Blue group — COMPONENTS OF A RECORD PLAYER
Why is “PLATTER” in the Blue group?
a flat disc that holds a record in place on a record player
Connections Hints for January 28, 2026 #961
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Yellow Category — January 28, 2026
Green Category — January 28, 2026
Blue Category — January 28, 2026
Purple Category — January 28, 2026
Tricky Words in Today's Connections
▼Definitions for the most unusual words in today's puzzle
Tricky Words in Today's Connections
▼Blue group — COMPONENTS OF A RECORD PLAYER
Why is “TONEARM” in the Blue group?
a mechanical arm that holds the needle and tracks the grooves on a record
Word definitions
Tricky words in today's Connections (January 28, 2026)
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.
- RAG
- Definition: a piece of cloth used for cleaning
- Why it's tricky: can also refer to a type of music or a newspaper
- NEEDLE
- Definition: a part of a record player
- Why it's tricky: can also refer to a sewing needle or a medical needle
- TIME
- Definition: a spare moment or period
- Why it's tricky: can also refer to a clock or a schedule
- ME
- Definition: a spare person or individual
- Why it's tricky: can also refer to the first-person singular pronoun
Connections #961 explained
Why these words connect (January 28, 2026)
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: IMITATION
These words all relate to pretending or imitating something, often in a way that is not genuine or real.
Green group: CLEANING SUPPLIES
These words all relate to supplies used for cleaning and maintaining a tidy environment, often found in a household or janitorial setting.
Blue group: COMPONENTS OF A RECORD PLAYER
These words all relate to components of a record player, a device used to play music from vinyl records.
Purple group: SPARE ___
These words all complete a common phrase 'spare ___', often used in everyday language to refer to something extra or additional.
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.
“SOAP”
Seems like it belongs to: IMITATION
Actually belongs to: CLEANING SUPPLIES
while soap can be used to create a mock or pretend scenario, it is primarily a cleaning supply
“BUCKET”
Seems like it belongs to: COMPONENTS OF A RECORD PLAYER
Actually belongs to: CLEANING SUPPLIES
while a bucket can be used to hold records, it is not a component of a record player
“RAG”
Seems like it belongs to: IMITATION
Actually belongs to: CLEANING SUPPLIES
while a rag can be used to create a mock or pretend scenario, it is primarily a cleaning supply
Today's Tricky Traps — Red Herrings Explained
These words look like they belong in one group but actually fit somewhere else entirely.
Why “SOAP” didn't go with IMITATION
Seems like: IMITATION → Actually: CLEANING SUPPLIES
while soap can be used to create a mock or pretend scenario, it is primarily a cleaning supply
Why “BUCKET” didn't go with COMPONENTS OF A RECORD PLAYER
Seems like: COMPONENTS OF A RECORD PLAYER → Actually: CLEANING SUPPLIES
while a bucket can be used to hold records, it is not a component of a record player
Why “RAG” didn't go with IMITATION
Seems like: IMITATION → Actually: CLEANING SUPPLIES
while a rag can be used to create a mock or pretend scenario, it is primarily a cleaning supply