NYT Strands Puzzle Stumps Players with Rare Bird Name

NEW YORK, N.Y. — The New York Times‘ Strands puzzle, a beta word search game, left players scratching their heads Friday with one of its most challenging themes yet: “Seeing double.” The puzzle required players to find words with double letters, but one answer in particular — “WHIPPOORWILL” — proved to be a stumbling block for even the most seasoned solvers.

Strands, a new addition to The New York Times’ lineup of word games, presents players with a six-by-eight grid of letters. The goal is to find a group of words that share a common theme, as well as a spangram — a special word that links two opposite sides of the board and reveals the overarching connection. Friday’s spangram was “LETTERS,” hinting at the double-letter theme.

“Some themes are fill-in-the-blank phrases. They may also be steps in a process, items that all belong to the same category, synonyms or homophones,” The New York Times explained. Tracy Bennett, editor of Wordle and Strands, plans to vary the difficulty of Strands puzzles to keep players on their toes.

Friday’s puzzle included words like “SUCCEED,” “BALLOON,” “COFFEE,” and “COMMITTEE,” all of which contain double letters. However, the word “WHIPPOORWILL” — a North American bird known for its distinctive call — stumped many players. “I thought this was Whirlpool but you can’t make that work,” one player commented. “A bird I have never heard of in my life despite living in North America where it resides.”

Native American folklore holds that hearing the cry of a whippoorwill is an omen of death, a sentiment some players jokingly echoed after struggling with the puzzle. “I certainly wanted to die after trying this many combinations of letters,” one player quipped.

Strands is currently in beta, meaning its future depends on player engagement. With its unique twist on the classic word search format, the game has already garnered a dedicated following. Players can expect new puzzles daily, each with its own theme and challenges.

For those who need a little help, The New York Times provides official hints, and players often share their own tips and strategies. Friday’s unofficial hint, “Repeated characters,” pointed players toward the double-letter theme. Despite the difficulty, many players praised the puzzle for its creativity and challenge.

As Strands continues to evolve, players can look forward to more curveballs from Bennett and her team. Whether you’re a word game enthusiast or a casual player, Strands offers a fresh and engaging way to test your vocabulary and problem-solving skills.