Monday's NYT Crossword Solutions and Clues: Suggestions and Reveals
Slaying Sunday's Strands Puzzle: Hints and Answers for March 9
Got stuck on today's Strands puzzle? Don't worry, I've got your back! This daily challenge from the New York Times can be a brain-teaser, but I'm here to help.
Playing Strands, Simplified
Strands is a spin-off of the classic word search game. It's in the testing phase and needs player engagement to stick around.
Every day, you'll find a new 6x8 grid of letters. Your mission is to uncover a cluster of words sharing a commonalty. A hint will guide you on the theme. When you discover a theme word, it illuminates in blue.
The challenge doesn't end there. You'll need to unearth a special word called the spangram, which ties two opposite board edges. Unlike the theme words, the spangram can be a proper name. Once found, it glows yellow.
Remember, you'll need to be swift and sharp!
"Strands' themes can range from fill-in-the-blank phrases, steps in a process, items of the same category, synonyms, or homophones," says the New York Times. Just like they vary the difficulty level in Wordle puzzles throughout the week, Strands editor Tracy Sch Fairchild mixes up the challenge too.
Today's Strands Hint: A Digital Puzzle
Here's today's hint:
Buttons Pushing Me
...and my interpretation:
None of Your Business
I considered trimming some analyzes here.
Today's Strands Answers: Let's Solve the Riddle
The spangram comes first, followed by the answers. The spangram fits the description a bit in this case.
REMOTECONTROL
Here's the answer list:
- Channel
- Volume
- Mute
- Back
- Guide
- Home
- Power
Initially, I thought these were browser buttons, considering HOME and BACK. But then POWER left me puzzled, thinking it was any type of button. Eventually, I figured out the remote control concept, a concept I hadn't fully embraced watching shows on my computer or tablet.
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- Today's Strands puzzle is related to a digital device, hinted by the phrase "Buttons Pushing Me."
- In the Strands puzzle for March 9, the spangram word is REMOTECONTROL, connecting opposite board edges.
- The theme words in today's Strands puzzle are related to a remote control, including Channel, Volume, Mute, Back, Guide, Home, and Power.
