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NYT Strands dives into the classic rhyme “Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary”
The spangram GARDEN connects all theme words inspired by the nursery rhyme
Discover words like CONTRARY, SILVER, BELLS, MAID, and more in today’s poetic puzzle
Thursday is here, and payday has come and gone. Unfortunately, some of us noticed deductions and unforeseen taxes. The mood is understandably a bit low. Instead of stressing over the pay cut, one can save their energy and skip the tension by diving into something fun and refreshing, today’s New York Times Strands puzzle.
This puzzle returns you to a nursery rhyme originally written in 1744 England. The subject matter concerns the fantastical garden of the rhyme, with titles such as silver bells, cockle shells, and pretty maids all in a row, inspired by its famous verses.
Strands introduces you to a 6x8 letter grid. Your task? Locate all the words that meet today’s garden-themed rhyme. Every accurate word you find glows blue. Watch for the spangram, a unique word that bridges two opposite sides of the board and serves up the heart of the theme, in glowing yellow.
Begin by tracking down any words you can recognize from the rhyme. These will unlock clues and lead you across the grid. Some words are easy, some may put your nursery rhyme knowledge to the test. Use the hints wisely to complete the full set.
The spangram ‘GARDEN’ runs across the board, binding all the theme words together and revealing the puzzle’s mystery.
Here’s the lineup based on the nursery rhyme, with what each word means:
CONTRARY: Opposite or stubbornly resistant
SILVER: A shiny, valuable gray-white metal frequently used for jewelry or coins
COCKLESHELLS: Hard, curved shells of small edible clams on beaches
BELLS: Hollow metal objects that sound when struck, used in music or as signals
MAID: An unmarried young woman or female servant
PRETTY: Pleasant in a dainty, charming manner
So, despite the deductions from our paychecks, today’s Strands puzzle is the ideal way to brighten up the day and get your brain going. Take a brief mental walk through this vintage nursery rhyme garden, because sometimes, the best way to flip a bad day around is a good puzzle!
