Puzzles:
To help you spot patterns for future games, here are some of the most challenging Connections puzzles to date:
- #5: Included "things you can set," such as mood, record, table, and volleyball.
- #4: Included "one in a dozen," such as egg, juror, month, and rose.
- #3: Included "streets on screen," such as Elm, Fear, Jump, and Sesame.
- #2: Included "power ___" such as nap, plant, Ranger, and trip.
- #1: Included "things that can run," such as candidate, faucet, mascara, and nose.
What do you think? Was the purple group the trickiest for you today? Or did the Tom Hanks roles category give you a moment of pause? Let us know your thoughts and any surprising connections you made in the comments below! We'd love to hear if you agree with our assessment of the difficulty or if you found a different category more challenging.
What's your favorite Tom Hanks role? Share your pick – we're curious to see if it matches any of the puzzle answers!
