NYT Connections
Table of Contents
The New York Times’ Connections puzzle for Monday, March 10, 2025 (Puzzle #638), presents 16 words that need to be grouped into four categories based on shared themes. Solving this puzzle involves identifying these themes and correctly sorting the words accordingly.
Puzzle Words:
- Mona Lisa
- Statue Of Liberty
- Bowling
- Sphynx
- Venus De Milo
- Joker
- Russian Blue
- Rug
- White Russian
- Liberty Bell
- Comedy Mask
- Turkish Angora
- Ragamuffin
- Cheshire Cat
- Bathrobe
- Tower Of Pisa
Hints for Each Category:
- Yellow (Easiest): Cat Breeds
- Ragamuffin
- Russian Blue
- Sphynx
- Turkish Angora
- Green (Easy): Famous Smiles
- Cheshire Cat
- Comedy Mask
- Joker
- Mona Lisa
- Blue (Medium): Attractions Iconically Different From Their Original Forms
- Liberty Bell
- Statue Of Liberty
- Venus De Milo
- Tower Of Pisa
- Purple (Hardest): Associated With “The Dude” Lebowski
- Bathrobe
- Bowling
- Rug
- White Russian
Detailed Explanations:
- Cat Breeds: The words in this group are names of specific cat breeds.
- Ragamuffin: A large, friendly cat breed known for its soft, plush coat.
- Russian Blue: A breed characterized by its short, dense blue-gray coat and green eyes.
- Sphynx: A hairless cat breed recognized for its wrinkled skin and large ears.
- Turkish Angora: An elegant breed with a silky white coat and a slender body.
- Famous Smiles: These words are associated with iconic smiles or grins.
- Cheshire Cat: A fictional cat from “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland,” known for its wide, enigmatic grin.
- Comedy Mask: Represents the symbol of comedy in theater, often depicted with a smiling face.
- Joker: A character from DC Comics, typically portrayed with a distinctive, unsettling smile.
- Mona Lisa: A famous painting by Leonardo da Vinci, renowned for the subject’s subtle, captivating smile.
- Attractions Iconically Different From Their Original Forms: This group includes landmarks that have undergone significant changes from their original designs or purposes.
- Liberty Bell: Originally cast in 1752, it cracked during its first test ring and now serves as a symbol of American independence.
- Statue Of Liberty: A colossal neoclassical sculpture on Liberty Island in New York Harbor, representing freedom; it has undergone modifications and restorations since its unveiling in 1886.
- Venus De Milo: An ancient Greek statue, believed to depict Aphrodite, missing its arms, which has intrigued viewers for centuries.
- Tower Of Pisa: A freestanding bell tower of the cathedral in Pisa, Italy, known for its unintended tilt due to unstable foundation soil.
- Associated With “The Dude” Lebowski: These items are linked to the character Jeffrey “The Dude” Lebowski from the film “The Big Lebowski.”
- Bathrobe: The Dude is frequently seen wearing a bathrobe, embodying his laid-back lifestyle.
- Bowling: A central activity in the film, with The Dude and his friends regularly visiting a bowling alley.
- Rug: Refers to “the rug that really tied the room together,” a recurring motif in the movie.
- White Russian: A cocktail favored by The Dude, consisting of vodka, coffee liqueur, and cream.
Strategies for Solving Connections Puzzles:
- Identify Obvious Connections First: Look for words that clearly belong together, such as well-known cat breeds or famous artworks.
- Use Process of Elimination: If certain words don’t fit into the obvious groups, consider alternative connections or themes.
- Think Creatively: Some categories may require lateral thinking or knowledge of pop culture references.
- Learn from Mistakes: Each incorrect guess provides feedback that can guide you toward the correct grouping.
By applying these strategies and understanding the connections between words, solvers can enhance their problem-solving skills and enjoy the challenge presented by the NYT Connections
