Purple group — THINGS CALLED “OSCAR”
Why is “BALONEY” in the Purple group?
a type of sausage, but also a slang term for nonsense, which is also the name of a Muppet character
Connections Hints for December 21, 2024 #558
Pro tip: Tap each section to reveal answers one at a time. If you just need a gentle hint, get the connection hint for December 21, 2024 #558
Want to see NYT Connections hints? Below you'll find complete solutions and explanations. Want to try solving it yourself first? Visit the NYT Connections game 2024-12-21. Looking for today's NYT Connections hint? Head to our home page or play today's connection game here.
Navigation tip: Use the arrows below to browse through past puzzles. Each puzzle is organized from easiest (yellow) to hardest (purple) categories.
Yellow Category — December 21, 2024
Green Category — December 21, 2024
Blue Category — December 21, 2024
Purple Category — December 21, 2024
Tricky Words in Today's Connections
▼Definitions for the most unusual words in today's puzzle
Tricky Words in Today's Connections
▼Green group — KINDS OF BEDS
Why is “MURPHY” in the Green group?
a type of bed that folds up against a wall, named after its inventor
Word definitions
Tricky words in today's Connections (December 21, 2024)
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.
- O
- Definition: a letter that is also a word for a circle or ring
- Why it's tricky: its brevity and multiple meanings
- RING
- Definition: a circular band, especially one that is worn as jewelry
- Why it's tricky: can refer to a sound or a group of people
- CIRCLE
- Definition: a continuous curved shape
- Why it's tricky: can refer to a social group or a shape
- POT
- Definition: a container, typically with a lid, used for cooking or storing food
- Why it's tricky: can also refer to a sum of money
Connections #558 explained
Why these words connect (December 21, 2024)
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: LOOP
These words all refer to circular or ring-shaped objects, including a band, a circle, a hoop, and a ring.
Green group: COOKING VESSELS
These words all refer to types of containers used for cooking, including a casserole dish, a crock pot, a pan, and a pot.
Blue group: KINDS OF BEDS
These words all refer to types of beds, including a bunk bed, a canopy bed, a Murphy bed, and a sleigh bed.
Purple group: THINGS CALLED “OSCAR”
These words all refer to things that are called 'Oscar', including a type of sausage, a Muppet character, the letter O, and the Academy Award statuette.
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.
“CROCK”
Seems like it belongs to: LOOP
Actually belongs to: COOKING VESSELS
while a crock can refer to a foolish person, in this context it is a type of cooking vessel
“RING”
Seems like it belongs to: THINGS CALLED “OSCAR”
Actually belongs to: LOOP
while an Oscar statuette is often referred to as an award, the word ring in this context refers to a circular band
Today's Tricky Traps — Red Herrings Explained
These words look like they belong in one group but actually fit somewhere else entirely.
Why “CROCK” didn't go with LOOP
Seems like: LOOP → Actually: COOKING VESSELS
while a crock can refer to a foolish person, in this context it is a type of cooking vessel
Why “RING” didn't go with THINGS CALLED “OSCAR”
Seems like: THINGS CALLED “OSCAR” → Actually: LOOP
while an Oscar statuette is often referred to as an award, the word ring in this context refers to a circular band