NYT Connections puzzle #336, dated May 12, 2024, groups its 16 words around playful teasing, cuts of beef, acronyms or initialisms, and cocktail names with place names removed. Start with the hints below if you want to solve it yourself; the answer key is spoiler-marked.
Hints for Connections #336
Try these from least to most revealing. Each hint points to one group of four.
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- Four words can mean to make fun of someone playfully.
- Four are cuts of beef.
- Four are abbreviations formed from initial letters; some are pronounced as words, while others are spoken letter by letter.
- Four are parts of cocktail names after removing a place name.
Full answer key (spoilers)
Here are all four groups for the May 12, 2024 puzzle:
| Color | Category | Words |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow | Playfully poke fun at | KID, NEEDLE, RIB, TEASE |
| Green | Cuts of beef | CHUCK, FLANK, LOIN, ROUND |
| Blue | Acronyms / initialisms | MIA, OMG, PIN, RAM |
| Purple | Cocktails minus place names | LIBRE, MAMA, MULE, SLING |
How the trickier connections work
Acronyms and initialisms
MIA, OMG, PIN, and RAM are abbreviations made from initial letters. Strictly speaking, OMG is an initialism because its letters are typically said individually; the combined label “acronyms / initialisms” covers the set more precisely than “acronyms” alone.
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Cocktails minus place names
The purple words become cocktail names when paired with the removed place names: Cuba Libre, Mama (a cocktail), Moscow Mule, and Singapore Sling. The puzzle gives only LIBRE, MAMA, MULE, and SLING, so recognizing the full names is the key step.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why the board can be misleading
Connections asks players to sort 16 words into four groups of four. Some words may seem to fit more than one possible theme, so check whether an apparent set has an alternate explanation before submitting it. Wrong guesses count against the game’s limited mistake allowance.
Quick Recap
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