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Saturday, September 19, 2026  ·  Your daily stash of puzzle hints. Answers stay hidden until you ask for them.
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Strands · Hints and answers

Strands hints and answers for Saturday, September 19, 2026

NYT theme clue: "Shiver me timbers!" · Edited by Tracy Bennett

Saturday's Strands board has six theme words plus a 15-letter spangram, under the NYT clue "Shiver me timbers!". The ladder below climbs from the theme to the spangram - take one hint at a time.

Hints, in order

Hint 0 of 3

Tap to show one hint at a time.

Hint 1 of 3

The NYT clue is "Shiver me timbers!" - take it literally before you take it sideways. The spangram runs 15 letters and touches opposite sides of the board.

Hint 2 of 3

The six theme words run 4 to 8 letters (lengths: 4, 5, 5, 5, 6, 8). Every one of them belongs to the family the clue points at.

Hint 3 of 3

The spangram starts with T and ends with E. It is TALKLIKEAPIRATE - find it and the rest of the board falls into place.

Spangram and theme words

The spangram first, then all six theme words.

SPANGRAM
TALKLIKEAPIRATE
ARRRTheme word
AVASTTheme word
HEARTIESTheme word
MATEYTheme word
SAVVYTheme word
YOHOHOTheme word
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