Connections · Hints and answers

Connections #1,189 hints and answers for Saturday, September 12, 2026

Edited by Wyna Liu · Groups listed easiest to hardest: yellow, green, blue, purple

Connections #1,189 puts four groups of four on the board, running from the yellow group through to purple. For each group below: read the hint first, then show the category name when you want it, then the four words.

Group 1 - Yellow

Hint: Watch the longer entries: at least one of these four is a multi-word phrase, which usually points at the shape of the category.

WAYS TO PERSONALIZE A CAR

BUMPER STICKER · FUZZY DICE · HOOD ORNAMENT · VANITY PLATE

Group 2 - Green

Hint: Four words, one thread. Say each of the four out loud - the link is usually plainer than it looks.

PEOPLE IN AN ONLINE FORUM

LURKER · POSTER · SPAMMER · TROLL

Group 3 - Blue

Hint: Watch the longer entries: at least one of these four is a multi-word phrase, which usually points at the shape of the category.

THINGS THAT BLINK

CURSOR · EYELIDS · SMOKE DETECTOR · TURN SIGNAL

Group 4 - Purple

Hint: The category name leaves a blank - each of these four words fills it to make a familiar phrase.

___ ALERT

NERD · RED · SPOILER · WEATHER

Next on the board

Strands →

Theme clue: "Don't obsess"