NYT Strands Puzzle Challenges Players with Dated Slang Theme

NEW YORK, N.Y. — The New York Times‘ latest Strands puzzle, released Tuesday, January 21, 2025, has players searching for dated slang terms in a six-by-eight letter grid. The word game, available on the NYT Games app and website, challenges users to find theme-related words and a connecting spangram.

The puzzle’s theme, “You don’t say…,” hints at outdated expressions, with an additional clue suggesting “Awesome! Dynamite! Cool! Swell!” Players must identify eight theme words, including the spangram “DATED SLANG,” which connects two sides of the grid.

“I needed a hint to get started but after that I was off to the races,” said Kris Holt, a Forbes contributor who covers word games. “The hint gave me the letters for PHAT and then I spotted BOSS right next to it.”

Strands, which launched alongside popular NYT games like Wordle and Connections, requires players to find words that share a common theme. Theme words appear in blue when found, while the spangram highlights in yellow. Players can connect letters vertically, horizontally, and diagonally, with the ability to change directions mid-word.

Gael Fashingbauer Cooper, a CNET editor and pop culture expert, noted the puzzle’s nostalgic appeal. “Today’s NYT puzzle is a fun one, especially if, like me, you still fondly remember the 1980s and 1990s and beyond,” Cooper said.

The game’s difficulty varies daily, with some puzzles focusing on synonyms, homophones, or completing phrases. Players can unlock hints by finding three valid words of at least four letters that aren’t part of the theme.

According to Holt, some of the theme words included terms like “TUBULAR” and “PHAT,” with “CHERRY” being an unexpected inclusion. The puzzle’s creators aim to surprise players with varying themes and difficulty levels.

Strands joins the NYT’s growing collection of digital word games, which have gained popularity since the acquisition of Wordle in 2022. The game’s daily format and nostalgic themes continue to attract players seeking mental challenges and entertainment.