Every morning, thousands of puzzle enthusiasts flock to The New York Times’ Games section, eager to test their wits against daily challenges like Wordle, Mini Crossword, and the increasingly popular Connections puzzle. On Thursday, January 8, 2026, Connections puzzle #942 delivered a particularly memorable brain teaser, prompting players to group 16 seemingly unrelated words into four distinct categories. The day’s puzzle, as reported by Lifehacker, CNET, and other puzzle-focused outlets, stood out for its clever wordplay and the satisfying “aha!” moments it offered to those who cracked its themes.
For those unfamiliar, Connections is a game that asks players to sort a grid of 16 words into four groups of four, each group sharing a hidden connection. The challenge lies not just in finding the links, but in avoiding the red herrings—words that seem to fit but actually belong elsewhere. According to CNET, the puzzle’s color-coded system signals difficulty, with yellow being the easiest category and purple the hardest.
On January 8, the puzzle’s 16 words were: LOITER, SPEED, CROWBAR, AEROPLANE, GOOSEBUMP, JAYWALK, HEATHERS, CLOTHESPIN, SCISSORS, TINGLE, DOVETAIL, MARSALA, SEESAW, SHIVER, LITTER, and CHILL. As Lifehacker pointed out, the day’s categories were especially tricky, with the blue and purple groups leaving even seasoned solvers scratching their heads. But with a little patience—and perhaps a few hints—players could unravel the logic behind the day’s connections.
The yellow group, described by CNET as the most straightforward, was themed “Bit of a response to strong emotions.” The four words in this group—CHILL, GOOSEBUMP, SHIVER, and TINGLE—are all physical sensations people might experience when confronted with strong feelings, whether from fear, excitement, or even a touching movie scene. As one guide noted, “You may experience this during a movie,” a nod to the way emotions can manifest physically. The inclusion of these words in the same category highlights how our bodies often react in subtle, interconnected ways to emotional stimuli.
Moving to the green category, the theme was “Break the rules.” This group included JAYWALK, LITTER, LOITER, and SPEED—actions that, while not as severe as major crimes, are still frowned upon or outright illegal in many places. The words evoke everyday infractions, the sort of minor misdeeds that might earn a scolding from a parent or a ticket from a local officer. As Lifehacker observed, “Not as bad as robbery or murder, but still not great ideas.” The green category’s theme resonated with many players, as these are transgressions most people are familiar with, either through personal experience or observation.
The blue group, which many solvers found to be the toughest, was themed “First-class levers.” The four words here—CLOTHESPIN, CROWBAR, SCISSORS, and SEESAW—are all examples of simple machines known as first-class levers. In physics, a first-class lever is a type of simple machine where the fulcrum is positioned between the input force and output force. As CNET pointed out, “A certain kind of simple machine” was the day’s blue hint, and for those with a background in science or engineering, the connection might have clicked quickly. For others, the grouping may have seemed arbitrary at first, but upon reflection, the logic became clear: each word names an object that pivots on a central point, amplifying force on one end by applying effort to the other.
The purple group, often the most challenging, was themed “Starting with candy bars.” This clever category included AEROPLANE, DOVETAIL, HEATHERS, and MARSALA. At first glance, the connection isn’t obvious—none of these are types of candy. But look closer and you’ll see that each word starts with the name of a popular candy bar: Aero (AEROPLANE), Dove (DOVETAIL), Heath (HEATHERS), and Mars (MARSALA). As one guide quipped, “Sweets for the sweet,” capturing the playful spirit of the puzzle’s trickiest set. For players with a sweet tooth or a keen eye for wordplay, this group was a delight to discover.
Guides from outlets like Lifehacker and CNET offered not only the answers, but also strategies for tackling Connections puzzles. One key tip: don’t be fooled by surface similarities. For example, several words in the day’s puzzle—GOOSEBUMP, JAYWALK, CROWBAR, and DOVETAIL—all start with bird names, but as Lifehacker cautioned, “they all belong to different categories today.” It’s a reminder that Connections often includes red herrings designed to mislead, and that patience and lateral thinking are essential to success.
Another strategy, as described by CNET, is to look for the words that seem the least connected to others. “If all that comes to mind when you see WHISTLER is the painting nicknamed ‘Whistler’s Mother,’ you might be on to something.” This advice encourages players to trust their instincts and pursue even the faintest glimmers of a theme, as the puzzle’s creators often reward creative thinking.
For those who struggled with the blue or purple categories, the puzzle’s hints were a lifeline. “Does it pivot?” was the clue for the blue group, steering solvers toward the concept of levers. “Focus on the first half” was the advice for the purple group, nudging players to consider the beginnings of each word. These nudges, while subtle, often provided just enough direction to unlock a stubborn set.
The popularity of Connections continues to grow, with daily guides and answer sheets proliferating across the web. The New York Times has even introduced a Connections Bot, similar to the one for Wordle, allowing registered players to track their stats, win rates, and streaks. This gamification has only fueled the competitive spirit among fans, who compare strategies, share hints, and commiserate over particularly tough puzzles.
In the end, Connections puzzle #942 was a testament to the game’s enduring appeal: simple rules, fiendish execution, and the thrill of discovery. Whether you solved it solo, with the help of a friend, or by consulting a guide, the satisfaction of cracking each group—and learning something new along the way—was its own sweet reward. Tomorrow, a new challenge awaits, but for now, puzzle fans can savor the victory of another Connections conquered.
