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Connections Hints for July 17, 2023 #35

Pro tip: Tap each section to reveal answers one at a time. If you just need a gentle hint, get the connection hint for July 17, 2023 #35

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Yellow Category — July 17, 2023

Green Category — July 17, 2023

Blue Category — July 17, 2023

Purple Category — July 17, 2023

Tricky Words in Today's Connections

Definitions for the most unusual words in today's puzzle

Purple group — NAKED ___

Why is “MOLE RAT” in the Purple group?

a type of rodent, also known as the naked mole rat due to its lack of fur

Yellow group — MARSUPIALS

Why is “WOMBAT” in the Yellow group?

a burrowing marsupial native to Australia

Word definitions

Tricky words in today's Connections (July 17, 2023)

Several words in today's puzzle have multiple meanings or obscure definitions that can throw you off. Here's what each one means in the context of this Connections grid.

MARS
Definition: a chocolate bar
Why it's tricky: also the Roman god of war and a planet
STACKS
Definition: a slang term for money
Why it's tricky: also a term for piles or heaps of objects
PAPER
Definition: a slang term for money
Why it's tricky: also a material made from wood pulp
MOLE RAT
Definition: a type of rodent
Why it's tricky: also a term that sounds like 'naked mole rat', a phrase that fits the 'NAKED ___' category

Connections #35 explained

Why these words connect (July 17, 2023)

Understanding the logic behind each group helps you spot similar patterns in future puzzles. Here's the reasoning for every category in today's Connections.

Yellow group: MARSUPIALS

These are all marsupials, a group of mammals that give birth to underdeveloped young and then complete their development inside a pouch. Examples include kangaroos, koalas, and wombats.

Green group: CHOCOLATE BARS

These are all names of well-known chocolate bars, including Chunky, Crunch, Mars, and Mounds. They are all popular treats that can be found in most candy stores.

Blue group: SLANG FOR MONEY

These are all slang terms for money, including cheddar, dough, paper, and stacks. They are often used in informal settings to refer to cash or wealth.

Purple group: NAKED ___

These are all words that can complete the phrase 'naked ___', including eye, gun, mole rat, and truth. They are all common phrases that are used in different contexts.

Red herrings and trap words explained

These words were designed to mislead you. Understanding why they don't belong where you first think sharpens your game for tomorrow.

MARS

Seems like it belongs to: MARSUPIALS

Actually belongs to: CHOCOLATE BARS

Mars is a planet and a Roman god, but in this context, it's a chocolate bar. The similarity in names is a trap.

STACKS

Seems like it belongs to: MARSUPIALS

Actually belongs to: SLANG FOR MONEY

Stacks can refer to piles of objects, but in this context, it's a slang term for money.

Today's Tricky Traps — Red Herrings Explained

These words look like they belong in one group but actually fit somewhere else entirely.

Why “MARS” didn't go with MARSUPIALS

Seems like: MARSUPIALS → Actually: CHOCOLATE BARS

Mars is a planet and a Roman god, but in this context, it's a chocolate bar. The similarity in names is a trap.

Why “STACKS” didn't go with MARSUPIALS

Seems like: MARSUPIALS → Actually: SLANG FOR MONEY

Stacks can refer to piles of objects, but in this context, it's a slang term for money.

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