For fans of word puzzles, the New York Times' game Strands has become a delightful daily challenge, offering a fresh twist on the classic word search. On Wednesday, April 9, 2025, players tackled Strands #402, themed "That's quite a (tasty) mouthful," which cleverly centered around foods with long names.
The game requires participants to find words linked by adjacent letters in various directions—up, down, left, right, and even diagonally. The challenge is compounded by the need to identify a special word or phrase known as the "spangram," which captures the essence of the day’s theme and spans the entire grid.
For today's puzzle, the spangram was revealed to be FOURSYLLABLES, indicating that each of the theme words consisted of four syllables. The theme words included WATERMELON, ARUGULA, CAULIFLOWER, and AVOCADO. Each of these words fits the puzzle's playful theme of lengthy food names.
Initially, players might have found themselves considering words like "delicious" or "delectable," but these did not yield any hits in the puzzle. The hints provided were crucial for players struggling to connect the dots.
As the author of one guide noted, they initially spotted the word "melon," which hinted at the inclusion of WATERMELON, but needed a nudge to discover ARUGULA, which was located in the bottom-left corner of the board. Once ARUGULA was found, the author noticed AVOCADO diagonally opposite it, with CAULIFLOWER nestled in between.
For those unfamiliar with Strands, the game is designed to be both engaging and challenging. It encourages players to think creatively about how words can connect and form patterns. As players progress, they can earn hints by finding non-theme words, which can help illuminate the theme words on the board.
To successfully complete Strands #402, players needed to identify all four theme words and the spangram, ensuring that every letter on the board was used. The spangram highlights in yellow once found, while the theme words are marked in blue.
For players eager to get started, the hints for today’s puzzle included the first letters of each word: CA for CAULIFLOWER, AR for ARUGULA, WA for WATERMELON, AV for AVOCADO, and FO for the spangram FOURSYLLABLES. This kind of structured hinting can be particularly useful for those who might be stuck.
As the popularity of Strands continues to grow, it's clear that this game is becoming a staple for word enthusiasts. With daily themes and the excitement of discovering new words, players find themselves returning each day to tackle the latest challenge.
In addition to the thrill of solving the puzzles, Strands promotes cognitive engagement and can be a fun way to expand one’s vocabulary. It’s not just about finding words but also about appreciating the connections between them, especially when they relate to something as universally loved as food.
In summary, Strands #402 offered a delightful mix of challenge and fun, with its focus on lengthy food names and the clever spangram FOURSYLLABLES. Whether players are seasoned pros or newcomers to the game, the experience of piecing together the puzzle is sure to be satisfying.
So, if you haven't yet tried your hand at Strands, grab your pencil or your device and dive into the world of wordplay. Who knows what tasty morsels await you in tomorrow's puzzle?
