Green group — CHICKEN DESCRIPTORS
Why is “BANTAM” in the Green group?
a small breed of domestic chicken
Connections Hints for February 18, 2026 #982
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Yellow Category — February 18, 2026
Green Category — February 18, 2026
Blue Category — February 18, 2026
Purple Category — February 18, 2026
Tricky Words in Today's Connections
▼Definitions for the most unusual words in today's puzzle
Tricky Words in Today's Connections
▼Green group — CHICKEN DESCRIPTORS
Why is “CRESTED” in the Green group?
having a crest, especially on the head, like some chicken breeds
Word definitions
Tricky words in today's Connections (February 18, 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.
- BAD
- Definition: good, excellent
- Why it's tricky: opposite of typical meaning
- FLY
- Definition: fashionable, attractive
- Why it's tricky: multiple meanings, including insect and airplane
- RAD
- Definition: excellent, cool
- Why it's tricky: informal slang, short for 'radical'
- CRESTED
- Definition: having a crest, especially on the head
- Why it's tricky: uncommon adjective, especially for chickens
Connections #982 explained
Why these words connect (February 18, 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: RETRO HAIR DIRECTIVES
These are all hairstyles or hair treatments popular in the past, often associated with specific decades or subcultures.
Green group: RETRO SLANG FOR COOL
These words were all used in the past to describe something or someone as cool or impressive, often in informal settings.
Blue group: CHICKEN DESCRIPTORS
These words all describe different breeds, features, or types of chickens, often used in farming or animal husbandry contexts.
Purple group: ___ CREAM
These words all complete the phrase '___ cream', referring to various types of creams used in cooking, beauty, or health 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.
“BAD”
Seems like it belongs to: CHICKEN DESCRIPTORS
Actually belongs to: RETRO SLANG FOR COOL
BAD is an adjective for cool, not a chicken descriptor
“FLY”
Seems like it belongs to: CHICKEN DESCRIPTORS
Actually belongs to: RETRO SLANG FOR COOL
FLY is an adjective for fashionable, not a type of chicken
“RAD”
Seems like it belongs to: RETRO HAIR DIRECTIVES
Actually belongs to: RETRO SLANG FOR COOL
RAD is short for radical, meaning cool, not a hair style
Today's Tricky Traps — Red Herrings Explained
These words look like they belong in one group but actually fit somewhere else entirely.
Why “BAD” didn't go with CHICKEN DESCRIPTORS
Seems like: CHICKEN DESCRIPTORS → Actually: RETRO SLANG FOR COOL
BAD is an adjective for cool, not a chicken descriptor
Why “FLY” didn't go with CHICKEN DESCRIPTORS
Seems like: CHICKEN DESCRIPTORS → Actually: RETRO SLANG FOR COOL
FLY is an adjective for fashionable, not a type of chicken
Why “RAD” didn't go with RETRO HAIR DIRECTIVES
Seems like: RETRO HAIR DIRECTIVES → Actually: RETRO SLANG FOR COOL
RAD is short for radical, meaning cool, not a hair style