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It’s Friday, payday went by and is gone, and if you’re like the rest of us, the majority of that hard-earned money’s probably already gone to rent and bills. The weekend beckons, but before you take it easy, take a minute out of your time and refresh with something enjoyable and challenging.
Today’s New York Times Strands puzzle is just the thing to do after a long week. It’s a brain teaser that’s fun, retro, and sure to get your gears grinding.
This puzzle is all about the yo-yo, that ageless toy many of us last twirled around our fingers years ago. The theme is centered on many yo-yo tricks, some familiar, some sneaky, perhaps even reminding you of your youth, or perhaps making you aware of how little you knew about these old-school moves!
You’ll see a 6x8 matrix of letters in front of you. Your mission is to hunt down all the words connected by today’s theme, yoyo tricks. Every word you find glows blue as you go, tracking your progress.
But watch out for the spangram, a standout special word that runs along the board from side to side. This yellow-highlighted word shows you the universal connection between all the other words.
Start by searching for any yo-yo trick names that you are familiar with. These will unlock more of the puzzle for you. Some tricks may be fairly obvious; some may need a little guesswork or a nudge in the right direction. Don’t be afraid to use the clues if you get stuck.
The spangram ‘YOYOTRICKS’ ties it all together. It’s the clue to the theme of the whole puzzle and binds up all the other words in one nice package.
Here is the list of yo-yo trick names concealed in today’s grid:
BREAKAWAY: An old standby where the yo-yo swings out from your hand rather than straight down.
PINWHEEL: A trick that causes the yo-yo to spin in a circular pattern, similar to the blades on a pinwheel.
ELEVATOR: The yo-yo ascends the string, simulating an elevator experience.
SEASICK: A trick in which the yo-yo sways from side to side, as if it is ‘seasick’ on choppy seas.
SLEEPER: The basic trick in which the yo-yo spins at the end of the string before coming back into your hand.
So rent is paid and the paycheck’s already lighter, but today’s Strands puzzle presents a nice way to change gears and challenge your brain. It’s a retro nod to a favorite toy and an interesting challenge all in one.
Take a break, jump into the grid, and let this yo-yo themed puzzle brighten your day. Other times, a nice puzzle is just the thing to turn the switch on a crazy week and begin the weekend on a strong note.
