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Connections Hints for August 5, 2023 #54

Pro tip: Tap each section to reveal answers one at a time. If you just need a gentle hint, get the connection hint for August 5, 2023 #54

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Navigation tip: Use the arrows below to browse through past puzzles. Each puzzle is organized from easiest (yellow) to hardest (purple) categories.

Yellow Category — August 5, 2023

Green Category — August 5, 2023

Blue Category — August 5, 2023

Purple Category — August 5, 2023

Tricky Words in Today's Connections

Definitions for the most unusual words in today's puzzle

Purple group — SHAKESPEARE CHARACTERS

Why is “VIOLA” in the Purple group?

the protagonist of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, a young woman who disguises herself as a man

Green group — WORDS WITH THREE G’S

Why is “GIGGLE” in the Green group?

a short, silly laugh, often used to describe a nervous or embarrassed reaction

Word definitions

Tricky words in today's Connections (August 5, 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.

TOP
Definition: a spinning toy
Why it's tricky: can also refer to a highest point or position
STICK
Definition: a long, thin, straight piece of wood or other material
Why it's tricky: can also refer to a verb meaning to attach or fix
MEMORY
Definition: a type of stick used in computing
Why it's tricky: can also refer to the mental capacity to recall information
PUCK
Definition: a mischievous sprite in Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream
Why it's tricky: can also refer to a flat, round piece of rubber used in ice hockey

Connections #54 explained

Why these words connect (August 5, 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: CLASSIC TOYS

These are all classic toys that have been enjoyed by children for generations, including wooden blocks, dolls, spinning tops, and yo-yos.

Green group: WORDS WITH THREE G’S

These are all words that contain three consecutive 'G's, including baggage, eggnog, giggle, and leggings.

Blue group: SHAKESPEARE CHARACTERS

These are all characters from Shakespeare's plays, including Duncan from Macbeth, Juliet from Romeo and Juliet, Puck from A Midsummer Night's Dream, and Viola from Twelfth Night.

Purple group: ___ STICK

These are all objects or concepts that have 'stick' in their name, including a fish stick, a hockey stick, a memory stick, and a selfie stick.

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.

TOP

Seems like it belongs to: CLASSIC TOYS

Actually belongs to: CLASSIC TOYS

while 'top' is indeed a classic toy, its meaning can be ambiguous, and solvers might mistakenly put it in another category

STICK

Seems like it belongs to: ___ STICK

Actually belongs to: ___ STICK

the word 'stick' is a common thread among the words in this category, but its meaning can be tricky, and solvers might mistakenly put other words in this category

PUCK

Seems like it belongs to: ___ STICK

Actually belongs to: SHAKESPEARE CHARACTERS

while 'puck' is a word associated with a stick, it is actually a character from Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream

Today's Tricky Traps — Red Herrings Explained

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

Why “TOP” didn't go with CLASSIC TOYS

Seems like: CLASSIC TOYS → Actually: CLASSIC TOYS

while 'top' is indeed a classic toy, its meaning can be ambiguous, and solvers might mistakenly put it in another category

Why “STICK” didn't go with ___ STICK

Seems like: ___ STICK → Actually: ___ STICK

the word 'stick' is a common thread among the words in this category, but its meaning can be tricky, and solvers might mistakenly put other words in this category

Why “PUCK” didn't go with ___ STICK

Seems like: ___ STICK → Actually: SHAKESPEARE CHARACTERS

while 'puck' is a word associated with a stick, it is actually a character from Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream

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