The New York Times has been a synonym for the word ‘puzzle’, ever since its first crossword appeared on February 15, 1942. It was the first major newspaper to include this brain-teasing activity, created by Charles Erlenkotter and edited by Margaret Farrar.
Over the years, the NYT has expanded its puzzle offerings to include beloved games such as the Mini Crossword, Spelling Bee, Letter Boxed, and Tiles. In 2022, it introduced the popular Wordle. Connections and Strands soon joined the list of its new games.
Strands is the latest addition to the puzzle lineup that NYT boasts in its portfolio. Word enthusiasts love delving into a grid of 48 letters to find the answers for the daily theme of the game. One of the Strand’s special features is its unique Spangram.
Spangram is a piece that cuts across two sides of the board and is usually the longest word that can be found. This brings extra excitement. In a very short time after launching, Strands has become very popular, giving the NYT more variety in its puzzle games.
For today's puzzle, January 17, 2025, the theme is ’The Time of Our Lives’. For people who need a little nudge in the right direction, just scroll below to find NYT Strands hints, the Spangram today, and even the answers.
To help you get an edge in solving today's Strands puzzle, here are a few helpful hints along the lines of the theme:
Hint 1: A word used to refer to those born between the early 1980s and the late 1990s; begins with the letter "M" and ends with "L".
Hint 2: A group of people who fall under a category typically characterized by birth between 1901 and 1927; begins with the letter "G" and ends with "T".
These clues should be enough to connect the dots and open today's solution.
Today's Spangram for Strands is the ‘Generation gap’, which spans two sides of the puzzle. It drives home the theme of today's puzzle but will also serve as a guide for solving it.
Answers in the grid today:
ALPHA
BOOMER
MILLENNIAL
ZOOMER
GREATEST
These are generational labels. They differ according to groups that have defined the social and cultural landscape year in and year out. From the legendary ‘Baby Boomers’ to the upcoming ‘Zoomers,’ these represent distinct generational experiences and attitudes.
Strands Today provides a fun and thought-provoking challenge that tests a player’s word-spotting skills and knowledge of social trends.
Congratulations to the ones who got it! If not, keep practicing and come back tomorrow for more Strands hints, tips, and answers.
Happy puzzling!