Story perspectives

NYT Connections #936 Challenges Solvers with Four Themes

1/3/2026

Summary

Story summary

The New York Times' NYT Connections puzzle #936 debuted January 2, 2026, asking solvers to group 16 words into four themed sets.
The four themes are writing actions, comedy routines, measurement standards, and altered vegetables.
Solvers may make four mistakes before the game ends.
Solutions include Write (Jot, Log, Note, Record); Shtick (Bit, Gag, Number, Routine); Benchmark (Bar, Example, Metric, Standard); Vegetables minus starting letter (Ale, Eek, Hive, Quash).

History

Historical Context

The New York Times published its first crossword puzzle on February 15, 1942, motivated by the need for distraction during World War II. Initially dismissed as trivial, crosswords gained immense popularity, with over 50 million Americans participating by the 1990s. The introduction of the NYT Connections puzzle in 2026 highlights the ongoing evolution of word games, reinforcing their cultural significance and cognitive benefits.

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Story summary

The New York Times' NYT Connections puzzle #936 debuted January 2, 2026, asking solvers to group 16 words into four themed sets.
The four themes are writing actions, comedy routines, measurement standards, and altered vegetables.
Solvers may make four mistakes before the game ends.
Solutions include Write (Jot, Log, Note, Record); Shtick (Bit, Gag, Number, Routine); Benchmark (Bar, Example, Metric, Standard); Vegetables minus starting letter (Ale, Eek, Hive, Quash).

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