Today's New York Times Strategies (and Solution) for Thursday, August 29, 2024 (Paraphrased)
If you're seeking tips and solutions for Strands on a Thursday, August 29, 2024, continue reading. I'll provide some clues and hints, culminating in the puzzle's theme and the answer.
For an easy approach to return to our Strands hints daily, mark this page. You can also find our archived hints here if you'd like to catch up on previous puzzles.
Below you'll find some subtle hints regarding today's Strands answers. Then, you'll find the puzzle's spangram and answers further down the page. Take only the hints you need. Don't rush!
Credit: Strands/NYT## Hint for the spangram in today’s Strands puzzle
When you're delegating a Starbucks order for your pals.
Hint for the theme words in today’s Strands puzzle
In the morning, many of us rely on a pick-me-up in several forms. Can you think of a few examples?
WARNING: Spoilers follow for today’s Strands puzzle!
We're about to divulge the answers to today’s Strands puzzle.
What is the spangram in today’s Strands?
Today’s spangram is COFFEEORDER.
What are the theme words in today’s Strands?
The themes today are: ESPRESSO, MOCHA, LATTE, BLACK, CAPPUCCINO, ICED.
The board resembles this when all the words are found:
Credit: Strands/NYT## How I deciphered today’s Strands
The phrase "wake up and smell the coffee" sprang to my mind. Maybe it's linked to a morning routine?
I spotted 'BLACK' in the lower right corner and identified it. 🔵 Maybe it's coffee orders?
Credit: Strands/NYT
Indeed, CAPPUCCINO is right beside it. 🔵
And ICED completes the lower right corner. 🔵
I spotted the spangram, too: COFFEEORDER. 🟡
LATTE extends the right side of the puzzle. 🔵
MOCHA lies to its left. 🔵
Lastly, ESPRESSO. 🔵
How to enjoy Strands
Search for the Strands game on the New York Times website or download the NYT Games app.
Once you begin playing, you'll see a game board filled with letters, accompanied by a clue hinting at the puzzle's theme. Your mission is to discover words within the board that reflect the puzzle's theme.
A mix of crossword and word search
The primary word to find is the "spangram," which illuminates the puzzle's theme more explicitly. For instance, the spangram for the theme "Better with age" is "FERMENTED." When the spangram is discovered, it will appear highlighted in yellow. Finding the spangram typically simplifies the rest of the puzzle.
Playing Strands means words may move in various directions (up, down, left, right, or diagonally). Each letter is used only once. Only one correct solution exists. As you correctly identify one of the puzzle's words (e.g., KOMBUCHA, MISO, or KIMCHI), it will highlight in blue.
If you struggle with the puzzle, submit at least four-letter non-theme words to receive credit for a single hint. When you've submitted three non-theme words, the 'Hint' button becomes clickable. Clicking it results in highlighting letters for one of the theme words. Remember, you still need to connect these highlighted letters in the right order to create a theme word. If a hint is already present and you submit an additional hint before solving for that word, the word's letter order will be revealed.
How to conquer Strands
Unlike Connections and Wordle, you can't lose in Strands. Whenever you submit a guess, you'll either identify the answer, receive credit for a hint, or the letters will shake like they're in an earthquake, indicating the word is either too short or invalid. You won't exhaust your attempts, and there is no time limit.
You win when you've used all the letters, meaning you've discovered the spangram and all the theme words. Like other NYT games, upon solving the puzzle, you'll see a shareable card indicating your performance that day: blue dots 🔵 imply theme words you found, the yellow dot 🟡 identifies when you discovered the spangram, and a lightbulb 💡 signifies words you received help with.
Credit: Strands/NYT
After exploring the archived hints for previous Strands puzzles, you might discover that today's entertainment is centered around popular coffee orders. With the theme words being ESPRESSO, MOCHA, LATTE, BLACK, CAPPUCCINO, and ICED, you'll need to find these terms within the game board. The spangram for today's puzzle is COFFEEORDER, which can guide you in your search.
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