NYT Connections is a daily puzzle that asks players to find words hiding inside a grid of letters. Today’s version, for September 24, 2026, comes with a twist: Mashable has published a list of meanings for each word, and the list describes what each one is rather than naming it directly.
The site is offering spoiler-free hints for the puzzle, plus daily answers for Wordle and Strands. But the meanings section is where things get odd. Instead of giving you the words themselves, it describes what each one is.
What the List Actually Gives You
The list includes definitions for bobbleheads, beer hats, pogo sticks, and fangs. It also explains what a foam finger is, what face paint is, and what fake blood is. Some entries are straightforward. Others are less so.
For example, the definition of “Creation of Adam” points to a famous painting by Michaelango on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Then there’s the description of The Bear as an Emmy-winning cooking dramedy starring Jeremy Allen White and Ayo Edebiri.
The list even defines “I’m with stupid” as a popular comical article of clothing, typically worn by couples. And it defines “Uncle Sam” as a personification of the United States government.
Why This Works as a Clue
The format itself is a clue. Connections often includes clues that involve words within words and other visual clues. By describing each word as an object or concept, the list forces players to think about what each item represents. A bobblehead is a miniature bouncy figurine, typically of a sports player. A pogo stick is a device used to bounce off the ground while standing, powered by an internal spring. A trampoline is a piece of sporting equipment made of a fabric sheet attached by springs, used for jumping.
Those descriptions are not answers. They are hints dressed as definitions. Players who know what a bobblehead is might spot the word faster than those who don’t. The same goes for the pogo stick, the trampoline, and the rest of the list.
The Categories Are a Mess
The list mixes together sports equipment, food and drink, pranks and toys, historical art, comedy, cultural symbols, and personal items without warning. One minute you’re reading about a pogo stick, the next you’re reading about a painting on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Then you’re reading about a comedy shirt. It’s a strange mix, and it’s part of the fun.
Here’s how the list breaks down:
- Sports equipment: bobblehead, pogo stick, trampoline, foam finger
- Food and drink: fake blood, beer hat, herb tea
- Pranks and toys: snakes in a can, I’m with stupid shirt
- Historical art: Creation of Adam
- Comedy: I’m with stupid shirt
- Cultural symbols: Uncle Sam
- Personal items: face paint, fangs, breathe
What the List Doesn’t Spoil
The list avoids spoiling the actual answers. It tells you what the words represent, not what they are. That means players who want to solve the puzzle without seeing the full solution can still get a sense of what’s coming.
The list also includes links to other Mashable coverage. There are references to HBO Max, Disney+, Hulu, and Peacock, though the text doesn’t describe what each service offers. There’s also a link to yesterday’s Connections solution for players who missed it.
The Absurdity Is the Point
This list is a reminder that Connections is a puzzle about patterns, not a test of vocabulary. The words are hidden in a grid, and finding them requires noticing shapes and overlaps. The definitions add a layer of absurdity that fits the format.
It’s also a clever way to present hints. Rather than saying “look for a sports-related word,” the list describes the word as a bobblehead or a pogo stick. That gives players a mental image without giving away the exact spelling.
How to Use the List
If you’re stuck on today’s puzzle, the list can help you see the words in a new way. Read the definitions carefully. Look for words that match the descriptions.
Once you’ve spotted a word, you can check the full solution on Mashable’s website.
What We Make of It
The list is a creative way to present hints. It turns the puzzle into a game of guess-the-category, which is exactly the kind of thinking Connections rewards. The definitions are accurate, but they’re also funny and unexpected.
The list also shows how Mashable covers daily puzzles alongside its broader coverage of tech news and digital culture. The Connections hints sit alongside the site’s coverage of streaming services and comedy shows.
For players who want to solve the puzzle on their own, the list is a useful tool. For everyone else, it’s a quick laugh. Either way, it’s a smart way to package a hint.
Today’s puzzle is live. The hints are out. The answers are waiting. And the list of meanings is a reminder that sometimes the best clue is a definition that doesn’t quite fit.
Source material: “NYT Connections hints today: Meanings for each word for Sept. 24, 2026,” Mashable.
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