The New York Times’ Connections: Sports Edition for December 27, #460, proved to be a particularly challenging puzzle. This edition, published by The Athletic, requires players to categorize words into four distinct groups, with the purple category often being the most difficult. Here’s a breakdown of the hints and solutions to help those who struggled with today’s game.
Understanding the Puzzle
Connections tests vocabulary, pattern recognition, and lateral thinking. The puzzle presents sixteen words, and the goal is to group them into four categories of four. Each category shares a common theme, though the connections can be obscure. The difficulty escalates with each category: yellow is easiest, followed by green, blue, and finally, the notoriously tricky purple.
Hints for Each Category
If you’re stuck but want to finish the puzzle on your own, here are hints for each group, ordered by difficulty:
- Yellow: This group relates to something people often preserve.
- Green: The theme centers around a core Olympic discipline.
- Blue: The connection involves pitching excellence from a specific MLB team.
- Purple: This group relies on a pun-based connection with the English alphabet.
Full Solutions
For those who prefer a direct answer, here’s how the puzzle breaks down:
Yellow Group: Mementos
The common thread is items kept as reminders of experiences. The words are:
- Collectible
- Keepsake
- Memorabilia
- Souvenir
Green Group: Wrestling Styles
This category represents different forms of competitive grappling. The answers are:
- Arm (as in arm wrestling)
- Freestyle (wrestling)
- Greco-Roman (wrestling)
- Sumo (wrestling)
Blue Group: Blue Jays Cy Young Winners
This group focuses on pitchers who have won the Cy Young Award while playing for the Toronto Blue Jays. The answers are:
- Clemens (Roger Clemens)
- Halladay (Roy Halladay)
- Hentgen (Pat Hentgen)
- Ray (Robbie Ray)
Purple Group: Alphabet Homophones
The most challenging category requires recognizing words ending in sounds that mimic letters of the alphabet. The answers are:
- Batter’s Eye (sounds like “I”)
- Blue Jay (sounds like “J”)
- Golf Tee (sounds like “T”)
- Pool Cue (sounds like “Q”)
Connections continues to be a daily mental exercise for many, blending linguistic skill with sports knowledge. The purple category, especially, often requires creative thinking beyond straightforward definitions.
